HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I only highlight my birthday because I want to make sure that my wonderful husband gets a little of the credit he deserves. To say the least he spoiled me all day long. I woke up to an itinerary taped to the door. He had our whole day planned out hour by hour. And I was not allowed to do any chores of any kind all day long.


We started off with breakfast, which was homemade by Nate. We gorged on French toast fritters, scrambled eggs, hash browns, strawberries, pineapple and orange juice. It was yummy!!!

Next we tried to play a little tennis. Unfortunately all the tennis courts were covered with snow. We ended up taking a walk around Gray’s Lake. Nate wanted to make it more of a jog, but my bladder didn’t like that idea much. The weather was amazing, which in and of itself was a great birthday present. It felt so good to be outside and not freeze. When we came back home Nate gave me the best massage ever. I beg him everyday to rub my shoulders and feet. I know he doesn’t like to do it so it was a great present for him to spend a good half and hour treating me like royalty. We just relaxed together until it was time to go to dinner. We tried out this fabulous restaurant that one of my friends recommended called Trostel’s Dish. http://www.dishtrostels.com/index.html. It is a fun, trendy place that serves smaller appetizers instead of bigger main dishes. The food was amazing! We even splurged and ordered strawberry daiquiris that were yummy too! I definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting a fun special place to eat out.

We saved dessert for home because Nate made the best chocolate cake with Oreo ice cream in the middle, chocolate frosting, and strawberries. I had no idea Nate was so talented in the kitchen. Trust me, it tasted as good as it looks.

I was also spoiled by many presents, phone calls and text messages from friends and family all day long. Thanks to everyone for making me feel special!

All Dressed Up...

This weekend we went to the DMU Winter Gala. It was fabulous. I was amazed at how nice the event was. Plus the cream puffs dipped in chocolate were divine!!! Nate and I had so much fun dressing up and dancing. It has been so long since I have done something like this. The other couple in the picture is Nate's cousin Logan and his wife Ashley. Two dancing machines!!!
NO SHAME!!! Even the DJ called me out on it. He had everyone shaking it and then said, "one more time for the lady in the front". I turned around and he pointed right at me. That's right...this girl has got some moves:)
The decorations were amazing!

BIGGER every day!

I know many of you are not that into my belly, and that is ok. But I have a few family members asking for more pics of the bun in the oven so the rest of you just have to put up with it. I do have to say that I think I get bigger by the minute. I know I still have a ways to go, but already I seem to be exanding at a very rapide pace. I LOVE IT! The pictures aren't the most adorable pictures of me. They were taken after a long day in the apartment. The snow and wind made it treacherous to venture outside all day. Even church was cancelled. I think I was in the apartment for 31 hours straight. At least that is my excuse. Although I am pretty sure I look like this everyday:).

Almost a work of art...

When we were home for Christmas my Aunt Lezli gave me the materials I would need to make one of those large wall clocks. She had made a few of them and I thought they were fabulous so I started asking her how to do it. She ended up giving me everything I needed, THANK YOU LEZLI! I have been so excited to make the clock (I have wanted one for soooooo long!) and I just barely go the clock faced ordered so it wasn't until now that I was able to put it all together. Turns out I am not much of clock maker...the process turned into quite the ordeal. I had trouble getting the clock face to stick around the edges so I ended up trying to re-aply the glue which made a mess on the paint so I had to repaint. The paint ended up getting on the clock face. I ended up having to make the paint around the outside look textured in order to cover up some flaws. I went thru this process a few times before I finally created an ok clock. If you don't look too close you can't really tell that there are some imperfections.

Nate's reaction to it all...After looking at the clock for a day he finally said, "I think I like the clock, the more I look at it the more I think it looks ok".

I was thinking of making some of these clocks as gifts but I think I need to practice a little before I do that.

Ignoring the advice...

I have been a little fanatical about reading the books on pregnancy, trying to be as informed as I can. I have now decided that much of the info isn't that helpful. I read about the glucose tolerance test and was scared to death to have to drink the gooey orange liquid. All the comments in the book made it sound like it was going to be the most disgusting thing I would ever consume. One even said she wished she had taken someone with her to drive her home because she felt all weak and shaky. I had my appointment today to get tested for gestational diabetes so I made sure to get subs to instruct all my classes at the gym because I thought for sure I wouldn't be feeling up to teaching. I was seriously nervous as I opened the bottle and took a drink. To my surprise it wasn't that bad. Ok, maybe not something I would order at a restaraunt but definitely not the worst things in the world. And definitely not something to get all worked up about. I am sure pregnancy has many other things to worry about beyond the orange goo. So from now on...no more advice from the drama department. Good news is I passed the glucose test with flying colors. It is a good thing because it would be a long 3 1/2 months without sugar! I don't have any weird cravings but I love my treats!

Does this not sound so divine?!!!

I was watching the TODAY show a few days ago (it is good that I have a job to keep me busy now or else I would spend the whole morning plopped in front of the t.v. watching the TODAY show, followed by Rachel Ray), and they had this fabulous recipe for French Toast. I am going to try it this weekend, but I thought I would share the goodness with you and let you try it as well.

YUMMY!

Crème brûlée French Toast
Makes six servings

This highly rated recipe from Epicurious.com is a cinch to prepare — and one of the tastiest breakfasts you’ll ever eat!Why not marry two of the most delicious dishes of all — crème brûlée and French toast? This easy and extremely popular recipe can be prepared the night before and baked in the oven the next morning. You can spice it up even more by cutting the bread with heart-shaped cookie cutters and then serving it to your loved one on Valentine’s Day.

INGREDIENTS
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
An 8- to 9-inch round loaf country-style bread
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier or Orange Juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
In a small heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth and pour into a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking dish. Cut six 1-inch thick slices from center portion of bread, reserving ends for another use, and trim crusts. Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
In a bowl whisk together eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, Grand Marnier, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
Preheat oven to 350° F and bring bread to room temperature.
Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes.
Serve hot French toast immediately.
© 2008 Epicurious. All rights reserved.

Attack of the killer squirrel!

We seem to have welcomed a new buddy into our home. Or should I say he has welcomed himself despite our best efforts to scare him away. This crazy squirrel seems to be afraid of nothing. He comes and pirches himself on the railing of our deck and just hangs out. We can't leave anything on the deck or he will attack it. The other day I had a bag of planting soil out on the deck and he had his beady little eyes on it all day. He kept trying to get closer but everytime I opened the door he would back off. Once he realized I wasn't too harmful (I am pretty sure I am more afraid of him than he is of me) he seemed to have no fear at all. he came right up to the bag of dirt which was right next to our sliding door. I didn't want him to run into our house so I didn't dare open the screen door, but my yelling at him and pounding on the glass door wasn't doing the trick anymore. The two of us played a little game for five minutes before I was able to get him far enough away from the door to bring the bag of dirt in. Honestly who does little little vermit think he is? Nate has had a few run ins with the squirrel as well and it is funny to watch them battle it out. The two of them just sit there and stare eachother down until finally Nate gets the broom out and starts swatting at the little guy. But to no avail, this squirrel is smart! Or dumb because he keeps coming back. ( I think Nate is afraid of the squirrel too:)). Anyway, I had spray painted something yellow the other day and it turned some of the snow yellow. When Nate got up this morning he thought for sure it was the squirrel who had peed on the porch and he was ready for an all out brawl:)