Heart Gone Walking

Watermelon is a summer necessity

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:59:00 +0000

We've been enjoying summer at its finest which included a lovely break from the Internet and lots of good eating.

Thank you to Joe's cousins who took these beautiful photos of Madeline last weekend. I love that they totally capture two things Madeline loves: food and her wonderful uncles.

Can I send him to Neverland?

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:17:00 +0000

My little brother is officially no longer little.

He may be nine years younger than me but it's hard to see him as a kid after he boards an airplane for officers boot camp for the summer.

Because that's exactly what he did on Sunday.

The baby whose bottom I once wiped is going to be a soldier.

The toddler who lived in his cowboy boots will be lacing up a different kind of boot.

I'm incredibly proud of who he is and who he is becoming and I'm proud to be his sister. And anyone who has watched Madeline and him for two seconds knows just how much she loves him too.

This summer, my family will miss Peter tremendously even though we're excited for the adventure ahead of him.

Because who wouldn't miss a cool brother and uncle like this?

Sheer joy is available at Target

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:01:00 +0000

Quite possibly the best nine bucks I'll ever spend at Target. Or, at least, this summer.

P.S. Please note the open book in the background. I encouraged Madeline to jump in over and over because she was having so much fun but I didn't realize my library copy of sTORI Telling was getting completely drenched. It took two days and my 50-pound Complete Calvin and Hobbes set to make it resemble a book again.

But that look on her face? Totally worth it.

The reason I have Lionel Richie stuck in my head

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:48:00 +0000

Madeline started ballet this week. Can I just say looking at this grown-up girl in the black leotard makes me want to cry?

But I won't because a) she's so stinkin' adorable and b) she was so excited to begin dancing.

I had grand plans about her ballet shoes. I wanted to get them at the same dancewear store where my mom and I got my ballet slippers when I started my illustrious but short-lived ballet career.

(Sidenote: my strongest memory of ballet is looking around the room and realizing other girls could do the splits while stretching but my legs could only make a V-shape.)

Outside the ballet studio, I do remember very clearly walking into that store and being fitted for my slippers.

So I planned to get Madeline's slippers on Tuesday morning, an entire day before her class, and take the camera to take pictures of her during her fitting. (Gasp! Katie with a camera? I know.)

It was a great idea. Until my phone buzzed on Tuesday morning with a calendar reminder that her class was on Tuesday, not Wednesday.

Ensue chaotic morning of rushing to the store, discovering that the store doesn't have her size, trying not to turn beet-red when I say I can't order her shoes because her class is in, oh, 90 minutes, speeding up Carmel to another store to get her shoe size, and rushing back to her class.

Motherhood FAIL.

Since it wasn't quiet the serene and peaceful morning I had planned, I forgot to take the camera with me to the store which meant I didn't have it for her class.

Motherhood DOUBLE FAIL.

But it turned out just fine because she got her slippers, loved her class and was eager to show off her moves when she came home.

I know I've said it before but seriously, how in the world did I become the mother of a dancing 3-year-old who is also a photographer?

I'm pretty sure I was just given an infant yesterday.

Why my kid is awesome

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:30:00 +0000

She bikes while wearing pearls.

And that's enough to prove her awesomeness in my opinion.

The one with Beyonce, Teva's, Tim Gunn and Hick Katie

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Have I mentioned before that I am heat wimp? I nearly melted this morning as I carried the groceries from the car to the house over and over again.

It may have only lasted four minutes but I'm pretty sure it was the equivalent to completing The Shred.

So, even though I'm in the mood to blog, I'm having a hard time sorting through my melted thoughts and think this will be about the most random post ever.

Here we go:

As a Harry Potter fan, I found this hilarious. Even if it's not true, it's still hilarious. Joe always finds the best stuff on the Web and keeps me very amused during the day.

I am addicted to Beyonce's Halo. It's been on repeat constantly. Thank goodness Madeline is a Sasha Fierce fan and hasn't committed iTunes mutiny. Yet.

And thanks to Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Madeline loves to sing "Single Ladies." My favorite part is hearing her sing, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!" If you see her, you must request a performance. It's awesome.

(Side note: this was the only redeeming aspect about that movie. I do not recommend it for viewing pleasure.)

Madeline is really into pretend play these day which I love. Her most recent thing is to be Joe or me. She'll grab my wallet, stick it under her arm and walk around the house saying, "I'm Katie Mayes, I'm Katie Mayes."

Other times she'll pick up Joe's keys and wallet and says, "I'm Joe Mayes." Then she'll throw the keys and wallet on the kitchen table and yell, "I'm home and I'm gonna tickle you!!"

I certain it's the cutest thing I've ever seen. I may have declared that before but this time I really mean it. (At least until the next cutest thing comes along.)

Last week, we picked up McDonald's for dinner and went fishing at the White River. Since we were doing a McDonald's dinner at the White River, I didn't feel the need to dress up.

Instead, I changed into my 13-year-old Teva's with scorpions (which I thought were just so cool in the seventh grade) and a 7-year-old tie-dye Joe's Crab Shack shirt from when I was a waitress in college.

While Joe and Madeline fished, I put my chair directly into the White River so I could put my feet in the cool water and ate a huge box of fries.

Clearly not my classiest moment.

So, of course, even though we're out in the remote wilderness of Indiana, the only people we see all evening are an old high school friend and her husband. (Laura, you better not comment that I looked fine or anything; I'll own my hickness.)

But, seriously? How many times in my life am I wearing Teva's and eating fries while SITTING IN THE WHITE RIVER?!

That is a moment I would like to get as a do-over.

I'm not saying I would re-do with pearls and heels. I just mean that I would not choose footwear with Velcro. Or eat that many fries in one sitting. Or put my chair in the middle of a river.

Although I will confess that in the summer, it's not typical for me to be a classy dresser. For example, right now I'm wearing my swimsuit cover-up as a dress because it's just so comfy.

Don't worry, I don't leave the house in it. But I think Tim Gunn would disapprove of wearing it even behind closed doors. He might even need to call a caucus about it.

I think that's about everything. Y'all have a great weekend!

The girl turned three

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:18:00 +0000

It's hard to believe, isn't it? My daughter is a 3-year-old.

I know it's crazy but I'm kinda expecting her to start smacking gum while talking and wanting to go to the movies with friends now that she's so grown up.

The truth is she's now insisting on putting her socks on by herself. I should be grateful.

We had a wonderful birthday celebration with her that stretched from last Friday through today. Here's the rundown of her actual birthday:

On Friday, Madeline woke up to her room filled with balloons again. This is definitely my favorite birthday tradition so far and she loves it. Joe took the day off of work and made her favorite breakfast: pancakes from scratch, potatoes from scratch and eggs from chickens.

I married a man who cooks a killer breakfast. I definitely married up.

Her breakfast was served on the Red Plate, another birthday tradition in our home.

We spent the morning at Eagle Creek Park by playing on the playground, touring the nature center and ornithology center, spotting four deer (who Madeline greeted with a loud "Happy birthday Deer!") and singing "Happy Birthday" to our girl when the clock turned 12:25 p.m.

At this time, I would like to address my daughter directly:

Dearest Madeline,
When you are 12 and think I don't care about your happiness because I won't let you wear five inch heels and heavy eyeliner, please know that on your third birthday, I loved you enough to go to a nature center where I endured "fun" displays like this.

Love,
Mom

Actually, now that I think of it, I would like to write a second letter.

Dear Eagle Creek Nature Center Staff,
Please review the enclosed photo I took at your facility last week.

I have one question: What is the point?!

Signed,
Hyperventilating and confused in Indy

One of Madeline's birthday gifts was a Cinderella kite so after the park, we headed to an open field to let her fly it.

This is one of my favorite memories ever with her and Joe. I didn't take any still photos and instead captured most of it on video. However, the image is burned in my memory.

She wore her fancy orange dress with tiny pink flowers and her long hair was completely down without clips or bows (she calls this the princess look). After her daddy would lift the kite into a gust of wind, he would yell, "Go, Madeline, go!" and she would take off running while singing, "Let's go fly a princess kite! Up to the highest height!"

Meanwhile, I was sitting cross-legged in the grass swooning at the two of them with tears in my eyes.

The rest of the day included a princess birthday cake, my brother's high school graduation, pink ice cream with sprinkles and one exhausted 3-year-old.

And just when I thought I couldn't love her anymore, I fall head over heels again with this little creature who made me a mom.

"Blog already."

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:54:00 +0000

That was a text (in its entirety) sent by my sweet but apparently not verbose sister-in-law tonight.

Yes, dear blog friends, it's been awhile. I'm sorry.

I stopped writing a couple weeks ago when my days were consumed with some digestive issues with Madeline. There really was no delicate or humorous way to explain all of what was going on without 13-year-old future Madeline reading it and wanting to shrivel up in humiliation with the possible outcome of her never speaking to me again.

So I chose to not write anything. For a really unfortunate and unnecessary amount of time.

Which is why I'm sworry (as Gilbert Blythe would say).

In case you were wondering, she is 100 percent better and my sanity would like to thank the following:

modern medicine
effective laundry detergent
Miralax
mini Snickers
microwave S'mores
InsideRedbox.com and their free codes
McDonald's diet Cokes in styrofoam cups
Madeline who managed to stay completely adorable during a very rough time
my husband who listened to whiny phone calls that interrupted his important and busy day with ramblings like "And then there was poop all over her! And there was poop all over me!"

So now you know the reason for my absence. Let's get to a super crucial and riveting story about what we did exactly three weeks ago today.

(Disclaimer: the following includes many pictures. If you believe I took a single one, then you must be new to my blog and I want to welcome you personally. For the record, Lani took all of them. I'm so grateful to be friends with people who use cameras. Especially when my daughter is in them and I can pretend to document her life later.)

Madeline and I drove up to Muncie, the home to my beloved alma mater, Ball State University. One of my college roommates' son turned three so we spent the day up there with them and met his gorgeous little sister.

It was kinda strange to go back to a place where you have so many fun and crazy memories with so many fun and crazy people but take your kid with you.

Years ago, never once did I sit in Muncie IHOP in the wee hours of the morning thinking one day my order might include "and a Funny Face pancake but hold the Go-Gurt."

Actually, now that I'm looking at these pictures, I realize she's behaving exactly like her mom did in those very same booths.

All I can say is, "It's in the genes, baby. It's in the genes."

The kids discovered one of the greatest joys on a beautiful day at Ball State: Frog Baby.

When I splashed through it at 1 a.m. in flip-flops about seven or eight years ago, I never imagined my daughter would one day beg me to do the same.

I do believe we have a future Cardinal in our future.

I do believe this picture will make an appearance at her high school graduation open house.

I do believe after this picture was snapped, I headed straight to the bookstore to buy her a small bright pink BSU t-shirt.

I love this picture because we met up with Bridget (a fellow Linden Lady) who adores our kids and is willing to lie on the ground just to be next to them.

Clearly, they adore her too. Who wouldn't?

We took a group picture in Woodworth which has been remodeled beyond recognition.

Ending on that note meant I drove home with a nagging reminder that I am getting old (as if the sleeping toddler in the back seat wasn't enough).

Even though I like to complain about getting old, I really don't mind it.

I feel so lucky and so blessed and so fortunate to have so many wonderful memories. They are memories I wouldn't have if I didn't age.

So I will gladly trade years for memories any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

P.S. So much more has happened in the past several weeks including the last fact that the last time I blogged, I was mom to a 2-year-old but now there's a 3-year-old in the house who continues to follow me around the house asking for food. More on that later.

Life from my view

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:49:00 +0000

I still can't believe this is my life.

Hot husband.
Adorable girl with curls.
IKEA light fixture.

Our little Ansel

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:24:00 +0000

This weekend, we had a mini roadtrip to the IKEA in West Chester, Ohio. If you live in Indy, you must do this trip at some point.

It's a super easy drive (exactly two hours from leaving our house) and, well, there's an IKEA at the end of the road. Need I say more?

Recently, Madeline has been very interested in taking pictures herself. On the very rare occasions that I actually have our camera out, she wants to snap some and when I take pictures with my phone (much more frequently), she wants in on the action too.

On our way home, she entertained herself by taking photo after photo (and accidentally calling a couple speed-dials).

It entertained us too to see the trip from her car seat perspective.

open road

classic shot of Mommy with a McDonald's diet Coke (I'm sure when she looks back on her childhood, she will remember me with a red and white Styrofoam cup in hand)

classic shot of Daddy being over-the-top goofy

her view

Uncle Greg's truck driving next to us

Sprouts

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:56:00 +0000

They're a beautiful thing.

My daughter in mismatched, muddy outdoor clothes is pretty beautiful too.

The glitzy-er, the better

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:38:00 +0000

I used to be hesitant to say that Madeline is super-girly because I didn't want to pigeonhole her in case her interests changed and she became the neighborhood tomboy who ran around with a dirt-smudged face and a ripped baseball cap.

But I was just thinking about that way too much because, honestly, who can pigeonhole a 2-year-old if her interests change when she's 3 or 8?

The truth is that right now she is obsessed with anything pink and glittery.

She loves jewelry and painted nails with the passion of 1000 burning suns.

She will wear satin, black velvet and my four-inch heels even if no one else in the world will see her except me and Mickey the Fish.

She needs make-up (aka my lip gloss) to be applied 4,592 times a day.

If her interests change in a matter of months or years and all this girliness is left in the tomboy dust, I'm perfectly fine with that.

Because I'll have photographic evidence that the glam stage did exist at one time and that she and I both loved it.

Madeline + TJ Maxx shoe aisle = this kid's dream date

Bring it on, Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:02:00 +0000

Last week, Madeline was constantly covered in dirt from helping Daddy plant our vegetable garden and is sporting skinned knees and bruised shins from playing at the park and going on full-body contact walks.

Bring it on, Summer. We're ready for you.

Madeline's political values

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:32:00 +0000

Have I mentioned how much Madeline loves to bring our current president's name up in any conversation?

I'm just going to let that statement soak into your soul right now.

For the longest time, she called American flags "Barack Obamas."

Seriously.

She would spot a flag a mile down the road and begin yelling, "Barack Obama! Barack Obama!" Or she would catch a tiny American flag in a photo and scream, "Barack Obama! Barack Obama!"

This was the primary form of entertainment at my family's Christmas Eve party at my aunt and uncle's house where American flags are abundant. Every time someone new walked into the room, my aunt would point and say, "Madeline, what is it?" She would reply, "Barack Obama." Someone else would walk in. Situation would repeat. Times 65.

(In case you think Joe and I are obsessed with President Obama and have encouraged this type of identification, let me just say my political beliefs line up with the party that starts with Re and ends with publican. That should clear up the idea of any idolized talk in this household.)

After many months and even more strange looks from curious passers-by, Madeline now only occasionally calls them "BarackObamaAmericanflags" as if it's one word.

Then today, she grabbed the seat of our rocking chair in the living room, began pushing it back and forth and in a sweet singsongy tone that went up and down in volume, she sang, "Barack Obama. ROCKING OBAMA! Barack Obama. ROCKING OBAMA!"

Seriously, folks. This is getting out of control. I have no idea what will happen next.

To the person who is whispering sweet nothings about the president in our daughter's ear, please know you have deeply impacted her life.

The post in which absoultely nothing of value is shared

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:20:00 +0000

It's Wednesday already? Seriously?

Our house was hit with a virus and head cold last week and this week, forcing Madeline and I to watch way too many Disney movies on the couch and eat Ricola throat drops like candy.

Sidenote: Why does Tinkerbell's skirt have to be practically non-existent? Apparently modesty is not an attribute of the fairies in Pixie Hollow.

Moving on to other really important stuff.

I love Cool Burst Tylenol Cough and Cold. Like, head-over-heels, want-to-guzzle-it-down-all-the-time love. That blue stuff is awesome. (This might be the drugs talking right now.)

That may not be really important to you but I'm telling you, that little container was the highlight of my week.

Another highlight is that I'm currently leading in the family bracket tournament. Since I have Kansas winning overall, I'm pretty sure this will be the only time I can lead but I would still like to take this moment to say "BOO-YAH!" to some people that I love so dearly.

This morning, Madeline and I spent two hours perusing the aisles of Wal-Mart just because it was our first outing into humanity in a really long time.

And we literally perused. We soaked in all the beautiful items in the Easter section. We spent a good 30 minutes in the princess/Barbie/anything glittery aisle. We stared at the fish tanks and watched in horror as one fish ate another. (Seriously, it was hard to look away but, oh, so disgusting.)

I bought Madeline some brightly-colored pipe cleaners for $.97 and she hugged them to her chest like bars of gold for the rest of our persuement around the store. I love that she is so easily pleased. (I believe I just made up "persuement.")

There's really no good way to wrap up a post of weekly highlights that include Tylenol, brackets and Wal-Mart so I'll just say that next time I write, I promise to write something of value.

Madeline in 14 months?

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:06:00 +0000

Jen sent this to me several weeks ago and I laugh every time I watch it because it makes me realize that we females never really change when it comes to our emotions and boys.

"I love him. (gulp) (sniff, sniff) And he loves me!"

I'm a lucky leprachaun

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:03:00 +0000

I already shared this picture at Nap Time in Naptown but I just have to post it here too. (I'm still trying to figure out this whole two blogs thing.)

I snapped it two days ago while experimenting with our camera with which I still have a love/hate relationship.

Love because sometimes it takes pictures. Hate because sometimes it doesn't.

But I love this shot. She is laughing hysterically at the breakfast music.

What can I say? She's an easily amused child and I love her for it.

Totally random but I have to share this too. This is a quote from Joe that made me double-over in laughter. He was trying to explain something about our hot water heater and didn't mean this to be funny at all.

Joe: "So you know when you take a shower first thing in the morning? Um. Nevermind. You don't."

And then we both started laughing.

Because it's so true. I never shower first thing in the morning these days.

And by "these days," I mean since the morning I went to the hospital to be induced. I'm more like a 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. kind of showerer now.

P.S. Dear O'Malia's, I love you but no green bagels at the parade this morning? Try to get it right next year. Thanks. Hugs and kisses, Katie

The red Cinderella palace

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:04:00 +0000

Madeline likes all things pink and princess.

When the toys are out, our house can look like a Pepto Bismol bomb exploded.

("My colors are blush and bashful.")

Her favorite princess is Cinderella.

Last year's Easter dress is now dubbed "Cinderella's dress."

And yes, I did help her create what appears to be a Cinderella shrine, complete with figurines, movie jackets, books, a magic wand, a purse and a princess tic-tac-toe board.

It entertained her for a very very very long time.

At least watching princesses in movies means she's extremely ladylike.

Or not.

So...I'm kinda excited

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:08:00 +0000

Today I'm starting something new. It's something I've been excited about for awhile now.

Nap Time in Naptown.

(By the way, Joe gets total props for the name. What would I do without him?)

I've been itching to do more writing, similar to what I've been doing here but beyond capturing my family's memories.

I am continually inspired by all the amazing people and their creative ideas out on "the Internets." And I really really love how much Indianapolis has to offer for families and their wee ones.

So I wanted to carve out a spot to put my favorite ideas, traditions and tips, some focused on Indianapolis, some not.

I hope I'll see you over there!

P.S. I love these toes.

Aldi's is Madeline-approved

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Madeline loves trips to Aldi's because:

The carts require a quarter which is now her favorite duty.
A pirate flag is across the street which she has dubbed "the Peter Pan flag."

I love this kid for the reasons listed above and more.

Reading with Daddy

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:02:00 +0000

Joe is in the midst of studying for his license. It's seven exams from March through December.

So at any point in 2010, feel free to pray for him.

The downside is that, as a couple, we can't plow through three seasons of The West Wing in one month.

I thought this year would mean late nights by myself while he was studying at Starbucks or the library in peace and quiet. Or eating dinner with just Madeline while he stayed late at work to study in peace and quiet.

But this is Reason #198,384 why I love this guy.

He wants to just be around us at home and has turned studying time in special time with Madeline.

Reading with Daddy has become Madeline favorite thing to do. They'll climb on our couch and just read. For an hour at a time. Sometimes longer.

When she doesn't want to read anymore, she still wants to be next to him and will gladly play quietly with her horse and cowboy instead of playing loudly in another room.

The hours of quiet and stillness in this house would almost be eerie if they weren't so darn cute together.

The best part about being a family is being together.

P.S. Did you notice Madeline is wearing her Christmas dress in two of the three pictures? Oh yes, we're still wearing that dress.

Every child is a budding artist

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:15:00 +0000

What's exceptionally strange about these photos is that Madeline is wearing my childhood art smock and I clearly remember wearing it along with my brothers.

The Olympics are totally cramping my bedtime

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:35:00 +0000

Along with other resolutions, I wanted to be in bed by 9:30 p.m., hopefully asleep by 10 p.m. in 2010.

But when it comes to bobsled runs, figure skating, downhill skiing and the always-fascinating speed skating, I just have no self-control.

Anybody else up at midnight these days?

Bouef Bourguignon. Um...maybe not.

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:05:00 +0000

I just finished reading "Julie and Julia."

(I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm years behind in everything.)

After months on the waiting list, I finally got the book as well as Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" from the library last week and finished the memoir in just two days.

Between plunging a knife between the eyes of a live lobster, the dramatic cursing like a sailor and the never-ending "I might jump off the cliff" talk, it was fascinating.

I loved the movie because:

the food dripping in butter looked scrumptious and
the two marriages were portrayed with encouragement, passion and humor.

The book, however, has a much different focus, the fact that this woman completed 524 stinkin' hard recipes in 365 days!!!

I know this is a big part in the movie but I think this accomplishment gets kinda glossed over and romanticized in the movie because there's more attention given to Julia Child's storyline about the challenges of getting her cookbook even published.

But my word, have you looked through these recipes?! I thought it would be fun to try a few but I'm not sure if I'm up for it.

In other words, I'd rather not cook for three days for a dish that will be eaten in five minutes if it tastes decent at all. Also? A lot of them call for calves' livers, brains and bone marrow.

Am I the crazy one or is it Julia?

Bouef bourguignon is supposedly Julia's signature dish. Even though I am not a red meat fan, I thought it might be a good one to try.

The first ingredient is a 6-ounce chunk of bacon.

Not bacon slices. A chunk of bacon. Is this even available in Indiana?

The first step is to remove the rind and then cut the bacon into lardons which are sticks 1/4 inch thick and 1 1/2 inches long.

So my first thought is "What the heck is a bacon rind?" My second, "Why can't I just use packaged bacon slices, Julia?"

Clearly, I am no Julie Powell.

Also, these women made mayonnaise from scratch. By beating ingredients with a whisk and a bowl.

That mayo better taste like manna from heaven to require the time, energy and ingredients to make something like MAYONNAISE from scratch.

But in Julia's defense, I must say her cookbook reads like a novel. I might never make anything from it but it sure is fascinating.

I'll keep you all updated if I attempt any of these recipes but I think it's a better possibility that I'll grab some lukewarm e-coli from Taco Bell and just watch the movie instead.

Oh Bissell steam mop, I love you

noreply@blogger.com (Katie @ Nap Time in Naptown) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:05:00 +0000

Our house has only hardwood floors, Yes, some winter mornings I worry about frostbite on my feet but I just take one look at them and all is forgiven.

Since the house was built in the 1930s, these floors have experienced a lot. Most recently, they've witnessed Madeline's potty training and her resilient propensity to knock over any glass within 30 feet.

(Sidenote: those of you with carpet? How in the world did you survive that stage?)

But while I love how easily spilt milk is cleaned up on a slick surface, I have struggled and struggled to deeply clean my floors.

To clarify, when I say struggled and struggled, I mean I closed my eyes and squirted Murphy's Oil Soap over my shoulder every now and then.

A broom just collects the dust bunnies and missing Disney Princess checker pieces. Wet mops seem to just smear the dirt and grime around. And mushed black beans are abundant here. Clearly, we need help.

One day after Christmas, Joe came home and said, "I love you so very much and I will now display my enduring love for you by buying an amazing contraption to make your life easier. Let's buy a steam mop."

Or maybe he just said, "I think we should buy a steam mop" but really? My blog, my story.

Anyways, he went out that night and returned home with a Bissell steam mop.

I've been in love ever since.

We were positively giddy the first time we used it. If any neighbors peeked in our house that night, they would have seen us enthralled by the hiss and heat of the rising steam.

And then came the moment when we flipped the mop head over to see how much dirt came off our floor.

Oh. My. Word.

Let's just say that baby earned its keep that night. Our floors were finally clean. Gloriously clean.

To quote my sister-in-law Janna after she borrowed our new baby, "The whole house smells like freshly-washed laundry without having anything to fold."

Seriously folks, it's THAT good.

You are all cordially invited to come over and eat off our floor.