Pesto.

This past weekend, we picked a few bushels of basil from the garden, and made several batches of pesto that we hope will last us a long time! Many of you inquired about my husband's pesto recipe. Here it is:

2 cups fresh basil (packed down)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts

2-3 garlic cloves

salt/pepper

1. In a food processor, PULSE the basil, pine nuts and garlic.

2. SLOWLY add the olive oil while it is mixing in the blender

3. Add the parmesan cheese

4. Mix thoroughly and dash in salt and pepper to taste

5. Keep refrigerated or freeze

6. TIPS ON FREEZING: freezing in ice cube trays creates portion size cubes perfect for spreading on sandwiches and salads. After they are frozen in the trays, transfer to a freezer bag for freshness.

Bon Appetite!

Three.

Ella is 3 weeks old. I am three weeks happy-as-ever.

Photo by Liz Draper Photography

Wild things.

It was Maurice Sendak's 81st Birthday last month, and I stumbled across this site while reading more about him. Have I mentioned how Maurice Sendak is my hero? Ok. I know he is basically every illustrator's hero. But they're are all just saying that. Really, Maurice Sendak is my hero and inspiration. I have often wondered what it would be a like to peek into his artist brain for a day and sense how he works. He is pure genius. One of the Greats.

"They're not so terrible" by Peter DeSeve

So, about this site: Terrible Yellow Eyes. This blog is a collection of illustrated works by various artists inspired by the classic picture book, Where the Wild Things Are. Inspired by Maurice Sendak, and as a tribute to him, these artists have illustrated phrases or ideas from the book in their own style. What an incredible tribute, as well as a great experience to reillustrate something so brilliantly written. I think I have the original illustrations memorized detail by detail: so to see other interpretations is so refreshing.

Have a look:

Allie Biondi

Jeremy Vanhoozer

Mike Lee

Kate Burgess

annie koelle

Delightful, isn't it? What a tribute for Maurice's 81st birthday. And with the movie coming out soon, hope this gets you in the mood.

Things are getting awfully yummy around here.

While my husband is feeding us this:

Fresh pesto made with bunches of basil from the garden.

Bundles of swiss chard picked fresh for summer soups;

Freshly baked sourdough;

and fresh cilantro picked fresh daily;

I have been feeding on this:

Dare I say it? Yum-O.

Opening.

Okay, it's official. See you there!

www.sarahjanestudios.com/shop

We're doin' fine.

Hello! Wow, thanks for all the congratulations! It has been a wonderful week.

There is nothing so wonderful as having a newborn: I am intoxicated by her smell, her floppy body that I can hold in one hand and her "meow's" and "coo's" and "squeaks." I am in love! We are adjusting fine, and let me tell you....my body is sure happy too! I have sexy ankles again. Well, ok. They sure seem skinny and wonderful after the 9 months I just went through. Anything is sexy after that!

I promise this blog isn't going to turn into a "look how cute my baby is" blog. I promise. But real quick: look how cute my baby is!

Thanks again for all your sweet emails and messages. Parenthood is wonderful, and has been just the reminder we have needed of what is most important and worth living for. Motherhood is bliss. It really is. My children are in love with their new sister which was apparent upon arriving from the hospital when Addie immediately gave her new sister her pillow, blankie and her favorite doll. "Sisters share, Mom. That is just what they do." These are precious moments.

I'll be back with updates on the shop and when I plan to reopen. We'll be ready soon!

Miracle of Miracles.

(Baby Ella Jane, 4 hours old)

She's here!!!!

Baby Ella Jane came first thing Monday morning, and I am completely in love with our bundle of heaven. She is perfect in every way with chubby cheeks, the most kissable mouth, the most elegant fingers (complete with fingernails as you can see by her left cheek:) and the sweetest "meows" and "coos" that melt me like honey. Our children' are in love with her too, and I guess you could say we're in heaven and already can't imagine life without our Ella.

We are doing very well, and look forward to the adjustment to 3 children to play with. So far, so good! Motherhood is bliss.

Thanks again for all your wonderful thoughts, emails and well wishes!

Off to nibble and kiss and snuggle, and maybe throw a needed cat nap in....

xo

A very happy Sarah Jane

Portraits.

I don't have a lot of mirror's in my house, and I often wonder what I look like. This is what Addie my 4 year old mamma-wanna-be thinks of me. She's dead on. Baby is filling me from my feet to my chin....how can she know?