Fairfax Avenue's Profile

Immediately made this with my 11-year-old daughter as a treat for the six of us. Our lemon curd was a bit firm, so she suggested we put it in a pastry bag. Smart girl! She did a fine job with the decoration on the top. Within 24 hours this was gone, with requests for more.

Since I'm moving in June, I've been tracking craigslist at my new location to see how the offerings differ from where I currently live. What a contrast! Yes, I'd buy here before I move; the furnishings available here range from antique to ultra modern, while at the new location it seems they're all circa 1990.

In my living room I have the MCM furniture from my parents home, crystal (that I use) from my grandmother in the china cabinet that was my mother-in-law's, my father-in-law's WWII medals framed and on display and more...and my home is not a museum! I am glad to have and use all these inherited pieces. A relative has much more inherited stuff in a storage shed because maybe someone will want it in the future. That's not my style.

I find myself quoting my parents, which I usually preface with, "My mother would say...," to such an extent that my children say to their children, "My grandmother would say...," which is a living reminder to the next generation.

We moved away, alas, from a block that at one time had over 75 children. Front lawns were the best play area. Everyone knew everyone and kids were everywhere. Only the older boys playing basketball were in a backyard. Older children watched younger children and taught them the rules of the games. When I went to parent - teacher conferences a few weeks ago, the teacher spent part of the time reminiscing about our block. She was one of the kids - now she's my younger daughter's teacher.

When will your forms include "Already receive daily AT emails"?

Particularly if you are doing the work yourself make sure you're not allergic to any of the current plants in your yard or the ones you will add to the landscape. Some plants cause irritation when you merely touch the leaves, others when the sap contacts you, and others - who knows? Plants can cause mild reactions (Morning Glories, for example make my husband mildly itchy) or severe reactions (Pencil Cactus - Euphorbia in general - cause him massive respiratory distress and trips to the emergency room).

Enjoy the process! Creating a new garden and improving what you already have is an ongoing project for the length of time you are in that house and is part of making a house a home.

@paganireland: 18 month olds are wonderful. But they don't have the patience for a seder (and are probably too young to remember this one). I suggest you keep the child on his/her usual schedule - even if away from home. You might miss part of the seder, but it's easy enough for you to catch up. Baby will grow older and more mature and be able to contribute in the future. Keeping baby happy will keep all the other guests happy.

I like using bins and these are bright and lively - a big plus. For a few days I heard hissing noise when I went into my pantry. Couldn't figure out the source. Finally I discovered that the cover of the Pam had fallen off and it was on it's side in the bin, spraying everything. Thankfully, the mess was contained in the bin. I like bins.

I am very thankful that paint can be removed.

Some things you can't check for: the landlord upstairs who snores; the number of pigeons, gulls, and crows in the parkway (dirty and noisy - and fed by the local immigrant population); the number of noisy trash pickers who come around the night before city trash pick-up.

I look forward to moving, believe me.