"Just on ya leg"

Friends, I feel fortunate to have had such a great day before about 5p. At that point, both boys always start going a bit batty but today, O went down to the basement, attempted to feed Percy a second dinner (he's on a vet-mandated diet), took off his diaper and came back upstairs where he started pestering J who was practicing "Mary Lamb" on the violin. I pulled O up onto my lap to hold him in place while J practiced and when I let him down, I saw a little mound of poop on my thigh. Thank god I had on pants. People, this was gross. I said, "Oliver, did you poop in the basement?" to which he replied, "Nope, just on ya leg, Mom." Eff.

Lady apples with roast pork loin, the repeatedly shocking ease of errands with just one child

Y'all, I don't know why I still find this shocking, but doing errands with one of your children rather than both (or more if you've got 'em) is just soooooo much easier. O and I spent the morning in Georgetown and had such a ball- walked along the canal, ate a biscotti, got coffee, went to Dumbarton Oaks and so forth. He's one of those mischievous little guys who thinks it's funny to run down M St (equivalent: Michigan Ave, Lexington Ave, Ben Franklin Parkway, the 405, etc) to "trick" you which is not remotely funny to me but so much more manageable when there is not also an older brother -who, bless his heart, is just not as coordinated which is, thus, always kinda dicey in busy areas- to look after as well. One constant commentator is definitely easier on the ears than two, especially since both now assert "you interrupted me" as soon as the other one starts telling a story. Good lord. Anyway, I'll take these moments and enjoy them even though I crashed right after O at naptime. How cute are these little Lady apples?! I am going to roast them whole with a stuffed pork loin later this week (I think). I'm not a real pork-lovin' gal but a nice stuffed loin can be lovely sometimes- can't you see a stuffing of nuts, dried fruit and maybe a little blue cheese? Sounds so autumnal and nice.

For the first time since before Jack was born that the boys haven't been with grandparents, T and I are going out two nights in a row this weekend (I think this is, pitifully enough, quite literally true). How will we manage?! Send me your strong, your energetic, your youthful vibes, kind readers. ;) Anyway, I'm bringing food to both so am off to brainstorm ideas...

Effective new tactic with husband, caramel apple pie, breadcrumbs

I tried something new today: called T and told him very sweetly that I would be leaving town on 12/9 and returning 12/11. I said that I'd love for him to come with me but if he plans to, he must secure childcare for the boys. He said it sounded like a good plan. People, AMAZING!! So exciting!! Perhaps you want to try this tack too? I've got an apple pie in the oven that looks fabulous: a layer of apples tossed with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sugar, lemon juice and zest. Then a nice drizzle of that caramel from Monday. More apples, a bit more caramel, crust. Yo!

Also, I made the breadcrumbs and they are so pretty. One thing I like about fresh breadcrumbs beyond the freshness and ease is their lack of uniformity. Each crumb is small, yes; but there is some variation in smallness, and I like that textural addition to their flavor. If your baguette or bread slices are not yet totally hard, you can toast them in a low-heat oven (300) until dry, let them cool and then food process. Just remember to remove the crusts before doing all this.