Cate's itty bitty baby is suddenly a hot commodity around here. Our friend Breklinn was over the other night and her interest in baby has made Cate very interested in baby and consequently now Jane is very interested in baby. Jane steals her at every chance, running as fast as she can (which isn't fast but very cute to watch). I was doing something with Cate and walked into the living room to find Jane all settled in the chair with baby, books and all. Sweet. 

This is Cate this morning all dressed and ready to face the day. She is talking to Aunt Ellie on the phone. One quote: "Yes, I am a little lonesome. You are coming tonight? Good. Good." She really is coming tonight, so even sweeter. I am really trying to keep my comments to a minimum when it comes to the outfits she picks out herself. On days we have something going on I either pick her clothes or at the very least manage the situation, but on days when we are planning to stay home I let her pick them out. Yes, she has striped socks on with sandals and her leggings are most likely on backwards. I know we live in Western Washington but this is a little much for me. I haven't said anything yet. So proud of myself.

Telfer and I went to the Hunger Games last night. Really, really liked. And we had Indian beforehand. Standard of excellence for date night achieved! Thank you to the kind grandparents for babysitting. Our regular babysitter has had mono so we were so ready to go out last night. Sherry and I are headed to Seattle this afternoon to check on Elizabeth, who is recovering from a tonsillectomy, and to pick up Eleanor from the airport. Claire and Nate are coming for Easter as well…yeah!

Henry's 6th birthday is today and we are celebrating with spontaneous rounds of "happy birthday" and a walk downtown. I couldn't find a dog treat so I bought him a little piece of rugelach. He did not complain. It is a beautiful, springy, April kind of day here so it makes Henry's birthday even more fun. 

Here a few of my favorite Henry pictures through the years. He is such a good, sweet dog (even if he barks all.day.long):

  

I have been making Jim Lahey's no-knead bread for about two years now with various degrees of enthusiasm and success. I have tried a variety of flours and rising times but I have finally come to the conclusion that King Arthur's bread flour is really the only way to go and if you can time it right, 17-18 hours is really the best amount of time for the rise. This bread is good and so satisfying to make. I would really give it a try. I nerdily bought a cheaper cast iron pot with a metal lid top just for my bread because I didn't want my Le Creuset handles to melt (the bread cooks at 475F). Yes, I did.

I think I could live on fermented food alone: just give me bread, cheese and wine.

 I am also a little obsessed with this book. Isn't that a lovely subtitle? It's more of an essay collection than a book of recipes but last night, I roasted vegetables the way Adler describes. I cut a head of broccoli and cauliflower up in small pieces and doused liberally with olive oil and salt. I threw in a few whole cloves of garlic as well. The vegetables roasted in the oven at 400 for about 40 minutes. I squeezed half a lemon over the entire pan and stirred once they came out of the oven. Amazing. Cate of course screamed bloody murder when I suggested that maybe she could try a bit of broccoli while Jane happily scooped cauliflower bits into her mouth. Adler suggests eating the vegetables at room temperature and they store happily in the refrigerator for up to five days or so. There's hardly anything left of what I made last night though. So good. I am now inspired to roast a bunch of vegetables at once and keep them on hand.

Telfer is really good to me. Anna and RaChelle and I met up in Portland yesterday for a little visit. We walked, walked, walked and ate lunch at the food trucks and had a little coffee. I need to see these girls! I also did a few big city things that I can't do any longer. Took a pair of shoes back to Nordstrom's and picked up a few things at Sephora. Alas, Sephora is no longer on my way to the grocery store. Oh, New York, how you spoiled me.

This is what it looked like on the home front. Telfer took the girls downtown on the dash and then they had their afternoon snack on the front porch while wearing their new saltwater sandals.

Most days I am never really sure where the day goes. It just kind of slips away and then suddenly it's time for baths and stories and bed. I do know that unless it's naptime I don't sit down much. We have all been taking turns getting the spring flu. I am on my feet again but without much energy. Yesterday afternoon I did convince Cate that we SHOULD go for a walk with Henry. She protested energetically until suddenly she was so excited to go. Welcome to my life. I am still not used to Jane walking around. It's pretty much the sweetest thing ever. I am so proud of my 18-month-old walker! Isn't that slightly ridiculous? 

Yesterday morning I had planned to vacuum the house but it just sounded like so much work so we had a dance party in costume. Dance parties, to Cate, means spreading out a very specific blanket that my sister made her and running in a circle around it – all set to music. Sometimes Rody the horse is invited. Sometimes not.

On St. Patrick's Day I was pretty sick but got it together enough to make green milk and open a box of Lucky Charms. The girls loved everything about it:

What else? Telfer and I are trying to find a time to go see the Hunger Games movie, along with the rest of the world. If my appetite comes back maybe even combine a movie with Indian food, my new date-night standard of excellence. I read Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James this week. I adored. My favorite mystery writer writes a post-Pride & Prejudice murder-mystery? I am there! Loved! Also looking forward to Mad Men on Sunday night. I am going to make Telfer rewatch a few of the episodes from last season to get us in the mood. Love that show. It's like watching a novel.