belly update

Somehow it doesn't look like much has changed...but Ace is definitely growing! The first photo is around 5 months and the second is the beginning of 7 months.

Thile thoughts

"We are tempted to distance ourselves from the things that are truly powerful and beautiful in life," said Thile. "Faith is certainly one of those things. Faith is huge, and so are friendships and our family relationships. ...

"Anything that is truly worthwhile is both powerful and dangerous at the same time. Anything that is truly beautiful and lovely can also turn twisted and ugly. But we can't hide from all of that. That's what is real."

nursery

The "perfect" dresser has been found...persistence definitely pays off! After searching multiple consignment stores and antique stores, many with my mom, I came across a solid wood ebony heartwood dresser. Unfortunately I was so excited to have my name on the SOLD tag I did snap a photo. It will be in our possession in a couple of weeks and the nursery will almost be complete!

More to come...

dessert party!

Saturday we're having a few friends over to meet Doug's family. Last night I began the baking process...being pregnant takes things down a notch. Typically I try to make things from scratch, but I was willing to use the mixes this time around. As a side note, egg substitute is NOT a good idea when making brownies. And probably not a good idea for baking anything that needs to rise. The brownies that should have been "cake-like" turned out to be pancakes. Sigh.

Also, my one item from "scratch" is a homemade ice-cream (made with our new favorite kitchen appliance, also Doug's wedding gift to me back in September...) pie with a surprise melted chocolate chip bottom. Again, might not be a good idea. I realized after putting the chocolate on the crust that it is probably going to be rock solid when it comes out of the freezer. Double sigh.

Now I'm thinking of just buying a frozen fruit cobbler and keeping it very simple. Homemade vanilla ice cream and cobbler. What's not to love.

organic beauties

What a beautiful experiment...We already let bananas sit around the kitchenette in our office for weeks, why not add some rubies? Bet the fruit flies would love it.