Who's up for Simple-Living?

For everyone out there who loves to design and
snazzy-up the home, check out Queen of My Trailer. Its proof-positive that with a little elbow grease and imagination, you can make anything pretty and comfortable.


Who'd a thunk it?

So I want to ask, would you trade your current digs for debt-free living in a cute trailer like this?

What if you could park that trailer on the edge of Lake Travis or in Vail, Colorado and work part-time as a park ranger -- or something else fun and impractical that pays in lifestyle-benefits?

I've been reading my brother's blog in earnest. He and his wife are in the Peace Corp stationed in Kyrgyzstan (which is roughly between Afghanistan and China.) The living conditions are "deadening", the cold is brutal, there is no hot water for showers, in fact, he's worried about having enough water to drink. The outhouse at home is on unstable ground and could collapse, he fears.

They were gifted a free night at the Hyatt in the nearest big city last weekend. Well, it recharged them body and soul to keep up the important work they were sent to do.

I think this cozy, humble little trailer would look like a 4 star palace to them. Wait, I am thinkin' it looks pretty sweet to me, here in suburbia.

Who's with me?

Rite of Passage

Only Child is on a three-step program to lose the binkie.

Now that he can articulate all the reasons why he needs and loves it, he's probably old enough to understand that it's bad for his teeth. Right?

This has been a source of disagreement between MMA & Superstar for, ohhhhh, about 18 months now. MMA thinks he'll drop the binkie when he's good and ready and "what does it hurt to allow him a simple pleasure." He's also mentioned that Only Child looks so darn cute in his jammies with his blanket and binkie...clearly daddy's got a soft spot.

Until now, my efforts have been half-hearted. But I was given friendly, professional permission to get rid of it by any means necessary. Only Child is ready. He is happy and well-adjusted. Its not like we're getting rid of Lightening McQueen, by God. The real question is, am I ready?

So today, despite the nasty drizzle and dropping temperatures we went to the park near our house to throw the binkies in the lake. We made up a cute story about how he didn't need them anymore because he's getting so big, but the baby alligators in the water did need them.

We kept just one binkie, and later, with encouragement, he will give that one to the alligators, too. Then we're going straight to HEB, his favorite store, to get some homemade tortillas and pick out a big boy surprise from the toy department.

Only Child was hesitant when we got to the lake. He asked me more than once if his binkies could stay in the car while we played.

"No, sweetie, if we get out of the car, we're throwing the binkies in the lake."

"But, if you'd rather wait (it was so ugly and I just flat-ironed my hair) we can come back tomorrow." I'll admit to sentimental second thoughts.

I made sure he understood what is a hard lesson for anyone, especially a three year old. That is, if you throw "it" in the lake, you can't get it back. But maybe you'll get something even better because you were brave.

So in the end, he made the decision to go for it. He gave them each a little kiss, said good-bye and tossed them in. He was not dispirited at all. We watched them float for a little bit and then he ran around in the rain with furious energy. If there was a heavy heart, it was mine.

By the time we got home he was shivering and asked me to make him feel better. So I wrapped my baby boy in blankets and gave him hot chocolate with marshmallows and we called daddy to tell him the good news.

Dreary-almost-winter days are a perfect excuse to put the house work on hold and cuddle over hot chocolate with your best little guy who still needs you.

So the rite of passage I wanted to tell you about is not "baby loses binkie." It's "mom accepts another bittersweet milestone of watching baby grow into a man."

The Recipe...for getting to know me

I'm taking a break from politics to discuss a subject I'm even more passionate about: FOOD! Maybe I'll start a tradition of talking about FOOD on FRIDAYS.

I love food and food loves me back! I've come to terms with the fact that I'll never have a taut stomach because I like food, wine and Skittles way too much. I'm a girl who eats beef at least 3 times a week. I love ball park nachos, Philly cheese steaks, and I dream about Frito pies.

Am I sounding double-wide to you?

If I wanted to get all fancy, I could tell you about my killer ceviche, but that's for another day.

Today I'm going to share, exclusively for my readers, the award-winning Chicken Chili that made me famous on Halloween. Everyone keeps congratulating me and telling me how much they enjoyed the chili (except my own MMA who refuses to acknowledge what a big deal I am.) And I am loving the spotlight!

...Not bashful about selling this chili; it's so good, it has its own motto:

Superstar's Chicken Chili*
"Share the spotlight!"

2 T olive Oil
1.5 lb chicken breast cut into large cubes
1 med onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 can chicken broth
1 16oz jar Salsa Verde (I used La Sabroza brand)
2 cans Rotel tomatoes with Chili seasoning
1 sm zucchini peeled and diced
1 sm squash peeled and diced
pinch of oregano
pinch of ground coriander seed
pinch of cumin
1 can navy beans drained and rinsed
1.5 cups frozen corn
2 corn tortillas (processed into tortilla-meal)
1 T cilantro minced
optional vegetables to flavor broth

(This was my process, but it could be done the same day, cooking the chicken in the crock pot.) The night before: boil the cubed chicken in the broth and add optional vegetables to flavor (such as celery, onion, garlic and cilantro.) After the chicken is cooked, scoop out the vegetables and discard. Shred the chicken and return to the broth.

The next day: saute the onion and garlic until slightly browned. Put the chicken and broth in a crock pot on low 6-7 hours before it is needed. Add onion & garlic, Rotel tomatoes, salsa verde, cumin, oregano and coriander. 3-4 hours before serving time, add the squash, zucchini and cilantro and one cup of water if needed. One hour before serving time, add tortilla-meal and mix well. Then add the beans & corn (adding them after all the mixing keeps them from breaking up.) Turn up to high and allow the mixture to slightly boil...this will thicken the chili.

Garnish with sour cream, pico de gallo and tortilla chips. Serves 6-8.

(I didn't add any additional salt or spice and it was pretty spicy. I might try substituting one can of mild Rotel next time to make it more family -friendly. I also thought about adding some diced bell pepper for color but didn't have any.)

*I gleaned heavily from White Bean Chicken Chili found at Allrecipes.com. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions, especially if you try it out!

I need a smoke...

Only now does Superstar fully realize the enormity of this storm that swept the nation with excitement and the giddy anticipation of new love.
I saw it coming, but I thought it was a Cat 2 and as it turns out, it was a Cat 4!

The news casters had a smile on their faces this morning that was reminiscent of great sex. And in a way, the coverage of this election was, for them, foreplay that culminated in a great consummation last night for all to see.

I got left out of the frenzy for two reasons. First, I can't get excited about liberal policy, so I could not be won over by the Obama-likability-factor (which is undeniable.) And second, a disappointed MMA cried himself to sleep before McCain even took the stage. So there I was, shut out, shut down and the party train left the station without me.

Hmmph!

This was the outcome I expected, but the the hysteria I was unprepared for. The display at Grant Park was remarkable! I can't fully appreciate the significance of the night from the black perspective, but I am proud that this day has finally come (I just wish it had been Colin Powell.)

All the same, race played no part in my choice (and I hope not yours.) I voted for the candidate that I believed would better represent my agenda. And when every voter does that and we elect a minority to the top office, then we can say, "Now we're really getting somewhere."

But Rome wasn't built in a day and every step in the right direction, matters.

Now the great responsibility is on Barrack Obama to make positive changes, "yes you can" just like you promised. That's a tall order, but with the kind of resources at his disposal, I am hopeful.

In closing, my party was simply outmaneuvered at every turn by the Democratic machine. Their candidate was fresh and virile, ours represented old-white Washington. They wooed the young and undecided, we let too much slip through our fingers. Their army of brilliant minds left no stone uncovered and no opportunity to chance. Obama ran the marathon and sprinted home. McCain hobbled into second place, a dignified old man with unfortunate timing.

Hats-off on playing a winning hand, President-elect Obama & Co. You were a formidable opponent.

Conservative friends and fellow Americans, let's get back in the game and reinvent ourselves. Si, se puede, tambien...And aren't you glad we will not be inaugurating Madam President and First Husband?

Conspicuously Quiet Today

You probably think that I'm so political. I'm not. You'd be surprised to learn I won't be writing about my political beliefs today, on this, of all days. I've already resigned myself not to be bitter, regardless of the outcome.

To be perfectly honest, I'm an idealist and I was especially heartbroken to finally admit to myself the many disappointments of the the W regime...many intelligent people in that cabinet and so many mistakes. But one man, one administration, does not change me.

OK, I'll say this one thing, I am decidedly conservative. I am for smaller government in scope and size. I believe more taxpayers and less welfare equals lower taxes and better quality of life for everyone. Just so you know.

I heard myself (and could not stop) saying these words to my neighbors yesterday in the street, "The government should not define marriage. It is a religious sacrament and has already been defined by the Bible. It's out of the scope of the government. Sorry to offend you, that's what I believe."

OMG!
Remember Church Lady?

The one man in the circle started walking away backwards. So it is because I've already unloaded (and thrown away my chance at the trophy next year) that I don't NEED to get it out here...

There are no good, OOPS, I meant to say "easy" choices this election. What the media will not bring up, I will not either.

You won't hear a word about the meteoric rise of this amazing man, Barrack Obama. I mean, he was only just sworn in as a US senator in January of 2005. Then in 2006, he starts campaigning for the top job... Imagine if he went to work for Shell in 2005 and just three years later, lands the job of CEO of Shell Oil to begin in 2009. Now that would be something, wouldn't it? Some might call it amazing and question his readiness, but not me.

I haven't heard much about Obama's voting record or lack-thereof. I mean, he was on the job for just a year when he started campaigning and just two years when he started campaigning hard. And he called in sick alot during important votes, so I can't really pass judgement on his stance because its unclear to me, so I won't bring it up.

Let's just keep religious beliefs out of the discussion because, after all, that's private. If, by law, you can worship in public then doesn't it follow that you should be able to worship in secret? If The Very Reverend Jeremiah Wright believes that blacks should take care of blacks first and foremost, then I don't have a problem with that. But if you change the word "black" to "white," then its a problem. There's no problem here, and anyway Obama says he never heard such a thing in 20 years at that church. It makes me feel all warm and comfortable knowing we're of the same faith, even though we've already said religion is not part of the job...I'm hypocritical that way.

I haven't heard much about the character of the man who will be president. I just like to know, you know? I must be getting old because I'm suspicious of such a stellar rise and the capital that's been quietly raised to get him the job...who is behind all that money? Who are his friends and $ supporters and what do they know about him that I should know?

The media doesn't dare touch the subject of his Muslim ties and so neither will I. But it is interesting that the man spent formidable years attending a Muslim school. In fact, he's spent more time in Muslim-tutelage than he's spent in congress. No one thinks he is aligned with the radical Muslims that hate the US, but it wouldn't surprise me to think he is more sympathetic to the Islamic culture given his background. But I've never heard him or anyone else acknowledge that and the mere suggestion would be imprudent.

I will say, at the risk of sounding ignorant, that it's us against them in Afghanistan. I'm for us and anything that saves the lives of our troops, at any cost. I have a son and God help me if the day comes that he must go off to war. But I think both candidates agree.

So if this man, with fundamentally different ideals and very foreign experiences than mine, should become president, maybe he's got Divine intervention on his side. He's got all the momentum & charm of the Clinton of '92, plus the unknowns. Maybe that which raises my small-minded doubts could reveal strengths I never imagined. I hope so.

Doesn't God seem to give us what we need and not always what we ask for? If nothing else, the man who will be president will have the power of my prayers for guidance and strength in the job.

Let's see what He says.

Winner, Winner...Chicken Dinner!

One of my most unexpected joys is the suburban-dream-life we've happened upon. Before living on the cul-de-sac that we now call heaven, we were decidedly hip, urban DINKs (especially in our minds.)

Now, all that has changed.

We've become one of those predictable, conservative families that you'd expect to find living in a safe neighborhood with well-manicured lawns. You probably know someone just like us who vacations in Florida and goes to church 3 out of 4 weekends.

Me-ten-years-ago would have been rolling my eyes at me-now for being so...provincial. And for being one of those families on a street brimming with over-indulged kids who get sent to time-out instead of getting old school beat when they act up.

Can you picture our little street? Its a place where people demonstrate courtesy and keep and eye on each other. Neighbors come outside every afternoon to watch the kids play and discuss our comings and goings. We know each other by name and have old fashion block parties in the street. I couldn't have hand-picked nicer people to share a place in the world with.

Our Halloween festivities included trick-or-treating for the kids and a chili cook-off for the bigger kids. 18 pots were entered in this, our first annual street cook-off organized by our mayor and social chairman who lives next door.

The husbands on the street really embraced the game, but who says a good pot of chili is man's domain? I was almost giddy when I learned there was a trophy involved. A trophy...a forever, tangible reminder of victory.

I brought my A-game and a simple strategy: make a chicken chili that would stand out amongst all the beef and would appeal to the women. Well, it worked. I took the first place trophy and a little bit of ribbing by the men. A few congratulated me on winning the "chicken soup" contest. I'm not the only one who wanted that trophy, it seems.

The trophy will occupy a place of honor in my house. And it will be visible when said, lovely neighbors come over so we can rejoice in the memory of my big moment. I'm already working out some ideas for next year's contest. I have to defend my title and step it up now that they know Superstar don't play.

What a decadent week its been for me!

The idyllic life on this cul-de-sac, quiet and boring though it may seem to the outside world, is not without opportunities to shine.

And shine where I must.

Let's not forget the Pretty Boys...

Tit for tat. Since talking about beautiful people seems to be such a popular subject of conversation...my blog got a quick shout out on 1560 The Game yesterday, (Thanks Ken and David) I thought it would be fun to talk about some pretty men.

There are no salacious men in the local media. It seems being "good" is enough to get you a chair and keep-it-for-like-50-years, Dave Ward. Does anyone else change the channel before Before We Go?

Not to worry. In addition to my fetish for keeping up with the local media, I also have a thing for HGTV. Yes, and a soft spot for beautiful men who can do shock and awe on your window treatments and are dressed to kill, besides.

My top three picks for pretty boy Design Darlings are the epitome of beauty, talent and panache. Is there a girl out there who wouldn't love to share a chai tea and pour over House Beautiful with any one of these sweeties? Doubt they'll be talkin' about me on the radio tomorrow...

David Bromstad

He's the guy that won the first Design Star. Now he hosts Color Splash where he always leaves the lucky client with an original piece of signed artwork. He manages about three outfit changes per 30 minute episode while his side kick Danielle does all the dirty work.
Anyone catch his "Make life thizzle" commercial? Lisp and all, we love him 'cause he's darling and no one can argue with his flamboyant design skills. (Did you know that "flamboyant" comes from the french word flamboyer meaning "to flame"?) I wish he'd flambe' my dining room.

Nate Berkus

Nate is to design what Rachael Ray is to food. There's his pretty face on the cover of Out magazine (...collective sigh.) He's got at least one book out, a line of lovlies at Linens N Things and list list of celebrity clients.

Nate, Precious Nate, please come have your way with my kitchen, please.

Marc Bartolomeo

This Romeo is the electrician/carpenter from Save My Bath and In a Fix. Cute, huh?

Marc is the only potential metro of the bunch; although he does call himself "Sparky." And he is a part-time DJ and underwear model. Hmmmm. Either way, he's a cutie and a live wire and I have three bathrooms in my house with Marc's name on them.

Advance props to MMA who is hearing about all my designer boyfriends for the first time. He'll be the first to tell you that real men don't watch HGTV. But he is nothing if not a good sport and Superstar's biggest fan.

Which TV designer would you pick to do your home?