sympathetic 
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Re-Mike Love
6 hours ago
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Din in the Bathroom, Snow Trip and LAUNDRY
I am sitting on my bed, working on blog stuff. Electra Luna (crazy cat) is snoozing beside me. Theme music from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (the only music Littleman wants to listen to, lately) is wafting up from downstairs. I am listening to Littleman and Sweetcheeks banter, giggle and snort with laughter behind the closed bathroom door. What are they DOING in there? Whatever it is, it involves fart sounds, thumps, laughter, incomprehensible jokes, other random sound effects, more laughter, animal impersonations and I don't know what else. Babyman is in the hallway by the closed bathroom door- by the sound of it, he's sliding toys or books under the door for his brothers to slide back out. (That amuses him to no end.) Hmm. I hear water running. They are supposed to be brushing their teeth and washing their hands. I'd like them to hurry up and finish, and not make a mess. However, it's nice to hear them having such a good time together. I just hope there's not a lake in there to mop up, or toothpaste fingerpaintings on the mirror. Or worse.
* * *
You probably spotted my recent snow photo blog. (And I will be posting the second series soon.) No, it didn't snow here at home (except maybe a few flurries). However we knew Highlands, NC had a couple inches, and cold weather long enough to keep the snow on the ground a couple days. So we dropped everything to take the kids to the mountains. It worked out perfectly- Mitchell's Lodge and Cottages (our favorite place to stay in Highlands, especially with the kids) was running a special rate, and we were able to combine our snow play with a break to watch the inauguration by the fireside. (We couldn't have watched at home, since we have no TV channels here.) The kids had a blast- though the snow was too powdery for snowballs or snowmen, it was just fine for sledding. I was glad we went- it was a much-needed break for all of us.
* * *
Side note: there was no lake to mop up, but there was toothpaste fingerpainting. Sigh. After probably 40 minutes in there at least, neither boy had brushed his teeth or washed his hands. I had to send them back to accomplish the original objective. They had fun, though.
* * *
In honor of the laundry I am doing today, and was doing yesterday, and will be doing tomorrow. . . today's thumbs-up goes to this very useful page: a Guide to Home Laundering Symbols. Print that sucker out and post it in the laundry room- finally, a translation of laundry hieroglyphics!
* * *
You probably spotted my recent snow photo blog. (And I will be posting the second series soon.) No, it didn't snow here at home (except maybe a few flurries). However we knew Highlands, NC had a couple inches, and cold weather long enough to keep the snow on the ground a couple days. So we dropped everything to take the kids to the mountains. It worked out perfectly- Mitchell's Lodge and Cottages (our favorite place to stay in Highlands, especially with the kids) was running a special rate, and we were able to combine our snow play with a break to watch the inauguration by the fireside. (We couldn't have watched at home, since we have no TV channels here.) The kids had a blast- though the snow was too powdery for snowballs or snowmen, it was just fine for sledding. I was glad we went- it was a much-needed break for all of us.
* * *
Side note: there was no lake to mop up, but there was toothpaste fingerpainting. Sigh. After probably 40 minutes in there at least, neither boy had brushed his teeth or washed his hands. I had to send them back to accomplish the original objective. They had fun, though.
* * *
In honor of the laundry I am doing today, and was doing yesterday, and will be doing tomorrow. . . today's thumbs-up goes to this very useful page: a Guide to Home Laundering Symbols. Print that sucker out and post it in the laundry room- finally, a translation of laundry hieroglyphics!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 21, 2008
the drive home
Monday, January 21, 2008
the drive home
Current mood: grateful
Big round moon glowing, framed in the van's sunroof.
A patch of white in the corner of my eye, still catches me off guard. (Amazing that it's stayed cold enough for the snow to stick around this long, even if it's only in the sheltered shady spots).
Snow reflecting moonlight off a mountainside.
Feeling good, watching the miles roll by.
Cypresses encrusted with diamonds, a delicate tracery of snow sparkling in glorious contrast to the feathery branches.
A lone lit window passing in the night.
A brick wall, the lightest dusting of snow still clinging to the mortar lines.
A velvet black sky, stars shining brilliantly through the frosty clear air.
A pleasant drive to end a pleasant day.
the drive home
Current mood: grateful
Big round moon glowing, framed in the van's sunroof.
A patch of white in the corner of my eye, still catches me off guard. (Amazing that it's stayed cold enough for the snow to stick around this long, even if it's only in the sheltered shady spots).
Snow reflecting moonlight off a mountainside.
Feeling good, watching the miles roll by.
Cypresses encrusted with diamonds, a delicate tracery of snow sparkling in glorious contrast to the feathery branches.
A lone lit window passing in the night.
A brick wall, the lightest dusting of snow still clinging to the mortar lines.
A velvet black sky, stars shining brilliantly through the frosty clear air.
A pleasant drive to end a pleasant day.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Snow!! Scones, and some thumbs-ups for your enjoyment
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Snow!! Scones, and some thumbs-ups for your enjoyment
Current mood: cheerful
SNOW!!! Sustained, steady, big-fluffy-flaked snow! I feel like a kid every time I glance out the window. It makes me want to do a little happy jig right there, whether I'm pouring my coffee or changing a diaper. If I've been doing something else for awhile, and forgotten to look outside, I grin like an idiot when I spot the snow still swirling steadily down. Hooray, snow!
On the one hand, I'm missing an opportunity to appreciate this delight with Littleman and Sweetcheeks. I can count on one hand the number of times it's snowed in Littleman's experience, and only once has he been able to play in it- last year, when we had to travel to Beech Mtn NC just to find enough snow to slide around in. Since the boys are spending the weekend with their Auntie and Grandma and Grandpa, I'm missing the delight of their experience with it. But on the other hand, I am in a cozy mood today, happy to appreciate the snow's beauty through insulated windows. Lately I have not been feeling adventurous about outdoor adventures in all weather- which is a bit out of character for me, so perhaps it's something instinctual related to having a new infant. Anyhow, instead of mucking about in cold wet frostiness, I slept late, read emails, made coffee and baked scones, all while delighting in the fluffy crystalline magic that continues to grace my view of outside.
Mmmm, scones. I haven't made these in a long while, though they are a favorite of mine. This recipe is from a cookbook, but I copied it ages and ages ago, so I don't know who to give credit to. They are quite simple, and I love them:
Raisin Scones
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
1/2 cup raisins (or dried berries), soaked in hot water for 1/2 hour
1/2 cup half & half or cream
1 egg, beaten
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Sift dry ingredients together. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender.
- Add the drained raisins to the flour mixture.
- Mix the half & half with the beaten egg and stir into the flour mixture. Use a fork, and do not overmix. It should just take a few turns.
- Divide the dough into three balls, and pat each out into a 1/2 inch thick circle.
- Cut each circle into 4 triangular scones, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake until golden brown, approximately 12 minutes.
Serve with butter and jam.
Yum!
(note: I don't have any cream right now, so I substituted a mixture of 2% milk and plain yogurt. It worked just fine).
This used to be my signature New Year's Day breakfast, paired with mimosas and good coffee. I've never been much of a drinker, so I was happy to get up earlier than the other revelers and help them face down their hangovers. Then, we'd all go hiking. Ah, the good old days! :)
* * *
SO- how many thumbs-ups do I need to catch up? LOL!
First of all, I wanted to share this artist's website- check out her lovely photography:
http://div.dyndns.org/photos/
Next, if you need to be taken down a notch, go here for some excellent insulting:
http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/Shaker/index.html
(Thou lumpish, hell-hated whey face!)
Here, cool Dads (and Moms, Grandfolks, Aunties, Uncles. . .) can find a variety of helpful resources on everything from frisbees to slot cars, hand shadows to skateboarding, juggling and model trains to hand shadows and ventriloquism:
http://www.fordads.com/cooldad.html
Finally, a thumbs-up goes to Born Free baby bottles. (They also make sippy cups, which I plan on getting later). They are made of plastic that is free of bisphenol A, which is a potentially harmful chemical found in all sorts of plastic goods. The alleged danger is controversial, but I've decided to try and reduce my family's exposure to bisphenal A, so I picked up some Born Free bottles for Babyman's occasional bottle of pumped breastmilk. There are more parts than our previous bottles had, because the Born Free bottles have a special valve. The valve works GREAT- much less leaking and burping with these bottles than with any other bottles I've tried. I'd especially recommend them for babies who use bottles frequently. note: Glass bottles are also free of bisphenol A (and all other unknown plastic substances that might be harmful), but glass is not recommended for breastmilk, only for formula.
* * *
I am going to get some work done. Maybe I'll be back later!
The snow has stopped. Sigh. It was lovely while it lasted!
Snow!! Scones, and some thumbs-ups for your enjoyment
Current mood: cheerful
SNOW!!! Sustained, steady, big-fluffy-flaked snow! I feel like a kid every time I glance out the window. It makes me want to do a little happy jig right there, whether I'm pouring my coffee or changing a diaper. If I've been doing something else for awhile, and forgotten to look outside, I grin like an idiot when I spot the snow still swirling steadily down. Hooray, snow!
On the one hand, I'm missing an opportunity to appreciate this delight with Littleman and Sweetcheeks. I can count on one hand the number of times it's snowed in Littleman's experience, and only once has he been able to play in it- last year, when we had to travel to Beech Mtn NC just to find enough snow to slide around in. Since the boys are spending the weekend with their Auntie and Grandma and Grandpa, I'm missing the delight of their experience with it. But on the other hand, I am in a cozy mood today, happy to appreciate the snow's beauty through insulated windows. Lately I have not been feeling adventurous about outdoor adventures in all weather- which is a bit out of character for me, so perhaps it's something instinctual related to having a new infant. Anyhow, instead of mucking about in cold wet frostiness, I slept late, read emails, made coffee and baked scones, all while delighting in the fluffy crystalline magic that continues to grace my view of outside.
Mmmm, scones. I haven't made these in a long while, though they are a favorite of mine. This recipe is from a cookbook, but I copied it ages and ages ago, so I don't know who to give credit to. They are quite simple, and I love them:
Raisin Scones
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
1/2 cup raisins (or dried berries), soaked in hot water for 1/2 hour
1/2 cup half & half or cream
1 egg, beaten
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Sift dry ingredients together. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender.
- Add the drained raisins to the flour mixture.
- Mix the half & half with the beaten egg and stir into the flour mixture. Use a fork, and do not overmix. It should just take a few turns.
- Divide the dough into three balls, and pat each out into a 1/2 inch thick circle.
- Cut each circle into 4 triangular scones, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake until golden brown, approximately 12 minutes.
Serve with butter and jam.
Yum!
(note: I don't have any cream right now, so I substituted a mixture of 2% milk and plain yogurt. It worked just fine).
This used to be my signature New Year's Day breakfast, paired with mimosas and good coffee. I've never been much of a drinker, so I was happy to get up earlier than the other revelers and help them face down their hangovers. Then, we'd all go hiking. Ah, the good old days! :)
* * *
SO- how many thumbs-ups do I need to catch up? LOL!
First of all, I wanted to share this artist's website- check out her lovely photography:
http://div.dyndns.org/photos/
Next, if you need to be taken down a notch, go here for some excellent insulting:
http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/Shaker/index.html
(Thou lumpish, hell-hated whey face!)
Here, cool Dads (and Moms, Grandfolks, Aunties, Uncles. . .) can find a variety of helpful resources on everything from frisbees to slot cars, hand shadows to skateboarding, juggling and model trains to hand shadows and ventriloquism:
http://www.fordads.com/cooldad.html
Finally, a thumbs-up goes to Born Free baby bottles. (They also make sippy cups, which I plan on getting later). They are made of plastic that is free of bisphenol A, which is a potentially harmful chemical found in all sorts of plastic goods. The alleged danger is controversial, but I've decided to try and reduce my family's exposure to bisphenal A, so I picked up some Born Free bottles for Babyman's occasional bottle of pumped breastmilk. There are more parts than our previous bottles had, because the Born Free bottles have a special valve. The valve works GREAT- much less leaking and burping with these bottles than with any other bottles I've tried. I'd especially recommend them for babies who use bottles frequently. note: Glass bottles are also free of bisphenol A (and all other unknown plastic substances that might be harmful), but glass is not recommended for breastmilk, only for formula.
* * *
I am going to get some work done. Maybe I'll be back later!
The snow has stopped. Sigh. It was lovely while it lasted!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Snowy wishes, and the silent scream
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Snowy wishes, and the silent scream
Current mood: stressed
Yay, snow! So pretty. . .I hope it doesn't get washed away before we awake in the morning. At the very least, it would be nice to have an excuse to sleep in rather than take Sweetcheeks to Montessori. OK, yes I admit: I am (guiltily) hoping they'll cancel school tomorrow. Even though I'm sure I'd have no problem driving there. And it would be better all around for Sweetcheeks to go to school. But I. Don't. Want. To get up early. And neither does Billy, which becomes a problem if Babyman demands my attention when Sweetcheeks has to be getting ready for school. Urgh. SO it would be nice if the ice does me a favor and sticks around just long enough for a snow day at school. We'll see.
Today was rough. Recently I was trying to explain to someone why it is that I have difficulty figuring out what I want, when asked. Decisions like what do I want to eat, would I rather do this or that, where would I like to go first. . . if the decision really is as simple as what I want, rather than what needs to be done, then I am at a loss. I just can't decide. The reason is, I realized, that I am just out of practice at meeting my own desires. Very out of practice. Quite simply, my entire life is about what other people want. (and need). Everything I think, decide and do is based on others. Just about everything. It's sort of a depressing thought. And when I do get the opportunity to make a decision for myself, it's just too much trouble. I am devoting all my brainpower toward everything else I am responsible for; don't trouble me with petty choices. Sigh.
Sometimes today the chaos around me would just morph into this wall of sound, surrounding me on all sides, moving and changing but losing all sense and time, and I'd be lost, penned there in the center, thinking that if I opened my mouth to scream nothing would come out.
But it wouldn't last long- with an effort I'd focus back in on some aspect of the chaos that needed my attention, and the juggling act would begin anew.
I am falling asleep at the keyboard. Good night!
Snowy wishes, and the silent scream
Current mood: stressed
Yay, snow! So pretty. . .I hope it doesn't get washed away before we awake in the morning. At the very least, it would be nice to have an excuse to sleep in rather than take Sweetcheeks to Montessori. OK, yes I admit: I am (guiltily) hoping they'll cancel school tomorrow. Even though I'm sure I'd have no problem driving there. And it would be better all around for Sweetcheeks to go to school. But I. Don't. Want. To get up early. And neither does Billy, which becomes a problem if Babyman demands my attention when Sweetcheeks has to be getting ready for school. Urgh. SO it would be nice if the ice does me a favor and sticks around just long enough for a snow day at school. We'll see.
Today was rough. Recently I was trying to explain to someone why it is that I have difficulty figuring out what I want, when asked. Decisions like what do I want to eat, would I rather do this or that, where would I like to go first. . . if the decision really is as simple as what I want, rather than what needs to be done, then I am at a loss. I just can't decide. The reason is, I realized, that I am just out of practice at meeting my own desires. Very out of practice. Quite simply, my entire life is about what other people want. (and need). Everything I think, decide and do is based on others. Just about everything. It's sort of a depressing thought. And when I do get the opportunity to make a decision for myself, it's just too much trouble. I am devoting all my brainpower toward everything else I am responsible for; don't trouble me with petty choices. Sigh.
Sometimes today the chaos around me would just morph into this wall of sound, surrounding me on all sides, moving and changing but losing all sense and time, and I'd be lost, penned there in the center, thinking that if I opened my mouth to scream nothing would come out.
But it wouldn't last long- with an effort I'd focus back in on some aspect of the chaos that needed my attention, and the juggling act would begin anew.
I am falling asleep at the keyboard. Good night!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sick kid, and snow trip.
Monday, February 19, 2007
 | Sick kid, and snow trip. Poor Littleman is sick again- can't keep anything down. He's miserable, and though he's a real little trooper about it, of course taking care of him is taking most of my attention these past couple days. Thank goodness Billy was available to help us all through the worst of it! Today I've been juggling Littleman's needs and a trip to the pediatrician with also taking care of Sweetcheeks and trying to keep up with the rapidly replensihing piles of dirty laundry. |
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