Jun
I see… Savannah — A children’s Ebook by Kirstan Graham Available NOW
I did it. I wrote, illustrated, designed, and now published a book. If you’ve wondered why the baby updates have been few and far between, well here you have it. I’m a (self)published author!
Tags: africa, animals, children's book, ebooks, elephant, giraffe, lion, rhinoceros, savannah, zebra
Apr
A Poem to Kahlan
In the days following my cancer diagnoses I became a bit depressed, morbid even, at the thought of not living to see Kahlan grow into the amazing woman I know she will be. I started writing. Now that my prognosis is more positive and my post-treatment health is getting back on track I’d like to share this poem. I wrote a goodbye letter for my baby girl and closed it with this:
If you can’t recall my sparkling eyes
or shining smile one day
you have but to seek a mirror love
for in you I’ll always stay.
Warm and safe within your heart
my memory will reside
for though we may now be apart
My love stays by your side
Apr
A Survivor I Be
There is now, and forever will be, a six inch fully cross hatched Frankenstein scar running across my left leg along the curve of my greatly reduced buttocks.
No. I did not get liposuction.
I got Cancer.
On January 17th, a week after having an irritated mole removed, I received the call. The call that changed my entire perspective. The call telling me that at 31, and having just had the most amazing baby girl the previous year, that I was now looking forward to life as a Melanoma Cancer Patient.
Bleak? Maybe, but that’s the crappy thing about cancer, any cancer, once you have it your never 100% cured. Your DNA has been blacklisted and even though you do everything right it can come back. So getting a cancer diagnoses can really do a number on your priorities.
Hence, I’ve lost touch with my digital outlets a bit. Sorry to anyone who’s been checking.
It’s now April. Spring is here and for once in my life, I am truly utterly and with every fiber thankful. I’m here. I’m here today with my Daughter. I’ll be here tomorrow. I’ll probably be here in five years. For every breath, for every moment I have with the two most important people in my life, I’m thankful.
I’m thankful for the six inch scar on my rear end. The scar that reminds me now that I’m a survivor. That each breath is worth savoring. That no moment should be wasted. Live. Love. Be.
Nov
Easy Oil Strainer : Single Cup Drip Coffee Brewer
We recently purchased this super simple one cup drip coffee maker, for a whopping $2.95, to solve the Hubby’s desire for the occasional cup of cheap Joe. Its simple and straightforward, works like a charm and cost less than a trip to Starbucks. Even better, I love it when a kitchen gadget can be repurposed for double duty, eliminating the need for yet another gadgety solution.
After frying up some delicious Orange Flavored Chicken from scratch I wanted to filter and save the fry oil for another day (my biggest issue with deep drying is needlessly wasting all that oil) but didn’t have the time to stand there holding a cheesecloth lined colander over a tupperware bowl. Adding a Pyrex measuring cup to the CoffeeDripper left my hands free and made it easier to pour the oil back into it’s original bottle rather than using another easy to spill container. And yes, I have spilled an entire tub of oil in my fridge and it ain’t fun to sop up three cups of oil from between the goods.
Oct
Better than Kraft Mac & Cheese
Who doesn’t love Macaroni and Cheese? The neon orange food color explosion of Kraft aside, Mac & Cheese is one of those childhood foods that brings a warm gooey comfort to even an adult meal. However, could I have my easy cheesy goodness without all the artificial junk, kick it up a notch on the nutrition level and keep it fast and simple in the skillet? Yes, yes I can…
As a newer convert to the Americas Test Kitchen, I can wholeheartedly assure you. Their Skillet Mac&Cheese with Garlic and Broccoli is WAY better than the Neon Explosion your used to. Check out the recipe for your self here.
I’ll be posting more pictures and comments of yummy home cooking to share and inspire. Anyone can cook, and it sure is better for you!
Tags: America's Test Kitchen, atk, cooking, Scratch
Oct
Halloween Pumpkin Pancakes
Mmmmmm what better way to start the Halloween weekend than with a batch of pumpkin pancakes for breakfast!
Makes 16-20 Pumpkin shaped pancakes
Whisk Dry ingredients in large bowl; Set aside.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon each cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
In Med bowl mix;
2 cup milk
12 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree (I prefer Farmers Market Organic Pumpkin Pie Mix available at New Seasons)
4 tablespoons melted butter (30-60sec in microwave then cooled)
2 eggs
Fold wet mixture into dry ingredients. On a 350 degree griddle (if using Med-Hi skillet make 1-2 cakes at a time and hold in 200 Degree oven on a cookie sheet to keep warm while cooking entire batch), pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Use a spoon to drizzle a “stem” at the top of each. Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side; serve with butter and syrup.
*I prefer Log Cabin brand cheap syrup since it’s one of few that don’t use High Fructose Corn Syrup, but if you can spring for the real pure maple stuff… Even better!
Tags: breakfast, cooking, halloween, pancake, Pumpkin, Scratch
Sep
First Birthday
Kahlan’s first birthday party was a huge blast! One is a big milestone… and an even bigger mess….
Sep
Approaching ONE
Approaching the one year mark is a bittersweet event. In just a few weeks little Kahlan will be diving face first into her very own birthday cake and I imagine I’ll be busting out the tissues. It’s strange to always feel torn being a mother. I’m all at once thrilled, excited, remorseful and scared shitless. Yay she’s growing up, learning like crazy, and blossoming before my eyes into an amazing little lady! Wholly crap she’s growing up, I’m losing my little peanut, and dear gods she’s gonna be a teenager one day…..
Knowing these innocent days of boundless joy and unhesitating snuggles are finite is sad yet beautiful. I’ve learned to bask in each hug like it’s the last and found time to stop for one more round of silly songs. I know the day will come when hugs are too embarrassing and mommy’s off tune singing is something to fear. So for now I memorize each embrace and sing ridiculous tunes until my throat is hoarse, and hope time will slow down just a little so my baby girl can stay my baby for just a few moments more.
She may not remember these first few years, but I will never forget them.
Aug
Newport & Oregon Coast Aquarium
In need of a celebratory getaway we headed to the coast and took 10 month old Kahlan to the Newport Aquarium. Needless to say, she had a blast, and is still signing “fish” like a kid hooked on ocean life. Future marine biologist? Hmmmm…..
Jul
Storybook Playhouse Project at Bridgeport
Went and checked out this Fundraiser for Doernbecher at Bridgeport where they are displaying awesome playhouses which you can buy raffle tickets to win. I thought it would be more of an event, but some of the houses were pretty neat. These two were my favorite:
