HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE!

Today is Kate's birthday, (yes the Kate that I used to write, "Dear Kate" to on the blog, which come to think of it, don't be surprised if that makes a comeback). But since she's turning the big 2-5 today, and she's a loyal blog follower, I had to give her a birthday blog shout out, with one of our first photos from my first "real" trip to Chico back in 2005. For anyone who's keeping track, that was the trip when Carly threw a camera at me and I caught it with my eye. It lead to the fracturing of my zygomatic arch (yes that is a real thing and it hurt, thank you very much). But that's another story. But we were such babies!!

And this next one was from this fall, I believe at Julia and Jeremy's engagement party but about 6 years later.

She may not like these photos being posted, but I don't care. :o) Happy Birthday KATE!!!

A Day Behind...

I've been slacking on the blog this week, so let's start out the week right. with kudos and boos, a day late...

Kudos to the 49ers. As a bandwagon fan, I must say, I was sweating bullets for this second to last round of playoff game. By the end of the first quarter, the niners were kicking ass and taking names and I was wondering how the Saints had made it as far as they did. But as you are always taught to never assume (assume nothing, trust no one), the Saints came back and that's when it got stressful. I was closing my eyes more than I was during Girl with the Dragon Tatoo movie and cursing players that I just learned their names. But, the last quarter was amazing, and the last 2 minutes and 30 seconds was fantastic--almost like a movie! If you were to take a quick bathroom break you could have missed a touchdown. But in my opinion, and I am not saying this bc I am a bandwagon fan, the 49ers should win it just because of those last few minutes. Also Alex Smith and Vernon Davis are superstars!

Boos to the Italian cruise ship that ran aground on Friday. I am not really sure how the boat could hit the ground and still tip over like it did, or how a massive cruise ship could hit ground in gerenal, especially just a few hours after leaving port, but so sad.

Kudos to Ricky Gervais's stand up job hosting the Golden Globes. I thought he was awesome last year and was stoked that he did it again this year. He had some good hits early on--sorry Kim K, but you were a likely target--and managed to do it with a touch of class (a glass of beer whenever he went on stage). I'm never really crazy about hosts for award shows because sometimes they're just not funny, ergo the shows that forgo the hosts all together. But, the Globes hit a homerun last year with him, so it only made sense that they would go with Ricky again, and he was great!

Boos to Ricky Gervais's red suit. At first glance, it's not the best, but still could work. Then probably around the beginning of hour three, he lost his jacket. Still potentially workable, but then he turned around. So if you didn't see it, it was a burgandy suit with a black shirt, but the back of the vest was silver. I think i said "WHOA!" I didn't see that one coming and you know I don't think I wanted to.

Kudos to the Thursday night lineup on NBC. After a holiday hiatus, they switched some of the scheduling around and my god they came back with a vengence. . First, 30 Rock came back after an extra long summer vacation and while I thought they were getting a little lame at the end of last year, they brought it back this year. I mean, who doesn't love Tracy Jordan or Liz Lemon? THEN, perhaps my new fave show, Parks and Rec was on and I was laughing out loud it was so entertaining. Then, there was the Office. One that I've said has lost its touch in recent seasons, but I am still a devoted watcher. Well, this episode hit it out of the park. Any scene with Kevin was goldne. Then they wrapped up the night with Up All Night--another one of my new faves. In my opinion, NBC has always had their act together on Thursday nights (Friends at 8:00, anyone?) and they still got it.

Boos to this brief Kudos and Boos but I worked tomorrow and I am tired, so leave me alone.

Hopefully better luck this week with blogging!

Kudos and Boos 2012

Let's start the year off with some Kudos and Boos...

Kudos to VK! Today is her birthday and she crossed the "quarter of a century" threshold! We celebrated on Friday night with Happy Hour at the Office and some bocce ball. I taught a quick bocce lesson to the group and VK was rolling like a big shot (no pun intended) and played like a pro. She brought our team to victory! I say it was my stellar teaching skills, others say she was lying that she was a novice. I choose to believe the former.

Boos to the latest celebrity baby name, and boy is this one a doosy...or should I say girl since that's what Beyonce had this weekend. I had high hopes for this baby name, with parents as slick as Beyonce and Jay-Z, how could they go wrong? Well they managed to in my opinion. I was hoping that their first baby name would be something along the lines of Brad Pitt's baby name, Knox, which had a certain "badass" effect. Unfortunately, the name "Blue Ivy" just doesn't have that. I understand that the middle name has personal attachments, which is all fine and good, but you really lost me at the first name. Colors are colors, people!

Kudos to 2012 Goals. With 2012 in full swing, as well as Deprive Yo'Self 2012, it's so far so good. Just one week into the new year, I've managed to take my vitamins on a daily, hit the gym, and I promise today I will start blogging and reading more (damn you Netflix Watch Instantly and How I Met Your Mother!). But week two is really the test. You're past the "I need to remember to do this and that" and not so much at "it's a bonafide habit" so it can be touch and go. This is what separates the goals from the resolutions. (Sidebar: I don't believe in or like the word resolution. It has more of a "temporary" tone whereas a goal is something you strive for, and so I made a list of 2012 goals that are all achievable. And I know what you're thinking, but yes, there is totally a difference.) Let's see how this week goes.

Boos to Deprive Yo'Self 2012. It's just so much easier to treat! The first week was a necessary "cleanse" although it was super annoying, I was hungry most of the week, and some say I wasn't in the best mood--I tell them they're ridiculous and demand they get out of my face--but each day will be a little easier. I hope.

Kudos to iPhone 4S. Apple's done it again. Yesterday I picked up my new phone and it's love at first sight. Who knew technology could come so far in just three years. Apple continues to amaze me and I am still not sure what's going on since we're still in that "honeymoon" stage, but so far, so good.

Boos to the world's most terrifying movie preview, "The Devil Inside" AND for America making it the #1 movie this weekend. When I first saw the preview, well, I should say, when I first saw the first 10 seconds of the preview, I knew it wasn't going to be a Julie movie. In fact, just hearing the preview, with my eyes squeezed shut, still gave me chills. A "documentary" style movie about exorcism? Psh. I'd rather run around in circles for 2 hours. And yes, I would be able to run around for 2 hours. I am pretty sure I could pretend I was running from the possessed freak I saw in the first 10 seconds of the preview as inspiration.

Here's to a quick week!

The End of 2011...

As I am sure you've noticed, there has been a lull in my blog postings. I was out of town and then I was just too tired. And rather than try and play massive catch up and bore you to death with all details pertaining to Bonino craziness, I thought I'd just hit some highlights...

1. The Bonino's cruised through Christmas! This was the first time we've ever been with the extended Bonino's for Christmas day AND not to mention were on a BOAT! At first, it didn't really feel like Christmas, seeing as we were in Mexico where the sun was shining, and usually when we're in San Carlos, I don't believe it's Christmas until we hit Christmas Eve mass at 4:00. However, this year we were at midnight mass, on a BOAT. The whole experience was definitely different, and I have never had such an action packed Christmas...breakfast at 8:30 (although Mickey slacked on his wakeup calls that morning so I wasn't exactly my most delightful before breakfast, thanks for nothing, Mouse!), Gingerbread house making at 10, Movie Line Trivia at 11, War Horse at noon (which was when my Bloody Mary from breakfast hit me so I took a little snoozy-doozy) then we had to pack before dinner, and then before we knew it, the day was done! I'll tell you one thing, no matter where you are, Christmas always sails by (no pun intended).

2. Treat Yo'Self 2011. What started out as referencing a hilarious episode of Parks and Rec, spawned into a daily quoting session and recurring theme throughout the trip, most notably, we took it upon ourselves to eat everything in plain sight. Not usually one to grab that creme brule when you're already stuffed the the gills? Treat Yo'Self. Not sure if you should have that pre-dinner snack? Treat Yo'Self. Not typically a fan of three course meals? Get over it and treat yo'self. Surely, you catch my drift. And of course that didn't just end on the boat, we kept that theme going all week and decided to carry it out through the end of 2011. Which was a perfect segway for Deprive Yo'Self 2012 but I'll save that for another blog post.

3. Call me an LA native. After the cruise, we decided to stay down in LA for a couple of extra days for a few reasons, we had an Italian relative in town from the motherland and we still hadn't had enough of each other. So we got to play tourist and get to do all of the fun things that we don't usually have time for when we're just down there for a weekend. For example, we finally watched the wedding video (I've been dying to see it since July 3), go to our fave places to eat (in keeping with the Treat Yo'Self theme), do some more shopping and even got to spend part of Maria's birthday with her where we went to this delicious place in La Cresenta and indulged in Apple Oat Cakes. Perhaps the most delicious things on the planet. Lisa was finally able to get to and from the freeway without asking which lane to be in!

4. Celebrity Sightings. Notice the plural on that? That's right, between Lady Di, Lisa and I we spotted three, count them three, celebrities. On Tuesday, as Lady Di was with "Fearless Leader" Maria, Annie and Sylvia (the Italian relative) and were in Venice Beach and decided to stop in at a bakery and spotted none other than...Lindsay Lohan. Sadly I cannot claim this sighting, so moving on...THEN, the next day, we were walking up Melrose and stopped in at Urban Outfitters and Lisa recognized the dad on Wizards of Waverly Place, I stared him down to which he probably thought I was some crazy beezy, but when I was skeptical, Lisa confrimed it with his IMDB photo. Point Lisa! And finally, we were leaving the movies on Thursday night in the heart of Hollywood and as we were in the car, Tom ever so nonchalantly was able to spot Dominic Monahan, the guy from Lost and Lord of the Rings. Also, Nonni's neighbor although strange that we didn't see him in his natural habitat. But, who cares, 2 celebs...Yeah ya!

5. NYE...Who knew we were trendy? I didn't. Last year we went up to the city and did the party at SF City Hall, which was fun, but this year we wanted to do something a little low key so we thought, what about the Saddle Rack that's out in Fremont? So we got two hotel rooms at the lovely Hilton Newark/Fremont but earlier in the day, we found out that the Saddle Rack was SOLD OUT. What? How can that be? Then, when we were checking in, we found out the hotel was booked solid! You could have knocked me over with a feather. But the night was super fun, we got there at 9 so at 10:30 we thought, how can it not be past midnight yet? But, we rang in 2012 and were ready to peace out at 12:15, so it was the perfect amount of time. A solid way to ring in the new year!

So that's essentially it in a nutshell. And now on to 2012....

Music of 2011

Yesterday morning, I received an email from SparkPeople, as I do every Tuesday morning and when I opened up to glance the links, see if anything struck my fancy, and they had one about the 50 best workout songs of 2011. Now, I am not going to make a list of 50 jams that were on my iPod this year, one because I don't want to and two I don't want anyone making fun of my musical taste, although it is way better than yours. So I'll do a shortened list of 15 that were jamming on my iPod this year, and in no particular order...

1. Till the World Ends

2. Edge of Glory

3. Show Goes On

4. I'll be waiting

5. Born this Way

6. Paradise

7. Party Rock Anthem

8. Not Over You

9. Good Feeling by Florida

10. Any and all Maroon 5

11. Dancing on my own

12. Grenade

13. Who Says

14. We Found Love

15. Domino

And I am not going to lie, Justin Timberlake's "Future Sex, Love Sounds" songs came into rotation pretty regularly throughout the year, and I don't see that changing. And maybe some "Best of" lists can be the theme for these last few blog posts of 2011.

Crafting through the Holidays

Saturday I turned up the heat on the holiday spirit. Not only did I complete the rest of myChristmas shopping, but Kate, Carly and I decided to do a Cookies and Cocktails party...complete with sequenced Santa hats (don't tell me the real Santa doesn't have one). We researched some cute cookie ideas, cocktail ideas, and Kate made some delicious cookie dough. We gathered on the chilly December Saturday night and after some super yum dinner, courtesy of Carlos, and a couple of cocktails, we got to work! We had sugar and gingerbread cookie dough and a ton of cookie cutters, we made a TON of christmas cookies--I think we each went home with 2 dozen, at least. Here are some highlights of the evening...

I had to crop Kate's apron. But it was red, green and white and therefore festive.

We googled this idea for melting snowmen cookies. Easy peasy with marshmallows as heads. Well, I suppose I should say easy peasy in the loosest sense of the word. Here's what they should have looked like:

Those were Carly's of course. And below are mine. I thought it would look more realistic if I smushed their heads down. But then the red frosting for eyes just got a little too creepy.

Some sweet sparkle hats...thank you Target for doing your part to bedazzle our wardrobe and closet.

And a cookie cocktail party and holiday party just isn't complete without a signature cocktail courtesy of Emril Lagasse. Poinsettia Cocktail? 1 part champagne, 1 part vodka, 2 parts cranberry juice, pomegranate seeds and lemon for garnish. Kudos Emril, you really outdid yourself with that one. Two thumbs up.

And then some action shots of rolling out the dough...

And then the cookie decorating madness really commenced. I think we were decorating for a good 2 hours. Maybe not, I have no sense of time.

And of course, no cookie decorating is complete without a "J for Julie!" but I couldn't fit that on my stocking so a "J!" will have to do.

Two craft projects in two months documented. CHECK. Now just have to find a craft to keep the craft bug going through 2012!

And it's the Holiday Season!

The holiday spirit is in full swing in San Carlos. Slowly but surely, lights are being hung, families are purchasing Christmas trees and the post office is jam packed-thank you PostMaster Gary. I love the lead-up to Christmas and with that said, here are just some highlights of the San Carlos Holiday extravaganza:

1. Eucalyptus Street. To those native San Carlosians, they know of this street well. Not only can you see it from Alameda, overlooking most of San Carlos, but also for the traffic that's generated because of it (small town living does not welcome traffic, especially on city streets). For those who are unfamiliar, this street is essentially a whole block of Clark Griswolds who deck their houses out and jack up their electrical bills for the month of December. Every square inch of the street is covered with white and colored lights, ornaments, fake santas (sometimes we get a special appreance from him) and sometimes even snow. I believe one guy started it and then eventually the whole street caught on. It's become the thing to do in San Carlos, and even other Peninsula cities are migrating to see the display! It gets so busy that they make it a one way, and it's PACKED on the weekend with walkers going down the street. The residents are even taking the opportunity to make a profit when they sell hot chocolate/coffee/tea on the weekend nights--at least they have in the past--and you can only imagine that it's a hella lucrative idea! But maybe they're trying to break even from their astronomical power bills.

2. 96.5/94.5/Pandora: 24x7 Christmas music. What some may call a nightmare - something equivalent to nails on a chalkboard - I consider pure awesomeness. Seeing as I am a commuter now, I get to listen to it stuck in traffic, on my Pandora station in the office, and back onto the stations on my way home. Pure. Satisfaction. Oh and my favorite song that only comes on once in a blue moon? Happy Holidays by Andy Williams. Youtube it. You won't be disappointed.

3. X-Mas movies: This is a given. Sunday I watched my ALL-TIME favorite holiday flick, Miracle on 34th Street (1994 version). What more could you ask for, it's got humor, it's touching, it's the whole shebang. Some other favorites include: The Santa Clause, Home Alone (1 & 2), Elf, White Christmas and of course, Muppet Christmas Carol (not really sure why they insist on making that story again and again when the Muppets got it right). Watch those and you wont be disappointed either. And what's a better way to spend a weekend in December than watching one of these movies, reciting them word for word?

4. Christmas drinks: They could be my favorite because they usually include champagne - perhaps God's gift to the planet. And seeing as I was just chatting with Kate about signature drinks for the holiday, but I think we have another winner on our hand: Poinsettia Cocktail AND who could forget the 2009 classic: Citrus Champagne Punch (took an entire group down but my god was it delicious).

Ok those are just a few of my favorite things. I am sure there are more, but that's enough for now.

#ACandyCaneSoundsBombRightNow