Thursday, July 30, 2009

World Cafe

In an effort to be more positive, 2-3 days/week I have the pleasure of listening to World Cafe on my drive home.

"new and significant music and the artist who create it."

It's a fantastic program based here in Philadelphia at WXPN (of which I am a proud member!) hosted by David Dye. It broadcast on NPR nationwide daily (M-F).

Today feature Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears a great blues-rock band based out of Texas. They've got some great tunes on the recent release Tell 'Em What Your Name Is.

Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

la palabra del dia...

I actually learned the words for high blood pressure (hipertension) and headache (dolor de cabeza) today, but I thought they might be as useful to others so....

wine=vino
beer=cerveza

I would like a glass of wine please= Querria un vidrio de vino por favor.

happy.

faded pale hues. ruffles. cords and cardigans. shimmery peep toes in pearly pink. dressy to party and dance. sleek pencil skirts. scarfs and layers.


j.crew makes me happy. new catalog in hand.


Monday, July 20, 2009

La palabra del dia...



lunch=comida

She is at lunch.=Ella esta en la comida.

Monday....

"This is the place where I learned to live this life, to curse this life and to claim this life for my very own. "

~Jodie Foster

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Some things never change.


Jim was taking me to the train station in New Jersey on Saturday for a little girls weekend in NYC. It was a friendly reminder of why I think JugHandles are an absolutely ridiculous idea.....


JugHandles
April 8, 2006

It's a rainy afternoon and I have nothing better to do, so I will attempt to formulate a discussion on the jughandle. As a new resident of NJ I find them to by extremely annoying. If you ask someone from NJ I guarantee they will ramble on for at least 10 minutes about how awesome they are. For those of you that have no idea what a jughandle is, let me attempt to explain...

The basic idea is to make a left turn by turning right...makes no sense if you ask me. There is usually a ramp/exit of some sort from the right hand lane that will direct you around in a loop of sorts. You end up in a way so you are heading straight across the intersection you needed to make a left turn. The idea came about in the late 50s and for whatever reason New Jersey really went to town with it. In a year or so they had 160 jughandles in the state. PA has adopted the idea in some areas and a few other states like NH, IL, MI tried one and never construction a 2nd...wonder why?

There are several types of jughandles you may encounter. There is the standard jug which exits b/f the intersection you need to make. Usually right and left turns are made here. There is the crazy reverse jug, which exits after the intersection. The really messed up part is that sometimes you CAN make a left turn. But, you usually end up missing it b/c you're in the right lane
looking for the damn jug.

Now if you were from out of town, with no prior knowledge of jugs and saw one of this crazy signs....I would definitely be thinking "what do you mean I can't make a left turn?" You can always tell when there a confused foreigner trying to make a left turn...it's a true death sentence.

The arguement for jughandles is mostly to due with safety and convience...no waiting to turn left and crossing over traffic which could lead to an accident. There's also something about leaving the left lane for passing. To me there is no sensible arguement here. The left lane free for passing goes right out the window, when you actually have instances of real left turns. Which leads to the point of being completely inconsistent and unpredictable. Why are some b/f the intersection and others after? Why do some intersections allow normal right and left turning? Why do some allow no turning out all? Then there's the issue on congesting the area that the jughandle ramp exits onto!!! (you understand if you've ever experience this phenomenon)

Come on NJ!! Let's just make it easier on everyone. You make left turns from the left lane. If you concerned about high traffic areas, accidents, etc you design a green turning arrow for the left turning lane.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

La palabra del dia...


left= izquierda
right=derecha


Is your house on the left or right? = Es su casa a la izquierda o el derecha

"It's bacon...."

I was eating the delicious sandwich I made for lunch today and all I could think about was, "man I wish there was crispy bacon on this..." Isn't sliced chicken with melted swiss, avocado, lettuce, and a dollop of mayo on a fresh bun enough?

The stranger part is I normally don't even like bacon. Turkey sausage with breakfast, not a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or BaconBits girl, and any crispy strips that does make it onto my plate are picked off and toss onto Jim's for consumption.

To celebrate the occasion perhaps I think a fresh picked tomato from the garden may like to be accompanied by a little B & L tonight.

blt.jpg

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Word of the Day...la version espanola


pierna=leg

Does the pain go into your legs? = Hace el dolor entran sus piernas?

Sweet Potato Fries

I made this a lot last year but had somehow forgotten about the recipe. I made them last night to accompany turkey burgers and homemade cole slaw. I didn't think to get a picture before we devoured them. Take my word for it...this recipe is worth trying!!

2 medium sweet potatoes
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic
1 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
Peel sweet potatoes and slice into wedges*
Mix remaining ingredients in small bowl.
Pour olive oil and spice mix over prepared sweet potato wedges and 'toss' until all wedges are evenly covered.
Bake for 30-35 minutes (turn after 15 minutes)**

YUM!!


*if you prefer crispy, crunchy fries try thinner wedges. i usually have to decrease the cooking time by 5-10 minutes
**broil for 1-2 minutes at the very end will also help "crisp" the fries. watch carefully...they will burn quickly on broil.

Happy Feet

Speaking of my favorite black heels.....

I LOVE these shoes!!!

They've been extremely comfortable since the first hour I slipped my feet in and last through my long 10-12 hour days without my toes screaming. They go great with long pants, capris, or skirts/dresses. Plus I found them at Marshall's for a great deal.

What more a girl's feet ask for?


Mix-n-match

Some mornings everything in my closet seems like "i just wore that." I try to spruce up my wardrobe at the start of each season with a few new outfits and replace any must have items that didn't make it through from last year. Last summer I was wearing a company shirt in black with black, gray, or khaki pants all summer. Granted I didn't have to think much in the morning, but it came to haunt me when summer rolled around this year and I didn't have much in the closet that wasn't long sleeved or heavy material.

Although I had more work to do to get my business attire in shape, I got some great deals and have been very satisfied with my choices so far. Now that summer is well under way I'm at the mix-n-match stage and started to get the urge to shop again. I forced myself to get more creative and I think it paid off with this cute ensemble....

The ruffled pink striped blouse is a sleeveless, wrap style from Gap that I originally got to go with a cute pair of gray capri slacks. I paired it with a melon colored 3/4 sleeve cardigan from NY& Co that I originally bought as a twin set, a knee length black pencil skirt found in the back of my closet, my new favorite black heels, and the perfect necklace to tie it all together. Voila!!! A new outfit without spending another dime.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Monday...

"I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street I met a man who had no feet. "

~Ancient Persian saying

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Summer Bliss

I can not say enough good things about the weather around here lately. Beautiful blue, sunny skies, warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s with amazingly low humidity, and cool breezy nights with the windows wide open. It's been a little glimpse of heaven for me.

It was perfect week for BBQing, long walks with SoFee dog, a Phillies game, and even a Wilco concert last night.

Anthony and Kristin enjoying the lovely summer evening.



Goodbye PA

Exiled.
Banished.
Forsaken.
Cast away

To a far away land....

I have been transferred on a permanent, full time basis to our Wilmington, DE office. That's right, Delaware. Another state from the one I reside in. Far, far away. 95 south is now an added part of my DAILY commute. I will go quietly, with my head down and my tail between my legs.

In order to survive my new fate, I am making a list of necessary supplies including many books on tape, a radar detector, a larger travel mug, and Rosetta Stone (a high percentage of spanish speaking patients is just one of the many selling point....)

In the meantime I will make a stronger cup of joe and borrow some CD's. I've also found this helpful website to aid me quest for bilinugualism.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Berry Breakfast

There are so many reasons to love summer.... including this delicious berry filled breakfast!

Combine low fat vanilla yogurt with vanilla protein powder. Top with your favorite berries. Sprinkle with granola. Enjoy!!

Monday, July 6, 2009

4th

Monday is back. Blah.

But we did have a beautiful weekend filled with lots of Life, Liberty, and Pat's Cheesesteaks.


Jacob showing his patriotism.


Sarah and Rob enjoying their first Philly cheesesteak.



Sunday, July 5, 2009

Etsy Exploration

Why did I ever click on the link? Why?

Today was my first experience with the wonderful world of Etsy. Not a good idea.

I'm considering getting another job to afford all the new must haves I found in the last half hour including ceramic coffee mugs in teal and orange, a simple wood necklace with a splash of blue, a great bracelet to match my new Madden girl sandals in the same great springy mustard yellow color, a comfy flora halter dress, and a set herb markers for my garden. I would also really like a set of recycled glasses made from wine bottles and a cute floral headbands.

I sense another addiction in the works....


2 Mugs MADE TO ORDER Orange and Turquoise Mug and Turquoise and Orange Mug

Purple Picnic

[IMG_2384.jpg]

This lovely picnic style wedding in deep purple almost makes me want to get married again! Maybe I can modify the idea for our anniversary or a birthday celebration. The full DIY can be found at Project Wedding.

Eco-Friendly

I have a long history of promoting recycling and earth friendly ideas. Now that eco-friendly is front and center you have to be careful about being pulled into to things that are more promotional schemes than actual ideas and choices that are beneficial to the earth and our health.

Sierra Club has a long history of protecting wild life and the earth. Founded in 1892 it is on of the oldest and most influential groups of its kind.




They now have a great website dedicated to Green Home living.

"....dedicated to helping create a more sustainable home environment....Your health, your wallet, and your earth with thank you."

Check it out for great ideas for your home. You can also join your local chapter of Sierra Club to help take an active role in the wellness of your community.




Welcome

I've always had a secret love for foyers and mudroom areas...


There's something about the little hanging jackets and lines of shoes on clean simple coat racks and benches that makes my heart content.

Just so a warm and inviting.


This one even satisfies my wall map project.

opt-mudroom-maps

I love the bright and happy green against the blonde cedar wood with lots of shelves for keys, mail, umbrellas, etc.

This green with cedar shelves - winner.