Wow...

Ben just made himself a green giant veggie medley for himself.  After taking a bite he goes, "this is good.  better than french fries." 

WHAT?

We're just gonna have to agree to disagree on that one, babe....

Mr. and Mrs. Awesome

So, this is my blog.  I'm allowed to brag a bit.  Especially when I have exciting stuff to brag about....the past couple of weeks have been pretty awesome for us.

In early October, Benjamin was promoted to a GS09.  The GS system is how the government ranks their employees.  Most people only jump one level, but with the classes, trainings and real experience Ben is getting, he was able to jump two levels.  I was super super excited and proud of my baby!

Then, about a week later, my manager put my review on my calendar.  She actually scheduled it for the morning we were leaving for Charleston.  The review went very very well, and I was promoted.  I moved from an "Associate Account Executive,"  to "Account Executive."  My day-to-day won't change much, but it allows for more opportunities to do things.

But just wait.  It gets better.  I was very confused when I found out Ben had been promoted to a GS09.  It kind of happened without fanfare - no review, no meeting.  It just kind of happened.  We this past week he finally had the review (although, with already knowing he received the promotion, we knew it would probably be a positive review).  Positive doesn't describe it enough.  Ben hit it out of the ball park.  He received one of the best scores in his program and got a pretty good bonus.  I was such a proud wifey-to-be!

This week we went out to celebrate.  I don't have pictures of our meal, but it was fantastic. But best of all, it  was great that our promotions went hand-in-hand, so we could celebrate together!

Political Dinner

I was reading The Washingtonian and I got inspired to write a posting/series: For Dinner - a roundup of people that I'd like to have over for dinner/drinks.  Being a D.C. based poli-sci dork, the theme of this roundup will be political/election based.


First Lady Michelle Obama
While President Obama would be an obvious choice for some, I think it would be more interesting to hear what Mrs. Obama has to say.  She is an intelligent woman and I'd love to hear what she has to say, without all the politics.

Karl Rove
Clearly, this man knows political strategy.  What does he think of the upcoming election?  How are Republicans framing the issue?  Is it too late for the Dems?  What does he see being the next big issues.


Tony Snow
I would just love to pick this guy's brain and hear about his career experiences.  This one isn't as election focused and general political communications.

Steven Colbert
Comedic relief anyone?

Charlie Cook
When it comes to analyzing elections, Charlie is your man.  I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a work function, and he is just really tuned in.  I heard what he thought 2-3 months ago, I want to know what he thinks now that we are a week out.


Whose election analysis would you like to hear?

Apple Crepes

Ben and I had a a bunch of leftover apples, so I decided to use them for breakfast yesterday morning.  I wish my camera wasn't dead so I could post pictures because it came out amazingly! 

I hadn't used the crepe maker Mrs. B. gave us in a while, so I broke that out and made up some crepes.  Its a great machine.  I have a picture of a similar one below -

photo credit

 - you simply dip the surface in crepe batter and then flip it and let it cook for like 30 seconds.  The light goes off and the crepe is cooked and slips off the pan.  Quick, easy, and tasty. 

I cut up all the leftover apples and cooked them in a pan with some butter, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice until they were soft.  Fill the crepes with the apples and drizzle some of the melted butter/sugar mixture on the top - perfection!

Saturday Night

Ben and I spent tonight watching the Phillies/Giants game.  I know the Giant's are the underdog.  And everyone loves the underdog.  But....



GO PHILLIES!!!!

To Do List for This Week

■ Follow up about the bar for the wedding

■ Follow up about decor pictures for the wedding

■ Follow up about flowers for the wedding

■ Find a DJ for the wedding

Wedding planning much?

Wedding Planning

Sorry for the delay in updates.  It's been a very busy week or so.  Here is my best attempt at a recap (without it being too long)

Charleston Vaca

 Ben and I just got back today from a 4 day semi-vaca to Charleston.  I say semi-vaca because the point of the trip was to make progress on wedding planning. 

• Rehearsal Dinner - FMIL, FFIL, Ben and I headed out to Middleton Place for a tasting.  We planned out the evening, tasted a variety of food items and planned out the menu for the rehearsal meal.  

• Reception Dinner - Again, the four of us went to taste a variety of menu items for the reception.  Let me say, I am VERY happy with our catering decision.  The food was fantastic.  I don't want to give too much away, but lets just say there will definitely be something for everyone.  

• Other Wedding Planning - We also met with a florist and a florist/design expert to discuss decorations and flowers for the wedding.  I was really impresses that both were able to get our vision for the evening very quickly and give us some great suggestions. 

Baking Update

Well, I didn't really get to blog about it, but a few weeks ago I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcakes.  I found the recipe in one of the blogs I read (and actually, I can't even remember which blog).  It sounded fantastic.

In actuality,they were only OK.  I took them into work for a co-workers birthday, and everyone seemed to like them.  But I think they were only OK.  I think they feel to the "too much of a good thing" category.  It was a chocolate chip cookie batter, with cookie dough filling and then cookie dough frosting.  I would prefer a regular vanilla chocolate chip cupcake with the cookie dough filling and frosting with a tad less brown sugar.

Now I'm debating what my next challenge will be.  I've been in the mood to make an apple cupcake (maybe I'll use Amanda's recipe).  Or...

Also, late last week, they announced the 4th Mystery Box Challenge - Orange.

The left the challenge a little broad this month.  That way people who want to do pumpkin/Halloween can, but those who want to do something different can make a fall themed cupcake.  I'm not a huge pumpkin person, so I'm thinking orange frosting would be the path I'd take.

Three Things

Jane gave us some insight into the meaning of her blog address.  



It's basically three words that she wants to incorporate more of in her life.  It got me thinking - if I could incorporate three more things into my life, what would they be? 

Positivity - I've been on a "no" kick lately.  The negativity is not something I need right now.  Its weighing me down.  And I'm tired of saying no.  I feel like I say it all the time.  So I need to find a way to yes. 

• While I don't have the list of addresses done, I have XX number of addresses to put in and I will send it to you by 10:00 tonight. 
• Yes, I've started to look at bakers, but I'm not really sure which one we will use since we haven't tasted any yet. 
• While I don't have time to clean my bedroom, I do have time to clean this corner of the room.

Motivation - Of course, then in order to follow through with my "yes",  I need to motivation to actually do it.  It's all well and good to say I'm going to come home and actually do some wedding planning.  After working for 10 hours a day, I just want to come home and turn off for a bit.  Some days, the thought of doing wedding planning is just impossible. 

Patience - I'm a fairly impatient person.  Sometimes I just need to take a deep breath and relax. 
 

things from my childhhood that prob won't live up to the memory

Another great blog topic that I'm taking from Secret Society of List Addicts - "Things from my childhood that probably won't live up to my fond memories of them."

No seriously people.  That blog is awesome.  You should check it out.  I get very happy when I see it turn to bold in my Google Reader.

Back to the posting.
 

• Alice in Wonderland TV Show on Disney - There used to be this show on the Disney Channel that was loosely based on Alice in Wonderland.  I used to watch it every day.  Every single day while getting ready for school.  I'm sure it was terrible.  In fact, I think I tried to watch it again a few years later.  And it was in fact, terrible. 

• Run the Bases - In the summer, we used to always play this game on the beach, Run the Bases.  Basically, you set up two "bases" and place them a decent distance apart.  Then two "ends" each "guard" a base and throw a tennis ball back and forth.  The "runners" then try and run back and forth between the two bases.  If you get pegged by the tennis ball, you become an "end".  There is no way to win this game.  You just never want to be an "end".

•  Bubble Tape - 

[photo credit]

Yeah you remember this.  I'm pretty sure this was NOT quality bubble gum.  But it was awesome because you could chew AS MUCH AS YOU WANTED.  Nothing like hanging out by the baseball fields in elementary/middle school with a roll of bubble yu



and I totally agree with  Secret Society of List Addicts for this last one:

• Easy-bake Oven - There is no way cookies made from a mix and baked by the heat of a light bulb taste as good as I remember. No. Way. 

Anything I've missed?  

Weekend

If I were to sum up this weekend, I would use one word: sleep. 

I thought I was fighting off being sick all week.  Apparently I was right.  Because I slept till like 11 both Saturday and Sunday.  And I look a two hour nap yesterday.  So basically, I got A LOT of sleep. 

But yet I still managed to be a bit productive. 

• Yesterday, Ben and I headed over to Macy*s to check out crystal stemware for our registry.  We narrowed it down to 4 patters. 
• Today, I headed over to Williams-Sanoma and went to town with the registry gun.  I just love that store.  And everything in it.  Put a ton of stuff on the registry.  I'll have to go back and look at it once I'm off the shopping high to finalize things. 

On a different - I'm watching the Sox game right now.  As you know, I absolutely LOVE Varitek.  He just had his last at bat, to a standing ovation.  The Sox set him out in gear for the 9th, and then pulled him before it started so he could have his final good bye to the fans.  So moving. 

Now I'm making a broccoli, chicken cheddar casserole and waiting for Ben to get back so we can turn on the Skins-Eagles came.  

Another One Joins

Last night, Ben and I enjoyed a nice bottle of wine.  We then called our friend Kristin, when Ben informed her that it was time for her to come visit because we miss her. 

Then I got on the phone and told her she needs to start blogging.  Like legit.  She told me it wasn't happening.

And then this afternoon, I woke up from a nap and found this - Prescription for Life.  A DR. KRISTIN blog!!

Welcome to the world of blogging, Kristin.  And now about that trip to D.C.....

Autumn is Here!

The weather is starting to cool down here. I actually had to wear my light coat to work today. I mean, it is October 1. It’s guess autumn is allowed to begin.

And while autumn has never been my favorite season (what can I say – I love the first beautifully warm day after a long winter), it always brings back certain memories for me.

• Back to school – I know I don’t really go “back to school” anymore. But this time of year still brings back urges to getting myself organized and ready for a “fresh start.”

• Cheerleading – Again, I know I’m not a cheerleader anymore. But something about the cool, crisp autumn air that brings back memories of putting on the cheerleading uniform and spending my Friday night at the football field. I mean, I did cheer for 11 years – that’s almost ½ my life! (btw Mom - doesn’t that seem weird. It was SO long ago, yet it is still just shy of ½ of my time here on earth.)

• Apples – I don’t even really like apples. But something about the fall makes me want to go apple picking. For the past two years I’ve made my wonderful, caring boyfriend drive the hour-plus each way so we could spend an hour or so running around an apple farm somewhere in Virginia. And then we buy TONS of apples. And that night I make apple pie. And then I never touch the apples again.

• Football – I separate this from cheerleading because I think it deserves its own category. GO EAGLES.

• Crock-pot dinners – Full disclosure: I’m yet to make a crock-pot dinner that I actually really like. I’ve tried. And I’ve definitely failed. But something about fall makes me want to break the crock-pot out and try again. Maybe because I think of making soup in crock-pots and soup is a fall-weather favorite of mine?

• Fall workouts – I don’t know if it’s the years of cheerleading, girls tennis being a fall sport at my high school, or part of the back-to-school-fresh-start-get-my-life-in-order feeling, but I love outdoor workouts during the fall. Good thing since I have that 10K coming up…

What do you love about fall?