Last Friday, we were ahead of schedule and finished cleaning for the baby shower for Sister-in-Law. So, for Saturday, we just needed to cook. On Saturday, I woke up early and did all the prep work so all I needed to do was mix ingredients together for an arugula salad, a caprese pasta salad and Cheese Crostini with Proscuitto. The shower went well. It was actually relaxing mostly because there were lots of helpers. Then, after the shower, we went to dinner with everyone to Clyde's. Mother-in-Law came over after dinner to do all the dishes which I very much appreciated.
took a walk so she could walk through the water fountains in the neighborhood. Once she dried off, we went to dinner for my dad's 60th birthday at Dogfish Head Alehouse which was yummy (and provided a yummy lunch today). 
Sexy Friday has, once again hit a member of the cast of Grey's Anatomy. Jesse Williams was recently promoted and I'm mighty glad. I did not know that I know him from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. I remember his scenes, but I didn't know it was the same actor. The movie seems to always be playing on cable so I'll have to see if I catch an earlier part than the end and check it out again. It was tough competition this week (and the other contender will make an appearance on an upcoming Friday), but I think the best man won.
I also got these pants even though I'm not huge on capris. I do like wearing them around in the summer so it's kind of a love/hate relationship. Oh, and these capris are going to be a little longer than right below the knee on me which makes the length awkward, but they'll still be good at the beach or hanging around in the evenings during the summer. (Both pieces are from Esprit which sells a glorious shade of purple, but the website is kooky so nothing is linked. I try not to buy everything purple there, but it's such a perfect color. The store is a little pricier than I usually shop, but the sales are good and the website has some sales and cheap shipping which I just discovered and could be dangerous for me.)
PURPLE RULES!
Then, at the last minute (keep in mind we were already running about 5 minutes late), she changed her mind. She wanted a new hat so I told her to hurry while I packed my bag and found my keys. She ran back into her room and ran back out wearing the hat below:
Normally, I would have her change, but we didn't have the time, and I already chose my battle and got her to wear her sandals over shoes that are are too big and her baseball jersey over her football shirt. I put the Mets jersey on and all she kept saying was "J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!" I had to explain that this was baseball and the Jets are football, never thought I'd be having that conversation with my daughter (though she is half Husband's daughter).
This was a Bake Off with friends from around the world. There was some confusion on conversions and ingredients, but I crossed my fingers, tried hard and hoped for the best. The photo above is actually my cake. I made the recipe below but excluded the coffee. I also made one error, but it tasted good enough. At the bottom, I'll share my little flub.
Here is the recipe for Baked French Toast - the breakfast I made for book club. It is from The Pioneer Woman blog. The photograph is hers as well. I would love to add fruit next time. I thought blueberries, but I bet diced apple would be FANTASTIC with the cinnamon goodness. I would also bake it longer than I did because mine didn't get as dark as the photo, but it did taste good enough. I also forgot to offer maple syrup which I have in the fridge, too. Enjoy!
Last weekend went by in a blur. On Saturday, Husband went out all day to play and watch golf. So, Little Miss and I woke early and met Sister, Nephew and Brother-in-Law at the mall. We had lunch and then Little Miss and I walked the entire length of the mall window shopping and actual shopping. I won't say what I actually bought because seeing it all in print may be too much, but Little Miss got 2 books and a stuffed animal plus a little backpack for all her things and a new cup. She was a trooper. She walked everywhere and then, she fell asleep on the way home and took a 3 hour nap. When she woke up, we went to the grocery store for a few things, ate dinner and then she went to bed.
ready and we took a nap around the neighborhood. Little Miss played in the spitting fountains around the corner. Then, we came home, ate lunch and she took an early nap. Then, we went back to the grocery store for a few things. All in all, it was a good Father's Day. Mostly relaxing. Monday came too fast! 
The second weekend in June was my birthday. Yes, it does irk me that I need to share my birthday month with Husband. I took the day off of work and spent the morning at Elizabeth Arden and then met my co-workers at Bertucci's for lunch. Then, I took a lovely nap before meeting friends at Bailey's. We had some drinks and dinner and then went to see The A-Team which had Bradley Cooper shirtless.
recipes later perhaps, but I made French Toast casserole and chocolate cake. Others brought wine, mimosa ingredients, blueberry muffins, berries, quiche and cheese. So, a true feast. The photo on the left is Little Miss getting ready for the guests. She had to wear her rain boots. The photo on the right is Little Miss halfway through bookclub. It's a lot of work entertaining so many women! I know, she deserves a real pillow, but she likes the firm throw pillows so that's what she uses. Dora fades in and out of her favor, but she is in the rotation. Plus, because we have a lazy kid, she never climbs out of her crib so she's in the crib for a little longer until we can mentally accept the fact that she's a big girl.
This is an old one so it may be short because my memory is a little fuzzy. I'm doing 3 Weekend Updates today.
despite the fact that Little Miss was very jealous of Nephew and didn't want to share any of her toys. She was very good in the bookstore and with meeting new people.
Below is Husband's dad without whom there would be no Husband so obviously I wish him a Happy Father's Day.
Last, but not least, I wish Husband a Happy Father's Day because he's an awesome father. It's not every father who can make his Little Miss make the happy squishy face. I had to specify because Little Miss also has an unhappy squishy face. 
You totally knew these two were going to make Sexy Friday eventually so why not be the Father's Day edition? These two have been in my life for a very long time. I think they were what took up a good 80% of my time as a teenager. I know Kyle Chandler and I go way back. He doesn't know this, but it's true. Chris O'Donnell and I probably didn't make it official until college, but I definitely made up for lost time. Both have have worked on projects that I'd rather not admit to seeing, but what kind of fan would I be if I didn't? Also, both were in season two of Grey's Anatomy which is why it's the only season of the show I own (and I hate owning a solo season of a show - if I'm going to commit to purchasing, I'm buying them all). This weekend is a big weekend for both as Kyle Chandler has 2 girls and Chris O'Donnell has 5 kids. So, on the zero chance either is reading, Happy Father's Day! 
Happy birthday, Husband! I know you're happiest when you're with your girls. Plus, it's a special man who can be secure in himself while carrying a balloon flower. I hope you have a great day!
All of the movies were watched in the last week of May. The first was not really my cup of tea, but as I've mentioned, I watched for Kyle Chandler. Seriously, if Kyle Chandler blows up one more time, I will freak out. I'm tired of it! I saw Sex and the City 2 in the theater with friends. We had a lot of fun. I was never a huge fan of the franchise so I was probably the most unamused by the film, but if you liked the first movie, you'll like this movie. It was cute in parts. If you didn't like the first movie, you won't like this one. The Informant! was a rental, and it wasn't bad. It was kind of quirky and left you wondering. It wasn't perfect, but I did make it to the end. I'm starting fresh with Netflix so hopefully my movie watching will start to increase. I've got one at home that I've been waiting patiently to see.
Last weekend, my office closed early so I met up with friends for Happy Hour at La Sandia and then we went to see Sex and the City 2.
a nap. Then, there was dinner and movie night (though not all made it to the end).
Jennifer Connelly is this week's recipient of Sexy Friday because I've been suffering through The Day the Earth Stood Still all week. Every night, I watch a few minutes of it. I'm actually seeing the movie for the brief moments Kyle Chandler appears. I've liked Jennifer Connelly since The Rocketeer, but I can't say I've seen all of her movies just because they're so heavy with a few exceptions. Man, I'm still traumatized by House of Sand and Fog. (I've actually heard the book was better, but I can't put myself through that - too sad!) So, here's hoping the last 30 minutes of The Day the Earth Stood Still is much better than the first hour plus.
Last Friday, we did the usual dinner and bed. I was very tired, and I had to wake up early with Little Miss on Saturday. On Saturday, I woke up with Little Miss. She asked for Cheerios for breakfast and then decided she didn't want them. She let me know she didn't want them by throwing them all over the table. After discipline and clearing the table, I made myself a ham and egg omelet which Little Miss decided was much better than her Cheerios (which she requested) and ate the entire thing. After Husband woke up and got ready, we all went to Oak Marr. Husband hit golf balls at the driving range while Little Miss and I walked around. Husband let her hit a few balls from the driving range and then taught her how to hit golf balls with her little Minnie Mouse set. She plays golf all the time at home so it was neat for her to see people play real golf. She fell asleep on the way home. We woke her up to go grocery shopping and then she and I took a nap when we got home. There was dinner and bed (though I stayed up a little longer than she did).
mad at her. She was told not to throw her toys and, in defiance, she threw her toy right at my eyebrow. So, now I have a little bruise and a cut above my eyebrow (which totally ruins my plan to wax them this week). She got a big time out in which Husband tossed her in the crib and shut out the lights and shut the door. Then, when we calmed down, we went back in there and made her apologize. As easy as the 2's have been, she's just now embraced her inner princess and really wants things her way. So, she has to learn the lesson we all do, you don't always get your way. Tough cookies.
Wow, just wow. If you are a parent or are going to have children or think you may spawn one day, just take a peek here for the slide show. Fail Blog which, if you've never visited, is hilarious. Case in point is totally inappropriate yet makes me snicker everytime I look at it.
I know I've said I don't like bad boys. It still holds kind of true, but lately, there are some that are kind of sexy. Mark Salling from Glee had me from the moment he started singing "Sweet Caroline". Then, I found the above photo as part of his photo shoot for GQ and thought, "YUM". Also, he's standing next to a plate containing bacon so I'm not sure what interests me more.
If you were friends with me from college on, you must know that I loved Daria. It was hilarious and only slightly reminiscent of my life without the goth best friend. Then, I see this link on a website today. The t-shirt is hilarious. I was bummed that it was sold out, but then I found it. If you haven't watched Daria yet, go put it on your Netflix queue and enjoy!
I usually make a Baked Macaroni and Cheese, but I wanted a good old-fashioned creamy macaroni and cheese recipe. So, last night, I made a new recipe from The Cooking Photographer. Now, you may remember my last disaster based on a recipe from the site, but that was all my error and not the recipe/website. Plus, it was dessert. I'm incapable of making desserts. Regardless, this time was a success! Plus, specialty cheese was on sale this week so I got some great extra-sharp cheddar cheese for not a lot of money. The rest of the items I had in the pantry so it was a relatively inexpensive dinner (and lunch for the next week). Below is the recipe from the website in case you don't want to click the link. Please note that the photo above is NOT of this recipe, but it was a close approximation. My macaroni & cheese, even with bright orange cheese, came out light yellow. Also, I used cavatappi for something different.
What you can't see in the photo is her hands. Her hands are also covered like Clinique Vintage Wine made gloves for toddlers. The bright side is that the mess was only on her hands and face and not all over the apartment.
I just got a text from Brother-in-Law. He was driving Nephew to school and passed a garbage truck. Nephew said, "That garbage truck is much bigger than Auntie April." The thing is that this is not the first time he's done this. He's passed items before and exclaimed how much bigger they are than I am. I responded that I don't think his teachers in grade school will accept Auntie April as a unit of measurement. Also, it's nice to know a garbage truck is bigger than Auntie April. I'd be pretty mad if he said the opposite.
I hate spending a lot of money on things we need. The price of our new mattress hurt a lot last Fall, but it was worth it. I'm sure the other items we need will be worth it as well. Although, once I find the elusive Money Tree, we're hitting the mall. However, I can't quite say I need the first item yet.
I actually don't remember Friday night so I'll assume nothing happened. I believe we watched some sports while we ate dinner and then I went to bed because Saturday is my morning to wake up with Little Miss. That's how my usual exciting Friday nights go.
which is her favorite thing in the world and went to the playground. Little Miss took a 4-hour nap and basically woke, had a light dinner and went right back to bed. So, good Saturday all around.
I'm totally stealing this from Best Week Ever, one of the funniest sites around. I catch up on the site weekly or so. Yesterday, they had this post which contained an excerpt with Ryan Gosling talking about The Giving Tree. I haven't read the original article, but the quote is the following: "That book is so f**ked up; that story’s the worst. I mean, at the end the tree is a stump and the old guy just sitting on him; he’s just used him to death, and you’re supposed to want to be the tree? F**k you. You be the tree. I don’t want to be the tree." I totally agree. I never liked the book though know many who do. I always hated that the tree got totally destroyed. I understand that the tree loved the boy and would do anything for him, but I always felt like the love was one-sided. The boy just kept taking and taking and taking. Anyway, I'll stick with Where the Sidewalk Ends, you can keep The Giving Tree.
Well, last Friday, I wasn't feeling 100%, but I figured it was allergies. On Saturday, Little Miss and I woke up and got up and out as early as we could to travel to Union Station for National Train Day. We missed Taye Diggs, but the Metro was super slow and crowded. However, Little Miss was so good. She walked most of the time while I carried the stroller. She shared a seat with a fellow train lover. Then, when we got there, it was just too crowded to see anything. So, she mostly watched the model trains for awhile, we ate lunch and then we left. Sidenote: Little Miss saw the model trains and pushed her way to the front of the display so she could see. Luckily, the kids she pushed were all bigger so they could see over her, but it's kind of embarrassing to have her just muscle her way through the crowd (yet kind of cool at the same time). Because the Metro trains were still running slow, I figured I'd walk to the Orange Line. Little Miss fell asleep between Union Station and the Capitol so I kept walking. Around the Air & 
Space Museum, she woke up (partly because I walked by a fountain and she got wet) so we we had ice cream. Then, we proceeded to the Smithsonian Metro Stop and rode home. When we got home, she heard that Nephew wanted to play with her so we met Brother-in-Law and Nephew at the playground. Little Miss played hard for an hour. Nephew was very cute with Little Miss. He'd bounce back and forth between annoying Little Miss (who was tired and cranky) and defending her against everyone else in the playground. We often heard him say "that's my baby cousin" if someone got too close to her. Then, we both went home for a much-needed nap. We napped for an hour before Husband came home from golf. Little Miss must have been startled because she cried and sobbed for an hour after he accidently woke her. By Saturday night, I definitely wasn't feeling well. I did stay up to watch half of Saturday Night Live.
On Sunday, I felt lousy. I spent the entire day in bed. I got up to shower around 2:30 and then took an hour nap at which point I did wake up to go to the In-laws' apartment to celebrate Mother's Day. We had a nice dinner with the In-laws, Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law. Then, I went straight back to bed. Monday was a sick day for me, but I've been improving all week except for the runny nose which I fear may never end..JPG)
Two weekends ago, we had a busy weekend. On Friday night, we cleaned and tidied and rearranged our apartment to hold a party for the Kentucky Derby. On Saturday, we cooked and cleaned some more. Our friends and family came over and we ate (seriously, we got cleaned out and I'm not even going to list the amount of food through which we ate). We have a little pot to wager on the horses ($5 for a randomly-selected horse for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for cash and prizes). Then, a few stayed a little longer and we socialized until around midnight. It was a lot of fun! Plus, it was nice to see the place relatively clean for once.
Baltimore where we went to Day Out with Thomas. It was a thousand degrees outside. Little Miss had a blast though. She got to lead her new friend around, got led around by Nephew, and mostly just enjoyed seeing so many trains. Sidenote: See that flower in the above photo? The balloon flower? I waited in line almost an hour for it. Little Miss wanted one so I was like sure, I'll stand in line. The guy was awesome, but he took FOREVER. So, we JUST MADE our trip on Thomas. We were the last ones on the train because I the guy was making her balloon flower while we were supposed to be boarding the train. The flower is now is the pink petals and a nasty green deflated balloon stem. Little Miss still carries it around. I'm thrilled she still loves it. It makes the stress worth it.
When we got home, she also enjoyed a cupcake. See below to see how much she enjoyed that cupcake.
Our next weekend update involves National Train Day and Mother's Day. I'll try to get that out tomorrow before we pass another weekend. Sorry for the delay! It was a slow month. I'm actually surprised I read 3 books. Still, decent books all around. I'm nearing the home stretch with the Dark Hunters/Dream Hunters books which is nice to know after starting them what seems like forever ago. It'll be weird to be all caught up. That's actually ok because I've started a new series (see next month).
It's my annual Friday Night Lights post. First, the fourth season premieres on NBC this Friday. This is the same season that aired on DirecTV last Fall. Second, it is the perfect season to start watching if you haven't started already. Third, if you really think you'll be lost, click here for Everything you need to know about "Friday Night Lights". It's a great primer of Seasons 1-3 as well as answers some general questions. The picture above is literally how Season 3 ended. Oh, and I love Kyle Chandler. I'm a little wary of his rumored next project, but I always follow him everywhere even if I don't stick (yes, I'm talking about The Lyon's Den which had Kyle Chandler and Rob Lowe and I couldn't stick with it).
