Sunday Morning Snuggles

Woke up to this on Sunday morning. The best.

Every Sunday Morning...

I drink coffee, read Post Secret, and listen to this song.  It's a really nice to start the last day of the weekend and prepare for the week.  I highly recommend it.

Lame Saturday night

I'm staying in on a Saturday night with a massive tension headache, enjoying some Rolling Stones:



Wishing I had this

And that my Netflix would work...

Memories from Buffalo

Here are some photos from my trip to Buffalo for Erin and Matt's wedding during Memorial Day weekend!

Outer Harbor

Old roommates and friends

The bride

Bridesmaid-zilla?

Groomsmen tired of the van

Church part

There was dancing

You have no idea how excited I was to finally proudly dance to the song Single Ladies and then pull out the "he liked it and he put a ring on it" photo...

It's like she's the queen and we're the sorry people!

Ricky's in Canada

The Falls from Canada

Niagara Falls rainbow!

Sunday flea market find with Erin

I liked the cool composition of this photo.

Back from Buffalo

Back from a whirlwind weekend in Buffalo for Erin's wedding.  I'll post more photos of it later, but for now... let's take a moment and take in the glory that was ALL THE TIM HORTONS I bought before hitting the road:

So let's break it down.  This is, from l-r, an iced coffee, ground coffee, a breakfast sandwich on a biscuit (so flaky and tasty, a million times better than Dunks) English Toffee Cappuccino mix , and two glazed sour creams.

And so you don't think my entire trip was spent eating doughnuts and drinking iced capps (other than the wedding itself) here's a hipstamatic photo Ricky took of our trip to the Falls.  How wonderful and creepy does that look??

MFT Day 21: Oscar Season

When I was in high school, my Mum would sneak me a print out of the Oscar Nominations while in class.  She would say that it was an important note from the front office (where she worked) and I would pull off my own award-winning performance, reading the list solemnly as if taking in an important message about after school activities.  Over a decade later, I still wish someone would secretly hand me over the list while I'm at work.

The last two years, Ricky and I have decided to make an event out of Oscar Season.  We've challenged ourselves to watch as many of the Oscar-nominated films as possible (now that there are 10, it's hard to catch all of them) so we can watch the ceremony informed.  I also make a nice meal for that night so we have a tasty meal for the awards.  We also fill out the ballot that's printed in Entertainment Weekly and whichever one of us gets the most correct gets a nice dinner out of it.  Last year, I smoked Ricky, so I'm hoping I can make my record 2-0.

I've enjoyed embracing the Oscar season with Ricky, because it gives us a reason to watch a lot of really good movies, have a nice meal together on a Sunday night, and a little bit of friendly competition.  I'm hoping that this is something we will continue for years to come.

As far as our rankings go, we've seen The Artist, Moneyball, The Descendants, and Midnight in Paris for the Best Picture nominations.  The Help should be arriving in Netflix soon.  And obviously my vote is going to Man or a Muppet, in case you were wondering.

In light of The Oscars coming up this week, here's Rex Harrison winning his Best Actor Award* for My Fair Lady.  I put this up because I always joke that Ricky is the Rex Harrison of musical theatre performances, since when he played Uncle Max in his high school's production of Sound of Music, he just spoke all the songs since he can't really carry a tune.  And clearly that's an award-winning strategy when you're carrying a movie musical...







*Peter Sellars was 10000% robbed, for the record.  Also, Audrey's trying to upstage this entire process.

MFT Day 18: MGMT's Electric Feel

Last night was Jess' bachelorette party, which was a lot of fun.  Great to spend a night out in the city with a bunch of good friends, being silly and dancing.  I wish there were more opportunities to that in life that didn't revolve around someone getting married.

Anyways, I was in charge of making the mix for the room while we were getting ready.  One of the songs I put on there was MGMT's Electric Feel, which I love putting on dancey mixes for friends as a surprise.  It's a great song and fun to dance to, but no one ever thinks to put it on (I feel like Kids or Time to Pretend makes it on there more).  So here it is for you!

I'll be posting something later on tonight, so that I stay on schedule.

MFT Day 6: Bagel World

Sunday mornings consist of two things at our house:  Bagel World bagels and Meet The Press.  Meet The Press is always interesting -- especially with it being an election year -- but my favorite part of this is getting a Bagel World bagel.

When I first moved to Salem 4 1/2 years ago, my friend Patti (who was my roommate at that time) told me I needed to eat at two places:  Crosby's and Bagel World.  I slightly discounted her for the Crosby's recommendation, only because it's a super market, so I never actually went to Bagel World until I met Ricky.  This might be one of the many reasons why I love him.  Him introducing me to Bagel World was a key turning point.  I love Bagel World.  Every time we're gearing up for a roadtrip, we get Bagel World coffees and sandwiches.  When we're recovering from a late and buy Saturday night, Bagel World egg sandwiches and coffees are the elixir of life (case in point:  after Amanda's bachelorette party, we all dragged our tired selves to the Bagel World, and it made Sunday a lot more tolerable).

I asked Ricky what his favorite bagel was from Bagel World, but it was hard to decide on just one, because it's all based on mood and level of hungry.  Sweet:  chocolate chip.  Savory:  spinach with smoked salmon spread.  Sandwich:  Chicken salad with veggies and honey mustard.  Every Sunday, it's definitely a long debate as to how hungry we are and what side of Bagel World are we leaning towards.

I also appreciate Bagel World's prices, since we can get two coffees and two bagel sandwiches for well under $20.  (are you listening, Jaho?)  Today, Ricky got one large coffee, one small coffee, and two bagels with cream cheese for a little under $9.  At Jaho, you can buy a banana for $9.  And not even a whole banana.  (I'm only slightly kidding)

So in short, Bagel World?  You're a-okay in my book.

MFT Day 5: Old friends

It's like that old saying about make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.

Today I helped several ladies throw Jess' bridal shower.  I'm a bridesmaid in the wedding, and it's exciting to think that her wedding day is arriving in less than a month.  I've meet a lot of nice friends and family of the couple since they got engaged, so I'm glad I'm becoming closer to Jess and Giacomo's friends and family.

The shower went off well.  It was a very classy and pretty affair in Beverly, perfectly pink with many a cupcake to partake in.  We opted for a Saturday tea with snacks, old family teacups, and lots of pink things.  We also had lots of sweets, since the Jess and Giacomo are high school sweethearts.

I've been friends with Jess since 1993, when we were two awkward 9-year-olds in 4th grade.  It's great that we've managed to remain good friends since those days.  There were many guests where I remember being in elementary and middle school with, and it's nice that we've remained friends through the years. 

MFT Day 1: A freshly made bed after you wash your sheets

Before I begin, I want to point out two things:  One, these items aren't in any order.  It's what I think of for that day.  And two, obviously Ricky, Lewis, and my friends and family are my favorite things.  But if I blogged every single day about them, then it'd be the most boring month of blogging ever.


My Favorite Things Day 1:  A freshly made bed after you wash your sheets

So last night when I was describing my endeavor to Ricky, I mentioned as an example when you make your bed after washing your sheets and how that's the greatest bed to climb into.  Everything feels fresh and clean and the sheets are crisp.  It's so cozy and delightful.

It's even better when it's in the winter when my sheets are flannel, because they're even softer and warmer.  I wash my sheets weekly, and so on Sunday night when I climb into my freshly made bed that's so warm and cozy I feel even more ready to start the work week.

What a crock...

Guinness beef stew with cheddar biscuits.  Mmmm

This year for Christmas, Ricky's mother surprised me with two things I desperately wanted or needed:  one, a new lightweight winter coat (the red toggle coat is a string now with no working pockets) and a crock pot.  I've always wanted a crock pot to make soups and stews, especially in the winter.

So far, I've only made one thing, which is a Guinness beef stew.  I was surprised at how easy it was to make a delicious flavorful stew!  I got up early and set it up, and then in 8 hours dinner was done and amazing.  I also made cheddar biscuits using an Irish cheddar I found, to keep the country of origin-theme going.  All in all, it was a huge success and a hit in our household.

I'm a little leery of leaving something on all day when I work in Boston, for fear that Lewis could get into it or that it could set the house on fire.  I know that everyone does this, and it's probably me just being nervous, but I feel like so I don't fret all day, this will be a weekend cooking option only.

I think I'll try making something over the long weekend, perhaps a soup or a slow cooked chicken.  I've been reviewing my slow cooker cook book and all the blogs and websites online for new recipes that I never thought to make until this winter.  Bean stews, pot roasts, pulled pork... you will all be made and devoured soon.

Christmas traditions

As Ricky and I get older and celebrate more holidays together, we've decided to create our own Christmas traditions that are ours.  One that I've enjoyed two years in a row is to travel into Cambridge on a weekend and see It's a Wonderful Life at the Brattle Theatre, then walk around Harvard Square to Christmas shop, eat snacks, and enjoy treats.  Today we went into the city and did just that.

There's something I really love about The Brattle.  I think because it's a small, no frills, independent theatre that plays both large hits and old classics.  I've seen lots of movies here, and it's great seeing movies that I was unable to see on the big screen.  It also feels great supporting a small, independent theatre, something I fear is disappearing in this day and age.

After the movie, we got our standard lunch at Cafe Crema (mmmm) and a dessert at Burdicks, and walked around only slight.  It was waaaaay too cold to do our normal loop.  I saw recently that a Burdicks is opening down the street from where I work, so perhaps there will be more chocolate penguins and teas in my future.

I think it's great that the longer we're together, we're establishing our own traditions for holidays and memories.  Our trip to see It's A Wonderful Life is something I'll look forward to every year for a long time.  It's a nice wintertime date day.

Now that Thanksgiving's over...

...it's officially time for two things in my book.

Listening to Christmas music on WODS.  (I realize that I posted that carol earlier in the week, but that was inspired by a conversation I had recently)


(I wish they'd play this)

Drinking Hood Egg Nog.

(Side note, when I tried to find a picture of Hood Egg Nog, the first one I clicked on was from this blog last year.  I am nothing if not consistent)

I bought my first carton of egg nog last night, and today when running errands we listened to carols.  It's nice to start getting into the swing of things!

A&J King was selling egg nog cheesecakes, which I can't wait to try.  They looked incredible this afternoon.  I'm also tempted to try and make my own egg nog and see how it shapes up.  Mmmmm

Who would wanna be such a control freak?

Today feels like it needs the melancholy of Modest Mouse's Bukowski.  It's a little chilly out, which comes as a shock to the system after such a nice weekend, weather-wise.  I've always loved this song, and this whole album reminds me of my senior year of college.

A very John Candy weekend

Ricky has found out that there are giant, gaping holes in my movie-watching history.  Namely, almost all of the John Hughes cannon, and the movie Stripes.  He wanted to remedy both this weekend.

Saturday night, after a memorable sushi date, we watched Planes Trains and Automobiles.  I had wanted to see this one also because of an in joke we have about work.  That and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it seemed appropriate.  I really liked it!  It was funny, and not too gross or dragging, like some movies of a similar ilk can be (Due Date... parts of Home Alone even). 

Tonight, we decided to tackle Stripes.  It was a shorter movie, and we weren't feeling like watching something too emotionally daunting.  I also liked it, but I think he liked it a lot more.  It was funny and great to see so many members of SCTV pop up.  We also enjoyed seeing John Larroquette, who we nicknamed Poppa Larroquette after the Uhh Yeah Dude podcasts.

All in all, a very funny and also very Canadian comedian movie weekend.

Marblehead

I mentioned that last weekend I went to Marblehead.  It was really nice walking around, taking a few photos of the area, and enjoying a perfectly crisp fall day.  This is my favorite one from the day, since I love that it's an old lantern and in the reflection, you can see other parts of the town.  We mainly stuck to the older part of "downtown" Marblehead.  I say "downtown" because it all feels very residential in comparison to Salem or even Beverly.

Weekend plans

The Food Network version of an egg sandwich.  Mine are simpler...

After a quiet thoughtful day yesterday, Ricky and I are back at it and planning to have a nice little (albeit busy) weekend.  It's nice, though, because now that Weddingocaplyse 2011 is over, there's a significant rise in flexibility with our time.  Today is a friend's 30th birthday, but during the day I think we're going to walk around Marblehead and poke around in shops and get coffee.  It's funny, it's right next door but we almost never go there unless forced.  I'm wondering why.

Right now, though, we're enjoying a newly forming weekend tradition of egg sandwiches and coffee while watching tv.  We did this the last few weekends, and it's almost better than going out to breakfast.  When I was single/lived alone, egg sandwiches were a regular meal staple.  So there's something sweet about having them now together.  Reclaiming egg sandwiches, as it were.

Burlington: a weekend in photos

A series of photos from our recent trip to Burlington, VT.

Day 27 of the 30 Day Song Challenge

I'm feeling rested after a long weekend in Vermont. Ricky and I went away for three days to beautiful, relaxing, invigorating Burlington, VT. I'll be posting updates and photos from our trip. Probably right after this.

Day 27: A song that you wish you could play

This is in line with the previous post, about me being able to play Fur Elise. I always wanted to be able to play a Joplin rag. Everyone learns The Entertainer, but my true dream is Maple Leaf Rag. This may be why it was the opening song when I directed The Wedding on the Eiffel Tower.



Side note, I love this version of it on Youtube. Find old timey Joplin clips, they're pretty great and have a warmth to them that lends itself nicely to rag.