February 28, 2011

Man vs. Storm (aka, 'The Protector')

Captain's log -

Last night, we felt the icy grip of fear come over our household as we settled down for the night. Conducting my nightly bedtime scan of the dopplar radar, I was alarmed to find that the usually peaceful weather landscape was suddenly overtaken by a raging cold front, and embedded in that cold front...chaos. Being a weather man, I've seen my fair share of severe weather, but what I saw on my radar screen that night was both unsettling and weirdly exciting...I couldn't help but join the numerous other 'porch onlookers' in the neighborhood as eyes were adjusted skyward to the impending storm. But alas, cooler heads did prevail. My emergency sensors quickly reminded me of what was at stake, my feeble wife lying inside in the living room, trembling in fear of the doom that lay ahead...and the future children that we will bare. Simply put, their lives depended on me jumping into action.
     After alerting the authorities and local news stations that disaster was sure to come, I was able to focus my thoughts and energies on doing what every strong, noble, valiant husband shall do...run for cover. Taking wifey's cold, trembling hand, we made our way to the dimly lit basement. Using my cunning senses, I was able to locate the only light, engage said light, and thus illuminate our new home. Wife practiced her gift of wisdom and hospitality as she pulled out a boogie board in order to rest our weary bodies...she truly is remarkable, always providing comfort in times of need. Outside, the storm approaches...quietly, and with much stealth, the tiger is upon us. The lights flicker, winds howl, and outside the small dusty window, a feable tree whips its branches back and forth...it whips its branches back and forth...it whips its branches back and forth. Wife...is scared. She may have wet herself just a bit, but would never let on...however, her keen iPhone skills would in a few minutes alert us that the storm has passed. I muster the energy to make my way, slowly, to the small window. Peering out, the wet landscape gives way to a calmer, gentler sky. We are safe, everything will be ok now.
     Taking wife by the hand, we make our way back to the apartment. I alert the government that all is well and the city is safe to return home now. My job is done...my future is protected and my wife shall once again rest soundly knowing that hubs is on guard at all times, in any weather.

And now...some pictures of the evening:


View looking west from our balcony.


Looking east down Pernod Ave. We always have a Time Life photographer on hand.


Janele, flying the rescue copter. I took this as I parachuted into the danger zone.



- the Hubs

February 25, 2011

Home Buying

Did you know that Hubs and I talked to a real estate agent last week?  We did, and it wasn't scary or disappointing like I thought it might be; my fears of the unknown were unfounded, because it was actually really encouraging and enlightening. 

We like Garcia Properties a whole whole lot and would recommend them to anyone looking for an apartment, house, loft etc.  We're currently renting from them and have never had any problems.  Hubs and I both feel like we can trust the company and the people who work there.  That's always a plus, right?

So, it's not like we're moving anytime soon, but it's in the near future.  Nearer than I would have consider before, which is a good thing. 

http://exitupstaterealty2.agentxsites.com/xSites/Agents/ExitUpstateRealty2/Content/UploadedFiles/million12.jpg
We're considering this little gem in the county.  It doesn't have an indoor pool, but I guess every house has its pitfalls.
http://exitupstaterealty2.agentxsites.com/xSites/Agents/ExitUpstateRealty2/Content/UploadedFiles/million16.jpg
This one has a pretty nice view, but only a three car garage...I don't know if I can live like that.

Happy Friday!
~Wifey

February 20, 2011

Quick, Simple, and Delicious

This weekend, Hubs and I had some dear friends over for food and laughs.  Our couples combined are very good at eating food and laughing.  Needless to say, it was a good night.

Sooooo, this happened.  heehee...card games can get pretty intense sometimes, and Tate would tell you, 'girls are mean'.  I can neither deny nor confirm that statement.
What helped make the night over-the-top great were the delightful and simple bars pictured below.  Hubs recently received his first two issues of Bon Appetit; the subscription was part of my Christmas gifts to him.  Now, we're kind of preoccupied by it and want to make everything we see.  So far we've had two huge successes.  Many more are sure to come : )

I made these: Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars ala Bon Appetit Magazine

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Do you even need convincing??? (unless you're allergic to peanuts.  In that case, don't even think about it.)

February 18, 2011

Be Mine?

Valentine's Day 2011.  Hubs surprises Wifey with an at home date day/night.  Wifey cries.  It's because she feels really loved and blessed.  This is what it looked like...
The pretty picture that I saw when I got home from work and rehearsal.
Pretty things...Hubs has a good eye for making things fresh and appealing.
The DELICIOUS menu Hubs carefully crafted for us.  He's kind of a culinary genius : )
Hubs working his magic. Note the candied pecans in the foreground; those ended up on a fresh Spring inspired salad later...
Hubs made a pastry for dessert.  A Pastry!!  He hates to bake.
Lamb stew with apricots and chickpeas on a bed of minted couscous. 
Dessert...yum
All done :)
 Conclusion?  I married a wonderful man.

~Wifey

February 11, 2011

Sometimes a Hubs will...

Stay awake, when he's really tired and has to get up early to go to work the next morning, to tell you a story he'd been waiting ALL day to share.

Here's a link to the stories my hubby shared with me last night:
http://www.radiolab.org/2011/jan/25/

This is Hubs' take on Radiolab:  

Anyone who is a fan of 'This American Life', NPR, science, awesome things to listen to, or not lame things...check out Radiolab! Just listened today to the 'Lost & Found' episode and it was blowing my mind!

~Wifey

February 7, 2011

Unexpected Daaaaate

At 3:50pm, Hubs called and said, 'if I leave work right now, we could go to the 4:50pm showing of The King's Speech at Ronnies for only $4 a ticket.  Do you want to go?' Um, surprise date with my hubs on a dreary, winter-yuck, Monday night when I had no dinner planned and no prospects?  Let me think about that...

After a record showering/getting ready on my part we made it to Ronnies just in time for opening previews and enjoyed The King's Speech with approximately five other couples.  All in their mid seventies.  That's how we roll.

Happy Monday everybody : )

Purple Lemon Photography

~Wifey

February 3, 2011

Exclusive Interview!


My Hubs is a weather man.  Weather makes him excited and curious.  He sees the work of God in weather.  I always know what to wear because I'm married to a weather man.  Today, we'll take a deeper look at this Weather Man, and talk about what keeps him up at night.

Wifey:  Tell us about your first memory of weather.
Hubs: Hmmmm, that's tough because weather has always been a part of my emotional psyche...it's hard to conjure up a 'memory' when the very thing you're supposed to 'remember' has been coarsing through your veins all along, from birth. If I have to, I guess I would say the 'Blizzard of '82.' I was 4 months old at the time...I remember laying in my crib, listening to the 'thunder snow' outside (that's incredibly heavy snow caused by enormous amounts of energy in the upper atmosphere...thus causing thunder and even lightning) and thinking, "Wow...I can't wait for my brain to fully develop so I can learn about what I'm hearing."

WifeyHow impressive!  So, once your brain fully developed, what steps did you take to learn about weather?
Hubs: You see, I'm a bit of a 'meteorology prodigy' (also the name of my forthcoming band) in that I am mostly self-taught. Just years and years of watching local news forecasts and staring at radar, really. My mind is like a low pressure system climbing out of the south, it picks up any droplet of knowledge it can and spews it on those eager to learn. [Or those simply within ear shot; wifey]

Wifey:  What were your feelings after this week's blown "blizzard warning?"  Any anger or frustration over the lack of snow we saw in the St. Louis metropolitan area?
Hubs: Eh...I can't believe you brought this up, but ok...I'll share. Let me just tell you something; to a weather man like myself, a 'blizzard warning' issued by the National Weather Service is basically my Super Bowl...it's really my time to shine. It's my time to let the tornadic passion that swirls inside of me come out...to share with the world the epic forecasts of history. But alas, it was too good to be true; that dastardly thin layer of warm air in the upper atmosphere just wouldn't let the snow be. I hung on with every inch of my weather loving life...peering out the window for signs of a energy explosion in the heavens, but all was lost. 3 inches of sleet...mounds of sadness. Was I bitter? No. Just disappointed, that's all. 

Wifey: Wow.  It seems that hit you pretty hard.  Sorry about that.  Any hopes for the rest of this winter?  Any predictions for the spring?
Hubs: Well, that stupid beaver saw his shadow, so I guess winter will be over soon...but everyone knows that badgers can't read radar. Four more weeks of winter...and two more storms. One significant. You just got weather served. 

Bam.  Consider yourselves warned, I guess.  Thanks to Weather Man Hubs for all his inspiring words. 

~Wifey