It's Christmas Party Baking Time!

Who knows how to photoshop off yesterdays make-up and put some fresh stuff on?

I'm devoting this week to visiting with friends and baking my heart out before the Peanut pops out and cramps my style.

My mom is making space in her freezer for the baked goods and I'm marking off my list of cookies to make before the annual Christmas party on the 12th. If you're in the area feel free to stop by- it's an open house!

Yesterday I marked 3 recipes off of my list:



I made Brandy Balls using the same recipe as last years Rum Balls. We didn't have rum and I'm a fan of brandy. I just rolled these in raw sugar and non-pareils. I think the color will be nice on the display for the party.

Also, I used more like 1/3 cup of brandy instead of 1/4 cup. I feel I need to over-compensate for the lack of liquor consumption over the last 9 months. Besides, a few years ago I accidently doubled the alcohol and although you could smell the rum as you walked by every single one was eaten.



I made these Revel Bars (printable recipe here) which are a classic.



AND I made a new recipe that I'll be sharing with you very soon.

What I'm really wondering are what desserts you make for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always make the same basics but to keep from getting bored I try a few new recipes for the spread every year. I open to suggestions!

P.S. We are officially in the single digits.

Call me crazy but I'm going to miss this

First off, I cannot believe that I am 10 days away from my due date. It just doesn't seem possible. There are a million things running thru my mind right now. All these preparations and all this time and yet it seems the pregnancy has just flown by. I want to remember every moment of it. I still can't really imagine what life is going to be like when our Peanut is here in our arms.

I've been thinking of memories we shared ages ago. I've been thinking of the places we lived and random moments I remember. Just little things I haven't thought of in years. It seems so odd, like I'm looking back at different lives. This past year has been a whirlwind of celebrations.


Side note: please ignore the streaky mirror. My dad has since then worked his squeegee magic and fixed it. It bothers me.

I still feel really content to be pregnant. I'm anxious to meet him, this little man of ours, but I still feel good. I mean, I can barely roll from one side to another in the middle of the night without feeling like I'm going to pull a vital muscle. I have swelling in places I would rather not. Sometime the Braxton Hicks make me feel like I can't catch my breath BUT I'm really not miserable like I know so many women are at this point in the pregnancy.

I'm going to miss the way I feel him move around. I'll miss the flutters and jabs and full body rotations. I'll miss watching in wonder as my stomach morphs into different shapes.

I'm going to miss this infectious happiness that is pregnancy. I'll miss the knowing smiles from other parents and grandparents.



I'm really going to miss this pregnant body. Call me crazy but I really think I'll miss it. I love my big round belly. I look in the mirror and giggle and clap. I've loved my body for 9 months straight. With the exception of the stretch marks (which I've decided to ignore but I'll tell you more about later) I haven't had a complaint.

That must be some kind of record for me. I've never been satisfied with my body and there is a certain freedom I found with pregnancy. I'll admit that I didn't gain much and that may certainly have changed my perspective. I just can't remember another time I've been so comfortable in my own skin. I haven't had abs this tight ever and my love handles have been stretched away. I'll miss dressing to accentuate my fat belly! I've had a fat belly before but I certainly didn't want to show it off :)

I'm not exactly looking forward to the aftermath. Who knows what shape my body will be in later.

Until then I'm going to soak every moment in. I'll be enjoying it in between my time wondering if every Braxton Hicks or cramp is going to be the start of labor.

10 more days.... at this rate we're both so comfy I'm not sure when this will happen.

Pumpkin Corn Bread

This super easy recipe is really moist and delicious. Although it has pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in it, there isn't an overwhelming pumpkin flavor or sweetness to it.

I found this in last year's Better Homes & Garden magazine and you can print the recipe here. I made a few adjustments according to ingredients that I had on hand.



Preheat your oven to 350 and brush a 12 inch cast iron skillet with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

In a large bowl combine 2 cups cornmeal, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tbs flour (original recipe calls for masa harina or corn flour), 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Whisk it all together.



In a separate bowl whisk together 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 8-ounce carton sour cream, 1 egg (lightly beaten) and 3/4 cup canned pumpkin.

Add the wet to the dry and whisk together.



Pour the batter into the cast iron skillet and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted off-center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack and serve warm.



Let's take a moment to talk about buttermilk. I don't buy it anymore. Did you know you can make your own? Take out a measuring cup, add 1 tablespooon of lemon juice or white vinegar and then fill with milk until you hit the 1 cup mark. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and you have your buttermilk.



Cut the cornbread into 12 wedges and enjoy! I had it plain but it would also be great with whipped honey butter.

If you really want to bring fall into this dish I think it would be awesome with butter whipped with apple butter. Yum.



This corn bread was a hit, try it out and let me know what you think!

I may just gain weight postpartum...

because I have a long list of things I want to eat. At this moment I'm fantasizing about the chocolate motherlode cake from Claim Jumper. And a cheeseburger. And jellied cranberry sauce from the can. And stuffing. And a See's candy rum nougat.

A couple of you have asked about how he gestational diabetes is going and I thought these pictures that B took were great. It's become second nature to do my finger prick testing wherever I am. I'll admit that I basically re-worked my own diet.

I don't suggest that for everyone but I felt that I'm educated enough to work up a diet suitable to my needs. My college degree is actually a BS in Dietetics and Food Administration so I took a series of nutrition classes before I branched off into restaurant management. Anyway, my numbers have been superb and baby and I are doing great. More importantly he isn't going to be massive (as some gd babies are) so I won't be giving birth to a 10 lb infant. :)




Something about this picture makes me laugh, it's like the seedy underworld of blood glucose testing.

I've really settled into the diet but I'm still looking forward to being off of it. Just in time for the holidays! I'll try to maintain some control as I don't want to actually gain weight after I give birth. However, I must say that I'm still a pound under what I weighed at my heaviest so I am pretty darn happy about that. Gestational diabetes definitely had a perk.

Are you so sick of baby talk these days? I have some non-baby related posts coming up and next week I buckle down on the holiday baking. I bake and freeze for the family Christmas party on Dec. 12th. I know it sounds crazy but I've already knocked out the macaroons and I've compiled a list of must have's and to try's. Many of the recipes I use freeze well for up to 3 months.

Any cookie or bar recipes that you or your family can't live without?

My shower by Nina

LMM- this little lemon is for you! Tell me these are not the most adorable little things you've ever seen. Fresh and sweet, these were at all the place settings.



Oh the possibilities are endless, can't you think of a million different ways to use that idea!



I love all the sweet little details. The shower was thrown on 10/2 by Nina, a friend of the family. She thought of everything and it was just a beautiful shower.



In one room there was a little craft station where guests could decorate hangers for the baby's clothes. I thought this idea was fantastic, so much fun to make little things like this. Standing next to the table is May. She is uber-creative.



May gave me a plate of "cupcakes".. well because you all know how much I love cupcakes. Each little cupcake was a little burp rag or hat or some other adorable little rolled-up piece of cuteness in a silicone cupcake cup and topped with a little heart pick.

Just another idea I will have to steal.

Isn't she creative? She is also the one who painted the crate and barrel box at my bridal shower, shown here.



Here are some of the hangers I received from the shower. So cute!



Nina did a brunch and had a fruit platter as well as some fantastic homemade quiches.



Oh and the most perfect crepes you have ever seen. I have no idea how she made so many perfect crepes. I had one but could've eaten 20. She had big bowls of fresh whipped cream, saucy peaches and saucy strawberries to top them with. Heaven.



We opened gifts. This child has everything. Seriously, everything.

My nephew bought this onesie that says Still Living at Home. Love it.



Excuse the weird expression- I had to include this because it might just be one of B's favorite gifts ever. I love these bicycle seats where the child is in front of you instead of in back. It just makes more sense safety and balance wise and more fun for both you and babe. Plus, this one has something for them to hold on to.



Check out this bassinet cake, someone is really patient.



Speaking of patient, this blanket was made by my Aunt Judy. I will show more of it but I had to show you her needle point. Just wait until I show you the back side in another post. Amazing.



Here I am with my grandma. As the only granddaughter I feel quite special (and am quite spoiled) and it was wonderful to have friends and family together just a month before the baby is due.

Have I told you what a charmed life I live?

P.S. Happy Birthday B, you old man! I love you so very muchly. :P

Extreme Nesting: Apartment Edition

Sorry for my absence here and on all of your blogs! I haven't read any blogs in nearly 2 weeks and haven't checked my email in a week. I'm hoping to get caught up this weekend. I've been in extreme nesting mode, had a baby shower for me, attended a baby shower for a friend and will be attending another one on Sunday.

I'm at my parents today to use their internet (and do laundry among other things) as I disconnected everything a yesterday so we could clean the carpets.

I could do an entire post on carpet cleaning. I love it. I mean, it's a huge hassle but it's incredibly gratifying. I'm always impressed on how much it helps to clean the filthy parts, which is basically our entire living room. Our carpet wasn't new when we moved in so I have no idea how old it is. I'm equally amazed and horrified by the amount of dirt that comes up from the "clean" parts of the carpet. I pour out the dirty water and make B look every time. "Look! Look at how dirty our white carpet really is!"

We bought a Subaru Forester last Friday and I'm loving it. This means we won't have to ride with the baby in our laps while driving the Tacoma. It's just not done anymore. People have this thing with safety. I think B is pretty excited to have his vehicle back to himself now too.



The weirdest part about having the car is that there is a car seat in it. There is a car seat in my car.

I repeat, there is a car seat in my car.

For a baby.

That I'm due to have in the next couple of weeks. Is this really happening?



I consider the vehicle part of the extreme nesting. I also have a master cleaning list and it goes something like this:

Kitchen: floors (sweep, vacuum, clean), cupboard organization, cupboard fronts, inside refrigerator, all appliances, under sink, wash down blinds, get spot on ceiling near corner (what is that?), scrub stove inserts, check expiration dates, wipe down all bottles, etc. I'm resisting the urge to label everything. I had a list for every room (thank goodness we are in an apartment) and I think I'll have everything done except for cleaning the inside of the oven. I just don't wanna.

I'm thinking that this may be the only time, ever that my entire apartment is clean at the same time. I should have everything done by this Saturday and then we'll see what other lists I can come up with.

How is everyone else doing?

Rose Bowl Flea Market

A month ago B and I went to the Rose Bowl flea Market for the first time. We've been hearing about it forever and have never gone.

I knew it was huge but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. We plan on going back when it's cool outside. It was insanely hot and I was too pregnant to walk around in that heat. Oh but it was incredible.



There are literally over 2500 vendors and somewhere between 15,000-25,000 shoppers during the one sunday a month it is open. It's been going on for over 40 years and is known as a shopping place for everyone from regular joe's like us to designers and celebrities.

The above picture is of Tori Spelling and her crew. She smiled as she walked by chatting, I was really focused on finding a bathroom and then thought.. hey maybe I should've taken a picture for the blog.

I hate taking pictures of celebrities.. it makes me squirmy so you only get her backside :) She's the one in the grey holding the frame.



I couldn't figure out a reason I needed to have this dress but isn't it adorable?!



I've never seen so much mid-century modern/ danish/ scandinavian decor in one place ever. I was in heaven and I really like that brown chair, and the grey ones but I'm not fond of the tables. Anyway, they are priced according to the popularity around here... which means not at all in my budget.



There are tons of really interesting shops to browse thru.



Some with really specific collections and some with just a hodge podge of treasures.



There are some serious book sellers and collectors in here. Looking for a specific 1st edition? I was really impressed by the knowledge of both the vendors and customers as I passed by their conversations.



A shop of all chandeliers in so many colors, shapes and sizes.



Love this school desk, the wood looked great and the red metal was the perfect accent.



Vintage kitchen things from aprons to pots and pans. If you love vintage kitchen things at very reasonable prices then you should stop by Tara's etsy shop.



So pretty, the way this shop was set-up was awesome.



Besides the fact that the tires were flat, it was a bit rusty inside, we have no room for it, it was surely too expensive and not at all child-friendly to today's standards.... I really feel that Peanut needs this car in his life.



I have never seen anything like this. I didn't see who the vendor was so I didn't gather any info but it was in incredible condition and it still had the tray attachment.

Gorgeous, no? Can you imagine me strolling around with that thing? I'd have to don the perfect outfit, heels, hat and gloves to accompany this thing. Perhaps it's good that I'm not filthy rich because God only knows the types of things we would collect!