Update- Welcome Nigel!

It's been another long while, but wanted to share with my blog friends from days past our very happy news/update. Our son, Nigel was born on October 4th. This photo is from his first Thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for- especially as I think about all it took to get here. I've been busy with little house projects (the nursery for one) which I may post about... or perhaps "home on tallmadge" will reflect my current obsession and become Nigel updates. Most likely, though, this will be the happy sign off as I embrace my new full-time job being Nigel's mommy in our beautiful home on Tallmadge.

...been awhile...

It's been awhile... I have not felt in the blogging spirit really. The momentum of the house being built really gave this blog it's driving force. That momentum and the (nearly) daily celebration of that positive was a huge part of what got me through that really difficult time. As friends and family know, aside from the personal losses, we had a horrendous time with our insurance company. Unfortunately that battle is still not completely over and I hesitate to completely "out" that company's bad behavior publicly on the internet until we're completely done with them. But I digress...

I'm posting because I got a really sweet email from a blog friend checking in because I've been so quiet for a while...

Aside from the fire, losing my dad and dealing with this pituitary tumor have also, obviously, not been the easiest things to deal with.... and the "rebuilding" from these two things is not nearly as celebratory. I can't separate the pain from the "recovery" in either case, if that makes sense-- neither is the "recovery" so glamorous or exciting to blog about.

I can't really even put words to the loss of my dad right now...

I'm basically fully recovered from surgery- and while it was "successful" in that the tumor was removed and there were no complications etc. etc., my cycle hasn't returned and I'm feeling increasingly dismayed about that. I'll wait another month before going back for more tests etc., but it's all starting to get to me. The promise of starting a family is something I've looked forward to for years... and has been another thing that kept me going through these challenging times. Moving back into our house-- everyone (ourselves included) were saying well, now you need some happiness, you need some positive news, you need some little ones to fill those bedrooms!! Well easier said than done.. I guess... or something....

I'm hopeful and worried. I'm sad and optimistic. I'm really trying to be patient but at times feel disheartened. I worry that we may be at the beginning of a long road while being hopeful that I'm wrong.

...and I don't really know that this blog is the right place to go into ALL that....

Before I sign off I do want to be sure I'm not misunderstood-- I am happy. I am so in love with my husband. I am living in an absolute to-die-for house. I have the most wonderful family and friends. There is So much joy in my life-- the little things like baking croissants, planting bulbs, teaching piano lessons, entertaining friends.... Please don't think I'm lying in bed with the covers pulled over my head lamenting about my woes! I like to think I have strength of spirit-- not intrinsic, maybe, but I've found it thanks to my husband, friends, family.. and- honestly- thanks to the challenges thus far. So maybe I'll pop back on to post about a dinner party or when I get the sewing machine up and running for the winter or hopefully (pls cross your fingers, toes and braid your hair) with some baby news someday.......

until then....

xo

julia

Croissants

Well, this blog is officially ALL OVER THE PLACE. It is struggling to find a new identity to reinvent itself, to figure out what it story really IS.... (not unlike myself of late.. .but i digress...). This weekend's forecast was rain rain rain. The effects of hurricane Danny(?). So I decided to make croissants. This was a three day affair-- as you'll see me in three different outfits. haha. I am so proud of the results. The taste test is tomorrow, but they look convincing and the whole house smells like a Parisian bakery!!

To make croissants, you must first make a yeast dough and a butter block. No joke, a BLOCK of butter. These are both refrigerated for hours so they reach the same temperature before you start rolling them out together and folding them (quite a labor of love, I must say).

Here you will witness the "first turn":

Removing the butter block and dough combo from the fridge..

Here I'm talking to dear husband saying "don't take a photo yet.. I'm just taking it out of the fridge!!"

Again, dear husband does not take heed, and snaps a photo of the dough transfer from cookie sheet to counter top.

The second turn being caught on "film"!

So after multiple "turns" which is basically rolling out the dough, then folding it like a letter, refrigerating it for hours and rolling it out again, folding it again etc.... Then it had to sit in the fridge for a number of hours. Luck would have it, today the rain cleared so we went to the pool! I came home in a frenzy to complete my croissant adventure tonight. I had to do the final roll-out and shaping of croissants in my bathing suit!!! haha.

I was worried that my inaugural croissant dough may have lacked in butter/dough layers. When I do it again I may take a different approach to the butter block. That said, I though my poor attempt at croissants might benefit from a filling! I whipped up an almond "fragipane" to wrap inside each one...

You then have to "proof" the croissants in a warm oven with a dish of steaming water for an hour and a half. The dough rises/expands and here's what they look like:

They are starting to look convincing!

Into the oven they go....

Wow, not that bad!!!

Yummers!

I am so pleased with the results. Tomorrow will be the true test-- an actual tasting! ... but I must say they look and smell very legitimate! We'll see how they taste and next time I'm thinking pain au chocolate or those lovely puff pastry elephant ears.... hmmmm....