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Matter over mind (not mind over matter).

CAPES [something empowering] I have a friend who hops on the scale every day, but not because she's trying to lose weight.  Alternately, she religiously weighs herself to prove to her mind that - though she may have had a large bowl of ice cream the night before - it doesn't affect her weight the way her mind tells her that it does.  In a sense, she's placing matter over mind.  

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  The Station Pizzeria.  In Woodinville.  It pairs nicely between a wine tasting or two, and I completely recommend the Cubano.  And after a few wineries and pizzas, I refer to the #Capes section to remind myself that I didn't just gain 20lbs.    

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] If one is going to the ACM Awards in Las Vegas, what should they wear?  This person is open for suggestions.  And they are also wondering if they can justify buying a new pair of boots?  

Carrie O'Key just loves to sing.

For the first time, I am releasing my karaoke list.

Three+ years in the making, 
it records the songs that I* have karaoked 
(the x's mark the repeat offenders).

Please don't judge me.  

Carrie O'Key just loves to sing.  

* Occasionally featuring appearances by Tennessee and other Baranof hoodlums.   

Cheese. Cheese. And more cheese!

CAPES [something empowering] If you're going to talk about someone behind their back, make sure they are not sitting directly beside you at your local watering hole.  This happened to me last night.  I'm glad I didn't say anything I wouldn't have...but it's a good reminder nonetheless.   

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] The recipe for Beecher's "World's Best" Mac & Cheese pretty much has one ingredient: cheese.  The noodles are thrown in there so you aren't just eating straight cheese sauce (which I've done and it's delicious).  

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] Did you know that more guacamole gets consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day out of the year?  Not even Cinco De Mayo tops it!  

"Maybe Christmas," the Grinch thought, "doesn't come from a store." -- Dr. Seuss

CAPES [something empowering] True holiday spirit can't be bought, and it involves more generosity than one is usually willing to extend.  My hope is that you were able to be generous this season, as well as be on the receiving end of unexpected and genuine generosity.  Cheers!

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] One of my favorite gifts that I gave this Christmas was handmade layered scarves.  My friend in Hawaii makes them, and you can check her stuff out here.  

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  My nephew got a Power Wheel for Christmas.  He immediately took his brother for a ride, got in a minor accident, and then proceeded to exit the vehicle saying he ran out of gas.  Look out Redmond, he could be driving in a neighborhood near you!  

stay married

CAPES [something empowering] For all my married friends, as well as those that want to get married someday...the stay married blog is amazing.  

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  "I learnt the art of biting my tongue"  

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  There's a song by Brooke Fraser, featuring Aqualung, called Who Are We Fooling?  I always thought it was about breaking up, but it's actually not.  Amazing lyrics, and the perfect pairing to #staymarried.  

Who Are We Fooling?  
by Brooke Fraser (feat. Aqualung) 

So we're back here again
Tip toeing round the edge of the end
Wondering who will be last to admit
That we're finally over

Turned twenty one on the day that we met
Terrible shoes and implausible dress
It's funny how sad the funny things get as you grow older

Better or worse
But what else can we do?
And better or worse
I am tethered to you
If it's not either of us
Tell me who are we fooling?

I learned the art of biting my tongue
I tired of trying to guess what was wrong
Both agreed on where we should go
But not how to get there

We tried and tried to loosen the knots
Thinking once we're untangled we'll be better off
But it's these failures and faults that hold us together

Better or worse
But what else can we do?
When better or worse
I am tethered to you
If it's not either of us
Tell me who are we fooling?

This beautiful tangle that's bruising us blue
Is a beautiful knot that we just can't undo
Together we're one but apart tell me
Who are we fooling?

Cause real love
Is hard love
It's all we have
It's a break-neck
Train wreck
It's all we have

So we're back here again
Turning away from the edge of the end
Arm in arm

Better or worse
But what else can we do?
When better or worse
I am tethered to you
If it's not either of us
Tell me who are we fooling?

This beautiful tangle that's bruising us blue
It's a beautiful knot we just can't undo
If it's not either of us, tell me who are we fooling?

Together we're one, but apart tell me
Who are we fooling?

I'm too old for this...

CAPES [something empowering] It's easier to communicate with other people when you can lose the passive-aggressive undertone.  Get over it already. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  This "squishable" sloth keeps popping up on my facebook adverstisements.  If it doesn't leave me alone, I might justify purchasing one.  For my nephews, of course.  

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]   This weekend I'm cutting down my first tree.  My bet is that I can do it in less than 15 seconds.  I'll keep you posted...

winter. spring. summer. football.

UW vs. OSBoooo

CAPES [something empowering]  Forgiveness may not be a natural human response, but the act of withholding it has an outcome that is less desirable.  Read more empowerments about forgiveness here, here and here (apparently, it's is a theme I blog about frequently).     

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Lately, I've been trying to add more veggies to my daily smoothies.  Kale (just the leaves, not the stems) and carrot juice are delicious.  This week, I think I'll try spinach and avocado.  

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] Fall is officially here, and with it comes a few of my favorite things. 
As of November 1st, the pumpkin maple cupcake has arrived. 
The perfect pairing to Seattle rain is my red umbrella. 
With every husky game, I get to wear my cape and watch football.   
I wish fall/football season lasted longer. 

iPhone cases > iPhone

CAPES [something empowering] "You must forgive in order to understand.  Until you forgive, you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding...If you forgive you may indeed still not understand, but you will be ready to understand, and that is the posture of grace" (excerpt from Home, by Marilynne Robinson).  

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Lately, I've been tossing heaping handfuls of organic kale into my morning smoothie.  The magic bullet blends it to perfection, and it's just another way to go green!    

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Anyone else out there spending more money on their iPhone cases per year than their iPhones?  I'm in the market for a dependable, yet fashionable case.  Switcheasy has my vote so far.  

giving outfits a test drive

CAPES [something empowering] As of today, glassybaby has given over a million dollars to charitable causes dedicated to healing.  Their one-of-a-kindness now has a new goal: one million more.  

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  I have a boot problem.  Okay, addiction.  Currently saving up for these.  They look like they are made for walking, and [by this time next year] that's just what they'll do. 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Does anyone else give special occasion outfits a test drive?  Translation: I'm going to a garage dance party tonight in honor of my sister-in-law turning the big 2-9 (I love you Afton!!), and I've been testing out dance outfits all week.  Is it just the planner in me, or do other people do this too?  

cupcakes: an indulgence that should not be avoided and cannot be replaced.

CAPES [something empowering] One shouldn't worry about having dessert.  It's an indulgence that cannot be replaced.  

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  I look forward to Cupcake Royale's new cupcake of the month...but no month more than when the pumpkin maple is featured.  In 2010, it was featured in October.  In 2011, it was November.  As September is in its final days, I am less than a week away from finding out which month will be the month that I gain my winter weight. 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Speaking of cupcakes...I channel this little girl's spunk and spirit.  I want a cupcake every day.  Seriously...every single day.  

Don't pay full price for fashion.

CAPES [something empowering] I recently heard the following advice: "the key to unlocking where you're currently stuck is thankfulness."  I'm thankful for that reminder.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Evelyn Rose is a new consignment shop in my neighborhood, and I love not paying full price for fashion. 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Yesterday I cleaned out my garage, and simultaneously visited memory lane from the past 31 years of my life.  Various hairstyles haunted me as I cleaned out box after box.  Pictures showing hair that was permed, dyed with sun-in, streaked with plantium blond, and cut to a bob above my ears made me extremely grateful for my hair today. 

I will dare to live fully right where I am.

CAPES [something empowering] Feelings of gratitude may come and go, but being grateful is a posture...a state of mind...a choice.  It can be found in the murkiest and darkest places in your life.  Yes, gratitude exists even there.  Today, I am grateful for fresh blueberries, my red corso como flats, the light mist that cooled me off as I went for a run, and a much-anticipated afternoon cupcake date with good friends. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Stuffed green olives!!!  Lately, I can't get enough of them.  But while they are rich in vitamins and antioxidents, watch out, because 1 medium sized green olive can have as much as 300mg of sodium.  It's no wonder I've been waking up in the middle of the night thirsty.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  This past week, my good friend (a soon to be a mother of 3!) shared with me that at times, she wishes she could be more independent.  I found this interesting, because the majority of the time I long to be rid of my independence.  Why is it that we always seem to want what we don't have?  Again, today I will choose to be grateful for my freedom; rather than be hindered by my intependence, I will attempt to see it as a gift.  I will dare to live fully right where I am.*

*Inspired by One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

Just ask.

CAPES [something empowering] If you never ask for what you want, than you'll never know if the answer will be yes or no. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  I know there's only one more day left in July...but get yourself on over to Cupcake Royale ASAP before this cupcake goes away until July of 2013!  It rivals my favorite (the Pumpkin Maple), and totally deserves a drumroll....Blueberry Brown Betty.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Speaking of blueberries...while my nephew Cooper and I were picking blueberries the other day, he warned me not to step in what looked like a big pile of dirt.  I did anyway (whoops), and it was an ant hill.  The rest of the day I swore I had ants in my pants.  Literally. 

RE: self-esteem

CAPES [something empowering] RE: self-esteem...the bad stuff is easier to believe, but that doesn't mean the good stuff isn't true. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  A Canadian company has invented the coolest skins for your iPhone/iPad.  They are durable, easy to apply, plus they include wallpaper that coordinates with the design.  Love.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  You know you've reached a certain level of maturity when you can embrace your real-life size (i.e. I'm a medium, not a small...I haven't been a small since my freshman year in HS). 

A good summer read & an impossible ask.

CAPES [something empowering] In all types of relationships, it's important to be aware of your own expectations.  In practicing this, I've realized how irrational I can be, especially when I'm expecting the other person to read my mind.  Wittle down your expecations to the rational ones, and when the timing is right, find a way to express them in a non-passive aggressive way (because contrary to what you may think, being passive agreeisve is highly ineffective and incredibly unattractive). 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  My drinker count is up to 14.  I think I need to have a party.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  I'm in desperate need of a good summer read.  I'm looking for a book somewhere in the ballpark of The History of Love (Nicole Krauss) meets Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Jonathan Safer Foer), with an undertone of To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee).  I know...an impossible ask, but I would love your suggestions.  

Something WA and OR can agree on...

CAPES [something empowering] Dating advice from a grandmother: watch their actions, not just their words.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Here's a list of TV shows that I've conveniently been exposed to while spinning on my Rodriguez in the garage: Dexter, Downton Abbey, and Revenge.  The [supposedly] nice thing about summer is my transition from indoor to outdoor cycling.  The not-so-nice thing about summer is that I have no shows to watch when it is not-so-nice outside.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Before heading south for the California state line, I'm going to try heading east to Chelan.  Operation "summer" here I come. 

"you complete me" = biggest turn-off. ever.

CAPES [something empowering] Tonight, I watched Jerry Maguire.  And no I did not cry over the whole "you complete me" line.  That line is crap.  You don't want to date someone that thinks they are made "complete" only by you.  Gross.  Ick.  Date someone that has a backbone, please.    

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Cold pasta deliciousness: orzo, lots of basil, yellow+red+orange pepper, light champagne dressing, and fresh mozzarella cheese.  At least it tastes like summer (though it doesn't feel like summer). 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] However, I did cry when Ron Tidwell dances in the endzone.  Football-happy-ending-stories get me.  All the time, every time.  

rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb

CAPES [something empowering] Jesus said: "Love your enemies."  The extent you treat those who differ politically from you as enemies is the extent that you reveal your atheism.* 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] I haven't even tried it yet, but I know it's going to be a weekly favorite the entire month of June...Cupcake Royale introduces their Rhubarb Crisp Cupcake starting today.  My oh my. 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Speaking of rhubarb...I was at Lottie's the other night in Columbia City and had their homemade rhubarb sorbet.  The taste was incredible confirmation of why I need to eat this delicious celery-vegetable more often. 

*I've had this quote saved forever...but I don't remember where I found it.  M.K., is this you?

Silence is golden.

CAPES [something empowering] If you haven't learned this already, here's your chance:  The vibrate mode on your  mobile phone is not equivalent to silent mode.  In fact, vibrate mode is more annoying than that Michael Bolton ringtone you purchased. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  My new favorite summer salad (before consumption, I remove the red onions.  You can thank me later).  

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  The older I get, the more I use the "zoom" option in Microsoft Word.  I am currently typing papers for my last (LAST! FINAL!!) week of classes at a 150-200% zoom increase.  I will not get reading glasses.  Will not.  Not.  No.  Never.