These were taken at Sioux Passage Park, on the banks of the Missouri River. The water was extremely low - not sure if you can tell where the water should be, but trust me that was VERY low.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Ice Storm 2006
Like I posted yesterday, there had been a major ice storm a few years ago. It knocked out my power for a few days, but having experienced the same thing earlier that summer I didn't flip out. I sent the kids to their dad's house and I hunkered down in front of my fireplace (man I miss having a fireplace). For entertainment I visited a couple of local parks and captured the following shots.
These were taken at Sioux Passage Park, on the banks of the Missouri River. The water was extremely low - not sure if you can tell where the water should be, but trust me that was VERY low.
These were taken at Sioux Passage Park, on the banks of the Missouri River. The water was extremely low - not sure if you can tell where the water should be, but trust me that was VERY low.
Monday, November 29, 2010
New Header
I love snow! We had a few flakes on Thanksgiving and a few more are predicted for tomorrow.
I detest the bitter cold that accompanies it here. In fact, St. Louis receives much more cold than snow and that just makes me grumpy. The picture in the header is one I took a few years ago after an ice storm. It was a rather icky storm, lots of people, including me, lost power. Instead of shivering my butt off in my dark house I headed to a local park and snapped some amazing shots, including the above picture.
If I get my act together tomorrow, I'll post more pictures from that trip.
In the meantime, LET IT SNOW!
I detest the bitter cold that accompanies it here. In fact, St. Louis receives much more cold than snow and that just makes me grumpy. The picture in the header is one I took a few years ago after an ice storm. It was a rather icky storm, lots of people, including me, lost power. Instead of shivering my butt off in my dark house I headed to a local park and snapped some amazing shots, including the above picture.
If I get my act together tomorrow, I'll post more pictures from that trip.
In the meantime, LET IT SNOW!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday In My City - November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving Recap - Great food, great crowd (sadly hubby had to stay home with a horrible cold) and a joyful announcement. I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!!! You may have read that on my Friday post but it's just too big to be restrained to just one day.
On Friday hubby felt good enough to go to his mom's house for another Thanksgiving meal. On the way home we passed this house. I failed to get a picture of their Halloween decorations, but I'll make sure to get all of the other holiday displays this guy puts on. The second picture is from my mirror, but it best captures the yard
And yes, it all lights up
That's Sunday in St. Louis. Check out Unknown Mami sharing everyone else's city
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Baked Beans
I've hesitated in sharing my recipe for baked beans only because I don't have exact measurements. It was the first thing I ever learned to cook all on my own and I did it by the old fashioned method of a "pinch of this" and a "dash of that." I was working off the memory of my great-aunt's baked beans that she brought to every single gathering. Her's were thick and gloppy and extremely sweet. My mom would make them using the same ingredients, but somehow they just weren't the same. So picture me in my tiny college apartment, dancing around in triumph as I successfully matched my aunt's recipe.
Ingredients:
Canned pork and beans (do not mix brands - they are different)
Dark brown sugar (I've used light, in fact that's what is on hand at the moment, but dark is better)
Chopped onion
Bacon
Yellow mustard
Ketchup
BBQ sauce
Chili powder
Paprika
To feed the tribe of ten gathered around the table for Thanksgiving, I used two standard-size cans of pork and beans. Yes you could go the route of soaking the beans and all of that, but the cans are easiest and it's the way I figured out how to make them. Drain as much juice off the beans as possible, but do not rinse them. Put them in an oven safe baking dish. (I've also made them stove-top, but they get thicker if you use the oven)
Load on the brown sugar. TONS. By my best estimate I use about a cup and a half per can of beans. Maybe more. Like I said, these are sweet, nearly dessert quality.
If you have cooked bacon, chop it up and toss it in. I had four strips and that was a perfect amount. Frequently I don't have bacon, and no, DO NOT use bacon bits. Only real american bacon will do or go without (if you don't know, there is a huge difference as to what the rest of the world calls bacon and what I fry up in the morning to go with my eggs).
Onion. I have used dried onion in the past, and it worked out just fine. Of course, fresh onion is best. I used half of a small onion for this recipe. Had I used the entire thing it would have been okay. Just make sure it is chopped fine.
Add a large dollop of ketchup - maybe two tablespoons. Then add a squirt of yellow mustard. My mom's recipe called for dried mustard, but lacking that I used yellow prepared straight from my fridge and never bothered with the dried stuff ever again. It was about a teaspoon.
Add about a teaspoon of barbeque sauce - just the standard stuff hiding in the back of your fridge. I used KC Masterpiece hickory smoke. Do not make the mistake of using too much BBQ sauce. These are not barbeque beans. A teaspoon gives a hint of smoke. A small drop of Liquid Smoke could do the same. If you don't have any then skip it.
A light sprinkle of paprika, possibly a 1/4 teaspoon, and then a few dashes of chili powder - a teaspoon and a half? I live with a man who finds ketchup too spicy so I go light on the chili powder. I've had baked beans with chopped up jalapenos in the past. It was HOT HOT HOT, but very good. Whatever you decide, go light and sample along the way as you spruce it up.
Stir the ingredients together. The sauce should be a rust color, not the wimpy pink of the pork and beans. If it still looks like pork and beans add more brown sugar. Make sure to taste it - there's nothing raw in it to make you sick. Ensure the balance of ingredients is "right". Usually there isn't enough brown sugar or chili powder.
Then pop it in the oven at 325 or 350 degrees for about an hour. When it's bubbling is a good sign. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes before serving or everyone will scald their tongues.
I much prefer to eat the beans the next day straight out of the fridge for breakfast.
Ingredients:
Canned pork and beans (do not mix brands - they are different)
Dark brown sugar (I've used light, in fact that's what is on hand at the moment, but dark is better)
Chopped onion
Bacon
Yellow mustard
Ketchup
BBQ sauce
Chili powder
Paprika
To feed the tribe of ten gathered around the table for Thanksgiving, I used two standard-size cans of pork and beans. Yes you could go the route of soaking the beans and all of that, but the cans are easiest and it's the way I figured out how to make them. Drain as much juice off the beans as possible, but do not rinse them. Put them in an oven safe baking dish. (I've also made them stove-top, but they get thicker if you use the oven)
Load on the brown sugar. TONS. By my best estimate I use about a cup and a half per can of beans. Maybe more. Like I said, these are sweet, nearly dessert quality.
If you have cooked bacon, chop it up and toss it in. I had four strips and that was a perfect amount. Frequently I don't have bacon, and no, DO NOT use bacon bits. Only real american bacon will do or go without (if you don't know, there is a huge difference as to what the rest of the world calls bacon and what I fry up in the morning to go with my eggs).
Onion. I have used dried onion in the past, and it worked out just fine. Of course, fresh onion is best. I used half of a small onion for this recipe. Had I used the entire thing it would have been okay. Just make sure it is chopped fine.
Add a large dollop of ketchup - maybe two tablespoons. Then add a squirt of yellow mustard. My mom's recipe called for dried mustard, but lacking that I used yellow prepared straight from my fridge and never bothered with the dried stuff ever again. It was about a teaspoon.
Add about a teaspoon of barbeque sauce - just the standard stuff hiding in the back of your fridge. I used KC Masterpiece hickory smoke. Do not make the mistake of using too much BBQ sauce. These are not barbeque beans. A teaspoon gives a hint of smoke. A small drop of Liquid Smoke could do the same. If you don't have any then skip it.
A light sprinkle of paprika, possibly a 1/4 teaspoon, and then a few dashes of chili powder - a teaspoon and a half? I live with a man who finds ketchup too spicy so I go light on the chili powder. I've had baked beans with chopped up jalapenos in the past. It was HOT HOT HOT, but very good. Whatever you decide, go light and sample along the way as you spruce it up.
Stir the ingredients together. The sauce should be a rust color, not the wimpy pink of the pork and beans. If it still looks like pork and beans add more brown sugar. Make sure to taste it - there's nothing raw in it to make you sick. Ensure the balance of ingredients is "right". Usually there isn't enough brown sugar or chili powder.
Then pop it in the oven at 325 or 350 degrees for about an hour. When it's bubbling is a good sign. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes before serving or everyone will scald their tongues.
I much prefer to eat the beans the next day straight out of the fridge for breakfast.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday Fragments - November 26, 2010
*Fruitcake update - the fruit is all soaked in rum and ready to be mixed into a cake. Unfortunately I'm not ready to make a fruitcake at the moment… maybe on Sunday.
*Yesterday's meal was fabulous… once we got to eat it. Son called said he was running late. Then daughter called saying she was running late. FORTY-FIVE minutes later daughter shows up… where was son? Sitting at my house a half hour away. An hour and a half after our original meal time we finally sat down to eat. Lesson learned as this has happen several times in the past. I will be telling them what time to show up, not what time we sit down to eat.
******But you know what? None of that matters. My son (the big adult sized one, not the 13 yr old) announced that I will be a GRANDMA! ME! OMG! Their timing sucks and neither one is in a good place for this to happen, but who cares. They're both employed, graduated from high school and full sized adults - that's all I can ask. OH! And I'm getting a daughter-in-law! But that was sort of a given, I knew that was coming, just not so freaking soon. I mean in a few months my son could be married!
A daughter-in-law and a grandchild!!!!! Absolutely incredible! YAY!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Truths About Moving
No, I didn't move, but we did help someone over the weekend.
All I can say is my my my, what an eye opening experience. And it's funny for me to say that as I have plenty of moves under my belt and several handful of times helping other people. Yesterday, however, I think I did more observing than lifting.
Moving, I've heard, is one of the tests of marriage (I don't remember all of the "tests" but putting up wallpaper and canoe trips were on the list). I have another thought about moving. We all have dirt and cobwebs in our lives, moving will expose it all - literally and metaphorically. Think long and hard to whom you expose yourself.
Like your mother.
Man oh man. Nothing brings out the mother-child dynamic than allowing momma in your home to help you move. Suddenly she starts bitching about the cleanliness of the items to be moved and questioning the need of certain things. It was startling to see a middle-aged adult quiver under her mother's criticisms. The mover was almost reduced to tears as momma pushed on, harder and harder accusing laziness. It was bullying like I've never seen before out of this woman. I knew it was there and this brought it out. It explains soooooooooo much what I see in momma's other children. So much.
The siblings who came to help, blissfully toted furniture out the door, deaf to the exchange inside because they weren't the ones in the crosshairs. Later, the siblings echoed momma's sentiments, clearly their sister deserved momma's wrath.
Wow. Just wow.
Successful moving is all in the packing. The better items are labeled, the less conversation needed from the movers. If you want truly stress-free moving, pay for it. From strangers.
Moving is stressful. Horribly stressful. This is not the time to pick up something and question its purpose, its history, or its cost. Just load it on the truck and haul it to the destination. Period. If you are there to help, park your psychology degree at the door and do the job at hand - lift and hoist.
All I can say is my my my, what an eye opening experience. And it's funny for me to say that as I have plenty of moves under my belt and several handful of times helping other people. Yesterday, however, I think I did more observing than lifting.
Moving, I've heard, is one of the tests of marriage (I don't remember all of the "tests" but putting up wallpaper and canoe trips were on the list). I have another thought about moving. We all have dirt and cobwebs in our lives, moving will expose it all - literally and metaphorically. Think long and hard to whom you expose yourself.
Like your mother.
Man oh man. Nothing brings out the mother-child dynamic than allowing momma in your home to help you move. Suddenly she starts bitching about the cleanliness of the items to be moved and questioning the need of certain things. It was startling to see a middle-aged adult quiver under her mother's criticisms. The mover was almost reduced to tears as momma pushed on, harder and harder accusing laziness. It was bullying like I've never seen before out of this woman. I knew it was there and this brought it out. It explains soooooooooo much what I see in momma's other children. So much.
The siblings who came to help, blissfully toted furniture out the door, deaf to the exchange inside because they weren't the ones in the crosshairs. Later, the siblings echoed momma's sentiments, clearly their sister deserved momma's wrath.
Wow. Just wow.
Successful moving is all in the packing. The better items are labeled, the less conversation needed from the movers. If you want truly stress-free moving, pay for it. From strangers.
Moving is stressful. Horribly stressful. This is not the time to pick up something and question its purpose, its history, or its cost. Just load it on the truck and haul it to the destination. Period. If you are there to help, park your psychology degree at the door and do the job at hand - lift and hoist.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday In My City - November 21, 2010
Welcome to my city, St. Louis Missouri! Autumn here usually lasts about two weeks in mid October then rain and bitter cold swoops in for the next two months. Winter kicks in right about now and it's not unusual for a light dusting of snow to be on the ground. This year, however, autumn has lasted almost six weeks. It's amazing and beautiful. Colorful leaves have hung on the trees much longer than usual.
Even though these pictures were taken last year, this is exactly what the scenery has been for the last couple of weeks...
Even though these pictures were taken last year, this is exactly what the scenery has been for the last couple of weeks...
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday Fragments - November 19, 2010
Yippee, another Friday, another chance to unravel my week to share with you!
*Fruitcake update: After last year's successful fruitcake I'm going to make it again and I'll share my progress every week - aren't you excited? I'll even take pictures... oooh wait, I have one from last year... hang on...
So last year I found a recipe online (http://www.ecurry.com/blog/desserts/rich-rum-fruit-cake-for-a-very-merry-christmas/) and it was a hit, especially with people who aren't fans of the annual cake bedecked with neon colors. I bought dried fruit (no I'm not ambitious enough to make my own) and last night I diced it up. I used pineapple, apricots, raisins, cranberries, and kiwi. The recipe called for rum, spices and wine. Being wine deprived I used cranberry juice instead. I have a container to shake and stir every day.
*My kitchen smells like HOLIDAY. The cloves I used for the soaking fruits is wafting through the kitchen. I'm sure that will go away when my bowls get washed today (the Dish Fairy shows up while I'm at work, this may or may not be my husband and my son is not nearly as enthused by the Dish Fairy's work as he has to put all of the clean dishes away). That's okay, I have a pumpkin spice candle that I'm ready to start burning - that also smells like holiday.
*Thanksgiving plans are finally solidified - whew! My two older kids and their significant others are going to descend on my mom's house and help me prepare the big meal. The youngest child will be leaving town with his father, a decision made barely 24 hours ago, but whatever. Then we'll gather with the inlaws on Friday.
*At work on Tuesday we had our bigass Thanksgiving meal. Our Atta-Person Committee (don't you love the politically correct name?) provided the turkey and dressing and everyone else brought side dishes. I neglected to take a picture of the feast but it was eye-popping. And belly popping. It was a true feast and quite yummy.
*Here's a poll - what are you making for Thanksgiving? What is on the menu? If you're not celebrating Thanksgiving, what is a big feast that brings the family together? What is your special dish to bring when everyone else is cooking? Pick one or several questions - can't wait to read your replies - you might inspire me. And if you have an online link to a recipe, PLEASE SHARE!
My Menu
Turkey (me)
Mashed potatoes (daughter)
Gravy (me)
Green bean something without cream-of-crap soup (daughter)
Cranberries from the can (son)
Sweet potatoes (mom)
Baked beans (me)
Homemade rolls (mom)
Pies (mom)
Brownies (son)
Grandma's Dessert (daughter)
The baked beans and Grandma's Dessert are two dishes brought to every single family gathering since before I was born. It's like a rite of passage to learn how to make Grandma's Dessert. When my mom's cousin was in town we talked about who all knows how to make it and I was thrilled to hear my cousins love it as much as I do. The baked beans don't have a set recipe and mom's cousin was very happy to hear that someone else carries her mother's torch. I mastered it back in college and I make it allthedamntime. I even made it for the bigass meal last Tuesday. If you behave I might share my recipes later this week.
Check out everyone else's Friday...
*Fruitcake update: After last year's successful fruitcake I'm going to make it again and I'll share my progress every week - aren't you excited? I'll even take pictures... oooh wait, I have one from last year... hang on...
So last year I found a recipe online (http://www.ecurry.com/blog/desserts/rich-rum-fruit-cake-for-a-very-merry-christmas/) and it was a hit, especially with people who aren't fans of the annual cake bedecked with neon colors. I bought dried fruit (no I'm not ambitious enough to make my own) and last night I diced it up. I used pineapple, apricots, raisins, cranberries, and kiwi. The recipe called for rum, spices and wine. Being wine deprived I used cranberry juice instead. I have a container to shake and stir every day.
*My kitchen smells like HOLIDAY. The cloves I used for the soaking fruits is wafting through the kitchen. I'm sure that will go away when my bowls get washed today (the Dish Fairy shows up while I'm at work, this may or may not be my husband and my son is not nearly as enthused by the Dish Fairy's work as he has to put all of the clean dishes away). That's okay, I have a pumpkin spice candle that I'm ready to start burning - that also smells like holiday.
*Thanksgiving plans are finally solidified - whew! My two older kids and their significant others are going to descend on my mom's house and help me prepare the big meal. The youngest child will be leaving town with his father, a decision made barely 24 hours ago, but whatever. Then we'll gather with the inlaws on Friday.
*At work on Tuesday we had our bigass Thanksgiving meal. Our Atta-Person Committee (don't you love the politically correct name?) provided the turkey and dressing and everyone else brought side dishes. I neglected to take a picture of the feast but it was eye-popping. And belly popping. It was a true feast and quite yummy.
*Here's a poll - what are you making for Thanksgiving? What is on the menu? If you're not celebrating Thanksgiving, what is a big feast that brings the family together? What is your special dish to bring when everyone else is cooking? Pick one or several questions - can't wait to read your replies - you might inspire me. And if you have an online link to a recipe, PLEASE SHARE!
My Menu
Turkey (me)
Mashed potatoes (daughter)
Gravy (me)
Green bean something without cream-of-crap soup (daughter)
Cranberries from the can (son)
Sweet potatoes (mom)
Baked beans (me)
Homemade rolls (mom)
Pies (mom)
Brownies (son)
Grandma's Dessert (daughter)
The baked beans and Grandma's Dessert are two dishes brought to every single family gathering since before I was born. It's like a rite of passage to learn how to make Grandma's Dessert. When my mom's cousin was in town we talked about who all knows how to make it and I was thrilled to hear my cousins love it as much as I do. The baked beans don't have a set recipe and mom's cousin was very happy to hear that someone else carries her mother's torch. I mastered it back in college and I make it allthedamntime. I even made it for the bigass meal last Tuesday. If you behave I might share my recipes later this week.
Check out everyone else's Friday...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Craft Time
Only a few weeks left before Christmas and NOW I finally kicked my butt into gear. I'm busy chopping fabric into tiny triangles to finish one quilt. As I slice and dice, other quilt projects are starting to brew in my head. One year I pushed out five quilts in just a matter of weeks. Hopefully I will be just a successful this year. It certainly would make Christmas easier on the pocketbook. So if I'm not around, be assured it's not because I'm avoiding you. I'll be holed away in my basement playing with my fabric. I'll post pictures when there's something to see.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
BUUUURRRRPPPP
Today was our annual Thanksgiving potluck at our staff meeting. Holy cow, what a spread. The only complaint was the lack of chocolate. But somehow we persevered.
Needless to say I'm stuff to the freaking gills.
The holiday season hath begun
Needless to say I'm stuff to the freaking gills.
The holiday season hath begun
Monday, November 15, 2010
Logic Puzzles
I allowed Ian to load some apps on the iPad and of course he chose Bubblewrap and some rollercoaster thing. But then I walked by last night and saw he was playing a rather difficult logic game, one where you move blocks to escape. I tried playing it... I conquered it of course, but it was pretty hard.
For the kid who struggles a little more than he should with homework, this is something that thrills my cold, little heart. I know he's smart and the fact that he seeks out intellectual challenges is simply proof of it.
Later that night I caught him playing with a word jumble - again making me happy. THEN, the little stinker crawled up on the couch, squished into the tiny space next to my legs and helped me play a few puzzles. It was great bonding time you just don't imagine a thirteen year boy would seek out.
He's a great kid.
For the kid who struggles a little more than he should with homework, this is something that thrills my cold, little heart. I know he's smart and the fact that he seeks out intellectual challenges is simply proof of it.
Later that night I caught him playing with a word jumble - again making me happy. THEN, the little stinker crawled up on the couch, squished into the tiny space next to my legs and helped me play a few puzzles. It was great bonding time you just don't imagine a thirteen year boy would seek out.
He's a great kid.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday In My City - November 14, 2010
Today I'm not highlighting Me or My City - just digging through the old photos and thought I would share -
This is my mom on a family vacation in Oregon during the late 1940's or early 1950's.
This is Multnomah Falls, just outside of Portland. It is a very beautiful waterfall - big and picturesque. Best of all, this is one of those places that I can say "I've been there!" I've stood on that bridge!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday Fragments - November 12, 2010
It's time to unwind and unravel courtesy of Half-Past Kissing Time. Click the link and play along!
*I survived my first week as the lone tech person supporting two offices. Pride, trepidation, impatience... it's been a trying week, but I survived. Whew! Taking on this responsibility means I am now the WEBMASTER (say that in ominous tones). But really I think I would prefer to be called WEB MISTRESS. Doesn't that sound very dominatrix? I guess I need to add some leather to my wardrobe. Sadly I do not yet own even a catsuit. I'm such a failure.
*I have not survived so well with the time change. I'm waking up an hour early, getting hungry for dinner at 4pm and am ready to pass out by 9pm.
*Are your Thanksgiving plans set? Mine aren't. It's so difficult with two grown children who need to be everywhere else at the same time. So far my mom has offered her house. Time, menu and attendees are still to be announced.
*This week was the Marine Corps birthday. Once upon a time I was married to a Marine and it's funny how their pride rubs off on the people around them. I still admire their dress blues and occasionally catch myself humming the Marine Corps Hymn - hey, it's a catchy tune! But anyways, Happy Birthday to all Marines, past and present, including ol' WhatsHisName.
*A huge thank you to all of our veterans and active military.
*I survived my first week as the lone tech person supporting two offices. Pride, trepidation, impatience... it's been a trying week, but I survived. Whew! Taking on this responsibility means I am now the WEBMASTER (say that in ominous tones). But really I think I would prefer to be called WEB MISTRESS. Doesn't that sound very dominatrix? I guess I need to add some leather to my wardrobe. Sadly I do not yet own even a catsuit. I'm such a failure.
*I have not survived so well with the time change. I'm waking up an hour early, getting hungry for dinner at 4pm and am ready to pass out by 9pm.
*Are your Thanksgiving plans set? Mine aren't. It's so difficult with two grown children who need to be everywhere else at the same time. So far my mom has offered her house. Time, menu and attendees are still to be announced.
*This week was the Marine Corps birthday. Once upon a time I was married to a Marine and it's funny how their pride rubs off on the people around them. I still admire their dress blues and occasionally catch myself humming the Marine Corps Hymn - hey, it's a catchy tune! But anyways, Happy Birthday to all Marines, past and present, including ol' WhatsHisName.
*A huge thank you to all of our veterans and active military.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Office Jokes - November 10, 2010
I could make this part of Wordless Wednesday! ...oops! I used words.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Dear TV Set Designers
Dear TV Set Designers,
Please leave New York City and the surrounding New England area for a little jaunt across the country. Visit suburbia and take a gander at the homes the rest of us live in. Not everyone lives in a two story house or apartment. Surprisingly, a good deal of middle class Americans reside in single-story ranch houses built during the post-war frenzy of the 40's, 50's and 60's.
It's great that TV shows like Raising Hope and My Name Is Earl show characters living in single story homes, but seriously, more than the down-trodden call the suburban ranch "home." Over the past 44 years I have lived in 1 college dormitory, 4 apartments, and TWELVE houses. All of the houses I lived in were single story ranch or "bungalows". Five of those houses had a basement. Not a single one had an "upstairs", not even a renovated attic. Not one.
Yes, yes, I know, the building craze of the last twenty years has rejected the suburban ranch for sprawling two story houses (all equipped with "great rooms" and open kitchens), but the older neighborhoods are still standing strong.
Thank You,
A Regular TV Viewer
PS Happy, quiet, middle class neighborhoods (old and new) are devoid of classic colonials with the stoic, white columns and vast lawns as seen in Risky Business and (movie, I know, but it's a pe
Help me out regular readers - exactly what style of home do you live in?
Please leave New York City and the surrounding New England area for a little jaunt across the country. Visit suburbia and take a gander at the homes the rest of us live in. Not everyone lives in a two story house or apartment. Surprisingly, a good deal of middle class Americans reside in single-story ranch houses built during the post-war frenzy of the 40's, 50's and 60's.
It's great that TV shows like Raising Hope and My Name Is Earl show characters living in single story homes, but seriously, more than the down-trodden call the suburban ranch "home." Over the past 44 years I have lived in 1 college dormitory, 4 apartments, and TWELVE houses. All of the houses I lived in were single story ranch or "bungalows". Five of those houses had a basement. Not a single one had an "upstairs", not even a renovated attic. Not one.
Yes, yes, I know, the building craze of the last twenty years has rejected the suburban ranch for sprawling two story houses (all equipped with "great rooms" and open kitchens), but the older neighborhoods are still standing strong.
Thank You,
A Regular TV Viewer
PS Happy, quiet, middle class neighborhoods (old and new) are devoid of classic colonials with the stoic, white columns and vast lawns as seen in Risky Business and (movie, I know, but it's a pe
Help me out regular readers - exactly what style of home do you live in?
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Sunday In My City - November 7, 2010
A friend's birthday turned into happy hour turned into a drunken night at the park. We may have been breaking a few rules along the way. Maybe.
We started off at Hacienda and slurped through THREE pitchers of margaritas
Sharpies were deployed
The husbands drove us to "a house" - owner being intentionally omitted. Cups were filled (like we needed more alcohol) and we headed to a local park. The playground equipment captured our attention.
Look carefully. She flipped in her swing, to hang upside down, and locked her feet around the chain. This was her facebook picture for quite some time.
Sometime after midnight fog began to roll in and our breath started to create some very eerie specters. Seriously, that's not cigarette smoke. I nearly hyperventalated huffing and puffing to get these shots. I took about 20 pictures of our breath, the fog and the forming frost.
She's not passed out. Just taking a very cozy break.
This was not a recent gathering. It may or may not have been a year ago. Just trying to stay all vague and shit to protect everyone involved.
We started off at Hacienda and slurped through THREE pitchers of margaritas
Sharpies were deployed
The husbands drove us to "a house" - owner being intentionally omitted. Cups were filled (like we needed more alcohol) and we headed to a local park. The playground equipment captured our attention.
Look carefully. She flipped in her swing, to hang upside down, and locked her feet around the chain. This was her facebook picture for quite some time.
Sometime after midnight fog began to roll in and our breath started to create some very eerie specters. Seriously, that's not cigarette smoke. I nearly hyperventalated huffing and puffing to get these shots. I took about 20 pictures of our breath, the fog and the forming frost.
She's not passed out. Just taking a very cozy break.
This was not a recent gathering. It may or may not have been a year ago. Just trying to stay all vague and shit to protect everyone involved.
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