Thanksgiving mishap #2 and more

(in case you were wondering, the "and more" doesn't mean there were additional mishaps) However, the second mishap occurred when I punctured a hole in the disposable roasting pan, an accident that turned into such a terrible mess I don't even need to write a note to myself to splurge on a real roasting pan next year. After spending waaay too much time yesterday cleaning the oven, there is no way I would forget.



Despite this mishap, though, the dinner turned out to be pretty delicious if I do say so myself, and the turkey thankfully tasted nothing like a pickle. I went with a brine made with orange peels, apple cider and rosemary, and while it was a huge pain in the neck to soak a 17lb bird in more than 2 gallons of brine, not having dry, flaky white meat made it worth it in the end.



Emery was our little pilgrim and behaved beautifully during dinner, despite the fact that she ate what she eats practically every other night of the week and didn't get to dip her little fingers into creamed onions, confetti brussel sprouts with bacon, sweet potato strudel, mashed potatoes and mushroom leek stuffing.





She also humored everyone at the table with one of her latest tricks, sticking out her tongue.



How will we ever be able to chide her for this when it's just so darn cute?! I suppose it won't be so cute one day, though, when it comes along with a little attitude ... so for now I'm just going to enjoy the innocence of it all.

Thanksgiving mishap #1

In the midst of making a chocolate pecan pie, I set the chocolate/butter mixture in the freezer to cool. A halfway open Ziploc bag of Emery's baby food tipped over and into the chocolate.

So, the pie is going to be a little less chocolatey, and while I debated giving Emery chocolate covered sweet potatoes for dinner tonight, I don't think they are in her future. I fear she'd never go back to the way they used to be.

The house smells like a pickle jar

Let"s hope the turkey doesn't taste like one in the end. Let the brining begin!

Rosemary Beach

Last week we had the privilege of vacationing at Rosemary Beach, Florida, thanks to the generosity of some great friends. I could go on and on about how wonderful it was, but I know some of you are just itching for Emery pictures and don't really want to hear my rambling about how lovely it was to be enjoying summerlike weather at the beach in November, so I'll just stick with a top ten list for the trip (in no particular order):


Stunning sunsets


The softest white sand


The chance to get Emery in an adorable swimsuit and watch her experience the ocean for the first time


The town of Rosemary Beach - completely charming


Quality time with great friends


Marvelous playground, which of course Emery only stared at


Coffee date with Matt


Gorgeous greens, idea for Emery photo opps


Finally a decent mother-daughter picture!


Henny came to babysit!

A fall fling

I had all good intentions of writing a rather lengthy post about our fun day trip this past weekend to the Cherohala Skyway, where we caught the lingering markers of a stunning autumn, but time is slipping like sand though my fingers this week, so the pictures will have to suffice.


Ready to go!


Pausing to enjoy the view


Always happy in Daddy's arms


Hmm, not so sure about this


Never mind, this is great!


Yay, here I go again!


So happy that Daddy always catches me


On a hike through the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, where some of the trees are 400 years old, 100 feet tall and more than 20 feet in circumference


One tree hugger, one Daddy hugger


Fading signs of fall


Lunch! North Carolina bbq - it wasn't the best I've ever had, but to my starving stomach, it was sublime.


As was the chocolate meringue pie - note to self, learn how to make this.


Exhausted from all the fun

Emery took a vacation

and I went with her! We went to Annapolis for a week in October, and while I felt like I was completely on vacation with no cleaning, cooking or other household responsibilities to speak of, Emery got off pretty easy, too. With a minimum of car rides to endure, and no trips to the grocery store or Walmart, loads of attention from doting grandparents, store bought baby food and plenty of new clothes, she was living the high life.


New toys! Anyone want to play with me?


Plenty of time for exercise (Emery jumps while I jog, evidenced by the dirty running socks and shoes in the background)


Eager eater! If only I could make food as smooth as it comes in the jar.


Henny's sterling silver napkin rings are a huge hit.


She could spend hours (well, probably just 15 minutes, 20 at the most, but that's saying a lot!) dumping them out of a basket.


Still captivated.


The next best thing to eating Henny's glasses is eating the dish they sit in.


Looking snazzy in new clothes for the plane trip home.

I couldn't decide which one I liked best,

so here are all four!