Cori Living a Charmed Life

Sustainable Happiness

2011-03-07T06:54:00.001-05:00

It's been three and a half months since I have journaled on this blog. Life, as usual, had different things in store for me. However, I am back...looking to write about my daily adventures on living more sustainably. I have big plans....huge...and they are beginning to take shape. Even though I am an urban dweller at this point in time....that is not stopping me from converting my back yard into somewhat of an urban farm. People do it everyday. Take for instance the author Spring Warren, from the Quarter Acre Farm...she wanted to grow 75% of her families food in her own backyard. She just published this book to document her tale. I just bought it on Amazon and it's great.

I have my ongoing list that I am slowly hacking away at. Take a look:

Plant three lasagna gardens- In process
Purchase 5 araucana chickens - completed
Make a rain barrel
Order two new queens for my bee hive- completed
Order one more beehive- Completed
Order worm composter for the house
Get supplies for solar wax melter- Completed
Order new cheese making supplies
Get canning equipment
Purchase crock to make sauerkraut and pickles
Make 100% of my own cleaning products
Make candles and soap

See the list is long....extensive....there is always more...but it's such of feeling of accomplishment I tell ya!

The best thing this weekend was the acquisition of my 4 araucana chicks and 1 amerucana. I purchased them from a breeder in Live Oak, Florida. These chickens are so sweet and docile and they lay colored eggs, which I wanted. Sam patiently took me to tractor supply to get the equipment to set up my brooder. Then off to pick up the chicks. They are adorable....their little chick peep sounds filling my bedroom with happiness. Naming has started...Omelet and Franchesca...three more to go.

Eat Pray Love and Socks

2010-11-22T18:05:00.000-05:00

Well tomorrow Eat Pray Love is released on DVD. I loved this movie and book. So much that I have investigated going to take a trip to Bali myself. I was tickled when I saw this knitting book being released.

I have pre-ordered it on Amazon and anxiously await it's arrival. My goal is to have a whole drawer filled with handmade socks by the end of the year. Maybe a pair a month?

New Yarn - Much Love

2010-11-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

While at Rhinebeck this year, my mom and I stumbled upon a vendor that was surrounded by people. So many people we could barely get in to see what the hype was about. When we managed to push inside we were in awe. It was the Sanguine Gryphon...based out of Maryland with luscious colors and cool yarn names to boot.

Their patterns are very Steampunkish. My mom and I bought the pattern and yarn to do this shawl. I bought some sock patterns and a few other shawl patterns.. I have started the socks, but can't tell if I like my yarn choice or not.

Sweater Success

2010-11-15T16:48:00.001-05:00

Finally Addy's owlet sweater is done. I will never do a sweater that requires me to sew on 28 buttons again. The owls are adorable. I love owls...all 14.

Pickles

2010-11-15T16:26:00.001-05:00

I had about nine pickling cukes in the fridge either needing to be used or composted. What the heck... Quick fridge garlic pickles it is.

Red Ape Anyone?

2010-11-13T07:20:00.002-05:00

While shopping at Ward's last week, I finally bought a jar of

Red Ape Cinnamon

to try. I have looked at it many times, but 6.00 for cinnamon seemed steep. However, I am a big fan of sustainably harvested foods and such. Let me tell you that it is well worth the price. The quality is unmistakable. The color is a lighter reddish brown...different from the knock off stuff. The company only uses the inner pure cinnamon bark from cassia cinnamon trees that are at least twenty years old.

These older tree have a higher Volatile Oil

count that makes the quality of the cinnamon higher also. Another plus is the 5% of their profits go to the protection and restoration of the orangutan habitat in Indonesia. Bravo! Well worth the splurge.

Santa Baby

2010-11-12T05:47:00.002-05:00

So Santa if you are listening....here are things I would love for Christmas. Not everything...maybe a few...some modest, some not. I've been good this year;)

Offhand Design knitting bag

Doc Martins

Individual coffee/tea press from starbucks

Sons of Anarchy

2010-11-11T11:34:00.002-05:00

Before we left for Mass. I wanted to buy a tv series to watch on the train. I remember seeing previews for SOA when it came out a few years ago and wanting to watch it, but forgot about it because I really don't watch that much tv. So before we left I watched the first three episodes from Netflix got sucked in, and ordered the rest of season one on Itunes because I couldn't wait. It was sooo good that by the time we pulled into Penn Station in New York (they have free Wifi), I was frantically pulling out my Macbook to download season 2 before the next train left for Boston. In fact, I didn't even knit on the train...just watched SOA.

Now my friends at work tease me that my type of guy looks like they have Hep. C. That's a bunch of nurses for you. Not every long haired, tattooed, biker man is infectious girls. But this look is my type of guy. Sam is not tatted up, does not have long hair, but he is far from the clean cut look that does nothing for me. He's got a long beard, burley, and a rugged look which I love.

Anyways, back to the Sons. This show is awesome. I have become a little obsessed, if that's what you want to call a 40 something year old woman that has downloaded every song and episode from the show, plus the Iphone application. Someone that reads every interview, looks at pictures, even re-watches favorite episodes. Yikes...I am scaring myself. I have even managed to suck my daughter, son and Sam into the vortex. However, I don't think Sam is fantasizing about biker dudes with long hair....however, there are sexy chicks in the show.

The show is on FX. It's about an outlaw mc in California that is bad, but good. Katie Sagal rocks as the mom and matriarch of the family. She is bad ass, but loves her family. Only two more episodes left from season three. I have no earthly idea how I will manage until fall....sniff, sniff.

Check out this pure awesomeness:)

Netflix does have Season 1 and 2. If you watch it and also get sucked into the vortex, season three can be purchased from Itunes and Amazon. Please be warned....after you finish season 3, it will be cold turkey withdrawls until next year. You may have to go to rehab.

Boots, Boots and more Boots

2010-11-11T06:38:00.000-05:00

I love boots and I need some new ones...Here are my favorites.....with a few shoes added in...

Doc Martins and Uggs

Uggs

Docs

Uggs

Boys of Summer

2010-11-11T04:47:00.000-05:00

Ah...the boys of summer as mom so affectionately calls the Harley bikers that populate the cool New England towns on optimal riding days. Yes we both have this thing for bikers. I want a Harley. I have been working on Sam...who has always wanted a bike, but likes fast things....no, I want a cruiser so we can take leisurely trips to the beach...travel cool country roads and wear cool leather. Sam already looks like one of the boys already....now we just need the hardware and a couple of skull caps.

Please come to Boston

2010-11-11T04:28:00.000-05:00

My hopes of blogging daily from New England did obviously not pan out. For one, my mom only has an aircard for internet....so that left us with just the Iphones...which is fine for blogging really. I blog alot from my Iphone4. However, we were just to busy having alot of fun enjoying civilization again. Don't get me wrong. My little town in Northern Florida is quaint, but I am so not a Florida girl. I came here 11 years ago out of circumstance. Taking a trip back to New England reiterated what I always have known....I am a Yankee and always will be. I miss the hustle and bustle of a big city....the culture..the opportunities. Even living in a small city outside of Boston, like Salem where my parent's live, it is a whole different world. Everything there is old....and I love old. So my trip provided me with affirmation that I belong there...I am living on borrowed time right now in the Sunshine State.

Our Amtrak ride was cool. Since we were laden down with soooo many bags, we just waited in Penn Station in NYC for our next train to Boston. We did buy a slice of New York Cheesecake.

Our first day was spent exploring Salem. I have lived in Salem before, but the town has really grown. Alexis toured Salem University, which was very nice. Abby wanted to visit the occult stores. There are so many in the town....some good, some not so much. There was a cool new one called Hex that a friend of mom's opened. It's actually a vodoo shop which was interesting.

Day 2 was spent in Boston. Showed the girls how to ride the commuter train and subway. We ate Dim Sum in the morning in China Town.

Then rode the T back to Fanuel Hall and shopped. Afterwards we hiked over to the North End,which is Boston's Little Italy, for the best cannolis I have ever tasted.
We stopped by an Italian market for some olive antipasta salad, mortadella and sliced provolone. Low and behold they had the octopus salad that Abby wanted to try so we grabbed that to.

Day 3 we drove to Rhinebeck, NY for the sheep and wool festival. It was cold, were thousands of people in happy spirits due to yarn intoxication. Oh and the food venders....we had homemade chicken potpies that were out of this world. My favorite vender was the Sanguine Griffon...her yarn is awesome..and what a following. I think we waited in line for a hour just to pay.

Day 4 we went for fresh clams and lobsters.

Day 5 we explored Portsmouth, NH which I loved. I would so live there. We ate at a cool little joint called popovers. Their popovers were delicious!

great hummus plate..

Day 6....back on the train to Florida...sniff, sniff.

Leaving On A Jet Plane...or Train...........

2010-10-12T08:56:00.000-04:00

Well today is the big day of travel....my much anticipated trip to visit my parent's in Salem and to go to Rhinebeck for the first time. We are traveling by train and it should be quite an adventure. We do have a 3 hour stay in the Big Apple...just enough time to grab some lunch. I will blog daily about our daily adventures.....we may never come back..........................................................................................................

Lovely Projects

2010-10-06T05:20:00.000-04:00

I love the young Scottish designer Ysolda Teague. I just bought her pattern for this lovely shaw. I am anxiously waiting for her new pattern book to come out and am hoping to see it at Rhinebeck in October. I will cross my fingers....if so it will be on the to buy list. I am trying to go to Rhinebeck with a few projects in mind to buy yarn for or I will get overwhelmed easily, which will lead to spending to much money. I am giving myself a spending limit of $200.00, not a penny more.

I am almost finished, except for binding off the neckline and sewing on the wooden buttons for the owl eyes of Addy's owl sweater. It is soooo cute. With little boots and tights, and this owl hat

from Spud and Chloe.....picture time!

Sleeping Babe

2010-10-04T09:57:00.003-04:00

Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep. ~John Milton, Paradise Lost

Roasted Vitamin A

2010-10-04T09:42:00.001-04:00

I love red heads.....and I love the color of carrots. This is the simplest way to cook them. Trust me you will eat them no other way. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of them in the roasted state because the scoundrels at the house swept in before I had a chance.

Ingredients

1 bag of baby carrots
Olive oil to coat
Sea salt to taste
A sprinkling of thyme and pepper. Be generous now.

Place them on a pan and toss with oil and herbs. Bake at 350 until they are wrinkly like your grandma.

Add Love....Will Grow

2010-10-04T00:06:00.001-04:00

Peach Deliciousness

2010-10-01T10:48:00.001-04:00

The last of the seasons peaches were in the store this week. Amazingly these were the best I have tasted. They actually tasted like the peaches
I remember growing up and not the tasteless things found in the store nowadays due to pesticides, chemicals and genetic tampering of our food.... That is another post though.

The recipe for the peach crisp came from
the Pioneer Woman, who provides awesome inspiration. Plus, great recipes. Try it, I will not disappoint you!

Roasting Chesnuts

2010-09-29T06:48:00.003-04:00

I can remember chestnut trees when growing up in Pennsylvania. They had a prickly outer shell that I liked to squash. I never picked them for cooking as I would now. Florida is not a chestnut producing area, so I am forced to buy them in the store at this time of year.

They are highly perishable...which I just learned after roasting a bad batch. So store them in the fridge until use.

To roast in the oven at 350', you must cut a x into the flat side of each. This let's steam escape so you don't have popping nuts in your oven. Roast for about 20 minutes...turning halfway through. You will see the x's curling up at the edges.

They will be smokin' hot so be careful not to burn yourself when peeling. We eat them plain,
but someone suggested dipping them in butter....which sounds utterly delicious because butter makes everything delicious!

Lomo Fun for Halloween Decorating

2010-09-27T19:30:00.001-04:00

I am having sooo much fun with my IPhone Lomo camera application. I do have my real life Diana but rarely buy film for it. Slowly the house is getting ready for October.

A Different Perspective

2010-09-27T09:15:00.001-04:00

I love this picture. The old French magnifying glass was found at the Paris Mercantile in Savannah.

Oberon Designs

2010-09-25T12:03:00.001-04:00

Oberon Designs is a wonderful company out of California that makes the most beautiful leather items. They also make silver pendants and such. For my original Kindle I had purchased one of their covers. It was lovely. They are expensive, but well worth the price for the craftmanship. This is my favorite.......

Since I kept the wonderful Kindle 3 I need a new cover. Oh the choices.!

Halloween Decorating

2010-09-24T14:13:00.001-04:00

My favorite time of year is finally around the corner. I get to start decorating for Halloween and we have the best house for it. Me and Addy started pulling the totes out yesterday. What fun! She was oohing and awing over everything. My house has some things that could be deemed Halloweenish year round. Like this big moonface and magic sign above it.

Fingerling Potatoes

2010-09-23T16:16:00.001-04:00

Fingerling potatoes are heritage potatoes that grow smaller than the average potato. They are oblong and knubby, therefore named "fingerling" due to resembling a finger.

They taste sweeter to me and have a more delicate, waxy texture. They are awesome roasted with garlic, onions and tossed with a good quality olive oil. A sprinkle of sea salt with fresh herbs completes the masterpiece.

Stir Fried Cabbage with eggs and shrimp

2010-09-23T10:04:00.001-04:00

I made this delicious dish as a side last night, but could easily have made it into a meal.

Ingredients

1 head of cabbage thinly shredded

1/2 pound shrimp halved

4 eggs

4 minced garlic cloves

1tbsp water

4 tbsp oil

1tsp soy sauce

1tsp fish sauce

Salt

White pepper

Add garlic to wok and lightly brown. Add shrimp and fry for 1 minute or until pink. Remove shrimp with slotted spoon. Add cabbage. Cook until softened, but not mushy. Add tbsp of water. Stir. Add shrimp back to wok. Make well for eggs. Crack eggs and start to cook. Break the yokes when they start looking slightly white. Then mix eggs into the cabbage mixture. Add soy sauce and fish sauce. Salt and pepper to taste.

Little Nut

2010-09-23T07:06:00.001-04:00

Peanut came to me about 6 years ago via a Petsmart adoption. His little 1.75 pound self was sharing a cage with some mammoth chihuahuas. He's a special case they told me. Rescued from horrendous conditions from a puppymill in Live Oak, Florida. He had to get all but 5 teeth removed due to malnutrition. Plus, his social skills were severely lacking. I sadly ended up leaving, but Sam turned around to buy him because he knew I loved him.

His name was foxy, but I renamed him
Peanut because of his size. I should have named him Wiley because he looks like Wiley Coyote.

He is my sidekick. Loves me and only me. He's loyal....thinks he's fierce but now has no teeth in his mouth. Which, by the way makes his tongue hang out. He has a face only a mother could love....which I do.

New kitchen Eats

2010-09-23T05:13:00.001-04:00

I bought this lovely can

of grapeseed oil from La Tourangelle. It is supposed to have a light nutty flavor, plus alot of health benefits. You can go to this website... http://http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-of-grape-seed-oil.html

to read about the benefits.

Also, the jam from Maury Island Farms, which is all natural, looks amazing. I am making filled shortbread cookies with it today.

New Finds

2010-09-22T13:55:00.001-04:00

These two were great TJ MAXX finds. I have other pieces similar to the skeleton that I bought last Halloween.

They started putting their Christmas stuff out today and I had to buy this Santa with the moon because I love vintage moon faces.

Path to Enlightenment

2010-09-22T07:53:00.001-04:00

Abby and I began our 6 week beginning Buddhism classes on Sunday. It was such a peaceful place. I have never meditated before...but Abby and I both had the same experience during the 3 minute exercise. It literally felt like we were sitting there for 10 seconds. Wild. It will be an interesting journey for both of us.

Plum Color

2010-09-22T07:37:00.001-04:00

I had bought these Japanese eggplants at the Asian Market last week with intentions on making an Asian dish. However, they found themselves converted to an Italian meal. The color is so beautiful. I want hand dyed yarn in this color. I stuffed them with a mixture of ground sirloin, sautéed garlic, celery, eggplant, paprika, parmesan cheese, and a homemade tomato sauce. Of course no Italian dish would be complete without a coating of melted Italian cheeses. They were rich...but good. Even my son ate them. However, I refrained from using the word eggplant.

Vintage Chunky

2010-09-22T07:25:00.001-04:00

I found the cutest pattern for the cutest hat. Take a look. It's in Berrocos book #302 called Vintage and Vintage Chunky. I substituted Hulda yarn by Louisa Harding because VC was nowhere local to be found. The vest called Americano is a must make also. I will buy the yarn while up North. Patience is not my virtue. As stated by one of my friends, I love instant gratification. But will hold out for VC.

Vampire Knit Project

2010-09-21T15:02:00.002-04:00

I received my copy of Vampire Knits. There are alot of cute projects. I fell in love with the Lore Hoodie. Off to my LYS, yarnworks, and after fondling many skeins, I bought a skein of Berroco Ultra Alpaca. It looks like a light bluish teal. This will be one of my train projects while going to Salem in October.

Squash Cassarole

2010-09-21T09:34:00.001-04:00

The best squash casserole I have tasted. Sauté 2 cups of yellow squash with a large onion and a stick of butter. When soft add a can of cream of chicken soup, 2.5 cups crumbled corn bread, and salt/pepper to taste. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. During the last 10 minutes add a cup of sharp cheddar cheese to the top.

Sinful!

New Shininess

2010-09-19T20:27:00.002-04:00

Well I was weak last week. It happens to all of us. I passed the AT&T store and went in to see the iPhone 4. It was pretty and shiny and damn they had it in stock. I had no choice but to buy it. Easily justified because my iPhone 3G is old and sketchy at times. When I'm on call at work I need a phone that is in good working order. See, justifiable. So out came my debit card and I walked away with an apple box and new plum encase.

The phone is wonderful. It is so much faster then my old one. The clarity of videos is amazing. The camera with the flash and the editing capabilities with the video camera is awesome. I always have my phone, but not always my camera with me. I haven't tried the FaceTime talking yet...but will soon. I am buying Alexis a new phone this Friday. I haven't had a lick of problems with the phone yet. Apple now has a 2 year warranty that you can buy also.

Yet again another wonderful Apple product. Plus it's shiny!

Sent from my iPhone

Genesha

2010-09-16T06:26:00.001-04:00

Genesha is the Hindu God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles. He is beautiful. If he was a saint, he would be my patron one.

Little Baker

2010-09-15T18:03:00.000-04:00

Such a pretty cake that Abby made to auction off for a function promoting heart health. Quite the wonderful baker.

Do you want a soda, cola, pop? Oh Whatever.

2010-09-13T12:18:00.000-04:00

I grew up in Pennsylvania until I was 16. Then I moved to Massachusetts to the greater Boston area. Until I moved I thought everyone in the universe called soda "pop". Wasn't that normal? I soon found out that different areas call it different things. I outgrew the term "pop", but can always tell where someone is from when I here them say it. It still is a small world.

While shopping at the World Market, we each got a different soda to try. This was my least favorite in taste (unless you want to drink candy bottlecaps), but my most favorite cool label.

And the lucky winner is.....

2010-09-12T17:46:00.001-04:00

I just about fell out of my seat when I found out I won the book Shear Spirits that I mentioned on a previous posting. That's right....I actually won a contest...my unlucky self won. You would be more impressed if I won the lottery I'm sure:).

Sent from my iPhone

2010-09-11T15:08:00.000-04:00

I wish my daughter had my camera at the time instead of the iPhone camera. Addy and Bandit were I'm utter concentration of Mac mowing the grass. She was imitating Bandit. She stood when he stood and sat when he did. Precious

Sent from my iPhone

Fillipino Bliss

2010-09-10T05:11:00.001-04:00

I made the easiest and most delicious chicken yesterday. After thumbing through one of many cookbooks, I came across this receipe for Fillipino adobo chicken. Unbelievably I already had everything I needed at the house. Usually, I am off and running to the grocery store for one thing and coming home with 30. I only let it marinate for 5 hours, but really it should have been overnight.

6 cloves of garlic minced
4 bay leaves
2 teaspoons of black peppercorns
1 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup organic apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar

Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Marinate chicken overnight...trust me won't disappoint.

Place chicken and marinade in a dutch oven and simmer for about 40 minutes.

Remove and either grill or fry for a few minutes to get a crispy coating.

Reduce the marinade for another 5 minutes and then serve with chicken over rice.

C'est magnifique!

2010-09-10T03:52:00.007-04:00

This video is lovely...the pop up book looks wonderful. Benjamin Lacombe is such a talented artist. I love his work and plan on adding this book to my Christmas list.

Mifi

2010-09-09T04:22:00.000-04:00

Being the techno nerd that I am, I have known that Mifi has been around for about a year. With many companies that offer it capping the usage amount before incurring fees, it never seemed worth it. However, Virgin mobile just released it's Mifi that has UNLIMITED usage for only 40.00 per month. Now this runs over Sprint's 3G network and can connect up to 5 devices. The system itself is 149.00. I personally think this is a damn good deal. Especially for people that want a portable wifi spot wherever they go. It really could serve as your home internet service to, depending on the speed issue. Just a thought. It may be something we may have to get. Think of the possibilites...the information highway available anywhere you go. God, how did we live without the internet before??

Junk Gypsey

2010-09-08T05:00:00.005-04:00

I have stumbled upon a store that I love, big time. Their style is gypsyish, funky, hippyish...all rolled into one. Gypsyville is....well....see for yourself.

Pure Awesomeness:)

2010-09-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

She Shoots Sheep Shots is having a contest that is giving the lucky winner a chance to get a free copy of her bool:

Shear Spirit: Ten Fiber Farms, Twenty Patterns, and Miles of Yarn

. You must write a caption for the picture posted at this link to enter. She is also including three skeins of brown sheep lamb prides yarn to the winner of the best caption. So get thinking!

Vampires and Knitting

2010-09-07T09:34:00.002-04:00

When I saw this book previewed on Amazon, there is no way I couldn't buy it. Into the shopping cart it went. Some things are just must haves....no questions, no regrets. What could be better...Vampirish stuff made with yarn. It will be released on September 12th. Hopefully many romantic patterns, just in time for me to make my yarn selectin while attending Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival this year. Yes that's right....finally we are heading to Rhinebeck to attend this wonderful festival. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. Actually the two girlies and I are taking Amtrak to Boston so we can spend the week with my parent's in Salem. We will all leave for Rhinebeck on friday. We have an appt. at the Culinary Insititue Of America for Abby to take a tour, since this is her first choice of schools. Then onward to relish in the wonderful world fiber and food. Two of my favorite things.

While we are in New England for the week I plan on spending the day in Boston with the girlies. Showing them how to ride the subway, having dim sum for breakfast at the Windsor Dim Sum Cafe in Chinatown, hitting the Great Taste Bakery for some dan taat, and hopefully finding some cute asian shops with cute fabric and knick nacks. We may hit the aquarium and then the North End (which is the the Italian district) for some shopping at the wonderful Itlalian deli's and dinner in a real Italian restaurant. Sorry for you people that like Olive Garden and Carrabas. You have no idea.

I want to visit western Mass one day to see WEBS, which is my moms LYS. Lucky her...and then got the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company for some cheesemaking supplies. We have tried mozzarella, but would like to try some hard cheese and blue cheese.

Maine is also on our roadmap, along with lobster rolls and clam strips with the bellies. YUM. Something that is impossible to find in the Sunshine State.

This is going to be a wonderful memorial adventure and I can't wait to go smell and see fall in New England. How I miss it so. Pumpkin patches, apple orchards, scenic roads bursting with fall foliage, here we come!

Temptation

2010-09-07T07:14:00.001-04:00

My chaotic life seems slightly calmer at this moment. The big difference is that I am not working nearly as much as I used to. I don't miss working but I do miss the supply of extra money for frivolous spending. For now, I am toning things down a bit and learning to live simpler, not needing the newest in electronics, settling for what I have so to speak. Sure, I still want the Ipad down deep because of it's shiny self, but my Macbook works perfectly. Which brings me to another dilema. They released the Kindle 3. Smaller, sleeker, way lower in price. Our house has three Kindles now. A few weeks ago I couldn't resist clicking the add to cart button, justifying it by saying that all of the kids could have their own. Ah, but it was backordered. Well of course I forgot about it until I got an email yesterday informing me that it was shipping. I need to cancel, I thought, to many bills due this week. The timing is bad. Where is the damn cancel button...great...due to the shipping soon status it wasn't an option. Go figure...so on September 9th I will have in my hands the new Kindle 3....can I posibbly resist it's shineness?????

Neglected but not forgotten

2010-07-13T08:06:00.000-04:00

This poor little blog has been extremely neglected; however, things in my life are settling down a bit and blogging on a regular basis may be possible again. Well the much needed, dreaded move is finished. Whew...I am to old for that mess. The next move will be out of state back to New England. I can't wait. Everything I love is there. The culture, the houses, the smell of fall leaves, the snow....and of course my parent's. Not to mention beaucoup yarn stores, festivals, the ability to state hop, drivability to NYC, etc. The girls and I will be flying up there in October (best time of the year:) to visit my parent's and go to Rhinebeck, NY for the big Sheep and Wool festival. Abby is going to take a tour of CIA while we are in NY because that's the school she wants to go to. We'll do some Boston sight seeing, of course Salem (where my parent's live), and maybe drive to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Counting down the days!

Well Abby and I had our first small honey harvest on Sunday. We actually only took 6 frames out of a shallow super and got 24 8 ounce jars and two large mason jars of honey. I couldn't believe it!! It went smoothly. We didn't even use any chemicals to drive the bees down. Just brushed them off and loaded the capped honey frames into a rubber made tote, then drove back to the honey house (which happens to be our enclosed back porch:)

Since I don't have a fancy extractor, we did the crush and strain method that worked wonderfully. I have a large plate full of beeswax that I am going to melt outside in a redneck solar wax melter and use for either candles or lipgloss. Probably both. Even Addy was helping at the end with the beeswax.

Boy did she love the honey!

Finally Moving

2010-06-04T07:03:00.000-04:00

Yes we are moving.....as of July 1st I know longer have to deal with this house craziness. We are moving into the new old house and I am in love with it. The people moved out and we were able to really look around...it is Charming. I am so having my Halloween party this year. Is it to early to send out save the dates?

Homemade Goodness

2010-05-25T20:32:00.000-04:00

So my little chef had a free day in culinary last week. She made
homemade pasta and broke out a
family receipe for homade sauce with onions and fresh tomatoes. Mama
taught her well!

Last Weeks Finds

2010-05-25T20:30:00.001-04:00

Garden gnomes are awesome. Part of the land of the fae. I saw this

while out shopping and had to buy it. Number one...I love gnomes. Number

two...I love pigs. I have never seen one riding a pig!

My Buddha lamp that finally went on sale at Borders.

My prosperity hens from India....gosh I would love to go to India. I need all the good mojo I can get!

New Cooker Books

2010-05-24T20:07:00.000-04:00

Moon Pies are awesome. In fact, anything with a creamy middle full of sugar is awesome. So when I was at Borders and saw this book I snagged it. I bought it the afternoon before having to work three in a row so I will have to refrain from the Whoopie Pie making until Friday.

The other cookbook I found was

It has wonderful recipes for really simple fresh food. A must have for any cooker book collectors like moi.

Add love...they will grow

2010-05-23T07:41:00.000-04:00

Addy is growing.....and growing fast. She makes me laugh everyday with funny expressions and new antics. Now don't get me wrong...somedays she is very trying. I am sure the child has ADHD like her dad and brother. She can't sit still for a second and she is spoiled rotten. Throws herself on the floor and rolls around with a tantrum. But she is a beautiful child, smart and loving. She can walk backwards, play kick the ball, plays fetch with the dogs, twirls around and around, gives high fives, jumps (which is hysterical), imitates all of your facial expressions, loves our iphones (smart girl)...had to put on some baby apps for her, adores animals, loves anything sour including lemons, loves to have her toenails painted and will show them to you if you ask her where pretty is. She is very much a girlie girl.

New Projects

2010-05-23T07:27:00.000-04:00

I love owls....so when I found these patterns on Raverly I had to get them. I have Addy's sweater on the needles for fall. I bought the yarn for the socks, but this is my first attempt at colorwork so I am nervous. I will probably by ripping and frogging alot!

Beauty and Brains

2010-05-23T07:17:00.000-04:00

Well Abby got asked to prom by a friend of hers....well he likes her as it turns our, but she doesn't feel the same....so they are just friends. Abby is smart....super smart. When calling her guidance counselor for her weighted gpa for some forms I was filling out....all he could say at first was wow about three times. Of course I knew she had a 4.0, but she has a 4.7 in all IB classes. He said I needed to be the poster mom for our school. I assured him that it was all Abby. The child has not had anything less than an A for the past 4 years. This is mama bragging for a bit.......but, even though she has brains, she is beautiful, but doesn't see it. I do......she has blossomed and is beautiful inside and out. Look at these pictures and see for yourself....

2010-05-05T08:21:00.001-04:00

Blogger friends it has been a long time. So much for the New Year
resolution about blogging everyday! I have so much stuff going on
right now...promise I will share soon. Here is a picture of the
finished tye dye. It turned out cute and does not run or fade!!!
Planning a tye dye party soon!!!

Party

2010-04-15T09:53:00.001-04:00

Miss Addy had two parties this year. One at the Splash Pad with her dad and his family...the other last night with our family. It was low key this year. Just us and the two boyfriends. I slaved literally all day yesterday cooking a big Italian feast. Stuffed shells, pork, meatballs with the good sauce. marinated tomatoes, seven layer salad, deviled eggs and homemade bread and butter. I made her cupcakes with the best buttercream you have ever tasted.

She was tired, but was a little trooper. We donned the party hats and blew the horns. She tried hard to do it too. She started to eat a cupcake, but hates when her hands are messy. She loves it outside. We take her out to see the bee's and she's fascinated. She loves flowers and plants. Of course she loves all of the animals. She plays fetch with her chi-chi all of the time. She walks everywhere. Hates the cart now. Little Miss independent. Loves children. Will surely be a beach baby this summer. Has a tremendous amount of undying energy. Can't seem to turn her off:) Gives high five's, hugs and kisses. Eskimo kisses. Fascinated by pap pap's beard, loves her aunt zia and tia, adores my iphone, puts it to her ear to say hello, dances and dances to music on itunes. Has watched Wee Sing Sillyville at least 200 times so far (just like her mommy). Says Mmmm when she eats something she likes. Loves pasta like a good Italian girl. Has the key to my heart.....that's Adalae Fae.......

Happy Happy joyous Birthday

2010-04-14T07:52:00.001-04:00

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY Adalae Fae. We love her so, and can't remember life without her:) Even though she is like the energizer bunny!

Spring Cleaning

2010-04-13T19:06:00.001-04:00

My beehives kind of took the back burner for awhile when I wasn't feeling good and worried about other things. Abby and I went out and did complete hive check ups a few days ago. We added 2 new supers to two of the hives.....the one that was supposed to get the super was queenless! Ughhh! We took a frame of brood from my hive and placed it into the queenless hive, in hopes they will rear a queen on their own. There are still bees flying into the hive, but it looks pitiful in comparison to the others. I may have to order a new queen. I will open it up in a few weeks and monitor the activity.

We painted the new supers so they can better distinguish their hives. My hive is thriving! The queen is obviously still going strong.

Easter Pictures

2010-04-13T18:26:00.001-04:00

Ashley and I still had the baby bunnies at Easter so we were able to use them as props:) Her Easter pictures really came out cute. I can't wait to get my new Nikon to make the quality of the pictures sooo much better. Our eye is already good I think.

We took a huge amount of pictures. These are just a select few.......

To Dye For

2010-04-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

Today I spent the day with my friend Suzannah. We had a blast tye dyeing a bunch of things we bought from the Darma Trading Company. I did bamboo socks, 1 dress, 1 hippy shirt for the peep. I also bought 2 knitting project bags to dye. (should have bought some yarn, but will do that on our next venture. I want to host a tye dye party) She did some bathing suits, leotards and some socks. The colors from the kit we bought we sooo vibrant. She says they don't run, so I'm anxious to see what they turn out like. They need to sit for 24 hours.

We took a short ride to her friend that has the Frisians. Her mare just had a foal and it was to stinkin' cute! The horses were gorgeous.

We are moving our horses closer to our house in a few days. The girls are super excited because they haven't really seen them in months due to school and schedule restraints. They will be with an awesome retired couple who are truly "horse people". Life is good..........................................................................

2010-04-06T08:40:00.000-04:00

Abby and I got a bunch of gardening things yesterday. Addy was happy
to lend us a hand....

2010-03-30T22:05:00.001-04:00

Addy is walking. She's so small she reminds me of a little Chuckie doll.

2010-03-30T21:09:00.002-04:00

Today Addy and I went to Ward's and picked up some locally grown strawberries. The child is picky, but she loves strawberries. As you can by her face!

I made some smoothies with the rest. Some plain yogart, milk, strawberries and a banana. Wayyyy better than any store bought stuff!

2010-03-30T21:02:00.000-04:00

It seems like forever since I've written. I've been so busy with.....well life in general. I got back last week from Charleston, SC visiting with my parent's. We had a really great time. Way to short though. Charleston was charming. The old homes were gorgeous...better than Savannah. However, I adore Savannah and prefer it over the two. Savannah is very artsy...due to SCAD. Charleston seemed much more ritzy.

Of course we went to a ghost tour one night. Here is the first picture I snapped when we entered the graveyard. Look at all of those orbs! My camera stopped working in the graveyard and started working again when we left. I guess the spirits drained all of my battery power for energy. Even Sam said it was weird...and he's a skeptic.

Walking past a wine and cheese shop I found this wine...describes me at times I suppose.

Lemonade Goodness

2010-03-15T18:45:00.000-04:00

This weekend my wonderful co-worker brought a frozen lemonade pie to work to add to our fluffiness. This was really, really good. I'm sure it will be even better in the scorching summer ahead. Plus, it's so simple a child could make it.

Ingredients:

Pre-made graham cracker crust

1 tub of Cool Whip

1 can sweetened condensed milk

4 ounces cream cheese

6 ounces frozen lemonade

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Place in pie crust. Put in freezer until firm and well set. Control yourself and only have one piece!

Goodbye Piercing...Hello New Tattoo

2010-03-10T17:06:00.000-05:00

I have had my nose piercing for 4.5 months now. I have loved it, even though it has given me problems off and on. I developed the dreaded bump and was able to get it to go down with neosporin, but it seemed to always creep back. I have never removed the original stud, until Monday because I had to get another MRI. Mother freak, the stupid thing would not come out. I fiddled with it for about 30 minutes, causing my poor nose alot of trauma. Finally the sucker came out. Alexis and I headed to Claire's to get something temporary to pop in, but the poor little hole closed up halfway. So, after much sadness I let it close all of the way and will get it redone in about a month. My nose is still sore!

I have fell in love with the concept of this little tattoo and have decided I am going to get something similar to it maybe this Friday. I want it to go on the back of my neck, so it can be covered by my hair. I also want the bee to look a little more realistic.

(This tattoo is from poet Rebecca Loudon)

The picture is to cute and symbolic to me in many ways.

Fantastic Two Days, but pass on the buffalo

2010-03-10T16:38:00.002-05:00

The past two days were really fun, busy and tiring at the same time. I had my second visit at Mayo Clinic and had to spend the night due to a procedure I had to have done. The second day there I met with one of the docters. I go back on March 19th to meet with the MS neuro and then my internal medicine doctor, who by the way is wonderful. That's when all of my test results will be discussed and hopefully I'll get some sort of diagnosis and closure on the thing that has been plaguing me all of these years. The hospital I work at is the pits compared to Mayo Clinic. They have everything down to an exact science. Can't stop gushing about how good they are...sorry!

So had to take advantage of staying in Jacksonville. Alexis came with me for a mom and daughter overnight trip. It was great. We ate at Teds Montana Grill

that night. It was really good food...all made fresh and organic. I got it in my head that I wanted to try bison. Convinced myself that I would love it. Well guess what...I didn't. The waiter told it me it tasted sweeter....what he really met to say was that it tasted gamey! It was all I could do to choke down half of the meat. Now I know buffalo is not my thing.

So we headed off to Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Alexis bought some things there and I just drooled all over the place in Anthropologie , but got control of myself before anyone noticed.

I bought a hippy type sweater at Holister....89.00 to 15.98. (Clap) Then we went to Lucky and I bought a gypsey skirt, 2 sweaters, hippie guaze top, long sleeved shirt, a Joan Jett onsie for Addy, bracelet and two necklaces for $122.00. Wholly hell...Alexis and I added it up and it would have been 650.00. That my friends was a true jackpot!

We finished our shopping excursion with chocolate cupcakes from the Cheesecake Factory and

Izzy Sparkling juices.

I had grapefruit and she had pomegranate. Life was good again:)

My Doodle Bug!

2010-03-07T17:26:00.000-05:00

Anthropologie cuteness

2010-03-07T17:25:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist the salt amd pepper shakers like little toadstools
from anthropologie. The picture was also a must have due to my
affectionato for Victorian peeps with animal heads.

Baby Bunnies

2010-03-06T18:58:00.000-05:00

Well one little bunny went to her new home today. Here is the little
male from the first litter. He looks like his dad.

The little black one is sooo darn cute. That litter is so chilled. If
it's a for we are going to keep her and breed her back to her dad.
Eventually the lionhead will be bred out.

New Books

2010-03-06T06:16:00.000-05:00

This looks like an awesome book by Melissa Milgrom. It looks to be morbidly fascinating. I love taxidermy animals. Weird I know. I could have snagged the opoosum for practice...like the mad scientist in the kitchen.....just kidding;)

The sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth. (Clapping hands in anticipation)

Looks Interesting........

Another sequel I have been waiting for. My finger is waiting on my Kindle button!

2010-03-05T19:56:00.005-05:00

Today was a great day. I was alone.........went window shopping alone. I am a loner. I hate shopping with others.....except my kids and mom. Don't do the girlfriend shopping thing, never did. It bothers me. I can do lunch fine, but shopping is my thing.

First I drove Noah to school to Newberry and then went into the Flour Pot bakery in Tioga for an apple turnover, got that plus an artichoke, brie and gouda croissant. OMG!!!

I went to the bead store and bought a ball of hemp and some pretty wood and bone beads for the girls to learn to macramé jewelry.

Went to Hogtownne Music and put my sweet little Luna Ukulele on layaway. I couldn't resist....she sounds so good and really is so beautiful. That's why she's $229.99 and not 29.99 like the others they had there:)

Sam and I caught the noon show of Alice. It was really good. Johnny Depp played an awesome role as the mad hatter. He's a little nutty anyways I think.

Went to TJ Maxx and put some outfits on layaway for our Charleston trip in a few weeks. I get to see my mom and dad....am counting the days....plus get to try out my mom's lady bug wheel.

Then went to the Great Outdoors for dinner and listened to the live band that was playing there.

Today was great, but now I am whipped and ready for bed.

Good Times at the Derby

2010-03-05T07:11:00.000-05:00

So the whole fam went to watch the Gainesville Roller Rebels on Sunday night. Okay first let me say I loved the Derby....and second....I loved the Derby! Sigh...if only I wasn't the main bread winner in the fam I may have to give it a try. The girls were great to watch...their names cracked me up. Pochahotass....get it...Pochahontas. It was great. The place was packed. Alot of people I recognized from around Gville. It's actually a very small town. The sport seems to have a certain type of followers.....our kind of people for sure.

The Gainesville Sun took Addy's picture for the paper wanting to know of it was her first Derby. She seemed to like all of the action and couldn't stop dancing to the music. ACDC came on and she started banging her head back and forth. I almost peed my pants! She was a big hit:)

Ashley went to their new orientation on Wed to become a Derby girl. They have to practice alot so we'll see what happens there. As soon as Addy gets walking good we'll throw skates on her feet and get her going! I am going to plan to go to each home match now that I have their schedule. The next one is in April. It was a good time for all:)

Cuteness

2010-02-28T07:18:00.000-05:00

Earth Angel Toys has some really awesome contemporary folk art from many talented women. I love Nicole Bowen's stuff. So much I could eat it! Check out the cuteness.

Debrina Pratt of fairyland is very talented.

Jody Battaglia................soooo cute.

Farm To Family - New Site

2010-02-25T04:37:00.001-05:00

We're waiting for the new schedule for this years Farm To Family full moon festivals. They got a new location finally and are clearing the site from the looks of their website. It's an all night festival of music and good times. I really need to buy a tent so we can camp out there.

I love Folk/Americana music. It's relaxing to sit back and chill to. I can remember going with my parent's when I was little to see John Denver, Kris Kirstoferson, etc..... Awesome.
In High School I turned to Punk Rock. The Sex Pistols, Ramones, etc. spelled anarachy for us. Little rebels we were. A few years later metal mania took hold. ACDC, the Scorpians and all of the pretty hair bands in between. I still like the stuff, but my favorite is the folksy sounding tunes. I guess that's why I love Indie music so much. Folk music is in the same realm as the grassroots movement....urban farming..... It all goes together and I love that kind of stuff.

(Pictures taken from the Farm To Family Website)

Speaking of music....Noah had his electric guitar restrung yesterday...Abby got an awesome Luna acoustic guitar.

They are both going to start taking lessons. While in the music store I fell in

love with a Luna Ukulele. It was beautiful. The owner and I got into a long discussion on Ukulele's and now I want to get it and start playing. He actually said they are the hottest instrument right now. Go figure. We will be a pickin' family. Sam even said he thought about playing the guitar. Hmmmmmm. This picture gives the little concert ukulele no justice....

Truth Be Told

2010-02-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

People...there is truth to the saying about breeding like rabbits.
They are the icon of fertility. Obviously Stella got pregnant the day
she was out romping with Bunnicula.....that happened to be the day she
gave birth 4.5 weeks ago. I say this because Alexis found these 6
little bunny pinkies in the neat box this morning! She called and
said "Uh mom...we have a problem.". This is never good when they
start off like this. So now we are a bunny of family 11. There is a
black one and grey and white in this litter. The rest are white.
Stella does not need to get her groove back any longer:)

Chicken Rebel

2010-02-24T06:55:00.002-05:00

The people that lived in our current house left a large walk in chain dog kennel. It's actually in the back of our property that's not fenced....where alot of the garden is going and where the bees are. After thinking about it....I think this would make an excellent foundation for chicken housing. I would just need to line the bottom and top with some chicken wire and make the nest boxes, which could probably be made out of plastic crates. This idea makes me and Abby gleeful...until Sam popped my bubble with a sharp poker. "Are chickens legal in the city of High Springs?" he asked. Hmmm. I hadn't thought about that. What harm could a few chickens do? People have them in the middle of New York City for God's sake. Urban farming is on an upswing.

City Hall's website states that a poultry operation is not legal. I am thinking in terms of a factory operation. Not a measly 4 chicken henhouse to harvest fresh eggs. I am going to be rebellious and purchase 4 Araucanas/Americanas from MCMURRAY HATCHERY. I'll try and move the chicken condo farther in the back out of the direct line of eyesight. My possible illegal bees need some company.

City Slicker Critters

2010-02-23T08:13:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I heard the boys outside barking. It was a playful bark at night. I sent Sam out to investigate and he came in and told me they had just killed a big possum in the yard. WTF....I move out of the country only to see that wildlife exists even in the heart of the city.

The cats brought up the biggest mole I have ever seen.

We chased and caught a mouse in the house a few weeks ago. I didn't have the heart to kill him because he was so cute and small...so we set him free outside. He's probably back in here somewhere. Oh and don't forget the black racer snake from a few months ago. Like I said WTF!

Cool Baby

2010-02-22T14:49:00.000-05:00

If Ashley makes Roller Derby I want to get Addy this onsie.

Sour Puss clothing has some really cute baby/kids stuff. That is if you like punk/rockabilliy type of clothing.

Here are some things I just ordered for her....

I can't wait until she can wear these shoes. They are so freakin' cute!

Addy is definitely going to be an alternative type kid. We are not into the frilly shmilly things Part bohemian, part hippy, part punk, part rockabilly, part goth. It's all good. A heinz 57 mixture. I love that stuff!

2010-02-19T09:38:00.001-05:00

My family loves this simple receipe that I adapted from Tessa Kiros
Apples For Jam cookbook. We call them meat patties and they are simple
and scrumptous.

I use ground sirlon.....about 2.5 pounds.Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley, two minced garlic
cloves, kosher salt and pepper to taste.

The secret is in the bread. I usually just use cheap white bread...4
slices broken up in a seperate bowl and mixed with about 1/4 cup of
whole milk. I mix it until it is a liquid mush. Add a little more milk
if it seems dry.

Add this in with the beef mixture and shape into patties. I bake them
at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

When serving them we place a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil on
top. Soooo good.

I roasted some asparagus in the oven with grape tomatoes that burst
open when ready. Threw on some kosher salt and olive oil and a great
meal was had by all. Even Addy loved it in the blender!

2010-02-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

Found a new favorite online store. I love all of the clothes. You will to if you like hippy, earthy, granola clothes. Here are some of my favorites at Soul-Flower.

For the Peep............................................................................................

2010-02-15T10:16:00.003-05:00

Even though I don't celebrate Valentines Day because I believe that
you should show love and appreciation 365 days of the year, instead of
on one specific commercialized day........Sam still got me a big box
of chocolate covered strawberries from Thornebrook Chocolatier. They
are sinful!!

Beads and Things

2010-02-14T16:11:00.000-05:00

My girls and I went to Gifts of Avalon bead store a few days ago and got some beads to make earrings. I can't take the credit for making them. I just helped pick the stuff out. How hard can this jewelry thing be anyways? With the help of You Tube, they did wonderful. Now they can make their mom some!

I love the handmade beads from Gaea. I love the Day of The Dead things...I need to order some the skulls and such for a bracelet. This bee pendant is aweome.

Three Little Bunnies

2010-02-13T06:08:00.000-05:00

The bunnies are almost three weeks now. We have 2 girls and 1 boy. Finally we could tell. They just started to explore outside of their nest box.

These were the prettiest carrots I have seen. Freshly plucked from somewhere with huge mounds of greenery on top. I had to buy them. I felt like I was in a french market walking around with them in my carrier. I had big plans for them. However, I guess due to the freshness when I left them out overnight they turned limp? So the big plans turned into either rabbit food or the trash can.

Can Finally See The Light

2010-02-12T19:55:00.002-05:00

Before I went to nursing school I wanted to be a midwife. When I lived in DC I went to doula training with DONA. I also went to a four day childbirth education training class in Boone, North Carolina with Lamaze International. I dreamed of delivering babies. It seemed so long and impossible at the time because I had four very small children and a not so supportive husband (the ex factor now). After my divorce I put myself through nursing school, while working on an OB floor in administration for 6 years. So at that time I was submerged in OB related stuff.

After graduation I was fortunate to slide right into labor and delivery. I was thrilled. It was magical. I was living my dream...sort of. That was the reason I went to school in the first place. Devouring Ina Mae's Spiritual Midwifery Book and dreaming of baby catching.....after about 3 years into it things sort of got jaded. I wasn't sure what I wanted anymore. 4 years into it I started suffering from a little burnout. Working at two hospitals started wearing me thin I think.

I was getting disheartened by people around me saying it wasn't worth it...the crappy pay, the responsibility, the liability....how it was so not worth it. We can make so much more at the bedside. Well, I began to look around and realized that bedside nurses are by far getting rich. I started to read my midwifery books again, started to do some serious soul searching. Began to feel my dream and aspiration coming back. Realized that regardless of money, other peoples opinions, call hours, ect. in my heart I have always wanted to deliver babies.

I am happy and excited to say that I am getting my application ready to submit to grad school to start in the fall this year. I picked Frontier School of Midwifery due to it's stellar reputation and recommendations. I am hoping to relocate back up North in three years, back to New England, and practice. One day at a time.

Fresh Food Means Clean Eating

2010-02-11T05:49:00.000-05:00

I love fresh food...well I love food period...it's not hard to tell, but freshness is important. I am going, and putting my family on the clean eating diet. That means cut the sugars, white flour and a no brainer...processed food. I am waiting to see the movie Food, Inc. I could rent
online, but am waiting in que at the library like a good frugal person. It was recommended to change the way we view the food that we eat.

I made a sauted chicken breast with tomatoes and capers. It was delicious and really looked pretty after it was cooked. It was simple with only chicken, garlic, oil oil, capers, parsley and grape tomatoes. We made a chick pea salad with feta as a sidedish, Even Noah ate it which was saying alot. Addy loved it! It was a keeper! I love keepers.............................

2010-02-10T16:13:00.002-05:00

Sam and I went to lunch today. He has been waiting to take me to this
place for awhile claiming it to be authentic Latin food. He knows I
love ethnic food so much and never choose the chains to eat in. I was
skeptical at first because he hasn't done so well in the past. The
pita pit....the Italian quarter. Yuck...he should have known never to
suggest an Italian place. I am waaaaay to picky for that. When I
know how it's supposed to taste and how to cook better forget about
it.....

Now this Latino place was really, really good. When the cooks don't
speak a the English it's a good sign. There empanadas were awesome.
So were the churros. Can't go wrong with fried bread and sugar!

2010-02-09T11:55:00.000-05:00

See Addy doesn't need expensive toys.....just give her a box and she's
content!

2010-02-08T16:02:00.001-05:00

I was at Wards Market the other day and saw these peppers tossed in the
reduced bin. Wards is my favorite grocer by far. Lots and lots of
locally grown produce, organic stuff and meat farmed in the good old
USA.

Alot of people snub the reduced produce section. However, there are
some really good buys there. Sometimes they are a little bruised, but
a knife can take care of that easily. My two bags full of red peppers
were only 2.32. That was a deal!

I fried them in some olive oil and had pepper sandwiches that night.
Now that's good Italian eating!

2010-02-08T15:56:00.001-05:00

Look....no ears......

2010-02-05T12:08:00.003-05:00

Now that we live downtown, Hardees is our new best friend. It's close and the kids love their milkshakes. So does Addy. So we walk there sometimes....we are regulars...something to be proud of!

NowN

Alice

2010-02-05T09:48:00.001-05:00

I was excited to see that OPI has come out with an Alice line of nailpolish. Plus the names are really cute.....

Absolutely ALICE

Mad As A Hatter

Thanks So Muchness

Off With Her Red

I see that Amazon is selling a small sample pack for 10.00.

The movie is being realeased on March 5th. I made sure I am off that day to go see it early in the day. Can't wait!

Eleven Days Old

2010-02-04T16:57:00.002-05:00

Check out that mug!

It looks like a baby chinchilla....

2010-02-04T03:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Abby and I hung out in the bookstore for a few hours killing
time between dr's appts. I have been to 5 so far this week and it
sucks! The bookstore is our favorite pastime. My whole family loves
it there. A free source of entertainment. Sam says we treat it like a
library. Our local stores can't compare to their Northern
counterparts though. At least BN in Jax has the Cheesecake factory
bakery. Yum!

This crocheted bee doll is toooo cute. It was in the last issue of
Frankie, which is a cool publication from England. Seeing that it is
expensive, and I really don't buy magazines anymore....had a little
problem....I go to the library...whoops. I mean the bookstore to read
them:)

2010-02-03T17:20:00.000-05:00

2010-02-03T17:18:00.000-05:00

Abby and I went to Mya Sushi for lunch today. It is our favorite sushi
joint. Everything is so fresh and authentic. I always get the dolsot
pot. It comes out in a heavy bowl that is heated and has the rice
sizzling. It has a semi fried egg on top when mixed in with the rice
cooks. You place a spicy chili sauce on top and it is delicious!

2010-02-02T17:11:00.001-05:00

In just a few days they look different. More grown up and furrier.
Alexis said they are trying to jump a little even though their eyes
are closed.

Baby Bunnies

2010-02-01T17:24:00.001-05:00

Stella had 5 baby Angora/Lionhead crosses last week. We didn't even think she was bred. They really aren't like a dog or cat where you can see a pertruding belly. Sam found the first one on our screened porch where she was exercising. It was squeeking with a suspicious cat nearby. It also had a little blood on it's leg...hmmmmm. We thought that was it, but low and behold there were 4 more in the corner. After we placed them in the makeshift nesting box that we concoted, we had to baracade the cats out. Low and behold those suckers figured a way in. Amazingly enough, one reached into the bunny cage and moved the nesting box to the front. Alexis did a head count and guess what....only four little rabbits. I guess the cat had a snack that night. They are ferocious killers. The hurt one died. Now there are three bunnies left....that are thriving I must add.

I'm going to put an ad up at the local yarn stores. They are for spinning of course....plus Angoras are sooo laid back and make awesome pets. Addy will have great Easter pics this year. They will be adorable! Alexis is selling them for $60.00 a piece, which is a steal. I believe they are all going to be white/cream.

Through the Eyes of A Baby

2010-01-30T10:51:00.000-05:00

It looks like there is a big world out there.

Our Vampire Baby

Happy Sweet 15!

2010-01-30T10:41:00.000-05:00

Well today was Abby's birthday. My little purple faced baby turned 15 day. I can't believe it. Time flies. I can remember saying I can't wait until my kids were grown, but now it is sad to think that in a few years they will be going in all different directions. I guess I will follow them around...kind of like a stalker. We are a close family and I hope they don't venture to far from the nest. At least within driving distance. I am hoping that in three years I can say farewell and good riddance to Northern Florida and move back up North. My heart is not here. I am a Yankee of course!

Abby got many great gifts from the Alternative World Market Place. A buddhist ring, marble incense burner, a bracelet made of paper beads by HIV positive moms in Africa, and Bali earrings. She of course was gleeful. I am getting the peep some little sterling hoops from Bali for her birthday. I got her an Iphone and had her nose pierced.

It looks soooo good. She wanted a hoop, but will have to wait for 8 weeks. Now she would look adorable with a Monroe.

We had chinese, made butter cream cupcakes and laughed! Life is Good.

Roller Derby

2010-01-29T21:02:00.000-05:00

I have always loved the concept of Roller Derby. Those chicks are tough and cool. I have always been a really good skater, but am a little old for the Derby. However, we are going to watch on February 28th to enjoy the show.

Whip It was an awesome movie. It got me inspired to skate again. Not Derby of course, but I love shuffle/jam skating. Ashley is an awesome skater and I am trying to convince her to try out for the Derby. She's got the "look" too! Addy would have herself a Roller Derby Hot Mama!