a few things i never want to experience again

the divine miss scarlet charged me with this meme. of course, this was ages ago and i've been in a tizzy to try and narrow it down to come up with 10 things i never want to experience again. so here it goes and no, i'm not explaining anything.

10. acid
9. officially questioned
8. stupid drunk
7. fired
6. breaking bones
5. hollywood curls
4. pixie bangs
3. pneumonia
2. being served

and the #1 thing i never want to experience again

i can't even tell you.

it's an interesting thing to start thinking about those things you'd rather forget ever happened and even more interesting to share them. this might not stay up for very long...

monday

it's monday. this has been one of those weekends that make me want to stay in my bed with the covers over my head. it started with the nostradamus effect documentary on the discovery channel the MITM was watching. yeah, the whole nine yards of myth, mayhem and mayans. add to that iranian nuke testing, bird eating frogs, 163 new species found in the mekong delta just last year, water levels rising, mysterious flesh eating diseases, pandemics, falling asleep with the tv on (dexter) and an incredible crop of bad movies...well, i have been overwhelmed by it all! so why the video? because in spite of all the real threats in the world and all of the perceived chaos that we seem to feel is real, human beings continue to find joy in the simple things. thank goodness, it's monday! i have days ahead that can only get better!

how was YOUR weekend?

UPDATE: FOR super nana



UPDATE: the women's bean project is one of my most favorite shopping sites. check it out when y'all get a minute. it's a good thing!

the day after

*sigh*

i hate the day after people leave, especially, my people. mr. moose and miss nan left yesterday morning. the MITM took them to the airport because everyone knows i cry at airports. yes, it's true. i cry when i'm happy and lord knows, i will cry you a river when i'm sad...anyway, today's post is pictorial because one of y'all asked about the bar (by the by, i'm guessing mr. moose will answer all y'all's comments after he settles back into his routine), so the MITM decided to do a show and tell.





here's some weird stuff to ponder and it's in our front yard/garden!

The Oxtail Soup Eaters Tale

After floating downriver out of Atlanta and washing up on the marsh bluffs of Savannah, I planned to spend the first day or so here just decompressing. But Maison Marsh-mere is the perfect decompression chamber and one day turned into the whole trip. How could I resist: beautiful, super-comfortable house surrounded by quiet greenery and clean air (what a shock to my L.A.-riddled lungs! Another week here and I'll have to start smoking), soft couches, good books, a million movies, big screen television, and oh did I mention The Most Delicious Food I've Eaten All Year?! I wake up, BAM!, North African tomato and eggs. I come down for lunch, BAM!, stuffed eggplant with red beans. What's for dinner? Well, Mr. Moose if you'll take a look in this pot you'll see - BAM! - slow cooked oxtail soup, with crusty bread and escarole/goat cheese/cherry tomato salad on the side.

I am become sloth, the eater of food.

Usually in Savannah, I like to go Downtown, eat out, maybe get out to the beach, you know, leave the house and all. But this time, I pretty much just loafed. Hardcore loafing too, not that Sunday afternoon amateur stuff (I was a loafeur, as the French say in my imagination). Just eatin' and sleepin' and watchin' and readin' and why don't I take a nice, slow stroll down to the dock at sunset, well maybe I'll go tomorrow, zzzzzzzzzzz.

My wife and I came here with all these ambitious plans about getting work done in the afternoons and they just went up in smoke. She's usually the motivated one but what did I hear yesterday when I plugged in the computer? "Why don't you get started and I'll go upstairs and watch a movie". She smiled and disappeared for a few hours and all I could do was admire her expert loafing abilities.

I think when we come back, I'll schedule a few extra days specifically for decompression. That way, we can actually plan some trips around the area. Maybe get up to Charleston, get out on the river, or....oh who am I kidding. What's for dinner?

show and tell

yes, it's all about eating, drinking, talking and just being together!

last night the MITM made one of his favorite dishes mussels in wine and creme fraiche as a first course and followed by pesto and linguine. both were served with copious, but perfectly chilled, amounts of fume blanc. yeah, it was good. sitting with mr. moose and miss nan reminded me of meals long past...the 6 of us gathered around the round table (which has been replaced, BUT will be used on the covered porch when the addition has been completed)and enjoying our time talking about the day, what was going on with each of us. (it just dawned on me, that has been the first question they've all asked! where's the round table?) super nana told me one of her most treasured memories was just sitting at the table and talking. you brought your A game to our table because opinions were valued and conversation was an art form we all worked on! i know that's still true for us and i'm guessing it's that same way for all of them. nothing new, i know, but it still surprises me when i hear people talking about how silent meals were when they were growing up or how it it's just not the way they do things still. anyway, as we were savoring every spoonful of the broth, i realised just how fortunate the MITM and i really are...our children love us, but more importantly, they like us, too!



the MITM is making oxtail soup for supper tonight. he started about an hour ago on this day long culinary experience. i really do wish y'all could sit with me here in the kitchen, it is truly heavenly! i might post some pictures...

so, here we go...

mr. moose has decided that he MUST do a guest blog after he soaks up a bit more of the environment!

this will be a drive by blogging day.*

and i am removing comment moderation!

i like living dangerously!

* by me, mr. moose is going to do a real post.

update:

this an sample of my drive-by style. not answering comments, but adding a bit more nonsense to the already randomness of this entry. i'll go answer the comments now. or maybe, i'll look for a youtube...randy newman comes to mind.

two of my favorites singing a song for all y'all!


another update:

in another life, i was in government service. i was well compensated in many ways, money being the least of them. now, all of this accumulated knowledge is being put to use again for free. now, i'm not complaining because i have volunteered my services. so what am i doing? playing/dealing/juggling politics. yes, darlings, the business of the people and the subsequent people problems. i shall drown my sorrows in lemonade...i wish i was being paid again.

yippieeeeeee!

mr. moose is here!

miss nan arrives tomorrow evening!

stuffed eggplant (aubergine) for supper tonight.

not sure what monday's menu is, but, there has been a request for the MITM's famous mussel dish!


we'll take pictures!

TGIF or what's been happening on the plantation so far...

i'm fine, thanks for all y'all's good wishes! the MITM was really pleased everyone liked his handiwork! there were a few questions posed that i, in my allergy induced coma, didn't answer. so, in no order of importance or chronological inquiry order, here are my answers:

TC...the MITM has been home since august 13th. i didn't do a countdown this time.

boxer...we chose the colors together. i spared all y'all the various colors swatches that were painted on the walls, but know, we have at least 20 in the garage!

pat...i had paint everywhere! except, my face! go figure!

kaz...i really wanted to do tone on tone horizontal stripes in the en-suite, but i was outvoted! i do like the final choice better, i must admit.

captain chaos...i did have a mask, but it wasn't enough!

manuel...the MITM is not hiring out, but will be glad to advise on color selection!

mdf...we found that cold stella's are the perfect choice for break time!

the best joke came from:

Blogger Kim Ayres said...

SHE: Will you paint me in the nude?

HE: Aye, but my wife says I'll need to keep my socks on so I don't catch a cold

ba-dum tish!

so, i hope i didn't miss a question. if i did, just let me know and i promise i'll answer asap!

aside: mr. moose and his lovely wife, miss nan, are visiting this sunday until thursday! i'm hoping i can get him to guest blog!

take a moment

one of our pals of the blogosphere, jimmy bastard had a stroke last friday.

his lovely wife, siobhan, informed us all yesterday that he was recovering and in good form (click the link above to read her words). anyway, there are some lovely words out there about jimmy, so go read the U or check out mapstew's perfect choice of music. there will be others, i'm sure, but for right now, drop over by jimmy's and leave a good word, he'd do it for you. he's done it for me.

speedy recovery, good sir! and to siobhan, hang in there, missus!

so, there it is...

a lot going on here on the plantation. the rooms are done, furniture replaced and it all looks lovely. the MITM had a celebratory dinner party, friends brought over wine to toast a job well done...

but,

the downside has been a series of major allergy attacks for me! somewhere along the line, i've lost my tolerance for drugs and consequently, outside of a few comments on all y'all's blogs, i've been dead to the world. the next post will have the photos. if i wake up again, it might even be today!

update:

here are the before pics:
miss daisy's room

the master suite

and en-suite


and thank you to the MITM update:

miss daisy's room in her favorite color apricot lily or old lady peach

the master suite done in sunglow aka yellow

and en-suite in vanilla custard and new penny aka cream and reddish copper

done!

we're finally finished painting. pictures to follow as soon as we put the furniture back!

all will be revealed.


and all of boxer's questions will be answered!

sunday

we're painting...see all y'all next week!

i hate spam

no, not the food stuff (which i don't eat, so i have no feeling for or against it) but the anonymous gibberish that infects the comment box every so often. if y'all take a look at the post from 2 days ago, y'all will notice 98 comments...yeah, when has that happened here? anyway, sorry, kiddos, but comment moderation is on for a few days/weeks/as long as it takes. *sigh*

this happened on tuesday!

Madame DeFarge celebrated her 1 year blogoversary! she is one of the wittiest and most delightful reads around. so, yes, we are a day late, but go and wish her good cheer!

spam free version!

Monday, August 31, 2009
BIG NEWS!
2 absolutely marvelous things have happened to members of the coconut krewe in as many days!

captain chaos was director of photography on a music video!

super nana was just named teacher of the year at her school!

we're deliciously happy for them and hope y'all will share in our joy and wish them both well!

*happy dancing*


*wondering where they'll be taking us to dinner when we visit the other coast!*

*just kidding!*
Posted by savannah at 8/31/2009 03:59:00 PM
97 comments:

Charlie said...

What a talented and smart Krewe! Congratulations to the Captain and Super!
August 31, 2009 4:20:00 PM EDT
Jimmy Bastard said...

I'll be sure and raise a glass to the both of them with pleasure.
August 31, 2009 4:44:00 PM EDT
mark said...

The apple does not fall far from the tree. Of course they are talented and productive, they have had great role models. You both deserve to be proud of their accomplishments. You have make the world a better place and you talented offspring have done the same. High Fives all around and the drinks are on me for the cocktail hour. I say we extend the cocktail hour.
August 31, 2009 4:47:00 PM EDT
Kevin Musgrove said...

Well done both.

You'll be having the two sets of celebration, won't you? (-:
August 31, 2009 5:01:00 PM EDT
Scout said...

Wow, great news for both of them. And you know, I love teachers.
August 31, 2009 5:12:00 PM EDT
underOvr (aka The U) said...

Hi Savannah,

My congratulations to Captain and Super Nana!

I raise a glass to them both; including you and MITM as well.

U
August 31, 2009 5:14:00 PM EDT
Ponita in Real Life said...

Fantastic news! Congrats to both of them and to the two of you as well! xoxo
August 31, 2009 5:20:00 PM EDT
Shan said...

What extraordinary news Savvy!!! Don't you have such clever children?! Hooray for all of you! :D
August 31, 2009 5:42:00 PM EDT
Manuel said...

whoop whoop that's good news!
August 31, 2009 6:03:00 PM EDT
xl said...

Congrats!

I foresee toe dipping in the Pacific!
August 31, 2009 7:04:00 PM EDT
mapstew said...

Cheers to great kids!

xoxox
August 31, 2009 7:38:00 PM EDT
supernana said...

thanks ma! I am just looking forward to my smartboard!
and come on out here! Harold and Belle's anyone?
August 31, 2009 8:33:00 PM EDT
Eryl Shields said...

I can't tell you how pleased I am for all of you. Congratulations to Captain Chaos and Super Nana, and to you and the MITM, too, for making it all possible in the first place, XXXXXXX
August 31, 2009 8:39:00 PM EDT
captain chaos said...

Aw shucks, thanks y'all.
August 31, 2009 11:45:00 PM EDT
PI said...

How great it is when our children make us proud - a terrific bonus.. Congrats all round.
Not that we aren't proud from day 1. They just have to breathe:)
September 1, 2009 4:06:00 AM EDT
MJ said...

*considers a celebratory cocktail*

Hmmm...9:10 am my time.

Surely it's happy hour somewhere!
September 1, 2009 12:11:00 PM EDT
Madame DeFarge said...

Congrats to both and to the proud parents. Can we know the video so that we can admire from afar?
September 1, 2009 4:25:00 PM EDT
Kim Ayres said...

Woohoo!!! :)
September 1, 2009 6:23:00 PM EDT
Leah said...

That is really sensational news! Congrats to all both of them!
September 2, 2009 4:04:00 AM EDT
TC said...

Aww, that's wonderful!

Gotta love days of good news.
September 2, 2009 12:02:00 PM EDT
Boxer said...

you must be so very, very proud. :-)
September 2, 2009 12:12:00 PM EDT

me and my big heart

need to:

see paris from the top of the eiffel tower.

walk along the appalachian trail.

dance in the street again.

feel the cool water of the pacific dance around my legs again.

walk in the french quarters in the quiet of a sunday morning.

walk through biltmore as if it were mine alone.

find nepenthe unchanged.

stand in the crowd for the edinburgh military tattoo.

see all of gaudi's buildings.

visit the falling water house outside of pittsburg.

spend as long as it takes to see everything in the smithsonian.

vacation on a houseboat in vancouver.

have a 12 point deer in my sight and simply enjoy the beauty.

wake up every morning with a POA.

anyway, it's a good thing to think about what you want to do and get busy living or get busy dying.

wednesday drop-in

just so y'all know, we're doing ok...



and holidaying at home.

break time

it's august 24th.

i'm taking a break.

i'll see you when i see you next.

enjoy the rest of summer.
enjoy your life
and
revel in the things that make you smile.

peace.




OUT.

friday or TGIF, sugarpies!!

the UB posted a reality check today with a link to e-constructed a blogger who's new to me, but might be known to some of y'all already (convoluted sentence structure, i know), but a very good reminder of what we take for granted. give them both a read if y'all haven't already.

~~~~
this past week i happened to see a clip from "country at the white house" president obama hosted a few country singers, brad paisley, allison krauss & union station and singer, charlie pride. (nyt article if y'all want to read the review). i really liked this song brad paisley sang in the east room of the white house...



sometimes we're so close to doing things correctly

the inspiration for yesterday's post

this is the nyt article that got me thinking yesterday: brain as a co-conspirator in a vicious stress loop. it's a strange time for all of us around the world, so i know i am not unique.

this isn't a whine or a rant.

it is just a reminder...


life is short, eat dessert first!