Monthly Archives: March 2012

Crab(by) and grapefruit salad: it’s spring, so cheer up!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

This salad almost didn’t happen this week.  And had it not, life would have gone on, but perhaps it would have been crabbier, and not in the tasty way. The salad put a smile on our faces. I didn’t buy … Continue reading →

Posted in food | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Death by CPT code

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

CPT codes — “current procedural terminology” — have become the bane of my existence.  My title is a bit hyperbolic, true, but the codes at the very least are trying my patience.  My family is lucky that we have health … Continue reading →

Posted in education, family | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Family day: a momentous occasion

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I was reminded by Ed today that it was this date in 2007 — five years ago — that we adopted Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl.  I have never been good with dates, and routinely forget birthdays and even my … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, family, identity, loss, memory, tradition | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Go fly a kite

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

And then hang around a while.

Posted in family, spring | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Baking in the sun: cocoa sables

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

The recipe for French Fridays with Dorie this week was cocoa sables, and much as I enjoy a good chocolate cookie, I wasn’t sure if I’d get this one done, what with the heat in my kitchen already cranking up, … Continue reading →

Posted in carousel, family, food, spring | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

When spring feels like summer

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl alternate between asking me when they go back to school to see their friends, and whether or not it is summer so we can go to the beach. Global warming is so damn confusing! At … Continue reading →

Posted in endless summer, photography, spring | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Blooming mystery flower [aka amaryllis]

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We’ve had this flower in a pot in our house for seven years.  During that time, it has bloomed a few times, but mot often, it has been dormant.  For some reason, perhaps the early spring, it just bloomed spectacularly. … Continue reading →

Posted in spring, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Irish soda bread

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We’re still eating the soda bread — and despite the warning that it would harden like the Blarney Stone, it has remained fairly moist and certainly tasty. Maybe it’s the humidity here in Chicago during this global warming-induced heat wave. … Continue reading →

Posted in bread, family, food, holidays | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Diversity day and inclusion: getting personal

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My school hosted a “Diversity Day” a few weeks ago — with the intent of giving our students some workshop-like experiences that would allow them to explore more deeply our school’s motto: SAILL.  SAILL stands for support, affirm, include, listen … Continue reading →

Posted in community, education, experience, family, identity, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dog lips

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Monkey Man, Gorilla Girl and I were playing in the yard, when the neighbor’s dog, Stuie, came racing across the street — Stuie is a black lab/shepherd, and though still a pup, he weighs about 80 pounds, and he’s fast.  … Continue reading →

Posted in family, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments