t.p.

i saw a house tee-peed recently and this card made me laugh...i realize how old i am now...

40 clove chicken...pshaw

pshaw...wondering if that makes sense...i never attempted to spell it...anyway - after an inspiring episode of alton brown on garlic i decided to attempt the recipe he had for 40 clove chicken. i knew we were having company and i knew i wanted to make a soup with the leftovers so i added some more chicken pieces and thought i would add some more garlic. having a husband that is half italian however, i know from experience to laugh in the face of a recipe that calls for measly garlic. i typically triple the amount they ask for...this is funny and i pause because i realized that i did this last week when he confessed that he never puts in less than 6 cloves in recipes...anyway - i just started peeling the cloves and then decided to count later...what started as 40 clove chicken turned into 75 clove chicken...yes...75 cloves and i have never had a better response to my chicken before...the other 2 boys that came over for dinner dont usually eat roasted garlic, but did and loved it, so i thought i would pass this recipe along since it made me such a star...

40 Cloves Plus a Chicken
1 whole chicken (broiler/fryer) cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 sprigs fresh thyme
40 peeled cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with a 2 tablespoons olive oil and brown on both sides in a wide fry pan or skillet over high heat. Remove from heat, add oil, thyme, and garlic cloves. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove chicken from the oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, carve, and serve.

(PS - i stole this image off the internet - i didnt take a picture of my chicken and garlic...or should i say garlic and chicken but picture this with a boat load more garlic!!!)

i'm huge...

i was just looking through our pictures over the weekend and was totally shocked by this picture. all my grand ideas of being smaller with this pregnancy and not gaining as much weight are totally gone...i have been eating so healthy and chasing after bryson and keeping active...i guess my body likes to do pregnant this way...totally huge!

dont judge a pumpkin...

bryson was looking forward to carving pumpkins with his mee-ma and papa (bryan's parents) all week. we went and picked out our pumpkins and i got a white one, "cause i'm white" i joked. bryson said, "i want to be white like my mommy." kathy asked him, "do you want to be white like your mommy or brown like your daddy." "i want to be brown like my daddy." i laughed and said, "you get what you get kid...you're stuck with your skin." he replied, "bummer". that is his new word...bummer...i laughed so hard - he is cracking me up lately...here are our pumpkins...

peter fernandez falls in love

i was so looking forward to peter fernandez today. these were just so priceless...not that the last couple ones have not been priceless, but i think he put a lot of thought into these two. By the way - i print it out exactly as it reads, if you can't read it yourself when you click on the picture...he really does put the "and" symbol & and a comma afterward almost every time. its part of what i love about him...

The top reads, " Photo shows Peter Fernandez of San Fernando City with whiz bass plucker Sally Jo Curtis interpreting the homely skills of an energetic Hawaiian cowgirl in preparing palatable desserts out of bananas, jackfruits & strawberries, & to include her stringing passion in making attractive leis of flowers, leaves & pearly shells. Taken on August 14, 2008 at a lively Summer Beats Concert in Los Angeles.

The bottom one reads, "Photo shows Peter Fernandez of San Fernando City with lovely Heather Navales, a chosen 2008 first runner-up in the Miss Philippines-Universe of Los Angeles Beauty Pageant, interpreting on goodwill & good education carried meritously through the influence of her parents & could easily attract people of her own kind. Taken on September 13, 2008 at the lively Celebration of Filipinos in downtown Los Angeles."

i cracked up at that line..."could easily attract people of her own kind" what a poetic way to say how he was attracted to her...i am on to you Peter Fernandez...you and your interpretations!!!

prop 4

at our jr league meeting last week some ladies from our State Public Affairs Committee (or SPAC) spoke about some of the upcoming propositions and gave resources on where to find more information. i always find it difficult to get clear answers on propositions and found one of their suggestions to actually have some good non-partisan information - it is the League of Women Voters and more specifically to me, the California Leage of Women Voters.

One of the things the woman from SPAC said has stuck with me - she said when she votes on a measure or proposition that requires funding or bonds or higher taxes, whatever, she asks herself, "is this necessary." Now, she finds herself asking, "can we afford it?" its not something you think to ask, but perhaps people will adjust their voting in these tighter economic times...especially in the state of california with our budget still being highly debated. in our LB Press Telegram there was an editorial written by Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays with Morrie) who said something that i felt was simple and profound...he said, "i have never seen higher taxes result in a more efficient government" just think on that for a minute...

it is fairly easy for me as a libertarian to vote on propositions...i generally vote NO on ANYTHING requiring additional funding...makes it simple...anything that grows government - anything that hikes taxes gets a big NO from me...not like i dont read them...i do...but generally speaking they usually get a no vote from me. HOWEVER, this year i got some free time to do a little research and came across proposition 4 and as a parent, i felt it deserved to give this prop a little attention.

This is what the CA league of women voters has to say about prop 4:
A YES vote on this measure means:
The State Constitution would be changed to require that a physician notify, with certain exceptions, a parent or legal guardian of a pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion.

A NO vote on this measure means:
Minors would continue to receive abortion services to the same extent as adults. Physicians performing abortions for minors would not be subject to notification requirements.


i think that is the best way to describe it. it is being funded by Sarah's Law...if you are wondering who Sarah is...

Sarah was only 15 when she had a secret abortion. Within days a high fever set in. No one knew why, or how seriously ill she was. By the time she was hospitalized and doctors determined she had a deadly infection from a torn cervix, it was too late. Sarah died. Had someone in her family known about the abortion, Sarah's life could have been saved.

i don't know too many parents who would NOT want to be notified if their child was receiving ANY sort of medical attention, let alone an abortion. i think this is a parent's rights issue and i am personally stunned that the current law is what it is.

Please look more into this....here are some sites:
http://www.YESon4.net
http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/title-sum/prop4-title-sum.htm
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_4_(2008)

cookie man

whenever bryson is incredibly annoying we call him the cookie man...taken from one of our favorite college movies...kicking and screaming (not the one with will ferral - the funny one by director Noah Baumbach). for instance when he is crawling all over us in bed=cookie man, or when we are trying to have an adult conversation this morning at the breakfast table regarding an upcoming proposition and bryson is interrupting every 2 seconds asking for candy corn=cookie man, or when i am trying to use the restroom and he barges in every time=cookie man. you get the picture. anyway - this morning i called him cookie man and he got offended...i laughed because he told me he wasnt the cookie man and he didnt have cookies on his neck...whatever that means. anyway - i showed him this clip and i think he got it...paybe...

i also wanted to inlcude this picture mainly for my mom's sake. look mom - he wanted to get dressed all by himself today. he picked out his entire outfit. so there you go...i am getting it back for all the fights we had about me wanting to wear what i picked out...i hope this makes you happy...i will continue to be punished by this child and i am sure you will delight in that

beer, spiders and pumpkins oh my!

this weekend was somewhat eventful, but absolutely wonderful. all 3 of us got to do things that we each love - bryan=golf / carlee=sew in peace / bryson=jacuzzi - plus we had friends over and wonderful adult conversation...which doesn't happen as often as one with children would like and so when one can achieve it - its like a tall glass of water i guess. sunday we went to church and truly rested...i even got to nap by myself (gasp).

after a long hiatus i started brewing again thanks to rebecca who, along with her husband john, came over on saturday to help with a special christmas brew (its a secret...since they are presents so i'll just have to tell you later what kind of hops i used etc max!). anyway - it was definitely the best brewing experience i have had - i am hoping that reflects in the beer. bryson and their son asher played the entire 4 or 5 hours and no fights...it was amazing to me that bryson is old enough to have a friend over to play somewhat unsupervised...i dont think i ever thought that day to come...the beer looked and smelled delicious and i think the invented triple filtering technique shown here will prove successful!

at the end of the evening the boys discovered a huge spider in our backyard and bryan was able to get some amazing pictures of it...thanks to the amazing internet i was able to find out it is an orb weaving spider and thankfully not poisonous. bryan threw an unsuspecting roly-poly into its web and we watched it roll it up and have a late night snack. i had never seen a spider do that in person and it was truly amazing. like many instances with children, having a son who is obsessed with spiders has opened my eyes to their amazing world. i get excited too when i see a beautiful web or a big spider -plus they are unavoidable right now and everywhere...especially at this house!

the spiders might think its fall, but the weather around here hasn't been in the mood i guess. still in the 80s all week long and looking like it will continue through next week too...it is really bumming me out...i love fall and although all my efforts to bring about sweater weather as evidenced by my fireplace mantle and current baking obsession - there is no respite from this heat wave. i haven't let it stop me from roasting everything...from chicken to pumpkins. i had to try this pumpkin bread - amazing. her banana bread was amazing and the pumpkin bread. i opted not to add the hazelnuts and raisins and i think i made the right choice for my family...odd textures in bread do not seem to fare well.

recessionary measures

in light of the upcoming recession, we have decided to scale back bryson's halloween costume

Baby Olive Sevilla Marcus

I called Jessi yesterday because she was on my mind and i knew her due date was around the corner so i wanted to check in with her to see how her last days were going. she answered and told me she was in labor and had to go because her midwife was paging her...i laughed at her and told her to go get that baby out...and she did. Olive Sevilla Marcus was born yesterday and i wanted to include the labor/delivery story that her husband Todd wrote - he is such a great writer and i was peeing my pants laughing envisioning the scenario...for those of you that know - and those who don't - her second child - Lincoln was born in the hospital parking lot...after only a 45 minute labor...here is what Todd wrote:

Big news for our small world

Whether by great design or luck we have been ordained the right to dramatic flare or exaggerated story telling. Our third child entered the World last night in a fashion that contains both rights.

Before there was three, we rewind Lincoln’s birth in our car just short of the Hospital doors over and over again making sure we were both prepared & informed about what birth story we be telling with our little girl. We both agreed that we wanted to make it to the hospital first and let the rest of the details fall into place.

With a due date over a week away and two boys born on their actual due dates a business trip to Joplin seemed reasonable. A call mid-sentence led to my gut wrenching realization that in thirty minutes we should expect our newest member if our brief birthing history was to repeat itself. Being 2.5 hours away led to immediate depression. In very calculated drama I drove too fast and received updates from family members who took over in my absence (Chris & Katie Stewart & Mary). Calls came in as infrequent and irregular as the contractions, but all signs pointed towards another quick birth.

I pressed on scouring byways and overpasses for the best obstacle to my chance at making a timely appearance. Jessi’s quick contractions subsided when she dipped into the hot tub willing baby and body to hold out for “Dad”. In that news a moment of hope turned into longer minutes and I then knew they would wait for me. I have to say that dramatic car rides involving birthdays are simple not as exciting as they sound. I would trade a “normal” birth anytime compared to the drama I have endured behind the wheel.

Finally the right stop lights arrived and with it the towering hospital where I knew Jessi was being well cared for and surrounded by people who love her. That much was taken care of thank goodness. What was thought to be another drive-by birth turned out to be a few hours and allowed Jessi’s entourage a sigh or relief & exaltation of praise when I finally made it, with still no baby.

Continued waiting and unpredictable contractions led to hand held water breaking maneuvers and within minutes our baby started moving Earthward. Thrilled that I could actually be in the moment and contrary to my initial reaction hours earlier I was excited for the formal introduction filled with intrigue & wonder. I placed my dutiful self next to Jessi along with Katie (sister), nurse (opposite side of bed and quite small) and midwife (thrilled she got to watch the presidential debate between contractions). In the standard movie depicted position for most of the proceedings the midwife (Sheila and gratefully undisclosed political agenda) suggested moving to her side for the next and what would be the final position.

I only go into great detail here for what happens next & its worthiness of such attention. When one turns to the side that leaves a free hand and arm to reach and grab anything within striking distance. Naturally I was the side she turned to and I was pulled in closer and closer while an intense contraction ensued. One clenched hand reached around my neck and turned into a headlock that would make the wrestling federation proud. I was in the best headlock to date provided by my wife giving birth to our daughter. I though it insensitive to mention how much it hurt in light of what was happening and equally inappropriate to displace the arm that was groping for any kind of respite. As I stand half-bent over the bedrail in the neck throbbing position of servitude, the midwife notes the baby is about to emerge and inquires if I would like to catch the baby. “Of course” I thought but all I could manage to state was the obvious predicament “I can’t, I’m in a nasty headlock”. Shortly thereafter I managed to rotate my head within the headlock and see our baby make the triumphant entry. Once Jessi’s arms and grip relented I joined the processional of hosts in ushering the little girl in her first breaths, cries, tears, etc.

Jessi’s mom (Ramona or Noni to those 12 and under) was able to sneak in the final moments and provide an extra cheering squad with supportive proclamations. All in all it was special. For the better part of 14 hours after the birth we still could not find a name that completely fit our gift. We considered playing musical names (a variation of musical chairs where I would read off the names on our list during the deliver and the name stated just as the baby emerged would be the victor) but in the end we loved our sweet little….Olive Sevilla Marcus.

She weighed 6 lbs. 13 ounces and measured in at 19 ½ inches tall. She has extremely long digits, hardly any bumps and bruises associated with the trauma, and although they often look otherworldly upon exit, she is our perfect little Olive.

Jessi and Olive are home now (less than 24 hours from when they arrived together) in united health and wellness. The boys can’t stop talking to her, playing with her (more like around her at this point), overstating the obvious about her features and just beaming with excitement about their new playmate and little baby.

Emails & phone calls are always welcomed and our response time will be commensurate with the amount of sleep we get. So grace provided will be grace appreciated.

Until we hear from you or you from us

Todd, Jessi, Wells, Lincoln & Olive