Holy Pictures Batman

This is going to be one of those posts with a lot of pictures complete with Gabe-ified commentary. 

First. I have yet to completely finish a book. I have checked out probably 20 books from library in the past 6 months and can say I haven't finished, or even make it through half of them. Isn't that the pits??? I'm in a slump. I requested a book I saw in a bookstore while I was home, The Postmistress, and started it yesterday. It seems interesting so let's hope this one turns out to be a winner. However, tonight I found myself reading one of my favorite things: 

cookbooks

Yes I read cookbooks, from cover to cover. It's fun! 

Anyway. I went home last week (here's where I blow up your screen with pictures)!

I brought Scotty back to New England and into the loving arms of my brother and sis-in-law. He's back to stay. Lucky pooch!

 So. To make this brief, I was going to give Scotty some happy meds to make the flying experience a little better for him (because last time it most definitely was NOT enjoyable). Well, we were sitting a few gates away so Scotty wouldn't freak out being around a lot of people and all of the sudden they made a final boarding call over the PA system and that the doors were closing. FREAKOUT!!!!! So I ripped open my bag and tried to get Scotty to eat his happy meds. Well. He didn't, but he did eat his treats. Punk. I shoved the stuff back in my bag and ran to the gate, boarded the plane, got situated, and then realized the pills were in my backpack. In the overhead compartment. And I was sitting in the window seat. Great. Once again we were flying with Scotty un-medicated. I was so nervous that my leg was shaking and shaking so hard that the nice elderly gentleman next to me kept looking at me. Oh boy. Well, by some miracle, Scotty was actually very good on the plane and even managed to sleep for 45 minutes. He was none to happy with me as we tried to get off the plane but I can't blame him. I hate his stupid carry-on bag too. But we made it and that's all that matters. WAHOOO!!!!

Cuddling safely in my bed at home. Cutie. 

To say I was happy would be a vast understatement. 

 

 

 I got to have Squamscott Soda! 

The raspberry lemonade is delish!

 

 On one of our adventures, we went to Newburyport, MA. I love this quaint little place, especially their antique shops!

And whattayaknow I found this while I was thumbing through some golf cards-Prestwick is in Myrtle Beach! Whaaaaaat?

I bought some new sandals. Don't mind the outfit but daaaaang I love those flats!

We went into the Best of British shop where Emma and I coveted Hunter rain boots and then we overwhelmed our noses with the delicious scents of Crabtree and Evelyn. I want this new one! OHMYLATNUS it smells sooooooooooooooooooo good!!!!!

 And I also had to get my pound of chocolate covered raisins from the general store. I opted out of getting 2 pounds because I'll be back next month (bad sadly they are already gone...maybe I shoulda gotten more...?) 

I found this in my favorite antique shop, Flukes & Friends & Finds, and fed my anchor obsession. My mom also found an anchor skirt at a consignment shop...$12 later it was mine. Oh happiness! And thank you Mom for letting me get it!

Miss this furball. 

I was delighted to be a part of the surprise retirement party for my high school English teacher Mrs. Miles. 

She taught at my high school for 40 years. I doubt I will see that kind of commitment with my generation. The lives she has touched! She's a dynamic lady, if I've ever met one. A rare gem and a woman who has influenced me in more ways that I could ever say. It's a very special thing being part of a small community that becomes your family and I just can't describe how happy I was to be a part of this special landmark and to celebrate this amazing woman with the rest of our Sanborn family. 

Now. Tangent time. This is my grandmother Barbara.

She's a babe and also one of my absolute favorite people in the whole world. She's the best cook and baker I have ever known. She's also sassy and funny and I hope to be as witty and awesome as she is when I grow up. Whenever I go visit we like to go through her closets and play dress up in some of her old fur coats and things. She has the coolest clothes. I LOVE HER. I actually found that picture on my mom's phone (thanks Mom) and then as I was going through some of my old things from college, found some old pictures she had given me during a visit while I was in college. So, it's throwback Thursday time.  

Eh hem. Back to New England.

I like my traditions. And for the love of ice cream I have only be thinking/talking/dreaming about my favorite ice cream place since Christmas: Lago's. My mom tried to talk me out of it. Have you lost your marbles???? 

                          

 I got cookie monster and oatmeal cream pie with chocolate jimmies!

 It's all homemade ice cream and the flavors are sinfully wonderful. I can't wait to go back!

Home was great. Wonderful. Amazing. Exactly what this girl needed. I honestly can't be without New England for greater than 6 months and even that is stretching it. Someday New England, someday we'll be together again.

Can we talk about surprises for a moment? I love surprises (good ones...obviously). I have been and am being tortured by upcoming surprises. My mom has a surprise which she is very elusive about and usually I can crack her for information. Not this time. I'm going nuts. Then, Mark has some surprises and won't tell me, though I have been given some useless hints. My curiosity-meter is OFF.THE.CHARTS. I'm going to go mad!!!! THEN a few weeks ago, Amy said she had a surprise for me too but I would have to wait. Let me tell you friends, I cannot crack her. Nope. She is tight-lipped. She doesn't even humor me. Well. I got home Sunday morning and she came over with my surprise because she finally got it and couldn't stand waiting any longer!!!! 

She got me a Garmin. 

OH.

MY.

LANTUS.

I teared up after she left. 

A) That's extremely generous. EXTREMELY. B) Ohmygosh it's a GARMIN. That's for legit runners. And Amy, who I respect, admire, and deem a legit, hardcore, and amazing runner, called me a runner and said it was time for me to have one. That's a high compliment friends. Whoa buddy. C) She even got it in the color I had been eyeing. I've already used it a few times this week and it's SO COOL!!!!!

 I get to see Mark in 3 weeks.

FINALLY. 

By the time we see each other it will have been 3 months. Three. That's practically an eternity. I am not a fan. If I could even tell you how excited I am, if I could even somehow allow you to feel the excitement and anticipation that are bubbling inside of me, I would. But I cannot. 

Plus. We'll be in New England. Together. HAPPINESS!!!!!

AND! He's never been to New England before. 

He doesn't even know what's about to hit him.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And. I went to the doctor's today. I don't think my experience is blog appropriate so I won't share (sorry), but I will just say, Brian Regan was right. When they say, "you're going to feel a little pressure," IT'S A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy catscans. Lies. But it was hilarious, albeit someone embarrassing. Jeepers.

Oh! And I  have a Dr. W story from today. I had a patient who was ordered to start TPN today (total parenteral nutrition aka feeding someone through a vein where they just absorb the nutrients because it's already "digested" for them). TPN is more of a last resort option and really only for patients with a gut that don't work because of surgery, obstructions, fistulas, etc. This patient does not fall into the TPN-appropriate category but some doctors love to order TPN willy nilly, which drives me NUTS. It's expensive and really not that great for the body in the long run. Well. I get really riled up when some of the docs order TPN because 80% of the time it's not appropriate. I was riled today because it was absolutely not appropriate. So. I fumed with the pharmacist about the TPN and had my case ready to argue. My argument was rock solid. I was ready to fight this one. So, I patiently waited for Dr. W to finish chatting with a patient and then said hello to him and asked about the patient and started to argue my case (calmly, despite the fact that I was totally ready to bust out the facts, especially since this patient is rather complicated), when 3 seconds into my prepared argument Dr. W said, "You had me at Hi Dr. W. That's fine. Cancel it."

That's it? That's all?

Why can't all doctors be that awesome?!?!? I'll admit I was speechless for a second and then skipped (yes, yes I did skip) merrily down the hall to the charting room to inform the pharmacist that there would be no TPN.

Gabe-1 TPN-0. SUCCESS! 

Throwback

Sorry. I'm not going to post throwback pictures of me or something. At least not for this post. Maybe another time. BUT. This week has been a throwback week. At least the last few days have been. Mark and I were reminiscing about the good old days after reading 50 Things That Look Just Like Your Childhood. We were delighted to be reminded of orange VHS tapes (Harriet the Spy!!!), French Toast Crunch, AOL Instant Messenger, the Pierre Escargot, Heads-Up 7 Up (still one of my favorite games), Gigapets, and other wonderful things from our childhood. This led to a fun reminiscent discussion about the good, quality Saturday Morning cartoons and our favorite shows on the Disney channel and Nickelodeon. GOOD times! The shows these days just pale in comparison. It's sad really.

So. Saturday morning I woke up, took Scotty out, poured myself a bowl of cereal (with chocolate chips because, hey, it's Saturday) and watched one of my favorites: Rocky and Bullwinkle. Thank you YouTube!!!

Today I think I might watch Gummi Bears. I LOVED that show. 

I also did some baking because...I love it. Because it makes me happy. Because it relieves my stress. Because I enjoy it. Because I was craving some things. Etc., etc., etc.

My new faaaaaavorite thing is "ice cream" made of just frozen bananas and peanut butter. I LOVE IT!!!!! 

2 overripe bananas cut into coins and frozen thrown into a food processor with 2 generous spoonfuls of peanut butter (or however much PB you desire). Toss with chocolate chips and voila!, a healthy version of ice cream. Friends, it's the bomb. I am going to try it with just bananas and strawberries too. 

THEN. I found a recipe for pretzel buns and decided it was a MUST. Super easy to make and holy catscans are they good. I brought some into work and froze the rest...except I ate the last one today and am going to make some more...today. They are THAT good. Recipe at the end of the post!

Friday Amy created a training plan for my next half marathon in October. Whoa baby. It's definitely do-able, but it's going to push me. Yikes! New kickin' PR here I come!

Yesterday karma and the world were against me. I blame the heat and humidity, paper-thin patience, and fatigue but OH MY LANTUS it was ridiculous. It was one of those days where it was one annoying thing after another. I'm not going to waste your and my time talking about it because the day is over but let me just say, I am not a fan of shopping at Wal-Mart to begin with, but I HATE it on Saturdays. Plus some lady with a MAAAASSSIVE cart full of things cut in front of me. I was fuming. THIRTY minutes later, I finally left Wal-Mart. Yeah, not a happy camper. BUT I did get these beauts!

And I have discovered my new favorite Greek yogurt (of which I am obsessed): Dannon's Light and Fit coconut vanilla. HOLY MOLY it's so good. It was my first time trying it--I think it's brand new--and I only bought three. DRATS! Next time I go, I am clearing Wal-Mart of their supply. So. Good. And with chocolate chips...pardon me while I die of happiness. Oh and, BONUS, it's only 80 cals. Yes, indulge away! 

And another good thing from my Wal-Mart experience, my chocolate chip jar is now restocked and therefore all is right in the world. And I even got some PB chips so now I can finally make my copy cat chocolate PB Levain cookies! 

AND. HOME IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(To come: Mom, Heath and Emma, Soucys, GP, Lagos, Shake Shack, seafood and so much more). I AM READY TO BURST I AM SO HAPPY! Oh New England I love you.

Pretzel Buns (from Yammie's Noshery)

Makes ~12 (I think you could get about 16...they get pretty big)

2 cups milk1 1/2 Tablespoons (2 packets) active dry yeast
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 Tablespoons butter, melted
4 1/2 cups flour (I used 5-5 1/2...maybe because it's so flippin' humid right now...)
2 teaspoons fine salt


1/3 cup baking soda
3 cups warm water (I'd recommend boiling the water because my pretzels didn't get that nice brown "pretzel" look...but they still tasted wicked good)!
Coarse salt
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Warm up the milk in the microwave or on the stove for just about one and a half minutes. It should be about 110º. If it's too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for about 3 minutes. Add the butter and sugar. Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and the add the fine salt. Kneed for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer, or by hand. Put it in a greased bowl and cover with greased cling wrap. Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 375º. Punch down dough and divide into 12 lumps (I like to divide it in half, then divide each half into three, and then divide each remaining one in half again). Roll them into balls. Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl. Dip each ball in the baking soda water and then cut a slit in the top with a serrated knife. Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for about 9-15 minutes or until browned. Brush with melted butter. INDULGE. Good, huh?

Yay it's May!

So. 

Let's recap. 

This may be a long post BUT it has lots of pictures (and yes, a lot of food pics. Don't pretend to be shocked)!!! That means it'll mostly be pictures with my commentary. Muahaha!

Ye have been warned. Birthdays are kind of A HUGE deal for me. The bigger I can make it, the better. My pal Amy had her 24th birthday on the 23rd and the day before I had brilliant ideas poppin' out of my brain cells. I couldn't wait. These are the results:

*Eh hem* FIRST of all friends, let me just say I made my own caramel...WITHOUT a candy thermometer. WHABAM! And it was great! The author of the recipe said I could do it and she was right. Boy I felt like a million bucks. Also I'm glad because otherwise I would have had to make a late night trip to Wally-world (eh...) for caramels to melt (aka the cheapo way). Well, thank goodness it worked. 

 I felt it completely necessary that I "taste test" some so I put it atop some leftover brownies I had in the freezer and then thought, "what the heck?" and topped it with some sea salt and whipped cream, or "keem" as my darling nieces used to call it. Delish friends, DEE.LISH.

Now the point of making the caramel? Well, Amy's favorite candy bar, or one of, is Twix and I had pinned (I will admit, I am a Pinterestaholic. Yup. *no shame*) a homemade Twix recipe months ago and now had a reason to make them! YES! So I made 'em, cut up in attempt to make them kinda, sorta look like Twix bars and then got all crazy (this is what happens when I am scheming, the ideas just FLOOOOOW. It's amazing) and decided to wrap them up so they looked like candies. 

AND THEN. I decided that Twix bars weren't enough, because, like I said, I like to go ALL OUT on birthdays. I decided to make some peanut butter pudding cookies. Amy and I had made these together months ago and I remember us both devouring them so I thought these would be a hit. Instead of peanut butter chips, which I didn't have because I kind of decided to make them on the fly, I just used Reeses Pieces, peanut butter M&Ms, and chocolate chips. 

SOOOO YUMMY! And you know I taste tested that dough about 5 times. I gave her 24 cookies and she was kind enough to share. Mmmmm! 

THEN. And this was the AHA! moment I had right before I left work on Monday and decided to gather all my goods to super surprise Amy on Tuesday: decorate her desk/half of our office. Oh I was bursting with excitement! I got to work super early and decorated and was so nervous she would come in extra early (she always beats me) and I would be in the middle of decorating. Well, as it turns out she was running late and ended up getting in loooong after I had finished. Thank goodness. She was surprised and I was pleased. 

Now we decided to throw a birthday bash on Saturday and I got all crazy and made spinach dip (from a packet but it was from Mark from this fabulous store in Texas!) with homemade pita chips, and, now this is a big deal, guacamole. For the first time. By myself (which means without the guidance of Mark, who showed me how to make it). Now I realize it's not rocket science but I'm a baker, ok? This means I like specific amounts with specific ingredients and clear cut instructions. Cooking is a little more lenient in amounts and ingredients so I was a little nervous making this for the first time, and for a party no less. Fortunately, Mark is amazing and walked me through about 5 times. He even Skyped with me while I made a test batch. Yes he is that awesome. And yes I am pathetic. It's the curse of perfectionism. 

THEN. In my attempts to get back into making dinners more consistently that are a little more wholesome than a PB/honey sandwich, cereal, or a Greek yogurt, I found a super easy salad recipe which involved black beans, corn, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade cilantro-lime dressing. Friends, it's off the hook good. I added some spicy tilapia and whoa buddy it was good. YAY for leftovers! 

This shouldn't be anything new but I just am not feeling running as of late. I don't know why. Actually I do. April, well, after April 10th, April and I were not on good terms. No siree. Work sucked the life out of me (you work 3 weeks straight sans a day off and tell me how you feel. Yeah that's what I thought), I was recently asked to be the director of a girls camp my church does every year and usually the director is given this assignment months ago and I have kind of been thrown into the whirlwind of planning (with a mere 2 months to go until camp) while trying to get myself up to speed, plan, etc. etc. etc., while trying to maintain my personal sanity. This is no small task. I believe many of you would say, "Welcome to being an adult" or "Welcome to reality. Yeah well...fine. At least hand me some more cheese for my whining. Provolone preferably. Or sharp Havarti. 

I was talking to Amy, who is running a marathon this weekend and another in Philadelphia in November. I was telling her I didn't really want to run the Myrtle Beach mini-marathon (half marathon; I don't know why they call it a mini-marathon because there is nothing mini about 13.1 miles thankyouverymuch) in October. I didn't like the course and, I donno, just wasn't feeling it. Amy suggested I run the half marathon in Philly when she runs the full. 

DONE. I am slightly more motivated though probably not until after the chaos of June is over. But still. Now I have a goal. AND it's my first distance race. We're making a little trip out of it and driving up with a group of friends, a few others who are running the half and a few coming to cheer us on. I am pumped! And you better believe I will be running up the Rocky stairs! 

Next month this cutie will be back in NH to live with my brother and sister-in-law permanently. I'm a little heartbroken because I love him so, but I think it'll be better for him: more room to run around and two people to care for him. So I busted out his dreaded carry-on bag to get him ready for the flight home. I can already feel my stress level rising. 

Per the request of Amy, I made rolo cookies for her because this week has been a bust for us both. Like I'd turn down a request for cookies and the opportunity to bake. NEVER! 

And now for today. I had yesterday and today off. Yesterday was devoted to errands and today was my fun day. I let my mane go free--and it was windy so I looked like a human Mufasa--and busted out my mint cords and loafers, and you know that means I'm in for some serious fun. 

The fun started with Iron Man 3. Dude. First showing of the day cost me a whoppin' $4.75. That pleased me GREATLY. And hooooooly catscans it was a GREAT flick. Robert Downey Jr. is one of, if not my favorite actor. This role was made for him. Go see it. You will not be disappointed! Then I went to get froyo for lunch. It's been awhile since I had some. I got hazelnut, chocolate, and vanilla froyo and topped it with--ready for this??--chocolate chips, brownie bits, chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds, cocoa puffs (why not??) and topped it off with chocolate jimmies (or for those of you not from New England, chocolate sprinkles). Ooooooh yes I loved it! AND this makes me SO excited to go home in June to a) see Heath and Emma and my New England family and b) go to Lagos, the best ice cream place EVER. I'm drooling already. OHMYLANTUSIMSOEXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I decided to "pop in" to Anthropologie. Right. Pop in. Ha. I don't shop at Anthro for their clothes. Not quite my style, though cute. I shop for their kitchen stuff, sometimes home stuff, and random books/literature/note pads/writing stuff. I honed in on this cup and plate (pictured left) when I walked and I ended up walking up with that plate because I have an obsession with nautical stuff and therefore I had to have it. I also loved these little ceramic sailboats (pictured right), but what would I really do with them? Eh. Not worth $24. But still cute. 

LOVED this tape dispenser.  

And my eyes popped out of my head a little when I saw these AH-dorable sticky notes. And hello! There were 480 in there! But I told myself I have enough stationary/sticky notes (For now. But that's a lie. It was a tactic to talk myself out of them and it worked...this time). 

 Then I got home and the top I had ordered for my new bathing suit had arrived!!! My new suit is ready! Now, woman to woman--or hey if you're a man, woman to man but let's face it, what I am about to tell you is probably more exciting and understood by a woman--I had to order a smaller size in my bathing suit bottom. Yeah. I almost died with happiness. You know that feeling right? Oh yes. AMAZING. 

Now. May I please just tell you how much I adore my brothers. I can't even tell you. There are no words except to say I am the luckiest sister ever. I love and adore and admire these fine men. They are some of the best friends I will ever have. 

Heath (on the left) graduated from Brigham Young University the end of April in Electrical Engineering (WAHOO!!!!!), was accepted to the University of New Hampshire's law program, and got a scholarship. I am SO freakin' proud. And I get to see him and his fabulous wife in a month. We're going to have some serious sibling time. I CANNOT wait. 

Dane (on the right) is rockin' and rollin' as a missionary for our church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is doing very well and I am SO proud of him. You can read about his experiences and adventures here.  

Finally, OneRepublic came out with a new album in March and friends, it is AAAMAZING. I LOVE IT. Michael Buble also came out with a new album in April, but, to be honest, I like OneRepublic's better, at least right now. And I found a really cool recipe for homemade rosemary soft pretzels. I think I'll give 'em a try tonight. And I thumbed through a macaroon recipe book at Barnes and Noble today (and used my iPhone to snap some of the recipes; does that make me a bad person? I did't want the whole book!), and I think I might try to make some macaroons tonight, or tomorrow. Hmm...baking and listening to OneRepublic? Yup that sounds like a swell evening to me!