The Pomodoro Technique

Ah man, I probably need to do something like this...

I'm far from wanting to be Martha Stewart, but things are getting pretty bad (i.e. messy/behind/not done). Desperate times call for dorky measures; yes, a tomato.

For more on time-management and the Pomodoro Technique, click HERE.

sark

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Gywneth's Grandad's Best PB Cookies

Raiding the kitchen for something sweet today, I came up short so decided to try a go at Gywneth's cookies c/o Babble:

Grandad Danner’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 pinch kosher salt

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup peanut butter chips

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

3. Cream the butter, sugars and peanut butter in an electric mixer. Add in the egg and vanilla. Then turn the mixer to low and slowly add in the flour until just incorporated. Finally, stir in the peanut butter chips with a wooden spoon.

4. Form the dough into large balls the size of golf balls and roll them in the granulated sugar. Press them down slightly with a fork to make checkerboard marks. Bake them for about 12 minutes or until they are set and the edges are slightly golden.

I skipped the peanut butter chips since I didn't have them and was using crunchy peanut butter.

Dangerously good!!

Sweater Sleeve Kiddo Pants

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rats! In my new mama stupor, I just shrunk a favorite cashmere/wool J.Crew sweater by washing it in hot water following with a toasty spin in the dryer. Though it is now fated for new life as pants for my bub, when that transformation might occur, I'm not sure. Here's the pattern I plan follow.

Happy Father's Day

photo via the lovely trula kids

Today is Father's Day and the majority of it, my new son and I will spend alone.

My husband is at work. An emergency calling him to south of San Jose.

 It is ironic that just yesterday he mentioned a radio show about fatherhood-- how a man's primary struggle becomes one of balancing work, providing for his family, being present for his children, and remaining true and invested to his own singular purpose in life. Hardly a struggle exclusive to men, nonetheless with challenges unique to our male partners. 

So while a warm meal, a jar of homemade shaving cream, and a beautiful notebook from Pinhole Press await him when he gets home, the greater and harder gift of encouraging him as a father and as an individual is one that will take many a years practice: Some ideas to start here and here.

Fruit Basket Entertainment Center

While making my breakfast burrito this morning, my little guy contently studies the forms
and colors of apples, oranges, nectarines, and lemons. 

There is some wildly obnoxious (by obnoxious, I mean ugly) baby gear out there, and we fall for it.
New parents, we're such easy prey!

 In the hopes of intellectually stimulating our children, we buy things like the Bright Starts Around We Go Activity Station or Baby Einstein Around The World Play Gym. Now I'm a modern mother as well, so even though I wear or carry my baby most of the day there are times when he's wide awake and I need to set him down. Also one to "never say never," it may very well be that by next month there's a loudly colored plastic thingie from China sitting like an elephant in my living room. However, it's purpose would be clear; my son will not be destined to become the next Einstein by sitting in it, but I may be able to squeeze in a 5 minute shower knowing he is happily engaged.

Before peppering my home with the next expensive primary-colored gizmo, for the time being though I make use of what I already have. And in that case, we both get to use our imaginations.