Phew!

We have one tulip this year. Here it is from the outside



and from the inside.

What a change from my last post which featured lawn furniture covered in snow. That's Texas for ya.

So, after two cancellations, countless delays, lost luggage, and apparently the poopiest diaper in the history of ever (don't ask, I didn't), Daphne and Kev arrived in New York last Thursday where they enjoyed lots of good times with Kev's family, including some sing-alongs, Easter Egg hunts, and a HUGE announcement. It seems I am going to be an aunt for the third time! Woohoo! Congratulations, and all the best to Kim and Marty and their little chickpea. K and M are going to be the most awesome parents. And bonus: Now I will have a new baby to make stuff for. Yay!

Meanwhile, I have been in Texas. At home. ALONE. I have about an hour before I have to leave for the airport, and although I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed my free-time, I cannot wait to see my little family.

Here is a quick breakdown of my big week:

• Cleaned Daphne's room and closet. Got rid of stuff. Put away some toys for future rotation. Assembled new small shelf/stand for the diaper wipes so they are no longer on a tower of empty boxes.
• Went shopping with my mom in Historic Downtown McKinney and the Allen Premium Outlet Mall. Had pie.
• Sewed: a skirt, a pair of pants, a pair of pj bottoms, and a shirt for Daphne, a skirt for me, and a coaster and a tissue holder with some scraps just for fun.
• Did a couple other secret projects.
• Watched three movies on PPV: Superbad (A-...the minus is for too much swearing), Stardust (B+...the plus is because Robert DeNiro was great), and August Rush (C).
• Finished the novel I was reading.
• Went to IHOP. Yuck.
• Ate Haagen Daas coffee ice cream with magic shell.
• Relaxed.

Then there was this morning, my last free morning. What a whirlwind. I got up at 7:30, put some pork in the crockpot, started some laundry, went to breakfast at the coffee shop, drove through the carwash, stopped by the fabric store, went by Tom Thumb for some bread, went to the party store to get airport balloons for Daphne, dropped off some stuff at Goodwill, and made it to the nail place by 10:00 for one last treat: a pedicure. Happy Feet! Then when I got home, I prepared corn fritter batter for dinner, put a loaf of lemon poppy quickbread in the oven, and blogged. That is why the title of this post is PHEW.

Time to check on my bread and prepare for my family's arrival.

See ya later.

Hello

It all started last Friday morning, actually 2 Fridays ago, when I woke up and saw this. Snow. So we immediately got the Peanut dressed in the warmest outfit we could assemble and took her outside. At first, she didn't want to step on it, but after I demonstrated the fun of stomping around, she joined me in the yard. Not exactly a winter wonderland, but it'll do. Too powdery for a snowman though. Maybe next year.



That afternoon, the snow melted and we went to Oklahoma, where we lived for 3 days in a treehouse. It was a great weekend, spent with good friends. Daphne had kids to play with, and after they all went to sleep, we grown-ups played dominoes and had grown-up people conversations that did not involve snacky-snacks or the Backyardigans. We also went on a safari and went to a big waterfall, and ate Original Fried Pies. These fried pies were so good that I bought four more and brought them home. They are in my freezer. The fried pie lady offered me a lengthy explanation of how to freeze, then thaw, then re-heat my fried pies once I got them home. This explanation, which was delivered with a very very strong small-town Oklahoma accent (think Oh Brother Where Art Thou), ended with these words: "They-ull keep prob-lee six to tee-un days in yer ice-box. (Thoughtful pause, knowing smile) Well, mine never laysted that long cuz they wuz ate." I believe her. This woman was no stranger to fried pies. Friendly as could be, she even gave Kev a small sample of the coconut cream. I have rarely seen him look so happy because of a food. Pictures from our Oklahoma adventure are here if you are interested. You can see the fried pies for yourself!

Since we got back, we have been cramming in as much activity as possible before Kev has to start his new job. Wednesday we went to the zoo. It was kind of a beating, but at least it wasn't too crowded. We've been outside a lot because after last Friday's winter blast, it started getting progressively hotter and hotter, and this past Friday I think it actually hit 90 degrees. Crazy. My allergies do not like all these temperature swings and wind and pollen and I have been feeling yucky all week. But I refuse to get full-on sick, because Kev and Daphne leave for New York in two days, and I have a lot to do while they're gone. But, that's another blog. And so is the Souffle Restaurant, What is the What, the funny list I got at the zoo, and other things I need to catch up on. It's just been hard to blog lately with all the family outings and whatnot.

Anyway, there's a blog for ya. More soon.

Popcorn Experiment

Popcorn Experiment 2
Originally uploaded by Tara H.

So, we watched an episode of Alton Brown the other night where he made popcorn in a stainless steel bowl on the stovetop, and I knew it was only a matter of time before Kev attempted this at home. As it turns out, it was a matter of about 30 minutes. He made some as soon as Daphne went to bed. You can't combine science and snack food and expect Kev to resist. It was pretty good!

We are off to Oklahoma tomorrow to sleep in a treehouse, apparently in the snow. I will report on that, and the souffles, and What is the What when we return. Have a great weekend.

PS Big scary guys with pitbulls will be staying at our house while we're up the tree.

Too Hot for Housepants? Wait 'til Tomorrow!

Here is some snow that happened on Monday night. Two nights before, Kev and I walked to a restaurant, sat outdoors on a patio and ate dinner. Today, it is warm...probably 65-70. Tomorrow it may snow again. So, there ya go. Texas in March.

Kev has taken a (very) short-term contract (3 months) in Dallas, so we're here at least for a few more months. No decisions have been made after that. It seems likely that if we move, it will be to Virginia or some such Washington DC area state. It isn't a lot of fun feeling temporary and uncertain all the time, so I probably won't talk about it much on here. Just wanted to give you the latest.

On the Peanut front, we are making some progress on the potty. She has earned 9 Muppet Show stickers thus far. Every day she makes us laugh by saying funny things like "This is my friend Daddy" or "My name is holly, I live in a tree like squirrels and stuff" or "Baa baa black sheep, any any wolves." She also sings songs a lot. Songs from The Sound of Music, and a lot of Dan Zanes. We love Dan Zanes. He used to be a Del Fuego, you know.

I really like American Idol this season. I am for the dreadlock kid, the cute little 16 year old boy, or the Carly Simon girl with the long blond hair.

Last night, we watched The King of Kong on PPV. It was awesome. You should watch it, especially if you are from the 80s like me.

Next time I blog, I will tell you about a great book called What is the What. I don't have time to do it justice right now because I am getting ready to finally go to the restaurant of all souffles. Our dinner there got cancelled last week, so we are going tonight. I'll let you know how it is.

This blog is for Julie because she complained.