Guilty As Charged

I'll admit it.  I'm totally looking forward to this show.  Personally, I'm kinda blah on Khloe but I heart me some Lamar.  He's just so cute and sweet!  And I'm sorry but I am a sucker for the fall in love and get married within 30 days thing.  Just another show to add to the Tivo list....

Just Cause...

Weight Watching...

The watched pot never boils = the watched weight never disappears?  Uggghhhh...so I'm back on the Weight Watchers bandwagon..and while I feel like I've restricted the sorts of food that I've put in my body over the last week (HELLO?!?! I didn't eat the 5 bagels that I wanted to eat!), I didn't lose a pound this week.  It could have been that even though I ate fairly well, I made some mistakes like turns out, 4 shots of tequila is like 20 points.  Two potato skins are 20 points.  Double UUUUGGGGHHHHH...

Anyway, I've decided that while "becoming skinny" is a great overall goal, I really need something tangible to work towards...a reward, if you will...My mother and I are WW buddies so we decided to do the rewards together.  Here's what we came up with so far:

5 lbs:
When one of us hits the 5lb mark, the other one will send a treat in the mail with a worth of about $5.
I'm probably going to find something super cute and clever to send.  I'd start coming up with ideas now but we don't want to ruin the surprise!

10lbs:
This is where the rewards get more interesting.  I keep seeing these women at the gym wearing really cute workout clothes and they are always Lululemon! 
 

Granted, I'm also going to have to save like $10 for each pound I lose to afford one of these tanks...but whatever..

This is where we stopped coming up with ideas.  I mean, we're totally going to both lose 20lbs so the rewards must go on.  This also means that the rewards must become more impressive for the larger goals.  Anyone have any good suggestions???

Besides WW, I've found my other new tool that's going to help me

It's the Nike Training app on my new iPhone!  I tried the Ab Burner workout this morning and those might have been the longest 15 minutes of my life...I'm also either WWWWAAAYYY out of shape or it also worked my legs too because walking was more difficult than I anticipated when I was done.  About an hour later I thought "wow, my stomach feels kinda gross..I wonder why?" and then went "oh, wait, that's what it feels like when your abs are tired..nevermind"

All in all, by the time bikini season comes around, I'm going to have burned abs, a busted butt, ripped shoulders, and a defined back, and sculpted legs.  I'm also going to assume having a busted butt is better than it sounds.






Wish me luck! and feel free to send money or other goods as rewards!

Friday Awesomeness

I was thinking today might not be such an awesome day.  I woke up just slightly cranky.  Nothing major.  Just the sort of waking up where you think "my pillow sucked last night".  Anyway, I was aware of the potential for a cranky day.  HOWEVER, I've been totally snapped out of it by a handful of things...

1) My 80 year old library boyfriend, Dave, started my work day with a couple questions that were fairly silly and included needing to find out how long he could buy a 5lb bag of peanuts at Menards for $4.98.  For those of you who are interested--Sunday.  You're welcome.

2) I actually declared myself an expert on Iowa to another patron today. 

3) I've found another new favorite website with which to purchase things...house8810.com
They have so many stupid great things I might just blow all the money I have...probably not, but I'd like to.
Behold my favorites:  The boombox above is actually an "Urban picnic basket".  Remember how I said I wanted to go on a picnic???  ummm..exactly..


Yup, you carve anything you want onto the front of these postcards...
  Ok, I can't even begin to explain how much I love this website...it's nonstop vintage stuff that is so RIDICULOUSLY cute I can't contain myself.  I'm ready to start throwing children's birthday parties just so I can use the sock monkey birthday banner along with the birthday sock monkey tie on tails!  you could wear a silly birthday hat OOOOOOORRRRRR you could tie on a sock monkey tail...is there really a question??? I think not...oh, and nevermind the adorable red pretend Weber grill that a sweet little child could play on while dad (or mom) is grilling...I'm half ready to tie on an apron right this very second.


This is from one of those wall quote thingamajigs which I've always kindof liked but never really seen myself using...until now..now I want this one and I want it to be in my library.  My future awesome home library where there is a fireplace, a giant comfy chair, a wine/martini bar, a giant bathtub, and a ladder that rolls around the walls. 

I believe this is enough for now...watch out, I may become inspired again!

Big Love

For those of you who didn't know, I grew up in the town of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.  Pelican Rapids just happens to be the proud owners of the World's Largest Pelican

Minnesota also happens to be the home of a number of the "World's Largest" things.  Otters, dragonflies, cherries on a spoon...the list goes on...what I didn't realize is that it may not be normal for a state to house so many world record holding large animals and objects? 

I just happened to stumble upon a blog by a couple that have made it their goal to visit as many "large" things as they can.  They also happen to live in Minnesota which makes it a tad bit more interesting to me as I've actually visited most of these giant things.  They do however include "large" things outside of Minnesota...

Seriously, this blog is so random but it's super entertaining....Minnesota might be the coolest state ever...

The Pelican Rapids entry:

http://thebigstuffproject.blogspot.com/2007/09/worlds-largest-pelican.html

The Big Stuff Project:

http://thebigstuffproject.blogspot.com/

Young House Love Love

Seriously, I love this couple..

Happy Birthday Grandma Gwen!!

So Many Good Ideas...

and more than likely, so little follow-thru...

But I'm gonna try!!

I've decided to start making lists of things that I'd (randomly) really like to do in the next couple months.  I may do these things by myself..but hopefully I'll find people who are willing to goof around with me..

1) Dye some Easter Eggs..I'm talking pretty eggs...ala Martha Stewart


2) Go on a Chicago History Museum pub crawl.  They have them about once a month and the one in May is Wizard of Oz themed.  It's probably going to be awesome.\
3)Lose 20lbs.  Yup, I grossly underestimated my current weight.  I've joined Weight Watchers again. I'm going to be ready for bikini season if it kills me.  Which it hopefully won't as that would defeat the purpose.  No one wants to be buried in a bikini. It's just wrong. 
I'm aiming to be lounging at the HP pool in this:

or something equally cute.  Let's be honest, if I've lost 20lbs, I'll probably be hot in anything...
4)Get my bike in working condition so I can bike with Andy, give Midge some serious exercise, and have an excuse to use a cute bicycle basket.
5) Become a bit more crafty.  Nothing major, just find something to keep myself occupied..besides reading..
6) Have a picnic...
7) and a cocktail party
8) Successfully start a book club! First meeting is officially scheduled for May 3rd. Now I just have to cross my fingers that someone actually shows up...
9) Prove that Midge can be well behaved 99% of the time...the fact that she destroyed an entire loaf of bread 2 days ago (Andy, please forget that you read that. it's a secret) is going to be yet a distant memory in 2 months...
10) Seriously spice up my social life.  This is going to take a bit of work as everyone I know that has a "spicy" social life, lives in the city. I've yet to figure out how to make this work. Until I do, I'm going to beg Pharon to move closer via Skype dates.

I think this is a good starting point...10 things to do...please feel free to join me...especially if it means moving Pharon closer cause minus #9, I'm pretty sure she'd be a FOR SURE partner in crime in all of these things...The egg dying might be a little bit iffy but I'll sweeten up the pot by saying I'll provide the Egg Dying Champagne.

Done and done.

More Things I Love...

Seriously, http://www.younghouselove.com/ has me losing my mind.  I cannot stop obsessing over them and how I could also be doing cool stuff to a house I do not yet own.  My living room and kitchen are one "big" combined area in my apartment that I've been ok with the look of but have never really loved.  *granted, I don't love my apartment in general so I don't know if loving this space is possible*  I decided yesterday afternoon to rearrange the living room area to try and make the spaces a little bit more separate.  I won't bother really explaining what I did as you'd have to see the before and after to really get it, but the bottom line is, I like it a lot more now!  I managed to make a space that actually looks like it could be used for entertaining!  4-6 people could actually sit and converse in a reasonable way! Without it feeling like 2-4 of those people were trying to watch tv around the remaining 2!  So that's nice...Maybe I'll use my new-found entertaining room to host my first book club...hmm...
Anyway, I also managed to hang up the antique horse hooks I found while roadtripping back from Steamboat with Andy.  They look pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  I'll try and take a picture to post soon.  The next thing on my abode-to-do list is get a duvet cover so my bed doesn't constantly look as though a pack of wild dogs has been sleeping on it.  I started browsing West Elm (http://www.westelm.com/) today and found what I think could be a winner!


I have nice brown sheets that I think would look perfect wtih the dandelions and this yellow strikes me as the sort that would be good in summer, fall, and winter.  Dear West Elm, please don't get rid of all of your Queen sizes of this duvet cover before my tax refund arrives in 8-12 days.  Love, Madeline

While on West Elm, I also discovered the stemware that I'll be drooling over for the next undetermined amount of days.


ok, so I've noticed 2 things since I started writing this post...1) I really can't wait to have nice stuff that makes my every day life prettier...2) I seriously need a more interesting social life.  I'm dying to have a nice cocktail party where people drink out of nice wine glasses and sit and stare at each other...

I'm so lame..

p.s. I'd totally have these too

Geekthelibrary.org

Baby Laughing Hysterically at Ripping Paper

Brewery Tour

While on our Colorado roadtrip, Andy and I (with a little nudge from Adam) decided to include a brewery tour of sorts.  On our trip from Wisconsin to Colorado, we stopped at 3 different breweries.  This number would have been more impressive but we stopped at at least 3 that no longer existed...Thanks Adam for that too...Bottom line is, I think there is something to be said for a leisurely roadtrip and middle of nowhere brews!  I highly recommend all 3 of these lovely establishments!

http://www.peacetreebrewing.com/

*This was probably the most well thought out..the best looking building, the most interesting swag, and some fantastic beer.  I chose the Lemon Grass Ale as my favorite.

http://www.millstreambrewing.com/

*Definitely the best location..This would be a great place to spend a daytrip as there are a shocking amount of winerys in the vicinity as well...not to mention all the gift shops etc...hmm..and antiques now that I think about it...I'm definitely going back...Plus, you can buy liter bottles of their beer...not too shabby

  http://www.thunderheadbrewing.com/

*Absolutely the WORST looking place...this looked like a 3rd shift hangout..the swag was not impressive either..However, I will hands down vote this the BEST beer!  I have been dreaming about their Jalapeno Ale since the moment I tasted it...I'm even debating trying to brew my own beer just to try and replicate theirs..how I wish they would send me a nice case of growlers every month...sigh...oh, and their peach ale made both Andy and I wish it was summer..now there's a refreshing beer...I might actually be drooling on my keyboard...clearly, these people know what's important...screw the swag, give me some Jalapeno Ale!

Semi Obsessed...

I've come to the conclusion that I might be one of the world's most impatient people.  I would say impulsive too but that seems to involve more follow through that I don't have...Anyway, so I come to this conclusion for the following reasons:
1) I cannot STAND waiting to talk to someone when I have something to say.  If you don't answer your phone immediately, I will call you nonstop until you do.
2) Ever since I was a kid, once a trip is actually approaching, I will start to pack.  Not clothes, mind you.  Books.  I started my book/magazine packing on Monday for the trip we are taking Saturday.  I have been debating my list of books/magazines to pack for at least 2 weeks.  I'm still not sure I have the clothes thing figured out.
3) I occasionally make lists of conversation topics if I expect to be spending time with someone for a prolonged period of time.  This is to make sure we don't run out of things to talk about.  Problem is, I am physically incapable of holding onto these topics for more than 5 minutes into a conversation. 

Anyway, I bring this up because I came across a DIY home improvement blog today that I'm a little bit jealous of...

http://www.younghouselove.com/

This couple does AWESOME things with thrift store finds!  I'm now officially obsessed with going to find my own little treasures, painting them, and turning my apartment into the trendiest, most well decorated hole in the wall EVER! This will also be especially helpful considering I'm broke as a joke...

Maybe Andy will let me stop at antique stores on our leisurely trip to Steamboat this weekend....maybe if I promise to spray paint him a pony....

In the meantime, I'm going to pore over Young House Love's blog...and try to contain my jealousy...

Friday Funny

Just a Typical Thursday Night..

  









I literally CANNOT wait until tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Now This is How You Raise Money!

Charlottesville, Virginia has decided to raise money to fund the first public library in Winneba, Ghana.  Their mayor has started a blog about community events/goings on and includes a list of the fundraising events.  These event include:

Monday, February 21: Corner Bar Crawl

$5 bracelets, available for sale at Three (1517 University Ave.) from 5:00pm onward on the night of the Crawl, make you eligible for the following specials:

Backyard: $2 rails, $3 pints
Littlejohn's: free 24-ounce soda with $5 purchase
Boylan Heights & Mellow Mushroom: $2 drafts, $5 double rails
Three: $2 rails, $2 Bud Lights
Virginian: $2 rails
Biltmore: TBD
Trinity: $8 pitchers of Bud Light/$10 imports; $4 Soco Lime shots
Monday, February 28: Orzo Benefit Dinner

$30 pre-set menu, $6 glasses of wine; 50% of proceeds, and $1 for each drink, benefit the Winneba Public Library Project
Reservations are limited; call 434-975-6796 (be sure to say "Cville-Winneba Group")
Thursday, March 3: Siips Celebrity Bartender Night

Siips Wine & Champagne Bar -- 5:30-7:30pm Happy Hour


and.... **THE MAIN EVENT**
Saturday, March 12: "Wine for Winneba" at the Main Street Arena

$50 tickets -- food, wine & beer, live music
Catered by Harvest Moon
100% of proceeds benefit Winneba Public Library ProjectI gotta tell ya, I'm pretty impressed!  I mean, that's the sort of place I'd like to work! I wish my library would use a bar crawl to raise money! I could get all kinds of people involved in that!  Right on Charlottesville!

Source: http://cvilledave.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog

Achatz rhymes with Rackets...

Grant Achatz

Who knew?  My interest in the culinary world began with a VERY random subscription to Food and Wine magazine and the start of a dinner club.  I found myself trying out random new restaurants and flipping through F&W realizing that I might actually be able to make some of their recipes.  F&W is the one magazine subscription that I cannot do without.  I have piles upon piles of old copies that I can't bear to get rid of because there are incredible recipes and wine lists in their pages. 

Food and Wine magazine is where I first read about Grant Achatz the genius behind Chicago's Alinea restaurant.  Achatz is one of the most well known and respected chefs in the world but is also known for having developed stage 4 tongue cancer a couple years ago.  His story of continuing his work and recovering is absolutely astonishing. 

His next restaurant venture slated to be opened in March is Next.  Achatz plans on completely revamping the menu every 3 months to focus on a specific place in the world during a specific place.  For example, the first menu may be based on Paris 1912.  There will be no reservations, instead tickets will be sold to the prix fix meal.  I've already signed up to be notified when tickets become available.  I know food isn't that exciting for most people, but there is nothing I'd rather do on a nice evening than enjoy an incredible meal with interesting company.

You MUST check these out!

Next

Huffington Post article on Grant Achatz's Next and Aviary

NY Times article "The Perfect Menu. Now Change It"

I'm Not a Fan of Mint But....

This is a tad ridiculous..



Then again, I may need it after I'm done eating this...



Lord help me if I follow this up with some chocolate covered potato chips...

Cee Lo Green vs. Elton John

I think this was a general "Fuck You" to the mainstream media for nominating a song he can't actually sing on tv...How better to do that? Let's go totally PG with Jim Henson Muppets and channel old school Elton John...

Right on Cee Lo...