An Alaskan Treat!

London playing at the Childrens Museum of Myrtle Beach (Sept. 24th 08)

15 lbs. Fed Xed Frozen Halibut from Alaska

My sister Christie has been in Alaska since April giving tours on a Whale Boat (she was a "Naturalist"). I have heard that Alaska is one of the # one places to go to try to find yourself and I think she was just looking for an adventure. I know she had a great time, met the coolest of folks but was ready to come home. We miss her so we are ready for her to be home too! London was 15 months old when she left and now she will be coming home to a 21 month old London and I am sure she will hardly recongnize him (even though she has been looking at all the pictures I post of him).

Scott checking the Halibut

Here are some pictures of the 15 pound cooler of fresh Halibut Christie shipped to our house. Of course this is not just for us as I know she wants to share it with everyone but yes Scott and I had to sample a fillet! Here is what we did with it and it was quite tasty to say the least. We had it with garlic smashed potatoes and raw carrot slices. What a yummy dinner and thanks again Christie for sharing some with us. The rest are in our freezer waiting for you!

Orange Flavored Halibut Fillets

2 pounds fresh or frozen halibut fillets
Grated rind and juice of 1 orange
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

If needed, thaw frozen fish fillets for 1 hour, before cooking.
Roll thawed fish in paper toweling to remove any humidity.
Simply rub fresh fish fillets for a few minutes with paper toweling.
Arrange fish fillets into one layer, into a large well buttered microwave-safe dish.
Mix together orange rind and juice, butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper and nutmeg; pour over fish.
Microwave for 10 to 12 minutes on 'MAXIMUM', until fish is easily broken-up with a fork.
Leave to rest for 5 minutes; transfer fish fillets into a warm serving plate.
Sprinkle fish all over with sauce.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

"Following the Wind" - a new little piece to celebrate Autumn!

London and Finn at the beach last week!

A few New pieces / the beach and a little boy and leaves

London walking on the beach during the sunset


London on the beach with Granny and Grandaddy

We just got back this past weekend from the beach. It was Londons very first trip and we were sad that Scott had to work and did not get to come. But we were very greatful to Granny and Grandaddy for taking us with them. The resort we stayed at was super nice and we had so much fun! Here are a few shots from the trip...

London and I on our balcony (what a view!)

London and I on the beach/waves

Here are a few new pieces that I also have up in the shop

"I love you to the Mountains and Back" Original Fabric on Wood art

"Old White House on a Hill" Original fabric on wood art - this is from a photo a friend of mine took of an old abandoned house in Rutherfordton NC. I am not very good at houses and bulidings so I am not as crazy about this one.

London in the backyard...getting ready for the Fall!

Couple Hours to Myself

One of my new pieces which happens to be a favorite of mine :)

"What a Beautiful Love" - Original fabric on Wood art - in my Etsy shop now!

Yes London had his first day of Mother's Morning Out and he made it the whole time! I was pleasantly suprised by this as I fully expected them to call me and tell me I need to come and get him b/c he was too upset or something.

School makes a baby tired

They did ask me if he was an only child and if he had ever been to a program like this. I said he was an only child and had never been to something like this before...and she said yup- we can pick them out of a crowd. I was also told to bring one of his favorite toys with him next week.

Overall I am very pleased.

I got a lot done while he was in school- First I went rollerblading for about 45 minute then home to shower. I finished up a commissioned piece and painted the first layer of poly on it. Then I ground up a bunch of coffee beans and brewed some coffee. After that I actually had some time to surf the net before going to pick him up (a few minutes early I might add).

This is good for London and for me!

Kitties in Progress...I will have the final piece up soon - this are 3 commissioned pieces

Now check out these photos of London and his favorite book Goodnight Moon. We have a big one and a little one and he prefers to look at both of them at the same time.

I have to wipe down the books...ugh (some things are not worth the fight)

Long weekend, travels and Oh so Tired!

What a weekend. We had so much fun at my husbands cousins house. Cindy and her husband Rob and there 2 little girls (which of course I forgot to bust out the camera and get pictures- shame on me) are such a hoot and always the best hosts!

I think I am so tired because London still has a hard time sleeping in a pack n play away from home and in the same room as Scott and I. It really is a bit of torture. He woke up both nights screaming (which he almost NEVER does at home- knock on wood). So Sunday night he got in the bed with us about 1:44am and rolled around and talked all night until I finally got him back to sleep oh about 6:45am. Yes it was exhausting and I am still paying for it today. Hopefully with the other trips I have planned this month he will do a little better with the sleeping through the night in a pack n play.

Otherwise we are just taking it easy today because tomorrow I go to orientation for London's new Mother's morning out program. He starts on Thursday. I know there are going to be lots of tears and they may have to call me to come get him early but I can't tell you all the things I have planned for these 2 morning a week I will have to myself. Shower is very high on my list as I usually have to take them at 10pm ish most nights.

We added another bookshelf to London's playroom...this is it mildly messy.

Here are things I would like to do as he starts going to Mother's Morning out...

1. shower

2. vaccum/clean the house

3.rollerblading

4. running again w/o having to push the stroller- ha

5. getting groceries and being able to come right home and put them away quickly- ahhhh

it's the little things I can't wait to do!

I hope you all had a wonderful Labor day weekend and fall is almost here. We went to the pool late yesterday as it was the last day it was open- boooo hooo. While there I realized that we did not get a single picture of London in the pool this summer (I never want to chance taking the camera up there). We are going to get pictures at the beach next week - hopefully if there are no hurricanes- yike.

London got a hold of Scott's Pork Pie Hat....I wasn't fast enough to catch him with it on his head but trust me it was cute!