It's a googly!

Yesterday after work we had a cricket match between our team and AML.  This was originally scheduled to happen last summer, but we couldn't round up enough players, then it got cold, yada yada, and we finally made it happen.  Cricket is very similar to baseball, and is really popular in India, where most of the IT guys on each team are from.

Until yesterday, all I knew about cricket was what I saw in Hope and Glory, a movie I watched endlessly when I was young.  It's set in WWII England, and follows a boy on his adventures through the remnants of his neighborhood, which was bombed during the war.  His dad teaches him how to play cricket, and how to throw a googly, a tricky pitch that only a skilled batsman can recognize.  The pitch looks like the ball will spin one way, but it goes the opposite direction.  In the movie, the family goes to live with their grandparents temporarily, where the kid uses his dad's instructions to deliver a googly and out his father.  I tried to find a video to share, but was unsuccessful.

Each team won 1 game, but there was much trash talking throughout both games we played!  The best line I heard all day:  We were waiting for one of our players to show up - he had a god excuse for not being there, work-related, and we were playing during the work day, so we kind of understood, but one guy told someone "Call Sooda, tell him to take off his pantyhose, put on his big boy pants, and get his butt over here!"  HAHA!  When he finally arrived, I asked him if he got a run in his pantyhose, and he cracked up!  :)

I tried batting, but I'm not very good at hand-eye coordination.  I used to play soccer, and was the goalie, so you'd think I'd handle this better, but it's been a looooooong time since I was 8.  So...I sat in the bleachers with the other girls and played the part of cheerleader.  I made signs with some cricket terms, and we waved them when appropriate:

 Alsa, Ashwini, me, Madhavi, Sudha

It was a good time, but I still don't understand all the rules, and couldn't keep up with the score.  Here are some action shots from the warm-ups and 1st game.  

 Kishore bowling (pitching)

Rob and Sooda running for points (runs)

Rob bowling

Sooda batting

Rahul showing Rob how to bat

Team shot

Colorful bird blend

We saw a commercial the other day for a new bird seed by Scott - Colorful Bird blend.  We usually buy nijer or thistle seed to attract gold finches, but this one attracts those, plus cardinals, chickadees, Grosbeaks, and buntings!  Cool!

I was at Walmart today stocking up for our Florida trip, and saw it, so I picked it up.

When I got home, I cleaned up the birdfeeder in the front, removing some leftover nijer/thistle and added my new colorful bird blend to it.

Here's hoping we attract some awesome birds!

Flying Squirrels game!

Thursday, we had another fun day - this one was not company-sponsored so we all paid our own way, but we still weren't at work, and that's what counts.

We decided to go support our new local baseball team, the Flying Squirrels!  It seems like Richmond has baseball fever right now, with all the games packed and people purchasing season tickets!  I hope the fever sticks around - what comparable family activity only costs $6 per person for 4 hours worth of fun?

The only problem for the day was that it was H-O-T!!  It was a scorcher, and since we purchased the expensive tickets (a splurge at $8 a pop), and were sitting on the 3rd baseline, there was no overhang or protection from the sun!  We took turns walking to the top of the stands in the shade to get some relief.  It was fun, though...

Here are some pictures from the game, from the 3rd base umpire, who was very unpopular that day, to the team's mascot, Nutzy!

Running for home!

Action shot

3rd base judge

Nutzy

 Rahul's a rock star

 The team

Here's a bonus picture of the guy who kept standing in front of us.  Scott asked him (politely?  no.) to sit down, and he kept getting in the way.

Sur La Table

Dave and I headed over to Sur La Table last night to pick up a Mother's Day gift for his mom.  She asked for a very specific grater/storage combination for Christmas, and for some reason, between Dave, Rich, and I, we didn't get it right.  Who knows how that happened...she got a grater, but not the grater, so we must make it up to her.  I mean, it's not like she's asking for world peace or anything...it's a cheese grater, why not do it right?  Perfect timing that the grater she originally wanted was in the most recent catalog we got in the mail.

Anyways, while Dave was looking for the grater, I looked around and coveted nearly everything in the store.  I managed to get out of there not purchasing anything, even though I had a coupon in my pocket, but just barely.  Wanted to share some of the awesome things I found while I was shopping.

Bonnie sent me a link a few weeks ago to some awesome cupcake liners/cups they carry, and their in-store selection did not disappoint.  Doesn't this color array make you happy?

You could plan a whole baby/bridal shower around this multi-color polka dot pattern:

I found a mortar and pestle that's waiting for a spot in my kitchen cabinet - I needed one of these last weekend when I was making garlic mashed potatoes.  I couldn't get the garlic chopped finely enough.

Anyone who saw Julie and Julia would be reminded of Julia Child's and Julie Powell's adventure writing and cooking from this book:

Ice cream social, anyone?  Do people still do that?  Wouldn't these be cute lined up on the kitchen counter, each filled with sprinkles, crushed up Oreos, nuts, cherries for an ice cream smorgasbord?

Finally, the canning section.  I've always wanted to learn how to preserve vegetables, jams, and jellies, and since I registered for a canning class at UofR, I've had canning on the brain!  Bonnie sent me the link to this canning/preserving set in the most recent SLT catalog, which comes with a canning rack, can lifter, boiler, and funnel - how cool! 

I didn't see the set in the store, but even if I did, I don't think I need to buy anything until I can see if the canning thing is really for me after the class, but I hope they still have it in stock in August!  What I did see in the store were tons of jars and accessories to be used during canning, along with an awesome recipe/how-to book!

Here's hoping I have some major canning in my future!  Wouldn't it be fun to make jars and jars of spaghetti sauce, jellies, or other things and have them in the pantry?

Typical Saturday

While Dave is outside pulling weeds and digging a trench for landscape edging, I'm in the kitchen making cookies.  That's how every Saturday should go, no?

I ran some errands earlier, groceries and such, and now I'm taking a break, baking some Kroger brand 'break and bake' cookies.  They're cranberry, oatmeal, walnut, and they taste awesome!  Next up is mixed berry muffins for breakfast tomorrow. 

Happy Saturday everyone!

PS - these lilies are dying to bloom any day now!

Broke a rule

Bonnie set a rule that I wasn't allowed to buy baby hope chest items till I got pregnant. But I had to break that rule, just this once, to buy this JMU baby knit hat!

How cute! They had VCU and Tech colors too!

Serendipity at Forest Hill and Buford.

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Rumschpringa

Is the Amish rumschpringa really that odd? Don't we, as 'Englischers,' do the same thing?

Stay tuned.
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Multi-purpose closet mini-makeover

Our coat closet is a catch-all for games, coats, hats, and whatever else I feel like hiding when people come over ;)

Yesterday I decided I couldn't stand to look at it in its current state for one more minute, so I cleaned it out and re-organized it so it's more functional, not just a dumping ground for stuff.

Here's a list of what was in there, plus or minus a few things:

• 14 coats
• 13 pairs of gloves
• 5 knit hats and 5 baseball caps
• 2 Monopoly games - 1 regular and 1 Beatles
• 2 Scrabble games - 1 regular and 1 vintage
• 9 decks of playing cards - yes, I'm serious
• 2 vacuums
• Rock Band drum kit, mic, and 2 guitars
• set of windshield wipers for the Vue
• space heater
• snow boots
• more games
• beach velcro lacrosse thing - huh?
• 2 chess boards
• 2 Halloween costumes 
• 1 cat leash
• and, of course, a partridge in a pear tree

Wow, that's a lot of junk for a 2x4 closet, right?

First, we got rid of some coats, 2 of which were parts of our most recent Halloween costumes.  I remember thinking at the time that it made sense to put them in the coat closet, because they're coats.  Now, I don't agree with myself.  Why do they need to be in the coat closet by the front door, when we're obviously not going to wear them regularly.  Silly self...shaking my head at you.  I also put 3 more coats I don't wear anymore in the yard sale/Goodwill pile.

Next, the games.  I kept both Monopoly games, only because they're different, but purged one of the Scrabbles.  5 decks of cards were removed, along with one of the chess sets.  Dave kept his poker chip wheel, but got rid of another set that had cheaper chips and a felt mat for the table.  We've never used it, but it's cool.  The beach velcro whatever-game-this-is-supposed-to-be set was cast out as well.

I donated some gloves, hats, and scarves last winter, so I didn't get rid of any more after seeing what I had left.  I put the space heater in the attic with the larger one, and the snow boots in our closet with the rest of our shoes...makes sense, eh?  No sense in having them out in May.

This is where I should insert a picture of the pile of stuff that I dragged out of every corner of the closet.  Too bad I didn't take one.  It would have been a doozie!

Now, to put everything else back in.  I bought a hanging shoe organizer to store playing cards, hats, gloves, and hand warmers that we bought for whale watching and didn't use.  They're awesome - you open the packet, put them in your pocket, and crinkle them around with your hands and they create heat.  Not sure how, but it works.  I'm not ready to throw them away in case we ever attend an event where we might need them - I think they expire next year, so they have a deadline to be used. Anyways, I put everything in a cubby in categories, and left one empty for a headband thing and hat that I know are in Dave’s car.  This leaves the inside door empty, other than 2 wreath hangers.

I split the coats so Dave’s are on one side, mine are on the other, and put my scarf organizer on my side.  I put the games back on the top shelf, the Rock Band stuff on the floor in the back, and tucked the vacuum back in (not pictured).

Fun Sunday!  Jealous?

Anthropologie

Today, i took Dave to Anthropologie to show him something I want to buy for the new study :)  It is a little costly for an accessory so I wanted to make sure he liked it before I bought it. 

I love this store!  I went a few weeks ago and wished I had my camera with me to capture all the things I loved, so I made sure to take it with me today.  they have clothing and a few furniture pieces, but I love the kitchen and bath accessories - the dish towel collection is fabulous and this one's my favorite!  I had to leave them all behind, though, because they're $18.  Birthday present, hint, hint!

Here are my favorite items from today's trip - although I only brought one home with me.

Love these monogram mugs - perfect and classic, and would match any decor!

This ring dish is cool for a beachy bathroom, with starfish-like designs on it.  It has a pedestal base so it wouldn't knock over easily:

These dishes would work for spice prep, or a ring dish, or just decorative accents:

This little fishy reminds me of a toothpick holder Bonnie has on the window sill above her kitchen sink.  It belonged to her grandma and every time she sees it, she thinks of her...I assume he's a ring dish, but he'd be cute just sitting around.

I guess monograms are in right now, because they're everywhere.  These letters have anchors on the back so you can hang them flat against the wall, but they'd look good as bookends or accessories separating book groupings on a shelf:

But we bought this version instead - this is the item i wanted Dave to approve.  They're replicas of printing press letters, mounted on wood blocks - love it!  Dave agreed, so we brought the 'A' home!

Here's Dave being goofy - with the 'poisson' cup...he made a joke about some company manufacturing a cup with the French word for fish on it, knowing it looks (at a glance) like it says poison.

Road trip!

Yesterday, I trekked up to Fred so we could visit a few places with vegetables and local color. 

First stop was the Farmers Market at Hurkamp Park, where our main objective was to take pictures, so we didn't purchase anything.  They had strawberries, herbs, greens, and a few stands sold local honey and honey-related products.  A little girl at one of the stands saw our cameras and asked "are you looking for anything today or just taking pictures?"  BUSTED!  :)

This park is on the outskirts of the historic district and has recently started to overcome its bad reputation.  Now they plan events there and have regular traffic to make it worth keeping it up.  This is where I'll be selling my message boards in September - at Market in the Park!

Here are my favorite shots from the market:

After we did our lap around the park, we headed out to Locust Grove to visit Miller Farms.  I've driven past this place a hundred times since it's on the way from Fred to JMU, but either never noticed that it had a market, or the market part of the farm is new.  Either way, it was so cute!  They have a greenhouse with herbs and flowers, a patch where you can pick your own strawberries, and market with freshly picked berries and asparagus, along with jams, jellies, salsa...and a gift shop with handmade items like potholders and table runners.  Cute.

 

Thanks for the invite, sign.  I would love to come sit on your porch :)

I bought some strawberries, asparagus, spices, applesauce, and this cute pantry sign.  Just in case I forget where it is in the house, I can just look for the sign! ;)

After taking a break to work on a yet-to-be-released project and a visit to Target, we were pooped, so I came home and crashed!  Fun times with the Bonnie!  :)