The Gift of Cooking

Michael's sister, brother, and their spouses/significant others and we never know what to get each other for Christmas. You can only get the same giftcard so many times. This year, we decided to do something that we normally don't get a chance to do together as our 'gift' to each other. We drove into the beautifully decorated downtown Chicago and went to The Chopping Block, a cooking school within the Merchandise Mart. The night's menu, which we made ourselves, was: Gruyere Cheese Fondue; Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin; Braised Red Cabbage with Bacon and Apples; Potato Rösti; Chocolate Soufflé. It was delicious and fun. I highly recommend this type of 'gift' for hard-to-buy-for family members, especially ones you don't get to see that much!

Olive's First Christmas

Oh, the joy of a child's first Christmas is truly something to cherish. Mike woke her up and brought her downstairs to see the wrapped presents and tree lit up and said,"Merry Christmas, sweetheart!" to her and I cried. Hormones + holidays = lots of sentiment. Lots. She was so excited to see her family and to open presents for the first time. Santa was very generous this year, but deservingly so....she is such a good girl. :)

Themed Birthdays - Take Two

I wish you could see how hard it is to type with my foot in my mouth.

I want to start off by saying that I shouldn't have gotten up on my high-horse about this "down with themed birthdays" stuff because it was presumptious and self-righteous. Another reason I am apologizing about that naive, hormone-fueled rant is because it's nearly impossible to find stuff that isn't themed. I hadn't looked at all when I went off on my soapbox, but I looked today, and it's all matchy-matchy. Le sigh.

My bad. I hope you still love me. Um, so, although I won't be making coordinating food or crafty favor type things, I did order all Sesame Street stuff. Ha. Guess those Party City bigwigs know what they're talking about. Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled program. Sorry again...I suck.

6 Days Away from One

Some pictures I took this morning...she just makes everything better. I love you, baby girl.

Tears In Aisle 9

Something I really love about my husband is his positivity and never-look-back attitude. When I called him a few weeks ago hysterically bawling feeling sad about Olive's upcoming first birthday, he couldn't really understand why I was sad. He said there is some good in reminiscing about the past, but that I should look forward to the future and all the exciting things that are to come.

I forgot that little pep talk today. I was at Jewel, getting groceries, and decided to stroll over to the birthday supplies section to see what they had available (since, um, Olive turns one a week from today). I saw pink cups and plates that had butterflies and hearts and said, "Birthday Girl" and I started crying and left. No birthday supplies collected thus far. Fail. I really need to get happy about this. Deep breaths.

My Thoughts On "Themed" Birthday Parties

In short, a terrible idea.

Kids care about a few things: food and gifts. I have never met a kid that gives a rat's whiskers about what the decorations looks like. This proves that birthday party "themes" are for the parent to feel better about him/herself and to prove to the world what a good mom she is. {I use "Mom" in this argument mainly because I don't know any dads that would ever do this without a wife's provoking. Not saying it doesn't happen, I mean, maybe Neil Patrick Harris and his partner will have some really awesome themed parties...}I pretty much guarantee that no one does a birthday party "theme" without either blogging or photo-bombarding Facebook about it, or taking regular photos and showing everyone they come into contact with. "See? Aren't I a clever, witty, crafty Mom?"

My own mother tells me this very simple, very helpful mantra...keep it simple, stupid. Why should buying birthday party decorations be more difficult than going to the store and getting whatever looks decent? Why?

Also, for all of those doing a theme for their baby's first birthday, you're setting yourself up for disaster. First, you now will feel obligated to think of a theme every year. If/when you bring more children into the picture, it'll only get more complicated from there.

First, finding the time/energy/money/wittiness to collect decorations for said "theme," but also the inevitable,
Jimmy: "I want a Batman theme!"
Johnny: "No, I want a Batman theme!" or "I had a Batman theme last year, you CAN'T have a Batman theme!"

The cycle only snowballs into a slippery slope of unnecessarily high expectations that really stem from no one but yourself.

So, the next time someone inquires what the theme of my baby's birthday will be, my reply will simply be, "Cake and presents."

Tasty Thursday: Oreo Truffles

You probably will gain a pound just reading this recipe. So. amazing.

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

Oh, Kids

December 8, 2010: my wonderful class of students threw me a very sweet surprise baby shower for Olive (link here)
December 8, 2011: I told my class that I was pregnant. How? We played Hangman on the board and my clue was, "Mrs. Fahey is expecting another baby!" It was fun to see the students who realized what it was before all the letters were filled in. When the puzzle was solved, everyone clapped. The girls squealed, the boys either looked freaked out or like they didn't care. Typical men.

Kind of cool that those two things were exactly one year apart...I promise I didn't mean to do that. Seriously.

Big Announcement

I'd only use that blog post title if I really meant it, so, here goes....

I'm pregnant.

Again!

This came as a big surprise to both Michael and me, but after the initial shock wore off, we are pretty excited. I'm 12 weeks this week, with an estimated due date of June 17, 2012 (Father's Day!). We went to the doctor and saw our little peanut #2 with a nice little heartbeat on the ultrasound. I can't believe it, it certainly is a lot to wrap our heads around. I cannot fathom being more busy than we already are, but we're ready and up for the challenge. We cannot help but feel incredibly blessed. I know Olive will be a super awesome slightly older sister, and oh.my.gosh.here.we.go.again! :-) Two under two!

Tasty Thursday: Pumpkin Bread

My mother-in-law made us a loaf of this and I just about hit the floor. She even added chocolate chips to hers. Seriously gift-worthy.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 4 cups white sugar
• 6 eggs
• 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; stir into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The top of the loaf should spring back when lightly pressed.

Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are really adorable, and I love getting them. However, we have had no time to take a family portrait of ourselves, nor anyone to take it for us, so we're not sending them this year. Next year isn't looking too good, either. I highly doubt anyone will feel slighted having not gotten one, but just know that we wish you a very merry Christmas, happy Hannukkah, good Kwanzaa, etc. Hugs!

Crybaby

It begins. December is here. This is the month that I will tell you something awesome (not yet, wait for it...), my daughter will experience her first Christmas, and that same little jewel will turn one. I am so excited and nostalgic about it all, I really can't believe it. A year of every date being her first something, even September 26 or something, even if a milestone didn't happen, it was her first that day of the year. Now, after December 28, it's all repeats. I don't know how we got here. It's surreal and beautiful and happy and sad. What I'm super proud of, though, is taking time to savor her as much as humanly possible. Shit, I'm crying. You understand, don't you? Argh.

Tasty Thursday: Christmas Wreaths

These aren't just for the kids! Yum!

Christmas Wreaths

ngredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 30 large marshmallows
• 1 1/2 teaspoons green food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups cornflakes cereal
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon red hot candies

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows, and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in the food coloring, vanilla, and cornflakes.
2. Quickly drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto waxed paper, and form into a wreath shape with lightly greased fingers. Immediately decorate with red hot candies. Allow to cool to room temperature before removing from waxed paper, and storing in an airtight container.