Roguish Desires (or, "I Like Stuff")

I don't exactly consider myself a tastemaker. I'm usually in that last tier of folks who hear about whatever internet/tech trends are going on.  I primarily listen to music from the 1970s (honest to God, I'm still trying to figure out who Bruno Mars is).  And my fashion sense is probably more Annie Hall than Olivia Palermo (ooh, did I just reference someone who's actually semi-recent?!).  But, boy, I do love getting all bossy and giving unsolicited advice.  So on that note, here's the things this week that I adore, and you should too:

• Giada's Winter Minestrone Soup.  Holy mackerel, is this stuff tasty.  It's garlicky, slightly smokey from the pancetta, and chock full of delicious and healthy veggies.  Serve with a hunk of bread and you are all set.  Plus, the reruns of this soup are even better since the tastes have melded even more.  Although, I suppose that's true of most soups.  Anyway, I demand you make this one immediately. But only if you send me some because I'm almost out of my supply.
• Our country's men and women in the armed forces.  Sure I'm thinking of this because it's Veteran's Day later this week.  But these folks (AND their families!!!) deserve to be thanked every repeatedly and often.  Not everyone in the military or national guard fully agrees with the politics of this country -- hell, how many of you agree with every choice your employer makes?  Yet they serve strong and proud because it's their job.  Please, please make it a point to say "hey, thank you for what you do" to anyone you know who's serving or has served, or even to any stranger you see in uniform.  I promise you it really does mean a lot to them, and that they do not hear it enough.  Stepping down off the soap box now.
• Kids toys from Ikea.  Their stuff is all about creative play (lots of puppets, art supplies, play kitchens and tools, doctor sets).  It's colorful, durable, and cute.  And it's gloriously inexpensive.  I'm well on my way to having HD's Christmas all planned out and under budget, not to mention battery free.  Tack så mycket, Ikea!
• To all those folks who get amped over the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte...well, yes, I like them too.  But I go completely bonkers for Trader Joe's spiced cider.  It's made from whole, pressed apples and pre-marinated with all that lovely cinnamon/all-spice/orange rind.  All you have to do is heat.  And it's only $2.99!!  This single product takes a company that I adore and projects them into the stratosphere.  Especially if paired with some gingerbread (as made by their mix from a box).
• Working out and getting my Mardi Gras fix all at the same time.  (Although, Jasleen, I totally miss doing the Bollywood dance with you!)
• Old Navy kids' clothes, particularly this awesome sweatshirty jacket thing.  Old Navy peeps -- pretty please make one in my size?

Vittles, Part Dos (or, "Statis Check: The Kid Continues to Eat Whatever")

So food is pretty much one of my favorite things on the entire face of the planet ever.  There aren't too many things that I'll refuse to try (aside from creatures that are still squirming, or cool ranch Doritos).  When the zombie apocalypse happens, I call pantry-raiding duty.  Hubs loves to play guinea pig to my culinary experiments.  It wasn't always thus -- he subsisted only on butter noodles, cheese pizza, and chicken nuggets for the first 17 years of his life.  I'm forever grateful that dorm and fraternity life beat that finickiness out of him, as (in complete honesty) I would never have gone out with him if he maintained such a strict diet. 

Naturally, we've been pretty curious to see where HD would end up on the foodie spectrum.   I last wrote about this in April, when the kid was really fully getting into solid foods.  Back then, she pretty much ate whatever we placed in front of her until she was no longer hungry.  Now?  It's more or less the same.  Only she gets bored sooooooo quickly.  She's very much a grazer, and loves variety.  Kid would be right at home in a tapas restaurant.  Sure, she enjoys regular kid fare like peanut butter or mac'n'cheese, but she also loves roasted brussels sprouts and shrimp gratin with feta.  Which means she pretty much just eats what we eat -- which is flipping SWEET.  Mama certainly has no plans on being a short-order cook.

Although, I keep hearing that kids get picky with food starting around age 2.  And goodness knows toddlers love nothing more than changing their minds on a dime.  I'm hoping that's one "milestone" we can avoid entirely.  I'll gladly take the "I heart being naked" phase instead.  HD had sushi for the first time last night.  Before you call CPS...no, we did not feed our baby raw fish (just veggie rolls and cooked shrimp dumplings.  But kid scarfed seaweed, fresh ginger, and soy sauce like nobody's business.  All topped by her very first popsicle, since those wicked incisors are trying to push through.

Edemame (kid calls it, "mommy") and her de-contructed veggie rolls.

Mmmm, kiwi strawberry.

Incidentally, HD was super into chopsticks.  She kept wanting to use mine, but couldn't quite figure them out.  I think we have our next assignment.

Remembrances of Yore (or, "Nostalgia? Eh, Kinda")

This is a video from one year ago.  Was flipping through old files and it brought a huge smile to my face.  I don't normally get nostalgic for HD's teeny weeny days.  Don't get me wrong; I loved having a cuddly little bug who was the smiliest baby ever.  It's just that she honestly gets more and more fun (albeit more and more...um...challenging) with each passing day.  But this video?  Let's just say that the kid still cracks up whenever Mama pops out of a hiding place.  I guess some bits just never get old.  Hopefully it still works as a tension reliever in HD's teenage years.

Ballad of a Lady (or, "She's Always a Woman to Me")

According to the great Billy Joel (a grog- loving pirate if there ever was one), "she never gives out, she never gives in...she just changes her mind."

Portraits of a Babe (or, "You Try Photographing a Toddler")

To all the people who consistently demand photos of my daughter -- I completely understand.  She's cute, and you want to see the cute.   I honestly appreciate that you take an active, non-creepy interest in my kid and her blessed genetics ( thanks for passing down your good looks, Hubs).  And like any proud mama, I love to show her off. But capturing her mug on film is much easier said than done. Witness the attempted shots from this morning.

As evidenced, Miss Diva HD does not pose on command. It's candid shots + a prayer that'll she'll be still for 3 seconds = 1 usable shot out of 7.

Methinks a SLR camera may be on the list for Santa this year.

PS -- my phone only allows photos to be posted sideways when I blog from the phone.  Boo.

Wicked be My Laughter (or, "Baby-Related Halloween Leftovers")

I was lucky enough to have two really lovely baby showers when I was pregnant with Miss HD.  Both were casual, full of good friends and family, and mercifully game-free.  Very little kitsch, which is just my style.  But I got to say, if kitsch gets to be totally tongue in cheek and, well, BADASS, then this is pretty awesome: A Night of the Living Baby Shower.

I'm now fervently wishing that a close friend or sis-in-law is one day pregnant in a future October, and I can pitch this idea.  Although I may be the only person I actually know who's gaga enough over scary movies to find this both delightful and hilarious.  You're allowed to express your complete horror over my sense of humor in the comments. 

All Hallows Eve (or, "Happy Ween!!")

So a few weeks back my little family hit up our local Spirit Store to check out outdoor decor options for my 3rd favorite holiday (after Christmas and ITLAPD, of course).  We let HD wander around, and she was instantly drawn to the kids costume section.  She promptly shunned all things princess, waved a quick hello to Elmo, and then shrieked "DEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" at the top of her lungs.  HD had stumbled across a costume for her hero, DJ Lance Rock.  Hubs and I glanced at one another and shrugged.  At least she's not obsessed with the bossy pants of toddler TV, Dora the Explorer.

You know those cardboard inserts in store costume packing that have a picture of the character to advertise the costume?  Well, over the next two weeks, our daughter has dragged that thing around the house in her wake, gleefully showing anyone who will pay attention her "Dee" and the "Baby Dee" (the insert has a photo of the real DJ Lance Rock as well as one of a kid in the costume).  She kisses it.  She gets upset when she can't find it.  If we're not careful here, we're moving into golden calf territory.

Stuffing your face is considered proper 'Ween etiquette.

Luckily, Halloween came yesterday, and she had a real excuse to finally wear her polyester orange jumpsuit.  When I put it on her in the morning, the kid was fully aware that she was finally one with her idol.  She would glimpse herself in the mirror, point at her reflection, and whisper "Baby Dee" in tones that indicate she was well aware of the awesomenss of her outfit.  She kept the hat on at all times, but drew a firm line against wearing the GINORMOUS black nerd glasses.  I can't blame her.  Those things are monstrous even on a full size man face like Hubs's, a total fashion faux pas.  Anyway, behold the glory:

DJ HD Rock admits that tangerine is truly her signature color.

That night, we made the Trick-or-Treating rounds.  When she got scared of our neighbor's singing Frankenstein doll, we convinced her it was a frog ("Oh.  Hi, fog").  She refused to say trick or treat, but managed to say "oooooh" in a very appreciative manner anytime she was offered candy ("kangy, mmmm"), followed by a lovely sign language thank you/blowing kiss.  Kid adored being outside at night, and nommed happily on a 3 Musketeers bar.  She even managed to learn to say "Happy Ween!"  Tantrums were averted, the costume remained in one piece (hers did anyway; my pirate sword broke, curses!), and she got to bed at the standard time despite the constant ringing of our doorbell.  All in all, a success!

Kid wasn't scared on entering mouth of the beast -- she has Gabba power to protect her.

"Kangy, mmmm" *blows kiss/thank you*

Huge thanks to the lovely people of our neighborhood, who were so nice to our kid.  And Hubs and I totally appreciate the candy -- we know none of you were fooled by our 16 month old front.  The evening was finished up with pumpkin beer, mini Snickers bars, and the Slutty Pumpkin.  Honestly?  I infinitely prefer this to the days of Halloween parties in bars, dressed like Joel from Risky Business.  Although maybe next year I dig out that old costume in attempt to teach HD the splendor that is Bob Seger.