Barnyard Bash

Sick of unrecognizable black and white pictures of random baby body parts?  And before that, some less than fantastic pictures of a girl documenting the sad state of her belly (although maybe good for a laugh?)?

Trust me when I say that you're not the only one(s?) ready for pictures of more than just a piece of paper with a black and white image (although for clarification's sake, I feel it necessary to say that I don't mean we are ready for the baby... au contraire).  It's just that I have pictures of faraway lands, cute kids, and even some tasty concoctions - yet week after week, I've failed to share them.  That all changes today.  

Back in (ah-hem) October, a certain (not-so) little boy turned five and the occasion was celebrated with a backyard, barnyard bash.  And a bash it was... I think I may have mentioned before that my sister-in-law doesn't hold back when it comes to her babies' birthdays - and really, can you blame her?

Aren't I nice and thoughtful, too... sharing pictures of a clear, crisp fall day when you are most certainly looking out upon a sea of white (or once-white, now gray slush).  This might also be known as my very poor excuse for being a coupla' months behind.

As is (hopefully) evident, not a single detail was left out of this birthday celebration.  The kids were decked out in barnyard-related costume, there was a pig pen, chicken coop and feeding area (not to mention a needs-no-explanation precious chickie, Miss Sarah Taylor, herself), stuffed scarecrows, hay bales as seats, more cookout fare than you can imagine to go around, and a huge cake aptly decorated with everything farm-related that one can imagine (and believe me, Charlie "imagined").

It's pretty clear that I have a lot to learn in the world of childrens' parties - as I've learned that they just don't appreciate a nice blue-cheese appetizer or pork tenderloin as much as an Oreo-crusted, barnyard-decorated, yellow sheet cake.  No one mistakes me for Martha as it is but this could take some getting used to.

So in the meanwhile (i.e. the next less than three months!!), I'm happy to sit back and watch and (try and) learn while enjoying (others'!) kids... and of course, play resident (amateur... very amateur) photographer.

Water Babies

Spending the afternoon at the pool with my favorite little people (well, two of them at least) brought back a flood of memories.

So much of my childhood was spent at our neighborhood pool - weekly summer swim meets (which also meant an introduction to sugary candy and a fear of loud, startling noises, like the Starter's gun), birthday parties (if you were lucky), and when we were the luckiest, days that turned into evenings when my mom would call for us on the main pool phone (am I dating myself?) with the welcome news that she and my dad would be bringing down dinner... to be eaten poolside, probably at adult swim, so we didn't miss a minute of time in the water.

It also reminded me of the less happy memory of the huge hill that we had to bike up in order to return home each evening. The hill that had been all laughs and a strong breeze as I had flown down it with barely a care in the world earlier that morning. And to think... I thought life was hard just because I had to walk my bike up a steep incline?

Seeing these two swim around, with the water splashing across their faces... all received with nothing but laughs... seemed to wash all our cares away. Sure Charlie didn't love being submerged and Caroline's life jacket made it hard for her to swim as much as she'd have liked... but the raw emotion and excitement they both had with each step into the relative unknown was undeniable and I couldn't have been happier to be there... with them, with family.

It's afternoons (and sweet kids) like this that make any amount of work worthwhile. You try and be a grumpy adult with one of these smiles staring back at you.

Why I Smile

I may not have this life thing down just yet (or plans to really get it anytime soon) but one thing is for certain... these two and a half (for now, Sarah Taylor only gets half-billing) little creatures that I keep close by (though not close enough) are a sure antidote to anything that's got me down.

Lucky for you... as I'm of course happy to share them (read: force numerous pictures of them on you), we've got plenty to go around. And what I've got in store for you may or may not include one or more pictures of my adorable niece's perfectly chubby little legs stuffed in her just like my big brother's boots.

Even though ole' Michelin-legs McGee wasn't altogether thrilled with her usually hands-free (and able to toss her in the air at-will) Aunt Kiki, I'm quite confident that one day, she will thank me for these pictures... and the kind words said about them. Her sister, on the other hand, was more than happy to let me run around snapping pictures furiously - not that she was the wiser for it. But I've seen how fast these kids grow so I knew better than to let an opportunity with a quiet, still baby (or adorably pudgy legs, for that matter) pass me by.

In the world of Charlie, post-baby sister #2, he's stepped into the big-big brother role quite nicely. He's quick to tell momma when either of his sisters are crying or seem to need something (and especially if they are too little to be playing with any of his toys) and then head on his merry way to the closest John Deere-like piece of machinery or Playmobil set. And if a Sophie, or Nana or Grandad are close by, all the better.

If there's one person in all of this who does get it, well, that'd be our big-cheeked Sarah Taylor. Someone must have given her a heads-up that she was arriving as the third child in an already active (we'll call it) household. While Caroline chases after her big brother, leaving no stone unturned, the baby in residence ingeniously takes every chance she gets to catch some shut-eye - in the teeny tiny mind of a 4-week old, she's got it all figured out.

I imagine her time will come - and I can't wait to be there to (make a poor attempt to) capture yet another reason to make you smile.

And Then There Were Three...

There's a new sheriff in town... and her name is Sarah Taylor.

One day, looking back on this (post that's over a week late), she might worry that as the youngest of three, she'd been forgotten. With her signature bigger-than-life cheeks and adorable baby noises (you know those), there's simply no way she was overlooked.

Sure, a little work trip might have delayed the meeting of our newest niece, but once I was home, it was only a matter of time before she was in my arms. That new-baby smell only lasts so long, you know.

Buuut, to her big brother and sister (who is quickly learning the word gently), she's just been an excuse to have grandparents visiting extra long and some new nifty toys... and even a special dessert. This little sister thing (or little-little, in Charlie's case) ain't so bad after all.

I mean... take a peek at Caroline and Charlie's intensity (if you can get past Caroline's impossibly cute curls)... those are looks that could only be provoked by dessert - they might as well have drool running down their cheeks, right?

We couldn't be more excited to watch Sarah Taylor take her place among these two cuties... I have a sneaking suspicion that she's going to fit right in.

So Much More

This was an accident, literally. Not like "oops, I made these and didn't have anyone to share them with so down down in the belly they went" (credit to Charlie there). More like... I picked up this recipe, anticipating a completely different cookie at the outcome, one that we'd tasted and loved, no-less... only to find out that this actually isn't that recipe at all (don't ask me how that happened - I'm still sleuthing it out myself) but instead, one of the best mistakes I've ever had the pleasure of happening upon.

And it should be known, I never once looked back. Sure, the (minor but obligatory- in my opinion) addition of espresso powder (or, er... grinded instant espresso in this budget-kitchen) had me suspicious early-on, but I've read my fair share of recipes where there is a secret and powerful ingredient that is the key to the intense, if surprising, flavor, so I wasn't about to let that derail me. Not to mention, do you know how rich the addition of anything-coffee makes chocolate?

And then the shortbread-like base - speckled with slivers of bittersweet chocolate? Topped with a layer of melty chocolate chips (not that I have any issues there) and a shower of crushed Heath bars? Sure, that'd give it some bite, but the cookie I was trying to re-create had a veritable crunch.

Oh, but that bite. I'll be the first to admit that this wasn't the cookie I set out to make... and I'll bring you that recipe another day if I have the good fortune of tracking it down... but this one, these Caramel Crunch Bars (thanks, originally, to Dorie Greenspan), are worth remembering all on their very own.

Getting to Know You

Not that one's asked or anything... but I got to thinking that (approximately 1.009 of) you might be wondering just who the (utterly cluttered, over-thinking, anal) brains behind the madness are around here. And on the off-chance that you weren't sitting around contemplating that, I'll do my best to keep these 10 things that you absolutely positively could have lived a long and healthy life without knowing about me (AKA a semi-personal list of things I'm actually willing to post on the interwebs) kinda light... so if nothing else, you, at the very least, get to walk away knowing that there sure are some strange people out there.

We'll start with a gimme... my favorite little people (and most oft-photographed) in the whole wide world are this crazy bunch, Charlie and Caroline (along with their latest in eyewear fashion).

Number dos... when I tell people I was a cheerleader in high school, they aren't all that surprised. Not sure how I feel about that but I thought you should know.

Trois... my handwriting is 100% (shoot, even 200%) "learned" and I owe it all to Dr. Dewasthali (college professor extraordinaire whose Quant I and II courses kicked my butt). The story's not worth your time but suffice it to say I'm masquerading around in someone else's handwriting.

It takes me, on average, 18 minutes to dry my hair - sometimes more, rarely less (so... I realized that's not really an average). Do you have any clue how many hours of my life have been spent drying this (so-not-worth-it) hair?

My first-thing-in-the-morning routine consists of spending a couple of minutes going here hoping and praying that Deb's posted a new recipe for me to gawk at just before I check over here to see what's happening on the ranch (and if it's wisdom about photography or cooking, so be it), and then a last turn headed straight here to drool over whatever latest (perfectly-done) home improvement project they've tackled.

Oops! I lost count somewhere along the way back there and only got to five. And I gotta tell you... I'm already tired so I can only imagine I lost you long ago. If I can dream up another couple less-than-interesting nuggets about myself, I'll be back (someday) with a Part II... otherwise, you now know that I'm (very likely) only five-facts-worthy.

UPDATE: I should have known that some of you know me better than I know myself. Christy so generously provided these additional 5 facts so I got to thinking that it might be fun to see what else you kids can come up with. Just imagine (or maybe, don't) the possibilities.

6. [I] can fall asleep ANYWHERE - standing up, leaning against a cinder-block-raised dorm bed studying, after approximately 3 seconds on a plane, etc.
7. [I] am utterly devoted to [my] friends and family and will do anything for them. thanks, CP
8. [I] am half-Chinese, half-Scottish - [an] interesting mix and people often can't tell [I am] either.
9. While [I was] a cheerleader - [I am] also very athletically talented *remember, someone else wrote this in other sports - tennis and softball to name a few... maybe a little *lot less talented at basketball, but [I'm] always up for a game!
10. When [I] laugh - which is often - [I] often cry... think it may be a genetic issue with [my] tear ducts!

In the (Fire)house

In a certain house of a certain brother of mine... (fire) trucks reign supreme. Of course, every bit of this was expected - after all, if nothing else (but adorable, smart and inquisitive), my nephew is predictable... certainly when it comes to matters as important as building things and moving vehicles (of the large variety).

So as you might guess, Charlie's 4th birthday wasn't the first time he'd requested a visit to the local fire station. And (apparently) they were only too happy to oblige - phew! I suppose they knew the possible wrath headed their way were they to have responded otherwise

Would you believe that firemen and women are incredibly gracious hosts? I was taking notes! They provided helmets for each party attendee, a hosted video about their profession and life inside the fire station, the kids got to try on their suits, and the climax... the opportunity to climb all over each of the different vehicles. It was at that point that I thought our Charlie had died and gone to heaven.

However, the excitement of the morning, sirens and all, only lasted so long - after all, once he realized there were more presents left to open at home, firemen and their trucks were a mere delay.

Hope You're Not Hungry

My sincerest apologies for the lack of food-related posts - though it admittedly wasn't a tough decision choosing between a post with mediocre-at-best pictures of food OR indulging you all (hello hello?!) with my stunning niece and nephew (and absolutely take the serious bias of the author into consideration when reading that).

But, if you're a friend of mine, I'm fairly confident that after a quick scan of these pictures, you won't need convincing that these are worth more than any post about last night's dinner, brownies or even bar cookies (yes, even bar cookies).

I didn't promise that they were all perfectly poetic... ah-hem, one of my subjects was (quite clearly) more interested in injecting humor into his aunt's attempts at portraits than the quiet thoughtfulness that his sister exhibited. (portraits at a Mexican restaurant - and I pretend I have learned more about photography?!?)

"Quiet thoughtfulness"... er, or a serious focus on dinner.

I may have mentioned this before but if someone knows where I can pick up a set of eyes and eyelashes like these kids', I'm willing to pay the big bucks. Oh, and the ability to look so darn cute with those perfectly chubby cheeks would go for a high price as well.

And if anyone's looking for any variation on little boys' rubber boots, I'm sorry to report that Charlie has every single pair ever manufactured so save yourself the trouble of searching. When you go through 2-3 pairs a year, you learn to start stocking up.

I know it's not nice to brag but gushing over kids who aren't my own is allowed, right? And well, in this case, warranted, too. Eventually, I promise to get back to some recipes and actual food... right now, though, these kids are just so much easier on the eyes.

... But Not Least

Equally worthy of the spotlight is this little charmer.

As a fellow second child, I know on a personal level how important it is to (try and) give equal time in the limelight to both... an unenviable task, I might add.

I know the time when Charlie will start to impart all of his 'knowledge' is just around the corner... any bets on what'll be first? The art of imagination, love of John Deere, sand-digging skills, mastering Lowe's workshops... the possibilities are endless.

Imagination (Hard) at Work

The many faces of Sir Charlie...

"Hidden"... (not sure why I took a picture of this one since you obviously can't see him, hidden and all)

A scary SCARY monster (??)... with an adorably huge smile...

Shaking the "monster" off...

And of course, quite clearly... a Pirate....

It's that darn smile that gets me.

A Family Secret

I'm fairly certain that my dad (and even my mom) qualify pretty easily as Blue Angels groupies. Our family's allegiance to anything Navy has already been well established but I've been able to keep this obsession of my parents under wraps... until now.

So was it a coincidence that my parents wanted to come visit all of us on the same weekend as a Blue Angels' show? Hardly. And we were happy to be dragged along. Especially since one of the pilots is a family/high school friend.

Charlie may have been the most willing participant... especially once his Nana had presented him with his very own Blue Angel plane.

Outfitted in his personal set of noise-reducing ear muffs, Charlie flew his own plane right alongside the elite Blue Angels crew. Unfortunately, his plane deviated quite a bit from the otherwise perfect formation.

Nana was very proud of her little John Deere-wearing, Deac-visored, future pilot.

We were happy to witness Charlie's first experience with non-farm equipment.

No clue who that is in the background of this picture... she seemed to be enjoying the show, too, though!

Blue Angel groupie jokes aside... I couldn't have imagined a better way to spend a Memorial Day weekend. It was especially meaningful to pause and remember those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice in the middle of a military airshow. May each freedom we have remind us daily of those who've gone before us to afford us those luxuries.