Family in Feast and Feria

HT: to , who has just a touch of New Yorker accent and Maryan -- where's Connecticut?

While waiting for the plumber one morning, my son asked:

"Mommy, do plumbers plumb?"

I can see why he asked the question. After all, most jobs are described by their name, his favorite job right now just being a "worker", and they work!

I had difficulty finding the answer that I could explain to him. I found this etymology, which shows the change of working with lead to now current use of water pipes. And yes, technically, plumbers do plumb.

...but it was nice to prove it. Of course dh is Mr. Darcy! He even recognizes himself when we watch P&P! The problem is my sisters think THEIR husband is Mr. Darcy, too.

You scored as Darcy. Your husband is most like Mr. Darcy of Pride & Prejudice. A beloved hero, he may be quieter and sometimes mistaken as proud, but in reality he has the most thoughtful generous nature. He appreciates good character and is extremely devoted to those he cares for. As a couple, you enjoy the company of those closest to you and may engage in thought-provoking conversations.

Darcy 90% Knightley 80% Edward Ferrars 80% Captain Wentworth 65% Edmund Bertram 60% Tilney 55% Col. Brandon 55% Who is Your Jane Austen Boyfriend/Husband? created with QuizFarm.com

I interrupt my blog silence to post that Five Minutes for Mom is hosting a Mother's Day Giveaway. There are several contests to enter: an Apple Ipod Nano and chocoloate gift set, a handmade Mei Tai baby carrier from All Natural Mommies, a copy of Hannah Keeley’s Total Mom Makeover , jewelry by Designing Diva and Allis Originals. Just click on the above logo and start entering. Have fun!

The warm weather is upon us, and I've pulled out my sandals, which means bare toes. Now feet in general are not pretty, but my toes are particularly not attractive. So I do paint my toenails to disguise a little of their "ugliness". I painted them a pale pink this week.

My son asked me yesterday, "Why did you paint them pink?"

I replied, "Because I wanted to make them pink. I think it's pretty."

To which he said: "Why don't you paint them red like the other ladies? I like red"

I've been tagged by In This House of Brede and But I Have Called Your Friends two weeks ago.

4. cursed? Last week. I admit once in a while I let some mild ones slip out. I'm not so sweet and innocent!

5. had a nightmare? Almost every night. Most don't wake me, but they do wake dh.

6. checked your email? 2 hours ago.

7. had a crush? Too long ago to remember. I had quite a few in grade school and high school, though.

8. drove a car? Thursday. When dh is home I don't need to drive.

9. rode a roller coaster? 1987? Last one I hope ever.

10. took a nap? Sunday, when I was sick.

11. went to the movies? Whichever was the last one in the theater...The Passion of the Christ or the second movie of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I don't enjoy the theater, too loud...I prefer my couch, even though the screen is smaller.

12. drank alcohol? Last night. Had some white wine with dh.

13. went to a party? March 17 and 18, parties for my 40th birthday.

14. said “I love you"? An hour ago to my son, and this morning to my dh.

15. cooked a meal? Thursday night. It's been a busy weekend.

16. exercised? Not regularly. I lugged boxes of books at a booksale yesterday and did hours of weeding today. I'm sore, and that's pitiful.

I tag MB, MaryM, and Ruth.

Anyone else have a little redecorator in their house? I keep finding the Advent Wreath in different places throughout the day. Tuesday the candles were out of the wreath and arranged in a lovely pattern. Yesterday the wreath was on the sofa.

The Christmas tree has new ornaments each day. Some days there are Thomas and Friends trains. Yesterday it was a recorder in the tree.

I'm looking forward to his other little decorative touches.

Inspired by Elizabeth Foss' preschool posts, particularly It's a Wonderful Thing, our son received a two-sided art easel for his third birthday. One side has a chalkboard, the other a whiteboard and capability of putting attaching paper and painting. By far it is one of his favorite gifts. He wants to paint all the time. He enjoys wielding the paint brush and using the brilliant primary colors. Each page is a masterpiece. Yesterday he stepped back from his work and said "I'm looking at my painting." After a little quiet surveillance, he declared: "It needs more paint."

And his cousins, near the same age, feel the same tug, the same attraction for this easel. A chalkboard has such wonderful possibilities, but the paint -- Oh! it's just wonderful. One nephew (my darling godson) spied it immediately walking into the house. There was a painting my son had already completed still hanging on the easel. Such oohs and ahhs and "He painted that? Wow, that's beautiful." And it was.

I watched another niece and nephew this week for a little while. I thought that they would be spending most of their time playing Thomas & Friends, as there was a lovely track set up and a roundhouse that was so appealing the last visit. Yes, it was attractive, but the magnetic appeal of the easel was even stronger. We ended up painting, and it was their first time, too. What concentration on their work, and what pride at the completed masterpieces!

And this is my favorite gift, too. For the first time in my memory, I am using tempera paints. Yes, you read that correctly. I mean it's MY first time. My kitchen and dining room have the wonderful odor of tempera paints. It brings back a flood of memories. I remember walking by the art supply room, smelling that aroma. I remember seeing those large jars of those brilliant colors and wondering, wishing, hoping that one day I could paint. In all those years of Catholic school, I must have teachers who didn't want the mess, because I never experienced the joy of using tempera paint. So now I have, and it's even better than I ever dreamed.

It's the olfactory sense that really triggers memories of my childhood art supplies. The smell of Crayola Crayons, PlayDoh, Paste, Elmers Glue, Construction Paper, Scotch Tape, fingerpaints, pencil leads....all have a distinct and delightful aroma. And smelling any of these takes me on a delightful trip down memory lane...and reminds me that I need to provide opportunities for my son to make these kind of memories, also.

And for ds, the chalkboard and painting have ignited other artistic pursuits. The creative floodgates have been opened. He now can't get enough of using markers and crayons...he even talks about being an artist. The artist part is in thanks to the inspiration of The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola, one of his favorite books right now.

Now, I have to admit, I have been wondering why some of these Tempera paints have labels that say "Really and Truly" washable paints. I couldn't understand, because our paint is washable. It says so...right on the label. Well, this week I figured it out. The paints don't come out as easily as just washing the clothes. But do these "really and truly" washable paints smell like traditional tempera paints? Are they as brilliant and have the same texture? Any recommendations for brands?

Next stop, fingerpainting. I'm a bit nervous on this endeavour. It's not the mess. I loved fingerpaints, mostly because of the smell (I tell you, my little nose really plays a prominent role in my life) and the lovely texture of the paints and special paper. But I had a disappointing experience with my little sister (13 years younger than I). When she was about 3 or 4, I thought she would LOVE trying her hand(s) at fingerpainting, so I bought a little kit. After setting her all up, she placed her fingers in the paint, dabbled a little and then was done. She wanted her hands cleaned. It was way too messy for her.

I can't tell if my son would have the same reaction. I thought I would start "small" and if successful, I would buy larger tubs of fingerpaint. My problem is I can't find a simple fingerpaint kit with small jars and paper. If you have a source, please share!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Exchange expounds on the possibilities of WD-40. It seems to be quite a magic potion -- I wonder if Strega Nona had this in her arsenal for helping people? ;-) Maybe I'm the last to hear about this, but I am very impressed. I confess our can of WD-40 doesn't get used enough. There are only a few menial tasks in this household for which the blue and yellow can is brought forward: stop squeaky door hinges and loosen rusted bolts. I need to put my can to work to let it bloom to its full potential.

Overheard in our house: Ds is in the process of toilet training. While in the bathroom...

Me: Are you all done?

Ds: Yes, Mommy. I'm all empty.