Oh Like You've Never...

I don't go shoe shopping. I just buy them where I work. Utility shoes, mostly, with rubber soles. I sometimes go into The Walking Store and drop some cash on the latest Dansko's. They are expensive, but really good if you stand on your feet for a long time. But today I went shoe shopping, sister!!!

You see, there's this big fancy wedding on Saturday that I am attending. My sweet old babysitter. Well, by no means old, but former babysitter, I should say. She is getting married on Saturday in Boston with all of the trimmings - trolley, old church and waterside reception. So I have to pull it all out if you know what I mean!

And, boy, have I. Pedicures and eyebrow waxing and undergarments (I bow to you, Lady Grace, & now I understand how those full-figured Kardashian girls make it all happen) and new dress from Macy's and sweet cardy from J Crew to go over the dress and that brings me full circle to the shoes. It was raining, I had a moment to myself, and everything in the DSW shoe store was tempting like candy. The only thing that prevented me from owning half the company was the thought of my 8 year old coming home to an empty house.

Honestly, for reals? I still think I need a pair for the dress. Oh my.

The Cowboys Have My Vote!

Oh how I love Jet & Cord, cowboy brothers on the Amazing Race. They should travel around the country teaching people to stop whining. They are no-nonsense guys who take on these crazy challenges, tasks, detours, weather hardships on every leg of the race and still come out smiling.

These roadblock-beating brothers stay the course and in the meantime have won me over with their honesty, charm and just gosh-darned stick-to-it-ness.
The are as American as the Red, White & Blue.
Go Jet! Go Cord!

A Gourmet Korean Dinner

We were invited by our friends to join them for a gourmet dinner that they had won at a fundraising auction. We certainly had no idea what to expect, but we joined their family at the hosts home. The wife (and fabulous chef) is Korean and treated us to an amazing assortment of dishes. Her sister helped her prepare all of the food.

Appetizers such as shrimp and pineapple and homemade sushi were served while the boys played a game on the rug.

The table was so beautiful we hated to dirty the dishes!

But fill our plates, we did. I can't begin to say exactly what we ate, but it was all marvelous.

Lots of vegetables, some rice and noodles, some pickled items and even the fried seaweed was tried by all. It was a wonderful, someone exotic, experience and I was proud of all of the kids who were not afraid at all to try new things.

Scenes from a spring afternoon

I am loving my new Olympus digi camera with 30x zoom lens. Here are some backyard friends visiting this afternoon. Little chippy has found a perfect perch.

Mrs. Cardinal. At least she's got some lipstick and rouge on.

Mr. Cardinal. Oh you think you are all that...

some other unidentified friends. Chickadees? I always thought morning was a big feeding time but around here, late afternoon is abuzz with activity.

Having technical difficulties...

with new camera and it's relationship to Picasa! Will return shortly ; )

Lady Gaga Jokes

1. How do you wake Lady Gaga up?

Poke her face.

2. How do you entertain Lady Gaga?

Just dance.

(credit to my 8 year's classmate, Michael)

some cooking, some planning, some seating...

I got a nice deal on outdoor seating on "craigslist" this girl's favorite bargain shopping site. Thanks to my brother, Andy, who happened to be available with a friend's truck to help me haul...
looks good on the deck, right?

thinking it's time for a doggie fence for our lab. The driveway to the right is "not" ours, so we are a stone's throw from the neighbors. Tight spot. It will be nice to let him sniff around in the yard and not worry. Very, very nice.

and not to brag on myself (well, ok, totally bragging that my kids' prefer mine over the local pizzeria), but I have finally mastered the art of the homemade pizza. It's all about the stone!!! The crust will never crisp properly on a cookie sheet and the stone has to be put in a 450 degree oven for at least 20 minutes to get all hot and bothered. Put down a little corn meal, roll out the dough, get some good sauce, some mozzarella and cheddar cheese, veggie or a little pepperoni and off you go!

Also...cook it a little longer than you think you have to. Wait until the top of the pizza is a little brown. Just be careful because word will get out and you'll be in the kitchen all night. Not that I'm complaining...I cook for compliments.

Ladies and Germs...

Please let me introduce to you the newest tap dancing sensation...out of retirement after 30 years...well, it's what a girl can dream of anyway! I started a tap class yesterday. My son takes hip-hop and has the greatest teacher and she was offering an adult tap class and so I just decided to sign up. It was more fun than a barrel full of monkeys although I admit to sneaking a peek or two at the clock when I felt especially winded. But already looking forward to next Tuesday! Fa-lap ball change, fa-lap ball change...