Love is Like Life...

   I wasn't familiar with the quote above, until I saw this stunning letterpress art by my dear friends, Madeline and Diane. I recently acquired the print and have it framed in my living room. When I walked past it today, it seemed like the perfect tribute to my little buddy, Atom, who passed away tonight after a brief battle with kidney failure.

   When I went to the emergency vet to visit him tonight, he leaned into my hand and purred and purred while I rubbed his head and neck. He was glad to see me, but he hadn't eaten in nearly three days, and he didn't even try to stand up. He still looked like his sweet self, but weary. There is no question in my mind that he was ready to say good-bye. And although I was not, I knew what was best for him.

Atom, 12/31/98 - 10/9/11

I will never forget any of my pets,

nor can they ever be replaced.

Each is unique.

Each is special.

Each is treasured.

There's a huge hole in my heart today.

I love you, lil' buddy.

Wayne's Labors on Labor Day

  Madeline & her parents, Diane & Wayne (aka "my KC family") invited me over for Labor Day Homemade Pizzafest 2011. I traded texts with Madeline earlier in the day:
Me: Is it ok if I'm not there right at 6? Bringing dessert. Making it now!
Madeline: Of course it's okay. But the dessert should be here at 6. ;)

You KNOW that's how I roll!

  And thus, I made it to The Tompkins' home, cheesecake in hand, at 6:28. One of us was late! ;) The other usual suspects, Bob & Ana, Tasha, and Alexandra were already there. And Wayne was already at least 3 pizzas into his stellar performance...

A sampling from Wayne's pizza palette: prosciutto & fresh mozzarella; chicken with mole sauce; fresh pesto & mushroom; salsa fresca with carmelized onion & apples. Not pictured: honey & Sriracha sauce (aka "hot cock sauce")

  In the end, we devoured 12+ unique mini pizzas, most of Alexandra's gorgeous homemade mixed-berry pie & most of my cheesecake. We never seem to have many leftovers. And we ALWAYS have a great time!

日本語がすごく美しい言語ですね。(Japanese is a beautiful language)

These photos are of an antique printed book that Wayne Tompkins purchased some time ago. I admit I don't know much about it, but it appears to be hand-printed stamps, as from a Japanese はんこ。The book was hundreds of pages long, with dozens of stamps on each page. Some were kanji, some intricate designs of animals (tiny cute rabbits and moths, that may have influenced みやざきさん—Miyazaki), or traditional icons (さくら—cherry blossoms, fans, maple leaves), some more abstract. The paper was thin yet strong, with a great texture. I probably sat & studied it for an hour, but could have spent all day!

Crafty Chicks!

Found some AWESOME things at today's sale! But the only item I can show now (to avoid spoiling Christmas surprises) is the one I purchased for myself, so here it is: an irresistibly delightful little white dove by Tag Team Tompkins! Joy to the world!

I must be a bee...

...what with all these HIVES!The Japanese call it かゆい (kayui)。I call it really freaking annoying! Apparently I ate something to which I was allergic yesterday. Because as I was sitting on the couch working on plush all day today, I got progressively itchier, and when I finally did an inspection I realized that my whole midsection is covered in tiny pink bumps. And they itch A LOT. I suspect it was either the spicy quinoa (with curry or saffron?) or the TINY piece of pumpkin cheesecake that I KNEW I shouldn't be eating (due to the cinnamon & nutmeg). OMG. I hope it wasn't the almond extract in the cherry pie, because I JUST ate the leftover piece!!! Going to be a long night. I think I'll kick it off with an oatmeal bath. Where's that plastic back-scratcher from Chuck E. Cheese when you need it?!!?

A very Tompkins Thanksgiving

I had the most satisfying, low-key Thanksgiving celebration with the Tompkins family. They invited a few family members over, along with Natasha & me. Ben & Yumiko & the kids were conspicuously absent, but I'm sure they enjoyed something delicious in Japan. Diane & Wayne have the most amazing house, with a recently-renovated eat-in kitchen full of natural light. The whole place smelled amazing!

The bird, deconstructed

Feta-stuffed mushrooms

Sweet potatoes & cherries

And the pièce de résistance, the pie shelf. There was a dangerously high ratio of pies to people: almost 1:1!

Creamy pumpkin streusel, gooseberry, cherry, pumpkin cheesecake...

Diane makes the BEST pies! The cherry was my favorite.

Big Mac hung out under the table.

Tasha, Madeline & Bruce

Bruce behaved himself and only ate one thing: THE BUTTER.

Dinner with the Tompkinses

A few photos of Madeline, Ben, Yumiko, Thomas, Max, Louisa & Bruce. Whew!

Domo arigato, Max is Roboto!

Thomas & Taylor "in jail"

Bruce!

Louisa & a fast-moving shiba