"Overheard" in My Dream

Michael, my brother-in-law to Lisa: No bitch is truly alone until she's hunting squirrels.

In my dream, he then proceeded to tell me about a male scientist who was tracking and researching rabbits with exceedingly long stomachs. If I told you the details of this research, you'd know that my brain science is not sensible or accurate; therefore, it's much too difficult to try to explain further details.

This is my brain at work, folks.

Don't Believe Anything This Man Says

The cat is also full of lies.

I Didn't Even Want to Know One Random Thing About You

I know. I did it, too. I resisted for a bit but then gave in. I listed a bunch of random things about myself. Even as I was doing it, I felt silly. What a weird way for me to update my "friends" from elementary, middle school, wherever. If they wanted to know about my currently unused professional license and my adoration of Dan Savage and Tovah, shouldn't they ask? Well, regardless, I did it.

DespairWair has a great tee for this new random things phenomenon.
The Washington Post and TIME both published articles regarding this trend. Here are a compilation of TIME's 25 Things I Didn't Want to Know about You and 25 More Things I Didn't Want to Know about You. Two of these are specifically for you, Rachel@Canada.

• I have been pooped on by a monkey
• I eat gummy bears by tearing them limb from limb and eating their heads last.
• Two of my best friends are under five feet tall and I have an intense fear of midgets.
• I think yoga is incredibly spiritual. I know the Lord is with me in my downward dog.
• I like to tape my thumbs to my hands to see what it would be like to be a dinosaur.
• Sometimes I think pee smells like Cheerios.
• My friends say that when they shave my back, I purr like a walrus.
• When I die, I want a steaming hot Reuben sandwich shoved in my mouth during the open-casket part of the funeral.
• My friend Brian and I once brought home a dead opossum because we wanted to "stuff" it. We tried to cut off its head with hedge clippers, but it was late fall and the creature was far too frozen.
• I think it's frustrating that ChapStick tastes good when you put it on your lips and lick them, but if you just bite the ChapStick, it tastes like poison.
• On two separate occasions, I have returned to my dorm room drunk, with some form of cheese in my purse.
• When I was little, I pretended my bike was a horse named Satan.
• I find puppets to be one of the most satisfying ways of expressing myself.

And now, folks, a portion of my list with some additions.

• I'll drink nearly anything as long as its purported to be "good for me." For instance: raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar; raw, fermented kombucha.
• I just vacuumed my neighbor's Dyson with my Dyson. I wanted to return a clean vacuum.
• I have been a NYS licensed funeral director for three years. It has been nearly a year since I have used the license.
• I like being a funeral director partly because I like to have weird and/or gross funeral director stories. Additionally, of all the macabre and horrifying things I have seen (and smelled), I have never been made physically ill while on the job.
• I was terrified of fire for 20+ years. I had to face my fear when I became a certified cremation operator and began performing human cremations. I am subsequently no longer afraid of fire.
• I love the First Family so much that sometimes it makes me giddy.
• I constantly play Scramble with my Mikus-in-law even though he is considerably better than me and beats me every time.
• It sometimes annoys me that Mikus is signed in to gmail or facebook or whatever but is hidden. I know you're there. Sometimes I have a question or something and emailing and waiting around for a response is wildly inefficient. ::huff::
  
• I have always wanted offspring although there's a good chance I won't have any. I'm convinced I shouldn't since I don't want said offspring to inherit my broken brain.
• I often wish I was married to Tovah.
• I am happily married to my husby, Jesse.
• I still use snr and have spread the snr to Chicago and Philadelphia and maybe further.
• I don't know what I am doing with my life.
• I love every spoken and written word that comes from Dan Savage.
• I love to cook and relish all compliments but I often do not like my own food.
• Spotting the new issue of GOOD magazine makes me jump and click my heels together.
• Tovah used to jump and click her heels together and this impressed me. I practiced and practiced and now I, too, can jump and click my heels together. Thanks, Tovah! And can you/do you still do this?
  
• I have four tattoos. If I had some money, I would have more. I'd like a full sleeve one day. My next tattoos will be in memory of Niki and my paternal grandmother.
• Little Niki has been gone nearly 7 years. Its hard to believe it has been so long. And that I am so old.
• I have a new friend! Her name is Erika and she is so much fun. She has funny stories and she wishes she had a robot to do errands for her while she is at work. Hilarious!
• Although I commuted from Ithaca to Syracuse for school, frequently drove from Ithaca to Endicott to see Jesse when we were still dating, and often took long, solitary road trips that I loved, lately I am annoyed to drive more than 20 minutes from home.
• I wish I could blog professionally.
• I am proud that I learned to ride a bike six months ago. Riding is so much fun that I'm sad I spent so many years resisting.
• I've recently been working on a list of goals I would like to attain while in therapy. The list is long and keeps lengthening. Uh-oh.
  
• When I'm stressed, listening to This American Life calms me almost immediately. Something about Ira's voice just soothes me. And when I'm sad, Reel Big Fish makes me feel better almost instantly. I don't care if its dorky.
  
• I miss Rachel@Canada. And I miss Rachel@Philadelphia. They're both wonderful and special in completely different ways and I need them both for completely different reasons.
• I hate cilantro. It tastes like soap. Why do so many people (you know who you are) want perfectly tasty food to have soapy-ness in it? Yick. I try not to cook with it if I can help it.
• I am totally anti-circumcision. I put this issue into two categories: 1. Just Leave Well Enough Alone and 2. Don't Cut Things off of Your Baby.
  
• This is probably far too many.
  

I'm Pretty Sure Mikus is Good at Everything

You guys! Remember when I showed you the DIY ukulele and said it'd be great for Mikus? Well, that very ukulele was gifted to him for Christmas! He has assembled it and is playing. I dig it!

I just put this ukulele together. The varnish isn't completely dry, but I'm playing it anyway. Yay! I've never played one before. They're fun! Get yourself one! There's a bit of distortion thanks to my damaged microphone. I like it.

Mikus is great. He's always up to some tomfoolery. He's near the top of the list of my favorite people and I hope someday we don't live so damn far away from each other.

2009 is the Year of Some Weird Anniversaries

I think now, January 2009, is a good time to tell you about some anniversaries that will happen this year! Some of them are sweet, some are unusual. All of them mine!

Here we go!

January 17, 2009: This is the fifth anniversary of the J and L duo! 2008 was a complicated year for our little family but we love each other and are closer than ever. We have high hopes for a less chaotic 2009. Send good energy our way!

April 2009: I've been retired from the funeral industry and out of the evil grasp of the E's for one whole damn year. Hey, E! See all that snow out there? See it all? There's alot, right? How about those cars? They're pretty damn filthy, aren't they? I hope you really like cold, wet socks because that's what you're about to have.

This is a terrific anniversary!

May 2009: Still crazy after all these years! May marks my ten year anniversary with psychotherapy and a wide array of psychotropic medication. The combo of therapy and medication is complicated and often its hard to see results but I try to keep doing the work and hoping that I'll someday have some relief from my messy, messy brain.

June 2009: I've been out of high school for ten years. TEN. What do I have to show for these years?

July 2009: Still riding after all these days! One year ago this July, I learned to ride a bike. So I have that to show for the past ten years....

August 2009: Still besties after all these years! Ten years ago this August, I packed up and headed south to St. Davids, Pennsylvania for college. Who did I find? Tovah was my roommate and Philly Rachel lived on the floor below me! What supreme luck! They're two of my dearest friends and, though vast distance separates us, we're close now and will be forever, if I have anything to do with it!

Nine years ago this August, I met my dear friend, Canadian Rachel, when we worked together on The Commons. At first, we hated each other. But then we loved each other and we still do! Yay for being friends for so damn long!

But why does everyone live so far away from me??

September 2009: Still in love after all these years! September will be our third wedding anniversary. I love you, Jesse! I think its time for us to get a puppy!

October 2009: Still airing out after all these years! Ten years ago, Tovah noticed I was wearing my unders beneath my pajama pants when I went to bed. She suggested I try pajama pants without my unders. I may have thought she was crazy but I gave it a try. Thanks, Tovah! That is much more sensible.

There is so much more to mention: In March, it will be 7 years since Nik died and 3 years since Grandma Mastroberti died. Grandpa Edmondson has been gone for 8 years in October and Grandma Edmondson died 3 years ago in December. Mikus came for a great visit 1 year ago in July (won't you come back again, please). Our close friends, Philip and Emily, will celebrate their first anniversary in October.

But I really wanted to make sure you knew when I stopped wearing unders to bed. That's the important thing.


drug image via The Buckeye Institute

This is Perfect for You, Mikus!

Its do-it-yourself and it makes all sorts of noise after you do-it-yourself. It might just be the most appropriate thing for you ever.

via SpoonSisters

Quick and Tasty Italian Sausage Soup with Vegan Substitutions

I recently made Italian Sausage Soup with some fresh, local sausage. It was so delicious! The recipe is from Slashfood; it is so speedy and requires minimal knife work. I've included the specific ingredients I used in our soup in parentheses. Vegan suggestions follow.

Slashfood's Italian Sausage Soup
serves 3-4

• 8 ounces hot or sweet turkey Italian sausage (I used the fresh sausage from a local farm)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced*
  
• 2 cups fat-free, less sodium chicken broth
  
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano (We used Muir Glen's Diced Tomatoes with Basil and Garlic)
  
• 1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta (try 60 % Whole Grain Organic Small Vegetable Shells from Eden Organic)
  
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage and garlic* to pan and cook about 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain; return to pan.

While the sausage is browning, start a separate pot and boil water for pasta. Salt the water and cook the pasta until al dente.

Add broth and tomatoes to the saucepan with the sausage in it and bring to a boil over over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in spinach until wilted.

Add desired amount of pasta to the bottom of a soup bowl and ladle sausage soup on top. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and basil.

*garlic not included in original recipe

Tovah! Mikus! Eric and Tiffany!! Try this recipe with Tofurky Italian Sausage and your preferred brand of vegetable broth. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast. I think you'll like it. Will you try it? You should.

Art! Art! Get Your Art Here!: The Preview

A couple of weeks ago, I told you that Mikus is working on a limited number of handmade masks that will be available come fall. The preview is featured above!

"They are still waiting to be painted, stabbed, stitched, and stapled."

Details regarding designs, prices and how to get 'em while they're hot will follow. Mikus' art is incredibly innovative and eccentric. If you are interested in my unsophisticated opinion, the neatest thing abut Mikus is that he seems to always have a bee in his bonnet about his next fresh design, scheme, medium (he was recently working on thumb pianos). If you haven't checked out Mikus' art, get that shit done! Find it here. Some of my personal favorites include "Family Photo," "Snowman," and "royal owl." I hope some day to have a mantle and some Mikus art to hang above it.


via Studio Dormant

Art! Art! Get Your Art Here!

Mikus is working on a limited number of handmade masks that will be available come fall. Details regarding designs, prices and how to get 'em while they're hot will follow. If you haven't checked out Mikus' art, what are you waiting for? Find it here. Some of my personal favorites include "Family Photo," "Snowman," and "royal owl." I hope some day to have a mantle and some Mikus art to hang above it.


via Studio Dormant

Sled Dog Doppelbock

When we were wine tasting on July 4, we stopped at Wagner Valley Brewing Company for a tasting. Mikus and I both really liked a Bavarian-style Doppelbock called Sled Dog and we took home a six-pack. Since he left shortly after we bought the beer and had only consumed a single bottle, the rest was left for me. I love it and have really been enjoying it. Its smooth and dark with caramel and molasses flavors; 100% delicious. The Brewing Company will ship your choice of their delicious craft-brewed ales directly to your door provided you are not unfortunate enough to live in one of the states that don't allow such daftness.

Mikus+Jesse+Lisa=A Great 8 Days Part 2

Thursday, July 3. I started the day with a job interview then returned to the apartment to collect J & M. Jesse took the day off and we were driving a little out of town to Chenango Valley State Park. Although its so close to us, we have never gone to check it out and I am glad we finally got around it. The park was really pretty and seemed fairly expansive. We got a trail map from the park office and chose the one that is about two miles long and takes you around the lake. There were a number of trails listed and they were all rated for difficulty. According to our map, the trail we chose was rated as difficult although the three of us breezed through it. The only difficulty about it was that it was somewhat rough with roots, rocks, logs and some wet spots. Basically, though, it was an easy 2 miles. There was some rain at the end so we didn't wrap up the afternoon with a swim.

After we left the park, we made a couple sundry stops before heading home. Dinner plans involved the charcoal grill and, since I had abandoned my "no lighter fluid. It tastes hideous!" standpoint, we went from cold charcoal to dinner in a snap. The omnis ate steak and Mikus ate another meal of tofu brats. We had a giant spinach salad on the side. I suggested an after dinner walk to kill some time before we went to Philip and Emily's for a visit. We had a brisk walk to the park across the street. At some point, the rain came and before we knew it, we were all soaked. I love a walk in the rain so I was perfectly content to splash about. We made it back to our place for a change and then relocated to Philip and Emily's for some Apples to Apples, my favoritest, favoritest game. Yay. What a good day. Mikus and my nighttime activity was Persepolis, one of my new favorite discoveries.
From IMDB:

In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves an equally difficult trial with the young woman finding herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs.

The movie is great. Mikus and I both liked it so much. Now you go watch it, too.

Friday, July 4. Jesse, Mikus, Philip, Emily, Tiffany and I loaded into the Godell van for a day of food and wine along Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. I'll report our stops in list form:

• Red Newt Cellars, one of my favorites.
  
• Hazlitt Vineyards 1852, another favorite of mine.
  
• Rasta Ranch Vineyards. I didn't like this place at all and I don't think I was alone. The wine was mediocre at best and there were so many dead bugs around. WTF?
  
• Penguin Bay Winery and Champagne House
  
• Wagner Vineyards, Brewery and Ginny Lee Restaurant for lunch. The boys and I tasted the brews while Emily and Tiffany wandered about the gift shop.
  
• Montezuma Winery
  
• Cobblestone Farm Winery

• Lake Shore Winery
• Thirsty Owl Wine Company

At this point, I think we were all getting pretty tired and restless. We were on our way into Ithaca and we stopped at the overlook at Taughannock Falls State Park.
Dinner was at Viva! Cantina. The food was delicious as always and we kept the booze coming. I was happy to bump into my dear friend, David. It was a long day for everyone, Mikus especially, who did all the driving. He was totally amazing and generous with his time and really patient with his van-full of winos. Mikus and I took another long late-night walk. We were cooped up all day and I know I was happy to get the exercise. The night was really cool and clear; a great night to watch the stars.

Saturday, July 5. The day started with some prep for our dinner picnic: vegan pesto pasta salad, cucumber salad, sandwiches, watermelon, chips and salsa, wine and beer. After packing the Subaru for the day's adventure, we began our trip to the Ithaca Farmer's Market at Steamboat Landing. I haven't been to the Market in years, unfortunately, but I have always had fond memories. I'm really at a point in my life where I am trying to make an effort to buy organic and local products and I love being surrounded by a community with the same ideas. We got there around noon so the early morning congestion had dissipated. We all had terrific food and got some produce to add to our picnic. We didn't stay for too long but it was really fun and relaxing. I know Jess and I will head back soon. We planned to spend the rest of the day at Taughannock Falls State Park. Jess and Mikus hiked the Rim Trail and I laid in the sun to finish my Douglas Coupland book. They were gone for a couple of hours. When they returned, it was nearing the time for Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne to take the stage for the first of 8 weekly concerts in the park. From their website:

Take half a dozen groovemasters, add a spicy blend of rock 'n'roll, blues and funk to the up-tempo Zydeco beat, and presto, you've got a dance groove that just won't quit.

They were really talented and fun. I loved being in the sun, listening to music and watching the crowd enjoy themselves.

Sunday, July 6. When I got up, Mikus was all packed up and ready to leave. To go home. To stop staying with us. It was totally abrupt. I was going to make pancakes for breakfast and was formulating what I thought may have been his last dinner with us. We had loose plans for Sunday (The Farm Sanctuary and perhaps Watkins Glen State Park) and Monday (Filmore Glen State Park) and I was surprised by his impromptu change of plans. It made me sad that he was leaving. I feel like we had really great, playful adventures and spent many hours talking and laughing together and I was disappointed that he was leaving so quickly. I'm trying not to be upset about it his impetuous departure. I really like that he goes where the breeze takes him so I can't also be hurt by the same thing that I like about him.

I think his Mikus' visit was really good for me and I'm so happy he came. Our time together made me nostalgic for the days in high school and afterwards when I was surrounded by similarly spontaneous and impulsive people. I am left feeling energized. I am hoping to squish a couple adventures of my own into my precious few remaining days of unencumbered bliss.

Mikus+Jesse+Lisa=A Great 8 Days Part 1

Yeah, his guitar slung across his back
His dusty boots is his cadillac
Flamin' hair just a blowin' in the wind
Ain't seen a bed in so long its a sin...
-Jimi Hendrix, "Highway Chile"

Jesse and I spent a really great, fun eight days with Jesse's brother, Michael (affectionately nicknamed Mikus), who came from WI for a visit. Mikus arrived on Saturday, June 28, and the day was pretty low key. Our first meal, though not entirely vegan for Jess and me, was yummy and a good start. Jesse and Mikus dealt with the charcoal grill while I made fresh guacamole and an orange, arugula and radish salad in a lime juice dressing. The salad was incredibly acidic, sweet and peppery and was a nice accompaniment to our grilled main course: burgers for me and Jess, tofu brats for Mikus. After dinner, the three of us went for a walk at the park across the street. Jesse had helped our friends, Mark and Stacy, move and was exhausted and headed to bed early. Now, I will mention that I become nearly ecstatic when I discover someone who is enthusiastic about Chicago Public Radio's This American Life. Just ask Andrew. I flush with excitement and approach giddiness when I find someone with whom I can discuss past shows (i.e., "oh, have you heard the one with the brother who has a retarded brother who has a pet armadillo that he tries to drown....? That's one of my favorites!! Oh, and what about the one....") I mention this because Mikus, too, enjoys TAL. I can not speak to the degree of his enjoyment but I'll suffice to say that he graciously allowed me to gush and we stayed up late listening to some favorites.

Sunday, June 29, started with VeganYumYum's Easy Weekend Pancakes made with whole wheat flour and orange extract. Although Jesse didn't care for them, Mikus and I both really enjoyed them. They had a nice, nutty flavor and were really hearty because of the whole wheat flour. I had plans for the afternoon so I left the boys unattended for a few hours. While I was out, they played frisbee and hit the pool at our apartment complex.

When I got home, Mikus and Jesse were playing Wii and I got started on dinner. We had tempeh stir fry over Black Japonica rice. Again, Mikus and I both enjoyed it alot; Jesse was only so-so about it but he was a good sport. After dinner, we went to see our neighbors, Philip and Emily and doggins, Nikko, for a few rousing games of Uno Attack. Later after Jesse went to bed, Mikus and I headed out for a nice, long walk for a couple of hours. We talked and goofed and had a really fun time.

Monday, June 30. Mikus and I made the trip to Ithaca to Robert H. Treman State Park. The weather was decent and the temperature was around 74 degrees-a nice day for a hike along the gorge and up to Lucifer Falls. The hike is rigorous and was a slow-go for me. Thankfully, Mikus forged ahead while I took it slowly, happy to huff and puff while in relative privacy. Mike and I reconvened at some point and mostly stuck together for the balance of the hike. At the end of the gorge trail, there's a bridge that can be crossed to reach the Rim Trail which heads back the other way. I was not interested in such mundanity. I sloughed my shoes and socks and stepped right into the cool water and cautiously started to head towards the falls; Mikus followed my lead. The water was so refreshing that I couldn't pull myself from it and we forged ahead until we were really in it.
It was entirely exhilarating.
We were being totally illegal. After a few minutes of sitting in the spray, we turned back and returned to drier, more boring parts. We were received by a newbie park ranger who was alarmed by our inadvisable detour. He made vague threats about $250 fines and calling the sheriff and admonished us before he dismissed us. We made our way to the Rim Trail to head back. We chuckled about the incident; I could have cared less. I had such a high. The hike back was fun and I/we? had a new spring in my step. We talked and joked; Mikus is great company. We got back to the car with no further commotion. Our next stop was GreenStar, the local natural food co-op, for some lunch and groceries. Wegmans was next then back to the J and L house for dinner: VeganYumYum's Mac and Cheeze and Alton Brown's Roasted Broccoli (sans rasp-grated cheddar). YUM! The mac and cheeze was really good. No cheese, of course, but still creamy, salty, vaguely cheese-ish. Lolo makes a great point:

Your omnivore or veggie friend/spouse/child may love it as much as or even more than the real stuff (if you’re lucky), but they probably love it on its own merits, not because they really can’t tell the difference.

But you know what? It doesn’t have to taste exactly the same for me to love it.

I agree. Jesse did not. He thought it had a peanut buttery taste. Mac and PB. He was still a good sport about it.

Tuesday, July 1. Mikus and I had pancakes again before heading to the The Glen, part of the Waterman Conservation Education Center which is not far from the apartment. We inadvertently took the least pleasurable trail-the one which went through parts of a golf course, the one with visible housing development construction; the one gorge, waterfalls and wildflowers. Rats. It was kind of a bust. After we traipsed around for a while, we headed home. The mail brought a rejection letter from a chiropractor's office where I really wanted a job. I threw myself a pity party and Mikus did some drawing. After an appropriate time of sad-sackiness, we listened to some Savage Love Podcast and I began some dinner preparations. Philip and Emily were joining us for VeganYumYum's Crispy Sweet and Sour Tofu with jicama, orange, jalapeno and red pepper salad on the side. Philip and Emily are omnis just like Jess and me but they have never been exposed to an entire vegan meal, with tofu as the main course. I am happy to say that they both enjoyed it! They brought sorbet for dessert and afterwards, we sat outside to continue the visit. If I remember right, the after Jesse went to bed activity was Juno, one of my newest favorite movies that Mikus hadn't yet seen.

Wednesday, July 2. I was feeling in the mood for a low key day so we went to Greenwood Park to chill. I laid in the sun, wrote a letter to my brother who is in Alaska for a month and read Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland. Mikus walked around the small lake and laid around with me afterwards. The day was totally laid back-just what I wanted after two days of hiking about in the great outdoors. Jesse got home and the three of us made the trip to Ithaca for dinner at Moosewood. Here's an excerpt from Michael Stern's roadfood review:

Moosewood is a brash, free-spirited enterprise that reminds us of an art gallery more than a restaurant. Dining is informal and inexpensive. Anything dressier than jeans would feel inappropriate, and service is communal, meaning that orders are taken and food is served by whichever member of the staff is available to perform the task at hand.

The experience was really great for me and hopefully for J & M, too. Mikus ordered the vegan entree, Caribbean Tofu Stew; Jesse had fresh wild haddock bouillabaisse; I ordered the spinach ravioli in pesto sauce. YUM. I loved my meal and my gin, citrus and honey cocktail was really refreshing and appropriately boozy. Next on the agenda: fireworks! We sat on the grass in the field across from Ithaca College for the community fireworks show. The display was about 20 minutes or so and pretty impressive; really enjoyable to goof around with J & M while we waited, too.

I love this cute picture of the three of us. Its an arduous task to get such a nice shot of Mikus.I am sure there was an after-hours activity for the night owls. More TAL, perhaps...? Can't quite remember.


Moosewood image via roadfood

Its Not Blog Fade. Really.

I have been really busy lately. My brother-in-law, Mikus, is in town for a visit and we're having alot of fun. We've had some great outdoor adventures and are eating some yummy food. I will be back to my prolific blogging in several days or so and I'll have a more detailed account of our activities.

Pretty Enough to Eat

My vegan brother-in-law, Mikus, might be coming to visit soon and I'm kind of excited about it. He and I don't know each other very well and that's part of the reason I thought it'd be nice for him to come for a visit. We had fun together when Jess and I were recently in WI for a visit and Mike enjoyed the Ithaca area when he was here for our wedding. I'm hoping he makes it out here before I get a job. Otherwise, I'm excited and think the three of us will have a great time.

The reason I mentioned Mike's veganness is because I have been thinking about things I can make for him while he's here. I came across VeganYumYum written by Lolo who introduces herself on her website:

Hello! I’m Lolo. I’m 25 and I live in Boston with my husband, Stewart, and my two kitties, Dory and Pekoe. I quit my “day job” and am now busy writing a cookbook. If you’re a publisher, send me an email! I’m not a chef, I’ve never been to culinary school, and I’m certainly not a professional photographer. I have a lot of fun pretending, though!

I am having so much fun reading her blog and recipes. Some of them look so good that my belly rumbles while I browse through her posts late at night while Jesse sleeps. She also takes stunningly beautiful pictures of her food and some of the steps involved in getting her food prepared. Check out a couple:

Chickpea Radish Hors d'Oeurves


Easy Weekend Pancakes

So pretty, huh? I can't wait to try some of Lolo's recipes. With any luck, mine will taste almost as good as hers look!