karen's happy list

Rad x 3! I got my third happy list from the one and only Karen, representin' the 252 (Greenville, NC)! And Little Miss KarKar couldn't stop at 10. I love it! I told her that when I read it, I was nodding my head and saying "uh-huh" because it all seemed so, well so Karen! I guess I know her well :)

1. cards, both giving and receiving
2. boys that wear boat shoes, tailored shorts, and polo t-shirts
3. fancy grocery stores (what up Whole Foods!)
4. the mountains and mountain cabins
5. Starbucks red cups
6. curling up in a comfy chair at a non-generic coffee shop with a great friend and a long conversation or a good book/ magazine
7. tea, soup, and rainy days
8. exploring new places or new neighborhoods
9. everything about my incredible Seattle friends and traditional trips
10. college football game day (especially in Husky Stadium)
11. sorority recruitment (if you remember, she's now working with Greek life at East Carolina University)
12. class...and research...amazingly enough I really miss class
13. snow!
14. the fair (Do the Puyallup)
15. summer camp
16. home... (Home misses you too, KarKar!)

P.S. Karen got an extra picture in the post because I couldn't decide on just one. The first one is so darn cute and the second one screams Karen because she's the biggest Husky fan I know (well, maybe tied with Straube). In college, I would try my best to sit by her so she can give me the 411 on all the players and weird calls. If only I had a nickel for every time I asked her, "What just happened?!"...

autumn's happy list

Autumn sent me her happy list, which in turn made me happy. And guess what I'm going to try soon? #2. And maybe the last show on #10. (P.S. I sooo already a Gleek.)

A little mathematical formula about Autumn: Autumn + RyRy + boat of any kind = Bliss. I can't wait to visit them in the South Pacific when they sail around the world. Wouldn't you love to sail around the world?

But, I digress. Autumn's happy list:

1. Anything that has to do with NannyFamilyBoy. I may sneak over to his home and actually steal him someday. Even when he was crazy I still “wuved” him, actually I think I like him so much because he is a little odd.
2. Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate (with non-fat milk, only 2 pumps of chocolate and extra salt). I am that annoying coffee order girl, sorry, but it’s just so good that way!
3. Polaroids.
4. Making lists and crossing things off of them! So gratifying.
5. Mountains. Driving through them on the way East, watching the Olympics come out on a gorgeous day, fly-fishing in them, ogling Mt. Rainier on my commute on 99, they are so peaceful and remind me of home.
6. This song. And banjoes.
7. Leavenworth. I just can’t get enough of the town. Probably because it is beautiful in the fall, winter, spring and summer and has brought joy to my life from when I was little (annual ice cream cone stop after a week at Camp Fire Camp) to now (Tom 2K6-9). (Erika’s note: Speaking of Leavenworth, did you hear that the nutcracker lady was Conan’s first guest?)
8. Sailing and boats. Everyone is invited to the South Pacific with Ry Ry and I someday.
9. I have officially jumped on the legging train. So comfy. So cozy.
10. My not-so-secret-anymore addiction to TV shows. If you are not watching Community you should be. Same with Glee, Deadwood, Dexter, HIMYM, Mad Men and don’t even get me started on VMars.

maddie's happy list

Maddie made me happy by sharing her happy list with me (since I requested it here and others should also share). I really like it! Number 5 made me especially excited for Sunriver this year! And #7 made me hungry. I guess leftover candy corn will have to satisfy the sweet tooth for now.

But overall, these lists always make me smile. Enjoy!

1. Singing in the car. Do you think that if we put all of the world's leaders together in a big suburban and turned a little Rhianna on that all the problems might get solved? I do. Did I just start a political movement?
2. Friends who will kill your spiders for you. On multiple occasions, too. (Erika's note: This bad ass she's referring to may or may not be yours truly.)
3. Succulents in tiny pots. I just want to pinch them!
4. Surprisingly warm and sunny fall days.
5. Memories of suits and boots - a yearly wintertime, snowy hot tub excursion.
6. Holding baby animals. Pass the kittens, please.
7. Our quest for the perfect cinnamon roll with my soul sister (which reminds me, we need to do this again soon). (Erika's note: Full story to come.)
8. The feeling after finishing a fantastic run.
9. Visiting my favorite hair guru, Steven Barrett.
10. Hamachi nigiri. With a little wasabi. My favorite.

TGIF

Happy Friday, all! Can you believe it's already November? I'm still adjusting. I'm not sure how 2010 is flying by so quickly!

So I realized that I never posted pictures from Halloween! My apologies. So for your Friday entertainment, below are some pictures and a couple links that have caught my eye around the web lately.

This is making headlines, but I LOVE how this mom sticks up for her son.

Cute baby in costume alert.

That's all. TGIF!

Peg and Al Bundy. (Look at the similarity!)

It's like opposites attract. Crass Peg and Polite Ballerina.

Medusa, Ballerina, God's Gift to Men (recognize it? it's my costume from last year!) and Peg.

happy

another little list of things that make me happy. (Previous lists here, here and here.)

1. You. I'd be lying if I said I didn't care if people read my blog. Yes, it's cathartic at times and a nice, little creative outlet, but I also do it to entertain all of you on your lunch breaks or 4pm lulls at work.
2. Funny first date stories. (You know who you are. Keep it comin'.)
3. White truffle mac and cheese at 9 million in unmarked bills. It will blow. your. MIND. And I'm having it tonight!
4. My nephew who is turning 8 years old in a few days!
5. My sister. She has one of the most positive outlooks on life these days and it's contagious.
6. The Canlis menu hunt. And the adventures it creates. (Not familiar with the hunt? Go here.)
7. When the upcoming winter season is predicted to have record snowfall. Here I come, hot cocoa and curling up in blankets.
8. Letterpress paper goods.
9. Big scarves. (like above and it also relates to #7)
10. When YOU send me happy lists. Will you please email me your happy list so I can post it? Pretty please with a cherry on top? Or you can leave some things that make you happy in the comment section. I'll take either.

pic/via

Dad meet Buckhunter. Buckhunter meet Dad.

Last Friday, my Dad and I went on a date. For Christmas 2008, I gave him an "experience gift" which meant that I would take him to dinner and a Jazz Alley show. He really likes jazz. It's taken a looong time to get this on the calendar, but we finally found a date. So we did dinner at a Brewery, then headed to Jazz Alley to enjoy the music of the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas. Great voice, but she also was a hoot. I like it when performers bring a little sass to their act.

After the concert, we decided to get a drink somewhere. It didn't take long to decide that we'd head to my local watering hole, 4bs, to have a beer and play one of my fave games - Buck Hunter! Some of you may know, but my Dad is an AVID sportsman. We're talking hunting, fishing, crabbing, you name it. He'll score. (Evidence of his skill here. Isn't that fish GIANT?) But anyway, we went on three safari treks and I'm proud to announce that I kicked his butt!

Now I think my Dad is in negotiations with my mother about purchasing his very own Buck Hunter for his new and improved shop. Or should I call it man cave? I'd support this as long as the man cave allows lady hunters!

pic/via

Road Trip: Polaroid Edition

Remember all the obsessive posts about our road trip? Well, now you can see (part of) the trip through the lens of a Polaroid camera.

Someone I know has a scanner and has so graciously offered (or was politely asked while I was fluttering my eyelashes) to scan all of my Polaroids. He finished a set, but there are still more to come in future posts. Not all road trip, but all of my Polaroid fun!

But for now, enjoy a few from Road Trip 2k10. Oh, how I wish I had a time machine right now.

The last one is from the rad cabin we stayed at.