Where did my baby go???????

My virtual baby, that is!
(Hope I didn't scare you)

For the past week or so, my baby widget down at the bottom has been broken. (At least, I am hoping it is broken. I keep stuffing down the irrational pregnant side of me that thinks it may be an omen.)

The day countdown is right, but there is no baby showing up in the "womb." What is up with that?

Unless I missed the chapter in "What to Expect..." that details the stealth mode of babies during the 16th-17th weeks.

I can't seem to find any information about it anywhere. Evidently, no one else is having this problem, or it was bound to show up on a message board somewhere in internetland. Oh dear.

I tried reloading.

I tried just getting a whole new one.

I tried praying for my baby to come back!

Where is my baby???

Any helpful ideas or comments of reassurance will be duly appreciated.

AMAZING AVGOLEMONO!!! (Greek Lemon Rice Soup)

So... up until this point(16 weeks preggo), I haven't gotten TOO many cravings. The ones I did have were easy to get (popsicles, coleslaw, mint chocolate ship ice cream).

UNTIL... I craved Avgolemono.
If you've never heard of this, it's a Greek soup, with a creamy lemony broth and rice, and sometimes chicken. It is so delicious!

However, here in West Michigan, we do not have Greek restaurants (just one little gyro shack, which is decent, I'll admit, but no soup!) If you are unaware, I grew up outside of Chicago and now since I live in Michigan have had to deal with intense pizza withdrawls, but that's another story.

My favorite Lemon Rice soup comes from The Commander, a Greek mom and pop restaurant back home. Their avgolemono does not have any chicken in it, and yet, EVERY recipe I looked up, included chicken. I was afraid that if I tried it, I would be disappointed that it wasn't the real thing, and I knew I didn't want to disappoint a craving pregnant woman (especially myself).

So... I held out until this past weekend, when we were coming into town for my cousin's high school graduation party. On our way back, my hero, the hubby, ordered 2 QUARTS of the stuff and we picked it up on our way home (as well as a pizza- I will make a heartburn exception for Chicago pizza)! That was Saturday. It is now Monday and I am down to the last drop of the first quart container. 2 quarts may seem like a whole lot of soup to you, but in actuality, it's really only about 6 bowls.

So, now, with the end in sight, my fabulous grandfather has saved the day! He just sent me an email with the chicken-less recipe from Epicurious.com. Thanks, Gramps!!!

And now... in case there is anyone out there, pregnant or not, who cannot get lemon-rice soup... here is the recipe!

• 4 cups basic chicken stock
• 6 tablespoons (90 g) Carolina or other long-grain white rice
• 8 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup (65 ml) fresh lemon juice
• coarse salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil. Stir in the rice and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks and lemon juice together in a large bowl.

When the rice is tender, slowly ladle half of the hot broth into the yolks to temper them, whisking constantly. Whisk the egg yolk mixture into the broth and place over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, just long enough to thicken the soup. Do not boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Houston...we have a WINNER!!!

Okay, everyone, you can stop holding your breath- here is the story and winning entry of the
Mad Libs Valentine Giveaway-

Dear _J-Man_,

I woke up this _stroke past snack-time_ and my _uvula_ blushed at the thought of you. You are not only _creamy_, but very _bird-like_.

I can't wait till _Tuesday_ night. I have a _gyrating_ surprise for you. I hope you will _conspire_ it.

I will be wearing the _purple_ _fingerless gloves_ you gave me last _Boxing Day_. I know how much you love to _sneeze_ me in them.

Hugs and Kisses!

Your favorite _whale harpoon_,
_K-Woman_

Congrats to Insanity Kim!!! You made me and my co-judge (Greg) laugh the most! Please contact me via email- katskrafts@yahoo.com with your shipping info, so I can send your goodies right out!

However, we did get a chuckle out of everyone's, so.... for your Mad Lib-ing pleasure, here are all the entries. Punch in your answers and giggle (some may make you blush =)

RuJu said...

1) _themanofmydreams 2) _morning 3) _knee cap 4) _hairy 5) _shiny 6) _hump day 7) _gargantuan 8) _bounce 9) _full 10) _left sock 11) _St. Patty' Day 12) _licking 13) _coffee 14) _thewomanofhisdreams

MillieDog Designs said...

1) Don 2) evening 3) arm 4) glistening 5) blushed 6) Sunday 7) tiny 8) type 9)loveable 10) socks 11) valentines day 12) smile 13) lips 14) niki

w said...

1) Elmo 2) crack of dawn 3) sternum 4) disinfecting 5) cylindrical 6) holy Sunday 7) collossial 8) jingles 9) new 10) toe socks 11) ground hog day 12) picks 13) barbie doll 14) wendiwinn

demmi said...

1) _richard 2) _night 3) __leg 4) _scary 5) _happy 6) _sunday 7) __smirck 8) ____now 9) __clapping 10) __socks 11) _mothers day 12) washing 13) ___cat 14) _dorothy

Jen said...

1. BOB 2) 2 AM time of day 3) TOES 4)SWEATY 5) HAIRY 6) WEDNESDAY 7) SCARY 8) SPITING 9) SLIMY 10) JOCK STRAP 11) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS DAY 12) COUGHING 13) FISH TANK 14) jENNIFER

MBush said...

1. Paul Bear 2. middle of the night 3. pinky finger 4. salty 5. gooey 6. Thursday 7. sweltery 8. touching 9. squishy 10. sock 11. Presidents Day 12. pushing 13. elephant 14. Marcie

NewYorkMemos said...

1) Andrew 2) Evening 3) Leg 4) huge 5) chocolatly 6) Tuesday 7) sticky 8) ea t9) moisty 10) bra 11) St. Patrick Day 12) lay 13) door 14) Nyny

Digital Misfit said...

1)Curtis-2) late evening 3) elbow 4) fragrant5) chewy6) Tuesday7) dreamy8) cough9) invisible10) panties11) Presidents Day12) eat13) hedgehog14) Heidi

Nascarnana said...

1)Randall 2) __midnight 3) _heart 4) _purple 5)rosy 6) Tuesday 7) _lovely 8) run 9) pale 10) skirt 11) _Easter 12) _swim 13) __cat 14) Haze

peggysuewho said...

1) Steffen James 2) evening 3) big to e4) enticing 5) hideous 6) Monday 7) fantastic 8) sits 9) beautiful 10) old-man-slippers 11) labor Day 12) jumps 13) bathtub 14) Peggy

Sinje Ollen said...

1) Adam 2) morning 3) elbow 4) chewy 5) sticky 6) Sunday 7) sleepy 8) chews 9) grumpy 10) sweaty socks 11) Valentines 12) dives 13) Cake 14) Sinje "Zinnia"

Lisa ~ Knitsburgh said...

1) Otto 2) morning 3) elbow 4) bruised 5) cold 6) Thursday 7) shiny 8) yelling 9) pointy 10) socks 11) Halloween 12) vacuuming 13) iPod 14) Lisa

Susan said...

1) Piglet 2) midnight 3) eyelash 4) drippy 5) sweet 6) Tuesday 7) red 8) licks 9) hairy 10) sock 11) Groundhog's Day 12) types 13) potato 14) Susan

DreamON said...

1. Bob 2. evening 3. patella 4. convenient 5. red 6. Saturday 7. appropriate 8. do 9. rough 10.bra 11.President's Day 12.want 13.cabbage 14.Mary

Linda said...

1. John 2. bedtime 3. arm 4. big 5. huge 6. Wednesday 7. fast 8. lie 9. slowly 10. lingerie 11. Valentine's Day 12. makes 13. heart 14. Linda