At Home Alone

 

Well, its been quite a while since I've written a blog entry.  

I've been pretty busy with the kids.  School has started for both of them which has given me some moments "alone" for the first time in five years.  Literally.  Getting used to this time has been quite a challenge.  What do I do with myself?  Do I clean?  Relax?  Create?  What do I do with this time alone?  I have to say that during the first few weeks I didn't feel comfortable in my own house by myself.  I completely avoided it, visiting every place in town that I've been unable to visit with kids in tow.  I'm now out of bookstores, coffee shops, and yarn stores within reasonable driving distance.  I've even gone swinging at the park by myself - one of my favorite places (see photo above).

This week, though, has been different.  My mood has improved considerably - I can *happily* say that I am no longer depressed and this week I even feel hopeful and motivated.  After dropping the kids at school, I head home.  I open the curtains and blind to let in the natural light, which has been tempered by a thick fog until about 10am lately, and I clean, fold clothes, and do dishes for an hour or so.  Amazingly, the Food Network in the background has made my house much more homey.  And in the newly cleaned living room, in front of the TV, with a magazine - I melt into the couch as if it were a stick of butter and totally enjoy my remaining time alone.  

Photography: why can't I be this good?

Why can't I take photos like this one?

I'd like to post photographs of my newest project - a completely hand-sewn wool felt doll still in progress, but I am too frustrated.  After looking at the websites of three close friends who have each started their own photography studios, I was inspired to pick up my camera to document the felt doll.  I downloaded, auto-corrected, and deleted almost every photo I took leaving me with practically nothing to show.  Instead, I'm showing you their photographs because, quite frankly, they are way more pleasant to look at than mine.  

The following work comes from three separate women who, amazingly, all trained  in something other than photography.  They have each turned their passion for photography into thriving businesses (which says a lot in this economy).  Check out their websites - It's well worth the browse.

Christine Richmond Photography

Portland, Oregon

Greenprint Photography 

Alexis Wharem, Central Florida

Three Monsters Photography

Marcy Hairston, North Florida

P.S. I'll show you my doll next time if I get up the courage to ever pick up the camera again.

Target: a love/hate relationship

I am in the middle of my annual boycott of Target. This has nothing to do with Target itself, only the sheer frustration of finding my way through throngs of under-eighteens while toting two under-5s who insist on walking instead of riding in the movement-prohibitive cart.  Shopping at Target from August 10th until September 1st in a University town is like going to an Ikea on any given Sunday - overstimulating, frustrating, painful. 

Throughout the past week, the University students have returned to Gainesville in droves for the beginning of classes today. Eighteen year olds in T-shirts, flip-flops, and ragged-edged shorts walking 10 feet in front of their parents decked out in Gator gear through Target have been picking up last minute shower caddies and mini-fridges. Even on a Sunday morning a steady stream of families flow in and out, some saying goodbye in the parking lot since Target is near the highway. Mom and Dad climb into the car to head back to Miami or Jacksonville or where ever as Dad watches his princess growing more distant in the rearview and Mom wipes away a tear.

The streets will be jammed today with students trying to find parking before their first class, underestimating the time it takes to get from here to there in a university town. Blinking yellow lights will once again slow speeders through school zones and buses will stop every few blocks to pickup their precious under-eighteen cargo. Restaurants will be jammed and the lines everywhere, absolutely everywhere, will be horrendous.

I used to hate this time of year.  But after 18 years in this city, I think its finally grown on me. Within one week of the beginning of UF classes, our town comes alive. It doubles in size practically overnight. The book vendors, waitresses, university staff, rental agencies, and traffic cops greet the newest Gainesville residents. Students from elementary school to high school stream out of summer hibernation like bumblebees from the hive. Year round residents just try to survive until all the mess dies down.

This year when Gainesville awakens I suppose I'll have a chance to do the same, especially with my new found free time and a new attitude.  I may even take a trip into Target before the whole mess dies down.

Coming Alive Again...

I suppose I'm coming alive again.  Although completely legitimate, lack of time had became a convenient excuse for my non-participation in non-child related life.  As I've said in other entries, the real culprit was severe depression that didn't respond to drugs or diet or much of anything.  Thanks to modern medical procedures, fantastic doctors, and family,  the fog of depression I've been living under for years began to lift in July, renewing my interest in life.

Preschool and Kindergarten are starting this week (along with the rest of the county schools) and my "babies" are going to school for the first time.  I'm excited for them as they begin blossoming into young academics.  I am excited for me.  As if on cue, I now have 15 hours of free time and, despite the multitude of ideas in my head, I have no idea how to fill them. After 5 years of never being alone and (gladly) staying home to take care of the kids, I finally have the time to explore and to watch the town bustle with new faces and renewed energy. 

Bruschetta

Tonight I made a great traditional bruschetta - recipe follows.  The kids helped stir the tomatoes and pour the vinegar, but wouldn't touch it at dinnertime.  By the way - AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO, DON'T TAKE A WIFF OF THE VINEGAR WHILE ITS REDUCING.  Its quite painful.  I'm sure thats a rookie mistake.

Tomatoes

PREPARE TOMATOES:

Peel 6 tomatoes.  Deseed the tomatoes by halving and squeezing them.  Chop coarsely and set aside.

Here's something I didn't know how to do until just recently.  A random skill, but one I've found very useful when I need to cook the tomatoes down in a recipe.

How to peel tomatoes:

Peel stickers off of tomatoes and nick with a sharp knife.  Place in a large bowl.  Pour hot water (heated until just before boiling) over tomatoes until just covering.  Count to twenty and then drain water from tomatoes.  Skin should easily peel off.

Bread

Bread:

Use nice fresh french or cuban bread sliced diagnally.  Melt 2 tbsn butter in the microwave.  Brush butter over bread slices and toast in a skillet on the stove over medium heat.

Topping

Topping:

6 vine ripe tomatoes

1/2 red onion diced

2 tspn minced garlic

1 tbsn chopped fresh basil

1/4 c. olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and let the flavors mingle for about an hour if you can. 

Reduction

Balsamic Reduction:

1 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 tbsn brown sugar

Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a sauce pan. Heat until boiling, then simmer for 10 minutes until vinegar reduces to about 3/4 c.  Allow to cool before use. 

Bruschetta

Assemble toast, tomato mixture, goat cheese crumbles, and drizzle with the reduction.  Serve immediately.