New Digs

Hello! Exciting news out west...

We bought a house!!

We had to be out of this "rental" by September, so we were planning on getting into something more permanent this spring. Things just moved ahead of what our intended schedule was. (So much of my life is like that...things happen before I'm quite ready...) ANyway.

It's not glamorous or ginormous. It's a sturdy little house built at the end of the 70s. Translation: nothing "cute" or "charming" here, friends, just lots of wood paneling, dark wood (or plastic?) trim, dark cabinets, rectangular layout. Nice nearly corner lot, overgrown yard. Did I mention a cute little grandma lived there with three dogs? Yeah.

So, we decided that we have a little bit of work to do here before we move in, sometime this summer. All new flooring (tile, laminate, carpet), new appliances (I hope!!) and new paint are musts. Then there's that entryway wall we can't decide about, and all the countertops need to be replaced, and the trim, and doors, and fixtures, and cabinets, and windows... it's hard not to get carried away once we get going. This house is definetly a work in progress!! But it will be super cute when it gets finished. Assuming I have enough moolah to fund all my ideas. And the manpower....

So, that's what I'm going to be up to for the next six months. Refinishing a house, a family vacation, a wedding (my bro!), a triathlon (not me, S!!), moving...

I suppose my crafty projects will have to wait... except for the six baby blankets by July....

Creme Br-nt-lee

yes, folks. I know it's amazing (and horrifying) to think that I might concoct something in the kitchen and end up with less than stellar results. But it is a crazy world that we live in, and strange things do happen. Like my attempt at creme brulee. Seems simple enough, not many ingredients, not too complicated. I manage to mangle it. (I think it's easier for me to ruin recipes with fewer ingredients, and esp. when cooking on the stovetop is required--but I'll explain about the rice-krispies another day.)

First, I think I didn't cook it all the way and it curdled.
Second, I may have put too much brown sugar on it and broiled it too long, because the sugar burnt and carmelized like tar. Undaunted, I scraped it off and tried to broil the sugar again. Slightly better results.

I chilled it overnight, and ate it for breakfast the next day. (I like to be flexible in my meal choices.) Ew. Something not quite right. Could have been the curdly pudding or the crusty sugar. or that funny film in my mouth. (What was the date on that cream?) Not quite sure.... I was practicing for my chocolate-less valentines this weekend. Looks like I need more practice.

I'm too embarrassed to post a pic. Oh, and I can't find the camera. Next time....

*edited* there's the pic...I tried to hide the ugliness with lovely fruit...did it work?

Nekkid Snickers

Re-wiring my brain is challenging.

I was enjoying a game of cribbage against S, and he suggested an ice cream break. (I think I was winning.) I realized that my usual concoction of vanilla ice cream topped with dry roasted peanuts and smothered in fudge sauce wasn't going to work. So, I melted some carmels (after I burned the first bowl I remembered to add milk before zapping) and poured that over the vanilla topped with peanuts.

Hmmmmm. I dubbed my new creation a Nekkid Snickers, since it had the same basic components-caramel, peanuts and nougat/ice cream, and enjoyed every last bite. I was so busy I forgot to take a picture. Sorry.

Bye-bye Love...

...bye-bye happiness. Hello lonlieness, I think I'm a-goin' to cry-hy...

It's official. Or Semi-Official. Or whatever.

I can't eat chocolate.

I, personally, don't have a problem with it. But my bosom buddy does. After being awakened in the middle of the night by his painful screams I realized that the half bag of Hershey's mint truffles I had consumed might be part of the problem.

Being in denial, I decided to investigate further.

No chocolate the following day=no screaming that night.

Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins the next day (with only 1/2 c. choc. chips for 2 dozen muffins!) and we had screaming that night.

Coincidence? Perhaps. But it's not something I want to gamble with right now. I get little enough uninterrupted sleep as it is. I don't need it cut even shorter by a screaming baby that refuses to be consoled, has to cry it out, and then nurse to fall asleep. He's too cute to cry that hard.

Problem is, chocolate is a staple in my life. I esp. love dark chocolate, mint chocolate, raspberry chocolate...okay, just chocolate. Heck, I just won the "All Around Best" award at the book club chocolate party for my Raspberry Chocolate Truffle Brownies. I love to bake and eat chocolate, and there's just no good substitute. Nothing is quite like it.

Alas! (sad violin music in the background) I cannot consume the five pounds of Hershey's kisses I scored in after Christmas sales. (Perfect for "turban cookies".) Or the coveted Cadbury mini eggs and regular eggs at Easter!! MY FAVORITES!! (sobbing)

Hence, I will be exploring alternate substances to squelch my cravings and trying to fight through the withdrawl this week.

Cream cheese and caramel are in my sights....

...and so is a happier baby!

Word of the Year

I've been thinking. (You may have smelt it.) I want to become a better person this year, instead of just a person who is hanging on. This is a challenge for me, as I over think and over analyze most things, and have no time left for acting on those thoughts.

Then, I was reading my friend's blog, and discovered this idea. I loved the idea of having a "power word" for the year--and almost immediately I found my word. Ready for it?

Breathe.

Yes, it sounds simple, but that's what I need right now. This is the first thing we do when we enter this world, and it's the last thing we do before we leave. When done correctly, it enables us to complete more than we thought possible. Correct breathing techniques are the center of many activities, and I remember in massage school learning that we need to breath into our center, or hara. We bring in oxygen, and thus life.

So, this year, 2009, I am focusing on the most basic thing I can do--breathe.

I will breathe --
--before I get overwhelmed by the things I need to do.
--before I get carried away with the things I want to do.
--before I react to things I cannot control (the decisions of others).
--deeply so I can respond with love to those within my care.

So, here's your challenge--what is your word for 2009?

Milestones

I think it's safe to say I have somehow managed to miss most of the major milestones of my family on this blog. I have reflected on the last year, and I believe I missed A's birthday, Scott's, our anniversiary, the family vacation, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and my birthday. Do you remember me mentioning them? Hmm... I did manage to get the new baby up, and that's about it. So, for my own personal "ketch"ing up, I will be posting about these in the future (perhaps on their actual date this year. Don't hold your breath, though!

Betcha didn't know...

Which one? Which one?

I shall be...
You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?


This one's for Katrina Now you know.

Who are You?