Happy 2012

Hi, how have you been? Did you have a good holiday? I had such a wonderful time with my family and had a low key Christmas at our house.  My brother was able to come into town, too, and with a new fiancee.  We're so excited for them and their future together.

We did, however, suffer from what many have called the plague of late 2011.  We all got the stomach flu for about a week and probably gave it to many of our loved ones. 

It did force us to slow down and just enjoy each other, even if we were cleaning up vomit a few times a day.

Even with lingering fears of accidental #2 diaper leaks, we loaded up the family in the car and headed to San Diego to see my folks' new place in Solana Beach.

My 4 year old son learned to play chess on the trip and my 1 year old daughter finally said "Grandma Kimmy" out loud and repeatedly called my brother "Keenie" which also sounded like "Weenie" and we all that thought was pee your pants funny.  She also thinks it's hilarious to ask "what" over and over again - emphasis on the "t" sound.

We went to the aquarium, hiked around Torrey Pines (the smell of the misty side of the hills take me back standing at the bus stop as a pre-teen) and ate lots of Mexican food.  I didn't make it to Fidel's but we did make it to Roberto's and discovered Rudy's.  We did the Holiday of Lights show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and I met up with old friends at Pannikin more than once.  We also drove up to the Orange County Great Park and almost rode on the huge orange balloon - they were booked.

I feel like there's so many fun things happening already planned for 2012 but somehow I feel like I'm more calm about it than I would have been last year.  Yes, there are lots of fun big outside plans.  But what's most exciting for me right now is that my daughter is spending more time by herself on projects and that is helping me immensely.  Even if it's only 10 minutes at a time, at least it's 10 more minutes that I've had to use the restroom by myself, load the dishwasher, or take the garbage out.  Sometimes I feel like a more appropriate blog name for this place would be Diapers and Dog Poop.  But that's not romanic, nor lovely, nor inspiring.  I do have so many things that are getting me excited, though.

Things I'm looking forward to this year:

Playing chess with my son during my daughter's nap time.

My dear friend's son's family fundraiser: Super Date for Super Nate January 20th.  Nate's 3 and he's really having a rough time with this whole cancer thing.  If you're in the Phoenix area, you should try to come.  If you've got a good poker face, you might even with something. :)

Meeting Gabrielle Hamilton for the Blood Bones and Butter paperback tour at Changing Hands February 2nd.  

My cooking class at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market on February 18th from 2 - 4 p.m. - I've just about finished my menu.  It's a Winter Greens Ninja class with Salad Lyonnaise, Goat Cheese Pizza with Green Sauce and Orange Peel Studded Brownie Bites with a Whipped Creme Fraiche dip.  Still working on the beverage pairings.

Ignite Food Phoenix March 19th.  It's sort of like Ted Talks but for food and it's all local.  Such a wonderful idea.  I really want to go and even considering submitting my own 5 minute presentation.

Summer in San Diego

Kindergarten in the fall for my son.

What are you looking forward to this year, so far?