Working Title.

Footloose.

2011-07-31T22:18:00.000-07:00

{My quest to covet.}

I am leaving on a jet plane tomorrow for my sis-in-law's wedding (yay!) and I still have to complete packing myself. I did such a great job packing the three youngsters. And I approached my bag with gusto, imagining one of thse magazine spreads "make 12 outfits with these 3 pieces" type of thing. Let me just tell you: shopping clearance racks has it's drawbacks. My wardrobe is a mish mash of random colors, off prints, and once-hit-wonders that can be worked in with some basic jeans and T's... but all together makes a butt ugly assortment.

So instead I just wasted a full hour trying to find a pair of shoes I want. Dying to want a pair. Any pair. I found none. I went to my go-to brands. Of which I am not even gonna mention now, because apparently all the shoes that were cool 8 years ago when I was cool... aren't cool anymore. They're all old lady shoes. And not the cool old lady shoes.

I find these old lady shoes to be quite charming.

I am AGAHST. Seriously, the best I can hope for are some shimmery Toms?!

Okay, let me show you what I think is just not cool, and you can tell me why I'm wrong.

1.

Okay, the chunky clunky heel. The grosgrain bow. I just don't get it.

2.

Janet Wood made these look good with her coolots and some nylons. But it's not happening for me.

3.

1995 called and she wants her shoes back. And that sweater with the thumb holes.

4.

If Arsenio Hall were a shoe. This would be it.

Maybe it's me. I mean, I know I've really had some doozies. So I know current trends may be a lady I know not.

Friends. Foes. Anyone. Please help me. I need to want some shoes. And I need it real bad.

Pox.

2011-04-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

{It was normal for you and me. But my kids are freaks.}

Now we've gone and done it. Gotten Chicken Pox. Elliette and Emmett are covered in magenta spots that range from Pixie Dots to Transformer Spots to being terribly painful and no longer getting cute names.

Let it be known we were hoping that they'd contract chicken pox naturally. We were not hoping to expose approximately 50 children and babies to it the day before the first pox showed up. gulp. Worst. Feeling. Ever.

But the actual duration of the chicken pox was not nearly as frightening as some may think. The worst was that there was 1 night of fever and pretty bad discomfort - both kids complained that their spots felt like they were popping - but some advil helped them sleep.

Elliette tried to hide her pox with a beard crocheted of yarn.

We feigned a Red Wings tailgate party for Emmett. (Is it even hockey season?)

The bad news is... Mark has them, too. No 33 year old wants Chicken Pox. It's painful for me to see how painful it is for him. Just so awful.

(photo unavailable)

And then... the baby. Baby Blue kind of looks like her feathers got plucked.

You know.. in a way, it was kind of fun. Now it's over, so looking back it's easy to see the silver lining. I had my babies with me, it was quiet, calm. We watched movies, did crafts, made books, read a lot, baked. There were very hard moments, but it was mostly just due to being quarantined. I never realized the shade of red chicken pox rates the terror scale.

There were times I felt like a leper. I am immensely thankful for the Jesus-style love some friends showed by being there for me.

1.

2011-03-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

{My bluebird flew into our nest one year ago. Happy Birthday!}

Wow. A year already.

Our third wonderful baby... beautiful, perfect, lovely and divine.

Happy first birthday, Esmé Blue!

Sister.

2011-01-20T11:17:00.001-08:00

{You can choose your friends, but not your family. And, in some cases, you can't even choose your friends, but fate does it for you.}

There is a period of time from my childhood that I remember more vividly than I can remember last month. From about age 5 to maybe 8 or so - perhaps I've glorified these years, entombed them in my memory as my salad days. I look at Elliette, who's now 5, and think back to 5-year-old me, and can so clearly remember my big ideas, my plans, my home, and my friends.

At that age, I met Jami. She lived across the street with her two sisters and brother. She was shuffled over to my house at the tender age of 3 to knock on my door and ask if I wanted to play. Being an only child, I relished a chance to play with someone other than Maggie, the devoted Beagle.

We played that day, and many more days, many more years, and now, here we are. 28 years later.
Today is Jami's 31st birthday. We are very different, in lifestyle, appearance, geographic location, and probably a whole lot more than I even know. But, she is my sister. The woman nearer to my heart than any other, at least of those with whom I do not share DNA. Her family is my family. I treasure her mother, I adore her sister, and I think back so very often to her extended family, and those with whom I don't even keep in touch.

She was my constant. Through divorces, break-ups, moves, marriages and the turbulence of high school and the there-after, Jami was always there. She was always laughing and making me laugh.

Happy Birthday, Kitten Eyes.

Home.

2011-01-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

We did it.

We bought our first house! So, I think that has become my de facto hobby... making this house our home.

Skyline.

2010-11-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

{Sweet & Spicy Sorta' Soupy Heaven}

I am proud to say I was born in and grew up in the grand Queen City: Cincinnati Ohio. It's a wonderful place.

I grew up with a lot of wonderies in Cincinnati. Indian Mounds, the Cincinnati Zoo, the field of Daffodils at the Krohn Conservatory, Kings Island... well those are the major players in my memory. There's actually a lot of really wonderful history in Cincinnati. But kids don't pay much attention to that stuff.

One thing the kid me did pay attention to was food. Enter: Skyline Chili. Skyline is the name of the restaurant which made Cincinnati-style Chili famous. (There's also Gold Star, but this cousin of the chili world doesn't get as much love. I don't know who came first, do you?) Named for the beautiful Skyline that befalls the city, it's a staple of Cincinnati culture. One of my first dates with Mark was eating ice cream across the Ohio River in Kentucky, admiring the lights, bridges, and architecture.

We love and miss Skyline.

Being across the country and being vegetarian poses two obstacles for us. I've concurred them.

Originally our family would bring or send packets of "Cincinnati-Style Chili Mix". It tasted good but the corn syrup solids and BHT ended up leaving a salty coating in our mouths.

I decided to tackle it. Make it From Scratch. I'm not a big From Scratch cook. I mean, I cook a lot, and love to, but the term From Scratch conjures up images of long-simmered beefy stews, or croissants, or other things that require a lot of time, measuring, and planning. But this seemed do-able to me. I found a recipe and dove in.

Look at all the spice jars I had open! Allspice! Cinnamon! Paprika! Chili Powder!

It was so good. We used veggie-dogs to make a Coney.

It wasn't quite the same - at Skyline the hot dogs are miniature, as are the buns. But still great. Something about that finely shredded mild cheddar cheese + spicy sweet chili soaked into white spongy bread. Oh yum! My favorite is still the classic 3-Way. Spaghetti with chili and lots of cheese. And a side of oyster crackers.

And then... there's the Dip. This is how we usually introduce newbies to Skyline. It's portable, sits in your tummy like a flat tire, and is addictive.


Cream Cheese + Chili + Cheese

I'm not going to post the recipe I used, because It's not quite right. I need to experiment. There are lots out there, though. Here is one that looks reputable.

For the meat-eaters who want to try it in it's original glory, you can get it on Amazon.

Also, it should be noted, the last meat I did ever eat was a Chili Sandwich with my friend Brittany sometime in 1991. It was my last cheat. And totally worth it.

Mellow-Yellow.

2010-11-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

{This yellow ain't so mellow.}

Okay, awhile ago, I lamented my situation with fashion. I used to have at least one foot in. I used to be on decent terms. We were friendly. And then.... I guess we had a falling out. It all started with that 55 pounds of "baby weight" (I like to tell myself it was baby weight, although my baby weighed in under 8 pounds.) Then the fluctuation thereafter. Two more babies. And then the budget. Strict budgets don't run in the same circle as fashion. At least, my Budget and my Fashion didn't seem to be getting along.

A few months ago I decided: Enough! This is nonsense. Of course my Budget and my Fashion can be friends. I know Budget well, we really like each other. But Fashion, on the other hand... we're just not seeing eye-to-eye. But, I knew eventually we'd all be getting along better.

My dear husband casually gave me a gift of cash he'd been hoarding for months, so that after Esmé was born and I was starting to feel like myself again (ha! Little did we know I have no idea who that is) I'd have some extra shopping money. Swoon.

So, I got some new digs. I do my hair 3.5 days a week. I am starting to look okay again, I start to think. I may be figuring this out.

And then. This.

I was walking the kids to school, glowing with my new confidence, day-dreaming about what I'd wear to the next Book Club or Girl's Night or Date Night (as that's the extent of my social life) when I just happened to look down.

Look at this. Look at how I left the house.

I took this myself with my phone, so I know you can't see exactly HOW AWFUL it is, so I'll expand. That neon striped shirt... yeah, it's a flowey, handkerchief hemmed tunic thing. And that cardigan, yep, I really did button it like that. Left the bottom all haggard just like that. I did. I left the house like that.

And then it got worse.

I looked down:

Uh-huh, another shade of yellow. Dirty running-shoe yellow. With sporty socks. And short old leggings.
Ugh. This is not the look I'm hoping for.

This is the look I'm going for. Late 1960's Parisian Librarian. Is that so hard??

Chris Benz

Chris Benz - now that's a yellow much more mellow!

Chanel

Chris Benz

Budget is bitching at me right now, I have to go soothe her.

P.S. Chris Benz is my current Fashion Dreamboat, can you tell?

5.

2010-11-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday, my darling Elliette Rose.

A sweet song for my sweet rose, by Matt Costa. (Thanks, Miss Me.)

Lyrical.

2010-10-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

{my life to music vol II}

I always wanted to be the face in front of me.

I really love Mates of State. This song is from the album Re-arrange Us.

I'm not a musician. I wish I could be. The way certain songs make me feel, I wish I could bang out those feelings on a piano or at least a lavender Casio. Where did my Casio go, anyway....

My kids end up loving these songs, too, and I think they're just picking up my vibes. I get so happy and feel so energized, they are receiving all that electric boogy-woogy I'm throwing around, and we're all in for a good day.

Brother.

2010-10-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

I always wanted a brother. Here is why:

Stitch.

2010-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

{Attempts at embroidery. Not so bad!}

I had to sew a lot in college. I mean, a lot. Thense, I do not enjoy it now. Kind of like how my big jobs as a kid were folding socks and emptying the dishwasher - now I just ignore that they're there and wait for Mark to do it, or convince the kids it's a very exciting game. Just like Mom did, the clever creature.

I have so much appreciation for hand-stitched soft-goods. I see them at craft fairs and on etsy and am almost sick with adoration. When I had the shop I stocked it with some beautiful hand-embroidered bibs, and I thought I might give embroidery a try. A friend who masters everything she ever thinks about trying and therefore is very very good at embroidery (and made some beautiful bibs that inspired me) gave me a very simple beginner's kit for Christmas a few years back. I kept it on the bookshelf, waiting to get up the gusto to try it out. Welp, I finally cracked it open.

It wasn't so bad!

I did okay! I made Esmé some bibs.

If you haven't tried embroidery but are interested, I highly recommend the kit linked above. It's simple to use and a complete kit. So you don't have to worry about buying all the bits and pieces. Also, the designs are super-cute and there is something for everyone. You can make the mister a tie, your mom a tea towel, or a hand-towel for yourself.

The only thing I cannot seem to do is a french knot. This is not surprising. Usually, with everything I try to attempt to have as a hobby, there is that one thing I just cannot do. But this time I won't give up! I'm going to keep trying! (this is new to me... persistence.)

Postscript:

It should be noted that I started these bibs when I was about 4 months pregnant with Esmé, and she is now 7 months old.... so..... there's the ugly truth about my persistence.

Bee-loved.

2010-10-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

{I Know I Am, But What Are You? by Samantha Bee}

Have you read this book yet? I Know I Am, But What Are You?

Buy it. Now. And read it, you'll laugh your ass off.

Here is an excerpt, as posted online:

looking a gift horse in the mouth

Now, my father knows how to accept a gift. He knows how to accept one mainly because he wrote his wish list in blood on the dining room wall and has been practicing his acceptance speech ever since. It doesn’t really bother me, except that every year the gifts keep getting more and more expensive. It makes me feel weird that my own father asks me for stuff he would never have contemplated getting for me while I was growing up. The man who once gave me a budget of $13 a week for groceries in college—that’s $52 a month for food—is now asking me for things like laptop computers and Gucci loafers. One year, I got him an iPod, which he loved and was moved by. I wasn’t making so much money that it was an inconsequential expense, but I could afford it with a little stretching. I knew it would mean a lot to him. Two months later, the whole transaction was forgotten. It was all, “This iPod stinks. It only has six hours of battery life! I hate it.”

I was like, “Six hours? Who can listen to that much Bruce Hornsby in a single day anyway? I mean, maybe if the Range was still in the picture . . . but a solo effort? Don’t you need to give your ears time to stop bleeding before you firethat bad boy up again?” “Bite me. It’s a lot better than the Smiths, so get over yourself.” He always liked to remind me that I went through a very serious love affair with the music of the Smiths and that he thought it was terrible and depressing. I liked to remind him that Billy Joel was a much more interesting songwriter when he was suffering from depression and doing things like drinking furniture polish, not making songs like “Uptown Girl,” which was, coincidentally, my father’s favorite.

I laughed out loud in a melodious honk on a number of occasions, surely looking ultra-attractive to dear Mark. Almost as good as when I was ogling John Stamos on Glee the other night. Have Mercy!

But that's neither here nor there.

Read this and come back here and let me know what you think!

Imbue.

2010-09-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

{happily reporting full success with a slow cooker.}

Remember how I was gushing about the Farmer's Market? We had such beautiful vegetables in our company, we were excited to put them to use.

We found a yummy recipe in our Vegetarian Slow Cooker Cookbook for Lentil Shepards Pie. It was a softly misty day and ooooh it sounded so good. That was on a Sunday.

The reason these recipes are uncontrollably delicious is because there's a bit of prep work. Mostly just some simple sauteing. It's well worth it.

Once these fresh from the farmers market veggies were tender and scrumptious, you just combine them with uncooked lentils, a can of tomatoes and the juice, some herbs, some spices, some love of course, and then top with mashed potatoes mixed with bread crumbs. Cook on High for 5 hours, give or take. Shredded cheddar cheese is optional.

But I can't say no to a place of cheese.

When a recipe indicates a dish is ready to enjoy by being hot and bubbly, that's usually an indication you will experience tremendous joy upon eating said dish.

This was no exception!

We had some rice and grains along-side the Shepard's Pie.

This was cooked and devoured on a Tuesday. The irony is, it turned out to be 75 degrees and sunny that day. The one down-fall of planning the menu for the entire week.

Esmé, however, was not impressed by the mashed potatoes.

Do you have any favorite slow cooker recipes? Any vegetarian ones, perhaps? Please share!

Yielding.

2010-09-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

{story in pictures: The Farmers Market.}

One of my goals is to learn about eating in season. And to actually do it. I figured a sure-fire way to learn about what is in season is to go to a Farmer's Market. We are lucky enough to have quite a few great Famer's Markets in Long Beach, but I decided to take the troops up to Redondo Beach for a fun day out.

And what a fun day out it was! The kids had so much fun tasting fruits and veggies, helping me choose our "harvest".

we were mesmerized by the colors in this fresh broccoli. So different than the shrink-wrapped shrunken head at the mega-mart, no?

admiring some exotic blooms,

photo courtesy Elliette, age 4 1/2.

and then a trip to the play-ground to round out the excursion.

I gave Emmett the camera for awhile. These were the first results.

Then after some coaching from his big sister, he cranked out some good images. Kind of artsy-fartsy, but that fits in around here.

we don't know this guy.

Then we had a real treat. Whales! There was water spouting up from the sea and it was from real-life Humpback Whales migrating!!! And then to top it off, I saw a whale come out of the water, I'm not even kidding. I was elated. So excited. I'm still pretty happy about it. The kids, however, didn't get to see, because it's really hard to spot the small spout of water rising out of the sea that is just standing before you, endless, with no referance point.

The best we got was Emmett's photo of my shadow, pointing to where the whales were.

At least it's documented.

Well, we also got a good bounty of fresh fruit, honey and vegetables. Which included the very sweetest and most adorable strawberries I have ever experienced, short of my back yard in Ohio at the age of 7. I love being at the open-air market, and I love involving the kids. When we shop at the Super Market they just chatter their teeth through the frigid produce section. This really is a much better way to go.

Also, have you tried the Honey Crisp apple? Have you tried one from a local grower, freshly picked and warm from the sun? Delightful.

Smashion.

2010-09-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

{"I have a background in fashion." - or - Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week}

I often say the above sentence. I don't know if it's issued as a disclaimer or as an excuse. Probably a little bit of both, and usually followed by the recipient of said comment looking at me, clearly thinking, "Really? And you dress like that?"

Yes, I do have a background in fashion, it's true. I graduated from design school. I worked as a women's wear designer.

Now, however, my life is much different. I leaf through sensible catalogs such as J. Crew, (which, i must add, is my favorite.) thinking about how practical a garment might be, and if I can find it on sale at my local outpost. It's kind of sad, really. I remember my devotion to fashion. My quest for a perfect piece, one that would become a unique staple in my mish-mash of ensembles, has turned into wondering how many times it can be washed before fading.

I know it's sensible to wear cotton blends, to keep a complimentary palette, and to buy for longevity. OOOH but I miss the whimsical silk sheath; the 3-inch heels with super skinny pants; the shrunken jacket with baubles; the knee-sock and peep-toe combo. I know not to wear these things in my daily life, because when I try, I ruin them. Or get a back ache.

So now, I enjoy fashion week eating a bowl of rice krispies, in front of my computer. I read some fashion blogs that I love. I live vicariously through Style Rookie and stay trend-current with Things We Heart. I know my place is not at MB Fashion Week, but does it have to be Courtney Love instead of me? Really?

Seriously, I'm so out of the loop I can't even provide commentary. I see things I love and realize it's because it looks like everything else I already have. Where is my style, man?!

Since I have nothing worth-while to say, here are some images I found*. Do you have a favorite? Enjoy.

It should be noted: these images show the designers who are considered the biggest and the best... there is so much more talent that isn't at the upper crust yet, but soon enough, those new designers will bubble up to the top soon.

Carolina Herrera

Betsey Johnson

Chris Benz

DKNY

Diane von Furstenberg

Vivienne Tam

Vera Wang

Jason Wu

The Ports 1961

Z Spoke by Zac Posen

Badgley Mischka

Mik Cire

Tadashi Shoji

Andrew Buckler


Trina Turk

Marchesa

Hey, Coop! sorry couldn't resist.

Tory Burch

Rodarte


Proenza Schouler

L.A.M.B.

J. Mendel

Isaac Mizrahi

Michael Kors

Anna Sui

One of my favorite designers is Nanette Lepore.

Here is a little section to highlight her Spring 2011 line.

*photos from www.guardian.co.uk

Sunset.

2010-09-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

{"Be this sunset one for keeping . This june bug street sings low and lovely"}

Tonight after dinner I had to make a quick trip to the grocery store. We needed half and half for our morning coffee. I bought everything but half and half.

I asked the kids if anyone wanted to join me, and I got one enthusiastic yes from my sweet Emmett.

On our way we took a detour: As I was systematically driving along Emmett said, "Mommy! Look at that beautiful sunset!"

I turned right at the next light to get to the top of Signal Hill. Emmett said "Mommy, can we actually get out?" of course, I said.

We watched the sunset together and we ran and ran through the cooling grass and Emmett yelled out to me, "I'm laughing, but nothing's funny! I'm just so happy!"

There's a little piece of my heart lost in the grass there now, and when Emmett is grown, I'll go there and hope to find it. But I think it will have gone off with that sunset.

Sunset Soon Forgotten by Iron & Wine

More Iron & Wine music on iLike

Ice-Cream.

2010-09-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

{hello, raspberry-basil darlings!}

For Mark's birthday a half year ago we gave him an Ice Cream Maker. (Kind of selfish, isn't it? We reap the rewards!) An aside: I always thought to make your own ice cream you'd have to spend all day cranking away. That was once the case, but not anymore. We love this thing. Just turn it on, let it run for 25 minutes, allow to set in the freezer for a couple of hours and viola! The best darned ice cream in town, no kiddin'.

Moving on...

I had an obsession to try basil ice cream. We did some experimenting and finally found a good recipe. It was simple to make.

First, chop the basil!

Next, you boil the basil with some milk and dissolve the sugar. Then blend until the basil is just wee specks of beautiful green.

The bananas just happen to be there...

I poured it through a mesh strainer to get the bits of basil out, but I think next time I'll allow some to remain. Into the ice cream making machine!

The result was a very mild and herby ice cream. One friend even joked, saying it tasted a little... how do you say.... medicinal. It was good enough, though, that the kids took it down.

Just not quite what I had in mind. My dear basil needed a side-kick.

So, I was in a quandry. I felt I was turning my back on my beloved basil. There are a myriad of flavors that compliment basil beautifully. I spent a few days thinking.

I decided I'd serve it along-side a raspberry sorbet. Sorbet is super easy to make in the ice cream maker. Basically, it's just frozen or fresh fruit and simple syrup.

I reserved some sorbet to make these cute little sorbet hearts for my little loves.

I thought it would be cute to make them in cupcake molds and serve them inverted with fudge sauce. I decided to call them darlings, because they are darling, they were for my darlings, and basil is my darling in the herb community.


don't think paper liners are necessary, but my molds have been around for awhile.

I made and froze the basil first, then the next day made the sorbet. Before adding the sorbet over the basil ice cream, I added a smidge of super-rich chocolate* ice cream I had left over in the center.

Finished product, as plated:

Oh my stars. It was delicious. Duh. Lish. Us.

They would also be cute in a fancy cupcake mold like this:

I'm hoping to come up with more fun flavors and combinations. Mark and I want to be "the ice cream people". As in, "Oh, invite the Rebennacks to the bar-b-que, they always bring homemade ice cream." You'd want us around, right?!

*Best Chocolate Ice Cream: Make sipping chocolate. Turn it into ice cream. Holy Sugar Cone, Batman!

Harvest.

2010-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

{Considering Introducing myself to an Intro to Gardening.}

Mark works at Hope School, which is a school for severly handicapped children. He is the visual arts teacher. They also have a very abundant garden, and we are the benefactors to their bounty.

He brought home these beautiful tomatoes. As with almost everything, I don't really know much about different types of tomatoes. But, I do know a pretty fruit when I see one! (And, I know that tomatoes are a fruit. A berry to be exact.)

I made a tomato salad with the two tomatoes he bought from the school garden. I just added shallots, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Nothing more is really needed on a fresh tomato, grown in a sunny garden and picked at peak ripeness. I swear, I can taste the sun.

We do have a tomato plant growing successfully in the back yard. The kids get a few tomatoes a week, and we use them up. (full disclosure: I don't do any of the gardening, so my interest in gardening as a hobby is kind of a facade. Mark does it all, with help from the kids. But I intend to help out. I'll get there.)

I did a quick Wikipedia read and found out some fun facts. I love fun facts.

China produces the most tomatoes worldwide
Tomatoes came to the americas by the spanish conquistadors
The tomato plant belongs to the nighshade family
There are around 7500 varities of tomato fruits

So, it seems to me that tomatoes are on the easier side of growing. I see lots of apartment balconies with the Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter. With the availability of stuff like this, there's really no reason to buy mealy tomatoes at the supermarket. Not when you can grow some easily. It not the the aesthetic you're after, but hey...

Any tomato experts out there? Any hints, advice or tidbits you can share with me?

Jars.

2010-09-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

Glass jars give me a very strange yet comfortable satisfaction. I buy certain jams, sauces or pickles based on the jar... and cannot wait for it to be emptied.

I use them to store opened bags of nuts, brown sugar, and other miscellaneous pantry items.

Well. The ante was recently, as they say, upped.

I got a label maker. I call him Label Baby. (who gets the reference? Winner gets a free label, to label him/herself as the winner of course.) The satisfaction has gone from just comfortable to nearly blissful.

And really, the story as to acquiring the Label Baby is quite sweet. I wanted one for years. I craved one. But my dear Mark would nay-say, knowing me so well, knowing I'd go bonkers labeling needlessly. But, being the dear love he is... he caved and gave me the Label Baby! Label me excited. I actually didn't even open it for weeks, waiting to allow myself the enjoyment. Well it's been open for awhile now, and it [labeling] hasn't stopped. Nothing is safe.

Is this strange? Readers, be honest. Any guesses into my psyche ?

Love-Song.

2010-09-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

{my life to music vol. I}

For many many years I've had this tendency. I like to start the day out with a song. The same song. For months.

It sets the tone for a good day, you know?

I am going to start sharing the songs with you.

I recommend you listen to these songs at full blast, dancing with a baby in your arms. I promise you, you will cry with unabashed joy - your heart will burst and it will be stitched back together with the laughter of your children. Then, they will be so purely beautiful the stitches will rip out, and then your kids will stitch your heart back together, yet again, with their simple, uncomplicated love.

This is the current song, Home by Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros.

holy roly me oh my. you're the apple of my eye.

Enjoy.

p.s. it should be noted that all cool and new music I ever hear comes from my connection to the cool and new world, The Admiral.

Breath.

2010-08-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

{ I've been away from the computer for awhile, and here's why.}

I recently had an epiphany. (no not that other one, a new one.) I realized: I have had a desire to make some sort of impact on the world- with my opinions, my words, my designs, my work.

Alas, a breath.... Now I don't feel the need to do that. I just want to make a difference in their lives.

I have enjoyed some light summer reading which ended up hitting me harder than I realized, and maybe harder than it would have most other people.

One book I read (and for the first time) was The Outsiders, and I still don't know how I'm 32 3/4 years old and just now read it. I read it blindingly quick and cried and cried. I love that book, and I love those boys.

As in any [good] book there are moments so touching and real ... I lost sleep and my imagination was so engrossed with the lives of the Curtis boys, I had the euphoric sense of my reality and their fictional world merging.

That's just what a good book does, ya know?

So I realized, I was so interested in the lives of those three boys... and I have my own set of three pair of eyes watching my every move.

Hanging on my every word.

Waiting to laugh with me.

Waiting to be involved.

Waiting to learn.

What better job is there?

Salt.

2010-08-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

{and I don't mean the Jolie picture.}

This may be controversial, but I love salt. I'm trying to learn the delicate differences in the varies of sea salts. I bought some yummy lemon salt at Cost Plus and oh man... roasted asparagus with that lemon salt and woo hoooo, are you in for a treat.

Have you ever tried Salted Caramel? If you haven't tried it yet might I humbly suggest you get in touch with C Salt Gourmet. Quickly.

It's the perfect treat for yours truly. The salt/sweet combination is so wonderful. And you know, the old stand-by of chocolate covered pretzels will never let you down.

I really love pink salt, but to be honest, it's because it's pink. I'd like to learn more about the nuances of different salts - do you have any information for me?

This assortment is cool, a good way to just to tasting and experimenting.

So, since I'm all into salt. I'm looking for the perfect salt cellar. I try to buy handmade, local, eco, (insert-other-good-things), thus - thought I'd find one on etsy.

Page Pottery has a cute turquoise, rustic one.

This wood piece by Richard Altenhofen is beautiful, too. It is lidded, functional, and attractive, a bit more modern, so it's in the running, as well.

The modern feel of this set by rae dunn would definately fit Mark's aesthetic and mine, and since we both cook equally and both enjoy it, it'd be nice to have us both represented in our salt cellar.

Hark! I find:
in the paulova shop, this fits the bill. I can even color-code my salts! An organizational dream!

I'll keep you posted on my progress, I know you'll be dying to know!

By the way, which do you like, or do you have other suggestions? Any favorite salts I should try out?

Vacation.

2010-08-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

Dear ______,

________ is really ________. We are having a ________ time.

Wish you were here,

Angie.

No, seriously.

We're on vacation visiting my Mom and Pop in Naples, Florida. I was hoping to post about our vacation, and include pics. But I can't quite get some technical such and such to do much. (and much)

we're in Florida. In August.

Vacationing is a hobby I would really love to have. I've done a bit of travel, here and there. Seen some amazing sights, places, people. With three little kiddos it kind of scares me, though. I am the "err on the side of caution" type, so even a camping trip seems daunting to me with a 5 month old, 3 year old, and 4.5 year old.

The Wally Wagon. My dream car.

Will you share your thoughts on travel, with kids, without, whatever? Where do you like to go?

When we go to Paris we WILL get berets with our names. We WILL embarrass our kids.

Routine.

2010-08-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

{The best part about having a day-to-day routine is breaking it.}

With all these little kids, our dear little dependents, we tend to create routine out of necessity and to keep our sanity. But, of course, they are growing fast (and they are right - it does go by very fast) so our routine is constantly changing. Bedtime, though, tends to be pretty consistent.
take a bath
put on jammies
clean up toys
wrestle with Daddy
brush, floss, rinse
last trip to the latrine
read a chapter (currently The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)
goodnight!

Tonight, we did things a little differently.

They made cookies. Right before bed. We're not normally the type of parents to throw in a wrench like baking sweets just before bedtime, nor are we that stodgy that we'll shy away from flying by the seats of our jammie pants. But tonight, watching Mark and our two big kids (3 and 4.75 is big. They are kids now) gave me an intense joy I want to remember forever. So I'm writing it.

Mark just said "Come on, guys, you're making messes of yourselves. Ah, I guess that's part of the fun. Nevermind."

Perfect.

2010-07-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

{Get over yourself already.}

I really like to read the blog Simple Mom. I find it very relaxing, sweet and honest. (just like me. except I'm not relaxing, and I wouldn't really say sweet. Nice enough, but not sweet. But honest, I'll give myself that one.)

So you know how I've been trying to figure myself out. Now that I haven't a job. Now that I have three little kids. Now that my pant size is double what it used to be. Now that I can't finish anything I start, if I even start it at all. Well part of why I'm having trouble figuring out my hobby is that I have this lingering thought, picking away at my good intentions, "If I can't do it really well why bother." Well, now, if you said this to me, my wise reply would be "how will you ever get really good at it if you don't practice?" I say this to Elliette all the time about ballet. But that's you and her, and not me.

Today I read this post on Simple Mom and while a cool breeze was literally rustling my fly-away hair during my reading, I also felt a breeze of optimism in my crowded little brain.

this is the best I could capture the breeze.

Hey, yeah, you're right, I think. Okay, I'll go pick up that embroidery! Or should I sew dresses for the girls? No, I think I'll make cookies. Wait, I wanted to make more ruffle bum bloomers. No, I should write in my journal...

I didn't do any of those things.

So I'll just share it with you. Maybe later I'll actually do one of those things I got all flowery about. I did, however, detail the dryer.

What are you inspired to do?

Trucked.

2010-07-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

{Long Beach Street Food Festival}

This past weekend the family headed downtown for the first festival in Long Beach devoted to the burgeoning gourmet food truck.

I have been intrigued by this culture for awhile. When I worked at Harveys the lunch truck would come around (and yes, we did call it the Roach Coach) and it was really just what you might think of in a lunch truck. Fast. Cheap. Greasy. Unhealthy. Accessible. It was a novelty and a convenience, but not much more.

Since then, Los Angeles has had a few gem gourmet food trucks. There's the cool factor of many of these Haute Coach's availability. They alert followers via online social networks of their where-abouts, so only those "on the list" know about them. It's titillating because you can't just go on a whim, and you have be in on the secret. It's very Hollywood.

Sceneadvisor.com does a good job describing the trend:
"The recession's effect on the North American dining scene has been well-documented. In the past few years, some of the continent's finest restaurants have either made the move towards "casual gourmet" or shut their doors altogether. But there has also been a move in the opposite direction; rather than running for the nearest McDonald's, many diners have sought solace in "gourmet" versions of downscale standards, and some savvy entrepreneurs, recognizing the new demand, aim to deliver. Literally."

Well, hip or not. I love it. We have three little kids, so being seated for a meal can be daunting. But walking up to a truck, keeping Emmett enthralled by the big tires while ordering, and then just planting ourselves on a curb or even in our car... so nice. And normally, we'd have to hit Taco Bell for such a comfort, which brings it down about 37 notches. Being able to have a potato taco with pickled onions from world-famous Border Grill, kids chowing on truly healthy and delicious beans n' rice all while playing duck duck goose in the grass! A dream!

The Fest was super-fantastic because we got to try lots of stuff all at once. Because some lines were long, our food would settle, making room for the next round and allowing us to munch all afternoon. (Oh, I love munching all afternoon.) We were with friends, so standing in line was a great chance to chit-chat and play with all of the kids.

A band of police officers, Blue Steel, played popular-among-30-something-hits, which was fun. I danced to Modern English with the kids and crooned some Rod Stewart while waiting for Mark to return with the grub.

Okay, onto the food. We enjoyed - thoroughly:

-=-Calbi tofu tacos. I love tacos. and I love tofu. These were really tasty, and priced well.

This is a photo of 1 tofu, 1 shrimp taco

-=-Border Grill (I was so excited! This is one of my favorite places ever.) We had the sweet corn tamale cone, potato tacos and rice n' beans. It was one of those embarrassing moments when I kept murmuring "mmm... this... is.. soo ...oooo. gooood..." to myself. It. Was. Awesome.

-=-The Place LA, we had a mediocre veggie burger and soggy fries, but the service was very good.

-=-World Fare, we had the truffle mac n' cheese balls, which probably taste great right out of the frier, and taste pretty good as we had them. They are rich enough that the side of 3 balls was enough for four of us. The goocher was their drinks: Strawberry Basil Lemonade and Orange Lavender Iced Tea. Both drinks were out of control yummy. They also have an upper-deck dining area, which is really cool.

-=-For dessert we checked out the Sweets Truck but couldn't really figure out what they had, the signage wasn't so hot. We wanted to get some ice cream sandwiches from Cool Haus but at the end of our stint there, the line was just too long. (readers who waited for Cool Haus - was it worth it??) So we went back to World Fare, where they were smart enough to have a separate table set up selling quick-grab desserts. We had the Cheesecake Red Velvet Cupcake (Elliette's choice) and a Brownie (Emmett's choice) and both were marvelous. The brownie, especially, was lip-smacking, nice crackly top crust, and very moist and perfectly dense center.

The admission price of $8 might have deterred us, honestly, if Border Grill hadn't been there (I am a super fan, seriously) but the good news it went to the Adopt-A-Teacher and LB City College Student Scholarships programs. (Kids were free, and you could pre-purchase for $6) Being married to a teacher myself I kind of felt the solidarity in the moment. The parking fee of $10 was steep, but I blame that on the convention center. Next time we'll definitely take the free Passport there.

The Grilled Cheese Truck was also there, but we didn't partake. This is why:

That long line goes allllll the waaaaay to that orange truck. I'll try and catch in LA soon, though, the menu looked yummy and very fun!

All in all, we are excited for it to come again. The location at Rainbow Lagoon was really cool, the layout was great, and the selection was fun. I also loved the live music.

Did any of you go? What did you think?

See you there next time!

Dud.

2010-07-26T00:47:00.000-07:00

{my misadventures in baking, vol. 1}

I enjoy cooking. I'm pretty good at it, maybe a little rusty after a year of illness from a really difficult pregnancy, and having a newborn, but still, I manage. Baking, though... ugh. I just can't seem to get it!

Well, as is typical for me, I think I'm super fantastic enough to just make any old thing. But I don't really love following recipes. Baking is a problem, naturally, because as I'm told, you have to follow baking recipes and not just wing it.

See, I feel cooking is a creative expression. Which is partially what I enjoy. But to bake something - I feel like I'm in chemistry class again. Which, was a short-lived venture... I barely squeaked by high school chem. My dad is a chemist... I hope he wasn't disappointed. He never showed that he was let-down, if he was. What a sport.

Lately, I've been really enjoying being the homemaker I am, so have wanted to get a handle of baking. I've tried. I've not succeeded

I will share my dud.

Strawberry Cobbler. Seemed simple enough. This recipe isn't complicated, so I thought even I could handle it. I Hulled the strawberries and was feeling fine, just look at these berries! .

Emmett is better at this than I am.

You'll notice there's no picture of the cobbler.

It was gummy, flat and the tips of the strawberries - which should have been enveloped by the tender cobbler - burned.

Any tips, friends?

**Edited July 27th by Angie:

Hi, friends! I figured out what I did wrong! I sub'd cake flour for all purpose, and had "self-rising" in mind, so omitted the baking soda and salt. This is what caused my flat, gummy no-good cobbler. Thanks to everyone!

Write.

2010-07-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

As mentioned earlier, I joined a Writing Group.

I joined because I have an idea for a book. No, I won't tell you. I know who you are, lurking around, stealing ideas. Okay, I'm being dramatic. But I do know once I say an idea out loud, it's gone. Much less putting up on the vast expanse of nothingness & everything - World Wide Web.

Seriously, though, as also mentioned before, I love to read the Old Testament book, Ecclesiastes.
I was once told it's depressing, which makes me a pessimist to love it so. (I disagree to both statements.) But I was so reassured reading "There's nothing new under the sun." As a creative person, I found it comforting... the thought that we all have this ability to create - a consciousness to our surroundings, and an ability to communicate our ideas on so many different levels. That throughout all of time, it's all been done somewhere, somehow. I guess it ties into the idea of Collective Consciousness. All facinating to me... perhaps dribble to you... and really beside my whole point here.

Quick side note. I did an image search for Ecclesiastes, and found a few interesting tid-bits to share with you:

from: identity33.com

I really love charts.

This one struck me.
The passage referenced reads: Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.

And this might speak to that depressing thing I mention above. Woah.

Ahem. I digress.

So, we all get together once a week to learn more about writing. I don't know about other folks in this round-table, but I've really gotten a lot out of it. I go with my wonderful friend Jacquie, and that is probably my favorite part. (or, for her benefit: favourite.)

That's Jacquie with Elliette, taken 2 years ago.
But I really enjoy hearing everyone's ideas. It's exciting for me. I guess I can see why teachers love teaching.

It's all been eye-opening. I have actually had an epiphany! That's kind of a big deal. We're urged to create a rhythm, to write anything regularly.

So, here I am. Maybe this will become another hobby I dabble in and start to get better... and grow... and get.. so.. close.. and then stop. Like so many things.

Or, maybe I'll be like everyone else who is writing Their Great Novel. Either way, I'm enjoying this blog.

So, to you - do you write? What do you write? How do you stay inspired? Tell me!
I might or might not steal your ideas.. and then just blame it on Carl Jung.

Raisins.

2010-07-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

We collectively decided to walk to school today. It was a grey morning, and un-characteristically misty. (!!! My heart was singing)

We took off in our behemoth stroller which fits all three kids, Esmé with her Blue Maraca, Emmett with a granola bar, and Elliette with a wee box of raisins she wanted to have as her morning snack at school.

It is a one mile walk. About 1/3 of the way we turn the corner onto 6th street to go through the Jungle! (Tall grasses planted on either side of the walk). This corner is a favorite for them, and once through the grasses we see what jungle animals we see. A grey elephant (minivan), and a blue warthog (geo metro) and even a storm trooper (camry). I don't bother telling Emmett Strom Troopers do not live in the jungle, because as my family is all too aware - I know nothing about Star Wars. So for all I know they're swinging in the tree-tops.

Along we go, laughing and having fun, skipping and running. We arrive at school and the kids go off to their respective classrooms. Elliette is excited to show Ms. Lizzy her dress, and Emmett is feeling proud he will not cry when I leave. (He doesn't.)

And off I go to stroll with Esmé to enjoy our Blue Wednesday. I watch her gnaw her blanket through the little window in the stroller canopy and coo at the leaves over-head. I breathe the misty air; I love how cool, wet air feels in my lungs, and I don't get it much here in SoCal. Then, I see: Elliette has left her raisins.

At this point I'm about half-way home. I stop and start to think "Oh, she won't remember."
Then I realize who I'm talking about... Elliette has a memory like none other. I imagine her sad face when it's snack time and she has no special box of raisins. So, I go back.

Peering in her classroom, I see her buddies flying paper air plans all about. I see her playing in a deep table-top full of water and boats. I savor a moment of just watching her long arms bobbing the little boats to and fro... to and fro...

She sees me and yells "Mama!" while running over. I give her the raisins and she says, "Thanks, Mom! You're the best."

And I know that I really am.

Hobby.

2010-07-14T01:12:00.000-07:00

This blog started in the light of a hobby. Wanting to write as my hobby, but having too many reasons why I don't.

Hobby. Let's just ponder it. hobby.

Wikipedia:
A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time.

Okay, well, I have issue with that. I have no spare time. Spare indicates it's extra, right- as in, unused, unfilled, left-over.
And relaxation. What's that all about? Isn't that my 10 minute shower every day, or at least every other day??

Moving on.

Princeton: (those cats know what they're talking about, right?)
avocation: an auxiliary activity

I like the use of "auxiliary" I can kind of accept that more than" spare time". I can see making use of this definition by way of having a hobby. An auxiliary activity can be anything, really. Flossing my teeth is auxiliary some days.

This is cool:

Wikipedia
also tells me a Hobby is a type of falcon that swoops around snatching up smaller birds.

That's the kind of Hobby I want to hang out with! Don't want to get in a tangle with that bad Hobby, one might say.

And of course let's not forget the faceless, frumpy Fraulein of my youth,

Holly Hobby. I love a great pair of boots, Holly, but at some point you have to say goodbye. Maybe this Hobby isn't for me.

I'll keep looking for the spare time and auxiliary such and such. There's a guidebook to help me along the way.

I'm also taking suggestions - lay it on me.

Blue.

2010-07-14T00:41:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday mornings the two oldest kids go to Preschool for a few hours.

I take the morning to spend with the baby, my Baby Blue. I call it Blue Wednesday.

We walk. Meander. Wander. It's usually very quiet, as she spends most of these times napping. She eventually wakes hungry, so it's nursing time. I've usually prepared for this part of our morning by procuring a tasty snack and finding a comfy spot to sit. I often just sit in the car and listed to the radio.

I've decided to be very deliberate about spending this time with Baby Blue; she's the third baby, the youngest and the smallest. But no less wonderful, intriguing, and darling. I want to get to know her. I want her to know me. I like to stare into her eyes, wondering what she's trying to tell me.

This week, on Blue Wednesday we enjoyed the summer. Watched the sun moving through the trees. She loves to be outside. She loves to watch kids play. She's wonderful.

We played, rested and I sincerely relished the fleeting moments with her.

Introductions.

2010-07-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

This is who we are.
We all have surname Rebennack, which has questionable origins. The best knowledge we have is the Franco-German border. No relation to Mac Rebennack, the Jazz musician.

~
Me.
Angie, age 32, born in November.
Favorite books: Desolation Angels, Bluebeard, Ecclesiastes, Franny & Zooey.

~
Husband.
Mark, age 33, born in May.
Occupation: Artist, and Art Teacher.

~
Eldest Daughter.
Elliette Rose, age 4, born in November.
Favorite movie: The Little Mermaid.

~
Son.
Emmett Saylor, age 3, born in June.
Current hobbies: Legos, drawing, singing the Star Wars Theme & swimming.

~
Youngest Daughter.
Esmé Blue, age 4 months, born in March.
Favorite toy: blue maraca.

Nice to meet you.

Clarity.

2010-07-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

I had a moment of enlightenment.

I was thinking... This is the first time I'm not working. Ever.
Since I got my first job at the Gap when I was 15 at the Tri-County Mall in a Cincinnati suburb. Wow.

"Full Time Mom" is a nomenclature that confuses me. Even when a mom is working, at home or away at an office, is she any less a Mom? You can't really be Part-Time. I don't get that. In fact, I don't like it. I've been Full Time Mom since the moment I got pregnant, as far as I can tell! Even if the kids were with Daddy or even a babysitter, they are always at the front of my thoughts. I don't just check out. Most moms are in that same boat. I feel sad knowing there are moms who don't have this way of thinking, really.

I started thinking this because recently I was asked for my profession. I said "I'm just a Mom." and that sentence made me sad! Just a mom... that really down-plays the whole thing, no? My whole life is mothering!

So I tried to think of a new title. Tried to get crafty with it.
Manager of Household Relations.
Minister of Master Scheduling for Residents and Dependants.
Curator of Goings-Ons.

Then, I heard it like chimes... ringing softly in the distance...

Homemaker.

I love it! I make home! I give my family a place of security, comfort, love, laughter, learning. We come together to play, to share meals. To learn about living in this world that can be scary and confusing. We teach each other in so many ways. We have our friends in our home, to love, to be loved. It's a beautiful life. I'm so proud.

*This post adapted from my former blog.

Hello.

2010-07-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

This blog came out of a need to just let it all out. I have way too many interests, but no solid hobby per se. I am kind of good at a lot of stuff, but master of nothing.

Here are some facts about me:

Name: Angie Rebennack.
Born: 1977, Cincinnati, weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces.
Live: Long Beach, in a small two bedroom home.
Family: Married with three children, ages <1, 3, 4.5 Work: Now I have none. I am a Homemaker. My Headshot:

So that's me in a nutshell. Now, about this blog:

Name: Working Title.
Born: July 2010
Purpose: To enjoy musing about the things I never get around to doing.
Goal: Actually write the blog, so, therein, I do something.
Wanted: Followers, Friends, Confidantes, Critics, Contributors, Fans, Foes and general Well-Wishers.

I hope to explore my would-be hobbies through this blog, and maybe find one that I could really get into. I love suggestions, please use the comment field liberally.

It will be fun getting to know myself, and getting to know you, too.

Preface.

2010-07-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to say.

Why this is a problem:
1. I have no real issue to address.
a) there's no problem to solve.
b) I'm not helping anyone out with my blather.
2. I have no platform upon which to say all I have to say.
3. I can't commit.
4. I'm busy. Have no time.
5. Who even cares?

But I still have it spilling forth, boring my husband and dear friends who listen to me patiently and kindly before trying to change the subject to something a little less... Angie-centric. (thank you dear friends, you are so kind.)

So... to ease my pain (or theirs), I have started a new blog about why I don't do everything I want to do. I have a lot of interests, but as noted above in item #3, I don't commit. I easily commit to the people I love. A few causes I really do care about. I have been vegetarian for 20 years now, that accounts for something. But when it comes to hobbies, jobs... yeah, I am just so wishy-washy. Plus, #4 is a vivid reminder that I have 3 kids under 5. And then there's reason #5. I like to pretend anyone cares. In my little imaginary world I have people of all ages, in all cubbies of the world, laughing and thinking of me warmly.

But, anyway, I'm going to try and commit to this. And make time. And continue to believe someone gives a rat's patoot.

WORKING TITLE.

Enjoying the things I don't actually do.

The idea came about accidentally and collaboratively. I joined a writing group with some people from my church. It's led by a wonderful woman who's a teacher, writer and very savvy gal, Ms. Lo. We were given a simple task - to write something in a week. Anything. Ms. Lo even gave us a lengthy list of very do-able suggestions. Still, I didn't do it.

So I went on my rant about why I didn't do it. And people were laughing, making me feel pretty good about my reasons. Giving suggestions... getting shot down. So on the way home my dear friend Jacquie said "I'd like to read a blog about why you don't write."

Done.