Sunny and 70*

The weather this weekend has been amazing... *KARMA*

Arlington: the hippest place on Earth

Happy Friday, y'all! So recently I was struggling to describe the city that I work in, Arlington, VA. It was tricky. I think it's a bit like if Bellevue and the Northgate Mall had a baby. So yeah, I commute out to Arlington every day from DC. It is such a joy! SARCASM. Anyway, here is a "rap" that might help illustrate what Arlington is like:

LIST FRIDAY: the Places I've Worked, in order from "Best" to "Worst" in my opinion based on geographical proximity to cool stuff:
1. Fremont, Seattle
2. Downtown Seattle (right by Benihana!)
3. Belltown (Seattle)
4. Pioneer Square (Seattle)
5. Everett, WA (duh)
6. Arlington, VA
7. Lynw(h)ood, WA
8. Georgetown, DC

You may be surprised to see that Georgetown is #8. I worked WAY OUT in GT, no where near the fancy shopping center of it all, and had to take an hour and a half bus to get there. Fremont is of course at the top because it's got the cutest lunch spots. Downtown Seattle beats Belltown and Pioneer square for it's convenience. Arlington rolls in there around #6 because there's at least a Macy's and a CVS.

Now you go. Favorite spot you've worked?

I can't wait to smell the Pacific Ocean, You Guys

Today it happened, I bought my one-way ticket home. New York to Seattle. In just 7 weeks the DC chapter will close, and the *crazy*pants*unknown* chapter will begin. I can't wait. There's so much that I want to do...reconnect with everyone, to start. Visit NY en-route home. Get healthier. Center. Travel...and bookend it all with finding the perfect job. Or near-perfect. I've been totally pessimistic this week thinking about my "career" (laughable!) and where it's going. I think from now on I'm going to just put it out there to the Universe that I'm going to land a job that I like, doing something that makes me feel creative and where I'm contributing to society, at a place with people who inspire me. How about that? We'll just have to see now, won't we? Buckle up...prepare for landing...$h!t I need to pack.

I don't remember who this quote is by but it was on Molly's blog and I've saved it because I need to remember this when I'm being all "worst case scenario preparation," and instead just believe that most "setbacks" are really just things that ultimately lead to what is best...amiright?

__

"Advance confidently in the direction of your own dreams to live the life that you've imagined. That is when you have success."

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High of 88*

Seriously. It's almost 90 degrees here today.

{print by Caroline Royce}

3-2 Go Caps!

Dudes, we FINALLY went to a Washington Capitals game! My first NHL experience, evah! It was totally worth it. Stephi & David scored us some awesome seats. They were up high but center ice and we had a great view - check it:

These fools: Keene making a silly face and David:

Me n' Stephi, rockin' out to Billy Idol in our Caps colors:

Of course I had to represent with my (really old) Silvertips hat. I wish I could go to MORE games out here before we move. The Caps are so good!

Weekend Re-Cap: Easter n' Awesome Weather

Y'all, this weekend was fab-u-lous. Damn. Friday I ambushed Keene and convinced him that instead of running errands we were going to go to Mr. Henry's to have beer and wings. Great idea! Glad I thought of it! Then Saturday we ran around gathering up all the ingredients for our bbq, which included: carne asada and portabellos from Eastern Market, a giant fruit salad and a giant greek salad. Woo! It was super to have people over and hang out on our deck. That carne from the market is to die for. Seriously. We still have 2 steaks left (yesssssss).

Sunday, of course: Easter Brunch. This year we went back to Georgia Brown's, a favorite, and it did not disappoint. They have a really good buffet on Easter and a jazz band. They rocked - I was dancin' in my seat. And eating lots of bacon dipped in syrup. That's right. Jealous? Oh and they have the best bloody mary's. They're only for the hardcore bloody drinkers though: super spicy and they come with a jumbo shrimp - you should've seen the look on the 8 year old girl's face who was sitting next to us - she was freaked out by them. Hilarious.

I got the nice valet dudes at GB's to take a picture of us. So. Full. Here.

After brunch we had to walk off some of the half ton of food we ate, so we strolled down to The White House - the guards were making everyone move back though... I thought for sure we'd see something cool like...The PRESIDENT...or something, but they just moved a bunch of cars around. I mean, *maybe* the first family was in one of them?

Attempt at our Easter White House picture. I kept trying to get someone to get my cute shoes in there, but...no dice. (these are the shoes btw if you care)

One of the best mansions in America. You can see the monument all itty bitty on the left there.

I changed into more realistic shoes for the walk home and dayum, the magnolia trees are bloomin'! This one was awesome.

Tulips (duh!) just with my point-and-shoot but still blog-worthy, I thought.

Looks like the Easter Bunny stopped by this house!

I couldn't help taking a picture of this cute house too - I love the weeping-willow-style cherry trees. So pretty. Sigh....

The weather is totally fabulous here. I still can't believe it! This weekend rocked. I hope yours did too, Y'all...

Happy Friday! xoxo, Peeps

Happy Easter Weekend Y'all! Have anything fun planned? We're gonna bbq, because dayum the weather is going to be Niiiiice! How awesome. I still keep looking around in shock, kindof in disbelief that there is no snow on the ground. You guys: I think I have PTSD from this Winter. It was so brutal. So I am completely ready to throw down some brewskies and fire up the grill in celebration of it not being cold anymore! Yee-haw. On Sunday we're going out for Easter Brunch, as per ushe. I can't wait!

Guess what results are in? It's the 2010 Peeps Diorama Contest! DUH.

A few of my faves....
"Peepstern Market" (My 'hood!)

"Sevenpeepth St. High Heel Race" (I wuz there this year. Snap!)

"PeepTube: Jill and Kevin's Wedding Entrance Dance"

"Goodnight Peep" (I read this chick's blog, she's awesome)

And the winner: "EEP" (I still have to see Up!)

Ladies' Classy Night out from a really long time ago

Ok maybe this is from February? All I remember is that it was still cold. And rainy. But I had a great time! Drew, Erin and I met up for dinner at the coveted Birch & Barley - we'd been planning this for ages, since we knew we wanted a reservation for a non-busy night so we wouldn't have to deal with the usual crowds. It was worth going out on a weeknight - the food & beer were all we'd hoped for and more...

They have this fancy "cask" beer. Not being a connoisseur, I couldn't tell much of a difference between this beer and other "good" beer, but I do know it was really smooth and yummy!

Oh my lawd...they bring out this breadboard to start. Soooo good! Our favorites were the mini pretzels on the far right. They were awesome dipped in the stone ground mustard!

I ordered the duck. Honey-glazed, boo-ya!

Dessert...desert was a mix of really delish and sortof just, "interesting." All good though!

I would definitely go back for more. I'd order dessert again too since it was such an adventure!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Time

Still catching up on posting! For the cohab's birthday I attempted the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake recipe. Scary! I didn't want to make this thing 3 layers like the recipe called for, but I also didn't want to do the math so I just made the entire batch and only used what I needed (creating a slight frosting/ganache overage that we had to toss it because it was becoming a huge self-control problem). My only real issue was that I tried to make it all in one go in my springform pan and of course it took forever to get it to bake through. Next time I'd do two layers instead of one big layer cut in half. Bake n' learn, people! Bake n' learn. It was really tasty though. Even more than the cake, this cream cheese frosting and the ganache that goes in the middle were ah-mazing!

Behold, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake:

Make sure you have a good amount of time to do this - I recommend making the frosting and ganache ahead of time....{recipe on RecipeMogul}

O.M.G. - get me back to the PNW

Grey whale near the Ballard Locks making it's way toward Carkeek on Sunday...
{via MyBallard, of course}

The House Bean

So Friday was Keene's last day of his internship on the Hill. Of course, I had to have him check out "The House Bean" - aka the famous bean soup that is sold in the cafeteria at the Capitol every day. 

"According to custom, bean soup must be available on the menu every day in the congressional dining areas. This tradition, which dates back to the early twentieth century, is said to be based on an edict by Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho (or in another version of the story to Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota)."

Keene said his soup was supposed to be vegetarian but the recipe on the Senate website uses ham...so who knows? What did Keene think? Well, he says it was somewhat bland, not necessarily in a bad way, but that it didn't have much flavor staying power. Could have benefitted from some salt and pepper, but you could really taste the celery and carrot. Apparently it wasn't super thick, although a fair part of it seemed to be pureed beans (probably potatoes as the Senate site says). Overall, he gave it a thumbs up!

If any of Y'all want to give the Senate Bean Soup a try, it's perfectly publicly accessible: you don't need a reason to go to Rayburn, so you could just walk in and make for the cafeteria. Anyone up for a field trip this May? :)

Weekend Re-Cap: it's still Spring :)

How was my weekend? Oh, how about awesome!!! Friday I went on a pilgrimage to Silver Spring with Drew and Erin to eat some Fried Pickle Spears from The Quarry House Tavern. You guys - those things rocked my world!!! Paired with some home made ranch dip, and a strawberry beer - you have the height of culinary sophistication. So good that I'm sure they will now haunt me and become a dragon I chase until the end of time. So great.

Saturday also ruled. Drew picked me up (ok so we hung out a lot this weekend) and we went shopping in SUBURBIA!!! I would never live there (gawd no) but it's great to visit and buy things. We got coffee from Buzz, which had these adorable-looking cakes, and then went to the car wash where they do it all different out here (it's no Brown Bear, I tell ya). Then it was Old Navy/Target, where I bought some truly tacky accessories for my ladies' Vegas trip this June (gotta have those). We capped off the day with pizza from Rustico where I had a "Flying Dog Raging Bitch" beer. I think FDRB may be my spirit name.

The yummy cakes at Buzz.

The truly fabulous matching "boat shoes" we got at Target. Don't hate, these are awesome.

My "Ragin' Bitch" - PS this beer was really good.

Sunday the weather was behaving itself despite being a bit chilly so it was safe to leave the house and brave the new Spring "elements." So happy that these have replaced the snow in our front yard:

The few cherry trees on our street are doin' their thing:

Keene and I were finally able to try out this diner on the Hill that we've been meaning to go to forever, Jimmy T's. It's just about what you would expect. Lots of hill-types reading the newspaper over blueberry waffles and coffee (I love me some diner coffee!).

It has a what-you-see-is-what-you-get vibe and they only take cash, hence the reason our debit-card totin' selves have never made it here (who carries cash anymore? other than Dads?).

Me n' my "Dear Ole Dad" mug.

Keene studying the rifle on the wall...

...yes, a "Red Ryder" bb gun to be exact. It's part of this random "A Christmas Story" shrine...?

Tin ceilings - an East Coast thing?

After breakfast we went over to Eastern Market because I was craving a pickle from the pickle people. Lots of pickles this weekend...

Pickle sass.

A delightful weekend all around! I'm so excited for the days to keep getting warmer and longer. YOU GUYS - how were your weekends?!?!

Cherry blossoms at the Market.

Don't Forget Earth Hour!

*EARTH HOUR, People!*

Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m.
"On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people, organizations,
corporations and governments around the world will come together
to make a bold statement about their concern for climate change by
doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour."

Yo: Where You AT?

Question Friday: Where do you live? I wanna know! One of my favorite things about reading blogs is connecting with people all over the world. It's so exciting to find a fun new blog and then realize that blogger is from...the Netherlands! Or Asia! Or Casablanca!

So I'm wondering...
where in the world are you reading from right now?

Craft Thursday.

Hello Friends. How about some Spring Crafts?

Peeps Garlands. Need I say more? {from DanaMadeIt}

I love these leather leaf cuffs, but I want to make them as little leaf rings instead. Cute! {from MayaMade}

Paper Cherry Blossom Branches. Pretty - would look great on my dinner table...{from Bloesem}

And what goes better with Paper Cherry Blossoms other than Rainbow Pussy Willows? Luv it! {from BetzWhite}

How simple and adorable are these rock photo holders? Totally doin' this one. {from DannySeo}

Zooey Bandwagon

Fine. I'm grudgingly surrendering to the Zooey Deschanel bandwagon. I didn't want to, but she's undeniably cute and I am a sucker for anything with singing & dancing. And when did JGL get cute? Here's the (500) Days of Summer, "Bank Dance"...

AOTD

The "Candelier," by Jello. You can purchase this one-of-a-kind masterpiece! {via CasaSugar}

Brills: "Shared Couples Table." Could totally work. {via Craftzine}

"Emergence," by Sayaka Ganz, made out of reclaimed plastic. {via Craftzine}

A fun print by Fréya. {via NYAO}

"Xylophone Table." Charming. {via AT}

Last, but not least: Slow-mo dogs, Pedigree commercial. {via SwissMiss}