Bridal Horrors
I read the Bridal Bargains book my worker lent me last weekend. Basically the book is about how not to get screwed by the bridal industry. It was very informative and very depressing at the same time. The wedding dress stories are especially horrific. Anyone know how to sew out there?
Monday, November 01, 2004
I [heart] Brown Betty
I'm loving my eight cup teapot Adam got me for my birthday. I also got a cool set of teacups/saucers. The teapot was perfect for my tea party this weekend since I could brew a huge pot for everyone. The winner was the Creme Brulee tea I got from Tealuxe thanks to Wheezy's suggestion. I also made some madeleines for the first time. I learned to copiously spray the pan with PAM after my first batch got stuck due to only "normal" amounts of spray. Here's a tip...quickly pry the cookies out of the pan before they cool. On another note, another reason I'm excited about getting married...dishes. Bring on the consumerism. I've sometimes touted anti-consumeristic rhetoric with my, "I don't want matching plates"--it's so dull, "I don't want a couch"--it's too heavy and "maybe we shouldn't register." However I will miss the random conversations about our hodge podge collection of dishes when I can still pretend I'm poor.
Scene: plasticann passes around saucers to tea party guests to use as small plates. CAD Cowboy promptly places his mug on the saucer.
Laurel: [quietly] I think the plate is for your food.
CAD Cowboy: But plate has a circle in it and the mug fits on top.
plasticann: We don't actually have any small plates, but we have a lot of saucers.
CAD Cowboy: What happened to the teacups that go with the saucers?
plasticann: Don't know. Don't have them. Maybe we left them behind when we moved because we never used the cups, but we use the saucers.
I'm loving my eight cup teapot Adam got me for my birthday. I also got a cool set of teacups/saucers. The teapot was perfect for my tea party this weekend since I could brew a huge pot for everyone. The winner was the Creme Brulee tea I got from Tealuxe thanks to Wheezy's suggestion. I also made some madeleines for the first time. I learned to copiously spray the pan with PAM after my first batch got stuck due to only "normal" amounts of spray. Here's a tip...quickly pry the cookies out of the pan before they cool. On another note, another reason I'm excited about getting married...dishes. Bring on the consumerism. I've sometimes touted anti-consumeristic rhetoric with my, "I don't want matching plates"--it's so dull, "I don't want a couch"--it's too heavy and "maybe we shouldn't register." However I will miss the random conversations about our hodge podge collection of dishes when I can still pretend I'm poor.
Scene: plasticann passes around saucers to tea party guests to use as small plates. CAD Cowboy promptly places his mug on the saucer.
Laurel: [quietly] I think the plate is for your food.
CAD Cowboy: But plate has a circle in it and the mug fits on top.
plasticann: We don't actually have any small plates, but we have a lot of saucers.
CAD Cowboy: What happened to the teacups that go with the saucers?
plasticann: Don't know. Don't have them. Maybe we left them behind when we moved because we never used the cups, but we use the saucers.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Come on Red Sox...[clap clap clapclapclap]
Like everyone else, my roommates and I were watched the Red Sox win the World Series last night. We baked up some frozen soft pretzels Nicole brought home and I toggled between baking cookies in the kitchen and running back to the living room to make sure we were still ahead. Whenever I started to not "believe," Nicole and I would bolster my spirits by chanting "Come on Red Sox" followed by a series of syncopated claps while Carin nervously rocked back in forth in her chair proclaiming, "I'm going to be pissed if they don't win...it's way past my bedtime." Katie justified nodding off during the game claiming she would wake up if something good happened since we'd be clapping and she could watch the instant replay. Finally, Carin kept telling us to pray that there would be no violence.
Like everyone else, my roommates and I were watched the Red Sox win the World Series last night. We baked up some frozen soft pretzels Nicole brought home and I toggled between baking cookies in the kitchen and running back to the living room to make sure we were still ahead. Whenever I started to not "believe," Nicole and I would bolster my spirits by chanting "Come on Red Sox" followed by a series of syncopated claps while Carin nervously rocked back in forth in her chair proclaiming, "I'm going to be pissed if they don't win...it's way past my bedtime." Katie justified nodding off during the game claiming she would wake up if something good happened since we'd be clapping and she could watch the instant replay. Finally, Carin kept telling us to pray that there would be no violence.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Frozen Sandwiches
I'm trying out this new thing where I make a bunch of sandwiches and freeze them for later. So far so good. I made four herbed goat cheese and salami sandwiches on crusty bread last night and I have two stashed in my freezer. I lightly toasted a sandwich for lunch and it was quite tasty.
I'm trying out this new thing where I make a bunch of sandwiches and freeze them for later. So far so good. I made four herbed goat cheese and salami sandwiches on crusty bread last night and I have two stashed in my freezer. I lightly toasted a sandwich for lunch and it was quite tasty.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Free Sausage
You can thank Steve for this tasty tidbit. Free Sausages from The Sausage Guy at Fenway tomorrow from 3-6pm. For personal safety reasons, I would suggest quickly stopping in for your free food and brown bagging it for the T ride home.
You can thank Steve for this tasty tidbit. Free Sausages from The Sausage Guy at Fenway tomorrow from 3-6pm. For personal safety reasons, I would suggest quickly stopping in for your free food and brown bagging it for the T ride home.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Kookiness
Following a conversation between plasticann and Adam about plasticann's nontraditional ideas for the wedding, plasticmom enthusiastically offered the following genius ideas.
plasticmom: I know, you should get married on the Boston Tea Party ship and take pictures of people throwing the tea overboard.
plasticann: That is a pretty good idea.
plasticmom: ...or you could get married on the red line. By the time the ceremony is over, you'll be at the reception site.
plasticann: ...and maybe the pastor could give a sermon over the PA system on the T. I think Adam wants a traditional wedding. I'm not sure how he feels about the subway.
plasticmom: Well if you want "traditional," how about a horse and buggy.
Following a conversation between plasticann and Adam about plasticann's nontraditional ideas for the wedding, plasticmom enthusiastically offered the following genius ideas.
plasticmom: I know, you should get married on the Boston Tea Party ship and take pictures of people throwing the tea overboard.
plasticann: That is a pretty good idea.
plasticmom: ...or you could get married on the red line. By the time the ceremony is over, you'll be at the reception site.
plasticann: ...and maybe the pastor could give a sermon over the PA system on the T. I think Adam wants a traditional wedding. I'm not sure how he feels about the subway.
plasticmom: Well if you want "traditional," how about a horse and buggy.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Little Teton
plasticmom and Adam are on polar opposite ends of the backpack spectrum. Adam, ever parsimonious, carried the same backpack for nearly 14 years and has only recently moved on. On the otherhand, plasticmom is always searching for the perfect backpack and may one day open a museum devoted to her collection. When plasticmom eyed Adam's 2002 Little Teton last week in la la land, plasticann shamelessly encouraged plasticmom's backpack habit by promptly purchasing plasticmom her own Little Teton along with a pretty pink Nalgene. Unfortunately, plasticann is now a bit envious because plasticmom's newer 2004 Little Teton is way cooler than plasticann's 2003 Little Teton. However, plasticann has made a mature decision to not upgrade her own backpack and patiently wait for plasticmom to tire of her bag before swiping it.
plasticmom and Adam are on polar opposite ends of the backpack spectrum. Adam, ever parsimonious, carried the same backpack for nearly 14 years and has only recently moved on. On the otherhand, plasticmom is always searching for the perfect backpack and may one day open a museum devoted to her collection. When plasticmom eyed Adam's 2002 Little Teton last week in la la land, plasticann shamelessly encouraged plasticmom's backpack habit by promptly purchasing plasticmom her own Little Teton along with a pretty pink Nalgene. Unfortunately, plasticann is now a bit envious because plasticmom's newer 2004 Little Teton is way cooler than plasticann's 2003 Little Teton. However, plasticann has made a mature decision to not upgrade her own backpack and patiently wait for plasticmom to tire of her bag before swiping it.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Pastries
We're back from the "la la land," where the sun was shining and the weather was warm. We brought back some Chinese engagement pastries plasticmom ordered. Traditionally the groom brings a litany of gifts to the bride's family for the engagement, including pastries for the bride to give to friends and family as a way to announce the engagement. Keeping with the spirit of the tradition...namely the eating of pastries, plasticmom ordered a batch of engagement pastries which are essentially huge cookies with filling packaged in a red gift box. Fillings range from red bean [like a freakin' huge moon cake], eggs, sweet pork, etc. However, plasticmom went with a winning combination of sesame paste and raisins. We've been snacking on them all week and my office gobbled up their pastry this morning. The sesame paste filling is crumbly almost like peanut butter and is not too sweet.
While I was home in LA, I also heard a "back in the day" recount of traditional wedding practices..."When I got engaged, he brought a whole pig, twelve live chickens, six fish, a necklace, a ring, a bracelet, canned goods and pastries." I do love my engagement ring, but where's my whole pig?
We're back from the "la la land," where the sun was shining and the weather was warm. We brought back some Chinese engagement pastries plasticmom ordered. Traditionally the groom brings a litany of gifts to the bride's family for the engagement, including pastries for the bride to give to friends and family as a way to announce the engagement. Keeping with the spirit of the tradition...namely the eating of pastries, plasticmom ordered a batch of engagement pastries which are essentially huge cookies with filling packaged in a red gift box. Fillings range from red bean [like a freakin' huge moon cake], eggs, sweet pork, etc. However, plasticmom went with a winning combination of sesame paste and raisins. We've been snacking on them all week and my office gobbled up their pastry this morning. The sesame paste filling is crumbly almost like peanut butter and is not too sweet.
While I was home in LA, I also heard a "back in the day" recount of traditional wedding practices..."When I got engaged, he brought a whole pig, twelve live chickens, six fish, a necklace, a ring, a bracelet, canned goods and pastries." I do love my engagement ring, but where's my whole pig?
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Birthday Surprises
For my birthday surprise, Adam blindfolded me with a [clean] t-shirt and led me around Porter Exchange and into a waiting car. Apparently, bystanders do not rescue blindfolded individuals if they do not appear to be struggling. Unfortunately, my eyes were dilated when I walked into a room blurry looking people shouting "surprise." I was shocked to see all these friends in a room surrounded by lots of tasty food. Some culinary highlights included a sushi platter, refreshing Cape Code cranberry soda and Laurel's super tall sensational birthday cake creation...chocolate cake filled with mousse and strawberries topped with chocolate ganache. I also got to judge the a very fun "birthday card making contest." I tried not to play favorites, but Dave blew the competition away with his wooden birthday card complete with brass hinges. Laurel took second place with her clever use of acrylic and foam letters. Lastly, my roommate Nicole got third place for her intricately detailed Shrinky Dink craftsmanship. All winners were awarded gift cards to local coffee joints. Interestingly, the Starbucks card was last to be claimed. All in all...an excellent birthday.
For my birthday surprise, Adam blindfolded me with a [clean] t-shirt and led me around Porter Exchange and into a waiting car. Apparently, bystanders do not rescue blindfolded individuals if they do not appear to be struggling. Unfortunately, my eyes were dilated when I walked into a room blurry looking people shouting "surprise." I was shocked to see all these friends in a room surrounded by lots of tasty food. Some culinary highlights included a sushi platter, refreshing Cape Code cranberry soda and Laurel's super tall sensational birthday cake creation...chocolate cake filled with mousse and strawberries topped with chocolate ganache. I also got to judge the a very fun "birthday card making contest." I tried not to play favorites, but Dave blew the competition away with his wooden birthday card complete with brass hinges. Laurel took second place with her clever use of acrylic and foam letters. Lastly, my roommate Nicole got third place for her intricately detailed Shrinky Dink craftsmanship. All winners were awarded gift cards to local coffee joints. Interestingly, the Starbucks card was last to be claimed. All in all...an excellent birthday.
Since Adam didn't want a watch [or a sombrero for that matter] as an "engagement present," I was all out of ideas. I went for "kooky" and had our kid [age 3] pictures pop-arted. They're going to be printed on 16 inch canvas squares. A special shout out to MGDub and Lindsey for showing me how to post pictures on my blog.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Got Engaged!
plasticann enjoyed tuna tartare, sirloin steak and a warm chocolate cake at Mistral. Adam celebrated with the foie gras in brioche, beef tenderloin and the poached pear dessert. Upon seeing Adam at the public garden on her way to meet Laurel, plasticann exclaimed, "aren't you supposed to be doing your laundry and where's Laurel?" Adam got plasticann an awesome sparkly ring, which she loves. plasticmom responded "yes yes OK," when Adam asked for her blessing. Lastly, after plasticann asked Steve to be the ring bearer [in jest], Steve looked up the definition for ring bearer which is "small child or dog." It is highly unlikely Steve will agree to bear the rings.
plasticann enjoyed tuna tartare, sirloin steak and a warm chocolate cake at Mistral. Adam celebrated with the foie gras in brioche, beef tenderloin and the poached pear dessert. Upon seeing Adam at the public garden on her way to meet Laurel, plasticann exclaimed, "aren't you supposed to be doing your laundry and where's Laurel?" Adam got plasticann an awesome sparkly ring, which she loves. plasticmom responded "yes yes OK," when Adam asked for her blessing. Lastly, after plasticann asked Steve to be the ring bearer [in jest], Steve looked up the definition for ring bearer which is "small child or dog." It is highly unlikely Steve will agree to bear the rings.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Quotables
Adam: I have no money...I spent it all on calzones.
Wheezy: I'm writing my paper on Sunset Blvd. I must say, two of my paragraphs are just really "top notch." I've got some pretty awesome sentences and word combinations. [index fingers pointing and a "chh chh" sound]
MGDub: My brother is thirty................[pause]..............do you want to marry him? You could be my sister.
Adam: I have no money...I spent it all on calzones.
Wheezy: I'm writing my paper on Sunset Blvd. I must say, two of my paragraphs are just really "top notch." I've got some pretty awesome sentences and word combinations. [index fingers pointing and a "chh chh" sound]
MGDub: My brother is thirty................[pause]..............do you want to marry him? You could be my sister.
Friday, October 01, 2004
plasticnanny
"I have a new job," announced plasticmom the other night, "I'm going to be a nanny." Her friend has a family emergency and needs someone to stay with her daughter for a week. Although plasticmom has been out of the daily "child-rearing" business for eight years, but she does have a degree in "child development" and I continue to be her "guinea pig." If called upon to be plasticmom's reference, I'd speak highly of the high quality lunches she packs and her highly creative solutions to school projects.
"I have a new job," announced plasticmom the other night, "I'm going to be a nanny." Her friend has a family emergency and needs someone to stay with her daughter for a week. Although plasticmom has been out of the daily "child-rearing" business for eight years, but she does have a degree in "child development" and I continue to be her "guinea pig." If called upon to be plasticmom's reference, I'd speak highly of the high quality lunches she packs and her highly creative solutions to school projects.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Flowers...yipee yeah yeah!
Zeah walked into my office with another long box this morning:
Zeah: Adam must be in a lot of trouble.
plasticann: He's not in trouble at all. I don't know what's going on.
Zeah: Adam must think he's in a lot of trouble.
plasticann: I don't think so.
My current collection of blooms courtesy of Adam include:
Snapdragons
"Cream" Roses
Yellow Roses
Note: Adam is NOT in trouble.
Zeah walked into my office with another long box this morning:
Zeah: Adam must be in a lot of trouble.
plasticann: He's not in trouble at all. I don't know what's going on.
Zeah: Adam must think he's in a lot of trouble.
plasticann: I don't think so.
My current collection of blooms courtesy of Adam include:
Snapdragons
"Cream" Roses
Yellow Roses
Note: Adam is NOT in trouble.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Real Food
I was still munching on my fries and slurping my orange drink when MGDub and I arrived for our meeting at Zlare's house. The following is a reconstructed conversation regarding my Happy Meal.
Zlare: Welcome, I'm glad you guys made it. Do you want anything to eat?
MGDub: I'll take some water, but I'm all set.
plasticann: I got chicken mcnuggets with my Happy Meal.
Zlare: Do you want an apple or some water?
plasticann: Nope, I've got my orange drink.
Zlare: Don't you want any "real" food?
plasticann: But this is real food.
I did end up eating an apple after Zlare cut it up in cool spirals.
I was still munching on my fries and slurping my orange drink when MGDub and I arrived for our meeting at Zlare's house. The following is a reconstructed conversation regarding my Happy Meal.
Zlare: Welcome, I'm glad you guys made it. Do you want anything to eat?
MGDub: I'll take some water, but I'm all set.
plasticann: I got chicken mcnuggets with my Happy Meal.
Zlare: Do you want an apple or some water?
plasticann: Nope, I've got my orange drink.
Zlare: Don't you want any "real" food?
plasticann: But this is real food.
I did end up eating an apple after Zlare cut it up in cool spirals.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Startac RIP
As my friends (MGDub & Steve) have defected from their Startacs in recent months, I've been getting a lot of flack for my "retro old school ancient" Startac. I argued, I love my Startac and it has a great "true" ring that isn't annoying. On Sunday, I spilled water on my phone when I absentmindedly placed an open water bottle in my bag. Even more embarrassing was my inability to function without the phone. MGDub laughed at me because I had to call her to get Adam's number. Last night I trekked over to the mall and picked up a new phone. I was resigned to rebuild my phonebook, but my Startac's screen magically turned back on yesterday, which enabled Verizon to transfer my phonebook over to the new phone.
As my friends (MGDub & Steve) have defected from their Startacs in recent months, I've been getting a lot of flack for my "retro old school ancient" Startac. I argued, I love my Startac and it has a great "true" ring that isn't annoying. On Sunday, I spilled water on my phone when I absentmindedly placed an open water bottle in my bag. Even more embarrassing was my inability to function without the phone. MGDub laughed at me because I had to call her to get Adam's number. Last night I trekked over to the mall and picked up a new phone. I was resigned to rebuild my phonebook, but my Startac's screen magically turned back on yesterday, which enabled Verizon to transfer my phonebook over to the new phone.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Winner
On our way out after playing two games of Settlers of Catan with our friends Zerry and Zawrence...
plasticann: Honey, I'm sorry you didn't win tonight.
Adam: But I did win.
plasticann: That's right...you won the first game.
Adam: Actually I won both games tonight.
plasticann: Are you sure?
On our way out after playing two games of Settlers of Catan with our friends Zerry and Zawrence...
plasticann: Honey, I'm sorry you didn't win tonight.
Adam: But I did win.
plasticann: That's right...you won the first game.
Adam: Actually I won both games tonight.
plasticann: Are you sure?
Friday, September 24, 2004
Too Much Information
Yesterday
Friend: Can I borrow your paper?
plasticann: Sure, what section.
Friend: [rifling through all of plasticann's favorite sections] I'm taking Personal Journal.
plasticann: [thinking friend needs paper to wrap something] Wait, what if I haven't read it. Why don't you take Marketplace.
Friend: [walks away with Personal Journal]
plasticann: Bring that by later, I might want to read it.
Friend: I'm going to the bathroom.
plasticann: Please don't bring it back.
Today
Friend walks by with paper in hand and plasticann thinks to herself...too much information.
Yesterday
Friend: Can I borrow your paper?
plasticann: Sure, what section.
Friend: [rifling through all of plasticann's favorite sections] I'm taking Personal Journal.
plasticann: [thinking friend needs paper to wrap something] Wait, what if I haven't read it. Why don't you take Marketplace.
Friend: [walks away with Personal Journal]
plasticann: Bring that by later, I might want to read it.
Friend: I'm going to the bathroom.
plasticann: Please don't bring it back.
Today
Friend walks by with paper in hand and plasticann thinks to herself...too much information.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
If you're hungry and you know it clap your hands...
Here's an awesome, but hugely aspirational list of 54 dishes to try in Boston.
Here's an awesome, but hugely aspirational list of 54 dishes to try in Boston.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Dust Sample
To properly illustrate her recent dusty experience with construction at work, plasticmom sent me a grimey dust sample sealed between pieces of clear packing tape. Other than disgustingly black and gritty, I unable to describe the sample. I can't decide whether I'm repulsed or amused...right now I'm leaning toward the latter.
To properly illustrate her recent dusty experience with construction at work, plasticmom sent me a grimey dust sample sealed between pieces of clear packing tape. Other than disgustingly black and gritty, I unable to describe the sample. I can't decide whether I'm repulsed or amused...right now I'm leaning toward the latter.
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