What's in a name?

Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

We need to come up with a name for this baby.

When we were pregnant with Bro we couldn't think of a name for him.  After failing to find something both normal AND uncommon for {{ahem}} Emily... we took a new route for the next baby.

We looked for a Celtic name for Brody (because Dear Husband is Irish(ish)).  Liam was too widely used (thanks to Jon and Kate + 8).  Keegan and Grayden were on our boy name list as well.  The night that we were scheduled to go into the hospital to be induced, we still didn't have a name and... then we found "Brody" on the internet... somewhere.  It was a name that neither of us had heard of at the time.  Unbeknownst to us... it is also the name of a popular hunk on a show called, "The Hills."  Recently, the name has soared in popularity (as you can see in the chart below).  Lovely!     

Popularity of names starting with BRODY

And now, we are trying to find a name for a girl.

Here are the names that I like.

Popularity of names starting with KEELY

Popularity of names starting with NORAH

Popularity of names starting with STELLA

What's wrong with "Darcy"? Why doesn't anyone name their girl "Darcy" anymore?

Popularity of names starting with DARCY

Popularity of names starting with DELANEY

Someone also suggested Clementine.

Popularity of names starting with CLEMENTINE

I heard "Dylan" on a food network show the other night.

Popularity of names starting with DYLAN

And, somehow, "Claire" made it into our list.

Popularity of names starting with CLAIRE

I have to say, that these names are on my list. Dear Husband has a separate list consisting of VERY common names like Shannon and... I can't remember what else.

Seeing the stats on the names... I like Darcy the best. What's wrong with Darcy? Is there something I am missing here?

Easy Potpourri

If you look closely at the working oven... and the stove on top... you will see a small pot... {{see it}} and in that small pot is... easy potpourri.

I read about easy potpourri... on a blog... of course.  And I cannot find that blog so if it was yours then let me know so that I can credit you.

First, I started with the official North Pole oranges from the kids' Christmas stockings... (see the stickers... they are official.)  You can get your stickers (and lots more goodies) from the Giver's Log. 

Then, I poked the orange rinds with cloves.

Then I put the rinds and two cinnamon sticks in a pot of water and simmered.

Gee... look at this picture... has... this is the old stove... I know because it's white. 

Anywhooo... I didn't get much of a scent from the potpourri the first day.  But then the water turned brown (from the cinnamon and the cloves I suspect) and the oranges took on a beige color... and now I have been simmering my potpourri every night for about a week now and it smells just wonderful!  You'll have to add water from time to time as the old water boils out... but this truly is easy potpourri.

7 Things You Didn't Need to Know About Me

Someone likes me. I got tagged. The Marvelous Michelle over at New England Through Yummy Mom's Eyes has given me the Kreativ Blogger Award.  I don't know how I got this award since I am sooooo not creative... but I can pretend, right?????  Hah... my Girl Scout moms are like... "You ALWAYS come up with the BEST ideas!"  And I am like, "UH - I take no credit for ANY of it... I found it on the internet."  To which Lulu replies, "You READ A LOT on the internet."  {{Thanks dear.}}

You all remember Yummy Mom, right?  She's the one who gave me the idea about the fairy house terrarium.  She blogged about it here and I blogged about it here.  As predicted, Lulu did not get the fairy house for Christmas, but I bought the cute accessories for it and I hope to surprise her with it on Valentine's Day or St. Patty's Day.. or some other cool celebration. 

The rules for accepting this award are:

1) Thank the person giving the award (Gracias Yummy Mom!)

2) Copy the award to your blog

3) Place a link to their blog

4) Name 7 things people don’t know about you

5) Nominate 7 bloggers

6) Place a link to those bloggers

7) Leave a comment letting those bloggers know about the award



The SEVEN Things Most People Don’t Know About Me Are:

1.  Ok - here's an easy one... I have a tattoo... it is a bird (of sorts) and it is on my bottom.

2.  I lived on a farm(ish) when I was little.  Well, we had a barn, complete with a working hayloft, and we had horses... of which I never rode those horses... because... well, I'm not an animal-type person.

3.  I am probably the only person on then face of the planet who is NOT an animal-type person.  Although, I am taking a liking to birds lately.  You know what I think it is... I am not a smelly object person.  Animals have an unpleasant odor... and they poop... and the poop is stinky too.  I don't like stinky things.  If you have ever noticed... bird poop does not really have a horrible smell to it.

I can pretend to be an animal-lover though... you kinda have to.  For example, check out my office cubicle.  When people walk by they ALWAYS stop and say... "{{gasp}} OH MY GOSH IS THAT YOUR PUPPY?"  {{Located at the bottom right... the only pic without a frame.}}

"Yep, that's our little guy!"

This makes my coworkers bust out laughing... because they know the truth.  The truth is.  AND READ CAREFULLY HERE... I don't have a dog.  Dear Husband has a dog.  And Dear Husband is in charge of feeding the dog and walking the dog and all things dog related... because HE has a dog... and THIS was the AGREEMENT compromise when HE got the dog.

Having said all that... the dog has a name - Dale... and he is the sweetest and bestest dog that I could ever ask for.  I do love him dearly.   

4.  A bird pooped on me once.  OMG - I have NEVER EVER told anyone this.  I was on my way to a job interview.... and it pooped a little poop on my shirt... which I immediately flung off... and just kept walking... pretending that nothing happened.  Oh, and I got the job too... and ended up dating my boss (I forgot that part myself - it was a waitress job).

5.  I was raised by my grandma while I was in elementary school.  My grandma is everything to me.  She has influenced my life more than I could ever say.  I think about her every-single-day of my life... especially as I raise my own children.  She could never possible know how much her words of wisdom and acts of rationality are repeated in our home... on a daily basis.  She and I certainly have a rather casual relationship on the outside... as she was never much of a cuddly/snuggly/sentimental typical grandma... but on the inside of my heart... she means the world to me... and I love her... to the moon and back again!

For those of you on facebook... look at this WAY BACK picture that she sent to me to use as my profile pic.  My thoughts in this picture?  I'm speechless.  Please - don't judge me!  ;-)

Oh, and she sent this one too...

6.  When I came back from maternity leave with Bro, I took a much lower paying job with much less prestige (for lack of a better word) so that I could have more flexibility to be home with my family.  Financially this has been difficult at most times... but I wouldn't go back to the old job for even TWICE the pay.

7.  I haven't been to church in years.  I need to go to church more. 
         


You know lots of stuff about me already.  It was difficult to find some things that you don't know. 

Ok - so here is the part where I tag 7 more bloggers.  I'll tag you, but don't feel bad if you don't play along (I know that some of you will though).  Just know that I think that you are super cool and fun and I am an ever-faithful reader of your blog.

Here you go, in no particular order:

20 Something and in the Air Force - She doesn't post often... because she is 20 something and in the Air Force... but she is super cool and I know her personally... and I want to give a little blog love to those who are out there supporting our country.  She reads my blog... she knows I love her.

The Bird's Nest - When does a stranger become a friend???  I'm thinking... if people can meet on the internet and become spouses... then we can meet on the internet and become friends, right???  I told Dear Husband about Bird's Nest and referred to her as "you know... my internet friend."  Um... he looked at me as if I had two heads.  Anyone else here have a total internet friend... meaning... that's the ONLY way you know them... you met them on the internet?  She is very down to earth and very cool - you're gonna love her.

Mindless Musings on My Average Life - Ms. Mindless has internet friends.  Although, I think that they have turned into real-life friends now... as they all live in the same city... I think.  Ms. Mindless is a bit younger than most of my readers (I assume that you are all about my age)... but she is cool nonetheless... and... yes, I know her personally... and check her followers... she has 160 followers... how did she do that?

Asia Through the Eyes of a Country Girl - She isn't kidding.  She is really in Asia right now... and she is really from the country.  I like reading about her experiences because I can totally relate to her and I think it would be really crazy to relocate to another country... especially one so culturally different from my world.

365 Days of Slow Cooking - Very creative indeed... but we are up to day 353 already.  Bummer!  I don't want it to end.

Becoming Sarah - Go there now.  You won't be disappointed.  She just had a baby... and she is hilarious!

Pink and Green Mama - This lady has NO idea who I am... but I love her blog.  This is my new favorite craft blog.  I want to make her Waldorf Window Stars with the nieces and nephews when we get together this weekend... but I don't think that I can find "kite paper" locally.  I have labeled her as "extremely crafty and fun" on my google reader.  Note:  kite paper = a cross between tissue paper and wax paper... now ya know. 

Seriously, does anyone here have an internet friend??? Or is it just me???

Patience my dear...

You may remember that I no-baked my way through Christmas.  Fun... I tell ya... real f-u-n!  NOT!

Look what we have?????

It's a brand new oven... with a large window... and a warmer space on the stove (to keep my stuff warm if it is ready to eat before everything else)... and a simmer option... oh, it's own warmer drawer... and more.  I am soooo tickled.

Eventually we are going to add black door knobs to the cabinets to tie in all of the black accents... you know... kinda bring it all together.

Oh.. I almost forgot to tell you... the best part... about the oven... well... I was walking through K-Mart after work one day... just killing time before a Girl Scout meeting... and looking for a birthday present for Bro... when I rounded the corner and saw 40% off signs on their appliances.  Um HELLO!!!!!!!!  40% off... of the floor model... but it had the same return policy and warranty options as the ones straight from the manufacturer... and 40% OFF!!!! 

Dear Husband said that I could buy it. 

Luvs2Boat said that he would get the truck to come pick it up.

Fairy Grandmother said that she would watch the kids so that I could still go to my meeting!

I came home to... a working oven!  Say it with me folks... a working oven!!!!!

The next day I made coffee cake.

The day after that I made homemade hot pockets (ham and cheese in a croissant roll).

Oh, see the little oven light.  Even the oven in my prior home didn't have a working oven light - yep, I've been opening the door ALL THIS TIME.

I am giddy with delight... and I can make Bro's birthday cake in my own oven... so happy!

Which appliance in your home do you love the most????

We Have Birds

To be honest, I am NOT the most outdoors-y type person you have ever met... and I rarely admit to this publicly... but ALL of my friends and family know this about me.  However... you know... there is something about bird watching that intrigues me.  I sometimes look forward to wonder what I will do to fill my time when I am an empty nester.  I want to:  learn to quilt, read to children in the hospital or homeless shelter, learn to crochet, and... really learn to identify birds.  I love birds!  No one reading this blog knew that about me... I don't think that I knew it about myself... I love birds.

Recently, we {{ahem, meaning Dear husband}} put up a bird feeder for our birds.  We had lots of birds on our back deck.  Then, we put up the bird feeder (kinda) ... and they left.  I mean, I don't think we had birds for a few weeks.  Then... lo and behold... they were back.

Here are some pics of the birds that we saw this weekend.

I don't know what this bird is.

This is a tufted titmouse.  "Tufted" means that he has a little plume-like thingy on the top of his head.  He was soooo cute. 

Here is mean Mr. Blue Jay. 

Here is a very poor picture of my favorite bird... a chickadee.  It might be a Black-capped Chickadee or a Carolina Chickadee.  I can't tell.  It is very hard to tell the difference between the two.  Don't believe me?  Check this side-to-side chickadee comparison.  This little fella was a fast mover and he didn't stay at the feeder for long.  He took his food and flew back to the tree to eat it... and then came out for more.  BRAT!

Picture Issues

1.  Some of these pics are large and some are not.  Don't know what is happening what this issue today.
2.  Dear Husband wants a zoom lens for the camera so that we can get good pictures of our birds.  I find it VERY interesting that HE wants a zoom lens for MY camera.  Very interesting!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Ahhhh... I can hardly contain my excitement... so much to say here.

Ok - so this is the post where I remind you to participate in the 2010 Great Backyard Bird Count. 

Remember?  We participated last year... and we found these birds. 

It is easy to participate in the bird count.

1.  Observe birds for 15 minutes.

2.  Log your find on the GBBC website here.

A check list of common birds in your area can be found here. 

Look!  They even run a photo contest as well. 

Educators {{you know who you are}} get your students involved by using these tips for educators.

Parents {{you know who you are}} can visit the kids part of the GBBC site for lots of fun and games.

After you complete GBBC, download and print a free certificate of thanks. 

Ahhhhhh... I so hope that you take a moment during the Valentine weekend to enjoy your local natural bird habitats.

A short (5 min) video by the Audubon society of everything you need to know about GBBC.

Mango Chicken

Let me set the stage...

In case you missed it, Lulu is my biological daughter and Dear Husband's step-daughter.  At this time in her life, she spends one week with her dad and one week with me.  In short, we are all one big happy family.  Her dad (sometimes affectionately referred to as 'Daddy Warbucks' on this blog) and I (and Dear Husband, et al) get along fabulously... as 'fabulously' as we can.  Let's just say... and this is the honest truth... I have had parents who are getting divorced contact me to ask me how we make our relationship work so well... for the kids.  However, there are some little quirks about Lulu's dad.  Most relevant to this upcoming story... he was babied by lived with his mother until he was in his thirties.  When he finally moved out... he insisted that he did not need any kitchen supplies for his new kitchen because he did not intend on cooking or doing dishes.  I mean, he had plastic utensils and paper plates... and NOTHING ELSE.  Did you hear me?  NOTHING!!!!!  This is very typical for her dad.

Imagine my surprise when Lulu was at our house last night and we all sat down to dinner (after 11 years of napmom making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the family) and she announced, "Ummmm... my daddy is the BEST COOK." 

Dear Husband and I exchanged silent glances and tried our best not to spit our food out across the table with laughter.  I mean, REALLY??????

"Oh, yeah?  What did he cook?"  {{waiting with bated breath to hear about his latest concoction for... what???  chicken nuggets?????}}

"Mango chicken!  It was delicious!  And, then he made the fresh strawberries with honey and sugar.  Oh man, it was great!"

"Sounds awesome honey!"  {{gulp}} "We'll have to get that recipe from Daddy!"

What I was really thinking?  Uh, after 11 years of making 3 square meals a day... birthday cakes... Thanksgiving dinners... and more... I got TRUMPED by ONE MANGO CHICKEN dinner.  How did that happen?  Lulu - Just sit down and enjoy your dinner of sloppy joes, steamed broccoli from a bag, and apple sauce.  mkay?

Christmas Gathering

sniffle, sniffle

I was so excited for the extended-family Christmas.  Each year we chip in and bring food and rent a hall and visit with our whole extended family.  It's awesome!!!!!

Last year, Lulu was not in attendance, because she was in Florida with her dad, and Bro was just a wee little fella.  You can refresh your memory at this post.

This year we were all at the party. 

After dinner, Daddy helped with the scenery for the play.

 
Lulu donned her angel costume (she was Mary for 2 of the last 3 years and I told her it was time to give someone else a turn).

Bro... having already thrown up on his button-down shirt, sweater, and khaki pants... did his best baby Jesus impersonation.

After dessert, Bro started running a fever and was... basically... miserable... it became apparent that being a drummer boy was not in the plans for Bro this year.

Lulu stayed at the party with my parents while Dear Husband, Bro, and I headed home... leaving the hall... just as they were singing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem."

Two Years.

The picture before the smile.

 
Ladies and Gentlemen (although there probably aren't any/many male readers)... allow me to introduce... Bro's SMILE!

Oh my gosh... it's only taken me two whole years to capture this picture of his smile.  I told you... he really does smile.  I could sink a small battleship with photos of Lulu smiling.  Bro smiling?  Not so much.

The picture after the smile.

School Bus

Mom:  What are you doing Bro?

Bro:  I'm in a school bus mom.

Mom:  Oh... ok.