The Can Can

Winner of the Valentine's Day pillows is Sheree of the G6 Family!

Friday night we went with our neighbors to a burlesque show at the Can Can.  I used to dance with one of the Heavenly Spies and my neighbor was one of our dance teachers back in the day.  Funny story actually for those who don't know it already.  When we moved into our house Bryan told me he had met the neighbors.  He said that the neighbor told him he met his wife on a cruise ship, she was a dancer and he played the trumpet.  I said "I know these people" and went over at 9pm and knocked on the door.  Sure enough it was Miss Sally.

Meet the neighbors

We had drinks at Matt's in the Market.  I had never been, but I watched "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" the other day because some friends from high school were on it and it was at this restaurant.  Next time we'll have dinner. Check out the view of the Pike Place sign!

Oops I blinked

Oops she blinked

There we go!

Honey Sexpot and her cones. 

I asked Bryan if I could audition but he said no. 

It was a great show, you should go!

What did you do this weekend?

Flashback Friday: Hiking with your pets...

I am so ready for warm weather and outdoor activities.  I did a pretty good job doing lots of hiking last year but didn't get one backpacking trip in.  I'd like to make it happen this year.  Of course I'll need a kitten if I'm going to do that.  What you didn't backpack with your kittens?  We did.  Simba went camping at the beach  with us too.  She didn't like the sand, but she loved climbing the trees around the campsite.  Who needs dogs?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!  It's a short one, you only have until Sunday.

Happy weekend!

*Valentine's Day Pillow Giveaway*

I finally finished my "Pay it Forward" project.  It took longer than I expected because my sewing machine and I regularly fight.  So Kristin, Stevie and Chelsea expect to find your set in the mail next week.  You know, before Valentine's Day would be good right? 

Here's the catch though.  These guys are just throw pillow covers so you have to go spend a little money, or put them over your existing pillows.  The square is an 18"x18" (Target), and the rectangle is a 12"x16" (Target travel pillow).  Or feel free to curse me for being cheap and cheesy and re-gift to your Grandmother.

I made an extra set so if you're not one of the 3 pay it forward gals, leave a comment and win a set!

*** You must be a follower to enter (feel free to unfollow me when I offend you later ;)
**Extra entries:  blog, tweet, or Facebook and then let me know you did it!
*Contest ends Sunday 1/30/11 at 8pm PST

I am a needy poodle

Maybe I need one of these pillows...

I think you should go read the reviews, hilarious!

I'm not going to say I'm high maintenance, because I really don't think I am.  If you didn't come here and read all the craziness in my head, most of the time you wouldn't even know half of this stuff is going on.  I'm fairly laid back, I go with the flow.  Heck, I'm a fun gal...but I think my love tank might have a hole in it.

My Husband said to me yesterday that I am never happy.  I won't be happy unless we go here, or there or have this or have that.  He's right.  I live in the past, I live through experiences, I live through the memories of it all.  When we were in San Francisco he thought I wasn't having a good time, but I was.  I had a blast.  But afterward I have an even better time because I wasn't remembering my blister, or the heat...or the fog.  Yes, we had both! 

Sometimes I like to tell myself "remember this moment".  And then I do, and I never forget it.  I tell Bryan that sometimes, remember the moment and he says "you'll never remember that when we're 80".  But I will.   I remember us walking the dogs on a dry fall day when the sun was setting over the hill and I told him to remember it.  I'll remind you when you're 80 Bryan, don't worry.

Have you read The 5 Love Languages?  Well you should.  It's about how everyone has a love tank, but everyone's 'fuel' to fill it is different.  For some it is touch, others it is receiving gifts or spending time together.  Everyone's needs are different, and sometimes it's hard to identify what those needs for each individual are.  Sometimes we use the golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and hope that your partner, friend, parent will do the same for you.  But somehow we don't get the hint, because we're all so busy doing unto others or something. 

Well I know what order my love language is in, but I am insatiable.  Therefore...my love tank has a hole in it.  Mine is touch.   I can get a kiss in the morning, a hug when I come home, but somehow I have forgotten I've gotten anything.  I don't seem to be happy unless I'm wrapped in a boa constrictor all day long.  Impossible obviously.  The poor man has his wife and two dogs hanging all over him, no wonder he doesn't want kids!  That's another problem.  If I sit near him, the dog thinks he should sit in between us and we both must be touching him. I know what Charlie's love language is for sure!

I guess I am just a needy poodle...or puggle in our case.  I prefer to think I just have a hunger for life! 

Have you read the book?  If not you can find out your love language here.  You might be surprised!

wine glasses and crochet needles

Do you know what is funny?  We have stemless wine glasses and they seem to break more often than our wine glasses with stems.  Why is that do you think?  Do they hold more wine so we drink more and get a little rowdy?  I think so too.  I need to replace them and I think I'll pick up a few more after seeing these adorable DIY bell jar displays over at Design Sponge.

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And either I need to learn how to crochet stat, or find someone that can crochet one of these little guys for me. 

I love way it is displayed.  I would put a hole in my wall for that!

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These little shrooms are cute too.  We have a big thing for morels in this family. 

I might need a few for my bell jars.

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I met someone crazier than me...

Friday evening traffic was crazy.  Sadly a teenager had jumped off an overpass into traffic and they closed down a few lanes of traffic making the roads everywhere a mess.  I finally made it into my city and dropped off my carpool buddy at Starbucks.  I noticed there were about 6 cops in the parking lot and felt a little nervous because I had just realized I forgot my purse and with it, my license.  Whoopsie.

I drove up to the stoplight to turn left and sat for a bit at a red light.  I heard my phone ding that I had an email so I picked up my phone to read the email.  Suddenly I heard repeated honking and noticed the lady in the lane to the right of me had her head out the window and was shouting something at me.  She was pointing down and was shouting "put the phone down!!!"  I shook my head at her and mouthed that I wasn't texting.  She kept honking and shouting so I put the phone down and put my hands up to show her I had done so, but I was pissed.  I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, perhaps she lost someone in an accident because of a cellphone.  These are the type of reasons I always give Bryan when he gets mad at other drivers.

Finally the light turned green and we both turned left.  We were coming up to another light that was just about to turn red and I realized I would be right next to her again.  I was trying to decide if I would pick up the phone again at the next light and not back down.  I didn't get the chance, she turned right before the light but as she did she stuck her arm out the window and pretended to shoot at me with her fingers.  Even mouthing a "pow, pow, pow" noise.  The best part was I was a bit behind her so she had to turn around to do it...and was looking at me while she was turning.  I'm pretty sure that's more distracting than a cellphone.

Wow!  Clearly crazy.  And to think I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt. 

So if you're in my hood, make sure you steer clear of the white Subarus.

What did you do this weekend?  I hope no one shot at you with their fingers...

Flashback Friday: Picnic in the Alps

This photo was taken the last time I picnicked in the Swiss Alps.  I think I'm totally due don't you?  I'd like to trade in that bottle for a bottle of something else this time. <--- that line was thought up by my Mother.

I know you're tired of hearing me whine about going to Europe. 

I have a feeling it will happen this year.  I'm making a compelling argument.

Like if the world ends December 21, 2012...I will be so mad if we never made it there together.

Happy weekend!

I'm a snake...or maybe a chameleon

I had drinks with a girlfriend last night and we were talking about love.  We discussed how all anyone wants in this world is love and affection, yet everyday we go to work and fill our time all the while looking or tending to love.  She asked me if I thought there was only one love for each of us, and we both decided there was not. 

I think we're like chameleons.  We have lots of personalities and lots of different types of people can make us feel loved.  In return we can love a lot of different types of people.  She pointed out that if we look back at past relationships, your ex may have great traits that your current love lacks.  It's a trade off.  Hopefully your current love has enough endearing traits for you to stick around.  Right?  If not, you search for someone who embodies the traits you can't live without.

Bryan and I have this conversation often.  He claims if this doesn't work out he will never marry again.  I on the other hand would welcome the chance to have another wedding ;)  It would be nice if it could be with him, but I've only figured out a few ways to do that.  I told him the next time I would marry an artist.  Although Bryan can draw a mean stick person I'm sure.

When we were at the Picasso exhibit I was thinking about all of Picasso's different periods.  How different his pieces were and how each stage of his life contributed to them.  I don't know why but in the past I've always felt like I need to commit to a style.  Whether it be in fashion, or interior decor or my job.  Really we are evolving creatures and sometimes we need to shed our skin, start new.  That's the beauty of life.  I feel like I am multifaceted, yet I don't embrace every side of myself at once.  I'm a one at a time kind of gal.  I need to learn to work my sides to my advantage.  I'm confident someday I'll get a handle on myself.

What do you think?  How do you embrace your multiple personalities?.... ;)

Enjoying the Small Things

Every year there are lots of causes that call for our attention and money.  We try to balance our donations to family and friends and other issues that pull our heart strings.  Today, this one calls for my attention. 

Many of you have been sent the link to this blog by me before.  I love her words, I love her photographs, I love, love her little Nella.  Nella was born a year ago with down syndrome and she was blessed to be born into a beautiful and amazing family.  I've learned so much through Kelle and her family this year.  I eat up every post and love her descriptions of motherhood.  I've even showed her blog to Bryan and said "this is the kind of family I want to have". 


Nella's turning one this month and her family has set up The ONEder Fund in her honor.  Their goal is $75,000 and they are so close!  If you skipped your morning latte today and are feeling rich, why not send $5 their way.  All proceeds go to The National Down Syndrome Society.

Donate here

Stop by and check out 'Enjoying the Small Things' sometime.

If you have some time, read Nella's birth story.  Make sure you have tissue.

Picasso in Seattle

This weekend was the last chance to go to the Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum.  My coworker gave me tickets in...November, so I thought it might be good to put them to use.  We woke up early on Saturday and I had plans to get there at 10am when they opened and run in and get some timed tickets.  Then come back later that day.  No such luck.  When we got there the line wrapped around the building. 

Bryan HATES large groups of people so I knew it was going to be rough.  At 10am the line moved quickly.  So fast that the woman in front of us tripped down the hill but never spilled her Starbucks.  Now that is a true Seattlite.  Once we got in the building it was a different story.  We stood in 3 different lines and finally an employee physically moved us to the appropriate line.  Every employee had a different idea about where we should be.  We stood in line for about an hour where I tried my best to distract Bryan with questions about how they hung those Ford Tauruses from the ceiling.  Hoping he wouldn't reach his threshold and we'd be forced to leave.  I'm talking about my Husband by the way, not my child.

Finally we made it to the front and got our time.  12pm!  We had an hour to kill so we went to Pike Place.

A quarter of the line.  And this was after we got our tickets.

Me and Alki in the background.  Time for a haircut again!

The market

Bryan didn't hesitate to stand in line to have his fortune told by Madame X, but Picasso...forget it.

Probably the best 50 cents he spent that day

We don't have gargoyles to guard things in Seattle

One of Picasso's paintings.  Without boobs as a jump off point,

sometimes I had no idea what I was looking at.

But it was pretty awesome and well worth it.

Did you get a chance to see it?

Bastille avec mon amie

Kaitlyn came back through town on her way to the airport.  Just enough time to have a lovely dinner at Bastille in Ballard.  I've fallen off the paleo wagon in the last month with the holidays and lack of will power.  But as of today I am back on and back to hot yoga this week.  It's going to be painful in a very good way.  I definitely enjoyed this "last supper".

Baguette

I think I need some wine crates to keep my linens...I think I need linens

Frites

Croque Monsieur

Kaitlyn and her monsieur ;)

I certainly enjoyed mine!

a cafe to finish my meal

And crepe cake for dessert.  It was good, but it needed Nutella

What did you do this weekend?

Flashback Friday: Au revoir Grandmaman!

My Grandma returned to Switzerland yesterday.  By now she should be home, nursing her jet lag and missing her sweet little grandchildren...or more like her great grandchild.  She'll return very soon though.  Before she left we found out that my Sister will be welcoming a baby girl in May!  Maybe she'll be as cute as the little girl below ;)

 Nikki & Grandmaman, Gruyères Switzerland 1983

Slowly returning to my double chin days.  I wish it were still baby fat...

Have a good weekend, I'll be eating...what will you be doing?

Je vous manque Grandmaman!

Things I'm trying to talk myself in to...

I need work clothes.  I've been living in flats and my feet are freezing!  I only have one pair of boots I can wear with socks and those are the only days I'm actually warm.  I swear I lose heat from my feet and not my head.  Probably because I have a small head and there isn't enough surface area anyway.    This is the only time I ever miss my old job where I had my own office and I kept it at 80 degrees.

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The purse and jacket aren't necessities, but if I'm talking myself into things then what the heck!

Sometimes HBO becomes my reality

I'm pumped for Sunday.  It's the season premiere of Big Love and after watching all of Season 4 over again last weekend I'm anxious to get there.  But of course, I'm missing my vampires too.  Not just the sparkly ones this time, the sexy HBO ones.  I honestly hadn't thought about Bill Compton in forever. 

The other day Bryan came home from his high voltage splicing class and showed me what he had been working on.  Immediately my thoughts went to Season 2 where Sookie is chased through the woods by a maenad. 

Remember that episode?  Scared the crap out of me





Bryan and his maenad.  What?  You don't see it? 

I guess I'm crazy

But that thing whatever it is can hold 85,000 volts.  Yep, doesn't mean a thing to me either.  But man it looks like a maenad.  Any other suggestions for things I could be watching while I'm waiting for next season? 

Seriously amazing and easy one pot chicken dinner

I'm not usually a fan of cooking a whole chicken in a dutch oven or crock pot.  I like a roasted chicken with crispy skin, but today I can look past that.  Last night I made this easy chicken dish from Jen's Gone Paleo.  She was very enthusiastic about it so I thought I'd give it a try.  I think you should too.  Don't tell me you've already got all your grocery shopping done for the week have you?  Such an overachiever.

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(My changes hidden in the recipe.  Just like a secret message, but not really)

Ingredients

3lb Whole Chicken

3 Pieces of Bacon, 1/2" sliced or 2T. Bacon Fat (you can also use coconut oil, ghee, or olive oil)
**I doubled the bacon.  What?  If you're going to have bacon, HAVE BACON.  Okay maybe tripled.

1 Small Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1" cubes

1 Small Delicata Squash, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into 1" slices
**I skipped this.  Plain forgot about it.

2 Large Handfuls of Cleaned, Chopped Chard
**I used Trader Joe's greens mix (mustard greens, turnip greens, etc)
1T. Bay Seasoning (optional, but really good!)
**I used cajun seasoning

14-16oz Fire-Roasted Salsa (use your favorite salsa)
**I used a 14.5 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes and chilis from Trader Joe's

Sea Salt and Pepper, to taste

Chopped Fresh Cilantro for Garnish

Preheat oven to 350F.

Heat a dutch oven (you can also use a crock pot, it will just increase the cooking time).

Add bacon (or other fat) and cook over medium-high heat while you prep your veggies and bird.

Season chicken with sea salt, pepper, and Bay Seasoning (if using). Transfer to pot, breast-side down. While chicken is browning on one side, peel, seed, and chop the squash into 1" cubes.

Transfer chicken to a plate, add squash to pot and toss with fat to coat. Add chard and toss to coat. Create a little opening (so that the bottom of the pot is exposed for the chicken) and return chicken to the pot. Top everything with a 16oz container of salsa (I used this salsa). Put a lid on the pot and transfer to preheated oven. Cook for about 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through.

Serve garnished with cilantro.
**I skipped the cilantro and deboned the chicken because my Husband has issues with them



Then I couldn't sleep so I stayed up until 1am watching YouTube videos.  If you're a Season 7 SYTYCD fan, you'll enjoy this one.

I found this very entertaining around 12:45pm

Happy Tuesday!

Eat your heart out, weekend

This weekend Kaitlyn came through town and stayed with us.  If you know anything about our weekends together you'll know we can eat a lot, and we enjoy every moment of it.

Unfortunately I forgot my camera the entire time.  All photos were taken with an iphone while drinking copius amounts of wine.  I apologize for the quality.

We started out the weekend at our local sushi place where Kaitlyn, Bryan and I put down 78 pieces of sushi.  It is dangerous to sit at the bar when the owner is the chef and you are drinking sake.

In case you didn't catch that in my opening statement

We had a lazy morning and caught the tail end of a flea market where I talked myself out of everything and Kaitlyn found some awesome deals.

Then it was off to eat some more!  We landed at Quinn's on Captiol Hill.

Poutine

Wild boar sloppy joes

Mussels

Plus more.  Not all photos turned out.

After dinner we headed to Belle Pastry on Spring Street for Galette des Rois!

Galette des Rois is a cake served on Epiphany.  Hidden inside the buttery almond cake is a Feve.  If you find the Feve you are the King or Queen and wear a crown for the rest of the night.  I never turn away a chance at being Queen for a night.

According to my Dad, the Epiphany is actually the day Jesus was circumcised...

The galettes

Kaitlyn's eyes are bigger than her stomach

Before the galettes were served, there was more food! 

We couldn't resist jambon en croute and baked brie

Grandmaman enjoys her galette and our attempt at the French language

Then we headed home to watch more episodes of Big Love. 

We watched all 9 of season 4.  It was Kaitlyn's first time, my second and Bryan's third. 

I think he's ready for season 5!

And we had a little more wine...

Kaitlyn's flea market steal

$4 leopard pants!

rawwwr

Then we said goodbye with Sunday breakfast at Library Bistro

Bagel and lox

Eggs any style with pretty much the best potatoes we've ever had

Thanks for stopping by Kaitlyn!