The Scarecrow

Pink Floyd, The Piper at at the Gates of Dawn 1967

It was an interesting weekend - after Blogger horked on Friday, I finally was able to get my newest post up - check it out if you missed it.  I am testing a series called Fridays of Intestinal Fortitude and it will serve as a spot for me to talk about food.  Last Friday, I talked about Chinese Menus and the little-known secret of "authentic" menus, which has been life-changing for me.  After years of hating Chinese food, a whole new world has opened up.  This Friday, I am going to open up a bit about some of the gastronomic trials and tribulations Manoj and I have gone through over the years.  Food has been one of our top sources of Pain and Pleasure in our marriage.  I am also going to post a recipe for Filipino Braised Chicken With Coconut and Spinach which is to DIE FOR.

Besides posting on Friday, I took Team Chaos to the Cirque du Soleil production of Dralion, which was the Awesome, to the power of Infinity.  It was a 3:30pm showing and was not very crowded - I am used to the grand Vegas productions with permanent installation, but this was a traveling production and it was on such a smaller scale which felt more intimate.  I could not stop gasping out loud because I was so afraid they were going to fall.  The kids also LOVED it and now have new career aspirations. Manoj works his tail off to build a new life here in America and his kids want to be circus performers. Lovely! 'Tis the American Dream, no?  Oh, and Anjali fell asleep in the beginning.  She was leaning against me and I noticed she became noticeably heavier.  Sure enough, she took a little 20 minute nap.  No surprise here since I've posted about her Special Gift of Narcolepsy and have dedicated a Flickr set to it.  After all, this is the same girl who falls asleep on the floor at the school and the gym nursery. The girl who also falls asleep during time-outs and will even tuck herself into bed.  If my baby girl needs some Snooze Time, ain't no one stopping her, folks.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get a snap of the Cirque du Soleil SnoozeFest because I didn't want to test the staunch No Photos edict.

Random Snappage


Who needs a scarecrow when you could have a grass dragon?

I have been driving by this house for years and am always fascinated with where they move it. Manoj had better hope I never come across one of these for purchase. #Swoon

Still, a cobra might be nice.

This is Reason #27891 Why My Neighbors Hate Me. Other reasons??? Flowering weeds? Check. Half-naked kids in the front yard without a parent in sight? Check. Mouse-killing cats? Check. Dog crap? Check. We are The Oliver-George Household, bringing up the neighborhood standards here since 2004.

Absolutely Fabulous Bubbles

We are Front Yard People. That is where the action is - folks walking by with their dogs, saying hello to neighbors, the sidewalk for riding bikes. Our favorite moments are in the Front Yard.

Toadie.

It's a damned Good Thing I took pictures of the toad that Arun captured last week. Because now? This TOAD IS LOST IN MY HOUSE. At least we know what he looks like. Sigh.

White Trashin' It.

I received more than one chuckle in the parking lot as I folded this bad boy up like a taco and shoved it in the trunk. Pride?  Whatever!  My baby needed a swimming pool and we don't have room for a cement pond.