Sunday Confessions

I always try to have something green on my plate at dinner. About 50% of the time it's just an herb. I don't think that qualifies as ruffage.

Ethiopian Cookies

Today I had grand visions of baking. I have been craving chocolate chip cookies for a few weeks now and decided to pull out the KitchenAid and have at it. Things were looking and smelling quite good until that first buzzer rang. What I saw were Ethiopian cookies. The flattest, skinniest little things with protruding chocolate chips. Why on earth does that happen?! I have chalked it up before to the weather and today would fall in that category (cloudy, moisture in the air). In baking days past, I have added a smidgen of peanut butter and found that it helps the fluffiness factory. However, brace yourself, I have been informed that my better half does not like the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. That almost deserves a blog entry of its own! I could not live in a world without that combination-candy, cookies, pies, the entire baking industry would not survive without it! Oy vey!

Look at that skinny b!

Doesn't look as bad from the front view.

Anyway, dietary update aside, I need to find my error in the cookies. Is it the baking soda? Is it the flour? Can I blame it on the oven? I don't even want to reveal what grade I should have received in chemistry but the proof is in the pudding...err cookies here.

Observations

Why do girls where their hair down and dangly earrings to the gym? Doesn't the back of their neck get sweaty? Isn't it a possibility that the earring could catch in a machine and a major ear crisis could ensue?

California Tarnished

The land of dreams, land of opportunity...no more. What a sad day for civil rights and an abysmal showcase of just how far we have not come in the past 40 years. Really, for what has been deemed a progressive, liberal state, why can't those in office come to terms with the fact that people just want equal rights? Goodness, as a conservative gal myself in terms of fiscal responsibility, I cannot believe that certain individuals take it into their power to deny others one of the most joyous, sacred unions in life. Truly, I have never been more embarrassed to be a Californian. We are falling into bankruptcy and are taking two steps backward in terms of civil rights. I understand there is inequality in the world, but as Americans I thought it was always us who hoped to be the example to the rest of the world. Not so much here.

Why is it so difficult to accept that people are gay? I mean, this is nothing new, it is evident since the beginning of time. Maybe it's not kosher with religious (no pun intended, I am discussing ALL God-fearing entities here) ideals, but surely acceptance and love of all creation is a major theme in most sacred books I know.

I don't quite understand why the courts get to be the all-deciding power in this love war. Who died and put them in charge? I suppose someone has to rule on the appeals originally devised by archaic legislatures, but shouldn't the voice of the people stand for something? Am I mistaken in thinking we live in a democratic republic?

It is exceptionally frustrating to me to see friends stripped of something taken for granted by many. It is refreshing to see other states move forward equality and offer basic civil rights to all mankind. I don't expect everyone in the blogging world to necessarily agree with me, but I would ask you to question within yourself what it would be like to have your right to marry taken away just because it was deemed unnatural.

California's tarnished exterior is making Fiji look a lot more appealing.

*I do not usually like stepping on the political pontification soapbox but today was an exception. I want to point out which side I am on, and the fact that not every GOP member is as right-wing as some of the infamous card holders out there.

Blue Love

As some of you may or may not know, we are major Dodger fans. I bought tickets as a surprise to Scott a few months ago for the Freeway Series last night, which was awesome. I’ll spare you the amateur sports writer recap, but will note that those boys in blue are just athletic stars. And as cool as it would have been to see Manny play in person, they are doing just fine without him.

Luxe Afternoon at LUX

One of the perks of my job is being able to check out new businesses or existing businesses in F-town when they open or hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies (RCCs from now on). A month ago the FCoC staff was treated to a beauty day at LUX Aveda Salon and boy was it awesome-hair cut, color, makeup, and a mini massage.

Yesterday was no exception either. LUX celebrated their 10 year anniversary in F-town and pulled out all of the stops. They offered mini procedures at stations around the salon, featuring foot soaks and rubs, neck and back massage, and even allowed guests to create thier own perfume. It's the perfect size for my purse too-I love it.

Wade, the owner, also enlisted the food stylings of Matador Cantina, a newly opened restaurant and boy did I have my fair share. Ceviche piled atop cucumber? Yes, please. Delectible mini sliders? I'll take one...two...ok four. So good!

Thank you to everyone at LUX for an amazing afternoon-you guys rock!

And especially you Wade!

Winner Weekend

This was a whirlwind weekend. Like most worker bees, we live for the weekend. Every Friday I start my day with that glorious hit, "Everybody's Working for the Weekend" and love ending it (if work permits) at 5 p.m. with the classic "Finally Friday" that the country station plays, and it reminds of my SL days with the 5:00 whistle.

So this weekend was jam packed with a Mother's Day Tea and then a wedding meeting with KL and Cory, who are getting married in September on National Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19, duh.) After getting in my afternoon run, that evening The Boy and I had a lovely bbq with Krob [I don't think either read my blog but I have yet to announce that new moniker to them. Not sure how it's going to go over.] complete with burgers, sweet potato fries, beer, and chocolate chip cookies. And what could be better than completing the evening falling asleep to a bootleg version of Twilight. I have no idea where it came from, but its so ghetto that someone set up a camcorder in the theatre and put it on DVD. Awesome.

Sunday, Scott left early to surf with one-half of Krob, while I cleaned to my heart's content. Following that was the weekly trip to Target to stock up, kindly fill up The Boy's gas tank, and pop in at Costco for some bulk sized meat. Hah. Spending time with Atticus and lounging the rest of the evening (woops, no run tonight!) is a perfect way to end my weekend. Well that and the homemade pizza for dinner that is still to come...

Eye on the Target

I love, love, love Target. I can get the bulk of my shopping done there for a great price and just fill in the gaps at the grocery store. Their clothes are super cute too. Just today I was drooling over a J. Crew dress on sale for $80 and then found a similar look for less at just $25-hello bargain shopper! I even splurged on a belt just because I held out on the bigger purchase.

Their clothing section brings me to my main point. Does anyone else find it annoying that the numbers they give you don't hang on any of the rods available in the room? It has a hole in it, which I guess is just meant for the behind the desk of the worker-but why on earth do we just have to find an awkward place to put it, along with our own items to try on, actual clothing, and purse. I have yet to figure that out.

Knights of Haseltown Catering

For Mother's Day this year, Kerri and I decided to bring our moms together for a Mother's Day Tea. Turned out pretty sweet!

Our spread included...

Feta and caramelized onion poppers
Ham and cheese poppers
Chocolate chip scones with clotted cream
Lime cookies
Almond and jam cookies
Matt's Special sandwiches
Lemonade, iced tea, and of course, hot tea!

So good, so delicious. Good fun for the daughters...

And the moms...

Happy Mother's Day!

Much love to my own mom, and all of the pseudo moms in my life. The world would not be the same without you.

Sunday Confessions

I wear lip gloss while running. A belle must always look her best!

In the Mood for Shoes

My current need/want/desire are neutral wedges. I need a little lift in my life and something that can go with a variety of ensembles.

Current loves:

Current retail price: $100. I'll say $50, Bob. Yep, estimated retail value.

Addiction

I look forward to the weekends for several reasons:
-sleeping in, naturally (though, sidenote, this has been 730-8 as of late, wth?)
-time with Scott
-relaxing
-marathons on HGTV

My name is Erin and I am addicted to home shows.

There is something about Property Virgins, House Hunters, Sell this House, and even House Hunters International (hi, northern Italy yesterday!) that just have me salivating. I suppose it's just internal longing for a real house complete with yard and a little more privacy than an apartment complex provides, or perhaps the gleaming wood floors and seeing my peers purchasing their first abode. Just a preview for a show will have me planted on the couch for hours (post-workout, thankyouverymuch.)

In terms of the flipping shows, those I will still watch but mostly the people annoy me. They have sage guidance from realtors and other experts who tell them exactly what to do to sell their second mortgage aka the cancerous sore on their financial record, and inevitably, they go the wrong direction and buy $1300 showers with massagers, seats, and pedicure stations. REALLY? While I love the spa, I am comfortable with just a shower head and knobs for controlling the heat.

Anyways, kind of random but I think I am slowly luring the boy into these shows too, or at least the flipping. You can rest assured I especially love the ones where they are in the south :)