I now live on Avenue Nonow North. I love vandalism when it has a sense of humor.

The ride home from a much needed grooming. He wouldn't look at me the whole ride, but that's okay. It's the profile I love. What a handsome devil.

My mom totally reminded me of the great thing called Skype (how quickly we throw away the novelties of our lives...) when I wanted to see her newly remodeled kitchen. It's a beauty. And I think my mom missed her ballet calling.

You've probably seen things like this before, but a lady from the choir sent these church bulletin typos and "bloopers" out in an e-mail. They crack me up. So I share:

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.'
The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic
will be 'What Is Hell?'
Come early and listen to our choir practice.

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing
of every kind. They may be seen in the
basement on Friday afternoon.

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn
singing in the park across from the Church.
Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning
at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the
Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet
Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

It seems as though Eric found his inner Taiwanese cook. He made a mean dish of Chiang Mai noodles with chicken. We have a new goal of making our way through a cookbook of authentic regional recipes of Taiwan that my mom gave me. Eric really did steal the show though. All I did was chop the scallions.

I blame the tulips.

Gorgeous tulips on an overcast day...it's too bad that when I see these colors I always think Mc Donald's. I've been craving nuggets ever since my walk with Max.

Parking in Chicago

I'm thinking I need a sign on my car that says "Emergency Blood Transport." Or just a big red "DO NOT TOW" stenciled on.

Guilty Pleasure

Train

Roses are red
Ice cream ain't free
Wes and Anne
You're as sweet as could be.

(We found a gift certificate that you sent Eric for his birthday a couple years ago! So tonight we had a date at Cold Stone on you.) :)

Something about a man and his garage. Warms my heart.

He Walks!

We actually got to witness him find his footing today. He just went from baby to boy right in front of our eyes!

I call this one "Jessie Tries to Take a Photo of the Moon and Venus (I think that's Venus) While Eric Pulls Her Out of the Way of a Car." It's a long title, I know, but some art needs a little explanation.

Sarah, sister-in-law extraordinaire, has gotten to be a part of this recent hilarity in Spokane: One day one of her co-workers walked in from his morning commute clearly distraught because he had run over a squirrel with his bike. Then this showed up in the paper. And then this did. Oh...the comedy. (And may the little guy RIP.)

We have an AWESOME cast for Godspell!

Jello Shots and Cupcakes

Photo by A. Siegel.

The Volo Antique Malls make me happy beyond belief. There is always one wonderful treasure after another. However, I was a little unnerved by the fact that there were SEVERAL toys that I played with as a kid going for a pretty penny. Really? Are the things of my youth antiques? Sigh.

Well I don't think I had been roller skating at a rink (or anywhere) since I was about twelve. And let me tell you, I've still got it. Oh yes I do. I was in my element people. It was ridiculous. What a fun idea for a birthday party. Happy 30th, Erin! And for those of you other thirty somethings out there... If you want to be transported directly back to the 80s, go to a rollerskating rink and take a couple spins. Trust me. You'll come home and want to watch Pee-Wee's Playhouse.

So I found a Mr. Submarine not too far away on Lincoln Avenue. It's a smalltime addiction that I formed one summer while I was spending much of my time on the southside. Every so often, on my way to Spanish class, I tiptoe into Mr. Submarine and order the real thing, the Mr. Submarine sandwich stacked with all sorts of submarine goo and cold-cuts. The dude who runs this particular sandwich shop keeps a squinted eye on me. It's as if he knows normally I order snobby sandwiches with brie and alfalfa sprouts. That normally I like my whole grains. That I don't really have heartfelt respect for salami.

Him: You want a soda with that? (In disbelief).
Me: Yes... (I had just ordered one).
Him: What size?
Me: A small (I had said that too).
Him: I'm out of small cups. (He had pulled this last time).
Me: Well then can you please fill a medium cup with a small amount of soda? (I'm totally on to him).
Him: What do you want on the sandwich?
Me: Everything. (I'm indulging here.)
Him: (Looking at me suspiciously) Do you want mayonnaise?
Me: Yep.
Him: Mustard?
Me: Everything.

A woman at one of the tables, in the middle of an impassioned conversation actually shouted, "I hate liars!" The man handed me my sandwich and a few napkins and nodded in agreement.

Salmon Cakes

I found this scrumptious recipe in House Beautiful of all places:
2 cans salmon, drained
1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup tartar sauce
2 scallions
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
3/4 cup canola oil

Mix everything but the canola oil, reserving 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs
Form eight 3-inch cakes about 1 inch thick.
Heat canola oil in large skillet on medium high heat.
Press both sides of cakes into reserved bread crumbs.
Fry salmon cakes until golden on both sides, about 8 to 10 minutes.

This was my brother's creative way of telling us they are expecting another little Newton. My niece is so incredibly cute trying to get her head around the realities of the world.

For Easter yesterday, Eric illegally downloaded a box set of Elvis Gospel Music. I seriously can't stop playing it. It's pretty much become the soundtrack to my every move. Doesn't he just about break your heart?

Jessie sleeps... Eric blogs...

Jessie just fell asleep while we were catching up on last week's episode of Lost. I bet she's going to be really surprised when she finds out that Jack killed the smoke monster, had sex with Claire, realized she's his half sister, then left the island on the submarine. What a great episode!

The Pussy Willow Tree yesterday.

The same tree today.

Spring rocks my world.

These are going to beautiful lilacs. (Did I mention "sigh"?)