Sundry

Just a couple of fun pictures. It's been a seriously odd week (everyone enjoy the earthquake?), and these are my favorite images that came out of the week.

First day of "organized play group"! (Pre-school!) In her right hand is a plastic bowl full of foam stickers, which acted as the "comfort item of choice" for the morning.

Chillin' at the end of the day with Daddy. Look at those awesome smiles!

A bib I made for a shower on Friday. The printed fabric is "vintage sheeting" from Steve's childhood. I'm inspired now... uh-oh!

Two Things Girls Always Do

1.) Apologize. I have noticed that whenever I ask advice of another girl about things like prayer or exercise in particular, there is nearly always some mention of, "Oh, I am not doing anywhere near what I should be doing," or "Ugh, I should totally be doing more!" There is also much apologizing for things that we don't need to be sorry for.
Example, in a restaurant: "I'm so sorry, but could you bring us some more water? I'm sorry!"

2.) Girls always make sure that other girls don't say mean things about themselves. Okay, maybe not every girl, but every girl in my aquaintance always makes sure that other girls don't berate themselves, and usually do this by drawing attention to something they don't like about themselves.
Example:
Girl A: "My butt looks big."
Girl B: "No way, your butt is soo cute! Nothing like my thighs!"
Girl A: "Oh my goodness, your thighs are just fine! Mine are the big ones!"
Ad infinitum.

Men would never do this. They would never say, "My butt looks big" to another guy in the first place, but I'm pretty sure they would just reply with, "Dude, it's HUGE!"

Hookin' Bigtime

So there's this crochet idea I've wanted to try forever, but just haven't gotten around to it. I wanted to make a rag rug with thrifted sheets and a big fat crochet hook. Look at how enormous this hook is! It's like crocheting with a baseball bat! But it's almost too small for the rags I'm doing. I think I will go 1/2 or 3/4 inch next time around. And with this much faster method of cutting yarn strips.

Oh, and my GOODNESS my face looks ROUND! I've always had a really round, Danish face, but my hair or something makes me look like a circle today!


Here's the progress so far...
The outside is navy, and that white strip actually has these cute little tiny polka dots. Lucy has been enamored with carpets lately, presumably because of church and story hour, so I figured I'd make this one for her, as I'm sort of just learning anyway. Then I thought, hey, this can also be her "Naughty Mat." Mwaaah ha ha ha! Crafting for punishment! Is that evil crafting?

Into the Wild

This is a bit of a review, mostly of the album, but having read the book and seen the movie, I suppose that informs my thoughts. This isn't a "proper" review, just some thoughts.

I generally am not a great reviewer because I don't pay much attention to the poetry, but rather to the poetry of the music itself. I feel like this is Eddie Vedder, just for ME. It reminds me of all that was good about guitars at Campus by the Sea, but better. If I were to listen to the lyrics too closely, I would get pretty pissed off, I'm sure, but the music itself is this wonderful, soulful sigh. I have this odd notion that many musicians, while trying to piss off God manage to create worship in spite of themselves. Not sure I can describe it any better than that exactly.

Best songs are Rise -- gorgeous use of the ukelele, fantastic chords, very subtle and simple melody. Intricate and simple at the same time. It was one of the only things that made me actually want to walk into the Alaskan wild.

Hard Sun -- again, really great strumming with this intoxicatingly simple percussion. I don't know what it is, but it just sounds like someone is banging something on a hollow stage or something. It's this strong bang on the 3rd beat that just sort of connects with your pulse.

I think in the end, while I disagree with Eddie Vedder's conclusions, I think there is something about this album that expresses the wandering soul man is prone to. It seems to ask the questions that we all ask from one angle or another. I think God honors the search if you are really looking. And even Alexander Supertramp asked God to bless those he left behind when he left the world--maybe even he knew who his maker was when it was time to settle up.

The recipes before Germany returns to winter in a few days

Okay, this post is primarily for Susan. It's my list o' ideas for summer meals. At first glance, it looks expensive, but I have some ways around this (like a friend who has an avocado tree, some stashed stuff, and some new discoveries for cheap ingredients). And sometimes it sounds a little funky... Shrimp and Ham Rolls? But trust me, I wrote this list when I was hungry, so if it sounded good then, it sounds good when I'm hungry later! If the idea sounds at all good, let me know, and I will direct you to the recipe! I tried to give credit here where it was due.

*Antipasto Salad (idea from Everyday Food)
- Lettuce, salami, fresh mozzarella balls (cheap at Fresh and Easy!), prociuto, olives, roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, shaved parmesian.

* Tortellini Salad (Thanks, Susan!)

* Mini baked potatoes, stuffed with goat cheese & bacon, with grilled Steak sandwiches (Inspired by both Everyday Food and Rachael Ray)

* Lemon Chicken with Pesto Dipping Sauce (thanks, Jamie!)

* Chicken Pasta Salad w/ Fried Shallots (Rachael Ray, Summer 08)

* Paella

* Shrimp Quesadillas w/ avocados (RR, Su 08)

* Bacon, Avacado, and Turkey sandwiches on homemade whole wheat bread (using Artisan Breads in 5 minutes a Day)

* Southwestern Chili Mac Salad (RR, Su 08)

*Shrimp & Ham Rolls (RR, Su 08)

* Meatball Kebobs w/ Peppers, onins & Mushrooms (RR, Su 08)

* Fish Tacos w/ Broccoli Caesar Slaw (RR, Su 08)

* Grilled Chicken & Avacado Sandwiches

* Chicken Cordon Blue Panini (RR, Su 08)

* Chip Crusted Chicken Skewers (RR, Su 08)

* Cheesesteak Sliders (RR, Su 08)

* Prociuto Cheeseburgers w/ Mushrooms (Martha Stewart, June 2007)

(Yes, lots of Rachael Ray this time. I picked up a magazine for my little vacation, and she happened to really hit the spot this time.)

Vacation in Sheol

This is from last night. Take a look at the time... 7:53. 97°.


Thank goodness for parents who are generous with their air conditioning. And babysitting so we could go to the air conditioned movies. And the pool. And dinner. Ad infinitum. Ad awesominae.