Bluegrass Love: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

Domestic? We're Working on That...

So I finally decided to start trying to cook real (semi healthy) dinners (and stop heating up food every night for dinner). So, Cam and I had a roma tomato salad with fresh basil our of our garden, balsamic vingarette and olive oil.

I also sliced red potatoes and tossed them in rosemary and a little oregano from our garden and minced garlic with a splash of olive oil to make homemade seasoned potato wedges.

I also put together couscous with olive oil and seasoning. It was a fresh meal that was quick to throw together and it was good to finally use the herbs in our garden.

Friday, August 28, 2009

IKEA, Oh How I Love Thee...

On Monday Ceci and I made a trip up to IKEA and Trader Joes. Besides being able to sit on the luxurious red leather couch that I am deeply coveting, we spotted a few other great finds:

IKEA Vreta couch that I have been wanting for a while...

We loved the pattern of this chair, but it was rather uncomfortable (and small).

I loved this kitchen--I think it's very classic.

I bought a pair of Ofelia white curtains, but Cam doesn't like them so I am planning on taking them back next time I go.

Wine and...Fish??

My two good friends from high school came in town Sunday to see me before they move to France for the year (did I mention how jealous I am!?). It was great to see them they came bearing gifts: orange juice for mimosas and a (living and swimming, not a cracker) goldfish.

Cam found a great home for the fish--a beer stein.

He (or she) seems pretty hardy--its been almost a week and fish is still successfully swimming (without being spotted by the cat yet).

After finding the fish a bowl (er, beer stein) to live in, we went to Talon Winery.

It is such a gorgeous, picturesque winery. Actually, Cam and I wanted to get married there when we initially were planning a Lexington wedding but it was too small to accommodate all of our guests. Instead of doing the wine tasting, we just got a bottle of their Chambourcin wine and enjoyed it while walking around on the grounds.

The three of us posing with the grapes.

A close up of the grapes.

We came back to the house and polished off a bottle of champagne with mimosas. It was great to spend the afternoon together--I will miss them so much while they are in France! Perhaps Cam and I can head over to Europe soon and visit them in France and then see his brother Ryan in Germany and Klaus and Erika in Switzerland. Hmm..here's to wishful thinking (and an unlimited budget and vacation days to do that)...

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Don't Stop Believing

Cam and I went with my dad and stepmom to the Journey concert at the state fair last night. It was amazing--like a giant karaoke concert with really good singers on the mic.

Ann Wilson singing for Heart.

Heart was the opening band. They were much better than we were expecting. Once they began playing their songs, we realized we knew many of their songs (think: Magic Man, Barracuda, Crazy on You, Never, These Dreams, and Alone).

The crowd was really into it (or just drunk and happy--either way, it was good).

Cam's "lighter" for the song Lights.

However, our Journey was not the only thing we took away from the State Fair. We saw the ShamWow demonstration and my dad and stepmom had to get one. In true infomercial style, they had a deal of buy one, get two free (no free reading light this time though). Cam and I got one of the extras. I'll keep you updated on how it works...

Can he be any creepier?

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Cinderella, Cinderellla...

Thursdays in our household is the new cleaning day. I have spent the morning scrubbing the bathrooms, mopping the hardwood and tile, dusting, and vacuuming the rugs and carpet. I have a routine down now so it doesn't take as long it as first did.

Of course, Ritz and Sophia can't wait to make it messy again.

On a good note, I got a call back today from an interview from earlier this week for next summer. Now, off to an on campus interview, then another four hours of law review training, and organizing my locker before the 1Ls first day tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A Little Privacy Please

Our new deck has the best view--if you are interested in looking at our messy neighbor's house and yard. Cam and I have been trying to brainstorm ideas to block out their views. I have decided I like these privacy fences:

but Cam is afraid the fence won't work with the neighborhood rules on corner lots. So, we have also been looking at hedges and trees to create a privacy wall to block the back view. We can't get arbor vitae to grow in our clay soil, so we are thinking perhaps leland cypress:

Either way, it will be better than looking next door.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Going Green

We (er...Cam's mother and I) painted our bedroom green this weekend. We both loved the brown, but with brown furniture and brown bedding it just got to be too much brown--I was ready for some color.

Our bedroom in brown without a flash...

and other side (still Brown) with a flash.

My good friend Aubrey was so generous to share her discount at Sherwin Williams with me and I got Sherwin Williams' Koi Pond.

The color is very true to the sample.

We also switched the furniture around. The room feels substantially larger and brighter now from the combination. Cam isn't completely sold on the color, but I think it is growing on him. He wanted a darker olive, and Koi Pond is more sage.

New color without flash (plus Ritz blending in with the bedding)...

...and with flash.

Carla and I decided to see what old lamps would look like if they were painted the same color. I will probably go get a kelly green and blue paint and do some sort of abstract design on them and see how they turn out. I saw something similar in a shop in Midway and loved it. Either way, I like them better painted than before.

Lamp before up close.

One lamp painted with the Koi Pond paint.

Let me know if you like the color: I have a gallon left over so I can get it mixed darker and change it if it's bad...

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Hello Miss Sadie!

Sadie pointing.

Wes and Natasha brought their pup home. Isn't she the cutest little thing ever? They brought Sadie over to play with Ritzy today.

The two girls meeting.

Ritz was hyper (as always) to see another Vizsla, but Sadie didn't seem to understand what the big deal was...

Sadie explored our new deck.

Sadie with her new daddy Wes...

..and Mommy Natasha.

AND the BEST picture of the playdate: Sadie smiling (or biting at the camera...whatever).

Won't You Be My Friend?

Our good friends have adopted a Vizsla puppy. Pup is so excited about getting her first Vizsla friend. So, we made homemade treats as a welcome home gift.

C's brother gave us a dog treat cookbook, so we picked out one that included most of pup's favorite things--oatmeal, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, and honey. Yes, I am that bored that I made dog treats. Don't judge--haha!

So, we mixed it and made fire hydrant shaped treats.

All the waiting was difficult for pup with the oven wafting such delicious smells..

But the end result was delicious (for pup, anyway). BTW Amy--thank you again for the treat bowl--it is adorable. I swear pup's favorite sound is the lid opening.

True Blood = True Addiction

Don't start watching unless you are willing to commit all day (and night) to watching every episode. Everyone at work this summer talked about it so I decided to give it a shot while I have some free time. And, I may or may not have stayed up until 2:30 last night catching up on this season and finished watching it this morning. It reminds me of a sexed-up Twilight and is obviously just as addicting. Now I just have to go get stuff actually done today...

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

One Stain That I Actually Like to See...

...is Cam water-sealing/staining the deck. It looks great!

While he stained the deck, I made homemade ice cream. Mom and Terry bought us an ice cream maker, so of course I just HAD to try it out...

First hint of ice cream starting...

I made peach gelato last week. For the calorie (and fat) difference, I think we prefer the gelato, but the vanilla bean was wonderful as well (especially with crushed oreos).

Monday, August 10, 2009

Real Couples, Real Registries

Check out the article on TheKnot.com about our registry.

We are really flattered that Macy's and The Knot picked our registry and asked us to pick out our favorite pieces. I didn't know that the article was up--Louisville Stoneware actually called today and thanked me for including them in the article.

Ode to Grandma

Thank you Grandma for your Secret Spot Remover. This stuff is a godsend. I picked it up randomly a few years ago and have used it faithfully ever since. I have yet to find a stain it can't tackle, and it even takes out set in (i.e. sitting there for weeks) stains. Somehow, it even took out dye stain when a new purple shirt bled onto the rest of the laundry.

So, of course, Grandma came to the rescue yet again last night when Cam poured kung pao sauce all over his Vineyard Vine polo and our floors.

Seriously, run, don't walk, to buy it.

Friday Shopping

Mom and Terry came in town for the day. We met Cam at Baker's 360 for lunch and enjoyed the view of Lexington. Then, mom and I went shopping and got some amazing deals. I got these Ralph Lauren tops:

and on the model:

This Banana Republic Dress:

Okay, so its not cute on the hanger. But the fit is amazing--here it is on the model in silver:

And this red wrap:

Thanks mom!