Christmas Capers

Trixie and I went to the mall today to start our Christmas shopping, because I want to get a jump on it and we needed to get out of the house so she didn't drive me crazy.
Mostly we wandered around the mall window shopping and I tried to think of the perfect present for her first Christmas. So I decided that it should be a keepsake, and I thought jewelry, but I'm not sure what beyond that. An ID bracelet? But it won't fit her in a couple of years. A necklace? Same issue. Perhaps a small ring that fits her now, and then she can have it as a necklace charm in the years to come? Or perhaps a lovely pearl, then a new one at birthdays and Christmases until she has enough for a necklace.
So I am officially stumped.
Ideas?

Hey! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This year was a little crazy. Adam's parents and brother came into town last weekend and the insanity started. By insanity I mean my crazy cooking marathon, which utterly drained me.
However I did manage to impress my in laws and some friends, unless they are all lying to me!
For Christmas Eve I made a lamb roast, with roast potatoes, roast carrots and onions and a pear and Gorgonzola salad and for desert home made ice cream and baked English pudding. Everyone seemed to like it!
For Christmas dinner I made a very large turkey which I stuffed with oranges, onions, garlic and herbs. I baked it for much less that the Internet told me to and it came out perfect and moist, however because it was more moist it wasn't falling off of the bones, but that makes for dry turkey. In any case I was very proud of my turkey. I also made sausage dressing, mashed potatoes, home made cranberry sauce, sauteed beans with artichokes and a very large, yummy pumpkin and ginger trifle. And the best of the whole meal? The Yorkshire puddings my husband made. He did a great job, they were the perfect puffiness and so yummy. If I hadn't already been overheating and red faced from the many braxton contractions from doing so much I would have beamed at him for doing such a good job!
I also made hearty breakfasts and many many appies and snacks. I clearly overdid it. Adam's brother asked if I was trying to kill him with food. Then he asked Adam, in hushed tones, if I was going to keep feeding them on Boxing day, but Adam assured him that I had tortured him with yummy food enough. But it was the first Christmas I hosted with my in laws here. I had to overdo it, 32 weeks pregnant or not! Although I might arrange to not be so pregnant next time!

28 Weeks

Third trimester! YAY! Which means I'm in the home stretch!
Anyhow I had my OB appointment today and everything is all good and good. The doctor is happy with how much weight I've gained, or haven't depending how you look at it. The baby's heart beat is good and thumpy, she's growing at a good rate and my blood pressure is still lower than what it was while I was trying to get pregnant. SO hooray!
Tomorrow I go and see the midwife, which should be interesting. I'm still going to have a home birth, and still excited. We told the doctor today and she was really supportive, which I was happy about. I really appreciate that she trusts my decision and didn't give me, or Adam any grief or try to scare us out of it.
Tonight we're putting up the Christmas tree and Adam is busy vacuuming up a cactus he knocked over. (it was the one that was growing the best too, it's like plants are doomed in this house!) We're using the same Charlie Brown tree as last year, and I should have pictures which I may post here, but will be on my Facebook.

For the man who has everything...

including a built in sweater.

The Mangroomer.

Christmas (wish) List, part one.

I'm going to make this part one, because I know there's more. So this isn't so much to say as I want all of these, but more, my wish list. The real reason for it? To help Adam. He needs help. And since I love him so, I will help him

1. The Ex, in chrome. I need a knife block, this is perfect.
2. An enamel dutch oven. I make soup at least once a week, and a sauce just as frequently and I have coveted a dutch oven for so long. Also I adore cooking with cast iron, it distributes heat so beautifully. I would prefer it to be in blue, but frankly I will take any colour.
3. A Kitchenaid mixer. They're so wonderful. I want blue, chrome or pink. They're so wonderful just looking at one makes me happy.
4. Denby tableware. It's the colour that our friends gave us for the wedding and I love it. Imperial blue. I love how they know me so well!

I think this will suffice for what I wish for in the kitchen, there is more, but these top my list, today.

Dear Santa, take two*

*Blogger and I had some issues.

My Dearest Santa,

Please find enclosed my wish list for 2006.

Santa, this year was very exciting! Apparently I got one of my wishes from last year, and yes he puts the toilet seat down, thank you! We were actually married twice this year, you know for extra luck. It was pointed out to us that 50% of marriages fail, so if we were married two times, with each wedding giving us a 50% chance of making it work, then we now have a 100% chance. But really Santa, we didn't need the 2nd one, because we knew we were all good anyhow.

So this year Santa, I have another list.

1. A Dutch oven set. I accidentally let the rice cook too long one night and it ruined my large pot, so I need a new one, and Dutch ovens are so lovely.

2. A digital camera. The one we have now is a little old and creaky, but it still works, kinda.

3. A laptop. It seems that Adam and I are always jockeying for the computer, so another one for me would be great!

4. More sweaters for Chachi, in size XS. Oh he is so cute in an argyle sweater!

5. Shoes. A girl can never have too many.

6. A baby. Well a pregnancy would be great, 'cause after all Santa, I've been really good this year. I make Adam's dinner every night, I make sure his laundry is almost always done, and well, puh-lease?

Well Santa, that is my list for this year. I am sure that there are more things, but I can add them later. I think Adam has a list too, but mostly just bring him gadgetey stuff, he loves it.

love,
Dea.

How To Fake it at Christmas