AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: A little holiday magic DATE: 1/06/2010 09:50:00 PM ----- BODY:

Right before Christmas, Kevin and I took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge. It was a great way to get away with them before the new baby comes, and it was a great way to get me to slow down and not worry about everything I thought HAD to get done for the holidays.

I admit, it is a cheesy place. But it's supposed to be. It's for the kids to have fun and the parents to have fun watching them. That's exactly what we did.

I got my picture of the kids with Santa, and I didn't have to fight the mall to do it.

I got my Christmastime snowfall, and I didn't even have to wear a coat.

I got my time with my family, away from any schedules or hurry.

I got a lovely vacation only a couple of hours from home, and I got to don a swimsuit while 35 weeks pregnant. Mmmmmm, belly.

It was so very lovely. Honestly, it was a little magical. I think we could add it to the "tradition" list with just a little coaxing.

And no, Great Wolf Lodge did not compensate me for this post. They did send me a coupon code after I badgered them on Twitter endlessly. And we did go there on their dime in April which was also lovely, but not what this post was about. So there.

Labels: Family, Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Bubblewench DATE:Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 7:47:00 AM EST Glad you had such a nice time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

No Minimom DATE:Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 4:16:00 PM EST Can you share said coupon code? Because hubby and I were JUST talking about making that place our vacation spot this year! His brother takes their family there almost every year and their kids love it, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 8:16:00 PM EST I'll have to look that place up. I've never heard of it. And how nice to not have to battle crowds for Santa's attention! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Melissa DATE:Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 9:11:00 PM EST I've SO been wanting to go there! Looks like a blast. And kudos to you for wearing a bathing suit. I've not had to don a bathing suit with preggo-belly because my first trimester has always been in summer. Well, I guess that was preggo-pudgy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 11:47:00 PM EST Looks like you had a great time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Марина DATE:Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 6:24:00 AM EST www.studioflorist.com
Thank you very much for the Tips with fresh flowers presented on your site! I did as it is written there and the flowers that my beloved presented me are still alive! And besides now I know the meaning of all the flowers! And I am even thinking of becoming a florist myself! Thank you, studioflorist.com! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Microwave Smores Maker DATE: 1/05/2010 09:51:00 PM ----- BODY:

This past holiday season, my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I pointed her to my Amazon wish list. She replied, "But it's the same as last year. You haven't updated it."

Well, that's because I didn't get anything off of it. Ahem.

I retold this anecdote to Kevin, my wonderful husband who had NO time to shop this year, and voila! My Amazon wish list appeared under the tree.

Minus a Kindle. But that's because I never use the iPod he bought me two years ago. Well, not never, but rarely. He's deemed me unworthy of new technology. I can't disagree I suppose.

Anyway, along with a Tom Waits TRIPLE cd set, an immersion blender, a book called Weekend Sewing, a pastry scraper, and a digital picture frame - was THIS:

A microwave smores maker.

I married the most wonderful man in the world.

A few essentials from the store:

Set up of the high tech machinery. The little arms hold the smore together since the marshmallows go CRAZY in the microwave.

The finished product in the microwave:

Kevin tries a bite:

Kevin declares them to be quite lacking:

The overall result was lacking. The marshmallows don't have the chance to char over an open flame, which is my favorite part of smores. Kevin was definitely not sold on them. Me? I'm headed into the kitchen to give them a second chance. After all, melty chocolate goodness can never be far from wrong.

Labels: Guy and Me, Holidays, Not So Good Eatin'

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Bubblewench DATE:Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:44:00 AM EST Nice Christmas stash! Never saw a microwave S'mores maker. Very interesting... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Magpie DATE:Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 12:21:00 PM EST That falls into the "what will they think of next" category... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 5:09:00 PM EST I admit, I was dubious when I saw the comment on FB ... but Kevin looks like he's really enjoying it.

Dubious or no, he's eating 'em! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Susie DATE:Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 8:08:00 PM EST Well, why not? I'm a fan of fad kitchen appliances. Just ask my kids about the slushy maker... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Kelly Jernigan DATE:Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 10:21:00 PM EST These look amazing - I might just have to go out & get one, now that you have me craving them!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Convertible Girl DATE:Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 3:05:00 PM EST Let me know if you need an outside, independent taste-tester ;) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Split Pea Soup DATE: 1/03/2010 10:54:00 AM ----- BODY:

Kevin and I have tried to marry our very different family culinary traditions during the winter holidays. I have loved learning to make pirogi, and tolerated learning to eat pickled herring. My favorite recipe of his mother's that we've adopted though is split pea soup.

Never in a million years did I imagine loving a thick green soup with barely any spices in the recipe, but I do.

Split Pea Soup

16 oz package of green split peas
3 qts of water or enough water to cover
1 small ham shank or bone (with plenty of ham left on it)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced potatoes

In a large pot combine peas, water, ham shank or bone and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Remove ham shank or bone. Stir in carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. Simmer an additional 1 1/2 hours or until soup reaches desired thickness.

Of course, by now you know that I've got some "but I do it this way" to add to any recipe. This one is no different.

First of all, we cut up even more ham and add it to the soup at the half way point. We use big chunks of potatoes. And of course, I use stock instead of water. Usually I have plenty of turkey stock left over from Thanksgiving, and I'll just use that.

However, this year, my fabulous brother and sil sent Kevin a rack of ribs from Dreamland. They were delicious. We ate them for lunch the day we made the soup, so I collected the rib bones and made stock from them.

Let me tell you. There is no other way to make pea soup now. That stock was amazing, and lent the perfect marriage of our southern and northern roots to an old recipe.

Yum.

Labels: Good Eatin', Holidays, Recipes

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

clifford DATE:Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:42:00 PM EST ...you had me at Dreamland.

*drool* ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Bubblewench DATE:Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:36:00 AM EST I don't even like split pea soup but I have a ham bone (with ham) in my freezer and might have to try this one!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Magpie DATE:Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 4:52:00 PM EST Mmm - pea soup - I wish I had the ham bone at home... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Starting DATE: 12/31/2009 07:52:00 PM ----- BODY:

Kevin has declared 2009 the year in which nothing was finished. My new shiny outlook gets to declare 2009 the year in which many things began.

Either way, we still have major construction going on at our house.

It's going to be lovely when it's done.

That's my mantra. I say it three times as I breath slowly and stare out the back into the mud and mess. Really, it's not that bad. It is going to be lovely, and Rob, our contractor, is an amazing miracle worker. Truly.

2010 will be the year for finishing a lot of thing though. The house will get finished. Our family will be complete. Kevin will finish up a lot of lingering projects at work. He's really looking forward to it.

I'm okay with not being finished though. I'm kind of looking forward to starting a bunch more new things in 2010. Here are a few that come to mind:

1. Becoming a mama of two boys.
2. Learning to live without the extreme highs and lows I've had.
3. Tandem nursing.
4. Writing and recording again finally.
5. Getting back in shape.

Lovely will be starting high school. Little Bird will be starting multiple days of preschool. And my littlest boy will be starting life.

So here's to never completely finishing and finding plenty of new things to start in 2010.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Labels: Bird, Butterbean, Family, Guy and Me, Holidays, House, Lovely, My Life, Renovations, Warm Fuzzies

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Friday, January 1, 2010 at 7:17:00 AM EST Happy New Year! I love your new outlook! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Friday, January 1, 2010 at 5:12:00 PM EST Yes, here's to having lots of projects and purpose this year! May it be peaceful and prosperous for us all! I can't wait to read about your little one! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stella DATE:Friday, January 1, 2010 at 8:54:00 PM EST Happy New Year! Here's to new beginnings!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stimey DATE:Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 6:31:00 PM EST What a fantastic way to look at it. Happy New Year!!

I can't wait to hear about the tandem nursing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Melissa DATE:Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 10:37:00 PM EST I look forward to seeing what happens with your "new things" for 2010... especially since we share #1 and #5 together! Don't you just love the start of a new decade?! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Bubblewench DATE:Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:37:00 AM EST Happy New Year! Lots of good things and good beginnings to 2010! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: My 12 days of Christmas DATE: 12/24/2009 12:47:00 PM ----- BODY:

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A broken washing machine.

On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
No energy for baking
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the eighth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A dirty dirty house
No energy for baking
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A daddy in the hospital
A dirty dirty house
No energy for baking
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the tenth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Braxton Hicks contractions
A daddy in the hospital
A dirty dirty house
No energy for baking
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Dog poop on the floor
Braxton Hicks contractions
A daddy in the hospital
A dirty dirty house
No energy for baking
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me.
A high of 65
Dog poop on the floor
Braxton Hicks contractions
A daddy in the hospital
A dirty dirty house
No energy for baking
More rain in the forecast
Thirty days of Zoloft
A sprained ankle on the right foot
A broken toe on the left foot
Bird's double ear infection
And a broken washing machine.

Ho, ho, freaking ho. Thank goodness for the fifth day of Christmas.

Here's to time with whatever part of your family you get to be with, whatever food you get to eat, and however full your stockings are. Christmas is coming tomorrow whether I like it or not. Might as well enjoy it as it is.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Labels: General Bitching, Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Hampers DATE:Friday, December 25, 2009 at 10:32:00 AM EST Just gone through your 12 days of Christmas and found it to be interesting. It was nice going through your blog. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 9:34:00 PM EST That was funny! I'm so sorry it has been so rough for you guys! But, that sounds like my sentiments exactly this year. Bah humbug!! Glad it is over!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 11:41:00 PM EST Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 8:42:00 PM EST Merry Christmas, Marty.

What a couple of weeks you've had! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Clifford DATE:Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 11:58:00 PM EST Share the freaking Zoloft. You better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Clifford DATE:Monday, December 28, 2009 at 12:05:00 AM EST and does anyone else have the strange, urgent desire to tattoo random chinese letters on yourself? Weird. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Kris DATE:Monday, December 28, 2009 at 1:56:00 AM EST I'm going to have to agree with that Chinese comment. ;)

Sorry you had a rough 12 days (or so) Hope everything is better soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Marty, a.k.a. canape DATE:Monday, December 28, 2009 at 2:45:00 PM EST Dang spammers. I guess I'm going to have to put in the authenticate thing again. I really hate it.

Ever since I got splogged, I seem to have a huge non-English speaking "fan base." Yay. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Twas the night before Christmas Eve DATE: 12/23/2009 08:35:00 PM ----- BODY:

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

The presents are wrapped and under the tree.

The pirogi are in the fridge and Papa has bought the ham.

And none of the rushing around or planning matters because Little Bird has a fever of 102. Funny how all of the sudden I don't care about finishing the family's pajama pants when my little boy just needs me to hold him while he fretfully sleeps.

All I want for Christmas is for my little boy to get well and stay well. Poor Little Bird.

Labels: Bird, Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

No Minimom DATE:Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 10:45:00 PM EST That was our family last Christmas. The little one and I missed out on all the fun festivities, but I really didn't care since he just needed his Mama to love on him. Hope your little guy feels better soon! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Nita DATE:Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 11:11:00 PM EST Get well Little Bird. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

nikki DATE:Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 11:17:00 PM EST Poor Little Bird, and poor you! We're sick at our house, too. We just got over colds and now Abby has a GI bug. Christmas Eve Eve! BLAH. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

@sweetbabboo DATE:Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 8:49:00 AM EST Poor guy! Feel better soon Christopher! Your mommy will take perfect care of you.

Merry Christmas, Marty. I hope it's still a good one.

-Abby ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Convertible Girl DATE:Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 8:57:00 AM EST Oh, Marty -- so sorry! Pippi has an ear infection -- took her to the ped yesterday, so she's doing much better now thanks to the amoxicillin. Call if we can do anything. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stimey DATE:Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 9:42:00 PM EST I hope he feels better soon! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: I'm still no scrooge, but . . . DATE: 12/17/2009 09:31:00 PM ----- BODY:

I have a confession to make.

I'm not really in the Christmas spirit. I know. I'm supposed to be the jolliest elf of them all with my trees, my Santas, the celebration of each day of Advent, the baking, the wrapping, the Little People Nativity every day. I'm supposed to be the annoying holiday neighbor.

But I'm just not. I haven't been playing much Christmas music. I've baked one batch of cookies. The outside of the house isn't decorated because the yard is so destroyed and nasty right now - I just don't feel like calling even more attention to with lights in the dogwood and the adorable animated elephant I bought last year.

I'm so tired. The thought of baking everything I usually bake makes me want to cry. It's just not going to happen. My poor lingering two students came and went today without even a card from me. That's never happened before.

I didn't mail our Christmas cards until today. They've never been that late before. I think it's fine - except for the one headed to Sweden.

Kevin asked me to not cook for Christmas. This usually would have insulted me greatly, but this year I was actually relieved. I'm probably going to buy the pirogi from The Fresh Market and spend the energy I would have used making them to hunt down some decent pickled herring. That card that is going to Sweden? Is going to the woman who made me a pickled herring fan. It was really awesome, but she's not here anymore. I just cannot go back to the jar from Costco.

Christmas day, Papa is going to cook a ham. I'll do some cheese grits, but other than that, nothing special. Some fruit. Some pastries, that I'll buy. It's all just too tiring.

This is so not like me. I love the holidays and all of the busyness that comes with them. I love the baking and the shopping and the wrapping and the getting to everything at church that happens. But between Little Bird being sick all of last week and how absolutely miserable I feel now, I just can't live up to my own expectations.

So I guess I'll just have to lower them a little. That will be alright for this year.

Labels: Feelers, Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Mem DATE:Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 10:28:00 PM EST come over- on monday, wear your pajamas for all i care- im having a toddler get together- we all will watch bird and if he bites or hits or anything even remotely like that its ok- they all do. all you need to bring is a small, used even, toy from your house in a used gift bag that they can swap. please please come over- stay late- lets talk. email or call me ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

WhyMommy (Susan) DATE:Friday, December 18, 2009 at 12:06:00 AM EST It's enough.

It's enough.

Say it with me, Mar-Mar -- It's enough. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Becki DATE:Friday, December 18, 2009 at 12:12:00 AM EST I hear ya. Wish we lived closer together so we could have an un-holiday chill day together ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stella DATE:Friday, December 18, 2009 at 8:38:00 AM EST It is more than enough.

And it will be perfect. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Convertible Girl DATE:Friday, December 18, 2009 at 8:50:00 AM EST Not only is it enough (and it TOTALLY is), it also sets the bar in a more reasonable place so that next year, when you make two batches of cookies instead of one, you can be doubly impressed with yourself!

And if you're not sure, come on over to my very messy, dirty house where there's no baking, minimal cooking and only tree ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Susie DATE:Friday, December 18, 2009 at 10:41:00 AM EST At the risk of being the one who states the obvious - honey, you are pregnant. Isn't that enough? Let Kevin cook the ham because you are cooking the baby. And by the way, I have already received your card and mine are still sitting on the counter waiting for stamps and addresses. And I am not 34 weeks pregnant. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

pastormargaret DATE:Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 6:35:00 PM EST I'm not either--and I'm not pregnant. Maybe I'd be a bit more festive if we were going to be together. For you not to be stressed is the best gift you can give your family--and yourself. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: So it's not a tradition. That's alright. DATE: 12/13/2009 07:58:00 PM ----- BODY:

I love traditions. I especially love long time traditions, but I'll take the new ones too. This time of year is full of traditions, and having children makes me want to establish even more.

Last year, Lovely and I took Bird to see Santa. She is such a good sport, and even sat on Santa's lap with her little brother. While we were waiting for Santa to finish his lunch break, we went to Build-a-Bear and got reindeer with twinkling lights on their antlers. It was a really fun afternoon, and I declared it a tradition.

Today, we attempted the second year of this tradition and included Kevin. Can I just say that doing this on a Sunday close to Christmas was not a great idea? Plus, it was Bird's first outing since he's been sick, and he got tired pretty quickly.

When we arrived at Santa's lair, the line wound all the way around, and Santa was nowhere to be seen. I'm not sure how I'm so adept at showing up when he goes on break.

So we decided to go to Build-a-Bear first. I'm pretty sure that a good time was had by all, which is good, since we went back to an even longer line at Santa and went home with no pictures. Lucky for us, Santa is going to the Great Wolf Lodge at the exact same time we are! I think we'll just wait for our pictures then. I declare the mall off limits from now until January.

Labels: Bird, Family, Holidays, Lovely

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Monday, December 14, 2009 at 5:43:00 PM EST I think he looks like that Uncle if his on the Suttle side. Clyo Flash ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stimey DATE:Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 1:21:00 AM EST He's so cute with that bear. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Cookies, anyone? DATE: 12/08/2009 12:01:00 PM ----- BODY:

Last night, after Little Bird was in bed, I started making my first batch of Christmas cookies. There was a cookie exchange for my woman's circle at the church this morning, and I was supposed to bring 10 dozen cookies.

Best laid plans, right?

I went to get started, opened the fridge and found that I only had one stick of butter. I needed five. My dear, sweet, wonderful husband changed out of his pajama pants and went to the store at 8:30 at night.

By 11:00, I was finally finishing up baking the cookies. I still had to turn them into oh so delicious little double doozies with my frosting, and roll them in my crushed candy canes, but I went to bed instead. Figured I could do that part in the morning.

This morning, Bird woke up with 101.4 fever. That meant no school for him, no cookie exchange for me, and a trip to the doctor.

I can't decide if I'm upset by the 120 chewy chocolate double doozies on my counter or thrilled to death. A little of both, I believe.

Cookies, anyone?

Labels: Bird, Good Eatin', Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Convertible Girl DATE:Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 2:09:00 PM EST Bring 'em on ;) Although P will shoot me for saying that. Hope Little Bird feels better fast! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Mem DATE:Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 6:28:00 PM EST i will eat them!!! poor bird- hope he is ok... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 9:59:00 PM EST Pass 'em over, Canape.

We've been grounded with fever this week too. Not too bad ... just enough to keep us out of preschool. :-(

Hope you and Little Bird are doing better now! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Andrea DATE:Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 12:35:00 PM EST Thrilled to death would have been my first reaction. *heh* Enjoy those cookies! :-) Hope your little guy feels better soon. Cookies should fix him right up! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Susie DATE:Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:27:00 PM EST Nothing quite clears the calendar like a sick kid. Tough break - to have to stay home. with cookies. Be right over... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Here comes Santa Claus DATE: 12/01/2009 08:48:00 PM ----- BODY:

It's December 1st. All neighborhood pumpkins are on notice. Starting with these.

The Christmas season is upon us, and I have plenty of felt. Loads of it.

Ho.

Ho.

Ho.

Labels: Holidays, Neighbors

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Staceylt DATE:Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 9:21:00 PM EST This makes me sort of wish I had a pumpkin. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Andrea DATE:Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:39:00 AM EST Great idea! I still have my pumpkin and was trying to figure out what to do with it :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

pastormargaret DATE:Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:22:00 AM EST The tradition continues! Marilyn would be proud. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

@sweetbabboo DATE:Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:40:00 AM EST I LOVE it! I threw our pumpkins away before we left for Thanksgiving or else, I would have to do this. Have you done Cyndi's yet? If you do, take pictures!

-Abby ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life DATE:Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 12:29:00 PM EST *cracking up* ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Where I decide I'm too cheap DATE: 11/28/2009 10:33:00 PM ----- BODY:

I guess with the holidays now in full swing, I'm going to be a little more active on my craft blog. Today you can read about how sometimes you should just buy it.

Labels: Handmade, Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 12:23:00 AM EST I didn't know you had a craft blog! I just checked it out and I like it. I wanted to become a follower, but couldn't find the link. Is there one? ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Tree day DATE: 11/27/2009 10:23:00 PM ----- BODY:

And so it is written: one day is turkey day, and the next day is tree day. Amen.

There was a whole lot of chasing in and out of the trees. Thank goodness Lovely was with us.

There was some joyful merry-go-round riding. Again, compliments of his big sister.

Wagoner's wants us to have a "treemendous" holiday season. I'm just sharing how "treemendously" huge I've become.

Lovely caught this shot of her daddy taking the second tree off the roof of the Jeep.

Little Bird was much more intersted in taking the ornaments off the tree at first, but his big sister was patient with him. She kept putting them back and showing him how.

He just about got the hang of it, but in the end, he thought it was much more fun to just get them from Mama and take them to Sister until she had a huge handful all at once. Heh.

We almost finished this one. It needs a topper, and I'm going to have to make something. I don't know what we've been putting on top of our multi-colored tree, but I can't find anything among our Christmas things, so I guess I'm going to get crafty. Because I refuse to go buy decorations at full price before Christmas. The world would stop on its axis for sure.

This is our smaller tree in the living room - the blue and silver tree. Not a great picture; maybe I'll try again when there is daylight coming in. It's good enough to see that Kevin wasn't smiling when he put the star on. Anyone knows that if you don't smile when you put the star on top that it will be crooked. We'll have to work on that tomorrow. I think I've squeezed enough Christmas cheer out of him for one day though.

Labels: Bird, Family, Holidays, Lovely

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 7:31:00 AM EST Your Great Aunt May use to make a Star from a tin pie plate. That was before your were born. Clyo Flash ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Ilina DATE:Monday, November 30, 2009 at 10:04:00 PM EST You are killing me. Can I just come to your house for the holidays? My house and tree (note the use of SINGULAR here) won't look so good. ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Issas Crazy World DATE:Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 12:15:00 PM EST Oh your tree is so pretty. I have no idea when we will even get ours.

Where did you get that awesome shirt that Bird is wearing? I love it. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Crafty me DATE: 11/26/2009 09:19:00 PM ----- BODY:

Today's post is over at Specraftular. I've been appliqueing again. Be very afraid.

Labels: Bird, Handmade, Holidays

----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Here come the holidays DATE: 11/19/2009 10:35:00 PM ----- BODY:

When do the holidays start at your house? Are you already listening to Christmas music? Is there a tree up at your house yet?

Have you at least had a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks? Because that counts, you know.

We're talking about it over at Triangle Mamas. Well, at least I am. Come join me.

Labels: Holidays, Triangle Mamas

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

No Minimom DATE:Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:32:00 AM EST I started listening to Christmas music yesterday. However, we won't get the tree up until next weekend at the earliest. I just really love Christmas music!! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Thank you DATE: 11/11/2009 04:16:00 PM ----- BODY:

Today is the day I always think, "I'm lucky to be here." Not just in North Carolina or the United States of America, but here as in existing.

From what I understand, my daddy wanted to be a chaplain in the Army. Then came Vietnam. Then came the Battle of Ong Thanh. After that, Daddy decided to become a lawyer. Took the LSAT in Saigon and came home to go to Ole Miss.

Any connection I'm making to those things is all my own. He has not said that they are related.

So in addition to thanking him for serving, I also always thank him for stopping. I much prefer him being around for Veteran's Day instead of being remembered on Memorial Day.

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If you want to know more about the ambush that happened in October, 1967 - the one that the news reported as an American victory - check out They Marched Into Sunlight by David Maraniss. It parallels the story of the Battle of Ong Thanh and a protest at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that happened a day apart. Universal is set to release a movie based on the book in 2010.

Labels: Daddy, Holidays

----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Granddaddy's cornbread DATE: 11/09/2009 07:00:00 AM ----- BODY:

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. In my previous life, I always hosted an Orphans' Thanksgiving at our house. I would buy the biggest bird I could find, gather all of our friends who were stuck in town with no family, and we would throw down for the day and into the next.

I started cooking days in advance. There were no fewer than four dozen biscuits coming out of my oven. I made a giant pitcher of cajun bloody mary's that we started in on first thing in the morning. Sometimes people would bring their favorite family dish to share, but most of the time, I cooked all of it - because that was the way I liked it.

By midnight, the leftovers had been put away, pulled out and perused, and put away all over again. There was a stock pot with the turkey carcass simmering away on the stove so that my freezer would be well stocked with stock. The pies sat out on the table tempting those who had any sliver of room left, and no one cared if they were using their same wine glass that they started with earlier in the day.

I have a stash of recipes that I used every year with the exception of the turkey. I always looked for a new turkey recipe to try. Kept things a little fresh each year.

Now we have a more traditional family Thanksgiving that we share every year with our good friends Boo and Tom. Sometimes her family comes up from Florida as well. This year, we will have four children at our table, three grandparents, and three couples. Boo will have bird duty, and I think she's leaning towards a brine. Yummy.

Blogging everyday in November gives me a chance to share some of my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving. I'm starting with this recipe that I need to laminate at some point. It is in my granddaddy's hand writing and is the first step in recreating my grandmomma's dressing.

Editorial note for all y'all non-Southerners reading: Dressing is what you would call stuffing, except you don't put it in the bird's butthole, and it's way more moist and tasty.

Cornbread

1 Cup flour
1 Cup yellow cornmeal*
2-4 Tbsp sugar (I use only 2)
1 Tbsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil or shortening**

In one bowl, stir and blend flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder. In another bowl, beat together eggs, milk, and oil. Mix meal mix with egg mix, and stir until batter is smooth. Do not over beat.
Bake at 425 in well greased 9x9x2 pan*** for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

* If you can get locally ground, it really does make a difference, and Granddaddy actually says you can use yellow, white, or blue
** I use canola oil, and a little less than called for because I melt about 2 Tbsp of butter in the iron skillet that I've heated up before pouring in the batter.
***I never cook cornbread in anything but cast iron. This recipe calls for your biggest skillet most likely.

You'll need to make this a few days before you plan to put your dressing together because you have to let it sit out and get stale.

Next, we'll talk about my grandmomma's dressing which my brother and I have tried tirelessly to recreate. We've both come up with yummy dressing, but I don't think either of us have hit it spot on yet.

Labels: Family, Friends, Grandparents, Holidays, Recipes

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

pastormargaret DATE:Monday, November 9, 2009 at 9:44:00 AM EST Brings back lots of good memories! Grandaddy's cornbread reminds me of Honey being surprised that I actually liked Galatoire's fried eggplant better than hers. That is to say: I like my cornbread better than anybody's. I'll furnish the corbread if one of you will make the dressing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Monday, November 9, 2009 at 4:10:00 PM EST I'm a southerner and we have always called it dressing! It is my favorite part of Thanksgiving! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: I'm so crafty DATE: 11/07/2009 11:59:00 PM ----- BODY:

Today's post, which will be yesterday's post by the time anyone reads this was on Specraftular. Just a little something about some zippered pouches that I see myself making quite a few of in the future.

Tomorrow's post, which will be today's post by the time anyone reads this will be insightful and inspiring, I'm sure.

Labels: Handmade, Holidays

----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Triangle Mamas Halloween round up DATE: 11/03/2009 07:00:00 AM ----- BODY:

I wasn't going to count this as a post for the month, but seeing as how it took me all freaking evening to put together (because of my lack of Typepad skillz), I'm counting it.

Day three can be found at Triangle Mamas. Also, some incredibly cute kids.

Labels: Holidays, Triangle Mamas

----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Boo-less Halloween DATE: 11/01/2009 08:08:00 PM ----- BODY:

Fall is my favorite time of year. Everything could be pumpkin scented and in a palette of red, gold, and brown all year long as far as I'm concerned.

Well, except for Christmas. You know, if we could have six months of fall and six months of Christmas, then I would be completely happy. Totally and completely.

Every year, I try my best to get into Halloween. Last year, I went all out on Pirate costumes for the family. This year, I went for the handmade costume, but just for Little Bird. Kevin and I didn't dress up.

However, we decorated outside more. I thought I might get into the spirit more . . . but not so much. I just don't get into the gore side of Halloween. I like the pumpkins, the cute costumes, and the sweet part - pun intended. I just can't seem to like the blood and guts part of the holiday.

I have a feeling this is not going to serve me well as the mother of boys and a husband who can't wait to turn our garage into a haunted house. While I can, I'm going to enjoy my very vanilla version of Halloween. For however short a time that it lasts.

Labels: Bird, Family, Holidays

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 8:33:00 PM EST But do you have Halloween plates? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

slouchy DATE:Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 8:47:00 PM EST I hear you. There's way too much gore. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 9:57:00 PM EST Very cute outside display! I always think that I like horror movies until I start watching them and then I wonder what I was thinking b/c I know I won't be able to sleep that night! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

@sweetbabboo DATE:Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 9:57:00 PM EST If you find this magical place of Fall and Christmas, will you please let me know? We will move in an instant.

-Abby ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stimey DATE:Monday, November 2, 2009 at 12:01:00 AM EST You definitely hit sweet this year. So cute! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Adventures turned traditions DATE: 10/21/2009 09:16:00 PM ----- BODY:

Last year I wasn't blogging in October. Let's hear it for internet stalkers! There was this one afternoon last October that I took off with Little Bird on an adventure, and I never wrote about it. I wanted to, because it was like this great turning point with us. We were a team, out to find the fun in life.

Granted, it was just a pumpkin patch, but for this mama, who barely left the house the first six months of Bird's life, it was more than that. It was freedom.

Bird and I hit the farm and rode the train, watched the goats, took a hayride, and picked out the most perfect pumpkin we could find. We left the stroller at home in favor of snuggling in a sling. Bird passed out on the way home, exhausted with I hope was sheer joy. It was also the first time I had that feeling of wishing he would remember the things we did together - that long term memory.

This year, Kevin wanted to join us. Since Lovely is tracked out in October, we planned the trip for when she was with us. The day was cold, windy, and it kept misting. It was not a great day for a pumpkin patch visit in Kevin's eyes, but I thought it was perfect. I love it when the weather starts to foreshadow the winter to come. We bundled up, piled in the Jeep and headed to Youngsville.

Bird may not remember our trip there last year, and he may not remember the one this year, but we will. We'll remember how he stomped out ahead of us all, leading the way to the train. We'll remember how he bounced in the hay and waited for me or Lovely to hold his hands, count to three, and help him jump. We'll remember how he ran through the rows of pumpkins, pointing at pumpkin after pumpkin, shouting "PUMKIN" like we wouldn't see them if he didn't tell us about them.

Fun afternoons and adventures are turning into traditions. Family traditions. I really love that.

Labels: Bird, Family, Holidays, On parenthood

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Mamma DATE:Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 11:20:00 PM EDT I can't get over how much had changed in what seems like such a short time--I know it really hasn't been that short.

You deserve all of these amazing things!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

myrelish DATE:Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 12:08:00 AM EDT Awesome photos and fantastic memories being made. Great to hear you had a wonderful adventure in the pumpkin patch. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amy DATE:Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 9:17:00 PM EDT Sounds like a blast! (and I'm loving that belly of yours...it's so cute!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Convertible Girl DATE:Friday, October 23, 2009 at 11:02:00 AM EDT Such fun -- and great pictures!

Check my blog for your Honest Scrap Award :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Amo DATE:Friday, October 23, 2009 at 2:46:00 PM EDT I love pumpkin patches so much! They are one of the greatest things about fall! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

whymommy DATE:Friday, October 30, 2009 at 10:01:00 AM EDT YAY!!!!!

I love to hear about these new memories, and traditions. ----- --------