For Steph:

Sweet Potato, Corn, and Black Bean Hash

2 tsp canola oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2" dice
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup frozen corn kernals
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
pepper

Sautee onions 3-5 minutes. Add sweet potato and cook, stirring, until it starts to brown in spots, 5 minutes or so. Add garlic, jalapeno, cumin, and salt. Sautee until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add water and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until liquid is absorbed. Stir in corn and beans and cook until heated through. Add cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve with lime wedges; tortillas or corn bread on the side.

It is Teh Yum.

Gah, Susan, you worry so much and beat yourself up so much and then you throw something like this out there and I just want you to listen as hard to the voice that says things like that as you do to the one that seems to be always questioning yourself. That is a beautiful, happy, curious baby you've got there, and I know you sometimes think you're not doing right by her but you are, you really really are.

Thanks, Brenda. I needed to hear that. She really is the most wonderful and lovable child ever, and you should hear her laugh. It's the best sound.

I've just got to figure out how to make myself stop worrying about her intellectual development, because that's what all these worries come down to for me--am I doing enough to make her as smart as she has the potential to be? And since I'm wired for guilt, all the well-meaning child development advice hits me the wrong way, because I feel like I could be doing more.

Edamame- yum! We get the TJ's frozen beans and usually make some sort of salad with it, with radishes or bell peppers or even tomatos in season, with cilantro or parsley and yummy vinegar. God, I can't wait till summer. We've tried to recreate it out of season but it's not the same. Need a heartier winter edemame side dish receipe for the cold months.

My new obsession = HGTV. I watched hours of it today. Landscaper Challenge, Curb Appeal, House Hunters (young couple trying to find their starter house! Aw!), and Priced to Sell.

I am obsessed. It's like all the fun of looking at houses without leaving my own couch. Again, spring can't come soon enough for my ever-widening ass.

Ah, well, hopefully the anti-b's will kick the bronchitis and I'll be able to breathe enough to swim and work out next week. RIght now I can't even walk more than 10 steps or go up 10 steps without wheezing and panting for, no joke, at least 5 minutes.

Whoo! HGTV!

Oof. Just got home from getting my hair cut and colored (very rich red and shortish layers--love it). Called my mom because it's the anniversary of my dad's death only to find out that my niece--the 17-year-old one who has been causing everyone so much agita--is going into rehab. My brother flew back from Holland and is driving her to some really expensive place two hours away. They think she's using meth, kind of amazing since she is still getting straight As in all AP classes. My cousin is going along with my brother on the ride for support. They have been friends since they were born and are both recovering alcoholics, so rehab is not a scary thing, so that's a blessing. But my poor bro and SiL. I feel so bad for them. Don't need hugs, because I think this is the best thing, I just feel bad.

is this the same niece that was suspected of having an eating disorder?

sending out good wishes to her and her parents.

Same one, Nora. And thanks.

One of my students came after school today to talk to me about her piece for the next creative writing class. It was about her bulemia, and I wanted to hug her and cry throughout the whole conference. I had to settle for gentle support and a calm voice. It was hard.

Robin, I'm so sorry. That's a lot to deal with.

If it's okay with you Robin, they'll be in my prayers. I hope this rehab is sticky for her. She has so much going for her, and is so lucky to have family that caught onto her illness, before it was too late.

Cindy, that would be lovely.

How are you feeling, Robin?