I simply love the Thanksgiving holiday.
I love the short work week that precedes the long weekend.
I love the color that surrounds us.
I love how people are so relaxed and friendly.
I love catching up with friends who live far away.
I love Yesenia's sweet potato pie, hint hint.
I love having friends and family over to share food, wine
and laughter, and watch lots of movies and football.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Arnon and I met a really cool couple last May in Greece, Chuck and Marie, and we were so happy to be able to meet up with them in San Francisco last night.
When we first met Chuck we thought he was in his early forties, but we were shocked to learn that he's actually in his early sixties. His smooth face and youthful spirit really threw us off.
Arnon and I aspire to be like Chuck and Marie. They're completely relaxed and spend a great deal of time traveling around the United States and abroad. They're currently talking about a 117-day cruise. So awesome!
The general contractor who worked on our house installed, to my great displeasure, a curved shelf in the laundry closet. He talked about how wonderful it would be to put stuff on it but I thought it was inefficient for bulk storage.
What I really wanted was ventilated shelving, but I figured it was too late. So I tried to make the most of the single, worthless shelf.
Then about a week ago, my sister told me that I could download a coupon for shelving from the Container Store from Oprah's website. It was just the motivation I needed.
So I bought a small crowbar and tore out the old shelf. Then I bought stuff to patch up the holes I put in the wall with the crowbar.
After a fresh coat of paint, I installed the shelves and loaded them with stuff.
Pretty cool, no? I'm quite pleased with my first home improvement project.
In case you're interested in doing something similar, the whole project cost me roughly $400.
Let me tell you, Gabriel makes some mean tacos and margaritas. Simply scrumptious!
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I've been out of commission for nearly a week with yet another sinus infection. I have sinus polyps so even mild irritations become quite uncomfortable.
Over the years, I've done everything my doctors have suggested, including not wearing shoes in the house, getting rid of carpets, candles and scented soaps, avoiding fireplaces and bonfires, and eliminating the use of chemical cleaners. There have been some benefits, like no longer having to use an inhaler, and no longer waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air, but the sinus infections persist.
Some people have suggested neti pots, others have told me to avoid them. Different drugs, vapor rubs, saline sprays and humidifers have also been suggested.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Hello,
I am trying to sell a bed frame I recently purchased. I ordered it over the Internet—it was a bit of an impulse buy.
Now that it's arrived, I realize that it doesn't go with any of my other oak furniture, but I can't send it back. The bed frame is 100% hand carved and imported from India. The mattress is orthopedic, brand new, and hasn't been slept on.
I thought I would give you first dibs since it would go so nicely with the items that currently make up your bedroom motif.
But if you don't want it and know of anyone else who might be interested, please forward the picture of the bed as I'd like to sell it ASAP.
I haven't named a price yet but if you're interested, we'll work something out. Anyway, have a look below and let me know!
Credit: Sean
 Green Bell Pepper |
 Red Heirloom Tomato |
 This was picked off the bell pepper bush but other than color, it looks like an heirloom tomato. It seems the neighboring plants have been up to no good. |
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One sunny day in January, 2009, an old man approached the White House from Across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench.
He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."
The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here."
The old man said, "Okay" and walked away.
The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."
The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here."
The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.
The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."
The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. What don't you understand?"
The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it."
The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow, Sir."
Credit: Jaime
Now think about it: how many times have we been told not to do something but didn't listen? Or, have told our children not to do something?
Not to run in the house? Ha, did we ever listen? Do they listen?
Not always. In fact, we and they seldom ever listened!
Sometimes our seemingly futile efforts fail and boy do boo-boos happen.
Well, here's a little guy who didn't listen. He now has his own souvenir scars. Perhaps he'll learn from his mistake, as we often do, too.
Well, maybe, but most likely not.
Doesn't look so bad, huh?
Well, perhaps he should keep this next photo handy so he can explain how it really happened.
Credit: Sean
I'd like to vent about things that have annoyed me this past year:
The Penguins were in town recently and Arnon and Marc had tickets to the game, so I prepared a pre-game sushi dinner for them. Shocked? Don't be. I only prepared the table. :)
Anyway, Marc brought me a giant bottle of my favorite vodka, Kettle One, for my birthday. Now I'm prepared for the cold winter ahead.
My family, minus my dad, joined me for Korean food for my birthday. Considering that my brother-in-law hates Korean food, it was nice of him to come anyway. My mom prepared a delicious strawberry mousse cake for us and my niece sang for me and also blew out the candle on my cake for me. Cute.
My friends, this is a great night. I can't begin to express my great joy that Obama won the election and will be our next president. My faith in my fellow Americans has been restored.
Let the celebrations begin!
Arnon and I spent a couple days in Mendocino for my birthday. The weather was wonderfully gloomy and we spent a lot of time outdoors looking at flowers and raised vegetable beds. We also had a scrumptious vegan dinner at Raven's.
Hmmm, sounds more like we were celebrating Arnon's birthday, doesn't it?
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