Friday Ramblings

I'm leaving for Thanksgiving and wanted to put up a few recent pictures of Kate in her last week as a 16 month old. Can that really be true? 

Bundled up for the cold weather. 

Wearing mommy's hat.

My little performer. 

My amazing husband cooked me dinner last night and it was fabulous! I have to share the recipe with you, for those who are looking to make a festive dish over the holiday. This one is a winner!!

Butternut Squash Risotto

1 butternut squash (2 pounds)2 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter 2 ounces pancetta, diced 1/2 cup minced shallots (2 large) 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice (10 ounces) 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 teaspoon saffron threads (optional)1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups. Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.

In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the pancetta and shallots on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the shallots are translucent but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total. Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan. Mix well and serve.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We all have much to be thankful for and I pray we enjoy and savor every moment. 

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

Many of you have asked about David throughout this financial crisis. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I know many of you are affected right now even as you ask about our family. We take it one day at a time, but it does seem that God has chosen to protect him thus far and we are extremely grateful.  He is in a really good place, all things considered, and we continually remind ourselves who is really in control and that leads to a greater peace and joy beyond understanding. Sigh. We are friends, however, with many who have lost their jobs and are facing a very different reality this year. I just got back from a birthday party today where I learned of another friend's husband who got laid off just this morning. Sigh.

The landscape of the City is changing. Storefronts are staying empty. Markets keep falling. Apartments remain empty, unable to rent again. No doubt things are changing. Many describe the City similar to a "post 9/11" New York, due to the "heaviness" that hangs over the City and the helpless and empty feelings that exude from just about everywhere and everyone you talk to. It is a reality check for most, if not all of us. Sigh.

I don't mean to be depressing. It is a reality right now. In some ways I feel this can be a very healing time for our country as we are forced, in many cases, to start living a life that reflects a heart focused on a more God-honoring stewardship of our resources. Time and money. David and I have been praying on how to really embrace where we are, knowing that nothing is guaranteed for tomorrow. Nothing. 

David and I continually remind each other that if we are going to lead compelling lives here in this City, we must live in and accept the peace and joy that can only come from a relationship with Christ - despite our circumstances or our budgets or our wants.  And not only that, but also really being honest about where that peace comes from. It is really because of Christ, not because I am trying to be a peaceful or joyful person or because I am from the South (which is seriously what some people think). Otherwise, I would be freaking out right alongside the many. 

To end on a lighter and kind of a funnier note...David received this email yesterday from his company. I mean, as if hearing that salaries are at least 30-50% lower this year or the poor morale isn't bad enough, he gets this in his inbox: 

"Due to cost cutting, we have been informed by Restaurant Associates that over the next few weeks, there will be certain items in the pantries that [company name] will no longer be supplying:

1)  Plates and bowls 
2)  Forks, spoons and knives 
3)  Jams, honey and the flavored creamers for your coffee

If the above items are a necessity to you, you may want to bring them in from home to keep at your desk.

Thank you for your understanding."

Seriously people - this is no joke. This is a serious email that went out to everyone in the company. LOL. 

So, David was going to start taking his lunch today (to help with the budget) and I had made chili last night, so that is what he was planning on bringing. I said, "See, this won't be so hard." Then he said, "Yea, but now I have start bringing my own bowl and spoon!" You gotta laugh! Sigh.

Is it really time?

Is it really time for the holidays already? Last night we decorated for Christmas. If you are one of those who curse people that decorate before Thanksgiving, then I guess we fall into that category now.  To feed my defensive nature, this is our first time to do this and it is really because we will only be here for two weeks in December and ...well, it's fun. Yes, we'll still celebrate Thanksgiving and no, it means nothing less to us and yes, we'll still be thankful.

 I promise.

When you decorate 700 sq ft. (well, a lot less in just the living room) it really doesn't take long. As you can see above, because we are in an apartment with no mantle or fireplace or any other wall space, we hung our stockings on the bookshelf with care. So sad. Sigh.  I'm not going to show all of the decorations, but I had to share some funny stories.

Mommy: "Kate, see the Christmas tree and all of the ornaments?"

Kate: "Hi!" (she loves saying hi to anything and everything while waving)

Mommy: "See, Kate, here is an apple and a duck and a cupcake and a candy cane." (showing our "kid-friendly" ornaments at the bottom of the tree)

Kate: "Noah!"

Mommy: "Where is Noah?" (I didn't realize we had bible characters on our tree)

Kate: pointed to a Santa dressed in a rain coat, holding a lobster from one of our Boston trips. 

I guess it was the beard that made her think of Noah from her bible and other books. He did resemble Santa in a few of them now that I think about it. Too funny. 

Then, today.

Mommy: "Kate, do you know why Christmas is so special?"

Kate: silence (which is rare these days)

Mommy: "It's because it is a time for us to celebrate God sending Jesus to us on earth as a baby. It is Jesus' birthday!"

Kate: still silence (even more rare)

Mommy: "See, Kate, who is this?" (reaching for Mary and baby Jesus from our nativity scene)

Kate: "Dora!"

I was really going for "Baby Jesus" but, I guess the dark hair of Mary made her think of Dora?

Too much. Really. I am so giddy about celebrating Christmas with Kate this year because I can just see the wheels turning in that mind of hers and Lord willing, this is just the beginning. Such a treat. I'm looking forward to many more laughs. 

Of course.

Last weekend, David and I proudly celebrated our 5 year anniversary. 

As God so divinely allowed, we had the privilege of attending a marriage seminar at our church this weekend. What a humble blessing as we thought of everything that had to happen for us to be living in New York City on this milestone anniversary, members at a church that is so far beyond what we could have ever imagined, attending a marriage seminar that completely summed up what our first five years were all about and encouraged us to press on. 

Of course. Of course God knew this all along. It has just taken us a little longer to see a tiny piece of what He was seeing from the very beginning. I am forever grateful for even that small piece - a mere glimpse into what He truly intends for our lives as His children. Undeserving, yes. Beyond, oh yes. Humbling, completely. Divine, assuredly.

This weekend was a time of remembering, reflecting, and restoring. My husband left me speechless on many occasions as he read to me notes and letters of correspondence during our courtship, as he went so far and above in thoughtful planning and as he revealed more of his heart to me this weekend. There is nothing more attractive and utterly intoxicating than learning more and seeing more into the heart of your spouse. 

Of course. Of course, I doubted. Of course, I questioned. This has been a difficult year for us and yet this weekend God poured out His hand of grace and of true love as only He can and allowed David and I to remember all that He intends for our marriage. We tasted and we saw how sweet it can be. Of course, God is good. Of course, God is faithful. Of course, He wants the very best for His children - not always comfortable and convenient, but always full, always satisfying, and always the very best. 

What a celebration we had. How blessed we are. What a God we know.

Street Talk

There are so many days that I walk around my 10 block radius of the upper east side and think, I need to just write down what I hear on the street. The truth is that some things I want to remember, but most I think is healthier for me to forget. All of them, though, are interesting and make me think. It's funny. Sometimes I feel like I'm Mel Gibson in What a Woman Wants, where he just walks around hearing what's on people's minds - unwelcomed. 

Here are some things I have heard this week and what I wanted to say in response (censored and paraphrased).

1. A nanny singing to her baby, "itsy bitsy spider crawled up the water fall."  

"Spout!" I wanted to say, "it's spout, not waterfall. Does her mom know that you are singing and teaching her the wrong words to a very popular children's song and paying you to do it?" But, I didn't.

2.  One woman to another, "She is going to have to realize that her mom and dad are not getting back together and never will get back together." 

How tragic and utterly insensitive to 1) be talking about it on a street corner and 2) to assume that any daughter can and should face that realization about her parents as if it's her burden to carry. But I didn't say anything.

3.  Nice a**. 

I wanted to say thank you, but then realized the woman he was most assuredly referring to passed me by in the shortest mini skirt imaginable on a 40 degree day. So, I didn't say anything. But, it did make me feel good for that one second.

4. F***, F***, F***, F***

"Can you NOT be sensitive to the fact that my 16 month old daughter and I are waiting for the same light that you are and do NOT need to hear this constant filth coming from your lips signifying nothing but ignorance and stupidity?" But, I didn't say anything. 

5. "We have 5 hours together, can you not enjoy the time we do have and stop thinking about the time we will have to be apart?"

"Ahhh - is that your mistress or your wife?" But, I didn't say that. 

6.  "That will be $84.26"

I wanted to say, "Are you seriously telling me that what I bought in this store, that fit in these two GROCERY bags, can really add up to almost $100?" But, I didn't.

7. (this was a few weeks ago referring to kate) "Your baby is beautiful. She has that perfectly round Irish face. She is really just adorable, just like a little leprechaun."

I SAID, "Thank you", politely, while thinking to myself..."Did you really just call my daughter beautiful and a leprechaun in the same sentence? Do you really think 'leprechaun' is a compliment?" But, I didn't say any more, I just laughed out loud. I couldn't help it. 

Rainbows and More

Our dear friends, The Baileys, came to visit the City a few weeks ago. I have no idea how so much time has passed already. 

Each visit we get to spend with them is such a treat. There are few couples where for both the husband and the wife, it is equally enjoyable and refreshing.  Each time, without fail, we walk away from Steven and Christine, and thank God that they are such dear friends. Truly kindred spirits in so many ways. We love you guys! Thanks for a special and fun evening. 

We had a lovely candlelit dinner in the East Village and then went to the Rainbow Room (well, Rainbow Grill) for coffee and dessert. 

My favorite quote of the night was from our taxi driver on our way from dinner to dessert:

We pile into the cab.

David: "Rainbow Room, please."

Taxi driver: "Rainbow d;lkad;jlakdj?" (not sure what he said)

David: "No. The Rainbow Room - you know the main one. The ONE in Rockefeller Center?"

Taxi driver: "Oh - that one. There are way too many rainbows in this City."

Laughter.

More Laughter.

Rockefeller Center - already decorated for Christmas, ice skating rink and all. 

The Rock decked out for the election.

Our first time to the Rainbow Room in 5 years of living in NYC.

The view from our table. Spectacular.

The Kate Kollection