Oregon (Trail)

Name: Oregon Trail Mix (yes, we've decided that will be her full name...Oregon for short :)
Age: 1 year (approx.)
Breed: Pointer mixed with fireball (she's got LOADS of energy)
Birthday: February 14, 2009 (I got to pick the date)
Favorite activity: sneaking onto the Hopkins Lacrosse field at night and chasing after lacrosse balls; pursuing the occassional rabbit or squirrel
Favorite foods: Organic treats from Trader Joe's! (yes, they do exist.)
Virtues: Knows almost every command in the book (sit, stay, paw, down...)
Not-so-much virtues: she likes to jump on the couch when no one's looking; can destroy any toy you give her

Does anybody know of some "indestructible" toys on the market? I gave her a Nylabone yesterday and she's already wearing it down to the bitter end.

Any training tips out there for keeping a doggy off the couch? I'm not a fan of the whole, "slap her on the nose" or "smack her bottom" tactics. We're going for non-violent, especially since she's adopted and you never know if she'd been hurt in the past.

All-in-all, she's a sweetheart and loves to be loved!

More spring reminders

This bedroom makes me want to throw open the windows and let a warm breeze flood the apartment.

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waiting on spring.

These photographs from the blog Little Brown Pen remind me of spring. I miss it so much! It's at least good to know that March is right around the bend.

Oregon! Our new puppy

So, I don't have a picture of her yet (don't worry- there will be plenty after tonight!)...but this is about what she looks like, only smaller and with adorable, sad eyes.

Don't you love her name, too? I think it's beautiful and unique, just like her.

Never out of Style

I love this woman.

{all photos via nytimes}

Happy Friday

I could use one of these this morning.

Good Morning Message

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Congratulations, Laurel!

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This post is dedicated to Laurel, a fellow blogger who helped me dig this blog out of the rubble. She has just announced her engagement! Congratulations Laurel :) I wish the absolute best for the both of you.

To hear the beautiful story of how her fiance, Justin, proposed to her, click here!

FAT tuesday...

...makes me think of one thing: CHOCOLATE! The Selby profiled Mast Brothers Chocolatiers a bit ago, and I cannot stop drooling over their page. Here's a sweet preview:

Anybody doing anything special for Fat Tuesday? Salman and I are looking forward to cooking/baking up a storm while indulging in too much movie-watching.

Valentine's Day Recipe and Review

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So, this was my first valentine's day spent with a loved one (other than family). Like most single women, I spent each year up to this point detesting the psuedo holiday. I couldn't possibly understand who thought it was fine to celebrate the happy union of some while others are left out in the cold to be reminded of their singular existence.

Of course, I had the opportunity to reconsider my views after this past valentine's day. In the end, I came out with a similar perspective: you shouldn't need a day to celebrate your love for someone...for anyone! Of course it's nice to have an excuse to eat exhorbitant amounts of chocolate and go out to dinner, etc. However, if you truly love the person/people in your life, you'll spend each day loving them more than the previous.

Every day should be valentine's day.

p.s. Check out Gesine's "CooCoo for Cocoa Crepe Cake" recipe on her blog! My friend Juhee has made crepe cake before and it is to die for.

Macarons are in the air!

NPR ran this story this afternoon and it made my mouth water...check out the complimentary recipe for the cute french confections. Once this snow clears up, I am outta here and at the grocery store to pick up these ingredients!

Make sure to also check out a recipe that I posted on my blog earlier last year by Tartlette's Helen Dujardin. I am in love with her photographs, as well as her delicious desserts.



p.s. does anybody have some fool-proof tips on making these little guys? The recipe seems a bit complicated, but I am determined to make these on my own...

mapping things out

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I feel like maps can provide such inspiration to transport yourself around the world to new and exciting places. In my opinion, people sometimes stay in one place for so long that they do not realize how important it is to experience new people, places and things. I hope you take the time to go out and explore a bit!

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Snow storm day #2: Tomato Basil Soup

Despite the lack of work that I have been experiencing lately (the thought of losing two days worth of pay due to this snow is a bit crippling), it has been a breath of fresh air to walk around in the snow with my Boo and get kinda crazy. We even managed to go sledding with a few friends down the street at Wyman Park. Some people were going ubber fast down the hill and wiping out as they toppled over their heads, which made me nervous at times for their neurological health. Nonetheless, it was a fun weekend, and what made it moreso was the amount of cooking/baking I let myself get into! Here's a recipe that is a must for those cold, snowy days. Quick! Get to the supermarket and grab these ingredients before the weather strikes again!

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup (by ina garten, Barefoot Contessa Cookbook)

ingredients

nocoupons

• 3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
• 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 quart chicken stock or water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.

In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.

snowstorm: The Aftermath

weekend getaway: Boston

Last weekend we found ourselves in Boston on one of the coldest weekends of the season! Nonetheless, we managed to bundle ourselves up and brave the weather in order to see a few sights around the hotel.

The Boston Public Library- was right down the block from our hotel and made for a quiet, beautiful adventure before returning to our room on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon.

Trinity Church is an old, Episcopal church in Boston with beautiful architecture and wood carving inside...

We also got to meet up with some good friends of ours, one of who lives right near Harvard Square and is receiving her master's in education. Her fiance was up for the weekend from NYC, so we got to double date while exploring the city! They were lovely hosts- Thank you Alex and Candido!