Day312 - Yeah, it's a little like Heaven pie.

Friday, November 7, 2008: High Street Pub: Pumpkin mouse pie

Troy, Allen and I met Yana at the High Street Pub. I went here for my newness sometime either this year or last year. It is a quite restaurant with food that is more expensive (but good!) than what you expect for a Pub.

I had some kind of roasted pork tenderloin, veering away from the pulled pork that I would have probably liked more. I tried some of Yana's swordfish and it was really good. Much better than mine.

Yana and I split this. I think it was a pumpkin mouse pie, but Deb (our waitress and probably coolest lady on the planet) called it Heaven pie. And it was! Very very good especially if you are a pumpkin lover (I am a terrible pumpkin lover).

Is it as good as my Heavenly Mango bites. No. But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't eat a whole damn pie.




Later that night, after Yana and I fussed over Mac and Dank fussed over Toofy, Troy, Allen and I had a little Nerf war. Here is a secret - Allen likes to shoot you in the face, whether you are paying attention to him or not. I immediately changed my opinion that I would ever want to play paintball with him - Yana you were right!

Here is a video. We shot each other with beautiful freedom nerfs.

Day313 - Is that a grape?

Saturday, November 8, 2008: OLV Bazaar: mystery cake

Today we headed to the OLV bazaar to eat, push Anna around in a stroller and check out some crafts. Also, to lose at basket raffle.

We met Mark, Jodie and Anna and drove to OLV. I really wanted perogies, but they were already sold out at 1 p.m.. That would NOT happen back home - not until at least 6. But I don't believe that these were made by someone's eastern European grandma.

Troy and I split some crazy cake that I did not take a picture of. I looked like carrot cake, but had raisins, pineapple, and Troy said, cherries. And nuts and some other craziness. It was very good and I had a hard time stopping eating it.

Afterwards, we went to Target with M, J & A. Troy modeled this over priced silver wreath atrocity.



He is cute.

**How the rest of the day went - so Melissa remembers**
I talked on the phone with Rick about life and friends and death and life and all that other fun stuff. Kyle and Carla came over and they got to see Mac and eat Pizza and marvel at how large this iMac is. We ate pizza and Troy shot me in the eyeball with a nerf gun. Directly in the eyeball.

Day208 - Really, it could go for more garlic, probably.

Saturday, July 26, 2008: My Kitchen: Roasted Tomato Mayo.

I'm not one to put a shitload of time and effort into on part of dinner. I don't have the patience to spend 4 hours to work on one ingredient of a 30 ingredient meal. That's why I buy my roasted red peppers in a jar.

So, it was a surprise that I spent an hour to make this mayonnaise. I doubt I would have unless it was for a quantity that could be used for weeks to come - like in this case.

First, you roast a whole head of garlic.




While that chugs away in the oven, you add all of this into a bowl. We've got salt, pepper, red pepper, celery, more garlic and applesauce.

**Quick note - I've been dicing onion and freezing it in a container in the freezer. It's making my life hella easier and it stays for a good long time. **




In a pan, roast tomatoes, rosemary, basil and salt and pepper until it literally falls apart.





Then, burn your precious fingers peeling the skin from the tomatoes before you dump it in a bowl with the garlic you burnt your fingers on and mayo.




Mix it up and keep it chilled in the fridge for a couple of months. If it will last that long. Troy has it about half gone already. So it was worth it if he likes it so much.




I also made some other crazy shit. Yana and Allen were coming over for lunch, and I love cooking for more that just us two.

This is a buffalo turkey burger. It kind of tasted like hot wings.




Instead of ranch or blue cheese, this slaw went along with it. I hate slaw, but I liked this very, very much. Two Tb of ranch, walnuts and 1/4 c apple and celery. Really, really awesome.




And oven fries. These are the only fries that I've ever made that came out good in my life. Trust me, I screw up frozen fries all of the time. The had a teaspoon of paprika, olive oil and some salt. In the oven for 30 minutes at 450.




So, yeah, I cooked a lot today. It took an hour just for the mayonaise and everything else was from scratch as well. All the recipes were from Healthy Living. It's pretty much my go-to-guide for cooking right now, and it hasn't let me down yet.

Day206 - Occasionally I walk.

Thursday, July 24, 2008: Bellefonte: Photowalk.

We went on another photowalk tonight. This time we stuck to Tallyrand Park and the Match Factory in Bellefonte. I've shot the park before, as did Yana, but it was still pretty awesome to go for it again.

I did something I've never done - EVER - in the 20+ or so years that I've been able to actually hold a camera in my hands. I was shooting 35mm, and I opened the back door before rewinding the film. I could have died.

Never, in all my life have I done something so dumb.

I'm just really used to shooting digital. And, more likely, sometimes I do not stop to think. Here are some of the shots that I do have because I was smart enough to shoot a little with my Fuji.

I love this one.







Mini-mallards

Day195 - Moths like to do the twist.

Sunday, July 13, 2008: Philipsburg: Heritage Days Cruise

I am a purveyor of Car cruises. It is a fact. I've been to many although I still can't tell the difference between the body styles of Camaro's throughout the year. I can tell you the SPF that should be applied when walking around in the sun all day.

I can also give you tips on the most efficient way to make your way through one of these suckers and I'm always the first to spot the concessions.

Troy and I drove up the Philipsburg last night with the Truck to stay over at Jerm's house. It rained during the night so we had to race around like crazy people covering it with a tarp. It is still not water tight. Not be any stretch of the imagination.

In the morning, I was feeling a bit • ahem • under the weather, so we just walked around instead of entering. It rained a little when we were there, so that was probably a wise decision in hind sight.

This was the first time I've ever walked around Philipsburg. That was pretty cool too. I finally got to see some of the businesses that I hear ads for constantly. It was kind of like meeting a friend of your friends that is in all their stories but you never actually meet. Something like that.

The Cruise was pretty much like any other we've been too: hot with lack of shade. Some rad things to go on about:

We met this moth. He was cool.




Then Jerm and Wendi danced.




And we saw this car. It was awesome because there is pretty much nothing to the engine at all.




And this car is what our truck would look like if it was a car and born 6 years later. So really, nothing like ours at all. But I did get a better idea at what the interior should look like.




Also. Wendi made us breakfast because she is awesome fantastic.

Day194 - What do you mean you don't know "I shot the sherif"

Saturday, July 12, 2008: State College Arts Fest: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

I'm on an ice cream hunt now. After not eating any for months and months, I'm on a full bore mission to seek and eat all in my path. I was addicted to Thin Mint blizzards last week, and now I love, love, love this ice cream from the Creamery.




We had a nice thing going sitting in the grass, until some parents and toddlers came over and started talking about shit we don't care about, like the PTA and juniors feeding schedule. Nothing against you breeders, but I like to chill out and enjoy the sweltering heat without kids going fucking crazy around me.







Later that night we went to Jerm's house in Phillipsburg. We ate lots of good food and then drank lots of beer and played some games. Then Troy and battled over who was tougher. I probably won, but I don't remember.

See, this guy knows how to party.




We read these instructions to Cranium a million times and I still can not tell you how to move around the board.




But the game does rock. It does make you think which is kind of funny after a few Miller Lite's.




We killed them. Wendi and Melissa dominate at Cranium. Those fuckers can't hum "I shot the Sheriff." You are screwed for life guys!

Day192 - The added pressure of not ruining everything.

Thursday, July 10, 2008: Garage: Sanding.

Today I sanded/stripped Kyle's hood. It is the first time I had to sand something that wasn't mine and/or owned by my boyfriend. That makes me more nervous and less likely to do a shit job.

I was surprised at how much my hands hurt. One month off and I've become a complete crybaby.

Here it after the crying.




We pulled out the truck. It looks like there is so much space, but it doesn't always fill like that when your on top of each other trying to get stuff done. The scout is currently missing most of her face.

Day187 - I'm a cherry picker.

Saturday, July 5, 2008: Tallyrand Park: Wild Cherry

My friend Rick came up for a visit. I haven't seen him since February, and before that it was, well, years and years.

It was great to see him today. He is doing really well and is loving life. I couldn't be happier that he is happy.

Troy was with Kyle at the garage, so we hung out their a bit before taking a tour of the Fonte. We narrowly avoided disaster crossing a Bellefonte Parade before working our way down to Tallyrand.

We sat in the gazebo and talked and talked and talked. Yeah, who knew I was a talker. I like talking to people that have known you so long that when you say something weird, like I'm prone to do, they can just accept it as something that naturally comes out of your mouth. It makes my brand of comedy gold easy.

Rick agrees that Bellefonte is neat and that the downtown is surprisingly self-sufficient in it's assortment of shops that sell stuff and things. But it's hard not to agree that the entire world is perfect when lounging around that park.

I was trying to show off the muskrat that hangs around near the pump house and we came upon a wild cherry tree. Rick pulled down a branch for me to grab one. Eh, it was ok. The conversation was better.

We walked back up to the garage and eventually made our way back to the house. Rick left later (we begged him to stay) before we stopped over at Kyle's for the UFC match. I think I saw some guys skull during the first match. And blood. Lot's of blood.

Day186 - Not a damn thing.

Friday, July 4, 2008: My backyard: Nothing

This might not seem like that much, or that ground breakingly awesome, but it is the only way I would have wanted to spend the day.

Instead of some big 4th extravaganza or a family fun-fest, we spent the day at the house, alone for most of it except when Kyle and Carla stopped by to eat and drink with us. Carla gave us VIP passes for 4th fest, but once they got here we decided to stay. They are just that great!

I made a ton of food - more than four people could eat in a day - and we bought sparklers and some other random fireworks at the big red stand on the outside of town. Troy broke out some bottle rockets he has tucked away for when he is itching for an arrest.

It was a good day. This really is the only 4th that we have spent without an event to attend. Or some long distance to drive. There is something to be said about slowing it all down.

Day183 - There must be a god because this cheese is too good.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008: State College: Ale House

Today Yana, Troy and I had a meeting at the Ale House. While we were there we had a little dinner that turned into a big dinner. But good, so good.

Yana had this martini that I think had mango in it. Very, very good.




Then we had this while we were waiting for our client to arrive. This may be the best cheese plate that I have ever, ever had. And you know me, I am a connoisseur of cheese.




See this cheese with the green specs? Havarati with dill. I could live in that cheese wheel.




After the meeting we ordered dinner although I think that we were all probably full from the best appetizer ever. In my quest for the best pulled pork ever, I order this one:




Very good. Great even if I must gush. It had this coleslaw on it. I usually hate cole slaw, but I believe that this has opened a new door for me. I know that it at least has apples in it and probably mayo. I think I'll spend my life trying to figure out the rest.




Great night. Great company and an awesome outcome to our meeting. Sometimes it's really easy to love life.

Day180 - Lite my Party on fire.

Day 180 -

Today I went to a PartyLite (http://www.partylite.us/prodfeatures/lang_us/page_featproducts/sectname_products/subsect_featured.htm) at my friend Gayle's house. I'm usually not into all that girly shit, but I love Gayle and wanted a good visit so I went.

Part of the party was dedicated to soaking our feet and trying products that made said feet feel and smell wonderful. Then we had to take an oath to promise to take care and/or pamper ourselves for 5 minutes a day.

Thinking about that oath afterwards, I realized that I don't really do that and then I got alternatively mad/sad at our society and the culture from which I came. I don't necessarily think that women are encouraged to take time out for themselves… well, at least not in my family growing up. Things are a different right now, and Gen Y is leading us right into the apocalypse, but growing up around my grandmothers, well, you worked and you worked and you worked and then you took care of your family. Most kids these days could do with some time with my Nana.

Anyway, I bought a lot of candles. Get ready for Xmas bitches, they are coming your way.

I picked these out for us. Like little Lukes:





I ordered one of these as well. I think it will smell like cherries and peppercorns. Weird, but lovely at the same time.




So, that was it. Fellow chick-a-dees out there, if you want to buy have a spa/candle party let me know. The wonderful and nice sales rep was on me to throw one of my own despite my protests that I'm really not that kind of Lady. I'm not sure if I'm any kind of lady, but I'm definitely not that kind.

Day179 -
Friday, June 27, 2008: My living room: Strawberry crackers.

Tonight Troy was having a bad night. He was pretty bummed out about something or other and wanted comfort food to eat it all away. He actually yelled "I want comfort food!" when I questioned him, which was funny.

About 4 months ago I got him addicted to peanut butter and jelly cracker sandwiches. He never had them before and now he can't stop eating them. I think that is hilarious because I've been eating them with my pop-pop for years and years. I don't think that I'm lying when I say maybe 25 years.

OH. MY. God. I've been eating pb&j crackers for 25 years. My head… I'm getting… whoo… it's getting dark…

I'm going to forget that fact. Yikes. Anyolder, I used this strawberry jelly that Mark and Jodie brought us back from the beach forever ago. This was super yummy and I loved it and it calmed Troy down as well. Side note: I really need to learn how to can.




And I don't know if you can tell from the overabundance of food posts, but I'm working super long hours right now. The project is almost over, but I'm super tight on time until sometime around Monday.

Day175 - Life is sometimes "Ew"

Monday, June 23, 2008: Frackville: iChatting it up.

I'm back home today for a doctor's appointment. But because Troy brought his computer, and Yana has a brand new shiny Mac, we were able to continued our marathon talk session from last night. So tonight, me and Troy and Allen and sometimes Yana spent a lot of hours giggling and talking via video. If I was smart, I would have recorded it or taken a screen shot. I was too busy looking at failblog.org and other things I would rather not mention. Or remember for that matter.

Day174 - How do you like these apples!

Sunday, June 22, 2008: Allen & Yana's: Stuff and things.

Yesterday we took the truck for it's first drive out of the county to visit Jen and Derek. Today we took it for it's first ride over 7 Mountains to Yana & Allen's. It made it back and for succesfully. I mean things may have actually fallen off of it and water may have flooded in it, but you will have this.

Yana made super fucking good food. This pizza being one, the roasted red pepper stuff in the background being two. Yana, I think we need to have an Iron Blonde Chef cook-off.




Here is a picture of the Mr. & Mrs. with Troy going for a ride after dinner. I got to chill out with some dogs and cats. It was an even trade off.




Right after they got back it rained like cats and dogs. They very graciously let us park her in their garage. I think this maybe the last time that happens. Foolishly, they let it slip that they know where to "dump our bodies." Yes my friends, the truck is so bad ass that we have been threatened with death - by OUR friends! If we go missing, please check their garage.


Later, we played Apples to Apples. It was really fun. The only person who is more of a sore loser than me is Allen and that is comforting. Troy and Yana are pretty relaxed about winning or loosing. Oddly, their relaxation is not comforting.

We stayed super duper late. Crazy late. If we didn't have a crap load to do in the AM, and I didn't have a need for my own pillow, we would have stayed til morning, which was only a few hours away. To you both, thanks for a great night - it was much needed. Next time we are playing Pictionary. I feel like some blood may spill.

Day168 - I'm thrifty.

Monday, June 16, 2008: Thrift shopping: St. Vincents and Goodwill

Since Troy has been working from home, I definitely have been going on more joy rides. My blinding paleness may be a thing of the past if Troy drags me into the sun this summer. I'm more that content to sit and work all day, but that guy has some kind of illness that makes him unable to sit still.

And it's been like that since we moved in together. I would go to work and expect him to be there when I got home. Well he was, but during my shift he would sometimes drive north to the NY state border from Williamsport. Or west. Or east.

He has ants in his pants.

Back to the task at hand - we went to the thrift stores. I must still be in shock from spending a bunch of loot on the truck because I didn't want to buy a thing - except for a sweet ass bowling ball that I absolutely don't need.

And I kept banging my arm off the racks of clothing. Not awesome. My guns are looking a little rough these days.

St. Vincents was skewed a little old-ish. The only thing I liked was the bowling ball. The Goodwill had too much shit in it - I was easily overwhelmed.



Today was the first day that the truck went for a ride without me or Troy. Kyle and Carla went for a ride together. I made him promise to go for atleast 15 minutes and he did. They have the hot rod fever now too.

Day166 - I think we won anyway.

Saturday, June 14, 2008: Bellefonte Car show

It took me a while to wake up this a.m. I wasn't feeling exactly that hot. Wendi made the most amazing breakfast for us. I can't thank her enough for rocking so hard. She made this potato and cheese casserole that tasted just like a perogie. I could have died it was so good.

After breakfast, members of 329 headed into a 2.5 hour meeting. We got a lot out of the way and their was no off-topic nonsense thankfully. After about 2 hours our guests that were still here and those that were arriving started to get restless, as did the group, and we called the meeting to the end. I mean, look at these guys:




My dad, sister and Nick showed up. We all took a walk down town to check out cars. Unfortunately, because of the rain there really wasn't a lot going on. It was probably 60% of people/cars that are usually there. Also, we were hostage to intermittent rain.


Nick showing his ninja moves to Troy and Kelly.





In the end, we didn't win an award although I don't believe that their was a car their that was more "Antique - custom" than ours.

After we all ate, and ate some more (including the best chocolate peanut butter cupcakes that I've ever had in my entire life) and after all our friends and most family left, we took the Gypsy home. I still have not ridden in the cab since it's been done. I'll get around to it sometime.

Sundown and the Gypsy. I kind of love this picture.




I found this frog on the way to Erin and Ryan's. He peed all over me.




After she was tucked nicely back into her garage, we went to Ryan and Erin's for a first shot at Wii. Here is my character - I think a very close representation.




Not a very flattering picture, but I don't have the concern to photoshop the shit out of my pot belly. It's filled with Macaroni salad right now.




Ryan and Troy going for the gold.




Troy won obviously.





I'm not a fan of Wii boxing, although Erin is pretty much the undisputed champion at boxing. I spent most of my time telling my girl to "STAY DOWN." She didn't listen and part way through I thought I just may have a heart attack and die.

I am a complete fan of bowling and tennis. I love tennis. I am no master at it, but I loved trying to figure it out: how does this arm need to move, what if I do this, etc. My brain can always use that kind of exercise.

So thanks to Erin for getting us addicted to Wii!