Jay is cooking his very tasty roast...
While I am mixing the peanut-butter gingerbread cookies and other assorted goodies.
These cookies are chilled, then rolled out and cut into shapes before baking. Lots of fun!Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas baking
Every year, one of the traditions Jason and I have is baking cookies. This first started with my college roommate, Danielle. I am very happy to continue this tasty tradition. Now, Jay helps me bake the cookies and we distribute them to our co-workers. This year we made brownies, orange-cranberry bread, linzer bars, peanut butter gingerbread, and others. Jay also made a roast for his office Christmas party.
Jay is cooking his very tasty roast...
While I am mixing the peanut-butter gingerbread cookies and other assorted goodies.
These cookies are chilled, then rolled out and cut into shapes before baking. Lots of fun!
Jay is cooking his very tasty roast...While I am mixing the peanut-butter gingerbread cookies and other assorted goodies.
These cookies are chilled, then rolled out and cut into shapes before baking. Lots of fun!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Turkey Trot
For Thanksgiving this year we had planned a large dinner at the home of our friends Alias and Helen. Because several pies were involved, Jay wanted to workout. On Turkey Day. So, I signed us up for our first race, a 5K in Long Beach, CA called the Turkey Trot. The race started at 9:30, so we showed up bright and early to pick up our numbers and our T-shirts. 
This is Jay in his number, looking very handsome if I do say so myself!
I ran also, and here I am in my number. As soon as we started the race, Jay had to stop for a bathroom break. I waited for him, and when we began running again he promptly took off like a shot and left me. He waited further down the beach, and we finished the race together. We crossed the finish line at just under 40 minutes, holding hands! It was a great way to start off the holiday. The race raised over $120,000 for local charities, and had over 4500 runners. Below is a shot of the crowd at the start line:
We then headed home for a nap (Helen had banned all grumpy people from attending dinner), cooking, and then a great time with our hosts and friends. Thanks to Helen and Alias for hosting the event, and to Gil, Alex, Jenny, and Dan for the wonderful food and fun! We hope all our friends and family we couldn't be with also had a great Thanksgiving. And congrats to my Aunt Faye for surviving her bout of appendicitis and emergency surgery.
This is Jay in his number, looking very handsome if I do say so myself!
I ran also, and here I am in my number. As soon as we started the race, Jay had to stop for a bathroom break. I waited for him, and when we began running again he promptly took off like a shot and left me. He waited further down the beach, and we finished the race together. We crossed the finish line at just under 40 minutes, holding hands! It was a great way to start off the holiday. The race raised over $120,000 for local charities, and had over 4500 runners. Below is a shot of the crowd at the start line:
We then headed home for a nap (Helen had banned all grumpy people from attending dinner), cooking, and then a great time with our hosts and friends. Thanks to Helen and Alias for hosting the event, and to Gil, Alex, Jenny, and Dan for the wonderful food and fun! We hope all our friends and family we couldn't be with also had a great Thanksgiving. And congrats to my Aunt Faye for surviving her bout of appendicitis and emergency surgery.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tales from the bus, part deux
We have had a lazy few weeks, not doing much besides working and cleaning the apartment. The fires are again quite bad, but we are out of harm's way. Besides all the smoke in the air and trying to help those who were affected, we have not had any problems. So I thought I would give you another sampling of bus stories.
I've had two "screamers" in the past few months. The first one was panhandling as I got on the bus. Since Jay was kind enough to get me an iPod, I mostly just listen to it to drown out all the crazies. So I didn't realize at first that he had ask me for money (rather, mumbled at me for money) so I sat down in the seat across the aisle. He was dressed all in black, eyes dilated, and rather scruffy. As I sat down, I pulled out my cell phone to text Jay and let him know I was on my way to work. The dude immediately started screaming at me, "Are you calling your f*@%$in' credit card?!" over and over again. I kept ignoring him, and he finally got off a stop or two later.
The second screamer was on a trip home. I again was wearing the iPod, but the battery was dead. Nevertheless, it makes me more comfortable ignoring people when I have it on, so I was wearing it. I had sat in the first seats on the bus, near the driver, facing forward. Dude gets on, and starts an argument with the bus driver, since he does not have the fare. The drivers here are incredibly patient, and will often let you ride without fare if you give a good sob story and aren't obnoxious. While obnoxious, the guy was flashing a hospital ID bracelet and claiming to have just been discharged minus his wallet. Okay, bus driver lets him on. He sits in the seats directly in front of me, however these seats face to the side and he can turn and look at me. Which he does. He then begins a very loud rant about being forcibly admitted to the hospital, but he told "those f*@%ers he was not staying, he was leaving," etc. The story continues at the top of his lungs, profanity included, the entire time he is on the bus, which isn't long because the bus driver put him out a few stops later. A lady across the aisle then slides into the seat next to me, and all the way to my stop proceeds to complain to me about people on the bus who cannot behave, and try to make you listen to them even if you don't want to. Yes, I am still wearing my iPod...
Today's dude was at least funny. He showed up at the bus stop this morning, singing at the top of his lungs. When someone looked at him, he screamed at them, "Yeah, I know I'm off-key! I've been off-key all my life, motherf*@$er!!" He didn't get on the bus, luckily, he went into the McDonald's, still singing. I don't know if they threw him out, as the bus appeared just moments later. Always something on public transportation!
I've had two "screamers" in the past few months. The first one was panhandling as I got on the bus. Since Jay was kind enough to get me an iPod, I mostly just listen to it to drown out all the crazies. So I didn't realize at first that he had ask me for money (rather, mumbled at me for money) so I sat down in the seat across the aisle. He was dressed all in black, eyes dilated, and rather scruffy. As I sat down, I pulled out my cell phone to text Jay and let him know I was on my way to work. The dude immediately started screaming at me, "Are you calling your f*@%$in' credit card?!" over and over again. I kept ignoring him, and he finally got off a stop or two later.
The second screamer was on a trip home. I again was wearing the iPod, but the battery was dead. Nevertheless, it makes me more comfortable ignoring people when I have it on, so I was wearing it. I had sat in the first seats on the bus, near the driver, facing forward. Dude gets on, and starts an argument with the bus driver, since he does not have the fare. The drivers here are incredibly patient, and will often let you ride without fare if you give a good sob story and aren't obnoxious. While obnoxious, the guy was flashing a hospital ID bracelet and claiming to have just been discharged minus his wallet. Okay, bus driver lets him on. He sits in the seats directly in front of me, however these seats face to the side and he can turn and look at me. Which he does. He then begins a very loud rant about being forcibly admitted to the hospital, but he told "those f*@%ers he was not staying, he was leaving," etc. The story continues at the top of his lungs, profanity included, the entire time he is on the bus, which isn't long because the bus driver put him out a few stops later. A lady across the aisle then slides into the seat next to me, and all the way to my stop proceeds to complain to me about people on the bus who cannot behave, and try to make you listen to them even if you don't want to. Yes, I am still wearing my iPod...
Today's dude was at least funny. He showed up at the bus stop this morning, singing at the top of his lungs. When someone looked at him, he screamed at them, "Yeah, I know I'm off-key! I've been off-key all my life, motherf*@$er!!" He didn't get on the bus, luckily, he went into the McDonald's, still singing. I don't know if they threw him out, as the bus appeared just moments later. Always something on public transportation!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Happy 6th Anniversary!
Today marks six lovely years together. It is hard to believe that it has been that long since we marched down the aisle. I am looking forward to seeing what the next six years has in store. Love you sweetie!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Why we appreciate our friends...
I know that some of you may be feeling a big neglected - believe me, we feel like we have neglected many of our best friends. It has really been on my mind lately, and something that I feel terrible about. While I don't believe that there is any excuse that forgives this behavior, I hope that you all will continue to be patient with us while we get through what looks to be another overly-eventful year.
We just found out that Jay's mom has a very serious illness, as does my aunt. My family has still been struggling with the loss of my step-father and uncle, and Jay's family has been plagued with very serious health problems among other things. We have both been over-worked and overwhelmed with living 3000 miles away while all these things are going on, and adjusting to the first year of a post-doc life has not been easy for me or for my poor husband. We have been so fortunate to be able to attend the weddings this year, and see many people as they come through, but there are others who are very dear to us that we have not seen or spoken to in quite a while. Please know that we love you and think of you all very often, and hope very much that we will be back in touch soon.
I think the last three years have been the most exhausting and eventful of my entire life thus far, and things just don't seem to be slowing down!
We just found out that Jay's mom has a very serious illness, as does my aunt. My family has still been struggling with the loss of my step-father and uncle, and Jay's family has been plagued with very serious health problems among other things. We have both been over-worked and overwhelmed with living 3000 miles away while all these things are going on, and adjusting to the first year of a post-doc life has not been easy for me or for my poor husband. We have been so fortunate to be able to attend the weddings this year, and see many people as they come through, but there are others who are very dear to us that we have not seen or spoken to in quite a while. Please know that we love you and think of you all very often, and hope very much that we will be back in touch soon.
I think the last three years have been the most exhausting and eventful of my entire life thus far, and things just don't seem to be slowing down!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wine Country
There are some real perks to living in Los Angeles. (Of course, there are some real downsides too, but since we don't have much choice right now, let's focus on the positive, shall we?) Two of my favorite things involve, shockingly, food and alcohol. First, the food.
The farmer's markets here are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Jay and I try to go at least every other weekend. And there are two within biking distance of our apartment. We can pick from an enormous variety of produce, free-range chicken eggs, homemade cheeses and breads, sausages, flowers, soaps, etc. One of our favorite stalls is that for Avila and Sons, Farms. They bring dried fruits and nuts. Have you ever had fresh almonds? We can't eat them from any store again. When we do, we look at one another sadly and lament. What generally happens is that we end up eating seasonally. Right now the stone fruits and squashes are ripening and coming to market. Soon the root vegetables will be back, and then we will begin to see the winter fruits and vegetables. The variety is just incredible. I could go on and on.
And now, the alcohol. Good god, wine country. I have found some of the California wines to be utterly stunning. We have had one trip to Napa (if you go, visit Arger-Mertucci Vineyards). About a 3 hour drive away is Santa Ynez Valley (just see the movie Sideways). We visited two weeks ago with our new friends Helen and Alias, and their toddler son Elijah. We visited Curtiss Winery and Bridlewood, then headed into Solvang for visits to the tasting rooms there. The white wines at Curtiss are Rhone varietals, and they are so delicious. We are wine club members at Bridlewood (excellent Syrahs) and at Gainey Vineyards (Riesling) and get bimonthly shipments of wine from these wineries. Now, every night involves a glass of wine and relaxing with my hubby. (Lately this also involves watching an episode of the British sitcom Greenwing. Bless Helen for introducing us to it.) Oh, the vino.... it makes even writing grants seem somewhat relaxing.
We will post some pictures of our picnic at Bridlewood once we get our computer up and running again!
The farmer's markets here are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Jay and I try to go at least every other weekend. And there are two within biking distance of our apartment. We can pick from an enormous variety of produce, free-range chicken eggs, homemade cheeses and breads, sausages, flowers, soaps, etc. One of our favorite stalls is that for Avila and Sons, Farms. They bring dried fruits and nuts. Have you ever had fresh almonds? We can't eat them from any store again. When we do, we look at one another sadly and lament. What generally happens is that we end up eating seasonally. Right now the stone fruits and squashes are ripening and coming to market. Soon the root vegetables will be back, and then we will begin to see the winter fruits and vegetables. The variety is just incredible. I could go on and on.
And now, the alcohol. Good god, wine country. I have found some of the California wines to be utterly stunning. We have had one trip to Napa (if you go, visit Arger-Mertucci Vineyards). About a 3 hour drive away is Santa Ynez Valley (just see the movie Sideways). We visited two weeks ago with our new friends Helen and Alias, and their toddler son Elijah. We visited Curtiss Winery and Bridlewood, then headed into Solvang for visits to the tasting rooms there. The white wines at Curtiss are Rhone varietals, and they are so delicious. We are wine club members at Bridlewood (excellent Syrahs) and at Gainey Vineyards (Riesling) and get bimonthly shipments of wine from these wineries. Now, every night involves a glass of wine and relaxing with my hubby. (Lately this also involves watching an episode of the British sitcom Greenwing. Bless Helen for introducing us to it.) Oh, the vino.... it makes even writing grants seem somewhat relaxing.
We will post some pictures of our picnic at Bridlewood once we get our computer up and running again!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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