Button on the belly

Lately, my husband has discovered a disturbing problem. He has found it increasingly difficult to locate my bellybutton when he feels it needs a poke. Now bellybuttons have been a favorite landing spot for pokes since my early childhood, to the point where my brother and I contemplated manufacturing bellybutton protectors. (And as an older sister and aunt, I strive diligently to keep this noble tradition alive, sans protector.) But not only has my husband found it difficult to correctly locate said bellybutton, I have found that the general shape and placement of the little button seems to be changing along with the marked changes in my waistline. We have made great strides in overcoming the need for prefab, zero nutrition foods in our house, which has contributed somewhat to our overall health and well-being, yet still, my waistline seems to be changing shape at an alarming rate. Am I ill? Have I contracted some incurable disease that damages the general structure and shape of the innocuous button? Do I have a parasite? If so, it is a very large parasite. Imagine how Grover will feel if I try to use his bellybutton resting place. Whew!

Not my actual bellybutton

Upon seeking medical advice from a competent and well-informed friend, she suggested that I might have "the infamous Little-Puking-Ball-of-Flesh parasite!!!! I had two of those once. They're not bad once you get used to them. Especially because you can get big tax breaks if you get one removed." One can only hope that those tax breaks still apply upon its removal. Tomorrow we set an appointment to find out of the Ball-of-flesh parasite is of the male or female type.


Any prognostication? Prediction? Unwanted advice?

The wobble in the gobble

Imagine walking into the kitchen just as the most succulent looking turkey comes out of the oven. It's brown and crispy skin glistens as steam rises from the warm meat. Take a sniff. Ah, delightful! Too bad you still have to wait another 20 minutes before digging in.

That is what happened in our house this weekend. My resident-chef husband cooked a delicious bird for our April Fools dinner. No joke. He followed a recipe by Gordon Ramsey, plus or minus a few things. It was wonderful. Sorry no picture. It would only make you hungry.

Some changes he made, were to cover from the beginning with foil and bake on 350. Somehow he didn't mind that we did have bacon either. The last 30 mins, he basted and left the cover off for the rest of the time. We didn't let it rest for 2.5 hrs, nor did we follow the gravy recipe. The turkey was good enough.

Sugar + Water + 6-year-old = ?

Thirsty? Try a nice cool refresher. Um yum! Want a sip? What?! Your straw is broken?

April fools!

This year, my sister and I made a ’secret drink’ for dinner, made of ‘sugar and water‘ she explained, as she tried so hard to keep it secret. I even considered making blue or clear jigglers for ice cubes, but decided it wasn't worth the effort this time around.

Want the recipe?  Check the back of the gelatin box. Then add straw. Or dress it up with a strawberry on the rim.

(Helpful hint: Try not to shake the tray too much as you serve. It kind of gives it away.)

The actual reason for weddings

To the bride,

Congratulations once again! You have the groom, you have the date, you have the place, you have the flowers, you have picked your dress, and the other dresses, so all that remains is the cake. Yummy!

No doubt, the cake is central to the celebration, the very reason that guests attend. You get presents, everyone else settles for food. As it is such an important part of the joy and happiness of all, no need to rush a decision or feel pressure. Check these out when you have a few minutes to sit back and take it in a bit at a time.

So what are the options?  Thankfully, with a peacock feather theme, there are many, including some very ugly ones, but you are the judge.

For starters, we have cupcakes, small, portable, individual servings of goodness. (But maybe minus the rhinestones.) Or, if you like individual feathers, this might be a quirky option.

Want something a little more sophisticated? Here are a few options of feathers mixed with fancy design, or other design. Or even feathers mixed with no design. But maybe you want color, all over or just a splash.

Or do you prefer a modern, artsy look? These ideas range from nice to fun to fancy, to really fancy, and all can be adjusted to match your colors and style.

If you would like to get closer to nature, cascading feathers look magnificent. Your choice to go ornate design or simply elegant and to axe the bird or keep it.

Haven’t had enough or can’t quite decide?  These other options might spark your interest.

Your faithful baker, decorator, and cake taster

P.S.  You may have all the outfits picked out, but have you considered hats?

Now boarding...

We're off to the land of the tulips. Yay! And the Fatherland and the Garden State. Time to pack yet?

Left it in my other pants

Unemployment, or minimal employment, has sometimes brought out my quirky creative side...  not that it isn't always there, it just doesn't have as much attention. But what else are you suppose to do with worn out pants?

Let me explain: a few years ago, while searching for a new job, I wanted a new purse, but lacked funding and lacked the desire to shop. However, I didn't lack an extra pair of pants.  (The usefulness of said pants you have seen previously).  So, brain met brawn and a purse came to life, complete with two inside pockets and an adjustable strap. Don't imagine that it jumped together without a struggle. Sure, pants are meant to carry keys, wallet, or phone, but these pants wanted to remain in the original configuration.

Last Christmas, a friend of mine offered a fresh pair of holey jeans and I couldn't resist.  She had shown enough interest in my last creation that I decided to make her one too. This version submitted more easily, but not without several needle fatalities. It features two inside pockets, an adjustable strap, a space divider, and a belt loop for hanging keys, if she wants. I Left It In My Other Pants II complete!
 

What I learned:

• Jean is stiff material
• Making stuff is fun

What do you think?