Your Favorite Wife

2006-06-24T20:06:00.000-05:00

My blogging history ...

I haven't been around much lately. Obviously.

I've been cheating on my blogspot blog.

You see, I first started blogging, on Xanga, about four years ago. In the beginning, I made to-do lists. I shared recipes and wrote about many of the same things as I do here. As the years progressed, my blog morphed. A lot. After awhile, it became, almost exclusively, a photography/poetry blog.

I have over 800 subscribers there, which is down from nearly 1,000 that I had before I took a break from there.

While Xanga is not a small blogsphere, it can definitely seem too cramped at times. Like everywhere, whether online or offline, there are always personalities that feel the need to hurt other people. It is just so much easier to do it via the internet, where one can insult someone, make fun of them, or just plain lie about others to cause trouble. Drama. Dramadramadrama.

That is one of the main reasons that I took a hiatus from Xanga and began blogging here. I was able to be more open on blogspot because almost no one knew me outside of here and I wasn't concerned about petty gossip.

I'm still not. This is a nice safe place. (As far as I know ... )

While I still plan to post here, when I can, I have decided to share with my few Blogspot readers, my real blogging home. On Xanga, you need an account, which is free, to comment.

Until now, I had a block on that site which didn't allow non-Xangan viewers to view the blog. I have disabled that. I have not enabled my RSS feed though. I choose not to because of a problem that I had with a stalker a year or so back.

(An aside, the blog may look somewhat sparse because, while I post several times a week, I make the more personal writings private after a few days.)

So, if you are interested, please feel free to also read me at THIS SITE. (<--- click)

2006-06-20T21:44:00.000-05:00

Estelle turned 14 today ...

2006-06-18T21:52:00.000-05:00

Fear and (self) loathing ... has returned to Wisconsin.

2006-06-10T17:48:00.000-05:00

2006-06-09T21:50:00.000-05:00

Special thanks to fd's Flickr toys.

This is a little late, but a submission for the self portrait challenge.

2006-06-02T21:41:00.000-05:00

I took this shot last week as a storm passed over ...

2006-05-21T18:39:00.000-05:00

We visited the botanical gardens, today, for a Bonsai exhibit. Estelle and I then toured the conservatory (tropical plants) and some of the outdoor gardens, which included meadows, a Thai pavillion and plants, herb garden, rock garden, creek garden, English garden, and much, much more.

2006-05-21T18:26:00.000-05:00

Sunday Family Photo

Grandma & Grandpa ... again

2006-05-20T18:50:00.000-05:00

These are my most recent thrifting finds. Nothing too exciting. Please excuse the poor light for photo-taking.

I have been really tired lately, which leads to being sort of down in mood.

I try to spend quite a bit of time outside, getting my garden going, but it hasn't been easy with all of the cruddy (read: rainy, windy, cold) weather. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE the rain, especially storms. It just doesn't make for easy gardening. The weather was pretty nice today, so I planted my heirloom peppers and tomatoes. About all that is left to plant is another crop of lettuce, some cucumbers, foxglove, and basil (which I need a warmer soil temperature for -- 65 degrees).

Plants in jail ... Waiting for their parole.

2006-05-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

Self Portrait Tuesday

I had hoped to come up with a visually witty self-portrait, but the fact of the matter is ... I am having a bloody awful day. I don't really want to look at myself, much less have someone else look at me. I think that this picture mirrors those feelings rather well.

To see others who are participating in this, visit Self Portrait Challenge.

2006-05-14T09:48:00.000-05:00

Sunday Family Photo

My grandmom, on the right, in her bowling days ... of which there were many. I love her posture.

We will visit her in two hours, and then Estelle and I will be off on our own Mum's Day adventure.

2006-05-13T20:20:00.000-05:00

Mum's Day Eve

Estelle and I had a little pre-celebration this evening. We made parmesan croutons as an appetizer (from one of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa cookbooks). She had a black cherry soda and I had a lemon drop martini. (Yeah, I know. That's not a martini glass; I don't own any.) The martini was right tart, but yummy.

Now, we're going to look for something to watch together on the telly.

Tomorrow, we are going to visit my paternal grandmum in the morning. We have reservations for brunch after that, and then we are heading into the city to see Akeelah and the Bee. Shopping will be squeezed in there somewhere ... probably between brunch and the movie.

2006-05-11T18:00:00.000-05:00

There is snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow night.

At least my lilacs are done blooming, so they won't be affected. I knew better than to plant sensitive items like rosemary, basil, and tomatoes. I saw other people jumping the gun and planting away. I patiently wait. Every year.

For me, Memorial weekend is sort of a undeclared planting-safe time.

A few weeks ago, before Rob left for Seattle, we painted the laundry room a bright and sunny yellow. I took "before" photos. I was looking forward to posting "after" pictures because I really like the new color. I purchased a nice, solid green fabric to make a simple curtain. Two weeks ago, I started making the panel and was almost done, less than 12 inches left on the final seam, when my top thread on my sewing machine broke. I rethreaded and tried to finish stitching ... about twenty times.

No luck.

For the life of me, I can not figure out what is wrong with the machine. It's making me crazy. Therefore, no "after" photos yet. *sigh*

We have decided on a Japanese theme for Estelle's birthday party. (No major surprise there since everything in her life revolves around Japan, their customs and culture, manga, anime, and related trivia.) I found "sushi cupcakes" in Bust magazine, but I think that we'll pass on those. We are, however, open to suggestions for food, decor, and activities for this event. I'll be Googling for websites this weekend.

Here are two videos of dinner-time at our home: Here and here. (They may take a bit to load ... especially the second one.)

[Disclaimer: Videos requested by my out-of-town husband, who misses things at home, and they are not intended for the faint of heart.]

2006-05-07T15:23:00.000-05:00

Sunday Family Photo

Grandpa and Grandma Anderson

2006-05-03T18:41:00.000-05:00

Garden Report:

This last week the apple tree bloomed and filled the backyard with its delightful aroma. Today, the petals are falling and covering the ground like snow. Sitting in my office now, and typing this, I can smell the lilac blossoms which are beginning to open. I cut two bouquets today ... one for the diningroom table and another for one of the nightstands.

Wild violets dot the yet unmown lawn.

The hollyhocks are about one foot high. I need to pick rhubarb soon. I think that I'll make a crisp or, perhaps, a cobbler. My lavender plants survived the winter and I rub their leaves every time that I walk by so that I can inhale the aroma by holding my fingers near my nose. Other herbs, which include chives, thyme, sage, and catnip, are all doing well.

The chives should be moved as they are crowding one of the lavender plants.

Nearly all of the hostas are fully open. The peonies have buds and stand about two feet high. I planted ferns last Spring, and some of those are beginning to sprout and unfurl themselves. No sign of the lilies-of-the-valley, much to my disappointment. A variety of perennials, euchinacea and other flowers whose names I do not recall, are growing green and healthy and filling in the raised beds.

In the next few weeks, I will begin to plant the rest of my vegetables and flowers. My list will definitely include sweet peppers, a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and other, yet undecided, yummy things.

I won't grow radishes this summer as my husband, Rob, the only person who eats them, is working in Seattle for most of the Spring and Summer. It seems like onehundredmillionmiles away.

I miss him.

2006-05-02T19:20:00.000-05:00

Self Portrait Tuesday

View other participants HERE.

2006-04-30T12:40:00.000-05:00

Sunday Family Photo -- My parent's wedding

I have been missing in action for awhile, but only because I have been quite busy.

The quick update:

Rob was home for nine days. We did a lot of chores around the house and we also painted the laundry room (photos to come soon).
I have been prioritizing and, thus, I have given up most of my volunteering duties, which include delivering mail at the nursing home and helping an elderly enviromentalist with his third book. The book is mostly finished anyhow; He just needs to acquire funding and have a professional do the last of the formatting.
Spring!! (gardening, yard work, getting outside with Estelle or the pets or by myself)
Rob and Estelle went to a cosplay (anime/manga) convention. There are photos on Estelle's site, but you must have a (free) Xanga account to view them. Her blog is HERE.
It is tag sale season again. I'll try to report some of my finds soon.
I have also been catching up on past issues of BUST magazine and a few novels (Julie & Julia, Housekeeping, My Adventures with Bonnie & Clyde).
More soon.

2006-04-09T10:36:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy, but delightfully so ...

Estelle's bedroom has been 92%, give or take, Spring-cleaned. All that is really left is ironing the curtains, sorting through a small pile of miscellaneous items, finding homes for some decor, and, in a month or two, cleaning the carpet. (We're getting a king-size bed and giving her our double, so I'll do the carpets and paint then.)
I ordered a tote for Estelle from Nico and it arrived yesterday. We are SO pleased. The bag is glorious and there were a few goodies, including a faux pastry, a pin, and a tanuki coin purse. Thank you so much, Nico!!! (photo below)
Rob should be home within a week or so. I am looking VERY forward to it. He has been working in Tennessee for about a month.
Spring is finally coming to Wisconsin. The hostas, peonies, catnip, thyme, hollyhocks, chives, bleeding hearts, and several other perennials are coming up. I am anxiously watching for the ferns and lilies of the valley that I planted last year. The grass is finally green too.
In general, just a lot of Spring activities here ... cleaning, gardening, planning, et cetera.

2006-04-09T07:52:00.000-05:00

Sunday Family Photo

My uncle, grandmum, and dad

More later, I hope. It has been a busy, busy, very good week, so I haven't been online much. I will provide an update this afternoon if I can pull myself away from the many projects going on ... not the least of which is the brilliant Spring day that is pulling me outside.

2006-04-05T18:03:00.000-05:00

Oh, evil thrift store ... How you torment my retro soul!

Today's finds include:

Better Homes and Gardens Creative Decorating (.50)
Singer Sewing Series for Home and Fashion ($1.50)
Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book ($1.50)
Four placemats from 1972 ($1)
1951 Simplicity Pattern (.25)

I picked up several other things, such as a skirt, a piece of Corningware to add to the collection that my grandmom gave me, and some lovely material. The store was having a 20% off sale, so everything came to less than ten bucks.

2006-04-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

Self Portrait Tuesday ...

(Photo from two years ago -- No time to take a shot today.)

2006-04-03T19:33:00.000-05:00

Like many people, I go through food addictions ... where I can eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Behold ...

Wasa rye crackers, fresh mozzarella, and sliced grape tomatoes.

2006-04-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

Sunday Family Photo

My dad, mum, uncle, and I

This is the sewing machine that my grandmum gave me recently ...

I knew that she wasn't using it anymore, so I asked if I could buy it from her. Naturally, she didn't charge me. I finally took it out this weekend and putzed around with it a bit.

I feel really sentimental about it and look forward to teaching my daughter to sew with it ... and relearning myself!

It has been a pleasant, quiet, rainy weekend. Tryggve, the cat, watches out the window. NefertiTea, the cat, is afraid of the rain and hides in any nook and cranny that she can find. The dog sleeps on his pillows in the master bedroom. The snake is curled up in his log.

Estelle stayed at a friend's house last night, and she's not back home yet. Rob has been working in Tennessee for several weeks; He should be home in one to two weeks.

My office window is open because I like the smell of rain and the cool air. I sip coffee. My bare feet are cold.

All is well.

2006-03-30T19:06:00.000-06:00

The theme of today's post?

Things that are keeping me too busy to write a blog, respond to lovely comments from very cool individuals, rest, read, take photographs, or go for a walk in the sunshine ...

Salads made with baby greens, grape tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, lots of croutons, and Newman's Creamy Caesar.
Reorganizing my daughter's bedroom.
Drinking coffee. [ See last bullet point. ]
Baking cakes for a luncheon that will follow a very sad funeral on Friday [ a three-month-old infant : ( my nephew's little brother ]
Extra-curricular volunteer work [ I am SO a slave to an old man-author-naturalist-conservationist that thinks computers are magic and sounds disappointed if I can't hop over to the nursing home whenever he would like. ]
Exercise. (Okay, I am kind of fibbing; I only manage to do it about every other day. Okay, that is a fib too. I force myself to do it about every other day ... if I'm REALLY motivated.]
Trying to figure out how blogger works and trying to figure out what blog to comment on when I end up on someone's profile page. o_0
Answering phone calls and, may I note, I HATE to talk on the telephone. [ Except for you husband-reader, but you do call a lot. ]
Running around the house trying to find the phone when it rings. If I am upstairs, the phone is always downstairs and ... vice versa.
Homeschooling Estelle.
Homeschooling myself.
Being really tired. [ Note: And, also, too busy thinking (about the garden, about redecorating, about to do lists, about schooling) when I should be sleeping, thus ... being tired the next day. ]

2006-03-28T08:18:00.000-06:00

Disclaimer: I do not belong to the SPT blog nor do I belong to the SPT flickr group. I am just a copycat who is going to post self-portraits on Tuesdays.

I would also like to add that I am absolutely amazed and inspired by the wealth of talent on the blogs that I have found while browsing blogspot, livejournal, and typepad (?!). It is so humbling. Sometimes, I can take good photos ... but, I can't draw to save my life. And, knitting, sewing, or other craft skillz?

Eeesh.

Just mark me down for ... In awe of you all.

2006-03-26T16:02:00.000-06:00

I have decided to make Sunday's "Vintage Family Photo" day.

In the above photo, my dad is on the left and my grandmum is the brunette on the right. This picture was taken in approximately 1956.

We had a family get-together at my grandmum's today, and she gave me a huge file full of photos. Fortunately, her family was really good about taking pictures and there are thousands and thousands of photographs. I plan to start scanning all of them and I will post one here every Sunday.

For the dinner, Estelle made her first cake. We were looking for something Spring-appropriate and found a lemon cake recipe. This one turned out SUPER moist and deliciously tart.

One box of deluxe lemon pudding cake mix
One box of lemon-flavored gelatin
4 eggs
3/4 cup of water
3/4 cup of oil

Beat for five minutes and pour into well-greased 13" x 9" pan. Bake for 35 minutes. (We took it out after 30.)

While still warm, poke holes in cake and glaze with the following mixture.

1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons of melted butter

Sift powdered sugar over top of cake.

Enjoy.

2006-03-24T21:32:00.000-06:00

Ahhh, Friday. I am so glad that it's the weekend (though, generally, Monday is my favorite day of the week as it means a return to routine). I have a pretty full weekend planned ... school, grocery shopping, lugging out the sewing machine, processing photos, meeting with the author of the book I am editing, and a lunch at my grandmum's on Sunday. I am sure that there is more, which I will think of as soon as I publish this post. For now, I don't mind forgetting. I just want to enjoy the weekend.

I wanted to start some blog routines, like Friday Favorites or something, but I'm a bit too tired to lug out the SLR and take fresh pictures. So, above, you have ...

... my favorite daughter. Then, again. She's my only daughter!

2006-03-22T12:39:00.000-06:00

Oooh, I have noticed that there is a "self portrait Tuesday" thing going on here. I think that I may take part. I have been doing self-portraits for about four years, so I have loads that I could add ... Plus, it may inspire me to take some new ones.

This is the most recent picture that I have taken of myself, which was done in February.

I have so much to (try and) accomplish today, so ... a brief list.

Work on Estelle's summer schedule. There are so many activities that she wants to take part in, but I should be starting a job around that time and I am concerned about our schedules conflicting. Although I work at home, there are set hours for the job so I can't just take off to the city for three hours in the middle of the day. I really need to get her registered for things now, though, because the classes fill up fast.
School. I have been slacking on my classes the last few weeks and the sooner I get done, the sooner I can get a job.
Sewing. My grandmum gave me her portable sewing machine a few months back, and I haven't found the time to use it. Plus, there are so many projects to choose from. I just need to make some decisions about what projects to do first and then set aside some time.
Other: supper, start to clean office for redecorating, exercise, prep book that I am editing for printer estimate, school Estelle, general housework, and troubleshoot the wireless router that my husband, Rob, recently purchased.

2006-03-20T18:51:00.000-06:00

My daughter and I went to the thrift store today. While there, I found a cookbook like one that my mum used to have. It is filled with blank, lined pages that are broken down into categories for logging your recipes.

I had to buy it.

I have a tendency to purchase nostalgic items from my childhood. My daughter has a good deal of vintage books simply because I had the same ones as a child. I also have a rather large collection of vintage children's books for myself.

I also bought a fabric lot mostly because ...

I wanted this pattern.

2006-03-19T14:41:00.000-06:00

I like June Cleaver.
Method Home cleaning products rock my world.
I have been married for 16 years.
In general, I love to clean ... or I just like cleanliness.
My favorite activity is gardening.
I used to be a vegetarian, but now we eat lots of salmon, tilapia, and chicken.
I am a photographer and a conservationist.
My daughter is 13 years old and home schooled.
We volunteer for a nursing home and several enviromental organizations.
Hiking, canoeing, backroading: that's where it's at.
I hate summer, absolutely abhor it ... except for the gardening bit.
I am in the process of redecorating my house. Perpetually.