The Smudgie Chronicles

So, in case you haven't heard... We're pregnant! As of now, Jodi's about 14 weeks along, and doing well. This is our first sonogram picture taken back in December (the baby is the little smudge by the arrow).

Check out our new blog, The Smudgie Chronicles for updates on this exciting journey!

Strawberry Festival

This afternoon, I got off work a little early, so we decided to head out to Plant City for the annual Florida Strawberry Festival for some excersize, and the opposite: strawberry shortcake! It's amazing that I've lived in Hillsborough County for 21 years, and this is the first year I've attended this quintiessential local event.

As it turns out, I didn't get a strawberry shortcake, but I did get one of my favorite treats that has been unavailable for some time- a slice of Brandon Farms strawberry pizza. Sugar cookie where the crust should be, cream cheese for sauce, and delicious, fresh strawberries in syrup for the toppings. Pure heaven.

For the past couple of weeks, Jodi and I have been walking for at least 30 minutes each day. Sure, its good for our health, but it turns out that it's been having a great unexpected benefit- the opportunity to spend some quality time in places other than in front of the TV. I think this new routine will not only enrich us physically, but will give us the opportunity to make memories together just a little more often.

Woohoo! New Computer!

So, the old Notebooks been giving us some problems.  It can only connect to the iPod at slow speed, it's pretty much done accepting wireless internet, the hard drive is tapped, and we've been having intermittent power issues.

This state of affairs could not go on for long, especially since I could hear the new Intel iMacs calling me- all the way from across town at the Apple Store!  So I did some serious research, figured out exactly what I wanted, and followed the sound of the siren song.



It is a beautiful thing to be chillin on the couch with my wireless keyboard and mouse, watching the action on my 20' widescreen on an end table.

I'm still getting used to using "open apple" instead of control, and closing windows on the left side.  But the software is awesome, the interface is beautiful, and just look at it!  It's dead sexy! : )

Mmmm... Kitchen Aid

Challah at your boy! 

This weekend, we started using our big Christmas gift from our parents: our Kitchen Aid mixer. I made shortbread for my parents yesterday and challah for Jodi's parents today. I'd love to stick around and chat about it, but there baking to be done : )

Our Christmas

Here's a photo-post of Christmas at our place. Hope your holiday was as lovely as ours was!


The Pretties, close up

Rent Ornament 

Jabby & Presents 

The Pretties, from outside 

Our Tree 

Mmmm... cran-apple pie... 

Andrews Ornament 

Bandy & Presents 

"O" Ornament 

Thankful...

It may be cliche, and it's certainly cheesy, but Thanksgiving does make me reflect upon the things that I'm thankful for.

We often take for granted that we have good jobs, a nice car, loving pets, and a wonderful marriage- but I am thankful for all of those things. We don't often think about how lucky we are to live in beautiful Florida, to be able to go out to dinner when we want, and that we have loyal and caring friends- but I am thankful for all of those things, as well. But there's something else...

Jodi's parents came over and spent the holiday in Tampa, and take part in my family's traditions. I am not only thankful for having such wonderful in-laws, but that they get along so well with my parents. It's as if my family and Jodi's family are now complete with the inclusion of the other. Sure, no family is perfect, but we do have a great sense of family and fun. But what I'm truly thankful for is that when we decide to add to this family, when we bring a child into the world, it'll be surrounded by such amazing tradition, love and support.

Lasagna!!!

Dan, Roxanne, Jodi & I

This weekend, we attended the wedding of our dear friends, Dan and Roxanne. And when I say wedding, I mean reception and when I say attended I mean catered.

They actually got married in Vegas a couple of weeks ago, and due to a lack of time off and means of actually paying for a Vegas vacation, we weren't able to be there in person. We did watch it live on the internet, but it wasn't quite the same. It should also be noted that Roxanne's friend Lori and her husband Chris were able to make the trip out, making them the Maid of Honor and Best Man by default.

Maybe a little because of the guilt of not actually attending the ceremony, but mostly because Roxanne was planning on serving frozen store bought dinner for her reception (held here for the benefit of her family and friends) we offered to cook lasagna for the guests. When we were planning, it was originally 50 guests, then 75, then 80. So we made 13 lasagnas to accomodate 80-100 people. In the end, 40 people showed. Many whole, uncooked lasagnas were gifted.

It was a roller coaster ride of planning, cooking, assembling, cooking, transporting, cooking, serving, cleaning and convincing Jodi that not only was she appreciated, but that she didn't have to do it all. It was a little hard to not be at the head table, to not be official members of the wedding party. But, everyone seemed to enjoy our handywork well enough, and in the end, we were very glad that we were able to contribute in some way to the matrimony of our friends. Just don't mention the word lasagna.