Oh well, I'm finally back from vacation at my favorite Little Red Cottage.
It was, as usual, beautiful & restful. We had such a good time that I'm a little sad to be home. (we got home before the weekend and I have some nice posts from this past weekend as well)
It's hard to get back into the swing of things after a nice vacation, blogging is no exception.
My teeth are all still with me, my car works and I even found my cell phone. Ah life is good. It's amazing what a little R & R can do for you. Up there I always feel like I can breathe. And relax. I swear some mornings, having coffee on that little porch is like a good massage. We picked blackberries in the field one morning that we had for breakfast with blackberry peach french toast. You know I was in heaven! That little town holds such a nice feeling for me.
However, I'm left with the same questions I always have after vacation.
1) Why do I live where I live? (I do, in fact, have a house that I love, but I have a few issues with the locale)
2) Do I need to live in such a big house? (my house is 2200 sq ft, certainly not a behemouth.)
3) Why on earth do I have so many dishes?
4) Is my happiness at the little red cottage based on the fact that life is simple there (after all, I AM on vacation) or does it have something to do with the surroundings? The smaller living space? Wide open fields and breezes off the water?
5) How small is too small? At what point does the size of your home start to impede on happy family life? My last home was somewhere around 1700 sq ft-That was also a fine size. My daughter was also a baby. Is 1700 Sq ft a nice size for a teenager?
6) What impact does moving out to the country have on your child's sociability? I will tell you that the family that we rent the cottage from have 3 lovely lovely children. However, there are 3 of them. My child is an only child and we have no plans to change that.
While I have no plans to move to northern New York I do feel so much better with some wide open fields around me and a big sky above me.
I need to find that here.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Teeth Are Important
This is never quite so obvious as when you are standing there holding one of your own in your palm.
And made worse when it's your top right front tooth.
I have had a crown on that front tooth since I knocked it out playing catch when I was 10. I had a new one done in college, and really, have given it little thought since.
Last night I had corn on the cob. I took a drink before bed and it fell right off... It was just like those dreams where you are spitting your teeth into you hands, except I was awake.
What a nightmare.
I'll be honest, I've actually had a week full of mishaps. Lost my cell phone, the car needed fixing, missed my cheese making experience and now this. I took most of them in stride; I'll enjoy the silence of no cell phone until I replace it next week, at least we had the money to fix the car, and my pioneer Deanna will probably let me make cheese another day... But this, this was the final straw. Looking at my smile with my front tooth missing is not a sight I ever want to see again.
EVER.
As if my entry into the last year of my 30's hasn't been traumatic enough, now I have teeth falling out of my head.
This morning I would not show anyone (not even my family) and spoke with my hand over my mouth. I wasn't even able to call in sick to work because I was lisping so badly. I had to email my boss instead. I cried this morning over my new look. This didn't make me feel any better because once my brother told me that I look "really ugly" when I cry. This is the same brother, who when finding out about my predicament today called me a Christine O'Lantern.....
Crying with a missing tooth=not a good look for me.
I went to a different dentist (long story) and so I was unprepared for the younger beautiful man who walked in as my new dentist. I was holding my nook because they squeezed me in and said I might have a little wait while in the chair.
He said hello. I didn't even catch his name, distracted as I was at his beauty.
Actually I was distracted by trying not to burst out in tears again over my new backwoods momma look.
I looked up at him with my puffy-red-from-crying-over-my-tooth-eyes and gave him a mona lisa smile.
"How do you like that?" he asked, gesturing to the nook.
"Iths awesthome. I said
"How about the books? Do they cost as much as a normal book?"
"Oh they aren't as expenthive as regular bookths at all."
At this point I told him I was "weally having trowble sptheeking."
We both retreated into silence. Him to examine the damage and me to ponder how my entry into cougarhood was not going at all well.
Tonight I have all my teeth back in my head, instructions not to bite directly into anything with my front teeth and an appointment to begin the process of getting a new crown.
And I really need a vacation.
Which is lucky because I have one scheduled to start tomorrow. I went to the library today and took out some trashy books to read.
Don't ask me how that Harlequin romance about the dentist got in there because I'm sure I don't know.
And made worse when it's your top right front tooth.
I have had a crown on that front tooth since I knocked it out playing catch when I was 10. I had a new one done in college, and really, have given it little thought since.
Last night I had corn on the cob. I took a drink before bed and it fell right off... It was just like those dreams where you are spitting your teeth into you hands, except I was awake.
What a nightmare.
I'll be honest, I've actually had a week full of mishaps. Lost my cell phone, the car needed fixing, missed my cheese making experience and now this. I took most of them in stride; I'll enjoy the silence of no cell phone until I replace it next week, at least we had the money to fix the car, and my pioneer Deanna will probably let me make cheese another day... But this, this was the final straw. Looking at my smile with my front tooth missing is not a sight I ever want to see again.
EVER.
As if my entry into the last year of my 30's hasn't been traumatic enough, now I have teeth falling out of my head.
This morning I would not show anyone (not even my family) and spoke with my hand over my mouth. I wasn't even able to call in sick to work because I was lisping so badly. I had to email my boss instead. I cried this morning over my new look. This didn't make me feel any better because once my brother told me that I look "really ugly" when I cry. This is the same brother, who when finding out about my predicament today called me a Christine O'Lantern.....
Crying with a missing tooth=not a good look for me.
I went to a different dentist (long story) and so I was unprepared for the younger beautiful man who walked in as my new dentist. I was holding my nook because they squeezed me in and said I might have a little wait while in the chair.
He said hello. I didn't even catch his name, distracted as I was at his beauty.
Actually I was distracted by trying not to burst out in tears again over my new backwoods momma look.
"How do you like that?" he asked, gesturing to the nook.
"Iths awesthome. I said
"How about the books? Do they cost as much as a normal book?"
"Oh they aren't as expenthive as regular bookths at all."
At this point I told him I was "weally having trowble sptheeking."
We both retreated into silence. Him to examine the damage and me to ponder how my entry into cougarhood was not going at all well.
Tonight I have all my teeth back in my head, instructions not to bite directly into anything with my front teeth and an appointment to begin the process of getting a new crown.
And I really need a vacation.
Which is lucky because I have one scheduled to start tomorrow. I went to the library today and took out some trashy books to read.
Don't ask me how that Harlequin romance about the dentist got in there because I'm sure I don't know.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Luxury Of Time
A few months ago I was talking to a friend whom I've known since the 5th grade about friendships and how he no longer makes the kind of friends that he did when he was younger. You know, those super close friendships where you feel the person really knows you and gets you. The ones where you can look at the other person and just crack up or feel it in your bones when something is up with that person. Friendship at a soul level. While you may still have those friendships with those people, it's hard to find new ones like that.
The difference, I think, is the sheer volume of time you are able to devote to fostering friendships as you get older. Between family and job responsibilities, no longer can you (or should you) spend an entire evening talking on the phone (very often) or chatting until sunrise. My friend and I used to live across the street from each other, and in High School shine flash lights at each other while talking on the phone for hours on end. We would drive around in his parents car all over the city. He took me to the prom when I didn't have a date and I was in his 1st wedding.
Those things don't happen overnight. Time takes time and who has that kind of time anymore? Time has become the luxury that many of us are longing for while chasing other things.
A few weeks ago I had a birthday (you may have heard me mention it.) Anyway, through a blissful coincidence my husband and daughter both had plans the Saturday before. That left me home alone with the kitty (something I rarely get to experience). To my delight Leighanne visited me and we ate leftover pizza and drank iced tea and talked for 3 hours while sitting on the porch. And yes, even though Leighanne did contribute to the nook fund (don't worry if you want to as well, I'll put up a donation link soon ;-) Those 3 delicious hours were the best present ever. Having the time to connect felt rich and indulgent and so satisfying.
As I get older (yes, this seems to be a theme with me lately. I told you I'm in a contemplative mood) but as I get older, I find that some of the very best times that I have involve connecting with people who know me well (and like me in spite of that.) While I've always been very lucky to have a bunch of close friends, it is only now that I am realizing exactly what a true gift that is.
The difference, I think, is the sheer volume of time you are able to devote to fostering friendships as you get older. Between family and job responsibilities, no longer can you (or should you) spend an entire evening talking on the phone (very often) or chatting until sunrise. My friend and I used to live across the street from each other, and in High School shine flash lights at each other while talking on the phone for hours on end. We would drive around in his parents car all over the city. He took me to the prom when I didn't have a date and I was in his 1st wedding.
Those things don't happen overnight. Time takes time and who has that kind of time anymore? Time has become the luxury that many of us are longing for while chasing other things.
A few weeks ago I had a birthday (you may have heard me mention it.) Anyway, through a blissful coincidence my husband and daughter both had plans the Saturday before. That left me home alone with the kitty (something I rarely get to experience). To my delight Leighanne visited me and we ate leftover pizza and drank iced tea and talked for 3 hours while sitting on the porch. And yes, even though Leighanne did contribute to the nook fund (don't worry if you want to as well, I'll put up a donation link soon ;-) Those 3 delicious hours were the best present ever. Having the time to connect felt rich and indulgent and so satisfying. As I get older (yes, this seems to be a theme with me lately. I told you I'm in a contemplative mood) but as I get older, I find that some of the very best times that I have involve connecting with people who know me well (and like me in spite of that.) While I've always been very lucky to have a bunch of close friends, it is only now that I am realizing exactly what a true gift that is.
Tragedy Strikes The Farm Wife
Sadly I was unable to go and make cheese and lunch on a cast iron stove today. I woke up with a migraine that sent me right back to bed.... I feel like I can't catch a break on this 19th century life thing.....Hopefully we'll be able to reschedule sometime...
Tomorrow I Go To Summer Camp
So tomorrow I'm going to my own version of summer camp! I have a day off from the museum but I'm going to to make cheese with my Pioneer Deanna at the Jones Farm.
I have a petticoat, dress & apron to wear as well as a house cap. I don't even have to bring lunch tomorrow because we'll be making our noon meal at the farm. The last time I went back in time I was a pioneer and cooked over an open hearth. Tomorrow I get to try the cast iron stove. Yipee!!! (and I mean that Yipee!)
Jones Farm is one of my favorite buildings for some reason and whenever I'm on my lunch wandering the village I usually stop in and say hello.
I will of course, be blogging this for the museum as well as for this blog! (Shucks! I had a video I was uploading that didn't work and now I'm off to bed. The life of a farm wife awaits me tomorrow.)
I have a petticoat, dress & apron to wear as well as a house cap. I don't even have to bring lunch tomorrow because we'll be making our noon meal at the farm. The last time I went back in time I was a pioneer and cooked over an open hearth. Tomorrow I get to try the cast iron stove. Yipee!!! (and I mean that Yipee!)
Jones Farm is one of my favorite buildings for some reason and whenever I'm on my lunch wandering the village I usually stop in and say hello.
I will of course, be blogging this for the museum as well as for this blog! (Shucks! I had a video I was uploading that didn't work and now I'm off to bed. The life of a farm wife awaits me tomorrow.)
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Good Life
Do you like my new look?
A long time ago when I started this blog I was all about frugal living. I still am but how many times can you say "I don't spend a lot of money?"
Many of the frugal things I do because I like them. Not because I have to. (And perhaps doing them has enabled me not to "have" to if you know what I mean.) I like sitting by the lake or growing my own food.
Since I started working this summer some of these things have fallen by the wayside and I miss them. Not because I'm working too much, but because I'm using the days that I'm home to go and do family things. Baking bread falls down the list a little. I'm moving it back up the list for my own well being though.
I also spend a lot of time thinking about how to have a "good" life. Not THE Good Life (Though I am a creature of comfort.) Lately I've been having a midlife crisis of sorts (I haven't bought a sports car yet don't worry.) I spent most of 38 pondering my fear of 40 and beyond and that pretty much sucked. Thus, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what constitutes a good life. I mean that's all it really boils down to isn't it? Living a good, happy life. There are a million ways to do that. Your ways probably differ from mine. Sometimes they probably cross over.
I intend to spend most of 39 pondering the design of my good life.
My new banner has 4 things that I consider essential to a good life.
My daughter for -Friends & Family
Mostly a good life for me constitutes of these things. So does responsible financial decisions and (I'm adding this one since I need to work on it) good health. Because thus far I have been blessed with good health, I rarely pay attention to it (& I really need to work on getting some sleep, I'm way too much of a night owl.) I also don't take vitamins and need to pay real attention in order to get my allotted fruits & veggies in. That's my new project.
But I digress. My blog is about my personal search for a good life.
Please note, the danger of blogging (or blog reading) is that you see only one side of a person, the side they want you to see. A few years back in the bloggy world there was a trend of people having a "real life" day and showing you their unmade face in the morning or their dirty kitchens or their kid's scruffy shoes, just to keep it real. I don't want to write about those things, show you myself without makeup or ask you to look at a dirty toilet. But it's all there. I'm not all self actualized, I don't have all of the answers, I'm not always happy. If I go some time without blogging its usually because I have nothing nice to say.(and it's probably better not to get myself started saying not nice things.) This is just the little piece of myself that I choose to share with the world.
A long time ago when I started this blog I was all about frugal living. I still am but how many times can you say "I don't spend a lot of money?"
Many of the frugal things I do because I like them. Not because I have to. (And perhaps doing them has enabled me not to "have" to if you know what I mean.) I like sitting by the lake or growing my own food.
Since I started working this summer some of these things have fallen by the wayside and I miss them. Not because I'm working too much, but because I'm using the days that I'm home to go and do family things. Baking bread falls down the list a little. I'm moving it back up the list for my own well being though.
I also spend a lot of time thinking about how to have a "good" life. Not THE Good Life (Though I am a creature of comfort.) Lately I've been having a midlife crisis of sorts (I haven't bought a sports car yet don't worry.) I spent most of 38 pondering my fear of 40 and beyond and that pretty much sucked. Thus, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what constitutes a good life. I mean that's all it really boils down to isn't it? Living a good, happy life. There are a million ways to do that. Your ways probably differ from mine. Sometimes they probably cross over.
I intend to spend most of 39 pondering the design of my good life.
My new banner has 4 things that I consider essential to a good life.
My daughter for -Friends & Family
A house at the museum for -Meaningful Things To Do
A column from my house for-The Comforts of Home
One of my Hydrangea for-Nature
Mostly a good life for me constitutes of these things. So does responsible financial decisions and (I'm adding this one since I need to work on it) good health. Because thus far I have been blessed with good health, I rarely pay attention to it (& I really need to work on getting some sleep, I'm way too much of a night owl.) I also don't take vitamins and need to pay real attention in order to get my allotted fruits & veggies in. That's my new project.
But I digress. My blog is about my personal search for a good life.
Please note, the danger of blogging (or blog reading) is that you see only one side of a person, the side they want you to see. A few years back in the bloggy world there was a trend of people having a "real life" day and showing you their unmade face in the morning or their dirty kitchens or their kid's scruffy shoes, just to keep it real. I don't want to write about those things, show you myself without makeup or ask you to look at a dirty toilet. But it's all there. I'm not all self actualized, I don't have all of the answers, I'm not always happy. If I go some time without blogging its usually because I have nothing nice to say.(and it's probably better not to get myself started saying not nice things.) This is just the little piece of myself that I choose to share with the world.
Homemade Mayonaise
You might notice that a lot of my definition of a Good Life involves food.
This either means I have food issues or I'm a sensual person. We're just gonna go with that second one Ok?
I like real food. I eat real butter, half & half in my regular coffee and I'm not afraid of eggs. I also eat real mayonnaise. Usually Hellmans, sometimes Wegman's if I'm feeling cheap.
We didn't do the grocery shopping today because we went to Honeoye Falls instead.
This evening I found myself musing about what to bring for lunch tomorrow. All I came up with is egg salad. Fortunately I like egg salad. Then I remembered I used all the mayo on potato salad for a family picnic yesterday (See, we really DO need to go shopping.)
This gave me a good excuse to make my own mayonnaise which I have been wanting to do for some time.
I used this recipe. I used 3/4 cup Canola Oil and 1/4 Cup of Olive Oil because I like the taste and think it's good for me. I didn't use a hand blender I used a food processor and it came out fine.
It's delicious!!! Really delicious and I can't wait to make potato salad or something else with this. I don't know how much it cost to make because I really didn't figure out the cost of the oils but I am betting it's cheaper than a similar amount of Hellmans. I also made it with stuff I already had which eliminated a trip to the store tonight or to buy lunch tomorrow. (I'm really trying to avoid too many lunches out-I find myself getting lazy on work days lately if I don't feel like making a lunch, we've been really busy and it's just been easier to purchase something.)
This either means I have food issues or I'm a sensual person. We're just gonna go with that second one Ok?
I like real food. I eat real butter, half & half in my regular coffee and I'm not afraid of eggs. I also eat real mayonnaise. Usually Hellmans, sometimes Wegman's if I'm feeling cheap.
We didn't do the grocery shopping today because we went to Honeoye Falls instead.
This evening I found myself musing about what to bring for lunch tomorrow. All I came up with is egg salad. Fortunately I like egg salad. Then I remembered I used all the mayo on potato salad for a family picnic yesterday (See, we really DO need to go shopping.)
This gave me a good excuse to make my own mayonnaise which I have been wanting to do for some time.
It's delicious!!! Really delicious and I can't wait to make potato salad or something else with this. I don't know how much it cost to make because I really didn't figure out the cost of the oils but I am betting it's cheaper than a similar amount of Hellmans. I also made it with stuff I already had which eliminated a trip to the store tonight or to buy lunch tomorrow. (I'm really trying to avoid too many lunches out-I find myself getting lazy on work days lately if I don't feel like making a lunch, we've been really busy and it's just been easier to purchase something.)
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