Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Its Her Birthday!

Our beautiful baby girl turned 3 years old today.

I made her a Dora cake just like she asked and as you can see, she was pretty pleased!


It was the first time I have ever attempted such a task. The closest Wilton cake class is 1 1/2 hours away so I just winged it with a book. It tasted great and no one could tell it was vegan which is always a good thing. On the decorative scale... I think I could have done better. There is always next time I guess :). Oh and the holes in case you are wondering are from the candles ;).

I made her favorite meal for lunch (gnocchi with tomato sauce) and she was thrilled with all the gifts she received from family and friends. My little puzzle master has been playing with her new puzzles all day :).

I can't believe its been 3 years... Wow how time flies!

Monday, September 28, 2009

The Good Wife's Guide

This advice was featured in the 1955 issue of Housekeeping Monthly. We've come a long way since 1955!

My husband found the entire article extremely amusing. In fact he is still laughing as I type this :).

  • Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

  • Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

  • Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

  • Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

  • Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dust cloth over the tables.

  • Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

  • Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all the noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

  • Be happy to see him.

  • Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first – remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

  • Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

  • Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

  • Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

  • Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

  • Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

  • Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

  • Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

  • A good wife always knows her place.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Quotable Sunday


The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence. ~ Dennis Waitely

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Remarkable

There is so much talent in this world. I admire people who are able to move you, speak to you and sing with their art, with their creativity. This performance from Kseniya Simonova is no exception.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Birthdays & Teething

Days are running away on me. I can't believe its the end of September! Our little girl turns 3 years old next week! Hiding her presents has proven to be quite the feat as her little eyes don't miss a thing.

A is now working on her 4th tooth and isn't too happy about it either. The poor babe is up most of the night and is velcroed to me most of the day. There are lots of cuddles and hugs being passed around.

This teething business is awfully strange. Both of our girls had all four teeth break through in a matter of 2-3 weeks! I wish it was a bit more gradual so it wouldn't be as painful for them.

Another strange thing happened, I lost complete track of time and thought we were going away this weekend. Turns out its next weekend! I'd like to blame it on mommy-brain but unfortunately its due to lack of an agenda - which I should be getting any day now Hallelujah!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Quotable Sunday

A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein