NEW DIG CAM (pronounced dige-cam)

Here's a strawberry and a pansy plant, that has survived more than a few nights below freezing. I think I'm going to pot them up and bring them indoors for the winter. (Sorry for the reflection and screen in this picture)

Old Man Casey, that Old Man Casey, he just keeps eating, he just keeps sleeping, Old Man Casey, that Old Man Casey, he just keeps snoring along... (sung to the tune of Old Man River)

These are the first pictures taken on my new camera. They aren't very good. But I'm hoping that this new camera will keep me on my toes with taking pictures and posting some of them, and by default, keeping me more up to date on blog posts!

A Lovely Welcome Home

So, I just got back to Brooklyn after a lovely holiday spent with family in Metuchen NJ and Kenilworth NJ. Highlights: a new dig cam, a very sweet but chubby beagle more affectionate than the last time I was home, giving presents, waking up late every day, delicious food, and some really nice family bonding time...
So, I was lucky enough to get a ride back from Rebecca and her mom, which I was so thankful for because I lugged a whole new set of items back to Brooklyn. So, here it is, just after 11am on Sunday, the 28th of December, and everything is already put away, and it feel good.

SO...
While I was putting the last things away, I heard outside several blue jays making a ruckus. I peeked out the window, and the sight was simply incredible. To me, the bird lover, anyway. I spotted 4 blue jays, all screaming at this one mockingbird, who I guess had crossed into their territory, I don't know. So, I felt bad for this mockingbird, then all of a sudden, another mockingbird came to his aid in a nearby branch. Then a few sparrows flew over and perched in a nearby tree. And then a beautiful male cardinal flew down to a branch near the mockingbirds, and hung out with the bullied bird for about 5 minutes. After a time, the blue jays quieted down and became distracted by other things, but I just thought it was an incredible sight, and a great welcome home to Brooklyn.

And since I do call this blog Right Out My Window, I thought it'd be an appropriate story to share.

I AM thankful for this blog.

Umm, so...hey, what's up?
How you been?

So, no one reads this, but one reason for that is because I haven't posted in a really long time.
Summer was so good though. I miss riding to the Rockaways. As always, pictures to come I hope..my camera has been missing the piece of the battery charger I have lost. Luckily, some solid pictures exist on Robert Bolesta's camera.

So today was Thanksgiving and one thing I was thankful for today as I spent the day in Metuchen and Kenilworth NJ was the weather! It was overcast and slightly damp and not too cold, it was the perfect weather for a Thanksgiving meal. I made stuffed mushrooms to fill the turkey void, and they were a big hit with me and (filled the void REALLY nicely) the fam as well. Here's the recipe:

VEGETARIAN STUFFED MUSHROOMS

24 med. size mushrooms
2 tbsp. olive oil
4 tbsp. grated onion
1/2 c. diced celery
1 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/8 tsp. red pepper
8 oz. Gruyere cheese (1 c. grated)

Mince mushroom stems. Heat oil in skillet and saute mushrooms with onions and celery over fairly high heat, stirring often. When vegetables are tender and moisture has evaporated, lower the heat, add herbs and cook a minute longer. Let mixture cool a bit, then stir in the cheese.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees; grease a baking pan. Heap filling into mushroom caps and place in pan. Bake 10-15 minutes. Serve hot. May use Swiss cheese in place of Gruyere cheese. 24 servings.

-cooks.com

NOTE:
I have to admit, this isn't exactly how I did this. I got the correct measurements for the cheese, celery, onion, spices, (and though I bought dill, I totally forgot about it until after cooking them), but the mushrooms were funny. The A&P was out of stuffing mushrooms, and most others, so I bought portabella caps, and a box of mushroom slices, and used half the box on the first go, and it only filled two caps. SO, I made more, with the correct measurements again, the rest of the shrooms and 1 portabella. That filled 3 more. So, I don't know what the recipe here tastes like, but what I turned up with was great.

Thanksgiving is a really good holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Report on the Solstice, and summer.

June 21, 2008 was a marathon of a day that rewarded me with a similar kind of satisfaction that I would think a marathon finisher would feel. The original plan was a bike ride down to Coney Island, but when only one friend could go (Thanks again Andrew) I realized it wasn't going to be what I envisioned and decided to instead go with Anne, Matt and their friends to sunrise yoga at Fort Greene Park. It was really nice, a small group of friends, and I think I like yoga, just maybe not as much as pilates..anyway, we meditated too, and I was really surprised with the fact that I could do it. I'm so fidgety. I did get cold and changed positions a little, but the time went really fast, and the chanting was pretty cool. (I'm not usually into the chants)
So, then I biked home, changed my clothes, chatted with Kevin who was going to a wedding but kept saying "funeral"..and biked over to Dubsburg to see Kathy, then tried to go to the Built By Wendy store because I wanted to buy a really good item of clothing, but it wasn't open yet. So, I walked over to American Apparel, and bought a romper! And a shirt dress in a size smaller than I usually get at American Apparel, which kinda scared me, because I don't know how long this skinny thing going on with me will last (but freak, I feel little, and I wonder if my head looks big like Nicole Richie's-I hate super skinny celebs)...anyway, Devon said she'd take it if it doesn't work out. So then I biked home, changed out of my jeans because it had gotten hot, and biked over to therapy, and that was fine, and then biked over to Blue Sky to see a MIss Devon Kelley-Yurdin, maybe for the last time there. Ate some delicious yummies, then biked to Fort Greene Park and sat and chatted, then biked to Devon's for a bit with Caitlin, then biked home, went for an awesome run with Sarah, the best running buddy I've ever had, got home showered, rode my bike to meet Devon and eat Mexican food in Sunset Park with Devon's work friend Celina and daughter Michelle. That was really nice and fun, and Devon talks english like a person who speaks Spanish around them, which is cute. Then Devon and I rode back, watched a little olympic gymnastic trials, she stretched me out, and I came home, hung out for a bit and went to sleep.

A marathon of a day, people. It was amazing, I was powered by the sun! Happy belated Solstice.

Also. Nightgowns are actually awesome. Laura Alger, you are so right.
Also. Summer dresses are equally awesome, and so easy, and that's all I want to wear. I keep singing in my head "the summer dress" instead of "Summer Wind" by Frank Sinatra.

More on preschool and the color made in heaven..

So, this is the color made in heaven..It might actually be a little more intense than the color made in heaven, but I didn't take a picture of the color made in heaven on the hydrangea outside until a few minutes ago. So, I love this light yellow green color. The lighter the better. The hydrangea was really good about a week ago. But, yeah, isn't this the most beautiful?! The color was seriously made in heaven.

* * *

So, the school year's ending. And, it wasn't easy. But it was great. I freakin love those kids. Working with them has been irritating, aggravating, and sometimes very annoying, but it has also been filled with such love, curiosity, and fun. In that way, it's been very rewarding. These 3 year olds I had are so smart. They can't read, but they understand the world a little bit. They have wonderful imaginations and memories. I got used to complaining about my job, but the kids rule and the parents rule too, and I need to remind myself of that more. Being part of this school community and also the Clinton Hill CSA have made life here in Brooklyn feel a lot more inclusive. Which is great.

My best boy friend at school.

Today was his last day. I almost cried. Here he is with a car painted the color made in heaven, which can also be seen on the hydrangea across the street from my house. (picture coming soon, hopefully)

Pictures that I owe yous.

So, this isn't exactly what I had in mind with putting these up, but I haven't done it yet, so I figure I'll just let you see them.

Costa Rica, what life is like 10 degrees above the equator or some shit..







Here is a brief captured history of my window boxes...with more pics to come..

Things I say at work. Again, and again, and again.

1. in response to "Joan. Joan. Joan. Joan": "Yes my friend." "You have to be patient, I'm speaking to someone" "If you have something to say, please raise your hand"
2. When crossing the street: "Double hands please" "_____ and ______, I need your hands for crossing the street."
3. After crossing the street: "Okay guys, you can hold your friends' hands again."
4. At lunch: "Destiny/Maya/Lola B, eat your lunch" "Can I see a big dinosaur bite?" usually followed by 5 or 6 other kids saying "Joan, Joan, look at my dinosaur bite!!"
5. Once the first kid has laid down for nap: "Guys, nap time has started so we need to be quiet and concentrate on finishing our lunches." usually followed by, "Joan, nap time has started." to which I respond, "Yes, ______, I just told you that."
6. Usually at circle time or art, "If I am talking, should you be talking?"
7. Also at circle time: "Put on your thinking caps, close your eyes, and raise your hand if you know the answer to my question" (Everyone raises their hand immediately, before hearing the question.)
8. "What month are we in?"
possible answers: "September" "Tuesday"....
9. "What's the weather today?"
-"It's raining meatballs!"
10. In the bathroom: "Guys, pee on top of pee" (meaning we don't flush until everyone has gone, you know, saving water. Unless someone poops. "After poops you have to flush" "_____, that's much too much toilet paper."
11. "Criss, cross applesauce" They don't say indian style anymore...
12. During nap: "______, lay down" "Arms down" "No legs or arms or feet or hands on the wall." "It's time for nap" "No humming" "No clapping, it's nap time"
13. "Is that how we treat our friends?" "There is no pushing or hitting in this class." (Which is totally false...at least lately) "We are all friends. You need to be nice to everyone in this class. Would you like it if someone said that to you?"
14. "You get what you get, and you don't get upset." and "You sit where you sit and you don't throw a fit"
15. "Snackerooski"
16.When asked, "Joan, wanna come to my house?" "Yes, I would love to come to your house."
17. After nap: "Who needs a wake-up hug?"
18. "_____, did you hit him/her?" "Is that how we treat our friends?" "What do you say?"
19. "Boys and girls, it's time to put the books away, neatly and nicely. Please don't step on books." "If we play rough with our books, we will ruin them, and we will have to throw them out, and we won't have any books to read and enjoy." "Share the book with your friend"
20. "1-2-3, Eyes on me"

There are others, but...you get the idea. Oh, the joys of being a preschool teacher. Really, there are a lot of joys.

The New York Yankees and Bling That I Want

First off...

Holy Shit, spring is here motherfuckers!
Every living thing is so happy!
Except for the dead baby bird I saw yesterday. RIP little bird.

Okay. Here is my new bling fantasy: I was going to post it online but I couldn't find a picture online. I want an opal ring that costs $245. Whatever, no big thing. It's really thin gold ring with a lovely oblong blue opal. It's so lovely...

Alright. So, I don't think anyone who I imagine reading this blog will care about what I'm about to talk about..but if there is someone out there that does, maybe we can talk more about this.

Yo, the New York Yankees are sucking. I'm ready to throw up my hands and call it a Rebuilding Year. Miracles are known to happen with the New York Yankees and that's why people love/hate them and I'm all for faith, but this team is looking really shitty.. So much for finally having a good bull pen, eh? And I hate it every time A-Rod is quoted in the newspaper-he sounds really uneducated and like an conceded asshole. But, he does feels a lot of responsibility to the team, I can't imagine that's too healthy with the traumatic relationship with Yankee fans. Poor guy. Does anyone know if his wife had her babe? I heard she was prego awhile ago. Poor wife, too. Poor Joe Girardi. Poor Jorge Posada. Poor Phil Hughes. Poor healthy Yankees that have to endure the pressure of being Yankees and feeling like they have to step it up.

In related news, has anyone seen a picture of Matsui's wife, not just the drawing?-how weird was that?!

Keeping it coming..

Okay, so there are so many things I want to share with everyone, and it's becoming more and more overwhelming to post. So, slowly but surely I'm going to put up some pictures. I know those of you with blogs reading this know a little about what I'm going through..
For today, the progression of growth out my window up to the present, April 27th, 2008, at approximately 2:30pm:

Forsythias and my Parlor Maple inside..from early April through April 27.


Coming soon: pictures of my tomatoes and seedlings, and tales and tails and tail feathers from Costa Rica!!!

I need to build up my base

So, I went tanning today. I am not proud of this, and I have since become even less proud. I pulled up to the Tanning Annex on my bike, really enjoying the spring life and early dusk light on the ride over to Carroll Gardens. I go up the stairs, because the Tanning Annex is on the second floor, and am immediately greeted with blasting Z100 radio music. A guy who was pretty orange, dark hair, athletic looking with those sort of shiny Adidas pants, that you may or may not be able to pull them off...anyway, he had just lost most of the m&ms he had just purchased from one of those quarter machines, and they spread everywhere. There was another woman who worked there with a spray bottle in hand, she was pretty leathery. And then the nice girl that helped me, her tan obvious as well. A blond-haired woman was waiting with a model guy.
I had to tell the girl I had never been there before...it was pretty obvious though. Anyway, we talked about my skin and I told her I was doing this because I was going to Costa Rica on Friday. She broke the news to me that it takes 5 to 8 sessions before a base is built up. She recommended that I come back every day until I go. I paid $15 and we figured I'd do 8 minutes. So, she shows me the room and how it all worked and to my surprise, I was in the standing up booth. She told me that I had 8 minutes, and asked if she thought I would burn. I said no. She said that some people burned after 6 and that scared her. I sort of laughed with her, and she left, and I undressed, still with the Z100 music blasting. I go in, and press the button, and whooosh, the fans start, the lights are on, and I realized I had forgotten the stickers that go on your eyes. I run out, put them on, run back in..and I can't hear the music anymore because the fans are really loud. I sort of danced around anyway, because there was a little bass I could make out..And a few minutes later, after I had put my arms down because they felt hot (there were bars on the ceiling of the booth that you could hold onto so that under your arms and sides get tan too), the lights went out, and it was over.
I went back to the desk, thanked the girl that helped me, asked what time they open(10am), and she urged me to come Friday if I could. I assured her that I couldn't but I'd try to come every day between now and then.
4 hours later, I take a shower. And I discover that my stomach is quite splotchy. I check out my arms, my sides, and the rest. Rosy splotches on most of my torso, my shoulders, my back.. Why was I surprised?! Seriously. After the shower, I was a more even rose color, but man, it's a serious sunburn. So, I decided not to go tanning again.

My Seedlings

Trimardeau Mix Pansies
Nasturtium



















Trimardeau Mix Pansies
Swiss Giant Pansies

So, I decided to work towards some amazing(ly ambitious, and possibly unrealistic) flower/veggie window boxes all from seeds. It's a very romantic idea to start everything from seeds, but not the easiest thing to do. But I thought I'd give parenting a shot. Here are my first two trays a day or two after germinating. Spring in Brooklyn, how romantic and lovely. I love celebrating the longer days with life, and I love sharing them even more, so there you are. Happy Spring and longer days and new life.

Welcome to my blog, yes, now even I have one too.

Welcome to my blog! (I've joined the club!)

More to come, but here's a sneak peek of what's out my window, as of April 4, 2008, at approximately 8:30am: Forsythias!