Awesome

Ten things that are awesome, by Melanee 

One
My child can't stay still for as many kisses as I have for her.

Two
My kid 'toddles' around with a sweet grin on her face, "Look at me go!"

Three
Her diaper crinkles when she's on the move.

Four
She crawls and scrapes and clambers into my lap so that she can land perfectly in her place, head rested on my shoulder, body limp against mine.

Five
My husband comes to kiss the back of my neck as a 'thank you' for making dinner while I get out the silverware.

Six
The wee-one smiling at her Daddy when he gets home.

Seven
My husband smiling because he was woken up at the butt-crack of dawn by a crazy haired whooping monkey (before we acquired this monkey he would have been the opposite of smiling).

Eight
The firm knowledge that my husband will never give me cause to leave him and I will do the same.

Nine
Baby cheeks.

Ten
I created a family!  My Uncle Joe told us that upon getting married we were now each other's family, a new unit to start new traditions and create how ever we wanted.  I had never thought of marriage in that way :)

The End.

Some Neat-O Sites

Lately I have come across, either by my own stumblings or because someone showed me, some pretty neat-o websites.  By neat-o I mostly mean entertaining or thoughtful.  Instead of keeping this entertainment to myself I am here to share it with you, hooray!

http://1000awesomethings.com/

Have you heard of this guy (gal?) who's blog is dedicated to awesomeness?  It's a kick and will make you reconsider tiny annoyances and trade them in for small wonderfulnesses.  #317 is how it is awesome when you can hear it snowing.  Totally.  #323 is the sound of a freshly cracked egg hitting a hot frying pan.  I'm in, it's a completely satisfying sound.  This blog is bringing happiness back to basics, can't argue with the value in that.

http://www.postsecret.com/
Ok, now this one is simultaneously pretty cool, sometimes sad and also awesome.  It's someone's art project where people anonymously send in postcards with their secret on them.  The site is just postcard after postcard of people's secrets.  Interesting.

http://100milediet.org/

Ever think of just supporting your local community's farmers?  This site will support you at just that!  The idea  is this: 

"The 100-Mile Diet is about learning by doing. Getting to know the seasons. Understanding where our food comes from, and at what risk to our health and to the environment. Sorting out how we all ended up eating apples that taste like cardboard and cakes made with petrochemicals."  

I pulled that from their site, and I love the intention here.  

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

I am in love with this chick.  I want to be as creative and hilarious as she is.  She writes little stories as a kid with kid-like drawings and they make my day.  I don't recall how I came across her, but when I did I was actually laughing out loud, tears running down my face, body heaving and barely able to breathe.  I am sure Big E thought I had lost my marbles.  My only complaint is she doesn't update as often as I'd like, she's like crack and I'm an addict.

http://theoatmeal.com/
The last one for today was stolen off my family's website (meaning my Uncle found it).  If you are sensitive to rough language, don't go there!  If you can stand it and enjoy some rough cynicism paired with silly comics as commentary on our world and cats....then go here an laugh your booty off.

Do you have websites that you are smitten with and itching to share with the world (or just me)?  Leave yours in the comment section!

The Tired Woman's Dinner

I am tired.  My kid was not.  This is an unfortunate combination.  So I did what every parent has been doing for centuries (ok, not centuries) and drove her around Roseville until she crashed.  It was the first time I have done such a thing and I felt like a cheater.  Then I got over it because my baby fell asleep.

I hadn't eaten dinner yet when we got home at nearly 10pm and, with dishes filling the sink, I was hardly in the mood to make anything elaborate.  So I whipped up an egg sandwich.  One pan, one plate.  All the while my baby is on the video monitor, so I can see her sleeping.

Here she is:

And I have this strange habit of tip-toeing around, simply because she is in my field of vision, sleeping, in another room with the door closed.  So I close the cupboard and wince, looking to see how much trouble I am in.  Of course, she's still sleeping because SHE'S IN THE OTHER ROOM AND CAN'T HEAR ME.  Duh.

So I grabbed and fired up some bacon,

Toasted a sandwich thin,

Fried up my egg,

Topped it with a slice of swiss and threw the whole thing together (oh, and I added a little Dijon mustard).

Presto-dinnero.  Now I'm going to do.....nothing.  Or perhaps take a bath (which I think qualifies as nothing). I'm going to leave you with a quote from a blogger mom I read often, the webpage I pulled it from is here.  It's about mommydom, and I think it's sweet.

"Being a mother is the hardest and most wonderful adventure I've taken in life. While I am lucky to have learned from my amazing mother, sisters, and friends about what it takes to be a mom, I owe it to my son and daughter for being my true teachers. They've taught me to forgive quickly, reminded me that learning is magical, and proved that taking time to sit, talk, and play with them one-on-one is much more important than having a perpetually clean house. They've also taught me to laugh at knock-knock jokes that make absolutely no sense, consent to breakfast food three times a day, and accept that a pack of gum purchased today will not be around tomorrow. And I'm okay with all of that because I can't imagine my life without them; without Isaac's inquisitive mind or Lucy's obsession with all things girly, without their good-night kisses and infectious smiles. I love that I am theirs and they are mine, forever."

Sunshine! Ahhhh.

Normally Big E works all the live long day on fridays.  Not anymore!  So we made the most of our day before he went to work in the afternoon.  Did I mention it was fabulous outside?  It totally was.  Like, unbelievable.  First task of the day, as it is everyday, was to handle the bed-head.

Then, some silliness

Next we went out to lunch!  Rosanna sat in her highchair nearly the whole time and ate all of her food.  Who is this child?  It was, dare I say it, nice.  Then we left, Ro perched on Big E's shoulders, cute!

But wait!  It's soooo nice outside!  So we headed over to the fountains and watched the water...

ran around a bit...

and watched the water some more.

I love my family

Siamese Caramels

Yesterday morning I awoke to find a strange thing had happened.  Sometime in the night Rosanna had become attached to me.  There was nothing to be done about it so we spent the day within an arms reach of each other.  I am certain that in 10 years (sooner?) I will long for the day when I can snuggle and tote my love around.  For today, let's just say I'm beat!

Nevertheless, I needed to attempt to make salted caramels for my commitment to make them for next weekend. I think I pulled it off!  First I mixed the water, light corn syrup and sugar to get their boil on:

(what the heck is with the sideways picture??)

Then, simmer the heavy cream, butter and salt.....

Next, wait....wait...wait...for the original mixture to turn "golden brown".  

Finally!  Then we join the two in holy matrimony, to be together until the end of time, to bubble and boil until they reach the magical temperature of 248 degrees.

Here is my Siamese twin, Rosanna.  Yeah, that's right, I can make caramels and be a child caddy all at the same time.  PRO.

Poor baby.  She was having quite the day.  She was definitely NOT sleepy in this picture.  She was chipper, excited and ready to take on the day!

Aaaannnddd, it's done:

Yes, it's yummy :)

Day 3: Purge-A-Thon

Here's today's find.  Four magazines and a book.  Not the most impressive pile of junk, but when I wait until the wee hours this is what happens.  Also, I can't figure out how to make this picture right side up.  Oh, well.

Day 2

My friend Erica is taking on throwing stuff out.  I'm going to take back up my commitment to minimalist living and join her.  Her tactic is 5 things for everyday in February.  I didn't put up pics of my purge from yesterday, so today you get a double dose.

Yesterday I found 2 sweater-type things, one that I have worn MAYBE once and the other I have never worn.  As in, not ever.  Can you guess how long I've kept this never-worn piece of clothing?  I don't have a specific number and it's at least a couple of BEFORE I moved out of mom's...which I did when I was 21...we're talking about 10 years here people.  And I still had reservations about tossing the thing - it's SICK!  Anyhow, here are yesterday's 5 things:

For today I rounded up some magazine-style cookbooks that I haven't opened in a few years, today's was a bit less difficult.  I can tell you that for each one I put in the box I had at least three reasons I might need it in the future.  You know, just in case.  

Ten "things" down, one hundred and thirty to go!