The Girls from the North Country

Happy New Year!! I celebrated New Years Eve by staying in bed and reading (finishing) Jeffrey Eugenides' The Marriage Plot. Very enjoyable.While I was reading the boys were turning my living room into a scary disaster, but whatever.  The boys and I celebrated together by playing Bloku and Mad Libs for hours. We took breaks for shrimp cocktail, pizza and ice cream sundaes. It was so much fun to just enjoy them. I did not do any school work all day. I am so grateful for my life. I have the most wonderful family and friends. The last few years have been tough but I have so much to look forward to. Love and hugs to all!



In other news...A good band that shares my blog's name...

And if you want to really cry...


And if you need to punish yourself for some reason..A Bon Iver covered Bonnie Raitt for you...

The Civil Wars

I am addicted to this song and this band right now. Big shout out to cousin Bobby for the introduction! Apparently they opened for Adele. That would be one amazing and depressing show. 

an itty bitty sultry summer ditty- 2 Ways

Sea of Love

I am going to try to get back to blogging more regularly. I have had little time and too many distractions. One of the things I am trying to do is get off this uke plateau. Tricky. Especially since my favorite partner in uke playing has moved to Easthampton. But we have plans to practice every week and she is getting super good at banjo and we may even get a gig at a cafe. Here is a song that I just got the chords to this morning. IN this recording I am trying really hard to sound relaxed even though I m totally high on a cup of joe.
Easy chords. Simple song. Thanks, Cat Power. 

Trouble- Cat Stevens

MY NEW TENOR UKE!!!!! A huge thanks to Sharon and my mama!!!

Note that right before singing I say, "fudge ripple" instead of le "f" bomb. Dork.

Happy Day! Sun! Song!

Oh Susannah!

Taking a break from a lit. review.

Decided to record a song. This sounds better when Kim and I do it together. But I have yet to record us singing together. Soon. 

Finger Picking W.I.P

2 finger style
I am working on some other finger picking too but not ready to show it.
my coordination is improving somewhat.....

But I think I look like a zombie in this film. or maybe subconciously i am trying to look like a junkie...it is raining. I am tired...I may be getting a cold. 

Junkie Song- Be Good Tanyas

adele-love

Henry was sick this week. He missed a day and a half of school. And we enjoyed extra cuddle time. One afternoon, we laid in bed together chatting and listening to Adele's new album and I couldn't resist showing him this super cool video.

Inspiring me...

Wowza....

My humble Doris tribute aka "Lookie here it's a different strumming method"...

Happy Late Valentines Day!!

So I have been practicing a number of Doris Day songs including "Black Hills of Dakota", apropos because I have been watching the hbo series (from a few years back) Deadwood, a gritty Western taking place in the Black Hills.

Nothing can ever be perfect, you'll have to excuse the noise. And also I have a rocking tic when I play.  I don't know how to get rid of either of those things...But  I wanted to share my progress. I still want to look at the notes constantly. But that's ok since my usual audience is two boys who are sword fighting during my concerts (except for when Ezra makes requests (Rufus Wainright's version of Halleluja and Long Black Veil)

Sinead sings an amazing cover of this but I can't find it on youtube with just her singing...

maiden voyage of the new ice cream maker...and another attempt at a melancholy song

1 cup whole milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 cups heavy cream, well chilled

1-2 tsp peppermint extract

dark chocolate, chopped

As I poured the above (except for chocolate) ingredients (after they were blended and the sugar was dissolved) into my spanking new ice cream maker (my thighs thank you mom and dad), I was thinking- my kids don't even have to know I made this, they are at school right now. This was thought with my mouth full of chocolate. Then I realized how ridiculous I was being. I can save them a little of it. Sheesh.

I plan to make grapefruit sorbet. I promise. But the cookies are gone and well, I have all this high fat dairy in my frigo.

Below is For Maggie and Aunt Denise- Because you requested another song. I haven't gotten much better. Too busy reading and stuffing my face. Also, I am sick of my repertoire. I found the chords for this song today, which partially explains that mistake towards the end. It makes me think of those desperately sad commercials for aspca. I need to improve my strumming. But it is so hard.

snapping out of it

I feel a little dirty putting a video of Neil Young on my blog immediately after little old me tries to sing one of his songs with my newbie uke fingers, but I have a feeling he wouldn't give a S$%^t.

Matt is the reason I ever listened to Neil Young, thanks Matt. And this is one of my favorite songs. And it usually elicits moist eyes, if not a complete geyser. Just call me Old Faithful

It really stinks to have so much work to do and no time to wallow.

I found today that the song below, after letting me wallow for a time in my own quagmire of blech, also forced me to snap out of it and get stuff done. Something about hearing the word Helpless over and over again makes you feel like NOT being helpless.



And by the way does it get any COOLER than Neil and Bruce?

oh 1980s, falsettos, leather pants and Norwegian hottness

Amy is moving to the Big Apple soon. And soon after she makes the move, I will be joining her to see one of her all time favorite bands. a-ha is on it's final tour and Amy and I will see their final show. Do you remember them?

Amy has been a loyal fan all these years. For me, the band conjures up so many old memories. When I was an annoying, big glasses wearing, frizzy haired little sister, oh how I looked up to Amy. Amy, with her neat organized bedroom, her stash of Mirabelle and Elle magazines ( bought with her own money from her waitressing job), her collection of Banana Republic clothing (scored on babysitting trips with Aunt Morene and Uncle David), her white musk perfume and her music love. a-ha, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Simply red, Corey Hart. All I had was a little white clock radio, a Sade tape and occasional access to a staticy Canadian music video channel.. But Amy had a bunch of tapes.

So Amy called me a while back and asked me to go with her, she knew that no one else would go along to see an old crusty bunch of used up guys sing 80s pop songs. (For that last sentence she is going to slap me I am sure). But seriously I am excited. And if Morten still has his chops it will be fun.

Look at that Norwegian hottie.

And for those of you who want to snicker and smugly discount the talent this vintage Norwegian pop group has, just listen to Chris Martin of Coldplay speak on how aha has inspired his own group, right before he covers"High and Low". Um, so there. That is, unless you can't stand Coldplay.

diorama mama

Those lumpy things in the bottom right hand corner are split pea "stones".

excess of cardboard+ paint+ mom who is almost done with her paper+4 yr. old who is too fidgety to go see a musical w/his pops and older brother+duct tape +glue= diorama

whoa Nelly

I think if I could make music. I mean REALLY sing and make music, I would do it this way, in my dreams. And on weekends I'd be Maria Callas. But seriously, Nellie Mckay's new album is so wonderful. Thanks to Matt for the heads up. My beloved Andrew's Sisters needed some competition. And although this is a slightly different taste, it somehow satisfies me in the same way.

sweet pillows of love

or marshmallows as we like to call them in this house....

n Friday, Ez and I made these delectable confections. Last year I infused them with peppermint oil. This year I just wanted vanilla but it turns out that they were destined for a dip in semi sweet chocolate and a sprinkling of lovely white nonpareils. We listened to Christmas oldies (Ella, Louis, Frank) while we mixed the sugary gelatinous mixture and then I played the Beatles later while dipping them. Ez did not take part in the dipping, he couldn't even stop himself from licking the confectioners sugar off the table so he was banned from the kitchen during this process. I always use Martha's recipe for marshmallows but there are tons out there.

Friday was a lot of fun for Ez and I, it seemed like the first Friday in ages when I had no papers due and not even preschool curriculum to think about. We wrestled ( it was too cold to go outside), we danced to Rihanna's new album (save the racier songs, and I always make sure to sing really loud over any naughty words). Rihanna has joined the boys "Favorite music" lexicon with Queen, Ratatat, Michael Jackson and a few others. And we made a train city with his tracks. AND when Matty came home home from an overnight in Boston, I got the hell outta Dodge and went to the store to get dish detergent and a new teapot (we seem to burn ours every year, long story), which somehow took me two hours!! This story is getting pretty boring so I'll stop here. I am just really happy to have a break and I am looking forward to going home and spending time with family.

P.S Auntie Michaela, if you want to make these when we come home, let me know. We can make it happen.

Monday is for Nursery Rhymes

When Henry was born, we were blessed with two volumes of Nursery rhymes edited by Iona Opie and Illustrated by the very talented Rosemary Wells. Look up Rosemary's other books, I adore her characters. We have a couple others by her but I couldn't share this post with them. Amy gave us the first two volumes, which eventually fell apart. In truth, half of our library has been given to us by Amy who was an associate editor of Children's Pub. at Candlewick Press. Now that she is managing editor at Harcourt, Houghton and Co. we will miss those wonderful Candlewick books! We were among the lucky few to snag a limited edition double volume set after our first two perished.  

I love nursery rhymes. Henry, being the first child, benefited greatly from this near obsession of mine. I think that if you pick the first line of any of these rhymes, I could finish it for you. 
Iona chose the most magical rhymes for this book.

Rosemary Wells' interpretations are refreshing, creative, gorgeous and playful.

As a preschool teacher I can attest to the fact that rhymes are a great way for children to learn about rhythm, music etc. and a creative way to help children ease into a transition. I had a dozen or so rhymes up my sleeve to get Henry from one place/activity to another without  a tantrum. 


This is  book that I actually love to sit down and read to my kids. 


"Up the wooden hill..." I used to recite every time I brought Henry to my mothers on mornings when I had to work. Before long, he was chanting it with me...  

I am 31

Today I am 31. I slept in. I bought myself a coffee. I took the boys to the fair. I am taking them to a marching band/ colorguard drum corps. extravaganza later. I know it sounds crazy but I really dig marching band music. 

Henry took this photo of me. 
Henry was munching mint from the garden. I think that is dirt on his mouth!

xoxo

p.s later I hope to finish sewing the curtains I started months ago, start sewing a skirt I cut the pattern for and finish a painting.... Is that too much to ask for on my birthday? answer...yes!

Awkward, the new cool

Today as I was walking home from work, in the absolutely frigid cold, I was ruminating on how uncool I am. I was wearing my enormous brown puffy down coat (at least two sizes too big), I had on Henry's knit hat, a pair of slightly over-large pull-on leather boots handed down from my mom when I couldn't bend over (during Henry's intrauterine growth stage). My glasses felt like shards of ice on my face. My nose was beginning to run. Because my hood was up as further wind protection, my glasses were beginning to fog. I had to keep adjusting my hood so that I could release the fog. So I was thinking about how I have never been truly cool. My taste in music is sometimes embarrasing
(does anyone else love Chaka Kahn?). I love Mystery on Masterpiece Theatre (Poirot and Miss Marple make me so happy). I tend to love clothing that is just a little bit too fuzzy or bright. Matty and John once had me convinced that there once existed an external combustion engine. I have a disgusting sugar craving that I occasionally indulge. I have bad hair, yes the bangs are already being grown out. Amidst all this thought I slid on the ice (and caught myself before completely falling) and a fellow uncool guy in front of me laughed along with me. We definitely recognized each other.



P.S Just in case some friends and family in my readership start feeling sorry and want to revel in their own "uncoolness", let me make this crystal clear, no one else is uncool. Except for Laurie, we are both dorks. Jen Z. you are close but you actually come full circle and are one of the coolest people I know. Tina you are very cool, your Mark is too and the two of you will probably have the only "cool" infant I have ever met. My siblings are all cool esp. Curt. who tries the least of anyone I know. The Ferraris are all cool although G and G come close to being partners in dorkiness with myself....I think they are saved because of the librarian and amazing artist cards. Anyone I haven't mentioned is cool. So there.

bloom

Bloom Gewerztraminer (sp.?) comes in a very pretty bottle and I must say the flavor is quite sharp, citrusy and refreshing. The sweetness is tempered quite nicely by the lemony zing.

I absolutely do not have a drinking problem. Would anyone who knows me really worry about that? I don't think so. But it is Monday and although my beloved in laws left me feeling a bit refreshed and rejuvinated, it is hard to get back into the swing of things. It's Monday...and Henry and Ezra are my sons. Matt has class until 10:00. So, I am having a glass. I drink mostly whites 'cause reds don't last long enough and although the NYTimes recently tried to convince me to put my reds in the fridge, I am not convinced. I like my reds room temp.

A half an hour ago, before my two monkeys started burying their plastic dinosaur collection in a mass of playdough, I caught Henry lost in music. His eyes were a bit glazed and he was moving his mouth and slouching and swaying his little frame in that way he does when he hears music he likes. I absolutely love to see it. He was listening to 'When Your Minds Made Up "( the very end) from the Once sdtrk. Can you tell we've been listening to that a lot? I know it came out last year but that is how we are around here!

I am going to try to blog a little less and do more.

I have a stack of future paintings (masonite board) that needs to be gessoed and I just ordered some fabric for spring skirts
(thanks to my "inheritance" heh heh..) from reprodepot... Susan, they have lovely fabric there and lots of Marimecko (sp.) which I know you like. Plus, I still haven't finished my curtains...


Leftovers are calling...

quiet refrigerator soup with obscene amount of mushrooms

This morning while I was urging myself to wake up for goodnesssake, I had a crazy thought. I thought to myself that Rose should get a second opinion. On her death. Strange eh?



I have just come home from work. I can hear Ezra and Matty whispering in bed. Matt has been trying to get Ezra down for naps and occasional bedtimes. They made delicious chocolate chip cookies. I am reheating the yummy soup I made last night.

Refrigerater soup


Play some music. I was listening to The Be Good Tanyas but Wilco would be an excellent choice as well.
Drink a bit of wine. For $9.99 at Wholefoods you can purchase a decent bottle of Tariquet Suav. Blanc, which is what I drank but in retrospect I think I am starting to return to my red phase.

Are your kids fighting over trains? Is you husband leaving to pick up the single mother/student /neighbor and her young daughter from the emergency room? Now is the time to hand your young boys some butter knives and button mushrooms. Tell them to slice. Tell them it is a very important job. Watch their chests puff with pride. Have a sip of that wine.

If you don't have any cartons of stock, caramelize some onions, celery, mushrooms and carrots in some butter and oil. Douse the mixture generously ( like any good Italian's wife) with olive oil and wine. Throw in some of that kale that is threatening to turn ugly. Add some water. Now is the time to add a few dollops of mashed potatoes/other cooked roots that have been sitting around, parsnips in my case. Simmer for at least a half hour, I think. Add any cooked meat, pasta or grains to warm at the end. Pepper and salt et voila.

Eat amidst candllight with two almost quiet boys and grateful husband. Enjoy. It is even better the next day.