Tea Party

As part of a larger effort to create some quiet space and embrace a sloooower pace, I have been trying to sit with a cup of tea for a few minutes in the afternoon.

My current tea of choice is so thoroughly enjoyable that I thought it was worth mentioning -- Revolution Sweet Ginger Peach Tea. A full-flavored, black tea, packaged in individual little mesh bags. Smells good. Tastes good. Feels good. So tell me, what tea do you drink?

A quick p.s. to those of you who actually know me in "real life" -- yes, despite the twenty or so inches of snow, I did successfully escape from Buffalo (also known as the Seventh Circle of Hell). Good to be home.

Buffalo

Heading to Buffalo in the morning to say goodbye to my Grandma. A massive snow storm is expected there - it is Buffalo after all. Back in a few days.

It's Coming

I swear. Really, it is. Can't be long now. Look at the hyacinth bulb coming up in my yard. He thinks it is almost spring (please, don't let him be wrong).

Happy Housewife

I woke up today to the news that Barack lost in Texas (How? How?). I was seriously sad for about an hour or so.

But things are looking up now. Here are a few reasons why:
(1) The sun is out. The temperature is in the high thirties -- downright balmy for these parts. I thought it was going to snow yesterday. But it didn't. A reprieve for now.

(2) Turns out my ranting about eating the last grapefruit yesterday was all for naught. Shortly after that post, the doorbell rang and a nice delivery man brought our Harry and David fruit of the month (a great gift, by the way). Guess what was in the box? Grapefruits. It is as if the Grapefruit God himself heard my pleas. So I am set in the grapefruit department for a few more days.

(3) I have been cleaning like a crazy person. This is unlike me. I usually neglect all my housewife responsibilities because I get distracted with other things like . . . blogging. But today, I am making progress. Vacuuming. Waxing my kitchen table. Cleaning out the fireplace. Repairing the rocking chair. Dusting. Laundering. Organizing my shoes. Productive.

(4) Brendan and I sat by the back door looking for planes and birds for about forty-five minutes. Lucky for him, we seem to be right under an O'Hare flight pattern. "Nane in iyyyyy" over and over.

(5) After we pick up Ellie from school, we are going to try out a new gelato place as "research" for a story I am working on. Research. Can you beat that?

Another good day.

Grapefruit

When I was in Florida two weeks ago, I grabbed some grapefruit from a tree in the backyard and brought them back to Chicago with me. (Can you imagine having grapefruit growing in your backyard? Amazing.) These grapefruit are particularly delicious -- just the right combination of sweet and tart.

Since returning to cold and snowy Chicago, I have been eating a grapefruit for breakfast in an attempt to mentally and emotionally transport myself back to beautiful and warm Florida.

Today, I ate the last grapefruit. That's it right there. And several inches of snow are expected this evening. Nothing to transport me in the morning. Not good.

My March

Here is what I have in mind for the next 31 days or so . . . .

On the Food Front:

Baking Bread. I have always wanted to be able to make my own bread. Actually, I would really love to be able to competently make at least three kinds of bread (baguette, brioche or challah, and a whole grain). Kneading is one of my all-time favorite activities (I could happily make homemade pasta for hours). So moving on to breads seem like a natural next step. The folks at Gourmet Magazine were kind enough to feature a recipe for a brioche-like bread in this month's issue (ideal timing!). But I am looking for recommendations for other tried-and-true recipes from seasoned bakers out there. Anyone? Anyone?

Easter. I am hosting an Easter celebration for a few family members who will be in town. Probably brunch. Now, I just need to plan the menu and decide on the table settings, etc. Hosting a holiday seems so adult-like (and a little intimidating).

More Vegetables. For ALL of us. I regret to say that I have become a little bit lazy on the nutrition front. We have been fattening up on braised meats and hearty soups. Periodically, I have to rededicate myself to pushing the veggies on my little guys (after the second or third, "Yuck, I am not trying that," I tend to fatigue). We could all stand to incorporate a few more fresh veggies into the menu. For myself, I am trying to have a few raw vegetables with dip for lunch. Homemade veggie cream cheese ("confetti cream cheese") on bagels for the kids for snacks. And my old standby -- sneaking all sorts of cut up veggies into quesadillas.

On the Home Front:

Our First Ever Easter Egg Hunt. I don't care how cold it is on March 23rd. We have a yard, so we are having an Easter Egg Hunt -- even if the eggs are hidden in snow.

Planning Our Garden. Possibilities. Possibilities. Thinking about what to plant where is keeping me awake at night. I hurry to the mailbox each day, hoping to find seed catalogs I have ordered.

Clutter Control. I am determined to venture into my complete disaster of a closet this month. Donate. Throw away. Repeat.

On the Work Front:

Expanding My Horizons. I published my first piece in Chicago Parent this month -- and more to come in the April and May issues. I also hope to have a few small articles in the next issue of Going Places Magazine. Next is getting up the courage to pitch some ideas to national parenting magazines. Gulp. We'll see how it goes.

How are you spending your time this March?

Not Your Every Day Grandma