The Baran's

Something you need to know about the Baran's, is that they pretty much don't pass up an opportunity to drink, my in-laws, my husband, and his brother are all like this.

So, here we are on Sunday after I have had about 2 hours of sleep, and just before we go to see Baby LeiLani, doing some wine tasting, in true Baran form.

May Day

The most precious May Day gift did not come in a basket this year, but from my sister. My newest niece was born May 1st at about 5:21 am weighing 7 lbs, 12 oz.

Here she is, LeiLani Angelina Silva being weighed.

And the family, Dad, Thomas, and Mom, Amber.

Her big brother did come meet her a couple hours later. Apparently he was disappointed she was not bigger. He wanted her to be big enough so he could play with her now. He was there for a few minutes, then announced that he needed to go because he had a party to go to and he had to go see his friends.

Auntie Pie finally getting to hold her, with the the doctor in the background.

Uncle Steve meeting her for the first time later that day.

My MIL and FIL were in town too. So, they would not pass up the opportunity to meet her. Especially since she gave her five home-made stuffed animals that were very precious. I am quite sure after holding this precious baby, my MIL will not be satisfied until the husband and I have one.

My oldest niece was very excited about finally having a girl cousin. Since she is the only girl with two brothers, and four boy cousins. I asked her the other day if she was going to be ok with another princess in the group, and she informed me that she could teach LeiLani everything that it takes to be a princess. I told her that was good, since she is the oldest and will frequently have to set the example. However, after realizing that she is the oldest princess, she thought for a moment, then exclaimed, "I could be QUEEN!!!!"

Congratulations Amber, Thomas and Bradley...
Jenica too, who has wanted another girl cousin for a long time.

Due Date

Today is Amber's due date. I just took a beautiful picture of her, but I cannot find the cord to my camera, so no picture will go up here :( Hopefully Baby LeiLani will grace us with her presence soon.

Part-Timer

In the last week I have acquired two part time jobs. I now have a total of 3 part time jobs. I think I am going to have about one day a week off. So, how many part-time jobs do I have to have before I can say I work full time?

Mini Muffin Making Machine

My beautiful sister is pregnant, as many of you know. For her baby shower we decided to do a tea of sorts. I somehow became the person responsible to make all the mini muffins.

The set-up for making the mini tartlettes.
I probably made 200 tartlette pastries.
Here is one bowl of them.















Next, I made a whole bunch of mini cheesecakes.












This is how part of the spread came
out.










Here are my lemon tartlettes, chocolate mousse tartlettes, and mini cheesecakes.

I also made tons of mini muffins, but somehow, got no pictures of that anywhere in the process. I guess you'll just have to take my word on that one.

At the end of the day, I threw away TONS of mini tartlettes, cheesecakes, and muffins. Se La Vi. The mama felt loved.

My step-mom, Heidi, niece, Jenica, little-big sister, Amber and myself.

The Tree

While working at the home and garden show this last weekend I got a phone call from the husband informing me that the power is out... Bummer... The husband was packing up to leave for a week of work out of town, so I had him pack me up some clothes so I didn't have to deal with no husband and no power on the Baran estate.

I was planning on going to Redding and hanging out with the old friends, and since the power was out and more storms were coming. The husband and I decided I should just drive up there a couple days early.

I drive home on Monday morning to pack some clothes, and come home to this disaster.

You can't really tell from this picture, but this tree is covering our whole driveway and goes all the way up to the road.

Upon further inspection, this is what I see.

A few expletives and some hyper-ventilating here. Get a hold of the husband who tells me to call the insurance company and file the claim...

So, yet again, when crisis comes, the husband is out of town. I don't know what the universe is trying to do, make me a stronger mountain woman according to one friend. Let me give you a few examples of things that happen when the husband is gone...

• Found out I was miscarrying

• Found out my grandpa might not make it through the day

• Got laid off

• Had a tree come through the corner of our house

Oh, and there are more, much more... but, I won't bore you with all of that.

Right now they are saying it is going to be another day or two before the power comes back on. Another huge storm is coming in tonight. I am pretty sure that I am not going to stay in that house until all of the storms have passed and the power comes back on.

Special Delivery

So, I got this in the mail about a month ago. A $75 gift card that I won off of a friend's blog.From Toms shoes... These are the shoes that for every pair that is purchased they donate a pair to a child in need. Very cool.

I already have one pair of toms, and I love them. My dad comments on them every time he sees me wear them, and he always says how he wants a pair. So, at first I thought about buying him a pair with my gift card, until I realized, there is no way he would buy me a pair if the shoe was on the other foot, so to say...

So, I decided to get some shoes for myself. I have been wanting some gray shoes for a while, and so that is what I decided to go with. Finally, this is what arrived in the mail.

Which started to look like this.

And finally, the new shoes. They are as comfortable as my old ones. I was torn between the twill and the canvas. After talking to a girlfriend and who had the canvas, and loves them, and knowing the ones I have now are burlap, I thought someone should try out the twill. I have, and love them. They are still very comfy, and are as thick and good quality as the other ones I have (this was part of the debate with my girlfriend).

I have scarcely taken them off since I have received them. So, go online and support the cause. They have all sorts of different styles. Also, Shark, thanks for the new shoes... I think of you when I put them on...