Amy the Mom

I'm over here

Today's post is located over at Mrs. G's place, Derfwad Manor.  I've answered some probing questions, and shared a poem and a recipe for Slow Cook Thursday. 

I'd like to publicly thank Mrs. G for her excellent networking skills.  She is directly responsible for my site traffic doubling, and introducing me to many, many other fine writers.  I'm in awe of her ability to connect with so many people.  On top of that, she's an awesome writer and someone I'd love to sit down to a great meal with. 

One of these days, Heather, I'm buying.

Cha CHING

When Steve brought Nori home last fall, I wasn't full of love and high hopes.  What I was feeling could best be described as dread.  I could only see the dog hair tumbleweeds doubling, and the piles of crap in the yard...piling up.  Both of those concerns have come to fruition. Steve's office coworkers wagered that I would have shipped the dog out to a more willing pet owner within a week.  However, in spite of the drawbacks and dire predictions, I fell in love with this little dog.  Little being a relative term, since at 55 pounds she is exactly half of Clark's girth, and hardly diminutive by any other standard.  She's just so sweet and good natured and has the most animated personality, I can't help myself. 

In spite of his bulk, Clark is the biggest fraidy cat I have ever seen.  He will bark menacingly at strangers who come to the door, but recoil in terror if they extend their hand.  Nori, on the other hand sees everyone as a potential playmate and showers strangers with kisses.  While I am sure that two big black dogs are a deterrent to any intruders in our home, I know that we'd be screwed if we had to rely on those two for any real protection. 

I banned Clark from our bed, yet I'll chastise Steve if he tries to kick Nori off.  She has energy to spare and is constantly begging for a game of fetch.  Just try and watch television at our house without having a slobber covered tennis ball perpetually tossed in your lap.  Everything she does is cute and adorable, and I know I'm a bad owner because I indulge so many of her rotten little habits.  The tennis balls have left slobber imprints all over the walls.  The marble tile is all nicked up from dogs sliding across the surface to catch that ball.   She whines incessantly while I'm cooking, knowing that I'll submit to her plaintive cries and toss her a treat.

Clark was just as reluctant about his new companion as I was, but he seems to adore her now, too.  He's not nearly as lethargic as he was prior to her introduction, and unlike Jackson, she's a willing and enthusiastic playmate.  He's even lost 15 pounds just from the increase in activity.  Occasionally, her antics wear thin on his nerves and he'll growl menacingly as a warning, and once or twice we've had to intervene when she pushed him right over the edge.  Overall though, they are ideal companions. 

Of course, a post about Nori wouldn't be complete without a financial report.  She's been plagued by yeast infections in her ears (AGAIN), and for the last few days has been doing the "helicopter head"-shaking her head so vigorously that her ears flap against her skull, creating a sound very much like a chopper's propeller.  I'm sure I'll need to spend more coin proving my love for this dog. 

So worth it.   

One Year

One year ago today, I posted my first blog entry.  I had no lofty aspirations, I thought it would be a tidy way to update family and friends out of state about current affairs in the household and an efficient way to record and share my recipes.  I never thought I'd be the next Dooce or Pioneer Woman. 

Three hundred and sixty-five days later, and I'm sure neither Heather or Ree are looking over their shoulders to see if I'm gaining on them.  What I never expected from this little vanity project is the connections I've made with people all over the country.  I'm amazed and often intimidated at the talent and creativity of fellow bloggers.  I can't believe how much I have in common with people hundreds-even thousands-of miles away, and how they feel like old friends even though we've never met.

I've found the writing process comes easier after a full year of putting effort into it.  There are still dry spells to be sure, but as I look through the archives I find myself surprised at how prolific I could be in spite of a demanding lifestyle.  I don't know that I have the full support of my immediate family in this endeavor, but they're willing to humor my obsession for at least another year.

I had high hopes for this post.  I thought that I would spend my "vacation" in Las Vegas in front of my computer, overhauling the appearance and possibly-possibly-starting another, strictly culinary blog.  Today, I would have rolled out these bold new ideas.  Instead, I spent most of the daylight hours on my feet in a convention hall and evenings savoring dishes like Lobster Risotto, which was every bit as delicious as it sounds.  I love this blog, but I love my husband more and in Vegas, something had to give.

Now that I've put those goals out there, I fully intend to bring them to life in the next couple months.  I am passionate about cooking.  I love the process and I love sharing recipes.  I've discovered a new interest in the history of food recently, and that is something I'd love to delve into a little more.  I'd like to challenge myself to try a new recipe every week and to share the results with my readers.  I've grown bored with the look of this site, and want to do some much needed redecorating. 

I don't know where my journey is taking me, but I want to thank everyone who stops here for their support and companionship.  I am flattered and honored that you find my mental meanderings worth your time.