Saturday, June 19, 2010

CSA Saturdays

This is our produce box from our CSA this week (our second).  As you can see, we'll be getting our fill of leafy, green vegetables.  The contents are: 1 package of Romaine hearts, 1 head of red leaf lettuce, 1 head of Boston bibb lettuce, 1 head of iceburg lettuce, 1 bunch of Kale, and 20 stalks of rhubarb.  I've never cooked Kale before, but I know I'll find something to do with it! We've also gotten a gift certificate to the greenhouse both weeks, because the boxes have been kind of "light".  Once we start getting more variety, and fuller boxes, those will stop.  We may start getting zucchini next week.  Woohoo! In the meantime, I'll be getting more creative with our salads, and finding every rhubarb recipe known to man!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Things you don't really need to know about me but I'm going to tell you anyway.

I stole this from Audrey over at Barking MadI wasn't tagged so I won't tag anyone.  I just think these things are fun!

1. It's 2AM and you are not home. You are more than likely:
It's unlikely I'm not home at 2AM, but I'd probably be visiting a relative.  I probably haven't been out that late since college! 
2. What's the last thing you spent more than $100 on?
Our CSA membership
3. What do your bank checks look like?
Cute froggies on them
4. Where did the shirt you are currently wearing come from?
Target, I think.  I'd rather not take it off or contort my body to look at the tag.
5. Name something that will be on your Christmas wish list:
Goodness that's a long way off.  My birthday is closer..I'd like a good point and shoot digital camera, for times when I don't feel like lugging the DSLR around.  Or a new iPod touch so I don't have to look at the cracks on my screen anymore.  While I'm wishing, I'd also like an iPad. Oh and World Peace, just so  you don't think I'm shallow or anything.
6. What color is your toothbrush?
Purple and white (shocking, I know!)
7. Name something you collect and tell us about it.
Cookbooks.  It's a real problem, but I can't help it. 
8. Last restaurant you ate at. Who were you with? How was it?
I think it was Weathervane (seafood).  With JC and the kiddos for JC's birthday.  It was delicious!  And thankfully fairly empty so we were not overly embarrassed when JT asked quite loudly "Who farted?" (it was his little brother by the way)
9. Who was the last person you bought a birthday card for?
I believe that would be JC. 
10. What is your worst bad habit?
There are so many, it's hard to choose.  But I'll go with staying up too late.  I have small children that get up at ungodly hours, I should know better.  THANK GOD for coffee!
11. Name a magazine you subscribe to?
Taste of Home, and the one they used to call Light and Tasty, but I can't remember the new title.  As with my cookbooks, I don't usually cook the recipes, but I get ideas
12. Your favorite pizza toppings?
Black olives, onions, mushroom, and sweet peppers.  Though I like to try funky combos when i see them. I like lots of different stuff on my pizza.
13. Whose number were you looking up the last time you used a phone book?
 I have absolutely NO idea!!
14. Other than family, who is the person that you love most?
I can't name just one, but I'll name a group.  My imaginary friends (pretty sure they're all actual people though). 
15. What is the last thing you cooked?
Scallops for lunch yesterday.  I warmed up frozen Mac and Cheese for dinner last night, so I won't count that.
16. Name something you wouldn't want to buy used?
Feminine products
17. Which shoe do you put on first?
My right.  I think.
18. What is the last thing you remember losing?
The key to my car.  It's in the house...somewhere. I used to take it off the chain so I could pre-warm it up in the winter.  I have been using the valet key for months now.  I miss the remote open and lock buttons.
19. What is the ugliest piece of furniture in your house?
Probably the gold loveseat.  But it was my grandparents' and is about 50 years old and still going strong so it's not going anywhere!
20. Last thing you bought and ended up returning?
Something I actually rememembered to return....hmmmm..I think it was the extra winter jacket I bout LW at the beginning of winter when I couldn't decide which size to get him.
21. What perfume/cologne do you wear? If none, why?
I don't wear perfume often anymore, but when I do it's usually Estee Lauder "Beautiful."
22. Your favorite board game?
 Trivial Pursuit, but it's hard to get people to play with me!

23. What was the last board game you played?
 Candyland
24. Where did your vehicle come from?
the dealership about 2 miles away.  but it was "pre-owned"
25. If a movie was made about your life what would the theme song be?
The Hokey Pokey. Because that's what it's all about!
26. You're sad, who can cheer you up easily?
That would have to be my Sister in law S!
27. What was the color of the bridesmaid dresses of the last wedding you went to?
I have no idea!  I remember the bride's dress though.
28. What house cleaning chore do you hate to do the most?
It's a tie...between all of them.
29. What is your favorite way to eat chicken?
Straight from the crockpot.  Don't even need any seasoning. Deeeeeelish!
30. It is your birthday. You hope the cake is?
Big, chocolate, with traditional frosting, not that silly whipped cream stuff which isn't even frosting!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

8 Years and counting

Today I celebrated 8 years of marriage to the love of my life.  There was a time in my life when I honestly believed I would not find someone with whom I'd share my life.  Partly because I am not what you'd call a "social butterfly" and therefore didn't really meet a lot of people. Partly due to my low self-esteem.  But one day early in 1999 I heard a segment on the radio for a website called "Personal Possibilities".  Yes, a dating website.  Before the days of eHarmony or Match.com.  Never thought I'd go that route, but this one intrigued me so I hopped on the internet (dear Lord I have not idea how I tolerated that S L O W dial-up connection!).  You created a little profile for free, and got to browse the ads for free.  If you wanted to contact someone, it was $1.00 per message.  Not much to lose, so I went for it (but didn't tell anyone!).  I actually met a few guys that were nice enough, but no one clicked. (Strangely enough...they all had the same first and last initials! I guess I have a thing for guys whose names start with J!).  Until that summer, when I (Garbonzogirl) received a message from Cjsquid. We emailed and talked on the phone for a couple weeks before we met for dinner.  I IMMEDIATELY felt comfortable with him.  That rarely happens for me, even to this day.  He told me I was beautiful.  Not just my face, but ME!  And that was the beginning of OUR beautiful relationship.  We dated, we lived together, and on June 8, 2002 we got married. I sobbed like a baby through the whole ceremony (one of my nice loud sniffs was caught on the video!).  And the rest, as they say, is  history.  So thanks to my love for 8 wonderful years, and here's to at least 80 more!!

I leave you with some photos of that beautiful day.

The organ with my Aunt Anna playing. It's not a church - it's music hall built specifically for the organ. AMAZING! My Aunt originally said no when we asked her to play because it was intimidating. So thankful she changed her mind! And please say a little prayer. In the very bottom of the picture you can see my Uncle Jimmy taking her picture. He passed away this Sunday at the age of 83.
The organ, with my aunt playing

Photobucket

In our "limo" a.k.a. my sister's car driven by her husband. No, JC did not down a glass of champagne before the picture was even taken!  He doesn't like champagne so he just chose to toast with and empty glass!
On the way to the reception

The beautiful cake, baked by the wife of one of JC's coworkers.  She was the caterer as well.  And yes, we saved the top layer and ate it on our first anniversary.
The cake

Friday, June 4, 2010

My heart is full

Before I became a Mom, I thought I knew some things.  I thought I "knew" it would be hard.  I thought I "knew" it would be the best decision I ever made.  But in all  honesty, despite listening to all my Mommy friends' and relatives' advice, I didn't really KNOW.  And I didn't know how conflicting it would be either.

Today hasn't been anything out of the ordinary.  LW had me awake at about 5:20am (maybe earlier - I was sleepy and I'm blinder than a bat without my glasses or contacts), JT was up shortly thereafter.  Daddy was in the shower so they joined me in bed.  Sometimes I can turn on the TV and it will occupy them while I doze a little.  Not this morning.  They were fidgety! And as usual, I went to bed too late last night (got hooked by a new show on VH1 - "The OCD Project" - and I'm fascinated!!), and I'm not exactly a morning person, so I started out a bit..oh how shall I put this...GRUMPY.  JC gets them set up with breakfast downstairs before he leaves for work, but after that it's time to be Mommy.  But did I mention I am not a morning person???  So until I get some coffee in me (I was not a coffee drinker until..oh...about 4.5 years ago..hmmmmm) they'd better behave themselves or the volume gets a little loud.  But once the caffeine kicks in, I'm usually OK and relatively pleasant.  And such was the case this morning.  I was entertained by LW shedding his PJ's in a not so graceful fashion.  And JT re-discovered the whoopie cushion that was included in a birthday card at some point.  Lucky me!  Eventually we made it back upstairs to get dressed.  As usual, it took me about a half hour to get dressed, since they just can't leave me alone for five minutes straight!  For some reason, this time I turned on the TV, and Bonnie Hunt was on, talking to a guy from Animal Planet, who of course brought some animals.  The kids once again made their way into our room and the animals caught their attention.  Which then prompted some wildlife imitations, as well as some wrestling.  Some days this would bother me, but today it just warmed my heart.  This is one of the days that they play well together and the squeals of laughter outnumber the cries of frustration or pain.  But that's not the point where my I felt my heart felt like it would burst. That occurred after lunch, before nap.  I was sitting on the couch, while the two of them sat together on the recliner.  Content. Not complaining about anything or anyone.  Happy. I sat there staring at them for a while, thinking about how cranky I was at the very early beginning of my day, but how happy I was at that moment.

It amazes me at how my emotions as a mom can run the whole spectrum in just a few days or hours.  Tuesday was what I considered the start of summer vacation.  JT finished preschool for the year on Friday, but Daddy was home for the long weekend so that doesn't count.  Tuesday was NOT one of the good days where they boys play well or happily together.  I found myself wondering out loud "how long until September???"  But today is a good one, so I'm happy that I get to be home with my boys.  I get to be the main influence in their lives.  And I get to feel my heart about to burst with love, even when it's just an ordinary, simple day.  So yes, my heart is more than full.  And I certainly wouldn't change a thing. Well, I would like to get more sleep.  Some day.