Snow vs The Van

The snow continues to fall and today I see the usefulness of SUVs. I usually dislike them for my purposes. I know, I am not cool because I drive a mini van, but respect the van! According the Honda, the van gods are pleased with my van (I will save all the reasons vans rock for another time). But the snow keeps falling. The SUVs just whiz on by while I fish tail and get temporarily stuck. Of course the smart thing would be to not drive all over the place. But did you know it is Christmas next week? Just a little behind schedule!

Rescued iPod

I think I am one of the last females on earth who has not read Twilight and up until today one of the last people who does not have an iPod (or similar device). I just got my first iPod up and running and already love it. I assure you I am technologically savvy and love gadgets, but do not own or use many gadgets. Part of it is that I don't like to part with my cash and I assume that a new version is just going to be on the market in a few short months. I am a huge Mac lover and devotee (I will try to convert you) and have been since I had to start using an Apple computer when I began graduate school in 1997. Once I figured out how to eject my disc (LOL), I was hooked.

But this "new" iPod is quite an antique (a classic version of the classic). If you can believe it, we FOUND this unopened iPod in our current attempt at organizing (very scary). The theory is Terry (aka member of family who is much freer with cash, but whom I usually monitor closely) bought it at some point in the last couple of years. His story is that he bought it as gift for me since we moved here, but somehow I was not made aware of this gift. So, I guess I opened my Christmas present early. Regardless, I love it.

Cutest Loaf of Bread

My neighbor, whom I also work with in Primary (the children's organization in my church), gave me this loaf of bread she made. If not for the fact that Shauna bakes the best bread, it would probably remain uneaten because he is too cute. But this is the yummiest bread. Thanks Shauna!

Dear Santa

Here is what I am asking Santa to bring me this year. He usually forgets to leave me something, but if for some reason he is paying attention, here it is. A very basic, inexpensive lens that allows you many more options with aperture than my limited kit lens. Thanks!

P.S. My boys swear Santa is real, so I have hope.

Stands Alone, Finally

I am anxiously awaiting Nora's first steps, but she still is not walking at 14 months. She has been pulling up on the furniture and walking along things for months, but she is content to do that and crawl. Finally on Saturday night she stood from sitting by herself. She found it quite amusing.

Thanksgiving in Arizona

We headed south for Thanksgiving weekend to see my brother and his family (they moved to Gilbert, AZ in May) and my parents. Terry has taken a liking to driving long distances so after hardly driving anywhere for years, this was our third road trip since July. As long as he has a constant supply of Diet Coke and some music Terry seems content, and I think he loves my jokes and amusing anecdotes.

We of course stuffed ourselves with the yummiest food and thoroughly enjoyed the mild weather. We spent most of Friday outside. The kids loved the Enchanted Amusement Park where every ride was pint-sized. We were so happy to spend the time with my parents and Kenny and Ashley. Terry went to the ASU/ UCLA game with his roommate, Dave, from back in the day (I met Terry because Dave unsuccessfully tried to get my roommate and I into our locked apartment and invited us to wait at their apartment until our other roommate returned.) It was great seeing Dave and his family.

Nora and my brother's daughter, Savea

I am most thankful for the people in my life. I have a wonderful husband, children, parents, siblings, and in-laws. I could not have hand-picked them better myself (I do take credit for picking Terry). Add to this the most amazing friends, some far away and from long ago, but still with a far-reaching influence.

Job Hunting

Theo decided he wants to get a job so he can finance his current Pokemon obsession. He said that when he is a teenager he is going to be an ice cream boy. When he is a dad he wants to be a farmer or a scientist. He is very excited about the farmer idea and keeps trying to talk me into getting a cow. A few people in our neighborhood have horses, but no cows and there will be no cows or horses here.

He is very persistent about wanting to earn money and I think it would be good for him to learn about earning, saving, and spending. So I am looking for suggestions on what you think works for jobs/allowances for a young child. He already has responsibilities at home that I do not want to pay him for like cleaning his room, helping with dishes, etc. Any thoughts?

Better Late Than Never

What, it's November? Oh. While some of you have finished your Christmas shopping, I am still looking at Halloween pictures. I was just going to skip posting, but I couldn't.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I always have big ideas for my costume, but in typical Jenny style, my expectations exceeded my effort. So I wore the witch dress I have for the past three years. Theo was Darth Vader, Adrian a rock 'n roll star, and Nora a fifties girl. Terry was an overworked, candy-eating business owner. Of course one of the only nights it decides to rain here was during trick-or-treating. But at least it wasn't a good old Minnesota Halloween blizzard. (Ok, that was a very long time ago (I think 1992) but I don't live there anymore, so I like to make random Minnesota weather comments.)

One of the many things I learned about growing vegetables this year: pumpkins like space, we had the space, so they went crazy and we had a lot of pumpkins. Next year I will either plant less or start a pumpkin patch of my own.

Theo at his school parade. He was excited to be the only Darth Vader among many stormtroopers.

Theo encounters the zombies, Cooper and Zac.

Adrian loves this guitar. It really works and he will often perform.


The "rot 'n roll star" and the "punk cracker," as they called themselves.


The onesie and poodle skirt worked well for a one-year-old

Rock on, Kiara and Nikki! Even on Halloween you girls are stylish! Loved it!


Terry's brother, Stelios, did not even have to wear a costume.

Our friends, the adorable witches



Witch's brew aka root beer -- thanks to our friends

Nora goes cruising

Fall Fun

This afternoon we had fun with cousin Kiara at Cornbelly's maxed out pumpkin patch, which is more like a carnival. We would have stayed longer, but this Minnesota girl (along with the rest) got too cold as the sun started setting.

Afterward, we went to the elementary school's Monster Mash. Theo was very excited to be there (this was one of our first official elementary school activities) and he was disappointed his Darth Vader costume did not win any prizes. He had wanted to be Darth Vader so badly and I didn't have the heart to tell him that typically the store bought variety Stars Wars/ super hero costumes (last year he proudly donned a Batman costume) probably won't ever win. He is already planning something a little "scarier" or "funnier" for next year.

The trio

No one would look at the camera.


Painted faces

Nora freaked out when the face painter started, so she ended up with this little heart.

One Year Old

Happy birthday to Nora. My sweet baby girl, whose unconditional smiles make my day, turns one-year-old today! All this growing up happened in a blink of an eye. I guess as parents we are trapped in some sort of time warp where newborn babies seemingly change overnight.

Since I was not blogging a year ago, I take the liberty of sharing some new arrival photos and memories. During the week before Nora was born, I had very hard contractions. Every night I went to bed thinking that we would have a baby by morning. I had no idea you could have such bad contractions for so long. Finally on the morning of the 9th my water broke and we were off to the hospital. Terry and my sister Callie were there when Nora was born. She was an easy delivery and I didn't even need to push. She was born during my first pre-push inhale. I guess all that labor was not in vain.

Nora Juliet Xanthos and proud mama; Two weeks old


6 and 7 months


11 months; Demonstrating army crawling proficiency, she could move FAST that way!

Now she has six teeth, sleeps like a dream, and is always on the move (but not walking). Her one year stats: weight - 14th percentile, length - 90th percentile, head - 32nd percentile. Tonight we had some fun with cake and presents at home with the boys. We have more celebrating to do this weekend.

The cake before and after. She ate most of it face-first.

Sweet Sixteen!

Today Karlie turns 16! And I think Terry just went even more gray. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLIE!!! We love you!

Sixteen things I adore about Karlie:

1. She is not afraid to be herself.
2. She loves good food. Karlie and I have had many food adventures. I love that she is a vegetarian.
3. She hangs out with me even though I am not all that cool. We have a great time watching movies, talking, shopping, eating, and just being together.
4. She is honest.
5. She has a contagious smile.
6. As well as contagious enthusiasm.
7. She is teaching herself how to play the guitar!
8. She is so good to her siblings and is so thoughtful toward them. They idolize her.
9. Karlie speaks frankly and openly. I think I spent most of adolescence trying to not talk to my parents about anything, but Karlie just lays it all out on the table. (Resulting in some of the few times I have seen Terry squirm.)
10. She loves movies. I mean loves them. She has loved them since she was tiny.
11. Karlie seems so content with life. And she makes others feel the same way. You can't be with Karlie and not feel like life is good.
12. Her taste in music. She basically loves music and ALL types.
13. She sews without a pattern.
14. Her ability to enjoy herself no matter what. No one is better at making your average activity into something fun.
15. The way she bounces down the stairs.
16. And of course, her curly hair!

Fruit Trees

Our fruit trees and the crazy apple-picking boy



Adrian picking plums and some apples without bugs



Peaches and plums

One of the reasons we bought our house was the big yard with lots of gardens. I am beginning to question if I would use these criteria again due to the insane amount of work that seems to never get done. But we love the fruit trees. We have 3 peach trees, 3 apples trees, 1 plum tree, 1 pear tree, and 1 Asian pear tree. So I have been spending time picking and figuring out how to care for fruit trees. I LOVE peaches, but unfortunately the peach trees gave almost nothing due to my late winter pruning, which now I know was too late and must have stressed the poor trees out. But last year we had a bumper crop of peaches. And of course we have apple-loving bugs that we didn't have last year, which have reduced the amount of apples. But now I know what to do about that. So next year. . . but we are loving the rest of the fruit!!

Yummy: Brownies

I am a huge Barefoot Contessa fan. The following is her super wonderful amazing recipe for brownies. Don't be too alarmed at the pound of butter, these are brownies after all and the recipe makes a lot. Note: below is her exact recipe with my notes in italics. Also note: if you are a high altitude dweller, use the high altitude adjustments listed at the end unless you want brownies all over your oven. I have not tested the original recipe at lower altitude.

Outrageous Brownies
Copyright 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee powder (JBX -- or cocoa powder)
2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 ¼ cups flour, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups diced walnut pieces (JBX -- This is a huge amounts of nuts, less does the job)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 13 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

2. Melt together the butter, 1 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler. (JBX -- Or melt in microwave oven in microwave-safe bowl) (JBX -- I use 1 1/2 bags of chocolate chips (18 oz) and 4 oz unsweetened chocolate for ease of measuring)

3. Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee (or cocoa), vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature.

4. Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and chocolate chips with flour to coat. Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan. (JBX -- Could substitute semisweet chocolate chips for other chips (peanut butter, milk chocolate, etc.).

5. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not overbake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.

(JBX -- High altitude: 360 degree F, 6 large eggs, 3/4 Tablespoon baking powder, a little more flour)