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Saturday, January 29, 2011

20 Truths

I'm linking up at Tales From the Motherhood and telling you 20 facts about moi.

Read Wendy's blog.  She is hilarious, down to earth and I recently learned that we have some pretty amazing mutual friends and share San Mateo roots.  Which makes her a whole lot more awesome.

This list was originally published via Facebook note on January 31, 2009.

1. I had my very first cavity at age 31. I attribute this spectacular dental achievement to an experimental sealant procedure that my mom insisted the dentist perform on my back molars when I was 9. And Doc Bob, the best dentist EVER.

2. In 1993, I was almost stranded in Novosibirsk, Siberia thanks to a crazy gypsy on a bike who stole my passport.

3. I don't eat meat I can't see entirely. This applies especially to burritos and breaded items. I cut and inspect. Or go vegan.

4. I love Billy Joel with all my heart.

5. I've had my braces off since 1989 but still wear my retainers at night. Only on Wednesdays. Dave loves Wednesdays.

6. I smell most foods before I eat them - especially bread. EVERY time.

7. My favorite beverage is CPK's iced tea. I also love their sourdough bread. After I smell it.
8. I met my husband when I was 12 and said I was going to marry him that day. We went on our first date in 1993. Lyons for dinner and Untamed Heart with Christian Slater. I wore maroon pants and smelled like perm solution.


9. I hate feet of all kinds. Don't try to show me yours and tell me they are pretty. They are not and you are wrong.

10. I LOVE a clean house. But 5.8 seconds after cleaning, it falls apart again. I think true cleanliness and organization will have to wait until 2026.

11. I love learning new things but hate the learning curve.

12. My husband is my best friend. And the most patient man I know.

13. I have a theory that no one actually likes beer, sushi and coffee. To fit in, they just pretend to.  I've yet to find someone that agrees with this theory.

14. I hate beer, sushi and coffee.

15. I love to walk in the mornings with my dog.

16. Date nights with Dave are my favorite. We are so busy and I cherish that time to reconnect.

17. I have a tea cup collection. Thanks to my aunt who gave me her tea cup collection. So I guess I really just have my aunt's tea cup collection.

18. I majored in Liberal Studies to become a teacher but I student taught for 5 minutes and switched to the non-credential track. After graduation, I got my real estate license and worked as a commercial property manager.

19. My first car was a 1981 Diesel BMW named Betsy.  Kevin Estes hit and killed her en route to a graduation party in Half Moon Bay. But I'm not bitter.

20. My greatest hope is that my girls grow to love Jesus. My greatest responsibility is to show them what that looks like.

Now wasn't that fun?  Play along! Link up over at Wendy's blog.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Hipstawaii

The Hipstamatic iphone app may be my Valentine this year.

Sorry, Dave.

But I think I'm in love.

Specifically, the "John S" lens paired w/ Kodot film.

I'm thinking John must have been from the tropics.

Because he makes Hawaii looks 100% times better.  So vibrant and bright.

And he makes me look tan.  Which is always useful.

Although, occasionally my Beloved would revert to the Kaimal lens w/ Ina's film for no apparent reason.  ANNOYING.

Kaimal and Ina are kind of dull.

Not annoying and/or dull?  My parents.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fabulous trip...  We love you!







Thursday, January 13, 2011

Game

My daughter's got it.


Current faves: Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Tinkerbell and Tap Zoo.


This important notification interrupted our date night last weekend:



And just a few moments ago I received the 411 on the Mighty Eagle:



The girl is kind of out of control.


Last night, no different.


Dave and I were at a meeting


and Kim offered to babysit.


And introduced her to a new game.


Kayla wanted to text Dave.


But Kim made her go old school with her request.


A hand-written note.


And a sad, pathetic face.


Friday, January 7, 2011

Sunshine Lemon Cookies


I love our little house.


It's yellow.  And bright and cheery.


And we have Meyer lemon trees on each side of our front steps.


They smell wonderful and produce a freakish amount of citrus.



365 days a year we have 100+ lemons.  On each tree.


Sometimes, people steal them.


Mostly people we know.  Some people we don't.


But I don't really care.


I don't know that I could give them all away if I tried.


Needless to say, I am constantly on the look-out for new lemon recipes.


So when my very sweet and very pregnant friend Deborah sent this one to me,


I had to try it right away.


She promised they'd be tasty and she was right.


So what if it's the dead of winter?


We all need a little sunshine in our lives.



1/2 cup sugar


3/4 cup and 2 tbsp salted butter


1 egg


2 tbsp grated lemon peel


1 package lemon cake mix (with pudding in the mix)


1/2 cup yellow cornmeal


2 cups sifted powdered sugar


2-3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice


__________________


1.  Preheat oven to 375.


2.  Cream 3/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup sugar in mixing bowl at medium speed until fluffy.


3.  Add egg and lemon zest and beat for 30 seconds.


4.  Gradually add entire box of lemon cake mix, beating at low speed for about a minute.


5.  Add cornmeal and beat an additional 30 seconds at low speed.  Dough will be quite stiff.


6.  Shape dough into 3 in balls and roll in sugar to coat.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.


7.  Bake 8-9 minutes, until cookies are slightly brown on the bottom.


8.  Allow to cool for about 2 minutes on cookie sheet and transfer to wire racks and allow to cool completely.


9.  Meanwhile, beat 2 tbs butter and sifted powdered sugar at medium speed.  Add lemon juice.


10.  Spread one slightly rounded tsp of frosting between 2 cookies.  Repeat.


_____________________


And if you need lemons, you know where to find them! :)






Daily Dose of Sugar Mama

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

What Ashlyn Wore Wednesday

My kid has a mouse problem.


And it's nearing epidemic status.


All Minnie.  All the time.


Today I'm linking up with Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy


and probably breaking the rules a bit.


But who wants to see my boring mommy uniform?


Minnie is WAY more interesting.  Just ask Ashlyn.




Oh and in case you were wondering...


Night time?  No better.


Sunday, January 2, 2011

Grandpa John

Sometimes I wonder if it was all our fault.


We saw John Piper speak at a conference in the summer of 2009.

And we made shirts.

WITH. HIS. FACE. ON. THEM.

I still get a little sick to my stomach when I think about it.



Soon thereafter, he announced a sabbatical, went all Francis Chan on us and disappeared off the face of the earth.

And I can't help but wonder if our mad screenprinting skills made this humble, simple preacherman run far, far away.

Anyway, he's BACK!

Tweeting.  Preaching.  Blogging.

And I'm about as happy as my husband in this picture.



Because I adore him.  But not more than Jesus.  Promise.