Double Dip

So, yesterday while I was trying to stay busy and not think about Albert being in surgery, I took the one and only eggplant from our garden, roasted it, and made some baba ganouj (roasted eggplant dip - right).  And then, since I had the tahini and chickpeas, I went ahead and made some hummus too (left).  Good stuff.  So last night, we had dips for dinner.  I also took some of our banana peppers, sliced them up the side, took out the seeds and membranes, and stuffed them with a mixture of sausage, mozzarella, parmesan, and bread crumbs. Then I wrapped them in puff pasrty and baked them.  I don't really like banana peppers, but these were good.  Kev ate some tomatoes too, so it was a very garden-intensive dinner, which is kinda cool.

Daphne, on the other hand, ate leftover chicken soup, which Kev made her on Sunday because she is (you have to read this in your most pitiful and dramatic groan-y head-voice) "so SUPER-DUPER sick."  I think she is actually having an allergy attack.  The air quality here has been terrible lately, and we were outside quite a bit over the weekend.  Kev's soup is really great, though, and we get to have it again tonight.

The next time I talk about any kind of "double dip" it's gonna be referring to ice cream, because guess who just got a new ice cream maker!!!  (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)  Since tomorrow is my birthday, I will be making some ice cream to celebrate.  I even bought some Magic Shell!  (Daphne has never had it).  I'll make something simple this time, but I have been scanning the internet for recipes and have already found a recipe for some Nutella Gelato (thank you, Giada!) that must be made asap.  That will be next.

Another early birthday gift I received was a CD of songs that Kev and Daphne recorded.  It has Daphne singing the ABCs, I've Been Working on the Railroad, and a couple of songs she made up on the fly whilst standing at the mic (one is about soldiers (?!) and the other is all about "I love Mommy.")  Awesome.  Then there are Loch Lomond and Sidewalks of New York, which the two of them recorded together.  Best Gift Ever.  I love my family.

The doctors report that Albert is doing really well and should be able to go back home later today.  Yay.  Poor Albert.  I know he hates being in a strange place with strange people.  I am looking forward to seeing him.  Another great birthday gift knowing our good puppy dog is going to be OK. 

OK.  Off to water the garden before it gets too hot.  Because what we need around here is more garden vegetables.  (When is someone going to invent "sarcasm" font)?

Happy Tuesday.