Kate's Point of View

Passing Judgement

2012-03-08T17:13:00.001-05:00

I am officially done with jury duty. When Wonder Boy handed me my jury summons, he expected me to be upset. Instead, I did a little dance. I feel like jury duty is my destiny. I have spent hours and hours preparing for this ... hours and hours sitting on my couch watching Law and Order, prepping for this very moment.

During these past two week, the City of Cincinnati did not put my years of studying to work. Instead I sat in a room with lots of other people on benches of chairs. To be fair, I think I've been preparing for that, too.

Annual overseas trips that include long layovers in airports have taught me that sitting around can be just fine if you are properly prepared. I read. I caught up on work email. I brought granola bars and fruit strips to keep me away from vending machines. I had my ever-present water bottle filled and next to me. You want me to sit around all day? No problem.

From conversations with friends and from observing my fellow jurors, I have gathered that most people don't like jury duty. Most people think I am strange for wanting to sit in on a case. Being judged by a jury of our peers is such an integral part of our legal system. In a political environment where people seem paranoid of any one person or group having too much power, I would think people would view being on a jury as an honor. This is our opportunity, my opportunity, to make sure that law is enforced as it has always been intended to be enforced. A chance to make sure no one person holds too much power over the accused.

If I ever find myself standing in a courthouse, accused of a crime, I hope to have my case argued to a jury of my peers rather than to one judge. It is what our forefathers intended for our country. It is what we all stand to benefit from. It is what is our duty to help continue.

Reptiles

2012-03-06T17:36:00.001-05:00

Wonder Boy claims that my specialty in gift giving is with experiential gifts. Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s a totally PG type of gift to give. A while back I got him a Segway tour and that was a hit. I’m always on the lookout for classes, tours, speaking events, etc. For our anniversary this year, I outdid myself. Well, I think so.

This past weekend, Wonder Boy and I took a backstage tour of the Reptile House at the Cincinnati Zoo. Awesome! We (and by we I mean Wonder Boy) got to hold snakes, we (me too!) got to pet turtles and lizards. I stood only 2-3 feet away from a rattlesnake while it rattled away. It was amazing!

We both got to hold these turtles. Their legs were so strong, which was in complete contrast
to how soft the skin on their necks was.

I could have chosen to do this... but no thank you.

A nightmare in a box. This container was filled with gross worm-y things for lizards to eat
and the entire contents of it never stopped moving. Blech!

This is one of the rattlesnakes we saw up close.

We both thought the tour was so awesome that we are now members of the Zoo. That way we can get deals on other tours, because I can assure you that we’ll be going on many more.

Before and After: Bathroom Remodel

2012-02-22T17:30:00.005-05:00

Last year we remodeled two bathrooms. Due to some issues with contractors and a very extended timeline, I lost focus on the rooms and have only added finishing touches in the last week or two. Here’s how one of the bathrooms turned out.

The Before
The bathroom was, at first glance, totally passable. We lived with it for 5 years. But there were definite issues that needed to be rectified.

Our starting point included:

Peel and stick tile
A textured ceiling that was looking very rough, no pun intended
Minimal insulation on the outside (as in facing the outside part of the house) wall
No ceiling fan, which when combined with a textured ceiling means a funky ceiling
A shower surround through which you could feel the crumbling walls beneath
A shower and bath that periodically leaked in such a way as to baffle all plumbers
Wall tile that was technically in okay shape but had seen better days
My favorite part: a desk lamp sitting on the medicine cabinet doing a very poor job of pretending to be a proper lighting fixture

Here are some Before photos. I don’t think the pictures do justice to how bad the room was.

The During
I’ve done my best to block out the time during the remodel but here are some shots of things midway.

The After
Our goal in improving the room was to create something clean and functional that maximized the small space. We had to gut the room in order to make some necessary improvements. This allowed us to properly insulate the room, recess the medicine cabinet and install a ceiling fan. Our improvements include:

We have a new vanity and modern sink and hardware
Adding some space to the room, we have a recessed medicine cabinet
One aspect of the old bathroom that I sincerely loved was the recessed tissue holder (It’s like being in a hotel!) so that made its way into the remodel
Our house was made in 1900 and there is a definite lacking of storage, so we put another cabinet above the toilet, but got one that maximized the space
We replaced the toilet with a dual flush one that sits high for tall folks
Our caulk-less bathtub and surround is hard and doesn’t leave bathers scared of what lies beneath and the shower / bathtub is free of all leaks
We tiled the walls in subway tile and went with an older style design for the floor
The biggest improvement is that above the medicine cabinet there is a proper light fixture – goodbye desk lamp!

Here are some pictures of the finished product. You'll notice I really didn't accessorize. I have some framed photos I've taken on the wall and that's about it, but I think it's enough for the small space.

This wasn’t a hugely dramatic remodel. As Wonder Boy says, one of our goals was simply to "not go totally insane during the process." (Fail.) We didn’t change layout or do any crazy design. But for a room used daily, the improvements were dramatic for us.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

2012-02-13T17:30:00.001-05:00

I listen to some people talk about their past in such detail that I’m envious. I remember the past like short movie clips that are only part of the whole. Certain things I remember as sensory experiences – the smell, the touch, the way it made me feel. Other things I remember as if I’m filming a scene and am removed from what actually occurred.

One thing I remember fondly from growing up is dance routines. My sisters and I, along with other kids on the street, would choreograph dance routines to our favorite songs. We’d get dressed up and perform for our parents, friends or a mirror. I think we just lip synched but maybe we sang along, too. If we sang, that would explain our small audiences.

I’m certain I did a very uninspired routine to Young MC’s Bust a Move. I suspect I got down to a little Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis and the News and some occasional Debbie Gibson. The music that most accompanied all of our dance routines was Whitney Houston. We had the albums Whitney Houston and Whitney on cassette and played them a lot. Those albums were packed with hits, with my personal favorite being I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me). Do you remember just how big that song was? How good?

When I learned that Whitney Houston passed away this past weekend, I was sad because she left a lot of people behind who have got to be struggling with losing her so young. Selfishly, I was also sad for the finality that gave to some of my memories. I know it doesn’t matter. I’m probably never going to do a dance routine again, and it’s even more unlikely that I would do a dance routine to some Whitney any time soon. But thinking back 25 years about dancing around my house never seemed that long ago. Now, with her gone, it solidifies the fact that my past is indeed past. But every time the opening notes of I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) come on the radio, you can be sure that I’ll turn it up and sing along. I won’t dance, but I’ll be remembering when Whitney inspired me to do so.

Here is a photo of my sister and I, along with a neighborhood friend, right before or after one of our dance routines. This picture is awesome for so many reasons. Do you see our make-up? We look like clowns. I loved that peach dress I’m wearing. The skirt was layered ruffles and I would pop the collar and accessorize with a turquoise-colored bead necklace. On the fireplace mantle behind us are a bunch of Lego creations my brother made – a house and a tower. My sister’s sock a and show choice is terrible but so much funnier since she’s also wearing a white anklet.

What I've Been Clicking On This Week

2012-02-11T07:52:00.000-05:00

I've been a lot busier than normal over the last few weeks. One the one hand, it's great because time flies and I feel really productive. On the other, I really miss downtime. Here's what I've still been managing to distract myself with:

Just in time for Valentine's Day, here is an easy craft you can try - felt heart bookmarks. I made two and they were pretty easy and definitely cute.
I read I Can Has Cheezburger every day. Not all of the posts are funny, but enough are that I stay loyal to the site. This post just made me laugh.
There is a new issue of Time Magazine coming out soon that I'm going to be checking out for sure, and think you should, too. It's all about animal friendships. Cute pictures guaranteed.
Guess what I got to say to Wonder Boy the other day? "Yoda Best!" I said it with this awesome card.
I was shopping online for some vintage-looking shoes and saw this horrendous bathing suit. The thing is, it's so bad that it's almost awesome. Almost.
Finally, I want to leave you all with a little rock. My dedication to The Features never wavers so I've been really excited to see them getting some good press. Their song was featured in an Asics commercial:

They were also in a recent Express campaign - both their music and the actual band members:

Hoola Hooping

2012-02-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

When I was younger I participated in a hoola hooping contest at a local water park. You know I was younger in this story because it wouldn’t occur to me to hoola hoop in a bathing suit now. I try to retain some amount of dignity. Anyway, I won the contest! My prize was a stuffed Yipes Stripes gum zebra.

This weekend I hung out with some friends and I was feeling pretty good. Someone pointed out a giant hoola hoop in their living room and said its what Beard and his wife use for exercise. What?!? I was, and am, so entertained by this for two reasons:

The image I have in my head of Beard hool hooping makes me laugh.
You can hoola hoop for exercise? Sign me up!

I was feeling good enough that I started hoola hooping right in the middle of their party and had a good ole time.

This particular hoola hoop was weighted, which is part of why it was good for exercise. Yesterday I ran right out and bought my very own hoola hoop. And last night I did a very strenuous workout of hoola hooping for 10 minutes while watching TV. I can only image what neighbors thought if they walked past our house and could see in the front window…

Biggie with my hoola hoop.

Stitches

2012-02-06T17:30:00.001-05:00

It’s taken me a few weeks to get started, but I’m making progress on my 100 list. I’m taking online sewing lessons through Home Ec Online.

My wants with sewing are pretty simple. I’d like to be able to make curtains, napkins and do basic alterations on clothing. I’ve done this stuff in the past but I was winging it and it showed. These online classes are great because each ones builds on the last so your skills accumulate over time.

For lesson number one I made a small drawstring gift bag. It was basically just a petite pillowcase before I added the drawstring, so I think I know how to make pillowcases now, too!

I’ve got many, many more classes to go before I can cross “Learn how to sew” off my 100 list, but at least I’ve started.

Some Things Make Everything Better

2012-01-31T19:05:00.000-05:00

In a funk? I have the cure. My mom got me an attachment for my Kitchen-Aid mixer a while back that lets me make ice cream. The stuff is the bomb. I don't know how you could eat it and not smile.

School Pictures, or Records of Terrible Hair

2012-01-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Another of my Memory Box finds was some sheet of paper with school pictures from every grade except fourth. I am AOK with that picture missing because that was by far my worst hair year. I distinctly remember being told on the playground that it looked like I had stuck my finger in a light socket.

Let's review:

Grade 1: Cute
Grade 2: This hairdo combined with the frilly dress is passable
Grade 3: What is with the top? My bangs are iffy but overall this is fine
Grade 4: Missing, thank goodness
Grade 5: Side mini-ponytail with a scrunchy and a top featuring the world's largest safety pins
Grade 6: Another side min-ponytail ... but I remember that vest and I thought it was awesome
Grade 7: There is nothing to say except Wow
Grade 8: My bangs are fierce but at least I've almost grown out the awful perm from grade 7

What I've Been Clicking On This Week

2012-01-28T00:26:00.000-05:00

This week has gone by in a blur, but I still found some time to distract myself online.

While I do have a storage container for my gift wrap supplies, my wrapping paper won't all fit in it so I have it all propped up inside my bedroom closet. It works fine when the paper is still shrink-wrapped, but once it's open... what a mess. Until now. Joy Astle shares a wonderful idea for keeping your wrapping paper organized and doing a little recycling at the same time.
My mom has a total green thumb and always has stuff growing at home. After seeing her work wonders with so many plants, I don't think this concept should have been new to me. Homemade Serenity shares tips on how to make food last. The tips are good in general, but the one for making your supply of green onions never run out is genius.
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. While major greetings card companies make a huge profit over the next few weeks, I'm more intrigued by what smaller card designers are producing. I wish this Awesome! card wasn't sold out or it would be mine. (It reminds me of How I Met Your Mother.) Totally not a Valentine's Day Card but I saw a birthday card interspersed with the holiday ones. I wish they didn't come in sets of 10 because I know my mom would get a kick out of this card. I didn't buy it, but I really like this I Freakin' Love You card because it's stitched and I just think that is awesome.
Infographics are getting a lot of attention online lately. There have been some great tongue-in-cheek ones created. I especially like these infographs that Book Riot posted featuring young adult heroines.
Last but not least, I want to point everyone to my friend Steve's new blog Citizen Pork. The blog is a photo journal of positive things and people in Cincinnati. His photography is really beautiful and I've loved seeing him tackle new subjects. His most recent post on the Save the Animals Foundation here in Cincinnati has some adorable pictures of animals and helps champion a cause I care deeply about.

Failing Religiously

2012-01-26T17:30:00.001-05:00

While I was digging through the Memory Box my parents recently gave me, I found all of my grade school report cards and copies of my standardized test results. I learned a few things about myself:

My grades weren’t nearly as good as I remembered.
I scored really well on standardized tests, which makes sense because I loved taking them.
Based on my test scores, I should have done much better in school.
A Catholic education might have been wasted on me.

The reason for that last point is my deplorable track record in religion classes. From second to eight grade (I went to public school for first grade), here are my grades in religion class:

In either grade I have a 6 by my grade. That indicates that I am not applying myself.

I still remember getting the D in the sixth grade. One of the primary ways my mom tried to get through to me wad “What would your grandma think?” Obviously, based on my grades, she would have thought I was a heathen.

Ronald the Turkey

2012-01-25T17:30:00.000-05:00

My parents recently gave me a memory box that had been left behind at their house. A memory box, for me and my siblings, is just a cardboard box filled with artifacts of our youth. There is no order to the things in each box and you never know what you’ll find.

I had lots of piece of art and writing in my memory box, which makes sense. All throughout growing up I was encouraged to pursue creative endeavors. After reading some of my old assignments and essays, I’m thinking I should have been encouraged to be a little happier. Check out this morbid piece of writing from when I eight.

Transcript:

Hi. I’m Ronald the turkey. I’m six. My sister Jenny’s three. Oh no Mr. Baker is coming with a hatchet. He’s coming for me. I wish I could fly! Oh no! Slice!

Resolved

2012-01-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

I’ve been mulling over my 100 list for the past few weeks, thinking about what I want to try and tackle this year. My new year’s resolutions, sort of.

I consider all concert goals as open action items. As in, if the person or group goes on tour, I will make my schedule open and take immediate action to buy tickets! From the rest, I wanted to choose about 5 things I can focus on. Right now, here’s where I’m at:

Play an instrument. A year ago Wonder Boy gifted me a banjo. My plan was to sign up for lessons after some house renovations were done. Little did I know that the renovations that were scheduled to take 6 weeks would take about 9 months! For Christmas this year, Wonder Boy got me a banjo lesson. I have no excuses!
Learn to sew. I found a really cool online course set that teaches sewing and helps you make things that are actually really cool.
Learn to ride the city bus. I am embarrassed by the fact that I live within a mile of downtown and about three houses down from a bus stop but have no idea at all for how to use the bus system.
Make pasta from scratch. I have given this several tries and always failed, with the exception of making spaetzle, which is so easy it barely counts. I have all of the necessary tools. I can succeed at this.
Watch all of the movies in the AFI 100 Movies list. I’m a little intimidated by the amount of movies on this list I haven’t seen (84!), but I think it would be a good task. There are so many pop and cultural references I miss out on because I haven’t seen some of the films. The big dilemma here is that it would mean watching Star Wars. Do I have it in me?
Because watching 84 movies in a year is a little daunting and would, I think, have a direct correlation with the growth of my behind, I have a back up goal of Meditation. I could use a little zen in my life.

WhatI've Been Clicking on This Week

2012-01-20T08:01:00.000-05:00

As always, the internet never fails to keep me entertained.

Just like when I saw the T-shirt with a flying squirrel on it and had to immediately buy it, when I spotted a guy in a commercial last night wearing a T-shirt adorned with an elephant wearing glasses, I found it online and ordered it right away.
Sticking with the squirrel theme, did you know that Anthropologie sells a squirrel tape dispenser? Awesome.
Animal Planet has a show called My Cat From Hell and it's ridiculously dumb but also pretty darn entertaining. I don't watch it all of the time, but when I do, I get to see things like this.
I have a little niece and haven't gotten enough time alone with her to do any photo shoots. Yet. Do you think I can convince he parents to let me do this? (Idea and photo from Piccsy.)
If I'm not allowed to take pictures of my niece like the one above, then I will just have to influence her in other ways.
Finally, I have a message just for you.

Giving in to the Ring

2012-01-19T17:34:00.000-05:00

I caved. I succumbed to peer pressure and an annoying curiosity. I watched Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.

Over the years, I’ve proudly announced to anyone who would listen that I have never seen any of the Star Wars films nor any of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I have no logic behind the Star Wars resistance except that it seems to really bug a lot of people. For Lord of the Rings, I actually had good reasoning. When I was in high school I read the Lord of the Rings series as well as The Hobbit and I loved them. I was transported into other worlds and I loved how Tolkien’s words translated into how I pictured the characters. Once you see a movie, it is my experience that any preconceptions you had for characters’ appearances and voices go out the window.

Several months ago I saw a preview for the movie version of “The Hobbit.” It looked so good! And, I realized that I had officially forgotten enough of the book that watching it might be okay. Furthermore, I had forgotten enough of the Lord of the Rings trilogy that watching the movies might be an option for me.

Several years ago – it will be four years come this February – I actually went to Hobbiton while on my honeymoon in New Zealand. Picture me during the tour of Hobbiton, surrounded by Lord of the Rings freaks and trying not to let on that I had no clue what anyone was talking about. Fortunately, the tour was actually pretty awesome. One thing our tour guide told us that really impressed me was the level of care Peter Jackson took to be true to the book. That was such a vote in his favor! There have been plenty of things I have avoided (Harry Potter) simply because I get so indignant over how people refer to the book versus the movie or to related books.

I’m digressing.

Wonder Boy and I watched Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. I am pretty sure this was a dream come true for Wonder Boy. Normally he has to watch his geek movies when I am otherwise occupied. Some reactions to the film:

It’s long. I think I got bed sores on my butt from sitting still for so long. But overall it was pretty good!
While I have certainly not sought it out, I know quite a bit about the Lord of the Rings movies. I did not know Orland Bloom was in them. He looks so different! Make-up job well done.
In part because I was able to watch the movie from the vantage point of having been in Hobbiton, I have such a huge respect for the movie trickery done in terms of making the actors all look such different heights.
I heart Ian McKellan.
I was distracted at several parts during the film thinking about the merchandising that must have occurred afterwards. You know people have replicas of that ring as their wedding bands.

Here’s the one additional takeaway I had. Seeing a much-hyped movie, a movie that some cult-like following, long after its release can be dangerous. I have been told by countless people how this movie is awesome. I think it was hyped up too much. I mean, I thought it was good, but not awesome.

Here are some photos of Wonder Boy and I in Hobbiton:

My reaction to going to Hobbiton.

Wonder Boy's reaction to visiting Hobbiton.

This is Hobbiton. The Hobbiton scenes were filmed on a farm and the family who owns the farm is allowed to maintain the structures but not the decorations and things from the movie, hence the white-washed buildings.

Wonder Boy and I in Bag End. We are clearly taller than Hobbits.

The tree from the party scene.

Motown

2012-01-11T16:31:00.001-05:00

Today I had the pleasure of touring the birthplace of Motown. I walked through the Motown Museum and saw all sorts of fabulous memorabilia. This should be a required stop for everyone visiting Detroit!

Enjoying Motor City

2012-01-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

I arrived in Detroit tonight, while the auto show is happening. Unfortunately I don't appreciate the cars. I do, however, like the view from my hotel room on the 43rd floor!

Feeling Forever Lazy

2012-01-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

I have long professed my love of the infomercial and I often come this close to ordering something before I regain my senses. Some items, though, are just too ridiculous. The most recent absurd item for I saw for sale? The Forever Lazy. Apparently this item has been on the market for a while. But it’s a new one for me.

The Forever Lazy is like a Snuggie taken to a whole new level of weird. It’s essentially a onesie for adults. To wear out in public. Whaaat? It’s like having little kid footed pajamas for adults (which would be awesome to sleep in) only the Forever Lazy isn’t full-footed. It comes with matching footies.

So all of this strikes me as silly but not a big deal. Certainly not worth commenting on. But wait! There’s more! The Forever Lazy is more convenient that most bodysuits you wear out in public because it contains both a front slot and a back flap to make things easier if you have to go to the bathroom. Whaaaaaat?

Scenario: You’re out tailgating before a football game (a situation the website for the Forever Lazy seems to suggest would be a perfect use for this product) and suddenly you stomach cramps up. You have a stomach virus. But you’re wearing your Forever Lazy. There is No Way At All for that situation to end well.

For entertainment only, I suggest you watch the promotional video for the Forever Lazy. I wouldn’t recommend getting one, unless, of course, you’re willing to send me a picture of yourself in it. I could always use a good laugh.

What I've Been Clicking On This Week

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

I got to spend several days after the holidays relaxing and it was glorious. I had time to read several books, see some movies and look at ridiculous things online.

I got some very exciting news this week and learned that one of my siblings got engaged to someone I absolutely love! Two siblings with upcoming nuptials! It makes some of the wedding things I've been seeing a little more interesting, like this packaging idea for some bridal gifts.
I've been overwhelmed lately by all of the great photography I've been seeing. National Geographic shared a picture of a beluga whale as one of the best pictures of 2011. I have to agree! Citizen Pork shared some information about the photographer Michael Wilson, who is a great Cincinnati treasure. Then I saw a stunning picture of NYC Grand Central Station - the light is amazing.
I love, love, love Thursdays on Design Sponge when the post there Before and Afters. So fun! One was posted this week of a facelift given to a dresser and the end result was wonderful.
A few days before Christmas, Rare Bird Finds posted a hysterical shirt with a flying squirrel on it. There are some things that take no thought. I saw it and knew Wonder Boy had to have it! Coincidentally, it arrived on the day we exchanged gifts!

Breaking Point

2012-01-02T10:15:00.001-05:00

The other day I went to the mall. I really don't like malls. The crowds. The people walking slow. Paying retail. But I needed some updates for my wardrobe, so I went.

I chose a different mall then the suburban hell one I normally go to and was grateful that it was less crowded. Unfortunately I didn't know it as well so I shopped for about an hour having to go to the bathroom the whole time.

When I headed home I still had to go to the bathroom but the drive would be short. No worries. Ha!

About 10 minutes into my 15 minute drive, traffic stopped. Like we all turned off our cars stopped. Like I got the book out of my trunk and was reading on the highway. I tried so hard to immerse myself in my book. I tried to distract myself from the bladder I knew was about to explode. No go.

I started plotting how I could pee. The side of the highway offered to place to hide. I had no container in my car in which to go. I needed to be creative.

In my trunk I had my shopping bags from the mall and a bunch of reusable grocery bags. I decided that I could pee into a plastic bag from the mall that was inside a reusable grocery bag for added security. This is how desperate I was.

I had everything set. I was seconds from putting my plan into motion. Not even that long. Then I saw the woman in the car behind me get out and I tried to act cool. She came to my car window.

"The high way is opening up," she tells me. (Do you think from her perch in her SUV she could see what I was about to do???)

Ten minutes later I got to use a real bathroom and it was fabulous.

Lessons learned? ALWAYS go to the bathroom if you need to go. You never know when your next chance might be.

My UN-IRONIC Love of Pop

2011-12-29T10:25:00.000-05:00

Was looking for something online and found this, which I love.

If Only I Could Pull Off Glasses This Cool

2011-12-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

When I go shopping for my nieces and nephews, I often wish I were still a kid. The toys are awesome. One find I was particularly ~~jealous of giving~~ proud to give away were some drinking glasses from the Container Store. The proud recipients were two of my nephews and my one cousin once removed by marriage (I looked that up but it sounds confusing ... my cousin-in-law's child). I know I've given a good gift when it starts to get used right away.

The look of concentration by the one, the look of pure joy by the other. I'm so proud.

Drinking in Style

2011-12-27T09:25:00.000-05:00

There is something about giving a mug as a gift that seems so generic. Right? And yet this year for Christmas, both of my sisters got mugs from me. Lame? I don't think so.

The older of the two (both are younger than me) is a die hard Lionel Richie fan. She is Super Fan Number One. So when I stumbled across a hand-painted Lionel Richie travel mug, I knew my sister had to have it. I'm pretty sure it was a hit.

I was a little sad that the hand-painted Lionel Richie teapot was out of stock. Hello? Is it tea you're looking for? Hysterical.

My other sister has a thing for men in uniform. I know lots of ladies feel the same, but I think my sister takes it to a new level. Once a bunch of us were hanging out at my parents house and Wonder Boy came over straight from work wearing medical scrubs. Now scrubs aren't exactly a uniform but pretty close. As soon as we saw him we all collectively agreed it would be bad when my sister spotted him. I don't know if it really turned out bad, per se, but she was very enthusiastic about his outfit. Anyway, when I saw a I Love Men in Uniform mug posted on Pinterest and immediately bought it.

So now my take on mugs is they are not lame as long as they are awesome.

I Have Seen the Light, And It Is Not Purple

2011-12-25T09:15:00.000-05:00

Wonder Boy and I have established this wonderful tradition of making jam every year with the grapes from our backyard. Depending on how much we make, we use it as Christmas gifts for some combination of family, friends and co-workers. Last year Wonder Boy and I made the same mistake we make every year by underestimating how long it takes to make and preserve jam. We spent many hot hours in our kitchen making that sticky, purple jam.

This year our grape yield was nil. (It could be because we have never really pruned our grape vines appropriately…) So Wonder Boy and I were panicked about how we could continue our tradition of homemade preserves.

This year we explored making something new. Apple Butter. It was such a better experience! It is so much easier to make than jam and yields so much more as an end result. We spent half as much time in the kitchen and have three times as many jars to show for it!

We used the Ball Blue Book apple butter recipe. I cannot recommend it enough!

The Flash

2011-12-24T15:40:00.000-05:00

I'm always searching for the perfect gift and ways to make a gift awesome. Chaos and Loving It suggested some Chuck Taylor's as a Christmas gift for her sons. As the proud owner of five pairs of converse, I jumped all over the idea. I partnered with my mother-in-law on the purchases and she got my youngest nephew a pair of the shoes. He loved them and kept calling them his house shows.

If I were five years old and got shoes as a gift, I'd think they were boooooring. So I improved upon the idea. (I didn't suggest add-ons for the younger nephew because, though I love him lots, I've seen him run and it's cute but not ... steady looking. He didn't need any flair added to his shoes that could impede balance.)

Via the Smallfly shop on Etsy I bought some lightning bolts.

I think these are awesome. And now my nephew can be super fast, just like The Flash.