Recipes For 2 Small Eggs


Seems like most recipes call for 2 large eggs. So, if Betty gives us 3 in a row, I think we'll make something sweet and decadent for our drive to the mountains. And how honored are we by these generous, dear treasures she bestows? Max scooped her up when he came home from school and sat inside with her on the sofa... stroking her golden feathers and praising her, showering her with his admiration. I wonder what she thought of that!

When the hens are on the loose they run for the grass, then they high tail it over to a dusty place beneath the climbing rose and after they have bathed in dirt, they step over to the glass door and peer in. Beak to the window, they gaze and cluck softly. They see the TV and the dining table, the cat's food bowl, the long hall and tall ceilings... or maybe those are the things I would see. Maybe they see the housing inequity. Maybe they pine for plush cushions and slick floors. The cats sit on the other side of the door and stare out. The hens spend hours staring in. We cannot really know what they feel, but it's darn funny for us.

Delia is here. We've been catching up with hilarious Internet bits, and we've been listening to Maria tell princess stories at the dinner table, then dance between every mouthful of dinner. We've seen the elaborate and amazing creations Alex and William have displayed upstairs... like the fountain made of Lego bricks! We've sympathized with Max, still in school, and spending evenings with homework. And we've been checking our Thanksgiving lists, buying supplies, revising recipes and preparing to haul all necessities and other stuff up to the mountains... couldn't there be a simpler way to gather and have fun? I suppose not and I know I will not regret our plans, but it is a bit daunting.

We had to buy snow chains! I am in (almost) total denial about the prospect of there being snow and very cold temperatures. For one thing, I cannot remember where our winter clothes are... after Wisconsin, last March, what did I do with those thrift shop threads and dozens of gloves? Today will have to be a shopping day. Won't that make the numskull economists be proud... bunch of goons.

OKay. Don't let me go down that road. It's not that I don't think about the economic crisis or feel livid when I do, but Thanksgiving is on the near horizon and I want to fill my head and heart with gratitude and hope. It is not ignorance or denial. It is self preservation.

Yeah, so I'll be at a mall today and all I can think is: Meh.


I would rather be spinning my wheels some other place.

A game! Name 1 place you have to go this week and then list 5 places you would rather be! I'll go first.
I have to go shopping. I would rather be...
1. Highway 250 from Havi to Waimea
2. camping in Big Sur
3. Linden Hills, Minneapolis and Wild Rumpus
4. Wisconsin
5. Home


Alex is enjoying his break, as is William, but I think if they could go to a school, like this, where student art is science in motion and where there are workshops to teach computer assisted design and lessons on transmissions and drive trains... I think they would be extra happy Geeks.

Here comes a to do list... it has to be done.

1. make spaghetti sauce for first dinner in mountains
2. find winter clothes for 6 people
3. shop for whatever winter clothes I could not find
4. buy bouillon, celery, carrots, drinks, aluminum foil and something else
5. clean car and gas up
6. pack
7. pack
8. tie up all loose ends for Maria's princess birthday... now I call it Maria's Amazing Princess Glitter Extravaganza... she promised the grocery clerk that not only was he invited, but that there would be snow and swimming and monkeys in trees
9. hire monkeys... I kid.
10. Fill head and heart with gratitude and hope... so far so good.

Sentimental Parents Tour Twin Cities

With children and a camera in tow, happy parents Natalie and Geoff were seen touring the Twin Cities. They stopped at every corner and tree that ever held a place in their brief yet eventful year of living in the great, white north. The children are reported to have been either bored, indifferent or slightly amused by their parents' cataloging of all things memorable and significant, however unmemorable or insignificant.

Sample monlogues:

"William this is the first house you ever lived in," spoken tearfully and with much import.
Picture a tired, run-down duplex on a noisy, congested street. Many cars are parked where William once sat in his bouncy chair, while his grandpa roasted brats. William, being no more than 10 months old when we moved, is unmoved.

"William this where we used to push you in your stroller around the lake, and you saw swallows and red-winged blackbirds," the mother said pointing to the gates of the nature center, which is closed for the night. Well, it really is a great nature center, but of course no one can appreciate it from the back seat of a rented mini van.


Minnehaha Falls

And going way back in time: "William this where we walked when I was 4 months pregnant with you and I ate pop-corn, a corn-dog and corn on the cob, at the same time!" Does this hold any significance? Where next?

We drove by the resale shop in South Minneapolis, where I bought my first ever preggo outfit. "William, William look! That's where I first got maternity clothes to wear. See it?" Geoff circled the block so everyone could get a second look.


First co-op.
First flower shop, hardware store and coffee shop.
First gardening center... oh, they're closed.
Ah, first toy store!


We pointed out every flower box, playground, museum, house we almost bought, statue, fire hydrant, ATM and river crossing that we ever thought might have had an influence or important role in forging our son into the handsome, caring, kind and intelligent young man that he is today.


Here's a new first: All of us together at Minnehaha Falls


Next time we are in Minneapolis we will add a stop at the bunny statue to our list of must see places and things to do.
No children were (permanently) harmed in the Twin Cities Memory Lane Tour.

Alex may be growing up,
but none of us could ever be too big
for a hug from Grandma Nancy.



Alex's party was a full house event.
Full of family, friends and fun.



Speaking of growing up...
if I am no older than I was 5 years ago,
how can these little girls be growing up already?

Let's begin by wishing Alex a happy birthday: Happy Birthday 11 year old boy!

Last night Geoff's grandmother constructed a list describing all of the activities that have been going on in the last week. From Minnesota, Wisconsin and Tennessee we have been enjoying the company of family visitors: Nancy, Kayla, Laura, Gary and Sophie, Jane and Alison, and Lily and Phil. Nancy's list was elaborate and took a group effort to compile, because they have been doing a lot in one week. Some went to Tijuana, some went to Julian, at least 3 trips were made to beaches, and there was the beach volley ball tournament, Old Town, kayaking, surf lessons, the Zoo, antique shopping, birthday shopping, hanging out at Holly and Rich's and Friday we celebrated Alex's birthday with a volcano cake and more friends and family. And even though I didn't participate in half of these activities, I still managed to stay too busy to keep up on Chicken Blog.

A lot of family had early flights home this morning. ( I wonder if they took off before the quake?) I enjoyed their visit, but like most time spent with people you love, it was over too soon. We have two more days to visit with Nancy, Kayla, Sophie, Lily and Phil. I should give them a call and catch up with the plan of the day.