Happy Birthday Mommy Stacey!

Ah, my stunningly beautiful baby sister, who has clearly never been happier in her whole entire life than she is being a mommy to Cooper. Look at her! She had a baby less than two months ago! Not fair... Except that she is born to be a mommy. When Cooper gets fussy, and you put him in her arms - yes, he immediately stops crying. Mommy! He knows where love and comfort (and the boob) lie. And it most certainly lies with Mommy Stacey, who is brimming with love and peace and happiness for her baby boy. And he is worthy, that Cooper Dooper Doo. Oh, he's as sweet and soft and adorable as they come, a cooing, smiling, fidgeting, grunting, snorting, sighing, red-haired, fat-cheeked, silky-skinned bundle of cuteness. The two of them, and Daddy Bowen too, are happy and content and it's just...awesome. Have a great day!

Well, we all got seriously rained on at Nathan's baseball game tonight. I had to slip off my adorable new metallic gold J. Crew flip flops and go barefoot to spare them the puddles - fashion before comfort, you know. Luckily I wore a raincoat, and my Feminine Hijinx baseball cap (curly hair and rain do NOT mix, not for even a minute, I don't care what anti-frizz product I douse my hair with; sometimes, only a hat will do, and that's just the way it is). My hat goes off to Gayle Rempfer, one of the very few women I know who can manage to look gorgeous even in the rain. She and other noble parents are grinding through a Little League board meeting as I write this - a big round of applause for parents who volunteer! Especially parents who volunteer to attend sometimes-heated 8 pm meetings on a Monday night. Eeek. Now THAT'S commitment.

I am (somewhat guiltily) not suffering through a meeting, exhausted, dreading heading out into the pouring down rain (it is truly POURING right now, sheets of rain, no umbrella could stand up to this). Instead, I am home. Admittedly cozy, warm, and dry, with a full tummy. And I'm grateful. Whipped up a simple pasta with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Shower of freshly grated Parm. A classic. Simple and absolutely delicious and best of all, comforting. (Recipe posted in comments, below.) Oh, how I cherish comfort after discomfort (as we all do). Is anything better than coming in from the cold? Or changing into dry clothes after being soaked? Or a warm meal when you've been cold and hungry? Or a cool drink on a hot, dry day? May you be experiencing the comfort of a dry, warm home this evening. And sleep tight.