Hooray, Daddy's Home!

Jason left early last Friday morning to play in the Texas Teams Disc Golf Tournnament. Its was a long weekend without daddy, so we girls were thrilled when he returned home to us, safe and sound, Sunday night! The photo to the left is one we took not long after he got home. (Just long enough for a shower---the camping facilities didn't have one, so it was poor Jason's first one since Thursday night!)

Jason and the rest of the Aggie Disc Golf Club played well--probably 3rd place (they mail the results/prizes), which isn't too shabby, considering there were between 2-300 people there! Jason had a great time, but said he missed "his girls" and was happy to be home.




In other news, we finally got a good photo of Norah's illusive fangs! She was being so silly after her bath last night, Jason rushed and got the camera to capture her less-than-toothy grin. As you can see, we're still waiting on those two front teeth, but we think she's still pretty cute without them. Its funny to watch people react to her smile when we're in public. They almost always are caught off-guard and laugh. Several have even commented, "I've never seen a baby's teeth come in like that." We just chalk it up to her being special.

Clapping, Cake, and a Cold Snap

It's been a busy (but good) day. Norah, Grammy, and I took off to run a long list of errands around 9. Norah was such a good girl! At lunch time, we stopped by the church to buy tickets to a fundraiser for Sunday, and stayed for "Lunch with Friends". (a new, weekly time of fellowship that just started a few weeks back) It was our first time to attend a LwF, but we both agreed it was a good time and we'll have to make a habit of going when our schedules allow.

The picture to the left is one of Norah, clapping her hands. She's got really good rhythm--I'm amazed at her ability to clap on-beat. Definately not a trait she inherited from me---I mean, I can clap on-beat, but rhythm is not so much my forte.

I only had one cake this week, which was a nice break after several weeks of 4-6 each. (For those of you who don't know, I decorate cakes for diva/princess/rock star parties at a local My Party Palace). It was nice to have a little extra time this week...even if about all I chose to do with it was slow down!

The one to the right is the princess cake I decorated this afternoon after mom and I got back from our errands. (And yes, her name is Logan) Complete with my trademark top feather boa border (of course now that I posted it on blogger, I'm sure everybody's gonna copy, haha) and coordinating pink pearl bottom border.

Its funny. I've never really considered myself a "girly girl", but having a daughter of my own has definately helped me to get in touch with my "inner pink". I'll even go as far as to say I enjoy making super-girlified cakes...although I think at least for this year, I'm gonna go a different route for Norah's birthday. (I mean, come on...would you want to make you're first-born the SAME cake you make for all the other little girls every week?)


We've actually had some cool (not-humid) weather this week! In fact, it was so windy and cold Wednesday night, that we didn't dare take Norah to church without a hat to cover her head and ears. (Check out that little double chin!)It was funny...she didn't care to keep it on for very long when we were indoors--but when we were walking outside, she didn't fight it at all! The cold snap (and a fun post at SarahStation) has really gotten me in the mood for Christmas. Don't get me wrong--I'm in NO way implying that I'm wanting to skip Thanksgiving...no sir! I'm quite pumped about the entire holiday season! Including the day after Thanskgiving when we'll (hopefully) get to put up the tree!

13 Favorite Thanksgiving Feast Foods

I love Thanksgiving! I love seeing family. I love spending the morning (and sometimes even the night before) in the kitchen. And of course, the feast is always fun! I especially love that no matter where we choose to celebrate, it is always pot-luck--so everyone brings their specialties to the table and it just feels special. Hooray for Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know Thanksgiving is next Thursday, but who knows if I'll have time to post next week, and besides, I'm in the process of deciding what to bring to our family Thanksgivings, so I thought this list might help me choose (in addition to making my mouth water!) I hereby submit to you a list of my 13 most favorite Thanksgiving foods. (And I'm sorry, but you wont find pumpkin or pecan pie, cranberry sauce, or sweet potatoes on it...in truth, I've never tried any of them, but I've made it my goal to try at least one this year. I'll let you know how it goes!)

1. Cajun Fried Turkey-- Jason is the king. After growing up eating Gramps' incredibly delicious oven-baked turkey (the traditional, cook it ALL night and toture yourself with the tantilizing smells, way), I didn't think there was any possible way to improve. However, a few years ago Jason got a turkey fryer...and we've never looked back. He injects the bird with his top secret, cajun marinade and fries it up in under an hour. It is moist, and tender, and not at all greasy like fried chicken. (The hot oil immediately sears the turkey, locking in all the delicious juices and locking out all the grease) Gramps' turkey is still scrumptious, but I'll never pass up Jason's fried turkey!
   
2. Smoked Ham-- because on Thanksgiving, one meat on your plate just isn't enough.
   
3. Cheesy Broccoli & Rice-- Mom R makes a mean cheesy broccoli & rice casserole. The rice is never crunchy (unlike mine, everytime I try to duplicate it), and even Jason will eat broccoli when its enveloped by creamy, cheesy goodness!
   
4. Ramen Strawberry-Broccoli Salad-- Ok, so maybe I love broccoli. And this sounds really wierd, but Mom G made this a few years ago for Thanksgiving and its been a family favorite, ever since! I couldn't tell you what's in it, but if I had to guess, I'd say a little bit of pixie dust, because how else could broccoli and strawberries taste so good in the same bite?
   
5. Green Bean Casserole-- I don't care who makes it. It's a T-Day staple! Bring on the cream of mushroom and french fried onions!
   
6. Dressing-- I say dressing, cause I'm not a fan of "stuffing" it back inside the turkey cavity. (I had that job one year for Thanksgiving, and it was a little unappetizing) Stuffed or not, I love this delicious mish-mash of cornbread, cooked celery, and whatever else you throw in it.
   
7. Ultra Creamy Potatoes-- Usually one of the sides I choose to bring because I can not do without potatoes! And its Thanksgiving, so I'm always careful to load them up with all the good stuff-- sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, and butter (guess my taters aren't for the lactose intolerant) and maybe some chives just for a little color.
8. Texas Rolls-- the super, jumbo yeast rolls (I like Rhodes) that rise for 6 hours prior to the feast. Perfect for soaking up any left-over gravy or mashed potatoes that may have clung to your plate. (What can I say, I like to do my part helping clean up the dishes.)
9. Banana Blueberry Pie-- Jason's grandmother's most famous dish. Graham cracker crust, layered with bananas, blueberry pie filling, and a 3-inch layer of dream whip! Yum!
10. Peanut Brittle-- Uncle Wayne makes THE best peanut brittle in the whole wide world. He always makes a big batch for Thanksgiving, and another one for Christmas. And I love that every year (for as long as I can remember) he has put it in the same, giant, frosted tupperware container---and the entire family knows what's inside before they open it. I love that the whole family is careful to keep the lid closed, so that it'll stay fresh, and so that it'll hit whoever opens it up for the next piece, with the overwhelming aroma of mouth-watering, fresh peanut brittle!
11. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake-- Honestly, I could have done a whole T-13 of "favorite Thanksgiving desserts"...but this one is another favorite--it's sweet, but not too sweet, and has a good variety of texture (cookies, chocolate chips, cheesecake--what could be better?)
    
12. Corn on the Cob-- Because every Thanksgiving feast should have a little something yellow. And I like corn. And because corn on the cob is fun to eat (and fun to watch your family eat). And its not too hard for even a rookie cook to make.
    
13. Big Salad--sure, we have salad just about every night of the year with dinner. But my Thanksgiving plate just seems, somehow incomplete without it. (Maybe it's just my feeble attempt to have some real, non-starch, veggies in the sea of unhealthy, but delicious consumables that is my plate)
    

White Fangs

Ok, I've heard your cries of "Update your blog, already!" Man. I think this is the longest I've ever gone between blogs. I even missed Thursday Thirteen--that's not like me! What have I been up to, you ask? Lots. But that's not the main reason for the hiatus. I go through periodic phases of being "down" on my blog. Not everyone is a fan, and I don't take criticism well. However, thanks to a little encouragement from my sweetheart, and without further ado, I'm back.

The first picture was one I caught of Norah, making a funny face. I had to share it, just cause its one I hadn't seen her make before.

The bottom picture is a hint as to what its been like in Robinson County the past couple of days. (And yes, those are fresh tears in her eyes) Norah, aka "White Fangs" has been hard at work, cutting teeth. As of this morning, she has 4, visible "teefies". Two on the bottom, center, and one on either side of where her two front should be, but aren't just yet--that's right, folks--she has baby fangs...but they're pretty stinkin' cute. (And also very illusive when the camera comes out...sorry, no pictures) Guess we could get away with saying all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth.

In addition to the new teeth, Norah has a few new tricks! Last week, she learned how to clap. She'll do it on command (if she's not in diva-mode), and sometimes does it spontaneously if she sees something she deems "applause-worthy". She's also gotten the hang of waving "bye-bye". The picture to the right is of Norah trying to "share" her paci. She's very thoughtful.

Sunday, Jason and I discovered that Cheerio's are very helpful for keeping Norah quiet during Foree's sermon. (She's been a little too chatty during church, as of late. Not fussy...she just seems to think she has as much right to preach as anyone else)

Well, I hate to cut my first blog entry in over a week short...but I have laundry to turn over, food to deliver to a new mom, a grocery errand to run, and dinner to get ready...so I'd better shake a leg!

The Caped Cheerio-inator

Norah has joined the ranks and is now a card-carrying Cheerio-chomper. I really think she has figured out the word "snack", because it is one of those few, "powerful" words that can hault her sobs, mid-cry. Today I, heard her starting to fuss and looked at my watch and said, "How 'bout a snack". She whipped her head around and looked deep into my eyes with eager anticipation...I took that as an emphatic "Yes!"

Now that she's into snacking, I decided it was time to break out a nifty new bib with a "renegade cheerios/peas/you-name-it catcher " pocket. It works pretty well. Each time I've put it on her, its done its job effectively, protecting our floors from Norah's less-than-honed aim.

This afternoon, I left her bib on her and stepped out of the room for a minute to catch the phone. I returned, only to find that Norah had found a new, much more exciting use for her bib-- Low and behold, it doubles as a cape!

I thought I'd share a couple of her super hero feats. The first photo is of Norah, moving the furniture. (She was helping mommy get ready for a candle party and we needed a little extra room) She never would attempt this task un-aided, but with her super-cape, she made short work of it.







Next, she used her x-ray vision to see through daddy's socks. (She has this obsession with his feet, but she didn't want his feet to get cold, so she just used her powers to look at them)

Mommy started getting a little nervous when Norah whipped out the x-ray vision, so it was time to recall the cape. And thus, the Caped Cheerio-inator was restored to her civillian state.

Don't worry...I'm sure she'll return again, someday...say, around snack time tomorrow afternoon? Just be sure if you stop by the house around 3pm that you wear an extra layer or two of clothing...unless, you're one of the lucky few blessed with a perfect physique, and aren't concerned with the threat of x-ray vision!

Pass the Peas, Please

We are having lots of fun with food this week in Robinson County! Dr. Easley said to turn Norah loose on table food, so turn her loose we have. She is loving sitting in her high chair between mommy and daddy's chairs, feeding herself, while we eat our meal with her. We laugh because the moment there is food put on her tray, it's as though nothing (or noone) else exists in her world. She becomes very serious as she engages in the act of consumption.

Its been especially fun watching her facial expressions as she tries these new tastes and textures. But so far, she's been a trooper and hasn't spit anything out (despite some very confused and/or displeased "yucky" faces).


This is a learning experience for Jason and me too. For instance... food can wind up in all sorts of places when your dealing with an inexperienced eater. The photo of Norah looking down, is her trying to figure out what happened to the pea she just had in her hands a second ago. I think for a while there, she thought mommy and daddy had pulled a trick and given her magical disappearing peas. By the time we pulled her out of the chair, she had around 15 renegade peas nestled in various crevices of the chair and folds of her clothing...but considering how many peas she attempted to eat, that was pretty good.

Norah experimented with several ingestion techniques. First, we have the "popcorn" technique, in which she carelessly scoops a random handfuls of peas into her hand and "pops" them in her mouth. (This one definately resulted in the most renegade peas). So next, she tries the "modified double-fisted popcorn" approach, wherein, she steadies the feeding hand with a second hand. This attempt fared a little better...but still, not the accuracy or precision she was looking for. Finally, she moved on to the "pincher grasp, which proved to be the money maker. She cleared out the remaining peas with astonishing vigor!

And in the end, was left scratching her chin, contemplating, "Hmmm.... when do we eat?"

13 Recent Gifts I've Loved

Ok, Halloween is officially over, and Thanksgiving is coming...which means I've got Christmas (especially Christmas shopping!) on the brain. This week's T-13 is a list of 13 gifts I've received in the past few years that I have absolutely loved. (This is by no means an all-inclusive list...I have received so many awesome, generous gifts, so please don't be sad if I didn't mention yours--I promise, I loved it!) Please feel free to share some of your favorite gifts...I'd love to have some ideas for shopping for my friends and family!

1. Standing Mixer from Jason (for our first married Christmas, Jason got me a cobalt blue Kitchenaid standing mixer. I love the color, and I can't tell you how useful it has been. I have made countless batches of icing, whipped mashed potatoes, cakes, bread, and who knows what all else...and I still think its the best appliance in my whole kitchen!)
2. Beautiful, homemade "Country Star" throw quilt from Paige. (My sister-in-law has a real knack for knowing my decorating taste. This quilt, that I KNOW was a lot of hard work, is perfect. I love the colors--red and cream--and she did an awesome job sewing it. What an honor to receive one of her first quilt projects!)
3. Beautiful Cedar Chest from Mom and Dad (My last December I lived at home before I got married, I had mentioned to mom that I wanted a cedar chest. She bought one at an antique store, and I wanted to cry when she showed it to me...it was aweful! Green, looked like something the cat drug in. I didn't know what to do, but I did not want that ugly thing to go with me to my new house. A few weeks later, on Christmas, I was given the surprise of my life. Jason, and another guy who worked for my dad had spent a few nights working together and had completly gutted and refinished the ugly cedar chest, restoring it to its natural, cedar glory. I never would have believed it was the same piece of furniture, but it will always be special to me)
4. Stainless Steel Pots and Pans from Jason (Ok, so I begged and begged for these for MONTHS...and Jason kept telling me he didn't want to buy them because they weren't a "fun gift". I was so bummed...until I found out he was totally tricking me! He really did think it was a boring gift, but he bought them for me anyway, and I still love them every, single night when I cook in them. They are beautiful, shiny, and very useful!)
5. Gorgeous homemade king-size "Rail Fence" quilt from Mom R (I couldn't have hand-picked colors or a pattern that I love as much as this quilt. It is absolutely an amazing, work of art, and knowing that she put every quilted stitch into this massive quilt by hand, makes it that much more special)
6. Clothes from Amanda (my little sis has an uncanny ability to find clothes that I would never choose for myself, but that look great on me, and I love! She's the best personal shopper a girl could ask for!)
7. Pair of handmade twin "Butterfly" quilts from Mom G (They're still my favorite for cuddling under in the living room during the winter months!)
8. Denim Apron from Paige (I have made tons of aprons to be given as gifts, but this is the only useable one that I own, and let me tell you, I have used the fire out of this apron! Great gift!)
   
9. Giant basket filled with Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, cooking utensils, marinades, and seasonings from Jenny & Daniel (I love to cook. I love cook books. I love baskets...it was a perfect gift!)
10. Sewing Machine from Jason (for our first anniversary, Jason bought me my first ever sewing machine. It has been a very useful gift, and I have really enjoyed using it)
11. Handmade Cedar post head and foot boards. (Jason's brother, Grant, literally chopped down a couple of cedar trees, stripped them by hand, and made a gorgeous bed for Jason and me. It is beautiful, and looks fantastic with our homemade quilts!)
    
12. "The Quiltmaker's Gift" by Jeff Brumbeau from my former office-mate, Christina. (Quilts are a very special to me and my family...this is one of the most wonderful children's books I've ever come across. The pictures are beautiful and the story is really special...I highly recommend it!)
    
13. Gift certificates and cash from various friends and relatives. (I know this is kinda of a cheater one, because it refers to a lot more than just one...but I have loved every gift certificate or cash gift I've been given, because its always fun to spend "play money". I've really gotten some great buys with my gift cards---everything from a GORGEOUS kitchen faucet (don't think I'm wierd...you'd fall in love with it too if you saw it), to clothes, to picture frames for our house...you'll never hear me complain that gift cards and cash are too "impersonal"!)