You can do more than write on them! A fun project to do at work when you’re bored at home when you’re sick of reality television – the flowers are sticky notes and the box is made from my recycled monthly newsletter.
Here’s how: Flower and triangle box
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations came out in the beginning of February, but how does Oscar watch all those movies in time for the awards show that are only a few weeks away on March 7, 2010?
Well Mr. Oscar and other Academy Members are very lucky because they get special screenings, free admission to commercial runs of films, and free pre-release DVDs to abet them in seeing the nominated films.
So, what are the rest of average-Joe-citizens supposed to do in order to play along in the voting process of the Academy Awards, especially if we don’t know who is nominated yet?
We listen to the Oscar buzz, and plan every weekend, week night, and social hour around watching movies. For the past three months a few of my girl friends and I have been preparing our Oscar ballots, (and we’ve watched almost every nominated movie together). Here are the movies I’ve watched (and I’m still not done):
Sam is a real estate agent, and in his line of business he meets some pretty interesting people – many of whom we’ve remained friends with over the past five years. One of his current listings is in Brainard, NY, and it’s a lovely home in the middle of the country complete with hardwood floors and chickens. Yes, chickens – beautiful golden chickens that roam free and lay fresh eggs every day.
On Sam’s last trip to the house – the owners gave him some eggs. So, for Valentine’s Day Sam made me a croque monsieur, a fancy frech ham and cheese sandwhich. There are a lot of different recipes, but he dipped the bread in egg; pan sautéed them so they were nice and crispy, and added ham and cheese with mayo – boom a fancy french sandwhich. These eggs are so yummy. Read more »
Yesterday my mom baked heart shaped sugar cookies with homemade frosting for her valentine – my dad. (and I helped by partaking in some spoon licking and finger dipping). I honestly think my mom will find any excuse to give a gift to someone she loves. For example, I’m 25 years old, and yesterday she gave me a red, heart shaped box of chocolates; a chocolate rose; and two other gifts because it’s Valentine’s Day. I love you Mom, and I will never be too old for heart shaped valentine presents from you.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine’s Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap”. These quotes were taken from History.com
My Valentine suprised me by having pink tipped tulips delivered in a square glass vase from Drops of Jupiter – the bright, warming bouquet of flowers turned a gloomy, cold February day into a beautiful morning. Now if only I could get him to make me breakfast in bed.
I gave Sam a few extra kisses and a homemade Valentine card. Isn’t love grand? Personally, I think this Holiday should be celebrated everyday and not just on February 14th – perhaps without all the commercial hysteria. I’m just not sure if it’s necessary, but I guess one day a year is OK. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone I love.
Two days after the Super Bowl and I couldn’t tell you who played – I think I heard someone say the Saints? The game was blaring on my TV the whole time, but if you haven’t met me – well, I’m very good at drowning nuisances out ….except my inebriated boyfriend and his intoxicated dad. Obviously there is a male bonding ritual with booze and football, but every time these two get together I swear they must drink an entire bottle of liquor and wine and case of beer (no really they have booze swimming in their veins).
Although I always complain about how stupidly smashed they become – somehow the two men always make a damn good meal, which may very well be the only thing that gets me through the night.
Super Bowl XLIV food menu:
50 Juniors whiskey barrel wings (with their delicious homemade blue cheese dressing)
Guacamole and chips (made by moi)
Goldband, Bluepoint, and Wellfleet Oysters (provided by Jack’s Oyster House)
Grilled Lamb chops with roasted potatoes and steamed asparagus
I guess there wasn’t much “cooking” that they had to do, but the lamb was the last thing to make – and it was surprisingly a perfect medium rare.
My second favorite part of the night was when I left the boys in the living room and watched the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet – they were the cutest mutts in the world, and I hope someone adopts them because of that show….Go to PetFinder dot come. (P.S. Michael Vick, I have one word for you – you are such a loser. Oh and I think the fact that they let you play football again is revolting.)
And finally my third favorite part of the evening was when one of the football dudes grabbed the ball and psyched his opponents out and ran down the end zone (I think that’s what it’s called) and scored a touch down – then he did a little dance. Yup that was the only moment I was watching the game – it was cool.
My beau turns 32 today!
I love you.
Sam's 29th Birthday in Carriacou
For Sam’s 29th birthday we were in Carriacou, Grenada in the Caribbean. For his 30th we celebrated with his closest family and friends at Pasqual’s pizza on New Scotland. For his 31st (and 28th) birthday I can’t remember what we did, but I’m sure it was great. 32nd birthday – Lobster for dinner?
While doing some after Christmas bargain shopping at Colonie Mall, Sam and I stopped to fuel up at PF Chang’s for the first time. I realize that this mall is the new favorite in Albany, NY, but I heart Crossgates Mall. I mean have you ever tried to exit the movie theater at the Colonie Mall- wanting to just go home and not wander through the mall being tempted by the pretty window displays – I mean what is up with the non-existent escalator to take you down to the first level. Clever, yes, but so inconvenient and annoying. Oh and there are no entrances inside the mall to the restaurants – you have to go outside if you want to eat at P.F. Chang’s or the Cheesecake Factory. Work with me.
Anyway, back to P.F. Chang’s – I ordered the VIP Duck. We told the waitress it was our first experience at the restaurant, and she suggested several house favorites – none of which we ordered.
VIP DUCK – A tender half duck served Cantonese-style and glazed with a sweet soy plum sauce. Served with (chive) flatbread, scallions and cucumbers (served with white or brown rice)
It was by far the best meal I have ever eaten at a chain restaurant – so simple and easy. There were few ingredients, yet so much flavor. Although I have never visited an Asian country I can only imagine this is a meal that you would find at a local restuarant (at least that’s what Anthony Bourdain seems to be eating). Except, I if you were eating this meal in China I doubt Celine Dion or Kelly Clarkson would be playing on the surround sound system.
Sam and I decided to recreate the VIP Duck. We found a whole frozen duck at the grocery store, but that is still sittng in our freezer because we had already defrosted a pork roast. Sam marinated cucumbers in mirin wine, which is sweetened sake, and he sprinkled a few black and white sesame on top. Our pork was coated with hoisin sauce and olive oil. We found naan, which is a South Asian flat bread that Sam brushed with olive oil and lightly toasted. All paired with a roasted garlic and olive oil couscous. Move over P.F. Chang’s.
I can only find two words to sum up the savory pork, sweet cucumber, crispy bread – mmm good. Next time we’re going to try the duck, although the fatty pork was an excellent substitute paired with the cooling cucumber.
I’m in a blog coma, and I can’t get out. New York winters are so depressing. I need to fly south for the winter!
Will post soon…
