I just posted a recipe for Lindsey Friesen’s Chocolate Bundt Cake on Needs More Butter. And though it made a delightful breakfast this morning, I only tagged it as “served at community dinner” and “dessert.”

Too bad there’s not a tag for “sweet-tooths may eat at any time of day.”

Livia, not certain about the dancing monsters behind mom’s back

It’s that time again… Time for another visit to one of the local farms with harvest festivities. This year I learned of the term “agri-tainment” (which our newspaper wrote as “agri-taintment” but surely that can’t be right!) and agri-taining it certainly was. The entry prices went up, there were no more free pumpkins from the fields, and the bounce houses were a dollar extra–yet, it was all for the support of a local business so I didn’t mind. Plus, the kids had SO MUCH FUN running around the farm and going on the hayrack ride. It was well-worth the few extra bucks I spent.

I should also note that I plan to attempt Jeannette’s delicious from-scratch pumpkin pie again this year. Last year’s pumpkin became decoration, so hopefully I’ll follow through in ’07. Stay tuned.

I suppose I’m ready to be 30 afterall… I just Sharpied black the bare midriff on Livia’s Happy Meal toy.

I’ve been on the countdown to 30 since December 7, 2006, the day after I turned 29. On the sixth of every month I have this eerie sensation: Goodbye, twenties. I’m going to be 30 soon. Don’t bother telling me how ridiculous I’m being because I’m fully aware of the silliness. And for the record, I have no problem with my friends, my husband!, and others turning 30+. It’s fine if y’all need to go ahead and grow up, but I’m not so sure I’m ready to head into my thirties. I’m going to be thirty-something. Like the TV show. Hmm.

Here’s where I want your opinion, dear friends, fellow bloggers and previously anonymous readers. What should 30 year olds not do that 29 year olds can? Is there an age where people should dress and “act their age”? What age is that? The real question I want answers to is, when should men and women stop shopping in the young and hip juniors department at Target? Bring on the widely varied responses. The more the merrier. And heck, we all have opinions on this stuff, so opine away.

My talented friend (and stylist) Carrie turned my hair a lovely deep shade of red yesterday. I felt like this was something to be done before turning 30. Why? No clue, but I like the way it turned out!

Class, this is Owen James Choi. Owen is new to town. In fact, everything about Owen is new. His skin is new, his eyes are new, his chubby little knees are new. His parents might be feeling kind of new, too. I already love Owen and I suspect you will, too. Make him feel welcome! : )

German Apple Cake

Needs More Butter continues to grow in number of recipes and inspires me to try new dishes from the Morehead and O’Donnell households. If you have a favorite dish you highly recommend, send it in my direction! r_l_t_@_tredways._org (get rid of the underscore marks and email away)

I don’t actually know that these gorillas, from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, are related, but I like to imagine they are. The adorable baby would clap his hands and beat his chest (almost like he was just pretending to be a real gorilla) and then go jump on the medium-sized gorilla for a game of “tickle-wrestle,” as Jeremy and Liv call it. In fact, the whole time I watched the little one goad the bigger one into wrestling, I couldn’t help but think of the way Livia loves to jump on Jeremy until he’ll, well, tickle-wrestle. The funny thing was Big Mama, the gorilla I imagine as the matriarch. She never moved her hefty belly at all, but just sat and GLARED at the zoo patrons. I’m watchin’ you and I don’t trust you one bit. Hilarious.

My sweet niece,

It’s hard to imagine that one year ago you were this teeny and now you’re so strong and smart and capable. What a year! We love you very much and can’t wait to see you grow and learn even more. Happy birthday, dear Madeleine!

Love,
Aunt Becca

PS. Livia says she can’t wait until she can take you to the park. To swing. For hours on end.

I spent the first 18 years of my life celebrating September 24 with Andrew, my little brother. So to him, workin’ hard down in Chattanooga today, I wish a very very happy 26th birthday. We love you, Noon/Uncle Noonee/Andrew!

A few months before my 19th birthday, one Mr. Jeremy Tredway came into my life and, by my actual 19th birthday, had swept me off my feet. The last 10 years or so, I’ve celebrated September 24 with him. And only this year am I actually making him the cake he REALLY wants. (Oh the marriage stories I could tell!) Here’s to my sweet husband–happy birthday, Jeremy! Livia and I love you more than you’ll ever know. The photo is for you.

I have a passion right now for photographing surfaces with texture. You’ll notice more than a few recent Flickr pics in this vein. The passion can’t be described, only caught with my camera.