Happy Inauguration Day

I did not vote for President Barack Obama, and I do not agree with all that he proposes to do, but I am hopeful for the future and was touched and impressed my his inaugural address today. I wanted to post a couple of highlights from his speech (followed by my own commentary).

"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. "

I appreciated the emphasis on hard work. It seems that too often people in our nation want something for nothing, and expect to be rewarded without making the tough decisions that lead to success.

"Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age."

While I certainly didn't hear this from either side during the campaign, it was refreshing to hear the President acknowledge that the current economic crisis is at least in part the responsibility of our nation collectively. Sure, we can blame Wall Street, but haven't we as a nation been living outside of our means, and consuming far more than we are producing?

"To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."

To the humanitarian in me, this was good to hear. I believe that where much is given, much is required, and that as a blessed nation, we have the responsibility to bear the burdens of others who are not so fortunate. I hope that President Obama puts his money where his mouth is.

"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate."

The final statement in this paragraph touched me. As the institution of the family breaks down around us, I really appreciated the recognition of necessity of nurture from parent to child in the success of our nation and our future. The role of parenthood is often diminished by the media and society, and as I prepare to be a mother, I know that it is one of my very most important roles, and that there I can do more to shape the future than in any career I might pursue.

If you missed the address, you can find the full text here.

Here's to The United States of America and the peaceful transfer of power. Happy Inauguration Day!

Today's Project

I had the day off work today (bless Martin Luther King Jr.) so I decided to make an attempt at productivity. I braved the snow (yes, snow! It's the first real snowfall of the winter here in MD!) and headed to Jo Ann fabrics to check out the flannels, and ended up creating these!
In case you can't tell, pictured above is a receiving blanket and a burp cloth for baby. I was quite pleased with the results and even pondered starting a dot com and selling them. ;) We'll see.

Here is a close up of the "embroidery" along the edges.
Unfortunately I can't really take the credit, but I will say that I have an amazing sewing machine whose possibilities I am only now discovering!

This project represents the first thing(s) in our house for the baby, unless you count the happy meal toy that we have been saving "for the baby" since we don't have any other toys. It makes it seem just a little more real.

Speaking of Spice

When I was little I remember "writing" a cookbook. I don't think I even tried out the recipes first. I just thought things up, and wrote them down. I distinctly recall reinventing the hamburger without realizing it (of course my recipe called for sliced bread instead of hamburger buns, so it was pretty different). I recently re-discovered what has since then been a hidden talent. I am really good at making soup, from scratch, without a recipe. I just see the soup in my head, and go to work. I haven't made a bad one yet. This week I made one that was particularly good, and I thought I would try to write down the recipe in an effort to share. (Keep in mind that I wasn't making specific measurements at the time...it was more like, toss in a little of this, some of that...but I'll try to be as accurate as possible).

Creamy Potato Zucchini Soup

3 medium potatoes (cubed)
1 medium zucchini (diced)
1 small onion (chopped)

2 Tb butter/margarine
2Tb flour
2 C milk
1 C grated cheese (I used cheddar...you could use whatever you have)
1 Tb corn starch
1Tb cold water

Salt
Pepper
Thyme

Boil diced potatoes (I left skins on, but you could peel them if you want) in enough water to cover them, with a few dashes of salt. After a few minutes, add the chopped onion. When potatoes are nearly soft, add the zucchini. Discard any water that is above the line of the vegetables, add pepper and a few dashes of thyme, and let simmer.

In another saucepan, melt butter and mix in flour until smooth. Then add milk, and stir until flour/butter mixture is mostly dissolved. Add cheese and stir until melted. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth, and then add to creamy mixture. Stir. When mixture begins to thicken, add to the vegetables and water. Stir well, and continue to let simmer. Add more salt, pepper, and thyme to taste. Serve hot.

Serves about 6, also reheats well (though it continues to thicken in the fridge).

I served the soup with fresh bread and a salad. For the more carniverously inclined, it could be served as a side with some type of meat dish. Try it out and let me know if it was really awful, in which case I probably made a dreadful mistake in writing it down, because it was really good when I made it. :)

Sugar and Spice

Now that you've gotten over the initial shock, I'll go ahead a say a little more. We are SO excited to be having a little girl! I think we both knew it would be a girl long before the confirmation at the ultrasound, but it was SO fun to see her in there moving around like a real little person. I think she's totally adorable despite any alien/jack-o-lantern-esque features she may have due to her extremely young age. The technician at the ultrasound said, and I quote, "This is a WILD baby!". My doctor said the same thing while searching for the heartbeat at my appointment a few hours earlier. She's a little mover and a shaker. I have even started to feel her move, which is so much fun. I have to say that these new evidences of pregnancy are much more pleasant than the earlier manifestations (though I must admit that I'm not fully over the sick phase yet...maybe by the third trimester).

Here she is, mouth wide open, giving a shout out to mom and dad.

Here are the "It's a girl!" flowers Jon brought me.

And finally, a belly picture. I have really just started showing in the last few weeks, and it's really fun to look pregnant. I feel validated, or something like that.
Not the world's BEST picture, but since when have I been vain about the pictures I post of myself on this blog?

It's a...

I hope someday she will forgive me for posting this picture...how embarrassing!

Boy or Girl?

The results are in, but we want to know what you think before we spill the beans. So VOTE in the poll asap! (If you already know, you are not allowed to vote, okey dokey smokey?)
Pretty cute if I do say so myself. :)

Another year gone...

Okay, so I haven't blogged in a long time, and I am WAY overdue for a post, but we are still in Austin and left our camera cord in Baltimore, so I can't post any pictures and therefore will wait to write updates on the holiday fun, and instead, I will fill out this survey about 2008 that I saw on Hannah's blog. Ha!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Graduated from college, got married, went on a cruise, moved to Maryland, visited New York City, got a paid job teaching High School.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Don't remember what they were. But maybe it was to get married, and in that case, yes. I didn't make any official "resolutions" for 2009, but I have some goals.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

YES! Main ones would have to be Crystal and MARIA who made me an aunt for the first time.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Grandma Haynie.

5. What countries did you visit?

Umm, this was a bit of a slow year for international travel, but I did go to Mexico twice.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Maybe a baby. And a house/mortgage.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 23rd, I married my best friend.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Is getting married an achievement? Or a major event? Hmmm...perhaps graduating from college.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Jon beat me at rummikub.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

In my case I believe pregnancy qualifies as illness. And I bruised my big toe. But that was nothing compared to the 2005 bout with appendicitis.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Maybe my paprika red 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Or the Sparkling Cinnamon Yankee Candle.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Jon for cleaning the house, fending for himself for dinner, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, and standing by me (literally) while I repeatedly lost my breakfast/lunch/dinner. And my mom and Maria for talking to me on the phone for hours and hours.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My students'.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Silver Spring Station Luxury Apartments.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting pregnant.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

No Air by Jordin Sparks.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, but with a really good excuse.
c) richer or poorer? Richer. But that may not last.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Sewing, scrapbooking, reading.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Vomiting.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

In Utah with my whole fam and my honey.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Why yes, I did.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Jon and Kate + 8

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I can't think of anyone I hate.

24. What was the best book you read?

Maybe the Fitzwilliam Darcy series. I also finished re-reading the Anne of Green Gables series this year. Love, love, love.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Um, I don't know. Sorry.

26. What did you want and get? Boots.

27. What did you want and not get? A pony. Just kidding.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Maybe Get Smart.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Threw up, went to half of a conference for first year teachers, threw up again, sat around the house, then ate take-out PF Changs with Jon and opened presents. I turned 27.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If I were teaching AP Spanish instead of Spanish 2.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Layers are good.

32. What kept you sane? Jon for sure.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I'm kind of sick of celebrities and public figures, though I have always admired Stacy and Clinton.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Proposition 8.

35. Who did you miss? My family. So much.

36. Who was the best new person you met? Michelle and Ralph, my office mates, are seriously awesome.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Pregnancy stinks, but apparently the end justifies the means, or something like that.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "I believe I can fly. Whew! I believe I can touch the sky..." j/k. I have no idea. This year has been so crazy that it's basically impossible to summarize. But it has probably been the most exciting year of my life. Go 2008!

That's all folks! Happy 2009!