Mother's Day and First Spring Volunteer Flowers of the Season

Yes, it was a Happy Mother's Day.  How could it be anything else when presented this handmade token from my youngest son?

And not to be left out, some first flowers of the season are braving this desert climate.  I'm rooting for you flowers!  ;)

Blogging Again

Well...  Hello there! 

If this were a journal, I would have given myself a big Fat F!  It has been just two months short of five years since I have posted anything in this blog. 
Why is that?  Maybe the better question is why do I think I want to pick up blogging again?

Does anyone even do this anymore?  Write for the pleasure of writing and sharing?  Or are all blogs these days monetized and with posts no longer than a tweet?  I miss the days of reading fellow expat blogs (back in the day we also lived in Italy) and even for a few years after we moved back to the U.S. it seemed a lot of people kept on blogging.  Maybe I'm just out of the loop, and these blogs still exist. 

I know my attention span has definitely seemed to shorten.  These days my online activity is frantically quick paced to encompass as much as I can in the ten minutes it takes me to slurp down my morning coffee.  Or I can make use of the time that belongs to me during the workday (lunch hour) that I will spend gazing at my phone... playing games or social media.

But... but, how I have enjoyed looking over this blog this past weekend, almost re-living life when my eldest two boys were so young, back when I first started blogging.  It was a joy to look back on my rather long winded musings of our family life.  So yeah... that's why I think I'll pick up blogging again.  This allows me to reflect on our life even better than a scrapbook would, even if this format is highly edited since I'm much more apt to share the joys than the sorrows.

So, hello again!  The above photo is of a nearly 21 year old Matthew packing around Luca, because Matthew wanted us to see a glorious sunset, and Luca came outside without his shoes on... and our desert sand is littered with thorns.  And wherever we are, our newest addition to the house is to be found as well.  Meet Lilly, our German Shepherd girl.

The sunset:

Love,
Amber

July Showers

We've been heating up quite a lot here in Reno lately, with the daily temperature in excess of 100F.

Because we live right next to the mountains it builds the perfect thunderstorms in the afternoon.

After the sweltering heat, the rain and wind cool it down a little, and for a five year old presents the perfect reason to perform a rain dance with all his might.

Splish! Splash!

Crepes

Through the years I have made a truckload of crepes for my crew.  It's gotten to the point that I don't even use a recipe anymore when I whip up a batch.

Today however was different because I specifically substituted high carbohydrate ingredients for low carbohydrate ones.

Whole wheat flour became a strange mixture of garbanzo bean flour (farina di ceci) and ground flax seed meal. Instead of milk, I used soy milk, unflavored and unsweetened.

Here is the recipe I made up that was so good, I had to post it here as a little reminder to myself how I want to make crepes from now on.  The flax seed made the overall flavor of the crepes seem buttery.

Add to a blender:
2 cups of  unsweetened and unflavored soy milk.
8 large eggs

Blend

Add:  two cups of ceci/ garbanzo bean flour, and one cup of flax seed meal.
one teaspoon sea salt
Blend well again.

*Note:  Throughout the crepe making process I had to add more soy milk to the batter as the "flours" kept absorbing the water.

Yield about 12 Large crepes.

If I knew I was only going to top them with fruit and syrups I would add vanilla to the batter... but we also topped our crepes with brie and prosciutto.  We did have sweet toppings too...  whip cream I made sweetened with stevia, and a strawberry syrup/ sort of freezer jam also sweetened only with stevia. We also had pretty ripe bananas and nutella... because let's face it the sugar in the nutella is worth it!

Bountiful

Not long ago we made a day trip to Roseville California to go to Denio's Farmers Market.  It was a sunny day, warm but not the desperate muggy heat that feels solid.  It was a fun day, and parts of the market reminded me of markets like il mercato di porta palazzo in Turin Italy. Other than English not being the predominant language spoken, some of the similarities of the two markets were the cheap clothing made in foreign countries and sold there, as well as the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Denio's is huge, so I may have just missed it, but I didn't find any cured meats and aged cheeses the way you can find them in the markets in Italy.  Nevertheless it was fun seeing what there was to see.

Luca enjoyed pushing the cart until it was loaded to capacity, then he was happy to leave the hard work to us!

When we got it all home I had to take a photo... eight trays of really ripe sweet strawberries for $4.!!!  I couldn't believe it.  Yes I am one to latch onto a good bargain.  But then I had to process all those strawberries, since they were perfectly ripe.   

Luca found his own good bargain.  He paid one dollar for three second-hand toys, all the way from "Caliiiiifornia!"  See?  They're all cars.

Balloons

This boy was dancing for joy over a bouquet of bright and beautiful balloons.  He twirled them and kicked them,  and chanted some Italian song over and over while running with them streaming behind him, and he begged his big brothers for help when they floated out of his reach.

I loved seeing the unadulterated joy he had while he played with something so simple.

Balloons.

I feel a satisfaction with my first sip of coffee in the morning.  But that isn't as effervescent as my boy playing with balloons.

But like this balloon play, what do I get lost in, and what brings forth that bubbly excitement?

I have an idea what it is and I am going to chase it down!

What about you?  What are your balloons?

Ecco Mi!

Here I am!  :)

A new day has dawned, one in which I find myself ready to post about the things that make me happy again.

Although separated and then divorced for longer than two years now, it is only with the passing of time that I regained my sense of equilibrium and sense of humor.  How could I blog during that time?  No one would want to read the drama,  and I certainly didn't wish to write about it,  or even think about any of it more than necessary.

It has been years since I have blogged anything!  I am feeling excited to begin again.

Tender Touch

My little one has entered his third year with the force of a hurricane. Sometimes as I stumble over little toys that cruelly poke my feet I look around my living room and wonder what the heck happened here.

He is an absolute joy, he is vivace, but I have started calling him a terremoto (earthquake) for his undeniable forceful presence. Sweet cuddles are rare. He would rather be running around the house roaring like a lion.

But every once in a while...

He slows down and looks around.



Slowly reaching a finger out to touch the piccolo bambino Gesu' (little baby Jesus) and exclaim "Baby!"



Next he cradles bambino Gesu' in his sturdy little hands and with tenderness kisses the little face.

I love these unexpected moments.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with peace, joy and tender occasions that fill your soul with happy memories.

Silver Linings

This past month has not been what I had hoped for, no, not even close. I had plans you see, plans of baking and crafting and all of the fun things that come with the holidays. I was completely unprepared for the rough onslaught of influenza we went through. Three boys. Each week a new boy would get sick. It was a low grade fever, severe sore throat, and lingering body aches kind of flu that made my boys need their mamma more than ever. Slowly they all recovered. I thought I wouldn't get it since it had been three weeks since I had first been exposed. Then, four days before Christmas, I succumbed to it. Christmas is a blur for me. I remember those days, propped up on the sofa, wishing I could swallow. We had planned to visit my folks up in Oregon. But we couldn't bring this sickness their way. So we stayed at home in Reno. I felt all kinds of mommy guilt for not making my family a nice Christmas dinner. They did eat, but what it was- I really have no idea.

So in light of this recent illness, I am really grateful now that I am recovering! I can swallow. I can breathe without difficulty at night. I don't have aches and pains. And I can swallow, which I know doesn't really sound like a big deal- but there it is, I feel grateful!
Sigh.

If I have a new year's resolution, it is to not take my (ordinarily) good health for granted, and to strive this year to become more healthy.
I guess in a way, this could sum up my Christmas:



Our dog Delta was underwhelmed with becoming a reindeer, and the little elf? Well, he couldn't accept the white stuff, it was intolerable. Those two must have thought I had lost my marbles, because neither of them was feeling the sweet joy of a toddlers' first steps in the snow being captured for all eternity by his hopeful mamma who was trying to take a nice holiday photo to send to the grandparents. They weren't feeling the joy, nope. Not at all.

But I still like the photo! I think it is kind of funny that my baby is so offended by snow. Before bringing him outside for his first steps in the snow he had been watching the fat soft flakes descending with great curiosity. And our dog? The look on her face just makes me want to kiss her nose. Silly girl, she is still adorable even if she was momentarily a reindeer.

But just so you know I am really back to being myself, let me show you the silver lining. Because there is always a silver lining to dark storm clouds, aren't there? As taught to me by my youngest wild thing of two years: snow may not be tolerable, but Christmas lights are magical!



So for those of you who sent us Christmas and New Year greetings, thank you! Although not reciprocated in a timely fashion, they were very appreciated. I wish each and every one of my readers, old friends and new, that this new year will make all your dreams come true!

A Recipe for Fun!

My friend Amy and I have known each other since before our children were born. Our eldest children used to have playdates while they were still in diapers. Although we had managed to visit each other through the years none of our kids had seen each other for more than 7 years. But on Saturday Amy and her wild things came to our house.
My middle son Matt cleaned out a pumpkin early that morning and roasted the pieces in the oven.



When our friends came over that afternoon the house had an interesting aroma of roasted pumpkin and pizza! We all ate some pizza and the teen girls started playing with Luca.
At first he was shy! But soon he realized that playing with two teen girls wasn't so bad, and he could be the center of attention.



We soon headed to a park very near our house where the shenannigans began.



Some of them thought they were mountain goats.



"Come on girl, you can make it!"



There was some posing.



...and more posing.



And in the end, it was the biggest and coolest wild things that remained on the top of the mountain.



Then it was time to say good bye to the playground.


And I commenced with the cooking bootcamp! Well why not? I love getting kids in the kitchen with me, and everyone enjoyed a turn. We took the pumpkin that M had roasted and scooped out the pulp away from the peel, and then pureed it. To that we added a few eggs, some ricotta cheese, nutmeg, salt and parmesan to make a filling for tortellini. We made the pasta ...





These girls said they felt like an Italian grandma!





And everyone got the chance to fill and shape by hand the tortellini.



We boiled our tortellini which by the way wanted to stay stuck together all in one lump. Luckily for us the water separated the tortellini and it turned out nicely. We served it very simply, with butter and fresh sage and a sprinkle of parmesan for those who wanted it.

The next morning, we made homemade crepes, filled with Nutella, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries, and as much whipped cream as anyone wanted...

Little Luca said it was very good!

Chocolate Encrusted Toes (No, Really)!

My youngest wild thing doesn't really like sweet things, at least anything sweeter than natural fruit. At least that's what I have always thought. Imagine my surprise then when I walked into the dining room and saw this!



Apparently, if you hunt sweet things down all by yourself, open the box, and open the individual packet- then sweet things taste great!

Also? If you then take your toes and dip them in the powdered chocolate, then lick them, and repeat- it tastes even better!



This is my reality. Help?

Have a beautiful week end my friends!

love,
Amber

Friday Photo - At Play

Several years ago my eldest two used to do this. They played! Now they still play but it is different, not spontaneous playing with knights and dragons and each other, but games on the computer or x box. So, all you mammas out there who have children, snap pictures of them playing. The time slips away faster than anyone can imagine.



Look at his face! He is lit up from inside with imagination! I already miss this.

Friday Photo - Toga Toddler

I really should give up and make him a toga to wear, since he does this with all his clothes. Although this photo is actually several months old, this little wild thing is doing the same thing right now, left arm free of clothing while eating a snack. I can't figure it out, I will put his left arm back in the sleeve many many times a day. But the next time I see him, his left arm will be free again. Never his right arm. Why do kids do these things? I hope he will stay more dressed soon since winter is creeping up on us.

If he grows up to be a fashion designer, you already know what his special look will be!

Insalata con Melagrana - Pomegranate Salad

Detail from Madonna of the Pomegranate, by Sandro Botticelli ca. 1487 (Uffizi Gallery, Florence Italy)

Yes, that's me alright, just give me the chance to slip in an image by a famous Italian artist of a chubby beautiful baby! I'm not one to let that opportunity pass me by.

Are pomegranates lining the bins at your supermarket? They are in the stores near me! After trying this simple and scrumptious salad, I plan to have it again at least once a week while the pomegranates are in season.



All you need are:
Salad greens
one pomegranate
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt
1/4 cup of walnuts or pecans

Wash salad greens. Plate four salads, divide the arils (seed casings) of the pomegranate among the salads, add coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts to the salads and garnish with a drizzle each of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add salt to taste. Serves 4.

Buon appetito!

Today is my day!

Yes, I am another year older, and I say "Keep 'em coming!"

Who cares about getting older, right? Birthdays are the perfect way to celebrate all the things we have to be grateful for.

I am grateful for my kids,and my family and friends.

Foreskin Dilemma

To be or not to be- circumcised, that is.

I have given birth to three babies, all boys. So I have made this choice three times already. Circumcision seems like it should be such a small matter, but I now realize it has the capacity to divide people. Strong feelings emerge whenever the subject comes up. With that being said, my purpose in sharing this is not to stir up a controversy, but simply to share a little of what my family has been going through in these past few weeks that I have abandoned my blog, which I still like, but as you see, my energy has been elsewhere!

I would never think to criticize another for their choice about circumcision, even if they chose the opposite of me. What I don't like is when a doctor, for his cultural reasons, tries to impose his choice upon me.

Three times after my babies were born I chose not to circumcise. The reasons were varied- such as believing that they were already perfect, so why change anything surgically and not wanting them to suffer any pain, and finally because my faith doesn't require it.

Last May our youngest son got a sudden infection of his penis. M and I had no previous experience with anything like that, and we took our baby to the local Emergency Room. The physician who saw us immediately told us our son would have to be circumcised, but he brought in a specialist, an urologist to consult. The urologist told us a circumcision definitely wasn't necessary or even helpful. Antibiotics were prescribed, and our son quickly recovered. We were happy to keep our son intact and quickly tried to put the experience behind us.

But, nearly three weeks ago our youngest got another infection. We quickly brought him to the pediatrician. Oh it has been such a learning experience! Our pediatrician told us that our son had "Phimosis" and should be circumcised. Not knowing what phimosis was, we started considering circumcision because of course we want what is best for our son, and we realize the doctors are experts, not us. So we made an appointment to see a specialist in October, an urologist who can do the surgery if necessary.

Meanwhile our son quickly recovered again with antibiotics. M and I started looking for answers to questions such as "What is phimosis, and why must you circumcise because of it?"
We have learned that phimosis simply means a foreskin doesn't retract.

In a Statement from the British Association of Paediatric Urologists on behalf of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons and the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists, they have this to say about the foreskin: "The Natural History of the Foreskin: There is developmental variability in the appearance of the normal foreskin throughout childhood and puberty. The inner foreskin is attached to the glans. Foreskin adhesions break down and form smegma pearls- white cysts under the foreskin which are then extruded. The foreskin does not retract before the age of 2 years. (This was interesting to us because our youngest is still under the age of two years.) The process of retractility is spontaneous and does not require manipulation. The majority of boys will have a retractile foreskin by 10 years of age, and 95% by 16- 17 years of age."

At our next well baby visit a week later with our pediatrician, I told him what my husband and I had learned about phimosis. He then told us our son had phimosis- with balanitis. He also said that normally he allows parents to make the choice about circumcision, but he wouldn't in our case as he felt that circumcision was the only course of action. This led me to wonder what he would do if we told him we would not consent to have our son circumcised, but I said nothing, and wrote down the new word, balanitis, to be able to learn more about later.

I went back to the statement from the British Association of Paediatric Urologists etc. and this is what is says about Balanitis: "Balanitis refers to inflammation of the glans that often spreads along the shaft and may occur in the circumcised population. Treatment: Simple bathing, topical steroids, and antibiotics."

Hmmm. It seems our pediatrician wants us to circumcise our son to manage his phimosis which at his age is completely normal, and he wants to circumcise because of the balanitis which is the inflammation caused by the infection that was in our sons' case, cured by the antibiotics. If this balanitis also occurs in circumcised people, then I wonder, how does circumcising our son help him?

It is hard, because we have to wait for our appointment in October to speak with an urologist. M is horrified by our pediatrician's insistence upon circumcision for our son when the reasons he gives aren't valid. M has told me many times that this type of infection must be managed very differently in Italy, because there circumcision is rare.

I contacted "Doctors Opposing Circumcision" and they have been a terrific source of information, and support. They are trying to help us find a "foreskin friendly" doctor here in Reno, and they have helped clear up a lot of the questions I have had. One of the physicians that has so kindly taken the time to correspond with me has told me "the diagnosis of phimosis in a patient of your son's age is NOT tenable since his foreskin has not retracted. Phimosis is a non-diagnosis in this case." Their lawyer has also written to us letting us know that "balanitis is only cause for a change in hygiene or a need for antibiotics, same as for a female". He also said "recurrent penile infections, just like colds and sniffles, are common in boys, intact or not. In the old days people paid so little attention these passed (cured themselves and ran their course) before they were noticed." He also advised "Stand your ground, Do Not sign any surgical consents at all." and he wanted us to know that he would be happy to defend us and our son's rights if it should become necessary.

We are still trying to find a new pediatrician that would treat any future infections our son may get, conservatively. Of course it can't happen quickly enough for me, and I find myself impatient. I wish I knew how one of my sons got these two infections when the other two boys (also uncircumcised) have never had anything like it.

How quickly I fell, from being a very confident mom, full of the wisdom 14 years of parenting have given to me, to feeling completely overwhelmed and grasping for answers. Parenting certainly isn't for the faint hearted.


*******
Edited to add:

An American urologist speaks up on the importance of keeping boys intact.  http://www.midwesturologycenter.com/circumcision.htm

Friday Photo - A Tale of Due Cuccioli (two puppies)

The first puppy said: "I want to go outside for a walk!"



The second puppy said "What can you see way up there? Move over!"



And he climbed and he clambered until he made it to the top.



When he saw the view he agreed with the first puppy that a walk outside was indeed a good idea.



Happy week end my friends!
May you have fun walks with your cuccioli and wild things!
love,
Amber

Friday Photo - I Wanna Hold Your Hand

I admit it. I am a softy! I love it when my baby falls asleep while holding my hand. Head on my shoulder with a fierce grip on my thumb- that's the way he likes it.

****************************************************************************
Edited to add:

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
The baby has just done something so gross it defies logic. Something so gross that I may need therapy. Forget therapy for him, I need it.
It involves an innocent wading pool.
It involves an innocent toddler.
And ultimately it involves re-hydrated doggy doo.
Trying not to gag very much here, I am going to focus on the above photo and remind myself how lovable and cute and sweet my baby is.
Ugh. Sigh.
Please tell me there are other mothers out there who have gross stories to tell and have lived to tell them...
besides my own mother who has the story of the baby who ate a green moth.

Friday Photo - Magnificent Skies of the Oregon Outback

If a little is good, more is better. That is my thinking here in posting more than one photo today. Actually the truth is, I couldn't choose just one.

Here is the silhouette of Fort Rock state park as seen right off the deck at my mother's house.


The rest of these were taken of the same stormy evening sky, but I was going for cloud drama, leaving out any terra firma.


The golden light was surreal, covering everything in an orangish - gold glow. Beautiful on skin, but I was most interested in capturing the clouds themselves.


Now when I see these photos which have been un-edited except to add my copyright, I can say if anything the colors were even more vibrant in real life.



Number 1,2, 3 or 4- which is your favorite and why? Do these photos feel dreamy, eerie, or awesome?

love,
Amber