but only sometimes.
This past weekend we hosted a great bbq. A good time was had by all, even if it was 90+ degrees. Our newly acquired window unit was working overtime and every one was still sweating their brains out. I'm pretty sure if we had suggested a nudist bbq everybody would have been down, but the Galbraiths have a reputation to uphold here in Philadelphia.
Anyway, to beat the heat I made the most bomb-diggity coconut ice cream evah! I was a little nervous because I basically just dumped stuff in a bowl, mixed, and then stuck it in the maker but it turned out quite excellent.
I thought I would share, but just a disclaimer these measurements are rough and if you are watching your waistline this is not for you. Sorry.
2 cans creme de coconut
1 can coconut milk (full fat and delicious, not lite)
1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened)
3 cups cream
1 cup milk
Put the coconut milk and shredded coconut in the food processor and blend. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Put in the ice cream maker. The end. I think I may have added some coconut extract but I don't think it did much.
Our friend Clark was a total renegade and put Aunt Jill's lemon fruit dip on top of the ice cream. Best. Idea. Ever.
We caught fire flies with the two year olds and I decided I was a deprived child because we didn't have fireflies in Colorado. The possibilities for fun are endless with those little guys. I wanted to squish out the luciferase and make war paint the kiddos faces, but decided that maybe their moms wouldn't appreciate me smearing dead bug all over their children. So, I decided to save that idea for my own children. poor kids.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
And something fun for the kids
That last one was getting pretty deep, so I'll liven things up a bit with this video:
Reminds me again why I'm doing this
Today marks the last day of my first year of dental school. I'm wiped out mentally and physically, but I'm happy to report that I survived. Along the way I was even voted president of my class, which seems kind of high school-ish but is an honor nonetheless. Already I've had to deal with a cheating scandal and some financial issues, but I think it's going to be a fun position to hold next year.
Having spent the last few weeks staying up late to study and working over-time in the pre-clinic making a gold crown (we had to do everything, from prepping the tooth to carving the shape of the new crown out of wax to melting the gold with an acetylene torch and then injecting it into the casting), I'm definitely ready for some time off. My first order of business: tune up the bike and go for a long ride. Then I'm going to make some reservations for our upcoming trip to Costa Rica or else we'll be sleeping on the beach every night.
It's a little daunting to think that this time next year I will be working on my first patients. Plastic mannequins don't have nerve endings or blood vessels. They don't care if my elbow smashes into their eye or my bur accidentally digs into their lip. They also don't have high blood pressure or diabetes, and they aren't taking any medications that react adversely to anesthesia. But even though I have a long way to go and a lot to learn, this person's story helps remind me why I'm so excited to be in dental school, and why ultimately I want to go into oral surgery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zollo/2460682776/
Having spent the last few weeks staying up late to study and working over-time in the pre-clinic making a gold crown (we had to do everything, from prepping the tooth to carving the shape of the new crown out of wax to melting the gold with an acetylene torch and then injecting it into the casting), I'm definitely ready for some time off. My first order of business: tune up the bike and go for a long ride. Then I'm going to make some reservations for our upcoming trip to Costa Rica or else we'll be sleeping on the beach every night.
It's a little daunting to think that this time next year I will be working on my first patients. Plastic mannequins don't have nerve endings or blood vessels. They don't care if my elbow smashes into their eye or my bur accidentally digs into their lip. They also don't have high blood pressure or diabetes, and they aren't taking any medications that react adversely to anesthesia. But even though I have a long way to go and a lot to learn, this person's story helps remind me why I'm so excited to be in dental school, and why ultimately I want to go into oral surgery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zollo/2460682776/
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Positivity
The lack of details regarding the pending move is stressing me out, so I thought I would write all the the things that I am looking forward to between now and August.
1) Sarah Jane! My dear friend SJ is coming to visit me TODAY! Want to hear something so sad? Her train arrives at 2:59....My train departs for class at 2:57. It is like that tragic love story where we just miss each other. She brings with her Grub. I haven't seen Grub since he was about 4 weeks old so I am excited to see how much he has grown!
On the agenda:
Conshohocken Farmers Market
A toodle down Valley Green
Philadelphia
The cooking and enjoying of delicious concoctions
Experimenting with the making of croissants
H&M
The Italian Market?
The Art Museum?
The possibilities are endless!
2) 4th of July this weekend will be spent at my grandpa's in NY where I hope it will be decidedly less humid and where we will have our first experience with the MEGABUS
on the agenda:
Marry Poppins!
Fishing
Consuming of vast quantities Food
3) Costa Rica!!!! While the two weeks leading up to the trip will be lonely for myself, Colin will already be familiarizing himself with the region, and with the mouths and teeth of the people of Costa Rica and Panama. I head out on July 18th to meet him in San Jose for 12 days of traveling bliss.
4) Boston! In August we are heading up to Boston to visit Alison and Laurel! I can't wait!
1) Sarah Jane! My dear friend SJ is coming to visit me TODAY! Want to hear something so sad? Her train arrives at 2:59....My train departs for class at 2:57. It is like that tragic love story where we just miss each other. She brings with her Grub. I haven't seen Grub since he was about 4 weeks old so I am excited to see how much he has grown!
On the agenda:
Conshohocken Farmers Market
A toodle down Valley Green
Philadelphia
The cooking and enjoying of delicious concoctions
Experimenting with the making of croissants
H&M
The Italian Market?
The Art Museum?
The possibilities are endless!
2) 4th of July this weekend will be spent at my grandpa's in NY where I hope it will be decidedly less humid and where we will have our first experience with the MEGABUS
on the agenda:
Marry Poppins!
Fishing
Consuming of vast quantities Food
3) Costa Rica!!!! While the two weeks leading up to the trip will be lonely for myself, Colin will already be familiarizing himself with the region, and with the mouths and teeth of the people of Costa Rica and Panama. I head out on July 18th to meet him in San Jose for 12 days of traveling bliss.
4) Boston! In August we are heading up to Boston to visit Alison and Laurel! I can't wait!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
425?
Just when we thought we would never have to move until Colin G finishes school, it turns out that we have to move.
Again.
Our landlord decided that he wants to sell the place that we are in now. We knew that eventually he wanted to sell it when we moved in, but figured we would at least be there a year, the length of our lease, or maybe longer, until the market figured itself out.
Just for the record, our landlord is actually a really decent, nice guy, who we both like a lot.
While this really is the pits, it actually isn't all that bad.
He also owns the house that is adjacent to ours, which he is currently renovating.
So in return for kicking us out of our place now, he offered us the other place.
For the same rent.
This is amazing because the new place is going to be really nice.
But it still really stinks that we have to do the physical act of moving.
Here are the pros:
1) The new place was gutted down to the brick foundation so everything is brand new
2) It has central AC
3) The downstairs will have hardwood floors
4) It has way more closet space
5) The kitchen will have all new stainless steel appliances
6) There are big sliding glass doors with a 12x12 deck off the back.
7) All of the bathroom fixtures will be new
8) There is an actual laundry room instead of the washer and dryer being in the kitchen
So really, it kind of works out in our favor but it is still really annoying.
But it could be a lot worse. And the fact that he is keeping the rent the same is amazing considering places of the equivalent size with all the niceties are renting for about 4300-$500 more.
But still. I was feeling "settled".
And attached. I get attached to old things.
And, we are a little nervous because what's to keep him from doing the same thing in the new place?
But then again, do we really have any better options?
Not really.
If we can somehow get him to commit to not selling the place for a few years then it will be a no brainer.
Again.
Our landlord decided that he wants to sell the place that we are in now. We knew that eventually he wanted to sell it when we moved in, but figured we would at least be there a year, the length of our lease, or maybe longer, until the market figured itself out.
Just for the record, our landlord is actually a really decent, nice guy, who we both like a lot.
While this really is the pits, it actually isn't all that bad.
He also owns the house that is adjacent to ours, which he is currently renovating.
So in return for kicking us out of our place now, he offered us the other place.
For the same rent.
This is amazing because the new place is going to be really nice.
But it still really stinks that we have to do the physical act of moving.
Here are the pros:
1) The new place was gutted down to the brick foundation so everything is brand new
2) It has central AC
3) The downstairs will have hardwood floors
4) It has way more closet space
5) The kitchen will have all new stainless steel appliances
6) There are big sliding glass doors with a 12x12 deck off the back.
7) All of the bathroom fixtures will be new
8) There is an actual laundry room instead of the washer and dryer being in the kitchen
So really, it kind of works out in our favor but it is still really annoying.
But it could be a lot worse. And the fact that he is keeping the rent the same is amazing considering places of the equivalent size with all the niceties are renting for about 4300-$500 more.
But still. I was feeling "settled".
And attached. I get attached to old things.
And, we are a little nervous because what's to keep him from doing the same thing in the new place?
But then again, do we really have any better options?
Not really.
If we can somehow get him to commit to not selling the place for a few years then it will be a no brainer.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
supercalafragalisticexpealadoshious!
or however you spell it.
For my birthday, Colin got me tickets to see Mary Poppins in NYC!
Usually I am pretty good at guessing presents, but not this time! He totally suprised me!
To celebrate my birthday we tried out a new restaurant by our house. It is this discrete family owned Italian place a couple blocks down. The food was really good. The owners mom makes two of the cakes on the dessert menu and while we were eating she dropped one off. I found it hilarious that she refused to get out of the car, forcing the waitress to excuse herself to retrieve the cakes. Some people may find this strange, I found it extremely endearing.
For dinner I had black spaghetti with grilled scallops that were cooked to perfection in a roasted red pepper cream sauce.
To cap off the night we discovered that the Conshohocken Italian Bakery is two blocks from our house. Also a discrete little place. Suddenly it made sense why when I run past that block there is always an amazing smell of baking bread. duh. And here I thought the tavern on the corner must be serving some killer bread....or something.
For my birthday, Colin got me tickets to see Mary Poppins in NYC!
Usually I am pretty good at guessing presents, but not this time! He totally suprised me!
To celebrate my birthday we tried out a new restaurant by our house. It is this discrete family owned Italian place a couple blocks down. The food was really good. The owners mom makes two of the cakes on the dessert menu and while we were eating she dropped one off. I found it hilarious that she refused to get out of the car, forcing the waitress to excuse herself to retrieve the cakes. Some people may find this strange, I found it extremely endearing.
For dinner I had black spaghetti with grilled scallops that were cooked to perfection in a roasted red pepper cream sauce.
To cap off the night we discovered that the Conshohocken Italian Bakery is two blocks from our house. Also a discrete little place. Suddenly it made sense why when I run past that block there is always an amazing smell of baking bread. duh. And here I thought the tavern on the corner must be serving some killer bread....or something.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Intruder
Last night it rained.
Hallelujah.
I went crazy opening up all of the windows trying to let in the cool air.
I even opened the window in our bedroom without the screen. Just about 6 inches...to get the air flowing.
Colin was at school really late, which had me on edge to begin with since North Philly isn't exactly the best place to be at 11pm. Especially hanging out at the gas station. (because you missed your train). But I guess on the sketchiness spectrum, gas stations are less sketchy than train stations. Luckily he was with his friend who is huge. Not that Colin isn't huge, but....ya know....I'm just sayin'.
So I'm on the computer and I hear something moving around.
Strange.
Since I am really brave I get up to investigate.
I turn around
and
this cat comes tearing through the room where the computer is and runs into our bedroom.
Because I am brave I scream bloody murder and run downstairs.
I stand in the kitchen quivering and call Colin who is stranded in the ghetto because they shut down the trains. (SEPTA is soooo awesome)
He laughs hysterically at me.
I decide that if the cat comes downstairs and attacks me I will stab it with a knife.
Then I feel bad for having such a weird thought.
Just for the record I wouldn't actually stab a cat.
I go upstairs with a broom to get it out of the room.
Again, because I am brave.
But it had already left the premises through the screen-less window from whence it entered.
So here is the thing. Our neighbor warned me about these ally cats.
They are total rude jerks.
She told me that last summer she would keep the window open in the bedroom and the cats would climb up on the roof, rub their butts up against the window, and then pee into her bedroom through the screen.
Just to add insult to injury they would leave little tufts of butt fur on the screen.
Rude.
Just one more reason to add to my list of why I don't like cats.
Hallelujah.
I went crazy opening up all of the windows trying to let in the cool air.
I even opened the window in our bedroom without the screen. Just about 6 inches...to get the air flowing.
Colin was at school really late, which had me on edge to begin with since North Philly isn't exactly the best place to be at 11pm. Especially hanging out at the gas station. (because you missed your train). But I guess on the sketchiness spectrum, gas stations are less sketchy than train stations. Luckily he was with his friend who is huge. Not that Colin isn't huge, but....ya know....I'm just sayin'.
So I'm on the computer and I hear something moving around.
Strange.
Since I am really brave I get up to investigate.
I turn around
and
this cat comes tearing through the room where the computer is and runs into our bedroom.
Because I am brave I scream bloody murder and run downstairs.
I stand in the kitchen quivering and call Colin who is stranded in the ghetto because they shut down the trains. (SEPTA is soooo awesome)
He laughs hysterically at me.
I decide that if the cat comes downstairs and attacks me I will stab it with a knife.
Then I feel bad for having such a weird thought.
Just for the record I wouldn't actually stab a cat.
I go upstairs with a broom to get it out of the room.
Again, because I am brave.
But it had already left the premises through the screen-less window from whence it entered.
So here is the thing. Our neighbor warned me about these ally cats.
They are total rude jerks.
She told me that last summer she would keep the window open in the bedroom and the cats would climb up on the roof, rub their butts up against the window, and then pee into her bedroom through the screen.
Just to add insult to injury they would leave little tufts of butt fur on the screen.
Rude.
Just one more reason to add to my list of why I don't like cats.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
3 years
Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary.
We had plans for an awesome picnic in the park, followed by a walk around the neighborhood taking pictures of random things with our new camera.
Had.
But then it was 100 degrees.
80% Humidity.
We don't have AC.
Yet.
So there was a change of plans.
Instead we ate on our porch....because it was so much cooler there than at the park?
Maybe. Who knows. We were delirious.
At least we didn't have to walk anywhere.
Colin even got all romantic on me and lit some candles. However, even the normally insignificant amount of heat put off by votive candles was VERY significant and we had to blow them out after about 5 minutes. I couldn't handle the heat wafting in my face as I ate.
Then we took a 50 foot walk to our garden, because that is all we could muster, and inspected the progress.
I was going to make a cherry tart with cherries off our tree but the thought of turning on the oven made me want to weep.
So instead we ate ice cream in our skivvies (anything more was unbearable) and continued to sweat.
Even still, a great time was had by all.
I hope Colin always wears a button up shirt and scrub bottoms to dinner on our anniversary.
Because seriously, is there anything hotter than that? (besides socks with sandals)
I think not.
We had plans for an awesome picnic in the park, followed by a walk around the neighborhood taking pictures of random things with our new camera.
Had.
But then it was 100 degrees.
80% Humidity.
We don't have AC.
Yet.
So there was a change of plans.
Instead we ate on our porch....because it was so much cooler there than at the park?
Maybe. Who knows. We were delirious.
At least we didn't have to walk anywhere.
Colin even got all romantic on me and lit some candles. However, even the normally insignificant amount of heat put off by votive candles was VERY significant and we had to blow them out after about 5 minutes. I couldn't handle the heat wafting in my face as I ate.
Then we took a 50 foot walk to our garden, because that is all we could muster, and inspected the progress.
I was going to make a cherry tart with cherries off our tree but the thought of turning on the oven made me want to weep.
So instead we ate ice cream in our skivvies (anything more was unbearable) and continued to sweat.
Even still, a great time was had by all.
I hope Colin always wears a button up shirt and scrub bottoms to dinner on our anniversary.
Because seriously, is there anything hotter than that? (besides socks with sandals)
I think not.
Friday, June 6, 2008
To Do
It is supposed to be 92 and opressively humid this weekend. Awesome.
My plans for the weekend....I figure if I write them down I may have a better chance of getting things done...or not.
My plans for the weekend....I figure if I write them down I may have a better chance of getting things done...or not.
Finish re-finishing the bathroom vanity that has been half-way done for months. (Bless Colin. I'm sure I drive him NUTS)
Pick cherries from the tree in the backyard (glorious)
Plant chives in a pot that will reside in my kitchen.
Hang my cool new antique mirriors that I picked up for $5 each. Gotta love PA and it's abundance of all things old and awesome and underappreciated.
Start re-covering the glider for my freinds nursery. Little Miss Penny gets to come home on Saturday! (fingers crossed)
Plan the menu for our 3rd anniversary picnic on Monday!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Who voted for whom?
If you've been following the farce that is the democratic presidential nominations, you might like this graphical demonstration of which demographics voted for which candidate. I know correlation doesn't mean causation, but there are some definite undertones of racism going on.
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