Mar 14 2012

Prunes of March

Ami

 

I  have this beautiful book of amazing illustrations set to a calendar, and each month there is a new recipe. I truly love this book, but the entry for March is kind of hilarious. I want to know if anyone is actually willing to make these cookies. And don’t forget, you can always add more prune juice!

Actually, I not-so-secretly love prunes, but as you might imagine, Tanner won’t touch them. There are many, many foods he won’t touch (sigh).

Here’s to trying something new in the month of March… prune cookies and beyond!


Feb 27 2012

Breakfast Club

Ami

Tanner and I decided that instead of going out for breakfast last weekend that we would stay in and cook the best breakfast ever (inspired by the semi-famous “classic” breakfast at the Manhattan restaurant, The Chef).

If you have figured out how to make delicious hash browns that don’t completely stick to the skillet, please let me know. I am very nearly scared off of making hash browns ever again. In all other aspects, the meal was a success. Oh, and please feel free to join us for breakfast anytime!


Jan 26 2012

Love is in the Air

Ami

As the season of Valentine’s approaches, I can’t help but think of all the love notes being passed in the playgrounds across the world. I happen to have a note of my own, confiscated from an actual student (name withheld) from my classroom a few years back.

With whom would you like to go out and have that kiss with? Here’s hoping your Valentine prayers are answered.


Jan 24 2012

And the Year is New… Kind of

Ami

Whoa. We’re a month into 2012 and for some reason our New Year’s fun is just now being posted. I’m sure Tanner can some how be blamed for this. Yeah, Tanner. Way to go (Love you!).

Julie throws a really nice party. Lots of snacking.

Yes, these are delicious Rice Krispies.


Dec 23 2011

Happy Christmas!

Ami

 

We hope your holidays are filled with smiles, cookies and hugs.

Love, Ami and Tanner


Dec 6 2011

Steal Swiss Album

Tanner

A short time ago Ami and I went to see Mike Doughty perform at the Bottleneck in Lawrence.  The opening band was Moon Hooch; they rocked a contrabass and were pretty amazing.

Mike Doughty and His Band Fantastic, as expected, were also amazing.

We heard good music and saw something I have never seen done… they sold a live recording of the show at the merch table just a few minutes after the show.  People (myself included) were lined up to buy it.  Why isn’t everyone doing this?  Offer your fans music they enjoy + something not easily found free online + a memory to take home and they will eat it up.

Mike Doughty is embracing the distribution changes the main stream music industry has been fighting hard against.  He is not suing fans for downloading and sharing his music, he encourages them to do it!  During the show he said the following, ”You many not have money. If this is the case, I advise you that there are many many many places to steal the album on the world wide web and I’m genuinely encouraging you to do so. It is more important to me that the album is listened to than I buy sandwiches.”  He went on to say, ”If you can’t afford it, go steal it. If you do buy it, thank you very much, please take it home insert it into your laptop, rip it as the kids say, and then give the compact disc to a friend.”

Apparently Switzerland agrees with Mike Doughty when it comes to sharing music online…
http://torrentfreak.com/swiss-govt-downloading-movies-and-music-will-stay-legal-111202/

 

 


Nov 22 2011

In Which I Profess My Love for Gillian Welch

Ami

 

 

 

A few weeks ago, Tanner and I traveled down to Wichita to see Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings perform at the beautiful Orpheum Theater.

Reasons I love Gillian 

1. She wears boots and she means it.

2. Her voice melds with Dave Rawlings like it’s completely effortless but it’s so superb, you can’t tell the two voices apart.

3. Her sound evokes an old-time feel and while her lyrics are similar, they remain relevant and poignant.

4. Her music is so completely American and it’s hard to explain, but it makes me feel proud that there’s a branch of country music that’s actually an art form, and not a formula.

 

Her newest album.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a video of Gillian performing the song “Wichita.” I tried to find a current one, but wasn’t successful. It’s still worth checking out, don’t worry.


Nov 15 2011

Paul Simon (checked off my ultimate To-Do list)

Ami

I have wanted to see Paul Simon for probably fifteen years. I couldn’t believe our luck that we would not only get to see him in Kansas City, but we even got to sit in the seventh row! We had such a clear view of the stage, and of course “P.S.” (as I began to refer to him).

My favorite part was when he came out by himself and played “Sound of Silence” with just his voice and a guitar. What an indelible memory! So haunting and amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Source

 


Nov 1 2011

Worlds of (Frightening) Fun

Ami

We had the most fun with Julie and Brett when we met them at Worlds of Fun during the scariest time of year. During the day, the amusment park is normal, with some festive decor of the season. After dark however, it turns into several haunted “houses.” We didn’t take any pictures of the “London Terror” haunted walk we did because well, it was too scary. I’m serious: there was mucho creepy stuff going down. I’m pretty sure I saw Sweeney Todd, Jack the Ripper and Jacob Marley, amongst other apparently escaped inmates from the asylum. If you’re into this sort of thing (which I’m not, actually– please don’t make me do this again, guys!), we highly recommend.

 

 

 


Oct 18 2011

Revelling (October Edition)

Ami

What are you revelling in?

 

Reading: Just finished The Giver, in the middle of Beauty and The Magician’s Elephant

Listening: Bluegrass goodness (kind of Alison Krauss-esque) by Sierra Hull

Revelling: getting photos published in The Hype Weekly (link shows some photos, but the print edition has others)

Creating: Recipe books for dear family members (details to come!)