Shannon's World

While at book club earlier in the week a friend mentioned an interesting NPR article she listened to about the book Making Toast.

Long story short, a mother of 3 died on her treadmill from a rare heart condition. Her parents, almost immediately left their home in NY and moved in with their son-in-law and 3 grandkids in MD. The book captures their journey growing into their new role and grieving the loss of their daughter.

Here’s a link to the interview on NPR.

I’ve been a reading up a storm lately, thanks in part to some great, great books I’ve happened upon.

The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo (I also can’t wait to read The Girl Who Played With Fire by the same author and the much anticipated The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.) This was my February book club book and I finished it so fast, I moved onto our May book The Help. It was great – both books are 400+ pages and I read both in a month, they were that good. Plus, I spent a few days in the past month with a sick, sleeping girl laying on me – what a great feeling to be snuggled in with my girl, her head resting adjacent to my ever growing belly and a good book.

I’m starting The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down for my March book club book, followed by Time of My Life – I’ll keep you posted!

Libby and I are escaping winter to go to San Diego for some SUN, R&R and to visit my brother and his family. We couldn’t be more excited! I’m a little nervous about the 7+ hour travel time (alone, pregnant, with Libby) so I’ve been hiding away different coloring books and activities to bring with me. I’ve decided I am going to bring some beads and twine to make necklaces on the plane. We broke out some Melissa and Doug wood beads today and Libby had a great time making necklaces. These bead kits are a great gift idea for 2-3 year olds!

I’ve been craving scones and lunch meat lately. . .not together, just in general! Below is my Mom’s recipe for her world famous scones – they seem really easy, I think Libby and I can swing this . . .you can’t have tea parties without scones (photo in previous post).

2 cups flour
2 t sugar
1 t salt
1 T baking powder
1 cup heavy cream (sometimes you need to use more than 1 cup)
Add whatever mix-in you want: raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, blueberries, etc. approx ¾ cup
Heat oven to 425.
Put dry ingredients together. Gradually add cream. Form into ball. Knead lightly. Roll out to ½ – 3/4 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch rounds with sharp knife or cookie cutters. Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

. . . Libby loves to have tea parties!

We had a full house on Thursday night. Betsy, Chad and their 3 kids drove down from Chicago for an overnight stay. Our friend Gretchen and her daughter, Claire were in town from North Carolina and they joined us for dinner. We had 5 kids, 5 and under at our house and things went pretty well (very well!). The kids played great together, ate well and had a fun time. Libby and Hailey spent a lot of time upstairs playing dress up and eventually snuck down the stairs with this surprise:

You’ll notice Libby is carrying 3 babydolls – while she’s relatively good at sharing, she combats the need to share by hoarding all her favorite possessions . . . we’re working on this.

. . . those were the four words we heard Libby exclaim when she saw her little brother/sister in utero today at my 20 week ultrasound this morning. Libby and Mike joined me for the ultrasound and I’m happy to report everything looks great and there’s not a fin in sight! I was quite surprised when the heartbeat measured 142 beats per minute today. Libby’s heartbeat was *always* in the 160s – from my first Dr. appt at 12 weeks to the day she was delivered, almost 3 years ago!

Mike, Libby and I did not find out the sex of the baby and are looking forward to the BIG surprise during first full week in July.

We’ve been busy. . . .

eating snow. . .

writing Valentine’s (Sleeping Beauty for the girls and Kung Fu Panda for the boys)

For the Super Bowl I always make Charlie Gibson’s Dorito Casserole – it’s not healthy but it’s so good. . .so once a year we enjoy the doritoey-goodness!

We have friends coming to town on Thursday and I plan on making a big batch of taco soup for dinner on Thursday night (cheese quesadillas for the kiddos!) – I haven’t made that yet this year and forgot how good it is. Here are a few other recipes I want to try –

Italian pot pies

Swedish Meatballs…I think I’ll cheat and buy turkey meat balls at Costco!!

Libby’s fascinated wtih make-up these days…it started over the holidays when she found Nanny’s lipstick and now she’s moved onto the small case of make-up I keep in my purse. Libby’s favorite medium is lip gloss, but she also dabbles in pressed powder and lip liner.

Libby’s starting to feel a bit better – fever and runny nose are gone, she slept through the night last night and seems to be breathing a tiny bit easier and coughing a little less. We have no plans this weekend – so a lot of rest and cheering our Colts to victory is on the agenda!