What I {Found To Eat} Today

Sigh...

I'm on a new diet.

It's rough.

But I know I should do it.

We're doing South Beach.  Have you ever tried it?

Phase one is HARSH.

No carbs = No fun

Luckily this only lasts two weeks and then we move into phase two where we can reintroduce brown rice and whole grains oh and carrots I have never craved a carrot more than when I'm told I can't have one.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR PHASE TWO!

I kind of hate breakfast and all foods associated with breakfast.  With my new lifestyle I have been forced to try to eat things like eggs (blagh) and turkey bacon (blaaaghghgh).  I'm more of a bagel, muffin, cereal kinda gal so I've been VERY HUNGRY.

I tried scrambled eggs and basically just swallowed them. Gross.

I tried a fried egg and the dogs got most of that. Yuck.

I've just been giving up and eating my 18 allotted nuts. Soooo filling.

So today I tried a poached egg. I had it with some sliced avocado and a "Mock Hollandaise" sauce.

Verdict: I ate it.  So I guess that's a step in the right direction.

After looking up several recipes for the sauce I decided to make up one of my own since we don't have egg substitute around here.

Here is my very accurate and scientific recipe:

Rachel's Tolerable Mock Hollandaise Sauce

• 1 large spoonful of mayonnaise
• 1 large spoonful of sour cream
• 2 globs of dijon mustard
• The juice of one lemon slice
• Cayenne pepper to taste

1. Combine all ingredients in a micro safe bowl.
2. "Nuke" it for about 30 seconds 
3. Stir and serve over whatever you can swallow for breakfast
4. Thank me later

Does your mom say stuff like "I'll just nuke it in the microwave for a bit"?

Cause mine does.  Makes me chuckle every time.

That, and when she says, "it's just balmy today" hahaha oh man that one kills me!

So I'm really looking forward to the end of phase one but I guess the good news is that I've lost 4 pounds.  Wooooot.

ANYWAYS, enough complaining.

Let me tell you about Halloween!

Remember how I mentioned making Mia's costume?  Well here it is in all its glory.

 She was a little Hershey Kiss!

 

A very chocolaty Hershey Kiss 

 CUTENESS

She won the neighborhood costume contest btw.

Well, she won for her age bracket...

There was only one other kid...

But she still won!

I went to a Halloween party.

No one had any idea who I was.  

Apparently no one watches TV anymore.

But for those in the know, I think we can all agree I was pretty accurate!

You may be asking yourself, who's this guy?

He was a Snuggie! Get it?  He wasn't wearing a Snuggie, he was the Snuggie.  It was his idea and as a team we made it actually happen. Really last minute.  As in right before we left for the party.  But that's when you get your best ideas.

Oh, you what to actually know WHO he is?

He's the guy that made me go on the terrifying rides at the fair.  And got me lost in a corn maze. And made me go to Carrolton, GA. I guess we can call him my beau.  

Dahlonega was a huge FAIL this year. I don't even have any pictures to show you.  There were a ton more people and the vibe just wasn't the same. We ended up cutting our trip short.  Sad face...

So that's what been up lately.  How was your Halloween?

Oh and one more thing I've been thinking about...  Why the hell are we starting a diet just before Thanksgiving!?!?

Ok I promise I'm done complaining.  For now.


Post Script: As a special treat I have some new Vivian pics to share! Yaaaaaay

Vivi and her German grandparents

Aww look at G'ma and Vivi! 

My mom is the first Hwitty that got to go over and meet the baby in person.  I can't wait until it's my turn!

Balding babies are so funny looking!

What I {Have For You} Today

Sigh...its been a harsh summer.  Hopefully we'll get an extra long fall to make up for it. Mia has a new found love for playing outdoors.  She picked a lovely day to do it. 

Well there was this cloud...

But we told it to scram!

That's better.

I might a little generous when I say she likes to "play" outside.  Really all she does is walk in circles and yell at the dogs.

And then she'll squat...

Apparently this isn't unusual.  Babies love to squat.

This playtime made it abundantly clear that Mia needs to get her bangs trimmed.  

Poor kid has to do the Justin Bieber hair flip.

Did I ever tell you I had a moment with Justin Bieber? I did.  It was magic, we totally made FULL ON eye contact. My tummy gets dizzy just thinking about it...

In addition to wandering in circles Mia also attempts throwing her ball

I just love this pic for some reason.

When she's not yelling at the dogs she'll try to throw the frisbee.

She's also crazy fearless about putting her hand in Trin's mouth.  It freaks me out every time but it makes Mia giggles like crazy.

Then I was a super mean FGM and {gasp} put a hood on the baby!

She hates hoods.  Can you tell?

Shadows!

Proof of my existence.

And now it's time for "Holy Crap That's A Lot Of Freckles!"

They came on strong this year.

Sometimes I forget I have them.

And then I see these. 

YIKES!  Although I can't imagine what it would be like to not have them. 

And now as promised, I have some pictures of my beautiful new niece! 

Vivian Aliza Laum

7lb 2oz

19in

Snuggling with mom...

Resting from the trauma of birth...

Looking confused...

And gettin some love...

Oh how I love babies!

And because I'm so full of love...

And I got a 95 on my paper proposal...

And it's FINALLY getting cooler...

I'd like to give you a gift!

The gift of scarf or hat! 

You choose! 

Please leave a comment and you may be randomly selected to receive a lovely handmade hat or scarf.  Your chances of winning are really good since only about 6 people read this and I think that number may be skewed by me reloading the page all the time.  

Winner will be chosen on FRIDAY.

So get commenting!

What I {Carved} Today

Pumpkins!

It's Halloween time and that means pumpkin carving time.

Last weekend was the selection process.

Michelle found hers!

I found mine!

And there's Mia's!

Ok, Pumpkins have been selected.  Now its time to carve.

Begin by cutting the top off the pumpkin.

There we go!

Michelle did a fancy cut on hers cause she's fancy.  I however...

Just hacked the top off as best I could.

Then slap on some rubber gloves (optional) and rip the guts out.

It's a rather tedious process.

 

Which makes me look rather serious.

Michelle looks rather excited.

Collect all the seeds in a colander to be rinsed and roasted later.

 

Pick out a design for your pumpkin. Here's mine, I think I'll call it "Fall Foliage Frenzy"

Cut out your design and get your tape ready.

Tape your design to the pumpkin.

Now, with a sharp tool punch holes along the outline of your design.

 

Once all your holes are punched remove the paper.

It should look a bit like this.

Next, take your pumpkin carving saw and follow the outline you punched.  Ya know, connect the dots.

It should look a little like this.

Then slather some petroleum jelly along the edges to keep them from curling.

Then get your candles ready.  We forgot to get tea lights so we found some old tins and some Channukah candles and um... improvised.

Then set your pumpkin outside for all to see!

Oh snap! It's October.