Happy Turkey Day!

Whew! After yesterday's baking extravaganza, we spent Thanksgiving day making the rounds to all the branches of our families. It was a great day with great food, which is my very favorite part! We did a quick pumpkin bread drop off to one set of grandparents before heading off to visit AudioDad's family for a late morning brunch.


A picture with the cousins (minus one run-off). I'd also have a photo of Aunt Lara's fabulous cinnamon rolls if AudioDad hadn't eaten half the batch first!

At my parents', Munch quickly got to playing with cousin A. while we worked on getting the meal to the table.



The star of the show.


The pecan pie Munch and I made for Grandpa.


I couldn't resist getting a funny pic of the cranberry sauce in the midst of all the beautiful food!


One hungry girl after all that play time!

Family Game Nights

Now that Munch is older (can you believe she'll be three in a couple of months???) I thought it might be fun to break open the games that her Auntie Lara gave her last year. She has so much more patience now, and is more interested in following directions. Also, her counting is a lot more reliable! We loved Candyland (haven't played it since I was a kid!) and thought the Five Little Monkeys game (in the photo above) was fun, too. Chutes and Ladders pushed my patience a bit, just because with Munch entering her "why?" phase, all the actions and consequences took a lot of explaining. My favorite of the bunch though, is Hi-Ho Cherry-O- it's simple, there's no extended explanation necessary, picking up the tiny fruit is great for those fine-motor skills, and the game is done super quick!

More Cuteness

I don't know what has gotten into the Munchkin lately. She has been such an angel these last couple of months. AudioDad's been hard at work all weekend applying sealer to our fence. So last night Munch & I whipped up a lasagna and cake for him. After dinner, we ate our cake- Munch is the type that, if there's a yummy snack or treat, she's got one in each hand is already calling dibs on her next piece. So usually, she'd be gobbling her cake & eyeing her daddy's (he'll give her bites of his and she knows it). But last night, he offered her a bite of his cake. And as sweet as could be, she said, "No thank you. It's Daddy's. We made it 'cause we love Daddy." Be still my heart!
And speaking of cute and sweet, if you haven't made it over to Speaking of the Sweetest Things yet, you've got to. Her blog is just adorable!

I'm Waiting for...Something

Came across this site in researching for an upcoming post (the first ever, Can I Taste It Now gift guide!). I just couldn't resist- the whole premise and concept has me so curious! Go to The Something Store and for $10 (that's inclusive of shipping & handling!), they'll send you "SOMETHING"! I'll let you know what my something is when it arrives!

The Gift Guide

Oprah's got one. So does amazon.com. They're all over the web and in most of this month's magazines. You don't have to look far to find a list of gift ideas for this season. So I figured, why not come up with my own? Here are some of my picks for fun gifts I'm giving (can't let the cat out of the bag too soon!)...or would love to receive! Have a great find? Let me know! (I'll be posting more direct links to the merchants below ASAP- they've got a lot of unique gift ideas)

Lotus Blossom Tea Light Holders- $34.95/set of 3
I gave a pair of these in cream to a friend last summer. They're simple and beautiful.


Playful Word Earrings-$40
You'll usually spot me wearing these at school on the last day before a vacation break.


Savannah Bee Company Honey Flute-$23
Try a drizzle of this with a little cheese and bread- You will never go back to those honey bears after tasting this. They also have a sampler set so you can compare varietals.


Matryoshka Measuring Cups-$28
How adorable are these? I WANT, WANT, WANT these!


Red Coupe Dinnerware-from $8.95-10.95
Remember the "Red Plate" post? Well here's your chance to start the tradition with your family!


Italian Panettone-$39.95
You cannot go wrong with this fragrant, delectable holiday bread from Williams-Sonoma. It's delicious plain, toasted, or if you really want to gild the lily, (oh my!) french toast!


Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup-$29 for two jars
Blossoms unfurling in your pot of tea? Cranberries or pomegranate bobbing in your sparkler? Been there, done that. Drop this little beauty in your bubbly this season instead!


Home Decor items by Tord Boontje-price varies
I purchased the midsummer light (pictured below, $78) for Munch's room- everything he designs is airy, girly, and fanciful.



I'm Made in America canvas bags-contact for pricing
Ok, full disclosure here. This is my parents' new company. But they're on to something. It's good that people are becoming more eco-conscious, but these bags are made here in the USA. So while you're being green, you can support the red, white & blue, too!


Mr. Men Giant Snakes and Ladders-$29
Gotta love those Mr. Men and Little Misses! Here's their version of Chutes and Ladders- jumbo sized!


Jellycat Bellissima Bird-$25
A quirky little soft pal (also available in black/white.)


Dinos on the Go-$19.99
These little guys even come with a bin that zips open into a playmat!


Some favorite sites:
Uncommon Goods
The Conran Shop
Viva Terra