What to call this post

So a little after half-time of the basketball game on Tuesday I started thinking of what I could title this blog...I couldn't settle on just one so below are the titles I thought about and what the first few lines would be.

Title: Gotta love the morning after...
First Line: ...winning a championship...and you thought I was going to write something inappropriate. There is a silent excitement the morning after a local team winning a championship. Everyone is tired but they aren't grouchy. The trains aren't nearly as full as usual.

Title: Come on Bruins
First Line: Disclaimer - This is in now way, shape or form an endorsement of UCLA. The Bruins made it to the NHL playoffs this year, but that was about it. I think they won one game in the first round but am not too sure (don't really follow hockey). My Boston life would definitely be complete if I could say that all 4 major sports teams won a National Championship while I was living there.

Title: I love parades!
First Line: Oh yes I do, especially when they involve Duck Boats and confetti! For the fifth time in the five years that I have lived in Boston, I have been witness to the home team winning a national championship (2 by the Patriots, 2 by the Red Sox and 1 by the Celtics) not too shabby. The parade route has been pretty consistent for all 5 championships and I am proud to say that I have seen four of them. (I had to do an inventory on the day of the first Sox parade and it was gross weather so I probably wouldn't have gone anyways.) The other 4 have provided a nice break from the office, I love working in Back Bay!

Title: Falling asleep to honking horns
First Line: Yes, that is what I did in the week hours of Wednesday morning. Did I mind? Heck no - the C's won the NBA Championship by SMOKING the Lakers. (Growing up in Portland I have always had a dislike for the Lakers and was so happy to see that Boston fans feel the same way.)

So those were my thoughts over the past few days, thinking about what I wanted to write for this post. Only one more week until my 4 week hiatus from Boston - if I have to work until midnight the majority of the nights until then, it will be worth it knowing I can have a work-free vacation!

**No pictures for this post. I took my camera out to snap a few shots of the parade today only to have an exhausted battery. I did use my co-workers camera phone (he was using his blackberry) to take a picture of Big Baby - without his shirt - it's not worth posting.***

Happy Father's Day!

Here on the East Coast it is officially Father's Day...so Happy Father's Day Dad! Can't wait to see you (and celebrate) in a few weeks. You will be glad to know that I booked my ticket today so I will actually be coming home...nothing like waiting until the last minute.

My dad came out to Boston to visit for a week last fall and we had a great time. On the day the above picture was taken we were both wearing pedometers and took over 15,000 steps. Yes, our feet were killing us but how can you not smile when at Fenway Park watching the Sox win? This was the first of our two trips to the Park, the second was for Game 1 of the playoffs.

Hope you have a great day dad - love ya!

Also want to wish a Happy Father's Day to my uncles, my "brother-in-law" and friends (including stranger friend Matt) who are all dads!

PS - Here's another picture from my dads trip that is now proudly hanging in my living room!

For my faithful

For my faithful readers who have been waiting for a new post since last Friday, you will have to wait a bit longer. Work is kicking my butt right now. I have been in the office 12 straight days and tomorrow will make day 13. Once I awake on Sunday I promise to post an update. In the meantime, check out this blog. There are some sad things, some funny things, some great pictures, some funny comments, and he has an awesome robot (ok, I'm not into robots but he loves his robot and loves the word awesome).

Until Sunday, if you can't be good, be good at it!

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

Big Girl is a dear friend of mine who I often look at like a big sister, who I have known since my days at ASU. We have shared some good times and each been through some not so good times but our friendship remains.

When I think of Big Girl the following come to mind (in no particular order): "Come on Eileen", "It's a quick blow and go", diet coke, green jello, Friday night movies, Wendy's fries (with no salt, they are fresher that way), Sunny's pizza, Martini Ranch, The Gap at Trolley Square (whenever we go their I get the best deals), ASU Athletic Events

What I really admire (and what inspires me) about Big Girl are the following: her love for her family and friends, her courage and strength, her strong faith, she's a great wife and mother, and she's a cancer survivor!

Wishing you the best on your birthday Big Girl...and every day!

Happy Birthday Brother!

Today is my little brother's (29th) birthday...the count-down to the Big 3-0 in Vegas starts now!

Over the years we have gone from siblings to friends. Even though we are living on opposite coasts we talk on the phone every day or at the very least send a text message or two. He has been there for me when things got tough and I have been able to be there for him during his tough times. Pete was able to come to Boston this spring and we had a great time checking out new places in and around the city. I am excited to see him later this month when I head to the left coast.

Hope you have a great year Pete!

Mmm Monday

So I normally don't cook "fancy" meals during the week, but I found this recipe yesterday and worked from home today so I tried it out.

Ravioli and Edamame in Parmesan Sauce
Prep - 3 minutes
Cook - 7 minutes
Makes - 4 servings

1 9oz pkg whole wheat cheese ravioli (Buitoni brand)
3/4 lb frozen shelled edamame
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 cup shredded fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp ground pepper

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While the water is heating, measure remaining ingredients.

2. Add the ravioli to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Add the soybeans and cook an additional 1-2 minutes or until tender. Drain the ravioli and soybeans, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid.

3. Return ravioli to the pot and stir in thyme. Whisk together sour cream, parmesan, pepper and reserved cooking liquid. Toss the pasta mixture with the sour cream mixture, divide among 4 bowls and serve immediately.

My comments - Should have cooked the "Dora the Explorer" (the only frozen stuff at my grocery store) edamame a little longer but it was tasty none the less.

Sunday in Review

So I hate to brag, but I am getting pretty good at this grilling thing. I decided mid-week that this week my adventure for Sunday night dinner would be salmon and asparagus on the grill.

Note: The only fish I ever buy is the kind packed in water that some people think is chicken.

This morning I got up, started some laundry and headed off to the store to pick up the necessary ingredients...salmon, asparagus and a lemon. (I convinced the roommates that they too needed to grill something for dinner since it was already going to be heated.) After lighting the coals I decided I needed to "figure out" just how I was going to prepare my meal which ended up being pretty easy.

Asparagus...toss with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper
Salmon...lightly spray with olive oil, squeeze of lemon, dill, garlic powder, wrap in foil

That was it. The asparagus took about 5-7 minutes and was perfect, salmon took a little longer. Roommate K convinced me to have it with a little bit of taziki on the side. Good suggestiong!

When Roommate D was at the store today she decided that smores would be dessert of choice. The coals weren't quite hot enough so we had to bring them into the microwave but it didn't stop the three of us from getting marshmallow and chocolate all over our faces and hands.

Overall - great Sunday!