6 Months

Six months ago we were traipsing our way around Peru, making our way to Machu Picchu. It provided a lot of thinking time. Time for me to plot and plan Scott's 30th birthday. I had it pretty well envisioned by the time we reached the ruins and last weekend, executed it.

The theme was inspired by "Downton Abbey," essentially an homage to the finer things in a gentleman's life, including leisure activities. Libations were enjoyed, cigars smoked, croquet and badminton played, and a photo booth enjoyed. It's safe to say that Scott welcomed his 30s with a well-dressed group of family and friends who love him.

And, I'm hanging my hat on the party planning until my own 30th, six months from now, as a major rejuvenation is in order after back to back weekends of baby shower throwing and 30th birthday party executing.

Also, I'm six months pregnant today. BAM!

Cheers to Moms

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, especially those near and dear to me, particularly the two I'm blessed to have in my life!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Chefs Haselton

Last night, a dream I didn't knew I had came true-a participation dinner at Mr. Stox.

My in-laws have done several over the years and gifted us the opportunity at Christmas of 2011. It took over a year for our schedules to align with the offered dates, and our evening fell on the final one. Sadly, after 40+ years, the landmark restaurant is closing. So, we were so happy to finale joy a final meal, and prepare it.

The entire group hovered around 28 ( about 10-12 too many I'm told) and we were broken up into groups that would tackle each course. Frank and Sandy were assigned to the fourth course, dessert- a banana tartin, while Scott and I worked on the first, jumbo prawn stuffed with crab meat with a jalapeño orange hollandaise sauce.

At first I was totally overwhelmed with seriously so many cooks in the kitchen, plus servers coming in and out running desserts. Our own servers came with and ensured our cooking wine was always filled and the kitchen staff whisked away cutting boards and knives for washing.

We grilled and chopped jalapeños, squeezed and reduced orange juice, separated eggs, stuffed prawns, and babysat/ whisked the hollandaise. The lobster was thwacked around us (and memorialized on the back of my dress) while others poached the beef and assembled a ratatouille.

The experience was amazing. I stepped in the line kitchen and was completely overwhelmed again by the amount of people, burners raging, and food flipping.

Once everyone was done, each group plated and served the meal. It was tremendously fun and extremely delicious. I'm only sorry that we were able to do it once.



Thank you, thank you to my in- laws for such a fabulous evening doing something I love and fulfilling one of my foodie dreams!

2012: O

O is for outstanding, the kind of grade given in early elementary school, and how I sum up 2012.

It was the kind of year defined by amazing experiences, sharing moments with family and friends, but also living every day life to the fullest. Scott and I ate some amazing meals, worked on our house, learned more about each other, watched friends and family get married, have babies, and celebrate milestone birthdays. While the year was full of highs, there were certainly moments of reflection in loss, specifically the passing of my grandfather.

Yet, I feel very fortunate that the entire year feels like a highlight reel, which is essentially this blog. I started this back in 2007, and while some of those early posts were pretty juvenile in nature as I figured out this public diary business, I'm happy that it's been fairly consistently updated. I started it because I don't like to write in a journal as my handwriting is too sloppy, and it's grown into a way to stay in touch with family and friends from near and far. While it's no Young House Love or Dooce, I'm glad my parents care enough to still read what their nearly 29-year-old daughter puts on the Internet. And offer suggestions :)

On the final day of 2012, it seems appropriate to list favorites. It's organized, there are photos, and a pretty bitchin' top three.

1. The day we jumped out of a plane

2. Hiking to Machu Piccu

3. Meeting Ina Garten

And what's New Year's Eve without a grand finale activity like riding a Segway for the first time?

Cheers to 2013, and all that it has in store!

-Madam Commissioner Erin Haselton

Happy birthday, Sandy!

Happy birthday to the best mother-in-law I could ever ask for. Thank you for raising such a wonderful son and family that so many others get to enjoy. You are beloved!

21 Candles

I remember the day mom and dad told me you were coming before catechism, at Bob's Big Boy. I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to tell Kerri who already had two younger siblings, that I was finally getting one.

You came, you screeched, and were the epitome of a little sister. Demanding of time, things, my heart.

We've certainly had our struggles. Seven years felt more like 15 at times.

 But as you've grown, the gap has decreased, and finally, we're friends.

In many ways we couldn't be more opposite-in looks and personalities. 

But I love being the yin to your yang.

I admire your independence, fearless questioning, and the care you show for others. And your hair. Gosh I wish I had your hair and the skills to you possess to do it.

Happy, happy, 21st birthday. I can't believe how the time has flown. I love you.

Cheers to you. Enjoy your Champagne :)

Bowling

Tonight my parents were finally able to cash in their 2011 Christmas gift with us-a night at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring John Williams, Maestro of the Movies, conducting the LA Philharmonic. It was magical! We had such a great time, it was worth the 10 month wait.

I'd have to say the most magical part of the evening was when John said it was the 30th anniversary of ET and he called Steven Spielberg to see if he could use the final reel of the film while they played. Watching the last 15 minutes of the movie with the theme behind it was simply magical and pretty much the epitome of any movie-going experience I've ever had. The audience was swept away in the cinematic elements.

The evening was also paid a big tribute to the Star Wars fans in attendance with equal time for for the Dark Side and the Alliance. Probably the closest I'll ever get to a convention with these people.

Birthday

Welcome to the world, Tyler Robert, you handsome devil!

Hats off to dads

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there, specifically the man who coached my softball team, took me to my driving test, and recently convinced me it was a good idea to jump out of a plane.

I'm also blessed to also have a wonderful father-in-law who accepted me into his family a long time ago and has been encouraging of my endeavors.

Hats off to dads!

A Day of rest

• Cinnamon bun French toast for breakfast
• Matinee of Prometheus with popcorn
• Leftover s'mores cakeball for a late afternoon snack
• Painted my nails with a top coat since I had the time
• Baguette, cheese and wine for dinner

Only if every Sunday could be this gluttonous.*

*I did go grocery shopping today and worked my tail off Saturday shop vacing jacarandas, washing both cars, raking leaves, doing laundry and starting the day with bootcamp. It's back to spinach smoothies and 6 a.m. CRX classes tomorrow morning.

Memorial Day

Thanks to those who have served, are serving, or plan to do the job most cannot.

Happy birthday Mom!

Today we celebrated the birth of my mom with brunch on a beautiful spring day. Happy birthday mom!

Baked pancakes with berries

Fruit skewers, bacon, artichoke and leek flatbread with basil

Many happy returns!

And happy 34th anniversary to my in-laws, Frank and Sandy!

Ron Paul Rally

Just your typical Wednesday night at CSUF for a presidential rally.

A shot of the line. There were actually two, and wrapped around the northwest end of campus.

Awkward laughing photo, but Ron wouldn't mind.

We were impressed by the volume of people there (which my pictures do a poor job of representing.) An entire half of the stadium was filled with people pouring in to see the Congressman. What a cool experience. We even changed our voting parties so that he could get our vote June 5. So what did you do last night? 

Oh hey, April

Sometimes there is so much yet so little to say in this little corner of the Internet I call mine. So I'll rely on visual aids.

It was Good Friday for this guy grazing outside. Thou shall not judge me on my weeds.

Bootlegger's 4th Anniversary Party, the evening of apocalyptic rain in Southern California.

The beautiful weekend that followed the storm.

A day in Laguna at the Laguna Beach Culinary Arts Institute wine and cheese tasting.

Driving Miss Daisy.
The day Scott took the keys to both cars and I walked to work and my sister picked me up to take me to my doctor's appointment. I also refreshed my knowledge of Poly Sci 100.

And, "Cat on a skateboard, briefly." YouTube sensation, no?