Fresh Starr Fish

Travel As Equals

2012-01-20T21:18:00.001-05:00

Beautiful. I never cease to be amazed by the work of Joseph Arthur.

Shoes Day

2012-01-20T07:27:00.000-05:00

These beauties are from J.Crew, photographed on display at their Fifth Avenue (at 17th Street) store in NYC.

2012 Golden Globes: Fashion

2012-01-15T22:56:00.000-05:00

Award season is officially upon us with the 2012 Golden Globes taking place tonight at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. I did not watch the telecast, so will have to catch video highlights tomorrow. I did, however, just look through about 40 pages of arrival photos to pick out some of my favorite red carpet looks to share with you. I was a little underwhelmed, to be honest. I don't feel like there was any one look that owned the red carpet. We saw tons of flesh/neutral colors, which all blend together when so many other ladies are wearing it.

So here are my top pics from tonight's red carpet. A few of these ladies have been in my top picks from previous years, so I guess I like the work their stylists are doing. I would be curious to know who worked with whom in pulling the looks together. Who wore your favorite looks tonight?

(Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Kate's whole look is old Hollywood glamour. The hair, jewels and the cut of the gown. I love the straight strapless neckline. She looks like she's 100% comfortable in this glammed out look, which is how one should look on the red carpet!

(Photo: Jason Vespa/WireImage)

Heidi Klum in Calvin Klein Collection

So here's Heidi rocking a nudie colored column dress with a turquoise and diamond necklace. I'm a sucker for turquoise, which is mainly why I chose to feature Heidi's look. That and the back of the dress, which was very low cut. Being that the Golden Globes are little more relaxed than the Oscars, I think this works as a Golden Globes look. It certainly doesn't have enough punch to make it at the Oscars.

(Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Freida Pinto in Prada

I'm all about this color for Freida. I would have liked to see how this moved on the red carpet, as the skirt photographs a little stiff. She's wearing a Chopard gold and diamond bib necklace that barely shows up in this photo. That's a true pity because with 145 total carats of yellow diamonds and 1,705 micro pave diamonds, it should knock us out. Hopefully it did in person!

(Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Nicole Richie in Julien MacDonald

No changes. This is gorgeous. I love the texture and the back of the dress, is stunning.

(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Charlize pretty much always looks lovely. I would have changed this up a little by removing the pouf so it would be more of a smooth/clean silhouette. Otherwise, I'm a fan.

Annual January Running Tradition

2012-01-13T17:11:00.000-05:00

"Annual tradition: standing in line to register for River Bank Run 25k."

I posted that to my facebook last night. On of my friends posted this reply: "can't you do it online?"

Yes, you can, but what fun would that be? This year will be my fourth year running the 25k and each year I've run they've had a registration/kick off event that includes free training t-shirts, free pizza, a slightly discounted registration fee and a mini running expo. My running buddy A and I have only missed out once due to weather. There's something about going out of your way a little bit to register for River Bank. For me it officially signals the beginning of my running season and gives me something to look forward to in the dark first couple weeks of January!

We ran into a few of our running friends and talked about the upcoming training/running season with them. We talked to Marathon Don about getting ahold of old Grand Rapids Marathon shirts that he sells at a discount. We did not eat the pizza. That was a first. A had had pizza for lunch, and I wasn't that hungry/did not want to wait in the line.

And how's the running going? This week was my first week back on a schedule since the Marathon. I ran outside on Saturday and at the gym on Monday and Wednesday. I'm supposed to go tonight. I'm waffling. That's the good and bad part about being this early in the season, you know you can skip and/or make up the miles too easily.

The actual running is pretty slow. I've definitely lost my marathon lungs, which makes me sad. I remember being so psyched about finishing the marathon and thinking that I would only take a week off after the marathon so I could get right back to running. With no race on the horizon, it was too simple to not run. So I ended up taking about two and half months off, which means getting my lungs/base back will take a few weeks, I hope! Weekday runs right now are 2-3 milers. It makes me laugh when I get winded and walk a few because I know there will be a time in the not so distant future when I'm running more miles than that and think it's no problem at all! It totally happened last year. I can't wait to get back there!

Random Fun at Work

2012-01-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

I received an email today from a coworker who is not in the office asking me if I'd help her out with something. I'm thinking, sure, no problem. As I keep reading it turns out to be the most bizarre request ever. She basically asked if I'd shoot a rubber band over my cube wall and another coworker's cube wall into someone else's cube. Both the asker and the rubber band recipient do not work in my department and she offered no apparent reason for the task, but it was just the right bit of silly mischief for me to partake in.

I'm not sure if my first attempt made it into target territory, but I'm pretty certain the second one I just tried did.

Ha! Here's to random fun antics in the office.

Undeniable

2012-01-04T18:53:00.001-05:00

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T22:06:00.000-05:00

Another new year is upon us! Happy New Year to you!

I've never been huge on "resolutions." I'm much more a believer in setting an intention and living by it. Whatever your practice as you traverse from the old year to discovering the newness that 2012 holds, you may dig this video I came across on yes and yes today. It's got some great intentions for the new year! Best to you in 2012!

Friday Afternoon

2011-12-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

Curious George...

2011-12-20T00:44:00.000-05:00

Festive

2011-12-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

The holiday season is rapidly approaching. Christmas (if you celebrate) is in one week! Over the last week I've been getting my festive on in cupcake, sweater and glitter form! The holiday party with my work peeps was on Friday night. It as at a co-worker's house and everyone was to bring a dish to pass, wear an ugly Christmas sweater and bring a white elephant gift for yankee swap.

Can you guess what I brought?! I knew I was going to bake something, but waffled back and forth about making a more elaborate cake and the festive cupcakes you see below. So obviously, the cupcakes won out!

I found the recipe on Pintrest. (Hello! I'm still pretty new to Pinning, but am somewhat obsessed!) Chocolate cake with a peppermint cream cheese frosting. Super easy to make, but it looks like someone else did the fancy work! I was a little dubious about the distribution of striped frosting, but the recipe had a great tip for making it work.

I love how the snowman looks like he's rubbing his belly in anticipation of eating ALL of the cupcakes! "Get in my belly!"

One year for a Christmas present for our boss, a few of my co-workers and I booked a portrait session at Sears and we all wore ugly Christmas sweaters. This was like four years ago, before the ironic Christmas sweater craze really took off. I scooped up a few sweaters at Goodwill so we'd have some to choose from for our portrait session. I brought them back to Goodwill post photo shoot, so I had to come up with something special for the party.

Back to my favorite Goodwill with fingers crossed. No actual ugly sweaters to be found, but I did find the red sweater above in an unadorned state. I bought the plush Santa and Snowman ornaments at Goodwill, knowing they were destined for the sweater. I found the Santa fur trim and sewed that on. I already owned the belt, which I feel really pulls the whole ensemble together in a very Santa-riffic way! It was a fun project to orchestrate and a riot to wear! I'm set for years now with this creation.

I've seen a lot of glitter manicure photos on blogs recently, but remember seeing my first, done beautifully by ...loveMaegan. Of all the different photos she's posted since, this has been my favorite look. The pink she used was much more pink, but the subtle pink is what I already had. I finally got some silver glitter glue and gave it a go. Subtle, yet still glittery and festive. I love it!

What are you doing to get festive for the holidays?

Or Whatever.

2011-12-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

OMG Cookies!

2011-12-05T21:27:00.000-05:00

I made these cookies yesterday! I found the recipe on Bakerella. She calls them Dark Chocolate Chip Comfort Cookies and I would have to agree on the comfort part. I haven't had or baked a cookie like this...ever and I've baked a cookie or twelve in my time! Chocolate peanut butter dough with dark chocolate chips...ridiculously delicious and they have a perfect texture. They were fantastic to bring to work as a treat to celebrate my five-year work anniversary! They now have a place in my regular cookie baking repertoire and may just be my new favorite.

What's your favorite cookie to bake and/or eat?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T22:12:00.000-05:00

Shufflin'

2011-11-29T22:48:00.000-05:00

This is my brain on random/shuffle this Tuesday evening:

Correspondence is important to relationships. This is a note to the world at large as much as it is to myself.

*****

I made Kale Chips yesterday for the first time. They're light with an airy, crispy texture. I like them. I do not like cleaning curly kale though.

*****

The last piece of pumpkin pie is finally gone. And je triste.

*****

Sometimes just going to get coffee, the mere act of walking into my coffee shop and chatting with my baristas, is more satisfying than the actual coffee I walk out with. Not as sad panda as it may sound, although it might be time to change up my game, or find more outlets where there be chatty folks to interact with. Or both.

*****

Are you an Eames fan? I saw Eames: The Architect and the Painter over the weekend. It was pretty cool to see the whole story of the couple and their creativity. I was bummed though, to find out that Charles carried on an affair with another women for a while. I literally thought, "Really, handsome creative guy?! So original in other aspects of your life, but not so much in the cheating on your lady. What gives?!"

*****

Winter weather hasn't officially begun here in Michigan, but it is REALLY cold tonight. I'm straight up wondering how I'll make it through this winter. My entire being and psyche are feeling ill suited for cold weather and snow this time around.

*****

What are your feelings about electric blankets? I had one when I was little. I hear people singing their praises. Not sure I could go there. Although I just shared about my less than enthusiastic attitude about winter and cold, I'm quite content with the comforter/blanket/sheet set up I've got going on in the boudoir. Super cozy and warm.

*****

I am in need of a hair cut. A trim at the very least, but am wanting my longer hair back. Darn hair!''

*****

That's all I've got!

Vintage Fashion Finds

2011-11-28T17:40:00.000-05:00

I blogged over the weekend about my treasure hunting trip to a few of my favorite antique haunts. Since I focused on the fun furniture finds, I'm now sharing the fun fashions I found.

A fun side note before we begin, this is my 401st blog post!!

At Eastown Antiques:

Vintage genuine Pendleton flannel shirt. This was in pristine condition. Great for the hipster dude in your life or if plaid happens to be your favorite color, this could be yours. It was going for just under $35, a pretty good deal considering a similar brand new Pendleton goes for $105.

At East Fulton Arts & Antiques:

This floral patterned shirt dress with belt was darling! The photo is from the camera on my phone so, it's not the best and also clearly you can't see how lovely the full-ish skirt is. I may go back and rescue it, unless you go and scoop it up first. $25.

At Lost and Found:

I snapped this pic for my mom. She was very much a hippie back in the day and she had a jacket very similar to this one. It may have been longer though. I've had a fabulous vintage leather cowboy-ish jacket with fringe in my collection for years, so this one could be yours, pardner! Apologies, I did not document prices of any of the Lost and Found items.

Beautiful vintage cashmere jacket with fur trim. Very good condition. It would likely keep you very warm and you'd look quite stylish at the same time.

Black and white cotton shirt dress. Since I have a yen for anything black and white, I thought this was super cute! With a belt, a little cardigan and some boots, you've got a timeless ensemble. I'm still thinking about it days later, so you may have to arm wrestle me for this one.

Do you like to incorporate vintage clothing into your personal style? I'd love to hear about some of your favorite finds.

What's for Dinner.

2011-11-27T19:01:00.000-05:00

Huevos Rancheros. Turns out the meal with such a fun name to say is equally fun and easy to make. Are you sick of your Thanksgiving leftovers yet? This might be a great recipe to try! I've had this kicking around in my head for a bit, since the main ingredients are always staples in my kitchen. Tonight was the first time I've actually made it and I must say it was muy bueno!

Here's what I used to pull it together:

1 corn tortilla, warmed

1 slice soy cheese (smoked provolone flavor)

black beans seasoned to taste with cumin, chili pepper and a splash of salsa

1 fried egg seasoned with salt, pepper and onion flakes

half a roma tomato, diced

salsa

guacamole, which had the other half of the roma tomato

Pile it all together and enjoy! The fun is that you can really play around with the ingredients and add/subtract depending on what you have on hand. This combination above was super tasty and is likely to become a standard quick meal at Casa Starr Fish.

Saturday Treasure Hunting

2011-11-26T21:40:00.000-05:00

I love searching through antique shops hunting for unexpected treasures. I also love an estate sale for the same reason, you just never know what you're going to find. Something for a great deal, something that reminds you of your childhood or someone you know, it's just fun! I'm drawn to furniture, vintage clothing and dishes. Searching for furniture is mostly just for fun (or to share with you!) these days, since I literally don't have room in the house for new (additional) furniture.

I went to some of my favorite spots today in Grand Rapids. It was a lovely overcast, yet unseasonably warm November day, so it was perfect for flitting in and out of stores. Here's some of the neato stuff I found today. If you're into it and you're local, go scoop it up!

At Eastown Antiques on Lake Drive:

Two Steelcase office chairs, (you can see a slice of the other one on the left.) going for $198. The fun part for me is that I have six of these at home around my dining room table, which I've had forever. I don't even remember what I paid, but I know it was a DEAL!

Metal drafting desk with drawer, $595. The stool was sold separately and unfortunately I did not get the price.

From Blue Door Antiques and Elements on Fulton:

Lovely 60's era sofa. It is in excellent condition and was really comfortable to sit on. I love the simple lines of it! This was offered at $395.

From East Fulton Arts & Antiques:

This flat file looks like it was used as a boat anchor for some time, but I love the weathered look. It would make a great coffee table or you know, a boat anchor for just $350.

If you have a kitchen large enough that doesn't already have an island, this work bench/table would be ideal. Just lay out $400 and it's yours!

They even had this magazine photo sitting out as inspiration.

What's not to love about this mini chair? When I was little we had a mini mod rocking chair that we all loved to sit in. This chair was actually sitting on the lower shelf of a workbench type table if that gives you a sense of its size. So cute and in great condition and it's only $82! If you have a mini or two at home, I want you to get it!

Reverse Black Friday

2011-11-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

The day after Thanksgiving and one of the things I did was go through my closet. The main goal was to remove any lingering summery clothes and get out a few more sweaters/warmer clothes. I ended up pulling a bag of items together to send to Goodwill. I purposely did not shop today, deciding I did not want to take part in the mass consumption orgy known as Black Friday (not that I don't enjoy shopping, but yikes!) When I was pulling things for Goodwill, I realized I was celebrating Reverse Black Friday. It felt good!

What did you do today? Did you brave the masses for some bargains. Travel? Eat leftovers?

Thanksgiving=Happy

2011-11-24T23:17:00.000-05:00

"Nothing is either good or bad. It's thinking that makes it so."

--William Shakespeare

Most days I choose to have an attitude of gratitude and my days are better for it. Today being Thanksgiving and all, that is especially true. I am truly grateful for all the blessings in my life.

Because it's Thanksgiving and I've been seeing "Happy Thanksgiving" greetings everywhere, I pondered its meaning. Do we really mean "be happy while you're giving thanks today"? To me, it seems like it should be "Thanksgiving=Happy." I know that when I'm looking for things to be grateful for, even if it's been a particularly crap day and I don't feel like I have anything to be grateful for, when I start making a gratitude list, my attitude improves. If I am giving thanks, for the big things and even the smallest things, overall, I'm a happier person.

I hope you had a Thanksgiving=Happy day today and carry that over into every one of your days!

Ye Olde Pumpkin Pie

2011-11-23T22:51:00.000-05:00

Oh, pumpkin pie, I so enjoy your fragrant deliciousness. I haven't had the honor of making the Thanksgiving pumpkin pies in a few years. There was that one year a few back when we had Thanksgiving here and I believe I made the pies. I think that may have even been vegan pumpkin pie that year. This year, I volunteered to bake and thought I'd share the process with you!

Something you should know about me first, I'm a "make the crust from scratch" kinda gal. What can I say, I'm my mother's daughter. She taught me well.

Pie Crust

2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2/3 cups vegetable shortening

6-9 Tbsp. VERY cold water (I usually add a couple ice cubes to a bowl of water while I'm cutting the shortening into the dough and then use that.)

Measure your flour, salt and shortening into a bowl. Using a pastry cutter, mix everything together until it is crumbly. It should look like small pebbles, #1 (click the photo to get a closer look). Then add the water, three to four tablespoons at first, then mix. Then add at least two more tablespoons of water and continue to mix. the dough should begin to bind together as you're mixing/stirring. Depending on how well it's coming together (or not) you may or may not need to add the remaining water. Once it starts getting close to a ball of dough, dig right in with clean hands and bring it all together. You should end up with a ball of dough like #2. Cut the ball of dough in half and wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least a half hour.

When the dough has had enough time to chill in the fridge, put one round of dough on a floured surface and roll it out (#3) until it's just a bit larger than a 9" pie pan. Carefully fold the dough circle in half, (but not pressing it together) then in half again to transfer it to your pie pan. Unfold the dough and form it into the pan. It can be a tricky process, but do like Tim Gunn says and just make it work. The finished shell should look like #4. Repeat with the other lump of dough. Yields two pie shells.

If you're not feeling up to the dough challenge, you can totally cheat and buy ready made pie crust, but then you won't have the satisfaction of making your own. Just try it!

On to the pie. I used the recipe right of the can of Libby's 100% pumpkin. Apparently that's the one my mom's been using all these years!

Famous Pumpkin Pie

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

4 large eggs

1 can (29 oz.) 100% pure pumpkin

2 cans Evaporated milk

2 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shells (see above)

Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour into unbaked pie shells.

Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350; bake 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. My pies baked for close to an hour so you have to keep an eye on them and let them do their thing. Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours, then serve or refrigerate.

The sugar-spice mixture.

The eggs, sugar-spice mixture and pumpkin prior to mixing. I used my mixer, but you can do the mixing by hand.

Ta-da!! It's pumpkin pie, fresh out of the oven. I cannot wait until tomorrow to eat it up!

The Revolution is Love

2011-11-22T19:27:00.000-05:00

I came across this short video clip yesterday morning as I checked FB. A lovely family friend had posted it to her page. I watched it and was intrigued. Then I watched it again. I watched it a couple more times yesterday and I'll probably keep watching it. Charles Eisenstein is the man featured in the video and he brings up so many amazing points about what's possible in our world. He's an author and a professor.

Here are a few of my favorite ideas, paraphrased as best as I could capture them. Watch the clip and you'll hear it yourself.

"This movement isn't about the 99% defeating or toppling the 1%. You know the next chapter of that story, which is that the 99% create a new 1%. That's not what it's about. What we want to create is the more beautiful world our hearts tell us is possible. A sacred world. A world that works for everybody. A world that is healing. A world of peace."

"Everybody wants to live a life of meaning. And Today we live in a money economy where we don't really depend on the gifts of anybody. We buy everything. Therefore we don't really need anybody....It's really hard to create community if the underlying knowledge is 'We don't need each another.'... Joint consumption doesn't create intimacy. Only joint creativity and gifts create intimacy and connection."

"Love is the felt experience of connection to another being. The economist says that 'More for you is less for me.' The lover knows that more for you is more for me too."

"Love is the expansion of self to include the 'other'. That's a different kind of revolution. There's no one to fight. There's no evil to fight. There's no 'other' in this revolution..."

More, please. I'm going to dig into what he's written.

Anthro Revisited

2011-11-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I've got another Anthropologie set for you! Are you mad, bro? So maybe I did max out my "wouldn't it be nice?" credit card! Ha! Every time I play around on Polyvore making these outfit sets, I remember how much fun it is to style outfits. I love pulling fun looks together.

One of my favorite looks is wearing these kind of shift dresses over skinny pants. So I pulled two looks together using a pair of skinny cream cords as the base. You get two really simple, yet pulled together outfits. They would be perfect for an office casual work situation.

I love that you can really mix and match with all these pieces so easily. The jackets would go with either dress and so do the shoes. I'd love to actually try these looks on at the store! Sometimes things layer really well and sometimes they just don't and you end up feeling lumpy. If that ended up being the case you could wear the dresses over leggings for winter or bare legs when the temps warm up a bit. Or skip the dresses and pair a simple t-shirt or turtle neck under either jacket with the cords.

What do you think? Are you buying either look with your "wouldn't it be nice?" credit card? Or perhaps you have some similarly shaped pieces in your closet already that you could pull together for a similar silohoutte? I'm feeling inspired, we'll see if the inspiration carries over to my outfit tomorrow or later this week.

Sunday Dreams

2011-11-20T22:09:00.000-05:00

Anthropologie has come to Grand Rapids! It's been open for a few weeks now and I finally took the time to visit. Everything in the store is lovely! I wanted to buy pretty much everything. Of course, you're saying. That's the general idea. It's probably been about two years since my last Anthro visit. I was in NYC, and there's one right by my brother's office.

I enjoyed my visit, but there's definitely a "the 1% are everywhere" vibe in our location. I never got that when checking out the store in New York or Chicago. I heard one mother talking to her tween daughter about just hiring another decorator so their house can be redone by spring. Another set of shoppers - a mother, father and daughter were so well dressed and groomed, they literally looked like they had just done a photo shoot. Lots of brand new high-end vehicles in the parking lot. For us real folks who rarely pay retail, but prefer the kind of quality and interesting design Anthro offers, they do have great sales. So don't be scared to check it out! Scope things out that you love and scoop them up on sale.

Instead of actually maxing out my credit card during today's visit, I did some "wouldn't it be nice?" shopping for the blog. Since it was a lovely day to be curled up enjoying the indoors today, if money were no object, the items above would totally be my jam for doing some weekend chillin'.

Are you a fan of Anthropologie? If you're local, have you been to our new store yet?

Everything (Mostly) In Its Place

2011-11-19T22:17:00.000-05:00

I don't know what your housekeeping secrets are, but I have heard a lot of people say, "we should have people over more often because the house really gets cleaned top to bottom." You can add my name to that list. While I keep my house pretty clean, when I'm super busy, the regular cleaning gets a bit neglected.

A couple weeks ago, I did a major clean at Casa Starr Fish and vowed to keep things from getting overly neglected by using a couple rules:

Everything has a place. Everything in its place. In other words, if use something, I put it back where it goes. If I'm making food in the kitchen, the kitchen starts clean and ends clean. No dishes left in the sink. Counters clear. Getting ready in the morning, all my "products", hair dryer, etc. go back where they belong.

Clean Sweep before bed. For anything that managed to not be put back in it's place, I do a sweep around the house and put those items away. The paper (I know, I still get the paper delivered. I'm a writer, I feel an allegiance to the printed word.) goes in its recycle spot. The mail gets sorted/recycled. I empty the dish strainer of the dinner dishes.

These two rules have kept the house fairly clutter free for more than two weeks. I obviously need to "clean" clean - kitchen and bathroom surfaces, floors, etc. on the regular. But keeping on top of the clutter makes doing the real cleaning less daunting.

What are your clean house secrets?

One with Nature

2011-11-18T19:41:00.000-05:00

Taking the time to capture this image while raking leaves made raking the leaves less horrible.

Dig and Ditch

2011-11-17T23:04:00.000-05:00

Dig it: The new show this season called Revenge. I'm watching it on hulu.com right now (multitasking all the time, yo!) and one part made me gasp out loud! Good stuff!

Dig it: Chocolate pudding from Marie Catrib's.

Ditch it: Cars that idle outside my house. First of all, who are you? It's unnerving and it's bad for the environment. Get in your car, start it and go. Or stop the car, turn it off and get out. It's not that difficult. In/out. Done. Quiet.

Ditch it: The neighbor dogs that bark incessantly when outside and they want back in. The neighbors get a ditch for letting them each stay out and bark. For the record it's two separate neighbors and dogs. Ugh!

Dig it: OccupyWallStreet. Today was the two month anniversary of the start of this movement. There was a groundswell of people in New York today marching about all day. I was checking out the ustream livefeed and it's so amazing, almost like you're there. History is being made.

Dig it: Soda water with ice and the juice of one lime. Fizzy and delicious.

Ditch it: Bad fluorescent lighting. Whenever I see it blaring out of someone's house, I shield my eyes and wonder how anyone can live with that light. It's so harsh and terrible.

Ditch it: Focusing on the negative or that which we wish were different. There are some many more productive ways to channel our energy. I realize that and I know the "ditch it" items on this list could be considered as me complaining. Those thoughts have been floating around in my head for a week or so and I needed to get them out and set them free so I can focus on the good things around me. So there, I'm hopefully done with them.

Dig it: People who have a genuinely positive outlook about life. That kind of energy is captivating!

Since we're focused on the positive now, tell me what you're digging on these days!

What the Skull?

2011-11-16T22:33:00.000-05:00

A relic from the Halloween party I went to.

This. That. And the Other.

2011-11-15T22:35:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since I've done a "my brain on random post." So in no particular order, this is some of the stuff that's been shuffling around in my head for the last few days.

I really need to start running again. It's been four weeks since the marathon. I was sick for about two weeks. Coldish. And now I'm just really enjoying my free time. I keep saying "maybe tomorrow..." One of these days, that will come true because I really WANT to run, not because I feel like I HAVE to.

I lost my road map along the way for when you have a crush on someone and you have no idea how they see you, if at all. I'm like my 14-15 year old self, crushing on boys all over the place. Playin' it cool, but feeling like, where my skillz at, yo?

I finally raked some leaves tonight after work. I kept thinking the whole time, "I so need to pay someone to do this." There's a ton left to do and very little daylight to work to light my way on the job after work. Bah!

I'm slow to adapt to change that others foist upon me. I have yet to try the new Blogger interface. Anyone else try it? It took me forever to move to the new Twitter. Now Gmail has a new look. For crying out loud.

I want to try making these deliciously tasty-looking pumpkin doughnuts.

Currently smelling like a combination of pine needles, mint and medicine-y goodness thanks to a massage tonight. It probably sounds terrible, but I'm digging on it.

And I will leave you with this: one of Mike Doughty's songs (Lorna Zauberberg) that I cannot stop listening to since seeing him on Saturday. This video is from this tour's stop at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, so its all current!

A Mike Doughty PS

2011-11-14T21:41:00.001-05:00

I saved the best Mike Doughty bits for last!

During the show, Mike let us all know that a "high-fi recording" was being made of the show. At some point soon it will magically appear online and I will download it and relive the show whenever I desire. Yay!

Mike was super fabulous and chatty during the show, which I loved. And then...then he said he'd be around after the show to say hello, sign autographs and what not! Did we hustle around after the show to make sure we got to meet him? Yes, we did! We had to wait in a bit of a line, in front of this annoyingly drunk girl who claimed to have had more fun at the show than anyone else there. N put it like this: she was drunk, but there was something else off about her. I tried my best to behave and not turn around and punch her out so we wouldn't have to endure her nonsense.

My Mike Doughty autographed ticket, along with Golden Delicious, which just happens to feature his handwriting!

Thankfully, the line moved quickly and we were soon standing in front of Mike Doughty saying hello. I told him that I've been a fan since the Soul Coughing days (TRUE!), but in light of how that ended, I probably shouldn't even mention that. He agreed, and kindly thanked me. He then signed my ticket! Unfortunately, due to the number of people, they weren't allowing photos. I may not have a proper photo, but the moment is there in my mind's eye.

Mike Doughty at House of Blues

2011-11-13T22:39:00.002-05:00

As mentioned in the previous House of Blues post, I was in Chicago over the weekend to see Mike Doughty play his lyrically delicious musical program at the House of Blues. It's a great venue to see an artist like Mike Doughty. First of all, it's beautiful. I found out the music hall itself was modeled after the Estavovski (Stavovske divadlo) Opera House in Prague. So there's that. Then, it's fairly small. If I had to guess capacity, I'd say no more than 1,500. And since google exists, I can now tell you that capacity is 1,300.

Looking up at the box seats.

The opening act was a three piece called Moon Hooch. Two saxophones and a drummer, making some interesting and pretty cool music. They said Mike found them playing in the subway in New York and asked them if they wanted to go on a national tour. Yes and Also Yes had to be their answer, as they're currently touring with Mike. My favorite number was a dub step reminiscent song with contra bass.

Moon Hooch

Next up, of course, was the main event. The reason for a three hour each way drive from Grand Rapids, none other than Mike Doughty. He played with His Band Fantastic Band. They played a lengthy set with many of Doughty's more known songs including the current Na Na Nothing, 27 Jennifers, Looking at the World From the Bottom of a Well, I Hear the Bells (contains one of my very favorite lines, "You snooze, you lose. Well I have snost and lost.") and Bustin' Up a Starbucks.

Mike Doughty

Mike Doughty and His Band Fantastic

On the drive into Chicago as I got more and more psyched to see him play, I wondered aloud if he'd be chatty with the audience. He was. Early on in the show he asked people what songs they wanted to hear. Many called out current material and others hopefully called out Soul Coughing songs. Seeing that the band broke up in the midst of tensions about the deal they'd made to equally share the rights to songs Doughty wrote, it's no surprise that he was quick to quash any hopes of hearing Soul Coughing material. He also spoke often about how his current music is available for purchase, but that it could also be ripped off online, which he actually encouraged.

Andrew "Scrap" Livingston on bass (r) and Mike Doughty.

It was such a fun show! I first heard Soul Coughing the summer of 1997 and have been a fan of Mike Doughty's voice and lyrical stylings ever since. So happy that he played Chicago and that I was able to go check him out.

House of Blues Chicago

2011-11-13T15:08:00.006-05:00

I had no idea how cool the House of Blues, Chicago is you guys! Someone should have told me sooner! Of course, I knew it existed as a concert venue, but that's about it. I went to see Mike Doughty play there last night and was amazed at the entire experience. LOVED it! First of all, I love me some folk art and this place is jammed with it. Of course it makes sense and all, blues culture and the folk art asthetic go together, duh! My friend N and I had dinner downstairs before the show and I couldn't get enough of the art and decor in general. I think I even said, "I want to live here. I love it!"

So I did some searching and the HoB is, of course a chain. There are 13 locations throughout the country. Chicago opened in 1996. The first location opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1992. It's no longer open, but there is a Boston location. Obviously Chicago isn't the one and only, although this location felt authentic, not chain-y, which I appreciated greatly.

A tiny taste of the art/decor. This is from the "front porch" before you walk into the restaurant area on the first floor.

Yours truly, at dinner. This pic was originally super dark, but after tweaking with the levels, the overall vibe fits.

Crossroads at House of Blues Cornbread appetizer. Love the mini skillet and it was delicious!

Crossroads at House of Blues side of cole slaw. Red cabbage, carrots, cilantro and a light dressing.

Crossroads at House of Blues Trio of Cheese Rigatoni. I don't remember all three cheeses, but there was a hidden blanket of melty cheese in the middle of that mess of noodles. The sauce had a nice kick to it.

Clink clink clink

2011-11-11T17:45:00.000-05:00

What my left wrist looks like lately. The stack of metal bangles combined with my trusty and non-traditional-looking Swatch. Until finding this combination, I've never really been a fan of wearing a mess of bracelets at once, but I love the tiny musical clink, clink, clink notes that emanate from my wrist now.

Na Na Nothing

2011-11-10T21:30:00.001-05:00

Taco Boy

2011-11-09T21:08:00.000-05:00

If you ask most people in Grand Rapids to name a locally owned place to get a burrito, they'll likely name one of three places - the Beltline Bar, Maggie's Kitchen or Taco Boy. Taco Boy is a bit of a Grand Rapids restaurant institution. The Beltline Bar is known for wet burritos, and to be honest, I haven't been there in ages so I won't carry on about it (not my favorite). Maggie's Kitchen is a favorite spot of mine, but it's nowhere near my office, so it's more of a weekend/day off place to grab a bite. Taco Boy, on the other hand, has a location close to my work and we eat lunch there OFTEN. And by often I mean at least once a week. Sometimes twice, usually it's when one of us didn't go on the first visit of the week.

The first time I ever went to Taco Boy was in high school. I had friends that lived near one and they kept talking about how if we ever go, the "taco meat burrito" is the only thing to order. It's known as their best menu item. This vegetarian has even had one. It was back in the day, before I stopped eating meat.

These days I get their bean and cheese burrito with onions and it does the trick. The other gem about Taco Boy is their hot sauce. It's awesome! It's gotta be home made. They keep it near the counter and as you can see in the photo, you fill up as many tiny cups as you need and administer it as needed. It's on the spicy side. I'm a bit of light weight when it comes to hot sauce...it only go through two cups. One of my work friends who digs on the hot sauce uses five, so you get the idea!

It's nothing fancy, really, it's just good. The food is consistent. The decor is pretty simple and clean. They get an interesting mix of people - office kids like me and my work pals, dudes working the trades - there are usually a few work trucks in the parking lot. Everyone's a Taco Boy at heart, because it's soo good!

The Interrupters

2011-11-08T20:56:00.001-05:00

I'm listening to an interview with Ameena Matthews on The Story. She's featured in a documentary called The Interrupters about "violence interrupters" in Chicago. This is something else! The movie apparently played at UICA and I missed seeing it. I didn't know! So bummed that I missed it. It looks amazing. Check out the trailer and a clip below and you can listen to the interview with Ameena by clicking The Story link above. Powerful stuff!

Happiness

2011-11-07T22:30:00.000-05:00

Today is my mom's birthday! I was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate it with her! We went to out to dinner - veg Pad Thai! Then we had dessert buffet from Marie Catrib's! Peanut butter pie, chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and carrot cake. So grateful for my mom! Happy Birthday, mom! I love you!

Oatmeal Bread

2011-11-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

This recipe has been a favorite of mine for years. It's my mom's recipe and I've literally been making it since probably middle or high school. Long time, folks! In my book a recipe works when the actual prep is super simple and the end result is tasty and you find yourself going back to it time and time again.

This bread is delish for a weekend brunch or with soup for a quick dinner. Try it and see how you like it.

Oatmeal Bread

3 cups flour (I've used plain white flour or a combination of white and whole wheat)

5 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. salt

1 1/2 cups quick oats, uncooked (If you use old fashioned oats, give them a spin in the food processor to break them down a bit.)

1 1/4 cups milk (regular or soy)

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 lg egg

Heat the oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9"x5"x3" bread pan.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. You can use a sifter to mix everything together or just use a whisk to stir all the dry ingredients together.

Combine the milk, honey, oil and egg in a smaller bowl. Whisk to combine. Then stir the dry into the dry ingredients. Mix together well until all the dry bits are incorporated and you've got something that resembles bread dough. Spread dough into the pan. Bake 55-60 minutes until golden brown. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack before serving.

Dry ingredients, minus the oats. I used half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour.

Wet ingredients.

Wet and dry ingredients mixed together = dough.

Fresh out of the oven! Chilling on a wire rack.

Hi

2011-11-05T15:51:00.000-04:00

I saw this simple little missive at a stop light while I was out running errands this afternoon. I wonder about the person who painted it and how many people among the thousands who must stop at that light every day actually see it. For Grand Rapids folks, it's the 28th Street West exit off 96 heading east.

I'm so happy I spied it and that I had enough time to capture the image to remember it by. I love it when I'm present enough to see and experience the unexpected. It always makes me think that anything can happen. Wonderful, amazing things!

Here's to experiencing the unexpected and welcoming wonderful, amazing things into our lives!

Phantom

2011-11-04T18:00:00.001-04:00

I've had this odd feeling for the last 36-48 hours. The best way I can describe it is that I feel like I'm forgetting something. Or that I'm missing out on something or that there's somewhere I'm supposed to be. But I feel like there's another layer to it that I can't quite put my finger on.

I've said a prayer to St. Anthony (patron saint of lost things).

I've carried on my own monologue similar to when Iona in Pretty in Pink is telling Andie about her girlfriend who didn't go to her prom, "Once and a while she gets this terrible feeling, like something is missing. She checks her purse and her keys, she counts her kids, she goes crazy. And then she realizes that nothing is missing. She decided it was side effects from skipping the prom."

I can't even claim that. I went to my prom. That's another story for another time. If you're good, some day I may tell you about it.

What do you do when you can't put your finger on what you're feeling? I talk about it and write about it in hopes that I can reach it. I realized while talking about it with friends at work that the timing of this feeling creeping into my psyche aligns almost perfectly with a schedule that is for the first time in MONTHS quite clear.

Since the beginning of the year my focus was training for RiverBank Run, which was in May. Then I started training for the marathon, which was on October 16. A few weeks before the marathon I scheduled to have a few girlfriends over for an Arbonne get together. That happened last night. For the full week leading up to Halloween, I was busy with costume prep. So now, there's nothing major on the map in foreseeable future and I think that's why I'm feeling squirrely.

This too shall pass. I obviously have a hard time just being still. I might want to dig into that and do some meditation or something.

Om.

Yoga keeps popping into my head too. We talked about classes last night and I had a major "you should start doing yoga again" feeling last week. This "am I missing something?" feeling could be telling me to get quiet, be still and just be for now. Maybe then I'll figure out what it really is. I'll see what I can do to facilitate that this weekend.

What are you doing this weekend?

Hear me. Right here.

2011-11-03T17:18:00.002-04:00

Do you know the difference between the words tousled and tussled? How about the words shawl and shaw? How about dolled and dulled? Dessert and desert? Here and hear? Your and you're? Its and it's?

I came across the first four malapropisms in various online venues over the last few days. And see here/hear, your/you're and it's/its misused on the regular.

A salon blog uses the word "tussled" like it has something to do with hair. They use it as the TITLE of the blog! If I were dead, I'd be turning in my grave. Maybe the hairstyles are fighting?

A fashion blogger I used to follow used the word "shaw" to describe that piece of clothing worn over a women's shoulders to fend off a chill. I happened upon it when searching for Halloween costume ideas. One shaw I can think of is Mr. Aidan Shaw and he'd be welcome to drape over my shoulders to keep me warm any time.

John Corbett as Aidan Shaw in SATC 2

A local arts organization tweeted about being all "dulled up" for a big announcement they were about to make. Hopefully the announcement itself doesn't put people to sleep for being lackluster.

A local, well-known and loved restaurant retweeted someone's twit pic of the "desert" they had enjoyed at the restaurant. Shaking my head on that one. Really? Here's how it works: There's only one "s" in desert because it's so hot and dry that the other "s" dried up. Dessert has two because its extra sweet.

If you're using the written word to communicate with others, to promote yourself, your own brand or the brand you work for, your life might not depend on using words properly, but it might end up affecting your livelihood. Impressions are formed. Your one tweet, Facebook post or one blog post is the only chance you have to make an impression.

For the record I write and edit copy for a living, so I'm ALWAYS looking for mistakes, but not in a "hehe, I'm going to catch all the grammar dummies" way. I basically can't not see mistakes. Once I see them, I make an assumption and I'm sure I'm not the only one doing this. I also clearly understand that people posting casually as individuals have developed a more relaxed way of communicating. I can look past that. I also know that mistakes are made and missed in the editing process. But I'll always be surprised when I see that it coming from a company, an individual professional or an established organization.

One thought: I should start an editing business.

Another thought: We've all been doomed by the dumbing down of America. Texting, tweeting and communicating in soundbites has made people care less and less about grammar and proper use of the English language.

I'll just keep writing/editing and ranting when I see prime examples of misuse.

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

2011-11-02T22:01:00.001-04:00

I have a thing for melty blankets of cheese. And bread. I'm so into the cheese that most of the time, I have a rule that I don't purchase cheese unless it's for a specific recipe. And my bread rule includes only purchasing Ezekiel Sprouted Grain bread for regular consumption. You know, because it's good for me in that whole grain, complete protein, granola-crunchy way and not super processed. These days I'm hooked on making peanut butter toast. A while back it was avocado toast. End Ezekiel toast tangent.

Well my friends, rules are made to be broken! This soup has both cheese and non-Ezekiel bread and yeah, there's some actual liquid called onion soup in the bowl too! It's one of the most simple soups I make and one of the most deliciously cozy for a cold fall or winter meal. Make it the next time you're craving warmth in a bowl.

Sweating to the oldies, I mean onions...

Almost done...

Warm, toasty and melty...ready for dinner. Get in my belly!

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

1/4 to 1/2 stick of butter (use less if you use 1 large onion, more if you use more onions)

1 to 2 large sweet onions, sliced into rings

1 carton vegetarian broth

1 can vegetarian broth (however you can get to about 6 cups broth)

1 bay leaf

about a 1/2 tsp thyme

cooking sherry

crusty french bread sliced on the diagonal into rounds then lightly toasted

melty white cheese of your choice, shredded (Lots of recipes use Gruyere. I used a combination of provolone and muenster this time.)

salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large stock pot, melt the butter over low to medium heat. Add onion rings, sprinkle with a bit of salt. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring gently. Reduce heat to very low and cook for 45-50ish minutes until the onions are tender and browned.

2. Once onions are tender and browned, turn heat back to medium and add two to three large serving spoons of cooking sherry, sprinkle in thyme. Cook and stir gently for about two minutes.

3. Add broth. Simmer for at least 30 minutes.

4. Cut your bread into rounds. Toast or broil them so they are crisp.

5. Shred chosen cheese.

5. If you used the broiler for your toast rounds, then you're one step ahead of the game. With the broiler on, assemble your oven-proof soup bowls. I butter the edge of the bowl lightly to help make cleaning up melty cheese bits less of a chore. Ladle soup into bowl, arrange bread rounds to cover the bowl's surface area (honestly this is a personal preference step. Use however many will fit into your bowls or how many (or few) you prefer. I used three because that's what filled up the bowl's surface area. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and place the entire bowl very carefully on the top rack of your oven under the broiler. Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Carefully remove from broiler, and prepare to enjoy. As servers often say in restaurants, "be careful, this dish is very hot!" Try not to burn your fingers touching the bowl once it's on the table and try not to burn your tongue as you dig into the soup!

NaBloPoMo

2011-11-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

K over at Two Adults, One Brown Baby posted yesterday that she's participating in National Blog Posting Month, which starts today. While I've heard of NaBloPoMo, read and enjoyed the fruits of other blogger's labor while it's gone on, I've never participated. So, I thought about it for about two minutes and then said, "this is so the kick in the writing/blogging pants that I needed."

I started this blog as a place to capture my thoughts, the funny "I can't believe that happened" stories, life observations and the occasional photo. Blogging here is something I often think I'd like to do more of, but then wonder if I could generate enough content. I follow plenty of fun and talented bloggers who likely started the same why I did, just looking for a creative outlet. I'm hoping that by participating in NaBloPoMo that I find a creative spark that makes me want to continue blogging more regularly.

And one more thing. NaBloPoMo make me think of the following:

Po' Boy sandwich, which after reading the po boy wiki totally grosses me out.

SloMo: I attended my first University of Michigan football game ever over the weekend and we did the wave, which was fun in and of itself. Then. Get this. Then we went into SloMo!

BloPop: These always end up hurting the top of my mouth. Not my favorite candy. And the gum is always sick.

That is all. See you tomorrow!

another layer

2011-10-29T00:04:00.001-04:00

...there's this thing that I do. Actually it's something that I say and I had an awareness tonight about why I do it. For someone who's worked really hard to not seek validation from outside myself, there's a sneaky way I'm still sort of doing it. And now that I realize it, I've got one more thing to work on. So many layers...

My First Marathon

2011-10-23T11:10:00.000-04:00

The "controversial" short sleeve shirt (all the others I have from this race are long sleeved!), my bib and the MEDAL!!

I ran my first marathon on Sunday, October 16, 2011, the Grand Rapids Marathon! Since I started running in 2008, getting to this point was somewhat a foregone conclusion. It was just a matter of when. This year with six half marathons under my belt and a great experience running my third Riverbank Run 25k (that's about 15.5 miles for you non-runners!) I decided this was the year to tackle a marathon, 26.2 miles!

My running buddy A and I looked for a training program, consulted with our running friends and family members and decided to use Hal Higdon's Novice 1 18-week training schedule. I really liked the training program. The miles bumped up each week and then drop back every few weeks so you have an easier recovery week, then you bump up again. And so it goes for 18 weeks.

My longest run to date had been the 2o miler we did three weeks prior to the race. That went surprisingly well and didn't seem overly difficult. So going into the marathon, everything after 20 miles was this great unknown. I had heard and read tons of stories of runner's "hitting the wall." I didn't know what would happen to me after the 20 mile mark and was a little nervous.

I made sure to get lots of rest the week heading into the race and tried to stay away from junky food (even more than normal). We picked up our race packets Saturday morning, then went out for pre-race pasta Saturday night after carbing up since Thursday. I lined up all my gear and was in bed early to catch a good night's sleep.

The alarm went off at 5:00 a.m., as I laid in bed I heard the sound of rain. This runner's worst weather enemy. I'll run in the rain, but I HATE doing it. I've run two Riverbank 25k races in the rain. I couldn't imagine running my first marathon in the rain, but was prepared to do it. Luckily it was barely sprinkling when we got to the start and were lining up in the start chute. We wore disposable rain ponchos to stay warm and dry while were waiting for the start. About two miles in, it wasn't raining anymore and I ditched the poncho.

Being really familiar with the course, we run parts of it all the time and our 20 mile run was on the course, the miles clicked by pretty easily. Knowing what to expect was nice for a first time marathon. That's one of the main reasons we wanted the Grand Rapids Marathon to be our first marathon. I had done the half marathon three times, the race is very well organized and supported (shout out to Race Director Don Kern!), we'd have home course advantage and we wouldn't have to travel.

Once we got out of Millennium Park between miles 12 and 13, I caught back up with A. We were near the 4:44 pace group and she said something like, "why are we going so fast?" I was like, "I'm not! I don't know, why are you?" since she had been slightly ahead of me for about half of the park part of the course. She then took off! Everyone runs their own race.

The course crosses over the Grand River from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Indian Mounds Drive two different times on a bluish-green bridge. The first time is between miles 13 and 14. The part of the course on Indian Mounds Drive is NOT my favorite part of the course. You run part of it for the Riverbank 25K and it just seems to go on forever. It's an out and back next to the river with trees on both sides and very few landmarks. It's literally like being on a nature treadmill because you feel like your not getting anywhere.

Our friends and their kids were on the course between mile 17 and 18, nearing the turn around, so I got to see them and get their energetic cheers and high fives twice! It means so much to see friends and family on the course! Heck, even people you don't know cheering you on is a great thing! You can carry that energy with you as you run.

After slapping some high fives, I headed back down Indian Mounds. To this point I was feeling great and keeping a relatively good pace. Miles 19, 20, 21 and 22 is when I really started to feel the fact that I was running a marathon though. My lower back was was crying out a bit. My quads and calves were getting tight. I stopped and stretched a couple times and had starting walking through the aid stations, but the good news: I wasn't in pain. My lungs felt good and overall I was feeling good considering what I was doing (a freaking marathon!!!) and how long I had been running!

Running back on Indian Mounds, I kept looking toward the river to see if I could see the blue bridge through the trees. It always felt like I should be able to see the bridge any given second. It took a little longer than that! Oh, and once you DO see the bridge, you have to run by it and do another short out and back! Cruel! I knew that before from looking at the course map, but being out there and running it seemed especially cruel!

Around the time we saw the 4:44 pace team, I told A that as long as I stayed between the 4:44 team and the Al Gore 4:58 pace team I'd be happy. It was in the short out and back stretch heading back toward the bridge that Al Gore snuck up on me. I could hear the team coming. I tried pushing myself to go a little faster, to give it a little more. Then they were right by me. Ugh! I thought, maybe I'll just run in with them. I kept up for a little bit, but the inconvenient truth I'll now share with you, I got passed by Al Gore.

Luckily, our running buddy F had said he'd meet us out on the course around 22 or 23 and run us in. We thought we'd be running together. Running alone, I wasn't sure if he'd meet up with A and stick with her or run with her for a bit and come find me. I was so happy to see him in his neon yellow shirt between the 22 and 23 mile marker! It was the boost I needed. I was feeling a little spacey at that point. Trying to talk to him, I really had to concentrate on my words and I noticed my voice was really quiet and my speech was coming out slower than I would normally speak. It was surreal. Every bit of energy I had was being dedicated to keeping my legs moving, my heart pumping and my lungs breathing!

There are lots of people walking on and off at this point too. I did NOT want to walk. One of my many running mantras is "just keep moving." I stretched a little more often and when I did walk a few times it was not for very long at all. My motivation was finishing! At one point, I asked F, "Why am I doing this? This is crazy!" But I kept moving.

Getting out of Butterworth Park and passing the last aid station there's about a mile and a half to the finish. Just run east on Wealthy, take a couple turns and then the finish would be in sight. When we turned onto Front Street I started get a little misty-eyed just thinking about what I'd been through to that point, the 18 weeks of training, the nearly 5 hours of running already in one single day and I was so close to seeing the finish line! I even picked up my pace a little bit, surprising myself and F. Although it didn't last long, it proved I had just a little more energy than I thought.

Turning the final corner and crossing Fulton, the finish line was now in sight. The spectators were more plentiful. Crossing over Lake Michigan Drive, I started looking for my mom. When I saw her, I went over and gave her a hug. That's when the misty eyes came back. I was about to become a marathoner! I picked up my pace and finished my first marathon strong. I heard my name over the loud speaker as I crossed the finish line. Don Kern stands at the finish congratulating every finisher. I gave him a hug and said, "I'm so glad you're right here right now. Thank you so much for this race!"

I then went on a few steps to get my medal. That's when the waterworks came. I tried to take the medal from the volunteer or assist as she put it around my neck and she said, "no, let me..." So I did. She gave me a hug and I thanked her and was all emotional. I don't even know what I said. She asked if it was my first marathon and I managed to say yes. Big time moment in my life! I'm a marathoner!! I'm getting emotional right now even thinking about it.

Then I found my people, the people who supported me on this journey. Their support helped me cross the finish. I gave my fellow marathoner A a huge hug of congratulations. We did it!! I thanked F for running me in. And went on to find my mom who had flowers for us!

The rest of the day after that is sort of blur. There was a celebratory post-race lunch - veggie burger, fries and a diet coke at Red Robin. Our normal post-race pancake place was closed by the time we were ready to eat! Bummer. Then I didn't do anything else too ambitious for the rest of the day!

The muscles that started feeling tight during the last leg of the race continued their guitar string-like tension in the days following the race. Stairs were a challenge, as was sitting down and then standing back up again. A massage on Tuesday evening helped my muscles return to normal though. I was taking the stairs at work and feeling like, "what marathon?" by Wednesday.

The one thing that I wasn't expecting, I started feeling sick on Tuesday at work. It started with the sneezing! I guess you literally can run yourself into the ground! I've had what seems to be a head cold since Tuesday. I've been taking Airborne and getting plenty of rest all week though to head back to full health!

This is what a marathoner looks like! Happy! Taken after post-race clean up on way to lunch.

So would I do it again? Absolutely, I would! And I will! I'm amazed by the experience I've had and that how sticking to a solid (training) plan you really can accomplish anything you set your mind to. This obviously applies to life as well!

ArtPrize 2011 #5

2011-10-12T22:55:00.001-04:00

ArtPrize has officially left the building, until next year! I still have a bunch of pics that never made the blog, so here's one last post.

ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos has said ArtPrize is about fostering conversations about art. Each year there's usually a ton of discussion about the Top Ten and the winners. This year was no exception to that rule and I felt it was the most controversial to date. Lots of sad pandas over the Top Ten and top three winners. I was happy that Site:Lab was honored with the "Outstanding Venue" award. Given all that, I'm still a fan of ArtPrize and the art and creative people and energy it brings to Grand Rapids for a few weeks in the fall. If you want a list of the Top Ten, it's all spelled out nicely on the ArtPrize site. Let's just say that I'm looking forward to some fresh art and artists hitting ArtPrize next year and getting into the Top Ten!

With that, here are some snaps of a few interesting pieces I took in during my jaunts through ArtPrize...remember, you can click on any photo for a LARGER view!

Untitled no. 1, Jennifer Cronin

Shown at Grand Rapids Public Museum

Serious Business, Steve Toornman

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Rain, Lynda Cole

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Four on the Floor, Observed, Karen Bondarchuk

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Detail, Generations, Mark Chatterley

Shown at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Have Sticks Will Travel, Jonathan Brilliant

Shown at Kendall

American Icon, Jennifer O'Meara

Shown at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

Bath, Keith Pakkala

Shown at Minty Keen

ArtPrize 2011 #4, Site:Lab + U of M School of Art & Design

2011-10-01T10:37:00.005-04:00

Of all the ArtPrize venues I visited so far, I've spent the most time at the Site:Lab + U of M School of Art & Design location in the old Junior Achievement building on the corner of Fulton and Division. Site:Lab regularly produces temporary art installations within buildings that have been abandoned or buildings that are in transition in Grand Rapids. You may recall the Site:Lab installation last October in the former Network 180 building (current home to LaFontsee Galleries), among others. Because of Site:Lab's track record of producing interesting and thought provoking art events, I was excited to see what the ArtPrize edition would bring.

I wasn't disappointed.

First off, just getting to walk inside the building that's been closed up tight and sitting empty for years was a treat. I could feel the new, creative energy as a strong presence in this old and under-appreciated building. And then I wandered into the space to explore.

This is not your average ArtPrize venue, thankfully! Venue curators Paul Amenta and Elona Van Gent brought us art that isn't easily defined and most certainly can't be packed into a crate. My photos (remember you can click on any of them for a larger view) are a mere attempt to capture that which must be experienced first hand. Stop in while you're out ArtPrizing this weekend and through the end of ArtPrize. Chances are you'll run into some of the artists and the Site:Lab crew. Do chat them up and find out more about each piece and the space itself. And if you're lucky, there will be a dj spinning some tunes, adding an aural layer to your experience.

foreground: tele-present water, David Bowen

background: first floor view, Spire, Alois Kronschlaeger

In motion view: tele-present water, David Bowen

The movement of this piece was mesmerizing, especially given that the combination of science, art and engineering made it possible. The name tele-present water says it all. The wave motion of this piece is brought to the corner of Fulton and Division through wave data collected by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration bouy located somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Who hasn't video chatted with friends or family who are far away? This piece allows you to "watch" the water in the Pacific Ocean! That blows me away. I could have stayed there watching the "water" for a long time on each of my visits to Site:Lab and will likely go back to see it again.

Apparition, Meghan Reynard

I finally made it downstairs on to see this light installation on my third (I think) visit to Site:Lab. I had heard people say, "make sure you go downstairs!" So I made sure I got downstairs. This is one installation that you'll be treated to once your eyes adjust to the darkness. The evening I spent time with this, there was what appeared to be a person within the space - or was there? I watched the space for a while and couldn't decide. I couldn't hear anything that would have confirmed my suspicion. Part of the experience or not, I enjoyed using my senses trying to answer the question. I was also pleasantly reminded of Alex Schweder La's Evaporative Buildings from ArtPrize 2010.

basement view, looking upward: Spire, Alois Kronschlaeger

Being that I carry my camera around ArtPrize ready to photograph the pieces that intrigue me, this installation and the fact that you literally cannot photograph the entire thing in a single image was both awesome and frustrating at the same time. It caused me to spend even more time exploring it, trying to contain within my viewfinder that which cannot be contained. I would imagine that's exactly the kind of thing the artist might love to hear. There are so many potential viewing angles on the building's three levels. The basement view was one of my favorites, but I'd love to get up on the roof and see it from there!

outdoor, night view: Spire, Alois Kronschlaeger

The view standing across the street on Fulton is the closest I got to the roof. I love that it's lit up at night! Had I not been inside the building to see Spire for myself, this view alone makes me think of that Tom Waits song, "What's He Building?" "I heard he was up on the roof last night signaling with a flash light."

I obviously did not cover each piece featured in the Site:Lab + U of M School of Art & Design venue. All the more reason to go see everything for yourself between now and the end of ArtPrize. Site:Lab is a fixture in the Grand Rapids art community and as someone who lives here and craves new and different creative experiences, I'm grateful for the contribution they make to the art community. I look forward to the next iteration of Site:Lab!

ArtPrize 2011 #3 "Taras in Three Colors"

2011-09-28T23:30:00.000-04:00

Taras in Three Colors, Kevin O'Rourke

Showing at Grand Rapids Public Museum

Detail view, Taras in Three Colors, Kevin O'Rourke

Showing at Grand Rapids Public Museum

This particular piece deserves its very own ArtPrize post for a few reasons, the first and most important being that this large scale (4'x6') linoleum block print is a beautiful tribute to a family friend who died tragically nine years ago. Even if I hadn't known a thing about the subject, I would have been drawn to this piece - the colors, the Japanese-inspired imagery, and the fact that it's a block print. Awesome!

ArtPrize 2011 #2

2011-09-26T23:05:00.003-04:00

Back at it! More ArtPrize! The following photos are from my quick visit downtown on Friday evening, September 23. The crowds were so thick! Yay for ArtPrize, but boo for this girl who just wanted to see some art! I had a small window of time to be looking at art in the first place since I had to be up early for my first 20 mile training run on Saturday morning and probably shouldn't have been traipsing around in the first place. I ended up ducking in to see a friend who was working and then heading home much earlier than I thought I would. My main ArtPrize Tweet of the night, "I might be over #ArtPrize."

Here are some share-worthy pieces from venues in the Heartside neighborhood:

American Portraits, Michael McCafrey

Showing at 48 West Fulton

Maybe it's because I've shot film before and still love how a contact sheet looks, but I found this piece and its hundreds of 35mm Kodachrome portraits to be quite captivating. I would have loved to spend more time taking in each portrait, but the crowds during my visit were a bit much in this small venue. Worth a visit though if you can get there.

Detail view - Dream Home, Ghost of a Dream

Showing at UICA

So even if you've only managed one visit to ArtPrize EVER, you've no doubt seen "art" made from other objects. Could be found objects, wine corks, pennies, nails, toothpicks, you name it and someone has probably made something out of it for ArtPrize. I'm not really a fan of such entries, and certainly don't think they're worthy to win the big prize, but this one was somewhat interesting. Lottery tickets. Add it to the list and scratch it off for next year. Really. Is it a commentary on the economy of greed and poverty that coexist in this country? I will admit I did not read the artist's statement.

Finding a Green Photo, Barbara Reimer

Showing at Calvin College (106) Gallery (106 S. Division)

Photos printed with coffee. I've printed black and white film in the dark room, so I can appreciate this piece for the images themselves and for the process. It's not easy to get a good black and white print and then if you're printing with coffee?! How does that even work?

Detail view - natura, Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk

Showing at Calvin College (106) Gallery (106 South Division)

I remember a time when my grandmother had a vase full of the "silver pennies" this nest piece is made of. They're ridiculously delicate and I find them to be so pretty. Maybe that's why I liked this piece. It doesn't scream #ArtPrize to me, but I do appreciate the creation. This was just one vignette out of several that were on display, each one a little different, all using "natura."

131 N and 196 E Exit, Steven Vinson

Showing at CODA, 44 South Division

I'm obviously only presenting a limited number of images from my Friday night walk through a few ArtPrize spaces and I chose to feature this piece because it's a scene from Grand Rapids. Call it home turf advantage.

Under the Microscope, Slide: p(twelve)^3, Sarah Knill

Showing at CODA, 44 South Division

This piece reminded me a little of RH Giger's aesthetic. I like the fluidity and movement and that it's based on a microscopic view.

Pour Some Sugar on Me, Susan Mulder

Showing at CODA, 44 South Division

What exactly is going on here? Woman in Rococo-era finery being pelted with giant jelly beans? I can't decide if I like it or not. I love the colors and the size discrepancy - who doesn't love the idea of these giant jelly beans being real? The piece's title, is unfortunate though unless you actually have no idea that this is also a song title from an 80's hair band that I shall not name on this blog because I am NOT a fan.

Fear not, I am not over ArtPrize so I shall be sharing more of what I see with you. I survived my 20 mile training run on Saturday and was able to get out again for more ArtPrize on Sunday afternoon with some friends, so stay tuned for that update. I actually haven't voted for a single piece yet. I need to get on that. While I've seen some really nice work, I haven't felt super strongly about any single piece yet. There are no pieces haunting me with their beauty. I'm still waiting for that "wow" moment that I've had the last two years when coming across a truly amazing piece. Have you had your ArtPrize wow moment yet? Where? What piece? Do share!!

ArtPrize 2011 Opening Night

2011-09-21T23:44:00.003-04:00

Hey, kids! Do you know what time it is? It's ArtPrize time again! I had so much fun last year seeing art, talking to artists and capturing images and then sharing them here that I'm going to do it again. I may not be able to get out as much as I did last year (I am training for my first marathon, hello! And this week alone I'll be running 40 miles, and working the day job, so, it's going to be tricky, but I'm going to try to bring you as much coverage as I can!

Let's get to it: (Click on any of the photos to see a larger view!)

Detail "Wall Drawing #3" (Screwed Rapids) by the Screwed Arts Collective

Showing at UICA

Detail "Wall Drawing #3" (Screwed Rapids) by the Screwed Arts Collective

Showing at UICA

One of the main reasons I love opening night of ArtPrize is that many of the artists are with their pieces and you can chat them up. I had a really cool conversation with Daniel Burnett, a member of The Screwed Arts Collective, about this GIGANTIC wall drawing, the creative process they employ as a group and about ArtPrize in general. He said the piece really is reflective of their time spent in Grand Rapids creating this site-specific piece. Rest assured, the group did not whip this up in someone's garage last year and truck it up here for a chance at the big money. This art is fresh, y'all! Go see it up close and chat with the artists yourself - they're here through Saturday. Also make a point to peek in the window as you sit in traffic these next two weeks at the light on Fulton at Division!

According to Me, by Nicola Renzi

Showing at UICA

If you haven't clicked on the link to this artist's profile, can you guess what the material is? It's a rubber band wall! In person, at first glance it did not look like rubber bands - more like some sort of fiber. I didn't think if it when I was standing in front of it, but I wonder how far you'd bounce back if you ran up and bounced off it. I would NOT recommend doing that unless you want to get tossed out of the venue on your ear, but imagine it, will you?! I talked to one of the collaborators who worked tying rubber bands together to form super long rubber bands that could stretch from a single starting point, travel up over that beam and back down to the starting point again. My fingers hurt just thinking about the days involved doing that. Then keeping them all orderly as you stretch and place each rubber band. Wow!

Detail "In Light of Suffering" by Daniel Van Duinen

Showing at GreenLion Gallery

Detail "In Light of Suffering" by Daniel Van Duinen

Showing at GreenLion Gallery

This piece is a must-see. Regardless of your religious or spiritual leanings, it's a piece that best seen in person - my meager photos don't do it justice at all because it's actually displayed in a near-circular fashion so that when you stand to observe the piece you become part of it, one criminal to your left and one to your right. ArtPrizers with good memories will probably recognize the artist's last name. It seems there's some talent in the family!

"Last Station" by Randy Van Duinen

Showing at GreenLion Gallery

This also is a must see, so you can take in the fact that this photo collage is printed on aluminum. The choice in print material really lends itself to the surreal subject matter. Being that I enjoy playing with cameras, I had the pleasure of chatting with the artist about his process and about HDR photography.

Yay ArtPrize! Did you get out tonight to experience the rush of opening night? Let the sleep deprivation begin! It's already WAY past my bedtime...I would love to share more, but I have to sleep now! Tell me what you saw that I need to see!

Function over Fashion?

2011-09-09T23:38:00.001-04:00

I almost bought these spectacularly beaded, sparkly sandals tonight after work. I am in no way, shape or form in the market for a beaded, sparkly sandal and no way would I pay full price for them. I did, however, after trying these beauties on come so close to forking over the cash and adding them to my already brimming shoe collection. Function over fashion? When did this happen? Who have I become?

I became a runner over three years ago and it's put a serious crimp in my fabulous shoe collecting ways. The thing is...I really have very few occasions in my life today to wear a beaded sparkly sandal, however beautiful they may be and however swoon-y they make me feel. I think that means I'm growing up a little or pulling one over on my mild shoe addiction.

I lead a pretty simple, athletic life. The more time I spend wearing shoes that add four to five inches to my already tall stature and pinch my toes, the higher possibility my feet have of getting blisters and not feeling up to running. I'm to the point where I'm more comfortable and content in my life when I'm running at least four times a week. Messing my feet up over wearing a glorious pair of heels all day just isn't something I've chosen to do in a long time. As much as I want to.

If you looked at my shoe collection right now and didn't know me, you'd think I lived a fabulous party lifestyle. Then I'd show you the running shoe collection I've amassed over the last three years. It's in stark contrast to the fancy shoes. They don't even live in the same part of the house. Runners get their own space near the back door. Fabulous footwear is meticulously cataloged and housed in my closets.

Running is such a big part of my life, but fashion inspires me and is in my blood. I do try to work in a fancy pair of shoes here and there just because...even if it's just to run errands. I don't want to completely turn my back on fashion and let my fancy shoes collect dust. I guess this is just another example about finding the right balance in all things. There is a time and a place for everything - even fancy fabulous shoes. Today's lesson, I don't have to buy every pair I fall in love with.

One. Word.

2011-09-01T21:34:00.003-04:00

I love a good Internet meme! Taking a cue from TwoAdults, (who just shared her own version of One. Word. that she saw over on MFAMama) I keep the one word wonder going.

One. Word.
No. Explanations.

yourself: unique

your boyfriend/girlfriend (husband, whatever): tbd

your hair: wet

your mother: swell

your dog: cremated

your favorite item: laptop

your dream last night: zzz

your favorite drink: water

your dream car: BMW530xi

the room you are in: living

your fear: loss

what you want to be in ten years: thriving

who you hung out with last night: NPR

what you're not: mean

muffin: toast

one of your wish items: peace

time: night

the last thing you did: shower

what you are wearing: jammies

your favorite weather: balmy

your favorite book: Shantaram

the last thing you ate: dinner

your life: calm

your mood: calm

your best friend: real

what you are thinking about right now: sweets

your car: wagon

what you are doing at the moment: slouching

your summer: fading

your relationship status: single

what is on your tv: dust

what is the weather like: warm

when is the last time you laughed: tonight

Home is where the "R" is

2011-08-31T21:30:00.001-04:00

Peanut Butter Pie

2011-08-28T21:15:00.002-04:00

If you're a foodie like me and follow any number of food blogs, you've probably seen some Peanut Butter Pie mentions of late. If you haven't, you should read this and watch this. Go on...I'll wait for you right here.

If you're a little teary-eyed after both of those, I'll give you a minute to collect yourself.

Jennie from In Jennie's Kitchen lost her husband Mikey and she couldn't help but think of that Peanut Butter Pie she didn't get a chance to make for him. As she blogged about her grief, she shared the recipe and closed her post with these words:

For those asking what they can do to help my healing process, make a peanut butter pie this Friday and share it with someone you love. Then hug them like there's no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on.

Food plays such a huge role in our lives, beyond providing nutrition and sustenance, it also acts as a means for us to relate to other people, the people we love, cherish and appreciate, and celebrate the times we have together. Making special recipes can also act as a conduit for connecting to and processing all sorts of feelings, including grief. It took me a few days to gather the ingredients for this Creamy Peanut Butter Pie, but I thought of Jennie and her daughters often until I had the chance to make it last week. When I was done in the kitchen that night, I read her blog post again and tried posting a comment. Comments were no longer being accepted, so I'm posting it here:

"I don't remember how I originally saw this tribute for your obviously beloved, departed husband Mikey. Just know that my heart goes out to you and your girls. I've thought of you and your peanut butter pie often since I saw your post for the first time. I finally had the time to make the pie tonight. I have tears in my eyes for you, your family and those whom I love, but cannot share this pie with. Sending you peace, love and light from my kitchen in Michigan tonight and from now on every time I make your creamy peanut butter pie (for Mikey)."

I made the pie and shared it with my best girlfriends from high school on Tuesday night last week. I then brought in the leftovers for my crew at work. There are so many more people I would have loved to share this pie with. If you have even the slightest yen to make this pie for those you love, do it. You won't regret it.

Weekend Running

2011-08-22T21:55:00.001-04:00

I ran my favorite half marathon over the weekend. We call it the Fallsburg Half because you start and finish in Fallsburg Park in Lowell. The medal and shirt say "Old Fart's Half Marathon," no joke. It is run by the Old Fart's Running Club. So there you go.

This race is my favorite because it's a ridiculous challenge. This was my third year running it and the course has gotten progressively more difficult each year. The first year, my running buddy A and I knew very little about the race, thankfully! The course that year was about a 60/40 split of trail running vs. road running. Last year it was about 80% trail and 20% road. This year was probably 90% trail running.

When I say trail, you might have a picture in your head of a nice wide, clear hiking path. Oh, there are some stretches like that, but there's also trail that's barely wide enough for your own two feet and you're running single file with one runner on your heels and one directly in front of you if you're lucky enough to be running in a pack. Running in a pack is helpful so you don't feel like you're lost and alone running through the woods and it keeps you motivated to keep moving.

We traversed a few streams, gingerly stepping on rocks or a fallen tree to get across the water and up the slightly muddy bank. Under fallen trees, over fallen trees. Up some of the steepest hills and down them as well. They are so kind to put a rope "railing" on some of the descents. Probably because it helps keeps the body count down, lolz! They even named one descent Geronimo! Then there was "Little Chuck," a hill so steep to climb, the sign said something like "Bet it makes you walk. Haha!" I'd like to meet the person who ran most or all of the hills and would pay them to train me to be able to do the same! Tough stuff!

Another reason the race is my favorite is that people are super friendly and you end up chatting with people more than in any other race I've run. I think the fact that it's so difficult makes people just relax. I know I was out to enjoy the experience, not beat the clock, so maybe others were as well. We chatted with a guy from near Ann Arbor and a couple from England who were running the full marathon and then had another marathon to run on Sunday. True story!

Just under three miles into the race, only 10 or so more to go. All smiles!

(photo via the race's site)

I finished the half marathon in 3:02:04. Last year's time was 3:05:28, which I just looked up and am surprised! I actually improved! Ha! My personal best at Fallsburg is 2:26:43 in 2009 when there was more road and less trail! My PR for any half marathon is 2:16:37, my first half ever in 2008. Go figure!

Runners can talk running till the cows come home. It's a little odd sometimes to talk about races with non runners. It's probably like that talking about whatever your "deal" is with anyone who doesn't get what your deal is all about. When you've run a race like Fallsburg in the morning and someone asks, "what did you do today?" how can you not be jazzed to tell a little bit about what makes running a race like Fallsburg so much fun! People who don't run tend to think doing something like Fallsburg or any distance race for fun is ridiculous and crazy. People can think I'm ridiculous and crazy, but I don't care because I'm doing what I love to do and having fun.

I hope every single one of you who read this blog has something you love to do, no matter what it is and you do it regularly purely because it makes you happy. That's what life is all about!

Holocene

2011-08-18T19:50:00.001-04:00

Bon Iver's Holocene. No other words needed. Just watch and listen.

Currently: Me

2011-08-16T21:10:00.001-04:00

Currently drinking: Soda water, two ice cubes and the juice of half a lime. Delicious and fizzy!

Currently avoiding: Gathering the trash for trash night.

Currently wearing: Grey tissue T, gray and white striped maxi skirt and silver gladiator sandals. It feels like I'm in my jammies, but it's what I wore to work today. Comfy, yet put together!

Looking forward to: Running one of my favorite races (I actually love all the races I run, but this one is special!) this weekend - the Fallsburg half marathon. Tons of hills, tons of trail running and tons of fun. No, really!

Current Web-session: StyleMePretty.com aka "The Ultimate Wedding Blog." I added this to my google reader a few weeks ago after someone in my twitter feed shared it with me. I've been to two weddings so far this summer and have one more on the schedule. My good friend A and her man, B are getting hitched! My interest/fascination with this site is purely a spectator sport at this point, but you can bet I'm tucking ideas away for my "someday" wedding to my "someday" man. This was at one of my favorite locations so far: the Ace Hotel:Palm Springs, CA.

Current favorite song: "Raindrops" by Basement Jaxx. I love it when this song comes up on my ipod! I usually listen to it a couple times. And now that I've seen the video...even more fun!

Current food favorite: I call it Avocado Toast. If you make something more than once, it deserves a name! So it's super simple: Ezekiel 4:9(R) bread, toasted and "buttered" with Earth Balance soy butter. 1/4 mashed avocado with a little guacamole season mix stirred in. Then top it all off with a slice of smoked provolone flavor soy cheese. Unless you're vegetarian like me or vegan, this probably sounds terrible, but listen to me now and believe me later when you make it yourself (or your own version!) It's sooo good!

Current house annoyance: My bathroom faucet has started dripping, which of course means I can't just get a new faucet. It means I'll have to get a new sink to put the new faucet in. And if I'm going to rip out the current sink, I'll have to rip out the tile and put in new tile. Then I'll at least have to paint since the floor will be ripped up. Yeah, all over a little drip!

Currently grateful for: My kitchen away from home, Marie Catrib's and all the folks there who I see on the regular. Love that place! Oh, and I'm also grateful that I currently do not have a headache. I've had one on and off since Saturday night. I hope it stays away.

Currently listening to: the cicadas through the open windows and the faint conversation of my neighbor who must be in his yard chatting with someone. Now, sirens wailing through the neighborhood.

Sweet Snack Secret

2011-08-11T07:50:00.001-04:00

This is a story about something so simple, yet so delicious.

It's a little sweet snack secret that I'll share with you because I like you and I want you to be able to partake in this tasty goodness whenever you like. If you're anything at all like me, that will be on the regular.

It's been proven that I like to bake. It's also been proven that I can, at times, use a little help getting beyond my sweet-teeth (I don't just have one). There are times when I'm in dire need of a sweet and I have absolutely no business baking something that will result in a large pan or batch of anything sitting around my kitchen. This so simple, yet so delicious sweet snack was born out of one of those instances.

Behold...

Three simple ingredients: Two graham crackers. Peanut Butter. A handful of chocolate chips (melted). Prep: break each graham in half. Smear peanut butter on each square. Then top with melted chocolate.

What? You say, it's not a big deal. You make this all the time or your kid does and they make a mess. Well, my friend, that's where you are sadly mistaken, because if you look closely at the photo, you may be able to decipher the secret to this so simple, yet so delicious snack. Once assembled, you pop everything in the freezer and wait at least a half hour so everything is firm and the chocolate has a frozen snap to it. That time spent in the freezer turns this so called pre-school snack into something akin to snack salvation. I dare you to try it and not get at least a little hooked and make them a couple days in a row. Go on...you know you want to!

Point Plank

2011-08-07T23:08:00.005-04:00

So you're all down with planking, right? I know it's so last month already. Owling too. I guess leisure diving is the new thing, but it's not as user friendly because you have to have access to a body of water or a pool! I prefer planking. My nephew K is down with owling. We had fun taking a few pics during our recent family vacation.

Planking in at the Lower Harbor in Marquette, MI

Owling at the Lower Habor in Marquette, MI

More owling!

More planking!

Fresh!

2011-07-31T22:37:00.003-04:00

Fresh back from a seven-day vacation with my extended family in Marquette, Michigan. Feels great to be back home, but I'm already missing my people and the beach. Big love and hugs to my awesome family!

"Sometimes Love Isn't Stronger Than Wine"

2011-07-20T21:02:00.000-04:00

"I Will Meet You by the Windless Tree"

2011-07-19T21:42:00.003-04:00

A Tale of Two Dogs

2011-07-18T21:25:00.006-04:00

So let me tell you about how a tale of two dogs....as you may have read, I had a dog sitting gig last week.

I was responsible for two dogs while staying at my client's home, about five minutes from my own house. The gig lasted only for two nights beginning Thursday after work. I was done by about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Mixed feeling pretty much sums up the experience. Going for a walk with them on Thursday night was decent enough, although one dog is a good walker, the other one would just stop and lay down mid walk, making forward momentum difficult to maintain. Playing ball with the dogs in the back yard was fun on Friday evening. We all had fun, but I don't know if all of it was enough to make me want to dog sit on the regular.

Here's the deal. I don't have my own dog or dogs because I'm gone, out and about and what not a lot and that fact alone would mean serious alone time for a dog or me cutting back on my out of the house activities. On Thursday night when I knew the dogs had been in the house all day, I felt like it wasn't really right to leave them again since it was my job to watch them. Same deal Friday night. It might be different once I got to know the dogs and what they could handle or if they were my own dogs and I knew what they were capable of. But this time, not so much. I felt a bit tied to the house.

Bottom line, I'm a single lady who likes to be out and about doing things, often at the spur of the moment. Being responsible for someone else's dogs while they're out and about doing things (granted this situation involves travel for work) seems a little off in my book.

I talked to my client while she was en route from her work trip and when she asked how things were going and if I'd be able to watch the dogs at the beginning of August, I told her what I had been thinking. She was understanding, which was cool. I may end up doing a couple short gigs to see if anything changes, but I probably won't be putting dog sitter on my resume as a permanent side gig.

I'm glad I've given it a try and am open to seeing if things change, since you never know how things are going to work. Some things work, some don't and some take a little bit to figure out.

Sprinkles of Random

2011-07-16T10:50:00.000-04:00

A friend from work is getting married this weekend. Tons of people from work will be there. The vibe at work Friday afternoon has been something reminiscent of pre-prom. People are talking about what they're wearing (it's an outdoor evening wedding, so there's some figuring to be done, especially for the guys!) It's going to be fun.

*****

I started my dog sitting gig last night after work. I will give you a full report after the gig is up. Meanwhile though, can we talk about TV? I have not had cable or been around cable TV in years. I had the TV on last night and am completely disgusted by what's on TV these days. It a wasteland of trash. Yes, I realize it was probably a bunch of crap programming when I last watched TV on the regular, but I think after not watching it I'm way more sensitive to it. Like my TV lungs pinked back up. MTV has some show about girls who look for older men who will buy them things. The title involves something about a sugar daddy. My thoughts on this: 1. It's sick that there's a show about this. 2. It's sick that there are people who actually do this. That is all.

*****

I'm entertaining the idea of getting new glasses. I've had my same frames, which I LOVE and are so me, for about three years. Maybe it's been four. Man time really does fly, doesn't it?! I found my current frames in Marquette of all places. They're Jean LaFont (super-fancy) and since I'll be visiting Marquette again soon, I'll look at the same place to see what's new. There's also a new place in Grand Rapids called Sight that I want to check out. I've also been looking at a few online sites Warby Parker and Zenni.

*****

My post title reminds me of cupcakes. I believe there will be cupcakes at this wedding. I'm also way late in getting to try out a cupcake or two from Bartertown/Roc's Cakes. I've heard good things!

Running Dogs

2011-07-10T23:03:00.000-04:00

The clock in my living room decides to slow down about every six months (I'm thinking a battery should last longer than that, but that's another story) and being that it's Sunday night, I'm wishing the 8:15 p.m. that it currently reads was true! The weekend went too quickly as is customary. If you're a regular, you saw what my Friday night consisted of. Here are a few tidbits from the rest of my weekend:

Running. Saturdays are supposed to be rest days now with long runs taking place on Sundays. I had some miles I had to catch up on since I did not run on Thursday night since my entire town was in chaos and I could not peel myself away from the police scanner, streaming news, Twitter and Facebook. It was probably safer that I did not run that night. So sad and tragic, I still can't believe it happened. Back to running, I did a quick three miles on Saturday morning and then met up with Running Buddy A for nine miles this morning at the the crack of 7:00 a.m. so we could beat the heat. Have I mentioned the heat? Brutal for the last few days.

More running. I got to talk running with two new people on Saturday. I love that I can say, I'm a runner and instantly have something to talk about with other runners! We're definitely a big club, us crazy runners. I'm in the market for new shoes as the miles are creeping up on my current pair - Brooks Adrenaline ASR 6 - my third pair of the same shoe. They discontinued the style, so I have to find a suitable replacement. I think I have my choice narrowed down (if you click the link you'll see it's sort of an obvious choice), but I was a bit of a sad panda when I realized my current ASR 6s would be my last. None to be had, even in Internet land.

Dogs. I met up with my new client and her dogs on Saturday. Did I tell you I'm a dog sitter? My first gig is this week and I'm so psyched about being able to spend some time with my new little Westie friends. Seems like it's going to be a great arrangement. I have wanted a dog since having to put the Wolf down, but have always felt too guilty about my schedule and a dog spending too much time alone and/or in a crate. This dog sitting gig is like rent-a-dog, but I'm the one getting paid! I hope it works out as well as I've made it out to in my mind!

More Dogs. Running Buddy A has a Beagle Mix named Mae and I met her, her daughter and the Beagle at the dog park in town earlier this evening. We were having a good time chatting and watching all the dogs run and play. Beagle Mix Mae is a runner (A's always telling me about her latest escape) so I was telling the story about how my mom's dog wriggled under the fence at the dog park once and went for a run. Just as we're talking about it, someone is calling out, "the beagle just got out!" The mere power of suggestion must have wafted through the air and to her ears. She wasn't going to be out done by my mom's dog and she wasn't. She gave us quite the time trying to catch her.

Somewhat of a dog. I watched The Time Traveler's Wife on DVD tonight. I tweeted this earlier, but, must re-iterate for the blog, as is always the case, the book was MUCH better than the movie. Had it not been for Eric Bana and his handsome good looks, I would have shut it down.

Dog tired. And now, since I've been up since 6:00 a.m. and have had a busy day, it's time to call an end to this weekend. Depending on when you're reading this, goodnight, good morning or good day!

Friday Night Photo Walk

2011-07-09T08:30:00.006-04:00

After getting in a quick run, I took a little walk downtown last night and captured just a few images from all the sights and goings-on near the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) and Rosa Parks Circle. It was such a lovely summer night with a butoh dance performance on the steps of the GRAM, bubbles, beautiful sunlight and jazz wafting though the air.

What did your Friday night bring? Whatever you do today, enjoy it and make sure you look for the beauty all around you.

All Questions: the Mars edition

2011-06-27T22:25:00.002-04:00

So this single lady has had a few questions regarding the fellas.....

Just going to throw these all out there so they're out of my head. If you should feel so inclined to play along (be you from Mars or Venus), go for it in the comments! More questions or answers are all accepted.

In no particular order:

*If, after three years you realized that your ex took something when he left that you thought you've had all along, would you let it go? Or find a way to get it back? You might really want the thing he took.

*Why would a gentleman NEVER mention the fact that he has a live-in girlfriend (not even casually like, "oh, yeah, my girlfriend helped me out with that" or "my girlfriend and I went to that..."), but then mention it to your friend whom he's met all of two times.

*Why would a gentleman when given a perfect opening to tell you he's in a band, not tell you he's in a band? Don't all gentlemen in bands want everyone to know they're in a band?

*What's with a gentleman (or really anyone for that matter) who doesn't return a friendly smile?

That's all I've got for now. Maybe I'll be able to sleep better tonight with all that out of my head and out in the universe.

Groovy. Fun. Fashion.

2011-06-20T18:41:00.003-04:00

For anyone in fashion, this video is already old - it's for Prada spring/summer 2011, but for me it's timeless! I LOVE all the clothes. The stripes and the colors, oh my! And they chose wisely for the music - it's Mirando by Ratatat. Such a fun campaign. I need to be working in fashion. Or food! Ha!

Fun Money!

2011-06-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

My good gal pal TwoAdults blogged yesterday about she'd do with an extra $1,000. Rules being that it had to be spent on fun stuff, no bill paying, or the like. Reading her post with glee, I heard the cash register in my head happily ringing up her "purchases" and decided it would be fun to do a similar post! So with "$1,000" in hand, let's get to it!

Monthly massage appointments booked through the end of December. I'm already going to one on the regular for relaxation and running-related muscle work, so it would be nice to know I'm paid up through the end of the year. $450

Remaining balance: $550

I had a horribly frustrating home improvement project experience over the weekend involving a drill, freshly painted walls and anchor screws that would not anchor. What should have been a very simple project had me snarling at the world. I'd hire someone to hang the mirror I was attempting to hang. I'm guessing any hand-andy person worth their salt would be able to do the job in an hour or so. Gonna guess the hourly rate of $100/hour.

Remaining balance: $450

I rarely buy cheese for my house anymore. As a vegetarian I was overly-dependent on it as a protein source, so when I do purchase cheese, it's a super treat or it's for a particular recipe. I'd use my next $100 to go buy about 20 lbs of cheese, call a few gal pals over (byob) and have an impromptu cheese party. I'm guesstimating my average price per pound would be in the $5-6 neighborhood. Maybe I wouldn't actually buy 20 lbs, because, gosh, that sounds like a LOT of cheese. I would buy enough to have a substantial cheese party and spend any extra on extra snackins.

Does that look like 20 lbs. of cheese to you?

Remaining balance: $350

I've been looking for a quality handbag for a while, and can never bring myself to drop serious coin on a bag, even though it's something I'd use every day. For this exercise, I'd try to find one for $200 or under. Okay, so here's what I just found, it's the right size, color and shape:

This Cole Haan from Zappos is actually on sale right now in my budget! Score!

Remaining Balance: $100

I liked TwoAdults' nod to a charity with her donation to Heifer International (a family favorite over here too!) So for my last $100, I'd make a donation to Kids Food Basket here in town that provides evening meals to school-age children who would otherwise go without dinner.

Remaining Balance: $0

What would you spend your $1,000 of fun money on?

Not that kind of Golf

2011-06-10T22:01:00.005-04:00

Oh, honey, can I tell you about my week with the car?! First of all, I take meticulous care of my car - a 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. 100,000 mile check up for a million dollars, sure, sign me up! Oil changed at the dealer on the regular - usually on the date rather than the mileage, since I don't drive a ton of miles in three months, but the oil does get gunky. I love my car, so I take care of it, so it takes care of me.

I drove to Detroit and back on Saturday with some friends to see Robyn! The show was actually in Royal Oak at the Royal Oak Music Theatre for you Michigan folks who know where that is. The car was a champ. We made several stops - Trader Joe's before the show, McDonald's for fries and cold beverages after the show and Portland for gas to get us the rest of the way home. Not a single problem. Like I said, it's a champ!

Robyn, end of show.

Sunday morning. I made a coffee date with a friend I haven't seen in awhile. Earlier in the morning worked for her, rather than later. I was dead tired, but I rallied and got ready. I was running a few minutes late already when I hopped in the car. Turned the key and nothing happened. Zero. Zip. Nada. I thought something battery-related, but it's unusual for not a single sound to emit from the engine. There I was with my VW stuck in the garage.

Monday morning. Tow company guy (I'll call him Tow Joe. Picture Chris Farley, because that's who he reminded me of.) arrives with this on the agenda: to give the car a jump and/or tow it to the dealer. The jump did nothing. So Tow Joe, the car and I are headed to the dealer. On the way, I heard a bit of gossip from Tow Joe about one of my neighbors. So very interesting. You never know who's going to be out there telling your stories, people, so behave!

Dealer said they probably couldn't get a look at it before Tuesday. At 8:00 a.m. they did not have a loaner car for me to drive. I spent most of Monday in a state of mild anxiety trying to figure out my work/life schedule sans auto. Lovely friends came through and were willing to help out. Then the dealer called, "It's the brain - the part of the computer that controls all the car's functions. It's shorting out, causing the car not to start. You need a replacement." The part was on order. It would be Wednesday before the part was expected to arrive. Mild heart attack, but I asked again about a loaner car, "Any chance you have a car for me now?" "Yes, as a matter of fact, we do!"

If you take anything from this blog post, here's your gold, ask for what you want. If you get told no, ask again at a later time. The situation may have changed and you may get a yes.

Here's the cutie 2011 VW Golf that I drove all week while my beloved Passat was getting a brain transplant.

2011 Volkswagen Golf

Also, when I picked up my car tonight after work - a whole week had gone by - neither of my regular VW guys helped me out - seemed one was gone for the night and the other was helping someone else. After paying, I was walking to my car and my regular guy walked over to make sure I was all set. He asked if I had any questions and thanked me for being patient this week as it took a bit longer than they had anticipated. Then he said something that went like this "I also want to thank you for always being so nice when you come in here. You spend a lot of money with us and you always smile and are nice. We get cussed out on the regular by people, so I just wanted to thank you for always being pleasant."

What a genuine moment!

Sure, it's not cool to spend big coin I wasn't planning to spend this week, but because of the way the guys at the dealer treat me (I know a thing or two about cars and I never feel like they're talking down to me because I'm a girl or like they're being dishonest about what the car needs.), the fact that they loaned me the Golf for the week, that the car is paid off so I don't have a car payment AND this repair bill and that I don't have to buy a new car, I can shrug it off and just say, "could be worse." It's all about perspective. I choose to see all the good. Fore! Good things are all around if you're looking out for them!

Rockin' Out

2011-06-02T20:09:00.003-04:00

Shiner was one of my favorite bands circa 1997-98ish. I saw them live in NYC when I lived there. It was an amazing show in a small club. They, of course, have a giant sound and they blew me away. It had been a long time since I listened to them, but I got this email from my older brother today:

Subject line: Shiner.

Message: Listen to them. ;-)

I got home and started digging through my CDs. I had only one The Egg, which my brother gave me for Christmas, I think. I totally thought I owned Lula Divinia and Splay, as well. Apparently not or not anymore. Neither were anywhere to be found. You know what it's like when you HAVE to listen to something right. now? I buzzed over to Vertigo. He had Splay and is checking on Lula for me.

Such a good sound! You can bet some of that is going on my running mix. Hearing it makes me feel tough and super cool for even knowing who they are. It's the kind of music, and they're the kind of musicians who make me want to be in a band!

What are you listening to? What ever it is, turn it up and rock on!

This is Still My World

2011-05-24T22:02:00.004-04:00

I've been a huge fan of Joseph Arthur for a long, long time. There was a day a long time ago someone I knew bought his CD Come to Where I'm From based solely on the cover art. Fortunately, he's as good an artist as he is a singer/songwriter. We listened to that CD on repeat for weeks and I've been a fan ever since, picking up his new music as he creates it. I've had the extreme pleasure of seeing him perform live - once here in Grand Rapids at Calvin College and another time as a member of the audience when he was the musical guest on Later with Carson Daly. His latest full-length solo CD The Graduation Ceremony dropped today and I've been listening to it all night. I'm hoping he'll come back to Grand Rapids (Detroit or Chicago would work too) in support of this new music. Digging on it big time!

Pink

2011-05-21T18:26:00.005-04:00

2011 River Bank Run

2011-05-16T21:21:00.003-04:00

To anyone who would listen, I've been going on and on all weekend about what an amazing experience this year's River Bank Run was. As you may know, this year was my third year running the 25K (15.5 miles, yo!) and it was by far my best race yet. I think that's why I've been so psyched about it!

The weather was drizzly and in the mid 50s when we started and it lightly sprinkled on us here and there throughout the race. Compared to a complete downpour (earlier that morning), or heat and humidity (like we had on Friday) or gusty wind or all of the above, we couldn't have had better weather. I was joking about why they call it River Bank Run before the race saying "you think it's just because you get to run along the Grand River, but it's actually because you become one with the river by getting rained on the whole time." Of the three years I've run, the weather on Saturday wasn't even a factor.

I was literally smiling along the course, singing along so some of my tunes and pointing out different things that were so cool about the race. At one point - somewhere between the 11 and 12 mile markers I turned to my running buddy A and said, "You know what's cool about running today? It's sort of like last week's run since it's part of the course that we run all the time, but we actually get a medal for running it today!" I love getting the finisher medals for completing a race like RBR and hadn't thought about it at all until that moment.

We saw some of our running buddies along the course, which is always cool! Motivator Man was out cheering runners along at different points in the course. We saw him after the race and I thanked him for being out there, that he always seemed to show up in just the right spots to give me some extra motivation. The crowd at RBR is fantastic and completely helps keep you going the full distance.

The run itself was so enjoyable. We were keeping pretty close to 10 minute miles up until the end when we got a little slower, but it was such a steady and solid pace that I never felt tired. I even had some extra energy to kick in for a solid finish. And finish I did! I came in at 2:41:30, which is right around where I predicted I'd be. I'm super happy about that! I'm also happy to report that I've gotten faster each time I've run RBR. Last year was 2:43:36 and my first year was 2:45:44! Can't wait to come in under 2:40 next year! Progress!! One of our friends shaved 19 minutes of his time from last year. Dare to dream!!

I love running so much. I hope everyone has something that they enjoy as much as I enjoy running. It's such a positive part of my life, I'm super grateful for every day that I can lace up my shoes and hit the road for a run. Race days are icing on the cake with friends, family and the whole running community there for the fun!

Another reason to love running a 25K is that you have totally earned the right to eat anything you want for the rest of the day (or weekend in my case!) I had to have my standard post-race pancakes and scrambled eggs from Real Food Cafe. I had a giant pretzel at the movies and ice cream later on on Saturday. It was all marvelous!

My Runner Profile

2011-05-13T23:00:00.001-04:00

The Fifth Third River Bank Run is this weekend in Grand Rapids. It's the largest 25K in the country and I love that it's in my hometown! This week The Rapidian has featured diffrent runner profiles written by Roberta King. I love reading about other runners and what draws them to running. I also thought it would be fun to answer the questions myself and share with y'all!

What race are you running and why did you choose it?

I'm running the 25K. I enjoy distance running over shorter races like the 5 or 10K races. The 25K is an ample challenge, but not ridiculous regard to how much time you need to train each week, which is my perception of marathon training/running. Sometime I'll have to see for myself.

Are you a repeat racer, if so, how many and which ones?

This is my third River Bank 25K. My first was in 2009, second 2010. I plan to keep running them until I can't anymore!

Describe your training program.

I usually adapt the River Bank Run training schedule to fit my own schedule. They basically have you running almost every day. The first year, I followed it pretty closely, but once you know you can finish a 25K, you know what you have to do to be able to run a good race. I usually run three or four days during the week and one long run on the weekends.

What about running appeals to you?

I love the feeling of crossing a finish line, knowing that so much of my life (training, healthy eating, etc) is devoted to making that moment happen. It's my therapy. It's my social time, weekend runs with friends are great! It's my exercise. It makes me feel strong and reminds me that I can do anything I put my mind and energy into.

A runner since?

I ran track in middle and high school, but did not take it seriously. For me it was all about socializing. I started running seriously in 2008. I got into to running by way of a sprint triathlon my sister in law organizes in New Hampshire. My brother is a tri-guy and convinced me that I could do it. I quietly trained, headed to New Hampshire and completed my first and only triathlon to date. I love running and biking, but need to hone my swim before I attempt another one. It's much easier for me to train and complete distance races.

Running tunes?

I usually always run with my ipod unless it's not charged, which is a bummer. I'm such a music person and a good song can really help motivate you to keep moving when your body is telling you otherwise. Some favorites in this season's running mix: Stars 4Ever by Robyn, Charlotte by Book Shade, Meds and Feds by M.I.A., Teqkilla by M.I.A. and Barbara Streisand by Duck Sauce.

Pre-race ritual?

Drink extra water the days leading up to the race. Pasta dinner the night before with my running buddy, A and her family. Get a good night's sleep. Breakfast. Suit up and show up ready to rock it out!

All Questions.

2011-05-12T15:38:00.000-04:00

I have some questions for y'all:

If you are a patron of the arts, say you have season tickets to the symphony or you have purchased some art that you love. Do you talk about it? Or do you just nerd out on your own over the particular art you love?

Do you have room for out-of-town guests to sleep comfortably at your house or apartment? How many can you sleep? I'm planning on coming over and need to know! mwahahaha!

Do you or your significant other do the yard upkeep at your house? Or do you share the yard work? Or do you hire it out?

What's your favorite thing about warmer weather?

Are you on Twitter? Have you ever introduced yourself to someone you follow (who may not follow you) when you've seen them at a social function?

Leave your answers in the comments. Then I'll answer in a later post!

This. Not That.

2011-04-28T21:22:00.001-04:00

Saw this Delorean at Coachella...

Not that Delorean...

Photo via: The GarageBlog.com

Digging on the former.

monday night random

2011-04-25T22:54:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile since I've done a "my brain on random post"...so here goes:

I had my first day on jury duty today. It didn't suck since a running buddy also got a jury summons and we got to chit chat while we waited for our numbers to get called. My number didn't get called until the very last group, which was for a voir dire panel that will reconvene on Wednesday morning. Or not. There's still a chance the case may settle before needing to seat a jury. I'm hoping we at least get to go through voir dire, since that's way interesting! I was on a jury once in 1997. I should write a post at some point about my experience with out giving away actual trial details! You know, the last thing I'd want would be for anyone related to the case to find me, since we put our defendant away for a while.

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I've got a case of sniffles that I'm calling allergies. No other discernible symptoms. I've been running still - since the rule is symptoms above the shoulders, run, below the neck, don't run! Oh, and since my 25k race is in three weeks. Can't stop running now over a snotty nose.

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I looked at dogs online yesterday. This is not something I should be doing. It has been established that I should not have a dog until I have a suitable partner in crime to share dog-tending duties with. I miss my wolf! He was a super badass that would have taken someone out if they messed with me, but was super well behaved for me, a sweetie and easy to take care of. Had it been possible I would have cloned him since he was the best pet ever! I WANT a dog, darn it! A cute little Welsh Terrier would be so much fun, no?

An oldie, but a goodie: me and the Wolf!

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And speaking of puppy dogs, have you heard that the Shibu Inu puppy cam is back? A new litter of puppies was born on April 14th and they are C-U-T-E! They were sleeping when I just clicked over to get the link to share with y'all, but still fun to watch! Maybe I should just keep watching them instead of looking for an actual dog for me to adopt?!

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Burned my wrist with the flat iron this morning. Never fun, and somehow getting one's hair just so becomes a little less important after suffering a run-in with a styling implement.

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I'm totally digging on mango these days. Stems from the trip to Costa Rica and having found a few good mangoes here since then. I totally want a mango tree and it doesn't even have to be here in my yard. Just knowing that there was a tree somewhere warm growing mangoes just for me would be so awesome. I could have them sent to me on the regular. I'd even share them with you. Do you want a mango?

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When I got back from Coachella, I hightailed it to my local music store to scoop up some new music. I'm still waiting for some of it to come in on order - maybe it will be in tomorrow. Surprisingly, I didn't pick up Come Around Sun Down, by the Kings of Leon when it first came out, so that came home with me last week. It's been on heavy rotation, along with Arcade Fire's most recent release, The Suburbs. With the right bands, there's just something about seeing a band live that makes the recordings come alive!

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I want to see this. And this. Oh, okay this one too!

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That is all. Good night y'all! Sweet dreams!

Arcade Fire @Coachella

2011-04-25T22:31:00.003-04:00

The Road to Coachella

2011-04-18T21:26:00.003-04:00

Found

2011-04-06T21:05:00.000-04:00

Did you lose these?

It was pizza one time.

Today, I found these keys sitting on the bench on my front porch. They look like they've been kicking around for a while. They're not mine. What gives?

Costa Rica! The Food!

2011-03-26T23:37:00.002-04:00

I didn't take nearly as many photos as I would have liked. I grabbed the wrong memory card when I left the house the morning of my trip. Still bumming about that. Anyway, if I had taken more pictures, you would have gotten a complete photo essay of all the amazing food we had. Words will have to do because the food was down right memorable.

Right off the bat from a freshness, flavor and availability standpoint, the avocado, bananas, pineapple and mango were to die for. If bringing produce back to the States were an option, I would have carried back an entire suitcase!

Our on-site work day snack was always fresh fruit. About 10:00 a.m. or so the giant plastic container full of fresh fruit chunks would surface. Each day it was a little different - staples though were pineapple and watermelon. So good! Grab a fork and dig in!

Crew buddies C and C taking a pineapple break.

The camera would have come in handy to document our work day lunches. We had the unbelievable fortune of having a local woman named Emma cook lunch for us every day. She put out quite the home made spread every day. Beans and rice in a few different forms/flavors. Veggies. Spaghetti with option of veggie sauce (not just tomato sauce, it had chunky veggies in it) or meat sauce with veggies. There was a shepherds pie of sorts one day made with yuca (aka cassava). I think this was my favorite - the meateaters got a version with meat obviously, but the vegetarian version was basically fluffly mashed yuca (similar to mashed potatoes) and cheese. With cheese being sort of scarce until that point in the trip, this was heaven on a plate!

One day Emma taught us how to make bean and cheese empanadas. That was fun and delicious! Every single day she also had a fresh green salad with a chimichurri sauce and a fresh fruit juice. Saved the best for last, she made the most amazing corn bread and a yuca bread that were both beyond moist and so delicious. I couldn't stop eating it. We got the recipe and I can't wait to try it! Viva, Emma!

On the way back to El Sueno Dorado after a day of work, we usually stopped at one of the little bodegas nearby for cerveza (Coke Lite in my case) and snacks. My after work snack of choice with my bottle of Coke Lite: plantain chips. So tasty! One day the store we were in didn't have them, so I tried some lime and salt peanuts. Someone on the crew had gotten them and shared the day before and they seemed a worthy snack choice. Turns out a little goes a LONG way. The package I bought was SO salty, I had a few handfuls and never finished them.

El Sueno Dorado had its own restaurant called Benedictus Steak House. The chef was an entertaining character, to say the least. Putting in our orders became a crew joke of sorts for the week after the first night. "Should we put in our orders now?" Apparently the paper with all of our orders got wet in the kitchen the first night and there were some order mix ups. Some meals took longer than others, but I didn't mind at all. It was all part of the experience and gave us ample time to chat about our day on the work site and get to know each other better.

Dinner out at ANOTHER steak house one night! They're literally everywhere in LaFortuna.

Before hitting the work site, we'd gather at Benedictus at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast. Most mornings it was a buffet with many choices. The best Gallo Pinto ever with fresh cilantro and flavorful spices. I don't think I'd ever get tired of that. Scrambled eggs. Fried eggs made to order. Fresh fruit. Yogurt and granola, and a few kinds of mini boxed cereal. Toast. Pancakes came later in the week. Hello pancake, my old friend! That was a nice surprise. Juice and coffee were staples at every breakfast.

A familiar face in the grocery store.

For dinner, there were lots of meat choices for the carnivores. Go figure. For a steak house, though they did a good job keeping this vegetarian happy all week. I had some of the best spaghetti I've ever had. They made a great mixed salad every night and some sort of a dessert, the ice cream was so creamy and good. Makes me want ice cream right now just thinking about it.

On our final night in La Fortuna, Benedictu made us his famous flaming crepes suzette. They were famous only because we'd seen him parade by our table several times with a flaming pan prior to our last night, so we were naturally curious. With all the fanfare, I wanted to love them, but the taste of the liquor was a bit overpowering and made me not love it.

For someone who packed Cliff Builder Bars in her backpack, thinking it might be a difficult trip in terms of getting enough protein or access to vegetarian food, I was overjoyed that the food was certainly veg-friendly, but also plentiful. I ate WAY more than I normally do at home because someone else was always cooking these amazing morsels to try. A week of eating that way caught up with me though and I began to feel a little yucky on our last day. My final meal in San Jose was a bottle of ginger ale and a pack of soda crackers with a side of pepto bismal!

Oh, I almost forgot about this...on my first night in San Jose I had dinner with a few members of the crew who were also in country a day early. One thing we noticed right away were the fun Spanish to English menu items that were lost in translation. The clear favorite which we continued to see on several other menus was the "Gordon Blue" chicken.

Gordon Blue, I'll never forget you and you'll always make me chuckle.

So much goodness! A week later (and I'm pretty sure until I return to Costa Rica for another visit) I'm still thinking about the bananas, pineapple and avocado.

Costa Rica! More Details!

2011-03-24T19:25:00.010-04:00

So, there was much more to my trip than just the build for Habitat for Humanity. "Obvio." So what else? Sights, sounds, smells and such....

When I first arrived in San Jose, I grabbed my journal and camera and explored the grounds of Hotel Aeropuerto where we were staying before heading to LaFortuna. I found a nice patio table and settled in to write in my journal...here's a tidbit I wrote, "Haha, I've been hearing this voice - sounded like a lady on the phone. Because I could only hear her voice (saying the same few things over and over), it was getting a bit annoying. I just turned and realized the "voice" belongs to a parrot!"

Parrot at Hotel Aeropuerto in San Jose.

I saw a few lizards (probably geckos) crawling around on the walls outside our living quarters at the El Sueno Dorado. There was also one collared lizard that stood still long enough for all of us to see him just before lunch one day, to then run away on his hind legs with his short lizard arms waving in front of him as he ran.

There were interesting insects! One morning before breakfast there was a loud scream from one of my neighbors. Turns out a large spider had invaded their bathroom. They sought the help of a fellow crew member to properly dispose of it. The next morning, I had the exact same kind of spider in my bathroom. That one met an early death too.

Giant scary spider. It was bigger than a quarter, maybe silver dollar-sized.

I did not see any monkeys. That made me sad.

We did see some humming birds at this place we stopped at for a bathroom/stretching break somewhere on the road between San Jose and LaFortuna. So pretty and graceful. I could have watched them for hours!

I don't think this is actually a humming bird because it seemed too big, but I saw it along with the humming birds.

You know how when we were younger where you lived might have allowed people to burn leaves and the smell would waft all around? They burn things in Costa Rica and I loved the different smells wafting through the air from time to time. It never smelled bad or toxic. Just reminded me of a simpler time.

One day on our way home from the work site we saw a lady riding a horse down the road talking on a cell phone. It was a funny sight!

Most of the roofs in Costa Rica are metal. Did I mention that it rains on the regular in Costa Rica - at least where we were staying. The rain on a metal roof sounds really intense and pretty awesome. It makes the rain sound like the biggest rainstorm ever, even if it's not.

Do you see that green metal roof? I want a metal roof. Not sure how that would fly in Michigan though!

The food. Um, oh my gosh it was amazing and it warranted a post of its own.

Volcano! El Sueno Dorado was literally at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. Our first day in LaFortuna we couldn't take our eyes off it. I can remember being in the pool and just staring at it and saying, "it's strange how the mere possibility of an eruption makes you want to keep watching it, I doubt we'd be sitting here staring at a regular mountain." We continued to keep our eyes on it all week - even looking for it when it was covered in clouds. Most mornings with all the cloud cover, you wouldn't be able to see it at all.

Volcano view from the pool.

View from town on our first day in LaFortuna.

Cloudy Arenal.

More clouds, but with a Lake Arenal vantage point.

I loved how green everything was and couldn't get over all the flowers and how a lot of the normal plants growing out of the ground were plants we keep in pots in our houses.

And I will leave you with this: Pura Vida. While I'm not sure if it's official, it's a phrase that is an integral part of Costa Rica's culture. If you translate the words they literally mean pure and life, but it is a phrase that we said in many circumstances - when we were relaxing after a hard day at the work site, "Pura Vida!" When we had a good meal, "Pura Vida!" When things were going well, "Pura Vida!" The meaning I like best is "This is living!" And so it was. I lived it for ten days and have so many fantastic memories of the amazing people I volunteered with, the people I met who were so warm and friendly, the beautiful sights, the scents and tastes. I cannot wait to go back!

Costa Rica! The Build!

2011-03-21T16:31:00.009-04:00

I may or may not have mentioned that a trip to Costa Rica was in the cards for me. I just returned from nine days in Costa Rica. I was part of a volunteer team of 13 with the Habitat for Humanity International Global Village program. It was one of the best trips of my life! Our build site was located in San Isidro, about a thirty minute bus ride from La Fortuna de San Carlos and Arenal Volcano.

Our volunteer crew was full of wonderful people - the oldest was 86 years old, the youngest was 22! We were from all over the country. There were two couples - one from San Francisco and one from Montana. Both had been on Habitat GV builds before. Our oldest crew member was also from San Francisco and there were a few more California natives - one from San Jose and one from Orange County. One more volunteer from Montana, Missoula, to be exact. Boston, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Toronto were also represented! And of course, there was me - from Michigan! I actually used the hand as map to show people where Grand Rapids is. Hehe!

A few of us - all smiles after our first day.

The Crew - still smiling - on our last day.

When I signed up for this trip, I had envisioned working on one house from start to finish. It wasn't quite like that. The build site was actually two separate sites located just a stones throw apart. Each site had three houses, each in various stages of completion when we arrived. The single story houses are about 900 square-feet each and are made of pre-fabricated concrete slab walls and columns. A lot of work goes into just one house!

The first day onsite, I pretty much dug and moved dirt all day. The three houses that were more finished needed their own separate septic tank hole and drainage trench. The hole for the septic tank needed to be about 6 feet long, by about 3 feet wide and about 6 feet deep. Picture a grave and you're about right on. The trench only needed to be about two feet wide and about three feet deep. After a full day of digging, we were dreaming of a backhoe! Dreams do come true! Some of the guys flagged down a backhoe that was driving down the road and arranged for the driver to come back to finish the tank holes and trenches. Our crew all pitched in the cash to make it happen. That little bit of luck saved us days of back-breaking work!

The back yards prior to a day of us digging and the arrival of the backhoe.

Taking a quick break from digging on Day One.

The backhoe!!

Day two found me bending rebar and making concrete forms. The footings of each house are pre-fab concrete columns that are set into concrete bases and reinforced with rebar. The forms are three boards that nailed are together and positioned around the concrete column (already anchored into the ground with concrete) with bent rebar wire tied to the vertical rebar for support. Once in position, the forth board is nailed into place and is all set for more concrete. This might sound easy, but it was sometimes a bit challenging with warped and splitting boards being the only boards available to build forms.

Concrete Forms!

Oh and if you've made concrete before or had concrete work done at your house, you probably had the use of a mixer or had a delivery by a cement truck. We mixed concrete on the ground using shovels and a mixture of delivered rocks, concrete mix and water. Talk about a work out...I tried it for one mix, but couldn't keep up with the boys! More upper body strength needed to tackle that job!

Other jobs I did over the week: moving dirt the old fashioned way - shovel and wheel barrow for hours on end to fill in the floor of one of the houses. All the concrete footings had been done and we needed to fill in and level the floor with dirt as preparation for a delivery of rock and eventually a poured concrete floor. We finished one house in a week. That's a lot of hauling dirt!

Look really closely at how low the dirt level is in the first house in the background.

This is the same house on our last day...we moved a LOT of dirt!

A closer look at the level dirt floor. All set for a load of rocks and concrete.

The pre-fab concrete walls had to be prepped with a bonding adhesive. This was like painting with a really watery paint that smelled slightly of Elmer's glue. This job was one of the more zen jobs, and in certain areas you were in the shade, which was a blessing. Once painted with the bonding adhesive, the seams were mudded with a mortar mixture and taped so you could no longer see where the slabs came together. Then the entire surface inside and out was mudded. The finish was similar to a stucco house you'd see here in the States. We actually finished the bonding/mudding of one house and were on to another by the time we had to leave. That was a good feeling.

All week we were working along with some of the families who would be living in these homes. The change we were helping make in their lives will be enormous. Of the families we worked with, there was a husband and wife with two children, a nearly blind father with two children, and three single mothers each with two or three children of their own. Something you wouldn't see in the States, children on the work site! The kids were very much part of our days on site. We heard them laugh and cry daily! They helped where they could. While there was a bit of a language barrier, the universal language of a smile and a laugh was something we all shared.

The site had a kid-sized shovel and wheelbarrow that the kids actually used to help move the dirt.

I was surprised this little guy sat still for this pic, he was all over the work site every day!

Cuties sitting on what will be the front porch.

Kicking back in a wheel barrow, eating/drinking fresh coconut!

Can you even believe this smile?!

One day we brought one of the moms and her children back to the home where they currently live, so we saw first-hand how the home we were all working on would change their lives. It was no bigger than the kind of shed that many homes in the States have in their giant backyards, except it was totally dilapitated and maybe even smaller. One of her children had been removed from the home because of the living conditions (I'm not sure of the details) and she told us at our closing ceremony that she was grateful for our help because moving into her new home would mean her other child could come back to live with her. Our usually lively ride home from the work site the day we saw where she was living was super quiet, as we all contemplated the work we were there doing.

From this...

To this...almost finished!

It was an honor to work with such great volunteers and the families who will eventually live in the homes! I am so thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip. It might not be what most would consider a vacation, but it was exactly what I was looking for in some time away from my regular life in Michigan. I saw a part of the world I've never seen, experienced a different culture, met some amazing people and helped make a difference in the lives of a handful of Costa Rican families.

If this sounds at all like something you'd love to do...stop thinking about it and find a trip in a part of the world you've always wanted to see. You can go directly to the Global Village site to read more about the program and see the trips that are still scheduled for this year. You won't regret it! I'm already thinking about where I want to go for my next Global Village trip.

Check back in the days to come as I'm going write up at least another post or two about the whole experience. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer them in the future posts.

Inspiration

2011-03-07T12:30:00.002-05:00

I heard an interview with Seane Corn over the weekend on Being and felt inspired about yoga as a power to heal and about life in general. I was reminded of so many of the lessons I've encountered (and am continually practicing!) in my own journey. Here's one powerful clip that I found while looking for more information on Seane after hearing her interview.

Everyone who crosses our path has something to teach us, it's up to us to recognize it.

A reason to say yes to adventures...

2011-03-02T22:15:00.001-05:00

You just never know...who you're going to meet or what kinds of opportunities are going to come your way...

"I had never really hung out in Miami and one night in the middle of the shoot, the crew, a couple guys, said, 'We're going to get a beer somewhere.' I said, 'I'm not really into it.' They said, 'Come on,' and kind of dragged me along. We ended up at a bar where my wife was the bartender. I literally saw her across a crowded room... and eight years and four kids later, that's my life. I don't know how else our paths would have crossed if that didn't happen... The moral is that when you're tired, suck it up and go to the bar because you might meet your wife." -Matt Damon, via Jezebel

New Fave Band

2011-02-28T23:36:00.001-05:00

Frightened Rabbit. A group of Scottish Indie rocker lads who know their way around a good song. I first heard of them about a month ago when someone I follow on Twitter was tweeting links to videos. I was hooked. I bought their CD The Midnight Organ Fight (yeah, I actually still buy CDs! I have a thing for packaging and paying a band for their effort!) at Vertigo a week ago and have been playing it non-stop every since. Herm's comment when I was paying for the disc went something like this, "you kids and your Frightened Rabbit..." I said, "yeah, I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I still like to have fun!" I need to pick up their other discs soon!

Who are you listening to right now?

More Oscar Dresses!

2011-02-28T22:51:00.001-05:00

After announcing my favorite dress last night belonged to Mandy Moore, I promised that I'd come back with a few more of my favorite red carpet looks from the Academy Awards. Without further adieu, here you go:

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa (Getty)

This is such a fun, very age appropriate look for young Miss Steilfeld! I love this length dress and love the fact that she had a hand in designing it along with Marchesa. I bet it looked even better in person. I would love to see the detailing on the skirt. I'm wondering if it's beading?

Reese Witherspoon in Giorgio Armani Prive (Instyle.com, no photo credit)

I saw tons of mentions of Reese's alter ego Elle Woods in the red carpet rundowns today. I'd say she's more of a Barbie Girl in a Barbie World! Vintage Barbie came alive through Reese last night and she looked beautifully put together. The dress itself wasn't overly fussy, some might say boring, but with the hair and make up she achieves a fun, modern vintage look.

Helen Mirren in Vivienne Westwood (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Strike a pose, Helen! Thumbs up on this color! The shoulders are a touch over done for my taste, I'd like to see something more simple, but Ms. Mirren is working it! The only bitty detail I'd change is to remove the necklace that hangs down over the dress. I would have put her in a diamond choker necklace.

Michelle Williams in Chanel (Getty)

Really, Michelle Williams can do no fashion wrong in my eyes. The girl knows what works on her. She tends to go simple, yet elegant and she always looks beautiful and effortless. From her hair (total hair crush on her!) to her makeup, she's flawless.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein (Getty)

Gwyn sort of looks like she could be Oscar's girlfriend - metallic and statuesque. I dig this look, it's simple, yet stunning. I totally want her glow and her hair. She and Calvin Klein have a winning relationship when it comes to Oscar dresses, he dressed her for her Shakespeare In Love win. Remember that simple pink number she wore?

Hillary Swank in Gucci Premiere (Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Hey, Hillary! I know we've never met and that dress is probably on loan from Gucci, so it's probably not yours to let me borrow, but I must borrow it! I've got nowhere particular to go in such a gown, but it's so old Hollywood and glamourous, I'd surely find somewhere to wear it!

Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang (Getty)

Being of very pale skin like Sandy, I would love to think that I could look this gorgeous in red. I thought she looked lovely and after the year she's had, I'm happy for her!

Favorite Oscar Dress

2011-02-27T23:49:00.000-05:00

Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier

photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

It's far too late to start an entire red carpet rundown for the 2011 Academy Awards, so for now I'll just leave you with my favorite look of the night. The dress was gorgeous on the broadcast, dare I say my favorite. I do like it a tiny bit less in photos. We shall see if it hangs on to the title of favorite as I sift through the rest of the photos from tonight! I'll be back soon with more favorite looks!

Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!

2011-02-19T21:54:00.000-05:00

Home made chocolate peanut butter cups. It has been done. Thankfully, for this experiment I only made a tiny batch.

Age Old Question

2011-02-17T22:39:00.000-05:00

Herve Leger

2011-02-16T07:07:00.000-05:00

Herve Leger print ad (want this dress!)

For as long as I can remember I've admired the look of Herve Leger "bandage" dresses. They have an iconic look and not overly done from a design standpoint, meaning you can always tell when someone is wearing one. They are body hugging and sex-y! The skinny girls and curvy girls alike have been known to rock them on the runway and the red carpet.

Kate Winslet in Herve Leger (she looks Ah-mazing!)

Herve Leger Fall 2008 (via RunwayDaily.com)

I love scoping the racks for designer deals at our Nordstrom Rack. While out over the weekend I found an actual Herve Leger on the clearance rack! I knew I wasn't going to buy it, but had to try it on, just to say I've tried one on! HA! I LOVED how it fit, but was not so fond of this sort of cut out/lace up detail on the side. You can barely see it in the pic below (yeah, that's me snapping the dressing room mirror shot! haha!)

So, if you live in town, and you're in the market for your own Herve Leger at a steal of a price, go scoop it up. It's a small and is marked WAY down from what it would originally retail for! I bet it won't last long!

Veg Pad Thai with a Twist!

2011-02-15T07:07:00.000-05:00

Among other topics, my google reader is full of food and fitness blogs. Some cross over covering both topics and some NEVER do (the baking sites!). I don't remember when I added Kristin D.'s Aqufit blog, but it was originally for the fitness info. Lately she's blogged about food that falls into the Paleo diet (basically lean meats/seafood, fruits, veggies and nuts). While I'm not Paleo, I am a longtime vegetarian trying to eat more veggies and fewer processed and starchy foods. When I saw her recipe for Paleo Pad Thai, I had to try it! Here's my vegetarian version:

Pad Thai with a Twist

Makes four generous portions with leftovers as a distinct possibility.

2 spaghetti squash (there's the twist, right off the bat, no noodles!)

1 container extra firm tofu

Marinade

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. corn starch

Pad Thai Sauce

3/4 Tbsp. Tamarind Paste (dissolved in 1/4 cup warm/hot tap water)

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (more if you want more heat! or 1-3 tsp. chili sauce which I didn't have)

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

(If you're not veg and want that fish sauce taste, you'll want to check out the original recipe!)

Everything else

olive oil for stir frying

4 cloves garlic (pressed)

vegetable stock

1 package bean sprouts

chopped cilantro

ground or chopped peanuts

lime wedges

The first step in your journey to an amazing meal might be securing a stash of Tamarind Paste, if you don't already have it. If you're in Grand Rapids, Michigan, check out Lee's Asian Market on Division, just south of 28th Street. I asked the lovely lady working and she walked me right to it!

Tamarind Paste

Second step, baking the spaghetti squash. This can be done in advance of your actual stir frying. I baked mine in the morning and put it in the fridge until I was ready to put everything together. Spaghetti squash have a very tough skin, so before you cut into it, put the whole thing (one at a time!) in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. This will help soften the skin and make cutting it in half, lengthwise much easier. Once you cut each in half, scoop out all the seeds and guts. Sprinkle a little olive oil on each and season with pepper. Put them in a 350° oven on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 until the flesh is soft and can be scooped out. Scoop out each half and put your "spaghetti" aside until you're ready for it.

Hello, my name is Spaghetti Squash.

Baked. The half on the left, you can see I've already started scraping "spaghetti" out.

Drain the water your block of tofu came in. You're going to want to press the liquid out of it before you cut it up and marinade it. To press it: wrap the whole block in a couple sheets of paper towel and then wrap it in a clean kitchen towel. Place it between two plates and place something heavy on it - you can use magazines like I did. You'll want to check it after about a half hour and wrap it in new paper towels and/or a new kitchen towel. Check back after another half hour or so and it should about ready. If not, repeat the process. This is a trial and error system, even if it's not super dry, it's still going to work!

Catching up on some Dwell? Nah, pressing some tofu, yo! (It's hiding between the stainless plates!)

While the tofu is pressing, mix together the soy sauce and corn starch for the marinade. Set it aside.

Tofu marinade in the making.

Mix together the Tamarind Paste/water combo together with the rest of the ingredients for the Pad Thai sauce and set aside. It will be somewhat lumpy from the tamarind chunks, but no worries there.

When your tofu is pressed, cut it into chunks and pour the marinade over it. I put mine in a plastic container that I could shake up as it was marinating. Let it sit until you're ready to stir fry.

Pressed tofu, cubed and ready for the marinade.

Heat your wok (or other large fry pan - the bigger the better) over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan and your minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds.

Add the marinated tofu. Stir fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute. When the wok starts to get sticky, add 1-2 Tbsp of vegetable stock at a time to keep things stirring smoothly. Continue this process for 5-8 minutes.

Add the baked spaghetti squash. Eyeball how much your wok can hold. I probably had one half of a squash that I didn't use because it was getting too crowded in the wok! Pour the Pad Thai sauce over and stir fry for a few minutes until everything is heated through.

Add the bean sprouts and stir fry for about another minute.

Ready to wow your taste buds! Enjoy!

Gather the hungry masses and start plating it up, either individual plates or if you're serving a crowd, put it on a serving plate. Top with the chopped peanuts and lots of chopped cilantro (or as my family calls it, "green gold"). Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!! I had seconds and can attest, it makes a delicious lunch.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T07:03:00.002-05:00

Braces OFF!

2011-02-09T21:22:00.001-05:00

Big moves with the my grill, y'all! I'm extremely late in posting this news, but yes, I did get my braces off a few weeks ago. It was quite the experience and I'm so happy with how my teeth turned out! I started my orthodontia journey a while ago - Thinking 'bout it and then finally making the Big Move going for it!

I got expanders before getting my actual braces. We had to make some room for my teeth to actually move where we wanted them. I had a very narrow bite prior to the expanders. It was crazy how quickly the space was created and my teeth started shifting. (I'll apologize in advance for the weirdo teeth/mouth-only pics, but this is all about the teeth, so there you go!)

A bit after expanders were installed. My teeth were not this uneven when we started!

Next came brackets on my bottom teeth.

Brackets on lower teeth.

Then on the top. Then a whole lot of moving into place!

Full braces.

What surprised me the most is how quickly I got used to having all this metal attached to my teeth, on the roof of my mouth and under my tongue. I remember telling my orthodontist and tech that I'd never get used to it the day I got my expanders. I also remember being near tears a few times the first few days I had my expanders because eating was so awkward. I thought for sure I'd never be able to eat normally until I got everything removed. I got over that really quickly! Oh, there were times during the process that my teeth hurt like a bugger, but it usually only lasted a couple days after an appointment. Once I had my appointment scheduled to get my braces off, I had a few moments where I thought I'd really miss them. I had gotten used to them to the point where they just felt like a part of me.

After 14 months of expanders and braces.

If you've never had braces you'd be shocked at how quickly they come off! They remove the wires, then pop the brackets off each tooth. We then did impressions so they could make my retainers. I've been wearing those on the regular now.

The part that takes the longest is removing all the cement used to hold the brackets to each tooth. They use a tiny tool that sounds like a dental drill to scrape off the left over cement. This process was a little tedious. The tool emits a fine mist that at times left me feeling like I was laying on a lawn chair in the rain. My tech, A, was awesome though and kept drying me off. Once the cement was gone, she polished my teeth and I was on my way to work after a chat with my orthodontist.

All in all, it was an interesting experience, a journey I'm happy to have been able to have. I'm still considering one small additional dental change, but I'm still on the fence.

All smiles. Gonna go brush my chompers and get ready for bed now!

El Blizzardo

2011-02-02T22:04:00.003-05:00

So if you live anywhere near the midwest you were probably doing a little shoveling out today. I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home, so I didn't even look at the driveway until after my work day. When I finally got out there, it was a little out of hand! Two solid hours to shovel out the driveway, oh and help out my neighbor and another dude who both got stuck.

Driveway, before. Started shoveling from inside the garage.

Two hours later...I don't feel so bad about the gym being closed today! Instead of shoveling, I would have rather been skiing in all that fresh powder!

I was almost finished with the driveway when my next door neighbor came up through the alley with his shovel to say hello and to tell me he had just shoveled my front steps, which is quite the chore! How great is that?! And it proves the saying "what goes around comes around!" I had been thinking I'd head inside, eat a little something and warm up for a bit and then head back outside to do the front of the house. My neighbor's helping hand made it so I didn't even have to go back out! Bonus! So grateful for that! I love that something as annoying as too much snow in a 24-hour time frame can yield some really nice interactions with the neighbors, especially since we rarely see each other during winter!

How's El Blizzardo treating you?