Babies, bonuses, babeless, and baking
Here's the long overdue state of the Ziptie.
Babies
On Tuesday kety and I went up to visit fuzzyredmittens and cjcollier and scarletwilde and Zelda. We ordered pizza, socialized a bit, and then set the old folks upstairs while we socialized with the 3 year old and the 2 month old. Good stuff. Zelda is darling; with those parents that's expected.
Then on Wednesday I spent 3.5 hours with 3 month old Theo strapped to me. He mostly slept. I mostly read, and bounced as necessary.
Then Saturday night the cute redhead with the big belly had a baby. She was the last of the four pregnant mamas I mentioned. Seems like everyone's having babies this year. Anyway, I held the little one when she was 23 hours old. OMG TEH WRINKLY CUTENESS. She makes Theo look like a focused, self aware, dextrous GIANT. All is well with all families. I'll be doing more baby care this week.
Work
My employer asked if I was going to extend my contract past August to the end of the year, and I declined, figuring I could find more interesting, beneficial, and lucrative work. They asked what it would take to keep me. I said a raise to the top of the market for what I do (been near the bottom due to my inexperience when I was hired), and a four day work week. And lo, they gave it to me. So I'm happily sticking around until the end of the year.
Related to that, I interviewed for, was offered, and today declined a year contract with a big search company. Told them I might be interested in January. For now, a 4 day work week downtown for more money trumps going to the land of Kirk 5 days a week for less dough. More opportunities will present themselves when I'm ready.
Personal life (short version)
Almost enough company, not enough romance.
The baking update.
Last Saturday after dinner with C (still a- but no longer my- babe), I came home and made another batch of muffins, this time with whole wheat pastry flour, and honey instead of molasses. (I'd read this week that molasses, among other things, retains moisture well.) The muffins turned out excellent, less damp, and more like I remember them. 31504 can vouch for them.
That night I also made another big pan of the supernatural brownies, and put a tablespoon of molasses in. They are really amazing. Rich. Subtle and flavorful. Moist. Kind of unstoppable. I can eat from-the-box brownies by the square foot, and this batch stops me after inches. Good stuff.
The cobbler was really good. I could have used less sugar in the berries. Next time I'll try less.
And I found a nice, high-quality skillet/dutch oven at value village today. Woo!
Babies
On Tuesday kety and I went up to visit fuzzyredmittens and cjcollier and scarletwilde and Zelda. We ordered pizza, socialized a bit, and then set the old folks upstairs while we socialized with the 3 year old and the 2 month old. Good stuff. Zelda is darling; with those parents that's expected.
Then on Wednesday I spent 3.5 hours with 3 month old Theo strapped to me. He mostly slept. I mostly read, and bounced as necessary.
Then Saturday night the cute redhead with the big belly had a baby. She was the last of the four pregnant mamas I mentioned. Seems like everyone's having babies this year. Anyway, I held the little one when she was 23 hours old. OMG TEH WRINKLY CUTENESS. She makes Theo look like a focused, self aware, dextrous GIANT. All is well with all families. I'll be doing more baby care this week.
Work
My employer asked if I was going to extend my contract past August to the end of the year, and I declined, figuring I could find more interesting, beneficial, and lucrative work. They asked what it would take to keep me. I said a raise to the top of the market for what I do (been near the bottom due to my inexperience when I was hired), and a four day work week. And lo, they gave it to me. So I'm happily sticking around until the end of the year.
Related to that, I interviewed for, was offered, and today declined a year contract with a big search company. Told them I might be interested in January. For now, a 4 day work week downtown for more money trumps going to the land of Kirk 5 days a week for less dough. More opportunities will present themselves when I'm ready.
Personal life (short version)
Almost enough company, not enough romance.
The baking update.
Last Saturday after dinner with C (still a- but no longer my- babe), I came home and made another batch of muffins, this time with whole wheat pastry flour, and honey instead of molasses. (I'd read this week that molasses, among other things, retains moisture well.) The muffins turned out excellent, less damp, and more like I remember them. 31504 can vouch for them.
That night I also made another big pan of the supernatural brownies, and put a tablespoon of molasses in. They are really amazing. Rich. Subtle and flavorful. Moist. Kind of unstoppable. I can eat from-the-box brownies by the square foot, and this batch stops me after inches. Good stuff.
The cobbler was really good. I could have used less sugar in the berries. Next time I'll try less.
And I found a nice, high-quality skillet/dutch oven at value village today. Woo!