What's in a Name?

By now, you should all know that the newest royal has been born across the pond, and her name is Charlotte.  What a wonderful name!  Of course, we have had our own Charlotte in the family for some time now.  Misty's daughter, Charlotte, became a teenager just this year, and for us, she will always be the "original" Charlotte.

This is one of my very favorite photos of her, taken a couple summers ago when she joined us on Girls' Weekend.

  

Columnist, Charlotte Atler, recently penned a wonderful piece for Time Magazine called "What to Expect When your Name is Charlotte".  I read it and just died laughing.  Oh my goodness.  I guess I never realized the plight of a Charlotte.  Although, I can tell you from personal experience the plight of a Deanna isn't that easy either.  Starbucks baristas also cringe trying to figure out the best way to misspell my name.  

But back to the Charlottes. She speaks of misspellings and odd nicknames among so many other truths.  Here's one passage to give you a preview.

Unlike Elizabeth, Margaret and Alexandra, the nicknames for Charlotte are few and peculiar. Charlotte is long on the page but short on the tongue, which gives the impression that the name should be shortened. Charlie, Lotte, and Lottie are nice options, but they don’t suit everyone. Your name will inevitably be shortened to Char, which evokes images of fish entrees or blackened meat. Ultimately, I cannot guide you here. Each Charlotte must find her own path.

If you too are a Charlotte, then this is a must read.  Or if you just need a laugh, definitely give this article a spin.  And to all the Charlottes out there, I would say your stock is definitely on the rise. Hang in there, my friends.

Broccoli and Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes

This is a simple side dish that ups the ante on your run of the mill baked potato AND its a good way to sneak veggies into the menu if you need to do that. :-)

Broccoli and Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes

8 baking potatoes

2 bunches fresh broccoli, chopped into small florets

1 stick butter

1 cup sour cream

2 cups cheddar cheese

1/2 cup milk

2 tsp garlic powder

3 green onions, sliced

salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake potatoes for 1 hour, making sure they're cooked through.
2. While potatoes cook, steam broccoli florets in microwave, about 2 minutes.
3. Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl with sour cream. 
4. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees.
5. Allow potatoes to cool slightly before handling. Then, with a sharp knife cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides into the mixing bowl. 
6. Place the potato shells on a baking sheet.
7. Use a potato masher to combine the potatoes into the butter and sour cream. Add 1 cup cheese, milk, garlic powder, green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix together well. 
8. Fill the potato shells with the filling. 
9. Top each potato with more grated cheese and put them back into the oven until the potato is warmed through, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Lexi's Latest Jam: I Get So Emotional

Now that our Lexi is teething (again- will this ever end?), I can only describe her demeanor lately as emotional.  She's not a fussy baby and she literally never cries, so I have zero room to complain. She's just a little on the emotional side while these latest teeth are trying to make their way through.      

And I know that as soon as they pop through, life will be back to normal once again.  Until then, sing it, Whitney.  You have provided us with our latest theme song.  And I mean it- it's on constant rotation on the old iPad.  Lexi really does like this one.  :)

I've been hearing your heartbeat inside of me

I keep your photo right beside my bed

Livin' in a world of fantasies

I can't get you out of my head

I've been waiting for the phone to ring all night

Why you want to make me feel so good

I got a love of my own

Shouldn't get so hung up on you

I remember the way that we touched I wish I didn't like it so much

I get so emotional, baby

Every time I think of you

I get so emotional, baby

Ain't it shocking what love can do

Ain't it shocking what love can do

I gotta watch you walk in the room, baby

I gotta watch you walk out

I like the animal way you move

And when you talk I just watch your mouth

I remember the way that we touched I wish I didn't like it so much

I get so emotional, baby

Every time I think of you

I get so emotional, baby