Ceiling in Berthas. Lacking

Is my carving in the second booth? I will find out someday.

Think Spring Series

Flowers for the weekend. I know whole plants are better and we have plenty of those but once in a while fresh cut flowers are so refreshing.

Think Spring - More Flowers

Guest Room is all set for company

Faith Post - 103

Faith apparently equates to steadfastness (in Hebrew) or truthfulness (in Latin). That in itself is curious to me. There is quite a bit of difference between being steadfast and being truthful at least in my mind.

I can be steadfast in my faith but I can't always believe it's truthful. I could be steadfast in a bold faced lie. Or I can try to be truthful towards my faith but in doing so, my faith might not necessarily be steadfast. Because the truth is, it's hard for me to believe.

Perhaps it's all just semantics according to Thomas Merton - whom I would have read way less without the inspiration of John Katz. I owe his blog many thanks for encouraging me to remember how to think for myself. . .and to see beauty in my surroundings and to truly cherish our pets and daily life.

I'm only about 60 pages into Merton's Ascent to Truth book. I've been reading it for weeks. I'm a fast and furious reader most of the time but Merton slows me to a crawl. Maybe that's how he intended it to be? Am I misreading him? Am I incapable of reading him intelligently because of the topic? I'm not sure.

Sometimes while I'm reading, I'm frustrated because I feel unequipped to grasp his point of view. There are other times I completely understand.

Again, maybe that's what makes good art. (When I say art, I mean all forms of self-expression). It is familiar but pushes us outside our comfort zone simultaneously? Maybe it's the unapologetic nature of the work? Maybe it's the energy and spirit of the artist shining through? Maybe it's the artist's faith in something - God or otherwise- that allows them to produce art with true confidence and conviction?

I can assure you, you will seldom ever get good art on this blog. . .But it's still something that I want to share. . .with conviction. . .because every life is worth sharing and all human beings should connect. . .Except for those pesky serial killers. . .

Mornin' from the Bookends!

They wish me well and can't wait to wish me good evening!

Fruits of Photo Frame Smack Down

Adorable drawing from our niece that proclaims "I love you Uncle C!"

I love all sorts of eclectic things. I like treating them all as prized art - and they are - at least to me.

Always use Protection Kids!

If you need to put some staple gun smack down on a photo frame, make sure to wear eye protection! LOL but seriously!

Brutal Honesty

Setting: Basement C playing computer games; d begrudging him that happiness while on the phone with Mom (see also previous posts)

d to Mom (on the phone): "Mom, I heard that Jon from Jon and Kate plus Eight moved out of the house."

Mom: (surprised cause she doesn't pay attention to vulgar fluff save for Nancy Grace) "Really?"

d: "The rumor is he's been partying with 20 year olds."

Mom: Makes some random comments about that's how men can be. . .

d (playing lawyer goes on D): I don't know, he seems so solid on TV. He doesn't strike me as that type."

C (having heard only my end of the discussion and not turning his head from the computer for even a split second) deadpans: "We're all that type."

True dat. Thank you C for your refreshing honesty. And if the mood should strike, good luck with those 20 somethings. . .
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The reason I've posted grainy BB pics

C. Has. Been. Busy. Playing. A. Computer. Game. Since. . .High School!!!

But oh I do love him so!

Coming this weekend you say?

Does this look like an adequately appointed guest room? Time to walk the talk and erradicate the dust bunnies from beneath the trundle bed!

I have a cloche and cakestand obsession!

Can't wait to fill them with tender spring plants!

Herbed Butter

A really great way to add flavor to meat or veggies: A pat of herbed butter. Also a great way to save slightly past prime herbs from the compost bin.

Soften some nice Irish butter, chop up a bunch of herbs. Mix together. Place on saran wrap and roll into a log. Cut the log into quarter or half inch chunks. It freezes beautifully so it won't go to waste.

Imagine the variations: cilantro and chili powder; old bay and parsley; poultry blend. The options are endless.

I typically take the kitchen sink approach. Often there are far more herbs than butter!

Pickled Beets

A bit messy to prepare but they are worth it.

You've got to roast the foil wrapped beets in the oven (like a potato) and peel them before slicing and putting in vinegar, water, and sugar solution.

The skin will slide right off but it will leave your fingers fuschia for a bit.

They are superior to canned beets and will keep in fridge quite a while.

Dexter - behaving for a minute. . .

One of these pets does not belong here!!

Exploring Faith Series 102

When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly." Edward Teller

Exploring Faith Series 101 - Happy Shamrocks. . . .Good Luck?

Happy Shamrocks. . .Purim. . .Market had an upswing. . .Are we on to something?

Happiness is something you find in yourself.

Happiness is something you allow yourself and offer to others.

Happiness is offered and exchanged in the smallest of gestures.

Happiness must be genuine.

Happiness must be learned and earned.

Happiness is where you find it.

Happiness is giving it.

Happiness cannot be forced.

Nor can it be confused with feeling anything else.

When I look at my parents and spouse and siblings I genuinely laugh with their joy and I feel happy.

When I see my dogs or cats acting crazy or well behaved I feel happy.

When I do something I feel challenges me, I feel happy.

When I work hard towards a positive outcome, I feel happy.

When I pray, I look to beyond happy. When I pray I want to experience joy and sorrow on a deeper level. I pray for others to feel happy. But for me, happy isn't enough. I want to feel more. To go to the edge. "And the Lord God said come the the edge. . ."

I used to wonder what all that nonsense was about. But I think it's actually starting to make sense. Maybe I'm just getting old!

Maybe it's about more than happy.

Maybe it's about an unwaivering, visceral faith that allows us joy and happiness and offers us pain and perhaps I'm not yet evolved or capable enough to understand it. I'm willing to work hard to find it every day, to understand it. Maybe it's about enduring dark nights and seeing beautiful sunrises. I'm not sure. But I'm going to do the hard work to find it. If there's one thing I know about myself, I'm not afraid of hard work.

He stood on the edge of the cliff and called, 'Come to the edge!'
But they would not come . . . 'Come to the edge!'" His voice deepened with intensity.
"But they would not come. . .
'Come to the edge!'
And they came."
"And they came . . . and he pushed them!"
"He pushed them . . . and they flew!
They flew. . ."

FLY already!!!! Let's all fly. Feel the wind in your sails - whatever that might be. . .Let's fly mach three with our hair on fire!!!

Let's be passionate and confident and not scared. I'm tired of feeling scared and worried. Let's do it differently. Let's make a change. Let's fly.

How do I get this life?

Lesson of the Week: CALL YOUR MOTHER!!!

In case you haven't noticed, I've been busy posting a bunch of semi-useless and mostly nonsensical things to this blog. . .Of course, I've also done other stuff. . .There are cat litter pans to be kept, toe nails to be painted, salmon to nearly burn. . .

At any rate, time has gotten away from me and I hadn't spoken to my Mother since last Wednesday evening. Typically we speak every other day so apparently I had her worried sick. She said she left two messages Sunday evening. She probably did. I'm not the best with the home answering machine. (Hello? That's what cell phones are for right?)

I wasn't intentionally ditching my own Mom. I was just otherwise involved. But it's not cool to cause your Mom to think you're dead in a ditch somewhere. . .despite the fact that you have a perfectly responsible husband who would call her. . .and a blackberry, and email - none of which she even feigns interest in learning how to operate. . .

So for me and Mom. . .it's strictly land line phone based communication. Although she does write a lovely note and I do love getting snail mail from her. . .

I won't do it again Mom, I promise.

And this time. . .at the age of nearly 33, I finally mean it. I am sorry. It wasn't intentional (for once) and it really won't happen again.

Luckily she wasn't actually angry. . .just concerned. Why couldn't she be cool like that when I disappeared for hours on end at the age of 16?!

Spring Fever Comes to the Table

Summer Salsa will be sooooo much better when it's actually summer but I couldn't resist.

Ingredients: blueberries, corn, sweet red pepper, chives, basil, fresh squeezed lemon juice and real maple syrup.

Goes great with fish. . .Got C's stamp of approval. The blueberries were excellent. . .Now where could they have possibly come from? I'm pretty sure nothing about this little concoction is local - not this time of year. . .But I couldn't help myself!

Tomorrow we can go back to root vegetables. . .Which reminds me I roasted some beets this weekend that need pickling. (I'm not joking!)

For Pops - Ultimate Spring Fever

Pratt Street

I like to take a ton of random photos so I can incorporate them into my paintings. Maybe I should just take photos? This isn't necessarily evidenciary support of that idea - then again you should see the damned paintings! hahaha

Near Light and Pratt 3/08/09

White Death Revisit 15

This was supposed to be a color photo. Bizarre that it looks almost entirely black and white. Like snow for the photographic effects but can do without for a while!

Fake Moon #23

I was just clicking photos on the 395 approach into the city this evening . . .I'm becoming more and more infatuated with how things look - especially how ordinary things can look extraordinary. At first review, I thought the photo was a dud. But then I realized there was this "fake moon" effect and it also looks as if it's day light in the car mirror. Not sure what it all means but it spoke to me. Something about juxtaposition of day and night and the faux moon. . .Not sure what it means yet. If anything. Maybe that's art. We figure it out for ourselves.

White Death Re-Visit

Daylight Savings Time - D's short list. . .

Change the batteries in the smoke detectors.
Make sure your AC system is in good shape.
Check your fire extinguishers - make sure they function.
Check/change batteries in your flashlights.
Make sure gutters are clean and clear for April Showers.
Check window and door screens for holes. Make repairs.
Start seedlings indoors (if you plant a garden).
Start sneaking self tanner into your moisturizer.
Clean all your windows.
Get some tulips, daffodils, crocus to remind you of the beauty and renewal that is spring.
Add a few "summer songs" to your iPod to get you ramped up for summer
Take a few extra minutes in the morning for stretching, moisturizing, meditating, coffee - enjoy!

Can I geterdone? I think I just might. . .

The Point of these Posts?

I invited Mother in Law to visit the Blog. I value her opinions and she said that she figured that the blog would be about domestic stuff. She's correct in mentioning that because when I started this whole thing I thought I would be gassing off about how to cook quick healthful vegetarian meals and how to paint a room licketly split. That was indeed the entire premise originally.

Right. Not. I'm extremely busy and I find that I'm not quite the domestic goddess I once was. I come home at 7:30 or 8 to find that C has already made himself a decent dinner. He has the pets under control and sometimes he's even done some laundry, cleaning or otherwise.

There is a special sort of guilt that accompanies coming home to find your husband being domestically in control. At least for me. I work all day, with "the guys" and I can hold my own throwing down drinks, talking sports, politics and economics. Yet I get a lot of pleasure from making C a serious dinner, handing him a cocktail, looking lovely, making sure the sheets are clean (and ironed), etc.

I will admit I'm borderline perfectionist. I try very very very hard to be a lot of things for lots of people and for myself. (guess that also makes me a people pleaser. . .)

I understand I can't be all things to all people all the time. But I still want to do that. I guess that's why it's bittersweet when I see C "fending for himself." I feel a sense of relief because he's just doing it and not complaining that I'm not taking care of him but simultaneously, I want to take care of him.

It makes me happy to take care of my home. I'm trying to get back to that.