Finally! More Music!!

It has been I don't know how long since I've posted about music on the blog. Once again, it's not for lack of amazing bands to blog about! It's lack of time and trouble choosing! I have become utterly addicted to Pandora.com lately. The stereo is streaming music all day long! I have been checking out so many great bands and groups. It makes my heart happy to hear such amazing music and know there's great talent out there. In a world without musical integrity where Hanna Montana's face is plastered everywhere (seriously, isn't she sick of herself???), I feel it is my duty to blog about real bands!

This week, my band of choice is Guster. Though they aren't "new" to the scene, they might be new to some of you. So I have to blog about them!! They are such an amazing band with a truly unique sound. If you're like me and you are always looking for something different in the way of music, you will not be disappointed with Guster. You (like myself) have probably heard of them before. They've actually been around for about ten years!! The song that reintroduced them to me was 'Satellite.' I loved the catchiness of the song and when I listened more closely to the lyrics, I realized they were actually more deep and powerful than the melody of the long lends itself to be. This is fairly true with all Guster songs. Take a listen to 'Satellite' and get acquainted. Then we'll get into the history of the band....



Good stuff, eh?? Believe me, there is more where that came from. So. Guster. They're bascially a bunch of comedians who are also super talented musicians. They are really funny guys. They don't just stand up on stage like statues that play instruments. They put on a show!! The band was formed by three dudes named Brian Rosenworcel, Adam Gardener and Ryan Miller in 1991 while they were attending Tufts University in Massachusetts. They all met during freshman orientation and the rest, as they say, is history!

They were relatively unknown for the first two albums (Parachute and Goldfly), but gained quite a loyal following in the local students. So loyal that the band was able to sell more than 10,000 copies of the first two albums with nothing more than word of mouth promotions. They also caught some attention by opening for such well known bands like Dave Matthews, Phish and Widespread Panic.

The third album 'Lost and Gone Forever' came out in 1999 and that's when people really started taking notice. The song 'Fa Fa' was their first top 40 hit and also their first music video.

"Fa Fa"


"Happier"


The fourth album named 'Keep It Together' came out in 2003 and the song 'Amsterdam' will definately ring a few bells I'm sure. Be warned that these guys aren't afraid of a well placed 'f' bomb or curse word. I enjoy that about them. Don't get me wrong here - I am not into music that spews negativity and potty words right and left. But I think that keeping it real means sometimes you can add some offensive adjectives to enhance the song and get your point across. You know what I'm saying?? So don't turn this up too loud if your kids are hanging around or you're at work and you haven't had time to prelisten for said adjectives..... just looking out for my fellow bloggers!!!

'Amsterdam'


'Careful' another great track from 'Keep It Together'


In 2006, Guster released their fifth album called 'Ganging Up On the Sun.' Amazing!!! Singles from that album were 'Satellite', "Manifest Destiny' and 'One Man Wrecking Machine.' This album won them the Album of the Year at the Boston Music Awards in 2006. Good stuff. Here are a few of my honorable mentions from 'Ganging Up On the Sun.'

'One Man Wrecking Machine' - Sara, these remind me of your oddities!!!


'Manifest Destiny' (watch out for the 'f' bomb in the beginning!!!)


'C'mon'


'The New Underground'


Guster is best known for their choice of instruments in the early years - two acoustic guitars and a unique percussion combo of cymbals, bongos and drums often played by hand. Miller and Gardner also take turns singing lead vocals on different tracks, which adds even more interest to the band. Following the release of 'Keep It Together', they added instrumentalist Joe Pisapia to the fulltime line up. They are also known for their intimate relationship with fans and for their admirable dedication to making the world a cleaner place. In 2004, Gardner and his wife cofounded an organization called Reverb that helps touring artists to make their activites more environmentally sound. Basically, they 'green' concert tours and raise awareness and support for the environment. What's not to love about that?? I can't wait to see what else they have in store for the music world!!

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks music blog as much as I have!! I hope you'll be adding Guster to YOUR music rotation. Until next time!!!

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

I cannot believe Olivia is two! Where did the time go? We had a nice birthday party with family on Saturday to celebrate. Olivia got lots of cool gifts and really enjoyed her special day. We did a 'Miss Spider' themed party because she is all about Miss Spider. We have a lot of the toys from when Abby was her age and some dvds and books. It was hard to find the plates and napkins! Thank goodness for ebay! Here are a few pictures of her party.....


The birthday girl opening presents


More presents!!


So cute!!!


Great Grampa and Great Grama


Grampa aka 'Bumpa'


Sissy


Grama and Lulu reading a new book


Mommy (my new do as requested!!!)


Nana and cousin Andrew


Daddy and Ethan showing off the shirt Uncle Matt brought

Kevin's brother Matt, his wife Tricia and their twins Andrew and Anwen (almost 3 years old) spent the weekend with us. Tricia and I let the guys watch the kids while we went to the new Homegoods grand opening. It was a decorators dream come true! Very cool stuff at insanely affordable prices. I am gonna be in trouble with how close that place is to my house! But we had such a good time and found so many great things for Matt & Tricia's new home. The kids and guys had fun playing the Nintendo Wii that Matt brought and we pigged out on tons of good food. On Sunday, we all went to the Apple Orchard a ways from our house. Everyone enjoyed themselves! I came home with my favorite Honey Crisp apples, a bag of homemade apple cider doughnuts, homemade strawberry rhubard jam, apple butter and pumpkin butter, and a mix for pumpkin pancakes! I love fall!! Here are a few photos of our fun afternoon!!


Abby and Anwen - the two A's


Abby


Andrew in the grass


Andrew in the tractor


Pretty Anwen


Little buddies


The Wii addiction


All the little ladies


Cuties!


Cousins at the orchard


Lulu on the fence


Uncle Matt & Andrew


Mommy and Olivia


My girls!


Little pumpkin head




Peeking at the animals through the fence


Little punkins


The kids!!!!


Little did we know that such a fun weekend would turn out so awful. On the way home from the orchard, Olivia had a seizure in the van. It completely caught me off gaurd. Despite being a little tired and a bit quiet, she seemed totally normal Sunday. It has been almost a whole year since she's had one, so needless to say we are quite devastated as we thought she was outgrowing them. Luckily, we were less than five minutes from the hospital when it happened and it was relatively short lived in comparison to the last one she experienced. Kevin floored it once we knew what was happening. She started crying to get out of her carseat and then slurring and drooling. At that point I took her out so that I could hold her. She went limp, pale and her eyes rolled back and then she got sick on the floor mat. Once we got to the hospital, she was looking pretty bad and I was having a hard time keeping her awake and looking at me. It made her really sleepy. The nurse got us back right away and started monitoring her and taking vitals. She was physically doing well and answering questions, but just very sleepy and weak. They examined her and found her throat to be a bit red, but other than that all tests were normal thank God. We stayed for about four hours, they monitored her and then we were released. She perked up quite a bit just by being home. She hates the hospital. I do too.

Today she is very irritable. I took her to the pediatrician this morning where they've concluded she has hand foot and mouth disease. Her entire throat by noon today was red and covered with the tell tale sores. I remember Ethan and Abby having it and it's miserable. So the doctor thinks that most likely the seizure was a result of the virus. Her threshold just gets lower with certain illnesses and can bring them on. Sometimes she gets them when she's sick and sometimes she won't - it makes no sense to me. There is no pattern or trigger that is true. It's just a puzzle. But that's how seizure disorders are I guess.

So now we are looking for a new neurologist with our new insurance. Most likely they'll make the meds speech. Since it's been a year seizure free, I don't know what to think. I let my gaurd down in thinking all was well. All seemed well right up until yesterday. I just thought she was tired. I was hoping things were getting better and sure didn't think we'd spend her 2nd birthday in the ER. Now there are more questions than ever, but we may never get answers. It's that whole gray thing. It would be so easy if everything were just black and white. If someone could just tell me what I am supposed to do now. What will help Olivia? What is the best thing for her?? Right now I don't have those answers. Hopefully this bad memory will fade like all the others and we can remember her 2nd birthday as the beautiful celebration is was. We had such a good weekend despite the way it ended up. As usual we appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers of support and encouragement. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who celebrate with us during the good times and give us their ears, hearts and shoulders during the hard ones. It means everything. I will be sure to keep everyone up to date with the latest. I am still working on a great slideshow of Olivia's first two years, but haven't had time to finish and am still working out the kinks of my computer idiotness. I will post it as soon as it's finished!!!

So, tag I guess I'm it!! My friend Sara aka http://odd-dotty.typepad.com/ tagged me....so here we go! I'm supposed to come up with 'Six Random Things About Me' and post it. This is gonna suck!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post. (I don't know HOW I will do this!).
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

That's it. Let the fun begin...

1. Something bit me in bed the other night. And no, it wasn't Kevin. Sickos. I don't know what it was, but I woke up with blood on my tank top and a big bite on my chest. It really creeped me out and I still feel traumatized. I am guessing that it was probably a spider. How's that for random?? Creepy random!!!

2. I am starting a new dance class on Monday. With Sara, who sent this to me!! It's a salsa class and I am so flipping excited. I get to wear a fun skirt and heels! I so hope I don't hurt myself. Or look like a fool.

3. I am a music junkie. I am always looking for something new. I have been listening to this online radio thing called 'Pandora' nonstop. We (and when I say 'we' I mean Kevin) ran a cord from the computer to the stereo and now I can listen to it LOUD instead of through crappy computer speakers. It's so cool! You sign up, and type in the name of a band or song you like. This music genome thang automatically plays other music based on that. I have heard so so so much new and awesome music through this site! You have to check it out!

4. I just made a new cookie recipe for Platinum Blondies. They're like brownies only they're not chocolate and you put white chocolate chips in them. So dang good!!!

5. There was the biggest bee I have EVER seen in my entire life out front just now. I kept hearing this buzzing noise and it was in the grass. It was huge. Like as huge as my index finger. I didn't like it.

6. I gag every morning when I brush my teeth. Kevin laughs at me.

Wow that was so random, but you all knew that I wouldn't have a problem with random! I am random all the time!!! Let's see now. Who will I tag now??????


My cousin Jen - do it!! You know you need to update your damn blog!!!
My baby brother Ben, who is probably too busy being a rock star
Samantha K - Looking Through Foggy Windows!!!

That's all I can think of for now........

She's Crafty

"She's crafty - she's gets around
She's crafty - she's always down
She's crafty - she's got a gripe
She's crafty - and she's just my type
She's crafty...."


Remember that song by the Beastie Boys?? Whenever the crafting bug bites me, I think of that song and sing it to myself. I have been busy decorating the house for fall (event though it's like 90 degrees!!!) and found a few very cool projects online. Most of them have been little fall floral arrangments for various areas of the house, but the one that I HAD to blog about was this cool pumpkin topiary project!!





I am still having issues deciding whether or not to leave it on the plant stand or just put it on the ground. It will look cuter once there is a bunch of real pumpkins sitting around it!!! You can print out the instructions to make your own pumpkin topiaries here...

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=HomeDecor/1003_ci_FirstImpressions.html&rn=RightNavFiles/rightNavHomeDecor

I didn't put cement in mine, either. I just put some bricks on the bottom to add some weight so it didn't tip over!! So that is my crafty post for now!!!

Grilled Basil Chicken with Baby Greens

Summer is leaving us soon and fall is on its way! We're getting tired of grilling burgers and hot dogs and the same old stuff, but I'm not too ready for crockpot meals or casseroles just yet!! Chicken can get pretty old in a hurry too, but we just tried this new recipe and I swear there is nothing boring about it. It was 'dying meal' good. No joke!

I don't know what it is about basil that just makes everything taste better. Not the dried basil you get in the spice aisle either - the fresh kind from the produce section of the grocery store or from your backyard if you're lucky enough to have an herb garden. This recipe spoke to me as soon as I saw basil listed as an ingredient. And it had a picture. A beautiful picture!!! It was like food porn!! Seriously, doesn't this look yummy???!!!



It was one of the yummiest meals I have had in a long time! It had the best flavor and was pretty healthy too, even though you use the chicken with bones and skin!! I suppose you could do boneless, skinless but this recipe was too good for me to mess with!! Here are the specs....

1 large bunch fresh basil (don't even mess w/ dried - it will suck)
4 medium chicken breast halves (the kind w/ bones and skin)
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 ripe medium tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp freshly grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
4 oz mixed baby greens (8 cups)

Reserve 8 large basil leaves and set aside. Roll the remaining basil and slice up into small ribbons. Cover and refriderate. Prepare outdoor grill for direct grilling over low to medium heat. Place 2 reserved basil leaves under skin of each chicken breast half. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Place chicken, skin side up, on hot grill rack. Grill chicken, turning once, until juices run clear and skin is brown and crisp, about 20-25 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, in small bowl - stir tomatoes, oil, vinegar, lemon peel, mustard, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Toss sliced basil leaves with baby greens and 1/2 cup tomato mixture. Divide greens among four plates; top with chicken breast. Spoon remaining tomato mixture over chicken. Eat and enjoy with a glass of white wine!!! Summer isn't over yet!!!

My New Do

We ALL need haircuts right now! Ethan and Kevin are all shaggy, Abby's is in her face, Lulu has the Don King look going on and I have dark roots and split ends. I know, there could be worse things!! But I love getting my hair cut!! Girls, you know how it is. You look forward to it! And I am so bored with my current hairstyle. So, I was looking around for something different and cute this morning......

Here is what I found.... it's Sienna Miller - former wifey of Jude Law








So, what do you honestly think??? Please post comments!!! Is my face too round for this or can I pull it off????

What's Goin On - a random catch up post

Nothing too exciting going on around here lately! We've been busy with a few home projects (I know, you're really stunned!) and getting ready for fall! Kevin and I are both terrible pack rats. We really shouldn't be able to be married to each other. It should be illegal. He tends to be 'out of the closet' with his pack rattness - meaning he doesn't try to hide the fact that he has too much crap. I love him, but he leaves his stuff out everywhere. Paperwork, computer parts, receipts, change, keys, etc. I am a little more secretive about it. Things look clean and picked up on the surface, but in a drawer you'll find mass mayhem. Open a closet and you'll discover a disaster. Look in my fridge and you'll uncover the cure for something. We both drive each other nuts. So this past week, we decided it was time to start decluttering. We're taking stuff to Good Will, selling stuff on ebay and craigslist, throwing stuff out!! It feels great! My heart already feels lighter as my closet floor is becoming more visible.

In our quest to declutter, we've been looking for ways to store things more effectively. I had posted a few weeks back about a space outside Abby's room that was perfect for a built in bookcase. Kevin made this last weekend.... it will be painted white eventually and have a piece of crown molding at the top....





How's that for making your space work for you?? It didn't cost much in the way of materials and it will serve us well as far as storage needs go. It will mostly hold books, but I also want to get some baskets for small toys and things.

We also spent this past weekend working on Ethan's floor. Out went the old carpeting and in went the Novalis vinyl planking. Friday night we moved everything out (Abby had a roommate for a couple of nights) and ripped up the carpet and padding. Saturday we put down the new subfloor and that night we put down the planks. By Sunday morning, all the furniture was back in and we were done! The more we use this floor, the more I love it. Ethan's room isn't quite done yet - I still need some red ikea shelves for the blank wall next to the bed & dresser. And I have some cool piratey prints to hang between the two windows.... but you get the idea....









And Sunday evening, we all sat down in HUGE anticipation of the first Bears game of the season. Bears vs. Colts. Kevin's dad was such a huge Bears fan, so football has a special place in my heart for that reason. I am not really into sports, but I will forever be a Bears fan because of him!! And they won the first game!! Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come for them. Here are a few pictures of some of MY favorite Bears fans...





And last but not least, my little Lulu. Lulu is turning two this month and I cannot believe it!! She had roseola a little over a week ago and it was not fun for anyone. She was so mean! Sick and mean, which is an awful combo. I was fearful that mean was her new personality and my sweet girl was gone forever! But once she felt better, my sweet girl came back. She is now sleeping in a big girl bed. The crib is leaving tonight along with it's matching changing table and dresser.... and any sign that a baby ever lived here! Which makes me happy and sad at the same time. I suck at pregnancy and newborns. Kevin reminds me of this all the time!! I will miss having a baby in the house, but love the ages my kids are right now. Anywho, Olivia doesn't turn two until the 28th.... but I HAD to get this for her!!!! Here are a couple of pictures of her with her early gift from us....





It's the cutest little kitchen ever. It's wooden and it's pink!! It doesn't take batteries, so it's old school and I am good with that. Use your imagination and make your own kitchen sounds! Not everything cool takes batteries!! The wooden food is super cool because it all has velcro and comes apart. You can "cut" the fruit and pizza!! She's been having so much fun with it and I could watch her pretend and play ALL day.

Well, this has been a long one! I need to post smaller blogs, more often. I have so much to say, but not enough time to get it all out. This is all for now, but look for some new recipes and music later this week for sure!! Happy Tuesday!!