Meatballs and Ravioli

Happy Holidays

2009-11-22T20:54:00.002-05:00

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TIME OUT!!!

2009-10-23T13:01:00.000-04:00

So this year, I'm:
Teaching
Raising 4 kids
Making a yearbook
Coordinating Chapel
Tutoring after school
Attending Bible studies
Working on portrait commissions
Planning an art show for Jess and I
Managing 2 blogs
Working out at the gym
and pretending to be well rested

Most of these things are non-negotiable
about the only thing that I can put on the chopping-block is "Meatballs and Ravioli"
So I'm guessing that by now (assuming you follow the blog regularly) you will have noticed the drop-off in entries.
So for now (possibly indefinitely) we'll be giving our blog a rest. If you'd like, you check out the other blog (www.ccaarthistory.blogspot.com)for regular updates and a little art history. Otherwise, we hope to be here by Christmas.
Thanks for reading, and God bless.

The Five Senses of Parenting - Part 5: Touch

2009-10-16T05:30:00.002-04:00

Things I never thought I’d feel until I became a father of 4:

A finger in the eye
A fire truck striking my temple
A kick in the groin while asleep
A rock-hard head striking my cheek-bone
A severely chewed piece of un-swallowed broccoli
A very, very wet diaper leaking on my lap
Baby barf in my hand
Baby barf on my back
Baby barf on my chest
Baby barf on my shoulder
Cake icing on my head
Cheese sauce in my arm hair
Lego blocks under my bare feet
Pennies covered in saliva
Someone hanging by my chest hair
Someone pulling themselves up on my pit hair
Something fuzzy under the couch
Something pointy under the bed
Something slimy on the table
Something sticky on the railing
Three kids and a dog piled on my back
Toddler barf on my bare feet
Boogers

The Five Senses of Parenting - Part 4: Taste

2009-10-15T05:30:00.000-04:00

Things I never thought I’d taste before I became a father of 4:

Baby drool
Baby Formula (What? I was curious.)
Children’s Tylenol
Cold chicken McNuggets with ketchup
Cold eggs with ketchup
Cold french fries with ketchup
Cold hotdog with ketchup
Cold meatloaf with ketchup
Cold peas with ketchup
Cold, half-eaten cheese burger
Hay
Marshmallows covered in marshmallow fluff covered in food dye
Soda with floaters
Soggy graham crackers
Soggy pizza crust
Soggy toast
Soggy Zwiebacks
Strained carrots and beef

The Five Senses of Parenting - Part 3: Smells

2009-10-14T05:30:00.001-04:00

Things I never thought I'd smell until I became a father of 4:

A Toddler’s morning breath
Saliva on little fingers
Baby gas
Formula burps
Garlic hummus poopie diapers
Petrified McDonald's fries in my minivan
Poo-poo undies
Sweaty heads
Drool on my shoulder
Breakfast cooking before 6am
Dinner cooking after 7pm
Diapers in my garbage pail
Milk in a glass 48 hours old
Little Stinky feet

The Five Senses of Parenting - Part 2: Sound

2009-10-13T05:30:00.001-04:00

Things I never thought I’d hear until I became a father of 4:

The sound of a person’s body falling from their bed
The sound of a person’s body as they fall from the couch
The sound of a person’s body as they fall from a kitchen chair
Grown men and women cheering for someone who pooped on the potty
My own voice saying, “There is no way I had this many toys when I was a kid.”
My wife’s voice saying, “Don’t put the applesauce in your hair.”
A screaming baby at 2:30am
A computer generated asparagus singing “This is My Father’s World”
The same asparagus singing “This is My Father’s World” 27 consecutive times
A baby passing gas louder than me
The sentence: I don’t like french fries
People screeching because they’re happy
A baby crying for a 3½ hour car trip
My wife crying after that same car trip
My daughter telling the cop that pulled me over, “Daddy knows all about the police.”
Someone telling me “He has your butt.”

The Five Senses of Parenting - Part 1: Sight

2009-10-12T05:30:00.004-04:00

Things I never thought I’d see before I became a father of 4:

Pennies in my CD player
Marker on my table
Pen on my chairs
Pencil on my banister
Colored pencil on my walls
Orange crayon on my flat-screen TV
Dirty diapers at 1am
Boogers on my lap top
Ribbons on my dog
Milkshake on my dog
Dirty diapers at 2am
Four umbilical cords
Two circumcisions
Dirty diapers at 3am
Throw-up colored by fruit punch
Poop colored by Lucky Charms
Laundry piles that rival the Rockies
Two people about to kill each other over a Lego mermaid
A Disney princess movie marathon
Dirty diapers at 4am
Six laundry hampers filled with stuffed animals
Princess Leia’s severed head

Rosemary's 1st 7th Birthday Party

2009-09-24T13:51:00.001-04:00

Here's some slides of our little party we had for Rosie last night. I didn't get any pics of the cake but I did get evidence of Joey opening one of Rosie's gifts. Rosemary was very gracious about it.

Happy Birthday Rosie!

2009-09-23T08:48:00.000-04:00

Rosemary is 7 years old today!

First thing is a birthday party at school and then presents when she gets home!

(and Grammy called at 6:55am to sing to her!)

Peter Pics

2009-09-16T07:26:00.000-04:00

These are already on my Facebook page, but I'll post them here, as well. Some pictures of Peter (and some of his siblings, too.)

Two Of a Kind

2009-09-10T08:54:00.000-04:00

Here's Rosemary and Carmellina going to school together for the first time. (Carmellina only had orientation yesterday.) Rosemary is in her gym uniform. Carmellina is very excited about her jumper and her new sneakers.

First Day of First Grade

2009-09-08T23:39:00.000-04:00

Here's Rosemary in a slightly over-sized jumper on her first day of elementary school!

Got Art?

2009-09-02T21:34:00.003-04:00

Since I have all sorts of free time on my hands (ha) I decided to start a second blog. Actually, this one is for my art students. It's a resource they can use to keep up with the 24 slides a week that I bombard them with in class. Take a look at http://ccaarthistory.blogspot.com/ to see what it's like. You can search for an artist by course or by the artist's name. There's even a weekly study guide for the current quiz.

The Fam

2009-08-24T15:51:00.003-04:00

Peter Tiberias Rohs Sinagra

2009-08-22T10:15:00.004-04:00

Peter T.R. Sinagra's First Day

Summer Vacation 2009

2009-08-19T15:36:00.008-04:00

We had a great time this summer when Joey, Jessie, Rosemary, Carmellina and Joseph visited us for 3 weeks! Besides for Joey working very hard on his drawings, we also had a fun time enjoying the great outdoors! There were at least 4 visits to the beach, swimming in family and friends' pools, and having family visit. Can't wait for next summer!

The Hardest Part

2009-08-18T07:41:00.003-04:00

This Friday is Jessie's due date.
The house is ready.
The bags are packed.
We're all ready.
All we can do now is wait...

I CAN'T STAND THIS PART!!!

Carmellina

2009-08-10T23:04:00.003-04:00

So we're back in Philly now. I managed to pull of 12 "nature studies" while we were in NY. Now as we wait for the arrival of the new baby, I'm attempting to do some newer drawings of the girls. Carmellina is going first. Here are some slides to give you an idea of how it's going so far:

Day 39

2009-07-31T14:43:00.003-04:00

So, Joe's work has been flourishing this week despite birthday events and many, many interruptions. He has always wanted to draw a rose and finally had the opportunity to because of this time in New York. We are very aware of God's hand in directing this endeavor even though we can't see the finished product of it.

What a refreshing time we are having too! Our parents have been so very helpful in caring for our children with us and fully supportive of us as artists (not many struggling artists will tell you that). Their love for us and encouragement is just one more facet of God's love for us and encouragement in using our artistic gifts to provide for our family.

And that is our prayer in this creative experiment: that God would enable us to use our talents to simply supplement Joe's income. From experience though, we expect He will do more. Please continue to pray for us specifically that God would provide buyers for our work and further commissions throughout the year. There will be more images in a few days as Joe begins his final series of seashells.

Thank you for reading, enjoy the work, and may God bless and keep you.

Begun... Completed Calla Lilly.

Day 34

2009-07-26T06:18:00.003-04:00

Two more! An oak leaf and a maple leaf. He rendered the stem so well on the oak that I feel like I could pluck it from the page. And the maple leaf suffered alteration by our almost two year old son, who in emulating his daddy, tried to use a paper blending stump over most of the drawing. Joe very patiently corrected Joey and his work and the outcome is all the better for both. Now we keep a gate across the living room where the studio is to avoid further "artistic endeavors" upon Joe's work. Our little guy can keep practicing at the kitchen table with crayons for now.

Yesterday Joe had about two or three hours of uninterrupted work time and was able to complete a rendering of a pear. It is unphotographed, but once he has a few more I'll post them.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Day 32

2009-07-24T10:38:00.003-04:00

Happy 32nd Birthday Joe!!!!
It is a sunny, breezy day (would you expect anything else for his birthday?) and full of fun and giggles. The girls were very excited to celebrate and give him his gift from them. Joey, our son, was just happy to tackle him with hugs and big kisses. Here are a few pictures from this morning's festivities.

And since it is his birthday, he's taking the day off from drawing. I'll post the new studies tomorrow.

Day 29

2009-07-21T16:26:00.003-04:00

Here are some pictures of Joe's completed work. Please excuse the amateur photography...there is a lot more contrast in the actual pieces. We hope to have the fruit and future nature studies professionally scanned and printed when Joe is done. Enjoy!

Day 27

2009-07-19T18:47:00.004-04:00

To all of our faithful readers: Sorry for the delay in our next entry. The change of hands in blogging took a bit of time with inexperienced me (Jessie) taking the wheel. I hope you enjoy my portion of this experiment, though I make no promises of beautifully edited videos with a score. There will be pictures though! Once I learn how to add them. :)

We arrived in New York safely after a brief stop-over in Philadelphia. Joe took his motorcycle and I followed at a distance with the minivan full of children, luggage, and our dog. We had a perfect ride with beautiful weather all the way.

Now, being here since the fifteenth of July, Joe has completed the commissioned piece from last summer and begun his work of nature studies. He launched his first attempt today by photographing a plum, an apple, and a cherry. By midafternoon he astonished us all by displaying a finished 5X7 plum study...it is such a delicious rendering that Rosemary was tempted to pluck it from the page. Joe feels these type of drawings will not take much time to do because compared to a face, the fruit is just a lump with a stem. Good point, but what an accomplishment for his growth as a artist to crank out a drawing that a few years ago would have taken him much longer.

As for the children and myself we are happy to play in the yard at Grandma and Papa's, splash in the pool, slide down the slide, and just enjoy the time here. I don't think we've completely turned the house upside down, but we've definitly loosened the look of Dad's carefully manicured house. Since Friday we've also enjoyed having Grandma Oreste, Joe's grandmother, here to stay. We've had two cookie fringed visits with Uncle Dom, her son and Joe's mom's brother, who brought the girls black and whites cookies on Friday and rainbow cookies yesterday for Joe. Yummy Italian cooking abounds with sausage and peppers one night and meatballs and ravioli tonight (the girls helped Joe's mom make the meatballs...Carmellina especially takes an interest in cooking). We are definitly well fed-even unborn baby Sinagra.

More soon!

Day 22

2009-07-14T07:07:00.000-04:00

Day 18

2009-07-09T23:58:00.001-04:00

Day 17

2009-07-08T23:31:00.000-04:00

Day 15...take two

2009-07-07T11:41:00.000-04:00

Day 15

2009-07-07T00:18:00.003-04:00

So it's almost 12:20am on Tuesday and I'm still waiting for this stupid video to upload to the blog site.
I'm watching a Malcolm in the Middle marathon.
I'm tired.
I'm going to bed.
Maybe there'll be a video tomorrow.

Artists' Birthdays

2009-07-05T16:46:00.004-04:00

In case you haven't noticed yet, we've been posting the birthdays of artists as come. Keep an eye on how many birthdays are in July. There's almost an artist a day born in the month of July. Maybe there's something in the air that makes July babies extra talented...not that I'm implying anything.
Anyway, in some cases there are no accurate records of the artist's birth. I guess birth certificates were not common back in the 1400's. So while Botticelli's mom and dad must have been happy when he was born, no one else knew, or cared, who he was. By the time he died, of course, he was famous so we do have a record of their death. So in those cases, while I can't post their birthday, I will post their deathday. Hope that's not too morbid.

Happy 4th!

2009-07-04T22:19:00.004-04:00

No art work today. Just lots of food, family and fireworks! Happy Independence Day, everyone.
Try to remember the truly remarkable thing it is to live in a country that fought the good fight to ensure your freedom.
God has blessed us immeasurably.

The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

-Francis Scott Key, 1814

Day 12

2009-07-03T22:51:00.004-04:00

Jess has been moving fast. Today she threw 8 more pieces and spent a while putting handles on things. She's already used 5o lbs. of clay and she's going to start on a third 25 lb. bag now.
Things are getting pretty exciting around here!

Day 10

2009-07-01T22:44:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned yesterday, Jessie has hit her quota of bowls; 25 to be exact. Apparently (and this is all new to me since I have never worked in clay) there are still a LOT of steps involved before we can put them to such noble uses as holding cheese-puffs and feeding the dog (just kidding Jess!).
Now that they have all been thrown (made on the wheel):
1. They need to air dry until they are greenware (not really green in color [again, news to me]) at which point they are highly breakable.
2. Once they are dry, we need to carefully load them into out minivan and drive them to the ceramic studio.
3. Once at the studio they will have a "bisque firing". Despite what it sounds like this not a lay-off at the Milk-Bone plant. The bisque firing is the first time the pots will go into a kiln to really dry them out and harden them.
4. Once they are bisque'd they need to cool (for one or two days).
5. Once cooled Jess will paint the glazes on.
6. After the glazes dry the bowls will be fired again and once cooled they will be completed.
Since she has to wait for the drying process, Jessie is using the time now to start throwing some mugs. Her goal is to make 25 of them by the middle of next week. But with the holiday weekend and a mid-wife appointment in Philly on the 6th, it will be difficult at best.
Keep praying that the Lord will give her speed and bless her work!

Day 9

2009-06-30T22:44:00.004-04:00

This was going to be a blog entry about Jessie's 25th bowl she threw and what the next steps were going to be now that they are beginning to dry. Instead we're bringing you three very poor quality cell-phone-videos about what happened when I went out to photograph the last few pieces.

We made it out eventually. I grabbed the dog and ran. Thankfully all of the ceramics were covered in time!

Day 8

2009-06-29T22:59:00.004-04:00

More!

More!

More!

More?
(Left: Rosemary's vase; Right: Carmellina's candle holder)

Day 7

2009-06-28T22:03:00.002-04:00

So uh...I didn't exactly make it outside with my camera today...but take it from me, Jess is still making pots.
I'm sorry I don't have an image of them to show you, but here's something else you can look at if you're really looking for something to see.

Day 6

2009-06-27T23:36:00.004-04:00

More pots! Jess is on a roll (or a wheel, at least). We also had an outing today to the playground, followed by a dance performance from the girls on the first 1/8 of the deck and a trip to the local ice cream parlor.
Here's some more slides to enjoy.

Day 5

2009-06-26T22:01:00.005-04:00

A few setbacks today. We got hit with a major rain storm. I've never seen a rainstorm so intense that wasn't a part of a hurricane.
The area lost power, had a few mudslides and multiple lightning strikes.
Jess has enjoyed working outside all season, but today's rain not only stopped her from working, but it destroyed a few of the pieces she had finished!
Work on the deck had to stop as well. No one wants to use an electric circular saw in a lightning storm.
Needless to say everyone was a little disappointed in the weather. But we played some Yahtzee and watched some TV and everyone (except Rosie) napped. So maybe tomorrow (weather permitting) we can all make up for lost time.

Day 4

2009-06-25T19:46:00.002-04:00

Jessie is moving along well with her work. She hopes to do some test-glazes soon.

Sorry about the poor quality...I guess I shouldn't have used my cell phone!

Day 3

2009-06-24T21:37:00.005-04:00

Not too much to report today. Jess kept working at her wheel.

Joey nearly choked to death on a piece of breaded scallop. (Not an exaggeration...seriously scary minute or two there...anyone know baby CPR?)

And apparently building a deck is a LOT more work than I was aware of (not that I have any concept of what goes into building a deck) we work for several hours and there's not much standing there yet!

Day 2

2009-06-23T21:46:00.006-04:00

Jess had the chance today to get to her wheel. It took her a little while to back into the swing of things but it came back to her eventually. By the time she finished wedging and wetting the clay she really only had an hour or two before dinner to work.

She did, however, make a two vessels before she was done, and she is ready to jump back in tomorrow.

We also had a fun treat this morning. Joey and the girls went to their first day of swimming lessons at the Tunkhannock High School. Check out the slide show for lost of pics!

Day 1

2009-06-22T20:44:00.005-04:00

We arrived in Nicholson, PA this afternoon after a fairly uneventful 3 ½ hour car ride. Those of you with children know that “uneventful” is really the best that could be hoped for on a ride that long.

After a quick lunch, Jessie, Nick and I started work to get the clay studio up and running. A cursory survey of the shed quickly told Jess and I that it had been used WAY more than we thought and we weren’t too sure that the smell of grass clippings and gasoline would be conducive to Jessie’s creativity…never mind her pregnancy.

This however turned out to be a happy providence. We instead erected a clay “tabernacle” next to the shed using a lot of the camping equipment that my in-laws have. Jess was thrilled at the idea of working out doors with a view of the woods out back and the fresh air.

The process took several hours. During that time the kids entertained themselves.

In the end we got a product that I think Jess is very happy with. So tomorrow (Tuesday) Jess will begin her throwing. She hasn’t used her potter’s wheel in over two years. Thankfully it wasn’t rusty at all. Let’s hope we can same the same for Jess!

Arganis Art Productions

2009-06-21T21:50:00.000-04:00

Summertime is here!

For most people this makes little difference in their day-to-day routine, but for students and teachers summertime means summer vacation.

For a little school kid that means swimming pools and water guns and the feeling like school will never return. For older school kids summer vacation means summer jobs. Cutting grass. Flipping burgers. Packing groceries. Bussing tables. Selling blood. The thrill of the summer job cannot be over-emphasized.
One of the perks of being a school teacher is still getting summer vacations…paid summer vacations. One of the anti-perks of being a private Christian school teacher is still needing a summer job.

In my 8 years of professional teaching I have still had the questionable pleasure of working at a summer job. I’ve been a camp counselor, a house painter, a landscaper, and even a private art instructor. It is difficult to describe the joy of making less than minimum wage as an adult trying to support his family. Nothing says “summer vacation” like working all summer.

But this year is going to be different. This year Jess and I are embarking on a new and entrepreneurial endeavor.

We leave Monday for Nicholson, PA. My father-in-law, Nick, has graciously agreed to
relinquish his shed for three weeks to give Jessie the opportunity to set up a make-shift clay studio. Jess’s old high school art teacher has also agreed to allow her access to his kilns. So for three weeks (or so) Jess will be working in her clay studio making ceramics. I will be watching the kids while she works and building a deck with my father-in-law and brother-in-law.

From there we’re heading to Long Island for three weeks (or so) and I’ll be focusing on my drawings. Portraits, botanicals, and some nature studies. Jess will be watching the kids (as usual) and she will not be building a deck; mainly because her due date is August 21st.

So this summer’s goals are:
1)Jess will make a LOT of well-made, sellable ceramics.
2)I will build a deck without losing any digits.
3)I will make a lot of small sellable drawings.
4)Launch a website (not a blog site) about the work we’re making.
5)Get back to Philly before the baby comes.
6)Find an art fair for the fall where we can sell the things we’ve made.

So for the next seven weeks the blog site will be devoted to tracking this endeavor. I have no idea how this will work out, but we’ll be posting updates as often as possible (hopefully daily) so keep checking back often to see how we’re doing.

And keep praying for us!

Happy Birthday Paul

2009-06-18T08:07:00.001-04:00

Today is Sir Paul McCartney's 67th birthday!

CookieJuice?

2009-06-16T19:14:00.001-04:00

Our Gift for Grammy

2009-06-06T06:00:00.006-04:00

Here's a little something to cheer you up, Grammy. We hope you enjoy it.

Kiddie Vids

2009-06-03T06:00:00.005-04:00

Here's a little something to make the grandma's happy:

A typical night around the diner table.

...I'm not dead yet...

2009-05-27T12:42:00.004-04:00

Well the end of the school year is here. I know for most people that doesn't mean much, but for teachers and students it's a very tumultuous time. Students are, of course, counting each excruciatingly slow second that passes waiting for the next few weeks to go past so they can be done with the agony of another school year.
Teachers are, to a large degree, doing the same thing.
This summer, though, Jess and I are doing something a little different than the usual summer job, and we're planning to document it on our blog site as we go.
So the blog (in case you haven't noticed) will be sporadically updated for now until I get through the end of this year (June 19).
But please keep checking back because we'll have lots to read about once summer vacation hits!

Easter/Recital/Mother's Day

2009-05-12T17:39:00.006-04:00

Easter Sunday in New York - what beautiful grandchildren!

Rosemary and Carmellina's recital - we are so proud of them! Grandma was so touched she cried tears of joy.

Mother's Day at Great-Grandma's House.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T09:24:00.003-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there.
Particularly these three:

New Post?

2009-05-04T13:17:00.002-04:00

VERY busy right now.
Sorry to disappoint everyone.
We'll get back to posting as soon as we can.
check out this toon if you still want to waste some time.

Baby Z

2009-04-20T10:29:00.005-04:00

So we went for an ultrasound on Friday and found out we're having another boy!

We always said that if he had a boy he would be named Joseph Nicholas Sinagra. Well we did and he was. The funny thing is...now that we're having another boy we can't think of another name! So we've spent the last few days going through name lists and we're still not coming up with anything. We did, however narrow down the list. These are the current suggestions and possibilities. Tell us what you think:

Rosemary is voting for

-John Paul George Ringo Sinagra

Carmellina wants

-Jack Sinagra or

-Morris Sinagra

Joey doesn't seem to care.

Jess and I have narrowed it down to these:

-Michael Gideon Sinagra

-Jack Rohs Sinagra

-Oreste Rohs Sinagra

-Andrew Walter Sinagra

-Calvin Rohs Sinagra

-Gabriel Rohs Sinagra

There are some more names that sound good but won't work for certain reasons:

-Gabriel Andrew Sinagra (His initials would be GAS)

-Angelo Sinagra (Jess thinks that this will pre-dispose him to obesity)

-Salvador Sinagra (seems like people will end up calling him "Sally" for a nickname)

-Joel Sinagra (sounds too much like Joe Sinagra)

-Peter Rohs Sinagra (Pete Rose...'nuff said)

-Peter John Sinagra (too many bathroom references)

-Michael Jack Sinagra (say it out loud and you'll see why)

There are also some names that are great names but just don't go with "Sinagra":

-Max

-Mordecai

-Simon

-Samuel

-Eric

Of course I have some personal favorites that I know will never fly:

-Vito Sinagra

-Don Sinagra

-Leonardo Sinagra

-Michelangelo Sinagra

-Henson Sinagra

-Samwise Sinagra

-Nunzio Sinagra

-Vincenzo Sinagra

-Gozer the Gozerian

So we have about 18 weeks to figure out what we're going to choose. This is the best we've got. Now it's your turn! What name do you like the best? Any new suggestions? Post them here and we'll run them past our expert panel of name-choosers (Jess and the girls). Maybe we'll chosoe yours!

Oops.

2009-04-17T08:01:00.003-04:00

...been a little disctratced around here...
As I was posting Raphael's birthday on the 15th I was overlooking the birthday of another great artist. He was an inventor, a painter, an Italian, a Ninja Turtle, and, yes, another lefty:
Leonardo da Vinci.
Happy 557th birthday Leo.

Ninja Turtle #3

2009-04-15T08:45:00.003-04:00

April 6th was Raphael's birthday. (Didn't catch that one while on Spring break)
Raphael painted The School of Athens and the very famous cherubs (featured in religious book stores across the country).
He was considered one of the greats and (surprise, surprise) he was a lefty!

Spring Break!

2009-04-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

No work for a week and a day.

I love being a teacher.

Japan Trend Shop

2009-03-30T09:10:00.003-04:00

In an effort to waste both my time and yours I'm reporting today on one of the greatest websites I've ever come across.

The Internet, as you know, is an ocean of idiocy but every now and then you find that rare stupidity gem, the glittering rhinestone of inanity on the denim jacket of preposterousness, the moronic peperoni on the pizza of absurdity. This is just such a website.

It's called Japan Trend Shop and is specializes in Brookstone-like items made by, and for, the Japanese. The prime example of a Japan Trend Shop item, I think, is the Hizamakura knee lap pillow (for those times when only half of a woman will do). There's also the Ear Scope Fiber optic earwax cleaner, which would only be complete with the MIHARU - Professional Intraoral Plaque Detection Camera + Extra or the Etiquette Checker bad breadth and alcohol test.

The really entertaining part of Japan Trend Shop are the models who are demonstrating these things. They're being paid to look as though they have been waiting all their pathetic, meaningless life they have been waiting for an asinine thing like this to bring them joy and fulfillment. Check out the women demonstrating the Head Kenzan Japanese massager or the girls using the Ear Scope GXL High End Endoscope, or better still the woman using the Akaishi Facial Massager (who looks more like she's being attacked by a squid...maybe she should try theTakoyaki Maker Automatic Octopus Balls).

But our favorite product has to be the Tuttuki Bako augmented reality game. Stick your finger in and have some fun! Apparently "Tuttuki Bako" means "Poking Box." It is imperative that you watch the video for this one. I'll let you come up with your own comments about this one.

楽しみなさい!

(enjoy!)

Happy Day Day

2009-03-26T09:26:00.003-04:00

Today is "Make Up Your Own Holiday" day.

Any suggestions?

Carmellina had nothing to add.

Super Happy Fun Time! Very Much!

2009-03-23T18:05:00.000-04:00

I’m writing this from the waiting room at the local ER. I woke up this today with some pretty bad back and groin pain. By lunch time today I was urinating blood. What fun! I’m guessing it’s another kidney stone but I’ve been waiting since 1:15 for them to take me back and run their tests. It’s 2:45 right now. I’m still waiting.

As I sit here I get to watch the ebb and flow of other Philadelphians who find themselves landed here. It’s like playing a weird game of “guess-the-illness.” Most people don’t have anything outwardly wrong with them. No one is bleeding from the eyes or missing a limb. I would assume that should I walk in with, say, a metal pole piercing my chest I might get taken immediately. We’re all just docked here with the enigmatic promise of being seen by a doctor “soon.” We are the walking wounded, marginally lame and innocuously ill.

For the last two hours now I have had the rare privilege of listening to one afternoon soap opera after another being broadcast from the plasma screen above my head. I have not noticed a single person direct their attention to the screen in the whole time I’ve been sitting here. I’d change the channel but there is a menacing sign written in pen on a piece of notebook paper that says “Do Not Touch” and implies “Or We’ll Make Sure That You Never Get Seen.” Besides, even if no one is watching the soap operas I’m sure I’m the only one who wants to watch Cartoon Network.

*******

Five hours, sever tubes of blood and two prescriptions later and I’m back home again…looks like it was “just” a kidney stone. They checked everything (and I mean everything) and in the end there’s nothing much more that they can do. I have to drink lots of fluids and wait until I pass what appears to be a “pretty big stone.” I guess that’s one of those medical terms that only doctors understand.

New Style

2009-03-21T20:06:00.002-04:00

Spring is in the air!

New Season...new look!

Letter to Bakery Thrift Store

2009-03-20T05:30:00.000-04:00

Dear Bakery Thrift Store,
Whom do you think you are fooling? You sell old baked goods. The stuff regular bakeries throw away. So what if a loaf of bread is only 29 cents? It's old bread.
Should I start collecting roadkill squirrels, glue cotton balls to their butts and open an 'Aftermarket Rabbit Thrift Store?'

Oh, wait. Yes I should. Thank you Bakery Thrift Store.

Love,

Happy St. Joseph's Day

2009-03-19T05:30:00.000-04:00

So today is my holiday.

To celebrate it I'm going to...well I'm not going to do anything.

But in case you're looking to do something here's a very promising recipe for sfingi (not zeppole):

Sfingi Di San Giuseppe

St. Patty O'Meatball

2009-03-17T08:10:00.003-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

The one day of the year when eveyone's a little bit Irish...except the gays and the Italians.

(this is "Italian Clover"...it's an herb)

I Love My Lips!

2009-03-16T06:46:00.001-04:00

Today is "Lips Appreciation Day."

Here's a little tune about appreciating lips:

Enjoy!

Going Public

2009-03-09T07:31:00.003-04:00

Well we kept it a secret since Christmas but we're finally ready to spill the beans

...and they are exciting beans.

Jessie is about 15 weeks pregnant!

We're expecting number 4 on August 26th, one day after Joey's birthday!

Happy Birthday Michelangelo!

2009-03-06T10:08:00.005-05:00

Today would have been Michelangelo's 534th birthday. (They always die so young *sniff*)

He was a raving genius, a stubborn man, and (you guessed it) another leftie!!!

Happy birthday Mikey...and uh...get some clothes on those guys!

Happy March!

2009-03-03T13:16:00.001-05:00

March Monthly Observances

Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Month
Employee Spirit Month
Humorists Are Artists Month
International Expect Success Month
International Ideas Month
International Listening Awareness Month
International Mirth Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Nutrition Month
National On-Hold Month
National Umbrella Month
Optimism Month
Play The Recorder Month
Small Press Month
Supply Management Month
Youth Art Month

March Weekly Observances

National Consumer Protection Week: 1-7
National Ghostwriters Week: 1-7
National Words Matter Week: 1-7
National Write A Letter of Appreciation Week: 1-7
Return The Borrowed Books Week: 1-7
World Folk Tales & Fables Week: 1-7
Celebrate Your Name Week: 1-7
National Professional Pet Sitters Week: 1-7
National Sleep Awareness Week: 1-8
National School Breakfast Week: 2-8
National Procrastination Week: 2-8
Turkey Vultures Return to The Living Sign: 11-17
National Money Week: 13-15
World's Rattlesnake Roundup Week: 13-15
Yo-Yo and Skill Toys Week: 13-22
National Toad Hollow Week: 14-21
Act Happy Week: 16-22
Campfire USA Birthday Week: 16-22
International Brain Awareness Week: 16-22
American Chocolate Week: 17-22 (Always 3rd Week)
National Bubble (blowers) Week: 20-26
Root Canal Awareness Week: 29-4/4

March Daily Observances

Beer Day: 1
Pig Day: 1
I Want You To Be Happy Day: 3
National Anthem Day: 3
Unique Names Day: 3
What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day: 3
International Scrapbooking Industry Day: 4
March Forth-Do Something Day: 4
National Grammar Day: 4
Learn What Your Name Means Day: 4
Middle Name Pride Day: 6
Sherlock Holmes Day: 6-8
Genealogy Day: 7
National Be Heard Day: 7
U.S. Snowshoe Day: 7
Check Your Batteries Day: 8
Ground Water Awareness Day: 8
Barbie Day: 9
Napping Day: 9
Panic Day: 9
Organize Your Home Office Day: 10
Johnny Appleseed Day: 11
Earmuffs Day: 13
National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day: 13
International Ask A Question Day: 14
International Fanny Pack Day: 14 (2nd Saturday)
Pi Day (as in the math pie = 3.14159265 etc.): 14
Buzzards Day: 15
Ides of March: 15
Lips Appreciation Day: 16
Awkward Moments Day: 18
Forgive Mom and Dad Day: 18
National Chocolate Caramel Day: 19
Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day: 19
Great American Meat Out Day: 20
Snowman Burning Day: 20
Corn Dog Day: 21
Maple Syrup Day: 21
National Quilting Day: 21
As Young As You Feel Day: 22
International Day of The Seal: 22
International Goof-off Day: 22
Spring Fairy Fun Day: 22
National Puppy Day: 23
National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day: 24
Kick Butts Day: 25
Pecan Day: 25
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day: 26
Grass Is Always Browner On The Other Side Of The Fence Day: 30
Pencil Day: 30
Bunsen Burner Day: 31
National "She's Funny That Way" Day: 31

Chili?

2009-02-26T08:20:00.001-05:00

It's national Chili Day! Fire up the crock-pots and crack a window, it's time for some beans sour cream.

Happy Birthday Grandma! (And Aunt Angela)

2009-02-23T05:30:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday Grandma! We love you and miss you!

HACK!

2009-02-19T22:34:00.006-05:00

So everyone here at the Sinagra house is sick. We've got whatever "bug" is going around. Jess and the kids are all staying home. I figure I can get more rest at school than I would if I stayed home with them.

This is a pretty nasty virus. Anyone else out there getting sick?

Portrait Tutorial

2009-02-16T05:30:00.010-05:00

I love drawing. It’s easy to do and apparently people are easily impressed by it. When I show a piece of mine to someone I’m usually asked, “How do you do that?” To be quite honest…I have no idea. I just move the pencil around and when something doesn’t look right I erase it. But for some reason, that answer doesn’t seem satisfy their curiosity.

So, in an effort to be a more helpful to other aspiring artists, I’m posting these “10 Simple Steps to Drawing a Successful Portrait.” Enjoy.

Step 1:
Have a couple cute kids. (That’s the easy part.)

Step 2:
Take a nice picture of the kids. That part tends to be a little harder.

Step 3:
After several hours, tears and bribes one shot will stand out as the best.

Step 4:
Using digital imaging software, adjust the pixel dimensions of the selected image to 1668p X 2085p with a .5” grid overlay with an optional .25” grid to act as a 1:2 proportional reference to match a vertical 1” gridded piece of 18” X 22” textured Blick All-Media paper with a 1” border.

Step 5:
Start drawing.

Step 6:
Take a nap. This is crucial to the creative process.

Step 7:
Get back to drawing.

Step 8:
Watch a movie, play a video game, take another nap, play around on youtube, check out iTunes, or perform any other number of tasks essential to the creative process.

Step 9:
Sooner or later a drawing appears on the paper. I still can’t explain this one.

Step 10:
Display your work.

There you have it. If you follow these 10 simple rules you're sure to be drawing like a pro in no time. Good luck getting started on your own work.

If you get anywhere let me know.

Jell-O Shots

2009-02-11T19:33:00.001-05:00

I wonder if Bill Cosby ever did any of these...

Apple Jell-o Shots recipe

16 oz DeKuyper® Sour Apple Pucker schnapps
1 package sour apple jell-o
16 oz boiling water

Mix the boiling water with the single package of sour apple jell-o. Stir for 2 minutes until all dissolved. Add 2 cups of DeKuyper Sour Apple Pucker schnapps, and mix well. Pour into small cups with lids and let set overnight. Serve, preferably at parties.

Jell-O Commercial

2009-02-10T20:12:00.001-05:00

Remember this?

Jello-O Week

2009-02-09T16:41:00.003-05:00

Break out your molds and your shriveled green grapes...it's National Jell-O Week!
(Don't ask me how these things get decided)

Anyway, you can read all about the history of Jell-O, get some "snacktiviy" ideas as well as some other recipes here at the Jell-O website.

In the meantime, here is a favorite webtoon of mine answering a question that long plagued the male brain.

Gotta love these...

2009-02-06T13:08:00.001-05:00

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck Norris?

All of it.

Liberace

2009-02-04T10:06:00.003-05:00

So apparently today is "Liberace Day."

Happy Liberace Day.

Happy February!

2009-02-02T05:30:00.001-05:00

February is here. The politically active nut-jobs out there sure have crammed a lot of strange holidays into the shortest month of the year. Here's a list of about half of the official holidays on record in February:

February Monthly Observances
Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month
Bake for Family Fun Month
Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
International Boost Self-Esteem Month (…you stupid freak…)
Library Lovers Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Care About Your Indoor Air Month
National Cherry Pie Month
National Get To Know and Independent Real Estate Broker Month
National Laugh-Friendly Month
National Mend A Broken Heart Month
National Pet Dental Health Month
National Time Management Month
National Weddings Month
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
Relationship Wellness Month
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
Spunky Old Broads Month
Sweet Potato Month

February Weekly Observances
International Coaching Week: 1-7
Publicity for Profit Week: 1-7
Intimate Apparel Market Week: 2-6
Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9
International Hoof Care Week: 3-6
International Snow Sculpting Week: 4-8
New York Comic Con Week: 6-8
Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 7-13
Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14
Jell-O Week: 8-14
Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14
Just Say No to PowerPoint's Week: 9-13
Celebration of Love Week: 10-16
Random Acts of Kindness Week: 11-17
Great Backyard Bird Count Week: 13-16
Build A Better Trade Show Image Week: 15-21
National Pancake Week: 22-28
Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 2/24-3/1
American Crossword Puzzle Week: 27-3/1
Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 27-31

February Daily Observances
G.I. Joe Day: 1
Give Kids A Smile Day: 1
Hula in The Coola Day: 1
Robinson Crusoe Day: 1
Spunky Old Broads Day: 1
Groundhog Day: 2
Groundhog Job Shadow Day: 2
Hedgehog Day: 2
Sled Dog Day: 2
Liberace Day: 4
Weatherman's Day: 5
Wear Red Day: 6
Bubble Gum Day: 6
Ballet Day: 7
Dump Your Significant Jerk Day: 7
Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbor's Day: 7
Laugh and Get Rich Day: 8
Grammy Awards Day: 8
Man Day: 8
World Marriage Day: 8
Read in the Bathtub Day: 9
Be Electrific Day: 11
Pro Sports Wives Day: 11
Satisfied Staying Single Day: 11
White Shirt Day: 11
Blame Someone Else Day: 13
Get a Different Name Day: 13
Ferris Wheel Day: 14
National Have A Heart Day: 14
Quirky Alone Day: 14
Valentines Day: 14
National Gum Drop Day: 15
My Way Day: 17
Chocolate Mint Day: 19
Clam Chowder Day: 21
Mom’s Birthday: 23
Inconvenience Yourself Day: 25
For Pete's Sake Day: 26
National Chili Day: 26
Floral Design Day: 28
International Sword Swallower's Day: 28
National Tooth Fairy Day: 28
Open That Bottle Night: 28

...and the mome raths out grabe.

2009-01-30T05:30:00.003-05:00

I thought about making this last question really difficult, but judging from the way people quickly dropped out from guessing at the last two, I'll make it a little easier. Before we get to it, though, I want to mention Lewis Carroll one more time. If any of you are interested in reading his works there is a fantastic book out there called Lewis Carroll: The Complete, Fully Illustrated Works. It comes in one large, hardcover, leather bound, gold-edged volume with nearly all of his works inside. It even has the reproduction of his original hand-written version of Alice in Wonderland as well as a number of his mathematical and logical equations (which are way beyond my understanding). My mother-in-law got it for me for Christmas a few years ago and the kids and I have really treasured it. There's something very special about pulling this large important-looking volume off the shelf and hear the wonderful stories about Alice. Even the kids can tell it's particularly nice...nicer than a semi-toddler-chewed paperback, anyway. Alright, I've gone on enough. Here's your last riddle. Thanks for having fun with us this week. We'll be sure to do this again next year. Now, on to...

Riddle #5:

Twenty-four red socks and twenty-four blue socks are lying in a drawer in a dark room. What is the minimum number of socks I must take out of the drawer which will guarantee that I have at least two socks of the same color?

...all mimsy were the borogoves...

2009-01-29T05:30:00.002-05:00

Want another reason to like Lewis Carroll? He was also left-handed! Ah, those lefties…so brilliant…so creative…so handsome…

Ahem.

So onto…

Riddle #4

…which is a little more complex.

It comes from the Shakespearean play The Merchant of Venice. There were three caskets – gold, silver, and lead – inside one of which was a portrait of Portia, a wealthy heiress who is bound by a clause in her father’s will that forces her to marry whichever suitor chooses correctly among three caskets. The suitor was to choose one of the caskets, and if he was lucky enough (or wise enough) to choose the one with the portrait, then he could claim Portia as his bride. On the lid of each casket were inscriptions to help the suitor choose wisely.

Portia explained to her suitors that the casket lids would each contain two statements and that no lid contained more than one false statement. She had the following inscriptions put on the caskets:

GOLD:

(1) The portrait is not in here.

(2) The artist of the portrait is from Venice.

SILVER:

(1) The portrait is not in the gold casket.

(2) The artist of the portrait is really from Florence.

LEAD:

(1) The portrait is not in here.

(2) The portrait is really in the silver casket.

Which casket contains the portrait of Portia?

Extra credit: In the actual play, who chose the right casket?

...did gyre and gimble in the wabe...

2009-01-28T05:30:00.004-05:00

So far so good...I think. Lisa has been on a real winning streak so far. I, however, discovered that that I can rearrange the letters in my name spell "Jane Sparrow Heading." So if I ever become a famous children’s’ book author, I'll be sure to use that as my pseudonym.

For today's riddle we're going to do an old one that’s still good. It involves lies and truth telling again. The problem is about knights and knaves.

Riddle #3:

There is a certain island in which all the inhabitants are either "knights" or "knaves." Knights always tell the truth and knaves always lie.
You visit this island one day and see three men - we'll call them Moe, Larry, and Curly - standing together in a garden. You ask Moe, "How many knights are among you?" Moe answers but rather indistinctly, so you ask Larry, "What did Moe say?" Larry replies, "Moe said that there is one knight among us." At this point the third man, Curly, says, "Don't believe Larry; he is lying! Nyuk nyuk nyuk."

The question is, what are Moe, Larry, and Curly?

(Hint: the answer is not "The 3 Stooges")

Good luck!

...and the slithy toves...

2009-01-27T05:30:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Lewis Carroll!

A little interesting fact about Lewis Carroll: he came up with his name by rearranging the letters in his real name, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. Another marginally sane person did that later in the 1960's; Jim Morrison rearranged his name to spell Mr. Mojo Rising. Anyone out there want to give it a try with their own name?

In the meantime here's…

Riddle #2:

When Alice entered the Forest of Forgetfulness, she did not forget everything; only certain things. She often forgot her name, and the one thing she was most likely to forget was the day of the week. Now, the Lion and the Unicorn were frequent visitors to the forest. These two are strange creatures. The Lion lies on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and tells the truth the other days of the week. The Unicorn, on the other hand, lies on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but tells the truth on the other days of the week.

One day Alice met the Lion and the Unicorn resting under a tree. They made the following statements:

Lion: Yesterday was one of my lying days.

Unicorn: Yesterday was one of my lying days too.

From these two statements, Alice (who was a very bright girl) was able to deduce the day of the week.

What day was it?

'Twas brilling...

2009-01-26T05:30:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow (January 27th) is the 177th birthday of one of my most favorite authors: Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll. Besides being a brilliant writer Carroll was an accomplished mathematician and a logician. One of his favorite pastimes was writing and solving logic puzzles.

In honor of his birthday, we here at Meatball and Ravioli are going to make this week “Riddle Week.” Each day we’ll post a new riddle. Be sure to weigh in with what you think is the right answer. We’ll post answer a day or two after we give the riddle…we don’t want to make it too easy.

Without further ado, here it is…

Riddle #1:

You walk into a room and see a man looking at a portrait on the wall. You ask him who the man in the painting is. He answers:

“Brothers and sisters have I none, but that man’s father is my father’s son.”

Who is the man in the painting?

National Hugging Day

2009-01-21T07:50:00.002-05:00

Today, January 21st, is National Hugging Day. In honor of that, here's one of our favorite Shel Silverstein poems:

Hug O' War

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

Andrew Wyeth

2009-01-16T09:17:00.004-05:00

Today is a sad day for artists. Andrew Wyeth passed away in his sleep this morning. He was 91. Wyeth was an incredible painter and should certainly be counted as an American treasure.

Christmas in New York 2008

2009-01-13T18:54:00.008-05:00

The holiday season always starts with Joe's birthday December 23rd. Jeanna surprised him with her homemade cannolis! On the Eve we were off to the Saccente's house to eat (alot) and play Mexican train.

Jessie Dog still loves that wrapping paper!

Then it's off to Grandma's house for Christmas Day!

Christmas weekend at the Sinagras!

Our trip to the Aquarium Christmas week was great!

Once again we had a wonderful holiday with our family. We hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year!

Love, Joanna and Joe (aka Grandma and Papa; Mom and Dad)

Boooorrrriiiinnngggg!

2009-01-12T11:14:00.001-05:00

So...uh...not much going on here...
...haven't updated the blog in a while...
...January is a really boring month...

Anybody got anything interesting going on?

Happy January

2009-01-05T10:20:00.002-05:00

Well it's January. The holidays are safely behind us and just when you thought there's nothing to look forward to celebrating...behold! January's strange and obscure holidays:

January Monthly Observances

Book Blitz Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
Cervical Cancer Screening Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get Organized Month
International Change Your Stars Month
International Creativity Month
International Wayfinding Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Lose Weight, Feel Great Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Mentoring Month
National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
Oatmeal Month
Thyroid Awareness Month

January Weekly Observances

Celebration of Life Week: 1-7
Diet Resolution Week: 1-7
Silent Record Week: 1-7
Someday We'll Laugh About This Week: 2-5
Dakar Rally 2009: 3-18
New Year's Resolutions Week: 4-10
Elvis Presley Week: 8-11
Universal Letter Writing Week: 8-14
Cuckoo Dancing Week: 11-17
International Printing Week: 11-17
Kid Film Week: 12-25
National No Tillage Week: 14-17
Slam Dance Week: 15-28
Hunt For Happiness Week: 18-24
National Activity Professional Week: 18-23
National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week: 18-23
No Name Calling Week: 21-25
National Nurse Anesthetists Week: 25-31
National Take Back Your Time Week:26-30
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week: 24-31
World Leprosy Week: 24-30

January Daily Observances

New Year's Dishonor List Day: 1
Saint Basil's Day: 1
Z Day: 1
Happy Mew Year for Cats Day: 2
55-MPH Speed Limit Day: 2
Fruitcake Toss Day: 3
Memento Mori "Remember You Die" Day: 3
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day: 3
Dimpled Chad Day: 4
Earth at Perihelion: 4
World Hypnotism Day: 4
Epiphany or Twelfth Night: 6
Three Kings Day: 6
Harlem Globetrotter's Day: 7
I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day: 7
National English Toffee Day: 8
National Joy Germ Day: 8
Positively Penguins Day: 10
National Clean Off Your Desk Day: 12
Get to Know Your Customers Day: 15
Women in Blue Jeans Day: 15-16
Appreciate A Dragon Day: 16
Nothing Day: 16
Do Dah Parade Day: 18
Pooh (Winnie The) Day: 18
Camcorder Day: 20
National Hugging Day: 21
Answer Your Cats Questions Day: 22
National Handwriting Day: 23
National Pie Day: 23
Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day: 23
Belly Laugh Day: 24
National Compliment Day: 24
A Room of One's Own Day: 25
Chinese New Year: 26
National Peanut Brittle Day: 26
Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement: 26
Better Business Communication Day: 26
Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day: 26
Thomas Crapper Day: 27
Freethinkers Day: 29
Fun at Work Day: 30
Inane Answering Message Day: 30
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day: 31
National Seed Swap Day: 31

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T06:35:00.005-05:00

Here is a quick Bible study about the prophecy, birth, death, resurrection, and fulfillment of Christ Jesus. I know it's long, but read it! It what we're celebrating and it will do you some good!

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
       to us a son is given,
       and the government will be on his shoulders.
       And he will be called
       Wonderful Counselor, ^[a] Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  Of the increase of his government and peace
       there will be no end.
       He will reign on David's throne
       and over his kingdom,
       establishing and upholding it
       with justice and righteousness
       from that time on and forever.
       The zeal of the LORD Almighty
       will accomplish this.

Luke 2:8-12

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Matthew 27:33-50

They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.^[b] And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,^[c] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"^[d]

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

John 20:1-18

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Revelation 21:1-7

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Happy Birthday Papa!

2008-12-23T05:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Papa!

We love you and we'll see you soon!

Solstice

2008-12-21T05:00:00.001-05:00

So today is the shortest day of the year. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department there will be 9 hours and 11 minutes of daylight today; compare that to the 15 hours and 22 minutes on June 21st!

In keeping with our little tradition, we've changed the look of our blog again to a more wintry look.

Also, if you're bummed about the daylight being so short today...cheer up! Tomorrow it will be brighter for a whole 1 minute longer!

New Poll

2008-12-16T11:17:00.002-05:00

So blogger seems to be having some trouble with the post feature. I was going to put a new one up today and it doesn't seem to be working.
I am interested, though, to see who voted for "needles for leg hair" and who voted for "magnetic head." We actually had a tie!

Merry What?

2008-12-15T04:30:00.001-05:00

This is a poem written by Douglas Wilson. He's a very faithful man and I have read a lot of his literature. I even had the privilege of hearing him speak once at a Classical Christian Education conference in Kentucky. He tends to be a little extreme at times, but I think, for the most part, he makes some really good points.
Anyway, after attending and then teaching in public schools, I found this poem very accurate.

The Night Before Whatsit
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land,
We still mark the birth of the One who is banned
From public discussion or public display.
"Get rid of the Christ child--but still keep the day!"

So public school children must practice with stealth
Those carols which threaten our strange commonwealth,
And now and again someone's runaway creche
Will abruptly appear in some government place,
Right out in the open where children can view
This threat to the folks at the ACLU.

So drink to the health of our once happy nation,
And deck all the halls with strange litigation.
Then eat all you want to, drink rum by the quart
But don't say that name, or you'll wind up in court.

Pretend that this holiday just always was.
Don't ask whence it came like a smart child does.
Just talk about Rudolph or Santa's small elves,
Or sing little ditties of days bunched in twelves.

Now this is all right because (please get this straight)
There's no separation of North Pole and state.
So sing all you want of this sort of stuff
In the public arena, folks can't get enough.

If you do sing the carols, then please, just be careful.
Look over your shoulder, keep watch and be prayerful.
Edit those carols, avoid our law's curses,
(You'll have to leave out quite a few of the verses.)

So you won't get the secular humanists riled
With songs about sinners and God reconciled.
"Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,"
Angers the People for the Humanist Way.

But if you believe the time is now ripe
To stand up for Christmas, don't sit there and gripe.
The secular Scrooges and Grinches will hear
If you say, "Merry Christmas," with all the right cheer.

It's time to be counted for what's good and right,
To all, Merry Christmas! To all, a good night!

Christmas Kids

2008-12-08T04:30:00.001-05:00

Here's some more pictures of the kids. We had just finished putting up the tree and they were excited. It took a little while to get a smile out of Carmellina, though.

Thanksgiving in New York 2008

2008-12-02T18:22:00.006-05:00

Another Thanksgiving in New York - what a great time we all had!
Take a look at our proud Mom/Grandma/Great-Grandma with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

Carmellina (and Aunt Jeanna) enjoyed their meatballs made especially for them by Great-Grandma!

The turkey was delicious too!

Here is Joey posing with Ernie, his (and his father's) favorite Sesame Street character.

The Sinagra family is growing!

Who is Who??

Rosemary and Joe helping Papa put up the Christmas lights!

And we're off!! Let the shopping begin!!

Happy December

2008-12-01T04:30:00.000-05:00

It's December at last and as our little hour glass continues to count down to the 25th, everyone's mind is focused on what they're buying me for Christmas. But as the marginally insane would have us remember, there's so more to December than buying me presents. Here's another list of questionable hoidays to celebrate:

December Monthly Observances:
Bingo's Birthday Month
Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month
National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Choose A Summer Camp Month
National Write A Business Plan Month
National Tie Month
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Spiritual Literacy Month
Take a New Year's Resolution to Stop Smoking (TANYRSS)

December Weekly Observances:
National Aplastic Anemia Awareness Week: 1-7
Tolerance Week: 1-7
Recipe Greetings For The Holidays Week: 1-8
Operation Santa Paws Week: 1-22
National Handwashing Awareness Week (hand what?): 7-13
Clerc-Gallaudet Week: 7-15
Human Rights Week: 10-17
Gluten-free Baking Week: 14-20
Posadas: 16-24
It's About Time Week: 25-31

December Daily Observances:
Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day: 1
Special Kids Day: 3
Chase's Calendar of Events Birthday: 4
Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day: 4
National Dice Day: 4
Bathtub Party Day: 5
International Volunteer Day for Economic & Social Development: 5
Miners' Day: 6
National Pawnbrokers Day: 6
Skywarn Recognition Day: 6 (First Saturday in December)
International Civil Aviation Day: 7
National Cotton Candy Day: 7
Weary Willie Day: 9
International Mountain Day: 11
Poinsettia Day: 12
International Shareware Day: 13
Day Of The Horse: 13
Cat Herders Day: 15
Barbie and Barney Backlash Day: 16
National Chocolate-covered Anything Day: 16
Clean Air Day: 17
Wright Brothers Day: 17
International Migrants Day: 18
Day for South-South Cooperation: 19
Underdog Day: 19
International Human Solidarity Day: 20
Sacagawea Day: 20
Mudd Day: 20
Forefathers Day: 21
Humbug Day: 21
Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day: 21
National Haiku Poetry Day: 21
World Peace Day/Winter Solstice: 21
Festivus (the holiday for the rest of us): 23
A'Phabet Day or No "L" Day : 25
National Candy Cane Day: 26
National Whiner's Day: 26
National Chocolate Day: 28 & 29
Tick Tock Day: 29
Falling Needles Family Fest Day: 30
Leap Second Time Adjustment Day: 31
Make Up Your Mind Day: 31
No Interruptions Day: 31

Oh yeah...I think there's some other holiday in there somewhere...Christmas, or something like that...I'm not sure.

Breaking the Mold

2008-11-24T04:30:00.001-05:00

Okay faithful readers...today (November 24th) is Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day!

So this is your chance to tell the world (or at least the other half dozen people who actually read this blog) what unique and special talent you posses.

Don't be shy. Can you lick your nose? Can you burp the national anthem? Do you know the names of all of "Hogan's Heroes"? Can you draw a life like picture of Ernest Borgnine with ketchup and tissue paper? I don't care what it is, just as long as it's unique and as long as it's clean then go ahead and post it! I'll celebrate it with you by playing Amazing Grace on the harmonica with my nose.

Sugar and Spice

2008-11-18T04:30:00.001-05:00

...and speaking of Jeanna, today (November 18th) is Married to a Scorpio Support Day!

According to astrology-online.com, a Scorpio:

LIKES
Truth
Hidden Causes
Being involved
Work That is Meaningful
Being Persuasive

DISLIKES
Being Given Only Surface data
Taken Advantage of
Demeaning Jobs
Shallow Relationships
Flattery and Flattering

Also, some possible health concerns for a Scorpio:
Scorpio governs the pelvis and reproductive and urinary systems and its subjects are said to be prone to ailments of the liver and kidneys, stones and gravel in the bladder or genitals, and other genital ills such as priapism. Abscesses, boils, carbuncles, fistulas, piles, ruptures and ulcers may also affect the Scorpions.

Sounds like fun! Those wacky scorpions.

Jeanna's Birthday

2008-11-10T06:50:00.005-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEANNA!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

LOVE, MOM AND DAD

Step One: Apply Pressure

2008-11-03T09:19:00.001-05:00

Just thought I'd put my hourglass up there to get everyone panicking!

Happy November!

2008-11-01T06:00:00.004-04:00

It's time, once again, to see what helpful and constructive holidays the human race has thought to create. Now that National Pickled Pepper month os over, here's what brewing on the Events Calendar for the Marginally Insane in November:

Aviation History Month

Family Stories Month

Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month

International Drum (Percussion) Month

Military Family Appreciation Month

National Georgia Pecan Month

National Home Care & Hospice Month

National Impotency Month

National Inspirational Role Models Month

National Life Writing Month

National Long-term Care Awareness Month

National Novel Writing Month

National Peanut Butter Lovers Month

National Pet Cancer Awareness Month

National Pomegranate Month

National Roasting Month

National Scholarship Month

Prematurity Awareness Month

Vegan Month

November Weekly Observances:
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week: 1-7

World Communication Week: 1-7

Intimate Apparel Market Week: 2-6

Pursuit of Happiness Week: 8-14

National Rad Tech Week: 8-14

Fraud Awareness Week 8-15

National Young Reader's Week: 9-15

World Kindness Week: 9-16

National Farm-City Week: 20-26

National Bible Week: 22-29

National Family Week: 22-28

National Game & Puzzle Week: 22-28

National Teens Don't Text and Drive Week: 22-28

Better Conversation Week: 23-29

Church/State Separation Week: 24-30

November Daily Observances:
National Authors' Day: 1

Zero Tasking Day: 1

Cookie Monster Day: 2

Plan Your Epitaph Day: 2

Cliché Day: 3

Sandwich Day: 3

National Chicken Lady Day: 4

Use Your Common Sense Day: 4

National Men Make Dinner Day: 5

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict: 6

Pumpkin Chunkin Days: 6-8

Fala Day: 7

International Tongue Twister Day: 7

National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day: 7

Abet and Aid Punsters Day: 8

Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day: 8

National Parents As Teachers Day: 8

Area Code Day: 10

Death/Duty Day: 11

Guinness World Record Day: 13

World Kindness Day: 13

Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day: 14

National American Teddy Bear Day: 14

I Love to Write Day: 15

National Bundt (Pan) Day: 15

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: 15

Homemade Bread Day: 17

Married To A Scorpio Support Day: 18

Mickey Mouse Day: 18

Push-button Phone Day: 18

National Educational Support Professionals Day: 18

Great American Smokeout: 19

Have A Bad Day Day: 19

Cat Days: 20-22

Children's Day: 20

Name Your PC Day: 20

World Hello Day: 21

World Television Day: 21

Alascattalo Day (About Alaska & humor): 21

National Survivors of Suicide Day (Saturday before Thanksgiving): 21

Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day: 24

D.B. Cooper Day: 24

Shopping Reminder Day: 25

Tie One On Day: 25

Turkey-free Thanksgiving: 26

Black Friday: 27

Buy Nothing Day: 27

Flossing Day: 27

Maize Day: 27

Sinkie Day: 27 (Some call it "The Sink Day" when you eat over the sink all the Thanksgiving leftovers.)

Yawm Arafat: 27

You're Welcomegiving Day: 27

International Aura Awareness Day: 28

Electronic Greetings Day: 29

Computer Security Day: 30

Stay Home Because You're Well Day: 30

They Did It!

2008-10-29T22:05:00.001-04:00

...We Have Lift-Off!

2008-10-27T05:00:00.000-04:00