Taking Time

Last weekend and this weekend we’re taking time to check out of our normal lives, head up to Kansas City, have some delicious food you can’t get around these parts, and listen to some great music.

Saturday, Doug, Adam and I had a big lunch (to keep us from spending too much on food when we got there) and took off to Kansas City at 2pm. Got there before five–right on schedule. Met up with some friends, chilled, ate gorgonzola cheese fries, and window shopped until time for the concert. Which was excellent.

The show was held in the Uptown Theater. Loved the detailed restored decoration, the bright colors would look gaudy in any other place but definitely work in an old theater like this.

Design motif for my next place?

Last time I saw Bright Eyes was with the LA Philharmonic in the Hollywood Bowl, and Cassadaga had just come out (with all of its grandiose orchestrations–perfect for the Philharmonic) so I knew that this was going to be a completely different experience, and it was. It was much more drum-heavy than the sound Bright Eyes is known for, but that’s the nature of the new album The People’s Key so it was fitting. Actually, he played a lot of songs from his whole body of work–this was also different from in Hollywood–there, he played predominantly Cassadaga songs… Cassadaga is one of my top five favorite albums ever, so this was fine by me.

After the concert, half of a great burrito was all I needed to complete the night. Oh, and to drive back home. Made it in bed by 4:04 AM and only spent tip money (cash). All in all, a successful and thrifty outing. Since next weekend is a multi-day event, we’re sleeping at our friends’ and coming home the next day. No middle of the night driving for us… and possibly some shopping, no? I saved so much money last time it’s only right ;)

Relish the Moment

The best part of baseball season: hot dogs.

The thing is, most people have a love/hate relationship in hot dogs. At one point, an adult in our lives informed us what hot dogs are made of, so we went through a phase where we refused to eat them… then got over it. For most of my life my family and I have eaten turkey dogs, but I always had a soft spot for Hebrew National thanks to cheap lunches at Costco. Plus, I have more confidence in the quality of their meat.  After an unhealthy addiction to Sonic’s new specialty dogs (especially the Chicago dog! Didn’t know such a thing existed…) the decision was made that it would be much cheaper to just eat our hot dogs at home. Today we picked up a pack of Hebrew Nationals, some fancy Pepperidge Farms sesame seed hoagie rolls–all of the hot dog buns were sold out. On baseball’s opening weekend & the first good weather in a while. Imagine that! Anyway, armed with our premium hot dogs and fancy pants buns, we were ready for dinner.

Inspired by Sonic’s fancy pants dogs I decided to forgo store bought relish and make my own. Loved it. You can too:

Staci’s Fancy Pants Relish

2 dill pickle spears
1/4 yellow onion
1/2 tomato
the “bottom” of one red bell pepper (I just had leftovers on hand, ok?)
1 tsp sugar

Pulse in food processor for a chunky texture.


Sneak Peek Pup

Soon we’ll be getting a furry little friend!

Due to the Middle of the Map music festival we’re attending in KC next weekend, we’re holding off on taking him in until after it’s over (don’t want to leave the little guy for a weekend just mere days after getting him).

Nevertheless, Friday we went to the dog park in the next town over and played with this little guy for an hour and a half, and learned volumes from the people taking care of him right now. The next day we had our home visit by his temporary foster parent and we got the stamp of approval so we’re just waiting to hear back from the Italian Greyhound Rescue rep for how the rest of the adoption’s going to go down.

In the spirit of sneak peeks, here’s a blurry, artsy partial shot of our little guy.

Full disclosure: he was just squirmy and weaseled his way out of the picture.

I’ll give you a full-blown update once the deal is done!