Happy New Year, darling.

This recurring head cold is really pissing me off.  I thought I managed to keep it at bay, then ATM falls prey & I act as nurse, and then mine returns in the middle of a grocery shop excursion.  Imagine being in a buzzing fluorescent hell when all of a sudden, you just want to lie down on the floor and close your eyes.


Dramatics aside, today is New Year's Eve!  Have a good one, eh?  I feel nominally better, but I would feel, in my opinion, completely recovered if this awful pressurized rain system would get the hell out of Arkansas.  It's like having weights sitting on my brow and sinuses.  The congestion I can flush away with the neti pot, but there is a small cough, which is painful due to the pressure building in and on my head.  I am in good spirits, at least, and have been baking/cooking all morning.  We're going to go spend some time at the cabin, but I don't know if it'll be a sleepover.  The comforts of home is what I need.  It won't stop me from havin' a little champagne out of a coffee mug.




Au revoir, 2010!

JANUARY TOP TEN BONNE ANNEE! EDITION

How risky (or is this foresight?) to post January 2011's Top Ten in December?


1. Ringin' in another new year @ the cabin.  This is Year Four & this time I am bringing the bb gun.





2. Say what you will about this day & age, but I LOVE THIS!  It won't be long before I'll be walkin' around town with an @fear_ants necklace.  How boss!  Thanks, KMHD, for sharing!


3. Tet -- celebrations @ the temple on 30 Jan, but the official date is 3 Feb.  Year of the Rabbit!


4. Going to see Best Coast in Dallas. Ikea, too!  Tentative: the aquarium in Dallas or the modern art museum in Ft. Worth.


5. Building, not destroying.


6.  The building out back?  ATM & Zach have been working on it.  They've pulled out so much garbage and cleaned it to where I can see the bigger picture now.  It's all very exciting!  I think we're gonna get a ping pong table!


7.  I don't know, I'm brimming with positivity.  Things are good, you know?


8.  Coffee & tea.  I've been drinking both like I live in the Great Northwest.  Gotta be Go! Go! Go! all of the time!


9.  Rosalia's Family Bakery -- you can stop giving Star8ucks your money now.  They make a kick-ass Americano and the croissants are so big, fluffy & buttery -- the best I've ever had.  Also, I have learned that I am fond of sonhos, or, Brasil's version of the donut.  I prefer mine with custard, thank you.  And for the fans of Cafe Bossa Nova's cheese breads?  They are for sale, too!  





10.  I'm in the market for some art.  CHARLEY HARPER

What day is it?

Yes, I had to consult a calendar & ask a friend what today's date is.  I'm in true AMD state of mind.  


This morning, Keiko & I will get some coffee @ the new Brasilian cafe.  Then, we are taking the little one (henceforth known as 'Boo Boo') to the fancy grocery store.  I am excited, but that's probably because I am an eager auntie. 


THEN, I need to book it home so I can watch the Arsenal Gunners/Samir Nasri win today's match.


Still need to figure out what dishes I'm going to make for New Year's Eve -- thinking about making a soup, building a cake, and assembling a pie.  WHAT ELSE?!  I don't know how this became complicated.  I suppose it's that once you are at the cabin, no one wants to leave.  You want to have all of your needs taken care of.  So, you have plenty to consider:  UMAMI.  Sweet, sour, bitter & salty.  I know I will sort this out, but the greatest of care was implemented.


-----





These pretzel loaves from Fr3sh Market are one of my new favorite things:

Diminuendo

Wow, did you hear that collective sigh of relief?  Now that that is out of the way, it's time for me to become laser focused on New Year's Eve festivities. What dishes will I be making this year?  And how many?  I would love for it to be spectacular and amazing.  Or maybe I should dazzle with simplicity?  Need to ruminate on this. This is an aside, but I feel that I will eventually need to get a panini press.

ATM is taking time off from work this week, so we will have togetherness.  We might get a house project done this week.  Maybe install the mag knife strip?  Hang some art?  My goal is to make good use of time & be a creator.  Speaking of creating...this is exciting; either Micah or Zach one (I think) will build this for me, eventually:

It's just what I need!  A little space just for me.  And when I'm finished, I can just close shop and wheel it into the corner.  Brilliant.  I love finding ways to make our small home fit our needs.

Another project that is in the very early stages is a recipe zine that me & my closest pals are going to assemble & possibly gift next yule season.  We will fill it with our tried & true recipes and Heather will design it.  I have visions of instructional photos and other little personal touches  to make it nice & pretty.  The best part about it is that I'm doing a project with friends.  I love those girls!

Aunt Pati & Uncle David sent an accompanying business card with their Christmas card this year.  It was an invitation for us to visit them in Colorado.  I want to.  Need to figure out a way to fit this into our schedule and budget.  I think ATM will love mystical (yes, I said mystical) Colorado.  Maybe a long weekend at the Trail Canyon Ranch?  I haven't seen Pati & David for years and I only have fond memories of staying with them during my teen summers.

I am in love with Patti Smith's book Just Kids.  Recommended.  I'm down to reading just a few pages at a time  because I'm trying to delay the end.  She writes well and makes me feel beautiful.  She speaks of hanging with greats (Jim Carroll, to name one) so casually, like she is a normal person who was at the right time & place.  It's a good story, even if it's true.

I haven't walked since last Tuesday.  INeedaWalk.

Here we go. Merry Christmas, one and all.

Christmas Eve Day: My plans to go to Mississippi for the holidays have been thwarted, so here I am, at home, preparing things for maxxximum relaxxxation. Seriously, this level of do-nothing will be off the charts! My (extremely tentative) to-do list includes eating, catching up on DVDs, playing video games, hanging out with friends (well, maybe, depends how comfortable I am), kitty cuddling, and reading. And naps! I'll try to keep personal hygiene on the 'priorities' list all the while. I truly wanted to be with family, but I realize that this is an opportunity; I need the time alone to come down off of this hysterical holiday high. Really really. Entertaining the idea of making a mix. I'm three songs deep.

Later...

Christmas Day! After a brutal carbo-loaded Christmas Eve dinner (scrambled eggs, *Forever bagel, hashbrowns & veggie sausage), I took a muscle-relaxer (prescribed, of course) and PASSED OUT with a book and two cats laying on me. I woke up completely confused, my cellular going nuts. The lights and telly were still on. I vaguely remember the transfer from the couch to the bed, but was delighted to discover that I neatened up the kitchen after making such a huge breakfast. Anyway, after splashing cold water on my face and shaking it off, I was ready to get going. Briefly spoke with KMHD while making a pot of coffee; she'd be over in a bit to ring in the holiday with me. Video-chatted with ATM for nearly half an hour! It was good to lay eyes on him. I learned that he will be coming home late tonight instead of tomorrow which is the BEST news!

KMHD came over; I ran some oranges, apples & carrots through the juicer so that we could start our morning right.

We immediately neutralized any benefits by stuffing a cinnamon roll and some coffee down ye olde chute. 'Tis the season, right? We opened the prezzies that I got for us both: stylin' sister socks!

KMHD got the old man on the horn and we both chatted with him for awhile. It was so good to talk with him; he was in rare form, kind & funny. I let him talk at me for a loooong time. We made plans to meet up in January where I am to cook for him. Gladly, Dad.

After that, KMHD & I went out for some coffee. We fulfilled our need to get out of the house AND properly caffeinated ourselves like we do in Seattle. Gotta. keep. moving.

We came home, made supper plans, parted ways, and here I am, trying to kill time & a burgeoning hunger by perusing the internet and eating rolled up Tofurkey deli slices. I may've overdone it with the coffee. May have to walk around the block to shed some of this excess energy. Also, there are flurries outside!

After supper at the Capital Bar & Grill, I believe we will convene with many others at the space on Victory St. Then, I will go home and wait and wait and wait for ATM to get home.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALL!

SOLO pouncing her new toy:

* I sometimes, by accident, call everything bagels FOREVER bagels. Which makes sense, they are THE ultimate bagel.

Here we go. Christmas night togetherness.

Zach, Danny:

Danny, KMHD:

Jeffie, Nate:

Nate, Samuel:

Not pictured: Ken, Collin

Brrrrrrr!

It's no surprise that the blog-tending has slowed to a crawl, right? It's that time of year where everyone is extra busy; there's a lot going on! And when I don't have things to do, it is very difficult to resist the siren song of bed, book & blanket! I'm trying frightfully hard to not become a winter bear!

In lieu of a proper post, please accept these insanely cute baby hamster photos.

And a tattoo that I am envious of:

██████ ██████ ██████

█████ ██ █ ████ everything ███ █████ is█████ ████ ████ fine ████ ███ █

██████ love. █████ ███████ ███ your █████ ████ government #wikileaks



Edit: I've been working on a post regarding WikiLeaks, but I have so much information to process and organize, that I've been treating it like a paper I'm submitting for class. This may take awhile. Seriously, I last-minuted that stuff whilst in school. But, A+ every time.

TOFU HAPPENED

TOFU HAPPENING made our little home feel miniature because it was filled to the brim with incredible people (17, by my count) & vegetarian food. There was so. much. food. (Three pies!) Of course these photos do no justice because I stopped taking snapshots as the evening progressed, but seriously, so much foooooood. Part of the deal was to bring a vinyl record or two to share with everyone, so there was good music, too. In a way, the potluck was partially a holiday party, too, because there was nog, candy canes, mistletoe, and decked halls!

LP, Rett & Will:

The beginnings of a ridiculously massive spread:

KHMD:

Leigh & little JS-H:

KMHD, Brittany & Will. And freaking FOUR LOKO!

Heather, Keiko & JS-H in the back, Matt in the fore:

Ha, I love this. "Lady...you better get that thing out of my face or I oughtta...!"

I could get diabeetus looking at this sweet photo. Rett, LP & Keiko :

Another sugary sweet photo! Heather & JS-H:

Will, Brittany, KMHD & Steven:

Little LP & JS-H both visited us for the first time, which made for a very cheerful auntie although I need to learn how to prepare the house for little ones. Candles EVERYWHERE. I am really looking forward to doing this again; we just need to figure out the when/where! Definitely post-holidays.

I'm afraid things have been awfully normal around here. I've been training with KMHD at least four times a week, getting things wrapped up at work, attending holiday parties, gift shopping, and things like that. Normal. Seemingly, I don't have time to do my favorite things like reading & making meals, but that will probably change during the dreadful January & February months. Probably should make plans to travel some to avoid the doldrums. (Best Coast/Dallas in January anyone?) I do have so spectacular plans up-coming, so hey!

I need to crank out a restaurant review. I'm sitting here kinda wondering why I signed up for this gig. Am I complaining?

DEC TOP X

1. Forbidden City w/ KMHD. They make a killer veggie egg foo young & Schezhuan tofu! Also, it's just nice to dine in a Chinese restaurant instead of take-out.

2. Walking AND swimming. I am currently will be learning how to swim laps properly. I LOVE IT. Every damn day. I am at that juncture where I have to move move move or I feel bad bad bad.

3. TOFU HAPPENING!

4. Deerhunter "Desire Lines"

5. Wikileaks!

6. I am friends with exceptional women who aren't petty or vicious; they allow me to be me, which is more than you can ask of anyone. They lift me up. Many thanks and besos to: KMHD, Leigh, Heather, Keiko, Luca, Alannah, Nicole, Mum, and Anne. Golden girls!

7. Crowded House "Don't Dream It's Over"

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof

My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
In the paper today, tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the TV page



8.

9. Silk nog straight out of the carton.

10. The Breeders "Safari"

Wait for it...

Some are silver, but these are gold.

I'd like some cheese with this whine.

I think all of the Thanksgiving food chemicals have finally left everyone's brain because things have really picked up around here. My 3-line office phone, which will not stop ringing, is this close to being ripped out of the wall & tossed out the window. Look out below!

Outside of work, I have these crazy extensive things-to-do lists, too, and I am just not feeling some of it.

Here's a doozy: I don't want to have a wedding party anymore. Short answer reason: my aunt. She has already asked me to 1. change the date, 2. change my budget (more more more!), 3. change the location. That bullsh is so wild to me, I just don't want to do it anymore. Really. It wasn't that important to me in the first place, but we wanted to do something nice for our families. I mean, that last sentence says it all. We aren't doing it for us. My aunt just helped me realize this faster. I can't tell you how awful I feel when my mind wanders to the subject of this wedding party. Am I supposed to feel this dreadful and alone? Having talked a little bit about it with ATM & even KMHD, the plan is to sit down with mum over a nice bowl of pho and ask her to help keep my aunt at bay. If she can't do it, then we have a major problem. ATM & I will have to come up with another plan that is more conducive to our stylings. It is so tempting to just ask Judge Kilgore to sign the papers and be done with it. Well, I still might order a wedding cake.

Not everything that I'm planning is completely dreadful. On the contrary, this weekend, we are hosting the return of TOFU HAPPENING. We used to do this "back in the day" @ Rice St. It was super good times, a time I look back on fondly. Basically, it was a pot luck with vegan/vegetarian food, really good music & some politics on the side. Anyway, that is this Sunday and I am so excited! We haven't hosted anything at our home since last Super Bowl. I've decked the halls (Note: need to get some mistletoe) and am working on decorations. A little neatening up and some crazy good dishes and voila! More good times!

Let's see, what other things am I working on...oh, yeah! The walking/training is going well. I'm really digging it. I'm going to add a different work-out to my routine, though. I'd like to regularly start swimming laps @ War Memorial Fitness Center. I am currently in the process of getting a new chlorine-resistant, streamlined swimsuit, a cap, some goggles, and books/dvds on the Total Immersion method. It's like the yoga/tai chi of swimming. Last night, Leigh & I did what...10 laps. In regards to myself, it was fine, but could be so much more efficient. If I learn the TI method, it will be more advantageous to my health and comfort as well. I'm really excited about this and since I've managed to make time for walking, I feel I can do the same for swimming, but just not as often. With bitter cold weather steadily approaching, it'd be nice to have an alternative on days that is just to unbearable to be outside.

Another project I'm attempting is to make a space for myself in our home. I really don't have any personal space in the house, it's all communal. It's becoming clear that the guest room will be occupied by ATM for some time, so I'm looking in our bedroom or the dining room to set up a little somethin somethin for M-E. It's taking longer than I care for because I'm looking for a desk. I'm hoping for some nice little antique/vintage number, but we haven't found anything that isn't ridiculously priced or just plain ugly to look at. I'm picky, too.

Ah, hell. Everything will be o.k. Here's an old funny photo of SOLO:

I give thanks.

I'm pretty sure that Thanksgiving in New Orleans is my preferred choice. I had all of my needs taken care of: delicious food, a darling, crumbling city as backdrop, wonderful company & Four Loko.

We rolled into town late last Wednesday. After unloading our things in our hotel room, we wandered into the Quarter to get a night cap. It took a good minute for us to get our bearings. It took less time than that for some rando gross guy to try to pick up KMHD. Seriously.

View from our room:




It would be very easy for me to say that I could never cook up a Thanksgiving feast ever again. Our menu:




ATM & I put our vegetarianism on hold for one day, so we could have Thanksgiving food. Here is my starter, the shrimp and tasso corn dogs. I did not want to share & save for one bite, I didn't!


I had the standard turkey/dressing kind of meal because I really wanted to try oyster stuffing. A+, y'all! I would *love* a do-over on this meal!


ATM reasoned that if he was going to put off being vegetarian, that'd he go for the primo stuff. In his case, a piece offa prime rib. I got to try a bite. Mmmmmmm.


KMHD got the Creole cream cheese gnudis. In short, it tasted 'weird'.


We walked over Cafe Du Monde, a NOLA institution & favorite childhood memory of mine. I distinctly remember sticky everything & accidentally inhaling powdered sugar. Some things, thankfully, do not change. Being fueled by sugar & caffeine after a big meal is fun for exactly one hour or thereabouts. After that, it's zombie street walk time!












Good sun:


KMHD thinks that this is the shop owner's kitty, but I believe that it is the shop owner. I love a well-placed feline:























We stayed on Royal Street/Rue Royale:




I really wanted this little French store to be open, but non!


This guy again. Still working!


Pretty fancy!:


That evening, our friend Davey invited the three of us to someone we didn't know's house. We assumed that it was his place, but wandered into this semi-intimate Thanksgiving pot luck; I am SO GLAD that I brought a homemade buttermilk pie. I think it would've been more awkward if we showed empty-handed. At least, too, we had our own libations. Anyway, we got to meet up with Jen & Paul there. I love them. Really, I do. They are sweet, kind, and, like most of my friends, practically kin. After hanging out at the unknown's house for a spell, we went to J & P's home for coffee/refreshments & they walked us down to the bayou, which is around the corner from their cute house. It will forever be a great memory for me. My only regret is that we didn't get to hang out with them again/longer.


Davey & Four Loko:


The next morning, I got coffee in this courtyard.


Courtyard!


It's a shame that today's architecture is nothing as romantic & precious.


These fine folks did not know that this puss was sitting there until I asked if I could take this photo:


We drove around the Ninth Ward a touch and then the Lafayette Cemetary, but KMHD was feeling under the weather, so we left town pretty quickly. Nothing like being ill AND not at home.







A really good trip & I am already considering the same for next year, but this time WITH FRIENDS. Please, oh, please!

While we were in NOLA, we got to watch the Saints play, but I had my mind on the upcoming Arkansas v. LSU match back home. This is why we won:




You may want to sit down for the cuteness overload you are about to experience.

Negi:


It's THE FACE!


Truth is, we have a lot of fun when we go out of town, but I am always so happy to come home. I am so thankful for my friends. Good lot of folks.