telling stories - making memories

You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for February 2009

Archives for February 2009

Vacation Land Getaway

JanMary asked a few questions that will require more than one post to answer; however, I’ll tackle two of her three questions today.

Where in the world would you most like to visit?

Because I was lured by a PBS special, I would love to visit the little islands off the coast of Greece. 

poros07cr

Where was your best vacation?

When we have time off, we usually visit family.  This isn’t bad considering most of our families live in the South.  FringeBanker, my brother, and his family live in Florida and that is a favorite vacation destination for us.  When FringeMan was in school, we lived about 2 minutes from my brother and his wife.  The FringeChildren miss Uncle Jamie & Aunt Kelly, so their first choice of vacation spots is Pensacola.

Don’t even get me started on the beautiful white sand beaches…I may drive myself into a deep depression.

 This past summer, we went back to Maine for our vacation and enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing week.  We all enjoyed visiting our friends and removing ourselves from the hustle & bustle of New York living.

domesticweb

We stayed in this cute little cabin.  Notice the tomato plant growing right alongside the stairs.

kidsbeachweb

Maine’s coastline is rugged, craggy, and full of rocks.  The entire state is full of rocks! 

Every garden is a rock garden. 

The water is freezing for most of the year, but the FringeKids just don’t care.  They were born there.

barharbor

Maine is called ‘vacation land’ for a reason.  It’s an absolutely beautiful place to visit.  If you’re thinking about moving that far North, just be sure to invest in several pairs of long-johns, a few space-heaters, and boots that come to your knees.

annaliesesunriseshell

I tortured my family with a sunrise.  You can read about it HERE.

jcwatering-flowers

I just realized that I have a few posts about our Maine vacation that never made it to publish.  Looks like you may get another ‘summery’ post tomorrow.

Thank you for your questions JanMary.  Did I mention she lives in Ireland?  Go visit!

Enjoy your Saturday! 

Friday’s Spotlight – Hat Chick

Spring is a time for beginnings.  In anticipation of Spring, I am launching Friday’s Spotlight.  Each Friday throughout the Spring and possibly into the summer, I will spotlight a fellow blogger who is a friend of the domestic fringe.  We will get to know them through their personal stories, questions asked by me, or a featured topic.

 

 

If I haven’t already contacted you to participate in Friday’s Spotlight, prepare yourself.  You can run, but you can’t hide.  I will find you!  I have my ways.  After all, I was going to be a private investigator when I grew up.

 

 

I am pleased to introduce you to Hat Chick.  Her name and her blog seemed so mysterious to me that once I found her, I had to keep visiting.  Hat Chick not only owns a collection of ‘named’ hats, but she’s also smart and witty.

  

Please put your hands together in a big round of applause for Hat Chick.  Ok, I don’t really expect you to clap. 

 

Relax.

  

By the way, Hat Chick claims the picture below was taken in Vegas on Big Daddy’s 40th birthday.  The jury is still out on this one.  She may have age-related amnesia like myself.

 

****************************************************************************

132_3224

1.      How long have you been blogging and what or who motivated you to launch your site? 

  

My first post was April 7, 2008, so I haven’t seen my first bloggy anniversary yet.  Why blog? Because I read that blogging had become an unexpected force in the market/business world, and even though I don’t have a j.o.b. anymore, I like to be “current”.  I’m not a blogging force, but I see how powerful blogs/bloggers are in markets.

                     

2.      When you were a child what did you dream of becoming when you ‘grew up’?

       

When I was really young, I wanted to be a prima ballerina or a model.  Then in high school, I wanted to be an International Business Woman, whatever that means.  I just knew it would involve travel, great shoes and business dinners.  I still dream of being a model (hat model?) and a tango dancer. BTW, traveling for business?  Not glamorous.  At all.

 

3.      Tell us what you are passionate about…what makes your blood boil, your hackles rise, your heart soar?

       

Blood boil – rudeness and people who are inconsiderate of others

Hackles raise – politics

Heart soar – dancing ballet, watching the magic of Christmas unfold each year, hearing my peeps say they love me, and hearing them laugh.

 

4.      What is your “15 minutes” of fame?

 

Touring with Ballet Mississippi dancing various parts in Nutcracker

 

5.      Your husband would say that your quirkiest behavior is…?

        

He says I’m a little obsessed with rudeness.  I get run over by other people by sometimes because it’s hard for me to find the line between being rude and standing up for myself.

 

6.      If your car could speak, it would say…?

       

Big Daddy said it would say “Wash Me”.  My car is the Coyote.  It’s a wild animal that doesn’t like to be washed.  The Coyote would tell me,”Go faster and farther. Get out of Little Town.”

 

7.      What latest trend simply baffles you?

       

Tattoos and body piercings.  I’m needle-averse.  Why get stuck on purpose?

 

8.      What is the grossest thing you’ve ever done in public?

       

When Big Daddy and I came back from our honeymoon, I got Montezuma’s revenge.  I was so excited to exchange wedding gifts and spend our gift money that I went to Dillards with a crampy tummy anyway.  I gassed the entire china and linen department.

 

9.      How did your obsession with hats begin?

         

My mother allowed me to get up in the middle of the night to watch Prince Charles marry Lady Diana.  I remember noticing all the hats worn by everyone in the congregation and it just stuck with me.  For me, hats represent grace, graciousness and refinement.  You can’t wear a hat with slouched shoulders or with your head hung low – and I see so many women going through life needlessly that way (figuratively and literally).  I think all ladies need a fine hat (and it always fits, regardless of your dress size).

 

10.  If we could peek into your closet, what store would be most represented?

       

If you close your eyes and put your hand on any hanger, the label would be either Ann Taylor, Lily Pulitzer or Ralph Lauren.

 

11.  What is the worst meal you have ever cooked?

       

The ALL ORANGE meal – fish sticks, mac-n-cheese, boiled carrots.  After I served that meal, Big Daddy told me I never had to cook when I wasn’t in the mood to do it again.

164

 

12.   Please leave us with one brief thought.

            

There are two things that will serve you better than anything else your entire life.  Both are free and no one has an excuse not to have either – good manners and good grammar.

 

***************************************************************************************

Thank you Hat Chick!  I hope everybody takes a minute to visit Hat Chick and leave her a comment.

 

Sugar Glazed Carrots

The other day I received this cute apron from Hat Chick and had to run right into the kitchen and whip-up something special. 

Not really.  I just don’t get THAT excited about cooking.

100_3011

Isn’t this apron darling?  It even has a large front pocket hand-crafted  by Hat Chick herself.   Thank you Hat Chick!

Today I should be answering one of your many questions, but I am giving you a recipe instead.  Sorry.  I haven’t forgotten about the questions.  I just feel like feeding you carrots today.

Sugar Glazed Carrots

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. Butter

2 Tbs. Brown Sugar

1 Tbs. Honey

1/4 tsp. Vanilla extract

1 pinch Salt

4-5 Carrots

Peel carrots, chunk and cook until soft, but don’t let them get mushy.  I hate mushy!

100_2999

Melt butter in pan.  Add brown sugar and honey.

100_2996

You’ll notice that I forgot to melt the butter first.  Just ignore my pictures.  Do as I say, not as I do!

100_3000

I want you to know that I created this recipe from my vast knowledge of flavors, textures, and colors.  It’s a culinary wonder. 

You should be scared.

100_3002

Your mixture will look slightly different because you would have followed my directions and added the butter first.  You’re a smart crowd.  I know you won’t forget the butter.

After all, fat is the most important ingredient in any recipe.

Ok, add a pinch of salt.

Cook your syrupy mixture until the sugar is all melted and it becomes nice and dark.

100_3003

Drain your carrots and add them to the pan.  Toss till all carrots are covered with syrup and increase heat to burn off any excess moisture.  Cook until carrots are fully glazed.

Walla!  Carrots that actually taste good.  They probably have no nutritional value left, but hey, you can tell mom that you ate your vegetables.

No pictures of the finished product.  I know, I disappoint.

100_3004

I just got carried away cooking these bad boys. 

Bring on the meat!

Have you heard that there is a balsamic vinegar thief on the loose?  Hide your lettuce and cucumbers, because authorities aren’t sure if he’s collected all fixings for a salad yet.  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090226/ap_on_fe_st/odd_balsamic_bandit;_ylt=Aq8P8J0hUX_lsPr9r59ZO4p34T0D

Don’t believe me?  Check it out for yourself!

Shampoo Shambles

When do children learn proper hygiene? 

I’ve been bathing them since the day returned from the hospital and we still haven’t mastered the bath/shower routine.  FringeBoy showers each morning without being told, but he rarely uses soap and never washes his hair.  He thinks I should be pleased that he allowed hot water to rinse and warm him.

FringeGirl uses soap.  She paints the tile walls with it, draws pictures on the plastic shower liner, and always washes the tub.  By the smell of things, the soap doesn’t always make it to the stinkiest parts.  She does use shampoo and conditioner, not necessarily in that order; however, she doesn’t rinse the soap out of her hair. 

Have you ever attempted to blow-dry a clump of conditioner?  It can’t be done.  She inevitably returns to the shower for a second rinse and spin cycle.

You would think her problem could easily be solved by my rinsing her hair.  Can’t be done!  I cannot enter the bathroom after the hot water has been running for more than 3 seconds.

woman-frizzy-hair_px347079

FRIZZ – this is exactly what happens to my hair with the slightest bit of humidity.  Now imagine me entering a steamy bathroom to rinse FringeKid’s hair.  Do you know how long I spend making my hair straight? 

Of course you don’t.  It’s a tedious job that requires pliable cement and an abundance of patience.  I hate it!

Fortunately after I straighten my hair, It will last for 2-3 days.  Not gross when your hair is as dry as the straw they feed cows.  (Do they feed cows straw?)

Trust me, nobody knows when I’m wearing yesterday’s hair.

I just want my kids to use soap on their bodies, shampoo in their hair, and rinse.  Is that asking too much?

If you need to complain, link-up for Tuesday’s Tantrum.

Raining From Heaven

Each morning, I open my front door only to find gifts left by motorists and pedestrians alike.  Some of these gifts are so unusual, I suspect they’ve rained down from heaven above.

100_2975

I found this full loaf of Italian bread on my lawn Saturday morning.  Strangely enough, it made me happy.  This bread was my manna from heaven.  I don’t think it’s coincidence that I currently feel like an Israelite wandering in the wilderness for forty years. 

100_2977

Hubcaps are a more common find.  In fact, at Christmas I considered hanging my collection from the tree in front of my house.  I figured they’d be unique ornaments.

I had such a variety of hubcaps in my collection that some thought I was going into business.  Not a bad idea!  You’ve heard of a fruit stand; this will be an auto parts stand. 

I’m hanging out my shingle.

Domestic Auto Parts

Pre-owned and Pre-loved

 

 

Winter White

A combination of raging hormones and February gloom triggered a bathroom induced depression.  Not the kind of depression where I hide under the covers and don’t brush my hair, but the variety that tempts me to charge one-way airline tickets to Florida. 

I hate looking out my window and seeing winter’s grey clouds.  The lack of sunshine makes me slightly crazy each winter and I usually begin painting my walls obnoxious shades of yellow.  Sure enough, this winter I considered painting my bathroom a grass green and splashing the walls with giant daises.  I rejected the idea of painting mainly because I do all the painting on the domestic fringe and I just didn’t feel like exerting that much effort. 

Instead I went for a 15 minute make-over and I’m SO happy.  Over the past twenty-four hours, I’ve found myself wandering into the bathroom just to look around and smile.  It’s lighter, brighter, and more my style. 

100_1743This is a before shot…actually it was taken right after we moved into the house.  I used burgundy colored towels and a beige shower curtain with embroidered burgundy flowers.  I liked it; it went with the overall bathroom design, but it also bugged me.  I felt as if I were using someone else’s bathroom.  It’s just not my style.  I can appreciate it’s beauty, but it’s not me.

100_1744Notice how everything matches?  The mirror, the medicine cabinet, the sink base…when I decorate, nothing matches.  It’s a terrible habit of mine.

100_2991

I love using white in decorating.  It just makes me happy.

100_2992

All I did was change the shower curtain, add a few white towels, and four plastic picture frames.  I bought these frames in Wal-Mart for $2.50 each.  I’ll add snapshots as soon as I have a few printed.

100_2993

It was a quick, cheap face-lift.

100_2994

This painting hangs above the lightswitch on the side of the sink.  I purchased it a few years ago from a local Maine artist.  I’ll admit it’s odd, but I absolutely love it. 

100_2990

How does winter affect you?