Seven Quick Takes, Vol. 2: That Time I Made a Cake and Didn't Eat It, Joined a Bookclub, and More

Linking up with Jennifer at www.conversiondiary.com

-1-
THE GAME

Imma start this off right by saying...

 

If you don't follow college football, you may not get it (or care, but too bad!)  This past Monday night, the Florida State Seminoles beat the Auburn War Eagles 34-31 at the BCS National Championship in Pasadena.  I didn't go to FSU and we aren't from Tallahassee, but we live here now and my husband both teaches and is a Doctoral student at the school.  FSU both pays our bills and takes all our money (how THAT works is a mystery of Higher Education.)  But, people... I'm not exaggerating when I say that it was THE most intense game I've ever watched on television.  My husband and I were yelling, jumping, falling down, doing the splits (ok, maybe not) -- you name it!  It was so crazy that, during one of my "jump up and act a fool" moments, Olivia became worried and asked, "Oh, what's wrong, Mommy??  You okay?"  Yes, dear, Mommy's fine.  Just having a mild heart attack.

*Also, a big shout out to Michigan State, who defeated Stanford 24-20 at the 100th Rose Bowl!  My Uncle, Todd Edwards, is their Director of Academic Services/Head Football Academic Coordinator.  (I like, know people and stuff.  No big deal.)  ;)

-2-
THE BIRTHDAY

This is as messy as it got.  A far cry from the choc-splosion at Olivia's first birthday!

My littlest little turned ONE on Wednesday.  On Olivia's first birthday, I already knew that I was expecting again, so it really does feel like my baby isn't a baby anymore and now there's no more babies and WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITHOUT A BABY?!  *sigh*

Okay, that's enough of those crazy thoughts - let's talk cake!  Now, as much as I love being in the kitchen, I never claimed to be an expert baker.  Nothing comes out of the pan in one piece and everything leans a little to one side.


Preeeeetty much what every cake I've ever made looks like.


Its all just too precise for me.  When I'm making savory dishes, I just throw in a bit of this and a sprinkle of that and can make adjustments as I go.  With baking, you don't know its all gone to hell in a hand basket until you get your half-burned, didn't-rise, why-did-I-bother baked goods out of the oven.  Too late.  Game over.  SO, I was pretty stoked when this little baby came out lookin' so good.





  It was my first cake made completely from scratch (I even sifted stuff, ya'll.  And I am not a sifter.)  I got the cake recipe here, and the buttercream recipe here.  I carved the "1" out of a paper plate with a paring knife (I couldn't find any scissors, naturally) and used it as a stencil.  In summation: it was cute, people ate it, nobody died.  Win.

-3-
THE BOOK CLUB




I'm really excited about this one, you guys!  I found out about this on-line book club at one of my favorite blogs, Gidget Goes Home.  We'll be reading all of Jane Austen's novels and discussing our perspectives on the stories as mothers.  That last little bit is what stood out to me.  I've always been an Austen fan, and started reading her from an early age.  Since having my first child almost 3 years ago, I haven't revisited any of her work.  I'm interested to see how my views on certain characters and themes have changed since becoming a mother.  The book club spans the whole of 2014, with two months to read each novel.  The first is my favorite (probably because of the BBC miniseries & the Keira Knightly film,) Pride and Prejudice.



My lovely new copy from Penguin and a cup of tea.  Deeee-vine.

Want to learn more?  Interested in jumping in?  Go check it out:
http://gidgetgoeshome.com/motherhood-jane-austen-book-club/

-4-
THE CARBS

Just one...

A Warning:  If you happen to see me out and about, you may want to keep your distance.  I've been carbless (this includes wine, unfortunately) and sugar-free for almost five days now.  (Yeah, you remember that cake I was just talking about?  This lady didn't even get to eat the fruits of her all-afternoon labor.  Lame!) The first 3 days were pretty bad.  Okay, they were horrendous.  I was grumpy, tired, hungry, and generally felt like punching faces.  Then, like magic, I woke up yesterday and didn't immediately regret being awake!  I didn't snack, wasn't tired, and my husband didn't have to stand 5 feet away at all times.  I've also lost 4 pounds.  Positive progress!  My friend Jeni (over at Patron Saint of Poopy Diapers) is low-carbing it up, as well, which is really awesome and encouraging.  Plus, she is offering resources and advice, and I'm mostly just complaining. 

-5-

THE ABBEY

 

They're baaaack!  My favorite family of stuffed shirt Brits and their servants returned to PBS Sunday night.  I could tell you what I thought about the episode, or you could just go read what Heather wrote over at Mama Knows, Honey Child. 
Best. Recap. Ever. 

-6-

THE BLOGS

So many good reads this week!  I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you.  I'm nice like that.

 

My friend Haley over at Carrots for Michaelmas wrote an awesome piece this week:

Why I Felt Guilty About My Last Pregnancy (and Why I Don’t Anymore)

And so did her husband, Daniel:

Sex, Tomatoes, and High Fructose Corn Syrup

Dwija at House Unseen always seems to say what I need to hear, and this week she got me again:

He says it 'cause He means it.

And then there's this bit of fun:  35 Foods From Your Childhood That Are Extinct Now

Read it if you want to be reminded of all the junk that was around when us late-80's babies were young. (PS I could totally go for a Clearly Canadian right now.  It would wash down my French fries with purple ketchup SO nicely.)

Read anything this week that you think I should see?  Leave a link in the comments!

-7-

THE HILARITY

Cheesin' it up after waaay too much frosting.

Finally, I leave you with a few gems from Olivia.  I tell you what, this kid is something else.

"Step aside!  Step aside!" - Her new favorite way to maneuver through a room.

"Hey, what's wrong Mommy?  You tired or somethin'?" - After keeping me up all night.  Its a good thing she's cute.

"DANIEL!  Daniel, wait!  Come back! I need ya help!" - To her Daddy, whenever he leaves the room.  I have no idea where she heard that.

"Shhh!  Pianissimo!" - When told to be quiet.
"FORTISSIMO!  I'M LOUD!" - When playing her instruments.


*NOTE* Remember when I said I was going to do something fun when my Facebook Page got over 100 likes?  Well, the count is now 107!  Check back on Monday to see what's up my sleeve (trust me - you'll want to know!)  Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Thoughts on My Youngest Daughter's First Birthday

     I can't believe it has been one whole year (where does the time go?) since Rosemary came into this world, all tiny and squishy and beautiful.  She was my "pleasant surprise" child, having been conceived just 11 months after her big sister was born.  I was so scared, yet so excited at the thought of bringing another life into our family.  When I found out I was expecting another girl, I started to fantasize about how beautiful she would be and how lucky Olivia was to have a little sister.  Having two little sisters of my own, I knew that they were destined to have an incredible bond.  Preparing for her birth was truly an amazing experience.

 

     However, I don't think I anticipated how my life would change once she entered the picture.  Rosie came to me in a moment of great change in our family's journey.  Her birth rang in a year that would challenge me as a wife and mother, and had me questioning my part and place in everything that was happening around me.

 

 Now, on the first anniversary of her birth, I celebrate her as a source of many graces. 

 

When she looks up at me and smiles for no reason other than pure love and happiness, I am reminded that this life is AWESOME and we should all try to live with the same joy and wonder I see in her eyes every day. 

 

I see her give big, sloppy kisses to her baby dolls, and I realize that she is learning how to love and treat others from me, and I should always try to give out more hugs and kisses around the house than frustrated looks and impatient words. 

 

 Every day, I witness her hard at work figuring out how her toys work or trying to get the lid off the trashcan (although, I wish she would just leave that yucky trash alone!)  Watching her inspires me to persevere in all my own endeavors.  She doesn't give up, and neither should I.

 

Sometimes she walks in circles in the living room, clapping her hands and laughing at herself, and I laugh along with her.  Life has its fun and silly moments, and not everything (myself included) needs to be taken so seriously all the time.

 

Those moments she takes my hand or latches on to my leg to steady herself, I remember that we all need to reach out for help sometimes.  Sometimes I feel as if I am unbalanced or about to fall, but that doesn't mean there isn't anyone there to help me along the way.

 

At night, when she is asleep in her bed, I see on her face a look of peace that comes from a feeling of being completely safe and protected.  I am reminded of the peace, offered to me by God, that cannot be taken away from me by anything as long as I accept it and trust Him, even when I seem to be failing or coming up short.  

 

Being a mother is a tall order.  In fact, it's the hardest thing I've ever done.  In raising Rosemary and her big sister, I have been challenged mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically in ways I never thought possible.  And there have been days in this last (her first) year of life that I don't feel I've risen to the challenge.  I've failed.  My mind and body was present for them, but at times my heart was elsewhere.  I've felt overwhelmed.  I've let the events of my adult life affect my actions as a mother. 

 

For all these things, I am sorry.  And I ask for my children's forgiveness.

 

Sometimes parenthood is frustrating.  I want nothing more than to be the perfect mother for my girls, but I know that there is only one perfect mother.  So, I ask Our Lady to guide me.  I pray for the ability to stop seeing my role as mother through the selfish lens of "job" or "task," and recognize that I have been blessed with precious treasures.  My children were given to me as a means to see God more clearly.

 

My little Rosemary, you are my darling girl.  I love you very much, more than you will ever know and in ways that this simple post could ever express.
You truly are a most precious gift. 

 





 



 

     

  

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