I have discovered a passion of mine that had remained latent for ten or twelve years: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I love them. Could eat them for every meal for a month and would not grow weary (though, the minor stipulation is that I'd need to make them myself to ensure proper jelly to pb proportions, etc.). Yum. Also, because we had no bread at the end of last week, but we did have multi-grain tortillas, I discovered that pb&j wraps are also a tasty treat...and require less jelly, due to the layering effect. I think I may be thinking too much about peanut butter and jelly. But, I think, too, that my recent discovery leads me to greater enthusiasm because, historically, I had a very love/hate relationship with this school-time sandwich.
See, Dad always made my lunch when I was growing up. And, this was, of course, a very thoughtful gesture on his part. He certainly didn't have to make my lunch but, for me, the idea of not having to make my lunch each night was more appealing than the thought that I could have more food-related freedom if I spent five minutes in the kitchen and relieved Dad of his task. Thus, especially in 7th-9th grade, I regularly ended up with bread from the bread machine (which tasted like the Tupperware container that housed it) holding together a light spattering of crunchy peanut butter (everyone except for my sister knows that creamy pb is MUCH better) and blackberry jam (which often required a magnifying glass to identify). Made with love, but not with an understanding of proper bread/pb/jelly proportions (as I mentioned above), these were the sandwiches of my youth. Except on pizza day when, invariably, the piece of cold pizza in my bag would have a bite missing. Oddly, my pb&j sandwiches never suffered that same fate.
Through my re-discovery of pb&j, I have learned that my son, likewise, enjoys partaking in this salty-sweet masterpiece. Sometimes, he gets it in cubes, sometimes in quarters, and sometimes in strips. Regardless, he enjoys the treat as much as me. And, the time that exists between now and when pb&j will invariably be a staple lunchtime food for him, is waning. Ok, it's somewhere near 4.5 years away, but still...If the first year and a half is any sign of what's to come, four and a half years will be a blip.
I hope that I can be like the Skippy pb mom on commercials when I was little. She always was SO good at making the pb look like a heart. Ok, I really don't worry so much about the design of the pb, but I do hope that I will be on the look out for ways to improve my child's day. I always enjoyed notes in my lunchbox, or surprise trips to Aurora Coffee and Donuts, or other such things. Now, of course, I just wish I were back in school (it's amazing how topsy-turvy our perspective becomes, isn't it?!). I guess that maybe I'll just have to be an excellent Room Mother one of these days!!!
But for now, I'm going to make me a sandwich...
4.28.2010
4.22.2010
So, here's one of the thing that bothers me most about the world in which I live: there is an overarching assumption that I should take care of myself, and you should take care of yourself...and...that's it.
To me, it's not problematic to say that I should care for myself--I should! And, it's not problematic to say that you should care for yourself--you should, too! The problem is that that notion, in my mind, is truncated. It leaves off the very important part about helping and supporting others in whatever capacity we are able. It sends a message that we are to be individuals who live in a sort of isolation, instead of acknowledging that we can--and ought to be--a community that shares and gives and helps and loves. Now, I'm not planning to live on a kibbutz or anything (though I already did, for nearly six weeks, when I went on a dig in Israel in 2005). But, I think it's ludicrous to envision a society that is healthy (in all aspects of the word) who is also a society that is unwilling to extend compassion and love and support. But, I also believe that, in keeping with this sort of harmonious la la land, that that same society, in order to be healthy, needs to be honest. There are hard questions to be asked, and even harder answers to offer. People get hurt when we answer questions one way or another, but if we're united in our goal to live in a way that reflects our understanding of Truth, and how it manifests itself as love, hope, care, aid, and the like, then we also need to understand that not everyone can get their way, all of the time. Does this necessarily assume the end justifies the means? I don't know--I guess I would hope that the means would be done to reflect the ethics and morals of the group, and would thus be done in a way that is justifiable.
At any rate, I'm not a big political nut, because I don't see any real value in being bogged down with what the world says about this or that. But, the things that I do watch/read about/hear about/discuss are things that could often be settled if we could just collectively adhere to the principles and values that are so carefully laid out for us. I mean, yes, we in the U.S. have our Constitution (which, by the way, can be interpreted about 2 bajillion ways), and lots of other countries have similar documents, but I think that, much more importantly, we have the Bible. I know, I know, not everyone reads--or believes--in what the Bible has to say. But, I trust what it has to say, first of all and, secondly, I think it's a very helpful resource for anyone when it comes to living in community, whether or not you buy into anything else (though I think you should, and I hope you will...it's good stuff). There are chapters and chapters that talk about how to formulate a healthy society, and about how to help people find the ways in which they will be most productive and helpful within their corner of the world. There are, likewise, many chapters that talk about how to take a society that is corrupt and just a giant mess, and make it into something new and workable, again. There are bits about finding strong leadership, bits about supporting people who are in pain, bits about giving to people that are hungry/poor/widowed/orphaned/oppressed/etc., even if it inconveniences us a little bit...or a lot! And, really, it always comes back to that fact that we're selfish and work hard to be "individuals", when we would do much better to be selfless and to acknowledge, happily, our place in community.
And now, I will step off of my soapbox.
To me, it's not problematic to say that I should care for myself--I should! And, it's not problematic to say that you should care for yourself--you should, too! The problem is that that notion, in my mind, is truncated. It leaves off the very important part about helping and supporting others in whatever capacity we are able. It sends a message that we are to be individuals who live in a sort of isolation, instead of acknowledging that we can--and ought to be--a community that shares and gives and helps and loves. Now, I'm not planning to live on a kibbutz or anything (though I already did, for nearly six weeks, when I went on a dig in Israel in 2005). But, I think it's ludicrous to envision a society that is healthy (in all aspects of the word) who is also a society that is unwilling to extend compassion and love and support. But, I also believe that, in keeping with this sort of harmonious la la land, that that same society, in order to be healthy, needs to be honest. There are hard questions to be asked, and even harder answers to offer. People get hurt when we answer questions one way or another, but if we're united in our goal to live in a way that reflects our understanding of Truth, and how it manifests itself as love, hope, care, aid, and the like, then we also need to understand that not everyone can get their way, all of the time. Does this necessarily assume the end justifies the means? I don't know--I guess I would hope that the means would be done to reflect the ethics and morals of the group, and would thus be done in a way that is justifiable.
At any rate, I'm not a big political nut, because I don't see any real value in being bogged down with what the world says about this or that. But, the things that I do watch/read about/hear about/discuss are things that could often be settled if we could just collectively adhere to the principles and values that are so carefully laid out for us. I mean, yes, we in the U.S. have our Constitution (which, by the way, can be interpreted about 2 bajillion ways), and lots of other countries have similar documents, but I think that, much more importantly, we have the Bible. I know, I know, not everyone reads--or believes--in what the Bible has to say. But, I trust what it has to say, first of all and, secondly, I think it's a very helpful resource for anyone when it comes to living in community, whether or not you buy into anything else (though I think you should, and I hope you will...it's good stuff). There are chapters and chapters that talk about how to formulate a healthy society, and about how to help people find the ways in which they will be most productive and helpful within their corner of the world. There are, likewise, many chapters that talk about how to take a society that is corrupt and just a giant mess, and make it into something new and workable, again. There are bits about finding strong leadership, bits about supporting people who are in pain, bits about giving to people that are hungry/poor/widowed/orphaned/oppressed/etc., even if it inconveniences us a little bit...or a lot! And, really, it always comes back to that fact that we're selfish and work hard to be "individuals", when we would do much better to be selfless and to acknowledge, happily, our place in community.
And now, I will step off of my soapbox.
4.20.2010
Things I'd Like To Own, But Don't Want to Buy
An Immersion Blender (photo from appliancist.com)
A Bosu Ball (photo from gymaddix.com)
A Subscription to Body & Soul (though Mom already gives me her copies!) (photo from Marthastewart.com)
This Ring (photo from amazon.com)
This Artwork (photo from crateandbarrel.com)
A House on St. John (photo from flickr.com)And that is all I have to say about that.
Note: I'd also like a fixed-up house, but you already knew that. And, I'd like a personal shopper and dishwasher and trainer. And, of course, world peace.
4.16.2010
not easy being green.
I need my bathroom to be green. Or, at least, to not be pink anymore. If I could just get one of the blasted people to call me back to give me on estimate on reglazing the tile, and then actually get the tile to be reglazed, then I could move forward with my fresh white tile and paint fresh green walls. I'm getting antsy.
In other news, the first new recipe for the week turned out to be a hit, thanks, in part, to my lovely crockpot. And, so, currently, I have dinner cooking again...in the crockpot, of course (though it did require about 25 minutes of prep work). It's...lasagna!!! If it's really this easy to make lasagna AND if, in 4 hours, it tastes yummy, then I will officially jump on the lasagna bandwagon, something that, aside from two attempts (one which wasn't even traditional lasagna..it was Rachael Ray's "winter lasagna"), I have avoided.
Facebook, and the internet in general, really, is many things, some that are great and others that aren't so good...but, in the area of recipe-sharing, it has proved to be wonderful. I love being able to read the comments/ratings/modifications/etc. of others to help me come up with a menu. Only a couple of things haven't been so good, and both times, it was because I stuck to the orignal recipe, rather than taking the advice of those who made modifications. Nevertheless, for as many recipes as I have saved in my Favorites, two is a minimal amount. Now, if I those farmers markets would just open for the season and let me have at 'em, my cooking would be at its finest!
I'm beginning to sense that I might be feeling impatient today. *Deeeeeep breath* At least dinner's already made, and the sun is shining brightly, and I had a great workout this morning, and my son is taking a wonderful nap, and, and, and...I have no right to complain.
In other news, the first new recipe for the week turned out to be a hit, thanks, in part, to my lovely crockpot. And, so, currently, I have dinner cooking again...in the crockpot, of course (though it did require about 25 minutes of prep work). It's...lasagna!!! If it's really this easy to make lasagna AND if, in 4 hours, it tastes yummy, then I will officially jump on the lasagna bandwagon, something that, aside from two attempts (one which wasn't even traditional lasagna..it was Rachael Ray's "winter lasagna"), I have avoided.
Facebook, and the internet in general, really, is many things, some that are great and others that aren't so good...but, in the area of recipe-sharing, it has proved to be wonderful. I love being able to read the comments/ratings/modifications/etc. of others to help me come up with a menu. Only a couple of things haven't been so good, and both times, it was because I stuck to the orignal recipe, rather than taking the advice of those who made modifications. Nevertheless, for as many recipes as I have saved in my Favorites, two is a minimal amount. Now, if I those farmers markets would just open for the season and let me have at 'em, my cooking would be at its finest!
I'm beginning to sense that I might be feeling impatient today. *Deeeeeep breath* At least dinner's already made, and the sun is shining brightly, and I had a great workout this morning, and my son is taking a wonderful nap, and, and, and...I have no right to complain.
4.13.2010
what a crock.
I think crock pots are among the greatest kitchen devices ever. The idea of just dumping a bunch of stuff in a pot, walking away from it for 8 hours, and returning to find dinner, ready to serve, is totally exciting. Plus, it allows me to have control over what I'm eating, which makes it much better than heat-and-serve store-bought stuff. On Facebook, I'm a member of a crock pot recipe exchange group, but had forgotten about it until yesterday when I was searching for menu ideas before heading out to the store today. I landed upon two that I will try this week: crock pot lasagna and crock pot enchiladas. Now, I could clearly make both of these things sans pot, but that's the beauty of it...I don't have to. Since I know that I will be out later in the afternoon a couple of times this week, it's nice to know that I won't have to stress over making dinner the second I get home.
All hail the mighty crock pot.
Also, I am excited because I just discovered that another farmers market is going to be opening in my town this year! I filled out a survey that they offered, which asked what my preferences were, both in terms of offerings and entertainment. Hopefully, it will all come together in the next month or two, because I am very anxious to get my hands on the area's best offerings! And, right now, it's asparagus season...which I really wish excited me...but it just doesn't. Anyway, I already have visions of fresh flowers, juicy fruits and crisp veggies dancing in my head. However, despite the fact that there are several markets that will be only minutes from my home, I am particularly excited to go to the one in the east end. It disgusts me that I both lived and worked on the east end (for 4 year, altogether) and never...not once...made it to the east end farmer's market. It's, like, the biggest and baddest market around. It has the fruits, veggies and flowers of which I spoke...in large quantities, so I hear, and also has artisan breads and other yummy baked goods, freshly-made cheeses, etc. It sort of makes me envision the parts of "My Fair Lady" when Eliza is busily selling her fresh flowers, along with 25089 other fresh flower vendors. It also makes me think of the West Side Market in Cleveland, which was a favorite childhood destination. And, of course, I can't help but think of Portabello Road in London (though it's not quite the same...I can still dream of old books and exciting trinkets, can't I?!). Oh, London. I'd love to walk your streets again, and soon.
That's another thing. I have the travel bug. Again. I mean, I'm pretty much always up for a trip, whether near or far, if I can pull it off. But, right now, I am especially eager to plan something. However, time, finances, and having lots (and lots) of other goals sort of stand in the way. I'm okay with it, though. At least the internet lets me do lots of searching and exploring and dreaming so that, someday, I will get back out there and explore. Maybe I should start by exploring the things in my own city, first...
All hail the mighty crock pot.
Also, I am excited because I just discovered that another farmers market is going to be opening in my town this year! I filled out a survey that they offered, which asked what my preferences were, both in terms of offerings and entertainment. Hopefully, it will all come together in the next month or two, because I am very anxious to get my hands on the area's best offerings! And, right now, it's asparagus season...which I really wish excited me...but it just doesn't. Anyway, I already have visions of fresh flowers, juicy fruits and crisp veggies dancing in my head. However, despite the fact that there are several markets that will be only minutes from my home, I am particularly excited to go to the one in the east end. It disgusts me that I both lived and worked on the east end (for 4 year, altogether) and never...not once...made it to the east end farmer's market. It's, like, the biggest and baddest market around. It has the fruits, veggies and flowers of which I spoke...in large quantities, so I hear, and also has artisan breads and other yummy baked goods, freshly-made cheeses, etc. It sort of makes me envision the parts of "My Fair Lady" when Eliza is busily selling her fresh flowers, along with 25089 other fresh flower vendors. It also makes me think of the West Side Market in Cleveland, which was a favorite childhood destination. And, of course, I can't help but think of Portabello Road in London (though it's not quite the same...I can still dream of old books and exciting trinkets, can't I?!). Oh, London. I'd love to walk your streets again, and soon.
That's another thing. I have the travel bug. Again. I mean, I'm pretty much always up for a trip, whether near or far, if I can pull it off. But, right now, I am especially eager to plan something. However, time, finances, and having lots (and lots) of other goals sort of stand in the way. I'm okay with it, though. At least the internet lets me do lots of searching and exploring and dreaming so that, someday, I will get back out there and explore. Maybe I should start by exploring the things in my own city, first...
4.09.2010
baking.
I think it would be such fun to own a bakery with little bistro tables, both indoors and out, where people could come, pull up a chair, and enjoy the sunshine, the freshly brewed iced tea/coffee/whatever and a little (or giant) morsel of deliciousness. Also, I totally envision a space that is bright and airy and has lovely wooden floors and springy decor and allows the natural breeze to lure people in when they smell the muffins/scones/biscotti/cookies/etc., fresh from the oven. I think it would fun to decorate things to fit the season, or to fit an event, or whatever. I think it would be fun to come up the new combinations of tasty things to dump into a big old pan, and to delight in the flavors that erupt at the buzz of the oven timer. Plus, I like the idea of wearing a uniform that includes the following: whatever I want + an apron + flour. I understand that I'm sort of envisioning the movie-version of a bakery, but I know that it really does exist, too.
This is on my mind both because I am a dreamer and because, today, I have on the agenda to make three different types of biscotti from scratch. Now, the actual making and baking of the biscotti is not scary to me, much in the same way that the actual care for my son is not scary. However, the interplay between biscotti x 3 and Andy x 1 (which, I'm convinced, equals the energy of Normal Toddler x 3), is a bit frightening. And, I had, at one point thought, "Gee, Andy naps for about two hours, so that would be a perfect time during which I could make all of the biscotti, and maybe finish the first round of baking for all three." And then, I realized that I can't very well use the electric mixer AND expect Andy to sleep for that long. Shucks.
In other news, I am very impressed by Target (always, but especially this week), because I ordered something on Tuesday and it arrived YESTERDAY. That is very fast turnaround, indeed. And, I am a fan.
And, finally, another word about my sweet son. The boy has endless amounts of energy. He is so excited to explore and to learn, and I love to watch him at work. And, if the hardest part of a normal day is getting him into the car because he just loves to be outside so much, then I will take it. And, by the way, it's unbeatably cute that he calls all flowers "cauliflowers". :0) I'm a big fan.
This is on my mind both because I am a dreamer and because, today, I have on the agenda to make three different types of biscotti from scratch. Now, the actual making and baking of the biscotti is not scary to me, much in the same way that the actual care for my son is not scary. However, the interplay between biscotti x 3 and Andy x 1 (which, I'm convinced, equals the energy of Normal Toddler x 3), is a bit frightening. And, I had, at one point thought, "Gee, Andy naps for about two hours, so that would be a perfect time during which I could make all of the biscotti, and maybe finish the first round of baking for all three." And then, I realized that I can't very well use the electric mixer AND expect Andy to sleep for that long. Shucks.
In other news, I am very impressed by Target (always, but especially this week), because I ordered something on Tuesday and it arrived YESTERDAY. That is very fast turnaround, indeed. And, I am a fan.
And, finally, another word about my sweet son. The boy has endless amounts of energy. He is so excited to explore and to learn, and I love to watch him at work. And, if the hardest part of a normal day is getting him into the car because he just loves to be outside so much, then I will take it. And, by the way, it's unbeatably cute that he calls all flowers "cauliflowers". :0) I'm a big fan.
4.06.2010
of cabinets and kings...
Wow. It is ridiculously expensive to install new cabinets in a kitchen.
Originally, we were going to just leave the kitchen alone and deal with it. Then, we thought about trying to make the best of things, but changing the hardware. Then, we thought, "well, if we're going to change the hardware, we might as well paint the cabinets, too...and the kitchen, itself." And, after that, it was, "well, we ought to just put new doors on our existing cabinets to really spruce things up, and to really give us bang for our buck." And, now, we're at, "Well, we have some empty space, and not as much storage as we'd like, and the existing cabinet storage is not in great shape, so we should probably just replace all of the cabinets, as well as adding in several more. And, while we're at it, we should paint the kitchen and replace the flooring and window treatments, since we don't want to just go halfway with a project."
Oy vey. By the way, we really want to completely overhaul the bathroom, too. And, we still have plans to paint the living room, hallway, and porch (once the porch is fixed up). We have around 1,000 other things on the list, too.
Anyone have a few thousand dollars they'd like to send our way?
In other news, I set a goal for myself that I'd run 120 miles in 30 days. I'm now on Day 7, and I have completed 24.6 miles. I'm almost exactly on target, and a couple more days of 5-6 miles of work will keep me ahead of the curve. I wouldn't exactly say that I'm having fun doing all of this running, but having this goal (and having made it public, both on here, for this limited audience, and on my Facebook page, which receives many more views) certainly helps me to stay motivated. I don't want to come up short in the end, unless something happens that legitimately prevents me from completing the task. You know, like, I lose a leg or something.
I'm also feeling a bit of motivation because I have hit a bit of a plateau in my quest for health, and I really really want to push through it and start to see the right numbers drop again. Of course, my patience is also getting a workout, which is probably a good thing.
Anyway, I can complain about plateaus and cabinet expenses all I want, but here's the truth: my life is pretty darn amazing. I have much more than I need, that's for sure. And, so, I want to make sure that I'm taking as much time as I can to appreciate the countless gifts that I've been given.
Originally, we were going to just leave the kitchen alone and deal with it. Then, we thought about trying to make the best of things, but changing the hardware. Then, we thought, "well, if we're going to change the hardware, we might as well paint the cabinets, too...and the kitchen, itself." And, after that, it was, "well, we ought to just put new doors on our existing cabinets to really spruce things up, and to really give us bang for our buck." And, now, we're at, "Well, we have some empty space, and not as much storage as we'd like, and the existing cabinet storage is not in great shape, so we should probably just replace all of the cabinets, as well as adding in several more. And, while we're at it, we should paint the kitchen and replace the flooring and window treatments, since we don't want to just go halfway with a project."
Oy vey. By the way, we really want to completely overhaul the bathroom, too. And, we still have plans to paint the living room, hallway, and porch (once the porch is fixed up). We have around 1,000 other things on the list, too.
Anyone have a few thousand dollars they'd like to send our way?
In other news, I set a goal for myself that I'd run 120 miles in 30 days. I'm now on Day 7, and I have completed 24.6 miles. I'm almost exactly on target, and a couple more days of 5-6 miles of work will keep me ahead of the curve. I wouldn't exactly say that I'm having fun doing all of this running, but having this goal (and having made it public, both on here, for this limited audience, and on my Facebook page, which receives many more views) certainly helps me to stay motivated. I don't want to come up short in the end, unless something happens that legitimately prevents me from completing the task. You know, like, I lose a leg or something.
I'm also feeling a bit of motivation because I have hit a bit of a plateau in my quest for health, and I really really want to push through it and start to see the right numbers drop again. Of course, my patience is also getting a workout, which is probably a good thing.
Anyway, I can complain about plateaus and cabinet expenses all I want, but here's the truth: my life is pretty darn amazing. I have much more than I need, that's for sure. And, so, I want to make sure that I'm taking as much time as I can to appreciate the countless gifts that I've been given.
4.01.2010
Goals-within-goals
I like goals. I like them a lot. And, so, I am going to establish a few goals that are strictly for April (though, they complement the goals that I've established for the entire year), and list them here...and then, maybe, update accordingly.
1. Tape off and paint the bathroom.
2. Have the bathroom tile reglazed.
3. Tape off the living room and hallway in anticipation of their May makeover.
4. Clear all brush from the yard.
5. Figure out a new landscaping plan, and implement it.
6. Run 120 miles.
7. Fast one day/week.
8. Try one new recipe/week.
9. Finish all spring cleaning/donating/etc.
10. Plan weekend getaway for Joe and me (which hardly needs to be established as a goal, since it will be SO fun to do!).
I'm certain there are other things that I'd like to accomplish this month, but let that be my official list.
I really prefer the goals that can be met in the spring and summer months much more than those that need to be done in fall and winter (though fall is still my favorite season). I like the mix of indoor and outdoor opportunities, and the thought of doing things (like painting) that require lots of glorious sunlight to be done well. But, I do wonder--how is it possible that we're already in April??? Didn't Christmas JUST happen? My little boy is 18 months old...um...where was I? (Cue "Sunrise, Sunset" music from "Fiddler"). So many reasons, both large and small, to be so incredibly grateful...but with time going so quickly, I have to make sure I take a few moments to really pay attention and notice all of the blessings in my life. They are countless!!
1. Tape off and paint the bathroom.
2. Have the bathroom tile reglazed.
3. Tape off the living room and hallway in anticipation of their May makeover.
4. Clear all brush from the yard.
5. Figure out a new landscaping plan, and implement it.
6. Run 120 miles.
7. Fast one day/week.
8. Try one new recipe/week.
9. Finish all spring cleaning/donating/etc.
10. Plan weekend getaway for Joe and me (which hardly needs to be established as a goal, since it will be SO fun to do!).
I'm certain there are other things that I'd like to accomplish this month, but let that be my official list.
I really prefer the goals that can be met in the spring and summer months much more than those that need to be done in fall and winter (though fall is still my favorite season). I like the mix of indoor and outdoor opportunities, and the thought of doing things (like painting) that require lots of glorious sunlight to be done well. But, I do wonder--how is it possible that we're already in April??? Didn't Christmas JUST happen? My little boy is 18 months old...um...where was I? (Cue "Sunrise, Sunset" music from "Fiddler"). So many reasons, both large and small, to be so incredibly grateful...but with time going so quickly, I have to make sure I take a few moments to really pay attention and notice all of the blessings in my life. They are countless!!
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