Back to the daily grind

I fell in love with this commercial when I first saw it. Wouldn't work and just general adulthood be so much more exciting if it were actually like this?

Hello, we're back.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach

Vacation was simply amazing. I wish I could click my heels and be back on the road with my fella. But alas, the real world calls and there is work to be done. However, this whole 3 day weekend is a welcomed way to come back.

Hope you're enjoying a FABULOUS weekend. Get excited for a full vacation post soon!

TGIV

Thank God its Vacation!

We're hittin' the open road at 7am tomorrow morning. First stop: Visit Lizzie in Redding, Ca. Yay! It was her birthday a few days ago, so we'll even be able to celebrate that.

We're fully prepared for long hours on the road - The iPod is loaded with music, audio books and comedian's stand-up. I'm most excited for the audio book Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (I remember it being hysterical when I read it 10 years ago), tons of stand-up of Jim Gaffigan, and the USA Top 40 playlist that Joe just downloaded for me. Oh, and the Glee soundtrack that he also downloaded. (For me? Probably. But I like to pretend he's a closet Gleek and actually rocks out to Don't Stop Believin' all the time.)

I'll miss you dearly, but I'll be back and probably with purple-stained teeth. Ciao!

pic via

What time is it? Dubs time.

Dubs, the husky mascot, leads a good life. Look how much he's grown!

This commercial promoting Husky football is a little bittersweet. Bitter because it means summer is almost over, but sweet because the huskies are going to dominate this year. That's right, you heard me.

(I talk a big game. I actually only go to one football game a year, but it's kind of fun to have school pride, right?)

Road Trip: Wineries

My road trip previews have fallen by the wayside, but I had to squeeze at least one more out. Because it's a biggie.

Wine tasting in Sonoma Valley.
Yum.
I'm going to have a perma-purple mouth.
But it's worth every sip.

Since I have one Sonoma wine tasting experience under my belt, there are a couple places I know I'd like to return to.

First, Peterson Winery. Not only is it the coolest name ever, their zinfandel rocks my world.

Second, Ledson Winery. Mostly because it's just a really, really awesome castle. My mom, grandma and I made sure to get our picture in front of it.

I'd also like to go back to Ferrari-Carano because they had beautiful gardens to just wander through. That's where we took this little gem.

Maybe we'll schmooze with a winemaker and get invited to do some barrel tasting? Here's to wishful thinking.

[all pictures courtesy of my dad]

Countdown

It's crazy at work, so all I can think about is getting past this week and beyond.

According to the countdowns on my iGoogle page, I have:
4 days until vacation!
42 days until my birthday (Speaking of birthdays, it's my Dad's today - Happy Birthday, Dad!)
91 days until the cute fella and my 1 year anniversary
123 days until Christmas

I know I should be "living in the now", but I can't help but think about all that is to come. Especially when I wish the havoc that is "now" was Saturday, so I can drive down to the great state of California.

I can't wait.

Egg-in-a-hole

Per Stephanie's suggestion again, I tried another recipe in Martha's crackbook, I mean, cookbook (her recipes are addicting). The egg-in-a-hole. Funny concept, huh? But easy as pie.

Let me tell you, cracking an egg was never so fun! And the way the egg slightly soaks into the bread and then when the yolk breaks and the bread absorbs it...yum. Basically, it's delicious.

I'd recommend it on one of those lazy Sunday afternoons when you don't feel like leaving the house, looking like you just woke up, just to get that final ingredient for breakfast. The ingredients in this recipe are staples that most of us probably have on hand. (However, I admit, I sometimes don't have bread or at least not bread that I would eat due to a bluish hue. What can I say? It's hard to get through an entire loaf living alone!)

Egg-in-a-hole

Ingredients
2 whole wheat slices of bread
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 large eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
A dash of shredded cheddar (optional)

Directions
Cut a 2-inch circle from the center of each bread slice; discard circles or keep them to toast in the pan as well. Warm olive oil in pan, and heat over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Lay bread slices in skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low until bread is slightly toasted. (Note: Not too toasted because they'll continue to toast when you put in the eggs.)

Crack an egg into the hole of each slice of bread, and sprinkle each with salt and pepper. Cook until bottom of eggs are set and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip; cook 2 minutes more for soft-cooked eggs, or 3 minutes more for slightly firmer.

Sprinkle with a dash of cheddar cheese and enjoy.

picture from fancier recipe, but still the same concept