My new craft room!

See this man?

I love this man.

He loves me.

Look what he did for me:

Before:

After:

He has been working on my new craft room for weeks, but hasn't let me even peek. Yesterday was the big "reveal". He thought of everything. EVERYTHING. It is fantastic. He is fantastic. He let me pick the color, but after that he was in charge. I was so blown away when he revealed it. The high table is for gift-wrapping, scrapbooking (need to start that), and fabric cutting. He has a place for my new iron and ironing board (an essential in any craft room). He even has a drop down television under the cupboards over the desk. I have more storage space that I could ask for. I have metal canisters to hold various items, a cork board over the desk to pin pattern instructions, and metal strips on the wall to hold numerous tools. I just go in the room and smile. First project: an apron I cut out a month ago. I need to start sewing . . .

First Day of Preschool

Well, our little buddy went to his very first day of preschool on Wednesday. He couldn't wait. All the "moms" were supposed to come on the first day for a short orientation. Ian didn't want me there. Seriously, he couldn't wait for me to leave so that the REAL fun could start. He was even remiss when Miss Valerie told all the kids to give their moms a hug before we left. It was like, "okay mom, here's a hug-at-the-speed-of-lighting, now it's time for you to go." Well, at least I am grateful that he is not crying and screaming holding on to my legs as I try to leave. He has already learned many important things over his first week and on Monday he is in charge of the show and tell bag, which is already packed with numerous toys.



Ian with his best buddy Derek.

Roast Chicken and misc things I don't want to forget . . .

Just in case you were wondering, the word is pronounced "planties" NOT "panties".
Just in case you were wondering, they are "pretty tails" NOT "piggy tails".

Ian got in the car with Kevin the other day and exclaimed "AHHHHHH! My legs are getting smaller and my head is getting bigger!"

Finally, have you ever roasted a chicken? If not, you need to do it. You will be so stinkin' proud of yourself. This is a staple at our house. And my husband is sooooo in love with me after I make this meal! I use Ina Garten's recipe (with a few changes of my own). It is always incredibly beautiful and moist. The key is not to over cook. My 4 lb. chicken takes 1 hour and 10 minutes exactly. Just make sure that the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.




Roast Chicken
adapted from Ina Garten

Ingredients
1 (3.5 to 4.5 pound) roasting chicken
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
6 small yukon gold potatoes (halved)
Olive oil

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and potatoes in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.

Roast the chicken for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Leave veggies in roasted pan and return to oven to finish them off while the chicken is resting. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.