Had to share this quick delicious recipe for Curry Shrimp. I didn’t have any jalapenos on hand so I used maybe 1/4 cup of green peppers instead for a nice flavor. I also used an Indian ginger/garlic paste instead of chopping up garlic and ginger on my own.

COCONUT CURRY SHRIMP
1 T. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
1/2 small jalapeño pepper (or to taste), seeded and minced
1 1/2 T. curry powder
1 large fresh tomato, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 can reduced fat coconut milk (14-oz.)
1/4 cup water
1 t. sugar
1 teaspoons salt
1 pound medium shrimp, shelled (frozen is fine)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Lime wedges, for serving

1.In a large saucepan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeño and ginger; and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook until fragrant. Add the tomato, coconut milk, water and sugar; season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasion ally, until slightly thickened, 15 minutes.

2.Add the shrimp to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just done, 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Serve with white rice and the lime wedges.

We had a great time in Texas hanging out with my sister and her husband while we were in Dallas and then getting to hang out with my brother and his wife in Austin. I’ve learned the key to travelling successfully with a toddler is to visit people who also have small children. It makes life so much easier when they already have all the toys and games to make your little one happy and content.

Our original intent when we left Seattle was to relocate to Texas- specifically Dallas. But because of the tech market crash there we instead chose Atlanta. This has been my dh’s first trip to Texas since we left Seattle and he was about 3 steps away from being set on changing his mind on Atlanta and just going to Dallas. It’s great to be somewhere that has affordable housing, plenty of things to do, and most importantly tons of family and close friends around who also have children around the same age range. Dallas would be this for us- but I think Atlanta has great potential it just may take longer to establish that network. We have made some wonderful friends here don’t get me wrong but my sister is a kindergarden teacher and has been a daycare instructor for almost a decade now so needless to say she loves kids and would love nothing more than to spend time with her nephews. Not to mention we have a great time together.

I’ve definitely noticed the older that we get how hard it is to find other couples that both dh and I click with . Here it seems like I have no issues meeting great friends who are warm, compassionate and talkative but their husbands are just about always the silent type. I feel bad for dh because he’s truely one of the kindest and easiest to talk to people I’ve known but guy friends are far and few between it seems. The exception to this is of course Dallas where thanks to family and my linesisters we know many couples who are fun and have equally talkative dhs.

I guess time will tell where we ultimately wind up at. I’m definitely at home here in Atlanta but I can’t lie Dallas would be wonderful too. For now I’m definitely making the best of my time here since it has been a great experience thus far.

After I use the bulb to clear your nose as you scream and fight me with every single ounce of your 3 month old being- sadly look at me through your tears and smile. I :heart my EbonyBaby

Because I love books so much EbonyBoy has about a million of them it seems. Some of his favorites are simple board books which are filled with pictures of items with the words beneath them. We “read” them over and over and now he can name about everything in his books- from asparagus to xylophone and zebra. Because I let him read with me so often I’m always pointing to pictures and asking him what they are. My dear son has started to return the favor by quizzing me. He’ll point to magazine pictures or items in his Blues Clues computer games and ask me “Who that Mommy? What that?” Once I answer (correctly of course) he gives me a big smile and a “Good Boy Mommy! Good job!”

I’d say positive reinforcement is working nicely I’ve never been so proud to be a good boy

We are finally back home from our long journey. We truely had a great time visiting with family- and I got to see my niece (who missed being born on my birthday by 2 hours) for the very first time.

By the end of the trip the Austin allergy season was upon us though and combining that with Atlanta’s pollen blanket we’ve all been under the weather for a minute. Hopefully we’ll be back to 100% soon- the boys have both been in good spirits so I’m hoping it means they feel pretty good.

I’ve had some interesting things going on in the rest of my family. Both my dad and my grandfather have started chemotherapy within the last week. Definitely a shock and quite a bit to handle all at once (grandfather is east coast and Dad is midwest) but just giving them as many positive thoughts and prayers as possible. The doctors are saying both should do well with the chemo so no real reason to be scared I guess its just a reality check to really examine how you treat those near and dear.