And More Terrariums . . .

I warned you that I'm filling every glass container in the house with plants--here's a Mason jar we filled with moss to make a pretty little country landscape.

Complete with a cottage. Probably made of cottage cheese (or maybe polymer clay).


I'm afraid that's all I have for you today. Things have been very busy here lately . . . for all of us . . . important stuff like lemonade stands (or "lemonad" stands as Lillian's sign advertises). No it's not a typo at all but a marketing ploy to sound more European so she can charge more.

Or busy making tennis ball canons with my son or hanging out my laundry on the line or reading cheap thrillers which I've very much been in the mood for lately. Or getting ready for our kayaking trip next week. It's summer time and the livin' is easy . . .

***

Congratulations to Trish at Acworth, Georgia for winning this weekend's Aqua Sphere swim gear giveaway. That's going to be one fun package!

Sponsored by Wedding Paper Divas for wedding invitations.

The Black Swan

Strange to say but I've held off writing this review.

You see, earlier this year Andrew kept telling me about this great book he was reading and how much I'd like it but I pretty much ignored him. "Yea, yea" I thought. "I'd love it. Got it."

But it wasn't until I was in the mood for something meaty that I finally caved and gave it a try and from the first page I was hooked. I found it so interesting and so "WOW!" that after I was finished I turned around right then and read it a second time, gleaning all those little kernels that I'd missed with the first passing. And yes, Andrew's found satisfaction in many "I told you so's."

I still haven't got it all down yet and could probably do with a third reading so I'm rather hesitant to review it because I most certainly won't do it justice but here goes. . . .

It's called The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable and if you have any background in economics you'll recognize that a Black Swan is a name to describe an event that was unforeseen and rare but that had a lasting consequence. It seems that back before the world had been so thoroughly explored, Europeans believed that the only kind of swans in existence were white. The idea of a swan being black went against their concept of reality. However, once explorers reached Australia and found black swans happily living there the pseudo-truth that "all swans are white" was destroyed and replaced by a new view.

So it is with certain events. We go along in life, living and working and thinking we know what will happen tomorrow when "BAM!" something comes along--a Black Swan--that changes our world. It might be something historically significant like 9/11 or it might be something culturally revolutionary such as Harry Potter but to be a Black Swan it must be unpredictable and it must have a large impact.

The author, Taleb, brings a unique experience to his writing. Originally from Lebanon, his father was a high-ranking government official in a country known for its cultural richness and diversity. Then came war (a Black Swan for sure) and suddenly he's living with bombs overhead and later as an expatriate.

One of the most intelligent writers I've read he worked on Wall Street as a quant (quantitive analyst) working with numbers to assess risk but began to believe that in fact, the world was completely and utterly unpredictable. While he was spending his time analyzing numbers to lead his clients to money he realized that our extremist, fast-paced world is becoming increasingly governed by these Black Swans--and after the economics we've seen in the past year I would do nearly anything to sit down with Taleb and talk with him about the situation and if he feels a small bit of vindication.

Anyway, I could go on and on because it's really and truly one of those books you read that changes the way you look at the world--you start seeing Black Swans everywhere. In effect, the bottom line is the old Socratic adage: "True wisdom is knowing that you know nothing."

As an example of a few of the things he covers, one part describes how we humans have a driving need to create an understanding of events. We need narrative, we demand explanations and even if there may not be an explanation (Taleb argues there rarely is, particularly when dealing with Black Swans) our minds pick and choose our memories and experiences to create explanations and narratives to suit our purposes.

As a personal example--months ago I mentioned our Senator Ted Stevens and the legal troubles he was encountering. I'm pretty cynical of the situation, I didn't vote for Stevens and figured justice had been served when he was pronounced guilty.

Later new evidence surfaced that the prosecution hadn't presented an honest case. That they hadn't shared evidence that was potentially exculpatory. In the end the verdict was thrown out and the prosecution backed down on having a new trial which left Stevens a free man. My sister, a firm Stevens supporter made a comment to the effect of "See! I told you he was innocent."

Perfect example of the narrative fallacy. Stevens' conviction was overturned because of prosecutorial misconduct and because my sister supported our longtime Senator she created the explanation that he is innocent. Me? Just as bad because I thought he was guilty and said, "This proves nothing. The guy is still guilty and good riddance." We both had our opinions on the issue and looked for facts that supported our views, conveniently ignoring anything that didn't fit our theory.

It's human nature and we do it all the time but it's particularly dangerous when it comes from news media, politicians, bankers and economists because the rest of us are silly enough to listen to these false experts then rely on the narratives they've created.

Another thing we're susceptible to is thinking we can predict the future. Unless you have divine powers on your side (and I'm not going to get into the religious nature of that argument--Taleb doesn't touch it and neither will I) you simply cannot tell anything about where we're going. Nothing. Despite all the Monday morning quarterbacks springing up across the country you could not have predicted to any degree what has happened in America this past year economically. However, despite our rotten abilities to see ahead we continually try and then think we're being oh so astute and savvy, which only gives us a false sense of security and some inflated egos, ultimately causing even more harm by blinding us to our own blindness.

Anyway, I'll stop here. The book is fabulous, terrific, stunning and all that. I'd read it again and maybe this time around I'd been able to grasp more at the end when he gets into some of the deeper, more technical parts with fractals, Mandelbrotian theory and Gaussian curves (I think I understand it, the second time around helped but still . . . it's deep stuff). But don't let that scare you, it's quite readable and makes so much sense you wonder why you hadn't heard this before.

There you have it. You never know what you'll find here do you? Completely unpredictable isn't it?

Sponsored by Tiny Prints for the holiday party invitations for children.

Warm Peach Summer Salad with Prosciutto

Oh the salads! Oh how I love the salads!

Can you believe Grace detests salads in all forms? She hates lettuce, hates crisp, crunchy cucumbers and peppers, hates anything green and leafy and fresh. What is wrong with that girl??

I've tried for 15 years to reform her but so far I'm losing. I can get her to force a salad down but she's not happy about it and has to constantly repress that gag reflex. I repeat: What is wrong with that girl??

Anyway, she had the misfortune to be born into a family that loves salads and we eat them all the time and this one freaked her out most royally.

But bad news baby, I loved it so it's going into the permanent collection. Someday she'll thank me.

As another quirky note to the tale, this particular salad calls for prosciutto and as we all know anything in its original Italian is terribly expensive, right? While prosciutto is just fancy cured, thinly sliced ham I wanted to give the family a taste of the good stuff that night so when I served dinner I handed out salads, each with a cute little curl of meat delicately rolled on the side.

But wouldn't you know it the pagan dogs turned their noses up at it! Two bucks of paper thin meat on their plate and they didn't want to eat it.

It was the end of a long day and faced with the option of forcing them to eat something they didn't want and casting my pearls before swine (or swine before swine I suppose you could say) I gave up right there and with a growl reached across the table and snatched the prosciutto off of each of their plates and munched it down right there in front of them.

It was fabulous.

8 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
3 peaches at room temperature, peeled and cut into eight wedges
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons blueberry balsamic vinegar (or regular balsamic in a pinch)
1 1/2 cups fresh corn
2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
6 cups loosely packed arugula

Arrange the prosciutto in pretty little curls on 4 dinner plates along with the arugula.

Place the peaches in a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Heat the butter over medium heat until the foam subsides and the butter has turned light brown. Add the bay leaf, thyme, peaches, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss for 1 minute then pull the peaches out of the pan and divide over the four plates. Add the chicken and saute for three minutes until cooked then add corn and saute another minute. Divide the mixture over the plates.

Serve immediately--you can also drizzle any extra leftover butter and balsamic mix over the plates if you wish.

***

And if that salad wasn't enough to send my teen shrieking in terror you can imagine her joy when she saw I'd been sent Simply Salads by Jennifer Chandler to review.

And more bad news Grace, it's a great book.

Of course I do love getting cookbooks so I'm not exactly a hard sell but this one seems to really be a good one and I'll tell you why:

1. Salads are always great. You can eat them as sides or as mains, they're healthy, they're fresh and they're good with my other three favorites: pasta, soup and sandwiches. So right off, I love the subject.

2. I've never met a salad I didn't like. Seriously. Never. Oops--except deli potato salad. I despise that stuff so I guess that's the only one I don't eat. Out of over 100 recipes I'm not seeing any that don't look terrific.

3. This cookbook has a picture for every recipe. Yes, you read that right, a full color photo for every recipe. On every page. I know that publishers have a hard time doing that but I'll tell you it's an absolute must for me when I'm cooking. I have to have a goal and a picture gets me know what I'm shooting for.

4. There are some salad staples like the basic Caesar but with over 100 recipes you also get Warm Fingerling Potato Salad, Warm Wild Mushroom Salad, Baked Polenta Salad, Pink Lady Apple Slaw and Wild Flower Herb Salad. All looking very beautiful, very delectable.

5. These salads are all designed to be made with pre-packaged, washed and ready-to-go greens from your supermarket. Chandler outlines the different varieties and what "spring mix" or "triple hearts" mean and gives you recipes where you can use them. All fast and easy and in half the time of regular salad preparation. Love it!

So look out Grace, I fear your next three months will come to be known as Summer of the Salads. Muahahahaha!

Sponsored by Beau-Coup for unique baby shower favors.

Aqua Sphere Swim Giveaway

It's summer in a big way here and I've got such a great package to give you this weekend!

I've been learning how to kayak in preparation for a camping/kayaking trip next month in Valdez and I met up with Aqua Sphere, a company that makes fantastic active swim wear for just such an occasion.

They sent me some of their goggles, a kid sized Stingray Core Warmer and a lady's Aqua Skin to try out and after giving them a go I don't think I could sing enough praises.

The thing about water in Alaska is that it's cold. Really cold, even in summer and I used that Aqua Skin while in the kayak when I had to flip myself over and escape underwater and I don't think I could have done it very well without the gear. I was so nice and warm that the water even felt good.

Anyway, I was very impressed with the suit and will be bringing it on my kayaking trip--because the water will be even colder than it was at the lake where we practiced. They seriously saved my life!

So if you're planning on being in the water at all this summer you really ought to check out their line of products--keeping your muscles warm in cold water is not only more comfortable but it prevents injuries. And besides keeping you warm in the water Aqua Skins are good for sun protection to keep your skin safe too.

The company has generously offered the same package they sent me including:

• Seal Kid Swim Mask
• Stingray Core Warmer
• Kaiman Lady Goggles
• Aqua Skin Lady Full Suit

To get your name in the pot for the giveaway see the directions below and give Aqua Sphere a good look--they'll keep you warm all summer. You'll be seeing more pictures of my kayaking next month!

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday morning click here to reach the giveaway entry form then enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to readers with a U.S. address, good luck!

Sun, Sun, Sun Here It Comes

I have been very much into terrariums lately. If it's glass and it's in my house, odds are it has a plant in it.

This tea cup pouring out an ivy is hanging in my kitchen window where I can see it and think happy thoughts about summer in Alaska.

Sponsored by YourWeddingDays.com for beautiful bridal shower invitations.

Los Angeles: A Cultural Yet Gastronomical Tour

I've been to Los Angeles plenty of times (shoot I even lived there for about six months when I was two) but this last week with Andrew, hands down, was the best time I've had there yet.

It could be because it was grown-ups only so I didn't have to tie anyone's shoelaces or cut up anyone's meat or scout for the quickest route to the bathroom but I must say, a good time was had by all.

Here are a few of the things I saw--thanks to everyone for their recommendations!

1. The Getty Museum. I had lots of you out there recommend that I catch the Getty and while I'd heard of it I was surprised how many said it was a must-see. One Mom, Coffee Mom, J Fife, Angie of Seven Clown Circus, gerwegirlie, An Ordinary Mom, Halala Mama and Cathi from Cathi's Kitchen all gave glowing reports so I planned on spending a day there with Jenna from Cranberry Corner to not only enjoy the museum but a blogging friend too.

Well schedules never quite matched up so I ended up doing a whirlwind tour all by myself but I will definitely say that it's the most beautiful museum I've ever seen. Hard to believe? Well it's located on top of this hill overlooking the city and while you park in this large underground parking garage at the bottom of the hill there is a tram that winds around, taking you up, up, up to the top where the five or six buildings that make up the center sit.

So on top of this hill with an amazing view is this network of buildings of glowing rock that feels like a modern Roman forum complete with fountains and sculptures and arches framing views of the city below. Breathtaking would be an understatement.

And while I was only able to spend an hour or two on the upper floors which held the Getty's collection of paintings (European masters from the 12th-19th century) it was enough to get a taste.

Van Dyke, Rembrandt, Monet, Pissaro, Gauguin, Reubens, Titan, Gainsborough, Breughel, Steen, Turner (and on and on and on) all the biggies are there. I love that photo of the man above looking at the portrait--it's like they're identical twins separated by about 300 years right down to the beard--though my favorite picture is the portrait of the peasant woman you see here on the right.

And if this isn't long enough you're welcome to view this video I took.

2. Other Treasures. I also found this fun little treat outside at the Getty that must be some kind of seed pod. I picked it up and kept it in my pocket for a few days, reaching in and playing with it every once in a while because I loved the texture.

Eventually I found it, still in my pocket, at the airport during the flight home and it was shriveled and rather mushy. It was almost as pretty as the paintings. I have no idea what it is but I like it.

3. Traffic Like No Other. Luckily I'd had the foresight to think of bringing my little handy dandy GPS unit (the Navigon that I reviewed last summer) and it took us right to our hotel, slick as anything. We stayed at the Marriott on South Figueroa Street in the financial district and I've never really driven in L.A. before so I was one hundred percent chicken to try anything on my own.

I was completely nervous that I'd get lost and that they'd find my mummified remains somewhere along the Ventura Freeway in late 2010 but Andrew was tied up with his conference and I figured if I didn't get some guts and just do it I'd be sorry so I grabbed my GPS and the addresses and hit the road.

And you know what? I was spectacular. I didn't even make a wrong turn. Yes I know you skeptics can give all the credit to the machine that did all the brain work if you want but seriously, someone had to listen carefully to the computerized creepy-voice directions and look at the street signs and make all those proper turns and exits or the whole thing would have been a rat's nest so I deserve at least some credit for conquering the roads.

After making it all the way to the Gettty and back by myself (through rush hour traffic no less) I felt completely powerful. I could have bent steel rods with my bare hands if someone had just given me one.

4. Cars, Cars and More Cars. Which reminds me . . . I've never seen so many fancy cars in one place before. Does everyone drive shiny new cars there? Where's the dust? Where's the caked-up tires? The bumper stickers? The rust spots? The pick ups??

I think it's a pre-requisite for living in California that you have to have a new car and wash it diligently every week.

Here's a shot of a Lamborghini we pulled up behind at one stop light--just earlier than that we sat next to a Ferrari that was on the back of a tow truck which somehow struck me as humorous.

I mean, if you're going to own a Ferrari wouldn't you darn well expect it to be in perfect working order at all times? That's kind of part of that $500,000 price tag I would have thought. Seems really wrong to have to pull one's Testerosa over to the side of the road because the timing belt broke or the radiator leaked. I just don't see that happening to Robin Masters. . . .

5. The Lakers. I felt like a complete goober but I'd forgotten that the L.A. Lakers had won the championship the week before so when I stood at the concierge desk, asking for directions around the downtown area and was told there was going to be a parade blocking the street, I said, "Really? A parade? What for?"

I got this disgusted though polite look that said, "You're obviously from out of town. And a goober."

Though she was nice enough to say instead, "The Lakers are having a parade for winning the championship. It'll be going down the street in a few hours."

"Oh." I said. Then I went to Macy's. No offense Lakers but I'm just not that into basketball. Or purple.

6. Pepperdine. One night after the conference Andrew wanted to do some driving so we struck out on our own and even turned off the Navigon, trusting our fate to the direction of the sun and moss growing on the north side of the palm trees.

We went down through Beverly Glenn Road, through Bel Air, and ended up in Malibu where we just had to see the beach and enjoy that perfect ocean air.

But Andrew happened to see the university up on the hill as we drove by and wanted to get a closer look. You see we did law school in North Dakota and there's this little tiny part of him that says, "Wow. We got North Dakota. What schmucks when we could have had this instead!" because he'd heard how gorgeous the campus was and he'd thought about applying there all those years ago.

And it's true, after the quick drive up the mountain I'll admit that Pepperdine has got to be about the prettiest campus I've ever seen but then I've also heard it's the about the most expensive too. Ah well, the road not traveled right?

7. Cholada Thai. That night we ended up having dinner out in Malibu at this little shack that had that unique blend of looking like it might be under investigation from the health inspector but with extra piles of beach side chic. It's a blue hut by the side of the Pacific Coast Highway and the food was "wow!" good.

The dumplings were luscious and I had the Pad See-Ew which was really just Pad Thai with broccoli, which (in my humble opinion) only made things that much more lip-smacking good. I'm a hot-food whimp so I was pretty timid about trying anything too "out there."

Andrew had the barbecued chicken with their house rice and thought it was great too, though our two plates could have probably served half the L.A. Lakers themselves. And I didn't even have a way to save my leftovers. Dang. I'm still remembering those tasty wide noodles with dark sauce slipping around my fork . . .

8. Phillipe's. Thank you to Hollywood Underground Diner, Melanie at Write Stuff, Angie at Seven Clown Circus and Linda for the head's up about this place--we ran over there just before going to see the Dodgers' valiant efforts against the A's and your talk was not just hype.

Best French dips ever.

It is not pretty, it is not fast food but boy is it good. Both Andrew and I had the beef with American and I really wish I could have gone back to sample the pork and the lamb--I can only imagine how great those too would be. A French dip and a lemonade on a sunny summer evening--does it get any better than that??

9. Pink's Hot Dogs. And while I'm at it I'm going to continue with my "Calories across America" reminisces by including a little blurb about Pink's.

I'd seen a piece on television about this famous hot dog stand a couple years ago and at the time I remember thinking, "Someday I'm going to eat there. Oh yes, someday."

You see I'm a huge hot dog fan. Yes I know what is supposedly in them but it doesn't matter, if liking dogs is wrong then I don't care to be right. Anyway, it's supposed to be this fantastic place for hot dogs that's famous enough to have dogs named after all sorts of celebrities and I remembered my vow to taste of their goodness when I was planning this trip.

I had planned on having Thursday to myself while Andrew was in conference but his meeting ended early so he asked where I wanted to go for lunch. I felt stupid telling him of My Quest. It kind of felt like confessing that I needed to travel to a nearby volcano to get rid of this evil magic ring or something if I told him I wanted to travel half an hour through nasty traffic to the other side of the city just for a hot dog--especially with him starving for food already.

But being the great guy he his, when I told him where I'd planned to go he humored me and said he'd be up for a hot dog too. I plugged in the address in my little GPS and away we went.

We drove and we drove and we drove, trying to get to 709 North La Brea and after half an hour I kept looking around and thinking, "You know . . . this just doesn't look like what I'd pictured . . . this seems so residential."

About the time I realized that I'd accidentally punched in 709 North La Brea in Inglewood we pulled up in front of a dry cleaners--that didn't even sell hot dogs! Oops. Of course by then we were another half an hour from where they must have moved Pink's to--in Hollywood--but did my man complain? Nope. We punched in the real address and were off again, even though his eyes were beginning to look slightly sunken and his skin rather sallow and droopy from the malnourishment.

Another forty minutes (traffic) and we were back in Hollywood and I said, trying to be optimistic, "Hey! Well at least we'll beat the lunch time rush, right?"

He couldn't quite muster up the energy to smile. He tried but collapsed in exhaustion as his organs began to shut down just as we turned the corner to find . . .

Pink's. And apparently we weren't the only ones. You see that picture there? Oh it's accurate. Even at 2:30 pm on a Thursday afternoon the triple-layer line went out the front and then went around the back side of the building. Yea, they don't show that part in the photo do they? Liars.

We parked and looked at all those people slowly frying in the hot sun, waiting for their chance to order a glorious Bacon Chili Cheese Dog (could they cram any more protein in?) and I gave up. I couldn't do it. Andrew wouldn't have survived without resorting to cannibalism and by that time even I was starting to get darn hungry so I hung my head and turned to go and I promised him that the first place we saw that had food in the window would be ours.

And that, my friends, is the story of how I didn't get to eat a Pink's hot dog. With onion rings. Because I was totally craving onion rings and was going to go for broke by ordering a side along with another glass of lemonade. Curses. Where's a good street-clearing-drive-by shooting when you need one?

10. Universal Studios. And finally, to bring this to a close, on Friday Andrew and I decided to be total tourists and go to Universal Studios. He'd never been and it had been 30 years since I'd been so we figured how else were we going to drop massive amounts of money?

Of course we had a great time, what's not to love about strolling around in the absolute optimal temperature for human happiness with the guy you find fetching by your side? The only way the day could have been a downer is if the park had been taken over by Libyan terrorists or something.

However, I would point out a couple things that made it a little better than it normally would have been. First, Universal Studios offers "Front of the Line" passes which are really just First Class tickets. It's $67 to get into the park (gasp) but $105 will get you to the front of the line. At the ticket booth they give you your passes to wear around your neck and then any time you go to an attraction or ride the operators see your passes and say, "Why hello there Honored Guest! Please step this way into the special A-List line. Would you care for ice cream? Can I fan you? How about a foot massage?"

Or at least something like that.

But really, it was suh-weeet. I think most of us have labored through the dungeons of the theme parks where you stand in line for eons for a mere 60 seconds of "whoopee!" and due to the wonders of capitalism Universal Studios has fixed the problem. We had coupons which brought the price down though we'd never have done it if it weren't just us two but boy was it nice. Every ride, walking right on and then getting the front of the cars or the front of the rows.

And then you kind of feel like royalty--I'm embarrassed to say it--but being able to just waltz in everywhere makes you feel like a million bucks. Though in California a million bucks isn't quite what it used to be I hear--not after taxes.

Anyway, I've wondered if they couldn't extend this idea into real life. What would you pay to have a little pass around your neck that allowed you to never wait in another check out line or toll booth or stand behind the sweaty guy at the DMV? Maybe that's what Bill Gates' life is like.

So Andrew and I went on the Simpsons ride over and over again. It's by far the best--in fact most of the rides are only okay. I thought Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando is much better as a theme park but the Simpsons ride was a hoot. I kind of felt cheated with my Front of the Line pass because I didn't get to stand in line and enjoy the witty cartoon repartee they've prepared as they set up the story behind the ride. Of course after the 11th time I kind of had the basic plot down.

This ride alone is almost worth the price of admission but then I'm a huge Simpsons fan. (Guilty secret). It's even better than Spongebob in my book.

And did you know about Cool Zones? Universal has these stations set up all over the park: under awnings, in the lines, by the concessions--all where they blow a cool mist out and you can stand in it if you're hot. Amazing. It's so fun and so smart it makes you wonder why--if global warming is such a problem--they don't just hire Universal Studios to put out these Cool Zones all over the parts of the planet that are a little too warm so those of us up north can bake as much as we like? Best of both worlds.

And finally, above you can see the picture I took from the studio tour where they had the 747 from War of the Worlds strewn about like a teenager's messy room. You remember the scene? The plane crashes at Tom Cruise's house, he wanders out the front door and the entire neighborhood is destroyed, covered in wreckage and crushed under pieces of fuselage. So he jumps in his minivan and drives right down the conveniently ploughed path, just big enough for his car, through the debris and right out of the subdivision without so much as a popped tire. I love that.

But not as much as I love the Simpsons.

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

Fold-Away Doll Houses

Lillian and I were busy this week decorating up a storm with this fun little project--can you see how it's a dollhouse?

But it's about as simple a dollhouse as you'll ever find. I used foam board though cardboard would also be good and cut two rectangles with slits in them then slid them together to make the basic shape.

We cut a door and some windows that you see here then flooring, window treatments and furniture followed in a very feng shui manner.

That piece of yellow you see is just a large rectangle of felt and we cut different felt shapes as rugs for each of the rooms.

You could even put another floor above with a flat piece of board and another structure on top. Where will it ever end???

Here is the bathroom where she sculpted a bathtub for her little peg doll and the red disc hovering like a lollipop is supposed to be a shower head. We used foam sheets to cut out little pink shelving and I had a mirror that we glued on the wall--all very fun.

And it all folds up if you want to store it quietly away.

Sponsored by Pink and Blue for unique baby gifts to make them "ooh" and "ahh."

Are You in Need of Some Recipes?

I wasn't hungry at all but then I started writing this little post and suddenly my stomach is growling.

I came across a recipe for Chai Tea at Dandelion Mama (a longtime favorite of mine) and she made it sound so tempting that I had to try it. I'm the biggest sucker for hot chocolates and herbal teas and cinnamon-spicy treats. I don't really care that it's summer--after all, I live in Alaska so I can drink my hot drinks all year round and be quite happy. Bring on the sweaters!

Some of the ingredients were hard to find at the supermarket but a new shop opened nearby called Summit Spice and Tea Company and the moment I walked through the doors I was in heaven. You cannot believe how wonderful it smelled--this thick, rich blend of peppery-cinnamony comfort that begged for multiple sniffs until I looked like a collie at the cash register, sniff-sniff-sniffing.

You see some of the ingredients here: ginger, star anise, cardamom pods, all-spice berries and Tallicherry pepper berries. Mmmmm good!

If you're up for a brew that will make your house smell amazing this is the recipe that'll do it. It's pretty strong and the best way to drink it is to add a bit more water and then a dash of half-and-half for creaminess. I even tried mixing half a mug with some hot chocolate which gave me yet another thrill for my palate. After I finished the batch I saved the pods and cloves and sticks to use again and the second batch was as good as the first--it's powerful stuff.

So if you can forgive me for throwing calories at you here are some of the food posts I've been eying lately. I'm putting these on my shopping list for the week. It seems my bathroom scale is broken and I'm using it as an opportunity to dump myself completely off the wagon.

Chocolate Cream Cups by Sweet Paul--really, the name says it all doesn't it?
BLT Pasta Salad by Blog Chef--in spite of what you may think, I could possibly love salads as much as I love chocolate. Just in a completely different way.
Rosemary Balsamic Glazed Pork and Pear Bacon Chutney--I think I might just name my next child "Chutney."
Fireworks Cake Toppers by Wisdom of the Moon--What a great holiday decoration. Great for cupcakes too. Yet another blog I'm going to have to add to my feed list.

June's Write-Away Winner

Thank you to Michelle Fabio at Bleeding Espresso for serving as the judge for this month's contest. You might notice that some of the entries don't have links to the author's blog and that's because I had a record number of people submitting offline entries. So I've uploaded the offline entries as pdf documents that you can download if you'd like to see the full entry. Just that little extra bit of service folks.

. . . And the winner is:

Blog o'Beth with The Menu of My Life

Honorable Mentions

Richard Curtis with Food? No Love
Life on the Wild Side with My Favorite Day of the Year
Mozi Emsé with Filling the Gap: Food

***

Here are a list of the entries in the order they were received:

1. The Home Team Wins with Fun-dant with Brittany
We just returned from my niece's graduation in Texas...which was Texas-sized, heh, heh. She and 570 or so classmates made the transition from little people to "big people," as their class Valedictorian so eloquently proclaimed.

2. Maine Buzz with The Doughnut Guy
In the April issue of Bangor Metro we featured my father, Brian Brooks, and his delicious doughnuts. Nepotism aside, my dad really does make lip-smacking homemade doughnuts. Try his recipe and see for yourself.

3. The Daily Life of a Classic Housewife with Tangelo Dream
Sitting on my porch feeling the spring-like breeze and watching a small dancing butterfly, I am both here and also not here - one foot in this world and one foot in some distant place of long ago. Taking another bite of the little orange fruit sends me back in time to my childhood, not to any specific memory or point in time, but to something nameless and fuzzy.

4. Table for Nine with King Ranch Chicken
The King Ranch is legendary in Texas. The ranch was started in the 1860's by Richard King, a man who had once been an indentured servant. It began with 15,500 acres and grew by the end of the Civil War to an astonishing 146,000 acres. Mr. King's family continues to run the ranch to this day.

5. Ramblins with Little Ways to Drive up Closer to Happiness
one of my favorite sayings about happiness comes from a television show....."money may not buy happiness, but it can buy me a red corvette so I can drive up really close to it."

6. Cooking at Home with Eating with Friends 2
"I must get out of these wet clothes and into a dry Martini." Robert Benchley. It's Friday, and it is pouring. But T & G will be here for dinner like clockwork. You see, there is a Martini calling our names, and there is pizza.

7. The Scholastic Scribe with The Ben and Jerry's Stressbuster Diet
I was thinking about naming this post, "Fashionista Du Jour." Wore above T-shirt to school yesterday, & was quite the popular chica. I'm thinking every day will be Casual Friday from here on out. Not that I really get all gussied up for school, anyway...

8. I'm (Not) Crazy Mommy with Confessions of a Food Snob
When I was in the eighth grade, we had a writing assignment in English class: describe, in detail, the MOST PERFECT MEAL. I still remember mine. While my classmates' menus included things like hotdogs and popcorn and food you buy at a ball park, mine included things like spanakopita and shrimp scampi. My mom, who has always been my best editor, read the essay and just shook her head.

9. The Chocolate Chip Waffle with I Dig Sweets
I have a small request. Go to your pantry and check for the following:

10. If You Give a Mom a Moment with I Gave up Chocolate for Him
Want to know a good weight loss program? It involves a lot of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, and some days you might just want to crawl into that space between your couch and the wall and die, but it works! Read on.

11. Mommy Snark with Food
Yesterday, I stood on the back deck of my parents house and ate watermelon. I was transported back to the days of my childhood when all the kids would line up along the banister and try to see who could spit watermelon seeds the farthest, extra points if you managed to hit the trunk of the tall sugar maple, or the giant rock beyond the azalea bushes.

12. Write Stuff with Secret Family Recipes
"I stirred it with my finger." That was my grandfather's standard response to, "How'd you make this taste so good?"

13. Blog o'Beth with The Menu of My Life
1977 The Ohio summer air was warm and muggy. My friend Vicki and I had spent the day perfecting our rollerskating skills on my driveway. I had white skates with a big blue stripe down each side, and large blue pom poms with bells in the middle. Vicki and I were sweaty and tired and tumbled into the house eager for a snack.

14. Chasingche with Brunch
On rare occasions, when Daddy is home in the morning, we make a big brunch. This weekend we were out of coffee and had to visit our local roaster and artisan bakery. The couple who owns the shop are some of my favorite people. I admire all they've accomplished just in the last five years. What was once a little stand at the Farmer's Market, giving out free cups of delicious coffee to the visitors, has become quite an accomplished business.

15. Notes from the Cookie Jar with The Gingerbread Incident
Many years ago, I slipped into a phase in my journey of motherhood that I'd like to call the "Martha-land" phase. I blame a certain domestic diva that was popular at the time, because for some reason I became enthralled with crafts, making homemade baby food, bread, the whole deal. Plus working. Oh, and being a foster mom too. Besides that, we also owned our own business.

16. Just Mom's Musings with Eating Barbecue? Ditch the Fork
As soon as I walked in to the restaurant I knew I wasn't in familiar territory. Instead of a bowl of mints on the hostess's counter, there was a large ceramic pig holding mounds of hermetically sealed toothpicks. Instead of napkins neatly placed on the dining tables, there were large rolls of paper towels.

17. Glacier Racing with Food for Thought
My wife had nightmares after pizza. Something someone over at Moose Tooth Pizzeria put in the sauce worked its way into her inner consciousness and woke all the best monsters. I'd listen for a while when she spoke in her sleep to see if she'd divulge anything useful, but usually about the third scream I'd kinda lose interest and poke her and tell her to pipe down.

18. Life with Boys with A Food Wasteland
I thought we were making progress. I thought our 3-year-old was learning to be truthful and to not sneak food that had not been "approved". Apparently I was wrong. It seems that we had made progress in removing the opportunity for such behaviors, but not the desire for wrong-doing. We were able to manipulate the behavior, but not the heart behind it.

19. Mozi Emsé with Filling the Gap: Food
Dear Esmé, FOOD is not a four-letter word. It may make all my clothes shrink, but it is not in itself evil.

20. Loulou's Views with For the Love of Food
I love food. I'm Greek. I have to love food. Greeks are very passionate people - we yell, we are loud, we love life, we love our families, we are really over-dramatic, we freak out over the smallest thing, we dance, we sing, we like to have fun, and we eat. Oh, do we eat!

21. Pensieve with The Southern Way
Blood and marriage are reason enough to gather on the hottest day of the year to celebrate family, for no other reason than that. It's the Southern Way.

22. Richard Curtis with Food? No Love
The spring of 2001 found me day dreaming and fantasizing about how I would celebrate my third wedding anniversary. My newly given wife had become the focus of my admiration and awareness. I just knew The Universe would provide something spectacular. What I didn’t realize is that I needed to buckle my seat belt for the dining experience of my life.

23. Living with Walls with Frog Legs
I do not promote the eating of Frog Legs... but as a child, it was a different world and a different time. It was 1968 and I was 8 years old.

24. Compost Happens with Recession Gardening, Victory Gardens and Family Tales
Last season, the news was full of a new term: Recession Gardens. Folks across the U.S.A. were figuring out what we backyard gardeners already knew: fresh home grown veggies are inexpensive and delicious, with less risk of contamination in the harvest or shipping process. Whether I call it recession garden or kitchen garden, this plot of soil will produce the produce my family loves.

25. From the Planet of Janet with Post-birthday Stress Disorder
Yup. I don't know what is wrong with me today, but I am totally in a funk. Could it be that I am suffering from the aftermath of having dinner with my children again? Could it be that I'm worn out from holiday cheer?

26. Capital Mom with Snacks
All too often in our house mealtime involves the girl declaring "I don't like that" before her plate of food even hits the table. "You haven't tried it" I say. "I don't like it" she says. "You have to try three bites" I say. "No, just one" she says. The negotiations begin.

27. Swell Flamingo with Sweet Tea, Sweet Tea . . . We All Scream for Sweet Tea
My family came up for a visit last month... the first time meeting the new little one. A tradition we have started when Dad & Johnnie visit is hosting a Southern Sunday Brunch. And this visit was no exception. I just love it. When you are 8,000 miles away from family and home there is nothing better than food to help savor those memories.

28. The Book Chook with Books and Food
Certain things go really well together: songs and campfires, kids and puppies, crusty bread and cheese. Today, I've been thinking how well two of my favourite things complement each other: books... and food.

29. Earnest Parenting with Butterfly Lunch Wrap
One of my personal challenges: lunch. It’s easy to just serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which can get tedious after a while. I’m not the most creative food person on the planet either. That said, I’m rather proud of my Butterfly Lunch Wrap.

30. Vacuumusing with Eating Habits
This thought has crossed my mind many times while struggling to navigate the peculiar world of pre-school eating habits: Why do I care so much about what she eats? I pondered this question as I was vacuuming left-over shredded cheese from lunch that was now crusted on the kitchen floor. I mean, my oldest survived for years almost wholly on a diet of bagel bites and tv dinners. By all indications, she seems to be perfectly healthy.

31. Life on the Wild Side with My Favorite Day of the Year
The day dawned hot and humid, as most July days on the Illinois prairie do. It seemed like the cornfields just trapped the heated air, making the plains a natural oven and each day hotter than the next. But as a kid, the heat didn’t bother me; I simply got up, threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and headed outside.

32. Rose Milcetic with Remembering Mom, Grandma and Aunt Lucy!!!!!
When one takes time to think, really think, it's amazing how many avenues of the past the mind wanders through. One of my favorite memories of growing up centers on the wonderful holiday meals and the large friendly kitchen in our home on Van Nest Avenue in the Bronx. Holidays always evoked feelings of enduring love and security that surrounded home and hearth back in the good old days!!!

33. Days Ease Wordlets and Creativities with The Smell of Love
It is back. A deep, nagging, and overwhelming longing has come upon my heart, like a haunting memory that is somehow sweet, though barely recognizable. In an attempt to distract myself, I glance at my unmanicured hands with their unpainted nails and am momentarily disgusted by the deeper, drier lines that have formed across them.

34. City Chic on a Farm with My Six-Cheese Lasagna . . . FINALLY!
This CCOAF is not a cook by any means and I have no interest in cooking what’s so ever, nor do I like any aspect of the whole responsibility. However I have a husband and 3 boys to feed so I need to learn so I can feed my family. Usually I make simple things using frozen food, or box dinners with all the ingredients where you just add the meat, like Hamburger Helper. HH makes me look like I know what I’m doing!

35. Cindy Salazar with Pancake Surprise
Early, morning sunshine glistened through an open kitchen window, giving light to the tiny, dimly-lit room. Trees danced to a classical tune played by the set of shiny, silver windchimes hanging above the patio door. Little feet, twelve little feet, tiptoed into the kitchen, one set of feet larger than the next. Hushed, laughing voices whispered on top of each other as scrambling little hands rummaged through cabinet doors.

35. Dancing with the Daffodils with Love Smells Just Like Peach Cobbler
While shopping for peaches this weekend, I inquired of the woman at the vegetable stand if she might have some in the back that were bruised and too ripe to have on display. I told her I prefer those for making cobbler. She wanted to know the occasion and it started a conversation about cooking and marriage that inspired me to testify about something that works for me.

***

Congratulations to Janet of Pennsauken, New Jersey for winning this weekend's bridal package giveaway from Chic Execs! She'll be seeing treats from Ideal Favors, Lapin Vilardi and Magic Bells.

Sponsored by Wedding Paper Divas for wedding invitations.

What's Meaner Than a Mother Moose?

The answer to that would be: A mother moose with two babies.

And yes, there is a story attached.

You see last week the family decided that we wanted to enjoy the nice sunny evening and take a bit of a walk. We went down to our neighborhood schoolyard and were having a great time together until Lillian informed us she needed to get to the bathroom. Fast.

Great. We don't have that happen around here too much anymore and I'm really out of the habit of asking everyone if they've used the bathroom before we go anywhere (I figure it's their own business) so I sighed and figured it was my fault for not being more vigilant.

"I'll take her back" I said.

"No, we'll all go," Andrew said. He was trying to be nice.

So we headed back and took the shortcut through the "woods," which is just a little bike path through a wooded area in between the school and the subdivision where we live. However, as we came to the top of a hill and turned a corner Lillian let out a scream.

"MOOSE!!" she yelled. And I mean yelled. Then she went all crazy on me.

You see, apparently the good folks at the Anchorage School District figure that children today don't have enough to worry about. Global warming, nuclear holocaust, terrorism, AIDS, swine flu, drugs and domestic violence are all fine and dandy but our children today really need to be warned about the dangers of moose. Yes moose.

So in an effort to reinforce to the children of Anchorage how horribly dangerous these quadrupeds are the school district apparently showed a public service video on the dangers, complete with a reenactment of a boy being terrorized, and the effect was to scare the you-know-what out of my daughter.

I didn't realize this until we turned that corner and came face-to-face with Bullwinkle but when Lillian went all to pieces on me (seriously, she was hysterical) one of the boys said in this disgusted older-brother voice, "They showed this video at school about how moose are dangerous. It kind of scared her."

Kind of scared her? Really? You think? My child couldn't have been more upset if her parents had just been turned inside out by roving bands of alien marauders. Upset was an understatement.

So I was a little irritated that my taxes had paid for this full-blown psychotic episode that I now had to deal with. Then on top of that while I dislike having moose around (and they're all over the place) I have never really understood people's fear of them. Yes, they're big and anything big or wild (or both) should be taken seriously but really people, isn't a moose just a big wild cow?

I hear all the time about how dangerous they are and how you can be trampled by them but I sat in a class several years back where the state medical examiner himself said (I swear on a stack of Bibles) that there had only been one death recorded in the entire state of Alaska where someone was killed by a moose. And even then it was an elderly lady who was found dead in her back yard and they think that she got trampled by a moose trying to defend her little dog but there was no proof--just speculation based on her injuries. In short, I find the dangers over rated and moose habits quite annoying.

So to make my story short, here we were trying to get home to get my child to a toilet in time and there is this moose, 40 feet away blocking the path. I don't like moose and their lilac-chomping habits and the fact that this one was going to cause a large inconvenience didn't set well with me.

Andrew said, "Let's just go another way."

I said, "What? It'll be fifteen minutes out of our way to go around and she's got to get to a bathroom--it's just a moose."

"What do you mean? What are you going to do?"

"Throw things at it to make it go away."

"You're crazy."

I suppose I should mention here that it was a mother moose with two brand new babies. She'd probably given birth within the last week if not the past day or two.

"It's no big deal" I said and to prove my point and to get the job done quickly I walked closer to where she was standing on the path with her babies on the other side of her.

The boys by this time must have felt rather sheepish about their mother acting so brave and not to be outdone one picked up a small stick and threw it her direction. She was far enough away that it didn't hit her, it just kind of landed in front of her where she could look at it and wonder why we were bothering her.

Lillian calmed down a bit at this point as the action in the scene picked up and Andrew and the boys half-heartedly lobbed a few other items (they were obviously still skeptical about my moose-eradication techniques) but being so far away it didn't do anything to scare her off. I'd chased so many moose out of my yard that I just didn't see her as a threat the way they did and knew that if I could just hit her with something to startle her she'd bolt off and let us go by. I wasn't about to hurt her--just get her to move.

So I marched toward her, picking up a small stick along the way, determined to clear the path.

I walked to where I was about ten feet away and I threw the stick at her. It wasn't very big and it was pretty rotten so it just kind of pelted her in this annoying way and bounced off her side. She turned to look at me and stood, face-on, eying me with her babies behind her.

That's when things got interesting.

She took a step or two toward me and suddenly I heard this funny noise. A low rumbling sound and I kind of thought in this back-of-my-mind way "That's an odd sound to make. I don't think I've ever heard a moose make that kind of sound before . . . " and I realized she was actually growling at me. It startled me, I'd never heard a moose get angry before, they're really pretty docile (as long as they have a steady diet of my crab apples on hand) and will usually, eventually run off if you make some noise and chase them away but this one was facing me down and making angry sounds. I could be wrong but it even looked to me as if her hair was bristling and I remember thinking, "That's the look a dog gives you when it's mad at you and wants you to back down."

I took another step forward but about the time my thoughts continued on and said, "She's not happy with me. Maybe I'll change my mind and just leave her alone," she charged.

She did this little hop-step to get some momentum and then she ran at me.

I heard Andrew yell and I heard all the kids yell and I heard Lillian flip out with this scream of terror that you only hear in movies as she went all to pieces. They were all yelling and running and the moose was still growling as it came at me and it all happened so fast it was all rather a blur. But I definitely decided right then and there that bravery was completely overrated, that this specimen of wildlife was bigger and meaner than I had previously imagined and that now it was time to run.

I was wearing a long cottom skirt but it didn't matter, I made a dash for it and ran off the path into the woods to duck behind a tree. It wasn't a big tree, maybe two inches in diameter, and it wasn't like I thought it would hide me or anything but I figured that if she was going to stomple me that at least the tree would slow her down before she could actually crush me to pulp.

I vaguely remember closing my eyes and waiting for impact then after a few seconds opening them to realize she'd stopped and turned away to go back to her babies. At which point I jumped out from behind my scrawny hiding place and ran far, far away.

I caught up with the kids (who had scattered for their lives) and Andrew gave me the what-for. Lillian was completely gone (I'm sure she'll require therapy for this one) and if you too would like to shake a finger go ahead. I deserve it. If you'd like I'll even take an oath. "I hereby do solemnly swear that I will never again attempt to run off a mother moose. Not even for the sake of convenience on a family outing."

I would have looked pretty stupid, all mushed into the pavement right there after all my tough talk. As it was I looked stupid enough running behind the tree but at least I lived to tell the tale.

I guess I'm not exactly ready for a running of the bulls.

Sponsored by Tiny Prints for the holiday party invitations for children.

The Tortilla Tower of Doom

I get Family Fun magazine periodically--a year here or a year there--and when this past issue came my kids saw this recipe, ripped it right out and left it on the kitchen counter for a not-so-subtle hint.

Fair enough. If they're kind enough to make the decision of what we're going to eat (that's the hardest part of cooking I swear!) then the least I can do is oblige them.

I made a couple changes based on ingredients I had on hand and present it here for your Tex-Mex fantasies.

2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound lean ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
2 cups frozen corn
6 10-inch flour tortillas
1 16-ounce tub sour cream
sliced olives
2 cups salsa
12 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese

In a large pan heat the oil and saute the ground beef, onion and garlic until the beef is browned. Drain and return to pan then add the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook a few more minutes then add the beans and corn and cook until corn is heated, about 5 more minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a springform pan and layer one of the tortillas in the bottom. Spread 1/4 cup of sour cream over the tortillas and about 1/4 cup of the salsa. Add some of the beef mixture and a bit of the cheese then add another tortilla and repeat the process, layering as you go until you've used the tortillas (or run out of pan, take your pick). Then end with a bit more cheese. The tortilla you use for the bottom should be slightly bigger than the bottom of the pan so that it goes very slightly up the sides but the rest of the tortillas should be the same size as the springform pan so if they're too big you can use the pan itself to trace the tortillas then trim them down to size.

Bake for about 30 minutes until browned and tasty then cool for a few minutes before serving like a pie, sliced diagonally.

Sponsored by Beau-Coup for unique baby shower favors.

Three HOT Bridal Treats from Chic Execs

I'm so excited about today's giveaway--do you know anyone getting married? All you June brides need to take note, this is a triple giveaway from three companies that will help you plan the perfect day.

First here's Ideal Favors which sells everything you'd need for the wedding party--you see here beautiful little linen boxes with suede ribbons (they come in other colors) and these sweet little felt bags with little seed packets as favors for your guests. Don't those linen boxes look so classy?

Candles and personalized take out containers, candies and paper tote bags if you've got a marriage coming (or other celebration--I could see this being fun for a big birthday party or anniversary party) then this is the shop for you.

Next, you've got to check out Lapin Vilardi for travel bags--if you're heading out on a honeymoon or just need some perfect little travel bags this is definitely the place. I was sent two of their most popular bags and took them with me this week on our trip to Los Angeles and they've been absolutely perfect.

Jewelry rolls, shoe bags, lingerie bags, cosmetic totes--even laundry bags, they've got a huge selection of beautifully stylish pouches and bags. Great for the bride or the traveler. A very nice gift, particularly for a wedding shower.

And finally (as if these first two aren't great enough) meet Magical Bells which has an unusual and lovely story behind it. If you've read the picture book The Polar Express then you know the significance of the magic bell and this company sells beautiful heirloom bells as a lovely addition to the classic story. Apparently brides have found the site and begun buying the bells for their weddings because of their high quality--isn't that fun?

So if you're thinking of your own wedding bells then Magical Bells could be the spot for you.

And today? As a treat Ideal Favors is giving away $100 worth of their personalized match books, napkins and coasters or any combination thereof, Lapin Vilardi is offering their popular Tulleries lingerie bag or jewelry roll and Magical Bells is offering one of their wedding bell gift bags. That ought to get you at least half way down the aisle, right?? Thanks so much to our sponsors this week and congratulations to all you brides out there.

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday morning click here to reach the giveaway entry form then enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to readers with a U.S. address, good luck!

Greetings from L.A.

I'm sorry I've been so incommunicado lately--I haven't answered any of my emails or comments this week but maybe you'll understand when you see my pictures.

"What do you want to do in Los Angeles?" Andrew asked me last week.

"Is there a ball game?"

"I think so, I'll check," he said. And here are the results.

I've always liked the Dodgers--they're right next to the Braves in my book--and Wednesday night they had a game against Oakland. As it happens David's Little League team is named the A's as well and he wanted to know who I was going to root for.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to go with the Dodgers on this one," I told him and I think I dropped a little in his esteem.
Here the mighty blues were taking the field--I haven't been to a major league game since I was 11 and got to see the Mariners play at the King Dome. My one and only major league baseball experience.

We'd debated about which tickets to get but we ended up in the left field pavilion and were quite pleased. Great view huh? Actually it was really fun, we learned that we were down with the rowdies. Security was always around trying to get people to stop it with the beach balls which only encouraged them in their efforts.

We sat next to the world's greatest expert on baseball who was there to explain the pesky details like the infield fly rule and why baseball is better at Dodger stadium where they can play by National League rules. We saw Mitch Jones' first major league at bat and we saw a fantastic Dodger double play and we saw . . . the Dodgers lose. Five to four.

But great fun nonetheless.

And as a closing note David will be thrilled--we were right behind Matt Holliday in the left field. David's got a picture of Holliday framed on his bedroom wall so he'll be impressed. The guys next to me (did I mention it was 90% men?) kept yelling at him and heckling him with "HEY MAAAAAAAATT! YOU SUUUUUUCKK!" Though the guy next to me confided sadly that unfortunately for the Dodgers it was most definitely not true.

A great night. I love baseball.

Sponsored by Pink and Blue for unique baby gifts to make them "ooh" and "ahh."

Say Hello to Bob

While I'm away on vacation I thought I'd introduce you to BobHe's a fire-belly toad and he's actually really sweet.

There's something about these pictures that I love. Maybe it's the contrast between the textures or the warm glow of the wood or the drops of water on the floor but it feels like the essence of summer and boyhood. David catches bugs for him every other day and feeds him as lovingly as if he were his own baby. With warts.

Sponsored by Dimples and Dandelions with the Serena and Lily Bedding Collection for children.

Smelly Concentration

You've played the game of concentration before, right? Where you take turns trying to match up hidden pictures from memory?

Well here's a fun twist on the game for small children--a smelling version.

Using Dixie cups and cotton balls you put different scents (in pairs) in the cups and let the kids try to match them up. I've found it helpful to write the name of the smell on the bottom of the cup in case you forget what it is you've used.

Here are some good ideas for odors:

perfume
peppermint, vanilla, almond, butter, cinnamon or coconut extracts
Lysol, ammonia or bleach
vinegar, olive oil, garlic or lemon juice
gasoline

Use your imagination and your nose to come up with fun stuff to sniff then see how many kids can match and how many they can identify.

Sponsored by Wedding Paper Divas for wedding invitations.

Tile Board Crafts

A friend of mine (Hi Amy!) was kind enough to show me how to do this project but I've been slow in posting for two reasons: first, I messed it up so I didn't want to post pictures of my disaster and then second, when I finally had a good one turn out it was very hard to photograph properly.

So I'm using Amy's finished product here to show you what it looks like--you can see how the picture looks like ceramic tile? She's made it into a picture for her wall but it's not tile at all but a picture glued on particle board with a thick resin coating and a frame.

So I'm going to explain how to do it but I'll use pictures from my first failed attempt and refer you to some other pictures on the web so you can get more ideas.

What you'll need:

• A tile board (made of particle board) you can make your own if you have the tools or you can buy them online at places like Provo Craft.

• Craft paint in the color you'd like for your background "grout."
  

• Mod Podge (found at any craft store)
  

• Pictures to use (cardstock too if you want that as a border. Amy scanned the fabric on her daughter's dress then printed it to make the matching border you see on the top picture she did--clever huh?)
  

• Envirotex epoxy (can be found at Michael's or other craft stores)

• foam brushes

• a plastic cup


• a popsicle stick for stirring


• a trash bag


• a frame (optional)
  

1. First you paint the grooves on the board whatever color you'd like for your "grout" look. You can see here how the grooves are white? That's the paint.

2. Once the paint has dried completely, use the Mod Podge to carefully glue the pictures or cardstock you will be using to the sections on the board. I cut strips from the corners, stuck them in place then trimmed them after they were dry.

This step isn't tricky but it's very important that you use a generous, uniform layer of Mod Podge underneath so bubbles don't develop as the pictures and cardstock dry.

3. Once you've glued them in place you'll add another generous and uniform layer of Mod Podge with a brush over the top and I mean generous.

I found that it works well to smooth it with your fingers because the surface of the foam brush can start to tear up the paper as its worked and worked and worked. Your finger runs right over the top without shredding anything.

It's very important that you give it a good layer over the entire board--even down in groove a bit--so that the pictures or cardstock are completely sealed in there otherwise the epoxy coating will seep into the places that didn't get good coverage. You can see how my border was beginning to bubble a bit--I had trouble with this one because I didn't put enough Mod Podge down underneath and didn't add enough on top. You can keep smoothing it as it dries and that helps quite a bit, you just can't smooth once and walk away.

4. Let the Mod Podge dry completely. Another place where I messed up the first time. It was a little wet when I went onto the next step and the texture on the picture was a little off because of it.

5. Once it's dry get your Envirotex resin. This is stuff that is equal to about 50 coats of varnish and you buy it in a box that contains two bottles of chemicals. You mix equal parts (about 1 ounce each) in a plastic cup and then get out your popsicle stick and stir for three or four minutes. You'll see a lot of bubbles and it might get a little cloudy but don't worry, that just means the stuff is mixing.

6. Get out your trash bag and put it in a room that has as little dust as possible where it won't be touched for a day or so. Boost the tile board on a couple upside down cans of food so that the extra epoxy can run off onto the trash bag without getting all over the place. (You put the cans upside down so that if you get any epoxy on the rims it won't keep you from opening the can when you need food).

7. Pour the mixed epoxy all over the top of the tile board. Use the popsicle stick to gently push and spread the thick goop down into the grooves and over the entire picture.

8. Once it's covered, gently blow on the picture to cause any bubbles that might have formed to pop and disappear (this was pretty easy when I did it--the bubbles kind of disappeared on their own, but it's the heat from your breath that helps them to go away. I've heard a gentle blow dryer can also work).

9. Now you'll need to let it sit for about 45 minutes. You'll want to put some kind of a tent over the top to keep dust from settling on the picture and I used a large plastic tub my kids use for their Legos. I just washed it out and inverted it over the whole set up. Instant dust-proof container.

10. In 45 minutes come back and with the popsicle stick push through the grooves in the picture to make sure they're not full of epoxy (you don't want it to settle too much in there or the tiled effect is lost). Another mistake I made my first time. Sigh. If you plan on framing it you might gently scrape around the edges to prevent against any large glops sticking and making it hard to fit a frame on later.

11. Let it dry for 24 hours in the dust-proof tent before pulling it out. It will be completely cured in 36 hours. Frame it if you want.

Now a couple notes here: while I've seen people frame their boards you could also prop them up in a mini tabletop easel without a frame. Pictures of your kids are fun but you could also use photos from calenders or even holiday cards. I was originally planning to do this at Christmas time and use a Christmas card but the only cards I could find that I thought would look good were very expensive and I wasn't going to pay $20 just to be able to use one card. Even if I used the rest for sending out it was too expensive.

Craft Warehouse has a picture of one that is done with a built-in frame on the board. Nice touch. And this website answers some questions you might have about the project. The boards themselves are rather expensive so if you're handy with a router and saw you can save a bunch of money cutting your own but if you only want to do one or two it's probably not too bad to just buy them online.

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And congratulations to a different Amy from Anchorage, Alaska for winning the camping package giveaway from last weekend. Have a great time in the outdoors.

Sponsored by Tiny Prints for the holiday party invitations for children.