prescription: relaxation

my idea of relaxation : massages, pedicures, bubble baths, facials, body wraps, and sleep.  

i'm pretty sure that's what the doctor prescribed on my last visit.  so in taking the doc's orders, i'm trying to relax a little.  taking deep breaths, trying to adapt a more carefree attitude, and not stressing about the dishes in the kitchen sink or the clutter on the steps.  and since i don't exactly have a spa in my house, these pictures are the next best thing.

[images from country living and google]

sonoma, ca

if you love wine, then this is the place to go.  i had such a great time while out there, i can't wait to visit again.  even though i was working, i was able to squeeze in some fun [sadly our camera died while out there so the only photos are with my trusting iphone].  sunday morning, ryan and i headed to armstrong national redwood forest with some friends.  cut to me [ms. uncoordinated] on a segway.  

if you've never ridden a segway, you should.  if i can ride one, anyone can [i only crashed once, and it was ryan's fault, he was showing off and cut me off and i lost control].  its all about the hips.  lean your hips forward to go and backwards to stop, simple as that.  now i'm bugging ryan to do the segs in the city tour in dc since i'm a professional segway-er.

i was able to visit some wineries too [moon mountain, rubicon estates, alpha omega, arrowood, imagery].  i didn't get a chance to get to my beloved kendall-jackson, but at least now i have something in store for my next trip.


the landscape all throughout sonoma and napa is just breathtaking.  i'm thinking of tacking on another trip in july when i'm back in california.

and we dined at girl and the fig.  i was so happy we were able to get into the restaurant on saturday night otherwise i don't think i'd of gotten the chance.  the food was amazing and its such a quaint and cozy restaurant.  i could see myself moving to wine country one day....

i'm 26 and i've got a pill box.

while out in sonoma, ca last week i developed what could possibly be either shingles or lyme disease (contracted from my visit to the redwood forest).  while i'm waiting for the blood work to return from the lab, i'm on a bunch of medications, on top of my normal pills i take each day.  since its a lot to keep track of, i picked up a pill box while at the pharmacy.  and a pill cutter since i'm supposed to take 1/2 of a pill 3 times a day.  can't the drug companies just make a smaller pill i can take 3 times a day!  sheesh.  

wonder if i could file this under workers comp since it happened on company time? 

atlanta weekend recap

as you know, i just recently went to visit my twin sister, jessica, in atlanta.  i hadn't been to the city in forever so i was excited to visit.  we ate, we drank, we shopped, and we had lots of fun.  first things first, flip burger boutique.

as i mentioned before, richard, was one of my favorite contestants on top chef.  and his restaurant didn't disappoint.  i enjoyed a mushroom and swiss burger with asparagus fries, and jessica had a country fried beef burger.  she said it was good so we'll have to take her word for it since i don't eat beef.  after flip we went for wine at a new hot spot, jct kitchen.  the place was hopping and offered a great view of the atlanta skyline.

the next morning we got up and headed out for a day of shopping & touring.  after visiting little five points (a vintage district that sells clothes, home decor, etc), we spent the afternoon touring the swan house.  atlanta's first mansion and it had residents until 1965 - so that was pretty cool.  the house was beautiful and i'm definitely jealous of the huge bathroom in the master.

the back of the house, pretty impressive huh...

and the much less impressive front, oh wait, its even better.

then the big night out.  woodfire grill.  one word: amazing.

jessica and i met up with one of her friends from work, danielle.  we got a great table right next to the wood fire so we could see all the action in the kitchen.  the food was delicious from the appetizer salad with local feta cheese, to my halibut, to the foray of desserts we ordered.  unfortunately i was a terrible blogger and the photos of the food from my iphone don't do it justice. 

the next morning we went to tour cnn and the world of coke.  it was so cool seeing how the channel handles the breaking news.  unfortunately we didn't get to tour the wardrobe room.  world of coke was quite the experience.  from the zillions of kids running around to the tasting room, the tour offered something for everyone.  i have to say though, i'll stick with my coke zero over the 65 different cokes you can taste - some of them were plain nasty.

we ended with dinner at the infamous varsity.  nothing beats chicken fingers and fries after sightseeing.  
ever been to atlanta?  what are some of your favorite things to do?  

earth day.

[image from weheartit.com]

04.22.10.

what green initiatives have you taken today?  or everyday?  you already know about my recycling center.  and my green bags from home goods.  i'm always searching for new ideas to implement into my daily routine.

wine country

i'll be home less than 12 hours before i take off on my next excursion.  i conquered whistler, bc with ease.   and i rode the peak 2 peak, so i accomplished one goal for april, yea!  here's a photo from the peak of blackcomb mountain and trust me the camera doesn't do it justice.

ryan and i are on our way to sonoma, ca and staying at the fairmont sonoma mission inn.  i couldn't be more excited.  after one of my first wine wednesday posts, i received an email from jenny @ anything pretty's aunt beth.  she lives in southern california and gave me a bunch of recommendations for tastings, shopping, and eating.  on my list is dinner at the girl and the fig, a visit to kendall jackson, and the hopefully napa wine train.  

have a great week!

utensil drawer 1 : kristen 0

ever been at your wits end when trying to shut the the infamous overstuffed kitchen utensil drawer?

[image from google]

you know what i'm talking about, the drawer that's got spatulas of all shapes and sizes, bamboo and metal tongs, a lettuce knife you've never used, a microplane grater (for that one recipe you made months ago), cheese knife, etc.  and for whatever reason, once you pull something out, you can never get the drawer shut without screaming?

well i reached my wits end the other day.  i've vowed to never fight the drawer again.  how am i going to do this?  with a little kitchen experiment.  i emptied the entire drawer into four boxes and put them in the basement.  

for the next two months, when i reach for a utensil i'll look in the drawer first.  if its not there, its in the basement.  i'll pull it out, use it, and place it back into the drawer.  this experiment will tell me which utensils i use, and which i don't.  whatever is still left in the boxes after 2 months, gets donated.  

and i'm not stopping at my utensil drawer, i've pulled my cookie sheets, baking pans, kitchen gadgets (food processor, hand mixer, salad keeper, salad spinner - you get the idea) into the experiment too.  i'm starting to tackle this kitchen organization, one month at a time. 

one day...

...i'll have monogrammed chair covers.  i'm loving this one here.

[image from countryliving.com]

crossing the line.

the border line.  i'm heading to whistler, british columbia for a week.  you may have heard of this little town, as it was the official alpine skiing venue for the 2010 olympic and paralympic winter games.  i'm not coordinated enough to maneuver skis and poles (ryan can attest to this from our first and probably only skiing trip together) but i do hope to take in the sites from the peak 2 peak gondola ride.  also i'll celebrate my 26th birthday next tuesday. this is the second year in a row, i've spent my birthday at a far off location away from family & friends.  hello bottle of wine from room service :)  

[image from westinwhistler.com - where i'll be staying]

also did i mention it snowed yesterday in whistler?  and i thought i'd put away the winter clothes for the season...psych. 

a new twist

looking for creative ideas for your upcoming party?  try using a lollipop in place of a stirrer for your cocktails.  you could use complementary colors or make a statement with opposites.  a yellow lollipop in a pink cosmopolitan would be perfect for a girl's night or blue in some white sangria would be patriotic touch at your memorial day picnic.  

for more creative uses of everyday items, check out real simple's hall of fame. 

hello homegoods

the pollen must really be bad this year.  ryan actually suggested trip to homegoods tomorrow after work.  i'm giddy with excitement!  and i'm sure the fact that he's doped up on allergy drugs has nothing to do with the suggestion either.  


next, perhaps he'll suggest a trip to the craft store.  if that happens, i'll know he's overdosed.

happy easter

happy easter, hope you are enjoying the day with friends & family.  i'm hanging out with some chicks, easter chicks to be exact.  and boy are they cute :)  

and a close up.

have a wonderful day!