Eat Play Love

Great Interview Experiment, Meet Motherhood in NYC!

2009-11-13T00:01:00.002-07:00

Thanks to twitter, I have come to know many bloggers I read in a different way. Twitter allows a glimpse into small moments, which one may consider more intimate because an update typically hasn't been mulled over and edited like a regular blog post. Two writers that I really enjoy for their wit and sense of humor on twitter are Neilochka and MarinkaNYC.

Neil who writes, Citizen Of The Month, has created the Great Interview Experiment on his blog and this is my first year participating. Lucky for me, I was given Marinka aka Motherhood in NYC to interview.

Let the interview begin, for the record this is my first blog interview ever. I liked it, in a Chelsea Handler, not Barbara Walters kind of way...

Denise: I personally adore your sense of humor and always find myself laughing when I read your posts. Can you give us insight into how to find the humor in everyday situations?

Marinka: No, I'm sorry, that's a trade secret. But I think what I find humorous is exaggeration. My husband calls it "hysterical extrapolation". I just asked him about it and he said "you take one small thing and blow it up way out of proportion." Which is a complete lie and I've never ever done that in my life. Except I do it every day.

Denise: I'm just going to assume you eat cupcakes. My big burning question for you is Billy's Cupcakes or Magnolias? And what's your favorite flavor?

Marinka: I have never tasted Billy's. Because cupcakes are girls. Also, like a true New Yorker, I think that Magnolia is totally overrated. My favorite is the Cupcake Cafe, which has its main store on 9th Avenue, near the Port Authority and another spot at The Books of Wonder bookstore. Really, those cupcakes are like works of art. And there's nothing more delicious than art. My favorite flavor, like any normal person's, is chocolate with chocolate icing.

Denise: Can we talk about your avatar? While I adore the photo of your neck and beautifully coiffed hair, are you ever going to turn around?

Marinka: That photo was taken on my wedding day. After my second wedding I'll turn around.

Denise: Three bloggers that come to mind, that we all should have in our reader?

Marinka: insert obligatory there are too many blogs to mention here. But the ones that I've been reading since I discovered blogging and consistently love are Classy Chaos, Mamabird Diaries, The Bloggess and Queen of Shake Shake. Yes, I know that that's four. I'm having a four for the price of three visit.

Denise:If I came to the city for a visit and asked you to hang out, would you meet me and where would you take me?

Marinka: What, suddenly I have to take you around?
I love The Cowgirl Hall of Fame ( a restaurant) and then The Duplex, a piano bar. I went there with Vodka Mom and Comedy Goddess and Smart Ass Mom last year and it was so much fun.

Denise: Husbandrinka calls and tells you to pack your bags for the weekend because he's planned a getaway. Where did you think he'd take you on a whim? And what essential items would you pack?

Marinka: My Vivienne Tam mini computer, my Swiffer duster, oh. But really, a computer, my cell phone and charger and a book. Because I will never again go anywhere without a book. Also maybe a pair of jeans and a sweater. The last time that Husbandrinka and I went on a weekend getaway, we went to Quebec City, so that's what I'm envisioning for this getaway.

Denise: Last year you joked that you blog because you don't have the time, energy, or patience for writing a book. A year later and you're writing a book. How's that going, is it what you envisioned writing a book would be like?

Marinka: I started working on my MS (ahem) just last week. I keep emailing everyone I know things like "I'm working on my MS. I'm lonely!" I'm pretty sure that they are all in the process of blocking my email address. But it's going pretty well. Help me.

Denise: Do you like feet?

Marinka: The only body part that I hate more than feet is the belly button. Please don't mention feet again.

Denise: What's your favorite part of twitter, blogging, or your online life?

Marinka: The instant gratification. People respond, I get to interact with them, all without putting on makeup.

Denise: Do you think Brooklyn is really far away and do you hate going uptown?

Marinka: I do think that Brooklyn is far and I don't like going uptown.

Denise: Have you been to Colorado and what's the first thing that comes to mind when you read the word, Colorado?

Marinka: I've never been to Colorado and the first thing I think about is John Denver.

Denise: How do you feel about Bloomberg spending $100,000,000 on his mayoral campaign?

Marinka: It's his money, so I wasn't outraged. Except for that part of it that he spent having people call my house nonstop to ask if I'd be voting for him. Which I didn't.

Denise: Share with us something you love to do for yourself, that makes you happy?

Marinka: I get a massage every month. It's with a woman who does body work and she helped me a lot with my TMJ and back pain, so I call her it my physical therapy. It's a complete luxury and I love it.

I would just like to end with a thank you to Marinka. She lives in an area of NYC that I spent time in last fall visiting an old friend, so I had fun focusing questions on her neighborhood. People who live in the West Village have an interesting psyche and Marinka solidifies my theory! I hope you take a moment to check out her blog, if you are the only person in the blogosphere that isn't reading her yet!

Vlog: Meetups, Blogging Conferences, Yes or No?

2009-11-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Maddie...

2009-11-11T10:30:00.005-07:00

Today is the day, a girl with the cheeriest smile and radiating blue eyes should have celebrated her 2nd birthday.

Today is the day, I will think about Heather and Mike incessantly.

Today is the day Maddie would be two, if she wasn't a star in the night sky watching over her family...

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.

Please spread your love at Heather and Mike's websites today, they can use some loving. Writing about Maddie today? Please link up with AMomTwoBoys!

Meet Big Green Couch...

2009-11-09T18:42:00.004-07:00

This post is dedicated to my couch, my first real couch, that was purchased from the one and only American Furniture Warehouse. If you live in Colorado, you know AFW very well. If you don't, well just count your blessings. The owner Jake Jabs is a very charismatic man who likes wild animals to accompany him in a stream of never ending television commercials. But back to my couch. It as purchased seven years ago when we moved into our new home, our first home. When we purchased the couch, we went the route of AFW because it was affordable. It took hours to find something that had simple lines and plain fabrics.

Those simple lines in a sea of polyester southwest printed recliner lounging sectionals (as Jake ironically is modeling above), was a breath of fresh air. Heck, we even bought a matching oversized chair and ottoman to go with it. The sky was the limit at AFW. But let me end the wait, I'd like you to meet Big Green Couch.
Big green couch today is the kind that you almost sink to the floor in and really want to ask for an extra hand to help you get up from. But the beauty of big green couch is that the covers are machine washable, even if the washing over the last seven years makes those cushion covers no longer match the rest of the sofa. Washable covers are essential to me with the girls and the dog (who is NOT allowed on our furniture). Take for example Sunday, GL puts her smoothie on the arm of big green couch and big black dog milo's tail comes sauntering by and knocks the smoothie off the arm of the chair. Not onto the floor, but rather onto the couch, spilling on the cushions and the inside arm of the couch. Although it was a gigantic blueberry smoothie mess, it wasn't that big of a deal simply because it was big green couch. I mean really how could I get upset at the beast that's seen much worse?

Most simply stated, I'm a bit over big green couch. It's been such a good investment over the years. It has served my family well. But I can't help but peruse websites for a new couch. For big green couch's replacement. If someone said, ok Denise your time has come, go pick out whatever you want. This is what I would choose:Crate and Barrel's Canterbury Sofa. I'm at the phase in my life when I am not trying to find a couch to settle on, out of a warehouse of couches that aren't even close to my style or aesthetic. I want a beautiful couch, with some round lines. I'm not a huge fan of hard square edges. That's why the Canterbury is right up my alley. Oh and the lack of cushions in the back is even better. I've been jaded by my AFW big green couch and the filling of the back cushions has become all worn out and so they stick out into half of the seat cushions, which really annoys me. And to top off the beautiful look of Canterbury, it's eco-friendly. Click on the link for details.

I don't think it's time yet to commit to Canterbury, even though I find it affordable. I am instantly brought back to Sunday and the smoothie incident and if that happened around Canterbury, I think I would have cried and lost it. Gasp at the thought. Maybe I'll keep big green couch around until the IKEA opens up in Denver. Then invest in a reasonably priced sofa that can get me through the last of the sticky fingers, I spill everything, toddler years.

Then, just then, I hope Crate and Barrel still makes Canterbury because I can see it fitting right in my living room.

photo source

Dynasty...

2009-11-08T22:00:00.002-07:00

Here we are yesterday at Warren Miller's Dynasty. The 60th year of ski movie magic.

Looking Back At Our Family Tradition: Warren Miller Style

2009-11-07T09:16:00.004-07:00

When I joke about my husband chasing snow, it's really not a joke. He actually does scour the ends of the earth searching for the best and freshest snow to capture on film, every year. Oh and when I say FILM, I mean real 16MM Kodak Film. He is an integral part of making the annual feature length ski movie for Warren Miller Entertainment. The long and short of it is, he started out as an intern over a decade ago and let's just say he's climbed the ladder over the years. The tradition has always been to have a Friends and Family show at the Boulder Theater on a Saturday afternoon. The friends that have joined us have come and gone, some have stayed, and our family has grown. I always look forward to seeing the familiar faces at the Friends and Family show. To my friends who make it out, thank you it means the world to us.

I was just looking back at the photos and thought I would share.

Last year 2008, Warren Miller's Children of Winter. This photo was randomly taken by a real photographer as you will easily see by the ones following.
These photos, are from 2007. Warren Miller's Playground. The perfect photo doesn't always happen on the first shot, especially wrangling the three of us:

Voile! Only if it was in focus....
Warren Miller's Off The Grid, circa 2006 or a 8 month pregnant me. Ugh.
The year was 2005, Warren Miller's Higher Ground:
This was Sj's second Warren Miller movie, Impact. 2004.
I don't think we got a shot in 2003, as I had a month old baby and we left at intermission. I was a nervous wreck taking my first born out into the crowds. I just remember her screaming half the car ride home as we were stuck in traffic from a CU Football game....

Oh the memories.. Today we'll grab a new family photo and add another year to memory book!

Friday Confession: It's Gone Too Far, This Mom Needs A Vacuum

2009-11-06T08:46:00.004-07:00

I was sadly disappointed this morning when my girls woke me from a sound sleep. I immediately opened my eyes and felt grumpy. I wasn't upset because my girls woke me too early, I was well rested. The problem? I was in the middle of a dream, a wonderful dream. Believe it or not, it wasn't a beautiful dream involving anyone from England.

Rather, this dream involved my new vacuum. I was practically singing, heck there may have even been birds chirping, as I was trying out my new vacuum on my area rug. I recall joyfully listening to the sound of things being sucked up, proving how inferior my old vacuum was. I was so impressed by the power of my new home cleaning device. It was like a Dyson, but smaller. Maybe Dyson has a mini-version in the works? It had special settings for hard wood floors. It had an attachment with a dog brush on it, it sucked up the hair as you groomed. It barely made any noise, so Milo just sat delighted at his massage. Yes, it truly was a dream.

Now I sit here thinking, my goodness I've lost my mind. Dreaming of new vacuum cleaners. And even worse, feeling disappointed when I awoke to realize I was dreaming. Maybe it's my fault, I've had vacuums on the brain. The dog hair these days is driving me bonkers and I even asked my friends on Twitter what they use:

Santa if you're out there... This may be a sign. The 10 year old Hoover Wind Tunnel clearly has seen better days. I already have visions in my head of saying goodbye to this old clunker... And quite frankly, I'd like to resume dreaming about things that truly one would consider to be a fantasy.

Thursday 13: Ways Bloomberg Could've Spent the 100 Million Dollars...

2009-11-05T11:55:00.001-07:00

Michael Bloomberg was re-elected for a third term as Mayor of NYC. The news headlines touted he spent 100 MILLION DOLLARS of his own money to finance his campaign. 100 MILLION DOLLARS. Say that again. Seems like a lot of dough to blow on an election. Many people mentioned the perk of using your own money is that no one bought him out by financing his campaign for their advancement.

But all I could think about is the state of our economy and how 100 MILLION DOLLARS would go a long way to help in so many different ways. Before I get to my list of ideas, I'd like to state some little facts I learned about Bloomberg when researching for this post.

Michael Bloomberg in 2008 made the top ten list of the wealthiest Americans. His place, eighth. Net worth, 16 BILLION dollars. So really 100 MILLION DOLLARS is like me going out and spending a thousand bucks. Gulp. In Bloomberg's defense, he is a well known philanthropist. He's given John Hopkins University 300 MILLION DOLLARS from 1996-2002. He's given away hundreds of millions of dollars to numerous organizations from small to big. In 2007, he contributed 205 MILLION DOLLARS to charity. I guess I can't really be down on him, he is doing good.

But what are some ways he could've spent 100 MILLION DOLLARS, other than chasing a third term as Mayor?

1. According to H2OAfrica a donation of $25 would provide safe drinking water to one person for life. Aka, 100 MILLION DOLLARS would provide 4,000,000 people with clean drinking water for life. Currently it is estimated 1.1 Billion people lack access to clean water around the world.

2. For $36.71 in New York City you can feed a family of 6 for Thanksgiving, with a donation to Box of Love. That would purchase approximately 2,777,777 boxes or feed 16,666,666 people. Their goal is to reach 7,000 families this year. Bloomberg could have done that for a mere, $259,000.

3. On October 30, there was a reported 8,930 families with children that were homeless in NYC. 37, 562 total. You don't need math to know even a mere 1,000,000 dollars could change homelessness for many of those people.

4. Students living in poverty are more than likely attending an underfunded school. On average schools in poor neighborhoods are receiving $1,500 less PER PUPIL compared to wealthier schools. Being a teacher, I know it's those underfunded schools that need at least $1,500 more per pupil than the average school. Bloomberg's money could have helped about 67,000 students that attended underfunded schools.

5. Let's just say the average cost of a college education is $100,000 dollars. Bloomberg could have paved the way for 1,000 kids to go to college, with out debt, living the American dream.

6. It is estimated that at least 100,000 people are still displaced from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The population was 450,000 before the storm and numbers are just hovering around 309,000 now. This area still needs help. I am sure 100 MILLION DOLLARS would make a difference.

7. According to Feeding America a $1 donation provides 9 pounds of food to hungry American men, women, and children. Can you say, hello 900 MILLION pounds of food? Incredible.

8. Donations across the country are down at charitable organizations in general. Heck pick out of a hat, 1,000 charities and knock their socks off with a $100,000 donation each. I am sure they would be forever indebted and I can't imagine how many lives that would in turn touch.

9. I wouldn't mind a small personal donation of like $1,000,000 it would certainly take the pressure off I've been feeling financially. Just think he'd still have $15 BILLION 999 MILLION to play around with.

10. 47 million Americans were without health insurance last year and that number is expected to rise to around 57-60 million by the end of next year. I am sure 100 MILLION DOLLARS could help change those numbers in a heart beat.

11. I can only imagine what charitable research organizations would do with 100 MILLION DOLLARS, say Livestrong, Breast Cancer, Parkinson's, Spinal Cord Injuries, March of Dimes, on and on... The world may be a different place.

12. A micro loan to change a persons life can be a donation as small as $700-$800 in a developing nation and approximately $5,000 in the United States. The money is given as a gift to help them start a business and fulfill a lifelong dream. Once again, 100 MILLION, would give many micro loans. Here's a link to a site that provides micro loans to women who are survivors of war to rebuild their lives. Women for Women.

13. I didn't even scratch the surface on animal saving charities, green charities for research and development on new technologies to stop our foreign oil dependence, charities to save endangered species and disappearing rainforests. The list would go on and on.

Yes, in reality New York City has a Mayor for a third term. But could you think of another way 100 MILLION DOLLARS could have changed the world?

Circa 1979: Once A Yankee Fan, Always a Yankee Fan

2009-11-04T00:01:00.005-07:00

The year was 1979. Gosh and to think, some of you weren't even born yet. It wasn't a memorable year for the Yankees, from what online stats tell me they finished fourth in the American League. But looking back at the roster, the names are forever imprinted in my mind.

Graig Nettles, Willie Randolph

Bucky Dent, Lou Pinella, Reggie Jackson

It was the also year Thurmon Munson, the Yankees catcher, died in a small plane crash.

Growing up in New York with three older brothers, I knew the time would come when I would don the Yankees Uniform. Oh how I waited in anticipation to put on the pin stripes. As you can see from my stick figure, I am sure that uniform would have still fit me well into the mid-80's. Looking back on the photo, my hair isn't too different today, I just have to pay for that color now.

My father is "the" Yankee fan of the family, with of course my brothers following in his footsteps. If there was a soundtrack to my life, I swear it would have a Yankees' baseball game being broadcast in the background. When the Yankees weren't playing, we were watching my brothers play baseball at the local Babe Ruth Fields. Summer after summer, I spent many days sitting in the back of my father's Pontiac Station wagon watching them play. I'd always be begging my mother for spare change to buy a baseball shaped gum ball or a freezer pop when the New York humidity would get to me. Baseball was the essence of my childhood.

I will be the first to admit, I rarely watch a regular season game. Occasionally I'll flip through and watch an inning or two, but the games are so darn long. I just don't have the patience or time to watch 81 regular season games. Or however many there are, which I know is a lot. But in my heart I'll always be a Yankee fan. Once a Yankee fan, always a Yankee fan in my book.

As for the Colorado Rockies, it's fun to go to a game every season. I love taking the girls, sitting down watching a game, eating all the food that comes along with the tradition of a live game. But i'll always wish the Yankees played just twenty minutes from my home.

As for tonight's game, well I can only hope the Yankees wrap up the series. I'll be rooting for the Yankees of course. The pinstripes may be gone, but the feeling never really leaves.

Related post, my year playing t-ball in a boy's league: Odd Girl Out

To Be Quite Honest, Part 2

2009-11-03T00:00:00.002-07:00

Recently I was tagged by Psych Mamma who has come out of hibernation on her blog. Maybe it's her passion about vaccines and H1N1 or maybe she just misses all the fun! Stop by and welcome her back.

I've written 10 Honest Things about me, back in July, but I'm giving it another shot. There must be ten more honest things inside of me dying to come out.

The Honest Scrap award is given by other bloggers who consider a blog’s content or design to be brilliant. The awardees must then post ten honest things about themselves and pass the award on to other bloggers who fit the bill – in other words, whose blog is brilliant.

1. My words are like my voice. I write how I would speak. I find no thrill in trying to be something I am not and I am just fine with my little corner of the blogosphere, make up or no make up.

2. Sometimes when I am in the thick of a mountain of laundry, I enjoy the break of doing a load of towels. Folding all rectangles into neat squares is somewhat refreshing to me. I know, very odd. Oh and on a related note, when X amount of pairs of socks go into the washer and come out of the dryer, all matching, I am elated.

3. Even though I am lured into wanting bigger and better things, I am not willing to sacrifice the time raising my girls for a paycheck. Someday, I will have exactly what I want.

4. I still feel like there is something missing. I grapple with how to make myself feel more complete. Maybe I am wanting something that doesn't exist. Or maybe I'm too good at accepting, it is what it is???

5. I've been trying to cut down the time I spend on Facebook. Sometimes I hate how it makes me feel, like I'm missing something or the only one home on a Friday night. Less time focusing on what is not and more time focusing on the positive. Easier said then done, but I am trying.

6. I don't regret getting a dog, but I wish we waited to get a labradoodle. The hair from our black lab is putting me over the edge and we've only had him a few months. I feel like I sweep and five minutes later all the hair is back. I just invested in a FurBuster (brush) and I am hoping it helps ease some of my woes.

7. I love the way my daughters get along, play together, kiss and hug before Sj goes off to school every morning. Everything isn't all rainbows and roses, but they truly have a beautiful connection 95% of the time. It's one of the things that makes me most proud as a mother.

8. My father recently had surgery and I realized how much I wished we lived closer to one another. It was the worst feeling not being able to drop a dinner by or stop by for a few hours to give my mother a break. At least I was able to take some stress off with help from one of my favorite local businesses , that was kind enough to deliver a food order for me!

9. I've decided to commit to NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month)! What in the world was I thinking? Hey blog friends, got another MeMe, I'm so in. Sign me up, we all need the fluff days.

10. I love shoveling snow. I typically even shovel both of my neighbors sidewalks and walkways. It makes me very reminiscent of my childhood. Probably one of my most favorite ways to burn calories. Once again, I agree, very odd.

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I'm not tagging anyone, as I did in July. But if you need or want to get honest and write your own list, please grab the badge and post away! I'd love to read your list. Honesty is refreshing.

Realization From Halloween Night

2009-11-02T09:37:00.003-07:00

Even though I posted about teachable moments yesterday, I had already written a post about the impact the senior citizens in my neighborhood had on me Halloween night. I am over at Rocky Mountain Moms Blog today, with the original post if you care to check it out, Remembering Our Seniors On Halloween Night.

Halloween, So Many Teachable Moments!

2009-11-01T10:56:00.004-07:00

Last night under the glow of the full moon, we set out Trick or Treating. I'd have to put myself in the fan of Halloween category. People really go either way with this holiday, but to be quite honest I think it's fun. As we went from house to house, I had a realization about the importance of Halloween in my neighborhood in particular, as we have many senior citizens living close by. It was really an opportunity for them to feel like a part of the community as a whole, not just looking at the world from behind their blinds. We took an extra moment or two to converse with many neighbors that live just a few blocks away, that live all by themselves. I could see by the smiles on their faces how delighted Halloween made them.

Even though we aren't much into junk food in my house, we certainly do love chocolate. Many nights after dinner, we all share a square of dark chocolate as our post-dinner dessert, if I haven't baked anything.

Last night, after arriving home from Trick or Treating, Sj dumped out her bag full of loot! She's always loved to line up all of her candy and sort them into piles. This year I took the sorting one step further. We placed all the candy into groups and then she recorded the number and type of candy in her math journal. We then turned all the data into a graph!

It was fun to see how many types of candy she received with a total of 152 pieces!

I'd just like to end with, if you aren't that into Halloween, think about the moment. The moment to reach out to others that you may never have the opportunity to meet. A person that may just live a few blocks away, but spends the majority of their time alone. Think about how happy they are when they see our children's smiling and excited faces. How a simple conversation may just be the highlight of their week!

Vlog From The Snowy Trenches of The Colorado October Blizzard...

2009-10-28T20:40:00.005-06:00

Disclaimer... Before you watch this vlog, I warn you, I am not wearing any makeup. I just shoveled about 500lbs of snow from my sidewalk, walkway, driveway, and neighbor's sidewalk. But really, we all know I'm not all smoke and mirrors around here anyway, so I thought why the heck not. So enjoy it, the plain old ordinary me (with 3 zits on my chin). Oh and Milo, the black lab does make an appearance!

Kids Need A Dad, Not A Buddy

2009-10-27T08:34:00.003-06:00

Dear Part Time Father at Blockbuster,

I couldn't help but notice how desperately you were in trying to convince your young son to rent No Country For Old Men. I've actually watched this movie and I was appalled to be witnessing your very un-fatherly actions. I was looking for Once when I overheard this conversation. The boy, must have been 10 years old, maybe 12. I was a fifth grade teacher, so the boy easily looked like he could have been a student of mine. He definitely was not in high school.

Father: Just read the back, this is what I want to see.

Son: But dad, I'm not into it.

Father: You don't know what you are missing. Come on, just read it.

Son: Takes dvd case reluctantly. Glances over the back. This looks dumb. Your lame dad.

Father: Guess I'll watch it on Monday when you go back to your mom's.

Son: So now you are going to be all pissed off at me you're an ass. What a great weekend.

(me, wow...calling his dad an ass, although he has a point!)

Father: Just get the stupid Simpons movie and shut the f@#k up.

Son: Walks away, head down.

I truly had to bite my tongue. Suppress every fiber of my being, to not tell that father what a jack ass he was. First of all, No Country For Old Men, is not appropriate for such a young boy. Maybe, call me crazy, maybe he should be the mature person in the scenario and let his son pick out a more age appropriate film. I am assuming the Simpsons is even questionable at his age.

Or better yet, skip the movies all together. If you spend a limited amount of time with your child maybe a board game would provide an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. I try not to judge, but sometimes we wonder why young children turn to violence or crime. Obviously part of the problem is children need love and attention, not name calling and being berated over a movie rental choice. Shame on those for not seeing the cues our children drop right in our laps, almost crying out for help.

As I watched the boy leave the store with his dad, his eyes were welled up with tears, he was moping. Clearly his feelings were hurt. I hope for him, his dad was just having a bad moment and I witnessed that fleeting moment.

Tomorrow is THE Day, 3 Weeks Later...

2009-10-21T00:01:00.001-06:00

On September 30, I felt like I had hit rock bottom. Emotionally I was drained, my house was beyond a wreck. Dishes, laundry, toys, shoes, mail, artwork were better known as piles upon piles. All those items have a home, but there was no follow through from anyone in my household to get those items in their appropriate place. For me, how my home is kept is a direct correlation to how I feel and boy was I in a slump.

I wrote this post about changing my ways starting October 1st.

Over the course of the past three weeks, I have changed my ways. Dishes are done after meals, counters are wiped. Toys are in their cute baskets or bins. I've rearranged the living room furniture, which always makes me feel accomplished. Laundry is put away. Coats, bags, and shoes are stowed away in the entryway closet when we return home, not just dumped in the middle of the floor. Hello, we are so lucky to have an entry way closet! But there is still work to do. My office/playroom is still a disaster, but 85% of the house is beyond fabulous.

One of the things that helped me change my ways was a conversation with one of my oldest friends. She runs a tight ship and so I said give me the low down, I want your household secrets. Silly as it may sound, I came right out and said, I need to know how you put laundry away, when it's folded. No really, how do you do it? In my house it sits in a basket and gets rummaged through and then it makes a mess. Then I get all resentful and in turn I loathe laundry duty. Grumble, grumble.

She simply responded, "You have to want to do it. You just have to convince yourself it's what you want".

You know what, she was absolutely 100% right. Really that was all it took. Those words. I convinced myself it's what I want. Doing laundry means, sorting piles, washing, drying, folding, and putting away. Straightening up drawers and sorting out clothes that need to be mended or that the girls have outgrown, every week. I even, put away my husband's clothes. Typically I would let him fend for himself in the laundry department.

With those words I also convinced myself of something else. Quite often, even though I dreaded the mess in my house, I would just leave it because I wanted my husband to pitch in and help. I was trying to punish him by leaving the chaos everywhere, but in reality I was punishing myself. My home is also my office, I spend my days here with the girls and I just simply convinced myself it's my job to keep my office running smoothly, clean, and organized. I don't know what J would say about the past three weeks, but I'm not on his back about housework. I'm making the effort on my own and I've taken on the responsibility as part of my job. I decided that when he does pitch in (with out my nagging) that it's a bonus, maybe one less load of dishes or one load of laundry I don't have to do. Truthfully, he's been following through with hanging up his jacket or emptying the dishwasher in the morning.

Kind of wild around here, huh?

Really, it's still a work in progress. My house is by no means immaculate. But the effort is moving forward, instilling a sense of pride in me. My goal is to have the entire house in shape by the end of the month, which means on top of all laundry even cabinets and closets revamped, so I can start the Fly Lady routine come November 1. There is no reason why I can't start now, but I feel like I want to be established when I introduce the routine.

Once again, my progress is to be continued...

Welcome A New Adventure... Bento Lunch Making!

2009-10-20T00:01:00.001-06:00

For a couple of years now, I've been dabbling in Bento Lunch making, after J returned home from Japan with a bento lunch box for Sj. Now I'm packing a daily bento. So what else is there to do?

Blog about it.

Please welcome Colorado Bento! It's going to be a journey into all things American Bento. What's even better, I have Jen as my partner in crime so I'm not going this alone.

Join us and learn about Bento lunch making!

My previous bento lunch posts.

Thanks Twitter, I Get It, I'm Just IttyBitty...

2009-10-19T00:01:00.002-06:00

I've never quite felt so miniscule in the world of blogging until I became a member of Twitter. Daily I take in the 140 characters or less of others that are off at conferences, off being wooed by huge corporations, and maybe even being featured on television. Then there's an entire faction of bloggers that are their own biggest cheerleaders. Constantly they are linking back to their posts, they are heard. They roar. They thrive on the comments, the traffic, they ask to be Stumbled. It's all about the numbers. They are sharing searches and stats in 140 or less.

And me, I read the tweets. I sometimes click through, but generally I fade into the background. Occasionally I'll link to a post of my own, but it depends on my mood. October 8th was the last time I linked back to my blog, which was about 125 tweets ago. So I can honestly say a couple times a month I am my own cheerleader. I never really could relate to the pompoms and little skirts, the constant smile, perfect hair, and attention seeking of the real cheerleaders. If only I made the Freshman Squad back in 1987, maybe I would feel differently today. Instead I liked blending into the background, being a part of the crowd in the bleachers, I preferred skateboarders over football players anyway. Ironically enough my Twitter relationships reflect that as well, I'm probably not conversing with the Twitter Prom Queen most days of the week.

Now let me be the first to say, I am not judging any of those behaviors I mentioned. I am not on a soapbox calling out anyone. For some reason it just makes me feel itty bitty in the blogosphere. On those rare occasions I grasp how infinite the internet is, it blows my mind. But then again, I write what I want to write. I'm not the "ambulance chaser" of the blog world. We all know who they are, the first to hop on the hot topics, just so they get click-throughs. Their twitter follower count is big, their subscriber numbers are high, and in turn corporations love them. Oh and if you have "mom" in your username the corporations super duper love you. I find that odd. Have you noticed this or am I the only one?

Even more recently, I've come to discover sometimes bloggers twist the truth or even blatantly steal other people's words and use them as their own (hello, PLAGIARISM!). I assume this is in an attempt to bring a windfall of readers to their blog, maybe get twitter talking about them, or falsely lead their readers to believe their lives are more than what they truly are. Which made me realize, my life is so boring. Why don't I have this overwhelming desire to conquer this medium, do whatever it takes to top the numbers game? Am I complacent? Two years later and I'm still just happy doing my own thing. Writing on a whim, writing what's on my mind, and writing as a release. Oprah should have been calling ME by now.

So I shall conclude, with really no conclusions drawn in the matter at hand. I don't have a badge saying I'm authentic, I just have my words. If you meet me in real life, you will find that yes, these words are just like I speak. While I don't share everything about my life, I find no reason to not be authentic to my true self around here. This is my home. I feel grateful that someone other than my mother may stop by and read whatever is on my mind. I like this little place and I'm not going to let Twitter interfere and make me think being itty bitty is a bad thing. I'm fine just the way I am.

Now I'm off to Ft.Collins to find the Balloon Boy's family and have a blogger exclusive interview, stay tuned my press conference will air in just moments. I swear. I'll show you twitter.

Where Colorado Locals Go: Craving a Philly Cheese Steak? Olde Philly Towne

2009-10-18T09:20:00.006-06:00

The first time I saw Olde Philly Towne from the outside, of course I quickly passed judgement. It sits in a strip mall, in between a scuba shop and the DMV. Close by are K-Mart and Hobby Lobby. While I don't assume a restaurant has to be in a free standing space to produce good food, of course the strip mall thing initially was a turn off.

But that changed quickly.

I grew up in Upstate New York, so sometimes I just have a craving for a cheese steak. Luckily I found Olde Philly Towne close by to feed that craving. Olde Philly Towne is always bustling with customers, which is a good sign. Yes, expect a wait. They offer a variety of "steaks", as well as cold sandwiches, and charburgers. But I'll be the first to admit, after having one of their Cheese Steaks I haven't even entertained the other items on their menu.

Top of the of the Steaks menu is a Philly Grand Slam, thinly sliced rib-eye steak, grilled onions, mushrooms, peppers (hot, mild, or mixed), melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise. The rolls are always soft and fresh, they just seem to perfectly soak up the juices from the steak. I typically find myself craving the Chicken Slam, which is the same as above just simply made with skinless chicken breast instead. I have to be in the mood for steak, but when I am it's always a hit.

Other options include the plain steak (steak, onions), cheese steak (just meat, onions, and melted cheese), or the pizza steak with marinara sauce. There's even more a meatball, italian sausage, or a chicken sandwich. Trust me, there's something for everyone.

Typically we'll order some onion rings or zucchini sticks to accompany our cheese steaks. My daughters also devour their cheese steaks whenever they join us. Funny enough they have a kids menu, but it only includes hamburger, turkey, roast beef, ham & cheese, or corn dog. I'm thinking they need to add a steak to the kids menu?!

When you're sitting inside Olde Philly Towne, you'll hear the clacking of spatulas on the grill. Every employee has a station they are in charge of. I'm also always delighted by the mother/daughter team that keep the place rolling very smoothly. It's a local's favorite and if you are craving a cheese steak, give it a try.

Map it

I've decided to start a weekend post about different restaurants in the area that I live, to help spread the word. I'm not paid by these establishments. Gosh, I always love a food recommendation and it's about time I start sharing where we choose to eat. You won't find us much at chain restaurants, we like to eat in the locally owned places. The authentic places. The places you can't wait to visit again.

Soaking up the sun, my world is still, but the clouds are in motion...

2009-10-16T11:12:00.001-06:00

My daughter fell asleep in the car during the afternoon school pickup jaunt. The last few times I tried to move her from the car, she woke up, so instead when I arrived home I let her sleep. It was a beautiful afternoon, I opened the car window and took a moment to soak in the sun on my front porch. I decided to write with pen and paper, to me it's funny how my voice sounds different when I write it down first. You decide.

There's a pink hula hoop weathered by the sun, laying randomly on the ground under a tree. A hose snakes away from the house, through the flowerbed, and coils around in just the perfect place to trip over as you enter my house. I've been meaning to move that hose, at least it was disconnected from the spigot before it burst some pipes during our cold snap last week.

I have yet to trim back my irises that really need to be divided up. Their growth is strangling them, they need more space. Although some of the remaining foliage is green, they sit limp and slumped over, screaming trim us now! Just along side those past their prime irises, my lavender has also lost it's color and it's fallen asleep in mother nature's brown dull winter shade. It seems just like last week all my flowers were blooming, but 20-30 degree days for a week does a number on even the hardiest of plants.

The Adirondack lawn chairs are turned upside down, protecting the smaller chairs that could blow away at a wind's whim. Broken branches, dried leaves, even weeds are no longer able to cling onto a vibrant green shade. Dormancy has arrived in my front yard.

Ironically the sky is blue, clouds are out bursting into my field of vision. The clouds are moving, even though I am sitting remarkably still which leads me to think is our movement being shown by the clouds or are the clouds moving? I realize in that moment even though we are always moving my world feels incredibly settled, incredibly solid.

Clouds and a waking two year old are gentle reminders that we are always in motion, moving, going.

Dusting Off Landscape With Red Cloud and Some Inspiration...

2009-10-12T00:01:00.001-06:00

Have you ever played the question game where you write down three things about yourself, two that are true and one that is false? The object is to write down things that are true about yourself that others wouldn't believe. Well one of my favorite lines that I always used to trick others was, "I've had a painting displayed in a museum in New York". Yes, that's mine. It's a watercolor collage, brilliantly entitled (ha,ha) "Landscape with Red Cloud". The year was 1991 and I submitted a portfolio to the New York State Scholastic Art Awards. From my portfolio a sculpture and a painting were selected for regional display at the New York State Museum in Albany. My painting was actually awarded a gold key, which is the highest level of achievement at the regional level. It was then sent off to New York City (where I never saw it displayed) for national adjudication! Woah, big time. Well my painting wasn't selected for a National Medal, but the gold key was certainly special enough for me.

So what in the world inspired the tale of my painting?

I would consider this painting to be special, it tells a story. Or better yet it has a story. But where does it sit, tucked away in a paper portfolio in my guest room closet. Not a very happy ending for a painting that once was worthy of museum exhibition. A painting that allowed me to receive a hand-signed letter from my favorite New York State Governor, Mario Cuomo.

But maybe it's more indicative of how I no longer nurture the artist within me. Sure I dabble in crafty things, I'll pick up a paint brush and join my daughters in some doodle painting, I'll sketch out something in crayola crayons from time to time. But I no longer set aside anytime to paint. Painting is the space where I always felt shy, but confident. I loved to push paint, which means I would just sit in front of a blank canvas and let the brush do the work. Not much planning or sketching, just organically creating art. Sometimes I'd fall for a painting I created and other times, I'd gesso over it and start again before the paint even had a chance to dry. I also very much enjoyed landscape painting. Sitting outside, paints sprawled around, easel up, with a majestic backdrop just off in the distance, and no worries about spilling paint or making a mess. Now, I live in Colorado where picturesque settings to artistically interpret in a painting are around every corner. How silly do I feel?

When I came across dusty ol' Landscape with Red Cloud I realized it's time to once again see what I'm capable of. I've put my brush down for close to 15 years. And if I'm trying to be more present instead of falling back on two vices to escape, painting may just fill the void.

Before I put my paintbrush to the canvas, I've committed to framing Red Cloud. It should be hanging in my living space, providing me with a glimpse of inspiration day in and day out.

My painting among the competition, looks rather small, huh? Hey so is the Mona Lisa:

I'm Not A Hoarder, But...

2009-10-08T21:30:00.005-06:00

It's funny, for years I was an Oprah regular. I'd look forward to new seasons, new shows, and rarely miss a show. But nowadays I'm busy from 4-5pm or distracted or Oprah just doesn't have on what I am needing in my life (Whitney Houston, for reals?). Yesterday, like many of you, I made a point to tune into to Stephanie Nielson aka Nie Nie Dialogues. I'm so glad I did, what an amazing, inspirational woman. Then I caught a glimpse of the preview of today's show about hoarding and decided to tune in.

I'm not going to give you a full run down of the episode, but it was about extreme hoarders. Oprah delved into the psychological battle that is hoarding and how it presents itself in people. Watching the show, I felt like I could relate. Although, I wouldn't consider myself to be a hoarder, I do find much pleasure in getting rid of things especially rotting food, thank goodness. But my office/playroom right now is out of control unorganized and my problem, putting everything in it's place. I have to admit I watched the show to feel like, my life isn't that bad. Nice, huh?

But what really hit home for me was the focus on hoarding as an addiction. I go through phases where I use food to cope and deal, first and foremost most the months of August and September. It's true, I've said it before and I will say it again, I know I use food. Others use alcohol or working out, gambling or drugs, online chatrooms or shopping. Which leads me to my second problem, shopping. I am not a compulsive shopper, but I have definitely used shopping to escape. Hell, I can use a trip to Target to escape. A list of five things turns into an hour later and $150 bucks. Ouch. Beyond the waste of money, it's the compulsion to buy crap that I don't need, stuff that gets five minutes of admiration and thrown into a donation box or the trash or fills a bin and gets thrown in the closet.

So shopping and food, my weaknesses.

Maybe I dabble in both consistently enough that I don't overly abuse one or the other. But let's admit they both sure are taxing. One to my wallet, the other to my body, and both to my mind. I can't really name the exact moment but at some point over the last couple of years, I recognized I abuse the two. I get it. For a very long time I didn't get it. I just thought I needed things or I had the money so why not go shopping.

So now what?

I watched that Oprah show today and tonight I went shopping! Gulp, way to go, way to learn something! I did go shopping with a mission, I knew what I was looking for and with August and September just recently behind me, I don't feel slim and trim, so that helps my neurotic self weed out things I may have purchased on a whim. I tried on lots of things, I browsed through many stores, but I didn't over buy. I put things back I had picked out for the girls and walked out of stores empty handed.

Just like I said a week ago, tomorrow is another day, tomorrow is the day it really is. Over the past week, I've fought some tendencies, brushed up right in their face this evening, and even feel proud to say I know taking a closer look inside is hard work. I'm on the path.

Tomorrow maybe i'll focus some of my will to escape into being present. I recognize the beauty in wanting to change and knowing the only way to do that is to look within.

Sitting On Chris Martin's Lap and No Photo To Prove It, Damn it.

2009-10-05T18:13:00.005-06:00

I always feel out of place when roaming the streets of a foreign city. My girls were running up ahead of J and I, as we strolled down a cobblestone sidewalk. Of course the foreign city had cobblestone walks, crooked iron fences at the entryway to homes right off the path, and wet grey architecture stole the view. Maybe there was an occasional tree swaying in the breeze. It was cloudy, but not raining. I can't quite remember what I was wearing that day I was strolling in London with my family. Oddly enough I wasn't caught up one bit in the nuances of my new bangs or how my ass looked in my jeans. All those silly things I would have normally stressed over considering the company I was about to join.

My daughters ran up the staircase first. There was an iron gate that we slipped through that opened into a gorgeous courtyard. The foliage was so lush I felt like we stepped out of London and into Tuscany. There were mosaics built into the grounds, stepping stones covered in moss, a fountain creating just the right background noise, and little sculptures appearing in the most perfect of places. I laughed to myself when I saw a tiny replica of the Birth of Venus sculpture under a blooming Hibiscus Bush. I've always had a thing for Botticelli's Birth of Venus and my heart felt at home seeing her here.

All of a sudden, the mood changed. My girls and husband began to venture off into the maze like courtyard while I was distracted by a view through a window. My nose pressed upon the cloudy vintage glass, as my breath was taken away by a sparkling turquoise indoor pool with the comfiest of lounge chairs around it. My eyes instantly honed in on a lone piano. There was a box with overflowing trash in between the pool and the piano, it looked like crumpled up paper from my view. It seemed out of place in this picturesque view.

Then our friend, or was he my friend, came walking into the room and sat on the piano stool. He had on black pants a simple white t-shirt and bare feet. On a whim he glanced up and noticed me, waved hello and ushered my down with his hand. For a moment I had one of those Molly Ringwald feelings from 16 Candles, I turned around and looked behind me. Then my hand rose to my chest and I mouthed, me? My friend nodded and I entered the antique chipping door that was just to the right of the window. The door was heavy, almost too heavy to move. Three stairs went up and just stopped into the wall. The staircase down briefly spiraled and then turned in a way making the width of the staircase feel smaller and smaller. I felt nervous, like I really wouldn't end up where I wanted to be.

Just like that I was sitting on a white couch, at the edge of the pool that looked out into a very long hallway, gorgeous white fabric curtains were cascading in the breeze. The light in the room felt like the most intense sunset I had ever laid my eyes upon. My friend was playing the piano. My friend was Chris Martin.

Before I knew it, I was sitting on his lap, his arms were to my sides and he was hitting some keys. We were conversing and joking around, catching up like old times. At one moment I tried to casually slip a photo of the two of us. I wanted to be nonchalant about it, but I was clearly a bit miffed when I flipped my phone around to see I had gotten a shot of the ceiling tiles instead. Great, I thought this moment is going to slip away and I won't have a picture to remember it.

I'm not quite sure where my husband and daughters were, maybe they were being entertained by Gwyneth, Apple, and Moses. But with nothing short of drool in the corner of my mouth, I awoke to a view of a humongous Cottonwood Tree out my window. I clearly wasn't in London, I was dreaming. What a spectacular dream indeed.

Now I'm left thinking, do you think 7pm is too early to hit the hay tonight....

Where Have I Been? The iPhone Trail Part2

2009-10-02T10:24:00.007-06:00

(simply click to enlarge)

I was surprised to see my First edition of Where Have I Been? was in August! I think uploading my iPhone photos once a month and taking a look at them as a collective is fun to do. Obviously I took way more then 28 photos, but these are the ones that made the cut this round.

Instead of list them by row, I'm going to start at the top and just talk about them!

After my post on Wednesday, I wanted to start anew and one of the things I had to do for that to happen was to throw away the remnants of a birthday cake. Our sock puppets turned out to be much more of a family fun activity than I anticipated, we even made a make shift puppet show. Maybe next round i'll share a photo that looks like a little inappropriate puppet action. A late night self portrait. Oh one of my favorites, a delivery of cupcakes from 90210, Sprinkles Bakery.

On 9/11, I took my girls to a local memorial, I feel lucky to have a place to gather and help educate the girls. My little helper, grocery shopping. The fruit fly epidemic and my trap! It worked wonders. Growing up I loved Fluff in my hot chocolate or peanut butter and Fluff sandwiches. When a girlfriend found it locally (it's made in New England) I ran off to buy a tub. Yum.

Lunch at the Kitchen when my hubby surprised us with a three day getaway during his 16 day trip. Oh, raspberry picking and a trip to Berry Patch Organic Farms, salsa verde amazingly fresh and delicious. A self portrait the day of my new haircut, bangs after 20 years, the photo looks weird to me. The wildfires in California made their way through the atmosphere and clouded our view of the mountains.

A beautiful vining flower at my daughter's school, nothing better than being surrounded by gardens at a school. A hotel room with a view, it looks like Florida or California to me, not Colorado. Class pets, two little guinea pigs my daughter's favorite. A sunset from the back of my car, we were watching an airshow!

Lunch again, this time at Sushi Tora with a couple of fabulous friends in town for a wedding, my girls love sushi. Breakfast in bed, enough said. A birthday treat at lunch, one of many, boy is my girl lucky! A close up of the birthday cupcakes I made to celebrate Sj's big day!

More cupcakes, 48 total, 24 strawberry and 24 vanilla with chocolate frosting, 100% from scratch. A birthday girl's bowling party! The streamer fairy always comes on the eve of a birthday, once again she graced us. Fruit kabobs for treats to celebrate with Sj's classmates, due to allergies fruit is the best way to go, healthy-portable-delicious!

Some Blue Dog art work up at Sj's school. A beautiful moment by myself on the trails in Boulder. My GL seizing the moment of playing with her big sister's new birthday toys while she's off at school, tee hee. And yes, I really did cover up my television and unplug it, I have to admit I didn't miss it until about 9pm!

Tomorrow is Another Day, No Tomorrow is THE Day...

2009-09-30T21:57:00.004-06:00

Lately I've been hmm, how shall I put this? Not quite myself. Well, maybe that's not the right way to say it. I've definitely been myself, holding down the fort, dealing with some surprises at SJ's new school, preparing for her big birthday, and making due trying to keep everything together while my hubby is intensely busy at work. While I could blather on and on about how it's so hard to be running the household solo for the last month or so, other things are just bothering me more.

Like what a shitty job I've been doing running my household.

Laundry is overflowing from the hamper, a polka dot sock is on the bathroom floor and it's mate is in the corner of the kitchen under the cabinet kickplate. There's a birthday cake sitting on the kitchen table with four slices taken from it, uncovered. It should be put away, but its not. I'm sure the sink and counter contains at least a dishwasher load of dishes. The dog hair has gathered in little clumps on the stairs. The kind of clumps that put me over the edge every single time I walk up the stairs.

And me, I'm not cleaning, I'm typing. Doo-dee-doo, in front of my computer.

I would love to pretend like the CHAOS that is my home doesn't exist, but that's not really possible at this point. I wonder how did this happen. When I see a shoe on the bathroom floor and it's mate under the dining room table, I wonder really? What in the world. I'm a mess.

I'm beyond excuses.

It's time to take back the house, take back myself. This shall come as no surprise that I have in the past month also put on a few pounds, I don't own a scale so I'll guesstimate 5 pounds. Odd. Cluttered house, cluttered body. Direct correlation in my book. I've been coping with baked goods lately, I even bought chips and dip. Baked chips for the record, doesn't that make consuming a pint of dip better if it's on baked chips? I've been really snacking, even late night which I rarely do. Today I had a chai, arnold palmer, and a beer. Three beverages that weren't water, when I'm more like the self I love to be, I drink water all day long and treat myself to a green tea with no sugar. I try not to snack and if I do it's a piece of fruit. I've suppressed my tendencies to live a cleaner lifestyle. That cleaner lifestyle that I love. Now, my habits are all rolled up into a nasty whirlwind that I need to snap out of, like yesterday.

The other day I thought it's almost the end of the month. Live it up. Enjoy the birthday celebrations that were unfolding throughout the week, soon enough my husband will be more present (well until the snow arrives). And I will be more present.

I've decided that October First will be my day to start anew. I'm putting a decorative cloth over the television and unplugging it. I'm waking up and putting on my shoes and lacing them up tight, I'm drinking an eight ounce glass of water with my bowl of oatmeal. I'm taking babysteps, but the best part is I'm going to forgive myself for slipping into an unsightly mess physically and behind closed doors this past month. I'm moving forward, embracing the work that is ahead of me.

Tomorrow is another day and I am happy to say, tomorrow is going to be the first day I start living like the person I know I can be. Oh don't worry, I'll keep you posted.

Birthday Cupcakes, Abound!

2009-09-28T10:55:00.005-06:00

This weekend we celebrated Sj's 6th Birthday! Even though I've been struggling to get through some days lately, I embraced the opportunity to bake for the party. A party with a dozen kids and what do I decide to bake, oh 4 dozen cupcakes. There are always siblings that drop by a party and parents, not to mention passing along a cupcake to a favorite neighbor. And then there's the baker's dozen in my house, which is not 13, but rather 11. Because this baker needs to always taste test one first.

I probably spent way too long Friday night mulling over recipes in cookbooks and online. I wasn't quite sure what flavor I wanted to make, then I had to decide on which recipe to go with. Billy's Bakery vanilla cupcakes that use the one bowl method or Magnolia's vanilla cupcakes that are just as wonderful in my opinion. Looks like New York City bakeries went neck and neck in the first round. I decided on Magnolia's vanilla cakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. Of course we had to go a bit untraditional for the second batch of cupcakes I made. Sj decided on Sprinkles' Strawberry Cupcakes and frosting! I felt content my favorite cupcake bakeries would be represented at the party, even if I couldn't walk into one of their shoppes, I would simply recreate their treats in my own kitchen.

To top off the baked treats, Sj also chose a design for her cupcakes to be decorated in. We found a great link to make "Mouse Cupcakes" on Martha's website. Of course, we decided to make them colorful with strawberry licorice, bold colored chocolate covered sunflower seeds, and Necco wafers. I was on a little wild goose chase hunting down all the necessary candy supplies, but really it's all a part of the fun.

Even though baking is a very sensitive process, especially at 5,400 feet here in Colorado, I love the rush of baking. I know the sound of my KitchenAid stand mixers motor at varying speeds, I don't have to look. I most prefer the hum of a number 4, not too fast but not too slow. I sometimes raise a weary eyebrow wondering if the batter turned out too loose or too thick, but seem to smile when I can anticipate it's just right spooning it into their little paper wrappers. I wait not so patiently until the timer beeps, wondering if the cupcakes will be a success or if I will peek through the oven window to find little caves have taken over the baked delights.
Saturday night, I baked to my heart's content. 48 cakes total in two batches, one strawberry and one vanilla. Luckily most cupcake recipes make a double batch so it's easy to get them done and baked in one safe swoop! Sunday morning I left for decorating and frosting. The cupcakes turned out wonderfully. I feel so content baking, through out the entire process. My usual everyday life stress, just melts away when I am surrounded by bags of flour, baking sugar, pounds of butter, fresh organic strawberries, measuring cups/spoons, and bowls with remnants of cake batter.

Although this weekend I realized pursuing cupcake baking on a retail level isn't something I see in my cards, even though I love to dream about it, I will always love baking. I love feeding others baked treats. Maybe I'll just insist to bring a cake to every party we are invited to. I don't think I can get enough of it.

Who's birthday is next...

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Want recipes? Try Martha's Favorite Cupcake Bakeries recipe section! Thanks Martha!