February 19, 2009

grace in small things: twenty one

Today I was watching an episode of MythBusters with the kids, and someone used the word “quell.”  That’s such a nice word, and it made me think about our friend Jim, who loved the words “compote” and “lozenge,” just because they are fun words to say.

Especially after a few drinks.

And then I started to think about my favorite words, and about what makes a word a favorite.  As a parent, my favorite words are probably “bedtime” or “babysitter” or “playdate;” as a stylist, my least favorite words are “fashionista” and “recessionista” (ugh).  But just in terms of language, there are words I love, words that are fun to use and fun to hear.

My five favorite words are …

1. Quotidian.

2. Obstreperous.

3. Synechdoche.

4. Genre.

5.  Paragon.

I also like rhetorical; Wade thinks defenestrate is a good one.  As it is, especially when you’re talking about rhetoric.

February 18, 2009

grace in small things: twenty

Five books I love, with thanks to Sarah, who got me thinking about this.

1. The English Patient, by Michael Ondaatje.  Easily the most beautiful novel I have ever read; Ondaatje is a poet, and his novels are infused with mezmerizing language.

2.  Persuasion, by Jane Austen.  The classic tale of losing love, finding yourself, and getting what you want — written by an author who knew how important proper grammar was.

3. Possession, by A. S. Byatt.   A novel about narrative, because I’m a nerd like that.

4. Waiting for Winter, by John O’Hara.  Short stories from the 40s and 50s; read them with a vodka tonic at your elbow and some jazz on the stereo.

5. Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.  The first detective novel.  Yes, really!

February 13, 2009

houseguests FTW!

I know, it is WELL after noon and still! no winner.  Sorry.  I’m too busy watching my parents entertain my kids.

God love them.

But you don’t really care about that, you just want to know WHO WON THE GIFT CARDS???  Am I right?

Okay then!  The winner is …

Amy!  Who shared this useful cleaning tip: “I don’t ever clean all at once, because I never have the time. I just do what I can each day. Plus, I try to clean things as I use them, like I will spray the shower down once I am done, sponge over it and then use that soapy-ish sponge to clean the sink and the back of the toilet.”

Somehow, when I first saw this, I misread her comment to say that she was using a toothbrush to clean her toilet.  I know, I clearly need more sleep.

Congratulations, Amy!  Email me and I’ll get your Gift Card Extravaganza in the mail to you ASAP!  And a big thank you to all of you for playing, and — most of all — to Kraft for sponsoring this whole fabulous week.

Now I have to go make tacos for my family.  Mmm delicious …

Thanks to the people at Kraft for providing the iTunes and AmEx gift cards for the winners, and for hooking me up with the Kraft iFood app.

February 12, 2009

looking for something?

Today I am cleaning my house — no, not just for fun (good god there’s nothing FUN about cleaning my HOUSE  you all) but because my parents are coming for the weekend.

Of course, all THREE of our toilets are acting up.  You know, since we’re having house guests.  (Hi, Daddy?  You might want to bring some toilet-examining clothes.  Although I promise not to make you do Real Work.  Just some consulting.)

The worst of my house is the kids’ rooms — specifically Charlie’s room, which is a pig sty.  Seriously.  So far today I have found an entire load of laundry under his bed.  DIRTY laundry.  Dirty LITTLE BOY laundry.

Ick.

After the dirty little boy laundry that had been under the bed for god knows how long, I had to sit down for a while and recover because EEEEWWWWWW SOOOOOOCKS! AND UNDERWEAR! BLEAH!!!

And then I remembered that I’m supposed to be reporting about what I cooked.  And giving stuff away.

Last night we had baked potatos, which is NOT something that the iFood Assistant helped me make but something I made because Henry had basketball practice at 5:30 and ONCE AGAIN I forgot all about it until 4:30 (because you know the season has ONLY been going on since NOVEMBER).   Tonight, though, I’m making spaghetti carbonara, which was one of my favorite meals in college, although this vesion is healthier, I think.

I don’t really care, though, because it sounds delicious.

Today’s giveaway is the last for this week.  (I know! So sad!)  But it’s a really really good one.  ONE lucky winner, chosen at random from the comments on this post, will get both a $25.00 iTunes gift card AND a $50.00 American Express gift card.

So you can download the iFood Assistant, buy groceries, and have a dinner party!  With nice music!

Want to win?  Tell me your favorite cleaning shortcut.  Mine is not to clean!  SO much easier that way.

Contest ends at noon CST Friday (tomorrow).

Thanks to the people at Kraft for providing the iTunes and AmEx gift cards for the winners, and for hooking me up with the Kraft iFood app.