Sisters.

Let's try something new here. In an effort to stay connected with each other, we're going to try to keep in touch in a different way. Not sure how often it'll happen, or how long we'll keep it up. But here's a start.

Sarah

last week's agenda:
-took huck to dr - double ear & double eye infections
-2 lower lights shows
-brenden's wax museum project
-oliver's first blue & gold banquet
-rooftop concert series planning meeting at courtney's house


this week's agenda:
-15 loads of laundry - I'm determined to get it folded as soon as it's clean - don't let it sit in a pile on my floor for a week
-lower lights go on tour on friday - pick up tshirts, make itinerary, prepare & train tour manager
-get back to yoga - i'm determined to start up my 6am yoga routine again

Annee

Three things that were on my agenda from this past week:

1. Substitute taught for the Elementary School music teacher all day long on Monday. Not my favorite class to sub for. It was kind of awful.
2. Hosted a Sewing Soiree with a bunch of ladies at my house on Tuesday night.
3. Took George on a date to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Performers on Thursday night at Memorial Hall at UNC campus. Everyone should put on their list of things to do in a lifetime “watch an Alvin Ailey dance performance”. It’s one of the most beautiful performances you’ll ever witness. This was the second time I’ve seen them perform. I hope they’ll be back to UNC again soon.
   

Three things on my agenda for next week:

1. HAIR CUT AND COLOR!! (All caps and tons of exclamation marks...it’s been far too long and my hair is awful!)
2. Run 10 miles at some point in the week.
3. Substitute teach a couple of days at the elementary school.
   

Rachel

Last week:

--I went on a date to a show at The Kennedy Center on Friday night.

--I ran home from work 3 times. That's one of the best things about living closer to the office. I hope it's warmer next week!

--I made 2 comments in Relief Society so people will know I'm there. Adjusting to a new ward is always a little awkward.

--I hung all the dresser trays from our wedding in a collage on the wall in the family room. One step closer to done!

--I tried a new recipe: lemon bars. I feel like as a bonafide Mormon woman I need to have a go-to lemon bar recipe. Better keep searching…

Next week:

--I want to go to the movies. It's been way too long!

--I want to craigslist a big armoire for the guest bedroom. I need to get my clothing situation squared away ASAP.

--I will distract myself from missing Ken while he's in Utah Wed-Fri by working a lot.

--Ask Grandma for the secret methods to her chocolate covered peanuts.

Christine

On agenda last week:

• Ethnic Tuesday dinner with Addie
• grading quizzes
• lots and lots of sleep to get over my current sickness
  

On agenda this next week:

• Sunday dinner with roommates and friends (including a BYU basketball star...)
• finish spreadsheets exam and study for individual taxes exam
• snowboarding and a visit to the Midvale Ice Castles

Oh my goodness I have tons of questions!! Sarah - wax museum project?? That had to be rough.. Are you going on the Lower Lights tour? Annee - how are your knees holding up this time around? Also, is substitute teaching your school's form of having parents get involved? Or is this like an official job? CZ - what did you eat for ethnic dinner? What are you making for Sunday dinner? And.. basketball star?! Further questions and replies in the comments! I'm glad we did this. I love you all.

Next week let's get mom, Ana and Ie Li on board too!

As inspired by this.

Desperate.

Do you see what's in that picture? A 24 pack of green chapstick. What a happy day!!! Every single stick in my supply was down to its bare bottom. My anxiety led me to Amazon and two days later BAM! Bliss.

I can't wait to stash them absolutely everywhere. It'll be a little bit like Easter egg hunting for an adult.

Beginning of a bedroom.

Here's a glimpse of what I'm working on in our bedroom. It just makes me smile whenever I see it. There's obviously a long way to go (curtains, pillows, wall pictures and shelf etc) but I couldn't resist posting a little preview. Do you love that rug from West Elm? I'll link that up when I'm back at my laptop.

I have so much to say about January and February. I wish I had more desire to blog after I get home... I can't believe we're only a few days away from March. And something like 55 days from the end of busy season. But it's not like I have a countdown paper chain or anything...

Dear Valentine,

Love, your honey.

Our internet is alive!

Finally. I've been needing to download a new book for weeks now.

I heard on the radio tonight that the company making Guitar Hero has been losing money because everyone with a game console already has GH so the only way they can expand is through new console sales which is harder to achieve. This is really sad news to me and I seriously contemplated stopping at Best Buy on the way home. I miss playing that game so much! It's high on the list of to-dos for our April trip to Utah.

There was an article in the Washington Post today about these "Barn Sales" that I've been going to out in western VA/MD. This kind of exposure explains why they are getting more and more crowded. Boo! I hope I have more good luck next weekend.

Work is in the strange in between zone where it should be really busy, and you can look ahead and see how bad it's going to be, but the information just isn't in yet. Blah.

Ken and I start a new bootcamp group tomorrow. We scoped it out this morning and it doesn't look as great as our old Utah Bootcamp with Jess, but hopefully it's worth the effort because 6am is EARLY.

I just don't have much to say I suppose... I'm trying not to blog only about home design projects, because that's seriously all that consumes my mind these days.

Superbowl accomplishment.

More "styling" is needed on the shelves before I'm totally satisfied, but this piece definitely helps pull the kitchen together. I wish the light were better so the wall color would show up more.

His & Hers.

I'm looking forward to a weekend of antique hunting in Lucketts. However, I have a deadline of Saturday 6pm to find the truly functional pieces that we need to put our kitchen and bedrooms together. If I don't meet this strict deadline, to Ikea we will go. Which isn't such a bad thing. I did a preview shop last night and I think they have some pieces that would work quite perfectly.

While I get to play around on my last work-free weekend til spring, Ken will be working his 18th straight day without a day off. Yikes! Luckily this is the LAST weekend he'll have to put in with Kaplan before he can choose to teach whichever online class schedule he wants. That will be much better!

Happy weekend to all!

Behold the greatest craigslist score ever!

A beautiful wood island that will increase our counter space by over 600%! With beadboard! And removable panels in the cupboard doors that can be replaced with glass!

That island plus the 12 hour marathon of Pawn Stars to keep me company while unpacking made this weekend a serious success.

Losing steam.

This move has been in motion for a solid week. We're relocating from Arlington to Vienna so I can be closer to the office during busy season and beyond. It'll be great to start over in a brand new place together instead of feeling like his things are taking over "my place."

While sorting through an old box I found this candle which seems to have given up sometime in the last year, spilling the wax contents all over another candle box. I couldn't help but snap a picture since that's pretty much how I feel right now too.

Movers arrive any minute now. I really hope they're energetic and positive and not overwhelmed by what they see. Maybe I can justify a quick power nap??

No Matter What

Today a real storm finally descended on us here in DC. Serious enough to close the government, and therefore my office and Ken's office, at 3 pm today to alleviate some of the rush hour madness.

Side note - Ken has started his externship working three days a week downtown at the US Court of Federal Claims. It's right on McPherson Square across from the White House in those awesome houses which line the park. He promised he'll take photos and do a blog post soon.

My 15 mile drive home took 1.5 hours as did Ken's usually 20 minute metro ride took the same. I just heard from Steve that he's been on the road for 5 hours coming home from client meetings in MD!! And he's still a long way from home!

A snow day is just what I needed though. We made pizza together, caught up on Chopped, and oh yeah PACKED for our move on Friday.

In case you haven't checked ESPN today, there's a game on tonight. Ken had plans to watch the huge BYU basketball game in Annapolis with his good friend Kevin, but the snow killed that plan. He tried to get the channel he needed added to our cable but no luck. Then, the power went out at our apartment. Too bad we hadn't charged our phones more!

Determined to watch his cougars, Ken decided we'd trek out to a sports bar. At the car we realized we were trapped inside the garage with a garage door that wouldn't open due to the power outage! Are you kidding me?

Luckily, ken had randomly parked his car outside the garage door. Phew! Off to Buffalo Wild Wings where we were informed that the snow knocked off their satellite dish thus no game.

Would you be ready to call it off at this point?

A couple more sports bars later and here we sit with two dozen other Cougar co-eds taking in the goodness.

Here's to hoping the power comes back on soon so I can take advantage of tomorrow's snow day by packing for 12 straight hours!!

This man loves his meat!

For our date this weekend we tried Ray's The Steak, the sit down restaurant associated with Ray's Hell Burger. The food was spectacularly good and I hope we go back sometime.

But, um, do you see the bone on Ken's steak?? I don't understand the appeal in having that anywhere near my plate. But look at the genuine smile on his face!

So cute.

Kitchen Success - Beouf Bourguignon

I don't have a lot of time to cook for my guy during the week, so I like to spend the weekend making up for it. This weekend I decided I wanted to tackle Julia Child's Beouf Bourguignon. It did take 5-6 hours of kitchen time, but it was very, very good. And it was cheap! We paired it with egg noodles and breadsticks. I would definitely do it again sometime!

Before

After

If you want to give it an attempt, the recipes are here and here.

Another highlight from the weekend, Red Pepper Risotto from my Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook. This was my third time making this recipe and I think it needs to make a weekly appearance on the menu. This recipe is SO GOOD! Try it out.

This photo from Pioneer Woman

In other news, we found where we will be living for the rest of 2011, a little place by my office with an extra bedroom for guests. I have all of January to get it ready before we move in. I am SO excited about the new decorating opportunities my mind has been spinning all weekend! I can't wait to show you what we do.

Best of 2010 - August

I never really understood what people meant when they said short engagements are best. Or when they talked about things getting harder for a while after you're engaged as the forces of darkness contend against you. But oh man did I figure it out! It's hard to explain, but the strangest things started going wrong at every turn in August. I can't even remember what they all are now, but in the moment it was very clear.

• The first step of the wedding prep had to be finding the dress. I tried on SO many, visited tons of dress shops, etc. It was a discouraging process. DC is not used to the concept of adding sleeves or needing a dress in less than 9 months.
  
  
  
• Mom & Dad visit DC with Zack & Ana and the Earnests. I already posted about it here.
  
  
  
• Zack & Ana are SO SWEET and bring cake samples from their favorite bakery in LA. Yeah, they brought cakes on the airplane from LA to DC!! We have an impromptu cake tasting in the office. Those cakes were SO GOOD!!
  
  
  
• I work A LOT. This fall busy season ended up being crazier than Spring. It was quite shocking.
  
• I work on planning, mostly coming up with an idea/central theme for the wedding with Amorology. It's a struggle...
• At the end of the month I fly to Utah for a jam-packed weekend where I find a nice dress, take engagement pictures and begin working with my fantastic invitation designer! And Happy Birthday CZ!
  

Because I'm proud of her.

Did you see this awesome bag my sister made?


Check it out. She left detailed instructions so you could make one too!

Best of 2010 - July

JULY. What an epic month!

• Ken came to DC for the 4th of July and his birthday. We watched fireworks on Capitol Hill
  
  
• Ken heads to Boston to teach for Kaplan.
• I find a rocking chair in perfect condition in the complex with a free sign. Score!
  
  
• We daytrip to Williamsburg and scope out its old historic charm.
  
  
  
• I update my world and get the iPhone 4.
• Ken officially talks with my dad.
• Win the 4th of July baked goods competition at work with my BTS Cake! (As you can see, I did not win based on my terrible blue stars...)
  
  
• CZ and I spend a weekend in North Carolina with the Earnests. I try on wedding dresses.
  
  
• Ken proposes at The W Hotel in DC. Such a special and thoughtful day.
  
  
  
  
• I contact Jonathan Canlas to secure our photographer. I begin working with Amorology on planning the wedding.
  

Best of 2010 - June

June! Here are a few things I want to remember...

• Dawn's brother spent the month with us. Three is a bit of a crowd!
• We spent the weekend in Assateague beach camping with wild horses
• I bought a new fancy bed! Such an adult thing to do.

I didn't choose the crazy red walls & curtains, I just left them when I moved in.

• I tested out Polyface Farms from In Defense of Food fame. They have a monthly buying club where they deliver produce and poultry from their farm in Southern VA to Arlington. I'm trying to convince myself it's actually better/healthier/socially responsible and not just better in my head...
  
• Logan & Caitlin visited DC! (Possibly the hottest week all summer BTW)
  
• CZ & I made cupcakes for Mei Li

• Mi Na was born!!
  
• I went to Utah to visit. Ken and I went ring shopping and found THE ONE(S)! I chose a stack of bands instead of the more traditional solitaire. People keep asking me where I got the idea, but it's just what I've always liked best, I didn't really get the idea from anywhere other than my own head.
  
  
• Spent a week in Carlsbad with Ken and his family. Got more tan.
  

Best of 2010 - May

I already told you a lot about May since that was the month of the year I did "One photo a day in May." I also did that in 2009. May is usually a big travel month for me so I guess that explains it. Maybe it'll become an annual tradition?! I better think of something exciting to feature in 2011, I don't think it'll be an overseas excursion because I'm committed to making 2011 a "lean year" in every way, but I'll share more about that later...

Now that I look at May 2010, I realize May 2011 will be strikingly similar.

2010 -- I visited the Z's in Boston
2011 -- We'll head to Boston for Zack's HBS graduation

2010 -- CZ moved to DC for her internship at PwC
2011 -- CZ is moving back to DC for good!

2010 -- I went to Duck beach with CZ, Courtney, Kirstin, & YSA's of the East Coast
2011 -- We'll head to the Outerbanks with the entire JAZBAND for our annual beach week!

2010 -- I took and passed my last section of the CPA exam
2011 -- Maybe this May I'll finally take that pesky Virginia CPA ethics exam!

2010 -- I went to Brazil
2011 -- Ken I guess we better go to the Bahamas this year, right?? ;-)

Best of 2010 - April

April should be broken into two parts, pre-15 and post-15. Pre-15 I worked. The end. Then I bought flowers and a new dress and got a pedicure.

On April 16, I decided to make strawberry freezer jam. I was craving time in the kitchen and, for some reason, jam. I've never made jam before but I feel like it's something I'm supposed to be able to do, ya know? Am I alone in that?

I went to the farmer's market to buy strawberries and then I spent all day coaxing those strawberries into the darling little jars. I took a lot of photos because I really meant to blog about the whole thing. Darn.

The next day I made pizza dough from scratch and baked some pizzas on my stone.
Jill and I visited the Cherry Blossoms. There were A LOT of people trying to take pictures. It's definitely a beautiful spot for a family photo, but next spring I'll let you in on what I think is the best kept secret location for pictures along the Potomac. Get excited.

High: On April 16th I secured my visa at the Brazilian embassy!

Low: On April 17th I had to visit traffic court for a speeding ticket. The reckless driving charges were dismissed (a fact Ken seems to ignore whenever he wants to insult my driving record).

Ken came to DC after finals and we spent more time around the city.


At the end of the month, I entered a cupcake competition at work, made Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes and WON best taking cupcake! Lucky me! Recipe and recap here.

I would link to the other posts I made in April, but there are none. Oops!