A Chip in the Cup

I've been a bit preoccupied and neglected my promise to myself when I started this blog. The truth is that this blog is part of something bigger for me. Yes, it's a fun way to collect little challenges I give myself, but it mostly comes from a deep desire to grow and be a better me. And sometimes, along that road, you can't talk about every step. Today I had what might be categorized as a misstep, but perhaps is more precisely defined as a disappointment. And, try as I might, I haven't quite mastered dealing with disappointment.

I'm sure I'm not alone here. Everyone has felt the pang of not having something go their way -- a painful break-up, not getting an opportunity or outcome you wanted, losing someone you love. Little and big deaths that come with varying ranges of grief. I know I need to pick myself back up and get on track, but, at this very moment, it feels overwhelming.

So I guess the best I can say for myself is that I want to keep growing but may need to take a little time to heal first. I'm a true believer that we become more beautiful through pain and healing, and that some of my greatest blessings have grown out of coming to terms with big losses. So here's to healing, as long as that takes. I'll keep pushing myself to take the time out for a post here and there. Who knows, maybe that will even help.

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on blogging through tough times -- if you've been able to keep it up or not? If it has been helpful or too hard?

Living for the Weekend

Me & the Husband are finishing up a wonderful weekend, heading back to our bed in Brooklyn. I've missed a couple days of blogging for some busy fun-ness. Friday, I won tickets to Shakespeare in the Park and got to see Amy Adams as the baker's wife in Sondheim's Into the Woods. It was funny and sad and wonderful, just as Sondheim should be. Today, I met up with my college friend, Meghan, and met her sweet and lovely mother-in-law. We had brunch at Sarabeth's in TriBeca, and I love a good excuse to hit those old stomping grounds. Next it was on to a Long Island BBQ at Jessica's, a soon-to-be momma who had been a best friend since middle school days. Top it off with making a new friend, and that alone would've been a pretty darn good weekend. But wait, there's more...

Pink on Pink

After a successful challenge last night, I decided to be extra nice to myself while at work today. I popped out to Crumbs for a cupcake break. There were a plethora of flavorful choices, but I went with the option that screamed "Sex and the City" -- Cosmo.

It has been renamed by my cubicle mate to the Little Girl Cupcake. This thing is neon pink and stuffed with pink frosting. Basically, I love it. Happy Tuesday all!

Jeanette & Julia

You remember the part in "Julie and Julia" where Julie burns and then correctly makes beef bourguignon? Well that is not my challenge tonight. Not quite. A couple of months ago, when the husband and I were on our official honeymoon in Paris, I sampled seitan bourguignon. I was desperately hoping, as a vegetarian and former lover of beef bourguignon, that Paris would deliver a delicious, meat-free alternative. Sadly, the version I tried was as bland as meat eaters might expect (no scoffing, please).
See, truth be told, I miss certain meat dishes. But it's not the meat I miss. It's sauces and spices that I crave. Preparations like fried chicken breading and scampi sauce are hard to imagine veggie friendly, even on the beans and soy products that I've come to savor. And, bourguignon, I miss that lovely wine sauce poured over egg noodles.
Hopefully, tonight will end that longing because my favorite recipe blog, Smitten Kitchen, has already conquer Portobello mushroom bourguignon!
So this challenge comes in two parts:
1. Cook for my husband and a guest. May not seem like much, but the husband is the cook in this household and I'm only trying my measuring spoons at it lately because he's been working a lot of late nights.
2. Attempt to take a French classic, reinvented for our vegetarian pallets, and make Julia Child proud...or at least make everyone at the table say yum. Here are some pics from this culinary adventure.

This Weekend...According to my iPhone

There is simply nothing better than being around people with whom you can be completely yourself. The hubster and I spent the weekend in Silver Spring, MD with my best friend and her husband, whose impression of Bain was as funny as his cooking is fantastic. With the added joy of spending time with the sweetest pup, Olive, even a day and a half was well worth the trip. Laughter, great food & a bit of adventuring ensued. Here's what it looked like according to my iPhone.

On the Road

I was hoping to make fill this post with pictures while heading away from Brooklyn toward D.C. to visit my bestie. Unfortunately, the husband got stuck at work until 8:30pm, and we didn't roll out from our curbside parking spot until 9:45. So here is my lil' post. Not too exciting, but I am writing it on my iPhone -- a totally new experience. The good news is that I have my lil' pink camera packed and on the road with me, so there should be a post in the not so distant future with pics of a classy vineyard visit and some type of water fun (will we kayak? Will we tube? Stay tuned)

Until then, here's a picture of my feet. After all, what's an adventurer without her feet?

Sunset in the Garden of Good & Evil

I live in a gorgeous neighborhood in Brooklyn that is filled with gardens of trees, flowers and statuettes. Before I moved back to New York and into this neighborhood, I didn't know that a fairyland like it existed right outside of Manhattan. But it does, and I get to live here. So today's assignment was in two parts.

1. Stop and photograph the roses (as well as other fun finds)
2. Make my very first photo collages in photoshop

I'm currently (slowly) teaching myself photoshop, so please be kind. Here is my very first collage -- a celebration of Carroll Gardens.

I took some other interesting pictures, which I have started as a second collage, but it's proving to be more difficult to compile. So that will be a spot of tea for another night. See you tomorrow when I take on blogging by iPhone on my way to D.C.