Due

It's been awhile since I've hopped on ye old bloge.  I've been busy, and preoccupied trying to put the finishing touches on this human I'm growing.  I am also away from home--and my camera doesn't sync with this here pc...and blogging without pictures is just not as satisfying somehow.  I can promise I will be on here again soon though, with LOTS of pictures.

For now, I am just in the big city, waiting and waiting the arrival of this new little one.  We came down here at 37 1/2 weeks after the baby seemed tempted to make an early appearance, but now on my "official" due date, there seems to be little chance of that.  I remember going overdue with Sadie was so discouraging and disappointing.  Somehow this time it doesn't seem bad.  Maybe it's because I have an awesome kid and husband to hang out with to keep me busy.  Maybe it's because Sadie is going through an amazing language development burst, and getting a glimpse of the way she processes the world every day is a small miracle, if not at least a delightful distraction.  To top it off, I have been blessed with a real second wind this last week.  I feel really, well, dare I say good?  Good enough to go on a 5 mile hike through beautiful birch forest yesterday, and to hit up a farmers market and enjoy a wonderful dinner replete with lots of fresh, delicious veggies.

I guess if you're going to have to wait, you may as well do it in style (and in the relaxing environment of Babka Sophie's house). So this is where we will be until the new little one decides to make his/her grand entrance.  Many blessings to you all as August winds down into early fall.

at the cape

hiking with tots

It was a perfect morning for a "hike" at the top of Anvil Mountain with our friends Zoe, Jasper, Elise & Huckleberry.

 I've decided that when you are 7 months pregnant toddlers are the best hiking companions.

perfect beer-battered fish

It's summer--or close enough, and here in the greatland that means that it's time to use up the old fish in the freezer to make room in anticipation for the new.  One well loved method of using up said fish is ye ole beer batter and fry.  I have been searching high and low for a beer batter recipe that sticks to the fish and fries up that lovely golden brown color, and stays crisp even if you have to hold it in a warm oven while you fry up a giant batch, you know what I mean?

Well...I found it.  

This is really, really good beer batter.  

And it's really easy.

So easy, in fact that it only contains 2 ingredients
(well, 3 if you count salt)

Mix together: 

approximately 3 cups of flour

20 oz beer

(that's like a beer and a half. You can polish off the other half as you cook)

Use a good, flavorful beer.  I used AK amber.

add a dash of salt.

leave it on the counter covered with a tea towel for a few hours before cooking your fish.

I think this is what makes the batter thick and wonderfully sticky to adhere to the fish.

Season your fish with the delicious spices of your choice before dipping in the beer batter and frying.

plain old salt'n'peppa works fine, but feel free to get fancy if the spirit moves.

fry. 

(we always fry in peanut oil because it is stable at high temps--

coconut oil would be good too--but expensive)

don't burn. 

keep warm in a 200 degree oven until all the fish is done.

use up the extra batter to make some amazing onion rings. 

soooooooo good.

serve with the dipping condiment of your choice. 

You might want to schedule some time to go for a hike after you eat this... 

but you won't be sorry you tried it.

Important fashion questions, brought to you by Sadie

You might have read recently in the news that Anchorage, Alaska was voted the worst dressed city in the nation.  Well--I can't say about that one way or another because living in rural Alaska has blinded me to all but the most heinous of fashion crimes.  

That is why I don't bat an eye when my kid elects to wear an outfit like this. 

Let's break it down.

Does it matter that the sunhat is too small? 

nope.

Is my kid totally sporting a shiner that matches her purple shirt?

unfortunately, yes.

Are big girl undies acceptable as both casual and formalwear?

heck to the yes, as long as it means someone goes pee in the potty!

Does it take me fifteen minutes to get both shoes and socks on her feet so we can go into the yard and feed the chickens?

sure does.

In fact, running away from mom while she tries to get Sadie ready to go anywhere has become a really popular sport around here lately.  My solution?  I just sit down on the couch with whatever it is that Sadie wont put on, and say, "come here Cash... come put on this yellow jacket/ pair of socks, shoes...etc" and Sadie immediately comes and informs me that it is "Sasie's" not Cash's and puts it on.  

Do I realize that this trick is going to last for a limited time only?

of course.

But I'm 7 months pregnant.  I'm tired. Its hard to put my own {unfashionable} shoes on...let alone shoe a wiggly toddler. 

I'm hoping that by the time Sadie figures it out I'll be back on my A game. 

But A game or no--I certainly don't plan to censor this little one's budding sense of style. 

Heck.  When it's sunny and 70 in Nome, it kind of seems like undies, a polartec shirt and an old sun hat are perfectly reasonable attire.

summer sewing

This week I have been trying to balance our outside playtime with a little bit of inside sewing (and knitting).  It seems like Sadie has pretty much grown out of all of last summer's clothes, and its almost time to put away all the wool and fleece.  This year I have made it a goal to make most of Sadie's clothes--not only to save money, but because it makes it more meaningful to put love and time into things myself.  Not to mention quality control.  There is nothing more disappointing than cheaply made children's clothes--and it seems to be the norm more than the exception these days. If ever there was a population that could really put a garment to the test it must be kids ages 2-7.

I started out with this sweet little summer cardigan (pattern here on Ravelry) This should probably get a blog post all to itself, since it is only the third ever project I have finished knitting. I usually roll with the crochet--but after getting my stash of qiviut back from the mills I have made it my goal to become a more worthy knitter so I can tackle some big projects in the fall. Honestly, the sweater turned out super cute.  Sadie picked out the buttons herself, and it is just perfect to take the chill out of these not-quite-summer mornings. (knitted with superwash merino wool)

n

Next up, the "super easy linen shirt" pattern from Sewing for Boys--made out of quilting cotton scraps.  Notice Sadie accesorizing with her "Bow like Emmaline."  (Our neighbor's baby has an amazing collection of bow & flower headbands that have become a major fascination for Sadie) This one is made from braided, upcycled t-shirt material and a kansashi flower that my mom made.

And of course, no outfit would be complete without some pants.  These harem pants are made from upcycled shirt sleeves.

The best thing about these pants it they are ridiculously quick and easy to sew (like a 30 minute project--no joke) because all the sewing is pretty much done for you.  Plus, you can't beat the price.

up next... I plan to tackle some of these beautifully soft organic cotton knits that I procured from the amazing (and wallet-shrinking) Spoonflower.  When Sadie saw the one with the horses she points to my sewing machine and goes, "mama, sew."  So maybe she'll get a dress out of that--but I also have plans for some clothes for our newbie--I guess I better get a sewin' since the countdown is on.  30 weeks tomorrow--how the time does fly!

The Happy Scientist

It's funny that this last few weeks I feel like I have finally really gotten into my mothering groove.  Funny, and ironic--especially considering that in 2 1/2 months or so I'm going to be starting this crazy journey all over again--with considerably more chaos this time. No matter though, for the moment I am loving just soaking up the time with my almost-two-year-old girl. 

We have been spending as much time as possible out in the sunshine, which means all art & materials science projects have been moved to the porch until further notice. Or rain.

Sadie's science/art tray this week features droppers full of colored water, an assortment of brushes and measuring tools, cornstarch, baking soda and vinegar.  This girl will spend hours outside in the sunshine dabbling, dropping, mixing, experimenting...which kind of parallels how I feel about my parenting journey at this point.  After a lot of trial and error you have the Eureka! moment when all the pieces come together and make sense.  At least for a little while.

And any mom can tell you, it would be foolish not to treasure every. single. moment. of that little while.