Central heterochromia

Central heterochromia...it is what I got.  Do not fret, it is not a disease.  Let me back up.....

Lately I have found myself frustrated when people ask what color eyes I have.  I do not have an answer.  I have a yellow ring around my pupil and then it changes into greenish...  The DMV decided sixteen years ago that I have blue eyes.  But we all know how much DMV employees hate their jobs and are just trying to make it until 5 o'clock. 

Last week a coworker commented on my eyes and we started discussing different eyes.  The conversation touched on cool differences and I mentioned my cousin with two different colored eyes,  which is called heterochromia iridum.  Shortly thereafter my coworkers sent me info about central heterochromia which is what my eyes have, two colors in the same iris. 

So there you have it.  There is a name for it and I am nowhere near the only one to have such eyes.  I always knew Aunt Merry and I had the same eyes, but I did not know that other cool people have had the same thing...cool people like Christopher Walken and Alexander the Great.

A Visit from Bell and her Mommy

Conrad and I had some very special guests for the last few days.  Miss Bellissima, to nobody's surprise, is the most fun.  I have never met a baby so alert.  She seems to be surveying and cataloging her new world and by her usual expressions, the world is not quite up to her standards.  I cannot wait to see what happens when she is able to start making adjustments.  I hope the world will be ready.  You have all had your fair warning to straighten up!

Not all of growing up is fun, but I will readily admit that the addition of Bell did not at all impede the catching up between Celeste and me.  In fact, it was the most fun I have had in so so long.  

We even had nice cafe patio experiences two days in a row.  And the true miracle....we remembered to take a picture of us together.  Great Success!

Challah update

My second attempt at challah came out so much better that I had to share.  My favorite challah moment was when Conrad said that my challah was better than the challah we buy.  He is such a smart man and I love him for it!

Challah

 So a few weeks ago Conrad and I went to a bris and the new mama and I were chatting about baking/cooking.  Apparently she does not cook/bake at all and wanted to get together and try a few things.  Friday was our first day in the kitchen.  We threw some things in the crockpot, but in the end that is kind of boring, and not much to do while it is cooking.  So I decided to try my hand at challah.  I have to admit I was worried.  Her kitchen is not quite as equipped as I would like, in fact, I had Conrad bring a mixing bow, baking sheets, and measuring spoons.  There was definitely no kitchenaid mixer.  I have never made bread with only a bowl and a spoon.  And I have definitely never made a braided bread, but I am very happy to announce that it turned out awesome!  Only thing I would change is the sized of the recipe.  This one made two enormous loaves.  I am feeling pretty good about my Jewish baking skills.....matzah ball soup is next on my list!

Mint Chocolate Chip

So, they look like ordinary chocolate chip cookies.  But let me explain.  I saw a recipe on Pinterest for mint chocolate chip cookies and I had to make them.  However, the recipe online was awful...calling for a cookie mix.  Unacceptable!  So I took my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe left out the vanilla, added mint extract and they were awesome!  Now I think the recipe calls for 1 tsp of vanilla, but I added about 1 Tbs of mint and it was not overly minty.  I also added some green food coloring just so people might get the hint before they tried them (but too much food coloring weirds me out, so I do not think I added enough.)  Anyway, the reviews were amazing!  I highly recommend trying these!

Cousins

 Last month some cousins came to visit, just in time for the 2012 London Olympics.  We searched and searched for Olympic t-shirts (I mean, could one really watch the opening ceremonies without an Olympic attire) and could find nothing current so we went with vintage.  Not bad. 

Our trip to the beach got interesting when we decided to take a dip.  Look close.  I have to admit it is like a trainwreck, so horrible and so hard not to stare....

All in all we had a fantastic weekend.  I do love hanging with these cousins all grown up!

Belated Birthday Post

Happy 61st Birthday to my dad!  Finally a birthday celebrated in sunny LA!  We had a super fantastic jampacked weekend including a Shabbat dinner in Malibu (including Dad and Mary risking their lives on the beach), Shabbat services at Sinai, visit at the Getty Villa, several dinner outings including a stop at the King's Head, walk at Venice Beach, walk to the celebrity cemetery....  And I am sure I left so much out since it was over a month ago...

Dad, I'm just going to say it now so you won't be shocked next year....  since I came to PT for your birthday two years in a row, maybe next year should be an LA year too!  :)