What's wrong with the world, I mean the internet.

When we got engaged, we signed up for "theknot.com" to help with organization, planning, blah blah blah.....and we never used it.  Too much info, too much fuss, and the website in general made me feel like it was prioritizing hair, makeup, shoes, songs, decorations instead of actually focusing on the real event at hand (marriage).  Well, we are celebrating our 5 month anniversary in a few days, and today I get an email from "thenest.com" with the subject and image:

Is Baby ON the brain or NOT on the brain?

COME ON!!!!!  And we wonder why divorce rates are over 50% in the US!  They are already pushing babies on newlyweds!!  Can't we just enjoy being married without feeling this constant pressure and momentum towards becoming "parents" as opposed to just enjoying our new titles of "husband and wife"??  Really?  Give us some time, you marketing people!

It goes without mention that I definitely DID NOT give my email address to "thenest.com", and I'm inclined to think that even if I were pregnant, I would not subscribe to this.  And if I ever had an inkling to join, this email definitely convinces me otherwise....what will the sign me up for next, "DealingWithDivorce.com",  "SecondTime'sACharm.com", "StepGrandkids.com"..... Just nuts.

Sorry for the rant.

Oh, the places we'll go

Interesting article in the NYT about what vacations actually do for us.  We know we love getting away, but this article argues that part of the actual pleasure we get from vacation comes from the planning and not actually from the trip itself:

Since most of the happiness boost comes from planning and anticipating a vacation, the study suggests that people may get more out of several small trips a year than one big vacation.

Aye, aye!  Where are we going next?

[Honeymoon in Mexico, Tulum]

Exactly.

Yeah, she's got it about right.  I might start sending her to SciFi movies with Rick.

All about Seattle.

I've gotten several requests recently from friends who are planning a visit to Seattle, so I spent some time this morning creating a Google Map of Seattle.  Wow - this was really time-consuming but fun to assemble, and makes me realize how much I really miss life there (and how much I need a job).  There are so many wonderful, unique, local places in Seattle for eating, drinking, sleeping, outdoor adventures, and most importantly, getting your cup of joe.  So, here is my exhaustive "list" of Seattle musts accompanied by my super-dorky, but-hopefully-helpful Google Map.


View Seattle Favorites, According to Keenan in a larger map

HOTELS:
- Inn at the Market: very small, probably are full, but worth a shot.  It's right in Pikes Market and very very cute.
- Edgewater: Love this place.  My mom got a room here on Priceline for $100 a night, and it's right on the water....we woke up to boats coming into port.  I love the atmosphere here - very lodgy and campy, but sophisticated too.  If you go, make sure to get a waterfront room.  This is a little removed from downtown, but they do have a free shuttle that will take you around.  It's not a bad walk at all, and it's right next to the olympic sculpture park.  Also, the beatles stayed here when they toured thru seattle and apparently fished out the window.
- Four Seasons: They just opened about 1.5 years ago, and they too are right on the water.  Gorgeous lobby and cool restaurant.  Rick gave me a day at the spa here for my bday when we were there, and it was nice.  THey also used to host Bernstein events there....random tidbit.  Not sure if Michael has any hotel points or anything, but this could be an option.
- Fairmont Olympic: Probably the oldest hotel in Seattle, and right downtown.  This was the site of the original University of Washington, and is definitely a great place to stay.  We stayed here before we ever lived here and it was nice.  Very luxurious, nice, old school hotel.  They serve great holiday cocktails, including an Egg Nog Martini that we make every year.
- Sheraton: Recently renovated and very nice and clean.  My parents got a cheap cheap room ($70/night) here on Priceline when they came to stay with us at Thanksgiving, and they got an awesome corner room.  RIght downtown.
- Arctic Hotel: They finished this huge renovation a few months before we left, and it's supposed to be nice.  A few blocks down from the heart of downtown, but also close to Pioneer Square.
- Westin - this is a huge hotel and pretty nice, consistent.  Conveniently located near Flagship Nordstrom & downtown.
- Hotel Max: Never stayed here, but I met a guy on a plane once who always stayed here for work.  It's very modern, new and clean.  He told me that they have "personal appliances" available for rent, in case, you know...you are so inclined.  Ha!
- Hotel Andra: in Belltown.  New, small, modern and supposed to be nice.
BOTTOM LINE: There are plenty of nice places to stay in Seattle, so if you are willing to use Priceline, you'll probably get a nice place!!  If you find someplace else, let me know and I can give you my two cents if I have any!

RESTAURANTS:
Where to start?  WAY too many to cover in just one trip, but here are some favorites:
- Flying Fish: apparently they have recently moved, or are int he process of moving, but they have great seafood, and plenty of it. In Belltown.
- Steelhead Diner: Near Pikes Market/Belltown.  Very eclectic menu with lots of different types of preparation of seafood.  They have sandwiches as well as sophisticated entress, a great cocktail menu, and always good specials.  You can walk in and usually get a table, but you might have to wait at the bar a bit.  They have good views of the bay too.
- Matts in the Market: Small restaurant with very carefully prepared food.  I think the owner is the chef, and he's a young guy....i think his wife is the hostess, and she was pregnant last time we went.  It's upstairs in Pikes Market, and they always have fresh seafood and very well prepared.  Probably need a reservation here, and it might be a bit fancy. 
- Cafe Campagne: IN the market, french food, good for brunch or some kind of light meal.
- Quinns: Gastropub, don't go here if you want seafood, but DO go here if you want deliciously prepared, hearty, meaty meals.  They serve interesting cuts of meat (tongue, bone marrow, cool stuff). This is Rick's favorite place.  Casual atmosphere, you will probably have to wait if you don't get a reservation.  They also have great cocktails and great beer.
- Chinooks: Probably the best seafood selection you'll find in Seattle.  It's over in Fishermans' Terminal (where all the Deadliest Catch boats and other fishing boats come in), so this would be a fun spot to go to watch sunset.  Tons of different types of fish, all caught fresh, and heavenly crusty bread.  This was always a go-to for visitors as it wasn't quite as "touristy" as some of the other downtown restuarants.  In fact, this is where I went for my last meal in Seattle.  They have a sister restaurant called Anthony's down on the water (near the Edgewater), but I think that one is too touristy.
- Lola: This is one of Tom Douglas's restaurants.  He is arguably the most well-known chef in Seattle, and he has a few restaurants in downtown Seattle (Dahlia, Serious Pie, Palace Kitchen), but Lola is our favorite. 
- Ettas: Another Tom Douglas restaurant, this one is down in the market and was a brunch favorite.  Wicked bloody mary's and great food.  Would recommend this if you are walking around during the market during the day.  You don't really need a res.
- Restaurant Zoe: Good, classic, comforting American Food.  Run by the same people who run Quinns.
- Pesos: Our favorite for brunch, this one was a few blocks from our house up in Queen Anne.  Quite the brunch scene, they serve mexican/american food, good breakfast cocktails, and they have a bustling nightlife scene here too (I think all the waitresses are required to bare skin...it's a little ridiculous, but the food is good and it was really convenient for us)
- Canlis: If you are celebrating an anniversary or any big life event, this is a meal you will never forget.  Exceptional service, they know your names when you walk in, and this is probably the best restaurant in Seattle.  It's been around forever, and is perched on the edge of Lake Union.  We went here for my birthday dinner our first year here, and again using a gift certificate from the man who designed my engagement ring.  Very special spot, and a delicious wine list.
- Rays: Tis is where we took Putney & Bill and my parents, and it's over in Ballard on the edge of the water.  Downstairs is fancy, upstairs is more casual.  Great views of the water and another great sunset spot.
- 5-Spot: Great for brunch, up in Queen Anne.  If you have to wait for a table, you can walk up to Cafe Fiore and grab a Sevillano Mocha (my fave....with dark chocolate and orange, but not too sweet....they use organic chocolate).
- Belltown Pizza: Decent pizza & beer, we liked sitting at the bar.  They have trivia on Monday.

Other Food Notables:
- Macrina Bakery: IN Belltown, good for a cookie or pastry in the afternoon.  They make all of their stuff fresh same day, and they have good easy salads and sandwiches if you want a quick meal.
- Top Pot Donuts.  Best donuts you'll ever eat I promise you.  They sold out to starbucks and now sell them in all of their locations, but the original is in downtown seattle and is quite an experience.  My favorite was the Blueberry Cinnamon.  For my first birthday in Seattle, I had two top pot donuts instead of a cake.  For my second birthday, I took a box of donuts to work for everyone....that's love.  They also have great coffee if you need some to take home.

Speaking of Coffee:
- Cafe Fiore, Cafe Lladro, Cafe Vita, Stumptown & Vivace are all favorites.  YOu will find more local coffee shops than Starbucks locations, which is so nice.  Most of these are up in different neighborhoods as opposed to downtown, but you can still find plenty of local spots.

Bars:
- Vessel: favorite place for a fancy drink.  They have a definite NYC feel, and their bartenders are nationally acclaimed...they will create a cocktail of your choice if you tell them what type of ingredients and flavors you like.  They have a very extensive and creative cocktail menu.  Don't order anything with vodka b/c they don't like to serve it.  This place made me like Tequila.
- Alibi Room: In the market, a cult favorite in Seattle.  Very dark and dim, and they have a great Seattle feel. 
- Zig Zag: In the market, Creative cocktails, sort of similar to Vessel.  Never went there, but heard it's great.
- Post: Also in the Market, they have live music every night and a nice laid back feel.
- Black Bottle: Wine bar/Gastro tavern on 1st Avenue in Belltown, this is a great spot if you want to avoid the more packed BellTown bars.  Great food and great wine & cocktails.  They have exposed candles on the tables, which I think is cool.  I really liked this place.
- Lava Lounge: Fun Hawaiian/Tiki Bar in Belltown that has shuffleboard, and more of a dive-bar feel.
- Rob Roy: Also in Belltown, cool bar with a lodgy/Alaska feel.
- Kings Hardware: Definitely a "hipster" spot, this one was a favorite of ours (hard to believe since we are incredibly far from being "hipsters".  This is in Ballard - they have great cocktails that they serve in Mason jars, they have amazingly good burgers (one topped w/ Peanut Butter & Bacon), and they even have skeeball.  How fun is that.  We used to go here after kickball games.
- Buckleys: good food for a bar, lots of TVs if there is something you like to watch.  We used to go here on the way to catch redeyes back to the east coast. 

Other stuff to do/see:
- Olympic Sculpture Park.  Right down by the water, this is fun to walk through on a pretty day.  Full of cool sculptures, and it was completed in 2007 (I think).  It's part of the Seattle Art Museum.  Interesting Tidbit: In Seattle, there is a mandate that any new business or development must allocate a certain percentage of their budget to public art, so you'll see a lot of art throughout the city.
- Public LIbrary: Designed by Rem Koolhas, it's incredibly modern and has become a landmark in the city.  You must go in and ride to the top and look down into the main lobby.  Definitely worth a spin through the library if you like architecture.
- Kerry Park in Queen Anne: This is where you'll see the best view of the city.  You can drive up here, or if you are up for a long walk, it's about 2 miles from downtown.
- Skip the Space Needle, overrated and expensive.
- Skip the Duck Tour, they don't give you much info on Seattle at all, and I found it to be annoying.
- If you want great views, go up to the top of the Columbia Tower (this is my old work building).  They have an observation deck up on the 73rd floor, and you can get great views of the whole city, Bellevue, Cascade & Olympic mountains....but only on a clear day.  There is also a Starbucks on the 40th floor with great views.
- Discovery Park: A bit of a drive from downtown, but great outdoor park and you can walk around and see more great views of the sound.  We used to go walking/running around here.
- Pike Place Market: You must go see this amazing place, lots of fresh fish (which they throw), great organic produce, lots and lots of cheap flowers (although I never really understood why visitors bought flowers here....how do they get them home?).  There are great street performers & musicians, and word is that within the market, the musicians can only play in a one place for a limited amount of time...this encourages lots of performers!
- First Starbucks: It's in Pikes Market, and it's worth just a quick "drive-by" on foot.  They have musicians that play in front of here, and there is always a crowd.
- Pioneer Square Underground Tour:  It's a bit cheesy and touristy, but definitely fun to do, particularly if it's rainy and you don't feel like lugging around in the rain.  Great history of the city, and cool to see the underground city.
- Ferry ride to Bainbridge.  If you are tired of walking around downtown, it's kind of fun to take a Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island, though there isn't a whole lot to do on foot once you get there.
- If you have a car, head over to Alki Beach in West Seattle for a great walk along the water.  There are great views back over to downtown Seattle.
- Showbox: great music venue, check to see if there is anyone playing while you are there.
- If you are up for yoga, my absolute FAVORITE yoga spot is Yogalife in Queen Anne.  Best. Place. On. Earth. For. Yoga.
- Walk around Greenlake.  It's a man-made lake, but good for people watching and for fresh air.

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

 

[image from here]

I have to give credit to my long lost friend Rommy (from San Francisco days) for compiling this really thought-provoking list of questions.  He's living in Sweden and keeping a blog about his experiences working and living there.  Most recently, he's doing a series of "Single in Sweden", and this particular entry discusses his challenges with making small talk with women.  Anyway, I'm going to post his questions/answers here, along with my answers.....wonder if he'd want to talk to me at a party.  Consider answering these questions for yourself, and feel free to post your answers in the comments if you are so inclined!
_________________________________________
So if you ever see me at a party, know that this is the kind of stuff that would make for good conversation.

• What do you like to do for fun?
  
  
  • Right answers include: spontaneous road trips, spend time alone with a book and some music, spend time outside, crossword puzzles, going head to head with a dude at downing shots of whiskey.
  • Wrong answers include: hanging out with friends, shopping, watching TV, sleeping
  • KEENAN: yoga, being outside doing just about anything, exploring new places, cook
• What was the last thing you read?
  
  
  • Right answers include: the newspaper, the subtitles in a French film, Foreign Affairs
  • Wrong answers include: gossip magazines, Perez Hilton
  • KEENAN: Elle Decor magazine, Huffington Post, Email from Whitney, calorie count on yogurt tub
• What was the last book you read?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Anything that expands the mind, makes you think. And even if it's purely a guilty pleasure, at least talking about it. Having a good, well-thought out opinion about it counts for serious bonus points.
  • Wrong answers include: Saying you don't like to read. Or complaining how you're finding your book so boring. This is a huge turnoff. Tell me why you find it that way or don't talk about it at all.
  • KEENAN: The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan.  Loved it.  Didn't want it to end (and it's currently only $3.80 at Amazon!!!  Buy it for any woman you know!!)  Other recent reads I enjoyed are The Road by Cormac McArthy, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Cane River by Lalita Tademy.
• What was the greatest book you read?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Having one (or several) and telling me why you thought it (or they) was (or were) so great.
  • Wrong answers include: Not having a favorite one, not having an opinion about why it's your favorite, or The Da Vinci Code.
  • KEENAN: I really loved Katharine Graham's Personal History.  Very inspirational story about a woman who was born into a life of luxury and opportunity, but morphed into a powerful, successful, yet real woman after her husband's suicide left her in control of the Washington Post.  Great true story.  I need more favorites....time to read more classics.
• What website do you spend most of your time on?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Blogs, news sites,  your own site where you write.
  • Wrong answers include: Google, Perez Hilton, shopping sites and Facebook (even though this is true for most people, it shouldn't be among the answers, because it's simply not interesting).
  • KEENAN: does Google Reader count as a site?  Sad to say I spend too much time on Facebook.  Might have to start using the "self-control" apple app to limit my time there.....it's a waste of time, but I can't help myself!  Sorry Rommy.
• What is your favorite album of the last ten years?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Pretty much anything if you have a good reason and are passionate about it.
  • Wrong answers include: Nickelback
  • KEENAN: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco and Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Neko Case.  Rick introduced me to Wilco when we first met, and I'll never forget riding around in his Altima in San Francisco listening to YHF. 
• What are your hobbies?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Anything you consider to be personal, quirky, weird, crafty, outrageous. Because these are the things that are interesting. And having a hobby is so important because it's a personal passion.
  • Wrong answers include: Hanging out with friends, shopping, watching TV, sleeping. These aren't hobbies.
  • KEENAN: yoga (again), learning to use my new camera, discovering new places in DC, finding really obscure things online.... whoa, i sound sort of boring.
• How do you relax?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Going for a walk, working out, a good film, taking a day trip, laying in a park.
  • Wrong answers include: Hanging out with friends, shopping, watching TV, sleeping.
  •  KEENAN: getting fresh air, cooking, piddling at home, going for a walk, yoga
• How do you challenge yourself?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Setting stretch goals and meeting them. Doing things that present significant physical or mental challenges.
  • Wrong answers include: Saying you don't.
  •  KEENAN: currently finding a job is proving to be a challenge, trying to cut sugar out of my diet is a challenge, and I'm thinking of running my second marathon this fall.  I need more concrete challenges....
• What are you truly passionate about?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Things that take a significant time investment and are purely done because they interest you and make you feel whole.
  • Wrong answers include: A pet or family. These aren't passions, they're obligations.
  • KEENAN: I disagree with Rommy on this one because I don't think you can deny that friends, family, and pets are an extremely important part of who we are.  I do, however, agree that we need things that we feel strongly about that are outside of our family ties (or obligations as he says).  With all of the demands and time constraints that our professional lives place upon us, I think it's a-ok to spend your personal time cultivating those relationships.
• What is your perfect meal?
  
  
  • Right answers include: A meal you cook yourself, a nice dinner out, anything that isn't destroying you. Your body is your vessel and should be taken care of as such. But have an opinion, have a perfect meal and have a reason why.
  • Wrong answers include: Fast food, frozen food, processed foods. You want to piss me off, you give a wrong answer here. It's pretty hard to get this one wrong.
  • KEENAN: A meal that includes a few veggies, cheese, probably some pasta, and followed up with something chocolate and sweet.  I have a sweet tooth, a cheesy tooth, and a broccoli tooth.  Don't have a booze tooth, thankfully.  Ideally, I'd be out at a restaurant trying something I'd never make for myself.  I'm thinking more and more about the meat that goes into my body, and trying to be more cognizant about where my food comes from.
• What's the most ridiculous thing you've done?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Having one and not being afraid to share it.
  • Wrong answers include: Not having one and not having anything to share.
  • KEENAN: well, a few things come to mind, but most are not fit for public consumption.  Give me a couple drinks and I'll tell you.
• What was your most embarrassing sexual moment?
  
  
  • We all have one, and the ability to share and laugh about it in retrospect says something about you as a person.
  • Wrong answers include: Not sharing it because you're too embarrassed or ashamed. Or something so horribly weird or fetishistic that it makes for awkwardness (especially if it involves animals). There needs to be a bit of common sense practiced here.
  • KEENAN: this is my blog and I say next question please.
• What is your greatest insecurity?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Acknowledging and sharing any insecurity you have says that you are vulnerable.
  • Wrong answers include: Your nose, your butt, your third nipple. These are not insecurities, they're body parts. And if you really are that insecure with your looks, I will absolutely walk away.
  • KEENAN: being awkward.
• What is your greatest fear?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Anything you struggle to accept that keeps you up at night.
  • Wrong answers include: Ghosts, the Scream movies.
  • KEENAN: not being able to take care of myself, physically, financially or mentally.  Being a bad wife.  Being a bad friend. 
• What was your proudest moment?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Any time in your life that you can look back on and that sets you apart or that took significant guts to do.
  • Wrong answers include: Not having one, or something that most wouldn't consider a challenge or an accomplishment.
  • KEENAN: Completing New York Marathon 2005.  I used to cry in high school and try to skip school when we had to run 1.5 miles for the presidential physical fitness test, so this was a huge personal accomplishment for me.
• How far away from home do you live?
  
  
  • Right answers include: The further the better.
  • Wrong answers include: Still living at home.
  • KEENAN: According to GoogleMaps, 473 miles.  But, someone I worked with at Amazon.com once told me that home is where you live....so, by that logic, I guess I'm there.
• What's the furthest you've lived away from home and for how long?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Halfway around the world or at least in another country (especially if you're in Europe). And for >1 year
  • Wrong answers include: Never leaving home or far enough away so that it matters.
  • KEENAN: Spain for 5 months in 1999, Seattle for 3 years (2,914 miles), and San Francisco for 5 years (2,691 miles).
• If you're close to home, why did you come back?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Because you really love where you're from.
  • Wrong answers include: Because you didn't have anywhere to go, or because "this is just home for me".
  • KEENAN: We wanted to be closer to friends and family.  So far, we've gotten to see much more of both in the 6 months we've been back on the East Coast, and I'm happy about that.
• What was the greatest adventure of your life to date?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Having one or planning one.
  • Wrong answers include: Not liking to take risks.
  • KEENAN: Moving to San Francisco without ever having been to California.  Moving to Seattle without knowing anyone there but Rick, and learning that I loved the city.  Studying abroad in Spain.  Wilderness Ventures in high school and pushing myself physically while there.
• Name three places you want to travel and tell me what you expect to do there.
• KEENAN: Ireland to see where the Keenans came from, India to see textile making, Japan, Argentina to habla, baila and eat delicious steak, Brazil to visit Mary, Greece to relax, Boston, New Mexico to see Sals.... I feel like I am having a huge urge to travel these days, but current unemployment situation precludes this....sad.
• Which person do you admire most in the world?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Someone you know and appreciate for their ability to overcome challenges, for their passions, for their talents, for their achievements.
  • Wrong answers include: Any celebrity.
  • KEENAN: can't pick just one and these are in no particular order.  Bob (he works hard and has interesting hobbies to keep him from being a workaholic, he takes calculated risks, he is funny as hell, and he is adventurous), Pops (he is loyal to the bone and would do absolutely anything for us, he has been an amazing role model for me that hard work and determination pay off, he taught me to always do the right thing, and he is a true South Carolinian), Momsley (she doesn't know how to frown, she's always got a positive attitude, and she's so creative, and she's a peacemaker like I'd like to be), Rick (he has taught me how to challenge and question things, he's taught me that it's ok to disagree, he works his tail off and has a vision for what he wants from his life, and he refuses to accept par....and, he makes me laugh, and like Mom, always wakes up with a smile).  I could go on, but I'm lucky to have good peeps...
• What was a lifechanging moment for you? How did it change your life? How are you different now?
  
  
  • Right answers include: Having one and having a good reason for it.
  • Wrong answers include: Not having one.
  • KEENAN: Geting married...as cliche as it is, it really does start a whole new chapter in my life....I'm different now b/c now I'm a wife and am now part of a 1+1 equation.
• This wasn't one of Rommy's initial questions, but I think it's a good one, albeit a little loaded: What inspires you?
• KEENAN: Smart people who are always questioning, learning, challenging and growing.  People who never know enough and are always pushing themselves.  People who listen and learn from everything around them.  People who are committed to something.

What gives for you? Rommy, thanks for the inspiration....

All you need is love...

I wonder what the Fab Four would think of this...  They do have walrus mustaches.

 

[image from here]

Ridiculously, adorably, laughably cute

I am probably responsible for about 100 of the 161,061,318 glance views this thing has gotten.  I cannot get enough of these two.  If you do not smile and/or laugh when watching this, well then you should probably see a doc.

Reunited....

After 9 days on the road, the Robbins(es) are finally together again, and just in time for Valentine's Day! I loved coming home to tulips, truffles, delicious homemade Beef Stew and especially my dear Valentine. We had a low key night and in classic Robbins style, we didn't actually start dinner until 10:30, which means we didn't eat this yummy dessert until about 11:30. Yay for no work for Rick on Monday!

{Our Valentine's Day Dinner....Mom, please just ignore the mismatched and incorrectly-placed napkins/utensils....}

One of the best parts of being back on the East Coast is being able to take all of these trips without having to spend tons o' cash on plane tickets....it's fun to be a road warrior and to spend some time road tripping. I've been to Richmond, VA for Ellen's baby shower; Clemson/Central, SC for a visit with Rick's Dad and B-Mama; Columbia, SC for some time with my 'rentals; Pawleys Island, SC (for less than 24 hours); then New York, NY to celebrate Ginny's birthday. Lots of celebrating and traveling leaves me wondering how in the world I ever had time for a job?! (I think a quick look at the balance sheet will remind me why I must make time for a job....like, yesterday).

Back in here DC, I truly cannot believe the amount of snow...all over the place. Piled in mounds taller than me. Even though most of the roads are clear, it's crazy to drive in this since you can't really see the other cars when you pull up to an intersection. In the words of my friend Anne (see below), "it's become a lawless society"....people parking, walking, and driving as if they don't have to obey the normal rules. Crazy.

{View from Rick's Office...his home away from home}

{this really doesn't do the snow justice, but still gorg.}

Up this week:
* Tonight - I'm hosting book club at our house, and fixing a big pot of Ina Garten's butternut squash soup. I hope the soup is better than the book we read: Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian. The book was soooo detailed and descriptive, and I found it painful to read.
* Tomorrow - Second round of interviews with a company I'm really interested in....wish me luck! Follow that up with Wine Club. We'll be discussing Sparkling Whites.
* Weekend: dinner with some friends Saturday and also some good Cally Stolbach cousin time...

Special thanks/kindness to Anne Martin for introducing me to book & wine clubs, and for the company on BoltBus Sunday home from NYC!

February is for Snowbirds

Snowmaggedon. Snowpocolypse. SnOMG. Snowtorious B.I.G. In case you haven't heard, it's snowing in DC. For the second, I mean THIRD, time in the last 3 months. And, in case you haven't heard, I've missed all of the big DC snowstorms this year. Lucky me...?? Perhaps, but I really like winter, and am sad I'm not there with Rick to convince him that he too should like winter. I'm also sad that I'm not there to cook up some mean soups and cozy foods to keep him warm and fed! Instead, I'm in SC for a few days, and then heading to NYC this weekend for Ginny's birthday.

This is what we are up to in February:
Rick - studying (note the healthy snacks I made for him....like a good wife).
Me - traveling, still job hunting, and making crafts. At Ellen's baby shower this weekend in Richmond, we made cute onesies... Here is a pic of Ellen with her new duds.

Also, here we are all bundled up to go to dinner at a friend's house....it was snowing a little that night, and we had NO idea this was just a preview at what was to come...