Mom the Builder

I do wish I were cool enough to say that I had made the following items by hand, but in all truth, I fought the madding crowds to IKEA and brought home a flat box and broke out the flat-head screwdriver. But! We now have a really cute laminate top table and chairs in Bean and Bean-friend size, perfect for summer time finger-painting or playdough fun on the deck. Also a good height for learning about crayons and markers and what a delightful mess they can make.

It's always interesting to me when the question pops up on Bean's psychological assessments, "does she make marks on paper with a crayon?". No, not really...but she's BLIND. Why on earth would she care what a crayon does? It's not like it's giving any feedback save visual. That being said, she has made a few tentative scratches at paper when I give lots of encouragement, so maybe this new art table is a further catalyst.

At any rate, I reflected that I have been putting together IKEA furniture since I was about 12 and I must say, the quality has vastly improved. I distinctly remember the products being...okay...but not anything you really expected to last for a while when I was a kid in Canada (or maybe the Canadian stores just got the junk, who knows). Everything we've bought recently from IKEA has stood up to abuse quite well and looks to stay on that path. I admit I also feel a bit "I am Mother, Hear Me Roar" when I manange to transform flat random pieces into recognizable furniture bits.

And now Bean and I can color.

Fighting 30

Or perhaps it is in fact embracing it, but at any rate, I was brave yesterday and went to get my nose pierced.

Yep. Nose.

It was one of those things I had wanted to do at 19 or 20, but didn't have the guts or the confidence for; now that I'm facing down 30, I thought, well, why *not*? If I truly hate it, I can take it out, and it won't look any more obvious than an earring hole. Except, I don't hate it, I LOVE IT. It's tiny, it's discreet, but it's a bit sparkly and the fringe benefit: have always hated my nose. Now I have no choice but to notice and perhaps even like said appendage.

Next step: tattoo on my shoulder blade as a birthday present to myself. I have been talking about doing this for about 6 months now, but wanted to make an occasion of it, so after the big decade change, it's up to San Francisco to get inked too. I promise, to any of you worried that I've gone off the deep end and am swimming out to sea...this is it. SERIOUSLY. I'm not into pain, not into multiple conversation starters, just wanted these two little things as a kind of marker to this officially turning grown up.

And yes, it hurt. But not too badly. And no, I haven't tried blowing my nose yet, but I figured this was well before cold and flu season, I should be okay.

Random "Recipes" for a Sunday

So it's Sunday night and I am compelled to share with y'all two "recipes" I discovered last night. Now, I put "recipes" in quotes, because, to be honest, they are pretty labor unintensive and don't require much in the way of following directions. Still, they were tasty and fast and easy and really, who could ask for more?

So, number one: if you, like me, are trying to lose some weight and/or be healthier, I have realized that sprinkling apple slices with cinnamon is a surprisingly satisfying snack. It's a bit like an apple crumble. Except, you know, not.

Two, use store-bought naan from your Indian/Asian grocer as a pizza base. I threw one in our cast iron skillet, loaded it up with a the requisite tomato sauce, meats, cheeses, veggies, etc, and bunged it in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Crunchy and tasty and NO KNEADING.

Seriously, try 'em. You feel exceedingly virtuous and clever.

To London

As I'm sure everyone is aware, there were terrorist bombings this morning (July 7, 2005) in London, killing about 40 and injuring hundreds more.

All I want to add here is yet another heartfelt extension of blog sympathy to the people of London and to applaud the State Department for raising the Union Jack in solidarity with Great Britain. I am sure that much like after the Blitz of 1940, this city will prevail with its spirit intact.

To London.

Happy Canada Day

A shout out to all those Canadians at home or abroad. Drink some Molson for me.

Was mildly subversive this morning and dressed Bean in a t-shirt sporting a brown bear riding an orca, waving a Canadian flag, under the words "Vancouver, Canada". This was given to us by her godmother (who does in fact, live in Vancouver) and is about the only obviously Canadian thing I have in Bean-size. Forgot, of course, that at her school they would be having a Fourth of July celebration. Now, I basically consider myself an American who happened to be born in Canada, but I had to laugh when one of her teachers said, "Hey kiddo, where is your patriotic wear?" and I could proudly say, "She IS being patriotic...it's Canada Day!".

Whooo...the Maple Leaf Forever.