Thanksgiving Galore

The day before Thanksgiving Winnie's first tooth appeared. It was just in time for the feast! Good girl. 

Schaun and I hosted a few friends (Dave, Tiffany & Daniel) and we got a little carried away with the idea of actually using the pretty things that have been given to us over the years. So we got out the china, crystal, tablecloth, silver, vases, etc. and had ourselves a shindig. And of course, we made way too much food. Dave handled the bird, which was delicious and some sides while Daniel, self professed cooking- disaster, brought the show-stopper chocolate cake and bread from a local bakery. I made the mashed potatoes, obviously, because that's what I do. Then there were carrots and parsnips, swiss chard, corn bread apple stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc., etc., etc. We just enjoyed cooking, chatting, eating, and eating some more. Good food, good friends, great holiday!

Zee Table...beautiful, no?

Lovin' my plate.

Lovin' the pumpkin pie.

Lovin' Daniel w/ leftovers!

Lovin' Dave & Tiffany

Love, love, lovin' the Winnster.

Why are fuzzy feet pajamas so cute?

For those of you who know Winnie pretty well, you know that she slept in her miracle swaddle blanket (given to her by our friend, Krista) every night without fail starting at about 4 weeks old. Couldn't fall asleep without it.  We called it her straight jacket. Sometimes she even needed to be wrapped in order to be able to concentrate enough to eat. The world is so amazingly exciting to Winnie and has been for months, which makes calming down a challenge, thus the straight jacket. She'd be wiggle worming all over the place then I'd wrap her up and suddenly she'd be still. Miracle blanket.

In recent weeks, Winnie has become more and more restless at night and the stillness effect we used to see started waning. All day long she was trying her hardest to flip over from her back to her tummy, then tummy to back. Wasn't working out so well until last week...after three wretched all-night crying sessions...she figured it out! Winnie started flipping over like a pro and in an instant her straight jacket was retired and the fuzzy feet pajamas came out. Now instead of sleeping all wrapped up tightly she's sprawled spread eagle in her crib (which now has bumpers because her little legs and arms kept getting stuck with all her newfound nighttime wiggling). It's so cute!

She's sleeping relatively peacefully again and we're enjoying it until the next all night developmental milestone practice sessions start!

Cauliflower Red Lentil Curry and Butternut Squash Lasagna

Some people asked about some of the recipes we mentioned in the last post. Here you go!

Cauliflower Red Lentil Curry
(from Eating Well: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cauliflower_red_lentil_curry.html)

1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed
1 small onion, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder, preferably Madras
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 cups water
4 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped, or one 14-oz. can tomatoes, drained and chopped
4 cups cauliflower florets
1 jalapeno pepper, halved, seeded and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon sugar

Combine lentils, onions, curry powder, salt, turmeric and water in a large saucepan over low heat; bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the sauce has thickened, about 45 minutes. Add tomatoes, cauliflower and jalapeno peppers and simmer, covered, until the cauliflower is tender, 8 to 10 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds and cook for about 10 seconds. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly browned, about 1 minute. Stir in cayenne and immediately add the oil-spice mixture to the cauliflower mixture. Stir in lemon juice, cilantro and sugar. Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt and cayenne.

Butternut Squash Lasagna
(from Rachel's friend Jill)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (1 1/2 to 2-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups milk
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup (lightly packed) fresh basil leaves
12 no-boil lasagna noodles
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add squash and toss to coat. Add 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly. Puree squash in food processor. Season with salt and pepper.

In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, whisking for 1 minute. Increase heat to high and gradually whisk in milk. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Whisk in nutmeg and cinnamon. Let cool slightly. Pour half of the white sauce into blender, add basil and blend until smooth. Return basil sauce to saucepan and combine with rest of white sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Reserve 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Lightly spray 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread 3/4 cup of basil sauce in bottom of baking dish. Place three lasagna noodles crosswise over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of squash puree over the noodles, followed by 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering using basil sauce, noodles, squash, and mozzarella.

Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Return to over and continue baking 15 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.