Bed Time Stories!

Boy am I lucky-- my husband really knows how to make me happy in bed! (Yes, that was meant to catch your attention but now you've got to get your mind out of the gutter!)  Almost every night for the last couple of months, Matt has read out loud to me. Sometimes a whole chapter, sometimes just a few pages, but every time it was great.  Matt wanted to reread the last Harry Potter book before the movie comes out and I asked if he would read it to me... at first he wasn't so into the idea (he read several of the first 6 books out loud to me over the past years and I think he thought I was 'over' it).  With a little convincing (whining) he agreed. And I think underneath the initial complaining he really enjoyed it too.  

He rose to the occasion and performed the book- voices and accents and all. Once in a while he ad libbed--  and a couple of times it was funny :)  We'd both laugh when he charged through a line in Hagrid's voice only to find the words "said Hermione" following it- or when he would shout out some line of dialog with enthusiasm and see afterwards that the character whispered or mumbled it under their breath.  I love the way he reads McGonagall and Seamus, and he's a natural at delivering Fred and George's lines. He makes Ron sound like he has a horrible cold, but I have gotten used to that over the years.  

So of course I love the story he read-- Deathly Hallows always makes me laugh and cry and feel anxious and relieved-- but honestly, I would love it if Matt read me the phone book before bed. There is something very special about curling up together and hearing him speak and both of us thinking about the same thing in the same moment.  Its a very happy way to end the day. 

Animal Acres: Thankful Turkey Celebration 2009

Its almost Thanksgiving, which means it is almost time for Animal Acres Annual Thankful Turkeys Celebration. It is one of my most favorite days of the year! When else can you rub a pigs belly, get kissed by a cow, feed a turkey by hand, make goat friends, meet wonderful people, enjoy a delicious feast and raise money for a most excellent cause?!?!  If you have not gone already, and you are near LA, I can't encourage you to go enough! Matthew and I went for  the first time last year and I don't intend on missing it from now on.  This year I am especially excited because I get to go with new friends! If you want to go, you can find out more about it (including time, date and directions) and buy tickets at this link: http://animalacres.org/events/pre_thank_2010.html

Here are our highlights from last year's celebration:

Animal Acres is a magical place- where a few great people work very hard to ensure that everyone there, the animals and the human guests, are welcomed, loved and oh so happy!  I saw one little girl fall to her knees and exclaim with such sincerity, "I love this piggy!!" as she gave Jumper, one of Animal Acres youngest pigs, a great big hug.

Matthew really bonded with the cows.  He gave them scratches, rubs, nuzzles and even a few kisses! I had to keep my eye on him and Kahlua, the pretty brown-eyed girl... they were getting very lovey-dovey!

Back to the pigs...  I couldn't get enough of the pigs!  It was too funny to rub their bellies, they were in heaven!

The main event: the feeding of the turkeys. Of course, nobody could deny the chickens, ducks and geese the opportunity to join in the feast.  The kids started it off, by giving out handfuls of cranberries, salad, pumpkin and corn to our feathery friends.  Soon, all us grown-ups joined in and we didn't stop until the birds had their fill! I never knew just how loving a turkey could be-  a mid-sized white turkey found me and was much more interested in getting pets and loves than snacks.  

After the guests of honor, the turkeys and their other barn-yard friends, had their dinner-- it was time for us to enjoy the fabulous vegan feast!  It was so yummers, that even folks who do eat meat (gasp!) went up for seconds!

With everyone at Animal Acres happy and full, it was time to say our good-byes.  It was a fabulous day and I can not wait to return to reacquaint myself with all of my wonderful friends!

Tom Yum Soup

In case I haven't made it clear enough with my other posts and my incessant whining to anyone who will listen, I have a cold.  And of course, when you have a cold, you must eat soup.  I am not a chicken noodle kind of girl- first off, because I don't eat chicken and secondly, because what I crave most when I am sick is citrus and spice.  Tom Yum soup, one of Thailand's most beloved dishes, hits the spot perfectly.  It's overly powerful lime and lemon grass flavors coupled with the hot chili and other herbs and veggies is exactly what I need to clear the sinuses!  Traditionally, Tom Yum is made with chicken or seafood, but I find that like many other Thai dishes, it is pretty easy to ask for a vegetarian version with tofu as the protein.  I quickly looked online for a recipe, and while it doesn't look too hard to make, it does have quite a long list of ingredients- some of which I don't keep around the house.  So, instead of making the soup for myself, I might try to convince Matt to walk across the street to our favorite little Thai restaurant and bring it home as take-out.  I bet it would make me feel soooo much better, and feeling better would make me happy.  What do you say, Matt... please?! 

One day I might try out this recipe...but not today- http://thaifood.about.com/od/vegetarianthairecipes/r/vegtomyum.htm

Shire house

This amazing family built their dream home.  It is adorable! They used local sustainable materials and the house is designed to have a low impact on the environment.  If you look at the link at the bottom of the post, you can see pictures of the house during its construction and read the family's story.  I just think it is amazing that some people have a vision that is so different to the norm and they actually see it through. Inspirational! 

http://www.simondale.net/house/family.htm

Nap Time!

Right now, I have a cold and I'd like to take a nap.  I'd like to take a nap in this bed, it looks so fluffy and clean and cozy and cheerful! My bed at home is not so stylish, but it is super comfy- even if it does have cat hairs all over it! So while I dream of napping in this pretty green bed, I'd be pretty happy to curl up in my own right now. Basically... I just want a nap!

Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night)

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

This is a story of religious repression, terrorism, treason, capture, torture and execution... my goodness, why on earth would a story like that have a place on the Happy Blog?? Well, because the British have turned it into a celebration!

Here are the basics (as I understand them): On Nov. 5th, 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught attempting to blow up the English Parliment (with King James I of England/VI of Scotland inside) in an attempt to restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. During his capture and subsequent torture, he divulged all the details of the Gunpowder Plot. To avoid his long and painful execution, Fawkes jumped off of the execution scaffolding and broke his neck.

More on the man himself here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

Since then, England and Scotland have celebrated the night that the Parliment was not attacked and their King was not killed, November 5th.  On this night, they light bonfires, and firworks and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes (think the V for Vendetta mask).  Kids used to collect pennies and eat sausages, jacket potatoes and a variety of sweets.

More on the traditions here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

The bonfires and fireworks are still popular, and cities and towns hold large bonfires open to the public- or people host their own bonfires in their backyards.  And foods like toffee apples and treacle toffee are shared.  That's why... after this long and violent story, this celebration has made it on to my Happy Blog.  What fun would it be to enjoy a large bonfire with your friends and community- while eating toffee apples and watching fireworks! That's gotta be happy!

(I also read that the first week of November was a popular time to host bonfire parties even before Guy Fawkes since it marks the half way point betweent he Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice- so if the whole Gun powder plot connection isn't appealing, you could always make it about the seasons!)

Toffee Apple Recipe

Treacle Toffee Recipe

Second Scarf, for Aimee!

I completed my second scarf! This time, I used a much softer and much thicker yarn- and I used bigger needles. The work went so much faster than on my first scarf.  I think I finished this one in just a few days, of course, the whole thing is done in the most basic knitting stitch...  I started the project knowing that I would give to my girl, Aimee, for her birthday.  I don't know if Santa Cruz is experiencing the same heat wave as LA, but if it is, she won't be wearing it any time too soon! Regardless, it belongs on the Happy Blog because making this scarf made me happy, and I hope wearing it makes Aimee happy too!



Children's Books: Crictor

As I mentioned in a previous post, my dad gave me a handfull of my old children's book on my last visit- and one f them was Crictor.  I used to love this story.  A classy old lady is gifted a boa constrictor from her son, who works in an exotic land.  She names him Crictor and they become close friends.  She takes Crictor everywhere and he eventually saves her life and becomes the hero of the neighborhood. 

The illustrations are minimal but they tell the story beautifully.  You get a good feel for Paris (I think that's where it takes place:) and for the fancy-free life that Crictor and the lady enjoy together.Overall, a pretty happy story!

Scottish Fold = CUTE!

I feel a little guilty posting this, since I am gushing over another kitty when I have 3 beautiful babies of my own (kind of feels like cheating!) but today is already off to a rough start, and this picture just makes me smile.  I love all things Scottish, and I love kitties, so of course I just love Scottish Folds!  Personally, I wouldn't buy a bred kitty, since there are so many that need homes otherwise, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate some of the unique characteristics that pure breeds have.  I love the big round head and even rounder eyes, and of course the flat ears on these cuties.  So today this little kitty is helping me stay happy, and therefore deserves a place on the happy blog!

Outdoor Dinner Party

Dinner parties- there is something special about dinner parties. A character on Desperate Housewives delivered a moving monologue about the wonders of dinner parties in season one, but luckily, I am unable to quote it :)  Gathering friends and family to share a meal together has been a form of celebration for ages- and when you move the party outdoors, it makes the whole thing even more special.

I wanted to post about how happy outdoor dinner parties make me, and so I hopped onto Google images (like usual) and did a quick search.  So many beautiful pictures sprang up before me and I didn't know where to start.  Martha Stewart, Real SImple, Country Living, Apartment Therapy...all had similar features showing all kinds of outdoor dinner parties- from the most extravagant fit for a wedding to a simple meal of chinese take-out.  I waded through them and picked out my favorites, hoping to narrow those down further to a choice 3 or 4, but it was too hard for me to choose.  So...I have posted them all.

I am curious though, as to what photo(s) is the most popular. I thought it would be fun to hear which ones you fancy most, so I have numbered them all (from 1 to 21), and we can take a vote.  (Perfect timing since we're all still "pumped" from the mid-term elections).  If you have an opinion as to which one is best, just leave it under comments- the yellow link under the last picture.  You can write just the number, or leave a reason why. You do not need to be a "follower" of the blog to leave a comment, I don't think you need to sign in or anything- it can be anonymous.  If there is a winner- I will make it its own blog post.  (I hope someone plays along with me!!)

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