Today's Brunch

Today, I had a girl from my MOPS group over, along with her 4 children. The children had a blast playing on the swing set and with Elon's toys. It was nice to see someone putting those toys to good use! The mom and I sat on the couch with her two month old sipping coffee and chatting about children, God, and marriage. I served a simple menu of sausage and egg strata, grapefruit, muffins, and an assortment of cookies and doughnuts. It was nice for both Elon and I to have the company. For a first time visit, I think it went pretty well and hopefully we'll have more visits in the future :)

Stretching Myself...

Yesterday, I went out on a limb, called a girl I barely know, and invited her and her 4 children over for brunch on Monday. The 4 children thing scares me-- not because I don't like kids, but because I'm afraid they'll be bored with nothing but toddler toys to play with! Well, hopefully they'll like the swing set. Meanwhile, this girl sounds like she could really use a friend. And you know what they say, a friend in need is a friend indeed!

My Rant On Chips Ahoy Cookies...

Ok, procrastinator that I am, I stayed up until 12:30am the night before the cookie exchange making my jam thumbprints. Next morning, I put on a cute dress and leggings and get Elon looking his cutest. Even though he and I are getting over colds, I brave the rain thinking to myself, "It will be so nice to have a variety of cookies for my Christmas party without having to be responsible for baking them." I get to the party, Elon starts to play and I set out my cookies-- excitedly looking over the selection... you can probably see where this is heading.



I wonder to myself, "Did someone actually bring Chips Ahoy Cookies to exchange for homemade ones?" I'll admit, I was a little disappointed. One lady said she made the simplest fudge she could, something you microwave in a container and mix with nuts. Speaking of her sugar coated won ton noodles, a lady happily confessed that her husband had made them, and another brazenly took off the packages of her Chips Ahoy to spread amongst us.



Honestly, I know that they are busy moms. And simple recipes really don't bother me, nor do helpful husbands, or the fact that I actually ate the Chips Ahoy cookies first. What does bother me is that sometimes it seems like I'm one of the few who is actually trying to put out an effort in what I deem "womanly pursuits." Like dressing a little more special for a MOPS party, or trying to make the tastiest cookies that I can. Does that make any sense? I realize that I'm from the South where things are done a little differently and I am often overdressed. I realize too that these women excel in many other womanly areas-- such as mothering, charity work, giving, and that they are kind Christian women. I like and respect the Chips Ahoy lady, but when she pulled out those cookies that she had put absolutely no effort in, it really felt like she didn't respect me-- or the couple of other women that made handmade cookies.


Maybe it's just pregnancy hormones, but that just really struck a nerve.

If you are a party-going, sweat-pants wearin', ponytail bearin' mom, please don't be offended. I realize not everyone likes to dress up and wear makeup and that's ok-- just don't ever bring Chips Ahoy to a cookie exchange at my house ;p

Road Trip!

This weekend, Nathan, Elon and I took my brother, Matt, on a road trip to see Grand Canyon West, Las Vegas, and Hoover Dam. We had so much fun and the views of the canyon were STUNNING. I could just imagine what the discoverers of the Grand Canyon must have felt like coming upon it for the first time. What an awesome Creator we have! Sadly, Matt left this morning. I am sure Elon and I will be having withdrawals by this time tomorrow :0(

The new bridge they are building at Hoover Dam... it's a long way down from there!

Angel Over Hoover Dam

All the bright lights made my camera go cuckoo. Suffice it to say that even CVS sported blingage. The only one that turned out is this of the beautiful Venetian.

Are we there yet?

Yes! Finally, we arrive at the Grand Canyon!

Matt, standing a little too close to the edge for my comfort.

This is as close to the edge as I'm getting!

An obsolete Guano mining facility.

The Grand Canyon West is owned by the Hualapai Indians.

Elon enjoyed exploring the Indian village.

We enjoyed majestic views of the Colorado River.

The only way Elon could see the canyon was atop Nathan's shoulders. There were dropoffs EVERYWHERE and a view not marred by guardrails!

The amazing Eagle Mountain spreads it's wings.

We were surprised that we had to pay for a mandatory tour, parking, and even a $9 fee! It was $120 for us three to walk around the Grand Canyon and an additional $11 per person for food and water since no outside beverages of snacks could be brought in. I will have to say though, that Grand Canyon West was beautiful and worth every penny!

Pregnancy Update:

I went in for an ultrasound on Thursday. While I still have that pesky blood clot, and it appears to have gotten larger, the baby was growing fine and was measuring at 13 weeks. Yay, I'm one week closer to holding that precious bundle than I thought! Then I watched as the baby jumped, throwing his/her hands in the air! It was amazingly clear-- I could see the baby's head, body, arms and legs, even fingers! And the sonographer said she thought she saw a little something extra sticking out as well! Looks like Elon may have a partner in crime-- keep me in your prayers-- I'm going to need all the energy I can muster to keep up with TWO boys! However, the sonographer did tell me not to go out and purchase all blue-- yet! If you think about it, please pray that God would cause this clot to absorb so I can resume normal life and not have to worry!

Change of Plans...

Well, it looks like I won't be responsible for Thanksgiving Dinner after all. My sils are out of town and my in-laws aren't coming, so that just leaves us 3.5. Fortunately, we were invited to Kathryn's house for dinner!

Yay! Katheryn has lots of kids for Elon to play with and that makes me happy. I feel a little guilty that Elon never has the excitement of enjoying the holidays with other children. It's usually just him tagging along with a bunch of boring adults :0( When I was a child, I loved the holidays just because I got to be with all my cousins and we had a rip-roarin' time-- such memories! I don't want him to miss out on that-- and this year, he won't! Thanks Katheryn!

Keep It Moving...

My brother is flying in from NC to see me tomorrow so I am busy with preparations: getting the house squeeky clean, preparing a weekly menu and buying the necessary items, changing bed linens, even doing some yard work. I guess this wasn't the best time to begin organizing 4 closets, cleaning out the garage, changing out our summer clothing for winter, and determing what maternity clothes I'll be needing in the upcoming months...

I am one of those people who's all or nothing. Either it's the whole house is spotless, or it looks like a train wreck! I always start these enormous projects and run out of energy half way through... luckily, I have the impetus of Matt coming to keep me moving!

Isn't this just the quaintest little domestic collage!

It's Happened...

...I am officially a grown-up. It looks like I may be in charge of Thanksgiving Dinner. Yes, THE Thanksgiving Dinner in which I and my family, plus my in-laws and their kids will be partaking of... this could be scary. I haven't really ever cooked for that many people {around 13}. Oh, and did I mention that I've never cooked a turkey! So I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to cook and how much of each thing I'll need, when I really should be putting away all the summer clothes I drug out and have scattered throughout the house! Procrastinating is such fun!

Anyway, I'd LOVE to hear what your family normally has for Thanksgiving Dinner and if you put any interesting spins on the entrees. Leave a comment in the box!

On A Mission...

This morning the quest to make new friends is taking Elon and I to a local MOPS group. Hope to have lots of fun-- have you ever tried MOPS? If you haven't, now is a great time to start.

Puerto Rican Cuisine

Today is a busy day. I am preparing the house for a visit from Nathan's grandparents. It's their first time coming over and I want everything to be in tip-top shape. That also means redecorating! Besides that, I am cooking a Puerto Rican meal for them-- or at least trying to. Evidentally, there are no PR's in Arizona because it is so hard to find the proper ingredients! So I'm having to make do and make a lot of things, such as the seasonings, from scratch-- a very time consuming process. Oh well, it will be worth it if it turns out good. If it doesn't, I'll be cryin'!

Our Menu:

Arroz con Frijoles {Traditional yellow rice with pinto beans-- b/c I can't find gandules, capers, olives, peppers, sofrito}
Roast Chicken, Seasoned with some typical PR seasonings
Tostones {twice-fried plantains}
Boiled Plantains, Potatoes, and Sweet Potatoes served with EVOO
Guacamole and Chips

Desert:
Chocolate mini-cups filled with pudding, whipped cream, and strawberries and blackberries
Decaf Coffee

The meal is really heavy, but this is my favorite traditional PR food so I wanted to make it for them despite the heat. My mom knows how to make all kinds of wonderful PR fish dishes but I don't know how, and besides, I don't eat seafood. How can anyone eat something that SMELLS dead! Hopefully the light dessert will make the meal a little less overwhelming.

Don't Ya Just Love Dining With Friends?

Yesterday Nathan, Elon and I visited Marie and John for dinner. We had so much fun eating, talking, and decorating! And the food was delish!

John has a great recipe for strawberry lemonade served in frosted flutes.


What a presentation, Marie... you just may have outdone John!
Look at those gorgeous trifles... recipe please!

Helping Marie decorate made me conscious of the lack of a decorator's touch in my own home, so today I spent most of the day rearranging furniture and accessories; dressers, bookshelves, and sofas all moved by Moi! Guns, baby, guns! {For all of you folk's who don't speak ghetto, translation: "muscles, baby, muscles!"

Tomorrow's post:

Pictures of the finished small bookshelf...
Last week's yard sale finds...
This week's yard sale finds... I got some goodies, and only wasted about $25 in gas :( Still, the thrill of the hunt is worth the gas! Thanks for coming with me, Marie. It's much better when you have a friend along to enjoy the excitement of a good find :}

Mother's Luncheon Menu

As promised, here is a list of what was served at yesterday's gathering.

Starters: Deviled Eggs, Barbecued Meatballs, Relish Tray (Olives, strawberries, mango slices and mango, olive, cheese stacked toothpicks) served with Ritz Crackers

Main Course: Mimis Corn Chowder, Tiny Chicken Salad Sandwiches or Tuna Salad with Crackers

Dessert: Grandma's Homemade Pound Cake (Recipe found at Allrecipes.com) Garnished with Homemade Whipped Cream and Sliced Strawberries

Beverages: Hazelnut Coffee, Sparkling Lemonade

Everyone enjoyed the menu which I feel featured predominately "feminine" fare. (Baby Elon really didn't mind this at all!) I chose soup and chicken salad sandwiches because I wanted to add a vintage feel to the lunch. How many times have I read in my Grace Livingston Hill books that the heroine dined on "tiny chicken salad sandwiches and the most delectable soup"!

If you've never been to Mimis, you are missing the best corn chowder I have ever had. The restaurant itself contributes a cozy, charming atmosphere and as an added bonus, all first-time visitors get a free sampling of 4 muffins. These muffins are huge and are baked fresh daily... and delicious. It's almost like eating soup and muffins at Granny's house!

For any who would like to try this simple and inexpensive soup, you can download the recipe from Mimi's website. Here is a link:
http://www.mimiscafe.com/recipes.aspx

By the way, I substituted the half and half for one cup of heavy cream and 3 cups of milk, simply because this is what I had on hand.

Mother's Day Luncheon

Here I am with my sister-in-law and grandmother-in-law. Ignore the vintage apron, I had it on all helter-skelter.
This pot of geraniums was a Mother's Day Gift from my in-laws. Aren't they sweet!



Elon was so cute in his
'spenders!












The lady beside me is my mother-in-law. Doesn't she look pretty?











The luncheon was a great success. We traded childhood (baby) stories about our brothers and sisters and children. Well, I have to go now. Nathan is ready to get his coffee at Starbucks. He gets really grumpy if he doesn't have it! Later on I will post the menu along with a really great recipe from MiMi's Cafe!

Southern Hospitality

Yesterday, my in-laws came dropped by and we decided to have some lunch. We had leftover homemade chicken noodle soup and homemade onion bread from the night before. To finish it off, I served little premade snack cakes such as swiss rolls and chocolate donuts along with hazelnut coffee. I was so happy that they came so that I didn't have to throw out all of that chicken noodle soup! This was such an inexpensive lunch and they loved it! Whenever guests come over, I always try to serve them at least something. Maybe this is just because of my Southern upbringing, but I think refreshments just make things more fun and inviting . As you can see from above, something really simple can be just perfect.

Mother's Day Luncheon

Today I am getting ready for the Mother's Day luncheon that I will be having tomorrow. I want to make it sort of vintage style so I kept the colors white, sage, and antique pink. I made little party favors out of small handled boxes of the same colors and placed inside of each one tissue paper with a bar of old-fashioned scented soap inside. These I'll also use for place settings. I'm also planning on giving each guest a small plant placed inside a white ceramic pot. I think we're going to have a lot of fun!