Department of Compassion

So, the Local Public Library has no department of compassion. I actually chuckled about this, thinking I would pay a pro-rated kind of fee for the damage . . . but NO. I just bought the book that Hannah took a chunk out of the lower-right-hand cover and few pages. Not a single word is unreadable, but there you have it: we now own Raymond Feist's newest publication. And, hey, I guess it does go fairly well with a substantial collection already in my bookcases.

Petular Update

Finally some shots of Hannah getting bigger and bigger than Homer.

And now, for a peek at Turtle Nirvana for Res and Rocco! Still have a larger float to put in, and a cool lobster that opens and closes it's maw with the bubble flow. Hee.

Behbeh (Bear) and Boo Boo

Pure Magic

http://picasaweb.google.com/lailshie/FLA09#

Confirmed!

You shine like stars in the world.
- Phillipians 2:15

We're so proud of you, Molly!

Back in Black

And white, and caramel. Introducing Homer (4 yr old jack russell/rat terrier) and Hannah (3.5 mo. old Australian Shepherd).

New resident

Been a long time 'tween posting. Here's the newest member of the Fam: Snapple! We are destined to find our pets in parking lots, it seems. This yearling snapping turtle was headed for neverland in the middle of a crowded Hy-Vee parking lot. We hope to take him from 30% survival chance to a couple years up, and release him in Squaw Creek behind our house. Gosh he's fun to watch, as he chases the guppies around his aquarium domain.

Eleven years young!

A great weekend was had by both Gddtrs, their folks, and a special friend who was also turning eleven! The two princesses (theme of the celebration) had a blast with a pinata, enjoyed the requested-spaghetti dinner plus a crown cake, and fairly DANCED through the weekend! A huge thank you to M for asking us to host the occasion. We love you! Shout-outs to E for winning FIRST at the vball tourney, and good luck at State next weekend. We're so lucky to have you for friends ...

Don't try this at home

Alternative title: IF I HAD A HAMMER

Bottom line is the stove/oven is cleaner than it's ever been. Note to self: "no need to take apart the bleepin' door to do this next time." And yes, I really did use the hammer (with a shim) to get it back together. Duh.

Got firewood?! But no more lilacs ...

Whoa, what a late winter blast. An entire weekend snuggled inside (with ham & bean soup, and a first-run test of french bread in the breadmaker) while Mother Nature culled the deadwood. Bless our neighbor's heart for chainsawing the (11" diameter) big branches across the lane so the plow guy could get through. We lost a big pine in the very-back yard, and just about all our lilacs. These photos don't show much as the snow had buried the big debris.

Won't you be my neighbor?!

Yes, it's been a very diverse neighborhood of late. Here are a few of the special species who have been as close as 3 feet away the last couple weeks! That would be a barred owl in our lilac bushes, a red fox having a good scratch in our driveway, and a huge red-tailed hawk trying (in vain) to pick up a heavy frozen rabbit. So zip up your Mr. Rogers sweater and prop up those binoculars...

Almost Famous

Not everyone can be so lucky, to have a brave and brilliant musician brother. I'm so proud of you for auditioning! And whether they know it or not, they're missing out bigtime.

Well, well, well . . .

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 75% Robin 57% Superman 55% Catwoman 45% Batman 45% Hulk 40% Supergirl 25% Wonder Woman 25% Green Lantern 25% Iron Man 15% The Flash 15%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Movie Nite

Awesome screenings of these two gems, at Casa Sanborn last eve.

Unbreakable was fantastic: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robin Wright Penn. I loved The Sixth Sense, just liked Signs, and thought The Village was pretty good. But THIS is amazing. Not as obvious. But definitely good vs. evil. Bruce as a reluctant hero is really well done.

Spider-Man was a perfect second choice, continuing the "those with power have a responsibility to use that power for good," theme. I actually never expected to like this movie (well, yeah, I was a bit nervous about all the web-swinging through cityscape), but I did did did. The only thing that went against the grain--that upside-down kiss-in-the-rain is supposed to be the best movie kiss of the year. NOT! Otherwise I totally believed their attraction for each other, and their place in the world. Now I can continue to Spider-Man 2!

Thanks for a great school-nite event!

Freelance Finished

In the midst of the holiday blitz I also got Sam's lampshade painted (to match his Looney Tunes wall border), and Carol's granddaughter's dollhouse base.

Actual Thank

Yes, we did actually have THE Thanksgiving Feast. And it was graced by Aunt Nancy and Uncle Pat. Mindy debuted her carving skills, and we had quite the pie buffet (even one that was edible, despite the forgotten ingredient of ... sugar!).
THANK and SGIVING!!!

Ep: Three

Here we have yet another family feast...thanks to Brandon and mostly Diana! Suffice it to say, this was so good that several family members have partaken of leftovers for BREAKFAST! Dad also provided yet another of the reknowned Fred-Salads.

Note the exquisite tablescape of artichoke and eggplant tealight-candle-holders!

Episode: Two

Alrighty then, here's the gist of our daily format:
- someone provides a group activity or performance
- another soul creates an evening feast
- many one-liners are recorded in "The Purple Book"

Throughout the day, these items are graded, culminating in an end-of-day voting process for stars (gold, of course, reigns supreme)

Detailing our menu @ Chez Mindy:
- Roast Beast au Dill over Sourdough Briquettes
- Fred's Famous Festive Flora Fontaine (sans fauna) aka Dad's superb salade
- Dill Antipasto
- Cherry Nut Vanilla Surprise
Yeah...she got lots of gold stars!

I've captured this particular day with an app that you can grab for a 30-day trial.

First full day in Oz

One of the coolest things to see is Fiona and Gramps interacting. Think Fiona thinks it's cool too?! But seriously -- it is very cool.

Monday's Dinner by Lisa

Menu: OZ...Asian Style
- Crunchy Asian Slaw
- Grilled Glazed Chicken Breastlets
- Sautéd Pork Dumplings
- Gourmet Fortune Cookies (yep, these babies were homemade with custom handmade fortunes
UPDATE: A couple more photos added courtesy of B & D