Footwear

Ah, shoes. What can I say? It is impossible for words to accurately describe how you feel when you've finally found that perfect pair. They fit right, they look right, they match with your outfit, they make you feel gorgeous, and they're only....$59.95. *Pop!* That's what Payless Shoe Source is for, folks.

Anyway, in order to raise the status of your day from "good" to "fantastically wonderful," we have allowed a rare opportunity. You are permitted to gaze upon our footwear for as long as you like without anyone giving you weird looks. Then, if that's not enough, (hold your breath folks!) you can guess which pair of bewitching shoes belongs to which inhabitant of Shingle Paradise.

We realize this may be laughably easy for those related to us. Well, related to Kara, since the rest of our relatives aren't particularly blog inclined. Thus the following rule is imposed: If you are related to Kara, you may not comment until at least two other people have tried their hand at this guessing bonanza. Got it? Good, then let's get going!

These boots are made for walkin'...

Number One
Number Two
Number ThreeNumber Four

The Answers:

Apparently this one was really hard, so here are the answers before anyone got it right:

The photo of the soldier and nurse was Mia's. This was definitely the hardest to figure out, since we all like the photo and it's hanging up in our kitchen. To make it harder (although nobody guessed it was mine) the poster is mine. But you could've figured it was Mia's both through clear process of elimination and because it's traditional, clean cut and romantic.

Jessica's was the arrangement of the letters LOVE. I'm not entirely sure why she likes it, so I'll let her explain.

"It is so aesthetically pleasing. AND if you go to the IMA and see it it will blow your mind. The colors are so vibrant, and it's such an icon of Indiana art. It has such a simple but beautiful composition, and it the O at the angle just adds so much beautiful interest it makes it awesome."

Moving on...

Mine was the Painter's Honeymoon. That seems to have been easy enough, as everyone got it except Keith. (Nathan intentionally missed all of ours since he knew the answers.)

And Sara's was the Turner piece, both a pun on the word "Romantic" and a reaction against "sappy art." Originally we were just going to select one of our very favorite pieces of art, but when Jess's and Mia's and mine were all romantic we decided to keep it to the narrower theme so we could do artwork again if we felt like it. We already all have something picked out for works of art you wouldn't think we'd like (but we do), but we decided to go easy on ya'lls until some of you start getting it right more consistently.

picture this

The inhabitants of Shingle Paradise are gathered around their kitchen table having just completed their evening meal. The conversation turns to Kara's goats...

Sara: We should kill them instead of shearing them this spring!

Kara: That's been suggested before, but Americans have a really weak stomach for that kind of thing.

Sara (pondering and remembering a movie of an elk-killing that nearly made her throw up): I think I could kill the goat, but I'm not so sure I could skin it and all that afterwards.

Mia: Why don't you skin it first? Oh, crap, I mean...

Artwork

Today we have a very exciting contest. Each of us Shingle Paradise girls has selected a favorite piece of romance-inspired artwork. Ranging from photography to modern art, I am sure you can appreciate the aesthetic qualities of these fine pieces of art. However, whether or not you can determine which girl has picked which piece is as of yet undetermined.

Artwork Number One
Times Square, August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt

Artwork Number Two

Love, Robert Indiana

Artwork Number Three

Painter's Honeymoon, Lord Frederic Leighton

Artwork Number Four
Keelman heaving in coals by night, JMW Turner

The Answers:

We all thought it was fairly obvious. Mia's is the well-ordered, stately, traditional English manor. Big, clean, balanced… just the thing to make Hercule Poirot delighted.

Figuring Sara’s out might be easier if you knew that her dad is an architect. Of course, Jessica’s is too, and I grew up drawing floorplans and house elevations on Dad’s computer (including Roman villas), so it might also help if you knew that Sara used to be an interior design major. It’s a cool idea and everything, and I wouldn’t mind staying in the guest bedroom, but there are two major flaws. The first is that monolithic dome structures are generally very ugly, and the second that it has no attic bedroom.

The a-frame is mine. A cozy little hippie home, in the woods, simple and leaving lots of outside space for gardens and hammocks, but still with electricity and phone wires running into the front. I used to think it’d be cool to live off the grid, but I’ve changed my mind. Utilities are great things. Especially hot water and Internet.

And, of course, the rustic farm scene with not-quite dilapidated barns belongs to the roommate who proudly can tell you the difference between corn and soybeans, and who wants to take her electives in agriculture.

Sara suggested doing a post on cars next time, but I think that would be too easy. Any other suggestions?

Lovely Abodes

For our tenth post we are trying something new and exciting. Each of us has selected one of our favorite styles of houses, and you get to guess who likes which one best. If you live in the vicinity, all the people who guess all right are invited over for dinner. If you live in the vicinity and you miss one or two or three or four you may come over for dinner anyway if you would like. We practice pretty open hospitality around here.

House Number One

House Number Two

House Number Three

House Number Four

Shingle Paradise

Is not accepting any more woo pitched at her tonight.

-All of us

death at midnight

Jessica is beheading Josh in our living room. I hope he doesn't bleed on the rug. It's light green and I doubt the stain would come out easily. Plus blood doesn't really match our decor.

Happiness

My room has a warm glow once again.

Sadness

A malicious person connived with a resident of this household to purloin my favorite lamp. Alas, now when I remove my contacts and search for my pajamas after Mia has gone to bed her sleeping eyes will be assaulted by bright, white light, no longer the soft red glow from my most beautiful illuminatory devise.

In all honesty, I am pretty sad about this. Please bring it back.

In happier news, I made chicken and dumplings tonight, which was the first truly substantial meal I've eaten since Sunday. Hooray for soft food!

Singing...

“God made beds
Because they’re good for us
And we like them
And… yea!”

It wasn't even me this time 'cause my voice is gone.

Having and Being Uninvited Guests

Kara: So we’re all sitting around the table, partaking of a delicious dish of mysterious pasta prepared by Jess, and we had the back door open for some of the lovely Indian summer air to come in. The screen door was also open, because last night some very bright person walked into it while she was busily chatting on her cell phone. The collision dislodged the door from the track, rendering it unshuttable.

Mia: I took a bite of my supper and it tasted delicious. I thought to myself that I could eat this kind of food for the rest of my life and be satisfied. As I was thinking this a furry guest bursted into our apartment. He was white with black spots and quite friendly if you ask me.

Sara: Immediately following there entered a person of the male species who was, thankfully, not quite so furry, nor (sadly) not so cute. He apologized and dragged the dog out behind him. We laughed and returned to our conversation. But lo and behold, we were once more interrupted by the overly friendly Adrienne.

Kara: She ran in to our living room, hastily followed once again by her unfurry lesscute companion. As he apologized, Adrienne planted herself firmly by my feet under the table. We were all laughing really hard, but I think the unfurry lesscute one was blushing. Actually, I think he might have been slightly more cute than his dog, ‘cause the dog was nothing special to look at. Anyway…

Jessica: After the delectable supper, all four of us simultaneously had a spontaneous craving for ice cream. We all knew exactly where some could be found; therefore, we gathered bowls, spoons, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and marshmallows and set out in pursuit of our scrumptious goal. The undertaking proved to be a bit more difficult than we had anticipated; however, our yearning for ice cream gave us incentive to battle the obstacles and ultimately achieve our goal. After overcoming all the impediments, we found four scrumptious cartons of ice cream, which we happily devoured. The strawberries were a nice touch as well. ;-)

Mia: We finally settled down for an excellent night of studiousness! It has been quite wonderful…my cloud experiment worked and I understand it! Hooray! I am sure my other counterparts are having as much success as I am!

Well that concludes our excellent post…good evening to all!

And Mia said

I think this blog needs a bit more randomness. So here's to random quotes!

"And there are some really friendly Kentuckians. I've met some."

~Mia Alicia Straw

This week's menu includes...

~mystery pasta

~mystery meat

~mystery vegetarian (wooooohoooo!)

and...

~mystery soup.

Due to October break, Shingle Paradise will be closed on Friday, October 6th through Tuesday, October 10th.

If you would like to attend one of the aforementioned meals, please leave a missive for us at this fine blog.

Ciao!