Hi. How's it going out there?

[x] Okay, lets talk kitchen wizardry for a minute. First and foremost, I made these (with modifications) for my love. And if you're wondering if he liked them, the answer is a resounding YES. Filing this one in the memory banks, let me tell you. This was a pretty big hit at my house. Not for the calorie or health conscious, but definitely good for your tastebuds.

Also, today I whipped up a trifecta (as I usually) do of vegan knishes and WOW! They were honestly the best I've EVER made. I use my tried-and-true favorite recipe from Vegan with a Vengeance. If you don't have the book, you should get it since it's rock awesome. Bear wanted green peppers (and celery--who knew?) and Beauty requested onions, so I made three potato/veggie knishes with half a bag of cheddar style Daiya shreds. Best ever, I tell you. A-maz-ing. I'm still in a little bit of a food coma to be honest. Awesome! I'm thinking about baking an apple pie or something equally as tantalizing as a "thank you" to K. for picking up so much overtime this week (48 hours!) to keep our boat afloat. We miss him--all of us. He's such a good provider, though--and I'm so grateful he works so incredibly hard to keep my dream of being a SAHM a reality. <3

[x] I'm drumming up a potential surprise for K. It's not the anniversary surprise since I think that's out of the budget until sometime in the spring, but it's something he'll LOVE if I can pull it off. He brings it up on occasion so I know he'll be impressed if it takes flight. It's nothing major at all, but I don't want to scratch it out here since I never know if he's reading. He'll be impressed if it all works out. It's a labor of love for me, but he's definitely worth it.

[x] Speaking of more mushy shit, can I just say that I'm turning into a bridezilla ? Our vow renewal is booked for spring (we have the exact date but really...why put it out it out publicly?) and I'm SO stoked for it. I have a perfect dress, and I have great plans for what I'm thinking as far as headpieces go. I want this one , but as a diehard veg, I can't justify using ostrich feathers for ANYTHING. Anyone know someone amazing who could recreate this with artificial feathers for me? I asked the woman who made this, but she doesn't use faux feathers so I've gotta come up with a plan B. I'd need it in ivory. Anyone have any ideas for me?

Who knew I'd become SO particular about this sort of shit? I've planned now two "weddings" (one of which was to K.) and to be honest, I've always been a go-with-the-flow kinda gal. Not too much rattles my cage. But this? I want this to be as perfect as humanly possible. <3 So we shall see. The next item on our list of things to do is select invitations/make an appointment with our bakery. Lots of time left but I really want to stay on top of it all. The "big day" will be here before we know it.

[x] In the meantime, though, we have a birthday/baptism to plan for my Little Flower! She's less than two months away from celebrating her first birthday. I can hardly believe it! How is it that my baby will be ONE already?! *sigh* The best part? My brother is coming in from NM for her baptism/birthday bash. It's going to be a combo party at the end of October so he can be there to celebrate with us. I'm SO excited to see him! This is his first time meeting LF, and I know he's going to fall head over heels in love as soon as he sees her. My mom bought her the cutest white dress. It's simple and adorable--she will be so precious in it! I need to find her a big white flower (headband or beanie) and she needs some "dressy" shoes--then we're all set for my little fashionista! Love her.

Speaking of LF, she needs to go for her head CT this month. I'm really down in the mouth about another x-ray (exposure, increased risk of cancer, you get the idea), but this needs to be done to assess the speed of which her fontanels are closing. I'm nervous, but optimistic. And then she'll at least get to be x-ray free until after she turns one. If it's not abso-fucking-lutely necessary, I don't want her put through *anything*, you know?

Next week, we'll head to the SSI office to start the long process of getting LF "into the system". Here's to hoping it's a somewhat smooth process.

Yeah. Right.

Last on the LF front, she has diaper rash (for the second time ever) and is drooling uncontrollably. Teething much? My poor baby. Teething sucks.

[x] Bear and Beauty are getting SO excited for school to start. I'm not looking forward to the extra monthly express, but I know the experience will be priceless--especially since this is Bear's first go at it. I love their enthusiasm. Hopefully it will continue beyond, say, Kindergarten.

All right, LF is napping soundly and the kids are still engrossed in their "restaurant" (ala the two toy kitchens they have--it's quite the elaborate set up, I tell you!) so I'd better get into clean up mode. Knishes are delicious but I sure do destroy *my* kitchen in the process of making them! More to come later...maybe.

<3