All about Emery

If you're looking for a recipe or any inane details about my latest run to the grocery store, you won't find them in this post. Well, unless that trip to the store includes a shot of Emery:

Otherwise, this post is ALL about Emery.

She got baptized a few weeks ago! Here she is brushing her hair for the occasion:

And here's the happy family, well, happy mom and dad, less than enthused Emery:

Gotta love this shot, too:

And of course the actual baptism!  She did great, barely made a peep and really just wanted to play with my necklace the whole time.

Among Emery's favorite things to do are finding the diaper bag and trying to get into it and confiscate the wipes:

Lunging head first into her old car seat, as well as any other car seats she sees at the nursery or YMCA childcare:

Practicing standing:

Having tea parties (with our sweet neighbor Charis in this picture):

Showing everyone how big she is ("Sooo big!"):

And doing anything outside!  This weekend we took a quick trip to "Bugapalooza" and Emery had her eye on this sporty little ride:

She's also quite the dancer / mover - anytime she plays with any of her musical toys, her hips and/or shoulder start a rockin'. Not sure if this means she's destined for dance, music or perhaps neither because maybe all one-year-olds like to move to the music?

Being a first time parent I'm hesitant to exclaim too many of the ways in which Emery is unique because I have no idea of what's "normal" and more individual ... all I know is that she is a total delight and we marvel every day at how blessed we are to have her in our lives!

(even when she does manage to get into things she shouldn't be):

The only French Bistro in Chattanooga

was open for just one night. And it happened to be in my home!

Some friends and I have begun a cooking club and this month's theme was French Bistro cooking. I had the privilege of hosting, which meant all I needed to do was select some beverages and watch my mom set the table since she was in town for visit and just itching to get her hands a little dirty. Literally - she potted petunias in my fruit bowl!

And folded napkins into flowers, among many many many other things.

I will take credit for making the placecards, though, except that they weren't even my idea.

Like I said, it was really hard work picking out two bottles of French wine.

Our appetizer was a real treat - verrine avocat, fromage blanc, saumon fume - if you don't know what that means in French, well, it means DELICIOUS.

Then we sat down and feasted on sole meuniere, Potatoes Anna and beef with carrots and plums.

We ended on a light note with a mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, thyme, toasted baguette with chevre and a balsamic reduction ...

Before deciding it would be better to end on a decadent note - Petit Pots du Chocolat. Bon Appetit indeed!

These days,

I am reading this

Eating this

Watching Emery do this

And of course cleaning, wiping a runny nose, preventing accidents with hazards like cords and, well, cords mainly, working during naps and in the evening, going to the Y and enjoying the visit of some wonderful MI friends that allowed for this adorable photo-op: