Libraries

We are big fans of books in our house. BIG fans! When we were in NYC a few years ago the Turkey actually cried real tears when he realized the New York Public Library's shelves weren't for public perusal. Real tears, folks! It would have happened at the Library of Congress too, except we found a door that we could peek through and actually SAW books! Whew. Granted, these trips both happened over 3 years ago but I like to think the examples are still valid.

More proof of the rampant Book Love in our house:

On the Last Day of School our first stop was the library to pick up some new tomes before going out for celebratory pizza. We ate pizza while reading. That was 2.5 days ago. Both books the Turkey checked out have been finished.

The Turkey's favorite t-shirt was the ONLY shirt he ever purchased while on vacation. It was purchased at the Library of Congress and looks like this:

Said t-shirt was retired only when a teenage friend commented he mistook the last word as "boobs." The shirt was never worn again. Yes, folks, books won out over boobs!

So when I came across this list of the most interesting libraries in the world, well, any of these would qualify for the Turkey's Ultimate Vacation. Yowser! Flip through it and you'll be floored. I was. And what a happy moment to discover we have already visited one of them. :-)

But just in case you are flying through one of these cities and want to purchase a book instead of just borrow it -- helping out the local economy, natch -- you can also put these most interesting bookstores in the world on your ultimate travel list. There's some serious ooh and aah here. And yes, we've been to one of these, too.

The MDDs are back

MDD? Huh?

Mom Detection Device. It looks and sounds like a jingly bracelet and serves to alert an unsuspecting teenager (or sometimes VERY suspecting teenager!) to the imminent arrival or whereabouts of said Mom. The light jingling sounds -- a gentle clinky-clanky-swishy-wishy jingle -- are well below the obnoxious realm but just enough to perk up teenager ears and let him know Mom is on the move.  

Most mornings I slip on an MDD after attaching matching earrings to the lobes. This habit is usually employed in the warmer months because never ever ever would an MDD compliment a sweater. Ick. The sweater would be pilled in a heartbeat. So instead of killing sweaters, I rely on the MDD in the summer to perk up the wardrobe and provide an inherent jingly soundtrack to life.

Most unfortunately for the Turkey one of my MDDs is currently on the fritz. It has lost most of its jingliness due to excessive use love. I guess the beads just got tired of being tossed around like dice and decided to amscray. It was a silver bracelet with all sorts of jingly goodness dripping off of it. Drip indeed! Anyway, I've been looking for a replacement and found this lovely thing on etsy: 

Oh, WOW! What a conversation piece! Conversation meets jingles. Nice.

My birthday is coming up...

Just sayin'.

The amazon list has been updated...

Again, just sayin'.

Memorial Day 2010

The long weekend started with an early wake-up call for the annual flag placement at the Veteran's Cemetery. It was an overcast morning, cool and pleasant, which helped the time go by quickly. (So did the sugar high from the donuts and sodas the boys had!)

Getting instructions. 

 

Planting flags. 

The carillon and main gate at the cemetery.

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend! 

Help wanted

HUNTER needed to decimate dust bunny population at Chez Our House. Must do floors and bathrooms too. No prev exp necessary. Killer attitude, cheap pay, easy hours, gratuitous blog postings, (im)possibly fun work environment. Apply here. EOE and LOL

Departing Design

We were catching up with the latest episode of the quintessential CBS Sunday Morning this afternoon -- yes, morning in the afternoon; DVR's are a great thing -- and found this particular video to be most conversational. G'head. Click on that link. You'll be back in less than 5 minutes.

Did you see it? Did you watch the video?

Yes, the video is called "Designing for the Departed." It's all about coffins.

*cough!*

Coffins? Huh?

"Huh?" is right. But did you see the coffins that look like folk animals? How about the vegetable? Fire truck? The paint-it-yourself ones? (Granted, that would take some planning. Don't die before your coffin is finished!) The eagle? Abe Lincoln's? There's a lot of "huh?'s" to be had in these 5 minutes.

Besides the giggles and the aforementioned "huh?'s," the best part of this particular video was the conversation betwixt -- what a great word! -- betwixt us two turkeys. Have a listen:

     Turkey: You're gonna want one now, aren't you?

     Me: Not as a coffin. Maybe as art.

     Turkey: Not even a pink turkey coffin?

     Me: Nope. Just cremate me and turn my ashes into diamonds. That way I can keep sparkling.

     Turkey: (laughing hysterically) I'd wear you. (...and after a pause...) It gives new meaning to the phrase "who are you wearing."

Happy day!

When I picked up the Turkey this afternoon he informed me that today, May 4th, was International Star Wars Day.

May the fourth be with you!

**insert groans and rolling eyes here**

DIY hits a new high

Have I died and gone to the big cheese farm in the sky? Am I seeing things?

DIY cheese? Artisanal cheese right from MY kitchen? In a couple of hours? Oh wow. WOW! 

My eyes blinked a few times to make sure this wasn't a mirage or part of the need-new-contacts thing, and then I quickly started surfing. And guess what? IT'S REAL! 

Yes, my friends, you can have fresh mozzarella, ricotta, chevre, paneer or queso blanco in a matter of hours without putting a toe in the grocery store or cheese shop. Oh.My.Goodness. I am swooning at the thought of it. Mmmm. Check it out for yourself at UrbanCheesecraft and buy it here. Just don't forget to invite me to the cheese tasting party!