View from the BeachTowel

And, oh what a view it was!



We're back from Mexico & although quite chillllly, very happy to be home.

Who's even happier? Iris, of course.


More later, I actually spent some time with my notebook this trip.

XO

Bringing Sexy Back

That was my response when a old friend asked if I needed my head checked when I told him about our motorcycle trip. Especially when he realized that we'd be covering well over 400 miles. "Cuz' we're 'Bringing Sexy Back', I explained".

Doesn't that sound like a good idea?


Jzboy had his own reasons for wanting to get his bike (& perhaps his wife?) going. But I had to find something flip - with an amusing catchphrase - to afford me some distance between my fear and my desire. Whatever works, right?

Once I put aside the images of crashes, fire, ambulances and paraplegia - I really got into it. It actually took less time than I'd imagined, maybe a half hour or so into the trip. In retrospect, I think that I was more concerned about Jzboy's safety than my own.

And, he was fine.

Surprisingly, I ended up feeling a lot safer than I ever thought I could. I think that my calm had to do with our finding a very quiet road to start our journey, riding as a group (you're much easier to see when there are three bikes vs. one), traveling with friends that embrace the importance of taking breaks, a partner that tells you earnestly that "the passenger is boss" (& that said "boss" is "precious cargo" to him) and the promise of winetasting and bountiful dining options at the end of the journey. Nice.

Here is kinda how we got there:


Highway 25 was beautiful and it seemed that we had the road to ourselves once we got past Pinnacles National Monument. The dusty, craggy hillside and one lane road made me forget that I was in California & gave me flashbacks of motocycle films I'd seen and panoramas I'd imagined as a backdrop for such an adventure. It was beautiful, meditative and humbling.

Jen & her Hubs were the inspiration for this trip. About a month ago, at their pre-pre baby shower/adoption referral announcement dinner they casually invited us to tag along with them on this trip. Both of them are wayyy experienced on the track and on the streets (uhm, yeah, Jen's cool like that) and the invite was just the right inspiration for Jzboy to resuscitate his beloved Yamaha Turbo. The Turbo is 25 years old! Uhm, yeah, Jzboy's cool like that!

(Guess which one of us was dreaming of hot cocoa and a nap?)

I was by far the luckiest of the bunch because all I had to do was kick it on the back of the bike & chill. It was a blast. I got to enjoy the wind through my ponytail, the scent of ripened strawberries in the Central California Fields in my nose, the invigorating chill of the fog as we set out on our journey (& as we made our final approach toward home), the familiar images of freshly turned farmland mixed with pungent manure, the dizzying rush of adrenaline, even the butterflies that were there at the start of the trip.

These multilayered sensations made me forget my initial trepidation as well as the stiff back and sore rear end that became souvenirs of the trip.

Totally worth it.

Taking a Deep Breath...

...and going for it.

I've got an Etsy shop! It took a bit of work loading pictures and mustering up some courage - but I did it!


You can see a preview of what I'm calling "Cafe Couture" to the right of the blog over there. Click on the blue link "buttercupbloom" to get to the shop.

Or click here....

I got the idea for the "java jackets" after roasting my fingers one too many times on a hot Americano. Over the past week, I've test-driven the design & love it. Got a lot of compliments, too. Cool thing about these little puppies are that they are made from %100 recycled materials - reduce, reuse, recycle baby! So much better for the enviornment (& for your style) than those cardboard thingys they hand out at the cafe.

C'mon over to the shop...
(Just promise not to tease me about the slightly cockeyed and fuzzy pictures, I'm an Etsy-Newby)

I ((Heart)) S. V.

Seeing the Suzanne Vega show Monday evening at the Fillmore was a lot like reuniting with an old friend. It was easy and comforting in just that way. Suzanne sounded great and was cheeky and thoughtful as she sang everything from Small Blue Thing to Gypsy to Caramel to just about everything on her new album. Good thing I love her new album so much. There is a real NY vibe to it - she even had an "I (heart) NY" mug that she sipped from onstage.

The Fillmore is such a small venue so we were really close and I was just mesmerized. Suzanne connected with the audience in an affectionate, teasing way - much more realistic and sincere than the other shows we've seen this year. Members of the crowd shouted suggestions of songs they wanted to hear - there are so many - and she teased back, playfully negotiating with the group. There were 2 encores - the final song being the Queen and the Soldier. A fitting tune, IMO, for a Veteran's Day evening. It was endearing and personal...and we drove home from the City feeling all warm and happy inside.

Can you believe that Suzanne Vega has a blog?? Click on this link to check it out!

This is a movie she posted of a tune from the new album - Beauty and Crime. The song is called Unbound. At the Fillmore show Suzanne explained that this song was about a plant that she once knew. Give it a listen, it is brilliant. If you are a fan (or even if you're not, but are looking for something fresh for your IPOD) check out her the album. I couldn't recommend enough.

Today Jzboy and I have been waiting in the LID-Line for 18 months. That is a year and a half. Here is Suzanne and her band on David Letterman singing - Anniversary. Even though I know that her song is about 9/11 - it felt appropriate in a way.

Not all anniversaries are sweet and romantic. Sometimes..."each year leaves its unresolving fantasies".

Wordless Wednesday....

Showin' Out

A little known fact about me is that I used cater weddings. Once I got a kitchen of my "own" (I lived in the dorms all 4 years of college) I learned the joy that is cooking for others. Many catering gigs kicked that inclination up a notch. I even spent the day before I got married cooking a huge pot of tomato corn chowder for all of our friends/family that were in town. Some people thought that I was nuts, but it was actually very relaxing.

Today I got the chance to tap into those mad catering skills as I offered to help with some food for my friend, Jen's, baby shower. Here is a before picture of my Crudite Platter:


Know what the big-ol' potatoey looking veg is on the cutting mat?? Jicama.

After:


Doesn't this make you want to eat your veggies??

The BabyGurl we were celebrating today, Ms. Amara, is in Ethiopia. Click on this link for a glimpse of her cuteness. Jen & Lionel are on a cloud. It is pretty awesome to see a really-real friend get her referral and celebrate big time. The party was fun and full of big love for the new parents. Cool.

Here is the gift that I made for Amara.


I wonder what she'll name her?

In other creative news, here is a Kitty that has been waiting to be finished up for nearly a year. Both the Teddy & Kitty have sat unstuffed, without faces for far too long. Now they are free to smirk!


This one is going to a dear friend's daughter who has had some difficult surgical proceedures in the past couple weeks. It has been rough on baby & parents. My heart goes out to them.

Finally, be sure that you go hug a Vet this weekend.


Hugs, Dad! XO

Wordless Wednesday....

If You're Into It

Guess what came out for sale todayyyyyyy??

Run don't walk to your local "bullseye" store to get your copy while it is still on sale! I got mine for $19.99!

Check here for more info on the series.

Listen below for a story about a Hiphopopotamus, his friend the Rhymneocerous and for some insight into why I love this wacky show...

Evidence of Vibrance

When you love color and the coming of Autumn - focusing on Vibrance during the month of November is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.


This amaryllis caught my eye on my way home from exercising earlier this week. The two emerging blooms are so wonderful to watch and remind me of my dear friend's recent news of TWINS!!!!


It doesn't hurt to have special visitors on their way. Brightly colored dishware filled my washer & chocolate pie chilled in the fridge in preparation of their trip.


Orangey fabrics inspired a teething bib project.



Its reversable & made to catch drool whilst looking cool.


Best part of all - having a wee girl here to play with said bowls/plates and to model new auntie fashions!


She also test-drove the freshly installed crib. Sweet.



Meanwhile....out in the garage....here's a special operation that Jzboy is working on. How cool is it that he's getting in on this Vibrance Project??


Looks like it might be time to dust off the helmets pretty soon. Oooo-eeee!

Just because this song has been going through my head ever since I decided on the title for this post - here is one of my fave tunes from Genesis. Evidence of Autumn. Looks like someone from YouTube put the song to some scenes from Autumn in New York with Winona Ryder and Richard Gere. Maybe the song was actually used in the movie, I don't know. Anyway, it serves a nice backdrop.

I know that there are some other Gen-Heads out there, for the rest of you, try it you might like it....

XO

Wordless Wednesday....

Struggling for Hope

I'm lucky.

I don't have to work on Fridays. My schedule entitles me to one less day of commuting and I am grateful for that. Lately I've taken to watching Oprah early on Friday before I get to my chores, shower, grocery list or workout. It has become one way that I transition from all the busy-ness/business of the past 4 days to the weekend.

Oprah has sure had some excellent shows recently. She's explored infertility issues a bit, talked about her own struggle with thyroid disregulation, interviewed people that identify as transgender and opened a very informative discussion about mens health. The show that I watched today (via DVR, of course) really gave me some food for thought. She interviewed Randy Pausch - a man with pancreatic cancer who gave a very poignant Last Lecture at Carnegie Mellon University this past September.

(Click here for a link to look at it if you'd like)

Mr. Pausch talked about his childhood dreams. He described one that took him 15 years to realize and spoke about the variety of "brick walls" that presented themselves along the way. The lesson he learned about those obstacles was that they were proof of how badly he wanted certain things for his life. He explained that, to him, the "brick walls" were not there to keep him out but a way to illustrate the wanting.

Now, I'm not a gal who gets all excited about the Power of Positive Thinking and that stuff. I prefer balancing honesty with hopefulness. I'm more about keeping it real. To me it is important to acknowledge when things are shitty and not talk someone (or myself) out of feeling their true feelings. I'm definitely not going to suggest to anyone "it could be worse...you could [fill in the blank]". I think that doing that sort of thing invalidates anothers reality.

I like Randy Pausch's description of the dartboard of life. He just happened to catch the dart called pancreatic cancer. Yes, that is life. His message is of encouragement to live life in the process of scaling "brick walls" and in spite of whatever darts one may catch along the way.

So, yeah, that was the part that resonated with me. Life isn't fair - but it is actually pretty good. Excellent, even. Sure we got hit with a couple of darts including a slo-mo adoption path. I'm not going to try to put a shine on it. It sucks. But, this is where we're at...and it is going to be another long year for us of waiting. I've let go of the illusion that if I hope hard enough Jzboy and I will travel to China before the Beijing Olympics. That just isn't going to happen. And, well, if I'm being honest....we actually may be looking at 2009.

My head hurts banging it against this:


Must remember that getting over this obstacle will lead to one of my lifelong dreams.


Today I will think about all the ways I intend to live life during this process. I will do my best to hold these intentions tightly as we enter into the holiday season - a time that tends to be very difficult for me. I'm thinking that if this guy with terminal cancer can find a way to live life in the face of such tragedy and embrace the last few months of his life with such tenacity and love - surely I can follow suit. My goal is to replace the stagnance with vibrance.

I am inspired.

But I tell you life is short
Be thankful because before you know
It will be over

Cause life is sweet
And life is also very short
Your life is sweet

Natalie Merchant/Life is Sweet

Two More Shows Scheduled on the Books

And amazing women to boot......

Tori Amos


And, Suzanne Vega



Couldn't feel luckier in the music department.

Nesting

It was a weekend good for sticking close to home - complete with Autumnal baking, meditative gardening, contemplative organizing of pictures and memories and breaking out of the Kenmore to put a bit of thread to fabric. It was good to be home. Very good.


The clouds in the sky were cute.


And blue skies made it easy for Jzboy to get up on the roof to tweak our antenna. My hero.

(Direct quote from Jzboy) "One of the perks of the East Bay is that we have a straight shot to the Sutro Tower in San Francisco. Which means perfect reception of ((free)) over-the-air HDTV broadcasts with an ordinary rooftop antenna...we are now at 100% signal strength". And, that my friends, means we can watch America's Top Model and Gossip Gurl w/o any static. Holla!


While up on the ladder, he realized that the gutters needed to be cleaned. I baked him some pumpkin bread as a reward!


Last weekend we took a deep breath and decided to go ahead and set up the crib that has been sitting in our garage for over a year. It needed a bit of dusting...cough, cough. Quite a bit, actually. Can you see Iris already getting in on the action?

I think that it was quite brave of us to finally make this move to be honest. Before the thought even crosses your mind...no, we are not part of the random group of April-Miracle-Referral-Receivers. Not that I'd broadcast such luckiness on this blog or anything. Heh. The main reason for busting out the crib is that my most excellent neice and sister will be visiting here in the next few weeks & it just seemed a very good thing to do. I must admit - it is kinda fun having it up.


Iris thinks so, too.


Gardening is so different in the Fall. Raking vs. weeding, pruning vs. planting, composting vs. seeding and ROSEHIPS vs. blooms.

Finally, my BIG project of the weekend!!


I finally completed the curtains for the baby2b's room. And, I love them. I really love them. They go so much better with the paint color that we chose and I'm just happier with the colors & style. The production involved with this pair was a lot harder than my first - but somehow I sorted it out and love the result.

Ta Daaah!!


Pic of closeup.


Allrightythen...I think that we're all ready for baby to visit. I even washed the crib sheets and the sippy cups...I think that makes us official now. Well, perhaps a bit of child proofing would be a good idea. Maybe next weekend.

Roasting

A good friend of mine, Atomic Mama, fellow seasonal cook/foodie was asking about recipes for butternut squash. After sharing my fave method of slow roasting with her - I had a craving for the winter veg that couldn't be beat without firing up the AGA. This was a great weekend to do some oven cooking which also included muffins and brownies. If you haven't tried cooking squash this way, maybe these pics will inspire....

So, you split a butternut in half & scoop out the seeds. Chop 2-4 cloves garlic (depending on your love of garlic & how big the squash is) and place 1/2 in each cavity - secure it in place with a sprig of rosemary. Drizzle oil in each cavity - and rub on flat surface. Generously salt/pepper.


Carefully place each half on cookie sheet, give exterior skin a nice olive oil rubdown - and salt/peppering. Pour about a 1/4 inch of water in the cookie sheet. This will add a bit of steam to the roasting process & keep your squash from drying out. (Can you see the bit of water in this pic?)


Place in 400 degree oven for about an hour. You should check in every now and then to see if you need to add more water. This is the look that you're going for - just roasty enough on the outside, a weensy bit caramelly on the pan and easily pierced by a knife. You'll love how the fragrance that this process creates will fill your kitchen.


Let cool a bit (& remove rosemary sprigs - they are quite pungent & have already added quite a bit of flavor) before scooping out the flesh. If you've properly babysat the water at the bottom of the pan & it hasn't burned too much - pour the caramelly roasting juices in with the scooped out squash-flesh.


Salt - Pepper - Butter to taste. Enjoy!

As an aside to the fine topic of Autumnal Roasting - Jzboy and I have logged in a whopping 17 months of baking in the LID cooker. Actually, I thought that it had been 18 months and had to go to the calendar and count. That is one way of knowing that you are in a timewarp.

Up-Beats

Hoo Boy! I realize that my last post was a serious bummer - Thursday was a banner-day of a commute & I was waxing frustrated. This week was actually pretty good with the exception of a bad cold and bad traffic. Here are some of the really, really! excellent things that made me smile this week.


My local AP friend (& former Secret Pal), Jen and her husband's referral news came this week! They are now the proud parents of a gorgeous baby girl from Ethiopia named Amara. I went to 6 different places Friday in search of a fine bottle of Tej...finally finding one in a random liquor store on Telegraph Avenue owned by a very nice man from Ethiopia. Now, I know where to find all manner of roots, goat meats, malt & incense - sweet!


I saw this movie & it was nice. There were some hilarious moments that got the whole theatre hootin' & hollerin'. Love that. Great strong woman vibe and positive message. Thumbs up.


The Genesis show on Tuesday was a dream come true. Phil Collins and Chester Thompson played an incredible Drum Duet that was mesmerizing. The band played some seriously old skool stuff (a couple that I didn't even recognize) and some stuff I could have lived without hearing (read: We Can't Dance). Oh well, nobodys perfect. It was a great evening and considering that we bought our tickets in March - we were more than stoked to have finally gotten to see them!

Getting carded at the Genesis Show was awesome, too. Yes, I kid you not.


Kneesock weather is upon us.


Two sick days from work enabled me to catch up on DVR'd Oprah. BTW, did anyone else see the Alexis Stewart (as in, Martha Stewart's Daughter) Infertility one? I wondered if Oprah would ever do an episode on IF - all these years that I've watched Oprah, and this was the first show I'd seen her cover the issue. I've always wondered about that. Anyway, since I'm musing, I wonder if she'll do an update on China Adoption as well - sure has changed a lot since her last foray into that topic.


Jzboy winterized our furnace - and I transitioned from cotton to flannel in the Duvet department. We're nice and cozy around here. Iris is happy about that, too! (Iris is actually sitting on the beginnings of a pillow case - the project got stalled out with our recently busy weekends).


It is knitting season & I finished TWO projects last week during my 2-day manditory training in Motivational Interviewing. A cozy, wee raspberry and an extremely soft earflap hat. The picture doesn't do the awesomeness of the colors justice, sorry (its #129, if you go to the link, btw).


Last but not least....Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back!



Happy Weekend, Y'all!