Inner Tulip

This is what you see if you get as close as you possibly can to the inside of a tulip.

Cedar Waxwings at the Arboretum

Cedar Waxwings at the Arboretum
Originally uploaded by Tara Holt.

Cedar Waxwings are cool looking birds. These are ones we saw at the Arboretum a couple weeks ago. I am testing sending photos to my blog from my flickr page.

Mall Walking

Today is a kind of yucky day, so I took the Peanut to the mall to stroll around. She is sleeping it off, and I am blogging. Every time I go to the mall, I stroll through Anthropologie. http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

Do you have this store at your mall? They have the most awesome clothes. Especially skirts.

As I stroll through Anthropologie, this is what I say in my head:

Seventy-eight dollars! I could make that. Fifty-six dollars! I could make that. A hundred and thirty nine dollars! I could make that.

And so forth.

It is time, my friends, to get out my machine and do some sewing.

The key to the stuff at Anthropologie is the fabric. I need to know where these people get their cool fabric. Then I could make all the stuff for way cheaper, and maybe I could finally be the modern urban mom I want to be. My orange shoes have just about had it. And they don't have them on the Lands End web-site anymore, so I can't replace them.

Daphne loves going to the mall. Her favorite things are the guy who plays the piano by the escalators at Nordstrom (he is fabulous), the big spouting fountains by La Madeleine, and the window at Puzzle Zoo toy store which has a giant Big Bird, and other huge stuffed animals. She looks at it and squeals with delight. All the people at the mall like her red hair. I do too. She is a good little baby.

Tulips

Last year, Kev got me some tulip bulbs, which I planted. They came up last spring, and were really pretty, but all the experts assured us they wouldn't return this year. Since we have mild winters, tulips are more like annuals here. But against all odds, I have a flower bed full of tulips, and not only did they bloom, but some of them even multiplied. So there, you so-called experts!. If not for all the dandelions and other pesky weeds, my little flower bed would be lovely.

Exciting LRHS News Alert

If you entered the LRHS logo design contest but didn't win, your exciting parting gifts will be shipping out today or tomorrow, so watch your mailboxes for fabulous prizes.

Hmmmmm....

Knitting Rules

Project Number 4 is finally complete, and I am really proud of this one. I didn't think I could do it, but here it is: my first yarn sweater. Woo-hoo! The only trouble is, I soaked it in our bathroom sink, and it sorta smells like Kev's shaving cream.

Now, I just need a place to wear it...

Being the Butterfly

Stroller Brigade

Yesterday, our playgroup went to Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum for Mommy and Me Monday. There is Daphne in the middle, trying to take the toys off the kid's stroller next to her. She had a great time. There were kids to play with (steal from), goats, sheep, chickens, a pony, and nice soft grass to walk on.

New Blogger is Bad

Hell on Wheels

This weekend I busted out my roller skates at the Katy Trail. I pushed the stroller while Kev walked behind and took some very unflattering pictures that will never see the light of day. Daphne slept through the whole thing, and I had a blast in spite of fearing the public fall-down the whole time. My center of gravity has changed since my last roller skating adventure.

I need to make a roller skating song section in my iPod, and do this more often now that the weather is so nice.

PS. I got these roller skates for $19! They are Nike!

Field Trip

On Saturday, we took the Peanut to the zoo because it was nice out. Guess what. Most of the other people with babies in Dallas had the same idea. So it was kind of a beating. Crowded and hot...strollers everywhere. But we still had a good time, and Daphne liked seeing all the birds and animals. We took her on her first carousel ride, which she seemed to like. And she got to pet a chicken. It was cute. She was very gentle with the chicken. She fell asleep on the train on the way home, so we walked around the station until she woke up, and then had dinner at the Trinity Hall pub. Daphne likes lemons. She demands them back if we take them away. She's a funny little baby.

Pie at Last!!!

This morning my dad came over to play with the Peanut so I could cook some stuff. I made cream of wild mushroom soup, some meatballs (some to go with the sauce I made Monday, and some to freeze), and as you can see, I finally had a chance to use my new awesome apple peeler/corer/slicer gadget to make this apple pie. My house smells like Christmas in Italy. My dad said it is one of the best apple pies he's ever tasted, so thanks to him for watching Daphne so I could make it, and a very special thanks to Kev's mom for the recipe, and his sister for the awesome apple peeler/corer/slicer gadget. All y'all should get one of these gadgets. If you are worried that it is a one trick pony, you should know that it can also be used for potatoes and probably other stuff, but I haven't read the instruction booklet all the way through yet. Even if it DID only do apples, it's worth it for the pie. I will see if I can get permission from Kev's mom to post the recipe. It's really easy to make.

Rock On, Little Peanut

I will blog a real blog soon.

Good Stuff

Today at Central Market, I bought a big giant bag of Popcorn, Indiana brand Smoked Cheddar Kettle Corn, and let me tell you, this is some GOOD stuff. To find out where to get some, go to www.popcornindiana.com and it will tell you, and you will also see their cool tractor logo which would make a great t-shirt. Apparently, Popcorn, Indiana is a real place, 20 miles south of Bloomington. Perhaps my Kentuckiana cousins have been there. I would go there if I lived in Kentuckiana. Next, I am going to try BBQ flavor.

By the way, there is also a Santa Claus, Indiana. There used to be an amusement park there called Santa Claus Land, and we used to go there when I was little. I found out on the Travel Channel that it is now called Holiday Land, and that it won an award for "friendliest" amusement park, or something like that. Sorta like the Miss Congeniality of amusement parks I reckon. Anyway, maybe we'll take the Peanut there when she gets bigger.

The Travel Channel is lame. All it ever has are poker shows and shows about Las Vegas.

Problem Solved!

I think I have solved my halter problem without cutting. I made a crochet chain and weaved it through the back to use as a draw-string. Voila! Instant cinching! Tie it in a bow and go. Plus, it is adjustable and removeable, so maybe the Peanut can get a couple year's use out of it. This makes me so happy...I was really bummed out about the whole thing yesterday.

And the Winning Logo is...

So, yesterday, I printed out a sheet of paper with all the entries on it. Then I spent a long time staring at the sheet of paper with all the entries on it. Dang, this was a tough decision!

A lot of entries were ruled out because of details or colors that wouldn't be possible to screen, but then I had several really great entries left to choose from.

Finally, when I was trying to fall asleep last night, I made my decision:

The prize of a t-shirt and the honor of designing the official t-shirt of the LRHS goes to (drumroll) Kev for his very first entry, the Squippie Symbol: http://housepants.blogspot.com/2007/02/contestant-number-one.html#comments

I decided that while penguins and guitars and sock monkeys and owls and so forth are all single aspects of the LRHS, and all things I love, they all sort of fit under the squippie umbrella. And so, the squippie symbol best represents the overall spirit of the blog. Congratulations Kev!

With that said, there are so many good entries, that I promise you haven't seen the last of them. Plus, everyone who participated will be receiving exciting prizes in the mail (please be patient, it may take a few weeks for me to get my act together). Fooie, I need your address. Thank you all so much for entering my contest and reading this blog. Yay!

Knitting Semi-Success

This week, I knit this halter for the Peanut. I was so proud because it was quite a bit more challenging than the hats I've made, and as you can see in the picture, it is a really cute little halter. Here is the roblem: it is about 3 inches too big around, and to take the picture I had to cinch it up in the back with a clothespin. My friend Emily seems to think it can be fixed, but it is going to involve some cutting which is very scary with a knit piece, so we'll see. Anyway, live and learn. Stay tuned for tomorrow's big contest announcement!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLEACH AND BEAN!

Last Minute Entry

This last entry is from my cousin, Ben. Finally, one of my relatives comes through! Nice work Bean!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. OK, all the entries are in. An official announcement will be made on Monday regarding the winner(s) .

2. Speaking of Bean, please visit his blog for an rare and exciting interview with the great LarryFeathers. http://beanblog.com/

The Real Calliope

Three More Days

With just three days left in the LRHS logo design contest, Kev has entered for a third time. This entry puts me in a very awkward position, because if I choose it, I know all y'all will say I am playing favorites. But just LOOK at it! It's awesome! It is based on Ralph's sister, Calliope.

(I reminded Kev that the prize is a shirt featuring thewinning design. I just can't see him going around town wearing a t-shirt with a betutued sock monkey on it.)

Anyway, I don't know how I am going to pick a winner. All of the entries have been great, or at least interesting.

So, you have a couple more days if you want to enter again. Then I'll have to choose a winner. Oh dear. I don't know why I get myself into these messes. I may end up having to have a vote.

Blogging Because I Can

I have a few minutes, so I am going to blog. Last night, Kev and I went to Fort Worth to see Madeleine Peyroux at the Bass Hall, so Daphne spent the night in Garland with G-ma and G-pa. It was her first night away from us, or I should say it was our first night away from her. It was hard for me, but she was fine. She was good, and she even slept all night. My little baby doesn't need me anymore. How depressing. Actually, I am glad she did so well. Now I will feel more comfortable leaving her, and maybe Kev and I can actually get away for a whole weekend sometime. I have been itching for a camping trip since the weather has been so nice lately. Anyway, Daphne is on her way home, so I'm using this last bit of free time to blog since there's not really time to start a project. You should see my list of projects! I'll never get it all done.

The show was great last night. If you guys haven't listened to Madeline Peyroux, you should go over to Amazon or something and check her out. Her voice is amazing. And if you haven't been to the Bass Hall, I recommend that too. It is a beautiful big symphony hall, and the acoustics are great. We saw the great Doc Watson there last year, and we found out last night that he's coming back. Gordon Lightfoot is also scheduled, and I think that would be a good show. Especially since the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a PPHPHB staple during band practice (it is one of the only songs where I can play all the guitar chords...no Fs or Bs!).

The opening act was a guy called "Goat." He has a real name, which I forget, and he is the son of baseball great Al Rosen. He was a really good pianist, sort of Ray Charles-y, but his voice was a little grating, and he kept pronouncing words that begin with "A" using a long "A" sound even when it wasn't necessary. For example, he would say AY-lone instead of UH-lone, and AY-gain, AY-way, AY-go, and so forth. Every time! It was past my bedtime, and I was really sleepy and irritable, so I was having a hard time tolerating Goat and his long "A"s. I was telling Kev this on the way home, and he said, "Boy, you are easily annoyed." And I said, "Don't you mean AY-noyed?" and that was the end of conversation in the car for a while. Sorry I was so cranky, Kev. I'm no good without sleep. But in spite of my crankiness, we had a fun night out, and we got to eat velvety lobster bisque at Daddy Jack's! Thanks to my mom and dad for Peanut-sitting.

This morning, myfirst daffodil bloomed. I'll post a picture later. Kev's mom brought me a butterfly plant all the way from New York. If I don't kill it, it will be a miracle. But I am going to try hard to take care of it, because it is a really pretty plant, and it will bring butterflies to the yard.

The baby will be here soon, so I better go. I can't wait to see her. Have a good weekend everybody!

Video Failure

Apparently nobody has been able to see the YouTube videos on here, so as an experiment, I put one on the Peanut Gallery since that one has not been forced over to the new blogger. I doubt if that makes a difference, but if you have time, please go over there and try to watch it, and let me know if it works. I have not had any trouble seeing them on my computer, so I don't know why it won't work for anyone else. Computers are a drag sometimes.

Field Trip

Yesterday, my mom and I took the Peanut to the playground at the lake. It was hot, which is funny because last week it was freezing. Texas. Anyway, she had a great time swinging and looking at birds like the Double-Crested Cormorant pictured here. You do not want to get pooped on by a double-crested cormorant, by the way. It is nasty stuff.

Last week, Kev's mom and dad came for a visit. We had a fun and action packed weekend. We went to the Fort Worth Stockyards and to the Dallas World Aquarium, and had lots of houseband time. I'll put pictures on next time I have blogging time. And I will tell you about my awesome Valentine's day gift from Kev, and about the jazz singer we saw Sunday night.

Seven days left before the LRHS logo contest deadline, so get those last-minute entries in. I am flabbergasted by the response so far. I didn't think anyone would enter. You are all cool. Or else you are a bunch of people with way too much time on your hands. I have to say, though, I am disappointed in my relatives, none of whom has entered. Dangit.

Triple Shot from Uncle Pat

Here are three from Pat! Click on them to make them bigger.

You are all so cool for being in my contest.

Musical Penguin

Here is Darlene's latest entry. This one may be hard to beat.

Play Group Dilemma...Need Help

Next time we meet for play group, I am in charge of food. Normally, I'd just whip up a batch of good ol' Texas Eggs, easy as pie. But here's the problem: One of the moms has a severely lactose intolerant baby, so she can have NO dairy. So I need some ideas for a recipe that can feed about 10-12 people, and that I can preferably make the day before and just heat up right before playgroup, and has no dairy, and isn't particularly gassy since a lot of the moms are nursing. Whew! The last two times, we've had soup. Any ideas?

Baby You Can Drive My Car

The Peanut got a brand new car for Valentine's Day. It converts to a walker, which terrifies me. But she LOVES it. She's one step closer to the Big Wheel!

Stupid Blogger

Blogger tricked me into switching the the "new" blogger the other night and I hate it. I am having a hard time with the comments (commenting on my own blog, and reading comments/commenting on other blogs of people who have switched over). Is there any way to go back?

Peach Face Lizard Baby

Video Killed the Radio Star

So, if you scroll down, you will see that thanks to the magic of YouTube, I have figured out a way to post videos on my blog. This creates a whole new world of possibilities. I will try not to abuse this new ability. The first two videos are ones of the Peanut (surprise surprise). She started crawling the "real" way this weekend, so we filmed it.

I had a crafty weekend. On Saturday, I went to a sewing class using a gift certificate I got for Christmas. I learned to make a giant box floor pillow, which is being referred to around here as my "tuffet." The most useful thing about the class was learning to sew in a zipper. I can now use that skill for things more practical than tuffets, like skirts and dresses and so forth.

Also, I finished my second knitting project, which is a "yarn hat" commissioned by LarryFeathers.

And I did a little experimenting with making iron-on appliques using scrap fabric and fusible webbing, which is a very cheap, easy, and fun way to embellish your otherwise plain clothes.

All of these are pictured on the Peanut Gallery, along with some pictures of Daphne holding a beer. Oh, the schtick you can do with babies!

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Peanut Crawls

Dragging the Peanut

Kev Enters Again!

Here is Kev's latest logo contest entry. I like it a lot. It looks like a high school mascot t-shirt. And it would be EASY to screen.

Fooie brings up an interesting idea, which is letting you all vote for the winning logo. But I think you would all just vote for yourselves, so it probably wouldn't work.

Speaking of Fooie, you should all go over to http://mindsquirt.blogspot.com/ and read about the bearded soup smeller. It is good stuff.

Contest News

Hi and I am so excited that all of y'all are participating in the LRHS logo contest! Competition is heating up, and there has even been a little trash-talking!

All of your entries are great, with all the birds and penguins and owls and guitars and such. I'm surprised no-one has included any housepants in their designs. Thanks for your entries, and feel free to enter again (and again!) if you want. The DEADLINE is Feb. 28. (Keep in mind that I unfortunately can't screen-print complicated and colorful images onto t-shirts. )

Whitney: I am still hoping for an entry from LarryFeathers. He is out of town until next Thursday, but there's still plenty of time.

And if you are one of those silent readers out there, please feel free to enter too.

Here's One from Julie!

This one's great too! Love the colors.

Another Great Entry!

This one's from Darlene. Very representative of the spirit of the LRHS, and with a Texas twist!

Contest Update

If you have entered the contest, please comment or email me with your t-shirt size and color preference in case you win.

Triple Threat

These three entries are from Marty, who was wondering if iron-on decals would be acceptable since his designs would be difficult if not impossible to screen print. The problem with the iron-on decals is that they don't wash well. They get all cracked. But I did hear about June Tailor's Ink-Jet fabric sheets, which are sheets of fabric you can run through your printer. Then you could use fusible webbing to make an iron-on decal which would probably be more durable and less cracky. These sheets are expensive though. Anyway, I'll probably stick to something that can easily be screen-printed for this project, but I like all of Marty's ideas. I especially like the nod to Napolean Dynamite and to poor old Pancho. Thanks to Marty, and to everyone who has entered so far.

By the way, Whitney's entry was supposed to be in French Script font, but it didn't show up that way because we don't have it.

Fooie's Entry

Very colorful and action-packed! Perhaps just ever so slightly on the violent side, what with the guys labeled "dead" and all. I really like the sun and the birds though!

The Entries Pour In!

Two entries from Kim, complete with songbirds and penguins! Woo-hoo!

The Competition is Heating Up

This is Whitney's entry. Simple, elegant, to the point. Very nice.

Contestant Number One!

This entry was submitted by Kev because he is nice and probably thinks no one is going to enter my contest. I like the incorporation of the Squippie symbol. He just might win!

Play and WIN!

1. A long time ago, I found a cat outside the door to my old apartment. After some long, hard thinking, I decided to keep him. I emailed all the people I knew with the subject line "Please help me name my cat." I received many interesting, and some shocking, responses, and eventually named my cat Archie because it suited him. He is a great fat cat, and currently lives with a very nice lady in Garland because Kev is allergic.

2. Today, Kev's dad sent me an article about "How to make your blog more popular." I am not really trying to revolutionize the blog world, but it did give me an idea.

So,

3. I decided to have a contest. Here are the rules: Design a cool logo for the Lazy Russian Horses Show that I can make into the Official LRHS T-Shirt. It should be simple, yet interesting, and illustrate the general spirit of this blog. If anyone actually participates, I will post their entry so you can all see it, and then I'll choose the best one and make a free shirt for the winner. There might even be bonus prizes. Remember, this is a family friendly blog. Please keep it clean.

Email me your entry!

UPDATE: Enter as often as you like!!!

Deadline is Feb. 28.

First Hat Done

Yesterday, I completed my first knitting project: the little pink hat pictured at left. Not bad for my first try, I guess. But when I look at the sweater also pictured, knit by my friend Anne, I realize I have a lot to learn. That's OK. I've got time.

Thursday's knitting and coffee was great. I was inspired.

Fun with Yarn

Tomorrow, my dad is coming over to watch the Peanut for a couple hours so I can go meet a couple of friends for coffee, adult conversation, and knitting. I have been looking forward to this all week. If someone had told me back in the days when I listened to Ratt that I would someday be all excited about getting up early and sitting around a coffee shop doing yarn crafts, I would have had a good laugh. But I'll tell you, I can't wait.

For my first knitting project, I've started on a little hat for Daphne. It's looking kinda sloppy, but I guess it's OK considering I have no idea what I'm doing. The friends I'm meeting are pros, so I hope to get some tips.

In non-craft related news, it snowed here today. But it was just that lame really wet snow that melts as soon as it hits the ground. This weather is crazy. I would wish for spring, except a wish for spring is a wish for summer to be closer.

It is the last day of January, and I failed once again to make a pie.

PS. I still sorta like Ratt.

Pictures by Request

Please visit the The Peanut Gallery if you are interested in pictures from recent blogs.

That link doesn't seem to work, so you can use the one under "Links" on the right.

The Obsession Continues

Last weekend, I went a little nuts. On Friday, my parents kept the Peanut all day so I could clean my house and have some TaraTime. OH, how I needed some TaraTime! It was great. After I cleaned, I busted out my sewing machine, cleaned it up, and made a t-shirt dress for Daphne and a head-band thingy for me. The headband is something I saw last week at Urban Outfitter for like $16 and thought, I could make that. So I did. I have a lot of problems with the wind because of my hair, so every time we go for a walk at the lake I complain because the wind blows my hair into my face and it's a big drag. And I'd wear a hat, but then I'd have hat-head. So I needed a headband. I tested it out at the Arboretum on Saturday, and it worked great. Anyway, then on Saturday and Sunday, I crocheted myself a green mini-pancho (officially called a "capelet"). I was pretty happy with how it came out, and my mom liked it so much she asked me to make one for her. And did I mention I am teaching myself to knit? So, you see, I am officialy insane now. Poor Kev. I think he is worried I am going to start knitting him dorky sweaters. He hates sweaters. I don't know...maybe it is some kind of mommy thing making me want to practice domestic arts all the time. Whatever it is, I'm having fun.

The baby is doing great. I took her to a play group yesterday at my neighbor's house, and she had a great time. If I can learn to relax a little and let go of some of my germophobic angst, I will have fun too. The other moms were nice and there was soup and cookies.

Kev is recording a cool song. His new bass guitar and his trumpet are really making a difference in the sound of the PPHPHB. I can't wait until he is ready to record a song that features the melodica. He should do it soon while I am in my groove.

There are a whole bunch of robins in my back yard. Very unusual.

Thursday Shout Out

Thanks for the new hat, Grandma!

(If you make this picture bigger, you can sorta see her little teeth coming up from the bottom.)

Embroidery is Fun!

Here is my second embroidery project: a western-ish bird shirt to wear next time I go to Fort Worth. I haven't ruled out stiching on the back, or maybe even BeDazzling it a little, but I need to think about it. Perhaps I should stick with a "less is more" philosophy when it comes to embellishing my clothes.

Anyway, if you want to do something that is REALLY easy and very relaxing, this may be the craft for you. I recommend the book "Sublime Stitching" by Jenny Hart if you're interested. It's on Amazon, and she has a cool website - you can Google her.

This One's for Blair.

Tula and her two chicks!

Dr. Mike says it's been a good year for the chicks in the colony. I am happy to reprt that Tula and her babies are doing well.

Attempting to Blog...

I haven't blogged in forever, and I reckon I won't get much written now, but I'll try. The Peanut is napping, which never seems to last very long. Usually just long enough for me to make my lunch, but not eat it, for example.

In a nutshell, here is what's going on:

Daphne is getting her two bottom teeth. She has been ever-so-slightly crankier than usual, so it hasn't been too bad. She was having a little trouble sleeping, but that seems to have stopped. The best part of her teething is that she keeps us entertained with funny teething faces like the one in the last picture. Otherwise, she is doing great and is getting big and is more and more fun to hang out with every day.

For Christmas, I got some cool DVDs, including Sesame Street Old School which is episodes from the first few seasons of Sesame Street as well as classic cuts from the show. They are GREAT, and for some reason, the Peanut loves them. We can actually sit down and have a nice meal these days as long as we put her in her seat and turn on some classic Sesame Street. You can see in the first picture...she is absolutely glued to the tube. She gets really excited when Bert comes on (she has a Bert puppet) and starts squealing and sitting up straight. It's funny. I also got DVDs of the Electric Company, School House Rock, and Rocky and Bullwinkle. This is great because maybe it means I will never have to watch Dora or the Wiggles or whatever else the kids today watch. (I'll admit, I don't mind Curious George though.)


I have become obsessed with arts and crafts. My latest endeavor is hand-embroidery. I made this little bird t-shirt for Daphne last weekend, and I'm working on a sort of western-style shirt for me. I am also attempting to crochet a sweater for Daphne, but I am not too sure it is going to turn out looking much like a sweater. We'll see. I have discovered that there is a whole sub-culture of people out there who like to make stuff. They have clubs and get together and make stuff and have lots of fun doing so. I bet none of them have 7 month old babies though. Speaking of babies, guess who just woke up. Her nap totalled 18 minutes. Sigh.

Will try to blog more later. Hope you are all doing OK and having a good New Year so far. I'll leave you with a funny teething face photo. Please enjoy.

Here is a Tip

If you get an iPod for Christmas, put more than 24 songs on there, because you will get tired of those 24 songs really fast, even if they are really good songs.

Here is another tip: Listen to a band called The Trust (formerly Herbie Hinkle Ensemble) from Louisville, KY. They are really great. I am not just saying that because my cousin is the drummer.
http://www.thetrustmusic.com/music.html
"Taxi" is the song I like best. It is one of the 24 songs on my iPod.

I pretty much never have time to blog lately. I will try to blog more.

Big Kid Blues

Yesterday, the Peanut decided to haul off and stand up while she played with her piano.

Her grandma is responsible for pulling her pants up so high like an old man.

New pictures on the Peanut Gallery for anyone interested.

I am Cool

Because I have an IPOD. LarryFeathers gave it to us for Christmas. So far, it has 24 songs on it. The first song I put on it I bought from iTunes. It was Eminence Front by the Who because it is a great song that always makes me feel happy and motivated. I didn't want the whole the Who album that it comes on, so it is good that you can just buy one song. Today, I listened to the iPod in the car because LF also gave me a thing for my tape deck that you can use with iPods. It sure was better than listening to the crud they play on the radio. (My car does not have a cd player).

PS. I don't really think I'm cool. But my iPod is.

No More Christmas

Well, the holidays are finally over. I hope all of you had a safe and happy Christmas/New Year. We had a great time in New York with Kev's family. I think the highlights for me were hearing Kev's dad sing at church, and the whole family watching Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, and seeing the Peanut get to know her daddy's family better. She was so good on the trip. Now that we're back, I have to entertain her on my own. I'm afraid she's in for a little post-holiday let-down.

Usually, I have post holiday letdown too, but I don't think I will this year. Yesterday was Chritmas-tree-taking-down Day, which usually makes me cry, but not this year. I am glad to have the living room back and most of the clutter picked up. Friday, I am letting the baby spend the day with G-ma and G-pa while I clean the house and cook up some delicious jambalaya.

I am hoping that once I get the house back in order, I can find some time to play with my Christmas presents. I have so much fun stuff to do, just very little free time to do it. I've been working on figuring out all the features of my camera, so there will be new pictures on the Peanut Gallery soon...maybe tonight after dinner I can post some from our trip. I have sewing projects to do, more t-shirts I want to make, bird songs to learn, and...guess what...Kev gave me a BeDazzler! So I have things to BeDazzle too. You better watch out if I'm your secret Santa next year!

No New Years resolutions for me this year. I decided to quit trying (and failing) to be some kind of Super-Mom, and just do the best I can, and enjoy my little baby, because she is not so little anymore. We've already had to retire her Gymini and her baby bath tub. She keeps saying Dada, and today, she pulled herself up to standing at one of her new toys! It goes by too fast. I will say that the good part is that she is SO much easier to deal with these days. The meltdown is a very rare occurence.

OK, time to go do something productive while the Peanut naps. I am looking forward to everybody getting back into the habit of blogging.

Oh yeah, in NY we saw a cool hawk, and it even snowed a little bit one day. No snow in Dallas after all.