Little things

Saved By The Bell is now on Netflix on demand. All 98 episodes of glorious Bayside High. I see a binge coming on this weekend.

Busy Bee

Life is passing before my eyes, even though I soaked up most of the hours of the day recently, staying until past 1 a.m. two nights in a row this weekend.

Major work event this week that has taken prep for the past few months. God bless color coding and dry erase boards. AND post it notes.

We enjoyed a major blast from the past on Friday night when the Ataris played at Dipiazza's in Long Beach. We went with my sister and her boyfriend Max, who clearly are much more in tune with the goings on of bands and their comeback tours than I am.

Diapiazza's/Villapiano's (That Thing You Do-anyone?anyone?) was a random Chain Reaction like establishment in the LBC. The band went on at 11 p.m. 11 p.m.!!! I had to have a Scarlett style rest at 8:30 to prepare to LEAVE the house at 10 p.m.

Saturday morning was atypical, but the best part was enjoying the day with this peach and his mom for a day in Laguna.

My neighbor has a very California-friendly garden and though Scott is not on board for our entire yard, I love the idea of these flowers in a bed out front.

We've also been treated to two great family dinners-one with my aunt and parents and one with Scott's family in honor of his brother's birthday.

And, amen, Mad Men is back. TGMonday is over.

(photo credit)

Doozy Weekend

Doozy weekend started off with a morning bootcamp:

The enforcers.

Followed by major house cleaning inside and outside, Sunday BBQ prep, and an afternoon wedding, in honor of Blake and Priscilla-also new homeowners next door!

Sunday started with a booze cruise for Karen's birthday. What a gorgeous day to tour the Newport harbor.

We dashed home to make it to our neighborhood BBQ in honor of our next door neighbors who have sold their house (to Blake and Priscilla, newlyweds above). It was long overdue to finally get everyone together-even Blake and Priscilla came to meet their new neighbors, as well as a another family new to the 'hood. And in true potluck form, I anticipated their wouldn't be enough food and we had enough to feed a small army, including fall off the bone ribs from an award winning smoker.

Good weekend.

KONY 2012

We are no strangers to Joseph Kony. In 2006 and 2007 Scott took up our friend Adam's offer to hang out in Africa for three months each summer, lending his database skills and computer savvy to the organization Invisible Children. Because he ventured there and not me, his experiences are authentic and more descriptive than I could ever write. Click here to read.

With the prolific sharing of the KONY 2012 campaign comes critics with wagging fingers. You can read their response here. On my soapbox, regarding the Better Business Bureau, people pay to join it and it's not the regulatory body that the public is lead to believe. They have a sales team that preys on other organizations memberships to increase their own. End soapbox-it was worth noting.

Thus, this is me helping to spread the word about KONY 2012. Make him famous.

What we ate.

I love a challenge in the kitchen, so this week I tried out a few new recipes and cooking methods.

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard and Beans

adapted from here.

Tomato and Artichoke Tart

adapted from here.

Salmon with Soy Sauce, Ginger and Sriracha Cream Sauce with Udon Noodles

adapted from here.

Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers

adapted from here.

White Bean and Kale Soup

adapted from here.

Seared Scallops with Parmesan Risotto and Spinach

adapted from here.

First time risotto maker on a 90 degree day in March. Next time, I'll be trying Ina's oven method.