Friday Things
1. This is a picture of Einstein with my mom’s dog, Bella, on her back deck almost five years ago. This week, Bella crossed over the rainbow bridge after what two veterinarians referred to as a “significant neurological episode”. Bella was 16 (!!) and lived a really great life… my mom adopted her from a shelter back in 2000 and had her for over 14 years. She was such a sweet, gentle dog and will be missed. I think right now she’s romping free of arthritis and hoarding as many treats as possible!
2. On a happier note, last Saturday was my baby shower, and it was such a nice afternoon! For those in the Pittsburgh area, it was held at the Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia and it was a wonderful location. The food was fantastic, the room was beautiful, and everyone had a great time.
We are now bursting at the seams with baby gear! I’d like to spend some time this weekend going through everything, doing a little bit of organizing, and making a list of all of the things we still need to buy.
3. In related news, I’m now 32 weeks along and had a check-up this week that went great. I have another in two weeks and then I’m down to appointments every week. We’re getting so close!
4. If you live in Buffalo, I hope you’re staying warm and safe! What an insane snow storm!
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5. Have you made your Thanksgiving menu yet? If so, tell me what you’re making! I am in total disbelief that it’s already next week! However, that means that the Christmas tree and decorations are going to be coming out any day now, so… YAY!
6. Speaking of Thanksgiving, have any of you ever ordered something from the website Garnish? They sold take out containers and utensils, but it looks as though the site is now renamed and only sells picnic packs. I was so disappointed! If you have a recommendation for take out containers, please share below! I love having them on hand for holidays so that everyone can package up some leftovers to take home!
7. Have you seen this video of a dog obedience competition where the dogs run through a course of treats and toys (they’re supposed to ignore them) to their owners and are rewarded? Of course the Golden Retriever goes through and stops to eat every single treat and needs to be pulled away as he’s swallowing hot dogs. I couldn’t stop laughing while I watched… this is absolutely, 100% Einstein! He lives for food and treats :)
8. What’s on your Christmas list this year? My mom has been asking for ideas, and my brain is going in a million different directions with baby things that I can’t actually think of anything I want or need.
9. I’ve been craving these white chocolate steamers for a couple of weeks now. They’ve become a tradition at our Christmas Eve celebration; I’ll be making mine sans whipped cream vodka this year!
10. TGIF! Einstein would love for you to build a blanket fort this weekend :)
That video with golden retriever is too FUNNY! Love Goldens! They just have so much wonderful…shall we say “personality”. And congrats on the baby. You must be getting anxious to met the little munchkin. I know I was! Babies are wonderful enjoy every minute of ur pregnancy and of him/her being tiny! It goes too fast.
You look so cute pregnant. Since you haven’t posted for three days, I’m wondering if baby is early. Can’t wait to hear the name/gender.
I second the Costco recommendation. Just bought great containers that are black with clear plastic lids. Microwave/Dishwasher safe, too!
I am dying over that video hahaha every golden I know is the exact same way! Too funny!
Costco has great reusable take-out containers. I use them for leftovers, soup, pasta sauce, etc. Your cake is beautiful! Is it from a Pittsburgh bakery?
Hi Nicole, Thanks for the tip! The cake was from Oakmont Bakery.
So funny video and a surprise that it was from Finland ( so am I ). I am a big fan of your blog and General Tso´s chicken is on top of the list of many favorite recipes from your site. Just made it today (again) and it never fails! I hope you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Aww what a cute cake!
I think I’m going to bake up some sweet potato pies for turkey day. My parents usually handle the rest.
My fave take out containers for family gatherings come from Costco…25 for $7.99. Dishwasher, freezer, microwave safe…same containers most Chinese take out uses…black bottom, clear top, rectangular, stack great after washing.
Congrats on your upcoming bundle of joyousness!
Could be west coast only but smart & final is great for leftover containers in bulk for low prices.
Google A Dog’s Last Will and Testament, it is about a dog leaving all of his things including the love in his heart to a shelter dog who he is encouraging his grieving people to adopt. It’s beautiful.
Love your cake.
So sorry about Bella. Dogs are part of our families & they are sorely missed.
Your cake is beautiful! All those lovely baby gifts!! Such fun!
Thank you for your thoughts for the snow trapped people of Western New York. I live in Elma, southeast of Buffalo. We are warm, safe & have food–I am cooking & baking too much during this 5 day (so far) confinement — now waiting for the rain — enough already!!
So sorry for you loss she was a beauty
Michelle,
So sorry about your Mom’s dog. It’s so difficult to lose your pet.
Glad everything went well with your baby shower.
Annamaria
My sincerest condolences on the loss of Bella. Words just don’t do it.
My family is almost strictly stuck in the mud southern Thanksgiving dinner – but I found a recipe I want to play with. It is supposed to be cannoli stuffed with roasted butternut squash & ricotta cheese, served with a sage brown butter sauce. Gonna use crepes instead, and change up some of the additional ingredients that I think will complement it. I like the sound of it, easy to make ahead, etc. Heck they won’t even bother to do the green bean casserole without the cans….I’m doomed :) My niece (in-law) is allergic to tree nuts, so I’m going to make an oatmeal pie….has the texture and southerness of a pecan pie, just oatmeal instead. Wise decision on my part after seeing the price of pecans!!
The happiest of holidays to you and yours :)
So sorry to hear about Bella. It’s hard when we lose one of our four-legged furry babies. Sending hugs and prayers for your Mom. Love your shower cake. Such a neat idea.
Love the cake, it’s so cute! For Thanksgiving I’m only contributing one dish, a pumpkin ice cream pie with chocolate almond bark. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! Try papermart.com for your containers.
Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family! I’m sorry to hear about that site, Garnish! I thought they had great stuff! I also saw some cute containers on the TomKat studio site. I am cooking turkey for 80 sorority girls on Monday….before my own family dinner which is on Thanksgiving Day. That’s a whole lotta’ turkey!! I fix the turkeys, mashed potatoes & gravy, and then the girls are given a list of other dishes to bring to the dinner, which is at their Chapter house. This will be my 4th year doing this, and I also enlist my husband to help carve the turkeys! It’s a crazy few days, to say the least! And, condolences to your mom on the loss of her Bella.
A gift idea for new moms- an eReader! (nook, kindle, etc) loaded up with favorite books or magazines, etc. It’s lightweight and easy enough to carry around (I’d personally recommend the reader only styles, not the ipad wannabe’s because you want something small, light, and something that doesn’t blare bright light over that sleeping baby face). Also, new slippers, robe, yoga pants, headbands (for unshowered bed-head) and comfy clothes to wear around the house.
So sorry to hear about Bella…..dogs always leave those forever footprints on our hearts. They give us such joy and bring so much to our lives. Give mom our condolences. Lost our boston Sunny in March, still miss him so. A happy new addition, Tucker a rescue boston from Washington State. We drove half round the world to get him but soo worth it. Our other to bostons just love him and so do we. Have a great thanksgiving, luv your site.
Thanksgiving at my house will include the usuals, plus your broccoli casserole and chocolate chip pecan pie bars (oh! And Brussels sprouts with bacon!)
Your shower cake was adorable, I’m glad to read that it was yummy as well!
I’m glad your appointments are going so splendidly, that’s a blessing on top of the miracle that is your baby!
Have a great weekend!