Stuff

Newly white front room:


My new crab, Mr. Parslow:


Mr. Parslow and Stephen:


Swiper sleeping with his tongue sticking out:


In other news, I have the armchair primed, I'm just waiting for payday so I can get some enamel for it and the rocking chair. I'm going to have to find a fabric store that sells upholstery foam, Michaels didn't have any.

We went to the company picnic yesterday; the kids had a lot of fun. Rocky and Maria got to try one of those bungee-jumper things.

Window bloomers

I don't know why, they just really remind me of underwear.
Still, I think I did a pretty good job, and it lets a little light in. It'll look better once the walls are white again.
Here's another chair I found:





It's old, greasy, and stuffed with horsehair, but I think it's pretty. I'm going to try to re-upholster it. I haven't sat in it (it really is disgusting) but it looks deep and comfortable.

And this is a little table I found. I thought it would be nice to set a glass of water on while feeding the baby, if I can get everything finished sometime before he weans...I'm not sure what I'll do for the top, maybe tile? I had thought it would be cool to get a piece of Corian for it, but I don't know if they'll sell me a piece that small.

Big Trash Day

I love Big Trash Day.
It's like a giant, city-wide free yard sale.
I have to go 'shopping' by myself though, since Mr. legs is apparently too good to go digging through other people's trash. ;-P



Hopefully this means it's super awesome:



Mr. Legs is going to help me fix it up. Instead replacing the cane, I think I'm going to make some cushions for it. And I'll probably paint it glossy white.

Rain

One of the things I really love about this house is the enormous, noisy fan in the hallway ceiling. When you turn it on it has a pleasant, echo-y, clockwork sound, and it sucks air out of the house and vents it through the attic. Fresh air comes in through the doors if you open them, through the cockroach holes if you don't.
It's best on wet rainy days like today, because it makes the whole house smell like wet grass and wind.
Mr. L is in Austin playing softball. The kids and I just finished making a double batch of chocolate chip cookies, and we're sitting dow to watch Tale of Despereaux. It looks like something Graeme Base drew, but it sounds pretty stupid.

We'll see.

Swagbucks

Y'all should check out this spiffy pyramid scheme.




The idea is, everytime you use this engine you may or may not win 'swagbucks', which can be spent on stuff. They have Amazon.com giftcards, video games, etc. if you join through this link, everytime you win a buck I win a buck, up to 100.

I found this on the website http://frugalhacks.com/.

Just puttin' that out there.

Hooray, booze!

I was going to post this in the comments section, but it got too long. In answer to your question, at first, I just wanted to learn how to drink bourbon straight.
I always wondered if the experts that like to go on about bouquet, 'the nose', the finish, etc were serious or just BS'ing. After a couple of weeks, I can finally tell the difference between several different kinds. I tried 1776 first, drinking a glass every evening, but couldn't appreciate it because it tasted like rubbing alcohol. Then I tried Rebel Yell, which also tasted like antiseptic but it was cheap, so who cares.

As I got used to it, I started to notice the flavor, the texture, and even appreciate the burn. I've also tried Fighting Cock, Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, and noticed I gravitate more towards the rye whiskeys. This made me think that I would like scotch since it's not supposed to be as sweet as bourbon. I DO like it, ...and now I'm thinking I'll just work my way through all the whiskeys, American, Scottish, Irish and Canadian.

Updates!

Updates!

I have cooked, skinned, and devoured a cow's tongue, and it was delicious.
Gag if you must, you have NO IDEA what you're missing.
Mmmmmm, lengua tacos. I got pictures of me with the tongue, but I can't find the cord for my camera right now.

I bought an ice-shaver last year and used it intermittently, and we recently broke it out again. I thought it would be cheaper than the popsicles (we go through about 100 every week), but the syrup is expensive, one bottle only makes two batches and it's primarily high fructose corn syrup.
So what'd I do? I found a recipe to make my own out of suger and kool-aid!
It is sooooooo good. We made mango syrup today and it tastes like the snow cones from the overpriced Hawaiian raspa stand.
In case you want to give it a try, here's the recipe:

1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
2 packages of koolaid

In a saucepan, stir together the sugar and water.
Bring to a boil, and boil for about 1 minute.

Remove from heat, and stir in the drink mix.
Allow to cool, and store in a container for pouring.
Pour over shaved ice to flavor.

SOOOOO amazing. The machine I have is the Hamilton Beach ice shaver from Target. It was $20, I think.
WORTH IT.

I've tried most of the bourbons on my list, so I moved onto Scotch this week. I got Johnny Walker red label...It's okay, but I feel like it could be better. Pete thought it was gross, but he hasn't been as diligent as I about training his palete.
It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.