The Camera Took No Adventure Today

Today I spent the afternoon with a close friend and her four month old baby. I love hanging out with them... and it's nice to get a little practice. My family is full of babies, but I only get to see them for such a short time. Little Danny is the first baby I have really hung out with on a regular basis. I love getting to see him grow but it is a little bittersweet. I have second cousins that I know less about. Granted, having four and five states between us is pretty good reason for not seeing them regularly, but it still makes me a little sad.

Tonight the Hubs and I are hanging out with another couple... we are sure to have a heated game of Trivial Pursuit. I am determined to have my husband on my team tonight. Somehow or another everytime we play this game he is on the other team. Fun at first, until he starts winning. No one talks more smack than my hubby when he's winning. It would be great for once not to be on the receiving end.

In June I am taking my first trip to Mexico. I am so excited that I am already planning my wardrobe. So the purpose of this trip, aside from pleasure, is to attend a wedding. The wedding is going to be a fairly formal wedding on the beach. Well, the ceremony will be on the beach, but the reception is going to be on a terrace. So outside, but in a place where I can wear heels. Thank goodness, I hate being without that extra four inches of height. When your height barely kisses five feet, you get a bit of a Napleon Complex I guess. So, now I am trying to design my perfect out fit for the wedding. It has to be breezy because it is June practically on the Equator, but it needs to be a little formal also. And would it be too much to ask for it to have at least a touch of vintage in it?

This is my current shoppers-fantasy-favorite. Nothing about it is Vintage, but it looks so edgy I had to fall in love with it. I hadn't realized that edgy-ness could cancle out lack of Vintage-ness. Naturally, in my dream world I would also own the Jimmy Choo shoes she is wearing with the Jean Paul Gaultier dress.

You can buy the dress and shoes here... if you want to give up both an arm and a leg.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Jean Paul Gaultier is a French fashion designer who never received formal training. He started by selling fashion sketches to established designers. He is known as the enfant terrible, or bad boy of French.

A Beagle and a Beach

Here is where today took us. A Goodbye to Long Beach Island.


This dog would do anything for food. Believe me.

A healthy fear of the ocean is good for everyone.

Just so you know, the second round of Breakfast Bread was an exceedingly monumental failure. I'm too irritated now to try again. At least until after I get to Florida and taste the real deal again. Normally when I eat Breakfast Bread I'm just eating to enjoy and have breakfast. This time I am eating with intent to replicate. I may also try to bribe a member of the Publix Bakery staff into giving me the recipe.

This time next week I will be rellishing the thought of one more full day and night in this little home. March 7 is fast approaching. Yesterday I thought it was three weeks away... it SO isn't.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Sharks attack some 50-75 people each year worldwide, with perhaps 8-12 fatalities, according to data compiled in the International Shark Attack File (ISAF). Although shark attacks get a lot of attention, this is far less than the number of people killed each year by elephants, bees, crocodiles, lightning or many other natural dangers. On the other side of the ledger, we kill somewhere between 20-100 million sharks every year through fishing activities.

Another Shot at Glory

They look better... but we all know the proof is in the pudding. Hmmm, is it okay to use an unrelated food euphemism when describing a food? I'll let you know how these puppies taste once I cut into them and whether or not the recipe is worth sharing.

Pre-cooked loaves... I had to get creative with the parchment. I went to roll out what I needed and all I got was a thin little strip. I made it work though.

Definitely shinier this time around... what do you think?

Today I am running errands and trying to get packed for a vacation that isn't happening for 3 weeks. If I waited to pack until after the move though, I know it would be disastrous. I'd rather be ready to go so that I can focus on setting up our new living space. I am more excited for the move each day. Although it probably won't set in until after I return from Florida and realize that I won't be going home to the cushy little condo I have now. It is sad, but I am too excited to make a new home for us to dwell on this one. We have nothing but good times ahead of us and I am ready to start our new adventure together. Here is what we have in our immediate future to get things started: boutique shopping with my Bestie in Baltimore (she has already left me a frantic message describing, in broken shopping English, that she stumbled on a Vintage shop with a great sale), Lithuanian and Ethiopian cuisine with Friends and a Father-Daughter day spent lurking around museums in Washington DC. I also have to put my nose to the Real Estate books. The Hubs and I only have 90 days, which is probably to about 80 now, to take and pass our Maryland Real Estate test or else our New Jersey Real Estate abstracts (a record of our education) will no longer be valid and we will have to re-apply. Did I ever mention I was a Realtor? I haven't been practicing in New Jersey for a while, just processing and running an office. After meeting and working with some Realtors in my office, I realized I need to get back in the game... not because of their inspirational sales skills, but more because they were morons.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Presidential pets have been a varied bunch: The Bushes had Scottish terriers, Woodrow Wilson had a tobacco-chewing ram and William Howard Taft had, fittingly, a cow. Did you know that John Quincy Adams, our sixth president, housed an alligator in a bathroom in the East Room of the White House? True story.

Relaxing with My Breakfast Bread

My attempt at breakfast bread was a little disappointing. I admit, if I had never had Publix Breakfast Bread before, I would probably be pretty happy with it... but my tastebuds have known the truth. It needed twice the fruit, maybe more, twice the nuts and an egg yolk wash on top to make it shiny. I also think it needs brown flour... or maybe brown sugar instead of molassas, which just made it yellow. I will have to experiment. It helps that I will be in Florida in a couple of weeks where I can read the label with the ingredients listed for me. Until then I will just have to keep tweaking the current recipe. As soon as I master it, or get close, I will be sure to share the recipe.

The loaf before baking.

The final product. It just doesn't glow like the Publix kind.

Here is a photo I took out and about.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Drying is the oldest method of preserving food.

Lashing Thine Self with a Wet Noodle

I know... One hundred lashings for not posting yesterday. Today I do penance.

On my list of to-do's today is to attempt to make a loaf of breakfast bread, a delicious morning treat I am privvy to when I visit the Hubs' parents in Florida. It is from a grocery chain called Publix, and until we tried to find the recipe online I had no idea just how popular it was. Publix must know what a good thing it has because they do not give the recipe to the public(s). Click here to see a picture of this in all its wholesome goodness. I'll post later today for you all to judge how close I get to that.

I have another to-do today that cannot be revealed as it is part of a TOP SECRET project. Only after the project has been completed, given and received will you get to see!

Today's Useless Trivia:

Two 2 oz. slices of Publix Breakfast Bread contain a full serving of fruit.

A Busy Day and a Deep Sleep

Today went by faster than I could have imagined. I awoke this morning feeling well-rested and rejuvinated. For whatever reason I slept better last night than I have in two weeks. I still had crazy dreams though... something I had plenty of this past week. Last night's is a little blurry.. there was a giant purple octupus and an appearance from Robert Downy Junior. Dream interpreters chime in any time.

After coffee was errands and a trip to Subway, followed by an afternoon with the In-Laws and a decadent dinner at one of our favorite Restaurants. It's Italian, priced well and comical in it's portion sizes. The leftovers from my meal alone will be dinner for both me and the Hubs tomorrw night. I had homemade pasta ribbons with grilled chicken in a basil cream sauce topped with toasted pinenuts. Outstanding. I am still feeling full as I type this to you now... and I love it.

Last night I had the pleasure of playing a rousing round of Dominoes with some great friends. Don't judge... Dominoes is an addictively fun game. You begin with rolling eyes and end asking, "So where did you buy this and how much was it?"

At the end of the evening as we were putting on our coats and finishing up our conversation, we somehow digressed to the coasters sitting on the kitchen table. Four glass coasters, thick and rectangular with a photo frame built in. "Mommy, Daddy, Baby and Doggie," my friend suggested. But her husband had a better idea.

This, I'm sure, would always add to dinner conversation with guests.

Tomorrow a little R & R and a little wedding chat with a friend. I love weddings. Especially when I get to take part in some way.

Today's Useless Trivia: For Glove:

The original title of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice was First Impressions.

Twofer

So today you get two posts because I forgot to publish the one written yesterday.

Today is a big day for me, as it is my last day in the office. I don't feel like it will set in until Monday though, I'm usually pretty elated on Friday's because of the weekend, so today feels no different. I couldn't let today go totally unnoticed though, so I had fun with my pics today.

I already received a good-bye call today from someone I look up to and respect. Words of encouragement are a little more meaningful when they come from someone you don't expect.

Speaking of words of encouragement, I just want to say hello to my second Mom... aka Mom-in-law. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this week, which is never good news. I am insisting on not crying. I know she has probably done enough crying for us all, so I have to stay smiling and make sure she is doing the same. So Mom, this one's for you. I promise to blog every day for you... I know you follow closely and I know you enjoy reading. So it may be a small contribution, but I hope it helps lift your spirits if you are feeling low. I love you!!!

Today's Useless Trivia:

Source of the name "Indiana Jones": it was the name of producer George Lucas' pet Malamute. Dogs rule!

Well, Pin a Rose on Your Nose

And by nose I mean Sweater.

This is my favorite trick... pinning a cardigan to make it a little more form fitting and a little less conservative. Maybe you noticed, conservative isn't really my style.

Today's Useless Trivia:

The bark of a redwood tree is fireproof. Fires that occur in a redwood forest take place inside the trees.

Get the Wax out Abe

Not too much time to post today. Everything is going wrong at work... my luck! Anyway, I came accross this when trying to plan my first museum day after I move to Maryland. Smithsonian's here I come!

Today's Useless Trivia:

After Lincoln's assassination, Mary Todd, his wife, was hysterical for months and finally her son Robert asked for a hearing to determine her sanity. In 1875, she was formally committed to an institution for the insane. She was released after 4 months, and died in 1882 at the age of 63. Only one of Lincoln's 4 sons survived adolescence: Robert Todd Lincoln, who served as Secretary of War under President Garfield.

Better Late than Never

Sorry it's so late today... the office has been way hechtic, but my outfit was too fun not to post at all.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Of the 15,000-odd known species of orchids in the world, 3,000 of them can be found in Brazil.

A Good and Happy Outfit

Today's outfit courtesy of Red, White and Blue thrift. Well, the dress at least... the cardigan may as well have been. I got it on such a season-end sale that it felt like a crime! Booties are from Apt. 9.

Jeeze, even in black, the "slenderizing color", my calves are ginormous and tank-like. Damn the family legs! The first 25 years of my life I hated, covered and cursed those calves. Now, I have accepted them... embraced them almost. I try to think of it this way: I could definitely pick my calves out in a line-up! Cankles or tankles, whatever, they're mine.

Last Thursday evening I spent a couple of leisurely hours in the book store. I landed on a book I'd never heard of: A Good and Happy Child, by Justin Evans. Anyone ever read this book before? Well, I am totally loving it and can't keep my nose out of it. I was reading in bed last night and one minute I was nodding off and the very next I was wide-eyed having to slow my reading down so I didn't miss anything. The book plays on the contrast and similarities between psychological disorders and demon possession. I love scary movies, so scary books are not a huge leap. This is turning out to be more creepy and less scary, but great all the same. If you are interested in finding out more, go to the author's website here. And if you are anything like me and completely fascinated by anything paranormal, please read this on the ULTIMATE (and only in my opinion) scary movie: The Exorcist. This article reveals unknown truths and shows that maybe it's not so terrifying after all.

Today's Useless Trivia:
There are several theories about the origin of the term "Ouija". The Oxford English Dictionary states that the origin is unknown, but mentions three possibilities. According to one of these, the word is derived from the French "oui" (for "yes") and the German "ja" (also for "yes"). An alternative story suggests that the name was revealed to inventor Charles Kennard during a Ouija séance and was claimed to be an Ancient Egyptian word meaning "good luck". It has also been suggested that the word was inspired by the name of the Moroccan city Oujda.

For the Love of Red

I hate beginning posts with the ever-lame “sorry for not posting,” but, sorry for not posting. I have been taking it easy and enjoying my last days here before heading to the Old Line State. Only 12 more office days to go! Giddy-up!

In the last week or so I have been doing plenty of cooking and plenty of eating. Here are some delicious foodie pics.

Homemade pretzels with Red Hawaiian Salt

Steak and Shrimp

Last night’s dinner of Chicken breast stuffed with homemade stuffing with toasted almonds and granny smith apples, Roasted herbed potato rounds with Parmesan Cheese and the black sheep, disgusting mixed veggies. Everything was made from scratch except the nasty veggies which came from a bag tucked in the back of the freezer. It was that junk or no veggies at all… and we can’t have that. I tried adding salt and butter and a splash of balsamic vinegar, but they were still gross.

I also made these little mini apple pie cuties. With a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt… decadent and classic.

Today I am sporting two newbies: a haircut and a sweater. I happily wore both to the movies on Saturday night... and I don't know which I love more. My hair finally fits me again, it was looking a little matronly before... yuk. I feel sassy again! I once heard a woman say that if you want a mans attention get a haircut and a new pair of jeans. Did I mention I bought jeans on Saturday too... they were on sale... I couldn't resist! And the sweater is just so soft and warm…and goes so well with red! But, in my opinion, everything is better with red.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Fleas can jump more than 200 times their body length.

Somehow that is seriously disgusting .