Blane and the Poop

I'm home because home is wherever Josh is.

I missed him terribly. My own sappiness annoys me. But yet, that was how I felt anyway. :/

I had a splendid time in LA - dinner with friends, dessert catch ups, Instagram fun, and mostly hanging with Aimee, Cole, and Blane. When you hang out with Blane you are always rewarded with something. He is the best reactor to things. Where Aimee and Josh are more reserved and private, Blane and I are most decidedly NOT. We always "feel" things and can be counted on for a good reaction. There is also nothing the two of us won't talk about so we often drag A and Josh into great conversations. And although they would roll their eyes, Blane and I know they love it.

Before I left for LA I found fake dog poop in the dollar section at Target. Of course I had to buy it for Blane. Last night I finally had the chance to use it. I put it on his doorstep and waited till he came home. He didn't see it initially so Aimee asked him to check the mail. STILL didn't see it so she asked him if the neighborhood cat was around and he looked down and completely had a cow. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Blane, talking to himself, "Oh my gosh, what the heck is that? what the heck is that? J! Come over here, what is this????"

I walk over there and he had grabbed his slipper and was beating the gelatinous poop, freaked out.

"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT! That is SO gross." Look, it jumps!"

He was making so much noise about it that a random stranger walking by asked him if he was killing a spider and if he was okay.

Aimee and I were laughing so hard we were crying. Sigh, good times.

Blane and I

Aimee is doing really well. How do I explain it? One summer we took a class together at community college and I had to pretend to I didn't know the girl who sat in the front row and kept raising her hand to answer all the questions. -_- Use that and apply it to motherhood. She's ace'ing the class, if you will.

Here's Cole. Initially he was sitting on my lap just relaxing and looking at me.

And then he was so comfy he fell asleep.

And the silly little guy stayed like that even when I stood up! 

Pure heaven. 

Tailgating 101

It's football season and I can't go a whole week without saying something about it. Especially about this past Saturday. We tailgated. Yup, like the folks down south who camp out all night, smoke meat fresh from their backyard or (in the interest of geographical fairness) like Raider fans who color their bodies and wear ridiculous outfits and yell and scream like there's no tomorrow.

Fanatics.

When you compare Josh's family to those type of fans, we are relatively normal.

I learned that tailgaters have a certain system. If you want to blend in you need 1. a tent with your home team written all over it 2. a portable BBQ 3. tables for setup 4. games 5. chairs 6. homemade food 7. a large flat screen tv 8. a satellite dish for the tv 9. friends

We didn't have no ordinary game day food. My MIL prepped all night so we could feast on beef, chicken, and shrimp skewers, spam musubi, chips and homemade dip, fresh cut fruits and veggies, and more. Family friends brought even more food with rice balls, mochi chicken, and dessert.

the girls

Josh's family. Do you think my white white skin gives me away as the "married in" one? :p

And the motley crew. Sorry, this is as good as it got. And no, the white guy isn't part of the family.

Being first timers, we did pretty well. Pretty much nailed it except for the flat screen tv and cable hookups. But that was okay, there were so many tv's around us it wasn't hard to see a score or watch a play.Tailgating was fun. HOT, but fun. I guess there's no looking back now. Fight on.

Excuses 1,2, and 3

I'm late posting today.

Also, I'm good at stating the obvious.

But I have the best excuse, says the student to the teachers. And here they are excuse 1, 2, and 3.

1. 

2.

3.

I guess I take photos when he's sleeping. But there's something special when it's ultra quiet and his tiny body is snuggled up against yours, completely trusting you while he sleeps. 

Blissful.

A Real, Live Girl

Speaking of birthdays, 31 is fast approaching for me and although it's not near as special as your 1st, it is one I will remember. Oddly, I find myself eyeing girlie things. I've never been one to lean towards girlie (In fact, all of my necklaces are gifts from my mom) so I don't know what's come over me. Maybe it's because I don't want to look like an "old 31" or because I'm now back on my feet and ready to face the world or maybe it's because I'm turning into "a real live girl, Geppetto!". But for whatever reason, here's what currently strikes my fancy.

1. We make it a point to visit her every time we walk through Nordstroms, the Tory Burch Rachael Crossbody Clutch 2. A touch of fancy, thin but big (real) gold hoop earrings 3. Martina patent wedge because of its versatility 4. the Cece studded leather ballet flats for everyday 5. A simple, daily perfume because I think Josh would like it  6. A brow pencil because you'd laugh if you saw what I was using 7. Lulu's because it's time 8. and my only utility, a headband to cover my ears while I run.

Have a beautiful weekend ya'll. I'm headed to a tailgating party (betcha can't guess for who) and to see my nephew. Our two favorite things!

Bday Parties, If You Will.

I used to be one of those people who kinda rolled their eyes at big ole birthday parties for one year olds. I used to always raise my nose in the air, as if I knew better, and would mutter, "they won't remember". But now that I have a little nephew, I've completely done a 180. I have dreams of cotton candy booths! mini petting zoos! donkey rides! gourmet food! individual bday cakes with a personalized monogram!

J, reign it in. Reign it in a little.

Last night when Josh was sleeping o-so-soundly next to me I found this in my twitterfeed. My mouth dropped open and I could barely hold back from waking the sleeping creature to 'ooo' and 'ahhh' with me.

Needless to say, I don't think he would have appreciated being woken up to see pictures of a child's bday party. :) I would have said it's not just any child's bday party, but Martha Stewarts granddaughters 1 year party. Say what you will about Martha, woman can throw a party.

more photos here

Isn't it just perfect in every way? *sigh

Maybe I'll call in a few favors and see if she'll do one for Cole. :p

here

Tiny Clothes for Tiny People

Mini-me clothes, again. I'm obsessed, just obsessed I tell you! 

So scrumptious, aren't they? I just want to pick them up and nibble their ears and tickle their tummies till they are red in the face. 

Get them here.

The Great Cookie Hunt

I have this favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe that has become my "standard cookie". You know what I mean? It's my go-to cookie recipe that I'm quickly becoming infamous for. (I think a total of 3 people know about them, and in the interest of full disclosure I'd have to say that of those three people, all of them are family.)

But I don't want to be the girl who stopped searching for the best cookie too young. So I'm back on the hunt for another cookie. And then this plopped into my cyber lap, the Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter + Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Made them last night. YUM. The nutella is the kicker.

her photo

You can never have too many chocolate chip cookie recipes in your repertoire.

At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

Weekend Recap

It was a sad, sad weekend. But all the concerned texts for Josh made it a tiny bit better. Thanks friends. :)

1. Sprinkles cupcakes in Palo Alto is right next door to Stanford in one of my favorite Bay Area malls. They were offering free cupcakes if you whispered "Go Stanford" so I swallowed my pride (and made Josh swallow his too) for the free goodies. I had no shame walking in there decked out in USC gear, surrounded by Stanford fans. $4 per cupcake will do that to you. :p 2. First time at the stadium. It's small and not well planned for crowds. But the seats were comfy and we were surrounded by Cardinal and Gold. By the end of the first quarter the peeps in our little area were best friends. :) 3. After the devastating loss (Josh laments that it was the way they lost that hurt so bad) we ate our sorrows away with those grandes 4. This was taken at halftime, before the loss became apparent. Originally our shirts were the same color. But Josh has worn that shirt to every game he's been to since his freshman year. Maybe it's time for a new one?

One for the Road

I know I said I wouldn't post about Cole anymore this week. But I tricked you and had my fingers crossed. :p It's Friday friends and I must leave you with something sweet for your weekend. What is sweeter than a newborn? I've now had ample time to go through the gazillion photos I have. Here are some goodies:

Passed out with Josh on the couch. Watching the game and fixing Aimee's computer together.

**smiles while sleeping**

nose to nose, Father and Son

he's in there somewhere..

head to toe

 wrinkled toesies!

and me, in awe. 

We aren't going down this weekend so I miss him already. But Aimee is doing really well having settled into a sort-of routine and recovering nicely from the birth. So that makes me feel A-okay. 

Instead we're going to the SC game at Stanford this weekend! Should be lots of fun (and hopefully not stressful at all because it's a blowout). Have a beautiful weekend friends. 

Orders Up!

Josh has been working late on a project every Tuesday and Thursday for the last few months. Oftentimes he doesn't get home till 8 and by then he's tired and hungry. To thank him for being such a great provider, I cooked up a little something special.

Well, maybe little is the wrong word. Decadent, rich, creamy, and overthetop are more the adjectives I was looking for.

Marsala Mushroom Cream Sauce over Beer Braised Beef 

(FYI - The pro photo was waaaay prettier, so I used that one.)

It's the perfect recipe for a special occasion/holiday that just happens to be a cold, rainy night. Already in the Paprika app!

Food coma commencing..

Be Brave

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. - Eleanor Roosevelt

photo

Announcements Announcements!

Last week Aimee and I were able to finish up Cole's birth announcement. I can't wait to see the finished product. But in the meantime, aren't these just the most adorably creative announcements ever? The last one is my favorite. :)

here, here, here, here

Beautiful Bones

Someone please hand me a paper bag because the structural bones on this home are making me short of breath.

more photos here

Back At It

After a long hiatus, I am back on the job hunt. My dream job would be to blog for a home design website or write travel articles for Sunset Magazine. Then again, if I worked here, I wouldn't care what I was doing. Gorgeous and inspiring all rolled into one.

Don't you agree?