Pink Mohair

Matzoh Ball Chaos

My GOODNESS what one has to go through to get a bowl of matzoh ball soup in this place. For starters, this is one of my absolutely favorite foods but I've never made it. This weekend was gray and terribly depressing so I got started in the kitchen.

I actually made my own broth after roasting a chicken. Of course, I kept popping over to my landlady's side to get advice. "You WHAT?! Well, you're supposed to throw the uncooked chicken in the broth and cook it that way. But that's ok, you don't have the chicken feet either which gives it the sweetness," she said in the kindest way possible. "And you need parsnips." Crap, I really want to launch myself off the Chrysler Building haul a couple of kids to the store to get parsnips - anyone know that feeling?

The broth took almost 24 hours to cool so it could be skimmed. But mmmmmmm, was it worth the wait. Juniorette then helped me roll the matzoh balls. We made half with seltzer (for fluffier balls, ahem) and half without the seltzer.

Inevitably, in the middle of all this there was the echoing sound of Junior's Silence. I had left a painting in progress on the dining room table and who decided to knock everything over and plant his BUTT on the wet painting while eating CHICKLETS (no, not Husband, thank God)?

How did he get that "A" on his back? His name actually begins with "A."I couldn't blame Juniorette since she was with me. He had paint all over himself and a mouth full of gum, and my painting was ruined.

If this can be called a chopping block a picture is worth a thousand words. ARRRGGGH.

Juniorette and I were actually making oatmeal cookies and matzoh balls at the same time Junior caused all this chaos.

We finally got them into the pot and cooked. Junior and the mess was removed from the dining room table and we all sat down to a delicious dinner. I love cooking for my family; I just wish Junior was still content to play with his knife collection or one of my pin cushions. Why the dining room table all of a sudden? And why the constant nudity?! As my daughter (well taught) likes to say in regard to her little brother...MEN.

Myanmar's cyclone

To send disaster relief funds quickly and painlessly click here. Husband and I got lost on the dirt back roads of Chiang Mai, Thailand and ended up near the Myanmar border, above (Photo via Flickr.) It was quite scary but we finally made it back hours later after nightfall.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's icon of democracy and winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize has her house arrest status under review this month. She has been under house arrest for the last 11 years and is allowed only visits by her maid and doctor, and her phone lines are cut. I wonder what will happen to her now?

Weekend Recap

My Dearest Daughter, I assure you I tried to find medicine that didn't have the words "Jock Itch" on the box (how do you think I felt while buying it?!). You have ringworm on your chin and if the guy on the Lamisil box can do hurdles after using Lamisil, you will soon be back in the sandbox contracting more ringworm, no doubt.

To My Darling Son, I know you like to dump these clips out and put them in your mouth but you are sooooo BUSTED. See, while changing your very stinky diaper today I found one of these clips. And you were wearing a crotch-snap body suit all day so no WAY could you have merely shoved one of these into your trous. No...I'm fairly certain this took a circuitous route which luckily did not end with the metal detectors going off next time we're at the airport. I can just see it. "Sorry ma'am, we're going to have to put him through the x-ray machine - make sure you remove his shoes first and just put him in with your laptop." No wonder your daddy refers to you as Hoover.

To My Elder Sister (from Junior), if I have trouble with enclosed spaces when I'm older I'll know where to send the therapy bill.

To My Sweet Daughter, I adore the rendering of me although in the future could you make my thighs look a wee bit smaller? Thanks.

Spring Dresses

I would LOVE to wear this dress to the grocery store. I can just see it - perfect white patent purse with a bottle sticking out of it and Junior smearing banana on the front as I delicately wrestle my keys from his pristinely clean hands. Jeez, I'm not kidding - I think filling up my gas tank while wearing this would just about MAKE my summer. Alternatively hanging it on our bedroom wall would be perfecto but I think White-Walled-Loving-Husband might object.

More practical and still pretty. I just adore  sundresses when the weather is warm. This one is currently only $19.99 but alas, it's too small for me. Plus, I wouldn't hang this on my wall, and there is something to be said for owning clothes worthy of hanging on one's wall.

Tea Garden

Juniorette and I have made a tea garden.

This is what we started with on each side of our front door!

Here, we put camomile, lemon balm (for tea) and basil (for cooking) as well as some annuals. Here is where I learned about some herbs for making tea.

On this side we put lavender (for tea) , basil and some pansies. Juniorette chose the pinwheel (and the pink watering can, of course.)

Guinea Pig Hello

Adorable guinea pig hello card at FoxyandWinston. I love framing little lovely things like this!

Pink Nissan Micra

Sometimes I think living in the UK might be worth the crappy weather. Look at this limited edition Micra convertible, only 275 made. Sigh. Drool. $15,000 WELL spent.

Crossing party lines

I find it incredibly generous and bipartisan for Hello Kitty to lend her likeness to a doghouse even if it is $30,000. I guess diamonds are a girls best friend, be it canine or feline girls.