a guest appearance by the author

Alli noticed that there aren't many pictures of me on the blog. She said she wanted to see me on the computer.

So here I am. Okay, it is somewhat out of focus, and I photoshopped a zit out, but it is recent and it is me.

And here are a few snippets about me...

• I have kept a journal (on and off) since I was seven years old. Some parts of it are more interesting than other parts. But a life recorded is a life remembered.
• I am left-handed, but I use my right hand to cut with scissors. I design die-cut shapes for QuicKutz by cutting shapes out with scissors. I think it is funny that my work is done with my off hand.
• I feel like I have too many ideas and too little time. Inventions. Businesses. Stories for books. I keep a notebook of those ideas... aside from the regular journal.
• I like to ice skate. My grandmother taught me how to ice skate when I was quite small. Later, I took a course in college. I can still do a few (small) tricks.
• I am writing and illustrating a book right now. It has been fun working on a project all my own. I love painting and drawing and creating stuff. (If anyone knows any publishers, let me know.) Maybe I'll post a sneak peek of the illustrations soon.
• I have been pregnant four times (two miscarriages). I really enjoy pregnancy (at least 95% of it). There are ups and downs, but carrying a baby is overall an amazing, beautiful experience. I think big preggo bellies are gorgeous.
• I love good chocolate. Dark chocolate. Exotic chocolate. I keep a little stash tucked away. Alli really likes my intense, dark chocolate, and I usually feel really irritated that she wants to share my chocolate. Shouldn't she like Hershey's or something? I guess I am a chocolate snob.
• I have great recipe for ginger-chocolate cookies. The recipe is based on my grandmother's recipe, but I added some treats to it. I am proud of this recipe, it's a crowd-pleaser.

Chewy ginger chocolate cookies
Based on a recipe from Dorothy Tompkins, altered by Karyn Nicoll

2 C. sugar
¾ C. butter
½ C. molasses
2 eggs
3 C. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. cloves
½ C. candied ginger, chopped small
1 ½ C. good chocolate (I like a combination of dark, bittersweet, and semisweet) chopped into chunks

Cream sugar and butter. Add molasses and eggs and blend well. Combine remaining dry ingredients in another bowl, stir into creamed mixture. Once dough is formed, add the candied ginger and chocolate and stir until fully incorporated.

Drop batter by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets (actually I use parchment on cookie sheets), about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-9 minutes until edges are firm, but centers are still soft. Makes 5-6 dozen.

Jewish friends make life more meaningful

On our way home from church, Alli said in a rather sincere tone, "Jewish friends make life meaningful." Alli's best friend is Jewish, and he does add much to her life. He taught her the Dreidel song among other things.

Appropriately, we attended another Jewish neighbor's Sukkot open house this evening. Wendy built a hut out of sticks on her patio and we sat under it and had some treats to celebrate the harvest and give thanks. She runs a nonprofit organization promoting peace and tolerance worldwide. She is a fascinating woman of many talents. She too makes our lives more meaningful.

And our Catholic friends make life more meaningful too. This morning we attended the Red Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Andy's mentor/co-worker/friend Dan Murray was honored by the church and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago for being the "Catholic Lawyer of the Year." His acceptance remarks were inspiring. He has done a lot of good and helped many people. Congratulations Dan!

Our Mormon friends make life more meaningful too. The Fosters watched Alli and Ruby while we attended mass today. They took the girls to church, and got them both to fall asleep during the service (that NEVER happens for me!). When Andy and I arrived at church we couldn't find them because I was looking for two rowdy girls. They obviously have a gift. After attending our church, the Hylton family came over for a crock pot feast. They have adorable twin boys that are almost two. Elena is such a patient mother and a great example to me. It was fun sharing an evening with them.

And our other friends make life more meaningful too. We are blessed to have friends of all sorts who enrich our lives with their faith and friendship. Thanks for making our lives more meaningful.

Girls will be girls

On Sunday, the Mallis, Seamons, and Tom Church came over for dinner. The girls disappeared after dinner, and were too quiet. When they came downstairs, they were fabulously accessorized and bedazzled; it was like a little diva fashion show. We had them pose for a photo, but apparently, their model-poses could use some work.

Our trip to the fire station...

Today I went with Alli's preschool class on a field trip to the local fire station. The firemen (or whatever they are called these days) were so friendly and excited to show off their trucks. Each kid got a firefighter helmet. The kids took turns sitting in the driver's seat of the big red engine. We toured the fire house, but the power was out due to utility work, so we had to use flashlights. Most of the kids thought that was very cool.

Here is Alli with some of her classmates and her teachers (wearing firefighting gear).

They let the kids squirt a manually pumped hose. Alli pumped while Luke controlled the hose (see his huge grin). Many innocent bystanders got wet.

Ruby came along with us. She was thrilled to get a hat. She was thrilled to have lots of things to climb on (trucks).

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Alli is all tucked in bed, and I just went in to check on her. When I walked in, she started fake-snoring.
So clever. She thinks she fooled me. Hee hee.
The joke is on her, she is still in bed.
I win tonight... as long as she stays in bed.

Chrysalis update

Many of our friends have been asking about the chrysalis. It is still a chrysalis.
It is possible that it is a dud. It is possible that the girls have given it a little too much love.

But it is also possible that it is a spring butterfly. Some chrysalises formed in the fall are dormant until spring. That is what we are hoping for.

For more information, check out this website...

http://www.naturalsciences.org/funstuff/notebook/inverts/butterfly_chrysalis.html

Recycling, Picnicing, Playing

I started out doing a little mending job this morning, and I ended up making pants for Alli. The pants are recycled. The pants legs are from a pair of jeans of mine that are now shorts.

I sewed a top for the pants with a stretchy waistband, pink button embellishment, and big back pockets.

After I finished the pants, we walked to the park for a picnic lunch. Alli pushed a stroller full of baby dolls and animals and dragged Skamp (the dog) by her leash.

We ate our lunch in the garden at Oz Park. After eating the girls ran around and played in the park.

Poor Skamp. Her nose and paws used to be white. She had a long walk today. She is going straight into the washer.