I knew she was tired,

But when I walked into the nursery and right after church this morning, I certainly didn't expect to see this:

The nursery couldn't be much bigger than Emery's own bedroom and of course was filled to the gills with infants through toddlers. I don't think I've ever even seen a child asleep in that crib - I really thought it was just for storing toys!

I guess all I have to say is, like father like daughter (not only does Matt sleep like a champ, but he's also been known to "cocoon" himself in a blanket as above).

Thankful for ...

"Winter" in Chattanooga - it's been feeling like spring the past few days, so much so that I had the air conditioning on in the car, ran outside in shorts and took Emery to the park to swing.

This made her HAPPY.

So much so that she really didn't want to leave and practically threw her first public temper tantrum. Fortunately, or unfortunately as it turned out, I had to set her down in the mulch to fix the stroller straps, and she bought herself a little more time, as well as an appetizer of mulch. Yuck.

All Chattanooga YMCA members - I'm thankful for the members, and not just the Y itself because I reason that even the monthly dues of those without children are going toward the "free" Child Watch for all members, and for this I am exceedingly grateful. I can even run outside with my cell phone in hand in case Emery needs anything, which fortunately she never seems to. Hooray!

Small town life - I don't even know that many people here yet, relatively speaking, and yet I still ran into five people I knew today when out and about! I love this.

Three fabulous years - This week Matt and I celebrated our third anniversary and if you had told me on my wedding day what our life would be like today, well, I don't think I'd have believed you. I am also very thankful that the flower delivery man waited long enough for me to jump out of the shower when I heard him knock, throw on some towels and a huge bathrobe and retrieve these! (you better believe I was waiting for him to come - no knock on the door goes unanswered on anniversary day!)

What a difference 10 months makes

Emery used to sit quietly, playing with napkin rings, rarely shrieking, scooting or moving much at all.  She used to eat green beans and carrots greedily, as though they were chocolate chips.

This week, now that she's 10 months old, she's ALL OVER THE PLACE, much more impatient and louder.  She refuses green beans and carrots, in preference for cheesy toast, french toast, pancakes, Cheerios and the like.

Thank goodness she still rewards us with that grin, though!

Changing my mind about figs

I can't stand Fig Newtons. Ugh! The worst is when you think you're biting into a Strawberry Newton and then you feel/hear that crunch and realize it's a FIG.  Ick.  Makes me want to avoid Newtons altogether, which I actually do, because why have a cookie without chocolate in it?

Anyway, this is all beside the point, which is actually that Pioneer Woman's Fig-Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula is now one of my most favorite pizzas ever.  And, lo and behold, it includes figs! I'm not sure why I even dared try it - probably the prosciutto and arugula won me over, and of course the fact that it was a pizza, and maybe the conviction that I should like figs.

Now it's time to see what else I can cook up with figs ... though I will still not be sinking my teeth into any Newtons anytime soon.

Takin' it easy

We're in Utah right now with Matt's family ... who have all hit the ski slopes, leaving Emery and myself to our own devices, which currently include sitting under the dining room table, 

and looking out at this!

Really not a bad way to spend a holiday weekend, in my opinion. Staying in someone else's condo, with practically nothing on the to-do list apart from ogling at and enjoying the Bosch kitchen and most deluxe washer/dryer set I've ever encountered, kicking back in front of the fire and in a lusciously comfortable bed and devising all kinds of homespun entertainment for sweet Emery, who is currently enamored with a set of measuring spoons and a pepper grinder.

Who says my daughter doesn't smile?

If you've ever met Emery, you know she's rather, well, judicious would be a nice word, with her smiles. But I've promised you that she does smile a lot at home - here's proof.

(Keep in mind that all I was doing to get her going was keeping my mouth open wide, which apparently is the funniest thing in the planet to this child.)

A very merry Christmas

We're moments from leaving for the airport - an easy excuse to post photos, but without captions.  Use your imagination :) ... it was a fabulous time with family and Emery was delighted with her first Christmas!

Recipes worth repeating

When it comes to cooking, I like a lot of variety, almost to a fault. Instead of pulling out tried and true recipes on a regular basis, usually the latest (insert food blogger) post or Wednesday food section in the paper distracts and tempts me to save boring old turkey meatloaf for another night. This method often can produce good results, but there are plenty of nights when I know it would have been better for everyone involved if I had just stuck with what I know works and tastes great.

One way I'm remedying this is by keeping a dinner journal. The rewards are two-fold - we can take a trip down memory lane anytime we want to remember what happened at the dinner table, and I have an on-the-ready assortment of recipes worth going back to over and over again.

Here are a few keepers from 2010!

Quick and Easy Ciopinno - this fish stew is affordable, nutritious and truly doesn't taste like it was quick and easy
Yukon Gold Potatoes - Jacques Pepin Style - Crispy, flavorful and so simple
Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes - I don't even care much for marshmallows, but these just hit the spot
Pasta with Peas, Prosciutto and Lettuce - the soft, salty, and crunchy tastes of spring, right in your pasta bowl!
Baked Sausages with Apples and Onions - a super supper you probably already have in the pantry, provided you keep some sausages in the freezer for last minute meals
Salted Caramel Brownie - a lot of work, but sublime
Flatbread with Roasted Apple, Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion - if you're a vegan, you've hit the jackpot with this one; if you're not a vegan, well, you just might become one after this