Thanksgiven

For the last few years, we've attended some kind of orphan's Thanksgiving. Lots of people out here don't make it to see family for the holiday, so little groups of friends get together and make a family for a day. We've had good times at these, but after waiting to eat for hours with a bunch of mostly strangers last year, we decided that this year we'd have Thanksgiving at our place. For the first time ever.

It was just the two of us, and it was the nicest, stress free day. I planned a lot of food I wanted to make, had Z do the dirty work of doing the shopping, and had everything prepped and ready to go for Thursday morning. I made 8 dishes in all.

Sweet potatoes with pecans, thyme, and parmesan (the winner of the day)

Linda's mashed potatoes (a close, close second)

Sauteed celery root

Green beans with almonds

Bourbon cranberry compote

Quinoa tabouleh

Acorn muffins

Acorn squash with fresh orange juice and cardamom

Dessert was Trader Joe's pumpkin ice cream, followed by watching The Fantastic Mr. Fox on the floor by the bunnies.

It was a quiet day. We said our thanks. And I conquered my first Thanksgiving in the kitchen.

Shoot me now

Yes, yet another round of headshots. Hoping this is it for a while. The feedback from my old headshots was that they weren't pretty enough. Thanks, Hollywood! Glad I came to this crazy town with a sense of self. I see how people get messed up here.

Anyway, here is a quick sampler of the new shots. The goal was more glamorous. I've never worn so much eyeliner in my life.

I did get some fun tips from the hair and makeup gal. Beckers, I have new trade secrets for you!

The Cruise to Nowhere

I got quite a surprise a couple weeks ago. Zach told me a few weeks in advance to mark 2 particular days clear on my calendar, but that's all he would say. The week of he told me to pack a bag for overnight. Turns out he had planned a special, one night...

CRUISE!

The Cruise to Nowhere leaves from Long Beach. It goes out to sea and back, but you get the fun of being on a cruise, which I had never done before. Many points go to the husband for this one.

Here is a photo of the $10 photo they make you take and then try to sell you on the boat. Can you tell who's not so into the mandatory photo?

I've described it as going on a trip with everyone you've every seen at the mall, but we had a great time despite the other landlubbers. Definitely a good day for people watching!

We saw and heard seals at night from our private balcony (!), had dinner at a delicious French restaurant, walked all over the ship, and enjoyed lazing in our cabin.

sassy in the elevator

We can now say we've been to nowhere and back. There's no one I'd rather go there with.

Gooseberry

So behind on here. I'll try to catch up...

I had a hen party a few weeks ago. I asked everyone to bring something slightly decadent to share. Ladies came with champagne, brilliant tarts, chocolate, and cheeses. When I was at the store, I smelled something light and sweet in the produce section. Turns out it was a fruit that's housed in a thin, papery little lantern. Now that's decadence! You can see them scattered in the photo below. They are called gooseberries.

That night, Zach came home from a long day of gathering gooseberries of his own on the paintball field. I like my gooseberries better!