Below, proof that we can accomodate guests... hint! hint! For those of you who read my Rose Deniz blog and look at website updates, here's a glimpse at some of the changes that will be taking place prior to welcoming baby deniz and the early months. Having a studio at home will allow me to shift gears a little bit... I want to design and make one-of-a-kind bags with more luxurious materials, maybe research having my own fabric printed and made, and stick to wholesale orders instead of smaller, limited quantity bags, so when I emerge from the cocoon of early motherhood, I'll have a lot of ideas for my next collection of bags. I'm not putting a time limit on any this, but the nice thing is that behind the scenes I'll be able to work with fabulous non-profits like Nest and continue to sell bags on my favorite Partner In Craft site Cut+Paste. Be sure to check my Rose Deniz blog for updates!
After a year of living in a two bedroom apartment, we now find ourselves in the luxurious position of having three bedrooms. Same apartment, but the room we aquired was previously used as a storage room for our landlady. As you can see, the room needed some work... Devrim painted the ceiling, patched wallpaper, and oversaw the installation of carpet. Now we have a relaxing, much bigger bedroom!
example c. baby bib for emma gwyneth
I will be tackling the curtains for the baby's room in, you guessed it, the same yellow gingham print as seen above. Some colors I just can't get enough of for reasons I can't always explain. It is unimaginable to me that I will ever get tired of this particular yellow, though I am sure, like other favorites, its time will pass. For now, this bright and cheery print has made itself quite at home in my color repetoire.
portrait of a baby at 30 weeks... it is amazing to me how these 4D ultrasounds can render color, texture and realness. baby deniz wasn't so willing to cooperate for the camera this time and kept evading the doctor who made several attempts before getting the clearest image of the bunch. note the tiny cowlick... already inheriting a Deniz trait.
Rose and Martina... Martina will be returning to Italy this September with her Turkish fiance Levent, who will be starting a Master's program in Milano. Lucky Levent will be learning Italian and has been taking lessons from Martina. I will miss her! But it is always nice to know we have good friends to visit in other countries.
I did actually help out with the cleaning (we have a new squeegee for the windows and I had fun cleaning them like a windshield at the gas station), but most of the credit goes to Devrim who also did dishes, tried to fix a cabinet and removed our rug from the living room for the summer. Thanks Devrim!
A few pictures from Saklıgöl, which means 'hidden lake' in Turkish. Formed as a result of the earthquake in 1999, Saklıgöl is a small lake tucked into the mountainous region on the southern part of the Gulf of Izmit, near Değiremendere, and only a 20 minute drive from Izmit. We went there without knowing exactly where it was, and a very small sign was the only indication of its location from the road. The road snaked through a village with a series of poorly-paved roads that made it seem a questionable tourist destination. But once we arrived, there was a fully functioning restaurant serving mangal, or barbecue... which just proves again that if there is something to see in Turkey, there is always something to eat!
most excellent pancake variation for pregnant ladies or pancake aficionados found to be tried and true after testing many many times:
1. A photo of my students from the Upper-Intermediate English class I taught for five weeks at Dilko. During our time together they learned fun things like collocations, modal verbs and various idioms. Here we are relaxing after their difficult final exam with börek and five-layer chocolate cake. Yum. From left: Adalet, Gökhan, Volkan, Nürettin, me, and Ilke.
2. Tribute to Wisconsin and Minnesota. In my opinion, there is nothing better than potatoes and cheese, especially if it comes in the form of a casserole. This Still Life With Casserole is an excellent example of the fact that you can take a Midwesterner out of the Midwest, but can't take the Midwest out of the Midwesterner... especially because it was inspired by leftovers. I hope my grandma will approve! In the back you'll see a University of Wisconsin coffee mug that I use daily in honor of my Alma Mater.
4. Our baby at 21 weeks... this ultrasound picture is a little dated, as I am now 26 weeks (although on some calendars I am 27 weeks). Boy or girl!? Anyone?
Today entailed a trip to the Devlet Hastane for a standard glucose test for gestational diabetes. How to explain health care in Turkey...? Well, first of all, anything involving the use of the public hospital is made easier by the help of my mother-in-law and our neurologist neighbor, Hamit Bey. All of my tests are stamped with Neurology, which is kind of funny. My doctor, Semih Özeren, speaks English, has a private practice and works for the Kocaeli University, but we go to the public hospital for all of the testing. In order to do so, we need a referral every time and knock on Hamit Bey's door. My mother-in-law is like a grandmother to his children, so it all works out in the end. Every time I go to the hospital with her I count my blessings that I have an assertive advocate who handles all of the business. Even for Turkish people, it is hard to know where to go and who to talk to. She is excellent at getting to the front of any line and asking any person for assistance without bashfulness. In the end, 50 g. of glucose and 2 hours later, we walk out of the hospital far earlier than most who have to sit and wait. 
kemik and a very pixelated image of the pinar süt cast of characters....
I promised a few people a 'side' shot of my growing belly, but I am not sure these photos do justice to my midsection. You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but many a person has been prompted to tell me my belly looks "large" or even "extra large" at 6 months (in Turkish it sounds less harsh as büyük and çok büyük) by strangers and friends alike. When I describe my cravings (starchy plain things and sweets) everyone says it will be a boy. It is fun to keep them guessing because they are really not used to someone saying 'I don't know' when asked about the sex of the baby. Turkish culture has embraced the concept of the ultrasound fully and welcomes the opportunity to plan their baby rooms in strict pink or blue. I prefer green, yellow and white (hint hint!).
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