Not Related: James McAvoy is HOT

In-laws were in town this weekend. Dave and I survived with our marriage and sanity intact. No really it wasn't that bad. MIL was decently pleasant and non-demanding during the visit. While I went to work on Friday they helped Dave around the house with a few home improvement projects (we have drapes now!) and then that night I made them an awesome dinner. Saturday we woke up late, were lazy for part of the morning, and then headed out to the coast to brave the horse racing crowds and eat at my favorite café on the beach. After strolling around and watching a few Hawaiian dancers as well as the surfers we came home and then later that night dropped them off at the airport.

Relatively painless. My only problem is that I know my in laws (and hubby too) tend to be rather passive aggressive which I HATE. When we are all together everyone is pleasant and pretends to be happy. Then the minute doors (or eyes) are closed the true feelings come out. I'm a really straight forward and simple person and the whole acting one way but feeling another way charade just really gets to me. If you have a problem then say what bothers you, fix it, and/or get over it. The whole weekend MIL was nice to me but after the whole wedding debacle I know that’s not how she really feels. I'd honestly rather never see her again until she apologizes to me but I know from talking to hubby that will never happen. Oh well. Half the time I'm grateful that she at least acts nice to me. And the other half of the time I wish she would just tell me what she really thinks (no matter how unpleasant) so that I know where I stand. I'm a trusting person and I would just rather be able to be nice to someone and trust them rather then be nice to them but hold them at arms length. Hubby is big on the concept of family but I don't really see the point of being nice to people just because you share the same blood as them. I'd rather be nice and loving to someone because I like them and respect them as a friend.

In more pleasant news, I've been in a pie making mood lately so I used the in-laws visit as an excuse to bake the worlds best peach-a-berry pie this weekend. The recipe below can be switched up to whatever fruits you have on hand: peaches/raspberries, peaches/blueberries (this is what I put in my pie), nectarines/cherries (the next pie I make), etc.

INGREDIENTS
4 cups fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced
2 cups fresh raspberries
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 (9 inch) pie crusts
2 tablespoons butter, softened and cut into pieces
1 tablespoon coarse granulated sugar
1 egg (for washing the top of the pie)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place peaches and berries in a colander for about 15 minutes to drain any excess fluid , then transfer to a large bowl. Gently toss with sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Transfer to a pie crust. Dot with butter, and top with remaining crust. Brush with egg. Cut vents in top crust, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
3. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until crust is golden brown. (Don't forget to place a pan under the pie to catch all the pie oozy stuff!!!)

3 Things That Suck

1) Not being able to blog from work. For awhile blogger was a blocked website according to the federal government. I really never have time to blog from home.

2) Flying with a cold. I caught a mild cold over the holidays while visiting my in-laws in Northern California. The usual sore throat, lethargy, and runny nose. Nothing noteworthy so I didn’t think twice about flying home with the cold. BIG mistake. While descending my congested ears weren’t able to handle the change in cabin pressure. Worst pain imaginable. I thought my ear drums were going to burst and spew blood all over. Horrible.

3) The fact that my future mother in-law (MIL) likes to ask me questions and then immediately after confronts Dave with the information she gathered from me.

SCENE: Living room sofa. MIL and I are watching a chick flick on tv.
MIL: (casually) So since you and Dave are buying a house in San Diego does that mean you wont be moving back to Northern California for awhile?
ME: At this point and time Dave is pretty tired of moving all the time. He really just wants to find a house and settle for the next 5 years. He doesn’t even want to talk about our next move.
MIL: He doesn’t even want to talk about moving again?
ME: Nope. He really just wants to find a place to make a home. He’s tired of moving.

5 minutes later, Dave walks into room.
MIL: Why don’t you want to move back to NorCal?!?!?
Dave: Huh? Wha???
MIL: I heard you don’t want to move for the next 5 years!
Dave: (restates what I just said above)
ME: (fuming)

A Picture Update

Lately it feels as if the days are going by in one quick blur. I get in bed at night and it feels like just a short while ago I was getting out of bed. I get to work, look at the clock, and then look at the clock again to find 4 hours has already passed. Before I know it the work day is already over and once again I'm fighting traffic to get home. I can hardly believe that there is only 6 months until the wedding since it feels like just yesterday there was a year left. Why does time seem to be moving so quickly lately? I really just want it to stop. *sigh*

Needless to say, I have a list of things to-do that is a mile long. I've barely had enough time to eat, let alone blog. Here is my catch-up picture post:


Dave and I picked up out wedding bands while we were in the Bay Area last weekend. I LOVE both of our rings and was really pleased with the price and quality. I've already told Dave to hide the rings because if he doesn't then I'll just keep putting it on my finger and walking around the house.

We were in the Bay Area for a wedding of Dave's childhood friend. We had a really nice time seeing Dave's family and friends. I miss the Bay Area so much.

This is the bride and groom. They looked wonderful.

We arrived home on Sunday to our normal 80 degree Southern California "winter". I was driving down a street near our house when I took this picture. Note the ocean in the horizon, the palm trees, the wreaths on the palms, and the blue skies. Sad to say the wreaths look out of place and do a poor job of putting me in the holiday spirit.

On Thanksgiving Day weekend we went to the San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders football game. The Raiders lost only because of a bad referee call (boo!). Other then that the game was a lot of fun especially since we had club level seats. It was nice being able to call a waitress over to our seats every time we wanted something to eat or drink. Laziness at its best!

I made a complete Thanksgiving meal for Dave, my Dad, and my brother. The turkey was brined (according to Alton Brown) and turned out delicious. The whole meal was a success (if I say so myself) and I can't wait to cook my next Thanksgiving meal.

To serve Thanksgiving dinner we used our new (to us) china. The china had been given to us by Dave's grandma (now deceased). The complete 12 piece set of china is from the 1920's. I love the pattern so much and could never imagine a more beautiful set of china.

2 weeks ago, Dave bought his very own PS3. Yes the same PS3 that was sought by many and re-sold for several times it's value. So far he has greatly enjoyed the new gaming station and how high quality the screen resolution is. The other day we used the PS3 to watch a Blue-Ray movie. It was very nice looking but I give most of the credit to our plasma screen tv.

Fluff is getting bigger and bigger. The wild man loves getting dressed up. (sarcasm)

I'll Be Eating Turkey By The Pool

I’m wearing khakis, sandals, and a cardigan and I’m hot. Its 80 degrees outside and the Southern California heat doesn’t make me feel like celebrating Thanksgiving much less begin preparations for Christmas. I’m usually first in line for the Black Friday sales but this year I think I’ll have a hard time getting my sandal covered feet to get in the shopping mode at all. Sun + 80 degrees = Not Holiday Time. I’m in desperate need for some rain, clouds, and a cold front.

Yesterday, I went shopping in preparation for my first attempt at cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I walked into the store with my long list of groceries needed and quickly became overwhelmed as I glanced from the massive crowd to my list and back again. Luckily the World’s Best Fiancée had known that I would be grocery shopping after work so he decided to surprise me in the bakery aisle with a Starbucks Green Tea in hand. He pushed the very full cart while I darted between the mass of people, grabbed items off the shelf, and checked them off my list.

Dave and I won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving until Saturday. My Dad and older Brother will be driving down from the LA area to eat with us. The next day all 4 of us will drive to the football stadium where we have season tickets to see the Chargers v. Oakland Raiders game. The Chargers hate the Raiders and we all happen to be Raiders fans so it should be a fun time! And by fun I mean my older brother will instigate drama with the Chargers fans and I will spend my day yelling at him to shut up.

I can't wait ;-)