Oh. My. Gross.

Raise your hand if you've seen this show on the BBC America channel. I learned very quickly that can't watch this show while eating anything lest I vomit. This show goes a step beyond the Clean House concept of straightening messy houses into the valley of filth and nastiness that live in "flee infested rubbish tip"s! Bug droppings, baked-on, caked-on grime and grease, pet hair, rust and "festering feces" and so much more - pure sickness. It's abhorring. And fascinating. And disgusting. And hysterical (British people talk funny). If you haven't already, you must check it out. If only to see the funny little houses that British folk live in (v. Harry Potter)!

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Did you know you could clean glass with Worchester sauce?! And the kitchen sink with shaving cream? And two-day newspaper works like paper towels. Can you recyclable np w/cleaning prod on it? Maybe only if it's organic cleaning product? Will research.

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I admit I am no clean freak but this show makes even the messiest of people to feel haughty and proud. I love and hate this show so much! I predict that we'll be seeing an American version in the very near future. Stand by for the fun!

Please stop!

I am really loving the age Brody is right now. I have to admit that up until recently I've been sort of looking forward to more. You know, like...'I can't wait till Brody can roll over...sit up...walk....talk...etc.' But right now - 2 years and 4 months - I want it to all stop! I just want him to be this height, size, skill-level for as long as possible. He has just enough of everything to be a total blast! His speech is exploding and his little brain captures absolutely everything.

He still has a funny little run (which I adore) and wants to hold hands when going down stairs and wants to be held more often than walk on his own. I'm not complaining. In a few short months/years I know that he'll be running wild and leaping off of dangerous ledges and too big for me to carry. He's growing so fast. I just want to soak up him up like gravy in a buttermilk biscuit!!!!!!

Me & B

I'm usually behind the camera so I was thrilled to get these pics of me and Brody Bear from MorMor. They were taken during our fun time with them during 4th of July this year! What a handsome little man...even when he's fussing.

Viva Fiesta!

Santa Barbara has no seasons. We celebrate Independence Day in 70 degree weather. And we celebrate Memorial Day in 76 degree weather. But every summer there's Fiesta. And (to be totally cliche) - it's hot, hot, hot!!! VIVA! Fiesta is 5 days of non-stop party. Dancing in the streets, Cascarones, Mariachi bands galore, Mojitos, parades, picnic dinners at the Sunken Gardens and Mission, yummy churros and Flaminco dancers! I mean, people take off work for Fiesta! This year we have been able to participate in more of the city events than we have in the past due to Brody being older and the year before Brody was born I was randomly ill?

All day that Fiesta 2004 I was queasy and pukey feeling. I remember the outfit I wore to work because I just wanted to be comfy...like in jammies. I also remember sitting on my cube floor just wanting to go home but I couldn't because I was judging a Guac-off later that afternoon! I left immediately after the competition and slept. At the time, my apartment complex was celebrating our "2nd Annual Fiesta party at The 521". I kept trying to attend the parking lot party but just being so sickly that I had to keep retreating to my bed. Turns out, I was pg with Bubba. And getting to enjoy the events with Brody this year has been so much fun. My little Fiesta Baby. So for me...Fiesta will always be a very special season!

My Cooking Bible

Twice this week I've called on our Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book [1989 edition]. Gramps Sturm handed this cookbook down to Kevin and I am so stoked to have it. What a gold mine!

Recipes of the Week:

(1) Peach cobbler - with the awesome crate of peaches we picked up at Buttonwood Farm Winery last weekend. So delicious!

(2) Frosty Strawberry Squares - Amazing. We had a bushel of Farmer's Market strawberries that were about to turn into fuzzy, squishy, mushberries. Kevin didn't love it but I end up daydreaming about them all day long. So delicious.

Thank you, BHG Cook Book.