Hank the Plumber

I've attempted to post a couple times since last week. It's been a while suddenly. But I haven't been able to finish much of anything lately. Between work and Hank and Mike (my husband) I just haven't had time. I am going to ponder clever ideas for future posts but in the meantime please enjoy this post of Hank trying out his skills as a plumber.

Food Rut

from Goop

I enjoy cooking. It's relaxing and so rewarding to eat something you have made. I love pouring over cook books and planning out menus but I have to confess I am in a bit of a food rut of late. I tend to circle around the same three recipes - the zuni cafe roast chicken (which is amazing and delicious if you haven't tried it), linguine with clams and a chicken milanese. All of these recipes are really good and hearty and delicious but I think it's safe to say my husband might be a little bit sick of them. We aren't quite in spring yet so there isn't really a bounty of fresh produce that gets me excited and inspired. What is a girl to do? I think this weekend I am going to challenge myself and try some new things. Sometime I browse food blogs for inspiration. My favorites include: smitten kitchen, 101 cookbooks, and the amateur gourmet (I have found a lot of great recipes from these guys, but to be honest even they aren't really doing it for me lately). I even pre-ordred the Osteria Mozza cookbook the second I heard about it because I love this restaurant so much, but I haven't made one single thing from it yet. 

The recipes look really tough and involved and have lots of steps. I have attempted home made pasta a few times before with very mediocre results (my husband smiled through a beet ravioli disaster because he is a hero). I guess I should just bite the bullet though and try and recreate my favorite pasta recipe - the Orecchiette with Sausage and Swiss Chard. It is truly the best thing I have ever eaten. Maybe I will report back if my results are worth sharing. 

Palm Springs

This weekend we are heading to Palm Springs to rent a sprawling compound of a house complete with pool and tennis court with a lovely group of friends and their kids. This is our third year doing this, our second year going with a child. It should be fun to see Hank interact with all of the kids. He is the second youngest. Last year he could barely sit up. I am crossing my fingers for warm weather and lots of lounging poolside and reading at least one book. Here are some photos of our trip last year, can't believe how little he was.

My Son Is Not a Luddite

Having a child definitely forces me to take a long, hard look at my addiction to my phone/blackberry, etc. I have always had a pretty good excuse for constantly checking my email and keeping my phone close at all times. I really do have a job that means I could get in trouble for not keeping up with everything. I swear.

But when my 16-month-old wanders around the house with the phone up to his ear jabbering away, and speaking with real force and almost anxiety I start to wonder is all of this healthy. Even worse he can completely work the Iphone. I know everyone has different opinions about kids and technology. Maybe you think screen time and technology are 100% evil or you think the educational apps are good for him. I think I am more of the screen time is evil variety despite my own terrible addiction to it all. No matter where you fall you can't deny that it's remarkable that he can turn on the Iphone and select an app by himself! And I must confess I have downloaded apps for him. Sometimes it's all that saves us from a meltdown, and it's cute watching him stare intently at the animals playing peekaboo or the wheels on the bus app, but not nearly as cute as he is when is running wild and free in our back yard. Every time I grab my phone these days I know I run the risk of tearing him away from what he is doing because he sees me and wants to use the Iphone.

This morning I found him with my Iphone using the camera application and jabbering away to his image. It was cute and heartbreaking at the same time. I definitely need to be better about how and when I chose to peer at my phone.

The photos he took are ridiculously cute though. Here are his self-portraits:

February Photo Challenge Update

Taking a photo a day is proving harder than I had figured. I have already missed two days but I blame illness and work travel. Here are the photos I've managed to take so far:

My "View" at my desk :

I missed "Words" so the next one I did was Hands. Shot my Mom and I getting a mani/pedi while she visited:

I missed a "Stranger" but I caught this shot of Hank around 10:00 am:

This Photo for "Dinner" (this photos reveals a lot about meal time these days....not so interested in food I'm afraid): 

I took this photo of my jacket for "button": 

This photo was for "Sun":

This photo was for "Door": 

And today's self portrait at my desk at work: 

So far I have taken most of the assignments. It is kind of nice to have something you have to capture each day. Glancing back on the photos so far it is obvious I can't deviate too far from my favorite subject - Hank. He is my muse I guess. I recommend trying this challenge out for a month if you haven't tried it. 

Mazzy

Somehow I missed the fact that Mazzy Star released two new songs last October. I feel like no other artist better captures my quiet, angst-y teenage moments in my room than this band. She even played freshman weekend at my college. Her songs are complete sensory memories for me.

I liked her Hope Sandoval stuff too but so glad to find that she has two new songs. I must say they don't disappoint. Might make you want to write a journal entry and put on dark lipstick and a flannel. Just saying.

The Weekend, the flu and some balms

This weekend I managed to get sick for the second week in a row. Once again my temperature reached 102 degrees and I just felt awful. Somehow I was able to still have a lot of fun, although it was mostly stay at home fun. My mom was visiting which was the biggest blessing ever because she was able to help with Hank. He is fighting a cold as well. Poor guy always has a cough these days.

When did my baby turn into such a little man? You can barely tell he is sick because he is so full of energy and so happy.

And then there is me. I am not the best sick person. I complain a LOT and need a LOT of tlc.

Also, being sick always seems to make my lips uber-chapped too. I am dreaming of the best lip balms in the world while I work. If I had an unlimited budget I would try this kind:

It costs $60 which sure is a lot to spend on lip balm but people who use it are obsessed with it! The packaging is lovely too I might add. My tried and true favorite lip balm is from Fresh: 

This stuff isn't cheap either but it is so good, and the packaging is also lovely. I have tried all of the colors and the classic and I love all of them. For the bang for your buck option I will always love this guy: 

Unfortunately I literally have no lip balm with me today! I would take carmex at this point! 

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is upon us people. I used to be one of those people who tuned in mostly for the commercials, but five years ago I met an amazing man who happened to be a serious sports fan and now I pay attention to the game! This year I am not too jazzed about either side. I would have rather seen the Ravens and the 49ers but oh well.

My husband's three fantasy football teams (yep three) and passion for watching all the games has taught me a lot. I dare you to challenge me about a player or a team's quarterback. Do it? I probably know the answer.This would probably come as a shock to many of my good friends. Especially the ones who knew me in New York in my early twenties.

In truth this isn't the only time in my that I've paid attention to sports. There was a time years ago when I cared about football. I was Jim McMahon for Halloween! I was a little girl when the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl in 1985, but I still know all the words to the Super Bowl Shuffle. It is still a magical song.

Heart Day is coming...

To be honest Valentine's Day is not my favorite holiday. It kind of feels silly and forced if you go out to dinner. I prefer to stay in and cook dinner (or if you're lucky maybe someone will cook dinner for you!). But these cards from Rifle Paper Company sure are cute and get me a little excited.   

Photo Challenge

When I lived in New York I took a bunch of photography classes - color, b&w, all film of course. Doesn't every girl? I am pretty inept at photoshop although I would love to learn it. I miss wandering the streets of New York always trying to steal moments with your camera. In LA when I first got out here I tried to keep it up. I went to a darkroom on the West side a few times. It didn't last and I haven't found classes out here that come close to the ICP in New York. These days I tend to mostly take photos with my Iphone, although I do pull out my various film cameras from time to time. I keep most of my photos on my flickr. Last month I saw lots of folks in the blog world doing the photo a day challenge. It's a pretty genius way to force you to take photos every day. My sister-in-law said today she is doing it so I am in.

The view from my office.

You should do this challenge too, and post your pics on instagram. Do it. Maybe follow me and I will follow you? Do it.