Perfect.

{Get over yourself already.}

I really like to read the blog Simple Mom. I find it very relaxing, sweet and honest. (just like me. except I'm not relaxing, and I wouldn't really say sweet. Nice enough, but not sweet. But honest, I'll give myself that one.)

So you know how I've been trying to figure myself out. Now that I haven't a job. Now that I have three little kids. Now that my pant size is double what it used to be. Now that I can't finish anything I start, if I even start it at all. Well part of why I'm having trouble figuring out my hobby is that I have this lingering thought, picking away at my good intentions, "If I can't do it really well why bother." Well, now, if you said this to me, my wise reply would be "how will you ever get really good at it if you don't practice?" I say this to Elliette all the time about ballet. But that's you and her, and not me.

Today I read this post on Simple Mom and while a cool breeze was literally rustling my fly-away hair during my reading, I also felt a breeze of optimism in my crowded little brain.

this is the best I could capture the breeze.

Hey, yeah, you're right, I think. Okay, I'll go pick up that embroidery! Or should I sew dresses for the girls? No, I think I'll make cookies. Wait, I wanted to make more ruffle bum bloomers. No, I should write in my journal...

I didn't do any of those things.

So I'll just share it with you. Maybe later I'll actually do one of those things I got all flowery about.  I did, however, detail the dryer.

What are you inspired to do?

Trucked.

{Long Beach Street Food Festival}
























This past weekend the family headed downtown for the first festival in Long Beach devoted to the burgeoning gourmet food truck.

I have been intrigued by this culture for awhile. When I worked at Harveys the lunch truck would come around (and yes, we did call it the Roach Coach) and it was really just what you might think of in a lunch truck. Fast. Cheap. Greasy. Unhealthy. Accessible. It was a novelty and a convenience, but not much more.

Since then, Los Angeles has had a few gem gourmet food trucks. There's the cool factor of many of these Haute Coach's availability. They alert followers via online social networks of their where-abouts, so only those "on the list" know about them. It's titillating because you can't just go on a whim, and you have be in on the secret. It's very Hollywood.

Sceneadvisor.com does a good job describing the trend:
"The recession's effect on the North American dining scene has been well-documented. In the past few years, some of the continent's finest restaurants have either made the move towards "casual gourmet" or shut their doors altogether. But there has also been a move in the opposite direction; rather than running for the nearest McDonald's, many diners have sought solace in "gourmet" versions of downscale standards, and some savvy entrepreneurs, recognizing the new demand, aim to deliver. Literally."

Well, hip or not. I love it. We have three little kids, so being seated for a meal can be daunting. But walking up to a truck, keeping Emmett enthralled by the big tires while ordering, and then just planting ourselves on a curb or even in our car... so nice. And normally, we'd have to hit Taco Bell for such a comfort, which brings it down about 37 notches. Being able to have a potato taco with pickled onions from world-famous Border Grill, kids chowing on truly healthy and delicious beans n' rice all while playing duck duck goose in the grass! A dream!

The Fest was super-fantastic because we got to try lots of stuff all at once. Because some lines were long, our food would settle, making room for the next round and allowing us to munch all afternoon. (Oh, I love munching all afternoon.) We were with friends, so standing in line was a great chance to chit-chat and play with all of the kids.

A band of police officers, Blue Steel, played popular-among-30-something-hits, which was fun. I danced to Modern English with the kids and crooned some Rod Stewart while waiting for Mark to return with the grub.

Okay, onto the food. We enjoyed - thoroughly:

-=-Calbi tofu tacos. I love tacos. and I love tofu. These were really tasty, and priced well.

This is a photo of 1 tofu, 1 shrimp taco

-=-Border Grill (I was so excited! This is one of my favorite places ever.) We had the sweet corn tamale cone, potato tacos and rice n' beans. It was one of those embarrassing moments when I kept murmuring "mmm... this... is.. soo ...oooo. gooood..." to myself. It. Was. Awesome.

-=-The Place LA, we had a mediocre veggie burger and soggy fries, but the service was very good.

-=-World Fare, we had the truffle mac n' cheese balls, which probably taste great right out of the frier, and taste pretty good as we had them. They are rich enough that the side of 3 balls was enough for four of us. The goocher was their drinks: Strawberry Basil Lemonade and Orange Lavender Iced Tea. Both drinks were out of control yummy. They also have an upper-deck dining area, which is really cool.

-=-For dessert we checked out the Sweets Truck but couldn't really figure out what they had, the signage wasn't so hot. We wanted to get some ice cream sandwiches from Cool Haus but at the end of our stint there, the line was just too long. (readers who waited for Cool Haus - was it worth it??) So we went back to World Fare, where they were smart enough to have a separate table set up selling quick-grab desserts. We had the Cheesecake Red Velvet Cupcake (Elliette's choice) and a Brownie (Emmett's choice) and both were marvelous. The brownie, especially, was lip-smacking, nice crackly top crust, and very moist and perfectly dense center.

The admission price of $8 might have deterred us, honestly, if Border Grill hadn't been there (I am a super fan, seriously) but the good news it went to the Adopt-A-Teacher and LB City College Student Scholarships programs. (Kids were free, and you could pre-purchase for $6) Being married to a teacher myself I kind of felt the solidarity in the moment. The parking fee of $10 was steep, but I blame that on the convention center. Next time we'll definitely take the free Passport there.

The Grilled Cheese Truck was also there, but we didn't partake. This is why:

That long line goes allllll the waaaaay to that orange truck. I'll try and catch in LA soon, though, the menu looked yummy and very fun!

All in all, we are excited for it to come again. The location at Rainbow Lagoon was really cool, the layout was great, and the selection was fun. I also loved the live music.

Did any of you go? What did you think?

See you there next time!

Dud.

{my misadventures in baking, vol. 1}

I enjoy cooking. I'm pretty good at it, maybe a little rusty after a year of illness from a really difficult pregnancy, and having a newborn, but still, I manage. Baking, though... ugh. I just can't seem to get it!

Well, as is typical for me, I think I'm super fantastic enough to just make any old thing. But I don't really love following recipes. Baking is a problem, naturally, because as I'm told, you have to follow baking recipes and not just wing it.

See, I feel cooking is a creative expression. Which is partially what I enjoy. But to bake something - I feel like I'm in chemistry class again. Which, was a short-lived venture... I barely squeaked by high school chem. My dad is a chemist... I hope he wasn't disappointed. He never showed that he was let-down, if he was. What a sport.

Lately, I've been really enjoying being the homemaker I am, so have wanted to get a handle of baking. I've tried. I've not succeeded

I will share my dud.

Strawberry Cobbler. Seemed simple enough. This recipe isn't complicated, so I thought even I could handle it. I Hulled the strawberries and was feeling fine, just look at these berries! .

































Emmett is better at this than I am.

You'll notice there's no picture of the cobbler.

It was gummy, flat and the tips of the strawberries - which should have been enveloped by the tender cobbler - burned.

Any tips, friends?

**Edited July 27th by Angie:

Hi, friends! I figured out what I did wrong! I sub'd cake flour for all purpose, and had "self-rising" in mind, so omitted the baking soda and salt. This is what caused my flat, gummy no-good cobbler. Thanks to everyone!

Write.

As mentioned earlier, I joined a Writing Group.

I joined because I have an idea for a book. No, I won't tell you. I know who you are, lurking around, stealing ideas. Okay, I'm being dramatic. But I do know once I say an idea out loud, it's gone. Much less putting up on the vast expanse of nothingness & everything - World Wide Web.

Seriously, though, as also mentioned before, I love to read the Old Testament book, Ecclesiastes.
I was once told it's depressing, which makes me a pessimist to love it so. (I disagree to both statements.) But I was so reassured reading "There's nothing new under the sun." As a creative person, I found it comforting... the thought that we all have this ability to create - a consciousness to our surroundings, and an ability to communicate our ideas on so many different levels. That throughout all of time, it's all been done somewhere, somehow. I guess it ties into the idea of Collective Consciousness. All facinating to me... perhaps dribble to you... and really beside my whole point here.

Quick side note. I did an image search for Ecclesiastes, and found a few interesting tid-bits to share with you:












from: identity33.com










I really love charts.










This one struck me.
The passage referenced reads: Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.











And this might speak to that depressing thing I mention above. Woah.

Ahem. I digress.

So, we all get together once a week to learn more about writing. I don't know about other folks in this round-table, but I've really gotten a lot out of it. I go with my wonderful friend Jacquie, and that is probably my favorite part. (or, for her benefit: favourite.)













That's Jacquie with Elliette, taken 2 years ago.
But I really enjoy hearing everyone's ideas. It's exciting for me. I guess I can see why teachers love teaching.

It's all been eye-opening. I have actually had an epiphany! That's kind of a big deal. We're urged to create a rhythm, to write anything regularly.

So, here I am. Maybe this will become another hobby I dabble in and start to get better... and grow... and get.. so.. close.. and then stop. Like so many things.

Or, maybe I'll be like everyone else who is writing Their Great Novel. Either way, I'm enjoying this blog.

So, to you - do you write? What do you write? How do you stay inspired? Tell me!
I might or might not steal your ideas.. and then just blame it on Carl Jung.

Raisins.

We collectively decided to walk to school today. It was a grey morning, and un-characteristically misty. (!!! My heart was singing)

We took off in our behemoth stroller which fits all three kids, Esmé with her Blue Maraca, Emmett with a granola bar, and Elliette with a wee box of raisins she wanted to have as her morning snack at school.

It is a one mile walk. About 1/3 of the way we turn the corner onto 6th street to go through the Jungle! (Tall grasses planted on either side of the walk). This corner is a favorite for them, and once through the grasses we see what jungle animals we see. A grey elephant (minivan), and a blue warthog (geo metro) and even a storm trooper (camry). I don't bother telling Emmett Strom Troopers do not live in the jungle, because as my family is all too aware - I know nothing about Star Wars. So for all I know they're swinging in the tree-tops.

Along we go, laughing and having fun, skipping and running. We arrive at school and the kids go off to their respective classrooms. Elliette is excited to show Ms. Lizzy her dress, and Emmett is feeling proud he will not cry when I leave. (He doesn't.)

And off I go to stroll with Esmé to enjoy our Blue Wednesday. I watch her gnaw her blanket through the little window in the stroller canopy and coo at the leaves over-head. I breathe the misty air; I love how cool, wet air feels in my lungs, and I don't get it much here in SoCal. Then, I see: Elliette has left her raisins.

At this point I'm about half-way home. I stop and start to think "Oh, she won't remember."
Then I realize who I'm talking about... Elliette has a memory like none other. I imagine her sad face when it's snack time and she has no special box of raisins. So, I go back.

Peering in her classroom, I see her buddies flying paper air plans all about. I see her playing in a deep table-top full of water and boats. I savor a moment of just watching her long arms bobbing the little boats to and fro... to and fro...


She sees me and yells "Mama!" while running over. I give her the raisins and she says, "Thanks, Mom! You're the best."

And I know that I really am.

Hobby.

This blog started in the light of a hobby. Wanting to write as my hobby, but having too many reasons why I don't.

Hobby. Let's just ponder it. hobby.

Wikipedia:
A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time.

Okay, well, I have issue with that. I have no spare time. Spare indicates it's extra, right- as in, unused, unfilled, left-over.
And relaxation. What's that all about? Isn't that my 10 minute shower every day, or at least every other day??

Moving on.

Princeton: (those cats know what they're talking about, right?)
avocation: an auxiliary activity

I like the use of "auxiliary" I can kind of accept that more than" spare time". I can see making use of this definition by way of having a hobby. An auxiliary activity can be anything, really. Flossing my teeth is auxiliary some days.


This is cool:

Wikipedia
also tells me a Hobby is a type of falcon that swoops around snatching up smaller birds.

That's the kind of Hobby I want to hang out with! Don't want to get in a tangle with that bad Hobby, one might say.

And of course let's not forget the faceless, frumpy Fraulein of my youth,


















Holly Hobby. I love a great pair of boots, Holly, but at some point you have to say goodbye. Maybe this Hobby isn't for me.

I'll keep looking for the spare time and auxiliary such and such. There's a guidebook to help me along the way.


















I'm also taking suggestions - lay it on me.

Blue.

On Wednesday mornings the two oldest kids go to Preschool for a few hours.

I take the morning to spend with the baby, my Baby Blue. I call it Blue Wednesday.

We walk. Meander. Wander. It's usually very quiet, as she spends most of these times napping. She eventually wakes hungry, so it's nursing time. I've usually prepared for this part of our morning by procuring a tasty snack and finding a comfy spot to sit. I often just sit in the car and listed to the radio.

I've decided to be very deliberate about spending this time with Baby Blue; she's the third baby, the youngest and the smallest. But no less wonderful, intriguing, and darling. I want to get to know her. I want her to know me. I like to stare into her eyes, wondering what she's trying to tell me.




























This week, on Blue Wednesday we enjoyed the summer. Watched the sun moving through the trees. She loves to be outside. She loves to watch kids play. She's wonderful.















We played, rested and I sincerely relished the fleeting moments with her.

Introductions.

This is who we are.
We all have surname Rebennack, which has questionable origins. The best knowledge we have is the Franco-German border. No relation to Mac Rebennack, the Jazz musician.

~
Me.
Angie, age 32, born in November.
Favorite books: Desolation Angels, Bluebeard, Ecclesiastes, Franny & Zooey.



~
Husband.
Mark, age 33, born in May.
Occupation: Artist, and Art Teacher.

~
Eldest Daughter.
Elliette Rose, age 4, born in November.
Favorite movie: The Little Mermaid.



~
Son.
Emmett Saylor, age 3, born in June.
Current hobbies: Legos, drawing, singing the Star Wars Theme & swimming.


~
Youngest Daughter.
Esmé Blue, age 4 months, born in March.
Favorite toy: blue maraca.


Nice to meet you.

Clarity.

I had a moment of enlightenment.







I was thinking... This is the first time I'm not working. Ever.
Since I got my first job at the Gap when I was 15 at the Tri-County Mall in a Cincinnati suburb. Wow.

"Full Time Mom" is a nomenclature that confuses me. Even when a mom is working, at home or away at an office, is she any less a Mom? You can't really be Part-Time. I don't get that. In fact, I don't like it. I've been Full Time Mom since the moment I got pregnant, as far as I can tell! Even if the kids were with Daddy or even a babysitter, they are always at the front of my thoughts. I don't just check out. Most moms are in that same boat. I feel sad knowing there are moms who don't have this way of thinking, really.

I started thinking this because recently I was asked for my profession. I said "I'm just a Mom." and that sentence made me sad! Just a mom... that really down-plays the whole thing, no? My whole life is mothering!

So I tried to think of a new title. Tried to get crafty with it.
Manager of Household Relations.
Minister of Master Scheduling for Residents and Dependants.
Curator of Goings-Ons.

Then, I heard it like chimes... ringing softly in the distance...

Homemaker.

I love it! I make home! I give my family a place of security, comfort, love, laughter, learning. We come together to play, to share meals. To learn about living in this world that can be scary and confusing. We teach each other in so many ways. We have our friends in our home, to love, to be loved. It's a beautiful life. I'm so proud.

*This post adapted from my former blog.

Hello.

This blog came out of a need to just let it all out. I have way too many interests, but no solid hobby per se. I am kind of good at a lot of stuff, but master of nothing.

Here are some facts about me:

Name: Angie Rebennack.
Born: 1977, Cincinnati, weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces.
Live: Long Beach, in a small two bedroom home.
Family: Married with three children, ages <1, 3, 4.5 Work: Now I have none. I am a Homemaker. My Headshot:














So that's me in a nutshell. Now, about this blog:

Name: Working Title.
Born: July 2010
Purpose: To enjoy musing about the things I never get around to doing.
Goal: Actually write the blog, so, therein, I do something.
Wanted: Followers, Friends, Confidantes, Critics, Contributors, Fans, Foes and general Well-Wishers.

I hope to explore my would-be hobbies through this blog, and maybe find one that I could really get into. I love suggestions, please use the comment field liberally.

It will be fun getting to know myself, and getting to know you, too.

Preface.

I have a lot to say.

Why this is a problem:
1. I have no real issue to address.
a) there's no problem to solve.
b) I'm not helping anyone out with my blather.
2. I have no platform upon which to say all I have to say.
3. I can't commit.
4. I'm busy. Have no time.
5. Who even cares?

But I still have it spilling forth, boring my husband and dear friends who listen to me patiently and kindly before trying to change the subject to something a little less... Angie-centric. (thank you dear friends, you are so kind.)

So... to ease my pain (or theirs), I have started a new blog about why I don't do everything I want to do. I have a lot of interests, but as noted above in item #3, I don't commit. I easily commit to the people I love. A few causes I really do care about. I have been vegetarian for 20 years now, that accounts for something. But when it comes to hobbies, jobs... yeah, I am just so wishy-washy. Plus, #4 is a vivid reminder that I have 3 kids under 5. And then there's reason #5. I like to pretend anyone cares. In my little imaginary world I have people of all ages, in all cubbies of the world, laughing and thinking of me warmly.

But, anyway, I'm going to try and commit to this. And make time. And continue to believe someone gives a rat's patoot.

WORKING TITLE.

Enjoying the things I don't actually do.

The idea came about accidentally and collaboratively. I joined a writing group with some people from my church. It's led by a wonderful woman who's a teacher, writer and very savvy gal, Ms. Lo. We were given a simple task - to write something in a week. Anything. Ms. Lo even gave us a lengthy list of very do-able suggestions. Still, I didn't do it.

So I went on my rant about why I didn't do it. And people were laughing, making me feel pretty good about my reasons. Giving suggestions... getting shot down. So on the way home my dear friend Jacquie said "I'd like to read a blog about why you don't write."

Done.