What's New Here

1. Ron brought me yellow roses last week. They have opened quite beautifully. I think fresh flowers make a room happy.

2. We have eaten bacon and eggs for breakfast each day this week. I usually have trouble (this is what grammer books call an understatement) rising early. Oddly enough, I've gotten up and cooked breakfast two days in a row! (I got a break this morning because I was up with the Squirms last night/early this morning. Poor child isn't feeling well. R was a sweetie and cooked.) I'm really enjoying this menu we are trying.

3. Squirms has learned that her mother does not share bacon.

4. I'm enjoying using my cast iron skillets for eggs and bacon. And cornbread. Cornbread is now my favorite food. That may be what I serve at Squirm's birthday party instead of cake.

5. Speaking of....I've been obsessed keeping busy and having fun planning the Squirm's first birthday party. One of my goals is to make the best cupcakes anyone has ever tasted.
I've decided to try out a couple of recipes for red velvet cupcakes since she is a Valentine's baby. I used coconut flour on my first attempt. It was a diaster. I guess one can't just substitute one flour for another in a cake recipe? I knew there was a problem when I tasted the dough. And it looked like play dough. I had to throw cupcakes away. Attempt 1: FAIL. The next day I made the same recipe with all-purpose flour. They looked and tasted like real cupcakes. Not the best I've ever had, but certainly edible. With a sweet, crunchy top. Attempt 2: Acceptable.
I will keep trying.

6. Monday afternoon was spent with friends watching season two of Downton Abbey. It was lovely. Especially since I've seen all of season two and therefore didn't want to throw things at the TV during the first several episodes. Perhaps sometimes I take fictional stories too seriously? 

7. I took a personality quiz. Based on characters from Winnie-the-Pooh. Yes, I did.
It told me I was Rabbit: Tactical, strategic, and a mastermind. While I really was just taking this for fun, I was surprised at the accuracy of the result. Then I made asked R to take it. The very scientific quiz said R was Tigger. This may be the most accurate personality quiz I've ever seen.
http://disney.go.com/pooh/games-and-activities/activities/personality-quiz

8. Monday I wore a pink frilly skirt, old orange t-shirt, and an orange headband. This one is for L. She loves my pink skirt. I'm going to wear it everyday when she visits in February.

9. The Squirms is a dancing machine. I am looking forward to signing her up for ballet classes. And perhaps tap. We are going to need to guide this blossoming talent because her current moves suggest natural hip hop and belly dancing skills and we will have to lock her in her room from years 12 - 28.

10. I bought a 1000 piece puzzle for R and I to put together. It has been fun. 1000 pieces is a lot of pieces! Our new goal is to finish the puzzle before Squirms turns five. And that is a stretch goal.

Also, Happy Birthday to my father-in-law, Senior R!