First Day

It's officially the beginning of a new school year. Ella was moved up to preschool in January but we're calling this her official "start". Bring on the pomp and circumstance. This morning we unveiled a back-to-school gift which I'm sure have her teachers giddy about the start of a new year with our daughter...light up shoes. She was stomping all around her classroom making sure everyone got to admire the strobe lights at her feet. Viv, not to be outdone,made sure not to forget her runny nose and cough. Welcome back Biag girls!

Posing In Front of Our New Chalkboard Wall

True Happiness Was Found Last Week

Who knew gold lame pants was the key to this girl's heart?

Eggplants Galore

So many eggplants...so little time? I have a solution! Below you will find a recipe that even the veggie-averse won't mind. Get some worthy crackers or a fresh loaf of bread, serve and you're golden. This recipe was stolen directly from my culinary crush...Ina Garden, aka Barefoot Contessa. I admit, there are days when I consider going all single white female and showing up at her Hampton's home and conniving my way into her kitchen. Random note: I dragged Jerry all across Paris in search of Barefoot Contessa's favorite bakery, Poilane. If that isn't' love Ina, than what is?

So in the event that you find your self in possession of an eggplant, two red peppers and an onion, do yourself a favor and try this. I found that the tomato paste is optional.

Ingredients
1 medium eggplant
2 red bell peppers, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut the eggplant, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, tossing once during cooking.

Cool slightly.

Place the vegetables in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the tomato paste, and pulse 3 or 4 times to blend. Taste for salt and pepper.

Catching Up

It's been busy but I've been itching to get back to the keyboard. In these last few weeks I've realized that writing is something that I need. Unfortunately for you dear reader, I am sorely lacking on content. Ella and Viv's daycare has taken their annual two week hiatus in August. The girls have been at camp Lolo/Lola and are reportedly having a blast. The weekends have been spent celebrating birthdays with loved ones and finishing up the BBQ circuit. We've actually been asked back to our neighbors house twice...guess we haven't scared them off yet. I managed to limp to the finish line after thirteen miles of what I would classify as a run. Even though I was passed up by two-thirds of the racers I was happy that my new running shoes got some mileage on them this summer. For the remainder of the year and the first several months of 2012 I plan on resting on these laurels and further perfecting my impersonation of a sloth. Our garden, although overrun with weeds, has been another source of inspiration. What to do with all of these eggplant and tomatoes? In addition to our sunflowers we also decided that pumpkins would be an appropriate addition to our garden...that was until the vines started to consume our fire-pit and hold our patio furniture hostage. Of course Sarah had to pick out the seeds that read "Big Max - Competition Size". We now have to watch closely to make sure Vivian does not toddle too closely to the vines for fear that she too will succumb. Yep, you read right, she's officially walking. She took her first steps a few weeks prior to her first birthday but finally has seemed to decide that it suits her. We're so proud. Ella will be starting soccer in the coming weeks and has discovered a love for monster finger puppets. Last but not least, Jerry will be competing in the Chicago Triathlon this weekend. Go Jer Go! Ok, ok, I know I'm starting to sound like a Christmas card. Clean the vomit off of the keyboard...promise to try and be more coherent on the next post. Just wanted to offer some explanation for my absence.

Don't you wish there was a soundtrack to go with this? Jer and I are in the process of learning more about movie making. Stay tuned for developments....

Drying off with Dad after a bath.

Movie Buff

We caught a matinee of Winnie the Pooh this afternoon. Ella's first movie theater experience. Prior to the show Ella had an opportunity to stock her rations at a local candy store. It used to be penny candy when I was a kid. Ella parted with over $2.00 in coins but left a happy girl.

Say "Cheese"

Take Your Kids to Work Day

Nothing more fun than a train ride to see Dad and the big buildings for lunch. We met at Ogilvie station for their famous French Market. In the peak of lunch rush hour we managed to smear drool-soaked ham and cheese crepe all over the ground. Jerry and I mopped up spilled milk while Ella sobbed over a sugar cookie and Vivian swept up the floor with her torso. Usually when I'm at work and I see parents with their children I long for my own. A love-sick pang. But today, instead of that burning jealousy that working parents often feel, I could almost hear the quiet sighs of content from our fellow diners..."thank god mine are at daycare".
p.s. Deepest apologies to the man sitting behind us on the train. At least I managed to extract his ticket from Vivian's mouth...it was only partially ingested.
p.p.s. Note: Jerry's expression is not that of utter defeat. He titles this look "Quiet Admiration".