Put it on the Table

I love laying out in the yard, but lately I've been having a bit of an issue. Normally when I lay out I bring a cup of water and some time of snack, and since there's nowhere else to put it I normally set it on the ground. The problem is the ants getting hungry and thirsty too! I've only noticed when I pick up my cup to take a sip and feel a pinch on my hand. I look down to see ants over the cup, some even taking a swim in the water. And I don't really enjoy drinking water with added protein.

But the Target near us is closing the garden section which means all types of outdoor furniture is on sale. So I came home with a table to use with my lounge chair! So hopefully next time I can drink my water without fear of being attacked by vicious ants.
Yes, I know parts of that plant are damaged from the extreme heat we've been having. And the lawn clearly needs to be mowed, but luckily I'm not the one in charge of mowing in this house.

There were a few patio sets on sale as well, that we thought about buying. But we decided not to. Since we don't really need a patio set we've hoping that in the weeks to come they slash prices even more and we can come up with a new patio table and chairs at a mere quarter of the actual price!

~Shoshanah

How Do You Say...

The other day my co-workers and I got into a discussion over how you say:
sourceThis isn't the first time I've had this discussion. My and the boy have this argument talk all the time. What's this discreprency? Well I say "car-mel" and he says "care-a-mel."

I've actually gone to Starbucks and tried to order a "car-mel" frapicino. When she had no idea what I was talking about. But once I changed my order to a "care-a-mel" frapicino there was no language barrier.

And according to the boy there's an old Snickers commericial where Shaq argues with a kid on the right way to say caramel. We all know that the "right" way to say it is the way I do, as "car-mel." But how do you say caramel? If there some other pronuciation that I'm not even aware of?

~Shoshanah

Flashback Friday

Remember this post where I said I'd be posting reviews of some of my favorite childhood book series? Well here's the first of hopefully many. We're going to be talking about...

The All-of-a-Kind Family Series by Sydney Taylor
Similar to the Betsy-Tacy Series these books tell the story of the author's life growing up in the early 1900s. Except there's a few major difference between the two. First the books take place in New York City (instead of Minnesota), and the All-of-a-Kind family is Jewish.

The reason for their name is that when the series starts there are 5 sisters with 2 years between each of their ages, and they all dress alike (at least at the start). The from oldest to youngest are Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie. (Sarah the middle child is the author herself.) At the start of the series Ella is 12 and Gertie is 4, and by the end Ella is around 19. There's 5 books in the series and in order they're All-of-a-Kind Family, All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown, More All-of-a-Kind Family,All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown, and Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family. (It actually took me a while to make sure that was right when I just reread them. The reason being that while All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown is second in terms of the girls' ages, it was actually the 4th book published.)

One thing I really enjoy about the book is the chapters alternate between the narrator. That way you're really able to connect with each of the all-of-a-kind children instead of just one or two. But what I love most of all about this books is probably the fact that the family is Jewish. I love reading about how the celebrate all the different holidays. It's always interesting to compare the difference between how I celebrated them during my childhood almost 100 years later, but even more so are all the similarities.

This is another series where I feel like I'm the only one whose ever read it, but I know that's not the case. The main reason being that there's actually a Sidney Taylor award given the the best Jewish children's literature every year. I guess maybe the more accurate thought is that not many people my age have read them, but I'm sure they were bigger back in the 1950s when they were originally published.

Has anyone else ever read or heard of these books? Or are they the type of book you think you would have enjoyed reading when you were growing up?

~Shoshanah

Theater Thursday

Down with Love
This movie tells the story of best-selling author Barbara Novack (Renne Zellweger) whose novels tells women they don't need love instead they can replace it all with sex and chocolate. This doesn't sit well with man's man, number 1 bachelor Catcher Block (Ewan McGreggor) who decides to get Barbara Novack to fall in love with him to prove that down with love author, really does believe in love. Except Barbara has quite a few plans of her own.

The movie is set in a fictional version of 1950s New York, where the fashion is almost of out this world. The entire film is full of sexual innuendos with the highpoint a completely innocent split screen phone call between the two leads where they're made to look like well... I'm sure you can guess.

There's a scene near the end of the movie where you can't quite believe what's happening, and the movie throws you for a complete loop. And in a way it makes the ending feel a bit unsatisfying, at least if your in a true man hating mode.

Another hiding gem in this movie is the music. It's a perfect compliment to the movie, but even more than that is the duet between Renee and Ewan of the credits. (That duet's been on my ipod for years now.) Its such a cute movie, and I would say the ultimate chick flick. If you're a girl and you haven't seen this movie, I would say you're definitely missing out.

~Shoshanah

Wordless Wednesday

Taken at Disney Sea at the Tokyo Disney Resort
~Shoshanah

Ten on Tuesday

This is a new one for me, but I know a lot of my readers take part every week. This time I'm joining in on the fun at Roots and Rings! The way it works, at least this week, is that instead of a question I'm supposed to share a picture. I think this has the potential to be a lot of fun.

1. Your house.
This is the house, just from the back taken from the back corner of the backyard.

2. Your shower.
Not the best picture, but at least I avoiding showing the top of the wall which still needs to be painted.

3. The inside of your refrigerator.
I know there's not a lot in there, but honestly having to full of a refrigerator kind of freaks me out a little

4. Your pet.
Just kidding! But really, the random lizards in the backyard are really the closest we have to a pet right now.

5. Your favorite pair of shoes.
I'm in love with the sandals right now. Every time I wear them I seem to get compliments from someone.

6. The most comfortable seat in your house.
Honestly we don't have one. I'm not a big fan of our couch, but it was free so I really shouldn't complain. But the boy and I definitely dream about the day we own one of those couches you can just fall into.

7. Your favorite cup or coffee mug.
The one on the left is my favorite mug for coffee, the one on the right is my favorite mug to drink anything else out of.

8. Your laundry room.
It's a little messy, but really there isn't a whole lot in here.

9. The view from your office chair.
In case you couldn't tell, my laptop looks into the kitchen.

10. Your spouse/significant other/roommate.
This is how the boy makes a point to look in almost every picture I have of him.

~Shoshanah

Monday Movie Review

The Baster Switch
It's been a while since I've seen a real romantic comedy type movie. I could tell this instantly just be the previews. But even looking through my past reviews, the closest I've come in recent months is Sex and the City 2 and I'm not even sure that counts. So this movie was definitely needed and appreciated.

The movie was a pretty prefect romantic comedy. I wouldn't list it as the best ever, but its the perfect type of movie to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon, maybe with a glass of wine and a box of candy. There were enough funny movie that the boy didn't hate me too much for dragging him to see it. And I loved the little boy in the movie. He was really cute, and perfect as Jason Bateman's character's son.

This summer was definitely in need of a romantic comedy, and I really do think this filled the void. At least partially, I'd still be happy with one or two more. I think as long as you go in expecting that somewhat predictable, somewhat cheesy romantic comedy your expectations will be easily met.

~Shoshanah