Dear Dear Darling Cousin Dena in Edmonton

Hello Dear Cousin Dena,

Thank you very much for the applesauce tip, I must try this fascinating idea very soon. I am always open for new ideas to help keep my McDreamy's heart happy and healthy and both our waist lines slim. Thank you also for the "skinny" reference, fortunately you and I both have good genes to thank for our metabolisms, yeah! to being relatives! I think you are looking mighty fine in the picture above with The Sprout and Big Brother #1. (and thanks for wearing the personalised hat at the rehearsal party!)

I have also included a few photos of our dear Mothers.......the one's we should really thank for the good genes, just look at those two fine ladies!

xox Sassy

Blueberry Bran Peacan Muffins

Blueberry Bran Pecan Muffin Recipe

2 c all purpose flour

2 c boiling water

1tsp salt

1 cup cooking oil

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

4 1/3 cups buttermilk

5 cups flour

4 cups bran

3 tbsp baking soda

2 cups blueberries

pecans (optional)

1. Combine cereal, water and salt.

2. Cream oil and sugar beat in eggs one at a time.

3. Stir in buttermilk. Add to cereal mixture.

4. Add flour, bran, baking soda, blueberries and nuts.

Mix. Store in a covered container in fridge. Let stand overnight.

*Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Makes 6 dozen.

I am not going to tell how many of these muffins I ate today, oooh, they are yummy! The batch is huge but are always a hit and nice to share with family and friends. The pecans really make the muffin in this recipe!

Christmas 2008 Highlights

Christmas Eve Kinakin Style!

Wings, ribs, drinks, games and family!

*at the best family restaurant in town! David's on Circle Drive, beside Rona! Come on down for wing night on Wednesdays! Aunty Sassy knew nephew #2 and 3 and niece #1 would love the clothes she picked out for them for Christmas!
He he he!
Ok Ok, they are a little small. It took a few tries but Sassy even made tiny little coat hangers and garment bags for the dollar bills disguised as shirts. What a fun way to give a gift of boring old cash!

The Sprout got a special gift of home-made squash.....Mommy loves it!

Nana and her best friend! Hey, what's this a nice big present Mommy sat me beside. I think I will claim it as my very own.

What do you mean it is not mine? I found it first!

I'll just use my super broccoli strength to open it up!

Concentrate now.....concentrate......

Hmmmm, big present or red present....let's see if I can open both at the same time! Nice try at distracting me Daddy, one hand on the big gift at all times!

I really like this mouse, he is very cute.....but I can still hang onto this big one!

Big gift forgotten.....Mom's here!

Tower of LEGO for nephew #3! Hey another mouse, just like the ones Dady likes to play with in the garage!

Thanks Twinny for the new clothes!

Wii family fun on the big screen....

Twinny and her boys (with Santa - Nana) The Sprout can't wait to get those cutie little outfits as hand - me - downs!

Christmas Day!

We started the day with a few presents.
The Sprout just loved his Elmo (McDreamy loved him too!)

Then dove into a yummy brunch. Read the cards on each photo carefully, great job McDreamy, very creative.

Yummy peach yogurt trifles, snowman style! I layer peach yogurt, angel food cake, peach jello, peaches and whipped cream mmmmm!

Fresh cinnamon buns are a Sassy specialty! Hot drinks were ready...

Time for Christmas supper!

Look carefully at the bottom of the photo.
Here's how we chill the white wine Saskatchewan style! (how embarrassing!)

The table is set. I picked up a couple of yards of this flocked material and just serged around the edges. Black, silver, red and green worked well don't you think?
Here is a great picture of The Chef and I preparing our feast. Yoda and The Nana helped out a great deal too. A family of gourmet chefs.....lucky McDreamy!

I begged The Chef to teach me how to make this impressive salad. I can't wait for another occasion to serve it, it was a big hit! Field greens wrapped in a very thinly sliced cucumber with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and cherry tomatoes. (*notice the chefs beautiful and NEW rose quartz toggle and necklace......yes, I had TWO little blue boxes under the tree this year! Sassy must have been a VERY good girl! xox, thanks McDreamy and Sprout!)

After dinner it was play time. Guess how Yoda held the Sprout up to play at his new toy.

My two favorite rockstars.
Wheh! What a great Christmas, I think my favorite part of it all was my two favorite boys!

Baby Food Feast!

What is this? A baby food feast! Chef Sassy Presents........

Broccoli.....hmmmm

Hmmmmmm?

MMmmmm!

Cauliflower........

Nope!

Well......maybe......

Blueberry Banana.....

The Sprout sends his compliments to the chef!

I really love being at home with my baby. I look forward to each hour of each day like never before. People who know me know I am usually pretty upbeat and now that I have the Sprout I feel like each day is a very special gift.

This post I am sending to my buddy in Manitoba. Few people know me as well as she does. We will call her Lewis the Queen. She knows me well enough to know that 15 years ago if we were at a restaurant and were about to be sat beside a baby I would ask to be moved. Now I know this makes me sound like a horrible mean person but I really wasn't! I taught art classes at the local YMCA on Saturdays, Tumble Tots in various school gymnasiums on Tuesdays and Thursdays, was a summer camp counsellor for 5 mosquito filled years and was dedicating my life and career to teaching other people's children........still, I thought babies were just plain disgusting.

I was positive I would never have kids, I liked them but could never see my self with a baby. I had many wonderful nieces and nephews to play with anyway. Then........I met McDreamy. I still have no idea how or when my mind changed but I thank my lucky stars each day! I love being Mom....

I am puked on everyday but it is OK.

I am peed on every other day but I don't mind.

I am up sometimes 4 times a night (teething!) but I still smile because I know he will have more teeth soon.

He creates a whirlwind of toys and dis-organization that rocks my obsessive world - but I now it makes him happy so it makes me happy.

He spits out food I spend hours shopping for and preparing but I happy because he has tried something new.

He is the most amazing thing in my life and I don't know how, but I love him even more after every puke, pee, cry, spit, and mess everyday.

MY DEAR CHILD
You are the poem
I dreamed of writing
the masterpiece
I longed to paint.
You are the shining star
I reached for
In my
ever hopeful quest
for life fulfilled...
You are my child.
Now with all things
I am blessed.
- Author Unknown