Monkey Girl

Gillian loves bananas. She goes monkey over them, every time she sees one. Usually I cut it up into little pieces for her & put them on her tray. This morning she noticed that all she had was a pile of tiny pieces, while mommy had a huge piece sitting right there on the counter. This didn't seem good to her. She wanted the big one. And, she quickly stuffed her face with it.

My Morning

When I got Gillian up this morning, I could smell something really ripe in her pants. But, she hates to be changed right after getting up. So, I put her in her highchair for breakfast. After she had gotten bored with that, I took her back to her room to change her. Wow. She was leaking. I didn't realize that... Oops. After an inadequate attempt to clean her at the changing table, she went into the bath. She was pretty glad about that!
After bath time, we went to the front window to watch the trucks pick up the garbage & recycling. We found that a man across the street also watches the trucks. After the recycling truck had gone, he put away his can & two of the other neighbor cans. 30 minutes later when the garbage truck came, he did the same thing. Wow. How tidy & neighborly. No one likes to leave their cans out here. I guess it looks dirty. In our old neighborhood, sometimes we would leave our cans out all week. (I know, lazy & rude.) Here I think we would be fined, or kicked out of the neighborhood if we tried that stunt.
But, one of the other neighbor guys across the street, parked his van in front of our house this morning. Instead of in his own driveway. So, the street cleaner had to skip our section. Wow. That guy is not so neighborly.
This morning, when I pulled out the 1/2 & 1/2 for my morning coffee, it had a suspicious smell. I dumped some into the sink & it was totally curdled. AH!!! The sell by date wasn't even until tomorrow. I want my money back. That could've killed us. Sour milk products are my husband's biggest fear. I am glad he wasn't home for the scene. When he hears of it, he will probably want to get our own milk cow, so it is always fresh...

No Recipe

Yesterday I made Chicken Salad. This is one of the only things that I make, without a recipe in front of me. I mean, I can manage a basic pasta or salad, or something like that. But, not really too much. I am a recipe girl.
But, somehow, I can throw this together sans recipe card & it still comes out great.

Bake chicken breasts or boil whole chicken
cool
shred/cut into bite size pieces
In a bowl mix chicken with Mayo & Plain Yogurt - about 1 part mayo to 3 parts yogurt
Stir in curry, thyme, poultry seasoning & salt & pepper.
Add toasted almonds
chopped celery
halved grapes

And, that's about it. I eat it by itself, or over lettuce, or on bread with sprouts.

Mike & Betsy

Last week, I got to do the flowers for a lovely wedding at Saratoga Federated. The chapel & reception hall were both designed by Julia Morgan (of Hearst Castle fame). They were gorgeous.
Here are a few pics of the flowers.

Burfield Wedding

Last week, I got to do the flowers for a lovely wedding at Saratoga Federated. The chapel & reception hall were both designed by Julia Morgan (of Hearst Castle fame). They were gorgeous.
Here are a few pics of the flowers.

The Time Has Come - Finally!

This week will be busy... So, don't expect me to post too much. We are finally going to move!!! Hopefully by Wednesday. I am SO excited.
We have tenants moving into our 9th street home on Saturday.
And, we have a wedding on Friday evening, for which I am doing all the flowers!
So, I will give you an update next week, after the craziness!

Radio?! Who Needs Radio?

Gillian & I had to drive over to Saratoga yesterday, with her having refused to take her nap, prior to this excursion. We were in for a rather tumultuous ride, I knew. During such occasions, Gillian requires music. Or, she often resorts to screaming. But, several months ago, I had my car battery replaced, thus locking my radio/stereo. But, who needs radio? I know songs....
Her favorite seems to be Amazing Grace. That is one of my favorites, too. Because, I know all the words to all the verses! With other songs, I'll begin, thinking "I know this one, no worries". Then, mid-song, my mind goes blank. Oh, I guess I don't know most of it... And, if such a pause lasts too long, the screaming will then recommence. It's best to stick to what you know...

The Chair was Just Right

Yesterday, Gillian & I were at our friend Betsy's apartment, talking about the flowers for her wedding next week. Gillian was thrilled to find this chair just her size. She thought she was so grown up, being able to touch her feet to the ground. It entertained her for a good amount of time!