What a Pair!

I love watching these two. I have always wanted to see the grandfather/granddaughter relationship and while I didn't get to experience it myself it is such a gift to watch my father and daughter! They are crazy about each other.

Happy Halloween, pictures will be up tomorrow!

Mystery Tea

A couple of weeks ago my friend Sarah called me up and invited me to attend a mystery tea with her. Neither of us really knew what it was all about, but we decided we were game for pretty much anything. Sarah is a super considerate girl and she called in advance to let them know I was vegan (my plan was just to enjoy tea and assume I wouldn't partake in any potential eating).

When she talked to the organizer she said, "Just so you know, my friend is vegan."

The lady asked, "So now is that her first name or her last name?"

Needless to say I didn't expect much and I was perfectly OK with that.

The mystery tea was held at an historic house here in my town. We were ushered into what was once a sitting room, but had been set up with several tables. The tables were spread throughout the first floor of the house and each was set with a unique china setting, our table had glass dinnerware, not actually china.

Photo taken with camera phone

The mystery tea was run by people who are in some way affiliated with the historic house. Just guessing here, but the median age was probably 65ish. There were a couple of other young women, but they seemed to be with a grandparent. Sarah and I were delighted, we knew we were in for something different!

Sarah, photo taken with camera phone

They served mini-sandwiches (they called them sandwitches) to everyone, but they brought me out a plate of fresh veggies. Not exactly a filling meal, but I appreciated the effort. When we were done eating Sarah whispered to me," I wonder if there is going to be a mystery or if this is all we are doing."

Me, photo taken with camera phone

Before I could answer one of the women running the show stood up, script in hand, and started reading and acting. One by one various people stood up and talked about how they couldn't have been involved in the death of The Earl of Grey (get it?) even though they stood to inherit a small fortune when he passed away. The suspects were a cousin, a girlfriend, a dog trainer, a housekeeper, a decorator, a personal trainer, and his personal secretary. We listened as each of the women stood up and read their script with gusto and we laughed at their "jokes".

Sarah whispered,"Do you think they're going to give any clues so we can figure out who the killer is?"

The answer was no, we just listened to each monologue and then wrote down on a piece of paper who we thought might be the killer---no clues to speak of. We didn't care at all, the acting had been treat enough! They also served scones (not vegan, too bad), pomegranate pop, and some other little sweets.

We had a wonderful time at this very unusual event. I don't know about you, but I love giving in to odd or unique experiences and just taking them for what they are.

Although Sarah and I did get enthused about hosting our own murder mystery night, with all the fixin's. Have you ever done anything like that?

Frightful Things

With Halloween right around the corner I thought I'd share my top 10 list of things that terrify me:

1. Squirrels: I am pretty much terrified of squirrels. I have had a fear of these little devils since childhood. I generally assume that all squirrels are rabid or just crazy. While I have a deep compassion for the plight of all animals in general, I have a serious aversion to being in close proximity to those tiny terrors.
   
2. Heights: When I am near anything that could be considered a precipice I feel as though I have no control of my own body. I fear that I may fling myself off, pass out, throw up, you get the idea. I also get incredibly anxious when I see other people too close to an edge.
   
3. Driving in cars: We have been hit by many poor drivers, my fear is well-founded with this one!
   
4. Getting lost in the deep south: I think this fear comes from too many scary movies. I have also never been to the deep south and in my mind's eye there are a bunch of mutants ready to attack me in the woods. Sorry if you're from the deep south...
   
5. Angry bargain hunters: Have you ever been out on Black Friday? Bargain Hunters stampeding to get deals on toys or electronics, it chills the soul.
   
6. People with an unhealthy love of cats: I love cats, but there are those people who love cats too much. I once knew a woman called "Cat Lady" and she only wore cat clothes, only bought cat related products, only talked about cats. For Halloween she dressed as...you guessed it...a cat! She really scared me.
   
7. Obnoxious gum chewing: My vision of truly unbearable torture would be being strapped down and being forced to endlessly listen to someone chewing their gum obnoxiously. I shudder to think of it.
   
8. Hawaii: I had a terrible dream when I was a wee little lass, it involved volcanoes on a Hawaiian Island. When I woke from that dream I swore I would never go to Hawaii. Now I actually kind of want to go to Hawaii so my rules are getting a bit fuzzy, but I can still recall in vivid detail the elements of that dream and I will always be a little scared of that beautiful island state.
   
9. Ordering food over the phone: I really hate to do it. Will I place the order correctly? Will I be able to understand the other person on the line? I am not really sure why this is a phobia of mine, but I really start to squirm if I have to be the one making that phone call.
   
10. Neck Joint Cracking: I am so freaked out when people grab their own head and twist, cracking a joint. I really don't want to watch them break their own neck, just seems like it could happen. Doesn't it?

What terrifies you?

Almost No Plans!

I awoke around 7am today. I pulled myself out from beneath a couple layers of quilts and put my bare feet on the floor, thankful for once that we have carpet in our bedroom (my general position is that carpet is gross) and my feet didn't freeze. I picked up my little girl, her hair curling in the back and pasted to one side in the front. She snuggled on my hip like a tired little koala bear. We wandered into the living room. I had that sort of zombie like walk that one has first thing in the morning, my body still kind of slow to start. I turned on lights, Cordelia closed her eyes, and turned up the heat. I put a stripey sweater on and snuggled on the couch with Cordelia under an afghan I made years ago, we were both still in a daze. Bumblebee waddled over for a greeting and soon Eric was there as well.

Once we were all well awake we started about with our morning chores. A fresh diaper, breakfast was made, coffee was brewed, orange juice was chugged, I had a scalding hot shower. The sun came up and the day has begun. For the first time in a long time I have almost no plans. I probably won't even leave the house today. I am hoping that my day involves time with Cordelia, crafting, cleaning, cooking, reading, and my only plan--my dad is coming over for lunch!

What are your plans?

On My Mind

1) It's nearly Halloween and I have no idea what we're going to do for costumes. Even though we will almost certainly be in for the night we will still dress up, we always do. My cousin Erin suggested that Cordelia and I go as Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

Not quite sure that will work right now. Any ideas? Are you dressing up?

2) Last night I was driving home from class and I began to wonder about the word drat as in "oh drat" or "drats". I realized I have no idea what it means, is drats the plural of drat? These are the questions that keep me awake at night folks. So, I looked it up and the resulting information was less than satisfying...drat (drăt)interjection-Used to express annoyance. I was so frustrated that I exclaimed "Drat!"

3) We've officially gotten our first snow and those Wyoming winds have started up. Looks like winter is on it's way.

4) My friend Sarah and I are hoping to make some Christmas gifts this year. We are looking at bath salts, washes, etc. Do you have any spectacular recipes or cool gift ideas that you care to share?

5) My mother and I have started work on an online store. I am excited about it. Do you have any tips? I know a few of my readers have stores of their own. We'd love any and all advice.

What's on your mind today?

Home

We are back in Wyoming after another whirlwind travel adventure. Cordelia was nothing short of perfect on that trip, no meltdowns at all! Not that I'm bragging...OK perhaps I am just a little bit.

We returned home to a jubilant Bumblebee. I missed her too. Cordelia was super happy to be reunited with her grandparents and her animal sisters. She has recently learned to meow and she followed the cats around, meowing. They were less than enthused, big surprise.

Also, we discovered a package from Sophie all the way in Australia. When we opened the package we discovered some wonderful treats as Sophie is also quite talented as a seamstress (check her stuff out here). First was this adorable pair of pants. Don't you wish adults could pull off baby clothes?

Next Cordelia is modeling the shirt that sweet Sophie made for her. I was particularly thrilled as Cordelia had a similar shirt from Sophie (click here) that she outgrew. I loved it so much that tucked the smaller one away in a box of clothes I plan to pass on when Cordelia is a mother someday. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to find another one in the package.

If that wasn't enough Sophie included some vegan chocolate rum balls...soooo good...I am eating one now.

A Taste of Santa Fe

We spent part of the day yesterday in Santa Fe with Jarrod and his father Bill (neither of them are in the photos because I forgot to ask their permission). We went down to the square and wandered about. Strange to be a tourist in New Mexico, since we spent so many years living there.

The Square in Santa Fe


Passers by


Santa Fe Street


Cordelia, the pigeons, and I


Merchants in Santa Fe


Smooching Cordelia


The famous church in the Santa Fe square


Shopping in downtown Santa Fe


The family

One Day in Santa Fe

We are in Santa Fe, enjoying a quick visit with our good friend Jarrod and his father (hi Sarah! we wish you were here). Last night Eric went to the premier of the first feature length movie edited by Jarrod! I liken it to Cinderella going to the ball. He got dressed up and went out for a magical night on the town. Although he got to return to a pretty good situation where there are no evil stepsisters. I relaxed in the hotel with Cordelia since a late night is no place for a little lady.

On the road, somewhere in New Mexico

We are having a great time. Later today we head back up to Colorado and then back home on Monday. What are you up to?

Colorado

Hello from Colorado. We are just passing through on our way to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Why are we going on another trip? Well, our close friend Jarrod (who happens to be an editor) is having a movie premier at a film festival in Santa Fe. So today we are headed the last bit of the way. Thanks to my family for house sitting!

Yesterday we only drove as far as Denver. We decided to check out the King Tut exhibit at the art museum and see what else was going on.

Eric and Cordelia enjoying a Herbert Bayer painting

Cordelia and I outside the Tut exhibit


Eric and Cordelia checking out Fox Games


Cordelia and I at the bridge of the Denver Art Museum


Cordelia at the Denver Art Museum

After we were done checking out the art museum we decided to head out to dinner. We wanted to eat at Watercourse, but they were having a special event ($60 a plate boo) so we went to City O City and gobbled up some vegan pizza. We even managed to fit in a quick meeting with our dear friend Petra.

After dinner we made it down the Interstate a little further before settling into our hotel for the evening.

Eric and Cordelia, chillaxin' in the hotel

What are you up to this weekend?

A Mind of Her Own

Cordelia has developed a mind of her own. I imagine she's had it all along, but lacked the ability to express her will until recently. First it started when she would wander over to the record player and bounce, insisting that we turn some music on. Then she started bringing me a hat and saying, "Hat?" I quickly learned that this meant she wanted me to put the hat on her head--not mine. What she can't yet express in words she manages to convey through a complicated series of gestures and grunts. Earlier this week she used this system to convey to me that she wanted a bowl of cereal, it was kind of amazing.

Most recently she has been bringing a single sock or a single shoe and insisting that I put them on her feet, then she proudly parades about, happy with her own personal style. I looove seeing what kids want to wear and I am thrilled to oblige Cordelia. I enjoy any opportunity, even a tiny one like this, to foster her creativity!

A Story About Names and Rings

My name has been a blessing and a little bit of an annoyance throughout my life, but mostly just a blessing. For those of you who aren't in the know my name is spelled Maria, but pronounced Mariah. Apparently it's a Norwegian thing, but you try going to school in New Mexico and explaining that to your classmates who are more familiar with Mexican names than Norwegian. Of course when I was little the name was pretty rare and truthfully it still is. When I hear my name called out in public I immediately answer "Yeah?" I never even consider that there may be another person with my name, although there are a few others spread around the country.

My name is now very precious to me, a big part of who I am, but it's an inherited name. I am named in honor of my great grandmother. For all of my life she has been a mysterious figure from the past, a woman unknown to me, but genetically linked. I have a few stories and a very general idea about who she was, what her interests were. I have always wondered about her; what were her dreams? her happiest times? her favorite past times? We are linked by names and genes, but not by time.

When I was preparing to marry Eric my Grandma Carol gave me a small ring, set with a simple piece of amber, that had once belonged to my great grandmother. The ring itself is quite simple and just my style, but more than anything it is a direct link to the woman whose name I've been using for all of these years.

Ring from my Great Grandma Maria

I wore that ring every single day until one day the prongs came loose and the tiny piece of amber went flying. I searched and searched, but to no avail. I was nothing short of devastated. How could it survive all of these years and then be destroyed by me? I tucked the empty ring away, hoping to have it repaired someday.

My sweet husband went and bought me an amber ring in an attempt to ease the pain. I was touched by the loving gesture and wore that ring until it too broke! I am not hard on rings it was just a weird year for rings apparently. I also tucked away that ring hoping that I would someday repair it as well.

Ring from Eric

For some reason I assumed ring repair cost millions of dollars and I just waited for that day when I would be wealthy enough to fix them both. Well, that day has come (total cost to repair both rings $30) and now the rings are back on my fingers and perhaps one day there will be another Maria with two amber rings to link her to the past.

Pumpkin Patch

I am not really sure why, but this year I was overcome with a burning desire to go to a pumpkin patch. Generally pumpkins seem to magically appear in our lives because friends give them to us I guess. This year we decided to up the ante and get ourselves to a bonafide pumpkin patch.

Did you know that pumpkin patches also double as photo studios? I wanted a few pictures, but there were several other mothers forcing their children to pose near pumpkins as well. I felt a little creepy, but then I got over it and continued on with my photo shoot, pretending I was the first parent in history to think of it.

I wonder what it is about the human being that fills us with a desire to photograph our babies near pumpkins? I am thinking it has something to do with the roundness of the pumpkin pairing so well with the roundness of a little baby noggin, but that is purely speculation at this point. More research is certainly required before we can call this an exhaustive study and I am already exhausted with it, so feel free to continue the research...

We picked out a huge pumpkin only to realize that it was like $10 and we're just a bit too thrifty. So we downsized to two small pumpkins and patted ourselves on the back. Cordelia, noticing the similarities between a pumpkin and a ball, immediately began to obsess over the pumpkins, so they've been stashed away in the laundry room until we are ready to carve them.

A Couple of Projects

My school is on fall break this week, which means that I have no lesson planning to do! Couple that with Cordelia's slow return to a normal sleeping schedule and that leaves me with a few extra stolen moments to work on little projects here and there. Last night I busied myself with two projects.

First I made a case for Louise, my Kindle. Just a couple of fat quarters and some interfacing. A quick job that does the trick.

Next I started on a cowl neck scarf. I have already made a few of these this season, but have yet to make one for myself. I decided to go for a bold color since I tend to move towards blacks in the winter. I hope to finish it up later this week.

What projects are you working on?

Learning "No"

Cordelia understands the word "no," or at least I think she does. When she makes a break for the dog water (which she invariably does a half dozen times a day) she shakes her head, slapping the dog water, and laughs as I say "No, no". I try to be firm and not show the slightest hint of a smile, although admittedly my face does a fairly poor job of hiding my emotions.

I try not to use the word too much because I don't want her to be one of those babies that wanders around chanting "no, no." However my first attempts at laying down the law have been utterly and completely useless. Eric doesn't fare much better; actually he has identical results.

Yesterday evening we were hanging out with my family and Cordelia started to gag herself, which she thinks is hysterically funny until she pukes. Of course I said, "No, no." She did not heed my warning and she did in fact puke all over herself. So, I commandeered the bathtub and gave the little lady a scrub down. When she was all fresh and clean we were sitting in a chair and she started up again, gagging herself and laughing. "No, no," I said, knowing how futile my efforts were I started to grab her hands and keep them from their mischief.

Then my mother intervened with a slight frowny face and said, "No, no," in a gentle but firm tone. Wouldn't you know it, Cordelia stopped her mischief. Instead she screwed up her face, stuck out her lower lip, let some large tears slide down her chubby cheeks, and released a mournful wail. My poor mother felt terrible and I started to laugh hysterically (not my best parenting moment I admit). Cordelia really milked it for about 15 minutes as my mother tried to make amends. Finally the word "no" got through to her.

This morning, as she made her first attempt at the dog water bowl I nervously tried out "No, no," and she just laughed at me and rushed for it. So, who knows what that's all about?

Make Your Own Black Bean Burgers

Rcently AKM asked me if I make my own veggie burgers and the truth is that I am often too busy (lazy) to make my own, but sometimes I do. Last night was one such night because I happened to have some buns that needed eatin' and the right amount of leftovers to make a proper burger.

First I grabbed my food processor. I tossed in a can of black beans, about 1/4 c. walnut bits, two slices of toast (ground into bread crumbs), a shake of cumin, and garlic powder too.

I pulsed it for a bit in the food processor, not too much as I wanted it with a bit of texture. Next I looked through our fridge for odds and ends. Last night I added 1/2 c. chopped mushrooms only. However any veggie can be added (tip: if the veggie is tough just sautee it for a few minutes before adding to the mix). Finally I added a generous splash of barbecue sauce because it sounded good. I pulsed the food processor just until everything was well mixed.

Then I started some olive oil over medium high heat in my skillet. I grabbed a handful of the bean mixture, formed it into a ball and pressed it in flour. A little flour adds a crispiness to the burger as it is heating. (Tip the more compact the burger the better it will keep its shape) I plopped the patties into the skillet and let them go until they could be easily flipped and crisped on the other side (don't hover, it takes a little bit of time).

Remember veggie patties are sometimes a bit crumbly, just takes practice to get it right, but either way they taste yummy!

Hmmmmm

Our computer is on its last wheezing breath. So is our external hard drive. Currently Eric is doing some sort of major transfer that I do not completely understand. All I know is that things are running very slowly-- we're waiting for megabytes to transfer from point A to point B, or something, and I cannot access or upload any photos beyond those photos which are already located on our desktop.

Easy enough I thought, I will just find a few cool photos on our desk top and write a blog post around them...or at least that's what I though until I saw what is stored on our desktop.

So I have no idea why this is on our computer. I guess we can just wonder what Eric was up to.



Here is a photo of the two of us at a gallery opening a couple of years back.



Here is an image that Eric used to make a sign reminding our neighbors to pick up after their pups.

So I guess we'll just pretend this is a normal blog post. How about you just share with me some of the weird stuff that's saved on your desktop so I can feel like we've got an honest to goodness blog post here. Then we'll put our heads down and move forward, never looking back on this particular post.

A Fall Morning in Wyoming

Eric has the day off so we were off to a slightly later than usual start to our morning. We had breakfast and then decided to go for a little morning stroll along the river. Rumor has it that the fall colors are at their peak right now so we had to go and see for ourselves.

We just took a leisurely stroll along the path. The wind was blowing, the trees were multicolored, it was beautiful.

What are your plans today?