I love my husband OR Why is smoked salmon so good?

I love my husband because he builds things like this...And then puts it in the small backyard of our duplex for all the world to smell. This is Dan's latest and greatest project...A Smoker. Yes, he built it from scratch. Thank you internet for having everything we could ever want. Needless to say, I have an amazing husband who creates amazing things with his hands. We've had some salmon sitting in our freezer since our trip to Alaska this summer, so in the smoker it went and a few hours later out it came, looking like this and tasting so delicious. As Lars pointed out this morning (yes, Lars and Jane were at our house this morning...a wonderful visit!), why is it that smoke is generally a really horrible thing, but when you let food sit in it for a few hours, it creates something absolutely delightful. One of life's many mysteries.

Here's to smoked salmon! And handy husbands!

And I couldn't just leave it at that without a couple pictures of abbigail.

Valentine's Dress! (thanks grandpa)

11 months

Today Abbigail is 11 months old. Seriously? How could 11 months have really gone by since she was born? Are we in some kind of a time warp or something? Soon she will be 1, then she'll be 5 and then 16 and driving and then she'll be in college and I'll soon after be 60 and hopefully living on a tropical island somewhere. WHAT?? SLOW DOWN LIFE!

Many things have been going on the in the life of Abbigail these past couple weeks. She all of a sudden holds her own bottle, only wants to feed herself, stand by herself without support for a few seconds, wears pigtails, plays with the dog and is finally getting her first teeth. It's like she was hiding it all from us and the suddenly realized she is almost 1 and wants to get everything accomplished before her birthday next month. Many days she looks more like a little girl to me than a baby. I miss the baby. :( However, I do look forward to the fun to come...walking, talking, running, jumping, playing...especially with the approach of Spring (can you please come quicker). It will be so fun to spend this summer with Abbigail as she will be exploring the world in so many new ways.

In other news, I am still unemployed, but I have like 15 resumes floating around at various agencies throughout the city. I have applied for a Whitworth R.D. position which of course doesn't start until the fall...so we'll see what comes of that!

Amen!

All I have to say is....Thank God for tax returns and for having babies in the year 2008.