one more - for good measure

We wanted to squeeze in one more party before the NYE bash so last weekend we got together for the usual food and drink.
the dining room all set to go
pretty sparkly lights that Thom put up for the occasion
Tung brought apricot mocha cake - so yummy
Matt couldn't resist serenading us all...
But this time his sister, Caroline, was there to show him up

gloomy day in brooklyn

boxing day

Thom miserable because I made him get up at 7 am for the room and board sale all with the goal of getting these. Amazing that he didn't kill me when we realized that we could have done it all online from home.

Coffee break.

And back to Brooklyn...
Thom filling out the paperwork to get our marriage license!
Waiting in line... we did this for a while. After almost 2 hours the license was ours! By the way, Thom's not actually green with nausea. The room is just that unfortunate.

one really perfect chai latte at the tea lounge

Toy soldiers giving an a cappella concert in the lobby where I work. So bizarre and, yet, entertaining. They were actually quite good and totally into it. But I'm dying to know where they come from. Do you think they tour all the office buildings in the city? Do you think they are out of work actors?

(Please forgive the truly crappy picture. Stupid phone with no flash.)

one. more. day.

Ornaments, originally uploaded by HeroProtagonist.

The "holidays" officially begin today. At least in my mind, where "holiday" really just equals "not being at work."

I'm so excited for the food and relaxation that I'm having trouble focusing on the work that I actually do need to get done before I leave today. Too many shiny ornaments dancing in my head.

Hope everyone has a nice celebration of the end of the year. A year that has been for us - amazing, wonderful and life-changing.

it was time

We needed a little freshening up around here. Hopefully we'll be adding a few other touches in the future. Let me know what you think...

for the record

It's not right to get a jury summons for the day you're getting married.

Happy Birthday to Thom's parents :)

113 days to go!

New Fallen Snow, originally uploaded by Darren C..

It may be cold and dreary here in New York but in just 113 days we'll be getting married in Mexico!

so sweet it hurts

If you haven't met Dean Damon I feel sorry for you. He's just one of the most amazing people on Earth. And one small part of that is the fact that he still sends us popcorn every year even though Haverly no longer lives with us.

If you ask me - Haverly got lucky in that department.

all dressed up

And damn proud.

i was never good at games...

But since it's Haverly doing the tagging...

1. When you were born, how much did you weigh?
Why would I know something like this? I have no idea. Less than I do now...

2. What's you're sugar poison?
The NM popcorn from Dean and chocolate covered pretzels. Which are really the same thing - sweet and salty.

3. If you had to choose between meat and cheese for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Then be specific.
This is easy - no meat for me. Plus I love cheese. Preferably runny, stinky cheese.

4. What, is your opinion, is the worst song ever?
Um, anything by the Backstreet Boys. Ew. They're not even good-looking.

5. Who was your favorite teacher growing up and why?
Ms. Chernoff - high school History teacher. We all thought she was our best friend.

6. What personal activity, when performed in public, bothers you the most?
This question concerns me considering I probably commit every offense in this category. Sometimes people eating in the subway grosses me out. It's so dirty down there.

7. Ok, there's a $50 bill lying on the ground. You pick it up. Dumbfounded by your incredible luck, what do you selfishly purchase?
Back to #3 - cheese!

8. Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain.
Thanks to my mother who believes it to be one of life's greatest sins - I regularly wake up in a cold sweat having dreamt that I was late. To work. To school. To whatever.

9. Name one place on Earth you've never been, but vow to visit at least once.
There are so many but considering current events in our life - Croatia is my dream honeymoon.

10. You notice that #9 wasn't really a question.
10. You notice that question #9 wasn't really a question. You feel smart for catching such a small detail. What else can you do really well that reminds you how smart you are?
I totally didn't notice that. But anyone that knows me knows that I'm disgustingly proud of my organizational capabilities. Which I suppose is not really a sign of intelligence. But I'm no good at Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit (Haverly always beats me).

is it wrong?

that I considered getting these for Haverly's lovelies? But they're boys...

try. just try.

not to cry.



via Dooce

i always knew i was special

but what kind of special?

i'm so normal

some other people - not so much.

Hatebeak (thanks, Mark for letting me in on this little gem)

My parents live with Halle, a talkative African Grey parrot. But I don't think she would be interested in fronting a death metal rockband. Just a guess.

sometimes I make weird choices

...as Thom and Haverly can attest to. We had a particulary inedible moment last Saturday night after setting up the tree. Suffice it to say we ended up going out to dinner. Hopefully foodpairing will stop me from leading myself astray in the future.

via tastespotting

rivaling jasper in cuteness

Frank's Jax

Haverly's mother, Linda, made these amazingly gorgeous stockings from scratch! I'm the doves and Thom is the partridge in the pear tree. I can't wait to start filling them with treats.

We owe Linda one big huge "thank you."

Jasper's Xmas gift from Val & Tony is a bone bigger than him. We keep telling him he's supposed to play with it but he still thinks it's a bed.

getting in the holiday spirit

We'll take any excuse to celebrate around here. Maybe that's why on December 1st we were out getting our tree. And naturally we recruited Ms. Damon - Queen of all things Christmas. Plus she's just damn good at lifting heavy things.

Haverly picks the biggest tree she could find.
Putting the tree through the wrapping machine. (The iPhone's camera malfunctions whenever it feels like it - boo.)

The tree finds a home.

Now we just need some ornaments - and presents!

for a moment there

I could totally imagine myself dropping everything to be Design*Sponge's intern. Besides the fact that I fantasize about being her new best friend I'm so in awe of the business that she's built.

a little floral

If I was ever going to spend $200 on a scarf.

via Modish

flying biscuit brunches

Sometimes I need a little reminder.

via perfect bound

breaking the rules

Nearly every one .

via Perfect Bound.

spinach pie - but not

The Insides - Cheese, Soy Milk, Herbs and Eggs
...Kale, Swiss Chard and Spinach...
All chopped up and ready to go
Sunday night we tried a new recipe for "Hortopita" Lasagne. It's like Spinach Pie without the phyllo. It was very yummy and light.

(Sorry for the crappy pictures. I was lazy and didn't pull out the real camera.)

Seasonal Ontario Food

via Tastespotting

stuffed

My family doesn't have many traditions. None, really. Thanksgiving is the only thing we do each and every year. And it's always a great time with delicious food, family and friends.

Can't wait for next year!

he pities the fool

Maybe a bit late. But Jasper was Mr. T for Halloween this year.

add it to the list

Jasper and I are headed down to Atlanta tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holiday. We can't wait!

Thom actually headed down early on Monday for work. And he was kind enough to take all the luggage so that Jasper and I could fly unencumbered.

So marrying that man.

dragon lady

Oooh how I want one of these.

via NotCot

if i hadn't already found the man of my dreams

Tanner might have been the man for me.

via NotCot

solat and her flowers

Kiva makes it easy for you to change someone's life. You can lend money to someone for their business. Solat is from Cambodia and is looking to expand her flower business.

via NotCot