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Showing posts with label people i love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label people i love. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A notable night
I made this dip for Evan's party Saturday and a couple of people asked for the recipe. You'll love it or hate it. I love it. Libba introduced us to it last year when she brought it as an appetizer to a spur-of-the-moment "dinner party" at our house.
I remember the night well because it's the night Meg removed a Swaddle Me blanket from her child so I could wrap it around my own flailing, screaming one. My sanity was hanging on by a hair at that point, and the discovery of a swaddling blanket with Velcro helped save it.
That also is the night it clicked for Matt and me that dinner parties really are about the company and conversation; if those are high-quality, the food you serve hardly matters. That particular evening, if I recall correctly, we dined on leftovers from Meg and Drew's fridge. (Meg's a great cook, by the way, and even her leftovers are a treat.) In our harried state as sleep-deprived parents of a newborn and a 1-year-old, our small epiphany came as quite a relief. Because we were in no shape to try to impress anyone.
Back to the dip. I know I just said the food doesn't matter, but on the other hand, discovering a delicious new recipe is never a bad thing. I got Libba's recipe as soon as possible and have made this dip many times since. Here is our slightly modified version:
Mix together:
2 green apples, chopped (I leave the peel on because it's my favorite part of the apple)
1 4- or 5-ounce tub of crumbled blue cheese
4 heaping tablespoons of mayonnaise
Lemon juice to taste
Black pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
(Celery and pecans are optional. They were not in the version at Evan's party.)
Cover and let sit in the refrigerator a couple of hours, if possible, before serving; it's better when the flavors have meshed. I've tried this with many types of crackers, and they're all good.
I remember the night well because it's the night Meg removed a Swaddle Me blanket from her child so I could wrap it around my own flailing, screaming one. My sanity was hanging on by a hair at that point, and the discovery of a swaddling blanket with Velcro helped save it.
That also is the night it clicked for Matt and me that dinner parties really are about the company and conversation; if those are high-quality, the food you serve hardly matters. That particular evening, if I recall correctly, we dined on leftovers from Meg and Drew's fridge. (Meg's a great cook, by the way, and even her leftovers are a treat.) In our harried state as sleep-deprived parents of a newborn and a 1-year-old, our small epiphany came as quite a relief. Because we were in no shape to try to impress anyone.
Back to the dip. I know I just said the food doesn't matter, but on the other hand, discovering a delicious new recipe is never a bad thing. I got Libba's recipe as soon as possible and have made this dip many times since. Here is our slightly modified version:
Mix together:
2 green apples, chopped (I leave the peel on because it's my favorite part of the apple)
1 4- or 5-ounce tub of crumbled blue cheese
4 heaping tablespoons of mayonnaise
Lemon juice to taste
Black pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
(Celery and pecans are optional. They were not in the version at Evan's party.)
Cover and let sit in the refrigerator a couple of hours, if possible, before serving; it's better when the flavors have meshed. I've tried this with many types of crackers, and they're all good.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Oh, well
So much for November NaBloPoMo. Blogging didn't even cross my mind yesterday -- pretty surprising after 33 straight days of it. So much for "21 days to make a habit," etc. I never win participation prizes anyway, so no big deal.
We finally officially celebrated Caleb's birth with a small get-together last night. Evan and even Brooke and Johnathan's Anna Rae, 4 months, hardly looked like babies compared with him, while Claire and Riley might as well have been full-grown. At one point I peeked in on them curled up in a recliner in front of the TV, shooing away Evan, ignoring the adults and sharing a bag of chips, and I got a glimpse of what our life may look like in 10 or 15 years.
I also took a picture of our new house, slowly but surely taking shape next door.
We finally officially celebrated Caleb's birth with a small get-together last night. Evan and even Brooke and Johnathan's Anna Rae, 4 months, hardly looked like babies compared with him, while Claire and Riley might as well have been full-grown. At one point I peeked in on them curled up in a recliner in front of the TV, shooing away Evan, ignoring the adults and sharing a bag of chips, and I got a glimpse of what our life may look like in 10 or 15 years.
I also took a picture of our new house, slowly but surely taking shape next door.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
He's here!
Caleb Reece Kirby was born last night at 11:01. He was a super-healthy 6 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long, even at four weeks before his official due date. We're planning to meet him in just an hour or so! Congratulations, Kirbys!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
No more bed rest!
I was right to do all that editing last night! Our newest nephew should be born by the time most of you read this! When you read this please say a prayer for Carrie and Jacob and the new baby (and Riley, while you're at it). Little guy, we can't wait to meet you!
That's all for tonight. I am ready for some sleep.
However! Jacob and Carrie, if you happen to be reading this in between contractions -- which I know you're not, but just in case -- you better call us when he's here no matter what time it is!
That's all for tonight. I am ready for some sleep.
However! Jacob and Carrie, if you happen to be reading this in between contractions -- which I know you're not, but just in case -- you better call us when he's here no matter what time it is!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
People I love
We had a fantastic time with our college friends last night. I have got to figure out a way to refer to this group. Years ago they were simply "Matt's guys," but now all of those guys have wives who have become dear friends as well, not to mention 13 kids (and counting) among the bunch of us. "Matt's guys" doesn't cover it anymore.
We started off outside in the afternoon and the weather was so perfect that we never moved inside, just popped in as needed for food and drinks and bathroom breaks. The fenced-in portion of our back yard was perfect for the group; we spread out blankets for the smaller kids and let the big kids run themselves ragged, while the adults talked over and around them.
You know I love it when friends don't rush off, and this group never does; we talked and the kids played until the sky was full of stars and kids were crashing left and right and we had to call it a night.
I am so thankful for lifetime friends like these. I love you all!
We started off outside in the afternoon and the weather was so perfect that we never moved inside, just popped in as needed for food and drinks and bathroom breaks. The fenced-in portion of our back yard was perfect for the group; we spread out blankets for the smaller kids and let the big kids run themselves ragged, while the adults talked over and around them.
You know I love it when friends don't rush off, and this group never does; we talked and the kids played until the sky was full of stars and kids were crashing left and right and we had to call it a night.
I am so thankful for lifetime friends like these. I love you all!
Friday, October 14, 2011
TGIF
The college crew is coming to town tomorrow! Can't wait. A nice bonus: a clean house. I feel like I'm cleaning all the time but it's rare that everything is clean at once. Right now, it is.
Half the people who are coming tomorrow will read this in two or three days and think, "Clean?" Because it won't be by the time they get here. Fortunately, they're all in the same boat (with young kids), so they get it, and anyway, they're not judgey. But at this moment everything is unsticky and uncluttered and the air is full of fragrant chemicals. Aaah.
A few days ago I mentioned that one downside of living in an older house is that you're living with "layers of other people's filth." But I actually think that can be an advantage if you're only moderately concerned about immaculate housekeeping, as I am. In a new home, all scratches in the wood floors,stains in the carpet and stubborn patches of mildewed shower-tile grout are definitely your fault. That's a lot of responsibility and a lot of potential for guilt.
Half the people who are coming tomorrow will read this in two or three days and think, "Clean?" Because it won't be by the time they get here. Fortunately, they're all in the same boat (with young kids), so they get it, and anyway, they're not judgey. But at this moment everything is unsticky and uncluttered and the air is full of fragrant chemicals. Aaah.
A few days ago I mentioned that one downside of living in an older house is that you're living with "layers of other people's filth." But I actually think that can be an advantage if you're only moderately concerned about immaculate housekeeping, as I am. In a new home, all scratches in the wood floors,stains in the carpet and stubborn patches of mildewed shower-tile grout are definitely your fault. That's a lot of responsibility and a lot of potential for guilt.
In a previously occupied home, you can always choose to believe someone else caused every imperfection. And the cleanliness standard is lower. All the scrubbing in the world isn't going to make this house sparkle, so I don't have to break my back trying. There's something to be said for that.
P.S. Fridays have been extra-special lately because we've been spending them with Riley! Check out these cuties.
P.S. Fridays have been extra-special lately because we've been spending them with Riley! Check out these cuties.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Photolicious
No dead chickens, no Santa blasphemy, just a dose of adorableness.
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| Relax, the toilet had nothing to do with her blue mouth (Laffy Taffy did). |
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| Cleaning. How long will she think this is fun? |
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| She got into my blush ... |
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| ... and, another day, my mascara. |
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
It's a new post!
The weeks continue to fly by without new blog posts here. Back when I had so much free time that I read not only friends' blogs but random strangers' blogs, I used to hate seeing the same old post at the top of those blogs day after day. (Google Reader solved that first-world frustration for me several years ago.) Once again, I'm sorry for being THAT blogger. While I was gone:
Granny had a knee replaced. She's still in the midst of painful first-week therapy, and it's no fun living in a rehab center for that, but she's a champ. With luck, she'll be home in a few days, and her doctor predicts she'll be back for the second knee in four or five months. The current one is a hot topic in Claire's prayers lately. We love you, Granny! And major props to Mom, by the way, who rises to occasions like this to selflessly display her unmatched caregiving skills.
Our house is being framed! Or, maybe that will start tomorrow, actually. Anyway, progress is being made. I spent some time this morning searching for a stained glass window to use instead of glass blocks in the master bathroom. Unfortunately, most of the old ones are small, most of the new ones are ugly, and most of the beautiful large old ones are, like, five times our budget. And we're trying really hard to be cost-conscious on this house. Something about building a house makes it seem like $12,000 is pretty much the same as $15,000, which I guess on a large scale and in a 30-year mortgage it kind of almost is, but I keep reminding myself that that $3,000 difference is real money.
Speaking of stained glass, remember these windows, from Matt's dad? They'll be prominently displayed in our new house -- one in the powder room, and one at the stair landing. I still love love love them and can't wait to see them every day.
The kids are both still loving school. Claire learned a new favorite song, "There's No One Like Me," which she unfortunately and hilariously belted out as "No One Likes Me" for a few days. Evan's rocking the schoolhouse too. One of the teachers told Matt that one of Evan's teachers told her (did you follow that?), "If Evan ever goes missing, don't come looking for him at my house." He's pretty irresistable, if I do say so myself.
We have never used a night light for Claire, but it occurred to us that she'll need one to see her way to the bathroom when she moves from her crib to a bed in the new house. Right now she's still sleeping in a diaper at night, even though she's been potty-trained for a few months, because I have no desire to be summoned for a bathroom break in the middle of the night if she wakes up and needs to go.
Anyway, so last night was Night 1 with a night light. FAIL. She woke up at 3:30 a.m., which absolutely never happens. I went to check out the situation and the night light was way too bright. She thought it was morning. I turned off the night light, pulled back the curtains to show pitch-blackness and held her for a minute, and then we all slept until we were rushed to make it to school on time.
I've been using some of my freed-up mornings to write for Demand Studios and I won't say I love it, but there are definitely some perks. The most notable benefit is that there's unlimited work to be done if you're inclined to do it.
It's not stimulating writing, and it's not work you'll ever include on your resume or showcase in your portfolio, but it's pretty easy money if you are smart about the articles you pick. "Adverse Effects of Potato Chips," yes. "Benefits of Saturated Fats," no. You don't have to be a stellar writer, just able to write coherently and accurately, so check it out if you'd like to earn some extra cash. And no, I did not get paid for that plug. Too bad.
Granny had a knee replaced. She's still in the midst of painful first-week therapy, and it's no fun living in a rehab center for that, but she's a champ. With luck, she'll be home in a few days, and her doctor predicts she'll be back for the second knee in four or five months. The current one is a hot topic in Claire's prayers lately. We love you, Granny! And major props to Mom, by the way, who rises to occasions like this to selflessly display her unmatched caregiving skills.
Our house is being framed! Or, maybe that will start tomorrow, actually. Anyway, progress is being made. I spent some time this morning searching for a stained glass window to use instead of glass blocks in the master bathroom. Unfortunately, most of the old ones are small, most of the new ones are ugly, and most of the beautiful large old ones are, like, five times our budget. And we're trying really hard to be cost-conscious on this house. Something about building a house makes it seem like $12,000 is pretty much the same as $15,000, which I guess on a large scale and in a 30-year mortgage it kind of almost is, but I keep reminding myself that that $3,000 difference is real money.
Speaking of stained glass, remember these windows, from Matt's dad? They'll be prominently displayed in our new house -- one in the powder room, and one at the stair landing. I still love love love them and can't wait to see them every day.
The kids are both still loving school. Claire learned a new favorite song, "There's No One Like Me," which she unfortunately and hilariously belted out as "No One Likes Me" for a few days. Evan's rocking the schoolhouse too. One of the teachers told Matt that one of Evan's teachers told her (did you follow that?), "If Evan ever goes missing, don't come looking for him at my house." He's pretty irresistable, if I do say so myself.
We have never used a night light for Claire, but it occurred to us that she'll need one to see her way to the bathroom when she moves from her crib to a bed in the new house. Right now she's still sleeping in a diaper at night, even though she's been potty-trained for a few months, because I have no desire to be summoned for a bathroom break in the middle of the night if she wakes up and needs to go.
Anyway, so last night was Night 1 with a night light. FAIL. She woke up at 3:30 a.m., which absolutely never happens. I went to check out the situation and the night light was way too bright. She thought it was morning. I turned off the night light, pulled back the curtains to show pitch-blackness and held her for a minute, and then we all slept until we were rushed to make it to school on time.
I've been using some of my freed-up mornings to write for Demand Studios and I won't say I love it, but there are definitely some perks. The most notable benefit is that there's unlimited work to be done if you're inclined to do it.
It's not stimulating writing, and it's not work you'll ever include on your resume or showcase in your portfolio, but it's pretty easy money if you are smart about the articles you pick. "Adverse Effects of Potato Chips," yes. "Benefits of Saturated Fats," no. You don't have to be a stellar writer, just able to write coherently and accurately, so check it out if you'd like to earn some extra cash. And no, I did not get paid for that plug. Too bad.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Found
I just went through about 200 pictures, going back to about when Evan was born, from my phone's camera. They are not high-quality, because my phone and its camera are cheap, but that didn't make them any less fun to discover. Remember having forgotten rolls of film developed? I used to love that -- the anticipation and the surprise. Here's a sampling of what was on my phone.  |
| Breastfeeding a baby doll. She spent a lot of time doing this right after Evan was born, and I never stopped thinking it was funny. |
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| Back in the days of running with the double stroller. |
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| Post-run: Asleep and windblown. |
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| This is one of the first times Claire's climbing got her into trouble, and I am not proud that I was taking a picture instead of running to save her, but I didn't realize the stroller was about to flip. This is the instant before it happened. Note that the front tire is off the ground. (She wasn't hurt -- the handlebar broke her fall.) |
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| Amanda after completing the Shamrock 'n' Roll 5k! |
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| The once-ubiquitous "Beat Duke" pin. |
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| The Strength in Numbers Convention at Sallie's while the guys were on their annual golf trip at the beach last spring. |
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| Gracie and Claire. |
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| Evan and Lily. |
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| Amy's birthday party at Eye Candy Gallery that same weekend. |
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| Claire's first time eating fried chicken on the bone. She loved it. |
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| Illicit fun with my makeup. |
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| A rare nap in the car -- on the way home from the beach. |
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