Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments is brought to you by Mrs. 4444. Go check her out and join the fun!

**I usually don't like making my own salads. I just can't make 'em taste as yummy as restaurants can. All of that changed a few months ago when I was working in Sausalito and had to eat out for lunch every day. I would go to a regional grocery store chain called Mollie Stone's and visit the salad bar. I found a delicious salad dressing that was labeled "Roasted Garlic". I asked if it was bottled for sale, but they said no and I could pour a bunch into a soup bowl and be charged the same price as a bowl of soup. Being out of town, I opted not to do so. Since then I have searched high and low at every grocery store I go to for roasted garlic salad dressing. I found ONE salad dressing, but it just wasn't the same. I just discovered this week that there is a Mollie Stone's near where I work. I was disappointed to find that they didn't have the roasted garlic dressing, but noticed a balsamic vinaigrette of the same appearance. I tried it, and sure enough it's the same. All this searching and it's actually balsamic vinaigrette! So I poured a bunch into a soup cup and brought it home. I ate salad for lunch and dinner on Monday. This dressing has revolutionized salad for me.

**On Wednesday at Weight Watchers I hopped on the scale and then the weigh-in wench made a "oh dear" scrunchy face and said in a patronizing tone, "Oooh, did you expect to gain this week?" I was like, WTF?! I gained ONE freaking pound. and YES, I did expect that I would not have been as successful with my efforts because for Father's Day I went out to breakfast and then went to a friend's house for hot dogs and chips and dip. Sometimes a girl gets fed up with being deprived of things. Seriously though, aren't the WW people supposed to be encouraging?!

**Sunday is the one year anniversary being adorable Miss Charlotte's kitty mama. Over this past year I have really come to love my little fuzzy wuzzy fur-baby.

She does this adorable little thing where she lays down and puts her paws up like an otter. Then she rolls around and meows at me to pet her belly.
Charlotte is the sweetest cat I have ever encountered. She's only hissed probably three times since I've had her, and she NEVER scratches; not even when I subject her to a bath. She would be happy being petted 24/7 for the rest of her life.

**For some reason I thing blog posts are better when pictures are included.

**I'm going to see comedian Chelsea Handler this weekend! I'm going with my friend and her cousin who I've known since Daisy Girl Scouts! I'm excited to be reconnected with these girls and to spend time with different people. Bring on the fun!

Peace and love.
J

My First Friday Fragments

Check out Mrs.4444 and start doing Friday Fragments.

I decided to join the Friday Fragments club after reading Kori's for a couple months.

*My future sister-in-law, A, has a niece, E, who is 18 months old. She is the cutest little girl ever! She adores her little cousin Landon (my nephew). Yesterday A sent me a text saying that E calls Landon "hanthum bebe" (translation: handsome baby). Adorable!!

Here's E:


And here's the "hanthum bebe" with my dad:



*I got a new camera, the Nikon D90, and I am in the process of learning how to use it. I'm SO excited, but I'm also super impatient about it. Every time I pick up the manual or look at a website, I get overwhelmed and decide I'm not in the mood to read about how to use it.

*When I moved back to San Jose, I was really worried about finding a new hairstylist. I LOVED my stylist in LA and couldn't fathom finding anyone as great as she is. Well guess what, my friend Emily from high school finished cosmetology school a year or two ago and she's now my hairstylist! At first I was nervous about her cutting my hair because it's naturally curly and curly hair requires layering that will make me not look like a cocker spaniel. Despite the fact that she has fewer years experience than my stylist in LA, I think she's much better! For the first time ever, I LOVE my hair. And she gives me a good deal, so that's totally awesome! I know you want to see my hair:


*Last weekend I went with Emily to her 3 year-old daughter's first dance recital! It was ADORABLE. 3 year olds are too young to learn and remember choreography, so they were just sent out on the stage in their tutus to dance however they pleased. Here is a photo of little Miss Annabell and her friends.


*After 7 long years of college, my brother finally graduated last month! We are all so proud of him. Now if only the economy would turn around so he can find a career position that pays better than grocery store cashier. And this Sunday, Danny will be celebrating his first Father's Day! Congratulations and Happy Father's Day, little brother! (My "little" brother is 6'5"! Landon is now 4 months old, weighs 18 lbs 14 oz, and is 27 1/4 inches long!!)


*I've been making jewelry for a few years now - mostly for myself, occasionally for friends and family, and once or twice on commission or special request. A few people have suggested that I sell my pieces, which I thought was a great idea. Unfortunately I was studying for that darn CPA exam, so I resolved that I would start creating and selling jewelry after I passed the exam. That time is now. I haven't really made anything recently, so that's my first priority in this venture. And then the economy sucks, so who knows if anyone would even buy anything from me since I don't already have a customer base! Of course I'm planning to set up shop on etsy. If you have never heard of etsy, you're missing out big time. Go there and be mesmerized. I'll keep you all posted if that venture takes off.

That was fun! I think I'll continue to post Friday Fragments. I need to blog more anyway. Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and love.
J