cutest bookends ever
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

• Chris & Mendy sent these bookends for my birthday. I can’t decide where to put them – no place in the house seems quite worthy of the cuteness…when I decide (finally), I’ll put up pictures.
• Speaking of pictures, the screen on our digital camera suddenly died without warning. We’re going to do a fair amount of traveling in next couple of months. So. Any recommendations on digital cameras? We want a little more functionality than we have had in the past but of course don’t want to pay TOO much.
• Happy birthday to my DAD today! He is 54. I think. Regardless, he is awfully good-looking. May I look as good at 54. Please.
• Finally, I leave to go to Hood to Coast in Portland here in just a bit. As RaChelle knows, I have been a bit stressy about the whole thing this year. Actually a little disappointed about lack of injuries on my part. Was really hoping for something that would have effectively put me out of commission yet did not hurt too much. Alas, my flight boards in about two hours so I doubt anything will befall me on the way to the airport.
• While I am gone, Telfer will be working of course, but also indulging in movies I won’t watch (namely, Mad Max and the Road Warrior). Mel Gibson movies from the 1970s? No thank you.

tomatoes
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

To get us to eat vegetables (and big pots of beans), my dad used to chirp: "Girls, beans taste like candy" or "Girls, cauliflower tastes like candy." He would then enthusiastically tuck in and consume vast quantities of beans or vegetables.

Making homemade tomato sauce was literally the only thing I accomplished yesterday. But, my, was it an accomplishment. I can see myself telling my children someday, "Kids, tomato sauce tastes like candy" but I am not sure I’ll mind if they don’t agree. More for me and Telfer.

master chef
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Last night, a momentous occasion occurred in our home: Telfer made dinner. He picked the recipes, did the shopping, and prepared the food. He made steaks with miso butter (as you can see, ginormous steaks) and an orzo & edamame salad. I set the table and opened a bottle of wine. I could get used to this arrangement.

Don’t misunderstand: Telfer is by nature very helpful; he is the floor-man and the duster-boy and the grill-master. But planning a menu and going to the store? Not so much… Obviously, he doesn’t have time to do this often, but he made his wife very happy last night.

moo
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

• received:  my first batch of moo calling cards yesterday. Upload (also easily integrated with flickr if that’s what you use) your digital images and in less than a week, these cute little cards come to your doorstep.  All for $20. Picture on the front, contact information on the back.
• reading: Stephen King on J.K. Rowling’s Ministry of Magic in Entertainment Weekly. Hands-down the best Harry Potter coverage and criticism I have come across.
• reading: Well, finished reading. Eclipse, the 3rd book in the Twilight series. Human girl in Western Washington. Her boyfriend is a good vampire and her best friend is a good werewolf. Both are in love with her. And, to top it off, the author is a Mormon, mother of three, and claims Stephen King novels are too scary for her. Love it.
• craving: Tart n’ Tiny’s. AKA: doll meds -ahem, Alyssa and Elizabeth. Does anyone know where I can get these? I don’t want to spend $10 on shipping BUT I will buy in bulk.
• anticipating: Diana Krall @ the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday night.

Our hearts are hurting with more difficult news for the Lenker family. If you know Keegan and Jayme and Joncee and need an update on Joncee’s health, visit Joncee’s care page at http://www.carepages.com (sign up for an account, then search for Joncee Lenker). Join us in praying for this beloved little boy and his parents.

As you can imagine, with another round of chemo and hospital stays, the bills are adding up… I think it’s okay that I am posting this (somebody tell me if it’s not), but Bob Van Allen and Ben Hausch (friends from NNU), have set up a benevolent account for Joncee Troy at Washington Mutual.

If you are interested in contributing, here’s the information:  
Account number: 3163127711
For those wishing to mail in donations, they can be sent to:
With checks payable to "Joncee Lenker Benevolent Account":
Washington Mutual Bank
Joncee Lenker Benevolent Account
P. O. Box 30810
Los Angeles, CA 90030-0810