Fairport.

Last weekend, and yes I understand that I am writing this out of order and a bit late, I stopped by the Fairport Canal Days.  Comparable to Canandaigua's own "Main Street Show" or the "Waterfront Festival" there was a multitude of vendors from all different walks of life.  Festivals get me sometimes because of (a) the strange people you meet and (b) all the wacky stuff people sell but sometimes you find a hidden treasure that you'll cherish forever.  Sadly, Canal Days did not provide me with any such treasures but instead a rather tasty Cheeseburger which later turned out to be...not so tasty.

Afterwards I ventured over to a seven year olds birthday party, of course it was Hannah my friend Mandy's younger sister.  She so secretly told me to attend and forgot to mention that I would be swimming and supervising/ face painting the faces of her friends, oops!  Fortunately my doggy paddle style of swimming sufficed for such a shallow pool and the deep end was not too challenging haha, I actually had a great time.

I have been lacking in the whole photography aspect of this blog quite a lot, my apologies.  Someday I will stop being lazy and actually do some good posts that take more than 5 minutes of my time.  Until then enjoy the rain.

French Dining & Classic Movies.

Last night Brendan and I decided to tackle my new cookbook Around My French Table by choosing Chicken Diable or more literally, Chicken Devil.  The dish, which incorporates a rather rich grainy mustard sauce was juicy and a perfect way to end our thursday.  For a side we paired the chicken with some broiled asparagus brushed with EVOO, salt and pepper and topped with a glass of dry white wine from Bully Hill Vineyards.

perfection.

We completed the evening with watching Casa Blanca, yes a classic indeed.  I remember the first classic I saw, Some Like it Hot and all I could think was oh no it's black and white!  Luckily Brendan assured me that my time would not be wasted and I was pleasantly surprised.

Casa Blanca proved to be a true classic film and I suggest it to anyone who will take the chance with a B&W.  Set during the time of WWII in unoccupied Africa, a couple comes to Casa Blanca in hopes of reaching America.  Victor and Ilsa had escaped Occupied France together as a married couple but surprises and secrets are revealed once they enter Rick's Cafe American.

Random Outdoor-sy Photography.

Okay okay I understand that my posts have been lacking in both numbers and creativity.  You would think that a girl with 1 job which takes up not even 20 hours a week could come up with something better than photography and a pasta salad.  I will try to improve, really.  But for now, you're stuck with this.  However, it is the weekend and an exciting one at that so look forward to some new and exciting posts about Kabobs, Abbott's, Festivals and maybe even a BBQ (if I can convince Brendan the non-planner or the relationship!)

For now we can focus on a few photos I took at both the George Eastman House and Onanda Park respectfully located in Rochester and Canandaigua New York.

The George Eastman House (outside the Gardens):

Onanda Park, Canandaigua Lake (Hike to the waterfalls):

A few of my babygirl frolicking in the yard:

Colorful Pasta Salad.

Sometimes during the summer months I struggle with what to fix myself for lunch.  Its either too hot out or cold and rainy, we can't win!  Summer for me means lots of fruits and veggies along with many grill nights.  However, we are still left mulling over either a sandwich or salad and what not.  Today I found the cure for this dilemma, Pasta Salad.

Easy Pasta Salad without measuring!

Whole Wheat Noodles (however much you'd like)

Tomatos preferably the colorful ones

Katamala Olives

Spinich

Red Pepper

Artichoke Hearts

Onion

 Feta Cheese

Italian dressing

YUM!

Coming Home.

In reading this blog you have been aware that Brendan, my boyfriend, spent the semester abroad in London, England.  I spent spring break visiting him and traveling both London and Paris, how breathtaking! He himself took multiple trips as well including a two week whirlwind adventure through Scotland (his homeland) with his brother, Patrick.

Tomorrow he finally comes home with his best friend Jake, their relationship is really closer than "best friend" status but all in all their both great.  While they're both sad to be leaving Europe after a trip to Germany and pub crawling London, I am busy planning their arrival (so typical me!)  Plan for a few posts on the next two days just because I'm too excited for words and simply have to fulfill my role as a emotional female.

Here's a few random pictures from my trip to London:

 Brendan fighting with a goose in a park near Buckingham Palace.  So confrontational.

 One of my favorite images.  The natural lighting was gorgeous out that day.

 Roman took this of us on the metro in Paris.  Meeting up with him at a local pub was so much fun!

 Brendan in a very touristy photo, something he dreads.

Last night in London on the Eye :)

Tummy Ache.

My lovely boyfriend and his best friend (or should I say significant other) turned me onto this video.  Epic Mealtime has become a sensation across America where people attempt to make the craziest meals and consume them.  Strange?  Hm, I wonder what other countries would say about this?  Probably that we are fat obnoxious Americans that don't care anything about our health but would love to become famous by Youtube just so we could say that we did it.  Well I would tend to agree with them, I find this video to be HILARIOUS.

Jake and Brendan kept repeating the "drink a da Chocolate Sauceeee" line to me last night on skype and I had no idea what they were talking about until I actually watched it.  Genius! I would have to go with the deep fried kit-kat bar if anything with, of course, the frosting dipping sauce.  In any case, watch it for yourself and let me know what you think.

Smart, Dumb, Funny, Genius? All I know is that I would need two things before ever attempting this at home (a) ambulance on call, and (b) completed will.

I'm a BIG kid (I Promise).

Okay okay okay, I was going to wait until exactly a week before the big summer concert season kickoff but I can't wait any longer! I am simply too excited.  In any case, Saturday marks the 1 week countdown to Kristen, Cara, Mandy and I's long journey (I mean 1 1/2 hours is a long way) to Buffalo, NY.  Backstreet Boys and New Kids on The Block will be amazing, common, should I expect less?  When I was at my heightened BSB phase, I want to say hmmm 4th grade, I was clearly too young for such a concert but now I am 20, a junior in college and ready to do it right.

We not only are taking Connie my Corolla but will also probs stop for a nice lunch along the way.  Janene, my mom, got us a Hotel close to the venue so we can taxi back and forth.  Oh, and there is a pool in the Hotel...which better be open after the concert! Champagne toasts are a must.