M is for Maddox

My friend Mandy is expecting her second son, Maddox Blaze, this August.  Instead of a typical shower with toilet paper-diapers and bottles, we all went out to dinner and most importantly, brought presents.

The theme of Maddox's room is monkeys so I decided to take on a new challenge.  I found this pattern for this little guy online (for free) and he actually wasn't too complicated.  It took me about 6 hours in total and only minor frustration.  I used Lion Brand Yarn-Cotton Ease, which is super baby friendly and most importantly washable!  There are many different ways you can style this little guy, but I decided to keep it simple and make him the colors of Maddox's room.  You can't tell by the picture, but he has a navy blue strip on his shirt. 

The only downfall of this pattern is that is requires many different skeins of yarn, which doesn't make him cheap.  Although I have more than enough yarn to make him a friend if I ever decide to make another one. 

My boyfriend is dying for me to start selling these on Etsy, but honestly after one I am done for awhile. 

Congrats to Mandy, Aaron & Keller on their upcoming arrival!  : )

Paella

A couple of weeks ago Michael and I made our first attempt at paella.  I'm not going to say it was a total failure, but we have some work to do!  At least it looks pretty : )

Last year when we went to the Dominican Republic, we both had paella for the first time and completely feel in love!   Yum!  I made friends with a Cuban woman from Boca Roton, FL who assured us that it was super easy to make and that all you needed was a good pan.  She suggested on from William Sonoma which was gasp....$315....WAY out of our price range.  Apparently I forgot the fact that my Cuban friend was loaded.  So instead I ordered Michael one for Christmas last year from World Market, for less than $15, which suited us just fine!

My Cuban friend was right, it wasn't too hard.  First you saute the peppers, tomatoes and onions and then made a stock.  After both veggies and stock were done you combine the two.  Add rice and simmer, then add seafood and bake in the oven or cook on the grill.  Finally, garnish with parsley and lemons, or whatever your recipe calls for.  

The trick apparently is getting the rice just rice.  Our local grocery store of course didn't have Spanish rice so we had to us Arboria.  One of the many faults of living in an uncultured city.  I shouldn't blame the rice completely, but it was the rice that we didn't like.  Better luck next time!

I'm not going to post the recipe for this, because like I said it needed work, and I know that there is a much better one out there!

The Pig House Came to Town!

I have lived in Huntington for 10 years now, and in all that time my Weirton family had not been to visit me, not once.  Finally, after years of begging they came!  My house was completely filled to the max, Pat, Denise, Jenn, Mia & Gianna and Michael was also in from Charleston.  I took them to a children's art festival and then we had a "party" for Mia's 5th Birthday.  It was a hectic blast, just the way we like it : )  Hopefully it won't be another decade before they make another trip!