Poor Old Blue

Of all the many cars I've owned, my truck was by far my favorite. But she was getting older and needing some work (don't we all?) So many tears were shed when we traded her in.


Now meet Frieda. She is German. Sie ist sehr hübsch, ja? (That means she's a looker.)


Our happy dilemma: how to fit three car seats in there.

Anatomy 101

My girls know that in a couple of months we'll get to have an ultrasound and find out the gender of their new little sibling. Pea's instructions to her sister on how to interpret the results, "If it has a pink dress, it's a girl." Makes sense to me!

While on the subject, Rae solemnly informed her sister that she wouldn't have much time to play with her when the baby came, because she would be far too busy helping Mama and Daddy with him.

A Peek

Our 11~week old baby!

Raegan insists on having a baby brother; Morgan says, "No, it's a 'her'!" Guess we'll find out in a couple months...

Cheers!

Here's to new beginnings and new ventures! I love a clean slate, a fresh start. And while most of my resolutions fizzle out in a couple months, I am hoping to spend more precious time with family and friends. Maybe I'll even blog a little more often (sheepish grin). But don't hold me to it!

How about a sneak peak of one of my new ventures? I began a class a few weeks ago to learn a new "skill". I am so excited to say that I designed this and made it entirely with my own two hands. Can you guess what it might be? I'll give you a hint: it isn't finished yet, but when it is I'll wear it on my wrist.

May each of you have a wonderful new year, full of unexpected blessings and surprises!

Christmas

...past.

Christmas present.

Christmas future.

It's Just A Guess

...but I think *that* one is a double yoker.

Power's Out

So we went on an archaeological dig.

It's dark and cold in the Egyptian desert at night. And sand gets everywhere.

The work is tedious and difficult.

But, the "priceless ancient artifacts" are worth it!

*Interested mamas can find these fun adventure kits here. =)

Birthday At The Nutcracker

Raegan and the Mouse King!

Admiring the Midsummer Night's Dream costumes...sublime!

Lovely Seattle.

Well, now I'm just showing off my excellent photography skills (ha ha). Still a darling picture, because of the little darling in it!

Birthday #6

A half dozen years now under her belt. It was a "wonderful" day with ballet practice, macaroni and cheese, and presents. We already had some birthday fun yesterday, and will have some more on Saturday. Tune in again for more pictures.

There's a sad story about that pitiful little cake (it was *not* baked in a bundt pan). I won't bore you with the details, but the moral of the story is, "Never bake in a hurry." =)

Hair History

Some of my groovy hairdos for your amusement:

"The Mrs. McGillicuddy"

Oh, wait! That's a wig! It IS terribly appealing, don't you think?

"The Bangs"

I believe this is commonly referred to now as a mullet.

"The Eighties Business Woman"

My favorite era...not!

"The Susan Powder"

It got a little dicey here.

"The Pixie"
Here we went darker. Nice duds there, Farmer Browning!

"The Platinum Pixie"
So many colors, so little time...

"The Burgundy"
Hair coloring disaster. I've only shown you the toned down version; the first run was not pretty.

"The Monroe"
Whether Marilyn or James, I'll leave it to you to decide.

"The Rapunzel"

Letting it grow as long as possible. (Long hair IS fun; I miss it a little.)

And here's the current style:
My own color. My own design (with a little help).

What daring coifs might the future hold?

Fall Fare

I tried out a recipe from dear Martha today and it turned out de-and-licious!

Braised Pork Shoulder

6 ounces pancetta, finely chopped (I used poor woman's version: bacon)

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

1 bone-in (or not, if Costco has boneless) pork shoulder (6-7 pounds)

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 head garlic, minced

2 teaspoons fennel seeds, toasted and ground

1 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds

2 cups Belgian-style ale

1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock

1. Preheat oven to 300*. Crisp pancetta in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat, until fat is rendered, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon.

2. Add onions to Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 25 minutes. Transfer to plate using slotted spoon.

3. Season pork with salt and pepper. Add oil to Dutch oven, and sear pork, fat side down, until golden, about 5 minutes. Flip, and repeat.

4. Add garlic and spices to pot. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ale, stock, pancetta, and onions; bring to a simmer. Transfer to oven, and braise pork, covered, basting every hour, until meat is falling off the bone, about 4 hours. Shred meat (just what you're using) using 2 forks, and drizzle with warm skimmed jus.

recipe from Martha Stewart Living

And I got to cook it in this gorgeous new red Dutch oven that Mr. B. bought for me! I'm spoiled rotten...=} He just couldn't wait for this meal, having anticipated it all week.

Caramelized onions...mmmmm.

Crushing the fennel.

It doesn't look half as scrumptious as it was! And while it was cooking I vacuumed and scrubbed, so the house was neat and smelled divine when Daddy came home. He had three helpings, so I'm thinking he liked it. =)

P.S. I haven't forgotten to share pics of the new do. I'll try to get to those soon!

Costume Parade

We have our kitty, complete with paws (can you see one?) constructed of Mama's socks stuffed with wool and stitched with thread to make toes.

And our graceful fairy. The tooth fairy, specifically. Gotta love the rubber boots to complete the ensemble!

On our way through the forest to seek out some sweets.

And this handsome couple! What a TREAT to have such great neighbors!

*

"...she came walking in with a very queer expression of countenance, for there was a mixture of fun and fear, satisfaction and regret in it, which puzzled the family as much as did the roll of bills she laid before her mother, saying with a little choke in her voice, 'That's my contribution toward making Father comfortable and bringing him home!'
'My dear, where did you get it? Twenty-five dollars! Jo, I hope you haven't done anything rash?'
'No, it's mine honestly. I didn't beg, borrow, or steal it. I earned it, and I don't think you'll blame me, for I only sold what was my own.'
As she spoke, Jo took off her bonnet, and a general outcry arose, for all her abundant hair was cut short." ~Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Please pardon the pj's; I had to do this early before I chickened out!

Here it goes!

Yes, it's messy and asymmetrical. But that's what I was going for! I'll have my friend clean it up for me tonight...if I've left her anything to work with. I've never been too terribly sentimental with my hair. I really like to do fun and wacky things with it. For the last six years, though, I let it grow to see just how long I could get it ~ I got a little "attached". So I nearly fainted halfway through cutting the ponytail. Oh, silliness!

I'm better now. =D What do you think?

Tiny Bubbles

This bathtub makes the BEST bubbles!