I received this award from Alice Audrey, who I discovered when I began participating in the PhotoHunt meme, about a year or so ago. While the rest of us go through our photo archives or walk around, camera in hand, searching for just the right photo to illustrate that week’s theme, Alice created the world of Jack & Jill and their pets, Gin (the cat) & Tonic (the dog), to photograph entire scenarios and an ongoing storyline. I fell in love with her creativity and warped sense of humor. So, thanks Alice! This means a lot, coming from you.

But, of course, all of these awards come with Rules:

Neno’s Award—-Rules and Regulations

1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.

4. Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.

5. Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.

7. Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

Hmm… I never really thought about blogging until my friend, MizShoes, got me into reading hers. The initial attraction for me was that, with a certain degree of anonymity, I could say many of the things on my mind that I couldn’t necessarily in real life. At least without most people in my circle thinking that I was becoming unhinged. That’s morphed into expressing other passions like cooking, photography, politics, and nature. When this all began, I never thought anyone would actually read any of it, but because of blogging, I’ve made friends all over the world who share at least one – if not more – of these passions. There’s nothing more gratifying to me than getting a comment on a post that says: “Really? Me, too!”

With that in mind, I’m passing this award on to:

Michele of Funky Chunks: I admire Michele’s spirit and talent. She not only blogs and cooks, but she makes the finest natural handmade soaps you can get. In fact, some of her seasonal offerings that I purchased recently, are going into certain birthday gifts. I love the quality and especially the scents of the ones I’ve tried: Pumpkin Spice (omg – can you smell pie?); Jersey Love (smells like tomatoes growing on the vine); Mellow Yellow (bananas – my favorite!). She’s got a zillion of ‘em, and is always coming out with more – no limits to her imagination! They’re all vegan-friendly and great to your skin. Michele also has a positive spirit and love of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, and will be participating in the #GreatHallowTweet BlogHop with us, next week – so what’s not to love?

I’m also passing this on to Michelle (Rambling Woods), Elle (Elle’s New England Kitchen), Michelle (Big Black Dog), Heather (BodaciousGirl), Katie (Gonzo Gastronomy), Paula (Dragon’s Kitchen), Courtney (Coco’s Kitchen), Judy (No Fear Entertaining), Deeba (Passionate About Baking), Jamie (Life’s A Feast), and Casey (Kitchen Witch & TasteStopping) – all some of my favorite bloggers and each one worth getting to know. Once you visit them, you’ll know why I’m sending this on to them. Thank you, ladies, one and all!

By way of explanation, Aunt Becky is the force of nature behind the frequently profound – and generally profane – MommyWantsVodka. She has made me angry, made me cry, but usually makes me laugh… bitch. Oh, and Aunt Becky is not my aunt. In fact, she’s old enough to be my seriously troubled daughter who I hope gets some professional help real real soon.

Anyway, after being forced to leave the recent BlogHer convention early (inexplicably, no, they didn’t throw her out), she found herself with a stack of leftover business cards, and kindly offered them to the rest of us to do with what we will. So, much like many of you might take your daughters to work, I took Aunt Becky’s card to work. This was our day:

Like me, Aunt Becky’s card can’t function without a substantial quantity of java in the morning…

Aunt Becky’s card really took a liking to the Cuban coffee…

…and decided to check out the Cuban pastries for breakfast

Of course, all that coffee has to go somewhere…

Now totally stoked, Aunt Becky’s card wanted to help out…

Time for a break…

At the end of a long day, Aunt Becky’s card decides that, no, office life is not for her – she’d rather try something more exciting…

Umm, Aunt Becky? It may be awhile before your card comes home again…

Happy Labor Day, All!

Which came first: the chicken or the egg? We attempt to answer these and other pressing questions (such as: What are these people thinking?!?), in this episode of “Project Runway: The Mommy Years”.

Morning has broken, like the first morning. Except that it isn’t. We see the designers steeling themselves for another day, another humiliation. Althea says that no one thought Ari would be the first to go, and that it woke them all up. I’m thinking night sweats. (She’s right. The old producers would have kept Ari – for awhile, anyway – and ditched Mitchell) They all realize that they can’t slack off on any challenge.

Mitchell is glad to still be there. (Skin of your teeth, Mitch. Skin of your teeth.) He’s glad someone else took the bullet and he’s ready to rekindle his dream. I’ve got the lighter fluid and a match right here.

At FIDM:

Heidi comes out onto the runway (she looks fabulous in that animal print!). This time, they will be creating a look for an “actual celebrity”! She’s a supermodel and a film and television star. She also has a big surprise.

Irina wonders if they’re designing for Heidi. (Be careful what you wish for, girl.)

Rebecca Romijn steps from behind the scrim and she is decidedly preggers!

Nicolas interviews, laughing in disbelief: “Oh, shit! Oh shit! It’s a pregnancy outfit challenge! I’ve never done a pregnancy outfit in my life!” (Nicolas is beginning to grow on me. I don’t know why. It can’t be his hair. Or is it?)

Rebecca is having twins! “So far, being pregnant is a wonderful, wonderful experience (having twins apparently not only forces you to say everything twice, but also makes you talk like Lawrence Welk – Google him. I can’t be bothered.), but finding fashionable clothing has been difficult.”

The challenge is to design a “pregnancy chic” look for Rebecca. The designers have an extraordinary amount of leeway: because she’s such a busy busy lady during her wunnerful wunnerful pregnancy, the outfit can be for any type of event: lunch, business event, party, whatev. Her only requirement is that it presents a beautiful silhouette, celebrating her shape. Pup tents leap to mind. No kidding. She’s freaking huge.

Workrooom:

Althea notices the pregnancy pillows laid out at everyone’s workstation. Epperson tries one on under his shirt. It’s not a bad look for him.

Christopher says that, even though he has immunity, he still wants to create something fabulous. He wants all the winning dresses on the workroom display mannequins to be his.

Irina (or it might have been Shirin – I’m still working on telling them apart on the fly) wants to know where the belly begins and ask Gordana, since she has kids. Come on, people! I realize rotund is not in your normal lexicon, but what do you do when you see a pregnant woman on the street? Avert your eyes? Because it’s a sign that she’s had sex? Obama won – we no longer live in the 18th century.

Gordana has been pregnant twice and believes that it’s important for a maternity outfit to highlight the woman’s arms and legs, so that’s what she’s going to do. When was the last time you heard someone complimenting a pregnant lady on her legs? Obviously, Gordana’s legs never swelled during her pregnancies.

Ra’mon thinks Rebecca looks like she’s “in her early second semester. Oops! Trimester.” When I think how close we came to Ra’mon having a scalpel in his hand and, like, cutting into somebody’s brain, I shudder a little.

Tim stops by with the details: The outfit must be beautiful and chic. Rebecca had only one specific criterion: it must be form-fitting. They have 30 minutes to sketch; $100 to shop at Mood; and the winner will have immunity.

Logan interviews that he never had a lot of pregnant women in his life. Hmmm. The jury’s out. He says that babies scare him.

Malvin says that he knows what the judges are looking for, now: Concept with construction that’s also fashion forward.

Ra’mon says that being in the top 3 last time, was amazing. He remembers that Nina told him that he must go further and not do the expected.

At Mood:

30 minutes to shop

Carol Hannah has made a maternity dress before – a maternity bridesmaid’s dress “and that’s a whole other can of worms you don’t want to open.” Okay, then.

Qristyl says that she is a little STRESSED! Because she’s FOCUSED! And she just wants to stay CENTERED! Tim: “Qristyl!” “WHAT?!?” “Deep breaths! Deep breaths!” “OKAY!”

Workroom:

Irina (or maybe it’s Shirin) says that there shouldn’t be that much of a gap between pregnancy clothes and regular clothes.

Althea wants to create a bodice with ribbons, keeping the bottom made of jersey for comfort.

Qristyl’s original plan changed.

Mitchell really likes what he’s got going on.

Louise is making a 20’s negligee-style cocktail dress. She’s hand-dying some lace for an appliqued top. I love that color.

Malvin (poor, deluded Malvin) is creating around the concept of fertility. Duh. No, wait. He’s thinking eggs and a bird’s nest. He’s calling his creation “The Mother Hen.”

Ra’mon keeps hearing Nina in his head, saying “Don’t play it safe!” I am so glad Ra’mon doesn’t have a scalpel in his hand.

Irina (ha! I think I’ve got them sorted now! No. Wait. Shirin?): is doing some “lattice smocking” at the “waist.” I’m not familiar with this, but it looks like a lot of handwork.

Althea loves Malvin’s idea. She’s egging him on. Get it?

Mitchell is making a t-shirt and a sweater, because he’s not taking any chances that you can see through it. No sirree, bob. He’s going to make sure that everyone’s boobs are completely covered from here on out. He’s going to make Young Republican clothes. Nothing suggestive here.

He’s also creating shorts. He doesn’t even care about winning this challenge – he just wants to be safe. Mitchell has made the most enormous pair of shorts I have ever seen in my life. (See “Crimes Against Fashion“) Louise and Shirin (Irina?) each put their whole bodies in a leg and launch into an Irish step-dancing routine.

Day 2 – Workroom:

Busy little bees, sewing, breaking zippers, breaking sewing machine needles, etc.

Tim comes in to do his walkabout:

He starts with Althea. Althea’s dress is a dark navy blue and is floor-length. Tim asks Althea where Rebecca is going in this dress, and she says it’s for a luncheon. Tim looks skeptical. “A very important luncheon.” “It had better be.” Tim tells her to give up on creating a scenario of that dress being “day.”

Louise is concerned hers is too nightgown-y. Tim tells her to listen to her viscera. Or maybe it’s just lunch.

Malvin explains his Mother Hen concept to Tim – that her belly is the egg and the ginormous sack (sac?)/sling-thingy is the nest. The black top underneath is trimmed with “feathers” he’s created out of the same silk organza fabric. Tim nods sagely and asks what’s going on the bottom. Jodhpurs. Malvin wants to make jodhpurs to make her thighs look bigger and further the Concept. They’re to look like chicken thighs. I swear to all I hold dear. Freaking CHICKEN THIGHS. Tim absolutely forbids him to do that: “Why would a woman want her thighs to look bigger? I don’t think you want to explain “chicken thighs” on the Runway. Don’t go into costume-land. It’s interesting – I’m definitely not bored.”

Ra’mon tells Tim that he’s been channeling Nina. Tim says, “Don’t be safe, without being cuckoo. We’ve already had cuckoo happen.” “With me?” “No, not with you.” I haven’t figured out if this is a not-so-veiled reference to the late, lamented Ari, or to what he just left after seeing Malvin.

Malvin interviews that he isn’t intimidated. Fashion is about taking risks. Fine. I’m fairly certain, however, that it’s not about making women look like poultry.

Mitchell tells Ra’mon that his dress looks like a bowling ball. (No, it doesn’t. It looks like a bowling ball bag.) Ra’mon is mortified and has to leave the room. Mitchell follows him and says it looks a lot better from the other room. “Yeah,” says Ra’mon, “but they’re not going to be this far away.”

The models come in for their fittings. Ooo, aaaah. Yada yada yada.

Johnny is teaching his model to walk. “You didn’t know that I’m a runway coach, too!” I’m not sure if he was kidding. Whatever. If he doesn’t make it here, he can always get a job at America’s Next Top Model.

Johnny is making a 1972 white floral jacket. He, himself, actually calls it “kind of Easter Sunday.” Saves me the trouble.

Qristyl said Rebecca Romijn wouldn’t wear Johnny’s jacket. She wouldn’t even dust with that jacket. She follows with a giggled “That’s so mean.”

Nicolas doesn’t think Rebecca Romijn would wear any of it, anywhere. Including yours, I’m pretty sure.

Runway Day:

Mitchell: “I don’t know what ahead this day lies.” Direct quote. Hand to God.

Malvin is having doubts. He thinks he needs to make his egg nest more literal. More literal?!? Does he smoke crack with his morning coffee?

Althea is antsy to get back to the workroom to make her look “runway-ready.”

Mitchell is worried about finishing his shorts. Less said about that, the better.

Workroom:

Ra’mon says that there are only two styles of design there: On the right side of the room: “drapey drapey sophisticated”; on the left, “structured tailored.” “Am I really the frontrunner?” Um, No. He sees Logan banging on something and says: “What are you? Stella, working on your leatha?” Oh. So he has actually watched this show before. One sometimes wonders.

Tim comes in and announces that they have two hours for final fittings, hair and makeup.

Althea’s model puts on the dress and oops! The cups are smaller than she thought they would be. There’s a whole lotta chest hanging out, there. Walk carefully, my child.

Qristyl broke the needle on her machine.

Malvin is anxious to see his look on the runway. He thinks the other designers all have something to say, but they haven’t found it yet. “They haven’t cracked the egg.” Direct quote. I swear.

Mitchell is just happy his model will have clothes on. As well he should be.

Christopher thinks he’s going to have another top spot, but doesn’t care because he’s got immunity. No comment.

Runway:

Judges: Michael Kors is absent. In his place is Monique Lhuillier, a top fashion designer. Nina Garcia. Rebecca Romijn. All of them have been pregnant and know what they’re talking about, says Heidi.

There is a runway show. No, I’m not going to show you all 15 of them, but here are some highlights. And lowlights.

Shirin Althea

Ra’mon Mitchell

Louise Malvin

Louise, Mitchell, Althea, Malvin, Shirin, and Ra’mon are called out. Everyone else is safe.

These are the best and worst; one will be the winner and one will be out. The models come out.

Judging:

Ra’mon: The construction is sloppy. The lighter-colored insets are like arrows pointing “here is the baby.”

Louise: Everyone likes it. The tiered construction accommodates the different stages of pregnancy.

Althea: Entirely appropriate for evening. (Way to keep your mouth shut, Al) Although the cups should be more covered but everyone loves it.

Malvin: The embracing cocoon sling is disturbing. He admits that he “may have been too attached to [the] concept.”

Mitchell: The shirt’s too tight, the shorts are too short. The model is a mess. It was a good idea, but the execution didn’t work out.

Shirin: The focus is on comfort. Monique says that there are no bad angles to this dress; Heidi’s impressed; Nina thinks that it is versatile and has many nice details. They think Shirin should go into designing maternity-wear. A high compliment. I think.

Discussion:

Ra’mon’s looked like a bowling ball bag. (Ha! See? I told you!)

Mitchell: If the shorts were well-done they might all wear it to the mall. Heidi thinks they looked like she sewed them herself, and she can’t sew. Apparently, neither can Mitchell.

Malvin had the egg, the chicken, the feathers the whole bird thing covered. “But at least he had a concept,” said Monique. “Oh, yes” – they all chimed in – “there was a concept!” And how did we define “conceptual design” last week, boys and girls?

Shirin: The waistline on the dress was beautiful and the coat was beautiful. Hers is the most wearable.

Althea: They loved the shape. It was slimming and elegant. Monique thought her color choice was excellent. (Way to go, Althea!)

Louise: Rebecca would wear it on a date with her husband. They’re calling it “walk-around lingerie.” It was obvious that Louise thought about it and it was well-executed..

Judgment:

Louise is in.

The winner is: Shirin! The outfit is elegant, beautifully executed and they’d all wear it – pregnant or not. Shirin feels pretty good. As well she should.

Althea is in, Ra’mon is in.

Mitchell & Malvin are our bottom two.

Heidi told Malvin that his design was not flattering – that it was complicated, not in a good way. Mitchell’s was sloppy and there’s no excuse for poor skills.

Malvin is out. Mitchell just squeaked by. He’s told that he needs to up his game and show them he deserves to be there.

In the Kiss ‘n Kry, Malvin says that he is “too conceptual for America,” and that the best thing he got out of this experience is that he is more grounded as a philosopher, as a designer, and as a person.

Go clean up your space. Bye.

Not that I’ll miss him, or anything, but the production direction seems to have changed. The old producers would have kept Malvin for awhile longer, too. Don’t you think?

*Photos are from ProjectRunway.com

Recipe Monday will be delayed this week, until the delivery of the replacement download cable for my digital camera. Yes, the rat-bastards who robbed my house last week, also took the download cable for my camera. I guess it was white, and therefore looked like it might belong to my laptop, so they took it. Idiots.

In the meantime, please check out this post on this week’s edition of Of Cats. It’s all about an awesome no-kill rescue sanctuary for wildcats (and wild cats) in Minnesota, called (what else?) The Wildcat Sanctuary. They’re doing great work out there, and I’m thrilled to bring them to your attention.

But before you go check that out, I’ve gotta ask: So, what do you think of my new blog template? I finally found a three-column template – and in my existing style! Thanks to Dobeweb for giving these out for free, and even the instructions on how to install them!

So, really – what do you think? Too busy? Too something else? Gimme some feedback, people! Then you can go read.

That is the question.

If you’ve been judging me by my posts since – I guess, October of last year – you probably think that when I’m not gathering dust bunnies to be woven into Navajo blankets (Miz Shoes – would there be a market for that?), I must be sitting around thinking deep thoughts about politics and the economy, and cats. And I do. (Oh, puhleeeze!)

But I have a confession. I love Project Runway. I had a great time recapping Project Runway last season. I miss Project Runway. I wish the courts would shit or get off the pot and settle the damn lawsuit(s) so we can get on with our lives. I mean, they’ve already got the entire season in the can – including the Fashion Week Finals – so that’s going to take a little edge off watching the show to start with. It’s kind of tough to root for your favorites and boo the villain(s) when you know in the back of your mind that the outcome was decided weeks – even months – ago.

And despite myself, I love America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). I can’t help it. It’s like watching a train wreck and the Miss U.S.A. pageant on split screen, and then the split dissolves. I am considering blogging America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 12 (12!). I haven’t started yet for several reasons.

First, I can’t keep up with 2 dozen gerbils running hither thither and yon and shrieking for no reason for the better part of 2 hours. It’s considerably easier when they’re down to 12. Also, I have much to live up to – there’s the incomparable Potes at Television Without Pity (see the link in my blogroll for TWOP: ANTM); and of course, my most excellent friend, Miz Shoes at Girlyshoes (link also over there in the blogroll). Oh, and by the way – Allison doesn’t look like a lemur. She looks like a Tim Burton heroine. Or heroin. Your choice.

Second – and I know this is going to sound weird – but, well, it’s MJ. It suddenly dawned on him that I’m blogging, somewhere near the end of last season’s PR. Since then, if he’s in a pissy mood, and if I’m not doing something that he thinks I should be doing, he rags on my blogging (“Oh, you’re too busy BLOGGING, are you?” “Actually, I haven’t written a word in two weeks. I’m playing Luxor.”).

On the flip-side of that, since he became aware that I blog (small b) Project Runway, and that I might blog ANTM, he has become the “other bitch on the couch.” In seasons-past, MJ has watched these shows with me occasionally – just enough to keep up – and made enviably snide observations. Which I dutifully quoted, unbeknownst to him. I noticed during last week’s ANTM (during which I did take a couple of notes), that he was making a point of really watching the show. And deliberately commenting FOR MY BENEFIT (re: Monique the Conspiracy Theorist: “Ah! Monique the Conspiraposer!” “Honey, how are you spelling that?” “What do you mean?” “Well, there’s conspiraPOSER and there’s conspiraPOSEUR.”)

And then, at the second commercial break, “Is it time yet to play our favorite game?” “Which game is that, Honey?” “Can You Spot The Lesbian!”

And I can’t yet. Can you? I’m sure there must be one…. even if SHE doesn’t know it yet….

So you see, there’s the far more experienced competition, and then there’s the guy I married, whose one-liners are better than mine. I’m so intimidated.

Several years ago, MJ and I made a pilgrimage to the land of (some of) his forbears, Ireland. We traveled on our own to Dublin, took a bus up to Termonfecken to peer at the lichen-covered headstones – searching for said forbears – rented a car in Galway, and adventured our way down the west coast and back up to Dublin, searching for music. We had a blast.

The following year, we heard about Celtica Tours to Ireland, headed up by Robbie O’Connell, a nephew of our favorite Irish Trad group, The Clancy Brothers. We couldn’t resist and booked ourselves in. Again, we had a blast. Despite the swan dive and face-plant I did off the top step of the bus at some castle or another. Not their fault, though. That was all me.

It was so much more relaxing to let someone else do the driving (except maybe on some of those narrow, twisting back roads, when it became tour bus vs. compact car, or worse, tour bus vs. tour bus), and we really got to enjoy the scenery. And there were “sessions” every evening. And the camaraderie of our fellow travelers – characters themselves. Like Anna the Puppet Lady from Boston.

That’s where we met the Zoo Lady and her hubs, who hail from Arkansas. The Zoo Lady and I hit it off and had many wonderful conversations over a Bulmer’s or Guinness and cigarettes in the hotel parking lots. We kept in touch via e-mail when we got back, mostly during hurricane season (she has family on the Florida west coast), especially when storms approached or passed (“Are you guys okay?” “Did your folks have any damage?”).

This past Fall, we discovered – through forwarded and personal e-mails – that we even share the same political views. Which was a relief. You know how you just don’t want to offend someone whose views you’re unsure of, because you like them and don’t want them to cut you off? It was like that.

The Zoo Lady was in Florida last week to visit her family and help out with stuff, but we couldn’t manage to coordinate a visit. Still, we had the first voice-to-voice contact since Ireland, and it was just like being back there. ->Sigh<- A bright spot in an otherwise dismal week of more dusting and straightening and digging out at my FIL’s. Yes, that mess continues. Although the living room pretty much resembles a living room now, and we discovered an actual couch and coffee table in the FIL’s “office”! Seriously, I thought it was all a mountain of junk, but when you cleared off the junk, there was furniture under there! Un-freaking-believable.

Anyway, the Zoo Lady reads this blog, too. I know you’re out there – I can hear you breathing… so if you don’t like your nickname, come up with something better. And leave a comment. Yo.

This is how I know I’ve been thinking about blogging waaaayyy too much, lately: I just woke up from a dream in which I woke up to find 275 spam comments on one of my posts. (Yes, I was dreaming in my dream!) I remember thinking, “Damn! Now I’ve got to moderate comments here, too!” Sheesh!

I have to get back to sleep or I will be in no shape for the premier of the new season of “Project Runway” tonight. And of course, I have to be functional for work, too. I don’t blog or recap PR (although I may slip a reference in here from time to time), but some of my favorite blogger/recappers I’m sure will be, including, I’m sure, my good friend, Miz Shoes of Girlyshoes.

Ah! My Wednesday nights have become sacrosanct once again!