We haven’t had much snow here this winter and I’m surprised to say that I’m a bit sad, but I’m sad for Lil so it’s not so surprising. She had so much fun playing in the snow in Montana and she keeps asking me when we’re going to get to do it again that I just feel bad that we haven’t had a day or two more then we have had. So the last time she asked I told her that we’d drive up to the mountains and find her some snow. Waldo told her the same thing later that day or the next day so we figured we’d better really do this.

Waldo’s brother gave us an idea of a good place to go that was about 45 minutes away. We got as ready as we were going to get and we were off. The drive was closer to 90 minutes, but we got to Idaho City and just past the tiny town they have a whole hill and play area for sledding. I guess the people of Idaho City take their sledding pretty seriously, all 450 of them. There were port-a-potties and dogs, lots of dogs. A few people had set up camp fires and had chairs set up around them. We thought that was pretty weird, but I guess they probably thought we were the weird ones. In our canvas shoes and jeans, Waldo and I anyway. Lily had jeans and rain boots on. We figured out really quickly that we are city people, small cities, but cities non the less. We are not made for hanging out in the snow.

After finding a parking place and getting Lil’s jacket and all of our gloves on we surveyed the sledding area and decided on a area out past the majority of people because there was a very gradual hill there and we thought Lil would have more fun there. There was a reason that all of the seasoned sledders weren’t playing over there and we figured it out quickly. On our way to our chosen spot we wondered off of the trampled path for a bit and ended up in snow up to our knees. Once we worked our way the edge of the wonder-hill’s area it became so hard to walk, because just about every step your feet would break though the snow and you’d end up to your ankles if we were lucky, our knees if we were and then have to try to take another step. Even thought I know that snow had many different characteristics on any given day I always assume that it’s light and fluffy. Not this snow, it was too frozen, hard, it had sharp edges and wouldn’t stick together for anything. Lil really wanted to make a snow cat, but this snow would have none of that. When we finally got to wonder-hill Waldo loaded Lil on the sled and took her up the little incline and let her go.

She loved it.

They went up and down a dozen or so times and I took pictures.

After a bit Waldo was tired of pulling his legs our of the snow and Lil was tried of being cold so we started the trek back to the car.

At this point Waldo realizes his jacket is still hanging out on a tree and I’m closer (but not by much) so I turn around and go back for it. This was so miserable. Every time my foot would break thought the snow I felt little razors on my leg and my shoe was full of ice, it just wasn’t fun. After I got back to him and gave him his jacket I took a look at my leg and it was bleeding a little bit from the sharp edges of the snow. Let me repeat myself, the sharp edges of the SNOW. I would have taken a picture, but I didn’t shave so I wouldn’t have shown it to anyone anyway.

After trudging past the majority of sledders I offered Lil a little bit of free play in the snow before we left. She didn’t want to do that, but while she was thinking about it Waldo and I decided to give sledding another try at a spot where the snow looked shallower. It was a lie, it was just as deep, but we could get there from the parking lot a lot easier. So we let Lil have some more sledding time.

She didn’t even really mind falling off the sled.  She just got back on that horse sled and told Daddy to “do it again, but this time don’t fall me off.”

This was easily the best part of the day and made the whole thing worth our while. Lily had so much fun sledding and can’t wait to do it again.

Just to prove what city folk we truly are, none of us had extra socks when we got back to the car. The diaper bag, thankfully had extra pants and underwear for Lil, but somehow even that held no socks. We had to drive to the tiny local grocery store (if you can really call it that) and buy socks. Of course they had no kiddo socks so I had to buy her women’s socks and we called them tights. She didn’t fall for it and hated them, but they warmed her feet so she left them on. When we got home she told me to take them back to the store and when I told her we couldn’t and I would just use them she told me to take a picture of them. So I did.

Lil is obsessed with taking pictures lately.  It comes naturally since she’s had a camera in her face from Day 1.   I have started letting her use my phone to take pictures and she loves it.  The pictures aren’t usually in focus, but I like seeing how she views the world.

Christmas has come early to the house of Jinx this year.  I don’t know exactly where it all started but I think it was when my Sister-in-law Katie said something on Facebook about putting up her tree already and it kind of snowballed from there.  I mentioned to to Waldo and he said that it was a great idea to put the tree up now, that way we’d get more time to enjoy it.  I told my Mother-in-law what we were planning and she loved the idea.  Now we have our tree up in our family room, my MIL has her tree up in the livingroom and Katie has all of her other decorations up (her house looks great) and her tree will be up any day now.

The tree was just the beginning though.  I’ve already spent one afternoon baking and gifted our new next door neighbor a lovely box full of Holiday Cheer.

I made two different cookies and rice crispy treats all with a mint theme.  Here are my chocolate chip cookies with a hint of mint.  I cut up Andes Mints for these.  I also made Triple Chocolate and mint Crinkle cookies.  I added chopped up Candy Cane Kisses and Andes Mints to the crinkle cookies. I can’t believe I didn’t get a picture of those. And now I can’t even find the recipe online. I got it from last December’s Food Network Magazine and it is amazing.

These are the chopped up Candy Cane Kisses that I put on top of the rice crispy treats.  I loved them.  Waldo informed me he’d rather have semi-sweet chocolate then white minty chocolate. All the sudden I have no idea who he is anymore.

Lily got to enjoy a little cookie after her lunch and she thought it was the greatest thing EVER.

Here are my finished packages. One to my Sister-in-law Katie and her family and the other two to neighbors.  We tried to give the neighbor’s theirs tonight, but only one of them was home.  We might be forced to eat the other box,  you know I can’t give away 3 day old treats, it would do. Forced I say.

Hey you can see the Triple Chocolate and Mint Crinkle Cookies in the box, they are covered in powered sugar. Yay I did sort of get a picture of them.

Happy Early Holidays Everyone!  Enjoy!

All of these pictures were taken with my phone in less then stellar light. Sorry.

Day 6 of 30 Days Hath November is perfect for me.

Before Lily was born I was a huge reader. I love it. I usually had a book with me. I’d read at lunch in the work kitchen, I’d read in the doctor waiting room, I’d read anywhere and everywhere. Well as just about any Mom will tell you I sort of gave up reading anything but board books once Lily was born. I missed it so much. A month or two ago Waldo downloaded a e-reader app for his phone and told me about it, I still didn’t think it’s be right for me. Then my sister Jolene told me she was reading “The Help” and it was great. I asked Waldo to help set me up with it and I read it at every opportunity. I had that book read in less then a week. After that I read the whole series that True Blood was based on. 11 book in probably 3 week. My blog suffered, I tried no to let Lily suffer but she probably did a little. I couldn’t stop. Even thought I didn’t love the last 2 books I had to read at every opportunity.  I was so sad when the series was over and didn’t know what to read next.

Waldo read the series A Song of Ice and Fire a few years ago and loved it. He was so happy when Game of Thrones came to TV and we watched every Sunday and both loved the show.  So now I’m reading A Game of Throne.  Since I liked the TV show and Waldo loved the series I’m going to read it through, but it’s a very long book and I’m having trouble making myself finish it. I know how a lot of the stuff turns out from the show and being that it’s the first in a series it’s a lot of background and a slow read.  Waldo ways the other books in the series are better.

#30DaysHathNovember

For day 5 we are looking back on three years ago today.

Three years ago my life was very different. Waldo and I were living in NW Montana, I was working at a Credit Union (that I loved) and I was 7 months pregnant. I just looked it up and my baby shower was on November 9th.

It is hard to remember a time that Lily wasn’t a part of our daily life. I can’t even remember what we did with all of our time. I guess everyone says that and it’s so true.

#30DaysHathNovember

Today for 30 Days Hath November Désirée wants to know something I never leave the house without.

I know it’s not very unique, but I never leave the house without my phone. Waldo and I got smart phones a year ago and our lives have never been the same. I always had my phone with me before, but now it’s sort of my life, like lots of people these days.

I also always have lip balm with me. I have no problem admitting that I’m totally addicted to lip balm. I like a lot of different ones, but for now I’m stuck on Burt’s Bees ultra conditioning.

#30DaysHathNovember

Today we are doing three inspirational quotes for So Fawn’s Second Annual 30 Days Hath November.

All Nature wears one universal grin.
Henry Fielding

Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.
Harriet Van Horne

Happiness depends upon ourselves.
Aristotle

I thought all of these were very nice and quite inspirational. I’m not normally a quotes type person, but if I were I think these would be some of my favorites.

#30DaysHathNovember

The lovely Désirée Fawn of So Fawned is doing her Second Annual 30 Days Hath November. It sounds like so much fun that I’m playing along.  For Day 1 we are doing a self-portrait.

I quit wearing makeup on a daily basis once I quit working outside the house, so here I am in my natural glory.

Last weekend my Aunt KK and her daughter-in-law Tiffany worked till 3 in the morning putting together an amazing birthday party for Tiffany and Matthew’s son Evan’s first birthday. It was a circus party and they pulled out all the stops. The backyard was all set up with a bounce house and a game area, the dining room and kitchen were busting at the seems with goodies. The party was filled with family and fun. Everything was perfect.

When we first got to KK’s house my cousin Melissa’s 11 year old daughter took Lily out to the backyard to see everything. Let me stop here and point out how amazing it is that Lily went with Hannah without complaining, this never happens. After probably 5 minutes I stepped out to check on Lil, she was in the bounce house looking very lost and a little sad. When she saw me she immediately wanted out and ME. We played on the swings till everyone was out of the bounce house and then we went back in. When it was just the two of us she LOVED it. She’s been on a bouncing kick lately so this was magical to her.

To keep with the circus theme my Aunt got a clown to come and entertain the kiddies. I have to admit I totally assumed that Lily would hate the clown and want nothing to do with her, but she didn’t, she was just her normal shy self. The makeup and crazy clothes didn’t bother her at all, this amazed me when you consider how much Santa scared her at first.

Buttons the clown was a hoot. She made balloon animals, bracelets and hats. She did some face and arm painting and did a little magic show. The kids loved her and I loved how she interacted with the kids.

Lily got a flower bracelet. Apparently the bracelets are harder to pop.

Tori (the birthday boy’s big sister) got a ladybug bracelet.

Tori got her face painted too.

Lily didn’t seem interested in the painting at first, so I got a little heart painted on my arm first.

After she saw me doing it, she let Buttons paint on her.

Olivia got a lot of painting done. She loved it.

She got some little hearts on the other arm too, but I didn’t get pictures of it.

Logan (the birthday boy’s big brother) decided to be a lion. Every circus needs a lion, right.

Evan, the birthday boy himself got a monkey on his cheek to match his shirt.

He quickly rubbed it.

Group photos are hard. I think this was the best out of 10 tries.

At the end of the party, when it was just a few of us left, we all got in the bounce house and relaxed. Or bounced. Or played. Whatever, it was fun.

Max (Olivia’s big brother) and Olivia playing.

Jolene and Max relaxing.

Matthew (my cousin and the birthday boy’s daddy) and Logan playing.

My aunt Kk and Uncle Dixon relaxing.

Lily slept really well that night, she played herself silly. And now as a result of how much fun she had in the bounce house we have to avoid the park on weekends because she doesn’t understand or believe that strangers don’t want to share their bounce houses with her.

Waldo and I decided that since Lily made her big debut three days before Christmas we would have to have her birthday parties a couple of weeks early. You know, in order to avoid all of the holiday hoopla or have her birthday confused with a Christmas party. The date of her party has been set for months now, that was the easy part. I’m going to just go ahead and say it now; I have no idea how to throw a party, I had no idea where to start or what I needed to do. I just muddled my way through this whole thing.

Last year we had a little birthday party for Lily’s 1st birthday and it was suppose to have a snowman theme. I say suppose to because I didn’t really decorate for it and the snow white cake that the whole thing was planned around was a flop. So when I was talking to Waldo about the party he said that I should do the cake again to redeem it, I thought that was a great idea and ran with it. I grabbed snowman things whenever I saw something that caught my eye. I got some really cute little felt snowman buckets in Target’s dollar section, I got 5 or 6 snowman cookie trays at different places and a few other snowman decorations here and there. I figured they didn’t need to really match as long as it was all snowman related it would work together. I decided that I needed to make Lily a birthday banner, kind of like all the cute ones I’ve seen online. This banner became a little bit of an obsession for me and I’m sort of glad I didn’t keep all the receipts; I don’t want to know how much it ended up costing.

Besides the few decorations the most important thing to me was the food. I purposely decided to have the party in between meal times so all I had to do was snacks. Since I love to cook and bake I was really looking forward to this part. Then like fate was smiling on me I got a holiday cookie issue of Food Network Magazine in the mail. It was full of cookies and I was inspired. I decided to make Snow Capped Macaroons that looked like little mountains, meringue snowflake cookies and rice crispy treats.  Somehow the rice crispy treats morphed into a table of snowman part treats.  I made rice crispy treats into little balls so they were the snowballs, then we had pretzel sticks (arms), baby carrots (noses), whoppers (buttons) and junior mints (eyes and mouths).

I think I might have forgotten to mention that while I knew what day and time the party was on and what food we were going to have and what decorations I was going to use, I had no flippin idea where the party was going to be held.  We live with Waldo’s parents and while they have a nice home it is nowhere near big enough to hold all of the people that were coming.  And even though we live in California it’s still December so we couldn’t really have the party outside, and I was trying to keep this party on budget so I couldn’t afford to have it at a place that we had to pay very much for.  Luckily my Grandparents live in a retirement community that has a clubhouse, unluckily when I called about renting it they wanted a bunch of money for it.  So I asked my Grandpa (Pop) to go and ask and he bartered a deal so we got it for free, yay for musical grandparents.

I spent a lot of evenings, after Lily went to bed, cutting out circles and gluing them together and using glitter glue and puffy paint.  It was a lot of fun.   After the snowmen were done I spent a lot of time admiring them, I don’t often feel creative or that my creations are cute (besides Lily of course).  I was very proud of my snowmen.

I had wanted to get Lily a cute 2nd birthday or birthday girl or snowman shirt to wear at her party, but didn’t think of it early enough to order it online and couldn’t find anything in the local stores. Sure I could have ordered it and paid crazy shipping, but I could write a whole post about how much I HATE paying shipping and will work super hard to get free shipping or just wait longer for the cheap option. Since I couldn’t find anything good locally I gave up on the shirt and then a few days before the party I realized I had all this puffy paint and glitter glue left so I went to Walmart (another post could be written about how much I hate that place with the passion of 1000 stars) and found a really cute plain red shirt for $3.50. I only picked up one and I knew that was a bad idea. After Lily went to bed I set up my crafting station (two tv trays) next to Waldo and set to work. Just as I was putting the finishing touches on the hat Waldo reached over and placed a few peppermint hershey kisses (love them) on my tray and of course set his hand in my wet hat. He felt really bad, but he hadn’t even realized I had started on the shirt because he was watching something or playing something.  Back to Walmart we went and this time got two of the cute red shirts. I decorated both and in the end I’m really glad I did. I again spent a good amout of time admiring my craft because I was pretty darn proud of it.

The day before the party was a blur of sugar, flour and egg whites. I used approximately two dozen egg whites and two whole eggs, oddly enough for me I’m totally not exaggerating. The only thing that I baked that had yolks in it was the chocolate cake for the snowman’s hat. Oh and by the way I only knew how I was going to do the cake like two days before. I had just planned to do a double layer 9 inch cake and never thought more about it, but then I was talking to my mother in law (who’s made lots of cakes and has taken cake classes) about it she pointed out that with the number of people we were going to need more like 3 cakes. Talk about scrambling. After a lot of discussion I decided to make a cake in the shape of a snowman, it really only made sense.

Between all the cookies and cakes it took me A LOT longer to make them all then I had expected and we (my wonderful Mother in law and myself) were still decorating the cake moments before the party started. I was so stressed. We were suppose to get to the clubhouse at noon and the party started at 2, but because of my over ambitious plans we didn’t get to the clubhouse till 1:30. Luckily a few of my cousins were already there so they helped decorate. It wasn’t how I planned it, but it worked out great.

Cakes with crumb coat and snowball rice crispy treats in the background

unbaked Meringue snowflake cookies

I had planned on the snowman banner being on ribbon, but changed my mind at the last minute and figured we could just use double stick tape to hold them up. I’m not super please with that decision, but I can’t change it now.

Final snowman display

I am so glad that Waldo recommended that I try to redeem the cake because it was so darn good.  It was moist and delicious and the white chocolate buttercream was a bit fussy to make but so worth it.  I think the frosting was my favorite part.  I had all these high aspirations of piping all the little details onto the cake but ran out of time and almost broke down but then Waldo recommended using the snacks from the “snowman parts” table.  I was overall happy with the outcome, it wasn’t what I had in mind to begin with but I thought he turned out pretty cute.

The finished cake

Meringue snowflake cookies and Snowcapped macaroon mountains

I made two batches of the rice crispy treats: one was the regular way and the other I added chopped up peppermint Hershey kisses.  Yummy.

Snowman parts snacks

The Birthday Party Girl

Opening presents

This is the top to the wonderful homemade bellydancing dress my Mom's wife made

Me and my snowman

Lily and GG (my Mom)

Lily with ReRe and Papa (My in-laws)

The little cake

Lily eating her piece of cake. She loved it.

Lily and Daddy

My cousin Jeni made a snowman from the parts

Lily and her ReRe

I may have muddled my way through, but I was pretty happy with the outcome.  But let me tell you this now, next year Lily will have cake at home on her birthday and that’s about it.