Tag... you're it!

I love fun surprises!  On Monday, Erin { a sweet friend and fabulous old roommate who's currently living the sunny life in California } tagged me in a quiz post she wrote.  As a relative newcomer to the blog world, I've never done one of these sorts of things.  And apparently rules apply.  { Emily Post, honey.  Get with it.  I need a guidebook to this Internet etiquette thing. }

So, without further ado { and no, it's not "adieu"... that's French for "goodbye" }, let the randomness commence!

If there was an extra hour in your day, what would you spend it doing?
OK.  I'm only on question number one and this is already hard.  I can't make up my mind, so we'll go with what I'd do today.  If I had an extra hour right this very moment, I'd probably use it to bake something.  I was on the road almost every week in October, so I haven't had time lately to play with all of the fun fall recipes I want to try!

What movie have you watched the most?

If I'm honest, this one is unbelievably strange and embarrassing to admit.  Growing up in our house, we watched Mrs. Doubtfire about a hundred thousand times.  No, seriously.  We wore out the VHS tape.  And we still quote it.  { "Virginia!  Get back in your cell.  Don't make me get the fire hose!" }  I guess it's kind of like the play count on my iPod.  I haven't seen the movie in forever, but I've watched it so much in the past it's still on top.

Which is worse? Being in a place that is too loud or too quiet?
If I had to choose, I'd rather have somewhere that's too quiet than somewhere that's too loud.  I'm like a kid with shiny objects when it comes to being easily distracted.  The more I try to block something out, the more I can't seem to stop thinking about it.

Are you generally an optimist, a pessimist or a realist?
If you know me, then you already know the answer to this question. : ) Optimist.  All the way.  Here's my train of thought: everything is going to be okay because, well, I don't like the alternative!

Who is your favorite celebrity crush?
Gleek alert.  Mr. Schuester, aka Matthew Morrison.  He's just so stinkin' cute!  { But not as cute as my husband, of course. } That, and I secretly wish my life spontaneously broke out into song.

What is the top thing to do on your bucket list?
I actually have a Bucket List I've been working on for a while now.  For here, I'll go with one of no particular stature in the list, other than that I think it might be kind of unique and I'm going to need some help making it happen.  I would love to be an Imagineer at Disney for a day or a week or really just like an hour.  And I'm dying to go underground at The Magic Kingdom.  I figure I can combine the two somehow.  Does anyone know an Imagineer that might be willing to let me tag along for a day?  I'll gladly return the favor if they like Chick-fil-A! : )

Would you rather be a great photographer, dancer or singer?
When I was four, I got the greatest Christmas present ever.  { Or maybe it was a birthday present.  It's hard to keep them straight when your birthday is actually on Christmas Day.  Anyway, I digress. }  Behold, the STAR STAGE.  We're talking a working microphone, voice synthesizer, and the all-important flashing stage lights.  I played with this thing until I'd Steven-Tylered it across my fireplace "stage" one too many times and the mic would no longer attach to the base.  The living room was my arena and I thought I was Gem with the Holograms singing backup.  Suffice it to say, I wish I could sing.  I mean really sing.  I did musical theater in high school, I sing in the ensemble at church now... but I've always sort of been the backup girl. : )

Now for the fun part.  To the five friends below, now it's your turn.  Let me know if you find Emily Post or her Internet Guide to Etiquette. : )

• Katie at Gamble's Rambles
• Ashley at Healthy, Happier Bear
• Amy at All is Wells
• Courtney at Daily Tales of Sugar & Spice
• Janelle at The Sweet & Interesting Moments

And here are your questions...

• What's the last book that you read?  Was it any good?
• If you could tell your sixteen-year-old self anything, what would it be?
• What is your biggest pet peeve?
• If you were a Muppet, who would you be?
• When you were young, what did you want to be when you "grew up"? { And of course we know we're not grown up yet, are we ladies? }

3... 2... 1... go!

For the love. Vote!

I love Seth Godin's blog.  He's short, to the point, and always makes me think.  { Instead of some blogs I read where they just make me want to buy new shoes.  Or throw big dinner parties.  Or redecorate my house to throw big dinner parties while wearing new shoes.  Seth, at least, doesn't end up costing me money. }

His post this morning was quite appropriate and much along the lines of one that I had started.  You see, I'm originally from Florida { the land of the hanging chads! }, so I know votes count.  And then sometimes they recount.

But, I'm abandoning my little post in favor of his.  Seth said exactly what I wanted to, only more eloqently.  Maybe that's why he's the one that's sold hundreds of thousands of books!

Voting, Misunderstood

This year, fewer than 40% of voting age Americans will actually vote.

A serious glitch in self-marketing, I think.

If you don't vote because you're trying to teach politicians a lesson, you're tragically misguided in your strategy. The very politicians you're trying to send a message to don't want you to vote. Since 1960, voting turnouts in mid-term elections are down significantly, and there's one reason: because of TV advertising.

Political TV advertising is designed to do only one thing: suppress the turnout of the opponent's supporters. If the TV ads can turn you off enough not to vote ("they're all bums") then their strategy has succeeded.

The astonishing thing is that voters haven't figured this out. As the scumminess and nastiness of campaigning and governing has escalated and the flakiness of candidates appears to have escalated as well, we've largely abdicated the high ground and permitted selfish partisans on both sides to hijack the system.

Voting is free. It's fairly fast. It doesn't make you responsible for the outcome, but it sure has an impact on what we have to live with going forward. The only thing that would make it better is free snacks.

Even if you're disgusted, vote. Vote for your least unfavorite choice. But go vote.

Here's to our "least unfavorite" candidates!

Dancing in the Minefields

Two years ago tomorrow, it was a Friday.  A quiet boy with a sweet smile in our IT department came up to my office to ask me on a date.  He asked for Saturday night, but I already had plans. Then he asked for Sunday, but I was busy then as well.  So he said, "How about tonight?" and we went out for parmesan chicken pizza on Halloween.

Then, a year ago today, he knelt to one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I said yes, and we were married May.

Today, we're dancing in the minefields and I couldn't be happier.

Well, "I do" are the two most famous last words,

the beginning of the end.

But to lose your life for another I’ve heard

is a good place to begin.

'Cause the only way to find your life

is to lay your own life down.

And I believe it’s an easy price

for the life that we have found.

And we’re dancing in the minefields;

we’re sailing in the storm.

This is harder than we dreamed

but I believe that’s what the Promise is for.

So when I lose my way... find me.

When I lose love’s chains... bind me.

At the end of all my faith to the end of all my days,

when I forget my name... remind me.

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man,

so there’s nothing left to fear.

I’ll walk with you in the shadow lands

'till the shadows disappear.

'Cause He promised not to leave us

and His promises are true.

So in the face of this chaos, baby,

I can dance with you.

Let’s go dancing in the minefields…

"Dancing in the Minefields" by Andrew Peterson

{ Fair warning.  Have Kleenex handy. }

There's a first time for everything.

Not gonna lie, I love me a cheeseburger.  Usually of the turkey variety, but occasionally beef. { Don't tell the Chick-fil-A cows. }

Earlier this month on my trip to the Pacific northwest, I had the opportunity to eat at Burgerville.   It's a pretty unique concept.  Their motto is simple { Fresh.  Local.  Sustainable. } and their menu is stellar.

With choices like their classic Tillamook Cheeseburger, the Echo Mountain Blue Burger, a Wild Smoked Salmon & Hazelnut Salad, and a Rosemary Chicken Sandwich... I had a hard time making up my mind.  Sweet Potato Fries were a no-brainer, but the entree selection was more difficult.  Beef?  Turkey?  Chicken?  Veggie?  { Wait.  I'm sorry.  Veggie?!? }

Now, I am not a veggie burger eater.  They look so processed and I've always thought it was something I wouldn't like.  Up there with things like sweetbread and escargot.  But then again I didn't think I'd like guacamole, and it rocked my world the day I tried it.

{ Yes, veggie! }

So... I went for it.  They have two bean options and I chose the  Yukon & White Bean Basil Burger with Tillamook cheddar cheese.  It was delicious!  As were the sweet potato fries and the fresh, hand-spun Pumpkin Milkshake I split with Amy.  Their seasonal menu changes unbelievably frequently, with some items only being available for a few short weeks while a key ingredient is at season's peak!



{ Click to enlarge }

One more surprise was in store, though.  Burgerville uses a system called Nutricate to print the nutrition information for the exact meal that you ordered on your receipt.  Granted, the bean burger and the sweet potato fries weren't as healthy as I had hoped, and it would've been nice to see the calorie count before placing my order, but the functionality is still pretty cool!

If you're ever the Oregon/Washington area, check out one of their nearly 40 locations.  And maybe give the Yukon & White Bean Basil Burger a try!

A decorating dilemma...

OK.  I need your help.

While home visiting my family this weekend, Mom and I found this beautiful framed piece at an exceptional price.  Originally $300 and we got it for 75% off!  I love how the frame is really intricate and the colors integrate perfectly with our living room.

If there had been two coordinating prints, it would be a no-brainer and I'd definitely put them above the fireplace.  But of course I have just the one.

{ What do you think? }

So, here's my dilemma: is it too tall and skinny for the space?  Do the finials balance it out okay or do I need to keep searching for something else to go alongside it?  Or, should I just hang it closer to the kitchen by my stairs where it fits proportionally without question?  And then there's the question of if we do keep it above the fireplace, should it be propped up like it is now, or should it be hung?

See?  Too many options.  Help!  What do you think?  Use your imagination and pretend you can't see the iron scrollwork peeking out from behind the print.  You see, it's heavy and I didn't think I could get it down by myself without scuffing up the wall. : )

{ And my apologies for the terrible Blackberry picture.  I snapped it on my way out of the house at 6:00 this morning.  You'd think we live in San Francisco for the fog! }