Let's Hit the Beach!

Today is my last day of work before our big vacation! I am so excited. Bags are packed, passports are tucked in pockets, guidebook is marked up... let's go!

We don't actually leave until Saturday, but I feel like our vacation is starting right now! Tomorrow is Karl's pinning ceremony for finishing his LPN degree, and Friday is Relax to the Max pre-trip lounging... well, okay, it will probably be more like cleaning the house, doing laundry, and getting everything ready so that we can come back to a comfortable house. I'm big on getting ready for things, in case you hadn't noticed (remember when I started packing for this trip two weeks ago?).

Ten on Ten: May

Ready to go to yoga::A stop at the Post Office::Breakfast::Packing leftovers for lunch::Seedlings::A suprise ride to work from my sweet husband::At work::UW::Old Music Hall, where I once saw Bill Staines; it was perfect::Bag full of cupcakes

What's for Dinner?

Yesterday morning, I visited the small farmer's market near our house before work. I went in search of two things: morel mushrooms and asparagus (the cheese danish that also ended up in my shopping bag wasn't exactly on the list...). After work, I made the market goodies into this asparagus-morel tart:

I've never made anything with morels before. My husband loves them, though, so when I saw this recipe in our co-op newsletter recently, I thought I should give it a try. It was very asparagussy... and cheesy... and morelly. It reminded me that trying new foods is a good thing. And that, my friends, is the morel of the story.

Sorry, I just had to work that in.

Mission Accomplished!

On April 19, I challenged myself to take 18 yoga classes in the next 21 days. Well, today is Day Eighteen, and this morning I took my 18th class! I haven't gone every day; I skipped one day because I was busy getting a compost bin (does that sound like a lame excuse?), and two days because I was sick. But I've done three double-headers, so we're even.

I don't feel stretchier, but I do feel stronger and definitely more focused. The hardest part was finding time in the day to go to class, which is usually at least a 90-minute venture once you figure in travel time, shower time, getting-there-early time, etc.

Mainly I can't believe I did it. And I can't believe I'm done three days early. I fully intend to spend days 19, 20, and 21 lounging around. And washing all of my sweaty yoga clothes so they're ready for the next time I get a crazy idea in my head!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

When I was in college, I was a Resident Assistant in the freshman dorms for two years. One year, during orientation, we were given a list of holidays and events that we might want to plan events around. And on the list was "May 5: Linco de Mayo." I still laugh about that. Happy Linco de Mayo, everyone!

On Saturday, I got news from one of the members of my Newbery committee. We served together in 2008 to select the 2009 winner and honor books. The news was very sad: our committee chair, Rose, had passed away on Friday.

We knew she was ill; she had been wearing a wig in the summer of 2009 when the award banquet took place. But of course we didn't ask. Rose was very private, and I'm sure she would have shared anything she wanted us to know. None of us would have guessed that this would happen so soon.

Rose was lovely and vibrant. I'd like to share a couple of photos of her...



Early-morning phone calls (with the entire committee huddled close, trying to hear the tinny speaker phone) to the winning authors to share the news. This was probably the 2nd most exciting event of my life (second only to our wedding day), and I would imagine that Rose would say the same.

Rose with author Neil Gaiman, winner of the 2009 Newbery Award.

Rose, you will be missed by many.

Hasta Luego

Karl and I started packing for our trip this weekend. We don't leave for another two weeks, but I like to be ready! I don't want to be running around at midnight the night before we leave, looking for quart-size ziploc bags or lip balm with SPF.


Karl even bought a new (well, new at Goodwill) suitcase for our trip. Sweet, huh? On the table, you can see my big pile of books and magazines... too many magazines. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to read all of the issues I've accummulated over the past few months, but somehow taking ten pounds of magazines to Mexico seems a little ridiculous. I guess I'll have to do some weeding.

We are so excited to go on vacation! Beach, here we come!