This year (due to the insanity we call weather) the plantings at the newly joined CSA are delayed. Delayed planting means a delay in crops....etc. I am looking forward to the days when I load up my bags with fresh and yummy veggies and herbs. I can't wait to pick flowers either. But for now I have to settle for the farm store that opened today for the first time this season. I bought a carton of big fat brown eggs. I hope to make something special with them but I have a feeling that simple and fried might be the way to go. Sometimes simple is all that is needed.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Lined up five little green vases with five little daisies
Frustrated is an understatement these days. I take two steps forward and fifteen back...not even just the one. The flow of my day is broken up into a million little chunks of tricky. Even cleaning. But I keep going because that's what I do. Even in a rant or a breakdown I am fighting myself to be the optimist that I am in my heart of hearts. Today I dug into some good spring cleaning in my bedroom. I moved unread books, dusted, vacuumed, reminded the spiders whose room it is, etc...
It would have JUST been a day of regular old cleaning until I peered over to a little present that I inadvertently left for myself. Or maybe it was deliberate. Or subconscious. Eh, don't really care at this point...just thrilled it was done. I had a bag that contained some odds and ends from Ikea that were never put out. (My bedroom is slowly but surely getting a tiny makeover). So today I busted out the adorable little glass vases in the most delicious shade of green. They were so darn cheap I bought five. I lined them up on the windowsill and popped little white daisies into them.
I can't make everything better as fast as I want to. I can't clean up the messes in my life with the speed of a dyson vacuum. I can make a window clear again but life gets cloudy. But what I can do is make something just a little bit prettier than it was just a bit before and hope that the trend continues.
It would have JUST been a day of regular old cleaning until I peered over to a little present that I inadvertently left for myself. Or maybe it was deliberate. Or subconscious. Eh, don't really care at this point...just thrilled it was done. I had a bag that contained some odds and ends from Ikea that were never put out. (My bedroom is slowly but surely getting a tiny makeover). So today I busted out the adorable little glass vases in the most delicious shade of green. They were so darn cheap I bought five. I lined them up on the windowsill and popped little white daisies into them.
I can't make everything better as fast as I want to. I can't clean up the messes in my life with the speed of a dyson vacuum. I can make a window clear again but life gets cloudy. But what I can do is make something just a little bit prettier than it was just a bit before and hope that the trend continues.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sold back the gold I once purchased for Mother's Day
Selling gold is nothing new. Back in college I sold some junk to buy a guy a box set. Later on I sold some to pay bills. More again to buy Christmas gifts. And lets not forget the month I needed to in order to cover the car payment. Yep, gold is no longer in fashion AND it's worth quite a bit these days. Being an Italian in the Bronx meant you owned your share of the stuff so it's been lucrative all these years later. But today was different. I sold some of my mother's old pieces. It was one of her requests as she rattled off an odd to do list in the hospital. I went for specific pieces today. Let's rewind a bit...
I was a kid of about 13 or so. There was a little Italian restaurant that we would frequent as a family. We would hit the Early Bird Special if my Dad got out a tad early from work or if the trains were running just right. It was a wonderful meal and the only place my Mom and Dad agreed was suitable for the standards...mussels fra diavlo, canneloni, manicotti...etc. These were meals made at home the "right" way. After a weekly visit for months or so for my Mom decided she needed to be there more often and took a job waiting tables. The money was nice and she used it to treat us to goodies but it was the excitement that sucked her in. It also sucked me in somehow because there I was (illegally) waiting tables and serving as busgirl way before I should have known what went on in little Italian restaurants in the Bronx. Across from the "coffee" place. (Think Sopranos if you aren't following me thus far). Anyway, I made really good money. I tucked it away and saved it. I was responsible even as a goofball teenager. I used some of it to buy an oil painting my Mom fell in love with. I got my Dad some shirts at Gimbels (I think it was STILL there at the time). Oh, and for Mother's Day that year I marched into the neighborhood jeweler and purchased the bracelet she had been drooling over in the window for months. It was $200. Expensive even for today's standards. But she was worth every penny. If I got a tip of $5 for grabbing an espresso for the mob guy it went into my stash. So it took some time. She loved it and wore it for years. As the years passed so did the trinkets purchased with my little and big jobs. There was the ever popular "MOM" ring encrusted with diamonds. The #1 Mom charm. All of the tokens of adoration that a kid bought for the Mom she loved.
Years go by. Wrists swollen with arthritis no longer allow bracelet wearing. Fingers that don't function properly have too much trouble with clasps. Staying in bed is no longer reason enough to put on jewelry. So it sits in the fancy jewelry cabinet wondering when it lost its glimmer. When it became outdated. When it was retired. Today I took it to the jeweler for cash. Cash that is much needed right now so much so that I am not sure where exactly to use it. It was hard selling my class ring, my nameplate and the gifts that I once held so dear...but this was saying goodbye to so much more. I am holding onto the irreplaceable don't get nervous. But this was the time for these things. My Mom was an amazing woman. I have the memories, the personality traits and the cooking skills to prove it...a little piece of gold can't do that and though they are no longer in her jewelry box...they are always in my heart.
I was a kid of about 13 or so. There was a little Italian restaurant that we would frequent as a family. We would hit the Early Bird Special if my Dad got out a tad early from work or if the trains were running just right. It was a wonderful meal and the only place my Mom and Dad agreed was suitable for the standards...mussels fra diavlo, canneloni, manicotti...etc. These were meals made at home the "right" way. After a weekly visit for months or so for my Mom decided she needed to be there more often and took a job waiting tables. The money was nice and she used it to treat us to goodies but it was the excitement that sucked her in. It also sucked me in somehow because there I was (illegally) waiting tables and serving as busgirl way before I should have known what went on in little Italian restaurants in the Bronx. Across from the "coffee" place. (Think Sopranos if you aren't following me thus far). Anyway, I made really good money. I tucked it away and saved it. I was responsible even as a goofball teenager. I used some of it to buy an oil painting my Mom fell in love with. I got my Dad some shirts at Gimbels (I think it was STILL there at the time). Oh, and for Mother's Day that year I marched into the neighborhood jeweler and purchased the bracelet she had been drooling over in the window for months. It was $200. Expensive even for today's standards. But she was worth every penny. If I got a tip of $5 for grabbing an espresso for the mob guy it went into my stash. So it took some time. She loved it and wore it for years. As the years passed so did the trinkets purchased with my little and big jobs. There was the ever popular "MOM" ring encrusted with diamonds. The #1 Mom charm. All of the tokens of adoration that a kid bought for the Mom she loved.
Years go by. Wrists swollen with arthritis no longer allow bracelet wearing. Fingers that don't function properly have too much trouble with clasps. Staying in bed is no longer reason enough to put on jewelry. So it sits in the fancy jewelry cabinet wondering when it lost its glimmer. When it became outdated. When it was retired. Today I took it to the jeweler for cash. Cash that is much needed right now so much so that I am not sure where exactly to use it. It was hard selling my class ring, my nameplate and the gifts that I once held so dear...but this was saying goodbye to so much more. I am holding onto the irreplaceable don't get nervous. But this was the time for these things. My Mom was an amazing woman. I have the memories, the personality traits and the cooking skills to prove it...a little piece of gold can't do that and though they are no longer in her jewelry box...they are always in my heart.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Movin' right along
So it's been about four months since I started at MudWorks....and just like that they are moving. I always joke that this crew makes things happen at warp speed and moving an entire company went right along with the protocol. The building was purchased on a Tuesday and things were being hauled over the same day. So today we moved the "shipping area". Now it will have a real home in a great huge space. The office is adorable as well. Oh, and did I mention there is a gallery/gift shop in the front of the new headquarters?!? So many new exciting things to look forward to.
So I'd like to personally thank my buddies at MudWorks for moving their entire company JUST to give me my new thing for the day and maybe a few subsequent ones as well. (Insert giant winkie emoticon here). On a serious note...I am very excited for them. I can't say enough how they are living proof that hard work, dedication, teamwork and passion can actually make a company grow all while they bring inspiration, laughter and learning to a workspace! Congrats!!!
So I'd like to personally thank my buddies at MudWorks for moving their entire company JUST to give me my new thing for the day and maybe a few subsequent ones as well. (Insert giant winkie emoticon here). On a serious note...I am very excited for them. I can't say enough how they are living proof that hard work, dedication, teamwork and passion can actually make a company grow all while they bring inspiration, laughter and learning to a workspace! Congrats!!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Plant my "Year of Seeds"
I have to say that this Christmas I received one of the coolest gifts EVER! It was a box that contained twelve little pots for twelve little packets of seeds. They are a gorgeous array of colors. Do you know my fetish with little colorful things?!? Well, I have one and it's big. I have been stashing these for just the right day. A day where a little bit of brightness was needed. Now I realize they were meant to do one at a time for the entire year. I get that. It's a great idea. But I just couldn't help myself. I want to see them all sprout on my windowsill at one glorious time. I am also eager to plant them in little pots to go outside on the porch.
Hours ago we prepped the little soil pellets. We all took turns planting the seeds...some so tiny I find it incredible that they can grow anything at all. Hmmm...sometimes tiny little things can sprout into something magnificent...there's a lesson for ya!
So to my darling White Family - thank you, thank you, thank you for such an amazing present. I will update you as to the growth of our little flowering family and will post pics at a later date. It won't be long before the scent of baby's breath fills the air.
Hours ago we prepped the little soil pellets. We all took turns planting the seeds...some so tiny I find it incredible that they can grow anything at all. Hmmm...sometimes tiny little things can sprout into something magnificent...there's a lesson for ya!
So to my darling White Family - thank you, thank you, thank you for such an amazing present. I will update you as to the growth of our little flowering family and will post pics at a later date. It won't be long before the scent of baby's breath fills the air.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Wash my washer
After years of old and inefficient washing machines we finally have a new one. It's the fancy front loader type with cool settings for sanitizing and such. It's also better for the environment. All I know is I was quite excited to get it a few months back. It came with this little packet called Affresh. What is this you ask? Well, apparently you have to wash your washer. I did not know this. Sure I have wiped up around the rim of my top loading machines... but give it a proper bath???? Who knew.
So tonight the adventures continue with the tossing of a giant alka seltzer type pellet into the washing machine to run for a whole cycle on hot water. The excitement never stops I tell ya. Never stops.
So tonight the adventures continue with the tossing of a giant alka seltzer type pellet into the washing machine to run for a whole cycle on hot water. The excitement never stops I tell ya. Never stops.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Gummy bear tummy ache
If you saw my other post then you already know it was a tough day. My only really knew thing was wearing a shirt out of my mother's closet. Until tonight. After an early dinner I started to fizzle out. My spirit was low and the energy taken up by some extra hard cries left me exhausted...mentally and physically. Good thing I was high output earlier today because tonight made up for it all. I plopped on the couch and watched hours of television for the first time in months. The rule was it had to make me happy or laugh. I whipped through 5 Ellens, The Voice and am now on my second Glee. The problem? What is the new thing you ask??? Well, I was eating gummy bears. One at a time and slowly.....until I realized the bag was empty. That realization came only seconds before the stomach ache kicked in. Yep, I did what I warn my five year old son against all of the time. I ate so much candy that now I feel like vomiting. That's not like me. I am the just take a few and be on my way eater. So as I rolled off of the couch and climbed the stairs only to plop into bed and start the dvr up once again I realized what I had done. I felt empty today and actually ate tiny little green, red and yellow friends to the point of pain. Many of them. So my new thing of the day wasn't earth shaking but I have the sugar shakes and that should count for something.
By the way...I am officially a third of the way through my challenge. Thanks to all who have helped, inspired and encouraged a new thing. Can't wait for some more suggestions.
By the way...I am officially a third of the way through my challenge. Thanks to all who have helped, inspired and encouraged a new thing. Can't wait for some more suggestions.
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