Flashback Friday

These pictures are from my 25th birthday.  Jeff and I had been dating about a year and he decided to surprise me at work with the most elaborate display of desk-insanity I've STILL ever seen.  The only problem with such an outwardly crazy surprise was that I was fairly new at my job and I hate surprises. Talk about being completely mortified. 

How many tablecloths were killed in the making of this?  Too many.

Smiling through the shortness of breath.

Sunflowers are my favorite.

Even my bobble-head Jesus got a Post-it.

I feel how I look here. Crazy.

AND what is up with the Barbie theme?! Oh Jeff.  He really knew how to woo his woman (well, I did marry him a year later- dang)! 

HAPPY FRIDAY! xoxo

YUM: Crock-pot Salsa Chicken

Holy awkwardly easy recipe alert!

I may have stumbled upon the world's easiest crock-pot recipe (from my sister's cooking blog). How did people survive before crock-pots? And how will I exist NOW that I know such a domestic dream exists?!  Will I ever be capable of cooking non-crock-pot again?

Only time will tell, I suppose...

So, here's how the Salsa Chicken taste-fest went down:

My hand-me-down crock pot.

Hour 0: Chicken and slime. YUM.

  

First, I tossed a whole SLOP of Tomatillo green salsa along with Medium Tomato salsa into my cauldron without measuring. Next, I dumped 3 nakey chicken cutlets into the mix and proceeded to shake an ungodly amount of chili powder atop.

Then, I waited.

Hour 4: A bit on the soupy side from the Tomatillo salsa

Four hours later, I turned the heat level from LOW to HIGH and I stirred, chopping at the chicken ever-so-slightly with my witches wooden spoon.

Then came abandonment phase numero dos.

SEVEN hours (total) later, dinner time was upon the Thompson household and THIS is what I found in my crock-pot-o-love:

Poorly photographed, shredded chicken bliss!

We topped with "Follow Your Heart" Vegan Nacho Cheddar, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Remy waited with bated breath for some chicken delicious-ness to fall his way but sadly, it did not (too much chili powder).

I really wish this computer had smell-o-vision.  For your sake.  

Ultimately, I'd say that this meal is quite possibly the crowd pleasing recipe of the century.  It's pleasing for me because I threw stuff in a pot and checked on it twice before delivering perfection, and it's pleasing to hungry burrito lovers because it makes Mexican dinner night WAY more zest-filled and flavorful than ever before.  

Needed:
Chicken breast (however many you want)
Salsa (however much you want to use...I used an entire small container)
Tomatillo Salsa (I used 4 or so "dollops") 
Chili powder - this is better than using taco seasoning (I sprinkled this on there every time i checked on it...about 29 times)


You can't mess this up. I promise.

Quick Fix: Tiny Bathroom Shelf

Does anyone else have a room that is completely different than the rest of their house? A room that "jumped the shark," if you will.

Well, I do.  And it's the smallest room ever. 

Basically, someone converted a small food pantry into a bathroom at some point in my house's long life and it's a space I find myself constantly wondering about.  How do I make this room bigger?  Appear bigger, at least?

Upon moving in, I had the magnificent idea of painting the farthest wall bright yellow to "open" the space up.  I'm not sure if it worked, but it definitely gave the room a different vibe from the rest of my shabby chic casa because after the wall painting came random circle mirrors, a new toilet and a small modern looking shelf thing from Target (not pictured). 

I thought I was all done.  What else is there to do in a 3x3 bathroom?!  Well, I found a small something and I love it. Powder blue shelf arms! Wooooooo!  I recommend this quick fix to anyone looking to spruce up a nasty wrought iron something-or-other.

Love it. Love it. Love it.  Next up...that sink. Eeee!

A good gig.

When I lived in the East Village, I had a short stint as a very happy, very drunk happy hour reviewer.  It was a pretty awesome gig, I can't lie.  I went to happy hour and then I wrote about it.  Lucky me!  Here's an old article from April 2009 that I wrote about Kate's Joint 3 years before the news of their sad upcoming closure:

http://www.examiner.com/happy-hour-in-new-york/your-joint-kate-s-joint

It's terribly written, but goes to show something very important:  Anyone can be a writer!  Even happy hour enthusiasts who choose to write directly after being bar-side.

Fun times.

ALSO, here are some fun pics from our all-day, all-out, Kate's camp-out:

Slow dancing....to an extremely un-slow song.

A cause my best friends will happily support:)

The Mike's sharing a moment

Getting dark out!

Metallica face

Mike's fiancee is an old sorority sista

Free (massive) "shots" from our awesome bartender!

Doesn't this look like fun?  Make sure to go check it out before April 11th!

2.5 Years of Awesome.

Tomorrow Jeff and I will be married for 2.5 years!  Hallelujah, praise the Lord! It's a miracle!

Juuuuuust kidding!

Being married is probably the easiest thing I've ever done and the fact that I feel that way makes me feel so super duper lucky. And happy. And excited for the next 60 years (After that, hitting any rough patches is fine. We've earned it).

Notice the sly pointer finger.  Game Over? It should have said, GAME ON!

For celebration, Jeff and I will be at Kate's Joint existing in an all day camp-out fashion.  Life is good:)

xoxo

Dive bar dilemma - Kate's Joint

It's a sad, sad world.  When I moved to NYC in 2005 it took me a loooong time to find my "going out" niche.  You see...I love dive bars, but not their food.  I love the feeling that I don't have to dress a certain way when I go out, but I also don't like feeling that I have to eat french fries and nachos if I choose not to starve.  See? Dilemma.

That is...until I found Kate's Joint.  This place, on the corner of Avenue B and 4th street, is the very first bar that I went to and immediately knew, "I will be back. Every week. For years."  Kate's is divey with unmatched everything, yet so comfy and cozy.  It's less gritty and gross and much more low-pro and awesome.  Also, they serve a completely vegetarian menu (and vegan, if that's your thing).  Sure, they have nachos and fries if you still want that stuff, but they also have awesome alternative options (I will have some vegan cheese pizza please!).  FINALLY, I had found a place that would allow me to drop my bags and stay a while.

Kate's Joint with the hubs - 2007

Well, I've been going for the past 6 years now and loving it.  Never has the idea that they may need to close at some point down the road crossed my mind.  NEVER.  Because if that was a possibility, I would cry.  This week I've learned that my little nightmare is coming true.  They owe a whole lotta money in rent and things are looking bleak.  But, Kate's is not going without a fight.

This Friday, they are having THIS fundraising event:

http://www.facebook.com/events/326729597388092/

And on Saturday, the hubs and I are having our very own "sit in" ALL day long (just like the good old days) starting at noon.  I'm so sad to see a true staple of my new york life bid the east village adieu and will definitely need this one last hurrah to fill the memory book!  And heck, maybe if enough people drop by and order enough drinks and hummus wraps, they can stay open forever!!!!  (I've always been a dreamer)  A girl can hope!

You can and should donate here:
www.indiegogo.com/savekatesjoint

With so many needy causes, I'm certain this will tug at your heart strings most (I'm only half-joking).  SAVE  INDEPENDENTLY OWNED EAST VILLAGE DIVE BARS!  


Thanks! 
xoxo

YUM: Cauliflower crust pizza

Pizza and veggie lovers, unite.  

I'm always looking for a healthier take on pizza.  Like most health-food-searchers, I do the usual things: sub whole wheat crust for white, use non-dairy cheese or organic tomato sauce, but to no avail.  Even a good whole wheat crust pizza usually leaves me thinking, "ew. that was weird."  So, I was really surprised to try this amazing Cauliflower Pizza recipe of my sister's.  What a tasty success! 

http://themoserfive.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/cauliflower-crust-pizza/

Side-effects:  I found myself feeling super burp-y after downing a healthy sized portion of this.   This does not mean you should avoid eating it, but rather eat with a crowd, so the condition is shared.  Burping = awesome feeling.  Holding in burps = no bueno.

Dog butt.

This is how we watch for crazies at rest stops.  I cover the front windows and Remy covers the back!

 Aren't neurotic little pups the best?

Jeff and I went to Long Beach Island this weekend for some St. Patty Day family fun and we had a blast.  It's been one of the most stressful weeks of my life and I must say a weekend away was really great.  Getting away, no matter how nearby is perfect when the timing is right.

YUM: Corn on the cob

Try this: 

Corn on the cob with

Cotija cheese  and

smoked paprika

Delicious!

I hate flying!

Would one rather two feet on land or suspended in air (by way of a magical metal box called an airplane) when a sudden solar flair strikes?  Well...WHICH ONE?!  Why didn't they teach me this in school?  Why didn't I know about this before I booked my flight?  Why is the below article so difficult to understand?

If I've confused you thus far, I apologize.  It's just that there's a solar flair-a-comin and I'm freaking out!!!

Tomorrow morning, I leave for Arizona on a flight that is surely going to scare the living daylights out of me and I have no clue which direction Mother Earth and Sister Sun want me to run in.  Whatever it is, I'll do it.  Just tell me.  Please. Pretty please. I'm terrible with (loss of control) stuff like this. 

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/huge_solar_flare_storm_heading.html

First, I decide to take a flight that leaves before alcohol can be served at the airport and now I'm dealing with a testy planet. Wah.

EDITED TO ADD:  I probably won't die.  It says that plane routes are mostly effected near the polar regions.  NJ to AZ = not that. Yay for living. 

Steampunk! V-day!

So, as I previously wrote....I was cruisin for a USB drive for Valentines day.   Well, I got one!  It FINALLY got here yesterday, by way of Etsy.

 I love it!!!

Raccoon videos!!!

 Raccoons are my favorite.  These videos...are also my favorite.

Taking the carpet...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6u7ylr0zIg&feature=related

Facial Massage...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFkS1ajaneE

Thrifty Nifty Me.

I just went thrifting with my sis and found the sweeeeeetest set of wine glasses.  Check them out....

For under 2 bucks a glass, I'm in love.  Love, love.  Like, I may marry them and then use them to set the table. Yay! Everyone's invited!   I did see a couple wedding dresses for 6 dollars. 

No matter how many thrift stores I walk into I'll always feel awkward in the first second that I open the door and step foot inside.  I never know what I'll be greeted with.  Wracks upon wracks of garbage?  Loads of people crowding all the good stuff? A completely empty store, people and wracks included?  (I went to one like that yesterday...awkward!)  Or a store where there is one grumpy sales lady who stares like I'm about to stuff my pockets with old thimbles and salt shakers?  No matter what, though.  Thrifting is totally worth it.  Old stuff rules. 

RV'ing across America!!!!

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.  Especially since I keep a blog and there's no reason to (hide it, that is!

Jeff and I, along with two of our most favorite friends, are RV'ing across the WHOLE country this summer!!!!  We will be starting in New Jersey and ending up in LA...where we'll then catch our flight home after 18 days of cross-country shenanigans!

At this very second, our dream list includes:

Nashville (completely out of the way)

Wyoming's Yellowstone Park

Colorado Rockies
South Dakota (Mt. Rushmore. Respect.)

San Fran

AND sooooo many random dive bars in between. This is about to be the ultimate American bar crawl. Whoop whoop!

UPDATED TO ADD that our REAL list included:
PA (biiiiig state, took forever)
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Wisconsin
Minnesota
South Dakota (Badlands, Mt Rushmore)
Wyoming for 3 days (Buffalo, Yellowstone, Thayne)
Idaho
Utah (Park City)
Nevada (Reno)
California
-Napa Valley
-Sonoma
-San Fran
-Monterrey
-Santa Cruz
-LA

xoxo
L