TGIF is also TGIS ! Hooray ...!!

Good evening... I've gone to bed and already awake again. Oh well. I sort of knew I had too busy a day which for some odd reason usually translates into an on again/off again night sleep. That is one of the problems I am trying to work on. My PCP is also a Sleep Specialist and I am looking at Cpap masks this weekend to see if that will help at all. I've tried one before with no luck. The old masks were full face and I would wake up after 3 hours with a headache. Apparently they now have some that are like the oxygen tubes you wear in the hospital and not as intrusive. So I might as well try it.

Chelone....your Dad died the day after his birthday. He was too young. Sounds like you had a good relationship with him. It's really nice that you can see the ways that you resemble him. It's sort of like looking at a part of him every time you look in the mirror. :-) Do you do anything special as a remembrance on his days?

V....I found myself being grateful myself today. Our DD was here telling about a friend of hers who just lost a good friend from college who at 27 had terminal cancer. More than half my age; life just barely seems to start at that age. Almost the age of our middle son, who still feels unsettled in his life and was just saying today that he is starting to feel old.

I was wondering where was Kathy tonight and there you are... :-)

Well, I had a bright day for a change. I just threw off the winter blues and the health worries for the day and did whatever I wanted all day, ignoring my usual restraint. I saw the first pair of robins! Just in time for Friday. We also seem to have a bumper crop of juvenile squirrels visiting the yard, acting, well....juvenile. [g] I also sorted some seed I collected in the fall that has been waiting to be packaged up. I seem to have a ton of seed from the white marigolds I enjoyed so much last summer. I was thinking that I have more than I could ever use and though I couldn't guarantee how they will turn out, I would be happy to share if anyone is interested. I may sort more tomorrow and see if I find any more forgotten surprises.

Here is what they looked like last year....

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Well...back to making another attempt at sleep.

V., your sage plumber's advice will have to be put to use if we're to accomplish what I'd like. I have lobbied hard to get RID of the bathtub entirely. I have taken maybe 2 baths in 18 yrs. (ditto the helpmeet) and we have one on the ground floor, interesting that you decided to add one.

I know what you mean about thinking that things in your corner of the world are pretty much OK. It's that way for us at the moment, too. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, life's a crap shoot afterall. I think the years that Mum was here and the year after she left have really shown me that you have to make a conscious decision to change the things that no longer work for you, instead of marinating in indecision and worry. So what if you happen to make a bad choice? keep trying until you stumble on a solution that works better. I think this sentiment is at the heart of the "refuse to live in fear" motto we've embraced in this household.

As for remembering Dad on "his" days... I don't do anything special, actually. Rather, I've opted to do the sorts of things that could have made his life more pleasant in the time he was in our world. He never took care of his mouth and a handsome smile that should have seen more use in conjunction with his great sense of humor sadly remained little used, though its absence added to the dry aspect of his humor. I have become a stickler for regular dental care. I inherited natural athletic ability from both my parents but unlike them, I am much more physically active. And while my work ethic echoes his, I am more inclined to "smell the roses" and indulge "wants" more than he permitted himself to. I watched him selfishly refuse to do things around the house that would have made both Mum's life and his own easier and more enjoyable (the helpmeet is heading down this path at present). What good is a life of thrift if you never allow yourself to use some of what you've accrued to "brighten your corner" in a prudent manner? So, I suppose I celebrate his life by doing some of the living he never "got around to". ;)

It will be fun to see pictures of V.'s great western progress. And Kathy's photo essay on her area. Please, if you're able, give a little background on the history or the areas to be photographed. I love that sort of stuff.

I loathe being called, "Hon." and pointedly correct people who do it. The saleswoman who sold me the tile for the Salon hearth did it repeatedly until I said, "My name is not 'Hon.' and I do not wish to be addressed that way. The presumption of familiarity not existence is bad form for a clerk. Please call me, ----.". Mum hated that, too, and it's a very bad habit with too many nurses and medical staffers. I used to correct them on it too, insisting on the formal, Mrs. -------- until Mum gave them permission to use her first name. To this day, I ALWAYS ask a new customer how they would prefer to be addressed, and I have several who prefer, Mrs. So&So and have actually thanked me for making the time to ask. It's simply good manners and Mum and Dad were sticklers for it, saying it never hurts to err on the side of formality. I think many children would benefit greatly from this sort of education.

It's a relief that today finishes my work week. I will wrestle with foam this morning and then who know's what's next on the docket. Time to wrap this up and make my move on the day. I'm outta here, "youse guys". :)

A quickie...

Here the word "yous" is the correct plural form. Perhaps a German remnant of the Mennonites. It definitely took some adjusting to!

I am one for whom it grates to be called "dear" or "darling" or "Hon". I think of it as talk from an over friendly butcher or shoe salesman. And in the retirement home, this is one of the many things my Mom graciously submitted to. I was horrified. How rude. Even calling her "Barbara" I found presumptuous. Then too I grew up with the formal French "vous" and not the familiar "tu". Even close relatives were addressed as "vous". At our children's French school, their teachers were called by their first names! Astonishing!

Later gators...
'bug

Darn, Darn, Darn. I was looking online to see what happened to Miranda Richardson (heartbreaking, and heartbreakingly close to home) when my computer got a slew of messages from WinPC Defender. It's of those fake AntiSpy ware programs and I can't get rid of the @#$%^&* thing. Does anyone have any ideas or experience? We have our own anti-spyware and McAfree but removing this seems impossible. If the computer goes down I'll be sunk, and if I'm not back later today that might be what's happened.

Mary
(who is just making sure there are no plagues of locusts before starting off for work.)

I hardly dare say how nice our weather has been, it seems that we are just ticking off the last days of winter in the nicest way. I have to remind myself though that an April snowstorm is unlikely but entirely possible. My son was born April 12 and there was quite a blizzard just the week before.

Tuesday night I spent some time in the garden and also did some cleaning up of the garden shed. The beds are really too wet to get into but I cut back a few things I could reach.

I don't like to be addressed as dear or hon either but the one that bugs me is the young grocery boys that call me 'mam. It just makes me feel so old!

PM, I'm glad you had an enjoyable day. Hopefully, the C-pap helps, it certainly has given my DH much more restful nights and as a result myself as well. I usually grow the white marigolds and I really like them. I've grown them with the pink globe amaranth for a pretty combo.

Chelone, the bathroom project sounds pretty major.

Later
Michelle

Just a quick fly-by... Mary - you might be interested in the linked article. The Dr. Tator quoted in it is my neurosurgeon.

thanks for that link, Woody. Below is the first time I became aware that Vanessa Redgrave's daughter was an actress, in the BBC production of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, the mystery of The Copper Beeches. I still fall asleep to one of these stories almost every night...

Last day of winter! It's not as warm as it's been but the sun is shining and the sky is blue. Just back from visiting Jenni at her coffee shop. She's down to her last few days of work and baby Kate is growing by the day, as is Jen's baby belly. Only 25 more days until her due date. Can't wait!

I have a question about hellebores for anyone that knows. I planted a few in 2007. Last year I didn't do anything with them but this year they look like they're doing well and I'm wondering if this is the time to cut off all of the old foliage. I'd appreciate hearing how any of you care for them.

Chelone, the bathroom sounds like a major home improvement project. We gutted ours and redid it all including new drywall and plumbling in 2001/02. Brad did all of the work and it took us a good year be completely finished. The biggest challenge I think was removing the old tub and getting in the new one since it's a small room. I wouldn't be happy without a tub. I use mine on a regular basis.

PM, I love your marigolds. The color reminds me of french vanilla ice cream.

V, thanks for posting pictures of the dresses. Both are very pretty and I really love the colors. Seems like the wedding is really coming up fast to me.

Funny how we all have different takes on things. I was surprised to hear how being called endearing terms by strangers bothers you all. I've never minded that. I've always taken it as a sign of friendliness or kindness.

Mary, bummer about the olives. On top of everything else that's just the last straw! Hope it's just stress related or something that has to do with that particular batch. You and your family remain in my thoughts.

Not much time left before Bella's arrival and I want to take a look at Marie's thread.

Ta ta for now.

Eden

Thanks for the article Woody. I sent it on to DD whose stepson has been coerced by his mom into skiing lessons. This for a kid whose sternum has been opened twice and should not play competitive hockey. I guess they figure he can push himself as he sees capable, but so far, he does not have the skill to judge for himself. I'm not sure what equipment he uses for skiing. I know he wears a bike helmet and a skating helmet too.

Hellebores: I have trimmed most of the foliage from my hellebores recently because it is UGLY and hides the new growth. A few are still covered in ice and I will deal with them later. My hellebores are of different varieties and some are much earlier than others. Frost doesn't seem to bother them, only delay things.

I'm hoping there is a cure for Mary's computer problem. That is the last straw for sure! At least she'll get spring along with the rest of us!

I'm still stuffing recipes into a binder...but things are improving there. I need quick, easy and yummy recipes for our trip out west. They have a crock pot but I've never used one. I have included a few recipes for one in the bunch. It's all so hard for me now that I'm eating minimally! And wouldn't you know, we've been invited over for crepes and fresh maple syrup this weekend. That's not diet health food!

Yesterday DD had issues with DSS about anger and frustration. He says that it is OK to kick a chair or punch the couch if he is mad. She totally disagrees. He met her former boyfriend in the ravine with his dog and said to DD that he was nice and that he wasn't angry because he didn't hit her or punch her. So after she tried explaining all that they left for school. In the car he was frustrated by not being able to pronounce something correctly (he has speech therapy and was practicing "melts")and began kicking the back of DD's seat. She was furious. She got out of the car and took a short walk to compose herself. He made up some story, totally denying he had done wrong and that was what angers her, not the pronunciation part AT ALL. We know he witnesses physical responses to frustration at his other home and that it will be a long road for him. I tried to offer some suggestions...but each child is so different and my two never had this problem. But anger and frustration are part of his life unfortunately, and this week he bonked a friend with a hockey stick and displayed other signs as well. Obviously lots on his mind and probably a sense of the tension in the air between households.

Cloudy here.
'bug

Thanks Marie. I went out and cut off all the old, ratty foliage surrounding my hellebores and feel much better about them now.

Tough situation with Skyler. Sounds like he's acting out frustrations on many levels. Good that he has Sarah to help him work through it. All in all that makes him a very lucky boy I think.

Eden

Conversation with Isabella:

Bella: Grandma, look at the picture I drew.

Me: Bella, that's so pretty. Sign your name and I'll put it on the refrigerator.

Bella: No, I don't want to put my name on it.

Me: You need to put your name on it so everyone knows you drew it.

Bella: (In a condescending tone) But if they want to know I can just tell them.

Sometime she makes me crazy :)

I guess we are not alone in thinking spring:

March 19, 2009

Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden

By MARIAN BURROS

WASHINGTON -- On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch
of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since
Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II. There will be no
beets (the president doesn't like them) but arugula will make the cut.

While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's
meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said,
will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and
vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.

In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, "My hope is that
through children, they will begin to educate their families and that
will, in turn, begin to educate our communities."

Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in
Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot
plot in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It's just below the
Obama girls' swing set.) Students from the school, which has had a
garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the
vegetables, berries and herbs.

Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull
weeds, "whether they like it or not," Mrs. Obama said laughing. "Now
Grandma, my mom, I don't know." Her mother, she said, would probably
sit back and say: "Isn't that lovely. You missed a spot."

Whether there would be a White House garden has been more than a
matter of landscaping. It's taken on political and environmental
symbolism as the Obamas have been lobbied for months by advocates who
believe that growing more food locally could lead to healthier eating
and lessen reliance on huge industrial farms that use more oil for
transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.

In the meantime, promoting healthful eating has become an important
part of Mrs. Obama's agenda.

"The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful
message about eating healthy and more delicious food," said Dan
Barber, an owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.,
an organic restaurant that grows many of its own ingredients. "I don't
think it's a stretch to say it could translate into real change."

The Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the roof of the White
House. But the Obamas' garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables --
from a wish list of the kitchen staff -- grown from organic seedlings
started at the executive mansion's greenhouses.

The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro,
tomatilloes and hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green
oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf and galactic. There will be spinach,
chard, collards and black kale. For desserts, there will be a patch of
berries. And herbs will include some more unusual varieties, like
anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter who is a
beekeeper will tend two hives for honey.

Total cost for the seeds, mulch, etc., is $200.

The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost,
crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and
praying mantises will help control harmful bugs.

Cristeta Comerford, the White House's executive chef, is eager to plan
menus around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the pastry chef, is looking
forward to berry season.

Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef who prepared healthful meals
for the Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food, will
oversee the garden. The White House grounds crew and kitchen staff
will do most of the work, but other White House staff members have
volunteered.

"First of all," Mrs. Obama said, "there's nothing really cooler than
coming to the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and
being in the kitchen with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and
cooking and actually experiencing the joys of your work."

Mrs. Obama, who said that she never had a vegetable garden before,
said the idea for it came from her experiences as a working mother
trying to feed her daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out
three times a week, ordering a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner
took it's toll. The children's pediatrician told her she needed to be
thinking about nutrition.

"He raised a flag for us," she said, and within months the children
lost weight.

For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local
taste better.

"A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that
you'll ever eat," she said. "And my children know the difference, and
that's how I've been able to get them to try different things.

"I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of
people. And what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden
in the South Lawn of the White House."

The country's one million community gardens, she said, can also play
an important role for urban dwellers who have no backyards.

But, sitting in her office in the East Wing, Mrs. Obama stressed that
she doesn't want people to feel guilty if they don't have the time to
have a garden: there are still many small changes they can make.

"You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food,
trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more
fruits and vegetables," she said.

Ive gone direct from Awfice to gaHden the last couple of days, trying to feverishly prepare a couple of planting areas before our expected rain appears Fri pm. Dug up an old and exceedingly unattractive Rhodie , and rolled up various carpet sections of Sweet Woodruff. I have a lily planting scheme in mind- hoping I find some Regals like Deannes at the garden show on Sat, there are two large lily purveyors there so chances are good.
The tax lady had good news for me , so my camera purchase is officially justified, and air fare to IU6 is covered. Voodoo economics of sorts since my dental bills were instrumental in lowering my tax burden !

My seedlings are doing quite well, and more will be transplanted to larger containers in a few days, one flat will start spending days outdoors soon. Im also starting to move some of my tender succulents back outside, I just have to be vigilant about the weather forecasts and protect them if frost seems likely.

Chelone , I wish you well on the loo project- will this proceed at a pace that will allow Idylls to have a christening piddle ? (in the proper receptacle of course) When my children were small I had a set up for reading in the bathtub-bath pillow, reading rack with a beverage holder--this was my escape from the world of the household, and I was always allowed to be undisturbed I had a radio in there for music appropriate to the reading material (classical for challenging fiction, jazz for trashy murder mysteries) but since I have a serene household these days the escape to the spa is no longer needed. No kidding, your comment to Drema about the difficulties of kitchen painting. I hired mine out the last time. Im glad did , they did a really nice job , much better than I would have I was just about burned out on painting projects at that point.

PM, glad to hear you are feeling better ,and are able to enjoy your garden , but the sleeping thing is a worry I bet. I get really anxious if I wake up in the middle of the might on the workday and have trouble getting back to sleep-worsening the situation of course. My job requires good brain function and I feel horrible if I dont get at least 7 hours.

Ok, I need to find some dinner an read the paper

Here is Lady Banks taken on my lunch break this afternoon.

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Kathy in Napa

In no particular order:

-I'm 12 for 12 on my brackets today! (ah, March Madness)

-That is truly awesome news about the White House Garden

-And the death of Natasha Richardson is totally sad and very frightening. I remember being very vexed as a teenager when my brother hit his head somehow, and we took turns getting up and checking him every couple of hours during the night. At the time I'm pretty sure I thought this was something the doctor made up to make me (a teenager, remember) miserable. The blessing of this very public tragedy is that a lot of us will take head injuries more seriously from now on.

-Very positive sings were observed today: a blue heron fishing, elongated catkins on the hazelnuts, and one Iris reticulata in bloom.

-And where has Marion gone to?

V.

Marie, thanks for posting the column about the veggies at 1600 P Ave. This is a wonderful effort by the O's and if they can make it attractive enough we might consider it an IU7 destination. What an honor it would be for them to have us visit..!!! If I were Michelle I'd be swooning at the prospect. I wonder if we would be able to get First Family bum-shots as they pull weeds ???

Kathy in Napa

...p.s. in all seriousness, this makes me very happy, and I think Michelle is The Bomb.

Yes, I wonder where Marion is too..hope all is well there, check in Marion !

Can you imagine the group Idyll shot possibilities on the Obama kids' swingset?? They would love us! Yes indeed, the gahden at the White House is a wonderful idea, but I think the whole family is such fun anyway. In these hard times we need a double shot of young, intelligent, enthusiastic, rounded out nicely with a dollop of good-natured teasing and self-deprecation. When the press tried to pillory Michelle for her remark that she was, for the first time in her life, really proud of her country (in response to the nomination of her husband for the presidency, I believe) I knew exactly what she meant and agreed wholeheartedly. I think she's about as classy an act as ever there was.

I've been wondering about Marian, too. Hmmm. You don't think Nolon has fed her into the wood chipper, do you?

I have so much work to do in the Compound gahdens when the soil is ready to work. The place has some very nice stands of things but much of it has gone to pot in the years Mum required so much time. Still though, I'm not particularly bothered by it. I'll pick away at it, make some good choices and some bad ones, and have a ball either way. How can you beat gardening for cheap laughs? and quality time communing with resident animals?

My friends, I think today may be the day I salley forthe and purchase a mixer and a few other things to make baking easier. I casually mentioned it to the helpmeet and he was typically ambivilent (why do we need that, can't you get by with what we have?); poor dear I don't think he has any notion he's being seduced into kitchen rehab., or maybe he does! Anyway, I told him I'm going to feed him until he hits 800lbs. and then I'm going to exploit him totally by posting daily pictures and film on You Tube, informing him that they'll have to remove one of the picture windows and remove him from the house with a backhoe or crane. ;)

Poor dear helpmeet returned home with a beastly cold yesterday, complete with a sore throat, chest congestion, and a cough. Seems this is bug that's been passed around at work for some weeks now. I fired up the stove to keep the living room cozy and he watched March Madness last night from the couch with feline and canine nursing aplenty.

Yes, Kathy, if all goes according to plan the bathroom rehab. should be completed in time for Idyll Camp. You should be able to wee wee in whatever recepticle you choose. A shower pee-er from way back, I've never been too fussy since it's all going to end up in the same tank, though counter height makes the sink option somewhat more challenging... . When I informed Dad that I wanted a bidet he turned to me is surprise, "what the hell do you want one of those things for?". I grinned and said, "Dad, you've always said that good tools are important. And it's the perfect tool for the job.". He cracked up. And it was one of the best things I've ever insisted on; I no longer shower daily because there is no need to... talk about saving water!

I guess that's it for me so far. Not sure how to best use this first day off but I'll "figger it out". I'm going to see my brother tomorrow morning and can't wait.

Eden, Bella's crack about her picture made me smile. Can't argue with the logic, can you? :) And V., I think I heard a red-wing blackbird the other day, but I'm not sure enough to hazard a nickel bet on it. But maple buds are swelling, so is the "for cynthia", and the fuzzy jacket on Magnolia stellata look promising. OH! and there is a lot of bud activity on the transplanted Magnolia, "Butterflies"... will this be spring of copious yellow blossosms?

Happy Happy Spring and on a Friday yet! I'm so glad it's finally here though I've been in spring mode for at least a week now with all of the beautiful warm weather we've had. Even if it snows again now it won't stick around for long. I've got things peeking up all over the gardens which I have all tidied up by the way. This is the earliest that's ever happened. Bella and I have had lunch out on the back deck quite a few times already and she's been riding her bikes and playing with her outdoor toys. Even the birds have been busy building nests in their houses. Here's a few pictures of the spring/Easter decorations I put up the other day for Bella's enjoyment.

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Chelone, winter 07/08 I really got involved in purchasing or replacing lots of kitchen supplies here. I bought nice heavy baking pans that I love plus lots of other little gadgets that make spending time in the kitchen pleasant. I even got quite a few pretty new dishes and serving pieces. I've really enjoyed using it all and follow quite a few cooking/baking blogs, when I have time, for lots of great inspiration.

Kathy, your Lady Banks is so pretty! Yellow roses have always been my favorite. I too need a good nights rest and usually get 8 hours. Brad can get by on 6 or a regular basis.

I love the idea of a vegetable garden at the White House. My parents always had a large veg garden and I've always wished I had the space for one of my own. The man who lives behind me has a big area of wide open sunny land that would be perfect for one and always tells me I'm free to use it. If there were only more hours in the day......

On that note, time to tackle the long list of things I want to accomplish today. Hope you all have a good one!

Eden

Oh Eden, you really should work with Bella and plant a few rows of easy stuff and put a little fence around it on the "back 40". I'm thinking carrots, radishes, lettuce, chard...zinnias.

I think today will be a strange one...with me going to the mall! I NEVER do that, but a baby clothing store has been on my mind lately! Not that DD needs anything, but I do!

Later,
moi

The sun over my shoulder is directly due east today. It has underscored the filth on the windows, too. :)

Bella must've been beside herself when she saw the Easter finery, Eden. Reminds me to get thinking about the helpmeet's Easter basket, too. Perhaps you could sacrifice that little patch of what looks like lawn and put in some vegetables? or would that be invading Brad's space too much?

I have to go to some sort of maul, too, methinks. I can't think of any other place to go to locate a mixer and some of the other things on my list. Ugh.

Marie, baby clothes is one of the few reasons I can think of for venturing into a mall. I try to avoid them at all costs too! I can't wait to see what you find. You're right, I should do a small veg garden back there with Bella. Even small veg gardens take alot of maintenance though........

Chelone, I have to keep that small patch of lawn on principle. When we redid the front gardens in 03 my neighbors swore I would never be able to leave that bit of lawn. I think every garden needs at least a bit of lawn.

I've bought lots of kitchen things online. You can find just about anything on Amazon, and I always get free shipping with them. Sur La Table's also good as is Chef's Tools, and of course Williams Sonoma but they're pricey! Locally Homegoods has good deals. Kohl's has a pretty good kitchen section and there's always Bed Bath and Beyond with their 20% off coupons. I pick up things just about anywhere I find a good price or sale. Have fun picking out your new things, even if it is at the mall!

Eden

Such pretty spring photos! Thanks, Eden and Kathy for really getting us in the spirit! Im afraid my gardens still look pretty winter torn between leaves and debris that hasnt gotten picked up yet -- altho crocus, snowdrops (Michelle you Have to plant them, they're lovely and carefree), and iris reticulata are blooming.

Kathy, pls keep the rain at bay to the left coast for our weekend! I plan to exhaust myself fully for 2 days of clean up and arbor rescusitation and remainder pruning.

'bug- Im so sorry you take so much to heart at DD's house but it must be so frustrating for you; it is hard to remain stoic w/ such drama isnt it? I dont profess to know what's best for kids who act out like that, but I do recall that a therapist my DD saw as a child did in fact say it was permissible for certain acceptable outlets, esp., when other physicality is going on -- I recall we adopted the -- go hit a pillow about but only in your bedroom and only on the bed for 10 minutes -- no person or thing was permitted to be hit upon... and it seemed to help her -- it allowed her to get those frustrations out that she could not vocalize, and eventually the other things petered away. I think at DGS's age, he's still learning control and appropriateness. I imagine experts have lots more ideas on the subject too. Hockey sticks and people certainly are not appropriate -- and so much of our parental encounters are tug of wars over control - I recall them well.

I dont think I have time to comment on 'bug's wonderful thread - but I saw Eden's idea about those baby clothese being photos for the nursery -- and that's a very cool wonderful idea!!! I hope you do it!!

Lots more to comment on, but no time.... later, gators.

Happy Friday, all -- and Happy Spring!

--cindy

Cindy, I like the photo idea too (Saucy's?) but I know that the nursery will be the same as it was for Reed, with Noah's Ark on one wall, a favourite painting on another, dark green walls. DSIL is the one with the decorating genes, not always my taste, but heck, it is his house! Maybe some day I'll bring the photos for the bathroom or hallway. At their house baby co-sleeps for almost a year, so the nursery is not used all that much.

As to DGS, his age does not relate to his stages. Lots of this is due to having medical issues for several years in infancy and having been treated like a china doll. He feels he is owed everything in life and it is eye opening and very very hard when Sarah shows him otherwise. His Dad is only beginning to see the wisdom of some of her work. Fortunately, DGS still adores her, but therein lies more friction with Mom. I try to follow DD's advice, namely only dwell on the crap for 10 minutes a day and then let it fly away.

Here it is 10am and I just finished an hour on the treadmill and ate a bowl of oatmeal. That's all! Time flies...
'bug

Just a quick post...

Eden - definitely do veggies with Bella. Try things in pots - lots of things do well in pots. I've grown lettuce, carrots (deep window box pots are great for baby carrots...) leeks, tomatoes (they do better in the ground than in pots though), peppers, beans, peas, watermelons, zucchini, even corn!

Bean towers:
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(Peas are fabulous in pots too - I grow 5 different varieties so I get a long crop season...)

Strawberries are easy too:
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Highbush blueberries also do well in pots and it's easy to control the acidity.)

You don't get huge crops but enough to have lots of fun snacking as you pass by.

Alpine strawberries for edging plants in the garden produce little treats alll season and kids love them!

TGIF!

Happy Spring!

Thanks for all your kind words about Zoe. She was the sweetest little thing and I miss her alot. It's the little things you miss-like the way she used to sit patiently next to the tub every morning to lick the water off the bottoms of my feet. They never live long enough as you've all experienced. Nick seems to be doing OK. He's going to have to get used to being an only dog because I have no plans to add to the family at this time. We've gone out on walks a couple of nights this week and he seems to be enjoying that. Life goes on...

Enjoy!

Sue

The White House veg garden is such exciting news. Eden, re your neighbor's offer, you know "borrowing" someone else's backyard has turned into something of a movement. Waay back when I did a bit of "market" gardening as an apartment dweller (ah, the audacity of youth!) I borrowed a backyard a couple houses down, which I was already borrowing to house my dog Alfie, so the arrangement worked well. Apart from the extra $50 a month it brought in, the old gentleman used to enjoy chatting with me as I worked some of the worst clay soil I have ever encountered! The first spring his deceased wife's daffodils were a lovely surprise, and he'd tell me what a beautiful garden she had before neglect set in after she died. At the same time I kept a public garden plot, then eventually ended up borrowing my MIL's front yard too. She thought it was great fun until I brought the huge load of manure in...lol...transported from the horse stables via Marty's VW bus. Boy, do I know how to make enemies. The horse stables are right next to the South Coast Botanic Gardens, a twofer.

Saucy mentioned bringing in a plasterer for the cracked kitchen ceiling, which is another good idea. What little mental rabbit trails we keep to instead of busting out into the fecund tall grass (a good Easter metaphor -- love your decorations, Eden!) That's the ebullience I sense in Chelone these days, striding through the tall grass with a scythe in hand, mowing down the niggling stuff. Speaking of ceiling cracks, Mitch swore he felt an earthquake which woke him in the middle of the night last week, so I googled and found there was a minor 2.6ish quake.

And just to round out this meandering post, I dreamt of Alfie last night, the little dog I borrowed a backyard for. Maybe Zoe told him to pay me a visit ;) He lived to the ripe old age of 19 years, so he was the childhood dog that moved out with me and lived to see Mitch born. What adventures we had! I've gotta get busy and shake this pensive mood...

Ceiling cracks! That has to remind you all of Madeline, no? Remember when she's in the hospital having her appendix out?

Madeline soon ate and drank.
On her bed there was a crank,
and a crack on the ceiling had the habit
of sometimes looking like a rabbit.

now that broke the pensive mood and brought a smile. Years ago I gave my now 20-yo niece a Madeline doll...which I noted when in Alabama recently now resides with her 4-yo half sister. I think I'll sign my niece up for the Madeline birthday club.

I really need to turn the crank on the here-and-now machine! Happy spring, idyllettes!

Ah Madeline, I've just spent the last 15 minutes since I read Marie's post researching Madeline books we don't have and horror of horrors I don't think we have the original one where she's in the hospital. We did get the newest one, Madeline And The Cats Of Rome not long ago. My current favorite! I think a trip to Borders is going to be on the weekend agenda. Have to run and check out that Madeline Birthday Club now..........

Happy Spring! :-)

It is cold but sunny today and the forecast is for more of the same for the next five days at least. Had a coat and gloves on outside this morning. I took a few photos but I haven't dared to uncover much yet. I do have crocus blooming.

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Eden and Michelle, I would love to send you some marigold seeds. I will email you later. They are probably hybrids and not sure if they will come true to seed, but I am going to give them a shot. If anyone else would like some I would be happy to send some along.

Eden....you are certainly on the ball at your house. Already have the garden ready to go and decorating too. Your zone 5 is warmer than my zone 6 right now. [g]

Between the article about veggies on the White House lawn and Woody's photos from last year, I am getting fired up to do a better job with my small little veggie area. I am going to have to do more pots because I just don't have enough room in my small raised beds. I save two beds for tomatoes and one has asparagus that I plant a tripod of beans over later and edge with basil. That leaves one raised bed only 4x4.

Oh....I just remembered, I read the article G'bug posted about 5am and fell back to sleep a little later and woke up dreaming I was at the White House. LOL It was a very weird dream, but no veggies or lawn in sight, just some shrubs that I believed I had planted and as I walked down from the room we were in, were suddenly covered in snow and I was just about to say so when I woke up. I was also visiting their two daughters in their bedrooms which they were redoing and commented on how pretty the fabric for the chair was. lol

Funny the power of suggestion on our dreams, huh Denise?

Woody...I would love to know the five varieties of peas you grow? I am thinking of trying Tristar strawberries in pots this year, which are supposed to keep producing. I am not sure whether to order them bareroot or not.

Kathy...yippee that your tax return is enough to cover some treats. Everytime I see your Lady Banks rose I want to get one. [g] Just love that it blooms so early and of course, yellow is my favorite. I keep restraining myself because I am afraid it will take over the house and it is a one time bloomer. I forget, is it fragrant?

Would you believe I've never read the Madeline series?

Chelone, happy kitchen equipment hunting. Sounds like fun. The bathroom redo on the other hand, does not. [g] We need to do ours but not likely any time soon.

Sue...it's good to see your post and glad you both are doing okay. Such a cute memory of Zoe.

I'm hurrying, so excuse any typos. Off to do more veggie garden planning...

:-)
pm2

I had to smile and laugh about Zoe and the wet feet, Sue -- Chloe loves to do that too -- it is all those small things that make them so close to our hearts, LOL -- some things you dont even know til they're gone. Im glad you've got Nick for company though, he can be a diversion. He likely thinks Zoe's off at the vet's or something dont you think? He may not have really realized she's off on her own permanent new adventure. But I completely understand not expanding the household -- I dont know how all you folks do it with multiple critters -- so expensive, if nothing else!

Well, believe it or not, Im sitting here at the awfice typing in gloves with an irish wool sweater wrapped around my lap, my oustide coat on -- it's been frigid in my corridor for 2 weeks -- and we've all been complaining and moaning but so far no success on them getting it. The bldg guy came by to check earlier and claimed it was one degree different from around the corner -- I was proud of myself not leaping over the desk to strangle him in his Lie... or tell him to get new thermometer; luckily several other voices chorused that that could not be true... I feel like a little old lady in the meantime, complaining of the cold! I know it's warmer outside than here right now - took a little walk before setting down to see what's up here.

My foot is tapping (not just for the cold) counting the minutes til it's freedom to go home and leap into the yard, LOL. It is actually to be in the 20s tomorrow a.m., but hopefully warm up quickly. My helper may have bailed on me for the arbor project, but I may just tackle it myself and figure out something -- I think it's just unwieldy if nothing else.

I bet our thrifty Chelone comes back with only modest kitchen purchases; set me loose in Sur Le Chef or Wms Sonoma and Im in big trouble (assuming no limit to purchases).... I've never had a nice Kitchenaid mixer much as I longed for one; bout a cheapo one years ago for what we declared were "$60 mashed potatoes" - in other words, I needed to make potatoes for Xmas; the little mixer died and I ran out to buy a new mixer just for the potatoes. Since I seldom cook big deals anymore, the $60 has turned out to be a bargain after the first event of years ago...

Ok, off to contemplate where to put last year's clems that never got planted....

--Cindy

I was a woman on a mission this morning. There was no screwing around as I diligently ticked off the items on my list.
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The 2 qt. saucepan under the double boiler will be exchanged for a 3 qt. model. I couldn't remember if the largest saucepan in our arsenal was a 2 or 3 qt. and it turned out to be a 2.

I'm looking at you, you know:
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Spencer shared Mummy's outrage over the damage to the gahdens and the peonies. He went out while I set up the shots above and was back 5 minutes having relieved this world of one slow or stupid vole:
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Time to drag Rex around by his neck and plot my next culinary move. Oh, I have snowdrops today, piddly as the stand may be.

OMG Chelone, did you post the vole photo after the saucepan just to wake up the people scanning though? ROFL!
Go Spencer, what a good boy! ;)

Jerri

Nice work Chelone. Interested to hear what you're planning to use the double boiler for? I have one but I think I've only used it once. I know you must have plans for yours since it was on the essentials list.

As for photot #3, ewwwwwwwwww!

Eden

Don't be such a weenie Eden, that one wasn't even bloody and it was intact, lol. :)

I am eager to try "Blanc Mange" (cornstarch pudding) and the recipe calls for a double boiler. It's great way to cook things without a lot of stirring, reheat coffee without burning it, very useful set-up in the kitchen and something we used a lot when I was a kid. We don't own a microwave.

That Kitchen Aid constitutes weaponry. I'm going to have to really think about how I want to store it when the kitchen rehab. rolls around, it's big and it's heavy! I turned it on to make sure the wire whip is properly adjusted and it purrs like a kitten. It ought to for the price, but if you're going to do a routine job easily good equipment is important. The helpmeet uses the Cuisinart food processor all the time and in 20 yrs. it's never faltered.

I hunted up a blancmange recipe Chelone. I can see where the double boiler will come in handy for that recipe. Tempering eggs is also involved I see. I guess I don't use mine because I don't make many creamy things and I do heat choc. etc in the microwave. I've seen a neat contraption for a standmixer that raises it in and out of a cupboard that would really come in handy for storing it. Mine's sitting out. It's too big to store in any of my cupboards. I have a mini cuisinart that I use for quick chopping an onion or grating parm cheese. I do find chopping by hand theraputic most of the time and I don't have a full size one.

For some reason, I will now forever recall bidets and kitchenaid mixers in the same breath as "right tools for the job" and hence think of Chelone.....

-cindy

I was going to say EWWWW again but I don't wanna be a double weenie :)

Wonder what Marie got at the baby store???

Eden

Lots! Photos later Eden...:)

What a score you brought home from the store Chelone! I would like to be eating at your house this spring. You can also make Indian Pudding in that double boiler. Don't I remember you like that too?

I've been listening to music waiting for dinner. Anyone a Carly Simon fan? She writes some interesting lyrics. A song I particularly enjoy is one called 'The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of'. I was thinking it is sort of a spring like song, only because it is about new beginnings and renewal.

Would love to see baby clothes!

Supper's ready... :-)

pm2

Nice score, Chelone! I have a cool cabinet that would be perfect for the Kitchen Aid, it can hold alot of weight and it rolls completely out of the cabinet. I'll bet you could buy the hardware online.

Chelone, you are my kind of shopper! What a lovely haul, all bright and shiny. I'm thinking that I may do the Kitchen Aid mixer as a shower gift for the happy couple. I need to replace my measuring spoons and cups sometime in the future. I have some plastic Tupperware ones that are rather old and the plastic has reached the point where it never seems really clean. Bring on the stainless steel.

Nothing too exciting here tonight, other than getting packed for tomorrow's trip. I suspect I will miss most of Idyll #431 - how's that for a different way to mark time?

V.

Here's a link to the mixer lift I was referring to. Now that I've found it I think I'll show Brad and see if he can do something like this to store mine away.

V, a mixer would be a great gift for them. I prefer the stainless spoons and cups too. Wondering if you all prefer your measuring spoons on a ring like they usually come or separate. I always separate mine and store them inside my glass liquid measuring cup. My sister likes to keep hers on the ring.

Eden

I confess that I have never used a mixer for mashed potatoes-I always smash them by hand with my smasher doo-dad. I like them a tad lumpy. With chives. Heavy cream instead of milk. If one scrolls through Chelones pics without reading , one can almost imagine a recipe for Vole Fricassee .

Impressive spread there Chelone ! Doesnt look like you scrimped I smiled at your lack of microwave- mine sure doesnt get used much , usually only to wrm up tortillas and DS makes popcorn sometimes. That mixer is so pretty you could almost comsider it décor when you decide on the location .

Tomorrow is the SF Gardenshow, and Im excited ! Taking my camera (the small one for better portability) packing a lunch, and my list. Im hoping someone will come along to rescue this show and it will be revived somehow next year, but in this economy who knows. This show has always marked the opening of gardening season for me- a friend of mine would pledge earnestly not to buy any more garden art on the way there , and was always brought to her knees once inside .

Time for a Friday night WALAT, with rain coming I need to get it while I can, and I believe a cranked up stereo may be in the cards too

Adios V !!!

Kathy in Napa

woody, how nice thqt you have such a respected neurosurgeon! Good for you! By the way, I loved your veggie plantings.

Chelone, when you make up your mind about something, you don't mess around:) Good Job! I have noticed that open shelves in kitchens are all the rage right now, every where you look.

Skip is not looking forward to laying out my potager, but I can't wait. Seeds are ordered, and the mini greenhouse peat pots are waiting for the arrival. Skip and Dev are waiting for me to get off computer to go with them to see Escape to Witch Mountain. We are lucky enough to have a $3 movie in our little town. Close enough to walk, but not in this cold.

TTYL
Drema

Last night DH went walking with Ms Phoebe, but Phoebes was instantly distracted by a critter. It was dark and DH saw white markings and shouted a firm "NO!!!!" To his astonishment, Phoebe stopped! DH is pretty sure it was a possum, not a skunk. Phoebe has surprised us lately with her behavior. This morning she was out gathering firewood with DH and I opened the upstairs window and called hi to her. She ran over and looked up at me and pranced about happily. Charlotte never was able to find things up in the air so this marks a big difference in the two.

Kathy, you commented on what I did not dare. The first thing that came to mind was "sauce veloutée" which means a velvet textured sauce, smooth as velvet. It is a word used to describe wines too. Of course it would have to be "voloutée"... I just learned that campagnol is French for vole. Live and learn.

Tomorrow is once again haircut day. Well timed for our outing for crepes and fresh maple syrup. Today the Mennonite buggies were out in full force selling their syrup at stop light intersections, their horses patiently waiting by the sides of the road. I saw quite a few cats out in the fields hunting as well.

I think this makes some kind of record for postings from me in one day!

Yoo Hoo! Marian! I hope you are feeling OK and that Nolon is too. Your bulbs must be a riot of color by now.

'bug

Thanks for missing me ...

I think I am in the recovery from one of the worse spells that I have had yet. I have an appointment for a complete checkup monday, but in searching all the Fibromyalgia sites it seems it has just been a fibro flair-up. I am going to have her cover all the bases just to rule out anything more serious.

Marian

(((Marian)))

Chelone, Im impressed with your shopping trip. I keep my KA in a corner of the counter. I m able to shove it back far enough that it really isnt in the way. Who uses the deep corners anyway? I think they are used a lot in décor or have become that because they are so heavy.

Between Chelone posting the dead vole and Kathys thoughts on what she may make with it, you guys crack me up.

I considered the mixer lift when we were working on our kitchen but decided that I really didnt want to give up a whole cabinet for it. I have my measuring spoons separated. What happens when one is dirty and in the dishwasher and you need another size? I have 2 little plastic baskets screwed down in the front of my utensil drawer that I keep them in along with a few other small items that would get lost in the drawer. The corkscrew being one which you would hate to have to search too much for.

I cant imagine living without a microwave and often comment that I would like to have 2. My morning Multi-grain hot cereal is so easy to make right in its own bowl.

V, I gave my DD a KA for a shower gift. I think it is a perfect gift since they will have it for many years and will remember who gave it to them. Even my DD who isnt extremely interested in kitchen activities loves using it for cookies. Her DH was pretty excited about it as well.

PM, I find it interesting that my hellebores are about the size of yours but I see no signs of the crocus. Although, most of my crocus are underneath the ivy and that probably keeps the ground cold longer.

My DD loved Madeline. Im thinking Kenzie should have a few.

Eden, you really should plant a few veggies with Bella. Kenzie really loved the vegetable part of the garden as much as the flowers. Last summer she was always so excited to pick the "aspartagus" (her pronunciation, not my poor spelling) and pulling carrots and onions was also great fun for her. I put a couple of cherry tomato plants in her garden because she loves eating them.
They Easter decorations are so fun, Im sure Bella was thrilled.

There was a petition going around on Facebook voting for a Victory garden of sorts at the White House, I guess they got the message.

Since we are having an overnight guest who we havent met, Id better get going and clean this pit up. The guest is guest minister at our church from Michigan.

Later
Michelle