tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318093352024-03-14T01:13:45.177-04:00North of Herebethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-37612967078371898272010-01-10T12:06:00.005-05:002010-01-10T12:14:55.518-05:00swing of things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/S0oKrvkfK3I/AAAAAAAAARo/YLDIOgXOeEc/s1600-h/IMG_0622.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/S0oKrvkfK3I/AAAAAAAAARo/YLDIOgXOeEc/s400/IMG_0622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425160447741340530" border="0" /></a><br />it's been on my mind quite a bit lately that i haven't posted on the blog in awhile. i got out of my routine a few months back, and haven't quite been able to get back there again. it may be awhile before i revisit being a blog "writer." for now, here's a picture of the raviolis (1st attempt) i made after christmas. they turned out not so great, not terrible to eat but really not very pretty. i've made another batch since then, and am going to make some more tonight. the pasta stuff is tricky! i have realized now that it makes so much sense that mostly old italian grandmothers are the true pasta makers. they've had a whole lifetime to become masters at it!bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-44148584002081119562009-08-13T14:30:00.006-04:002009-08-13T14:39:46.107-04:00this picture makes my heart happy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRcazt8nII/AAAAAAAAARU/-AWtFa80Dus/s1600-h/IMG_0532.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRcazt8nII/AAAAAAAAARU/-AWtFa80Dus/s400/IMG_0532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369518271361752194" border="0" /></a>i was unloading the veggies from my CSA box on monday, happy as a clam, and then realized there was someone singing in my kitchen, "it's a veggie fest! a veggie fest!" then i realized that someone was me. if it wasn't official before, it is certainly so now: i am a huge food geek. who sings along to their tomatoes without even knowing it? i just love these delicious, little guys!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRcaTgxjsI/AAAAAAAAARM/MAcp2ID4lSc/s1600-h/IMG_0525.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRcaTgxjsI/AAAAAAAAARM/MAcp2ID4lSc/s400/IMG_0525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369518262716567234" border="0" /></a>a little veggie salad using plum & roma tomatoes, yellow & purple beans (the green beans were actually purple when they were still fresh; they lost their color when i blanched them), purple eyed peas, thinly sliced zephyr & yellow squash, shaved red onion, sherry vinaigrette, s/p & basil. delicious!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRcZ9wakcI/AAAAAAAAARE/_RIxFXN9-RY/s1600-h/IMG_0528.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRcZ9wakcI/AAAAAAAAARE/_RIxFXN9-RY/s400/IMG_0528.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369518256876589506" border="0" /></a><br />i blanched the purple eyed peas & the beans. everything else was left fresh & then tossed together. i'm in food heaven for lunch today!bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-76462274056340546262009-08-13T14:18:00.004-04:002009-08-13T14:29:57.000-04:00my little college graduate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRad6FCNsI/AAAAAAAAAQk/uwxLEZIJvhs/s1600-h/IMG_0521.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SoRad6FCNsI/AAAAAAAAAQk/uwxLEZIJvhs/s400/IMG_0521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369516125585553090" border="0" /></a>it's official! benny is diploma'd. last sunday he donned the cap & gown and did the walk across the stage. it turns out that there were only 2 other graduates from the computer science department (whereas there were like 45 <span style="font-style: italic;">million</span> business degree graduates), and he was the only cum laude ("with honors") graduate out of the 3. pretty cool, huh? i'm so proud of him!<br /><br />congrats, my husband! (the picture is of ben with his brother, gabe, and dad, bill)bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-11636079610071741082009-07-22T18:25:00.003-04:002009-07-22T18:41:12.799-04:00the umbrella<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SmeR_DacU0I/AAAAAAAAAQc/umoke4IHE1g/s1600-h/IMG_0478.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SmeR_DacU0I/AAAAAAAAAQc/umoke4IHE1g/s400/IMG_0478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361414393841865538" border="0" /></a>i took these two alexander kiddos to the park today. we played "narnia" (watchman insisted we talk with british accents. he's 4, people! this kid is hilarious!); we went down the slides; we monopolized the swing set. the highlight of the day? it was the red umbrella of course! it's so funny, the things that adults don't think about as being cool. and then a child looks at it and "it's a sword! no, it's a parachute!" genius. so we had fun charging the bushes with the red umbrella, followed by "jumping" out of a plane. (and then in my most reponsible manner, i emphasized the fact that we could only <span style="font-style: italic;">pretend</span> jump, that to <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> jump we'd need an umbrella the size of a house and, of course, adult superivision. just call me bethany "debbie-downer" weaver.)bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-43141424629568160092009-07-18T17:33:00.004-04:002009-07-18T17:37:41.806-04:00ben, the baker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SmI_2kl_gJI/AAAAAAAAAQU/CTx2NmH2tgM/s1600-h/IMG_0477.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SmI_2kl_gJI/AAAAAAAAAQU/CTx2NmH2tgM/s400/IMG_0477.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359916713292824722" border="0" /></a>with all my talk about food, i just had to show off the bread that ben baked today. delicious! it's traditional french loaf made with whole wheat flour. beautiful, huh? that ben is a man of many talents..bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-40176982183220934342009-07-17T14:12:00.003-04:002009-07-17T14:19:51.570-04:00oh happy day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SmC_PUmPKDI/AAAAAAAAAQM/TyGqISPdc0E/s1600-h/IMG_0475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SmC_PUmPKDI/AAAAAAAAAQM/TyGqISPdc0E/s400/IMG_0475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359493826518919218" border="0" /></a> i looked out my window today & saw some bluebirds happily munching away on something in the trees. and then it hit me: the figs! the figs are here! i feel a little like a cheshire cat right now, quite pleased with myself & basking in the glory of the fresh fig. and, well, how convenient! i was about to make lunch! it was destiny. so here we go, some mixed greens, some quartered figs, a little salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar & fresh basil. it doesn't get better than that. (well, unless the figs were wrapped in some thick bacon and popped into a hot pan for a few minutes. now that is also a thing of beauty. hmmm, maybe for dinner..)bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-70093629096774491092009-07-04T00:38:00.005-04:002009-07-17T14:21:09.850-04:00the firepit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Sk7dhY7vwEI/AAAAAAAAAQA/-TJIlRvGybk/s1600-h/IMG_0415.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Sk7dhY7vwEI/AAAAAAAAAQA/-TJIlRvGybk/s400/IMG_0415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354460572688564290" border="0" /></a>we dug this firepit, surrounded it with stones, then lit some wood on fire & scorched marshmallows. it was a thing of beauty.<br /><br />ahoy, chattanooga. we'll see you tomorrow!bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-51979503758161300462009-07-03T22:25:00.005-04:002009-07-17T14:21:34.399-04:00happy 4th, people!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Sk693ZgOWoI/AAAAAAAAAP4/dPYT4uxJevs/s1600-h/IMG_0412.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Sk693ZgOWoI/AAAAAAAAAP4/dPYT4uxJevs/s400/IMG_0412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354425766426598018" border="0" /></a><br />ben took this little sailboat out today as it was the perfect mix of sun & breeze. there were quite a few other people zooming around on boats pulling water skis, inner tubes, pretty much whatever works to be pulled behind a boat that zips along at 4o mph. there was one kid in particular being pulled around who was whooping up a storm, obviously enjoying himself. i thought he was dying at first, he was so loud. i sat around and "sunbathed" (which consisted of coating myself thickly with spf 50 and sitting in the shade), enjoying our last couple of days up here. in a minute, we'll be building a little campfire on the edge of the lawn next to the water to listen to the sounds of early fireworks which have already started. you can see them just over the ridge where they're being fired into lake michigan. we'll head over to see the real show tomorrow.<br /><br />i think i'm hearing the same kid from earlier making the same "delightful" sounds from earlier. reminds me of my brother. love you, brother!bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-54607663055861372812009-07-01T14:24:00.015-04:002009-07-17T14:22:11.482-04:00michigan 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkurHlQlV8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/ZnG3-f1xiOU/s1600-h/IMG_0374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkurHlQlV8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/ZnG3-f1xiOU/s400/IMG_0374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353560728809068482" border="0" /></a>we are in michigan again for a week and a half. oh, blimey heaven! i've been reading this book, '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Queen-Extraordinary-Gertrude-Adventurer/dp/0385495757">desert queen</a>,' while we've been here. it's about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Bell">gertrude bell,</a> this woman who dashed around what was called "arabia" back in the early 1900's all alone. she had all the sheiks and warlords wrapped around her little fingers, and is pretty much singlehandedly responsible for the founding of modern iraq after world war 1. she was the first (and only at the time) female political officer in the british forces, and was friends & cohorts with t.e. lawrence, better known as "lawrence of arabia." interesting lady & wicked smart. <a href="http://www.youbettermakeitadouble.blogspot.com/">anna thomas</a> recommended the book to me, and i've been enjoying it immensely. speaking of anna, i just remembered her for some reason hounding lang back in florida (over the wedding weekend two weeks ago) to "meow" for her. (random hilarious memory of the moment which just made me chuckle out loud.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Skuq_PgyflI/AAAAAAAAAPo/wjVxtcPuxVc/s1600-h/IMG_0378.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Skuq_PgyflI/AAAAAAAAAPo/wjVxtcPuxVc/s400/IMG_0378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353560585532505682" border="0" /></a>back to vacation update, this is our 2nd dinner out on the deck. we did grilled tri-tip (thanks trader joes!) with a homemade dry-rub concocted out of pretty much everything we had on hand. coffee, cinnamon, orange peel, lemon zest, dried thyme, salt, pepper, sugar, and probably a few other things i'm forgetting. a fresh arugula & avocado salad with shaved raclette to go with it, and voila! delicious! we then topped it off with two bottles of wine. yeah, vacation!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Skuq13cb1hI/AAAAAAAAAPg/9Trn-xV42K8/s1600-h/IMG_0379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Skuq13cb1hI/AAAAAAAAAPg/9Trn-xV42K8/s400/IMG_0379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353560424452970002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqtWoMatI/AAAAAAAAAPY/IdisMASwNaE/s1600-h/IMG_0384.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqtWoMatI/AAAAAAAAAPY/IdisMASwNaE/s400/IMG_0384.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353560278204967634" border="0" /></a>from the deck: had to include the cheesy sunset picture over the water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqkbIVEyI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/N9AHjTTuOXo/s1600-h/IMG_0385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqkbIVEyI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/N9AHjTTuOXo/s400/IMG_0385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353560124794671906" border="0" /></a>cheese with local strawberries & blueberries after a swim. bread we bought at a local farmers market straight from the baker, this sweet lady wearing a handkerchief in her hair & carrying a baby while her husband was playing the guitar next to her. oh, and benny looking cute.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqNasR4VI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ILT0BD6x8xc/s1600-h/IMG_0386.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqNasR4VI/AAAAAAAAAPI/ILT0BD6x8xc/s400/IMG_0386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353559729540030802" border="0" /></a>i like this bowl. we found it at a <a href="http://www.benjaminmaier.com/">local potter/ceramic artists studio named benjamin maier.</a> if anyone wants to buy us the 9 1/2 inch version of this, please don't hesitate!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqDwans3I/AAAAAAAAAPA/0pvRVvYtlw0/s1600-h/IMG_0390.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SkuqDwans3I/AAAAAAAAAPA/0pvRVvYtlw0/s400/IMG_0390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353559563572851570" border="0" /></a>middle eastern / mediterranean dinner last night. lamb kebabs rolled in cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, salt & pepper, with grilled potatoes, red pepper & red onion. couscous salad with dried cherries, toasted almonds, lemon vinaigrette & fresh basil. yogurt sauce with honey, lemon, chili flake, and tons of chopped basil. and homemade whole wheat naan! it was my first time making it, and it turned out pretty well. the blades of grass looking things are actually garlic chives. yum!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Skup7ICOgII/AAAAAAAAAO4/KiYU3F7600U/s1600-h/IMG_0391.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Skup7ICOgII/AAAAAAAAAO4/KiYU3F7600U/s400/IMG_0391.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353559415294165122" border="0" /></a>it's been super relaxing being up here, like always. it'll be sad to say goodbye to the cabin for good next year. ben grew up coming here every summer, so he very much has a strong attachment & tons of amazing memories of this place. and this being my third time sharing it with him, it'll be sad for me as well. c'est la vie! we'll build new memories together! and probably dine our way through those as well..bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-11389692502839143832009-06-19T10:57:00.005-04:002009-07-17T14:22:48.787-04:0014 weddings down, 269 left to go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Sjuxoi7BNyI/AAAAAAAAAOA/imh1FoJSStM/s1600-h/IMG_0363.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/Sjuxoi7BNyI/AAAAAAAAAOA/imh1FoJSStM/s400/IMG_0363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349064292559828770" border="0" /></a><br />we spent last weekend in florida for the wedding of our friends, isaac wardell & megan roderick. it was an awesome weekend. but can i just say that florida is HOT! and bright. the sun was piercing my eyeballs all the way into the back of my brain. i devoted most of my time to the application and reapplication of sunscreen, and then the rest of my time scampering from one piece of shade to the next.<br /><br />putting all my whining aside, we had a GREAT time with all our friends. it was a beautiful wedding and everything came together so well. i took a few pictures with my iPhone, but none of them came out very well. if your a facebook user/junkie i posted a couple of shots, all very hazy.<br /><br />and there's another wedding this weekend. my boss' youngest brother is getting married, and my brother-in-law, Gabe, is one of the groomsmen. and after that, we have a little hiadus on the wedding circuit until the BIG (cue wedding march music) wedding in october, when ben's baby brother, my only brother-in-law, will be marrying the love of his life, libby warren. that's going to be a good one. i'm already predicting, it'll be in top-five weddings of all time.bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-75463567770446374912009-06-04T12:23:00.006-04:002009-07-17T14:24:09.691-04:00date night: a walk, dinner, a movie, and, yes, some crying<embed src="http://images.rottentomatoes.com/files/flash/video/ev_rt.swf" flashvars="rsId=rottom-us&trackingServer=metrics.rottentomatoes.com&allowScriptAccess=always&object_ID=1195997&IGNMediaID=2855657&allownetworking="all%"" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="360" width="433"></embed><br /><br />no, ben didn't make me cry. the movie did. we moseyed around town last night on foot, ending up at the Bijou theatre to see the 9:55 showing of <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up/">Pixar's new movie, "Up</a>." [my parents: does this clip remind you of anyone you know?]<br /><br />so i shed some tears during the <span style="font-style: italic;">animated</span> feature film. i feel a little less foolish crying over the heartfelt sequence featuring the hero and the love of his life meeting, falling in love, getting married, growing old, etc, than the crying i did over Wall-E. (yes, i cried over a couple of robots and a cockroach. what can i say? i'm a sensitive gal.)<br /><br />but first we hit the pavement and headed to Coolidge Park for some sushi at <a href="http://www.sushinabechattanooga.com/">Sushi Nabe</a> (best sushi in Chattanooga), only to discover they were closed for no apparent reason. so we walked another 10 steps and ended up at the <a href="http://www.mudpierestaurant.com/index.html">Mud Pie</a> for some "monkey-hips-and-rice" and a glass of wine. well, that's what i had anyway. ben had the much more manly "chicken kiev" and a beer. i had forgotten how much i love the monkey-hips. it's essentially a plate of deliciously seasoned rice & black beans, covered with smoked kielbasa sausage, melted jack cheese, salsa, green onions, sour cream and some addictive chemical that forced me eat the whole plate. the key to this dish: the kilebasa & cheese. those two things together make mama's palate happy. the smokiness of the sausage really is a delight.<br /><br />we love this place. it's a funky, cool restaurant, the interior walls covered with these strange painted portraits. it has everything from booth seating to tall communal tables (built to give one the ability to overhear your neighbors conversation). wednesday is apparently "cuban day," so designated when the new cuban owners bought the restaurant a couple of years ago. (they offer a cuban special on wednesdays to make it legit.) there's also karaoke fridays, and open mic night on saturdays. the food is fun and quirky, and always delicious. example: thai pizza with chicken, pineapple, red bell pepper & peanut sauce. we almost ordered this since we're thai food fiends, but that smoked kielbasa i just couldn't pass up. they do have a regular section of the menu devoted to cuban food as well.<br /><br />it also reminded ben & i that thursdays are 1/2 price wine , which we had completely forgotten about. it used to be a favorite of ours & our friends (all 1.2 of them). i think we might head back over there tonight for some vino.<br /><br />oh, and i forgot to mention: Up was awesome! go see it!bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-27245652381217280992009-06-01T11:51:00.007-04:002009-07-17T14:24:40.579-04:00a-driaaaannn!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP9b_jp4JI/AAAAAAAAANI/PfwXTkE6ElQ/s1600-h/IMG_0331.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP9b_jp4JI/AAAAAAAAANI/PfwXTkE6ElQ/s400/IMG_0331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342392240350814354" border="0" /></a><br />i was giving ben a hard time for his lack of enthusiasm when it came time to pose with the rocky statue in downtown philadelphia. of course, i was probably a little OVER enthusiastic about the whole thing, so who can blame him? i had the theme song running through my head as we trekked our way through the city this last weekend. i think i did a little shadow-boxing as well, because, well, i am that big of a nerd (i blame my parents).<br /><br />the reason we were in philly: a surprise birthday party for my college friend, bethy, the whole thing orchestrated by her very sweet husband, gideon (that's them in the picture below with the philadelphia skyline in the background). it was an awesome weekend. ben & i are both huge fans of the city of brotherly love now. i saw like 14 ben franklins roaming around the city. apparently the balding mullet is back in style!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP-QzwnYfI/AAAAAAAAANY/raMk_SDYI6k/s1600-h/IMG_0332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP-QzwnYfI/AAAAAAAAANY/raMk_SDYI6k/s400/IMG_0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342393147717018098" border="0" /></a><br />a favorite find of ours this weekend: a restaurant called <a href="http://www.triacafe.com/">Tria</a> down in Rittenhouse Square. i am still craving the truffled egg toast with fontina cheese and arugula. aMAZing! i'll include a picture for your salivary glands to drool over. mine keep reminiscing over the moment i cut into that egg yolk and it spilled down the sides of the thick slice of brioche toast. it was a beautiful thing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP9jGQB-GI/AAAAAAAAANQ/8q_tfa748lY/s1600-h/truffled+egg+toast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP9jGQB-GI/AAAAAAAAANQ/8q_tfa748lY/s400/truffled+egg+toast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342392362406639714" border="0" /></a><br />we also happened to be there on the weekend of the <a href="http://www.artstarcraftbazaar.com/index1.html">annual art star craft bazaar</a> down on penn's landing. it was awesome. tons of local and regional artists brought their wares to hock to the masses, all of them beautiful hand-made goodies. it was <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">etsy.com</a> on parade. i stole a few ideas for crafty things that you might receive as a present from me sometime in the future.<br /><br />it was a great weekend. old friends, good company, good conversation & our new favorite city.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP_DWuHdoI/AAAAAAAAANg/7bYnxTY_oYc/s1600-h/IMG_0340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SiP_DWuHdoI/AAAAAAAAANg/7bYnxTY_oYc/s400/IMG_0340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342394016095237762" border="0" /></a>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-59401916248406573652009-05-20T23:34:00.006-04:002009-07-17T14:25:19.133-04:00kohl-ra-bi: it's a word jumble<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/ShTR3oQUSAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/eYeZ6IQ811M/s1600-h/kohlrabi+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 170px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/ShTR3oQUSAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/eYeZ6IQ811M/s400/kohlrabi+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338122211969746946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />ben & i signed up for our first CSA membership this year, and boy is it fun. i really mean that. every week, we (and by "we" i mean "i") pick up our box of delicious, locally grown veggies from our farmer and then head home, immediately contemplating the delicious that can be procured from these gems.<br /><br />tonight, i played with the kohlrabi from our box this week. it's not actually a word jumble, but it is a vegetable. it sort of looks like some sort of alien lifeform, this pale green orb with strange, tentacle-like leaves growing from it's top. i have been contemplating what to do with it since monday, and have had various ideas bouncing around in my food obsessed brain. since it is the first of the season, i decided to head in a raw foods direction to savor kohlrabi as it is. no butter, no heat, just the kohlrabi. and to pair with it would be those beautiful baby lettuces we also got in our box. oh, the baby red leaf, green leaf & romaine lettuces with a little lemon would be perfect!<br /><br />so i peeled my alien babies, julienned them on my handy-dandy mandolin (minding my finger tips, which typically i don't think twice about and end up with perfectly symmetrical cuts). my greens i cleaned & left whole. they were so beautiful i didn't have the heart to cut them up. the cilantro was lightly chopped, the peanuts were dry-toasted with a little red chili which i barely crushed with the mortar and pestle. the garlic was sliced thin and crisped up in a little oil. a little salt, a little pepper, a little olive oil, then all tossed together and voila! a delicious salad.<br /><br />ben loves him some protein, so we fired up the grill and threw some chicken breasts on it, simply seasoned with a little s/p and some extra virgin olive oil. oh, and i did end up incorporating the alien tentacle leaves from the kohlrabi. they were sauteed for about 5 minutes in a pan with a little duck stock which i made last week, some rice wine vinegar & salt. i definitely will blanche them in the future before sauteing to make them more tender.<br /><br />the highlights from dinner:<br />1. definitely the kohlrabi! it's crunchy, fresh, and has a little hint of radish-like flavor. plus it's cool to say: "coal-robbie"<br />2. the greens: how beautiful and fresh! i instantly felt healthier.<br />3. the peanuts: man, the chili flake was fantastic!<br />4. the cilantro: pulled the whole shindig together.<br /><br />and now i'm going to go scarf down some of those amazing strawberries that also came in the box this week, maybe with some vanilla ice cream. mmmmm...bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-76345121503952925502009-02-19T18:28:00.003-05:002009-07-17T14:26:31.176-04:00<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3261363&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3261363&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="225" width="400"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/3261363">The Crisis of Credit Visualized</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jonathanjarvis">Jonathan Jarvis</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />I also posted this on Facebook, but for everyone who is not addicted to that particular social networking site as much as I am, this is for you. It's a really clever explanation of the credit crisis that was posted on <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/">NPR's Planet Money blog</a>. Which, by the way, I highly recommend subscribing to and listening to the Planet Money podcast. You can find it in iTunes, and it's completely free.bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-86187149239729983192009-01-30T03:22:00.002-05:002009-07-17T14:27:07.064-04:00recap<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebany/3041849672/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/3041849672_8e864c9b2c.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebany/3041849672/">IMG_0128</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/thebany/">thebany</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> i was just looking through old photos & came across photos of michael's homecoming from iraq. they feel a little surreal now. i love this picture of michael & caden. michael eating caden's head; caden giving his best, "hmm, who is this man eating my head?" face. <br /><br />i'm so thankful you are home right now, michael!!! love you guys very much..</p>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-89292234834378138742009-01-29T12:29:00.004-05:002009-01-29T12:36:37.640-05:00i do love stephen colbert<style type="text/css">.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style>"you are cute." "ob-la-di, ob-la-done!"<br /><div class="cc_box" style="position: relative;"><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/" target="_blank" style="display: inline; float: left; width: 60px; height: 31px;"><div class="cc_home" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; background: transparent url(http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png) repeat scroll 0% 0%; float: left; width: 60px; height: 31px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div></a><div style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-width: 1px 1px 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; float: left; width: 299px; height: 31px; color: rgb(112, 112, 112); position: relative;"><div class="cc_show" style="overflow: hidden; position: relative; background-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); padding-left: 3px; height: 14px; padding-top: 2px;"><a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/" target="_blank">The Colbert Report</a><span style="position: absolute; top: 2px; right: 3px;">Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c</span></div><div class="cc_title" style="padding: 1px 3px 3px; overflow: hidden; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(134, 134, 134); background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); line-height: 14px; height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/217077/january-28-2009/better-know-a-beatle---paul-mccartney" target="_blank">Better Know a Beatle - Paul McCartney</a></div></div><embed style="float: left; clear: left;" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:217077" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="window" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="autoPlay=false" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" bgcolor="#000000" height="301" width="360"></embed><div class="cc_links" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(207, 207, 207) rgb(207, 207, 207); border-width: 0px 1px 1px; float: left; clear: left; width: 358px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; color: rgb(185, 185, 185); background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245);"><div style="width: 177px; float: left; padding-left: 3px;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=216617">Colbert Report Full Episodes</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.colbertnation.com/tickets">Colbert Report Tickets</a></div><div style="width: 177px; float: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.colbertnation.com/home">Paul McCartney Appearance</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.comedycentral.com/funny_videos/index.jhtml">More Funny Videos</a></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-30792702233437842162008-12-17T15:10:00.003-05:002008-12-17T15:21:11.213-05:00royal tennenbaums<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SUlemIMXlvI/AAAAAAAAAMA/DCogsRWeXj4/s1600-h/IMG_0238.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SUlemIMXlvI/AAAAAAAAAMA/DCogsRWeXj4/s400/IMG_0238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280856047196018418" border="0" /></a><br />this photo is our "family photo" from INHABIT. and to clarify, we are being purposefully serious. my friend, jess willison, in the bottom left corner with the insanely pissed off look is actually one of the sweetest people i've ever met. and check out benny's proud face! the girl holding my hand is lauren, one of my best friends here in chattanooga.<br /><br />the party was a huge success, by the way. the reindeer were a no-show, but everything else was beautiful. kudos to coptix & isaac wardell for putting on the most amazing christmas party i've ever been too! our friends, heypenny, a band from nashville, headlined which was one of the highlights for us as well. you can check out their music <a href="http://www.heypenny.com/">here</a>..bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-78250268188291574942008-11-25T00:32:00.004-05:002008-11-25T00:48:28.433-05:00i'm famous!sort of.<br /><br />i waited on some food bloggers about a month or so ago, and they recently made a post about their dinner. my name is mentioned only once :( but at least it's mentioned!<br /><br /><a href="http://milehigheater.com/search/label/St%20john%27s">the mile high eater</a> is the name of the blog. you should check it out. they live in denver and seem to post mostly about restaurants around there. but they have also eaten all over and have some <a href="http://milehigheater.com/2008/06/per-se.html">interesting takes</a> on <a href="http://www.perseny.com/">restaurants that i've only ever dreamed about eating at</a>. maybe someday *sigh*bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-32310864216015652312008-11-24T12:15:00.005-05:002008-11-25T10:18:04.256-05:00pre-thanksgiving thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSrhaK6pZhI/AAAAAAAAAL4/yDxDxiE-9dM/s1600-h/IMG_0222.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSrhaK6pZhI/AAAAAAAAAL4/yDxDxiE-9dM/s400/IMG_0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272274153513772562" border="0" /></a><br />my brother in law (the crazy man with the turkey) and his friends cooked an awesome pre-thanksgiving dinner- in the style of thanksgiving dinner- last night for us and about 10 other people. it was totally nostalgic for me, reminding me of the days when i had no family in chattanooga and would therefore spend my "orphan" holidays with friends. although the "chattanooga holidays sans family" are no longer a reality, there is still something quite appealing to me about reliving those days.<br /><br />ben was quite fetching in his manly apron, and helped gabe make the cranberry sauce. i undertook the very important job of offering my verbal support to the cooks while sipping some very "special" mulled cider. even cooks need a cheerleader.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSrhZv9Z1pI/AAAAAAAAALw/rWU3BTrgXhA/s1600-h/IMG_0224.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSrhZv9Z1pI/AAAAAAAAALw/rWU3BTrgXhA/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272274146277578386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSrhZqfENJI/AAAAAAAAALo/y588cxqnSB4/s1600-h/IMG_0220.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSrhZqfENJI/AAAAAAAAALo/y588cxqnSB4/s400/IMG_0220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272274144808154258" border="0" /></a>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-65790111603600139262008-11-20T22:11:00.005-05:002008-11-25T16:05:55.261-05:00INHABIT : December, 6 2008 : 9pm-3am<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inhabit.coptix.com/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 311px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSYnKdnZsII/AAAAAAAAALg/EIoCM2T7Hkw/s400/ornament-inhabit.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270943474585809026" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://inhabit.coptix.com/">INHABIT</a>, the highlight of <a href="http://mainx24.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MAINx</span>24</a>, is coming up in a few weeks, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">i'm</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">completely</span> jazzed about it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">i've</span> heard all kinds of rumors about ice-themed bars, live reindeer, and cirque <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">du</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">soleil</span> style rope dancers hanging from the ceilings of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">contrapasso</span>. it's the brain child of <a href="http://coptix.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">COPTIX</span></a>, who have pulled a slew of other local businesses plus some pretty cool national brands into the sponsorship for this event. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>tickets are $20 and can be purchased <a href="http://inhabit.coptix.com/">here</a>. proceeds will be donated to benefit the first Habitat for Humanity house in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chattanooga</span> which is located in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">southside</span> and will be given to a family from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">sudan</span>. hence the name of the party, "<a href="http://inhabit.coptix.com/">INHABIT</a>."<br /><br />when: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">saturday</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">december</span> 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span>, 9pm - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">december</span> 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span>, 3 am<br />location: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=loose+cannon+chattanooga&ie=UTF8&ll=35.040257,-85.303173&spn=0.073506,0.148144&z=13&iwloc=A">loose cannon studios + <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">contrapasso</span></a><br />presented by: <a href="http://coptix.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">coptix</span></a>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-71037725180626788102008-11-18T15:07:00.001-05:002008-11-18T15:07:02.891-05:00the boy is home!<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebany/3040996017/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3040996017_543c2a6353.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebany/3040996017/">IMG_0149</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/thebany/">thebany</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> we got up at 5am this morning to head to fort campbell for michael's welcome home. it was wonderful. they actually let us out onto the tarmac to watch the soldiers deplane. we waved flags while caden chewed on them. it was followed by a brief ceremony before the soldiers were released. <br /><br />i definitely cried a lot, but was soooo happy. i am so thankful to have been able to be there, especially to watch emily & he reunite. <br /><br />the photo is of michael and caden. if you click on it it'll take you to the rest of the photos in my flickr account.</p>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-84915752523348392052008-11-17T22:54:00.002-05:002008-11-17T23:02:05.692-05:00and for my next trick..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSI868wY7pI/AAAAAAAAALY/x8tlnyf8JoA/s1600-h/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSI868wY7pI/AAAAAAAAALY/x8tlnyf8JoA/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269841497416068754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSI86z9gu2I/AAAAAAAAALQ/2va-TscMreU/s1600-h/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSI86z9gu2I/AAAAAAAAALQ/2va-TscMreU/s400/IMG_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269841495055186786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSI86qiOP6I/AAAAAAAAALI/RONsyoRyJNA/s1600-h/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SSI86qiOP6I/AAAAAAAAALI/RONsyoRyJNA/s400/IMG_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269841492524810146" border="0" /></a><br />yep, his papa couldn't come home any sooner! this child is about to start sprinting!<br /><br />the pictures are a bit fuzzy since i took them on my fancy new toy and am getting used to the built in camera. but you get the gist: caden is probably not going to be crawling for very long.<br /><br />oh, and get a look of that wink in the 3rd photo. he was trying to charm me to get the iphone from me. which he did. and he promptly shoved it into his mouth and started chewing.bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-15308252587383148622008-11-12T13:24:00.003-05:002008-11-12T13:28:23.299-05:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIKO!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SRsfkmUh0LI/AAAAAAAAAK4/XuLZCXNpNfQ/s1600-h/P1011625.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SRsfkmUh0LI/AAAAAAAAAK4/XuLZCXNpNfQ/s400/P1011625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267838902762328242" border="0" /></a><br />ok, so i'm pretty sure this is the exact same picture i posted last year from our birthday party, but i thought it wouldn't hurt to post it again.<br /><br />anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIKO!!<br /><br />kiko turns 30 today. wow! we've known each other for over ten years now, shared so many memories, cried together & yelled at each other. but we are the better for it. she truly is my sister, and i love her so much! i can't wait to celebrate her birthday this weekend with all our friends around. <br /><br />spoil her today, vincent!!bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-47757755067640678542008-11-12T13:12:00.002-05:002008-11-12T13:24:37.721-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/3020408288_2c008cb134.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/3020408288_2c008cb134.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />i felt i had to make another post, since the last one implied that my husband, ben weaver, is all about torturing me on my birthday. he may be a little bit about that. but he is also the sweetest and most thoughtful man alive. this picture i ripped from kiko's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kikobiko/sets/72157608817571052/">flickr</a> account, since i was so busy having fun at my birthday dinner, i didn't bother to take any pictures of my own. we joined our friends on saturday night to celebrate. it was such a fun & an amazingly delicious dinner at <a href="http://www.easyseafood.com/home.php">easy bistro.</a> <br /><br />then monday, we went to <a href="http://www.stjohnsrestaurant.com/">my very favorite restaurant, which also happens to my place of employ</a>, for what has become my top five dinners of all time at st. john's and with my wonderful husband. and, last but not least, i got an iPhone for my birthday!!! it is my very favorite new toy! i don't really know how to work it yet, but i have downloaded some REALLY fun games, which i plan on wasting much time playing. i have been dropping 'hints' for months to ben that i wanted one. [by hints i mean, "um, you know what you should get me for my birthday? an iPhone." or, "hey, an iPhone for my birthday would be nice." and, "if i got an iPhone for my birthday, i would be sooooo happy."]bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31809335.post-89234160825354971512008-11-10T12:10:00.006-05:002008-11-10T12:44:34.232-05:00birthday torture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SRhsSLsnsAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/5uH8U2L0dUk/s1600-h/Photo+4.jpg">so i am currently at home staring at this in front of me. my husband is not here, so i cannot open these presents yet. it is incredibly maddening. <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 287px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SRhsSLsnsAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/5uH8U2L0dUk/s400/Photo+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267078823843180546" border="0" /></a><br />no really, maddening..<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SRhsGt6iOrI/AAAAAAAAAKg/UbOz1eL42kg/s1600-h/Photo+7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TOhdtAznh7U/SRhsGt6iOrI/AAAAAAAAAKg/UbOz1eL42kg/s400/Photo+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267078626869918386" border="0" /></a>bethany weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17306699643450878268noreply@blogger.com4