Bobbing among the gifts in the Happy Pack from The Rambling Housewife was a book.  The book, Into the Wild, arrived with perfect timing. Brian and I watched the DVD several weeks ago as we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the movie. We loved it.  The book was equally as captivating. I couldn’t put it down.

Having watched the Sean Penn film and read Krakauer’s book, a curiosity rests among the bank of my mind. Who WAS Chris McCandless?  Who was the sister that he so dearly loved? 

I am disappointed the book did not include more photos of Alexander Supertramp, nor the DVD.  Each references his journal and his still shots. Why weren’t they included?

I have researched a bit. Here is what I found:

I’ve found some for you.

Other links you might find interesting:

Part of Bus 142 sold on eBay

A picture of Bus 142

A blog for comments about Chris

A good post about Chris (with over 600 comments as of today!)

Documentary of Chris McCandless

Have you read this book?  I have some friends that think it was “weird.” What do you think?  Were you disappointed with the disclusion of the photos?

*Picture by chriso2000

Directions

I made dirty rice for the fam tonight.  This is my first attempt at this recipe. Brian loved it. Since, it is so easy I will use the recipe again. If you are looking for something quick and easy. Here it is:

DIRTY RICE

Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup finely minced onion
1lb browned ground beef cup (or 1 cup andouille sausage, removed from casing and chopped in food processor)
1  rib  celery, finely minced
1/4 cup finely minced bell pepper
1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
1 package Zatarain’s® Dirty Rice Mix
2 1/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 tablespoon minced parsley

1.  Make dark roux (mine wasn’t very dark - I used olive oil which I don’t think was fat enough for a good roux) by combining cooking oil and flour in heavy bottomed 6 to 8-quart saucepot over low heat.  Stir constantly using wooden spoon.  

2.  When roux is finished, stir in onion and allow to brown, leaving heat on low.  Next, add beef or andouille, celery, bell pepper and garlic.  Add Rice Mix and stir for 5 minutes to toast rice. 

3.  Stir in broth, allow mixture to come to a boil.  Cover with lid and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes.

4.  Before serving, season with minced green onion and parsley.

*Photo by by innocentcharmer

Happy Weekend!

Daisy Doo

Originally uploaded by kenny42952

Per the Humane Society of Statesboro: 

This Sunday, May 11, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro, invites you to join them  to celebrate the annual Blessing of the Animals. Dixie Aubrey will facilitate this popular intergenerational outdoor service. Members, friends and guests are invited to attend this service, with or without pets or companion animals. We will gather on the patio behind the sanctuary. Animals are to be safely leashed or otherwise contained, for their safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. (If your animal does not enjoy such gatherings, please bring her/his picture for blessing in absentia.) Service begins at 10:30 a.m. on the patio behind the Fellowship building at 609 East Grady Street. Guests of all ages are welcome, including friends furred, feathered or finned. In the event of rain, the service will be held indoors, and participants are asked to bring pictures of their animals. For more information, please contact Dixie Aubrey at 587-2406 or Rev Jane Page at 764-7845.

Animal Blessing Service in Wokingham  Originally uploaded by areadeandavid

I love Southern Mamas weekend guide. I look forward to it every Thursday. Here’s what she has for this weekend:

Sat. May 17, Kids Bean Bash Night @ The Little Jumping Bean, 6-9 pm. Potty-trained kids younger than 6 can enjoy an evening at the indoor, inflatable playground while parents enjoy an evening out. Cost: $20, includes organized, supervised play; activities; and dinner of two slices of pizza, a drink and a snack. Register @ 912.691.8797.

Fri. May 16, 6 pm, Tybee’s Beach Bum parade @ Tybee Island. Following the parade, festivities continue with free live entertainment in Memorial Park from 8-10 pm. Food, drinks, live music. Celebration continues 4-9 pm Sat. May 17 with the Beach Bum Luau featuring hula hoop & limbo contest, children activities.

Sat. May 17, Teddy Bear Picnic @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 11 am-1 pm. For ages 6 and up. Celebrate the birthday of Oatland’s black bear. Children will be served a “Bear Lunch” with birthday cake. Special bear birthday feeding. A Teddy Bear Hospital, where kids can bring their favorite stuffed animals for repairs. A Digitarium Theater production of Willbear’s Adventure will be presented. Cost: $7 for members of the Friends of Oatland Island; $10 for non-members. 912.898.3980.

Sat. May 17, 16th Annual Canal Anniversary @ Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum, 681 Fort Argyle Rd. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Historic tours, a reptile show, pony rides, music and food. $10 adults, $5 children. 912.748.8068 or email info@savannahogeecheecanal.com.

Sat. May 17, 200th birthday party @ Old Fort Jackson, 5-9 pm. FREE admission. Cannon firings. Fireworks after dark. A cannon salute from the 3rd Infantry Division. Performance by the Savannah Arts Academy’s Skyelite Jazz Band. Food will be sold during the event. Proceeds benefit the fort, located off President Street, about 3 miles east of downtown Savannah @ 1 Fort Jackson Road.

Fri, Sat. & Sun. “Sesame Street Live: Elmo! Ready for Action” @ the Savannah Civic Center. Show times are 7 p.m. Fri. May 16; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sat. May 17; 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sun. May 18. Tickets are $12-$20; a limited number of $25 Gold Circle seats are available. 912.651.6556 or click here.

Sat. May 17, Atlanta Hawks star Spud Webb in Savannah @ Rousakis Plaza 404 E. Bay St., noon-2 pm. Celebrate the second anniversary of Alltel Wireless’ ‘My Circle’ plan with carnival games, food, raffle prizes and live music. Autograph signing by Spud Webb for Alltel customers. Free and open to the public.

Sat. May 17, Savannah Shakespeare Festival @ Forsyth Park, 8 pm. Free and open to the public. Also, an open dress rehearsal will be @ 8 pm Fri. May 16. 912.651.6417

Sun. May 18, Savannah Wheelie FREE! social bike ride. The Savannah Bicycle Campaign ride leaves from Grayson Stadium at 1 p.m. and returns in time for the 2 pm Gnats game. Bikers receive $2 off general admission Gnats game tickets. Click here for Gnats ticket prices. Children are welcome. This ride’s route will include the Police Memorial Trail and portions of beautiful Parkside Historic District. For more info, click here.

Beach Bungalow 8 has me thinking:

lately, there has been much ado about the upcoming release of the ’sex and the city’ movie. I can’t wait to see it. i, too, spent many a sunday evening, dinner plate in lap, surrounded by friends, watching carrie and her cronies, weeble through life in nyc on their stilettos.

•  
• thinking back to those times, i realize not only was it good television. but it also taught me a thing or two (or 25) about life.

• no matter how ridiculous the outfit, it’s all about ‘owning’ it.

• hair and skin color should never compete.

 

• post it notes are not the best way to break up 
•  camal lights and coffee, apparently, do a body good

• cosmos look a lot better than they taste - that is, until you have three or four and then they taste as good as the look

 

• the candy striper, belt on bare belly, swiss miss look…..is best worn when you’re a character on an hbo hit. (this is when the ‘owning’ thing comes in handy)

• ending a statement with a question, makes everything you say sound lofty and introspective.

• people in nyc, don’t work. they brunch, lunch and meet for drinks

 

• there are only 4 types of women in this world, ‘a carrie‘, ‘a miranda‘, ‘a samantha‘ and ‘a charlotte‘

• when your society marriage goes south, marry your divorce lawyer

• in a pinch, toilet paper can double as coffee filter.

• at the end of the day….it’s just you and your lap top 

via Post Secret

via Post Secret

 

No one has ever become poor by giving.

-Anne Frank

quote via Messy Thrilling Life

Photo by Mr. Kris

 

Re quote:  thank goodness!

La La La

I love this print I saw at Oh Happy Day, buy it here.

Two down. Two to go.

B says, “Papa is number one!”

Beatrice has become quite a Papa’s girl.

redb you rock!

The indie, folk, funk Weepies can’t write a bad song, as you may know their ballads frequently find there way to my myspace page.  I love the work of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen who front the band as singer and song writers.  Listeners undergo subtle intoxication of a folky styled pop medley when they sip from the Weepie goblet.  

Deb and Steve are good lyricists. I love words. And, I really dig good lyrics. Hideaway doesn’t disappoint.

It’s good to see Hideawayare NPR’s Song of the Day, today.

 

Artist The Weepies Song Hideaway CD Hideaway Genre Folk-Pop

The Weepies: Finding a Comforting ‘Hideaway’ As the folk-pop duo The Weepies, the two have found their groove with a comforting synthesis of husky vocals and springy guitar that makes any combination of words and melodies shine like gold.     Other Weepie links The Weepies Official Site The Weepies MySpace Page The Weepies on folkmusic.about.com The Weepies collection at the Internet Archive’s live music archive The Weepies Hideaway review

Here are the lyrics to Hideaway:

Take the sky
For example
A canvas of a billion suns
But our local hero
Shines them out by day
Safe for the winking of a Venus or Mars

Even the stars
Sometimes fade to gray
Even the stars
Hideaway

I see the bare moon
Raise it’s big bald head
I see my friends play the fool
I’ll make my own way
In the wide world
Just know I don’t want to wander too far

Even the stars
Sometimes fade to gray
Even the stars
Hideaway

Even the stars
Sometimes fade to gray
Even the stars
Hideaway

It’s so calming
All kinds of names
Some say I don’t the play the right kind of game
I try to be honest
I try to be kind
And honestly leave when I know that it’s time
I know that it’s time

Hear a phoebe sing his only song
The summer’s day is hovering
I’ll write my full heart
Troubles while I can burst
Out the windows of our traveling car

Even the stars
Sometimes fade to gray
Even the stars
Hideaway
(x3)

 

Happy Belated Mother’s Day!

 

 ”Haaaaaaaat,” she says as she points and pats her head.

This is the sign for hat. Her other signs:

• Papa
• More
• All Done
• Dog

 I love it when she uses her baby sign language!

Image courtesy Country Home

via the House that A M Built

Can Historic Buildings be Green Buildings? I would like to know. If you would too then you can attend this free workshop Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 5p at SDRA Office, 518 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia. Click here  for more information.

PHOTO: Originally uploaded by existentialblu

I went to the movies last night for a much needed mom’s night out. Oh girls, (note to you) thank you for your company. After a week of traveling solo with Beatrice I needed the adult camaraderie.  I mean, I really NEEDED it.  We saw the ever hilarious Baby Mama. 

Admittedly, my blood wasn’t pumping with anticipation for this one.  In fact, I didn’t even look forward to seeing the movie.

“Geez, can’t we watch some thing else,” I silently hummed. 

With mediocre reviews, it doesn’t seem like a movie that I would like.

To my surprise, it was great. I laughed, and laughed and laughed at this light hearted predictable comedy.  Based on the humor and the strong performances each of my thumbs are up.  I liked it!

 

Cast

• Tina Feyas Kate Holbrook
• Amy Poehleras Angie Ostrowski
• Greg Kinnear as Rob
• Romany Malco as Oscar
• Dax Shepard as Carl
• Maura Tierney as Caroline
• Sigourney Weaveras Chaffee Bicknell
• Steve Martin as Barry
• Holland Taylor as Rose
• Will Forte as Scott
• Fred Armisen as Stroller Salesman
• John Hodgman as Fertility Doctor

Other’s who are blogging about Baby Mama: Kai’s World, Bucking the Wave,  

Southern Living’s Top 10 Memorial Day Trips
Editors give you the Top 10 destinations, along with their top-rated picks on where to eat, stay, and play in the south

Nashville-Dancing in the Street
Stroll and Shop on Bay St. Louis
12 Bones Smokehouse-Asheville
Wakeboarding-Orlando, Florida
Blue Spring State Park Marine Life
Pizza Pong in Washington, D.C.
A Louisiana Getaway-The Bluffs

Where the Fish Go

Originally uploaded by Jazzers

Gone Fishing.
Be back Monday. Happy Thursday. Happy Friday. Happy Weekend. Well, happy everything!

 Wow. Do we have the cutest cousin, or what?  Abby you are so beautiful.

I LOVE this photo. I love the pink. I love the TUTU. I love the baby. I love the ballerina shoes. I think it is one of the cutest pictures ever. love, love, love it!

 I think, she just might be the Cutest Kid in the ‘boro!

Awesome photo Mama Mandy. Love you!

Another fun, cool bike:

Sweet Bike via My Little Cottage

Speaking of fun things that happen on bikes, I am looking for a bike trailer. Like a Wike or something (any brand is fine). I would like a used one as I hate to invest 500.00 in something that I am unsure how much we will actually use. I have scoured craigslist and ebay yet scored no booty.  So, if you see one for sale let me know.

In the case you don’t know what I am talking about I mean something like this picture (from by denalibeads)

Aha. Great Mothers Day gifts can be found at Joesphines. Ut. Hum. Brian, if you are reading…

  

Amanda, I saw these and thought of you. I SO knew there was something we could do with all those books.  And Mom, see if you would have just used a little creativity you could have had a new desk. From the number of books you had you could have had an entire bedroom suite!

Check out these amazing book table ideas that I saw over at thedesignfiles. Yet another reason (in addition to this one) to save those old books.

{photo via Domino}

See people DO paint their dining rooms yellow, just as I have been considering. And, it looks so great, cheery, bright, and fresh. I love it.  

Brian has put my painting on hold until after summer vacation. Until then, I will be here dreaming…

 Yay. I put one in the bucket!

 

Picking up Onions putting them in a plastic bag (???) 

Wow. Shew-we. I have been wiping my brow all day.

We dug Vidalia Onions this morning, actually all we had to do was pick them off the ground. I can’t say that I have ever done this before. I now have a new found respect for onion laborers. It’s hot. And, it is hard work. 

The Cromley’s called to tell us that the onions were being turned under. You know that Beatrice and I can’t resist a good adventure. We loaded up to head to Brooklet. 

The field was blemished with onions…everywhere.  Onions were in the mounds, on top of the mounds - they probably were the mounds.  Apparently, once onions go “to seed” they are no longer good for market because the center gets mushy.  They don’t last very long. 

It was an eerie feeling to see all the food going to waste.  Even Mrs. Rebecca seemed in distress. She came out to bag extra onions for us to give to whoever could use them.  I have never seen so many onions!

 Click on the album if you want to see more photos:

Picking Onions May 08

 

More info on Vidalia Onions, here.

Movie Gallery offers a FREE Kids DVD rental every Thursday.

*Child must be present and the free DVD is for a Kid/Family themed DVD.

Michael Cera and Ellen Page sing Anyone Else But You from the film JUNO.

We watched Diablo Cody’s, Juno on Saturday night. Good movie, or at least we liked it.  Ellen Page,  Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman starred in the movie.  It was different to see the perspective of the off beat young mother. I assume the unique perspective is the reason for it’s acclaim. Plus, the acting was good.

It was not a feel-good movie. Rather, it had a fact-of-life, straight forward feel.

We rented from the redbox at Bi-lo. Brian picked it up as we finished grocery shopping. Oh, the things men find at the grocery store. The funny thing is that I have walked by that box a million times and never paid it any attention. Brian claims that he “is never going to Blockbuster again.” No late fees - ah, my hubby loves it!

P.S. If you want a free movie from redbox, click here. They will send you a code. We haven’t tried the freebie yet.

FYI:  There is also a box at Wal-mart. 

“You can look at it as a film that celebrates life and celebrates childbirth, or you can look at it as a film about a liberated young girl who makes a choice to continue being liberated. Or you can look at it as some kind of twisted love story, you know, a meditation on maturity.”  — Diablo Cody

The music for the film is unique:

Reitman, who compiled the film’s soundtrack, recalls that Page had suggested that Kimya Dawson’s music be used in Juno:

“Two months before we started shooting Juno, Ellen Page was hanging out in my office, when I asked her ‘What kind of music do you think Juno listens to?’ Without pause, she blurted out ‘The Moldy Peaches!’ and within seconds she was downloading songs on my computer. The first track she played was ‘Anyone Else But You’. This song, more than any other, defined the sound of the film: a patchwork of homemade sounds made by teenagers whose senses of humour and honesty rang through the scrappy tape recorder they used to capture their chicken-scratch lyrics.”

A lot of fun stuff happens

when you go out on a bike.

- Stone Gossard

via My Messy, Thrilling Life

 

Okay, so I would probably never ever ride a bike like this. But, it looks so inviting, so romantic. It’s seductive. It makes me want to hop on and take it for a whirl. I do. Yes, I do, do, do love to ride bikes!

 

Photo by  taekwondogirl

Wishing Everyone a very Happy Weekend! See you next week!!

Image - Anna Wolf Photography via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Thirteen random things I like about Beatrice: 01. The way she likes to give kisses 02. The way that she dances. It is so funny. 03. The way that she bends over and smells flowers. 04. The way that her whole body bounces when she sings. 05. The way that she eats ANYTHING. 06. The way that she laughs histarically at even the smallest things. 07. The way she makes me stop and smell the roses. 08. The way she loves you no matter what you have on, what you look like, or how grouchy you are. 09. The way she hugs our dog Barry. 10. The way she barks at dogs. It is SO funny. 11. The way she says “ma- ma” 12. The way she smiles! 13. Everything about her!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Even though this little girl is really cute and the tune catchy. I don’t really know if I would like to be an Oscar Meyer Weiner.  Frankly, I don’t think so.  Despite the  lyrics I do not think that every one would be in love with me if I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner. Or, any nitrate laced dog.  

When I picture children, I usually picture an Oscar Meir Weiner or at least I hear the commercial tune in my head.  The two seem to go hand and hand. Oprah even had a kid on her show who had a gospal version of the jingle.  I mean, OMW and kids are as American as apple pie. 

I decided to check into the controversy.  My summary,  I think hot dogs are fine on occaisions but should not be included in a child’s regular diet. Gross! 

Luckily we don’t eat a lot of hot dogs at our house. They have always kind of grossed me out. However, I admit I have binged on the Oscar Meyer cheese dogs.  Those things rock.   Uh-oh, Beatrice.

If you are concerned about Nitrates, childhood cancers, or hot dogs then I suggest you research the topic, too.  Here is one of the top articles, here.

Wow. Is all that I can say. What would I do without Southern Mamas to bring me a touching story at the end of the day.

via Southern Mamas

Every now and then, we need to step into someone else’s life to put our own silly troubles in perspective.

That’s what readers of Matt Logelin’s blog experience. In 27 hours, Matt Logelin became a new dad and a widower. He reached out online though his blog and found an outpouring of support.

Matt’s 30-year-old wife, Liz, died the day after their daughter, Madeline, was born March 24. Matt found strength after telling their story in a blog, www.mattlogelin.com, entitled “Life and death. All in a 27-hour-period.”

A SouthernMamas reader shared the beautiful and painful blog, in hopes that I would share it with you. Click here to read. You can also read a Star Tribune article here about the Logelin family’s story “Without Liz, but not alone.”

You will definitely hug your children a little tighter after reading Matt’s blog. Please share it with other parents, too.

You’ll want to check this out, mamas . . .

Crunchy Domestic Goddess is holding a huge giveaway to honor and celebrate both our earth and the mamas who make this planet go ’round.  There are many, many delightfully green and crunchy and delicious prizes to be won.  (None of them are edible, although that last sentence may have led you to believe otherwise.)  The giveaway runs from now through May 11th, so make sure you stop by her place soon to peruse the goodies!

 

Confused Sign

Originally uploaded by kudaker

Okay, so the Rambling Housewife me a comment that I don’t understand.

So, tell me what does this mean:

C’est la vie!!!

Je suis tres envieux

Guess what?  I won a Happy Pack from the Rambling Housewife. I can’t tell you how much this brightens my day. Whew hew.  A little sunshine for my bucket is WONDERFUL. 

I need a surprise as a happy one sounds so delish. 

I don’t know what is in the pack. I promise, I don’t. I did not read the post to keep the surprise.  Why don’t you skip over there and check it out for me.  Please. Pretty please with sugar on top. Go ahead. Take a look-see.  Report back. I would love a few hints!

See it here.  

*Photo by mizzledrizzle

Sleepy Southern Lane

Originally uploaded by Dizzy Girl

I love living in the South. South Georgia trees are gorgeous.

Come, walk with us down the lane. Take a step back in time. Slow down.  Dream a little. Breathe a little. Take it all in.

This photo is from Pembroke, Georgia not too far from Statesboro.

 

 

This is weird, I know. But,  

I fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing almost every night. Not because  the beach is only feet from my window but because I can hear Beatrice’s sound machine. I wonder if I’ll change the sound to the woods or perhaps the rain so that I don’t feel so surf-deprived. Maybe she is also feeling a little sun burnt and sandy.  Huh, I never thought of it.

Speaking of those beach noises on the recording.  It’s funny how the sound of seagulls can relax me and repulse me all at the same time. I swear they’re evil.  Even more evil are those dirty little kids who throw Cheetos at them or left over loaves of bread.  I feel like I am on the set of a horrific movie when they swarm around, caw-caw-cawing, hovering, landing, and letting droppings fly. Evil, I tell you.

 Photo by Baby7

 

Regretful that I have been withholding information from you (me dearest bloggy friends), I have finally decided to share our summer travel plans. I can not keep if from you any longer: we are going to Paris. And, we are taking Beatrice with us! The fun part is that we will stay for almost a month. Even better, we are house swapping.  

I can hear your questions now. And, the answer to the first one is non. No, we do not know how to speak French.

Bonjour, Ya’ll!

Photo Credits: suitcase collection

 

Originally uploaded by Supercapacity

About WOMP OFF 4- WOMPZILLA

THE FOURTH ANNUAL GOLDEN ISLES SKIMBOARD COMPETITION! SUNDAY, JUNE 8 2008!… REGISTER/SIGN IN- 10:A.M. SKIM SKOOL- NOON.. EVENT BEGINS @ HIGH TIDE.. PRIZES AWARDED/JUDGED EVENTS IN- DISTANCE; AIR; 360’s; FREESTYLE; AND THE GOLDEN BROOM FOR THE BEST WIPEOUT.. AWARD CEREMONY FOLLWING EVENT @ GNATS LANDING!

Remember how Seth Godin recommended that you Google Yourself?  Well, I did last night. I realized that I made the Grady News. Wow. That kind of makes me feel good. And, I didn’t even know. Cool, huh. Now, the question is. How in the world did they find the information to publish? 

 Linsay…yew. hew. ut. hum. Are you behind this? P.S. Lins I SO, SO, SO dig your myspace music. John Mayer’s on my mom crush list. And, YOU are on my favorites list. Hurry home! P.S.S. I love this picture of you.

 As seen in The Grady News, Spring 2007 edition:

 

Christy Griner (ABJ ’97)

 

 

owns Southern Pet

Sitters, Inc. in Statesboro. She has been

awarded a “Top Five Pet Sitters in the World”

designation by Pet Sitters International.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super. Super. Cute.

Via JacPfef.  

Amazing Natural Light Photography.

It looks like Hwy. 301 and the bypass is proposed for a large grocery store chain. Interesting. Hmm…I hope it is Whole Foods. Or, maybe a Kroger. Yes. Yes. Yes. This news makes ME do a happy dance! Mid-step, I had to stop and think “oh, this is simply a proposal.” Ah. Yeah. Rats. The good news is that someone is promoting our little area. I guess it is good news. Growth = Good = Questionable

 

Avoiding Mommy Burnout

I found this on a Dr. Sears newsletter. I think I may have a little burnout. Since the information is helpful to me, I thought it may be helpful to you. So, here it is:

Burnout is a state of emotional exhaustion. A mother feels burned out when she has been out of balance for too long. With so much energy draining out of her, she reaches a point where she feels she has nothing left to give. Yet baby continues to need mom, and mom needs to go on coping. Moms can become unhappy, angry, and most of all tired. This can often lead to questioning mom’s ability to care for baby and blaming herself for not enjoying motherhood.

Click here to read more about mommy burnout and some easy to follow tips on how to avoid it.

Dogwood Street

Originally uploaded by Jim Wubbena

Our street as seen on flickr. cool.

  Even