Chicken Coup

Here it is Folks

chickencoup — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:54:07 +0000

The object of my obsession for the last week, on Ellen.

Vindication is Near!

chickencoup — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:31:56 +0000

Remember my post from few days ago on Josiah Leming, the American Idol contestant who should have, but didn’t quite, make the top 24? Well it turns out that the kid may make it big after all- sans fake-cheese of the karaoke world. How you ask? Apparently, he’s going to be on Ellentomorrow! That’s right folks, set your VCRs, PVRs, or whatever device you use to track your addictions, this is going to be a good one!

I can hardly wait to see this! Will you be watching?

To Plastic, or Not to Plastic

chickencoup — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:51:23 +0000

It seems to me that every time I turn around, there is a new, imminent concern when it comes to parenting. Organic or non-organic, wooden toys vs. plastic, Chinese lead paint, pro-biotics, and cancerous plastics, just to name a few. I am always a bit weary of hopping on bandwagons too quickly, but this time, I am sufficiently concerned to start making changes. (Admittedly, I have yet to replace all of my containers and my beloved sippy cups! Sniff!)

Last week, Tom Spears, science writer for the Ottawa Citizen, wrote an in-depth piece on plastics. It was the missing piece of the puzzle for me. I finally felt like I understood the problematics behind the research and the story. So, I have made the decision to slowly start replacing the plastic food containers in our house and, most of all, our beloved sippy cups. (Sniff again!) But I wondered… what do you replace them with? Mason Jars (not the sippys, obviously, although that would be a bit new age!) Are there any other options?

In reading the Citizen article, I also became aware for the first time that one of the major areas of concern for BPA leakage is in canned food. This, was a shock to me. I had never realized that the inside of a food can is lined with plastic. Maybe because I had never really thought about it before. It’s not like we eat from cans that much, but it would definitely change our eating habits if we had to cut them out completely. My spaghetti sauce? Canned tomatoes. Saturday lunch? Chicken noodle soup. You get where I am going here. Man, what’s a girl to do?

I have been toying around with the idea of canning my own veggies, sauces, and soups in the summer. It seems like it makes sense every way you put it, expect when it comes to my time! With this new-found awareness, I may have to re-visit this option this year. I wonder if this would make a good community kitchen project? Any ideas?

Anyone else out there as torn as me?

Simon, what were you thinking?

chickencoup — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:56:09 +0000

Okay, so I am admittedly a tiny little bit addicted to American Idol. I know, sad. However, if any of you watched the Hollywood week show on Wednesday, you were probably just as shocked as I was to see Josiah Leming get cut just before the final 24. How? and Why???? This kid is without a doubt, one of the most talented, original, interesting performers this show has ever seen. I often have discussions with my hb during idol shows, when we completely disagree on the value of the performer… and I always ask: would you buy a CD or pay to see them live? The answer is usually NO, because most idol contestants are little more than really good karaoke stars. Come on! This guy writes his own songs… and they are actually good! As a bonus, he lists Regina Spektor as one of his influences. Brilliant! Without a doubt, I would buy a cd! Iwould even consider a road-trip to see him play live.

I checked out his MySpace page today… he has half a million profile views and his songs have been played almost 400 000 times on the site. How many of the 24 forgettable contestants who made it through so far on Idol can claim the same. Sheer shock I tell you. For once, I thought that this show would produce an artist that I wouldn’t be ashamed to listen to in public!

What to do? Well, I am considering petitioning American Idol to right this wrong. OBVIOUSLY, they made a mistake. Is anyone else with me?

White Noise

chickencoup — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:52:22 +0000

Ever notice how selective hearing doesn’t just happen in childhood? I use it all the time to preserve my sanity. Like right now, my hb is going on about how he could make our household more efficient. Only he doesn’t stop. He just keeps talking. The more he speaks, the more his voice resembles the sound of a humming fan in the background. Hmmmmmmmm….. hmmmmmmm…… hmmmmm..

Parenting, once Removed

chickencoup — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:03:04 +0000

I just had a conversation with my friend M about parenting in the absence of your own parents. As a geographically relocated family, Mémé and Pépé are far away…. a 15 hour drive to be more precise. For M, its a bit closer… maybe 6 hours or so. But still far.

It’s so cliché, but man I miss my mom sometimes (and my sisters too). We have friends and such in the area, but its never really the same. With your parents, you can drop your kid off, no matter what their state – cranky, tired, sick, teething, hungry, dirty – it doesn’t matter. Even better, you can call your folks to come over, so that you don’t have to move your child. With friends, you go out of your way to not inconvenience them. With your parents, you go out of your way not to inconvenience the child. Beautiful.

Now, I don’t have the opportunity to have my in-laws in town either… although some of my friends have confirmed this to be a mixed blessing(now, I love my in-laws and would give my left arm to have them close by… my right one reserved for my mom of course!) I wonder if you can ever feel as comfortable speaking your mind about your child with your in-laws.

I have been known to have local parent envy…. and to be very, very vocal about it! Be forewarned! If your parents live in the area and I hear you complain about them, I might attempt a coup and force a geographical adoption!

An idea is born!

chickencoup — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:47:28 +0000

The labor for this Weblog has been long, somewhat painful, and definitely strenuous! I have been brooding the idea for a awhile, keeping it warm, and cozy, away for the labors of this difficult world. But it is now time to hatch!

So here we are… a virgin blog, an amateur blogger, and almost two years worth of ideas just cracking to hit the page. I can’t wait!

I hope to share with you experiences that you can relate to, ideas that you may like, and tips that make my life easier. I also hope to get some back- experiences, ideas, and tips. Send them in and keep them coming. Nothing gets me more excited than some genuine sharing and collaboration. Okay, cheese. But I have lots of cheese, so I’ll try to warn you when I feel it coming on.

Let’s make the Chicken Coup a safe place to vent about our life and our frustrations in motherhood (or fatherhood!). Let’s make it a place to giggle and share. Let’s make it healthy and collaborative.

I am so glad to finallly be here. Cheers to my first post!

Fowl Mama