A. tells us about Christmas

Our 5-year-old nephew performed his Christmas poem for us many times. Here's one such performance.

L's Poem

Here's a video of our 3-year-old niece reciting a caterpillar poem.

Thanksgiving Dinner!

Our Day with the Irish

BRRRRRR!!!! Yesterday, we took the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a Notre Dame football game...at an affordable price. Our neighbor managed to squeeze four tickets out of a co-worker who is an alum of Notre Dame. So, yesterday the four of us bundled up and headed over to South Bend, Indiana. We left at 8 am with lots of layers, handwarmers, hats, coats, and hoods and made our way to Indiana where 6 inches of snow greeted us. We parked about 1 mile from the stadium, so we had a good chance to wander through the campus before and after the game. During the game, we all nearly froze to death, but had a great time watching and being a part of all the Notre Dame football traditions. We were exhausted when we arrived back home around 11:00 and crashed into a bed of warm flannel sheets. Perhaps I can convince K to leave his dissertation alone for a few minutes to add some more details, but I need to get back to my papers, so enjoy the slideshow for now---click the little caption icon to get some narration.

Pumpkin Trifle

Lots of people have been asking for the recipe for this fabulously easy and delicious dessert. Here it is...

3 cups heavy cream
15 oz pumpkin puree
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
pinch ground cloves
pinch salt
7.5 oz. marshmallow cream
3 cups chopped gingersnaps, plus some crushed gingersnaps for sprinkling

Using an electric mexier, beat the cream until stiff. Reserve 2 cups whipped cream for serving; refrigerate until ready to serve

In a large bowl, stir together the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Fold in half the marshmallow cream, then half the whipped cream. Repeat with the remaining marshmallow cream and whipped cream until combined.

Spoon one-third of the pumpkin mousse into a clear glass serving bowl, spreading evenly, and sprinkle half the cookies on top. Repeat with half the remaining mousse and the remaining cookies, then top with the final layer of mousse. Cover with plasic wrapt and refigerate at least 1 hour and up to 4 horus. Just before serving, top with reserved whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed gingersnaps.

You could also layer it in smaller glasses for individual servings.

The Amazing Hairy Bru-dini

I have been getting in trouble with P the past couple of weeks because I have allegedly forgotten to lock Bruchi in his kennel, thus leading to Bru greeting us as soon as we walk in the door. Apparently, I am "too preoccupied with other things" (e.g. dissertating, job stuff, etc.) and simply overlook the fact that the kennel needs to be latched. I was vindicated, however, when my suspicion that Bruchi had learned to open the latch on his kennel door proved to be true. Apparently, P had come home with Bru locked in his kennel only to find that, moments later, he joined her in the closet as she hung up her coat. Bru (a.k.a. the amazing bru-dini) has gotten out four times this week, which increases the escape total to about ten. Shockingly, he hasn't gotten into any trouble or made any messes once he has been out; he simply contents himself with sleeping on the couch.

Of course, those who know the history of Bruchi's precocious nature will not be surprised by this news. You will remember that we had to change all of the door handles upstairs because Bru learned to open them. Bru has also learned to prop himself up on the edge of the kitchen counter and swipe down anything that is not kept at an obscene distance (he has pulled down two Papa Murphy's pizzas).