Colorful sky

We had a fantastic sunset last night. My house faces east so mostly enjoy sunrises, but last night the whole sky was brilliant shades of pink, orange and red.

When I first stepped outside the sky looked like this:

I played with the dogs for a while. They were being so cute bouncing all over the garden.

Everything had an indescribable reddish glow:

Probably because the sky was doing this:

And then I broke the news that it was time to go inside...

A creature of habit

Do you ever stop and notice something occurring in your everyday life? We drink about five hot drinks a day in this house. After making tea this morning, I set the spoon on the counter, just as I had set one down the night before, and the beverage before that. Yikes!

Is there a bit of something obsessive compulsive hiding in the back of my brain or am I just a creature of habit? I vote for the latter.

Does anybody else do stuff like this?

Dinner extraordinare

This six pound tome is fantastic. My wonderful husband bought it for me at Costco a couple of weeks ago and I finally had the courage to open it. What a reward! I made the vichyssoise (leek and potato soup) and it was awesome. Tonight, however, we attempted a dish we have heard about again and again but had never eaten. Risotto is our new favorite word. A time-consuming but easy dish, barolo and mushroom risotto is worth the wait. Apparently to make a delightful risotto one must be patient, otherwise the creamy texture evaporates before your eyes and never hits your tongue. Risotto is officially a household favorite thanks to The Silver Spoon!

Myth busted

I've been under the weather for the last few days, and in this house that means nothing changes. I am not allowed extra rest, a free pass to whine or a night off from making dinner. Thomas depends on me to keep the essential happenings of life in order. (You know... stuff like feeding the dogs, knowing what day it is and remebering where he last removed his slippers.) Therefore, I can't change my behavior in the slightest way because this would then throw off my husband's circadian rhythm and everything would spontaneously burst into flames.

So last night, after making dinner, I curled up on the couch with Thomas all ready to watch the new two hour Myth Busters special. I started by sitting. Henry came over and wanted some petting, and I leaned on the couch arm. Henry was really being soppy and desperate for attention so I rested my head on the arm and he put his head on my chest. Everything was great. I was relaxing, Thomas was happy and Henry was sated. As the show progressed my blinks steadily slowed, until finally I wasn't blinking anymore. Thomas woke me and insisted I go to bed. "No," I argued, "I'm awake!"

"Well, then sit up."

"I can't, I'll stay awake, I promise."

"Wake up."

"What? I'm not sleeping!"

"Yes, you are. Sit up or go to bed."

"OK, I'll sit up, I really want to watch this," I say as I shift myself upright.

Thirty seconds elapses.

"Wake up."

I had done something unbelievable, the unthinkable, the unimaginable. I fell asleep sitting up. I FELL ASLEEP SITTING UP! I know I've learned a lot of things from my Dad, but this skill snuck in unexpectedly!

Groovy orange vase

I'm not much of a garage sale fanatic, but Jane called me this morning to let me know our neighbors had some cool vintage stuff splayed on their lawns. With Thomas still asleep, I threw on some jeans, grabbed my coffee and headed over.

Check out this vase I picked up! It's groovy, in every sense of the word, isn't it?

I love the irregular drippy top. The bright orange of the body fades out to lighter orange on top and bottom, and look at those cute little nubby feet! Thomas is going to love this find!