Adventures in Fabric...

Several months ago, I decided to go on a trip to the store to start brainstorming wedding colors. Because, while we have nothing but time, I was excited, and hey, why not?

So, I got several 1/8 yard pieces of fabric. All in greens and yellows. (Because green is my favorite color, and yellow both looks nice with it and is very springy.)

In the process, I stumbled across the fabric shown, kind of shown, below. (You might recognize it from the centerpiece ideas...) At any rate. I fell hard for this fabric, and when B's mom and my mom saw it, they both approved. B's mom asked me, "Can we make something for the humans to wear with it?" And the decision was made. Humans will wear the pistachio brocade.

The fabric is not available for purchase online. It's also seasonal, going to be discontinued, and there are eight yards or less at each store that has any in stock in a 55 mile radius. (Yikes!)

So, we went on a quest, B's mom and I. (In real life, I refer to her as my future-C-in-law because B doesn't call her mom, he calls her by her first name. Henceforth: FCIL.)

Before heading to the cutting counter where they were holding the fabric I needed, we decided to find a lining. Leave it to me. Not only did I choose an impossibile to find in large enough sections pieces fabric, I also managed to pick the ONLY fabric in the universe that does not have a matching piece of lining (or a compliment in its print, or a matching satin, velvet, spandex, cotton...). NOTHING. Nothing in that store matched this fabric. NOTHING. And what makes it worse, is that it almost matches almost every green and every yellow and every peachy gold. Almost. Not close enough or far enough to pair it though. Woops. (Also, when the fabric is horizontal it looks one way, and when it's vertical it looks different. In other words, I couldn't have picked a more difficult or irritating fabric.

Thankfully, we did manage to find some thread. Two spools. Total. (Because I chose the most difficult fabric ever. At least it's pretty, right?) Also, the store had enough fabric in stock that we'll be able to make self-facing wraps and sashes. (Huzzah!)

(The fabric, which, is also impossible to photograph.)

Faux Florals...a quest.

So, round one of attempts at making centerpieces was not 100% successful.

The issues being 1. Too dark, and 2. Not enough white. Also, my major concern is that the green flowers don't really match the green of the dresses I'm trying to force on my BMs.

Here are a few angles.























On Sunday, while I was between church and a movie with my horror ladies (that IS a term borne out of love), I got some more white flowers, and some lighter daffodils.





While I am still working my way toward the correct balance, I am not where near convinced I have a solid plan yet. (Which is okay, I still have over a year!)

I am a CHILD

No, seriously.
Case in point:
Last night roommate D went out. So, I vandalized his room. That's the Hoff on the back of his door, a giant stuffed creature in his bed, Crime Scene Tape, and last, but not least, Ben's Gorilla mask.

Rainy Days and Mondays

THE CARPENTERS! Right? Right.
It's pouring in Boston, my clothes are wet, and I am coming off of a lovely weekend filled with people I love and things I like to do that aren't giant spreadsheets that apply to math books.
As you can imagine, my mood has not been 100% great this morning (also, daylight savings time really messes with me for more than a day). I am exhausted.
Imagine my delight though, when B emailed me and said his work was slow. Okay, I'm not delighted that his borderline bored over there. But, I (mostly jokingly) told him if he was looking for things to do, he could research a photographer for the wedding. Here's the surprise: he agreed to do it!
This is not to say I didn't think he'd be willing to help (he's super like that), but after the morning I've been wading through (spreadsheets in unreal quantity), I am overjoyed.
In conclusion, the day may get me down, but it can't KEEP me down.

Morris = My little helper

Yes. He enjoys the finer things in life. Sleeping, lounging, butter.
Most cooking scenarios in my kitchen end up with some iteration of this scene. I laugh every time.

Do you have a special kitchen helper?

Pretty sure I NEED these in my wedding colors.

Cute, right?

Turkey Burger Soup.

Most nights when I cook, we each have maybe one plate or one bowl full of dinner. (Okay, B and D eat one; I eat one plus one or two extra servings of bread, noodles, rice, etc. I like carbs.) However, when I make this soup (always a little different, and you'll see why), it pretty much evaporates. (Be aware, this is not a particularly low fat recipe, but you can substitute here and there to make it healthier.)

Here is the how to:

You will need: ground turkey, chicken/beef/veggie broth, potatoes, flour, milk, cheese (whatever kind you like on a cheeseburger), onions (or onion powder), ricotta cheese, brown mustard, pepper, garlic (or garlic powder), parsley, rosemary, and Worcestershire sauce.

First, you're going to need to cut some potatoes. I like them to be the size of home fries, and I leave the skins on. (If you have leftover cooked potatoes, you can use those. This recipe was actually borne out of leftover home fries.)



Next, throw said cut potatoes into a pot of boiling broth that JUST COVERS the potatoes and cook them until they’re almost soft. (If you’re using leftovers, put them in hot water and simmer until they’re hot all the way through…maybe eight minutes? Bigger pieces stay cold in the middle for a while if they’ve been in the fridge.)



While your potatoes are taking their bath, brown some ground turkey in a frying pan. (I was in a butter mood, so tonight I used about a tablespoon of butter instead of spray or oil.) Once it’s browned, put the meaty goodness into the potato and broth. (Add a little water/broth if the meat isn’t in the water.)

(Mmm…delicious melty butter.)

Don’t do set aside your frying pan; don’t even turn off the heat. Instead, put in your onions (strips, cubes, or whatever iteration suits your fancy)…yes, directly into whatever meat fat is still in there (as I said: not low in fat). Sometimes, I also add celery. Cook whatever veggies you’re using until they’re soft, and then, throw those in the potato and broth, and meat pan.

Now, you’re definitely going to need a little butter or margarine. Melt about a tablespoon in the pan (yes, you’re still using your frying pan here). Once it’s melted, throw in some flour and mix it until there are no lumps, then slowly add in about ¾ of a cup of milk (if you’ve never done this, I suggest heating the milk before you add it).
Keep stirring and stirring. It should smooth out and thicken up (be careful not to burn it…) It should end up looking like this consistency. (There are also veggies in there in this picture. I don’t recommend leaving them in for this step. Whoops!)



Once the butter, flour, milk is nice and thick, slowly stir it into the rest of your soup. Stir in the ricotta cheese, several slices or handfuls of whatever other cheese you’ve chosen (the pictures are of provolone. I also really like cheddar and mozzarella. I do not care for Swiss, I think the flavor gets lost), and keep stirring. This mixture should NEVER boil. It should just simmer. (For the cheese to mix in properly, you’ll want to let it simmer for at least two or three minutes.) While you’re making sure that the cheese is mixing in, you want to add in all those spices, herbs, etc. For the most part, I let my taste in burger lead the spices. For a spicier concoction B likes to add hot sauce, I like it more on the mild side.

(Here is tonight’s pan of soup simmering away.)



Ultimately, the soup is a little beige looking, but the taste is hearty. It’s great for a cold day with snow, slush, rain.

Vermonty

I realize upon uploading pictures that I did a TERRIBLE job of taking photos of what we were seeing. We were so busy watching what was going on around us that we didn't really pause.

Notable: It was Mardis Gras weekend, sponsored by Magic Hat. The brewery was okay. We were there too early to even want to consider samples. The store was packed with a strange combination of people...a combination that we couldn't stomach for long. So, after browsing, we left and got some delicious late breakfast...which I forgot to take a picture of (whoops).
An old hippie with wiry hair and sour cream on his mustache insisted that B and I obtain free burritos from BoLoco (the nearest location was not close. We kept walking.)
I found a dollar. (YAY!)
A man in our hotel elevator tried to befriend B, and then proceeded to swear several times. We aren't sure why a twenty-something in work boots and a t-shirt with dirty jeans would "stay in a lot of hotels" but he said he did. My money is on him being some kind of serial killer.
I almost beat B at Scrabble! (I was ahead for a few turns. In the end, he beat me.)
Again...no pictures.

Here are some things we do have pictures of:

So, B and I drove up to VT in weather that was like this (note the awesome view).
Take note, it was about 50 degrees most of the weekend.

We did have about a half hour of scary driving...up and down several mountains with two tractor-trailer trucks following us up and down, up and down...but hey, we survived.

(Also mine.)


The crosswalks in Burlington, VT are painted to look like bricks. Someone even took the time to carve out the pavement in the shape of bricks. It's crazy, a waste, and I LOVE it. Hehe.
(I took this one too...)

Vermont itself was awesome. We got free ice cream.
FREEE


(Mine.)


This is where we stayed...(B loves to be photographed.)
(I took this one.)

Whoops...

So...maybe I did forget that I have a blog. No matter.
Here is a quick wedding planning recap:
We have interviewed a DJ.

And that's what we've been up to hehe.

In all seriousness, and this is a legit BIG DEAL, B and I opened a joint checking account this week. (Please feel free to make checks payable to me, him, or both of us.)
We are officially linked financially. Kind of a big deal, but it hasn't set in so much yet. (Being engaged still hasn't set in so much, although, every once in a while I think, "Wow, he's crazier than I ever thought. He's willing to put up with me for HOW long?" LOL.)

Anyway, that's all I have for the moment. I'm sure things will be getting more exciting in the coming months. 450 days...Weird.

Dresses I like...

Clearly, this morning I am completely motivated to do real work...

I like the idea of this dress because it is so different from what I am usually drawn to, but I think it's gorgeous. I'm curious about how it would feel on...as in, how heavy is it? (Also, the bow under the chest is a little weird to me.)



This is the fancier version of my favorite one from this group. (Which is linked at the bottom.)



This one is neat for its pockets, but I don't like the bow.


This one keeps jumping out at me (scary, right?), but mostly (I think) because I don't know if I'm confident enough to go strapless...


And finally, my favorite out of this batch, I think...

GIANT SQUID

For dinner I had calamari and beer. WIN! (Also, you should see the Calamari Wrestler; it's brilliant and horrible bundled up in a package of what-the-hell-just-happened.

I think I was inspired to have said dinner because of the influx of giant squid of the coast of California. (SO COOL!) Also, so delicious!

Today was another busy day at work, but I did do a little poking around for wedding stuff. Apparently, Macy's does a night where they give you booze, food, and a scanner gun, and you can create your registry in person. There are worse things than eating free food and zapping things that you may or may not receive some time in the future.
(Registries are strange to me. I feel like they say, "buy me some stuff...but not stuff that you pick out, I don't trust you to choose presents for me." In other words, they seem a little pushy. Alas, I will partake in this tradition, when the time is right, because it's what people do and expect, and let's face it, virtual shopping is as much fun as actually shopping...am I right?)

At the moment B is playing the new Alien vs. Predator demo. It's pretty amazing, I must say.

You Win Cocoa Pebbles...You Always Do.

In spite of a delicious and healthy dinner of brown rice, sauteed chicken, and artichoke hearts (not in oil), I have succumbed.

From breakfast through 9:16pm my willpower was amazing.

However, I just caved. You win some, you lose some.

Sometimes, I just don't feel content...

And in moments when I'm not feeling psyched, I have a hard time doing work. So, instead, I give you this:

What a Morning...

So, today I woke up late. Thankfully, I was not especially or monumentally late, so I decided to skip the gym, take a shower and head straight to work. (Which would get me there just a few minutes before 8am.)

Then, in spite of the fact there was barely any of it, a tiny bit of snow caused my commute (that's usually about an hour) to be almost two hours. Good job traffic.
I see many perks to this: 1. I read several short stories by my pal Ernie Hemingway. 2. I wasn't driving (which is why reason #1 is possible).
3. I had a chance to chat with my mom before she had to go in for some minor surgery.
4. My arrival time coincided with this amazing person at my company, named Bess. She is great, and no matter how bad my day starts, talking to her makes it better.

Other fun/good things that happened on my way in...
(Well, before leaving too...)
Last night I dreamed we found a stray dog and it gave birth (in a miraculously tidy, no mess to clean up way)to five little puppies (three mutts, and two that looked like pugs), which meant I had five puppies to play with!
Morris followed me into the bathroom, and then hung out while I took my shower.
A homeless man was eating a hot breakfast sandwich from Dunks. (I love when people have food to eat, especially when they're down and out.)
A man in a yarmulke was walking with his hands in his pockets while he was on the phone...this led to a sincerely hilarious walk. No, he did not have a disability, he straightened out and could walk just fine once he hung up the phone. (The yarmulke had no real place in this story, except that I love the way the word is spelled...yarmulke, yarmulke, yarmulke...okay; that was fun.)

Now, I am at work and ready for a long day. I hope, most of all, to accomplish at least goal number one on my list of "to do" so the long day will have amounted to something.

Sweet

This weekend has been full of my insanely good friends being insanely fun. I LOVE 'EM!

Friday there was a couch kid girlie hangout at Jessie's. Sweet. We gossiped, we reminisced, we did what we do best: ate thai food while we laughed and laughed.

Then, Saturday, Melanie (finally saw my house!), Maria, Cheryl, and Laurie rocked the house playing apples to apples with a new set of house rules. The folks at Mattel provided the inspiration, and we provided the inappropriate commentary about fecal matter. Good job us!

Tonight is the Royal Rumble. Ben, Dave, and Pete are shouting already. I love it.

Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

There are supposed to be torrential downpours that cause flash flooding tonight and tomorrow. It hasn't started raining yet, but there is already a steady flow of water moving off our roof, down the drainpipe, and onto the driveway.
Our basement also has a flow of water moving through. It's not as strong a current, but it's steady.
We don't have a canoe to get to work.

Top this...

You can't.

ConAir. Cheerios. Gordon Ramsey. Road Rage. Toys R Us. Predator 2. Sushi (delivered).