Decisions, decisions

Thank goodness for festive friends like Auntie Shannon who keep me accountable to get in the spirit of whatever holiday is quickly approaching. I don't think I'm exactly a Scrooge, but let's just say I've never put up a Christmas tree because it seemed like too much effort when we wouldn't be in town anyway for Christmas day itself. This year will be different, though, Emery, I promise! You will have a Christmas tree.

This week, Shannon decided it was time to try on Emery's Halloween costume options, of which there are two.

We have last year's giraffe costume.

It's precious, but a little small. Then there's the ballerina costume Henny got Emery a while back.

After a few minutes in her tutu, Emery had made up her mind I think - ballerina it is! (not that we're actually going trick or treating or anything ... so what's this all for Shannon?? :) )

I don't want this costume to go to waste, though, so I think I'll let Emery wear it to the YMCA on Monday as part of an early New Year's resolution to BE. MORE. FESTIVE!

On a side note, I am starting to think that seeing Auntie Shannon is the equivalent of Christmas for Emery, seeing as how Emery saved her major meltdowns for after Shannon left the other day ... after all, what can top a fabulous friend who is always so excited to see you, doesn't have to enforce any rules, really, almost always has fun jewelry (or "bling bling" as the two of them call it) on, is always up for a dance party, reading books or just about anything else Emery can charm her way into making happen. 

When Shannon leaves, it's like the day after Christmas, when that holiday high sinks like an elevator to the bottom floor and you're forced to face real life again.

Not sure what the solution to all of this is, since we don't have a spare room for "Shanu" to move into ... unless, Shannon, you're up for bunking with Emery? Let us know! :)

This is what happens

when you don't prick a few holes in your baked potato.

One last time

in my childhood home in Annapolis this weekend, which has finally sold. Ahhh ... it's all too sad and nostalgic to think about very hard, so I'm choosing not to think about it much at all and just enjoy all the memories that have been made here, especially this weekend!

 We celebrated cousin Molly's first birthday and she was ALL smiles ...

Emery was never far from cousin Tucker and repeatedly attacked him with hugs and cuddles, which thankfully didn't seem to bother him in the slightest.

The birthday celebration continued ...

 Uncle Austin was very nice to read with Emery ... one last story on the family room couch (sniffle).

An attempt at a decent family photo in front of the blue house.

Catching some sun on the front stoop ... let's not start thinking about how it was just yesterday that it was ME in little overalls sitting on the front stoop. (sniffle)

 Here is Emery in one of my favorite childhood spots on the side of our house - I'll always remember going to sit on this box when I got bent out of shape about something not going my way while playing outside. It's actually the neighbor's box, but I think he's going to give it to me!

Emery checking out the stove that used to heat our house. (sniffle)

Just being cute at the front door. Good thing these smiles will keep me from sniffling too much tomorrow when we leave for good.

Aretha Frankenstein's ... without the 2 hour wait!

For those of you who don't live in Chattanooga, Aretha Frankenstein's is a breakfast joint famous (or perhaps notorious) for its insanely long wait on weekend mornings, as well as its insanely outstanding pancakes and waffles.

Well, this weekend we got to enjoy the aforementioned waffles right in our own dining room, thanks to this recipe I found Food52.

Now I generally try to make my waffles a little healthy and go more for the multigrain, not too much oil, etc. route when I'm making them at home, but these were well worth making an exception. I doubled the recipe and did wind up cutting back on the oil a bit and that didn't seem to do them any harm.

The secret ingredient? Cornstarch! It makes them perfectly soft, chewy and moist on the inside, and just crispy enough on the outside to make you think you might be eating at a restaurant and not in your own home where you have to put away the syrup and butter, face the mound of dishes in the sink and get a paint scraper to deal with the waffle batter that's now permanently adhered to the kitchen counter.

Worth it, though? YES.

Emery at 18 months

Every day it seems Emery is getting more grownup, revealing new likes, dislikes, abilities, etc. so I figured I'd better record some history here and now before it becomes just that - history!

Favorite food: hands down bananas (or "mee-nee" for some strange reason)

Favorite song: "If You're Happy and You Know It" You know she wants to sing it when she opens and closes her hands and repeats "happy? happy? happy?" And once is of course never enough ... we sing it endless times in a row.

Favorite toy: Um, me? Emery doesn't have much attachment to her toys and is generally more interested in doing what I'm doing than anything else. I realize this is a phase, but if I had the energy, I'd move all of her toys out of the house for the time being to enjoy a little less clutter!

Favorite activities: Emery loves listening and dancing to music (You know she's ready for the next song when she whines "ee-mee?") playing outside, chasing the neighbor's cat, ogling at doggies, emptying my nightstand, climbing on the furniture, Skype, going to the library, to the pedestrian bridge downtown, and to the grocery store, of course. :) Her interest in dolls is beginning to develop, thanks to valiant efforts from her Henny to cultivate an appreciation for this activity.


Oh, and she also is quite intent on fitting herself into spaces that are clearly too small for a toddler.

Thankfully Emery keeps us all laughing, even on days that are hard and long, and we can't wait to see how the rest of her second year unfolds!

What a nice Saturday

This past Saturday was the first day that really felt like fall here - so sunny, but cool and crisp, too. In the morning, Emery and I occupied ourselves with piddling around the house and running to the grocery store and bakery, where she now always insists on pausing for a bit to gnaw on the heel of the bread. Works for me! She sits perfectly still while manhandling her bread and I can thumb through a magazine in peace.

Then Matt returned from running a race, I made him a quick brunch, devoured the rest of our Roasted Apple, Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion pizza, and rushed off to Homespun Parties and Events for a class on making scarves/necklaces out of old t-shirts.

I'm not sure what I think of my creations, but the class was only $5, so who really cares, right? :)

Then I headed home only to turn right back around again for another fun outing - a bluegrass concert on the river with Matt and Emery. Given Emery's love for the outdoors and music, we knew this would be a hit and it was - with her and with us. She spent almost the entire time climbing in and out of her stroller, pausing occasionally to clap for the musicians and play peek-a-boo with strangers.

On a side note, Matt's first comment when he saw Emery's floral pink outfit was, "She looks like a fun nurse! You know, the kind who wears pink scrubs and is super cheery and nice."

Hmm. Not quite the look I was going for, but I guess I can kind of see what he means? ...

Then we finished off the day with Chard and White Bean Stew - fabulous. Healthy. Easy. Hooray for nice Saturdays!