52 Manholes.

That's exactly how many manholes and utility covers stand between our home and the ice cream shop.  Not only did my son and I count each one on our walk today, we took pictures of them all as well.  

Here's a dozen of our favorite photos:

Love the various patterns and details, never really stopped to observe them before.  Funny the little things you notice when you allow yourself time to slow down and look around.

A Song for a Snapdragon.

Turns out there aren't any.  Well, none I like anyways.  I googled "snapdragon songs" and "snapdragon poems" for the better half of my morning and came up empty.  I even consulted my handy dandy "Language of Flowers" book and not one word about my favorite annual.  I did find a few somewhat depressing poems and a movie by Pamela Anderson that bears the same name.  Neither of which held my interest.

I loved snapdragons as a child, squeezing the sides of the bloom to make the "mouth" open.  Who am I kidding, I still do that as an adult.

A few of the blooms in my garden are pictured above.  They have spread everywhere.  None of these plants were planted this year, all have surprised me by returning.  The colors are an even bigger surprise, as I've only bought the pink variety in the center.  I think the garden is trying to tell me I need to add more color.

Such a beautiful flower to go without a song.

Stamp Collecting.

I am a total sucker for a good old fashioned stamp set.  And I've actually managed to collect some very cool pieces.  My favorites include a vintage movie playbill series and an absolutely awesome tailor set.

I don't use any of them.  Not sure why that is.  Anyways, my parents totally support my print addiction and are always on the lookout for more pieces to add to my collection.

Check out their latest $5.00 find: 

I can line up an entire word at once:

I've used my son's washable ink to try out the stamp.  My results will be better once I use a heavier professional ink, but you get the idea.

Love it!  My son caught me inking and has eyes on the set.  I'll have to let him have a try, bet he'll enjoy it as much as me.

Shopping with Boys and Wooloomooloo.

Yesterday was day 68 of summer vacation for the boys.  For 67 days, we have had a wonderful time hanging at the pool, relaxing, eating our body weight in ice cream.  Good times.  That was until we went school shopping.  

And everything fell apart.

Let me give you a brief synopsis of school shopping with 3 boys (and a husband).

Why do we have to go?  Because I need your foot with me in order to buy you shoes.  Can’t you just trace my foot instead? You’re going.  Stand up straight so we can measure your feet. These shoes are too tight.  They hurt. (My children have been in flip flops or barefoot the entire summer.  Socks feel tight at this point).  Walk around and see if they fit.  I said walk.  Stop running.  Get back here now.  Stop touching your brother.  Stop touching your brother.  Are you touching your brother?  Leave your brother alone.  Yes, you have to try the pants on.  Stop touching your brother.  Stop licking the mirror.  Stop touching your brother.  Are you kidding me, no, I will not buy you candy.  How many more stores are we going to?  He’s touching me.  It takes a lot longer when you horse around.  Oh, Dear Lord, are you seriously touching your brother.  I have to go to the bathroom again.  How many more stores are we going to?  I swear if you don’t stop touching your brother.  You can ask me as many times as you want, but I’m still not buying you candy.  Get away from your brother.  Look, Mom, my leg is bleeding in my shoe!  You can't possibly have to go to the bathroom again.  For the last time, get your hands off of your brother!  This is the worst afternoon of my life.

And as much fun as that sounds, the day ended with us getting stuck in rush hour traffic for a solid hour.  I’ll let you imagine how enjoyable that was after an exciting shopping excursion.

 

All of this led to a bonus “Cheap Wine with Pretty Labels” post.

Wooloomooloo is a Red Blend from South Eastern Australia.  The wine was good.  Quite honestly, this probably wasn’t the best day to have me pay attention to the taste of wine. You could have given me a glass of swill and I would’ve been thrilled.

So here’s my review.  Cool label, good (much needed) wine.  Cheap ($7.99).  As for the name?  I am positive it’s a swear word that means school shopping sucks.

I'm Winning the Lottery and Buying a Herd of Sheep.

Or is it a ram?  Long horned sheep, ram, whatever you want to call it--I need one of these in my life.

Or two or three...

I'll need to win the lottery first, though.  Each one of these awesome little guys is $1199.  Yikes.  Saw that price tag and quickly backed away.  Spotted him at Arhaus Furniture while school shopping today (you'll read all about that disaster in an entirely different blog post).  

I need to stop looking at the pictures.  Just makes me want one even more.  So cool.

I Don't Know What I'm Drinking, But It Sure Is Tasty.

I confess, I broke several of my self imposed rules for this week's "Cheap Wine with Pretty Labels" series.

1. The label is okay, but it doesn't really scream out at me.  I like a label that makes me need to buy it.  This one is artsy, but not all that interesting.
2. I've promised to keep the price range at $10.00 or under.  This bottle went over my budget by 99 cents.
3. I like to write about wines I've never sampled before for this series.  Busted.  Second time I've tried this one.

So here's the rule breaking wine.

Pomelo is a Sauvignon Blanc bottled by Mason Cellars.  And it's delicious.  I mentioned before that this is not the first time I've tried it.  I was originally introduced to Pomelo by one of my closest wine snob friends.  This guy really knows his stuff and was so impressed with the unique flavor.  The wine sold out quickly around here, and I've had to wait for the bar to get a new shipment in before I could try it again.  I won't lie, it felt a little like Christmas when my husband came home with the bottle on Saturday night.

Pomelo is a "giant citrus fruit native to Malaysia and thought to be ancestor to the grapefruit".  That's what the bottle says, anyways.  I've never heard of a pomelo before (note to self: pay more attention in the produce section).  But the wine definitely has a slight citrus flavor to it.  Somewhat lemony, definitely a grapefruit like after taste.  I just love it.  

I enjoyed a glass while watching a preseason football game and wrapping my son's birthday gifts.  Snacked on salt and vinegar chips, which was a combination I highly discourage.  Just plain nasty together.  

Oh, and one last thing--it's a screw top.  I mentioned before, I don't have anything against a wine bottle with a screw top.  I wasn't lying.  Tried this one twice, and I'll definitely be buying it again.

Now Playing.

I have exactly 1696 songs on my iPod (and an infinite number of songs I intend to download).

Last 3 played songs: 

1. "Forever" Chris Brown (downloaded after I couldn't get the music from the infamous YouTube wedding video out of my head).
   
2. "Thank You" Alanis Morrisette
3. "Love is My Religion" Ziggy Marley

Most frequently played:

1. "Boston" Augustana.  I've listened to it 47 times.  As soon as I'm done this post, I'm gonna go listen to it again.
2. "Come Clean" Hilary Duff. Punished myself by listening to this 22 times. I don't know what I was thinking.
   
3. "Gravity Rides Everything" Modest Mouse.  20 times.

Most popular genre: 

Rock. But all genres are represented, don't fret.

Most songs by these artists:

1. Green Day
   
2. AC/DC
   
3. Dave Matthews Band

Shortest: 

0:13 seconds.  "Appetizer 1"  Grateful Dead, The Pizza Tapes.  I have never heard this song in my life.

Longest:

789:57 minutes.  "Slip Slidin' Away" Paul Simon.  Hmmm.....thinking there is a big problem with this track.

Decade most represented? 

1990.

I am most embarrassed to admit I like: 

"As Long As You Love Me" Backstreet Boys.  Only Backstreet Boys tune I like if that helps redeem me.

Why isn't this on my iPod? 

"59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)", Simon & Garfunkel

Tomorrow I'm downloading: 

"Anyone Else But You"  The Moldy Peaches

I'd most like to memorize: 

"Subterranean Homesick Blues" Bob Dylan

 

If it's playing, you better believe I'm singing to it (loudly and completely out of tune):  

1. "All You Wanted" Michelle Branch.  In my brain, I totally rock at this one.
   
2. "Where I Stood"  Missy Higgins
3. "Breathe (2 AM)" Anna Nalick

Just plain awesome songs every iPod needs:

1. "Mustang Sally" Wilson Pickett
2. "Long Cool Woman" The Hollies
3. "Starry Eyed Surprise" Paul Oakenfold.  Try not to dance to this one.  I dare you.
4. "Son of a Preacher Man" Dusty Springfield
5. "Should I Stay or Should I Go"  The Clash
6. "Chain of Fools" Aretha Franklin
7. "Brown Eyed Girl" Van Morrison
8. "Lean On Me" Bill Withers

I wish I had thought to write:

"Yellow" Coldplay.  "Look at the stars.  Look how they shine for you...and all the things that you do."

The way I'd most like to live my life:

"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" Cyndi Lauper