Relaxing, Mid-Air Style

A friend of mine tipped me off to LeisureDive, whose mission it is to capture the ultimate leisurely dives via user-submitted content.  You can view their extensive gallery here.  They've captured so many funny photos; I dare you not to laugh.   Needless to say, I think I'm hooked.  What a great way to celebrate summer!

The "Borrow a Grandmother" Restaurant Model

Has anyone ever been to Enoteca Maria Italian Restaurant on Staten Island?  It's been around for a while, but I just found out about it and had to share.  The restaurant has found a way to flourish without the use of all-star chefs by ingeniously replacing them with grandmothers!

Joe Scaravella, the restaurant's owner, puts it nicely when he says, "If you have the choice between a three-star Michelin chef and Grandma's, where are you going?"  Personally, I'd pick my grandmother's house - she's by far the best chef I know.  More to the point, everyone thinks their grandmother's are the best chefs they know.  That's exactly why Scaravella has been so successful with his venture. CNN contributor Sarah Lent also surmises that with fewer families dining together these days, Enoteca offers the kind of homestyle cooking and bonding experience that people long for.

Since every grandmother's cooking is different, every dish at Enoteca has it's own flair as well.  In fact, the menu changes daily so you never know what you're going to get.  Doesn't that sound like fun?

Oreo Cameos

Artist Judith Klausner is a self-proclaimed lover of all things intricate and although she's outgrown an acceptable age for the practice, she still very much enjoys playing with her food.  (I admit that I still play with my food, though I've never used the "it's art" excuse.  Genius.)

While Judith's medium ranges from toe nails to toast, it's her Oreo creations that have captured my attention.  Inspired by questions about discarded beauty and everyday mundaneness,  she came up with a clever response in the form of miniature cameos.  

They look so tasty and so wonderfully crafty!

Blogging Begins Again!

Readers, it's been WAY too long!  I apologize for the extended absence.  We are finally settled into our new place and loving life in Seattle.  The summers up here truly are spectacular - you can't beat 'em!

Needless to say, I'm feeling a bit rusty as I get back into the swing of blogging so I'm going to begin with something easy. To get things started, here's a summary of our life over the last four weeks via photos and miscellaneous links.  Enjoy!

One of our first stops after we moved was Old School Frozen Custard in the Capitol Hill district.  Delicious!  For a
look at other places we've tried, see map.

Hubby Mike also celebrated a birthday.  He could hardly contain his
excitement when he received this bag. ;)

Taking a stroll through Portland, OR.  That's our nephew, Jack, in the background
and our brother-in-law, Rory.  

The Waterfromt Blues Festival over 4th of July weekend and the beautiful Willamette River.

The Mac Potts Band gave us a set of amazing, funky blues.   These guys can really jam!

View from Lake Union on the 4th of July.  We spent the day on a boat with family.

View of the Fremont Bridge on Lake Union before we docked the boat.  The fireworks over the lake were incredible.

Snack Time!

RACKS and Mooby has this great idea for a tasty summer treat.  It's a frozen JELLO pop and boy does it look good!  I love the rainbow of colors and it's a good alternative to an ice cream cone for anyone watching their weight.  Yummy!

Go Get 'Em, Tiger!

He may be young, but this kid already knows the meaning of inspiration!  Watch below as he gives an Academy-worthy speech after learning to ride his bike.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Moving Time!

Readers, thanks for being patient with me while my posts have become sporadic.  The big news in my world is that my husband and I are moving to Seattle in a few weeks!  We've loved every minute of living in Los Angeles, but we're itching for a change so we'll see if this does the trick.   In the meantime, we've been busy finding a place to live up there, securing job opportunities, and booking a mover.

We're only moving the equivalent of a 2-bedroom apartment plus our cat, but the stress of that alone has given me a true appreciation for people who have to move houses, children, multiple cars, dogs, etc.  Moving can really take a lot out of you!

And on that note, I leave you with this lovely, little distraction while I continue doing moving-related things.  It's a new take on putting your dog "in the dog house."  The only problem is that this dog actually likes it!