Chloe 3 Weeks Old
Category: 无码专区国产精品视频
Chloe – Newborn
Baking Therapy
Last night, Big Bird and I made Tarte Tatin. She basically sat on her “tree” while I made the tarte, and she kept me entertained by talking and attacking stuffed hamsters.
The Tatin was awesome. It was awesome even though I totally screwed up the caramel part by cooking it too fast in the cast iron skillet. It was a hard lump of glass-like caramel. Fortunately, I was able to take it out and start fresh with
the caramel (without even measuring, I might add), and it came out quite nice.
Then it was off to the oven to cook. When it came out, I laid a serving plate ontop of it and flipped it over. It was perfect, if I do say so myself.
What I love about Julia Child’s recipe is that it says something to the affect of, “If it doesn’t display perfectly, and it sometimes won’t, just rearrange the apples.”
In other words, even a wonderful, well-known, genius cook will have mishaps in the kitchen.
What happens in the kitchen, stays in the kitchen.
I Love You Just the Way You Are
I may be a little late to understand this, but suddenly, this “great love song” seems more like a song about a man who wasn’t interested in putting much effort into his relationship. Essentially, even though he doesn’t give much feedback to his significant partner, she should instinctively know that he loves her anyway. Is that horrid? “You always have my undying passion, although I might not seem to care.” Seriously?
Trip to England – July 2013
In July, we took a long-anticipated trip to England, mostly to see our family, but also to see the sites. Brit had never been overseas before, so it was quite exciting for us to have her go. She’s just 12, hadn’t left America (except for Canada) and hadn’t met her English grandparents and auntie before.
We spent half of our time in North Walsham, where Ian’s dad and stepmom live. It was near the sea, so we spent some time at the sea, ate fish and chips, enjoyed the market, and got to play with Jack the cat. My sister-in-law, Jen and my nephew Hayden made the long trip to the coast to spend family time with us. It was nice to be together.
We loved the weather at the coast. It was relatively cool at night, enough for a sweatshirt, although somewhat warm or hot during the day.
[See a picture album]
We spent the second week in Royston, visiting Ian’s mom and stepdad. It was much hotter there, but we had easy access to London via the train and the tube. We got to see the infamous King’s Cross Station and visit lots of places in London. I’ve never seen London. It’s massiveness was impressive. We spent ages taking it all in… the hustle and bustle, the tourists of every nationality, the people hanging around the river trying to amaze (and maybe take the money of) the tourists with their guessing tricks (lol).
The first trip to London (on my birthday!), we rode the London Eye and went through the London Dungeons Tour. “Do you like raaaats? I loooove raaaaats!”, says Maeve, the crazy girl who’s “locked up in the Dungeon for being crazy”. It was essentially several skits involving the story of Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, and the methods of torture in the dungeons. The actors and actresses were brilliant.
After much walking and sweating (the weather was unusually warm), we went back to Ian’s mum’s house for the day and relaxed. The next day, the Royal Baby was born, His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. So amazing. Loved the coverage once the birth happened. Amazed that the Duchess made it out of bed the next day to show off the new baby. They look so happy.
We then spent some time in Milton Keynes with my friend Jane, who met us at the Snow Dome (or tracked us down, as the case would be) and we spent quality time shopping. It was her first time meeting Brittany and they got along famously. It’s funny with friends. Even if you’re physically apart for almost 4 years, you’re still the same close friends you always have been when you’re back together. It was so good to see her again. We always wish for more time.
The next day, it was back to London, where we saw Buckingham Palace, St. James Park and toured Westminter Abbey. We saw the changing of the guard at the castle, and of course, all the media tents, due to the Royal Baby being born. We saw PELICANS in St. James park. I’ve never seen a pelican before. Westminster Abbey was incredible. I touched the tomb of Edward the Confessor an many others.
Did you know when there is a marriage or funeral at Westminster, the people are surrounded by all of the previous kings and queens buried there? It’s so historic, and we have nothing like this in America, of course. We saw the Coronation chair, where the Sovereign is crowned. We visited Poet’s Corner where Tennyson and Charles Dickens, several Poets Laureate and many other writers and poets are buried. Their words were engraved on their burial places. It was like being lost in time for a moment.
Food! Being a family of foodies, we enjoyed the food we can’t get in America, like amazing fish and chips, carvery at a pub, several cakes and Walker’s crips and authentic Mediterranean food. We enjoyed Pret a Manger, which makes the best sandwiches on fresh baguettes, Nando’s which has amazing chicken and several others. We enjoyed salad for dinner at home and an English breakfast.
Not all on the same day.
We walked a lot to work it off. My feet were killing me many days. Trust me. I miss the walking.
Anyway, lovely trip. Hoping to go back soon, as we miss everyone when we’re gone, and there are many more friends we’d like to visit! Two weeks is never enough.
Fireworks 2013
Ian and his Super Awesome Pin Wheel
The Intermediate Normal
Dear Ginger –
Today, Daddy showed me a video of you when you were sick, trying to walk to one of your favorite places: The Dog Park. I could see the pain in your gait and in your face, and I knew instantly that we were right to let you go to sleep.
We are still having trouble getting used to the “new normal”, the life without you. It’s horrible to want a hug from your favorite dog and not be able to have it. Molly just isn’t compensating for you, but we don’t expect her to, really. She is her own little being.
We look at your pictures and your videos, like the one where you played fetch with the parrot (the tennis ball, actually) and the one where you decided sledding with Brittany was a big race down a snowy hill, and your favorite new thing! And the one where we tried to get you to swim in the pool and you decided that was a creepy thing. 🙂
We miss you every day and wear your memory around our necks. We will look back at you fondly as “The Best Dog Ever” and love you always.
Have fun chasing the butterflies and bunny rabbits. Watch out for the crazy squirrels. You know how chatty they can be. 🙂
Love,
Mommy
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Dear Ginger,
We received your ashes from the veterinarian today. It was sad at first, because it’s difficult to see a dog you loved reduced to ashes in a box. We wanted you whole again, but of course that wasn’t possible. You went quickly from us, and I think that was the hardest part… not being able to prepare. But then, how could we prepare to lose you. You went quickly, and this was a blessing for you, my dear dog.
They put your ashes in a nice cedar box with your name on it, and a lock and key. We decided to fill our remembrance jewelry so that we could keep you close to us. We took your ashes to your favorite spots… the dog park, the corner at the end of the street, and the two spots where you used to lay in the sun in the morning and afternoon and enjoy the outdoors.
At first, it was hard to spread your ashes, but then I started to feel you everywhere around us, and this was a wonderful feeling.
The rest of your ashes are in a box we will always keep with us.
We love and miss you, dear dog. You were the best dog ever, and we shall go on, remembering all of the good you did and all of the love that was shared between all of us.
Love,
Mommy
Ginger
Ginger passed away on the morning of May 10, 2013. It was a Friday, at 9:10 AM.
She had spleen cancer and was really struggling to breathe with a softball-sized tumor in her chest. She also had anemia and a rapid heartbeat. The vet said the tumor could rupture at any moment, which would cause a more horrible and immediate death, so we decided to say goodbye to her and have her put to sleep.
It was heartbreaking. One second your dog is alive and the next, she had gone to sleep and stopped breathing. Forever. It was the most difficult moment in my life.
Each of us had our own special piece of Ginger’s life. A 2-year old Brittany welcomed her into our home. I have to say that Ginger was the most tolerant puppy ever. She loved and loved and didn’t even growl or do anything untoward when her tail was pulled or her ears were made into rabbit ears by the little girl, who would be her best mate for 11 years. They ran through water sprinklers together and ran through the park, played with Frisbee’s and balls.
Ian met Ginger roughly 5 years ago. She was his workmate, since he worked from home, his (and her) lunch break at the dog park every afternoon, the person Ginger could pretend she was a lap dog with and cuddle up to and learn from. She laid so close to him during the day that he almost ran over her with his work chair countless times. I think Ian’s favorite thing was when Ginger found someone else’s tennis ball or toy at the dog park and decided it was going to be hers now. And the hugs, which he trained her to do. They had a very special bond.
To me, Ginger was my faithful companion. She protected me, always. I was always in the right, no matter what. She would stand and bark at Ian, if I was pretending to smack him, for example. She followed me everywhere I went when I was home. We went for walks when I was out of sorts, or not, and she was my comfort always. Anytime I needed a hug or just wanted a hug, she was there, ready to give one, and some kisses.
She was a joker and the most reliable, well-mannered dog ever. She liked to play catch with the parrot. She hated water. She SO LOVED to run like a mad hatter, with her “kangaroo legs”. When Ginger sensed she was going somewhere, she wanted to get there quickly!
Ginger would often spread out in the yard, like a frog, in the sun and watch everything around her… the trees blowing in the wind, squirrels, bunny “labbits” and other dogs. She was always so happy to see us and wagged her tail everytime she saw anyone she wanted to say hello to, and hug in her special way.
I shall miss my sweet dog. There won’t be anyone just like her again. She has a bit of my heart with her at the Rainbow Bridge.
无码专区国产精品视频 