intermission

I confess to be nervous and consequently a tad (okay, Mr. D, MORE than a tad) bitchy this morning as I fretted over a radio interview about my book. Happily, it turned out okay and now I'm my regular pleasant self once more. Now I can focus my fretting on tomorrow night's book launch party. (7:00 Encore Room, UWSP)

The whole experience so far has been great--the people at Cornerstone are lovely to work with, supportive and creative. Tomorrow I'll actually hold the book in my hands. People will get to read my work and react to it. Today is like intermission for me, before the second half begins. I think I'll go hang out in the lobby and eat Dots and drink cherry Coke.

Two of the Bumble Book Club gals are coming to Stevens Point with me tomorrow night--my very own posse, my homegirls. I'm glad to have company on the ride, really glad. Buried inside of me is a shy girl who flinches at the very suggestion of going it alone in a room full of strangers. Oh, and just like the main character in Whipped, Not Beaten, my face is breaking out in honor of this special occasion.

I spent yesterday churning out baked goods in my kitchen and tonight Mr. B and I have a karate test--self defense for both of us, an open hand complex for me. I'm reading a book by James Brady, who is like a more modern PG Wodehouse--how have I not heard of him before? And why aren't you all reading him?

In other news, my good bloggy pal and co-Eco-Warrior Jen on the Edge is launching her own huge writing career--check it out! Tell me, does she NOT look adorable next to Bubbles in that picture???

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this will give you goosebumps

Yesterday the pool guy got the filter pump operating, officially "opening the pool" for the season. My sons have been badgering me to go swimming for two weeks now. (Yes, they know we live in Wisconsin, but they feel that it's summer the instant the last of the snow melts.) I told them they had to let the filter run for at least 12 hours before I'd let them swim. Nevermind that the water is 57 degrees. Nevermind that there are leaves and dead worms and scum all over the pool. At 8:30 this morning they were ready and raring to go. (Think I'm kidding? Look how long Mr. D's shadow is in this picture--and see how most of the leaves still haven't opened on the trees beyond--I took this picture an hour ago.)

I am not making this up. They kept going back in.


After 15 minutes they'd had enough. For now.


One of my favorite bloggers, Suburban Correspondent over at The More, The Messier has started a grand tradition of showcasing her fridge every week when she cleans it out. Her fridge is legendary in the blogosphere--as is her courage to lay the contents of her fridge out for all to see and discuss (I still wonder what makes her save old oatmeal for later). Her fridge is so reknown that last summer when my neighbor and I were discussing blogs we read, she described "This woman with like 6 kids who is so funny." Either the blogosphere is a small place or Suburban Correspondent is just that cool. (She's just that cool.)

Anyway, since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I give you a photo documentary of The Momvan, cleaned out weekly as a public service to my family:

The back of the Momvan has a gigantic wagon left over from hauling 90 Boy Scout geraniums into Mr. D's office for delivery last night. Also, 2 duffel bags with sparring gear, jumper cables, 2 blankets, bungee cords, tire gauge, flower flats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup wrapper.


Much geranium dirt, a baseball glove, whiffle ball, nunchuckas, thank you note from a teacher, first aid kit and some of Mr. G's artwork.Aaaaaaand--a baseball bat. I'm driving a gym locker on wheels. With enough potting soil to fill one of my potager beds.

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Guilty Pleasures

A lot of you share my fast food cravings! A&W really activates the 'ol taste buds from the sound of it.

What else am I digging these days? (Besides through a pile of toys upstairs that my children refuse to put away?)

* Doc Martin, the show, not the footwear. PBS is airing it on Saturday nights and I bought the 1st season on DVD because it is so. damn. funny.

* Pecan Pumpkin Dessert. Superior to pie in every single way. Make this for Thanksgiving instead. Everyone will be thankful.

* The following blogs give me a chuckle lately: Just Ask Beth, My Sweet Babboo, Outnumbered 2 to 1, and Domestic Accident. (my reading list on the side here should get updated someday...)

* The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Next month's Bumble Book Club read and it's keeping me up super-late because it. is. charming. (plus, being a history buff and Anglophile, it's a book after my heart.)



* Zum Rub. It's in the 30's these days and the cold air zaps moisture from my hands faster than my kids can strip my pocket clean of a $20 bill. I'm rubbing in the Zum a couple times a day.

* Slippers. And sweat pants. And not having to leave the house much. (so yes, I'm a schlub in sweats with soft rosemary-mint smelling hands. What of it?)

Reader, what are you digging lately?

Day 4 29-Day Giving Challenge: Gave a coveted toy to a little boy (not my own son). Not sure if this counts since it was a toy given to one of my little boys, so for good measure, baked extra loaf of banana bread to give to a fellow Awana leader who seems like she could use a boost.

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Confessions of an Addict

The Texas Poppet over at Canned Laughter tagged me with an Addictions meme.
List 5 current addictions and then tag 2 people. Ms. Poppet has morphed this into the 5 senses and I like her game so I'm playing along.

Five Current Addictions:
1. Smell--this nifty little Chai Tea scented candle made by the eco candle co. in Neenah, WI is positively lovely--spicy and warm without cloying. My favorite gift for other people right now.


2. Touch--Mr. B's hair. He got a buzz cut for school and his hair feels like feathers anyway. But now? I'm rubbing my hand over the boy's head all the dang time. It's the softest, most precious feeling.


3. Taste--one meal: grilled pork medallions with wild mushroom risotto, roasted asparagus and a glass of pinot noir followed by French pressed coffee and creme brulee. I know, that's a lot of taste, but trust me, totally warm, savory and melty. Baby food for grown ups. Mr. D? If you're making dinner reservations any time soon...just letting you know...

4. Sight--the green that is mutating into gold in every field and on each tree this month. This late summer green has a brightness to it that shimmers, but it's fleeting and will disappear for another year very soon.

5. Sound--silence when Mr. T & Mr. B go to school and Mr. G goes to day care. I love the sound of nothing but the kitchen wall clock ticking in a steady rhythm.

Tagged: Daisy at Compost Happens and Auntie M.

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Wonder of Your World Party: Kick off!

I hope you'll visit my friend Rebecca at Wonders Never cease today. She's have a great big bloggy party and everyone's invited. What's a wonder in my world? Kicks!
The National Committee of World Wonders met today to kick off their initiative:


Tonight I'll do this kind of kick in sparring class, in addition to a spin kick, a tornado kick and an offensive side kick:

Mr. D's favorite kind, which he'll watch all weekend:

Mr. B's favorite kind:
Someday I'd like to get my kicks here:
In high school, I thought this band really "kicked butt." I also thought tight-rolled jeans, lots of hair gel and Ferris Bueller were awesome.


All summer Team Testosterone kicked like this. Well, not quite like this.

This guy likes to "kick it up a notch." Who can blame him?

I'm appreciative of kickstands:

"kicking back":
and kick lines for a grand finale:

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Picture Post!

When I was in high school the Picture Post was a vacation paper that was published weekly--all photos of people enjoying the lakes. Once a week the photographer featured a bikini-clad local lass on the cover. (I was never a cover girl, FYI--only the popular girls made it on. Bitter? Moi? NON!) The locals called the Picture Post "Poor Man's Porn." But I digress.

San Diego Momma has invited readers to "Open Your Office," by invitation of Manager Mom. (See how this bloggy stuff gets started? My goodness.) Anyway, here's where the magic happens every day:




I know, I know. You all envy the glamour of this spot! The window view, the prominent location between side door and fridge.

So then Minnesota Matron asked her readers to "Flaunt Their Fridge." What does this reveal about me? Ummm...I just cleaned it out, not for this blog either. My mother called last night and they're coming to town. And staying with us. This weekend. No stress. Really.

Let's look inside: Good mix of healthy food in there, gallon-sized maple syrup and a LOT of bagels. Guess we're breakfast people. Milk, eggs, butter, cheese--yup, we're in the Dairy State. A very, very old bottle of champagne that by now I'd be terrified to drink.

Go ahead, readers, share the love and Flaunt Your Fridges! Open Your Offices!

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Awards & Accolades!

'Twas a lovely thing to find this award from Mom on the Run over at Abnormally Normal. First, thank you, Mom on the Run for your fun posts about raising your crew (she's running a boot camp!), your exotic travels (London to Jackson Hole) and your adventures in living in the South.

Here are the rules:
Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and makes you feel so happy about blogland! Leave them a comment on their blog to let them know they received this award. Remember that people can be tagged more than once!

Drum roll please ...
I officially pass along the "You Make My Day" Award to:

Attila the Mom over at Cheaper Than Therapy--you want to howl with laughter? She'll help you every single time.

Auntie M over at Auntie M Writes--not only is she a lovely and generous friend, she's 100% Anglophile and Bibliophile to boot!

Hen over at My Diary of Domestic Hiss--she is an actual Brit, Slow Foodie and as Green as any girl I've ever met!

Madge from It's a Mad Madge World--I'm a new reader of hers, but I think our experiences with little boys gives us enough common ground for a wonderful relationship!

Jen on the Edge--C'mon, you really thought I'd diss my fellow Eco-Warrior? She's my BBF (Bloggy Best Friend).

Coast Rat--My only male reader* who leaves a comment--he sounds like a fascinating guy, plus he's from my homeland. I think beers with him would be a blast.

Cha Cha at Noodleroux--she's a hoot and a holler, plus she has terrific work stories.

Fannie Mae who writes This isn't what I ordered--always thoughtful with a comment and so down to earth that she'd fit right in at my neighborhood!

Nan from Things I've Found in Pockets--if she wasn't so darn nice, you'd despise her because she lives the life we all dream of while sleeping. Head on over to visit her--you will not be disappointed.

Deb the San Diego Momma--I know all bloggers are writers, but not all writers are bloggers and this momma is both. So if you write, you want to drop by and give her a read.

Go spread the love through Blogland, and if you haven't checked out these blogs, do yourself a favor and do so today!

* A shout out to the men who lurk around here--Neil, Rick, Mr. D--I know you're out there.

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Read Here, Link There

When it's 37 degrees and blowing snow, well, the brain freezes up a little. And I had one of those weekends where we were busy but I got very little accomplished. For those reasons I offer up this Super Lame post.

* Vote for Middle. Please. Why? Because his mother is so cool.

* Read Jen's awesome post on Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet. She has a point and I've been mulling these very issues over in my mind lately.

* I purchased, hauled and helped spread over 260 pounds of worm castings on Friday and Sunday. Now I need to head back to the farm to collect more for my gardens. My children are enchanted by the massive amount of worm poop we use for the yard and gardens.

* While at the farm I met a woman who makes her own shopping bags out of old feed & seed bags. The one she had was gorgeous--a deep blue with pictures of chickens and corn, but she had none to sell me that day. I hope to find her next month at the farmer's market so I can buy out her entire inventory for gifts and for me.

* Mr. T finally received his black belt and his demonstration on Saturday night impressed me beyond my expectations. They weren't low expectations, but we've all sat (read: Suffered) through our children's performances. I did not suffer. I have re-viewed my videotape of it several times since because he did such a great job. If I knew how to post it, I would.

* I have a lot of sand left in my driveway and the sandbox is overflowing. If I could get the trailer out of the Back 40 where it sits entrenched in mud I'd fill it and bring the extra sand over to the elementary school for their sandboxes. I wish it would dry out so I could.

* I have 1,900 tree seedlings to pick up on Thursday. Again there's this mud issue really hampering the planting of 1,900 tree seedlings.

* I finished The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas for this month's Bumble Book Club meeting. It was like Little House on the Prairie for grown ups. The ending felt contrived and the writing was okay. I'm curious to get the group's take on it.

* Domestically Challenged posted a lovely series of photos and thoughts on Colin Firth. I think I'll go re-read that again after I take Mr. B to preschool. He shouldn't see his mother drooling over online photos of her #2 Secret Boyfriend. Would it be wrong to re-read it with a glass of wine at 12:05 on a Monday afternoon? Maybe it would feel less dirty if I made chamomile tea...

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