Top Chef

Last night, we went to the awards ceremony for the American Culinary Federation food show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. (click here to see more info). For the second year in a row, Ed participated in this competition. He cooked yesterday morning (7:15 am!!) and was extremely happy with the meal he prepared. Check out these pics from the myrtlebeachrestaurantnews.com.....

Balsamic Glazed Skirt Steak with roll cut carrots, gratin potato and Madeira wine sauce.

The chefs are provided with an assistant from the local culinary school. They have two hours to create 6 plates of the same dish. It's a "mystery basket" competition, which means he didn't know which protein he'd have until the morning of the competition. The potential proteins were skirt steak, whole chicken, grouper, or pork loin.

I'm so proud of my hubby who took home a SILVER MEDAL!!!! When the judges tasted his food and gave him his critique, they said his flavors were "spot on". Way to go Ed!! Mom, Dad, Katie, Anthony, Edwin and I all went down there last night with Ed to celebrate his accomplishment. Katie brought her mac-daddy camera....but unfortunately the night went REALLY late, so I don't have anymore pictures for you this morning. But as soon as she sends them, I'll post for all to see. I know he's already planning on competing next year and I can't wait to see what he creates.

He Speaks!!!

Edwin said his first word this weekend! Any guesses?? It was MAMA!!! Yes, that's right. My sweet baby boy said his very first word. I guess all of my hard work has paid off. Virtually every day since he was about two months old, I've tried to get him to say mama...the payoff is so cool! On Saturday, I went through the routine again. "Edwin, say ma-ma. Ma-ma". Finally he did it! But since I didn't have any witnesses, I figured nobody would believe me. However on Sunday, the rest of the family heard it, and Ed confirmed it yesterday as well. Yay!!!!! Now I need to start working on Da-da.

Catch Up

It seems like I'm always playing catch-up on this blog...sorry. Time seems to get away from me, especially with an almost-toddler around. Yup, he's "cruising" now. I think that's the official term when a baby can stand up, and walk around holding onto furniture. He's a quick one, that's for sure!

Here's a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Edwin loves to look outside at the doggies

Just waking up from nap-time in mommy & daddy's bed

I don't think he cares that he's supposed to play in the exersaucer, not under!

II'm telling you, he loves standing, no matter where it is!

Playing with Tickle-Me-Elmo. Edwin's favorite Christmas gift

Yesterday was Spencer's first birthday party (see earlier post). Katie was going to take pictures for Jessica (Spencer's mom), but she got really sick with the flu, and had to send her back-up shooter. ME. Yes, that's right. I had to fill in at the last minute. I took close to 400 pictures! I was just worried that I'd miss something, especially since a first birthday only happens once. But according to Katie, I did pretty well. I'll let you know when she works her magic in the editing "studio" known as photoshop. Hopefully they turn out ok. Jessica was so sweet. If she was disappointed that Katie wasn't there, you'd never know it. She only wanted to make sure Katie was feeling better.

Today, I went up to Wilmington for church and then stopped at Walmart for a few groceries on the way home. Then Ed headed off to work, and Edwin & I spent the day hanging out, playing with all of his toys. I'm sure I've said this before, but he really is the best baby! He's always so happy, he is a great eater, he loves taking naps, he loves bathtime, and bedtime is a breeze. Not to mention that he's super cute and funny too! We are so blessed.

Ed has been sick the past couple of days too, but I think he's finally starting to feel better. One thing I had been meaning to post for the past two weeks is his cooking video! There's a woman named Johanna that films cooking segments with different chefs in South Carolina. A few weeks ago, she went to the Island Vista and did a segment with my hubby! You'll have to check it out by clicking here. His is the "Flounder with sweet corn broth." I'm so proud of all that he's accomplished. He's now been in a couple of magazines, he was on tv, now the internet...he won a silver medal in a cooking competition last year. He's on fire! There's another competition coming up at the end of this month that he'll be participating in. Unfortunately, it's during the week, so I won't be able to go. But I'll send the camera with him with strict instructions to take LOTS of pictures! I'll keep everyone posted.

Well that should be enough to keep people satisfied for awhile. Now I'm off to watch Exreme Makeover-Home Edition. I just love that show!! (Even though it makes me cry every time). Have a great week!

Strange Thought

Edwin is 42 weeks old (according to my parents.com newsletter). That means he's officially been on the outside, longer than he was on the inside. Weird!! But I must say, I enjoy him a whole lot more on the outside :)

Big Boys

Look! Edwin got his very first birthday party invitation today. It's much cuter in person, but I had to use the scanner at work (shhh). I can't believe my friend Jessica's baby is already one year old! That means Edwin isn't far behind. I remember commiserating with her at work--we were both pregnant at the same time. Anyway, Happy Birthday to Spencer!!!!

CHECK IT OUT!

Shameless plug: Katie's photography website is live!!! Check it out......katiemathewsphotography.com.

No Resolutions For Me

Happy 2008! Okay okay, I'm a few days late. I'm a total blog slacker these days....but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everybody else's posts. Hee hee. As the title of this post says, there will be no resolutions for me. Why make a statement at the beginning of the year, just to set myself up for ridiculous expectations. Instead, I'll just try to improve things all year long :) Actually, at church last year (right aorund New Year's), Mike (the pastor) talked about resolutions. He challenged everybody to give up their resolutions...and instead choose one word. One word to focus on throughout the year- to really think about it, pray about it, make it a part of our lives. And at the end of the year, we'd be able to look back and reflect...to see how we did. They even created a website called myoneword.org where people could tell what their word was and why they chose it. My word for 2007 was Trust. I wanted to focus on trusting God for everything in my life because His plans for me are greater than any I could imagine...and to trust others more as well. Now looking back, I feel that I made a lot of progress with Trust in 2007. So I'm really excited to go to church tomorrow morning. The church is doing the one word thing again this year. So I've been praying about it, trying to figure out what word God will give me. Steward? Persevere? I'm not sure yet. But I'll let you know...
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On another note, my dear husband and I are having a "friendly" competition this year. Ever heard of the Biggest Loser television show? Who am I kidding...everybody has heard of it. Well, last Tuesday another round started, but this time with couples. So Ed and I are doing our very own Biggest Loser edition in the Boso Household. Beginning last Wednesday, until Edwin's first birthday (March 30th for any slackers out there), we are having a contest to see who can lose the highest percentage of weight. The prize??? $$400 bucks. Yes, that's right. Four hundred dollars on the line. Ed wants to get a new tattoo....the lady we go to charges 400 for a full day...so he could potentially get a couple new tattoos. If (or should I say when) I win, I'll use the money for a full day at a spa...and spend the rest on new clothes. So there you have it. I've put it out there. I figure the more people that know, the more likely we are to actually follow through with it!!

Enjoy 2008!!