I hope your break was as nice as mine. I'm counting down the days until the next one.
14...
I can't believe it's time to post another menu. Haven't I been in the kitchen all week?
I'm tapping into my frugal side and reworking Thanksgiving leftovers as creatively and tastily as possible.
The Mr. is another year older. Yesterday was his birthday.
Since he acknowledges that he is impossible to buy for, he's more than happy with a simple homemade card.
That I can do. Don't let the front fool you. My cards are never mushy. You might blush if you read the inside of this one. *wink*
Gramma watched The Offspring so that we could celebrate properly. And that we did.
We grabbed a bite here. This is one of the first places The Mr. took me when dating. It is very quaint. Especially at night when the boxwoods that surround the building are lit up with tiny white lights. They also know how to make their Thai really spicy. I mean, nose running-mouth burning-starting to sweat-spicy. I could eat it every day. For reals.
With bellies full, we made our way downtown for The Mr.'s real present.
Neko Case must have known what a special day it was. She scheduled a birthday performance right here in Houston. Or at least that's the spin I put on it.
To say it was an amazing show would be an understatement.
Deer Tick was the opening band. Horrible name. But not a horrible band. I usually find the opening act to be somewhat lame, but these guys really warmed up the crowd.
Then again, the Lone Stars that I had for dessert might have caused my judgement to be a little cloudy.
Finally she took to the stage. Words can't describe. I wish I had a picture of the siren as she performed. But no cameras were allowed. Not even on cell phones.
I am rebellious by nature, but there was no way I was going to risk getting kicked out. Neko will have to live in my happily buzzed memory.
What a perfect night. I couldn't tell if it was The Mr.'s birthday or mine.
I hope it was as good for you as it was for me....
You might be older, but never lame.
Happy birthday baby.
The UT project is finished.
It is so soft. It is very cozy.
The color is perfect.
And I really really like it.
I checked the gauge this time. Well, not really. I just used a P hook instead of the suggested N. It looks just like the picture on the pattern.
Martha would be pleased with my attention to detail.
I've decided: I'm bringing the poncho back.
If for no other reason than I can eat a huge meal and never have to suck it in.
I was recently tagged to share 10 honest things about myself. So here's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
1. I tweeze my eyebrows daily and I have to have my toes painted.
I inherited my dad's eyebrows. If I went au naturel they would take over my forehead. Daily tweezing is not optional.
The toe thing comes from my mom. Her toes are always painted. Neatly painted. I have the same habit. There are no chips or half-worn pedicures allowed on my feet. Apparently, it's in my DNA.
These are two major reasons why I could never be a contestant on Survivor. I can't give up my tweezers or polish.
2. I am deathly afraid of scorpions. I don't even like touching a picture of a scorpion in a book.
When I was four I was stung by a scorpion. The next morning my whole leg was numb from the waist down. By lunch I was fine, but it was painful and the side effects freaked me out.
Another reason I would not last on Survivor.
3. I haven't had a donut since I was twelve years old. It's not that I don't like them. From what I remember, they are a very tasty treat. But it was around the age of twelve that I began my love-hate relationship with food. I knew the calories and fat grams in just about everything. I still remember how many calories and fat grams are in a donut.
It's really not worth it.
Lia insists that when I turn 40 she is going to shove one down my throat. I have five more years to keep my streak going.
4. I worked to put myself through college. I spent one summer making Rollerblades. I have also delivered pizza, was a hostess at Chili's, worked in the kitchen at a truck stop, and manned the graveyard shift at a gas station.
I credit the crappiness of those jobs with helping me graduate. With honors. I never wanted to return home from work smelling like cheap, greasy food again.
5. I can't stand whistling.
It. Drives. Me. Mad.
6. One of the first words I learned to spell was "ventriloquist".
I was four. And it's not because I'm some kind of brainiac. At the time there was a commercial on t.v. that had some girl in a spelling bee spelling the word "ventriloquist". I saw it often enough to memorize it.
But nobody else knew that. Until now.
7. I have mentioned that I love ketchup. But what you must realize is that I love ketchup. It really is my favorite food.
I have three 64 oz bottles in my pantry right now. Plus one in the fridge. And one in my fridge at school. I have a fear of running out. Because then I couldn't eat. Because I put ketchup on almost everything.
I could do an entire post on ketchup.
8. I played the clarinet for 8 years. I was even in the marching band in high school. Lest you think I was a complete and total geek, I must say that our marching band was really good as far as marching bands go. You weren't ostracized by others for being a member.
I lost interest in the clarinet by my sophomore year. That was about the same time that I discovered boys. I stayed in marching band for another two years...simply to catch the attention of the drummers and trombone players. (You know who you are.)
Hmmm. Things haven't changed all that much. The Mr. is a drummer after all.
9. Speaking of musicians, I have had a few brushes with rock and roll fame.
*Paul Westerberg, Replacements icon, invited me on his tour bus. I spent my tween and teen years growing up in Minneapolis, so The Replacements were GODS in my crowd. I actually sat across from him...he offered me a bottle of water...we talked about Minneapolis and First Ave! It was surreal.
*I shared a cigarette with Joey Ramone (RIP) outside his hotel room. I had seen him play earlier that night. Me and my crew stalked Joey and the other Ramones back to their hotel. It was very cool to pollute my lungs with a legend.
*Greg Dulli, lead singer of Afghan Whigs, kissed me after a show. And I'm not talking about a little peck on the cheek. I mean, he really kissed me. I had a major infatuation with him at the time, so I offered my lips willingly. My boyfriend was there too. He was such a fan he didn't seem to mind. Plus, I scored the playlist.
10. This actually happened today. I did not wear jeans to school. This rarely happens. Instead, I wore leggings.
Well, you pretty much have to wear a thong when you wear such things. And since I rarely wear such things, I rarely don a thong.
So, today I was feeling most uncomfortable. More uncomfortable than I remembered a thong being. And then, while using the facilities, I learned why that undergarment was so flippin' intolerable.
I had it on wrong. The crotch part was sitting on my hip. The hip part was, well, where the crotch part should have been.
And this is where I feel like a dumb-ass.
10 things. All about me, me, me.
Now it's Lia's turn.
Tag. You're it.
Sunday, The Mr.'s band, Bright Men of Learning, played an early show at Big Star Bar here in Houston. If you are in the area, it is a very cool indie-type watering hole. I found it extremely cool and quaint.
These rare early shows are fun because The Offspring can attend. We don't lead such a rock and roll lifestyle that I drag the kids out to bars to see Daddy play loud music. Although, I'll admit to not having a complete problem with that scenario.
The Boy was very into the fire pit out back. As Marshall, the lead singer, said, "All boys are pyros at heart."
I tend to agree.
The Girl preferred to sit inside and watch a game of pool.
When it was time for the show to begin, The Offspring secured a prime spot.
Daddy and the boys took to the stage.
The Boy and The Girl watched.
Bright Men played...
...for adoring fans young and old.
Eventually we made our way back outside.
And we rocked out by the fire.
Oh, our exciting rock and roll life. Such fun.