Our new baby

In the time I have been away from the blogging world, we welcomed Connor Michael Garen to our family. Being his mom, I think he is perfection, much like his sister. He thankfully is also good-natured and easygoing, and as a result we are beginning to hit our stride as a family of four. It only takes us about an hour to prepare to leave the house, and I'm even beginning to think about cooking again. But, in the last 5 weeks there has been a lot of eating standing at the counter, what we like to call prison showers because one child always needs you no matter how much you need to bathe, and certainly no time for keeping up with a neglected blog.

In the meantime, we have been relying heavily on the generosity of friends delivering meals during this busy time. It has been incredible. We have been showered with gifts of apricot chicken, delicious cheesy pastas, lasagna, enchiladas, chicken tortilla soup, and even a special meal of steaks and other treats from Houstons. I plan to pay it forward for the rest of my life by delivering meals to families with new babies - it absolutely saved us from attempting to survive on cheese and crackers and getting scurvy in the process. Thank you to all.

So, keeping in theme, I present to you this wonderful article I found in Bon Appetit earlier this fall. It hit close to home, and the salad is absolutely amazing and I have smoked duck in my fridge right now waiting for another use.
The Importance of a Proper Family Meal

We got battered by cold and flu season and I rediscovered this helpful sore throat remedy last night that I thought I'd share with you: 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp vinegar, 2 tbsp lemon juice, a dash of cinammon and water on top to fill a mug. Microwave for a minute, forty seconds and it is heaven if you are feeling under the weather.

I have the miracle occurring of both children napping right now so I'm off to make my new favorite Best Banana Bread. Have to start back in the kitchen somehow. Which will put me back here sooner.

Merry Christmas!