Meme madness

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these here meme things, but this one promises to be fun because each participant gets 5 unique questions asked of them. Thanks kiki for the awesome questions.


1. I LOVE the photo you use as your profile image. But I have always wanted to know more about it. Not just where you were, but why, exactly, YOU love it.

Thanks! That picture was taken during my sister’s weeklong bachelorette party in Costa Rica last June. After a day of sunbathing, playing in the ocean and consuming local beverage delicacies (Imperial – la cerveza de Costa Rica!) we went to have dinner at this little place on the beach (our chairs and table were literally set in the sand). After dinner the waiter came around with boxes of Cuban cigars, so of course my cousin and I decided we must split one. I love the picture because it reminds me of that perfect evening, the sun setting on the ocean, that superb cigar, the start to one hell of a week. And you look at least 10 times sexier when you’re smoking a cigar ;)

2. Was just perusing your 100 things, and saw that you were a redhead for a while. (Me too!) I rather enjoyed it. Why did you do it, what did you like/dislike about it, and why did you let it go?

My fascination with red heads reaches far back into my childhood. My first Cabbage Patch Kid had red hair, as did every subsequent one. Strawberry Shortcake was my personal hero. I don’t know, I’ve always just loved red hair. When I went away to college it just seemed like the thing to do, so I got me some Feria magic. I liked it because having red hair in some small part fulfilled a sort of fantasy version of me that I always pictured in my head (you know where I’m also tall, thin, and have perfect skin?). I kept it up for about three years, but I am not a high maintenance gal and hate the fumes, so I let it grow out. Now I am marrying a true red head, coincidence?

3. I'd love to know your take on astrology. I poo-poo it but love it and think it's really awesomely cool. (I also like infomercials, though, so right.) What's the most seriously you've ever been about astrology?

Like most things, I like astrology when it confirms something I already believe. If I disagree, it’s a bunch of hogwash anyway, so who cares? I used to read tarot a bit, but that just really confirmed for me that you can make a bunch of stuff up and people will take it seriously if the cards tell them so.

4. What's your greatest fear about your wedding? Not your marriage, your wedding? Because if they haven't started yet, let me tell you -- BIZZARO WEDDING dreams will kick in soon enough. Perhaps venting some of your more ridiculous fears will help ease this phenomenon.

Sadly, I remember very little to nothing about my dreams. Um, I don’t know if I’ve really had time to get freaked out about anything yet. It’s still over a year away, so it’s a pretty low-pressure deal right now. I guess rain might become an issue since the ceremony is outside, but we’ll deal with that with the tent back-up plan if we have to. Also, I really don’t deal well with interpersonal conflict, and I know weddings can be very sensitive for some people, so I hope that everyone in the bridal/groom parties and families all get along through the whole thing.

5. If you could just randomly call up some celebrity and have their attention and actually get into a real conversation with them, who would it be, and what would be the gist of your conversation?

Um, this is a tough one. I don’t really spend any time thinking about celebrities I’d like to chat up. I guess I might call up one of the rich and powerful ones and see if I could get myself a job working for them that would make me famous/rich/and or influential by association. Tom Hanks? Sure, that sounds good.


That was fun. First 10 people who want 5 questions get them!

Nonukah in Santa Monica

As I mentioned a while ago, Jason and I got back to sunny LA last month for the annual Nonukah festivities. As usual, friends from all over the country converged to make for one hellava weekend of drinking, eating and general merriment.

Here’s some pictures of the legendary party.

It begins as every party should, with tequila!

Me and my bar buddies.

What's classier than an ice swan at a party?

Making a shot luge out of the swan. Nice work Yoni!

The joint is jumpin’!

Woooooo!

Well, it couldn’t last forever.

Yes, I actually fell asleep in that position. I am just glad I didn’t wake up with my bra in the freezer.

My friends are the best, wasn’t it nice of them to make sure I didn’t sustain any head injuries on my way to the floor?

Obviously I post these pictures because I have a good sense of humor about myself. Oh, and I have no shame. Hey, I’m not the only one who passed out!

The next day Jason’s dad held a lovely engagement party brunch. Here we sip from our individual size champagne bottles.

Hey, we’re not the only ones getting married! Ben & Tosha also do the honors. They are getting married in Madison September 2!

It was a lovely day for poolside sunbathing and a hot game of Taboo. Such a great weekend with our awesome friends. We love and miss you guys!

Photo credits go to T-Bone (aka Tosha) and Jason, since my camera was MIA most of the weekend at Becca’s house. But I did get it back!

Tomorrow is the first outdoor farmers market of the season on the capitol square, I am soooo excited! Happy holiday (you people know what I’m talking about) and have a great weekend.

The finish line!

That’s me :) Official time of 32:31, that's 259th place baby!

Here's a few more pictures:






This looks says, "I'm so happy the running part is over!"

A special thank you to my sponsors and of course Jason and Dexter for being my personal cheering section.

Don’t look now, but I’m about to do something athletic…

in public! The very nice lady who was kind enough to vacate her job so I could take it has also been nice enough to help me out and train me, for which I am very grateful. She has moved on to work with the American Cancer Society, so when she mentioned to me yesterday that there was a run/walk event in Madison this Saturday I went ahead and signed up. I’m going to run a 5k tomorrow! If you want to toss a nickel in my bucket or just view the very flattering picture of myself that I posted on my page, check it out: My ACS Run/Walk Page. Several of my friends, family and colleagues have chipped in, so a big thanks to them!

I’ll let you know how it goes. I know I’m not going to win any speed awards (not that there are any, it’s just a charity event) but if I finish in less than 35 min I will be damn proud of myself. Wish me luck!

Soup + Mac n Cheez + Impossible Pie

Photographic evidence that I do in fact spend some time in the kitchen these days:



Originally posted by Glory87 over on the 3fatchicks.com forums.

Spinach Chickpea Leek Soup

1 tbs olive oil
2 leeks, sliced thinly (circles)
1 zucchini, chopped
minced garlic (I use tons, about 5 cloves)
1 28 oz can tomatoes
small can tomato paste
1 bay leaf
3 3/4 cup veg broth
1 14 oz can chickpeas drained
block of frozen spinach (thawed, drained)
1 tbs oregano
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan, add leeks and zucchini and cook briskly for 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, vegetable broth, chickpeas and spices. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.

Add spinach to the soup and boil for 2 minutes. Season to taste. The longer it cooks on the stove, the better it is, even better the next day. Remove the bay leaf, eat up!

One of the best soups I’ve ever made, and so easy! Next time I’ll probably add a can of red kidney beans as well.



Here we have New Farm Mac & Cheez (mac & cheez from the New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook with modifications courtesy of Jess of Get Sconed!)

This is my first foray into cheez sauce. I gotta say, cheese it ain’t, but as I was eating it I was able to start appreciating it for what it is.



Impossible Vegan Pumpkin Pie from the FatFree Vegan Kitchen. I made this for a dinner get together a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed. I tinkered with the sweetening (combo of powdered xylitol and liquid stevia extract) and I liked the sugar free version as well. Practically fat free, sugar free pumpkin pie, who knew?

Looks like a lot of heavy, cold-weather comfort food, huh? Well, we’re under a winter storm advisory and there’s about 6 inches of snow on the ground. Um, hello spring? Where are you?

Warning: Adult Content

I was innocently paging through pictures of bridal gowns when I came across this.





Am I out of the loop or something? Is there some sort of new trend in weddings where the groom no longer has to decide if he wants to wear a tux or a suit, and just get married in his birthday suit? Bizarre.

April Fools!

Happy spring everybody! Nearly a month since my last post? Where did that time go? Just wanted to pop in and give y’all a holla since I finally have a little time to breathe now.

I have maybe been really busy. I went back to LA for Nonukah the weekend before last, it was great fun. Also, Jason’s dad was nice enough to throw us a poolside engagement brunch. I may write a post about the weekend and include pictures someday.

I’ve been pretty well swallowed by the work monster lately, yesterday I had my first major event for my new employer. Such a logistical circus I tell you! I’m an event planner now by the way, amongst other things. But everyone seemed to have a good time and no one got lost or hurt, so all in all a success. Now I just have to reconcile the financials :P

In wedding planning news, Jason and I have selected Allen Centennial Gardens on the UW campus as our ceremony site. May 25, 2008 is officially the big day! We will be using the English Garden on the grounds there (you can scroll down there for a few pictures. I love the gazebo!) Now we just have to decide on a reception site, caterer, dress, wedding bands, an officiant, and a million other things. :)