Favorite things...like Oprah...but not...

Puns, vampires and one of Hugh Jackman's hottest characters? What's not to love?!





...and thanks to my sister for posting it first!

Traditions...

Yes--traditions. Every family has them. Even those of us who are "anti-tradition"...because, when you think about it, that's a tradition in itself. And here I thought I was being an individual. You know--just like everyone else.

Anyway...some gorge themselves on dry, tasteless turkey and then plop down on the sofa to watch football for the rest of the day whilst rubbing their extended bellies. Us? Having married the only American Male who cares nothing for sports of any sort--at least any non-medieval sort--we skipped the football watching. And since my sister was the chef we also skipped the dried out turkey.

There was lounging on the sofa...but of course he managed to find a book and fend off the slinky wielding niece at the same time.

There was also chair lounging but instead of watching anything on television, the entertainment of the day was provided my daughter. Kyleigh can be quite entertaining! And she loves emptying her Aunt Donia's cupboards. Babu was content to sit, rest his injured knee and observe. He was rewarded with numerous snuggles and kisses from his youngest grandchild.


And what goes best with non-traditional brined and roasted turkey? A Caramel Pecan Cheesecake (courtesy of my dad) and Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie (with whole wheat crust). Somehow I have managed to make it this far in life without a pie pan--the cast iron skillet worked just fine!


Okay...so there was that very traditional post dinner nap on the couch. Some traditions just shouldn't be messed with.

In an instant...

Life can change. Just like that.

A dear friend of mine lost her dad last night. In an instant her Thanksgiving day turned from joyful to mourning. She is also surrounded by family and loved ones and I know she will make it through this day.

Myself? Today--and all days--I'm so grateful. Grateful for my family. The little ones who barely allowed me to make pancakes this morning. The same little ones who slept in. The husband whom I love with all of my heart and soul and who is also not working today. My own dad who took over the kitchen yesterday and created a pecan caramel cheesecake. My sister who is creating a feast for us all to share and enjoy.

So much to be thankful for. So much.

Practical errands...

Yesterday was a long day. Most days are long but yesterday was particularly long. To make it even longer, my husband--who had been home all of 45 minutes--received a phone call just before 7 last night and proceeded to strap back on all of the accouterments he had just relieved himself of, kissed me and Wild Child 1 and 2 good bye and good night and went back to work. But before he did that I had a request...

Baby, I know you're about to go save the world and all...but on your way home, could you please stop and pick up the packet of small pretzels I was supposed to send to school with Jacob this morning for their community snack on Wednesday? Thanks. Love you!

See? Now he had to come home. He did. And he also bought milk.

For HP...and the turkeys shall be free...

A better GPS...

Tonight, as the four of us sat at the table eating supper, the subject of monsters came up. And by "came up" I mean our son kept pointing out the window claiming to see monsters. Of course, Little Sister...a.k.a "Mimic of Jacob's Every Move"...piped up and started chatting about monsters as well.

Smart and quick thinking Daddy informed the both of them that all monsters went home on Saturday nights so could you please just concentrate on finishing your supper, thankyouverymuch.

Which segued into where monsters live...

Out west...and turn left...then that way...and turn forward and then turn right...

They live in a cave...a big cave....with a big TV for the grown up monsters and a little TV for the baby monsters...

Bruce the GPS never gave me that much information.

And today's funny...

Jacob would sooooo be grounded. If we could figure out how to do that...

Do you see? Do you see the look on their faces in the first panel? They just want peace and quiet...and a vacation. I'm not going to look in the mirror because that's the look I'd find.

Congratulations, Momma Val and family!! They welcomed in a precious little baby girl on Monday. And all of the sudden, the interbez is just that much cuter!

Christmas shopping...for myself, of course...

Earlier today I sent my husband a couple of links to Think Geek regarding one or two t-shirts.



okay...three t-shirts...
He's now sitting across from me going through the site and I'm enjoying his occasional (frequent) chuckles. Quality sharing time. That's what keeps this marriage alive.

He then went exploring other sites and, knowing what a Bela Lugosi freak I am, he shared this...


And that would be what keeps the marriage spicy!

Just another bullet point...

On the Resume...the Job Description...whatever we choose to call that which we do...The Wife:

Watching His Back

I'm there. First line of defense. Cup holder in a bar fight. Call Screener. Barrier for zealous toddlers anxious to cut short an already short day's sleep. Ridder of door-to-door missionaries (okay, in that instance I was more protecting them and not so much him). Author of Flow Charts for family gatherings. Character Witness. Defender in Cyberspace.

He may be the one wearing the (non-bullet proof) ballistic vest and tricked out utility belt...but I'm the Wife. And I don't have all of the messy paperwork to fill out...

A smudge in the camouflage...

Some of you may have noticed that the south eastern portion of the US has had a fair bit of rain the past several days. Me? I was looking for a boat.

Anyway, life and school have continued despite the weather and Jacob has enjoyed wearing his rain boots to school. This morning it was not raining and even though the school grounds are most likely in the same state of sogginess as our own I sent him off with a non-boot pair of shoes to change into just in case they were allowed outside to play. So when I dropped him off I informed the teacher that Jacob had trainers in his pack if they went outside.

Crickets...

"Trainers?"

Blank stare...blink...because for the life of me--just like every single other time I get called out for "Not being from around these parts"--I cannot think of the American word for that particular type of shoe...

Fortunately for all, I now come with a Translator...

"She means my sneakers, Mrs. A." Jacob piped up in a Very Official voice and then clarifies, "because I can't run in my boots."

Work with what you know...

Tomorrow is a dear friend of mine's son's fourth birthday. She's a dispatcher for the same county my husband works for. We were friends before she was hired. She's also eight months pregnant with her third child. Just a little stressed. I offered to make the birthday cake. It was the least I could do.

The birthday boy's only requests were Chocolate and Cars. A couple of weeks ago I asked for a few more specifics--such as a favorite car. The little man just happens to dig police cars. I just might happen to know something about those...




And for Erin...I have never in my entire baking life had cakes stick to pans like these did. To call it a two layer cake would be stretching the definition of "layers". However, I have discovered that there is very little that buttercream and marshmallow fondant cannot fix. And some one is going to get a piece of cake with a lot of frosting.