tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190408322011-11-14T04:05:02.773-06:00Because if I were in charge of the world, it would be a GREAT place... My realm consists of my Imperator Consort, two wonderful Imperatrixes-in-training (Impera and Trixie), a dog who thinks she's a cat, and a cat who thinks he's a dog. We're spending this year on sabbatical in New England, cramming in as many adventures as we can.Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.comBlogger5781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-70239475118850078612008-06-11T17:59:00.004-05:002008-06-13T07:03:33.904-05:00

Yep, I got tired of the nonexistant Blogger support. Writing a blog should not create grief for the blogger, so please come to my new home:peaceableimperatrix.wordpress.comAnd don't forget to change your bloglines/google reader/links!

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-30428687639954287442008-06-10T10:22:00.002-05:002008-06-10T10:24:14.564-05:00

I meeeeeeeellllllttttiiiiinnngg.When I commented to the Consort that in the past, it was only hot here in NH for about 2 weeks in August, he replied,"Well, it's summer!"Who the hell is this apologist? And where is my spouse?!

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-31262703979310303212008-06-06T08:37:00.003-05:002008-06-06T09:07:54.277-05:00

"A [City name] woman was killed when her vehicle was hit in a head-on collision on Highway 28 Tuesday evening."We read or hear these short announcements when visiting a local newspaper's Web site or when listening to the local news on the radio. Often, we don't even feel bad. It's too removed, and the idea of a car death too abstract for it to cause more than a brief, "Boy, car travel can be

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-21825815912888983732008-06-04T17:59:00.012-05:002008-06-05T08:45:05.111-05:00

Once upon a time, I had some sock yarn, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it.Cateling suggested I use it to make the famous Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket. What a great idea! My cousin was pregnant, and she had knit some baby things for my girls when they were little, so I knew she would appreciate the time and effort in knitting a baby garment.Except.Her baby was due in May.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-68159254578998149202008-06-03T18:43:00.006-05:002008-06-03T19:40:59.895-05:00

I decided to participate in One Local Summer this year. Silly, huh? The one year I don't have access to a large garden. The one year the only food plant growing in our backyard are two pots of basil and cilantro. But I have faith in our local farmers market. As the season progresses, I'm sure we'll be able to create fantabulous meals of local produce!And this week? The first week? I've already

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-56479200361791041942008-06-02T13:21:00.001-05:002008-06-02T13:21:43.491-05:00

We just watched Seven Up/ 7 Plus Seven. It is a British documentary film project begun in 1964. Fourteen English seven-year-olds, from very different social and economic backgrounds, are followed, to get a sense of what English life is like for them. it has been followed by filmed interviews every seven years, at ages 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 (so far). The first disc has the age 7 and 14

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-25406354030147364402008-05-29T08:49:00.002-05:002008-12-10T00:24:15.063-06:00

This has been buzzing around in my head for a while. Did you know that the average shower head uses about 5 gallons of water per minute? Per minute! And don't forget the energy use of heating that water and keeping it hot in the tank. So, I was thinking, how about getting four solar shower bags?That way, nobody could complain that their sibling had forgotten to fill the bag up, or that the

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-69036433013948583152008-05-27T07:35:00.004-05:002008-05-27T08:03:06.039-05:00

I've got a client based in Cambridge, Mass., and when they learned that I'd be spending a year out in New England, they invited me to come down and have lunch with them. As a freelancer, I have never met any of my clients. I've spoken to them on the phone, emailed back and forth, sent notes with the copyedited files, but I haven't met any of my current clients face to face. We didn't get our

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-19842977587907044052008-05-24T15:25:00.004-05:002008-05-24T16:03:32.971-05:00

Congratulations! You have singlehandedly turned this year, that should have been one Democratic success after another, into one that is leaving a foul taste in my mouth. We had hope. We had excitement about the future. It was going to be the year of healing wounds, rapprochement, peace, and love (yes, I really thought so). Things were looking up. There was no way the Democrats could lose this

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-81820415110455399812008-05-21T14:52:00.002-05:002008-05-21T14:57:07.042-05:00

Three of Four asked, Describe one part of your childhood day-to-day (an activity, a sound, a smell, etc.) that your children will never experience as part of theirs (or, at least, will never experience as the mundane, routine encounter you grew up with). Is this a change for the worse, or the better?I have to admit, I didn’t come back and check this question for a while, so I kind of bypassed the

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-42522412879195008972008-05-19T13:59:00.003-05:002008-05-19T19:37:48.563-05:00

BoyOnTop asked, "If you were on a desert island, with no knitting or fiction, what hobby would you have to have to stay sane?"I suppose being stuck on a desert island might be just the incentive I needed to write the darn stories down, eh? Yes, I'd probably have to write them down just to pretend I had something to read...I like this idea!Of course, that would also be a great time for me to

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-80566715849323979692008-05-15T07:56:00.001-05:002008-05-15T07:59:20.688-05:00

Specter Calls Patriots’ Spying Wider Than StatedSure, he's talking about football, but it just as easily could describe those self-styled Bush post-9/11 war hawks, couldn't it?(Answer Fortnight will continue shortly)

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-46522925029828457242008-05-12T16:22:00.004-05:002008-05-12T16:52:24.650-05:00

Stew asked, What's one thing you'd like to accomplish in the next year? The next four years?I never liked this type of question, because I am so bad at answering it. Why am I so bad at it? I'll tell you why.In the next year, I want to write and submit at least one story.(This has been on my goal list for the past 10 years.)In the next year, I want to tone up my biceps and get that tattoo.(This

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-14209700037678082892008-05-08T15:28:00.002-05:002008-05-08T15:44:26.937-05:00

Mizmell asked, What is your fondest childhood memory?I was stumped at having to pick just one, so I let the question percolate, and decided that I would answer whatever came first to mind when I sat down to write this. And here's what I'm remembering this afternoon:Split Sister and I are two years apart, and we spent hours upon hours playing together as kids, as you would expect. Our play was

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-19473477203552357482008-05-05T11:37:00.002-05:002008-05-05T11:40:39.078-05:00

... realizing that the issue is six articles, and is due on Thursday, when you thought that it was seven articles, due on Wednesday.I haven't forgotten about the remaining questions, I really haven't. it's just that life got in the way, and I wanted to take the time to think about my answers. So let's just pretend that from the beginning, it was going to be Answer Fortnight, OK?

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-12945545753377277692008-05-01T08:56:00.004-05:002008-05-01T13:26:07.286-05:00

KathyR asked, Now that your time in New England is winding down, are you looking forward to going back to Iowa? Or wishing you could stay longer? Or what?Hmmm. That's a hard one to answer.I started out by writing out some pros and cons.Pros about New HampshireGlorious landscapeOcean nearbySummer mildnessCons about New HampshireCost of livingStand-offish nature of peopleFeeling of entitlement in

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-46905739655751292832008-04-29T16:48:00.007-05:002008-04-29T17:57:29.096-05:00

Split Sister asked, When was the last time you changed all your passwords?To which I answer: I change all passwords on an alternate-day schedule. It takes about 37 minutes (I've counted) to do it all. I use a randomizer to get me a series of numbers, and a separate one to give me a few capital and lower-case letters. I mix it up together, until it is pleasing to the eye. I keep the current list

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-36461792869839878282008-04-28T07:36:00.002-05:002008-04-28T07:39:07.423-05:00

Question week was fun! I learned more than I thought I would (who knew body glide was such an open secret to all but my family??), and am reassured that at least my readership is as normal (or weird) as me on some issues.I'm feeling a bit uninspired, so I'm taking a page from Boy on Top and requesting questions for me to answer. We'll call it, "Answer Week". How does that sound?

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-11686628143869125182008-04-24T18:58:00.003-05:002008-04-24T19:00:32.624-05:00

Am I the only one who washes the tops of canned goods before opening them?Or do you all play Russian roulette with your diced tomatoes and garbanzo beans?

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-31761648886578235092008-04-23T13:31:00.003-05:002008-04-23T13:40:25.211-05:00

Now we're nearing TMI land. But don't worry -- I'll try to keep us from crossing the border.If you've been visiting here for any length of time, then you know that I like to make summer skirts.If I go on a walk, however, I find that if I wear a skirt then -- well, there will invariably some chafing. Always unpleasant, sometimes irritating. Is this just me? Do others find that for comfort one has

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-31558249904544681962008-04-22T19:27:00.002-05:002008-04-22T19:30:25.817-05:00

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-65364635883669407842008-04-22T09:35:00.002-05:002008-12-10T00:24:15.357-06:00

This wasn't the question I planned to ask today, but: Does anybody else cringe when they see this picture???Photo from the New York Times The President of the United States on "Deal or No Deal"? To me, this seems similar to the decadence at the root of the fall of the Roman Empire.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-58999312060663306672008-04-21T10:23:00.002-05:002008-04-21T10:34:00.606-05:00

I can't believe I forgot to mention here that Impera was spending the week in Iowa, and traveled all by herself, with a connection in Chicago. Anyway, she did. We weren't worried -- both the Consort and I traveled alone as kids, and she's thirteen -- almost not a kid any longer. I picked her up at the airport last night, and I think she was pretty tired. I know she had a great time, but I think

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-60427863609848731522008-04-19T14:49:00.002-05:002008-04-19T14:54:27.073-05:00

Last day of Spring Break. Trixie and I went down to the beach, and we had a blast. Impera comes back on Sunday (did I mention she has spent Spring Break in Iowa? I'll have to check my recent posts).We saw cute dogs staying mobile, ate a crazy snack, and found some lovely treasures.You can see more of the photos in the flickr set.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-38927897569063810262008-04-15T18:03:00.003-05:002008-04-15T18:33:48.979-05:00

Sometimes, I get a hankering for brown food. You know, broth, soy sauce, sauteed mushrooms, soba noodles, tofu (OK, that's more golden, but work with me here). Add it all together, and you've got yourself a tasty (and healthy!) brown meal.1/4 cup oil1 lb tofu, 1-inch cubes, patted dry8 oz sliced mushroomsgrated ginger (1.5 tsp? 1 Tbsp?, whatever you like)1 head broccoli, florets only,* cut into

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-65532190694364557752008-04-14T12:43:00.003-05:002008-04-14T12:45:48.643-05:00

"Have you been drinking tea?""Not recently.""You're getting over a cold, you need to drink lots of fluids-- go fill your mug with some tea.""Mom! I'm going to die!""OK then, after you die, go fill your mug up with tea!"

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-15879480995302655662008-04-13T13:11:00.002-05:002008-04-13T13:15:09.672-05:00

Dear New Hampshire,I'm sorry that after a couple of beautiful days the forecast has taken a turn for the worse:It's just that I've finally completed my mittens, and it would be fun to wear them for a few days before packing them away until next winter.I'm sure you understand.Best wishes,ImperatrixPS: And this way, we have a chance of breaking the snowfall record -- we only have 3 inches to go,

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-64723810305466788742008-04-09T11:43:00.003-05:002008-04-09T11:49:29.868-05:00

Hazelnut brown butter cake with chocolate ganacheThis is a cop-out post, because I put this up on flickr the other day, but my inspiration has hit a dry spell.Anyway, if you haven't already read what I said about this recipe, you can find out here. (Also, when the owner of a food blog with almost 1,500 subscribers leaves a little comment on your photo, you kinda want to show it off. )

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-51067020028665096492008-04-07T17:51:00.020-05:002008-04-07T19:31:50.396-05:00

So, yes, I drink coffee from time to time. I don't use it to wake up; I make my coffee pretty weak, as you'll see. I usually have it halfway through the morning, after I've had a pot or two of tea (black or green). Just to "mix it up" a little in the drinks-during-work department. Also, I drink my coffee like a baby: with sugar and milk. Since I drink my tea "straight up", my coffee is a sweet

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-11176483799698917552008-04-04T12:27:00.005-05:002008-04-04T12:29:16.553-05:00

3 large oranges1/2 cup sugar2 tablespoons water5 tablespoons unsalted butter2 cups flour1.25 tsp baking powder1 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt2 eggs3/4 cup plain yogurt3/4 cup milkPreheat oven to 375 (190 C). Butter your muffin tins.Grate the zest of the oranges (you can use a vegetable peeler, then chop fine). You should have about 1/4 cup zest. Combine the zest, 1/4 cup sugar, and water in a small

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-41735045690929666452008-04-03T07:38:00.003-05:002008-04-03T07:46:13.032-05:00

...there is something online.First you have to read this: Easter Story Cookies.Got it? Don't say anything yet. Just, try to absorb what you just read.OK, now -- only after you've checked out the first link -- go read this: BDOS Cookies.Discuss.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-28995308716777447002008-04-02T08:58:00.004-05:002008-12-10T00:24:15.622-06:00

Dear FedEx,I was tracking a package online the other day, and as I was glancing down the Detailed Results list (and, as an aside, can I just say that I don't understand how a package can be picked up 25 minutes before its details are transmitted to FedEx?) my eyes caught the following advertisement,and my eyes reacted with the visual equivalent of the auditory cringing that usually follows the

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-37981612491856702802008-04-01T10:00:00.002-05:002008-04-01T10:02:54.312-05:00

I think Trixie has played a series of April Fools jokes on me. It took me 5 minutes to find my keyboard, and I still can't find my pencil cup (full of the pencils I need to do my editing).

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-38086908362656739052008-03-31T08:46:00.003-05:002008-03-31T08:54:41.710-05:00

Yeah, you. Mr.* IP #12.210.100.# from Cloquet Minnesota, using Mediacom High Speed Internet:You sick sick bastard. Searching** online for "nasty older sister and sl&t friend stretches sister c&nt apart or.gy" [without the ampersands, of course]. You're not welcome here. But I'm sure you are thirsty, so before you leave, have this delicious cold drink. That's right, drink it up. It's my special

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-28964313703716887092008-03-30T08:38:00.006-05:002008-03-30T09:37:39.108-05:00

On Friday, the girls had a snow day. The Consort was down in Boston for a conference. I was zoning out on the couch, letting my body fight the cold as best it could. One of the many joys of having older kids is that when you're not feeling well and they are home from school, you don't have to entertain them. Yahoo!Late morning, and the snow was still coming down. "Hey, Mom, can we make maple snow

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-83057396964954164372008-03-28T08:16:00.003-05:002008-03-28T08:26:37.609-05:00

I'm sorry to have abandoned you this week. I had plans that by today I'd have the next "how to" up. I was being responsible: getting certain projects up and running before I blogged, figuring that if I front-loaded the week with work, then I'd have Thursday and Friday to be free! and creative! and bloggy!Instead, yesterday was spent drinking tea, dozing, and doing the dreaded saline snort and

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-23086902055492150752008-03-24T10:59:00.003-05:002008-03-24T11:14:29.044-05:00

We all do it: Get used to something and stop trying alternatives. For example, biscuits. There's the recipe you've been using since you started making biscuits. It's the recipe you showed your kids when they started cooking on their own. It works well (it's the Betty Crocker buttermilk and shortening recipe, after all -- a classic!). Why would you ever look at another recipe?Until the lazy day

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-19608631191105875082008-03-21T11:03:00.005-05:002008-03-21T12:00:50.396-05:00

I've gotten the idea in my head that it would be terribly fun to put together an irregular series of "How to" posts. Heavy on the photos, that way I would have an excuse to purchase a gorillapod be able to combine my blogging with my photo diary. In my head, these are fabulous. I don't know how well they'll translate from brain cell to computer screen, but you have to take risks sometimes in

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-38241595485373821942008-03-20T08:45:00.003-05:002008-03-20T09:09:36.569-05:00

Spring equinox, and we've got snow on the ground, sleet in the air, and a winter storm warning until Friday morning. Huh.I shared the World Sunlight Map back in December, and I don't know if any of you have visited on a regular basis, but go check it out again today. If you recall, during the winter light on the planet looked like a pyramid. Today, it is as close to a straight column as the

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-42738631009624354262008-03-19T07:21:00.008-05:002008-03-19T09:32:40.462-05:00

Today is the Mighty Mighty Blogswarm on ending the war in Iraq.I knew I wanted to participate, but I've been worried about what to say, and how to say it. When I rant, I rant, and I didn't know how to strike the right tone -- I didn't want to come across as strident, as I often do on issues like this (I think).I did some searching online, and found some very cool ways to get the important

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-10610081767243780632008-03-18T12:36:00.002-05:002008-03-18T12:47:51.810-05:00

My Irish Soda Bread recipe.Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 1.5 quart round baking dish.Combine:2 c. unbleached white flour1/2 c. whole wheat flour1/2 c. wheat germ1/2 c. sugar3/4 tsp. salt2 tsp. baking sodaRub in:4 Tbsp. butter, cut into bitsStir in:1 c. raisins2 Tbsp. caraway seedsAdd:1-1.25 c. buttermilk or yogurtMix until combined. Turn out onto counter and knead for 1 minute (the dough is a

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-83564395403445142992008-03-14T10:27:00.002-05:002008-03-14T10:35:41.112-05:00

...falls to the floor, and begins to gasp. She reaches out a hand to someone off-stage, her eyes pleading. "Susan," she whispers, "Have pity! I thought ... I thought we were friends--" But no sympathy is forthcoming. The blogger's spirit has been crushed. Crushed! I tell you. Oh, woe to us. Oh, woe! Woe! Woe!Blogs spew forth, in largely unedited form, the observations of people who are often

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-46389279240115611352008-03-12T08:21:00.001-05:002008-03-12T09:11:12.361-05:00

Here is Three of Four’s report on the donut experiment:I got up early Sunday to get the dough going, so that it had time to rise before the whole house got going and started grumbling about food. [Ed. note: Of course, the original recipe gives suggestions for how to prepare these the night before, but clearly only oldest sisters read a recipe all the way through!] I was careful to invoke my

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-29924895503286928792008-03-10T13:08:00.003-05:002008-03-10T13:30:27.121-05:00

Anemoi mittens.Named for the Greek wind gods. I'll probably call these Boreas and Eurus, seeing as these are mittens!I've put aside the Noro sock yarn; thanks to Cate, I have a better idea of what to make with that, and I will get to work on that after these mittens are done. Despite the shoulder-pain hiatus, I think I'll be able to have these finished before the cold weather is over (famous last

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-63268148449972504012008-03-07T15:05:00.004-06:002008-12-10T00:24:15.952-06:00

The redder the tie, the bigger the bullshit severance package.Photo via the New York Times. Entire article here.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-61430907900986105352008-03-05T14:40:00.003-06:002008-03-05T14:45:57.588-06:00

Do I always come across links like this? And I wasn't even searching for this kind of thing. I was passing through one of my daily reads (which isn't one of my food reads).Darn.I'm going to try to resist it. I am!I would like to share something better with all of you:Lemongrass Quinoa Pilaf. Follow the link for the directions.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-19407254079652060952008-03-04T09:24:00.005-06:002008-03-04T10:18:55.818-06:00

Did you all hear about this? Gang Memoir is Pure Fiction. I read the article last night. I had some outbursts of indignation as I read it, so I'll reproduce them here with you. (You can open the article and go along with me. It'll be like we're at the breakfast table together and I keep interrupting your reading with another snippet from my reading.)In “Love and Consequences,” a critically

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-8810140826637951772008-02-28T09:27:00.003-06:002008-02-28T09:49:41.753-06:00

I just wasted too much time trying to find something online for you all, and so I’ve lost whatever joie de blogger I started the day with. Instead, I will whip up this less-than-stirring bullet post.Family outings are worth late nights. We went to see Natalie MacMaster in concert last night, and boy, is she an amazing fiddler! She’s also a pretty good step-dancer, too. The girls didn't get to bed

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-36268153560729856332008-02-26T14:56:00.004-06:002008-02-26T16:49:49.801-06:00

I was able to see the chiropractor yesterday, but I'm still not very comfortable typing for too long. I don't know if I like this chiro so much. He's one of those crack-your-bones chiros, and it just doesn't feel as nice as my Iowa chiropractor and her spinal adjuster (see the Web MD video) (plus electro-stim therapy and massage therapy!). After 5 minutes of twist and (don't) shout, this one is

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-7748414440010327252008-02-21T10:53:00.002-06:002008-02-21T11:04:39.088-06:00

I had all sorts of plans for the past week. I would knit more on my very exciting changed project (I don't want to post a picture until it looks really cool. I don't want you to have to squint to see the neat pattern. You'll see. Soon!). I was going to continue to practice guitar chords (been back at it for a few weeks now), I was going to write good blog posts.But none of that was to be. With

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-10697022452512546992008-02-18T12:28:00.002-06:002008-02-18T12:32:08.106-06:00

The girls are on Winter Break this week, and this weekend was busier than we anticipated, mostly because my mother-in-law is in the hospital. She went in on Friday, was expecting to get out today, but because of the reduced staff (for President's Day, believe it or not), will be staying at least until tomorrow. I have no energy to post things in two places, so for a brief overview of our weekend,

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-13960138859599667592008-02-15T10:41:00.005-06:002008-02-15T10:59:30.054-06:00

Two things in my refrigerator are making me curiously happy these days: Fresh homemade yogurt and bubbling sourdough starter.What pleasure to know that I can make food from hungry burpy things. My yogurt is fresh and not too tangy, and my sourdough tastes mildly mustardy, especially toasted with a slice of cheese.Unfortunately, not all fungi are so benign. It seems there is a die-off of bats in

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-3684564751134811052008-02-13T07:58:00.004-06:002008-02-13T09:05:29.909-06:00

In yesterday’s comments, I saw a concern I have heard from many people about Barack Obama: “He’s so young.” I was going to reply in the comments, but I’m frugal (reduce, reuse, recycle), so why use as a Haloscan comment what can be used as an entire blog post? Barack Obama is currently 46 years old. If he were elected, he would be 47 at his inauguration.John F. Kennedy was 43 when he took

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-48500265723132156712008-02-12T11:52:00.001-06:002008-12-10T00:24:16.212-06:00

The girls were told (by a kid source) this weekend that school cannot run past June 23. Currently, the last day of school, after all the snow days we've had (including two last week, remember) is June 20. So the word on kid street is that they should all pray for as many more snow days as possible.Here's the current forecast:Here's the rub:The eighth graders have a three-day Renaissance Festival,

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-88966869429194126412008-02-11T13:33:00.000-06:002008-02-11T13:37:48.954-06:00

OK. I'm sure by now most of you have already see the will.i.am "Obama -- Yes We Can" video. If you haven't, it's on youtube.Today, I came across the John McCain version. Watch until the very end; don't miss the take-home message.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-79733675335569075732008-02-08T11:50:00.000-06:002008-02-08T12:24:37.175-06:00

We had back to back snow days here on Wednesday and Thursday, and there is nothing that cramps my style more than snow days. Case in point: When Impera was in kindergarten, and North Carolina had record snowfall (22 inches overnight), meaning that schools were cancelled for a week, I called on the third day and offered to drive her in even if buses weren't running. So today, instead of doing work

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-51001564781931259482008-02-05T09:58:00.000-06:002008-02-05T11:15:46.045-06:00

Yesterday was quite the day. I know the one who really deserves sympathy is the Consort, who spent from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. awake and in airports waiting for flights that were delayed, and delayed, then delayed some more; boarding planes when the weather cleared; deboarding those same planes when the word came in that their destination airport (Chicago) was closed due to weather; reboarding planes

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-9268282662725410232008-02-04T09:47:00.000-06:002008-02-04T09:53:12.667-06:00

Monday, and I am not inspired. I am going to distract you by posting a mosaic of my 36 most recent favorite photos on flickr. Two of them didn't show up. I'm guessing that's because of copyright, but if you click on the accompanying link, you can see them.Enjoy.1. My way, 2. mothersPorch, 3. room with a view, 4. communique, 5. Crimson Sunbird @ Asoka Tree...my fave pic of the lot :), 6. Yellow

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-17118490276945350722008-02-01T07:21:00.000-06:002008-02-01T07:43:18.209-06:00

That's the way you spell sourdough!Picture I promised to post for Cowgirl.I know, I know -- I just posted about my Christmas loot, but you see, for my birthday, my mother-in-law gave me a card with a generous gift (aka, the notorious "cold, hard, cash"). I've been intrigued by sourdough bread for a while, which is why I got the brotform with Christmas money. But when I read recipes for sourdough

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-74442382597158307112008-01-31T06:35:00.000-06:002008-01-31T06:56:46.872-06:00

1. Do you take my insurance?2. Do you have 24-hour service?3. Is it easy to transfer my prescriptions?4. Can you tell me where my pills come from?(China, you say? Hmmm. I think I'll pass. I've got a great recipe for a mustard poultice I've been wanting to try. Thanks anyway!)

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-89526185312530637612008-01-29T16:09:00.000-06:002008-01-29T16:26:00.957-06:00

My Moo order has finally arrived! So I can now record for posterity my Christmas loot. Back before Christmas, Trixie emailed all my relatives and told them that she knew I would love a Williams Sonoma gift card for Christmas, so did anyone want to pitch in for one? (I knew nothing about this, and I was touched by my baby putting all this together on her own -- that was actually the Christmas gift

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-64562616172274997912008-01-28T08:07:00.000-06:002008-01-28T08:55:30.312-06:00

Can you believe it? I'm blogging a finished knitting project!I've had this yarn with me since late last spring. I loved the orange colorway, and I enjoyed knitting with Trekking sock yarn before, so I bought it without a moment's hesitation. Then I got busy with the move to New Hampshire. And I didn't really have a pattern I wanted to use. And I got sidetracked by other projects. So the ball of

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-48624886898237296762008-01-23T07:27:00.000-06:002008-01-23T07:44:38.467-06:00

Thank you all for your birthday wishesAs Marsha recalled, there are in-laws visiting, and so I decamped to DC for some birthday frivolity this past weekendHugs from nieces and nephews are wonderful welcomesAn evening with the Capitol Steps is a great way to get birthday frivolity started(You really shouldn't miss their Lirty Dies [unfortunately, the one they performed Friday night, with its talk

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-46739006045112367512008-01-17T07:43:00.001-06:002008-01-17T07:43:23.156-06:00

Big change Originally uploaded by friuduric.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-43256074615182793272008-01-16T08:24:00.000-06:002008-01-16T08:27:02.198-06:00

The Consort sent me this link today.What Are They Waiting For?Watch it. You'll laugh. And then you'll feel sick to your stomach.Candidates, PAY ATTENTION!

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-78023018625980321972008-01-15T10:24:00.001-06:002008-01-15T10:27:25.478-06:00

Yeah. I'm expending too much energy at the Daily Photo Diary.I am even posting things that rightfully belong here, there. But, they asked! And others have said this much better than me, blog-wise.I really want to post here, but I'm trying to get a bunch of work done early this week.Because big changes, they are a coming.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-75296621493752720562008-01-11T12:14:00.000-06:002008-01-11T12:20:40.850-06:00

Yeah, let's just ignore that bullet list in the top left. No way a "better" post will be written today. Instead, may I bribe you with these?Quiz: Famous or Unknown Artist? The most interesting part is finding out who the unknown artists are.PLA. At least they're being honest?Video: Taylor Mali's The Impotence of Proofreading. And when you've watched that one, scroll through and watch his others.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-29859987705327165582008-01-10T14:57:00.000-06:002008-01-10T15:04:38.113-06:00

Dear Dave Melton,I just read the article about your Domino's franchises in Manhattan. It is so refreshing to read about good management, for a change. And secret to your success? Treating your employees with respect. Seeing them as people, rather than cogs in the wheel of your own enrichment.I have not eaten a Domino's pizza for years. You know, the whole religious conservative/homophobic owner

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-87817044591027275872008-01-09T14:43:00.001-06:002008-01-09T14:54:55.324-06:00

I don't know what to say. That's part of why I didn't post earlier today. It's not at all what I expected to hear here in New Hampshire, and I'm not sure I know how this will affect the future.But, life must go on, and so I won't dwell on the weirdness of it. It is weird, isn't it? The engagement coming only three months after the big brouhaha of a divorce. Crazy.What? Why are you looking so

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-12098047093940929752008-01-07T17:49:00.000-06:002008-01-07T18:12:18.672-06:00

Yesterday, when I got out of the bath, I had a hard time getting enough moisturizer out of the bottle. It had been warning me for a few days (with sputtering) that there soon would be no more moisturizer, but I had ignored it. Which meant that I ended up taking the squirty top off and shaking out what I needed so that the winter dryness wouldn't be too itchy on my skin.After drying off, I upended

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-68966585606224851122008-01-04T08:59:00.001-06:002008-01-04T09:05:29.179-06:00

Obama wins Iowa.And, we went to visit the puppies.1. You start with one puppy..., 2. ...then some more want to snuggle..., 3. ...before you know it, you're covered in puppies!(Created with fd's Flickr Toys.)Entire set here.(Let's ignore the fact that the Iowa Republicans chose Huckabee, shall we?)

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-76821404260837257822008-01-03T09:37:00.000-06:002008-01-04T08:56:57.864-06:00

Snippets occurring during a game of Rhymation the other night. Time is of the essence; the sands are falling!Consort: OK. Your character swims too far out in the ocean in World of Warcraft, you have...Trixie:Fagitude!!!!*-------Impera: Right before Frodo tossed the Ring, he did this.Imperatrix: Stumble? Impera: No.Imperatrix: Hesitate? Impera: No!Imperatrix: Pout? Impera: Mom!**-------Impera:

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-33650290253734203312008-01-02T12:01:00.000-06:002008-01-02T12:24:13.910-06:00

We try to do most of our grocery shopping at the local food co-op. I've noticed a certain type of person three times there, and although I checked with the Consort, he says he hasn't noticed this (although sometimes he can be sort of oblivious, you know, so his not being able to back me up on this means nothing, whatsoever). Perhaps it's because I'm one of those look-in-the-windows people (if it

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-45840030840502649632007-12-31T09:41:00.000-06:002007-12-31T10:00:34.275-06:00

I've been gone a long time -- that fruitcake was strong!Throughout the holidays I meant to post, I really did, but when given the option of either posting or reading/eating/playing a game, posting never won.For a quick visual overview of what we've been up to since the 20th, I suggest you pop over to my Photo Diary. You'll see that we still have snow, that Grandma has new puppies for the kids

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-77917289209088261442007-12-21T09:06:00.000-06:002007-12-21T09:10:50.922-06:00

Sometimes, you need a little pep to start your day.I love the Kinks' Father Christmas, and this morning, I listened to it nice and loud.Here it is, for your listening pleasure!

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-49879427407644492252007-12-20T07:49:00.000-06:002007-12-20T08:21:35.803-06:00

A few years ago, I found a New York Times article on fruitcake. The only thing I knew of fruitcake was that old story of a fruitcake that had made the rounds since 1954, never tasted but passed on from year to year to some new unsuspecting victim. The article made fruitcake seem edible, so I followed the recipe. The result was good. So good that I've made the fruitcake every year since then. It's

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-28189758087235685572007-12-20T06:29:00.000-06:002007-12-20T06:41:22.938-06:00

You suck.Hey Arnold, you're pretty cool:"It is disappointing that the federal government is standing in our way and ignoring the will of tens of millions of people across the nation,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said. “We will continue to fight this battle.”Hey automakers, you do know your place in hell is guaranteed, right?"Enhancing energy security and improving fuel economy are priorities to all

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-32788713440308005682007-12-18T06:08:00.000-06:002007-12-18T06:16:30.246-06:00

If you think you deserve a treat for dealing with cranky post office workers, if you thought everything was organized and you suddenly realize nope, actually, you are way far behind, then make yourself one of these, and forget your troubles for a minute or two (it isn't a *real* mocha, after all).1 mug coffee2 Tablespoons hot cocoa mixpeppermint oilMix the hot cocoa powder into the coffee. Take a

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-80547591709479308072007-12-17T14:00:00.000-06:002007-12-17T14:01:16.876-06:00

Dear Paul Newman,This weekend I picked up a package of your Newman’s Own Newman-O’s because my daughter Trixie was having a friend over for the evening, and I wanted to get them a snack (but I wasn’t sure if the guest preferred sweet snacks or salty snacks). Well, that, but really because your Newman-O’s were cheaper than the Oreos (I know, who would have thought it??).The girls preferred to eat

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-31824391736869463752007-12-13T13:47:00.000-06:002007-12-13T14:08:39.825-06:00

In the past week or so, I've joined in the current blog-wide disbelief that Christmas is actually SOON! This year we're not having a cookie party, so the typical post-Thanksgiving baking rush has been absent. We haven't gotten our tree yet (although that's supposed to change this weekend), and, although we've watched "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life", there hasn't been much holiday

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-21153188763203150172007-12-12T10:13:00.000-06:002007-12-12T10:34:09.047-06:00

First, of the bragging variety:For some reason, we are always getting our pictures in magazines and newspapers. We are just doing our own thing, following our regular routines, and there just happens to be a photographer around. When the Consort is running with both girls in the jogging stroller by the canal, *snap!* When Impera and her preschool class are learning about science, her face

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-68272976738386291662007-12-11T07:13:00.000-06:002007-12-11T07:21:05.495-06:00

These two gnomes arrived to join the Nature Table. They'll be busy doing prep work around here in the next two weeks, because St. Nicholas can't be lifting and arranging things, and that poor donkey is still traumatized by the chokotoff incident.Taking a bowI'm sure I'll be able to catch them in action a time or two. They're happy for the work -- heck, even with us keeping the house at 59 degrees

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-74001684122178375112007-12-07T11:12:00.000-06:002007-12-07T11:16:18.723-06:00

During my childhood, in Belgium children received gifts from Saint Nicholas (after leaving the slippers out), on the 6th of December. In the U.S., children would receive their gifts on the 25th of December (under the tree), from Santa Claus. Hmmmmm. Now, my parents were willing to shift the big gift giving to the 25th, but they did want to incoporate the whole Saint Nicholas thing, too. So,

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-18247875888857054222007-12-06T09:02:00.001-06:002008-12-10T00:24:16.559-06:00

First person to guess in the Comments what the heck I'm talking about, gets a prize.Stew guessed correctly! It's the fact that now, it is cheaper to buy things in Canadian dollars. Growing up, every time I would look at the back cover of a book, I would pity the poor Canadians, who would have to pay two dollars *more* for the same paperback. But now, thanks to Bush and his Administration, our

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-86531076126598881072007-12-04T07:46:00.000-06:002007-12-04T08:07:00.262-06:00

April 2007"Trixie, it's your turn for the next pair of socks I'll be knitting. I'm thinking I could use the yarn I won in the Secret Pal contest, and make up a toe-up, eyelet sock pattern, with a picot edge at the top. What do you think?""Cool! That will be great!"May 2007"Trixie, can you try this sock on? I think I should start the heel now.""No, Mom, make it longer.""Trixie, I made it a bit

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-4961784802344687252007-12-03T13:37:00.000-06:002007-12-03T13:44:22.867-06:00

We had a snowday today. I can't believe it -- I thought New England was tougher than this. Everybody was up by 6:30, and I checked the website. Yep, no school today.(Funny how if there's school, Trixie lays abed until 7 on the dot. If it's a snowday, however, she's jumping around at 6:32 a.m.)The first real snow of the season is always fun. You take the time to go outside, play in the snow, and

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-57316993495076513012007-11-30T08:00:00.000-06:002007-11-30T08:29:15.706-06:00

Today is the last day of NaBloPoMo; it's also the last Gratitude Griday. But I won't be blogging about either of those today. I can't. Not after having read this article at the New York Times:A Hoax Turned Fatal Draws Anger but No ChargesPlease go read it. It's not long. Then you can come back for my rant.Lori Drew, your actions have resulted in a permanent withdrawal of your membership in the

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-11800620985483542512007-11-29T15:30:00.000-06:002007-11-29T15:32:26.111-06:00

"So, which one did the Beatles trade for? Was it Ringo?"

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-33785249660928891042007-11-28T08:04:00.001-06:002007-11-28T08:06:39.370-06:00

City swap goodies Originally uploaded by friuduric.I participated in a bloggers' City Swap this month, and last night I received my package. What a treat! It seems that the home of my swapper, Kate, is also the home of a very cool organic farm, Mt. Olive Organic Farm. From the brochure she included, it looks like I'd be in heaven if we lived nearby: olives, sprouts, vegetables, teas, fruits, nuts

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-56370146214127036192007-11-27T13:24:00.001-06:002007-11-27T13:37:52.211-06:00

Marsha mentioned that she cooks tofurkey because her family requires a turkey-ish thing on the Thanksgiving table. Here's what the Consort makes every year for Thanksgiving. I explain the Thanksgiving version after the regular loaf-pan directions.Nut and Lentil Loaf4 cups water2 cups lentils (if you have red lentils, then do 2/3 cup red lentils and 1 1/3 cup brown lentils. It will stick together

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-32293440749342452122007-11-26T06:35:00.000-06:002007-11-26T07:19:56.662-06:00

I had one of those weekends where you want to do nothing (and therefore do nothing), but at the end of it you feel sort of let down.Well, I didn't do absolutely nothing. I did lots of Web surfing. And I learned that there are some blogs that I shouldn't read. Because the negativity a blogger writes about can poison my own feelings, creating proverbial mountains out of molehills. I wondered why I

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-83468729524809180402007-11-23T14:15:00.000-06:002007-11-23T14:20:17.840-06:00

I am grateful for our mail carrier in Iowa, whose schedule is such that we get our delivery around 11 am. That's when I'm ready for a quick break to the door after a morning of work at my desk.Early mail delivery is a necessity for a home-office person. It keeps us sane. What I am not so grateful for is the mail carrier here in New Hampshire, whose schedule is such that mail often doesn't get

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-49360740482616553742007-11-22T17:49:00.000-06:002007-11-22T18:04:17.420-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night*!*Wait ... that last bit doesn't belong to this holiday. Have a good night anyway!

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-25929661587723623942007-11-21T11:41:00.000-06:002007-11-21T12:08:49.470-06:00

Tomorrow will be the first Thanksgiving ever that we will spend with family, locally. We've done our fair share of flying and driving to someone's house for the holiday. And even have had some people fly or drive to spend it at our house. But, spend the morning at our house, drive 20 minutes with our offerings to a relative's house, eat, belch, then drive 20 minutes home? Never before.It feels

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-30240914540735310982007-11-20T08:59:00.000-06:002007-11-20T09:10:08.712-06:00

Getting my tea this morning, I see this:Really? Could it be? This is how the morning has progressed:7:17 a.m.9:10 a.m.The Consort walked in to work this morning, although I offered to drive him in. He called when he got there and said there had been an accident on the road, so he had actually been faster walking than in a creeping car. Just yesterday morning, he mentioned he was really grateful

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-3626470174150314212007-11-19T15:26:00.001-06:002007-11-19T15:30:19.914-06:00

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but really, I can count to 28 pretty accurately. I don't need an entire week of warning (and don't go calling it a "dry run," either; because that would be a lie). Best regards,Imperatrix

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-71902647545578008322007-11-18T16:52:00.000-06:002007-11-18T16:55:29.303-06:00

The man who wrote the Hokey-Pokey died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into his coffin. They put his left leg in. Then the trouble started.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-86516738419229051542007-11-17T12:51:00.000-06:002007-11-17T13:01:07.918-06:00

In preparation for the Thanksgiving influx of food, I emptied out the fridge today. (Notice I didn't say "clean out." No washing was involved in my actions.)We're pretty good about eating things up before they go bad, but certain things were taking up more room than they deserved: Two practically empty jars of jam, a jar of garlic olives with only two olives in it, and two mushrooms. I had a

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-13006004311219303352007-11-16T12:22:00.000-06:002007-11-16T12:50:14.165-06:00

I love music. I love listening to music, I love discovering music, and I love making mixes.*I am grateful that I am alive at a time when it is extremely easy to learn about new music without depending on ClearChannel dronesbroadcast radio. Thanks to my iPod (curiously missing these past 30 hours [yes, I'm counting in hours], and I'm thinking I may need to worry about this soon), I can have music

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19040832.post-37973542971659050072007-11-15T20:10:00.000-06:002007-11-15T20:15:06.918-06:00

There's got to be something I can blog about. I know I did stuff today, just not the stuff I thought I would. (I was going to tell you about the knit sock issue I have with Trixie. But I'm too tired now.)I know! If you like PostSecret (although I think a majority of the postcards are made up by the senders), you might enjoy FOUND, as well.

Imperatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748228447190366632noreply@blogger.com0