Maiden Voyage!

Finally! I just got in from Ginger's maiden voyage, really just a test drive to see what needs tweaking:

The seat will go back an inch, the back brake will get tightened, the front loosened, front fender straightened.

I am so excited! This bike (Eleckra's Amsterdam, in lustrous orange metallic) has been on my horizon since the mister came back from the tradeshow. The first iteration was lost in transit. All's well that ends well, though; this one arrived home on my birthday.

Like the great man once said, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Pres. Obama: Nobel Laureate

_ Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.

More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1_QF_M_HvZAOpRa9UGcm5CbA-1gD9B7HDR80

I pray for our leader.

words of beauty

or one of the reasons I love my mister:

feline suppleness is a force matched only by water's grace and power

*sigh*

Birthday?

OK people,

the sister has been asking for a present idea list. The Bebe and I are still in consolidate and streamline mode, but there are a few glaring holes in our household accoutrement that I would happily recieve as presents:

A compost bucket: a nifty by the kitchen sink one that I empty every couple of days.

A not-plastic set of measuring spoons & measuring cups (dry).

The Body Ecology cookbook

**Update**

Sewing scissors

"Yoga as Therapy" by Doug Keller in 2 volumes http://www.doyoga.com/newbook.html


I have been trolling Etsy, finding fun vintage kitchen trays, spoon rests, mixing bowls, ect. I wouldn't trust it for clothes, but otherwise it is full of delightful-ness. I will update this post as I think of other lovely bits for you to consider.

Know that a handmade card is as pleasing to me as anything you could buy for me.

Peace & peonies,

Christyna

Christmas Update in August

I just heard that Bob Dylan is putting out a Christmas album this year. OH BOY! There is a special place in my heart for Christmas music. I acquire one new Christmas album a year.

This tradition began with Nat King Cole's classic my first year on my own. Last year it was a gift of one of Johnny Cash's many Christmas offerings. This year...my eyes are on Bob.

Yay! Whenever I need an infusion of childlike anticipation, I will conjure the thought of a new awesome, unexplored, Christmas music.



Ah, sparkly tinsel magic.

Homer & Jethro!

I've just rediscovered my cassette tape of Homer & Jethro's Jazz from the Hills! Wonderful musicianship and great energy for a Getting Things Done sort of day. Homer & Jethro predate Squirrel Nut Zippers by thirty years, but the music has the same energy with none of the singing or kitch.

Ah, cassettes! I have about 400 still, in neat boxes from IKEA. I rarely even look at them, and yet the collection has several treasures that I'm not sure I will be able to find online or on that other obsolescent media the CD. About half of the collection was my grandfather's. I love looking through them wondering what attracted him to the Mills Brothers, or what his favorite Sons of the Pioneers song was. Did he know Montana Slim?

Dr. Kelly, my friend and Financial Systems professor, introduced me to the music of Homer & Jethro. They were the stage band for the Grand Old Opry. Usually they played parodies of current country & bluegrass songs. The funniest part was the exceptional production values given to all of their work.

Back to productivity for now. Just sharing my bliss.

Zest!

Today's lunch requires me to cry out!

I took the basic quinoa salad I've been eating all week (quinoa, parsley, tomato, flax oil, salt) and added 101 Cookbooks blog's simple cauliflower (seared w/garlic) and lime zest. It is so good! My belly loves the good fats, the light filling meal, and my mouth is in love with the zing of the zest. All the other flavors blend well, then the zest tickles rightat the end of the bite.

Yum-MY! Thanks 101Cookbooks!

Fried Hot Dogs wrapped in Tortillas

Last night I had hot dogs wrapped in corn tortillas and fried in an iron skillet.

I've been hearing about this 'delicacy' for almost two years. My life partner's Dad would make these for the family on fun weekends. I was skeptical.

Fried food is delicious! Sharing in my Bebe's happy memories was wonderful. dipped in soy sauce and mustard, mixed generously.

I don't want to eat this every day, but happy food is good food. Now for quinoa with parsley, peppers, and chives from my garden. More happy, sunshine food.

Life 3-D

I have several friends and colleagues who are consciously shifting their time online. Suzanne said, "I was spending so much time on social networking via the computer, that I missed out on real world community building". I applaud these efforts to find a balance and choose more experiences that engage the body and all the senses.

I also appreciate the ease of Facebook and blog following, for staying connected with my far-flung friends & family.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

I'm playing with my cat and remembering how everything is related. Her tail is part of her spine, connecting all parts and conveying subtle data, below consciousness.

purrrr

Not Raining!

Ug! The weather has been miserable, mostly because of the high contrast this cold wet spell has from the week before. I had just given up on my 'winter' wear (you know, sweaters & long sleeve shirts) for the season and packed it up, when this cold Northern swept in Wednesday.

It has been difficult to keep up with my scheduled events. I made these plans when warmth was not percieved as a variable.

Moving!

My husband and I are moving this weekend! I am so happy to finally be consolidating our things and getting space to wiggle. We have been doubled up in his bachelor pad for six months. It's exciting, but also stressfull.

The funniest part is we keep brainstorming where to place things or how to solve storage issues, separately, that are the same ideas! I guess we are both in the right place.

Well, back to lifting with my legs!

lv, christyna