I received a call yesterday morning from James.  He called to say there was a fire drill at the school and it reminded him that I was "smokin' hot."  I have the best husband ever!

David and Lizz welcomed Baby #3 into the world yesterday.  Her name is Violet (too cute!) and I had the pleasure of meeting her in Rochester this afternoon.

My sister-in-law Chelsea has been doing a blog for awhile now, and David just started one. They're doing much better than I am at keeping the updates coming.  I've been at a loss for awhile now. This year has simultaneously been the best and most challenging year I can remember.  Exhilarating highs and deep lows. I'm glad that both James and I tend keep a positive outlook (most of the time). There's a lot to be grateful for!

I haven't written about what's going on with my Mom. I haven't been sure what to say or how much...or if I can. David wrote a bit about it here. I was in Ames this weekend and was glad to find her feeling well. I can still hardly keep up with her, and she's going through radiation and chemo! She wanted to zip all over town after her treatment on Monday. I wanted to go home and take a nap!  It's amazing, really. I love and admire her so much.

The crew all got together over Labor Day weekend. This was the first time EVER with all siblings, spouses and children - how cool! From L to R:  Ben, Mom, Dad, Schafer, David, Saffi, Lizz, Brian, Chelsea, Ethan, James and me.

 David, Lizz, Saffi and Schafer

Brian, Chelsea and Ethan

I got James to wear a semi-matching shirt. This was no small feat.  I'm always trying for "twinner time" and he thinks it's juvenille or something.  

Thanks, Aprille for this one! I don't know if I'm truly and omnivore, as I'm not a big meat eater, but this looked fun. 

Andrew Wheeler, co-author of the food blog Very Good Taste put together a list of 100 foods he thinks every omnivore should try at least once and made a game out of it.  Here are the rules:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak Tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba Ghanoush
11. Calamari

12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo Gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black Truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom Tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foi Gras
24. Rice and Beans
25. Brawn or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de Leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna Cauda
31. Wasabi peas (addictive)
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (Gotta love Maine!)
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut (did you know there's a sauerkraut festival in Iowa?)
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phall
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken Tikka Masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut (my favorite local Krispy Kreme  closed )
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly Pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer

55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle

57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine (James' favorite - not mine)
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin (eww!!!)
64. Currywurst
65. Durian

66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini

73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini

81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict

83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe Beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers

89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft Shell Crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano

96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
100. Snake

So wow, at 52 I have a ways to go! Or not (no thanks to kaolin, roadkill or horse). I had to look up quite a few of these things. I"m apparently not that savvy when it comes to foodie stuff!

A bit belated, but I was recently in Cincinnati for Pure Romance Annual Training. Though Cinci isn't at the top of my list of favorite cities, chilling with almost 2,000 other women in this business is a pretty great time! After a scary experience with bad weather on the road last year, I decided to Mega Bus it to Cinci. Yes, I got to ride a double decker!!!  I was clearly the only one in my group so amused by this. The gal sitting next to me puked half a dozen times (actually, I stopped counting at six) and the gals behind me complained the ENTIRE trip (that's 14 hours!). However, I thought it was pretty bleepin' terrific.  I didn't have to drive, it only cost me $50 round trip...and did I mention I got to ride a DOUBLE DECKER!? 

James and I hired Bark Busters to help us with Jersey (have I mentioned she's ours now?). Our first session was last night, and it was pretty remarkable. Basically, they employ similar techniques to Cesar Millan ("The Dog Whisperer") but without physical correction. It's about establishing leadership and using language that dogs understand.  After 2 1/2 hours with our trainer, Jeanne, I was so impressed!  It's NOT cheap ... but does come with a lifetime guarantee, and I think will be so helpful when we start bringing more dogs through our home again. I also think Jersey will eventually be a very well adjusted little shrimp of a boxer!   

I don't watch a lot of television, but I have slipped back into an old habit of watching infomercials & late night TV when I have insomnia.  If you watch late night television, you've probably seen an Extenze commercial, "guaranteed to make that certain part of a man's body larger!" Don't worry, no ranting here today. I'm actually just intrigued by the new Extenze beverage.  I mean, FOR REAL?! James and I have been brainstorming all the great places you could bust this out.  Going to a bbq? Bring some Extenze! How about a bike ride? Don't forget your Extenze. Deadline at the office? Mixing up a cocktail? Oh my, what will they think of next?   

So, I keep waiting to post until I have awesome pictures to share, but the fact is, a 6 (or 7?) year old laptop is kind of old, and I can't get all the fabulous pictures from a mini family reunion on my hard drive. James may be able to figure it out.  In the meantime, I'm stealing one from my sister-in-law, Chelsea's blog (thanks, SIL!)

Left to Right: Ben, Mega, Grandma, Grandpa, Chelsea, James, me!

This photo was taken back in June in Rochester. Grandma and Grandpa C. came out for a visit, so we had a mini family-reunion. This evening, we were at the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" which David performed in. Ben and I have Venus Flytraps...mine is still alive, but just barely. 

Basically we've been back and forth between families a lot this summer.  It's been nice to be able to do that.

Our neice, Saffi, performed in a dance recital awhile back, and it was darling. This was James' first recital (he has all brothers) and he was not so sure about it at first, but ended up enjoying it.