And so it begins... again.. the return of Fall Cooking

I generally don't cook in the summer.  Yes, I know how weird that sounds, but I can't stand being hot.  The idea of a hot kitchen on even a mildly warm day just sounds awful.  I basically assemble and reheat...  Salads, simple casseroles and anything that can be boiled.  But the other day I saw this recipe for Lemon Olive Oil Cake and could not get it out of my head or rather out of my mouth.. I swear I could almost taste it. And after reading the post and recipe a zillion times, I stayed up late one night and baked the cake.  Mine  was quite dense (no self-rising flour in the cupboards) but still delicious.  Then this weekend I made Paella, the way I like it, (a little spicy, a little wet and with lots of chicken). Now I am dreaming of onions.. Walla Walla Sweet Onions are in season and as soon as the temperature drops I will be cooking up something yummy.

Typical Toddler Meal for Pudge

Of course the other reason to start cooking, Pudge loves food.  She is especially fond of baked goods and cheese.  I make her some quick muffins (rice flour, low sugar) but it is time to start expanding her diet.  I want her to love food, all kinds.  I believe a love of food starts early.  And the desire to try new things come from a diverse diet when you are young.

The Things We Do For Love...

I have no doubts whatsoever what I would do for our little bundle of joy.  Things I would have run screaming from 14 months ago, I now do without hesitation.  Case in point.... The NoseFrida, the infamous Swedish Snotsucker.  Look at the picture and you have some idea of how it works.  This is basically a plastic straw with some tubing.. (and yes I paid $15 bucks for this...) But, I don't even think of the money or how gross this is, when I know how much relief it gives to a toddler who has not yet learned to blow their nose.  Anyone needing a baby shower gift, this is the best one ever!!! Practical, shocking and under $20.