Spic and Span

In our house, it is an absolute must that every one bathes on a regular basis. Our cats take this job seriously.






Now they sparkle!

National Blog Posting Month is now at an end. Today's the final day. Thanks for coming to visit daily (if you did) and trying to read when you could (if you did not). I enjoyed it!!

The Magic of Santa.

We do Santa. I friggin love Santa. He's all over my house. I prefer super fat Santas and Santas that are doing funny things (like my bouncy Santa that has springs for legs and when you push him down he jiggles forever. I heart him).

Elisabeth is a firm believer in all things magic. This includes Santa, flying reindeer, fairies, talking animals, ghosts, etc. We're totally into letting her explore. When she asks, I do the whole, "Well, what do you think?". Then she rambles. This year she asked me how much money Santa makes and who pays him. I informed her I have no idea how that works. She thinks it's probably different countries that all chip in. Works for me.

When I was little, I remember when I quit believing in Santa. Kids were always debating it on the playgrounds and at the cafeteria during lunch. The majority opinion seemed to be that if you believed you were a baby. Since I didn't want to be presumed a baby, I kept my belief to myself.

One Christmas, I had asked Santa for this baby that crawled. I waited all Christmas Eve night, trying to listen for Santa's reindeer on my grandma's roof as I slowly tried not to die of lung cancer (since it was the late 80s and my entire extended family still smoked). Christmas morning, I ran to the living room to see my much wanted crawling baby. My sister also got her Cricket doll that she'd wanted so badly (remember her? yeah, she got super annoying super fast)

Later that month, my mom brought home pictures she'd developed from Christmas. I was going through them when I saw something that made me pause. My dad had taken a picture of my mom opening a giant Cricket box. Then there were pictures of my mom taking Cricket out and getting all the plastic stuff off. I hurried up and put the pictures back and went to play and think about what I had just seen. If my mom had to take the doll out of the box, then that meant that Santa hadn't come to put it on the couch himself. And if Santa hadn't needed to come and put it on the couch, then that meant...

And that's when I knew. That's when I knew those kids at school were right. That's when I knew that my mom and dad had been "Santa" all along. I don't remember feeling betrayed or lied to or that Christmas was now this dark, false holiday. I just remember thinking two things: 1.If I told my mom I didn't believe she'd definitely cry (due to her being quite the cry baby) and 2.If I told my parents I knew, would they stop leaving gifts from "Santa". I loved getting gifts from Santa. I liked getting my stocking.

I waited almost a year before telling my parents. I remember EXACTLY when I told them. It was almost Thanksgiving. We'd just gotten done shopping at Eagle (hey, Pekinites, remember Eagle grocery store?!) and we were walking to our station wagon. I have no idea why I felt I needed to tell them then, but I waited until i knew Terra was in the car and couldn't hear me (she was younger and still believed, for crying out loud) and my parents were putting the groceries in the trunk. I told my mom and dad I needed to tell them something. I felt a big lump in my throat and my eyes got all stingy. I blurted out really fast that I didn't believe in Santa anymore while tears streamed down my face. They both stood there for a minute staring at me. Then my dad kind of patted my head and told me that was okay. I blinked. They'd handled it so well. My mom hadn't even cried! "Really? Well, will I still get presents?" My mom hugged me and assured me I'd still get a "Santa" present and a stocking. Then they both told me not to tell Terra since she still believed.

I got into the car and felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I hadn't made my mom cry (geez, Mom, way to make us feel guilty for making you cry!) and I felt better knowing that Christmas wouldn't change just because I was in on the secret. That Christmas I believe I got a Cabbage Patch Doll from "Santa". I'm also pretty sure it had a mullet.

Working Girl.

Over Thanksgiving break, one of Evan's co-workers needed someone to watch their dog, Lucy, while they spent Thanksgiving around Denver. They asked if Elisabeth would like to come over twice a day for 3 days. Of course, Elisabeth was thrilled to be an official pet sitter. She'd spent all summer trying to convince me to hang up signs that she'd handwritten saying "New Pet Sitter" with our house number (but not the street name, because she didn't know how to spell it) and our phone number. So, she agreed and they told Elisabeth to think of how much she wanted to charge. She decided on $2.00 a day.

We went over to the family's house to see Lucy again and see where they kept all of Lucy's essentials. Elisabeth paid close attention and took all of her tasks with the utmost seriousness. And then they said some very magical words to Elisabeth, "You can walk Lucy any time you want." You should have seen the sparkle in Elisabeth's eyes at that suggestion. They explained that Lucy liked to try to go into other people's yards and try to become friends with strange dogs, so Elisabeth would have to firmly tell Lucy "no" and keep a tight grip on her leash.

Elisabeth walking Lucy. Look at her determined face.

Lucy was trying to "friend" a dog behind this fence. Notice how Elisabeth is taking charge and saying "No". Evan said that once that dog behind the fence started barking, Lucy freaked out and ran away voluntarily.


Elisabeth is available for short term pet sitting. You should find her rates reasonable and her work exceptional.

It's hard being a baby.

Julia needed a break the other day. She's got a super rough life and a good magazine, a pacifier and a tall glass of tea was in order.



See, she and Elisabeth were wearing similar shirts (again. I swear I didn't plan it) and, of course, that calls for a picture.
Which Julia wanted no part of.
Until I bribed her with toy dogs.


Plus, every day, she has to get her hair brushed by Elisabeth before we leave the house.
It's soooo hard. (Oh, and I totally made Ebeth put an undershirt on, in case you were curious if I let my daughters go out in low cut sweaters. Cause I don't.)


And don't even get me started on how Julia hates hates hates being told that some things are not safe. Like standing in her diaper basket.
Uh oh.
Good thing Daddy was near by since Mommy was too busy taking pictures.

Yep. It sure stinks to be Julia.

Thanksgiving in Colorado

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Elisabeth and I started making some of the yummy foods for the feast at our house. Elisabeth has been helping in the kitchen since she could hold a spatula to lick it, so she's a pro now.

She's awesome at cracking eggs.


And helped me make this fabulous pie. Yes, yes, the pecans seem to have gravitated to one side, but I blame my oven. I think it's tipsy. Drunk oven.
Here are the deviled eggs we made because Evan insists they be a part of every feast.


Thanksgiving morning, I was up bright and early to tackle that 8.5 pound turkey in my refrigerator. I started by cleaning out the turkey. I found its neck right away and Elisabeth rushed over to ooh and ahh at it. (Aren't I so lovely in my morning attire?) (Seriously...I should have at least brushed my hair)
Then I went on to dress my turkey. I stuffed it full of quartered onions, oranges and garlic cloves. I also took softened butter and massaged it onto the turkey's breast under the skin.
Stuffed.
Then I sprinkled the spice mixture all around (garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, smoked paprika)
Evan's co-worker, Jacob, who was coming over to combine Thanksgiving forces with us, had bought the equipment to fry a turkey. His turkey was 17 pounds. My turkey was scared of his turkey. Anyway, since they are both lawyers (and dorks), the guys put up orange cones around the fryer to deter any children on bikes or pedestrians from running into said fryer and possibly knocking it over or catching themselves a flame.
Julia spent her time flirting with Erika (Jacob's wife) and chilling out.

Erika took this picture of us. Don't the girls look cute?! Don't you wish I'd pulled the right side of my shirt down?
Julia loves Erika. She was helping Erika stir the gravy.
The fried turkey is done!!!! (doesn't it look like it's going to waddle away?! I always think whole poultry look like they might dance away at any moment...because I'm odd, that's why)
Jacob is so proud of his turkey!
My turkey is done!!!!!
I set the table all elegant and whatnot. We'd never used our nice plates or tablecloths or place mats before.
The buffet line. I super love having a buffet area. It is handy when you actually need to have a buffet.
Julia could not wait any longer for the new Lieutenant and his wife to show up. She had to eat.




Elisabeth decides to sit and bug her while the grown ups start getting plates of food ready.
Evan carves the turkey!!!
We had an absolute blast. We ate around 3:00 and it was all delicious. The girls were so well behaved and still got to bed on time. Our guests left around 11:00PM, and took lots of leftovers with them. I really am thankful that we were able to share the holiday with friends since our families were all in Illinois. Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

Count Your Blessings.

This is my little sister Terra. Terra's a fabulous person. She has a heart of gold and a laugh that you can't help but laugh along with.

Elisabeth loves her Aunt Terra. Terra calls her "Hot Stuff" and Elisabeth thinks that the disco song of the same name is her own personal song.
Terra used to live in Colorado. Elisabeth and I made a trip out to see her in August of 2006. We climbed some mountains and got stuck in a flood while driving back to her home in Ft. Collins.
Terra was recently married in 2007. Her husband, John, is a sergeant in the Air Force. They are currently living in Texas.
Terra and John are hosting Thanksgiving at their house this year. John's family lives in Texas, so they'll have quite the house full. The thing is...well...Terra and the kitchen have never totally gotten along. Like ever.
And while I miss my little sister like crazy, I am counting my blessings that John has taken over the cookings of their Thanksgiving feast.
Cause otherwise all of Terra's in-laws would be making a trip to the ER...no offense, Terra. You know I love ya to bits and pieces. I'm just saying...

I'm now the hostess

For Thanksgiving, that is. Turns out that one of Evan's co-workers and his new blushing bride were planning on spending Thanksgiving alone at their house, so, of course, I invited them over to spend it with us and the girls. They said yes!! Then, Evan's the babysitter of a new Lieutenant in his office, and the Lt. and his wife just moved here two days ago, so I told Evan to command him and his bride to our house as well, cause I'm sure they don't have a turkey let alone two different pies baked by yours truly to scarf down. So, it seems that our Thanksgiving for 4 is now a Thanksgiving for 8, which is fantastic!

Guess we won't be eating in our jammies....

I have successfully baked two pies, made the stuffing and prepared the deviled eggs before 10:00 this morning. Super woman? Yes, but i had a 7 year old side kick who did a lot of the mixing and cracking of eggs and licking of spatulas. Our nemesis (the 17 month old) was easily distracted with Yo Gabba Gabba and granola bars so we didn't have to worry about our baking mission being overthrown with screaming or pushing or crying or demands of attention. Now all that's left is some mashed sweet potatoes that I will tackle in a little bit and the green bean casserole that I'm going to through in the crockpot tomorrow while I'm tackling the turkey. Oh, and the stuffed mushrooms'll have to be taken care of tomorrow to, so they are at their freshest (for I love me some stuffed mushrooms).

Am I being to optimistic in saying how simple this has been so far? Should I not jinx myself yet since I do still have a 8.5 gobbler in the refrigerator thawing and waiting to be roasted? Hm. Yeah, I think I will not say any more about how much I've enjoyed cooking this meal and that I would happily do it every year because cooking and baking make me so stinking content.