Yes, that is Ronald Reagan. And that handsome fellow with the camera around his neck? Then Russian spy, current prime minister and national treasure, Vladimir Putin. I love this photo.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Ronald Meet Vladi
Yes, that is Ronald Reagan. And that handsome fellow with the camera around his neck? Then Russian spy, current prime minister and national treasure, Vladimir Putin. I love this photo.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Baking Bug
Laura woke up with some initiative yesterday. She got in the kitchen and went nuts. First she made up some dough...
While it was rising she baked some oatmeal cookies. We don't have any pictures of those because we were busy eating them. After the dough had risen she molded them into some cinnamon twists, Swedish Cinnamon Twists to be exact, and we had our share of those too.
Not too much later we were hungry for more. I had been bugging her about making some chipotle mayonaise, and whadya know it I had bought all the ingredients the day before. So we packed some hot chipotle peppers and a few cups of mayo in for the long-awaited maiden voyage of our Magic Bullet.
Then we broke out some bacon & tomato, cooked up some chicken, and covered both sides of some panella wheat bread with the unassumingly fiery sauce. Sprinkle on a little mozarella, or a lot and throw on the panini grill and you've got two happy Estlers.
It was a good night, til I woke up at 4am with heartburn, but it was so worth it.
While it was rising she baked some oatmeal cookies. We don't have any pictures of those because we were busy eating them. After the dough had risen she molded them into some cinnamon twists, Swedish Cinnamon Twists to be exact, and we had our share of those too.
Not too much later we were hungry for more. I had been bugging her about making some chipotle mayonaise, and whadya know it I had bought all the ingredients the day before. So we packed some hot chipotle peppers and a few cups of mayo in for the long-awaited maiden voyage of our Magic Bullet.
Then we broke out some bacon & tomato, cooked up some chicken, and covered both sides of some panella wheat bread with the unassumingly fiery sauce. Sprinkle on a little mozarella, or a lot and throw on the panini grill and you've got two happy Estlers.
It was a good night, til I woke up at 4am with heartburn, but it was so worth it.
Where The Wild Things Are
Spike Jonze directing Paul Dano & Catherine Keener in Maurice Sendak's classic children's story? I will be there with bells on.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Yardworks
We suck at yardwork.
It's hard. Especially hard when you're on "vacation" and just wanna watch cooking shows. (Those cooking shows are paying off tho) I've been trying to cut down a tree for like a week now. And it doesn't help that we're so easily distracted by the kittens running thru the yard. "Oh look how cute she climbed a tree!"
Today we gotta buckle down. Gots company coming tomorrow and for the weekend. But they probably wouldn't mind a dirty house. Or be surprised by one either.
It's hard. Especially hard when you're on "vacation" and just wanna watch cooking shows. (Those cooking shows are paying off tho) I've been trying to cut down a tree for like a week now. And it doesn't help that we're so easily distracted by the kittens running thru the yard. "Oh look how cute she climbed a tree!"
Today we gotta buckle down. Gots company coming tomorrow and for the weekend. But they probably wouldn't mind a dirty house. Or be surprised by one either.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Fix That Smile
One of my favorite people on planet Earth is Jade Bouza. I had the pleasure of spending time with her on the field the past few summers, but now that is over. She managed to make it up for the Obama thing in January and was showing off her new camera. It had a "feature" that fixed smiles on those less fortunate enough to be labeled as un-photogenic. It's a horrid thing really. Just look.
Here is me.
Here is me after I hear that I'm getting a huge raise for being such a loyal instructor all these years.
You'll never have an unhappy looking group shot again. One of your friends may look like an alien, but they'll be a happy alien.
Here is me.
Here is me after I hear that I'm getting a huge raise for being such a loyal instructor all these years.
You'll never have an unhappy looking group shot again. One of your friends may look like an alien, but they'll be a happy alien.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Great Outdoors!
Snow is gone! We see a yard! There's that ax I was looking for! Look! There's that other laundry basket! It's been buried outside! How exciting is spring!? Pretty. This is what I was talking about when I say "I miss the changing of seasons." This is terrific!
We spent almost the whole day outside, remembering our yard, planning gardens, swinging on swings. We were eager beavers and had decided to start burning our garbage (how silly to pay someone to come pick it up) so that was something we could do right away. Kids don't try this at home. Parents, look away.
It was so nice we even let the cats outside. Now there's no going back. Høgni didn't really care to go out, she just watched from the window.
We hope that the yard undergoes a pretty dramatic transformation this summer. Time will tell what money will allow.
We spent almost the whole day outside, remembering our yard, planning gardens, swinging on swings. We were eager beavers and had decided to start burning our garbage (how silly to pay someone to come pick it up) so that was something we could do right away. Kids don't try this at home. Parents, look away.
It was so nice we even let the cats outside. Now there's no going back. Høgni didn't really care to go out, she just watched from the window.
We hope that the yard undergoes a pretty dramatic transformation this summer. Time will tell what money will allow.
I Used To Be A Little Boy
Look! My teenage antihero has become a budding policy wanker.
Billy Corgan has been testifying before Congress quite a bit lately, all on issues that probably will never affect me in any way. Terrestrial radio paying royalties to artists (don't have it) and percentages going directly to artists & venues thru Ticketmasters submission hold over the ticket industry (I don't attend arena concerts). So just another chapter in childhood heroes gone awry. And to think, my mother used to effectively hold his records for ransom and get me to do schoolwork. Siamese Dream is still a pretty bitchin' album tho.
Billy Corgan has been testifying before Congress quite a bit lately, all on issues that probably will never affect me in any way. Terrestrial radio paying royalties to artists (don't have it) and percentages going directly to artists & venues thru Ticketmasters submission hold over the ticket industry (I don't attend arena concerts). So just another chapter in childhood heroes gone awry. And to think, my mother used to effectively hold his records for ransom and get me to do schoolwork. Siamese Dream is still a pretty bitchin' album tho.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Maxing
Headed down to Jacksonia for a quick visit with the folks & to pick up some around-the-house type stuff they offered us back when we lived there. A buffet table [see previous post], some books, a metal barrel (since now we burn our garbage), and a 30 foot wood-scene mural we had hanging in the loft. We got in late late Monday night but managed to catch up, mostly about the puppy.
Max:
That and a lunch from our favorite pizzeria Amelios made for a pleasant albeit brief visit. They'll be up next weekend for a little more R&R, and maybe some antiquing.
For a job unfinished.
Max:
That and a lunch from our favorite pizzeria Amelios made for a pleasant albeit brief visit. They'll be up next weekend for a little more R&R, and maybe some antiquing.
For a job unfinished.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Like A Lion
I think I managed to catch the last winter sunset.
It's one my favorites so far.
And then this morning I caught a nice spring sunrise.
I can't wait for the lamb part.
It's one my favorites so far.
And then this morning I caught a nice spring sunrise.
I can't wait for the lamb part.
No. You Weren't Talking To Me.
So I became a taxi driver. Insert Travis Bickle joke here. I was quite optimistic, and it was actually kinda fun. I had more than a few "fares" (that's what we call 'em in the biz, you wouldn't know) that acted up while taking residence in my backseat. My favorite being the young black woman I picked up outside the Irish Pub who commanded me to take her to Perkins pancake house, all the while assaulting me with her racial epithets and simply making sure I knew how "hard it is for a hoodrat to meet some man who ain't married, got a girlfriend, or both!" Amen sister.
Then there was the slobbering drunk guy in his mid 40's who managed to, amongst a sea of F-bombs, instruct me to take him and his heavily Greek accented lady friend to Mt. Airy Casino. I guess after a couple minutes they forgot I was there because the conversation was definitely a private one, something about a tantric foot massage, their previous rendezvous in Reno, and the woman's "restranging" order on her three ex-husbands. Aww what a sweet date.
Anyhow, I quit.
Not that I didn't enjoy it, just wasn't going to work out in the longrun, so why kill myself. The wife is the boss.
My first fare: Adriana.
Thus begins and ends my career as a taxi driver. Probably for the best, since we all know what happens to taxi driver's named Travis....
Wow! I feel like I can really identify with that now.
Then there was the slobbering drunk guy in his mid 40's who managed to, amongst a sea of F-bombs, instruct me to take him and his heavily Greek accented lady friend to Mt. Airy Casino. I guess after a couple minutes they forgot I was there because the conversation was definitely a private one, something about a tantric foot massage, their previous rendezvous in Reno, and the woman's "restranging" order on her three ex-husbands. Aww what a sweet date.
Anyhow, I quit.
Not that I didn't enjoy it, just wasn't going to work out in the longrun, so why kill myself. The wife is the boss.
My first fare: Adriana.
Thus begins and ends my career as a taxi driver. Probably for the best, since we all know what happens to taxi driver's named Travis....
Wow! I feel like I can really identify with that now.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Goldbricking Giftcards
A few months back Laura was home alone going thru the numerous piles of junk we brought into this house and have since been trying to get rid off. She was thumbing thru one of her Home Goods books of standards & practices when out fell a gift card from Target for $150. It was a wedding gift so we were hoping it hadn't expired. We took to the website but found it a much more difficult task than were we just wandering down the aisles at a local Target. We began to fill up our cart with random things but couldn't help from scanning big ticket items that would have put us leaps & bounds over our $150 limit. So we began to think smaller. Little tchotchkes, kitchen accessories, that sort of thing. Here's what we came up with:
- Taylor Commercial Oven Guide Thermometer
- Bethany Donut Maker
- Norpro Nonstick 6-Donut Pan
- Pyrex Accents 4-Cup Measuring Cup
- 12x12 Chocolate Linen Scrapbook
- Frame A Name 12x12 Scrapbook
- Oatmeal Hoodie Babydoll Carcoat
- Norpro Terra Cotta Garlic Baker\Tortilla Warmer
- Ronco 5-Tray Food Dehydrator
Monday, March 2, 2009
Snowsick & oatiS
Today I am sore. I don't think I've jumped around that much in a while. It felt good at the time, but now I'm paying for it. Sore muscles & back, and on top of that I have a terribly sore throat. Boo-hoo, poor Travis. Lucky for me Laura is home from work today. They actually had to close the store down because of the snow. It's March 2nd and we are having a snow storm. I know we moved here for the winter weather and all but... gee whiz.
Here's some shots from the weekend.
Try to make sense out of those images. I can't.
Here's some shots from the weekend.
Try to make sense out of those images. I can't.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Well This Is Just Stupid
Hey guess what?! There's a new "supergroup" in the works within the music world and it's bonkers. It involves former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger, and Hanson's (yes that Hanson) Taylor Hanson. This can't be for real right?
Wrong.
What is the point of these four getting together and churning out awful renditions of Rick Springfield style poptunes? The best part is, I'm sure everyone will love it. This, my friends, is why I will welcome the end of the world. Better sooner than later.
Wrong.
What is the point of these four getting together and churning out awful renditions of Rick Springfield style poptunes? The best part is, I'm sure everyone will love it. This, my friends, is why I will welcome the end of the world. Better sooner than later.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Many Mets
Is it me or does like every team in the baseball classic have a Met on it? I don't know who to root for.
Let me see here.
.................................................
Yes. I did the math. The Mets have 15 (not including Martinez) playing in the WBC, followed closely by the Red Sox who have 14, and both the Twins & Mariners who each have 12, one Mariner being ex-Met great Endy Chavez.
Makes you wonder, if all these Mets are the greatest even when choosing from an entire country, why have the last two seasons been such a nightmare? Maybe it's a bad thing their all going. Maybe they should just stay at spring training and work at some more of that small ball.
Hmm. I've decided not to root for anyone and just enjoy. Yay baseball!
Let me see here.- David Wright & godsend J.J Putz are gonna represent USA
- Jose Reyes is the lone Met amongst the Dominican Republic
- Beltran, Delgado, Figueroa, Jesus Feliciano, Pedro Feliciano & Alex Cora are all playing for the Puerto Rican team
- Francisco Rodriguez will hone his closing skills for Venezuela, only briefly
- Oliver Perez & Elmer Dessens are on Team Mexico
- some dude named Ruben Tejada will play for Panama
- down under & around the horn, Stefan Welch
- and Shawn Bowman? is playing for Canada?
.................................................
Yes. I did the math. The Mets have 15 (not including Martinez) playing in the WBC, followed closely by the Red Sox who have 14, and both the Twins & Mariners who each have 12, one Mariner being ex-Met great Endy Chavez.
Makes you wonder, if all these Mets are the greatest even when choosing from an entire country, why have the last two seasons been such a nightmare? Maybe it's a bad thing their all going. Maybe they should just stay at spring training and work at some more of that small ball.
Hmm. I've decided not to root for anyone and just enjoy. Yay baseball!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Hallelujah! Antiques!
Ready to be embarrassed to know us?
How excited were we the other day when we decided to follow the smallest of signs pointing us to a mysterious back alley shop and after losing our way between old brick buildings and wandering into workshops we finally stumbled upon the Olde Engine Works Antique Mart!
One of our favorite things to do on a lazy day while we lived in Georgia was to hit up all our favorite antique marts. There was the one near Hooters off 41, which we hit up regularly due to it's proximity to Laura's workplace. That's where we found our Benjamin Franklin bust amongst other little treasures still stashed around the house. The infamous traffic signal debacle, where Laura convinced the guy not to sell me this amazing piece so that she could surprise me with it later on. I was actually pretty mean to the dude, but that happened at an amazing shop on route 41 right near the Big Chicken. And the one tucked away in the back of a strip mall on the corner of 92 and Canton Highway. I think that's where we got our green breakfast table, the one we hold so dear. Then there was another favorite further down 92, where it meets Bells Ferry, and where we both, on separate occasions, picked out the exact same lamp without knowing the other had ever seen it. It now hangs over our bed. So, yes, it's safe to say we enjoy "antiquing" even tho it sounds like something my Mom does (hi Mom, love you).
So you can only imagine how quickly our faces changed from probable blank canvases to smiles ten feet wide as we entered this humongous warehouse chalk full of treasures and riches and prize finds!
And even tho we were pretty hungry at that moment, we managed to spend a good hour or two scouring each nook & cranny for things to tickle our fancies.
Days like that make us wanna be millionaires. I guess being a millionaire any day would be nice tho.
I just thought this guy was creepy is all.
How excited were we the other day when we decided to follow the smallest of signs pointing us to a mysterious back alley shop and after losing our way between old brick buildings and wandering into workshops we finally stumbled upon the Olde Engine Works Antique Mart!
One of our favorite things to do on a lazy day while we lived in Georgia was to hit up all our favorite antique marts. There was the one near Hooters off 41, which we hit up regularly due to it's proximity to Laura's workplace. That's where we found our Benjamin Franklin bust amongst other little treasures still stashed around the house. The infamous traffic signal debacle, where Laura convinced the guy not to sell me this amazing piece so that she could surprise me with it later on. I was actually pretty mean to the dude, but that happened at an amazing shop on route 41 right near the Big Chicken. And the one tucked away in the back of a strip mall on the corner of 92 and Canton Highway. I think that's where we got our green breakfast table, the one we hold so dear. Then there was another favorite further down 92, where it meets Bells Ferry, and where we both, on separate occasions, picked out the exact same lamp without knowing the other had ever seen it. It now hangs over our bed. So, yes, it's safe to say we enjoy "antiquing" even tho it sounds like something my Mom does (hi Mom, love you).
So you can only imagine how quickly our faces changed from probable blank canvases to smiles ten feet wide as we entered this humongous warehouse chalk full of treasures and riches and prize finds!
And even tho we were pretty hungry at that moment, we managed to spend a good hour or two scouring each nook & cranny for things to tickle our fancies.
Days like that make us wanna be millionaires. I guess being a millionaire any day would be nice tho.
I just thought this guy was creepy is all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)