Cactus and Succulent Garden

The other day I got the idea to build terrariums with the kids. We built two, and then I also built this cactus garden. I love the way they turned out.

You can read more about building the terrariums over at TM.

I've been working hard on decorating the house: painting, hanging art, and arranging the rooms. The dining room needed something, and I think the terrarium scene is exactly the feel I wanted. I can't wait to show you some of the other projects, just as soon as they're finished.

Cheers!

Apple Cider Donuts

I'm over at TodaysMama with a recipe for apple cider donuts from one of my favorite bakeries, Les Madeleines in Salt Lake City. The donuts were a huge hit at our house. Lulu helped herself to seventeen in a row, and then hide the rest around the house in case she got peckish later. I hope that they are still there in November so the mice are well fed and cozy.

Best Guacamole: The Mexicali 4am Hangover Special

When I signed up for the California Avocado Dinner at Evo Conference two weeks ago, I'll admit that I didn't really read the fine print. My friends were going, I like avocados, there you go. I walked in an found my friends Shannon and Erica at a table. We were chatting when Erica said something that caught my attention about the chefs cooking for us. I don't even remember what it was (you'll see why,) but it prompted me to turn around and there, right behind me, was Susan Feniger.

And I completely, totally, lost. my. cool.

As in I jumped up, started breathing really fast, turned to Shannon and Erica and said, "OHMYGOSHTHAT'SSUSANFENIGERYOUGUYSYOUGUYS." To their credit, they both looked at me as if I was a plaid cow and said, "Who?" "SUSANFENIGER" I hyperventilated, "One of the most famous chefs in the world, she's been on Top Chef Masters, had her own cooking shows, practically introduced haute Mexican to America with her partner Mary Sue Milliken and OHMYGOSH SHE'S RIGHT THERE." I turned around, knocked over a couple chairs, and introduced myself. Susan had the most joyous smile on her face. "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE," I said.
"Well, who did you expect?" she said. I didn't have an answer.
"Could I get a picture?" I asked.
"Of course!"

It's probably a good thing that I didn't see Mary Sue Milliken on the other side of the room or I would have fainted dead away. I so, so lost my cool.

Before we dined, we split into teams of four to compete to make the best guacamole. We were judged on taste, presentation, and the name. I turned to Erin, sitting next to me, and said, "I will bury you." I'm a little competitive. As luck would have it, Erica was on my team! We brainstormed some ideas and came up with a backstory and recipe. Our team went up against 11 others, and we WON! WE WON! IN YOUR FACE, ERIN. Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken picked ME! I mean, picked my team.

The Mexicali 4a.m. Hangover Special

You spend the night in Mexicali and some bad, bad stuff went down. It's 4a.m. and you have to be back in L.A. to work by 9. You need something to set you right again, something so that your boss will never suspect the night of you are leaving behind.

4 ripe California Haas Avocados
1/3 c diced bacon bits
1 hardboiled egg, chopped
1 TBL diced tomatoes
1 TBL minced red onion
2 tsp minced jalapeno
2 tsp rice wine vinegar
Dash of chili flakes
Salt to taste

Topping:
1/3 c sour cream
1 Tbl chiles in adobo sauce
Dash of salt
Cotija cheese
Lime juice
Tortilla chips

Mix sour cream, adobo sauce, and salt together, set aside.
Toss all ingredients except the avocados together, add three peeled and pitted avocados, gently mash them into the ingredients, being careful to keep some large chunks of avocado. Check seasoning, add more salt or more vinegar as needed. Halve the remaining avocado, remove pit, hollow out a little more, gently remove the avocado from the skin. Salt the avocados. Spoon the guacamole into the hollowed avocados, dollop with sour cream, set on top of tortilla chips, sprinkle with cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime.

(Sorry about the poor picture quality, I was so busy acting cool I'd forgotten to talk the plastic off the back of my phone. Keep it together, keep it together.)

S'Mores Bars

This week on TodaysMama.com we're doing a cookie bake-off.

I made up a S'Mores bar recipe after I tried one in a restaurant and it was gross. I figured I could make one that was way better. I was way right....

S'Mores Bars at TodaysMama

I Interview Isaac Mizrahi

image credit

The other day I texted Noelle to tell her that designer Nanette Lepore was on Project Runway All Stars that night. She replied back that she was in a fight with Nanette and wouldn't be watching. I said that's OK, because when I was talking to Isaac Mizrahi the other day, he said Diane Von Furstenberg was the best guest judge this season so far. 

Did you like that name drop? Oh, that one was fun to do.

Read my interview with Isaac Mizrahi here.

The Dreaded 2011 Recap

I posted a recap of my 2011 over at Todaysmama.com, because I thought you might like to read it. If you don't want to read it, I'm sure you can find something else on the Internet to read (if you look very carefully.)

Although I one of the promises I made to myself when I started blogging was that I would only post when I felt like it, and I'd never apologize for not posting, I'm going to do both right now. I've been happily buried with a writing project lately and haven't had much time for posting, and I am sorry. There are lots of things to share with you soon, but for now I hope you'll be satisfied with a thank you note of sorts:

Thank you for reading The Jet Set over the years. I spout a lot of nonsense and you routinely read it and, for some reason, keep reading.  I love your eyeballs, they're downright fancy. Now let's hug. I promised myself I wouldn't cry. *waves hands in front of eyes*

Brief Interviews with Important People

I got to interview Bob Iger, who I guess is kind of a big deal, being that he runs Disney. (All of it.) Tom Staggs was also present, and I accosted him with questions as well. Those boys can think on their feet, I tell you what! (They were sitting down at the time.)

Gratuitous sleepy Miss Lulu in Hawaii shot!

Why Did Jenny Go to Hawaii?

Miss Lulu and I were headed to paradise, but I'd still need to work. I'm good with toting baby everywhere, but this trip to Hawaii required some time investment away from baby. Plus, baby deserved to keep her regular nap times no matter what big wig I'd be scheduled to interview--Miss Lulu is that important! We had to have someone come with us.

And who better than Jenny? She really loves kids!

May I recommend her as a traveling companion? Oh, good. 

Only next time I'd like to be on the same flight as my traveling companions so I don't end up holding Miss Lulu in a confined area for 12 hours of travel time each way and completely mess up my back. Ouch. Mama needs a lomi lomi.

What to Do at Aulani

My Trip to Aulani

The Thursday before last Rachael called me up and said, "Dude." (She starts every sentence with "Dude".)

"Dude, do you want to go to Hawaii on Tuesday?"

Do I want to go to Hawaii?

DO I WANT TO GO TO HAWAII?

The answer is yes, I am always wanting to go to Hawaii. I was, however, nervous about how exactly I could make the trip. I asked J and he said "If someone asks you to go to Hawaii you have to go, those are the rules." So thanks to him and my sister Jeffiner for putting up with the boys while I jetted off with Miss Lulu to Honolulu.

You can read more about what I liked and didn't like about Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa over at Today's Mama. Here's a clue: it was Hawaii. Aloha.

I Can't Make This Decision

I have a bit of a conundrum I need your help with, dear reader. I know that pregnant women all over the world are suffering from terrible fetal-maternal health, no skilled attendants to help delivery, are at risk for fistulas, and all kinds of deplorable conditions. So let's talk about my first world problems, OK?

My mother-in-law wants to buy me a glider for this baby. Generous, right? Of course.

But....

Gliders are ugly. They all look like bad, overstuffed 80s furniture. LOOK AT IT TAUNTING US WITH ITS DISGUSTING ROLLED ARMS. Ugly furniture gives me the creeps. And maybe the vurps. EWW.

I've thought about getting a glider and then recovering it--by myself of course because I am cheap, broke, and completely delusional about the amount of sewing projects I can get done in the next week or two.

So when MIL told me that my sister-in-law found an inexpensive glider at IKEA, I got a little excited. Something in my style? Modern-looking? Not cottage-y, sage-y, beige-y, hideous? I want that fictional glider. I couldn't find anything like a glider on their website. I drove to IKEA and scoured the floor, no glider.

I did find the Poang chair and Poang rocker, which both have an ottoman. Boy, are those chairs comfortable, at the right angle, and NOT UGLY. The chair bounces so there is a range of motion that could soothe a baby. The rocker is a rocker, and you understand how that works because you are an intelligent human being. What's more practical, a rocker, or a chair that can transition to a grown-up space?

Turns out my SIL got her glider at Target, not IKEA. Shoot. I'm back to looking at gliders.

Do I accept my MIL's offer for a glider and get one? Even though this is my last baby and a piece of ugly furniture I will hide? Will I really use a glider and am I insane for thinking that I can recover one before I have a baby? What color and brand of glider do I get? The budget can't afford a Dutailier. So I say, Thanks, but I really like this rocker at IKEA and could I get that?

I can't make this decision anymore. And someone make me a drink.




Over at Today's Mama:
What to do about Father's Day

Oh, This Baby

I'm at the stage now where you can't actually stand up after you've been sitting and start moving, you have to stand up, and then wait until everything adjusts. Next comes the part where you tell yourself, Kill Bill style, to move your legs. Move your leg. Go ahead, move it forward. That way. No, seriously, move it. If you're lucky, one of your legs will start moving while your spine screams a rabbit-like protestation.

If there's a wall nearby, all the better, because you don't actually have to pick up your leg, you can kind of lean over, put your hand on the wall, and then try to get your legs to move. After a couple of staggering steps, you feel comfortable enough to push your hands into the small of your back to balance the weight pushing down your front and keep moving your legs. And you thought pushing hands into a lower back was a cliche!

Yesterday morning, after eating oatmeal with dried fruits and nuts, I had raging heartburn. That's ridiculous. There should be no such thing as morning heartburn, and if there is, by Poseidon's Trident I'm going to switch over to chili dogs and hot wings because suffering for granola is stupid. Let's see how you like heartburn NOW, baby doll!

Now, let's gild the lily with a hacking cough with a stuffy nose. I am the picture of glowing abundance! I am Gaia! All should welcome my radiance and post-nasal drip!




Over at Today's Mama:

Summer Time and Bedtimes

Keeping Kids Up and Busy

Don't worry, everyone! I am still pregnant! And it was hot today!

(Lawsy, I can't do many hot days and be this pregnant. I know you were all fussing about the rainy Spring weather, but I needed it--so I could survive and not commit any violent crimes.)

When my midwife told me last week that I wasn't having a baby this week or next, I said, "THANK YOU."

See, I know, even if everyone else thinks it will be at any moment, it won't. Don't get my hopes up otherwise. Baby can't come until the pillows are done and I find the perfect nursery lamp. And I come out of the deep denial I'm in about how I'm going to manage to have a baby, work from home, grow a business, and keep my home and family together. It will be fine, nothing will change, everything will be perfect! Magic!

Lawsy, lawsy, lawsy.

The boys on Mother's Day, when they brought me breakfast in bed.

Ever since Mother's Day, EG will just show up with breakfast in bed for me. I have no idea how he latched onto this idea, but there's nothing quite as delightful as waking up to a banana and berry "face" in the morning with a glass of water. Maybe he feels bad that he got me sick with this deathly cold that I can't shake. Maybe he should feel bad about that; it's like a last minute "screw you" from the free germ exchange known as elementary school.

*hacking cough*

I hate not being able to yell at their beautiful faces, really cramps my style.



Over at Today's Mama:

What Are You Feeding Your Kids?

Quick Summertime Meal Ideas

Royal Wedding?

Gang, I'm over at Today's Mama talking about a little party going down in the wee hours of April 29th.

Advanced Storm Warning

I don't want to scare you...

...but you might want to watch out for miniature storm troopers in your vicinity. Storm troopers can strike without warning during Spring hours. Best to take precautions (step to the side and hold your arm out to keep them from advancing.)

What's In Your Easter Basket?

Rio Movie Premiere for Today's Mama

I went to the Rio movie premiere for Today's Mama this past weekend, and you should go read all about it.

It was an OK weekend, I guess, if your idea of a good time is 4 star hotels, room service, HDTV, sleeping-in, dinners out, and meeting movie stars.

And the picture above? That's a shot of Peter Farrelly. I was so surprised to see him that I just said, "HEY!" as if I knew him. To which he answered, "HI!" like he thought he should know me. We do not know each other.

Snacks

Proximo made me a snack. The butter hunks were particularly delectable (Kirkland vintage 2011.) The nickel was because he loves me (also evidenced, I guess, by the cookie cutter heart used to cut the bread.)

The news today of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed current trial plans reminded me of this post, Mastermind, which made me laugh all over again.


What I wrote for you in other places:

Do you listen to old people music? (Hint: yes.)

Are you Today's MILF? (Hint: I cannot possibly answer this question for you.)

Do you dread Saturday evening or Sunday morning phone calls? (Hint: I have exhausted this construct and yet persisted in using it.)

I'm Everywhere, Including The Hospital!

Today is my gestational diabetes test. I volunteered to do the 3 hour fasting test instead of the 1 hour take and drink test. I fail the 1 hour test every time, so it's not worth having to drink that horrific concoction twice when I can drink it once and be super uncomfortable just once. So I'm hanging at the hospital where, when I asked the front desk about wireless access, they helpfully pointed me to a wall plug.

(Here's how you do the test, in case you're interested: You don't eat for 10-12 hours. Go to the hospital, they take a blood sample. They give you this glucose drink that tastes like soda, but 3 times as sweet and flat. It is awful. You wander around for an hour, they take more blood. You sit and wait for an hour, they take more blood. You do NOT drive, because you will probably pass out, you sit down and wait for another hour, and they'll take more blood. If you're lucky, your body processes the glucose at the right rate and you are not diabetic.)

In the meantime, I'm not just at the hospital!

Commercial Brats over at Today's Mama

They Should Not Contend over at Segullah

It's Bananas over at Sell Party of


Kisses!

Today's Mama: Super Bowl Snacks

I'm over at Today's Mama with some ideas on Super Bowl snacks to serve.

I'm warning you: almost everything in that post either IS a cheese sauce or could be served with cheese sauce.

My Lipstick isn't Here

And neither am I....

Take a look at technophobes and technophiles at worship over at Segullah.

See the 11 Things (not resolutions!) that I'm trying accomplish in 2011 over at Today's Mama. (I may have stacked the deck.)