Monday, December 11, 2006

Cheese Pumpkin

Okay, it's as bad as it sounds: cheese pumpkin, like the name of a band that's just trying to be weird by putting two different words together in a gross way. But it was part of our farm share, along with other large and frightening winter squashes, like kabocha and hubbard, and so we took it, and so I spent the better part of the afternoon covered in flour and pumpkin guts turning it into something like empanadas with leeks and thyme and cheese--and yes, they were fine, but believe me: you wouldn't have missed the cheese pumpkin. The kids pressed them flat with their fingers and then finally choked them down but were not buying the whole "pumpkin pie" thing I tried Polyannaing on their small and sorry squash-eating selves. Plus, worse, there is still half of a seeded, peeled cheese pumpkin in my fridge to be turned into--what? Cheese pumpkin relish? Cheese pumpkin meatloaf?

That's why I have no energy to write. I blame the cheese pumpkin. But I wanted to say that wondertime is doing something a little funky with its links--to be fixed soon--but this week's column is here.

You should be able to link to last week's from there--by clicking on last week's date in that right-hand column. I really appreciate you taking the time to look. What with all the eggnog waiting to be drunk. Or "egg mog" as Birdy calls it. Cheese pumpkin nog! Cheese pumpkin Chex mix! Sigh.

69 comments:

  1. I suggest cheese pumpkin compost.

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  2. Joe's suggestion: curried cheese pumpkin soup. But I'm with swistle, and I never like to throw out food...

    ...and my brother has a roommate much like the one you've described. Wish I had a pair of tweezers.

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  3. Yeah, I'm with Swistle, too. I give you credit for the first attempt. Did you just make up that recipe? Because I've never seen a recipe for cheese pumpkin.

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  4. I stopped reading mid-article to Google "engorged tick" and then continued reading. *lol* Nasty looking buggers, aren't they? Glad you found it.

    I have to tell you I'm impressed, I learned how to Google and panic from you (not really, I was addicted to that long before you confirmed my belief it was a good idea), and here you are all calm and collected in the face of Lyme disease. Our little Catherine is growing up. :)

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  5. Anonymous9:46 PM

    How about rolling the cheese pumpkin squares in suet and coating with bird seed.....squirrel snacks? (You could feature it as a craft/project in Family Fun Magazine! ha ha)

    Sorry about Ben and the tick thing- but at least you sound as though you've got it under control. My stomach sank to my feet just reading it- all will be well, though. Thank Goodness for modern medicine. Speedy healing to Ben from us!

    P.S. I am so jealous that you have a brother who is an epidemiologist ;^)

    Tina and Geoff

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  6. Anonymous10:51 PM

    You score MAJOR Martha Stewart points today:

    15 points for getting organic produce straight from a farm...

    45 points for wrangling with organic HEIRLOOM squash (thank you, Google.)

    15 points for producing empanada dough from scratch...

    and 20 points for "Polyannaing" said empanadas down your kids' throats.

    Congratulations! Now use the darn stuff to fertilize your garden. Cheese Pumpkin Nog? Ewww.

    Anyway...hope Ben is feeling better (and that *you're* feeling all right about Ben and that awful tick!)

    Take care--

    Jen and Audra.

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  7. Anonymous11:52 PM

    I cannot believe that your children gamely ate the cheese pumpkin empanadas! I can't cook a dinner that consists of the blandest food that ever blanded without my 5.5 yr old saying "blech!" or "that's too spicy!". Congratulations!

    Glad Ben's tick issue is under control. I'm impressed about how calm you are being about it.

    P.S. My hubby is also fond of the "tick check" line in the summer...

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  8. Oh MY GOD! I'm so glad that you aren't freaking out about the tick, but are you REALLY not freaking out? Why am I freaking out about it? Ticks! Aaack! Is Ben really going to be ok? Poor, poor Benny and poor, poor you! I know what you mean about the clock hands going around and around. Nobody can ever call back fast enough, no web page can ever load quickly enough, when health is on the line. I really wish you all the best for your whole little family and a safe and happy Holiday!

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  9. I hope Ben is healing nicely, and that you all are well. We have had our fair share of ticks this summer, too, including one in my son's crotch... Seeing the look on his face as I closed in on his crotch with the tweezers is something that I will never forget. It was not fun, trust me! :-)

    I had never heard of a cheese pumpkin, and I think your empanada idea was awesome. Good for you. How did you find out about the farmshare?

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  10. Anonymous8:26 AM

    See we LOVE all the collards and kale in our farm share. We love everything everything, except the weird squash. So weird squash has become purely decorative in our household. We make weird squash laterns, or paint them. They're very happy and have long lives on our front porch being seasonal decorations. But we don't eat the weird squashes. I make a butternut squash soup with cheese ravioli in it that's yummy and can handle a little extra squash, but that's about it.

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  11. Okay, we all need to stop telling Catherine how proud we are for her not freaking out - and asking her is she REALLY not freaking out?? Sheesh. Don't you know the best way to celebrate the very fragile "non-freaking out" state is to quietly take note of it and then completely ignore it?
    (Sending happy thoughts your way...for no particular reason!)
    Amy (mom of David, Tim and Emily)

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  12. Anonymous10:28 AM

    We found a deer tick on my son this summer when he was only 6 months old. I have no idea how it got on him as he was hardly ever outside and never on the ground, but there it was - in his left armpit, and it was attached. Outraged is the exact same feeling that I had. I really wanted to squash it into tiny little pieces, but of course we had to save it in a little bag, just in case. Luckily my son was okay. I hope Ben is okay as well.

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  13. Just read your cheese pumpkin post after the Wondertime article. Then googled "engorged tick". Oooohhhh! Aaaahhhh! Engorged tick, squash... My brain made a link that I did not like...

    If I can after this, I suggest, if the Swistle compost hilarious option is not chosen, the pumpkin gnocchis. You just replace the mashed potatoes in a classic gnocchi recipe by an equivalent portion of cooked and pureed pumpkin. You serve those gnocchis with grated cheese, pesto or whatever. Simple and delicious, the children here ask for more like two little Oliver Twist...

    Prompt rétablissement to Ben. And félicitations to Catherine on being so calm. :)

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  14. Honey. Do not sully the Name of Chex Mix with your pumpkin of cheese.

    And...TICK????? Aaaaaaaaaaagh.

    I kind of gagged a little bit reading that one. Erg.

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  15. Anonymous1:36 PM

    Astoria,

    Could you possibly share that butternut squash soup recipe? (Sorry Catherine - I swear I'm not trying to hijack the discussion board but I'm desperate for yummy vegetable recipes and my husband's all-time favorite is butternut squash.)

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  16. Anonymous1:50 PM

    I just read the 12/4 article and I was whisked back to my own childhood when I was friends with a "Laylaish" girl named Nicole. She was always sweet and never got into trouble. One day I broke a record over her head. My parents could not understand why and I couldn't explain it. I couldn't explain that I did it because she was too good, too nice. This act of violence was apparently cathartic since we were able to remain friends. I haven't thought about this in years but reading Birdy's questions made me think of this little episode.

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  17. Glad Ben is doing fine. My dear little girl has had 2 ticks this fall - TWO. How DARE the nasty little buggers burrow into her perfect skin?! Hubby (the EMT) got the first one, but I had to deal with the second. Blech. I saved it - taped to a white index card like all the sites tell you to just in case. No rings (phew) but those spots took forever to heal!

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  18. Oh LAWDY I will freak out for you. Ticks are the grossest things (next to scorpions, BLECH) and I would feel both outraged, and deeply saddened that I could never touch my kid again because he'd been touched by a tick. ;-)
    FYI, there are such things as tick spoons in the pet department - they do wonders for pulling out the head too.
    As for the pumpkin, I vote soup, or some weird crafty thing for the kids to do to make up for having eaten cheese pumpkin empanadas.

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  19. we grew way too many butternut squashes and pumpkins in our own garden this year (hint for next year - don't give toddler the whole pack of seeds to plant)So I've been collecting recipes for pumpkins and squash: squash puree+spicy jack cheese+whole wheat tortilla= quesadilla. Pumpkin/squash risotto, curried pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, and there's always just baking it or as we do, cutting it into cubes, making a tin foil pouch and tossing it on the bbq. Though I did see a very expensive pumpkin enzyme mask at the store the other day....Do I smell Cheese Pumpkin Beauty Day?

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  20. we grew um way too many butternut squashes and pumpkins in our own garden this year (hint for next year - don't give toddler the whoel pack of seeds to plant)So I've beencollecting recipes for pumpkins and squash: squash puree+spicy jack cheese+whole wheat tortilla= quesadilla. Pumpkin/squash risotto, curried pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, and there's always just baking it or as we do, cutting it into cubes, making a tin foil pouch and tossing it on the bbq. Though I did see a very expensive pumpkin enzyme mask at the store the other day....Do I smell Cheese Pumpkin Beauty Day?

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  21. we grew um way too many butternut squashes and pumpkins in our own garden this year (hint for next year - don't give toddler the whoel pack of seeds to plant)So I've beencollecting recipes for pumpkins and squash: squash puree+spicy jack cheese+whole wheat tortilla= quesadilla. Pumpkin/squash risotto, curried pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, and there's always just baking it or as we do, cutting it into cubes, making a tin foil pouch and tossing it on the bbq. Though I did see a very expensive pumpkin enzyme mask at the store the other day....Do I smell Cheese Pumpkin Beauty Day?

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  22. Anonymous2:59 PM

    Hmmm, no idea what cheese pumpkin is but I do know the feeling of being totally confused with cooking. Living overseas, with almost zero language skills, has allowed me to land all kinds of strange foods at my doorstep and no idea what to do with them! Although my vote is also for crazy pumpkin craft day!

    Glad to hear that Ben is doing well!

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  23. i don't know why there are 3 versions of my silly comment! sorry!!!

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  24. i don't know why there are 3 versions of my silly comment! sorry!!!

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  25. Oddly enough I've been searching for a meatloaf recipe that uses pumpkin.

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  26. Anonymous4:11 PM

    Hi Catherine,

    I know, it's horrible, isn't it? I didn't realize the lyme ticks could get so big but earlier this fall I found a tick on... how shall I put this delicately... my husband's lower back. The next day he had the classic bulls-eye on his... lower back. He had to go to the doctor and reveal his lower back to them to get a diagnosis. It was a classic Catherine moment, by which I mean, he researches Lyme disease on the internet (the CDC site, not the regular panic-inducing but possibly misleading one) and then calmly informs his treating physician that he believes he has Lyme disease. "Uh huh" say no fewer than three technicians and the doctor, because we don't live in New England any longer and apparently they don't see Lyme Disease much in the D.C. suburbs. Then he shows them the "lower back." And they are so excited, they call all the other interns who are working there to show them the "distinctive" bulls-eye pattern and marvel. "You have it! You have Lyme Disease!" they say, not without enthusiasm. And he gets his drugs. The other real world ridiculous/hilarious thing about it is that Lyme Disease, if left untreated, causes symptoms simlar to that of rheumatoid arthritis. Which he was diagnosed with at age 29. We are so lucky that bad bug left it's mark so he got the right treatment in a timely manner! It does go to show that panic or no panic, it pays to take responsibility for your own health or that of your family and not to passively wait until someone else notices.

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  27. Wow, how did Birdy get so big? And talkative? And kid-like?

    Craziness.

    I hope I never encounter a cheese pumpkin, that sounds as unappetizing as an extra helping of meatloaf does to an 8-week along pregnant woman.

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  28. Long time no visit!

    OK. Pumpkin = compost. The last thing you need is some kind of pumpkin post traumatic stress problems next year.

    I don't think I will ever think of ticks in the same way. I am not sure what I can't get out of my head more - Ben's big ol tick on his head or "tick check" for you and Michael.

    Best wishes as you get ready for the holidays.

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  29. Anonymous12:18 AM

    You knew it was going to happen. You post a dilemma. Hours later, hundreds of your fans try madly to make you happy. My turn.

    Look at the pumpkin shrimp bisque on eipcurious.com

    And why not pumpkin pie, again? yum. I love pumpkin pie. Not sure about cheese pumpkin pie.

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  30. Anonymous1:38 AM

    I have not kept up with your column on Babycenter for quite some time now. Simply because, Well life with a 3.5 and 2 year old gets in the way. Ya know? But I went there tonight to get a dose of Ben and Birdy because my Livy(2yr old) is sick with croup. Right now I am in between coughing sessions and she is finally sleeping. Hopefully for the rest of the night. But probably not.

    I am telling you this because I am so happy to have found that you are continuing your journals. I was very sad at first to see that last post on the Babycenter. And then I read it all the way through and found your blog! So I sit here now wiping the tears from my face and say to you Thank you! You have been my leaning post when things have been their worst. I knew I was never alone with the concrete boulders for poop. Or the temper tantrums. Etc. Etc.

    Keep on truckin' Catherine. And Thank you again for allowing me into your life.

    ~Aviva

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  31. Anonymous1:53 AM

    Cheese pumpkin cheesecake!
    Eee, that sounds kind of pasty.
    But cheesecake's yummers.

    "Ghost pumpkins," she says.
    That's what my cousin calls them.
    She paints (not eats) them

    Festive Halloween!
    It has come and gone by now.
    Pumpkins rot on porch.

    Hark! Swistle speaks true.
    Cheese pumpkins should be ghosts
    Rotting in compost.

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  32. Anonymous1:55 AM

    Cheese pumpkin cheesecake!
    Eee, that sounds kind of pasty.
    But cheesecake's yummers.

    "Ghost pumpkins," she says.
    That's what my cousin calls them.
    She paints (not eats) them

    Festive Halloween!
    It has come and gone by now.
    Pumpkins rot on porch.

    Hark! Swistle speaks true.
    Cheese pumpkins ought to be ghosts
    Rotting in compost.

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  33. Anonymous5:26 PM

    Dammit! Blown haiku!
    There is no delete button!
    Obsessive, I know.

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  34. Anonymous7:16 PM

    I read about cheese pumpkin, but I'm not sure I get it. Perhaps I've already drank too much "egg mog" or maybe my mind is addled by holiday pressures like the missing shipment containing the much coveted Disney Princess dolls. It was found at the neighbors this morning. Phew! I can sleep tonight. So, while I might not understand the whole cheese pumpkin thing, I love you anyway.

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  35. Hmm, Other than cheese pumpkin, do you like your farm share? Ours might close next year so we are bummed and are looking for another just in case. They never gave us cheese pumpkin or too much kale. Though we do still have beets sitting in our fridge staring at us accusingly.

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  36. Anonymous9:42 PM

    Eeek- hope Ben's still going along well. And cheese pumpkin...I don't even know what it is and I don't want to eat it! I'm impressed your kids gave it a go, mine will barely eat anything that doesn't have peanut butter on it.
    And I did laugh at all Birdy's "what if...?" comments. My daughter (just turned 3) is also very big on the what ifs at the moment. Hers however usually involve asking what would happen/ what would mummy do if she committed some dreadful misdeed. You know, like "what would happen if I took all your clothes pegs and ran away? What would happen if I put stickers all over the baby? What would you say if I stamped my feet and shouted no to you Mummy?" I feel like I spend all day inventing mythical punishments and outraged comments for her imaginary misdemeanors!

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  37. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  38. I have had a very emotionally intense two weeks and I just want to thank you, Catherine, AND all the people whose comments posted here made me laugh. I can always count on you for my Calgon Moments.

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  39. The Parasite!

    Oh my gosh! I'm lightheaded and hyperventilating just at the thought. What more can I say, I'm dumbfounded.

    About the cheese pumpkin. Before Thanksgiving we my husband thought it was a good idea to buy a whole bunch of those squash since they were to cheap. One night I thought I'd try something new so I whipped out my Joy of Cooking. Let's just say I didn't exactly know what creamed oysters were and thought that if I beat them with an electric mixer along with the already cooked squash and added some white rice for good measure... What on earth was I thinking? I don't think we'll ever be able to eat those winter squash again.

    -Rachel

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  40. Catherine, thanks for your kind words. May you have a peaceful holiday surrounded by loved ones!
    Love to you and your precious family,
    -Becky

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  41. Anonymous9:03 PM

    Just found your link to last week's blog - I loved it. It made laugh out loud, which is a good thing. It may be too young for your kids, but one of our favorite books is Fletcher and the falling leaves.The day after we read it, my son pulled a leaf off his favorite tree, which has a jobsite with all his trucks, piles of dirt and rocks underneath it, and I was horrified that he really missed the point of the book. He has never done it again - i think he just wanted to see what would happen.

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  42. Yeah, um, sounds dodgy, like something my own mother would have tried to pawn off on me as a kid by appealing to my love of cheese.

    But then, spaghetti squash sounds like a scam, too, and I like spaghetti squash...

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  43. We carved it. It's squishy and gross and was on the grocery list as "butternut squash" but what can you do?

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  44. Anonymous6:20 PM

    On a completely, totally different note.... I just caught up on my Wondertime reading with the rhetorical questions story (http://wondertime.go.com/parent-to-parent/blogs/catherine-newman-blog/12042006.html) and I could almost cry with relief that someone else's child does this, and that someone else's brain has lived to tell the tale. Oh dear God, is it wearying. But I am not crying in relief because I am laughing too hard. Catherine, I have read your stuff since the beginning at Parent Center and I have never left a post. Just wanted to tell you that you are a blessing to many. Best wishes.

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  45. You really have out-done yourself this time...the tick, the Lyme disease....I thought it was such a funny was to tell a scary story. I think that I found that same tick on me when I was in Middle school, and it looked so much like skin that I was totally non-plussed. What a great kid you have, a really trooper...you too, you don't sound that freaked out, good job.....compost the pumpkin, I had a funky "new" squash the other day as well....they make GREAT compost!

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  46. Hi Catherine:

    Poor you and poor Ben...can't believe how well you handled it....better than I would have. Those damn ticks!

    There was a lice outbreak at my son's school recently, and I have been like a mad woman checking his hair every day.

    Hope darling Ben is still feeling o.k.

    Hugs to your precious family this holiday season!

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  47. Anonymous9:59 AM

    I think I have the best tick story:

    I'm a little bit crazy about ticks and obsessively check myself and my daughter after hikes or playing in leaves, or even, well driving to Target. (I totally thought you'be with me on this, Catherine. I'm very disappointed at your completely normal person attitude on this one)

    A certain someone in my house used to make fun of me endlessly. Made fun of me that is, until he found a tick in his PENIS!! (don't tell him I told you)

    The ultimate revenge: I felt the weirdest mix of vindication and horrification. He's ok now, other than a little PTSD.

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  48. Anonymous2:46 PM

    About two weeks ago I found a tick on my little girl (we live in NY/Hudson Valley); her pediatrician was surprised but not so surprised, stating that although it is freakily late in the season for ticks, she had seen a few recently, as it has been TOO DAMN WARM. So here I am pissed at the tick but also pissed as hell at global warming - so nice how useless our motherly worries can be, eh? But regardless, you are so very heard about this, and many, many good well wishes for Ben and your whole clan...

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  49. Anonymous12:36 AM

    In Europe pumpkin is considered a food fit only for animals. I'm just sayin. I'm sure they wouldn't waste their stinky, scrumptious cheese on pumpkin. You might want to have a talk with your farm share about this matter.

    I happen to know this because I spent a whole day looking for pumpkin in Berlin once. I only found a jar of pickled pumpkin at a posh department store and had to make a pickled pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. They were right. Fit only for animals. Maybe if they didn't pickle it?

    Did I tell you I was the lice checker for the girls school last year. No ticks, thank goodness.

    Sending good vibes Ben's way.

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  50. Anonymous1:46 PM

    Is there an article this week (18-22)? If there is, I can't seem to find the link and I'm really jonesin' for my fix! ;) If there isn't I understand, what with the holidays and all.

    Merry Yule!

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  51. I want you to know, that if I found a tic.....much less an engorged one.....

    I WOULD DIE


    I just anted to with you and your family happy and yummy food filled holidays. You're the best!

    P.S. I got Waiting for Birday as a gift.....I have never been more excited!!

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  53. Catherine - I'm embarassed to admit I didn't realize you were blogging here - have been waiting like a jilted date over at wondertime for them to set up some sort of bulletin board...so happy to see I can leave you comments here as well as read bonus blogs!! You just made my night!

    Laura
    p.s. I agree - compost baby...of course if you're anything like me you'll let it compost right in the refrigerator before tossing it into the back yard come spring...lol...

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  54. Anonymous3:02 PM

    To "anonymous" whose husband had a tick on his "lower back". We also live in the DC suburbs (Laurel, MD to be exact). I know several people who have Lyme disease. Most recently (in December 17th) my friend found a tick on the back of her 2 year old son's neck. The worst case was our Pastor. They didn't treat him for Lyme disease for a few months after he started showing symptoms and now he has serious health problems. They never did find the tick. He later found out that 5 other people in his neighborhood have Lyme disease and a year later his wife got it too. I really think there's an outbreak around here. I guess the moral of the story is - check yourself and your loved ones often!

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  55. Pumpkins and cheese?
    I thought that cheese on just about anything would make it taste better....until I read this one.

    Oh, and can I borrow your brother?
    No one has malaria yet, but one never knows.

    I'm freaked about the tick thingie. Thank god for modern medicine is right.

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  56. Anonymous1:33 AM

    Chex Mix...mmmm. That reminds me, Catherine, could you please post your Chex Mix recipe again? I know you put it in a BabyCenter column a while back, but I am too lazy to go thru the archives over there and find it. I remember Franks Red Hot made it extra good and zesty, but the rest of the recipe escapes me. Thank you!

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  57. Oh my...I loved this weeks column (what a surprise!...not) As usual, you captured me to a T. I was so excited (inwardly) that I didn't have to go to my teenagers concert for once, and then was so happy watching it at home. No yelling at the other kids to be quiet, sit down, taking them to the bathroom. And I could fast forward through the talking and the other performances that didn't include her. The perfect way for me. But the guilt...oy vey tha guilt! Just remember, no one is perfect!

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  58. oh yeah, I forgot to add....I adore that picture...she is soooo beautiful!

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  59. Oh my!! Birdy is SO big! The picture of her this week is just stunning, but I gasped aloud and thought "Not Birdy, she can't be so big!" Goodness, Cath! She is growing up!

    It is just like that babyhood quandry...when they are infants, all you want is them to sleep a little, to stop eating and crying and pooping just long enough for you to close your eyes; and then as soon as they fall asleep and you see how angelic they are, you just want to wake them and hold them again. I guess we never outgrow that impulse.

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  60. From Week 181: After the bleeding and the whining
    "And now for something completely different: You really want my Chex Mix recipe? It's not very precise, but here it is: In a microwave-safe glass bowl, melt about a tablespoon of butter. Shake in some Worcestershire sauce, some Frank's Red Hot sauce, and some celery salt, then stir in a couple of cups of Corn Chex (or, if you're cheap like us, store-brand "Woven Corn Shapes" or whatever they're called). Stir to coat, then microwave for a few minutes, stopping every now and then to stir, until they're browned and crunchy, but before they turn black and toxic. Yum!"

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  61. So I can't believe that after Googling "engorged tick" I still had the nerve to google "cheese pumpkin," but I found at least 4 different people saying "for the best pumpkin pie, you have to use a cheese pumpkin." So, if there's any left you haven't composted.....

    Mmmmmmmmmmm, pie. (wipes drool off keyboard)

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  62. Oops... forgot to post the link to the recipe. Edible East End It's on the last page, at the end of the article titled "Long Island Cheese Pumpkin."

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  63. First of all, I want to thank you for turning us on to John Sheldon. We bought "Possum in the Kitchen" after you plugged him over at babycenter.com, and got an email from his site announcing the new cd "Mighty Fine Hound" which we purchased and gave to my son this Christmas. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that Ben and Birdy lent their vocal talents to a couple of the tracks!
    PS we LOVE "Mighty Fine Hound" - reminds me of our own dear departed Buddy.

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  64. Anonymous3:36 PM

    Wondertime is making me crazy- I tried to login to post a comment today (12/26) and it keeps me in an endless loop saying that my e-mail is not valid, but the one they have on file (the same one, I repeat, the same one) is valid, and they gladly e-mailed me my forgotten password, BUT the e-mail is not vaild. OK. I got it off my chest, not your fault Catherine, but that site has some kinks to work out!

    Smells!!!! Oh thank GOD Birdy is doing this too, because of course, she has always been my behavior barometer for Gabrielle.

    So many things are repulsive to her these days- cheese (and she loves cheese), the health food store, the bathroom (even sans poop, freshly cleaned), gravy, vinegar, popcorn, etc...too many to list. We are hoping it is a passing thing. I have given her a tube of hand cream to put to her nose while on the toilet so she won't complain endlessly how " I just don't like the smell in here". Gosh.

    Hope you had a nice holiday/s.

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  65. My KayTar has sensory integration disorder...she has tactile aversion. The feeling of gummy snacks, playdoh, cream cheese, cake frosting, shaving cream, twizzlers, and most gooey things make her go gag, gag, gag, barf. Unless we remove it from her sight completely and clean it off.

    We were the next group in line for Dumbo in DisneyLand and she got to the center of a cream cheese filled pretzel Josh handed her before we got in line and she started gagging. I tried everything..licking off her little hand, wiping it on my shirt, pants, shouting "All clean!"...nothing worked...the gagging continued. We had to scramble out of the line...hurdling over the little chain fence, squish past parents and kiddos, while she prepared to explode. We made it to the sink before she blew...once her hands had been washed she was a-okay. It is such a strange thing to watch.

    Sensory aversions are so strange and quirky...we couldn't even believe it when we saw her react the first few times. So weird! I'm going to write down that one-legged thing and we will definitely use it once she can stand up. :)

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  66. Anonymous7:07 PM

    (Please pardon the length of this comment...I would have emailed it, but I didn't know to where!)

    First, I want to let you know that Michael's "Circus Dictator" comment in the "Three Ring" column had both of us practically asthmatic with laughter...I was SO TOTALLY that kid, and it was INCREDIBLY frustrating to be a seven year-old with an artistic vision and so many uncooperative siblings!

    Also, I just happened to read Peggy Orenstein's "Cinderella" piece in the 12/24 New York Times Magazine, and noticed that the title of the book she has coming out in February is awfully similar to the title of YOUR book. A coincidence? A case of plagiarism? I'm curious to know what you think.

    Finally---thanks so much for the sweet comment you left on my blog, which has buoyed my self-esteem for two weeks now! I hope (if you can find the time) you'll continue to read and enjoy.

    Many blessings to your precious self and family, and happy new year!

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  67. Anonymous10:43 AM

    If the cheese pumpkin has seeds...can you have a spitting contest afterward? Or is that just with watermelon?

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  68. Anonymous12:50 PM

    Catherine, since I'm too lazy to set up a log in at Wondertime, I will tell you here that your latest column is the funniest thing I've heard/read in a loooong time! Thank you for making me laugh! You rock.

    Denise

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  69. You can get rid of those crappy, crappy spam comments, the ones advertising drugs and loose women and so forth. Go to Edit Posts. Find an entry besieged with comment spam and click on the link that says "87 comments" or "32 comments" or whatever. That will take you to all the comments for that entry. Each comment has a little tiny trashcan picture after the time it was posted--it almost looks more like the cap of a bottle of dish soap. Click the trash can next to the spamment and *poof*! Comment gone.

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