Vacation on the River

We are currently in our last day of our vacation on the East Branch of the Delaware River. We thought we were missing out on all the fun of Hurricane Irene, but lo and behold, the storm has shifted inland! It's coming to get us! :) Luckily the cabin owner raised the house a few years ago. It's still raining however so hopefully we will be able to depart tomorrow given that the vehicles are parked not to far from the river's edge- with not a lot of options.

Between the creeping river waters, high winds and the earthquake we have had quite the variety of natural adventures so far. More comments and pictures to come.

August 12, 2011: A date to remember!

Got it on Film!

Micro-economics

Old Micro area

Broadly speaking, microeconomics analyzes the behavior of individuals (and companies) as it relates to the choices we make in the marketplace. It examines supply and demand and hence the determination of prices and production.

In our micro-economic situation... we made a choice and paid for it. We analyzed our own marketplace when it came to selecting the most appropriate product; furthermore, we analyzed three companies when it came to installing this product in our home.

New area sans Micro

Now, does microeconomics look at time and how that may impact an individual's behavior as it relates to any of the above? It's hard to say, but it did take us 7 months to purchase and install our Micro... aka-Christmas gift of a range-top microwave- finally! Out with the old white tiny college microwave, in with the new black double level beauty.

I have been longing for some additional space and now we have it... and a fancy looking micro to boot.

The process:
1) select microwave
2) Buy microwave
3) Set up contractor appointment
4) Wait for microwave
5) Wait for contractor
6)Take down old cabinet, old vent hood
7) install new electrical outlet, new cabinet, and new microwave
8) Sand and prime new cabinet
9) Paint new cabinet
10) Use new microwave:)

Love- Hate

A few observations:

1. Both girls "hate" having their sister steal a toy that they are playing with
2. Both girls look for the other one when they are not within eye-shot (love)
3. Both girls can make the other one laugh (love)
4. Both girls can (and love to) find the one thing in the room that they are not supposed to be handling

Which brings me to the colorful face paint....
We have no idea how they found this as I am pretty sure it was way out of their reach, but they did, and all it took was a second! A good reason (among many I am sure) not to keep M&M's around:)

Caught Red (and blue, and yellow)- handed! Stella: the M&M Bandit

As for something they both disliked last night, and Lucy positively "hated", was the long-sleeve onsies that we put them in for bed. Since neither one keeps a blanket on through the night, and we like to sleep under covers ourselves, I thought I should put them in something a bit warmer to bear the 76 degree temperature that we keep the house cooled to at night (doesn't seem that cold, but they were feeling a bit cold to the touch at night). Once they had them on, Lucy in particular, all of a sudden got a look of horror and then frustration as she attempted to pull off the sleeves... and then of course the crying that said "Mom! Dad! What are you doing to me?!"

We couldn't help but chuckle.

Then I rolled up her sleeves.

You say Tomato...

In my effort to be green and with visions of making organic baby food literally from the fruits of my own labor...I tried to get a plot in our local community garden this year. But unfortunately they were all taken by February. So I decided to create my own urban farm in my 8x13ft (ish) backyardette (since I don't think it can officially be a yard being as small as it is). I had minimal space left in the ground so I bought a bunch of containers (2-5 gallons). I was optimistic and motivated so I planted: tomatoes, summer squash, watermelon, lettuce, radishes, beets, green onions, spinach, basil, cilantro, parsley, broccoli, and strawberries. Now being August, I have learned that I should have planted my greens (and probably
broccoli) as a fall crop. My spinach lasted until the heat wave a couple weeks ago, the cilantro died almost right after I put it in, my watermelon never sprouted (nor did the lettuce). The summer squash plants are large (but who knows if they will fruit), and I am waiting to see what will happen with my beets and radishes. I have an obnoxious amount of Rosemary however!

Summer Squash

Rosemary

Broccoli

 As may be obvious, I only half (or less) know what I am doing when it comes to gardening. I have had success in the past few years with basil, tomatoes, swiss chard, and rosemary. However it's been hit or miss with tomatoes since I first tried them 3 years ago. This year it has been a bit of a miss. I wanted to attribute it to the HOT HOT weather, but everyone else I know that are growing tomatoes around here has had great success this year. We did have a few visits from our neighborhood city kitty (aka RAT) that worked his way under my protective netting and has eaten at least 3 tomatoes from one plant-- which is basically all I got on that one. As for my other bush (or twiggy stalk)... they have been small-- and so far have had minimal fruit. Regardless of size or quantity- they are still delicious!

Just a few of their favorite things!

It's really quite amazing how many types of baby toys there are out there; from simple blocks and puzzles to full on learning centers with lights, sounds, and memory cards. I try to keep the selection fresh, partially by keeping a different selection of toys on each of our 3 floors, but also by only taking out a few things at a time. I also notice that if they seem that they could care less about a particular toy, all I have to do is play with it myself and then all of a sudden the girls are fighting over who gets it next:)

So I have come to the realization, and I am sure many moms can attest to, is that regardless of how lavish a toy is, or how many colors or cool sounds it has; our little people will probably always be the most impressed with the little things (whether they are officially toys or not)- enter: water bottle, and red tube (of which we have no idea what it actually is- but migrated here from MN in Becky's suitcase).

Maybe we are all born with the knowledge that less is more and simplicity is divine--- its easy to forget as we get older with all the "noise" around us. It's nice to be reminded every now and again.

How many things are there which I do not want? -Socrates