New Year 2010!

We brought in the new year with a bang! Waking up January 1st with the idea that even if the night before was a huge party night, no matter what happened then and anything before, this day was to be the beginning of it all. With high hopes that this year could be better than last year stood with high expectations. How do get higher than having a baby? It has brought so much joy and every day is a new experience.

No longer would my new years resolutions be to find myself... for once in my life I feel I have found her. A mom, a wife, and a good friend. By no means am I perfect but for once I like who I see in the mirror. Woman too many times always want more, never satisfied. Even if this feeling only last for a short time, it feels good to be in my own skin, and that is what I wish for everyone this year, be happy but also be content.

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With the new year comes the idea of in with the new and out with the old. Organize and re-organize to have a household run efficient and feel cozy. I have spent the last few weeks cleaning out closets and more closets. I have made numerous trips to Target for containers to hold all of our used anythings, but for the most part I can't part with most of it. And so it goes into storage, but out of site out of mind. There is nothing like having your whole house clean and organized, it does something good to your subconscious. Will it last more than a few months, doubt it, but for now it feels good.

I have found the best smelling candles that actually fill your home with their scent.... Bath & Body Works sells them. My house has been illuminating with Caribbean Escape and Island Margarita! Not exactly your winter scents, but I love them!

Hope every one's New Year has started off as good as mine!

New Years resolution #10: do a blog entry at least once a week....

A New Christmas Tradition

I recently had my first cookie exchange party and it went rather well- chaotic, but fun! Most everyone that said they were coming did and even though I told everyone to bring more cookies than they should have it all worked out in the end. I decided to have a woman's cookie party for two reasons, one, who doesn't like cookies, especially around the holidays and two, to have only females around to chit chat about this and that. Well my hubby's friends just can't help themselves and made themselves quite comfortable in the tv room with all the kids. I love a house full of people and I love throwing parties big and small. It's an addiction really. Weeks before planning and imagining what the house will transform into, buying the goodies days before and then the final hour when the doorbell rings and in come new and old friends. Champagne was pored and cameras flashed. I planned a Christmas quiz, which really was too hard, but it was suppose to be, there can only be one winner! There's always a little drama with 23 woman around, but it is what it is. The only thing I would have done a little differently were how the cookies were exchanged. It was a free fall and although everyone got cookies, I realized most had no names on them and therefore you could not identify who made what. Next time sampling of the cookies will be something I think would be nice, especially because I do wish to make this one of my Christmas traditions!

I choose a recipe from a website from my friend Crissy:

I was lucky enough to make it the first time and have them come out right, but forgot the salt in the next batch. Who would have thought 1/4 tsp of salt could matter so much!

red velvet shortbread cookies

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, cut up
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 3 ounces white chocolate (with cocoa butter), coarsely chopped
• 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening
• Finely chopped pistachios or rainbow nonpareils (optional)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Cover and process with on/off turns until combined. Add butter and red food coloring. Process with on/off turns until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Process until mixture just forms a ball.*

2. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough lightly until nearly smooth. Roll or pat dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Using a floured 1-1/2-inch round cutter, cut out dough. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press scraps together and reroll.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until centers are set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

4. In a heavy small saucepan, melt white chocolate and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly. Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate. If desired, sprinkle with pistachios or nonpareils. Let stand on waxed paper until set. Makes about 24 cookies.

*Hand-mixing method: In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and food coloring until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling together (it will take a while for the dough to come together). Form mixture into a ball, kneading until smooth.

To Store: Place cookies in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

The REAL housewives of BMK

Most reality show junkies have seen Bravo's reality knock off of Desperate Housewives. They have had Orange County, New York, Atlanta and New Jersey (my fav) why not a small town? I believe these shows are hits NOT because of the riches these people have (we could watch cribs for that) but because of the insanity of these housewives. Some have jobs, some don't, some fund raise, some don't, in the end the largest common ground these woman share is simple, they're nuts and are not afraid to show how crazy they are on national television. Most of the time they stick to their guns and say everything that is on their mind, and I mean EVERYTHING! I don't know if you could pay me to do that show, but I'll tell you one thing about where I live it ain't no picnic. You think you live in a small town with everyday gossip, you have nothing on Bel Main Keys. (BMK) I've lived here for almost five years and I could have written novel after novel about the crazy sh*t that goes down around here. Names would have to be changed of course the only problem is, changing names in this crowd wouldn't help. Hence the reason I haven't done so already. Everyone knows everyone, I mean we're talking millions of juicy, JUICY gossip- things you can't make up! 

Everyday most people, mostly woman spend their time gossiping, watching it, whispering it, reading it, it's everywhere! You could be a closet gossiper or one who lets it all h

ang out. Either way it's in our faces all day long, how can we not add fuel to the fire? Whether it be Jon & Kate's newest allegations or what our next door neighbor got caught doing, it's all dangerously addicting and very hard to stop once you start. Some people don't want to be gossiped about and others do. Perhaps I am wrong and this only happens where I live, but man oh man everyday brings something new. I could never talk about my dearest friends because in all reality hello they're my friends I couldn't say anything that would jeopardize they

're reputation, but let's just ask the question when does gossiping gone to far? Is there a limit to how much we should talk about one another? Friend or foe.... Or because we are adults and we make choices, having people talk about them should be no big deal because in the end we should stand by our choices. My motto, my new motto s

ince living in BMK has been this: Never say ANYTHING about anyone unless you would say it to their face. Secondly, know that usually whatever you say will be taken out of context. People love to exaggerate. 

I have learned that gossiping leads to ending friendships, and can make new ones. There is a fine line between gossiping and "causing drama." I feel in the end if you can switch it off when real life kicks in, great. If it affects you and you can't let it go, then it's getting to be a bit much.  Be a good friend and don't talk about your friends. As for the other parties well be happy we're even talking about you at all and stop doing dumb _ _ _ _ that gets you talked about!

I love my small town.... drama or not, we're family. And Bravo, how about one day pointing the cameras on someone other than the rich and famous? 

Will my stretched stomach ever go back to normal?

The answer is... YES! and with the help of this belly band called Tauts by Brooke Burke mine went down much faster than if I had let it do its my own. It's super comfortable and supportive, easy to clean and does wonders for you mid section. The only down fall is, most of the time it doesn't look great under clothes. But right after birth, who cares what you look like, your usually at home anyways. So for 40 days and 40 nights you wear it... I have cheated a bit, now that it has worked so well so fast, I only wear it when I'm at home, but before that I wore it continuously. Check it out for all of those pregger mommies out there.

I'm a Mommy!

On June 10th 2009 I delivered a precious baby boy! Bryce Robert Timmel. I have entered motherhood blindly, this being my first child. To top that off I have never really been around babies before, so I am learning everything it takes to take care of one first hand day by day. From Diapers to feedings, how to hold him, bath time, to learning everything our baby needs and then some- it's all so much work, and yet it's so rewarding looking into your babies eyes and knowing you made something so beautiful and pure.

Everyday is a challenge, but I strive everyday to be the best mommy I can be. I have my highs and my lows, especially when I haven't a clue as to what he's screaming about. That's got to be the worst! It seems as though there's always something to worry about, and yet taking every problem one at a time is the only way to go about, even if sometimes so much is thrown at you at once. I have appreciated the mothers before me, from my family to my dear friends who are guiding me through and teaching me the little things. 

I look up to those moms who are doing it all on their own. I don't know how you do it! Without my husband I could do it, but man would it be hard. And let me just say when people say parenting is hard- they mean it's hard times a million! And yes it's rewarding, times a million! The hardest thing is living in the moment and being selfless. Especially at 25. It takes practice, but boy, when you have a baby it's all you do in the now that makes it so trying, there's no putting a baby off till tomorrow! But I must say if that would be the only thing I get out of parenting it's worth it, the thing is, I already feel as though I have gotten so much more. So to think there's more to come, bring it! I'm ready, for the good, the bad, this is what I've always wanted. Now that I'm part of that club of Woman I knew existed, but never really knew where they were coming from, i get it, a little bit more. Along with that follows so much respect I have for everyone before me. I sounds as though I know so much ( I don't) but that's what motherhood does to you, it gives you such a new a refresh outlook on life- there's nothing like it.

So here's to all the mommy's out there- to the ones I know and complete strangers, I admire and adore you... xoxo

A Link to a Beginners Guide to Gardening

http://www.lewisgardens.com/beginner.htm

Spring is nearly in bloom in Bel Marin Keys, Ca.

My Garden on the Lagoon.

I have had my ups and downs with growing my

green thumb. I would say I am half way there.

I have found what works in my backyard,

which are hardy greens for the frost and the sharp winds.

A few filler annuals (only last one season) here and there every year,

but it is nice to see the perenials coming back this year,

unlike years past. Learning where your sun and shade areas

are is a must and how much water each plant needs.

Enjoy my photos I have taken, I can name some

of them, but not all off the top of my head. Like I

said I'm still learning, but have my

trusty guide book to look

anything up. 

Sunset Western Book

(and thank you to Ms. M for all of her guidance in the beginning of my venture into gardening)

Hydrangea 

Snowy Crystals 

Lavender

Bearded Iris

Broccoli, Parsley, and Mint