1) Asparagus. I’m seriously ridiculously addicted to it. No one else in our little city can buy any becuase I buy it all up (sometimes literally) and eat at least a bundle a day and that’s with some self-control. I am considering having a trial run on the “All Asparagus, Only Asparagus” diet to see how that goes for me. What is more bizarre about this obsession is that only 2 months ago I really did not love asparagus or even like it all that much. I would make it maybe twice a year, following this recipe carefully, but it was a LOT of work and LOT of slaving over a hot stove for little enjoyability factor. But then my dear friend, D~, schooled me in roasting the Asparagus and now I can’t get enough. My recipe, which is D’s recipe, if you can call it a recipe:

• 1 bunch of asparagus (thin, ends snapped) thrown in a pan
• drizzle olive oil, toss
• salt and pepper gratuitously (use the grinders, really, do yourself a favor)
• Bake at 450 for 10-15 minutes (Tony says if you don’t pre-heat, go for 15, if you do go for 10)
• Eat & repeat. All day.

My kids who would not touch asparagus with a ten foot pole now devour this stuff faster than I can make it which is probably driving my obsession. Now there is Mommy’s Asparagus and everyone else’s. Sick, huh? Addison is the worst culprit, she goes absolutely berserk when she sees the goods and almost hyperventilates until we throw some at her, which she inhales and screams “MORE! BITE!” until we run out.

2) a Preschool Playroom. Do you read Wondertime magazine? It’s my favorite and this past issue features a Mom who wanted a nice usable, easy-to-clean playroom for her kids so she went to their preschool and borrowed the best ideas to recreate at home. I am totally obsessed with doing the same. I have no room for it. I’ll have to get rid of the big kids’ game room to pull it off. But they won’t mind going without video games and computers in lieu of a dress up corner, right? Haha. I want the playroom. Bad.

Basically they divide a space into four or so “areas” - one for reading with a huge comfy floor pillow to lounge in and a face-out book display (want one soooo bad), one area for dress up with an unbreakable mirror and hooks for the various costumes, one area for art, one play kitchen area (already got that covered) and a table in the middle filled with pasta and oats or rice instead of sand and water - easier to clean. Drool. Must have. All of it!

3) But kids, if you are reading this, don’t despair! I wanted to link to the article for those interested but apparently it isn’t yet on the website. You’ll have to pick up the latest issue of Wondertime if you are interested. Instead found this equally compelling article about carving a play space niche for little ones and suddenly I have this great idea! I’ll erect an entire playHOUSE outside with A/C and little shutters and tiny furnishings instead. Like this one - isn’t it perfection? No? How about this one! Or the Fire House, the Market, the Little Rascals clubhouse AND one of the other little Princess houses. Oh man, I’m in serious trouble. Somebody take away my credit cards.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 at 8:42 pm and is filed under House Keeping, Parenting, Things I Love. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.