GNOCCHI!

Way back when, 2007 actually, I ventured to Switzerland and Italy and was able to taste the deliciousness of all the Italian cooking. Real Italian cooking. While at Pisa, I had gnocchi for the first time. It was so delicious I just don't know how to explain it. When I had it at Pisa, and I mean I was literally 100 feet from Pisa, it was cheesy and very yummy.
I have been feeling under the weather lately so food hasn't been on my good side. But gnocchi just sounded so delicious. So did pesto. I mustered the strength to get my pathetic self to the grocery and store for the ingredients. I repeat, under the weather, so I bought jarred pesto. I hope to make it next time. The gnocchi turned out okay but I think I seriously need to figure out how to make them myself. So good.
I also made some basil chicken, to go with the pesto flavor, to add some protein. Turned out very well. :)

In the meantime of dinner, I ma realizing how much I absolutely enjoy having Ellee be such an independent child. She plays so well by herself, that is until she removes herself from a sitting position thinking she can get something out of reach and then is stuck. I wish she would learn to crawl. Matt tries very hard to get her going but, nothing. She just isn't grasping the knees-keep-large-round-kissable-tummy-off-the-floor concept. Hopefully she gets it soon. I cant wait to chase her around the house :)

 This age is quite amazing. She is quite amazing actually

 



















Photo credit Emma May Photography
Located in the Detroit Metro

Hello Spring Time!

I have continued my hand at gardening and put some of my sprouts in the ground. Broccoli, cucumber and parsley. They are looking pretty pathetic however. I hope they make it through. In the meantime my other seedlings have all blossomed and I have much more to plant! I was quite concerned that these were not gonna sprout but as you can see I really didn't need to be that concerned!

This weekend Matt finally tackled the front garden and got a retaining wall almost all completed! Amazing! The mister, that is :) He did a fantastic job. Level and all! I just have to scurry myself to a greenhouse now and purchase some annuals to add a lovely dose of colour. I'll have to pray, however, that the pesky infestation of rabbits in our neighborhood will not eat all the heads of my lovely petunias!!!

















In the meantime of gardening, Ellee has been the best little stinker. She eats EVERYTHING, its actually quite ridiculous. I can nurse her, sit her down and feed her a bowl of cereal for breakfast, and she still has eyes for more food. I promise you I am not starving her I just don't think she needs to eat EVERYTHING in the pantry. One of the great things with her though is her ability to feed her self. She actually enjoys that the most, and really seems to prefer that over spoon feeding. Maybe the Lord is prepping her for being the independent oldest child; we do intend to have more children.

As the weather gets better and better, I find myself loving it and appreciating it more then I have in previous years. I cant seem to figure out why though. And then I realized, I didn't get a summer last year. Ellee was born the beginning of July and  I spent every waking hour sitting on the couch trying to learn how to cope and feed the screaming child. There was the occasional walk with Matt but those were fleeting. I definitely intend to make the most out of this year, specially with Ellee. She's  a fish at heart you know. Loves water, swimming, baths, you name it. This picture is a couple months old but serves the purpose :) Love her!

Easter weekend is coming and we are heading to the in-laws for the long weekend. Nothing says relax like a trip to the farm where cell phone reception is difficult and getting a laptop out is not nearly as interesting as talking a walk, riding a horse, screaming at cows, four wheeling or just plain relaxing. However, prepping to go on weekend getaways now is much more work with a child. What stroller to bring, do we have baby food, bottles, diapers, etc. etc. etc. The list of to brings and what to bring is endless. But still, an enjoyable time will be had by all.