Warning: Not A Single Coherent Thought To Be Found

Today, I'm going to post in stream-of-consciousness because, while I'm unable to form a coherent thought, I hate going days without posting. So, I thought that I'd show you a glimpse inside of my very chaotic brain, which is primarily caused by the fact that next week is going to be stressful. Truth be told, I'm trying my best not to climb under my desk and curl up into the fetal position in a direct imitation of the baby in my womb. Oh how I envy that baby right about now. All warm and cozy, without a care in the world. I, on the other hand, feel vulnerable and exposed and panicked because I have two presentations to give in less than a week and I'm not prepared for either of them. At all. Please hold me?

Compounding the fact that I'm presenting data that I have yet to run is that the fact that I'm in that weird in-between stage of pregnancy where my regular clothes don't fit right, but maternity clothes are still kind of big and awkward. I've always prided myself on the fact that even if I don't know what I'm doing or saying, at least I look like I do, so presenting data (that I don't have) and looking sloppy in the process is simply not an option. I must figure out what I'm wearing. Please hold me?

I also have no clue what I'm eating. Not today, not tomorrow, not this weekend. My in-laws are in town, which means that the Irishman is basking in the smorgasbord of meat that my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law have been cooking. Just to give you an idea, they've made stuffed cabbage, ham and bean soup, sausage and baked beans and I believe that my crock pot is currently occupied by a tenderloin cooking in sauerkraut. While I'm perfectly happy fending for myself (as the only non-carnivorous person in the house), I haven't taken the time to think up a proper menu. Or go to the store. Or look in the fridge. Please hold me?

So please forgive this minor lapse in my characteristically type A, control freaky personality. I'm taking the day to be a spaz so that tomorrow, I can pull it together, throw together a presentation that will pass muster and figure out what the heck I'm eating. Your regularly scheduled programming here on the Daily Cynema will resume as planned in 32 hours, give or take 6 minutes.

Now, please excuse me while I give into the temptation to hide under my desk. That's where I'll be if you decide to show up and hold me.

Our First Snow

Here are some images from our first official snow fall last weekend. The snow melted within a couple of hours, but it was beautiful to wake up and see the yard sprinkled with white.

You've gotta love Parker's rain boot/pajamas combination:

Our poor flowers were so confused:

We didn't even know we had a view of the opposing mountain until all of the leaves fell off of the trees:

Naked branches are everywhere:

Part of our backyard:

We need to crank up the hot tub during the next snow fall!

My New Favorite Foundation

During a whirlwind trip to a real city on Saturday, I made a stop at Sephora, one of my favorite stores. The closest thing to a makeup emporium in our tiny town is the local CVS, so I usually wait until I'm in a city with a population larger than 2500 to shop for new makeup. My summer colors are now too dark for my zero tanned skin and I ran out of the products that I had used last winter.

I love the fact that in Sephora, you can sample and try the products until you're satisfied that you've found exactly what you're looking for. Also, if you plan your Sephora stop at the beginning of your shopping excursion, you can see how long the makeup lasts before deciding whether to purchase it. Think of it as a makeup test drive. There is nothing worse than shoppers remorse when it comes to makeup. Okay, maybe there are a couple of things that are worse (world hunger, climate change, a surprise elimination from Dancing with the Stars), but it ranks pretty high up there.

Well, during my Sephora trip, I came across this makeup: Stila's One Step Foundation. On their packaging, this product boasts of acting as a primer, concealer, foundation and powder all in one step. Also, it's a mineral based formula and Paraban-free, so it's not quite as bad for your skin as traditional foundations. I was definitely skeptical, but since I love so many other Stila products and since I was at Sephora and could try it without committing, I gave it a go.

And you know what? It's a seriously good product. I mean, it's definitely a bit pricey, but if you consider that you no longer need to buy concealer, foundation and loose powder separately, it doesn't seem quite so expensive (or perhaps that's just me justifying the purchase of a new product). If you have a couple of blemishes or blotchy spots, you can build the coverage to cover those up, or you can use less makeup to keep it sheer if you're having a great skin day.

I am crazy splotchy in the winter, so I'm glad that I can at least fake an even skin tone when I'd rather not be mistaken for Rudolph. And thus far, it seems to be pretty long lasting (I've gone 8 hours with only adding a touch of blush around hour 6). I'm headed to San Francisco next week where I will be away from my room all day long for my conference so I'll be sure to report back and let you know how it holds up after 12 hours, but thus far, I'm quite pleased with the results.

So, that's the makeup skinny from the Daily Cynema. Please feel free to use this post to justify the addition of new makeup to your arsenal this fall. I don't mind being a scapegoat and it will make me feel better if I have company in my addictions. I'm sure that's diagnosable.

Spaghetti Squash Pie

Ladies and gentlemen, you must trust me here and make this pie. It's a dessert. It's made with spaghetti squash. It tastes like coconut. I don't know how the transformation happens, but I do know that I lied to a room full of house guests and told them that it was a coconut pie and not only did they believe me, but they ate the entire thing in one sitting. The sliver that I got to taste was seriously excellent. It goes without saying that the person who invented this is a genius!

Here's what you need:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups cooked, shredded spaghetti squash
• 1 deep (9 inch) pie shell, baked
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat the sugar and eggs together in a mixing bowl until light and frothy. Beat in the butter, lemon juice, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the spaghetti squash. Pour the mixture into the prebaked pie shell. If desired, dust the top with nutmeg and cinnamon.
3. Bake the pie in preheated oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool on a rack before serving. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

Please make this as soon as possible and then report back here and tell me what you think. I'm eager to hear whether you folks are as amazed as I was on how incredible this pie was. I still can't get over the 3 cups of squash that serve as the primary ingredient. Simply amazing.

Quickening

There is nothing quite like the awareness you gain when you feel your baby move for the first time. There are so many emotions that tumble through you one on top of the other: amazement, relief, joy, security, happiness. Thankfully, our little jelly bean has made his/her presence known big time over the last handful of days.

Last week, I wasn't really sure if I was finally feeling the baby or whether it was just indigestion. Kind of gross, I know, but the nudges are so faint initially that it's easy to dismiss them as regular tummy things. Then, earlier this week, it was unmistakable. While some people describe the sensation as bubbles rising up or popcorn popping, to me, it feels like a goldfish is swimming around in my belly. I picture the baby stretching and flexing and moving with dream-like grace in his or her warm home. I smile knowing that for just this moment, everything is okay. After 4 months of blind faith that everything is fine, it's calming for such solid reaffirmation.

My next appointment is in just under 3 weeks and we'll get to see the jelly bean on an ultrasound. If I can convince my husband that we need to know whether the bean is a boy or a girl, we'll also learn the sex (if the baby cooperates, of course).

My Happy Place

When I think of my happy place, I think of the picture above. Whether I'm at work or simply out and about, I long to be snuggled up on the couch with my family (furry and human), safe and sound and all in one place. While I often have wanderlust and succumb to my need to travel, by the 3rd day away, I think back to my warm and comfy house and wonder why I ever felt the need to leave. I'm always glad that I did though because it makes coming home all that much sweeter.

For the first time in a number of years, we're probably going to stay put for Christmas and while we'll miss seeing our extended family in Florida, part of me is relishing the thought of being alone with my boys and dreaming about who our next addition will be come spring.

Fall Marches On

As the leaves fall steadily from the trees, I try to soak up the last days of beautiful leaves before we fade into the sepia tones of winter.

Don't get me wrong, the bare branches of winter definitely have their own appeal, but there's something about the vibrancy of the fall leaves that speaks to me.

Or maybe it speaks to my inner decorator who is drawn to those colors more than any others.

Regardless, I desperately will the leaves to hang on for one more week before taking their leave until next October.