Sunday Kisses

I love my boy!

New in the Garden

Happy Weekend!

We have a lot going on this weekend, so here are just a few shots from my garden:

A new pepper--

A new strawberry--

A new fig:

And new Sago shoots!

And wait until Gini sees the tomatoes I am bringing her today!!

I've been dreaming . . .

About lilacs.

When I was a little girl, my mom used to open the windows in my bedroom on the second floor of our old farmhouse and the room would fill with the scent of lilacs. We had two very old bushes growing on the side of the house; one white and one purple and growing together they made a beautiful sight.

She sent me a picture the other day of lilacs that she had cut from the bush and brought to her antique shop.

In her e-mail to me she wrote, "I wish I could send you the smell!"

Me too, Mom.

Isn't it funny how something can make you miss your childhood home so much?

As you can see, I have redesigned my blog so that I could see lilacs everyday.

And, here is a tomato update for you--I just picked a bunch of the red beauties this morning:


I wish I could send the smell and the taste to you!

Happy 34th Birthday, Babe!

Here's lookin' at you, honey!

We love you!

Help!

OK, James' birthday is right around the corner and I just can't decide between these two big gift ideas:

The first is a Step 2 Playground Climber. He just loves the playground in our community, but every time we go there are loud, obnoxious pre-teens, and graffiti, and trash, so I would like to have something for him in the backyard.


My other idea is an easel/art center. I found this one and think it is pretty cute. I am thinking that this would help me keep him entertained while I am working (as I have been relying too much on the tv and you know how I hate that.)

Of course, as Chris points out, it is getting hotter here, and I won't want him playing on the playground set during the day when it is 110+. (And, I will be indoors working, so maybe the easel is a better idea?) But, I can do the same thing setting him up on the coffee table or the kitchen table with supplies, right??

Both cost about the same.

All you Moms and Dads out there, I need you to weigh in on this for me!! Thanks a bunch!

Just Pics

We are busy, busy, busy here. Throw no naps, extra work for work, and the fact that I am getting bigger everyday (and huffing and puffing up and down the stairs) and there is just no time for PROPER blogging. (Oh, right, and I have been actually preparing meals), so--just some pics.

My beautiful boy:


Can I just say, "Thanks for the shirt, Gini?" I mean SERIOUSLY. You must recognize every piece of clothing that James has on!! What the h-e- double l am I going to do for my little girl??? I think I am going to be super shocked when I find out how much clothes are . . .




Bowie is "rooing" in this next pic. James isn't quite sure what to think . . .


And Henry and Bowie are getting along great. Just look:


CRAZY!!!!

I've Lost that Cookin' Feelin'

I don't know if it is because I am pregnant, or because I am simply bored, or because I have lost my flair for all things "June Cleaver-ish", but I have a REAL problem. It is a big problem that is affecting my husband, my son, and my unborn daughter.

What is it, you ask?

C-O-O-K-I-N-G.

I simply DON'T WANT to do it.

I know, I know--you are just stunned.

Me, the diva of all homemade goodness--

• fresh-baked bread, rolls, cookies, pies and cakes
  
• roast beef, turkey, chicken, tenderloin
• casseroles of every type
• crock-pot creations
  
• waffles and pancakes from scratch
• grilled yummies like kabobs, chicken breasts, tri-tip and blue cheese burgers
• fresh salads with everything crunchy and green
• pastas of all kinds with the famous secret recipe sauce
• minestrones and beef stews

The dutiful experimenter of all great chefs:

• Lidia
• Rachael
• Contessa
• Giada
• Bobby
• Alton

The Fresh and Easy weekly customer that normally drools over their fresh produce and meats but lately can't stand to look at raw chicken, hamburger or fish,

The Cooking Light subscriber who used to make a month of new meals based on their recipes, and who hasn't seen a single thing in there over the last two months that has inspired her to cook,

has turned into a . . .

• "Fend for Yourself Night" EVERY NIGHT,
• replies to the "what's for dinner question" with "cereal sounds good."
• never posts a menu on her blog anymore because "what's the point?"
• suddenly thinks that Lunchables for her toddler is a gourmet meal,
• hasn't had a piece of fruit in over a week unless she can pulverize it in the blender with ice,
• thinks that as long as there is bread and peanut butter in the house her men will be fine

HOLY COW. What the heck has happened to me?

So, folks, I am declaring myself right now, right here, in public, to try and turn the corner.

This week I will:

• cook real meals for my family like the good old days
• force myself to eat at least two pieces of fresh fruit a day
  
• stop feeding my son easy crap
• start packing Chris' lunches again
• retire my blender for the week in favor of salads
• back off on the bread unless I made it myself

Wow, sounds familiar! Sounds like the way I always used to operate!

Wish me luck--now where is that June issue of Cooking Light?

Tagged . . . again!

My sister-in-law Kimmy has tagged me for a meme. Here we go...

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was working as a Director of Marketing for Apple Health Care in Avon, CT. I miss Avon, especially the two cute little coffee shops I hit every single stinking morning for lattes! I had recently moved into an apartment in an old Federal-style home on the Connecticut river. (Gini and Bill and Hannah lived in the apartment below me--and lo and behold I met Chris!)

2.) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):

• finish Jerolyn's new blog design
  
• pick out and order a Little Tikes playground for James' 2nd birthday
  
• plan what I am making for Chris' birthday dinner
  
• hit Motherhood Maternity for the (eh hem) next size up in maternity capris
  
• Keep an eye on James as he woke up at 1:30am this morning with a 103.4 temp as a result of the freaking five shots he got yesterday--that was a wee bit scary, to say the least!
  

3) Snacks I enjoy:

• pretzels and peanut butter
• popsicles
  
• pieces of a huge hunk

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

• build my dream log home in Vermont
  
• start my own animal rescue sanctuary
  
• make huge donations to charities that benefit Americans living below the poverty line
• open a shop filled with vintag-ey and whimsical things
• hire a personal chef/fitness expert/health guru
  
• have one room in my home always filled to the brim with toilet paper
  

5) Places I have lived:

• San Diego, CA
• Topsham, ME
• Brunswick, ME
• Buckhannon, WV
• Stockbridge, MA
• Meredith, NH
• Glastonbury, CT
• Suffield, CT
• Enfield, CT
• Henderson, NV
• North Las Vegas, NV
  

6.) Jobs I have had:

• Assistant to an old-time Maine woodsman/lobster trap builder
• Assistant in a veterinarian's office
• Assistant to a college Theater Department Professor
• Scenic Artist in a summer theater
• Assistant Stage Manager in a summer theater
  
• Marketing Assistant and Publications Manager for a regional theater
• Marketing Director for a chain of long term care centers
• Communications Director for a non-profit health care education organization
• (and the best job of all??? Mommy!!!)
  

7.) 6 peeps I wanna know more about:

• Gini
• Christopher
• Katie
• Erica
• Jerolyn
  
• Denise
  

A Big Day

A little boy I know is happily watching cartoons, totally unaware of the fact that in about an hour he is going to be going to the Doctor for his 2-year check up.


And you know what that means . . .


SHOTS!!!!


I think I'll be seeing this lower lip quite a lot in the next few hours. Wish us luck!

Thanks Guys!

My recent obsession with re-designing my own blog has prompted some friends and family to ask me to re-design theirs as well. I just wanted to thank them so much for giving me the opportunity.

So . . . THANKS!!!!



Be looking out for the next two designs. Yes, Jerolyn and Jackie, YOU'RE NEXT!

If anyone else is hankering for a new design, just leave me a comment here and I will get in touch with you. I'll be open for new work beginning June 14th. (I do have a day job, so I shoe horn my clients in around that. That said, turn-a-round is usually only a week.)