Party in the House

Arman's First Birthday Part 1: The Real Deal

The first in a series of birthday-related celebrations took place on April 23rd (Arman's actual birthday) at my parents' home in Horseheads, NY. It was an impromptu mini-party. I had been so consumed with the details for his celebration on Saturday, that I figured we'd just postpone the celebrating for a couple of days. But when Thursday arrived, it felt wrong not to make the day a little extra special. We asked S, Jeff and the kids to drop by. Grandma could make it too. Grandpa would drive in after work. Poof! Instant party.

I love this expression. Manu catches a glipse of Grandpa Parvez as he walks through the front door. "This guys looks awfully familiar."



That's cause it's like looking into the future, kid.


"Whoaaa."

"Excuse me! You said there would be cake here!"

And there was. After all, it's never a party without sugar. That morning we ordered a cake from A Step Above.

A taste-test.



"Yeah. I'm gonna need a fork for that".



"Just gotta lean into it."



"Bigger pieces, please!!!"



Finally, a distraction. Grandma brings in a cuddly teddy bear. Time for presents!



He's not particularly dainty with the unwrapping.



Such a cute, preppy outfit from his cousins Jordan and Mina!



"Snazzy sweater vest, mom but did you see the AWESOME BOX?!"



It was a sweet and simple time. There's something great about an unplanned party. When you're not worried about the nitty gritty, you can really focus what parties are really about; sharing a joyous occaision with the people you love most. Of course, because I can't help myself, we had a big to-do (two acutually) on Saturday and Sunday with the party outfits and posed photos (stay-tuned for more pics!). Boy, there was a lotta love that weekend. Arman's a lucky little guy.
And speaking of love, how in-love am I with the custom wrapping paper designed by my favorite niece and nephew (also seen here)?! I'm keeping it forever.

A Very Merry Birthday

We spent last week in Horseheads, NY celebrating Manu's first birthday. What a week! Three cakes, lots of family and friends, and oodles and oodles of gifts. So tired but feeling pretty blessed. We weren't able to take lots of pics, but I'll hound our family photographer and post a recap of the festivities.

What's For Dinner

It was dark and rainy in Pittsburgh today, so I thought this chili dish (courtesy of Martha) would be a warm and hearty dinner. Curling up on the couch with some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies afterward made staying in today especially cozy.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 4 bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ( I skip this and just use a bit of olive oil)
  
• 3 pounds ground dark-meat (7 percent fat), turkey
• 4 cups chopped onions
• 1/4 cup minced garlic cloves
• 2 medium fresh jalapeno chiles, ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired, minced
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) whole tomatoes in puree
• 2 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
• Coarse salt
• 3 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• Fresh cilantro leaves, sliced pickled jalapeno chiles, reduced-fat sour cream, crumbled cornbread, grated cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat a Dutch oven (or other heavy 5-quart pot) over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp and brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Raise heat to high; add turkey. Cook, stirring and breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Add onion, garlic, and jalapenos; cook until soft, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cocoa powder, and cumin; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute.
3. Break up tomatoes with a spoon or your hands, and stir them in along with the puree. Add molasses, 1 cup water, and 4 teaspoons salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, partially covered, 30 minutes.
4. Add beans; continue cooking, uncovered, until meat and beans are very tender, and chili is thick, about 30 minutes more. Serve with desired toppings.

One Year Later

Little Bug,

Here's to you and your sweet smile. Thank you for the best year of our lives.

Got More Cars Than a Beach Got Sand

Why Buffalo to Pittsburgh took two hours longer than it should have.

Gourmet Mag

I recently received my first issue of Gourmet Magazine! After searching for months for a new skillet, we finally picked up a Scanpan from Sur la Table. I've used it nearly every day since we bought it and am very happy (Riz is also very happy washing it by hand every night). I thought I wanted something from the Le Crusset line, but despite its beauty, I could not justify purchase. I needed two hands to lift the thing and even then it was a struggle. Sad. Anway, with the Scanpan purchase, we received a free subscription to Gourment Magazine.

I'm especially taken with their "Gourmet Everyday Quick Kitchen" Recipes. We've tried 3 so far and each has been quick and easy to prepare, seasonally appropriate, and most importantly, yummy.

Here are the 3 with notes:

Spinach and Red- Pepper Calzones

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 large onion, halved and sliced lengthwise
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5 oz baby spinach (8 packed cups)
• 4 bottled roasted red peppers, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 1-inch pieces (1 cup) (I roasted 1 large red pepper. It was approx. 1 cup)
• 12 oil-cured black olives, pitted and coarsely chopped (about 3 Tbsp)
• 1 lb store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen ( I made my own using this recipe)
• 1/2 lb smoked mozzarella, cut into16 pieces

• Preheat oven to 500°F with rack in lowest position. Sprinkle cornmeal on a large baking sheet.
• Cook onion with 1/4 tsp salt in 2 Tbsp oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in red peppers, olives, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 14-inch round, then cut into quarters. Roll out 1 quarter into an 8-inch square (keep remaining pieces covered) and arrange with a corner nearest you. Put one fourth of filling on lower half, leaving a 1-inch border, and top with 4 pieces of cheese. Fold dough over to enclose filling. Seal edges. Beginning in 1 corner, stretch sealed edge outward, pinching and rolling dough up over edge to resemble a rope, working your way around. Transfer to baking sheet. Make 3 more calzones in same manner. Cut 3 steam vents in top of each and brush with remaining Tbsp oil.
• Bake until golden-brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Cooks’ note: Filling (without cheese) can be made 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before using.

Pasta in Garlic-Almond Sauce

• 3/4 cup whole blanched almonds (4 oz)
• 3 garlic cloves, smashed
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 lb cavatappi or other small tubular pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra-virigin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 (10-oz) package frozen peas
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus additional for serving
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup basil leaves (torn if large), divided
• 1/3 cup mint leaves (torn if large), divided
• 1/3 cup chopped roasted almonds (2 oz) ( I didn't have enough almonds to add on top. It would've been a great addition, but was quite tasty anyway.)

• Purée blanched almonds and garlic with water and 1/4 tsp salt in a blender until smooth.(Next time I'll do this while the baby is awake)
  
• Cook cavatappi in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 Tbsp salt for 6 qt water) until almost al dente. Reserve 3 cups pasta-cooking water and drain pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet (preferably straight-sided) over medium heat until foam subsides. Add almond purée and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups reserved cooking water, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper and simmer, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in remaining 2 Tbsp butter until melted. Add pasta and peas and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente (sauce will be thin), 2 to 3 minutes. Add cheese and lemon juice and stir until combined well. Remove from heat and stir in half of basil and mint and salt and pepper to taste. Serve pasta in bowls topped with chopped almonds, remaining herbs, and additional cheese.

Lemon-Oregano Chicken (sorry, no picture for this one)

• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
• 8 chicken thighs with skin (about 1 3/4 pounds)( I used 1 3/4 pound bone-in chicken breast with skin)
  
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Accompaniment: lemon wedges

• Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt, then whisk together with 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pat chicken dry and coat with lemon-garlic mixture.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter and remaining tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides. Brown chicken in 2 batches, skin side down, until golden and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes (chicken will not be cooked through). Transfer, skin side up, to a 4-sided sheet pan.
• Pour off fat (and any small burnt pieces) from skillet. Add broth and remaining tablespoon lemon juice and boil until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Whisk in remaining tablespoon butter and oregano, then pour over chicken.
• Roast chicken in oven until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

WPIC Baby Club Outing

In the past 12 months, 13 babies (maybe more) have been born to docs working at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC). How's that for some crazy? Even more fascinating is the ratio of boys to girls; 11:2. So that means lots of play pals for Manu. A couple of the doctors had this fantastic idea of starting up a WPIC Baby Club. On Wednesday, some of us headed over to Phipps for our first official outing. Enjoy the pics courtesy of the moms there.

Overdue

Better really, really, really late than absolutely never? Don't know why, but for the longest time I didn't feeling like posting. We have plenty of pics to share and more than a handful of adventures to comment on but, I just wasn't feeling it. Anyway, here we are! Lots to share! Let's get started.

When we last left you (when Manu started crawling at lightening speed) we were just about to embark on a 3 day trip to Buffalo to visit friends and family.

As soon as we arrived at Dennis and Teresa's, Manu was eager to make friends. Turns out Molly wasn't as interested in him as he'd hope.


I don't think his feelings were hurt that badly. As soon as he discovered Teresa, he was all smiles. He still has a thing for blonds...


...and zippers of course. Apparently not his own, though. Just Dennis'.


We grabbed a quick and very yummy lunch at Falafel Bar


then headed over to my sisters' place where the rest of the family had gathered.



We filled the weekend with airplane time


and cuddle time.


We also had the opportunity to celebrate Aziza's 22nd birthday. Poor Ziza. She's the only one in the family who doesn't get a from scratch cake on her birthday. That's because she's usually the one doing the baking. We do know our bakeries though and this Belgian Chocolate Mousse beauty from Butterwood was delish!


I had to include this photo in the mix. It's probably my favorite from the weekend. Although it's not a great picture technically, I love the content/mischevious expression on Manu's face. It's as if he's saying "I'll do as I please and Grandma's got my back."


Before heading home, we properly caffeinated ourselves at SPoT. Not to worry. Manu's cup holds not a drop.

We had a great weekend visiting our dear Buffalo and hanging our with the family and our good---make that GREAT friends. I say GREAT because they didn't kick us out when Arman decided he would showcase his vocal chords until sun came up. AND they're such good sports, they claimed he didn't disturb their sleep in the least. Sorry (again).
We're looking forward to seeing everyone again in April!

Phipps Conservatory

I had a couple days off from work, so Tahera and I decided to take Arman out to experience some of the "Family Friendly" fun Pittsburgh has to offer. One of the highlights of the trip out was Phipps Conservatory, where Arman got to see Orchids, ferns, and plants from the Amazon. Later in the year the conservatory turns into a Butterfly Forest, which we'll be sure to come back for.

Full Speed Ahead

I'm so ready for the weekend. I'm exhausted, which is pretty sad because I usually sleep a full 8 hours. During the day however, I'm running around like a mad woman trying to keep up with this kid. He's so darn fast! I haven't worked out like this in years! Countless reps with a 20lb weight, running laps around the first floor, stairs, squats, you name it. He's the best/worst boot-camp ever. I'm trying hard to let him explore while keeping him safe. Easier said than done. The safest place is in his pack-n-play, but after about 15 minutes I feel guilty seeing him penned up, so I take him out. He inevitably gets into/onto/under (it only takes a second) something seemingly innocuous and hurts himself. Again, I feel guilty. Looking forward to his first steps. That'll be peachy.

The Boys

I Love Me Some Smoothie

Natural Light

Got home a bit early today and got to spend some quality time with the little guy. Just yesterday he was at his 9 month check-up and we mentioned that he hadn't really started crawling yet. Well, one day after receiving reassurances from our family doc that he's just fine, he's begun crawling up a storm. He seems to be particularly fond of crawling after his storybooks so he can try and eat them. The Grouchy Ladybug is apparently one of the tastier selections in his library. After his evening bath-time routine (and a bit of a nap myself!), I got a chance to upload the pictures sitting on our camera including all of January. I've got a bunch of great shots to post (including ones from Las Vegas... I know, I know, I'm a slacker.) but I wanted to put up this one from the other day to show illustrate the benefits of natural lighting.

Since having our dSLR for a while, I've made a bunch of adjustments to the way I take pictures. I've stopped using auto, and I'm getting better and guesstimating where my aperture, ISO, and shutter settings need to be for a given photo. I'm also trying to use the histograms from the camera to make more intelligent adjustments on the fly. But most importantly, I've been focusing my efforts towards trying to avoid using the built in flash while taking pictures. It forces me to try and develop a steadier hand, but the warmth and emotion of photos just using natural light can't be duplicated with the on-board strobe flash. For example, here's a photo of Manu using the flash:
1/125; f4.8; ISO 500

And here's one without the flash.

1/30; f5.3; ISO 500


Full disclosure: I did a bit of post-processing on both of these pictures. Nonetheless, the flash picture has an almost superimposed quality. Also, there's an unnatural glare on the bottom of his cup, his nails, and his skin. The photo without the flash really gives a more true-to-life representation of the moment. And those were mostly backlit.


here's an example with some natural front lighting, no post processing.1/40; f3.5; ISO 500

Tilt-Shift Photography

As a brief departure from the shopping and fashion coverage of late, I thought I'd put in a quick post about an interesting photography technique I've come across. Tilt-shift photography can be used to create the impression of miniaturization through the use of a very narrow depth of field. The effect can be recreated by utilizing some simple techniques in Photoshop CS. Having a renewed interest in post-processing following a quick tutorial from visiting renaissance-woman Aziza E, I gave it a try on a few shots. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

I Can Do That In My Sleep

It's been a couple posts since you last saw our little bug. He's quickly becoming mobile which is a great new challenge. This morning when I went into his room he was sitting up in his crib talking away. What??? He learned that overnight? Of course he's been able to sit for awhile now, but we had to position him that way. Now...

he goes from rolling around

to crawling

to sitting back up again.

Who knew one could be so productive in their sleep?

But It's My Favorite!

My favorite decorating mag (and website) is calling it quits. I was worried this might happen as shelter after shelter magazine (Cottage Living, O at Home, Blueprint) have thrown in the towel. Somehow I thought Domino would be able to ride it out. It's soooo good. Total bummer. March will be the last issue.