Lemon Drop Pie

February 5, 2009

Book Nook: A Cuppa

Molly, my sister, and I fell out,
And what do you think it was all about?
She loved coffee and I loved tea,
And that was the reason we couldn’t agree.
Traditional nursery rhyme

One of my sisters loves coffee; the other prefers Coke. Myself? I love my java in the morning. But the afternoon is right for tea. February afternoons, with the southern sun slanting in through the windows with the promise of spring, is the perfect time for tea. I love curling my chilly fingers around a warm mug. Reading novels written by British authors always seem to make me want a nice, steaming cuppa tea. Our neighbor always offers to make us tea after we eat dinner together. Go ahead; put the kettle on!

When I was pregnant with Emmy, I was concerned about the effects of herbal teas. Some herbs can cause contractions, and I wanted to avoid anything that might have been harmful to Roo (our name for Emmy before she was born.) I went to a tea shop in the mall close to us, and asked for advice. The woman there started looking through her tea book for a safe herbal tea, and together we found rooibos, a tea that comes from Africa. It is also called red tea, or bush tea. Perfect! Every time I drink this tea, I’m reminded of Mma Ramotswe, the detective in one of my favorite mystery series.

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mma Ramotswe adored her late father. Mma Ramotswe knows cattle. Mma Ramotswe is of traditional build. Mma Ramotswe drinks bush tea. Mma Ramotswe solves mysteries brought to her detective agency in a way that coheres with her sensibilities. I fell in love with Mma Ramotswe, her prickly secretary, Mma Makutsi, and her good-hearted friend, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. Alexander McCall Smith brings Botswana to life, making this a warm read on a cold winter afternoon.

February 3, 2009

Random Tuesday Thoughts: I’d better type fast before the kids wake up

Yesterday I ate way to much frosting. Yes, I did. I told Lily she couldn’t have too much sugar yesterday because she would get a tummy ache, and then I kept sneaking bites of the giant cookie my sister-in-law gave me. Guess who got a tummy ache?

Last night I went to bed at 10, and nobody woke me up until 5:15. I got that kid back to sleep, which is unheard of. I’ve made up my mind…NO MORE BABIES!

But I love babies; their little fingers and toes; the way they coo at you and don’t talk back; wait, I’m getting sucked back in; I need to concentrate…how they need to nurse every two hours; the way they cry for 20 minutes to an hour every evening and all you can do is walk back and forth, back and forth, patting and soothing, while she snuggles into your neck…oh, no, think, woman, think…two hours of sleep, no coffee while breastfeeding…wait, no ALCOHOL while breastfeeding…NO MORE BABIES!

I love birthdays. I hear from people I haven’t heard from for a while. My brother actually called me. And not from a bar. Ha, ha, just joking, Mom. He never calls me from a bar! Well, almost never.

My very pregnant friend called me, too. She’s on bed rest right now…please ignore all that stuff I wrote about babies, T! Love you!

I think I still have a sugar high from yesterday.

Emmy woke up, and now she’s amusing herself by opening and closing the disc drive on the laptop. Really shouldn’t let her do that.

Only two hours to get myself and the girls fed, showered (me) and dressed. Seems like plenty of time, doesn’t it? Then why do I find myself screaming every morning at 8:59 a.m. “WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE!!”

Only one answer. Too much blogging.

Check out Keely’s random thoughts over at the Un-Mom. She’s sure to be more interesting than me.