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Everything is blooming!

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The weather has been so beautiful this last week, and just think, we'll be heading into a snowstorm aftermath in a few days. I have Amaryllis and Paper Whites in my windowsill on the verge of bursting into a fragrant bliss. The Chinese Orchid tree has a few flowers starting, the Kalanchoe is about to open and my Violas have been multiplying daily. It will be a shame if I miss everything while I'm up in the North Pole. I have some Monstera that I'm going to try to smuggle in my suitcase, hopefully it will ripen in time to share with the family.
I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in Ottawa. We won't be torn between visiting with 2+ families and it won't have that "Christmas in Florida" weirdness about it. We'll be able to relax and enjoy time with a few special people. I have a big bag of Shweaty Balls in the freezer that I made for the trip! Ha! I just hope getting there will be a breeze and I also hope my mother-in-law remembers to bring my winter coat.

Hula madness!

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I've purchased a Hula Hoop. It arrived this weekend. This is my inspiration. I'm going to make one video per week to track my progress. Wish me luck!

Debby the Polar Bear 1967-2008

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Browsing some Canadian news today, I came to find a small piece of Winnipeg was laid to rest. Every summer; even up until the year I moved to Florida, I'd go to the zoo. The polar bear enclosure is the first thing you come upon and always was the one I stood to watch the longest. They would pace back and forth, sniffing the air, jump into the water and swim around- dog paddling with massive paws. Debby passed away on Monday. According to the Guinness book, she was the oldest Polar bear in captivity and she lived in Winnipeg.
Reading the article brought me to tears. It makes me think of all the precious memories I have of where I grew up and all of the sweet and beautiful things in life that I take for granted every day.

X-Mas in Orlando Experiment

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If you've found one of my cards, Yay!!! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
Please leave a comment about where it was found or any other details.

With Christmas just around the corner and a surplus of cards in my closet, I wanted to try an experiment in kindness. Anonymous holiday cards. Everyone can use a little more of the warm and fuzzies inside, right?
Quotes, well-wishes and daily ramblings will be scribbled inside these little cuties, and they'll be left at various places around Orlando.
:)

Tunes for me and the Kiddies

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Lately I've been finding myself listening to kids music. Yes, children's music. Baby mania you ask? Not quite yet....maybe a 4 on the scale of 1-10. Honestly, I just enjoy the silliness. Most of my favorite songs have always had sing-a-long, silly type lyrics, be it Beck, The Beastie Boys or Mickey Avalon. So here I am sharing two very recent albums that will instantly put a smile on your face when you listen to them.
-Barenaked Ladies- "Snack Time"
-Kimya Dawson- "Alphabutt"
Listening to the Barenaked Ladies has always given me the feeling of home. Their album "Gordon" was the first cassette I ever bought, with my own allowance! I was fourteen.
These songs are so super cute, I just want to gush. There's one song that has recordings of kids and adults saying their names and then their favorite snack and Bubbles is one of them! *sigh*

Back in the day, my sister and I would listen to the Moldy Peaches. (be weary about listening to that at work or with small ears around) When she was here to visit last spring we went to see Kimya Dawson preform. Not exactly my taste in music anymore, but my sister really wanted to go. The show was made up of mostly annoying fourteen year olds that were there because of the movie "Juno" but whatever. Ms Dawson had a little girl in the last year or so and had a few songs that she played that were to be in her upcoming kids album. I was in love with the songs instantly. Songs about poo and farts and gorilla farts....how could you not?

Anyway, I don't have any kids and it might seem weird that I'm slowly collecting kids music, but look at it this way; when I do have kids....I won't be one of those parents that wants to shoot Teletubbies or Hanna Montana in the face if I had the chance. My kids might turn out.....kinda cool.

We did it!!!

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And it was beautiful!

Octoberness

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berries, originally uploaded by Crystal Pistil.

This weekend went by way too quickly. All the soul searching plans I had made for myself were easily tossed aside for trips to butterfly sanctuaries and Hot Dog restaurants with provocative names. However, I did manage to get the last big wedding detail out of the way. "Phew!"
I bought some fresh Figs at the grocery store on a whim. I think I'll make a Fig spread and some fresh bread today......I feel a little domestic goodness is due. (good for clearing the mind)

Adventure!

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This morning I woke with a sudden urge to Google "Fire Ant bites"
During a great adventure yesterday that included, a road trip to West Palm Beach, a tire blowout, and an unforgettable Mexican restaurant, somewhere in there I was down on all fours with my arm unknowingly on top of a quaint little fire ant abode. (may I add that we don't have these feisty guys in Canada and I've only been bitten by one once on my big toe)
Anyway, this morning, all the little bites have turned into whitehead-looking pustules. Super gross! And its taking EVERY ounce of willpower I have not to pop them.
A cup of coffee and some interweb searching later, I found myself on Amazon looking at books about canning and preserving naturally with honey. It really must be one of "those days" Because, on my yahoo homepage, the hot topic for the next fifteen minutes is this.
Experiment for today:
Wash arm thoroughly (its covered in calamine right now) Cover bites with honey, and see what happens. At least I'll smell sweet. :)

When life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade!

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Or in my case.....Limeade. (Story of my life these days...but I won't get into that.)

The first day of our garage sale, we found ourselves drinking Coronitas before noon without any limes. Luckily, Sara knew of a neighborhood lime tree with branches that hung over the sidewalk, so we wouldn't feel too tresspassy. I sure am going to miss that wonderful lady (she's off to a place even more tropical and warm than Florida) Sangria in the driveway, Loquats, finger mustache tattoos and Jammy Jams says it all.
I'll miss you Sara!

Funny, funny!

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Update :)

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Here's an update on that wacky fruit.......the Monstera Delicious.

I left it near my kitchen window, on the counter and it rotted. The tiles were falling off (like it said they should online) but it had turned black and fell apart more than it looked like it was ripe. I have a few more growing, so I'll have to try a round two.

Thanks Marrisa, It's nice to know I have a "reader"
:)

Monstera Delicious

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This morning I was going over the list of available produce from our local food co-op and noticed a fruit that was listed......."Monstera Delicious" Sounds enticing, no? After a quick Google search I realized that I had a few of these plants growing in my very own backyard. Eating this fruit sounds a little scary due to the fact that if it's not ripe enough, oxalic acid will burn your mouth and throat, but then again it sounds like its worth the wait.

Last Night.....

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After eating way too much din-din......and my friend that works at this restaurant sending out WAY too much dessert, we're at home laying in bed:

Boy- "I'm sooo full"
Me- "Yeah, me too"
Boy- "Let's get naked and rub our meals together"

I love him :)

Honey.....

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"It also played a significant role in Vedic myths and religious rituals. During marriage ceremonies, for example, the brides body was anointed with honey to ensure fertility. And after the ceremony was over, honey was served to the guests because it was believed that a substance so pure would ward off any evil spirits that might try to crash the festivities. With honey on the menu and evil spirits kept at bay, the newlyweds could expect to have a happy, fruitful, and prosperous married life."
-*Letters From The Hive by Stephen Buchmann*

How cool is that? Now I have an excuse other than "because I like it" when asked about my choice in wedding favors.

King Corn

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Last night the boy and I watched a documentary called "King Corn"
Watch it! Please! First it will blow your mind a little and when it's over you'll run to your cupboards to check the ingredients of all the stuff you have in there.....
Modified corn starch in teabags. I still can't believe it.
Conclusion? Corn=Satan

Weekend type breakfast foods during the week. *Lazy style!*

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I think I dreamed of pancakes last night.
I find it funny when you wake up in the morning with only one thing on your mind, be it that bill you forgot to pay, the sweet syrupy breakfast you can't wait to ingest or that piece of ass you need....right now!
So on a morning like every other, when the snooze button has been smashed one too many times, you can still make time for weekend pleasures. I promise!
Here's what I did:
Take your regular ol' buttermilk *out of the box, just add water* pancake mix. Follow the mix guide for approx 7-8 pancakes and then add a little extra mix just to thicken it up a bit. Cut up some fresh fruit (I used a handful of blueberries and a banana) Fold the fruit into the mix with a spatula, then dump the mix into a greased (sprayed) spring form pan. Bake at 350. Take your morning shower, then check the goods. Ta da! Pancake Cake.
I didn't even put syrup on mine, the blueberries were sweet enough.

itty bitty fruits of labor

11:09 PM Posted In , Edit This 1 Comment »

itty bitty fruits of labor, originally uploaded by Crystal Pistil.

Ok, so I can hear you people saying "fruits of labor? WTF?" I know its rather pathetic but you have to understand what I have to work with here.... my yard is a combination of an ashtray and a litter box. Sandy, unfertile soil and I don't plan on putting money into a place I rent.
So you see, these are actually little golden nuggets to me. I feel like an Alchemist that's turned crap into bouillon bricks, plus its quality here people, not quantity! I see it as just enough to spice up dinner tonight.

Also....

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Cicada Mania has my Tattoo featured on their website. Check it out!!!

Garden Juju

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Garden Juju, originally uploaded by Crystal Pistil.

So, I wouldn't exactly call myself an "experienced" gardener, but definitely an "experimental" one. Growing things here in Florida is a curious thing. When I first moved here I was delighted to have garden centers that were open ALL year and the freedom to toss anything in a pot of dirt and watch it grow. (I have a potted, six foot Avocado tree in my yard that I grew from a seed that came from an Avocado I bought at Publix)
Being a renter has also challenged my need to plant and grow, and although I've found ways to manage, I long for the days when I can have a nice little plot to plan out.

Listen up peeps! Let's keep Chickens!

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I'm already daydreaming about different breeds and the names I'll give them. I guess I've always secretly wanted to live on a farm (or at least know someone that lives on a farm) As soon as I'm no longer a renter....look out future neighbors!

This chick's on a mission.

*Lil' Chickens in the Big City*

Pests

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my quiet spot, originally uploaded by Crystal Pistil.

In all of my earliest memories there was a garden......and a compost pile. The two go together like Randy and Mr. Lahey. The habit of tossing veggie scraps into a separate container has been permanently stamped into my brain. Since I moved to Florida and have had no means of a proper garden (or proper recycling of any kind) I feel guilt every time I toss those vitamin packed scraps into the trash.
So here I am with my little container garden. I do have somewhat of a yard, but we only rent and I'm not sure how our landlords would like me digging everything up. Plus, the soil is like a mixture of sand and ash so I couldn't imagine anything being able to grow in the ground anyway. One more thing, I did do some digging around and found a really old and really shallow sewer line into our backyard. Gross.
Anyways, yesterday I made a nice little compost box and put it way, way in the back of the yard.

This morning I woke to find that something had found the box and ate a few of the scraps I tossed last night (a raccoon) I don't really mind, Raccoons are pretty cute, but this one is greedy. After helping himself to the salad bar, it looks like the little dude tried to re-dig up the old sewage line, then he came over to check out the garden. It looks like he stuck a paw in every pot just to check it out. Then he went to have a nice drink/wash in the fishpond (he f'd it up nicely) and to top it off, climbed up to have a look in the window (he left muddy paw prints)

In the end, there wasn't that much damage done, but this was only the first night after starting the compost box. I think I'll give it a week and see what happens...

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Ugh. I'm getting sick of hearing myself talk about wedding planning. Its all I think about these days......but, I am doing it all by myself and If I don't think about all this shit, who will?

Also, I've started yoga classes again and they're kicking my ass.

john&john

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john&john, originally uploaded by Crystal Pistil.

So its been about two years now that every Monday morning I find a delightfully perverted comic in my inbox, that I snicker to and usually pass on to someone else.
http://www.johnandjohn.nl/
Sometime in December 2007 our two perverted minds had a brain link, thanks to Flickr.

I was asked to partake in some girl-on-horse-on-donkey-on-hedgehog porn but decided if I ever wanted the chance to run for president, 'ass in the sink' was all this guy was gonna get.

Thanks again d!o....I'll wash my ass for you anytime ;)

Co-op!!

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Voy and I joined a food co-op. Fresh local veggies and fruit. It makes me feel better as person to support something like this. It's the little things that count right?