Under a Red Roof

Such a Good Feeling

March 8, 2010 in Admiring, Remembering by Colleen | 2 comments

Hello Neighbors.

Ahh, Fred Rogers. I once won a scoop of ice cream for knowing his first name. I think I chose cinnamon. Another time, at the same scoop shop, I knew that “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first song played on MTV. See Darin, trivia can serve a very special purpose, beyond board games. Though, of course, the name of the ice cream shop escapes me. It was on 15th and Market in Denver. Anyone else remember? Anyone? Bueller?

Anyway, my fondness for the man goes beyond the fact that he helped me score delicious ice cream. I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is about him. His sweaters were pretty terrific, all knitted by his mother, by the way. One is even hanging in the Smithsonian. I made a special trip to see it when I was there and was surprised by it’s size. It’s funny, most people I have heard are surprised by how petite famous people are in person (We saw Kelly Ripa in New York, and she was tiny), but I had the opposite reaction. For such a soft spoken man, his sweater seemed huge. Which, I suppose, is appropriate, considering the impact he’s had on the lives of so many, including me.

Perhaps, it is the fact that he truly believed in children, and adults, too. He loved people, kindness, music, and the joy of discovery (did you ever see him tour a factory?). He was never embarrassed either, willingly admitting when he didn’t know or understand something. A model citizen in blue sneakers.

p.s. The story floating around the interwebs about him being a war hero aren’t true, nor are the tattoos. Though wouldn’t it be cool if he had one of a zip-up cardigan?!

Kinamand, the Oscars, and an Anniversary

March 5, 2010 in Celebrating, Spotlighting, Watching by Colleen | 3 comments

Here’s another hodgepodge post for you, starting with a terrific Danish film, Kinamand. It follows Keld, a man who can best be described as being in a rut. He’s a plumber who doesn’t show up for appointments and a man who doesn’t show up for his marriage. Frustrated by his apathy, his wife leaves him, which leaves Keld to dine at the Chinese restaurant across the street every day. As he makes his way through the menu, he forges a friendship with the owner, Feng. After a pipe bursts and Keld completes the necessary repairs, Feng takes him into his confidence and asks Keld if he would consider taking money to marry his sister (very pro-forma) so she can stay in the country. Initially, Keld refuses, but when his wife asks for a financial settlement under the terms of their divorce, he sees this as an easy solution to his problem. The two marry and move in together to keep up appearances. What starts as tense and very pro-forma develops into a tender relationship between a very oddly matched pair, with a few surprises along the way. Subtle and beautiful.

I am also very jazzed about the Oscars this weekend – the admiring of the dresses on the red carpet, the speeches, and the hosts. I think Alec and Steve (written like I am intimate with them, oh, my friends Alec and Steve!) will be a fine combination, so I am guaranteed to be sitting in front of the television for many hours Sunday afternoon and evening. I’ve even got a ballot printed and ready to take notes. Do you?

As well, Sunday is the second anniversary of Under a Red Roof. Two years, fancy that! Maybe we’ll have a little cocktail while watching the Oscars to celebrate. Thanks for reading!

Great

March 4, 2010 in Quoting by Colleen | Permalink

You already possess everything necessary to become great.

Crow Proverb

Tags: Quoting

Feelin’ Goofy

March 3, 2010 in Cooking + Baking, Eating, Gardening + Nature by Colleen | 2 comments

It’s a funny morning I’m having. I am sleepy and half of my mouth is numb, as I am just home from the dentist after having a filling replaced. It was tiny, and fell out sometime over the past six months since my last cleaning, which is kind of weird to think about. Was it one of those times that felt like I had dirt in my salad or sand in my scallops? Maybe. Anyhoo, Dr. Dewey did me up (for free) with a bright pink topical numbing agent that reminded me of Raspberry Razzles. I was rather fond of Razzles, part sweet-tart, part gum, all goodness for about five minutes. Am I the only person around that likes to chew gum for five minutes? Seriously, any longer and it just isn’t a pleasant experience.

The Razzle talk has me thinking about Thirteen Going on Thirty, with Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo (I like him a lot), a film in which many Razzles are consumed. I’ve seen it about five times, mostly on random afternoons of couch potato-ing. It’s fun, silly, and cute except for the mean girl who played the woman with the wonky boobs on Arrested Development. I’d definitely watch it again.

So the picture above is of our compost. Well, the bits ready for the heap, at least. I couldn’t believe how pretty it looked – purple kale stems and Meyer lemon halves are quite lovely. I read somewhere that about 30% of the garbage put in landfills is food waste like this. Why aren’t more people composting? Is it a concern over the smell, because it doesn’t really, unless you put animal protein in it. If you’re worried about it, keep it far from the house, but, seriously, someone farting is a lot worse than the smell of compost, and according to Dr. Oz, it’s happening inside the house six to twenty-four times a day, per person. Think about that for a minute. Besides, composting is also super simple and requires no fancy equipment. We’ve got a giant bin into which we are constantly putting vegetable waste, leaves, and grass clippings. We rarely stir it and have amazing compost. It really couldn’t be easier.

Finally, when in doubt, roast. I bought a head of cabbage the other day and decided I would roast it rather than the usual braise. Holy smokes people, this makes awesome cabbage! I cut each half into four wedges, drizzled them with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and baked for 25 minutes at 400 degrees. The outer layer was a little crispy, and the inner leaves were creamy – so delicious.

Oh yes, before I forget. Thank you so very much for your kind words about both the watercolor painting and my new job (which is going quite well). You are the best!

Tags: Cooking and Baking, Movies

Bucket of Goodness

March 1, 2010 in Learning by Colleen | 3 comments

Meet my new favorite moisturizer. Yes, I’m serious!

I have come to believe, no matter how crazy I may seem in saying so, that simple and natural are best. I am no longer swayed by promises or pretty packaging (nothing like a gallon bucket to prove that point!) but rather common sense. Does it make sense to slather my body in heaven knows what kind of chemicals to keep my skin from aging? With coconut oil, I don’t have to wonder. This bucket of goodness contains exactly one ingredient, grown organically to protect not only the earth, but the farmers and their families bringing it to me. There are absolutely no surprises like strange colors, potentially harmful preservatives, or perfumes, save the one Mother Nature provided. So, if I accidentally get some in my mouth, I’m not left with some awful taste or an upset tummy. What’s more, I can literally eat it (and do – it’s delicious and good for you!). I wouldn’t dare do that with any conventional lotion, no way, no how. Which is kind of crazy, really.

The best part is that it really is a terrific moisturizer. It is light, rubs in easily without feeling greasy, and, because I am not actually keen on smelling like a beach all day, the scent of coconut doesn’t linger. You can’t beat the price either, $37 for a GALLON that will last me and the hubster up to two years. Unlike other conventional moisturizers, it is quite multi-purpose, too. I use it head to toe – hair (a wonderful conditioner), face, lips, body, hands, and feet. It’s pretty terrific on the hubster’s very sensitive skin, I might add – literally the only moisturizer he’s ever tried that doesn’t irritate his skin. Now that’s saying something.

If you decide to try it, you’ll find it at the supermarket (you may have to look in the health food section) with olive oils and such. It comes in a peanut butter size jar and costs about $10. Try to buy organic and unrefined, as refining heats the oil and diminishes it’s healing properties. As well, coconut oil is solid at temperatures under 74 degrees. If your house is cold, like mine, you’ll need some sort of spreader to scrape off what you need (a little goes a long way), but also know that it will get very mushy (nearly liquid but not quite) in the summer or in warm places. If you find that you really like it and want to take the gallon plunge like we did, we bought ours from the awesome Mountain Rose Herbs. I cannot praise this company enough. They have great values, a great product selection, and great customer service.