Moving

We're moving this weekend, so don't expect any posts for a while. Have a great week, and I'll get back to it when I can!

Cheers!

Honoring the Past

Dallas is cool, sometimes. The city is making the farmers/protesters/drivers of all kinds/me happy, for once.



Dallas Honors Chavez with Street Near Farmers Market

By Frank Heinz; NBCDFW.com

After years and years of debate, the city of Dallas now officially has a street named after late civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.

The signs were unveiled around noon on Friday for Cesar Chavez Boulevard. The street was formerly known as South Central Expressway -- not to be confused with Central Expressway.

The plan to rename South Central Expressway was approved in February.

The street runs south along the eastern edge of downtown Dallas from Pacific Avenue over Interstate 30 and under Interstate 45 near the Farmers Market.

Chavez was born in Yuma, Ariz., in 1927, and died in 1993 after co-founding the National Farm Workers Association, an organization that later became the United Farm Workers of America labor union. Since 1999, his March 31 birthday has been observed as Cesar Chavez Day in Texas.

Of course, I am happy about this for several reasons. Firstly, it gives some justice to everything surrounding Chavez in life and death. Secondly, it will help people keep track of where the heck they are! "South Central" is close to "North Central." Good call, Dallas.

Say Goodbye

To our old apartment! We're painting, packing and getting ready for the big move... in less than two weeks!

Living Room

Dining Area

Bedroom

I'm sure our new set up will look very similar, but with different paint colors. It's not like we're getting all new furniture. Anyway, this will be a great move, and we're extremely excited about it. We've already started checking the restaurants and shops close to the new apartment. I'll have to blog more about those when I have a chance. Off to paint and pack! :)

A Picture Post

Again, forgive the Blackberry photos. I still don't have a real camera.

The Texas blood orange I bought for the vinaigrette on this salad.

Watermelon, feta and arugula salad with a blood orange vinaigrette.

Coconut macaroons for my mom's second half of her birthday present.

Assorted truffles for the other half of Jamie's birthday present. There are chocolate truffles covered in powdered sugar, sliced almonds, and raspberry sugar.

Passed Away

Yesterday was a very sad day. A high school friend of mine, Charis Wacker, told me Bill Estes had passed away Friday. This is his obituary.


Now for mine.

Bill Estes passed away on Friday, March 26. Bill was a caring, funny, and genuine person, who loved to teach whether it be in the classroom or not.

He and his wife owned the Book Rack, where I held my first job - a book seller/stocker/reader. I held that job for more than 6 years. I am thankful for him for not only helping my buy my first car with my wages, but for teaching me about those pesky life lessons.

Among many other gifts, much-needed advice, and never-ending encouragement, Bill and his wife, Kay, threw me a graduation party at Kelly Square when I graduated from Sherman High School. That might mean something to people who live in Sherman. It was fabulous.

Bill was great. He was an amazing boss, and an even better friend. I, of course, will miss him.

I'm going to his funeral on Tuesday at 3pm. If anyone from the Dallas area would like to go, I would be happy to take them.

(http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heralddemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=bill-estes&pid=141254268 )

D Magazine "Best Of" Poll (Yes, a plug.)

Attention all Dallasites! D is putting up their "Best of" polling for the next three months, and I'd like my friends and family to be some of the first votes! If you feel strongly about a restaurant (Craft!), bar (Old Monk!), sweets (Nothing Bundt Cakes!), or anything else, feel free to vote as much as you'd like. You can vote once daily.

Go here to make the magic happen.

Path to Success!

Today starts a new day. I'm getting back on the bandwagon, and trying to get my life in order. The other day I began a handwritten schedule of my week, and I've finally finished it. I've scheduled 55-60 hours of work, 3-5 hours of working out, 4-6 hours of study, and 3 hours of reading. I am planning on sticking to this schedule until the end of May, when my internship with D Magazine has ended. Then, I will reassess, and draw up a new schedule.

Do you feel this weather!? It's amazing! It's 65, the sun is shining, and there is a slight breeze in the air. I've opened my kitchen window (something I plan on doing more often once we move), and the cats have swarmed by it. It's their new hobby, evidently.

This Saturday I am hosting a Family Reunion planning meeting at our apartment. It might be the last time we have a group of people over before we move. Which brings me to another point: We're of course moving, but we have a place, date and plan now. We're moving April 16-19th to an apartment at Tonti Lakeside. It's snuggled between Walnut Hill Lane and Park Lane. I am really excited because not only will we be closer to both of my jobs, we will have a patio for cookouts/dinner parties, a bigger closet, the new Whole Foods around the corner, and Northpark Mall at our doorstep.

One other thing before I go. I didn't mention the debacle with the wedding cake at Rex & Jana's wedding from March 14. And yes, debacle is the totally correct word. As Martie was finishing the cake, she asked that Michael and I help put on the finishing touches. Which means I will be doing the finishing touches. I placed the cake topper on top, and finished with a circlet of roses around it. Little did I know there was a wooden dowel rod stuck right in the middle of the cake, causing the topper to not sit correctly on top. And it was ceramic. And heavy. You see where this is going. It toppled over, taking 1/3 of the top layer with it. We FREAKED, and just stood there for a second before I filled it with icing, and moved on. I added other decoration, trying to keep it together. Take a look at the finished product.

Also, it was a little warm in the room, causing the icing to melt a little. It was an amazing cake, though. Martie made all six layers: two French vanilla, two Italian cream, and two hummingbird. Very yummy.

Now, I'm off to have lunch and plan the dinner for Saturday night. I'm thinking roast chicken, roasted carrots, parsnips, onions and potatoes, and rosemary garlic ciabattas. Ugh, I'm hungry already!

Return to Previous Subjects

Okay, so I'm guessing my hair doesn't look too hot considering the lack of comments here and on Facebook. I get it. Thanks, guys. I'll just throw it in a ponytail (ponyhair?) until it grows out a little more. Or, better yet, all of you guys can shove it! I kinda like it now, so I'm going to wear it with pride. So ha, take that.

On another note, the new Whole Foods at Park Lane is amazing. Lest I get myself into trouble, I should leave it at that. But I can't. Their layout is different from other Whole Foods I've been to, but don't worry, Foodies, everything is still there. And more. The geniuses that are management decided to incorporate a wine bar, barbecue stand, and a large bulk section into this store.

You can buy olive oils and vinegars by weight now. Oh God. Where is my paycheck going? Oh, and what is that I hear? Live music outside? Perfect. Only a block away from one of my employers, I'm fiending to go there for lunch pretty much every day. The SALADS! The ciabatta rolls! The vegan delights! Just the produce is making me drool. Go and see for yourself.

New Haircut

Here is is:

What do you think?

Concert

I want to see her concert on July 22.
Take a guess, or is it obvious?