Normally I’m not obsessed with new gadgets and electronics – and especially cell phones. I don’t really care if I have the best, it just doesn’t matter to me. However, last week Derek brought home a new cell phone…and I want it. He got the new Motorola – Droid phone (google operating system).  It’s so intuitive and it does EVERYTHING. I’m so jealous.

Well, it was bound to happen. All the wedding planning has been going so smoothly, we were bound to have some kind of setback. Friday night, our band cancelled on us. MAN!! I was really happy to have that decision checked off the list. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I really enjoy cooking. Not baking – cooking. There is nothing more satisfying than trying a new recipe and proclaiming it a success! Now don’t get me confused with a foodie – because I definitely do not qualify. I doubt my pallet is very refined and I certainly don’t make complex or complicated meals. I shy away from pretentious ingredients and have been accused of under-salting my food. Nonetheless, I do enjoy it and I think I’m getting better at it! I thought I’d share a few of my favorite cookbooks, food blogs and magazine subscriptions. Do you have any favorites you want to share?

Cookbooks

Everyday Cooking: Great Food Fast (Martha Stewart) – I love this cookbook because I’ve never been disappointed. The photos are great (a photo for every recipe), the directions are simple and the food is delicious. It’s also nice because the recipes require little time – perfect for weeknight dinners. My favorite thing about the book is that it’s organized by season – which is brilliant for those of us who like to use in-season produce.

Barefoot Contessa  (Ina Garten) – I have three of her cookbooks (The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Back to Basics and At Home)and I love perusing them and selecting my next triumph. The photos are gorgeous. The only issue with these cookbooks is that the Contessa’s recipes are really fatty and rich. Cooking too much out of these cookbooks will make you gain weight – fast.

The Food You Crave (Ellie Krieger) – This cookbook is the opposite of the Barefoot Contessa books. This book has very few photos and focuses on healthy eating. Living up to the name, Ellie showcases recipes that you love – but she focuses on maximum flavor with limited calories/fat. I’ve been impressed with these recipes, although I wish there were more pics!

Magazines

Fine Cooking – http://www.finecooking.com/

Cuisine at Home – http://www.cuisineathome.com/ (Thanks Kristina!)

Food Blogs

Smitten Kitchen – http://smittenkitchen.com/

101 Cookbooks  - http://www.101cookbooks.com/

Here are pics from dinner the other night – lamb shanks – nummers!

I’ve had a few requests to post pics of my ring…so here it is! Didn’t it turn out beautiful?

It sure was a busy weekend – and overall a really great weekend! It started off on a good note, because I didn’t have to work on Friday – yay! Having Friday off allowed me to get a ton of errands done: returned a bunch of clothes, tried on a wedding dress and made my decision (hooray!), went grocery shopping, went to the butcher, and met Ams for dinner! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have every other Friday off. It’s nice to get all your chores done so you can enjoy a full two days of pure weekend! Saturday we got up and cleaned the apartment and then went to the pumpkin patch with Stacy and Andre. I love the pumpkin patch. I love searching for the perfect pumpkin. I love all the colors. I love all the kids running around in the mud. SO much fun! After the patch, we carved the ‘kins and ate a yummy dinner. Sunday, I crossed the ferry and spent the day with my mom. And we even picked out my Halloween costume. I’m going to be the board game TWISTER! It’s actually a kid’s costume, and I’d like to give a special shout-out to my mom for sewing on additional fabric to the bottom of the dress (to make the length more appropriate).  Thanks big mama! All in all, a pretty good weekend (although I did have one minor altercation at the end that threatened to leave a bad taste in my mouth, but it all ended up ok).

Here are few pics from the patch.

All I want to do these days is sleep, watch Deadwood, admire my new ring, read and eat.  I’m not exaggerating; it’s embarrassing. I can’t take all this darkness – it messes with me too much. It makes me a worse, less productive version of myself.

The last couple years I have realized something about myself – I am a mood vampire. I feed off other people’s energy. This is especially true for me in a work environment.  If people are excited, energized and collaborative – I am too.  I soak up their positive vibes and thrive on it. This is when I’m most productive and creative; this is when I ROCK.  If I’m hanging out with Debby-Downer , Connie-the-Complainer or The-Grass-is-Always-Greener-Gail, it’s very easy for me to be pulled down. Sucked in. I, too, start complaining and my outlook becomes a little gloomy. Now don’t go confusing this with venting. Everyone needs to be able to vent and to release some steam. I don’t mind venting; in fact I usually welcome it. I’m talking about doom and gloom. Bad attitudes. And laziness.  For better or for worse, I’m a sponge. I absorb all of it – good and bad.

I think this is part of the reason why I thrive in a collaborative, team-environment. A place where teamwork is valued and where “we are all in this together”. I love celebrating together – and rising to the occasion when it’s needed. Solving problems. Reliving our victories and commiserating over our defeats.  The energy is practically addicting. I think I would be unhappy in a job where I was flying solo all the time.

I’m not really sure where I’m going with all of this, except that I guess I need to be careful when the mood turns gloomy – so I don’t soak up too much!

This is becoming a nasty habit – only posting on Sundays. Oh well; I’m over it. I thought I’d give a quick wedding update of where we are at with the planning.

Here’s what we’ve done so far:

We have reserved a venue.

We have a date set.

We have secured a band for the reception.

We know the basic flow/style of our celebration.

Wedding party is pretty much decided.

We have an officiant – although I think he still needs to get the appropriate paperwork.

We have someone to play our ceremony music .

I have my new ring setting – we picked it up on Friday. I LOVE how it turned out.

I have tried on many wedding dresses and I *think* I’ve found the one. I’m hoping I can find it used, although I’m less hopeful than I once was about that possibility.

Up next on my To Do List:

Start getting quotes from caterers.

Look for hotels in the area for guests who wish to stay.

Purchase a dress.

Tighten up the guest list.

Find a photographer.

Last week was a particularly hectic week at work. I won’t get into the nitty-gritys, but it was busy and included me giving a presentation. I’m not deathly afraid of public speaking, but I’m not comfortable with it either. By the end of the week, I was feeling a little tired and worn out. After the presentation, flowers were delivered to my office. They were from my VP with a note telling me I did a great job and telling me she’s happy I’m a part of the team. Now, I’m not a particularly needy person – I don’t require a lot of coddling or reassurance. However after last week, I must have needed a little pick-me-up. I was so touched by her gesture; it was just what I needed to get rejuvenated and excited again.

Everybody wants to feel appreciated and she reminded me how important it is to recognize people and thank them. So, write someone a thank you card. Or send them flowers. Or bring them a cookie. Trust me, a little recognition and appreciation goes a long way.

Friday morning: We went to the jeweler and picked out/designed my ring setting – YAY! The wax mold should be ready for our review sometime next week. It’s really hard to choose something that you are going to wear everyday for the rest of your life.

Friday afternoon: Dress shopping! I went wedding dress shopping with my mom. It was really fun, but now I’m more confused than ever. I thought I had a really good idea of what I wanted, but I basically ended up liking all the dresses. I’m going again next weekend…I’m hoping it will provide a little clarity.

Saturday afternoon: I had a hair appointment. Yes, I still drive a million miles away to get my hair done. And yes, it’s still worth it! All over color, partial highlight, cut and eyebrow wax. Guess how much. GUESS. I double-dog dare you. $97. Before tip.

Saturday evening: Derek’s brother and gf bought a new house. We stopped by to check it out. It’s SO nice; they scored big time. I couldn’t be happier for them.

Saturday night: Sushi in Wallingford

Sunday morning: Went for a hike up Rattlesnake ledge (just past north bend).

Sunday afternoon: Nap, cleaning, grocery store and Seahawks game.

Sunday evening: Made dinner (Lentil soup and a salad), blogging, reading and the season premiere of Brothers & Sisters.   Nighty Night.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!