My Family Has Been Picked Off the Family Tree

Read my latest post on Chicago Moms Blog here regarding my feelings about my brother-in-law and his wife who have decided to cease all communication with us, including Eva and Charlie. The latest is they sent back the Christmas gifts and birthday present we dropped off for my young nieces. Now they have me wondering, did they tell them we died? How are they explaining our absence from a birthday party and holiday celebrations? When my husband, Eva, Charlie and I were confronted with the returned gifts on our doorstep as we left to see the Nutcracker Ballet this Sunday, naturally we were bombarded with questions, “Why are these presents for our cousins back here again?” We were forced to try to explain that “Daddy’s brother is angry at Daddy right now and he’s not considering other people’s feelings.” However, getting these presents back was heart-wrenching for all of us and I’m going to need to “let it go” as my mom and dad have been advising me. If someone is so warped and twisted that they would involve children in an adult dispute then perhaps it is best we distance ourselves from them as well. We’re all sad and angry and we hope they will choose to take us back into their hearts soon.

Giveaway! Scharffen Berger Chocolate and Julie & Julia Paperback

NOTE: This Giveaway is over! Congratulations to the winners selected by Random.org who are Thiien-Kim, Bonggamom, and Annalene. They have been contacted via email and addresses have been requested so the goodies can be sent. Thank you to everyone who entered!

According to Scharffen Berger, Julia Child was one of its biggest fans, once proclaiming it “America’s best dark chocolate.” Scharffen Berger chocolate contacted me and wants to give away some of their wonderful baking chocolate (they didn’t even know I use it in my own baking!) and a copy of the paperback Julie & Julia by Julie Powell to my blog readers in honor of the DVD release. All you have to do is leave a comment by this Friday the 18th answering the following question:

What is the easiest vegetarian dish you cook often that everyone enjoys?

Random.org will choose three lucky winners (U.S. addresses only) and I will contact you via email for your address and Scharffenberger will send you the Julie & Julia paperback ($7.99 retail) along with a 9.7 oz 70% Cacao Bittersweet baking bar ($9.95 retail) and 3 oz. 82% Cacao Extra Dark Chocolate bar (retail $4.95) directly.

Good luck!

Tom’s of Maine Is on My List

Check out my latest post on Chicago Mom’s Blog where I explain how our pediatric dentist gave me some surprisingly disappointing news about Eva and Charlie’s favorite toothpaste here.