. caught me off guard

As you can see, I was so inspired by song that I forgot to put my shirt on while I sang nursery rhymes to the children. But I remembered my eyeliner...

Well, not really. But I do wish I could play an instrument well. Can you? If so, what kind. I am so envious, and while I know it is not too late, I do believe it is a lot easier when you are young and have parents threatening to not let you eat or watch American Idol until you practice. Or so I've heard.

(image Chanel, duh.)

.friday

Off to the Big Apple for a few days where I shall mix business and pleasure. I am taking my baby girl(13, not so baby, anymore). She used to beg for a view of F.A.O. Schwartz on these trips. Now the view she craves is Top Shop. Things change WAY too quickly. Those of you with little ones, when you fall into bed exhausted at night, try and remember these are moments. Before you know it they will be taller than you and negotiating for the window seat, only one of which you can control.

xoxoxox

g.

.gourmet is alive...just different!

The scene is familiar. It could be "anyplace" USA, but it is at my house.....again. Six people enter a car, two humans, four teenagers, in a quest for dinner out. I am thrilled. The rest, not so much. I drive, possibly gaining an extra ounce of control within the group. I look around, hardly able to contain the large, giddy smile on my face. Whetting my palate, and realizing no matter where we go there will not be 4,994 dishes when I finish, my smile expands. I suggest Chinese, something I don't cook often at home, something for everyone. I think. The whining is almost immediate. "I don't want to go there! It's so crowded. I hate it. We went there just last week." Deep breathe, I remind myself as I attempt to calm my husband after his outbreak. I hesitantly turn around and ask for suggestions from four people for whom debate and general disdain could be an Olympic sport. As the screaming and arguing ensue, I must have become dizzy, because I throw out my weakest and least effective threat-WE ARE GOING HOME AND YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN DINNER. They are thrilled. "Three cans of beefaroni and a coke is the dinner of champions" claims my 15 year old son. The girls will scarf down a bowl of cereal and have more time on facebook before computer curfew. Life is good.

That's part of the problem. When I was a kid, going out was something that happened when dad got a bonus...and it was to Long John Silver. I squealed in delight the day before and actually brushed my teeth to go. No complaints. The excitement of going out anywhere lasted long after, and mom glowed because, as I now know, the reward was truly all hers. Now going out to dinner is more commonplace and not such a luxury.

I cook and I really enjoy it. I prefer, most nights, to eat at home. And though we eat most meals as a family, feeding people with different schedules and taste buds can be a challenge. I KNOW it can be done, and believe me, I have used the line thisiswhatwearehaving a thousand times after seeing eyes roll because chicken was coming to the table. But I am bored, too. Don't want to go out, to expensive and a hassle, and bored with what I am making staying in, too. I need some new recipes, that are relatively fast, and send new life into my kitchen. Do you? Awesome. I knew it!

Gourmet is back ladies, it is just being published by us! What if we all sign up and offer a spiffy recipe that will thrill and excite those who have never seen it? Simple and tasty, but new, and most important, recipes tried and true by normal people. While I do love cooking mags, it is mostly the pictures as my heart often sinks by the fourth ingredient. I find my favorite recipes are from family and friends. And while I love the thought of mastering the art of french cooking, I would just as soon master the art of cooking itself. Also, with people literally around the globe in the blogsphere, how cool to share?

Are you in? Don't be shy. It is not like we will blame you if it stinks. But we will love you if it keeps people at the table with a smile. I think I will start next week with a 10 minute recipe I make that is shockingly easy and good. I am only giving it to you because you do not live in my zip code. Truly.

Does this idea whet your appetite? Questions? Email me to sign up and I will post the recipes weekly, monthly, whatever. We will play it by ear. It'll be fun. Stop whining.

(image via Sunday Suppers)

.foot fetish?

I am attracted to photographs of feet. Sometimes one person, often two. Sometimes inside, often outdoors. These shots always make me want to know more. Isn't it quite the talent that can tell a story with feet?

.I have to ask....

I have to ask. Have you ever given any thought to the word verification letters that appear when you comment on a blog? You can tell me. Logically, I realize that these verification letters are randomly, computer generated. But the bizarre thing is sometimes the letters form words at the most appropriate moments. 

Note: It will be of no surprise to anyone in my home that something so random would peak my interest, but if you are scared, stop reading now. 

Example. A few weeks ago, my youngest daughter and I were having a heated discussion regarding her ripped jean skirt from Abercrombie and Fitch, appropriately priced at around $6000.00. I explained my thoughts on the lack of length, she screamed hers back in return.  At the time of our debate, I had been visiting the lovely Spain Daily and I was happy. Not so much now. I was trying to shake it off and get back to Spain when I noticed the word verification for my comment was waiting for me to type and post. The letters were stopma. Huh? Stopma. As in Stop Ma, this skirts is fine? Random letters, right? Had to be.

On I went to another favorite blog, the yummy StyleRedux. The beautiful images made me smile again, but the word verification caused a different reaction: dropitol. Yikes!  Drop it all? What normally seemed like eight random letters was now freaking me out! Was this word verif sequence a message from above-and not as in upstairs in my house.  Does Ma need to stop and drop it all? Maybe the piece of material masquerading as a skirt was not that awful? Should I lighten up? Was this a coincidence? Who is really picking these letters? 

Since that day I have paid special attention to what comes across my screen.  No more blatant messages, but it has been interesting all the same. Some letters make recognizable words. Socket, quest, state. Others, though not actual words in English, still get the point across: xsessess, chyper, woriess, pityu, enabl, or beachhous. Ok, I admit I made the last one up as a subliminal message to my husband, but the rest are as they appeared. And many, while not words at all, really should be: pristina, lazeday, maybso and lessalgo.  I could find a use for them. Here is a good sentence: "That girl was a total pristina in her horrid Abercrombie skirt".  Go figure. The word verification system has helped me with my daughter and expanded my vocabulary.  

Blogging clearly is a great use of my time.  

As for the message from above theory, who can ever know for sure.  But something is up. In the past two weeks alone I have seen: scrouued, asshi, hinee, forted, belchr, imagopoop, spastec, bressed, and my very favorite, morawn, Which makes one thing clear. If there is a random letter God spewing messages from above, he is a twelve year old boy...or Southern.

.seen, but not heard

I have been pondering....

This is a decor related question.  I have 9,564 books, maybe 9,565 even. There is no limit to the books I covet.  Love to read, browse, share...you get the picture. What I am not sure about though is books and design in the home. What do you think about objects, sometimes one, sometimes what seems like every accessory in a living room, placed as a decorative splash on top of books?  Does it say swanky, or does it say- don't even think of touching me. I want to be seen and not read. Do you think they are silently screaming get this %$#@ off of me? Should you decorate ON your books?

Thoughts please.....