By Sun and Candlelight

Wondering Wednesday

I thought a random meme would be and easy and fun post today. If you do this meme at your blog, please leave me a link! :)

1. What's your middle name?

It was Michelle, now it's my maiden name.

2. What's your favorite magazine?

It's too hard to pick just one! I might do a post on magazines soon ...

3. What are you wearing right now?

A Red Sox t-shirt, navy blue shorts, no shoes. 

4. What color are your bed sheets?

Pale blue. 

5. Who was your third grade teacher?

Miss Ciman. (She was awesome!)

6. What is the weather like right now?

Clear and muggy. Ground is wet from overnight rain.

7. Do you know how to ski?

Not well.

8. What was the last thing you drank?

I just took a sip of my coffee.

9. Dream vacation?

In the States ~ Vermont. Abroad ~ Ireland/England.

10. Favorite article of clothing?

For comfort ~ my big soft orange hoodie. For style ~ my new short sleeve, dark gray turtleneck sweater. :)

11. Do you prefer baking or cooking?

I like both, but I prefer baking.

12. Is your hair above or below your shoulders?

 Below.

13. What drink do you order when out?

A glass of red wine.

14. What book are you reading?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

15. What did you dream about last night?

It's hard to remember - I think it involved cats.

16. What was the last movie you went to?

Hmm ... it may have been How to Train a Dragon.

17. Any injuries at the moment?

Aside from a mosquito bite, nope.

18. What color is your bathroom?

Yellow.

19. What's the state of your laundry right now?

Ugh, it's neverending. I have a huge pile to fold and a good size pile to throw in the wash.

20. Do you take vitamins?

Not anymore.

21. Where do you love to shop?

Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Michaels, Williams-Sonoma.

22. How often do you buy groceries?

Once a week at least. Usually a big shop on Saturday and then a quick stop midweek.

23. Do you have a pet/pets?

We have a 19 year old cat named Smokey and a 2 year old fire-bellied toad named Figaro.

24. If you are married, when is your next anniversary?

We celebrate 17 years next month!

25. How do you take your coffee and/or tea?

Coffee ~ extra light with one sugar; tea ~ milk and one sugar.

26. Mac or PC? Desktop or Laptop?

Macbook. :)

27. Favorite month of the year?

October.

28. Do you have a hobby?

Blogging/journaling.

29. What salad dressing do you prefer?

Blue cheese if I'm splurging, otherwise a light vinaigrette.

30. Live or fake Christmas tree?

We're going back to a real one this year.

31. Did you walk or take a bus to school?

I walked to grammar school, took a bus to high school.

32. Do you have any phobias?

I'm not so good with heights. Escalators - and to a lesser degree, elevators - freak me out.

33. What's your favorite snack food?

Savory ~ bell peppers and dip. Sweet ~ Peppermint Patties

34. When do you take your shower/bath?

Late afternoon (4-5 p.m.).

35. What time did you get up this morning?

Woke at 2:30 and 4:30 (thanks to Earlybird), but finally got up at 5:30.

36. What's your favorite animal?

The little red squirrel, of course. ;)

37. Have you ever broken a bone?

Two toes a couple of years ago and I cracked a rib this spring.

38. Do you wear makeup?

Yes, but only if I'm going out: blush, eye pencil, mascara, tinted lip gloss.

39. Do you speak any foreign languages?

Not really. I knew French pretty well at one point but I've lost it.

40. Have you ever played a sport?

Not by choice, lol - though I was a cheerleader for several years.

41. Your last UPS package contained ...

Bookworm's lab supplies from Oak Meadow.

42. What's on your desktop?

Autumn leaves.

43. What is your home page?

MSNBC.com

44. Extrovert or introvert?

I'm actually pretty shy.

45. Favorite board game?

I loved Clue and Yahtzee when I was a kid. I like Taboo now.

46. What class did you like best in high school? In college?

French in high school, and journalism in college.

47. What would you do with an extra hour each day?

Read, probably.

48. Do you have allergies?

I'm allergic to almost every antibiotic known to mankind lol.

49. Are your nails painted? 

Fingers, no. Toes, yes.

50. Where are you right now?

Technically I'm in the dining room, but I'm standing at my kitchen island.

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Thanks for checking in today ~ I hope you all have a nice Wednesday! :)

Getting to Know You (Or, in this case, Me)

My friend Kim sent this along in an email and I thought, who am I to resist the chance to talk, yet again, about myself? ;) Really, I wish I could forward you all her answers - they were much funnier than mine ...

This post kills two birds with one stone, actually, because my friend Leigh recently tagged me for a "6 Random Facts Meme" and I think you'll find at least half a dozen random bits of information below. :) 

If you do this at your blog, please leave a note!

 

*Getting to Know You, 2009 Edition*

Completed on Thursday evening, January 22nd

1. What is your occupation right now? Homemaker/Homeschooler.

2. What color are your socks right now?  White.

3. What are you listening to right now. The clink and clank of dinner dishes being cleared.

4. What is the last thing you ate? A bite of garlic bread.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?  No - but believe me, I've tried. 

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?  Bill called me on his commute home.

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?  Yes! Both Kim and Leigh are wonderful friends and fellow homeschooling mums.  

8. How old are you today?  40

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Football - though as far as I'm concerned the season is over.

10. What is your favorite drink?  Non-alcoholic: coffee with cream. Alcoholic: Cabernet Sauvignon.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I was, briefly, a blonde in college. These days I do - ahem - cover a bit of gray.

12. Favorite food?  Pizza - I could eat it every day.

13. What is the last movie you watched?  Bill and I watched Speed on HBO the other night.

14. Favorite day of the year?  Labor Day.

15. How do you vent anger?  I asked those who would know best: my loved ones. Survey says I "never" yell, but I can "fume" with the best of 'em.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My baby dolls and my play kitchen.

17. What is your favorite season?  Autumn.

18. Cherries or Blueberries?  Hmmm. Tough call. Blueberries, I think. 

19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

20. Who is the most likely to respond? 

21. Who is least likely to respond? 

22. Living arrangements?  Average size, full-basement ranch - shared with 3 boys, a husband and 2 cats.

23. When was the last time you cried? This afternoon.

24. What is on the floor of your closet?  Who knows ...

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Reading this, I would say my cousin Amy. :)

26. What did you do last night? Watched Lost with my husband.

27. What are you most afraid of? Any kind of harm coming to my family.

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?  Cheese, please.

29. Favorite dog breed? Cairn or West Highland Terriers.  

30. Favorite day of the week?  Friday.

31. How many states have you lived in?  TX and MA 

32. Diamonds or pearls?  You really can't go wrong either way.

33. What is your favorite flower? Winter: Snowdrops. Spring: Daffodils. Summer: Morning Glories. Autumn: Football Mums.

34. Favorite Hobby? Blogging! Closely followed by reading and (paper) journaling.

35. Have you ever tried singing Karaoke?  Not that I recall. ;)

Thanks for stopping by this evening. Have a good night, and I'll see you all again sometime soon!

Happy Autumn!

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." George Eliot

The Autumn Equinox occurs precisely at 3:40 this afternoon! Do you have any special plans? I'm still thinking about mine, but here's a little Fall Meme I did last year ... Tag yourself if you'd like, and have a great Monday! :)

Nobody tagged me, but I'm doing it anyway :)

I saw this meme a long time ago at Tracy's Seaside Enchantment. Today it's time to pull it out of the drafts folder!

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I was reveling in stay-at-home-motherhood. Bookworm was 3 and we were spending our days attending play dates and play group, visiting family, listening to stories at the library and walking the neighborhood. I was living the dream ~  and I'm happy to say, I still am. :)

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today:

• Tidy the house.
• Bake cookies.
• Fold laundry.
• Make a menu plan for next week.
• Start a shopping list for Saturday.

3. Snacks I enjoy:

• Triscuits and cheese
• Red peppers and ranch dip
• Peppermint Patties
• Coffee
• Vanilla wafers

4. Things I would do if I were a billionare:

• Help others.
• Move to a farm in Vermont (taking my whole family with me).
• Design a dream house (complete with a barn studio).
• Fund an autism support center.
• Buy an RV and travel the country.

5. Places I have lived:

• Texas
• Massachusetts

And who am I tagging?

Well, if you want to do this meme, please do! Then come back here and tell me. :)

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

ABC, Easy as 123 ~

I saw this meme at Paula's, so I tagged myself! A is for age: Let’s just say I'm still in my 30s. ;) B is for burger of choice: Turkey with tomato and bacon, on a honey-wheat bun. C is for what kind of car you drive: A Toyota Sienna (i.e. a minivan) D is for your dog's name: I have cats now, but growing up it was Duncan and Natasha. E is for essential item you use everyday: My Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew ;) F is for favorite TV show at the moment: Lost, of course. G is for favorite game: Crossword puzzles - I love 'em. H is for HomeState: Massachusetts I is for instruments you play: Ahem. I whistle rather well ... J is for favorite juice: Apple cider K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: Well, I don't like to get political here ... L is for last restaurant you ate at? We ordered Papa Gino's last week, does that count ...? M is for your favorite Muppet: Oh, I have to say Prarie Dawn. :) N is for Number of Piercing: 3 O is for overnight hospital stays: Tonsils when I was 4 or 5, three childbirths at 26, 30 and 32. P is for people you were with today: All my guys. Q is for what you do with your quiet time: Read and journal. R is for biggest regret: I honestly can't think of one, but I don't like to dwell anyway. S is for status: Happily married, SAHM. T is for time you woke up today: 6:15 ~ Bill let me sleep in (I've been under the weather). U is for what you consider unique: You, me and everyone. We're all unique. :) V is for vegetable you love: Red peppers (especially with ranch dip). W is for worst habit: Procrastination. It gets me into more trouble. X is for x-rays you've had: Dental, mostly. A few ultrasounds lately. Y is for yummy food you ate today: An organic brown sugar toaster pastry. Z is for zodiac sign: Carpricorn - earthy and efficient. :) Have a great day, everyone! :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ May 6th

~ I saw this lovely meme at Peggy's and, though I am a day late, I would like to share my Daybook Entry for today ~

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Outside My Window ... there are two little red squirrels at the feeders.

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I am thinking ... about re-doing my homekeeping notebook.

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I am thankful for ... the Amazon box that arrived yesterday. :)

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From the kitchen ... soft turkey tacos, peppers and rice, rhubarb cobbler for dessert.

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I am wearing ... a short-sleeved blouse and a pair of denim capris.

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I am creating ... new pages in my journal.

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I am going ... to spend as much time outside as possible this week.

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I am reading ... the morning Globe.

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I am hoping ... to learn how to knit (red, cotton) socks, per Crackerjack's request.

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I am hearing ... a titmouse calling to his mate, laughter, a school bus trundling by.

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Around the house ... a lot of toys that need to be put away, bed linens to wash, books of all kinds on display, open windows letting in the spring air.

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One of my favorite things ... savoring my coffee all morning long.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Catching up on my correspondence, hosting friends for lunch, planning Forest School, making Mother's Day cards with the boys.

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...

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I hope you all have a wonderful day!

The Book Meme

I have been tagged by Kathleen at The Daily Grotto for a neat little book meme. It is the perfect post for this afternoon! We're running around like crazy here, because tonight it's our turn to host Activity Night ~ pizza and a movie for a dozen or so kids ages 10-14. Our pick: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Yep, we're in "tween" territory now, folks. ;)

OK, so about that meme ~ here we go:

Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

From Mittenstrings for God, a book I always keep close at hand ...

"I used to ask myself this question as I mopped up spilled juice, bribed a stubborn two-year-old to eat four more bites of macaroni, tried in vain to carry on a conversation with my husband, saw my own dinner get cold as I jumped up for the twelfth time to get more milk, the salt, the ketchup ... I had to laugh when I read a meditation by a famous monk in which he suggested that mindfulness includes setting your table and planning your mealtime so well that you would not have to leave your chair once you sat down to eat. Easy for a mystic, I suppost, but impossible for a mother.

So why do we bother?"

That's three, but I can hardly leave it there. Here's a bit more ...

"Perhaps it is because mealtime offers us an opportunity each day to celebrate being a family. In a world that is full of change and inconsistency and uncertainty, we each have a place that is really ours, a place at our own table, and we can come together there and nourish our bodies and our souls, as human beings have done since before time began."

OK, that's a nicer note to leave off on. :) It's such a wonderful book, and as I've mentioned once or twice or ten times now, my friends and I are starting a book study on this very title next month. If you'd like, I'll post our thoughts as we go along (the condensed version of course).

Well, that was quick *and*fun! Thanks, Kathleen! I know this meme has been around a bit, so I am not sure who's in need of tagging. Let's say, if you'd like to give it a go, please do! And leave a comment so I can find you. :)

Have a great night, everyone!

Like deja vu all over again ...

I am pretty certain I did this meme before, but I'm going to do it again anyway. Besides, everybody's doing it! (Too many to hat-tip!)

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? I don't think so. My dad just liked the name Dawn. :)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?  December 17th, 2007 (I had an emergency tooth extraction; it was traumatic.)

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Hmmm, I guess chicken.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Three boys.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd like to think so!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I'm not that clever.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No. They were removed when I was 4.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Goodness, no.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I'm not a big cereal eater, but I have to agree with Meredith ~ Lucky Charms are pretty yummy! :)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually. But I hardly ever wear laced shoes.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes ... and no.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Good old-fashioned vanilla. (Brigham's is the best.) With Mum's homemade butterscotch sauce, please. :)

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Like Amy said, how friendly or open they seem to be.

15. RED OR PINK? Either, but I like yellow better.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? I worry too much and I always think whatever's wrong, it was my fault.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My maternal grandfather.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Navy blue pants, pink socks.

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? It's 5 a.m. It's all about the coffee. :)

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Earlybird's running commentary about The Complete Cosmos (a show we Tivo'd).

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Dandelion (You can see it here).

22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Balsam, almond, rose.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Our phone's been out! (Storm issues.)

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football ~ Go Pats!

25. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown.

26. EYE COLOR? Green-blue. (Or maybe it's blue-green?)

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.

28. FAVORITE FOOD? Well, my favorite restaurant is Legal Sea Foods. So I guess, seafood, crusty bread and a nice glass of wine. :)

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I can't stand scary movies.

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Return of the Jedi with the boys.

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pink.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter.

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends!

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Pound cake with fruit and whipped cream.

35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Right this very minute I'm reading How Groundhog's Garden Grew (EB's favorite!)

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I have a laptop, but I love using a wireless mouse. My mousepad has a lovely blue bird on it.

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing. Well, Bill watched Hardball, but I read.

38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Songbirds, church bells, rain hitting the roof as I fall sleep.

39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, I guess.

40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? California.

41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can sing the alphabet backwards really fast.

42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? El Paso,Texas!

Thanks for reading my answers, and please tag yourself if you'd like! Now I'm off to get the day going. We have our Nature Club meeting today, so I'll be back later with pictures from the wintry woods ... :)

A Christmas Meme

This is actually an e-mail survey that my sister-in-law sent me yesterday - and just in the nick of time, too! I'm having some dental surgery today (oy, long story) and I suspect I may not feel up to blogging tonight. So instead, here I am blogging ahead, lol!

If you'd like to grab this meme for yourself, be my guest!

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I love gift wrapping. I can work with both mediums. ;)

Real tree or artificial?

I have always had and loved real trees. But then I had a child with sensory issues and cats with a penchant for eating (and promptly throwing up) greenery. Moral of the story: we now have a fake tree. It's nice, but I do miss that smell.

When do you put up the tree?

The Sunday after Thanksgiving.

When do you take the tree down?

Ideally it would be Epiphany, but sometimes I get itchy and we take it down on New Year's Day.

Favorite holiday theme?

Woodland, of course. :)

Favorite gift received as a child?

The flannel nightgowns I received every year on Christmas eve.

Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes - one the children can play with.

Hardest person to buy for?

I don't want to say because I know he (or she) reads my blog. ;)

Easiest person to buy for?

My boys!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Honestly, I can't think of one.

Mail or email cards?

Oh mail, definitely. I love the whole process - the holiday stamps are available in October, the cards are purchased in November; the signing begins after Thanksgiving, the mailing happens (hopefully) in the second week of December ...

Favorite Christmas movie?

It's a Wonderful Life - though I admit I do love A Christmas Story, too.

When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Usually in the fall, but in earnest after Thanksgiving.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Not that I can recall.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

My cousin Sue's iced butter cookies and my mum's penuche fudge.

White lights or colored on the tree?

White. Though I have extremely fond memories of the large multicolor bulbs of my youth.

Favorite Christmas song?

OK, I must name a few:

• O Come, O Come Emmanuel
• The Carol of the Bells
• Sleigh Ride
• The Nutcracker Suite

Travel for Christmas or stay at home?

We make everyone come to us, lol.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

Yes- I just hummed the opening stanzas of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer to be sure.

Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star (red, punched tin).

Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Always on Christmas Day (except when I was little my grandarents always had *A* gift for the kids to open after dinner).

Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Commercialism. Disrespect. The mall.

What I love most about Christmas?

The anticipation and all the happy preparations. :)

Have a great day, folks! I'm off to take some pre-emptive Motrin. ;)

A Fall Meme

I made this up myself, so consider yourself tagged if you'd like! :)

When does fall begin for you? It starts stirring in my heart roundabouts midsummer, but I feel it is officially fall, come Labor Day.

What is your favorite aspect of fall? I love so many things about my favorite season: the changing leaves, the crisp air, the shorter days. And I really love the return to routine after the summer.

What is your favorite fall memory? My wedding day, fourteen years ago this month! We had cornstalks, pumpkins, bittersweet, candles and even a scarecrow bride and groom!

What do you like to drink in the fall? I loooove hot cider. Especially when I'm drinking it in Vermont on a cold crisp morning! I also enjoy pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks. They're pretty much the only flavored coffee I will drink.

What's your favorite fall food? I love all the fall produce at the farm like squash and apples and late season corn. I especially love fall desserts like apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Ooh, and then there are hot cider donuts from the farm, and sugar cookies decorated like acorns and leaves ...

What is fall weather like where you live? I think fall is New England's best season. We have lots of warm days, but generally the air is crisp and clear. It's not until November that it starts to get cold, and damp.

What color is fall? September is chrysanthemum purple, October is pumpkin orange of course, and November is acorn brown. :)

What does fall smell like? Woodsmoke, apples and cinnamon.

Holiday shopping in fall: yes or no? Yes! Though mostly online. But no decorating or anything. Not until after Thanksgiving at least!

If you could go anywhere in the fall, where would you go? VERMONT!

What is your favorite fall sport? I love football Sundays - GO PATS!

Do you have a favorite fall chore? Changing the bedding from cotton to flannel. I also like it when we take down the screens and put up the storm windows. It's like we're "battening down the hatches" before the winter sets in. :)

What is your least favorite thing about fall? It's too fast! I want it to linger longer, before the holiday rush begins. Also, late fall when it gets cold and rainy - IF I have to go out. (If I can stay in with a cup of tea then that's actually pretty nice and cozy.)

What is your favorite fall holiday? Thanksgiving Day.

What's your favorite kind of pie? Pumpkin with whipped cream.

What was your favorite Halloween costume? I was a gypsy for many years in a row. I loved wearing the heavy eye makeup, the gold hoop earrings and the flouncy skirt. :)

What was your favorite Halloween candy? Three Musketeers.

What was your least favorite Halloween candy? Bit-O-Honey or Mounds. Ick. (And just for the record, I'm no fan of candy corn, either.)

Which do you prefer, the Farm or the Fair? Since we go to the farm all year long, I guess I'd have to say the Fair.

Do you have a favorite fall book? The Smartest Bear and His Brother Oliver (from when I was a little girl), Fletcher and the Falling Leaves and Hurry, Hurry, Mary Dear.

How about a favorite fall poem?

Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, Now for October eves! (Humbert Wolfe)

Well, I hope you enjoyed this meme, and if you do it at your blog, pease leave me a comment so I can start a list of links! :)

Happy Fall!

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Fall Friends...

Maryan

Barbara

Jenna

Rachel

Lisa

Dana

Stephanie

Linda

Mrs. Pea

Thanks for participating, ladies! Anyone else care to join us? :)

Fantastical Fun!

You Are a Mermaid

You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are. While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need. Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational. You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

I popped on over to tag Soutenus for the "Picture of Now" meme and spotted this quiz at her place!

Since Bill and I are heading out tonight to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I thought this would be a bit of fun for the day.

And, while I'm in this fantastical mood, Bookworm and I found a Harry Potter meme last night at Kelly's Big A, little a and we had a lot of fun with it. Here are our answers for any HP fans out there. :)

Have a great Tuesday!

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(My answers are in orange, Bookworm's are in purple.)

1. Butterbeer or pumpkin juice?

Hmmm, that's a hard choice seeing as how I have no idea how either would taste. They both sound good, actually! But I think I'd go with pumpkin juice.

Butterbeer - it sounds much tastier.

2. What House would you most likely (or want to) be in in Hogwarts?

I'd want to be in Gryffindor, but Ravenclaw wouldn't be so bad.

Ravenclaw because I skipped kindergarten and I'm skipping 7th grade math.

3. If you were an animagus, what animal would you turn into?

A red squirrel - small, fast and feisty.

I'd want to say dog because it's my favorite animal, but I think I'd choose to turn into a falcon because they're a top predator like dogs and wolves, just below humans, plus they can fly.

Scratch all that. I would want to be a dragon.

4. What character do you empathize with, or resemble best?

Mrs. Weasley, lol. I worry about those kids!

I'd probably say Ron because he's pretty funny and doesn't have too much pressure on him, but he's still really helpful.

5. What position do you play at Quidditch?

Seeker, I guess - I'm not very athletic, but I can spot birds in the trees pretty well. ;)

I'd probably want to be keeper because I love being the goalie in soccer. I like to not have too much pressure on me as the seeker would.

6. Which teacher is your favorite?

Professor Lupin, because he was such a good friend to Harry.

I'd say Professor McGonagall. The funniest part was when she argued with Umbridge over Harry becoming an auror.

7. Any Harry Potter 7 predictions?

Well, let's see ...

• Though Dumbledore's dead, he'll be able to talk to (guide?) Harry, possibly through a portrait.
• We'll find out why Dumbledore trusted Snape all along, and Snape will ultimately fight for the good side. I think he might die saving Harry or Malfoy.
• I think Draco will fight beside Harry before it's all over.
• I'm not entirely convinced Dudley and Petunia are non-magical.
• Ron and Hermione will be a couple in this and I refuse to believe that either one of them will die in this book.
• I fear for Neville and I think he still may have a part to play in the prophecy.
• I also fear for Hagrid - he might die saving Harry (or one of the kids).
• I think RAB is Regulus Black and possibly he is an animagus.
• I think, judging by the cover art, Harry and Voldemort end up in a duel of some sort with lots of people watching them. It looks like Harry has something around his neck (probably a horcrux).
• I think Harry will ultimately defeat Voldemort, but at a great personal price.

There's going to be a Triwizard Tournament in it and it's going to be that Voldemort bets his last horcrux on it or the trophy is the last horcrux. And if it turns out that Aunt Petunia's a witch then it's very likely going to be that Petunia dies bouncing his spell back at Voldemort to protect Harry. Also, RAB being Regulus seems too obvious to be JK's work - it will probably be something else. I think Snape is good and it could very easily be that Lupin helps him prove that. Lupin just might come back and help Snape become good.

So there you are! If you do the HP meme (or the mythological quiz for that matter), please drop me a comment below. Have fun!

More Friday Fun ...

I saw this meme just now at Matilda's and I had so much fun reading her answers, I decided to play along! :) I fear I won't be nearly as witty as she, but here are my answers all the same.

Have a lovely Friday evening, my friends. :)

A Picture of Now, Between Past and Future

1a. Describe your outfit.
Beige "comfy" shorts, light blue top, bare feet. :)

b. What associations does the main color invoke?
I feel very feminine in it. It's one of my favorite tops; you can see it here in this post.

c. Is there a memory associated with this outfit?
Not really, other than that post I linked above.

2a. Are you listening to music?
Yes  - well, sort of. It's the background music to a documentary about trolley trains.

b. Was this intentional?
No, just Earlybird's nightly request.

c. What does the music make you remember?
It's actually very lovely 1950's instrumental music which makes me nostalgic for a time I don't remember or to which I even belong. (I often think I was born too late.)

3a. Describe the objects within arm's reach.
A glass of really nice Chardonnay (it's Friday!), a stack of Mary Engelbreit magazines to look through (August/September and October/November issues going back to 1996), two favorite books A Blessing of Toads by Sharon Lovejoy and Autumn by Susan Branch, the ed. plan (due to be mailed tomorrow), my sweet little Penny, and the phone (which finally works!).

b. Choose one object and tell where you acquired it.
Oh, well, that would have to be A Blessing of Toads which is the loveliest nature book I have ever laid my eyes on - filled with charming essays, ideas and inspiration. It was a very thoughtful and generous gift from the author herself, and I will treasure it always.

c. On the whole, are the objects new (memory blank) or old (memory filled)?
Oh, I'm too gabby to summarize - the wine was purchased this evening (Bill surprised me), the ed. plan is hot off the presses, the phone is a bit old, the books are new within the past few months, and the magazines go back to the late 90's as I mentioned above ...

4a. What room are you in?
The dining room (aka the learning room).

b. To what extent is it yours?
Well, I do have a corner set up with my own bookcase and my tote bag and a computer area all to myself. In other words it holds more of my stuff than anyone's.

c. What kind of memories will you have in the future of this room
Oh, spectacular sunsets like the one we're watching tonight, lots of family meals, wonderful lessons learned all together, plenty of birds and small mammals spied through the windows ... Also lots of parties and gatherings, lights strung along the windows, an ever-revolving bulletin board and book display, a wall map that gets more interesting every year ...

5. What were you doing before starting this post and what would you like to do next?
I was pasting together a MAMMOTH nature photo post. Next I would like to watch TV with my honey and soon thereafter go to bed.

I will tag anyone who'd like to be tagged! Leave me a comment and I will visit your blog and tag you! :)

Five Things I Love about Jesus

The always thoughtful Cheryl tagged me for this beautiful meme, and I am honored to play along.

Here are the rules:

Those tagged will share 5 things they “love” about Jesus.
Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here with their name so that others can read them.

1. He's known me longer than anyone else.

2. He gives me peace.

3. He loves me despite all my faults and what's more, He forgives them.

4. He gave us His beautiful mother.

5. He listens when I talk; He understands when I don't.

Ah ... just five? I guess I'll have to stop there. What a lovely, lovely meme. Thank you, Cheryl. :)

I tag: Paula, Jennifer, Lindsey, Ruth and Kristen.

Wait for Meez!

Well, I just could not resist making a meez, so many of my online friends are doing it! So I played around with my image (for longer than I'd like to admit), and came up with this computerized version of "me" - on a nature walk, camera in hand, looking way more hip than usual. ;)

I'll tip my bonnet to Kristen as hers is the first place I saw this clever meme. Thanks, Kristen!

Oh, Good - a Meme!

I know - you were thinking the same thing, right? It's been far too long since I've bored amused you all with a bunch of insignifcant trivia about myself. ;) But I saw this at Moomin Light and thought - Hey, I could use one of those today. So here it is, and help yourself to it if you too are in need of a fun, easy post. Let me know (in the comment box) if you do it!

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Don't think so. But my dad really wanted Dawn while my mum really wanted Michelle. I ended up Dawn Michelle. Dawn is a fairly uncommon name, but there were three Dawns in my kindergarten class!

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Oh, I'm embarrassed to say it was at Pirates of the Caribbean III.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes, I'm a bit obsessed with it actually.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I like plain roast beef (not Italian) with Swiss cheese, on a baguette if possible.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Three awesome boys - 5, 7 and 11-about-to-turn-12 tomorrow.    

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Gosh, I hope so.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
No, almost never. I just can't pull it off, plus, it tends to sail over my head.

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Nope! I had them removed when I was 4 or 5, I think? I still remember them putting the mask over my face and telling me to count backwards from 10. I remember them giving me a shot and telling me it would feel just like a mosquito bite (ha!). I remember waking up in the recovery room and screaming for my mother and a very mean nurse telling me - in so many words - to shut up.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Absolutely not. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I hardly ever eat cereal, but I loved Honeycombs as a child. Actually, if I could choose any cereal it would be hot Irish oatmeal with cream and brown sugar. Yum!

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically? Somewhat, I mean for my size I guess (5'4"). My arms are surprisingly strong from years of picking up one if not two little boys at a time. Bill calls them "mama muscles." ;)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Breyer's Natural Vanilla (though I also like peach ice cream and blackberry sherbert).

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their manner and way of speaking.

RED OR PINK?
I like both, but I think I prefer red.

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I fret too much.

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My grandpa. 

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Olive colored shorts, brown sandals.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
The "crusts" of Crackerjack's waffles.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Birds singing and the breeze outside my window.

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Dandelion. (OK I now realize I've done this meme before but I'm forging on.)

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Vanilla, gingerbread, balsam. 

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My mum.

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
NFL Sunday football. LOVE it. Grew up on it. Go Pats! :) 

HAIR COLOR?
Dark brown. 

EYE COLOR?
Greenish-blue. 

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No. 

FAVORITE FOOD?
Can I say coffee? Hmmm ... pretty cookies like these with a cup of coffee.

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings, most definitely. 

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
At the theater: Pirates of the Caribbean III. At home: The Land Before Time.

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Light blue with a splash of flowers across the front.

SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter. I've been told I am a winter (as in fair skin, dark hair, light eyes) but I also prefer winter, as a season, over summer. I realize I am in the distinct minority with that choice, but I'm OK with that. 

HUGS OR KISSES?
Depends on who's giving and receiving!

FAVORITE DESSERT?
See Favorite Food, above, though a cup of coffee is really all I need, perhaps with a splash of something to make it interesting. 

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
To the boys: The Hardy Boys and the Tower Treasure. To myself: Plantation: A Lowcountry Tale. I plan to read this and this next. Love summer reading!

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A pretty blue bird on a branch.

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Big Love on HBO.

FAVORITE SOUND?
I used to love the sound of my husband's car pulling in the driveway at the end of the day, but now he drives a Prius and that makes hardly any noise at all. So I'll say the wind in the trees, Canadian geese honking, my cats' purring ... and the coffee grinder whirring away in the morning. Fresh coffee is just moments away ...

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles, I guess.

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
California.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
'Fraid not. 

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
At the risk of sounding mysterious, at an army base somewhere in the deep south.

Have a great day, everyone! Happy Summer!!

Scattergories .. It's Harder than it Looks!

My friend Allison sent this to me in an e-mail, but I thought it would make a fun meme. If you'd like to do one, consider this "forwarded" to you ...

Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the Person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. Once you're done, forward on to friends and back to the person who sent it to you. Now Go!

Your Name: Dawn

1. Famous singer/band: Davey Jones (of Monkees fame)

2. 4 letter word: Dusk

3. Street name: Drury Lane

4. Color: Dandelion (Really, it's a Crayola!)

5. Gifts/presents: Digital camera or daisies

6. Vehicle:  Dump truck

7. Items on a menu:  Desserts

8. Boy Name: Daniel

9. Girl Name: Darla

10. Movie Title:  Darby O'Gill and the Little People

11. Drink: Drambuie

12. Occupation: Dancer - or dancing mother as the case may be :)

13. Flower:  Daffodil

15. Magazine:  Donna Hay

16. US City: Denver, CO

17. Pro Sports Team: Devil Rays (Tampa Bay)

18. Reason for Being Late for Work:  Dog ate my alarm clock???

19. Something U Throw Away: Dustballs from the vacuum cleaner

20. Things you shout:  Does anyone know where the clicker is?

21. Cartoon Character:  Diego or Dora, take your pick :)

Well, that was fun. If you do one, let me know ...

Check these out!

Meredith

Paula

Kristina

Megan

JoAnn

The Fifth Sentence Meme

I saw this neat little meme at KC's this morning and decided to play along. Here's the deal:

Grab the nearest book.

1. Open it to page 161.
2. Find the fifth full sentence.
3. Post the text of the sentence along with these instructions.
4. Don't search around looking for the coolest book you can find.  Do what's actually next to you.

Here's mine:

"While gray squirrels are busily burying their single acorns here and there for the long winter that lies ahead, and red squirrels are stashing their winter supplies in various safe places, the chipmunk is busily gathering nuts and seeds and bringing them back to its burrow."

(In case you were wondering, the book nearest me at the time was The Beginning Naturalist by Gale Lawrence.)

If you decide to play along, visit KC and leave your link!

My Bag's Been Tagged!

Theresa tagged me with this fun meme - or rather, she tagged my bag! The gist of it is to show the contents of your pocketbook in all its glory (or not). The good (pretty wallets), the bad (old receipts) and the ugly (half-eaten fig newtons). All of these things are known to show up in my purse, but let's take a look inside today.

Actually, you've caught me on a good day because I just cleaned it out! (Convenient, huh?) And just so you know, I threw out some crumpled tissues, old shopping lists, cracker crumbs and Dunkin Donuts napkins before I began replacing the contents.

I try to stay on top of my bag because when it's messy it really fouls me up. Per my weekly routine, I assign the task of cleaning out my pocketbook to Thursdays, as part of my "desk day." Saturday is when I do the bulk of my errand running, so it pays to have my bag ready to go bright and early that morning.

Like Theresa, I have a thing for pocketbooks. I am especially fond of Vera Bradley bags - the quilted, brightly-patterned kind. I do have one smallish black handbag which I use for church and social functions like showers and dinners out. Otherwise, it's all color and cloth for me ...

Do I always match my cardigans to my purses?

I'm afraid so. :)

Here's a peek inside. It's particularly stuffed today because we have speech Friday mornings, so I bring some things to look at while we're there. Let's dig in shall we?

Here we have, left to right, my month-at-a-glance planner, the Spring 2007 CHC catalog, and my weekly folder (described in better detail, here).

I also keep my journal with me at all times (the notebook on the left). I've blogged about my journals before - which are catch basins for all the thoughts that race through my head in a given day. I've switched to a smaller size because I find it more manageable than the standard size notebook. As you can see I like to dress it up a bit - a bit of scrapbook paper and a page from my page-a-day calendar. This tells me at a glance the date this notebook began (I fill them up in a month or two).

On the right is my fairly new datebook. It is made by Franklin-Covey, a company that makes planners I've long admired and at one time used excusively. At some point I stopped using them because they really didn't mesh with my mothering/housekeeping/homelearning lifestyle. I am forever in the process of making my own customized planner, but for now, this spiral-bound page-a-day calendar seems a good fit. I needed a place to write down things for a specific day, and this has all 365, in a size that's easy to manage. Obviously I couldnt leave the plain butter yellow cover alone - pretty though it was - and added all those nature stickers to make it more "me."

Next we have a brochure from the Hallmark store (I signed up for their frequent shopper program recently). In the middle is our Feingold Shopping Guide and on the right is my coupon packet. I really need to purge that packet! I also keep those retired page-a-day calendar pages for notes and weekend errands lists. They fit perfectly inside the coupon packet, and the packet fits perfectly in my bag's outer pocket.

And here's the nitty gritty, clockwise from the top left corner:

• lip balm (not nearly as purple as it looks)
• handi-wipes
• notecards and stamps
• sticky note pad
• rosary card
• keys
• pencil (my pen is MIA)
• raisins
• Cocoa Krispy bar (EB always has one after therapy)
• my wallet
• cell phone
• tissue pack

So there you have it - my bag inside and out. How about you? Would you be willing to share with us what your bag looks like right now? I'm tagging anyone reading this post who would like to join in! Leave me a comment and I'll link you!

Tagged Bags:

• KC
• Lindsey
• Elizabeth

When was the Last Time You ...

... did a meme?

I know, it's been far too long, hasn't it? :) I saw this at Lindsey's and it looked like fun!

So, on with the questions, each one ending the query:

When was the last time I ...

1. kissed someone? Oh, kisses all around. Bill kissed each of us before he left for work. When the boys give us kisses we call them smooches.

2. drank coffee? Two seconds ago I took a sip!

3. read a book? Currently, I'm reading Cricket in Times Square and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - both in preparation for Book Group. I'm also reading bits and pieces of Mrs. Sharp and Home Comforts.

4. cursed? I don't mean to sound like a goody-two-shoes but I never curse.

5. had a nightmare? I had a bad dream about one of my cats needing emergency surgery the other night.

6. checked your email? Just a few minutes ago.

7. had a crush? You mean other than my husband, of course? I'd have to say, Mr. Darcy. ;)

8. drove a car? This morning, my van, to speech and back.

9. rode a roller coaster? I rode a miniature coaster with the boys at the fair last fall. I don't go near the big ones.

10. took a nap? I only nap when I'm sick (I can't nap otherwise). That would have been Palm Sunday three weeks ago.

11. went to the movies? We saw Meet the Robinsons a couple of weeks ago.

12. drank alcohol? A glass of red wine a few nights ago with dinner.

13. went to a party? Well, Easter was a party, though we didn't go out! Last night I hosted a meeting, and that felt like a party to me - candles lit, classical music playing, coffee and cookies!

14. said “I love you"? Two minutes ago I told Earlybird I loved him as he settled in for a nap.

15. cooked a meal? Goodness, it's been a few nights! Two nights ago we ate leftovers and last night I sent Bill and the boys out for dinner while I had my meeting here.

16. exercised? I just moved furniture around - does that count? ;)

I tag you all! Leave me a comment if you do one, so I can link you! :)

More memes:

• Michaela at Filled with Joy
• Maryan at A Lee in the Woudes
• Elizabeth at Real Learning
• Rachel at The Jacobite Rose
• Melissa at a third way
• Cheryl at My Thoughtful Spot
• Jen at Daughter of the King
• Cay at her Cajun Cottage under the Oaks
• Rose from Pretty in Pink
• Jen at Camp Homeschool

Who's next? :)

That New & Random Meme

I saw this at Angela's and thought, well, I'm just gonna tag myself! ;)

1. What time did you get up this morning? Oy - 4:37 exactly.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Well, Bill gave me a pearl ring when I graduated from college and my friend Kathy gave me pearl drop earrings for my wedding (or was it her wedding? I cant remember now, lol) so I do love pearls. But my wedding rings are diamond as is the cross Bill gave me a few years ago. So what is the answer to my question? Both! :)

3. What was the last film you saw at the theater? Well, um .... today the boys and I are joining friends to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Before that it was Flushed Away. Ah, yes, I am the mother of boys ... :)

4. What is your favorite TV show?  Northern Exposure. It was on in the early 90s but they re-run it on one of our sattelite channels. I watch it every night! The only current tv show we watch is Lost, but I'm getting a little tired of it.

5. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee and a whole wheat English muffin with orange marmalade. Also, a multivitamin and a B-complex, washed down with some chocolate soy milk.

6. What is your middle name? Michelle. My mum and grandmother wanted Michelle Dawn, but my dad wanted Dawn Michelle. They called me Missy when I was growing up. :)

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Actually, I get really excited about baking! Especially homemade, organic, locally grown produce kind of baking. As far as eating out, I do love Chinese every now and then.

8. What foods do you dislike? Onions - blech.

9. What are your favorite chips? Cape Cod Chips

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? In the car it's Schoolhouse Rock. At home it's American Picnic.

11. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sienna (a minivan).

12. Favorite sandwich? Oh, a BLT in August can't be beat!

13. What are characteristics you can't stand? Callousness. And when people try to be cool. Maybe it's because I am so uncool, lol, but I just think we should all relax and be ourselves.

14. What are your favorite clothes? A cardigan sweater over a scoop neck tee with a pair of pants or a skirt. (Pretty schoolmarmish. Not very cool, lol.)

15. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you go? If I got up the guts to fly it would be to Ireland, definitely (with a side trip to England and Scotland). Closer to home it would be Vermont or Nantucket.

16. One random fact about myself: Hmmm ... well, I'm pretty crunchy, actually. My family is very supportive of environmental issues. At one time Bill and I thought pretty seriously about moving "back to the land" and owning an organic farm - vegetables, sheep, bees. We still kick that idea around once in a while! :)

17. Where would you want to retire? In Vermont - to a pocket farm or a B&B.

18. Favorite time of day? I love the morning hours when the day is new and the coffee is hot ... but I also really love that hour or so after the kids go to bed when we can relax.

19. Where were you born? El Paso, Texas

20. What is your favorite sport to watch? I LOVE Patriots football! I also like Red Sox games, but not as much. I used to be really into figure skating, but not in years.

21. Coke or Pepsi? Coke, absolutely.

22. Beavers or ducks? Huh, that's a head scratcher. I guess I would have to say beavers because I think this movie is the cutest thing ever.

23. Are you a morning person or a night owl? I have always been a morning person, even before I had kids.

24. Pedicure or manicure? Probably a manicure though I keep my nails short. I would like to get a pedicure before sandal season starts.

25. What did you want to be when you were little? A mother and a writer. :)

26. What is your best childhood memory? Playing in the yard. Making soup and stuff with dandelions and mud. Smelling wild grapes in the fall and wild onions in the spring. "Fishing" in the brook and collecting pussy willows. Though come to think of it, Christmas Eve at my grandparents was probably the best memory of all.

27. Ever been to Africa? No
28. Ever been toilet papering? Yes, when I was a hockey cheerleader in high school.

29. Been in a car accident? Yes. 

30. Favorite day of the week? Hard to say. I have a lot of energy on Fridays because it's almost the weekend and I'm all fired up to have Bill home and get things done. Sundays are the most peaceful, though.

31. Favorite restaurant? What's a restaurant? ;)

32. Favorite flower? It's very hard to choose. I love daffodils ... and morning glories. I also like pinks (dianthus) and foxglove. Basically anything you'd find in an English cottage garden.

33. Favorite ice-cream? Peach.

34. Favorite fast food restaurant? Does Starbucks count?

35. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None.

36. From whom did you get your last e-mail? 4Real Forums

37. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Oooh, this is a toughie. Could I split it between Barnes & Noble and The Baker's Catalogue?

38. Last person you went to dinner with? My husband - but it's been a while!

39. What are you listening to right now? Birds and the breeze outside the window, pencils scratching on paper, the toaster just popped, a cat is crying at me to be fed.

40. What is your favorite color? I've always liked yellow - soft and buttery or golden and warm. I also like shades of peach and orange.

41. How many tattoos do you have? None!

42. How many people are you sending this to? I'll have to check my stats at the end of the day to know for sure!
43. What time did you finish this blog entry? 10:55 a.m.

44. Favorite magazine: Martha Stewart and Faith & Family

45. Coffee or tea? Coffee

46. Do you tan easily or burn easily? This Irish skin? Burn.
47. Do you color your hair? Well, that's an awfully personal question! (The answer is yes!)
48. What was the first car you ever purchased without the help of your parents?  I think it was our Ford Windstar.
49. What is your most dreaded household chore? Cleaning the toilet. Yuck!