How To Build a Brick Tree Ring

When you have limited yard space due to city living like we do, you may look for any spot available to brighten up the yard and plant flowers.

I've been wanting to build a brick ring around our tree between the sidewalk and the street for quite a while. Once we noticed the bricks on sale at Menard's we decided it was time.

They delivered our bags of top soil and bricks (rather than us making ten or more trips to cart it all in our car) and I got to work that very day.

After I measured and laid out the spacing for my bricks, I recruited Brother Bear to dig the trench around the tree. The ground wasn't too uneven, but I knew if we didn't dig at least a shallow trench, the bricks wouldn't lay properly. If you're going to do it, you have to do it right! Right?









Then the leveling takes place. Each brick, one at a time needs to have the ground smoothed, leveled and filled in as required. You should make sure that if there is a dip or your ground slopes that the bricks at least match up one to another. Now, I did not use a level in this process. When we built the retaining wall we did, but since I was only going three bricks high I made sure that it was flat from brick to brick but wasn't worried with absolute perfection.

Once you have the first layer done, the hard work is virtually over. (Other than the brick-carrying, of course!) Using a caulk gun and cement-like mortar, I put a squiggly layer on the bottom brick and lay the next over it, covering the joining gap. I forgot to take a picture of this step. So just picture a squiggle of cement glue and then me putting a brick over the squiggle. This keeps the bricks from shifting too much.

The trick to the second layer is chiseling your last brick in half. Make sure you're wearing protective goggles and not near any neighbor's cars...your eyes and your neighbors will appreciate this. I used a large brick chisel with a hand guard and my hammer. It doesn't seem to be an exact science and by the end I was just hauling away at the brick with my hammer. But it finally fit and no one is the wiser!

My last level was the easiest as it was just cement glue and laying the bricks on to finish it off. Hubby dumped all my dirt into the ring and I leveled it up and topped it off with a bag of Miracle Grow mix for extra nutrients.

Then comes my favorite part: the planting! I picked out black, dark purple, blue, and white as my primary colors and planted bulbs of tulips, muscari and hyacinths. Among those I put a good amount of bright white & yellow daffodils. I should have a good mix of early, mid and late spring flowers.

Above ground, you can see a few pots of cheerful fall mums. I wanted this to be as maintenance-free of a garden as possible, I chose all repeat customers. Gotta love the perennial! Most likely next year in late spring after the bulbs are done I'll plant piles of petunias, pansies and marigolds among the mums. This may also be a perfect spot for either morning glories and/or sunflowers.

Now I just have to wait until April. I hate waiting.

I Know I'm Not the Only One

Anyone else excited about Premier Week!? I know I am!!

Heroes on Monday
Grey's Anatomy & The Office tonight. And REALLY. Why did they have to schedule them both at the same time? Why do the executives at ABC & NBC hate me so much? Why?
Desperate Housewives & Brothers and Sisters on Sunday night.

Boy oh boy. Tonight the house is open to watch your choice of show. I don't know what to do. My DVR won't let me tape one and watch another. I think I might be taping The Office on our little tiny bunny-eared tv. Yikes!

Sunday, be ready to come over and start the festivities at 9 sharp!! Popcorn will be hot, buttery and fresh; Kool-aid will be chilled.

25 Week Picture

Saturday Morning Interview: Bring your own coffee

Jill over at The Diaper Diaries sent me a bunch of great questions…

1. You lead music for the kids which usually involves a lot of actions. I suspect you and Andy also sit at home making up words to "adult" songs. My mom and I used to have a whole routine to "Coming to America" by Neil Diamond. What song desperately is in need of actions to go with it?

--This is a fun question to be sure…whenever I sing during a “grown-ups” service at church, I always threaten our pastor with doing motions to all the songs! I think he’s always a little nervous that I will actually do it…

There are a lot of good U2 songs that need motions. Really, I could make up something for pretty much any song out there. It’s a gift, I know.

2. You are about to embark on this crazy thing called parenthood. What are you so excited for you can hardly wait?

--Cuddling/rocking/loving, seeing what she looks like, learning what to do and seeing Andy become a dad. He’s going to be amazing.

3. What are you so scared of you wish human gestation was 9 years instead of 9 months.

--Being good at it. I never really enjoyed babysitting growing up unless it was for relatives. Probably because I already had an interest in them, but if it were just for neighbors or something, I usually dreaded it. I’m afraid I won’t like it, afraid that I’ll be horrible at it. I know that’s a typical worry and that everyone says I’ll be fine…but still…

4. Your hubby is quite the rock star. If you and he were to form a band and tour the world, what instrument would you play and what would the name of the band be?

--I think I would play bass. Partially because it’s the easiest (if you want to just get the basics down anyway…to be a “good” bass player it’s more complex…) and partially because Andy says chick bass players are cool…Plus, I already have a sweet bass picked out.

I also might have to snag some lead singer stage time as well…but only on the songs that he writes specifically for my range and which are easy to sing while playing the bass at the same time!

Funny bit of info: we actually have already written one song for my chick rock band. Yes, he would be playing in MY chick rock band. The name of the band? We’ve known that for years: Jezebelle.

5. Ok, lover of cats. I am a dog person myself. The baby is allergic and you are forced to get a different kind of pet (this will never happen, don't panic). What would you get and why?

--First of all, of course this will never happen!! We’ve had enough problems with our poor cats…

I don’t know if we would get anything else. We already have a couple fish, a dog just is too big and too much work for the size of our yard, and any other pet just isn’t as much fun. A pet is for keeping your lap warm when you’re reading a book or sleeping on your feet during the night. They greet you at the door with a purr and a meow and when they run around chasing their tail, their little bell jingles. A pet has genuine care and affection for you, even if only because you feed and love it first. Guinea Pigs? Fish? Turtles? What kind of snuggling can you get out of those? Eh.

I think we’d just wait it out until she grows out of it. We’re assuming that would happen because Andy was that way when he was a baby…so here’s hoping for NO allergies!!

Thanks Jill, for the interview! If anyone wants me to send questions for your own interview, put it in the comments and I’ll send them your way!

Projects Completed

Big Things. Like this summer's endless upholstery of about 20 booths for our 1st Grade classroom. I'm pretty proud of these. They really look amazing. And extra credit to the guy who refinished the wood and built the tables!


Medium Things. Like finishing up the theatre curtains for our 2nd & 3rd Grade classroom.


Little things. Like upholstering trashcan seats for our 4th & 5th Grade classroom and sewing a few flags for our Kindergarten Castle.











Can I just say we have the coolest kids' classes ever!? I remember Sunday school growing up and even though it was in our art room (church+school) it was pretty much a cement-block room. We sat at our little tables and learned our little lesson and sang our little songs. But fun? I don't know if there was much of that other than what we made ourselves trying to stay awake!! Not to knock that type of learning...I will admit that I am sure I learned a lot, but man, to be a kid in our church here? I wish I was in Kindergarten all over again.

I did squeeze in one non-work project recently. This Friday, I'm throwing a shower with a friend for another friend and I just finished her diaper bag. She picked out all the fabrics she liked and I went to work! I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out and I really hope she likes it!

Now I just have to find fabric for my own!

It's Corn that tastes like candy!

Personally, I always get excited at my first bag of candy corn each year. At work on Thursday, a friend was giving out the new candy corn flavored Hershey kisses. Those, I hated. However, I commented (before trying it for the first time) that I loved candy corn and couldn't wait for some. A few hours later, she walked into the office and handed me a bag!

Even better than a bag of candy corn? The candy Pumpkins!

The one candy corn I have never liked is the chocolate ones. I'm not sure why, but for me, the original is what I have to have.

The best part of my own bag of candy corn? Hubby doesn't like it at all so I don't even have to pretend to be willing to share!

Interesting info about candy corn as found on Wikipedia:

1. The National Confectioners Associates estimate 20 million pounds of candy corn are sold each year.
2. Candy corn was first invented in the 1880s by George Renninger and was originally made by hand.
3. October 30th is National Candy Corn Day.

13 Days Later

This is the first year I have loved fall as thoroughly as I am loving it this year. Granted, it's not officially fall yet, but the summer has been so hot and overwhelming that the cooler air and fresher breezes have invigorated me.

I usually lament the end of the summer, the changing of the leaves, the coming of winter. Yet, there are still so many things I want and need to do during this cooler weather that I am in high anticipation.

We just ordered a load of bricks and dirt. Not a huge project, just a nice tree ring around our one tree by the street. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am always looking for new places to plant flowers around here! People, the bulbs are all on sale!! I even took pictures this spring so I know where I can plant a few more bulbs in the main flower garden. Plus, there's the bulb forcing that I can do in my dark basement--perfect for late winter and early fall gifts as well as a burst of color and flowery scent in the house!

I have to wait until Wednesday for everything to be delivered...I am so anxious to get started!

Completely Rotten

Spoiled, that is. The in-laws came up this weekend...(hi! I know you're reading this even though you never comment!)...and helped us get a million errands done.

*Fixed the fan in the bedroom (hubby had pulled off the entire chain somehow...not really his fault, I blame the design)
*Took down, painted, and installed new blades on the fan in the baby room. No longer is it tacky, old, or too small!
*Stained all the trim in the baby room. All of the trim in the house had been redone before we bought it, except for this room. Now everything matches and the trim is a lovely dark cherry all the rest!
*Washed all the upstairs windows. (oh how I loathe washing windows.)
*Un-grubbed (not a word, I know, but this is still what happened, it was quite grubby) and un-caulked the tub and then scrubbed and caulked all the seams.
*Made the bed. I never get around to doing that. Anyone else not see the point? I mean, I just get back in it, right?! Though it does look so nice when it's done...
*Caulked the plant window. During which I took all the plants down and tidied them and the window. It's amazing how dirty it gets when there is so much dirt around...
*Bought and built huge shelves and plastic totes for our storage room. Today was spent throwing stuff away, organizing and putting things in appropriate totes and then on shelves.
*Organized and sorted the utility/tool room. You can actually walk in there now. It's a miracle.
*Snuggled the kitties. Even Clara, who doesn't deserve it right now.
*Took us out to dinner, twice.
*Brought baby presents, and a few presents for the new parents.
*Took me maternity-clothes shopping.
*Treated me to a mani & pedi.
*Spoiled us rotten.

This week is a crazy one so it's fabulous to have the house clean now since we'll hardly be around to do any work any other day. Which reminds me, we'd better put away that laundry before bed or it won't get done until next week!

The End of the Season (Plus! I Cooked!)

Last week I was sure that summer was almost at it's end. The days were cooler, the trees just starting to change. This week it is back to being sweltering and I have to water all my plants lest they wither away!

Today we ate the last of the grapes. There were two lovely little bunches and every day we have been eating just one or two each. Concord grapes have always been my favorite and it was a riot to teach visiting friends how to eat them. It was a little sad, but I'm excited to trim the plant, stake it appropriately and see how much grows next year!



The tomatoes haven't produced nearly as well this year as usual, and the peas gave forth a paltry one meals worth. I was quite happy with the cucumber crop. One plant gave me four huge vegetables. Next year a lot of things are going to be moving around.

For example, rhubarb has been pathetic for two years now. I haven't even been able to pick one single stalk. Not to mention the ridiculously skinny asparagus. Both of which I wish I could grow well. Therefore, they are going to be moving to the "productive" side of the garden. Along with the strawberries. There's no good reason for them not to be much larger and healthier than they are.

Additionally, this fall is going to be a study in soil and how best to make it richer and more nutrient-laden.

The plant box? It has been my greatest joy this summer!! I have had several amazing salads out of the lettuce as well as being able to give away many bags to friends! If you need basil, please let me know. It grew along with the lettuce and I have much more than I will need for a large amount of pesto and dried leaves.

Here's a question for the world to answer for me: What is the deal with the green beans!? Do you see them!? The lettuce is the left half of the box, the green beans are the right. They are TALL and they are green and lush and leafy. But there are NO, absolutely none, not a single green bean! Just now are there a few little flowers budding, but it sure seems like I should have been able to harvest green beans by now. I know last year they came up at the same time as the peas.

I just wanted to build up my ego a bit, since it has been a good long time since I have cooked an actual dinner. My husband has not been starving, nay, I do feed him. However, it's usually very hodge-podge and last minute planning. Plus, he is quite adept at feeding himself...

Apples & dried cherries over a slow-roasted pork tenderloin.

Rosemary potatoes.

Onions and green beans. (dreadfully not from my own garden)

One of the yummier meals I have made in a while. I can't wait for lunch leftovers.

Lunar Eclipse

Did you know that tonight (tomorrow morning) there's going to be a lunar eclipse!?

I just discovered this. They say it's going to be the longest eclipse in over seven years. It's really too bad though...there's no way in hades that I'm getting my butt out of bed at 6 in the morning. Not when I don't HAVE to get up until 7:45.

If you have to be up, or choose to get up this morning, take a picture for me, ok?

Baby Furniture!

We built our first piece of baby furniture last night!! Andy was pretty excited to have such a special place to clean all the poo...

I am exceedingly thankful that my dad has offered to buy all of our furniture. To be honest, I wasn't sure that he was actually going to follow through with it, but when we got back from our trip, there was the box on the front porch!!

We registered at Babies R Us last week and got everything picked out in two hours! It was pretty fun to go through all the cute, pink, soft little things and think about how we'll really be using that stuff soon. It's so crazy. I'm also trying to find the best website to order cloth diapers from. I want to be able to register for those as well. If we can get a few people here and there to buy one for us, we'll have plenty.

I'm finally feeling lots of kicks and punches now. She's not quite consistent enough for me to let Andy feel anything yet, but it's definitely very noticeable!! She didn't seem to like it when I was biking the other day....or maybe she did and was trying to help me pedal!!

Camping Oh-Seven

According to the pictures we took, I didn't go on this trip. I have one of Andy doing his hair, grilling, and reading a book. Where are all the cute pictures of me!? Well, apparently none were taken. Nuts.

It was the perfect little camping trip. We left for Cadillac late Sunday night after church and a fabulous dinner at a friend's. Well stocked with coffee and ready to drive. Granted, the drive was only an hour and a half, but we wanted to be prepared nonetheless.

The next morning after a good night's sleep at the ever-faithful and ever-cheap Econo Lodge, we climbed into our sweaters and jackets (mid-August, anyone?) and promptly threw all official camping plans out the window! Our day was to be spent hiking the sand dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, but we knew that would not be any fun in the rain and wind.

Instead, Jason Bourne called out to us and we thoroughly enjoyed the third installment of the Bourne trilogy. I do love those movies!! Especially at matinée pricing.

After an afternoon wandering through antique stores and used book shops, we called the cabin we would be staying at Tuesday night and discovered that they indeed would have room for us that night as well. Hurrah! No need for "real" camping!

I've never been a big fan of the sleeping in tents situation. I love the outdoors--hiking, climbing, canoeing, etc--but I love a good soft bed as well. Especially since my sleeping positions are limited at the moment.

The cabin was the perfect little rest spot. Not glamorous or fancy, by any means, but relaxing, comfortable and with all the amenities we needed it to have. We grilled on the charcoal grill, boiled our corn and mashed potatoes on the hotplate (very! slowly) and played cards late into the night.

The next morning dawned rather gray, but warmer than the day before so we stuck with our plan of canoeing down the Big Manistee river. I regretted not having bought at least a cheap little disposable camera to try to take some river pictures, but alas, I had not thought so far ahead as that.

We saw lots of turtles on rocks, tons of yummy-looking fish (is it bad that I think they look so yummy!?) and heard plenty of other creatures cracking away in the woods. It was a perfect day to float and paddle down the river.

Book reading, cards, and endless games of Scrabble. The fun is in making up your own rules!! Music Scrabble, literature Scrabble, Hollywood Scrabble. Next time is Galactic Scrabble--we were tired of trying to find good uses for those Js, Xs & Qs!!

Wednesday we finally got around to packing up and driving off to Ludington. The trails we were planning to bike ride ended up being rather short...but we made the most of it and climbed the dunes and explored the lighthouse. Besides, my buns are still a bit sore from bike riding regardless of how short the trip was!

As ever, I only wish it could have been longer but I'll take whatever I can get!!

Oh!! And the cabin-camping-grounds cat? Looked like she belonged to Captain Jack Sparrow!! It's Johnny Depp's cat!!

Gone Camping...

Or, most likely after looking at the weather forecast, gone cabin-ing. Three days, up north with canoes, bikes and hiking shoes. And, if the weatherman is correct, there will also be books, puzzles and games. Quiet and relaxing. Away from it all.

Back on Thursday.

Summer Lunch Date

fresh picked from the garden:
lettuce
cucumber
cherry & pear tomatoes

freshly grated romano cheese
walnuts
croutons

a couple spritzes of raspberry vinaigrette

broiled and then chilled lemon-pepper salmon

fresh brewed passion fruit green iced tea with mint leaves (also from the garden)


and now for a nap.

Of Patience and Pie

Today has been an unusually frustrating day. I don’t often let many things bother me, but for some reason every little thing did. When I’m frustrated or angry, I hide. Tuck my tail and just dig into a little nook to cry in.

This summer my job has been varied. I’ve taught Sunday classes and led the music, as well as assisting all the new volunteers each week. Along with that, during the week we’ve been remodeling all of our classrooms. I’ve been busy recruiting volunteers to do a lot of painting and organization work and making sure a lot of things get done. Our bigger classrooms I’ve only done a little here and there on like making more huge curtains for the Theatre, but mostly I’ve been upholstering diner booths.

For a very low amount, we were able to purchase a whole restaurant’s worth of booths from a local place who wanted to redecorate. They all needed to be recovered as the fabric was worn, unattractive and smoke-filled.

I started out with a regular heavy-duty staple gun. A few years ago a reupholstered a very nice living room easy chair and ottoman so I was familiar with the basics of the upholstery work as well as the gun. Fortunately, we had volunteers do most of the un-upholstering. I was getting carpal tunnel from pulling staples!

The blisters didn’t take long to appear. I tried new positions of holding the staple gun, different methods of shooting it to ease the pressure, but the work was going very slowly.

Then there arose a real problem. It’s always a numbers situation. I carefully counted how many booths we had (20), how many of each piece I needed to cover (14, 17, 17), how many more pieces needed cutting (9, 9, 6) and how many more needed to be brought in from storage (just a few). Another staff member was kindly cutting out the rest of the pattern pieces that I would later use to cover the benches. But she cut using the largest numbers. This resulted in running out of fabric. I don't blame her, it was an honest mistake. And frankly, I find myself finding that situation pretty funny.

So, I ordered more fabric. Then realized I would need more due to the cut and ordered more. Rushed the shipping even. Both rolls arrived today and I got to work. This morning I believed I only needed to cover 8 more pieces and would have plenty of fabric to work with. No worries.

Then the stapler jammed. A chunk of the plastic flew off. I couldn’t get more than one staple out without it jamming. I wasted several rows of staples. I got angry.

I started putting the booths together. Previously, I had been just covering and piling the pieces as I went and figured when they were all covered I would put them together. There’s a pretty simple system to getting everything pounded in, screwed tight and sitting correctly. When the screws aren’t stripped. When the pieces are all there. When the lights aren’t shutting off automatically every hour as I’m holding a power drill.

After putting together as many as I could, I recounted. I need 5 more pieces from storage still when I thought I had them all. Which means I actually have 10 more pieces to recover. Plus, I am going to end up sewing a couple pieces together to make them wide enough to cover the pieces I need.

I suppose after typing this whole thing out it doesn’t sound as frustrating as it was when I was experiencing the anger. I think with the lights shutting off, the stapler jamming and more pieces left to be done all together just left me feeling unproductive. Yet I look around the room and see many finished booths sitting patiently to be installed along the walls.

If you read all this and think now I’m just a big whiner, sorry ‘bout that. Geez, if you read all this, you get a prize or something anyway. I guess that’s why we journal our thoughts, isn’t it? Get it all out and maybe you’ll feel better afterwards.

Oh, and I made a pie. It was really yummy.

Here She Is!

Baby's first picture. She posed perfectly. Now it's time to start really thinking about names and registering for fun pink things and picking out fabrics and patterns and all that good stuff!!

A Time of Finishing and Small Tasks

Stephen King's greatest (if you define great by both 'really amazing' as well as 'really long') book series The Dark Tower is coming to an end for me. There are only 200 pages left of the seventh and final novel. I have been spending my summer with these books. Harry and a few others have crept in, but Roland and his ka-tet have truly been my constant companions this hot season. It is no less saddening for me to come to the end of this series than was Rowling's series.

Yet I look forward to the finishing of the tale. The knowing of the end. The freedom of beginning something new. I still have a shelf and a half full of unread books. Not to mention the two buck-a-bag sales coming up next month and what that will do to my shelves.

When I'm immersed so fully in a text, it is rather difficult to complete other daily tasks like the gardening and dishes and such. Fortunately, I have no work duties this evening and can remind myself to do my chores before settling down to tread through another hundred pages or so before crashing into the pillows.

The weeds have been pulled (at least most of them) and the tomatoes have been tied up. Every year I am amazed at how large my tomato plants grow and how much work it is to keep them from overtaking the rest of the garden. They are starting to be ripe enough to pick and I am excited for the soon-to-be-made fresh salsa! I haven't yet found the best canning recipe. I think part of that is because it is so perfect fresh that I'm afraid it won't compare if it's canned.

I still have to finish the dishes, tidy the house and then water the flowers before I can consider my day done. But I doan wannnaaa....I wanna just sit and read!! Boo hiss on housework. Why can't I just afford a housekeeper?

Nuts. I just remembered that I need to walk on my treadmill tonight too. At least I can read while I do that! Woo! Off to exercise! Goodnight interweb friends!

Monday Morning Movie Review -- 5 Stars

Sunday nights we tend to stay up late and either catch the latest episode of The 4400 or, if we're saving it to be able to watch two episodes in a row, we'll watch a movie.

For the past two years, we have scored from my brother's cache of films and watched Shaun of the Dead for Halloween. It's a ridiculously funny zombie movie and while there are a couple gross scenes, it's not scary. I can't do scary without nightmares.

When we saw the previews for Hot Fuzz, we knew we were going to have to see it. The same main actors and directors from Shaun and what looked like more hilarious dead-pan comedy. That's the big thing with these movies. The characters take everything so seriously and yet it is so funny.

Fuzz didn't disappoint. The filming was creative and eye-catching, the plot was clever, and the acting, as expected, was top-notch. There was so much dry humor and catchy dialogue that we found ourselves laughing at the strangest times. Again, there was a little bit of gross-ness in killing off some of the bad guys, but nothing I can't cover my eyes for.

This type of movie isn't for everyone. I love cop movies, action flicks, shoot-em-ups, etc and this fit into the cop-action genre very well without having excessive explosions or gratuitous violence for violence's sake. It's a smart comedy. It's one we're thinking of buying...right along with Shaun. Whatever would happen to our Halloween tradition if my brother ever moved out?!

Beach Wednesday

Remember when I quit my second job last June? Well, last year I quit my second job. And I vowed to go to the beach and appreciate the beauty of the summer with all of my spare time.

I didn't make it to the beach until this Wednesday. Over a year it took for me to get to the beach!! It's only about a half hour away, easy access, and inexpensive fun. Plus, a friend of mine lets me share her parent's private beach which is undeniably one of the best beaches I have ever been to. Not crowded, dirty, noisy, but pure beachy perfection.

It took Hillary coming more than halfway across both her country and mine for me to get my tookus to the sandy white shores and clear blue waters.

And it was heavenly. Hopefully, she'll email me pictures soon so I can show you all how heavenly it was.

Vineyard

When can you define a grapevine as a vineyard? How many clusters of grapes do you have to have growing? I've got two. Is that enough?

Next year I'm going to have to figure out some way to stake out my vine though. It's taking over the front of the house and I want to nurture it so that it continues to increase in production.

I cannot wait until they are ripe!

Good Quote for the Day

"When Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves, it was not just for our neighbors' sakes that he commanded it, but for our own sakes as well. Not to help find some way to feed the children who are starving to death is to have some precious part of who we are starve to death with them. Not to give ourselves to the human beings we know who may be starving not for food but for what we have in our hearts to nourish them with this to be, ourselves, diminished and crippled as human beings."

- Frederick Buechner

Long Time Coming: The Book(s) Review: Part One

Here are a few reviews from books I've read the past few months. It's taken me weeks to get this written, but there are still a few more I want to recommend. Summer reading! Get to it!

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
We saw the movie shortly after it came out on DVD and I find that I often want to read the book version of a good movie. I expected these stories (for there are actually five full novels and one short story in this collection) to be more childish and turned for a younger audience, yet I found that the humor quite often wasn't necessarily appropriate for kids.

That said, it was well-written, extremely creative and laugh-out-loud funny. I couldn't stop with just one of the stories, but had to keep reading until I had finished the whole collection. The characters were easy to relate to, even when they were aliens. These stories were utterly ridiculous and unendingly inventive. I'd very likely read through this again.

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

One of my favorite non-fiction authors is Lauren Winner. I've read every book she's ever written and many of those more than once. She has admitted that the Mitford series was one of the steps that brought her to Christianity and she herself finds this funny. It's not intellectual or deep and fraught with hidden meaning. It's just a lovely story of an Episcopal minister and the flock he shepherds. The life and love of a small community.

The book reads easily and quickly. You can see yourself friends with many of the characters and interested in their daily pursuits. I found myself wanting to plant some of the flowers that the main character was putting into his garden. Plus, I liked that it wasn't too short. I enjoy a book I can read through in an afternoon, but those can also be more forgetful as I haven't spent much time with them.

Poland by James A. Michener

Speaking of a long book...A Michener novel never fails to take me several weeks to finish. The first book of his that I ever picked up was The Source and ever since I have been happily hooked. He follows a few families through decades (and sometimes centuries or more) and traces history through monumental events that you may never have realized were so pivotal.

Every time I finish one of his stories, I search for more information. I want to know more about the histories I just read and I find myself almost wanting to go back to school to study. He finds a way to weave a tale through so many events, so many years and so many people that you could easily be overwhelmed, but you're not. You're just trapped inside the context and folklore and passions and tragedy. And you're very happy to stay there.

Poland did not disappoint. I learned more about Eastern Europe and the lives of the nobility and peasants in a manner that didn't feel like a lecture, but like an epic journey through the past. If this part of history doesn't interest you, there's always Hawaii, one of my other favorites by Mr. M. Next on my list from him: The Covenant, Caribbean and Mexico.

Blindness by Jose Saramago

I loved this book--it was so interesting, fresh and different. The premise is that a man driving down the road is suddenly and inexplicably stricken with blindness. And then it becomes contagious. An uncontrollable epidemic. You can imagine the fear and terror that spread and the resulting governmental insanity. The story progresses in a horrid downward spiral as all those infected are rounded up and kept together in an abandoned asylum. No one to help them, food drops thrown in once a day, riots breaking out amongst the blind.

This was one of those books so well-written that you find yourself thinking it's really happening. When you put it down, you wonder if you'll catch the disease. It's intellectual and thought-provoking, not letting you just absorb the story, but forcing you to think it through. The sequel is Seeing and I'm anxious to pick it up.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This is one that I believe I should have read back in high school sometime, but didn't. It's a classic and well-known by many. While I'm not given for conspiracy theories, I did enjoy the writing style and flow of this book. Plus, I always like a futuristic sci-fi story and this delivers such an interesting view of a possible future without books I was engrossed. A world without literature seems so highly unlikely to me. Especially with the advent of blogs and the new type of author that is being developed through this genre, readers are open to more and embracing the written word like never before.

Hubby and I discussed the novel after I read it as he was a fan of Bradbury years ago. It seems that our generation (and a few around us) is prone to questioning everything. To not be content with the information we are given and to want a better explanation for why. A few generations before us, one didn't discuss unpleasant or embarrassing situations, whereas now pretty much everything is open for debate and dissection. What will future generations bring? With texting the main form of communication for today's teen, does real discussion also happen face to face? I have found a couple excellent teen blogs, both well-written and thoughtful. It's just so interesting to wonder what the future will truly look like. I'm still holding out for my flying car.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

I'm not even going to attempt to write a review of this book. Heather Anne did it better than I ever could. It arrived in my mailbox (presumably by Owl) Saturday morning and I finished it by Saturday evening. I can't wait to read it again.

How Walkable are You?

One of the major reasons we love living so close to the city is the walkable-ness of our location. A corner grocery, coffee shop, parks, restaurants etc within a short walk or bike ride. For example, the other day I set a pot of water on to boil for manicotti and by the time I got back from the store with spinach, cheese and garlic bread, the water had just begun to boil.

Last week I was out in the country doing a bit of garage sale-ing, which I love. Carefully following the signs to the block sale I spent my drive looking at old farm houses, fields of flowers and new developments. It's the old farm houses that get to me. They put the itch in my heart to live in the country.

I grew up on 18 acres of wooded property across from a large Holstein farm. We didn't really have neighbors with which to play and instead I spent my time running through the woods and creating a world of my own.

Every year I find myself looking for more space to plant flowers and vegetables. We added the rooftop garden and just last week I planted a floral 'fence' between our lot and the next. As I was driving to the sales, I yearned after the space. The space to plant any and every flower I could come up with. The space to cultivate a truly productive garden. The space to run and play.
And yet.

And yet I love our neighborhood. I love the park across the street where kids play all day and the crazy ice cream trucks that patrol the roads. We ride our bikes to the hardware store to pick up a part for a project we're working on and stop to get an ice cream cone on the way back. We know the policeman who watches these homes.

Today we ran into a friend on our way home from blueberry picking. She was walking to an appointment, so we gave her a quicker ride there. You don't run into friends driving through the country. You can't walk over to the local coffee shop to sit and read a book while you sip your latte. You can't see the city skyline from your rooftop or hear the summer festivals from your front porch.

Every weekend we save gas by riding downtown for our entertainment or we hit the trail behind the park where we can ride for miles.

Our address scored a 62 out of 100 for how walkable it is. I think that's pretty darn good. It's not possible to get by without owning a car (at least with our current jobs), but there are enough amenities within walking distance to make it so very worthwhile.

I'm sure I'll still get the itch now and then, but there are plenty of things to love about being right here. Besides, who wants to mow a huge lawn anyway?

Two Cats on One Thing

They just have to be right at "petting height."

I Appear to Be Getting Chubby...

Here it is: The Four-Month Belly. I think there's something growing in there...

I have one pair of comfortable pants and a couple skirts, but who really wants to shave their legs every day? Surely not me.

However, in a couple days I have a two very exciting shipments coming from Old Navy & Gap Maternity! Hooray! I can't even tell you how much I love online clearances. The clothes are so cheap! Grandmothers-to-be, you are welcome to buy me stuff from there. Just so you know.

I have still been trying to wear my 'normal' shirts just a few more times, but slowly they are all getting packed away in totes for storage. Sigh. I suppose around April it will be like Christmas!

I need some input here ladies. Men, all two of you can tune out. Course, you probably tuned out around the leg-shaving. It just doesn't relate to your life.

I really want to have a gracious attitude about the belly rubbing. But it's not really my favorite thing. I thought it might be cute and I wouldn't mind, but I think I do. I'm not one who likes to be made much of, at least not to my face. I like to be outgoing and chatty and social, but I don't like to necessarily always have attention drawn to me. Does that make any sense? You can talk about how great I am behind my back, but guess I am really bad at compliments. It just seems so weird for people to be reaching out and touching my tummy every time they see me!

I tried the nonverbal approach this morning: crossing my arms over my chest in a quiet "stay away" manner, but that didn't help at all. Someone suggested I rub the other person's belly and see how they like it, but I feel like that would be really rude. How do I have a good response to this? Or do I just suck it up and get used to it? I suppose that's the only real answer, isn't it?

The funny thing is, I'm a pretty huggy person. At least I used to be. What happened to me? Why don't I like hugs any more?

It Only Took 9.5 Hours

Sigh.

It's Harry Potter Day!!!

Sorry, no time to talk. Maybe tomorrow.

The Garden Box

I am horribly in love with my garden box.

Those beans and lettuce are growing like crazy! This week I will probably pick some of the lettuce and start planting some more. There were a couple rows that didn't come up very well. But that's why you can seed it over and over! Tonight for a grilled chicken salad!

And here is the backyard. Full of growing things and weeds too...Ugh, how I loathe to weed.


I have a question for you, dear internets. There is this one corner of my backyard garden...

...and it does not grow well. I've added new topsoil and nutrient-rich soil, but it's just not having much success. This year I left it alone and just added the dirt, mixed it in.

I'm thinking of adding some new herbs to my collection. I've got oregano, thyme and lavender sitting next to my rhubarb and asparagus. (yes, I realize the last two aren't herbs)

You can actually see the productivity of my garden slope towards that corner. The left is very green and grows well and it just declines down to the right. It's so strange.

Any suggestions as to what I should plant or do to do the dirt in my little corner? I think I've got some pretty green thumbs, but this has stumped me. I just want it to be able to be productive and green!

Christmas Cactus in July?

This is the third time this year that I've gotten flowers. December, April & July. Usually there are several blooms, but this time just the one. One lonely little summer blossom.

Same Breakfast Every Morning

Gotta give the baby what it wants. I can't seem to do dairy first thing in the morning, so this is what I make. I've become somewhat obsessive about my egg and toast nowadays.

Sunday mornings I usually only make it out the door with a piece of flax seed toast and organic peanut butter since 20 minutes is my max 'get ready' time.

Here's a question, dear internets...do any of you have a secret for making eggs over easy without breaking the yolk? See, when I put the egg in the middle of my bread I can keep it perfectly, but without the bread I break it every time!

A Long Time Coming: The Book(s) Review: Part One

There may be a lot to read through here, but so many of them are so good!

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
We saw the movie shortly after it came out on DVD and I find that I often want to read the book version of a good movie. I expected these stories (for there are actually five full novels and one short story in this collection) to be more childish and turned for a younger audience, yet I found that the humor quite often wasn't necessarily appropriate for kids.
That said, it was well-written, extremely creative and laugh-out-loud funny. I couldn't stop with just one of the stories, but had to keep reading until I had finished the whole collection. The characters were easy to relate to, even when they were aliens. These stories were utterly ridiculous and unendingly inventive. I'd very likely read through this again.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

One of my favorite non-fiction authors is Lauren Winner. I've read every book she's ever written and many of those more than once. She has admitted that the Midford series was one of the steps that brought her to Christianity and she herself finds this funny. It's not intellectual or deep and fraught with hidden meaning. It's just a lovely story of an Episcopal minister and the flock he shepherds. The life and love of a small community.

The book reads easily and quickly. You can see yourself friends with many of the characters and interested in their daily pursuits. I found myself wanting to plant some of the flowers that the main character was putting into his garden. Plus, I liked that it wasn't too short. I enjoy a book I can read through in an afternoon, but those can also be more forgetful as I haven't spent much time with them.

Poland by James A. Michener

Speaking of a long book...A Michener novel never fails to take me several weeks to finish. The first book of his that I ever picked up was The Source and ever since I have been happily hooked. He follows a few families through decades (and sometimes centuries or more) and traces history through monumental events that you may never have realized were so pivotal.

Every time I finish one of his stories, I search for more information. I want to know more about the histories I just read and I find myself almost wanting to go back to school to study. He finds a way to weave a tale through so many events, so many years and so many people that you could easily be overwhelmed, but you're not. You're just trapped inside the context and folklore and passions and tragedy. And you're very happy to stay there.

Poland did not disappoint. I learned more about Eastern Europe and the lives of the nobility and peasants in a manner that didn't feel like a lecture, but like an epic journey through the past. If this part of history doesn't interest you, there's always Hawaii, one of my other favorites by Mr. M. Next on my list from him: The Covenant, Caribbean and Mexico.

Third Class Superhero by Charles Yu

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Blindness by Jose Saramago

I loved this book--it was so interesting and different. The premise is that a man driving down the road is suddenly and inexplicably stricken with blindness. And then it becomes contagious. An uncontrollable epidemic. You can imagine the fear and terror that spread and the resulting governmental insanity. The story progresses in a horrid downward spiral as all those infected are rounded up and kept together in an abandonded asylum. No one to help them, food drops thrown in once a day, riots breaking out amongst the blind.

This was one of those books so well-written that you find yourself thinking it's really happening. When you put it down, you wonder if you'll catch the disease. It's intellectual and thought-provoking, not letting you just absorb the story, but forcing you to think it through. The sequal is Seeing and I'm anxious to pick it up.

The Dark Tower Trilogy by Stephen King

Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This is one that I believe I should have read back in high school sometime, but didn't. It's a classic and well-known by many. While I'm not given for conspiracy theories, I did enjoy the writing style and flow of this book. Plus, I always like a futuristic sci-fi story and this delivers such an interesting view of a possible future without books I was engrossed. A world without literature seems so highly unlikely to me. Especially with the advent of blogs and the new type of author that is being developed through this genre, readers are open to more and embracing the written word like never before.

Hubby and I discussed the novel after I read it as he was a fan of Bradbury years ago. It seems that our generation (and a few around us) is prone to questioning everything. To not be content with the information we are given and to want a better explanation for why. A few generations before us, one didn't discuss unpleasant or embarrassing situations, whereas now pretty much everything is open for debate and dissection. What will future generations bring? With texting the main form of communication for today's teen, does real discussion also happen face to face? I have found a couple excellent teen blogs, both well-written and thoughful. It's just so interesting to wonder what the future will truly look like. I'm still holding out for my flying car.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

I'm not even going to attempt to write a review of this book. Heather Anne did it better than I ever could. It arrived in my mailbox (presumably by Owl) Saturday morning and I finished it by Saturday evening. I can't wait to read it again.

Cats on Things. Part 3

Cammie on the Marshall.

The Saturday Post

It's raining today and that makes me happier than anything else right now. It's actually chilly out. I have on jeans, socks and a long sleeved shirt. This is probably the first summer I have enjoyed such a thing!

It's not because I don't enjoy being warm and toasty. But ninety degree days have a way of tiring me out and wearing me down. I really don't know if I could live in the south.

Monday it's supposed to be very hot again. And my garden will continue to grow. Today it is soaking up the water and the coolness.

If it gets dry enough later, I'll probably do a bit of weeding. My preggo laziness has resulted in wheat-sized stalks of weeds in my flower garden and the vegetable garden is always in need of weeding.

As an example of my increasing energy and desire to accomplish actual goals, I will be posting every day this week.

You just wait and see. Pictures and thoughts and words, oh my!

Weekly is Ok, Right?

First, a post about me. Since this is my blog and I can talk about whatever I choose.

To update my preggo woes (they're not really woes, but it rhymed) the aching has gone away for the most point. In its place I find headaches and weird blotches on my face. Not really zits, but new coloration anyway.

I honestly don't want to sound at all like I'm complaining about any of my symptoms. I just find them interesting. Some I have for only a day or two and others tend to hang out for longer periods of time. It's so curious.

There have been a few predictions of what the baby will be. Mostly girlish in nature. Though I have a feeling that since everyone else I know is having a girl, I won't get that privilege this time around. All will be told in a few more weeks anyway.

Several friends have offered maternity clothes, which I am ever grateful for. I have only bought a couple normally-sized things that are currently in style which also appear to hold my belly for a good long while.

I'd like to extend a similar offer to those of my non-belly-bursting friends. I am boxing up all of my pants and shirts that aren't going to fit me until sometime next March. (fingers crossed) There will be an open-house-type event here where you can rummage through my clothes at your leisure and choose what you would like to make good use of for a few months. Someone might as well get to wear them! So long as I get them back in the end, you are welcome to them!

Once my camera battery charges, there will be a few growth pictures.

Of my garden. What were you thinking?

I Feel Old

I'm hoping to only have another week of the fatigue and nausea. Please, oh please, let it only be one more week! There is so much I want to do and get done!

Today I watered the plants. That's all so far. I did pick up the house yesterday. I really need to put away last week's clean laundry. Truly, I don't know how I would make it without the cleaning fairy.

A very strange new development: aching joints. From what I've heard it's not a normal pregnancy symptom? And I don't want to be a whiner, I try to keep quiet through the cracks and pops. It just seems so strange. My knees, ankles, elbows and this morning my shoulders joined the crowd. I'm waiting until Monday to find out from my doctor if I'm allowed to take Glucosamine supplements which has helped in the past.

Anyone have any ideas why this has cropped up so suddenly? I don't think I've done anything to aggravate my joints or done anything strange. Who knows!?

Ok Fine

I haven't used the treadmill once. Not one time.

I have read a lot of books. The stack I have to recommend to you is towering on my desk. Plus, I'm currently in the middle of at least two more.

The rooftop garden just got planted a couple days ago. Pictures will be forthcoming as soon as I see a sprout. Probably this weekend.

I have also gone to a lot of movies. Ocean's 13, Spiderman 3, Pirate's 3, Shrek 3, Evan Almighty. I thought they were all fabulous. I haven't previously gone to this many movie's in a year's time!

I have watched the first three seasons of The 4400 as well as the first two of Rescue Me. Not to mention all the movies I've seen from my couch.

My crowning joy for a day is if I get up the energy to make myself a smoothie.

We won't talk about the lack of cleaning and laundry and cooking that gets done around here. My husband is a saint.

I can usually get the plants watered. However, I often have to email my brother to ask him to. Turning on the faucet tires me right out.

Sometimes I'll take three naps in a day. For example: Get up around 9 or 10. Take a shower (or more likely just eat breakfast and forgo the shower for the day). Take a nap on the spare bed. Get up and have lunch. Read a book. Fall asleep on the couch while reading. Get up and snack. Nap out on the hammock. Watch tv. Eat dinner. Watch tv. Go to bed. Yep, that kind of day actually happens once or twice a week around here.

I eat a lot of snacks. Fruit snacks, granola bars, string cheese and especially crackers. It's pretty sweet, cuz I haven't gained an ounce so far. I eat all day long.

Really, that's all that's been going on around here. I don't usually have enough energy to blog. You're really lucky when I comment on yours. It's unbelievable that there are two for today.

I'm blaming it all on the baby in my belly. Silly baby. Making me all tired and sicky-feeling.

Lucky for me, there should only be another week or so of this tired sicky-ness.

Caller ID Spoof

I need to know if any of you have heard of this before.

It's a situation where someone uses a prepaid phone card, internet dials, or uses a * program to dial a number as well as dial in what they want the caller ID to list for the receiver.

Apparently, this has been going on for years. And it's not illegal?

My husband has had this going on for a few weeks now. He just gets angrier every time it happens, because the recipient will call him back and ream him out for the horrible call they just received.

Once it was a handicapped woman who had been dialed several times and was getting harassed. Today it was someone who was cursed out and harassed.

The Cingular representative he spoke to said they had never heard of such a thing, but then I decided to Google it and see what we found. It is unbelievable. There are several websites out there selling the phone cards and ability to use this service.

So we have to change his phone number. Now that this has happened so many times and it isn't stopping, we've decided to get it changed. It has never happened to me, so I imagine someone just swiped his number and is fond of using it.

Have you heard of this? Do you know anyone that this has happened to or has done this before? Because it seems like it should be illegal. It's harassment and it is only used for pranks or for telemarketing-type purposes. Not to mention it's technically a form of identity theft.

What is this world coming to...

A Few Questions

*What is the one thing you are most excited about planting in your garden this year? --Jean

I couldn't possibly say just one thing that I am looking most forward to out of my garden. However, I am ecstatic that I get to plant MORE garden this year. You may or may not know that I have one of the smallest vegetable gardens known to mankind. Seriously.

I am able to grow a surprisingly abundant crop out of said small garden, but I am always looking for more space. A grape vine crammed into the flower garden, some raspberry bushes snuck into the side of the yard. This year I received one of the best gifts a green thumb could ever ask for. A rooftop garden box. Four feet by six feet and five inches deep with an adorable flower-shaped sprinkler built right in.

Anxiously I wait for our roof to get a bit of repair work done so that I can have the drainage rocks, peat and top soil lugged up through the house onto the roof and get started. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and probably some strawberries. Maybe a cucumber or two.

This week (tomorrow?! tonight!?) I'll be planting my peppers, peas & beans. Next weekend, if they're big enough, I'll transplant my tomato plants. They always grow on their own from last year, but never where I want them to be. The onions are still growing strong from last year.



*If you went back to school, what would you major in and why? --Scrapnqueen

There are certain things about schooling that I absolutely love. Finding an amazing professor who imparts the passion of their subject, filling your brain with stuff you have always wanted to know. And then there is the homework, the studying, the cramming, the papers, the essays. Yuck.

Yet going back to school is still enticing. I could have been an art student, I could have studied culinary skills, another language, ancient history, business management, dance, photography. I am learning to play guitar and to direct a band. Life lessons sometimes can be the best kind.

A few of you I know still take classes here and there and I do envy that. What I wouldn't give to be able to take that dance lesson, photography class, audit a language class or learn to cook better. Unfortunately, the budget at this time prohibits these kinds of costs.

But maybe.

Maybe someday soon. The fact that it's on my mind at all means it's a desire. I'll keep it there in the back, simmering.



*Are you watching Heroes this summer? --Shawn

Oh buddy, you'd better believe it. I was quite excited to find that they are all online now...and can be watched while I'm putting the miles on my treadmill.


*Have you used that treadmill yet? I think you owe me some money. --Husband

No. Shut up. *ahem* I mean, I love you.

Madaraka Day

"Madaraka Day commemorates the day that Kenya attained internal self-rule following an important milestone on the road to independence."

When I think of Kenya, these are some of the images that immediately come to mind.













One of the most beautiful countries I've even been in. The scenery, the animals, the smells, the people. Emotionally & physically challenging, but it draws you in. Regardless of how much time you spend, you feel as though you could stay forever, it could be home.









It is lush and green. Greener than I imagined Africa to be. It can be cool and it can be sweltering. It is rich and it is poverty-stricken.

I want to read every book and watch every movie about Africa and Kenya. To understand the history and know where it has been.







I'm just a lowly American commemorating an amazing country.

Summery Things I Did Today

*Watered the plants so they don't wither away from thirst. Darn weatherman keeps saying there's going to be rain, but I don't believe a word of it!

*Made suntea with fresh sprigs of mint. Anyone need mint? Seriously, I have a ton of it if you could use some! I cannot get it to stop growing!

*Rode my bike to the ice cream shop for ice cream.

*Grilled sausage and made macaroni salad. Summer soul food.

*Sat inside the air conditioning and read a good book.

That's all. It's summer...one really shouldn't do too much. Take it easy. Enjoy it!