No, It's Not Delivery

Question: What could possibly be better than deep dish pizza baked in a brick oven? Answer: A homemade deep dish pizza baked at home in a modified chiminea. This was a serious undertaking requiring John's pizza making abilities and Dan's pyro-engineering skills (No, neither one of us are paid professionals in these areas).

After a little last-minute research on brick ovens, compliments of Google, a couple bricks from the front yard, and a baking stone, we fired up the chiminea and put in the pizza. Then it occurred to us, so how do we measure/regulate the temperature and how long do we cook it? We weren't sure, but we figured we were close when the baking stone cracked.

Other than a slightly burnt crust, as in John is slightly taller than I am, the pizza turned out awesome - especially when served with some home brewed Irish red ale. We will definitely need to try this again, or at least until something catches on fire.

Interdependence

In a culture that values self-sufficiency and individual rights over responsibilities, I find that I am drawn to the concept of interdependence - that life is balance of giving to others when the gift cannot be repaid and humbly receiving when you cannot repay. This, I believe, is at the heart of what it means to be a community.

We have been blessed with a great community of friends who have provided us with gifts for both parents and baby, meals and groceries, and emotional support over the past several months. It is my hope that we can pay forward what we have received to others in need.

Paul and Judy have a calm, reassuring presence with a perfect balance of humor. Judy stopped over on Friday with a meal and to check in on Andrea and Teagan. We didn't get a picture during her visit, so we snapped this one at church.

Olga is pictured here with Judy and Teagan. She was an invaluable resource to Dan when he was preparing for the LEED certification exam.

"A hundred times a day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labor of other people, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. I am strongly drawn to the simple life and am often oppressed by the feeling that I am engrossing an unnecessary amount of the labor of my fellow people."

- Albert Einstein

Airing One's Laundry

Dan, who recently earned LEED AP certification, thought he would put his skills to work by using recycled materials, FSC certified wood, and a reclaimed site close to mass transit. Unfortunately the US Green Building Council does not have a certification for the design and installation of residential clotheslines. Well, at least we can save some money by not using our dryer - even if we don't get a plaque.

Weight of Responsibility

Chip has taken his responsibilities as Alpha Male quite seriously, embodying the motto of 'protect and serve' through his calm, yet assertive nature. For nearly 9 years he has been maintaining peace, monitoring activities, and personally inspecting all new arrivals, whether in the form of visitors or packages, in the Bassett Bungalow.

He had been looking forward to enjoying the status quo during his golden years, which he had worked tirelessly to establish. Yet when the newest arrival came in the form of Teagan almost 4 weeks ago, he knew the sun had set on that vision. Now he spends much of his time in contemplation, considering the weight of his new responsibilities.

When life feels like it is spinning out of control, sometimes you have to carve out a little niche that you can call your own - a place that you can safely collect your thoughts before venturing out into the unknown.

Whether out of desperation or denial, Chip selected this 20 pound limit box as his safe niche to spend his afternoon in contemplation only to realize that he had more to ponder than just the weight of responsibility. "Maybe if I prop my head on the edge of the box..."

Teagan's Baptism - Save the Date

Teagan Marie Bassett will be baptized on Sunday, August 30th, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in St Paul, MN. The baptismal liturgy begins at 9:30 AM.

There's Always Time for Friends

Our week began with Ryan and Kate, who stopped over on Monday night to meet Teagan. We have wanted to invite them over for some time, but Teagan took care of all the details for us - providing endless entertainment and a convenient excuse for a messy house.

During the week, the Lotti girls made a quick stop to deliver a much appreciated meal. But how can one drop off something without picking up Teagan?

Josea also popped over to meet Teagan and see how Andrea is doing. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture... yet.

We completed our week with a visit from the Rowland family, who brought over a delicious meal and a bottle of wine to share with us. Did I mention dessert? It was the perfect way to end the week.

Who Cares about Spilt Milk?

Teagan, fittingly dressed in her "I Love Daddy" outfit, learned on Sunday afternoon that Daddy was returning to work the next day. Daddy, who doesn't even have an "I Love Teagan" outfit, did not look much better.

From One Beginning to Another

On Sunday afternoon Teagan met JoAnn and Harold, dear friends from St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral in Northeast Minneapolis. They brought very useful gifts for Teagan and plenty of love for all three Bassetts.

Serving as their wedding sponsors, JoAnn and Harold have been with the Bassett family from the beginning. JoAnn is also Andrea's godmother.

Keeping up with the Copas

Soon after telling our friends that we were expecting, we learned that Jodi and Vince were also expecting - within a week of our due date. The race was on...

Natalia arrived a full 3 weeks before Teagan and weighed over a pound more. The family totals: Copas 7 / Bassetts 3. Who won? The Bassetts, as they will be Natalia's proud godparents.

Magnetic Bookends

Teagan, just shy of two weeks, and Alick, nearly 94, are the youngest and oldest at our church. We referred to the pair as the beginning and the end, but Alick preferred before and after.

Steve has a magnetic smile that draws children to him. We're just not sure who gains more in the exchange.

Anything for You, Dear

Life is filled with sacrifices. Kathy was unable to stop by and meet Teagan this past Thursday, but her dutiful husband Rick was more than willing to make the sacrifice for her. He came bearing food and flowers, both of which were much appreciated. My only regret is that I did not reward this noble man's efforts with a bottle of home brew.

Times Fun When You're Having Flies

Teagan loved her new frog pajamas so much that she did her best frog impersonation. She's got the look, but she's still working on the 'ribbit'.

"She dotes on poetry, sir. She adores it; I may say that her whole soul and mind are wound up, and entwined with it. She has produced some delightful pieces, herself, sir. You may have met with her 'Ode to an Expiring Frog,' sir."

— Charles Dickens (The Pickwick Papers)

Teagan's 1 Week Check-up

Teagan was trying to do the math... She couldn't believe that she was already over a week old. On Wednesday morning the doctor told her that she weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces (up 3 ounces in the last 5 days) and she was almost 19 inches tall. She thought that this was all happening too fast... Then her stinky umbilical cord fell off. Maybe growing older isn't so bad after all.

Eating is a Family Affair

Grandma holds granddaughter while daughter cuts Grandma's food and Dad snaps a picture. With Italian Opera and candlelight ambience, what could be a more perfect way to celebrate Teagan's 1 week birthday?

Grand Connection

There is a unique bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. Perhaps it is the grandparents' wisdom from experience or the union of past and future. Maybe it is as simple as Gene Perret said, "Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven't thought of yet." If so, Teagan is in a lot of trouble.

Dan's Mom with Teagan.

Dan's Step-Dad with Teagan.

Andrea's Mom with Teagan.

Teagan's First Outing

Teagan had her first outing on Sunday morning going to church. In Orthodoxy it is customary for newborns and their mothers to have 40 days of rest before returning to church. Andrea and Teagan only needed 6 days.

After church Teagan found no shortage of people willing to hold her.

Rachel and Teagan have a special connection of sharing the same birthday.

It's official - we have joined the diaper brigade.

Some Things Just Go Together

Some things just go well together - like the Dains and Bassett families. Anna and Andrea share a love of teaching and Jeff and Dan a love of oatmeal stout.

The Dains found another perfect combination in honor of our little poet Teagan - The Poet Oatmeal Stout.

Their care package also included Chubby Hubby ice-cream. Dan is hoping that this combination won't be as perfect.

Forbidden Fruit

Our garden has been understandably neglected this summer. Weeds 1,056 / Bassetts 3. Yet the garden seems to be doing well in spite of us and provides a calm space to stroll while lulling Teagan to sleep.

This past weekend, while my parents were visiting, I sent my Mom to pick lettuce and check if any tomatoes had ripened. She returned with a container full of lettuce and a report that we had 1 ripened tomato. Then she added that she ate it - our first tomato and no sign of remorse.

Six Weeks Apart

The Rowland Family stopped by on Friday afternoon to meet the newest member of our family. Their daughter Linnea was born 6 weeks before Teagan.

We laughed at the size difference, but Teagan reminded us with furrowed brow that the Rolands are slightly taller than us and Linnea had a 2 pound head start. Then Teagan puffed up her hat to make herself look taller, but Linnea didn't seem to notice.

Dan and Andrea are honored to be Linnea's godparents. Teagan was quite happy about this too.

Contributions from the Little Poet

It's one thing to keep up with the activities of a new born, but it's quite another to post them on the blog in order to share them with friends and family. Which pictures? Oh yes, there are many... What to say? This is where Teagan, the Little Poet, has been very supportive, "Relax Daddy, I'll help you out with that."

Clean Bill of Health

A nurse stopped over on Friday morning to check on Teagan and Andrea. She was pleased with the progress of both - Andrea was without pain and Teagan had returned to her birth weight. Teagan was so excited, we had to change her diaper. So much for the clean bill of health.

The Quickest Way to a Man's Heart...

It is said that the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but personally I think being Daddy's little girl is a little faster. Soon after returning home on Wednesday afternoon, Joanne brought a warm meal for us. It felt great to sleep in our own bed that night, even if much of the night wasn't spent in bed... or sleeping.

On Thursday, the Pentecost family stopped by for a quick visit with dinner and an extra helping of love for Teagan before heading to the lake for a week. Knowing there can never be enough love or food, Joanne also stopped by on Thursday to provide more of both.