Marin "Jimmy" Horikawa and Bruised Ribs

I left work (on time) yesterday and was very ready to start the weekend. It was Marin's birthday and to celebrate, his fiancé Nelia set up a hibachi style dinner at Koto. She had invited a bunch of Marin's friends to the dinner and every one of them accepted the invitation. Our party of 18 filled up two tables! We had a great time toasting Marin, brainstorming-in an effort to determine what his American middle name could be, catching flying vegetables in our mouths and watching eggs spin on spatchulas. Koto always puts on a good show. Last night, the company watching it with me couldn't have been better.

I woke up this morning to SNOW! Maegen, Jay and I loaded up and headed to Stowe to take some turns. The drive down was beautiful. The new, sparkly-white snow hadn't yet fallen from the trees and the sun was beaming through their branches. We arrived and quickly realized that it was a powder day! We surveyed the trails on our way up the mountain and decided on our first run. We took full advantage of the powder trails first-they wouldn't remain a secret for long. I laughed all the way down the mountain. I fell many times while trying to keep the tip of my board up and out of the snow. It was heavy and my legs got tired fast but, it was worth it. It was the most snow I've seen this year! I was having a great second run on Sterling when (BAM!) I caught an edge and fell. I'm not sure what part of my body hit first but, I knew I felt it most in my side. I took a few moments to collect myself and then finished the run. I decided to sit out on the next run to see if I could stretch things out-it was a powder day and I was really excited to ride! I ended up taking one last run-nice and easy-but, called it a day as soon as I got to the bottom. Oy. We all agreed that despite the great conditions, it was time for lunch. We hit up The Reservoir for burgers and fries. Yum!

This afternoon consisted of TV watching and a nice dinner. My side is getting more sore by the hour. I think it's time for sleep. Goodnight!

It's the little things...

I popped into Mirabelle's during my lunch break today. I picked up a cup of soup and couldn't resist this coffee flavored treat. Thank goodness I notice them staring back at me. If you're in Burlington, this needs to be your next stop. It will make your day. All you need is one. They are small but, very rich.

While I was out, I also picked up a new cooking mag that I will put to good use this evening! My fridge has been low on everything for the last few days. The snow slows me down sometimes or at least keeps me from carrying bags and bags of groceries home on my shoulders. Let's eat!

February Blues.

I've started to write a few different times this week but, I haven't been able to find the right words. I came into work a bit late today...just because I needed to. It's quiet here. Many are on vacation, (it's Spring Break for the kids!) or enjoying the new, albeit wet, snow at Stowe. I'm playing, "catch up". Finally, a slight reprieve from the constant flow of emails that have been appearing in my inbox. My mind has been filled with work details for much of every day for the last month+. I realize I'm spending too much time decompressing-things have to change. Perhaps it's the gloomy, February weather too that's making me a little blue. I've been daydreaming of sandy beaches, warmer temperatures and the sound of the ocean. Soon...we'll reunite.

Until then, hang in there. Let's make the best of the rest of February.

Antarctica.

My mom and Patrick have made it as far south as they will ever go. They are in the seas off the coast of Antarctica. It's so neat to think of them way down there, listening to the ice shift while cruising along quietly among the iceburgs. They both love to travel and have done so extensively but, for some reason this trip has been the most interesting for me to hear about. So few make this trip. They say that only 1/5 of the planet is well suited for human life. The other 4/5 of the planet is deemed too extreme and requires special equipment/conditions for humans living there to survive. For me, their trip presents a bigger opportunity-to experience and witness a part of the earth that many do not. I'm proud of my mom and Patrick for making it down there! Stay warm you two.

"Sometimes beautiful is enough."

They are just clothes...things. Sometimes those things can create a feeling too-how you feel in them, or in this case, how you feel when you look at them. I’m inspired! It’s not likely that I’ll own any of these pieces but, I might try really hard to find a dress with a giant bow on the front that sways in the wind and feels great on my legs! Summer, I can see the tiniest little bit of you peeking around the corner!

Marc Jacobs RTW Fall, 2010

My bedroom!

Things are still coming together at my new place but, my bedroom is feeling more like home. The curtains are up, the night stands are put together and there's artwork on the walls. I've lost a little bit of my motivation now that I can get through most days without having to dig through a box to find something. Eventually, I'll find a home for those last few things that are laying around in the dining and living room. You have to come over for a visit soon! xo

100.

I've written 100 posts in just over 8 months. I have to be honest, I didn't know if I would want to take the time to maintain a blog but, it's been lots of fun so far. Here's to 100 more!

I spent most of today cleaning and cooking. I haven't really had a chance to heat things up in my kitchen in the last few weeks so, I decided I would make something new for dinner. When I was in NYC earlier this week, I had dinner at Ssäm on 2nd Ave. It was one of the most interesting meals I've had in a long time. We had oysters, steamed pork buns, grapefruit cream pie, (I'm not entirely sold on this one) and my personal favorite of the night, their brussels sprouts. I'm not usually a fan but, this time I was pleasantly surprised. When I was planning tonight's meal, I thought of the brussels sprouts and looked them up. The Momofuku Recipe was the first result I found! They were pretty tasty.

Momofuku Brussels Sprouts

- serves 8 as a side dish -

Ingredients

For Brussels sprouts

2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For dressing

1/4 cup Asian fish sauce

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons finely chopped mint

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro stems

1 garlic clove, minced

1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds. (I used dried and halved the amount.)

For puffed rice (optional)

1/2 cup crisp rice cereal such as Rice Krispies

1/4 teaspoon canola oil

1/4 teaspoon shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend)

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, toss with oil, and roast, cut side down on baking sheet, for 20-35 minutes, depending on size and desired taste. They should brown but remain somewhat firm.

2. Meanwhile, stir together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl.

3. If making puffed rice, cook ingredients together in a small skillet until toasted and slightly browned.

4. When sprouts are done, transfer to a serving bowl and add just enough dressing to coat. Top with more chopped mint or cilantro, and puffed rice if using.

Clean lines...

Robert Greene, (that's Greene with an E!) was the makeup artist on last week's shoot. I felt like a teenager watching him do his thing. Oh...if only I could make a line as clean as this one.

Learning.

No matter how many times you've done something, you can always learn from it. No experience is identical. Be patient. Listen. Respond. Smile. Keep trying, hard. Don't lose sight of your goal. Remember, you can always do better. Your future is bright!