Finding the silver lining

• This is a real time post. Scott's been away at a conference in San Francisco and the commuter flight was delayed three times from it's original 10 p.m. arrival in Orange County to 1:30 a.m. at LAX. Awesome!
• Silver lining: it's Friday night, no work tomorrow, and I'm catching FOX marathon episodes of 30 Rock followed by King of the Hill as I watch the clock not move until I pick him up. In LA.
•  Oliver was borderline tolerant of our new kitty until I took her to the vet and she came back and (presumably) smelled like 17 other animals to him.
• Silver lining: Lessons in patience and washcloth baths of water/vinegar to neutralize those smells and keep a happy home.
• It was pretty hot today, but nowhere near the temps in other parts of the country.
• Silver lining: the new kitty really likes keeping me cool by braiding my hair.

• Unusual circumstances have brought out my inner Gran Tarino in dealings with people.
•  Silver lining: that's not such a bad thing.
•  Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are divorcing.
• Silver lining: I planned a surprise massage for Scott and I on Sunday. Surprise! Sorry that this was at your expense Suri.

Seasonal Friends

Sometimes there are characters on television that I connect with on such a level I have to remind myself that these are not real people--they are emotions and actions channelled through an actors.

After I tell myself that, I immediately forget it and think about how much I want to be friends with Liz Lemon/Tina Fey and Leslie Knope/Amy Poehler.

The problem is a constant struggle of who do I like more*. When the seasons are in full swing, Leslie Knope takes it by a landslide. How can you argue with the woman's insane love of waffles? And the relationship with Ron Mother-effin Swanson?

The Liz Lemon character practically parallels Knope in the food department (junk food addict) and coworker chemistry department (Jack Mother-effin Donaghy.) Currently, I've broken my cardinal rule of rereading a book in less than year when I picked up Bossypants last week and have been cry-snort-laughing in bed each night.

The rationale, one might argue, is that Tina Fey is real and Leslie Knope is a faux Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. (But her spirit is SO SO real!)

Thus, Amy Poehler needs to take a note from Tina and Kris Jenner and hop on the memoir train to settle this quarterly debate. It really boils down to whom I'd invite to my yet to be planned dinner in the Hamptons with Ina. 

First world problem, I realize.

Hats off to dads

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there, specifically the man who coached my softball team, took me to my driving test, and recently convinced me it was a good idea to jump out of a plane.

I'm also blessed to also have a wonderful father-in-law who accepted me into his family a long time ago and has been encouraging of my endeavors.

Hats off to dads!

10 Years

10 years ago today, I graduated high school.

Over time I've come to realize how much people either loved or loathed high school. I fit in the former category. Call it the glory days, call it what you will, I was most engaged and involved during those four years. College was great and I made two friends-one I was lucky enough to carry over from high school and the other was the best thing that came out of Chapman University.

High school was simply fun. I loved being part of the dance team, ASB, the various clubs, dances-the typical activities that make those years memorable and relatively care-free.

Hands down my favorite year was 2001-junior year. I started dating Scott, I was co-captain to Kerri's captain on the dance team, I (finally) grew out my bangs--MY GOD a landmark year.

Senior year was lonely-both Kerri and Scott had graduated, and it's not to say I didn't have friends in my class, because I like to think that I was friend to most, but there's nothing like losing your best friend and your boyfriend to college. We had a strong class of females, athletes especially, who reminded me of the importance of female friendship, and for that I'm thankful.

September 11, 2011 took place during that year, a morning that America will never forget. A day Scott texted me on my red Nokia phone, and Kerri was supposed to come back to school and meet me for lunch but was stuck in the traffic surrounding CSULB that she couldn't get out.  A day time stopped in classes to absorb what happened alongside our teachers with fear, bewilderment, and sadness.

High school was not always rosy posy. I know I have blocked memories from the hellacious year of 2000-sophomore year, but it's the kind of thing where the good ultimately outweighs the bad, and why I've been committed to our class reunion later this month. It's a lot of work, but like any party, I'm on board and want to make it an occasion that people are glad they came to when all is said and done. Like most, I've kept in contact and see those who are near and dear but welcome the chance to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances with our shared past. If any of you are reading this, I do hope you come. I promise a good time.

A Day of rest

• Cinnamon bun French toast for breakfast
• Matinee of Prometheus with popcorn
• Leftover s'mores cakeball for a late afternoon snack
• Painted my nails with a top coat since I had the time
• Baguette, cheese and wine for dinner

Only if every Sunday could be this gluttonous.*

*I did go grocery shopping today and worked my tail off Saturday shop vacing jacarandas, washing both cars, raking leaves, doing laundry and starting the day with bootcamp. It's back to spinach smoothies and 6 a.m. CRX classes tomorrow morning.

Jacaranda

Be careful what you wish for you, you might just get it.

While house hunting, Scott and I fell in love with a sweet little place on Jacaranda Place, but due to the property being a short sale and the ever important aspect of timing, it was not to be ours (or anyone else's for another 18 months.)

Hopefully the new owners (who've done wonders to the lawn) don't mind this photo.

Then, we found our current home, bought it, and got a jacaranda along with it.

People who proclaim the love of the jacaranda clearly don't live beneath one. They are gorgeous trees. But messy, sap producing, bee-welcoming arbors as well.

The part my parents probably love is that we have one at the house I grew up in and I loved collecting the sticks that fell from it during the fall and winter. Today, that translates to Shop Vacing the flowers and little buggers off the walkway and sidewalk.

Whirlwind

Life's been a whirlwind lately. Weeks are passing in a blur and I can see July already glaring at me down the barrel of a gun.

Some sewing projects of note:

A spa wrap for my mom's birthday and mother-in-law's Mother's Day gift. Felt like a third world sweatshop making two of the same thing. Assurance to both they were made with love though!

The other sewing project based on the highly popular Pinterest pin, for my sister-in-law Amie. Could be user error but I found the tutorial akin to Ikea directions.

I'm against eight-legged visitors.

Garden fresh roma tomatoes thanks to seedlings from Traci.

Came home to a mallard duck on the lawn next door that was posed perfectly for a photo until a rogue kid decided to use a giant jacaranda branch to "shoot" it and off it flew. Hard to see, but its in front of the third barrel topiary. We have squirrels, random raccoons, but this is the first duck.

Election Day

I voted. I hope you did too.

I also spoke for the first time at a public hearing for our local brewery at last night's City Council meeting. Who knows what I'll do next?

Scott's Bougie Birthday-Part II

An evening at the Orange County Performing Arts Center for Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Row AA...as in before just A. We could see the sweat and tears coming from the conductor.



Happy birthday Scott!

Scott's Bougie Birthday-Part I

My main squeeze was surprised for his birthday weekend festivities, by not a party bus, but a fancy dinner at The Hobbit in Orange.

Pretty much the best dinner of my life, from the nearly four hour experience to the actual food courses. Delicious.

Our menu for the evening.

Inside the wine cellar for Champagne and appetizers.

The hors d'oeuvres-steak tar tar, artichoke spread, pate, other delicious bites. AMAZING. 

Almost took the plate home.

Honey glazed duck breast with marinated forest mushrooms over frisee and madeira cherry sauce.

No photos of the scallop due to its fast departure from my plate. Oops.

Chervil and goat cheese filled golden ravioli with mache and a peach balsamic vinegar. AND the crispiest pancetta ever. OMG. 

My main course, the halibut with garlic ginger rice and spring onion beurre blanc. 

Scott's entree, filet mignon with fois gras (mixed feelings on that) with potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and cherry tomatoes.

Grand finale-molten chocolate cake with  rum creme anglais, berries, and a birthday truffles on the side. Only thing missing was hearing and seeing the Disneyland fireworks.

 Happy birthday Scott! The weekend is only just beginning!