Ruby Reds

Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, spinach, STINK! The farmer's market of central Texas this time of year holds a very pungent, mostly green fare. Of course those particular veggies are the powerhouse of protection against the ailments of winter months. So, with a little less enthusiasm than the more favorable warm weather veggie months and a lot of cheese we manage to get through these months. There is one gift in the mix of winter produce....one sweet, colorful, juicy, FABULOUS gift: Ruby Red Grapefruit. Some of you hear grapefruit and want to turn up your nose. Others of you who prefer a tart twang actually eat the occasional grapefruit but if you have not had a Texas Ruby Red it truly is not what you are imaging. Sure, they are a little tart...but they are sweet, they are pretty, they are super juicy, they need no sugar sprinkling, and in the midst of all the green smelly aforementioned veggies, they are the crowned jewel of winter local eating.

Of course if you have NEVER had a tart taste in your mouth, it doesn't really matter how sweet it also is....the tart bites you. It bit Cutie Pie. You'll see the struggle...she wants it because it's sweet yet she's not sure what to do with the tart twist. I know one person who gets great joy out of babies experiencing a food for the first time. For her, this moment could not go undocumented.

Ruby Red's circa 2012:

Half done

Remember this little sweetie headed to school: 

We're only halfway through but I snapped a picture on the way out the door earlier this week. In 1/2 a year, she sure has transformed. She's still sweet, innocent, loving, empathetic and yet....she's learning so much so fast there are days I can barely keep up. Please Mr. Time, slow down. 

Christmas - come and gone

I know, I know! I'm half way through January. I haven't posted in weeks. Christmas is OVER. But wait....that is because you remember your Christmas.

Here's how it all went down for me:
Sunday before Christmas - drive to my parents house, holding Cutie Pie I kick a suitcase, I'm fairly certain I break a toe, the hubs takes me to an ER in town, I get this ugly shoe:

Toe isn't broken, I just have ligament distress but a few days in this shoe and it's sure to "straighten" back out.

Monday (Christmas Eve) - we wake up and go to 11am church service. At the service I tell the hubs I think I'm getting sick. I haven't been really sick in years so it seems strange. By 1pm I was so sick in bed I could barely get comfortable in bed. Allegedly my Aunt comes that night and I open gifts. I don't remember all of that. I was sick. Really sick. Flu.

Tuesday (Christmas) - I hear that yummy food was had, kids had a blast opening gifts, fun was had by all. I hear I was there for some of it under a blanket in the reclining chair. Again, no memory. I was sick. Really sick. The Hubs notes I was the sickest he has EVER seen me. Geez.

Wednesday - I give up trying to partake. I just stay in bed. Before going to bed that night my Mom advises I consider a clinic the next day.

Thursday - I go to the clinic. The Dr. who *might have been young, single, handsome, and fit decides to give me a back rub to "loosen" things in my lungs so he can listen for pneumonia. Since I haven't been touched in days I *might have moaned a little. Said Dr. *might have had to remind me that this was not a massage appointment but one in which he was trying to hear my lungs. Thankfully I *might not remember this interaction either. It is determined I am on the pneumonia ledge. I get home in time to discover Cutie Pie has a fever. We call a family friend who is a pediatrician and thankfully he makes a late appointment for her. The Hubs and my Mom whisk her away to see if she is getting the plague. She didn't. Thank you, Lord.

Friday - I finally feel like getting out of bed, eating meals, and interacting with my family. They tell me about Christmas, they order take in from one of my hometown favorites, and the day is over.

Saturday - we get in the car to head home....Christmas has come and gone. I've been to an ER, a clinic, and my baby a pediatrician. I have a VERY expensive (not covered by insurance) orthopedic shoe and allegedly some other gifts that I didn't remember at the time. Needless to say, it wasn't the Christmas I planned in my head.

Here are the only pictures my camera had after it was said and done.....

On that note, I suppose I'll move away from Christmas....we'll dive into 2013 next post. Promise.

Go Cards!

Most days I just post pictures. Pictures like this:

But every once in awhile, I think you should see the pictures come to life. 

Most days are like this...mouths open, opinions spewed, and fun abounding. BUT....on the occasion of U of L (the Hub's alma mater) killing #3 Florida in a bowl game, He joins in the action too. The result was a very spirited bath time. I'm proud of the Cards too, for the record!

Booyah!