Redemption

Ok, Badge complained that my recently posted garden pictures were out of focus. I hate it when he's right. To redeem myself here are some in focus ones.

Fat peas:


Plenty of male zucchini flowers but no female yet:






First gardenia bloom!

Badge's Birthday and Father's Day

Last Thursday was Badge's birthday, so naturally we celebrated all weekend. On Thursday, we went to Cozymel's to watch Game 7. Sadly, the Celtics could not pull through with a birthday win for Badge. Boo. But at least it was fun drinking margaritas and chomping away at fajitas. On Saturday afternoon, we went to Balboa Park and walked around, enjoying the beautiful day.


Of course I couldn't resist taking pictures in the botanical garden. Check out this weird plant with pitchers at the end of the leaves.


Love the black calla lily.


Pretty orchids.


Creepy orchids!


Afterwards, I surprised Badge to a 60 min sports massage at Indigo Spa (of course, I treated myself to one as well hehe). So relaxing. We then moseyed over to Kemo Sabe for an early dinner. I've never been to this restaurant though I've been meaning to ever since I moved to San Diego almost four years ago. We ordered fried brie, ahi wasabi nachos, thai seafood stew, fried jidori chicken with beans and plaintains, ending with potted brownie with ice cream. Everything was delicious, and the portions were insanely large. I mean, laughably so. Great value for the price.


After dinner, we hustled across the street for the 8:30 showing of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The movie was quite good. Great mystery and suspense, very entertaining. I will definitely try reading the books to see how they compare.

The next day, Spike, Frog, and Kimbo came over for a birthday/Father's Day grill out. My mom and Uncle Jamie also drove down from LA to spend the afternoon.


On the menu:
- Grillers w fixin's, incl pickled onions
- Portabella mushrooms
- Antipasto pasta salad
- Corn pudding
- Bacon wrapped scallops with spicy mayo

Spike brought a yummy strawberry spinach salad and a chocolate chip ice cream cake. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to take a pic of the cake but it was very cutely decorated and delicious to boot!





Moms:


Dads:


Mom and Uncle Jamie manhandling Fred.


There was once a time when my mom wanted my sister and I to give away our cats. Now look at her!


More pictures can be found here

Count 'Em

Four.

That's right. Four.

As in the number of monitors I now sit in front of at work. My latest addition came in the form of an iMac, which is so sleek and pretty it makes the rest of my monitors look like ugly step sisters.

Damn you Apple. Damn you for bedazzling me with your cool factor.

Yoga And Garden = Happy

Whew, I had to take a little hiatus after that big Ohio post but now I'm back.

What have I been up to...

First, lots of exercising. I've been sticking to my schedule of running 3 miles 3x a week and going to yoga 3-4x a week. Last Friday, I even joined Busy Mama for a leisurely 3.8 mile run outside. I haven't run outside in ages. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, it wasn't bad at all. Quite enjoyable. I'll have to start running outside more often (soon as I get my iPhone armband). On Sunday, I went with a fellow yogi Jen to the Ashtanga Yoga Center in South Carlsbad. If you're familiar with Ashtanga, then you know this is the studio of Tim Miller, one of the most prominent Ashtanga teachers in the United States. Most of our Four Seasons teachers practice there, so we were intrigued. The First Series class was quite crowded but we found a nice spot at the back of the room. Though I sweated buckets, I still enjoyed my practice. There was a slightly scary assistant teacher/drill sergeant who would occasionally come around and pry you into position with no regard for your flexibility level, but other than that I had a nice experience.

The previous Sunday, to the displeasure of everyone else in class, I requested we try a new yoga pose I saw online: Yoni Dandasana.


Yup, that's your foot bent backwards so your toe is pointing behind you. This turned out to be quite easy for me (I had a suspicion it would be, hence my request). I'm strangely flexible in ways like this, though quite inflexible in other ways. Yoni Dandasana of course led to: Mulabandhasana.


Yup, that's both feet bent backwards. I could still do this, which makes me wonder if I was doing it correctly. Will try again later in the week.

Aside from working out, I've been gardening. All goes well. The little veggie patch is filling out. I'm starting to get flowers on the zucchini and cucumber plants. Must keep watchful eye and prepare to pollinate!


Most of the tomato plants are doing well, though some of the seedlings are stunted in growth. I'll probably just throw those out.


The peach tree is looking pretty weighed down with it's bounty.


Can't wait to eat you.


Look, our first pea! So small...


Even our fig tree has 7-8 tiny figs growing on it. Hooray! In final garden news, our compost is finally coming along. Yes, that compost we started last year but sorely neglected. I give it another month or so for the dozens of worms in there to do their magic.

To end, here's Henry, who makes this bed of rocks look like a bed of goose feathers.

Oh Hi Oh: Part 2

On Sunday morning, we got coffee from Starbucks per our usual routine. While sipping my tall soy latte, I noticed this cute little bouquet on the table. Ring any bells? Look closer. The circus rose and green spidermum also made an appearance in the centerpieces at our wedding (designed by Busy Mama)! Seeing these flowers brought back such nice memories, I just had to snap a shot.


In the afternoon, we went to a nearby park for the senior baccalaureate. There was much singing and poem reading and playing of instruments. It was nice, though Riley didn't get to play bass because he injured his wrist in lacrosse. Afterwards, we went to Riley's house for a bbq feast, followed by cake, and present opening. Check out their super cute dog. It's a cavachon (bichon frise and king cavalier cross). I want one. I want one now.


The happy graduates.


That evening, we went to the graduation ceremony to watch Riley walk.


At some point, a great red monster appeared to ruin the ceremony.


Luckily, Sophie was on hand to wrangle with the beast.


There was a struggle.


But it was soon over. Sophie saved the day!



To reward her for her services, Spike gifted Sophie with stickers.


On Monday, Riley took us to the arboretum to kill time before our flight. I love magnolia flowers.



Here's Badge and I being cheesy in a tree.


And finally, we drove by the largest home in the rich neighboring community of Indian Hills. This house is ridiculous. It's more like a hotel.


And after one more visit to the ice cream parlor, we were off to the airport to return to SD.

Many many many more pictures can be found here.

Oh Hi Oh: Part 1

Oh Ye Sleepy Village of Mariemont. We thought you were a ghetto suburb of Cincinnati, but turns out you're a quaint English-inspired utopian community. Upon seeing your inn (where we stayed), I felt delighted, confused, betrayed. On one hand, your adorable (and delicious) corner ice cream parlor had me giggling like a schoolgirl. On the other hand, you looked nothing like I had imagined. Why had I assumed Riley grew up in a less than pleasant neighborhood? Well, I guess I assumed all of Ohio was less than pleasant. Mairemont, you proved me wrong.


Leaving Friday morning, Spike, Frog, Kris, Si, Sophie, and I embarked on a Gordon clan journey to see Riley for his high school graduation. Badge was already in NY for business so he flew directly to Ohio to join the group. Once arrived and refreshed, we went to Riley's graduation party (co-hosted with his friends) at the local tavern. There, we finally met Riley's girlfriend Caity (cute as a button and sweet as pie), his parents whom I've never met (nicest people ever), and his motley crew of friends including Brian (the gentle giant), Christian (the Dane), Ian (the Spock/"that guy Boone from Lost" look-a-like), and Josh aka "Skeeter" (the guy with the mullet). Afterwards, we were hankering for a full meal so we went to the Cheesecake Factory with Riley and Caity. Much eating was had.

The next morning, we went to Starbucks (the first of many many trips) and ate breakfast at the hotel restaurant. My eggs florentine were quite tasty but the service was deplorably slow.


Afterwards, Riley gave us the tour of his 'hood.


The houses were perfectly picturesque, complete with manicured lawns, American flags, and signs supporting youth sports.


He took us to the bluff overlooking the area. Very pretty. By the way, I'd like to take this moment to mention how hot and muggy it was. It was mid 80's I think and the humidity made you sweat buckets even when standing still.


Uncle with nephew. Awwww.


Pretty flower.


Afterwards, we went to Cupcakery, the organic cupcake bakery where Caity works. I wanted to eat every single cupcake in the store but since that probably went against some unspoken social rule, I opted for two mini chocolate truffle and one mini lemon raspberry. Yummy.



So perfectly bite sized.


Stuffed with sweets, we made our way to Indian Hills High, the arch-nemesis of Mariemont High, for a blood bath of epic proportions. Well, it was a lacrosse game, not a blood bath, but there was a lot of smacking and fierce body checks.


Here's Riley, number 35, attacking some poor soul.


Whack whack.


For dinner, we met up with Susan and her boyfriend Byron at a tasty Italian restaurant called Belle Luna. Very cute ambiance. I never thought red walls could look good but these red walls looked both cozy and romantic. I had the seafood pasta. I've been on a real seafood kick lately. Watch out clams.


Afterwards, we convinced Riley to take us to Buskins, the legendary bakery he worked at for a summer. Freshly baked creme donuts, I cannot deny you. Delicious.



Stay tuned for part 2...