March on into the Wednesday Hodgepodge-Vol 16

"A light exists in Spring

Not present in the year

at any other period

When March is scarcely here."

~Emily Dickinson

Welcome to the Hodgepodge...

add your link to the bottom of my post and enjoy reading what everyone else had to say today too...here are my answers-

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?

I love eggs and even tried "green eggs and ham" back when I was teaching kindergarten. Five year olds are all over anything involving food coloring. My preferred method of eating an egg is fried over medium however these days I almost always have them poached because cooking them this way doesn't require adding any fat.

Raise your hand if you're tired of thinking about how much fat/sodium/cholesterol is contained inside every single solitary food item you consume.

Raise your hand if you'd like to just dive head first into a chocolate cake right about now?

I can't be the only one can I?

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?

Where I live March is more like a fox than a lion...it's sly. We still have snow on the ground and it rained all day Monday which is very March like I think. We might get a taste of spring at the beginning of the month (so far we haven't) but just when you start to feel like spring might actually arrive BAM! more snow.

Never say never to snow in NJ during this cruelest of months.

I know T.S. Eliot says April is supposedly the cruelest month but in my book he should have gone with March.

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure.

I work better under pressure. I need deadlines, otherwise a little something called procrastination creeps in. I'm happier and more productive when I'm busy and have a few things on my daily and long term to-do list.

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us, is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

I'm a fan. I can pretty much get caught up in anything competitive, particularly at the collegiate level where there is still a measure of playing for the love of the game. I'm not a big fan of professional basketball. I think that's about the only sport I don't care to watch and I'll spare you a rant here about the off-court conduct of most professional basketball players. Not all, but most. Ugh.

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

Sitting with a cup of tea in my quiet sun room with the great outdoors just outside my windows.

Or walking. I try to walk everyday and I do some of my best thinking then.

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

Blue jeans, although judging from the past three months I might have to amend that answer and say my snow boots. They're giving my jeans a run for their money in the most worn category.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

I try not to. Sometimes it comes across as harsh and unkind so I'm mindful of that.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I ordered my first canvas print last week and am really happy with the finished product. I ordered it here and couldn't believe how quick the turnaround time was. We hung it in the back hallway and its the first thing you see as you hit the landing coming down the back stairs or when you come into the house thru the garage. fyi-we bring company thru the front door but we almost always come in thru the garage.

This picture was taken in a little medieval village known as Provins plunked down in the Champagne region of France. Fields of rape seed blooming as far as the eye can see is without a doubt one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. When I look at this picture I think of traveling with friends, sipping champagne, and the oh so beautiful French countryside.

Marching in to this week's Hodgepodge

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge...see you back here tomorrow to link our answers for all the world to see-

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this instead...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure?

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us-is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

7. Do you use sarcasm?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Post Party Post

Did you watch The Oscars last night?

Hubs and I managed to see almost all of the nominated movies this year which I think is a first. We missed Winter Bone and in fact I'd never heard of it until the awards rolled around.

And we skipped 127 hours because watching someone 'trapped' for that length of time would make me hyperventilate.

But we did watch the show last night and here are my thoughts in no particular order-

1. Natalie Portman is stunning.

2. Reese Witherspoon =adorable.

She looked a little bit like a Barbie Doll but in a good way.

3. I enjoyed the opening number...

they spoofed the nominated movies in a very clever way.

4. The hosts were eh.

5. But Anne Hathaway looks amazing in absolutely everything she wears.

How does she breathe in this one?

6. Some of the winners should just say thanks and move along Melissa Leo.

I loved her in The Fighter but dropping the big bad word in her acceptance speech at the Oscars was eww.

7. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis presented an award together.

I loved her dress but had no clue what all their banter was about.

I think I might be old.

8. Who knew Zachary Levi could sing?

9. Gwynneth Paltrow has really grown on me this year.

10. My pick for Best Picture was Best Picture...

if you haven't seen The King's Speech you should.

So, did you watch?

Did you have a favorite dress?

A least favorite dress?

Hollywood is so full of themselves sometimes I can hardly stand it.

But I enjoy going to the movies and I thought there were some really wonderful films last year.

And I do love beautiful clothes.

And its a rainy Monday morning here...

since I did my weekend recap yesterday what else is there to talk about today?

Pre-Oscar Party Post

Answer me this...

why are the weekends so ding dang short?

This one seemed to positively fly.

Although hubs said last weekend that he was through painting and wanted to hire out the rest of the work, guess what he did yesterday?

He painted.

Yay hubs!

Like I said, if he weren't so good at it and didn't work for cheap I might consider hiring someone, but until then he's my guy.

Saturday he spent the day painting daughter1's bedroom.

Technically daughter1 has her own apartment and bedroom several states away but that's neither here nor there.

This is her room when she's home and we chose a color called Khaki.

(Insert sound of daughter1 shrieking here)

She has never been a khaki kind of girl...

Guess what color she would have chosen?

We want warm neutrals in the bedrooms and her room

gets a lot of sun so it can handle a darker tone on the walls.

It turned out beautifully and I'd post a picture except we don't have the furniture put back.

We decided we're buying new for her room.

It's time.

I look at the sweet wicker dresser that has been in one daughter or the others bedroom since 1990 and its a little bit hard to let it go.

Until I inspect it more closely, and then I realize its past time.

Daughter1 would agree.

In other weekend news we went to a fun dinner party on Saturday evening where the main course was raclette.

Oh yum!

Have you ever had raclette?

It's a bit similar to a fondue party in that everyone cooks their own meal.

Instead of dipping into a pot you place your cheese under a special cooker that looks something like this one which is from Williams Sonoma-

The photo is from their website.

Can I do that?

I hope so.

If it helps, I love the store!

Anyway, once your cheese has melted into gooey deliciousness you scrape it off the dish and onto your plate which is covered in potatoes, vegetables, onions, pickles, and dried meats like salamis and sausages.

If you like cheese this meal will make you deliriously happy.

Raclette originated with the Swiss and you see Raclette restaurants dotted around many of the Swiss and French alpine towns and villages.

The traditional set up looks more like this-

The last time I had raclette it was eaten here-

in France...

Saturday night it was eaten in a NJ suburb but it was still a whole lotta fun.

Speaking of fun...

I brought dessert to the party so while hubs was painting yesterday I was baking.

I made an almond amaretto pound cake

and a plate of chocolate peanut butter truffles

I'd seen both recipes in recent issues of Southern Living and both are keepers.

And here it is, a brand new week and I'm already off on food tangents.

C'est la vie.

I must end this post tres rapidment as the Oscars are on and I need to see the clothes and the hair and the craziness that is Hollywood.

Hope your weekend was filled with food and family and fun too~

Five things on Friday

It's Friday and I was out on the town last night which means I'm too tired to get creative and am going with a list of all the swirly thoughts that are in my head this morning.

Well, not all of them.

You're welcome.

1. I was out on the town last night.

Did I already say that?

By 'out on the town' I mean I was back in NYC.

I was in a restaurant though, not a nightclub,

but that's pretty much what 'out on the town' means if we're talking about me.

Hubs had a dinner with some work colleagues and originally it was going to be just the work people but then spouses and significant others were added to the mix so I was included.

We met at his office and trekked back into the city for a fabulous meal at a wonderful Indian restaurant called Tamarind.

We used to eat Indian food at least once a week when we lived in the UK.

Sadly there is no Indian food in our little NJ town.

Boo.

Do you like Indian food?

When I ask people that question they usually have a yes or no response.

There's not a lot of middle ground on this one.

I love it and so do my girls and the hubs.

I like spicy but not nuclear.

Daughter1 is the same.

Daughter2 prefers hers more on the mild side.

Then there is hubs-

it's hard to make something too hot for my hubs.

He orders spicy with a side of chopped green chilies.

Owners of Indian restaurants seem to admire and appreciate this.

2. I see why NYC commuters are 'cranky'.

The traffic.

Holy moly!

We were chugging right along but as we approached the Lincoln Tunnel things began to slow.

And bottleneck.

And annoy.

About a mile from the tunnel our GPS informed us we would arrive at our destination at 6:08.

It was currently 5:56.

I thought, 'Wow-we're going to be so early.'

Ha.

The Lincoln Tunnel is a mile and a half long.

At 6:48 we were still not thru the tunnel.

Bother.

We were finally parked and walking into the restaurant about fifteen minutes prior to our 7:30 reservation.

I cannot imagine making the commute in and out of the city every.single.day.

Yet...several million people do...

and we should not wonder that it sometimes makes them 'cranky'.

3. It's raining here today.

Rain isn't snow.

But rain has to go somewhere and we are praying the gutters are defrosted enough to accommodate all the rain in the forecast.

There will also be winds.

High gale force winds.

What is a gale force anyway?

4. I'm going out to lunch today.

Sushi.

It's been World Cultures Week here as far as meals are concerned.

Have I talked about anything besides eating out on my blog this week?

I think not.

5. The lovely but not so sweet smelling pup will be having a bath while I'm out.

The back yard is covered in snow but she's found something to get into that is most definitely not snow.

And on that pleasant note I will end this post.

Have a great weekend everyone!

It was Grand

I spent yesterday with some friends in NYC.

We had plans to take the walking tour of Grand Central Terminal, plans which of course included a nice lunch out.

FYI- most of my plans include lunch out.

I'm thankful to have friends who don't mind driving into the city.

I could do it if pressed and I'd be fine I think up until we hit the squeeze play at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel which, in a split second, requires the exact correct proportion of patience and aggression.

The weather cooperated as much as we could hope for in February and although it was a ridiculous 20 something degrees when we headed out the sun was shining brightly and that makes all the difference in a day.

If you're in NYC I recommend the tour.

It's a self guided audio tour and the cost is $5 for adults which has to be one of the most reasonable things to do in all of NYC. The building itself is beautiful and full of so many wonderful bits of history, architecture and of course, food.

Grand Central Terminal was built in 1913 by shipping and railroad hotshot Cornelius Vanderbilt (not by himself, of course). The Vanderbilt symbol was the acorn and the oak leaf and you see both of those incorporated into different pieces throughout the building.

The terminal was nearly demolished back in the late sixties when rail travel became less popular and hundreds of homeless folks began making their home inside this ginormous building. Thankfully the terminal was saved, primarily thru the efforts of The Landmark Preservation Commission with a little help along the way from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Today it is positively hopping with over 700,000 people passing thru its doors every single day.

New York is just full of people, people.

The main terminal area with its massive ceiling and beautiful staircases is definitely worth a look. Windows dominate the room and are interesting...they're double sided and actually have walkways between the two panes of glass.

These chandeliers were almost tossed until someone had the bright idea to have them cleaned and it was discovered they were not brass but solid nickel topped with gold.

Ooops.

The staircases are marble and were designed to resemble the staircases in the Paris Opera House. Here we are standing on one trying to take a picture, and no of course we did not annoy any travelers who were trying to make their way in and out of the building.

Some of these ladies read my blog (hi girls!) and we're learning as much history and trivia as we can for the day we all end up together in Cash Cab.

Have you seen the show?

So fun!

Anyway, let's talk about something important.

Like food.

And celebrities.

Grand Central has five restaurants and lounges, a 'food court' and about fifty shops.

There is an absolutely fantastic food market in the station and we may have gotten slightly off track (Ha) when we walked by all the amazing cheeses and other goodies. The chandelier in the market is made to look like an olive tree but uses lights in place of olives.

A walk thru the food court is part of the tour and it's fun to see how they've incorporated pieces from old trains to give you the sense of sitting in a dining car while you're eating.

We didn't eat here but instead had a lovely lunch in one of the nicer restaurants that overlooks the main terminal -Charlie Palmers Metrazur.

What made this particular venue even better was the moment we discovered Larry David was sitting only about four tables from ours.

We spent much of the meal attempting to subtly take his picture.

I think you can probably imagine how subtle a table full of women can be when they spy someone famous but seriously, if those pesky people at the tables between us would have just taken the hint and scooched over I could have had a nice photo.

Instead I have this-

That's him, or rather part of his head and shoulder, in the back right. For those who don't know, Larry David is the co-creator of Seinfeld and also has his own show on HBO called Curb Your Enthusiasm.

As he got up to leave a few of us may have decided we needed to go to the restroom at that exact moment. We all came face to face as he exited the men's room but something about taking a picture in that moment just didn't feel right so I put the camera away.

Besides, we had other celebs to stalk see so we needed to move on.

An event happened to be taking place in the terminal that afternoon, an Oscar tribute of sorts. You could have your picture taken with this year's Best Actor Oscar statuette.

We weren't really interested in doing that but we'd learned earlier in the day that Whoopi Goldberg was going to be there so we hung around for a look.

At first we couldn't see much more than the top of her head but we arrived at a good time because before long she was escorted out...right in front of us-

Naturally I was fumbling with my camera and she stopped and said, 'Did you get it?' Unexpectedly gracious I thought.

Why is it so much fun to see someone famous?

I can't explain it...it just is.

After all the excitement it was time to head home... back to the 'burbs and the snow and the pulling dinner out of the freezer because you neglected to do so in the morning...back to your regularly scheduled programming.

A day in the city did make for an awfully nice and much needed commercial break though, for these very real (but way more fun) housewives of NJ.

Conveniently its the Wednesday Hodgepodge-Vol 15

Welcome to this week's edition of Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Link your post at the bottom of this one and then add the button or a link back here to your own blog so the party goers can find us.

Here we go-

1. Did you know there is a national day of pretty much everything in the universe? Feb 23rd happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced?

My answer is long and it will inconvenience you to read it but you should read it anyway-

Two weekends ago hubs and I purchased a floor lamp in a mall just over half an hour from our house. We got it all the way home and knew right away it was wrong for the space. Why don't I carry pictures of my house on my phone? Hubs wants to know the answer to that too. Anyway, I had to return it and and the box was heavy and awkward and that much too long and that much too wide so I couldn't carry it under my arm. I lugged it thru the parking lot and down a set of stairs and then pushed it thru the mall for what felt like miles. Upon arriving at the shop I realized I didn't have the card we'd used to pay so I had to call hubs who was not answering his mobile. This meant I had to phone him at work to get the card number but for some reason I had his UK office number in my phone instead of his NJ office. Why??? Who knows? Maybe its because I'm so organized and on top of things.

Anyway, I phoned Daughter1 who didn't answer and then phoned Daughter2 who had to hang up and look in her phone and in the end it didn't matter because when I finally dialed hubs office he of course he was in a meeting and wasn't answering. The saleslady proceeded to give me a store credit but just as she finished entering all the info and swiping a gift card hubs got one of my fifteen messages and called me back. His first words were-'Are you okay?' I think my inconvenience was showing. At this point the very nice sales lady tore up the store credit and put it on our card as we originally wanted and alls well that ends well, right?

2. When a room in your house needs painting, who does the job?

We've used professional painters here and there thru the years but few are the perfectionist type that my hubs is...which explains why he is my painter of choice. Sadly he does not enjoy painting.

Maybe he should not be so good at it.

3. Are you friends with your cousins?

I think of them with much fondness but I've really never lived close enough to any of my cousins for us to be the kind of friends who hang out and do things together. I have happy memories of earlier days and times spent with cousins on my grandparents Colorado farm.

This picture is screaming for a caption, don't you think?

I'm the one on the right wearing red tennis shoes and a pout and that's my baby sister, front and center. My brother is behind me and the other two boys are honest to goodness cousins. The two men in the photo are my Grandpa the farmer and one of my uncles. Not sure why he has his shirt unbuttoned but maybe it was hot? Or maybe he was cool? Ha.

This past year one of my cousins 'found me' on facebook and I've loved catching up on her life and her sibling's lives too. We've all been so spread out as adults but it would be fun to have a family get together and reconnect everyone. In this sense facebook has been a blessing.

4. Do you use an alarm clock-if yes, is it an actual alarm, music or something else?

Yes and its set to music. Although I'm pretty much always awake by 5 or 6 we still set an alarm. The paranoid side of me knows the day I don't will be the day I sleep til noon.

5. What do you put ketchup on?

Not much. I like it combined with brown sugar on top of meatloaf. Sometimes I'll dunk a fry in ketchup, but not always. And of course fries are on the do not indulge list so that doesn't happen often. I'll eat a hamburger with ketchup on it but I don't put ketchup on mine if given the choice. Here is something people find odd...when I was a girl my sisters and I used to put ketchup on white rice. Was that odd? I guess maybe it was.

6. What smells make you nostalgic?

Lots of them but the first ones that come to mind are the smells I associate with summer camp. I can be walking thru the woods, smell a fire burning, or catch the salty Chesapeake Bay on a breeze and I am taken back to the days I spent as camper and counselor in a quiet Maryland town. Those scents conjure up some of the happiest memories I have of my growing up years ( I wrote about them here).

7. Did you hear about the high school English teacher recently suspended for some things she wrote on her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents.

What are your thoughts-if you're a parent is your child's teacher online and are you a 'friend' or 'follower' there? If you're a teacher are you on facebook and do you accept or friend students there? How about their parents? If you're a student are you friends with your current or former teachers online? Do any of them have blogs you read? If you're a teacher or a parent do you ever use your blog as a place to vent your frustrations with our educational system? So much to discuss....

I think much of what she is saying is true but I'm not sure a blog is the place to put that out there, anonymously or not. If she were my child's teacher I'd be upset, even if she's not talking about my kid. I've been a teacher and I know it's often a frustrating job. Still, I want my children's teachers to think they can make a difference in spite of everything. Parents hold the master key but good teachers can certainly unlock doors that make a difference in a child's life...a difference that might not be seen or felt until years later. I want my children's teachers to believe that.

I am friends with some my daughter's former teachers on fb and a few even read my blog. That makes me happy. Two of these ladies rank right up there in the 'favorites' category as far as my girls are concerned and I've enjoyed connecting with them in a new way. When I taught school Mark Zukerberg was still more than a few years away from attending Harvard and creating facebook so friending/un-friending/ignoring wasn't an issue.

Ranting on a blog about your workplace, any workplace, is risky in my opinion.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've used up more than my share of words today so I'm going with this-

I'd like to see American Idol drop the group night. It gives me a headache.