Leah's Lovely Thoughts

monumental

2011-04-23T11:05:00.000-04:00

A taste of things to come:

xo,

pushing through

2011-03-25T11:01:00.000-04:00

Searching for signs...

March can be the cruelest month for a north-easterner. Technically, it's spring. The clocks have sprung forward. The lion is destined to become a lamb at any moment. Any moment now. Waiting for the lamb. The snow flakes are still floating through the air these past few days, in spite of the increase in daylight and the arrival of spring.

I've gotten back to the gym following a prolonged winter hibernation and healing process. At the end of a particularly grueling hill climb in a recent spinning class, I watched snow-laden clouds gather over the billboard that now features a car instead of shirtless Abercrombie models of months past. As the sweating masses on stationary bikes (going nowhere) anticipated cresting the imaginary hill and being rewarded with the sweet feeling of an imaginary flat road on the other side, we were instead instructed to sit down and "push through."

That is what I feel I am doing now that I am once more encased in down from head to toe. Pushing through. I'm making note of every robin, every tip of crocus leaf, every bud. I'm searching desperately for the smell of damp earth beyond the chill in the air. It must be there somewhere, just around the corner of April.

Until then, I will push through.
xo,
L

can you hear me now?

2011-02-09T11:06:00.003-05:00

Telephone?

I used to be opposed to texting because I thought it allowed people to too easily avoid a phone conversation. Now I love texting because it allows me to easily avoid a phone conversation.

I used to talk to my friends on the phone for hours, locked in my room with the cordless phone until it died. Now we email.

I used to talk to my parents at least once a week. Now they are all international and we'll meet on Skype.

Now I say "I'm not a phone person." My friends all say to each other, oh it's ok that we don't talk that often because we're not really phone people. And, it's true.

Technology is a gift in that it allows me to send a pal a quick "I'm thinking of you," passively keep up with old aquaintances I would otherwise know nothing about by reading their walls, I have the freedom to write to the ether about my random musings, and I've even made a few "internet" friends. But...

I miss your voice.

xo,
L

puppy love

2011-01-27T12:15:00.002-05:00

A very good dog:
1997-2011

I am, because my little dog knows me. ~ Gertrude Stein

xo,
L

oddities

2011-01-21T15:21:00.002-05:00

This Friday, I bring you some random musings on ordinary life.

Do you ever feel like you need one of these:

60 oz Jumbo Cocktail Shaker = $21.29

Shouldn't that straw be sprouting from Belle's back between her shoulders rather than from...:

At least she's BPA-free.
I think she might be screwed together wrong,
but they were all like this.

Does every 4-year old's birthday end like this:

Let this be a lesson to you.

A wonderful concept, yet somehow it sounds like an insult:

I give you CHEESE BOY.

May your weekend be full of wonder.

xo,

paying attention

2011-01-12T14:42:00.023-05:00

Today is a snow day. I think I enjoy them even more as an adult, except now I have my computer and email and phone at home with me. Still, it's a reprieve. And so, I am paying attention to the storm that has granted me this quiet time at home in my dimly lit apartment, baking bread, sipping mimosas, watching snow swirl.

Last night, the wind woke me up. It sounded like a living being, moaning, howling, shrieking; I listened to the millions of unique six-pointed snowflakes batter the glass. I thought about how strong the forces outside my walls are, and how warm and safe I am inside.

Scenes from a snow day....

xo,
L

personal penguin

2011-01-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

Davy Jones + penguin = love
Rather, P + penguin = love

At long last, I have my own personal penguin. P has adopted me a little blue penguin from the New England Aquarium and I love, love, love him/her. Please enjoy the vocal stylings of Davy Jones (whom I would have asked to the prom if I weren't 32 and didn't already have a fabulous husband) to celebrate.

See pictures of my new baby here.

Happy day to you.

xo,

PS - Sandra Boynton, author of PP, is also the genius behind one of my other theme songs: "I Love You More Than Cheese..."

a proper lunch

2011-01-06T12:24:00.000-05:00

The way lunch should be.

While not a formal resolution, a proper lunch seems to be making all the difference to my mental health so far this year. It is not helping me save money, lose weight, or drink less, but it does create a structured amount of time to step away from my desk, spend time with a friend, and relax for an hour (or an hour and a half if I'm feeling bold).

Yesterday, while debating whether or not to enjoy a cocktail at my proper lunch with the delightful J (Me: No, I won't. I won't, no. Well, I'm going to the gym tomorrow so maybe), she enabled me in the most effective way: "Whatever," she said, "I'm having champagne. The French drink wine with lunch, it's normal."

Indeed! I looked around at the other people having lunch and wondered why we deny ourselves the small things. And so, we had a glass of champagne, we clinked glasses, and even returned to work with time left on the meter. In 2011: I resolve not to deny myself the little things.

xo,
L

new beginnings

2011-01-03T12:35:00.022-05:00

The world is my oyster.

Greetings, 2011! Welcome, and thank you for bringing fresh starts, the promise of possibility, and the opportunity to do better, to be better, and to love more.

xo,
L

now playing

2010-12-18T09:40:00.001-05:00

A movie for sitting by the tree wrapping presents,

drinking eggnog, waxing nostalgic.

xo,
L

lessons: getting over it

2010-12-10T10:29:00.001-05:00

What's important?

It's that time of year! I am obsessively making lists, checking them twice (times a million), decorating, wrapping, socializing (sort of, it's me afterall), and reflecting on 2010. Man, I'm looking forward to 2011, but have been trying to think of all the good things that have happened this past year. One thing stands out in particular: I am learning to "get over it."

My parents love to taunt me about my ability to hold a mean grudge. What I don't know if they understand is that I am not holding a grudge, but rather I have made a decision about something and damned if I'm going to change my mind and make myself feel like I was wrong. This stupid character flaw has cost me friendships and opportunities, and caused a ridiculous amount of unwarranted stress. However, I realize that in the past few years, more and more frequently I just "get over it." I feel a new sense of Zen and the huge relief of being able to let go.

Let's use Rachael Ray as an example of how I have improved. I know many people do not like Rachel Ray for various reasons. My original reason was that I thought she inaccurately represented her background by claiming she is from the Adirondacks. Clearly, Lake George is in the Adirondacks, but to my NoCo country self, I felt that claiming you are all down to earth because you are from the Adirondacks when you are from touristy Lake George was not fair. I know, ridiculous. From there I decided I couldn't stand her accent, and I especially couldn't stand the way she would use the abbreviation "EVOO" and then say "extra virgin olive oil" right after that. Why would you bother to abbreviate if you are just going to say it?

I now will freely say: I like Rachael Ray. Her 30 min meals can be tasty. She doesn't seem to be a jerk. Most importantly, EVOOextravirginoliveoil does not affect me. Who cares if she says EVOOextravirginoliveoil?

This is a metaphor, of course, for the stupid snap decisions I have made over the years. I am happy and proud that, dare I say it, I am much more laid back than I used to be. I feel more at peace with the world and am enjoying my ability to just get over it. I feel good when I discover that I enjoy something I used to dislike, that I have a friend in someone whom I realize has not wronged me; that it is ok to change my mind and I don't have to be a weird hard-ass and stand by my own irrational feelings for eternity. Perhaps at the heart of it, I've learned to forgive myself for making stupid judgements.

[Note: Do not be afraid, this post is making it sound like I hate everything and everyone, which is certainly not true. I simply mean to highlight my ability to get over superficial roadblocks to being happy! Chances are I love each of you reading this...]

In closing, I like a lot of things. I have wonderful, wonderful friends and family. My head is filled with lovely thoughts for you this holiday season, and a bright outlook for 2011.

xo,
L
PS - My friend asks a good question about how to live our lives. Ah, it's the time of year for reflection.

overheard

2010-11-08T13:10:00.002-05:00

Tangled up in blue? That song is PHENOMENAL. Phenomenal.

Bad Company? Monster band. 1975.

1973 saw them at the Garden. PHENOMENAL.

Stevie Nicks? PHENOMENAL. One time a bunch of my buddies rented two boats in the Virgin Islands; one for singles the other for the married couples. We sailed around for 13 days and before we were there? Stevie Nicks. She was getting heavy then. I guess all she did was paint watercolors the whole time. Man, that group, they were like a family. They cheated on each other, but they loved each other. Phenomenal.

[Note: Although I arrived early for my train, there was no room for me in the quiet car.]

rocky raccoon, we never knew you

2010-11-04T14:43:00.000-04:00

Raccoon 2.0: Roni

P and I have returned from our northern adventure. We had a lovely time with the Along the Ausable blog lady, and we learned a lot, too!

For instance, not only is Roni the Raccoon, mascot of the 1980 winter Olympics, named after the AdirRONIdack [sic] Mountains, but this poorly-spelled fellow was actually the mascot understudy. The internet tells me that, originally, a real live raccoon named Rocky was destined to welcome international visitors and athletes to the AdiRONIdacks, "but he died." Rocky died too soon and wasn't able to fulfill his mascotty duties. So, in steps Roni the fake raccoon. Nice save, Roni! In the photo above, Pete sports Roni's "new" head now used for parades, as I understand it....

AtA and L spend time with the Beaver of Lake Placid Lodge.

AtA took us on a grand tour of Lake Placid including a stop to spend time with the pine cone animals of Lake Placid Lodge. Based on the nightly room rate, I would estimate that the three of us spent $150 of time wandering the Lodge. Maybe even $150 per person.

In conclusion, great fun was had with our tour hostess (thank you!) and family members, hockey was won and lost, and the beavers of Lake Placid Lodge continue to pose silently under their dramatic lighting.

xo,
L

10,000/4 = we like hockey

2010-10-21T11:43:00.000-04:00

potentially apocalyptic

I grew up in a town of 10,000 people and four ice arenas. We like hockey. I like it so much that I'm willing to head north where there is already snow in order to watch my favorite childhood team play my alma mater. [Note: I will have a new tubular Michelin Man-style down jacket to protect me from the north.]

We like hockey.

When I decided to transfer to St. Lawrence, the deal I made with my father was that I would still root for Clarkson. The decision seemed easy at the time, but now I find myself passionately ambivalent while watching these teams play (Do you know how painful it is to be passionately ambivalent?!). P is fascinated by this duality that tortures me to this day.

Anyhoo, in the past we've taken the educational/historical approach to Halloween. This year, we will go a more traditional route and watch men bludgeon each other, scream in terror and delight, and freeze our butts off. There will be mayhem. There will be blood. May the best team win.

xo,

in transit

2010-10-07T16:25:00.000-04:00

Latest update: delivered

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I just wanted to share the excellent news that my L.L. Bean Wicked Good Moccasins have arrived and are waiting on my doorstep. This is excellent news because my eleven year old pair of slippers were deposited in the trash last night. I am very pleased with the timing of this delivery. Also, I have spent an inordinate amount of time hitting "refresh" on my browser waiting for my UPS tracking update.

Finally, I can get some work done.

xo,

cures what ails you

2010-09-14T09:54:00.000-04:00

Follow these super easy directions when brain power is low.

I'm home alone. P is galavanting somewhere Out West. I'm feeling quite sorry for myself, as I have a nasty cold. Before you start playing the world's tiniest violin for me, I thought I'd take this opportunity to reflect on the age old tradition of using booze to fix your problems. [Note: To clarify, I do NOT advocate using booze to fix problems other than colds.]

My mother introduced me to the hot toddy one sniffly evening, and I will forever associate it with her compassion for the sick. When I resort to the hot toddy, I know I'm really craving my mom's sympathy. It's a good stand in sometimes.

A hot toddy is one of those old-fashioned, I-just-came-in-from-the-moor comforts (or I imagine I would like one if I had just come in from a moor). When you've got the sniffles and are skulking around in your ancient Irish sweater, you probably need one. Luckily, I usually always have lemons, honey, whiskey/bourbon, and water on hand.

And so, last night I hunkered down with my hot whiskey, wool sweater, bad tv, and sorry for myself attitude. I didn't feel so lonely anymore. Today, I am fueled on the more modern remedy called Dayquil. It's not as pleasant and I wouldn't mix a hot toddy and a Dayquil, but you do what you must to get by.

xo,
L
P.S. Usher and Jay-Z also like the hot toddy. I think they might be using a metaphor though...

biblophilia

2010-09-08T11:13:00.000-04:00

The classic bibliophile is one who loves to read, admire and collect books,
often amassing a large and specialized collection...

L&P like books. One could surmise that P likes them more based on sheer volume, but I think that we actually like them equally; I am just more methodic in book aquisition and ruthless in my willingness to sell back or donate any book that I A: don't deem worth finishing, or B: am embarrassed to display on my bookshelf. I am often ridiculed by family and husband for my aversion to used books, which also helps cut down on the number I possess.

However, quantity is not necessarily the best measure of love is it? Inspired by the recent impending hurricane that never was, I now have a library card, and it is AWESOME. I realize that this will not add any colorful new tomes to my shelves, but I've rediscovered the long-forgotten joy of borrowing a book, and the urgency that a due date instills [Note: I am very law abiding and will do anything to avoid a penalty, even a ten cent late fee.]

I remember that dusty library smell. I remember my favorite spot in the library as a kid: on the floor in front of the shelf of Anne of Green Gables, Madeleine L'Engle, and Nancy Drew mysteries. A few years later in life, I realized I could borrow Teen Beat, which was fantastic since I wasn't allowed to buy Teen Beat.

By golly, the library sure is modern nowadays. I got an email from my library letting me know that my "speed read" book is due tomorrow. I can go to all the museums in Boston for free with the help of my library. I can use a fancy laser gun to check myself out, borrow movies and audiobooks, sit and enjoy the wi-fi on an umbrella-covered patio. My books don't smell like must.

I think Pete is afraid that my library love will eventually lead to the elimination of our ever expanding collection of books. Do not fear, P. I have every intention of amassing a large and specialized collection that I do not have to return. Ever.

xo,
L

cheating

2010-08-08T11:14:00.004-04:00

It began innocently enough...

While Pete was away on business, I had an affair with a French Tomato Tart. I wasn't expecting this to happen, but when I arrived home on Monday night and discovered I had such limited ingredients at my disposal and minimal motivation to leave the apartment, it just... happened.

...but then things progressed...

My cheating was so blatant that I even used a frozen pre-made pie crust. I proceeded to devour this tart over the course of my next three meals: dinner, dinner, breakfast (and would have been another lunch had I not forgotten a slice at home).

How could I resist?

Upon Pete's return I confessed everything, the words just tumbling out. I told him about how I didn't leave the apartment so that I could lie around and eat French Tomato Tart. I told him I ate the entire French Tomato Tart and that there was none left for him. I told him about the fake pie crust.

A real man makes his own crust.

Pete just made me another tart. He made his own crust, which was so very attractive, and used an empty wine bottle as a rolling pin. I love him.

xo,
L

PS - Three is the magic number, love. Happy Anniversary week.

up, up, and away

2010-07-13T20:45:00.002-04:00

Fly

When you think about it, isn't it absurd for grown men and women to climb into a tiny basket tied to a flamethrower, and rise into the sky just to see where the wind might take them?

Or, is it a beautiful act of faith and wonder and simplicity?

xo,
L

procrastination

2010-07-12T16:32:00.001-04:00

Procrastination

So, I just MadMen'd myself. What do you think? I think I look like my mother (that is a good thing). I want to see what you look like. Entertain me.

Good fun at 4:30pm.

xo,
L

distraction

2010-07-09T15:50:00.001-04:00

I keep meaning to write, but somehow I always seem to be caught up in other things.

Like lobster and byo beer at a sunny picnic table.

Thinking about boats.

Staring at the horizon.

Celebrating the noble crustacean.
Ok, "noble" is a stretch -- how about "delicious."

P and I have perfected our beach routine: parking strategy, walk-on pass, spf, umbrella, chairs, blanket, towels, cooler, sandwich pick-up. Sorry that I have been distracted.

xo,
L

in a...

2010-06-17T19:50:00.001-04:00

Pickle?

Pete has been wanting to make pickles for quite some time now. He has had the perfect pickle jar waiting empty on a shelf. Neither of us has wanted to deal with canning, although I do love the idea of it. Very Anne of Green Gables, but I'm afraid I don't have the patience for it, and I am a tad afraid of giving myself and my loved ones botulism.

Our problem was solved when we recently adapted this recipe for easy refrigerator pickles. We added a bay leaf and some corriander seeds, et voila!

Easy, no listeria, keeps in the fridge for 6 months!

So, until I have a pantry in which to keep my currant wine and pickled sundries, I will keep them in the fridge.

xo,
L

PS - Just fyi, I know that some of you reading this are very adept at canning, pickling, and jar-ing; I eat your preserved foods without fear. In fact I welcome the opportunity. It is only my own skill I question.
PPS - Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

coming home

2010-06-09T11:53:00.000-04:00

photo: PJV

I just came home on Monday night. I'd been gone awhile, out of my element, in another language; different landscapes, different food, different light switches, different way to flush the toilet, say hello, tip, dress, hold your fork, count on your fingers.

Coming home, I was acutely aware of the smell of warm wood in the stairwell, the feel of my key in the lock, the weight of my suitcase, the layer of dust, the wilt of my plants, the familiar feel of my own bed.

xo,
L

bonus

2010-06-09T10:10:00.002-04:00

Greetings! Upon review of comments from people wishing to pay it forward, I discovered that only 4 people really qualified once eliminating (1) husband (2) me (3) Courtney (PiF originator who will receive a special thank you). So, I've decided that I'm going to send the remaining 4 commenters a special tiny treat from my recent travels: June, Tera, Alison, Katie. See, June, I told you your odds were good.

xo,
L

PS - I cannot guarantee timeline of treat delivery, and will be in touch for mail details.

I accept multiple currencies

2010-05-26T14:52:00.002-04:00

Remember the golden era of Haley Joel Osment? The time when he was still a sweet little man-child who could see dead people, hold his own against Michael Caine, and and asked audiences: "What did you ever do to change the world?" While the 90s have come and gone, isn't that question still relevant, perhaps now more than ever? [Note: I despise the phrases "now more than ever" and "new and improved."]

Well, perhaps together we can answer HJO's question -- we can do a bloggy pay it forward. That's what. I was the recent lucky recipient of Courtney's good will and part of the deal (and because I really wanna) is that I now must pay-it-foward. I will select 3 lovely people who will receive a treat from me and a personal note telling you how wonderful you are. Pretty sweet, huh?

Here are the rules:

You must comment on this post. The comment must include something positive and/or awesome (about anything you'd like; it just needs to be happy!).
If you are a winner, I ask that you pay-it-forward however you'd like, in-person, online, in writing, whatever...just commit to doing something nice for three people in the spirit of paying-it-forward. I am not picky, you can pay in any currency you like. I will not check up on you. However, if you don't intend to pay it forward, please don't play.
If selected to pay-it-forward, you must trust me enough to send me your address (I'll ask for it later). If you don't trust me enough to send me your address, you'll just be the recipient of good vibes that I will mentally send your way.

A few will play and THREE will win! I will tear up pieces of paper with numbers on them, put them in Pete's straw hat, and then have him randomly draw three people. Let me tell you that your chances of winning are very good, as 3 is a very high percentage of my total reader population.

Love and good vibes to you all...
xo,
L
PS - I will announce winners after June 7th!

dipping into the box of nostalgia

2010-05-19T21:09:00.000-04:00

Pete has a box that he keeps in our basement storage room. It is filled with mementos of his travels, souvenirs and photos. It is labeled with a piece of masking tape that reads: "NOSTALGIA."

Pete often refers to his box of nostalgia (and how I make him keep it in the basement). I don't collect that many physical souvenirs anymore, but I definitely have a very deep mental box of nostalgia. [Note: a "mental box of nostalgia" is admittedly even weirder than an acutal "box of nostalgia." Bear with me.]

The Manhattan, the perfect birthday cocktail.
He makes 90 look good.

Many members of my mother's side of the family traveled to Delaware this past weekend to celebrate my grandfather's 90th birthday. Unexpectedly, we stayed near the same town that we used to visit on vacation when we were kids. I haven't been there for over 20 years.

I was nervous to visit the boardwalk, which in my box of nostalgia is just about the shiniest, most-perfect childhood memory. I was afraid that it wouldn't live up to the scenes I'd stored away. I was afraid it would be in decline, dingy, run down. Sometimes, I am very happily surprised.

My favorite ride.

Much smaller, but other than that, perfectly preserved. I caught my father looking around at all the little kids running about and saw that he was reliving happy memories, too. My mother went on these rides, my aunt and uncles fit in these same tiny boats.

Then we went on the bumper cars and ate crabs.

Another one to put in the box:
a porch swing, a friendly dog, cold beer, good company.

xo,
L

around...

2010-05-03T14:04:00.004-04:00

St. John, USVI

Some of you have been asking where I've been. Well, I was here, floating around, doing nothing. It was fabulous.

xo,
L

problem solved

2010-05-02T16:25:00.005-04:00

What is this magical device? Why, it's a Poach Pod.

A few weeks ago, I documented my trials and tribulations attempting to poach eggs. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my dear friend Anna for saving me hours of frustration, saving my husband from my ruined-egg induced wrath, and for being so thoughtful. A paid me a visit two weeks ago and presented me with the above, Poach Pod.

Float: As you can see, I accomplished the first step quite easily.

Hot pods: extracted pod with poached egg.

This is what I was aiming for...

Perfection. Dear Anna: I am so very grateful. Thanks, too, for the tips regarding PAM. My white plastic bowls will never be stained by chili or spaghetti sauce because of your sage advice. Love, L

I'm adding the Poach Pod to my list of obsessive products, which includes the AeroGarden and the SodaStream. I know the Poach Pod is bound for global success because while stopping in a grocery store on St. Thomas before hopping a boat, I captured this image:

Solving poaching problems worldwide.

xo,
L

post time

2010-05-01T17:02:00.001-04:00

Happy Derby Day

Celebrating my favorite holiday today with good friends and good spirits (get it?).

xo,
L

very good

2010-04-15T12:13:00.004-04:00

Was just reading a blog post reviewing a particular product and happened to notice in the comments section someone simply wrote "very good."

I wonder, is the reveiw good? Is the product good? Are they just telling the writer "good job?"

I kind of love it.
xo,
L
PS - Just fyi, I don't think the product is very good, but then again, I am opposed to Bed Bath & Beyond in general.

new institution

2010-04-14T12:03:00.004-04:00

Song of the day

One of my coworkers recently told be about an alumni relations shop that starts each morning with a "song of the day." This involves blasting music and dancing around the office to set the tone of your day. I guess its sort of like an American version of those Japanese calisthenics.

I think I will be instituting the "song of the day" in my life. It makes a difference. After I parked this morning, I rocked out in the car with an ice scraper and Boston love. Life is good.

xo,
L

egg jacuzzi vs. hot tub time machine

2010-04-03T09:13:00.006-04:00

egg jacuzzi

The other day, I made an egg jacuzzi. It was unintentional, and pretty revolting.

I just wanted to poach an egg so that I could make a springtime meal that I've had on my mind. I have had varying degrees of success with eggs in the past, so studied up to make sure that I would not waste a dozen eggs. I sometimes feel like eggs and I are in a personal fight with each other, and I have developed a compulsion to throw out any egg that does not come out to my liking. Pete has rescued many an egg from my wrath.

I watched a video. I checked out multiple websites, blog comments, and consulted the Joy of Cooking. I was ready, but then my tragic flaw kicked in: I have no patience.

I decided I would make 3 poached eggs at once. End result: egg jacuzzi. Yet another sign that if I can become more patient, I will be rewarded with perfect poached eggs, less wrinkled clothing, and better relationships.

One: not the loneliest number.

Patience is a virtue.

xo,
L

leave this to the professionals

2010-03-27T11:04:00.006-04:00

I have a love/hate relationship with cobblers. The things I love include shiny new looking heels, tap-tap-tapping with a little hammer, the cluttered old-fashioned atmosphere of a really good shop, the stories that cobblers tell about Eastern Europe. I love the idea of repairing my tattered old treads so that they end up being sold in a vintage store someday. [Note: this is pretty funny since I actually get grossed out by shoes in consignment shops. I know, I know -- personal quirk.]

I don't like:

being chastized for not taking better care of my shoes -- I live in a city with cobblestones, what do you want from me?

being criticized for buying cheap shoes that they then must repair -- this does not make sense to me since if I didn't have cheap shoes for them to repair all the time they would be out of business.

listening to 25 minutes of stories about Eastern Europe when I have, in actuality, only 10min of time to drop off my shoes to have them repaired.

In the new frugalista fashion that is all the rage these days, I was thrilled to buy a pair of shoes that actually came with replacement heel tips. I had ground down my favorite pair of heels and was keen to use my own tiny hammer to fix them up.

Heel one was a breeze. I happily admired my handiwork as I sat in the middle of the living room floor surrounded by pliers, my tiny hammer, and bits of plastic.

Heel two, um, not so much. I am now left with one heel that looks lovely and which I satisfyingly replaced on my own, and another that is maimed beyond my own repair and may need special surgery from a real cobbler. A real cobbler who will berate me for attempting to do this myself. I have learned my lesson. I will leave this to the professionals and pretend that a little gnome (Gnome? Elves? Who fixes shoes?) is working behind the scenes with a tiny hammer and a song....

xo,
L

Do you like me? Please check this box...

2010-03-23T15:47:00.017-04:00

I'm bored, so I've been thinking -- I'm going to ask this guy out. I would like him to take me on a date. I can plan it, but whatever, I would still like him to take me on it.

Fyi, I am free both Friday and Saturday.

xo,
L

forecast

2010-03-15T16:33:00.003-04:00

not good

Please note on the map above that I live almost directly under the yellow splotch. It's been a bit rainy here. In fact I am home minding the bowls that are catching the drips that seem to be coming through the walls. No joke. Three of our east facing windows are leaking. Ah well.

Then, there's this:

much better

Looking forward to enjoying daylight savings for the first time -- I'll be able to actually see the sun set an hour later!

xo,
L

life is a highway

2010-03-12T10:50:00.004-05:00

guidance

Pete and I decided to save a tree from our google map printouts and pony up for a Global Positioning System to send us on our way. Yet another step deeper into the 21st century for us. Poor Pete, we bought it last weekend and I have refused to let him use it yet (we have only gone to work, and I know how to get there, sigh).

Before we set out, I'm looking forward to giving our Garmin a personality. Would we want a Yeti to guide us? I was looking for Mr. T...

We're looking at a rainy Saturday so think we'll take a roadtrip somewhere to test it out. Any ideas Boston folks? Where is that "book mill" place...?

xo,
L

multipurpose

2010-03-05T09:36:00.003-05:00

Voted "most useful kitchen tool..."

Yesterday, as we left the apartment to head to work, Pete threw my umbrella out with the recycling. I was waiting for him around the corner from our bins. He rounded the side of our building, said: "Your umbrella is in the recycling," and seemed to want to continue on his way.

"What do you mean, 'your umbrella is in the recycling'?" I asked.

"I don't know, it was just in the recyling and so now it is in the bottom of the recycling bin. You must have put it in there."

We stared at each other for a bit. "Let's just leave it," Pete sort of half-asked.

Incredulous stare from Leah.

I am a bit slow in the morning. I had just fixed my umbrella, was quite proud of it and knew durn well that I would not have accidentally put it in the recycling which resides in a small trash can under our sink, rather than in the closet or on the doorknob where my umbrella typically hangs out. Very confused.

Now, picture the two of us, in our work clothes, carrying our respective purse and manbag, peering into the depths of the 4' deep recycling bin at my poor umbrella. It was pretty empty so the umbrella was way far down there. I looked at Pete. He knew this meant: get my umbrella out of there.

We sort of half-heartedly tried to reach into the bin without touching the side. I started rocking it and tipping it to see if I could get the brella to roll up the side a bit. I traipsed around the building looking for sticks to fish it out with, but to no avail.

More staring at each other. Wondering what we could use to get it out.

"Get the tongs," I said.

He did. He got the tongs and he rescued my umbrella. They really are the most useful tool you can have in your kitchen. Still no idea how the umbrella went in the recycling.

THE END

xo,
L

instant gratification

2010-03-04T15:10:00.004-05:00

Zappos free overnight shipping upgrade
DiGiorno pizza
Snapfish pick up photos in-store
polaroids
friend blogs

Sometimes you just need a bit of instant gratification. What are your go tos when you need a fix?

xo,
L

stewy

2010-02-12T20:57:00.002-05:00

Alchemy

When I was a kid, a favorite summer pastime of mine was to take my mom's planter that looked like a cauldron and use it to cook stuff. By "cook stuff" I mean I would hang it from the lowest branch of our mountain ash tree, fill it with berries, chives, grass, puddle water, and Indian paintbrushes, and then mush it all up with a stick. I have no idea why my mother let me do this.

I remember taking great satisfaction in the end product: a stinky pulp that would dry in the sun and solidify in the planter. Witch's brew. Again, Mom, did you know I was doing this? Disgusting.

It didn't seem disgusting at the time, though. It was an engrossing activity with a thoroughly remarkable (again, at the time) result. I wonder if this is why I now will happily spend hours waiting for an assortment of ingredients to stew until they magically change into something else. Something that is the sum of all the characteristics of its differnt parts, and which smells way better than my "witch's brew."

speeding up the process...

Coq au vin for when you have 2 cold winter days to stay inside and work on it...
from Les Halles Cookbook, by Anthony Bourdain (I love this man, although my mother does not).

xo,
L

munchkin land

2010-02-11T19:29:00.005-05:00

Baby J

Hi, folks. It's been awhile! I've been meaning to write about my weekend spent feeling very tall and very old, surrounded by tiny people.

Pete and I were lucky to snag a visit with Anna, Theron, and Baby J, while T was in town to check out expensive dental drills and wander the streets of Boston. I have to say, while his parents are pretty great, Baby J was downright delightful.

Unfortunately for Baby J, as far as I'm concerned he will be Baby J for the rest of his life. Never just J, but Baby J. When Baby J is 25 and coming to visit his mom and his aunties with his new girlfriend, I can just image us, a bunch of boozy old ladies, yelling: "Baby J, bring me another martini! Did you tell your friend you used to go through 12 diapers a day?" Baby J might be 6' 2" with a beard and tatoos, but too bad for him. Still Baby J. Actually, a huge tattooed guy called "Baby J" sounds like he might be the kind of guy who carries around a crowbar...

Ha, ha! We are funny.
Poor Baby J is going to have to deal with
Mommy's embarrasing friend.

As if lauging at a poor, defenseless little baby for a few days straight wasn't enough entertainment, we fastforwarded a few years to attend K's 3yr birthday party. It involved mimosas, balloon bending Venezuelans, and the pinata that wouldn't quit. We survived the bat wielding 3yr olds to party another day.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Phew! I'm not sure where I was going when I started this post, but here's the end: thanks to Baby J and his parents for visitng -- come back! Thanks to tiny K for turning 3 and for the fabulous princess cocktail ring and magic wand.

Until we meet again...
xo,
L

today

2010-02-06T12:33:00.003-05:00

riding the rails south
two feet of snow looming near
blizzard misses me

xo,
L

order out of chaos

2010-01-25T12:49:00.008-05:00

stage 1: empty out

I don't like chaos. I'm not messy. Pete is not messy either, but he is ok with temporary chaos.

Being married to someone who is patient and accepting of chaos as a means to an end has been a good lesson for me. The ability to tolerate chaos is intrinsically linked to patience, which is a quality I hope to develop someday. As for now, I must rely on Pete's patient nature to ensure that projects are done thoroughly. [Note: P suggested I start another blog on how to half-ass everything. I am notorious for rigging things up with funtak and pushpins.]

Anyway, long story short, we spent Sunday entirely emptying our office in order to accomodate a sleeper sofa (guests, come visit!), and then reloading it all. If it weren't for Pete, I would have left everything in the office, and then taken twice as long to rearrange things while clamboring over furniture, breaking things, injuring myself, swearing, etc.

stage 2: sort and put back in

Now, things are looking pretty good, I think. Everything fits, the bed opens while still leaving room to maneuver, the desk is back in shape, and cables are on their way to being tamed.

stage 3: what to do with newly empty walls?

What I did not yet capture with my amazing camera phone (perhaps I will update later) is the newly exposed expanse of wall space. The 2 walls not shown here are bare. They are bare and almost the same color as the sofa. Hmmm... I thought about just hanging a huge piece of art, perhaps suspending curtain panels form the ceiling, but am feeling uninspired. Any ideas?

xo,
L

winning streak

2010-01-22T21:45:00.000-05:00

The popover forest...

Doesn't this scene look like the place where I had my snowball fight last weekend? Know what? I won it. Yup. After a bad stretch of losing stuff -- a sentimental earring, my work phone, my sanity -- the tide has turned, my friends. I am a winner.

It all started when the nice Along the Ausable blog lady offered a fun prize. I was posty and quick and now I have this pretty vintage present tacked up to gaze at. Makes winter look desirable. Sort of.

Then, I won a t-shirt as part of the Trek. THEN, I won 30 minutes toward my trekking goal. [Note: This prize makes me feel like I'm cheating on myself though. How can you win exercise time that is in the past and that you dind't actually do? It's imaginary.]

I'm making sure to take great pleasure in these tiny bits of luck. They add up.

xo,
L

pop

2010-01-17T11:05:00.002-05:00

poof...

Right now, I am making popovers. In fact, please hold on a moment, I need to take them out of the oven. Oops, not quite done yet. I'm back.

This morning I woke up obsessing about January and how far away January is from summer. Determined not to get out of bed cursing New England, I forced myself to focus on embracing winter. What's good about winter? Ice skating, hot chocolate, reading by a window on a weekend afternoon... Then I got hungry and my mind fortuitously skipped to a passage in Little Women where the sisters discuss this magical food called "popovers."

The Excerpt to which I refer (from the play not the book)...

I don't know that I've actually ever eaten a popover until today, but clearly I had carefully stored away this literary memory for a winter morning just such as this. (Am I writing strangely? I am pretending I'm in Concord with my sisters and we're going to go eat popovers and have a snowball fight. I might be wearing a fur muff which was a gift from my rich great aunt, and carefully mended gloves...)

pop...

xo,
L

si eve etait normande... OR: I got some extra cranberries lying around

2010-01-10T15:56:00.000-05:00

The Normandy

The title of this post comes from the back of my bottle of Calvados: the apple brandy famous for intoxicating the American exchange students of Potsdam High School for over 2 decades. I remember when one kid got plastered at school (accidentally) after consuming a box full of chocolates filled with the stuff. Now he works in a liquor store.

I happen to have a certain Calvados nostalgia as a result, making it an ideal base for holiday cocktails. On the night that TV died, I found the below adorable video on how to make this calvados based drink.

In Summary... The Normandy

6 cranberries
1 slice green apple
1T simple syrup
1T lemon juice
1t brown juice
1/4 c Calvados

Muddle the cranberries and apple. Add teaspoon brown sugar and tablespoon of Lemon Juice. After mashing a bit, add tablespoon simple syrup and Calvados. Pour over ice. Garnish with cranberries. Enjoy while wearing your best holiday sweater.

xo,
L

faux motivation

2010-01-07T10:09:00.002-05:00

Does faux motivation work? What do I mean by this?

What I mean is: if I pretend like I am walking to the French Alps, will I really workout? That is to be determined, but you can keep an eye on me to see if I do it. I am skeptical.

I have always had a hard time motivating to workout even though I am quite happy to be doing it once I get my rear end in motion. My best motivation has usually been other people -- if I am responsible for meeting someone at a certain time, I will be there. Friends have served me well in this capacity, paying someone has proven even more effective. Cold weather is a major deterrent to exercise.

So... seeing as 2010 is a time to be cheap (no trainer fees) and a new year's resolution is due (be healthy yadda, yadda, yadda), I'm giving this a try. You can do whatever physical activity you want, it is just the time you do it that counts. I do like tracking progress, winning stuff, and my favorite thing -- competing against myself. Nothing is better than beating yourself (unless it is beating your arch nemesis).

Gym tonight. Skating this weekend (maybe). Lunchtime walks (brrrrr). IDEAS?! Any thoughts on wintertime activities for a girl with a half-gimp shoulder? Please help. OR, please join me on the Trek -- anyone can sign up, but you can only win prizes if you work at the University. If I win anything, I'll share with you.

I have a hard time believing I can transform the icy streets of urban Massachusetts into a flowery summer field of flowers in my mind, but what the heck?

xo,
L

to hell in a handbasket

2009-12-31T10:00:00.015-05:00

Crackle, crackle...

Like most people, P and I have been stuffed silly and giving our livers a major workout for the past month or so. We have the best intentions for a healthy beginning to the New Year, but have decided that if you're already headed to hell, might as well finish with a bang. Right?

Last year we braved a literal blizzard to attend a NYE party. While fun, we decided to stay in this year and model our celebration after NYE 2007/2008. I am hereby publicly committing to the following menu of sin to finish out 2009 in the throes of pure gluttony...

L&P's Decadence for a New Decade Menu

Aperitif
Elderflower ~~cocktails~~ or spritzer
~~Elderflower soda + vodka = Yay, vodka!~~
Jan 1: Wine plus seltzer ane elderflower soda proved to be much lighter.

~~For nibbling…~~

Jan 1: Just could not fathom adding more fat when the time came, so we opted for olives and cheese instead.

Appetizer
Baked Artichokes with Crab and Sourdough Stuffing
Crab cakes stuffed into a vegetable. Woo hoo surf and turf!

Jan 1: We made these and they were delish. We also made impromptu crab cakes witht the extra stuffing.

Entrée

Mushroom ravioli in sage and brown butter
Yay, prepared food! MMmm, butter.

Jan 1: Soooo, forgot to buy the sage. Raviolis resided in plain brown butter with a little thyme.

Warm Butternut Squash and Arugula Salad
Salad is healthy. Good.
Veuve Cliquot
'Nuff said.

~~Dessert~~

Chocolate Soufflés with raspberries
I salut you, Trader Joe, and your delicious frozen desserts.

~~Port~~

Digestif Calvados served by the light of an ambient fire YouTube video… Jan 1: Not even close.

Can we eat it? Will we survive? Will we ourselves be certifiable foie gras in the end? Does PETA hate us? What are you doing to kick 2009 in the rear?

xo,

better than a pile of puppies

2009-12-30T16:08:00.008-05:00

Sometimes, when I am in a foul mood, I wish I had a pile of puppies to snuggle. My two nieces are a way better solution. Not to compare them to puppies, but it's true.

xo,
L

scenes from a NoCo holiday

2009-12-30T16:07:00.008-05:00

xo,
L

peace & joy

2009-12-25T13:39:00.001-05:00

Happy holidays and all the best for the New Year!

xo,
L

welcome to the 21st century

2009-12-19T19:17:00.003-05:00

RIP, TV: 1997-2009

When I was 18 years old and preparing to head off to college, I went shopping with my mom to buy a TV for my dorm room. Woo! I was looking at little 16" sets, but my mother wisely said to me: "You should get a bigger TV. Someday you will have an apartment and you will want to have a bigger TV."

So true, so true. I bought a giant 21".

12 1/2 years later, my TV has lived with me in many apartments, with many roommates, we got married and belonged to Pete, too.

Over the past few months, I noticed that TV was getting some gray hairs. Strange bands of white in the top left corner of the screen, a purple glow in the bottom right corner. I feared TV was not long for this world....

On Friday, December 18, 2009, Pete said to me: "Does the color look kind of weird, or is it just me...?" I was in denial (we were watching a sort of sci-fi thing, so maybe everyone was supposed to look purple/green). Alas, he was right. Things did look kind of weird. In fact, they looked really weird. RIP, TV....

We now have a Christmas SALE 32" flat screen. I can see people's pores. Everything is so crisp and clear I feel like I'm wearing amber vision shades. I feel like a fool for defending my 12 1/2 yr old TV against the HD for so long. And yet...

I miss you, TV. You will always live on in my memory (and in my office until we learn how to recycle you...).

xo,
L

cassoulet forever

2009-12-13T21:59:00.004-05:00

Yes, it really was that good.

It's a bit disorienting to be cooking up a huge hunk of pork shoulder, a bunch of chorizo, and half a bottle of wine at 9am, but hey, that's what you've got to do to make a really kick a$* cassoulet.

Who is this "cassoulet" you speak of?

Eliz came over to help us celebrate the noble pig in all it's deliciousness. The dish contains pork in no less than 3 forms, so you know it's got to be good. And... it was. Hopefully, it will continue to be as delicious for a long time, since there are still 3 lbs remaining.

Vive le cassoulet!
L

let there be light

2009-12-09T11:48:00.000-05:00

This little light of mine...

Right now, the wind is howling outside my window. Quite frankly, it's pretty craptastic weather we're having. Oh, how I love the winter. Was reaching a new level of cranky when I suddenly remembered this shot from our post-Thanksgiving insta-transformation to Christmas. Heeeee.... That's better.

Looking forward to flannel PJs and Harry Potter tonight. To all my friends in the Northeast: it has begun -- let's have drinks.

xo,
L

a great accomplishment

2009-12-06T10:03:00.004-05:00

Contrary to popular belief....

Contrary to popular belief, this photo above is not London Bridge, but Tower Bridge. Oh yes, you know what this means... After 3 years of attemts to visit I finally got my Tower of London trip. I even passed up the Fortnum & Mason hamper display for this, so those of you who know my hamper love will understand the gravity of this visit.

It's good to be a raven if you live here.

After a Yeoman's wander with a beefeater, JW and I checked out the crown jewels including the first and second largest diamonds in the world, Anne Bolyn's resting place, the bloody tower, Traitors Gate, 3 of the 7 spoiled ravens on the premise, and 2 gift shops.

[Note: It could have been a "tour with a Yeoman Warder," instead of the tour being a "Yeoman's Wander," but I am not good with accents as many of you know...]

Yes, I am quite pleased with myself.

Back home safe and sound. Jet lag has woken me up early for a productive morning of Christmas prep and some bloggy catch-up. Missed you.

xo,
L

H.A.S. season 3: and so it begins...

2009-11-29T11:04:00.009-05:00

A Very VanDerbrady Thanksgiving...

It seems I didn't get my pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Anticipation Series posts rolling this year. Ah well, we'll have to jump right in then, shall we? We celebrated a very Brady-heavy VanDerbrady holiday this year. Thanks, Mom and Dad for coming from so far away to be with the Boston fam. Adam -- I don't think you read this fluff, but we missed you!

Before/After

More after...

Like the good Americans we are, within a few hours we jumped directly from harvest time to winter wonderland complete with tree, carols, and -- my personal fave -- nog full of rum. More to come on that... Hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xo,
L

cocktails against nasty

2009-11-22T16:05:00.006-05:00

It is getting a bit nasty around here -- in my book that means cold, gray, bare trees, winter onset angst. To fight the nasty, P and I heated up rum and mixed it with some stuff. We tried:

Hot Buttered Rum
My mom made me my first hot buttered rum. Here's how we made ours last night.

Took our two biggest mugs (Tufts and World Elvis), in each we put

2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 alspice berries
1 tsp butter

Poured boiling water in each much and let steep for 5 minutes. Then, added 2 1/2 shots dark rum (or to taste).

Mulled Cider Plus
3 cups cider
orange zest
cloves
allspice
cinnamon stick

Instructions: Mull it. Pour some dark rum in.

These remedies seemed to work. In any case, it felt much warmer...
xo,
L

Rodents of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.

2009-11-09T20:44:00.008-05:00

...what about the ROUSes?

We looked awfully hard during a recent trip to the swamp, but no sign of nutria. However, we did see some other stuff:

Learned some stuff, too. Our guide taught us that:

I am a Yankee whether I like it or not.
Yankees ruin everything (knew that already).
Yankees shouldn't reproduce.
Yankees who move south are known as "Damn Yankees."

Other bits of trivia:

Don't touch Spanish moss even though it's pretty -- it can be full of chiggers which will burrow into your skin and feel like pieces of glass wriggling inside your flesh.
Tourists like turtles.
At Bourbon St. Blues Co. you can get 3 for 1 on the first floor until 6pm, but if you go upstairs, you can get 3 for 1 until 9pm.
Yankees ruin everything.

More to come,
L

NOLA

2009-10-29T12:10:00.003-04:00

today

2009-10-29T10:09:00.001-04:00

today smells like leaves
that frat house has nice pumpkins
daylight savings soon

xo,
L

a few good reasons

2009-10-16T17:27:00.005-04:00

Reaon 1: pumpkins even during a pumpkin shortage.

I know I've been talking a lot of smack about the northeast lately. Just thought I should apologize to my home region for threatening to move south earlier today. Here are some reasons why I love fall in New England.

Reason 2: this setup wouldn't look quite right anywhere else.

Reason 3: being reminded to slow down and pick the apples.

Reason 4: no lines for clams.

Reason 5: the Great Salt Marsh.

Reason 6: this guy lives here, too.

xo,
L

hard to resist

2009-10-12T11:44:00.002-04:00

Yeeaaah... So, we have quite a bit of squash right now.

xo,
L
PS - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!

it's not easy being green

2009-10-09T10:50:00.003-04:00

Love? Hate?

I love dark leafy greens. I love people who hate dark leafy greens. One hater I know sometimes gives me the castoffs from her CSA.

That is how I ended up taking home a large bunch of collard greens last night.

Pete: What's that?
L: What this? Oh, nothing. Just my massive bunch of second hand collard greens.

Now to figure out what to do with them. I have beet greens, chard, and kale down, but I think CGs require bacon or something to make them edible.

Sorry, in my mind I didn't think this post would turn out to be so boring. I'll do better next time.
xo,
L

party like it's 1889

2009-10-06T11:28:00.005-04:00

The patent for the first automated
photography machine was filed in 1889.

Thanks to C for the scan of this old fashioned fun. Congratulations to TPS and her handsome new husband! Great fun was had by all.

More to come.
xo,
L

on the road again

2009-09-28T10:01:00.006-04:00

Seasons change...

Well, it is officially fall once more in New England (and everywhere in the northern hemisphere, I suppose). Fall is a complicated season -- even if it's your favorite time of year, it always triggers just a bit of nostalgia, and signals change. For Pete and me, fall also means it's time to get back on the road. In fact, my husband just returned yesterday from an extended trek through the wilds of upstate NY.

Conveniently, our travel often overlaps, so I headed out to NY with him at the beginning of the trip to meet up with these lovely ladies....

Adventures in the Finger Lakes.
Please note Katie's delicious libation.
[Note: I am missing Shelley, Lisa and Mrs. R, but can't wait to see you soon!]

So, the travelogue has begun! Next up, I'm catching a plane to meet up with Pete in Atlanta to celebrate T's nuptuals. Later, he'll be chasing me to New Orleans where we'll spend a few days. Then, there is some talk of an international jaunt to end the travel season, but we shall see. Frequent flier miles will only get you so far...

Busy, busy, but in a really good way. Hope to have some interesting stories to tell.

xo,
L

the rundown

2009-09-25T10:02:00.002-04:00

Here's what I'm going to do today:

Drop my brown boots off to be re-heeled.
Pop in here and here.
Consider buying myself flowers, and then not buy myself flowers.
Eat either Cheerios or tofu for dinner depending on how motivated I am. If I eat Cheerios, I drink tea. If I eat tofu, I get white wine. Hmmm.
Watch the season premiere of Ghost Whisperer. Yes, really.
Paint my toenails.

Can you tell I'm solo this week?

xo,
L

done to death...

2009-09-17T10:33:00.002-04:00

Totally feeding into a ridiculous frenzy, but is civility really dead?

This made me go, heeeeeee.

xo,
L

made in france

2009-09-09T18:53:00.004-04:00

Oui.

My parents very, very kindly gave Pete and me quite a special pot for our anniversary. In fact, calling it a "pot" doesn't do it justice.

The appropriate vessel for your moules.

Do you like our new light?
They are all the rage in these parts...

We marked the first cooking with champagne, of course. [Note: I am not capitalizing "C", as it was really a sparkling Loire, and I just learned on NPR or some such outlet that you can commonly use "c"hampagne to describe sparkling wine and "C"hampange is the real stuff. How stuck up am I? Whatever, it was on NPR so it must be true.]

Pete's recent encounter with the Silver Fox has inspired him to attempt a cassoulet. Perhaps a 3-day cassoulet. Who knows? Craziness may ensue.

Thank you, M&D.
xo,
L

a good spot

2009-09-01T10:49:00.003-04:00

Pete thought this would be a good, safe place
to park the car last night...

Happy Tuesday,
L

nuts

2009-08-27T11:26:00.006-04:00

This movie is cuh-RAZY.

P and I watched the movie Coraline the other night. That movie is NUTS.

I have no idea who the director and producer had in mind when they decided to make this movie, but apparently it was someone like me. It's not really for kids, it's not really for adults... It gave me deja vu of those kid nightmares we've all had where you know you're dreaming, but can't wake up; but not in a bad way. I know, it makes no sense. I will have to read the book to see if it is more/less creepy. Based on the cover, I'm going to say: equally creepy. Bizarre. Totally bizarre.

The premise is that a little girl who is unhappy with her boring life crawls through a tiny door into a perfect, alternate version of her life. She finds out she can stay there forever if she let's her perfect mother take out her eyes and sew buttons in their place. Yeah. Pretty awesome, huh? There is also some sort of eastern European retired circus performer, and some old, overweight burlesque actressess...

I think you should see this movie.

xo,
L
PS - you can send super creepy e-cards to your friends at the book site.

fire is hot

2009-08-24T14:28:00.002-04:00

Fire is hot.
Soup is cold.

There was a point earlier this primarily cold and rainy summer when I wouldn't have believed that I'd ever be thinking that it's just too darn hot to cook. Too hot to eat, sleep, or do anything but seek refuge in the corner of our kitchen near our pitifully overtaxed AC unit. Well, my friends, that time is now.

P and I have unearthed some great recipes that involve minimal ingredients and/or cooking. This is key, as I have just learned that fire is, indeed, quite hot. I say this in reference to my new gas stove and oven, which use actual fire to cook. Yes, yes, I know that I am supposed to prefer gas to electric, but even little flames seem to be super hot, and I have that Sesame Street vignette of the lady in the kimono bathrobe setting herself on fire while reaching for her teapot ingrained in my head. Will that be me? Will I burn all the hair off my arm lighting the stove as my 8th grade Earth Science lab partner did with our bunsen burner? It's entirely possible, as I find myself constantly removing pieces of paper, potholders, glasses of wine, etc. from the proximity of the (fiery) burner.

[Note: Did I make up that episode of Sesame Street? Sometimes that show really freaked me out.]

Anyway, I need to get a thermometer that measures the actual oven temperature because all temperatures seem to be "superhothothot" no matter the degree that I dial it to. Also, P and I need to devise a strategy to keep the smoke detectors from going off in our new apt when we use the superhothothot setting. We set them off for the first time last night, and let's just say a gal with a shoulder impingement shouldn't be fanning a smoke detector 10 feet over her head.

So, dear readers, I pose the following questions:

Any ideas for jerry rigging a ventilation strategy for an apt that has none?
Have a recommendation for a good oven thermometer?
Can you help me overcome the bunsen burner PTSD and use my gas range with confidence?

Merci,
L

time warp: apparently, I've grown...

2009-08-20T15:05:00.012-04:00

Hmmm, much more peaceful than how I remember it.

You may have noticed that I'm feeling a bit nostalgic lately. I think that August will always have this effect on me, particularly since I work at a university and will always face a perpetual "back to school" period each summer. The afternoon light is hazy, the traffic is picking up, and I'm trying not to feel bitter about all those cold, rainy days that claimed the beginning of my summer.

When the weather finally cleared, I was able to enjoy some experiences that I haven't had since I was really quite young. The first is going to a beach on the Atlantic Ocean. As you know, I'm quite fond of the balmy waters of the Carribbean, but as a child, I took beach vacations to Rehoboth Beach, DE.

The elapsed time since I last partook in this activity left me questioning my memories, and trying to piece things back together from a height now 3 feet higher. I seemed to remember thrilling ocean waves of hurricane proprotion on even the calmest days. Perhaps DE beaches are just wilder than MA; or rather, it must be because I am no longer knee-high, but the waves still are...

Did you ever read Trumpet of the Swan?
Everyone should.

My next trip to times relatively long ago was to Stratford, ON. I hadn't been to Stratford in years, but have so many memories of our annual (?) trips with my family. This year, I took Pete to see my parents and family friend, see some plays, and see some swans. While they are big birds, they just weren't as big as I remembered. I still backed away as they came out of the water, though. They can clock you.

It's always interesting to contemplate how things change and how they stay the same. Luckily, some things do stay the same.

Regardless of how much height I have gained,
I am still the shortest member of my family.

xo,
L

your moment of Zen...

2009-08-18T18:40:00.011-04:00

Thanks to T&R for bringing the entertainment.

Thanks to all of you who helped celebrate Pete's birthday this weekend! For those of you who could be with us, hope we fed you enough because we still have 2lbs of pork left. For those of you who were here in spirit... jealous? Juuuuust kidding. Hope to see you next year, we missed you!

Just fyi, we are done with the southern themes for awhile. Next time there will be plenty of champagne and pate. Beware.

xo,
L
PS - We finally watched King Creole all the way through and with the sound on. It's quite good. Thumbs up.

Guess the locale...

2009-08-15T09:18:00.004-04:00

In spite of their efforts, I remained a
non-participatory member of the audience.

Hi, all! Just recently returned from vacation in a foreign land. Based on above video, can you guess where I was...?

More to come.
xo.
L

by the seashore

2009-07-25T16:04:00.002-04:00

T by the sea...

We are really loving the car now that summer has finally arrived. It allows us to visit Tomoko, Ryan, and Karin much more easily.

I was very content sitting on the beach. We were sure to employ Pete's famous "thermos maneuver" in order to circumvent both the "no glass" and the "no alcohol" polilcy, so that we could have nice cold wine with our cheese and fruit.

I have full permission to use this photo.

Until next time, that is all.

xo,
L

when life gives you lemons...

2009-07-20T17:58:00.005-04:00

The way life should be: Jackson's Snack Shack...

The other day, as I circled the block for parking, I saw a little girl sitting on a stoop selling lemonade. She had a table with a table cloth, pitcher, cups, etc. No handwritten sign. No pricing available. She looked bored; not in a kid sitting in the sun kind of way, but in a slightly disturbing adult way: legs crossed nonchalantly, frowning, squinting at the traffic, uncomfortable on the concrete steps. Then a guy came out of the building she was in front of, lit up a cigarette (?) and leaned against the wall next to her. I stared at this tableau a split second too long after the light turned green and was honked on my way.

The girl seemed stuck in my head following this brief encounter. I was sad that something I always think of as a wholesome summertime activity seemed so tainted in this gritty context. I thought about my childhood -- how I could roam freely, how I wouldn't have nasty men smoking questionable substances at my lemonade stand, how I would have been sitting in a lawn chair or on the grass if it were my shop. I despaired. Well, not really, but it was a bit of a bummer.

And then, life reminds you of how lovely it can still be. Pete and I encountered Jackson's Snack Shack (Voted #1 on the North Shore by his family!), and my faith in sunny summertime memories was restored. This boy did it right -- cash register, precious apron from Lowe's, nametag, even a box collecting donations for an animal shelter.

Wholesome non-smokers....

Lemonade was even offered in two sizes: small, large. Pete bought me a large and I blissfully listened to the ice click in my plastic cup, so promptly poured for me by Jackson's efficient little hand, as we drove along the coast. I can't think of a better way to spend $.50 than on a large lemonade drunk in the car with the windows down, looking at the sea...

xo,
L

one for all those upstaters out there...

2009-07-15T15:45:00.006-04:00

One to join the ranks of Nessie, Cressie, Mussie, and Champ...

Some of you who happen upon this blog from time to time may remember a certain fourth grade overnight trip to Cooperstown, NY. Ah yes, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and, er, what else was there? I know my gracious mother rembers sitting next to Betty Jo "I think I'm gonna 'splode" Nelson on the bus, but I don't recall many more details.

Anyway, this book takes place in a fictionalized version of Cooperstown and brings all sorts of upstate/FLR elements into play. Pete is in the midst of reading it right now, so I won't write too much about it, but I do highly recommend it. It's really well written, quirky, and incorporates vingettes involving Natty Bumppo, attempted murder by Alaskan bi-plane, and hippies. What more could you ask for?

If you read it, let me know what you think...
xo,
L

springtime meal for a noreaster

2009-07-10T09:02:00.003-04:00

Last raindy day meal...

With fingers crossed, I am happy to write my last post on rainy day cooking. The clouds seem to have parted, and my outlook has become sunnier just like the weather. I'm now able to look back at those still too recent rainy days and take stock of all the indoor cooking experimentation they inspired. There was, of course, the soufflé, a very rainy breakfast experiment, and some exploration of a bottle or 2 or 3 of wine.

The summertime Nor'easter that sat on Boston for a few days at the end of June coincided with my first purchase of garlic scapes and the discovery of the "all garlic all the time" menu from which came the soufflé. I would definitely recommend the above bright and tasty Penne With Roasted Garlic, Pancetta and Arugula for your next rainy day.

Here's to better weather...
xo,
L

notes on a first-time soufflé

2009-06-21T19:40:00.005-04:00

soufflé take 1...

If you've never made a soufflé before (as I had not until tonight), and you are preparing to move to a new apartment, and you have an injury, this might not be the best time for your first attempt. I, of course, disregarded all of these factors and plowed ahead with the soufflé-making because that. is. what. I. had. planned.

My confidence bolstered by the word on the street that soufflés are undeservedly intimidating -- (They're actually easy, y'all! OK PAULA DEEN WHATEVER.), I figured Pete and I should just go for it, trashed apartment be damned.

Well, it actually wasn't that difficult, but we didn't know that until the end. I decided we should make a green garlic, gruyère, and chive soufflé, which I found on the NYT website. That was probably my first mistake as the NYT food section, as wonderful as it is, assumes that you can cook well enough that you don't need explicit instructions. Like, what temperature you should cook things at? Or, what to do if once you add the milk to your roux it does not thicken and then you think you've just wasted 1/2 dozen eggs, 2 cups milk, and the last remaining shreds of your sanity...?! Alright, I'm being dramatic now.

Once I added more flour to my decidedly not "thick and smooth" beginning step, things began to improve. We finally got the soufflé in the oven, waited 20-25 minutes (as instructed by the NYT), and pulled out our lovely golden soufflé (see above photo).

We admired said golden soufflé for about 2 minutes, which was when I went to serve it and discovered that the interior was still liquid. Hmmm... the liquid tasted good, but was still liquid. Pete and I looked at each other, shrugged, then molded my liquidy scoop of soufflé back into the dish, and popped it in the oven for another 10 minutes.

soufflé take 2...
(You can hardly see the dent, right?)

Success! Who knew that you can just remold your raw soufflé, put it back in the oven, and end up with an even puffier, more golden soufflé in the end?

End result...

Now that I know you don't have to do everything exactly right and you can still turn out a pretty impressive dish, I would concurr that soufflés are more intimidating than they should be. It was a bit of an ordeal to get to that conclusion, but well worth it. Yes, I'll make another!

Do not be afraid.

xo,
L

rain, rain go away...

2009-06-19T12:03:00.002-04:00

I'd rather be...

It. Is. Raining. AGAIN! Looks as though we'll be under cloud cover here in Boston for awhile. I would love any suggestions for some fun indoor activities. So far I have mostly been doing the whole flannel-pajama-wine-drinking-thing and it's getting a tad old.

Please help!
xo,
L

enjoying the foreign scenery

2009-06-06T09:28:00.006-04:00

[Music Disclaimer: If you speak French, please just disregard the lyrics of this song. While I love it, the words don't really apply unless you think of me and Pete as "two grains of madness in the wind..."]

There's not much to say in the post except perhaphs "sigh..." We're home, but still feeling compelled to drink rosé and make mussels tonight.

xo,
L

walk like the wind...

2009-06-06T08:33:00.003-04:00

The Walkers

Pete came up with walk like the wind, not me, but in any case, sending good wishes to Heather, Jamey, Libby & Co. today as they head out as part of the "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk." The fundraiser in me is very proud of their efforts (see widget at right), and so happy to help support the team and a great cause. Wish we could be with you all!

xo,
L

à bientot...

2009-05-27T16:57:00.007-04:00

if I had a hammer...

2009-05-18T21:22:00.003-04:00

If I had a hammer...

Apparently, I'd eat half a dozen crabs.

I would eat them here.

There's more to this story, like baseball, a visit to Virgina, and...

spending time with Yankees fans...

Eating BBQ at a baseball game...

Just a few among many activities that took place during our visit to the Mid-Atlantic region recently. Most activities involved crabs. Or, Yankees fans. Good times!

xo,
L

gotta have heart

2009-05-16T19:00:00.004-04:00

Hospitals are fun! Hospitals are fun?

Leaving the hospital is fun.

Thursday at 4pm, gave me another reason to count my blessings. It was about that time that Pete and I left the emergency room at Mount Auburn Hospital after arriving 6 hours earlier. Pete called me at work that morning to tell me he was having problems seeing, couldn't remember words, couldn't read, and was generally confused. Our ride to the emergency room was very unsettling as he was mixing up his speech (saying things like "feffrett" instead of "Everett" and asking me to name types of pastries and types of fruits in order to try to figure out what he ate for breakfast (blueberry muffin).

Needless to say, screwing up your speech and forgetting words is not a good sign. He was admitted to the emergency room with "stroke-like symptoms." Long, long story short, after an MRI, CT, Ecocardiogram, lots of bloodwork, etc. the doctors told us that he could go home. All his tests were completely clear, and he mostly likely had an atypical or silent migraine.

Not Pete's heart, but one like it...
I know, 'cause I saw it myself!

I am having a glass of champagne tonight to celebrate my husband's health. This worked out to be the best possible issue considering the symptoms, and, man, am I glad.

So, cheers to you and yours. Go tell someone you love them.

xo,
L

pea head's triumph

2009-04-21T10:27:00.009-04:00

I have a pea head. When I was in college, my friend from Trinidad told me one day: "Girl, you have a head just like a ripe mango." As a result of my head's apparently diminutive size, I don't own any hats other than a plethora of tight fitting winter toques and one fuzzy cloche that eliminates my peripheral vision.

My whole adult life I have been on a search for a baseball cap that does not look ridiculous on me, fall down over my eyes, or get a stupid-looking poof at the back from uber tight adjustment. I would dream of being able to leave the house without washing my hair -- hey, I'll just slap on my cap!

I had come to grips with the reality that I would probably never have a properly fitted baseball cap, but Pete refused to accept defeat. From time to time, he'd sneak up behind me and encircle my head with kitchen twine, ribbon, etc. to later be measured to determine my cranial circumference. His conclusion was that I would require the elusive XXS.

XXS = extra, extra special

The XXS is not even available online. In fact, it is only available at the Red Sox Team Store at Fenway. After decades of searching and a well-spent $30, I have my hat. Oh, XXS, you are so wonderful...

xo,
L

hey, baby!

2009-04-09T08:15:00.000-04:00

Hey, baby. Are you Dutch?

On a recent Sunday morning I woke up early(ish), and lay in bed thinking about how I should definitely eat less butter. It was dark as a cave in my bedroom and I groggily pulled myself up and to the kitchen for coffee.

Upon exiting the bedroom, I discovered that it was one of those rainy days when there is clearly no good reason to go outside. Somewhere in the depths of my foggy brain inspiration struck when I remembered seeing a gorgeous picture in this magazine. With visions of puffy golden pastry and enameled skillets on the brain, I set out to make a Dutch Baby.

While a dutch baby looks very impressive, it is about the easiest breakfast you can make. However, if you make it the way I did, it definitely won't help in the reduction of your butter consumption.

April showers... Ok, it was still March,
but now it's April and it's definitely still raining.

I hear we may be in for more rain this weekend, so perhaps I'll whip another one up for Easter brunch? I'm looking for culinary inspiration for Easter brunch and/or dinner if you have any ideas...

xo,

I got worms! And, in other news...

2009-03-30T14:03:00.004-04:00

BBOA & PHJB in BOS, MA

I have a worm. I do. Well, Pete and I both do, and it's wreaking havoc on our computer. This worm really, really loves pop-ups in the middle of my hulu, and crashing pretty much, um, everything. Hopefully will be resolved soon so I can start posting my pretty pictures, and random nonsense more regularly.

In other news... I returned home from an uber-quick jaunt to DC to an apartment that smelled absolutely divine: Pete was cooking up some gumbo in preparation for our Friday night outing to Symphony Hall to see the Blind Boys of Alabama and Preservation Hall Jazz Band (or as T put it so succinctly: The BBOA).

Ever have those days when you just want to put on flannel pajamas and get in bed, but instead you rally and you're so glad you did? This was one of those nights. Fortified with andouille and mint juleps, we headed downtown for a fantastic show. Even though we had, er, limited leg room, it didn't matter because we were on our feet most of the time.

[Note: Do not buy any seats in row C, 2nd balcony in Symphony Hall. Don't be cheap. It's not worth it.]

And so, I will wrangle the worm yet again tonight, but in case I don't get back here soon, I leave you with musical inspiration...

xo,
L

Bullwinkle stew

2009-03-19T10:46:00.001-04:00

P in his "cooking cap"

An item to add to the "something new" list: I ate a moose. Well, part of one anyway. Pete managed to obtain some moose meat on his recent expedition up to Maine. Upon my return from Miami, I was quite famished and headed straight to the fridge. I was not expecting to see a hunk of meat merely labeled "moose" on the top shelf.

I know my mom is terribly sad that we ate moose (her favorite animal, tied with the beaver...), but, Mom, it was delicious. You know that beef stew you made G&G the other day? It's fantastic with moose. It was a noble (and delicious) beast, so rest assured it was much appreciated.

Pete's Magnificent Moose stew recipe can be found here with annotations. If you ever manage to procure your own moose, through legal means only(!), I highly recommend it.

xo,
L

The opposite of smelting, year 2

2009-03-13T10:23:00.000-04:00

T pays homage to the Dude...

Once again this year, P and I chose to spend a weekend engaging in completely opposite activities. Last year, he went smelting, and I drank kir royales on the couch. This year, he went smelting with a bunch of boys, and I went to Miami with my childhood girlfriends.

There was much relaxing, as evidenced in these photos:

Tropical Sangria:
pineapple and canteloupe infused chardonnay

Outside lunching in March:
impossible to do in VT

View from home base

There's not much better than a sunny getaway at the tail end of winter. Thanks, C, for arranging everything. Looking forward to not smelting again with you next year.

xo,
L

good to the last drop

2009-03-12T10:17:00.003-04:00

No reading ahead.

Whenever I travel, I always allow myself to buy a best seller treat from an airport newsstand or bookstore. For my recent trip to Miami, I picked up this book. I just finished it last night, and immediately burst into tears. It. Was. So. Good. Pete was understandably alarmed, but my puffy eyes this morning were worth it.

Not since my Thirteenth Tale obsession has a book engrossed me like this one has. It's kind of Mansfield Park/Atonement-esque. Now, I'm going to say something that may cause some trouble: If you read this book, do NOT read ahead. I know this is like saying "don't think of a white bear" or putting a button in front of someone and saying "don't push this," but I am guilty of the read-ahead and was so glad that I didn't do that this time. The book was great until the very last page. Literally.

I'm trying to make Pete read it next, but if you call dibs in a comment, I'll put it in the mail to you when he's through...

xo,
L
PS - Keep in mind, perhaps not high literature, but very entertaining.
PPS - It might take Pete a long time to read.

all kinds of awesome

2009-03-01T21:20:00.005-05:00

nuh nuh nuh-na, nuh nuh na-nuh
[Clap! Clap!]

I recently discovered that every episode of Beverly Hills 90210 is online. Snow storm's a-comin -- good thing I have 10 years of reruns to keep me busy...

xo,
L
PS - I have $6 cable, I'm entitled to my online TV habit.
PPS - In eighth grade, I got a Betsey Johnson dress at Century 21 in Brooklyn that (I thought) looked a lot like Brenda's dress in this picture. There's an 8th grade graduation picture of me and my girlfriends decked out in our finest 90s gear, which we referred to as the "9-oh picture..."

75 reasons...

2009-02-24T20:11:00.006-05:00

Well, just one reason really -- one reason to have a cocktail: mardi gras. That's right, as of tomorrow, you'll be plunged into Lent and giving something up, so have a fancy drink while you can. [Note: In light of full disclosure, I have not given up anything since the year I gave up ice cream. It was an all together terrible experience.]

I would recommend a French 75, which I just learned is named after a gun, and not called "French" because of the champagne. Created by a French flying ace in WWI (romantic, non?), you can find this classic cocktail in famous New Orleans' watering holes.

So, you shake up:

1.5 oz gin
.75 oz lemon juice
2 tsp simple syrup

Then you:
top with champagne

Let the good times roll...
L

preamble

2009-02-23T17:02:00.001-05:00

Here I am in the place where I come let go
Miami the base and the sunset glow

Yeah, it's going to be just like this,
(except with a bunch of very unavailable ladies...)

Stay tuned...
L

Re-purposing, or: The Slow Road to February

2009-02-20T09:00:00.003-05:00

While I have not given a proper recap on good and enjoyable things that have happened this winter, my better half has. Since all I seem to be able to do is whine about the cold, I was particularly pleased to read his post and realize that, yes, there are have been some awesome winter happenings.

Without further ado, I give you the first LLT guest blog post (ok, that sounds grand, I'm just re-purposing the writing of someone cleverer and more productive than I....

xo,
L

The Slow Road to February
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Metaphor

Before I get into the gloriousness of February, I felt it was somehow important to trudge back through the drifts of January before it fades from memory.

It snowed. I got to wear suspenders and a newsboy cap on New Years Eve. We left the brittle skeleton of our Christmas tree on the curb to be whisked away by the Cambridge city recycling elves. We celebrated LSB's birthday. Some friends got hitched and we stayed in a famously haunted New England inn, but, alas, no ghosts. I developed several new pet peeves (all involving snow removal and on-street parking). We stayed in an unhaunted New England inn. We ate loads of cheese and bought some cool little bowls. We made lots of stuff in my new slow-cooker, but mostly BBQ pulled-(insert meat here). The new hatchblack got progressively dirtier--with a thick layer of sludge, ice, and salt residue.

This was hanging in the unhaunted hotel

We left January--a withered and beaten-down month--curbside, on the reminants of dry pine needles. Then, it snowed some more.

meditation on meringue

2009-02-19T15:48:00.000-05:00

Snow capped peaks; meringue

I have never made meringue. As you know, I don't bake (much), but am intrigued by this frothy, crunchy cookie. I found this one at this bakery while on a fabulous and cozy winter getaway.

It melted in my mouth, got all over my coat, the car, Pete, and was sugary-divine. Are they difficult to make? I think it may involve cream of tartar, which I find fascinating, but don't believe I've ever used...

Meringue as big as my head

Just had to share this frivolous detail and also let you know that I enjoyed winter recently. Anyone out there have meringe-making experience?

xo,
L

the reaping

2009-02-15T19:15:00.002-05:00

seasons change...

My love affair with the AeroGarden continues. I simply must make it my job to endorse this product. If you live in a small apartment, somewhere where it is winter most of the year, or if you simply kill plants whenever you try to keep them, you must have and Aero. You must.

After six months of abundant herbs, many batches of pesto, basil/pineapple/lime gimlets, great garnish, mint juleps, pizza toppings, roasting spices and spice rubs, stock flavorings, mint simple syrup, and hours of pleasure standing in front of bright lights literally watching the grass grow, it is time to replant.

The final harvest became more pesto and a few last cocktails.

and now, we wait...

xo,
L
PS - thanks to Jamey for the replacement pods. Best. Present. Ever.

haitus

2009-02-01T17:06:00.002-05:00

The end of January has been a bit of a struggle! I seemed to have hit a blogging roadblock, and even googled "blog post ideas" to see if something could jumpstart me. Unfortunately, I found advice from one site that said "don't write about what you had for lunch -- nobody cares." Um, pretty much all I write about is what I have for lunch (dinner/dessert/cocktail hour), which was a major bummer.

THEN, I realized how most instructions on how to blog are meant to bring out your wittiest, most cynnical, and oftentimes nasty critiques of pretty much everything around you. Since this is the opposite of why I started to write in the first place, I think I will continue to write about my lunch, thank you very much.

And, I will eat cheese and drink wine while I do it!

More to come...
L

taking stock

2009-01-17T13:53:00.004-05:00

Q: When is the word "carcass" used to describe something lovely?

Graphic

A: When you're making your own homeade chicken stock.

P and I made some delicious soup that was a version on Italian Wedding soup the other night. It was very tasty, but I ended up buying about $8 of chicken stock to make it, which was very salty and pretty basic tasting.

This inspired us to roast a chicken for dinner last night and drop the resulting CARCASS in the slow cooker for 15hrs (with onion, thyme, basil, bay leaf, carrots, celery) to produce some glorious stock. It just looks rich and so much better than the box or can....

L&P's meatball and whatever's in your fridge soup

Turkey meatballs:

1 lb turkey
1/2 c grated parmesan
S&P
1 c bread crumbs
1/2 c chopped onion (or more if you'd like)

Soup:
Chicken stock (many cups, maybe 12 plus water)
Carrots, celery, onion, whatever is about to go bad in your freezer
1-2 bunches winter greens (we used chard because I couldn't find escarole)
Pepper (I found I did not need salt due to salty chicken broth)

Put all soup ingredients in a pot, boil then simmer until greens are tender, drop in your meatballs and simmer until done (10-15min).

Our super stock is chilling in the fridge right now in prep for eventual freezing. I see a lot of soup in our future...

Stay warm,
L

wingman...

2009-01-16T14:19:00.004-05:00

Cheers to you, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III.

This is the first time I have ever felt joy watching the six o'clock news...

xo,
L

lucky

2009-01-11T18:11:00.007-05:00

Box of....?

I am terribly lucky. I have had the lovliest 30th birthday ever thanks to my wonderful family and friends. I must give special thanks to P for the most ingenious birthday present ever.

Apparently, unbeknownst to me, he had not only planned me a birthday party the day before my birthday, but found a way to surprise me that did not involve hyperventilation and tears
(a la my 27th surprise bday-20-people-hiding-in-my-bedroom). He contacted many of my very close friends and family asking them to send me a letter, card, or postcard for my birthday that told me how I was special to them. Needless to say, I cried for an hour straight reading all of the wonderful notes and cards I received. Upon opening the box, I honestly didn't realize what the letters were at first, as I didn't think I even knew that many people.

It was so touching to hear all the different voices of the many people I love come across in these letters in their own very distinct ways. There were top ten lists that made me laugh, letters that moved me to tears, letters from other countries, letters in other languages, photographs, origami notes, a velvet Elvis card, stickers/stamps and bat drawings, and most of all the most beautiful notes and messages I have ever received.

To all of you who took time out of your very busy lives to write to me: thank you so much. This has been the best birthday simply because of this box of love! Most of all, thank you to Pete for this most perfect surprise....

To lighten up this recap, the celebrations also involved:

Tiny KickAss Cupcakes (no, that's the actual name):

ginger & mojito flavors. Pete snuck out to get them.

Surprise flower delivery
(Thank you, T!)

Clementine mimosas, on the couch, in pajamas

There were so many gifts and surprises, I'm just so surprised and overwhelmed (C, B&B, H family, M&D...). Thank you, thank you, thank you.

With much love and gratitude for my luck to know you all,

Pete, will you go out with me?
	Yes
	No
	I will go out with you if your husband turns you down

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