b l o g o r e l l i

Better than Virginia

Finally, I have found the bicycle equivalent of a station wagon! So friendly for the environment, so much cargo space, bring the Madsen to me...

In my mind, the real point of contention (besides the $1K price tag) is whether the Bucket, top, or Rack, bottom, would best suit my curbside salvage needs. I love the idea of a container to securely transport "treasures," yet I've seen the magic that a few Fixa luggage straps can work.

<Drool>

In the Eye of the Beholder

Why do I suddenly have a fascination with "Ugliest Dog" contests? Blame are the photographs, like this photo essay from Time Magazine, but also have some my odd obsession with the finding attractive of that which is generally regarded as unseemly.

Mostly, though, I just love the quotes:

About Sam (RIP,) who won Ugliest Dog Sonoma-Marin Fair Contest three years running:

"The tiny dog has no hair, if you don't count the yellowish-white tuft erupting from his head. His wrinkled brown skin is covered with splotches, a line of warts marches down his snout, his blind eyes are an alien, milky white and a fleshy flap of skin hangs from his withered neck. And then there's the Austin Powers teeth that jut at odd angles from his mouth.

[says] proud owner, Susie Lockheed, of Santa Barbara...

'People are always horrified when I kiss him. He may turn into a prince yet. He's definitely a toad," she said. "I always thought he'd be great on greeting cards or on a commercial for Rogaine.'"

 

But seriously, why do their tongues stick out?!? Isn't being hairless yet having a cowlick a hard enough lot in life?

These two look like that crazy hyena from The Lion King.

From "The Internet": 

There are two types of Chinese Crested - hairless and powder puff. Along with the hairless gene comes the gene for weak dentition - which can include missing teeth. The tongue starts to hang out when their teeth fall out. Dogs don't have lips like we do, so the teeth hold the tongue in. Proper dental care can help, but sometimes there's nothing you can do.

So there you go, another fascinating look into how I pass my time on the laptop while continuing to procrastinate on designing our wedding invitations.

How I feel these days with ALL THE RAIN (STOP RAINING!), as expressed by the 2009 Ugliest Dog winner, Pabst.

Lady in Waiting

Dear Bean (aka Baby ChoBo #2),

Soooo....your due date has come and gone by three days now, and this is your Auntie Titi to tell you that we're all waiting for your arrival with baited breath (especially your über-prego Mama!) This weekend, Uncle Bink and I hung out with your parents old school style -- since your big brother was up at the lakehouse with Nana and Popi -- going to the movies, out to eat burgers, to the beach. Now, I think you've shown yourself to be a more-than-obliging second child, letting your parents have some solo fun before your arrival.

The sun is out, and it's time that you joined, Bean. Trust me, as someone who goes MIA often (online and off,) absence doesn't make the heart grow fonder until there is someone to miss. Also, never fear, I've worked on my newborn greeting technique over the years and promise you (and your forehead) need not be afraid.

See ya soon,
Blogorelli

FRI
Dinner and a movie failed to draw you out...

SAT
This is our friend Syd eating cherries; you could meet her, if you were here...

SUN
Beach and a bbq, but still no you...

Perfect Summer Night Supper

This past Saturday, everything came together just so: Mom-orelli was visiting from PA, the sun shone brightly and the air felt warm, and she read outside while I worked in the backyard garden. That night, we made this Chilled Cucumber Soup with Salami and Feta from Real Simple magazine.

I don't know if it was the icy glasses of Gewurztraminer ("Ga-vertz-tra-meener"), crusty bread with fresh softened butter, or the comfort of hanging out with my amazing mama in person, but I couldn't stop eating...

Ingredients
3/4 cup sour cream
4 scallions, roughly chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3 pounds cucumbers (about 4)—peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped
kosher salt and black pepper
1 small baguette, sliced
4 ounces thinly sliced salami (we used sopresatta)
8 ounces Feta, broken into pieces (we used crumbled and put it right into the soup, you could do slices on the side as well)

Directions
1. In a blender, puree the sour cream, scallions, jalapeños, basil, lime juice, half the cucumbers, 1/4 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

2. Add the remaining cucumbers and puree (adjusting the consistency with water as necessary) until smooth. Serve with the bread, salami, Feta, and olives.

Quick and delicious!

(photo by  Alex Farnum for Real Simple)

Thank You for the Music