Jezebel

Grazing has become my newest favorite cookbook. So with the holidays here, food is in full swing too. Whether this is baking, giving, receiving, partying, etc. Recently I attended a Ladies Christmas Party (thanks little Merry!) and was required to bring an appetizer. Easy and tasty were priorities for me. So thanks to the ever industrious Julie, I assembled the creamy & zippy Jezebel. Try it! It'll be a hit with guests/ family/friends...even strangers will rave and request the recipe.
And, come on, isn't the name just fun? Jezebel. Nothing like a brazen, well-to-do hussy to brighten your holidays.

Jezebel
1 block of cream cheese
1 small jar of apricot jam
1T horseradish
2tsp dijon mustard
Mix Jam, h'radish & mustard together in jam jar. Heat in microwave approx 1 minute, pour over block of cream cheese. Serve with snack crackers. Yum!

Jezebel

Grazing has become my newest favorite cookbook. So with the holidays here, food is in full swing too. Whether this is baking, giving, receiving, partying, etc. Recently I attended a Ladies Christmas Party (thanks little Merry!) and was required to bring an appetizer. Easy and tasty were priorities for me. So thanks to the ever industrious Julie, I assembled the creamy & zippy Jezebel. Try it! It'll be a hit with guests/ family/friends...even strangers will rave and request the recipe.
And, come on, isn't the name just fun? Jezebel. Nothing like a brazen, well-to-do hussy to brighten your holidays.

Jezebel
1 block of cream cheese
1 small jar of apricot jam
1T horseradish
2tsp dijon mustard
Mix Jam, h'radish & mustard together in jam jar. Heat in microwave approx 1 minute, pour over block of cream cheese. Serve with snack crackers. Yum!

28 Months (a little late)

W is in the midst of being two. 28 months. He's independant and still sticks close to his parents when necessary, he's sweet, loving and huggy and two minutes later shyness, sullenness & a refusal to say hello may occur....you just never know. I've decided that this 2 business is just a dress rehearsal for the teen years. They're the same, just different sized bodies. As frustrating as it can be to live with a toddler, it's fun and heartwarming just too.

He makes us laugh. He's quite vocal and the things he finds interesting to talk about are surprising at times....like nose picking, nakedness and today at "diaper time" he was telling me about particular parts of the anatomy that he, his brother and father share. Apparently I do too! I thought these discussions would start a year from now? Wrong again.

W loves to sing, dance and act out scenarios from TV. He imitates Lord Farquad from Shrek, and the dance of the butterfly, ladybug, beetlebug and grasshopper from a Baby Einstein DVD. It's too cute and often causes a laugh from B & me even though we've seen this drama presentation a time or two.

Lately, his favorite songs at bedtime are "Silent-Good-Night", "Manger" and "Toys". Is there a better way to end the day than snuggled with your child in a comfortable chair, with a cozy blanket, singing Christmas carols? I think not. "Silent good-night, holy good-night...."

28 Months (a little late)

W is in the midst of being two. 28 months. He's independant and still sticks close to his parents when necessary, he's sweet, loving and huggy and two minutes later shyness, sullenness & a refusal to say hello may occur....you just never know. I've decided that this 2 business is just a dress rehearsal for the teen years. They're the same, just different sized bodies. As frustrating as it can be to live with a toddler, it's fun and heartwarming just too.

He makes us laugh. He's quite vocal and the things he finds interesting to talk about are surprising at times....like nose picking, nakedness and today at "diaper time" he was telling me about particular parts of the anatomy that he, his brother and father share. Apparently I do too! I thought these discussions would start a year from now? Wrong again.

W loves to sing, dance and act out scenarios from TV. He imitates Lord Farquad from Shrek, and the dance of the butterfly, ladybug, beetlebug and grasshopper from a Baby Einstein DVD. It's too cute and often causes a laugh from B & me even though we've seen this drama presentation a time or two.

Lately, his favorite songs at bedtime are "Silent-Good-Night", "Manger" and "Toys". Is there a better way to end the day than snuggled with your child in a comfortable chair, with a cozy blanket, singing Christmas carols? I think not. "Silent good-night, holy good-night...."

7 Months - Don't Blink

Looking at Baby R these days, I see so many changes in him. He is maturing by leaps and bounds before my eyes. Some of these changes are subtle; like his hair growing in and some are obvious; such as the ability to sit up, a new tooth, eating solids, laughing at his brother, becoming more vocal and getting up on all fours. Oh no! Please do not crawl soon. I am not ready for crawling. I love this snuggly baby stage and am not ready for the on the go stage. As much as I want R's babyhood to go slowly, it'll be interesting to see what his personality is like throughout toddlerhood and beyond.

He is a doll. Easy to please. Content. Mostly happy and just the most loveable little guy. We are so blessed.

7 Months - Don't Blink

Looking at Baby R these days, I see so many changes in him. He is maturing by leaps and bounds before my eyes. Some of these changes are subtle; like his hair growing in and some are obvious; such as the ability to sit up, a new tooth, eating solids, laughing at his brother, becoming more vocal and getting up on all fours. Oh no! Please do not crawl soon. I am not ready for crawling. I love this snuggly baby stage and am not ready for the on the go stage. As much as I want R's babyhood to go slowly, it'll be interesting to see what his personality is like throughout toddlerhood and beyond.

He is a doll. Easy to please. Content. Mostly happy and just the most loveable little guy. We are so blessed.

More Mom...

She's on the mend. Yay! It's been a stressful 10 days but enlightening and positive as well. My little mom is still in hospital, but if all goes well she'll be out for Christmas. Here's hoping!
Of course, she has a long road of healing ahead of her and there's alot of planning and organization to take place in regards to her being home alone. What she is able to accomplish on her own, what she will need assistance with, the everyday things that we healthy and able people take for granted, but it'll all come together. Also, the next treatment she'll undergo tomorrow should make the world of difference in her energy level. If the transfusion has the desired effect she'll be a new woman within the next few days.
It was a relief to spend time with her this past weekend. Just to see her lightened my heart. Many thanks to my in-laws as they took care of the boys for me while I spent time in the hospital. That was so helpful to me as I couldn't be there otherwise. Plus the boys had a wonderful time at the farm. Especially W who probably wore out his Gram-Oh Doe. She'll need some RnR after three days with W.
Of course, Christmas will be different than we had originally planned. Which is okay. In the big scheme of things, a little change never hurts. Keeps one adaptable and flexible. Really, we have more to celebrate this year. Alot of gratitude to share. And that is an important lesson for me now and always.