Shannon’s World

Who knew it is physically impossible to carve white pumpkins?  Last night we went to the pumpkin patch with the Glynn’s to pick out our Great Pumpkins and carve them.  The Glynn’s it turns out, are expert pumpkin carvers.  Their designs involve intricate details and specialized tools.  I grew up and prefer the more traditional and simpler triangle eyes and nose accompanied by a toothey grin.  But I digress . . .

I decided to get a white pumpkin to add some variety and “color” to our front porch.  I found a short but acceptable pumpkin and the price was right - only $2.  Back at the Glynn’s we spread newspaper on the kitchen table and while Heather and Bob choose their designs I drew my triangles.  My trouble began when Bob offered to cut out the top of the pumpkin for me so I could clean it out.  THE INSIDE OF THE PUMPKIN WAS SOLID!  It was impossible to cut through and remove the top!  I was so bummed.  I had to resort to drawing in my face with a Sharpie.  It’s *so* not Halloween unless you’re up to your elbows in pumpkin guts and seeds.  Lesson learned - white pumpkins are only for show, not for carving!

I am not one for forwards, so I thought I’d post this instead.  It made me laugh!

A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day…
30,000 to a man’s 15,000.  The wife replied, “The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men….The husband then turned to his wife and asked, “What?” 

A man said to his wife one day, “I don’t know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.”  The wife responded, “Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!”A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, “You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don’t have to wait as long to get our coffee.”  The husband said, “You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.”  Wife replies, “No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee.”  Husband replies, “I can’t believe that, show me.”  So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says……….”HEBREWS”
 

I used to see forwards about a website that funds free mamograms when you click a button on the site.  I remember clicking years ago, but I had forgotten about the site until this morning.  I’ve since added it to my favorite sites that I check out every day and hope you do, too.

I head back to Chicago tonight and I can’t wait.  I want to see some fall foliage, buy a pumpkin, drink some hot apple cider, eat a carmel apple - all with Mike!  I was in Malaysia/Japan last year at this time and missed fall and so far haven’t been home yet this year to enjoy it. . . this is my weekend!

Dress Suri Cruise for Halloween (via Celebritology)

Steve Wynn punctures $139 million Picasso

Just in time for the holidays - regifting

Mom jeans flatter no one

Gaudi’s Architecture - I’ve been trying to read and learn more about Gaudi since my visit to Barcelona.  I enjoyed the buildings I saw - unique and beautiful.

What Sofia Copola likes to see and do in Paris.

Today marks the 20th week of my pregnancy, only 20 more weeks to go! I’ve received many requests to post a picture of “the bump” and as soon as I am home long enough to stand still, I promise I will. I feel great - like I have more energy than I’ve ever had and require less sleep (here’s hoping that lasts after the baby is born, but somehow I doubt it). I’ve also had fun answering a lot of questions - below are some I was asked recently:

Have you had any cravings? No specific cravings to speak of, but often someone will mention a food and I will think “I HAVE TO HAVE THAT!”. I’ve always eaten lots of fruit but I’ve been eating more while pregnant. I’ve never been much of a sweets person, but that has definately changed over the past few months! Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup, carmel apples, Welch’s gummy fruit snacks, berries, watermellon, fruit leather from Trader Joe’s and frozen chicken pot pies have been among my favorites.

How have things changed? My nails have never looked better thanks to the prenatal vitamins. My hair doesn’t “shed” nearly as much as it used to. According to the books tons will fall out after the baby is born, but right now I am enjoying not having blonde hairs all over the place! My trips to the washroom were frequent before the pregnancy, but they have increased ten fold! I am easily up 2-3 times a night and sometimes have trouble getting back to sleep, but always feel good the next day. And of course, the boobs and belly are bigger!

Have you felt the baby kick? YES! I felt the baby kick for the first time on October 10 when I was in Venice with my Mom. Mike just happened to have his hand on my belly 2 days later and also felt a kick! We had a bowling event here in Atlanta on Monday night and the baby must be a Michael Jackson fan because it was kicking up a storm when “Beat It” came on. . .we have a little Dancing Queen or King on our hands. This is truly the neatest feeling that I treasure each time it happens.

Do you have any hunches on the sex? For some reason Mike and I both think we’re having a girl. We have nothing to prove it, just a hunch (and I’ve had one dream). If we do have a girl it will be the first time a girl is child #1 for a couple on both sides in many, many generations. Both of our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and siblings have boys first! I wonder if we’ll be the first ones to break that chain?!

Micah, Emma and Sam

After dinner on Saturday night, Betsy and I sat down and raided Gretchen’s recipe box (while Brent commented on how our Saturday nights have changed!). I got some great recipes I look forward to trying. I went through the recipes I have saved in my email and came across this great appetizer recipe that Alison made for New Year’s last year (don’t worry it’s not very onioney).

Vidalia Onion Dip
3 c chopped Vidalia onions
3 c shredded Swiss cheese
2 1/2 c mayo
Garlic Salt, to taste

Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 - 40 minutes until lightly brown. Serve with fritos scoops or corn chips (I like the fritos scoops best).

Makes 30 servings; can be halved.

I had a great Saturday night at Gretchen and Brent’s house.  Betsy, Chad and Hailey flew to Atlanta on Thursday and I met up with everyone on Saturday (right after IU’s big win over Iowa).  Gretchen and Brent have lived in Atlanta for 2 years but this is the first time Betsy and I have seen Gretchen’s beautiful home.

Brent cooked us a great meal of steak, broccoli and sweet potatoes.  Having eaten nothing but pasta and pizza for two weeks, this meal hit the spot!  I haven’t had sweet potatoes since last winter and I had forgotten how much I enjoy them.  I will have to load up when I get back home - taste so good and so good for you.

After a late Thursday night arrival in Chicago (Air Force 1 was at O’Hare, so I had to sit on the run way in DC for 3 hours) and a quick Friday at home, I left again on Saturday morning.  After more delayed flights, we made it to Atlanta and the weather is fabulous.  While I was sad to leave Mike, I was not sad to leave the frigid Chicago weather!  I will take high 60s and sunny over the dreary 30s any day.

 . . . at least for a little while.  It’s time to bid a fond farewell to Italy.  Susan and I fly to Washington DC today.  I’ll spend a day in DC (hoping to squeeze in a quick visit with the niece and nephew and a visit to the baby mega-store Buy Buy Baby) before heading to Chicago.  I’ll be in Chicago long enough to do some laundry and then it’s off to Atlanta!