Writer's Block Today

I got nothing exciting for the blog today.

Zip. Zero. Zilch.

No energy. No motivation. No pithy words. NADA!

(which makes this something, but still NOTHING)


It took everything I had just to do my regularly scheduled written work today -- well, that and getting up, and THAT was an epic struggle that I barely won.

Is it time to go home and just pull the covers back over my head again? I just want to sleep.

Mistress of the Oblivious

Usually my friends call me Mistress of the Obvious, well, because, I like to point out stuff that is, obvious, ya know?

I think it's time to change my name. Just call me, Mistress of the Oblivious.

I was doing my errands at lunch yesterday, staying within a four block radius of work while I ran to the library, drug store, the produce cart, and the post office. I was in a rush, doing my thing, not really paying attention. (Also, as a "working" New Yorker, I have to keep up the mystique to all the tourists and day trippers, by wearing my sunglasses, ipod, and running about busily while not making eye contact.)

Well, there's a huge movie Loew's movie complex one block up from work, on Broadway, that had a bunch of activity in front of it; canopied tents were going up, hustle and bustle was occurring, much busy-ness. All I could think of was was that it was SO annoying when the public utilities had to shut down half the street and sidewalks at lunch hour to do repairs. I went out of my way AROUND the block to avoid the mess.

Imagine my surprise when I was watching the 10 p.m. local news and the reports were coming in, from the Upper West Side, for WORLD PREMIERE of the new Batman movie at the IMAX theater! Live from the Black Carpet.

YUP!

DUH!

I could have walked by the prep for a movie premiere and seen the BatMobile and BatCycle from the movie. Sorry bro! Here's some photos thanks to the BBC of what I could have seen (photo 6 and 7 are the vehicles).

Here's the NY1 Story.

Maybe I should learn to be more curious while doing errands at lunch?

Barking Mad -- Guest Dog Blog Pt. 1

Diggity Dog here again -- guest dogger extraordinaire -- reporting in on my trip with Auntie Nettie's parental units to New England.

These people have dog napped me and taken me allll kinds of weird places. I think they are barking mad folks.

Connecticut

For the Fourth of July, they took me to this thing called the "Boom Box Parade." This CT town started this parade about 20 years ago and it's evolved into an annual thing. Because there was no marching band at the local high school (and still isn't), the parade uses boom boxes (whatever THOSE are ... I'm too young to know) tuned to a local radio station playing Sousa marches. All kinds of people and things march in this parade.

Hello from Quaint New England Main Street.

Here's the mascot from the local AAA team.

Drew calls this the "big chicken."

Wow. That's an OLD CAR!

This "fish" has been in the parade for as long as there has been a parade. Every year, it's a protest fish. This year, it's about a local dump issue.

This town is known for its fascination with froggies.

Cape Cod

I was then transported to an undisclosed location on the Cape. It's a bucolic place, though you can't tell from these shots. (I have a no bare-dog-at-the-beach clause in my contract.)

Here I am lazing around.

Here I am Ruffing it on the roof.

The parental units are selling the hideaway, and put me to work doing some renovation and some cleaning. (I didn't realize it was a working vacation!)

For sale. For info ... Sorry. I don't have any.

Beaches? What beaches? I didn't go to any Cape Cod beaches.

I went TREKKING ... handcart trekking.

Pt. 2

coming soon.

Yummy Treats aka Tribute to Tori

Is your office fortunate enough to have a resident baker? You know, the person who brings in treats on an almost daily basis? The person whose baking is really the only reason you get up to go to work on Monday? The wonderful person who makes all the office birthday cakes ... from scratch?

In my department at the Big J, this person is Tori. We love her. People don't want to leave the School because of her. Not only is she an accomplished baker, but she's also a crafter and a "rockin'" shakuhachi flute player. She created this applique memento for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.

We jokingly call Tori the "nice" Martha Stewart.* When Ms. Stewart had occasion to be at the Big J for her companion's receipt of an honorary degree, we made sure that our two Marthas had a photo op.



Mom, don't faint now, but Tori even got me to eat zucchini -- that much loathed vegetable -- by sneaking it into a killer chocolate cake. It's oooohhh so good. (When your garden makes too much zucchini Janey, I have an idea for you!)

Tori’s Chocolate Cake
Aka Chocolate Zucchini Cake
From The New Good Cake Book by Diana Dalsass

9 Tbs butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 1-oz. squares unsweetened chocolate, melted, cooled
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp grated orange rind
½ cup milk
½ cup shredded zucchini
21/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour a 9 or 10 inch tube pan.

Cream butter and sugar.
Beat in eggs, chocolate, vanilla, orange rind, and milk.
Stir in zucchini.
Whisk together dry ingredients.
Stir into zucchini mixture.
Turn batter into pan.
Bake about 1 hour.
Cook in pan on rack 15-20 minutes.
Finish cooling cake on rack.

Serves 16+.

* MY opinions about Ms. Stewart are too well known to be re-voiced in cyberland. Needless to say, I did NOT get in a photo op with her.

Auntie Nettie's Merchandise

Lest anyone think that Auntie Nettie hasn't been working on her crafting, think again. I've been "hooking" away, and too busy posting about other things, like say ... cute kids, books, and travel.

Thanks to my crazy friend Kari, I have so much to work with. Remember the state of my table? I've been using my free days this summer to work my way through all of this yarn, plus the stuff I got on other small buying trips (HEY JENN!) to create 40 projects ... and counting.

Before:

After:

I've been keeping a list, though I haven't been so good about taking photos of some of the final projects. A lot of these projects have already been gifted. I was hoping that I'd have more "action/testimonial" photos to include -- but alas!

Here we are -- the first group in reverse order -- photos when we have them:

#47: Stuffed Bunny with halter dress

#46: Stuffed Monkey with halter dress

(Sorry, she's not for sale. I can't give her up!)

#45: Pink Fuzzy Hat with Pink Flower

#44: Pinks/Purples Flower Scarf - Black

#43: Red/Pink Flower Scarf - Black
#41-42: White Mohair Scarf and White/Beige Mohair Hat

#40: Blue Hat with White Flower
#37-39: Rainbow Flower Scarves - White#36: Purple/Pink Flower Scarf - White (see above)

#35: Purples Flower Scarf - White (see above)

#34: Red/Black Ribbon Scarf

#33: White Skinny Scarf

#32: Copper Skinny Scarf

#31: Aqua Skinny Scarf (gifted)

#30: Toddler Mary Jane Booties - Grey

#29: Aqua Kerchief (gifted)

#25-28: Legwarmers (gifted)

#24: Yellow/White Variegated Crib Cover (gifted)

#23: Light Blue Lacey Crib Cover (see here, but in blue)

#22: Sal's Afghan for Barbara (Dude, I need photos)

#21: Pink Hoodie Afghan (gifted to Elle, shown here with Amber) #20: Camel Mohair Plush Scarf

#19: Wacky Blankie

#18: Yellow Baby Blankie

#17: Chenille Half Moon Scarf - Purple

#16: Chenille Half Moon Scarf - Red

#15: Chenille Half Moon Scarf - Red/Black
#14: Purple Confetti Boucle Scarf

#10 & 13: Russett Ruffle Scarf (prizes)
#12: Autumn Harvest Ribbon Scarf

#11: Sal's Afghan for Kate (seriously, I need photos!)
#9: Aqua Skinny Scarf (keeping for me)

#8: Purple Skinny Scarf (gifted)

#7: Rose Pink Skinny Scarf (gifted)

#6: Red/Blank Skinny Scarf (gifted)

#5: Copper Skinny Scarf

#4: White Twinkle Baby Afghan

#3: Grey Skinny Scarf (sold)

#2: Yellow Crib Cover

#1: Grey/Black Ribbon Scarf

Whew! No wonder my hands hurt!

Except where noted, everything is available for sale. Prices and dimensions upon request.

I can take more photos if you need more details too!

Ruffing It -- Guest Blog

Diggity Dog here again -- guest dogger extraordinaire -- reporting in on my trip with Auntie Nettie's parental units. Once they dropped her off in Las Vegas, we went on to California. It's a "ruff" life, being a travelling dog.

Mojave, CA

When life hands you lemons ... pose with them!

I miss Jane's Garden!

Party animal!
After a night on the town, a dog's got to relax!

Why doesn't my backyard have one of these?
Next stop ... Cape Cod!

Stay tuned!

Guest Blogger - Diggity Dog

Hi! I'm Diggity Dog, a guest blogger from Flax Hill. I have my own blog, Travels with Diggity Dog. I'm trying to visit all of the United States. My friend Jane was nice enough to let me visit with Auntie Nettie and her family as they were travelling all over the country. On this trip, I got to visit lots of places and do lots of things. Want to see?

Places I visited

Apparently, Arizona has some detractors.
Note the bullet holes.

These people don't seem friendly to my kind!

I just don't have enough "dog years" to qualify to live here.

I also had fun in St. George, Utah.

Swimming with the fishes

I'm sorry. Am I too heavy?

Why, oh why, am I not waterproof?

Hey buddy?

Don't push my buttons!

I made lots of new friends.

Why is Grumpa Max hiding? I just want to bring him the "Good Word."

(You'll understand later.)

Chewing the Fat with Amber
Whoa Nellie! Important Pow-wow

Sniffing Around with Tippi. Who says dogs and cats can't be friends?

Me and My Rockman
I took in lots of Nature.

Is it a tree or a cactus?

Look at the size of that tumbleweed! My Canyon Ranch adventure Catching some rays
I even went "Native!" When in Utah ...

I converted on this trip.

Now I'm a missionary. Here I am trying to convert some friends.
I did lots of other things too!

Biking Gambling in the local gas station
Watching the Chronicles of Narnia
Learning to play the guitar

Joining a band

Going trekking, now that I'm a "native."

I didn't have so much fun in the Cactus Garden

OUCH!

I even snuck along on the "Visit to Manland"

Riding the 4x4

Excuse me? I'm not your cub!

Ride 'Em Buckaroo!

Nevada Necessity!

When in Nevada, it is necessary to go to a casino. You have to. It's a rule!

You also have to go to the Buffet!

But now I don't feel so good!

Looking forward to California!

I was supposed to fly back to New York with Auntie Nettie, but her parental units went on to California and I hitch-hiked with them. Pictures tomorrow.

stay tuned ....