Farmers' Market

I went down to the Farmers' Market in Fullerton today. I have been aching for some real farm fruit. I'm pretty sure grocery stores make their fruit out of wax and high fructose corn syrup. I was underwhelmed by the market, but came home with these lovelies anyway. I had to stop eating fruit because my teeth are sore from the acid!

My husband has a vivid imagination, which is also connected to his "worst case scenario" lobe of his brain. For example, if we hear a noise as we walk in the door after being gone, it is most certainly Bad Guys looting the place, and I am to wait in the bedroom while the house gets checked out. I used to roll my eyes--okay, I still roll my eyes, but my lip also twitches with amusement--until I realized he might be right one of these days. Clearly the logical explanation for the middle-of-the-night-rumble is going to actually be aliens one day instead of the neighbor taking out his garbage cans a little early. On the other hand, I am a little too laizzes-faire about noises and such. I am very quick to come up with the easiest and most logical explanation and cling to it with all my might. I was the first to discover that, in fact, Los Angeles was not being attacked every night at 9:30, but that Disneyland was shooting off Magical Pixie Dust (fireworks). But this also gives me the ability to write things off a little too quickly. For example: I am certain that the two winged ants I saw were merely a phenomenon, where as my husband will be certain there is a colony of them about to take over, and they are going to be poisenous. Who is right? Probably somewhere in the middle.

Go fish

Someone gave us some barracuda. Any suggestions on preparing it?

Also, anyone know any good bakeries around La Mirada?

In other news, BIG CONGRATS to Eric, Mandi, Colin and Lauren Twisselmann on the birth of here-to-fore unnamed Baby Girl Twisselbaby! All are healthy and safe. Can't wait to go see them!!

Routine

We are back to our routine after 11 days with family. It was so great to be with everyone, and my in-laws are such easy house guests, but it is nice to get back into routine, too. I have a hard time cleaning when someone is visiting because I want to hang out, and because there is so much happy chaos that my need to organize shuts down or something--except in the kitchen. That always must be cleaned or I go a little batty. Don't get the idea that I actually have a really clean house. I think it has more to do with dominion over clutter.

I am also feeling pensive after a good discussion with Steve about the Holy Spirit. I think the Holy Spirit is simply not someone you can conjure or manipulate, to quote my husband. And if we are reconciled to God, we are in his will. I think I appreciate the Hebrew idea of "walking" with God. It is not a life of skipping from one emotional high to another, then feeling like you are out of God's will for your life if you don't feel something. As if you can take Rosecrans instead of Imperial and be out of his will. His will is to be reconciled to him and to walk with him. This hardly does justice to what is on my heart, and clearly isn't the whole picture, nor does it express the questions I have still, but I can't see that it is a poor focus in life, just to seek to know God and to walk with him.

What did you eat this week?

In general, I really enjoy putting together meals for the week, and I also really enjoy cooking with Steve's mom when they're in town. So far this week we have had Chicken Marsala and Spicy Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Both super yummy! My mother-in-law lost her sense of taste a few years ago, but shecan taste limited thing, like spicy stuff, so I was glad to introduce her to the pork recipe. Highly recommend it! What are ou making this week?

Well, they did it!

Just got back from the wedding cruise. A good time was had by all, though there were a couple of tentative tummies. The wedding went off without a hitch--except for the hole in Jamie's tux pants. Yes, right in the front! Ah, well. We had nice weather, and generally just relaxed. Lucy was universally declared cute, and multiple times mistaken for an actual doll. It was all I could do to keep peoples' hands off of her. I think the things I enjoyed the most were quiet outdoor strolls in the night-time fog, away from all the drinking and gambling college students, then hot chocolate afterwards. Dinners were generally good food, though I'll admit to having been a bit underwhelmed. It was nice to be with the family, and good to get a couple extra naps. Glad to be home, though. In-laws here this week, so we will putter around the house. More pictures at the Earle homepage.

4 months

I never did commemorate Lucy turning 4 months! I wonder how long I will keepthis up. "And here you see my 100 month old, getting the award for good citizenship." She is doing better on her tummy, as you can see. She still only lasts a short time, but she's doing better. Her laughs are killer, and she's playing a game now called "bibble bibble" (a family name for it) or "Indian Cheif." I mean Native American. It's where she makes noises and we pat her mouth so she goes "wah-wah-wah." She will start on rice cereal next month already!! I'm not suure I'm ready for that yet!!

Why you should never brag

For the 3rd night in a row I'm back up in the "wee sma's." Lucy chucked her commendable sleeping habits this week, possibly left over from a schedule skew after the trip to Grammie's. I've been up at 1, 2, and 3 this week (not every night, just one of those each night). I don't mind too much, really, but it bothers me that by the time she goes back down I'm wide awake. That's why I'm writing right now. She's wide awake right now, but I put her in the swing to see if she would get mad and want to snack a little more. If I don't wait a few minutes, I'll go lay down, she'll get pissed right away, and I'll have the psychological agony of thinking I get to go back to bed only to be yanked right back out of bed. However, she's gone almost 5 minutes now, and all I hear are yawns.

But the really horrific thing is that as I sat in the dimmed light I swore I saw something creeping out of the corner of my eye. I chalked it up to a wayward chunk of hair and went on. But then I saw it again This time I knew it was for real. I tried to shine the computer light on it to no avail. Then it made its big move across a band of light. A big, UGLY cockroach. I'm nursing, so I'm helpless. I can do nothing. I see it creep across under my ottoman and I wonder to myself if cockroaches like the floor or whether they like to climb. I convince myself they like the floor. I finish nursing Lucy and put her in the swing; as we said, she is wide awake. I go get a jar from under the sink to create a jail for the icky creature. I move the ottoman. No cockroach. I move the chair. No cockroach. So now I am sitting with my feet up on the ottoman and the light at full candles, saying to myself over and over, "Cockroaches like the ground. Cockroaches like the ground." And do you want to know the STINK of it? They were introduced into La Mirada ON PURPOSE to eat some little bug that was eating the olives. Idiots.

I heard a peep from the Poop, so I'll give it another try. With my feet up.

The Rules: An Exercize in Modern Anthropology

1. At least one roll of toilet paper must be stored within reach of the toilet.
2. Candles are in the bathroom for a reason.
3. Bowls or plates must be rinsed off right away or put to soak.
4. No food left out to tempt the ants. (Of course they seem to attack when my kitchen is the cleaneest!)
5. Always mute the commercials.
6. Practice good "Homeland Security." (Shut and lock everything when leaving.)
7. You wake it, you rock it.
8. Ice cream is served in bowl-shaped coffee cups. Coffee is served in mugs.
9. No running by or eating in the pool.
10. No using the pool for purposes associated with Rule #1.

Party, Party, Party

Day 4 of partying is winding to a close. Friday was MOL graduation, Saturday was my (former) boss's daughter's graduation, Sunday we did a 'cue here with Biblio Study, then today celebrated the other Jennifer Earle's birthday. I did the whole chicken dinner thing. Yum! Chicken, Stuffing, Salad, and apple cobbler for dessert. Great, American Meal, for a Great American Lady. She is the epitome of a service woman. She truly does her job because she wants to serve people.

Up this week: 4-month apt. for Lucy-Pants (which means shots!); laundry and packing; preparing for in-laws to stay here after the wedding; planning meals for this week and next; maybe getting my toenails done. Hoo-yah!

Graduation

It was SOOO nice to go to the graduation tonight and not have to work. Someone else organized it, someone else ran it. Ahhhhh. I came because some of "my" students were graduating, so it was fun to see them and introduce them to Lucy Pants. She chose the silent diva look for the evening and saved her cutesy squeals for Daddy at home. =)

My kind of craft!

Today I made this, based on a segment on Martha. (Thank heavens for Tivo... I can fast forward through most of the segments and get to the good stuff. She annoys me, but I love the ideas.) I'm inspired by Kris, but I am too lazy to do anything too complicated. This one is far from detailed and can even have ragged edges.




Sorry the 2nd picture is a little blurry. Basically I made it sleeveless, cut some shape into it, and laced up the sides. Took 15 minutes!!

I think I might check out the book that Martha's guest wrote. Looks like there's other fun stuff!

My next craft is a pillow case for a body pillow that someone gave me for my pregnancy. Comfy, but orange. K and I went fabric shopping to celebrate her graduation and re-entry into the world of evening outings. I'll show you the finished product soon.

Lucy: A tryptic

These were taken about 10 seconds apart.

So proud!

My niece, Emma, has been going to Pioneers at church this last year. So, SO weird, because I feel like it was just yesterday that my sister and I were going to Pioneers! She loves it, and this last week they had a "closing ceremonies" for this year. They gave out awards, and she got the award for Leadership. I am so proud of that little girl! She has such a kind, sweet heart. She loves everyone and she just exudes kindness to people. Way to go, Emma!



Here's another really cute picture, just for fun.

My parents are going here in a few weeks. I am so excited for them! My mother taught French when they were first married, and always wanted to go. She is also an artist and an art history buff, so the Louvre is like the mother ship calling her home. To prepare they are watching movies about France, and calling each other "La Mere" and "Le Pere."

Even I benefit from this trip! I have a pair of fantastic travel shoes that I never wear. My mom fell in love with them, and I told her to take them. She liked them so much, she's keeping them and buying me these.

Updated Earle Page

Here are the new Lucy pages on th Earle homepage. I'm also going to start working on our house pictures. I want to show it to the lady who used to own our house. =)

I also made these tonight. Super easy, super yum!

Four Generations

Lucy met her Great Aunt and Great Grandfather this weekend. I love that Lucy gets to meet her Great Grandfather. He is in good health, so she will have plenty of time to get to know him. I have been wishing my grandmother could have seen her. I find that I am subconsciously doing things with Lucy that my grandmother did with my mom, and I wish I could talk to her about it. The trip went great with Lucy--she was a great traveler. Had a wonderful time with Grammie and Grandpa, and a fun time with the Nord/Hofers too. Yay!

A little trip

Picture posted just because it's cute. =)
Well, we are leaving my brother at the helm this weekend to treck north. We have been hearing the relatives bemoaning that Lucy is growing up too quickly, so off we go. Bud will hold the fort, and we'll hope no birdies die in the pool this time.

Take and Read

Another list is in order. Here are some of my favorite, favorite books (though I think I'm missing some. I think reading is somehow sacred. It is delicious to sit with a cup of tea and a good book. There are few things lovelier.

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
Mansfield Park – Jane Austen
Emma – Jane Austen
The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexander Dumas
Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
Wives and Daughters – Elizabeth Gaskell
The Jack Aubrey Series – Patrick O’Brian
The James Herriot books
The Anne of Green Gables books
The Lord of the Rings trilogy – J.R.R. Tolkein
The Narnia books – C.S. Lewis

Please do comment! I want to know your favorite books!

First Mother's Day

It feels so strange. I almost don't want anyone to make a fuss over me. I mean, Mother's Day is for my mom. I just told Steve I don't want to cook and I don't want to change the monster poop that is due. I think that sounds like a pretty good Mother's Day. I think Mother's Day will be especially great when Lucy and her siblings learn to say it and make toast for me. In the mean time, I want to just be thankful for this sweet little girl, even at 5 a.m. (you couldn't pick today to do one of your awesome 8 a.m. wake ups?). And I want to take a moment to appreciate my own dear Mother. She is such a wonderful, beautiful woman--my best frend! One of the coolest things ever is that she got to be there when I became a mother. I will always remember seeing her start to cry when Lucy was born, and the way she cuddled her in the middle of the night so I could sleep that first week. I love you, Mom! Your card was so beautiful.

And a big thanks to Ms. Nomer for her gorgeous card! I feel loved!

Dead Ants Walking

Update on my ants: they are wandering around the bathroom, sad and desolate, and choosing corners to die in. DIE!! DIE!!! Even if that means I have to sweep multiple times today.

Apologies to Zeke

First let me say that I've come to have a friendly affection for Van Morrison. But really, this man makes his LIVING as a SINGER? Really, folks, how has he fooled us all into thinking he is a vocalist? And yet I listen occasionally.

Two days in a row my postman for some reason refused to take a box that is going back to the company, clearly FROM me, TO the company; clearly marked "NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES." Two days in a row, people. I'm disappointed because I was starting to have a maternal appreciation for the mailman. I worry about his sense of purpose because I shred or recycle 90% of what he delivers within 90 seconds of its arrival.

Went to the jewelry store today to exchange a Christmas gift. Steve bought me earrings with the February birthstone, as you may remember. He figured he was safe... I was due smack in the middle of February. Twelve days in, to be exact. So Lucy came 16 days early. I am exchanging them for garnet earrings. The jeweler is a friend, a former student who I always say OWES ME BIG for all the times I helped him out. =) He is a kind man, and totally just loves hand crafting jewelry. He took one look at my ring and asked if he clean it. It looks gorgeous and sparkly!!

I told him I would be sending Steve there for our 10th anniversary, as I know exactly what I want. When we were engaged, I found this beautiful band of tiny diamonds that was delicate and just breathtaking. It wasn't what we were looking for at the time, but I've always remembered it. Well, Kevin pulled out all these beautiful rings he'd made, and I just had fun looking at them. I get to go back in 2 weeks to pick up the earrings, as he is setting them in white gold for me (they were set in yellow). I'd better go remembering I have just quit my job to stay home with my daughter and THAT is the most important thing. =)

And most important of all, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! He's a ripe old 58, which seems so young to me now. He is one of the two men I respect most in the world, a wonderful man of integrity, generosity and honor. I'm so proud of him, and I will be forever grateful that God saw fit for him to bring my little girl into the world. Here's to another 58 years, Dad.

Bedtime

My girl is asleep, it's time for bed, but I just can't manage to go put her down. I am typing with one hand and the other is cradling her and my head is resting on her head, smelling that indescribable, unbottlable baby smell. I don't think I ever knew I could love someone this much. It makes my heart ache! This is just one of those moments I want to remember because already it is slipping away. She has already said goodbye to her newborn days, and i can hardly remember what it was like when she was so very little. But then, the new stuff is so cool. Her sqwaks and babblings are too precious. Grown men say "awww." Anyway... time for sleep and good dreams. Oh, by the way, dreamt she learned how to give me a kiss!

All that is random and good

I haven't been terribly inspired to write this last week, but life has been very satisfying in all those miniscule ways. The exterminator came Friday to inflict hymenopteric genocide. Ah, the satisfaction of it all. Of course, it's pretty gross to see tons of ants who chose a burial at sea (the pool), but to me it's worth it! Cycle them through, oh filter, and take them to their watery mass grave.

This weekend, errands, errands. Got the announcements out after many frustrating delays. The sad, sad thing is that I thought of something very cool I should have put on the announcement. I should have added that she was delivered by her grandfather. But they're in the mail before her 4-month birthday, so I'm happy.

Lucy rolled over! She was chasing her thumb to suck on it, and rolled to her side, then kind of just kept going! She's only repeated it a few times, but it was great excitement in the Earle Estate.

I have my outfit put together for the wedding/cruise. Got the shoes today, but alas, they were too small. When the 10's arrive, I will be so happy, as even the 9's, while small, were super comfy and very cute.

However, just discovered there's a formal night on Saturday. Do I go for "dressed nice" or do I pull out an old formal and suck in my breath, hoping I actually fit into it? I fit back into my jeans, right? So maybe I can fit into my sister-in-law's old bridesmaid dress (one of the few that actually looks cute and not too bridesmaid-y). We shall see.

Dad Earle stayed a few days with us after their Panama Canal cruise, which ended in San Diego. We always enjoy having him around. He "tinkers" around the house, which I love. He is great company, and I really enjoy him. Mom Earle decided to fly immediately back to Nebraska to help Grandma get moved into a higher care facility, as her health has declined very rapidly lately. She turned 94 yesterday, and has been in very good health until about January. We are so sad to hear this, but are glad we had so many great opportunities to be with her these last few years.

Worked in the yard a bit, which was surprisingly satisfying. Still can't get the weeds under control, which is maddening, but we're working on it.

I am uninspired for meals this week. I usually get all excited about what to make and enjoy the shopping, planning and prepping. But for some reason I just can't get a lot of good ideas. I will do spaghetti tomorrow, which tells you where I am. Luckily I had planned meals into tonight, so we will have Paella tonight. Yum!

And there you have my minutiae.

Humility

My former Dean is retiring this year, and we are having a party for him tomorrow. I was asked to be in a small choir to sing a spoof song from Bye-Bye Birdie with words re-written for him. (Did that make sense? It's late!) Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes, but I think I'm about to lay my dignity on the line for my former boss. What am I thinking??

Mmm, Tacos!

My contribution to clear, logical immigration debates: kick-@#% tacos! (See, I have a clean mouth now!) I have always used the taco packets from the store, but on my weekly cooking show they had an awesome recipe for tacos, so I decided to try it out. Oh my was it tasty! I also have never believed in packaged taco shells, so the fried tortilla shells of course accompanied. I would never have guessed they added brown sugar and cider vinegar! Do check out the recipe... I don't think I can post it, but linking is fine.

@#$%!

I have to tell this story because it is just too funny. You miss the voice inflections, which really tell the story, but you'll get the gist. When I was in the sixth grade I made a conscious decision (I still remember doing this) to start cussing. I was sick and tired of being teased for being a goody two shoes, and wanted to divert attention away from it. Well, it worked! I got just the "respect" and "attention" that I wanted, and people stopped teasing me for awhile about the grades and for never getting in trouble. Well, one day I was with my mom and my sister, and I think I must have dropped something. I opened my mouth and dropped the s-bomb. My mother stopped what she was doing, slowly turned her head toward me and said, "What did you say?" I quickly looked for a way out... any way out! "Uh, Uh, Sari taught me to say that!" "Oh no you don't, you're not pinning that one on me!" I knew I was beaten. I don't even think I was punished for it, consequently.

The funny thing is that when I got into high school I developed a crush on a guy at school (who amazingly liked me back), he basically said, "I like you, but you should stop cussing." I said, "Ok," and I've had a clean mouth ever since. Just like that!

The ants go marching, milling, nibbling...

Last night I was sitting in my chair nursing Lucy when I noticed an ant biting me. It wasn't one of the ants I'm accostumed to, the black carpenter ants. It was a tiny red ant that I'd never seen before. I felt like a cartoon who was zoomed in on the one ant, then zoomed out, then out again to see all these ants crawling all over the burp rag, the nursing pillow and my chair. I frantically gave the (luckily contented) baby to my brother who was luckily at hand, and set about to vacuum them up and figure out what to do next. It completely freaked me out, because I didn't know if these were just small fire ants (a friend very recently had her daughter bitten by hundreds of fire ants), or what they were, so I was completely freaked out. To be sitting cozily in my chair feeding my baby, then feel completely invaded was a bit nightmarish. I think I have a phobia or something, because it took me a couple of hours to settle down again. I have a pretty clean mouth (I'll have to tell the story behind that later), but I reserve one bad word for ants, which basically describes them literally and metaphorically. In essence, I make sure people know that their parents were never married.

Three Months??

Where did 3 months go? I should have posted this 2 days ago, but I'm sure Lucy will forgive me.







As I write this post, I cannot get a Sting song out of my head... You know, it's the one that goes, "That's my baby--she can be all four seasons in one day." Tried to get a few pictures to demonstrate.

One Happy Grammie!

That's the picture of contentment... Come on, you know you want to say it... AWWWWWWW!!!

Thanks for the great visit, Grammie! What a gift for this little girl to be with her Grammie.

Congrats to Colleen!

Welcome, Timothy Lamar Johnson! This is my friend from the MOL program. When we first started the program, the two of us talked a lot about whether or not we wanted to start families, and then we found out we were pregnant around the same time! Little Timothy was the same size as Lucy, but a whole pound heavier!!

I've told Lucy she's allowed to date Timothy, Micah Watson, Nicholas Geringer, or Colin Twisselmann. Oh, or either of the Himes boys. Or at least they can be her back-ups for prom if the person she likes doesn't ask her (which he will of course!), or if we decide he doesn't pass the Earle muster. =)

Red Bud

This is the view out my window. I love this tree. You can't see the shape exactly, but it has this lovely shape that reminds me of a Geisha doing a dance. It has small purple blossoms in the Spring, then gets these teeny-tiny heart-shaped leaves that grow into lovely big heart-shaped leaves. They start out dark purple, develop some green before turning yellow and orange and falling off in autumn. Then in winter, the branches still have that elegant Geisha dance pose. Its roots are unstable, as it was planted too shallow. A really good wind could take it down, though it is protected quite a bit by the house. If it were to fall, I would just cry!

The Announcements

Okay, it is sad, sad, sad that I am just now getting Lucy's Announcements out. She will be 3 months old next week! However, we finally have everything about ready to go. I had one of my favorite pictures of her printed, and the announcement (which I designed) has been ordered. Oh, and had to special order 4x6 envelopes... Office Max doesn't carry that size! Go fig. And I got these stamps because they are just way too cute!

Get Candy, Get Candy, Get Candy!

So this is a deadly time of year for me. I have a sweet tooth. If you think you have a sweet tooth and fruit satisfies your sweet tooth, you don't have one. You know who you are... if your back-up is a spoon of sugar right out of your canister, you're in the club. My death candy comes at Easter, from the evil Brits of Cadbury. Eggs one and all are favorites, but the mini-eggs with the sugar shells are my favorite favorite of all time, forever and ever, Amen. I could go through a 5 pound bag without blinking. Well, not only did we get candy from my mom, but I bought Easter Bunny candy, and our neighbors gave us a care package for Steve with candy. So much for getting back into my favorite jeans! God grant me the fruit of self-control--which means being satisfied with fruit!

Here's the package:

Yesterday, today...

Even the pictures don't quite capture it. Getting in the car is quite the ordeal... I now appreciate the plight of people with multiple kids.

Exercise is bad for your health.

My sister says that we should give up exercising. I think she might be right. Poor Steve took a bad step running and rolled his ankle, and now he's on crutches for the next few days or possibly even a week, and 6 weeks until full recovery. These pictures were taken before the swelling got worse and the bruising started to appear. So now I have a little baby and a big baby to look after. I gave him a walkie talkie for his nap so he could call me if he needed something, and I'm joking that I now have two baby monitors. =) (Apologies to Steve, who will no doubt read this on his rss, especially considering he now has lots more time to surf!)

Favorite Kitchen Gadgets/Tools

Garlic Press

Garlic peeler (see earlier entries)

Food Processor -- How did I live so long without one?? It makes bread recipes so much easier (like my awesome recipe for home-made pizza dough… takes less than 5 minutes), and brings EASY diversity to my cooking. Great for slicing veggies and onions. Easy clean-up, too!

Nice measuring spoons/measuring cups-- I like the metal ones. Cleaner, neater.

Microplane grater--Great forParmesann and zesting. I use this a lot!


KitchenAid --I used to wonder why I needed a standing mixer when I did just fine with a hand mixer. Now I can’t imagine going back. My wrists thank me, and being able to clean up my ingredients while something mixes in is huge!

Cheese grater attachment for KitchenAid--I hate grating cheese by hand. This allows me to buy blocks of cheese and grate quickly. Bummer is that a lot of cheese gets stuck in between the grater, so I lose some cheese. But clean-up is easy. Hooray for dishwasher safe!

Good non-stick skillet--My mother-in-law bought this for me, and I can’t believe I cooked without it before. It is the wonder skillet! I had non-stick items before, but not a large skillet, and I’ve discovered it is the most versatile piece of cookware I own.

Wooden utensils--These are great for cooking with non-stick, and I find they are somehow the easiest to use. They're also cheap!

Wish-list tool – citrus reamer--I currently have a citrus hand-press, which works—okay. We have a lemon tree out back, so I can always grab a lemon for use in a recipe. Great in pasta!

Corian cutting board – I like this so much better than plastic, wood or glass. It’s heavy and durable, but hard enough to really make a good chop. Unfortunately all I have is a lamb-shaped one, which drives me crazy. I am asking for a large one for Christmas.

Ice Cream Scoop --I use this for scooping out cookie dough or meatballs SOO much easier.

Adjust-a-cup --Awesome for measuring things like shortening or mayo.


Sontaku knife--Wishlist item. I like really good knives, because otherwise I hate chopping. This is the knife all the cooking shows are using, so I'm really eager to try it.

Why I Blog

This is maddening. I am awake at 2 in the morning (though I will likely publish this later). I took a little evening nap, which was my demise. I hope my baby sleeps long tomorrow morning so I can catch up a bit. I finally broke down and took a Benedryl to see if that will help. So while that kicks in, I will try to put down why I blog, as it was one of the things I was thinking about as I was trying to sleep.

I am an external processor. I always have been. I either talk to someone, write to someone, or journal. When I got married, my journaling rituals sort of changed and I got out of the habit of journaling, but my processing found other outlets. I enjoy the blog because it is a way to get out all that is in my head, down to the nonsense. It is also a way of defining myself and my world. In the past I have sort of tried to spiritualize my journals, but I find that they only sound fake or contrived. I discovered, though, that I find God in the everyday. I have learned that God rejoices in the fact that I like kitchen gadgets and clothes and funny stories and mentoring and music. I think that, if not taken to the point of sin (say, gluttony, covetousness, gossip and self-importance, some of my many), that I can worship God by enjoying these things. Afterall, he made me to love these things! He has always known these things about me.

So the journaling is a little bit processing, a little bit pondering, a little bit preservation and self-anthropology, and sort of all worship.

Favorite Things

I saw this cool article on "MommySavers.com" about favorite things. Oprah's included a$500 Ralph Lauren sweater--the author of the article mused that $500 is a whole new wardrobe from Old Navy. Here are some of my indispensables from a woman addicted to lists. (Note: many of these are technology based, but most of them were gifts, so I don't feel quite so worldly.)

Bath and Body Works Foam Antibacterial Hand Soap
--I refill the dispenser with diluted soap refill. It has to be way watered downto make the foam, so it's economical, too.

Viva paper towels
--These work so great I spend the extra money on them

My digital camera
--Inspired by Ms. Nomer, I am learning to anthropologize my day with the camera. Keeps the grandparents happy, too.

My laptop and wireless unit
--I spend a lot of time nursing, and this helps me feel connected to my loved ones. Steve is building me a Frankenstein laptop to replace my work laptop.

My $5, 8-year old flip-flops
--I can walk 6 miles in these without my feet feeling a thing. Best $5 I ever spent!

Tivo
--This was a gift to us, and has been invaluable! I can catch all my cooking shows, and we don't end up channell surfing as much as we did. I think we watch less tv this way.

Netflix
--Again, a gift. Great variety (things the video store doesn't carry) and no late fees. Hoo-yah!

Ipod/Audiobooks
--I don't all asleep well on my own, so it's like being read a story to fall asleep. My ocean sounds got me through part of labor. =)

iTunes
--I can't remember what it was like when I couldn't just buy one song if I felt like it, or a whole album for $9.99. When I get a song in my head, I can go buy it for only a dollar!

Organized files
--I went through all our old files and tossed out everything older than 3 years (shredded). Now I can FIND stuff, and I feel like I have a very do-able system. The file cabinet is in an accessible place, so I actually use it.

My crochet supplies
--Absolutely necessary for scary movies or watching 24. Plus makes for nice, personal touch gifts.

The Sling
--Given to me by my sister-in-law, I could NOT have returned to a normal life with a baby without this thing. She loves it and it gives me 2 hands. She hates her car seat, but this makes it possible for me to shop!

Kitchen gadgets, as afore mentioned
--I think I will sum up favorite kitchen gadgets in another list sometime.

This is the other fun gadget. Mostly I don't have trouble with peeling garlic, it usually comes off when I slice off the root, but occasionally I need one of these babies. You just roll the garlic in there, and the peel comes right off. Cool!

Garlic Press

This is my first favorite tool. It is a Zyliss garlic press, recommended by America's Test Kitchen for ease of use and efficiency. I used to use preserved minced garlic because I was scared of working with garlic, but this press makes it so easy! America's Test Kitchen makes great recommendations on tools and gadgets.

Jenny's Cooking Forum

So many blogs seem to have a cool theme. I found one yesterday, thanks to Ms. Nomer, that reviews kids' music that has adult appeal. (i.e. "If you like REM, you'll love _____ for your kids!") Ms. Nomer also has some great craft links. I love food and cooking, though I'd never consider myself a gourmet. I love a good meal that is easy but yummy and generally healthy. And I adore kitchen tools! I've been Tivo-ing Martha Stewart's show lately because she's doing a cooking school on her show--a different lesson every day--and I'm enjoying learning new things and remembering old things.

So. I am going to start adding some of my favorite recipes as well as hilighting my favorite kitchen tools, some of which I don't yet own. I would love to have submissions if you have favorite recipes or cooking tips. Remember: Easy, cheap, yummy and generally healthy (I say generally because a new favorite recipe of my family's calls for 6 TBSP of butter, but GOSH DARN IT, it's yummy!).

So here's to good eating!

Ah, Saturday. You'd think it wouldn't make much of a difference to me since I can no longer sleep in like I used to, but since Poopy Pants has been sleeping later in the morning, I'm still happy. Plus Steve is home, which makes the weekend feel special. We get to take turns running at least once during the weekend, which (most of the time) I love. I often wondered if Saturday would lose it's sweetness when I quit working, but somehow it is just as sweet, and almost even sweeter because I don't dread Sunday nights anymore. There are many things that I secretly wondered if they would fall into the "grass is greener" category, and then when they didn't I was happily surprised. There are some things I wake up daily and thank God for. Our first house was one of them. I really hated apartment living, and was so happy when I could pull into the driveway and leave the car door open while I put my groceries away. When marriage didn't turn out to be as hard as I thought it would be (I heard horror stories, so I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop), and our house. And now the whole being at home thing... I thought I would get sick of it. But every morning when I'm nursing my kid at 9:00 while still in my pajamas I think, "Life is good."

P.S. My husband made muffins this morning... the world is REALLY good.

Impertinence at the door

Now that I'm home during the day I am prey to door-to-door sales people. I'm waiting for Willie Loman to show up at my door, but until then it is the modern polo-wearing fast-talking monotone but cheerful youngster. I don't mind too much as they are generally gracious when I decline their AH-MAZING product. Plus a crying baby often gets me out of stuff.
However--
This week an AH-MAZING cleaning product came to my door. It was ONLY $25 a bottle and would last me until my daughter's wedding and even got stains out of my sidewalk. I think it even could achieve world peace. When I graciously declined, the gal got out the big guns.
"Why wouldn't you buy this product?"
"I don't buy things when people come to my door."
"So you're just saying no for no reason??"
"Look, I've got to get dinner going."
"You're about to make dinner? This is how I eat and you're not buying anything."
"Uh, bye now."

The truth is, while it bothers me to no end when people use pressure sales like that, I get a perverse pleasure out of standing my ground. I've always been a people pleaser, and yet the only times I ever got in trouble in school was when I knew I was right and got argumentative to an authority figure about it. Now that I'm a grown up, I can take it out on salespeople.

Vote!

I'm trying to decide what to wear for my brother-in-law's wedding, and have narrowed it down to these 4 tops (though I would take additional suggestions). These are all on sale at Anthropologie, and I like them all. I think the one bridesmaid is wearing lavendar, so I don't think any of these will clash in family pictures. I need to do a top-and-bottom set because I'm nursing and, well, dresses are kind of out of the question at present. Also noting the nursing issue, I want to make sure none of these would be, well, incompatible with my nursing chest size if you know what I mean. =) Please, weigh in!

Gift

I need an idea! I am trying to think of something special to give to my brother-in-law and his new wife when they get married this summer. They are not registering, and said, "No gifts," but I still would like to get them something... like a special bottle of wine or champagne, or a time capsule or something cool like that. I would LOVE some ideas!

In other news, Steve got a new camera for Christmas that takes really great pictures. Today because I knew I wouldn't get a chance to get to the bookstore to buy some birthday cards, I thought I'd make my own. This is the picture I made, then printed on a watercolor-type paper so it looks all bumpy and natural-papery.

This inspired me to start making some of my own cards, so some of you will be the victims of my card-making this year. I love when I get a creative bug!

Music of the spheres

I got to take a little break last night and go to the Biola Chorale Spring Concert. What a joy! It was a really truly lovely concert, well put together, well crafted, well sung. You could tell this was a mature group of some really neat kids (yes, I can call them kids when I'm 10 years older than most of them!). You can't sing the stuff they sang without discipline, and strange as this sounds, self-sacrifice. I remember watching Steve's mom's jr. high kids dance--at that age, they work hard to do the routine together, and yet you can see that the kids put in their own little flouishes to get noticed. When you work with a group like this, the point is not to stand out but to blend so beautifully that it's about something bigger than you. They did this awesome piece about the conversion of Saul that brought me nearly to tears. What a privilege to participate in that!