The Year We Ruined Christmas

Smells Like We're Up to Something

 

That's Isaiah, sniffing my amazing Climate Soup.

That's me, testing my riflery skills at the Museum of Crime and Punishment.

Where Have I Been?

That's easy--saving the world!  But seriously, folks, I am part of a 6-month challenge to reduce my carbon footprint called Climate Pilots.  Although I've added only a blog entry or two there, I've  been working hard to eat foods lower on the food chain.  Especially after my Swedish "climate coaches" told me I should.  It's not easy being green!  You can read the blog here--but please note that I'm not the only contributor, and I teach the children of two of the other Climate Pilot families. Keep it professional and gentle, please!

Summer Dreams

Every summer, I like to take on an enrichment project. Last summer, I was on a quest for the perfect iced tea. While I don't think I found the perfect version, I came pretty close.  The summer before that, I learned to cook the perfect poached egg.  Before that, home cheesemaking. 

This summer, I've got two goals. First, make my own crackers at home. Second, learn to play the ukulele.

First Harvest

After my troubles with last year's balcony garden, I decided that things couldn't get any worse and was going to throw in the towel. But then April's warm weahter rolled in, and I couldn't help but try again. This time, instead of growing flowers, I decided to up the ante to vegetables. So what if they require full sun, and so what if my balcony gets part sun at best. I decided to go for it.

Within a week, my herbs were attacked by mites, and my one lonely cucumber plant was yellow and shredded. The peppers were covered with aphids, which I call pepper lice.  But thanks to several trips to the local plant emergency room, the vegetation is hanging in there. So although the first harvest looks (and is) laughable, I'm proud of the little battle that the banana pepper and solitary strawberry won.

Better in Theory than in Practice

• Black leather car interiors (summer’s here)
• Farm-picked  English peas (shelling over 2 lbs by hand)
• Outdoor concerts (during the hot, humid, thunderstorm-prone months of summer)
• Daylong field trips to giant local playgrounds (during the hot, humid, thunderstorm-prone months of summer)
• Photo opps after daylong field trips to giant local playgrounds
• $10 bottomless mimosas  (need I say more?)
• Large frites at my favorite Belgian moules joint (even when sharing with 4 friends, it’s just too, too much)
• Keeping the thermostat at 78 in the summer to save the world (Hey, I’m all for reducing my carbon footprint.  But let’s be reasonable. My Nordic heritage requires an icy environment.)
• Any sort of 30-day challenge

 

How Do You Spell Congratulations?

I've just received a wedding announcement from the family of an old friend. I'm wondering what that means.

It's true that I learned about the impending wedding via email (an account I don't check often enough). It's also true that I wish the absolute best for the bride and her groom.

But it's also true that I don't quite know what to make of the wedding announcement.  Please, don't get me wrong. I'm so happy they've married; I'm also delighted that they want to share this with me. 

What I don't understand is how to congratulate the bride and groom.  Am I meant to send a gift? Am I meant to recognize this wedding at all? Hard to say, at least for me. I'm not an etiquette maven, but I would like to do what's right. 

Any advice? Do I google-stalk the couple and then send an appropriate gift?  Or do I limit my search to stores local to the bride and groom, and the select a gift to send? Or do I take the announcement for its face value, and, assuming that since I didn't go to the wedding, I'm not expected to send a gift?

Hot Fun in the City

     I was lucky enough to be invited to Las Vegas for a great friend's birthday. I was also lucky enough to be able to make it there, given the debacle that was my plane "ticket" out there. (Hm. Really? The airline's choosing to not honor the reservation because it has "expired"?? Ok, but the reservation was made in November '08 for a flight in March '09. It's not like we're talking years, or anything. Not going to belabor the point further, but really, what is a reservation but a promise of a seat on a future flight??) However, I did make it, and I had a blast experiencing the desert lifestyle.
     I was treated to just about everything: a great suite on the Strip in Las Vegas, fantastic meals, both homemade and restaurant-created, an amazing host who seemingly knows everything "Vegas," both urban and suburban, and last but not least, more entertainment than I can shake a big stick at.
     Yes, I'd say it was a great weekend!

                  

Random Post

Recently, I've seen an enormous increase in the number of drivers who spit at red lights. Let me be more specific: They stop at a red light, open the car door, and spit away. 

Beyond the fact that it's a repulsive practice, it makes me wonder what is going on socially/economically/culturally for this to be happening now.

Yuck. Just finish your commute, people. Then spit.

Happy Face

I'm feeling pretty proud of myself right now.  I've spent a few spare moments over the last few days searching for bargains and freebies. Me, the girl who cannot follow budget to save her life.

Free diet Dr. Pepper

Free Louisiana jambalaya meal from Let's Dish for later consumption (feeds 2-3)

Free relaxing treatment package from Aveda (free tea, aromatherapy, hand-ritual, neck and shoulder massage, makeup touchup)

30% off Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic plus 5% of the cost donated to a charity of my choice

Free tickets for a screening of Duplicity (ok, you know I don't like movies, but I thought I'd try)

Free Kashi frozen entree

Killian's Brewmaster Tasting Kit (4 glasses, bottle opener, tasting guide). Not for me, but a gift for a beer-lover I know!

Free Campbell's tomato seeds

Free one-year subscription to Martha Stewart Living (this offer came to me via email, and I really am getting the magazines!)

Live Local, Buy Local

I'm certainly original in my desire to purchase more goods from local, independent sources. But I like to think I've been pretty creative these last few years in getting that done. Well, maybe not creative. But a little unique. Right? Well, it's a start at least.

• Farm deliveries. Farmers' markets weren't enough for me. I've been a member of a CSA farm that has delivered a weekly bounty of produce for 8 years.
• Craft fairs. Buying and selling!
• Honey. That's right. I've adopted a hive, and thrice-yearly I'll get a cut of the honey, plus a few nice beeswax tapers to light up the night.
• My most recent coup--the milkman. That's right, the milkman's back! Ronnie brings us a dairyland bounty--milk, yogurt, drinkable yogurt, cream cheese, hard cheese, butter, whatever your heart desires. 

Maybe some day I'll come back an d link to these wonderful local gems, but they way this blog is going, it might be a while. Until then, I'll tantalize you with a picture of our most recent delivery.