House Guests, SCARY Babies, Smilie Babies

My aunt and uncle came to visit for two days last week! This is my favorite aunt, my mothers baby sister. My mom is one of four girls, and my father one of five children- and the only boy. I have many aunts, but, none as generous, kind and all around lovely as Mae.

They brought some of my things from West Virginia- like my Department 56 Halloween and Christmas Villages. We had a lovely dinner, and I had the dining room decorated for Autumn. I served a pork tenderloin in a mushroom cream marsala sauce, broiled asparagus, pineapple bread pudding (as another side to compliment the pork) and rolls. I made the applecake I shared below (yum!) for dessert and it worked as a lovely centerpiece too, I think. It was so nice o have family stay with us. I don't have much opportunity for entertaining, and am so thrilled when I am able to- especially for wonderful people. My aunt is very much like me in that she enjoys giving to people and making them feel special. It is nice to reciprocate!



A friend of mines 20 month old son learned the word "Scary" and uses it at times to avoid things he doesn't want to do. When they visited me a couple weeks back, he said that Lucas and Tilly were "scary" to avoid getting in their play yard with them. I mean, that *has* to be the explanation, because my children are NOT scary. They are sweet little angels who would never try and intimadate another baby.



Rowan has been flashing us the biggest gummiest smiles for a couple weeks now, but this is the first one I have managed to catch on camera. Ewan is still the "angry baby" with his colic, but he is on zantac now so we hope that will clear up soon and he will be just as smilie.



They had their 8 week check up on Wednesday. It certainly could of went better for Rowan. We are making him an appointment with a pediatric optometrist because the pediatrician thinks he has cataracts! Egad. It isn't as horrible as it sounds and I have learned they are fairly common in infants, but stressful none the less. Rowan just can't catch a break right now.

I will try and update again soon.

It's Here!

Just Desserts- A Sideboard of Sweet Temptations



My new issue, the very first new issue of Victoria Magazine arrived today!

Rowan hasn't had any Apnea episodes so far, and Ewan will see about reflux medicine this Wednesday.

Hope your magazines arrive soon- its WONDERFUL!

Apple Bundt Cake

First, if you visit my blog and don't see your blog listed on the left side of this page under "blogs to visit" will you respond in this post and tell me to add you? I definitely mean to add everyone who has visited so I can return the favor, but sometimes I forget!

A friend shared this cake with me Friday and its sooooo good! Its the best apple cake I have ever had. Here is the recipe.




Apple Bundt Cake
Bon Appétit December 1999
Amanda Denton, Barre, VT

"Whether it's served warm or cool, my mother's apple cake is the best I’ve ever tasted," says Amanda Denton of Barre, Vermont. "It's moist on the inside and has a beautifully browned crust. This recipe ranks right up there with love and support as the great things my mother gave me."

Servings: Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Ingredients:

4 medium Golden Delicious apples (about 1 1/2pounds), peeled, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
5 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Mix apple pieces, 5 tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon in medium bowl. Combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange peel and vanilla extract in large bowl; whisk to blend. Stir flour, baking powder and salt into egg mixture. Spoon 1 1/2 cups batter into prepared Bundt pan. Top with half of apple mixture. Cover with 1 1/2 cups batter. Top with remaining apples, then batter.

Bake cake until top is brown and tester inserted near center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 30 minutes (*note my friend said in her oven this cake is always done in 60 minutes). Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack. Cool at least 45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Autumn decorating and first smiles!

This weekend I decorated our front porch for Autumn! I used fall leaf silk garland, pumpkins, yellow mums, and amber lights. It's so pretty in the evenings. In some ways I like autumn decor even better than Christmas. I use the amber lights on my Christmas tree, too.



Here is a closeup- this wreath stays up all year, I just tuck seasonally colored silk stems in it to match the holiday.



I received gifts from a "bloggy baby shower" yesterday! Genevieve, Debra from Bunnies Bungalow, and Laurie from Charming Designs sent me presents.



Debra sent me the sweetest cd's of storytimes and lullabys for the babies, along with some spa themed slippers for my feet.

Laurie sent me two of her birdies- a soft buttercup yellow, and that lovely shade of pink she creates!

Genevieve sent me two sleepers for the little twins to wear at 3 months, and her lovely daughters sent Lucas and Matilda two Gund "Dustys"... Genevieve didn't know it, ut this barking puppy is Matilda's favorite lovie. :-) Although hers is quite... ahem... CRUNCHY. *laughs* We managed to wrestle crunchy Dusty away and give her a new puppy while crunchy was washed.

"Dusty" is her puppys name because she can't say puppy. She says "Duddy". She also says that "Duddy" says "Meow". Hee, hee.

I appreciate my blogy friends so much for thinking of me, and celebrating with me. Thank you sooo much!

Manuela from the Feathered Nest also thought of me this past week- she sent me a stack of brand new magazines to enjoy during my quiet times- albeit rare time indeed, its all the more welcomed with a cuppa tea and a good magazine.




This may be the best picture I have taken of Lucas and Matilda. They were in the jogging stroller and we went for a nice walk last weekend while Duane stayed with the little twins. This is a lovely season for walking.



Here are Ewan and Rowan swinging away!



And a rare moment- I captured one of Rowan's first smiles. He smiles quite contently now when his tummy is full. Isn't that sweet?

Silly pictures of Ewan and Rowan

Ewan just can't take a good picture:




Duane calls this one "alien probe":



This is the only silly one we have of Rowan. He is fairly photogenic!