Fancy Dinner

As celebration for being a normal person again I orchestrated a fancy dinner party.  Since everyone was required to make something fancy, it made a seven course dinner.  The key is to take a little bit of everything so  you don't get too full by the end.

 Aaron made drinks to order.  I chose an appletini but he had other flavors like mojito, margarita, strawberry kiwi, and several others.  They were yummy!

 McKay made cheese and broccoli soup, Adam made chicken marsala, and I made goat cheese honey and apple tartlets.

 Amanda made these goat cheese/cream cheese stuffed mushrooms

 Mom made a cajun spicy sausage soup and an olive oil and herb dipping sauce with bread.  Keith made a black rice and edamame salad on a "bed of lettuce."

 It was a fun night and all the food was delicious!  After dinner was over we played Murder in the Dark. Next time I do something like this I want to try to do one of those Murder Mystery Clue nights.  Has any of you done them?  Is it possible to do them without buying one of those kits?  

Cheers!

Baby Camouflage

"You can no see me!"

 And I'm kinda sad that she outgrew this ice cream reflex or whatever it's called.

Aaron

My brother Aaron has set a goal to hike the whole Appalachian trail next summer.  He has been going on little mini hikes on the weekend as practice.  Last week he practiced on part of the Appalachian trail that goes through Maryland.  I think he may turn into the next Survivor Man.  So if you have been needing a hiking buddy go with him because he is awesome.  Check out his blog here.

Going back to work

The thought of going back to work really scared me and made me want to cry.  I loved being at home with my baby, and I thought several times of just quitting.  But I knew I was being a big baby and one day wasn't going to kill me so I sucked it up and went.  

Work was actually nice and everyone was happy to see me again.  Saturday is a pretty slow day so I got pretty bored and started doodling. Normally I just scribble amebas, nematodes, stars, and hearts while I am answering phones.  So here is my doodle this time.  I have my baby on my mind so much it probably makes everyone sick.

 I am covering up half of the sketch b/c I think it's ugly.  And I drew it in pen so I couldn't erase it. 

but if you really want to see...

gahh!!!

2 pinterest recipes

I am so proud of myself that I actually did something from Pinterest.  First I made these Strawberries and Cream Scones and they were sooo yummy.  They are not very sweet so I tried them a second time with red raspberries and white chocolate chips and they were divine.  I think a glaze on top would also be good for extra sweetness or you can just eat them as they are.  But you will probably need a glass of milk. Yum Yum! Success! 

This second recipe was actually made by my husband.  It was Panera's Broccoli and Cheese soup.  It tasted exactly like it!  This is perfect especially if we move somewhere that doesn't have Panera.  YUM! This recipe is totally fattening though, just be aware.

Comfort Sucking

Here is Ellie ready for a nap.  Her eyes get really droopy and her eyes twitch from side to side like she is already in REM sleep.  She is a super sucker baby and here she is going to town on her hand.  She only sucks on the meat of her hand, wrist or arm.

Touche!!!

This morning you dropped a bomb on me, Ellie. A big, wet, stinky bomb.  I thought I was being nice as to air out your butt for a second after being cooped up all night. Boy did I make the wrong decision. Poop everywhere! On my pants, on the carpet, on the table on the clean diaper, and all over my hands.  It was so gross.  It's one of those moments where the mess is so big you don't know what to do. 

 So I started with my hands and I cleaned them with a wipe.  Then I carried your dirty body to the bathroom and laid you down on a towel so I could wash you in the tub. But not after I changed my pants and put them in the wash.  When I came back you gave me this sad look like "Where did you go mama?" (Like my censoring?)

I washed your dirty bootie and cleaned the carpet.  Who could get mad at a sweet little baby like you?

 You are so cute and sweet.  I love you even if you did this every day (which hopefully you will not make a habit)