The Sandwich Life

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1. Ernie returns the rented cello today. Owen never took to it although we made him finish out the school year. I think once he realized that it wasn't a stand up bass it was all over for him....

2. Here are my beloved non-bi-fold doors with their pretty little Bennington knobs. They look so pretty in the sun....awwwwww....

3. Good God but I think John Fogerty is the cutest thing...regardless of the goofy scarf around his neck...but it works for him. And his damned songs....so good. Yes, God help me, I watched American Idol last night. I was kind of in and out so I missed some of it but I thought Fogerty was wonderful---I just can't help but grin. Aerosmith seemed to be in slow motion to me...made me kinda sad.

4. We've got a tentative date for Kevin Gordon to be at our house in October. Cross your fingers that this works out...this would make a fall line up of Kevin Gordon, David Olney and Sergio Webb, and, assuming Fats isn't too busy off playing with Jack White, Fats Kaplin and the glorious Kristi Rose at Christmas time. Now mind you...that's a long stretch....from June 23rd (CynthiaFest) to mid October....but I guess I should restrain myself. I was kinda thinking about trying to get Eric and Peter to come back....it's hard....I think I'd probably make a good addict.

5. This Kevin Gordon song sticks in my bed like a CRAZY thing.

 

6. I'm using a couple of my personal days--or floating holidays---whatever they're called so I will have 5, count'em FIVE days off. And what is the forecast for said days? Oh 99 degrees or so the whole freaking time.  Geesh.

7. And NOW as your final treat.....watch this incredible clip (THANK you Van!) of my beloved Rod Picott doing Owen's and my (that sounds awkward...is that right?  Heather??) FAVORITE song. As he says, midway through, "that's the best I've ever played that goddamn solo." Then he grins and keeps playing my favorite song and I tell you...all is right with the whole damn world! Thank you Rod!!

 

Random Notes from Middle School

1. I couldn't kill Leo over doing his math project really late because he ended up doing a great job, the little jerk. We went to his presentation today and at least in his summation of what he learned in the project he DID say, "I didn't manage my time amazingly....so I might start earlier next time."

2. Some of the kids showed their businesses making only a few hundred dollars a month. Leo estimated his business to earn $3,000,000 the first year. Lord I love that boy.

3. There was a Bon Jovi 1983-2008 poster in the 6th grade math room. Huh. You gotta like that.

4. All the kids' projects were great though....I liked the guy who did an instrument store because he said his french horn and his piano were the most important things to him.

 

5. Leo is pleased that he'll be getting extra credit for designing an employee uniform.  The employees will be looking sharp indeed, in a black suit, white shirt and red tie.  That's my boy...an eye for the classics.

6. There weren't tons of parents there today. One parent answered a question for their son when he didn't know how to answer it. If I ever do that please shoot me. Leo pretty much never acknowledged our presence.

7. Lord but I'm happy that I don't have to navigate middle school again....

8. And in a final, and totally random note, please watch this Malcolm Holcombe video....

  

 

 

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1. Rod Picott on Friday.  Woo-hooooo! Email me if you'd like to come or have any questions...

 

2. Only two days til the house concert and I'm still not sure what I'm making. I'm thinking curried red lentils with basmati rice and some curried honey chicken....whaddya think?

3. I like this time of year on campus. Quiet, quiet, quiet....

4. The boys are on count down til the end of school. Ernie is in mourning at the thought of losing his all too brief time alone in the house during the day but I'm looking forward to it. It always feels nice to stop having to worry about homework and bedtimes for a while.  Then, of course, I look forward to it starting again in the fall....but right now I'm like the idea of things loosening up a bit.... Two weeks from yesterday is their last day. Hard to believe. And when they start again in the fall it will be Owen's last year of elementary school and Leo will officially be a teenager. I don't quite understand the passage of time but some of what it creates is so lovely....like my boys....

5. Please consider joining us on Friday...and please invite anyone you think would enjoy it....just email me for info, etc.

6. Tonight...shopping. Where's the cheapest place to get boneless skinless chicken thighs in town...anyone?

 

Curried Red Lentil Pilaf with Barramundi and Avocado Salad

I got home last night to find Ernie had done lots of weeding so we should be able to finally get my seeds and plants in this weekend. Not that we'll fit them all in. Anybody need some zinnia seeds? We sat outside and admired our dirt before Owen dragged Ernie off to shoot baskets. I went inside and puttered around the kitchen talking to Leo and trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I ended up with barramundi over curried red lentil and orzo pilaf with a salad of avocado, asparagus and onion.  Oh, and with a little celery leaf puree on top! It really needed another dash of color---if I'd had some tomatoes tossed into the sald it would have looked lovely but all in all it was pretty damn good. 

The barramundi (we got it frozen at Schnuck's...I really like it and it's supposed to be sustainable etc.) is quite thin. I cut each piece into three and dusted it with flour mixed with curry powder and salt and pepper and sauteed it quickly. My only mistake was that I should have seasoned it a little  more aggressively.  For the pilaf I sauteed an onion as long as I could stand and then added about half a cup of orzo and stirred til it started to brown a bit, added a teaspoon or two of curry powder and some red pepper flakes, stirred for a few minutes and then added an equal amount of red lentils. I added some water and let it simmer for awhile until done. I had two gorgeous avocados that were going to go if I didn't use them so I cubed them up, dumped in some leftover cooked asparagus and some thinly sliced onion that we'd soaked in water....added a bit of lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper.  Oh, and I had some thin celery I get from Greg....it's not thick stalks---it almost looks more like parsley.  I love it....it was getting a little tired though so I just pureed it in my food processor with a tiny bit of oil, water and salt and pepper.  It was wonderfully bright and fresh on top of it all.

My picture isn't great but it IS an honest picture.  Yes, that is what our kitchen peninsula (we can't call it an island because one side is against the wall) really looks like most of the time....stacks of plastic containers, cookbooks, some bleach wipes, a computer, metal cups, speakers, miscellaney....and my eldest son. And no, my children didn't eat this but we didn't care last night....they were hungry early so we fed them and ate ourselves later....

Oh, and on a separate note....Owen's class is visiting a park today and parents can attend. Here's the note he left on the bathroom mirror (where all important notes go) to remind him. I hope Ernie remembers to bring his 'good spirit.'

 

Eubie and the Sweet Pea

Leo represented Eubie Blake very nicely at the Harlem Renaissance Fair last night. My sweet pea.

we also listened to our friend Parker's presentation

 

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1.  If I ever get rid of this nagging cough that gives me a headache it will duly celebrated.

2.  Owen had some kind of basketball accident at school that necessitated a visit to convenient care, x-rays and a taped up finger.  He didn't exploit the drama of it all as much as I thought he would.  He went back to play basketball with a friend later in the afternoon but came home sad.  I asked him what was the matter and he sighed and told me that he just hadn't had a good day....first his finger and then a kid he was playing with was rude.  He told Owen he couldn't shoot and Owen told him that even if he couldn't shoot he still deserved some respect.  And I hugged him incredibly hard and told him how absolutely wonderful he was.  

3.  Leo, on the other hand, is somewhat obsessed with having drama this quarter in school.  I know, I know....for those of you who know Leo....just imagine the appalled contempt that drips from his voice when he says, "PUPPET SHOW!......I can't believe they want me to do a PUPPET SHOW.  A PUPPET SHOW!"  It could be a very long quarter.  I love that little curmudgeon.  Why is it I love curmudgeons so much?  I don't know.  Of course there is EXAMPLE A, EXAMPLE B and EXAMPLE C.....

4.  Me?  I can't believe the Bottle Rockets are playing at our house the day after tomorrow and yet I don't feel compelled to clean madly or prepare in any way.  Huh.

5.  The internet spoke as one in favor of grey grout....thank you all.  That's what I wanted...I just needed some support....

Random Notes from Somebody With a Cold

1.  Bleh. Damn cold. Oh well...could certainly be a hell of a lot worse.  Ernie's still feeling a bit knocked out from his cold as well so our expectations for the weekend got whacked WAY down.  We're watched 5 Downton Abbeys from season two and I imagine we'll finish the season today if not tomorrow.

2.  The BEST news in the whole world? Whoops, the whole wide world?  A friend of a friend got a much better video of Owen doing his song at the talent show.  Actually?  The best thing about this (almost) is watching the girls in the background.

 

3.  In house concert news....tickets for the Bottle Rockets show will go on sale at 1:00 on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.  Click HERE for more info and remember that this isn't a regular Sandwich Life house concert show so my mothers-with-babies/pregnant women rule is not in effect.  And kids will need tickets too just this time....  I assume tickets will go pretty damn fast so don't forget!  Because we aren't handling the ticketing ourselves we won't be able to squeeze people in....

4.  In other random news....I'm experimenting with agave nectar to replace honey tonight.  Vegans?  1 to 1 ratio?

5.  This cold leaves me feeling very spacy.

 

 

6.  Onward.

The Talent Show and the Bottle Rockets!

Ahhhh....now I seem to have the cold that Ernie has had.  Oh well...it's the weekend and I'm so relieved the talent show is over and I can just revel in the weekend, watch Owen over and over again and not worry anymore.  I had hoped to get our bedroom painted but I'm not sure I see that happening.  I said that to Leo and he said, "it seems like a lot of things we plan don't happen."  I told him that the important things happen but it made me wonder.  God only knows how our kids will look back on us.  Oh well....they know we adore them so what the hell....we do the best we can.

I was too nervous during the talent show to take many pictures but I did get a few of our friends Eamon and Simon.  Simon looked STUNNING in his Nutcracker costume....what can I say?  I like a guy in a dark jacket and white ruffled shirt....

 

 

Speaking of cute boys in jackets....here is Owen in Ernie's old American Legion jacket.  He used to wear it when we were first going out.  Owen expressed amazement that Ernie could have worn that and I told him that at that point in time his father lived on ramen soup and an occasional pizza.  He laughed and said, "I LOVE Dad."  I told him I agreed.

 

 

I must admit I'm sorry I didn't tape Eamon's band FireSkull doing the I Wanna Be Sedated.  They were quite wonderful....  Unfortunately I couldn't see the drummer from where we were sitting.

 

 

And here's a tidbit for your Friday morning.  It appears that the Bottle Freaking Rockets are going to play at our HOUSE on Thursday, March 15, 2012.  Yes.  I KNOW!  They are doing an acoustic living room tour and their management put out the call for living rooms so we offered ours up.  This won't be the standard Sandwich Life House concert....we won't do the potluck (although I may weaken and make a few appetizers) and tickets will be available through their website.  They are $25 each, with a limit of four per person.  You will be able to purchase tickets starting Tuesday, February 28, 2012.  Go here for more information.

Owen.  The Bottle Rockets.  Yesterday was a good day.....

 

 

Random Notes from the Sandwich Life

1.  Tonight is the big night.  If anybody wants to cheer Owen on at the talent show it's at 6:00 pm at Dr. Howard.  I hope it all goes well.....

2.  Ernie picked up our vegetables from Greg yesterday.  I opened the bag and it smelled heavenly....a big bunch of rosemary scenting all the greens....

 3.  My beloved David Olney and Sergio Webb....complete with Kubla Khan and a Townes Van Zandt song.  I mean REALLY....how great is that?

 

 4.  Sometimes when I leave work I'm startled at how bright it is outside....it seems as though it was just yesterday that I was leaving in the dark.  Last night the low sun was particularly beautiful on the plants....

5.  Leo and Ernie still feel rotton today but Owen and I are holding on.

6.  Last night I made an ersatz macaroni and cheese....cavatappi....light on cheese as we didn't have much, with a little Italian sausage, a bit of garlic and bunch of sauteed kale...sprinkled with sesame seeds and baked as I didn't have breadcrumbs and didn't feel like making any.  Quite delightful if I do say so myself.....

7.  Before Judi died she was making her dear friend Gina a quilt.  She had pieced the squares but not gotten further than that so she asked her friend Nancy to finish it for her.  I heard from Nancy recently that she had just finished it and yesterday I got a picture and a delighted message from Gina about the finished piece.  It's more fitting than I can explain....because these two women were two of the people that truly loved Judi and took care of her those last few months...as they had long before that.  To have that quilt completing the circle like that....well....it's just very, very right.  As Gina said, "it arrived today and I have just cried and laughed and smiled and, most importantly, remembered!!!  A perfectly beautiful reflection of Judi......"

 

8.  Don't forget people....a week from tomorrow Eric Brace and Peter Cooper at OUR HOUSE!  Don't forget---all our welcome---just email me if you need more info.  And please pay ahead of time ($20 ahead, $25 day of show)....the PayPal link is to the right, at the top of the column....  Bring anything and everything to the potluck....I'm making some red cooked pork and rice and some sesame noodles with vegetables (vegan). 

 

 

 

Guitars, Girls and Kane Welch Kaplin

Owen's dress rehearsal went well.  Everybody whooped and hollered instead of polite applause.  And the girl who had said something VERY mean to him a week or so ago?  She screamed, "that was AWESOME Owen."  HA.  Later he reported to me that, "it was kind of scary" before pausing, only to say in surprise, "well, actually it wasn't scary....it was really fun."  When Ernie and I got home we walked up to the house and could hear him practising some more.....

On the not so great side Ernie has gotten a cold and Leo is home sick.  Now as long as we bathe Owen in antiseptic we should be o.k. for the talent show.  It means that we couldn't go see our friends for dinner last night however---which we had really been looking forward to.  Sigh.  Hopefully this will A. only hit Ernie and Leo, B. hit only Ernie, Leo and me, or C. Hit all of us as long as it is after tomorrow for Owen.

I've been trying to figure out how we could go see A.  Kristi Rose and Fats opening for Dave Alvin at Fitzgerald's on March 9 or B. Kane Welch Kaplin in Ohio on that Sunday.

O.k., I can see that A. B. C. thing could get annoying but it's kind of fun to write.

Anyway....because Kane Welch Kaplin play so rarely I would love to go to Columbus but it's on a Sunday damn it.  I posted on Kevin Welch's facebook that even I couldn't bring myself to pull the boys out of school for their show and Kevin responded "Screw school Cynthia" and I thought, "damn...I love that guy."

THEN I thought "well yeah, fucking A....I took a day off work to take them to the Lego convention."  Ernie says he loves it when I say 'fucking A' because it seems very Chicago and kinda unlike me.  Huh.  I don't know what to think about that.  Anyway....then I started hopping around expedia and priceline and looking at hotels....and it began to seem doable.  THEN I realized that I think I have to work that Sunday.

Damn.

Damn.

Damn.

So now I'm just going to go think about something nice.....like ordering garden seeds.....and try not to think how incredibly happy they would make us feel.  The jerks.  Why can't they be assholes and play lousy music?