Still Waiting

Well, Jeremy and I are still anxiously awaiting Jocelyn's arrival. In the meantime I had a really good day. I did a little bit of shopping, since I can now have light activity.

We had a wonderful dinner. We made Christmas cookies (pictured) Jeremy had way to much fun decorating them, and made a HUGE mess.


I made homemade beef stew. It was so yummy especially on this colder than normal Florida day.

Here is the recipe (from http://www.about.com/):

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds stewing beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced celery
3 cups beef broth
2 carrots
2 medium potatoes
1/2 cup baby lima beans
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
1 jar (12 ounces) small white onions, drained, or about 1 dozen frozen, thawed
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cold water
Preparation:
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the beef in the vegetable oil; add onion and celery and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes longer. Add beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Add the carrots, potatoes, lima beans, and apple juice; simmer for about 30 to 40 minute longer, or until vegetables are tender. Add drained onions and corn; continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes.
In a small bowl or cup, combine flour with cold water until smooth. Add the mixture to the simmering broth, a little at a time, until stew is thickened. Taste and add salt and pepper.
Serve with hot buttered biscuits or cornmeal.Serves 4 to 6.

*I left out the celery because I really don't like celery. I doubled the recipe and added one and half cups of merlot to the broth. It made the broth really sweet and yummy. Jeremy and I didn't even put a dent in it. I kept some for lunch tomorrow and put enough for two different dinners in the freezer. I will have an easy meal for once Jocelyn gets here.


I also did a little bit of shopping. I couldn't resist this dress from Gymboree. It was on sale for $12.99. I am planning on monogramming the hem.









Jocelyn needed a small sweater and I found this one for $7.98 at children's place. It was mark $15 something but was an additional 40% off. It should go with almost everything, so I thought it was a great buy.









I bought this for $5 at Gymboree to go under her Christmas dress. You won't be able to see the "snow cute" but if for some reason her dress gets dirty, she has a cute undershirt as well.









Here is another picture of our tree, now that it has a couple of presents under it.

Yay! I picked up this mirror a couple of day ago. I love this one!! I got a great deal at Home Goods (which is TJ Maxx's homestore). I love this store. I suggest checking there for anything you need for your home.













I thought this was funny! While Jeremy and I were decorating cookies, Lilly and Fletcher were fighting over one of Jeremy's socks.

Lilly won!! She kept the sock right by her side the remainder of the night. She was so proud!