Cold Turkey!

Brett and I spent a chilly few days with my dad and relatives in Watertown, NY. As usual, I was inappropriately dressed for the weather but we still managed to come away with warm hearts. Dad and Brett got along and I had a chance to reconnect with some wonderful friends I haven't seen in a long long time. 

Other highlights included an hour spent poring over dad's childhood football scrapbook, Pat's sweet potato casserole with coconut and orange zest, a really good dirty martini, a trip upstairs at my grandmother's house which brought back great memories, and despite all the delicious Thanksgiving leftovers, a DiGiorno pizza with my honey at 1 am.

I also took the time to make some pictures of a few objects from dad's workbench that have been part of my peripheral vision my whole life. It was fun to make them the subject of some photos instead of just popping up in the background.

Dad's extension cord collection. These came in handy when we ate breakfast in the basement for a month while the Leroy Street house was renovated in '92.

Dad's toolbox. This sticker has been there since before I was born. Must be some industrial strength adhesive, no?

I never noticed this before, but there is a star on the cast metal stern of our old boat. I think it is a StarCraft boat, so that makes sense! Note the faded, frayed blue rope... Love it.

Dad's ice skates! Probably purchased at MVP Sports in Potsdam. These skates made quick work of the Rideau Canal many a winter.

Cool! Dad's saw. Wonder if this was the same one that gave me the scar on my knee. Love the weathered wood handle, but why does it look like it has devil horns?

Neat collection of old T-squares and metal rulers. 

I love this photo. It is dad's really old down jacket. Bought for function, not fashion, and survived the blizzard of '77. It snaps and has a matching burnt orange zipper. I wish I could have found the toque he used to wear with it, guess that image will just live in my head.

Dad is a huge fan of the LL Bean Boat and Tote. He has many and gives them as gifts! I appreciate my large monogrammed tote way more now than I did when I got it when I was 16.

Good trip! But not sure if we'll be going home during the winter again anytime soon. Unless dad lends me the orange coat...

Sweatpants

I'd really like to wear them on the plane today. But I won't because I refuse to be one of those adults who uses up one of their 2 carry-ons for their pillow. And dresses like they're headed to a slumber party. You've seen 'em. Flannel pj bottoms, crocs, huge college sweatshirt? blech. 

To anyone traveling this holiday, be safe! I am thankful for all of you! Have a wonderful day with family and friends.

OMG-IHIWIHSSWEICFI!!!

Where did I put that?

Stupid holiday season. I'm already going nuts.

Translation: Oh my God, I hate it when I hide stuff so well even I can't find it!

I buy little gifts throughout the year to have on hand for for the holidays and more often than not, I can't find them when I need them. I bought this great wine stopper at the Pikes Place Fish Market in Seattle this spring and I stashed it away for safe keeping. Can't find it and I am trying to get packed for my Thanksgiving trip to dad's. Bummer. 

Meanwhile, I am listening to Band of Horses Everything All the Time album and that is helping to take the edge off. Who wants to start trading music suggestions?

Ugh, Sunday night. xoxo

A few of my favorite (cheap or free) things

In the spirit of this crap economy: I was wandering through my apartment the other day and noticed how many of my favorite things were either really cheap ($5 of less) or free (courtesy of my career in consumer products, samples rock). Here is a look at my decorating deals and steals!

This distinguished painting came home with me for $5! I don't know who the subject is, but he looks like he might be a banker, so I think he'd be proud of my good deal.

Urban Outfitters just opened across the street from me and my friend Tiffani and I got matching T glasses for our beverages of choice. 

These are perfect when you tell yourself you're only having one glass of wine ;)

Cool bug drawings were $1 at Lakewood Antique Market in Atlanta. 

I framed them in really cheap Target metal frames and my home made mats. Perfect for my bathroom. The green ribbon is left over from Katie's wedding and I just like looking at it.

I traded this desk with my friend Deb. She got a leather chair and ottoman from Macy's that I was tired of, and I got this AMAZING mid century desk that was hiding in her basement. I think I got the way better end of that deal, but don't tell her that. My dad and I almost had a catastrophe with the Home Depot truck we rented to seal the deal but all ended well. I love this desk! Deb said her mom used to do her homework on it, but my kids will never even get to breathe on it!

My very own Picasso! Actually I just framed the December page from a Picasso calendar and I put it out at Christmas.

Red Arne Jacobsen ant chair: negotiated this wayyy down at 

Lakewood Antique Market my first weekend in Atlanta.

Cute pink Kate Spade leather box, a real steal at TJ Maxx!

Cool wire mail sorting basket salvaged from the throw away pile when our office moved.

So cute, pics of my parents from high school! I am definitely NOT the milkman's child.

Oneida Paul Revere bowl, one of my favorite freebies from that job. 

They used to put free stuff out in the cafeteria everyday.

Wedgwood Night and Day S&P shakers. Another freebie from Oneida.

West Elm bowl: I think this was like 90% off. It hides the ugly outlet behind my microwave perfectly!

Cool painting on wood by a local artist. They signed the back Two Fat Southern Boys Who Paint.

This is a postcard thank you note painted by my late friend, Susan. A daily tribute to her in my kitchen.

Awesome milk glass glove form: Katie and I got these in Dekalb Junction when we were wasting time driving from Potsdam to Watertown. I had always been intrigued by the flea markets there and they had good cheap stuff! This would go for 4 times the price in Atlanta.

Beach glass: collected from Lake Ontario, Virginia Beach, Manistee, Burt Lake. Truly priceless for the memories!

$5 painting from artist market in Atlanta. You can barely buy a beer for $5, let alone a painting of a beer.

Probably my favorite Oneida freebie, these cool turquoisey blue spun metal candleholders. I have actually based the rest of the color scheme in my living room on these cheapies!

10th grade Tera would freak

We are going to Costa Rica in a few weeks and it hit me that I have nothing but the most basic of bathing suits and that since this is my first tropical vacation, I should at least try to look the part. So I turned to that most trusted purveyor of beach wear, J Crew, to see what's hot this century because the last time I was excited about buying a bathing suit was circa 1996. 

To my delight, almost everything was on clearance! 

So I went a little nuts and ordered 17 separate pieces, planning to return a bunch, figuring that since they were $9.99 each it was well worth the shipping cost. 

goodbye, basic black!

Fast forward to yesterday when the box arrived at my cubicle and I actually opened it right there at my desk to paw through all the pretty patterns and sexy shapes! 

I just want to pause and give a shout out to my 15 year-old self. 

Dear Tera, 

I just wanted to let you know that by now, we actually feel good in a bikini. We still want slightly larger breasts and slightly thinner thighs, but for the most part, on most days, we feel pretty great about what all 5 feet, one quarter inch of us can do and we promise to keep doing what it takes to stay that way. It's not always easy, some days are harder than others. But just know that it will get better and eventually you will be 29 and happy with yourself. Oh, and I know how you drool over the J Crew catalog every night and that mom only let you get that one pool blue, underwire bikini, but don't fret, when you're 29 you can have whatever you want. And by the way, I still have your NP sweatshirt and the quilt from your bed. Now go study, because it's not Thanksgiving break quite yet and I'm pretty sure you have a Pelkey test on Monday.

Love, Tera 2.0

Tonight I have a date with this guy...

Hello, James darling.

Okay the date is actually with the guy on the left but we are going to see the guy on the right. I have posted this side by side comparison shot just so I don't get them confused tonight. So many similarities!

Piercing blue eyes, chiseled biceps and of course, impeccable fashion sense (come on, look at that t shirt!) Also, Brett also prefers his protein drinks shaken, not stirred and his mountain bike has more gadgets than I can count. They also share a penchant for danger as Brett insists that we J walk at least twice a week. Anyway, enough nonsense but I am excited for this movie and a little bit in love with Daniel Craig.

Hello again.

Last night I had 6 people over for dinner, and I only had 5 good crystal wine glasses so I decided to bite the bullet and splurge on some really nice stemless glasses. I love them, but I must say it was a tad bittersweet because I guess I always figured I would just get them when I got married. Boo hoo for me. I discussed this fact with the girls at dinner and we all agreed it is sort of annoying that you can't have a moment like that anymore without the Carrie Bradshaw reference. Luckily, as usual the wine solved all of our woes.

We cut the evening short because I needed to leave the house at 6:15 this morning for a half marathon right here in Atlanta. Only if I didn't see several familiar landmarks along the way, I probably would have guessed I was running through the NoCo. It was really cold!! This race also ended with a little blue box, but the contents were a bit of a let down. A) I really don't resemble the running silver stick figure pendant and B) I think with my entry fee I ended up paying about $75 for something that came from 100silver.com. Oh well, that's not what it's about, right? Hmm, who would love a nice silver runner necklace from Santa? 

I can't wait to see the race pictures of me at the finish. I usually hate these pictures, (who looks good running?) so coming up to the finish, I made a point to straighten out my shirt, tuck my hair behind my ears and smile, hoping for a good one. Then this girl I had been battling with for the last two miles came out of nowhere and thought she'd sneak by and beat me. Guess she didn't know about the Tera turbo button that gets activated right before the finish. So I smoked her, but in doing I'm pretty sure I sacrificed the running glamour shot I was going for.

And now? Nap time. Enjoy your Sunday!

Yummy new thing

Mmm, I made a new recipe tonight that you must try! Easy, delicious and good enough for company.

Lebanese Chicken Patties

1 tomato, diced

2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

3/4 cup plain fat free yogurt

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup water

1/2 cup bulgar

1 lb ground chicken

1 garlic clove

1 tsp ground cumin

black pepper

juice of a lemon

olive oil

Preheat oven to 375°.

Bring water to a boil, stir in bulgar and remove from heat. Cover with a lid, it should cook in 20 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the tomato, mint, 1/2 cup of the yogurt and 1/4 tsp salt. This makes a sauce for the patties.

When bulgar is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and add the chicken, garlic, cumin, pepper and the rest of the yogurt and salt. Make 8 or 9 patties and bake them on a cookie sheet for about 25 minutes.

Toss salad greens with olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper. Serve with chicken patties and the yogurt sauce. I used extra lemon juice on top and some fresh parsley and served this with some pita, hummus and nice olives. I was amazed how good this was and how authentic it tastes. Not bad for a Sunday night. Have a great week!

Tough new thing

I just took a boot camp class at my gym. Um, I thought I was in shape? 

I thought wrong. Totally killed me. But not enough to not go back... The whole time I was thinking, I wish I was running, I wish I was running! Well, I was running, but carrying 10 pounds above my head. Agh, painful. Now I'm resting so I have the strength to go out tonight... at 11pm. That is not new, but I haven't gone out late late like that in a while. I wish we could all collectively agree that it is way cooler to go out at 8 and be home by 11. Good lord, I'm old. At least I get an extra hour of sleep to make up for it!