Three Days

I need to do a much longer post on my usage of the 3 annual days of leave I have for attending my Grandfather's ceremony on Whidbey Island. Until I get that up, here's my favorite picture from the weekend.

Truly, there is no cuter face than my new niece. What a little ray of sunshine.

Breakfast Goodness

In an attempt to build upon the jumpstart of a hectic and very physical State Convention weekend - in moving toward regaining my "pre-campaigning figure", I've returned to my old friend "South Beach Diet" for two weeks.

I actually don't feel very restricted during Phase 1 of South Beach, and I appreciate the addiction-breaking of white flour and sugar. Breakfasts are the only time of day I have a slight challenge.

Aside from eggs, there are not many options on Phase 1. I adapted a recipe I found on a blog, though, and created a new "egg muffin" to keep myself happy in the mornings. By cooking up a batch of these, I not only have a yummy way to start the day, but I can put two in each zip lock baggie, and am covered for the week. No need to break out the skillet every morning!

Step One: Spray your muffin tin with non-stick spray

Step Two: Pile in whatever your heart desires into each muffin indentation. Mine contain: chopped turkey bacon, diced tomatoes, a few fresh spinach leaves, a couple black beans and a sprinkle of 2% sharp cheddar cheese.

Step Three: Beat together 1 dozen eggs in a large bowl. Pour a small amount over each muffin mound.

Step Four: Bake at 375 for ~30 min. (until barely noticing browning on the tops)

Step Five: Let cool for 5 min. Use a butter knife to run around all edges before removing.

Step Six: Enjoy! (I ate two upon completion and baggied and refridgerated the remaining 10 for breakfasts through the week).

1st Video

Ok, this video serves two purposes.

1. To share my first video taken with my camera phone. It was a spur of the moment decision. The moment was just too cute.

2. To futilely try to convince myself that my cats are as much fun as I know Megan's new puppy, Jedi must be ;-)

You've got to admit, though... not many cats do this. Keep your eye on the little white stuffed ghost.

More importantly, forgive the post-gift wrapping mess on my floor and my cheesy "kitty voice".

Creative Outlet

We're 9 days away from the state convention, and I definitely don't have oodles of time to twiddle my thumbs. But, there's something about a newborn niece that makes me want to do nothing but quilt and scrapbook all day long. *Please note, I do not actually do those things. I just want to. *

I did manage to squeeze in two things over the weekend, though.

1. Completing Kaelyn's crocheted blanket. I'm not sure how many of these I've completed in the last 10 years (maybe 12 or so?), but this was one of the most fun, because I only allowed the best of influences while I was working on it. I wanted lots of love and happy thoughts to be packed into it. The following were the background for crocheting it: Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Chronicles of Narnia and General Conference.

2. Monogram letters for the nursery. (instructions below if you're interested)

Step 1 - Take frames of your choice and remove the glass. I used 8x10's for this project.

Step 2 - (Please note, all affixing for my own project was done with hig- heat hot glue, which made it super fast. You could use any other way you see fit, though). Glue rolled quilting batting to the back of the picture frames - Picture below.

Step 2 - Take your fabric and cut it so you have about 3/4 of an inch or so on each side beyond the frame back. Fold over and pull snugly, glue down.

Step 3 - Put your backing back into the frame (rear picture followed by frontal picture below).

Step 4 - Affix your letters. I used precut and painted letters (for speed sake). At this point, you could use them as table or shelf top decorations utilizing the frames leaning device like below.

Step 5 - Attach ribbon, lace, etc. to back for tying and hanging. I used ribbons in shades found in the fabrics I used and braided them along with a thicker lace. You could do something simpler if you wanted. Voila!

High-Rider

I grew up in southern NM, home and mecca of low-riders. This, along with so many other reasons, is why I was taken aback by this sight at a gas station in Petersburg on Saturday.

I suppose if I was in peril on a highway and about to be run over, I'd like the approaching vehicle to have this kind of clearance.

On the Day that You were Born....

Welcome to the world, Kaelyn!!!! Your Auntie Melissa can NOT wait to hold you and cuddle you and give you kisses and whisper that I love you.

Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't she won-der-ful?

We carped the diem and spent the afternoon of Mother's Day at Monticello. It's been roughly 5 years the family has been meaning to go. The weather was going to be perfect, so we made the decision to quit making excuses.

Mom, Dad and I met up for lunch at Michie's Tavern and enjoyed dining on the terrace. After our fill of fried chicken and colonial fixings, we continued on the Thomas Jefferson Parkway to Monticello.

I know this looks like a stock photo, but it really was from the camera on my phone. The day was THAT perfect.

Dad on the way back up from visiting Jefferson's gravesite.

Mom and Dad as we were walking in the front door for the house tour.

I don't know that I'll ever run out of historical sites I want to see in VA. I'm so glad my family is close enough to join in the adventure.

I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father crafted today with deliberate perfection. The temperature, the low humidity, the fresh lush green trees and bushes and the fragrant flowers made it an appropriate salute to my cute, loving, funny and selfless mom.

I love ya, Momsie!