365 days

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menu
m ?
t Black bean tostadas
w Asian shrimp noodles
t breakfast
f ?
s Mexican chicken pizza

Nichole's WW journal

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reading

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the books of 2007
  • "The Children of Men"
  • "A Spot of Bother"
  • "At First Sight"
  • "The Night Gardener"
    the books of 2006
    books to read

    ...

    The Best Ribs
    Dad's Ever Had
  • Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
  • The Alton Brown recipe Nichole made
  • The ribs at that place in Branson
  • Carolina Barbecue
  • FireBonz
  • ...

    Wednesday, February 07, 2007

    So nice


    Valentine's surprise!
    Originally uploaded by nichole_e.
    I got a Big Box of Awesomeness in the mail today from my brother. He sent a beautiful pair of earrings for me, and pink, talking hippo for Piper and a ton of candy for Alex.

    It made my day. Thanks, Justin and Carrie! (I'm guessing Carrie had alot to do with it ...)

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    posted by Nichole @ 4:46 PM  

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    Thursday, February 01, 2007

    Da Bears and Da Don

    Our friend Don loves Chicago. Thus, he loves the Bears. That probably wouldn't warrant him all that much attention if he lived anywhere else. But in Boise? He made the newspaper. Here's the article and a picture of Don, all of his Bears stuff and his mysteriously Alex-esque beard.

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    posted by Nichole @ 9:11 AM  

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    Friday, January 05, 2007

    Music for my brother

    I made a New Year CD for my li'l brother because he listens to entirely too much Brad Paisley and I try to broaden his horizons. I make CDs for my dad sometimes, too, because he loves Rod Stewart far too much, but Dad always hates every last song on every last CD I send him.

    When I asked Justin what he thought about the New Year CD, he said it was "weird." Oh well.

    Beanbag Chair Yo La Tengo
    ... I'm losing every race I run, I'm making misery out of fun.
    This is a nice, bouncy song, music-wise. The lyrics are a little down. But it makes me want to boogie anyway.

    Beer & Kisses Amy Rigby
    ... We lived on beer and kisses, all hopped up on love and foam.
    Love, love lost, beer, work, prayer. All it's missing is a dog and a pickup truck, and it would've been a CMA shoo-in. I was sure Justin would like it.

    We Both Go Down Together The Decemberists
    ... And while the seagulls are crying, we fall, but our souls are flying.
    I like the doomed romance in this song, and I like the way he says "luh-ove."

    Castanets Alejandro Escovedo
    ... She said she was mine, she told me twice. I like her better when she walks away.
    This one is nice and sassy and rockin', all at the same time.

    Quattro (World Drifts In) Calexico
    ... You have to hit the ground running.
    I saw Calexico for the first (and second and maybe third) time when they opened for Wilco a few years ago. Their mariachi-infused rock blew me away the first time, and I was more impressed with subsequent shows. "Quattro" has a slow, sultry burn.

    Think I'm In Love Beck
    ... I think I'm in love but it makes me kind of nervous to say so.
    My brother went through a pretty wrenching breakup relatively recently, and it left him a bit skittish where relationships are concerned. Should lightning strike again for my brother (and I'm certain it will), I'm pretty sure he'll be kind of nervous to say so.

    Southern Gul Erykah Badu
    ... I'm from the South. I'm a Southern Gul.
    I am from the South, but I've never felt all that Southern. "Southern Gul" makes me wish that wasn't so. Erykah Badu's voice is a like a warm hug from an old friend.

    We Used to Be Friends The Dandy Warhols
    ... Come on now, sugar. Bring it on, bring it on, yeah.
    I first heard this on "Veronica Mars." It's a catchy little ditty. And it always reminds me that I should remember to watch "Veronica Mars" because it's a great show. Also, there's a lot of clapping in the song, which makes it the perfect lead-in to ...

    Clap Your Hands They Might Be Giants
    ... Clap your hands ... stomp your feet ... jump in the air!
    This is on one of Piper's CDs, They Might Be Giants' "No." It's a fun song for dancing.

    Sunday Sunny Mill Valley Groove Day Frank Black
    ... And when it's over and the clover has left the mountainside, you'll be king of what you survived.
    A nice, laid-back song. It makes me happy and hopeful.

    The Pills Stopped Working Hem
    ... I spent my whole life looking for land but settled on the breakers.
    Have I mentioned that I love Hem? Well I do. This song has a decidedly country-and-western sound to it.

    Say Yes! to M!ch!gan! Sufjan Stevens
    ... Rivers run, interstate, Michigan.
    I like Sufjan Stevens more each time one of his songs pops up on the iPod.

    Porchlight Neko Case and Her Boyfriends
    ... I'm sorry to tread on your patience, my dear
    Alex fell for Neko Case first. I followed not too long after. Mesmerizing voice. To be honest, I'm not that familiar with this particular song. I chose it randomly. And then I found that it's pretty and it's moving.

    Ocean Breathes Salty Sun Kil Moon
    ... And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old.
    I loved this song when Modest Mouse did it. I think this stripped down version even more.

    The Greatest Cat Power
    ... Once I wanted to be the greatest. No wind or waterfall could stop me. And then came the rush of the flood.
    You know who else I love? Cat Power.

    John Saw that Number Neko Case
    ... So he flew from the pit with the moon round his waist
    Alex and my oldest nephew loves this song. They also love "Star Wars" and Legos. It's a great song regardless. The imagery is spectacular.

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    posted by Nichole @ 10:15 AM  

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    Monday, January 01, 2007

    Good mornings

    Weekend mornings might be my favorite time of the week. Today being a bonus weekend today makes it that much sweeter. Here's our routine:

    Waking up.
    Originally uploaded by nichole_e.

    1. Piper wakes up. Some mornings she gives an all-out cry. Sometimes she just stands up and says "Daddy-Daddy-Daddy" or "Mama-Daddy-Mama-Daddy-Mama-Daddy."

    2. Alex wakes up to the sound of his little girl calling for him. (Or crying.)

    3. Alex goes to fetch Piper.

    4. Marsha takes advantage of the open bedroom door. She leaps onto the bed. If the ting-a-ling of her bell doesn't wake me up, her whiskers tickling my face certainly will.

    5. Alex and Piper come back to the bedroom. Piper says, "Mama!" and dives for me.

    6. Alex turns on PBS.

    7. We cuddle and watch a little "Clifford" or "Bearnstain Bears," depending on how late we slept.

    8. After the show, or whenever Piper is done with the show, we head downstairs for breakfast.

    It's the perfect way to start the day.



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    posted by Nichole @ 9:35 AM  

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    Wednesday, December 20, 2006

    Chaos comes in threes


    The Nephews and the Niece
    Originally uploaded by nichole_e.
    Piper sometimes feels like a little whirlwind. She's so active and interested in everything, and it seems like we just go-go-go all day long.

    A visit from Sam, Sophie and Wilson helps to put that into perspective.

    Where Piper is go-go-go, my nephews and niece are Go!Go!Go! They're an enthusiastic, energetic little group, and Everything! They! Do! They! Do! With! Feeling! (and Exclamation Points! Naturally!). And when they're around, Piper rachets up her act to GoGoGo. She can't quite match them yet -- it's her short legs, mostly -- but she tries.

    They wear me out. They drive me a little nuts sometimes. But they give wonderful hugs, and they say the funniest, weirdest things, and the house is always a little less bright when they leave.


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    posted by Nichole @ 7:59 PM  

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