January 2011

January 2011 was a very quiet and restful month for us here at the Wang household.

I didn't do much cooking because I was feeling pretty under the weather for a lot of it.  But somehow I still managed to try some new recipes out.
I made these amazing blueberry muffins from Liz! Sooo delicious.  Even Hubs thought they were pretty good.  How could I tell? Oh, just the quarts upon quarts that kept showing up in my refridge with Hubs gently nudging me saying, "They'll go bad if you don't do something with them."
Sheesh.  But I can't complain. :)
I also really enjoyed improvising with my crock pot, noodles, chicken and alfredo sauce.  Doesn't sound very adventurous but Hubs and I hit our grocery budget mid-way through the month (a prego gals gotta eat) and I needed to make due with what we had in the cupboards.
It was super easy and tasty.
I also, by the way, redeemed my egg bake fiasco from last year.  I searched all over for that blog but I couldn't find it. I'm wondering if I just put it on facebook at that time in my life.
I'll never do that again, blog. I love you way more than facebook.
Anyway, last year, I accidentally dropped an egg bake (casserole) in the alleyway and shattered it on our way to feeding 30 some student leaders.  Instead of just throwing it away and moving on, I stood there like a goose, sobbing over my egg bake.
I can imagine that turmoil now that I am crying every second or so from the raging hormones but I can't imagine what was happening to me then? Tired? Frustrated? Emotional?
Probably all three.
The incident was so tramuatic I called my mother who was with my grandma and my grandparents sent me a check for a new pyrex and a note advising me to get one with a carrying case.  The love of Grandparents knows no end.  I don't know what I would do without my Grandparents digging me out of rough patches like egg bake fiascos.
Well, that was last year.  This year I made not just one but TWO egg bakes (or breaks as my friend Alicia likes to call mine) and sent them merrily on their way to the student leaders meeting.  Once they were out of my hand I seriously considered popping the cork of sparkling cider (for the babies sake) and celebrating.  Even if they had smashed themselves to bits and pieces getting out of the car, I had done my part.
Don't you just love a story of redemption?
I know I do.

In January, I read... a lot.
The list includes:
Prince Caspian: Book 2 in The Chronicles of Narnia
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis (Book 3 in the Chronicles of Narnia)
The Silver Chair (The Chronicles of Narnia, Full-Color Collector's Edition)
The Horse and His Boy (The Chronicles of Narnia, Full-Color Collector's Edition)
The Magician's Nephew: The Chronicles of Narnia
The Last Battle (Narnia)
and on a slightly different note
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Overall, I enjoyed my books. Of course, I cannot ever come to the end of the Chronicles without shedding a tear and yearning to be with those that I love.  The end of the Last Battle is how I picture heaven and how I hope for things to be.  Running and adventuring through a land that seems so oddly familiar and yet more beautiful than words can express.  Old friends around every corner who are at the peak of their youth, waiting for you with open arms to welcome you home.
*sigh* I love Narnia.

The Kite Runner was an alright read.  I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was not in the bowels of an emotional meltdown.  I sobbed for quite some time after finishing the book.
Pregnancy or the book? Who knows.
It was tragic but gave hope for "ordinary people" to do extraordinary things.
I did read the book in almost one whole day, so I think that speaks to how it captured my attention from the beginning. I simply could not put it down.  I was drawn in and captivated by the author's description of life for these young boys.

Other than that, Hubs and I have just been creating a to-do list for the next six months or so of time.  But for now, we're enjoying the last little bit of our January.