I Got Sass

Last week I surprised myself.

First, I chopped off my medium-length hair. Well, not me personally. Based on the sage wisdom of others, I decided to forgo the almost surely disastrous act of a DIY haircut, and made an appointment with a hair stylist. Armed with photos (thanks, Google images for your "cute pixie hair" results) and a smidgen of recklessness, I made my request to my stylist: super short, non-boyish, non-frumpy, leave the bangs ALONE. I came out with the best haircut of my life.

Second, I had conversations with two different people that involved saying no. I don't know how it is for other people, but I have the habit of saying yes to others, even when I know I shouldn't. My need to please others is the downfall in these moments, and often I end up bending to other people's desires, at the expense of making good decisions. Usually what results is me hiding my true thoughts and feelings, or accepting more than the fair share of responsibility. This week I had the opportunity on two occasions to give in. Instead, I mustered up courage and essentially told both people "no." I spoke with grace and kindness, but also honesty and firmness. And in the end of both interactions, I knew I had done the right thing.

Cutting my hair and telling people no may not seem like momentous things. But for someone like me, who often lacks courage, they were significant. I upped my sass and boldness levels this week. Go me.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Happy Wednesday to you!

I think you deserve a muffin today. And not just any muffin. No, sir. You need to have yourself one of these delectable pumpkin cream cheese muffins.

Multiple batches of these spicy muffins have been consumed in our home over the last several months, and they just seem to get better and better. Seriously, these babies are so good, they just might be the answer to the global warming crisis, American economic recession, AND the Conan-Jay-NBC debacle.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (adapted from RecipeZaar.com)
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
1 pinch cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
8 ounces cream cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put the entire brick of cream cheese onto a piece of wax or parchment paper and shape into a long log. Put it into the freezer to allow to harden, up to one hour. Cut cream cheese into 24 discs, equaling about 1-2 teaspoons each. Set aside. Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl. Fill greased muffin tins half full. Put cream cheese disc in the middle, pressing down into the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the muffin part. Cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove and cool completely on racks. Makes 24 muffins.

Happy 29

Today I celebrate my 29th birthday.

The day was filled with lovely things, like hot morning coffee, phone calls from friends and family, lounging in my pajamas for the better part of the afternoon, laughter with my husband and son, opening birthday presents, and eating rum cake (courtesy of my mother's delicious recipe).

I count myself blessed to have such things in my life, and will gladly step into another year if it means more of the same.

Take a Deep Breath

Can we really only be twelve days into 2010? This year has already been a whirlwind, and I am in desperate need of a extended vacation. Or at least a good massage.

Last week, which started like any other normal week, was turned upside down with an onslaught of unexpected events. There was a medical scare in our family which involved a phone call to 911, a trip to the emergency room, and neurological tests. Oh, and some of our belongings happened to catch on fire in a friend's car. Oh, and Aaron entered into the crawling and standing phase of life, necessitating baby proofing the house and more parental supervision.

Thankfully, everything is fine now. The medical scare turned out to be nothing serious, as far as the doctors can determine. We are all healthy, intact, and settling into non-chaotic life. I feel like I can finally breathe (as opposed to hyperventilate with anxiety), and get normal amounts of sleep.

It's a strange thing to experience moments of crisis. You start to question what is truly certain in life. My answer, based on this past week: not much. Hardly anything at all is a guarantee. Not my family's health, nor our home, nor our finances, nor our jobs. Any of those things can change or disappear completely in an instant.

So what is one supposed to do amidst all of life's uncertainty? Simply be grateful and not take anything for granted, I suppose.

Reflections on 2009

Holla, 2010. I am ready ready ready to start a brand new year.

Time for my annual end-of-the-year recap (here is last year's in case you missed it), which was delayed due to a crazy last few days. Hope you all are kicking the new year off with style and flair.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth to our son Aaron. If that doesn't qualify as enough of an accomplishment, I also plunged into the housing market, bought a pet fish, transitioned into a new position at work, paid more than $20 for a haircut, and hosted Thanksgiving at our house.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year I committed to exercising and healthy eating, with the goal of losing my pregnancy weight, which I did (goodbye, 35 pounds!). I also resolved to learn how to be a great parent, which is happening but certainly not finished. For 2010, I am not making any new specific resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me...that's as close as one can get, I think. Also, three close friends gave birth. It was the Year of the Baby.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A house we own, a clothes washer and dryer, and artistic inspiration.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 9th, the day our son was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Incubating a baby in my stomach and then pushing him out into the world.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Moments of impatience, gracelessness, and angry outbursts with strangers.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Post-pregnancy aches and pains, and a few minor colds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Suede slouchy boots, hi-def television, and BOB jogging stroller.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mom, who persevered through difficult situations at work.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Whoever decided to make Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Baby gear.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The opening of Yard House at LA Live, a mere five minutes from our house (best happy hour EVER). Also, hosting my family for Thanksgiving.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Down, by Jay Sean. That song gets me dancing like an idiot every time.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
A lot happier, a lot thinner, and a little bit richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spend time with friends.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Dirty dishes.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent Christmas with Steve's side of the family in Lodi, California. Played lots of games, ate tons of food, and enjoyed free around-the-clock babysitting from my in-laws.

21. How did you spend New Year's?
Apart from Steve, who was at a conference in St. Louis. I still had a great time, however, enjoying dinner and games with my in-laws and their friends.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes, with my awesome son and ever-increasingly wonderful husband.

23. How many one night stands?
Zero.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

26. What was the best book you read?
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I rediscovered the awesomeness of the hip hop genre.

28. What did you want and get?
A smooth delivery and healthy baby. And a little more maturity and wisdom.

29. What did you want and not get?
The perfect haircut.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Avatar.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 on January 18th with a raging 80's party. I have great friends who humored me by dressing in their best 80's gear.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less friends being financially affected by the crazy economy.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
"Hot Mama" - stylish clothing and accessories able to withstand vast amounts of breastmilk, spit up, and other baby messiness.

34. What kept you sane?
Morning coffee, friends, date nights with my husband, Tivo.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Anderson Cooper.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
None...I honestly had little time for politics.

37. Who did you miss?
My siblings and parents (who really need to consider moving closer).

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My son.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Good things can come from unexpected places at unexpected times.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be." (Let It Be, by the Beatles)

Merry Christmas

Gingerbread Cookies

Cookies run rampant around the holiday season. Everyone seems to get into a baking mood, and you begin to see sugar cookies, meringues, and rum balls everywhere you go.

Fancy schmancy kinds of cookies are good, but the classics are the best. One of my all-time favorites is the gingerbread cookie. As they bake, gingerbread cookies seep the house with spicy holiday scents. And if you're like me, with one bite, you are suddenly transported back to your childhood Christmases.

I made these cookies last week for a holiday party. After chilling the dough in the refrigerator, I rolled the dough, cut out the shapes with cookie cutters, and baked them in the oven. Guests at the party decorated their own cookies, and gobbled them up while sipping apple cider and playing Christmas trivia. The few leftover cookies were finished during the drive to my in-laws' house. Yummm.

Gingerbread Cookies (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and egg yolk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth. Cover, and chill for at least one hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool. Makes about 30 cookies.

Icing
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

With a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the extract until frothy. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, smooth, and shiny. Turn to high and beat approximately 5 minutes till stiff and glossy. Transfer to a small plastic zip-lock bag. Cut a tiny hole at one of the corners of the bag, and pipe icing onto cookies.