Yes, I'm Naive

Well, I'm not having the fondue. Sorry, you didn't all get to comment. As I was looking at the ingredients list (and typing it all up for you in the comments), I came across the word "Kirsch" and wondered what the heck that was. A Google-second later... and I am now NOT having the fondue. Kirsch is brandy. So there are now TWO alcoholic substances in my fondue. I could deal with the wine... if it's a little bit and it's going to cook off... but it just seems like a bad omen to be okay with the wine (which is the second ingredient on the list, meaning it's got to be in there quite a bit)... and the BRANDY!!!

Darrgh. Well, eating locust bean gum didn't sound very appetizing anyway.

Does anyone have a good (non-alcoholic) cheese fondue recipe? I'm in need... (-Jocelyn)

Whinny for Wine?

As most of you know, I don't drink alcohol. Kind of a "no duh" if you know I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... since members don't drink alcohol. Anyway, I wanted to get some opinions from y'all. Robert and I are having our date night this Friday (at our apartment... with our son sleeping in his crib... since we don't have a babysitter, but hey, we can still have a "date," right?)... and I want to make a fun, special dinner, so I bought a fondue set (see the pic above of what I bought). Like, I was in the fancy cheese section at the grocery store, and there's a Swiss fondue package that you just have to heat up and voila, you're ready for dipping.

The problem is, I just looked at the ingredients and it says it has wine in it. I don't typically cook with any form of alcohol, but I also don't usually have problems eating something that has some in it, if it's been cooked so all the alcohol has worn off (like wine in a marinade). The thing is, I don't know if fondue counts. What do you guys think? Am I overreacting here? Can I eat my fondue??? I really want to... but I also don't want to be violating the Word of Wisdom or anything. Hmm...

Other than my serious fondue wine dilemmas, life is going pretty good. I have a writing buzz. As in, I've been thinking about writing and writing so much that my head is buzzing (the way it does for me when I've been consumed by a good book). I've set a goal to write every day, and I have so far. I'm going to throw out some of what I've written, I'm sure, but it still feels good to just do it and not be afraid to try.

Okay, I seriously need to take a break from any form of writing and just relax... so until next time... (-Jocelyn)

PS- Look at the cute pictures of Peter the Horsey! Isn't he ADORABLE?!?!?!

I Love Naptime!

Peter is napping right now, meaning I have a break, so I am blogging! Yay for us all! (BTW, isn't the above pic the cutest? Peter fell asleep on the way home from Church yesterday. I got him out of his car seat and carried him into the house and he was already back asleep, on my shoulder. SOOO sweet!)

Two facts you may not know. First, Peter is an amazing sleeper, and pretty much came to me that way. I can't take credit for it (though I do employ sleep strategies--put him down at consistent times, have a going to sleep routine, let him cry for 10 minutes if he cries, which he often doesn't) . . . but he sleeps through the night (7 pm to 7:30 am) and takes two naps a day (a morning quickie from 9-10 am and an afternoon longer nap from about 12-2 or 3 pm). How lucky am I? I know, I know, I am blessed to have such a talented sleeper. I am relishing it, because I am sure all of my children will not be this easy!

Second fact (and this one is hard to type): I have always had a somewhat secret dream to be a published (hopefully well published) author. I know, a lot of people say that. But I really mean it.

When I was eighteen and starting to really get into researching my favorite authors and their lives (I was an English major because I love literature and writing!), I saw a trend that is super arbitrary and somewhat forced: "most" (a lot of) major authors publish their first significant work of fiction between the ages of 24 and 28. Upon discovering this "fact," I came up with a personal challenge: I would publish my first book by the time I turned 28.

This was a dream and a goal I set with myself. I kept it mostly secret, for fear, mainly, that I wouldn't achieve it or I would change my mind about really doing it and thus feel dorky for having said it (too late now!). Very few people knew about it. And now, I'm telling all of you.

I figured I might as well, because my parents (see pictures above and below; love you guys!) got it out of me as they grilled me during their trip about my personal (non-Peter, just for me) goals. And they took me seriously. Robert did, too. They told me I could do it... I should do it... and they are now following up and encouraging me.

Two nights ago, an amazing thing happened. I sat down at my computer, and despite the fact that I almost always have writer's block when I write creatively and it takes me a long, long time to write ANYTHING because of it (the block comes from my perfectionism; whole other blog)... this time was different. I decided to just relax and write whatever came to mind. I did... and I liked it. Writing was really fun and surprisingly easy! I have now written three "chapters," and I feel like I have finally started this dream. This may not be the book that gets published, and I know the industry well enough to know that the chances anything I write will be read are slim... but I am still going for it.

So I want to throw it out there. What dreams have you been hiding? You know you have them. The secret desire to be a clothing designer... or an artist... or a singer (okay, another one of mine is to perform on Broadway, but that's probably not going to happen due to a lot of reasons, not fear)... or a politician... or whatever! Be brave and let me know! (-Jocelyn)