worth my weight in gold

and I am quite sure I would be RICH.  However, worth my weight in chocolate and I am still RICH, just not the desirous kind of RICH.

Because ... this weekend I believe I ate my weight in chocolate covered almonds.  At least.  I have been trying to eat more nuts -- the healthy fat group -- almonds, pistachios, walnuts.  I am not sure why I chose nuts as my target food group, but there you have it... I chose nuts.  Although, I am quite confident that my dietician/nutritionist (IF I had one) would not agree to the nuts being smothered in a thick, yummy, coating of milk chocolate or dark chocolate.   And I did get my quota of healthy fats met, as well as my quota of unhealthy fats for the ENTIRE month!!

So for the next three days or three months ... no nuts.  Which won't be too impossible considering I spent a good portion of the weekend being ill from ingesting too many chocolate covered almonds.  I almost wish I was having a colonoscopy next week. 

Meanwhile ... the rest of the weekend went something like this ... 

Daughter:  "Mommy, do you think her family likes OKRA?"
Me:  "I suppose."  (Who is she talking about?)
Daughter:  "Do you think they grow OKRA in their backyard like we do?"
Me:  "Probably."  (Who?)
Daughter:  "I said, DO THEY GROW OKRA OR NOT?"
Me:  "Who?"
Daughter:  "OKRA."
Me:  "What are you talking about?"
Daughter:  "You know, that lady on tv."
Me:  "HUH?"
Daughter:  "OKRA WINFREY."

My daughter wants to know why OKRA WINFREY is named after a vegetable.  I smiled because after all isn't OKRA WINFREY from Mississippi??
{I believe that Oprah's parents who claimed to have made a spelling error and meant to name her Orpah is another mistake, I believe my daughter is correct, they meant to name her OKRA.}

Soccer season has begun.  Let me tell you this is one soccer mom who is excited for this season.  But not nearly as excited as the soccer mom who was on the field this morning giving countless directives and competitives.  And it was only practice.  This is going to be a great season... must remember to sit next to that soccer mom so my cheers will be overshouted. 

Have I mentioned that I have a new obsession?  Yes.  It's name is _______.
 
Me:  "I think we should travel to _______."
Me:  "Oh, and adopt a child as long as we are there."
Him:  "WHAT?"
Me:  "I think we should travel ..."
Him:  he interrupts, "I heard you, I just wasn't sure if you were kidding or not."
Me:  "No, not kidding.  No fake laugh."
Him:  "What is this about?"
Me:  "Well, since you are not in favor of getting a puppy from the humane society  -- I thought maybe a child from X?!"
Him:  "That is not even the same thing.  Where are you from?"


Well I passively mentioned my plan to my husband, only because I felt that he should be forewarned before the social worker arrives to do our homestudy. I would really not be happy if he blew the homestudy by feigning SURPRISE!!

I was thinking how nice number 4 would be as an addition to our fun!

And the last part of our weekend, oh how I hated to end the fun we were having....
I was thinking about curb appeal.  And indoor appeal.  Details that make a home.  Not just a house.
I need some ideas.  My big time consuming focus is on a sliding glass door.
What do you do to cover a sliding glass door?

Here's the requirements:
1.  I need sun blocking from 7am to 11am.
2.  After 11am, I can open to let the afternoon sun in because the sun will be high enough that I won't have to worry about glare or furniture destruction. 

Some suggestions I have heard:
1.  solar film on the window part of the sliders. 
    a.  does this work?
    b.  does this ruin the windows?
2.  Drapes.
    a.  where on earth do you buy drapes that wide?  each window is 37 inches.  it is recommended to double the width.  so two panels at 74 inches each?  where does one buy 74 inch panels??? 
    b.  most shops only sell panesl at 50 or 54 inches wide.
3.  Sheers.
    a.  will sheers keep my morning sun off my furniture?
4.  A new sliding door with low e and 366 UV blockage.
    a.  I cannot find that kind of door with that type of glass.  I found a new door but it just has glass.  Which means I still have my morning sun problem.
5.  Vertical blinds.
    a.  I really do not want these.  Nothing personal.  Just don't really want them.
6.  Spray fake snow on windows.
    a.  Not really fond of this idea.  At all!
7.  Anybody have any new ideas???
    a.  I peruse many catalogs, and not one catalog shows a sliding glass door.  Their drapes always cover just a window.     

Stay tuned for more adventures from our crazy household...
Have a great week, everyone!

Stars on the Water

If you could be anywhere in the world, right now, where would you be?

I would definitely be with my family.

I would be some place with history.

I would have my camera in one hand.

And an espresso in the other hand.

I would be wearing sneakers.

I would be covering some ground.

I would be inhaling the air of happiness.

photography 202

 

Fascinated with lamp posts... a simple pleasure.

A reminder... to look all around you... for there is beauty.

photography 201

Photographs stir my memories as Jimmy Buffett sings,

Reading departure signs in some big airport

Reminds me of the places Ive been

Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure

Makes me want to go back again

photography 102

Peace is found in empty streets, quiet breezes, and happy thoughts

photography 101

Planes, trains, and autos...

Safe travels to all of you who are
skybound, roadbound, seabound or railbound!

And may your destination be a journey...

or a return to home sweet home.

just like heaven

1001 places to go before you die:

1.  MACKINAC ISLAND

Mackinac Island (pronounced mack-ih-naw) should definitely be at the top of everyone's list.  Or, at the top IF you reside in Michigan and neighboring states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota.  Logistically, a trip from Seattle would make it more difficult... although, worth the time travel. 

http://www.mackinacisland.org/

The island is small enough to run around -- even for an amateur, slow runner like me.  The island is perfect for biking around.  Rent a tandem and a honey and pedal through beautiful scenery... while laughing!!   Ride a horse.  Beware of the SMELL emitted from these island creatures -- it is a small island!

The no motorized vehicle ordinance makes this island very safe... unless you kicked in the head by one of the many horses in town.  And I don't think you can receive a 'ticket' for drunk-walking on the way home from a pub. 

The Grand Hotel ... as seen in the movie "Somewhere in Time"... is a lovely place to stay.  Share a special moment with your daughters, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, or aunts during Afternoon Tea at the Grand Hotel.

I am dreaming of a vacation on Mackinac Island!

webcams are fun! Find one on your next adventure!

Every day at 3:pm for husband and me

Every morning at 8:am for the children

We met in Peace Square every afternoon to say "Hello" to our children.

Here we are standing around...

Waving to a small little camera in a small little window...

In hopes that our little ones would be able to see us...

As we stood on the other side of the world.

Below is a picture of the wee little web camera that we waved to daily:

Looking for more Black Fridays

Actually, looking for Black Sundays.  Or, in my world, PINK SUNDAYS! 

I am wondering if there are any sales in Moscow?!  Any one-offs?  Any discounts?  Any bartering to be done? 

Currently, I have a carrier bag full of "Matrushka Dolls"... every little girl is getting one for Christmas. 

Moscow is quite expensive.  About 20% higher in prices than Europe.  But really that is quite acceptable.  Because I do not want to buy European goods in Russia.  I would prefer to buy Russian goods in Russia. 

29 Rubles = 1 USD

Perhaps a couple more "Matrushka Dolls" ...

OR

How much Vodka can be carried back to the good ole USA?  If we would quit drinking the souvenirs, we might be able to gift Vodka.   Because who doesn't want Vodka from the original Vodka Heaven??!!

it's friday the 13th

and have you been to the Winchester Mystery House?  In San Jose, California?  This house is the most amazing place to be on a Friday the 13th!  A Tour of the House by Torch!  (That is, a flashlight!)  If you are ever in the bay area, this is a fantastic site to visit.

check it out at http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/

Sarah Winchester was married to the son of the Winchester Rifle manufacturer.  Upon her husband's death, Mrs. Winchester was convinced by a medium that continuous building would appease the evil spirits of those killed by the Winchester weapons and help her attain eternal life. Certainly her $20,000,000 inheritance was sufficient to support her obsession until her death at 82!

Amazing Facts:
Number of rooms: 160
Cost: $5,500,000
Date of Construction: 1884 - September 5, 1922 (38 continuous years!)
Number of stories: Prior to 1906 Earthquake - 7; presently 4
Number of acres: Originally 161.919; presently 4
Number of basements: 2
Heating: Steam, forced air, fireplaces
Number of windows: Frames 1,257; panes approx. 10,000
Number of doors: Doorways 467, doors approx. 950 not including cabinet doors.
Number of fireplaces: 47 (gas, wood, or coal burning)
Number of chimneys: Presently 17 with evidence of 2 others
Number of cars at her death: 2 (a 1917 Pierce Arrow Limousine & a 1916 4 cyl. Buick truck)
Number of bedrooms: Approx. 40
Number of kitchens: 5 or 6
Number of staircases: 40, total of stair steps - 367
Number of skylights: Approx. 52
Number of gallons of paint required to paint entire home: Over 20,000
Number of ballrooms: 2 (one nearly complete, and one under construction)
Blueprints available: No, Mrs. Winchester never had a master set of blueprints, but did sketch out individual rooms on paper and even tablecloths!

A Staycay?

We did a staycay all summer long... in our backyarded pool oasis. It was lovely. Relaxing. Easy. Peaceful. Serene. Calm. {Aesthetically, I have blocked all the daily 'trying moments', yes with an 80 proof.}

Now, I want to go ... go ... go ... I want a real vaycay. I want to go somewhere. I want to fly far away. I want to go somewhere this fall/early winter. I want to go where the air is crisp. The food is foreign. The currency is worth more. The shopping is an adventure. And the Christmas spirit is all around us.

So, with or without kids? That is the question, I ask. I say anyone in diapers 'stays home'!

What's For Lunch?

I don't see hamburgers, hotdogs, or pizza on this menu. Nor sandwiches, pasta or anything vaguely familiar!

Eenie, meenie, minee, moe...

I choose the first one and I hope it's not a pig toe.

Because I really hate pickled pig's feet and pickled chicken talons. UGH. As if pickling makes pig feet more edible! IT IS STILL PIG FEET!

And I really despise tripe, roasted dog, or smoked snails.

WELL, option number one turned out to be cold mushed potatoes... so I washed it down with a lot of PIVO!! (Beer) Any food is a bit more delicious when combined with a 'higher alcohol content' beer, maybe even pig feet!?

A View at Sunrise

Where in the world is this island of paradise?










(the island of Korcula)

women of habit

are women we could all learn from... (with the probable exception of shopping and wardrobe attire)

economic
prayerful
soulful
insightful
sisterly
motherly
orderly
inventive
creative
frugal

I love traveling to predominantly Catholic countries and seeing nuns. They are so cute, so souvenir-like. They must dislike having their photos taken, hence the nuns' flipside shot as they cursed me in Polish (I'm sure it was a curse... my God-given talent is being able to cuss in any given language). I think I'll go watch 'Sister Act', or perhaps 'Sound of Music'...

(a post to my favorite, long-ago, but not forgotten nun; Sister Phyllis)

a little bit of heaven...

The signs announce "Do Not Touch"!
The signs announce "Look Only"!

We spent about two hours browsing this teeny little corner shop, deciding which chocolate to bring home. The salespeople were so friendly, letting us taste little samples: 42%, 55%, 64%, 72%, 80%, 82%, 86%, and 90% cacao.

How can we get this delicious chocolate back to America? The salespeople suggest 'shipping'. However, it is only possible with a wholesale order. And, that is an extraordinary amount of chocolate for two people (it's not like we're going to share).

After much deliberation I admired the chocolate replicas of famous sites in Berlin. I was scowled at as I got much too close. I was escorted out with a severe frown ... perhaps, it was the lick or the little corner I tried to pry loose.

But unfortunately for Rausch, the signs do not announce, "Do Not Eat"! Nor do they announce, "Do Not Lick"!

Too bad for me... I never got to place my wholesale order. And the corner I pried loose was obviously shellacked with some non-edible spray. UGH.

But spiritually, on that day, I discovered ... There is a "Chocolate god" ... and HE exists in Berlin!

Please send chocolate from Berlin!

natural habitation

Strolling in an amazing zoo, I pause for a photo opportunity.

"Oh, NO!" shouts my four year old. "He's eating my crackers!"

Head down, I continue to fiddle with my camera; lenses and settings, and I wonder why I have to reprimand another adult. "Please do not eat your daughter's snacks. That is all I have with us!"

"What?"

"What, what?"

"Mommy, Daddy, get them out!"











Lemurs on the Loose, "I like to move it, move it"!, as daughter vacates seat.

NOT the Orient Express

Cami and Missy, cousins, are boarding a train in Copenhagen bound for Munchen. They select a seat, a comfortably affordable seat despite their state of unemployment. (A seat on an overnight train costs considerably less than a night in a guesthouse.) One seat in a group of six. Six seats in a little room with a glass sliding door and one window. A seat for sitting upright for the next ten and one-half hours.

The remaining four seats quickly fill. Two French men enter together. One Dutch man. And one man from Senegal. All six riders stare out the window in an uncomfortable silence. Not really sure why it is uncomfortable except for the fact that they are all strangers in a very small compartment together. (Perhaps it is the unknown and untimed bodily functions that may cause embarrassment!)

Silence.

The train begins to slowly depart from the station. Picking up speed as they jut out into the sunset. No showers and no toothbrushing as the journey begins and looks forward to a six o'clock morning arrival.

Cami opens up her backpack to reveal a Carlsberg. Missy opens her backpack to display another Carlsberg. The four men stare at the girls. "What? This is dinner."

Then, one by one, the four men are opening their bags to produce their favorite traveling beverage companion. Two more beers. One bottle of whiskey. And a small bottle of red wine.

None of the them speak the same language. But the bottles of alcohol are speaking the same international language: "Drink and Be Merry".

Picking up speed, the countryside is whizzing by.

The laughing begins as the beverages become communal. The group appears to be playing charades and pictionary as if the shouting makes themselves understood. The alcohol gives each person courage. They are profound. They can miraculously translate the foreign languages. They are DRUNK!

Henning, the Dutch, clearly has an intoxicated advantage. Unknowingly, he enters the train already inebriated.

From the solo window, out in the distance, they see hazy smoke billowing in the fields. The smoke is probably from grass fires. Definitely NOT from a train passing by and smoking up the tracks with immense speed! But Henning, declares with great authority in broken English, "Shit, I thought WE were on the Orient Express!"

3-in-1 Strong

Spinach? No.
Cleaning Product? No.
Spouse, Partner or Significant Other? No.
Disinfectant? No.
Deodorant? No.
Fragrance or Perfume? No.

Coffee. Yes, Coffee. Yes, Instant Coffee. Yes, Coffee in a long, narrow, green packet - tear open, just add hot water and stir. Yum! Coffee.

3-in-1. Coffee. Milk? Sugar?

That is my guess because the product is written in a foreign language and I can only translate: 3-in-1 Strong Nescafe Coffee. And it is also available in 3-in-1 Mild. But who wants to drink MILD? I would prefer 4-in-1 Strong ... the 4 being extra caffeine!

Honestly, this is THE best INSTANT coffee. I prefer BLACK coffee. But this instant coffee is truly good and perfect for any of us on-the-go-types.

In America, we have a large quantity of coffee brands and flavors. My 3-in-1 is produced by Nescafe. So, why doesn't Nescafe sell this particular coffee in America? It is sold in the European Markets - Czech, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Romania... I would definitely keep Nescafe in business. I would be very loyal to Nescafe. (Nescafe does sell instant coffee in America but it needs to be the specific 3-in-1 STRONG.)

Please go to http://www.nescafe.com/ and click on contact to bring this most amazing instant caffeinated beverage to America.

Anyone going to Europe? I need my 3-in-1 FIX! Please send. I have finished my last packet.

A close second is the Douwe Egberts brand. Send Douwe Egberts if 3-in-1 Strong is unavailable. Just send caffeine!

Ebi Odori (ay-bee oh-doe-lee)

After work one night, my Japanese friends and I go to a sushi restaurant. Aiko selects a "non-touristy" place located about an hour's train ride out of Tokyo -- into the suburbs.

I am brave when it comes to experimenting with Japanese cuisine unless, of course, it is plastic-like and chewy (squid and octopus come to mind).

Aiko asserts herself as the group leader and orders ebi (shrimp) for me because IT is one of my favorite food groups!

I am slowly sipping the sake that has been placed before me (YUCK) - but a few sips I will take to kill off any harmful bacteria that may be lurking in the sashimi or sushi. And then I will switch to green tea to further kill off any lingering bacteria (and who says diet coke is bad for you??).

My order of shrimp arrives. The chef delicately carries the platter and ceremoniously sets a tiny plate bearing ONE single shrimp before me with a deep bow. I feel special ... perhaps, because I am the only foreigner here and, oh, I am a teacher. The Japanese people love their teachers!

I rudely stare at this particular shrimp. It appears to be different. Than what? Seeing that I am a non-cook at this point in my life ... the shrimp just looks different from the shrimp that I eat back in the USA.

Aiko declares with happiness, "Ebi desu!" (Translation: it's shrimp!)

"Oh!" I proclaim back. "That explains the color, GRAY! It is Gray! Did someone forget to feed this farm-raised shrimp the stuff that turns them pink??" I am still staring at this shrimp. Where have I seen gray shrimp in my lifetime? Thankfully, the head (which includes the eyes) is removed prior to arriving at my seat.

I continue to ponder the Gray color. It is still Gray. No chameleon like changes going on here. The lone shrimp lays on a bed of rice adhered with wasabi. Resembles typical sushi.

All fourteen eyes are on me. Why? I know I need to eat this seemingly expensive gift shrimp.

I grasp my chopsticks.
And I place a stick on each side of the sushi.
I hold the tail with my left hand.
I pull the tail.

The tail did not come off?

I try again to remove the tail.

And just then, HOLY SHRIMP! The grayness jumps out of my grasp, off the rice, up into the air, performs an incredible aerial stunt, and lands back on my plate.

I fall off my stool.

"Shinjidarenai!" I scream. (Translation: I don't believe it! Honest, it is not holy shit or any other four-letter word residing on the tip of my tongue.)

"It is EBI ODORI!" Aiko shouts at me. I know what it is called but what is it?

It's dancing shrimp! (Translation: IT's ALIVE!!)

I am NOT eating that shrimp. I think I am going to vomit.

"Dozo," I offer Aiko the shrimp.

Aiko expertly takes the ebi odori into her chopsticks, places the shrimp into her mouth, pulls off the tail, and places the tail back onto the plate -- where it continues to dance (flipping all around the plate)!

I am going to vomit.

Aiko swallows the shrimp WHOLE.

I know I see the shrimp dance its way down Aiko's throat.

I do vomit.