Ginger Cookies

Fall is my favorite season, not just because of the weather, but because of the flavors. Fall is the time when you get to eat squash and soups, drown yourself in tea and apple cider, and consume as much pumpkin pie as is readily available. Mmmm.

A recipe that is quickly becoming a fall staple in our house (I don't know how Eric feels about them, but I don't really care because I love them enough for both of us) are ginger cookies! I found this recipe on Taste of Home and I just can't stop making (and eating) them. The first time I made them they were missing a little something but the next times I've used both fresh and ground ginger and the fresh ginger seems to add that missing zing. I love soft cookies. I love ginger and cinnamon. I love fall. These suckers with a mug of hot cider, a warm blanket and snuggly kitty - that is happiness right there. Mmmm.

Obedience & Parenting

I really worry a lot about being a good parent. I worry about being both too strict and too lenient; about looking like the bad guy in front of friends and strangers; I worry that I will royally mess my kid up. I hope (and pray) that I can be consistent while also knowing that there is no such thing as perfection (on my part or of that of the child). This article by John Piper is good encouragement to persevere in requiring obedience:

I am writing this to plead with Christian parents to require obedience of their children. I am moved to write this by watching young children pay no attention to their parents’ requests, with no consequences. Parents tell a child two or three times to sit or stop and come or go, and after the third disobedience, they laughingly bribe the child. This may or may not get the behavior desired. 

Last week, I saw two things that prompted this article. One was the killing of 13-year-old Andy Lopez in Santa Rosa, California, by police who thought he was about to shoot them with an assault rifle. It was a toy gun. What made this relevant was that the police said they told the boy two times to drop the gun. Instead he turned it on them. They fired 

I do not know the details of that situation or if Andy even heard the commands. So I can’t say for sure he was insubordinate. So my point here is not about young Lopez himself. It’s about a “what if.” What if he heard the police, and simply defied what they said? If that is true, it cost him his life. Such would be the price of disobeying proper authority.

You can read the whole article here; it has some really good reminders.

Mondays

Last week was the epitome of a perfect fall. We went on lots of walks, raked leaves, drank cider, and enjoyed the crisp, sunny days.

This morning we awoke to snow! It's freezing! Fall is officially over and winter has begun, folks! In honor of the chilly days to come, take a gander at these photographs by Andy Anderson. These photos make a miserable past-time (ice fishing in Minnesota) look quite beautiful.

Generosity

Last night, a few of my lady friends threw me a baby shower. Not to brag on my friends, but it was probably the best baby shower in the history of the world ;) There was hot cider, apple cake, fruit trays in the shape of Elmo and Big Bird, darling decorations, and a ton of awesome presents.

This morning, the middle bedroom looked like this:

So. Much. Stuff!!

I am completely overwhelmed and totally grateful for all the wonderful gifts people gave us. A few ladies even pitched in and got us our car seat. Pretty amaze-balls.

The funny thing is... I don't think people have any idea what kind of clothes to get (or, more likely, they can't find anything that would work) for a child whose gender is unknown... besides a few white onesies, there were absolutely no clothes. A million books, but no clothing. Our child will be very well read and completely nude. Haha :)

I probably shouldn't... but I have to admit I have a few favorite gifts. Chrissie made Baby Brindle the most adorable stuffed bunny in the history of the world (Made it. I love it so much!), and Hanna got us the viking mobile from our Amazon registry. I am really stoked to put it together and hang it tonight.

Wish me luck sorting through all these presents; it's going to take a while!!

Footie Again

I had to show you the footie that my mom got us, again. It's just so dang cute! Look at the little ears!!!

Autumn

Eric and I may or may not have gone to bed at 7:30 last night. Not even kidding. He got home from work, we ate, went for a walk, and then came back and climbed into bed. We are old. And pregnant.

Good news is, I'm feeling much more refreshed today and I think my cold is finally dissipating. I'm so glad; I hope I can take advantage of the awesome fall weather we've been having. Fall is by far the best season.

Comfortably Blue

I have been tired a lot lately; and when I'm tired, I like to look at pretty, soothing things. Therefore, it makes sense that Comfortably Blue has become one of my favorite tumblrs. Comfortably Blue features a collection of drawings, sculptures, and photographs by a girl named Salome who lives in Switzerland. Her art is sweet and soft and feminine and I find it inspiring. It helps me to be excited for the day when I will have the energy to create pretty (or not so pretty) things on my own again. Soon :)

Weekend with the 'Rents

My parents came to visit this weekend and I only took two pictures the entire time: one of Eric torturing the cat, and one of the rodeo.

Oops.

Possibly because we were pretty busy...

Friday we spent a lot of time shopping; we didn't buy much, but we had fun looking and my mom did get us the first baby clothes we've received. She gifted us the most darling little hat (forgot to take a picture) and the sweetest little footie -

Oh my goodness it's so soft and I love it so much!

After going to the rodeo Friday night, we puttered around the house on Saturday; we ended up painting the nursery (nothing too exciting, we just used leftover paint to "freshen" the walls), watched a little football, and even made an upholstered headboard (pictures to come). Eric and I both had colds (yech!) and weren't feeling the best so I wish we had more energy to show the 'rents a better time, but the weekend was pretty great in spite of that. Dad even made us his famous ricotta and lemon zest pancakes! Yum!

Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Weekend in Bozeman

Just for something out-of-the-ordinary, we went to Bozeman on Friday and Saturday. Eric celebrated his buddy's birthday Friday night while I went to dinner with a friend from college; we went to Blackbird Kitchen - super delish and fun!

Then we spent Saturday with the bros-in-law; we went to breakfast, wandered around downtown Bozeman, and even made it to Hyalite for a short hike. It was pretty fun, I guess.

I Forgot

I totally forgot to share the projects we (Eric) got done this weekend. Just like last week when I forgot I had an ad due at work, or the other day when I forgot to call the printer to check on our postcards, or like today when I forgot I had to make a client poster. I think I need to quit my job. And soon... 

So, this weekend, Eric moved the heater vent by our new back door, covered our old back door with drywall, pulled out the garden (killed by the snow we had last week), cleaned the basement, mowed, and was all around an awesome husband.

I'm not actually sure what I did. I may have cleaned or handed Eric tools or something? I can't remember...

Happy Friday

Best of Baby Stuff: Mobiles

There are a lot of cool mobiles out there; these are a few of my favorites...

Symphony in 3 Movements / Circular Bunnies Mobile / Olephant Mobile / Themis Primis Mobile

... but I saved the best for last. Look at how adorable this mobile is!!!

I think Eric would actually be into this one. :)

9 Weeks Until D-Day

This kid is due in 9 weeks. Holy. Crap.

Belly!!! While I'm excited to no longer have puffy eyes, sausage fingers, sore feet, insomnia, and irritability brought on by constant discomfort (I think Eric is pretty stoked for that one, too)... I'm still pretty terrified about raising a child. At least I have Eric and we can figure it out together. Whew. :)