Blanket Thief

So, you see, there's this blanket that stays on the couch in the living room. It's nice and warm and cuddly... and the dog, Gizmo, prefers to use it as his bed/blanket and nap on the couch, instead of his own doggie bed/beach blanket in his cage.

This same blanket has caught the attention of a certain blue-eyed blanket thief.

We stole the blanket from Gizmo & brought it to the kitchen for a visit.

Gizmo is following him in this picture... poor dog tried for a few minutes to get his blanket back before giving up in defeat.

I don't know who loves that blanket more.... Gizmo for napping? Or Jacob for thieving?

The GREAT State Fair of Texas 2009

Because I know everyone is just dying to hear all about our 2009 pilgrimage to the Fair, I thought I'd give a you somewhat brief and, most likely, weak witted commentary.

Picture it (Thank you, Sofia) Sicily 1940-... I mean, Dallas, Texas. Sunday, October 18, 2009. Lovely, sunny day in the neighborhood. (A beautiful day in the neighborhood...) We set out to make our yearly trip to the Fair, fulfilling a tradition that should be passed down from year to year, generation to generation.... along with Fletcher's Corny Dogs and Dr. Pepper.

We begin our day

There's Big Tex!

In front of the fountains

The Nightly Parade- Jacob was doing ok until that dratted clown uttered these words, "Let me hear you SCREAM!" The crowd screamed..... and then Jacob wailed. He was then liberated from his stroller and spent the rest of the parade watching from the safety of his mommy's arms.

And, most important of all.... let me introduce you to your new best friend. Fried S'mores. Ahhh. They were amazing. My mother and I were intrigued & split one... we looked at each other and quickly decided to get another one! They are wonderful and tasty and in every way I say to them, "You complete me."

Let's just stare at them and bask in the memory of their epicness.

Here's another picture because one just isn't enough....

Isn't it pretty?

And here's a sampling of a little story I like to call, "Trying to Get a Picture in Front of Big Tex with Your One Year Old.... While the One Year Old Stares at the Giant Talking Cowboy & Looks Everywhere BUT at the Camera."

Hey, Jacob! Over here! Pay no attention to the big man behind the fence!

Here's the best one.... Big Tex finally stopped talking.... big mouthed cowboy wouldn't shut up for 2 minutes.

Goodbye Dear State Fair- with your Fletcher's Corny Dogs, your throngs of people, your stinky farm animals, crafty craft barns, oddly named fried butter, constant stream of music, cotton candy, salt water taffy, guilt-free non diet dr. peppers, wild and wacky butter statues, ethnic celebrations at every turn, wild midway and carnival rides.... and last, but not least, the epic wondrousness that is fried s'mores. I shall miss you and wait eagerly for your return in 2010.

Pride

The Only Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need

Seriously.......

(and I would suggest 1/2ing the recipe unless you have a passel of hungry boy scouts clambering around your table. This makes a TON of dough.)


These are the best cookies ever- end of discussion. And super easy to make.

2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups butter, room temperature
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 cups flour
3-4 cups oatmeal

2 packages semi-sweet chocolate chips


Preheat the oven to 350.

Mix the sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs & vanilla.
Mix in the salt, baking powder, baking soda, & flour. Work the flour into the dough one cup at a
time. Mix until flour is completely incorporated.

Fold in the oatmeal. Mix well.
Stir in the chocolate chips.

Bake for 11-14 minutes on greased baking sheet.

*****
Your next challenge will be to try and keep these cookies around for longer than 10 seconds a batch.

So, It's Been a While Since a Book Review

Changing Your World: One Diaper at a Time- Marla Taviano

I picked up this book while I was still pregnant with my son, but I hadn't cracked the spine until here in the last month or so. Somehow it got shuffled to the bottom on the pile- bummer. I wish I had read it before Jacob was born & then again after. It's a great book for 1st time mom's... and even 2nd and more time mom's. :-) I thoroughly enjoyed it- most especially the particular part when you realize that every mom pretty much at some moment thinks she's the worst mom ever. That made me feel so much better as a mother.... does that make me a bad person? Oh well.

I giggled through several parts & was humbled through several more. And was once again reminded about the worst way to begin a sentence when speaking to a new mom/mom-to-be/mom-to-a-child-younger-than-yours/or a woman who doesn't have children.....

"You'll understand when....."

Technically it's written for mom's who's children are in the 1st year of their life..... be a rule breaker with me. Pick up the book & settle down for a good read, no matter how old your children are.

We Took Our Picture

And this is a very bad picture of my favorite picture of me and the Boy. But, I thought I'd share it anyway.