Too much nature

All this nature is starting to freak me out. Yesterday it was hawk-mockingbird wars. Then we discovered that the pile of wings and bloody remains in our yard were probably from a mockingbird, meaning that the hawk had already eaten one unfortunate soul. That's why he was just sitting there in our yard letting the other birds peck at him. He was eating and he wasn't going to be bothered. Thank goodness this morning, I saw both Mabel and Marvin show up and sit next to each other on the wire above their nest. I was so happy to see them and told them so. They just looked at me.

Then later this morning we came across this:


A turtle digging and apparently laying eggs right out in the open by our back gate. It was a pretty big turtle and seemed totally undisturbed by us watching it as it dug. I looked up turtle egg gestation and it's around 60-90 days. So we'll keep an eye out. Though, I have a feeling the raccoons who like to use our back yard as a latrine will soon sniff them out and have a snack.

It's like Mutual of Omaha around here. Anyone remember that show? So just when I thought I was finally safe and ensconced in the house from nature... I opened the garage door to find this:


I was horrified. Snakes are okay out in the yard but not in my garage where I walk barefoot and do the laundry. Mickey just stood there and would not come in the house. I knew Minnie would soon run out there and grab the snake and bring it in, she's done it before. So I slammed the door shut (and then got the camera.) I coaxed Mickey into the house and then I tried to pick the snake up with our handy broom and stick dustpan. I've done it before, when I absolutely had to get a snake out of the kitchen. I tried to scoop up the snake, but it started coming up the steps toward me! I was screaming and trying to stop it, but it wouldn't stop!!! Then I started pushing it back down the steps with the broom and it finally slithered off under the washing machine! I pray that it doesn't die under there, because we have learned that snakes smell very bad when they die in a hot garage. It didn't look injured, so I hope it is smart enough to get back outside under the garage door. I will be freaking out every time I do laundry now.

I don't think I would do well living out in the woods or something. This is why I don't like camping. I love nature and animals, but I like them outside, not inside my home- being nice and not killing each other in front of me! This happens to me each year I realize, when I spend a lot of time outdoors. I just get plain freaked out by nature.

Rumble in the Front Yard!

Photos used for dramatic reenactment, the hawk was on the ground

and Mavis, Mable and Morton were attacking from the roof of our house!

Red Tail Hawk

Today we arrived home from piano lessons to find our Mockingbird couple, whom we have since named Mabel and Marvin, viciously attacking a hawk that was at least 4 times their size! There was even a third Mockingbird involved, perhaps Mabel's brother Morton? At first all we could see were the little birds squawking and flapping their wings and dive bombing. I was sure they were trying to protect their nest and we approached to see if we could help. Suddenly this large hawk ( I think a Red Tail like pictured) flew off from where it had been sitting on the ground. It left behind a big pile of feathers and what looks like some red flesh (eww.) I ran over to see if it had eaten the eggs already and thank goodness it hadn't. I looked it up and read that Mockingbirds are one of the most vigorous defenders of their young. I'll say! Bravo Marvin and Mabel (and Morton!)

Listen...

Not a video, but someone was nice enough to post the song on youtube, odd choice of picture though.

My latest find. The Long Lost. Not new, but new to me. Heard on local college radio. I am always a sucker for a bossa nova or samba beat. Also if I hear a flute softly playing that gets me. This band is interesting. A husband and wife duo- they dress in a sort of shabby Victorian style. The husband has large mutton chop sideburns and the wife wears very long straight red hair. Their songs are extremely quiet, perfect for a quite evening or to calm oneself after a busy afternoon. I often listen to them while driving. This song is the peppiest on the album. Here they are...

I'm just passing through

That's what this little boy named Carlos said to me today. I was at school collecting art for our second annual all school art show. I have spent the past few weeks meeting with each and every child asking them to pick their favorite piece of art to display from a year's worth of work. It has been fun meeting all the kids, except one fifth grade class- who were particularly difficult. And in the end I felt bad for them, all having been pegged as behavior problems. But today, Carlos took me aback. I asked him to pick his favorite piece and he said "I won't be participating in the art show" (He's in third grade.) I told him this was an art show for everyone and that he didn't have to come that night if he didn't want to. Maybe he thought he had to be there. Anyway, he then said "I'm just passing through." He kept saying it. Then he said his mother wouldn't come on a Friday night because she has something she always does- I didn't understand the word he used. He eventually just wandered off and I didn't notice at first because a bunch of other kids had gathered around me. When I noticed I called him up and told him he could take all his artwork home, he wouldn't take it. I asked if he was sure he didn't want me to pick something for the show. He again said "I'm just passing through." Finally, I just picked something and forced his folder into his hand as he left the class with the others. I think he said it again as he was going out the door. "I'm just passing through."

It's the weekend. Foux Du Fafa

Mockingbirds

Last weekend this Mockingbird couple decided to build a nest in our arbor. They spent a week building the nest, bringing tiny bits of things every few hours and meticulously weaving them into a beautiful nest. The nest is right at my chin level so I can peek right in!



I'm so excited because I found 3 eggs in the nest this morning. It was hard to get a good picture because I was terrified that the birds were going to attack me. I love looking at birds and I think they're amazing creatures and want to learn more about them. But if they come too close to me, I get a bit freaked out. Now, we'll wait and see if 3 baby mockingbirds hatch. I'm just amazed that these birds picked this spot, I walk through the arbor everyday to water and garden. We can also see the arbor from the girl's bedroom. Maybe we'll get to watch the babies hatch and grow!

If you like cats...

... you'll adore this one! Found this on the NPR website. This is the most relaxing five minutes to watch, that ends with you giggling hysterically. This cat is awesome- I've never seen such a thing. Stick around to the end- it's worth it. You can also find more videos of Maru here. He's addictive.

For Diana!

A drop of golden sun!

Hope

Our school may be closed, but then merged with the local middle school. This would be great news for us, continuing our language program and opening it up to more children. Not such good news for the middle school. It's curriculum would change drastically and many children would be rezoned to go to other schools.

It's a give and take. A bittersweet proposition. This economy.

Love Neko Case

Neko Case creates the kind of music that must be listened to turned up loud. It's best blasting in a car on a moonlit night with all the windows open. The music echos and Neko's voice floats out on the wind. I would like to listen to it in a canyon or in the woods. It has a dark quality, but of a woman calling out letting us know she's still out there waiting. It causes me to try to be poetic.

Second day of March

Sunflower with ants, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's extremely cold in my house, a strange March cold snap is to blame. It's warming up outside I'm sure, but I'm housebound with laundry and potty training today. I found this picture that I took a few years ago and forgot. I love looking at it. I enjoy being able to capture a moment with creatures in action. I can't seem to catch a bird, I think I need a better camera for that.

Fried

February Gone!

I realized the whole month of February had passed and I hadn't blogged. Been spending a bit too much time on Facebook. I have also been uploading lots of stuff on Flickr. You can see how my garden has been progressing. I have been worrying over our school closing and spending a lot of time thinking about that. Been wondering whether to hook all this up to Facebook, so that my friends there might check this out. I think most of my friends there already know- well actually, there are all those high school friends and other friends, that I don't know extremely well. This is public, so anyone can see it- but honestly who comes here? Especially when I don't update too often. Have to say summer is a more productive time here around the blog! Here's a peek at the garden.

My High School Sweetheart

My boyfriend.

I was not much of a dater in high school. Not for lack of wanting, just didn't get asked. Then my one fumbly experience turned sour. So my real high school sweethearts were the pop stars that I fell absolutely in love with. First there was Sting. I was obsessed and had pictures of him everywhere. Immediately after high school and my terrible boy experience- I discovered the Smiths and specifically Morrissey. It was perfect timing- I was so disillusioned and scared of boys. Morrissey was there and completely caught my fancy beyond even Sting. Why? He was attractive, sensitive and well-read but mostly because he was gay and a self proclaimed celibate. He sang about unrequited love and never being able to find the right person, plus he was a little naughty sometimes in a British way. Each song was calling out to me and comforted me in a way that Sting never did. (He was much too grown-up for me- I now realize.)

It reminds me of a review I read of the Twilight movie- the critic supposed that teen girls love the vampire heartthrob character because he adores the girl character, but cannot have sex with her and she finds that ultimately non-threatening and romantic (as opposed to um- him being a blood sucking vampire?) But come to think of it, maybe that's why my "love" of Morrissey was so strong- he was safe. I knew that if I was caught alone with him, even though I might have wanted to totally make out with him or at least swoon- he wouldn't have touched a hair on my head. Gay and celibate- that's as good as a vampire to a girl. Oh, and then the fact that I could never possibly ever meet him.

What got me thinking about Morrissey? His new album- which is being heavily advertised right now. I have every Smiths album and the first few solo Morrissey albums that I still listen to frequently and can sing to by heart (it's in my DNA now- I'm sure my girls will know the songs too.) But somewhere around the mid 90's I lost track of my sweetheart and got involved with other bands, other genres of music, it became less about a late night companion to swoon over and more about really appreciating music. And maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was married to a real man.

So, today I went to Morrisey's website, inspired by Facebook and all that reconnecting with old friends. I listened to his new single- not knowing what to expect. And guess what? The music sounds exactly the same, his phrasing, his lyrics- still singing about the "absence of human touch." It's like he's in a time capsule! I don't know how to feel about it. Other artists from that era - such as David Byrne- have expanded and gone all over the place. But there's Morrissey, same hairstyle and haughty chin-up pose, just a little doughier around the jawline. Is it comforting or disturbing? The music is good- as I look back on other bands I was into- I realize that the Smiths were just a plain good band, they stand up to scrutiny. But my old boyfriend- he's caught in a time warp- rehashing his youth over and over. Should I be concerned? He seems happy, maybe I'll just let him be. We had some good times and he got me through some rough spots. I'll thank him for that. Next time I don't see him.

My boyfriend 20 years later.

Kind of Blue

This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of Kind of Blue. It still sounds fresh and cool. What geniuses. Witness the real thing--Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb April 1959

An awesome way to start a day

Watch Hammerdance videos and dance lessons at DanceJam.com

As is often the case, I do not know how I ended up on this website watching this video. But I just had to share. It's fun, funny and this kid is pretty good at the Hammerdance. I couldn't figure out whether to watch him or his mom quietly knitting behind him on the couch. She seems unperturbed by her son dancing wildly and hopping around in front of a video camera inches away- this must be an everyday occurrence at their house. Also, he doesn't seem to think having his mom sitting behind him will lessen his cool. How he does this grand dance in that tiny space between the couch and the TV and his use of every available space is impressive!

And I just discovered you can watch many, many more people doing the Hammer dance by clicking on the link above. Quite entertaining indeed.

Another word about the Inauguration

After my heady week of watching non-stop Inaugural coverage, I'm ready to get back to work.  I swear, I just got weepier with each moment.  Maybe it was that I was tired.  One night I watched "The Daily Show" and found John Oliver making fun of Obama.  I didn't like it.  I didn't like it one bit, then I suddenly felt a shock of realization- is this what it felt like for Bush followers all these years?  Have I become a blind follower of what one person in the NYT called a "demagogue?"  I have to be honest, I had to look that up.  I mean sure I've heard that word a million times, but did I really know what it means?  I guess not- "a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument."  But-- also in ancient Greece and Rome- "a leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people."  So yeah.  I guess that could describe Obama, you could take it as a negative or a positive.  By the way, it's about time the spellcheckers of the world added Obama to their lists of correctly spelled words!  Just type it and see what I mean.

A peek into our morning...

Get Happy!

Update: I just found out that Rufus actually played at one of the Inaugural Balls, of course it wasn't one that the Obamas visited. Although I'd have given something valuable to hear Rufus sing "At Last."

Happiness

I'm so excited I'm crying!  

Square Pegs

I am so excited! I used to love this TV show and now you can watch it on Hulu.">!

Super fun with toys

Lots more videos here...
http://www.youtube.com/user/MadRuth

It's all about squirrels

Squirrel rumble.  Reds vs. Greys  From the Dining and Wine section of the New York Times.

What goes with a faux-hawk?

How 'bout a busted top and bottom lip? Sounds like that would complete the ensemble. I've got them now, since Hazel accidently slammed her head into my mouth as we were both bending down to look at hermit crabs at Petsmart. I wasn't in some sort of punk rock mom rumble at a club. It hurt terribly bad and my lips were bleeding as we checked out with our cat food and litter. If I didn't feel like a weirdo already, that cinched it. Plus my hair doesn't really look like a faux hawk now, it just looks like I have a bad haircut. Which I guess is the same thing. Ha! Oh, I guess it's not that bad. Off to get dinner and laundry done...

My Mid Life Crisis

Stupid? Immature?  I am 40 after all.  Can I really pull of a faux-hawk?  My hairdresser thinks so.  I asked him for something edgy and this is what he came up with.  It's also easy to push down or even make more hawky.  What's going on?  I figure, it's only hair.  Next week my life is changing drastically I needed to have something in my pocket to hold onto. I might go into surgery with it fully spiked.  Why not? Well I guess it wouldn't be too comfortable to lie on. It would give the nurses something to talk about.

How we feel

Obama TV, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Still processing the news. Every time I hear it again, it thrills me, and tears nearly shoot out my eyes. My favorite moment, when I told Hazel the next morning. She was very excited- although I'm sure she doesn't understand. She just thinks that we were on team Obama and had a sign in our yard. I told her this was very historic, she asked-Why? I told her he was our first African American president- she said- What does that mean? I said- He has brown skin. She said- Really? That's silly that he's the first. Why hasn't there been any other? She has no concept of racism or what this all means. I've tried to explain things to her in the past, they talk about MLK at school, but it doesn't stick. And the labels definitely don't stick. I hope that goes for the rest of us soon. This is a start.

THINK PINK!

Dedicated to Lora and Andy...

Happy Halloween!

This movie has freaked me out since I was a child and somehow saw it. Just recently recorded it, but don't know if I'm up to watching it! Scarier than any gory thing they've been putting out lately. Really scary if you turn off the lights and open the windows- I don't know what it is about opening the windows. All I know is I did it once and completely wigged out while watching this! And you have to watch it loud, because it's the noises that are the scariest part. Boo!

Where have I been?

Gosh, it's been a while since I blogged. And I miss it. I started this whole project in the summer and I had lots of time. Since school started time has gotten a little tighter. Have to help with the homework, go to piano on Wednesdays and go to school twice a day. Also, I have been working a little at English Gardens. I take Lilah with me and we answer the phones and help around the place. It's been an interesting time learning how to juggle schedules. I've found that I'm not very good at it! My house is suffering, my hair is suffering, and for some reason the pores on my nose are growing larger each day. Don't know what that has to do with it all, but it certainly is disturbing. I don't know if anyone is even reading this or visiting anymore. People tend to forget when you don't update. If you're there, give me a little shout! There are so many things to talk about, but I can't think of them right now- I'm a bit tired and tomorrow is Halloween. It's going to be a crazy day. Trying to just take it all in and not miss anything.

Take a look at Fred and Ginger

This routine is so effortless, these were two extremely cool people. I love how they laugh and make it seem so natural that one could just break out in tap dancing. Fred Astaire is the most confident person I've seen on screen and Ginger Rogers is effervescent.

Greetings from Caterpillar Land

caterpillar 2008, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's been a busy month. I'm trying to get back to blogging, I enjoy it too much to stop. These caterpillars are eating the Butterfly Weed I bought a few weeks ago. I haven't even planted them in the ground, just set the pots in the garden. The caterpillars found them and started to feast. The fat little guys just couldn't wait. This somehow symbolizes the way life has been going lately- but can't quite put it into words in these few minutes I have. I'll think about it.

I wish I was asleep

You're not the boss of me.

I have been gone for a while, practically the whole month of September! Adjusting to school, new schedules and working a little myself, all while dealing with a two year old (see photo.) It's been tiring and in my free time I've been working on my yard and house. I'll be back soon when I figure out how to fit blogging into my new schedule. I do miss it.

Left alone with loud music

I actually got very hungry for cookies and brownies while making this, advertising works!

"College" scene, complete with giant soda and boom box.

Well, I was asked to make a giant poster and some sandwich style signs for the PTA fundraiser. Had to get it done by yesterday evening and, as usual, I waited until the last minute.  I spent all of yesterday working on things.  I had gotten a lot of help starting out on Saturday from a friend, but there was a lot left to do. Anyhow, I was laboring away and turned on some music.  With the acrylic paint and the metal ruler out I was transported back to college- well, college with two antsy kids getting underfoot.  Then Daddy took the kiddies away to go swimming for a few hours.  I turned the music up loud and even put on The Smiths, my high school sweethearts.  I was really feeling it, singing along loudly- and realized, I hadn't been in this situation for a long time!  Blasting music, painting and totally alone- immersed in art.  Even though I was painting giant chocolate chip cookies and coffee mugs- it still felt great.  Either that's really sad or somewhat inspiring.  If I only had a little room- no!- building, of my own, what could I do? Besides paint giant chocolate chip cookies of course.  When the family got home, Hazel said "It sounds like you're having a party in there!" 

Update:  Saw the safety patrol kids in car line this morning wearing their signs, they were so cute and all the PTA moms were waving at me appreciatively. Nice!

Observations of the Morning

How'd you like some frozen peas to go with that pile of bread you've got there?

• I don't like bare floors. I always feel like there are crumbs under foot. I need a rug to alleviate that feeling and to wipe the crumbs on.
• I don't have any rugs down because of my incontinent cat. I put down washable ones occasionally, but she immediately targets them. Annoying.
• I don't like it when my children squeal and squawk in dismay. It sends my blood pressure up. Hazel is home today sick. Although from the sounds of it, she isn't that sick.
• I have accomplished more this morning than I expected. Doing laundry twice a week isn't so bad, eh?
• My hair was cut a wee bit too short this weekend. But it will grow fast.
• I need to clean my major appliances as a major appliance check up is happening this Friday. Time to dust under the fridge. Last time a repair guy was under there he asked how many cats we had and were we missing any?

What a Show!

Just found this on Netflix. How could I have never heard of this extravagance? Dig those wild costumes and hair! Shirley MacLaine! Paul Newman! Gene Kelley! Dick Van Dyke! Robert Mitchum! Dean Martin! A chimp named Frieda and Parisian Beatniks who are real Hepcats! This clip is more than I can handle. Let out a gasp when I saw Shirley on Robert Mitchum's shoulders while waterskiing.

What I did on the first day of school

My favorite corner with baby dolls.

More collections encased in cabinet.

This might be where it gets out of hand.

But we love books, and paper dolls, and...

Vintage valentines and cute vintage animal ceramics.

This was Mark's grandmother's shoe holder, now it holds tiny animals.

And I just discovered, you can click on the pictures to see the details, if you are so inclined.

Yesterday was Hazel's first day of second grade. I was up and at 'em by 6:30 a.m. Then after dropping her off and going to a school program, I arrived back at home alarmingly full of energy. I don't know why. I have had the entire summer to get stuff done. Instead, we were determined to have the laziest summer ever. I had so much energy and the day seemed to stretch out endlessly before me before school let out. I think I was trying to distract myself from feeling sad. Without any plan- I went into the girl's room and rearranged things, hung pictures that have been sitting around for two years and cleaned under the beds! I also semi-rearranged the closet (this is much more taxing than one burst of energy can tackle.) I was pleased with my accomplishments by the end. Where was Lilah? She is so cool, she just hung out with me and gave me her 2 year old opinion occasionally.

I fear that I have passed on my pack rat ways to my children. Well, actually I know I have, no unknown fear here. It might be because of the jam packed arrangements of stuff I have in their room. This room is not big, but I have managed to cram collection after collection in there. I think it may be too much. But it sure is lots of eye candy. The girls seem to like it, and I do too. I guess that's what matters. I have no idea what I am going to do with all this stuff when the girls decide to decorate on their own. I pray that they won't want to plaster the walls with some flavor of the month tween star or big purple unicorns. So far we have stayed away from all that. We are pure little baby girl right now! And sadly, these pictures are only of one wall of the room, there are three more. But, I swear, not as crammed! They have to have beds to sleep in for goodness sake.

Rainy Fay

What to do on a rainy day?  School was cancelled today due to Tropical Storm Fay.  Too formal, let's just call her Fay.  Anyway.  It hasn't been the scary, windy sort of day I was expecting.  Just a bit dark and gloomy with occasional downpours.  I think we have every light on in the house- it seems awfully bright in here.  I don't know how it came to me sewing tiny sleeping bags and making a tent for the doll house crew. But it all got crazy when I went outside in the rain for twigs to make a tiny fire for marshmallow roasting.  We had fun setting up scenes and taking pictures.  Back to school tomorrow!

Market Research

I don't know if I mentioned this but last month I was recruited to be in a focus group.  I answered the phone one day and this dude started asking me questions.  I was a bit bored so I thought- why not? I was suspicious, thinking he was selling me something of course, but it turned out to be a focus group.  The real catch was the $75 they promised me.  Just to sit in a room with a bunch of other women and talk about amendments to our state constitution and how they would appear on the ballot come fall.  It was fun, although I did feel like a bit of a dumb bunny at some points.  

Anyway, I signed up to receive emails from this company Schlesinger and Assoc. to try to earn some more easy money.  They email me all the time, but I don't usually fit the criteria, I'm not a teenager or latino or chew tobacco (really- a focus group on chew?) But the other day an email came that asked if I like to entertain in my home-- oh, do I? So I called up and got asked a bunch of questions related to bakeware and how often I entertain (I may have upped the numbers just a smidge.)  Do I have birthday parties? Yes. How about poker parties? Yes. Do you have cook outs? Yes. Is it important to you that your kitchen tools match your kitchen? I guess.  What is the most important goal in your life? Huh? They had to punch in some "algorithms" and called me back to let me know I qualified. So I'm going to a two hour market research study, right down the street and I'll get paid $100 this time.  Plus I might get to eat some food!  I think it's going to be about bakeware- because they only asked about that kitchen item.  Maybe I'll get to see some new fangled bakeware that they are researching. If they only knew what a sucker I am for any sort of "new" products.  If you like- you can go to their website and sign up, you might be able to take part in studies in your area.  I sound like an ad.

A sure sign

Back to school, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's back to school time. Didn't I just blog about the last day of school? That went fast. Of course. Dig these socks, they are so very cute.

Who's 7?

This baby is now 7.

These last few days of summer have been spinning by fast.  Been trying to squeeze every last bit out so that we won't regret missing anything.  Lilah and I sure will miss Hazel when she goes back to school.  We'll just be rattling around the house until she gets home again each day.  Since I last blogged she turned 7.  Hard to believe.  August is a month of grand memories and always causes me to pause and revel in them.  My rolly-polly little baby, now all arms and legs and always ready with a charming smile or little quip.  She's wise and patient beyond her years- but still a little girl who cries when she bumps her head.  Not growing up too fast, I think she seems to be going at just the right rate. She walks away without looking back- I think- until I catch her peeking over her shoulder to make sure I'm still there. She has strong opinions and is slowly moving from our little family to explore the world on her own.  Chubby little rolly-polly baby of mine.

Anniversary #17

Hello, from 20 years ago. 

Gosh, we were pretty.  Met in 1988, married August 10, 1991. Two cross country moves, six residences, four cats, two babies later, me with the same haircut, Mark no longer blonde-  spending our 17th  Anniversary at IKEA with our little daughters and their friend. Romance is all in the head.  

Did everyone get married in August?

Our anniversary is coming up and so it seems is everyone else's!  Lora just missed the August date, she always has to be different.  But I have two other close friends who got married (to separate men of course- this isn't a Big Love situation) on August 3rd.  Can you guess which one had her reception at this beautiful place?

Busy, Busy, Busy

This must be sung to the tune of "Money, Money, Money" from ABBA.  Saw Mamma Mia the other night with Lora.  It was a gorgeous mess of a movie.  The ages and times were all messed up.  But you could forgive it all for the beautiful Greek scenery- especially the church on the top of a little rocky island- amazing!  And the exuberant Meryl Streep who just went wild through the whole movie.  It was very fun- reminded me of a classic movie with lots of singing and no sense.  And we saw at least one woman completely dancing in her seat, shimmying her shoulders and everything- alone no less!  

This week I am completely busy preparing for Hazel's 7th birthday party.  Started out simple, got complicated fast! Well, actually I have to say I am the most organized I have ever been so far.  Already have all the stuff purchased, except for food.  On a tight schedule to make sure I get it all done on Friday, since the party starts at 10:30 AM on Saturday.  I had to have it that early to beat the heat.  Plus everyone will be gone by the afternoon and I can take off to Greece, just like I planned!  I wonder if anyone will notice if I leave for a few days?

Happy Anniversary L & A

Happy Anniversary Lora and Andy!

I can't believe a whole year has passed, cheers to you both!

Happy Birthday Donya!

Here are the lyrics- I've never quite been able to make them out- sing along! 

(but don't try to figure them out)
Happy
happy birthday in a hot bath
To those nice
nice nights.
I remember always
always I got such a fright.
Seeing them in my dark cupboard with my great big cake.
If they were me
if they were me
And I was you and I was you -
If they were me and I was you
Would you have liked a present too.

What a neat place this is

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust

Okay, I'm not going to lie and pretend to know much about Proust. Even though I graduated with a Humanities degree- somehow Proust was missed. I'll be sure to look him up soon. I actually found this quote on a card that I bought at my dear friend Diana's shop. I intended to give it to someone as a proper thank you card, but of course I never did and it is hanging on my bulletin board instead. But I do like the quote- very simple. I thought it was appropriate for the way I'm thinking at the moment.

I've enjoyed so much putting together this blog and it's been quite a fun diversion- maybe too much! But it has helped me establish and sort of organize my identity a little bit. You tend to get lost in the everyday housework, the kids overwhelming life forces, things pulling you in every direction. You become someone's mom, whose name no one ever remembers or who isn't recognized without a child attached. I do enjoy this life as mom and household engineer, but it's nice to blow off steam and have some fun here.

I also have been so excited that my friends have been enjoying this place. I do it for you too. I'm excited to be able to have these chats- even if they are one way a lot of times. I know you're out there! I miss you all that are so far away, and even the ones that are right down the street. We are all so busy these days it's hard to make time for each other. The internet is such an amazing place. You hear all the bad stuff regularly, but I think it's a wonderful and amazing thing. Imagine, you read a book and enjoy it- you feel as if you've become the author's friend. So you find her blog and leave her a note- and amazingly enough she writes you back the next day! What a cool little world this has become!

Thanks for being my friends, old and new.

Banana cake not bread

Banana cake, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Okay, I've gone on a bit of a dessert mania. I made dessert last night and tonight. I rarely do that. Last night I made blueberry cobbler, using the recipe from Deborah Madison's "Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone" - that I've had for a thousand years. Her recipes always are a bit complicated, or maybe I just have a hard time reading them. I was reading and re-reading and really it was just a simple recipe. It turned out very good, but mostly because of the marvelous blueberries, who doesn't like warm, gushy fruit? 

Anyhow, I decided tonight that I had to absolutely use up the dying bananas, instead of throwing them away as usual. I used to have this amazing banana bread recipe, it tasted more like cake, it was smooth and light- not dense like most banana breads. But, I can't find that recipe, so I Googled 'banana cake." I soon discovered this recipe and website, which of course was calling to me across the ether to find it! The author is David Lebovitz- who I had never heard of but should have. He has a very, very nice website with some fantastic recipes and beautiful photography and he lives in Paris! I'm very excited about it, can you tell? So anyhow- I printed up the recipe lickity-split and stood in my kitchen and churned this baby out. Wow! What a nice texture, firm, not dry, very spongy. The addition of the chocolate chips and the whipped cream sent it over the edge. We all enjoyed it greatly, even Lilah who ate some of the cake instead of just licking off the cream!  I used the Ghirardelli 60% cocoa chips- they are divine- be sure to use very little, they pack a powerful wallop of chocolate taste- not so sweet. I thought they would be better than the super sweet waxy ones I had in the pantry and not add to the super sweetness of bananas. I was right! 

Please try it if you like banana bread- it is very easy and you will not be disappointed. And as the author points out, these are not high in fat or other bad stuff. I do love his take on the difference between muffins and cakes and how people insist muffins and sweet breads are healthier- but really just the same thing in a different form.

True Confession

The big mess, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Lest you think I have a really neat house, this is what it looks like for real. That last picture was an extreme close-up. This is all the laundry from last night unfolded and exploded all over the living room and the lunch dishes still on the table at 5 pm. Now it will be a mad dash to get it all back in order before Mark gets home. Don't want him to think I spent all day on the computer!

Take a peek

Birdie S & P, originally uploaded by bossamama.

You know, I still think like a merchandiser. Even though it's been a million years since I did windows at a Hallmark store and a Linens 'n Things (Hello, this is Linens 'n Things, we have lots of nice things at lots of nice prices!- they made us say that when answering the phone.) the merchandising bug stayed with me. (As well as all my best friends that I met at both of those work places!) I have certain areas of my home where I have things on display as if it was a store. Nobody ever touches these things, they just sit there and collect multiple layers of dust. But occasionally, I'll remember to look at them and think- oh, yeah, I have some neat things! Here's a few...

My favorite birdie S & P shakers from Missouri, a very old mixing bowl and wisk from my Nana, a Swiss trivet from Alex and Kendra, a 1944 edition of "The Joy of Cooking" from my Grandma Betty, a hand painted wood Hawaii S & P shaker from the Ritzie's, and a rubber pea-pod dog squeeze toy that I could not resist from the lean days in college. Oh, and the blue book is called "The Way to a Man's Heart- Your Gas Range Cookbook" from a trip to Kansas. It's a real hoot, I'll have to scan it in separately soon, along with a few recipes.

French by Heart

I am reading the most enchanting, wonderful book right now.  It's called "French By Heart" written by Rebecca S. Ramsey.  It's a memoir of her time spent living in France with her 3 young children, husband and old cat.  It takes place in the early 2000's.  I totally relate to it in so many ways.  First off she is obsessed with France and the charming villages, the history, the culture, etc. Her French isn't great and she is speaking it with a South Carolina accent (can you imagine?) Then there's the travails of school, but this time mixed with the language barrier and the chain smoking, snobbish teachers.  What I most relate to is her older neighbor, who is constantly watching her house, dispensing advice and generally bossing her around.  I laugh the hardest at those moments.  She is admonished for her gardening and housekeeping (check), given so much advice on raising children the French way (check- but different culture) and surprised to have strange pills forced into her mouth without warning (I have had strange food pushed into my mouth without warning.)  She is poked and prodded and her house is invaded by this neighbor- she is constantly subjected to rants about the right way to do things.  The big difference is that her neighbor is across the street, with full viewing privileges of her house. Mine is next door and I am only on display as I enter the yards.  I have been known to take a step out, see activity in the next door yard and hightail it back inside.  The author can't even walk around in her house without being watched!  I got this from the library, but I think I might buy it- I can see myself wanting to read it again.  

Ye Olde Malle Shoppe

I loved these little containers, they had sweet little ceramic spoons inside. I can't buy things like this anymore. I have too many trinkets and my house is quite size restricted.
I love these aprons and the colors. It's the prints and the edging that get me. I would want to wear these all the time and that just might look silly.

Went to Anthropologie for an injection of inspiration the other day. Is it sad that I am inspired by a company's well thought out retail plan? I realize that there are people who sit around in a room and try to decide how to appeal to a certain population who will fall for this concept and spend lots of money. I don't actually spend money at Anthropologie- so I guess I'm not being completely hoodwinked. But boy, if I did have money, I would spend it there for sure! They pick out the most amazing fabrics and designs for their clothes. I am totally enchanted by their whole vintage/world market style, I'd really like to live in the store itself. The creative displays are a reason enough for me to check out the store. Once there was a huge pile of mattresses loaded with all their latest bed coverings- a la Princess and the Pea. Another time there were hundreds of bars of Ivory soap nailed to the wall in the shape of a wave. Unfortunately, there were no exciting displays this time, as they were getting ready to start new ones. There was even a note on the door apologizing- they obviously know some people come to see them. I was so excited last year that I got to buy my maid of honor dress for Lora's wedding there- the only time I paid full price! Otherwise I limit myself to trinkets that have been marked down. I bought nothing the other day- couldn't find anything in my $5 limit- but I did take some pictures. I was having a good time in the store- you might say I was in sort of a reverie. Until I was rushed back to reality when I heard a giant splash of ice and drink and turned to see my daughters with shocked looks on their faces. Thank goodness nothing got hit with sticky Coke and the sales clerk was very nice about it. I was trying to find ideas for my house. I'm really tired of my red dining room. It's been almost 8 years and it's starting to wear on me. Stay tuned, we'll see if I actually do anything about it.

I'm tired, but Betty Hutton isn't

If you stopped by my house in the late 90's, you would know that I was fairly obsessed with this song.  I'm so excited to have found it on Youtube and to present it here for your enjoyment-or maybe just mine.  I think that this week disappeared in some sort of elaborate magic trick, I don't know where it went. I haven't blogged all week and this evening I am very tired. I had lots of ideas for things to write, but they all flew out of my head as soon as I got out of the shower each day.  So, here's Betty, she's a real doll.  If you'd like to see her in full comedic action, check out the movie "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek."

Yummy Fish

Yummy, originally uploaded by bossamama.

I used to be a full-on vegetarian. But during my first pregnancy, I had this uncontrollable urge to eat fish. Ever since then the whole family has eaten fish along with me. After many years and many freaked out moments (I still have a hard time with the whole this was once alive thing) I have learned many ways to cook tasty fish. My darling husband tells me he likes my fish more than any restaurant's. It's actually the easiest thing to cook, now that I know how. Here is a recipe I have been stuck on lately, you can use just about any kind of fish, I think. I usually use tilapia or salmon. I got it off the internet, but adapted it a bit and now just do it from memory. I changed it enough to make it my own. If you can even call it a recipe, it's so simple.

Panko Fish
You need a fish filet of some sort or several if small
Also need:
Panko bread crumbs (panko are better than regular-trust me)
Dijon mustard
Olive Oil
Trusty S +P
All you have to do is stir about a 1/3 cup of panko crumbs (adjust according to size of fish) up with some S+P and about a tablespoon of olive oil (or enough to coat the panko nicely) in a small bowl. Next, spread a layer of mustard over the top of the fish which will be nestled in some sort of dish. Put the panko/oil mixture on top of the fish, mush it down in a nice thick, even layer over the fish that is facing up (don't worry about the bottom.) Then put it in a 400 degree oven for however long your particular fish needs to cook. (Could be 10 minutes or 20- depending how thick.) You can check by inserting a knife into fish to see if it's done. The layer of mustard leaves the fish very tender under the panko and has a nice flavor. You can also mix various spices in with the mustard or panko. Experiment! You can also substitute mayonnaise for a different taste and more calories.

Let me know if you try it!

I married a mad scientist

He's crazy! But really, he was just awarded another patent (along with colleagues) for a very complicated laser contraption that is already in use. If you want to see his official patent click on the link above. I'm very proud of him, even if I don't quite understand the things he makes. He can always answer my math and science questions with ease!

Falling Down

It's always scary when a child falls and hits her head.  But two times within a few days?  Sunday, we decided to check out our friends' church.  We were leaving and chatting and Lilah was toddling down the sidewalk with Spiderman in one hand and two tiny panda bears in the other. Suddenly she tripped and fell flat on her face, not letting go of her toys.  We all heard the smack as her little head hit the sidewalk!  Immediately a huge blue bump appeared on her forehead. It was a panicky moment- Lilah screamed, ice was found and people buzzed around.  I was afraid to let her take her nap that afternoon, fearing she had a concussion.  She was fine of course, and the next day the bump and bruise were hard to see, crisis over! 

Yesterday, I put her to bed for her nap, was walking back to enjoy my lunch and heard a strange thump.  Mother radar caused me to run to her room, where I found her laying on her back in front of her crib!  Her mouth was open in a silent scream, that was slowly forming into a shriek heard round the world.  She had leaned forward in her crib- with the side down- and I guess did a total flip to land on her back.  It was a scary moment for both of us.  Again, I was worried about concussion and didn't want her to go to sleep.  I didn't know if she lost consciousness, even for a second, since I wasn't there.  But after she calmed down, she seemed fine, except for a bitten lip.  

But still, I looked up head injuries in books and online. I talked to Mark on the phone, who was not worried. I knew if I called the pediatrician, it was going to end up in the ER.  When she was about 9 months, she fell out of a chair and landed on the ceramic tile face first.  I called then, and they said they could only send us to the ER.  There, she was strapped to a table for a cat-scan, held down for x-rays and irritated beyond belief by having to wait for hours.  And of course, everything was fine.  After her fall yesterday, after she turned into Monster Lilah for lack of a nap, I put her back in her crib to let her sleep. (With the side pulled up!) She woke up later, fine and dandy.  Babies and children are built for falling I guess. Mom's just aren't built for not worrying and for always fearing the worst.

Am I really 40?

Went to the library today and ran across a book called "40 over 40." It was all about how to dress when you pass 40. It just freaked me out a bit. I know I'm not supposed to wear what teenagers are wearing, but do I really have to change my whole wardrobe now that I'm 40? Is 40 really middle aged? (I guess I'm not going to live to be 150, so yes.) But middle age has such a connotation- crisis and all that. Am I to be lumped over the 40 hump now? No longer able to commiserate with my under 40 friends? I have young children. I still feel young, I don't feel like I fit into that category yet. I still feel slightly hip. I don't know if I look very hip, but I like to try, without being silly. Maybe I'm just fooling myself. I hate being pigeon-holed according to age. But hey there's always Sarah Jessica Parker, I bet she never read a book like this.

Vote for English Gardens!

If you know me, you know Lora, so why don't you vote for her business as Best Wedding Venue? She's a swell gal and she deserves it for knocking herself out every weekend for the last 16 years putting on the best weddings and parties in town!  Click on the title above to vote.

Take a smoke break with Jacques

I haven't blogged all week!  Been busy overhauling the house. I've been listening to French 60's music. Mostly women, but then this guy showed up-Jacques Dutronc, who manages to stay very cool in this video while surrounded by ridiculousness. So 60's, so very French, so not 4th of July.  IF you have not discovered Scopitones (videos for jukeboxes from the 60's) for yourself, let me introduce you.
You can find more here: http://scopitones.blogs.com/

My yard, not so pretty

I think this about a third of the giant oak tree that was cut down today, it was very tall.

Half a grapefruit tree anyone?  I don't know why they just cut half and moved on to the other.

This is your cue to start humming the theme song to "Sanford and Son."

Ah, it's been a trying day. Hearing massive limbs hit the ground and the constant whir of chain saws does tend to wear on you. The guys left for the day and what a mess they left behind. Two massacred trees and the junk that was in our fallen shed. We get to spend the weekend with it. Thought about taking that little claw fellow for a joyride around the yard, but I would probably end up clawing the side of the house and getting trapped. 

The oak went down with a huge thud- the diameter of the trunk was 4 feet. There were a few sacrifices as it fell, some flowers, some hedges, a possibly maimed bird and some eggs. (The tree guy felt bad.)  But it was a dangerous tree. Any minute it could have come to life and rampaged the neighborhood. Sorry, that just came to mind when I said it was dangerous. One of its huge limbs fell a few weeks ago and broke the roof on our nice neighbor's shed.  And it certainly wasn't a beautiful thing- it had been chopped in half years ago by us in an attempt to rejuvenate it, which didn't work. There are so many trees around that area, that you can't even tell it's gone. Except for the giant carcass laying in our yard. 

The not-so-nice other neighbor had requested that his fence be rebuilt over the tree stump (which they already did) and he left town this week, so when he gets back he'll see nothing. It will be like it never happened for him. Meanwhile, our yard looks like a bomb hit it. He's right about us having a sh*t yard now. (Yes, that's one of the nice things he said in one of his rants.) But we shall persevere and get things back into shape. We have so much space now! Plus a little justice was served when the rats living in the shed (the whole reason we were getting rid of it and the grapefruit tree- their food source) probably scattered into his yard away from all the ruckus in ours. 

We, however, were mightily prepared for a possible invasion with a pest control service who put our house on rat-lockdown and set out traps along the perimeter of our yard. Unfortunately urban Florida is a haven for them, they love the citrus and warm weather- I guess.  We've never taken a stand with them in the past, live and let live we'd say.  But they were out of control and living in our shed like it was their own personal condo.  I was afraid to go back there.  They were not my friends.  I'm very thankful for our cats right now.  In fact, just to prove her prowess (and perhaps calm my fears of an indoor unwanted visitor) Minnie caught a black snake in the garage for me! Which I had to sweep up and carry outside, lest it get loose in the house. Joy!

I've had enough of snakes, rats, and noisy tree men for the day.  I need to visit a very pristine, quiet place with no nature for a few hours.

P-nut Butter Cookies

P-nut butter cookies, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Made these last Thursday from a great recipe from Martha. They have the best texture, fluffy and crunchy at the same time.  And it's fun to make the crosshatches!  Watch out, this recipe makes a lot of cookies! I freeze half of the dough after rolling them into little balls. (You might also cut the recipe in half.) Click on the title to get the recipe. I didn't get it from martha. com because all the recipes listed were different from the one I had. There are many different ways to make a peanut butter cookie, my friends. This one matches mine from the magazine, even though she doesn't credit Martha. She'd better watch out! You don't mess with an ex-con.

LEGO

As those who know me may be aware, my husband is a reformed LEGO enthusiast. We have a closet full of bricks and catalogs to prove it.  He does still enjoy building occasionally and has supplied the girls with a nice amount of their own bricks- but has not remained as dedicated as his best friend, James.  James has turned his enthusiasm into a successful sideline.  Click on the title above to read his latest delightfully written article on LEGO trains. Keep on brickin' James!

George Carlin

Geroge Carlin. Loved listening to my mom's records when I was a kid. The drug references flew over my head, but always enjoyed the bits I did get. One of my favorites that I still think of today... "A freak accident happened on the highway today--four freaks in a bus hit two freaks in a van." Of course, I still didn't get the freak reference, but I did know freaks were supposed to be funny somehow. I'm sure he helped form my sense of humor. I broke out the George Carlin record at my 16th birthday party, it was a big hit. George did seem to get bitter as he aged, but a lot of people do. This picture reminds me of my childhood for so many reasons.