it's hard to keep a straight face when...

...a certain student (i'm not naming names) translates this~~

"Si, posso incontarLa oggi."

to this~~

"Yes, the possum is in control today."

(for those nodding in confused agreement, the less interesting yet correct translation is "Yes, I am able to meet you today." looks like we need a bit of a vocabulary review tomorrow!)

he said...she said: techie addition...

last night D. had his laptop in bed (we were watching an old TV program online) when he lovingly looked over at me & said, "honey, you look good by computer light."

what a 21st century way to sweep a gal off her feet!

& of course, i responded with a "honey, you know i'm gonna blog that!"

what is this saying about me...

my boys to me:

"if you're going to go out of the box, at least give the rest of us some directions."duly noted!

overheard...wise words edition & a perfect spring vegetable...

person addressing my child: "do you want to hear the truth..."

my child's wise response: "well, i don't want to hear a lie."

sounds good to me!

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what's cooking wednesday?? ha! i bet you thought i forgot about this in all the travel excitement...well~~ you're wrong! D.'s parents will be here any minute (they are staying in boyworld, lucky them!) & tonight it's pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes &...

roasted asparagus

clean asparagus...wash thoroughly & snap the tough ends by bending each stalk & allowing it to break naturally

place asparagus in a roasting pan with olive oil

finely chop 2 large cloves of garlic & place over asparagus

sprinkle with ginger (fresh, if you have it), fresh ground pepper & sea salt

dash soy sauce & a bit more olive oil over all & toss well

bake for 10-12 minutes at 375...remove & stir...bake another 10-12 minutes or until tender...enjoy!

signs & quotes...

top 5 signs that boyworld is well once again...

1. you come back inside the house to find an appliance box moving through your living room of its own volition


2. you lift the box to find...a dog!!


3. & then you hear snickering from a remote location


4. the dogs are glued to your pant legs for the rest of the afternoon


5. the quotes have begun again...
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...another science edition!

"a 9 volt battery contains the same kinetic energy as a bowl of lucky charms."

ok...so the next time i am out of nine volts, boyworld must surrender the lucky charms!

overheard...

...cold science edition!

"did you know that the ice in antarctica is 3% penguin urine?"

i am wondering...just *who* studied & compiled that little statistic?? is it true?

but...speaking of penguins (& science & the boys), they are a critter mightily enjoyed in our home. at least 2 of us claim them as one of our very favorite animals. on several occasions i have even been asked to house one of those dapper little guys right here in eastern NC. but since i don't do ice as floor decor, the answer will remain a chilly "no"...

however we have found a way to show penguins the love without assigning them a bedroom in casa piacere...our friend mike, who studies on magdalena island in southern chile (note to beckie...volunteering, if possible, to help mike is on my own bucket list!) works with the marvelous magellanic penguin. we found him through seabirds.org & have since adopted our very own penguin~~ waffle!(waffle in burrow, courtesy of mike) mike has been very helpful in our own study of these penguins and southern south america & its weather. his very detailed updates on waffle & the colony (including sweet photos) & his patient answers to our queries are always appreciated. in his most recent update we found out that waffle's chicks are doing well & he even attached an adorable photo...

aaaawwwww!...aren't they sweet! (waffle's chicks courtesy of mike) be sure to visit seabirds.org & check out what else mike is doing.

30. kindness to critters

31. the joy of & desire for learning...a thirst for knowledge...a quest to expand the mind

32.. those who willingly & excellently teach us in so many ways

33. a good laugh in the midst of perplexion :-)

overheard...

this morning, during the family-free-for-all conversation...


"does anyone want to travel in eastern europe?"


"what!! i'd love to go to 'not italy'!"


gulp. do you think i may be a bit overzealous about the bel paese?? (is that even possible?)
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30 days of thanks...for brevity & levity...for a family filled with humor. for possibilities. for dreams & wishes. for a sense of adventure. for chances to see the world

overheard...& then some

science edition...

"did you know that when a diver goes down to 33 feet, he can't fart."

no. i didn't.

(this post brought to you by boyworld)

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30 days of thanks...

gratitude today~~ my daily life. for waking up with D. at my side. for the opportunity to homeschool my children. for the girls' successes in college. for the wit & charm of my boys ;) for the sunrise over the bay. for a good cup of coffee, warm on a cold fall morn. for food aplenty in our kitchen. for the hounds snoozing at my feet...

(photo: reflections...taken 7 oct.)

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travel...

specifically cyber-travel. as in visiting blogs i love...

is anyone else who is doing the NaBlo feeling the squeeze of less time to visit others?? don't get me wrong...i really, really am enjoying this month's activity, but i am feeling a bit down about my reduced time to visit others.

real travel...excitement is building here for our weekend adventure, especially for Little Man! any guesses as to where we are going?? stay tuned...

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poetry...

yesterday "one deep breath" posted this week's prompt "loneliness"...stop by & check out the beautiful haiku's offered. mine are posted at write away...

things you do not want to hear from the back of your van...

"hey, do you know what would be fun....(whisper, whisper, whisper)...no, wait...that might blind her & kill us all."

boys...keeping moms on their toes since time immemorial!

overheard...

"i wish i could just hire someone to make all my decisions for me."

kids...stopping me in my tracks for 19+ years...

overheard...

...while eating my homemade red spaghetti sauce - "It's not that I don't like the sauce, I just don't like the things in it."

Huh?

a quote

"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." -unknown