We found adult onesies in Target!
Penguin pyjamas for Paul for Christmas?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 31 - 25th October 2010)
Some trivia study.
Sadly, it was no help. After a stellar showing last week, we posted our lowest score to date. I think I knew a total of 2 answers.
Picture of the Day (Day 30 - 24th October 2010)
Busy day today!
We began with some boring paint prep and other chores then headed to Foggy Bottom for a walking adventure with Libby, Mum H and Dad H.
The city of Raleigh has something called the 'Greenway' - a series of paved walking areas through the area. Some are loops around lakes and others are just stretches of pretty pathways.
We did one of the stretches near Crabtree Valley Mall. According to Paul, it was about 2.25 miles long.
Paul ran while the rest of us walked. We were done in no time at all, and stopped to watch a man fly fishing. We didn't see him catch anything though.
We went back to FB for a delicious lunch of chilli, then I headed out with Libby to accompany/assist her on a bridal portrait session at NC State. After a quick camera lesson, I was thrown straight in to the deep end and I fear I failed at being a good assistant. I haven't yet seen the pictures I took but I'm sure they're ghastly (yes, I used the word ghastly - how cool is that word?!) Poor Libby has probably ended up with half the number of photos she would usually have for a client. At least they were digital and can be deleted!
We then met Kevin (who had just got back from a bucks party in Vegas) and Paul back at Libby and Kevin's house, where Libby cooked an amazing dinner of baked ziti, Texas Toast & salad. Ben and Keith joined us too.
We followed all of that up with some card games - Arcade - which I lost at.
Picture of the Day (Day 29 - 23rd October 2010)
Beautiful wedding card and pretty frame from my favourite Japanese gal - Yoshi!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 28 - 22nd October 2010)
Our new couch (technically a loveseat) arrived today. As you can see, Paul has already broken it in!
Off to dinner and a movie with Libby, Heather, Clayton, Keith & Brendan.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 27 - 20th October 2010)
In Australia, I love White Wings Profiteroles. Made from a packet, but the custard is amazing.
I thought they would be a great dessert for last night's party - introduce Americans to their deliciousness. Unfortunately, the pastries came out flat and soggy. No idea why. I'm thinking it was either something to do with using a more powerful mixer (because the mix was a little runny) or the difference in ovens.
The custard still came out great but I was stuck for what to do with it.
We had a chocolate pie crust in the cupboard from when I made the cheesecake and wasn't sure how many crusts I would need. So I spooned the custard in to it, topped it with the chocolate chips meant to be melted and spread on the profiteroles and ta da! Chocolate & Custard Pie! Yummy!
Picture of the Day (Day 26 - 19th October 2010)
Our last Supper Club before Meagan moves to New York :(
Meagan, Libby, Alesha & I have Supper Club each week where one of us cooks dinner for the others. Because it was Meagan's last one for a little while, we decided to open up Supper Club to all of her friends, plus make it a surprise. Libby put on a fantastic spread, and Alesha made an amazing dessert (I was supposed to take profiteroles, but they didn't work and came out flat and soggy. Grr!).
There was a huge turn out (testament to how much Meagan will be missed) and I think Meagan was truly surprised.
Bye beautiful girl!!! We love you and will all miss you so much!
Picture of the Day (Day 25 - 18th October 2010)
Monday Night Trivia at Trali again. Trali is completely decked out with Halloween decorations, looking forward to seeing what they do for Christmas!
Only 5 of us went this time but it worked in our favour because we basically doubled our score from last week. We won Round 2 outright, winning us a free pitcher of beer, and we think we came about 4th overall.
Team Bartowski = Paul, Brendan, Heather, Clayton, and me.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 24 - 17th October 2010)
Two weeks ago I seeded the garden because we had a few bare patches. We bought a seeding mix that came with fertiliser mixed in and I spent a few hours loosening the dirt and 'planting' the seeds. It was just a rough job - we intend to do it properly next year - and we only decided to do it at the last minute, so we weren't sure how well it would go.
I've watered the areas a couple of times - the instructions recommended I do it whenever the fertiliser turned light brown. Then, a couple of nights ago we had a huge storm and we were worried it had washed all of the seeds away. Our garden is mostly clay so the seeds hadn't really had a chance to sink into the ground. Also, Roxie had dug up a few of the patches to bury some bones.
But we went outside this morning and saw grass growing! Little sprouts have popped up in most of the places I seeded.
Given that this was just a last minute job, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when we actually do it properly!
Picture of the Day (Day 23 - 16th October 2010)
Bill & Shirley, neighbours of Paul's parents made us this table as a wedding gift from a tree that once grew in their backyard.
They had it chopped down earlier in the year and thought the stump would make a lovely table because of its pretty colours and patterns - and they were right!
They spent three months just drying out the wood and then Shirley did all of the sanding and laquering herself.
What a wonderfully thoughtful gift!
Picture of the Day (Day 22 - 15th October 2010)
First Halloween dress-up of the year!
We had a Halloween 'Progressive' Party, starting at Heather & Clayton's house, then moving to Kevin & Libby's, and Keith's at N. Exeter.
Each house had a meal (appetiser, dinner & dessert) and activity.
Paul was a ninja and I was Mario. Can you guess who was Mongo (above)?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Our First Home Project
A few weeks ago we began our first home improvement project - a shelving unit to fit below the window in the lounge room.
I saw this bookshelf on the Target website and really liked it but I wanted one that would go along the whole length of the window.
Paul said that he could easily make one. So he made a plan with measurements (he's fancy!) and we headed to Lowes to get some supplies.
We got some timber, screws, black paint (we went with black so that it will match the entertainment unit), painting supplies (brush, roller etc.) and some L-shaped thingamajigs that would go on each corner of the unit to keep it steady.
Paul and his Dad cut each piece of wood to the right length and then I got a start on painting them.
I finished the small pieces, and Paul did the longer ones.
The paint we chose was high gloss and actually turned out to be quite sticky, even though it was dry. It stuck to the newspaper and to other pieces. Two of the pieces stuck like glue to each other - even Paul had a hard time pulling them apart! So we decided to go ahead and assemble everything, and then just do some sanding and paint touch ups once it was all together.
Paul assembled everything and it was time to stand it up and test it out!
It held up well! We did the last few paint touch ups and it was done!
It doesn't look as pretty as I'd like yet. I want it to be a place for our framed photos and we need to get some printed out first. And we'll eventually get some curtains made so that they don't sit on the shelf. But at least it's done!
Final Cost = $83.03
Picture of the Day (Day 21 - 14th October 2010)
Our three-week anniversary, and also my birthday!
We hit up the NC State Fair and spent hours enjoying the gardens and exhibits, checking out crazy fair food, and wasting money on the games.
I was able to convince Brendan to do one of the rides with me - the Cha Cha (although it wasn't called that there). I got a little unwell so wasn't able to enjoy the rides as much as I wanted but we're heading back next week to eat some more and go on the swings (above).
Picture of the Day (Day 20 - 13th October 2010)
At Supper Club, the girls surprised me with a mini birthday celebration complete with decorations, flowers (daisies of course!) and my own birthday balloon. Alesha made an amazing salmon and pasta dinner and Libby brought homemade cookie cake for dessert!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 19 - 12th October 2010)
Some more Halloween decorating. :)
We've stretched these 'spider webs' over the trees and bushes in our front yard, as well as across the porch and on the letterbox (or mailbox, as the Americans say).
I thought the Aussies would also like to see the little red flag that is on the mailbox too - just like in the movies!
I spent my day mostly clearing everything out of the guest bedroom so we can get it ready to be painted. I also took Roxie for a walk and gave her a brush - it took awhile! I swear, with the fur that came off of her, I could've made another dog.
Now I'm off to another delicious supper club - this time at Alesha's house.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 18 - 11th October 2010)
Roxie was so excited for her walk but got hot quite quickly. She looks so much like a bear!
She liked to run with Paul but would make him stop and she'd look back at me as if to say "hurry up!"
Picture of the Day (Day 17 - 10th October 2010)
Pumpkin & Ghostie - some of our Halloween decorations.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 15 - 8th October 2010)
Look! He folds his clothes now!
Well, he folds SOME of his clothes....
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 14 - 7th October 2010)
Today was our first day of dog sitting Roxy, a blue-tongued Chow. She arrived about an hour ago and I'm so excited to have her for a whole week!
She's big and furry and so lovable.
She was a bit nervous at first but now seems to be settling in. She's explored the house and backyard, and has now curled up on the floor to have a nap.
Picture of the Day (Day 13 - 6th October 2010)
We had a lazy night in - finally! It feels like since we've been back from Hawaii we haven't stopped moving, so it was nice to kick back, have a tasty dinner, and watch some Heroes on Netflix.
Happy Birthday Dad!
Happy Birthday Dad!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 12 - 5th October 2010)
Each week Libby, Meagan, Alesha and I have 'Supper Club', where one girl hosts and provides dinner for the others. Tonight was my first night hosting. I made nachos, with chocolate orange muffins for dessert.
Picture of the Day (Day 11 - 4th October 2010)
We pretty much failed epically at Tra'li pub trivia. We didn't even get 50%.
However, I did find out that I'm awesome at US State Capitals :)
Monday, October 4, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 10 - 3rd October 2010)
Hawaiian tiki characters.
A cute wedding gift from Paul's workmates.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Picture of the Day (Day 9 - 2nd October 2010)
We started our day as the official cheering squad for Kevin & Libby at the IBM 5km Run. Our cheering obviously worked because Kevin got 3rd in his age group, and Libby easily broke the 30 mins she was aiming for. Brendan came second overall.
We followed the race with the IBM Family Fun Day, as guests of Kevin and Libby. All of the food, rides and games were free so we definitely made the most of it!
We had a ton of fun on the jumping castles (yes, plural. There were about six of them!), and the boys played mini golf while Libby and I tried some of the games. We then waited in line for what seemed like hours to have a caricature done of us while the boys had their turn on the games. The picture (above, in process) turned out great but doesn't look anything like either of us!
By the time we were done, the lines for the ferris wheel and other rides were massive and we didn't want to wait in the sun. So we got one last (free!) snow cone and a bag of fairy floss (cotton candy!) and headed back to the car.
Our afternoon was spent buying a bed, and visiting the hardware store to start our first home project! But more on that tomorrow... :)
Picture of the Day (Day 8 - 1st October 2010)
Triangle Transit had a booth at the International Festival at the Convention Centre in downtown Raleigh. Paul had the Friday night shift so I accompanied him.
Although our booth was stuck in a dark corner with no visitors, it gave us a chance to explore the different cultural stands.
We also enjoyed the opportunity to try lots of different foreign foods. Paul's favourites were the Kenyan samosas and Turkish coffee (above). We also tried Greek gyros, Italian stuffed rice balls and Ethiopian coffee. We were too stuffed to try anything else, although the Lebanese hummus and tabouli looked amazing.
Some of the exhibits we enjoyed were traditional Tanzanian jewelry, Russian dolls, Japanese manga characters, and a traditional Italian wedding chapel, complete with Friar.
As bad as the Triangle Transit booth's location was, it gave us a good view of the main stage, meaning we got to see most of the national dances and musical performances.
Also, Happy Birthday Mum!
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