In honor of Valentine's Day, I give you my favorite dessert recipe. Enjoy!
RED VELVET CAKE
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
½ cup milk
1 bottle (1 oz.) Red food coloring
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Heat oven to 350. Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix sour cream, milk, food coloring and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed just until blended. Spoon batter into cake pan or muffin cups. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting!
VANILLA CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 box (16 oz.) confectioners’ sugar
Beat softened cream cheese, softened butter, sour cream and vanilla extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar on medium speed until smooth.
TIP!! If you like pecans, you can stir some chopped ones into your frosting once it's made and then spread it on the cake, OR sprinkle them on top of the cake once it's frosted. YUM!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
32
I turn 32 today.
This many
I thought I'd do a little list. 32 Things on my 32nd. Here goes nothing.
1. This is an anti-climactic age.
2. On the eve of my 30th birthday, I had a small identity crisis. I called my friend Eileen and asked her if I was supposed to feel older and wiser. She said no. That made me feel better.
3. CVS just called to refill my prescription. How very nice of them.
4. I'm having lunch today with Auntie M and Loretta.
5. Dean's pretty jazzed about it.
6. Marcus, Dean and I had dinner at Cajun Steamers last night, courtesy of my parents.
7. Dean had his first kid's meal.
8. Dean likes Cajun fries.
9. I wore flip-flops. In February.
10. My favorite color is purple. Did you know? Now you do.
11. I bought my first pair of Clark's shoes this year.
12. They are the greatest pair of shoes I have ever owned. Also the most expensive.
13. I think it's cool when my birthday falls on Friday the 13th.
14. I kind of hate Valentine's day.
15. I especially hate it when people wrap my birthday gifts in Valentine gift wrap.
16. Dean keeps finding my cell phone and programming new numbers into it. This is annoying.
17. The plumber we hired to fix our leaky pipe was great. We will not have to sell anything on eBay to pay the bill.
18. Home ownership kinda sucks sometimes. (see above comment about leaky pipe)
19. Dean peed on me twice this morning. Happy birthday, mommy. ;)
20. My perfect "Fat Breakfast" would be Dunkin' Donuts Hazelnut coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts and hashbrowns from McDonald's, with a soy latte from Starbuck's for dessert.
21. I could eat pasta every single day. So could my son.
22. I don't remember going from the OR to the recovery room after my c-section. This kind of bothers me.
23. In college, we once had a 4-way joint birthday party for a bunch of us who were born between Feb. 10-13.
24. My family's new favorite word is "boon." (balloon)
25. My class brought in their assignment for next Thursday yesterday. Everyone did. So we did those presentations. Better early than late, huh?
26. I really hope Marcus gets me York Peppermint Patties for Valentine's Day. I enjoy them chilled.
27. I always cry when filling out holiday cards to Dean. Last year when he was a wee little tot, Marcus and I had to try 5 times before we could read him his Valentine. I'm sure his 6 week old self really cared about having it read aloud, but it was important to us.
28. I have never used a lawnmower. I have no intention of starting any time soon. (Marcus is getting ready to mow our yard.)
29. My secret dream is to receive an entire bag of trial-sized items for my birthday or Christmas.
30. I once had a pet crab named Charlie. I fed him bologna. He died.
31. Dean calls me "Nah Nah." I love it.
32. Wanna know what Marcus gave me for my birthday? I'M MOVING MY BLOG TO TYPEPAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to do the online tutorial and get everything set up, but within two weeks, you will be able to visit me at my new and improved site.
Now go have a cupcake and think of me. :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy, happy birthday, Deano
I totally had a waffle with a candle in it this morning!
I have literally written this post a million times in my head and in "draft" form. I've read my favorite bloggers' archives to see how they put into mere words what they were feeling on their babies' first birthdays. I could say a million mushy things, but I won't. I will say that on this day last year, a little boy entered my life and my heart has been his ever since. With each passing day and each milestone, each smile and giggle, each new discovery, each goodnight hug, I love him more and more. When you're falling in love with someone, the rest of the world seems to fall away. I remember when Marcus and I were first together, we'd talk for hours about nothing in particular. Neither of us could tell you what any of those conversations were actually about, but they were some of the most important times in our relationship because they helped us learn about each other and about how we would function together. There have been times this year when the rest of the universe has seemed to fade away, leaving just our little family of three, or some days, just Dean and me. Watching the world through his eyes has been amazing.
Words are starting to fail me and Dean REALLY wants me to read his birthday book to him (again), so I leave you with my very first video montage. I was going to set it to a sappy song, but then decided to use one of Dean's favorite dancing songs, "I'm On My Way" by the Proclaimers from the Shrek 2 Soundtrack. (I think he likes it when they say "uh, huh.")
Happy first birthday, Deano. I love you to pieces.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Things I have learned in the past 12 hours
On the eve of Dean's first birthday party, I've received an education from the great teacher Experience. Here are my findings:
1. There is absolutely no way to clean your house for a party the day before said party is to occur. That is, unless you send everyone currently living in your home to a hotel. Seeing as the money tree will not allow that at this time, all cleaning of the kitchen and living areas will be left until in the morning. Because Lord knows we'll be up early enough. (SLEEP, DEAN, SLEEP!)
Side note: Other moms, have you heard the tale that just before they really start walking, babies start waking up every few hours? Dean is "cruising" all over, but not walking independently yet, but he IS waking up about every four hours. Just curious if anyone else has experienced that.
2. If your husband comes to you late on the eve of the party when you've decided "What the heck? I'll start cleaning the kitchen tonight!" and tells you he's going to make beignets
for breakfast (for the first time ever, mind you), glare at him until he talks himself out of it and leaves the room.
3. The people at Wilton have obviously never actually baked a cake in one of their own pans. They give you very dramatic instructions like "ONLY coat the pan with shortening, then dust with flour! DO NOT use butter, margarine or oil!!! NEEVVVEEERRRRRRR!" Then in little, tiny 3 point font, they write "Non-stick cooking spray may be substituted for flour and shortening." Gr. Also, they think that a half-round cake pan that is approximately 6 inches deep will bake a cake in one hour. They are obviously ON CRACK. My cake? Took 1 hour 52 minutes. That time may have been shortened had I not had to pause for a few minutes to clean the burned cake globs out of the bottom of my oven when THE PAN OVERFLOWED! They tell you to put waaaaaaaaaay too much batter in there, y'all. I trimmed enough off of that cake to feed everyone coming to this party tomorrow.
4. No matter how many times they visit, I always feel the need to "show off" my house to my parents. Look! A sparkly clean bathroom! Look! Freshly vacuumed floors! Look! All the labels in the fridge are pointing out! (Ok, maybe not that last one) I think deep down I know that they are really just coming to play with Dean, but I still don't want them to think my house isn't up to par.
5. Dean does not nap well with other people in the house. Because he might miss something. He also likes salsa.
In the next few days, I hope to post party pictures, including the insane monkey cake I baked and decorated. Unless the finishing touches don't work out and it turns out to be butt-ugly, in which case I'm throwing it in the leaf pile, burning it and going to Publix for a sheet cake.
1. There is absolutely no way to clean your house for a party the day before said party is to occur. That is, unless you send everyone currently living in your home to a hotel. Seeing as the money tree will not allow that at this time, all cleaning of the kitchen and living areas will be left until in the morning. Because Lord knows we'll be up early enough. (SLEEP, DEAN, SLEEP!)
Side note: Other moms, have you heard the tale that just before they really start walking, babies start waking up every few hours? Dean is "cruising" all over, but not walking independently yet, but he IS waking up about every four hours. Just curious if anyone else has experienced that.
2. If your husband comes to you late on the eve of the party when you've decided "What the heck? I'll start cleaning the kitchen tonight!" and tells you he's going to make beignets
for breakfast (for the first time ever, mind you), glare at him until he talks himself out of it and leaves the room.
3. The people at Wilton have obviously never actually baked a cake in one of their own pans. They give you very dramatic instructions like "ONLY coat the pan with shortening, then dust with flour! DO NOT use butter, margarine or oil!!! NEEVVVEEERRRRRRR!" Then in little, tiny 3 point font, they write "Non-stick cooking spray may be substituted for flour and shortening." Gr. Also, they think that a half-round cake pan that is approximately 6 inches deep will bake a cake in one hour. They are obviously ON CRACK. My cake? Took 1 hour 52 minutes. That time may have been shortened had I not had to pause for a few minutes to clean the burned cake globs out of the bottom of my oven when THE PAN OVERFLOWED! They tell you to put waaaaaaaaaay too much batter in there, y'all. I trimmed enough off of that cake to feed everyone coming to this party tomorrow.
4. No matter how many times they visit, I always feel the need to "show off" my house to my parents. Look! A sparkly clean bathroom! Look! Freshly vacuumed floors! Look! All the labels in the fridge are pointing out! (Ok, maybe not that last one) I think deep down I know that they are really just coming to play with Dean, but I still don't want them to think my house isn't up to par.
5. Dean does not nap well with other people in the house. Because he might miss something. He also likes salsa.
In the next few days, I hope to post party pictures, including the insane monkey cake I baked and decorated. Unless the finishing touches don't work out and it turns out to be butt-ugly, in which case I'm throwing it in the leaf pile, burning it and going to Publix for a sheet cake.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Let's wrap it up!
Jen over at She Likes Purple did this fun year-end wrap up, so I thought I'd follow suit. But first, go here and look at how swollen my feet were this time last year. YUK!
Hope everyone has a fun New Year's eve and a wonderful 2009. 2008 has certainly been a year like no other!
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
And if I had the chance I'd never let you go
Oh, since the day I saw you
I have been waiting for you
You know I will adore you til eternity
So won't you please (be my, be my) be my little baby
:)
Happy New Year, everyone!
Hope everyone has a fun New Year's eve and a wonderful 2009. 2008 has certainly been a year like no other!
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth! Via major abdominal surgery! Two-in-one...whaddya know?
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember making any last year. This year, I am hoping to settle into myself a little more and figure out the fine balance of motherhood and work.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
That would be me.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. We were doing good to get out of the house to go to the grocery store and work!
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Emotional stability would be nice! (Fie on you, pregnancy and post-partum hormones!) No, seriously, I'd love a little more time to myself. That is something that was very lacking this year. (see previous note about emotional stability...)
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 5: Dean's birthday!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving the first year of parenthood AND buying our first home!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Gaining more weight before I'd lost all the baby weight. Oy vey.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Pre-eclampsia, diagnosed with PKD, and an evil case of whiplash in July.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our house!!!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband's. He is such a wonderful father and has taken excellent care of Dean and me this year.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
There was some funky stuff going on at work this summer, which made for rough times. I won't go into specifics.
14. Where did most of your money go?
GAS and baby formula/food
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving to Alabama
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"You Are My Sunshine." It's one of Dean's bedtime songs.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:?
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
Happier; SOOOOOO much thinner, about the same
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Said goodbye in person to more friends in NYC
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
cry
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Visited both families
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with my son.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
LOST
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, there's no time for any of that.
24. What was the best book you read?
Haaaaaaaaaa...does "What to Expect" count?
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
A classic Sesame Street video of Grover singing with Madeline Kahn. Dean LOVES it and it always calms him.
26. What did you want and get?
A baby, a house, a new job for my husband
27. What did you want and not get?
My size 6 body back ;) (Not happenin' kids!)
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
HAAAA! You don't even want to know the last time I went to a movie! We keep saying we're going to go, but we never do.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31. Kitty watched Dean so Marcus and I could go out to dinner.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery!
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
"Today I"m going to stop wearing maternity clothes. Ok, maybe tomorrow." Then the Overhaul of October where I bought a whole new wardrobe.
32. What kept you sane?
Marcus, my family, my blog and my "Blog friends"
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Drew Sarich. sigh
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.
35. Who did you miss?
My New York friends.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Dean! I've also really enjoyed getting to know my Aunt Maxine and cousin Heather better since we moved closer to them.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Priorities become very obvious when you have a child. The little things tend to fall out of the picture so that big things, like playing with baby, feeding baby, staring at baby while he sleeps, can move to the front of the line. That said, you still have to make time for yourself every once in a while or you will go insane. A shower should be a daily occurrance, not a luxury.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
And if I had the chance I'd never let you go
Oh, since the day I saw you
I have been waiting for you
You know I will adore you til eternity
So won't you please (be my, be my) be my little baby
:)
Happy New Year, everyone!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Just so ya know...
The Christmas decorations are staying up until January 6th. My friend Meredith helped me justify that decision by reminding me that January 6th is the last day of Epiphany, and therefore, the last official day of the holiday season. The real reason is that I want my mom and dad to see my tree and other decorations when they come for Dean's birthday party this weekend. And since we were gone for two weeks to celebrate with our families, I want to enjoy our decorations for a while longer. So there ya go. If you are among the guests for this weekend's festivities, prepare yourself for a little more Christmas.
In other news, Dean is slowly but surely getting used to sleeping in his own crib again. While we were gone, he decided that it would be fun to refuse to sleep except on male relatives or smack-dab in between Marcus and me. Aside from the 2am OH MY GOSH MY TEETH HURT screaming fit, we actually got some rest last night.
What's everyone doing for New Year's? We'll be preparing for the party this weekend. I'm baking the cake myself, a fact my father finds utterly hilarious. I may do a practice run, though I really don't need the extra sweets in the house. Our friend Lee is coming in on New Year's Day and I'm sure some of our students will be drifting back into town and coming over to beg for food...um, I mean tell us all about their holidays. :) On Jan. 2, we'll be cheering for Alabama as they play in the Sugar Bowl. (Roll Tide!) Then Saturday the 3rd is the big party for Mr. I'm One Year Old. (His actual birthday is the 5th, but who wants to celebrate on a Monday?) Every time I think about him turning one, I cry. Expect a lot of pictures because words will surely fail me in the coming days.
Maybe if I just keep my back turned to her Mommy will stop crying and kissing my face and saying "Oooooooh, my baby boy is gonna be oooooooonnnnnnnneeeeeeeee!" Jeez, Mom. Can't a guy watch Johnny and the Sprites in peace?
In other news, Dean is slowly but surely getting used to sleeping in his own crib again. While we were gone, he decided that it would be fun to refuse to sleep except on male relatives or smack-dab in between Marcus and me. Aside from the 2am OH MY GOSH MY TEETH HURT screaming fit, we actually got some rest last night.
What's everyone doing for New Year's? We'll be preparing for the party this weekend. I'm baking the cake myself, a fact my father finds utterly hilarious. I may do a practice run, though I really don't need the extra sweets in the house. Our friend Lee is coming in on New Year's Day and I'm sure some of our students will be drifting back into town and coming over to beg for food...um, I mean tell us all about their holidays. :) On Jan. 2, we'll be cheering for Alabama as they play in the Sugar Bowl. (Roll Tide!) Then Saturday the 3rd is the big party for Mr. I'm One Year Old. (His actual birthday is the 5th, but who wants to celebrate on a Monday?) Every time I think about him turning one, I cry. Expect a lot of pictures because words will surely fail me in the coming days.
Maybe if I just keep my back turned to her Mommy will stop crying and kissing my face and saying "Oooooooh, my baby boy is gonna be oooooooonnnnnnnneeeeeeeee!" Jeez, Mom. Can't a guy watch Johnny and the Sprites in peace?
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Picture pages....Christmas edition!
Best Christmas present ever. :)
Dean had lots of quality time with his G-Mama!
He also took quite the liking to his Pop-Pop!!
Me, Dean and Mim (my dad's mom). I have had that sweatshirt since 6th grade. Are you horrified that I'm wearing it or impressed that I can still fit into it???
Reindeer bum-bum! Hanging out with Grandma Willie (my mom's mom).
Dean checks out his new wagon.
Family photo! Marcus, my mom (Grammy), Deano, my Dad (Papa) and yours truly. We clean up ok, huh? We added a little extra Merry to our Christmas by celebrating the first anniversary of my mom's kidney transplant on Dec. 19.
Double trouble...Dean and Adam.
Could you eat his face off in his monkey jammies?
Dean got this cool zebra from G-Mama and Pop Pop. Marcus thinks it's awesome.
Don't say I never post pictures of myself. My hair's even brushed in this one. You can't even see Dean's forehead bruise. ;)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas to all!
I hope everyone's holidays are happy and bright and full of wonderful things like family, friends and food. My grandma arrived today with an entire carload of fresh veggies, homemade cookies and candy and, most importantly, cheese straws.
I am horribly behind on my blog-reading. Last week was not a good week for me to be out of town with limited computer access. All the babies I've been following all year (AJU5, Kara, Megan, and others) turned 1! I promise to go back and read every entry on all of my favorite blogs that I may have missed.
Here are some pictures because BOY do y'all want some pictures! (Thanks for all the emails!)
Have a great Christmas, everyone!
Dean was REALLY happy to see his cousin, Adam. Adam eventually accepted the baby and they worked on sharing all week. By the end of the week, they were partners in crime...and dressed exactly alike...for three straight days.
See? The Handy Manny talking tool kit was quite popular.
Now he's in Oxford hanging with Grammy, Papa and 2 great-grandmas for Christmas!
I promise to upload more pictures tonight once the festivities have concluded and do an all picture post!
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!!!
I am horribly behind on my blog-reading. Last week was not a good week for me to be out of town with limited computer access. All the babies I've been following all year (AJU5, Kara, Megan, and others) turned 1! I promise to go back and read every entry on all of my favorite blogs that I may have missed.
Here are some pictures because BOY do y'all want some pictures! (Thanks for all the emails!)
Have a great Christmas, everyone!
Dean was REALLY happy to see his cousin, Adam. Adam eventually accepted the baby and they worked on sharing all week. By the end of the week, they were partners in crime...and dressed exactly alike...for three straight days.
See? The Handy Manny talking tool kit was quite popular.
Now he's in Oxford hanging with Grammy, Papa and 2 great-grandmas for Christmas!
I promise to upload more pictures tonight once the festivities have concluded and do an all picture post!
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Still tickin', but we did take a lickin'
Well hi there! Remember me? We have been in DC this week (we're here til early Mon. morning) and computer access has been very limited. I haven't gotten brave enough (or dexterous enough!) to blog on my phone yet, but I'm sure that day will come soon. Anyway, we're having a lovely visit with the family. Dean loves hanging out with his big cousin, Adam. I would post pictures of them, but they seem to have hidden my camera somewhere. I plan to rummage through the couch cushions in a minute in an effort to find it.
Marcus and I went out the other day to do some shopping. It was fun to browse without a stroller, though I missed my little constant companion. The phone rang while we were in Borders. It was my mother in law calling to tell me that Dean had tried to impress her with his stunt-man abilities and had fallen off the bed and hit his head. The next 2 minutes are a blur of me dropping everything in my hands, searching for Marcus and trying to remember the name of our medical insurance. We got to the ER about an hour after they'd called and found Dean sitting happily in Grandmama's lap, HUGE goose-egg on his forehead, reading Pinnochio. He looks like he got into a fight and lost. Poor guy. We stayed for three hours of observation and were declared "Just fine" and sent home. In the meantime, Dean decided to impress the nurses with an amazingly stinky poop. And, naturally, we didn't have a single diaper. Fortunately, they had a loaner. It's always an adventure, isn't it?
Those of you who know me will notice that I am writing about this incident three days after it happened and am, therefore, able to have a good sense of humor about it. Because the day it happened? BASKETCASE!
We had a little birthday party for Adam and Dean the other night since they won't get to celebrate their actual birthdays together, and it was lots of fun. Dean tasted cake for the first time, and by tasted, I mean smeared icing in my hair and all over his dad's sweater. Adam eats like a champ and used a big boy fork for his cake. When I saw Adam for the first time this visit, (we haven't seen them since August) I teared up. I cannot believe Dean will be that big this time next year. Adam is a sweetheart and has taken quite a liking to his Auntie Jen. (Which doesn't thrill her AT ALL, let me tell you.;) )
We'll be doing family Christmas tomorrow, which should be a fun time full of babies in boxes wearing bows on their heads. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some couch cushions to rifle through so that I may take photos of said family Christmas!!
Marcus and I went out the other day to do some shopping. It was fun to browse without a stroller, though I missed my little constant companion. The phone rang while we were in Borders. It was my mother in law calling to tell me that Dean had tried to impress her with his stunt-man abilities and had fallen off the bed and hit his head. The next 2 minutes are a blur of me dropping everything in my hands, searching for Marcus and trying to remember the name of our medical insurance. We got to the ER about an hour after they'd called and found Dean sitting happily in Grandmama's lap, HUGE goose-egg on his forehead, reading Pinnochio. He looks like he got into a fight and lost. Poor guy. We stayed for three hours of observation and were declared "Just fine" and sent home. In the meantime, Dean decided to impress the nurses with an amazingly stinky poop. And, naturally, we didn't have a single diaper. Fortunately, they had a loaner. It's always an adventure, isn't it?
Those of you who know me will notice that I am writing about this incident three days after it happened and am, therefore, able to have a good sense of humor about it. Because the day it happened? BASKETCASE!
We had a little birthday party for Adam and Dean the other night since they won't get to celebrate their actual birthdays together, and it was lots of fun. Dean tasted cake for the first time, and by tasted, I mean smeared icing in my hair and all over his dad's sweater. Adam eats like a champ and used a big boy fork for his cake. When I saw Adam for the first time this visit, (we haven't seen them since August) I teared up. I cannot believe Dean will be that big this time next year. Adam is a sweetheart and has taken quite a liking to his Auntie Jen. (Which doesn't thrill her AT ALL, let me tell you.;) )
We'll be doing family Christmas tomorrow, which should be a fun time full of babies in boxes wearing bows on their heads. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some couch cushions to rifle through so that I may take photos of said family Christmas!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
We cleaned, we cooked, we partied
What a weekend! For years, Marcus and I have dreamt of hosting "The Lane Formal." It would be a fabulous holiday gathering for our co-workers and/or students, inspired by the Guinn Formal, a party one of our professors hosted each year while we were in college. We always looked forward to the Formal. It was a chance to ditch your backstage blacks or funky paint clothes and wear something dressy or quirky, show off your best dip recipe and spend some time with your fellow students and teachers outside the classroom. Once it was evident that Marcus and I were going to be a family forever, we started daydreaming about the day when one or both of us would land at a University and we could throw a lovely holiday bash of our own. And last night, it finally became a reality.
We decided to start out small this year. Until after the first of the year when Uncle Sam gives us money back for having a baby, buying a house and having lots of taxes deducted from our paychecks each month, the money tree is not in full bloom, so the house is still not quite where we'd want it to be to throw an all-out bash. Just for this year, Marcus and I only invited the 11 students from his advanced classes. All are upper-classmen and were allowed to bring one guest. What resulted was about 20 very well-behaved, dressed-up, delightful party guests! And they ate EVERY MORSEL of food we made! Yay for easy cleanup.
What's that? You want to see pictures? Well, ok!
Here is our Christmas tree. I LOVE our Christmas tree! Even though we left all those ornaments at my mom and dad's house, our tree ended up being pretty full! Auntie M made us some adorable ornaments that I was thrilled to add to our collection and we picked up some "filler" ornaments at the 50% off sale at Lowe's.
Please don't judge our ugly curtains. We bought them at Big Lots just to have something over the window before we figured out the color scheme of the room which, thankfully, does not include that shade of green (they are really much uglier in person. They have a paisley pattern, too.). See above comment about the money tree to find out why we haven't bought new ones yet!
Here is our fireplace, which hosted its first fire of the season last night. Marcus was in charge of the mantle and I think he did a fantastic job. The garland and wreath are new, the candles, Santa and snowman were my grandma's. She gave them to us when we were in Oxford for Thanksgiving, along with her cake plate.
Here's the buffet. I have no idea why the picture wants to lay on its side. Please tilt your head to the left to view it properly. Tiiiiiiilt. Ok, see? It's cute, right? There was a ton more food on our dining room table. Our menu included the Cheeseball of Happiness, crostini with pesto and sundried tomato (a HUGE hit), mulled cider (another hit), marinated cheese, Texas sheet cake, corn dip, artichoke dip and the usual drinks. Oh, and BBQ cocktail weenies served straight out of the crockpot. Because I'm southern and that is what we do.
Ok, ok, enough with the house. I know what you REALLY want to see.
Dean was rockin' the green velvet. And the knee socks. One of his shoes even stayed on ALL NIGHT! He was, needless to say, the life of the party.
The students came dressed in a variety of "theatre formalwear." We had an elf, a gingerbread man, lots of girls in cocktail dresses, a few young men in suits, and a group who dressed up like each member of the theatre faculty! (Made me glad I'm not officially on staff yet!) Here's Zach, who we refer to as our oldest son, as Marcus.
In case you can't fully see it, his shirt says "You sure do got a purty mouth."
Marcus teaches movement classes, so he has to wear sweatpants and t-shirts. To keep things fun, he wears goofy PJ pants and t-shirts with funny sayings a lot. And, naturally, his Alabama hat.
Marcus had planned to wear a suit, but decided to go the funny route instead. He wore chaps (yes, he owns chaps. Help me, Jesus. Notice they do not appear in the picture. I had to "free" him from said chaps about an hour into the party.), his cowboy shirt and some sneakers because his boots dry-rotted and I made him leave them in NYC. I bought a gorgeous purple dress, but got overly paranoid about showing too much cleavage and not being able to eat enough cocktail weenies and gave myself such buyer's remorse that I returned it. I'm glad, though, because it gave me the courage to "just see" if I could fit into the dress I wore to my 30th birthday party. And whaddya know? I haven't talked about it on here, but I've lost 17 pounds since we moved to Montevallo. HAPPY JEN. Just a few more pounds and the pesky pregnancy weight PLUS the pesky summer weight will be a thing of the past. I'm in my skinny jeans full-time now.
So, a nice night with good times had by all. We look forward to this becoming an annual event, something the rest of the faculty joins in on, the alumni return for, the students get excited about and that we look forward to hosting each year.
We decided to start out small this year. Until after the first of the year when Uncle Sam gives us money back for having a baby, buying a house and having lots of taxes deducted from our paychecks each month, the money tree is not in full bloom, so the house is still not quite where we'd want it to be to throw an all-out bash. Just for this year, Marcus and I only invited the 11 students from his advanced classes. All are upper-classmen and were allowed to bring one guest. What resulted was about 20 very well-behaved, dressed-up, delightful party guests! And they ate EVERY MORSEL of food we made! Yay for easy cleanup.
What's that? You want to see pictures? Well, ok!
Here is our Christmas tree. I LOVE our Christmas tree! Even though we left all those ornaments at my mom and dad's house, our tree ended up being pretty full! Auntie M made us some adorable ornaments that I was thrilled to add to our collection and we picked up some "filler" ornaments at the 50% off sale at Lowe's.
Please don't judge our ugly curtains. We bought them at Big Lots just to have something over the window before we figured out the color scheme of the room which, thankfully, does not include that shade of green (they are really much uglier in person. They have a paisley pattern, too.). See above comment about the money tree to find out why we haven't bought new ones yet!
Here is our fireplace, which hosted its first fire of the season last night. Marcus was in charge of the mantle and I think he did a fantastic job. The garland and wreath are new, the candles, Santa and snowman were my grandma's. She gave them to us when we were in Oxford for Thanksgiving, along with her cake plate.
Here's the buffet. I have no idea why the picture wants to lay on its side. Please tilt your head to the left to view it properly. Tiiiiiiilt. Ok, see? It's cute, right? There was a ton more food on our dining room table. Our menu included the Cheeseball of Happiness, crostini with pesto and sundried tomato (a HUGE hit), mulled cider (another hit), marinated cheese, Texas sheet cake, corn dip, artichoke dip and the usual drinks. Oh, and BBQ cocktail weenies served straight out of the crockpot. Because I'm southern and that is what we do.
Ok, ok, enough with the house. I know what you REALLY want to see.
Dean was rockin' the green velvet. And the knee socks. One of his shoes even stayed on ALL NIGHT! He was, needless to say, the life of the party.
The students came dressed in a variety of "theatre formalwear." We had an elf, a gingerbread man, lots of girls in cocktail dresses, a few young men in suits, and a group who dressed up like each member of the theatre faculty! (Made me glad I'm not officially on staff yet!) Here's Zach, who we refer to as our oldest son, as Marcus.
In case you can't fully see it, his shirt says "You sure do got a purty mouth."
Marcus teaches movement classes, so he has to wear sweatpants and t-shirts. To keep things fun, he wears goofy PJ pants and t-shirts with funny sayings a lot. And, naturally, his Alabama hat.
Marcus had planned to wear a suit, but decided to go the funny route instead. He wore chaps (yes, he owns chaps. Help me, Jesus. Notice they do not appear in the picture. I had to "free" him from said chaps about an hour into the party.), his cowboy shirt and some sneakers because his boots dry-rotted and I made him leave them in NYC. I bought a gorgeous purple dress, but got overly paranoid about showing too much cleavage and not being able to eat enough cocktail weenies and gave myself such buyer's remorse that I returned it. I'm glad, though, because it gave me the courage to "just see" if I could fit into the dress I wore to my 30th birthday party. And whaddya know? I haven't talked about it on here, but I've lost 17 pounds since we moved to Montevallo. HAPPY JEN. Just a few more pounds and the pesky pregnancy weight PLUS the pesky summer weight will be a thing of the past. I'm in my skinny jeans full-time now.
So, a nice night with good times had by all. We look forward to this becoming an annual event, something the rest of the faculty joins in on, the alumni return for, the students get excited about and that we look forward to hosting each year.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Home again, home again, but not for long
Holy clingy baby, Batman! Over the past 2 days, Dean has developed some serious separation anxiety issues. He wants all mommy all the time. Cute? Yes. Charming? Sure. Flattering, even? Absolutely. Also back-breaking, exhausting and sort of annoying when you would like to do something like go to the bathroom or eat. Poor guy.
This week the official holiday madness starts. We came home from my mom and dad's armed with Christmas decorations and serving platters. However, I think we forgot the big box of ornaments they gave us. (Poo! We somehow managed to accidentally steal 3 of my mom's outfits from the closet, though. Woops.) We did make off with the small Christmas tree that was in my room for years and years and years. It is now sitting happily in Dean's room. We decorated it as soon as we got home this afternoon. He likes to look at it while getting his diaper changed. This week, we'll go get our big tree for the family room. We're going with an artificial one this year. (Don't want to tempt bugs or vacuum needles...though a real tree would be nice...maybe in a few years when we host the holidays at our house.) We'll be spending the week before Christmas with Marcus's parents in VA, then flying back to spend Christmas with my family in MS. Then it'll be back home for a round of New Year's guests and Dean's first birthday party. And then I will need to go to the spa.
AND as if that all weren't enough, we're hosting a Christmas party for some of Marcus's students! This weekend! AAAAAAH! Who wants to babysit?
This week the official holiday madness starts. We came home from my mom and dad's armed with Christmas decorations and serving platters. However, I think we forgot the big box of ornaments they gave us. (Poo! We somehow managed to accidentally steal 3 of my mom's outfits from the closet, though. Woops.) We did make off with the small Christmas tree that was in my room for years and years and years. It is now sitting happily in Dean's room. We decorated it as soon as we got home this afternoon. He likes to look at it while getting his diaper changed. This week, we'll go get our big tree for the family room. We're going with an artificial one this year. (Don't want to tempt bugs or vacuum needles...though a real tree would be nice...maybe in a few years when we host the holidays at our house.) We'll be spending the week before Christmas with Marcus's parents in VA, then flying back to spend Christmas with my family in MS. Then it'll be back home for a round of New Year's guests and Dean's first birthday party. And then I will need to go to the spa.
AND as if that all weren't enough, we're hosting a Christmas party for some of Marcus's students! This weekend! AAAAAAH! Who wants to babysit?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart
I have so much to give thanks for this year. The following list hits the highlights, which are pretty momentous. I hope wherever you are that you're having a wonderful, restful holiday. Leave a comment and tell me what you're thankful for this year.
*My mom's kidney transplant. If you haven't heard her story, you should. (Visit my December 2007 archives) The generosity of her donor, Bradley, the amazing success of her transplant, the wonderful care of her doctors...we couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift last year. She truly has a new lease on life.
*Dean. Oh, Dean. In all the years I dreamed of having a baby, I never could have imagined one as perfect as the one we got. He is a perfect blend of Marcus and me and I adore him more each minute. Truly the biggest blessing of my life.
*Our new home. What a great thing to own the place you live, to make it yours and put down roots. The move to Montevallo was a good one.
*My husband's job. He's a wonderful teacher and he's finally in a place where he's not stretched in so many directions that he can't find his head with both hands. He has a great support system and is flourishing as a professor. His job provides us with enough to live the life we've wanted to live for a long time.
*This blog. Especially since our move, this blog has provided me with an outlet for my emotions, friendly feedback from all my readers and a place to call my own.
*Coffee. Because man, oh, man, was I missing it this time last year!
I hope your year has been as blessed as mine. Happy Thanksgiving.
*My mom's kidney transplant. If you haven't heard her story, you should. (Visit my December 2007 archives) The generosity of her donor, Bradley, the amazing success of her transplant, the wonderful care of her doctors...we couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift last year. She truly has a new lease on life.
*Dean. Oh, Dean. In all the years I dreamed of having a baby, I never could have imagined one as perfect as the one we got. He is a perfect blend of Marcus and me and I adore him more each minute. Truly the biggest blessing of my life.
*Our new home. What a great thing to own the place you live, to make it yours and put down roots. The move to Montevallo was a good one.
*My husband's job. He's a wonderful teacher and he's finally in a place where he's not stretched in so many directions that he can't find his head with both hands. He has a great support system and is flourishing as a professor. His job provides us with enough to live the life we've wanted to live for a long time.
*This blog. Especially since our move, this blog has provided me with an outlet for my emotions, friendly feedback from all my readers and a place to call my own.
*Coffee. Because man, oh, man, was I missing it this time last year!
I hope your year has been as blessed as mine. Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Three Lanes safely delivered to Mississippi
I have been trying to figure out a topic to blog about for an hour now. Instead, I'm sitting here busting a gut laughing with my mom. I think you'll all forgive me if I don't write an eloquent post tonight. We really need to giggle at our husbands right now.
For your amusement, however, here's a sample conversation between my mom and me.
Mom: I got pie.
Me: I like pie.
Mom: You want pie?
Me: I like pie.
Mom: I got Redi-Whip, too. For the pie.
Me: I like pie.
Mom: You want some?
Me: Ok!
And that's how it is.
PS: Due to popular demand (and about 15 comments and emails!), I promise to make a video of the bathtime song this weekend and post it here. Prepare yourself.
For your amusement, however, here's a sample conversation between my mom and me.
Mom: I got pie.
Me: I like pie.
Mom: You want pie?
Me: I like pie.
Mom: I got Redi-Whip, too. For the pie.
Me: I like pie.
Mom: You want some?
Me: Ok!
And that's how it is.
PS: Due to popular demand (and about 15 comments and emails!), I promise to make a video of the bathtime song this weekend and post it here. Prepare yourself.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A break from the norm
Tomorrow, Deano, Marcus and I will load up and travel to my parents' house in Oxford for the long Thanksgiving weekend. We are all looking forward to a break. Dean is ready for "unbridled fun" as my dad says, and Marcus and I are jazzed about a full night's sleep and some food we didn't buy or cook ourselves. We have decided to go easy this year--we're eating at Cracker Barrel! That means NO cooking, NO shopping and NOOOOO cleaning! Yay! It also means no leftovers, but that's ok because we're going to a family party Friday night that's going to involve chili and a football game and tailgate Friday afternoon, so we're sure to stuff ourselves sufficiently.
We went to the college to have lunch with Marcus today and all the students looked like walking zombies. Many of them are closing HAIR tonight, so they have been stretched thinner than thin these past couple of weeks because of the production. They all need a break from classes and college life, I think. We've fed 3 of them dinner on at least one occasion over the past couple of weeks. See? I'll make the transition back to academia just fine--they're not even my students yet and already I want to take care of them!
I think back to my college days and remember how completely and utterly DONE I was by the time Thanksgiving rolled around each year. We were on the quarter system, so our first quarter ended in November, just in time for a lovely 2 week Thanksgiving break! My first day home, I would present my mother with her special gift (my laundry), eat at Abner's (my favorite chicken place) and go straight to bed for hours and hours and hours. It was usually the first night I'd slept more than 6 straight hours since the school year started, and also the first night in a month or so that I wasn't in rehearsal until at least 11pm. My parents worked hard to make my trips home relaxing for me. Comfort food was served, favorite restaurants were visited, shopping trips were planned, nostalgic movies were watched. Nowadays, we do a lot of the same things. This weekend, we'll get to visit with some old buddies, meet a new baby friend, see an Ole Miss football game and go to church with my mom and dad. And I have a hunch it'll feel like one of those quarter breaks from college. (Don't worry, mom, I'm not bringing our laundry!)
Now if you'll pardon me, I have to go finish cooking my very healthy and well-balanced dinner which consists of Velveeta Shells and Cheese and Coke Zero. It's "Eat What You Can Find" day here in the Lane home. Guess how you play!? ;)
If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, please do so safely and have a great trip!
We went to the college to have lunch with Marcus today and all the students looked like walking zombies. Many of them are closing HAIR tonight, so they have been stretched thinner than thin these past couple of weeks because of the production. They all need a break from classes and college life, I think. We've fed 3 of them dinner on at least one occasion over the past couple of weeks. See? I'll make the transition back to academia just fine--they're not even my students yet and already I want to take care of them!
I think back to my college days and remember how completely and utterly DONE I was by the time Thanksgiving rolled around each year. We were on the quarter system, so our first quarter ended in November, just in time for a lovely 2 week Thanksgiving break! My first day home, I would present my mother with her special gift (my laundry), eat at Abner's (my favorite chicken place) and go straight to bed for hours and hours and hours. It was usually the first night I'd slept more than 6 straight hours since the school year started, and also the first night in a month or so that I wasn't in rehearsal until at least 11pm. My parents worked hard to make my trips home relaxing for me. Comfort food was served, favorite restaurants were visited, shopping trips were planned, nostalgic movies were watched. Nowadays, we do a lot of the same things. This weekend, we'll get to visit with some old buddies, meet a new baby friend, see an Ole Miss football game and go to church with my mom and dad. And I have a hunch it'll feel like one of those quarter breaks from college. (Don't worry, mom, I'm not bringing our laundry!)
Now if you'll pardon me, I have to go finish cooking my very healthy and well-balanced dinner which consists of Velveeta Shells and Cheese and Coke Zero. It's "Eat What You Can Find" day here in the Lane home. Guess how you play!? ;)
If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, please do so safely and have a great trip!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Let's give this a whirl!
Well, howdy, everyone! Deano the Bambino here. I discovered the other day that some of my mom's blog friends have babies my age (or younger! Gasp!) who have already done guest spots on their blogs, so I figure it's high time I write my first guest post!
Yesterday was a very peculiar day. When I woke up, Mommy and Daddy gave me this pumpkin (which I'd already found and played with last week, but they don't need to know that!)
They kept telling me to look inside, but I was a little leery...
Finally, I gave in.
And scored myself a brand new book! (I can turn pages, you know.)
After a nice day of napping, playing in the yard and visiting my cool Halloween decorations,
Mommy said it was time to pick up Daddy and go tricker treating. (am I spelling that right??????? I'm just a baby...)
My friend Kate brought her Mama and Papa and we hit downtown Montevallo, where all the businesses were passing out treats. Mommy and Daddy said it was a perfect reminder why we moved back to the south. (Where were we before? Did I miss something? I have a very short-term memory...)
Isn't Kate soooooooooooo pretty in her Tinkerbell costume?
I do love the older women...
We scored lots of neat treats, like cookies, candy and freezie pops. I don't really go for freezie pops, so Kate ate mine.
She even color-coordinated them with her outfit!
After dinner, we headed to Auntie M's and saw Chase in his Viking costume.
Back at home, some kids in costumes knocked on our door and Mommy gave them candy. It only took her three times to figure out that she needed to take me to the door with her so I wouldn't COMPLETELY FREAK OUT. You know, because if she leaves my sight for a second she might never come back oh my gooooooooooooooooooosh, where's my mommyyyyyyyyy?????????? :)
I proceeded to pass out around 7:30 from all the excitement.
But the excitement didn't end there! When we woke up this morning, Daddy went outside and discovered that someone had decorated our trees!
Wasn't that nice of them!?!? They must know we're new to the neighborhood...
All in all, I enjoyed my first Halloween, but I hope Mommy doesn't try to dress me up like a monkey again today. It's awful hot in that costume.
Later, peeps!
****************************************************************
PS from Jen L.:
Hey, y'all! Hope you enjoyed Dean's first guest post. I fear there will be more in our future.
I wanted to let everyone know that I'll be participating in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), which means I'll be posting a blog each day in November. Be sure to check back often!
Yesterday was a very peculiar day. When I woke up, Mommy and Daddy gave me this pumpkin (which I'd already found and played with last week, but they don't need to know that!)
They kept telling me to look inside, but I was a little leery...
Finally, I gave in.
And scored myself a brand new book! (I can turn pages, you know.)
After a nice day of napping, playing in the yard and visiting my cool Halloween decorations,
Mommy said it was time to pick up Daddy and go tricker treating. (am I spelling that right??????? I'm just a baby...)
My friend Kate brought her Mama and Papa and we hit downtown Montevallo, where all the businesses were passing out treats. Mommy and Daddy said it was a perfect reminder why we moved back to the south. (Where were we before? Did I miss something? I have a very short-term memory...)
Isn't Kate soooooooooooo pretty in her Tinkerbell costume?
I do love the older women...
We scored lots of neat treats, like cookies, candy and freezie pops. I don't really go for freezie pops, so Kate ate mine.
She even color-coordinated them with her outfit!
After dinner, we headed to Auntie M's and saw Chase in his Viking costume.
Back at home, some kids in costumes knocked on our door and Mommy gave them candy. It only took her three times to figure out that she needed to take me to the door with her so I wouldn't COMPLETELY FREAK OUT. You know, because if she leaves my sight for a second she might never come back oh my gooooooooooooooooooosh, where's my mommyyyyyyyyy?????????? :)
I proceeded to pass out around 7:30 from all the excitement.
But the excitement didn't end there! When we woke up this morning, Daddy went outside and discovered that someone had decorated our trees!
Wasn't that nice of them!?!? They must know we're new to the neighborhood...
All in all, I enjoyed my first Halloween, but I hope Mommy doesn't try to dress me up like a monkey again today. It's awful hot in that costume.
Later, peeps!
****************************************************************
PS from Jen L.:
Hey, y'all! Hope you enjoyed Dean's first guest post. I fear there will be more in our future.
I wanted to let everyone know that I'll be participating in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), which means I'll be posting a blog each day in November. Be sure to check back often!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Have you ever seen a cuter little monkey? Hope your Halloween's a happy one!
Moooooooooom, can I take it off now?
No.
How 'bout now?
No, son, it's only 7:45am and I fully intend for you to sleep in that tonight.
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