Stories

They've been pretty scarce around here, if by "here", we mean the blog. In real life, the stories are plentiful. There's the short story class I'm doing at Hugo House, the stacks and stacks of little stories that my photo prints are making these days, the obsessive story of a mix CD I just can't seem to finish, and of course, with Salinger's death, those few gorgeous devastating stories he wrote and actually let us read.

It was a pretty summer day the last time I picked up Nine Stories. I was happy in an unhappy way, on a picnic under trees with the water and birds of prey nearby. We walked back to the car under shade, and I hoped there would be so many more days like that, but there weren't.

I'm Now Totally Obsessed With Figure Skating

And also, still, this barn.

Edison Obsession

This was a late-afternoon double-exposure taken outside of Curator on New Year's. David had the windows all done up with stormy nautical things, so beautiful.

I'm obsessed with other things right now, too. I haven't made the list of things to do before I turn 39, so that's on my mind. I do have resolutions though, vaguely, at least. Ideas about cleaning out the closet, hanging art, making things, printing photos, etc. I have a good feeling about this year.

New

I'm back on the other blog, and clothes are off to the second hand shop, and shoes have been repaired, and things taken to the dry cleaner, and boxes hauled down from top shelves and sorted though. There's more to do, but the year is new and so are the resolutions. That's all good enough for now.

What Does This Have to Do With Anything?

Just dreaming. Bears in the sky, a blue moon, a new year, things we might make or where we might go. I know so many people who don't like resolutions, but I love them. They are more like chances, to me. I'll take them.

First Ice Skating Trip in Vermont

Thomas practically walked himself down to the pond - through two feet of snow.

Eugene has a serious discussion with Thomas regarding skating safety.

I am bundling back up before hitting the ice

Me and my boys! Hugging it out.

Finally on the ice with Thomas.

Back at home, the boys get a hold of our snow boots. Hysterical!

And the fake Christmas tree has them all excited for the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Cooking With Fire

Mmmmm... can you smell the basil?

As you know, a new part of my job is brand promotion and marketing for... well for a wine company. As part of the process of becoming at least remotely expert enough to discuss wine without sounding like either a pompous ass or a complete idiot, I have been attending wine classes here.

It is a fantastic opportunity, and the classes are much more academic and rigorous than you would think. There is lots of reading (Kabinett? Auslese? Trockenbeerenauslese? This week was heavy on the German) questions, and intimidating commentary about the industry.

And yes, when we do taste, we spit.

Since the class is at ten AM on Monday it's for the best, really. Plus, not all of the wine is too my liking. Some of it is interesting, in that it has a flavour that I have never experienced before, and some of it probably shouldn't be tasted without some sort of food accompaniment.

I don't count the water crackers as food, by the way.

Some of it I just downright don't like - though I think that may be as much the fault of the people selecting the wine as it is the actually varietal. For instance, we had a Spanish cava this week that was god-awful, but I have had some wonderful and very inexpensive cavas. This one, for example.

If you want champagne - errrr... I mean sparkling wine - on a beer budget, this is the wine for you!

It has really opened up my mind to trying a lot of different things, things that challenge what I think I would normally like. Happily this has extended itself to my kitchen. I am finally finding the motivation to get more experimental in the kitchen again.

And I really like it.

My shopping is limited to Fresh Direct, for the most part, but I have the space for a well-stocked pantry, so I am trying to take advantage of all the spices and whatnot I have floating around.

Mom sent us some amazing jam so this week I made a pork loin roasted and glazed with her jam and red pepper. I don't think that I am exaggerating to say it was pretty phenominal.

Just ask Eugene. Really! Just ask!

Maybe it is just the nature of getting in touch with my palate, that I want other things to taste just as interesting as the wine does. I have a long way to go before I can be regarded as anything approaching expert - this is one of those situations where the more you learn, the more you realize that you know nothing. Nothing!

In the meantime, tonight, it's shrimp with mushrooms and basil (we're growing it in the apartment) with lemon, olive oil and organic fussilli. And an Orvieto I've never tried before for accompaniment.

Wanna come over?

Just A Little

Somewhere among my possessions there are three rolls of film from the Diana, ready to be taken in for developing. Sunday there's a writing deadline that I am wholly unprepared for. But the holiday party shoes will arrive on time and a photo I forgot I put into the desktop rotation totally made my day.

Will I Ever Blog Again?

I can see why you'd ask that. Not that I know the answer, but at least you have a new photo to look at now.

You can't really limit this much cuteness to one day

For Halloween this year, we decided to depart the usual realm of cute animal costumes and go for something a little more intergalactic.

When we (and by 'we' I mean 'I') decided to dress the boys as Darth Vader and Yoda for Halloween, a number of people asked me how I decided which twin was Yoda and which was Darth Vader.

It was easy, and I think that when you see the photos, you'll know why.

YODA: Come here often do you?
DV: Leave me alone!

YODA: Alone, I will leave you. Hrmmmm.

DV: I'm ready for you! Wait, why does your saber light up like that? That's not right! I should have a saber that lights up like that. Mommmmmmy!

DV: I'm going to conquer the force in my own way. One popper at a time.

YODA: Wise this singing man is.

DV: I want more lemonade. Why didn't the Applebees waitress give me lemonade? Don't I deserve lemonade? Mommmmmm!

YODA: Drink my water I will. Hrmmmmm.

DV: Why are my Imperial Slaves being so nice to Yoda?
Yoda: Nice these people are, bite them I will not.

Yoda: Strong in the force are you, little Ada!


DV: Where is my helmet? I will wear this hat until I find my helmet.
YODA: Hat looks silly, it does.

YODA: CARS! CARS! CARS!

DV: Finally, a ship worthy of my skills

YODA: To home take me please. Need a clean diaper, I do.

DV: You can't control me! Oh wait, I'm stuck on your shoulders. Mommmmy!

The photos were taken at: our building Halloween party, playgroup Halloween party, Applebees after visiting my office, and at HK and Thor's Halloween party

I found just the right thing

First, Happy Birthday Heavder! I can't wait to see you in Napa this weekend! So fun! So fun!

Anyways, I just want you to rest assured that I found just the right thing for you.

xoxo
A

Off Again

Kate and I are headed down to Santa Monica for a swanky weekend in the sun. My life is too good these days. I'm bringing multiple toy cameras and about a dozen rolls of film, but I was looking through old photos and it got me missing my digital camera for a change. Dropped it on the deck in Napa and it just hasn't been the same since. Oops! That trip had two camera casualties, but was totally worth it. Can't wait to go back for my birthday next week!

Napa Was Mad Glam

I Had No Idea How Badly I Would Need To Leave

But it did turn out that way. So thank god for the green and white shoes. They might have to go with me again.

Boyville

When the boys were born, I am ashamed to say that my first word were 'I. Am. So. Screwed.'

This was because when I was pregnant we didn't know what sex they were, and as soon as we knew they were boys, my life flashed before my very eyes.

It was a life full of snowmobiles, ATVs and tractors.

Only 18 months old, and already the fun has begun.





This weekend we are celebrating Eugene's birthday in Vermont and I predict more tractor hijinx. We'll be saving the karate and Star Wars for later.

Aftermath

So, because you asked for it and I am too wiped from the week to write anything remotely pithy... here is the follow up video to our earlier twin battle royal. Don't I sound just like mom? I mean, um, a mom?

Happy Birthday P.S.!!

Hey guess whose birthday is today? Allison's!! Lurkers, er, I mean, quiet readers, are highly encouraged to leave a comment saying happy birthday. Without her, I would never have written my share of the 914 posts we have created here, and for that and many other things, I am very grateful.

So glad I got to see you just the other day, puppy! It was so fun, just like always. Can't wait to see you again. XOXOXO H

More and Elsewhere

More photos from the water park!

The writing week was so great, lots of stuff rattling around in my brain right now. Gonna take a break from the words here for a bit, but there are lots of photos, so check me out here.

More Scenes from South Dakota

Well, obviously the old tyme picture you posted was the piece d' resistance, but I thought perhaps I would share a few of or more... domestic shots from the trip.

I love this photo because it looks like Grandma Ellen and the boys are running all over the house together. Not that they didn't love her, but I think they were really just stalking her for her walker. They had a lot of fun with the walker.

Out to dinner... the boys look so mild mannered, but you know what hellions they really were - spilling the water all over the place, dropping food on the floor, playing with knives. Oh wait, maybe I shouldn't have included that last part. But they were only butter knives, right? I didn't give them any steak knives!

The rest of the table - I wish I had gotten you in this shot with your cute dress. Or that I had taken a picture of you on the porch of the restaurant in that dress with the boys. That is the perfect picture from that evening, unfortunately it only lives in my head.

Grandma Lucia chasing Max on the streets of Deadwood. This is how I spend most of my free time - chasing the babies!


Thomas, enjoying lunch out in Deadwood. This is before we got the overcooked chicken. I think he liked the fries, though.

When we got home from Deadwood and the boys needed to cool off. Notice how Max is shying away from Thomas wielding the hose. He knows a dangerous situation when he sees it.

Yup, Thomas loves some good hose time.


At the water park. Another occasion where I wish I had taken more photos. But I find that when you have two toddlers and that much water around, taking photos is kind of the last thing on your mind.

Even if Auntie Heather is looking all smokin' in her bikini. That would have been a GREAT picture!


Packing up Sunday morning. Thomas enjoying my Oil of Olay, while Max gets some love from Grandpa Gary for Mr. Kitty.

We don't really pack them in the suitcase... at least not until they are two and we have to buy airplane tickets for them.

Getting read to by Auntie Heather. Love The Fur Family. Even if it is a little bit creepy. Margaret Wise Brown is the bomb!


Obviously, you are admiring his large head and adorable golden curls. Right?


Our attempt at a portrait with Grandpa. There were actually some more 'successful' ones. But I think this one says it all.

Finally, a picture with Grandma Ellen. I love it that she is looking at them in such a sweet way. The photos in this series have some of the happiest expressions I have ever seen on her face.