Football Saturday

I could do without this view out my kitchen window today. What the eff!?



About to head downstairs and make some sausage balls for E & M's Halloween party. The Rachel Berry wig is making one more appearance this year before I stash its hairy, itchy, shedding self in a closet. I look so much better as a light brown/blonde. This experience has made that extremely clear to me.

Then tomorrow to the Arboretum to watch the parade of adorb kiddie costumes. Then starts the countdown to Thanksgiving at mom's new place just outside Austin. Hooray! By then, the renovations should be all done and the furniture delivered. And we'll get to enjoy our first Thanksgiving together in a loooong time.



Her patio looks out over a putting green. Which means it's nice and quiet and beautiful, but also means you get the occasional surprises. Let's hope we don't end up with a golf ball in our cranberry sauce.

Flower power

Just spent a whole lot of the last couple of days volunteering at the Arboretum. I love spending time there. Especially, you know, when you get to smell wisteria all day. And look at these.



Yay tulips! Happy Easter, y'all. (chocolate here I come)

Picked one

Thanks for the lovely suggestions everyone! The key suggestion, though, came from Meg, who directed me to Pandora, where I plugged in "White Christmas" by The Drifters (another all-time favorite), and in the mix it produced for me, I stumbled upon an album I'd tried to buy years ago only to discover it was out of print. Could not be had. Unless you had an old copy, of course.



I hadn't searched for it in ages, and so I logged onto Lala.com (my mp3 purchasing and downloading service of choice), and there it was. Turned out it was re-released only just this past October.

Holy crap, so worth the wait. Phil Spector's wall of sound meets Christmas. Go buy or download it now. iTunes has it too. XOXO

Hark!

Gah! Is it really the Christmas season already? I know I was looking at tree skirt patterns like a month ago, but I swear this felt like it arrived at warp speed. It always does.

I haven't even looked at my Christmas decorations yet. Well, maybe a glance, but then quickly closed the closet door. But what I have managed to do is load all my Christmas music on my iPod. First things first. I simply adore Christmas music. Don't you?

Back in college, I started collecting Xmas CDs. Great, iconic albums and classics. Usually one album as a treat to myself every year. About five years ago, I put together Christmas mix albums for many of my friends and family and they were a hit. I still listen to all my music but haven't really expanded the collection much in recent years. That's where your suggestions will come in handy! But first, some of my favorites...



The first and the best is of course the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas. It's a must for everyone. Especially the song "Skating." It makes one think of snowflakes and bustling about getting presents and twinkle lights and cheer.



Best. Christmas. Special. Ever. And Vince Guaraldi's music is just the perfect compliment.

Another great album is Bing Crosby's White Christmas (winner for best album cover, too). In particular, his version of "Jingle Bells" with the Andrews Sisters. Back in the late 90s, Gap did a genius ad with a remix of this song - I was never able to find the remix but of course I eventually found the original. I can't help but sing along every time I hear it! It's definitely a mix CD staple.



This album also has "Mele Kalikimaka," of National Lampoon fame. It's Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you.

Another fabulous addition is not technically a Christmas album. Only two thirds of it is, but it's worth it. Duke Ellington's Three Suites contains Ellington's take on the Nutcracker Suite.



"Sugar Rum Cherry" (his version of the Sugar Plum Fairy, of course) is the one track that most often makes it onto the various compilation albums out there - that's how I discovered it - but hearing the whole thing is such a treat.



Okay, the last one is decidedly unlike the others. Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas is just so good. If you're a fan of Sufjan that is (and how can you not be). It's a box set so it costs a bit more than some of these others, but you'll be glad for the abundance once you get hooked. I think his version of "The Friendly Beasts" is just the loveliest Christmas song around.

Now it's your turn! What am I missing from my collection of classics? (Of note, I already have Christmas with the Rat Pack and Dean Martin's Making Spirits Bright.)

And now, I'm gonna leave you with my favorite Sufjan tune, and this ridiculously cute video.

Shoe Love

Ever since the spring, every time I go into a DSW, I find these shoes, and I pet them. I think they're fabulous.



Unfortunately, they're also $300 (or at least they were - they may have made it down to $200 by now). Too rich for my blood. Surely by the time they are in my price range, there will be only size 9's or 6's left and so it will never be.

But last time I saw them a couple weeks ago, I tried them on and took a picture so I'd have something to remember them by. If I owned them, I would rock them like nobody's business this weekend. Cos, you know. It's 4th of July. Oh yeah, and they're Marc by Marc Jacobs, in case you're curious.

Instead I probably won't be rocking anything this weekend. Just sporting headphones to block out my rowdy neighbors and their firework popping. And reading. Just the kind of three-day weekend I'm craving right now. My new job is going well, but June's been a rather busy month, and I'm due for some quiet R&R. And some baking. Any requests?

Single Awareness

Norts? Really? I think the jury's still out on Liz Lemon's new exclamation of choice. I'm not sure I could drop this one into everyday conversation without getting a weird look. Though I did get two uses of "I want to go to there" in this week. The first in response to a Braum's commercial on the radio, in which they described in great detail the building of a sundae that was on sale, and the other in response to receiving a card in the mail at work advertising the Seattle Cheese Festival. Both in response to food, natch.



As you can see here, I have an "old" TV. So I guess the big analog to digital thing got bumped back. But I'm not sure a little box is going to solve all my problems. Since all the shows are now filming in HD, I'm frequently noticing something akin to watching a "pan-and-scan" movie. As in, faces are being cut off on the edges of the screen, etc. It's really pissing me off, frankly. I mean, really, who can afford these HDTVs right now? Sure some of ya got some money and can get fancy TVs right now, but I am quite happy with my 2002-era TV and I got no plans to upgrade any time soon. So either letter-box my TV shows or stop filming with the assumption that everyone's screen is that wide. Cos mine ain't. Dang.

Yup, just another Single Awareness Day with my FIV-positive kitty cat, blogging, making baked goods (scones), and watching Tropic Thunder. What's that? Yep, that's right. I found out this week that CJ has FIV.



For those that don't know much about it, it's very similar to HIV in that it's an immunodeficiency disease. Most of the cats that get it are either born with it or get it from being bitten or scratched by another cat with FIV. Which is probably how CJ got it, since he spent the first 8 years or so of his life as an indoor-outdoor cat. This was while I was a teenager and during college, when he still lived at home with my mom. We always had indoor-outdoor cats so I didn't think much about it. Since that time I've learned enough about the dangers of letting cats roam outdoors to want all future cats I own to be indoors only, as CJ is now. Not only does it increase their life expectancy, it protects them from things like FIV, cars, and sickos who do mean things to animals. So if you can, keep your kitties indoors.

As for CJ, since he's probably had this for at least 8 years or so, not much is changing. He still seems to be doing well. We're getting his teeth cleaned up, since gum disease is a big risk with FIV positive kitties, and his teeth are pretty atrocious. This might also be part of why he's lost so much weight, so I hope getting his teeth back in shape might help increase his appetite. Keep him in mind this Friday, if you're so inclined. Anaesthesia is always risky with senior cats.

In other news, I'm eagerly awaiting Liz's new strap. Caro of Splityarn made it for me from some fabric I had stashed away. Isn't it cute? She took a photo of it, and it's better than any one I could take, so I'm borrowing it here.



Caro makes lots of cute camera straps and little bags and pouches and such. She does custom orders too and she's great to work with. So if you've been thinking your camera's strap could use some jazzing up, go check out her shop. I know she's planning to update it soon with lots of cute new straps - she does little ones for point-and-shoot cameras too.

I'll have my new strap and Liz in tow when I hit Chicago in t-minus 1.5 weeks. My choice for seeing Chi-town for the first time would not have been February, but this is work related, so it's out of my control. And it's free, so, you know. Also, between the Hudson River incident and Buffalo, I am less than excited to get on a plane these days. The one other time I've set foot in Chicago was when I was changing planes there on the way to New York once. It was the scariest landing ever as the wind was just yanking the plane all over the place. I think we had to do several attempts to get her down. You remember that Nicole? Yikes. Anyway, if you've got Chicago tips to share (favorite places to get some chow, cute but not insanely expensive shops, etc.), please do let me know. I'll be working but I'm hoping to squeeze in some fun-time stuff too.

So, happy Single Awareness Day to all my Single Ladies. And Happy Valentine's Day to you coupled-off folks. I'm off to hit that half-gallon of Blue Bell that was on sale at Kroger today. Rawk.

Re-do

Not long now and I'll be headed for this lovely place.



I'm envisioning this particular spot on a sunny day - with my niece and nephew splashing in the water, and a gaggle of people eating watermelon, burgers and brats. Maybe potato salad too. Whatever. I'll eat it all. I'm bringing my own wine. Yes that white wine. I've already downed several bottles since returning to Austin. Why it was so hard to find in New York, I have no idea. But Central Market has cases of it.



Then later, once it has gotten dark, firecrackers from the dock. I remember a Fourth of July like this when I was young. I was the one splashing around in the water. It rarely came together like that so well. And of course, my grandparents won't be there this time. But I'm looking forward to it. Not so much the long drive, but, you know. Once I get there.

Since I'm leaving Thurs directly from work and since tomorrow night I'm going to the Fleet Foxes show (yes, those Fleet Foxes!!), I'm getting my last entry in now before the weekend. In between paragraphs, toenails get painted. You get the idea.

So I finally re-covered this little footstool I bought in May. It was simply a matter of finding my fabric. Once I did that, it was done that same afternoon. A recommendation from a crafty co-worker led to the wonder that is Ginger's Needlearts - this lovely little quilting and embroidery shop. And instantly I found exactly the fabric I wanted. Just like that.

So here's before:


Here's after:


And here's a closeup of that gorgeous fabric. To say I'm smitten with it would be an understatement. And so much better than the stuff that was on there, which was slightly sticky all over. Ew.



It's that lethal combination of blue, white, and orangey-red for me. I just swoon over it. And that's not burnt orange, mind you. Orangey-red. Like the color I'm putting on my toenails right now (Maybelline calls it "Racy Red"). It's actually a rather patriotic-looking combo, but that's not what I think of when I see it. I just think, "ooh, pretty."

Have a good Fourth everyone!

Not-so-lazy days of summer

I'm facing another string of busy weekends. For some reason this always fills me with dread. I think I know why. I'm an INFJ. Basically that means I like my downtime. I think.

On the other hand, knowing I'll soon be lacking in free time increases productivity. This weekend I found fabric for and re-covered a footstool (more on that later), made some progress on my recipe-organizing project (this is going to take a lot longer than I expected), organized and uploaded all my photos from the lavender festival, started painting my niece's t-shirt (back done, front is next), almost bought an awesome mid-century sunburst clock on eBay (a last minute bidding frenzy made the price almost double, so I was out), exercised, read, crocheted...phew. A lot. And yet, I did not get around to doing laundry or giving myself a pedicure. Hopefully I'll squeeze that in before I leave for my dad's place later this week.

Speaking of, I got his prints into frames. These are his Father's Day present - belated. It's the kind of gift I really wanted to give him in person. I did end up buying the raccoon and also got the friendly buck, originally for me, but they make such a lovely pair. I hope he likes them.



He has an excellent sense of humor so I suspect he will. Oh yes, they're from Berkley Illustration. Gotta get the ol' plug in there. I'm still waiting on them to do a polar bear. D'you hear that Ryan? A polar bear. Perhaps in a tuxedo. A la James Bond. With the bow tie untied and hanging round his neck. Top button unbuttoned. You do that, I'm in for an 8 x 10.

So I ate off of this zucchini pie all week.



This is the problem with cooking something like this and living alone. Thank god I don't have issues with leftovers (I know people who do). And I'm against the whole freezing thing. My mom's always like, "Freeze it!" Yeah, I don't like eating thawed food. Nine times out of ten, the texture suffers. Thankfully this was so yummy that it was only the last couple of slices that got to be sorta difficult to get down. Like, "This again?" But up until then, it was awesome. And easy too.

Zucchini Pie from September 2004 issue of Real Simple.

3 cups grated zucchini
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup grated provolone cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil (I think I put in a little more - it can take it)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all the ingredients, reserving 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan. Spoon zucchini mixture into a 10 inch round glass pie plate or metal pie pan that has been coated with vegetable cooking spray. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with the reserved Parmesan. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Yum! I think this'd be good to take along to that Fourth of July party, no? That and a box of sparklers. Don't forget those.