Adventures of Xadi Bug and Charlie Roo

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

doldrums of winter

Is it just me or do the doldrums of winter just suck? The beautiful snow melts exposing future weeds and all the doggie messes you'll have to clean up in the spring. What's left of the snow is just dirty and ugly. The lovely inversion sets in so you don't even realize how little the sun might shine. No real excitement, just clean up: Christmas, house, car (you finally have to wash the salt off so you can use your mirrors), yourself (getting back in to shape), and whatever else got neglected over the holidays. If I'm ever super rich I think I'll take the month of January off to travel somewhere warm and cheerful. Then working out will just seem fun and part of the experience! As for now I will get away to the only place I can afford (now that gas is reasonable) Davi's parents cabin. Hopefully I'll have some fun exciting tales for you when I get back! Now I don't want you all to think I'm depressed if you loved January you'd be touting it's greatness but as of yet you haven't posted it (and yes I've been blog surfing to see what everyone else writes about in January).

Monday, January 5, 2009

Christmas

The evolution of Xadi opening presents.

"No, I don't want to open presents. I want play with cousins!"

Just look at that angry face

"Hey wait this might not be too bad."

"Ooo a purse and 'lips' (chapstick), not too bad indeed!"

"Grandpa, there is something on your head! Let me help you with that!"

"hmm what have we here, a train- just what I've been asking for."

"So I came down Christmas morning to find a big sock on the table. Mommy told me to look inside... Man did you get one of these there was some good stuff in there. "

Including a $3.50 doll that she loved just as much as the train table she'd been asking for.

"Baby, do you want to play train?"

"But the best Present is yet to come... Can you read my shirt? If not it says, 'Santa promised me a new baby Brother or Sister in June.' I want a girl baby "-Xadi

So That's Xadi's tale of Christmas! So there is my excuse for being a slacker of late I've been so tired and a little nauseous but other than that I've been good. So If you feel slighted by my absence in your life know it's really not you it's me! By the way we call the babe in the oven either Q (since it's identity is a ?) or Roo.

Xadi's Birthday Party

I realize that this is almost a month late but I'll give my excuses later...Really I have a good one.

My first attempt at a creative cake, if you can't tell it's a shoe.

Everyone helping Xadi open her presents!

Xadi the constant observer..."So you take paper off a box and there is something inside. Hmm interesting, how may I ask did you acquire this information?"

"So after that Mommy or Daddy need to put it together?"

"Well I really appreciate the end result!"

Monday, December 15, 2008

Delicious Dishes

I was asked to post some of my recipes from Xadi's party. These are my favorites I hope you enjoy them too! Keep in mind I don't measure so these are about what I use or the originals, and may need to be adjusted.

Salad:

Mixed greens 1 bag

1 apple diced

1 cup grapes halved

1/2 cup feta

candied pecans (recipe to follow)

Layer to look pretty or whatever you want to do.

Dressing:

Juice from 1 lemon

6 T oil

1/4 c sugar

pinch of Salt and pepper

Blend until emulsified.

CANDIED PECANS (from Charity)

beat 2 egg whites, 1T water, 2t vanilla until stiff

add 1c white sugar, 1c brown sugar, 2 1/2t salt, 1 1/2 t cinnamon, 2lb pecans

Stir to coat, Spread on 2 cookie sheets bake at 200, for 1 hour stir every 10 min.

LEMON RICE SOUP

1 1/4 c yellow onion blended

9c water

1T chives

1T parsley

1-3 T poultry seasoning (taste for pepper- some have way too much)

1t sugar

3T nutritional yeast

1/3 c lemon juice

2/3 t mint extract

1 1/2 T sherry

2/3 c rinsed Basmatti rice

Simmer about 45 min season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tomato Soup- From Cari

3 cups canned peeled whole tomatoes

3 carrots, chopped

1 lg. onion, chopped

1 T. basil

1/4 cup olive oil

4 1/2 cups water

5 tsp. vegetable base or bouillon

(replace water and bouillon for canned broth)

3/4 qt. heavy cream

1 T. salt

1/2 T. pepper

In a large stock pot, saute the olive oil, carrots and onions at medium heat for 15 minutes. Add the basil, salt pepper and tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the broth or water and bouillon, bring to a boil and then simmer 45 minutes. Puree the soup using a hand blender (or a blender in a few batches). Add the heavy cream.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The bug is 2!!!

I asked Xadi what she wanted to do for her birthday, She said Swimming so that's just what we did! It was so cute when we were driving into the parking lot she yelled out, "I'm so excited!!!!"

We took her friend Eliza with us and Xadi kept trying to convience her it was okay to get in. It didn't take long.

In the end we all had a wonderful time!

After that we went to Daddy's dance concert at Weber State and

then we went to Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. Sorry no pics cause I forgot my camera.

Then it was time for cake...sort of. Does a chocolate muffin count?

Don't worry she'll get a real cake on Sunday when we have our family over to celebrate.

Feeding Daddy cake.

What I love about Xadi:

She has an amazing sense of compassion. For instance, she is always checking on the welfare of others. If you cough she'll come over to pat your back and ask if your okay. She is always concerned with the animals and whether they need food, water, or treats. If they do, she'll let you know. I had my bookclub over about a month ago she served herself and Abby some food then proceeded to tell her, "it's okay- it's good!"

She gives the best hugs in the world, with little baby pats on your back. If you haven't had one you're missing out! They'll just make your heart melt.

I find her incredibly intelligent for her age- sometimes too intelligent!

She always has a smile on her face! It matches her whole disposition which is just infectious!

She loves to pose for pictures- Which is really good since I seem to take a lot!

She loves to talk on the phone- especially to Celeste and Nana. She has daily conversations with them usually telling them some story about a car, although we actually only talk to them once a week if we're lucky.

Well I could go on and on about the things I love about Xadi, but I want to know what do you love the most about Her?

Adventures in Babysitting

Want more Xadi fun check this out! My super cute niece Emily and her friend Lily watched Xadi so I could have a girls night! So much fun! Thanks Jackson Crew!