We're having a BABY!!!

Come January, there will be a mini-Curt gurgling up formula and pooping in his little britches.  I hope Baby Boy Downey (let's just call him "BBD") will be just like his Daddy. 

Now is the time for the frenzy of baby preparations.  Or at least it should be. 

So many of my gifted and assiduous girlfriends find out they are preggo and then in a matter of mere days, the nursery is impeccably appointed, buzzing with readiness for the bundle of joy. The entire project, start-to-finish, is documented via Facebook for all to ga-ga- over. 

Needless to say, I do not have any cute nursery photographs to show because, er, the nursery isn't READY yet.  This would be because I am a a procrastinator. Every last friend I have is nodding their head.  Really, I am a "crock pot" kind of gal.  That is, I like to mull over a project or assignment or event for, say, months on end.  It's not like I'm not working on it in my brain. I am. But for my marvelous, no complaints, get-it-done-in-the-blink-of-an-eye Husbandator, it's probably frustrating.

I've heard it said that procrastinators tend to be perfectionists - which, on the surface at least, doesn't make any sense at all, but upon further reflection seems quite logical.  We want every detail to be so perfect that we have a difficult time "self-starting" (to use a popular term.)  See, I'm not so bad.  Or maybe I'm twice as bad now. Go figure. 

So here is my once-glorious closet that is now deserted - and will soon become BBD's domain.  Yes, I said closet.  Please do not report us to DHR.  This closet has it's own zip code.  We could have converted the guest room into a nursery, but what is the point of having a precious baby boy if not to have family and friends come to stay to visit him?

Fingers crossed, everyone, that BBD will come home to a finished nest.  It's gotta be perfect, you know.  :)

Birthday Wishes and Cream Cheese Pound Cake

We just celebrated a 10-year-old birthday. Hard to believe! This girl is growing into a beautiful, poised, intelligent, loving, funny young lady.

She requested a "plain pound cake" for her birthday, which made her grandfather really happy because he loves it and was here to commemorate the event with us.

I made my old stand-by, Cream Cheese Pound Cake.  Pound cake may be the easiest dessert to make.  It's a great place for a novice baker to start because it's virtually fool-proof, even making it from scratch. 

This recipe came from  my mother or my Nana or my Mother Rene, but I'm not certain which one.  I've made it so many times and for so many years that I forget. 

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
1-1/2 cups butter (3 sticks), softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a sturdy mixer, cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour then vanilla extract.  Pour into a greased and floured 9" bundt pan. Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours, until golden brown.  Let sit for a few minutes in pan then invert onto rack for cooling.

Your slice of cream cheese pound cake may best be enjoyed after running through a sprinkler, especially given that autumn is right around the corner and you won't be able to do that much longer.