Annie Blog

Design Question

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:54:00 EST

Design Question
I need some help, y'all. Color theory type of help.

I've painted two walls (not my walls) two different colors.

First color: Sort of bright almost hazard orange.
Second color: bright cornflower (?, sorry, I don't have a crayola box handy) blue.

The question: What color should I paint the remaining walls? I was reading Martha Stewart last night and they suggested super light warm barely there sort of blue to go with any primary colors instead of a standard neutral.

What would you do? Repainting one of the remaining walls is not an option.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Happy day, y'all.

Pancakes, Mmmmmm

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:51:00 EST

Pancakes, Mmmmmm

There is just something about a perfect pancake. It's so simple.

You must have this recipe. I came up with it several years ago. It is only a tiny smidgeon harder than a mix and so much better. The great thing about it, too, is that it is even better if you let it age -- either on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking or in the fridge overnight if you're the plan ahead type. I'm actually going to masquerade as a plan ahead type of person the next time we have folks over for Sunday lunch after church. My plan is to make up a big batch of batter, make the bacon ahead of time, make a fruit platter and then just warm everything up and make pancakes and scrambled eggs when we get home. The only thing I don't know is what kind of snack one puts out before a meal of breakfast and I also don't know what kind of drinks to have besides coffee, of course. Screwdrivers? Mimosas? Bloody Marys? Suggestions?

Here's the recipe:

P-Annie Cakes

Double or triple at will.

2 T. Butter
Milk (or buttermilk) on top of butter to make 1 Cup
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup flour
1 T. baking powder
1 1/2 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt

In a glass measuring cup, melt the butter in the microwave. When the butter is melted, add enough milk to make one cup. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg until beaten. Add the milk and butter mixture. Whisk a few times. Then, add the dry ingredients -- just sprinkle them over the butter/egg/milk mixture. After all of the dry ingredients have been sprinkled on, then whisk them in until incorporated and mostly smooth. Don't fuss if there are small lumps here and there. It is more important not to beat the batter to death. Allow the batter to age on the countertop for 30 minutes or so or cover it and put it in the fridge to let it age overnight.

Fry them up and dig in!

What Y'all Might Need Today

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

What Y'all Might Need Today

is some Grits Ain't Groceries. You might also need some real grits and groceries, but I wouldn't know for sure about that.

Sing it, Little Milton!

Happy Wednesday, y'all.

Down, Mama Bear

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Down, Mama Bear

These males I live with are funny. They require a very direct approach. Most of the time, I find this really refreshing. For instance, generally, they are immune to manipulation. So, when I want them to do something, I have to first get their attention and then be super direct about the subject at hand.

But, I fear that after all of these years of shooting from the hip with my boys, that I may have lost a trait that I have many times heard nice people refer to me as. What trait? Actually, it really isn't a trait that I possess. They say that I am sweet. I always defer -- not out of false modesty, either. The reason that I defer is because I see myself from the inside and therefore know that sweet is many times not even in the same dimension as I am. But, I suppose that the little girl voice and the southern accent contribute. And yet, even with accent and little girl voice in place, I think that the perceived sweetness might be bleeding out a bit.

Why do I say this? Well, a couple of weeks ago at the pool, I went on a search for J. I couldn't find him. Not that I was worried. It is just that he only comes up for air the whole time that we're there, and so I have to look carefully for a while before I see his head bobbing up. I passed my youngest in my trek across the pool and asked if he had seen J. He hadn't. So we walked along together as I continued my search. I had just decided to go and look in the large pool when I heard what sounded like J over to my left. I turned and didn't see anyone. A few seconds later, I saw him break the surface of the water with not one, but 2 little boys clinging to him -- one of them was firmly grasping J by the hair. I was over to them in what felt like a fraction of a second. J began telling me how these little boys had been messing with him. I was inclined to believe him since the one little boy still had a grip on J. I could see that his scalp was bright red underneath his hair.

So, I wondered a few things. Things like how come J didn't give these little boys the slip. He is built like a bull ox and is twice as strong. I also wondered about the lifeguards that encircle the pool. Maybe they were not observing all that they could? You think?

I bent over. I placed one finger lightly on the little boy's arm. I quietly asked him, "Do you like it when someone pulls your hair?" He answered, "No." It was almost inaudible, actually, and as he said the word I noticed both hands released J's hair like it had turned hot and was suddenly burning his hands. I dropped my voice even further and said, "All right, then." And then he just skedaddled, y'all. I was shocked, actually, and almost felt sorry for him -- almost but not quite. I definitely scared the bejabbers out of the kid.

I make this illustration just to say that I don't know why it happened because usually I don't get this kind of reaction from kids. Usually, they sort of regard me for a moment, trying to figure out if I mean what I say.

Maybe it is from being around my quirky boys.

Maybe the kid realized how badly he had acted and was feeling remorseful.

Maybe he saw the shadow of Mama Bear waking up and decided to vamoose before she came roaring on the scene. (Smart. Kid, you have no idea how hard it is to shove Mama Bear back in her cave. Dude, it ain't pretty.)

I don't know. But, I have to tell you, I sort of liked it.

Which definitely proves how un-sweet I am.

Just trying to banish myths, y'all.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, Let's Do This Thing.

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:42:00 EST

Monday, Let's Do This Thing.

I know that I need to step it up on the housekeeping front when, as I'm cleaning the kitchen floor, my youngest son walks in and asks, "Who's coming over, Mom?"

Sheesh. Petunia Dursley, I'm not.

Today I'm painting (not my house), cooking, sewing and generally trying to figure out life. So far I've come up with the slogan

Life is Messy, Y'all.

Quite a ring to it, yes? I think that bumper stickers featuring said slogan are forthcoming.

Mondays need music, this much I know. So,

here's "Providence" by the Love Language.

Happy Monday, everybody.

Botanical Garden Outing

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:28:00 EST

Botanical Garden Outing

Saying that it was an "outing" makes it sound so proper, for some reason. Also, for some reason I want to add either an extra t or n in botanical. I don't know why.

So, last Saturday, we visited the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Once again, just like every time I go there, I'm shocked and amazed to live in a city that has such a treasure. Even after so many years, it is hard to get a grasp of the fact that there are so many things to do and wonderful things to see -- and most of those things are free. Amazing.

The reason that we made this particular visit was to see the dinosaurs. I must admit to knowing nothing about the whole dinosaur installation except to say that you can read more about it here. They'll be there until October. You should know this because you should go.

Here, look, this expression sums it all up.

And, if freaky dinosaurs aren't your particular cup of tea, well, maybe you'd enjoy the freakily gorgeous plants.

While his brothers were attempting to commune with a pachy-cephalo-brota-tricera-thingy, J was sitting patiently on a nearby rock, lost in his thoughts. So I naturally started taking photos of him.

Beautiful hair, yes? The image doesn't even do it justice. It is like every strand of his hair is a differently shaded strand of gold. I kid you not. Actually, I've got quite a bit of that gold laying around.

If anyone ever bemoans the declining numbers of blond, blue-eyed males on the planet, I want it to be known that I did my part.

One of my favorite parts of the garden is the Japanese section. It is so gorgeous. And, I should note, that it is a little stressful, too. Why? Well, because of the gravel, of course. All of that beautiful raked gravel -- I fear when we get near it. Why? Well, because I'm afraid that at any point one of my males will decide that the gravel needs something else, something that only he can draw. Maybe it's a Barlow thing. I'll never forget my father-in-law admiring the gravel and then, gesturing to his pointy umbrella with a mischievous grin, asking, "What do y'all think? How about I write Sho Nuff in the gravel with the tip of this here umbrella?" That was a hoot.

The koi, oh yes. We can't forget the koi and their beautiful colors and hauntingly weird, disturbing open mouths.

Of course, we had to visit with the koi a bit as we fed them their food. Speaking of visiting, my oldest son had 2 arms in this lake when we went to the garden last. I'm not sure, but I think that he may have been attempting to catch a koi of his own. So, we're probably the reason for this fence. I mean, what would be the harm of grabbing a koi up out of the pond -- that is how his mind works. Kind of reminds me of when we were at the zoo once and I admired an asian duck that they had. My baby immediately went missing and I was about to call security when I spied him climbing out of the duck enclosure. "Where were you?!", I asked him frantically. He replied, "I went to get you that duck, Mama." These males I live with, honestly.

For some reason, the aforementioned wannabe duck catcher needed to hold my hand on the bridge and so I obliged, of course.

I had attempted to write a little poem about our day at the garden but the only part that was coming together was a line I was going to put in there "I wore a skirt/The color of dirt/the ultimate mother apparel" but that's all I came up with and so the poem shall not be shared. I do recommend you getting a skirt the color of dirt, though. Very useful.

You can see here that we come with squirrelly little brothers included.

That's all until the next time we visit the garden which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.

Dear A.A. Bondy,

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:47:00 EST

Dear A.A. Bondy,

You're causing me pain, A.A. Bondy, and I think that you should know it.

Why, oh WHY are you coming to Columbia, Missouri, and not to St. Louis?! I mean, I don't want to take anything from the Columbia folks. (I know, yes, I could drive to Columbia for a concert. I did it several years ago so that I could see Westerberg. That was the best concert, ever, by the way.) You see, the thing is that I have 4 crazy little boys and driving that far for a concert just doesn't go with my mama lifestyle anymore. This mama NEEDS good music, though, truly it helps her get by.

Why don't you come on over? St. Louis is not that far and we love good music here. You were here at the Gargoyle just last November. Langhorne Slim had to beat us off with a stick in February...Mumford and Sons sold out, no problem. Surely there is a little club or bar or concert venue that would love to have you. What do you say? You could earn some extra cash...I'm sure that you'd score some new fans too.

Think about it. Do you want me to make some calls? I'm here to help.

Sincerely,

Annie

P.S. Thank you for ever for doing a cover of I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry for WNRN. It was a thing of beauty, truly.

Oldies At The Pool

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:03:00 EST

Oldies At The Pool

Sometimes I can hear the music at the pool and sometimes I can't. They had it turned up the other day, though, and everyone that I saw --from toddler to retiree -- was more into this song than any I've heard all summer long.

Do y'all remember this one? It is the Digital Underground with "Humpty Dance".

*Disclaimer: There are moments when the lyrics are not so nice, so click at your own risk. Funny how I never noticed those lyrics when I heard it in my youth.

Music For Your Monday

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:03:25 EST

Music For Your Monday
Okay, y'all, here's a song for your Monday.

This is Bushwick Blues by Delta Spirit. If you like it you should head over to HearYa and get a free copy of the mp3.

Mondays are better with music -- no doubt about it.

Living Proof That Being a Buster

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:17:00 EST

Living Proof That Being a Buster
can really take it out of you. This was taken after returning from the pool. One minute he's talking and the next minute that stinker is down for the count.

I think that I'm definitely getting old. Just the thought of sleeping coiled up like this makes my back feel funny.

What a buster.

The Easiest Cake, Ever

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:03:00 EST

The Easiest Cake, Ever

This cake is so easy, y'all. It is delicious, too, and always feeds a crowd. This is the perfect dessert to take to a potluck or to have on hand when company is coming. The recipe is great for making ahead of time and will keep well and taste wonderful the day after it is made. And, the sauce is really pretty, too.

Pound Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 sticks butter, softened
1/2 C + 1T. milk
5 large eggs
2 t. flavoring of choice (vanilla, almond, lemon -- or a mixture)

Preheat your oven to 325. Butter and flour a tube or Bundt pan. Place the ingredients in your standing mixer bowl in the order they are listed. (Note: It is really necessary that you make this in a standing mixer.) Beat at low speed 1 minute. Scrape down sides. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top of the batter. Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a rack. Invert the cake on to the rack and remove the pan. Cool it completely.

Now, pound cake is plain but so versatile. I suggest that you make this strawberry sauce to serve on top of it.

Strawberry Coulis

12 - 16 oz. cleaned, quartered strawberries
1/4 cup water
3 T. sugar (this depends on the sweetness of the berries, of course)
1 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice

Combine the ingredients in a blender. Puree until very smooth. Pour the sauce through a sieve in order to remove the seeds. This keeps well in the refrigerator and can be made a day ahead.

The Fourth

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:02:00 EST

The Fourth
of July is one of my favorite holidays.

We ended up having several friends over for cake and then walked the 3 or so blocks over to the Recreation Center where the fireworks were being released/lit/launched -- what is the proper word here? We can see most of the fireworks from our house but we elected to walk over so that we could see it all.

That put us right underneath the fireworks.

Chocolate Cake, fireworks, and friends are a pretty unbeatable combination.

Happy Monday, y'all!