Happy Thanksgiving!

To quote the best Thanksgiving sentiment ever:
"May your yams be candied and your bird stuffed."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh Christmas Card, Oh Christmas Card

So I've got the new fancy schmancy camera so thought I would attempt to make my own Christmas "look how cute my kid is" cards. A friend told me that the Collierville Square and Depot was all decked out for Christmas and given the boy is so into trains, we thought this would be a good spot and thematically correct for all that know him. Of course, the camera takes 3 pictures per second and I got it for speed, as chasing a toddler leaves no time for a point and shoot to reload. But out of 257 pictures taken, only about 8 were decent from a cuteness standpoint and only two of those are Christmas card worthy. Hmmm.

Choice 1: The caboose smirk.

Choice 2: Go forth young man, be free.

The Rack Trap Arrives

So finally my invention that someone else invented arrived. I'm moderately impressed. At first, it struck me as very small to be worth any thing and very flimsy. However, when I put my phone (sans case), license, Visa card and cash in there, miraculously it all fit--and it all fit in the bra without being too bulky or noticeable (but I don't wear clingy stuff--I'm sure that helps too). I'll be going to NYC in a few weeks and will do the true test drive there. Thank you Rack Trap people.

I Love Fall

In a previous blog you saw that extraordinary yellow tree--as if it had been kissed by gold. This one was kissed by rubies. My Japanese Maple in my front yard. I love fall.

Almond Joy Cookies

There are two types of people. Those who love coconut, and those who despise it. Alas, people are somehow still able to co-exist. Me, I'm in the love category. So it was with delight that I discovered this coconut + chocolate cookie recipe in Family Circle last week. With some edits, I made it my own and renamed it "Almond Joy Cookies" because that's what they tasted like. The biggest, freshest Almond Joy you can think of. This is one of those cookie recipes that needs to be entered into some contest somewhere. But oh wait, 50% of judges will hate coconut to cancel out the 50% that love it. Oh well, still a winner to me.

Toddlers are Crazy - Part 2

Let me re-enact for you real life drama that occured on Saturday.

Toddler: "Mommy, read to me."
Mommy: "Great! Pick out a book."
We sit down to read together.
Toddler: "Mommy! Stop talking!"
Mommy: "I can't read to you unless I'm talking." Proceed to be silent.
Toddler: "Mommy! Read!!!!!!!"
Mommy: "You told me to stop talking, so I'm reading silently." Proceed to read aloud.
Toddler: "Mommy, stop talking!!!!!" Snatches book out of my hands.
Toddler: "Mine!"

The end.

Toddlers are Crazy - Part 1

My child has never licked a book in his life. Nor has he ever licked a wall. Until yesterday, when he felt compelled to do both--at the Doctor's office! Yes, pig flu, regular flu, stomach flu, strep throat all at near epidemic levels...I'm sure it was my aghast reaction to the book licking that made him feel compelled to turn right around and lick the wall. If he is able to escape any of these horrible illnesses after the unfortunate object licking, I'll be very surprised.

Look what a new camera can do...

I did it. I sprung for the fancy schmancy camera. Ready to take my photos to the next level. Check this one out all big and impressive and all. 50mm lens. my dining table didn't look this spectacular in real life, funny how a good camera can make it look so much better. Wonder it that's the case with people too.

An Apple a Day

Oh my. My co-worker made these caramel apples. They are something of urban legend with their deliciousness at work...I have historically never been a fan of the caramel apple so didn't really buy into the hoopla. So last week when she came in with them and the co-workers came from high and low and all over the campus to happy dance all around them, I thought, well I need fruit right? These small apples dipped in home-made caramel, melted peanut butter chips and chocolate were out of this world amazing. Perhaps this is the new cupcake craze? Could be. I wish it were caramel apple season every day.

Enjoy God's Great Weather

One day recently I went to the gym to take one of my thrice weekly spinning classes. When I got there, my least favorite instructor was teaching so I immediately changed my mind and opted instead to go for a walk around the track as it was a magnificent day. Since I just got there and was leaving, the man at the front desk was perplexed and I said that I changed my mind and was going to enjoy some walking outside with the great weather and all. He says to me: "Enjoy God's great weather!" with such energy I sort of giggled but he was completely serious. So it's my new catch phrase when the weather is great--"God's great weather." But then yesterday, I came across this tree. I was spellbound at the magnificent yellow glow. In all seriousness I said to myself that indeed we do need to enjoy God's great weather.

Boo Phoo on You!

So as expected, my two year old flat out refused and had a knock-down dragged out hissy fit as to not wear his adorable knight in shining armour costume. Did I mention it was $50 plus shipping? I gave up the fight as this is the second time he refused to wear it. Fortunately, I had a back up plan. For whatever reason, I had this white polyester fabric lying around. (Why oh why?) and I whipped up a ghost outfit on the sewing machine. Got a "chain" from dollar tree and voila, he ended up being a ghost at the last minute. Cost? Had to be less than $5. He's pictured here with his girlfriend Maria Von Trapp. The hills are alive!