The Westering Hills

This is how my brain has been for the past few days–lots going on and lots to get ready for in the next week. More on that in a bit, but first, some miscellany.

I made this soup last week and my oh my, is it ever good! You must use the green French lentils for it, however, or it just won’t taste the same (I would imagine). Even Barrett, who is none too fond of the lentil, liked it.

Our group of friends had our 5th Slackers Uprising International cuisine potluck night, with the theme this time being vegetarian Brazilian food. I made Brazilian cheese rolls and they were sublime! Everyone wolfed them down as an appetizer. I believe you really need to use tapioca (manioc) flour to make them properly and luckily, the nearby market we shop at had it in their bulk food section. Also, they were very easy. I’ll be making them again. Oh, and all the other food was amazing. Binulatti created this dangerously delicious mulled wine with triple sec and pieces of fruit that knocked me for a loop after one coffee-mugful! She’s truly the queen of the cocktails!

I was so charmed by this Monster By Mail project that I signed up and bought one! I feel lucky, too, as I apparently was 16th from last on his quota. Which one on the list is mine, you ask? “The Cabinet of Dr. Kittengari.” I’ve noticed other cat-themed submissions–we cat people, we’re fanatics! When I finally get it, I’ll link to it and/or post a photo of it. I’m excited!

This morning, at around 6:30am, both Barrett and I found ourselves awake for absolutely no reason. But our actual acts of waking were very different. Barrett awoke about 10 seconds before me, leaned over me, and squinted at the clock by my bedside to see what time it was. I then opened my eyes only to see a giant face hovering about two inches over mine. I screamed, Barrett then screamed because I screamed in his face, and we both fell back on pillows for a few seconds in shock. I’m still laughing over it!

So, I’m going to Miami Beach, Florida by myself. Why? I’ll tell you why! It’s the big news of the week in our household:

Barrett’s band, Kinski, has accepted a very sudden tour with the band Tool for the entire month of May! Tool = Big Time. Tool = Corporate-Named Arena Rock shows. Tool = Beaucoup Bucks!! They were asked on Wednesday to make a decision within 24 hours and after much deliberation and lining up substitute band members for those who can’t do the whole four weeks (most of them), they said yes. Utter shock. Also, utter confusion as to why they were asked! Kinski and Tool don’t exactly have the same fanbase. Anyway, Barrett leaves next Sunday for three weeks to go drum for all the mopey metal kids in the Midwest and South and your truly will stay home, play with the cats, and attempt to garden without my sidekick. Binulatti should be expecting some frantic gardening calls from me throughout the month of May.

Oh yeah, so since Barrett is taking off three weeks from work to tour, he can’t then ask for another week off to traipse down to Florida and frolic in the ocean with his wife. I’m a bit bummed but much too happy for Kinski to be too bummed. I’ll frolic in the ocean with my friend Greg, whom I am visiting and who is generously putting me up in his guest condo next door to his place. We’ve known each other since the 7th grade. It’ll be lots of fun, even without Barrett!

Finally, we bought a new camera. Our old one was three years old and has decided that it needs to take about 5 seconds in between pressing the button down and then actually taking the damn photo. Upon advice from one of my favorite nerd sites, Boing Boing, we bought a sweet, simple little camera that does well in low light (for band photos). Barrett took some photos this week and they came out pretty good considering he just pulled the camera out of the box and started snapping away. Here’s a nice one of the crabapple tree blossoms in front of our house:

Here’s one of my little terracotta Asian lions guarding the harebells I planted three years ago. I have guardians (ie. toys I like) for most of my outdoor plants. I can’t wait for the harebells to bloom. Don’t you love the name “harebell?” So evocative of everything wonderful about flora and fauna. One day, I am going to plant a bellflower garden: harebells, Canterbury bells, bluebells–can you think of any others for me? I’m keeping a list.

Nice chatting with you all out there in the ether! Another thousand apologies for my blogging delays. I’ll get more back on track once Barrett is gone and the house is still. Too still. I’m going to miss him!