tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87344177858388033142012-02-11T12:16:06.292-05:00Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.comBlogger1841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-73379262380754522522012-02-08T13:39:00.000-05:002012-02-08T13:39:24.358-05:00

I am so proud to be featured in the latest edition of Charlottesville Woman's Women We Love. What an honor!  Thank you Terry.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-23087082678870585912012-02-07T18:52:00.003-05:002012-02-07T19:04:19.278-05:00

I like to bake.  I bake cakes like that three layer chocolate on chocolate goodness pictured above on regular occasion for family and friend's birthdays. They all encourage me to sell these creations and while I have here & there, I feel like my presentation skills are slightly lacking. Remember this from a few weeks ago?  That's me playing around with piping. I prefer to think of it as 

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-9167422907359919472012-02-06T15:04:00.000-05:002012-02-06T15:04:05.465-05:00

So, I was all set to tell you about the absolutely wonderful baking class I assisted with at the cooking school this weekend, but on my way home this morning, I stumbled upon the most fantastic estate sale I've been to in a long time.  So, the baking class recap will just have to wait until tomorrow. We had borrowed some tables and chairs from the Parks & Rec department for bingo night at school

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-72150975531675196172012-02-03T09:09:00.001-05:002012-02-03T09:12:50.220-05:00

Things in my back yard that are currently making me happy: My purple Hellebore.It's going to be gangbusters this year.It was really hard to get a shot of all the blooms in a close up.  I'm just not up to the task. It took 3 years for it to bloom after I planted it.  I was close to digging it up and moving it.Which probably would have been the kiss of death.So glad I found some patience for

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-84157106070703627952012-02-01T11:50:00.000-05:002012-02-01T11:50:18.865-05:00

The new principal at my daughter's school is putting together a committee of parents to work in the gardens there.  There will also be a vegetable garden, and yes, it is going to be worked into curriculum.  I am so freaking excited I don't know where to begin.  Except that I'm not in charge.  That's right, when the question was asked who wanted to head up the vegetable garden committee, for once

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-35547578879438626202012-01-30T15:02:00.001-05:002012-01-30T15:04:40.635-05:00

My husband is cute, smart, witty, loves the great outdoors,and really is one of those people that when other people meet him, they fall madly in love with him on the spot, myself included.  He has some very special friendships with other males that definitely fall into the 'bromance' category.  He has one friend in particular, that the friendship is extended to a circle of male friends.  The love

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-30252678710870232752012-01-25T10:41:00.000-05:002012-01-25T10:41:21.467-05:00

Most of my family's secret recipes are actually from the back of the box one of the ingredients came in.  Sure, at one point in time, they may have been written down by someone and are then more easily passable as a 'family recipe', but by and large, most of them came from helpful recipe suggestions on the box.  One exception to this is my father's spaghetti sauce. The story goes that home sick

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-23336013262116005782012-01-23T18:24:00.001-05:002012-01-23T18:24:42.696-05:00

The ice on the trees at the park this weekend was just gorgeous.  It made the grey seem sort of magical.It also was quite conducive to curling up, cooking yummy things for my birthday honeys and on Sunday, when all the celebrating was done, to stay in our jammies all day, reading the New York Times and watching tv. Over the course of 4 days, I made 2 dozen cream filled chocolate cupcakes, 2

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-32685667831145275342012-01-19T10:42:00.000-05:002012-01-19T10:42:31.922-05:00

Courage is being brave.  Courage isfacing your fears.Courage is being confidentin yourself. Edie recently wrote this right before bedtime one night.  I found it on the nightstand the next morning.  She shrugged it off as something she was supposed to write for school.  I am biased, but I think it's one of the most beautiful, truest things ever written.I am posting it here in honor of her 10th

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-85884289024112739712012-01-18T20:53:00.001-05:002012-01-19T08:19:44.956-05:00

When Edie started preschool, I was just coming out of the mindset that I needed to use my college degree in the field in which I had studied and trained, aka, career mom.  And honestly, as much as I loved being home with her all day, I was really looking forward to those few hours a week where I got to drop her off with someone else and go do my own thing.  I didn't even bother looking at any

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-85657527542451533332012-01-15T22:53:00.001-05:002012-01-15T22:55:04.333-05:00

Andrea over at Meandering the Maze bestowed the Liebster Award upon me recently.  Thank you Andrea, I'm honored.  For the longest time, I kept quiet about my blog, not knowing which direction I wanted to really head in with it.  I started blogging following an exceptionally craptastic year where I lost my crafting mojo.  At the first glimmer of it's return, I had the idea that maybe if I started

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-21374064826959391732012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:002012-01-13T10:00:01.578-05:00

While that first week in January seems like an abrupt change from the quiet pace of the week before, it's also the week you realize that you haven't done much of anything for oh, the better part of a month, that wasn't holiday related. At some point in that week, I start to remember that the other two people that live in my house have birthdays this month, although at that point, they feel like

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-15983886497850110342012-01-07T11:26:00.000-05:002012-01-07T11:26:22.886-05:00

The other night while watching television, we saw a commercial for a local produce store.  After their whole pitch about how they are the best for fresh, local produce, and the tag line "If it's in season in Virginia, we have it in stock", they immediately announced a special on strawberries. Edie actually beat me to the yelling at the television.  "It's January.  Where in Virginia are those

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-18716716385477511662012-01-05T18:29:00.001-05:002012-01-05T18:34:49.314-05:00

I often find that when people share recipes with me, unless I've actually eaten the dish before, I have a tendancy to file them away and forget about them.  Lend me the cookbook with your own notes in it though?  Well, I might try it. The recipe in question was "Jimmy Ray's Butternut Poblano Soup".  Among the spices used were both chili powder and cinnamon, so right there I was intrigued.  For

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-78888570030269401852012-01-02T11:32:00.000-05:002012-01-02T11:32:53.155-05:00

It's January 2, the big yellow angel came back this morning restoring some semblance of routine to our lives (which was miraculously NOT as bumpy as I had feared!) and as I procrastinate on taking down holiday decorations, I thought I'd show off some of the new things that have worked their way into our home this season.  While visiting Pat's folks the week before Christmas, we acquired a few

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-16863110380360802512011-12-31T16:37:00.000-05:002011-12-31T16:37:13.190-05:00

This past year has had some big changes in our lives- Pat changed jobs after thirteen and a half years with the Bay Foundation.  I lost mine, and then decided to go out on my own.  That's had a pretty big ripple effect and we're still figuring out what the new normal is around here.  I imagine the new year will be continuing along that path.  I have a few things in mind that I'd like to see

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-90556745756073003512011-12-29T19:14:00.000-05:002011-12-29T19:14:38.244-05:00

Betty's home for Christmas. Actually, Betty's home for good. NYC was great, but Charlottesville called.  And so all is right with my world. Somehow, Christmas Eve,  I ended up completely re-doing the Christmas lights on Betty's tree (oh, my Christmas OCD kicking in....) while Edie came down and helped her put the tree up.  And Pat came down and helped decorate the rest of her house.  I can't

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-91757817066595635902011-12-23T09:58:00.000-05:002011-12-23T09:58:37.903-05:00

We are just back from visiting Pat's folks for the holidays.  In a wild burst the day before we left, the tree went up, the house got cleaned AND I got every present wrapped.  Yes, I was exhausted, but to walk in the front door last night after 10 hours on the road with my family (and a delightful family sing along to The Clash at one point) knowing there were now 2 days to go and all I had to

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-33661100169058655502011-12-16T16:44:00.001-05:002011-12-16T16:45:26.488-05:00

Currently my living room looks like Christmas has exploded in it.  Boxes everywhere.  The tree is halfway decorated, with oodles more ornaments waiting to be put on.  There are some wrapped presents, some handmade presents to be finished floating around,  decorations that need to go somewhere, plus our usual clutter. I used to get really worked up about how everything needed to be perfect at

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-52213432842966446452011-12-13T10:37:00.002-05:002011-12-13T10:42:30.229-05:00

It's December.  While I suppose I could be decorating the house (which somehow in my mind involves cleaning it as well and I'd rather avoid that as much as possible), or crafting fabulous gifts (leaving that for my knitting circle tonight) or shopping for gifts (which means leaving the house and dealing with the madness out there right now), yesterday I decided to curl up in my kitchen and try a

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-43044468817755039922011-12-11T19:00:00.000-05:002011-12-11T19:00:54.643-05:00

Visits from dear friends, Christmas concerts, a wreath trimming party, a visit to the epic Christmas lights in Charlottesville and just lots good old fashioned fun, messes and snuggles made up our weekend.How was yours?

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-86535484183756244542011-12-06T14:35:00.000-05:002011-12-06T14:35:03.907-05:00

'Tis the season and while I suppose I should be busying myself with getting ready for the upcoming holidays, I instead chose to take time to finish new potholders I had started a few weeks back.  To be fair, I was trying to make a path to the fabric stash in order to make gifts when I suddenly decided I needed to finish this project first.  The ones I have are so worn out that I might as well

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-50366027861757764942011-12-05T14:57:00.000-05:002011-12-05T14:57:18.476-05:00

 Many moons ago, I saw a handmade advent calendar somewhere in the blog world and thought, hey, I could do that.  And so I did. It's 4 rows of pockets, straight across.  Most of the materials were vintage thrifted items, including the candy cane bias tape around the edges.  To mark the pockets, I used ribbon that I wrote numbers for dates on.  Some of them are barely holding on anymore.  I keep

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-49629608581113902852011-12-01T16:54:00.000-05:002011-12-01T16:54:16.722-05:00

Yesterday, my Girl Scout troop wrapped up their food drive at school.   It was part of a earning a badge I wanted them to work on, called Food Power.  As most of our activities at take place at school, I asked the principal of our school if we could do this food drive there.  She answered with the request that we do it for the upcoming holidays and make the recipients families in our school

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-14863370181129917982011-11-29T18:41:00.000-05:002011-11-29T18:41:30.086-05:00

Remember the orange yarn I bought at the Fall Fiber Festival?  I finished the scarf I knit for myself out of it this weekend.  I promise, it's not as glowing as it is in that photo.  Although it is pretty darn orange.  And pretty soft.  And pretty much just right. The pattern is this from Knitty.com.  I'm on Ravelry, but honestly, it's just one more website for me to keep up with, like Goodreads

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-8612091802516671752011-11-28T10:28:00.000-05:002011-11-28T10:28:33.416-05:00

There are certain things everyone says they will never do as parents.  Of course, most of these declarations are when we are all knowing and childless.  Sometimes these even run into the first few years of being a parent, when you still think you are somewhat in control. The top of my list was becoming a soccer mom, going to a PTO meeting and listening to top 40 radio. The first two have been

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-11913850906987916042011-11-18T20:09:00.001-05:002011-11-18T20:12:20.255-05:00

This morning there was a ceremony to unveil a historic marker in front of my daughter's school.  The school closed in September of 1958 rather than integrate.  This was part of the movement known as  'Massive Resistance'.  The school reopened in February of 1959 and in September of that year,the "Venable Nine" walked up the front steps and into the school that had previously been off limits to

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-17415922659420569702011-11-13T19:08:00.000-05:002011-11-13T19:08:47.954-05:00

I have written before about my love of apples. It's deep.I have been an apple a day girl as long as I can remember. They store well. You can throw one in your purse and carry it about until you are ready to eat it.In fact, if you were to ask me what I always have in my bag, you'd find my wallet, ponytail holders, chapstick, a water bottle and an apple.Those are my essentials. Mollie asked I bring

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-78695163820878205552011-11-09T15:52:00.001-05:002011-11-09T15:52:56.798-05:00

I am often complimented on the cabinet in my kitchen.  While this cabinet is in there in the name of storage, it's not for gadgets.My kitchen is small. People are surprised that someone that cooks as much as I do doesn't have a wealth of kitchen toys.I have carefully edited them in the name of space.  And I prefer that space be given to something I love more than gadgets.  Cookbooks.(And my

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-66316921062930933922011-11-08T09:48:00.002-05:002011-11-08T15:46:10.264-05:00

It's that time of year again.  Oysterfest.One of the best festivals that ever was. Where we eat lots of yummy oysters. And I do mean lots.  There were multiple coolers full of oysters for the grilling. And we can't forget the fried food that line the streets of town and scent the air.Everything you can think of is battered and deep fried.  What's the other 4%?  Dare we ask?  Best sign, hands

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-76892520635641091412011-10-31T10:47:00.000-04:002011-10-31T10:47:51.375-04:00

It was bound to happen - the first frost of the year, putting an end to bounty from the garden.  I still have some greens and herbs out there, but the days of fresh basil, peppers, tomatoes are over until next year.  Sigh. I ran around Friday and harvested.  I filled a garbage bag with basil and Saturday, I made a few batches of pesto and froze it.  I also froze a few bags of tomatillos, picked a

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-67580276556963208702011-10-27T14:06:00.001-04:002011-10-27T16:39:45.915-04:00

Tuesday was my birthday.  Pat knew he was going to have to be away for meetings all day that day.  And I do mean, ALL day.  He left here about 6:30 am and returned about 10:30 pm.  Considering we both work from home most of the time and so therefore spend most of our time together, I told him it was okay.  It's a day.  It's given me an excuse to spread the celebration out over a week.  Which I'm

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-36666269600916063932011-10-24T13:08:00.000-04:002011-10-24T13:08:22.209-04:00

Last week (and the week before that too actually) got completely out of my control.   Although I managed to stay on top of my to-do list and handle all the kinks that got thrown in, there wasn't much time for things like goofing off, or picture taking or blogging.......    I could sit here and list what's kept me busy, but it's not very interesting.  Being PTO secretary, a Girl Scout Leader and a

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-57220696478001640782011-10-17T17:06:00.000-04:002011-10-17T17:06:11.917-04:00

Yesterday was one of those perfect October days, with nary a cloud in the sky.  We went for a lovely drive, on a back country road, along the Blue Ridge.  It was the kind of day I can almost get on board with fall for.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-37051094077650031502011-10-15T13:30:00.000-04:002011-10-15T13:30:34.448-04:00

Living across the street from Greenleaf Park, we sort of think of it as an extension of our yard.  Once upon a time, there was a 'sprinkler' there.  Not the fancy spray park that's there today. In fact, there are no remnants of that today, just a field of grass.  The old sprinklers were two metal poles with 2 showerheads stuck on top, on opposite sides, on a concrete pad.  You needed a 'key' to

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-63867881912288697752011-10-13T11:10:00.002-04:002011-10-13T17:01:29.847-04:00

If you know me at all, you know I have a tendency to can or freeze everything in sight.  You know I'm pretty devoted to knowing where our food comes from. When I first heard about these food swaps going on around the country, I thought, oh cool.  Someone should organize one here, because I'd like to check one out.   And then my friend Vikki emailed me and said WE should it.  That does make

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-19616102326142174382011-10-11T17:23:00.000-04:002011-10-11T17:23:09.273-04:00

My kitchen just does not have light conducive to taking fantastic food pictures.  No room of my house does really.  I suppose if I had something other than just a fancy looking point and shoot, I'd be fine.  Or if I would take the time to photoshop my pictures.  But, I'm lazy and quite happy with my camera otherwise, so you will just have to take my word for it that the above brunch dish really

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-88626382937608604772011-10-07T19:43:00.000-04:002011-10-07T19:43:47.023-04:00

I've had my Girl Scout troop working on a small business badge in which they've learned about starting a business.  This week we had a panel of guest speakers,  Martha Stafford of The Charlottesville Cooking School, Robyn Jackson of The Civility School and Alana Woerpel of Alana's Interior Decoration come talk to the girls about their experiences in being self employed.  Most of the girls already

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-29278197068918223552011-10-03T19:55:00.000-04:002011-10-03T19:55:52.150-04:00

Sunday we went to the Fall Fiber Festival up at Montpelier.   Every year, Edie likes to sit and watch the sheepdog trials (I think she's waiting for Babe, the sheep pig to show up.  Sort of like Linus and the Great Pumpkin.We even watched Babe Saturday night as a warm up).  This year, a knitting friend told me she had signed her daughters up for a felting workshop, so I signed Edie & a friend up,

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-71144236847248864192011-09-29T19:50:00.000-04:002011-09-29T19:50:14.239-04:00

The sun made an appearance today and what a welcome sight it was.  And finally, the air isn't grossly humid! Someone said to me a few months back that they adored old, musty southern houses.  As do I, except when I have to live in one the month of September.  Our house, like many others in this neighborhood, doesn't have central AC.  We find we only wish we had it a few days in July and then

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-25484273488328991562011-09-28T14:33:00.001-04:002011-09-28T14:35:00.916-04:00

That's how wet it's been.  Everything is growing something.  Especially things that don't normally grow things.  Please dear sun, come out soon and dry everything.  Thank you.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-82390349758563544742011-09-25T19:36:00.001-04:002011-09-26T15:47:25.554-04:00

I have been on quite the Mediterranean kick lately.  We spent all summer eating bruschetta and antipasti and I'm definitely not quite ready to give those flavors up.  I just didn't feel like cooking last night, but I had an eggplant that needed to go and I wanted to cook it up in a tasty recipe Pat brought home a few weeks ago.  It wasn't quite a meal, so I needed something to round it out.  And

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-82375605095700528272011-09-24T15:34:00.000-04:002011-09-24T15:34:52.458-04:00

Fourteen years ago this week, we moved here to Charlottesville, sight unseen.  We had spent the better part of that year looking for jobs outside of Birmingham, AL, where we'd been living since we'd graduated from Auburn.  We had turned down jobs in locations like Hilton Head and New Orleans.  We were newly engaged and looking to start a life somewhere other than where we were.  It didn't matter

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-46778142878666065702011-09-23T15:15:00.000-04:002011-09-23T15:15:15.859-04:00

Last seen here, was the start of Pat's sweater.  After many a soccer practice, knitting night and roadtrips, I've made some progress!  Even started a sleeve!  See for yourself:

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-72456330155826064322011-09-19T19:15:00.000-04:002011-09-19T19:15:06.118-04:00

For some time now, I have been working to undo some of my worst traits, at the very least, be more aware of them and the damage they do and maybe even try to avoid giving into them.  I realize that I make assumptions, sometimes based on nothing but the negative voices in my head, I take things personally (and the most ridiculous things too), which then feeds into my urge to make everything about

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-8502264202140964342011-09-15T08:32:00.000-04:002011-09-15T08:32:45.349-04:00

Have you read my wine column this month?  While you're at it, you should peruse the entire issue of  In The Kitchen.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-83114319694829585922011-09-14T10:11:00.001-04:002011-09-19T17:23:17.240-04:00

Finding myself with a glut of fresh veggies, most of which are not very pretty thanks to all the rain around here lately, and having found myself down to my last canning jars, I decided it was time to try something new. Given the fact that two bathing suits have been hanging out to dry for over a week quite unsuccessfully, thanks to what seems to be a daily downpour here, not to mention the

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-71842848962530752002011-09-12T14:36:00.000-04:002011-09-12T14:36:51.009-04:00

I find motherhood often makes me a better person, whether I want to be or not.  Take for instance, tomato soup.  Despite my fondness of tomatoes, tomato soup has always turned me off.  One day however, in being presented with a bowl of homemade tomato soup in front of Edie, I realized I needed to at least try it.  You know that whole thing about telling kids they have to at least try it to be

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-15724390883417067032011-09-07T16:46:00.000-04:002011-09-07T16:46:52.538-04:00

Really summer? This is how you want to end it? We've had such a lovely run and now you go and end it like this?  So uncool.  Frankly, I'm a little bitter with you right now.  This is so not a good break up. It's done nothing but rain since our return from our labor day weekend trip to Annapolis.  It's been cold and rainy and at one point yesterday, Pat said it felt like winter.  Nothing gets

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-71672309054331218242011-09-01T17:45:00.003-04:002011-09-01T17:47:33.467-04:00

So, a while back, a friend suggested that I just start cooking dinner for my friends on a daily basis.  Tell them what's for dinner, a price and then tell them what time it will be ready to come pick up. Cook like I cook for my family.  And that this could be, should be, my job. I didn't pay it much attention, but then when I got laid off last May, I thought about it some.  I kicked around a

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-72940360294769716072011-08-28T18:42:00.002-04:002011-08-28T20:06:43.280-04:00

As if Betty's departure and the beginning of school wasn't enough to shake things up, Mother Nature has really thrown us for a few loops around here this week.  The little earthquake over in Mineral apparently had quite an impact all over the place.  We've felt a few of them before, but were absolutely shocked that it was felt so far away this time!  I think the 4.5 aftershock at 1 a.m. the next

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-52721515782245233312011-08-23T12:15:00.000-04:002011-08-23T12:15:02.751-04:00

12 years ago when we moved to this neighborhood, I wondered if I could ever be friends with the women that lived around me.   Back then, I couldn't imagine what a difference motherhood makes.  When Edie was born, I found myself at the park, every afternoon, no matter what, and I seemed to always be there with the same group of neighborhood women, who were also there with their kids, everyday, no

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-8934721834225946412011-08-22T11:12:00.000-04:002011-08-22T11:12:25.291-04:00

I had quite the simple plan for Saturday - get up early, hit market, buy up a bunch of green beans and head home to pickle them.  Only by the time we got to market at 8:30 Saturday morning, I was hard pressed to find any green beans. It's August.  I know they are in season and if I had only listened to my husband and planted pole beans like I usually do, I wouldn't be in this predicament.  Oh

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-21024715629145501692011-08-17T18:20:00.000-04:002011-08-17T18:20:09.782-04:00

This is the state of my garden.  Slightly overgrown, slightly unkempt... Some hints of yellow here & there from the recent dry spell (and the fact that it's August), along with some holes from the insane microburst we had on Sunday that tore some of my plants in two.  I've neglected my garden here lately, neglected documenting it as well as weeding and sometimes even watering it.   You see, while

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-60750820183935952312011-08-14T16:38:00.000-04:002011-08-14T16:38:49.642-04:00

 Yesterday morning, we picked Edie up from camp.  Three weeks ago, that amount of time seemed so long.  Somehow, it flew by.  I didn't get everything accomplished that I wanted to, but I also knew that it was quite likely that was going to be the case.  There were roadtrips to be taken (3 in one week), concerts to be attended (2, with a third being turned down), friends to be visited with, a

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-6601358977380907462011-08-08T15:38:00.000-04:002011-08-08T15:38:10.478-04:00

 Gumbo is one of those dishes that there are as many ways to make it as there are cooks.  I love to make a great big pot of it during the summer, when there is loads of fresh produce available to make it with.  I have a tendency to throw everything but the kitchen sink in my version. I use both a roux AND okra to thicken mine.    I like to have everything chopped and prepped before I start,

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-35254733730966813942011-08-07T11:59:00.001-04:002011-08-07T12:00:45.297-04:00

Tomatoes are where the whole foodie thing started for me.  I realized back in college, some 20 years ago, that they were really only worth eating when they were in season where I lived and not trucked in.  Since then, not only have I almost always had a little spot of tomatoes growing somewhere, I've learned how to put them up, so I can eat my tomatoes all year long.  I started canning well over

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-69927638578668801422011-08-02T17:24:00.001-04:002011-08-02T17:24:51.195-04:00

My Granny was not what you would call a sweet old lady.  She drank, she smoked, she cursed like a sailor.  She had a number of phrases that her grandchildren recall, most of which are quite savory, like where exactly to look for sympathy.  (In the dictionary....between, well, two not so polite words.).  When my Aunt Loretta was 8 and a half months pregnant with who would be my cousin John, she

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-70248194118814500972011-07-28T18:07:00.002-04:002011-07-28T18:09:37.412-04:00

Instead of throwing things away or donating them to say, Salvation Army, I seem to be rich in friends who instead think, Oh, I'll give this to Becky and she can do something with it.  Over the years, I've been given an assortment of goodies- old aprons, quilts, quilt tops, shower curtains, sheets, duvet covers, and so on.  Some of them I pass along.  Some of them sit in a pile, awaiting

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-71863068813613244392011-07-27T17:19:00.001-04:002011-07-29T20:58:25.171-04:00

Sunday, we dropped Edie off at camp.  She fought the idea of 3 weeks away at camp at first.  Admittedly, I had my reservations too.  Although I tried not to let her know that.  I knew it would be good for her.  I knew it would be good for me.  It's been a big subject of conversation around here.  Uncle Kevin told her that he got sent to camp when he was her age and he was terrified, and then,

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-22138688432562909532011-07-22T20:25:00.001-04:002011-07-22T20:28:29.836-04:00

Our new family favorite hot weather dinner.  That's a shot of Fried Green Tomato Salad with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing.  Our other variation is fried chicken.  We call it fried salad for short. It's really good either way, especially if you fry your green tomatoes in bacon fat. Both are served on a bed of greens, with homemade croutons, buttermilk ranch dressing, cheese (Pat & I prefer

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-64924023117775541852011-07-20T11:33:00.000-04:002011-07-20T11:33:51.199-04:00

When Edie was days old, our dear friend Anne presented her with a small stuffed purple moose that went on to become the toy that we couldn't go anywhere without.  You know the kind.  She still sleeps with purple moose, although after getting lost in the covers of her big girl bed more than a few times, she's tucked him into the pocket of a large pillow I made her, so she always knows where he is.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-52994233411930423002011-07-13T09:38:00.000-04:002011-07-13T09:38:30.604-04:00

Edie went downtown with friends the other night, leaving us on our own for dinner.  I didn't quite feel like cooking, so I whipped this up instead.I toasted some rosemary-black olive bread from Whole Foods, spread some Caromont Farm's Farmstead Fresh goat cheese, added some fresh tomatoes and basil, some olives and marinated artichoke hearts on the side and voila. It was the perfect, filling

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-51185715795068386012011-07-11T10:13:00.000-04:002011-07-11T10:13:55.387-04:00

A few weeks ago, Edie was invited to a lovely backyard birthday party and afterward mused why does her birthday always have to be in January?  January birthdays are just not conducive to having lawn games with your friends, not to mention, the size of our house really limits the number of guests she's allowed to invite.  So, we somehow agreed to the idea of a half birthday party - not that we

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-2971743073038886802011-07-08T09:38:00.001-04:002011-07-08T10:19:53.799-04:00

I love having things in the fridge all ready to go for dinner this time of year.  Things like tabouli, potato salad and pasta salad in all sorts of forms.  I got the biggest craving for macaroni salad this week and so made a big batch of it, which I then proceeded to eat for breakfast and lunch all week.  It was darn tasty and might have to become a staple until I burn out on it (sometime in

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-39981607343517397912011-07-06T10:25:00.000-04:002011-07-06T10:25:20.470-04:00

When I tell people Edie is going to writing camp, they often misunderstand me and think we're sending her to horseback riding camp.  And they like to share stories of their camp days with me.  No, WRITING, as in the Charlottesville Writing Center.  As in, she's writing stories. Edie is alot like me - she'd rather spend her summer curled up with a book than doing swim team  or anything that

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-30619342652401429062011-07-01T09:32:00.000-04:002011-07-01T09:32:07.688-04:00

A Green Zebra Stripe.  It was yummy, although slightly on the small side.  Pat & I had it on a nice salad the other night for dinner.  (Edie was off having dinner with friends.)    I picked an Early Girl this week too.   My granddad used to say life was good if you could pick your first tomato before the first of July.  I concur. I fried up a mess of green tomatoes the other night.  I bought

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-62231252059610503902011-06-27T11:22:00.000-04:002011-06-27T11:22:37.185-04:00

Long time no post.  I've spent the better part of the last two weeks now on roadtrips.   Here are some highlights: Pat got invited to a reception at the National Zoo in DC hosted by one of his funders.  I decided I needed to tag along, because I was sure it was going to be pretty cool and sure enough, it was.  They held it at the Big Cats exhibit (cut off in that photo).  They had practically the

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-89777343933523109602011-06-14T11:47:00.000-04:002011-06-14T11:47:19.300-04:00

We have quite a collection of coolers, acquired here & there for a variety of events and reasons.  So when the power goes out, they do come in handy for packing up and icing down the contents of the fridge.  Like the last 2 days, for instance, when a thunderstorm knocked out one of the transformers at the park and we were without power for 30 hours.  Not that I mind really.  The weather was sunny

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-32950413832607484372011-06-11T11:32:00.000-04:002011-06-11T11:32:08.136-04:00

My (not so) baby girl attended her first concert this week, became a fourth grader and thus, top dog in her elementary school, and bonded with one of my dear college girlfriends. Arcade Fire is her current favorite band and so when we heard they were coming to town, we knew she was going to want to go with us.  I even got her down on the very front row and at one point, Win Butler stood

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-6745427842435143412011-06-07T15:36:00.000-04:002011-06-07T15:36:06.399-04:00

Somehow I have been too swamped the entire strawberry season to be able to pick strawberries and then have an an entire day to dedicate to putting them up.  A friend let me know the season was quickly winding down thanks to the recent heat wave, but my weekend was completely tied up with soccer.  (Oh soccer, I already have such a long list of reasons why I don't like you,  to which this got

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-9750927961970535362011-06-06T15:45:00.000-04:002011-06-06T15:45:37.222-04:00

  Every tent needs a disco ball. This weekend Edie's soccer team was in the Sunburn Tournament.  She had been to a birthday party the evening before and brought her party bag along, because in her words, you never know when you're going to need a party bag.  I discovered a disco ball necklace in there, so I hung it up in one of our many team tents.  We like our flair.   It was warm and sunny

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-81893047765002940862011-06-03T10:33:00.000-04:002011-06-03T10:33:27.851-04:00

Edie requested I make her a skirt, one of my whimsical tiered skirts.  Of course missthing insisted on approving the design, ie, fabric selection.  I laid one out and had it approved, only to discover I didn't have enough fabric to make it as promised.  Which led us back to the drawing board.  After going through a few versions that were deemed "Not 'Alive' Enough.", we reached a compromise that

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-48961321602580273992011-06-01T12:54:00.000-04:002011-06-01T12:54:16.835-04:00

I can't remember when it became a tradition for me to bake Betty a fabulous chocolate birthday cake.  Part of it was wanting an excuse to bake, but part of it was wanting to give a single mom friend something nice.  Birthdays are meant to be celebrated in my opinion.  At any rate, for I don't know how many years now, we've had a tradition of chocolate cake for Betty's Birthday, usually something

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-4318836011586329132011-05-26T09:39:00.000-04:002011-05-26T09:39:22.090-04:00

The most perfect strawberry and my first tomato in the morning light. I finally got out there and finished the last of my spring planting.  While I was dumping my weed bucket in a far off corner of the yard, I decided to yank out what I know is a weed.  Which lead to pulling out handfuls of roots, as Pat had recently mowed everything down for our big bash. It's much easier to clear that way you

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-67210464824939190412011-05-24T09:22:00.000-04:002011-05-24T09:22:58.853-04:00

Last week Edie complained of a sore throat.  She otherwise seemed okay, so I chalked it up to allergies and told her to just drink some water.  Tough kid that she is, she didn't complain again.  This weekend, Pat & I both woke up with sore throats which has since evolved into a cold that while isn't horrible, it's still kicking my butt.  And yes, it is what she had.  And yes, she did mention that

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-13056641224016231812011-05-22T11:53:00.000-04:002011-05-22T11:53:28.269-04:00

It's been a weekend full of impromptu gatherings with friends, new and old, complete with bonfires. Found a new local cheese, Italian cheddar, that paired with some baguette and a nice, big bottle of red is a meal in itself. Edie scored her first goal of the season in her team's victory Saturday morning. She scored from a defensive position, halfway across the field.  It was one of those

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-89506656842731617892011-05-18T17:30:00.001-04:002011-05-18T17:38:18.431-04:00

Day 2 of being unemployed found me full of anxiety and self doubt.  I've had a few interesting offers and I am fighting the feeling that I need to jump on them right away.  I want to take some time, figure out exactly what I want to do with myself and make sure I'm making the right decision. This is the 4th time in 7 years I've been laid off.  I know the part-timer is always the first to go and

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-42565008750980327292011-05-16T14:17:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:17:58.816-04:00

My last official day of employment was Friday the 13th. Today, my first official day of unemployment also happens to be our 13th wedding anniversary. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, post-job and marks the anniversary of the first day of the rest of my life with my love and both are marked by the number thirteen.  Co-incidence? I'm thinking not.  Thirteen has always been good for me

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-31493828991038848782011-05-13T16:05:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:05:12.449-04:00

The other day Edie came home from school and asked if she could take a picture of my toothbrush.  Why for I asked.  "Isabelle and I are working on a short story about a family of toothbrushes and I'm in charge of the pictures." Sure thing. Why I imagined this picture to be a simple act of taking a picture of the toothbrushes in a cup,  I don't know.  I pointed out the light that time of day

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-12287373297085538742011-05-09T20:36:00.002-04:002011-05-09T20:42:33.414-04:00

We had dear friends come up to visit us from Birmingham for the weekend, so Friday, Julie & I went up to Monticello while the guys did the river thing (Pat has to spend a good deal of time on the river for his job).  As many times as I've been up to Monticello and done the tour, I still learned something new.  And I always enjoy a good stroll through the gardens.  The row of chives in bloom is

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-5472068235776304422011-05-06T09:52:00.000-04:002011-05-06T09:52:02.117-04:00

Check out my column, Beneath the Cork, in this month's In The Kitchen.  Be sure to check out the rest of the issue as well.  Thanks for all the supportive comments and emails following my last post.  Having worked part time since Edie was born, every time I hear the phrase 'budget cuts', I'm pretty sure what's about to come.  The part timer is always the first to go.   It hasn't fully sunk in

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-3645131138921527982011-05-02T15:45:00.000-04:002011-05-02T15:45:27.216-04:00

Life changing events, both good and bad, seem to happen to me the month of May. We got married in May, found out we were expecting what turned out to be Edie, I lost my father and my best friend in the month of May.  This one is no different.  Already the idea that I'll remain unscathed is gone.  Due to a immediate cut in funding to the agency that employs me, as a result of the Federal Budget

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-74809009569314256502011-05-01T14:28:00.002-04:002011-05-01T14:34:35.015-04:00

On the very right in the black plastic tray are the tomato seeds I started March 1.  Pretty small and sad looking plants if I do say so myself. On the very left are the so-tall-they-need-to-be-supported tomato plants I bought at the farmer's market yesterday morning, also started March 1.  Clearly, I need a greenhouse.  At the very least, I need to spend some time reading about starting my own

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-90132866767026115622011-04-29T09:22:00.000-04:002011-04-29T09:22:21.883-04:00

Things that are currently making me happy: The front porch smelling like lily of the valley, thanks to the blooming patch next to it.  Noticing what's grown and what's bloomed since my morning garden walk during my afternoon garden walk (and vice versa). Being able to grab fresh greens and fresh herbs out of the garden every night for dinner. Running out and grabbing a few pieces of lettuce for

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-78347825964092237732011-04-27T15:38:00.000-04:002011-04-27T15:38:49.082-04:00

Easter Sunday was an absolutely beautifully perfect Virginia spring day.   The light this time of year is just golden.  Divine.  Breathtaking.  I cannot soak enough of it up.  Throw in all the blooming dogwoods and azaleas everywhere....it's just beyond words.  I love spring in Virginia.  We have a Christmas tradition where we invite over anyone we've ever met that we discover will be spending

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-25910732117096000392011-04-21T15:15:00.001-04:002011-04-22T08:50:32.624-04:00

I always have arugula growing.  I throw new seeds in the ground every few weeks or so, so I always have fresh, new arugula.  Of course, I also have a tendency to let it bolt and go to seed so that I can have more to plant.  I pulled out all the arugula that was bolting the other day, washed it and prepped it to be ready to use.  I made that yummy pasta with it the other night, which didn't

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-12186363154614760382011-04-18T16:30:00.001-04:002011-07-22T20:28:00.745-04:00

And it tasted good.  I thinned my baby greens and radishes and after cleaning the dirt off, tossed them together in a salad.  I made buttermilk ranch dressing with fresh herbs and the combination was divine.The pasta was this riducously easy recipe for Pasta with Tuna, Arugula and Hot Pepper.  So quick, easy and yummy. (Yes Kristin, even you could make this.)Here's my recipe for buttermilk ranch

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-51530106022655314762011-04-15T07:59:00.000-04:002011-04-15T07:59:58.289-04:00

 Edie & I walked over to the Dogwood Festival for dinner last night. Corn dogs and funnel cake.  Our favorites.  Corn Dog Happy. Funnel Cake Happy. Turns out Edie wasn't trying to capture my happy.  Just the fact that I was covered in powdered sugar. (And apparently have a brand new zit erupting on my chin.)  I really thought she was trying to take a nice picture of my whole face, not just my

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-78047768714844845972011-04-11T20:54:00.001-04:002011-04-11T20:58:42.398-04:00

The other night at a most enjoyable wedding, our friend William introduced me to a table full of strangers who's dinner table we crashed, as a blogger.  Thanks William, you made me sound  interesting and I was most flattered by that. And it was good to discover you are a regular reader. Actually, I may have thought that was the coolest part. Sunday we drove up to Harrisonburg and helped a friend

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-53884591684922450902011-04-06T18:44:00.000-04:002011-04-06T18:44:38.589-04:00

 Last summer, my Japanese painted fern really struggled in the dry weather.  I carted water down to it from the rain barrel quite a bit, but I never seemed to water it enough.  I worried all winter I had killed it.  It originally came from my Aunt Loretta's garden and I didn't know how to tell my Uncle Peter I'd killed it.  Thankfully, I'm spared from that. The pink dogwood is getting ready to

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-70823414682896171232011-04-02T12:41:00.000-04:002011-04-02T12:41:25.754-04:00

The running joke around here is that if it's outside of my 'circle', I have a hard time getting there.  My circle being the route between my house and downtown Charlottesville and Edie's school.  The full circle is maybe, maybe 2 miles.  My world is small, yes? Wednesday, I drove up to Baltimore for a dear college friend's surprise 40th birthday party.  By myself.  I get away by myself maybe once

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-84699733805707484872011-03-29T15:34:00.000-04:002011-03-29T15:34:17.967-04:00

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-78790406139241555472011-03-25T15:41:00.000-04:002011-03-25T15:41:20.339-04:00

I hear quite a bit that I'm crafty. I do like to make things, but more and more, I feel like I come up with great ideas and then just never come through with the finish of them. Either I lose my motivation or I just don't have the time and energy. Being a mom takes up a good bit of my time. And now that it's spring, I have to be outside doing something every chance I get, no matter how chilly or

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-90364395837509954712011-03-24T08:25:00.001-04:002011-03-24T08:36:46.967-04:00

Our dear friend Anne has started her own shop, Cozy Noggin over at Etsy and asked if I wanted to do a giveaway!  I really couldn't decide among her sweet baby booties, fingerless gloves, hats or her cozy thoughts gifts as to what I'd like to giveaway.  Since this is for you, take a gander at her shop and in my comments section, tell me what you'd like to win and why. I'll choose a winner at

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-24128192702526210542011-03-20T18:06:00.000-04:002011-03-20T18:06:49.383-04:00

A while back, I saw this post and I just happened to check out the link to KB's etsy shop and saw this.  Having just seen the commercial for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Picasso show where Edie turned around and said 'When are we going to see that', I knew I had to get her a Picasso dress.  So, I got in touch with KB and she was kind enough to make one for my girl. Of course, I had neglected

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-16673688739695599302011-03-13T21:07:00.000-04:002011-03-13T21:07:56.131-04:00

My Hellebore is glorious this year.   It only took 4 years to do so.  Gardening requires such patience that I really don't have with anything else, but when I see things like this, it makes it all worthwhile.  If only I could apply that to other parts of my life. It was the kind of gloriously beautiful spring weekend where everyone in the neighborhood was outside and puttering on projects or just

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-51950749519773170332011-03-10T21:18:00.001-05:002011-03-10T21:18:58.704-05:00

I have been cooking up a storm here lately.  It seems to be my creative bent these days.      Roasted butternut squash, black bean, spinach, jack & goat cheese quesadillas with roasted tomatillo salsa and sour cream. (Squash & tomatillos from last summers garden!) Fried tofu po-boys with homemade lemon tartar sauce. French toast for breakfast from Irish Soda Bread.  Seriously good salads.

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-42479299666643466482011-03-06T15:22:00.000-05:002011-03-06T15:22:44.035-05:00

It was so awesome to be able to work in the garden yesterday.  I weeded the perennial bed at the end of the vegetable garden and got some greens and broccoli rabe planted.  I've never grown that before, we don't really eat it actually, so I thought it would be fun to try.  I'm also giving spinach another go - I never have much luck with it, it does nothing and then the first warm day, it takes

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8734417785838803314.post-42715477329900914182011-03-01T18:07:00.000-05:002011-03-01T18:07:21.256-05:00

One night last week I sadly discovered the oven was not going to turn on. And the end result was the best thing I've stumbled upon in a long time. When Edie came home from school that day, I asked for input on dinner and she wanted pizza.  Homemade pizza.  As she was having a friend over for a playdate and they didn't want to run up to Mono Lisa Pasta to grab a doughball with me despite my

Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879162672311458964noreply@blogger.com2