Just one of them days...

Last Friday was a bit of a mess.  I kept thinking about Alexander and his Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and that I was having one of those days, too. 

It all started with a trip to the doctor's office.  No one likes to be poked and have blood drawn, especially first thing in the morning, but there you have it, that's how I started my day.

Afterwards, even though I was not feeling well, I decided to walk from the doctor's office to the Einstein Memorial at the National Academy of Sciences.  I snapped some photos of Mayumi playing on the statue and then decided to walk to the Metro via the National Mall.

I was sore and tired, so I had to stop to rest by the duck pond where Mayumi and I had a snack and admired the mallards.  We continued on slowly towards the Washington Monument. Despite how I was feeling, it was a beautiful day and I decided to snap some more photos of Mayumi against the backdrop of the memorials.  I started searching through the stroller to find the camera.

Have you noticed that there are no photos to accompany this post?

"Where is the camera?" I grumbled to myself.

Mayumi looked at me happily and announced, "I took it out."

I stopped cold in my tracks.  Did I mention that I was already feeling pretty awful? Now I had to stop myself from losing my patience.  "Where did you put it, Mai?"

"I hung it on the bench."

I hobbled back to the duck pond (it felt like it had taken forever to get to where I was and now to have to turn back?!).  No camera.  I stopped at the concession stand - "Has anyone turned in a camera this morning?" 

No.  Tried at the Information Kiosk at the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.  No luck.  The Information Desk at the Lincoln Memorial.  Nope.  At the Korean War Veterans Memorial.  Nothing.

I fought back tears as I retraced my steps back to the Metro, trying not to think about how this is the THIRD camera I have lost in my lifetime (the other two are a story for another time).  I endured the train ride, just wanting to get home to crawl into bed, feel sorry for myself and sleep. 

But guess what happened when I got to my front door?

I had forgotten to bring my house keys with me.

I still did not cry.  I called Mr. Q and let him know I was hopping back on the Metro and meeting him at his office to pick up his set of keys.  He did not chastize.  Instead he took me to his work cafeteria and fed us (by this time it was two and we hadn't eaten lunch yet).  Then he took the rest of the day off and escorted us home.

It had been a crummy day.  But you know what?  It could've been worse.  And at least I finally got to go to bed...

But alas, my camera is gone, despite multiple phone calls to the Park Police.  Mr. Q suggests that maybe for Christmas we'll be able to get a new one.  So until then, dear, sympathetic readers, forgive the lack of  photos!

{this moment}

A Friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Playful weekending to you all!

And the winner of our Aveda giveaway is...

Comment #9: Katie!

Katie said...
I'm now a follower!
September 1, 2010 7:05 PM
 
Congratulations Katie! I'll get you your product soon!

Oishii: Washoku & the Five Principles

I recently borrowed this wonderful book from the library: Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Kitchen by Elizabeth Andoh and I think that this may have to be one I invest in for my own cookbook collection.  Besides the incredible recipes, Andoh explains the philosophy and aesthetic behind the cooking.  Washoku is how the Japanese refer to their own cuisine (as opposed to western-style food), and it literally translates as "the harmony of food." In traditional Japanese cooking there are is a "set of five principles that describe how to achieve nutritional balane and aesthetic harmony at mealtime."  Over the next five weeks, I plan to explore these principles and share what I'm learning.  Please join me in this adventure!

FIVE COLORS (Go Shiki)
Every meal should include foods that are red, yellow, green, black and white.  This makes sense nutritionally, as we know that the more colorful fruits and vegetables tend to be the most nutritious.  Aesthetically, this also makes for a beautiful (and delicious-looking) presentation. Ever since I read about this concept in Andoh's book, I've been more mindful about the balance of colors in the meals I make.  She points out that this is something that works in all cuisine, not just Japanese cooking.

Let me know your thoughts and how this element is reflected in your own culinary endeavors!

Last day to enter Aveda giveaway!

You have until midnight tonight to enter to win this awesome Aveda Color Conserve package from Azalea. Winner will be announced tomorrow!

Garden Joys and Woes

Gardening in the city has been a learning experience - lots of trial and error.  With little space in our urban neighborhood, I've had to build raised beds in my front yard.  I've tried to make it pretty with flowers, trees, and shrubs, but there's no hiding the fact that we're urban homesteading here.

I may have been a bit zealous in my planting; we've tried everything from radishes, peas and arugula to bell peppers, Japanese cucumbers, all sorts of tomatoes and even a renegade cantaloupe that must've grown from seeds in the compost.  Some things have grown well (like the cantaloupe) and others, not so much (partly due to guerilla squirrels that steal every almost-ripe tomato).

We recently had a rainbarrel installed - not the most beautiful feature of our front yard but I figure that I can find some big shrub or viney-type thing to camouflage it...

I've also taken over the tree box on our front sidewalk.  It's a bit haphazard now, but I'm contemplating planting a fig tree there next spring...

The best part is doing all of this with my little gardening hand:

It truly is a learning process.  Plans for next year include planting some dwarf fruit trees, a row of raspberry bushes and maybe even some more corn (we got three ears this year before the squirrels decimated my stalks).  Some books I'm devouring right now: Fresh Food from Small Spaces by RJ Ruppenthal, Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman, and The Urban Homestead by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen.  It has been a wonderful obsession for me this year - I'm a bit addicted to the effort of provident living.  Though we have a few setbacks, it is so empowering and satisfying!

Let me know how your garden is growing! 

Meditation: Mental Cleansing

The minds of people are so cluttered up with everyday living these days that they don’t, or won’t, take time out for a little prayer–-for mental cleansing, just as they take a bath for a physical, outer cleaning. Both are necessary.

~Jo Ann Carlson

This quote made me pause and realize that it is true; I would never go a day without taking a shower, but I often forget (or stubbornly refuse to) pray and/or meditate.  On NPR the other day Diane Rehm interviewed Dr. Herbert Benson about the power of the mind over the body and the important role prayer and meditation play in healing.  I think this is one of the reasons I gravitate toward yoga - I crave the integration between physical, mental, and spiritual development and after every single practice, I feel stronger and cleaner and rejuvenated. 

Like you, I'm always running around, trying to get as much accomplished as I can.  I feel extra pressure as a stay-at-home mom to prove I am being productive (even if it is only to myself).  But what is the point if I am running myself ragged and catching myself losing my patience with my daughter?  Mental cleansing is a must, and if I must constantly be analysing the to-do list in my head, the least I can do is put "prayer and meditation" at the top of it.  How do you cleanse your mental faculties and find peace?

{this moment}

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!


wishing you a lovely weekend!

Oishii: Enjoying the Harvest

Last week we did some blackberry and raspberry picking at a local farm (and picked up some other fresh produce as well!). 

Besides eating as many fresh berries as we could squeeze into our bellies, we made some treats:

Summer fruit crostata from a Barefoot Contessa cookbook.  Plums, peaches and blackberries... and lots of butter and sugar!

Blackberry and peach preserves.

Some kind of raspberry almond braided pastry and, because I had extra dough, some brioche with chocolate ganache just for kicks.

My kitchen has been busy and full of enticing aromas.  Hope yours has been as well, and if not, stop by my place for some treats!

September Giveaway: Aveda Color Conserve Hair Treatment

If you don't live near Azalea Spa and Salon in Pleasant Grove, Utah, you are missing out. The Aveda salon offers facial and body treatments, hair cutting and styling, hair removal and more, all using products from raw, organic and sustainable pure flower and plant essence. I have personally used Azalea for haircuts, massages and pedicures, and I've been more than pleased with the results.

Now you have a chance to experience a small piece of the spa with an Aveda Color Conserve hair treatment package, including shampoo, conditioner and strengthening treatment, valued at $56.

The three products work awesome together on colored hair. The shampoo is plant-infused with 100% organic aroma, while the conditioner seals hair cuticles to help lock in color and shine. Both do what harsh cleansers can't do: resist fading and keep hair color vibrant longer. The strengthening treatment uses sunflower and macadamia nut oils to seal the cuticle to illuminate color with reflective shine, strengthening hair from the inside out. It's also infused with naturally-derived sunscreens to help protect color-treated hair from UVA/UVB fading. Each product is approximately 250 ml. 

To enter to win this great package, just leave a comment letting us know you'd like to participate. For another chance to win, become a follower (or let us know if you are already a loyal follower) and leave a separate comment letting us know. This giveaway will end on Wednesday, September 8 at midnight, so leave your comment before then.

And for you locals, check out Azalea's Facebook page. They are always running awesome specials!

Thanks Azalea for sponsoring this month's giveaway!