Riot and Frolic

WIP It Good

July 26, 2012

Sometimes, I don't write mah blog for the people, I write it for myself. Like resolutions and goals and to-do lists, maybe if I write some ideas down, they'll actually happen. So, let's pretend the following project is going to happen, shall we?

The older ladies share a bedroom and sleep in a bunk bed. I kind of adore their room, probably because it has all four walls intact, is painted, and has a decent-looking hardwood floor. And a tree fort.

I finally got them coordinating sheets for their beds and it's just all adorable up in there.

mae cake's

v's

And yes, owls. Owls are everywhere in this house. It's a little creepy. Because have you ever seen a real owl?

not so cute, more creepy

I mean, they can turn their heads all the way around. Doesn't that happen in The Exorcist? (And no, I will not link to that movie, because that would require looking up that movie in a search engine and I don't even want to see images from that flick because of the eventual nightmares I would have from seeing them.)

I digress…

The sheets.

V has a cute matching comforter, but Mae Cake does not. And because I'm crazy, I want to make her one.

I figure it'll be mostly decorative (as opposed to practical) because no matter how cold it gets, that girl never sleeps under the covers and just has them mashed up underneath her, body pillow-style.

I looked through my stash and found these complimentary colors…

why do i have so much yarn?

But I'll definitely head to Michael's to grab some of these…

GAH! SO PRETTY!

I want to do something relatively easy, with no "pattern" per se, but maybe a few rows of a simple stitch in each color with a row of these crocheted flowers every foot or so.

HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT LOOK?!

Really awesome, people.

maybe he crochets

One year ago: Wabi-Sabi. In case you needed an explanation of why I'm crazy.
Running Advice for Idiots

July 25, 2012
Don't take offense to the post title; I'm really writing these down as personal reminders to me after another failed run this morning due to #7. Ugh. #7.

How to Not Die (or Feel Like It) While Running
1. Run in the morning.
  
  seriously
2. When your alarm goes off in the morning, roll out of bed. Do it. Do it do it do it and don't think about it. Start doing #3.
3. The night before you run, you put your running clothes out in the most easy-to-climb-into arrangement possible. Now that it's morning, don the running apparel. Try not to wake up your brain while doing this.
4. Brush your teeth. It sucks to smell your own morning breath for an hour.
5. Your brain is probably onto your plan by now, and a little pissed, but you've reached the point of no return, what with the standing and the clothes and the minty-ness. You may reward it with coffee.
  
  drink it like an old school bad ass, while you're at it.
6. Put your hair up (if there is hair to be had). Do not put it in a ponytail because that shit will mess with you the whole run. Stray hairs feel like killer bugs and you will spaz out accordingly in the middle of the busiest street. The Ponytail Metronome will distract you with it's strangely uneven rhythm. Plus, all that hair is hot. I like a firmly elasticised "bun"(I do a tight version of this for running and ballrooming).
7. Drink water. If you don't drink water, you'll get a massive sideache at mile 1.5 and have to walk the 1.5- 17 miles remaining. Boo.
8. During the first mile, remind yourself how awesome you'll feel when you're done (do not focus on how terrible it feels now).
9. On the middle miles, zone out. Or think about this or this.
10. Near the end? Use your inner cheerleader to push yourself home. I've done a little experimenting with this and whether my mind is a mean girl ("you lazy wench! it's only another half mile! So-and-so could do it!") or a nice girl ("you can do it! you've already come this far! you're doing a great job!"), some motivating self-talk does wonders for finishing strong.
What are your running tricks and tips? Got any mantras you use for the final sprint?

run, boy, run

One year ago: Going Bananas. Banana bread. Yum.
Let’s Get Rich and Buy Our Parents Home In The South of France

July 24, 2012

[Really anywhere in France would do, but that's not the lyrics to the song.]

The G and I went to Europe for our honeymoon (5 years ago, but I was just looking at pictures!) and obviously, it was awesome. Vacation. Europe. Old crap. Awesome.

I'm no tour guide, but I do like eating and it's Tuesday, so let me tell you about the trip from that angle.

We flew into Amsterdam, and ate pannekoeken for dinner (BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU DO IN THE LAND OF THE PANNEKOEKEN) in the most bohemian cafe (LORING CAFE TIMES 10, FOR ANYONE WHO GETS THAT) with the friendliest waitstaff (WHO MADE FUN OF OUR ACCENTS). Pannekoekens are highly underrated and I am for sure making them for dinner now, with bacon and sour cream and onions the way I had mine in the Land of Marijuana and Pancakes.

the section of the cafe that didn't look like a jungle with tables

After sleeping next door to the Heineken brewery, we took a train to Brussels where fish and chips were at every corner. Fish and chips. Every corner. Brussels was strange in a lot of ways , and I think the large jar of pickles that came with my meal really summed it up.

i guess i'll have fish and chips… and pickles

Arriving in Paris by the Metro at 2am under the Moulin Rouge was EPIC and to top it off we ate NUTELLA CREPES and HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES. What. BEST HONEYMOON EVER.

the honeymoon could have ended here and i'd be happy

But we traveled on!

We stayed the majority of the 'moon in the Loire River Valley in a house that had this address:

The house at the foot of the bridge
Beaugency, France

When I look up Beaugency in the Googles, I find this picture…

that's where we stayed

Why thank you, Wikipedia, for illustrating my point (or "pont"- AHAHAHAHAHA!).

Our hostess was the mom of a friend of a friend and she was lovely. She made the most mind-blowing and simple meals for whoever was at the house during lunch and dinner (the friend of a friend and her two friends were around also). Everyone spoke English a little and French a lot, except me (speaking American louder didn't help, hmph). Dinner would last at least 3 hours and was filled with wine (so was lunch *clink*) and conversation (with translations and bad pronunciations and all) and fresh everything. I often got the "chore" of picking fruit from their numerous trees and bushes for dessert while "Madame" went into town to shop from the butcher, breadsmith, produce farmers, cheesemonger, etc.

that's where we ate

Breakfast was coffee (strong, bless her) and croissants (chocolate, fresh from the bakery). Did I mention this is where we stayed?

it's so pretty, I'm gonna die!

I was fascinated how Madame threw together her magnificent meals and shopped every freaking day. I asked her for the recipe for her roast chicken and she said, "Well, I don't really know… There's cream and salt and rosemary…" And chicken. Melt-in-your-mouth chicken. But she really didn't know what she did, exactly. I watched her make rabbit one night and she just puttered around the kitchen, throwing things in a pot. And it worked. It worked soooo well.

The specialized shops were so foreign (but Target has everything in one place). Bread here, cheese there, meat there, fruit here… Madame had recently gotten a small refrigerator, but many people in town didn't really use them. They all just shopped for their dinner. No stocking up. No storing. No waste.

well duh

On our day trips, we ate SANDWICHES and CREPES because I could probably live on those two things alone and be happy. Plus, they were cheap. And delicious. Soooooo delicious. We ate so many of them, by the end of our stay I could order them myself. In French. With an accent. Magnifique!

did i mention delicious?

On our way back to the US, we stopped in Paris again, and caught some of the Rugby World Cup and beer at a corner bar. F. U. N.

rubgy and beer

Arriving back to the States, I wanted pretty tablecloths and 2 hour lunches (wine included). I wanted to whip up delicious meals with only a vague plan in mind. I wanted to buy chicken and eggs from the guy down the street and I wanted to walk across the same bridge Joan of Arc did to get there. I wanted breadshops that sold burnt bread on purpose and Nutella.

I got the Nutella.

And I made some pretty wicked mac 'n' cheese today.

*le sigh*

french. awesome

One year ago: LLLL, with more proof my children are cute weirdos.
List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

July 23, 2012

– waiting impatiently for my copies of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and Tara Stiles'ssss Slim Calm Sexy Yoga. Checked my "track order" link about 10 times before realizing it's coming USPS and not UPS. So 5pm, instead of 8am. I'll still open my front door 3 more times. I betcha. Are you here yet?

– fell off my awesome healthy eating bandwagon. Then took the wheels off. Then BURNED THE WHOLE THING TO THE GROUND. Let's just say there was a meal that consisted of potato chips and dip… and chocolate chips.

– that meal sounds worse written out. It was delicious.

– don't judge me.

– okay. Go ahead.

– RUNNING! [change topic, quickly] I finally took the horse by the reins (maybe it was the horse that was pulling my bandwagon) and wrote my marathon training plan in my calendar. Ground-breaking, I know. But every morning since I "started training", I've been all, "Oh, how far am I supposed to run?" "Maybe I'll just run 3 miles." "I think I'll run 6 miles today and then not at all next week." I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have worked so well.

– deli meat. Don't you love deli meat? And bagels. Damn. If not only for myself, for The G. Who loves a sandwich. And yes, I always ate deli meat when I was pregnant. And I didn't boil it first. Because that's gross.

– reading about ballroom dancing and having my mind blown by Ruud Vermeij's Latin. He explains or questions many of things we talk about in the industry and I'll be quoting it extensively on Friday. (After reading some total crap books that "explain" the sport, it's refreshing to read someone who knows what they're talking about and how to write it.)

our tattered, well-loved copy

– new phones! We upgraded for a ridiculously small amount of money because our contracts were up (we renewed with AT&T) and they bought our old phones back to refurbish. Best part? Better white balance on the camera!

it's so not yellowy!

– this picture keeps making me laugh. After seeing The Dark Knight Rises, I had to find out who played Bane. The delightful Tom Hardy (the cool kids know him from RocknRolla) was the slightly unintelligible bad guy. Here he is with his Lawless co-star Jessica Chastain (she's not pretty at all).

where is that man hand coming from?

– did I mention The Dark Knight Rises? BEST MOVIE EVER! That's right- underlined, italicized, caps lock, and bold. F-ing loved it.

– Sebastian Joe's ice cream and playing on what I can only assume are decorative rocks, but are you really going to tell Mae Cake she can't climb up in there? No. Plus, she gets points for choosing their most famous, popular flavor (raspberry chocolate chip) by accident because it was pink.

go Mae Cake go

– writing the daily post while drinking really strong iced coffee? BRILLIANT!
Social vs. Competitive Dancing

July 20, 2012
Social dancing and competitive dancing are not different.

(Oh, duh, I know they are, but the point of today's post is how they are the same.)

Sometimes, I field comments from strictly social dancers about how competitive dancers only know how to dance choreography, then the competitive dancers complain about how social dancers don't have any technique.

Both of these are true, sometimes.

It seems like the ones complaining are often the problem, so… Yeah…

Social and competitive dancing are both under the umbrella of "ballroom dancing". Both require a general knowledge of rhythms and patterns to coordinate with particular kinds of music.

Competitive dancing is based on social dancing, showing a more theatrical, obvious version of the characteristics of each dance. Competitive dancing often (never always) uses choreography (a predetermined routine) to showcase the dance.

Social dancing is a spontaneous mix of steps and "moves" that change with each song, partner, and dance.

Both require technique.

BOTH REQUIRE TECHNIQUE.

Competitive dancers should be concerned with technique. Having the best technique on the floor often is the difference between 1st and 2nd place.

Social dancers need to be concerned with technique, so they can communicate with their partners properly.

For example:
- posture- erect posture (head held high, neck long, tummy pulled in) sends a clear signal of body weight to your partner; bad posture makes it difficult for your partner to "find" you, or sense your weight
- rhythm/timing- moving your weight from foot to foot (with confidence) gives the message to your partner when and where to move
- footwork- believe it or not, doing this correctly projects a notion to your partner of what you are doing or are about to do
- frame- tone throughout your frame is the telephone line to your partner; if it's too loose, they don't hear you; if it's too tight, they want to hang up
If you are a social dancer and you wonder why "no one can follow that step" or "everyone is stepping on me", you should spend some time learning how to dance yourself before you start complaining about others. Leading is not pushing, following is not hanging.

Competitive dancers, you're not off the hook.

As concerned as you are with technique and your routine and perfection:
- chill out- social dancing is social. Relax just a little (your elbows may drop an inch), breathe, smile, and say hi to your partner.
- stop thinking- … about yourself, about your "moves", about howwhatwhywhenhuh?; start feeling, tune in to your partner
- engage- don't assume; each step is something new; a lead might not finish a pattern like your usual partner does; a follow might not know the ending you've lead a million times; enjoy the dance you are doing with the partner you are dancing with at that moment
Competitive dancers, dancing is fun. It can even be relaxing. Stop performing and be merry.
Oooooooommmmm…g! SHUT UP!

July 19, 2012

As I was cyber-stalking the entity known as Lululemon (shop them here, read them here, let them guide you here), I came across the "Shit Yogis Say" video, which literally makes me LOL [inner monologue spews forth every known acronym: "LMAO! BTW! NATO! ROFL! IMHO! TTFN!…"] every time I watch it.

I think it's the last line that really makes me giggle. I'm a sucker for a well-placed naughty word.

That last line also sums up my yoga practice (say that with your best National Geographic narrating voice) these days.

In theory, I like to do The Yogas in the evenings, after I put them rambunctious little ladies to bed. You know, when it's quiet and the day is winding down and I can light a candle or play some harp music or something. But with the sun setting at midnight or whatever in Minnesota in the summer (there are a lot of Norwegians here), bedtime has been a little late. The "one hour +" me time window between bedtime and The G and I eating dinner is really getting cut down to 5 minutes of me spacing out on Facebook. Boo.

Then, I started getting up earlier to run when it's a little cooler and doing The Yogas on my non-running days. Those yoga mornings end and I'm all at one with my intention and then them rambunctious little ladies come downstairs.

It's like they knooooooow I'm mediatating on being peaceful and patient.

And they want to TEST it.

V starts hauling her table and chairs into the kitchen for a tea party, knowing full-well of my "no toys in the kitchen" policy (one too many times tripping on a princess figurine and mini-rolling pin). Mae Cake decides she doesn't want to eat her chocolate chip boatmeal (it's basically chocolate chip cake, woman!) AND she's going to spill her milk… twice. While trying to stand up (and inevitably fall out, in my opinion) of her high chair, the Zoo is screeching at me to feed her bananas faster, even though she still has a huge bite in her gob. And the gabbering. Yapping. Singing. Complaining. NOISE. The instant they wake up.

Take that peace and shove it, Mom.

Namaste, mothers and fathers!
Serious Blockage

July 18, 2012

I'm having writer's block.

Like, hard core.

I cannot think of a single amusing thing to write about today. Especially one that's on topic.

So, let's go shopping…

you're pretty

Yes, I started out this post with a bra. A bralette, to be exact. But it's okay, because this thing is pretty and I've had trouble keeping my bra straps hidden lately, so why not just throw them out there?

it's not even a little vintage

I cannot get over how much I want (NEEEEEED) one of these. Apparently, only Cosco makes the ye olde awesome step stool, but prices vary from $50 – $200. Hmmm… Do you have one? Do you luuuuurve it?

if the kids get one, i do too

I'd love to say I'm looking at these for the ladies' sake, but I WANT ONE! But seriously, I want to get each of the girls a personalized plate/bowl/whatever combo and swim in the cuteness of them. I'd even wash the dishes (willingly, without whining the whole way through it like usual), just so I could look at them. CUUUUUTE.

reason enough to write a letter

I'm a sucker for anything personalized (see the plate above), and if it's stationary, all the better. How f-ing sweet is this address stamp? Can I hire this girl to write all my correspondence as well? I bet my bills would get paid off early just for the adorable handwriting.

not ostentatious enough

Obviously, this would be the perfect dress for trips to the park, or weeding the garden, or practicing The Ballrooms, and clearly it doubles as pajamas, so I think this dress is really the steal of the season.

Well, duh.

to match my monogram necklace

I don't mind a good ceiling fan and this looks like a good ceiling fan.

I love this illustrator and this book looks incredible.

Thanks for coming window shopping with me. Maybe I'll have something to say tomorrow. If not, let's go drinking!

i'll have one of him, too

Dark Knight, yo
Bopenmeal

July 17, 2012

We eat oatmeal at least twice a week. V has always loved it, and has always called it "openmeal".

Now, I have to make a conscious effort to call it "oatmeal". Even typing it, I have to sound it out. Out loud.

About a month ago, I started making the super fabulous Baked Oatmeal, otherwise known as Boatmeal, otherwise known as Bopenmeal. The whole family highly recommends this for a seemingly-unhealthy (I used to eat Oreos and drink Mountain Dew for breakfast, so… you know…), indulgent, filling, yet very nutritious start to your day.

Make the "batter" the night before and put it in the oven while you shower in the AM, or quadruple the recipe and have enough "cake" for the week. Convenient.

Note: I quadruple the recipe to have a family-sized boatmeal. I put it in a loaf pan and bake it for about 35 minutes. Chocolate Covered Katie's recipe is a single-sized serving.

this is sugar-free living, yo

What nifty things do you do to make your mornings brighter? Cold press coffee? Egg bakes? Sleep in?

boatmeal= boat=rowboat=The Notebook=Ryan Gosling, y'all

One Year Ago: LLLL with flirty babies and inside jokes
List of Last Week’s Labors of Love

July 16, 2012

– an hour and a half of weeding somehow made the garden look worse.

bad garden, bad!

– plants are on the way for the 2nd bed. Maybe I will spend some more time out there, trying to contain my over-achieving plants?

– this is how you put on lipstick, then admire it…

make this face

check out your sparkly nails

compare sparkly lips and nails

– danced at TCO. "Low points": dancing 9 rounds (A- hell, that's a lot of dancing; B- isn't that the point?), missing the Open Rhythm semi-final by 1 mark (kind of glad not to dance it, though; I was rather tired). High points: dancing 9 rounds (um, hello, 2nd place in Rising Star Smooth! nice to meet you; what's up Open Smooth final, nice to see you again), missing the Open Rhythm semi-final by 1 mark (we did make the Rising Star semi, and almost made the final).

– party party party. Our good friend stayed with the ladies Saturday night while we danced and then partied with friends, new and old. And Kimberley Mitchell talked to me. *drool* Love her.

you people love him
A Little Dancing

July 16, 2012

keeping up the big kids

V competed at Twin Cities Open Ballroom Championships last weekend. (So did The G and I, but more on that later.)

She was nervous (wouldn't talk to me before she had to dance). She loved wearing her sparkly dress, fancy bracelets and necklace, shiny shoes, and makeup (AND lipstick!).

Everyone cheered for her when she was done and the MC (the fantastic Mark Brock) gave her amazing intros. I think she liked that part the best.

1 down. Many to go.

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