Little Things

Sweet Bella Della had a post up today about the little things that make her happy and it got me thinking about this whole online dating business and how it currently is one of the little things that's making this SSG happy.

Oh these Northwest guys. How I love them in all of their rugged outdoorsy-ness. Never before have you seen such a high concentration of hikers, bikers, snowboarders and North Face wearers than in this neck of the woods.

If anything since I started this ... how long has it been a year? A decade? SSG has no idea. But it has made her realize that there are A LOT of GREAT guys out there. Almost daily she hears or reads something that makes her smile ...

The guy as addicted to the Daily Show as she is. The one who grew up in the covered bridge capital of the country. Another who worked for the Cubs in college. Still another who counts food and wine among the things in life about which he's most passionate. And then came ...

THE PILOTS

SSG is currently talking to two pilots.

(And just typing that sentence made her look at Fisher, smile and say "thaaaaat's right.")

I was relaying my weekend recap to Work BFF this morning. This is where we go down who was on the list last week, who made the cut (or who cut SSG--SHOCKER!) and who is new on the radar.

SSG: So 6'5 guy is out, no chemistry. BMW guy turned out to be a D ...

Work BFF: Duh.

SSG: ... Cubby is still in. Coach takes forever to respond to anything, so I might be on his bench and then OHMAHGAH new on the scene!!! Not one but TWO pilots. I hope they don't know each other.

WBFF: What IS IT about girls and pilots?

SSG: Dude.

WBFF: Dude.

SSG: There are some professions that one MUST date when given the opportunity. It's the girl code.

WBFF: What about the guy?

SSG: DOESN'T matter.

WBFF: WHAT?!

SSG: Both of these guys are total D's, but they're PILOTS. You make concessions.

WBFF: ??!!

SSG: Firemen, pilots, some might say doctors but SSG says meh, substitute that with a baseball player and GO.

WBFF: (Shaking his head) Women. I'll never understand you.

SSG: Let me show you the guy equivalent ... Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Swimsuit and/or Victoria's Secret Model.

WBFF: Got it.

I Think I Broke My Dog

I admit it.

SSG tends toward the cozy. Snuggling up and reading or watching movies. Baking cookies in the kitchen ... and then eating them before dinner. A mid afternoon nap. A long conversation over a full glass of wine.

We're not running any marathons over here people.

But after a loooooooong winter (perhaps you heard SSG mention it?) and a new found zest for the sun and summer, SSG has been ALL ABOUT being outdoors. From sitting out on her deck every morning and evening, reading books outside cafes and taking not one but TWO dogs (SSG's neighbors are out of town this week) out on multiple walks each day. It seems like the more SSG is outside, the more she WANTS to be outside.

So cut to Sunday night when SSG went looking for Fisher to go for our third walk of the day.

Um?

Pupalah?

Walkalah?

Noez. I yike dis playses.

So Over It

Work BFF: Told you that Governor from South Carolina was cheating on his wife.

SSG: He WAS?!

Work BFF: Yep.

SSG: What the fuck is up with these "conservatives" who get blown by dudes in bathrooms and feel the sanctity of marriage includes cheating on their wives? And my gay friends who actually ARE faithful to each other and WANT to have their unions recognized can't? I'M SO DONE!!

Work BFF: (Sarcastically) Adam & Eve SSG, not Adam & Steve.

SSG: Don't forget the loophole ... Adam & Eve(s).

Yummy

SSG was going to post about a pretty good quesadilla recipe but then she met this dish. Sesame Peanut Noodles courtesy of the Cook Yourself Thin ladies on Lifetime. The complete recipe can be found here.

Digs introduced me to the Cook Yo-self Thin posse a few weeks ago and I fully admit at the time thinking ... YAWN. SSG prefers her food smothered in butter and/or chocolate and preferably chased with a glass or two of wine. Red, of course. Because SSG cares about her heart.

So anyhoo--you can get the repeat episodes On Demand and I stumbled across this recipe thinking "hmmm ... I have that in the cupboard and that ... oh yes and that ... and hmmm ... a HALF A BAG OF CABBAGE OHMAHGAH I HAVE THAT TOO!"

So SSG made it.

Kind of.

Okay, really she became one of those bitches that she hates on All Recipes who are like "okay so I substituted the beef for tofu and the other 7 ingredients for 7 completely different ingredients and it really wasn't good. ONE STAR for this recipe."

But THIS story has a happy ending. And one SSG knew she needed to share with you when she stood over the stovetop eating the pasta out of the largest bowl she could find because good LAWD this makes A LOT.

Check the original recipe fo sho, but this is how SSG rolled. Because she has a budget to stay on peeps.

Peanut Noodles

8 0z. whole wheat pasta cooked al dente

Sauce

2T rice wine vinegar

1/4 c tamari or soy sauce

1/4 smooth peanut butter

2T freshy grated ginger

1T sesame oil

1T sugar

Juice of one small lime or 1/2 large

(Up to 1/2 cup starchy pasta water if the sauce needs to be loosened up. SSG didn't need to. Her sauce was loose. Just like Digs.)

Add In's

1/2 bag coleslaw mix/shredded cabbage

1/2 c thinly sliced red bell pepper

1/2 c thinly sliced carrots

1/2 c cilantro

The key to this recipe is the base--the sauce with the whole wheat pasta is really good. And then as far as SSG is concerned, anything goes on the veggies. I can't think of any that would be bad in here. I think it's supposed to be chilled, but I liked it warm.

Just FAIR WARNING, get yo-self a BIG bowl. SSG can feed her entire lunch crew tomorrow with the leftovers.

Lucky boys.

Dating Quote of the Week ... It's a Tie!

#1

SSG: So you mentioned you moved here from Texas, is that where you're from originally?

Date: No.

SSG: So where would that be then?

Date: I'm going to make you guess.

SSG: Oh ... okay ... really?

Date: I'll give you some clues.

SSG: Um.

Date: I've had to work very hard on my accent and my mannerisms.

SSG: New York?

Date: I can't believe you got it that quickly.

#2

Date: What people don't get is that when I smoke tobacco, I'm actually praying.

SSG: I feel that way about Grey Goose Lemon Drops.

Date: But I'm serious.

What to Do? What to Do?

So SSG has had this table kicking around her garage for some time now.

(Don't mind the pile of stuff behind it that needs to go to the Salvation Army.)

It's going to eventually reside in her kitchen. Just once she narrows down what color to paint it.

What do you think internets?

• Red
• Red Chairs and a White Table
• Granny Smith Apple Green
• GS Apple Green Chairs & a White Table
• Chocolate Brown

Halp! SSG needs you!

(Edited to Add: Thanks for your input everyone! I'll show you the final results. Just right after SSG gets around to painting. So sometime in 2012.)

SSG Stays In

I remember back when I was spring cleaning frantically that my main motivation was to work hard for a few months so that I could take the summer off. Not from cleaning entirely, though that would be nice, but mostly just to get the house in order so it would be easier to leave and go out and do stuff on the weekends. Both metaphorically and literally. We're talking about the same SSG who backed her car into a bookshelf stacked with beers that were waiting to be brought upstairs for a party she was having. Oopsie.

So summer kicks off for SSG Memorial Day weekend and since then she has been out and about, dating, happy houring, gyming, budgeting, writing, dining, errand running and overall not sleeping. This taking the summer off business has been um ... tiring for our poor little typically lazy SSG.

This weekend was kind of June gloomy, the kind of weekend that even though you don't WANT TO because you're TRYING to be hip, social and cool is exactly the type of weekend to stay close to home.

So SSG did.

And she wishes she had something to report other than she watched three movies (Along Came Polly, Last Holiday and Princess Diaries). And read a book. And made some granola bars only they're really oatmeal cookies in bar formation. And walked Fisher around the neighborhood in her pajamas. And watched more baseball than any one person really should. And napped. And made some really good quesadillas that she'll post about later this week. And chatted on the phone.

But she doesn't. Because really?

It's exactly what she needed.

(Don't tell anyone.)

Fantasy Island Friday & SSG's 400th Post!

After 400 posts, SSG deserves a little R & R, don't you think?

I believe this hammock shall suffice ...

Thanks as always for stopping by! You guys put smiles on my face on a daily basis (even all of you lurkey loos, SSG loves you too!)

Here's to the next 400!

SSG's Thoughts on Online Dating Photos

1) Is it really necessary to include the one of you and your dog gazing at each other while in some snowy wilderness? It looks very romantic. Perhaps you've already found your partner? To quote the movie The Truth About Cats & Dogs "You can love your pets. But you can't LOVE. Your. Pets."

2) I'm sure you had a GREAT time at your friend's bachelor party in Vegas if those strippers in the photo with you are any indication.

3) What is it with guys taking photos of themselves WHILE THEY'RE SITTING IN THEIR CARS? Are they stuck in traffic? Do they think they're hot while they're driving? Is that really the best photo you have? Because that lighting does nothing for SSG (she might have tried it after she saw it was the popular thing to do and advises heavily AGAINST it.)

4) Would you please SMILE so SSG can make sure you still have all your teeth?

5) Photos of you guys kissing cats does not make you attractive to women.

And you have NO IDEA how badly SSG wishes she could show these photos to you guys.

Bee Bacz 2 morowz

(Alternate title: SSG nurses a hangover. From a SCHOOL NIGHT.)

The $40 Foodie

I mentioned the other day how SSG is working on saving some money.  One of the areas where I realized I was spending A LOT of money unconsciously was eating out.  To top it off, I was wasting the food I did buy at the grocery store by letting it go bad in the fridge and eventually throwing it away.  Oopsie.

I don't know why this is.  I tend to prefer food that is fresh and seasonal but most of all simple.  I have a very short attention span when it comes to ingredients and chances are if it has more than five main ingredients and spices I don't currently have in my spice rack, I turn the page.  Simple, seasonal food has been surprisingly inexpensive to work with and I don't know why I haven't done this before!

Anyhoo, my new challenge is to spend $40 on groceries for myself for the week.  That started out being essentially 5 dinners (Sunday - Thursday) where I'd make two servings and take the leftovers to lunch the next day.  But it's amazing how much food $40 buys and because I'm also trying to limit my waste I find I've started eating at home on the weekends and now when I go out it's for a great beer or cocktail instead of an expensive dinner.

Some recipes have bombed, others have been so so, but a few have stuck out and this is one of them.

I had polished off my burger, from the April 2008 issue of Costal Living and was licking my fingers before I realized I hadn't even taken a shot.  Most of the ingredients I had on hand--some wilting parsley, a lemon rolling around the crisper drawer, half and half for my morning coffee instead of heavy cream and onion powder pinch hitting for the shallot.  I only had to pick up the can of salmon and some buns at the grocery store (and confession I used toasted sourdough english muffins because they were on sale for $1.29!).  They were good the next day for lunch and even made the boys at work moan when I pulled it out of my bag in the yuppieteria.

Salmon Burgers

1 (14.75 oz) can salmon drained and flaked

1 egg lightly beaten

1/4 cup heavy cream

2T finely chopped shallot

1 garlic clove minced

1/4 minced red bell pepper

1t dried Italian seasoning

1/4 dried crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 t ground black pepper

1t lemon zest

1/4 c Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (I used plan and added 1t Italian seasoning in addition to the teaspoon listed above)

1/4 t garlic salt

1/2 T chopped Italian parsley

1T canola oil

4 whole wheat buns 

Lettuce & Tomato

Combine salmon and next 12 ingredients in a bowl.  Mix well.  Form mixture into 4 equal patties about 1/2 inch thick.  

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add patties and cook 5 minutes on each side.  Top bottom halves of buns with salmon burgers, garnish with mayo, lettuce and tomato or favorite toppings and cover with bun tops.

Makes 4 servings

Bullets Over Blogway

Oh internets what a weekend ...

• SSG was out every night last week.  Friday rolled around and after TWO iced grande americanos before 9 a.m. (that's SIX shots of espresso, folks) SSG was BARELY able to make it through the day in time to get home, eat dinner (sushi from the local grocery store's deli--can we say classy?) and fall asleep on the couch only to wake up at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning and do a walk of shame from her couch to her bed.

• I saw David Sedaris at a book reading/signing.  He is one of the smartest, funniest, snarkiest, sweetest writers around.  And SSG loves him.  I especially love the stories that get told between the readings.  Last year when I saw Alice Walker at one of these things she told us how much she loved Netflix and how she hates to do anything that she can't do from bed.  David Sedaris told us he was taken to the emergency room by a front desk clerk at a Holiday Inn.  And that her car was FILTHY.  You can't make this stuff up.

• Spleen got hit on this weekend by a certain academy award winning actor/singer/comedian whose name rhymes with Flamie Cox!!!  (SSG swears she didn't make that rhyme up to sound the way it did, but once she read it back ... HOW COULD SHE CHANGE IT?)

• I SAW PREDO FINALLY!!  Two weeks is like an ETERNITY.  He even gave me an award!  Or my rack an award.  Which, frankly the girls and I are flattered.  I was invited over for a smashing dinner party.  What a way to kick off the summer.

• SSG swapped out her spring bedding for new summer bedding.  Someone sure likes it ... 

It haz cookeez herez maybeez?

• SSG has been on the hunt for some kitchen dish towels with strawberries on them.  Has anyone seen any?  I finally bought some off of EBay, but would like a few more.  

• Sorry to disappoint internets, but my covered bridge swoon inducer was not a match for SSG.  I had fun, but there just wasn't any chemistry.  There are other vodkas in the lemon drop, right?  Actually, that's not true since there's really only ONE vodka that should be in a lemon drop (SSG is looking at you Grey Goose).  So perhaps SSG is looking to find her Grey Goose ... she did after all, have to try A LOT of lemon drops before she found him.

Wer FisHeR iz?

S ranee ousidez.  Butz i gotz a nu bedz.

SSG is Guest Blogging!

Hey Everyone!

SSG had her first go as a guest blogger over at Lys' site, Cooking in Stilettos.  Lys not only cooks but actually WALKS in 4 inch heels.  

Without falling down.  

It's one of the many reasons I admire her.

Isn't Cooking in Stilettos kind of a sexy name?  SSG thinks so too.  Don't ask her then, why she blogged about SOUP.  Which is kind of granny in stilettos, but whatever.  Check it out right over  here.

Post Date Wrap Up

Peeps!

I can't tell you how much I loved all of your words of encouragement and e-mails.  You have NO IDEA how much they helped.  It was like I had my own private cheering section as I was getting ready to go and do this thing.

Internets, we have success.  If for no other reason than SSG was able to actually survive the last 24 hours.  Let me just tell you anxiety was HIGH.  And I wasn't even sure why--I think it just brought up a lot of questions of what if I like him, what if he likes me, do I even want something serious, is he texting me too much?  How do I make time for this?  And more importantly, do I have the OUTFITS that this dating business requires?  And am I going to have to go shopping?

Anyhoo--we live about a mile from each other so the plan was to meet for a glass of wine at a local restaurant.  A glass of wine turned into two which then turned into dinner and a few hours later, we were parting ways in the parking lot.

Conversation was good ... come to think of it, I don't think there was a lull once.  He was definitely able to carry the conversation, which I appreciated .... you all know how much SSG loves to chat.  

And more importantly, NO MOM JEANS AND WHITE TENNIS SHOES INTERNET.  V.V. important to SSG.  He looked nice--black work shirt, jeans and I couldn't quite take a look at the shoes for longer than a few seconds but they were black and seemed jeans appropriate.  

He was cute.  Not SSG's usual style, but he was confident ... and himself ... I think guys (and us girls) sometimes forget how attractive that can be.

And honestly SSG can't remember how we left things.  Is he calling me?  Is he not?  Are we doing this again?  I have no idea.  I liked that he walked me to my car, gave me a hug and didn't try and suck my face off.  I liked that he listened to me when I spoke.  I liked that he asked me questions and complimented me, but not overly so.  

Most of all, I like that he was himself.  And that SSG was herself.

And that ... in and of itself ... is a pretty amazing place to be.

SSG Goes on a Date

So SSG has a date tonight.

The outfit and hairstyle (and who are we kidding ... SHOES) have been chosen.  The place and time picked.  Arrangements made to have Digs & Spleen available for a quick pre and post recap via celly if need be.  

SSG's support system is in place.  Especially having you as my backups sweet readers.  Thanks for cheering me on!  

(Now all I need is mah Predo back from his road trip!)

So SSG can take a deep breath.

I think the thing about dating is this ... it's all one big possibility.

There's a possibility that the dude may show up wearing white tennis shoes and mom jeans ... or as Work BFF has affectionately deemed him "Sandals with Socks," dreaming up the ONE combo that would be worse than what I came up with.

There is a possibility that he might show up, take one look at me and call his support system after our date saying only "you will not BELIEVE what this chick was wearing."

There is the possibility that we'll have polite getting to know you conversation, each realizing "hmm ... not really into it."

There is a possibility that I will spark and he won't.  Or that he will spark and I won't.

And then ... there is the possibility of us each thinking ... yes.  

Yes to a second date.  Yes to a slow walk around the farmers market.  Yes to the first kiss.  Yes to a picnic in a park next to a covered bridge on a lazy summer river.

Simply ... yes.

You guys ready to find out?

Me too.

I'm Just Not That Into Me

Oh internets.  I owe you an apology.  My posts have been sucking ASS lately.  Where's the spark?  Where's the snark?  Where's the ... je ne sais quoi.  

I think ah've finally figured out mah problem!  It's because I haven't been in MAH HEAD people.  SSG has actually been DOING.  Like stuff.  

Like instead of sitting around thinking about her life that WAS and thinking about her life that IS and then thinking a little more about what what she wants it TO BE, she has actually gone ahead and started LIVING ... and not JUST chasing firefighters around her grocery store.  Okay, maybe chasing firefighters around her grocery store a LITTLE.

This is ... in a nutshell ... what SSG has been up to and not telling anyone about ... mainly because she didn't think it was interesting, not that she didn't WANT to tell you about it.  But then SSG realized by not telling you guys she was in fact being uninteresting and then it was the whole self fulfilling prophecy thing and then she wanted to tell you but didn't know where to begin and then she tried to figure out a way to tell you ... and THEN ... her head exploded.

So here we go ...

The Gym

SSG joined a gym peeps.  

And has actually been going.  

Like multiple times a week.  And ... 

... don't tell anyone ... 

Shhh ... come closer ...

She LIKES it.

(Once again SSG looks around to see what she has done with herself and who is currently residing in her body.)

BUT!  If those bitches that work there tell me how much I'm "glowing" one more time?  SSG WILL punch them in their non-glowey faces.

SSG is SAVING

As in money.  Like lots of it.  Because it hit her that:

1)  She was no longer making her previous salary.

2)  She needed to stop spending as if she were making her previous salary.

3)  Saving and (please excuse SSG while she says this word that's new to her) fru-gal-it-y have actually (don't hurt SSG) become quite fun ... and (ohmahgah who am I?!) addictive.

SSG is Dating Online

(Moms keep your boys away from computers.)

The Boyfriend Watch was going well ... and SSG will continue it, if for no other reason that she loves stouts and the ongoing pursuit of finding her favorite (boy & beer).  But between Starey Guy at work doing a lot of staring and boys at bars doing a lot of staring there just wasn't NEARLY enough talking going on for SSG.  Forget Elvis, SSG needs a little more CONVERSATION and THEN we can start talking a little more action ... please.  Do these boys not know SSG works with a bunch of dudes that have trouble talking?

SSG has a date on Tuesday night with a boy who lives in her neighborhood but who has been making her SWOON with his talk of growing up on a farm with a river and covered bridges.  We've talked ... he TALKS internets ... but there is NO WAY it can be this easy, can it?  

Just to be on the safe side SSG has been mentally preparing herself for this boy to show up on our first date wearing white tennis shoes and mom jeans.

Ummm ... SSG thinks that's it.

For now.

Hope you all had tremendous weekends!  And thank you all for continuing to be into this SSG even when she wasn't that into herself.

Smoochies,

Fantasy Island Friday

This dear readers, is the Great Barrier Reef.  I know it doesn't look like an island so much, but let's just say this is the view from where we're sitting on the beach.

And in just a couple of minutes a turtle will float by delivering Grey Goose Lemon drops just for us.  I'm ALMOST sure of it.

SSG's Dating Tip #1

How to Piss Off an NPR Junkie

SSG's Date:  Do you listen to NPR?

SSG:  I DO!  I love it.

Date:  Me too!

SSG:  But does it annoy the crap out of you that Michele Norris pronounces her name Me-shell?  It's Michelle lady, own it.

Date:  (Blank Stare)  Not really.

A Note to My East Coast & Southern Posse

(Alternate title:  Why SSG Can't Come to Visit This Summer.)

SSG:  Ohmahgah it's so humid!

Work BFF:  Dude.

SSG:  DUDE, it's SWELTERING out here!

Work BFF:  The humidity is like 40%.

SSG:  What is it normally?  Like 15?

Work BFF:  I don't know.

SSG:  I'm SO Googling that when we get inside.  And I can guarantee you it's HIGH today.  Like record setting high.

(A few minutes later SSG is staring at her computer screen and reading through Wikepedia.)

SSG:  DUDE the humidity is 61% right now!!!  Normal comfort level is 30% - 60%!  It's OVER THE STANDARD LEVEL OF COMFORT.

Work BFF:  By ONE degree!

SSG:  I can FEEL IT.

SSG:  Ohmahgah!  Did you know OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON is the most humid place in the country?  That's like RIGHT UP THE ROAD.  No wonder I'm DYING.

WB:  IT'S NOT HUMID.

SSG:  Dying!  Over!  Here!

WB:  Dude.  Look at the temperature.

SSG:  73 degrees?  

WB:  YES!

SSG:  What does that have to do with anything?  Why are you laughing? Wait where are you going?!

A New To Do

Some of you might remember last summer?  When I set off to find 25 summery things to do in order to keep my mind on the most beautiful months in the Northwest instead of madly counting down the days toward my trip to France?

Well this summer I'm doing the same thing.  

Only instead of following a list, I'm creating one.

#1) Grill burgers (check)

#2)  Make coleslaw (check check)

(Welcome to SSG's dinner last night.)

#3)  Chat outside with the neighbors enjoying the twilight that lasts until after 9 p.m. (check check and check)

I'd say the first day of summer for SSG went pretty well.

(And yes, SSG realizes it's not TECHNICALLY summer yet.  But in SSG's world summer lasts from June 1st - September 5th-ish.)

Serendipitous Summer

This dear readers, is Lake Oswego.  It's a suburb south of Portland and where SSG lived before she bought her house.

Um ... SSG could not afford a house in Lake Oswego.  But DID have a very nice apartment for 6 months.

The city has a great farmer's market that runs from May to October that I still love going to.

I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a farmers market early on a Saturday morning. 

Unless of course we're talking peonies.  

Or asparagus. 

They even have a doggie day care with the CUTEST little volunteers (and their parents) watching the pooches.  

SSG strolled through the market, pondering summer ... DEFINITELY grateful that spring is behind her.  What with the cleaning and purging and general overhaul of Chez SSG, she's ready for some good quality down time ... sitting on the deck each night with something cold to drink, afternoons at the coast, slipping into a novel for an entire day, long hikes with Fisher split up by lunch and the requisite dunking of feet into a cool stream.  The good life.  The LAZY life.

And as she was driving to the grocery store, sipping on her iced coffee, she pondered ease, dreams and FIREMAN.

SSG almost crashed her car trying to get their attention.  But alas, they turned at a different light than where she needed to go ...

That's okay, SSG's peace of mind this summer doesn't need to be cluttered up by the butterflies that show up in her tummy with respect to boys ... but ohmahgah THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SHOPPING AT HER GROCERY STORE!

Scratch that earlier assessment.  What IS IT ABOUT THE NAVY BLUE UNIFORM?! 

(Sorry for the poor quality, SSG was in a rush trying to carry her basket, wipe the drool from her lips and take a picture all while looking like she was v.v. interested in the display of Prego.)

But MAN they are cute.  And seeing the little kids talking to them was ADORABLE.  SSG must really borrow a kid next Saturday.  Do they have a service like that?  Rent a kid or whatever?

Anyhoo ...

SSG spent the evening downtown on a new BW09 outing ... which is slowly starting to turn into Stout Watch 2009, because SSG has discovered she loves STOUTS.  And Portland is like the brew pub capital of the universe so there is A LOT to choose from.  And yes, we're still talking about the beer.  Maybe.

It was a great weekend ... full of fresh food, sleep, beer, baseball, flirting and fireman.  

Which coincidentally sounds like just the right plan for SSG's summer.