Ten Things Thursday

(Why hello, Ten Things! It's been a long time since I've done this!)


Ten things that are making me happy RIGHT NOW

1 Lisa and Katie's wedding this weekend. It was such a fun, awesome party, and a beautiful day, in all senses of the word. I am so happy for them!

2. Getting to hang out with Tim.  We always have such an great time when we do- he totally gets my sense of humor, and is right there with me in the That's What She Said jokes.  Also, my cat loves him. or wants to bite him. One of these things is true.

3 The awesome, giggly fun brunch Tim and I had at Salainte on Sunday.  Full Irish Breakfast!

4  Seeing Edie play. (Also hanging out with her at the wedding) and not just because she's awesome (which she is). Hearing her play always makes me want to write more.  Her beautiful words make my heart stretch out and try to capture those feelings for myself, and I always have an itch to write after hearing her live.

5 I've kept a plant alive for four weeks! SUCK ON THAT, BLACK THUMB! (cue karma killing the plant..... now) it's a basil plant. So maybe.... I can keep delicious plants alive?

6 Having the most awesome Wedding Twin ever!

7  Actually getting into my kitchen to make things- I haven't really cooked in a long time, but I made Fruit Salsa, (my mom's recipe) and Lora Brody's Intense Chocolate cake. (and it was yay!)

8  Being really happy with something I wrote (a rarity)

9  Feeling pretty when I was all dressed up.

10  My Drunk Kitchen. Seriously. You should all watch this. I have... multiple times.

photo credit: Tim Bingaman    

Two of my best friends got married this weekend, and they asked me to write something to read at the wedding.  After I got over my initial terror of not writing something good (read: procrastinating like a mofo) I started to write. And everything I wrote came out like stupid, saccharine cliches about love. Which was kind of appropriate, because they have an epic, ridiculous amazing love, that they fit all of those cliches... but alas, I wrote several drafts, and wasn't happy with any of them.

Then, a few weeks ago, they got legally married in DC. (they couldn't get married in Maryland on their wedding day, because Maryland is dumb, and AGAINST BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS. ahem.) I saw, on that day, that even when things get a little crazy, and are not the way that they might have imagined (the ceremony room was tack-ay), in the end, it didn't matter, because all you could see is how much they love each other. 

So one night not long after that, I was driving home, and thinking about this thing that I was writing, and how much about life, and friendship and love, that I've learned from them, and then, miraculously, the words came very easily. 

This is what I said: 

When I had a question about friendship, 

I turned to you and you both showed me what an amazing friendship was; 

with caring, love, and honesty

When I had a question about strength, 

I saw how you lean on each other when things are hard

and cheer for each other when you need it 

When I had a question about loyalty

I was blown away by your fierce faith and devotion to the things that are important to you. 

When I had a question about trust, 

I could see it in the way that you are careful with each other's hearts. 

When I had a question about humor

I was gently and relentlessly mocked. 

When I had a question about family;

I saw how much you love yours, and how you've created a family of friends that I am honored to be included in. 

And when I had a question about love, I already had all of the answers, because I have been a witness to your love for each other for the last nine years.

L&K- I love you guys so much, and I'm so happy you asked me to be part of your day. 

Ten awesome things about my dad

1.  That he's always supported me, and is an excellent sounding board when I have problems that I need to work out.

2.  His sense of humor, even though it verges on the ridiculous at times.

3.  The way that he gets so excited about things- whether it be a french press and Bolivian coffee, or stepstools for his collection, or his "man cave"

4.  He never hesitates when asked to help someone. No matter if it's a friend needing help moving, or Guatemalan kids who need their teeth pulled (on the Mission Trips he takes; he's not some sort of whack job)

5.  The way he tells me the truth about things, even if it's not the answer I necessarily wanted to hear.

6.  That he can start up a conversation, with anyone, anywhere, about anything.

7.  The way that he looks at my mom, after thirty-plus years of marriage, like he is still so, so in love with her.

8.  That he's my biggest cheerleader, and so proud of everything I do. (to the point of embarrassment at times)

9.  His awesome waffles. (Even though he used to make us do push ups for them when we were little)

10.  His giant, huge heart, and the way that he loves his family and friends.

Happy father's day, dad. I love you.

Catering!

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to cater a first communion party for a co-worker of my Dad . (It was Betty's daughter having the First Communion)  I took some time off work to get everything ready, and I hit the Jerz to make this stuff: 

Crudite! (With ranch dip)

Deviled Eggs with smoked paprika (I seriously will not use regular paprika on these again, the smoked is so good)

Roasted potato salad (an old standby)

Pasta Salad Caprese (tomato, fresh mozzerella and basil, topped with a white balsamic vinegar dressing)

Mini Ham sandwiches! On potato rolls- idea shamelessly stolen from my mom. 

Turkey with American! ( I also had roast beef with cheddar and horseradish cream, and cucumber with dill and yogurt) 

The hot stuff was roasted cauliflower, and Chicken Marsala, and penne

Fruit Salsa!

Homemade cinnamon sugar tortilla chips to go with fruit salsa

Fruit plate!

Brown Butter Salted Rice Krispie Treats (cut into the shape of crosses)

What the whole setup looked like. 

I really had an awesome time doing this- and it was the first one I've done that was for a non-family member, and I think it went really, well! I had some awesome help (my cousins Kate and James) who were rockstars and helped me do everything I needed. I wish my current work schedule allowed me to do more of this kind of events, because it was pretty great.

Ten Things That Are Making Me Happy Right Now

1. Things are happening in my professional life that I am very VERY happy about. (and thus, have crossed off another item in my 29 in the 29th list) I can't talk about it yet, but expect more talking about this next week)

2. I have wonderful friends (and an awesome sister). With whom I had an amazing night with on Friday night, full of fun, laughter, rosemary garlic fries, tasty drinks, and Drag Queens. My friends are freaking awesome.
3.  Music: Adele.  Darren Criss. Glee. Sara Barreilles (lather, rinse repeat)

4. The chilli dog at Brewer's Art- I had it on Friday, I'm still thinking about it. So effing good.

5.  Going to the Jerz this weekend, where there will be some fun had with some cousins!

6. My friend Andrea, from high school, is coming to Baltimore to visit!  (this is super exciting, because she lives halfway accross the world in France) also, we've been friends for over fifteen years. How crazy is that? it's more than half my life!

7. The TV show Glee in general, and specifically, last week's episode where Kurt and Blaine kissed. I've watched this episode a couple of time since, and I can't get over how sweet and perfect and awesome it was. I also really appreciate the show for not punking out and doing a cop out of a kiss- this was a real, actual, passionate kiss between two boys, and nobody apologized afterward, and nobody freaked out.  And it was on network tv, at 8pm.   Makes me happy to see LGBT representation on TV, especially when it's done that well.

8. I had my first Tutti Fruitti of the season yesterday!  I stopped there after the laundromat, and it was great.  Now to hit Pitango Gelato!

9.  Crisp, clean white sheets and linens.

10.  My cousin Kate and my sister Jackie, because while they drive me up a freaking wall sometimes (especially last week) they are fantastic and supportive in the best way. (even when it includes me drinking a bottle of wine on a weeknight)

Ten Things That Are Making Me Happy Right Now

1.  My Theater Company had an awesome event this weekend- we did a staged reading of Steel Magnolias as a fundraiser, and it was an AWESOME event. Lots of fun had, lots of dollars raised!  I also got to act- I was Annelle. Plus, my parents came down to see the production, which was excellent.

2. I was a part of the Lobby Day for Same Sex Marriage with Equality Maryland in Annapolis yesterday- It was a good time, an excellent rally, and the news that there are two more yes votes for the bill just made it that much sweeter.  Plus, my friends Katie and Lisa made the news!

3.  It's Glee Tuesday!  (always a reason for celebration)  Plus, Julie's going to make it this week, after her moving/work craziness hiatus.

4.  I've been accomplishing things on my yearly list! (another entry about that this week)

5. New Music! I've been obsessively listening to The Plain White T's Rhythm of Love (thank you Katie Barth), the music of Charlene Kaye, and am having a re-emergence of Sara Barrielles love.  (and the music of Glee. but that's not new)

6. I've been exploring new places in Baltimore recently- and got a chance to go to Joe Squared.  If you're Baltimore local and haven't been there- get on it! The risotto is amazing.

7. I've got great friends. Who make me laugh, and understand when I'm down, and are wonderful sounding boards. I don't think I thank them enough- but they are wonderful

8. Pho.  I was feeling a sore throat/cold coming on yesterday, and I stopped on my way home to get pho, and it was the Best Call Ever.  I am firmly convinced that I would be much sicker right now had I not had any amazing Pho. (plus daytime theraflu that I took this morning)

9. Pretzels dipped in Nutella. Awesome.

10. Am looking forward to this weekend- the plan is going to find some Baltimore Centric things to do!

Year In Review, 2010

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Went to Japan! It was seriously the highlight of my year-  a great time, with a great friend.  I can't wait to go back. 
 

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did okay with my Yearly list, but I want to complete EVERYTHING on this year's list before I turn thirty.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope!

 

 4. Did anyone close to you die?  I am very lucky to be able to say no.

 

5. What places did you visit?  I visited friends and family in Rhode Island, went to Chincoteague Island in Virginia. I also spent a lot of time driving back and forth to New Jersey.


6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? Last year I said: "A better sense of purpose and direction. Some answers for questions I've been asking myself for a long time. "  and unfortunately, I have to repeat that.  and make it happen this year.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I don't think I have any specific dates burned into my brain, just some good memories throughout the year.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Beginning my new Cookbook Blog, I think.

9. What was your biggest failure?  Not completing all of my 28 in the 28th list,  sitting at home in my apartment much more frequently than I wanted to.
 10. Did you suffer illness or injury?  let's see.... I fell and jacked up my wrist in Japan,  I burned myself pretty badly in November... I think those are the two major ones.
 11. What was the best thing you bought?  I didn't really make any big purchases this year, but I think the groceries for The Project have been pretty awesome. Oh! My palm Pre is pretty great.
 12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My sister! Her first semester in grad school, and she's a straight A student. Woo, for the Super Smarty!
 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I try to not get too appalled and depressed at other people's behavior. I can't think of anything right now that I was appalled enough to put on this list. I may come back to it.
 
14. Where did most of your money go? Rent. Food. Cat expenses. (same as last year!) and some car expenses


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?   Trip to Japan!  Week in Chincoteague, Beginning the Cookbook Project!
 16.  What song do you associate with 2010?  This is hard, because the most recent songs are the ones that have been on the brain recently. (namely the Glee cover of Teenage Dream)  but I also listened to a lot of Edie Carey (like every year) and The Rescues, and The Weepies.

 17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?  Happier
b) thinner or fatter?  Fatter
c) richer or poorer? poorer
 

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I'd read more. I knocked about eight books out on vacation, but I am not reading as many books as I would like to.


19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Staying in my apartment when I could be out doing things. there is life outside my apartment!


20. How did you spend Christmas in 2009?  With the family, in New Jersey.


21. Did you fall in love in 2009? Nope, not even a little bit.
22. What was your favorite TV program? GLEE.
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2010?   I had a wonderful birthday this year- I went to Chincoteague Island, where my mom and aunt and cousin had rented a house, and ate good food, and relaxed. it was winderful

24. What was the best book you read? Hmmmm. I can't think of anything that stood out in a crazy awesome way, but I really liked Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Leviathan

 25. What did you want and get?  An awesome Cuisinart Food processor! (also awesome kitchen supplies.

 26. What did you want and not get? A fancy camera, and an ipad. I don't think they'll be on the menu this year either, but a girl can dream.

 27. What was your favorite film of this year?  Toy Story 3. and Harry Potter. It's a tie!


28. Did you make some new friends this year? I did!


29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I think a better sense of direction in life would have made it somewhat more excellent and satisfying, but I feel like like i've had a pretty good year.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? haaaaaaaaaaaaa.

 

31. What kept you sane?  Good friends, Talking to my cousin Kelly on the phone, and emails with my cousin Kate.

 

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Rachel Maddow.

 

33. What political issue stirred you the most?  The striking down of DADT was an awesome end to a fraught political year. Mostly, I've just been annoyed that Democrats couldn't get more done. 
 

34. Who did you miss? I think I missed My little cousin Evan the most- He's growing up so fast, and it's hard that I don't get to see him as often as I'd like. It's better now that we can Skype and I can see his cute face on a regular basis.

 

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.  You're the only person who can make YOU happy.