A Rare Martha Moment

My "Martha" moments used to occur much more frequently. Nowadays, they have to be prompted. Before a post-Thanksgiving party, String suggested "Why don't you make marshmallows? You haven't done that in years." So, I hopped online to find the Barefoot Contessa recipe I'd used in the past. But instead stumbled upon this one from Alton Brown that I like much better.

And who doesn't love a s'more? So I broke up some squares of graham crackers and Hershey bars and viola! S'more in a cupcake cup.

Sous Chef/Taste Tester

Fall Firsts

Recently Sofia experienced a couple of very important milestones. Well, one very important (at least in Steve's family) and the other not that important unless she decides to become an equestrian (highly unlikely considering mommy's aversion to manure). But both very cute.

She has attended her fair share of Stanford pre-game tailgates over the past two seasons, but for the Stanford vs. Arizona game on November 4th she actually was allowed into the stadium. For about an 1/8th of the first quarter, but still...Once the novelty of everyone cheering wore off, she was content to make her way back and forth in our row for about 10 minutes. Then it was time for mommy and Sofia to make the trek back to the car and San Jose where we could watch Stanford pummel Arizona in the comfort of the living room.

Visiting with Noni, Andrea & Marissa.

Cheering on the Cardinal with Grammy.

Earlier that same day we attended our friend Emma's 3rd birthday party in her grandparent's backyard. The company Once Upon a Pony brought Blue, the very old and gentle pony for the kids to ride as well as a pen full of cool looking chickens, rabbits and a pigmy goat. Sofia was very tentative towards Blue in the beginning, but warmed up and started following him. It took a couple of tries, but finally she sat and rode around the driveway and then refused to dismount.

It certainly wasn't a look of pure joy, but it wasn't terror!

Don't Hurry Down the Chimney

Despite visiting Santa (from the stroller) earlier in the week to try to "warm up" to him,
this is exactly what I was expecting. Needless to say, she forgot to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.

Compare to last year when she was blissfully unaware of the dude behind her.
Didn't realize until now (comparing to cool mall Santa above) how fake his beard looks.
The lawn chair doesn't help!