Thursday, October 29, 2009

Nonnie's A Coming!

We are so excited! Our very first visitor is coming tomorrow.  Nora's Nonnie (aka Dustin's Mom).  Ah, I am so ready for a familiar face and warm hug.

This morning, as Nora was playing on her music chair, I told her that her Nonnie was coming tomorrow, and this is what she did. no lie!





and of course, the snow this morning. That would be a road under there.


The hair is just killing me.  I love it!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Domesticated, yes. Tamed, No.

There is something in me that screams domestic.  I'm always cooking new and exciting meals for Dustin, baking cookies and breads.  I love to cook, but I have to admit, I really love the "Mmm, this is so good!" part at the end.  Watching someone eat and enjoy my food is a huge reward in my book.  I sort of puff out my chest and do a very pompous hair flip.  It's probably really annoying and stupid, but hey, I only do it in the privacy of my own home. (don't we all?).

So I decided to look up the word domestic in the dictionary, and this is what I read:



do⋅mes⋅tic



–adjective
1.
of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family: domestic pleasures.
2.
devoted to home life or household affairs.
3.
tame; domesticated.
4.
of or pertaining to one's own or a particular country as apart from other countries: domestic trade.
5.
indigenous to or produced or made within one's own country; not foreign; native: domestic goods.
–noun
6.
a hired household servant.
7.
something produced or manufactured in one's own country.
8.
domestics, household items made of cloth, as sheets, towels, and tablecloths.

Hmm, I resent that.  Or do I?  Nah, I guess it's okay.  I mean, to be devoted to your home life or household affairs, is a good thing.  Maybe just not so much devoted as concerned.  But now here's the part I don't like: Tame. TAME? I mean you can't be serious.  I'm sure they are talking about domesticated animals, but then again, they're probably not.  Us housewives/women are considered 'tame' to some degree by some.  But that's where I draw the line.  I want to be wild & free.  I don't want to be the perfect domestic desperate housewife type.  I do this because I want to, not because I have to.  Not because Dustin demands it, or expects it. But because he doesn't, and that makes me want to treat him.  Treat him with some good food and a clean house and not to mention clean laundry.  I am by no means, 'tame'. :) I am a free woman, taking care of her man, because after all, the best way to a man's heart is thru his stomach.  And I don't mind the food either.
So here are some photos not necessarily pertaining to my rant, but just pertaining to my baby and the really amazing cookies I baked.  Or so he says.

Mocha Truffle Cookies.  If you love coffee, I guarantee you'll love these!


You can't have enough bath time photos.  You just can't.




little footsies.


Her mouth is always open!


This feels good on those teething gums.


Splish, Splash!


So Dustin.


Speaking of Dustin...If I could read Nora's mind, I bet it's saying something like, "What the heck is Daddy doing in the tub with his clothes on?!"


See, I'm not so domesticated...I do my household duties in my all time fav KISS shirt! :) Hardcore to the Max.


The next morning. I could just kiss that bed head!!!


Mocha Truffle Cookies Recipe:
Yield: about 5-1/2 dozen


Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2-3 teaspoons instant coffee granules (I used the new Starbucks Via Instant Brew, very yummy)
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt


1. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and 1/2 cup chocolate chips.  Remove from the heat; stir until smooth. Stir in coffee granules; cool for 5 minutes. (remember to let it cook, or else you'll scramble your eggs in the next step). Stir in the eggs, sugars, and vanilla.  Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; fold into the chocolate mixture with remaining chocolate chips. 


2. Drop by round teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes or until tops appear slightly dry and cracked.  Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool completely. 


ENJOY! :)











Monday, October 19, 2009

oh baby.

You might feel the need to roll your eyes and refuse the sappiness I'm going to present to you. Thats fine, I might do the same if I were you. But if you have children of your own, you can't deny the truth.  The way they make you feel, the pride and the unconditional love.  I swear I get so overcome with joy while watching Nora discover and move around.  It's like, the neatest thing.  I've created this perfect little individual, and she is so cool. Look at her pick that up, isn't she coordinated? I bet she'll be a the best athlete ever, oh my, did you see how she put that toy back where she got it? I bet she'll be so dang smart, she'll probably find the cure for cancer.  It's this way she makes me feel that is so indescribable.  She really does make me a better person, & I truly believe that is not adults that produce children, but children that produce adults. My sweet little darling. :)


Oh and here is a quote/poem that I just really like.


"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow
So quiet down, cobwebs
Dust, go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

-Anon.



finally, she can wear bows!


Always climbing up on me.


Waking up from her nap.


Forget toys, this girl loves her books. Seriously.


good gollie I could just squeeze that child forever.





She loves to stand up at the window and watch the tree sway back & forth.


after nursing, she is out.


hush now.


Daddy will take you to bed.


just melts my heart. I remember when my daddy carried me to bed.


Momma & Daddy time. Sipping coffee and watching the news on the couch while the baby naps. Guess you can't figure out who's is who's. ha.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Stop, Drop & Pose.

As I was going back thru my friend Katie's photos, I stumbled upon this one.  I find it encompasses what motherhood is all about.  Somehow, Mama's can always stop, drop & pose during chaos.

During this particular shoot, her little man Jude and my little one Nora were both coming un-done.  I mean screaming, tears and fits.  The sun was setting and we were dying to get something worthy for our attempted shoot.  Here Jude won't leave his momma alone so we can shoot, and is right up under her tail like a little ducky.

Isn't it true, & I know all mothers do this, that when your mom's screaming, yelling and the kids are going crazy the water is boiling over and the dog's a barking- that if the phone rings, a mother can pick that receiver up and say, "Hello?" in such an endearing, kind & calm way?

:) I just find it all hilarious.



Monday, October 5, 2009

Old Man Winter

Everyone kept saying, "Wyoming Huh...you better get ready for a bad winter!" or "Oh lord, you're gonna have a big winter ahead..." while making a face of fear and anxiety, for me.  I just smiled and replied, "yeah, that's what they say..." My mind drifting off to the vision of me looking outside the window to the most beautiful winter I'd ever experience.  I know, maybe I won't wander outside the house for months due to the inclement weather, I might go a little stir crazy and I just might, and slightly already have, make heapings of soup like I was feeding an army! But this is what it's all about! Experience a different life. I've never lived anywhere that snow would be such a regular guest all winter long.  Especially loads of it! I say,  bring it on! Old man winter, show me what you got! :) *(I'll probably refer back to this blog months down the road, cursing myself..) haha.
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I'm going to post a picture that wasn't taken today.  It was taken the day Dustin purposed to me, on the walk to the creek, before he got down on his knee.  Me in my cowboy boots, in the clover, on my farm.  It means a lot to me.  It makes me think of Dorothy looking at her shoes and clicking them three times, wanting to go home.  Wishing those boots (or heels) where stomping on her familiar land again.  And whenever I get to missing home, I pull out that picture, and smile. :) And remember, my boots where meant for more than just home...
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So here's a few pics I snapped this morning.  Although, it had already melted a bit because Dustin got up with Nora and let me sleep in. [ain't he sweeeeet]! And here's a pic of my good ole' boots in the Wyoming snow!

I hope your heart is warm, for the weather aint. :)







Better start heating up that soup!


Her first snow of the season! Look at that face!


The tree outside our Apt.


My poor car, in the driveway.


Nora in the window with Daddy.


I love this face!


and then she was over it. :)