Valley of Roses

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Ode to Cutco Knives

I love my Cutco knives.

If you had asked me 5 years ago if I had any preference on kitchen knives I would have said, "No". Then probably gone on to defend why any particular knife should not be shown any favoritism. A knife is just a knife right? Kitchen knife breaks, buy a new one. One should never spend $100+ on a kitchen knife.

My friend Sara has given me four Cutco knives (she used to sell them). Over the course of a few years she gave me one on my birthday or for Christmas. I have a santoku, paring, trimmer and spatula spreader. She told me that within a few years they would be the only knives I would use.

They are wonderful. They are the only knives I use.

Perfect julienne vegetables, excellent sliced tomatoes, macedoine cheese cubes, chiffonade cabbage, brunoise onions!

http://www.vegetables.co.nz/about-veg-cuts.php

I still cringe to hear the price tag associated with each Cutco knife but at least for now I recognize--it's also worth the price. Just don't cut yourself!

Now back to cooking!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Requesting Prayers

Hi,

We are requesting your prayers.

In lieu of the adoption...there have been delays, but of course you should know that always with adoption it is 1 step forward, 2 steps back. We were hoping for it to be faster and so far Utah is far faster than California. But, it appears that we will need to deal with California once again in the case of our little boy (who's name we are planning to change to Michael Rigel Rosenvall).

No specifics, I cannot answer questions.

Love, Amy, Andrew, Sarah & Michael

Monday, January 18, 2010

January

I am happy to report that Michael is walking! Woo hoo! Our Little Mr decided to take his first steps for me in December and is now finally walking about the house. He's learned the joys of standing in the center of the room and chasing his big sister, Sarah. Tackling has become his second favorite. Much to Sarah's chagrin, frustrated she told me last week, "Michael got my candy!" Sure enough Michael had tackled his sister and sold the candy cane. Hmm... (don't worry, she got her candy back and we found a treat for Mikey.)

Sarah has been potty training! She has is down mostly, not all the way quite yet. But I'm certain with a few more days she'll be a pro! She is talking more and recognizes colors, a few numbers and letters. Can you believe she'll be 3 in May? She decided to start waking in the middle of the night and coming to our bedroom. Very quickly however, she learned that we just put her back to bed. (I remember climbing into my parents bed at night when I was her age and had nightmares.) We haven't allowed this as an option for her. IF you heard her snore you would agree with us! I told Andrew when we when to Yellowstone during the summer, "She snores." "It can't be that bad." he said. After 2 sleepless nights listening to her snore he said, "I'm amazed that such a little girl can rattle a whole house." We took Sarah to an ear, nose, throat specialist, who explained that her snoring is coming from enlarged tonsils, and recommended a tonsillectomy. We are going to wait until Summer to have them out, so I can be home.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Progress

Remember when I told about our Little Guy screaming! Screaming at everything! Well, here's his progress as of today,

*Knows 3 baby signs, Up, Milk and Please.

*Jumps in the crib and says "Dada." when he wakes up.

*New sounds (huge progress considering we were told many times he is partial hearing/possibly deaf (tubes were put in his ears, we think he can hear now)). Baba, Uh-Oh, Mama, Dada, Eh (means Up), La-La.

*Clicking his tongue, raspberries and sticking his tongue out at you.

*Refusing the binky, (usually he doesn't want it anymore- he prefers to talk.)

*Walking! he walked across our living room 5 times today so far!

*Finally will eat peas, green beans and tiny bits of bread

Yea!

Congratulations Jen on adopting Little Paige!