Ten Words Tuesday

Stomach sick, searching for missing passports. Found lost keys, though.

Birthdays! (Or, catching up on late posts...)

ctober is always a busy birthday month around here. Seth kicks it off on the 1st, and there's a bit of a lull until my mom (24th) and myself (29th). I have a number of girlfriend birthdays before and after my birthday as well, so the cake and cards and prezzies abound.

Happily, Ma and Pa were here for my birthday weekend, and so we celebrated three days in a row (my father's birthday is just a couple of weeks into November, so of course we had to party for him, too). For my birthday, friends had given me cupcakes and a pumpkin pie, so I felt no need to bake something else. For my dad I made a pecan pie (his favorite), and for my mom I landed finally on Smitten Kitchen's spiced applesauce cake from a friendly recommendation (thanks, Ginger!), and it was better than I could have hoped. Yummy and moist and not too sweet.

These beauties were so good they disappeared over the course of the weekend, at all times of day and night. If we ate them before noon, they were "muffins," if we ate them after noon, they were appropriately called "cupcakes." Somehow, they were healthier in the morning... go figure.

Applesauce spice cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup walnuts (optional), toasted, cooled, and chopped

For frosting
5 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square cake pan.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Beat butter, brown sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in applesauce. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just combined, then stir in walnuts (if using; I did not). The batter will look a little curdly and uneven but don’t worry, it will all bake up perfectly in the end.

Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake to loosen, then invert onto a plate. Reinvert cake onto a rack to cool completely.

For the frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until fluffy. Sift confectioners sugar and cinnamon over cream cheese mixture, then beat at medium speed until incorporated. Spread frosting over top of cooled cake.

I also received a cute new cake pan for my birthday, one that looks like a little three-tiered cake, all in one. Very fun. I frosted one for Ma and stuck a little candle on top, all special like. We even sang, lucky lady. Ha. 

A little mini-cake  for Ma!

Friday night grateful moment: A family effort

icture this: three tired humans "picnicking" with haystacks in the master bedroom, ready for the weekend. (I know, I know; two of these humans have been vacationing and really have no excuse--other than a long travel day yesterday--to be tired. Amazing how travel wipes the rested right out of you...)

But, in the spirit of being back together, we reflected on our gratitude... together:

From Seth: 

*Color. (Is this my kid or what?)
*Words. "The sounds of our life." -Seth
*Snowflakes. (And then he started singing "My Favorite Things," thinking I would write all of them down as original to him... nice try.)
*Our house... very grateful for a roof over our heads.
*Random funny moments that happen in the classroom. (Seth and a friend... in class, where the origins of Thanksgiving are being taught... he teacher asks "So, what do you know about the first Thanksgiving?" and the friend shouts, "SQUANTO!!" at the top of his lungs. The whole classroom sat in stunned silence for a moment before bursting into laughter.)
*Really good friends who will always be there for you.
*Glass and mercury.
*Music.
*Clocks.

From husband:

*Vacation... a change of pace.
*For something meaningful to come back to... a life with variety.
*Family, near and far.
*The holidays.
*Our pets.
*Health.
*Sunday football games.
*Insurance.
*Sabbath.
*Great inlaws. (Elders AND youngers.)
*Wondeful wife and son.

From me:

*Holiday marshmallows.
*The plumeria lei I brought back from Hawaii; it smells SO amazing.
*A warm house.
*Coffee.
*Texting with friends. (Who knew I'd get into that? Not me, that's for sure.)
*My guys, who are such good sports with me. (They're my "grateful hostages" ...you can read that a couple of ways, I'll give you that.)
*Laughter.
*Snow. (More, please.)
*Memories of sunshine, even as we're surrounded by gray...
*Macadamia Hershey kisses. (Fabulous new find! The little strip that comes out the top? It says "Aloha" over and over again. So cute.)
*Good test results on recent blood work. Other than the need for a little more Vitamin D, all's well.
*Progress. I do love me some forward movement. I've even been accused of appreciating ANY movement, but I would offer that forward is my favorite.

And because this is a family effort, the video this week should reflect that too, right? Here's a little something that Seth showed me this afternoon that made me laugh:



Hope your weekend is as restful as I'm hoping mine is!

Thursday 13: Daybook musings...

1. I am thinking… that this vacation has been exactly the right length. I'm ready to be home now, and yet it still feels like husband and I had enough relaxing time together. We drove to the end of every major road on the island and stopped at beaches along the way, saw the "Fantasy Island" falls, snorkeled, ate local fare and gelato too, walked, napped, watched movies and generally enjoyed each other's company. A pretty great five-year honey-versary, if I do say so!

2. I am thankful for… the opportunity to take this break from reality. It's not lost on me that our time away has been an incredibly special gift.

3. From the kitchen… I have cooked (assembled, more like) a few meals here in the condo, and just this morning we had steak and eggs (how rare, how decadent! We were actually cleaning up leftovers...). I have been going over my holiday recipes while on vacation too, and am revved up to get home and hop to some baking! Cookie parties, here I come!

4. I am wearing… a summer nightie that will go right back on the summer shelf when we get home, and out will come the fuzzy robe and slippers.

5. I am creating… all kinds of holiday menus in my head. Not doing Thanksgiving "traditionally," I have lots of space in my brain (and tummy) for oodles of sweet and savory holiday yummies. Yes, oodles. That's a word. Look it up.

6. I am going… to say a prayer tonight for so many people who are going through rough times right now. For loss, for sickness, for sadness and loneliness; for all the many human afflictions for which there is no human cure, I will pray for peace and comfort and strength, for us all.

7. I am reading… a million different sample downloads with my Kindle app. Love that app.

8. I am hoping… for smooth sailing all the way home, no plane delays and clear roads too. Winter travel is not without its challenges.

9. I am hearing… Top Chef All Stars on the TV. I have had a big fat grin on my face the whole hour, seeing some of my very faves (and even some of my less-favorite cheftestants) back and cooking. The show pulled out a great first challenge and I have *so* enjoyed seeing these rock stars work their butts off again.

10. Around the house… I can hear waves outside, and already miss them...

11. One of my favorite things… is plumeria. I was reminded how much I love that flower again this week. Beautiful and so fragrant...

12. A few plans for the rest of the week… get home, get some groceries, check out the progress on the "house stuff," make sure the dogs are all OK, get my boy from school Friday (asap!) and spend time together over the weekend. Lots of hugs. Major hugs.

13. A picture to share… and this will come as no surprise:


To play along with Thursday 13, go here.

To play along with the daybook folks, go here.

Ten-word Tuesday

Irrational fish fears while snorkeling, why? Therapy needed, obviously. Breathe.

Friday night grateful moment

This is a special week in so many ways. It seems like a very long time ago that we were surrounded by snow and ice, and yet we've only been in paradise a few short days... I've been looking around for my "pause time" button, but so far, no luck. Happily, time does seem to pass in a leisurely way...

I'm grateful for the sunshine, and for this amazing setting where the waves crash all the time.

I'm grateful for this occasion to celebrate (five years of marriage!) and this wonderful man to celebrate with.

I'm grateful to still be connected to Seth via his highly entertaining texts and IMs. I swear, if I hadn't known better, I would have thought I was texting with Scooby Doo today... Ha!

I'm grateful for house-sitters and dog-watchers and all those making sure our place is a-ok while we're away.

I'm grateful that someone else cooked Thanksgiving dinner and all I had to do was show up hungry. That picture is only a part of the dessert buffet, which was beautiful and bountiful and of course I was too full to really tear into it by the time I got around to it... next time I'm starting with dessert!

I'm grateful for sunrises that aren't too early so I can sleep in a little and still see them, and for some lovely sunsets too.


I'm grateful for tree-ripened papaya and fresh pineapple spears, and passion-orange and guava juice that come in really big containers.

I'm grateful for catching up on sleep. And for guilt-free naps.

I'm grateful for friends and family and knowing folks are safe in their holiday travels. I'm especially grateful that the power's back on for family on Bainbridge Island.

I'm grateful that we have more days of this ahead! There are still botanical gardens to walk and waves to snorkel and tropical gelato to eat...

I'm grateful we got here in the first place. It was quite a wild ride through snow and ice to the airport (angels on our bumpers, truly) and then the delays and postponements... and, I'm also extremely grateful to have slid right through the TSA web of groping and pat-downs! No big deal getting through security on the way here, hoping for the same on the way back.

I'm grateful that as we go home, even though I'm sure it will be snowy and icy and feel freakishly cold, we'll also be going into that magical holiday season that I love so well... and as much as I heart the tropics, I just can't really think Christmas while looking out across the beach... must be that Canadian upbringing...

Wherever you are tonight, I hope there's a little piece of paradise there for you.

Five years, and it feels so good (sing with me, people!)

It's our 5th anniversary today and we are going to spend it together, enjoying some sunshine, good food, conversation and remembering what we were doing five years ago today.

I like this quote even though it's not all lovey-dovey and LOVE IS GRAND. To me, it speaks to one of the most fulfilling aspects of marriage, that of individual growth within the constraints (I couldn't think of a better word, but I fear *some* might read that as a negative connotation. It's not.) of a committed relationship.



Thank you for these five wonderful years, husband! Looking forward to the next 50, for sure!

Meme-ish-ness

Here's an alphabet meme that's been rambling around the interwebnets; I think I initially saw it on Sunshine's blog... I thought I'd use it as a while-we're-on-the-road filler. How kind of me, no?

A – Age: 42
B – Bed size: King, beautiful King
C – Chore you hate: There really isn't any chore I HATE as long as I have my yellow rubber gloves. I can do almost anything with those puppies on!
D – Dog’s name: Jack, Darby, Chief and Ruby; yes, we are card-carrying members of the too-many-dogs club.
E – Essential start your day item: Coffee and pills (seriously)
F – Favorite color: Green, almost every shade, but you already knew that, didn't you?
G – Gold or Silver: Silver, usually, but I've been much more kind to the gold lately
H – Height: 5' 8.5"
I – Instruments you play: A pathetically small amount of piano, even less of flute; every once in awhile I think I want to take them both up again, but then I think, When exactly would I do that?
J – Job title: A little of this, a little of that; Jack of all trades, master of none...
K – Kid(s): Seth, 14. I shake my head every day at how blessed I am in the kid department.
L – Living arrangements: Beautiful home currently in transition due to a smallish leak in a pipe under the kitchen sink. Countdown to normal commences in 10, 9, 8, 7...
M – Mom’s name: Shirley Ann
N – Nicknames: Sher (Shelby can comment on any other names, I've blocked tham out.)
O – Overnight hospital stay other than birth: One, a total thyroidectomy about seven years ago
P – Pet peeve(s): Negativity and complaining, whining's pretty high up on the peeve list too...
Q – Quote from a movie: "You have bewitched me, body and soul." -Mr. Darcy. Swoon. Yes, I'm a Jane Austen freak.
R – Right or left handed: Right
S – Siblings: One brother, 18 months older
T – Time you wake up: My alarm is set for 5:40 (basketball mornings) or 6 a.m. (all other mornings)
U – Underwear? Yes, please. I'm a little too old for any other answer, really.
V – Vegetable you dislike: Beets. I have tried, I really have.
W – Ways you run late: I can spend a bit of time looking for keys. It's another pet peeve of mine, not being able to find keys or cell phones, etc.
X – X-rays you’ve had: Teeth
Y – Yummy food you make: I love food. I love yummy food. See recipe list.
Z – Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Please play along, in the comments or on your own blog. Thanks!

eaceful, quiet and cozy. I do so love an early Friday evening...

This week my heart is full of thankfulness...

For my husband, who puts up with my accident-prone ways and loves me still. He even smiles when I tell him my latest tale of woe. And it's not a snarky smile, it's an "I'm glad you're alright" smile. Maybe a little bit of "Really, again? How is this possible?" Ha. He's a good, good man.

For my son, who is truly the best son a mother could ask for. (I'm not biased or anything!)

For a wonderful dad on his special day. Happy Birthday, Pa! Enjoy that yummy cake! (That's my dad and Seth in the picture above. Grandpa diggin' some first grandchild time about 13.5 years ago...)

For the snow as it sneaks down the mountains toward us... I am ready! Boots are out, scarves and mittens too.

For friends. For birthdays to celebrate, for new friends and old friends and friends in need and friends with love to spare. I have the spectrum and it's beautiful; I'm more blessed than I deserve, that's for sure.

For the strength of the human spirit, which I see exemplified in so many beautiful ways, every day. For my friends who are fighting illness, working hard to save a marriage (or picking up the pieces from an unfixable mess of a marriage) or supporting a parent who has a grave diagnosis, I know the burdens are many. But spirit remains, and even when that flags, friends and loved ones help build it back up. Never hesitate to ask for help from those nearby; loved ones are just waiting to be of help. Truly. I know this. I've been on both sides of this equation, and all you need to do is ask, hard as that may seem.

For laughter and humor. Reading Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk right now--a timely gift from a dear friend for my birthday--and it's laugh-out-loud funny. True David Sedaris in voice, but with a completely new and fresh angle. Two thumbs up from me.

For AAA. Needed them just this afternoon and they came through. Love it.

For work people who clean up after themselves. This is not to be underestimated in an already topsy-turvey house.

For black grapes. Now that the figs are gone, I've moved on... I think between Seth and I we've eaten about 10 pounds of grapes this week. They have been heavenly!

For better sleep. Again, not to be underestimated.

For Christmas music. The holiday music bug hit me this week, hard. It was helped along by a gift of Pink Martini from sweet C in Cali, and some digging around iTunes for a few other treasures... my Christmas mix is well on it's way... I'm doing my best not to get fully immersed until after Thanksgiving, but...

In my quote wanderings this week I found something that resonated:

My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life,
if we are right with those we love and behave
in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed
with the aching throb of unfulfilled business.
Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight.
We will never wallow in the agony of "I could have, I should have."
We can sleep in a storm.

 Have A Little Faith, Mitch Albom

May your weekend be beautiful and filled with all the things you need it to be filled with and none of the things that you don't!

Thursday 13: 13 photos of color in the autumn

here was some beautiful light this weekend (outdoors). As we approached dusk, you could see those long shadows headed across the valley and I couldn't help but grab my camera and head out, leaving much more pressing things behind in the house.

But the waning patches of color called out to me, and I wasn't disappointed by the still-blooming areas around the yard.

Hope there's still some color where you are!

For more Thursday 13s, go here.