You Say Potato, I Say "Po-tah-toe"

Erica and I were having quite a heated discussion this morning over what to call the dish you see to the right.

Now I, like just about everyone else in America, calls it "Shepard's Pie." It has even been referred to by some as "Hamburger Casserole."

My wife, however, contends that the official name for this dish is "Hamburg, corn, and potatoes".

Now, there are two issues to deal with here. First of all, why would you call a dish by its ingredients? Do you refer to pizza as "crust, sauce, and cheese?" I don't think so. Neither does anyone else. Try to google the phrase. You won't find anyone calling it this way.

Ther second, and seemly more important issue, as that she claims hamburger should be called simply "hamburg," unless referring to the grilled burger. Again, I claim this is wrong. In fact, when I google "hamburg", I simply come up with references to either Hamburg, Germany, or Hamburg, NY, two places that lay some claim to the ground meat's origins.

Does anyone else see my point?

Pork Chops and Applesauce, Please

But hold the pork chops!

Brady reached another milestone last night, taking his first bites of "solid food", if you can refer to applesauce that way, anyways.

The verdict? He loved it!

Look Mom, No Hands!

Well, Brady is closing in on 16lbs. At the doctor's today, we got the latest on his statistics. We are proud to report he is in the 50th percentile for weight, 90th for height, and 90th for head circumference. Way to go Brady!

In other news, he is dangerously close to rolling over, the next big milestone. Yesterday I went to get him in his crib, and he had migrated to the other end of it, and rotated himself around.

Also, the doc said we'd be able to start him on solid foods by the end of the week. Hmmm, what should we give him first: peas, carrots, squash, or applesauce? Decisions decisions decisions.

Movin' On Up!

This week's US College Hockey Rankings:

1. Minnesota
2. Wisconsin
3. Miami
4. Boston University
5. Michigan State
6. Colorado College
7. Cornell
8. Maine
9. Boston College
10. Nebraska-Omaha

Nice work Terriers, nice work!

Don't Cry, Jerry York.

Your team just lost another beanpot to the Terriers. Your team has dropped 3 of 4 to them this season. You really are an overrated coach, and if I had to choose between you and Jack Parker to run my school's hockey program, it would be Parker all the way, baby.

Face it Jerry York, you'll just never be as good.

Brady Update: 4 Month Check-In

Well, Brady is just about 4 months old, and here's an update on where he is at:

1. He loves him new "jump-a-roo" toy, and is working on those muscles to hold up that big head of his!

2. He loves to talk and smile at just about everyone he meets. He can't get enough of people, and they can't get enough of him! Brady's Babcia & Dziadziu visit him a few times a week, as does his Aunt Alyssa, and his Aunt Shanna, Uncle David, and cousin Mackenzie. He loves his family!

3. He is very close to starting solid foods. He's ready too, I think he now holds the record for fastest-downing of a 5oz bottle of formula!

The Great Dining Room Make-Over

Well, the dining room is finally complete? As you can see from the before and after pictures, we changed the light, built a new mantle around the fireplace, put up a chair rail and wainscotting, and painted the entire room a deep red. It took a little while, but we think it is an improvement on the pink walls and wall-paper border.

Stay tuned for our next make-over project as operation renovate continues this spring!

What does 2 mean to you?

2: The number of times the BU Men's Ice Hockey team has lost a game since December 3. Oh, 12 is the number of games they have won since that date.

Last night in a predictable fashion, BC knocked off the Huskies while BU sent Harvard to yet another consolidation game. Next week: A familiar story: BU/BC for the rights to the "Terrier Classic" beanpot, as I like to call it. I like the Terrier's chances, but then again, would you ever want to vote against them in early February?

The better news was to see BC fall again this week in the www.uscho.com poll...down to 5. The Terriers, on the other hand, are up from 8 to 6. Let's hope for a role-reversal next week.

That's right BC

Last Friday night: Boston University Men's Ice Hockey shows them they are still the kings of the rink.

Last night: All that "hype" for nothing...Duke walks away with a victory.

Hey Eagles, how do you like them apples?

P. Sophie's Kid: Boy or Girl?

OK, is it too early to make some early gender predictions? Not so when you know they are going to be finding out early!

My vote: Girl all the way. Whadayathink?

You Owe Me Money, Uncle Sam!!!

Well, tis my favorite time of the year, the time to collect my dues from good 'ole Uncle Sam. Yep, its tax season baby. For some, this marks impending doom, but if you know you are getting a refund, it is like Christmas all over again. To all my avid fans out there in blogger land, I have some advise for you. Now, listen carefully: DO NOT PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO DO YOUR TAXES. Why, you ask? For just $19.95, you could do them yourself and get them e-filed for free! Ask any tax consultant to do them that cheap and they'll laugh at you. Now, I know you are saying, "But Stack, I'm not up-to-date on the latest tax laws. How will I know how to get the most in my taxes?" Well my friend, there is help. Actually, for the past four years, I have done my taxes online with H & R Block. My $19.95 is well spent, because as long as I have all my paperwork with me, I am walked right through the process. I even have the option to ask a tax professional in a live chat any question I encounter that the program doesn't answer for me. It is such a breeze, and I, like many, do not have a straight-forward tax situation. Heck, just this year, I bought a house and had a child, two great tax write-offs. Now, my complaints for any out there who know about taxes. WHY CAN'T I DEDUCT REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAXES? I was pissed when I found this off. The State of New Hampshire charged me almost $3000.00 just to buy my house, and I can't deduct this from my federal return. Bah!

Oh well, I move on. My taxes are almost done, and in just three days, my money will be direct deposited in my bank account. Until next year, Uncle Sam, when we meet again.

Doc Jr.

So official congratulations go out today to P. Sophie and "The Doc" for their recent announcement of the coming of Jr. Erica and I are excited for several reasons. Here are just a few:

1. We know they are going to make great parents, and LOVE having a baby in the house. This is something they have wanted for some time.

2. We are selfish. Its about time someone else joined us in the "baby" club. Do you know what it is like to be the only person in your group of friends to have a baby? On the one hand, it is cool, but on the other, you feel so old. We must have spent three hours talking to the Doc & Sophie when we found out, because we finally had someone we could talk to about everything we have gone through in the past year.

3. Brady is going to have a new playmate soon. He can't wait.

Doc & Sophie, we are so happy for you!

Brady Scare #1

Well, Brady spent two nights at Lawrence General Hospital last week, due to a urinary track infection. The cause? Still undetermined, but kidney tests confirm there could be some sort of a kidley reflux going on. Our doctor's solution? She has made an appointment for Brady to see a urologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in February. Until then, he is on a preventative dose of an antibiotic. What was Brady's reaction to all this? He continued to smile, laugh, and play. What a trooper! But the latest weigh-in shows he has but on almost 7 lbs and 7 inches since birth. Yikes!

Dining Room Update

Slow but steady wins the race. Well, I'm making progress on the room. As you can see here, I have completely removed the wallpaper border, installed a waincotting and chairrail, dismantled the mantle, and I am in the process of building a new one. Since this picture had been taken, I have finished all the woodwork and I have painted the lower half of the room (in the same ivory color we are using throughout the house). The top half of the walls will be painted a dark cranberry color, sometime int he coming weeks. I've also installed a new chandelier (not shown).

More pictures to come as I continue!

The Great Dining Room Make-Over: The Beginning

Well, the dining room is next on the list of rooms to renovate. For those of you keeping count, we have already done the master bedroom, Brady's bedroom, and the kitchen.

The dining room has lovely pink walls and wonderful "Aztec" wallpaper border. To boot, there is a "hack-job" of a mantle. Our plans: Put up a chair rail with wainscotting ont he bottom, painted the ivory we are using throughout the house, and paint the top a nice deep garnet color. The only difficult part of this room is going to be to build a new mantle...something a little fancier. My brother-in-law told me I should paint the bricks white too with some mason paint, but I'm not convinced on this yet. I'm going to have to get some pictures to see what it might look like first.

Brady is Growing!

He started at 19 inches, and now he is nearing 26. The doctor says he is going to be tall. Looks like he is going to outgrow the new kitchen sink in no time!

Mini-Me

Brady and I like to wear our matching Brady jersey's prior to every Pats game. Tonight, the Pats take on the Broncos. Go Pats!

My First Playoff Game, By Brady Stack

Well, this is my first official blog. Dada told me I should write about my first playoff game. Well, lets see. Auntie Alyssa, Babcia, and Dziadziu came over around seven. Dada told me to put my game face on, so I did. The game was great, but Mama made me go to bed right after Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass to Troy Brown. That Mama, she always spoils the fun. Oh well, I guess that's what I get for only being thee months old.

How To Cure New Year's Boredom.

Fill a glass with champagne, and put a raisin in it. It will bounce up and down for hours.

Mud Hens

What is a mud hen? I saw someone with this NH plate when I was driving to work last week in Boston. The weird thing is, when I was leaving the city five hours later, I saw them again on the highway. Weird.