in an octopus' garden...under a new shade

Remember the art work BSD made for the Big Ballerina out of the old fence pickets? Well...we promised the Little Ballerina that she would get one too. We didn't want the same design so we asked her what she wanted. Her reply...

"a lavender octopus on a green background"

Alrighty then. 

A lavender octopus on a green background you shall get.

BSD is the bomb!

And you'll also get a new hanging lamp for some shade. 

A lamp that I originally bought on a whim for the Big Ballerina's bedroom from one of those online flash sales. I think it was Joss and Main. But BB vetoed it. Luckily, LB is not as picky. And she is happy with the cozy space it creates.

What I couldn't stomach was that nightstand. Splattered with Barbie stickers that don't simply peel off. And Daddy's cell phone number written on the side. 

While I would have loved to replace the nightstand with something a little bigger to fit the space better. I decided to just grab a can of paint I recently used on another piece in the house. That just so happened to be a shade farther down the paint strip from her wall color. (oh...which for the record. I still don't like. But it's staying. For now.) And went ahead and gave it a fresh coat of paint and some new glass knobs.

So we ever so slowwwwllllyy continue to work on the ballerinas' bedrooms. And every other room inside and outside our house. It's a process. Our motivation ebbs and flows. As do the funds to make it happen. But half the excitement is discovering what we can create for next to nothing. As in the case of the octopus art. It cost us nothing.

PS - The octopus is painted with all paints we had already. The green background is the minty green paint (mixed with a darker green) that I had Larry first paint the kitchen with. That made me want to cry. hehe...I like that it now has a happy ending.

Paper or Cloth?

If you know me at all. You know that I am cheap thrifty. Sale signs make my heart beat faster. And I get a high when I bag a bargain. It's in my genes. Definitely passed down from my mom.

I also hate to spend money on things like deodorant and paper towels. Consumables are the anti-bargain. Total buzz kills.

So about a year ago, while BSD was away on one of his trips, I decided to switch to cloth napkins. I found some clearance (wheee!) fabric at Joann's and whipped up a set. I bought a vintage-looking wire basket from TJ Maxx (where else?). Put the napkins inside. Set it on the windowsill next to the table. And gave them a test drive.

The ballerinas were hesitant at first. Not wanting to get them dirty. But about two weeks later their default to the paper napkin drawer dissipated. And they were taking the few extra steps to the basket when they needed to wipe their mouths. Victory!

There were also no complaints when I packed cloth napkins in their lunch boxes. Even if the pattern I made them out of was a bit juvenile. It was the only way I was going to get away with using that adorable fabric.

I decided to take it one step further. And picked up some cute cloth dish cloths at Walmart.

These came in a pack of eight. Two each of green, red, blue, and yellow stripes. Only about $5 for the pack. And into the trash went the old, stinky consumable sponges.

Phase three was replacing the paper towels. This was the hardest hurdle. Paper towels and me. We go way back. Smear a dab of jelly on the counter? Grab a paper towel. Time to give the counter tops the once over? Grab 10 paper towels. Spill a glass of water on the floor? Throw down the whole roll.

Every time I reached for a paper towel, I had to wrestle my hand back off the roll. I was an addict. The withdrawal process was long and painful. But almost a year later. And I am still using the same 12 roll pack I had before the switch. And if weren't for BSD. Who uses two paper towels to dry an apple. I would probably still be using the same single roll.

It feels good to be using less. Helps with my crunchy-granola, chicken farmer image too. I'm trying to get BSD to hook me up with clothesline next. But I draw the line at reusable toilet paper. And the whole GladRags and Lunapanties idea. That's a whole other league.

So...what about you? Paper or cloth in your household?

fisher sisters

fisher sisters.

that's what they called themselves on the way home from the beach today.

two ballerinas.

spent four blissful hours.

at the beach.

no squabbling.

no whining.

no punches thrown.

just the sun.

the sand.

the ocean.

a net.

a water bottle.

and each other.

warmed this mama's sunburned heart.

Meet Larry. The Painter.

I'm cracking up at all of your comments on my last post. Here are a few answers to your questions.

Yes. Larry is his real name. When he calls he says, "Hi. This is Larry. The Painter." It makes me smile every time because a) he's the only Larry I know, and b) I'd recognize his voice and southern accent anywhere.

Larry is exactly 64 years old. I know this because Larry IS my Eldin. What a great comparison! Larry has basically become part of the family. We talk as he paints. He listens to me as I ponder why I have boxes stored under my bed for items I bought over five years ago. I listen to him as he tells me about "Daddy" and how his advice was to "do something for a living that nobody else wants to do because then they'll pay you good money to do it for them."

While he's painting he also helps me do little projects I never got to. He cut down the curtain rod in the living room that was hung too wide and has bugged me for years. He changed the air filter on my bedroom ceiling. And then proceeded to vacuum out the vent for me while he was at it. Yes. Larry is my Eldin.

When Larry painted our house about six years ago, he was raising his grandson. Today his grandson is a senior in high school. And he's now raising another grandchild. A four year old little girl. When I heard this I knew exactly what to do with the bag of beautiful dresses that LB outgrew (or refused to ever wear). I sent them home with him. He came back the next day and said it made his wife's day. Yeah! And on Valentine's Day we gave him a dozen gorgeous eggs. He had told me about the chickens he used to have. So I instantly knew it would make the perfect Valentine for him.

Luckily, Larry realized how stressed out I was becoming. That I wasn't able to find the right colors. So he quickly rearranged his work schedule to give me the rest of the week off. I am so relieved. But you know what? I miss him.

One year ago today...

I've been a bit MIA this past week. Focusing more on getting my Project 365 off the ground rather than my dear old blog, I'm afraid. That. And trying to organize my "stuff." If you ask BSD, I haven't gotten anywhere on that front. But there is quite the pile ready for the Samaritan house pickup on Wednesday. And later this week I plan to crawl into my closet and not come back out until a good mountain of excess has been scaled.

I've also had a lot on my mind this past week. One year ago today I said goodbye to my mom. I held her hand, kissed her cheek, and told her goodbye. I knew it was going to be the last time I saw her. She died peacefully in the middle of the night. I know she waited until we were all home asleep. She did not want us to be there. She was stubborn like that. I miss her everyday.

I love you, Mom! 

This photo was taken about 5 years ago? It was taken with my dad's old Hasselblad. I asked him to bring it to our house that Christmas to get some family photos. I'm so glad I did. I had no idea then what they'd mean to me. One of my goals this year is to learn how to shoot with my dad's old cameras. I'm going to start with his old Leica first. It's less intimidating than this one.

The Big Red Pot: Chicken Soup that's good for the soul...but not for matzoh balls

My heart seems to be firmly planted in my kitchen this week. In the midst of the holiday hustle bustle, I find myself racing back home each afternoon like a horse to the stable. Content only when I'm chopping and stirring, familiar smells fill the house, and Pandora plays the soundtrack that I didn't even know was in my head. 

This morning the temps dipped down into the 20's. So, of course, that called for something hot. From the Big Red Pot.

I recently ran across Pioneer Woman's chicken soup recipe. I haven't made a full-blown chicken soup from a "real chicken" in a while so I decided to give it a try incorporating some of the suggestions from her readers. My own chicken soup recipe is very similar, but her addition of parsnips sounded intriguing. I found a mixed bag of pre-chopped parsnips, turnips and rutabagas at Trader Joe's so in they went. I also found a tiny Savoy cabbage for pennies so that went in too.

Now, "real" chicken soup isn't "real" unless you add matzoh balls. So I whipped up a few.

But growing up, my grandmother only served matzoh balls in clear chicken soup. We always removed all the veggies. And the meat too. Which we ate separately. Often cold. Over the next few days.

I was torn. I went to all the trouble of adding in these special veggies. Do I now strain them out? That seemed like sacrilege. And what about the chicken? In or out? Tough decisions. But in the end...

I went for complete chicken carnage.

Plus all the veggies.

Plus the matzoh balls.

The total was quite the bowl of food.

And just like the picture...

It lacked a focal point. There were too many things competing for attention. Boubi was right. Matzoh balls need to be the only thing swimming in the bowl.

But if you're in the mood for some chicken vegetable soup? This stuff kicks butt. 

*****
Chicken Vegetable Soup
adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 whole Chicken
• 1 whole Bay Leaf
• 48-64 ounces fluid Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 whole Large Onion, Chopped
• 3 whole Ribs Of Celery, Sliced
• 3 whole Carrots, Peeled And Chopped
• 1 bag Trader Joe's Harvest Vegetable Blend {or chopped parsnips, turnips, rutabagas (whatever you can find)}
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 8 black peppercorns
• 1 cup chopped cabbage (any kind, I used Savoy)

Directions

1. Remove innards and wash chicken. (Do not use soap, Adrienne.)
2. Place all ingredients, except cabbage, into a large soup pot. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until chicken is done.
4. Remove chicken. When chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and return it to the pot.
5. Add the chopped cabbage, and simmer about 30 more minutes until cabbage is very tender.
6. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
7. Serve. Without matzoh balls.

The Knee Bone's Connected to the What Bone?

I know better than to let my fears get the best of me. I know better than to jump on Google when it comes to medical issues. I. know. better. So why do I still do it?

I've been trying to figure this one out. Trying to figure out how I went from not thinking much about that ultrasound one minute to believing the worst the next. I usually go into routine health screenings feeling invincible. Usually. Not so in this case.

Based on our discussion, I was under the impression my doctor scheduled the ultrasound as a precaution because my dad had pancreatic cancer. I thought we were looking for signs of that disease. So when the tech was scanning the outside of my abdomen I may have asked incredulously if she could see my pancreas with it. When she laughed and told me my pancreas was actually "wayyyy up here" (practically under by my boob), I was quite confused as to why I was laying on a chair with jelly on my belly. And then, when she told me she was going to use Mr. Wand to check around inside, I was even more perplexed. What the heck is she going to learn about my pancreas in there!??! 

So when I saw that little folder next to fibroids on the monitor. And remembered later that night that my mom's whole disease started with fibroids. I freaked.

Unnecessarily.

Thank God.

Yes. The nurse called me this morning to say the ultrasound look fine. When I asked about fibroids she said there was nothing on the report about that. At all.

So here I sit. Still perplexed about what that test was really for. But grateful for the outcome. And my new sunglasses. They went really well with my outfit today.

Don't worry. I didn't even look at the monitor this time. I was too busy wincing from the vice attached to my boobs. But this time I promise to stay away from Google.

What Am I Going to be When I Grow Up?

1. ultrasound tech
2. radiologist
3. anatomy teacher

Queen Bees and Wannabes...

Many of you asked me about the book I'm reading.  Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman.

I have to chuckle.  Here's why...

9am Thursday, October 6th. Phone call with my friend, "M" ends with...

M: Hey, I'm going to book club today at 11am. Would you like to come? We're reading Queen Bees & Wannabes. Have you heard of it?

Me: Oh yeah! I think I've seen that one! A book club? How fun! But I haven't read the book.

M: That's OK. We're only reading two chapters at a time. We're only on the 3rd and 4th chapters. 

Me: hmm...oh. Wow. I've never heard of a book club that meets AS you read the book. So do you pick a new book each month? 

M: Well...we haven't gotten that far yet. We're really just reading this one. 

Me: Oh. This sounds interesting. I've always wanted to be part of a book club. (visions of women and cocktails and snacks dancing around in my head) How great that you meet during the day. (Wow! These women really know how to live it up while their kids are at school!) I'm in!

And that is how I found myself reading a book subtitled "Helping your daughter survive cliques, boyfriends, and the new reality of Girl World" before I go to sleep at night. And facing sticky situations that are surely headed my way. Without the help of cocktails. Or snacks. To wash it down with. 

From the little I've read so far. And the discussions I've now sat in on. I need help. I am not ready. I need to pull my head out of the sand. I need the remedial group to read this book with. To discuss these topics with. To hold my hand. The one without the cocktail in it.

Boo-Ya! 2011...

We were a little late getting our Boo on this October. But it's done. And it was fun. Mostly for the Big Ballerina. Cake decorating is really her thing. Me not so much.

She has so much patience for this. Me? One cake pop falls over and I'm ready to throw the whole project in the trash. But BB could do it all day. Who cares if she knows the difference between a Pueblo, a Sioux or an Iroquois? I don't think Cake Boss uses that info on a daily basis.

The Little Ballerina, on the other hand, is more like me. She gets excited by the idea of the project. Starts off strong.

Starts eating more of the ingredients than using them. Watches for a while.

And then moves on to more interesting activities.

Finally, after three rounds of Eddie Veder's Ukulele Songs, the eyeballs...

and the ear wax was finally done.

We were worried it would be too gross to eat. So we asked LB to test one out for us. She took one bite.

And before we could finish asking her how it was. Poof!

I just hope the recipients are as fearless as she is.

What about you? Do you Boo? Want to start? Check out more ideas here.

What Am I Going to be When I Grow Up?

17. Cake Decorator

Surf Chicks

I know it's October, but there are still those two summer events that I have yet to document. I really need to get them posted before I can move onto pumpkins and sweaters and boots. If you're completely over swimsuits and sunshine, I apologize upfront for this annoying reminder.

This summer BSD resurrected his surf camp. When the neighborhood kids were all younger, BSD took them out in pairs and taught them all to surf.  This was the group in 2005. Just to give you a bit of perspective, the boy directly behind BSD holding the board is now a senior in high school. Boy, how time flies!

The boys above are now all very proficient surfers. So this year surf camp was just BB and her friend, S.

Surf camp always starts off early in the morning with a nutritious breakfast.

So that campers are strong enough to carry their own board.

They learn to survey the ocean to decide if it's safe to go out.

Some days the waves just don't cooperate.

And some days they do.

This year the girls were able to paddle into their own waves without help from BSD. 

So now there can be more days like this.

Yes. Both BB and her friend, S earned their diplomas. They are officially "Surf Chicks" now. And to celebrate we ended the week with a sunset dinner on the beach.

The Big Ballerina may have earned her diploma. But we still have one more ballerina to go. Somehow I don't think it will be long now though.

Hurrication Irene

I'm so far behind on this blogging gig. It's really quite depressing. There are so many memories I want to be sure to preserve here, but I can't find the time to do it the way I want to. Once the ballerinas go back to school, hopefully, I'll get a chance to sit down and record them.

But, thank you to those of you who checked in to see that we were ok after the "big" hurricane. Yes. We survived Irene. And the earthquake. Even though we were only 19 miles from the epicenter. It was a close call. But luckily, we're all still alive. Crazy world we're living in these days. Maybe Nostradamus is right? I'm starting to believe...

The Irene predictions were starting to get a little hairy. And we'd been talking about taking a little road trip all summer. So we joined forces with some of our best buds. And hit the road for a little hurrication.

After some major yard securing. And tree trimming. And coop relocation. We were ready to go. But the chickens had other ideas. Dixie decided, "Hell no, we won't go!"

Luckily, the story has a happy ending. That includes BSD stripping down to his tightie whities.  And diving under our deck. I'll spare you the rest of the details and photos. Although our neighbors had front row seats. As they were up on their roof. Doing their own hurricane prep. You can email them if you want the insider scoop.

Six hours. And one quick sanity break later. 

We made it to the mountain resort located ONLY THREE HOURS away from our home on the coast. Where we watched the hurricane happen live. On TV. Instead of outside our kitchen window.

We partied. And napped. We read. And played.

There was food for days. Good wine. And good music.

Endless rounds of Crazy Eights. Continual pick-up games of Bananagrams. And a tense game of Pictionary on the last night.

There was wine tasting.

And mini golf.  

 

Followed by a side jaunt to a quaint town. Where we got our junk on.

And our pizza on.

Found a fab indie book shop. And picked a few too many peaches.

Something about the country had us wondering if we could ditch our beach life and move. Maybe it was the ice cream.

Or the scenery.

Or the fact that we're chicken farmers now.

I'm not sure we're ready for such a drastic change. But it's nice to know we're covered. If we do decide to pull a Green Acres.

Top Five Things I Learned During our Hurrication:

1. It's awesome to vacation with people who have better music on their iPods. And who can perform live.
2. The spelling gene is passed down by the father.
3. Our early bird personalities may be found annoying by those who prefer to sleep in. 
4. My family is not going to strike it rich on Win, Lose, or Draw. We're more WipeOut material.
5. Ballerinas have REALLY stinky feet.