Chicago Suburb Shower

On November 4th, Hubster and I boarded our flight from GSP (that tiny airport that I adore just 10 minutes from our house) to Midway (that giant airport in Chicago in a sketchy part of town wo hours from in-laws' house).

Our hour and a half flight made stupendous that pregnancy is considered a "temporary disability" by Southwest Airlines. Baby Bump was jumping with excitement as hubs and I preboarded the little plane nabbing the very first seats so we would also be the very first to exit. Suh-Weet!

I scooted to bed early, because that's how I roll - deep sleepin' on my side y'all and awoke the next morning to my in-laws house completely decked out in safari animals and yellow and green streamers. My cup runneth over with joy. Our Illinois and Chicago family and friends came in droves to celebrate the first grandchild of Hubster's parents.

I have said it before, this family can throw a party! We played several games, my favorite centered around baby food. Always a delight! I sat blindfolded as I fed jar after jar of some pretty goopy food to Shawn. Let's just say that, we know who will definitely NOT be taste testing Henry's strained peas when that day comes. He gagged on the pureed bananas, begging to know what it was claiming that I was feeding him mustard. I told him to suck it up, when he tried to quit after the first bite.Gordon Ramsey would not be amused. Older brother Jamie rocked that game out of the living room! He downed 6 jars (Shawn couldn't even compete, eating nearly 3 jars). Bravo almost-uncle-Jamie!

We were not just showered with gifts, we were drenched in them! Good thing we brought an empty suitcase stuffed with empty carry-on bag. One whole suitcase was stuffed with diapers, crib and stroller toys, tiny little clothes, bath tub toys and thermometers, ointments and creams, brushes and clippers and combs, about 100 bibs, spoons and bottle brushes, a cart cover, blankies, pacifiers and so much more! Bursting at the seams with Henry's goodies.

Wish I had a photo of me carrying the diaper cake that cousin Jackie and Kelsi made, too! Waddling around the airport with a big ol' diaper cake balancing on my ginormous belly must have been a sight to be seen. A glorious hour and a half later we came home, picked up the pooch from the Pet Hotel, and watched hours of DVR'd delights.

So Long November

It has been a month since I blogged last. Where the heck have I been, you have been silently wondering.I have not had my baby. He still clinging to my ribs and bumping around all morning and night. I still and trucking away at my job. I still have the great fortune to be married to a man who makes my skin tingle when he walks into a room. Not much has changed aside from an aversion to the computer.

I will be posting some photos from November in a very short series to show you exactly what I have been up to. A trip to Crystal Lake, IL and an afternoon in Milwaukee; a visit with my beloved cousin Brooke, two baby showers, my 28th birthday, a birthing class during which I watched another birth, a dreaded cold that feels like the plague, awasp sting, and a glorious Thanksgiving that my family drove many many many hours to attend.

On this day, I have just over six weeks before Henry is born, and the panic is setting in. Its a good panic though, I promise.

Halloween Traditions - Caramelicious Apples

I am linking up with Casey Wiegand at The Wiegand's for a delightful Fall Posting Spree.
I wanted to share a few of my family of two's (the third debuting in January) favorite Autumn traditions.

Caramel Apples

We triple coat Granny Smiths with may favorite candy - caramel - and then smash on whatever delicious treat we have laying around. One year it was chopped nuts, another it was crunched up Snickers Bars, mini-Chocolate Chips another, last year we crumbled Oreos and this year Reese's Pieces. Fall colors, juicy apples, and sweet peanut buttery lovin'... perfect way to start off the Haunting Season.

So what do you need?

• 2 of the biggest apples you can find
• 2 Popsicle sticks/tongue depressors
• 1/3 of a bag of caramels
• 2 Tbsp. water
• Topping du jour

simple math for delicious results

1. Jam the Popsicle sticks into your giant apples (we used tongue depressors I had left over from making our Wedding Program Fans/Game Cards from last year) so they are halfway into your hugemongous apple.
2. Place apples on small sheets of wax paper.
3. Unwrap all those caramels. Feel free to eat a few so it feels worth the effort. Over medium-low heat melt with your water, stirring constantly. You must not burn the caramel!
4. When sufficiently soupy, roll/dip/dunk/drip/spoon that syrup of the season over the apples.
5. Let cool for just a few moments (these babies harden quick!) and apply handfuls of your topping all over it. Plop it down on the wax paper.
6. Cool in the refrigerator for about an hour.When you can no longer stand the wait, return to room temperature for about five minutes then DEVOUR.

You can save them in an airtight plastic container for a few days to keep the fun alive for several days.

Halloween Traditions - Dressing Up

I am linking up with Casey at The Wiegands for Follower's Fest to talk about some of my favorite Halloween Traditions. Thanks for stopping by!

Last year, Shawn and I wore my favorite costumes - The Sailor and Nurse from V-E Day ("The Kiss") photograph from Time Magazine.

The only thing I haven't made a decision on is my costume. We aren't attending a Screaming Soiree this year, opting instead to pass out candy to the neighborhood kiddies. When I suggested to my dear Hubby that I dress up as a crazy person because I feel like I lost my dang mind. He laughed and said, "Yeah, I can't argue with you there." Hmmph. My hormones may have gotten the best of me this week (a bottle of non-toxic cleaner may have flown across the kitchen earlier) and I may not remember the "name of that thing you stand in and get wet with soap." That really came out of my mouth, my baby is stealing all of my brain power from me.

Perhaps a Mama Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde? The Incredible Shrieking Woman? Good Old Fashioned Witch? How about Hungry? I AM that costume.

Halloween Traditions - Pumpkin Carving

I am linking up with Casey of The Wiegands for Followers Fest. Thanks for stopping by!

We always carve pumpkins just before Halloween night - anyone who lives in a hot climate has probably experienced a pumpkin melting and or disintegrating. FYI, they leave a stain on concrete if not cleaned up quickly... and they stink, or so I have heard. Greenville, SC is a taaaaaad cooler than the deserts of Arizona. We threw caution to the wind and carved those gourds a full five days before All Hallows Eve. Only time will tell.

This year we free-handed our carving. No stencils. No outline. No mercy. They ended up being a couple of my favorites we have ever done.

 Happy Halloween, y'all!

Halloween Traditions - Decorating

 

 Happy Halloween, my lovelies! I am linking up with Casey at The Wiegands for Follower's Fest. Thanks for stopping by to hear a little about our favorite time of year. 

 

We decorate our little home with ghouls and skulls and enough spiderwebs to catch an unsuspecting Trick-or-Treater. I dream of making our humble abode a haunted house one day - a la Modern Family.

This wreath was "crafted" by yours truly. Okay, I added a glittery owl to a premade feather wreath. I was going to make one myself, but the two boas I would have needed cost more than the one that took no effort. Decision done.

Every year I bust out Edgar, my ghoul. I don't even dust him off as it lends to the old and creepy vibe I'm going for.

I cover most of our furniture in black, gray or white cheesecloth that has been slashed and shredded. Mrs. Havisham would feel quite comfy in our living room. Fred, my Macbeth skull, proudly sits atop our entertainment center, as he is used to being center stage.

We certainly don't neglect the outside of our house, but we certainly have big plans. Our dead tree forest will have a private cemetery next year (buying decor after the holiday saves buko bucks).
So if you see this house, be sure to stop by. We have some treats for you! Bwaaa ha ha ha ha!

We always carve pumpkins just before Halloween night - anyone who lives in a hot climate has probably experienced a pumpkin melting and or disintegrating. FYI, they leave a stain on concrete if not cleaned up quickly... and they stink, or so I have heard. Greenville, Sc is a taaaaaad cooler than the desrts of Arizona. We threw caution to the wind and carved those gourds a full five days before All Hallows Eve. Only time will tell.

You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

Browsing my Google Reader this afternoon, I read a favorite blog, That Girl Denise, received an award for her general sweet, loveliness. She so deserves it. She is too cute and a lot of fun. Little did I know she bestowed said award on Lil Ol' Me! Why I declare!

If you have a moment stop by her blog and read away. You certainly won't regret it. Thank you, Denise, for the love!

What does the Liebster Blog Award mean?

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

To keep this award going, pass the award along to 5 other new deserving bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

La Dolce Vita

The Presutti's

Sweetie-Kiss-Pie 
Pure Jane
The Meaningful Pursuit Amid Aimless Wanderings 

The rules for the Liebster Blog Award are:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love, too!