a few of my new favorite things

Clif Nectar bars: specifically, the cinnamon pecan tastes like a little chewy cinnabun. There are four ingredients, all organic: pecans, dates, cinnamon, vanilla. I could eat a bunch of these little bits o' heaven. 3 WW pts.

VitaminWater in Rescue/Green Tea: I have been in love with this since they launched in, what, 2000? And I drank it when I was in labor. This is my fave of ALL the green teas, but is hard to find. Apparently, VitaminWater (even though they are in the process of being bought by a big eevil company) has the same distributor as Snapple, and since Snapple has a similar drink (but not really), oftentimes the same store won't carry both. Which is a shame, because the Vitamin/SmartWaters aren't loaded with high fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring.

Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake and Waffle mix vs. Bisquick Healthy Heart mix: Krusteaz is airy and fluffy, Bisquick is hearty and thicker. Both are delicious. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and vanilla. Guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Trader Joe's rules! English Cheddar with Carmelized Onion. $3 buck Chuck (because in MA we have to pay a distributor). Dry Rub All-natural Bacon. Frozen Wild Alaskan salmon. Turkey meatballs. British muffins. Soycatash. Always an over-shopping opportunity. I pity the poor folks who don't have one near them.

veganlunchbox.blogspot.com: Jennifer shmoo is a creative genius and an inspiration to fulltime working omnivore moms like me. But since my little dude is going to a nut free school, this'll be tricky. But she's got so many great ideas, and she's funny, it's worth checking out.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett: always a great read.

I should be...

I should be cleaning, since the house is a wreck and we are having a sleepover guest tomorrow.
I should be doing some work, since this week was all wonky with appointments (and missed appointments) and other work related business.
I should be knitting, because I have something I really want to finish. And, I am still kind of obsessed with it, so I miss it.
I should finally be adding reviews to yelp.com, because I've been putting it off.
I should also be looking at the large list of stuff to get together for the little snooky to take to his new "school" (daycare center).
I should NOT be blogging, while Mr. Man is watching UFC, or whatever documentary is on behind me. He has had a rough day.
I have the rest of the night to do at least some of things, right? Sure.

winnah!

My girlfriend Ilona is in town, so I went all out today. We met at Falafel King (at Downtown Crossing) and splurged on the King Special Sandwich: falafel and meat of choice (for me, today: lamb). Whoa. What a sandwich. Those guys are so good there. But I totally got drenched in the one of the periodic downpours today on my way back to work: a classic scenario of leaning into the wind with an inside-out umbrella. Plus, I'm holding a latte that's splashing all over me. Smaht!

And tonight, after the munchkin went to bed, I met Ilona & we went to ManRay at Toast. It'll never be quite the same, but we saw Richard & Sarah, and the music was good (especially for someone who doesn't go out anymore). I try to make it home early...and I missed the bus. But my stubborn streak rears its head, and I think I can catch the bus back the other way. Not thinking (until it's too late) that maybe the train won't be running when I get to Lechmere and/or the Red Line.

Which, by the way, shouldn't the T stop running buses to a train that can't get you anywhere?

So I hoof it from Lechmere to the other end of the Galleria where I know there is a cab stand, and got a nice cabbie who drove me to Dorchester after 12:30.

I get home, and instead of going to bed? I check email. And write emails. And blog. And now the cat is being a jerk, knocking stuff over at 1:30AM. Still, I had fun, and that's what counts. Even so: duh-duh-nuh! Winnah!

totoro, totoro

We've been reading the picture book version of My Neighbor Totoro for the last couple weeks. It's basically screen captures of the film with the story, broken into chapters. I trotted out some of the Totoros I've collected over the years, including a plush backpack. Owen LOVES it. Tonight we finally watched the newly-dubbed Disney version, and he was entranced. We started it from the scene where the girls are waiting for their dad to get off the bus and watched until the end. Then we watched it again from the beginning. I'm pretty psyched the boy already has great taste in anime!


As a kid, I loved watching Creature Double Feature on Saturday mornings on channel WLVI 56. One (of the many) film(s) that stuck in my head was The Monster Club, starring Vincent Price. I Netflixed it awhile ago, and just watched it again. Oh. My. God. "Camp" doesn't even come close. The trilogy of stories is actually OK, there are some funny cameos, and even Berni Wrightson art. But the horribly bad early 80's bands were completely unnecessary. I gave it the (Fast Forward) finger.

tempus fugit

There are a couple of reasons why I've been out of the blogging loop: knitting, and the O-man's 3rd birthday, which was an all weekend long event.

For the knitting part, I finished my first hat. Lucy at Mind's Eye Yarns was very kind and called the straight part in the middle a "design feature." My seester Katie gave me the yarn; not only was she packing for a move, but she's put knitting aside. Now I just have to finish her scarf. I've also been on a cotton coaster kick, since they make nice housewarming gifts, plus they have a high satisfaction rate. I can knit one up in an hour or two. I also finished a knitted envelope, like a sunglass case.

All day long Friday, I was thinking, "3 years ago I was...(at work in labor unawares, doing errands, making pudding, paying bills)." Saturday morning it was, "3 years ago I was...(getting a ride to the hospital from Karen & Ilona, having my water broken, pushing, going to see O in the NICU)." For a little guy who was 6 weeks early, he sure has caught up!

On Saturday, we ventured out into the downpour to the Children's Museum. Train table = fun. By lunch time, the rain had cleared, so we went to see my family & check out my sister & her beau's new pad on Beacon Hill (which was very nice, and made me miss living there). I split at nap time to get the boy's b-day gifts, and the rest of the day we hung out. It was nice. Sunday was family brunch followed by more hanging out. Today was the day-care party, complete with crown. I finally gave him the "strawberry cake," complete with a number 3 candle, that he's been wanting. Luckily, he just really wanted the strawberries. Especially since I didn't want a Sara Lee pound cake in the house, after Tak & I demolished the Entenmann's devil's food cake from Saturday. So it was nice, but I'm glad it's done. Next: new day care center, more potty training, new doctor.

finished objects

Yes, I know it's been awhile. The boy has been sick, and now I am too! Here's what I've got done in the last couple weeks. The scarf I started at Easter but ran out of yarn, of which I was finally able to find at K-mart, of all places. It's Lion Brand Boucle in Snow Cone, done on US#15 needles, if anyone wants to know. Yay!
The needle case is based on the pattern in Stitch N' Bitch, and it's about as big as a placemat. While Tak & Owen were sleeping on Mother's day, I made this one for myself. This was the excuse I needed to buy a sewing machine (a Kenmore Mini Ultra on sale for $68 at Sears in light blue, the same one reviewed in the May/June issue of Bust.) I made a bigger needle case (the photo came out horrible) for the array of metal needles adopted from my aunt, and one for my mom (didn't take a photo). The fun funky fabrics are from redprodepot.com, the base is some olive random fabric I've had for ages, and the flap is 1/2 a black napkin from Target. Happy Mother's day. And hope my other mama friends had a great day, too.

By the way, my knowledge of code is crap, so my apologies if these photos look funny (strange, not ha-ha).

Robbed!

We were burgled today. Rushed home after the management company called. The house was messier than when we left--drawers and makeup/jewelry boxes turned out on the bed, cabinet doors open. Thank goodness we have great neighbors. It's one of the times you're grateful they're nosy and home during the day. Luckily, the only thing the robber took was all the loose change, maybe $15 tops. Left the jewelry, electronics, checkbook, cash, gift certificates, and the cat. Because I did not lock the bolts, our door wasn't damaged (unlike our other top-floor neighbor). Sure, we had a close call. Don't get me wrong; I am extremely thankful, and only mildly shaken up about the whole thing. But I'd also like to know the logic: why take just the change? And maybe use our bathroom?

Tuesday musings

Why do yarn stores have to close so early on Tuesday? Many stores close at 6 on Tuesday, and of course, this is the only day I work late and don't have to rush home to pick up Owen from day care. There are, thankfully, a couple of exceptions: Newbury Yarns (owner Aldritch is awesome, the yarns are gorgeous, and naturally more expensive for a newbie knitter like me) and
Circles (a wonderful knitting salon out at the Green St. stop on the Orange line).

Maybe it was the rain, but everyone at work had the chocolate bug today. I wasn't immune either: I ate a massive whoopie pie from Shaw's. What a guilty pleasure! I didn't want anyone to know I had them or let them see me eating it and licking my fingers afterwards. I must have blocked out how frostingly luscious they are, because then I ate a second one later in the day. There go my points for the week.

It's really too bad the Tank Girl movie was so horrible. The comic/graphic novel is awesome. Stan Winston worked on the special effects, Graeme Ravell did the music, and the band lineup for the soundtrack rocked. The only redeeming parts in the film are the animated intro credits, Ann Magnuson, and Naomi Watts.

Finally, the day I confided to some friends that I had a blog (considering this is still a work-in-progress to me), an article appeared in the globe about blog plagiarism. Not that I think I'll ever get to that level, but it's filed away in the "good to know" drawer.

fetching haircut 5/7/06

fetching haircut 5/7/06
Originally uploaded by tracey2bits.

thanks Sonya!

a delightful sunday

The lovely ladies at 1154 Lill hosted a small bridal event. Peruse wonderful fabrics, eat cake and chocolate, hear nice music, and talk to a hairstylist and jewelry salesperson? Not too shabby. Not that I need these services, but it was fun to look! Afterwards, strolled through Copley, and talked the fun guys at b.good while scarfing down a delicious burger, fries and decadent shake. All followed by a fetching haircut at Aveda. THEN headed to the Galleria to browse and ogle the PowerBooks.


Don't bother alert: Three....Extremes. Stayed up way too late to watch it, and it was kind of boring, especially "Final Cut." Although, I'm still pondering "Dumplings" in a yucky way, and Miike's "Box" was gorgeous.

i love my neighborhood

I drop off the zipcar at 8:15, after a lovely afternoon/BBQ out (thanks to Seth & Michela), and stop at the package store (or the "beer store," as my son calls it). U2's "New Year's Day" is on the radio, and I manage to catch the lyrics just perfectly after the guitar solo. I don't get carded; does this have something to do with the fact that, yes, I've known the words to this song since I was, what, 12 or 13? Or do I look my age when I forget to wear lipstick? Or does the guy behind the desk not care? Probably a combination of all 3, since my husband didn't get carded either. I come out and a guy yells to his friends across the street, "I'm going to poop at White's house. We're hanging out on the corner." Yeah. I love this place. Maybe if it were someplace else I'd be freaked out, but after living here for a few years, it's pretty comfortable.