tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37102643751283418512024-03-13T06:50:56.724-04:00Dodge A Wrench"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!"
--Cooking, knitting, and kids. Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.comBlogger683125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-38597455828059592922015-01-01T22:42:00.000-05:002015-01-01T22:42:20.799-05:00Welcome to 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Robert and I have been doing a read-aloud each night of things that we wrote on that date in India. It's reminded me that having this here blog is a wonderful chronicle of our lives, but only if I, you know, use it. So I'm going to try to do that more, even when we aren't living in other countries.<br />
<br />
Today was a very mixed bag. On the plus side we had a pretty relaxed day. The sun was shining, Rosie had a nice walk, I made scones and sausage for our New Year's breakfast. Robert and Zion played LOTR Risk, and we Skyped with my parents.<br />
<br />
On the minus side, Liel woke up sick (and ended up throwing up a few times), Rosie tore her dew claw about halfway up (and into the quick), but only tore it half off, so it's hanging there. It clearly bothers her some, but no way can we cut it off. She hates having her nails trimmed under the best of circumstances. The internet tells me this isn't a rush to the vet thing, and if her nail breaks the rest of the way off I'll be pretty pleased. If it doesn't, I'll take her to the vet so they can do the honors.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, when I went to block the amazingly gorgeous sweater I finished yesterday I was met with the worst smell I've ever experienced while working with wool. NO idea what it was about, but trust me, it was awful. The yarn company was incredibly responsive, but equally confused. I tested yarn from another skein of the same dye lot, and it was fine. Guess I got a bad one?? Anyway, that turned out OK, once I rinsed the crap out of the sweater, so to speak. Now it just smells like a wet sheep.<br />
<br />
And the other things will turn out OK too. Liel will be better, and hopefully soon. Rosie's nail will either fall off or the vet will remove it.<br />
<br />
After the kids went to bed I decided that what I really needed was some kind of tasty potato snack. So I made a super small amount of potato salad. Robert said he didn't want any, but he ended up eating half of it, since "super small" is apparently relative and I couldn't actually eat it all.<br />
<br />
So to sum up: delicious breakfast, sunshine, sick child, mildly injured dog, rescued sweater, potato salad, 2015. </div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-31003853460025231422014-12-21T18:34:00.001-05:002014-12-21T18:34:56.419-05:00Well broil my biscuits!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tonight I turned on my oven and started preparing biscuits. Partway through I realized that the oven wasn't heating. Pretty sure that the heating element is gone (it happened in the oven at our old house), which is both happy (replaceable, not too difficult) and sad (more work for Robert, not positive that we can get the part since the oven is old).<br />
<br />
More immediately, how was I to bake biscuits? A quick internet search revealed that most people roundly rejected the idea of using the broiler (ours still turns on just fine) to bake anything. It would burn the top to a cinder and leave the interior raw, cats and dogs would live together and the fabric of the universe would unravel.<br />
<br />
But I really wanted to cook biscuits. Mostly because I had no other plan for dinner and really need to go to the grocery store.<br />
<br />
So here's what I did. I turned the broiler on high and let it heat up the oven. Then I put the biscuits in on the lowest rack. I set a timer for half their cooking time and closed the oven door with a prayer. When the timer went off I turned the broiler off and left them in there...well, I meant to leave them in there for the rest of the cooking time, but I forgot and left them in there until we were ready to eat, probably twice the amount of cook time they had left.<br />
<br />
Results? Yes, you can broil biscuits in a pinch. Mine turned out beautifully golden on top and lily white on the bottom but they were cooked through and delicious!</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-23307879262741347442014-08-22T17:17:00.003-04:002014-08-22T17:17:54.263-04:00In which my front door is nearly yellow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, I've become mildly obsessed, why do you ask?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ6j7L6-2IM/U_ezNhZmp6I/AAAAAAAACPs/wm1YqStP1VE/s1600/photo%2B(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ6j7L6-2IM/U_ezNhZmp6I/AAAAAAAACPs/wm1YqStP1VE/s1600/photo%2B(19).JPG" height="339" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I think one or two more coats should do it...</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-35306436285307775212014-08-21T16:17:00.001-04:002014-08-22T11:50:00.190-04:00Home improvement project? Or contemporary art installation? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I started painting our front door. The original color was sage green, and I never liked it. So I decided to re-paint it in an egg yolk yellow. Great idea right?<br />
<br />
Well, as soon as I put the first daub of paint on it was apparent that it was going to need 3-4 coats. Nothing like a light color over a dark!<br />
<br />
Robert walked by as I was working on it and commented that the door, in its current condition, would look at home in a contemporary art gallery.<br />
<br />
I agree. I'm calling it "DIY".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pouNd0F6-zc/U_ZTvsWfLPI/AAAAAAAACPc/Bz-oBDm5JtE/s1600/photo%2B(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pouNd0F6-zc/U_ZTvsWfLPI/AAAAAAAACPc/Bz-oBDm5JtE/s1600/photo%2B(17).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-82802943551270462042014-05-13T19:44:00.001-04:002014-05-13T19:44:26.059-04:00Now with more cocktails!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cocktail, anyway.<br />
<br />
It was one of those serendipitous occasions. There I was, on Facebook, and there was the post from my friend Lucy, describing the drink she was having at the Atlanta airport.<br />
<br />
"One of the more peculiar cocktails I've drunk", she wrote, "bourbon, vanilla syrup, fresh raspberries (so far, so good) topped up with Stella. Atlanta airport is a strange place."<br />
<br />
Well, when I read that I sat up a little straighter in my chair. Raspberries? Vanilla?? Bourbon??? Bourbon is a booze I'm trying to learn to like, and I figured that pairing it with raspberries and vanilla couldn't hurt. Stella, Lucy tells me, is a beer that in the UK is associated with "drunken lads getting violent." I suggested that swapping the Stella for prosecco would be more civilized and more delicious, and she agreed.<br />
<br />
But when, after writing up my freshemen's final for tomorrow, I wanted a celebratory drink tonight, I found that we had no prosecco. Robert suggested leaving it out, and thus a new drink was born.<br />
<br />
We call it the Ginger ATL. It's sweet, smokey, and slightly tart, and you should try it straight away.<br />
<br />
Here it is, posing with our vampiric basil plant (seriously, this plant wilts in the sun, and perks up in the shade. So weird). But really! Look at the gorgeous raspberry color of the drink!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_soP7c8F6M/U3KuK-B0VLI/AAAAAAAACOQ/MfBUJ2NotuU/s1600/photo+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_soP7c8F6M/U3KuK-B0VLI/AAAAAAAACOQ/MfBUJ2NotuU/s1600/photo+(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you'd like to make it at home, here's how. Makes 2 drinks.<br />
<br />
5 oz bourbon<br />
1.5 oz simple syrup, infused with vanilla (we used my homemade vanilla extract for this, which is extra strong and extracted into vodka. We used about 1tsp of vanilla, but you may need to add considerably more if you're using a regular store vanilla.)<br />
2 T rasberries<br />
1/2 lemon<br />
<br />
Put the raspberries in the bourbon and muddle them, but don't totally destroy them. Add the vanilla infused syrup, and add it.<br />
<br />Stir.<br />
<br />
Pour over ice.<br />
<br />
Squeeze some lemon juice into each drink, serve, and be happy.<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-15864650870052890482013-12-19T13:35:00.000-05:002013-12-19T13:35:33.489-05:00A teeny bit of Bangalore in Chicago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My cousin Eryn got married this past Saturday, and the four of us (well, five if you count Rosie, our dog) drove out to Chicago for the festivities. And man were they festive! Cousins, aunts, and uncles came from all over the country (and even out of the country!), and we had a little family reunion while celebrating with Eryn. I didn't take any pictures at all myself (I can be lame like that), but luckily my sister-in-law Julie did! So here's a quick picture montage :)<br />
<br />
Here are Zion and Liel in their wedding finery before the ceremony. Don't they look so cute and grown up?? And Liel is wearing the child's saree we bought in Bangalore with Bitasta. (Zion is wearing a suit we bought on ebay. Not nearly so worldly, but he still looks cute!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OOfoD4WgfA/UrM34fmxMgI/AAAAAAAACM8/9PO9_kP1uOw/s1600/1474492_10201796474065398_878561308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OOfoD4WgfA/UrM34fmxMgI/AAAAAAAACM8/9PO9_kP1uOw/s320/1474492_10201796474065398_878561308_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here we have Liel and me in our sarees. It was the first time I wore this saree (also bought in Bangalore) and when I put the blouse on the right armpit hurt. At first I thought it might be because I've gained a few pounds since getting back to NY, but as I hooked the blouse up it felt jabby, so I took it off and found...a needle! It was quite surprising, as I'd tried the blouse on in Bangalore, and hadn't felt or found it then, but yeah. Needle was poking the crap out of me, and all was well once I removed it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SW62lgfQbE4/UrM4tLb3loI/AAAAAAAACNE/eLb6f715Msw/s1600/1456566_10201796473625387_179140677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SW62lgfQbE4/UrM4tLb3loI/AAAAAAAACNE/eLb6f715Msw/s320/1456566_10201796473625387_179140677_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the ceremony I passed by an Indian family in the hotel, and the mama did a double take when she saw me in the saree. I hope it's just because she was surprised to see a white girl in a saree, and not because I had it on all cockeyed or something! Of course it also could have been because I was wearing big Doc Marten boots with it. Mostly you couldn't see them though, and it was so cold and snowy and slushy outside I couldn't wear the shoes I'd planned.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, the ceremony took place at St. Michael's Church in old town Chicago. It was pretty ornate and fun to look around! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--60aDkT54A0/UrM5k0st_lI/AAAAAAAACNQ/OZKu9-vp6k0/s1600/erynceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--60aDkT54A0/UrM5k0st_lI/AAAAAAAACNQ/OZKu9-vp6k0/s320/erynceremony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The reception was at the Drake hotel (where we were staying), so after the ceremony we took the provided buses back to the hotel, and I changed because as much as I adored the saree (and I do...I wish I had more occasions to wear one!) I cannot dance in a saree. Hopefully I'll get good enough at draping and securing them to do so in the future, but I'm not there yet!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some pictures from the reception.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The location! It was really quite lovely, no?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tsifr3L3NXo/UrM6Lk8zEuI/AAAAAAAACNY/38dW-DMhhdI/s1600/erynrecptionhall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tsifr3L3NXo/UrM6Lk8zEuI/AAAAAAAACNY/38dW-DMhhdI/s320/erynrecptionhall.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Zion and Aunt Julie (with a bit of Aunt Anne and Uncle Chris on the right, and cousin Nathan on the left)!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bu2dya4mNE/UrM6n1TO8XI/AAAAAAAACNg/TzPEVgDIig8/s1600/zionjuliereception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bu2dya4mNE/UrM6n1TO8XI/AAAAAAAACNg/TzPEVgDIig8/s320/zionjuliereception.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mother-in-law Kathy, sister-in-law Julie, nephew Nathan, and grandmother-in-law Grace. Bouns: in the background you can see Robert and his brother Vinny discussing UT football, Anne and Zion chatting, and my brother-in-law Frank returning with a triumphal beer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4xeeYoGCX0/UrM7A-BthyI/AAAAAAAACNo/p6RKan0FnaE/s1600/familyreception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4xeeYoGCX0/UrM7A-BthyI/AAAAAAAACNo/p6RKan0FnaE/s320/familyreception.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A fantastic picture of Robert and his siblings. As everyone who has seen a few pictures of Robert is quick to point out, he's actually smiling in this one! It's like the unicorn of Robert pictures!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DhwECtnOjw/UrM7szt5NnI/AAAAAAAACNw/Hr88eo6GJFk/s1600/randsiblings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DhwECtnOjw/UrM7szt5NnI/AAAAAAAACNw/Hr88eo6GJFk/s320/randsiblings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And finally, one of me and my beloved, after many happy hours of eating, drinking and dancing. My wonderful mother-in-law left early to sit with the kids while they slept, enabling us to have this fantastic evening together! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwoJ-GKIZus/UrM8CSu-TII/AAAAAAAACN4/4Yf9mnecBPY/s1600/usaterynswedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwoJ-GKIZus/UrM8CSu-TII/AAAAAAAACN4/4Yf9mnecBPY/s320/usaterynswedding.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're back in NY now, and looking forward to a visit from my parents in a week. Stay tuned!</div>
</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-53647090436478034472013-10-29T14:36:00.000-04:002013-10-29T14:38:41.785-04:00Snyder's graveyard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our new house is a 5 minute walk from a tiny graveyard. Even though we love graveyards, we'd never visited, mostly because there aren't any sidewalk and the graveyard is on a busy road.<br />
<br />
But today I decided that enough was enough, and the kids and I walked over. I figured our comfort with walking in/with/through Bangalore traffic would mean that the walk would be fine for us. And it was, in the sense that we emerged unharmed. But man, people drive too fast around here! I'd rather walk in Bangalore traffic any day.<br />
<br />
The graveyard was fantastic, however.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6sS0qVzKwo/Um_-0AXxG7I/AAAAAAAACLc/nPgEcbirrjc/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6sS0qVzKwo/Um_-0AXxG7I/AAAAAAAACLc/nPgEcbirrjc/s320/IMG_0740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZHo5ew72ho/Um_-zHRKhVI/AAAAAAAACLQ/AgKqhIvk38c/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZHo5ew72ho/Um_-zHRKhVI/AAAAAAAACLQ/AgKqhIvk38c/s320/IMG_0744.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6USvCUZ67u4/Um_-zKtRCNI/AAAAAAAACLM/1_VvcCShOyw/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6USvCUZ67u4/Um_-zKtRCNI/AAAAAAAACLM/1_VvcCShOyw/s320/IMG_0755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcbYNkD8-f8/Um_-9wf_eOI/AAAAAAAACLk/uritLSpLVOU/s1600/IMG_0754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcbYNkD8-f8/Um_-9wf_eOI/AAAAAAAACLk/uritLSpLVOU/s320/IMG_0754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Zion wanted his picture taken with the oldest grave in the graveyard, which belonged to the wife of a Revolutionary war soldier, while Liel liked this monument-y thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z27zYosMemI/Um__P8II1lI/AAAAAAAACLw/GS4rjieYWvQ/s1600/IMG_0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z27zYosMemI/Um__P8II1lI/AAAAAAAACLw/GS4rjieYWvQ/s320/IMG_0741.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSzWYhsoDFo/Um__Pr0cccI/AAAAAAAACLs/ffMndDm4-00/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSzWYhsoDFo/Um__Pr0cccI/AAAAAAAACLs/ffMndDm4-00/s320/IMG_0747.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the graves were overgrown, and one of them was holding up a tree. Some were so weathered it was impossible to read them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkN07qfsu3k/Um__gO50mlI/AAAAAAAACL8/pPAYvBfPoaM/s1600/IMG_0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkN07qfsu3k/Um__gO50mlI/AAAAAAAACL8/pPAYvBfPoaM/s320/IMG_0745.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLhn5fBf61U/Um__gG-rMuI/AAAAAAAACMA/GwrQXKQSWIU/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLhn5fBf61U/Um__gG-rMuI/AAAAAAAACMA/GwrQXKQSWIU/s320/IMG_0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTbZfhjJcZI/Um__khy8i9I/AAAAAAAACMM/peoyRSLxMl0/s1600/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTbZfhjJcZI/Um__khy8i9I/AAAAAAAACMM/peoyRSLxMl0/s320/IMG_0742.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0SPcRtzJJ4/Um__w-0KouI/AAAAAAAACMU/VwEu8gwhM1g/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0SPcRtzJJ4/Um__w-0KouI/AAAAAAAACMU/VwEu8gwhM1g/s320/IMG_0743.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We had a really lovely visit, and plan to go back on semi-regular basis. Even the dead like the occasional visitor, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01EPeIe9Ueo/Um__9b69UdI/AAAAAAAACMk/LBmtA1ExDJc/s1600/IMG_0756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01EPeIe9Ueo/Um__9b69UdI/AAAAAAAACMk/LBmtA1ExDJc/s320/IMG_0756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QU4jh3ARSI/Um__9Zp09dI/AAAAAAAACMg/qk4-rxIjIdk/s1600/IMG_0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QU4jh3ARSI/Um__9Zp09dI/AAAAAAAACMg/qk4-rxIjIdk/s320/IMG_0758.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcvWLn60BBs/Um__9K1Z_-I/AAAAAAAACMc/2N_SBjgWTW8/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcvWLn60BBs/Um__9K1Z_-I/AAAAAAAACMc/2N_SBjgWTW8/s320/IMG_0760.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-48270532845806389802013-10-14T16:45:00.001-04:002013-10-14T16:45:39.423-04:00Some things I've learned about dosa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A couple of days ago the four of us were chatting about Bangalore when Zion moaned, "<i>Please</i> don't talk about dosa! I miss it so much!"<br />
<br />
There's nothing like seeing your kid in deep melancholy over something you miss and want too to motivate you, amirite, parents?? So I called up a friend and suggested we get us some dosa on Monday. She was super excited, so today we drove down to Jersey City to taste the wares.<br />
<br />
And the wares were OK. I mean, they weren't fantabulous by any means, but they weren't awful either. They were, I suppose, acceptable dosa. The restaurant itself was great-- fantastic Ganesha statue, incense, and really nice people running it. They even brought over mango juice after we'd ordered, "for the babies."<br />
<br />
What I've learned though, is that in Bangalore we ate very Bangalore specific dosa. And chutney. And sambar. The masala in the masala dosa was pretty much the same though, so that was nice! And the sambar and chutney I had today were good...they just weren't the flavors I was really missing (though the chutney came closer than the sambar. Through a little mint in there and I'd probably have been over the moon!).<br />
<br />
The dosa themselves were different in several ways, even though we ordered the Bangalore style dosa. First off, they were huge! Much bigger than the ones we typically got in Bangalore. But I love me some dosa, so that's not really a complaint. Secondly, the chili powder/paste that generally is understood to define a Bangalore dosa, was not red here. It was a kind of tan color, and a bit salty. Not a fan. Thirdly, and most importantly, the dosa were <i>dry</i>. In the past I'd read that a good dosa should be crisp and not in the least greasy, which surprised me a bit because the dosa we got in Bangalore were kind of greasy. Buttery, really. But in a way that left some oil on your fingers. You know, in a delicious way. And since Bangalore apparently loves butter/ghee, you could order a butter masala dosa and they'd pour an additional little scoop of melted butter on your dosa before handing it to you. I never did that, but now I'm a bit regretful. Next time!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I think the non-greasy nature of the dosa that is apparently more standard is what kept me from being a big dosa fan prior to moving to Bangalore. They're good, but they're not (to paraphrase the sugar pushing tiger) GRRRRRREAT.<br />
<br />
The place we went to today does sell a Bangalore butter masala dosa...maybe I'll try that in the future. In the meantime we have a couple more places closer to home we want to try out. So stay tuned as I continue my quest to find my beloved Bangalore dosa in the Hudson valley!</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-50243503096669199332013-10-12T09:43:00.000-04:002013-10-12T09:43:13.152-04:00Sari closets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, it's been a while...and I'm afraid I only have crappy pictures to show for it. Would you believe we've lost our camera <i>again</i>? I think it's the only casualty of our move but still, no camera. So we're back to old iphone pics for the time being.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I finally got around to the kids' closet doors. Except that they're not doors at all! Our house came with your standard sliding closet doors, which I'm not a huge fan of. They never slide as well as I think they ought, and they're pretty boring to boot. So I asked Liel if she wanted to use one of the saris she bought in Bangalore for her closet, and she was quite enthusiastic. The down side was that the sari she wanted to use is a very slippery synthetic silk, something which is far beyond my ability to control and sew into curtains for the closet. Luckily my friend Heidi came to my rescue and suggested I buy some curtain rings with clips on them and just clip the fabric up. Done!<br />
<br />
Here's Liel's closet now:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1JSr1swPQA/UllQNZmhbfI/AAAAAAAACKY/BVCgq2uu3x8/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1JSr1swPQA/UllQNZmhbfI/AAAAAAAACKY/BVCgq2uu3x8/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-duATLZAD6Wk/UllQNrjHUdI/AAAAAAAACKc/UXZiCfKJLvA/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-duATLZAD6Wk/UllQNrjHUdI/AAAAAAAACKc/UXZiCfKJLvA/s320/IMG_0718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDSjn83Ap9U/UllQNts078I/AAAAAAAACKg/RdNpWqp2hjM/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDSjn83Ap9U/UllQNts078I/AAAAAAAACKg/RdNpWqp2hjM/s320/IMG_0719.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
She's quite pleased with is, and so am I.<br />
<br />
Now, as it happens, when I first started thinking of ways to use saris in my house a few months ago, my friend Laura said she had a sari she'd had made into curtains, and that she didn't have any place for them and I could use them at my house. I'd thought to use them as actual curtains, but the placement of heat/AC vents in our bedrooms means that long curtains are probably out (side note: I have no idea what length of curtain, other than long, might look good. Suggestions, please!). But as I was laying out the fabric for Liel's curtains, Zion saw the already made ones from Laura and commented on how pretty they were. And I thought, "Hey, those would be perfect for Zion's closet! Stupid gender stereotypes, keeping me from thinking that up in the first place!"<br />
<br />
So I hung the other sari in Zion's room for closet curtains, and they look fabulous. They're blue, and match the blue tones in his room really well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6d3GbNHHds/UllRbHqS6KI/AAAAAAAACKw/8c5TyvoWnts/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6d3GbNHHds/UllRbHqS6KI/AAAAAAAACKw/8c5TyvoWnts/s320/IMG_0714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MryhWgF2Gjg/UllRbInc8nI/AAAAAAAACK0/9--Q1ZKzgKU/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MryhWgF2Gjg/UllRbInc8nI/AAAAAAAACK0/9--Q1ZKzgKU/s320/IMG_0715.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
They also match his legos and shoes all over the floor too, don't you think? :)<br />
<br />
So there's the latest on the house! More curtain posts to come, as I sort out bedroom curtains for all of us, plus curtains for the sunroom. We threw out the 70s era blinds the sunroom came with, and in the summer I prefer the windows bare. But I think curtains will be nice in the winter, and probably help keep the room warmer, too.</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-71485893726492427092013-09-12T16:15:00.003-04:002013-09-12T16:21:43.190-04:00House in progress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've been living in the House Without Warning for nearly 3 weeks now! And we love, love, love it, even though we haven't unpacked everything, and still have piles of crap laying around, as you'll see.<br />
<br />
Earlier this week we had an ailing pine tree and many an evergreen bush removed from the front yard, which got us one step closer to our master plan for growing. I also ordered blueberry bushes for the front of the house! Since then my dad and I have spent some time brainstorming how we might be arrange fruit trees and build an enclosed garden (deer, deer, everywhere!) without, um, bringing down the tone of the block. So to speak. I guess chicken wire in the front yard isn't hip these days.<br />
<br />
At any rate, here are some pics now that we're 3 weeks in. None of the basement and basically none of the backyard. More eventually, I'm sure! Probably even better ones ;)<br />
<br />
Ok, here's the newly bare front of the house. Re-painting the shutters, garage door diamonds, and front door (not shown here, because of the storm door in front) is on my to-do list as well, as soon as I choose a color or two.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--AMaF4MVBCw/UjIfAkRSrDI/AAAAAAAACIQ/yfTfrwvIa1k/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--AMaF4MVBCw/UjIfAkRSrDI/AAAAAAAACIQ/yfTfrwvIa1k/s320/IMG_0673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ORAS5CGHzM/UjIfAuAMELI/AAAAAAAACIM/-mNOOLII9pc/s1600/IMG_0674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ORAS5CGHzM/UjIfAuAMELI/AAAAAAAACIM/-mNOOLII9pc/s320/IMG_0674.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Pantry!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxXKzqrMvUQ/UjIfAnCZdzI/AAAAAAAACII/mXI-8-wgEyM/s1600/IMG_0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxXKzqrMvUQ/UjIfAnCZdzI/AAAAAAAACII/mXI-8-wgEyM/s320/IMG_0675.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
More kitchen. Sadly small oven. Someday we might take out the oven and the range, and put an entire stove where the range is, and fill in the oven space with more cabinets. The cabinets are a rather boring color, but they are solid wood! Also, the counter desperately needs replacing (it's partially held on with TAPE), but now we're wondering if we shouldn't wait til we sort out our oven/stove issue first, since that would change the size of counter we need.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdIcpMU4te8/UjIfBMPc9NI/AAAAAAAACIo/J3pLEfO-iGg/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdIcpMU4te8/UjIfBMPc9NI/AAAAAAAACIo/J3pLEfO-iGg/s320/IMG_0676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Kitchen table, covered in crap. And also flowers a lovely friend brought over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSOrYEtyZzA/UjIfBI4R4QI/AAAAAAAACIk/aACk4ppNgDc/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSOrYEtyZzA/UjIfBI4R4QI/AAAAAAAACIk/aACk4ppNgDc/s320/IMG_0677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dining room, entering from kitchen, looking towards living room. Awesome room divider view 1.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLeIUgZij3w/UjIfBWB4yYI/AAAAAAAACIg/209j9SD0RsQ/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLeIUgZij3w/UjIfBWB4yYI/AAAAAAAACIg/209j9SD0RsQ/s320/IMG_0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dining room as seen from living room. Plenty of crap on this table too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgQ9lax0C1o/UjIfB7PtkZI/AAAAAAAACJM/ilj-oCG3Imc/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgQ9lax0C1o/UjIfB7PtkZI/AAAAAAAACJM/ilj-oCG3Imc/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Living room. Awesome room divider view 2.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oee35mH7Mg/UjIfCLz3SvI/AAAAAAAACI0/j5f5HOttiEg/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oee35mH7Mg/UjIfCLz3SvI/AAAAAAAACI0/j5f5HOttiEg/s320/IMG_0680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hall. That's our room at the end. The doors on the right are bathroom, linen closet, and extra closet (there's a whole 'nother coat closet!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6LWME-hgpE/UjIfCcgYEXI/AAAAAAAACI8/nspUqbzUCZE/s1600/IMG_0681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6LWME-hgpE/UjIfCcgYEXI/AAAAAAAACI8/nspUqbzUCZE/s320/IMG_0681.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Zion's room. Obviously.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2PxJ5Yg9VuI/UjIfC95628I/AAAAAAAACJE/j-kKKNdS7Pc/s1600/IMG_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2PxJ5Yg9VuI/UjIfC95628I/AAAAAAAACJE/j-kKKNdS7Pc/s320/IMG_0682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our room. The door is to our half bath.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ-PNQEmic4/UjIfDLLZjgI/AAAAAAAACJ0/VQtUuj3alfo/s1600/IMG_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ-PNQEmic4/UjIfDLLZjgI/AAAAAAAACJ0/VQtUuj3alfo/s320/IMG_0683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The closet. Because seeing our slightly organized clothes is a treat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_W3dzLI_Ss/UjIfDVPn3YI/AAAAAAAACJU/zauuq5oVXOc/s1600/IMG_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_W3dzLI_Ss/UjIfDVPn3YI/AAAAAAAACJU/zauuq5oVXOc/s320/IMG_0684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Liel's room. Far messier than usual. I pointed this out and she sighed and said in a put out voice, "I know, mommy. It's just hard! And I'm being kind of lazy."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrMSTXmLUsI/UjIfDoVeP2I/AAAAAAAACJY/2owHNxGfpX0/s1600/IMG_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrMSTXmLUsI/UjIfDoVeP2I/AAAAAAAACJY/2owHNxGfpX0/s320/IMG_0685.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Sunroom, with deck out the window.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7iLLRGFS8w/UjIfEA7kmGI/AAAAAAAACJs/dhHJaOvfv3E/s1600/IMG_0686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7iLLRGFS8w/UjIfEA7kmGI/AAAAAAAACJs/dhHJaOvfv3E/s320/IMG_0686.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Sunroom with backyard out the window.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1S39fyNr4l8/UjIfEaqo0CI/AAAAAAAACJo/v7HeJxo2I7A/s1600/IMG_0687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1S39fyNr4l8/UjIfEaqo0CI/AAAAAAAACJo/v7HeJxo2I7A/s320/IMG_0687.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Sunroom with more backyard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJwrk9n5QGw/UjIfE-510YI/AAAAAAAACJ8/LZDSfn1ldfw/s1600/IMG_0688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJwrk9n5QGw/UjIfE-510YI/AAAAAAAACJ8/LZDSfn1ldfw/s320/IMG_0688.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And more backyard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yM7dT67SpZk/UjIfFN3hCGI/AAAAAAAACKE/OI-HI17vaDY/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yM7dT67SpZk/UjIfFN3hCGI/AAAAAAAACKE/OI-HI17vaDY/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, there you have it! At least for the moment :)</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-65728398897052773092013-09-03T11:12:00.000-04:002013-09-03T20:37:09.997-04:00Pictures!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our niece, Hayley, came to visit us in August. She is completely fabulous, and we had a great time with her! And what's more, she took family pictures for us, something we had neglected to do for, oh, 7 years. Last night we sorted through them and came up with our top contenders for prints. But there are too many, especially of me and Robert. It was much easier to narrow down the choices for the kids and whole family ones, because Zion tends to have sleepy eyes in pictures, and Liel hasn't learned to smile naturally on command (instead she does what Robert calls her "pirate grimace"). So honestly for those categories we pretty much went with the ones where most of the subjects looked halfway decent.<br />
<br />
But, as I said, too many of me and Robert! Help us narrow it down :) What are you top 2 from among these?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53Lrpu0LGPw/UiX67uE0Z0I/AAAAAAAACEs/oq83cKOw3dA/s1600/DSC_0036.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53Lrpu0LGPw/UiX67uE0Z0I/AAAAAAAACEs/oq83cKOw3dA/s320/DSC_0036.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbpmeo3vxHo/UiZ-PjE70oI/AAAAAAAACHA/6uoaG7vhBVY/s1600/DSC_0044.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbpmeo3vxHo/UiZ-PjE70oI/AAAAAAAACHA/6uoaG7vhBVY/s320/DSC_0044.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_b8XSMBqI0/UiX67e1jguI/AAAAAAAACEo/0eiCSXtXrQ8/s1600/DSC_0040.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_b8XSMBqI0/UiX67e1jguI/AAAAAAAACEo/0eiCSXtXrQ8/s320/DSC_0040.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-txEtjbgeYoQ/UiX67eeZ38I/AAAAAAAACFM/sifQwzdqmro/s1600/DSC_0047.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-txEtjbgeYoQ/UiX67eeZ38I/AAAAAAAACFM/sifQwzdqmro/s320/DSC_0047.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DseBQctRaAU/UiX68T1jkpI/AAAAAAAACEw/l3sa6NV9bYE/s1600/DSC_0281.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DseBQctRaAU/UiX68T1jkpI/AAAAAAAACEw/l3sa6NV9bYE/s320/DSC_0281.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkKtfpNWGxo/UiX68rE0A-I/AAAAAAAACFE/Tl5d-jen9DA/s1600/DSC_0293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkKtfpNWGxo/UiX68rE0A-I/AAAAAAAACFE/Tl5d-jen9DA/s320/DSC_0293.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSEifaiJvPw/UiX689ORK0I/AAAAAAAACFA/YT3juthuCMk/s1600/DSC_0294.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSEifaiJvPw/UiX689ORK0I/AAAAAAAACFA/YT3juthuCMk/s320/DSC_0294.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
(Don't my tattoos look amazing in black and white??)<br />
<br />
Actually I have a few too many choices for pics of Zion and Liel, too. Thoughts?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgzOV0l4JZA/UiX7-tIY-1I/AAAAAAAACFY/K0BDnDtN5ho/s1600/DSC_0069.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgzOV0l4JZA/UiX7-tIY-1I/AAAAAAAACFY/K0BDnDtN5ho/s320/DSC_0069.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBRDtEnOjzQ/UiZ-nLOg0BI/AAAAAAAACHI/FS8ZAu6ggjc/s1600/DSC_0077.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBRDtEnOjzQ/UiZ-nLOg0BI/AAAAAAAACHI/FS8ZAu6ggjc/s320/DSC_0077.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT95uxZpbfY/UiX7-uzHrrI/AAAAAAAACFc/I6ZsXIOWn20/s1600/DSC_0222.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT95uxZpbfY/UiX7-uzHrrI/AAAAAAAACFc/I6ZsXIOWn20/s320/DSC_0222.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtZRoYpp01w/UiX7-j5ivnI/AAAAAAAACFs/-mWZX9AaBH4/s1600/DSC_0235.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtZRoYpp01w/UiX7-j5ivnI/AAAAAAAACFs/-mWZX9AaBH4/s320/DSC_0235.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZCZyHn__zs/UiX7_HcjeaI/AAAAAAAACFk/XeWaaFKE8eQ/s1600/DSC_0238.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZCZyHn__zs/UiX7_HcjeaI/AAAAAAAACFk/XeWaaFKE8eQ/s320/DSC_0238.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JirYYkvYtzQ/UiZ_VsfzfQI/AAAAAAAACHY/dYmPR_ydhrw/s1600/DSC_0240.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JirYYkvYtzQ/UiZ_VsfzfQI/AAAAAAAACHY/dYmPR_ydhrw/s320/DSC_0240.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAfG_1AhnqE/UiZ-6Ypaj7I/AAAAAAAACHQ/mBNgEv6HHC8/s1600/DSC_0110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAfG_1AhnqE/UiZ-6Ypaj7I/AAAAAAAACHQ/mBNgEv6HHC8/s320/DSC_0110.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc-T0EzWhgI/UiZ_4uzZ6UI/AAAAAAAACHw/418E7AevHfg/s1600/DSC_0331.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc-T0EzWhgI/UiZ_4uzZ6UI/AAAAAAAACHw/418E7AevHfg/s320/DSC_0331.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT5URd42Ayo/UiYgfFQbvhI/AAAAAAAACGE/G9Nd-hggWk0/s1600/DSC_0101.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT5URd42Ayo/UiYgfFQbvhI/AAAAAAAACGE/G9Nd-hggWk0/s320/DSC_0101.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SQbYN9Jq_LI/UiZ_nTvQYfI/AAAAAAAACHg/t4_pWHQr5oE/s1600/DSC_0314.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SQbYN9Jq_LI/UiZ_nTvQYfI/AAAAAAAACHg/t4_pWHQr5oE/s320/DSC_0314.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ypgN-ddovo/UiZ_uF6m8CI/AAAAAAAACHo/lZfG-FBJdvE/s1600/DSC_0320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ypgN-ddovo/UiZ_uF6m8CI/AAAAAAAACHo/lZfG-FBJdvE/s320/DSC_0320.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXPltaDmLrE/UiYgfO41E_I/AAAAAAAACGA/vpVLlXUPG-k/s1600/DSC_0120.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXPltaDmLrE/UiYgfO41E_I/AAAAAAAACGA/vpVLlXUPG-k/s320/DSC_0120.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIVfTClVy20/UiYgfM8zVVI/AAAAAAAACGs/u-zfoMOjJUs/s1600/DSC_0131.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIVfTClVy20/UiYgfM8zVVI/AAAAAAAACGs/u-zfoMOjJUs/s320/DSC_0131.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAfo9jHk-3o/UiaAakR3YiI/AAAAAAAACH4/SA37IstEOPc/s1600/DSC_0134.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAfo9jHk-3o/UiaAakR3YiI/AAAAAAAACH4/SA37IstEOPc/s320/DSC_0134.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md1ctFJJBEw/UiYgfp6blEI/AAAAAAAACGU/tMzbUWZpink/s1600/DSC_0146.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md1ctFJJBEw/UiYgfp6blEI/AAAAAAAACGU/tMzbUWZpink/s320/DSC_0146.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFrfu16xMEs/UiYgflOik5I/AAAAAAAACGQ/9ObrsEGg4X8/s1600/DSC_0178.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFrfu16xMEs/UiYgflOik5I/AAAAAAAACGQ/9ObrsEGg4X8/s320/DSC_0178.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSiE7I8adWI/UiYggOhb6NI/AAAAAAAACGc/d9zrXBx9IPw/s1600/DSC_0180.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSiE7I8adWI/UiYggOhb6NI/AAAAAAAACGc/d9zrXBx9IPw/s320/DSC_0180.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIV4HOzvyVY/UiYggbAgzNI/AAAAAAAACGk/m7id6P7aeK4/s1600/DSC_0266.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIV4HOzvyVY/UiYggbAgzNI/AAAAAAAACGk/m7id6P7aeK4/s320/DSC_0266.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Edit: for my mom...here are the other pics (so far) that are our favorites.<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-6812182262856242232013-08-20T20:53:00.000-04:002013-08-20T20:53:15.215-04:00House updates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today Robert and I spent the day working in the sunroom at the new house (which we have named "The House Without Warning").<br />
<br />
When we bought THWW the sunroom had this sort of pinkish/reddish industrial carpet with flecks of blue, yellow, green and red sprinkled throughout. It wasn't terribly attractive. And worse, it smelled <i>awful</i>. It smelled so awful, in fact, that after we'd bought THWW and it was too late I started to fear we'd never be able to get the smell out.<br />
<br />
Our first step was removing the carpet. That revealed an ancient underlay with what appear to be cat urine stains. We removed the underlay (which, incidentally, gave Robert a rash from carrying it out), and discovered that the cat piss had in fact soaked through not just the carpet, but also the underlay and into the plywood subfloor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lc768P8kbQk/UhQMg7g2ALI/AAAAAAAACDo/7JXoTMpreGo/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lc768P8kbQk/UhQMg7g2ALI/AAAAAAAACDo/7JXoTMpreGo/s320/IMG_0630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f87d4wmPBSk/UhQMg5ta8jI/AAAAAAAACDk/WOk8tJU4nUI/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f87d4wmPBSk/UhQMg5ta8jI/AAAAAAAACDk/WOk8tJU4nUI/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Oy. Also visible in these pictures is the original wood paneling on the walls. I point this out because I a little bit regret not taking a picture of the carpet when it was in. Our "before" pictures are rather lacking.<br />
<br />
At this point we didn't even know what we were going to do for a floor in the sunroom, but we obviously had to do something about the subfloor. We considered just sealing it all with something that would allegedly seal in the smell, which, in the absence of the carpet and underlay, was much fainter. But in the end we decided we couldn't risk that. I'm a super sniffer, and damn do I hate cat pee!<br />
<br />
So we bravely began removing the subfloor. And we went to Home Depot and bought more plywood. Like big kids!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4UTzQSOV2A/UhQNbJYB1zI/AAAAAAAACD0/sm5LlASkvRo/s1600/IMG_0648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4UTzQSOV2A/UhQNbJYB1zI/AAAAAAAACD0/sm5LlASkvRo/s320/IMG_0648.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Happily, we discovered that the cat pee hadn't soaked all the way through the subfloor. Puzzlingly, we discovered that there was a subfloor under the subfloor. We briefly considered just removing the top layer of subfloor and calling it a day (and I must admit I was a fan of this seemingly easier approach) but our friend Stan, who was a carpenter for many years, advised against it. And since we're total home improvement greenhorns, we take the advice of those more knowledgeable than we pretty seriously.<br />
<br />
So we prepared to lay a new top subfloor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sawBUQgzkbQ/UhQOJux2-8I/AAAAAAAACD8/Cu2dKeDlKn0/s1600/IMG_0638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sawBUQgzkbQ/UhQOJux2-8I/AAAAAAAACD8/Cu2dKeDlKn0/s320/IMG_0638.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Bonus: in this picture you can see how the wood paneling is now covered in primer! You can also see the blinds that we aren't keeping.<br />
<br />
It took a few more trips to Home Depot, but by 11am this morning we had the new top subfloor installed, and were ready to start putting down actual floor. At this point my enthusiasm for more floor work was so keen that I suggested we just coat the plywood in deck paint and call it a day.<br />
<br />
But instead we pressed onward, and by 5pm our sunroom floor looked like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYBO1v8mhdA/UhQO0KmGvnI/AAAAAAAACEM/EmvMfBkmkHQ/s1600/IMG_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gYBO1v8mhdA/UhQO0KmGvnI/AAAAAAAACEM/EmvMfBkmkHQ/s320/IMG_0652.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4hAPkPm_yY/UhQO0DKLBHI/AAAAAAAACEI/PMovLZ_0ueg/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4hAPkPm_yY/UhQO0DKLBHI/AAAAAAAACEI/PMovLZ_0ueg/s320/IMG_0653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not too bad, huh? Of course when we got home we pretty much collapsed, but rest assured that tomorrow we'll be back at it. Except that the "it" in this case is packing, because this is what our living room in our current house looks like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj9xeI18RI4/UhQPMCY9cvI/AAAAAAAACEY/t0qT-vKCgSc/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj9xeI18RI4/UhQPMCY9cvI/AAAAAAAACEY/t0qT-vKCgSc/s320/IMG_0654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sadly, the rest of the house is far less boxy, and needs to straighten up, fly right, and start resembling the living room. Wish us luck!</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-87761704653319486662013-08-18T23:15:00.001-04:002013-08-18T23:15:47.600-04:00Oh, August.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This month has been insane. Some of the insanity has been fantastic, some of it...less so.<br />
<br />
On the fantastic side: we bought a house! I'm super excited about it. It's on 1/2 acre, it has a lovely sunroom, 3 bedrooms, and some fantastic period details (it's a mid-century modern ranch).<br />
<br />
In the mixed bag file we have the fact that the house needed some work. Nothing major, but hardwood floors needed to be refinished, entire house needed paint...those are nearly done, and very nicely too.<br />
<br />
In the slightly stressful file are the things that remain undone: the floors in the sunroom need replacing (we've torn out the carpet and pad, and found that the plywood subfloor had cat urine damage. We've removed 1/2 of the damaged plywood, but the other half remains, and of course we haven't put down new plywood yet, nor the floor. Hell, we haven't bought the floor), the counters in the kitchen need replacing (not sure yet how that'll get done, it's well beyond our capability), both bathroom sinks need parts replaced, and we have packed about 1/8th of our possessions and the move day is Friday.<br />
<br />
Quite honestly, I have no idea how this is all going to get done. And that's somewhat terrifying.<br />
<br />
Additionally, I need to finish converting my syllabuses to the new class timeframe. And our car needs its annual inspection. That's this week too! Furthermore, I've got a bit of knitting work that needs done (contract and gift work, so there's a timeline), and Zion has been having some health problems, which (it appears) are going to require a fair bit of time and brainpower to unravel.<br />
<br />
I just...yeah. I don't like to use the blog to complain, so I'll try not to! And with a bit of luck a lot of this will be cleared up in a week or so. Please say a prayer for me/send me good energy/come help me pack!</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-35352521344803889272013-07-24T22:09:00.001-04:002013-07-24T22:14:34.976-04:00Bustle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some of my friends in India recently introduced me to the blog <a href="http://wearasari.wordpress.com/">108 Ways to Wear a Sari</a>, and I've been having so much fun looking at all the different drapes and styles! There are traditional and modern wraps from all parts of India and pop culture.<br />
<br />
But you know what's even more fun then browsing new drapes and styles? Trying new drapes and styles!<br />
<br />
Since I'm a pretty crappy pleater, as you may recall, I decided to start simple, and went with a drape that turns the sari into a skirt...and not just any skirt...a skirt with a bustle! It's like a steampunk sari.<br />
<br />
Let me just pause here and say that I began regretting how few saris I own pretty much since the first day we were back in New York. And now I regret it even more! I need more cotton saris! <i>Need</i> them! Send help!<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to my bustle-sari-skirt. I did it! And it looks really pretty awesome, I must say. And it's comfortable. My only real gripe is one I have with every drape I've tried, which is that the bulk of the sari (from tucking it in at the waist band mostly) gives me an extra bit of padding on my stomach and makes it protrude in a rather odd way. That look is even more pronounced in these pictures, because I unwisely tied my petticoat in front. I have no idea what I was thinking, and in fact only realized it when I started typing this here complaint. Onwards to the crappy self portraits taken with an iPhone in the bathroom!<br />
<br />
From the front, it looks like a pretty simple (but super cute) layered skirt, right? (and see what I mean about the extra padding?)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05ykfAoF2Zc/UfCH9qIhx6I/AAAAAAAACDU/-gU7SghIkVk/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05ykfAoF2Zc/UfCH9qIhx6I/AAAAAAAACDU/-gU7SghIkVk/s320/IMG_0621.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
But then: the side view!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hq685Lm830/UfCH9WSQkCI/AAAAAAAACDQ/PAaAca81ly8/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hq685Lm830/UfCH9WSQkCI/AAAAAAAACDQ/PAaAca81ly8/s320/IMG_0620.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And the awkward "take a picture of your own back in the mirror"! Personally I think the awesome bustle is well worth it. But still. Awkward.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJaEDEWwaMY/UfCH9RUC7jI/AAAAAAAACDY/Ju7qzGYKRi0/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJaEDEWwaMY/UfCH9RUC7jI/AAAAAAAACDY/Ju7qzGYKRi0/s320/IMG_0619.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So there you have it...my current sari love. What do you think, can I rock this look at work? </div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-52415225858291995172013-07-09T18:49:00.000-04:002013-07-09T18:49:14.969-04:00Bun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of my kids' favorite cuisines is Vietnamese. And (to borrow a phrase from Zion), I can't blame them! It's delicious. Actually, the very first place we took Liel out of the house after she was born was our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Lower Manhattan.<br />
<br />
I was going to put a picture of that event up, but I can't find it. And I looked for upwards of two minutes! So you'll just have to imagine it-- it was terribly cute. And delicious.<br />
<br />
Anyway, when we moved up here to Rockland County we knew we had to find a good Vietnamese restaurant. And boy did we get lucky, cause at the time, there was exactly one Vietnamese restaurant in the entire county! The lucky bit was that it was also delicious...and that the people who run and own it are so, so nice. We've gone there frequently over the years, and they always give us great food, and remember that we don't want peanuts on anything, even though we, responsible parents of allergy kids that we are, usually forget to remind them.<br />
<br />
But sometimes you want Vietnamese food, and you don't want to drive to Spring Valley. And that's where this post comes in, because a year or so ago I started making bun, Vietnamese rice noodle salad, at home. It's easy, super fantastically delicious, and as Liel says, the best part is that it is FULL of fresh vegetables (I know, I'm as surprised as you are. My little carnivore, singing the praises of fresh veggies? Awesome!).<br />
<br />
The recipe is based on one from Cook's Illustrated.<br />
<br />
Here's what you need:<br /><br />
--rice vermicelli (8oz will feed the 4 of us, with no leftovers, but everyone full)<br />
--lettuce<br />
--fresh mint<br />
--carrots<br />
--cucumber<br />
--fresh basil<br />
--fresh cilantro<br />
--boneless, skinless chicken thighs<br />
--brown sugar<br />
--white sugar<br />
--lime juice<br />
--fish sauce<br />
--grapeseed oil<br />
--garlic<br />
--almonds<br />
<br />
Here's what you do:<br />
<br />
--Slice the chicken thighs into thin, smallish bits<br />
--Mix equal parts fish sauce and brown sugar, plus 1.5x's as much grapeseed oil, in a bowl (for about 8oz of chicken I use 1T each of fish sauce and brown sugar and 1.5 T oil)<br />
--Put the chicken in the sauce you just made and let it marinate a while. Doesn't need to be super long...I think I left mine for 30 min today.<br />
<br />
--Cut the carrot into matchsticks, or something that vaguely resembles a matchstick. Seed the cucumbers and cut them into matschstick-ish bits too.<br />
--Mix 1/3 c warm water, 2 T sugar, 4T lime juice, and about 1/4 c (or a bit more) fish sauce in a bowl. Add a crushed clove of garlic or two, and if you're not cooking for my daughter, a chopped, seeded jalepeno (or part of one).<br />
--Pour a bit of this sauce on the cukes and carrots. Add a few tablespoons of chopped almonds, stir, and set aside.<br />
<br />
--Boil water.<br />
--Add rice vermicelli, and turn of the flame and put the lid on. Let it sit about 8 min, until the noodles are tender.<br />
--Drain the noodles and rinse in cool water.<br />
<br />
--Heat a little oil in a big skillet. Cook the chicken.<br />
<br />
Here's how you assemble it:<br />
<br />
--Put some lettuce in a bowl. You can make one big bowl or several small ones.<br />
--Top the lettuce with the marinated veggies, and lots of fresh, chopped basil, cilantro, and mint.<br />
--Put the rice noodles on top of the veggies.<br />
--Put the chicken on top of the noodles<br />
--Pour the remaining lime sauce on everything.<br />
<br />
Then, eat!<br />
<br />
It's really quite easy, and as an added summer bonus, requires very little time with the flame on. And Liel likes to help chop the veggies, and everyone likes to eat it. It's full of win!<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-72425609755791062122013-06-03T14:07:00.001-04:002013-06-03T14:07:08.759-04:00Winner!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I learned something today: I don't like random drawing give-aways. Even though I used a random number generator to determine who'd get the fingerless glove prize, I still felt sad! I want to give fingerless gloves to all of you! Kinda like that old Coke commerical, but less detrimental to your health.<br />
<br />
So, do keep you eye on the blog from time to time, cause I'll do other give aways, but they'll be of the contest variety :)<br /><br />
In the meantime, the RNG chose: Comment number 3!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lswi5T2xb64/UazbC9n-BzI/AAAAAAAACCs/rWg1NLSPv9M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-03+at+2.03.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lswi5T2xb64/UazbC9n-BzI/AAAAAAAACCs/rWg1NLSPv9M/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-06-03+at+2.03.25+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Comment number 3, come on down!!<br />
<br />
Mel, I'll mail these out to you in the next day or two. Enjoy! </div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-12558200887990598072013-05-29T15:07:00.001-04:002013-05-29T21:42:14.591-04:00You know I rock because I'm wearing wool!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't had a give away on the blog in ages and ages-- mainly because I wasn't really using the blog anymore. But India got me back to it, and I'm thinking to try to keep it up for a while. And since we could all use a little more love in our lives, I figured to combine the two and give away some knitting on the blog! Plus, now that summer is here, what better time than to give away something warm, hand knit, super fly, and made of wool?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No better time. Clearly. You'll be preparing for the cold (winter is coming, amiright?), looking cute, and making someone smile. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's what's up for grabs: a pair of fingerless gloves, knit by me from soft, squishy merino wool yarn in a color that's a cross between orange juice and gold-- in other words, these gloves are made of happy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They're perfect for cozying up to a mug of coffee or tea!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Z26ErvLWc/UaZPGgtcw2I/AAAAAAAACCM/meWvEYmNd-A/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Z26ErvLWc/UaZPGgtcw2I/AAAAAAAACCM/meWvEYmNd-A/s320/IMG_0569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Or, because they are fingerless, you can write in your brand new, blank journal without fear of cold hands! Also great for reading books, playing video games, posting on Facebook, watching cat videos, or otherwise wasting time on the interwebs. And remember: summer time is overly air-conditioned time! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5Hd5IGH0qY/UaZPGxvA8aI/AAAAAAAACCU/JJJKVP1PEfo/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5Hd5IGH0qY/UaZPGxvA8aI/AAAAAAAACCU/JJJKVP1PEfo/s320/IMG_0570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here they are in all their glory, along with my fantastic props.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_VnOYg_c3v0/UaZPG7GDrSI/AAAAAAAACCQ/JmHjoueVNSo/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_VnOYg_c3v0/UaZPG7GDrSI/AAAAAAAACCQ/JmHjoueVNSo/s320/IMG_0572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So now you know what I'm offering. But how, HOW do you get them??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's simple, really. Leave a comment (by, say, June 2) telling me who you'd like to give these gloves to, and telling me why that person is awesome/needs some love/should be cheered up/is in desperate need of fingerless gloves. Assuming I have more than one comment, I'll probably use a random number generator to choose a winner. And then I will pop them in the mail to that person, and, because you were such an great friend to nominate them for such a nommy prize, I will send <i>you</i> a matching pair. Because I made two pairs :) And because I love you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-82118456673077312922013-05-23T09:55:00.001-04:002013-05-25T09:17:38.676-04:00Rainy farmer's market days always get me down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mainly because this California girl still has a deeply ingrained dislike of being outside when there's water falling from the sky. It's not right, man. Water from the sky = take shelter.<br />
<br />
But sadly, water falls from the sky pretty frequently in these parts, and lately it's been doing so on Thursdays, which are farmer's market days in our village. Of course we're still stuck at about 3 farmers at our market (dwarfed by the 10-15 non-farmers who sell various items at the market) but that's not my point at the moment.<br />
<br />
My point is: I need more rhubarb. And the place to get it is the farmer's market. And it's rainy <i>again</i>. But my need for rhubarb will surely prevail and I will brave the weather and walk downtown. Or possibly I'll beg Robert to go and slay the mighty rhubarb and bring me back its carcass, a deed which would earn him many kisses and admiring sidelong glances.<br />
<br />
And why is my need for rhubarb so desperate? Well, I'll tell you. Aside from the fact that rhubarb is one of the tastiest plants known to grow on this earth, I also make a delicious syrup from it. And that syrup is the basis of my favorite late spring/early summer cocktail.<br />
<br />
Rhubarb Awesome<br />
<br />
1 part gin<br />
1 part rhubarb syrup<br />
1/2 part lemon juice<br />
basil leaves<br />
<br />
Put all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with some ice. Shake it vigorously. Pour into a glass (be sure to include the basil leaves!). If you're making it for me, include the ice as well. Glory in the joy that is the Rhubarb Awesome. </div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-34029360960440676802013-05-21T19:02:00.001-04:002013-05-21T19:02:46.518-04:00Bru, I haz it!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First off, big thanks to Vims, Bhama, and everyone else who suggested that I try Bru for my south Indian coffee needs! No surprise, but you guys were quite right.<br />
<br />
This afternoon I opened my door and found a package on my doorstep. It was from T, and it contained two pounds of Bru! That woman is a hero.<br />
<br />
I pretty quickly set about testing this product. The first thing I noticed was that it smelled more or less like plain ol' coffee (it's a coffee-chicory blend). It was also very finely ground, and tended to clump. I put some in my trusty south Indian coffee maker, boiled water, poured it on, and waited.<br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
It took ages to brew! Way longer than the other coffee I'd used. Eventually I semi-despaired and did a little knitting my sweater sleeve. I must've seemed somewhat out of sync with reality I suppose...sitting and knitting a wool sweater while I wait for my hot coffee to brew when it's 88 degrees out. But eventually the coffee was done, so I mixed it with hot milk and sugar poured it into tumblers and Robert and I tasted it.<br />
<br />
The moment of truth.<br />
<br />
It was good! Much better than the regular American style coffee I'd tried the first go. Was it true south Indian flavor (or better yet, Prakruthi quality) in every way? No. Hopefully some of that can be chalked up to my newb status, but even if it never gets better this coffee was pretty good. It tasted of India and made both me and Robert happy.<br />
<br />
So, hooray for blogs and friends! Without you all I'd still be wandering, lost, in a south Indian coffee-less universe!</div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-37793644913252873982013-05-19T09:17:00.000-04:002013-05-19T09:17:09.872-04:00Coffee news!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have several coffee notes this morning.<br />
<br />
The first is that my dad loves the south Indian coffee maker I got for him! He has a couple other non-electric coffee makers (a french press and a Costa Rican coffee maker), and wasn't sure that the south Indian one would be all that different, but was very gracious about it all the same. Then he used it, and called to tell me how different the coffee made in it (in the traditional south Indian way) was! So that was very exciting-- for both of us!<br />
<br />
And then, yesterday, T called me. T is a devoted lover of coffee, and when we'd met for lunch and shoe shopping last week, I'd bemoaned my lack of properly south Indian tasting coffee. I'd also mentioned that my lovely blog readers had recommended a certain type of coffee, available at many Indian grocers, to me. There aren't any Indian grocers particularly close to me, so I was still living in a south Indian coffee-less universe.<br />
<br />
So, as I said, T called yesterday. She was at an Indian grocery store, and had just sent me a picture. Was it the coffee I wanted?<br />
<br />
It was! So she bought two bags for me, and I will collect them when I next see her, in a couple of weeks. Can you feel the antici..................................pation?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-56247521064725327152013-05-15T20:23:00.000-04:002013-05-15T20:23:06.533-04:00Today in New York<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I saw several surprising things today, and did several surprising things myself.<br />
<br />
I went down to lower Manhattan to meet up with some friends for a little shoe shopping and lunch. The first surprising thing I did was: not be late! I've been meeting my friend T at this shoe shop on this day for the past 4 years, and I've been late every year except for this one. We meet there 1-2 other times a year as well, and I'm always late then, too. So really, it was a banner day for me! And in fact, I was <i>early</i>. I got there, didn't see T, and was confused. Checked the time and...21 minutes early?? So I went to a nearby cafe and had a coffee while I waited, as it was too cold to wait outside. Actually I had half a coffee. It was huge, and I hadn't had so much caffeine in months!<br />
<br />
While I was waiting I saw my first surprising thing: a man in a button-down shirt and sports coat, skateboarding down the street, drinking an ice coffee and being pulled by his dog.<br />
<br />
The other surprising thing I saw was a guy using a pay phone. <i>Using a pay phone</i>. I didn't even know those still worked! I didn't actually see that til much later in the day, but wanted to get it out of the way, because it's not nearly so surprising as the next bit.<br />
<br />
I did not buy any shoes.<br />
<br />
Not even one pair. And there was a sale! T bought shoes, and M bought shoes, but me? NO SHOES.<br />
<br />
I think I might deserve shoes as a reward.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-18896719446908419022013-05-11T20:18:00.000-04:002013-05-11T20:18:11.786-04:00Hot beverages, south Indian style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Neither Robert nor I were ever big coffee drinkers. My parents didn't drink it when I was growing up, so I never really thought about it until I was about 16. At that point my schoolwork became sufficiently demanding (at least during the busiest times) that my sleep was lacking, and I'd caffeinate myself up on a mixture of coffee, hot chocolate and raspberry flavored black tea. It was pretty damn delicious, actually, in addition to providing quite a jolt.<br />
<br />
But, after high school I only rarely drank coffee. My dad did eventually succumb to coffee's charms (aided and abetted by my brother, who came home from Costa Rica with a traditional Costa Rican coffee maker as a gift for dad), and my brother has been an off and on coffee drinker, but although I liked certain types of coffee I didn't drink it daily, or even weekly. Robert never drank coffee.<br />
<br />
At any rate, all that changed when we got to south India. South India has a long history of coffee drinking, and coffee culture there is both unique and deeply ingrained. Most Americans think of India and tea, not realizing that in the south coffee is of at least equal prominence.<br />
<br />
And south Indian coffee is delicious. It's drunk in small stainless steel cups, hot and sweet. It wasn't long before we were drinking a cup or two every day. Of course we had no idea how to make it, so we weren't drinking it first thing in the morning. Instead we drank it after lunch, and sometimes after dinner too. I don't know if it was because of the time of day we were drinking it or if we were just lucky (actually, in Robert's case we know: he is a fast metabolizer of caffeine), but neither of us ever <i>needed </i>coffee. We just <i>wanted</i> it.<br />
<br />
So before we came back to New York, I wisely hit up a stainless steel store on Sampige Rd in Malleswaram and bought a south Indian filter coffee maker. I bought some of the tumblers and davarahs too, for good measure. But what I didn't buy was coffee.<br />
<br />
The day after we got back to the states we went grocery shopping, and I bought coffee at Trader Joe's, and ground it nice and fine. A couple days later I tried making coffee with it in my new coffee maker.<br />
<br />
Fail.<br />
<br />
I mean, it was drinkable. It wasn't bad coffee. But it sure as shit wasn't south Indian coffee. It tasted American, and Robert and I were both sad. So off to the internet I went. What kind of coffee, available in the US, was closest to traditional south Indian coffee? I asked google, friends on Facebook, and sent emails to friends in India.<br />
<br />
There was no clear consensus, and I've been waffling about what to do. Tiju offered to mail me coffee powder, but that would clearly be a stopgap solution, as I can't have him mailing me coffee every month! I think what I'll probably do next is try out one of the New Orleans blend coffees, as they use chicory, which is used in south India as well. But I might order the Mysore blend from the Deckan Coffee company. I just don't know!<br />
<br />
Just for kicks today I tried making south Indian style coffee with some TJ's instant coffee. It was still pretty far from right, but it was closer than the coffee made with proper ground beans, which was a little depressing.<br />
<br />
Then Robert mentioned that he was finding his tea unsatisfying. Because, you see, we didn't just drink coffee at Prakruthi every day...we often drank tea, too! And the tea was just as distinctive and delicious as the coffee. Since my coffee experiments were not going well I figured I had nothing to lose and gave re-creating Prakruthi tea a shot. To my delight, that went much better! It wasn't identical, but it was at least a worthy competitor. I think if I buy some nicer tea (I was just using bags of English Breakfast) I could get even closer. Tea FTW!<br />
<br />
But you know what? I was totally right to buy tumblers and davarahs. Drinking out them, even sub-par, American flavored coffee, takes me back to Bangalore, and I feel happy. </div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-5334713847139650982013-05-07T20:57:00.000-04:002013-05-07T20:57:04.529-04:00Green cardigan! Now with pockets!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well folks, here it is...the last of my knitting projects completed in India. Of course the pictures, as you'll probably notice, were not taken in Bangalore! I finished this little cardi that I was test knitting just days before we flew back to New York and didn't have the time to get it photographed right then. So finally tonight Robert gave me a hand and now my project is really complete!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTm2SmKWYA/UYmiMkXaRxI/AAAAAAAACBU/a_2Lt_RrwuA/s1600/DSCN0758.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTm2SmKWYA/UYmiMkXaRxI/AAAAAAAACBU/a_2Lt_RrwuA/s320/DSCN0758.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rF87Wh2quW8/UYmiTV1OSUI/AAAAAAAACBc/CZSfTf8kyWA/s1600/DSCN0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rF87Wh2quW8/UYmiTV1OSUI/AAAAAAAACBc/CZSfTf8kyWA/s320/DSCN0759.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lt3bURSfF-w/UYmik7ZKj3I/AAAAAAAACBs/H6qrdxrGanM/s1600/DSCN0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lt3bURSfF-w/UYmik7ZKj3I/AAAAAAAACBs/H6qrdxrGanM/s320/DSCN0767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2HCyaLOzLA/UYmiyRPeSUI/AAAAAAAACB0/EmeXr6aExaE/s1600/DSCN0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2HCyaLOzLA/UYmiyRPeSUI/AAAAAAAACB0/EmeXr6aExaE/s320/DSCN0765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-14808991810452790402013-05-05T22:10:00.001-04:002013-05-05T22:10:24.068-04:003 days back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I teared up a little when I saw a picture taken on the road by our apartment building in Bangalore. And then I told Robert that and started actually crying.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710264375128341851.post-52410949507999343722013-05-04T10:59:00.001-04:002013-05-04T10:59:08.159-04:00Back again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We made it safely back to New York!<br />
<br />
Our cab got to us at our apartment in Bangalore right on time...at 230am. Oy. Brief pause here while I shout out to YourCabs! We used this cab company exclusively whenever we needed a car in India. They took all four of us to sites around Bangalore, to Mysore, and drover Robert literally all over the city. They were never late, and always got us where we needed to (and back again) safely. So if you need a cab service in Bangalore I highly recommend them!<br />
<br />
Anyway, our driver showed up on time. The guy manning the desk in our building (actually napping on one of the couches in the reception area, but who could blame him??) came out to say good-bye and make sure that we and our 11 suitcases got packed properly into the SUV. Ten of the suitcases fit fine, but the 11th had to go on the roof rack. The driver made no move to tie it down, and when Robert asked he assured us it was unnecessary. The desk guy agreed. "Sir," he said to Robert, "It is relatively impossible for the suitcase to fall off."<br />
<br />
Robert looked unconvinced, but in the end we left it as it was and got in the car and drove away from IISc.<br />
<br />
In the daytime, not at rush hour, it takes an hour to get from our apartment in Bangalore to the airport. at 245am it takes 35 minutes! So we got there in plenty of time, unloaded our bags, put them onto carts and headed in.<br />
<br />
At the British Airways line a representative came over to ask if we'd checked in online. I explained that Robert and I had, but that due to a mistake by the travel agent our kids were listed as traveling alone and I couldn't check them in (I'd slept for about 90 min that night, and all my dreams were of oversold flights and kids, not checked in, having been bumped). He called a woman over and I explained again. She went to talk to a desk agent, then came back and cut us to the front of the executive class line. Fancy!<br />
<br />
The desk agent confirmed my fears by telling me the flight was oversold by 20 passengers and asking if we wanted to fly to Mumbai and take a later flight to London. I declined, as it would have meant missing our connection to New York, and she quite unsurprised. She was able to put me and the kids in a row of 3 seats together for the flight to London, and one child with one parent for the flight to JFK, so that was all alright. She also begged us to check some of our carry on luggage due to the fullness of flight, which we did. Then we headed for customs and immigration. Because you have to do that to leave India, as well as enter it!<br />
<br />
The customs and immigration officer we had was thoroughly unimpressed that I did not have a Foreign Registration certificate. My visa didn't require one, and hell if I was going to spend a day doing paperwork and waiting in lines if I didn't have to! He shook his head at me in annoyance and sorrow however, and then told me, rather irritably, to stand somewhere else. Apparently the spot I'd occupied for the first 10 minutes was only for people with an FRO certificate ;)<br />
<br />
But, my shortcomings aside, we got through alright and went to the gate. Then we looked around for a place to change our remaining rupees. Fail! Turns out that currency can only be changed *before* you go through customs. India does not allow the exportation of rupees, so this surprised me. It also surprised me that no one had asked us if we had any on us! That was kind of a bummer actually, as we now have a bunch of rupees.<br />
<br />
At any rate, the flight to London was great. BA has better seats and more legroom than Lufthansa, and they had tons of movies we all wanted to watch, so the 10.5 hours passed surprisingly quickly. Then we had about 90 minutes at Heathrow (which we used to buy chocolates), and we were on to New York. That flight was totally fine too, though I felt quite badly for the woman sharing the row with me and Liel. We were both coughing, sneezing, and blowing our noses every few minutes and she looked rather dismayed when we started in. Poor lady. I wouldn't have wanted to sit next to us either!<br />
<br />
Customs in the US was a breeze, which was great. Our luggage was all there, the customs agent was cheerful and friendly, and we were on our way!<br />
<br />
Driving back was interesting. The route between our house and JFK is familiar, but it didn't feel a bit like returning home. I imagine if we'd flown into LAX that might've been different, but as it stood I had no real emotional response to returning.<br />
<br />
We've been home for about one and quarter days now and I feel much the same. Parts of being back are fabulous! I've talked to my parents on the phone, eaten salad, chatted with neighbors and arranged to see friends. We met our new mailman who seems nice (and has some big boots to fill...our old mailman was the best!), and sat in the sun enjoying the amazing May sunshine. We've unpacked, done many a load of laundry (and have many more to go), and enjoyed the miracle of the washing machine and dryer. Every time I've brushed my teeth I've looked around for the bottled water, and felt amazed and grateful when I realized I could just stick my brush under the tap.<br />
<br />
But...I miss Bangalore. I miss the food, and the people, and the amazing colors and vibrancy. I miss the streets and the autos and the saris. I guess it will always be this way for me now, and I hope that someday I will go back.<br />
<br />
And in the meantime, I will appreciate the amazing leafing spring trees, the flowers, the crisp air and being home in the US of A after an amazing, blessed adventure! </div>
Jovihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382941663538464314noreply@blogger.com2