Official Instruction on Taking a Sideways Nap

In order to take a sideways nap one stretches sideways across the bed. You cannot get underneath the covers, but have to lay on top of them and then proceed to wrap them around yourself like a burrito or a light but satisfying human crepe. Then sleep. As far as naps go, a sideways nap is always more successful than a couch or the normal bedtime position (which should be reserved for just that, bedtime). It is particularly lovely to have a warm cat in a knee or elbow pit, but not necessary for successful orchestration of the nap itself.




Erma, of course, is always encouraging these types of things.

Krazy George

Is this not the best thing ever? Last night Jordan and I experienced Krazy George. He changed our lives at a Wilmington Blue Rocks game. We also saw a dancing celery stick and drank beer.


(P.S. As advertised by my cup, remember to fill out your 2010 Census!)

Retail Therapy

Ever since we have lived in the great state of Delaware I have not been on a serious shopping trip. I mean, the only pair of shoes that I have purchased has been no-slip restaurant shoes for work, and that is just boring. I love shoes! I love to shop! Well, upon hearing the good news of a new job (yay for me!!!), I decided that I would need to update my wardrobe a bit. It’s not that I necessarily needed therapy, but boy oh geez did it put me in a good mood! It was one of those days where everything that I try on looks good and fits. Instead of getting frustrated because on the rack it looked great, but on me not so much, or needing a different size (except for one instance where I needed a smaller pair of pants, what?!), the trips to the dressing room were no hassle, and even pleasant. I now know the meaning of retail therapy. No shoes yet though, I’ll save them for next weekend. Plus the best part of buying clothes is that I go home and do a mini fashion show for Jordan where he is required to praise me with "ohs" and "ahs".




And this is a picture of one of a dress thatI bought, and yes, it looks just as good on me, and looks awesome with this one blazer I have!

One of our favorite pastimes

Upon listening to our neighbors having a rather loud fight (it seems as if somebody has taken a page from the book of Tiger Woods) I was reminded of one of mine and Jordan’s favorite pastimes: the fake fight.

Sometimes when we are stopped at a red light we just suddenly have an urge to start screaming at each other when we know people are watching. Usually it depends on who is next to us. We have learned from experience that our “shouting” matches are generally wasted if there is more than one person in the car; typically they are already engaged in something else and not as easily distracted. If you can get everyone in the car looking at you though, that’s bonus points. So the best time is when older women or younger men are watching.

In order to engage in a fake fight one must have wide gestures and an animated face. Jordan and I have both of these naturally (there has been many a glass of wine knocked over due to my wide gestures). Actual shouting is not necessary as it makes one’s voice hoarse; however, if you are miming your argument you must be convincing. The old “watermelon cantaloupe” theatre trick works here if you can’t think of anything else to say. Every once in a while when we are feeling confident we will crack the windows and let a few obscenities fly. Every time I try to convince Jordan to fake hit me, but I guess because he is too good of a guy he always refuses. He also does not want some “hero” to follow us and drag him out of the car for a beat down.

So the next time you are stopped in traffic, use your skills and see if you can really convince somebody.

Barbecue Shrimp

Nothing is better than a meal where you can really get messy. Who doesn't love ripping apart their food and licking their fingers? That is why I love Barbecue Shrimp. The recipe is from my dad, who doesn't cook that often, but when he does it is always delicious.



(I apologize for the picture quality, my kitchen table is not exactly a photography studio, but notice...no forks needed here!)

Barbecue Shrimp
(I usually make half this much, and it is fine for four people with crusty bread and a green salad)

4 pounds unpeeled large fresh shrimp (if you are not grossed out by sucking eyeball juices, leave the heads on)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 lemons, sliced
4 garlic cloves, chopped (come on, you know you can put more than that in)
2 Tablespoons creole seasoning
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (again, more is always welcome...)

1. Spread shrimp in shallow aluminum lined broiler pan. Or you can be like me and just put it in a casserole dish.
2. Combine butter and next 12 ingredients in saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Pour over shrimp. Cover and chill 2 hours, turning every 30 minutes.
3. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Turn once.
4. Plate up. Suck da heads and sop up the juices with some crusty bread.

Herbage

Spring has arrived in good ole Delaware. As a matter of fact, not only has it arrived, it lasted about a week, and then the weather reached 92 degrees! But that is over with for now, hopefully, and things are back to pleasantly breezy conditions. I was going to wait to plant my herbs, but the hot weather was too tempting. As a result, for the first week they grew a bunch! Here is a shot that I took yesterday.




When I first put them in the basil couldn't be seen over the edge, and look at it now! I am also growing mint (in its own container because it will apparently take over otherwise. I'm not going to lie, its for mojitos.




On my herbage list this year: basil, chives, dill, rosemary, thyme, mint. Mmmm! Now lets hope I don't kill them all.

This isn't an herb, but its the new love of my life, a contorted filbert tree. Yes, I felt the need to plant a tree on our patio. Its so cute and twisty I couldn't resist. I'm waiting for it to get used to its new home before it goes into the fabulous purple pot from the purple lady in Savannah.