The cottage before,
and the cottage after. 
And our garage no longer looks like a set from a zombie movie.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Extreme Home Makeover, Part V
Day six
The cottage before,
The cottage before,
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Cafe Irani: Closed for Rain
We usually close the dining room during the summer months and open Cafe Irani, on the back porch, but our little cottage doesn't have rain protection. It's just no fun to eat in the rain. The clouds cleared enough for Erik to grill some sausages from my uncle Jeff's meat market. I steamed some artichokes as recommended by Easy as Pie. I cut up a pineapple and we had a delicious "weed salad" with romano, sunflower seeds and cucumbers. It sure was a tasty dinner!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Extreme Home Makeover, Part IV
Day Five, almost done
Sarah lives in a little yellow house, a little yellow house! Sarah lives in a little yellow house!
Sarah lives in a little yellow house, a little yellow house! Sarah lives in a little yellow house!
Adoption Update: "Is our visa ready?" "Is is there yet? Huh? Huh Is it there yet?"
Our homeland security approval has been approved and we have permission to get a visa. That was on June 8th. We're very frustrated with how the system works. Once we got our approval, we had to call the Visa Center every day to ask "Is our visa ready?" "Is is there yet? Huh? Huh Is it there yet?" For two weeks, we got "Nope." Then last night, Erik called and the person on the other end said, "Yeah, it came through on the 18th." Can I let out one big ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Now, we have to contact the embassy in New Delhi. "Is our visa ready?" "Is is there yet? Huh? Huh Is it there yet?" Seriously? This is the best system we've got? No notification, no call? Just me calling every day. "Is our visa ready?" "Is is there yet? Huh? Huh Is it there yet?"
Once we get through to India and they say "Yes, Mrs. Irani, your child's visa is ready." Then Srushti and her escort make the long trek to New Delhi and the even longer one to Newark, New Jersey. We're this much closer.
Now, we have to contact the embassy in New Delhi. "Is our visa ready?" "Is is there yet? Huh? Huh Is it there yet?" Seriously? This is the best system we've got? No notification, no call? Just me calling every day. "Is our visa ready?" "Is is there yet? Huh? Huh Is it there yet?"
Once we get through to India and they say "Yes, Mrs. Irani, your child's visa is ready." Then Srushti and her escort make the long trek to New Delhi and the even longer one to Newark, New Jersey. We're this much closer.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Roasted Guinea Fowl and Weed Salad
I stuffed the fowl full of garlic, rosemary and lemon chunks, a little oil and salt and pepper on top. I didn't have any twine for trussing, but I did enjoy Easy as Pie's "How to Truss a Chicken" video. For all the work, I'm not sure it was worth it. I wasn't sure when it'd be done because it was so much smaller than a chicken, but it still took an hour. Perhaps once I get the hang of it, it'll be easier.
Then for a salad I mixed together greens from the CSA delivery, arugula and herbs from the earth box. I shredded a turnip and roasted pine nuts for a garnish. The dressing was yummy! I followed this recipe:
Garlic Scape Pesto
5 - 10 scapes, top flowery part removed, cut in 1/4 in slices
1/3 cup walnuts or almonds or hazelnuts
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 - 1/2 cup good parmesan, or asiago or both--- grated.
1/3 tsp saltblack pepper to taste
Whiz scapes and nuts in food processor until well combined and somewhat smooth.Drizzle in the oil and process until well-integrated. With a rubber spatula, scoop mixture out of the processor and into a bowl. Add cheese, salt, pepper.
I added some oil and balsamic vinegar to make a dressing. Erik didn't like the salad and dubbed it a "weed salad," but I thought it was delicious!
Then for a salad I mixed together greens from the CSA delivery, arugula and herbs from the earth box. I shredded a turnip and roasted pine nuts for a garnish. The dressing was yummy! I followed this recipe:
Garlic Scape Pesto
5 - 10 scapes, top flowery part removed, cut in 1/4 in slices
1/3 cup walnuts or almonds or hazelnuts
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 - 1/2 cup good parmesan, or asiago or both--- grated.
1/3 tsp saltblack pepper to taste
Whiz scapes and nuts in food processor until well combined and somewhat smooth.Drizzle in the oil and process until well-integrated. With a rubber spatula, scoop mixture out of the processor and into a bowl. Add cheese, salt, pepper.
I added some oil and balsamic vinegar to make a dressing. Erik didn't like the salad and dubbed it a "weed salad," but I thought it was delicious!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Extreme Home Makeover, Part II
The During Pictures, days 1-3...
The first step is to strip off the old moss-covered shingles.
Ewwwww.... we found lots of rotten wood.
Stripping the front.
Nearly done with the front of the roof.
More to come...
The first step is to strip off the old moss-covered shingles.
Ewwwww.... we found lots of rotten wood.Stripping the front.Nearly done with the front of the roof.More to come...
Extreme Home Makeover, Part I
The Before Pictures...
We bought this little 1930s cottage in the winter time with nearly four feet of snow on top. Once the snow melted and the sun came out, the foliage was completely overgrown. We cut down several bushes out front and three tall, scraggly junipers on the north side.
With the overgrown junipers gone, you can see the damaged stucco to this wall.
The front of the house looks much nicer with some of the bushes gone.
We bought this little 1930s cottage in the winter time with nearly four feet of snow on top. Once the snow melted and the sun came out, the foliage was completely overgrown. We cut down several bushes out front and three tall, scraggly junipers on the north side.
With the overgrown junipers gone, you can see the damaged stucco to this wall.
The front of the house looks much nicer with some of the bushes gone. We're cultivating moss and molds on the roof out back.
And the garage looks like a set from a horror flick.
And the garage looks like a set from a horror flick.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Road Trips
Erik and I find ourselves stuck in a car, train or airplane together for some time quite often. The first road trip we ever took was a twelve hour drive from Frederick to Chicago when we were just a courtin'. It was a good test for our budding relationship: can you stand this person for twelve hours in a car? What's more, what if that person passes gas in the enclosed cab? We knew after that long trip that this relationship would last forever. Look at us! We were just kids, crazy kids on a crazy road trip.
This past weekend, we spent an enormous amount of time driving across the great state of Pennsylvania in a rented box truck. (I blog about the nature of the trip on my art blog.) Six hours there, six hours home, give or take. I cannot imagine another person that I'd want to be stuck in a box truck with for such a long time. There are many people in this world whom I love, but no one whose company is so wonderful, such a perfect fit for me as Erik's.
Here's to make more years of being stuck together! I'm not sick of you yet, Erik Irani!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Groping in the dark for my new normal
I love reading about my personality type when I'm feeling dreary about myself. I am an ENFP through and through. That's a person who is Extroverted iNtuitive Feeling and Perceiving. This is what the Personality Pages tell about people like me "ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it."
When I'm thriving, this is completely true. I am so passionate, I feel like I could burst most of the time. But right now, I'm living in a weird sort of limbo. I moved six months ago, after four months of living by myself in Frederick during an extremely stressful time. Since January I have taken on average two out-of-town trips a month. I have entertained visitors here and spent time in Pittsburgh, Frederick, and Michigan. It usually takes me two days to prepare for a trip and three days to recover. This has left me very little time and energy to find my "normal." Once I think I've found it, I've jetted off again.
Since our daughter is set to arrive in the next few weeks, I have not endeavored to get a job or start any new projects. Instead, I have old projects that need to be finished, preferably before she gets here. The largest and most unpleasant is my master's thesis. No, it isn't done yet; and no, it isn't going well. Also, I have a few loose ends to tie up in the studio. One will be another road trip out to eastern PA to pick up a gigantic statue of St. Joseph and drop off a small sculpture to have cast in bronze. I have yet to finish said sculpture, which I started a year-and-a-half ago and which has been 90% finished for the past year.
Being an ENFP visionary is great unless you have several unfinished projects hanging over you. "An ENFP needs to focus on following through with their projects. This can be a problem area for some of these individuals. Unlike other Extroverted types, ENFPs need time alone to center themselves, and make sure they are moving in a direction which is in sync with their values. ENFPs who remain centered will usually be quite successful at their endeavors. Others may fall into the habit of dropping a project when they become excited about a new possibility, and thus they never achieve the great accomplishments which they are capable of achieving. "
Being an ENFP is complex because we need to be around people to get energy and we need time alone for centering. Since we moved, I have had a little too much of the later and not enough of the former, so I feel a bit like a slug oozing around a center not getting a damned thing done.
When I move to a new place my natural instinct is to jump in, join clubs, sit on a committee, get out there and meet people. Yet, this time I have tasks that need to be done and I need to do them alone. I cannot join a club only to disappear once Srushti comes. But this has left me incredibly lonely and without any energy. So, I'm in a bit of a limbo here, groping in the dark for my new normal.
When I'm thriving, this is completely true. I am so passionate, I feel like I could burst most of the time. But right now, I'm living in a weird sort of limbo. I moved six months ago, after four months of living by myself in Frederick during an extremely stressful time. Since January I have taken on average two out-of-town trips a month. I have entertained visitors here and spent time in Pittsburgh, Frederick, and Michigan. It usually takes me two days to prepare for a trip and three days to recover. This has left me very little time and energy to find my "normal." Once I think I've found it, I've jetted off again.
Since our daughter is set to arrive in the next few weeks, I have not endeavored to get a job or start any new projects. Instead, I have old projects that need to be finished, preferably before she gets here. The largest and most unpleasant is my master's thesis. No, it isn't done yet; and no, it isn't going well. Also, I have a few loose ends to tie up in the studio. One will be another road trip out to eastern PA to pick up a gigantic statue of St. Joseph and drop off a small sculpture to have cast in bronze. I have yet to finish said sculpture, which I started a year-and-a-half ago and which has been 90% finished for the past year.
Being an ENFP visionary is great unless you have several unfinished projects hanging over you. "An ENFP needs to focus on following through with their projects. This can be a problem area for some of these individuals. Unlike other Extroverted types, ENFPs need time alone to center themselves, and make sure they are moving in a direction which is in sync with their values. ENFPs who remain centered will usually be quite successful at their endeavors. Others may fall into the habit of dropping a project when they become excited about a new possibility, and thus they never achieve the great accomplishments which they are capable of achieving. "
Being an ENFP is complex because we need to be around people to get energy and we need time alone for centering. Since we moved, I have had a little too much of the later and not enough of the former, so I feel a bit like a slug oozing around a center not getting a damned thing done.
When I move to a new place my natural instinct is to jump in, join clubs, sit on a committee, get out there and meet people. Yet, this time I have tasks that need to be done and I need to do them alone. I cannot join a club only to disappear once Srushti comes. But this has left me incredibly lonely and without any energy. So, I'm in a bit of a limbo here, groping in the dark for my new normal.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Easy as Pie
I've made cherry pie from scratch. I picked the cherries, pulled out the pits and worms, made a crust and baked the pie. The recipes on this blog, Easy as Pie, are actually a lot easier than that cherry pie we made last summer. Check it out!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
The Loneliest Job
Let me first start with gratitude. I am very grateful that we have the freedom and the means for me to not have to work a job for pay. I am grateful for the freedom that I have to jet off to see my family at nearly any time. I am grateful that the alarm clock is never on. I have an amazing and supportive husband. I have a pretty sweet life in many regards.
On the other hand, I am an extrovert and do not thrive in an environment where I am alone 80% of the day. That was part of the problem with working as a sculptor in a garage as well. (I wrote a lengthy post about that time in my life on my art blog.) Loneliness -and perhaps health insurance- was one of the main motivating factors for me getting a job at the College and taking classes back in 2003. I often wonder if God made a mistake in making me. For someone who has spent so much of her life alone, why did he design me to be an extrovert? It doesn't make since, but I know that God doesn't make mistakes. (I've written a post about this as well.)
Now I find myself engaged in the venerable job of housewifery. I enjoy caring for my home and working on home improvements, but I do not enjoy being alone all of the time. In fact, I get very depressed when left alone for too long. I need to be around people or I magically transform into a giant and depressive glum slug. When my husband comes home, his mere presence puts a fire under me and I can do anything; I just need some company. Other people are my energy source. Superman has the sun, I have other people. Loneliness is my kryptonite. Extroverts, are you with me?
Most days I feel like I am ill-suited for this job. I'm a round peg in a square hole. I have a hard time motivating myself to do tasks without inspiration, I am not organized, I do not work well with scheduling and my energy levels peak between 5pm-9pm, when we're having dinner and my husband is relaxing after a long day.
I am good at a lot of things, however. I am wildly creative, I'm an excellent group leader, I'm a visionary, I'm compassionate, I would thrive in a different environment. I don't fit the lonely job, but I'm only a month away from being united with my daughter. I cannot get a job outside the home now.
So, you say, "get some new friends!" "Join a club!" Making friends is hard work and clubs take my time but don't take away the guilt of not accomplishing anything at home. In most people's jobs, they go to work where they work in an environment with other people. They get work done AND interface with other humans. As a housewife, I can EITHER get work done OR interface with other humans. I'd rather do the latter, but I need to do the former.
Call me a whiner, whatever, but you lonely extroverted wives and moms know what I'm talking about!
On the other hand, I am an extrovert and do not thrive in an environment where I am alone 80% of the day. That was part of the problem with working as a sculptor in a garage as well. (I wrote a lengthy post about that time in my life on my art blog.) Loneliness -and perhaps health insurance- was one of the main motivating factors for me getting a job at the College and taking classes back in 2003. I often wonder if God made a mistake in making me. For someone who has spent so much of her life alone, why did he design me to be an extrovert? It doesn't make since, but I know that God doesn't make mistakes. (I've written a post about this as well.)
Now I find myself engaged in the venerable job of housewifery. I enjoy caring for my home and working on home improvements, but I do not enjoy being alone all of the time. In fact, I get very depressed when left alone for too long. I need to be around people or I magically transform into a giant and depressive glum slug. When my husband comes home, his mere presence puts a fire under me and I can do anything; I just need some company. Other people are my energy source. Superman has the sun, I have other people. Loneliness is my kryptonite. Extroverts, are you with me?
Most days I feel like I am ill-suited for this job. I'm a round peg in a square hole. I have a hard time motivating myself to do tasks without inspiration, I am not organized, I do not work well with scheduling and my energy levels peak between 5pm-9pm, when we're having dinner and my husband is relaxing after a long day.
I am good at a lot of things, however. I am wildly creative, I'm an excellent group leader, I'm a visionary, I'm compassionate, I would thrive in a different environment. I don't fit the lonely job, but I'm only a month away from being united with my daughter. I cannot get a job outside the home now.
So, you say, "get some new friends!" "Join a club!" Making friends is hard work and clubs take my time but don't take away the guilt of not accomplishing anything at home. In most people's jobs, they go to work where they work in an environment with other people. They get work done AND interface with other humans. As a housewife, I can EITHER get work done OR interface with other humans. I'd rather do the latter, but I need to do the former.
Call me a whiner, whatever, but you lonely extroverted wives and moms know what I'm talking about!
Friday, June 05, 2009
In the World
Two years ago today my daughter, Srushti, was born to another woman. Her birth mother was too impoverished to care for her so after six days, she was brought to the ashram. I thank God that she is here in the world with us and I thank Him that he has crossed our paths so that we will come together and make up a family. I am sad for her birth mother who must have grieved deeply that she could not care for her baby. I am also grieved that I wasn't there from the beginning. I am sad that I have not yet met this child who will change my life forever.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Paella ala Sarah
This isn't a real paella, but it's a bunch of leftovers mixed with rice and ultra tasty! Last night we grilled some Italian sausage and kabobs. On the kabobs I strung together vadalia onions, red peppers, pineapple chunks, and broccoli. I drizzled butter on them to make them sizzle.
Back in the kitchen... In a cast iron pot I put butter, garlic and onions and cooked them down. Then I added a wild rice blend and a little lemon juice. I toasted the rice a little and added chicken stock. Mmmm.... I let that cook awhile then added the rest of the water (depends on how much rice you are making) and put a lid on it. Before it was done, I threw some pineapple in for excitement. YUM.
We had that for dinner last night. Today for lunch I chopped up everything small and threw it in with the rice and re-heated it in the same pan. Oh. My. Goodness. It was delicious. And gluten-free. It could've been dairy-free if I had used oil instead of butter, but the butter makes it oh so creamy.
ENJOY!
Back in the kitchen... In a cast iron pot I put butter, garlic and onions and cooked them down. Then I added a wild rice blend and a little lemon juice. I toasted the rice a little and added chicken stock. Mmmm.... I let that cook awhile then added the rest of the water (depends on how much rice you are making) and put a lid on it. Before it was done, I threw some pineapple in for excitement. YUM.
We had that for dinner last night. Today for lunch I chopped up everything small and threw it in with the rice and re-heated it in the same pan. Oh. My. Goodness. It was delicious. And gluten-free. It could've been dairy-free if I had used oil instead of butter, but the butter makes it oh so creamy.
ENJOY!
The Coolest Sewing Site Ever
Have you seen this? http://www.mypapercrane.com/
She makes the craziest and greatest stuffed plush food. Put that on my wishlist!
She makes the craziest and greatest stuffed plush food. Put that on my wishlist!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Salmon and Tomatoes
This evening I wasn't sure what to make for dinner. I had some frozen salmon and some tomatoes so I did a Google search for "salmon" and "tomatoes." I tried a random recipe and it was amazingly tasty. I'll share it with you. I didn't have any parsley on hand and instead of garlic oil, I just added crushed garlic to the olive oil. It was still very, very delicious without those things. Sometimes you have to improvise!
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 tablespoons garlic oil
2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon paprika to taste
2 fresh tomatoes, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
DIRECTIONS
Heat the garlic oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, dill, and paprika, and cook in the hot oil 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until tender enough to break apart.
Break salmon into cubes with a spatula or fork. Mix in the tomatoes, garlic, and lemon juice. Continue cooking until salmon is easily flaked with a fork.
Mix the parsley, Parmesan cheese, butter, and hot pepper sauce into the skillet, and continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes, until well mixed. Serve over the cooked rice.
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 tablespoons garlic oil
2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon paprika to taste
2 fresh tomatoes, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
DIRECTIONS
Heat the garlic oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, dill, and paprika, and cook in the hot oil 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until tender enough to break apart.
Break salmon into cubes with a spatula or fork. Mix in the tomatoes, garlic, and lemon juice. Continue cooking until salmon is easily flaked with a fork.
Mix the parsley, Parmesan cheese, butter, and hot pepper sauce into the skillet, and continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes, until well mixed. Serve over the cooked rice.
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