One of those Days

First, every 15 min travel time became 30 minutes today. Where did the traffic come from?
Make bread was on my list for today. But it was raining. I don't know about you, but I find my bread doesn't rise quite as nicely when it rains. So I will do that Friday. And change my dinner plan from tuna melts to tostada casserole.
Next on my list was vacuuming. Well, my vacuum is acting funny. It is insisting on hiding the dirt somewhere I can't find it. This wouldn't be a problem, but it's throwing the suction off. Silly vacuum. So Nick said he'd look at it while I finish work.
Then, I took the time to make dinner, pack it nicely to bring to work with me. It's sitting at home on the kitchen counter right next to the vacuum cleaner.

At least work has been okay. Only one upset guest.

One of my favorite features

It's a Quirky thing, but I love this:



Why? Because that is my bathroom light switch on the INSIDE of the bathroom! It's not a common thing in Massachusetts. This is actually the only house we saw with the light on the inside.

House Pictures

My craft room. I love having all my books out of boxes. I love having a long desk to work on, and having my paper organized is great!


The game closet

Recipe Pondering

I was planning my menu this week, and started to contemplate recipes and their variations. For example, one of the things I wrote down is "Erica's Pasta". Now this is not the real name. I believe Erica calls it "Chipotle Lime and Garlic Pasta" or something like that. But I got the recipe from Erica, so in my family we named it "Erica's Pasta". I also have "Cami's Tortillas" (whole wheat tortillas), and "Michelle's Tacos" (Pulled Pork Tacos) .

I was at a friends house recently, and noticed her dinner plan included "New Recipe". Upon questioning, I found out that no, it wasn't a new recipe they were trying. About 7 years ago, she had made dinner. One of the children asked what it was and she answered "A new recipe, insert cookbook name here". Well, the name "New Recipe" stuck, and that's what her children ask for.

How many other recipes have changed names? Or were given new ones? Maybe "Best Apple Pie" used to be Beth's Apple Pie and someone misheard the name. Maybe Shepards Pie was Potato Pie, but when Mrs. Shepard handed it off, the name moved as well.



All this pondering boils down to one thing: I have too much time on my hands tonight, and not enough thoughts about dinner next week! So, if you are bored, feel free to share your favorite recipe, especially if it has a unique name.

Mini Va-cay

My husband is gone on a business trip. He left Monday afternoon, and will be back Friday night.

This may make me a bad wife, but I'm ENJOYING it. It's kinda nice to have a few days of just me and the dog. I miss him, and will be THRILLED when he's back, but until then I'm enjoying reading until 2am, sleeping untl 10am, and of course, having the car to myself.

While he's away, I have finished my craft room, put away the game closet, and found the dining room table. I'll post pictures later.

Ode to my Sister

I begged my parents for a sister for the first 10 years of my life. I got 3 brothers instead. So when I turned 10 I decided I was done hoping for a sister, and besides, I was getting good at getting the boys to take all the blame for our hijinx. Well, in March 1992 my parents gave me a sister. Which when you are 11 is like getting a real live baby doll. One I could dress up and play with.

But then we moved and we ended up sharing a room. The size was great, but what 14 year old wants to share a room with a 2 year old? Especially a 2 year old that spills her nail polish, eats her makeup and throws all her books to the floor. And don't get me started about her claiming all my toys. Whenever I used to complain to my parents, they always reminded me that I wanted a sister. That I had begged for one. It was a losing battle. Besides, late at night she used to crawl into the top bunk bed with me, and there is nothing like the cuddling of a 2 year old when you've had a bad day. She was also the subject of my horrible nightmares of falling off a cliff. I was trying to rescue her, showing my love for her.

We moved again, and this time I got my own room that I could lock. Until she figured out how to pop the lock open with a broom. She was 5 and I was 17. I was dating, and she was starting kindergarten. Once I got a better lock, we didn't have much to do with each other, unless I had to babysit. It continued like this until I got married. As Nick and I were driving away in the limo, my sister was bawling. I was leaving her. I didn't realize how much she looked up to me, and what a huge part of her life I was until that moment.

For the first 6 years of marriage, we lived within 2 miles of my parents. This was convenient for my sister who loved to sleep over at my house. And as we got older, we were able to talk more and more. I attended her concerts at elementary school, then junior high. I was there for her baptism, and her starting Young Womens. I was able to help her complete her YW awards.

And then we were moving to Boston. She was getting her learners permit, and I helped her learn to park. We drove around a parking lot at about 5 miles an hour. She moved up to 10, and was petrified she would crash the car! I drove across the country from Utah to Boston with just her and the dog for company. We did a lot of talking. About boys, and hopes, and dreams, and plans. She spent a week with us before we put her on a plane back to Utah.

And since then, it's been phone calls, and blogs, and emails. We did go to Disney World together, and we were able to spend some time together there. She bought me a Stitch doll, that makes me smile and slightly well up with tears when I see it.

About a month ago the doctor's realized that something was wrong with her. She has a pituary tumor. She is getting it removed on June 5. And I won't be there. I'm proud of how well she's taking it. She jokes about it, and has even named it Frederick. But underneath it, I know she's scared. It's most likely benign (99% of them are). But it's still a scary thing to be having surgery. I'm proud of the strength she's showing. A couple of years ago, she would have freaked out and told the whole world she is dying. But my little sister is growning up. I love you Chelsea, and will be praying for you.

When do you mow a Lawn?

How about when the lawn is taller than the mower?

My Latest Project

So once upon a time I saw somewhere a blackboard cupboard. The person had painted the inside of the cupboard with chalkboard paint so they could keep a grocery list. I have expanded on this idea.

By the way, you are supposed to prime the paint by rubbing chalk all over it. It does not look that chalky in real life, but my camera picked up every little detail.