Friday, October 22, 2010

One!




I can't believe that I didn't get a photo of the cake before I started cutting it. I was so busy. It was the best cake I've ever made. The colors were perfect. This crumby photo doesn't do it justice.

rainbow cake

Thursday, October 14, 2010

tonight

I am going to miss my martial arts fitness class, that I am loving by the way,  because I will be doing this. The baking and assembling part, the eating will happen later.  Go Butter!


apples

My family and I traveled to Hendersonville last Sunday to pick apples.  Alex has decided that cameo apples are far superior to the galas he's been munching on for years and I decided that an apple cider slushy is probably one of the best things in the world and that my cute new shoes are not corn maze friendly.  I'm not sure if Lucas learned any life lessons during our trip but he did seem to enjoy himself.  Pics are on Flickr.

Alex is riding Moolinda.  Julie and Lucas' cow is Gertie.  I feel bad for that poor kid in the middle, he really wanted Moolinda.

Friday, October 1, 2010

October aka Amy's month

I'm so excited!  Tomorrow is October 1st, the first day of the best month of the year!  There is so much to look forward too.  Lucas' birthday, MY birthday, our anniversary, Halloween, the fair, the renaissance festival, fall for greenville, apple picking, corn mazing, long sleeves, I could go on and on.  The Marriott rooms for Dragon*Con 2011 will be available at 8 am tomorrow morning.  I have my alarm set, not that I won't be awake because I'm sure I will be, I just don't want any distractions.  I heard that the rooms were gone in 15 minutes last year.  Wish me luck!  Weeeeee!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

this post is LOADED with sugar

My sister and I made jelly this week.  We used scuppernongs but I really just like calling it muscadine jelly.  Our Nana makes jelly and she can't wait to critique ours.  We are really trying to make sure that we learn from our Nana before she can't remember how to do these things anymore.  I think we may be too late on the biscuits and they may be gone for good.  Very sad.

The whole kitchen got sticky and I think we used all the dishes, but it was fun.  I enjoyed the popping sounds that the jars made during the night, all but one sealed and that went straight to the fridge for Lou's morning toast.  It tastes great but it came out a little cloudier than we would have liked.  I blame that on not having the right tools for the job.  I'll definitely pick up some cheesecloth or a jelly bag and a pair of jar lifters before we start on the apple jelly and pie filling.

Here's a pic!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

no wagon

I have been planning a birthday party for my baby.  I am trying not to go overboard and keep things simple, like I always said that I would, but I am so excited.  I think that his first birthday means more to me than Lucas being a one year old.  It means that we made it through a year of something that I wasn't sure that I would be able to do. 

I wanted to buy Lucas a wagon for his birthday.  I had visions of pulling him around the neighborhood, the park, festivals, and other quaint little family friendly places.  I kept asking Alex if he had any gifts in mind and what he thought about the wagon and he said that he didn't care and the wagon sounded okay.  That was until we went to Toys R Us yesterday to pick one out and he and Lucas saw this.





I could tell from the giggles and squeals that the wagon wasn't going to happen, oh Lucas liked it too.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

my day

Saturday was a great day!  I got up early and made a big breakfast for Alex, Lucas, Michael and Jovanni.  After breakfast, I watched Alex drive and push a go-kart around the neighborhood.  Then my sister came over and we went downtown for the Indie Craft Parade while Alex tended to the babe.  It started raining and the line was way longer than we expected so we decided to walk over to Chicora Alley for fish tacos and sweet potato fries.  We made it back to the craft show just in time to stand in the line and get drenched but it was well worth it.  There were so many great vendors and we both felt so inspired when we left.  I bought Lucas a bow-tie from The Cordial Churchman.  I am in love with their products and I hope I can get him to keep it on for a photo on his birthday.  I was tempted to get Alex a matching tie but Julie talked me out of it.  I bought some cute earrings and a hairpin too, Julie got some pretty smelling soap.  I really wanted one of these bags but I didn't have the funds.  After the crafts, we had a bubble tea while watching a fancy wedding reception being set up at Larkin's and brainstorming about our future projects.  I also found a jedi robe for Lucas for $2.50! Now he just needs a lightsaber.  My day ended on the couch watching Kids in the Hall and Upright Citizens Brigade.  Yay, so fun!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

DC loot

I made some nice purchases at dragoncon this year.  I had my heart set on a "my other vehicle is a TARDIS" bumper sticker for the new Jeep but I didn't find one in any of the three dealer rooms.  I think I will order that today.

I got a couple of prints and a coloring book from the print shop at the art show.



















The Fantastical Dragons coloring book is all mine.  The images are single sided on quality paper so I plan to hang a few in Lucas' room when I am done.  Alex even asked for one to hang in the garage.






Pac Attack























 
and Zombies Playing d&d.  I couldn't find a title or an image online for this one, even on the artist's site so I took a photo.  This is my favorite.

















I even showed this one to Dave Tango and Steve Gonsalves.  They were standing in line behind us at the art show buying a real painting.  Dave said it was cool, he seemed like he was trying to be very nice.  Steve was meh, I remember hearing someone on Ghost Hunters say that he was an ex-cop.  I can kind of tell.  I also saw Amy Bruni at Perks in the Hyatt and Chris Gore wearing a Zorro mask in the elevator hell at the Hyatt.  Those Ghost Hunters were all over the place.  I saw a lot of other stars at the Walk of Fame but they were behind their tables signing their super expensive glossy photos.  It's way more fun to stumble across one of those guys waiting in line or sweating in an elevator like the rest of us.  I did get excited and stare a LeVar Burton, Summer Glau, Edward Furlong, and Vork and Zaboo but I refused to pay for an autograph.

I got some new buttons and a new necklace.  I've recently read on Apartment Therapy that the Keep Calm and Carry On poster is no longer acceptable decor.  I guess that's why I still have mine in the living room :-)  I still like it and I liked this necklace and button too.  The Say Anything button is my favorite.








































I also got a pretty matching die set and a roman numeral dice that I think I am going to carry in my purse for decision making purposes.

Alex got the Vengeance Trilogy box set from an anime dealer and a Monty Python and a Dr Who tee shirt.


I also found these two stickers on a table at the Hilton.




















I wasn't cool enough to realize that the ROR stood for raff out roud.  I had to look it up.  Totally racist but awesome.  Alex has dibs on the mooninites.

We brought Lucas a stuffed whale shark from the aquarium.  Those whale sharks and manta rays were huge and that aquarium is the best that I've been to. 

This was my favorite costume, the rest of the photos are on my flickr page.






















We had a great time.  Drinks were had, games were played, people were watched, drums were drummed, R2 units were examined, panels were viewed.  I can't wait until next year!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

challenge FAILED

Okay, I didn't stick with the 30 day blog challenge all the way through.  The last couple of posts would have been boring anyway. I've had a crazy week.
I fell down the stairs at my in-laws and I was sure that I broke my foot.  I did go to the doc but only to get antibiotics for this super painful UTI that I have
I made another step toward being that submissive wife that I strive to be by sitting quiet while Alex traded in my fun Jeep Wrangler for a practical and brand new Jeep Patriot. I didn't even go with him, I had no idea what he bought when he came home.  I am very happy with the new ride and proud of Alex, he is such a good husband.  I'm so used to driving the rough wrangler that the patriot feels very luxurious, it's got heated seats for crying out loud.  I'm spoiled.
Lucas knocked over Alex's djembe and busted the head right before the drum circles at dc.  I 've been trying to find a replacement but I wasn't able to in such a short time.

We leave for Dragon*Con tomorrow and I leave my sweet baby in the hands of my very capable and loving mama and mom-in-law.  I just hope I can stop missing him long enough to have a good time.

Now, I need to finish packing.

Monday, August 23, 2010

hobby, recipe, website, YouTube

30 day blog challenge 20, 21, 22 & 23/30

I got behind on the blog challenge this weekend, so I'm going to catch up here.

my hobby

I haven't met many hobbies that I don't like, except scrapbooking.  The one that I do the most is cooking.  I love to cook for my husband and try new foods.  I would go to culinary school if I felt like I would be happy with the food industry working environment.  I have a little idea that I'm tinkering with that involves food and may also provide a small income.  I'll let you know if it works out.  I also sew a little, knit, draw silly cartoons, play board games, play video games, work logic puzzles, and read.

a recipe

I picked this recipe because my sister and I were just talking about making these last night.  One day I'm going to have a signature recipe.  Maybe it will even be a secret recipe, don't know yet.

Potato Cakes

Ingredients

2 cups of mashed potatoes
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup ap flour
salt to taste
1 pinch of garlic salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup shredded cheddar

Directions

1. Combine potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and garlic in a mixing bowl. Mix well.
2. Melt butter in frying pan over low heat, drop lumps of the potato mixture into the pan, enough to make the cakes the size of a pancake when flattened to 1/2 an inch thick.  Sprinkle the top with cheese and cover with a little more potato mixture.
3. flip the potato cake over when browned on one side about 7-10 minutes, then brown on the other side.

a website

I've been checking The Daily Dragon a lot lately.  Only 10 days to go!  I can't believe I am leaving Lucas for four nights!  I'm going to miss him so much, I just hope I can relax and have a good time.  I really didn't think this would be a problem when I booked the room last year, just a week before he was born.  I'm still excited, though!

a YouTube video

I've never been able to get into watching YouTube videos.  I have friends and family that watch one thing after another and then want me to watch it with them.  I get bored easily.  I don't really have that problem when watching television though. I love Tosh.0, I even tried to get tickets to his stand-up tour but all of the decent seats were sold out.  This one is old but it is still funny.  Poor little guy, I've felt like that before.




Is this real life?

for tomorrow: tickle #4

a talent of mine

30 day blog challenge 19/30

I don't think I have a talent, but I do have a superpower.  My nose, I have the best smeller around.  I can always trust it to help me find the stinky, smell smoke, or let me know what's for dinner (assuming I didn't cook it, which is rare).  You know how one sense gets better when you start losing one, like Daredevil.  I figure my nose works really well because my eyes are really terrible.  I hope my nose gets a lot better in case I go totally blind.  I need to figure out what on-coming traffic and cliffs smell like.

for tomorrow: a hobby of mine

Thursday, August 19, 2010

tickle #3

30 day blog challenge 18/30

I detest recliners.  I believe that they belong in nursing homes.  Guess what my husband wants more than anything?  Yup, a recliner.  I've always managed to talk him out of it, I even talked him into saving the funds for a reclining armchair that I don't love but wouldn't make me want to hurl each day.  I finally got new sofas this year and I love their clean angles and straight lines.  He sent me a text this morning asking me if I mind if he brings home a recliner that his parents are getting rid of.  I haven't replied, but I can't say no.  I love him and he works super hard while I stay home and play with Lucas.  If he feels like he needs to recline after work, who am I to stop him?  I hope the jumbo-sized, round, puffy recliner makes him happy.

At least it doesn't look like this one.
























next:  a talent of mine

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

an artpiece

30 day blog challenge 17/30

I've always loved Japanese woodblock prints. I have a favorite one that is an autumn landscape but I couldn't find the image.  This one is very close.


















found here.

for tomorrow: whatever tickles my fancy again!

Monday, August 16, 2010

a song that makes me cry

30 day blog challenge 16/30

This song is the same one that I posted on day one of this challenge. Long Ride Home - Patty Griffin.
so sad.

for tomorrow: An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

fanfic

30 day blog challenge 15/30

Okay, I know that I enjoy most geeky things but I can honestly say that I do not have a favorite fanfic.  That is not to say that I couldn't get one if I tried, I just think I need to leave this one alone.

for tomorrow:  a song that makes me cry

Saturday, August 14, 2010

A non-fictional book

30 day blog challenge 14/30


























This is my favorite non-fiction book right now. I especially love the photos and the jars with colorful lids.  I think I am starting to hoard jars after buying this book.  Now I just need a surplus of food to put up.

for tomorrow: a fanfic (ugh)

Friday, August 13, 2010

A Fictional Book

30 Day Blog Challenge 13 of 30

I have two fictional books on my bedside table, The Sword of Truth and Under the Dome.  I started The Sword of Truth first and it didn't feel like it had been long enough since I watched the Legend of the Seeker so I lost interest and picked up Under the Dome.  Now I'm in the mood for some Richard and Kahlan so I'm going to pick it back up.

for tomorrow:  a non-fictional book

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Tickle #2

30 Day Blog Challenge 12/30

This website is tickling my fancy all over the place!  According to the blogger's profile, she is 19 and man can she bake!  I stumbled across the site while looking for birthday cake ideas for Lucas and I think I found it.

TA DA!








































She calls it the Super Epic Rainbow Cake.  I'm calling it Lucas' first birthday cake.

TAKE THE RAINBOW BACK!

for tomorrow: a fictional book

A Photo of Me Taken Recently

30 Day Blog Challenge 11/30

I haven't had my picture taken alone since right before Lucas was born, unless you count this goofy cell phone pic that I sent Alex today.


























That's my kissy face.

for tomorrow (or later today): whatever tickles my fancy

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A Photo of Me Taken Over Ten Years Ago

30 Blog Challenge 10/30

This was probably taken in 1998, I think I was 19.  Notice the hemp necklace, black hair, and my lady-like leg position. I am posting this photo of me and Alex for a couple of reasons.
The first reason is that today is Alex's 32nd birthday.  He and I spent the day at Carowinds riding roller coasters and having loads of fun, just like we did back when this photo was taken.  The second reason is that it was easily available.  I'm really tired after all the theme parkin' we've been doing and I don't want to scan anything so I took this from Alex's facebook album. 

Happy Birthday Alex!  I love you!










for tomorrow:  a photo of me taken recently

Monday, August 9, 2010

A Photo That I Took

30 Day Blog Challenge 9/30

I took this photo while we were lost in DC this past July.  Alex and I were both very upset because the phones and GPS were dead, the baby was crying, it was after midnight, and all the 7-11 workers had no idea where they were much less how we could get back to Rosslyn.  We were even the targets of a few rude cabby hand gestures. My wonderful husband didn't give up until we were back in our room cozy and comfortable.  I love him.

Lost

for tomorrow:  a photo of me taken over ten years ago and it's Alex's birthday!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

A Photo That Makes Me Angry or Sad

I chose angry instead of sad.  Wet dogs generally make me angry.  This wet dog in particular digs out of our fence just to get in the muddy creek and track dirt into the house.  He also ate a dozen of the softest, tastiest, white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies while we were away today.  I really was looking forward one of those.
Grrrrr. . .

For tomorrow:  a photo that I took  Oops! I was already doing that.

A Photo That Makes Me Happy

30 Day Blog Challenge 7/30

I've been really busy today and I almost went to bed without posting this.  I had to pick it fast but this photo of Lucas eating corn really makes me smile.  He kept making yum noises. 


For tomorrow:  a photo that makes me angry or sad

Friday, August 6, 2010

Tickles

30 Day Blog Challenge 6 of 30

I have a lot tickling my fancy right now, but the 30 day challenge requires that I post about my fancy five times so I will save the others for later instead of making a list.

This is what I was thinking about last night after reading an article in an old Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine that I was trying to purge. 

Being from the area, I have always heard of Thomas Wolfe, especially after his childhood home nearly burned down several years ago, but I've never read Look Homeward, Angel.  It's not a wonder that I haven't read it.  The book doesn't really seem like my thing.  According to the article it caused quite the stink around Asheville when it was written and that interests me.  My plan is to read the book and then visit his restored home.  Apparently, it was a boarding house and the backdrop for many of the stories in the book.  Since this wouldn't be any fun to do alone, I am going to ask Jennifer to join me.  It will be perfect since she moved to Tennessee and we've been planning to meet each other in the middle for a visit.  That reminds me, I need to ask her.  I hope she's down with the Thomas Wolfe Challenge and this isn't another Our Mutual Friend repeat.

For tomorrow:  A photo that makes me happy

Thursday, August 5, 2010

My Favorite Quote

30 Day Blog Challenge 5/30

Wow, this is the easiest "favorite" of all!  I had it posted on my refrigerator for all the world to see.

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants."  Esther De Wall, SEEKING GOD: THE WAY OF ST. BENEDICT

and that, thankfully, is the last of the favorites in the 30 day blog challenge.  I'm glad, all that decision making was wearing me out.

For tomorrow:  Whatever Tickles My Fancy

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

My Favorite Book

30 Day Blog Challenge 4/30

Okay, I guess this blog challenge has prepared me to admit that I can't pick just one favorite anything.  That may have something to do with my inability to make decisions. Our bedroom is covered in books and picking a favorite one is like trying to pick a favorite child or pet.

When I was a kid, my mama and I visited the library a lot.  It was fun for both of us and I really enjoyed leaving with the maximum number of books allowed.  My favorites were The Boxcar Children, Anne of Green Gables and Little House series.  I devoured any and all Judy Blume, especially the Fudge books, Blubber, and It's Not the End of the World.  I also made sure that I had a non-fiction book of some kind.  This was usually a craft or joke book.  When I was a little older I started reading the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins, just like every other tween in the late 80s and early 90s.
My favorite book from this time in my life was the Sweet Valley Saga.  I read it over and over, it was like some kind of pre-teen, historical soap opera.  Really sickening and dramatic, right up my bratty alley.

When I entered seventh grade I discovered Christopher Pike and R L Stine.  I loved the Remember Me trilogy, what's better than a dead girl trying to find her killer?  I amassed quite the collection of young adult horror books.  Fast forward to the present and I still enjoy reading these stories the most, just with more adult themes and language. This is where everything gets blurry and all the sci-fi and horror books start piling up and blending together.  I still love a good series.  I also love the feeling of being upset when a good book comes to an end and the world inside shuts you out.  I still throw in some non-fiction every once in a while to keep things interesting.  I've always considered the books that make the most impact on my life and way of thinking to be my favorites.  The most recent book that I have read that made an impression on me was Into the Wild.  It wasn't the best book but reading it, a few years ago, activated dormant rebellious feelings and started me on a new reading path filled with books about wanderlust and anti consumerism. 

I'm not happy with this entry and not being able to pick a favorite book.  I also wish that I could just list The Bible as my favorite book like a good Christian, but I've always struggled with it and I know that God loves me anyway.

Right now I am reading Under the Dome. It's not going to be my favorite but it is entertaining.

I loved Big Dog ...Little Dog when I was very small.  My mama read it to me before I could read myself and now I read it to Lucas.  I think I will say that it is my favorite book.


For tomorrow:  My Favorite Quote

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

My Favorite Television Program

30 Day Blog Challenge 3/30

Again, I can't pick just one but this one was easier since most of the shows I like get canceled (RIP Legend of the Seeker, Firefly, and Dollhouse).

1.  Good Eats

I have such a girly crush on Alton Brown.  He's smart, funny, he cooks, and hangs out with puppets.  What more can a girl ask for?  I don't think Alex minds either because AB makes me want to cook and Alex likes to eat.  Good Eats comes on everyday and my DVR hooks me up.  The show only last about thirty minutes, perfect length for eating lunch or sitting on the couch relaxing while the baby's napping.    

2.  Dr Who 

Every time we get a new doctor, I worry that I won't like him as much as the last one but somehow the geniuses at the BBC have me loving the new doc by the end of his first episode.  Dr Who is good, clean entertainment.  I don't have to think about it, I just enjoy it.

For tomorrow:  My Favorite Book

Monday, August 2, 2010

My Favorite Movie

30 Day Blog Challenge 2/30

This one is hard too.  I can't pick just one favorite movie so I am going to make a top five list.  I rarely watch a movie more than once but I have seen all of these multiple times.  Here they are in no particular order:



1. Goonies - I wanted to be a Goonie when I was a kid.  I'll bet most of our generation wanted the same thing but I'll also bet that no other kid had the elaborate Goonie daydreams that I had.  If this list had been my favorite movies as an adult, I'm not sure Goonies would make the cut.  "Amy, you Goonie!"



2. Star Wars (original trilogy) - I know it's actually three movies but it's my list so I'm making/breaking the rules.  I love all films about space and I have many favorites that I could list but Star Wars is, of course, the best.  The worlds, storylines, and characters are so imaginative and endless.  I love it.



3. Dark City - This one has moved down the list over the years but it is still visually my favorite.  I think about this movie often.



4. Pulp Fiction - This is the most quoted film around our house.  I just wish the language was a bit milder so that more people could enjoy it, but then it probably wouldn't be as good.



5. 12 Monkeys - I used to be obsessed with this movie, such a great story.  Still my favorite Brad Pitt role, he looks so crazy!

Ok, so my list is a little sci-fi heavy but I have rules about movies.  I don't watch things that make me cry.  The more realistic the film, the more pointless it is in my book.  To me, movies are an escape.  I can cry and ride an emotional roller coaster by watching the news.

Phew, this was hard and there are at least three other movies that I feel bad about not mentioning.  That's so silly.

For tomorrow:  My Favorite TV Show

Sunday, August 1, 2010

My Favorite Song

30 Day Blog Challenge 1/30

I wish that I had just one favorite song.

I didn't have a lot of food cravings when I was pregnant with Lucas but one thing that I did enjoy on a daily basis was classic country music. The Highwaymen, David Allan Coe, June Carter, Merle Haggard, Hank Jr, etc. This is the music, along with various southern rock artists, that was the soundtrack for my childhood and I craved it. For the past year, I've been listening to two songs more than others so I am going to call them my current favorites.

1. Pancho and Lefty - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard

cause I like songs that tell a story



2. Long Ride Home - Patty Griffin

cause sometimes sad songs are the best songs



My husband can't wait for this music phase to end. He hates it!

For tomorrow, My Favorite Movie.

Friday, July 30, 2010

The 30 Day Blog Challenge

I'm going to try this for August.

The 30 day blog challenge.
Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

Thursday, July 22, 2010

4th

We took a spontaneous trip to DC for the 4th.  I got a great room from hotwire.com for an awesome rate.  I posted the pics to my flickr photostream.  These are my favorites.


My creation

get fit or get out!

I just googled "has anyone ever died from the Insanity workout".  That pretty much sums up my last hour.  I bought Insanity for a great price on Ebay a couple of weeks ago, but we went on vacation and came home with colds and decided this would be the week.  The workout is really hard for me, probably too hard.  I think I completed half of it and my results on the initial fit test were depressing.  I've considered shelving the Insanity for something less intense but I really don't want to.  I'm going to stick with it until the end or until my knees break.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Now, I'm off to the shower!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day!

My Favorite Fathers


My best friend















The best Dad a girl
could ever ask for




















Sweet Papa




















Funny Cido






















I don't even have a photo handy of my "real" father, which somehow seems sad and fitting.

Friday, June 11, 2010

sweet

I just decided, after killing a half gallon of sweet tea, that I am giving up refined sugar.  I'm not ready to tackle the carbs yet.

Maybe I should have waited until I baked those chocolate muffins that I've been thinking about, finished that pint of Ben & Jerry's in the freezer and  got rid of that economy sized tropical lemonheads that I got at Costco the other day for $1.97. 

Nope!  I'm doing it now.  What better time to start than Summer?  No aspartame, saccharin, or splenda either.  I'm pretty sure that stuff is cancer.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

snails

I working on this new blog layout, but I am slow.  The snails are cute though.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

B&W

I was sad to see LOST go.  I'm not going to go on and on about how bad the finale was.  It was the finale of a great show.  They're all bad.  I decided after seeing the smoke monster popcorn recipe on the kitchn that I needed to commemorate the end of our favorite television program with a theme meal.  We grilled some of Alex's catch and I made this coconut sticky rice recipe along with a small fruit salad.  The mangoes made me realize that I don't know how to choose a ripe mango fruit.  I need to see if AB has touched on the subject.  I made Black and White Cookies for dessert.  They are also known as half and half cookies and half moon cookies.  I've never had a b&w cookie but I keep seeing them pre-packaged at Costco and they fit the theme so I went for it.  I used MS's cookie recipe but after reading the icing reviews I opted for the Hemstrought's Bakery icing.  The fudge icing was perfect (although it was brown, not black) but the white icing was buttercream and it just looked sloppy alongside the smooth black.  I wish now that I had used Martha's recipe.  I'm sorry Martha, I never should have doubted you. The cookie was cake-like and lemony.  I liked it, here's a pic that I took today after the neatest cookies were already eaten.

 We didn't get to have the smoke monster popcorn because I didn't try hard enough to find ground loomi or nigella seeds.  We had jiffy pop though and it was great!

Speaking of popcorn.  I really want this.

Monday, May 17, 2010

first swim


Lucas
Originally uploaded by AmySaid
Lucas cooled off in his baby pool yesterday. I posted the photos to flickr.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Aunt Cissy

My Great Aunt died on Tuesday.  My sister and I called her Aunt Cissy, her name was Edna Lucille and Aunt Lucille was too hard for me to pronounce when I was a child.  She was one of my Nana's five sisters, now Nana only has one sister left.  I feel really sorry for her. 

I spent a lot of time with Aunt Cissy when I was a little girl.  She taught me how to sew, balance a checkbook, my multiplication tables, and she always kept crayons in a cookie tin for me to color with.  We played hi-ho cheerio and I dug in her plants with tiny garden tools.  She loved her dogs, Toby, Josh, and Little Girl, and she had an aquarium full of guppies that I tragically overfed once.  At Easter, she would make bunny rabbit cakes, one chocolate and one coconut.  I still have the quilt that the made me when I was born along with a few other very special handmade gifts including the quilt that she made for Lucas last fall.  She amassed the best collection of family photos and records that you could ask for.

This past week opened my eyes to how our family's dynamic really has changed.  When I was a kid and someone died my Nana and Aunt Cissy would feed everyone and make sure that everything ran smoothly.  Now my Mama does it with a little bit of my help.  I don't like getting old.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

new tree and free loot!

We planted a new Japanese Maple and sent the pic in to Figs & Ginger for their second annual Earth Day Giveaway.  I tried to post the photo here but I'm having trouble for some reason. I was able to send it to Flickr.  The giveaway is over soon.  Plant a tree and take a pic before it's too late!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

yay

Alex's brothers and sisters took his Dad on a surprise deep sea fishing trip for his sixtieth birthday.  I am glad he is home and really glad that he brought back lots of fresh mahi mahi for our grilling pleasure.  I posted his pics to my Flickr stream. 

Yummy

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Six months

It's been six months since Lucas was born.

Ir's been six months since I've had a paying job.  My plan was to be working part-time by now.  I am starting to feel guilty about staying at home and not making any extra money.

It's been six months since I slept through the night without waking up for breathing checks.  We just moved Lucas from the cradle beside our bed to the crib in his room.  I miss him at night.

It's been six months of diapers and bottles.  My hands have never been so dry.  I wash them constantly.

It's been the best six months ever.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Smilers never lose and frowners never win.

I've been singing Frente today.  All the creatures in my house are happy and optimistic on this Monday morning. We had a pretty good weekend.  Alex, Julie, Lucas, and I took a day trip to Charleston on Saturday. I got to visit an actual Urban Outfitters store, instead of their site, for the first time.  I didn't buy anything because we're poor but it was heavenly.  We also walked until our feet ached and talked about what it would be like if we lived in a house on the Battery.  Then we sang Battery by Metallica.  We finished the day with too much seafood at Hyman's Seafood.  Their food is also heavenly.  Now I am off to browse banana recipes since I have a bunch rotting on the kitchen counter.  Charleston pics below













































Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Spring


I feel alive again. This winter was cold and dark. Spring has now sprung around here. Yippee!