The Cheese and the Sadness (Which Then Turned to Happiness)

At almost 16 weeks into the pregancy process, I have what you could call "functional nausea"-- I don't feel great all of the time, but I still manage to go to work, eat some meals, and survive until the end of the work day.

A few weeks ago, however, it was a different story. Each day was a wildly nauseous adventure, and the doctor even had to tell me to eat more (nobody's ever had to do that).

One especially unpleasant day, I picked up the Bean, drove home, and just wanted to curl up into a ball and wait for the sickness to pass. When I got to the front porch, I saw a big box and assumed it was for someone else. As I got closer, I saw my name on it, and a big sticker that said something about refrigeration.

The Bean and I carried the box inside, and what I saw inside made me cry--not tears of joy, however. It was a box of lovely cheese products that I could not even imagine eating! It took me a minute to wonder what secret admirer (or secret torturer) had sent me these things, and then I remembered . . .

A few weeks prior, before I entered the land of the ill, I received an email from Culture magazine (I was a cheese taster for them a while back), looking for people who were willing to try out some products. I volunteered, not knowing that I may not be in a cheese-eating place for a while. I hadn't heard anything back, so I didn't think anything of it. I guess I'd received some notifications in my email, but I didn't see them. Since that day, I have received three more awesome shipments, and I've been able to try a little more cheese.

Even though the cheese was part of the shipment, what I was really being asked to try were the products from Boska, a lovely company from Holland that makes beautiful items for your cheese-serving needs. I'm a little behind on trying all of the products, since I'm just starting to return to the world of eating, but I have tried a couple of them. Here's the first one I'll mention:

This is the Boska tapas fondue set, and it's a great item for a small gathering. We tried cheese fondue and caramel in this (but not at the same time), and it was awesome. The materials are very sturdy, and the tea light underneath is enough to evenly heat the contents without creating any hot spots.

So, that was my promo for Boska! Along with a song of the day, I'll probably be posting a cool Boska item of the day for a while. If you're a cheese lover, these are items you should definitely look into. If not, come and visit me, and we'll fondue something.

Song of the day: Suspicious Minds, by Elvis Presley. It's peppy!

For MBCB, whenever I may find her

So I have had the best of intentions of being a regular contributor to my own blog, but that has not happened. However, in the past couple of months, I've run across numerous things where I thought, "Hey, I need to tell MBCB about that!" and I stockpiled them in my mind until a time when I was emotionally prepared to do some blogging. So here goes (as a side note, you don't have to be MBCB to enjoy these tidbits of information. I think they are valuable to one and all):

1. Hey, MBCB, I saw Sleepwalk with Me a few weeks ago. It delighted and frightened me.
2. Guess what? I listed to a Dar Williams performance on NPR a while back and thought I should send you the link. Here you go!
3. I was looking for a calendar on Amazon.com the other day, and saw this calendar of cats doing yoga. I think you need it.

4. Also, I am with child and have not felt great for the past two+ months. That's why my blogging has been lackluster.

Song of the day: Monkey's Uncle, by Annette Funicello and the Beach Boys. I woke up this morning with it in my head and I thought I'd share.

Well, that's all. Have a happy day!

One year and a bunch of days later . . .

Well, I've decided (for the fourth or fifth time--I've lost track) that trying to maintain this blog is a good idea. This is not just for the millions (or two--not 2 million, but actually two) followers of the blog when it was in its glory days, but it's also a lovely opportunity for me to share my thoughts on life with those poor, innocent victims who stumbled upon this site by accident when looking for something completely different.

So, what have I been up to, you ask? (Or maybe you don't.) Well, that will be revealed as I jump into the wonderful world of blogging yet again--we'll see how long it lasts this time.

Song of the day: "The M Song."
It's a Sesame Street classic!

Behold, the Sea Monster!

Hey kids,
So draft/cheese day came and went, and it was a happy time for everyone, I guess.
I was very excited to have a giant package waiting for me in the fridge when I got home. I summoned the troops, and we opened the box.

Beanchild was very excited about it, and so we opened it up, put it on the counter, and let it warm up to room temperature for an optimal tasting.

Because of its large and rather colorful appearance, The Bean started calling it the Sea Monster, and its presence loomed over us as it sat on the counter.
Tasting the cheese was a fascinating activity. I had a list of things I needed to observe and make note of, and I recorded them all in my trusty notebook. My raw notes went to the cheese makers, and a fancied up version will go on the magazine's blog for all to read and enjoy.

The most exciting part has been figuring out which foods pair with the cheese. It's a strong blue cheese, but it's not very sharp. I've been eating random things to see what I like the best: tomatoes--no, dark chocolate--yes. Another taster recommended Fig Newtons, so I'll have to try that.

I guess I'll be getting another sample in upcoming weeks. I can't wait! Until then, it's back to shredded taco cheese out of a bag.

It's a good day.

What a happy day!
It's the NBA draft, and the cheese is coming. Woohoo!

The Most Joyful News Ever!

OK, so that's not exactly true, but this does rank pretty high.
Yesterday, I stepped out of my office for a couple of minutes. When I came back, I had a message on my cell phone from an out-of-state number that I did not recognize. At first, I thought that it was a wrong number or a telemarketer or something. Then I thought that maybe, just maybe, it could be someone calling about the cheese tasting project that I applied for a few weeks ago . . . and it was!

After I closed my office door, did the dance of joy, and squealed a bit, I called Doug to tell him the good news. Needless to say, he was ecstatic (or something like that).

So, you may ask, what does this cheese tasting position entail? Well, Culture Magazine allowed its newsletter readers the chance to apply as cheese tasters for the newest product from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. Those selected (that would be me!) will receive 2-3 cheese shipments in the mail, along with some surprises. (Doug hopes the surprise is cash, I think it will probably be additional cheese, which is fine by me.) We have to take meticulous notes about each sample, and so I bought a brand new Super-Special Cheese Tasting Notebook, where my deepest, darkest musings will be recorded.

I believe that my first shipment comes on Thursday, and Doug is under strict orders to (1) not leave the house until the Fed Ex guy comes, and (2) have a full marching band ready to commemorate the arrival of the Cheese. He's cool with that.

 There you go! That's my new and exciting adventure. I can't wait.

Song(s) of the day: "June Hymn" by the Decemberists. This is an NPR TIny Desk Concert, so you actually get three songs (for the price of one!), but I like the last one the best.

Watch this space!

Hello blog friends!
I am happy to say that am I returning to the blog once again.

What, may you ask, has prompted such a zany move? Well, you'll have to wait a day or two to find out (but feel free to venture a guess.) Here are two hints:
1. It is cheese related.
2. It is awesome!

I hope I haven't lost all of you--come by and check out the good news when you have a chance!

I was looking for a song of the day, but nothing is coming to mind right now. Maybe I'll post something later.