Thursday Funny - Happy Thanksgiving

Quizzical Wednesday - Pilgrim or Indian?

You Are a Pilgrim

Like the pilgrims, you've felt persecuted for your beliefs from time to time. You have a strong sense of right and wrong. Your morality sometimes makes you feel out of step with the modern world. You may not go as far as moving across the world, but you still identify with the pilgrims. Well, except for the whole stealing land and killing Indians thing.

Are You a Pilgrim or an Indian?

Thursday Funny - Lashisse

Lashisse from Molly Sims

Quizzical Wednesday - Thanksgiving

What Your Thanksgiving Meal Says About You

When it comes to the holidays, you follow and love the big traditions. You look forward to them every year. You see the holidays as a time to be close to loved ones. It's a good time to reconnect and make memories. You like the more adult aspects of the holidays - parties, cocktails, and having time off from work. During the holidays, you are likely to feel comforted. At your worst, you feel a bit over-indulgent. You consider yourself to be a bit of a purist, and you're proud of it. You tend to spend you holidays taking care of others. Holidays are one of the times you like to give.

What Does Your Thanksgiving Meal Say About You?

Homemade Ravioli

My first attempt at making homemade ravioli. I hope it tastes as good as it looks.

Everywhere we go today...

I am being tempted by Egg Nog lattes. I will be strong, I will be strong.

Thursday Funny - Baywatch it back!

Nicole Eggert is BACK IN BAYWATCH! from Nicole Eggert

Quizzical Wednesday - Connected Season

Your Soul Is Connected to the Fall

You are a somewhat sensitive soul with a tough exterior. You are street smart and wise about the world. You have the heart of a poet, but you're not too eager to let anyone else see it. You are very creative and deeply talented. You are still looking for the perfect outlet for your expression. You embrace change and think the cycles of life are beautiful. You don't shrink away from the darker elements of life.

What Season is Your Soul Connected To?

Stan 'The Man'

The inside of The 5 Spot in full St Louis theme mode. I've got the perfect seat to enjoy the Stan Musial poster.

Thursday Funny - Prop 8: The Musical

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... from Jack Black

Quizzical Wednesday - The Watercolor Test

You Are Highly Colorful

You are intensely alive and very passionate. You are optimistic about the world and about people. You feel very connected to others, and you tend to be a harmonizing force. You are vibrant and receptive. You are ready for whatever the world has to offer you.

The Watercolor Test

Cannon Beach Sunset

Watching the sun sink in the sky and sipping a glass of wine. What a glorious day!

Thursday Funny - Family

Quizzical Wednesday - Transporation

You Are A Train

You are a true romantic. You have big dreams about how life should be. You take life at a slow and steady pace. You try to appreciate every moment you have. You are a very visual person. You are always on the lookout for beauty and inspiration. You are able to relax and let go more than most people.

What Type of Transportation Are You?

Thursday Funny - Pixar Parody

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Quizzical Wednesday - Primary Colors

You Are Yellow

You are bright, vibrant, and cheerful. Your energy can take over a room. You look on the sunny side of life. You are able to avoid stress, anxiety, and burnout. It's hard to get you down, and you've rarely been depressed in your life. You tend to have a clear mind and an unburdened heart. You try to bring as much light as possible into your life.

What Primary Color Are You?

The BBA Challenge

One evening last week, while researching recipes for homemade Cinnamon Rolls I stumbled across this post and was introduced to The BBA Challenge and the Phoo-D blog, a new favorite. I read several of her entries about the breads she has baked as part of the BBA Challenge and was intrigued. I then read all the details and particulars about the Challenge and decided that I couldn't resist, I was hooked.

Receiving my Kitchen Aid mixer in April was a dream come true as I have wanted one since I first laid eyes on them (receiving this from my Mom is yet more proof that I have the BEST Mom in the whole wide world). Since April I have baked more than ever before and just love pulling it out of the hall closet. I couldn't wait to try out the dough hook and have successfully mastered the Kitchen Aid recipes for white, wheat and french bread. I have also baked many cookies, quick breads and cakes in the past 6 months, although my cookie baking skills leave a bit to be desired. My colleagues are thrilled that I have this new found love of baking because there is always some *treat* showing up in the break room. I can't believe how much I've learned and the real difference it has made in baking. I made my mothers Carrot Cake recipe last night to bring to work for a colleagues birthday. I baked the same recipe last year for her birthday and the difference is amazing! I was really silly and naive when I thought that using a hand mixer was just as good, it just isn't.

On Sunday, Don and I went to Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy of The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread and I was giddy with excitement when we walked out of the store. The book is beautiful! I purchased the ingredients for the first recipe, Anadama and plan to start it on Thursday night. In the meantime I am reading the 100+ pages of information and theory at the beginning of the book.

I'm excited about learning more about different varieties of bread and exploring different ingredients, textures and techniques. Although I have to say that the idea of making Bagels is scary and that happens on week #3. AAAHH!

I will be posting pictures and thoughts about each recipe but not the recipes themselves as I move through this journey. The official group started back in May, so I am a bit behind but am hoping that I can slowly catch up and finish at the same time, we will see.

For more information on The BBA Challenge you can check out the blogroll, the Flickr group, the world map, or search #bba on Twitter.

Weekend Wrap-Up: 10/16 - 10/18

It was a busy but good fall weekend. Here are the highlights:

• Went to the doctor and was diagnosed me with bilateral ear infections and a sinus infection resulting in a prescription for antibiotics.
• Took a nap.
• Met my friend Nikki for a crepe lunch at Citizen.
• Ran by the office.
• Got my prescription filled.
• Enjoyed a dinner of Mac 'n' Cheese and beer with Don at McMenamins on Friday night.
• Slept in (well until nearly 9 a.m.) on Saturday morning.
• Bought some new music from iTunes and played with my music library and enjoyed a quiet morning at home.
• Ran around with my colleague Amy to find all the items needed to create our Halloween costumes.
• Reviewed some Cisco flashcards with Kat.
• Saw Love Happens at Gold Class Cinemas with Kat.
• Picked up a Electric Kettle at Bed Bath and Beyond.
• Had a yummy dinner at Cheesecake Factory in Bellevue with Don and Kat.
• Slept until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday when the phone woke me up which didn't bother me too much when I realized it was a colleague telling me that she didn't need me to come in and help prep for an audit after all.
• Enjoyed coffee and pumpkin cheesecake (from dinner the night before) for breakfast in bed surrounded by several months worth of Martha Stewart Living and Bon Appetit.
• Narrowed down my new recipe finds to a few for this week and made a grocery list.
• Ran to Target to pick up some essentials and a new iPod player for my car (I crushed the old one in the center console, oops).
• Picked up a copy of The Bread Bakers Apprentice at Barnes and Noble so that I can start the BBA Challenge.
• Ran to the Apple Store so Don could get a case for his new iPhone.
• Went to Crate and Barrel and ONLY bought a new cooling rack and a Bake/Store cake pan but that is because we made ourselves stop browsing.
• Went to the grocery store.
• Spent the late afternoon and evening in the kitchen. I made Oatmeal (for breakfast this week), New England Clam and Corn Chowder with Herbs (for lunches this week), a Carrot Cake (to take to the office on Monday in honor of October birthdays) and Crispy Chicken for dinner.
• Watched Thursday nights episode of Bones.

How was your weekend?

Thursday Funny: Wii Fit Parody

Quizzical Wednesday - The Jungle Test

You Are Dramatic

You are colorful and charismatic. You get and hold people's attention. Right now, you are seeking peace and tranquility in your life. You are drawn to people who are passionate and deep. You feel like there are a few minor things in your life that need to be changed. You take time before you react. You allow yourself to explore your options.

The Jungle Test

Weekend Wrap-Up: 10/9 - 10/11

I spent the weekend in Utah with my family, here are the highlights:

• Raced home from work on Thursday to get up the hill in time to do laundry.
• Enjoyed a carpet picnic of cheese 'n' crackers with Don at the Laundry Room while our clothes were washin'
• Packed and put the laundry away.
• Woke bright and early to get to the airport for my 7:00 a.m. flight.
• Arrived in Salt Lake to beautiful weather, sunny and warm.
• Took the pearls I got in Hawaii to a jeweler friend of my mother's to have them made into earrings.
• Had lunch with my Mom at Squatter's my favorite Salt Lake brew pub.
• Picked up some paper for a project that my mother is working on at Xpedx.
• Shopped for some new fall clothes for my Mom at Dress Barn.
• Got settled at Mom's.
• Had dinner with my Dad, Step-Mom and a family friend.
• Enjoyed a breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Midvale Mining with my Mom and Step-Dad.
• Exchanged some shoes that my Mom bought me for Christmas last year to SAS Shoes without a problem. Very impressed by their customer service and return policy.
• Did some more shopping at the brand new Kohl's store at Brickyard.
• Ran to the liquor store and grocery store.
• Bagged our plans to go to Oktoberfest at Snowbird and opted for some catch-up time with my Mom and Step-Dad.
• Helped my little brother with some laundry and grocery shopping.
• Attended an Housewarming/Open House at the new home of my "Cuz" and her "Huz" which was tons of fun.
• Had way too little sleep on Saturday night.
• Enjoyed breakfast with my Mom and brother Jimmy at Eggs in the City.
• Returned to Mom's to pack and teach her how to use the DVR on her satellite box.
• Caught a mid-afternoon flight home to Seattle.
• Took a pan of lasagna out of the freezer and popped it in the oven.
• Unpacked my bag and got settled back into life in Seattle.
• Had a lovely dinner and bottle of Sangiovese with Don.
• Collapsed into bed and slept quickly in an attempt to recover from a VERY busy weekend.

How was your weekend?

Mom's 15 minutes of pink fame

Video clip from Fox 13 in Salt Lake City, Utah. My mom is featured on the video talking about the importance of Mammograms and her employee and dear friend Chris ties a ribbon in her honor. Mom is in the green sweater at the end of the line.

Thursday Funny - Jeff Dunham and Walter

Geography Lesson

The geography lesson proceeded the congratulations during a converation with my boss this morning:

Me: "We got a purchase order this morning from Brunei"
Boss: "Where the hell is Brunei?"
Me: "In southeast Asia"
Boss: "Are you sure it isn't in North Africa?"
Me: "Pretty sure, I googled it."
Boss: "Do we have a distributor in Brunei?"
Me: "Yes we do!"
Boss: "Well alright then. Good job!"

I now know more about Brunei than I did when I woke up this morning, and so does my boss.

Quizzical Wednesday - Seasons

You Feel Like Autumn

You have reached a point in your life where you feel successful and accomplished. You have a full, bountiful life. And you're ready to sit back and enjoy it. While you feel like you finally have enough in your life, you make find that you also have things you no longer need. This is a time for you to reassess who you are, what you need, and where you want to go next in your life.

What Season Do You Feel Like?