Simple, Yet Elegant

French Women Don't Get Fat...it's a fact and it's also a book that has changed my life in the past and is working it's magic once again. Several years ago I read this book for the first time and followed its principles for a year and a half much to my delight and pleasure. It is a lifestyle...not a diet, not by any means. If you are interested in enjoying life to the fullest...including your diet and weight...READ THIS BOOK!!!

I really enjoy cooking, though I go through phases depending on the place I am in my life at the moment. But when I get back to it and devote time to it, I simply love cooking. I've always appreciated "nice" things and therefore thoroughly enjoy gourmet meals. Sometimes this can be a challenge and stress if attempting difficult recipes with unfamiliar ingredients and/or steps. However, there are some very, very simple recipes out there...such as in the previously mentioned book...that are five star quality without the stress and time one would think necessary.

Last night I made the following recipe with amazing results. Not only was it easy, it was a delight to smell the fragrances coming from the oven while the chicken baked. NOTE: IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO USE QUALITY INGREDIENTS!!! Even Walmart now sells "good" chicken that is free-range and vegetarian-fed. The quality of meat will make or break a meal regardless of the preparation. I've simply marinated and grilled some quality chicken breasts recently, and they are so tender and delicious! One of the major French principles is QUALITY OVER QUANTITY, and I cannot stress this point enough! I used thyme as the seasoning and didn't even mince it or anything. I simply took the fresh sprigs from the box and laid them on the breasts. Shallots can also be purchased at Walmart as can a cheap, yet tasty champagne. So here it is:

Chicken au Champagne

There are other recipes at the website above as well as information about the book and the French principles of eating. I can't wait to try some of them. One of my all time favorites that I've been making for several years is this easy Salmon recipe. It is so rich and delicious, you'll never think of fish the same again!

Salmon with Orange En Papillote

I also attempted a chocolate mousse this morning. The spoon tasted yummy, though I think I will change the technique next time. Here is that recipe:

Mousse au Chocolat

Ingredients:
4 ounces dark chocolate (80 percent cacao preferred) *Also available at Walmart
1 tablespoon sugar
3 egg yolks
5 egg whites

Process:
1. Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over a pan of simmering water on medium heat.

2. Remove the chocolate from the heat and add the sugar. Stir well and add the egg yolks, one at a time. (I think next time I will use the electric mixer for this step as just stirring made the chocolate lumpy and difficult to work with for step 3. It would probably be better if the yolks were at room temp too so they don't harden the chocolate as much.)

3. Beat the egg whites until stiff, glossy peaks are formed. Gently fold the whites into the chocolate mixture until well blended. (This took a little time, but would probably be easier with a smoother chocolate as noted in step 2)

4. Pour the mousse into a serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

9 Months and Going Backwards

Lula turned 9 months old on January 17. She had her check up last Friday and we discovered that she is now in the 10th percentile for weight! Yikes! She has always been petite, but this seems a little low. However, the doctor wasn't concerned as her head and height have continued to grow at a normal rate. She wasn't eating very well for a while, but she seems to be back on track now. So hopefully we can fatten her up a little!

Lula is doing all kinds of new things these days....like crawling backwards! She can get around every which way you can imagine...except crawling forward! She's pulling herself up on things, jabbering like crazy, and feeding herself now. She seems older every day. She will be taking her first trip across country via plane in March. I must say I'm a little nervous about this as I'll be by myself with her and she doesn't sleep well apart from her crib or pack n play. So it should be interesting! She's a really good baby though. So it will probably be just fine.

I feel like I always write about Lula, but being a stay at home mom doesn't allow for many exciting adventures apart from my child! Not that my life is boring...it is very full. I'm still sewing a lot and trying to get new things on Etsy for a "spring Lula in London line"! I'm still working on a book that I started writing about five years ago! My New Year's Resolution is to finish that by the end of the year. When it's finished and published, I'll tell you what it is! I don't enjoy explaining what I'm writing because to me it seems like everyone is writing a book just like everyone is in a band or knows someone in a band. It's almost cliche and I realize that...So I don't want to make it a bigger deal than it really is. That was my little soapbox for this blog! I need to start writing more about my thoughts, huh? Except I think the only people that read this are family members looking for new pictures of Lula...which is probably why I only write about her anymore! And there it is. And here are the pictures you've been waiting for!

A Snowy Day

Lula's first big snow merited a trip outside to at least take some pictures in it. So we bundled her up and stayed out briefly for some video and camera shots. It was really beautiful. She didn't really know what to think about it, but decided that the white fluffy stuff looked good enough to try as I handed her a little scoop. Upon feeling the cold, however, and realizing this wasn't the usual white treat of Andy's frozen custard, she refused another bite! Oh well! Next year she'll be able to play in it and will probably enjoy it a little more. But the pictures turned out pretty cute! Who can resist a scrumptious little marshmallow?!




Lula's latest development is clapping. I don't know why it's so exciting to see her do such a simple thing, but nevertheless it is. I think it's the fact that she "gets" something. She realizes that when I sing a song, she's supposed to clap and enjoys doing so based on the smile that always accompanies the clapping. I skyped with my mom this morning to show her Lu's new "trick." She was delighted of course and wanted to see if Lula would clap while she sang. She did and seemed to like it even better than when she does it with me! Probably because my mom is incredibly enthusiastic!

Lula was also playing peek-a-boo with my mom's picture which sits on a bookcase in our hallway. That was cracking me up! And finally, she's up on her knees and rocking...a typical precursor to crawling. Better get the baby gates up!

Lula's Dedication

After sifting through the pile of my old baby clothes my parents brought from Maryland, I discovered my dedication gown that I wore 30 years ago. Since Lula had yet to be dedicated, we had the appropriate attire, and my parents were in town, we decided this was the perfect opportunity to symbolically give her to the Lord. Jay's mom Pat and her husband David also joined us this Sunday for Lula's dedication.


First attempt at uploading a video! Hope it works!

Christmas 09

After my parents' surprise appearance, we got right to business with Christmas activities. My mother, aka Nana, being the epitome of Christmas spirit, couldn't wait for Lula to start opening her presents. So a couple of days before Christmas Lula started opening. Her first present was a set of holiday pjs.


And her next gift was an adorable outfit from Grandmother Collins.

Since Jay and I didn't get Lula any presents because we knew the grandparents would be in full force for Lu's first Christmas, we decided to give her a "used" present: my old laptop. It doesn't do anything because Jay completed erased it, but she thinks it does something!

On Christmas Eve, Pat and David went to their service at Evangel Temple while my parents, Jay and I went to our service at Christ Community. Then we met at Pat's house for a lovely warm meal, trifle, and stockings. Lula was exhausted after staying awake through the service. So after opening her big presents that were to stay at Pat's: a walker and a precious rocker, we put Lula down. We enjoyed the rest of the evening together chatting and opening our stocking gifts.

Christmas morning and day were spent at our house so that Lula could easily nap and wake to open her presents. We started with a lovely brunch featuring lots of carbs that caught up with us later! Then when Lula was awake and spry, we began opening her many, many presents! Jay and I quickly went through them as Lula was more interested in the wrapping and ribbons than the actual gifts.

One of the very special gifts Lula received was several boxes of my toys...that are now being called "vintage"! They were in really good condition and my mom had cleaned them well after being in boxes for 20 some years. It's really cool to see her playing with my old toys...and of course I love vintage things!


Lula also received an amazing new high chair from both grandparents. Jay and I just love it! It's the kind that adjusts so they can use it until they're 3 or 4. We love the European and wood look. It matches our kitchen very nicely and Lula is sitting up much higher. She seems to love it too.
After all the present opening, which was very relaxing and peaceful, we all got a little silly. I tried to get some "Sexy Santa" poses out of dad, but instead I think "Silly Santa" is what came out! We enjoyed the rest of the day cooking, putting a puzzle together, and putting the high chair together. Around 3, the carb coma hit, and Pat and David headed home while the rest of us zoned out and relaxed the rest of the day. It was a lovely Christmas.

Santa Has Come to Town!!!

We had a big surprise this morning! My parents, who drove from Maryland, were planning to spend the night and then be here some time this evening. But when I called my mom this morning to see what was going on, she said, "Santa clause has COME to town!" They drove through the night and got here at 7:30 this morning! They're so crazy! Of course I am ecstatic...except I have to work on line this morning and the downstairs hasn't been cleaned yet! At least I did the upstairs yesterday and of course they only want to play with Lula at the moment so it's no big deal that I have to work!

After hauling in all of the presents, which I'm SO excited to open with Lula, I took some pictures of my little reindeer in her Christmas pjs. She is most thrilled with the paper so far...pretty typical for an 8 month old. I can't wait to see what all has been bought for her. It's so fun to celebrate this holiday with a little one.

Nothing Too New

Well, Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is nigh. We spent a lovely Thanksgiving in Nashville with my family which has grown tremendously over the last year and a half! With our ("our" being the family's...not mind and Jay's!) newest addition, Lola Jane, the grandbabies now total 4. My Dad had predicted 5 by the end of this year...so he wasn't too far off! We'll be here for Christmas and my parents are coming for two weeks to help us celebrate Lula's first Christmas.

Lula is getting ready to crawl, which is probably the biggest change we've witnessed and she has two precious new teeth. Did I mention that in my last blog? Can't remember. Another big change is that her hair is too long now to put in her well-recognized and loved mohawk. It's very sad, but I'm not willing to cut it to bring it back!

Janae took some new pictures of Lula and the family. I can't wait to see them...although it was SOOOO cold the day we took them that there might only be a few good ones of the fam! It was pretty miserable trying to smile and look cute in freezing weather. Anyway, I'm sure I'll put all kinds of links to those pics once they surface since Janae is one of the most amazing photographers ever and her work deserves to be seen!

Well, here's my little one: