Paradise of a Thousand Shingles

A Very Exciting Soup

2007-07-30T22:23:00.000-04:00

Darling Mia and Sara and Jessica,

I had this very special moment in Bloomingfoods today that I just had to tell you about. Oh yeah, I got a job, did I tell you that? I’ve been terrible about staying in contact with anyone for the last month or two. Checking my email and seeing the constant stream of rejection letters got so depressing that I just quit spending time online. But anyway, if you write me now I’ll write back because I don’t have to dread opening my email anymore.

So anyway, I’m a cook in the hippiest grocery in Bloomington. It’s not the hippiest lunch spot, because there are dozens of those, but it is the hippiest grocery. We make plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and there’s a big emphasis on local, organic and natural foods. For example, we never use canola oil because it’s genetically modified. Who knew? And did you know that a 1/3 lb baked slice of tofu is called a “steak”?

One of the perks of working in the kitchen is we get to sample most of the dishes we make. Actually, we’re supposed to taste the things we make so we know if it’s ok or not. I’m getting really sick of making sure the egg salad I make every day tastes fine – egg salad has never been my favorite, although it’s pretty fun to make. But sometimes the guys will bring me pieces of chicken or bowls of soup they’ve made. Which brings me to the fabulous moment I thought of you today.

There’s this other new cook who got hired last week with me. However, while I don’t have any kitchen experience and am struggling to keep up making the cold salads, this guy (Joe – seriously, almost everyone in the kitchen is a guy with a one-syllable name – Dan, Mike, Joe, Jim, Jay – it’s funny because it’s such a stereotype… anyway) Joe just graduated from culinary school so he’s way ahead of me in cooking skills. So while I’m making egg salad, Joe is making exciting entrees and soups. Guess what soup he handed me a spoon to sample today?

Think for a minute before you read the answer. I bet you’ll get it.

It was African Peanut Pumpkin Soup. And it was really, really good. You probably wouldn’t have liked it, but it was way better than the one we made. For one thing, it was completely smooth, so if it had onions or peppers you didn’t notice it. And it was so creamy and spicy and different – really, really delicious! It was one of the best things I’ve had to eat there, besides the Szechwan green beans and the slice of raw fennel Mike gave me today.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you. Call me sometime – I get lonely sometimes even with the highly sociable atmosphere in the Bloomingfoods kitchen. Are you all ready to start student teaching Mia? And Sara and Jess – I’d love to help you move into your apartment when you’re ready - I could bring up Dad’s truck on a Sunday afternoon, maybe even with Dad in it!

Love you all bunches,
Kara

My blonde roommate, reprise

2007-04-13T00:37:00.000-04:00

This evening I was teaching Jessica to distinguish between different frog calls. She never really caught onto the different sounds, and was convinced that I was trying to trick her by playing a cow instead of a bullfrog. After a while we moved on to bird calls. Those can be tricky, and while confusing a great horned owl with a mourning dove is kind of odd, it's somewhat understandable. Then I played this clip, followed by this one.

Jessica sat with a puzzled look upon her beautiful countenance.

"Can you play that again?" she inquired.

I obliged.

"Is that a crow?"

I burst out laughing.

"How about an eagle?"

While Jessica sat in bewhilderment and I collapsed in mirth, Mia came downstairs. I played her the clips, and Mia informed Jessica, "You're going to be really mad with yourself when you find out."

"What color is the bird?" asked Jessica.

"They come in many colors."

"I have no idea, can you give me a hint?" inquired our fair-haired heroine.

"That sound is only made by the male members of the species."

After a while, I am happy to report, Jessica finally did arrive at the correct answer.

Right now she is barely conscious on the couch, and since she won't go to bed we'll take this moment for a candid interview.

Me: "Miss Young, tell me about your aversion to your loft."
Jess: "What do you mean?"
Me: "Why don't you like going to bed?"
Jess: (giggles) "I actually generally like going to bed, but I can't because I have to put my laundry in the dryer first." (hides her face under her arm much like some of Peter's hens)
Me: "So why don't you get a wiggle on moving the laundry?"
Jess: "Because I don't feel like it. Nobody is going to want to read this interview."
Me: "But some of our best stuff comes out after midnight."
Jess: "Maybe so"
Me: "I think you're too awake for an interview. I liked it better when you sat straight upright at the rooster crow just now."
(Silence from the couch)

Oo-la-la

2007-04-04T21:11:00.000-04:00

Sara and I got invited to an "honors convocation" for students with GPA's of 3.0 or above. It sounded pretty pointless, so we both decided not to attend. However, our parents also received an invitation. My mother was misled to believe that it is a big deal, so she called us to say that she and my dad are going to go.

This evening, some of my roommates and I were discussing the situation. "Did you tell them that's it nothing special?" asked one roommate.

"Yeah, but they like to go to things like that and hear people talk," replied my sister. "They think it's romantic."

The other roommate laughed. "Well, I guess everyone has a different idea of what would be romantic. I would..."

A discussion on romantic dates ensued.

Then, roommate number four came home. We asked her what her idea of romantic is. "Are you kidding me? I am not going to put that on a blog!" she exclaimed. We hadn't mentioned the blog, but I guess she knows us too well. ;-)

So here are our ideas of fun things to do with your true love: (See if you can guess whose they are)

1. Canoeing on a peaceful lake at sunset.

2. Painting. Together. On the same canvas.

3. Double-riding on a horse.

Bonus points if you can guess which Shingle Parasite refused to comment!!

Goodwill Wardrobes!

2007-03-25T16:57:00.000-04:00

Since we thought you might not loading our blog all the time until we update again and seeing our bellybuttons (or those of our neighbors...) we thought we'd show you how much we dig Goodwill. Yesterday Goodwill had an amazing 50% off storewide sale, and we were there shortly after the doors opened. To be precise, we were there seven minutes after the store opened, at which point the cart corrals were already empty. When we had finished shopping, Jess and I stood in line to check out our clothes as well as Sara's and Andrew's, who had better things to do than stand in line, for an hour and ten minutes. But our wardrobes are amazing now, and far more amazing than these three wardrobe changes can show.

Four reactions to the same neighborly event

2007-03-21T18:02:00.000-04:00

The scene: Our kitchen. With the blinds to the back door open. Two young neighborly male fellows are playing catch with a football in our back yard.

Kara: "Hey look, Sara, our neighbors are wearing shirts today!"
Sara: "Hallelujah! Look at that lovely shirt rippling in the breeze."
Jessica: (walking in with a stunned expression on her lovely countenance) "Wow, there are some good-looking men in our back yard!"
Mia: (Too engrossed in reading The Princess Bride on the couch to notice said neighborly figures)

Midterms

2007-03-07T19:00:00.000-05:00

Last semester a person passing by Shingle Paradise would have been able to knock on our door almost any time of the day and find at least one resident home. This semester we all are on campus a lot more, and we have eerily coinciding class times. For example, at Nine O'Clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays every single one of us is in class.

Another eerie coincidence (in the coinciding sense, because of course everything is determined by Divine Providence and Professors) is that each of us had a midterm exam today.

Mia is now done with her midterms, and is off babysitting, working out and grocery shopping. I have one more midterm and six more pages to write on my midterm Twain paper before Spring break. Jess has two more exams, a paper on the Amish to finish, and her drawing portfolio to touch up. Sara wins the stress load, however, with three exams tomorrow and a Twain paper to finish, as well as a work shift tomorrow night.

All this leads up to a momentous event occurring tonight.

For the first time since August, we ate leftovers for dinner.

Be amazed.

Issuing Rejection

2007-02-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

Today I was very sinful. I haven’t ever told this many lies in a row before.

Kara has a stalker. His name is Cyril. They met at a high school dance at Purdue at 4H camp when Kara was 17. He was short and ugly and had a mustache. Naturally, he immediately became enamored with our heroine. Kara spent the evening trying to rid herself of him. Sadly, she had to go to bed early in the girls’ dormitory in order to succeed.

Very unfortunately, Cyril was able to get young Kara’s home phone number through sneaky connections. He called her several times that summer, much to the distress of our heroine. Finally, Kara’s father had to get on the phone and tell him to never call his daughter again.

For nearly three years, Kara lived in (almost) blissful peace. That peace was interrupted when Cyril called Shingle Paradise today, and Kara answered. As soon as he identified himself, Kara hung up the phone.

Three minutes later, the phone rang again. I answered. The following conversation ensued:

“Hello, this is Shingle Paradise.”
“Hey, is this Kara?"
"No, this is Jessica"
"Who?"
"Jessica"
"Can I talk to Kara?"
“I’m sorry, but Kara moved to Wyoming.”
“Really? I just talked to her a few minutes ago.”
“Oh, that must have been Karen. Kara hasn’t lived here for like two years.”
“Her facebook profile said she’s graduating from Purdue this year.”
“Well, it must be wrong. Would you like her new phone number?”
“Yes, please.”

At this point there was a long pause in the conversation while Kara and I searched online for the Rejection Hotline number.

“Are you still there?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright, it’s 641-985-7888.”
“Thanks.”

Several minutes later, our phone began ringing again. I unplugged it. If any of you try to call SP and we don’t answer, that’s why. Try a cell.

a snippet of dinner conversation

2007-02-21T20:43:00.000-05:00

Imagine the scene. Four girls are sitting around a table eating meatloaf, macaroni and cheese and/or baked potatoes, and broccoli while the following conversation takes place...

Kara: Well, you know, breastfeeding increases intelligence.

Jessica: (oh-my-maybe-I-should-try-this expression on her lovely countenance)

Mia: (catching on to what is going through Jessica's blonde head) The child, not you!

Jessica: (crest-fallen) Oooh.

Sara: (chokes on her broccoli)

Kara: (chokes on her baked potato)

Mia: (doesn't have food in her mouth)

So, boys, does it make you uncomfortable when we talk about breastfeeding? 75% of us think not. After all, if you guys take enough hormones, you can do it too!

Valentine's Day Romance

2007-02-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

Subtitled: Andrew is our hero

Here at Shingle Paradise, we have many special romantic moments. Here are a few from Valentine's Day.

Jessica learned that sexy clothes are cold. It's a good lesson, even if that's not the only reason to dress modestly.

The table set for our candlelit dinner.

Mia looks like she's all excited about a bottle of wine, but in fact, it's merely a sparkling beverage I bought on Sunday night (definitely not acloholic then).

Most of the pictures came out fuzzily, but here are four of my favorite people in the world, ready for a delicious dinner. All of the dinner came out deliciously, although my steaks were a very qualified success. They were the best tasting steaks I've ever had, but they took so long to cook and we had to keep putting them back in the oven that we'd eaten each dish as a separate course before the meat arrived at the table. I always put off learning how to cook steak since I figured that was my husband's responsibility, but after tonight I've decided it might be a useful skill before I try cooking a romantic dinner for a guy.

After dinner Mia became very entranced with the candles.

Sara did the dishes after supper, and when she tried to clean out the sink with the garbage disposal, a catastrophe ensued. Everything bubbled back up again from the sink, and finally our kitchen flooded. Andrew came over to rescue us, and here are a couple video clips. We laughed so much that my throat is sore, and it pretty much got in the way of getting any homework done. The saddest part is that it still isn't fixed and we can't find anyone from maintenance to help us. Andrew used my sheets to mop up the water, so I'm going to be sleeping on a bare mattress tonight.

(These videos are also available at Google Video - Part 1 and Part 2 )

If you can't tell, Jessica forgot the camera had movie capabilities, and I forgot that movies are one-directional.

Since Jess didn't have any homework and the rest of us were trying to get some done, we elected her plumber's assistent and put her in charge of changing the bowls of water as they flooded from the pipes. She whimpered and screamed the whole time. It was great.

Snowy Shingles

2007-02-13T16:22:00.000-05:00

Pictures can't fully portray the depth of the snow, or the whiteout conditions caused by blowing snow, but I thought I'd put up the views out the front and back of our Paradise anyway.

This is the front walk, just a few hours after Josh and Allen thoughtfully shoveled it for us. Jess's bike has been snowed under for a week, but Sara's and mine are safe and dry in the basement.

The snow drifts are highest in the middle of the back yard, so I got a straight-on shot from our back door. Beautiful view, isn't it?

Blizzards are so much cooler than regular snow. There's a whole new element of adventure, of having to deal with something new and slightly dangerous. And seeing peaks of snow forming like sand dunes is just cool.

Suppertime!

2007-02-12T18:54:00.000-05:00

Tonight we ate someone’s least favorite dish for dinner, and she complained all through her plate of an alternative entrée. Because it’s Monday night, we thought we’d each put up our very least favorite dinner. Some people are pickier than others (*Mia*and*Sara*) and could’ve picked several dinners, but we thought we’d avoid the obvious:

and instead present you with four entrées which are enough to spoil the blissful state usually present in Shingle Paradise residents. Lest we appear persnickety eaters, most of us like at least two of these dishes and tolerate the others.

Entrée One

Beef stroganoff

Entrée Two

Barbecue chicken

Entrée Three

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Entrée Four
Oysters

It's about time

2007-01-22T21:32:00.000-05:00

For a new guess which one of us post!

We don't have a whole lot of time to be wasting, so the first thing that came to my mind was to put up the cd currently in our cd player or playing on our computer. It isn't quite fair for Keith to guess on this one, but since I don't think people actually read this blog anymore we'll take any guesses we can get. It's super easy anyway.

Album Number One
Album Number Two

Album Number Three

Album Number Four

Shingular Bliss

2007-01-19T00:28:00.000-05:00

Some of you may be aware that if you look up our apartment complex in the phone book, thumbing through the S's to "Shingle Paradise" isn't going to cut it. That's because Shingle Paradise is our apartment specifically, while the entire complex is named Ananda Apartments. I thought this a weird, not-really-applicable sort of name until one day whilst I was attentively taking notes on the knowledge my Eastern religions professor was imparting to a lecture hall of bright, eager Purdue students.

"Ananda," as it turns out, is used in Hindu sacred writings to refer to a state of bliss. This bliss, according to Hinduism, is attainable through the Brahman (or god) and is better than what you can achieve through Bud Light because it is stable and lasts forever. (The Bud Light part is from my professor, not from the Hindu writings).

I thought it quite interesting that even the "weird" appellation of the apartments points to the paradisical bliss available to dwellers of Shingle Paradise everytime they set foot in their happy home.*

*The author is no way refuting the truth that true bliss, or contentment, is achieved only through the Lord Jesus Christ; rather, she is recognizing that part of the blessing bestowed upon her by God is the fellowship of her Christian sisters who reside in Shingle Paradise.

Why I love living in a commune

2007-01-09T19:35:00.001-05:00

After dinner tonight I wanted to eat chocolate chip cookie dough. Actually, I wanted to eat chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, but I was going to settle for a fresh chocolate chip cookie. I started mixing up the dough, but very shortly I realized we were out of brown sugar. Fortunately, when Jessica went over to Number 17 with a measuring cup she met with success, and returned not only with the half cup of sugar, but with three eggs the girls were returning.

Several ingredients later, another realization struck me. We only had a couple tablespoons of chocolate chips. This was more of a crisis. Chocolate chip cookies taste bad when they’re made entirely with white sugar, but they’re just dark sugar cookies without chocolate chips. Instead of going back to Number 17 and making a nuisance of ourselves, I called Andrew.

Andrew didn’t have any chocolate chips. He says he doesn’t really use them. But Nathan was, in fact, at that moment at the grocery! So I called him. And our chocolate chips will be delivered to our doorstep shortly.

Communal life is awesome.

This is the most beautiful house I've ever seen

2007-01-09T17:17:00.000-05:00

whereabouts

2006-12-31T12:31:00.000-05:00

I feel sorry for all the loyal fans of Shingle Paradise dwellers who check our blog every day only to discover, with a wistful sigh, that we have not yet updated. Thus for these sad souls I have concocted a very brief post which should satisfy your burning curiousity...

SP Resident #1, having recently visited Florida with her sister, is up to things which I know not of. I believe she is working at the roller skating rink in Lafayette a few days and spending the rest of her time in picturesque southern Indianapolis.

SP Resident #2 is updating this blog from her father's laptop. Northern Indianapolis is not picturesque. It is gray and raining. SP Resident #2 kind of likes rain, though.

SP Residents #s 3 & 4 are in Pennsylvania visiting various assortments of friends. I assume they are having a fabulous time, but that is an unverified statement. I think it's time for me to call them again.

What happens when you sniff too much rubber cement

2006-12-12T20:24:00.000-05:00

"It tastes like peaches sautéed in paint thinner. Dang, I dig these mangos."

-"Anonymous" Shingle Paradise resident

The Answers:

2006-12-06T17:19:00.000-05:00

Keith wins. He got two answers right, and had mostly correct reasoning about why he guessed what he did. After that, all the rest of you only got one right except Andrew who was 100% wrong. Since I should be doing homework, here are the answers more quickly than our more bored readers might like.

Da Vinci's Madonna was mine. I do love the lighting, but more than that I love how Leonardo toned down the usual glorified enthroned Madonna and approached Mary's status as a peasant. I love how St. Anne's face is lined and tired. I love the symbolism of Christ holding the lamb. And the composition itself is lovely. But it still has a pictorial portrayal of Christ, and since I have second commandment issues I shouldn't like this painting. And I don't like that part of it.

Mia likes the Dali painting because "What everyone sees isn't necessarily the same. At first glance one person might see something, but another might see something else." We were surprised that Mia liked this painting, because it wasn't realistic, and was almost abstract. Mia counters that the painting makes you think, and there's no reason not to like it.

Sara chose Bernini's sculpture. I love it too, but you guys are still too prone to assign anything classical to me. We're trickier than that. This sculpture is awesome because, Sara says, "It's so realistically beautiful in all the details." The reason it isn't mine is there is no reason I shouldn't like it. I've taken a full semester of Greek art, and partially draped stone figures don't bother me anymore. Sara, on the other hand, still "groans with discontent" when our neighbors run around our back yard playing football without shirts.

And, from process of elimination, by now you know that Jessica picked American Gothic. "It speaks for itself. Just go to the Art Institute in Chicago and you'll understand. The .jpeg doesn't accurately portray the real true, like, awesomeness of it." Whatever. It's kind of ugly. And the reason Jess shouldn't like it is it isn't abstract, and Jess's aesthetic tastes are somewhat limited, as she won't take art history until next semester, so she only likes abstract art. And she especially dislikes art with people in it, unless "they're awesome like this one."

Now we at Shingle Paradise are going to eat a vegetarian dinner. Mmmmm. Then we are going to Shingle Paradise #17 for Bible study. So I'm done.

Good grief people

2006-11-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

It's Monday night once again, but we aren't updating this blog until a few more of you guess on the last post. It was the coolest one we've ever done, and you should think a bit harder and put some guesses up. Even if you are too embarrassed to leave your name and let us know you're reading, just call yourself something funny and let us know what you think. Because seriously, those pictures and the reasonings behind them are super cool.

Art we like that you wouldn't think we would like

2006-11-20T18:05:00.000-05:00

Dear readers, today we have another exciting contest for you. This one might prove to be a bit difficult even to those of you who know us quite well (actually, especially for you, come to think of it).

In this contest, each of us Shingle Paradise residents has picked a favorite piece of artwork that no one would think we like. For each piece, there is a specific reason why we shouldn't like it (for example, if Sara only likes paintings portraying animals, hers might be a portrait. Conversely, if Mia generally detests Cubism, hers would be the one and only Cubist piece that she likes). In your comments, please say which piece you think each girl has chosen, as well as why you think she wouldn't like it.

Now, dear readers, feast your eyes (actually, in my opinion, only one is a "feast"):

Number One

Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, Leonardo Da Vinci

Number Two
Apparition of Face and a Fruit Dish on a Beach, Salvador Dali

Number Three
Apollo and Daphne, Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Number Four
American Gothic, Grant Wood

Like all good cowboys

2006-11-15T00:14:00.000-05:00

Lefty goes to Ohio

(Just listen to it.)

And a quick clarification to Sara's post:

Matrilocal is a very different concept than matriarchal.

We're talking a matrilocal society with patriarchal rule.

Awesome concept, isn't it?

Makes for good dinnertime conversation anyway. Like when Sara tells Jess, "There isn't any butter in these mashed potatoes, thanks to a tip I got from Kara," and Jess goes, "What'd you do to them?" to which Sara explains how she used nonfat plain yogurt (mmm) in them instead. Jess then laments, "What am I going to do without Kara for these kitchen secrets," to which I reply, "You'll never have to find out, thanks to our wonderful commune in Ohio!"

Our Future as Communists

2006-11-13T17:09:00.000-05:00

Among other things, Native American anthropology class has proven to be useful in exploring the concepts behind matrilocal societies. Kara and I have also learned more about cannibalism than we care to know, but that is far beyond the level of disgust permitted on this blog.

The matrilocal Huron Indians lived in longhouses which housed several families. When a woman married, her husband came to live with her and her extended family (including her mother, who was often not friendly...but that's another topic altogether.)

Interesting, you may say. But how does this pertain to me? It might not pertain to you. However, if you intend on visiting me in the future, say three to five and a half years from now, it might be useful since I intend to dwell in such a society (minus the unfriendly mother-in-law...in fact, devoid of any mothers-in-law at all.) Therefore understanding the structure of the commune that is to be the future home of Kara, Jessica and myself could be beneficial.

Basically, we would like to purchase a rather largish plot of land in the hills of southern Ohio with at least three farmhouses on it. (We found the idea of a longhouse to be a bit outdated.) This commune would also encompass some of the concepts of a homeschool co-op; however the level of involvement would be much more intense. Our children will receive a thorough education in art, English & literature and even mathematics.

Wait, you are saying. How did children enter the equation? Obviously, husbands must predate the children notion. This is where we return to the matrilocal idea. You have probably got the idea--southern Ohio is where we're living, and husband types are going to move to us rather than vice versa. If husbands are not immediately forthcoming, it is perfectly allowable to have a spinster turning her living room into an art studio and teaching the youngsters the craft of painting, or some such thing. It is also permissable to have an "Uncle Nathan" about the place to make sure children are not too well-behaved.

This arrangement is wonderful in every respect. Firstly, we shall all have the mutual support of each other in the raising of prodigies. Secondly, we shall never have to part ways which would produce so many tears I don't even want to think about it. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, we will effectively dodge the sticky situation of whether to move to some far-off land future husbands hail from (or wish they hailed from.) I foresee nothing but a rosy future in a happy commune surrounded by cornfields.

The telephone rings...

2006-11-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

And I pick it up and say, "Hello this is Shingle Paradise."

A male voice on the other end hurridly says, "OhI'msorryImusthavethewrongnumber."

"No problem," I answer, as he hangs up.

Incidents like this make me wonder how many people actually understand Shingle Paradise is the name of our house and the collective name for four beautiful girls, rather than the name for a roofing retail outlet.

Perhaps the phone will ring again and we will know for sure. Or perhaps the guy is traumatized. Or perhaps he did indeed have the wrong number.

Books

2006-11-06T14:58:00.000-05:00

So at around 8:45 this morning I walked into the kitchen in my pajamas after finishing my theater history readings for a quiz a couple hours later. Sara was sitting at the table eating breakfast, and I told her,

"I had an idea for updating our blog today."

Sara looked up and replied, "I did too. We could put up one of the books we're reading."

In moderate amazement, I answered, "No way. That's what I was coming in to tell you."

Sara shook her head and said something about how we think too much alike, and I said something about how we had way too much to do that we wouldn't be able to come up with anything requiring more thought or effort than telling everybody exactly why we are too busy to come up with anything more original or challenging. Hope you all get these 100% right.

PS If this doesn't make any sense, I'm putting more effort into listening to a recording of a dude reading "The Fall of the House of Usher" so I can get many things done at once.

Book Number One

Book Number Two

Book Number Three

Book Number Four

Footwear

2006-10-31T19:20:00.000-05:00

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:

2006-10-26T22:53:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-25T00:49:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-23T18:13:00.000-04:00

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:

2006-10-20T17:56:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-18T17:43:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-16T19:45:00.000-04:00

Is not accepting any more woo pitched at her tonight.

-All of us

death at midnight

2006-10-14T00:25:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-14T00:22:00.000-04:00

My room has a warm glow once again.

Sadness

2006-10-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

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...

2006-10-03T23:56:00.000-04:00

“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

2006-10-02T22:19:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-02T00:03:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-01T23:14:00.000-04:00

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!

Dinner Invitation!

2006-09-27T19:28:00.000-04:00

Congratulations! An exciting opportunity has become available to you, simply for reading this blog! The first four people to comment on this post are invited to dinner at Shingle Paradise #23 on Friday, September 29 at 6:00 pm. The menu is a delectable dish of lasagna by Mia with a side of Kara's French bread, and another side of salad by Jessica. Dessert will be provided by Sara, who has not yet decided what to make. (She doesn't know that she's making it yet, either.) Dessert suggestions are welcome in your comments.