Sharing is Caring

Don't let the face fool you...she's a toy snatcher.  I dropped Say off at daycare this morning and after standing and talking to Ms. Dana for a minute she started reaching to get down on the floor and play with Grace and Marley.  They are both within 2 months of Sayler's age and all are at about the same level developmentally.  Ms.  Dana had some toys out for the girls to play with and Say picked up a couple and started to play with them.  Then it happened...I saw it coming but could not stop it...I was powerless to the toy snatcher.

She reaches over and grabs the toy out of Marley's hand and doesn't bat an eye.  Marley instantly starts screaming to the high heavens and then the toy snatcher had the nerve to look at Marley as if to say, "Toughen up cry baby."

Here's a little secret...it's not the first time this has happened.  She has snatched before.   She's a repeat offender.  A serial snatcher.

Here's another secret.  When Marley started screaming like a banshee after the toy snatcher performed her heinous act of snatching...I thought to myself, "Toughen up cry baby."  Whoopsie daisies.

There's an app for that

OK...I could spend the rest of my life eating nothing but appetizers.  Nothing. But. Appetizers.  I think I will open a restaurant called nothing but appetizers, and then I will spend the rest of my life eating there.  My favorite restaurant in the whole wide world is in Lincoln, NE called Lazlo's.  It is an appetizer lover's dream.  When my friends and I go...we just order a table full of appetizers. It can get a bit embarrassing when the other patrons think the table is being set for some sort of catering event...nope it's all for us peeps...yes just the 3 of us...yes all of it!!!

So one of my favorite appetizers of all time is called Lavosh and it is a fan favorite so I thought I would share the recipe. It's so easy and yummy!!!

So here is what Lavosh is...

It's kind of a pizza, sans sauce on a cracker.

So here are the players:

Lavosh Cracker...you can get these at most grocery stores in the specialty cheese/cracker section.  I always have found them at Hy-Vee.  They come in a pack of 3.  When you pick the package up kind of feel around the edges as many times the crackers can be broken beyond repair.  A little breaking is no big deal but you want it to be as close to a circle as possible.


Creamy Havarti Cheese...if you can find it shredded or if the deli will shred it for you awesomeness.  I have always had to shred my own at home.



OK so here is where you can get creative.  You can add any toppings you like.  I have always found success with green onions, bacon, grilled chicken...all chopped.  But you can do as little or as much as you would like.  Some options that go well with the havarti are:

tomatos
green peppers
turkey
ham
artichoke hearts
mushrooms

Now you could also switch it all up and do a BBQ chicken lavosh with BBQ chicken, monterrey jack cheese,  jalapeños, and red onions.

Ole!!!

Not sure where the Ole fits in here...I think the fact that I used the tilde on the jalapeños got me all sassy and over confidant.

Then you just kind of assemble it like you would a pizza.  Sprinkle the heavier toppings on first (i.e. meat, tomatoes, artichokes) then the lighter toppings (mushrooms, green onions).  The just drench the entire thing with a whole mess of shredded havarti cheese and bake at 400 degrees for about 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.  Then take it out and cut it into squares.  Oh my gravy it's good.
***Don't mistake my use of the word gravy as a topping suggestion...because ewwwww.

So in closing...appetizers.  Live them, love them, exist exclusively on them.  You won't regret it!

Cracks in the foundation

Sorry if this post is all over the place, but that is kind of where my emotions are tonight so bear with me.  There are some things in life that you just rely on as "givens", things known to be true, gospel ...these are the foundation of life.  The foundation creates stability and security.  It comforts you in times of worry and supports you in your moments of weakness.  Well...there are cracks in the foundation tonight and they are ugly, and big and permanent.  They cannot be patched.  They cannot be filled.  They will never go away.

A sweet friend from law school found out last night that her daughter died in utero due to a umbilical cord accident. She was 37 weeks in to her pregnancy. 37 weeks...my God.  She delivered her daughter via cesarean section and then she and her husband spent some precious moments with her before they took her away.  Before they took her away... I can barely press the keys to even type those words.  So how does a mother find the strength to allow strangers to take her child that she has just laid eyes on moments before from her...forever?  It is the most gut wrenching image I can imagine.  I have imagined it all day. I have been able to think of nothing else. It has cracked my foundation.

My friends doctor said that one has a better chance of being struck by lightening than losing a child to a cord accident in the womb.  Either he is ill informed, or lightening strikes twice in my circle of friends.  You see...this is not the first time one of us have traveled this path.  Another sweet friend of mine lost her son to a cord accident at 38 weeks pregnant.  And I am just rendered speechless.  But for this one word...why? And that small word...it has cracked my foundation.

Babies are conceived and then 40 weeks later they are born.  Isn't this a piece of our foundation?  If we cannot rely on the truth of that...then how can we rely on anything at all?  Oh God I am angry.  I am disgusted and appalled that You would allow this to happen. People throw their babies in dumpsters for Christ's sake...and you needed my friends children to fulfill some master plan?  It's absolutely unthinkable...and yet, at some point I will have to accept it.  But not yet.  Now I am just looking at these cracks in my foundation...and I cannot remember how it looked before the cracks came.

I don't know how to express to my friend the depths of my sorrow for her loss.  I don't have any words for her...as there really aren't any words for this.  I usually am good with words in situations of grief...but I guess when one is living through what I only experience in nightmares I am at a loss. Scared and worn down by life I guess I am just trying to avoid the cracks.  And trying to hold on to the new foundation that life offers.

This song keeps playing over and over again in my mind and in some way settles my soul a bit.

God Bless you my sweet friend...and my God hold your sweet girl in His arms.

Buh-bye!!!

We've contacted MENSA...they're very interested.

Bye Bye from Stephanie Doss on Vimeo.

8 is Great!!! 8 months old...

Gulp...did I just type "8" months old???  Sayler Jaye Doss!!!  How does this keep happening? Needless to say these little monthly photo ops are getting a bit  trickier...you are a wiggle worm and won't stay put for one second so Daddy and I just make the best of it. I just love you to the moon and you make me smile so much my cheeks are in an eternal state of soreness from all of the happy!!! Here is what you have been up to:

• You're still in a size three diaper...will probably be in a 3 for a while as it goes up to like 28 lbs.  Thank goodness as Mommy bought like 33,000 size 3 diapers form Amazon.com!
• You have been experimenting with table food a little bit.  Mommy has given you toast and mandarin oranges and you have loved them.  You have also been eating cheerios like it is your job.  I give them to you on the little tray on your walker and you tool around the house eating your cheerios...and dropping half of them along the way.  We always know where you have been as there is a trail of cheerios behind you.
• You finally said mama about a week ago...and the crowd goes wild!!!  I know you have no idea what you are saying but I don't care one bit...I just melt every time I hear it.
• You are starting to get a little bit attached to your mama and fuss a bit sometimes when I hand you off to someone else or set you down.
• You are really trying to get up on 2 feet and stay there.  You are pulling to stand with no problem and you want to cruise so badly but you can't seem to figure out how to hold on and make your feet move at the same time.  But you will figure it out in no time I'm sure.  The other day you climbed up nearly 3 stairs before I made Daddy pull you down and tell you no.  He was amazed that you were doing it and I was ready for you to stop!!!
• Sleep training has taken longer than we had hoped...we are on day 10 right now and just got done listening to you cry for about 40 minutes.  Mommy sat at the dinner table and cried too...it is so hard for me to hear you cry.  I just wanted to run into your room grab you up and snuggle you all night long. But I know that is not what is best for you...so we are sticking with it.  You have slept entirely through the night probably 6 nights out of the 10 we have been doing sleep training.  And that is so awesome.  I wake up no less that 3 times in the night to go check on you and make sure you are still breathing.  I asked Aunt Shelly if that fear ever goes away and she told me...no.  So I guess I better get used to it because she says I will be doing it until you go away to college...lucky you!!!  I'm not sure how long it will take to get to a no tears bedtime consistently, but we are going to keep at it.  You're such a trooper and I know you will get the hang of it soon my sweetie peetie.

You my love, are my sunshine and I just can't tell you how much better you make our lives.  We are so lucky to be your Mommy and Daddy baby girl.  Love you all the way up to the moon...and back!!!

Love,

Mommy

What a girl wants

The following series of photos just tickles me.  

"Hmmmm...what's this sitting here all unsupervised and what-not?" 

(apparently in my mind my child's thoughts are akin to Miss Teen South Carolina)

"I think I'll just go ahead and scoop this up...it looks like it could come in 

handy for future endeavors including but not limited to 

My Little Ponies, American Dolls and/or Skittles."

"O.M.G.........can a girl get a little privacy puh-lease!!!"

"Dad...it's all good.  I'm just checking things out to make sure everything is as it should be up in here." (she also channels Lil' Kim too it seems).

"Phew!!!  I think he bought it...it's easy to get away with stuff when you are this cute and such as."

My girl likes to party all the time...

Ever since we moved to KC we have had quite the social calendar.  It is exactly why we moved back to the mid-west so we have been having a lot of fun catching up and meeting new friends.

A few weeks ago my best friend Shelly had a welcome home party for us at her house and it was so much fun.  Sayler got to meet her future BFF Katie.  My friend Bethany and I have decided to make these 2 enter into an arranged bestie situation...because we would love to ensure each of the 2 of them have friends with cool parents!!!

The first date...a bit awkward at first.

Katie wants to know who this crazy lady is holding her.

Then the Daddies got in the game...the girls will be mortified during this photo op in say 13 years or so.

Then this past weekend Sayler got invited to her first birthday party by her friend Samani.  He was turning 2 and had a birthday party at the Loose Park splash park.  Sayler was too little for the water fun...but I envision many weekends being spent running around like a maniac in the near future.  We had a lot of fun even though it was H.O.T hot.  And even though Sam's mom Holly had called the park twice to confirm the water was turned on at 10am...it wasn't actually turned on until 11am.  So we had an hour to kill with the kids in the heat...but we made the best of it!!!

Holly brought the yummiest red velvet cupcakes and these sugar cookie cups that I am still fantasizing about.  

Sam taught that cupcake a lesson...

Mom...it's hot out here.  Can I get a swig of your water please?

Ahhhhh...refreshing.

Pryor got in on the 10am cupcake action too

Look at all the sweaty mother hens clicking away

OK this cracked me up.  Look at proper little Miss Ellie with her legs crossed!!!

Mom...when is the water gonna be on???

What up my homie...just chillin with my Daddy.

Thank God Almighty...the water turner onner finally got there!!!

Let the wet and wild fun begin!!!  This is little Miles and he was fearless running around in the splash park.  He was just so precious.

Here is Sam.  I like to call Sam "The Lone Wolf." He's like, "look guys...I don't really need a wolf pack.  I'm pretty OK just rolling solo."  And that was what he did!!!

I tried to get Say in on the action...but she wasn't really too thrilled.

My law school classmate Tommy has a little girl Rosemary (RoRo) that was born one day before Sayler.  The girls just hung out with their Daddies and watched the splash silliness from the sidelines.

All of this partying sure does wear a girl out!!!

The Big...Mama.

The video speaks for itself...can you tell I am glowing through the screen???


The Big....Mama!!! from Stephanie Doss on Vimeo.

Mocha Silk Pie...a love story

I love to cook...especially for family and friends.  So when we invited my bestie Shelly and her family over for dinner I wanted to represent in the dessert arena.  So I went to my go to cooking no fail always yummy guru of the culinary stuff...the Pioneer Woman.  Are you guys familiar with P Dubbs (we're tight like that)?  If not...run to her website: http://thepioneerwoman.com/  They are actually making a movie out of her life and Reese Witherspoon is playing PW.  How cool is that?  I have tried several of her recipes and every single one has been SO delicious.  I came across her Mocha Silk Pie and thought it sounded like a cool, creamy party in your mouth.  So I channeled my inner Julie and Julia and documented the process for you my faithful followers (all four of you).

Here are the cast of characters:  Pecans, brown sugar, semi-sweet chocolate (you have to use the 1 ounce blocks...you cannot use chips, you'll see why later on), Kahlua, instant coffee, eggs, salted butter, vanilla, salt.

So, for the crust:  pecans...I'm going to cut you down to size.  Chop the pecans up...you will need one cup.

This is how fine I chopped mine.

Then grate 2 1oz blocks of semi-sweet chocolate.

It's a fine chocolate dust when you're all done.

Then mix the Pecans, chocolate, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, and a dash of salt.

All one happy family.

Uh oh....the party's here!!!  Add 2 tbls. of Kahlua. 

Mix all together until the entire mixture is moist (I hate that word...I also hate the words Olathe and urethra.)  I'm a random mystery of a woman that likes to make pie people...come along for the ride.  Now, put your crust in the fridge while you make the filling.  Oh the filling...how I love me some filling. 

OK...start by melting 3 oz.'s of semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave.  I put mine in for 45 seconds, took it out and stirred it a bit and then put it back in for 30 seconds more.

Here's how it looks all melty and good.  Set this aside for a bit and let it cool completely.

Let's get our mix on.  If you do not have a stand alone mixer I do not recommend making this pie.  And now your standing there with your hand mixer elbow deep in filling saying bad words at me.  Maybe I should have mentioned this whole stand alone mixer business a few steps back...like at the beginning...Schorry!!!  You'll see why a stand alone mixer is imperative when we get to the eggs.

So put 2 sticks of salted butter (room temperature), 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 2 tsp. of instant coffee grounds, and 1 tsp. Kahlua.

Mix together on medium speed until light and fluffy...like a coffee cloud.

Now remember that melty, yummy, bowl of chocolate you sat aside? Pour that into your coffee fluff.  Scrape the bowl clean with a spatula to get all of the chocolate into the bowl.  GET IN THE BOWL!!!

Begin mixing again on medium speed and add 1 tsp. of vanilla.

When the chocolate is completely blended stop the mixer and add one of the 4 eggs.  Mix this egg into the filling for 5 minutes on medium.  After 5 minutes add the 2nd egg and let that mix for 5 minutes.  Do this for all 4 eggs (i.e. it should take you 20 minutes to blend in all 4 eggs).  See why I told you that the only way to go was a stand alone mixer?  I'm here for you friends...lean on me.

When you get to the last egg...your filling should be really coming along.

Well, well, well....look at you.

Next pour the filling into your pie crust.  There will be some left over and I encourage you to do the right thing here and give that extra filling a good home...your belly.

Well hello beautiful!!!

I'm taking this little beauty for a test drive tonight at my dinner party...I'll let you know what the verdict is then.

Here's the recipe for you all laid out simple like:

Prep Time: 35 Minutes

Cook Time: 2 Hours

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• Crust
• 1 cup Pecans, Finely Chopped
• ½ cups Packed Brown Sugar
• 2 ounces, weight Semi Sweet Chocolate Grated
• 2 Tablespoons Kahlua
• Dash Of Salt
• Filling
• 2 sticks Butter (salted)
• 1-½ cup Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Instant Coffee Granules
• 1 teaspoon Kahlua
• 3 ounces, weight Semi-sweet (or Bittersweet) Chocolate
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 4 whole Large Eggs

Preparation Instructions

To make the crust, combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, grated chocolate, and salt. Stir with a fork to combine, then drizzle in Kahlua, stirring until combined. Press mixture into a pie pan, bringing it up the sides a bit. *Do not bake* Set aside or refrigerate until needed.

In small microwave safe bowl, melt 3 ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate until stirrable (about 45 seconds on high). Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter, sugar, 2 teaspoons instant coffee, and 1 teaspoon Kahlua until fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. When melted chocolate is cooled, drizzle it into the butter/sugar mixture as it beats on medium speed; use a rubber spatula to get it all out. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat the mixture thoroughly until combined, scraping the sides if necessary.

On medium speed, add the four eggs, one at a time, over a period of 20 minutes; leave about 5 minutes between each egg addition. Scrape sides of bowl halfway through this process. Pour filling into the pie crust. You might have a little filling leftover. If you do, I’ll trust you to do the right thing.

Smooth out the pie filling and place pie in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours (preferably longer).

Serve with whipped cream and more grated chocolate.