Sunday, November 16, 2008

Hiking to Boston (8/14)

ashley by lily (photo by Lily)
My dear friend Ashley, a southern California native like I am, faithlessly left us for Boston three years ago to attend Northeastern University. She comes back a lot, but we still miss having her around. Over the last year Lily and I began to discuss the possibility of visiting her, since neither of us had been to the East Coast. Naturally (I think this has to do with me being a younger sister and always playing pranks) I wanted to surprise Ashley, so we did all our planning in secret. We made arrangements with her roommate to stay with them, found out when she wouldn't be in class, and bought tickets for right after Lily's summer session classes ended in August for an eight-day trip.

We got our old friend Kim involved, and Lauren got on board (literally) as well. In the end, and this was pretty stressful, we showed up to Boston and completely surprised Ashley! Kim told her she was visiting for a while so Ashley would ask off the time for work, and she came to meet her at the airport. Ashley's face when Kim led her upstairs where we were waiting was priceless. We didn't capture it, unfortunately, because we were too busy crying and laughing, fortunately. It was a good way to start the trip.

Of course, in order to start the trip, we had to go to the airport. Early.

Very early.
Boston

I took this of Lily, unaware that I was documenting the very bracelets that would later cause her to be frisked by Homeland Security!
Boston

Which may or may not be true. For reals, though, she can't take those off and we had to wait a bit for security to let her pass. God knows those bracelets could be used to detonate missiles! Also, they threw away my shiny new bottle of sunscreen. I was upset. I'm an American citizen, damnit! And since when does sunscreen count as a liquid? I'd like to argue this for a while. More about the trip, though.


Ashley was so surprised! This was after the initial shock.
ashley reacts by lauren (by Lauren)

Ashley in her apartment
Boston

Lily, Lauren, Ashley, and electronics. Don't glare! I didn't mean to!
Boston

After we took the T to Ashley's in Brighton and settled in a bit (her gracious roommate Nick was very amused by Ashley's reaction to our appearance), all we could think of was food. After waking up at an ungodly hour, standing through airport security and being cramped in a plane for several hours, we were starved. Ashley decided a jaunt down her neighborhood to the Smoken' Joe's BBQ was in order, so we started walking--a novel idea!

On the way there Ashley's friend Marita actually saw us walking, got off the bus (she was headed to Ashley's apartment to see Nick, her boyfriend) and joined us! We all went into the restaurant and proceeded to, if you'll forgive my Americanism, get stuffed.

I ordered the pulled pork on Texas toast with St. Louis style (I think...whichever was the sweet one) "Q" sauce and sweet potato fries and mac 'n' cheese on the side. Delicious!
Boston

Lily got the same sides, but with ribs and the spicy sauce.
Boston

Everyone else got goodies, but we were too busy eating to notice. Don't worry, the table fries did not go unnoticed.

Naturally, one of the first things Lauren and I wanted to do was visit an East Coast Trader Joe's. We promptly went to the TJ's in Coolidge Corner.
Boston

The mid-August weather in Boston happened to be beautiful--slightly muggy, but with a nice balminess. The only thing that was off-putting were the occasional random showers during the day, but a small price to pay!
Boston

We quickly geeked out over the store.
Boston

It was re-dip-ulous.
Boston

Boston

What blew me away most were the signs.
Boston

They were crazy! Or should I say wicked?
Boston

Boston

By far, my favorite section was wine. Unbelievable!
Boston

Look at that international wine island!
Boston

We were thrown off by the different products and the COMPUTER-GENERATED price stickers. What's up with that??
Boston

Monrovia has never sounded so nice!
Boston

Bostonians are like, "Lake Arrowwhat?"
Boston

Following are for die-hards only.
Boston

Boston

Boston

Boston

Boston

Boston

Boston

!!!
Boston

Sorry for the softness.
Boston

Boston

Not a bad-looking display. Kind of a weak theme, though.
Boston

Sneak peek!
Boston

Boston

What the crap!
Boston

The shelves...don't have lips. Well, shouldn't we all like to live without earthquakes!
Boston

Chopp and Young's Double Chocolate Stout??
Boston

Wee-ird.
Boston

The ramp to the bathrooms, with a random-looking crew member.
Boston

Sticker bars are a surefire way to attract greedy children. No thanks!
Boston

Best of all! I loved that they had this for the customers.
Boston

That was how these four exciting girls from LA spent their first day in Boston. We sure know how to have a good time!

More on the next day another day.

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

SNAKE

Thanks, Nokia, for the memories.

Snake made by Neave Games





DON'T...
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

GO VOTE!



I could go on and on about who and why and what I think you should vote for, but what I really care about is that you exercise your hard-fought right as a citizen of the free world by PRACTICING DEMOCRACY. Go vote.

Tonight, I will be working with Managing Editor Nick Roman of KPCC (89.3 FM), compiling statistics about local and state ballot measures for their on-air coverage lasting well into the evening. I hope I'll be able to update. Look for it!



DON'T...
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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Once upon a time

We surprised Ashley in Boston.
Boston

More later.


DON'T...
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Sunday, October 19, 2008

Pumpkin

My dog looks so cute right now. In commemoration, I thought I would take this opportunity to showcase her adorableness.

Also, no post about dogs would be complete without mention of my best friend, Sam, who was my dog for 8 wonderful years and passed away last August. I miss him every day.

These were taken last week. Allow me to introduce Pumpkin, our dog. We're fostering her from an animal shelter. She's been with us for over a year. She's one of the gentlest, sweetest dogs I've had the pleasure of knowing.

Pumpkin


How d'you do? And how d'you do? And how d'you do again?
Pumpkin

She is pleased to meet you.
Pumpkin

The whole of this family live together in a small wooden house on the edge of a great town. And in the town itself, actually within sight of the house, there was an ENORMOUS CHOCOLATE FACTORY!

Just imagine that!
Pumpkin

...I wish.
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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Married...With Children

Hi,

Find me this episode please...I'll like you a lot:
http://www.tv.com/married-...-with-children/oldies-but-young-uns/episode/28882/summary.html?tag=episode_tabs;overview

EDIT: YES!!!


DON'T...
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Cara Thrace--you are the harbinger of death-- (10/14 and 10/21)

Breakfast Puffs

Either Starbuck is, or these are. They're rolled in butter, then cinnamon sugar. I made these today while procrastinating on a paper...thanks, Pioneer Woman.

Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

French Breakfast Puffs
(adapted slightly from original recipe)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.

Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Breakfast Puffs

In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and butter, then add eggs and mix.
Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full.
Breakfast Puffs

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
Breakfast Puffs

In a bowl, melt butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Breakfast Puffs

Breakfast Puffs

They're pretty good. Even my dog agrees--which is why I made this recipe twice in a week. She ransacked and ate BOTH BATCHES!
Breakfast Puffs

I guess I should be grateful...but it's mostly resent.
Breakfast Puffs

French Breakfast Puffs
from the Pioneer Woman

2 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk

Topping
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 stick butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside. In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and butter, then add eggs and mix. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. In a bowl, melt butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

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