Happy New Year to all!

While it's many a reader's pet peeve to follow a blogger who suddenly quits blogging, it's an even bigger annoyance to have the blogger draw attention to her absence. But I beg you to keep reading. . .and even to refresh your memory you might want to read back to a similar post from two years ago.

Did you get the hint?

Thanks for the great feedback about the Food Face Plate series. Have you been missing it? So have we. But there's a rhyme and a reason. Please continue reading.

A friend came to visit one day saddened that her already picky toddler had suddenly refused to eat even all the stand-by foods that the family used to rely on to feed her. I offered to loan her the plate. Because part of Eating Well is Sharing Well. It's important to help people who recognize that you do something different and ask you for advice.

Today the neighborhood girls rallied round to take care of another neighbor who appeared to be going into early labor while her husband was out of the country on business. That being said, our Thanksgiving menu plan is still not completely together. Not that I'm complaining. It's always better to be a supportive friend than have your menu under control. But if you're still struggling to get it together like I am, here's a few helpful links I've enjoyed gleaning ideas from.

As I said in Friday's post, it's a great idea to eat from the freezer this week to make room for what's coming in next week, especially if you have guests for the week like we do. This means that in truth there isn't much cooking to be done in the kitchen except baking a loaf of bread and such, but I'll appreciate the extra time I can spend readying the home for guests. And of course, extra time with Nora is wonderful, too.

It's rather cold in Orlando this morning. This means the realization of Thanksgiving being just two weeks away is upon us. I have a list of kitchen-associate projects that I'll be dealing with next week in preparation for guests. I'm adding it in here for those it might help get a handle on the activities as well. I'm also posting it today instead of Monday because those who work might want to get a jump start this weekend.

When we go to potlucks, it's always a challenge. I want to make something that is shockingly good, especially when there are non-vegetarians present. And these days, it has to be easy finger food for toddlers. (And frankly, easy to prepare.) Plus, I like it to be good at room temperature. My parents happened to have been leaving town the weekend before the event to which I brought the falafel and had left us with lots of lettuce.

My two have been under the weather for a few days. This is all rather new to me. I'm doing my best to keep them happy. Obviously, that means the menu doesn't get followed exactly. I aim to please. Whatever is desired gets served.

You can tell I was running late getting dinner on and caught this photo just in time!

This is such a great Food Face to welcome colder weather to Florida. The recommendation for long-haired pasta came from our friend, Fely, who is of a more creative career path than myself. I served a dollop of spinach-walnut pesto over whole grain pasta and sprinkled it with some freshly grated Pecorino cheese. The rosy-cheeked tomatoes are fresh out of our garden. It was a new plant for the fall and has done rather well.

It might be a little early for you, but circumstances too long to discuss here have driven me to start shopping for Christmas early. And that has led me to start posting some pictures of products I like (many we've tried) that encourage kids to play healthier-and hopefully eat healthier. You can find them on Pinterest. The board is labeled "Healthy Christmas Presents for Kids."

We originally thought this food face reminded us of our dear friend who spikes his hair. (Incidentally, Nora loves the gel-stiffened hair style.) But on second thought, we didn't want to be too offensive as he visits so much we gave him a key to our house for his birthday. So, I rethought the situation and figured it could just be a crown.

These are the enchiladas I made a week in advance and froze. I just popped them in the oven straight from the freezer before serving them. Unfortunately, to keep the family from snacking until they were served, I suggested a walk. But as usual, we ran into friends in the neighborhood. This part we love. I just wasn't proud of myself for letting the enchiladas crisp a little too much on the edges. They were still very good.

I posted the below paragraphs over a year ago. However, the information still applies. Because the Maitland, Florida, library is starting a Cultural and Learning Center tonight and because I am one of the featured upcoming speakers, I thought it would be wise to post these facts again. Especially, since there will be new eyes to Eat Like a Rabbit. These stories are powerful and encourage making positive food choices. I enjoyed rereading them. I hope you do, too.

Two Sundays ago, we did the Ride for Ronald. We rode only the 30 mile leg. (The other options were 60 and 100 miles. We do know people who did the hundred.) But at the half way point, I was so hyped that I wanted to do the 60. I overheard someone else asking if anyone knew the route for the 60. Guess he wanted to keep going, too. But since we didn't know the route, we stayed on the 30 mile trek. Praise God the weather was lovely. Not as hot as it could have been. It was a great day for a ride

Not once but twice this week, I have dropped a full plastic container of something. . .honestly don't even know what cause I was afraid to look. . .out of the freezer and onto my right foot. Fortunately, it wasn't my left foot, which I already broke while pregnant nearly two years ago. And fortunately, the boxes didn't land in exactly the same place each time. I'm pretty sure the second opportunity was successful at breaking a toe. Luckily, that appears to be all.

Our gym has had this sign up outside their kid care area all summer, and I finally remembered to take a picture of it. It's such a powerful statement for teaching kids (and even adults) to make healthy choices. The road may be curved like the tire tracks, which means it takes focus, but it can start any time. Now even! It will be a better road to a better lifestyle. And if you happen to like driving, especially on twisty roads, then it should be quite fun!

We're back to just the three of us this week. I thoroughly enjoyed my in-laws being in town. My MIL made me try a few things, and I'm glad she did. The biggest thing I learned was that you can add a little sour cream to a peach pie to make some amazing filling. I even brought her to yoga for her first time!

My in-laws are in town for 10 days. Nora is changing so much, it's good for them to spend time with her.

This reminds me of a lady having a spa day. Just hope she looks better than this when it's over with.

The curls are pinto beans with foil made of chips. Cucumber eye slices with dots of yogurt in the middle, and a warm neck pillow of mashed potatoes complete the relaxing environment. And luckily, after a hearty meal like this, Nora napped and I had an hour-long relaxing environment.

We had Nora's 18 month well-baby check-up today. We also had a new pediatrician. There was nothing wrong with the old one. But she had a family emergency, and we met the fill-in pediatrician. She said there's a new principle for children that they are trying to drum into parents' heads. I liked the idea. And it occurred to me the more I thought about it that it isn't just for children.

I was the only one who liked this dish. But I wasn't down because I really liked it. I made it at my parents' house while while we were babysitting my grandmother for a weekend. My grandmother needs soft foods. And Paul isn't a big fan of quiche. I'm not really sure why Nora turned her nose up at it. But I loved it. Really enjoyed it as a matter of fact. Wanted to eat it all myself. Would make it again. Except, I'd have to eat it all by myself. Wait, what's wrong with that?

I've created a monster! No, I'm not talking about the food face. I thought it was pretty cute. But I have pushed myself into a corner where Nora seems to only like peanut butter when it's made into a sandwich with Cherrios. Do you know how small Cherrios are? Do you know how messy creamy peanut butter can get if you goof and it oozes through the hole of the Cherrio? And she eats them as fast as I can make them. There must be an easier way! But I can't complain because she really is a good eater.