Winter Blah, Blah, Blah's

I have always disliked the sun. Mainly because I'm from Texas and the sun never seems goes away. And usually when there's sun, there's a tremendous amount of heat that goes with it. Sun + Heat = One Cranky, Sweaty Girl. (For all those people out there who claim "women don't sweat, they glow," they've obviously never met me. Because I don't glow, I sweat. Like a pig. It's a curse.)

Anyway, I have come to appreciate the sun a little more (at least in Slovakia, in the winter time) since we have days when we barely see it. Fortunately, winter solstice is coming to an end, our days are getting a little longer, and we've had several days of sunshine. Nice, clear, bright, "warmth-bestowing" sunshine against a backdrop of sludgy snowy mess, cold temperatures and wind that cuts through every layer and seeps right to the bone. Today is one of those "nice" days. After 24-36 hours of darkness and snow, the clouds cleared and the sun came roaring through with a vengeance (don't worry, it's still cold here). It's quite lovely as I can let natural light in through the windows rather than relying on overhead lights and lamps to get things done during the day. My ficus is loving it too since she's able to bask in the glow working on her photosynthesis.

What?! Emily has a house plant, you say? My students gave it to me as a gift since I hosted them over for dinner one evening. As much as I hate plants, and can't keep any of them alive, I've come to enjoy this plant to a certain degree, mainly because she's extremely low maintenance. I even chose a name for her- Petunia. (Yes, I know it's the name of another plant, but it's also the name of an accident-prone duck in one of the children's books I grew up reading.) And the fact that I accidently forgot to have someone come water her while I was in Texas for 2.5 weeks and she's still alive and kicking has assured me I've been given the right plant.

In food news, I've been experimenting with the cookbook a little more lately. The other day The Boy actually asked me if he should bother to even eat at home anymore since I've started this cooking frenzy-when I have the time. Ha!

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots and Peas

While the meatloaf looks a little "off" in this picture, it was really good. The Boy's dad even ate it, and he usually avoids anything I make and bring over as it's not "Slovak" enough for him. Go figure.) The Boy really liked this too. I had forgotten to cook the peas and carrots and The Boy actually got disappointed when I realized it! (How many men do you know who get disappointed over the veggies not being there?!) So I made them so the meal would be "complete." This ended up being the meal where The Boy declared, as we sat down to watch a movie together, that this is how one is supposed to feel after eating- pleasantly full and ready to sleep. (Yeah, I can handle that, especially since it was an easy meal to make!) 

Bowtie Pasta and Cheese Sauce with Ham

Apparently, pasta is a comfort food for me. Which is bad because I'm really not supposed to eat it. (But since I'm not exactly following the food requirements at the moment anyway, I guess it doesn't matter.) But the other day I wanted something rich, creamy and meaty that involved pasta. Voila! This is what I made. It's a simple macaroni cheese sauce that I added chopped ham to and then bow tie pasta. I was in heaven; The Boy was happily satisfied. 

B.H.& G. New Cookbook

One of my best friends gave me her Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook before I left Texas. Oh man, I have found myself staying up waaaaaay too late turning page after page for new recipe ideas, and reading all the tips the cookbook offers about everything. (I know, I know, nerd alert, nerd alert!) Thanks to jet lag and love, I'm excited about cooking again. It's also placed in me this deep seeded desire to read the book "Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously" by Julie Powell.

The other night I decided to try my hand at making something new, so I made chicken tetrazzini for dinner. With much fear and trepidation, I shopped, brought home and began cooking. I've never made something like this before, but it wasn't too hard. But I have to admit, it was so therapeutic being in the kitchen, cooking up something new.

It's certainly not the healthiest meal I've ever made (it has enough cream to kill a small village), but it was tasty (gee, I wonder why!) and The Boy liked it, which is all that counts, really.

For dessert I made carrot cake with a white chocolate frosting. (Neither of those are in the cookbook, in case you're wondering. I just felt like making it.) It turned out quite fantastic. The cake is dense, moist and not too sweet (because I cut the sugar down) and the frosting adds the right touch of sweet creaminess.

Dinner was definitely a winner with The Boy, which is good because now that he's refusing to eat his mother's food after being spoiled in the States and I'm supposed to be filling him with "American" cuisine, then we're in trouble if he stops liking my food as well.

Pics from Christmas

I have a lot of pictures taken over the course of two and a half weeks at home, but I'll try to be conservative here and just show you my favorites. 

The Family. It's large. It's loud. It's a little slice of heaven! 

(Everyone made it into the picture except dad's new wive, who was in Kentucky.) 

Beautiful sister two and Uncle C.J. (He hates camera; hence the face.)

Beautiful sister three and my adorable niece Helen. (I could just eat her!)

Brother two, sister-in-law and nephew Joel. 

(Yes, they are at the stage of marriage where they make the same faces!)

Brother one and niece Helen. 

(For some reason, children and babies are just drawn to him and are completely relaxed/comfortable with him, which none of us can figure out. He totally needs a wife and some kids of his own.) 

Beautiful sister one and Lucy. 

(Sister one deserves a medal for her patience, love, wisdom and ability to rear six children!)

Nephew Rob showing off his new Star Wars Legos.

(I was a little jealous, I won't lie. I mean, it's Legos! And Star Wars! Combined into one!)

The Boy and the nieces and nephew, who all just adored him!

Joel being entertained by the dancing/singing christmas frog.

The Boy and Helen. 

(Both so cute, if you ask me.)

Me and my goddaughter, Lucy. 

(Ona je taka moja babulka!)

Niece Abbey and the snowman she made from the negligible amount of snow that fell. 

 Four of the seven great nieces and nephews with our dear Aunt Helen.

Nieces Corrie and Helen. 

(This poor baby gets around!)

Four of the seven grandkids with grandad (my dad). 

Nephew Amos and The Boy jamming together. 

Brother-in-law and Lucy. 

(Despite what this picture looks like, they were both so happy to be together.)

The Boy and I. 

(No picture album is complete without at least one "happy couple" picture, so there you have it!)

Šťastný Nový Rok!

Happy 2011!!!!!!

It's a new year. New adventures. New... whatever's. I have made no resolutions, as per usual.

In case you were worried I'd fallen off the planet, so to speak, rest assured I'm alive and well. The last three weeks have been a whirlwind, but filled with so much fun and love. I was able to take The Boy home with me for the holidays to meet the family, which was a total blast! Many good times were had, many jokes were shared, much food was eaten and much baby holding and playing commenced. My dear, wonderful Aunt hosted our entire family for Christmas (at one point I think there were eighteen people in her house!) and we all had a marvelous, marvelous time. (Pictures to come!)

The Boy loved visiting the States and meeting my family, who in turn warmly welcomed, accepted him and loved him in turn (thank you family!!!). He really felt very comfortable and at home among my family. He had an extremely hard time leaving, and strangely enough, so did I. This is the first time in four years that I haven't eagerly looked forward to boarding the plane to get back as fast as possible to Slovakia. I was surprised at myself, too. Normally I arrive in Texas, enjoy it for a couple days and then start the count down until I can leave. This time I arrived and had so much fun with the family, with the babies, with friends and showing The Boy where I grew up that I purposely put my return date out of my mind. The day we left, I found myself delaying the inevitable security imposition by talking and joking around with sister three, who took us to the airport.

The trip back seemed to take forever. Two people, three bags plus carry-ons, four airports, delayed planes and missed flights (grrr, Delta!), two car rides, three bus rides and three days later we arrived in Zavadka. (On a side note to any travelers going over seas: if you can avoid it, don't fly with 2+ stops unless you're going some where easily accessible from your arrival airport. It's a cruel and unusual form of torture otherwise!) However, we are in Z with all it's snowy, muddy, sludgy glory and back in the swing of things of life all while dealing with jet lag!