Now we're cooking

On Saturday, Rich & I did something we haven't done since Vivian was born (and get your minds out of the gutter). We had people over for dinner. I cooked. And set the table, complete with a table cloth, cloth napkins, water AND wine glasses.

It's important for us to have people over regularly, because I've found that the threat of company is the only incentive we have to really clean. We keep things neat enough regularly, but I have to admit that unless people are coming to eat, I sometimes forget to clean the dust bunnies off of the ceiling fans.

So on Saturday, Michael and Kelly came over for a fabulous (if I do say so myself) dinner of chicken chasseur (chicken, tomatoes, onions and lots of mushrooms) served over egg noodles. I used my slow cooker to make the recipe from the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, and I will make the resolution that I will always use my slow cooker for dinner parties (unless it's a backyard BBQ - but then, those will have to wait until we have a backyard). I started the prep at about 2:30 p.m., put everything in the slow cooker at about 3:30, and then had 3 1/2 hours to clean, hang out with Vivian, and make the dessert (triple-chocolate pudding cake from the Pillsbury Best of the BakeOff Desserts book -- so incredibly rich and gooey!).

Now, the only thing bad about having people over for dinner is that we have no dishwasher, other than Richard. So poor Rich spent a couple of hours after Michael & Kelly left washing out pots and pans, plates and bowls. But it was an awesome evening, complete with food, friends and fun.

And this weekend, we had another new development:

I wonder why this baby is chewing everything in sight?


Because she has TWO new teeth! Two bottom teeth are coming in together -- my little baby is growing up so fast!

Yes, I actually can complete a project

I have been crafty lately, not that you'd know it by reading this blog. I have 2 crochet projects underway (a Craftkitten Bolero and a jacket designed by Amy O'Neill Houck) and a knit shrug that has been languishing.

But here's something that hasn't been languishing: my first patchwork quilt!


It's a Crazy 9-Patch baby quilt for Baby Ava, new daughter of Dr. Dave. I was inspired by Sew Mama Sew!'s Quilt Month back in February, and learned how to do the Crazy 9-Patch by following the fabulous tutorial posted here. A note on my quilting skills - yes, I am a beginner. My lines aren't exactly straight, my squares not all the same size. Oh well. I love it. I think I'm hooked.

Drive By Posting

My office moved locations this week -- a move from a large space where literally everyone except the interns had their own office to one where 2/3 of the staff are now in cubes. Including me. So the posting during work hours will most likely decrease. Grr. I'm not exactly happy about this.

So I don't have much time to write this, but I did want to note that it is officially baby season!
Welcome to Baby Ava (daughter of my fabulous therapist, Dr. Dave), born February 25.
Welcome to Baby Alexandra (daughter of geckogrrl), also born February 25.
Welcome to Babies Little Boy and Little Girl (children of Uccelina), born March 3.

And that's just the start of things! I know of three more babies due next month. Congratulations to all the new parents -- parenthood is the most amazing time of your life.

Understandably, crafting is seriously underway. I don't have photos to share yet, but I was inspired by Sew, Mama, Sew!'s Quilting Month, and started work on a Crazy 9-Patch quilt. I'm excited. It's pretty. And I think I may have been bitten by the quilting bug. Just what I needed, another craft.

And here's something for my fellow crafters: Ever pictured the perfect fabric for a project, only to be unable to find something that was half as good as what was in your head? I just read about a new company that will be printing custom fabric for personal use. They don't seem to be up and running yet, but if you fill out a short survey, you can get on their mailing list to be included in their beta testing. I'm definitely curious, and will post about it when I'm able to test it out.