Recipe: Roasted Asparagus

I love to make roasted asparagus as a yummy side dish. It tastes so much better than boiled or sauteed asparagus. They become toasty and nutty flavored, even a little sweet. You can buy a HUGE bag of asparagus at Costco (when available) for about $3.50. I also get some good, thin asparagus at the Farmer's Market.

Put the asparagus in a pan, drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss and roast in a 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes. The time can vary based on the size of the vegetable - so keep an eye on it. You may want to toss them again, about halfway through cooking.

20+10+10

Aaron and I are about to go to the fourth meeting of our church's 20+10+10 group . . . twenty/thirty-somethings. We are soooo happy to be enjoying fellowship and though-provoking conversation. These people remind me that there are still followers of Christ that are actually focused on following Christ, instead of following a religion. It is an open-minded, thoughtful, diverse group. And it is fun! I feel like I am making new friends for the first time in a long time.

We spent two weeks watching a documentary and discussing it. The movie is "Lord Save us from Your Followers." It is a hard-to-watch, cringe-inducing look at how crappy Christians can be to one another and everyone else living in this world that God so loved that He gave His one and only son, that . . . well, you know how it goes.

Take a look at the trailer if you want a taste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKwYH1mLNvE

Out

We went to a fancy-shmancy restaurant for a friend's birthday a few weeks ago and had a great time. It was raining so I was happy to wear my red raincoat.

This is me sitting in a cool lucite hanging chair.

Safe Journey

I am oh-so-glad I stopped by a typical strip mall nail salong run by hard-working Vietnamese ladies. And I'm not glad about the manicure . . . my purple nail polish chipped off the next day! But it was worth the $8 just to see this sign in the bathroom:

If you can't read this bathroom instructional, I will write it here:

To have a safe journey follow these steps

Use toilet seat cover and sitdown

Use glove, towel, and windex to

clean if any mess

Flush the water two time

Wash your hands before leaving

Very thank you!

To the left of the frame was a red arrow pointing to the necesary supplies.

Wow!

Honey Honey HONEYmoon!

We enjoyed a fabulous weeklong honeymoon in San Francisco and Napa Valley. Here we are poking our heads out of our window. Our hotel was right in Union Square. This is me locked up at Alcatraz!

We went to the Museum of Modern Art and I loved it! These beads welcomed you into an exhibit . . . and made for a fun photo op!

We discovered a yummy pastry puff place . . . we think Aaaron may be related to the founder, Papa Puff.

Thanks to the recommendation of a friend, we dined at a delicious and cheap noodle restaurant. As you can see, the dark ambiant lighting made it very romantic. Not so romantic? Aaron sweating bullets after he put way too much chilli sauce in his wonton soup.

This is also not romantic . . . the most discusting bathroom in the entire world! We were shopping in this artsy neighborhood and this was all we could find! The coffee shop actually made us buy something to use the restroom. I threw out the cookie. I wasn't going to eat something from a place with such a gross bathroom. Imagine the kitchen!

This is the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts, which now houses the Exploratorium - a fun children's (and children-at-heart) museum. It had lots of interactive, fun exhibits.

The token Golden Gate Bridge picture.

Now on to Napa! We enjoyed delicious food the entire honeymoon! (That is our favorite aspect of travel - food!) This was one of my favorite meals - "The Works" at the Oxbow Public Market. We shared the board covered in cheeses, salames, proscioutto, pates, olives, roast red peppers, balsamic onions, crystalized ginger, nuts, capers, fruits . . . and more! We kept discovering more. Of course we enjoyed it with a carafe of local Pinot Gris.

The most important honeymoon activity at all took place back in the cozy room of our Bed and Breakfast - playing Scrabble of course! (No we didn't bring Scrabble on our honeymoon, but it was at the B & B and we couldn't resist.)

Yes, another picture of food! This was the decadent finish to an amazing dinner at Ad Hoc. The restaurant chef/owner is Thomas Keller - basically America's best chef. There was only one option for dinner - the four course Prix Fixe. This chocolate "Afternoon cake" with peaunut brittle was truly the best dessert I've ever had.

Here we are on the front porch of our gorgeous historical Bed and Breakfast, The Hennessey House. Goodbye Napa!

Time for real life!

Finally . . . Wedding Pictures!

So here are some pictures from The Happiest Day of My Life! Most of my blog friends were there, but some of you weren't able to make it so enjoy these photos and know that you were missed.

Last Night as a Single Woman (Almost)

This is my first post as a married lady! I want to start with my bachelorette party. Without a doubt, this is one of the top 10 Funnest Nights of my life! I had a GREAT time! These pictures are a tad incriminating . . . so much for running for president in 2032. Oh, well! Totally worth it!

Here's Team Bachelorette: Marci, Monica, Emily, Heidi, Marion and Amy

But for one night: Sally Spirit, Missy Shadow, Sassy Sunflower, Ginger, Carmen and Dusty Mustang

Here I am in my total gettup: Pink boa from Amy, Tiara, Veil, "Bride to Be" button, nametag, candy necklace, beads, and THE WHIP! Monica and Marci gave me a satin-andpearl whip because I always used to tell them that I'd be a mean, tough bride and I'd need a pretty bridal whip to keep my bridesmaids in line.

A word to the wise: Never, ever, no matter how FREE it is, drink a "Bullsweat." Little did I know that this beverage contained a lovely mix of gin, tequila, bourbon, worcester sauce and tabasco. My mouth was on fire! I drank half and the girls and entire bar start chanting "Bull sweat! Bull sweat! Bull sweat!" I tried to drink the rest but spit it out all over the bar and literally, right that second, ran oustide and never went back. We had to hit up Coldstone so I could cool off my mouth with some Sweetcream.

Thanks to all the girls for an amazing night out! Yes, the bull sweat (with the help of some other libations) may have made me a little sick the next day . . . but what a night!