Ralph, Chuck & Earl...

I haven't been blogging lately. I have been baking cookies like I am making up for the last 5 Christmases that were...lame-ish (at least in the baked goods department). I did my Christmas shopping, and can officially state that I have avoided the mall this holiday season--YAY!

I have been taking care of my poor BigGirl, who puked every hour for 20 straight hours, and sporadically after that. The doctors do not seem concerned. I am. She had this back in April and was throwing up on and off for 10 days. I think it is part of a bigger problem.

I am really excited that I was asked to be a guest blogger! I will give you the link after it is published.

Life is (as usual, but even more during the holidays) an interesting mix of deep sorrow and great joy for people I love. I am praying for the people who are experiencing both.

Cooking Adventures

Because BigGirl is currently staying in a land far, far away, I have been doing a lot of cool stuff with LargeBoy. Mostly cooking. This is the boy who, when he was four years old, preferred Food Network to Cartoon Network (YAY!) However, shortly thereafter we got rid of our cable subscription, so his cooking show watching days were curtailed.

However, he recently discovered "Iron Chef" and "Kitchen Nightmares". They have captivated him, and inspired him to try all kinds of yummy stuff. We made French Onion Soup the other day--one of my very favorite restaraunt foods that I have been afraid to try. Silly me! It is SO easy, and even better than in a restaraunt--and healthy!

Waffles

SmallDaughter believes firmly in "food jags"--for days or weeks or months at a time (or years in the case of eggs), she WANTS one particular food--all day, for every meal. Then suddenly, (with no warning whatsoever) she DOESN'T WANT THAT!

Her new jag is actually pretty pleasant--waffles. For every meal. With crying, screaming on the floor tantrums if I try to suggest something else--like eggs or peaches (she really does love both of those things--but not as much as waffles right now!). Fortunately, it is pretty easy to make up a whole day's worth of waffle batter to have in the fridge. Also, I am not opposed to the occasional waffle myself--and at least this jag doesn't gross me out, like some others we could mention!

On the plus side---if you were a non-verbal person, and you wanted to express your EXTREME delight and pleasure in the parental figure who figured out what you want, and just got down the waffle iron (from it's new storage place on top of the fridge, which is the only place she can't reach it, get it out and plug it in as a hint to me!) how would you do it?
SmallDaughter has figured it out in a most charming and delightful manner--she simply grabs your arm and while grinning happily, kisses your elbow repeatedly, to show her approval! It is actually much cuter than it sounds--and you KNOW she is happy with you!

Update on the week

I got to hold 3 cutie babies this week--sweet! We had a very fun bridal shower, but that means I will be super busy this next week, decorating the wedding. It should be great, I will attempt to post pix.

Next week we have the county fair, where (for the first time) my
4-H'ers will have livestock (i.e. chickens), so instead of cooking the food/making the project, dropping it off and then coming back to see what kind of ribbon you got (blue for my kids, of course!), we have to be there with the chickens, every day. It will be a very different experience. Also, they are due to begin laying any day now. (the chickens, not the children.)

Mr. Prism, My Favorite Gentleman, is off being chivalrous (with my dad), helping a very sweet and quiet divorced older lady move to her new home--2 hours away. He got this job because he has a cargo van. And because he is super nice. I am really happy for Sue who found a fabulous new job (not so easy in this economy), a nice apartment with a nice room-mate and had all of the pieces fall perfectly into place for her. But my guys won't be back until late.

Several people are on the prayer list--Miss Peggy L, who is in really bad shape (physically)--and the doctors don't know what is going on. The "good" news is that the tests for MS, Lupus, etc. came back negative. The bad news is, "what the @#$% is going on?".
Andy P. had a bad fall, I don't know how serious. Sue B. had a heart-attack and the blood thinners caused her previously unsuspected ulcer to have a bleed-out. Natalie W. had rotator cuff surgery (her second)--which I have heard is the most painful of all surgeries. Melanie A. is still having tons of health issues. Maryann B. is still recovering from her heart surgery.

And, in the midst of all this pain and angst, life goes on--babies are born, weddings are decorated, people do kind things for each other (many of them are for or by the same people I just mentioned!) The joy is there if you can see it.

I have a visiting sister (Miss V)for a few days, which is always fun. I am also experimenting with getting out of my comfort zone and cooking with herbs. My sisters would be so proud--I am using basil. (ok, it was only in my spaghetti sauce, but it's a start, right?) This year my (long planned, but even longer procrastinated) herb garden didn't so much grow as EXPLODE. (Need chamomile, anyone?)

I did make a really yummy chicken soup--and the herbs made it crazy good. Also, sitting out on the porch near the herb bed, with the scent of the mint combining with the dill is surprisingly fabulous.