L A S T N I G H T:
Waiting patiently with "Spot Visits His Grandparents" for the bath to fill...

O c t o b e r 3 1, 2 0 0 9: H a l l o w e e n !
THE KING, THE SOUTHERN BELLE AND SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

With the wonderful company of Annie and Holly, Calvin got to trick-or-treat for the first time in a near-by, very friendly neighborhood. In the car on the way there Annie kept saying, "The King and The Southern Belle are holding hands" (Calvin was in heaven having Annie visit). After The Southern Belle was satisfied with her candy collection we stopped by Stephanie's house and the King and Harlan The Little Chicken got to play a bit. It was perfect Halloween weather - cool and clear with a big bright moon and some moody clouds. Very fun night. Halloween is one of those Holidays that I think is going to be so much more fun, joyful and interesting now that we have a babe... Wondering what he'll want to dress up as once he's old enough to choose for himself.

Before we went out, Brad made us this delicious meal, which for some reason felt very pre-trick-or-treat appropriate: spaghetti carbonara, with sides of roasted herbed beets and sauteed beet greens, and brussel sprouts with parmesan, pecans and red onion.

Some Fall Things

Like soup + salad + squash and our favorite little woodland creature hat. The soup is creamy cauliflower leek with some grated asiago cheese on top. The salad is kabocha squash roasted with some herbs, maple syrup and olive oil over arugula and radicchio, served warm. October is so wonderful here...

Some things to share

(happy with his spoon choice, shirt off, ready for his first taste of something besides milk!)

FIRSTS ARE HAPPENING LEFT + RIGHT!
foods! so far he's had avocado, sweet potato, winter squash, banana and prune. it's messy and so so fun. the
faces he's making are amazing - mostly he looks grossed out and confused but then instantly opens his mouth for more. sometimes he sputters, looks surprised or delighted. Last night he put his entire face into the bowl... For inspiration, guidance and information we've been using two books, both of which I really love and am valuing. Real Food for Mother and Baby and Feeding the Whole Family.

swinging! on a cold dreary day up at Mt. Tabor.

new ball! for the first time he's delighting in a ball - a lovely new one from Dress Me Up.

Someone learned Peekaboo this morning...

Much to his and our delight! Can you hear the laughter?

Out in Andes

Our wonderful friends live pretty far from everything in upstate New York. Got to spend a couple of days with them while back East. At their house in Andes there are: 4 lovely fat chickens, which Calvin really enjoyed, providing fresh eggs. 2 naughty goats that will eventually provide fresh milk. A beautiful vegetable garden providing oh so much. An amazing view of the mountains. Black black nights providing deep wide clear time with the stars. And of course, most importantly, there is time together. Which is rare now. And so missed...

New jammies, yellow hat

I was trying to find a hat to bring with us on our upcoming cross-country trip (Calvin's first time on an airplane!). This one was too small but also too cute not to share.