Things I Like

It's been forever since I my last post!
Not quite. But nearly.

I like the word nearly.

Life is full of life these days. I sat for a moment and tried to think of another way to put that, but there it is. I hope you know what I mean.
 I've been trying to occupy all of my handsome young man's free time, of which there is very little of course. But that little time is heaven. Heaven, I tell you.

On Saturday night we were so in the mood to go see a movie. And not at just any theater. We wanted the wonderful Alamo Drafthouse. Friday afternoon I heard an interview with Leonardo Dicaprio about his new movie Inception, and it intrigued me. So we decided to see it.
However, as is typical of an opening weekend for any movie at Alamo, it was sold out by the time we were able to get to a computer to purchase tickets.
I still really wanted to go to the movies.
So I talked Daniel into taking me to see Eclipse, one of the Twilight movies. He is a good sport. He takes me to lots of movies that I know he won't love (or even like sometimes!). But he takes me because he knows I just love going to the movies.
I discovered two things that evening:

1. I read the Twilight books and I was kind of into it for a while. The last movie was a strikeout--major. This one was better than the last, but since watching it, the more I've thought about it the more I've loathed it.
Time to move on. I am over it.

2. This one's really important. The Guinness Shake is pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me so far -- except meeting, marrying, and dwelling in marital bliss with my beloved.
Okay, so maybe I'm being a little melodramatic (what? me?), but seriously.

It is bow-chicka-wow-wow-scrumdidlyumptious.

I'm assuming that this shake involves some Guinness beer and some hellagood Amy's icecream -- and whipped cream with some candied sunflower seeds sprinkled on top.

I don't even like beer, my friends. Not a bit.

It all started because I was feeling particularly adventurous and impulsive that Saturday evening. I spotted it on the menu, as I had many times, but this time I turned to Daniel and whispered excitedly, Let's get the Guinness Shake!
He looked at me skeptically and then at the menu.
I have a feeling I'll be eating this shake on my own.
We debated over the $7 shake for a couple of minutes before I saw our server scooting our way, and in a last-minute burst of courage, wrote the order on our flag.
It was done.

The decadent shake arrived and we grinned as we looked from eachother to the mountain of creamy goodness before us. I tasted the shake first, and then, eyes bright with happiness, passed the sinful dessert to my handsome chaperone. He tasted the shake and we stared at each other with delight! Could it really be this divine?! From that point on, all shakes would pale in comparison to this sensational elixir. It would become a staple of every Alamo Drafthouse visit from then into perpetuity. We would go to the movies just to taste it. And next time...we might have to get our own.

We liked it.

Since we missed Inception this weekend, I guess we'll just have to go back this weekend.

Has anyone been enjoying watermelon this summer as much as I am?
I am into watermelon in a big way. It's my sweet-tooth satisfier. I think I eat an entire watermelon a week these days. Healthy, delicious and satisfying. And hydrating!

Last week I painted my nails hot pink, and I like it.

I love Mason Jars. And this summer, I would like to fill them with some cold brew coffee. Thanks, New York Times.  

I've known about Flight of the Conchords for a few years now, but I've become reacquainted with them this summer and they are making me laugh as much as ever.

I love that at first glance, their comedy act slightly resembles something you would see on Public Access telelvision. Just one small part of the hilarity.

I'm happy to say this movie is in my Netflix queue:

Lastly, I'm currently enchanted by The Sartorialist Blog.

It might be part of the reason I haven't been blogging much, because nearly every spare moment is spent digging through the archives. I can't quite pinpoint what exactly draws me in, but I'm theorizing.

It must have something to do with the photography. True portraits that seem to capture so much. So much individuality and creativity. I love that people are so different, and I love the expression of differences that clothes can communicate!

{via the sartorialist}

{via the sartorialist}

never the same

Do you like sushi?

Before last night I'd never eaten much sushi. I've had a few california rolls in my time, and they were good. I had no quarrel with sushi. We peacefully coexisted, living our separate lives.
That is, until last night.

Last night worlds collided, and there were fireworks and cheers and chopsticks.

I am really bad at using chopsticks. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

But when you eat at a place like Uchiko for dinner, everyone around you seems to know exactly what they are doing. They know the secrets of sushi. They've had a long, satisfying relationship with sushi and chopsticks. While they smoothly moved through their meals, I was dropping gobs of rice and other material on the table. I think I had an entire meal's worth of food in my little bowl of soy sauce.

I chose not to let my clumsiness with the chopsticks get me down. By the end of dinner I was feeling a little more confident in my skills. And it didn't even really matter once I took that first bite of albacore tataki (alba­core tuna, kaffir lime oil, ponzu seared on a hot rock). My mouth was like Are you serious? The flavor was incredible.

It must be said before I go any further, it was a battle just to sit down and eat at Uchiko. Apparently it is the place to be right now. It just opened, but not *officially*, so until July 6th everything on the menu is half price.
They are booked solid through July 6th. So last night Kristin and I were determined to fight for a spot at the bar or the sushi bar. The wait for the sushi bar was 45 minutes, and Kristin was clever enough to nab two seats at the bar (where they serve the full menu!). So we pressed through the packed restaurant and slid into our seats at the bar. The service at the bar was fantastic, so I can only imagine that the wait staff in the dining room is amazing as well. We were helped by two bar tenders that were extremely knowledgeable, and made some wonderful recommendations. Everyone who served us, even the people who delivered our plates to us were kind, professional, helpful, and made me feel like a special guest.

After the tuna and the hot rock (I had so much fun searing my tuna on the hot rock!) we moved on to another amazing dish from the Tastings menu. It was grilled pork belly over two fried rice balls with a garnish of pickled shaved carrots. If I had died and gone to heaven at that moment, I would have been one happy lady.

From there we moved on to the Makimono menu and ordered some sushi rolls. We ordered two rolls, both very different, both deliciously delicious. The first that was brought to us was the toledo (big eye tuna, bitter greens, chorizo, avocado, almond, grilled garlic). The garlic was actually a light, fluffy puree that paired perfectly with the precisely candied almonds. Every ingredient played a part. I couldn't believe how everything was so bursting with different flavors, and how the flavors fused together so delightfully.
Our second sushi roll was, in my opinion, the best part of the meal. We ordered it based on a recommendation from the bar tender, and she was spot on. It tasted so good I wanted to laugh, cry, shout, all at the same time. It was the avofry (coconut fried onisan roll, lemon-miso, soy paper, and a delicate salsa on the side, and maybe some basil? Something green.). The coconut gave it a kick of sweetness and saltiness that was to die for. I really mean it this time. I wanted to find that chef and shake his (or her) hand and thank him (or her) for making my life as I know it a little more wonderful. A lot more.

Does it sound like I have a slightly off-kilter relationship with food?
I kind of really do. It's happened relatively recently. I might partially blame my reading French Women Don't Get Fat. Not everything in the book struck accord (is it accord or a chord? Anyone? Help?), but I liked her emphasis on paying attention to the quality and enjoyment of food. Not simply seeing food as fuel, but seeking out foods and flavors that are to us "life's pleasures."
Uchiko is one of life's pleasures for me.

Did you think I was done?
We ate one more thing.
Dessert, of course.

I have to say I was some what skeptical. Yes, everything so far had been beyond belief, but Fried Milk? Wha?

And then I tasted it. There were a lot of things happening on that plate. Fried milk coated in a crumbly, salty, breading. A light and airy frozen milk sherbet. A rich, chocolate...something. They called it chocolate milk, but it was thick and fudgy and there was a little square of it in the center of the plate that I didn't want to ever end. It was a perfect conclusion to the meal.

Bottom line: if you can, go to Uchiko. It would have been quite a bit more expensive with out the half-off deal. So in the future it will probably only be a place we visit for special occasions. But even if I had to double what I paid last night, it would have been so worth it.
My life is forever changed. There's no going back.

As Humphrey Bogart would say, "Sushi, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

sometimes, I cook

I rarely have the urge to put together a meal for the evening because, well, I eat by myself every night.
I am married to an extremely hard-working man whose job is a tad on the busy side these days.
He makes me feel so proud.
The negatives are a.) I don't see him as often as I'd like and b.) He's rarely home in time for dinner. Unless I wanted to be more European and eat at bedtime. But that's when I go to bed.

Lately I've been thinking, You know, I would like to cook.
And so I decided to cook.

Even though I eat alone.

Except for Kingsley and Fletcher. They sit and stare at me while I eat.

So last night I made this.

I have a thing for chicken. And mushrooms. And garlic. And white wine.
And terragon.
Oh, terragon how I love thee.

It was quite simple and muy delicioso.

Right now there are four flattened chicken breasts soaking in the flavors of tequila, lime, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno. And when I get home, they will be transformed into this:

Thanks again, PW.

I'll let you know how it goes :)

Mom, I have a new appreciation for you.

Last night I said farewell to my sweet brothers yet again.

I was taxi-driver for the evening--first to youth group, then to Sonic, then to their friends' house where they'll be staying for a few days.

Even though the goodbyes are only for a short time (for now), I still get a lump in my throat and a tiny wave of sadness and anxiety hits me.
So, last night as I pulled up to their friends' house and they jumped out the car, laden with their duffle bags and various belongings, I started to feel all sentimental. I watched them walk down the driveway in the evening sun, telling myself to keep it together, when one of my brothers suddenly turned and ran back to the car.

He opened the door and leaned down.

Hey, Karen?

Yeah? I smiled.

Can you do my laundry when you get home? I left it in a pile in the corner of my room.

Yeah.

See ya!
And off he went.

Brother, your laundry is in the washing machine right now. When I get home I will dry it, and fold it, and it will be waiting for you on your bed.
I love you and I was sad when I went home to a quiet, more empty house. Please come back soon.
Thanks for cleaning the bathroom. It's very clean.


Mom. I appreciate you. I appreciate you more every day. Thanks for being amazing. And loving me. And doing my laundry.

I'm off to get another coffee on my lunch break. Because it's Monday. And because I love coffee.

a familiar silhouette

On Wednesday evening, just as the sun was setting, I was driving along Guadalupe with my two teen brothers in tow. Around the intersection of 28th and Guadalupe, just past The Drag, and just as I was starting to feel super old due the the fact that I was belting out Nelly Furtado's I'm Like a Bird and the boys were like, who sings this? I've never heard this song before, even though it was totally popular when I was in high school, right at that moment something caught my eye.

A familiar silhouette was painted on the side of a building.

I smiled, pointed, and exclaimed:

Look! It's Audrey!

{via}

To which Ethan responded, Who is that?

To which I responded, SAY WHA?!

At which point Kristian chimed in, Ethan, she's an actress. Or something.

Right?

I stared bleakly out the windshield.

Yes. An actress.

They were quiet for a moment.

And then they started talking about the World Cup or something.

 

Best Kind of Busy

As you may have noticed, if you still hang around these parts, updating the blog has taken a backseat in the life of this blogger. I haven't even had time to visit my favorite blogs and leave silly comments!
I'm not too bothered by it, though. While I've not been blogging, I've been spending time with my family. My family that lives overseas in the far away land of Slovakia, shining the light of Christ through lives of service and love. Though I absolutely, without a doubt, fully and happily support this great work they've been called to, my-oh-my do I miss them. Last week was pure heaven for me. My entire family was under one roof, inhabiting my house and bringing joy to my heart!
My brothers are becoming men more and more each time I see them. I'm so impressed with their maturity and kindness--and the fact that they are hovering over 6' now. It further confirms to me the grace of God in the lives of my family. My parents have taught us the meaning of seeking to know and serve the Lord.
By now my dad is back in Slovakia, my mom and brothers are still here. Last night my brothers and I ate dinner at Galaxy Cafe, consumed a massive amount of frozen yogurt, rocked out to music in the car, and laughed a lot. Next weekend my mom will be back in Austin and I can hardly wait. They may look to you like an ordinary family (well, maybe not), but underneath that normal exterior (ha) they are the best, most wonderful people currently living. And I am just lucky to be related to them. I think sometimes their fantastic-ness rubs off on me. I hope.
I have some fun pictures on my camera, but when I go home and my brothers are there I can't bear to sit at the computer and upload pictures. Soon enough, though it pains me to think of it, they'll be gone and there will be time for all of that. I might also roam aimlessly around the empty house and walk through the rooms where they stayed. I might be a little melodramatic. I might cry. I might have done all that already when they left on Sunday afternoon. Possibly.
I hate saying goodbye.

But we're not going to talk about that right now.
Right now, I'll tell you that my presence around here might continue to be scarce for a couple of weeks as I soak up as many precious moments with my favorite people on earth as I can.

Right now, I'll also tell you that I'm listening to the Jon Foreman station on Pandora every day and loving it.
Right now I'm thinking about the fruits of the Spirit, and praying that today the fruit that my life brings forth is a witness to the hope I have in Christ. A witness that my Source of life is the Spirit.

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control.

Happy Birthday, Nephew.