Our Last Four Miles

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm at the hospital hatching that baby. I can't thank you enough for all of the kind words and support sent our way in recent weeks. It's been such a source of encouragement.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

See you on the other side.

Swimming Pool

I want one.

There. I admit it. For years I said I wouldn't buy a house with a pool, because they're too much to maintain and, besides, I have the entire Atlantic Ocean to swim in. But I've changed my mind.  It's probably all of the amniotic fluid talking, but I want one.  In our backyard.

See how it would look?

Except less like fingerpaint and more like Ellen Pompeo's pool.

Also, it needs to be salt water.  And have one of these.

p.s. I like these pools too.

p.s.s. These are the rose bushes along the east wall.  I'd like them thicker, but I'll settle for not murdering them. Advice?

Twenty Five Things I Hope To Teach Aston

1. Always replace the toilet paper when the roll is empty. It's called being prepared.

2. At some point an ahole will offer you a cigarette. Look him straight in the eye and say, "No thanks, I'd rather not die." 

3. Don't use the word ahole, because it makes you sound like one.

4. Open doors for girls. And while you're at it, hold them open for boys, too.

5. But don't be a doormat.

6. Take care of your body. For the most part it's irreplaceable.

7. Rely on your charm and intelligence as survival skills.

8. Never judge a person by where they live or what they drive. Unless it's a Smart Car. Then you can judge a little.

9. Be generous without any expectations of anything in return. Donate often. And (when possible) anonymously.

10. Listen to your father. Except if he's giving you wardrobe advice.

11. Don't tell lies, large or small. They're unnecessary.

12. Say please and thank you.

13. Always spell correctly. Even when texting.

14. On the subject of texting, don't ever send naked pictures of yourself through a phone or computer. Ever heard of Anthony Weiner? Google it.

15. But don't use Google to learn about life. Read books. Talk to your grandparents. Listen to cassette tapes. (Yes, cassette tapes. Seriously. Google it.)

16. At times you will fail. Often even. It's okay. But don't expect that anyone will be as upset about it as you. Learn and move on.

17. See as much of the world as you can.

18. Try to understand what other people need.

19. But that doesn't mean you have to give it to them. Don't commit to a girl unless you're really, really, really, really, really, really, really sure (especially if either of you are under thirty).

20. The same goes for tattoos.

21. Always cheer for the Chicago Cubs. And visit Wrigley Field often. Take your dad.

22. Dance in the rain. Play in the mud. Roll in the grass. Forget that you're wearing your good shoes.

23. Familiarize yourself with tax laws. Have a relationship with an accountant you can trust.

24. It is not okay to run in the street after ice cream trucks. Unless you're chasing your father or getting me a Fudgesicle. Then it's fine.

25. We love you. If you learn nothing else, know that we love you.

Like Buttah

A couple of weeks ago, after discovering fifty two thousand nine hundred and seventy three recipes for peanut butter bars on Pinterest, I did a little experimenting. Two mixing bowls, sixty minutes, and one single sumptuous bite later, it was like the skies parted and time stood still and down plopped the Holy Grail of all things dessert like.

Andrew and I will never be the same.




Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend
1 cup fresh organic peanut butter, excess oil drained
2 cups Low Fat Honey Maid Cinnamon Grahams, crumbled
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups Green + Black's Organic Chocolate

Melt butter and peanut butter. Add graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Mix until well blended. Press into ungreased 9" x 13" pan. Melt chocolate. Add some extra peanut butter if you like. Spread on top of graham crackers. Refrigerate for fifty minutes.


(I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday weekend!)

Unless

I'd love to announce that we finally have a nosediver, but no, we found out yesterday that he's still firmly parked in a frank breech position. Brain in ribs. We also learned that, aside from being remarkably persistent, he has a full head of hair and manly pieces too obscene for sharing his ultrasounds. So basically?

He's his father.

Double Vision

It's beautiful outside today, but I've got zilch in the way of energy so I'm parked indoors working on ideas for The Lake House and relying way too heavily on interweb toddler shopping as a form of pregnancy distraction. Did you know that you can find teeny tiny versions of virtually anything online? Seriously, anything you can think of!

It. is. ADDICTIVE.

So far Aston and I are getting matching Toms and Ray Bans and easels for the studio. And if I keep this up long enough there may be a Satchel size horse in the mix.