Tea at the Ritz 2012

It was fun. The kids enjoyed the experience!

Christmas present from Gene. Any guesses what it was ?

Olive, the *other* reindeer

I printed these up for our cards, too. I just *love* this picture of the kids.

not photoshopped. from my desktop. Doesn't it look like a snowball being thrown by a hand?

a really, freaking enormous snowball ?

Michael Symon book signing, Ernie the dancer, Ev the Poser, Ev the sleeper, roses last gasp of summer

I had a training to do in Chicago yesterday -- I looked on Twitter and
saw that Iron Chef Michael Symon would be across the street almost
exactly when my event was over. We had already decided to bring the
whole family -- Gene got his new company car and it would be a nice
little getaway for the day. While I was training on caviar, the
family was going to the "baby store" (american girl) ... oh geez ...
anyway - we met Chef Simon, the kids 2nd iron chef to meet in as many
weeks. Last week they met Iron Chef Garces. At the end of September, I
met Iron Chef Zakarian. Wow.

Then there's the scultpure. Ev wanted me to take a pic of her, then
Ernie wanted to in the picture. He posed like the dancer. Most of the
shots, she made crazy faces. Silly girl. Later, she set up a bed at
the kids favorite place ... portillos. the roses? Had a tough year -
learly beetles, way too dry, way too hot, and I don't treat for
grubs/beetles because the kids spend so much time outside. Now that
we're finally getting some rain, they're coming back, just in time to
go to sleep for the winter.

Moustache day at school 2012

he was so po'd at me for not buying a stick-on moustache. Until I let
him draw with washable marker on his face. He got over himself in a
hurry!!  LOL SO STINKIN CUTE!!

schwa

best.dinner.ever ... inspired in ways unimaginable.  If you plan to come to Chicago and want to have your mind absolutely altered by food ... make a rez well in advance. this place is just amazing.

Beets. Fresh. Small. Dirty. Clean. Cooking.

Beets. We love beets. The kids love them too. Their flavor is so
earthy and sweet. These are homegrown (Can I get a big Jeff
Foxworthy-inspired, Duhh?) . Summer was rough in the plains this
year, you may have heard. There just wasn't enough water. And I
wasn't interested in spending $300/month watering my garden. This is
the result. Beets picked after an entire season. We did pull a few out
earlier this season that were somehow larger - but not many. Hoping
for a more robust crop next year. In all their smallness and pain in
the lower back-ness, they remain one of the most delicious vegees.
ever. And the juice will more than likely be found on our porch next
week ... very red. Perfect.

their first cocktail hou!

so stinkin' cute. The waitress brought me sangria ... their cocktails
came in to go cups with lids. Was it a hint? :D