Ballet Recital

Daisy was 100% excited to participate in her first ever dance recital. Hanging out backstage with the "big" ballerinas (high-school students), seeing the audience, slicking her hair into a bun, and brushing her cheeks with blush were long-awaited rites of passage for her. 

Her teacher designed a brilliant routine where ever girl got to dress as a princess and took turns being showcased, one after another, doing things like curtsies and blowing kisses. We parents thought it was adorable. You might notice the audience laughing, but it all seemed in a very kind spirit while we were there, and I don't think the girls noticed. Enjoy!

Spring Blossoms

B-O-Y

Last week, the three of us gathered for the 20-week ultrasound of our new baby!

We had the technician write "boy" or "girl" down for us and saved the big surprise for later. Which turned out to be right after the appointment, when we stopped for lunch (at the appropriately named Belly General Store).

 We wanted to have Daisy be as much a part of this as possible, 

so we let her open up the news and tell us herself!

We celebrated with a cupcake for each sibling: it's a boy!

Green Like Pollen

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green? Daisy has been obsessing over who is ok to pinch, and Chris and I are excited to check out local music hotspot Eddie's Attic to celebrate with an Irish band. However, this "Green" post has nothing to do with the Luck o' the Irish.

Until now, I didn't really know what pollen looked like. I would have drawn it as yellow, sitting placidly inside a flower. I believed in it like I believe in germs. 

Until now, I didn't think I suffered from seasonal allergies.

Until now, I was ecstatic about opening up my windows on breezy spring days.

Something is different about Georgian pollen: it's green, it's mean, and it's everywhere:

Back of my car this morning

I finally decided that the constant sneezing, bleary eyes, achy head and drippy nose was completely debilitating, so I brought home my first box of Claritin yesterday. Nothing really got that much better from my 24 hour tablet, so I didn't take another one this morning. Some friends mentioned that you have to get it "in your system," and that some people start taking meds daily beginning in February to get ready for the season!

This is not what I signed up for, but I'm not sure if I have a choice! Many people seem to get intense allergies once they move here. Meanwhile, I will definitely investigate all sorts of homeopathic remedies before deciding to jump into daily medication. Any advice?

Spotted: on Atlantan Menus

I'm not sure what it was about eating in Germany - the magic of calling familiar foods by a new, foreign name; participating in the craze of the seasonal; seeing fresh produce that retained its aura because it wasn't radiated; having fewer prepared meals to choose from at the supermarket (and going to specialty food stores more) - but it was glorious. I learned that the best foods in the world let the product's original flavor speak for itself: no need trying to cook for 2 hours to achieve a good meal! Just get a good cheese and put it with a good fruit and have a slice of good bread! I would make a simple meal at home and want to take a picture because I thought it looked simply beautiful. For instance, I found these images I took last year:

Spring: asparagus season

Summer: berries, cream, crust

Fall: Zucchini, fresh mozzarella, olives, balsamico crema 

I am still looking for markets in Atlanta that sell something close to that peach I had in Nice or the apricots I picked up at home in Germany. A restaurant that has fresh to-die-for strawberries with whipped cream on the menu. But while I'm looking, I can't help but notice the exact opposite culinary standard being held here in Atlanta. There is probably a molecular gastronomy institute in the city somewhere. 

Sure, there is an emphasis on local produce. However, there is much more excitement about the new and bizarre. Why so many things that I've never even heard of? Here is a sampling of some menu items from restaurants in my area:

- Coffee Braised Lamb Shank - with local carrot puree, dried apricot relish, natural jus

- Roasted Trout - with Castelluccio lentils, roasted baby carrots, cippolini agrodolce

- Burnt Orange Ricotta Cheesecake - pecan-streusel crust, balsamic, candied orange zest, basil

- Vodka-battered onion rings - with beer mustard

-Toasts - with ceci pea puree, anchovy vinaigrette, local spring chives, parmesan, chillies 

(I looked up ceci - turns out it's Italian for chickpeas.)

Bone marrow. On every menu.

EVOO (that's extra virgin olive oil, if you didn't know)

Green Tomato Ketchup, Cajunnaise, pomegranate ketchup, cauliflower bechamel. 

Now I know why people keep taking out their smartphones in restaurants!

I love food, and I love trying new flavors. I also see the merit in ordering food at a restaurant that would be way, way out of my league to make by myself at home. I'm excited to go to these restaurants when the opportunity comes up. 

My main point is that these menu items clearly show how modern, progressive cuisine is about the finished product, the magical blend of surprising ingredients. It seems American to me now - super sized on flavor - new money instead of old money - a little bit like it's trying too hard. 

It makes me a little homesick for the traditional, simple elegance of Europe.

But if I'm showing you around Atlanta, you can bet that I will take you to a restaurant with a unique menu. It's one thing this city has to offer.

Daisy turns 4!

A story of her day:

In the morning, Chris and I said, "Should we make you pancakes or waffles?? Do you want to open all your presents??" Daisy said, "Not yet, I just want to play in my room for a while." What a sweetheart.

We had so many loving presents sent from across the country! 

At 2:00, we had a Royal Ball with four of Daisy's friends. Everyone dressed up, twirled with ribbons, and played musical instruments to a very varied playlist.

A "following the leader" dance

I read a short book about a fairytale cake.

Then it was time for afternoon tea!

When we originally asked Daisy about what she wanted to do at her party, she said that she wanted strawberry cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles, which would match her rainbow party hat. Ta-dah!

After the main festivities, the girls played dress up for a while longer. Daisy once came downstairs with an old tank top inside out and backwards. Everyone played so sweetly together - a 4 year old's birthday party dream come true!

Thankful Advent

a prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,

 for the peace accorded to us this day,

for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food 

and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Amen.