Unhistoric Acts

organic, schmorganic

Houston, WE HAVE TOMATOES!

True, we only have two grape tomatoes. And those could in no way sustain life in any significant way. But we're growin' things.

I'm sad to report that my completely organic garden is now completely non-organic (cuz inorganic would be not-living...and it's still living). I'm sorry. I tried my darned-est to go the all-natural, compost route. Over the past few weeks my little plantlings had grown increasingly yellow...and they weren't really growing all that much. In hopes of reviving them I purchased a big bag of REVITALIZING compost, laid a thick layer, and watered it in REAL good. Nope, nothing.

I figured it was non-organic or nothing. I stopped by Lowe's one bright sunny morning and picked up a bottle of EverGreen, mixed up the magic potion, and fertilized the entire garden. Within days the plants perked up, turned a lovely shade of green, and began growing again. I'll have to continue to work on perfecting the compost mix...right after I finish watching every Law & Order episode on cable television. Yes, it's a top priority.

 
On the menu tonight was Pioneer Woman's Risotto Primavera. I even topped off the dish with a chiffonade of basil (as pictured above) from my own garden. Right now, as I type this, my fingers still smell like fresh basil. Tomorrow I might just rub my entire body with basil leaves. It's like perfume. Also, it makes you smell like Italian food -- both good things in my book.

Everyone (including my picky eaters) liked the risotto. It's a simple enough dish, but you do have to be present for the 30-45 minutes it takes to cook the risotto. Lucky for me, after taking Becca to the orthodontist, and Madison shopping for khaki pants for her choir's pop show, and before attending a mother/daughter church activity with Becca, I was able to carve out enough time to let chicken stock and white wine evaporate from my risotto some five times over. This sounds bitter and sarcastic...but it was really just fine...and Parker sat up to the island and entertained me for a good portion of the simmering. I would definitely make it again, even on a week night. That Pioneer Woman never does me wrong (plus she often includes goat cheese -- which I adore).

Did I ever tell you I once had a dream she invited me to her lodge?

And yes, I realize I need to GET A LIFE.

That's all. Good night. Sleep tight.

the great state of texas

 
Last Saturday was the state UIL academic meet in Austin. And by the orange you can surmise that the event was held at the University of Texas. I like UT. I know that I'm not supposed to. But I do. It's a most bee-utiful campus. And really, I like all universities. Being on a campus makes me feel at home.

Except for the University of Utah. Being on that campus just plain makes me nervous.

I'm sorry, but my generosity can only go so far.

But back to Jordan.

 

Jordan had already progressed through several invitational meets, district, and regionals to qualify for state. Yep! There's my baby -- she's state material for sure. She didn't place in the state finals, and if you look closely you might notice her ill-hidden chagrin. I have to say...I feel for her. The way the divisions run and some of the questions (not well written by this English momma's judgment) had her feeling the contest was less than fair. But, being the all-wise adult that I am, I merely pointed out such is life. Sometimes we don't win. Sometimes circumstances don't seem fair. But we just learn what we can...and move on. As you might imagine, that pep talk was not entirely well received. She did cheer up mightily with a Dairy Queen Blizzard (as one might expect).

I, for one, thought the event was awesome. We walked around campus. We ate lunch. We shopped. We talked literary. My baby got a state t-shirt. AND we got Blizzards.

I believe this sign best sums up my sentiments to my first-born:

You can buy it here. But don't...cuz there's only one and I kinda want it.

 

 

 

happy mother's day

 
Happy Mother's Day to women everywhere. I've felt the wonderful influence of countless women in life, especially my own mother and grandmother. The picture above was taken on Jordan's blessing day -- the first great-grandchild for my grandmother. There we are -- four generations.

I was a nervous new mother. Jordan wouldn't nurse. She wouldn't nap. That baby certainly gave me a run for my money. My entry into motherhood, as I'm sure it must be for many, was a baptism by fire. But I knew immediately that a mother will do anything for her baby. Especially when parenting is hard I like to think of my experience as one of tradition. I like to make the bread my grandmother and mother make by hand. I like to think back and imagine the generations of mommas who have gone before me...who did it...and did it with grace and integrity.

 

this just in

Despite the fact that I've already posted today...I feel compelled to direct you to THE BEST SOFT PRETZEL RECIPE EVER. Seriously.

I try a lot of Internet recipes promising BIG taste and EASY prep. And believe you me, I've had some disasters -- enter the pizza monkey bread of last week which tasted like bread nuggets.  After tasting them I sent this text to Sterling: "Dinner is a disaster. Might want to pick up a burger on your way home."

But today? Today is red banner. Look:

I saw this tutorial on Elephantine, which includes a cool and seriously helpful video. The video is only 2 minutes long and teaches you everything you need to know about making soft pretzels. I decided to make them as an after-school snack for the kids. My only regret? I only made one batch! NEED. MORE. PRETZELS.

Even my kids said these are WAY BETTER THAN THE PRETZELS AT THE MALL.

Sterling just happened to come home right as I pulled these babies out of the oven. I was all like, "Afternoon darlin', you're just in time for some of my fresh bakin'."

And then he handed me his credit card and told me to go pick up something nice.

It went just like that.

of good report...

Owl measuring cups! And an owl butter plate hidden way in the back! I originally purchased these for Debbie's birthday. But, lucky me, I ordered so far in advance of her birthday...that when they arrived and I opened them (just to check them out), I decided I would need some owl kitchen goods myself. So I ordered another set. Then, whenever Debbie came over I would hurriedly shove them in the pantry. Except one time, I forgot, and she was all like, "Ooh. Cute owl stuff." And I was all like, "Yep. They're okay." (You can get your own owls at West Elm.)

Design Mom has an interesting blog entry today talking about Mormon design bloggers. She theorizes about why so many design blogs are written by Mormon women. She's not the first to take up the issue. Some time ago I linked to this article about Mormon blogs with the following tag line: "I'm a young, feminist atheist who can't bake a cupcake. Why am I addicted to the shiny, happy lives of these women?" With a lead-in like that...I had to read on.

But really, I think Design Mom hits the issue of Mormon bloggers spot on. She writes this:

"Mormons have 13 articles of faith (short statements that describe our beliefs). The 13th one says: “…If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Which, umm, seems like exactly what a design/lifestyle blog is. In the case of Design Mom, I never had the 13th Article of Faith in mind, but I have tried to create a space where I could share every lovely and praiseworthy thing I come across. I wonder if everyone raised as a Mormon has this admonition to seek-out-pretty stamped on our brains."

This has been on my mind a lot lately, particularly with the negative energy that comes down the Internet pipeline from time to time accusing bloggers of candy-coating their lives...of portraying a perfect facade of a less than perfect reality. If you've been reading here long you know I have a propensity to whine and moan and groan...even if I can't give all of the gory details of my imperfect life. But I think the only way to move on from the moaning and groaning is to actively seek out those virtuous, lovely and praiseworthy things.

And that, folks, is why I wander about my house taking pictures of owl measuring cups, and dogs lying perfectly square in patches of light, and smiling children with messy hair...to me...those things are of good report.They remind me of the beauty to be found in the everyday.

So...to virtue, loveliness and good report! Carry on.

ode to the green bean...

Oh green bean, why dost thine edges turn brown?

Yes, still fighting/loving the garden. I picked a nasty bug that was chewing lace-like holes in my pepper plant this morning. Darn bug.

Half of my impatiens in the front yard are yellowing.

Why? WHY? Why?

I know not.

I fertilized the impatiens. We shall see.

Personally, I don't have a lot of tantalizing information to share. My last class was yesterday. I collected final papers and sent the little students/monsters on their merry way. I've opted out of my assistantship for next year, which means I won't be teaching but will be working on my dissertation full time. You might think this would be cause for celebration. I'll certainly be able to focus my efforts more clearly. After four years of commuting I suddenly...won't...be commuting. And still, I'm feeling a bit ambivalent. I like the teaching. I like being on campus. I'm afraid the laundry vortex at home might suck me in and never let go.

These are the kinds of things I think of ALL. DAY. LONG.

But hey! More time for Pinterest. Here's some things I've pinned lately. (Note: If you are not already on Pinterest I think you should be. Peer pressure to join Pinterest. You can follow me here. Right now I have 14 followers and I feel inclined to boost those numbers.)

Here are a few things on my THINGS TO MAKE board [Please note that I feel no obligation to actually make the items on my THINGS TO MAKE board. But if I feel like it...then I will.]:

The tutorial can be found here. I think this might be cool in our imaginary gameroom. Oh, we have a gameroom..but the decorating I've talked about endlessly is beginning to feel imaginary. Still, I think the girls could help with this project this summer...should we feel so inclined.

 
Map letters. I like maps. I like letters. Nuff said. Posted here.

 
I've actually looked at this tutorial. And while it looks mucho confusing, I think I could figure it out if I had the supplies in my hot little hands. Or, if I couldn't, Sterling is really handy with knot-like things and he could probably figure it out. I'm pretty sure the girls would find these cool. Also, I saw that Ashley has been making these for orphans. Huh. Bracelets for orphans. Who knew? Looks like the deadline is June 15th. Read Ashley's post here.

So...go forth and conquer. I'm totally going to do that...just after one teensy, eensy rest.

hit the road jack

Maddie passed her driving exam today! Yes, just a short FOUR WEEKS after we scheduled the exam...she finally got her chance. Undoubtedly, the system in Texas is messed up. The DMV just can't keep up with the number of new drivers, so the backlog is rather formidable.

This means Madison had just under a month to worry over her test. She was all jumpy and full of nerves this morning. Her appointment was at 9, so I let her sleep in...but she was too excited...and there wasn't much sleeping. All the way to the DMV I kept telling her to calm down, to do her best, that she was a great driver. We pulled up just in time, and I hopped out of the car to allow the test lady to do her thing. When Jordan took her test she was out and back in about five minutes. Her test was so short, in fact, that I was sure they had failed her. Nope...just a brief road test. Maddie was gone a full fifteen minutes. I started to get nervous. I even wondered, for just a second, if the DMV lady had kidnapped my baby.

But no. She came back and gave me the thumbs up. She's legal.

We went to IHOP to celebrate.

She's already had a solo run to Target. I made her text me the moment she got there and before she left. Again, my stomach will hurt each time she leaves the house. And I'll worry. And worry. I just did this with Jordan. For the worry factor alone, I do not recommend having children 14 months apart. One's heart needs at least three years to recover.