What happens when you decide

To Let An Almost 10 Month Old Feed Himself?

You get a Cereal Killer.

Bad Pun, I know. It's in my genes :P And yes, that is a knot on his forehead. "Occupational hazard" of someone who wants desperately to go places but his limbs won't cooperate fully yet. It breaks my heart to see the little purple bump on his head, as if my heart wasn't already broken when he wailed and wailed with with big huge tears in his eyes.

Seriously, this is the photo that spawned the pun





Man, it's finger licking good.




Surely there's some more at the very very bottom.



And as usual, face wiping time was a real killer as well. *sigh*

Granny Franny

We drove to Ballinger, Texas yesterday.

My FIL, SIL Cindy, David, Jaxon and I went to visit Jaxon's granny's grave yesterday on the 5th anniversary of her passing. I barely got to know her but all the wonderful stories I hear from the family tells me Frances was a loving, sweet, kind, gentle and overall awesome mother and wife, and a truly Godly woman who inspired and touched the hearts of everyone she met and knew.

Jaxon with his in-car entertainment




We love you, Granny Franny!





Lunch in Ballinger. Jaxon WISHES this was his :)

I can't cook Asian food very well

But thanks to Marsha,

who sent some spices in the mail over the holidays, today is Malaysian/Asian Dinner day, with Kurma Ayam ( Chicken Korma ), Tom Yum Soup and Nasi Goreng Lada Hitam ( Black Pepper Fried Rice ). David wasn't too excited about the pervasive smell of the Kurma dish cooking in the house, but he thought it tasted pretty good. I can only cross my fingers when I attempt Briyani next...

Black Pepper Fried Rice

Chicken Korma





Tom Yum Soup

Letti Thursday

It's that time of the week again.

It usually begins right after the last Letti Thursday, when I start thinking about what in the world I'll attempt to make the next week. Then, after Taco Tuesday, we'll get the supplies we need for the meal. I managed to get some great deals on Pork Chops this week at a local supermarket, and hey presto, an entree idea is born :)

Zucchini and Yellow Squash




Pork Chops




Mushroom Gravy




Chocolate Chip Cookies

Family Ties

My brother from Virginia dropped by today

for a few hours. He had some business to tend to in Dallas and had flown in the night before. He drove over to Abilene even though he had just a few hours to spare, and we were more than elated to have him for the 3 hours or so that we got to spend with him before he had to turn around and drive back.

Jaxon and him managed to squeeze in some Uncle-Nephew bonding time. At first Jaxon was a little leery and wary, but in the end, really warmed up to his uncle. Yay!

Lunch at Cracker Barrel

After a quick wardrobe change for Jaxon, it was off to Grandad's house to chill.

Care Package

I told her she didn't have to do it,

but my younger sister sent us a Christmas package anyway. The postage was KILLER, but we loved everything she sent! Thank you, Marsha! She even sent stuff for the girls in David's family! Aw, what a sweetie.

Hurray for the surprise in the mail!




Jaxon checking out his presents, and playing with his new stuffed toy











Bling for moi...







Man-wrist-adornments for David.





Spices from Home.. Yum!







Thanks again, Marsha! Will be passing on the gifts to the girls later in the week :)
Cindy already loves her RED bling :)

Letti Thursday - New Year's Eve Edition

Firstly, Happy New Year, ONE AND ALL!

I haven't been very diligent at Letti Thursday posts, but as it was New Year's Eve, I thought I would whip out the camera for the last Letti Thursday of the year, and decade.

We had chicken drumsticks, black eyed peas, fried okra, croissant and cookies.

Yummy croissants




Drumsticks aka Letti-style Buffalo Wings




Black Eye Peas ( for good luck )




Fried Okra




Festive Cookies