The realtors keep saying "It's a buyer's market." I think they may be right. First they agree to cover all our closing, then they agree to fix the expensive and outdated electric system noted on the inspection. But now they ask if we can close a full month earlier, and they will pay our rent for the time! Something about a wedding and wanting to get the deal done asap. Whatever.

All I know is I can move into my house really really soon. Like in 1 1/2 weeks soon. Eeep! This is probably a better change for Ben than for me. My whining and pining and planning neurotic details of furniture arrangements, future improvements and purchases, and scheduling for moving has been cut. For example, I've been mapping garden plans. In October. For a house I don't live in yet. (And the only past gardening success I've known is a couple window boxes of petunias, of which I should have gotten the bushel kind instead of the trailing kind. But that doesn't stop me.)

But soon I'll be there!

Oh, in case your wondering: chives, thyme, rosemary, mint, and parsley under the kitchen window, lavender by the entrance, Lilac bush in the corner, clematis on one trellis, morning glory on the other, nasturtiums in the front with geraniums in the window boxes. The following season add tulips, irises, narcissus, and crocus. Ground cover yet to be determined and maybe a potted japanese maple. In my dreams, I know. :-)

Steamed artichokes (straight from Ben's boss's garden) with potato cakes. Mashed potatoes are combined with feta cheese, dill, lemon juice, scallions, and egg, then dredged in flour and browned in a skillet.
 

Indian spiced yellow squash fritters

Red bean side dish, I forgot what the recipe was called. Not that great, dal would have been better but I was short on time.

Oh, so good! 3/4 lb of Tillamook chedder went into this baked noodle and broccoli casserole. I ran out of white flour, and had to use whole wheat to make the roux. It worked just as well and gave the sauce a heartier texture and flavor.

Spicy pepper and tomato tortilla soup. Way too spicy for me, I could barely finish it.

A Lebanese dish from my Mediterranean cookbook. Chickpeas, garlic, onions, tomatoes, and eggplant are simmered with cumin, cinnamon, and coriander. Served on basmati rice with a cucumber salad.

Ice cream sandwiches. Ben is enjoying the traditional two cookie model, while Brian is topping little cookies baked in a muffin tin.

While on vacation, I painted my old bedroom and part of the foyer. Enjoy!



 

We bought a house!

We signed the contract on Monday, but this coincided with me getting some sort of stomach/intestinal sickness. Three days later, I'm feeling somewhat functional. Sorry for the delay. Anyway.

Yes, we bought a townhome in Lakewood, just a few blocks from my office. It's been fixed and flipped so it has new carpet, wood panelling (trust me, it looks nice), new fixtures, and new appliances, but we still got a great deal compared to other units in the neighborhood and other homes in that price range elsewhere. It's going to need just a little more work to get it perfect: add more storage in the kitchen, put up window coverings, get a washer/dryer (Yes! My own washer and dryer! I've dreamed of this day for 6 years), but minor things really.

We close in mid October, giving us a cushy two and a half weeks to clear out of our old apartment before that lease is up. Unfortunately, I'll probably go crazy in anticipation waiting these two months.

I'm glad to see you all are still checking my site, despite irregular posting. As a reward, may I present to you

Fritz and Franz: Fight the Future SPECIAL EDITION
(with special death-to-John Waters opening)

The revival of Pirates of Penzance was a staple in my musical theater repertoire as a young girl. Not only a funny show and fun to pretend I could sing along with the soprano, but it had two handsome pirates in thigh-high leather boots with luscious perms.


Though Kevin Kline's charisma has a certain pull, my girlish crush fell on Frederic, played by Rex Smith. Those earnest eyes, the tiny ponytail, the way he over-enunciated each and every word with those pouty lips. I had forgotten about his capacity to make me swoon until we saw the play in Park City, prompting me to re-watch Amanda's copy of the Joseph Papp production.




But where is Rex now? I think I heard he was doing more shows on Broadway, maybe even a Tony nomination or two. Hmm, let's wander over to his official website . . .








Is there anything sadder than this?