Tourists/Date Saturday

Saturday we made a pilgrimage out to Arlington to try some chicken from this place that had been on Anthony Bourdain's show. It was real good. Except that we each ate half a chicken and that was dumb of us. But it was real good. Then we headed out to visit Mr. Lincoln, and it was pretty cool. Caught part of the talk from a park ranger and learned some nice factoids about the memorial. I love our date Saturdays! I know some day we'll be back in Seattle we won't have as much time for date Saturdays, so I'm really relishing every moment.

Cookie Time

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Sometimes, a girl just wants some cookies. Made these m&m
cookies which were really fast and they turned out great.
Chewy and lots of m&ms. {full recipe on recipemogul}
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I heart this kitchen

It's very possible this is only appealing to me, but this kitchen is fabulous. I think this paint treatment would look great in different colors in a bathroom too. {via desire to inspire}

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Great February soup recipe. As with all creamy soups, I wish I'd left some of the broccoli pieces un-blended to keep some texture. This is also a million times easier if you have an immersion blender. {Broccoli Cheese Soup}

Mini Manse of the Day: Paris Clock Tower

This tiny but lovely apartment is located in an old bell tower in Paris, with a 360 view of the city. I would definitely compromise counter space for that! {via SF}

Valentine's Day Treats

Since it was a long weekend, we had time to make lots of food and enjoy Valentine's Day. I would've had fun going out to a restaurant too, but this was much better!

We had mimosas and fancy cupcakes from our neighborhood market, and Keene brought home these pretty flowers :)

We made Caramel Bread Pudding and it was awesome! You can find
the recipe on RecipeMogul.

Keene made these cute heart-shaped biscuits.

List & Comment Friday: Your Fave Restaurants

So for Christmas someone found out I love making lists (who doesn't!?) and got me this rad book, "Listography; Your Life in Lists", and it's really fun to fill out. I'll be featuring a list every Friday for a while, so feel free to comment with anything that might be on your list!

List Your FAVORITE RESTAURANTS:
The Totem - Everett
Montmartre - DC
Effes - Goettingen, Germany
Red Robins (I know)
Pesos - Queen Anne
The Keg - Everett
Kate's Pub - Wallingford
Boomers - Bellingham
Fremont Coffee
Mr. Henry's - DC
Wingmasters - Ballard
Java Bean - Ballard
Kwanjai Thai - Fremont
Burgermaster!

Now you go. Comment away!

AOTD: I LEGO NY

Abstract New York City icons created from Legos by Christoph Niemann. {I LEGO NY via Drawn}

Old Skool Craft

I can't believe I had forgotten about the glitter globe out of a baby food jar project! Note to self: remember to make awesome/weird glitter globes for people next year. Note to friends having babies: save baby food jars for my new project. {glitter globe instructions via Craftzine}

This is very cute

Felt and fabric love letter from LucyKate Crafts. {via CraftZine}

Handwriting Font

Make your handwriting into your own font! This is pretty rad and I don't know why because I can't actually think of a practical application for it, but it'd still be cool. {FontGenerator}

AOTD: Graham Carter

"B Movie Red", by illustrator Graham Carter. View more of his work at Boxbird Gallery's web site. {via Drawn}

Desk Accoutrament

If you're lucky enough to still have your desk job right now (I never thought I'd say that), then perhaps this 2009 3-D calendar will be of interest to you! I think it would look fabulous right by the troll doll and to the left of your bobbleheads. Download the printable pdf on Folding Trees. {via CraftZine}

Maple Mustard Pork Loin

I made this really simple recipe the other day and it turned out great! It was perfect for the supercold winter weather we've been having lately, and it's also a one-pot meal. The recipe called for a 12-in pork loin but I had the butcher cut it in half since that was ridiculous for just two of us. {Directions on RecipeMogul, originally from Rachael Ray}

Memory Book Valentine

I think it's safe to show this here since there's a 1 in a bajilliontrillion chance that my grandma will be checking this blog - I made her a little "Memory Book" for Valentine's Day. I thought this was a cute idea because you can fold it up to mail/take with you or unfold it and it will stand up on a table display. Got the instructions from the February Better Homes and Gardens, although I kindof made up my own dimensions and improvised to make it how I wanted it.

Valentine Mobile

Love this pretty valentine mobile project from Martha Stewart. {directions}

Everett, WA is magical

Dreams still come true in lil' ole Everett, WA. My Dad sent us this pic of him outside the Fred Meyer on Superbowl Sunday. He went on an emergency hot dog run and the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile was right there to greet him!

AOTD: Sam Bassett

REALLY interesting photography by Sam Bassett. It is definitely worth the time to look through his portfolio. {via SM}

Totally Handy

I know a few times I really could've used this handy Drink Calculator from Evite - instead of overbuying or (gasp) running out of alcohol, this'll help you hit the mark with the exact amount of drinks you'll need for a party.

Greek Salad in the Hizzay!

So we compiled this pretty greek salad for the ladies in Everett and it turned out fab! I originally saw Faith Hill make this recipe on Martha Stewart, and if you want you can watch their video on how to make it here. I like it because it looks great and you don't have to worry about your vegetarian friends. Check out the recipe on RecipeMogul.

DC via Detroit

Back in town already! Dayum I miss Seattle! It gave me many more heart pangs on this trip because it wasn't covered in a layer of DIRTSNOW. And who knew the Detroit airport was super nice? I like their cool indoor monorail.

Woo-Hoo, Wedding!!!

So the Inauguration is history and it's on to Seattle for the weekend! I'm on a plane RIGHT NOW as you people read this (if you're a morning blog checker) and will be getting ready to witness two of my very favorite people on the planet getting married on Saturday. Yep, these two crazy kids, Megan and John are getting hitched and I'll be there along with a bunch of other drunk people who love them to celebrate! Just warning everyone I already know I'm totally going to cry because it's just so awesome and congratulations in advance you two! I love you guys so much!

2009 Inauguration Day!

Hey you guys, we made it to The National Mall yesterday and witnessed history! It was tricky, with all the mass of people and the cold, but we got ourselves all bundled up and did it. One of my favorite moments was when Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriella Montero performed. McGill's clarinet was particularly beautiful and the crowd was hauntingly silent and peaceful at the same time. When President Obama spoke you could feel the impact of his words as the crowd was a mix of contemplative and totally excited. It was an amazing moment! You can see more here in my inauguration day flickr set.

more from Marc Johns.

What to Focus On

"What to focus on in 2009" by Marc Johns. {via SM}

Mint Chocolate Brownies

I haven't made these yet but I have to - can I get a witness on how good they look?

INGREDIENTS (makes 16)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
8 ounces semi or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
25 small (1 1/2 inch) peppermint patties

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides; butter foil. Set aside.

2. Place chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally just until melted, 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs. Gently whisk in flour and cocoa powder just until smooth (do not overmix).

4. Spread 1/3 of batter in prepared pan. Arrange peppermint patties on batter in a single layer, leaving a narrow border on all sides. Top with remaining batter, and smooth surface.

5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45 to 55 minutes.

6. Cool completely in pan. Use foil to lift from pan; peel off foil and discard. Cut into 16 squares (4 rows by 4 rows).

Product of the Day

Cool bottle opener! This opener by Tovolo not only is strong enough to hold in place on your fridge, but it catches the cap that flips off your bottle. Cool. {buy at Wrapables, via Shelterrific}

AOTD: Jon Ball

Illustrations from Jon Ball, Newport, United Kingdom.

I'm Back! (sort-of)

Visiting home in Seattle was fabulous. After a snowy start and lots of holiday shenanigans it was great and I had such an amazing time catching up with everyone. Thanks for the good times, you guys! Lots of highlights and I have to admit that I was so distracted that I hardly took any pictures. Oh well! Now I'm back in DC, ready to inaugurate and get this party started....as soon as I recover from this quick bout of food poisoning I got when we first got back (it's bad news people). So I apologize for being MIA these past few weeks - after I feel better I'm gonna have lots of posting :)

Thought I'd share these cool party plates from CB2 - they're only $1.50 each and I think they'd look great all hung on a wall. {buy online}

Favorite Moments of '08

Some of my favorite moments of 2008:
* Eating sandwiches with Wendi and touring the Hearst Castle
* Driving along the coast to Cambria with Kim and Megan
* When we found out that Mom passed her National Boards
* Getting an email from John saying it was time to go pick out a ring for Megan!
* Floating at Ranier
* Bethany's wedding
* Being there with Wendi and Michael as we heard Dahlia's heartbeat for the first time
* When Barrack won and the wave of relief/joy that followed
* All 4 days in New York visiting Shannon
* Hanging out with both sets of parents at the O'Connors
* The summer day Keene and I visited Bainbridge
* Puzzle night with Annie
* Puzzle night with Josiane
* Realizing I'd paid off my car

What were some of your favorite moments of '08?

Resolutions

Gonna keep it simple this year:

1. No more seconds of dinner

2. Live more freely & relax

3. Get a job