Wednesday, November 30, 2005

It's a BOY!


Yes folks, I'm an auntie once again. My sister just gave birth to her fifth child, Clark Esidore, 8 lbs 10 oz, 20 inches with lots of blonde hair. Mother and child are both strong and doing well. Praise the Lord for this dear, sweet baby blessing.


Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Undone

A. Too many things are sitting left undone around here.

B. Once Prettiness gets her hands on something, it will be quickly undone.

C. After pricking the same finger twice quite deeply tonight, I became undone.

D. Then after making a stupid mathematical error, I found that the stitches must be undone and restitched.

E. Undone is a song by Weezer that I like.

F. All of the above.


answer: F

Friday, November 25, 2005

Post Thanksgiving Review

Well, I pulled it off. As my own worst critic, I know where improvements could have been made in the cuisine. In an attempt to avoid the "oh, no the turkey is not done yet" panic, I had the bird done too soon, so I think it got a bit dry, however the flavor due to the under-skin wet rub and the over-skin dry rub was terrific. Not sure exactly what went wrong with the gravy. I had the opposite problem with the cornbread, it was a bit under done in the center. I swear the skewer came out clean! We accidentally forgot MK's delicious sweet potatoes which were warming in the oven. But in my family, it is practically a tradition to forget one dish at a big meal like this. But everything else was superb (If I may say so myself) . Mmmmmm, pie for breakfast!

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

First Snow

Tonight the fluffy white flakes are falling for the first time this season. Every bush, tree, car and rooftop is getting a nice powdering. T
he individual leaves on the driveway are perfectly snow covered, but the pavement and roads are just wet. It's simply exquisite.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Thanksgiving Preps

Somehow I managed to get to bed at a decent hour for the first time in weeks last night. So when L awoke at her usual 6 am, I was actually O.K. with getting up. I of course changed her, and made her go back to bed, but when I realized how still the house was and how alert I was, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I spent at least a half hour in reading the scriptures and in prayer, especially making note of what I am thankful for. Paul calls us to be "over flowing with thanksgiving" in Colossians...and while I am very thankful, I don't think I'm over flowing just yet.

After planning the Thanksgiving menu of :

Curried Acorn Squash Soup
The Perfect Roasted Bird (Turkey)
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Buttered Green Beans with Chives
Broccoli (for the kiddos)
Corn Bread
Stuffing
MaryKate's Cranberry Sauce
(& Sweet Potatoes?)
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Cream
The Best Apple Pie

I took inventory, made my list and swooped off to the supermarket with my three children. It was pretty busy there, but not a madhouse. We made our way through the aisles with our list and gathered what we needed. I chose a checkout line that I thought was moving quickly (the kids were getting antsy and hungry for lunch). I happened to behind the coupon queen. One of those ladies who spends $80 on $300 worth of groceries, and it was taking an extremely long time. Finally after the manager cleared her last uncooperative coupon, it was my turn. I had an almost full cart of things and after the total came up to 90 some bucks (after savings), she asked me if I was making the Thanksgiving meal. I said yes, and she replied, "Oh, you must have gotten everything already, huh?" I was confused, I had just spent a good sum on things I need for the meal. Maybe since I wasn't buying the turkey, packaged stuffing, pre-made pies and canned beans, French onions, and cream of mushroom soup, it didn't look like I had the right things. I instead bought ingredients; and in case you are unfamiliar with ingredients they are things like: fruits, vegetables, herbs, bread, oil, spices, butter, shortening, nuts, milk, chicken broth, flour and so on.

This afternoon I am roasting the squash and pumpkin so this evening I can make the soup and the cheesecake. Tomorrow I need to defrost that turkey, it is still rock hard.


Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Do Lists

My mother is the queen of making lists. Every time she and dad head off to some other part of the country or world, she leaves behind a short novel of instruction for the affairs of her household. She also has these lengthy do lists for each day of things she plans to accomplish that day (or week). I go back and forth between being a listmaker and spontaneous doer (although there generally is a running list in my head) of the things I need and want to do. I recall during my teen years I would list every item I needed to pack for the trips I went on to Colorado (for camp) and to Europe (for fun). When household chores overwhelm me, I generally need to list them so I can feel some sense of accomplishment after one is done and I can, not just cross it off, but scratch it out to oblivion. Somehow during the past two years of my personal hurricane, I have managed to get things done without jotting most them down. Presently I am feeling that sense of too much to do with too little time to do it in. So instead of actually doing them, I'm sitting here writing about making lists..typical avoidance :) Tonight I have a small window of time while the kids are at dinner with their father, but it isn't really long enough to do anything of consequence. Perhaps I'll catch up on my magazines (I am two months behind on those) or finish some work in my sewing studio. What I really should do is make a list, so I can feel that satisfaction of scratching something out when I've completed it.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Flightless Fruit Flies (say that ten times real fast)


The most disgusting thing I ever spent money on is a vial of flightless fruit flies in various stages of life. One small vial costs about 6 bucks and lasts a couple weeks. Why did I buy these nasty little insects when all I have to do is let a bananna go bad and they are swarming in the kitchen? Our froglet. It's been a while since I've updated my readers on our pets: froglet and tadpole. Froglet, aka: Camoflage (since he changes color to match his surroundings) has been with us for about a month (as a frog, we raised him from a tadpole). Our last froglet died of unknown causes and I thought this one was a goner the other day. He had escaped from the habitat (because I neglected to snap the lid tight) and I couldn't find him Monday morning. I knew he would be in the kitchen somewhere and soon found him on the floor, I could have so easily squashed him, disguised as a dust bunny. His legs had gotten all gunked up with lint. Please keep in mind this froglet is only about the size of my fingernail. Can you find him in the picture? But happily, we were able to return him safely to his home and he seems completely recovered.

I trooped into three different pet stores yesterday with all three children in tow and still came up empty on the flightless fruit flies. Stores don't like to sell them because they die in a couple weeks...which is precisely why I need to buy more. So I spent some time digging in the dirt looking for the most miniscule thread worms and creepy-crawlies I could find to feed this guy. Frogs will only eat live prey. This tiny amphibian is becoming a lot of work, I hope the flies come in soon.

We are hoping Tadpole (now accepting ideas for names, please post your votes in comments) will soon join Camoflage in the frog habitat. He has his hind legs, so it won't be too much longer now.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

A Beautiful Day

My gift from God today was this perfect fall, picturesque day. This is a picture taken from the beautiful place I am privileged to call home on this my birthday.

I had many birthday surprises today. At WOW all of the women (about 60 or so) sang Happy Birthday to me when I walked in the room. Then I was treated with lots of little notes, cards and gifts from the ladies in my Colossians study. (My mom is responsible for all the press my birthday got this year--Thanks again mom.) When I got home there were balloons on my door with a card. I had lunch with my best friend, and her little fella and we all had a great time playing outside in the playhouse, on the swing and with the ride-on toys. While the kids were out with their father, my mom brought me a little and very delicious chocolate cake. I would have to say that my birthday is now complete.

I am so thankful to God for all of the people in my life, new and old, who have been my life-line these past couple years. I would have to say these have been the hardest and yet most personally profitable years of my life. I wouldn't be who I am without all of you! I am also thankful to God for my beautiful children, my home, my family. I am truly blessed.

33....again?

It is my birthday today, and before I forget, Happy Birthday Ben, Heinz and whomever else shares my special day.

How many times can a girl celebrate the same birthday? On Saturday, I had a lovely brunch with some girlfriends at the BMA and then toured the Monet's London exhibit with a couple of them afterward (thanks Jeffy!). I've already opened gifts and received flowers and cards. Last night my folks bestowed their gifts of love upon me, since dad heads out this a.m. for another trip. Nothing spectacular planned for today actually. I've got bible study this morning, possibly lunch with my best bud, MK, and the kids won't even be home for dinner, so I'll either take a nap or go shopping (I got a couple giftcards I'm itching to use).

My children are still too young to really do anything on their own to celebrate, but yesterday when we were grocery shopping, I asked them what they wanted to "make" me for breakfast. They thought I was kidding. Finally, they said "donuts, but we can't make them." I asked if they might be able to put one on a plate for me if I bought some... donuts are their most favorite breakfast treat, and since I have been "quitting" donuts, this really excited them.

I'll drag out the festivities of my birthday as long as I can, but I'm only turning 33 once, and that is TODAY.