Catch Up #2, A Vignette

Christmas was less than a month ago but it feels like it's been so much longer. Much of December was spent cleaning, getting rid of things we don't need/use anymore, and packing boxes to get ready for our move. Piles of papers and boxes stacked on top of each other were all over the apartment. We were having friends over after Church on Christmas Day so Christmas Eve was spent cleaning out our 'orange room', organizing and packing some more, and then moving all the boxes we had packed into the orange room so we could clean up the rest of the apartment.

This year I made presents for our family back home. Our pastor's wife does beading and one night a few weeks before Christmas had my friend Janet and myself over for some bead-making.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but it was pretty fun! I had bought a pendant over a year ago at Michael's (I love Michael's, I always feel so creative when I go in there) but hadn't done anything with it yet. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

Before heading over there I decided I wanted to make some scones. So I did!

I've never made scones before and I must say, they were surprisingly easy.. and delicious!

 

I think I could really get into this beading thing.

We got our place clean and after the Christmas Day service at church we had some friends over for dinner. Chris made his famous lasagna again and I think this was his best yet. We have been working together to perfect the homemade sauce and let me just say... yum! Good job Chris! The day after Christmas we had more people over and reinstated our cookie making tradition that began last year. Here are some of the goodies..

What else happened in December?
A hand was discovered.. which has lead to reaching out and grabbing things!

Blafre

Our friends from Norway, Helene and Ketil, sent us some baby stuff before Charles was born. One of the very cute things we received from them was this hip little lunch box. SO CUTE!

Ketil's sister-in-law (right?) is the designer- and all the products are so fun! From wall paper to fabric to stationary (and more!).. all with bright, clean, retro styled patterns for kids. LOVE! I want to buy some and decorate Charles' 'area' in our bedroom when we move.

Check out their blog which also has a link to their website.

Giraffe

Catch Up #1, A Vignette

I began this post a while ago and didn't finish it. I came back later to work on it and when I went to post it something went wrong and all that I had just finished typing and posting was lost. So I gave up and decided to come back, yet again, to finally get this darn thing posted. This time I am not going to write all that I had written before. I'm going to keep it short. And sweet. 





Boy, it's been a while since I posted something other than pictures. I thought I would do a little rewind and share what's been keeping us busy since November.

My family came out here for a week over Thanksgiving. We spent some time here in Brooklyn and also went to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Maryland.

There was a lot of baby holding!
Aunties met their little nephew for the first time. Kisses were planted on little cheeks and many diapers were changed for thankful parents.

Grandpa and Nanna got in on the holding and cuddling and oohing and aahing as well. Hearts were filled with new love.

A family Christmas Picture was taken

In Maryland, much food was eaten and memories reminisced. New babies have been added to the family as well as a fiance. Cousins and their families were brought together.

A son was dedicated to the Lord. Parents made commitments to pray for and raise up their son to know of his Heavenly Father's love and saving power. 

Stay tuned for catch up # 2

A Flower Grows In Brooklyn

December 15th to December 25th

...and still growing

Wordless Wednesday

J Dub meets P Dub

Are any of you fans of The Pioneer Woman?? If you don't know who I am talking about you need to go check out her site. She is amazing. UH-MAZE-ING. Her blog covers a range of things including photography, home and garden, confessions and of course cooking. I have made quite a few of her recipes and they have all been fantastic. I love the fresh corn with wild rice casserole, crash hot potatoes, french breakfast puffs and my husband loves the apple dumplings. Ok, everyone loves the apple dumplings! Oh my goodness.. I could go on and on about her food!
So when I learned that she was coming out with a cookbook I was elated. I was even more excited to hear that she would be doing a book tour. I made plans with a friend to go to her signing that took place on Saturday. Now, my friend Becca went to her signing at the Mall of America and waited in line for five hours. Five hours! I'm telling you, P-Dub is one popular woman! This is where my wonderful husband comes in.
He wanted to give me her cookbook as a birthday present but wasn't able to get it before my birthday. No problem, we could just pick it up at the signing. Well, not only was he going to get me the book but he woke up early and went to the bookstore to stand in line for me so I wouldn't have to wait so long. The signing started at 11:00am and he was there by about 8:30am. When he got there he sent me a text saying "I'm here. I feel really awkward. It's all middle aged white women and they are looking at me like what the heck are you doing here." He is so sweet :) I didn't think he would need to do it but I am very glad he did. The line was LONG, so long I couldn't see it's end.

Thanks to my man we were right at the front of the line. This sign was posted to the window of the bookstore telling all who passed by that Pioneer Woman would be there signing her book. And we were there for it!

With our books in hand and the excitement building!

I had Charles with me and he had been perfect the whole morning. He slept through the majority of his first train ride into the city and had woken up as we waited in line and charmed everyone around us with his cuteness. He started to fuss a little as we got closer but I had a bottle with me so that kept him happy. It was almost our turn! What was I going to say to her? I was trying to juggle a baby, bottle, stroller, book and camera all at once. Luckily Kimberly was with me to help out otherwise I could have become flustered. HA.

Pioneer Woman was so sweet. And so pretty! She signed my book, took a picture with me and my fussy baby, said he was adorable (he is) and graciously accepted Chris's gratitude for her apple dumplings.

It was perfect. I only wish I could have sat down with her and talk for a few hours. It went by too fast!

We didn't get a chance to become friends..

Thank you Christopher for waking up early and standing in line for me. I love you.
Thank you Pioneer Woman for signing my book. For the yummy food and loads of butter. For stories of your life on the ranch with Marlboro Man and the Punks. And basset hounds. It was a pleasure to meet you.