Yodel ay hee hoo!

my Ricola audition headshot

Well, I haven't said too much about our trip to Europe lately.  I've been doing some research trying to figure out which days we'll be where so we can book a couple of places to stay here and there.  I'm trying to utilize airbnb while we're in Paris.  Has anyone used them before?

I asked Bryan the other day what he was interested in seeing.  Did he want to see the Matterhorn?  Did he want to see the Alps?  He said he wouldn't mind seeing the D-Day beach, and wanted to know how far it was from Paris.  I told him about a 2 hour train ride.  He said forget it, that was too far ;)  But he showed some interest and by golly I will deliver! 

Now I'm thinking of dumping Italy and spending a little more time in France before we head to Switzerland.  Decisions, decisions.  I'm also secretly hoping the weather will still be decent and we can spend a little time at the beach. Don't worry, I'm not holding my breath. 

What are you spending your time googling lately?  A trip?  A new outfit?

I'm more of a thigh than breast kind of gal

Sorry I was MIA yesterday.  My Husband came back and we had to catch up...on tv shows.  You forgive me right? 

My Mom and I are doing a 30 day Paleo challenge.  We started Monday, after we over indulged on Easter candy and I have been doing very well...so far.  I fell off the wagon around Christmas time and am determined to get back on.  I know I feel better when I eliminate grains and most dairy, but can't seem to resist temptation.  I'm like cookie monster, you give me one little taste and it's over.  I need to learn some self control. 

I'm in it for 30 days this time and we even measured ourselves to track progress.  The only thing I didn't measure was my chest, because it can't possibly shrink any further and if it does I don't want to know.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite quick recipes so when I feel uninspired I can come back to this post.  A few aren't paleo but can be adapted to be paleo or primal.  Almost anything can be!

{Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Thighs}

We eat chicken thighs often, I prefer them to breasts. 

I've served this over quinoa in the past, but it's good without or over cauliflower rice!

{Sausage and Cabbage "Noodles" with Fried Apples}

{Quick Moussaka}

I omit the topping in this one and sprinkle with a little feta instead.

Serve with Greek salad...my mouth is watering.

{Faux Tabouleh Salad}

This is my favorite summer salad recipe.  It's a great alternative to cous cous and tabouleh.

Can't wait for grilling weather!..when's that?  August?

I'm hungry....

One more gem...

This is pretty much what my weekend looked like.

That's Moo, or Angelina Jolie...

I still don't have my laptop back so no photos, my Husband is holding it hostage.  On Sunday night when I came back to my parents house I sort of blocked my Dad's truck in.  I intended to move it after Easter dinner but I had a sugar crash and never made it back out.  I only remembered this morning when miraculously his truck was gone.  I didn't know how, so I asked...

Me:  So, how did you get out of the driveway this morning?

Dad:  KY jelly

Home for the holidays

My favorite photo of Cam...men with babies are hot.

My Husband went out of town for 5 days and took the dogs.  Since I have an irrational fear of almond shaped eye aliens I decided to stay at my parents while he was gone.  It was heaven, even if I still had to do dishes. 

My parents are a hoot and it was fun to spend some prolonged time with them.  Last night we watched Burlesque, the best part was the dancing and Cam Gigandet.  The rest I could do without.


While watching a preview for The Tourist with Angelina Jolie...

Me: (Petting the cat, Moo)  She's gotten so skinny

Dad:  She's just hair and bones

Mom:  And boobs

Me, Dad:  Silence

Me:  We're talking about the cat

Mom:  Oh, I thought you were talking about Angelina Jolie


While watching a preview for the movie Country Strong with Gwenyth Paltrow...

Mom:  She's done pretty well without that guy from Coldcuts

Me:  Do you mean Coldplay?


Parents say the darndest things ;)  I have lots of Easter meals to share, once I get my Husband and laptop back.  I missed them so much! 

How was your weekend?

Happy Easter!

I hope you wear your prettiest pink velour and find a cute bunny to snuggle or strangle.  I'm just happy Easter candy will be gone by Monday!  What are you eating for Easter dinner?

a conversation between a mutant Ninja Turtle and Fireman Bob

Last night I had the pleasure of spending a little time with my Nephew.  He's almost 3 years old and we have the same sense of humor...I think.  At the moment he is obsessed with this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.  He calls it a mutant turtle.  In the following conversation he played the mutant turtle and I played Fireman Bob.

TMNT:   Want to ride my firetruck?   (he's also very into firetrucks)

Fireman Bob:  Sure

TMNT:  Look at my bandana

Fireman Bob:  Cool

TMNT:  Want to see my stick?

Fireman Bob:  Uhhh....

TMNT:  Want to see my parachute?  It's in my closet?

Fireman Bob:  Mmmm, I'm good.



Nutella living room

Yesterday Kristin sent me this article that the CEO of Nutella, Pietro Ferrero, passed away in a bicycle accident.  So sad. 

As you know, I'm a huge Nutella fan and for some reason I was inspired to decorate a room for him.  I've always been drawn to the Nutella container, and not just for the contents.  The label is so bold, colorful, rich and creamy.  I could live in room like that! 

He was also the CEO of Tic Tacs...somehow less inspiring to me.  RIP Pietro Ferrero.

Nutella decor by Nikkidz on Polyvore.com

Accessory swap goodies!

I love getting mail, although I have a very hard time getting to the post office myself to mail stuff.  It's not that I don't like the post office, it's just that it's open when I'm at work, and closed when I'm off.  I'm too busy reading your blogs at lunch to get myself there. 

Remember the Accessory Swap over at Creative Index?  Well I made it the post office for that and I got my darling package from Candice a few weeks ago. 

She's so cute she wrapped everything individually.  It was so much fun to open!

Thanks so much Candice!

Toulouse Petit and A Midsummer's Night Dream

Saturday night we ventured to Queen Anne to cash in the Christmas gift Bryan and I got for his Mom.  Tickets to the ballet.  She picked A Midsummer's Night Dream so off we went along with Bryan's Aunt Jenni.

I love the sets in this production, so beautiful.  The Opera House, now McCaw Hall, was remodeled in 2003 and was one of Bryan's first jobs as an electrical apprentice.  When he was doing some work above the stage he wrote my name and his Mom's name on the wall.  So somewhere above those huge peonies is our names.  Makes the ballet that much more special.  Thanks B!

{via here}

Of course before the show we went to dinner because a woman's gotta eat.

We picked Toulouse Petit, Peso's sister restaurant and it got 5 stars from moi!

{via here}

My spicy ceasar with hot coppa and wild boar short ribs

Kathy's shrimp, crawfish and andoulle over creamy grits and Jenni's yellow beets and green bean salad

And for dessert?  Fresh beignets with cream anglaise

My dinner was amazing, I'm going to try to recreate it.  I will definitely be back!  They also have a pre fixe menu, 3 courses for $33 and an amazing brunch menu.  Anyone need a date?

What did you do this weekend?

BBQ Throwdown

Last weekend my friends threw a benefit for The Moyer Foundation's Camp Erin.  Camp Erin is a bereavement camp where children can find emotional support after the loss of a loved one.  To raise money they held a Bobby Flay style bbq throwdown at the Woodinville Whiskey Company.

Meagan of Duranleau Designs talking everyone into draining their bank accounts

Where the magic happens

One of the bbq'ers caring more about socializing than bbqing... ;)

 

Big D's Spicy Flank Steak was the winner in my book!

Posers drinking re:newal spring water (compostable water bottles, check them out!)

The next generation of water bottles.  You know how worried I am about the polar bears.

I want one of these!

I also met up with Seattle Stevie (mini blogger meetup!) but completely forgot to take a photo after we visited the tasting room for a little vodka and whiskey.  Whoopsie!

It was a fun event and they raised $2,000 for Camp Erin!  How are you helping grieving children and saving the polar bears?  Okay fine...what are you up to this weekend?

Ikea outdoor spaces

Right now I could live in these outdoor spaces Ikea created.  Is it time to bbq yet?  We did have a brand new propane tank but I left the bbq on...for 3 days.  The next time we went to bbq it was empty.  Fortunately not as expensive as the time I watered the tomatoes for 9 hours.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Worst pet parent award goes to...

Caution:  Runs with scissors

Yesterday morning while I was blow drying my hair I heard a clunk and turned around to see Charlie taking off with a pair of scissors.  Luckily they were a heavy pair of Ginghers so he didn't make it far and dropped them a few times.  When he gets excited he likes to grab stuff and have you chase him.  Issy was getting him all wound up and they were sitting in a box on the floor with some left over baby shower stuff.  I never thought I would have to talk to him about running with scissors but it appears the time has come.

 He probably wasn't going to stab anyone, but I forgot to tell you about the bad pet parent thing I did a few weeks ago.  I slammed Issy's tail in the trunk of my car.  I KNOW I'm so awful.  I wasn't looking and it was wagging and she yelped and I felt awful.  When I opened it to get her tail out she took off running around my parents yard looking for the cat.  I looked at it and it did have a little cut, but she had a crooked tail when we got her so I'm guessing this isn't the first time.  Now she's learned her lesson and when I go to shut the back she sucks her little tail in close to her body.  Poor baby.

But Charlie...he hasn't learned a thing.  I suppose I should talk to them about the birds and the bees while I'm at.  God knows I'm too young to be a Grandma to a litter.

Katia's baby shower

Oh now you're curious aren't you?  Click here... ;)

Lunch with my Mama

My Mother had Spring break last week.  Instead of going to Cancun like she usually does, she decided to come have lunch with me.  I'm kidding about the Cancun thing...

She wanted to get a burger at the Skillet Street Food trailer, but it was pouring so we decided on a Pho instead.  Then we went to Skillet for dessert anyway.

Hard core Seattleites.  Just get a Starbuck's and hide under the awning.  We don't own umbrellas.

Then move to the car...

Chocolate pudding pie in a bowl with whipped cream, roasted walnuts and sea salt.



Mama likey!

What did you do this weekend?

My signature color is black

My Sister's baby shower is this weekend.  I feel like I've been hunting down every lavender accessory on the market. Baby's signature color is lavender, thank God it's Easter and pastels are all the rage. 

I was never given a signature color.  I suppose the 80's were colorful enough and no one could commit.  That's probably why I gravitate toward black.

Here I am being over stimulated by red and orange...

Do you see how far apart those crib bars are?  I'm surprised I made it to a year old.

What are you up to this weekend?

Brunch at Bastille

Sunday afternoon was bruch at Bastille in Ballard with some dance friends past.  It's been awhile since I've seen everyone.  One is getting married, one is engaged and there are a bunch out of state that I don't even see anymore.  I hate losing touch with people, but everyone is so busy and life goes on.  I'm so appreciative of the relationships I still have and the effort everyone puts into keep them.  So many memories with these folks I don't ever want to forget!

I sacrificed myself in this photo so everyone else could look good ;)

Isn't brunch the best?