Necessities

I cleaned out my purse today. The following picture shows the things that obviously I consider to be necessities.
#1 - Cell phone
#2 - Lipstick/gloss
#3 - Excedrin
#4 - Hand sanitizer
#5 - (and most important...)Binkies - always more than one
Notice that all these things mysteriously ended up next to the only other necessity that does not fit in my purse - Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi. I am an addict.

Fingers... Mmmmm....

Aiden found his fingers. And finds them tasty. He attacks them with a fierocity I find thoroughly hilarious. It is a pleasure to watch my son learn. And grow. And grow.


He is a television junkie. If it is on, he is glued. If the computer can be seen, he is glued. Hmmm... It is good for me to see it and realize how often the television is on (even if it is History Channel and a documentary and even if it is just background noise while cooking). We have turned off the television lately and focused on books. Big, bright, tractor books.

And he loves them.

Why I love fall

Today is overcast and brisk and windy and... perfect. I love the day. I wish I was a better photographer to truly capture the beauty of today. I love the way the wind infuses everyone with rosy cheeks and breathes life into those faces. It is the season of closing down of the year, but it is still so full of life. The lethargy of summer has passed and once again, we are ready to be active. This is the time of work for our ancestors - the gathering, hunting, harvesting, readying for the long winter ahead.

I suddenly need to be domestic at the onset of fall. I want to a bake spiced apple things... and put a roast in a slow cooker with big potatoes and carrots. And I want to snuggle my smiling son and watch his cheeks get rosy in the late afternoon walks among the leaves.

Soon winter will descend and we will want to cozy in, but for this moment, we will embrace fall.

My Smiley Guy

I love this little man...

Top 20 nights

Tonight, my brother treated me to one of those nights... one never to be forgotten. A very, very fancy Japanese dinner for a very select few. I have always considered myself to be an adventurous eater and this was worth every culinary adventure I have taken thus far.
the menu. 9 courses and 3 that were not on the menu.

Scallops, salmon, and tuna. My personal favorite of the night.


Chestnuts, shrimp, chicken and small potatoes. Who would think to put these together?

Tangerine curd for dessert. Delectable.

*sigh* Unforgettable

****thanks to Smeds for watching Mister A. It was my first night out since he was born****

Oh that crazy internet...

There are so many things to be done to waste time on the internet. I love my computer. I can do so many constructive things with my computer. This is not one of them...

This is as close as I could get to looking like myself on this crazy program on the internet. Notice that I also picked a chunky body style. Honesty hurts to see.

Happy Birthday Mom

Love you, Mom.