a whole lotta this & that

I've got lots and lots of things rambling around in my head, so I decided to just go ahead and throw it all in to one post.

::  If I was just posting a recipe today (have you noticed that trend?  I've started trying to post a recipe every Friday) it would have been this one.  Chocolate Avocado Muffins.  Sounds a bit strange, yes, but they taste pretty dang good.  Chris said he preferred them over the banana oatmeal bites.

::  My house looks nice.  It is put together, the furniture coordinates, it is designed well (I know, tooting my own horn, whatever, it's true.  My house IS put together).  But nothing in it really makes me smile.  Well except the hubby and the baby of course.  But my house looks very 'model home'.  Not comfy, cozy and personal like I would like.  I really need to work on that.

::  Well actually there is one room in my home that makes me almost smile.  Ryann's room.  It still isn't 'finished' (by her second birthday maybe...) but I put a lot of love into that room.  Lately I've seen it on pinterest a couple times.  But when I follow the link it goes to someone else's blog, and generally I'm not credited at all.  It isn't like I think it is the best room in the world and I want all the credit or anything, but I'm a little (A LOT) bummed when I don't get a little pat on the back for my hard work.  I know I could remedy the situation a little bit by watermarking my photos, but I just haven't wanted do that.  So do me a favor, if you ever share anything from my blog, or anyone else's, give the originator credit.  It is the right thing to do.

:: I got a new phone cover this week.  It makes me smile :).

::  Have I talked about what Ryann is going to be for Halloween yet?  I honestly can't remember, and don't feel like browsing the archives to find out.   Nonetheless, Ryann is going to be a penguin.  How did we end up with that?  She requested it, of course.  Originally the plan was for her to be Jessie from Toy Story, Chris was going to be Woody and I was going to be Little Bo Peep.  Randomly one day I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween.  "Pain-gun."  Wait what?  I waited a little bit, "Ryann, what do you want to be for Halloween?"  "Pain-gun."  I've asked her multiple times across various weeks and I always get the same answer.  It is a little tougher for me to pull together a cute penguin costume, but when a one year old specifically requests a costume, I suppose I better get on it!  Now I just have to figure out what Chris and I will be...

::  I've been getting comments or e-mails here and there, asking to be a part of the 'day in the life' series.  Currently I'm scheduled through the first of the year.  In December I'll ask for volunteers again.  It is easier for me to just do it all at once, so if you've tried to contact me about the 'day in the life' series and I haven't responded (I'm of course incredibly sorry), be on the lookout in December!

::  I NEED TO GET MY CRAFT ON.  Seriously.  I'm having craft withdrawls, but I can't narrow down something I want to do/have the supplies for.  Someone kick me in the creative butt please?

::  All you mommies out there, do you have any suggestions for music for toddlers?  Preferably that I can purchase on iTunes?  We need some appropriate jams to listen to around this place.

::  I am TERRIBLE at responding to comments all you lovelies leave me.  I feel horrible about it.  Just know that I do read EVERY SINGLE ONE.  One way to help me respond to those comments?  Make sure your e-mail is available through blogger.  Also, if you have questions about stuff, feel free to ask them over on the facebook page!  I would love to have a little more sense of community over there.  Suppose it would help if I posted more than just links to posts over there too :).

::  I made chili in the slow cooker yesterday, based on this recipe.  MMMMMMMM.  It was good.  And I had it again for lunch today.  So good!

::  Finally, some pictures that I haven't shared but wanted to.  First up, Ryann playing in my parent's pool a few weeks ago.  She was having so much fun filling up the bucket in the hose, and I caught a picture just as she was dumping it on herself.

::  Have I mentioned that my dad is a pretty cool dude?  He is a rock star business man, he rides a Harley, is a pretty good piano player, has a drum set... his most recent addition to his one man band?  Some guitars.  Ryann likes to play too :).  For the record, this is his travel guitar.

::  When we went to Omaha a couple of weeks ago, one of the first things we did was set up the pack 'n play.  Chris tossed the mattress aside while he was setting up the base, and Ryann immediately laid down on it like that was exactly what she was supposed to do.  That little blurb doesn't really do it justice, but it was pretty adorable.