Prayers Needed.

I'll let you in on a little secret -- I usually draft blog posts a couple days in advance and set them to post later.  That way, I know I will periodically have new blog posts if something comes up and I miss a few days.  Well, this week something came up.

"April's Fury" - as one local television station is calling it - swept through our state Wednesday morning and again Wednesday evening.  We have been without power since Wednesday morning when we came closest to the monster storms.  One passed by about a mile and half from here, in a Birmingham suburb called Cahaba Heights.  I can only describe it as devastating -- and I know it is nothing compared to what our friends in Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Cullman, Hackleburg, and so on have seen.  I seriously cannot even fathom.  Our house is totally in tact, absolutely no damage, for which I can simply thank God.  Many in this state were demolished, though -- and we have found bits and pieces from other homes on our deck and in our yard.  To realize that you are holding insulation that used to be in someone else's home is actually sickening. 

Pray for the residents of this state and throughout the southeast.  Pray for those who have lost loved ones or all of their possessions.  Pray for the families whose homes need major repairs.  Pray for those simply trying to keep up the pace of life without power.  Pray for those who have to boil water to ensure it's safety.  Pray that the gas stations can supply enough gas to power the generators.  Pray for the governor, mayors, power workers, water works employees, and all of those doing a superb job to help us clean up.  Our God hears prayers, and friends we need them.

Super Salad Dressing.

And this is how I got my two-year old to eat salad (seriously, I'm not making this up -- Fawn inhaled spring mix with a little of this on top):

In a jar with a lid, combine:

5 T olive oil
2 T balsamic vinegar
2 t Dijon mustard
1 t sugar
1 t soy sauce

I located this recipe in a family cookbook and it's now my go-to vinaigrette.  Enjoy!

Chop - Update.

As the blog readers know, I chopped all of my hair off earlier this year and donated it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.  I just received the nicest form thank you note from Pantene -- and I wanted to share in hopes that it may inspire someone else to consider this wonderful program for cancer patients.

On behalf of the Pantene Beautiful Lengths, with heartfelt appreciation, we thank you for giving so selflessly of yourself to women who are faced with hair loss from cancer treatment.

Your healthy ponytail will help give self confidence back to a special woman who is battling cancer so that she can fight the disease with a little more dignity.  Your generosity is touching and we hope it will inspire many others to make the kindest cut of all.

As you may already know, it takes roughly six ponytails to make one Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig.  Your donation will be joined with five others and transformed into a high quality, real-hair wig by HairUWear, our campaign partner and the leading global producer of real-hair wigs and extensions.

We are also honored to work closely with the American Cancer Society.  The American Cancer Society distributes Pantene Beautiful Lengths wigs, at no cost, to female cancer patients, through its extensive network of nationwide wig banks.  If you are interested in finding out more about this program and the incredible difference that it is making, please visit www.beautifullengths.com.

 Together, we can help bring some joy into the lives of women living with cancer.
 

Happy Easter!

Hope you and yours had a wonderful Sunday celebrating Christ's resurrection.  We had a very blessed day at our house.  We started off with early church, which was as beautiful and uplifting of an Easter service as I can remember.  The music was fabulous, as was the sermon by our soon-to-retire head minister.

Then it was time for a low-key brunch for the three of us (fruit salad, bacon, orange-apricot rolls, and mini quiches).  After an afternoon siesta for the whole family (much needed!), we had our extended family over for an Easter Egg Hunt.  Fawn is the only grandchild on both sides, but we don't want him to miss out on fun, childhood experiences so we do things like this anyway.  He was very intent that no one else touch his eggs, so maybe it's a good thing there isn't any competition for him right now!  (Family lore goes that Buck was a ruthless Easter Egg hunter back in the day . . . I'm thinking Fawn inherited this gene!)

Already spying the next egg to grab.

I think there's something good in here.

All done -- after a hard day's work!

For goodies at our Easter Egg Hunt, I made the Easter cupcakes out of the new Southern Living Big Book of Cupcakes (the Dreamcakes cookbook for you Birmingham residents).  It's a great cookbook, and I loved making the sour cream poppy seed cupcakes with vanilla frosting.  Only three got eaten, though!  So, only Fawn, my grandmother and I know just how yummy they were (I did send some home with our visitors - so I'm hoping they continue to spread Easter joy this week).  Buck kindly pointed out that it was a lot of work for me in the kitchen if no one was going to eat.  I realize that, but what's a Southern hostess supposed to do?  Not have anything for her guests?  I think not.

While the day was certainly filled with childish fun and smiles, it was above all one of overwhelming thanks and amazement at what Christ did for us on the cross.

Oh to see my name written in the wounds

For through  Your suffering I am free

Death is crushed to death life is mine to live

Won through Your selfless love

This the power of the cross

Son of God slain for us

What a love what a cost

We stand forgiven at the cross

Thirty for Thirty.

If you read this blog, you'll know that for Buck's birthday I gave him thirty gifts (one for each year).  My parents did the same thing for me:

Serious insanity (let me assure that when I did this for Buck the presents weren't nearly as pretty -- the spring colors and bows were a sight to behold).  And, Fawn was chomping at the bit to get in there and "open da pwesents".  My mom had this idea before I did -- she told me at my birthday dinner that when I did this for Buck she had already collected 18 of her presents for me.  Like mother, like daughter (except for the glorious wrapping skills, of course, which I didn't inherit).  Not only did Mom and Dad think of, purchase, and wrap thirty awesome gifts, they also found time to make my favorite non-chocolate cake (my little brother has a chocolate aversion that he insists is an allergy) -- Ooey Gooey Pineapple Cake. 

Fawn loves some cake and loves to sing happy birthday (I wish I'd had my video camera because I would give anything to have captured his sweet voice singing "happy biwfday to mommy").

Thank you Mom and Dad for going above and beyond (as you do on everything you do).  I couldn't have asked for better parents  -- thanks for everything you've done for me the last thirty years.  I love you!

Big Buck Pie.

It has been forever since I posted a recipe -- so here's a Buck and Belle original that all three of us enjoyed last week.  For me, it's wonderful to make a meal that makes everyone happy (and full) instead of running around the kitchen like a short-order cook.

We call it "Big Buck Pie" -- you can call it Venison Quiche.  Yes, you read that correctly.  If you know me, you might think I'm not the type to embrace wild game.  You're right (in fact, one of my dad's most favorite family stories is how he tricked me into eating a venison burger when I was a child -- still not funny, dad).  But, I'm really trying to experiment and be open-minded because it's so healthy and FREE!  In fact, Buck and I are the modern-day hunter/gatherer family.  He hunts (or fishes) for the meat and I gather the rest of the ingredients at our neighborhood Publix.

Of course, you could make this with ground beef or sausage (but if you've got ground venison in your deep freezer that's begging to be eaten give it a try).

1 pound ground venison
4 eggs
1 package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
8 oz mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 pie crust

Brown ground venison in Italian seasoning to taste (we love Mr. P's, but any will do).  Drain excess fat.  Beat eggs and combine all ingredients.  Pour mixture into pie crust (it will seem very full -- it's a hearty quiche, but won't overflow).  Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Great for a light dinner or brunch.  Enjoy!

How Time Flies.

Yesterday was my 30th birthday (big 3-0)!  It was a great weekend of celebration with the people I cherish most in my life (more on my mom's contribution to the extravaganza to follow).  While I still feel like a teenager, I can tell time is passing when I look into the face of Fawn.  Check out how much he's changed through my birthdays.

Belle = 28 years; Fawn = 3 months

Belle = 29 years; Fawn = 15 months

Belle = 30; Fawn = 27 months

Grand Gesture.

My husband is the king of the grand gesture.  He has an uncanny ability to make the special people in his life feel so very cherished.  It was one of the reasons I fell in love with him.  For the past eleven years, by his words and actions, he has always made me feel like the most important person in his life.  He is most definitely the most important person in mine -- and one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me.

Last night was no exception.  He totally surprised me for my 30th birthday with a late afternoon party with family and friends.  I really had no idea.  While I was getting ready to go out with him for drinks (under the guise of meeting one of his best friend's new girlfriend), I thought to myself "Has he planned something?  Surely not."  He had.  And it was perfect. 

He did a wonderful job and it was one of those moments that God hands you on a platter as a special memory you will always hold in your heart.  Thank you Buck for always going the extra mile and exceeding even my lofty expectations of what a husband should be.  I am so very lucky to have you as my husband, and I pray that we will raise our son to be just as wonderful to his wife as you are to me.  If we can do that, it will be a job well done.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that one of my dearest friends assisted Buck with the planning.  She's a professional event planner (check out her blog at http://tothegathering.blogspot.com), and though she insists that Buck took the lead and did the heavy lifting, I know he appreciated having someone to consult with.  She was at my birthday party 27 years ago -- an Easter egg hunt with an Easter bunny cake for very excited three-year olds, and has attended many special events in my life for the past 27 years.  Thank you, thank you!  There's nothing better than a lifelong friend.

And thank you to all of my friends who came out to celebrate -- I know many of you left babies and busy schedules behind to be there and I truly appreciate it.  I am so thankful for the wonderful support system of friends Buck and I are blessed with.  I was so happy to see each of your faces there!

And to my parents, grandparents, my dear brother and his wife, Buck's sister, and Buck's brother and his wife, thank you for being there.  And, to Buck's parents who missed out on the fun with the grown-ups to take care of Fawn, thank you for loving my son!  I could not ask for a better family!

Birthday party times three.

On a recent Saturday we attended three (count 'em three) kiddie birthday parties.  It was such a fun day for Fawn, Buck and me.  Buck and I got to catch up with friends we hadn't seen in awhile and Fawn played, got fun favors, and three pieces of cake.  Lucky boy.

10 a.m.: Cake and Ice Cream

4 p.m.: Strawberry Cake

5 p.m.: After a brief bite of princess cake (apparently he too was in sugar overload), Fawn became enamored with the hula hoops and took off.

Happy birthday sweet friends!  Thank you for including us in your celebrations!

Text message to God.

Fawn commandeered my Blackberry -- which is a rare occurrence and very special treat.  I have a personal cell phone which he gets his hands on all the time, and a work Blackberry which generally stays in my purse so I can check in a couple times a day.  Well, this morning he got his little hands on it and announced that he was "sending a message".  I asked him what his message said.  His reply:  "Dear God.  Thank you for today."  I couldn't think of a better text message to start the day.

Park Time with Daddy.

Fawn is usually stuck with me at the park, seeing as it's one of our normal weekday activities.  Weekends tend to fill up with other obligations and simple fun like the park just doesn't squeeze itself in.  Not so this weekend -- we spent a few blissful moments as a family at the park, and Fawn loved every minute of playing with Buck.  I mean, whose better than a dad at conquering monkey bars and a fireman's pole?

Fawn was so tired he needed a piggyback ride home.

In Bloom.

Spring is here -- finally.  And look what beautiful wonders await out my front door.

Hope you are enjoying your view -- and all the wonderful weather of this fabulous season.  We are soaking up every moment!

Do you know the muffin man?

He lives at my house. 

Fawn loves muffins -- specifically, blueberry or chocolate chip muffins, but I think it's a fair guess to say that any muffin will do.  We live close to a fabulous bakery -- Magic Muffins -- which keeps us fed and happy many a morning.  We also make muffins at home -- Fawn loves to stir the batter and especially loves to eat his baked goods. 

When we have leftovers, Fawn even asks for muffins for a snack.  I made the mistake of giving Fawn the entire container of leftover muffins for a snack, and this is what I returned to:

A little nibble out of every muffin courtesy of the muffin man.

Little Bitty.

Fawn's new phrase is "little bitty" -- though it comes out more like "wittew bitty."  He has proclaimed himself to be a "little bitty grown-up."  We've been going through a big transition the past couple weeks -- to the big boy bed.  So, we've been talking about big boys -- a lot.  How big boys sleep in big boy beds, and more importantly stay in big boy beds all night.  Perhaps Fawn is so sick of the phrase "big boy" that he decided he needed to skip this step and enter adulthood.  Just wait until we start talking about big boys and their underwear/no diapers.  This may send Fawn straight to the old folks home!

Hitting Gloves.

Fawn loves to "play" baseball.  Inside our house, with his plastic t-ball set, and his "hitting gloves."  Buck played baseball growing up and still loves the game -- I'm guessing that father/son bonding time spent watching baseball or ESPN has led to Fawn's insistence that he too have "hitting gloves" (aka batting gloves).  There are no toddler-sized gloves in my house -- only mittens, connected with a string, and that simply won't do.  So, Fawn has improvised.  He uses plastic tubes from one of his Tonka trucks and slides them onto his wrists. 

Batter up.

Cook Out.

Last May at the Alabama Young Lawyers Seminar, Buck bid on -- and won -- a package at the silent auction.  The package consisted of a rolling cooler (because I guess if you're a guy you can never have enough ways to keep beer cold), a portable grill (something my dad -- the ultimate tailgater -- would be all about, but I questioned whether Buck would ever use), and a blow up cutout of a Nascar driver (I do not know who it was nor do I care -- at all). 

I will admit that the cooler has seen plenty of use.  And, the Nascar driver never made it into our car.  Hopefully he was recycled instead of dumped in a landfill.  As for the portable grill, it made its appearance at our house this month (ten months post-purchase -- I had completely forgotten about it).  Buck used it to grill hot dogs in our driveway (in an effort to avoid the deck and his two grills there).