Saturday, June 30, 2012

A week of babies

Simon. photo by elise

What's this season's hottest accessory? That's right! It's babies ya'll. If you don't have one yet, GET ONE. Your summer ensemble isn't complete without one of these velvety ball-headed burritos slung over your shoulder or nestled just below your new amazing cleavage. Dress them in complementary colors to your own outfit, or go with a juicy saturated color to really make them pop. Pair with over-sized shades to hide your tired eyes and your sexiest house slippers.

Really though, all my friends finally hopped on the baby train and it's exciting and wonderful to meet the little ones who are turning their respective worlds upside down. This week was one long baby party and I loved it. Five babies in seven days? Bring it! Ruby was completely fascinated and today we wrote a story in which Jesse turned from a bearded pirate into a mermaid man and finally, into a baby with a pacifier. Ha! My friends tease Evan and I for our love of infants but can you blame us for fawning? Babies are magic.

highschool sweethearts me'n'elise


the other memeber of the trifecta, dara

Miss Judah and Dara
Judah warrior princess fashion. photo by dara
Chad and baby Silas

Silas for lunch

Meagan and baby Avey

Avey

Jen and Miss Charlie


Friday, June 29, 2012

St. Louis road trip snaps


Hello! Did I neglect to tell you that I use this blog as my own personal photo album and the slew of pictures featuring people I love but for whom you don't care two whits is not likely to let up anytime soon? Hey! At least they are all good-looking.


I can't believe I'm wearing this again

beaming couple: Leigh and Andrew

baby Leif looking fuzzy and delectable

commence ruination of babytux

farm visits, garden parties and baby snuggling. cameo by Jennifer

as if you couldn't guess, evan's big brother Matthew

we do, though

golden cousins Soren and Jesse. Hitler would be proud

Sass-masters Ruby and Clara

Lily, the queen cousin

If you don't blast your stumps, they could sprout



foreshadowing

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

desperadeux

Amber Grit-tooth Baird

We are very much shirking our Mural Match photo project, so here are some fresh ones from my dad's photo project! He's doing a great job convincing our entire family to dress up as cowhands and gunslingers. I wonder from whence I got my love of costumes and cameras...

Court "The Captain" Baird


Justin "Babyface" Storms


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Silviano's Peanut Salsa with serrano

Here is another wonderful recipe to spice up your face! It was invented by my friend Silviano, who is an amazing chef and also the owner of The Austin Diner.

I actually was an apron wearing, country gravy slingin' sassy young waitress at this very diner a decade ago and met many of my best Austin pals bonding over spilled syrup and dancing past one another on its checkered floors, our arms laden with stacks of flapjacks and steaming coffee. I was "discovered" here by my employers at the rock club where I still work, and promptly lured away from its sun soaked yet ungodly early shifts to become the vampire that I am today. Jesse has spent all (2) of his birthday breakfasts here.

On to the recipe!
Peanuts in salsa you say? How absurd! Don't knock it 'til you try it, Duckie, I've yet to hear a negative review and I serve this to EVERYONE.


You will need:

  • 4 ripe tomatoes
  • 2-8 serranos (depending on the gringo level of your tongue)
  • half an onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • olive oil
  • roasted peanuts (approx 2-3 cups)
  • sea salt
  • blender or food processor
Halve your produce and braise over medium heat (with a bit of olive oil) to mellow the flavor. Transfer your hot veggies to the blender. Blend until smooth, adding peanuts 1/2 cup at a time until you reach desired consistency. Salt to taste.

Enjoy chilled with tortilla chips, on tacos, eggs, stir fries, on ice cream, lap it out of your cupped hands. We served it hot over steak.







Saturday, June 23, 2012

Porcelain Forever


Porcelain pens! I didn't even know they existed until recently and they are BOSS. Made by Pebeo, you can find them online and begin ruining/improving all the ceramics in your home immediately. We bought out goodwill's selection of white mugs and spent the evening practicing our graffiti skills.
Simply draw, bake in oven for a half hour, and enjoy the high fives of your colleagues and warm hugs from happy grandparents.