A Track Suit and Orange Marmalade

We have had a pretty relaxing January so far.  I think it is one of my favorite months, but that could be because my birthday falls on it and I am totally spoiled by my family and friends, but especially my husband.  But, beyond that cold weather makes time for fun activities like cooking and playing board games (my favorite).  So we have tried all our new games we got at Christmas, and they are all so fun.
Another reason I like the cold is because I get to bundle Pace up.  He has lots of cute outfits (thanks everyone), but this track suit is one of my favorites.

Yes, he has no fear of climbing on chairs (despite a few falls)

Our neighbors went to California for Christmas and were nice enough to share a huge bag of oranges.  Despite our eating a few oranges a day (they were really yummy), we couldn't keep up so Pace and I made a big batch of orange marmalade. I used this recipe, but made a few changes.  I peeled about 1/3 of the oranges (just so there wouldn't be too much peal or pith), and left the other 2/3 whole besides cutting off the stem and navel ends.  I also used my food processor to cut them REALLY thin.  I doubled the recipe because we had that many oranges, and still had a few to spare (I used about 16-17 small oranges).  I cooked it for about double the time specified.  It was super easy, and I didn't even need pectin.  Sorry if that was way too much info, but I though maybe someone else might like to try it.  We have already gone through a whole jar.  We have had it on toast and used it in a dipping sauce for coconut shrimp (Jake made it for my birthday dinner YUM!).

The marmalade after soaking overnight and adding the sugar.

We got 6 jars (one not shown)

And then of course my birthday came.  It was kind of a big one for me (30 seems so much older than 29), but it came and went and I am over it.  I don't feel any older now.  But like I said I was spoiled.  I got some fun, beautiful gifts.  Jake also took me to a French restaurant and bakery and made me dinner (as mentioned above and a german chocolate cheese cake (yes that is as good as it sounds).  You should be jealous, it was a great birthday weekend.

The pastries we took home.

Pace's polar bear

No this is not from the bakery (this is Jake's cheese cake)