Teatopia

Pampered Pregnant Princess

My friend R has talked me into an afternoon at the spa with her this Saturday. I'm feeling kind of guilty though because I don't usually spend my money on stuff like this. In fact, I'm already becoming one of those woman who'd rather buy for their child. :-) My 25th birthday is a week from today and my birthday list consists of mostly stuff for the baby and not much else. I actually suggested that James buy me a breastpump. LOL!

Anyway, I think I am indeed going to treat myself to some pampering. I am tired and achy and it's now or never. I'm going to be a busy mom soon! I've never been to a spa before. In fact, the closest I've come is getting a pedicure at a nail salon. I have a confession to make: my mom got me a gift certificate for a pregnancy massage, but I am saving it until I am REALLY uncomfortable and also, it's for a specific treatment. I want to do something "spa-like" for this one. So, help me out. What treatments have you had that you enjoyed? I don't want to spend more than $100, so I'm thinking along the lines of a massage, or a pedicure and facial-- any combo that won't cost an outrageous amount. We're not going to make a day out of it. Any recommendations?

Travel Systems

Lately, I've posted some pretty heavy material. Now for something a bit lighter . . .

We need to think about buying our travel system (stroller, carseat base, carrier) soon. I'm torn between buying something unisex that I can use in the future or something totally girly so there's never any questions as to the gender of the sweet little peanut riding inside. I was a bald baby, and people often mistook me for a boy, even though I was always decked out in feminine lacey socks.

Feedback, please! At the moment, I am completely torn . . .

This is a Laura Ashley travel system called "Canterbury". It's a lovely lavender-ish color. Very pretty for a girl.

This is one of the first ones we looked at. It's by Graco and the pattern is "Georgie". It's light green and it has little giraffes, elephants, and zebras on it.

This one is also a Graco and the pattern is "Clarissa". This one is feminine, but not too feminine.

A Lesson Learned

Something interesting happened yesterday. I realized that everything has its place and purpose, and I need to remember to always trust God. Not everything is within my understanding.

Remember the boy who wrote that I was fat and not pregnant and that Hitler was the father of my baby? (This was just before all hell broke loose with the other boy and his death threats). I was so angry that nothing happened to him for what he did. I was told not to take it personally and ignore it, which I thought was wrong because it was disrespectful. Well, it may have been God's plan. Yesterday, that little boy sat at the lunch table and cried all through lunch. Another teacher went to talk to him, but he didn't want to talk, so I ignored it and didn't give it another thought. But when it was time to leave, he just sat there, crying so hard he could barely move. You know the kind of hurting that immobilizes you? Well, that was the kind of pain on this boy's face. Immediately, my heart softened (even though he called me fat) and I put my arm around him, asking him to please tell me what's wrong. He was crying so hard I had trouble understanding him, but he managed to say that everything was wrong-- that he hated everything about his life. Then, some other students came up and told me that they thought the problem was about his lunch. I looked puzzled, so they explained that he never has his lunch money and they won't let him charge any more lunches on his account, so they'll only give him PB & J sanwiches and milk and that he hates them. I hadn't realized this was going on. I have noticed that he doesn't always eat. I ended up learning what was so wrong with his life:

-- he's embarrased that he isn't given a real lunch and sad that his mom won't give him money, and won't sign the form for free lunch.

-- there are 7 children in his family, all with different fathers, and his is the only father not involved. The other siblings get money and presents from their dads, but his hates him and tells him he wishes he were dead.

-- the other kids tease him all the time and tell him he smells, and when he tells his mom, she hits him and tells him it's all his fault.

-- he has no friends and no one at home cares about him.

-- his step-dad is mean to him and makes him do things he shouldn't do

This little boy is dangerously depressed. He's the type who commits suicide, and getting suspended for what he wrote to me might've been just the thing to push him over the edge. It made me realize that sometimes God sees more than I do. This little boy is hurting-- more so than I could ever imagine. So instead of being angry about him not receiving a consequnce, I think I have been given an opportunity to make some difference. So, I made him a goodie bag with school supplies and some snacks, for which I got a hug and a smile-- the first I've seen. And you know what? Today was one of the first days he did his work. Maybe some love is all it takes. Maybe I have been so caught up in the lack of discipline at my school, I have forgotten where some of these kids come from. Now don't get me wrong, the still think that discipline is slack here and some of these kids really are dangerous, but maybe in this one case, God knew better.

Last night, I cried for this little boy and thanked God that my daughter is so loved already. I will live and breathe for her, and some of these kids don't even have food.

Update on School Situation

I decided to contact someone in HR for the school board and ask for a copy of my rights. I also asked her for advice. She's a friend of a friend and I think she'll be honest with me.

The guidance counselor told me that if it had been a regular kid, he would not have been allowed back without a psychiatric evaluation! However, in this case, they are saying this is a manifestation of his disability, so we have to follow a different procedure for removal. Also, there is some federal law that says special ed students can only be suspended so many days because so many school aren't making adequate yearly progress and it's the special ed kids who aren't making the right scores. Something like that. A lot of teachers seemed to be aware of this law. Sounds like bullpoop to me. I'm not evehn sure I'm explaining it correctly.

It seems that in order for anything to really change, I'd have to really fight a battle. I'm not sure what I want to do honestly. I am waiting to see if they can get rid of him. They are trying to get him on a half-day schedule, which means I wouldn't see him anymore. It's odd . . . the special ed kids have so many rights, yet in society, everyone is treated the same. It will never get him out of a speeding ticket, or being arrested. Can you see a cop saying "it's ok, sweetie. You were special ed in school? No problem. So sorry I made you pull over!" There are no consequences anymore for these special ed kids, so in reality, they are doing him a disservice. The real world will NOT make excuses or exceptions for him.

I'm sorry if I haven't been by many blogs lately. I've kind of been in my own world, but I promise I will be by soon!

Hugs and kisses . . .

Divine Intervention?

Remember when I talked about what this lady did that made me so upset? (Read the last complaint I wrote in that post) Well, she is having a D&C today because she miscarried at almost 5 months. It makes me sick.

I Can't Even Think of a Title for this Post

I didn't post this weekend because I was very achy and tired. I am feeling huge and I can barely get out of my car by myself. I was actually worried I was coming down with something, but after a nice,long nap yesterday, I am feeling better.

Anyway, here are my work woes. On friday, a student turned in a paper that said "Mrs. Chambers is not pregnant. She's fat" and "Mrs. Chambers is pregnant by Hitler" (we are currently studying him). I sent him to the office and they told me not to take it personally. Um, I was more concerned with the fact that it was incredible disrespectful and not so much sad, especially since the kid couldn't even spell my name. Dumbass.

And this one takes the cake. The crazy boy who tried to plant one on me a while back-- today he got upset because I wouldn't let him do what he wanted to do. He got all worked up, swung at several students, hit one in the head with a full water bottle, threatened to kill me and the rest of the class, cussed at all of us, and threatened to run off school grounds. And you know what? He's staying in my class because he's special ed. I questioned the asst principal and he said that because the boy has problems, he has rights. I screamed that I had rights too and that he scared the hell out of me and my class (I said hell to my boss). I also said that if he returns to me room, they can consider my maternityleave effective now. We'll see what happens.

Education is screwed. These nutcases now have more rights than everyone else combined.

Big Mama

My belly @ 28 weeks and 1 day. This baggy sweatshirt doesn't exactly define my shape, but you get the idea. I'm beeeeeg now!

Random Things

* I put up a small slideshow of my belly pics under photos on the side bar. I have a few new ones to add this weekend. There's been quite a change!

* My friend Nicole came over yesterday to see our nursery and brought me some really cute outfits. I love baby clothes. I try to imagine baby girl wearing them.

* One of my worst students withdrew. Can I hear an Amen???

* Hubby is going to make me tilapia tonight because he read it's good for pregnant women. I love my man. :-)

* After days of no sugar, I am going to enjoy a vanilla latte after school. I was NOT put on a special diet and sometimes a girl needs to splurge. I have been *so* good. And I will be good tonight.

Eat a big piece of chocolate cake for me!

What do all these things have in common? They are all sugar free. Can I just say that I feel like I have had my share of problems, only to now be faced with this? I got back my results from the gestational diabetes test, and although I don't have it, they said my blood sugar was high and if I wasn't careful, I'd get it. I came pretty close actually to the cut-off. I'm really surprised because I eat pretty healthy. That was the first thing most of my family and friends said. My co-workers were shocked. They say that I make them feel guilty with my healthy lunches of fresh fruit, turkey sandwiches on whole wheat bread, and my salads with low fat dressing. This really came as a shock to me. Apparently, sometimes it has nothing to do with what you eat, but with the fact that some people's bodies simply don't make enough insulin for themselves and a baby. I actually am having trouble finding ways to cut back because I really thought I was doing well to begin with. Although they haven't put me on a special diet because techincally, I don't have it, I am going to really watch what I eat so I don't develop it. I feel really crappy, like I've done something wrong. I also noticed a small stretch mark on my belly the other day. I am feel really badly about myself lately and not very much like a glowing, pregnant woman.

James bought me a wonderful book for Christmas on foods that can act as miracle medicines, so I have been reading that. According to the book, these foods lower your blood sugar: broccoli, nuts, wheat, cinnamon, and legumes. So, tonight, I went out grocery shopping for the second time this week and came back with some healthy, sugar-free things for meals.

I am going to try really hard to get through these next several weeks without developing gestational diabetes, so please pray for me. God is going to have to help me with the rest.

AI and Mozzarella, Proscuitto, and Fig Preserve Paninis

Is anyone else as psyched as I am about the premier of American Idol tonight? Is it totally wrong that I enjoy laughing at these people who think they can sing? I mean come on! Surely these people have watched previous seasons and know that they are asking for it! Although, I do feel badly for some people who really are that clueless. They come in thinking they have a shot and then they end up crying. I really do feel sad for those people. (See? I'm not that mean).

And now for the delicious paninis James and I made on Sunday night. These came out of this book, which I highly recommend!

I started out by slicing the ciabatta and opening it up. I laid slices of proscuitto ham and fresh mozzarella inside and drizzled a bit or olive oil over it. Then, I brushed olive oil on both outsides of the sandwich and began cooking it in the pan until the bread started to get crisp. I actually used a plate to press down on the sandwich. (Note to self: buy a panini press!) Then, we transfered it to the oven to melt the cheese and toast the bread a bit more. This also would've worked well on our griddle pan with a tin foil tent over it to melt the cheese, but I didn't feel like getting it out!

Next, I let it cool for a few minutes before opening it up and spreading fig preserves on the inside. Then, I put it back together and sliced it into strips. Yummy!

Click below for the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 loaf of ciabatta bread
4 medium mozzarella balls
6 slices of proscuitto ham
1 small jar of fig preserves

Follow the steps described above.

Gotta Love 3 Day Weekends

Although I have been trying to get as much rest as possible, I have also been somewhat productive. Last night I started sewing pillows for the rocker we're going to buy for the nursery and also for the crib (as decorations). When I finished sewing the first and turned it inside out to stuff, I realized the pattern was now on the inside. Dumbass Hannah. I sewed it inside out! I had to remove all the stitching and start over. It's done now though and it looks good. I really need to buy a sewing machine. I still sew by hand.

This morning, I had my gestational diabetes test. Here is my advice to my pregnant friends who have yet to take this test: ask for the fruit punch flavor if your dr. has it. I heard horror stories about some of the other flavors. This was sickenly sweet, but do-able. It was like REALLY concentrated Hawaiian punch. The doctor also measured my belly today, remarking at the growth since last time. I also heard baby girl's heart. So loud and clear now! When he was feeling my tummy, he asked if she moves a lot, and just then, she gave him a hard kick. Maybe she heard and wanted to re-assure him? :-)

Today I am debating between staying on the couch for the rest of the day or going out to buy more fabric and then sewing on the couch for the rest of the day. Hmmmm.........

I still need to post nursery pics, a belly pic, and the recipe for the amazing paninis James and I made last night. I'll get around to it soon.

It's better!

I just got back from the doctors (yep, on a Sunday!) and he said things are looking good. The nurse told me that these usually need to be cut open and packed 2-3 times before they begin to heal, but that we must've caught mine early. It still hurts, but there aren't any signs of infection. I am so thankful. He told me to stay on my meds and he also prescribed a body wash to kill staph infections to use for the next several weeks, just to prevent any further problems. It's certainly not my Bath & Body Works wash, but I know it's important that I use it.

This is how my arm is looking now. The incision has healed well. You can see some of the bruising (he pushed SO hard to squeeze out the infection) and there's some bruising. You can also see where my skin was irritated by the band-aid and tape. Apparently, it's adhesive that is causing me a reaction because it didn't seem to make a difference when I changed to non-latex band-aids. This is a new thing for me, so hopefully after the baby arrives, I won't be allergic anymore.

I Could Use Your Prayers

Yesterday was kind of a whirl-wind. On Wednesday afternoon, as I was leaving school, I noticed what I thought was a tiny bug bite on my upper right arm. It was pink, but I didn't think much of it. I could even see the little hole where I figured some bug had bitten me. I figured it would go away, no problem. Well, Thursday night, it had begun to get bigger, so I rubbed some cortizone cream on it and put a band-aid on it. The next morning I still didn't think much about it (I've had my share of outrageous bug bites from all my traveling). By lunch yesterday, my arm was on fire and getting red. I took the bandage off to see that it had filled with white pus and now looked like a boil. Everyone at school said they thought it was a spider bite and wanted me to get it checked out right away. The office staff wanted me to show the clinic worker at school and she encouraged me to go to the doctor right away. I made some calls and found that my OBGYN and regular doctor has closed already, so I decided to head to the urgent care place down the road from work. As I was leaving, the clinic worker at school came running after me with a pamphlet on something called "MRSA" or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. She said she didn't want to alarm me, but she had just remembered receiving info on an unusual condition that has been becoming more common. She said this was worse than a spider bite and thought I should ask the doctor. It's a boil that masks as a spider bite, and is actually worse than a spider bite in terms of danger. After waiting over an hour at the doctors and being told, "don't worry honey, I gained tons of weight with my daughter too" when they weighed me (gee thanks!), the doctor finally got to me. He took one look at my arm and said "not a spider bite, that IS what you thought, isn't it?" Turns out it's MSRA.

"The organism Staphylococcus aureus is found on many individuals skin and seems to cause no major problems. However if it gets inside the body, for instance under the skin or into the lungs, it can cause important infections such as boils or pneumonia. Individuals who carry this organism are usually totally healthy, have no problems whatever and are considered simply to be carriers of the organism."

Some important facts:
*It is often misdiagnosed as a spider bite
*Symptoms may include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, skin tenderness, pimples, boils, or blisters.
*MRSA-infected skin lesions (sores) can change from skin or surface irritations to abcesses or serious skin infections)
*If left untreated, it can infect blood and bones.
*The number of deaths from MRSA have doubled in the last few years.

My doctor explained that there was a rash of outbreaks a few years ago, and most were mis-diagnosed as a spider bite and treated as so, so people died. Then, the Center for Disease Conrol in Atlanta began reseraching it and sent an urgent letter to all physicians urging them to culture the pus and NEVER assume it was a spider bite.

My sister actually has told us about MRSA patients she has treated in the hospital (she's in nursing school) and that these patients aren't even aloud to be touched. Of course, they caught mine early, so I should be ok. They deadened most of my arm, and made a small incision to clean out the infection. He squeezed my arm so hard to get out the infection that now it's bruised, but I know it was necessary. He put me on 2 strong antibiotics (which are safe for pregnancy) and I have another appointment tomorrow (yep, on a Sunday). He said it'll get worse before it gets better, and that it could go 50/50. This could be all he has to do, but he said it's just as likely it'll have to be cut open and packed with gauze tomorrow. However, James changed the bandage a while ago and it looks like it's pretty good. I didn't see ANY infection. It hurts like hell (he even prescribed vicodin because he said it would hurt so bad, but I haven't needed it and wouldn't take it anyway despite it being ok for the baby). I called my OBGYN on call for mine and told him what's going on and he said the dr. who treated me at the clinic is wonderful and did the right thing. Oh, and strangely enough, since becoming pregnant, I am now allergic to band-aids, so the area around the infection is red and bumpy. My darling sister got me some gauze and tape I can use.

I stopped by my school yesterday afternoon after my appt to update them and get my things, and I was in tears thinking about the baby. I've never cried at work before. I was just so scared. The dr. told me not to worry about the affects of medicine on the baby because if I didn't take it, the infection WOULD go to my blood and hurt her. My heart broke thinking about the baby. It made me realize how much I love her already. I am getting teary thinking about her now. I would die for this baby and I've never even seen her. I can't imagine how much more powerful that feeling will be once I've seen her little face.

I am trying to rest and NOT freak out, because I'll be fine. Although it's not umcommon for this to become life-threatening, it sounds like that only happens to people who don't catch it. I didn't realize how serious this little bump really was! I know staph can be dangerous, but still . . .

I am taking it easy this weekend. As my friend Lisa said last night, my body is not only trying to fight a bad infection often resistant to normal medications, but it's also growing a baby. And I really haven't been feeling so hot lately anyway. The doc even said maybe no work Tuesday (I'm off Monday), but I'm hoping I can go. I acutally have a gestational diabetes test scheduled for Monday morning, so I guess I'll see what the doctor says about me keeping that appointment tomorrow.

I felt God's peace yesterday as I cried and worried, but I could still use your prayers. I need to be 100% so I can finish growing a baby!

Edited to add: this is contracted at schools (another reason NOT to stay until March 31). Here is a good article from the BBC if you are interested.

Thingies

After a depressing entry yesterday, today I am hoping to make you laugh. :-)

BTW, thank you to those of you who left me sweet messages yesterday. I had a better day today. (the pedicure my hubby told me to get yesterday evening sure helped!)

Ok, now for a laugh! The following is a note from a cute little boy I have. He always tries to be a good samaritan, even if that means telling on people he thinks have done something wrong.

"In gym today, David told me that some girls ask you your shoe size to find out what size your thingy is."

Signed Leon S.

and he even dated the note. How cute is that? I love that word-- thingy.

Please, Let Me Whine for a Few Minutes

I posted a cute entry last night (at least I thought it was) from my cell phone during class, but apparently, it never went through. Oops.
Sadly, the most you're gonna get from me today is complaints. I feel awful. AWFUL. We ate at a Japanese steakhouse last night for my mom's b-day, and I was careful about what I ate. I mean, it probably wasn't the best food for me to start with, but I took my tums and pepcid before and after, and I only ate 1/3 of my dinner. Well, apparently it was enough to send my body into horrible nauseous, heaving, painful, agony. Last night I puked my guts out, and my body continued to try to puke more, even though nothing was left. I couldn't sleep. Nothing helped. But, stupid me was determined to go to work. Do you know that I haven't missed work ONCE since I've been pregnant, and I haven't had the easiest of pregnancies. This morning I took pepto and ate toast, but I still feel AWFUL. I am clammy and I want to go home. Think I can make it five hours? My last class ends at 3:00. I am miserable. Why do I still feel so bad if I got the food out of me? Why am I still sick period? The morning sickness is pretty much gone, but now I have this acid reflux/my body hates all food thing that happens randomly. Why me? Me, the girl who couldn't order her Thai food hot enough, or her curries with enough spice? I have a stomach of steel. Why does having a bambina in there suddenly change ALL THAT?

Please pray for me. I'm not sure I can make it through the day. I am too scared to drink a coke (coke usually helps) or even try to eat lunch for fear it'll all come back up in front of my kids.

Diaper Bags

I have a belly shot to post, as well as a sneak peak at our nursery, but I still have to upload all of them, so in the meantime, I thought I'd share a few diaper bags I am consdering. I mean come on, even if you aren't a mommy and you're not pregnant, it's still a bag ladies, and any accessory shopping can be fun! Doesn't matter if it's holding wipes and diapers, or Gucci sunglasses and lip gloss, if I'm carrying it around, some thoughtful consideration is required!

James opted for this one for himself. I told him he's not going to want to transfer stuff back and forth, but he's determined not to carry around anything pink. He did, however, suggest we buy a pink stroller for the baby. Go figure.

Here are the ones I am considering. Comments welcome and encouaged. :-)

I love this one. My only concern: it costs a whopping $130.

and this one stripey one. Again, expensive, but oh so cute!

and this pink and black one:

and I am still on the lookout for a girly Classic Pooh or something related to tea. I also considered showing you this cute light pink Kate Spade diaper bag, but it's just wrong to spend that much on something that is going to hold ass wipes. :-)

Progress

Today our nursery was painted! Yay! And the bedding, curtains, and pillows were delivered. Tomorrow, James is going to put together the crib and we are going to set everything up. I even washed the bedding tonight. I still need to wash the peanut's clothes so I can put them in the dresser drawers tomorrow.

We had a nice evening tonight. We kind of celebrated the progress we've made so far by going to The Golden Chopsticks, a great Korean place. They have the best eggrolls I've ever had. So far, so good on the acid reflux. I took my medicine before dinner and drank lots of water with my food. It seemed to help because I feel pretty good. Next, we went to Target for some things and ended up adding items to our registry. We don't have a Babies 'R Us here. Now, we are watching Fantastic Four and my eyelids are pretty heavy. I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning.

Now, for a few questions for those of you with kids, or those of who who just feel like putting your two cents in.

-- Our dresser has a changing table on the side (I'll post pictures soon). Should I use a changing table or change her on our bed with a changing pad? You'd think it'd be hard to change a baby who is laying sideways.

-- Should I get a pack 'n play? They take up a lot of space.

-- What are your thoughts on the baby staying in our room versus sleeping in her own crib? What are the advantages/disadvantages? If one of us farts in our sleep, is she going to wake up? :-) I worry any noise or movement will wake her.

Update on the Nose Screw

Thank you to all of you who held good thoughts and said a prayer for me. After 2 hours (yes, 2 whole hours) of crawling on the floor with a flashlight, and my amazing, handsome, wonderful going as far as taking the pipes apart under the sink to see if it had fallen down the drain-- which even if it had, it wouldn't have gotten past the wad of my hair he found clogged in the pipe-- I finally found it in my make-up bag, after the third time of dumping it out on the floor (where was it hiding the first 2 times???). I hope I never lose anything that small while I'm still pregnant. Pregnant women were not made to crawl around on the floor. I am so sore, but I am HAPPY and RELIEVED!!! So again, thanks!

Frustration

Lately, my overly-senstive pregnant self has been sad and disappointed over a number of things, some somewhat important, others not so significant. But hey, I'm entitled.

-- Our poor painter was in a car accident this morning on his way to come over and paint the nursery. Now we are going to be a week delayed, which means no setting up the furniture in the nursery this week.

-- I have a few pieces of furniture in my living room awaiting being picked up by Salvation Army. The room is cramped and it's annoying me.

-- I lost my small silver nose screw (I have my nose pierced) and I can't find it. I lost it last night-- it was on the counter in the bathroom. It's the smallest one I've ever seen and I know I'll never find another I like as much. Please hold good thoughts for me. I plan to search high and low when I get home. This loss really is enough to bring to tears nowadays.

-- A pregnant woman I know at work told me yesterday about the awesome new mixed drinks she had on New Year's Eve. I should've told her how horrible it was, but instead, I just stared at her, shocked. That poor baby. And I wonder why I teach so many dipshits. Parents make horrible choices!

Ok, now you're gonna pray I find my nose screw, right? :-)

Let the Countdown Begin

The only thing worse than being on the road this morning was being the ONLY one driving at 7:50. Apparently, the rest of the world is still on vacation. Hey, I can't complain though because I enjoyed having two weeks off. James is off today. He's heading up to Atlanta with my dad to pick up the furniture for the nursery we bought last Friday. We bought all the furniture and tonight we are picking up the bedding at the mall. Progress is being made! I am proud to say that the nursery is FINALLY empty and the new guest room (the old one is now the nursery) has been set up and it looks great! The only thing left to do before setting up everything is painting, which we are hoping to have done by this weekend.

Now, I am really watching that countdown until March 31-- my last day of work. It can't come soon enough. Don't get me wrong, I like my job sometimes, but I am so tired and I just want to be done. Of course, this is coming from someone who had 3 hours of sleep last night. My acid reflux was bad again and I had to sit up in bed. Also, baby girl kicked me half the night, making it worse. My back hurts too. I might have to use that gift certificate for a pregnancy masage more quickly than I thought. Ok, enough complaining. I have work to do.

New Year's Yummies

Last night we went over to my parents' house for a great spread and a movie (The Exorcism of Emily Rose-- no less scary the 2nd time around). My mom made fondue: Swiss cheese and chocolate with some yummy things for dipping: bananas, apples, french bread, marshmallows, sour cream pound cake, etc. I made shrimp scampi and probably the best quiche I've ever made. The shrimp were really fresh and plump, and the scampi sauce I made was simple, but good. I sauteed a stick of butter with a crushed garlic clove and lemon zest from one lemon. Then I strained it into a dish, tasted it, and decided to add a few tablespoons of lemon juice.

When I make quiche, I generally add a bit of this and that, so I'll do my best to describe what went into this one. This one was a mushroom and spinach quiche. First, I sauteed an onion and about 2 cups of chopped mushrooms in a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. In the meantime, I cracked 8 eggs into my KitchedAid mixer and whipped them with a about 3/4 cup heavy cream. Then I added salt and pepper, 10 ounces of chopped, previously frozen spinach, and a cup of chopped ham. I dumped in the onion/mushroom mixture and mixed it on low while adding 2 cups Parmesan cheese. It baked in a 9 x 13 pan for about 40 mins, but I usually just do the toothpick test to determine when it's done. Basically, I add different things every time and it always turns out fine. I've done broccoli and cheddar, asparagus and swiss, ham and sharp cheddar, even chicken and broccoli. As long as you have eggs, cream, and a cheese, the fillers are completely versatile.

This morning, I prepared a quick New Year's breakfast. We had leftover quiche from last night, a small slice of leftover sour cream poundcake, and a small slice of chocolate bread I had frozen from my awesome BBM pal who lives in France. We washed it all down with some decaf Darjeeling Puttabong I made in an antique teapot. Those only come of the display shelf for certain occasions. :-)

I am really looking forward to 2006. 2005 will also hold a special place in my heart because of our trip to Africa and the tiny stow-away who came back with us in my belly. :-)