The Challenge

Here's my self-proposed challenge. ONLY Have enough clothes, dresses, socks & underwear to fit in THIS closet and THESE drawers. It should be easy enough, since I'm not working professionally, so really only see my hubby & son on a daily basis. But it's not! I have found that I'm a keeper of stuff. It's not like I even buy clothes very often; I just keep the ones I've got forever. Most of my stuff doesn't even fit me well - since I've fluctuated within 20 pounds (non-pregnancy times) most of my adult life. Why is it that we women want to keep clothes in case we lose/gain weight again?! Anyway, I don't know if I can do it, but this is my challenge. I hope I can do it!

sk*rt

Ever heard of digg? Welcome sk*rt, the girl version. sk*rt is a social media ranking platform of pure goodness. A portal to find cool things, smart scoop, clever ideas, excellent products, exceptional information for women. By women. In other words, sk*rt is like that friend who always finds the best stuff. Only better. Check it out.

Cooking Seasonally

I wanted to share a couple of things with my CSA Buddies, and other folks who cook seasonally. First, I just received a gift of the "Simply in Season" cookbook, which separates recipes by seasons in which food is growing. I can't wait to review it with today's delivery. And this Cook's Thesaurus is great for identifying those crazy unidentified vegetables.

So here (pictured) is what a 1/2 bushel looks like. This week's delivery was filled with corn, green beens, radishes, blackberries, tomatoes, patty pan squash, some other crazy squash, onion, cucumber, cantelope, mixed greens, green pepper & red cabbage. Any new recipe ideas?

Little Climber

"He's Gonna Be a Little Climber, Isn't He?"

I get asked that question - All - The - Time. I don't really mind, or blame people for asking. It's kind of like when I got married, it was always, "So, when's the Big Day?" When I was pregnant I wanted to wear a sign that said, "January 17. It's a Boy. and No, we don't have a name yet." I mean, I ask these same questions to others, even though I know they get asked all day, every day.

But for me, right now, this is the question. I've always had my same answer, but NOW, the climbing has actually begun! E's all over everything this week. Climbing on tables, chairs, and...the stove. I must admit, I think this was pretty adorable as he peered over at my black bean burger preparations. I doubt it's a good idea to be climbing up the stove. Anyway, now Baby Gates at the top of the stairs & readying a new bed are priorities. I hear that one day they just decide to climb right on out of the bed...Yikes!

A Photo Update

This weekend was a blast with family & Flugtag, but I can't download pics onto my computer, so I thought I'd share this one from my mac photo booth. This is from last week when Heather & Brooks came to play. Have a great week everyone!

Lance's 100

Read and learn a bit about my hubby...

1. I am type A.
2. I like to be in control but am learning to relax and let things go.
3. I like to be right but am learning that if I am wrong or you disagree, it doesn’t mean you don’t like me.
4. I like what I do for a living and really enjoy going to work.
5. I am incredibly blessed with a wonderful wife, kid, family and friends.
6. I consider my parents, in-laws and sisters close friends.
7. I have dumb-blind luck and often charge full steam ahead but things seem to work out pretty well.
8. I have broken fingers, toes, nose, ribs, a shoulder blade and cracked a vertebra; have had 6 surgeries (I was awake for 2 of them), concussions, brain trauma, and punctured a lung.
9. I still think nothing hurts worse than getting something in your eye or getting food poisoning.
10. However, I have seen where babies come from and am convinced that women are really tougher than men even though they get teary eyed from those Publix commercials.
11. OK, I get teary eyed sometimes, too but those commercials are pretty good.
12. I also think humans would be extinct if men had to give birth.
13. I crack myself up a lot.
14. Seriously, if someone says “duty” in church, I lose it like Elaine and the PEZ dispenser.
15. I wish everything on this list was only one line so it was more graphically pleasing.
16. I make decisions quickly and seldom revisit them.
17. For instance, I never reviewed tests in school. Get done and turn it in.
18. I like to think I don’t have regrets but there might be a few.
19. For instance, I wish I would have gone to my cousin’s funeral when he passed away at an early age of leukemia.
20. I do think people learn the most from seemingly bad situations and wouldn’t change my mistakes for anything.
21. My closet used to be arranged by color and all garments were facing the same way and on the same color hangers…mostly from Kenneth Cole and Banana Republic.
22. OK, it still is like that but I have culled it down.
23. I used to have 30 pairs of shoes.
24. I love dressing nice but seldom do because I wear shorts to work.
25. I don’t think I will mind going bald but I wish the rest of my body would go bald too.
26. I would definitely relinquish my head hair and eye brows if there was a pill to make all the hair on my body fall out.
27. I like to clean…vacuuming is my favorite followed by sweeping, cleaning bathrooms, then the kitchen.
28. I hate unloading the silverware from the dishwasher.
29. I like mowing the grass because it reminds me of untold hours mowing hay at Granddaddy’s.
30. I loved working the farm with him.
31. I also loved working on cars with my dad. He will fix anything for anyone and never wants anything in return.
32. My first car was a 1978 Cutlass Supreme. I bought it for $375 and we put an engine in it from a Camaro.
33. I used to squeal my tires every time I pulled out of Sonic blasting ZZ Top.
34. I also used to sit on my Cutlass in front of S & T Auto with no shirt on.
35. I used to be a bit of a redneck and kind of like that.
36. I love working hard and come by it honestly because no one works as hard as my dad.
37. I worked unloading trucks for Sears and Wal-Mart to help pay for college.
38. I gained 30 pounds my first semester of college and my doctor asked me if I was on steroids.
39. I hate not being able to do something myself and will go to great lengths to prove people wrong if they assume I will accept the norm.
40. I guess I struggle with pride, huh?
41. I was voted least valuable player (LVP) in high school gym class.
42. I have been a sponsored athlete for almost 10 years.
43. I used to fancy myself a good volleyball player but knew that climbing was for me the very first time I went with Greg Hardison.
44. I climbed El Capitan with 2 of the best climbers in the world which is not a statement about my ability but their patience.
45. I have REALLY good friends.
46. I think no amount of talent gives someone the right to be a jerk.
47. I can talk to almost anyone and get annoyed with people who don’t like to chat.
48. I no longer refer to myself as an architect which is odd because I am still very proud to have made it through architecture school and to have gotten my license.
49. I like being a small business owner and almost never feel anxious about it.
50. I like to take naps and do so in the floor of my office a lot.
51. I learned to sleep anywhere in architecture school.
52. I don’t like people who think talent or knowledge gives them the right to be a jerk. I have known people who are some of the best in their field but are very approachable and kind.
53. I don’t get embarrassed very easily but used to which I think came from a lack of self confidence.
54. I learned that poking fun at myself made it easy to get over being easily embarrassed, and no one really cares anyway.
55. For instance if I need to poop at your house, instead of worrying whether you will notice that I stunk up the bathroom, I will just tell you I stunk up the bathroom.
56. Did I mention that I crack myself up? I REALLY like to laugh and I think I got that from my mom.
57. I think I crack my sisters up, too and they make me feel like I am funny.
58. I like that I get to see my family a lot and am glad to have my sisters around the gym so much.
59. I love to travel but love coming home to Tennessee.
60. Yosemite is my favorite place to climb.
61. I really want to travel to Europe but I think I want to see India and China more.
62. I can do without music but mostly listen to DJ’s who mix house, ambient, electronica, etc.
63. I love listening to NPR.
64. I like to think I don’t care what people think about me but I am a people pleaser and want everyone to like me.
65. I do not want to be mediocre at anything - especially marriage.
66. On that note, I am trying to learn to admit I am wrong more freely.
67. I am generally an optimist.
68. I am very pessimistic about the government’s ability to accomplish much.
69. But I am learning it is a waste to always fight the system or the establishment. Sometimes it is better to save it and go with the flow.
70. The older I get, the more I compassionate I think I am becoming.
71. I am trying to be more forgiving because I need all the slack I can get.
72. I also am learning that life isn’t black and white and everyone’s point of view is valid to them. I still forget it sometimes, though.
73. I love learning and hope I never stop having opportunities to take in new ideas and to grow from experiences.
74. I would like to have a new career every decade.
75. I want to learn a foreign language. Probably Spanish.
76. I want to live in a foreign country for a while so my kids can have a wider world view.
77. I think my kids should know what real poverty looks like but also to learn that those people are happier than many people with way more money.
78. I have seen slums in Honduras that were bad but nothing I have seen comes close to an African slum.
79. I want to feel like I make a difference.
80. I am surrounded by lots of smart people that help me feel smarter and make better decisions.
81. I think I am good at computers and electronics but my 63 year old dad will always know more.
82. I have always secretly wanted subwoofers in my car but make fun of people who have them up all the time.
83. I stopped drinking carbonation and caffeine for 10 years because people didn’t think I could do it.
84. Thanks to my lovely wife, I am learning to eat better. I like almost every vegetable I have come across and prefer to eat lighter than I used to.
85. I like salads as a meal and iceberg lettuce doesn’t count.
86. I think spinach is the perfect substitute for lettuce.
87. I am learning to say no to foods that I really want but will make me feel bad which is a big deal for me.
88. Cheeseburgers are still my favorite food but the Tuna meal (really healthy) is a close second.
89. I like seafood a lot and not the fried kind.
90. The Yellow Porch is my favorite restaurant but it used to be the Cracker Barrel.
91. I asked Carrie’s parents for their permission to marry her at the Yellow Porch. I think they were surprised since we only dated for a few months before that and I was “older”.
92. I think goofing off with Carrie and Ethan is cooler than anything in the world.
93. But I have a strong desire to work hard and be productive.
94. I love looking at Ethan while he is sleeping.
95. I knew I would marry a girl like Carrie after our first date.
96. I knew it would be her after about a month.
97. I still like to act like newlyweds with her.
98. I am amazed by my wife’s ability to make things cool that I never thought were cool.
99. I love Carrie and Ethan like crazy and cannot imagine what I would do without them. Sit around and pick my nose, I guess.
100. This list was easy for me. I guess I like talking about myself.

Now Lance is tagging: Heather McI, Jenny W, Tracy C, Laurie F & The Troups

Sewing Roundup

Okay, Ladies. If you didn't respond to my earlier question about the Sewing Group, now's the time! I'm getting our sewing mentor & babysitter all lined up for later this month. If you are interested & haven't already told me, post here.

A reminder about how it will work - 2 Hours of sewing. You bring your lunch, sewing machine, pattern & fabric. Babysitter here & the moms will split that cost. True beginners welcome. I just picked up Burda Pattern 9708 (for gifts,) which looks very easy. I also recommend if you are a beginner that you bring scrap fabrics, old mens shirt or sheet, etc. Details including date, time & location will come in a later email. After I send the email, the number of sewers will be kept to 4-6 ladies (depending on if we have 1 or 2 mentors, and age of kids.) First come, first served. Hopefully we'll do this every month! If you'd like to try something easy for you, maybe try Kwik Sew 2498 or the sleeveless version of Simplicity 3744.

Also, Don't forget about Flugtag this weekend!

What Can One Person do?

About 1/5 of the Earth's population, or 1.1 billion people, currently live on less than $1 a day. It’s a bit overwhelming to think about how to start making a difference in those lives. But if you read my 100 list, you know that I am a big fan of making small changes that can make a diffence in the long run.

Here are 5 Things YOU Can do to make a change...
1) Sign the ONE Declaration
2) Give up 2 Fancy Coffees a month
3) Find an organization or church effort and get involved
4) Throw your own party for The Seed Project
5) Learn more about need in the world from World Ark Magazine

Here's a very interesting Photo Essay about what the world eats. The above photo is from the The Aboubakar family in Chad, who live on $1.23 a week. Pictured is their weekly food portions.

Quote of the Day

"Eight million people die every year for the price of going out with your friends to the movies and buying an ice cream. Literally for about $30 a head per year, you could save 8 million lives. Isn't that extraordinary? Preventable disease - not calamity, not famine, nothing like that. Preventable disease - just for the lack of medicines. That is cheap, that is a bargain." - Bono

100 Things About Me

I was challenged to do this by Libby, so here it goes!

1) I am a list maker.
2) I enjoy a bed that’s made.
3) I do not like ironing.
4) I must remind myself that a Jack of all Trades is a Master of None.
5) Oreos are best when dipped in milk.
6) I’d rather pick lint from my belly button than to watch professional sports on tv.
7) I don’t care about the other drummers. I march to the beat of mine.
8) I like doing 2 things at once. (Right now I’m feeding my son.)
9) I don’t like saying I will do something unless I have every intention of following through.
10) Right now, I’ve agreed to do too much. Not a good feeling.
11) My first tapes were Rickie Lee Jones & B-52’s.
12) I’ve always felt too funky or too conservative for someone’s tastes.
13) I want to be Martha Stewart.
14) Big men with tattoos don’t scare me.
15) I’m the youngest of 5.
16) I’ve always been more comfortable around folks older than me.
17) If I were a clothing store, I’d be Anthropologie.
18) I would love an Audi wagon.
19) I love borrowing & hand-me-downs.
20) I am an incessant door locker.
21) I love the artwork of Manet, Caravaggio, Sargent, Modigliani, David, & Daumier.
22) My day doesn’t start before my morning coffee.
23) My favorite sweets are coke floats, oreos, thin mints & chocolate malts.
24) I don't like it when people make decisions based on what others expect of them.
25) Brand Labels don’t impress me.
26) I have an addiction to 50s/early 60’s vintage table linens.
27) I believe that the need to be “right” doesn’t get you very far in life or with relationships.
28) Botox irritates me. I always looked 7 yrs younger than my age. Payback was going to come for me at 50, when I would only look 43. Now, I have no competitive advantage, because people can now buy that youth.
29) I rarely remember to use coupons.
30) I rarely remember to wear jewelry either.
31) Less Talk, More Action
32) My hair is so thick, it takes me like 45 minutes to blow it dry. So I never do.
33) I like being on time. Harder to do with a kid.
34) I love idea people.
35) I idea-plus-action people even more.
36) I do not like waiting in line.
37) I have flat index finger fingernails.
38) If I could have the luxury of a celebrity, it would be a personal hair stylist.
39) I love having friends that we can invite over when I don’t have makeup on, and am in my comfy clothes, and have not cleaned up for them.
40) I like a variety of foods…except for Indian or all things spicy.
41) I don’t enjoy talking about my feelings.
42) I like all types of people – from folks with spiky Mohawks to men w/ tassled loafers.
43) Unless you think you’re too-cool-for-school. I don’t like those types of people.
44) I hope I never have to do math again.
45) I want people to like me.
46) I love absorbing new cultures & adventures.
47) I’m not competitive. For me, it’s all about enjoying the journey.
48) I’ve only had one manicure & one pedicure.
49) I wish I read more.
50) I don’t like my feet.
51) I still remember every insult ever said to my face. Unfortunately, complements don’t remain so vivid in the same way.
52) I hate the learning curve.
53) I went to a high school where the soccer players were cool, and the cheerleaders were not.
54) I’m an optimist.
55) I’m pretty laid back, but I still like a good plan.
56) I would rather not chat on the phone.
57) I’m good with faces. Names? Not so much.
58) I don’t like long drives (and 20 minutes is a long drive).
59) This time last year, I’d never even read a single blog.
60) My most embarrassing CD Purchase ever? The “Genie in a Bottle” single. I can't believe I just shared that.
61) I’m a fan of brevity & bulletpoints.
62) …So this list is out of control for me!
63) I enjoy international travel.
64) I don’t try to lie, because I’m terrible at it.
65) If I had a superhuman power, it would be to teleport myself. Right now I’d be at the beach. Or maybe Italy for lunch.
66) I began liking grapefruit and cabbage this year.
67) I love Pictionary, but only have an opportunity to play about once every 5 years.
68) Hubby & I dated 3 ½ months before we got engaged.
69) When we married, we had known each other for 363 days.
70) I’m not a very good friend, but I’m trying to be a better one.
71) In conversation with others, I’m always afraid I’m boring someone.
72) That’s why I like blogs. If I’m boring, you can shut me off & it doesn’t hurt my feelings.
73) I have uneven Eyes, Eyebrows, Teeth. Now that I’ve pointed it out, I’ll be paranoid that you’re staring at them next time we speak.
74) I used to be funny. Now I’m too self-conscious.
75) I’ve been hit by a bus (while in a car) that read “Feel like you’ve been hit by a bus?” I know you think I’m lying, but remember? I can’t lie.
76) “These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding is one of the greatest songs ever.
77) Am still obsessed with “La Cienega Just Smiled” by Ryan Adams
78) I strongly dislike people talking about me behind my back.
79) I try not to discuss conflict or hurt feelings with anyone but the person involved (and hubby, of course).
80) In 5 years of marriage, we’ve moved 7 times. Can that be right?
81) I never need to move again. Ever. Really.
82) I can’t WAIT to FINALLY decorate a house for Christmas!!!
83) I feel that since I’m fortunate enough to stay home, I should use what time I have to help those less fortunate.
84) I Loved & Miss my marketing job.
85) Puzzles are fun.
86) I’m good at color-matching.
87) I love to stop at lemonade stands in the summer.
88) My first car was a ’78 Ford Fairmont.
89) Used to believe that “variety is the spice of life.” Now I’m trying to “edit and focus.”
90) My family experienced an attempted robbery at gunpoint when I was 9.
91) I have 18 nieces and nephews.
92) I looked up my best childhood friend, Hannah, a few months ago. I haven’t seen her in years & years & years. I still remember her phone number and address from 20 years ago. It was so good to reconnect!!
93) I always welcome a friendly guest in my home. Friends, call me if you need a cozy room for the night.
94) I enjoy running, rock climbing and tennis. However, I do not excel in any of them.
95) I love organizational label makers.
96) I’m a big believer in making small changes in your life. Whether it’s budget, food, exercise, conservation…Huge changes overwhelm people. Small change after small change make a difference.
97) Speaking of…When I gave up Cokes for water, I lost about 5 pounds.
98) I like being productive.
99) I think it’s rude when people don’t make room for a new person who walks into a circle of conversation.
100) If I had any singing voice, it would be Norah Jones on Valentines Day, Bonnie Raitt on days when I had something serious to say, and Patty Griffin every other day.

Good Grief, that took forever! Thanks for sticking with me. Now blogger friends, your turn. I think I'm supposed to assign 5 people, so I'm tagging Amy, Casey, Courtney, Rachel & Melissa. But anyone else do it if you like. Stay tuned! I'm making Lance do it, so that will be coming soon!

Amanda (No Relation)

These days, I call her Amanda (No Relation), because we share uncommon surnames. But we share much more, because I've known her almost since birth! Life, education, etcetera have brought us through seasons of friendship where we lost touch & reconnected. But I wanted to share today some of her beautiful work! I'm so excited to own these beautiful earrings, but she has some new necklaces & other great jewelry, that she's shared on her blog. Check it out!

How to use Tons of Veggies!

“You’ve got to tell these girls about these 3 things, or they won’t survive with all these vegetables!” - Quote by my mother, regarding the CSA.

Stir Fry (Meal 1): In a wok or cast iron skillet, take a few tablespoons of olive oil & sauté 1 slivered onion, 1/4 – ½ head shredded cabbage sauté until limp (but still colorful.) Slice 1 green pepper, 1 yellow squash (may vary), until crisp-tender. Season with salt & soy sauce. Serve over rice.

Steamed Vegetables (Meal 2): In a large pot or steamer, put 2 cubed potatoes, (sweet potatoes are especially tasty), other hard veggies like roughly 3 carrots, ½ head broccoli, ¼ head shredded cabbage. Other assorted veggies that can be added: Peas, Green Beans, Peppers, (No Beets!) Add 2 cups water. Sprinkle with mixed herbs, like ½ tsp dried Italian or Herbs de Provence. Steam about 15 minutes. Then uncover & add softer veggies like squash, zucchini. Steam until tender. Top with mozzarella cheese if desired.

Soup: The next day, take your leftover vegetables from meals 1 & 2 (no cheese!) and put in soup pot with one 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes. If you have small quantities of other tomato-based things you need to use up, like fresh tomatoes, salsa, ketchup, add those. Add water to get soup-like consistency (usually about 1-28 ounce can full). Add some fresh or frozen corn & one can drained beans of your choice, like black, garbanzo, kidney, pinto, or variety. Simmer. Sprinkle at the end with a bit of parsley or other fresh herbs. Does not freeze well.

Throw a Party for Poverty

I’m so excited to share with you guys another fundraiser project that some friends & I are starting. During the week of September (9-23 through 9-29), individuals will host private events in their homes, and raise funds as part of The SEED Project. The SEED Project will benefit GAIA and Heifer International, which work towards ending International poverty.

What do we need?
1) Help. We need money counters, graphic designers, flyer distributors and more.
2) Become a MySpace friend (if you have a page there.)
3) Spread the Word. We’re really counting on having tons of events to raise the much needed cash.
4) Event Hosts. Consider having a dinner party, soup supper, pool party, whatever. You are inviting your own friends, so it will be a party that you will enjoy on your terms. Or talk to your friends who like to entertain. More info to come.

Think...You can make a difference by throwing your own party & inviting your own friends. Why wouldn't you do it?!

Joy & Sorrow

The strange thing about experiencing sorrow is that life still goes on for the living. In the midst of grief, joy is still happening all around. And I’m thinking that’s okay.

You, my blog friends, noticed that the accident happened on the same day as my hubby’s birthday. The day before we closed on our new home. And I'm thinking it's okay for Lance to enjoy his birthday, in spite of what I saw. It’s okay for us to be excited and celebrate our new home. It’s okay for us to experience such thankfulness & happiness for our amazing friends & family (and 3 babies!) that helped us move. It’s okay for us to celebrate today’s arrival of sweet Skylar Young into the world.

But it’s still feels weird. It’s so strange to feel like I can move on with my life, when I’ve witnessed such tragedy. I’m sure it’s not the last time that both sadness and joy creep into my life, or yours. Somehow, I feel like there is some set span of sad time that you should go through, before you are allowed to smile and laugh again. But I guess life doesn’t work that way.

So for now, I’ve had a great day. We are into our final house for a very, very long time. And I am so excited about that. I’ve had my moments where I’ve remembered the accident, but overall it’s been good. And since life goes on, I will continue blogging about food, and crafts, and little funny things that babies do. So I will talk to you again real soon.

An Important Message

I am a witness. The Witness. To a fatal car accident yesterday. On the same quiet street, half a mile away, from the house we’re buying in a few hours. Seconds later, it might have been me in that wreck. I will not post the details here, but it was a difficult experience.

I wrestled with whether to share this with you. But I’m writing this to say 2 things:

WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS. Such a small thing might have saved this life. Secondly, go right now and hug the necks of the folks you love. Life is too fleeting not to let those you love know it.

Now go. Start hugging those necks.

Happy Birthday, Lance!

35 Reasons Why I love him. Because...
1) He still opens my Car Door
2) He says I’m a great painter
3) He encourages me to pursue my passions
4) He eats anything I prepare
5) He has a generous heart
6) He tells crazy stories.
7) He says “Want me to watch Ethan while you post your blog?”
8) He’s climbed El Capitan.
9) He left a predictable job to pursue his passion.
10) He did tons of laundry & changed all diapers the first 2 weeks after baby
11) He loves city living
12) He sometimes says, “We got bonuses & I’d like to give mine to you!
13) He enjoys vacuuming
14) He hardly ever required ironed clothes.
15) He’s smart & teaches me stuff.
16) But I’m still a better speller.
17) He worked hard to win me over from the start.
18) He gets extra fries for me.
19) He’s not afraid to go over our gift budget for me.
20) He doesn’t like to go to bed angry.
21) He lets me poke fun of him.
22) I never have to think about tipping anymore.
23) He’s not stuffy.
24) He has big muscles.
25) He let me make my own decision about whether or not to go back to work.
26) He’s a hard worker.
27) When I’ve eaten all the oreos, he blames it on the little mouse in our house.
28) He can hold his own when he’s around my friends.
29) He’s a good singer
30) He says he likes to hear me sing.
31) He helps me clean up after dinner.
32) He’s adventurous.
33) He loves God.
34) He likes good music.
35) He picked me!

CSA Wednesday - What is THIS?

Man alive, do I have veggies coming out of my ears, or what? Our first week of the CSA was quite fun, and we’re now receiving our 2nd batch. The second week is smaller than the first, but we are up to our eyeballs in squash, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, strawberries, peas, peppers, cabbage & broccoli.

Last week’s vegetable cooking included stir-fry (good use of cabbage), soup, greek salad (hold the olives – bleck) & zucchini bread.

Anyone have any good ideas about what to do with these veggies? And WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE THESE 2 THINGS? And what do I do with them???

My Granddad Now

You don't have to ask me twice for another picture of my cute grandpa. This is when he travelled Europe a couple of years ago. I hope I'm doing this great in my 90's! (Notice he still does his hair the same. The strands are just fewer & whiter.)

Where I'm From

I recently interviewed my 93-year old Grandfather on film & scanned a bunch of old family photos, like the 2 above of he & my grandmother. My grandmother passed away years ago, but my Grandpa is in great health, rides his stationary bicycle, checks email, and maintains a garden. He is a cute little man. He loves that I’m interested in old family photos, and he always checks up with me for updates on my genealogy research (Unfortunately, I never have any updates for him.)

My genealogy fascinates me, & I love that Jenny W. works in the genealogy dept. of the downtown library. [Sidenote: Jenny was the coolest girl in 7th grade. I couldn’t quite hang, as my Birks & Doc Martens were a little outside of what made you cool in the jr high circuit. She was nice to me, but probably b/c her mom told her to. Now we’re adults, reacquainted through blogger, and it no longer matters that I’m not cool. Isn’t blogger great?] Once day I plan to visit her & see if I can do some research on my lineage. Beware, Jenny, I have boxes to bring you.

Anyway, I'm glad that I now have digital copies of these old photos, and that I have taken the time to get him on camera. I think my grandkids will think he's cute too.

It Could Get Weirder

Learning to Love You More is the oddest site. Artists give assignments to folks across the world. Visit the website and you can see where Molly draws the news, Teddilyn writes a press release about an everyday event, Maria lip syncs to someone else covering "The Thunder Rolls." This is just for starters...Pictured is where someone has drawn the news, on the day Elliott Smith died.

Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Basil Soup

Just roast & blend. Tasty.

2 Red Bell Peppers
2 ¼ lb tomatoes
1 onion
2-3 cloves garlic
2 large potatoes
salt & pepper
olive oil
basil
thyme
2 cups vegetable broth

Quarter peppers, tomatoes & potatoes. Cut onion in thick slices. Put in casserole dishes with garlic. Coat in olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast at 450 degrees for 50 minutes. Puree in blender with vegetable broth & herbs.

3 Moves, 30 Days

Too long a story to type, but our moving adventures are almost over. Move #2 of 3 has occured (my parents move, with whom we're staying) & last week some friends came over to join E in one last dip in my parents' pool. We had fun, Rowan, Radnor & Asher!