Spring. She Has Sprung.

How do you know it's the first day of spring in Delaware?

Free Rita's water ice!!

I'll have a mango gelati, please.

AIG Execs Give Pigs a Bad Name.

Edward Liddy, AIG, compliments of Design Crisis

Erin of Design Crisis has written an excellent post today on this very topic (with a design twist!). Read it here.

In Defense of Ivy.

From Ivies by Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall

flickr

The Paris Apartment

Professors at University of Oxford have undertaken a study, Ivy on Walls, to discover whether ivy acts bioprotectively or biodeterioratively with stone walls. Read about the study here.

I look forward to the results of this study because I am of the belief that ivy doesn't cause deterioration, it merely takes advantage of a deteriorating wall or sick tree. Its rootlets are not actual roots in the sense that they do not penetrate a surface in search of moisture or nutrients.

According to the above referenced book, Ivies, published in 1992, ivy is and always has been unfairly maligned. An experiment was conducted by Winchester College in the U.K., beginning in 1890, where half of the trees in an oak woodland were stripped of ivy every ten years and half were left covered with ivy growth. When the trees were felled in 1942, there was no difference in height, girth or average cubic content.

Ivy not only thrives where nothing else will, it provides shelter for birds and butterflies and food with some of the last nectar and berries going into winter. Ivy was the inspiration for poets and artists; it has a history of use as a medicinal herb and is the symbol of everlasting life.

In Delaware, it has been defined as an invasive, nuisance species so now people are ripping it out and putting in mulch which is so much better. Garden stores are advised against selling it and instead are requested to sell indigenous plants. I cannot argue that it is not indigenous to the U.S. but I'd much rather look at ivy in a dark corner of a shaded yard than a pile of mud or mulch.

While I was looking through the book for information, I found a four-leaf clover tucked in its pages. :-) I'll keep you posted on the study.

I am Obsessed with Polygamy.

Do you watch The Big Love?

I had never watched it until the whole polygamy compound raid last spring and I was curious about it. Over that late spring and summer I watched the previous episodes to get caught up and I have so say that it's quite a compelling watch.

The Big Love is about a modern sort of polygamist family, if that's not an oxymoron. The women look like just anyone - well, except for Nicki, played to selfish, manipulative perfection by Chloe Sevigny. Nicki is the daughter of Roman Grant, the "prophet," who is not fond of her husband. There are 3 wives and one husband - can you imagine? - 3 houses, 3 mortgages, 3 sets of bills, 3 sets of jealousy, many children... The wives are constantly vying for their husband's attention and "First Wife" position, even though "First Wife" is clearly defined, there are constant power struggles, as you can imagine.

The story is complicated by the fact that they live in a regular neighborhood and work regular jobs and have to blend. Bill, the lead character and main polygamist character, owns a chain of home improvement stores and also must blend into the business world. And then there are the ancillary characters, some of whom are insane, making this one fascinating night of TV. You can go here to get quickly caught up on the storyline.

You may also have seen The Big Love in the news this week. Seems the Mormon Church isn't taking too kindly to its intention to show a sacred endowment ceremony (I think it airs tonight). For the story, click here.

I don't watch much TV these days, but this is on my list, as well as those fabulous Kiwi boys from Flight of the Conchords (thanks, Raina!). Tune in tonight.

Free! Kitchen Stuff.

Paul from Residential Kitchen Design is having a contest. I am doing my part for the economic stimulus of our country by helping to promote it. (Click on images to enlarge.)

The deal is this: Paul is co-sponsoring a Tell Me About Your Fantasy Kitchen contest along with Metallo Arts, the creators of these fab range hoods (available in a world of colors and designs) and hand-wrought counters whereby you go to his blog and enter by telling a wildly creative story about what your fantasy kitchen looks like. Contest details are on his blog here.

The winner receives a $3200 gift cert. toward the range hood or zinc or pewter
countertop of his choice (plus 10 hours of Paul's design time for a total value of $4500). Aren't they gorgeous? So, if you're into it, you have until April 2 to enter. Good luck!

(Apologies to people who subscribe on a reader: I can't get this to post properly for some reason!)

A Little Help.

(click to enlarge)

I need some opinions. Be honest because I really need some truthiness.

First, what color should I paint this bathroom and the tub (the tub is off-white)? I am painting over the blue today with primer. Should I paint the feet white? black?

Also, would you replace the stained glass? It needs to be repaired in a couple of places, so would you repair or replace? (I'm not sure my husband will let me replace it and I liked it when we first moved here but now it seems so dated.)

Last, the mirror is polished chrome (P. Barn tilted oval) and the fixtures don't match. All other metal is brass. What would you do about mirror/light situation?

Thanks for commenting.

Take That, Kate Winslet.

Ahem.

What I mean to say is that I am beyond humbled at the multitude of award riches I have received compliments of the beautiful and talented Vicki Archer of the coveted blog French Essence. Merci, mon petit chou! Because, seriously, I blush.

Before I get to the awards, I would like to spend a moment on Vicki. When I first discovered her blog, I immediately loved it (along with everybody else in blogland). It wasn't until I had been reading it for some time that she mentioned her book and I realized that she was the author of the book I had sitting on my coffee table. This book:


If you are the only person who doesn't read her blog (here), you owe it to yourself to do so and become as infatuated as I was and am with her photos and words and her life!! There will be a new book published in the fall, also with photography by the beyond-talented Carla Coulson. Visit her blog, Carla Loves Photography, here.

Now, onto the awards. I am to pass along these fine prizes to 10 people I deem worthy. They, in turn, are to pass them along to 10 people or blogs they enjoy to spread the love.

First, the Your Blog is Fabulous Award:

You know, I happen to be dressed exactly like that today, channeling Audrey Hepburn.


The aim of the Excessively Diverting Blog Award is to acknowledge writing excellence in the spirit of Jane Austen's genius in amusing and delighting readers with her irony, humor, wit and talent for keen observation. Recipients will uphold the highest standards in the art of sparkling banter, witty repartee and gentle reprove. That's me: the highest standards (please ignore Cougar Barbie) and gentle reprove. *smile*


The Superior Scribbler Award is pretty self-explanatory. U can has pen?

Those 3 awards go to the following 10 bloggers whom I luf (some of whom just received an award from me and now too will be beside themselves with award riches):

(Click on blog names to visit)

Raina: The pith and hilarity of If the Lampshade Fits
Gracie: The mucho funny and kooky sweetness of Woolgathering & Miscellany
Erin & Karly: The doozie bosom of Design Crisis
Persian Tea: If you haven't visited this blog, you need to, it's gorgeous
Greta: Noodle-ing Adventures of a single momma in My Kind of Town
Jamie: Small Expectations - cat artist extraordinaire
Pam: Garden Designs & More - a wealth of info on plants and garden design
Brandy at It's like I'm...mmmagic! She's awesome. And brainy.
Miss S.K. at A Little More Than a Thousand Words. Awesome and brainy as well. And I think she needed some awards today.
Molly at Designers' Brew: Even though I want her old Nerdy blog name back, she is kicking ass and taking (new) names.


Last, the Share the Love Award goes to the following 5 (who each will pass it along to 5):

Chris and John at Shore Haus: my beach boys!
Megan at Shop at Moxie: DeKalbalicious!
Decorina at Decorina and Skylar: fighting the good fight
David - Midwestern Malaise: Kansas City's finest
Jill at Stella's Roar: shoe lover's paradise and hedonist's heaven

You know the rules, you gorgeous people. Take the love, decorate your blog with it, post it, link it and pass it along. You know what they say: love isn't love 'til you give it away. Or it's like a box of chocolates. Something like that.

Cougar Barbie.

*Pool boy sold separately.

Sunday Night Confession.

I was a latchkey kid.

In third grade, I would walk my little brother home and watch him until my mom got home from work.

Somehow, I started watching Dark Shadows. It scared the bejesus out of me but I was too fascinated by the vampires and ghosts not to watch. What with Barnabas Collins and the ghost who would appear after the scent of lilacs filled the room? I would wake up in the middle of the night convinced that I smelled lilacs and wait, terrified, for the ghost to appear in my bedroom.

So I used to watch the show while standing by the front door with one hand on the screen door handle (the front door was already open) so I could run out of the house in case anything paranormal appeared in my living room.

For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Dark Shadows was a gothic soap opera with ghosts and all manner of supernatural goings on and a cast of ultra-creepy characters. It aired from the mid-60s to the early 70s. I just read that Johnny Depp was so obsessed with Barnabas Collins that he wanted to be Barnabas Collins. It looks like he's getting his wish: the show is being made into a movie starring Johnny Depp, directed by Tim Burton.

Yikes. I'll be the one under the covers.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Sorry, darlings*, all that being adored is exhausting! I need a little R & R. Be back soon.

*said in lilting Holly Golightly manner

It's My Anniversary.

So, I'm going to be busy being adored.

Happy Anniversary, J. xoxo

Sunday Night Confession.

When I was a young girl, around 6 or 7, I had a crush on Ray Rayner.

If you are from Chicago or possibly the Midwest, you will know who he was. He was like your crazy, hairy, old uncle. He had a duck named Chelveston and a stuffed dog named Cuddly Dudley. I remember the day he showed up in coveralls with notes tacked all over them (he could never remember what came next and he could then just pluck a note off his pants and follow the instructions on the note).

When I was somewhat older, I had a crush on Monty Hall from Let's Make a Deal.


What was wrong with me?

My Girl.

Finally. A video of my girl's band, The Shine, that you can actually see. Here they are performing "Rock 'n Roll" by Lou Reed and their own song "Going Nowhere" at a benefit talent show for Habitat for Humanity. Give 'em some stars, people.

Rock on, kid.

Oh, How the Rich Suffer.

From the Wall Street Journal:

"According to a new survey by Prince & Assoc., more than 80% of multimillionaires who had extra-marital lovers planned to cut back on their gifts and allowances. Still, only 12% of the multimillionaire cheaters said they plan to give up on their lovers altogether for financial reasons.

"Fully 82% of men in the study said they planned to lower the allowances to their mistresses, while more than three quarters planned to provide fewer gifts, less expensive gifts and fewer perks, like jet rides, resort vacations and top restaurant meals.

"Women were far more generous to their paramours in the face of financial crises. Less than 20% planned to lower allowances, gifts and perks, while more than half planned to raise them.

"Susan Shapiro Barash, who teaches gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College ... said women value their lovers more than men in a time of economic trouble. 'For the women, lovers matter more than ever now because the rest of life is so dreary,' she said. 'For the men, they’re just cutting across the board.'"

For the rest of the story, click here.

As always, it's not the rich who suffer as much as the poor people under them. Heh.

The Times, They Are A-Changing.

Our 5th wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days. So, I said to my husband who had broached the topic of anniversary gifts, "I don't want jewelry or anything. No flowers." Of course he thinks it's a trap.

I continue, "Just tile. New tile for the 3rd floor bath."

This tile. (Recognize it? It's this brand new tile called "Subway tile." Heh.)

And the showerhead.

And this tile for the shower floor:


It'll look something like this:


It's going to be a surprisingly pricey little project. It's only a stall shower but the floor tiles need replacing and the pan needs replacing (and the plumbing fixtures and the ceiling light) and cement backerboard will likely need to be added. In fact, when I called the tile guy about the price he said he was sharpening his pencil so I didn't have sticker shock. That's never a good thing.

One week later I received two quotes: $3500 and $5100; not including plumbing, electrical or any fixtures or tile. For a stall shower. Zoiks.

He totally would have gotten off easier with Tiffany.

Because we have an old house, it's a job that needs to be done anyway. The tile is crazing and the grout is cracking and I don't want to wait until water has dribbled down through all three floors before we do something.

The basketweave floor tile is $65/foot for honed marble at my local tile store. I need 12 sq. ft. That's $800 just for the floor tile in a bathroom nobody sees. What's a girl to do? Go to my friend eBay where I found it for $11.75/sq. ft. I just got it and it's perfect!! How is that possible?

Don't ask, don't tell - that's my motto regarding deals on tile.

Pipe Dreams.

From today's L.A. Times:

"An assemblyman from San Francisco announced legislation Monday to ... make California the first state in the nation to tax and regulate recreational marijuana in the same manner as alcohol.

"Buoyed by the widely held belief that cannabis is California's biggest cash crop, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano contends it is time to reap some state revenue from that harvest while putting a damper on drug use by teens, cutting police costs and even helping Mother Nature.

"Ammiano's measure, AB 390, would essentially replicate the regulatory structure used for beer, wine and hard liquor, with taxed sales barred to anyone under 21.

"He said it would actually boost public safety, keeping law enforcement focused on more serious crimes while keeping marijuana away from teenagers who can readily purchase black-market pot from peers."

An economist in Hawaii has published a paper (here) estimating $33 million in cost savings and tax benefits to that state alone.

"...California's pot crop is a $14-billion industry, putting it above vegetables ($5.7 billion) and grapes ($2.6 billion). If so, that could mean upward of $1 billion in tax revenue for the state each year," the Times article continues.

If it's already a $14-billion industry in California alone, who are we kidding to not legalize it and reap the tax rewards from it?

As part of his economic stimulus package, FDR ended Prohibition when he took office in 1933, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and millions in revenue for the federal government at that time.

The Huffington Post did an article on the legalization of pot during the Michael Phelps flap. Go here to read it. From the article, the following points:

• It's estimated by a team of 500 economists, including Nobel laureate Milton Friedman (click here for link to the Forbes article) who advised Nixon and Reagan, that taxing marijuana like alcohol and cigarettes could bring in $6.2 billion annually.
• Job creation: farming, packaging, distribution, and of course, marketing--it's going to be a crowded playing field.
• The Netherlands, where small amounts of marijuana are sold in coffee shops, have a lower rate of drug use of every kind than the U.S.
  

From the Forbes article, "If the laws change, large beneficiaries might include large agricultural groups like Archer Daniels Midland and ConAgra Foods as potential growers or distributors and liquor businesses like Constellation Brands and Allied Domecq, which understand the distribution of intoxicants." Talk to me, Wall Street.

So, what do you think? Is this a pie-in-the-sky notion (Wait! There's pie in the sky? Awesome!) or is it an idea with true economic merit whose time has come?

Bill Maher...

needs a girlfriend, a mother or a gay lover.

Who let him go to the Oscars in a leather tux?

(This post in lieu of Sunday Night Confession.)

And the Winner Is...

As usual, I began the year with big plans to see all of the Oscar-nominated movies and only saw Slumdog Millionaire and Revolutionary Road (which didn't even end up being nominated). I may go to the afternoon show of The Wrestler but then I won't have time to make all my fabulous award-worthy appetizers and cocktails for the big event. I also saw part of Rachel Getting Married (long story; award nom for Best Actress) and I did see Vicky Cristina Barcelona (supporting nom).

So, which do you pick for Best Movie? Best Actor? Best Actress? And while you are watching (I will be glued to the TV beginning with the pre-show - the dresses are the best part!), feel free to leave comments rating the designer-clad attendees.

My choices are: Slumdog Millionaire (some thought it was corny - I loved it); Mickey Rourke (look up movie clips on YouTube for The Wrestler); and Anne Hathaway (Meryl Streep still must pay for Mamma Mia; I'm sick of Jolie; Kate Winslet totally overacted in Revolutionary Road so I'm basing my decision on that; and I've never heard of the other movie). In supporting roles, I choose Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road and Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Your turn.

For some pre-Oscar entertainment, go here to see video clips, photos and tidbits from previous Oscar ceremonies, such as the year Barbra Streisand won a Best Actress award for Funny Girl, she tied with Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter - the only tie for B.A. in the history of the awards show. You can download your ballot, too, to play along.

True Beauty.

(Click to enlarge.)

This photo is from the cover of the new J. Crew catalog. I love that J. Crew still uses older models. And I love that this photo wasn't retouched.

How refreshing to see a 65-year-old with wrinkles.

My idol.

Rethinking the Martini.

I am not alone in thinking today's martini is a travesty. Gin (or, forbid, vodka) on the rocks, strained, is not a martini. It's not even a cocktail. The person responsible for the idea of merely waving the vermouth bottle over the glass should be whacked on the head with it. Some attribute it to alcoholics like Hemingway who wanted their liquor strong. Others blame Prohibition and the lack of availability of vermouth and bitters.

James Bond's author, Ian Fleming, is credited with responsibility for the gin-bruising act of shaking, not stirring the cocktail (shaken is referred to as a Bradford). However, according to the Washington Post, one British study pops up every so often extolling the health benefits of a martini shaken, not stirred. Good and good for you - who knew?

While there's disagreement over the origin of its name (some believe Martini came from the brand of vermouth [Martini & Rossi used to be called Martini], while some believe the cocktail was created and named for a customer at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco on his way to Martinez, Calif.), most agree that the Martinez and the first martinis originally consisted of sweet vermouth and Old Tom gin with a dash of bitters.

The proportion of sweet vermouth to gin (4:1) changed over the years, eventually ending up with a 2 or 3:1 ratio in favor of gin. City folks began to favor adding dry vermouth instead of sweet for a more sophisticated flavor and thus the dry martini was born.

Another ingredient that is overlooked today is water. You shouldn't really freeze the liquor and glasses and shakers - the ice needs to melt slightly into the drink to smooth it out. I still prefer a chilled glass.

Also, the martini is always made with gin - Hendrick's, Plymouth, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire and G'Vine Nouaison are good ones; Hayman's Distillers has resurrected Old Tom for the nostalgic. There are also higher end vermouths such as Noilly Prat and Dolin to try. If you prefer vodka as I do, you will be asking for a vodka martini. And you will need to get comfortable telling pompous martini purists to shut their pie holes. Now for the recipes:


The Perfect Martini

2 1/2 oz. gin (or vodka)
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
1-2 dashes aromatic bitters (optional)

Shake or stir with ice and strain into chilled glass. Run lemon peel around rim and twist into drink.


Classic Martini

1 1/2 oz. gin or vodka
1/2 oz. dry vermouth

Pour into ice-filled glass or shaker. Stir until very cold. Pour into chilled glass. Add olive.

I like to add a little olive juice (about 1/2-1 tsp.) for a dirty martini, depending on the size of the glass*. I use vodka and my preference is Stoli (I know, Stoli is so 80s) and I like to remove the pimento from Queen olives and stuff them with blue cheese. I have also found my personal preference in ratio is 2 1/2 parts vodka to 1/2 part vermouth, stirred and then shaken. Take that, 007.

The Post recommends trying a martini using Old Tom gin and sweet vermouth with a dash of bitters.

For some good recipes (including flavored martinis), click here. For all kinds of classic recipes, including the Classic Martini, the Martinez and Martinis Circa 1888 and 1900, go here to Drinkboy.

*Do not even get me started on the obscene size of today's cocktail glasses. That's an entirely different post.