Everyone keeps asking me if I’m sad, and I am, sort of. I know she’s getting bigger every day, but she’s so much fun it’s hard to be too sad.

It was a nice party. The house was packed with loved ones and kiddos and babies. I asked for no presents. Obviously my family ignores me.

Jane wasn’t at top form though.

She’s in teething city right now. Plus she came down with a sore throat and refused to sleep all weekend. Now THAT was a party.

But even on no sleep, I wouldn’t change a thing about her.

This last year has been the hardest, sweetest, most life changing year of all time.

We love you sweet sunshine.

I love the way the morning light shines through the window. I love having all my turquoise pottery in one place.

If I do say so myself, this was a success. And it was easy. Which meant a happy time in the kitchen tapping my foot to Rosemary Clooney instead of throwing pots around and yelling, “Why can’t I cook like a normal person? What’s wrong with me? NEVERMIND, don’t answer that question.”

Easy Apple Dumplings

(Thanks for giving me baby-step recipes Mom)

2 medium Granny Smith apples

1 (8 count) package of refrigerated crescent roll dough

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8 inch square baking dish.

2. Peal/core apples. Cut each apple into fourths. Un-role and separate crescent roll dough.

Wrap each apple section in a crescent roll. Place in dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.

3. Combine butter, sugar and orange juice in a medium sauce pan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over dumplings. Sprinkle with pecans on top.

4. Bake 30 minutes or until crust is golden and beginning to bubble and apples are just tender when pierced with fork.

5. To serve, spoon some syrup from baking dish over dumpling. Serve over vanilla ice cream.

Here’s a parade of pictures from the book signing. Thank you so much to everyone who came and made it a fun party instead of the paralyzing fear-fest I had expected. The Books-A-Million staff was awesome!