Little Dollop of...

A little dollop of honey makes every pot of tea better especially on a stormy day. My mom brought me these from her last trip to San Diego. Lemon, Sage, Cherry, and Wild flower honey. Yummy.

Check the source

This past week has been one where I was free of "work" meaning the gigs that bring in cash. I was able to be just a mom and wife. I would find myself stopping and wondering what ever drove me to think it was difficult, what acted as the petri dish to my negative nikki culture. It comes down to my house. I would look at it as a series of chores, of endless mental to-do lists, of goals I had that never or rarely completed. My whine was self imposed, self inflected, and my kiddo copied his mom.

Bugman has been whining like it was an Olympic event, something I am not proud to say. But I am Big Girl enough to admit and recognize that I am the source. My mom will happily tell anyone who asks that I was an accomplished whiner as a child, as a tween, as a teen, and as a twenty something. She tactfully stops at the thirty something mark since I am only weeks into it. Unfortunately, personality and not genetics gave Alex that ability as well. Wouldn't it all be easier blamed on genetics?

Today, started like past Sundays, with bugman declaring as we woke him early, "I hate Sundays". So I turned it into a tickle fest. Breakfast was eggs and donuts, a special treat, nap time (which we both needed, but didn't really get) was going to be rewarded with a candy bag treat, but the afternoon blahs settled in. You know, where I want to sit on the couch and veg to TV and crocheting, and Alex is bored just chasing his shadow in the yard. And because I am stirring things up a bit and the air holds just a touch of summer, I suggested we turn the hose on and let it pour down his slide for an instant water park. Several puddles and smiles later he is happily playing a game while I stay away from the veg tube and start dinner, and tell you all about it of course!

Sirens Call

I woke up this morning wanting to go right back to bed as soon as possible. But once I was downstairs, in a clean kitchen that I had taken care of the night before, I started my coffee after wrangling Alex, his breakfast, and his lunch. I was able to sustain myself with thoughts of a fresh hot pot while I took kiddo to school on a very exciting day.

It's field day today which means the kids get to do TONS of outdoor games and races for most of the day. It is pretty much the time for the PE teachers to watch hundreds of kids at once, so the teachers can get conferences done. But the kids, oh are they excited, especially one little boy who is fired up about being on the red team.

Once home, I am able to fill my favorite mug with coffee, loads of cream, and watch the swirls as I stir it all together. I load the washer up with that lonely pile of laundry that has lived in the laundry room for two weeks. I wiped down the dining table to catch the spills and drips of morning cereal. I walk the yard with the pups gathering dew on my feet and Pj pants. I contemplate taking a photo every hour today, just so you can see. I decide to do it tomorrow when I am not so distracted with thoughts of cleaning and piles of things that belong elsewhere. I come upstairs and open all the blinds in every room because nothing kills stink like sunshine. I get some cards up on my inspiration wall and I sit in silence.

No TV. No music. Just the home sounds, the whir of fans, the tick of the clock that is an hour behind still, the sound of Archie's mini woofs in his sleep at my feet, the faint growls and whines of Penny who is trying to get to the rabbits under the deck. The sounds of our life, here at home at an early hour.

Twainers the Sneak

Our nightly pup routine consists of letting the "big dogs" aka the outside dogs into the house and then herding them into the garage after some time playing snuggling and letting them steal snacks from the Muffins food bowl. Once they are in for the night, then it is time for the Muffins routine which starts usually hours later with one more potty break outside, and then McPoop Master gets put in the garage and Betty gets to prove she has a superior bladder by sleeping in the house all night without an accident. Twain the big softie that he is, would love nothing more then to be an indoor dog, to sleep at our feet and snuggle on the beds, all 100 pounds of him.

When asked how we handle having so many dogs, we usually respond with some statement to the effect that once you have two, any extra are barely any more work. Which is true, its just more dog food, a couple more bellies to rub, and of course more output in the yard. Last night was the first time I have been duped by the five. I thought I had herded all the big dogs into the garage, but when I went upstairs to check email one last time before heading to bed ( HOURS later), I was surprised to find sneaky Twain curled up in a corner of my craft room, sleeping away his night. Sneaky bugger.

I all most thought to leave him there, but then I remembered his other favorite midnight activity, couch sleeping. Since we have just had our couch repaired and all the cushions are full and fluffy in their newly repaired glory, I had to shove Sneaky Butt into the garage to save the virginity of our couch. Poor Twainers.

Work's in Progress

I have seven works in progress on needles and hooks right now. Two blankets, two scarfs, one booga bag, one pair of socks, one Panta ( that was supposed to go to a good friend, but *ashamed* I never finished it). For the last two weeks I have been working steadily on one of the blankets, it goes super fast since it is crocheted and I am all ready on my third large skein. I am going to jam through it in the next couple weeks to finish it up and avoid having a lap full of yarn in the summer months. then it is on to my smaller projects, especially those that are Christmas presents. I would really like to finish the summer with a nice pile of gifties done. Of course once this pile of WIP's is done, I will attach my mega stash and start another pile of projects. The one thing that makes me bite my lip in glee is the sheer amount of completely ready to roll projects I have stashed, I KNOW I learned this from my mom. Here is proof, two of her 4 cabinets for fabric. Guilty Guilty Guilty!

Things that have become me...

There are certain things that are certain peoples, like my grandmother's Zucchini bread recipe, my Mom's quilts, My sister in law's beading creations, my neighbor Phil's tamales. They are those things that you do mindlessly, the creation of them are part of you with you a HUGE part of it. Alex last night asked me where MY Cinnamon Bread was. When I answered that we were out, he asked me with carefully crafted and beguiling eyes if I could make some more. That will bring this week's total loaves to 6. I think this bread is mine.

I have friends who always ask for my chopped chicken salad when they see me or my pork medallions or scrapbook pages. Things that define/remind others or me, associations. they are comforting and never change. I love that.

I find it funny the things that I have tried to have associated with me. Like when Alex was a newborn I tried really hard to always wear some sort of body spray, so he would associate that smell with me. My mother's smell will always be Jean Nate, my great grandmothers will always be Chantilly. Lisa's smells will always be of Bath and Body Works sprays. Or panties, a thing not a smell.

Color too, we live in a heavily Blue household, I like it, it calms me, and it can be both feminine and masculine. But blue isn't the color that people think of for me. My neighbor's color is Purple, always will be purple in my mind. My Dad's color will always be Pepto Bismo Pink, because it choose it for my parents last bedroom in Cali.

Shoes, mine are always flip flops if at all possible, but for some reason my friend Misty says she only ever thinks of me in a pair of Simple sneaks that I have, I haven't even worn them in months. For me Kelly is my shoe and purse person, seriously that woman is a shoe and purse queen, I have a vivid memory of her buying the cutest pair of heels that had a small white leather flower on them. And her big old turpquoise purse that she bought with a gift card at Nordstrom's.

Casey's thing in my mind is Comedy Central, he loves that channel and it usually ends up on it most of the day when he is home. Comedy and late night laughter, like throw back your head kind of laughter, always in my mind with Casey. And Alex, well his is always Hot Wheels. ALWAYS.

Things...

Associations...

And Cinnamon Bread...

MCPoop Master

Archie Mc Poop Master was a very bad boy, but he still says Hi!

Curious and Now its your turn

I discovered a fun personality test and I would love to see how you dear readers see me. Follow this link and pick five or six words that you feel fit me. Even if you only read my blog ( and I know there are some out there) and don't know me in real life, i would love to see how you perceive me.

Personality Link

Distractions in Housework

The morning sky on my birthday, through the dirty car window.

Yesterdays sadness is just frightful to dwell on, so I have been distracting myself with laundry, cleaning, mad vacuuming, and assembling the Vanity that my parents gave me for my birthday. I am in absolute love with my vanity table, it fits in the perfect spot, looks great within our bedroom and finally I have some place to sit and do my makeup instead of standing at my dresser. Love love love it.

Now its back to bread baking, dinner making, and window washing. All on a sad rainy day.

30 deserves 30

Let the 30 random Nicole facts flow freely...

1. I have a rock in my knee, seriously you can see it!
2. I hate the feel of a wet butt on a toilet seat, think potty breaks at the pool.
3. I dip my burgers in ketchup, just wee dips but its better then too much ketchup!
4. During labor with Alex I imagined myself in the happiest place I could, a field full of yellow daisies with a Shar pei puppy jumping through the flowers with all its wrinkles jiggling.
5. No Doubt played at my grad Night at Disneyland in 1995, right in front of It's a Small World. Casey and I rocked out to a Gwen so close we could touch her (and we did!) and then did Sumo Wrestling in blow up suits.
6. One time, at fifth grade camp, my dorm won the most points and we got to go mining for gold. Fools gold that is.
7. I really like to bake bread.
8. I also really like to read books in the shower (as previously mentioned).
9. In 6th grade a friend stole my diary and read it at school during lunch to EVERYBODY.
10. I daydream of paint and window fixtures.
11. I have three tattoos.
12. Casey proposed to me right before we went to go see the Nutcracker, in front of the ice skating rink at Horton Plaza. I knew it was coming, but seriously was shocked when he asked me. I just remember saying Yup, and then squealing when he brought out the ring. And oh what a ring it is!
13. Some of my favorite pictures are Polaroids from Beni Hana's and bars.
14. I am a two time Mary Kay drop out.
15. When I cant sleep at night I like to watch my hand as I make weird shapes and gestures with it against the light from the blinds.
16. I hate cakes and muffins and cookies with any type of fruit, so gross.
17. I think Casey knows every single story and experience from my past. Hell he has been part of it for half of it.
18. I like white pottery pieces.
19. I have a thing for movie soundtracks. Some of my favorites are Empire Records, Romeo + Juliet, and Stealing Beauty.
20. When using a public bathroom I always throw away the first two roll rotations so I don't have to use any tp that someone else has touched, so gross. This is one of my newest oddities.
21. I really enjoy the paintings of Tim Cantor, especially his Beauty's Privilege piece. He has (had) a gallery in the gas lamp in San Diego, I would go in there and drool over his work. I really want to get some of his prints. Lust Lust Lust. So amazing.
22. I use to race RC cars, and even have some first place trophies. I am that good.
23. I have a slight fiber obsession, I love yarns and roving. I especially love to bury my fingers in the middle of a ball and just feel.
24. I bit my nails for all of my life until I had Alex. I was just way to grossed out about what could and would be under my nails.
25. My dad, Alex and I all have a freckle/mole on the same spot on our right hands. Love that.
26. I really like to clean out my ears with Qtips, you know what I mean, that borderline orgasmic feeling. You know you you want to agree!
27. I love to read recipe books and housekeeping manuals, my current favorite is Home Comforts, a $30 book that I scored at the half price store for $6.
28. My absolute must have daily beauty item is lip balm.
29. I am a light drunk AKA cheap date. One beer can set me silly and two makes for a really good time. BUT, lucky for Casey, I NEVER throw up, ever never ever.
30. My Favorite flower is a Hydrangea. My mom asked me last week if I had to "come back" as a flower which one would I be. My first answer was "Not a Lilly because I don't want to end up on a casket somewhere''. Nice huh??

Well my birthday started bright and early, we had Scout stuff planned for this morning and I had to get Alex from my parents house. So I ended up with an amazing drive with an amazing view of a storm cloud scattered sky. I spent my time positive, happy, in prayer, and setting mental goals.

It's All About the N

Yes, I am that type of birthday girl, the type who will remind you about it! In fact I have called my mom three times this week just to ask her if she is ready for my birthday on Saturday. I can't help it, I get all tingly inside when the cards start to show up in the mailbox and if I am lucky a box or two is waiting by the front door. I don't even mind knowing what I am getting because it is all about the anticipation. In fact, I actually like to make present suggestions because I usually have a good idea of what I want. Don't you??

So tonight Casey and I are going to have a date night, we were originally going to go to a friends birthday party, but then I was lured away from that good time with promises of Hot Fuzz and sushi. All about the sushi and Shawn of the Dead guys. I am looking forward to a solo night with my man. We need it and if I can wrangle sushi out of it, then I am uber happy.

I have been asked if turning 30 has been hard, and my only response is that I don't think about it. Liar, yeah I think about it, it bumps me into an entirely different region of life, but hell everyone I know that is in their 30's rocks it, so why bitch about it. I sure think I have accomplished a lot in my 20's, had a wonderful kid, married a wonderful guy, became an awesome trainer, worked the corporate environment, survived a takeover, moved to Texas, have survived Texas so far, have been living my dream of stay at home mom, and now I can also bake some awesome cinnamon swirl bread. The years of my 30's being in their baby stages is exciting for me, so much more to do, to accomplish, to try, to make, to be. I think it is going to be a good ten year run.

Wet Paws

What else is there to take pictures of when its raining?

What is a Cascarone?

{KAS-KA-ROAN-A}
I have had a couple emails about Cascarones, our super fun San Antonio Easter treat. Cascarones are confetti filled Easter eggs that you can have all sorts of fun with.

You can pretty much get them anywhere out here around Easter time. I think I paid $1 a box.
Basically they have cut off the end of an egg, dyed it, stuffed it full of confetti, and covered the broken end with tissue paper.
Some are filled with paper confetti others with metallic confetti.
Since they hurt like a Mo'Fo when you actually throw them hard enough to break on someone, we have started crushing them in our hands first...
Then we throw them at each other or at curious dogs.

And that is my little Cascarone demonstration. Lisa your box is on its way. I hope your class enjoys them!

Vote for me and I will make all your wildest dreams come true

HAPPY EASTER!!



Our day started off at 3:30am with Alex asking if it was morning yet. Then it restarted at 7:40am with him showing us what the Easter bunny brought him, which we made him put back in his basket till we were downstairs with him. E.Bunny sure spoiled him this year, but it was worth it to see his face. Then my parents showed up and while I started the cinnamon swirl bread and Casey cooked eggs, we chatted over scraps of honey ham and OJ. Food, Champagne ,Cascarones and talk of the freeze later, they are heading home and we are enjoying the dance scene from Napoleon D.

Evidence of a cascarone fight.

Happy Day!

Rainy Day Activities

A detailed reading of all the Yu-Gi-Oh cards that Alex has in his mighty stack. ( And yes those are all HotWheels in that drawer, seriously mega pile.)
And Betty snuggles, she is like a lap magnet.

• Cinnamon rolls and coffee
• Laundry
• Casey snuggles with all the pups in bed.
• Archie kisses
• Many phone calls from the scouts.
• Easter planning since we have rain.
• Tempting scrap goodies calling my name.
• A trip to pick up extra basket goodies and dog food.

Love rainy days with family.

A Good Friday

Tonight during a dinner of shepard's pie and country bread Alex said that he doesn't heard God in his head. I started rambling away at the lips when Casey stopped me with the best explaination ever.

" You know when you are thinking about something that you have to make a desicion on and you can't decide which choice to make, and all of a sudden you know. And you know it is the right choise? Well that is God talking to you in your head."

Simple.
Clear.
Detailed.
Perfect.

It literally brought tears to my eyes immediately and I said the only thing I could, " I love you so much. What a beautiful thing to say." Not to speak for my man, but just to speak of him, he has faith ,solid faith that is there but layered deep. Alex and I regularly attend church, a big fun church that sends us home happy thoughtful and at peace. Casey has come to church with us for those special days, but he mostly handles his faith solo. For such wonderfully poetic words of faith to tumble from my husband's lips, it was breath taking and tear puddling and heart filling. I love moments like that, moments of faith.

Casey Quote for the Week

" I was assuming you could hear the rustling of my super orbital pubic hair."
--- roughly translates into, " I was assuming you could hear me raise my eyebrows at you over the phone."

Head in the Sand

I have been avoiding a major event this is coming up soon. It's a big number change, a change that Casey has been living well for six months but I have stubbornly ignored for myself. I am turning 30. Holy Crap. What the hell have i been doing since I turned 21? That is the last major birthday I can collectively remember. Not that my 8 birthdays since then haven't been fabu, because they have. I have just been busy with a kiddo a husband a move across the country a house and 5 dogs. Wow, I bet my mom and dad feel old!! And it also means that I have been with Casey HALF MY LIFE. Now that is a thought to chew on. Can you see my crows feet from there? Because I have them as well as my paternal grandmothers butt (or so my mom said this week). So here's too being 11 days away from the first third of my life passing. Whew, it went by fast!

Smelling the Sweet essence of Casey.

He isn't the only one missing the man. Archie has refused to give up this spot on the couch, Casey's spot. It's either this or Casey's pillow.

We love the Mister Man.

Wee Softies

The dogs and Alex discovered three baby bunnies in our yard yesterday. At first we didn't realize that they were bunnies, we thought mice. Twain had one in his mouth and it was squeaking and causing Twain's eyes to go huge and all the other dogs to go crazy. He ended up dropping it on the deck and that was when we discovered it was bunnies, about a day or two old. The eyes are not even open yet and they still have their umbilical cords. So I scooped up the baby and found another one in the grass that had died. We think Penny heard them moving in the hole the mother made and dug them up and then a dog frenzy of get the furry thing happened. So I returned the first baby to the hole and discovered a second baby.
Do you see what I see? As far as we know the mother hasn't returned yet. We are keeping the dogs locked on the deck or I am out there supervising them when they are loose. We keep hoping the mother bunny with come move the babies this evening, or else we will have to do major baby bunny sitting.