Tuesday, November 25, 2008

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.

10 comments:

Anna Banana said...

Sorry you have to go shopping. I am home this morning and then we will go to In/Out burgers. Have fun in the mountains!! PS the word verification is "stesse". I think it means STAY in Italian (but I could be wrong). Just a coincidence...

Mrs. Morin said...

Your game is cathartic. I think I'll play. This weekend I will have to be at school to finish some grading. I would rather be...
1. at Tilden Park in the north Berkeley hills, visiting with friends and family.
2. reading cooking magazines in a book store.
3. finding (with minimal effort) a great fitting pair of pants.
4. baking a cake while Emma drinks her milk in the booster chair.
5. eating breakfast in Point Reyes station.

trisha too said...

my children are geeks, too--
and proud of it! (they go by
"nerds," however--that's right, say it again . . .)

meh. i like that word. that's how i feel about shopping, too.

meh.

Yolanda said...

I hope you have a good holiday.

tara said...

Hire monkeys. Snicker. Well why not?
Geeks, dorks (thats me) and nerds have never been cooler. Rock on.

Crazy Chicken Lady said...

I swear my hens do the same thing- run right for the dusty areas. I love your blog and have been following for awhile. Love your chicken stories.

I was tagged and thought this would be a great way to get to know others. I had to pick 6 people to tag, so I chose you as one :) If you'd like to participate pop by my blog for instructions

Dallas said...

That's a really cool sculpture. Have a safe trip. If I could be somewhere else this week, it would be with family, but at least we'll get to see them at Christmas.

d.a. said...

Congrats on the eggs! Hooray!!!

Tonia said...

I have to say I am in love with Betty, I show everyone I work with her pics on your blog. I say things likes, "Ooh just look at the color of her feathers and how the color of her comb complements the feathers." They all look at me and sigh. I mean they are used to me gushing about Betsy, my wee hen but still... Anyways Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and tell Betty she has an admirer in Oregon! -tonia

Bridgette said...

I got chickens for the first time this year and I love them. Turned out all 4 were Roosters and I had to get rid of them. But, they were great!