Some Nights and Crocodile Rock

Sometimes you just have to roll the windows down and blast the stereo because it just can't get better than this.

The youngest of my kids just loves when I turn up the bass on my minivan factory installed stereo and then crank up the volume so my rear view mirror bounces to the beat.

Perfect for listening to Some Nights by Fun.

Or Crocodile Rock.

And truly the looks you get at stoplights when you sing along. . .well let's just say absolutely priceless!

Sure do hope these are the good memories that my kids will be telling to their kids.  Because if they don't, well, I'll just have to do a repeat performance when the time comes.

Vintage clothing

I'm really funny about clothes.  I'm not too much for wearing clothes that used to belong to someone else.  But I am fascinated by vintage clothes.

To that end, I share with you my favorite site for vintage clothing:  Vintageous!   Go ahead and follow that link.  Take a look.  Love love love the stuff they have available.

How am I supposed to say goodbye?

We've been together for several years.  Daily for a good portion of that.

And yet we have nearly reached the end of the road.

I know the end is coming.  I've known for a while.  There have been tell-tale signs.

It's like we are hanging on by a thread.

Because we are.

I have this set of favorite jammies.  I think I got them for Christmas eight years ago.  That sounds too far back--really eight years???  But I am pretty certain I have my timeline right.  Maybe I should check the Christmas morning photos?  I know I've worn them for multiple Christmas mornings over the years.

Soft heathered purple yoga pants and a hooded jacket in a thicker material.

We've been through a lot together.  I was wearing them the day my one daughter's godmother stopped by with a present,  I hadn't managed to get myself pulled together yet.  She had no idea I was still in my jammies.

Or the better story. . .I was wearing these jammies the morning I had to chase after my dog.  She chased after a jogger one morning just a few weeks after we moved into our house.  I was barefoot at the time.  Dashed right across the street (cars lined up waiting for the dog, the jogger, and me to all make it safely across the street--oh what a sight!)

But now, after oh so many Christmas mornings together, I can see that my jammies are just about done.

I searched high and low for another set like this but never found them.  My husband has tried for years to find a similar weight and softness.  No such luck.

Every time I wear them now I am acutely aware that they cannot make it through many more wearings.

They have served well.  Perfect for lounging, greeting guests or chasing the dog back home.

What more can a girl ask for?

Easy Peasy Pasta Fagioli

So easy it doesn't seem possible.  But one day I had a hankering for soup so I grabbed some things and went to work.  Now I don't claim this to be an authentic family recipe or anything crazy like that.  And if you are a food purist who spends hours in the kitchen making dinner from scratch, go ahead and click to the next blog on your list.

2 Bags of frozen Italian Blend Veggies (with pasta)
1 can vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 can tomato sauce
1 can cannellini  beans rinsed and drained
Salt and pepper to taste (I prefer white pepper)

Place all ingredients in a medium size pan and cook over a medium flame until good and hot.

This makes a wonderful meal with a side of crunchy french bread and a salad.

Last thoughts on the street festival

Sometimes it really is the little things that make me happy. 

Sometimes those little things also make me cry.

Like when kids who claim to hate each other manage to work together and find happiness--for themselves and each other. 

Last week at the street festival we got down to the last few tickets for rides and the girls had to negotiate some about what they would ride.  They elected to ride one ride together. Watching the sheer joy on their faces as the ride went 'round and 'round and 'round, well, it pushed my buttons.  I was silently choking back the tears through my own smile.

Because really, it wasn't such a small thing.  It was huge.  When these kids find a way to solve a problem and both come out happy, that is huge.  Maybe they do like each other.  But shhhhh!  Don't tell them I can see that they really do like each other.  They prefer to think they are enemies. 

Silly kids.

25 Minutes to Go

I had a real thing for Johnny Cash several years ago, thanks to the movie "Walk the Line."  My poor girls had to listen to a lot of Johnny Cash (and Joaquin Phoenix too) for a good long spell.  This one was among my favorite.  It was recorded live at Folsom Prison.  I love that he messed up the lyrics. . .going from "5 more minutes to go" to "7 more minutes to go"

This one is a cartoon to go along with the story. . .amusing.

Another great night at the festival

It was a gorgeous night for walking at the festival last night.  We picked up a variety of foods:  (Pronto pups), loaded Texas fries, giant Texas tenderloin, Kraut balls, Phi-er burger with extra jalapenos, (stromboli), cinnamon funnel cake and pumpkin spice cake balls.

But probably the best part of the night was the realization that my girls aren't too big to hold my hand.  OK, so the oldest one didn't care to hold hands.  Geez, that would be an eye rolling/foot stomping/groaning moment.  But the other two were willingly and openly holding my hands as we made our way through the crowd.  

And that made my heart happy.  They won't be little forever.  So those moments where they are getting along and allowing me to be so close. . .have to embrace those moments and love them.