life

11 things.

March 13, 2012

Clair tagged me in her 11 things post last month, and I’m just getting around to sharing mine. I’ve been seeing these all over Blogland and I actually think these kinds of things are really fun– but this is coming from a girl that used to love those question/email chain dittys when she was 15. Remember those? Yeah, this is similar. Sorry I’m not sorry.

Here are the “rules”:

Write 11 random things about yourself.

Answer 11 questions.

Ask 11 questions.

Here we go…

11 random things about me:

1. My middle name is Elizabeth. I think it’s one of the prettiest names ever. I love how it’s old fashioned and simple and beautiful.

2. My favorite meal of the day is lunch. I think this is because I LOVE sandwiches. Any kind, really, but BLT and PB&J sandwiches are the bees knees in my eyes. I like breakfast second best, and dinner comes in last in my book.

3. I don’t think there is anything worse in the world than public speaking. Ever since elementary school any time I need to speak in front of a lot of people I get severe anxiety. Also, when I actually start speaking in public my face gets totally hot and red. I hate it more than anything. This does not happen to me with a classroom full of kids, though. With them I feel absolutely comfortable.

4. I NEVER swear. I just don’t. I don’t like the way it sounds coming out of my mouth. I’m not at all offended when other people do it, I just don’t like to do it myself.

5. When I was in middle school I was home sick from school for quite a long stretch of time. During that home-stay I watched the Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan really close to a hundred times. I just kept watching it. Over and over and over and over. And to this day I can still recite every. single. word. Oh, Lindsay, why’d ya gotta go all wacky on me. I really liked you.

6. I have never dyed my hair. Not once. Not ever.

7. My family’s dog is a yellow lab named Tinsley. My sister got her my freshman year of college after our old dog had to be put to sleep. We named her Tinsley after Boyd Tinsley, the violinist/fiddle player from the Dave Matthews Band. I still think that the coolest name for a dog ever.

8. When I was 12 I went to Disney World. Since then I have been back only one other time and I cannot WAIT until the day that I go again. That place is full of real, true magic, I tell ya. This I believe with all my heart.

9. I used to figure skate when I was little, before I decided on to focus solely on ballet. I used to do shows and competitions with fancy costumes with sparkles and sequins and everything. They were really fun times and a huge part of my childhood memories. “TOE PIIIICK.”

10. I’m not at all a competitive person. I think this is why I was never really into playing sports and why I don’t love playing board games. I do love Cranium though. That game is such a blast. Do you know it? FUN times.

11. I hate cats. HATE. I really don’t understand why anyone would want to own one. And when my best friend Hannah got a cat a few years ago I could not understand for the life of me why she would do that to me. WHY? I have to add here that I am HIGHLY allergic, which is most likely the reason I feel this way. When I am at a house that has cats I can hardly breathe. Not kidding. It’s awful, and so I will forever believe that cats are the WORST.

(I know a lot of my readers out there looooove cats so I hope this doesn’t taint your image of me, but cats ARE the worst and I will never change my mind about it.)

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Clair’s 11 questions for me…

1. What’s your favorite way to take advantage of a sunny day?

This is tough, because there are so many possibilities! But I think the best way, in any situation, any season, is to wake up early, grab your sunglasses, and GET OUTSIDE. Take a walk, take a drive to the beach, take the time to bask in the sun. I never let a sunny day slip away from me– even when I’m teaching I take those kids outside!

2. Do you have a reliable “wing it” meal that you depend on?

Chicken Picatta. SO easy and SO good. Cook some chicken breast in a sauce pan with a little olive oil (I cut it up before I throw it in the pan so it cooks quicker), then once it’s been over the heat for awhile I put in lemon juice (squeezed from 1 lemon) and capers. Then I just throw it over pasta and eat it. Lemony and delicious. YUM.

3. How do you take your coffee?

Warm milk and a little bit of sugar.

4. What is your absolute favorite book from your childhood?

Henry’s Awful Mistake. I remember my dad reading it to me and I remember me loving it. It’s not a literary work of art, but it’s a pretty fun book. Even today I laugh when I read it. (Oh, and I still have the copy that we used to read. It’s worn and loved and sitting on my bookshelf.)

5. When do you feel most at peace?

Saturday mornings, with the whole weekend ahead of me. And in summer. Bliss.

6. Flats or heels?

Flats. Forever.

7. What’s one habit you wish you had?

I wish I liked to empty the dishwasher. But man, is that a chore if I ever knew one.

8. Do you hold on to a lot of guilt? Is there anything that is guaranteed to make you feel guilty?

Hmm. Good question. I really don’t think I do hold onto a lot of guilt. I don’t like talking badly about people behind their backs, though. That always makes me feel crappy.

9. If you had the opportunity to be a professional blogger, would you take it?

Yes, I think I just might. How awesome would that be?

10. Best way to turn around a bad day?

Country music, a trip to the gym, a date with ELLEN, and a HOT shower.

11. What’s the last time you can remember laughing so hard you cried?

My friends from high school really know how to do this well. Laughing to the point of tears is one of our strong points. My friend Danielle especially makes me tear up from cracking up. She is without a doubt the most hilarious person I know and she’s one of those people that doesn’t even try. I think my friends and I must have cried laughing the morning after our high school reunion. It was just one of those recaps that merits a LOT of funny stories.

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And my 11 my questions:

1. What was your favorite childhood TV show?

2. When is your birthday, how old are you, and how do you feel about it?

3. What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?

4. Where did you go to college? Did you have as much fun as I did those 4 years?

5. If you could choose only one candy bar at the checkout line in the grocery store, which one would you choose?

6. Have you ever met someone famous?

7. Do you prefer dresses or pants?

8. Do you have any siblings? Older/younger? Are you close?

9. If you could go back to your younger years and relive one experience, what would you do again?

10. What are your TOP 3 MOST FAVORITE blogs??? (besides mine. JUST KIDDING.)

11. Why do you blog? And if you don’t blog, why the heck not?

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AWESOME. Wasn’t that fun. Also, I’m tagging everyone who reads this post. DO IT. You can answer my questions in the comments section, or write your own post! You’ll have a good time, I promise! (Just be sure to let me know if you join in the party!)

14 Comments · Filed Under: blogging, life ·

snapshots.

March 12, 2012

This weekend was filled with all things I love.

Warm spring weather and sunny days + favorite foods + favorite patterns + favorite sights and sounds.

Zan and I spent Saturday walking around the neighborhood filling our bellies with good sushi and milkshakes from the local hot spots near our apartment. Walking seemed to be the theme of the weekend, because I spent all day Sunday trekking around Boston determined to soak in as much warm weather as I could possibly handle. I walked all the way from Beacon Hill to the South End (about 2 miles) and then back again. My main goal was to eat my favorite sandwich EVER at Flour (the applewood smoked BLT) which I woke up dreaming about and gladly savored with every bite, and I very much enjoyed being outside all day too.

My heart was literally singing with happiness of glory days that are near.

The moment the first buds start to bloom I’ll be doing my happy dance down the street, until then you’ll just find me with a skip in my step and a huge grin on my face. With weather like this, nothing can get me down.

11 Comments · Filed Under: boston, instagram, life ·

red velvet cupcake goodness.

March 2, 2012

Yesterday I had a snow day. Granted, there was no snow on the ground all day- or at least the snow didn’t start sticking until school would have already been over, but I had a snow day all the same. Looks like this winter has turned my school district into softies in the snow day department. But of course, I’m NOT complaining. Never.

Anyways, I basically sat around in my robe until 3:00, watching old episodes of Grey’s Anatomy on Lifetime, when I finally decided to make something of my life. CUPCAKES! I will make cupcakes, I thought. Because cupcakes are delicious, and because we’ve been meaning to make them since Valentine’s Day, and because we have all the ingredients, and most of all, because I have absolutely nothing better to do.

Now let’s just get one thing straight.

I am no baker.

But sometimes I wish I was one, and so for a little while, I pretend.

I get my little apron* on and my supplies ready and I pretend to be worthy enough for Cupcake Wars.

But the reality is that this is all a huge lie.

Well, if we’re talking about a war between me and the kitchen, then this is the truth.

I have NO idea what I’m doing. There is flour and sugar EVERYWHERE and basically, the whole time I feel like a chicken with its head cut off.

Yesterday was no exception.

Yesterday afternoon around 4:00 it looked like a bomb went off in my kitchen.

But, without thinking about the mess (except to pause to take a picture of it), I just followed the instructions for Joy the Baker’s favorite red velvet cupcakes, held my breath, and everything, for the most part, worked out okay.

Actually, if we’re being honest, it worked out more than okay.

These cupcakes were DANG good.

Better than good.

The best!

SURRRIOSULY. YUM.

For the recipe, go here:

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

I used Joy the Baker’s recipe because, well, I always go to Joy for things like this. She just never lets me down. These red velvet cupcakes are beyond moist and delicious and the frosting is unbelievable. Which, of course, is everything a cupcake should be.

Sugary and tasty and perfect for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner.

Until they’re all all gone.

(sad face.)

But for now they are here and so very tasty and so we shall celebrate.

Happy Weekend!!

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*PS: Don’t you love my apron? Super adorable, and fashionable too, made by my sister’s friend Erin. You can get your own at her online shop, Coco Lassial Apron Co., and also be sure to check out her Facebook fan page for hilarious stories featuring the tag line: “Tonight in my apron”… CUTEST!

15 Comments · Filed Under: food, life ·

yesterday.

February 28, 2012

Yesterday started off preeeetty brutal.

For awhile it was one of those days where I just wished everything would go away.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock at 5:45. Jiminy!!! It is UNnatural! After waking up between 8 and 9 the past week (a few days even 10) it basically felt like death. After a few minutes of wallowing in my sadness I forced myself out of bed and into the shower.

The drive to work was okay because the morning sun was glorious, and school itself wasn’t too terrible, but my voice was all wacky due to the ridiculous cough I inherited from my sister over the weekend and the kids seemed a little too loud for my liking. This could have been their volume, but was most likely me still suffering from the remains of my head cold (the one I had on top of the cough).

And then for some reason after work, this down in the dumps sadness came over me. Like it had hit me finally that my vacation was really over and I will not have a weekday off again until the middle of April. Now I know this might seem like I’m complaining, and I know this might not seem fair of me to say because some of you hardly ever have days off, but I’d like to see you try to run a classroom of 17 hyper 6 year olds for approximately 9 months out of the year. Then we’ll talk fair, okay? These breaks are essential for a teacher. Without them, we would most certainly burn out.

The sky was really gray at this point in the day too, which I don’t do well with. Sunshine. Good. Dark clouds. Bad.

Well, in the middle of my sorrowful drive I just told myself, Girl, quit this nonsense. You’ve got it gooood.

I hate feeling like this. It’s not me and it’s just a matter of getting through a slump. And so, I set out to change a few things:

1. I went to the gym. This almost always makes me feel better immediately. I didn’t do anything crazy, but I power-walked for a good while, and then spent some time on the bike with my book.

2. I blasted Counting Crow’s Mr. Jones. Dang, that’s a good song. Always a good time.

3. I took the longest, hottest, bestest shower. And let me tell you one of the dreamiest secrets of all time (IF you have a dryer in your home): right before you get into the shower, put your towels/robe in the dryer, and then just when you’re ready to get out, yell for your boyfriend/roommate/husband/partner to get the now incredibly warm robe out of the dryer and bring it to you. AMAZing. BEST EXPERIENCE EVER. I bought this ginormous white towel robe at IKEA and it’s hands down the best thing that ever happened to me. Especially in this situation. So after my shower I was wrapped in this glorious warmth that literally made me squeal with glee. It’s insane. You gotta try it.

After this I was feeling a thousand times better about my life and happily settled in under a blanket on the couch to watch The Bachelor. My sister’s got me hooked and it’s real bad. And I never thought I’d be saying this, but OH it’s sooo good.

What do you do to turn around a bad day?

Is there another jam I should know about? Got any special tricks up your sleeve?

10 Comments · Filed Under: life ·