Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas Highlights.

Driving to the airport to pick up Neilson in a snowstorm.

Shopping at Target.

The Tattered Cover--the traditional final stop of the Christmas Eve shopping marathon.

Christmas Tree.

Christmas Bears.


Strawberries and bacon.

Grrrr.

Santa's helpers--aka Max and Batman.



People who don't look alike at all.


Griswaldian cross country ski trip.

Starman.


Cute family at the Natural History Museum.

See more on Flickr. Can't wait to hear about other Culkin Christmas's across the land.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Merry Christmas to all!

Here are some photos of our Christmas, 2009 in Denver http://www.flickr.com/photos/25353130@N04/sets/72157622959526779
We had a wonderful time.
Love you all,

Floey

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Vincent's Party

On Saturday, Kym, Neilson and I went to Vincent's famous Christmas party. When asked the secret of a great event, he said "You need at least 50 people." I would also add you need pepperoni, which he always has. His numbers were down a little this year because of the snow storm, but it was still a great event. He sends best wishes to all.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Sledding


MVI_0471
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies
Yesterday, Neilson and I went to visit his step family, or technically his former step family, in Rye. There were a ton of little kids, including 5 who had flown in from England for Christmas. (Along with their parents). We all took advantage of the snow by going to the park for some sledding. It was the first time I had gone in years. I have a welt on my leg from a small collision, but it was worth it.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Viggo Mortensen - The Treatment on KCRW

Viggo Mortensen - The Treatment on KCRW

An early Christmas gift for Jody--two of her favorites together.

A belated happy birthday to Jane


DSC_0844
Originally uploaded by Jody C.
I know many of us texted, phoned and facebooked birthday wishes to Jane on Saturday, but I also wanted to wish our not-so-little Jane a happy 18th year here as well.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Diane Savino speaks.



Go Staten Island!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. As you all know, it is by far my least favorite holiday, if not my least favorite day of the year. This year things went a little better, however, because Neilson's aunt and uncle decided to order food in. Let's just say this is all for the good. They skipped the turkey, etc., and got food from an Italian deli, and we were all happy with the meatballs and broccoli rabe.


We were told to bring cookies. I think they just meant to buy some, but somehow the thought of bringing a box of store bought cookies was really depressing, and I made some chocolate chips. Which was a good thing, as this was one of the other dessert options:

In case you can't read the label, it is vegan, organic, kosher coconut cream pie. (To be fair, there was also a very tasty apple crumble. Not as good as homemade, but still pretty good).


Friday, November 27, 2009

So Big!

Anders was pretty sick on Thanksgiving Day so Sarah sat with him on the couch during dinner, and Sonja led a So Big class at the dinner table. He's better today, though Sarah has had a hard time keeping Sonja from jumping on him. She loves her bro.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sunday Morning in Brooklyn


IMG_0516
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

An idea I might need to try


Pixel and her iMac
Originally uploaded by Mikmac
Audrey would love this.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Otis shows a balloon who is boss.


otisballon
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies
Neilson and I recently went to Princeton to celebrate the birthday of his former, but much loved, step mother Helen. While there, Otis made sure this balloon knew who was in charge.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Live blogging from the apple store

Meryl Streep is about to appear. Seems like every time I come to the genius bar, some celebrity is here (Stephen Colbert last time).

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Mad Men Finale



What did everyone think of the Man Men finale! I can't believe we need to wait until August for season 4.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Halloween in Oswego

Bill, Pat and Jane and I were in Oswego for Halloween. Terrie had decorated the house with many many pumpkins and a lot of motorized inflatables- it looked great and we had many trick or treaters. In fact, we had to go out for more candy twice. Bill lit the candles in the hallway and turned out all the lights, a hit with the halloweeners.

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IMG_3874

DSC_0859

DSC_0862



Thursday, November 05, 2009

Go Yankees!

Jody, Calvin and I were all very excited by Yankees win yesterday. Lucky 27! I switched trains at Yankee Stadium on the way home from school on "for luck." Anders wore Florence's fitted wool Yankee cap to school on Wednesday and was still wearing it when we Skyped Denver during the game.





Sunday, November 01, 2009

Happy Halloween!

There was a fun party at Neilson's last night. I was an elf, although people kept not noticing my ears. Then one person said, "Well you have that pixie look naturally, so I think the ears are blending in." Hmmmm.




Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I really enjoyed . . .

seeing Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and Yogi Berra walk into Yankee Stadium together.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Harriet Hosmer/ Watertown Public LIbrary


Hosmer's sculptures in the Watertown Public Library Local History Room.


Self portrait with Harriet Hosmer's sculpting tools (and new red digital elph!)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Happy Birthday Mary


50_mary hosmer c. 1992
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies
Today would have been Mary's 65th birthday. I've been thinking about her a lot lately, maybe because there are so many things happening that she would have enjoyed. How much would she have loved the new generation of Culkin munchkins? And dancing in a ski coat at Eric's wedding? She would have been excited to talk to Kym about her dissertation, and Janelle and Jane about college, and me about my book (or so I like to think). And Obama! And Michelle Obama! They would have made her very happy. I always wish she had met Neilson--they would have spent hours talking about the evils of Republicans. And I'm sure she would have been satisfied that I fell in with a libra. I know it always pleased her that she shared a birthday with Carrie Fisher, so she would have gotten a kick out of Fisher's recent renaissance.

ETA: On the subway, I thought of a few more things Mary would have been enjoying these days. Celebrating the fact that there is a female lawyer in the family. Philosophizing with Marc. Keith Olberman and, even more, Rachel Maddow.

If Mary were around, I'm sure we would all be heading to Boulder for a party in her great house. I always think of the parties there when I hear Bruce Springsteen sing "Mary's Place." I don't have any real belief in an afterlife, but I still like to think of Mary, Florence, Hosmer and Elvis (the cat) sitting around together, having a cocktail and some cheese, crackers, and pepperoni. With occasional visits from Betty Connolly.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Block Island Choices



Neilson and I recently went to Block Island. One reason I love it there--sometimes you are on a hike, and you are presented with the choice of going to the Enchanted Forest or the Turnip Farm.

There are also beautiful sunrises:

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Happy Birthday 'Toons!



Sonja Kiley is a year old today--and just keeps getting better and better.

Friday, October 16, 2009

NPR Music Taste: DORF?

Does NPR favor Dead Old Retro and Foreign Black Musicians? Read about it in Slate.

Easiest Indian Stew, ala Martha

On the blog I have with my friends, we have started a little recipe exchange. Here is my first post. (Fellow Martha fans might want to read to the end, for the academic Martha survey).

I have made this recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food twice--once for dinner and once as a cook-ahead meal so I would have lunches to take to work. It's quick and good. It's not, of course, like eating in a great Indian restaurant, but still tasty.

The recipe is supposed to serve 4, but Neilson and I ate almost all of it when we had it for dinner.

1 cup long-grain white rice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 medium onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon curry powder, plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 cups homemade or best-quality store-bought tomato sauce2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Directions:
1. Cook rice according to package instructions; cover, and keep warm.
2. While rice is cooking, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add curry powder and ginger; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add tomato sauce, chickpeas, and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve stew with rice and yogurt, garnished with lime wedges and a pinch of curry

Speaking of Martha, I recently received this message on a listserve, which might interest any of you fellow Martha fans:

I am a scholar working on a project about Martha Stewart (placing her discourse in context with the history of domestic advice), and am looking for respondents who currently (or in the past) subscribe to Martha Stewart Living_ magazine, or who currently (or in the past) watch "The Martha Stewart Show." If you think this description fits a friend, colleague, or family member, I would appreciate it if you could forward the note.

Clicking the link will take you to the 10-15 minute survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229NCLYWM2S. Thanks for your help!



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Monday, October 05, 2009

Friday, October 02, 2009

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Happy Birthday Grand Mary

Happy Birthday Grand Mary. I wish I was there for the French dinner tonight!



ETA: I just found out it is also Bruce Springsteen's birthday--he is turning 60. I'm sure, Grand Mary, you find this very exciting.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Audrey Scratching.

I recently purchased a new scratcher for Audrey. As you can see, she enjoys it.



There is another "interactive" episode of Flipping Out tonight at 9, EST, on Bravo, for any fans out there. Neilson is behind some of the texting technology.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Relics of Futures Past

I am in a show at Greylock Arts in North Adams Mass that opens next week. I was interviewed about the show, here is the article in the North Adams Transcript.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Remembering Elvis, One Year Later

Elvis passed away a year ago. Audrey and I still miss him.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Help us, Obama-wan, help us



Just when you think you couldn't love him any more, he plays with a lightsaber. May the force be with him as he fights for health care.
ETA: I meant love him any more than you already do.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Congratulations Eric and Kjersti










More pictures on Flickr--hope to see all of your pictures soon.