Author: Ali Carras

This is a little late coming, but I finally got around to downloading my photos.  Last weekend I went home to celebrate my sista and bro’s birthdays…a double whammy.  Unfortunately, as the photos below describe, a lot of attention was dedicated towards some food and one special lady…

The trip to Solvang a few weekends prior induced a need for Abelskivers in the morning.

A not so sure about them, abelskiver eater

Glamour shots photo of Assi (age 12).  Don’t ask, but I know you are thinking “ohh la la” (or something)

Three household pets waiting to be let in

One of my best friends

Amelia and her dad enjoying a little air

Maybe she is learning from her aunt/grandmother…hide your face when a camera is nearby.

***
This weekend was perhaps one of the last weekends Cooper and I will have before we dive deep into wedding after wedding after wedding.  Although it really has not been that long, I feel like it has been ages since we have shot a wedding.  Funny how just a couple of weeks feels like months.  I certainly can’t complain though…I would much rather be busy than not!

***
I had a moment this morning.  I was in the shower thinking about how good baked beans sounded for breakfast (you know, in the hearty English breakfast sort of way), but I knew we didn’t have a can of the good stuff.  After many minutes searching for something to eat I attempted looking into our “reserves” (a cabinet full of canned good for those just in case emergency moments) and I found myself some baked beans.  I can’t tell you how excited I was to have beans for breakfast.  I guess I get excited a little too easily over very random things.   

Assi in Hawaii, age 4 or 5

Oh, to be a child.  No real stress, no need to “figure out your life,” no financial obligations.  All you do is eat, sleep, poop.  The only things that consume your day are the little details like who is watching you go down the slide, what music is playing and do you know the words to “ring around the rosie,” how many times can you turn a towel around without getting bored, etc.  People constantly surround you in an effort to protect you and your every move, or they do crazy movements and make ridiculous sounds in an attempt to entertain you (when really you entertain them).   As you can see from the photo above of me as a child, I loved to entertain, but the little details caused me to be a very sensitive and serious gal.

This weekend I have spent nearly all my time following my niece around and playing.  Whenever I come home now my family always asks, “What do you want to do while you are home?”  My answer: “Just stay home and play.” Without question, she is another soul mate in my life.  The day I arrived she fought taking a nap because she knew I was soon to drive up, then she greeted me with giggle after giggle after giggle (amazing for someone who is only 19 months old and have not seen in 16 weeks).  She can say my name and does a great job of calling me to play all the live long day.   I have taken pictures of my time home, but of course all 29387592375 of them are of her.  Yes, I am in love.

Tomorrow, back to reality and away from the dream world of childhood.  Oh, to be a child again.

Cooper and I just received this e-mail from the new owner of my child: 

*** 

Hello,

I just got home with my new car and wanted to let you know that I haven’t stopped crying since I left Oakland.  This is the nicest, safest and most wonderful car I think I have ever had and exactly what I have been looking for.  Thank you so much again.  You both seem like a very nice, honest couple which makes me feel like I am truly blessed with a wonderful car that will not break down any time soon.  It was so nice to drive especially compared to mine.  I hope you will enjoy your new car as much as I am enjoying mine.

Thank you so much!

***

I am so happy to know that my car is now loved by someone else.

Holy smokes.  I am almost over this car thing.  I am really not a materialistic person, but having a new-ish car is such a joy.  Especially one that is a bit swankier than my Suzuki.  However, getting rid of the old to make way for the new can be a tad sad.  No more than two minutes ago while I was in the middle of this blog posting, my trusty sidekick was sold.  The Suzuki has been part of my life and personality for a good solid 11 years…but it is time to grow up (although last night we named the Audi Pierce Carsnan…as a reflection of the James Bond-esqueness of the new coche).  I’ll grow up tomorrow. 

Go little Suzuki, spread your wings and fly away.  (that was cheezy but I really do feel like I just sold my child). 

The Before

The After

***

Tomorrow I head home to Colorado for more family time and to celebrate my little big sister and big little brother’s birthdays.  As always, I am dying to see my little niece.  Last night I got a little kid warm up at our 4th of July celebration at a Chinese Restaurant…I flirted with a 12 month old and he made his way over to my table so we could hold hands (innocently, of course!).  His dad said he must really like me because he never does that to strangers.   Watch out, Amelia…I am ready to play!

 

Cooper and I accidentally bought a new used car today…whoops.  It is a 1999 Audi A6 quattro.  Actually, it was not accidental, we had decided on our trip to Solvang that it was time to get something that 1.) had more power, 2.) was a bit more impressive when arriving at a wedding or when driving a bride/groom around 3.) had AC that didn’t squeal for 30 seconds when you turn it on and 4.) wasn’t a box on wheels.  It only took a week to find something better than the Sidekick.  The new/used car has a bit of a dent in the front by the headlight which helped in keeping the price tag down, but other than that it is beautiful, luxerious, and has POWER!!  I actually screamed when I first put my foot on the petal because the car took off faster than I anticipated.  Now just say a prayer that it doesn’t fall apart or cause us any issues.

I suppose there comes a time when you need to move on from the car you grew up with in high school.  The Sidekick/”Cow-mobile” hold a lot of memories for a lot of people. If anyone would like a forever loved Suzuki Sidekick…it is yours!

The new child: (I particularly like the badonkadonk of the car)

(I particularly like the badonkadonk of the car)

***

Life is passing by so quickly.  I have been having a hard time keeping straight where I need to be and what I have been doing.  Case in point #1: the other day a friend called and asked how my trip was.  I had to think long and hard about where I had been if I had been anywhere and what I had been doing.  I drew a complete blank.  Case in point #2:  it was 3:00pm on a Thursday afternoon and it was time to leave for our SoCal trip.  I didn’t print any directions and there was only a slight possibility that I had a map in my car.  I was banking off the thought of using street signs to get us where we needed to be (although I didn’t really know where we were going).  Luckily, Cooper had it all planned.  I don’t think we would have made it if he hadn’t planned ahead.  Case in point #3: I went to the Feist concert earlier this week and about an hour before the concert was to start (I assumed) I still hadn’t taken the time to figure out where the concert was or what time it actually started.  Again, luckily Maggie had it all planned out.  Case in point #4:  I had arranged to get beers with a friend the other night and I couldn’t recall what time we were to meet or where we were to go.  Thank goodness he called to remind me.  Gosh. 

***
I saw a man surfing the bart ride the other day.  He didn’t hold on to anything as the car jerked or ascended/descended…instead, he balanced/bopped on his knees to keep from falling…all while wearing a suit/tie and reading the paper.  Pretty impressive.

 ***

Speaking of bart (an event that is now a big part of my life and allows for me to do a great amount of people watching)…the train conductor who I normally get to hear on my way to SF sounds exactly like Morgan Freeman.  I am sure it is not Morgan Freeman, but there is something about riding to work thinking that the the best narrator ever is driving my bart train makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. 

I have butter coating my throat.  How many danishes can one person eat in a weekend, you may ask?  I don’t even want to admit to the number we ate while in the danish capital of SoCal…Solvang.   Instead, let me pretend like I didn’t spend the weekend giving my jaw muscles a workout and show you activities that do not require mass amounts of eating. (I have only made dinner for myself once in the past week and a half.  disgusting): 

 I am trying to get Cooper to use this photo on his intro page of his website.  I wish you could have seen the rest of the wedding party! 

Miniature horse farm.  I guess these are similar to a dog, but in horse form.  

A stop at a lavender farm.  I LOVE lavender…too bad a bottle of lotion costs as much as a bottle of really nice wine!!

Speaking of wine, we did a lot of wine tasting.  At the first wine stop we pretended to know what we were doing, but I think the wine guy caught on that we are wine stupid.  He could have put anything under our noses and we would have loved it.

A glamour shot at the mission

Another glamour shot at the mission (please reference the previous post to view more of my mom and myself covering our faces…she has taught me how to hate being on the other end of the camera lense). 

More wine tasting.  This time at an organic vineyard.  My dad certainly got his $10 bucks worth!! If only the owners knew how much he had…hahahahaha

Cooper excitedly tasting some wine.

You wouldn’t know it, but my mom is also excitedly tasting some wine

After a few nights in the Danish world, we decided to bring it to the next level and stop in Santa Barbara to enjoy the world with the rich and beautiful people.

With a belly full of comida, it was time to head back and start fasting.  If only my little car didn’t feel like a cardboard box while in 70 mph winds.

This weekend was devoted to 1.) parental time and 2.) eating.  On Friday night we ventured to Alameda for an amazing German meal at Speiskammer.  My dad managed to drive from SoCal to the east bay in a short amount of time, then arrived at the restaurant wearing his scrubs.  I love my dad.  I was actually proud that he arrived at the restuarant in his scrubs.  That is just who he is.  

Saturday we went to the farmer’s market in San Francisco.  I had never been to this gastronomic land, but boy oh boy is it just as good as everyone says it is.   I am feeling word stupid at the moment so I think I’ll just post pictures to recap:

A happy papa with a flat of apricots.

Fin-dog and myself at Taylor’s for burgers.

Cooper not drinking coffee at the coffeeshop

Father’s day celebration, a hint to my dad to consider not working

Sunday I took the parentals to the Berkeley Thai Temple. 

My mom and I don’t really like having our photos taken.

Finney eating mango with sticky rice

Cooper enjoying his b-day present from my mom. 

I happy, smily ending to a great weekend

***

I am proud to report that the company I now get to work for was featured in the 7×7 magazine!!  This link shows a mighty fine photo of all my co-workers.

***

Mr. Greg Flanagan (pictured in a previous post devoring his sister’s wedding cake) made a surprise appearance for C-dog’s b-day.   What a friend to drive all the way from SLO to be a special delivery for Cooper. 

***

Tomorrow we are off again to spend more time with the parents.  We will be driving to Solvang, CA to enjoy the clog wearing danish town.  I hear a trans fat filled danish calling my name!  I can’t wait!!! 

used tea bag collection

Some call it odd, gross, ridiculous…others call it unique, creative, or a good use of recycled materials.  I call it my collection.

I collected used tea bags.  (my own used tea bags).

It started junior year in college and ever since then I have been hooked.  There is something about opening up a little stained packet and seeing all the amazing images and tones.  It is like a party in a box, but rather than a box it is a little piece of paper with dried leaves inside.  I never know what I am going to see when I open up the packet and dust off the tea.  I wonder how many tea bags I will have collected when I am in my 80s.  Maybe my living space will be covered with bags all over the place, drying their hearts out. 

If you really think about it, this is a pretty cheap collection compared to some of the other items that could consume my world (i.e. cats, shoes, figurines, bags, baseball cards, cars). 

***

Tomorrow night we are taking my parents out to a German restaurant in Alameda (in homage to my German roots).  I wouldn’t be surprised if my dad shows up in his lederhosen.

tree stump, so calm, so cool

I feel like I am melting.  It is sad how wimpish people get after they adjust to life in the bay area…can’t handle the cold and can’t handle the heat.  The weather channel says that it is only 74 degrees in Oakland right now, but I think it is probably 20 degrees hotter in our apartment.  I feel like I am melting. 

My parents are coming to visit this weekend so it is time to clean the apartment once again.  If only it wasn’t a sauna in here!  I can’t even come up with words my brain is such mush right now.   Try saying that ten times fast…such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush, such mush.  

  

 
“Soft Serve,” mixed media on canvas…work in progress

This weekend was without question a weekend fit for a king/queen.  Although the bay area doesn’t really have any of the four seasons (compared to other states), Cooper and I pretended that it was summer on Saturday and ventured through the Temescal Street Fair.  Street fairs are undoubtely the one thing about the bay area that marks the start of “summer”…and I love them.  The Temescal Street Fair was actually extremely fun to go to because 1.) there were not hoards of people there like there are at all of the SF street fairs, 2.) the food was actually kind of reasonably priced…a beer for $3…who woulda thunk it? and 3.) they had REALLY good food.  We started our consumption junction of a day at the Bakesale Betty stand where they featured their fried chicken sandwiches stuffed to the brim with really good coleslaw.  Words can’t describe how great this sandwich was.  If only we had brought our camera.  We sat on stools with an old metal ironing board as our table and wolfed the perfectly battered sandwich down while dropping coleslaw left and right.  It was a fantastic experience.  We then got beerz.  The beers led to a desire to share a small slice of Lansplitter pizza which at that time was $1/slice.  While our stomachs settled we walked through the fair, watched the different musical acts and then ventured to my favorite art scrap consignment shop.  I made Cooper stay in a corner while I bought him a birthday gift (yes, a really nice something from a scrap store, lucky guy!), then we walked the streets of Oakland to a Scandinavian store.  When we returned to the street fair we watched the crowds salsa dance (something the two of us still long to be able to do) then headed back to Bakesale Betty for their strawberry shortcake.  If you want to make a really really good strawberry shortcake…their recipe is posted here.  I have a new favorite bakery! 

***

Cooper the superhero

This evening Cooper and I decided to enjoy the late night sunset by going to an outlook on Grizzly Peak Blvd and eating burritos as the sky turned orange.  I would have to say that the spots on Grizzly Peak may have the best views of the bay area.