Spiderwort

Hello again! It is that time of week again where I am able to recap my life for all the world to read. Hmmm…I am thinking that there is some theory in the field of Computer Mediated Communication that can be cross bred with my need to communicate as a woman that could explain this phenomenon (can you tell I took a class about this? See Weeks 6 & 7). It is true that computers help me communicate via email, instant messaging and now here. I know I love hearing everybody elses stories, so I hope some of you enjoy at least parts of mine.

While this past weekend was not the most exciting one, a lot of stuff got done. I worked on Saturday, teaching basic email classes to the ol’ patrons at the library. Email classes are the most rewarding and the most difficult. It was also a beautiful day Saturday, and I know you are about to feel sympathetic for me…don’t. I will have Wednesday off. So after work, Tim and I went to Lowes. Here, they have just gotten out their spring planting stuff out…so we were planning our fantasy garden that we will plant when we buy a house. Tim leans toward the ponds while I dream of fields of rosemary and basil. Finally we focused on the task at hand, to obtain several more pots for our ever growing indoor plant collection. We are your source if you need any pothos or aloe plants. Pick up orders only, please.

Filing. That is what we did most of this afternoon. Tim bought a filing cabnit yesterday and we have started (and actually almost finished) organizing and filing of our most important (and some not so) documents. In one place! I know where to find everything! We are organizational kings! Okay, not to get carried away, but it is pretty sweet, I must admit. And also in doing so a walk down memory lane…grades from SLIS, stuff from Bow-Cor, information about alien sightings on Santa Rosa island that we got from the visitor’s center while it poured rain, old cards from everyone…sniiifff.

And to round out my Becky Home-Eckyness…I also started to make roasted red pepper soup from scratch. You take 6 red peppers and roast them (hee! It is fun to burn stuff on purpose!). While they are roasting, start softening lots of onions, musrooms, garlic, fresh sage and thyme in some olive oil. Add red wine and the peeled and chopped red peppers. Sautee. Add 2 cans of beef broth, worchester sauce, more red wine and some chicken broth. Let reduce until a gummy mess (about 4 hours). Cool (even overnight). Puree, and heat in pan with some half & half and more beef broth to reach desired consistency. You heard it here folks.

I always love to hear what all of you are reading and watching (I am so happy that my mom liked the Royal Tennenbaums!). Here is my own plug. Tim and I watched Hope and Glory this weekend. It was touching but also laugh out loud in a non slapstick way too. Rent it today! You can also probably check it out from your local library for free, which is what we did.

It is funny that I think back to that Computer Mediated Communication stuff and while it might not seem like it, I actually proof read these things. Several times. Okay, there may be a few extra commas here and there, but I want to get the words right. I want it to sound like my voice to all of you who can picture me telling a story. I want you to hear it. I ran across a quote from Mark Twain that is pretty interesting…

The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightening and the lightening bug.

Okay, I am going to watch the final recap segment of the closing ceremonies…I have to! I am totally emotionally invested in the Olympics. I hope all of you have a great week.

xoxo,

Duck Lips

Hello again. I am not sure how many of y’all come back and read the news often (other than Cyn and our parents), but I’ll keep on postin. And I am only one day late. My house was without Internet for a whole weekend! Can you believe it? I am working from Tim’s laptop (a titanium G4 Apple no less, which is pretty sweet, though I am not sure how to do very much on it, like minimize frames. I am sort of embarassed to admit this. [So maybe I should just delete this part?] [Naaaahhhh]).

Tim and I had a lovely Valentines day…well the actual event day was pretty uneventful what with work and all. We did exchange gifts and cards. I got a pretty skirt from BR and I gave Tim a new coffee maker (okay sort of for both of us. Well, not really sort of. It IS for both of us. But there is this programmable feature that I have never had in a coffee maker and, well enough about the coffee maker. Oh wait, its black and of the Mr. Coffee variety). He also got some pj pants with funny little devils on them. Hee.

We did our “date” night on Friday (I wore my new skirt) and had dinner at a nice little restaurant downtown and saw a production of The Vagina Monologues. It is a show that was written by Eve Ensler about well, the title pretty much sums it up. It was really good, funny and sad in parts and benefits an organization to stop violence against women. Remember Hot Lips from the show MASH? Well, she was in the show here in San Antonio. It might not sound like it, but it was quite the romantic V-day date, our third if anyone is keeping track.

We also saw A Beautiful Mind which I really liked. Russell Crowe only irritated me for the first 10 minutes, so you know it must be a pretty good flick. I also have to say, related to nothing that I have spoken of so far, thanks to Suzy who sent a book that I read in its entirety today on my lazy city holiday. I am still watching the Olympics…starting to wonder when they will end??

Thanks to everyone who sent valentines cards (and homemade soaps, thanks larissa!). Y’all are so nice.

Until next week. Oh, and Happy Birthday Mom!

My House

Hello everyone! I know, I know, I have been slacking on the news bit…but that is the last time. Swear.

My dad drove down on Thursday (15 hours!) to bring us some furniture which were given to me by my Grandma Farrell. With these wonderful gifts, we are quickly out growing our apartment with the addition of a dining room set (table and chairs), credenza, a large tv and a side chair. Included was a great framed print entitled ‘James Dean’s House, Fairmont Indiana’. I have always loved it as it hung at my grandparents house, now it will always hang in mine. Adding to my ever growing and ever loved kitchen goods, I also got some smaller baking dishes and a fancy-pants toaster. To encourage my craftiness (which for some reason is emerging its glittered head…but may have gotten it from Mom, who made some beautiful embossed Valentine’s Cards) I am now the proud owner of a sewing machine. Don’t be surprised if you get pillows or an apron for your next birthday. I have to start small and straight, I haven’t sewed for ages. Thanks Dad for making the trip.

While he was here we cooked, ate and went to the grocery store…all things that my dad does best. We also visited the Japanese Tea Gardens in Brackenridge Park downtown. I couldn’t find any pictures that do the place justice (but there are two links there. Click on the first part for a real picture and ‘Gardens’ for a great old postcard of the place). It is a very pretty garden that was built down into an old rock quarry. There is a pond at the bottom with big fish and turtles. I never knew how much I enjoy watching the turtles. Hee! You can walk all around it on paths of varying heights and funky dragon bridges. It was about 72 degrees and perfectly sunny when we went on Saturday, it couldn’t have been nicer. We will have to go back later in the spring and take pictures and post them here.

As a sucker for all hyped events, I have been watching the Olympics. Tim is keeping up with following the Hoosier basketball team and we are still eating leftovers from when Dad was here. The up coming work week marks my first 6 months at work on Valentine’s Day. Hope everyone has a good one!

xoxo,