Belated Anniversary Post

This blog has been alive and kicking since August 20, 2005. It has officially been 5 years. Damn. I'm one narcissistic, verbose mother-fcker!

Thanks for indulging me guys. i love you!

Me Then

Me Now

More pics from the Wildwood Beach quick trip last month...

We did a brief whirlwind trip down to Wildwood, NJ for Ben's Mom's family beach trip. It's getting harder and harder to make it to these types of events. There are so many demands on our schedules these days and with both kids and their schedules and our increasing lack of funds... it gets crazy around here... 

But we did make it for one good day of fun and sun and sand... Ben's cousin Ryan and his wife Stacia (HI GUYS!!) have two kids about the same ages as our kids so it's fun to get them together, albeit complete chaos... 

Olivia and Esther found these glasses under a bed in the rental house... and then proceeded to wear them around. I have to say, this last picture is probably one of my all time favorite pictures of Esther. She looks so much like me for once.

[Photos courtesy of Ryan Rush. Thanks Ryan!!!]


These next bunch of photos are from the same weekend but are courtesy of Oma. Thanks Oma!
(and sorry they're so late in the posting...)

i look like such a little kid here... a kid with blue lips...

ok, NOW it's summer... (now that it's practically over)

I did it. I manned up and made homemade ice cream for the first time. My mother bought the kitchenaid ice cream maker and has since been a tornado of frozen delicacy...

Which, while delicious, adds to my fear of attempting such gastronomical feats... if i haven't said this already, i'm going to say it now in no uncertain terms: My mother is an intense perfectionist!

Anything and everything she does makes my attempts look like dog doo... so in an effort of self preservation or perhaps pride or perhaps laziness, i simply don't do the things she does because, let's face it, if she does it a thousand times better than i ever could, i'm just going to sweet-talk her into doing it for me. this does not bode well for that dark day when she dies... which she will no doubt do with either utter grace and significance, or with a loud, enviable bang.

Ok, back to the ice cream. SO, i sucked it up (she had a prior engagement so i couldn't talk her into doing it for me) and made ice cream. and you know what?  IT WASN'T HARD AT ALL!!!!!!!!

I was nervous because the recipe i settled on (the French Vanilla recipe that came with the ice cream maker instructions (page 8 of this pdf) -- which i was going to add peaches to to make peach ice cream) required cooking. and for ice cream you're basically making a custard. I don't do custards... or puddings... or any of that wonky stuff.

But i did it. it didn't suck... i didn't burn it... i didn't have any trouble separating the yolks from the whites... and i even forgot to stir it often... and i didn't use a double boiler...

Admittedly, the peach ice cream was a bit icy but that's because i didn't have time to freeze the peaches first. But the french vanilla was ASTOUNDINGLY phenomenal. it was just like store bought, but better... and fluffy... and creamy... and oh dear god. i want more.

i'm hooked...

(i would have taken pictures but my camera sucks and next to joe's i would just feel miles worth of inadequate. Maybe i could sweet talk him into being our private photographer just for the blog... i could pay him with ice cream!!!)

Some photo error on Joe's pictures so here they are again, and more...

when i finally decide to go back to working on that book i might some day maybe possibly but probably not ever finish. Joe will be in charge of the cover art.

The past two weekends...

 we took the kids out to eat after a rainy day indoors... Esther sported goggles and rain boots... cutest thing ever!

 Asa's cheesy grin!

 Ben's idea of child appropriate drawings...

 This is me wrestling with Asa to clip his wolverine fingernails... poor kid will be traumatized... but in my defense i almost lost an eye to those ice picks!

 Typical summer evening in our undies!

This was from this past weekend. That is Olivia (Asa's and Esther's second cousin. Ben's first cousin once removed.)  -- yes it's the only picture i took from this past weekend with ben's family at the beach... why? because i'm lazy and terrible at taking pictures even when i do remember...

Backpacking Bitches

I started a new blog to plan, discuss, and eventually document this annual trip. 

I sent out invitations to people whom i have saved e-mail addresses for but i'm sure i did not get it out to everyone. The site should be viewable to everyone so feel free to give the site out to folks! But please e-mail me because i want to know who is interested!

So anyhow GO VISIT "Backpacking Bitches!!!"

First Annual All-Girl Backpacking trip!!!

Ok Lovelies!

I have been day dreaming about getting this going for years now and i think this may be the first year it is a possibility for me.

I want to start an annual all-girl backpacking trip. It will be in the fall (sept, oct, or nov). I'm trying to figure out the best way to get everyone's input on this event. Any ideas on the best online collaboration tool for this? i have no idea who, how many, or when anyone would be interested in this so it'd be good if we all had a way to discuss.

ideas?

My new imaginary boyfriend

This is Jonah Lehrer.
 http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2010/07/will_i.php

Aside from writing interesting things for various interesting publications and being a decent writer he's absolutely adorable! i want to dip him in the lemon meringue pie and put him in my pocket.

no what i mean is, "will i dip him in lemon meringue pie and put him in my pocket?"

Missed one!

Oh my freakin' god i totally missed one of the best things at the party!

Jessica Hopkins' (Ben's sister) Lemon Meringue Pie. It was phenomenal! Truly amazing. I won't even attempt anything of that caliber... what can i say... i'm lazy...

 (again this picture was thieved from the internet somewheres...)

My Birthday Party

First i would like to say a HUGE, MASSIVE, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, FANTASTICALLY GIGANTIC THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!  to Jessica and Eric Dymond. You guys are truly amazing, generous, sweet culinary geniuses.

So, in honor of the big 29 (yes, i've decided i'm no longer 30, i'm now 29 again), Jessica and Eric hosted my birthday party. Mostly because i'm lazy and didn't feel like having it here, and also because Jes is also turning 29 again this year and understands all the b.s. that i'm feeling over it.

Now, I'm a jerk and can't seem to remember to take pictures and because of that this is going to be a semi-lame post. But maybe i can find some stock photos of the food they made online and that will at least make you drool all over your keyboard and short circuit your computer and then you'll no longer care that i'm just not capable of taking pictures...ever...

They made:

Shrimp Spring rolls

Chicken Satay
With the most amazing peanut sauce i've ever had!

Sangria

Margaritas

deviled eggs

tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad

And Terri made a fantastic wheat-berry salad which i keep eating for breakfast. (which i couldn't find a picture of the exact kind she made...)


I'm sure one day i'll get nailed for infringing on copyrights or something but in the mean time enjoy these stock photos of the food we enjoyed.

And to all of you who could make it, Thank you for coming and watching me get tanked. You're all very sweet.

Generally speaking, and compared to other parties this year, it was a very laid-back, tame party. and perhaps just what we all needed. It was good to see you all.

I'm glad to know i'm going into my second 29th year with such good friends who love me.