I'm Moving in 2014!

In 2013, so many things happened in life that seemed to require documentation. I remember reading a post a few months before Tom and I got married and it was explaining the personal value of creating something, anything to reflect on later in life.

And while writing my thoughts have come in intermittent bursts, it's nice to reflect back on what has happened since May this year.

It's come to my attention, however, that this blog is kind if limiting me to only writing about marriage. While that was the original plan, I don't want to leave out the trips, activities, and day to day things such as "I really want to bake" and "look at this cool website/video I found".

So I'm moving out. If your interested, follow me at my new blog: The Newest Thing.  

Friday's Letters

Early Mornings-
  I might not have always had a good relationship with you, but... I think I'm falling in love with you.

Dear Twinings-
  Your spiced Chai tea is nasty! I love your other ones though, especially your Irish breakfast. What happened to the Chai though, did I get a bad box?

Dear boots-
  I did get you on sale at Payless, and therefore am not surprised at your short lifespan. But why?? I've become addicted to your comfort, looks like I need to branch out to other stores for durable boots. Sad day.

Dear sick-people-on-the-bus-
  If you need to cough, do like I do. Hold it in even if it means your eyes pop out of your head and you tear up. Really. If I suffer so that I don't get my hands germy (and hold the grab bars) then you should too!

Dear Purell-
  Thank you for all you do.

Oatmeal-Banana (ONLY) Cookies.

Our stove has arrived, and is doing splendidly. Right now, potatoes are cooking for Shepherd's Pie for the family coming over. Nice to have people to cook for (and hopefully they like it). :)

But. I wanted cookies earlier this week. So I decided to cristen our oven's insides with this wonderful recipe form The Burlap Bag.

http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/07/2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice/

Copy/Pasted from my Pepperplate:




WEB

Banana- Oatmeal (Only) Cookies

Yes. For real. Two ingredients. (Yes, you can add other things if you want… but you don’t HAVE to!) Since all bananas are different sizes, the needed measurements can vary. If it seems too runny and the cookies would flatten out too much, add in more oatmeal. And make sure to not add in TOO many mix-ins as the cookies won’t hold together very well. The ones in these photos have a handful of chocolate chips, a teaspoon or two or cinnamon, and 1/4ish a cup of crushed walnuts.

YIELD

 16 cookies

CATEGORIES

 cookies, oatmeal, banana, easy, quick, few ingredients, dessert

---

INGREDIENTS

• • 2 large old bananas
  • 1 cup of oats (quick or regular! if you use regular, we’d suggest chopping them a little so everything holds together better)
  • Then add in what sounds yummy to you! (or nothing!) We love:
  • -a handful of chocolate chips
  • -crushed walnut pieces
  • -cinnamon
  • -raisins

---

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1. We made 16 cookies with those measurements.
  2. We cook them at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on a GREASED cookie sheet.
  3. Don’t forget the greased part…. I did once and had to scrub my pan forever.

---

NOTES

Sometimes we’ll make 16 “cookies”. And we’ll eat them all for lunch. I know what you’re thinking… WOW lauren you’re gonna be 500 pounds if you keep eating 8 cookies. 

But think about what went in these cookies! If I ate 8 cookies, 

I’ve had: 1 banana, 1/2 cup of oats, and half a handful of chocolate chips and walnuts. Amazing. Leave out the chocolate chips and they are all health.

They were amazing! I doubled the recipe, and it made 32 cookies. See below pictures.

So. Simple.

Bananas, Quick Oats, bowl.

Bananas, in bowl.

Oats, on bananas.

Smash em together.

It will eventually look like runny oatmeal. Mix well.

Grease your baking sheet well!

They didn't change position. So definitely pack that baking sheet full.
Especially if you're using the tiny ones like I have to.

Stare at them baking for 15 minutes.

Baked. 

Close-ups. Yum.

No Sugar, eggs or flour. How wonky is that? Still a cookie? I'm not sure, I'm thinking they are more like taste oatmeal-to-go.

 So, if you want my opinion:

They turned out amazing!

On Becoming a ''Morning Person''

This Tuesday (Monday was Veterans Day), I started a new schedule at work. It involved me waking at 5:45, washing my face and turning my phone on to take a few phone calls from 6-9am. Basically just being awake to answer it. So really, I was a little concerned I would fall asleep from boredom.

I used to work from 11-7pm, waking at 9am and going to bed at 1pm (if I went to bed on time).

I discovered that it is amazing to wake up early! And I've searched the web for the week leading up to it, to search for tactics (because waking up is like war??) on how to wake up early.

I've found a few things.

Drink Tea and avoid TV before bed, and go to bed on time.
  Duh, right? But I did it, and I went to bed sleepy, versus stimulated. And stayed asleep. And woke refreshed.

Wake up to a nice alarm. 
  I changed out my alarm (which was HORRID) to a favorite song. And as it slowly gets louder, I no longer scowl and attack it to save my ears. I actually kind of enjoy it because it's never loud. I have even downgraded from 10 angry-sounding alarms to 4 nice alarms.

Drink some cold water (OJ, etc) immediately.
  It replenishes you since you hadn't drank anything in about 8 hours. That's why you always feel so sick/blah in the morning. Drink some water. And it wakes you up.

Have something to wake up for.
  Apparently, I needed my work to demand an early wake up. I have for the longest time wanted to wake up with Tom, but never have. Now, I get to read my Bible, make us breakfast, put dishes away, play Scrabble on Facebook and read the news in the hour before he wakes. And he's a big fan of eggs instead of Cap'n Crunch, so I get major props for the breakfast thing.

Do something to help you later in the week.
  I accidentally made biscuit cookies my first day in. They were supposed to be cookies made with Jiffy Cake Mix (first day in, keeping it simple!) But, upon removal they appeared incredibly biscuit-like. They were still tasty though . Oh, and I discovered that I can't use my big baking sheets in our 24'' oven :(

Yes, they will slide all the way down..

And those have been my findings so far. I woke up today and couldn't stay in bed. I eventually tried luring Tom out at 8:30 with some coffee, which he sneered at, drank, and then went back to bed.


So, how has your week been? Any suggestions on making this new schedule continue to rock?

Today's Truth

Religion operates on the principle, 'I obey -- therefore I am accepted by God.' But the operating principle of the gospel is 'I am accepted by God through what Christ has done -- therefore I obey." ~ Timothy Keller, The Reason For God , (New York: Dutton, 2008), 179-180.

Happy Wednesday!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

We have a stove! But it is sadly stationed in our living room until we get a hose, an adapter and bust a part of our wall apart. So despite these dire circumstances (considering I want to bake!) I improvised.

And while we do not celebrate Halloween and tend to stay inside the evenings surrounding it (people egg things in NYC on Halloween- no thanks) I did make one concession. I don't think it's a bad one either.

In an effort to enjoy the peanut-buttery goodness of the Halloween holiday (the only part I will partake in), I decided to surprise Tom with homemade Reeses' cup bars. I found the website on Pinterest, and followed the pin here. And then browsed around for along time before I had to close the browser or go buy cookies from the Hot 'N Tasty downstairs. And they have horrible cookies, so I my day would've been ruined if I hadn't pulled myself away from temptation.

I have fallen in love with Pepperplate- the web version and the app. So don't mind me if all my recipe's are copied from recipe on there.  But to get the exact same recipe, click the link below. I didn't change anything, didn't need to :)

From Jen's Favorite Cookies:



WEB

Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake!)

An easy no-bake recipe for peanut butter bars with chocolate frosting.

YIELD

 9x13 pan

ACTIVE TIME

 10 min

TOTAL TIME

 1 hour

CATEGORIES

 no bake, no-bake, cookie, bars, peanut, chocolate, dessert

---

INGREDIENTS

• Bars

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup peanut butter

• Frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter

---

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1. In a bowl, melt butter and peanut butter together.
  2. Add cracker crumbs, sugar, butter, and peanut butter. Spread mixture evenly into a 9×13 pan.
  3. Melt chocolate chips with peanut butter in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.
  4. Pour chocolate mixture over bars, and frost evenly.
  5. Chill for 40-50 minutes until chocolate is set.

---

NOTES

Oct 31 2013. 
     Best cut and served straight out of the fridge (or they are too soft and get messy) and cut into 1-inch squares and popped into your mouth. They are very sweet for more than a cube or two at a time.

And we loved it! The pics show our results.

Despite them kinda being a pain to cut out of the pan, they did kind of make squares, although I wouldn't compare them to the photos from the original post. I could hardly contain myself. Big surprise.

Inspiration.

Reality.

Shoulda melted the chocolate more. Coulda took my time cutting. Woulda gotten better photos.

Whatever, they were amazing and I stand by the original recipe and vouch against myself. Bad blogger. Why don't I try harder to get nice photos. Because.... I was about to pop that lil broken piece into my mouth and forced myself to stick it back where it belongs for the photo. You're welcome...

And when I did, it was amazing!

BUT:

We did find (in the final row of the pan of course) that the best way to cut and enjoy them were to cut mini cubes and pop em in your mouth. 

And try not to let them get room temperature. Because they tend to soften up- and as much as I love eating candy like a kid on Halloween, I don't want to look like a kid who ate candy on Halloween.

Jay-Z and a "You've Broken the Law" notice

I have really weird dreams (can't you just talk from that title?) And while I don't do any form of dream divination or secular fortune telling I do know that I get really worked up during the day and suffer for it at night.

This could I'd what goes on inside my head when left to run amok, when I'm asleep.

This is what I imagine Tom has to endure. Poor Bizkit. Usually I don't wake so dramatically.

Part One
I've been kidnapped by Jay-Zs mobsters with a bunch of random people who I don't know (but seem friendly with). Isn't that always the case. We're poking around, wondering why his house isn't all that impressive, and he walks in. He's upset about something, but guess I didn't care because I just kept thinking that he should have at least 2 cars, considering he's such a big deal. Unimpressed.


Part Two

We're leaving Jay-Zs and apparently it ain't no thang, bc we never met Beyonce or baby-Z, and we all just say bye.

Upon getting home, my mother -bc I'm living with my mother again in my dreams?- told me that there's a letter from The Government. It's a 'You've broken The Law' notice, with a shot of me taken from a surveillance camera, throwing something in the garbage.

"You've been caught throwing recyclable material in the garbage can" it reported. "Also, your coworker expressed concern that while it was 'only a date stamper', it could prove to be a heartwarming souvenir, as all the employees quit in your department and were relocating".

When I arrived at work I got another copy of the same notice. And that the company was relocating all the workers, and I should go buy a date stamper for the girl who reported me to The Government.
I don't think that I did, as I woke up afterwards. And while I was in trouble for not recycling (but wouldn't that go in the trash?) she was willing to steal office supplies. Hm.



Where's did all this come from? 
I went to a work event yesterday and saw a Jay-Z look alike, but creepier and eyeing the candy I had placed out on my table. And then that evening, Tom scolded me about not recycling a piece of paper.

And it seems I need to watch some apocalyptic movie, considering it was 'the Government' versus the police. At least the Hunger Games will be in the theater soon, that should help the last part.

#4 Drive In Movie

I checked off my first 30 before 30 item.

#4- Drive-in movie at the Malta Drive-in. 

Of course, my photos turned out horrible. But see these beauties below to revel in it's old-timeyness. 

via

via

2013 is the Malta drive-in's 80th year in service, so of course, that means Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta were running around here, copping feels and getting stranded at the drive in (and being branded a fool...).

Of course, I based my drive-in expectations off of that movie, so when we arrived I was confused by the lack of speakers, only to find out they now use your car radio by tuning into a designated station.

via

Definitely feels weird being somewhere that served so many people, in so many decades. Glad that at least we weren't watching Transformers or something from the 2000s. What did we see?

Ghostbusters!

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!

So, good start on my list. Hopefully we can keep this trend up!

October 19, 2013

Farin-
Fun trip with hubby. Went to see Ghostbusters in a drive-in!

Tom-
Got to explore Albany and Lake George, Farina planned a fun trip.

October 18,2013

Farin-
Impromptu trip to Lake George manana.

Tom-
Finally got to see my mom after a long week of getting home late.

October 17, 2013

Farin-
Nice to sit down to dinner with husband.

Tom-
Yes'm. Thinking about attending Southern Baptist.

Raised Eyebrows

I'm all for the brave new world of bold eyebrows (or in my case, creating visible eyebrows since mine are see-through), but who decided that it was a good idea to redesign their shape?

Two girls were sitting across from me and I was captivated (in the worst way). And while I'm not scared to take random pics of people because they have cute shoes // they are in the way of the advertisement I want to photograph // they look like a stuntdouble of my friend/sister/husband and it's hilarious- I'm not going to take mean pics and post them online.

Plenty of people have made posting about bad eyebrows their thing- so you can look here if you're so inclined.
http://awfuleyebrows.tumblr.com/
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bad-eyebrows
http://bad-brows.tumblr.com/

But, if you are interested, these are my renditions.

Way to high/archey, and sleeping fuzzy caterpillars
I have amazing MS Paint skills.

I have embraced the eyebrow pencil and brush, and I really just stick with the 'color within the lines' rule of thumb. As I commuted along this morning, I debate whether or not mine are as ridiculous. I faced the door windows and raised my eyebrows at myself. I'm sure it scared some people on the other side.

And then I realized I was being dumb, sat my butt down and fell asleep for the rest of the commute.

Craving some Baking

I have a seriously frivolous problem. I want to bake (things that I could do without) in our nonfunctional oven.

Truthfully, we don't cook all that often. We work odd/late hours, so when we get home we go to my inlaws to eat leftovers. And that's cool. Except for when it isn't.

I want to bake bread. I am craving a cake.

I want to make a pie, and I have a really pretty pie plate who has never seen the inside of an oven.

Obviously, I need to get us an oven ASAP. And with any major purchase, (this is major in your 20s, people)- it requires way too much research.

This is what I came up with:

Premier 24 in. Freestanding Battery-Generated Spark Ignition Gas Range in Black

via homedepot.com

This one, without a window and with a dumb boiler drawer. I don't know how to broil or desire to learn to broil. And with gas ranges, you can't use the lower drawer for storage unless its maybe a cookie sheet.

Because: How much do they really expect me to spend on a 24 inch stove? I've never bought an appliance before, I can't wait until we hit the more expensive purchase section in our life. You know, like kids and hopefully a house. And plus, we have to find a way to get it to our apartment. Not in stores, and shipping will not be cheap. Yup, I'm being cheap on this one. I even opted out of the oven window because it added nearly $100 on the price.

rant over.

Time for some coffee.

October 14, 2013

Farin-
Tom's back home! And already postponing laundry until tomorrow.

Tom-
Great flight from Ft. Lauderdale. Glad to be back with my baby.

October 13, 2013

Farin-
Feel sick, weather is getting cold....

Tom-
Finally made it to Miami, Great roadtrip, super tired.

October 12, 2013

Farin-
Tom's away, so I will play clean and hang out in my PJs all day. Still kind of rhymes, right?

Tom-
Road trip, Philly for cheese-steaks and Baltimore for crab cakes.

Friday's Letters

Dear Post it notes:
     I can't wait to replace you all with my new planner. I get thrilled every time I can throw one of you out, one by one, but there are really just an endless pile of you. Time to Go. Additionally, buying a planner reminded me of getting a new one from high school every year, and how I loved to decorate it. I was a dork.

Dear Husband:
     I take back yesterday's post. I want you to stay. This weather is cold and your warm feet (opposite of women's feet?) were the only thing that sustained me. Oh, wait. Electric blanket. Nevermind :)

Dear TMJ:
    Thank you being less irritable, I sincerely hope we can work this out and once I get the mouthgard my teeth grinding will stop.

Dear weather:
     Um, thanks for the cold weather but wow! Way to jump from 80's to 55 in the morning. Not impressed.

Dear NYC:
     Can you not be so smelly and annoying this morning? And can you not have a lady screaming on Queens Blvd below my work window, and the Cash for Gold guy not block my path as I am on my way to glorious Dunkin Donuts?

A Letter to My Husband

Today you're leaving me. The open road is calling, and despite the numerous roadtrips, you need some guy time to nurture your bromance.

It's cool. I get it. And... I'm not exactly heartbroken about it. I will lounge in my PJs, bake some bread, paint my nails and watch a chick flick. Or maybe just sleep in. Or maybe not. My choice.

I initially was a little jealous. I mean, you will get to visit the amazing Uruguayan cafe on Collins Ave. You can grab a cuban espresso where I had my first caffeine overload, or you can soak up the sun. But then I realize, you can do all those things but you have to do them in about a 2 hour period. Because you are crazy and gave yourself only Saturday and Sunday to accomplish this whole trip. And will immediately be flying back home to New York early on Monday.

I guess this road trip is really just about the bromance, after all. You both have been biking all over the northeast, attempted and failed many a bike trip, sustained random injuries and basically always come back with a story. So I'm kind of excited to hear the recaps.

I love that you want separate guy time, and that you have independent interests and friends. I hate biking, but would go cheer you on in a bike tour. I can't imagine driving to Florida one day, just to fly back the next.


And, because every post deserves a photo:

October 9, 2013

Farin-

Tom’s working late, I’m watching TV and waiting for him to get home.

Tom-
Ah, the gospel cuts through anything. Anytime before you get angry, remember that Jesus died for you.

I'm on a train.

I can't complain.

Lady playing a ukulele on the train.

Make it a great day everyone!

October 8, 2013

Farin-

Dunkin Donuts slogan “America Runs on Dunkin”.  I sure am American I should buy stock in that company.

Tom-
Rite Aid savings reward phone number 646-282-2507.

October 7, 2013

Farin-

Dental work, ouch :-(

Tom-

Laundry Day, praying that Maria, the employee, gets saved.

Pennsylvania Bound: Pumpkins and Corn

Tom and I were blessed with the opportunity to visit my family in Pennsylvania this weekend. It officially was for my brother's wedding, but also allowed us (me) to visit my alma mater, and a surprise trip for Tom to do his first corn maze.

It was awesome. I love this season, and although it was 80 degrees that weekend, the pumpkins and cider and fall colors masked the summer weather.


Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.
     I was bummed we wouldn't be able to see the homecoming game, but just as happy to walk around campus and enjoy the views.

Elliot Hall.
 Where I spend most of my four years trying not to fall asleep.

Wedding Time!
     Great time celebrating my brother and newest sister-in-law getting married.

 

Aw, they're so cute.

I think Phil was rooting someone on (not sure why..) and mom was just having a great time. I also made a mental note to remember to put the SD card back into my camera after every use, since these are the only crummy shots we got from my cell phone.
















Roba Farms.
     Finally, before heading back to NYC, we went here for their corn maize (and so I could finally buy some mini-pumpkins and squash).

They have acts show up on the weekends, and campfires at night.

I was absolutely in here, finding my pumpkin.

Children of the Corn.

      

Tom trying to negotiate with the Dead End ghost.

Found a tile of the puzzle.

Hilarity ensued, and it was fun watching the SimCity and maps expert get lost and give up on the maze after almost 2 hours. Eventually we did run out of time and have to quit, with only 6 of the 10 tiles found (and we bought 2 bonus tiles for 50cents). And then we drank cider. It was great.

Have you visited a corn maze this year (or before)?

Top 10 things to Not Do on the Subway

In the order of  "Annoys Me" to "Puts You In Danger". 

A few of these (#6) might fall into the middle ground of 'Annoying me enough to put you in danger'.

1. Crack peanuts. Or any food that could fly onto your neighbors. Clipping your nails can fit in this category too.
2. Yell, scream or throw things. I don't need to explain this one, do I?
3. Sit for one stop. If you're using it for 1 minute, give it to the lady with 3 kids. 
4. Play music loud enough for me to sing along.
5. Litter. And yes, leaving your newspaper on the seat "for the next person" is littering.
6. Block the doors /mosey in slowly. If I'm wearing white and the doors are about to encase me in soot, you are going to be pushed inside.
7. Breakdance. It's dangerous. I've been kicked in the neck before, had my phone knocked across the subway car, seen a stroller kicked away from mom. Plus, you might be awesome, but watch this. 
8. Deny a pregnant, elderly or disabled person their seat. Or someone who says they are nauseous. Or drunk. It's common sense really.
9. Be lost. Big dummy move here. There's no reason to be lost. Ask people for help- just validate the person before you ask. Man with briefcase- yes. 16 year old girl with backpack- no. Many people live here and only know their neighborhood. Also,  plenty of police and MTA workers to ask, and download these apps before you enter the train station.
10. Not be aware. Don't be a target. If you pay attention, you will be fine. But if you leave your items in the grasp of others or fall asleep without your backpack laced through your legs, you're asking to be robbed. Some additional no-brainers: don't count your cash, or enter an empty train car late at night if you feel something is off. 

October 6, 2013

Farin-
Surprised Tom with his 1st trip to a maize maze. Drank cider :)

Tom-
Got to see goats, sheep and bunnies.

October 5, 2013

Farin-
Going to visit my alma mater, dress up fancy, and see my brother get married!

Tom-
Singing along with the radio and Farin. We should write parodies.

October 4, 2013

Farin-
Drove to PA, horrible traffic. But good time goofing around in traffic with Tom.

Tom-
Roadtrip! Philly Steaks.

Friday's Letters

Dear Pennsylvania:

I am coming expecting 'peak' colors, please do not disappoint.

The first week in October has always been optimal color. For that one week it is perfection, until frost hits and everything turns brown.

 

Dear I-80, I-280 and New Jersey:

We don't want any trouble.

Dear Route 6:

You need to be more like your older brother, Route 66. Be laid back. Have less trucks going 10 miles an hour. You make me dread the 3rd hour of our roadtrip. Shame on you.

Dear Lady on the Street:

I admire your persistence, but I will never ever want to sell my gold or silver in the shady store next to my work. I just want to get my morning coffee. Stop trying to give me a flyer. 

Dear Pumpkins and Cider:

I am coming for you!

October 3, 2013

Farin-
My brothers getting married in two days!

Tom-
I get to drive tomorrow. I made cotton candy at employee appreciation day at work.

My newest invention/app creation idea.

I just can't help myself. I have a serious problem.

deep breath. just say it.

I can't keep from taking photos of people, places or things etc when they are cool, funny, resemble someone I know. Really, for any reason. And it gets me into trouble so often.

I just did something dumb on my commute home after work. Granted, it's hilarious (will be more so once I transferred off of that train), but it sucks when it happens.

The situation:
I'm been trying to figure out what socks I am supposed to wear with boots. I don't like fuzzy thick socks, and of course when you wear boots you need high socks. Last year I made due with the fuzzy socks I hate, and have this year vowed to replace them with some boot socks. But, what are those??

Well, a girl with a cool sock to boot ratio sits across from me. So of course I attempt to take a sly photo of her shoe situation.

Aaaaaand flash goes my phone's camera.

And despite my best "what just happened face" and to point camera at the floor, everyone stared at me.
I feel so scummy. Like some foot fetishist, or a really unskilled stalker.

So, right now on this train, I vow that if I ever develop phone apps, I will make a special 'anti- embarrassment camera app'. For fools like me. And foot fetishists. And the unskilled stalker.


Want to hear about my app?

You hit the capture button. But first, a series of prompts:

"Are you ready to probably make a fool out of yourself?"

   yes.

"Really?  Remembering the girl with the boots and the judging eyes if the strangers?"

   yes.

"Ok, good luck!"

*snap*

Because I had to. Questions need to be asked.
Is the Amazing Race going through NYC? Am I Being Filmed Now?

I have to take these photos. It's a long commute home, and I require entertainment.

Okay, I'm on another train. No longer feel scummy. Love the big city for the easy anonymity, rite?




And because I'm sure you are all interested.
Some of my work:

Sometimes I document my horrible commute.
To amuse my boss, who drives to work.

This guy thought to bring his own seat along for the ride home. I had to stand.

I texted this to Tom on a game day.
Told him out future son will have matching outfits on game day with grandpa too.

I shared this with the message
"I'm dismayed that I know what twerking is, but not sriracha".

And.... my lovely sister.
Faking extreme fear while visiting on the NYC subway.

October 2, 2013

Farin-
Tom had a breakthrough! I set up his NES system, with the agreement that he'd throw out his US States coin map.

Tom-
Tonight, I was able to delay the dumping of my memories. This packrat plans to filabuster.

10 Goals for October

This week has so far been a whirlwind of "responsibility" and "work", so I've had no time to write these past few days. 

But I do have plans, goals even. Let me document them, because then I will hopefully be guilted* into doing them everytime I see them posted for the world to see. 

October Goals

1. Purge and reorganize, focusing on misc. storage. I refuse to have so many junk drawers!

2. Make homemade bread.

3. Get a system to clean shower. After every shower.

4. Make an alternative to cream of...soups.

5. Choose new stove.

6. Celebrate and have amazing visit in PA @ my brother's wedding.

7. Put all summer clothes in storage or on the curb.

8. Clean all the windows and baseboards.

9. Reserve car for trip to visit sister in January.

10. Find a plant I can keep alive. 

I grew this from a seedling.
Then murdered it by abandoning it while on our honeymoon.

*is 'guilted' really not a word?

October 1, 2013

Farin-
Government shutdown today. Can't get new last name just yet.

Tom-
She has had over 3 months, bus who's counting :-P

September 30, 2013

Farin-
Going to get my social security card changed tomorrow.

Tom-
Long day. Coming home to wifey makes it worth the long hours.

Maryland Roadtrip- Crab, Cakes of Crab, and a Lighthouse

We decided to do something on Saturday. So we went to Maryland because, like the July Maine lobster roadtrip, much of our life seems to revolve around good cheap seafood.

After driving south through Staten Island, NJ, and Delaware, we finally hit the Maryland border. There were hoot and hollers, as we pull up to Faidley's Seafood.

Faidleys.

WORLD'S BEST CRAB CAKES. Seriously, just look at their walls for proof. If you want to taste this miracle crab cake, you can order them here. Or diy them here.

               

 

Afterwards, we decided to take a hike over to Federal Hill.

And then fire some cannons.

Tom, firing at the examiner.

Me, listening to someone talking.
Probably the negotiator from the Examiner.

And then my mother-in-law pointed at the Inner Harbor.

After we failed at bombing the Inner Harbor with our fake cannons, we drove through it.

And ended up here.

I'm skeptical.

 We then arrived in Essex MD, after a quick Google search of 'awesome crab shacks' eventually routed us here.

But this place is no shack.

Al's Seafood.
     I don't like crab (only ever, ever, unless it's in a Faidley's crab cake). But apparently this place did the crabs justice. I'm sure that if they knew their demise- they would prefer to be tasty and to come here to be enjoyed.

You can see the hands poised for attack.

After leaving Als, I insisted in bringing everyone to someplace I knew wouldn't disappoint. Plus, a trip to MD without the beautiful nature? Crazy.

Meet Concord Point Lighthouse, Havre de Grace, MD.
     Still trying to figure out the correct pronunciation of Havre.

Ready, aim...... Give me your iced coffee!

Have you been to these places? Any suggestions for our inevitable return for more crab cakes?