Got Any Grapes? (328/365)

Waddle, waddle.

Baby It's Cold Outside (327/365)

Yesterday it was nearly 70*F, very unusual for Illinois in late
November. Today, well, take a look at how bundled up Izzy was at the
park. What a difference 24 hours makes!!

Go Big Blue! (326/365)

Since Grandma couldn't come to us tonight due to a basketball game, we
went to her. Needless to say we all had a good time, especially the
girls. I think the two big girls would make really great cheerleaders
someday!

Grandpa's Got His Fairies (325/365)

And all is right with the world.

Well, They Come By It Honestly (324/365)

Both of them are in love with Grandma's new toy, the iPad.

At least they are sharing nicely.

What a Difference a Year Makes (323/365)

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since Izzy's surgery, and all that is left to remind us of that day are pictures and a very thin white scar on her chest that looks no worse than a cat scratch. She's come a long way in those 365 days, thank you to all who helped us through that hard time. You made life a little easier for us all just by being there for support and for that I am forever in your debt.

Her health is definitely something I am thankful for this holiday season. What a difference a year makes, indeed.

Well I Made It (322/365)

The only issue I had was when it got dark, I was worried I wasn't
where I needed to be because nothing looked familiar at night. When we
got home, Dad and I made dinner and we all sat around the TV and
watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It was a great end to a long day.
Thanks for thinking about me!

Don't Kill Me, Grandma (321/365)

We've been enjoying Alice's birthday decorations since her party. I
know that was ages ago, but Matt really did do a great job putting it
up. Anyway, during lunch today I decided to take it all down and put a
few of the items up in the girls' room since I know we'll be
decorating for CHRISTMAS soon (I seriously can't believe it's that
time of year again).

Anyway, Iz was S L O W L Y working on the remains of her lunch when I
went to their room to hang the decorations. When I came back, I found
Izzy's hair like this (she's also sporting an Auntie Annie smile in
the first pic - so cute)! I've often told Cindy that one of these
days I'm just going to spike up that natural faux hawk she's got going
on - Grandma begged me not to.

Well, Grandma, we decided to go with it today. How do you like it? :)

I must go pack now. I'll never get out of here tomorrow after lunch
like I planned if I don't get my act together now. I've been SUPER
sick to my stomach all day today with nerves. Think of me please. I
can totally handle getting lost (which I don't anticipate happening),
but what's getting to me is that I worry I'm going to kill us all. I
sure hope I sleep tonight.

Wish Me Luck (320/365)

Matt won't be able to take his exam until Tuesday and he needs the weekend to study, SO...I'm going to drive down to J'ville by myself (well, the girls will be with me, but that doesn't really help) on Thursday or Friday. It's not exactly high up on my list of things I want to do, but hopefully we'll make it through the day unscathed. Hell, hopefully I can make it into the car without having a nervous breakdown and I decide that I can't do it by myself after all. I'm gonna need a lot of luck that I don't freak out in the middle of the highway. Ugh.

I'll Take More Days Like Today, Please (319/365)

You all know that Alice has been a handful lately. It's gotten so bad
lately that I urn for bedtime because by then I just can't take it
anymore and I need a break. Well anyway, today she was fabulous! She
didn't fight me during any of her meals, she listened very well,
together we cleaned up toys in record time, she shared well with Izzy,
she only got sassy a few times, etc. We even got to do several fun
things together today, which was really a treat.

I don't know if she was just having a good day and I got lucky, or if
this is the start of something better. Either way I don't care. I will
rejoice that she gave me one nearly perfect day, and hope that they
continue.

I'm Izzy, Two Utensils Bathje (318/365)

So she wasn't using both in this pic, we missed the opportunity, but
tonight at dinner Izzy must have decided that her dinner tasted better
if it came off of two utensils. She is still having issues with
eating, but tonight she shoveled it in with two hands!

Probably because she didn't eat a good breakfast or lunch. I'm hoping
the meds still need more time to kick in.

Happy Bday, Annie! (317/365)

For two whole months you get to be 29 while I'm 28, ha ha! ;) We all
love you very much, and my whole crew had a blast celebrating your big
2-9 with you tonight (everyone is already sleeping but me)!

The best part for me, next to lots of belly laughs and good food, was
finally finding a game that I'm good at! Maybe I just got lucky, but
either way, I had such a blast. Thanks for being such an awesome part
of our lives, and thanks for letting us be a part of yours.

I Love Friday Nights (316/365)

Matt made pancakes and popcorn tonight, per usual. After dinner the
girls both had baths and Daddy set up a tent in the living room so we
could watch one of our Goodwill 47¢ VHS movies (we chose ET) that we
bought today. Yes we still have a VCR, and no I don't plan on getting
rid of it any time soon. Anyway, Alice loved the movie, but got really
scared when the guys in suits appeared looking for ET. So scared in
fact that she rushed to sit on my lap (I can sit on the floor under a
saggy sheet tent for only so long). By the end of it she had forgotten
about the scary bits and was throughly engrossed with ET. I'd say it
was 47¢ well spent!

Pic: Alice, post bath with her new favorite toy, a Lalaloopsy doll.
She bought it with a gift card she got from Auntie Mary and Uncle Andy
for her birthday. Apparently they are pretty popular toys, I think
they are going to be one of the big toys this Christmas season just
based on what I've seen in the store. Personally I don't get their
appeal, or their price tag, but whatever. She's happy.

Stick a Fork in Me (315/365)

I'm done with this day. It could have been a lot worse I know, but I'm
ready for it to be over nonetheless.

• My ears hurt
• My throat is scratchy
• Izzy choked on orange pieces
• She also didn't nap well
• Probably because she too has something
• Alice was unruly once Matt came home
• Cat puked on the floor for the third time this week
• It's raining
• The kids were monsters at dinnertime
• It's not Thanksgiving yet

And now I'm off to bed. Hopefully it'll be a better day when I wake up.

One good thing about today, 30+ years ago today one of my best friends
was born. Happy Birthday, Jess! I hope it was a good one! Love you.

I Guess I Can Make Soup (314/365)

The last time I tried to make soup was after Thanksgiving last year. I was pretty discouraged because it was quite bland, despite having followed the recipe to a T.  I decided to give it another go, this time with a different recipe. It took two days to make, but man was it worth it!  And this is from a woman who usually hates broth soups. 

It's a basic recipe I got out of one of my cookbooks, but I thought I'd share anyway. 

CHICKEN ORZO SOUP

1 large onion, peeled and quartered
2 carrots, peeled and quartered
2 celery stalks, quartered
2 garlic cloves
1 T poultry seasoning
1 T salt
Pepper to taste
5 quarts cold water

3-4 lb whole chicken

Wash chicken, remove breasts and refrigerate. Add the rest of the chicken, plus garlic, carrot, celery, onion, seasoning, and enough water to cover carcass by 1-2 in. 

Heat gradually to boiling point, then add chicken breasts. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 20-30 minutes, or until breast meat is cooked through. Remove breasts, set aside to cool, then refrigerate for later use in another dish. 

Simmer remaining chicken partially covered with a lid for 2-2.5 hours, or until chicken is tender and pulls away from bone. Strain, save only the meat and broth. Remove meat from bones and refrigerate. Place broth in smaller containers to cool for up to 2 hours at room temp until it can safely be stored in the fridge. 

Refrigerate overnight. The fat will then float to the top. Skim it off and discard. Return broth to stock pot, simmer uncovered 1 hour, or until broth is reduced by 1/4. Test seasonings. 

Then I added potatoes, carrots, a few celery stalks, and the reserved meat and let them simmer in the broth until tender. Meanwhile I boiled 4 ish servings of orzo in a separate pot and added the drained orzo to the soup. 

Matt and I sure enjoyed it. The girls, not so much. In fact Alice was sent to bed without dinner for the first time in her life. It was a long day. 

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