Jack Attack

I got to see my nephew last week.

He was napping when I arrived. Then he woke up and was a little fussy. His little body was battling a big cold.

In case you are wondering, one of the most heart wrenching sounds is a sick baby coughing.

He cried for a bit, so then my Mama fed him his bottle.

Jack ate his meal happily.

Then he burped.

Then he farted.

And then he was the happiest baby ever.

I think those 3 things always lead to a happy man. 3 months or 30 years old.

And then, happy Jack smiled at me.



And I melted.



It was a Jack Attack.

Magically Delicious

Before I get on to the deliciousness of this Irish day, Gordie and Toby want to say Happy St. Paddy's Day:



I started with Gordie, because I knew he wouldn't try to eat the hat. Then I moved on to Toby.



I couldn't quite get the hat to stand up.



You get the idea though.

The real point of this post though, is to highlight these:



I got the recipe for Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Icing from the Smitten Kitchen. I followed it pretty much to a T, but I didn't have that fancy cutter to get the middle of the cupcake out. I used a knife instead, which worked just fine. I didn't just pick the recipe for the booze, I'd actually heard from a few people they were super tasty. The booze was just an added incentive.

After lunch at my Mom's house I am currently digesting Reuben Soup and Irish Soda Bread while this Guinness Corned Beef simmers on the stove top.

Remember, St. Patrick's Day shouldn't be all about the beer and shenanigans, the food should be appreciated as well.

Along with a small pinch of shenanigans and beer.

So Happy St. Patrick's Day and I extend the following Irish Blessing to all reading:

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

Happy Stuff - Animals Doing Cute Things

I'm making this post, simply because two of my favorite friends sent me videos of animals doing cute stuff. They made me happy to watch, so they qualify as a Happy Stuff post.

First, I received this video of a frisky little lamb. Watch it without smiling. I dare you.



The second, is of a Doggie Day at the beach. Happiness for pups in its purest form.



Hope these made you as happy as they made me. :-)

Kitchen Conversations

"Can you help pick up the kitchen?"

"I didn't do any of that."

(points to garlic shells and cut-off carrot tops)

"Uh, did you eat the carrots I cut with the hummus I made?"

"Well, yeah."

(points to empty yogurt container)

"Did you eat the chicken salad I made?"

"Yes."

"Ok, then please help clean it up honey."

"But, then what will you do later when your bored?"

OH NO HE DIDN'T.

Hey Good Lookin'

Let me borrow from one of my favorite Etta James songs, Someone to Watch Over Me.

He may not be the man some
girls think of as handsome



But to my heart he carries the key

Sticks and stones . . .

. . . may break my husband's nose.

Last year, Beer Fest got the best of me.

This year, I was determined not to repeat that disaster. I ended up being the sober driver for our group and just had a few sips of beer during the festival. It was a lot of fun, and I was happy to awake Sunday morning and not have to go to the Med Center.

However, come Sunday night, I still found myself in the ER.

Andy received a highstick to the face during broomball. It broke his nose and cut his eye open. They were able to glue the cut shut, but he looks pretty beat up.

On the last Sunday of Febuary in 2011, I plan to lock ourselves in the closet for the day.