Pan - moving on...

I finished "Plain Truth" a novel by Jodi Picoult about a week ago. Let me start by saying how much I enjoyed the theme: Amish living. I was drawn to the book due solely to my not so secret desire to live in a plain way. I of course do not dream to give up all my modern possessions in exchange of gas lamps and dairy farming, but I do yearn for a more simple existence. This book tapped into that little part of me and explained a bit about this faith and the people that live it. Sadly, that is where the enjoyment ends.

"Plain Truth" was positively painful to read. Ms. Picoult's writing is extremely elementary, lacks creativity and is absolutely obvious. I would have stopped after the first chapter had I not wanted to learn more about the Amish culture. Thinking back, I'm not sure that the trade of a bit of knowledge vs. the cringe factor in the author's writing was worth it. Had I been of right mind, I would have chucked the book in the bin and bought some other book about the Amish. Who knows what my thinking was... The ending really capped off the book in a way true to each of it's preceding pages - in outrageous disappointment which leads to self analyzing the reason why you had put yourself through the torture of 405 pages of this shiteous writing in the first place. Obviously I will not be running out to read the rest of Jodi Picoult's works.

Enough about that crappy book. Let's talk about the two I am currently reading in quite sporadic form: "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris and "Sacred Games" by Vikram Chandra. Both are lovely and I am enjoying them thus far. I am not sure if trying, that I could find two mored dis similar books, but in an odd way they compliment each other in my world. Why am I reading two? Troy and I are sharing the Sedaris book, and I have the other going so I may not ever be without a good read. I am not far into either book, so I have no opinion to really give at this time beyond the obvious of Sedaris being so funny that I often times find myself in fits of tears and that I have a lot more to learn about the gangs of India. More to come on these two.

what to do when your daughter's the devil?

Oh, I feel terrible! A friend of mine came over earlier in the day to keep me company as I continue to dig up the vegetable plot from hell and allow her son and Marnie to play together. This was an excellent plan and for the most part it went swimmingly. My work went so much faster with her here to talk with and Marnie stayed out of my hair long enough to actually accomplish something. I dig, Jenni talks, kids play on the swing set, babies sleep = wonderfulness. That is until Marnie pushed Noah off the end of the tunnel which is twelve feet high. On purpose. Thank God he didn't break anything. What kind of punishment does such an act call for? Seriously - that is extremely dangerous behavior. She is only three, so I am not really sure what do do beyond time outs. Nowhere in the books does it tell you what to do when your tot tries to kill her only child friend. Obviously we ended the play date and now Marnie is sequestered to her bedroom until further notice, but is that enough or appropriate?

Mother's Day goodiness

What a nice success! Last night my mom and step-dad came for the evening before continuing on to the house up north in Traverse City. Since they will be there all weekend and will therefore not be in the vicinity for Mother's Day - we made my mom dinner and gave her a gift last night to show her how awesome she is. It went pretty well if I do say so. Here was our menu:

Fontina cheese served with sesame and seaweed crackers
Steak, shrimp & scallop kabobs
Red, orange & yellow peppers, mushroom and vadallia onion kabobs
Twice baked potatoes with green onions
Vino

Yummy.

I wish I had thought to take pictures of the meal. It was really beautiful with all the colored peppers. I had planned to, but alas...

As for the gift - I always have such a hard time picking out gifts for my parents. They have everything that they need and if they don't, they go out and buy it. My mom does not really collect anything and despises knick knacks and anything that doesn't have a real purpose. That is one of the main reasons I prefer to make gifts instead of buy them - usually what I make is practical and if it's not, you feel to guilty to throw it out or not use it because someone spent so much making it for you. Anyhow, this year I did not have the time to make something - I just had too many other projects going on. I decided to to go the charity route via this bag.
Not only is the bag awesome, but it also feeds a child for an entire school year. How can you go wrong? I am going to get one for myself also and so should you!


World Food Programme Feed Bag

birthday banner banter

The family and I attended a birthday party last Sunday in the burbs. Birthday parties are of great interest to me right now as our big shin dig looms in the near future. I am really big on making things *extra* special and memorable (especially when it comes to my kiddos). This party that we went to was for the son of my dearest friend all throughout high school and up to now. We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, it's just like we were together yesterday. Anyhow, her son turned one and we were able to make it out to the celebration. The thing that caught my eye was this large and lovely banner that she had made to wish her son a happy 1st. It was made of fabric and very cute. I had never thought to do this - but what a clever idea! Every year at the child's birthday, you can bring out the banner to hang up. With permission, I am totally stealing this idea for the kid's party. I am going to make one for each - in case they decide to do separate parties in the future or what have you. I am going to take the sentimental factor a bit farther however. When Marnie was a baby, I was so crazy about having this beautiful little girl that I went a little overboard on cute outfits. I have never had the heart to give away many of the dresses even though I have no plans of having more children. They have been sitting in the basement, collectively growing in numbers as she outgrows her still adorable dresses. The same kind of goes for Ethan too - I still have all of his baby clothing, however being only 11 months, there is not as much of a stash. Back to my point - I had the idea to use this clothing for the lettering on the banner. I think it will add a bit more to
the feeling of the banner.



Okay, so I still have quite a bit to do. I bought some felt today for the trim and to outline the letters. I hope that it doesn't take too much time, because I still have another to do. I have to say though that this project thus far has been super easy and really cheap. It really is not going to cost much more than one of those stupid plastic birthday banners and this will look much better hanging off the deck. The only thing that really sucks about this banner is how emotional it was to cut up her little dresses. I am not sure if it is due to the realisation that my baby is becoming a big girl or that I am not hanging on to them anymore in case I have another baby girl. Whatever the reason, it made me cry - a lot.