Ribtacular!

Attended the 20th Annual Rib Cook Off in Sparks this evening. It was actually the first time Brandon and I have been able to go in our three summers here! Although we had some mighty fine ribs, I was sad there weren't any stalls from Kansas City - even though Kansas City Barbecue Society was a sponsor in this whole shindig. I also managed to find sun tea, but no sweet tea. Damn it ya'll ... don't you know if there is going to be a BBQ Rib contest there needs to be a participant from Kansas City making some kick-ass KC style BBQ ..... and there needs to be some sweet tea. Sheesh Nevada... get it right.*

We got to see Joey Chestnut kick some serious tail in a rib eating contest ... that was pretty awesome. The dude at 9.8 lbs of rib meat in 12 minutes!

** all of these shots were taken using my Canon 50mm f/1.4**

We did some eating ourselves...













.. and a few other random pictures ...

*I could very well be wrong, and just happened to miss the Kansas City rib stall & sweet tea completely, but I'm fairly certain there wasn't anything like that there.

Bun in the Oven

Remember this family? They threw this fabulous birthday party for their adorable little girl? Well, they are expecting another little bundle of joy and have asked me to help document her pregnancy with some maternity pictures along the way. She's due in January, but we got a head start on some pictures! Here is the beautiful mom, at 20 weeks ....

**I used a combo, my 50mm f 1.4 and my 24-70 f 2.8 for these shots**

Spoiled Rotten, I know.

A little update on my dogs' switch to raw food... it worked! Hallelujah! Thor's vomiting is significantly less frequent, if almost non-existent now. Their gas... practically GONE. Except for when they were on Honest Kitchen's dehydrated raw food (while camping)... but they didn't do so hot on that stuff anyway.

We feed the recommended dosage of Nature's Variety Raw Patties, twice a day. With some help from Colleen and other Woofers, we decided to add some raw veggies to their meals - kind of helps act as filler, since Thor always appears to be ravenous even after he's eaten (though he is maintaining his weight nicely, so I know he is getting "enough"). Today, was chop up veggies day... so I thought I'd bring along the camera and show you just how spoiled rotten my little booger-butts are! ... and you know what... I don't mind doing this ONE BIT! Not if it means no more vomiting, no more gas, and firm poops! Seriously, this raw diet has been a much need solution to some very stinky/messy digestive problems!

The veggies: carrots, crookneck squash, zucchini, celery, kale (usually I add an apple, but was fresh out today.)

Out comes the old-school food processor - circa 1980-something?

By this point, I've got someone's attention!

Voilà! Raw chicken patties served on a bed of fresh chopped veggie medley.

Nom Nom Nom!

Eventually, I'd like to stop using Nature's Variety and possibly make the switch to actual raw meats. But, I know I have lots of learning to do before I can make it that far! For now, this diet is working wonders.

Puppy Fever

I'm awake at 3:00 am for no good reason, other than my brain Will. Not. Shut. Off. I tagged a few photos in my Myspace  albums, and tagged a few on my Flickr account. The few on my flickr were mostly my dog pictures .. my dogs. In the end, I decided to do a similar search in everyone's photostream and quickly became overcome with sweet puppy goodness. OMG. Seriously, that much puppy goodness should NOT be allowed at 3:00 am. 

Before I knew it, I had a bad case of puppy fever coming on and it was all I could do to squelch it. We do not need another dog. Our lives are not right for a third dog right now. Two is enough. For crying out loud, how did I let myself get swept away in all of that puppy goodness?

So, to help cure my puppy fever, hopefully, and to fill this blog with (as Jamie put it) fluff... I thought I'd share some old pictures from my two, very own, lovable,potty bell ringing, couch chewing, explosive shitting, stuffy de-stuffing, plant eating, panty wearing, little balls o' fur.

OK, so I only had access to Finn's puppy pictures on my laptop... so that is all you get - grown up Thor and puppy Finny-Marie :D I'm sure you wont complain.

 





This one isn't very clear, but I love that it is trying to show Finn rough housing with Thor right back!

And a few of their posed shots together...






 

Is Summer Over Yet?

You may have noticed a trend with me this summer... excuse after excuse for why I'm not posting. Heck, Exposaroonie is even going through some rough times. We have plans for Exposaroonie, we just need some time to work on them. Back when it was just PhotoPie... I didn't feel the "obligation" to post the challenge like I do now. I don't want it to be an obligation. Unfortunately, I'm like that kid that doesn't like to be told what to do. Now that the challenge is more formal, I'm finding a harder time making the time to participate and create new challenges. I don't want to feel this way... so I need to come up with a way to make it more enjoyable for me. And truth be told, the lack of submissions (mine included) in the last challenge, didn't help with the lack of motivation. Don't read into this. I still love the idea of Exposaroonie... and I still want to keep at it, along with Ashley... I just need to get out of this summer funk. 

 

The summer has also brought activities, like camping, weekend trips out of town, and just being busy. I've also realized how miserable I was and fixed it by changing some things. It was a big deal for me, something I stressed about for quite some time. The stress was so much, I lost 9.2 lbs in two weeks... and I don't loose weight .. I maintain. I was a big ball of emotions... but I'm now over it, and in a better place. 

Now, I'm actually looking forward to getting up, showering and heading to work. I'm not counting down the days until the weekend... I'm actually counting down the hours until my next outfit change for work! I know it is only week one, but I'm enjoying this change. This also means that I'm happier at home. I'm enjoying hanging out with my husband and kicking back and just enjoying the olympics.

Jamie summed it all up quite well over here. Go read her post so I don't have to try and change her words into my own or get busted for plagiarizing ;) I swear she read my mind when she typed that. 

With that being said, regular scheduled programming will resume in the fall (for EmilyPie, that is). Until then, I'll still hit you with pictures here and there... but don't expect anything more than that. 

and because pictures of puppies make EVERYTHING better... 

Some Might Call Us Crazy

We're back, safe and sound, from a little weekend away with friends. Friday evening, Brandon, the pups and I headed up to Lake Almanor along with Mario, Crystal, (7 month old) Scarlett, and their two dogs. We had a small camping trip in a camp ground we'd never been to.... with the incapable beings outnumbering the capable. (Does that even make sense?) 

Thankfully, this camping trip was no where near as bearventful as the one we all went on last year! Actually, I don't think there were even any bears at this site ... surprisingly. 

I didn't have my camera out for most of it, but I did manage to snap a few shots to share... 

Oh yes, and Brandon and I were there as well! ... Though we aren't too fond of being in front of the camera....

You Have My In-Laws to Thank for This

Untitled from Emily Pie on Vimeo.

This funny little video was taken about 2.5 years ago. We were in Houston, to see my brother before he shipped out for Afghanistan. We stayed at Brandon's Dad's house and when I say I have NO problems kicking back and having fun with my in-laws, I mean it. This video is proof of that. Funny thing, when I watch this video, the only thought that goes through my head is, "Damn. I want long hair again!" ... I'm pretty sure a normal person's reaction would be more along the lines, "OMG What the hell was I doing!? There is no way this is going on the internet!"

A little story behind the "dance" I did in this video... my brother and I actually "choreographed" it together when we were younger. We also made one up for Tim McGraw's Indian Outlaw. And, when doing the dishes together, we have been known to sing a fabulous rendition of Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King .. complete with character conversation as an intro.
















Contrary to what the previous description may have led you to believe, my brother is now married to a gorgeous woman, with a beautiful son... and is currently deployed in Iraq.

This last one is of my brother and his wife.

Drawing a Line

I made my Twitter account private... thought I'd let you guys know. I also took it down from my blog. I don't know of everyone who reads my blog, so I don't post anything here that I wouldn't mind other people reading (lame, I know.). However, I've recently found myself ranting away on Twitter. Some things are just best left between me and those I've chosen to read it. 

So, don't take offense to my making my twitter account private. If you still want to read my twitters... as enthralling as I know you guys find them... create a twitter account, and follow me. 

http://twitter.com/emilypie 

Love Birds

I wasn't planning on staying up until midnight, editing photos and watch the scrumptious American men in tights kick ASS in all things Olympics ... but I did. And since I did ... I thought I'd share some pictures from my engagement session this evening.

The River Wild

Brandon and I met up with our friends in Truckee to float the Truckee river - an activity which, though it is quite popular, Brandon and I have always been busy in the past to meet up with our friends when ever they've made this trip in the past. This time, we were able to make it! And OMG, I want to just do it over and over again... like that one time I rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World about a half-dozen or so times -  in a row. This was THAT much fun. 

They say, the typical route starts in Tahoe City.... but we got in in Truckee and floated a few hours down. We hit a few rapids. Some were rougher than others - considering we were in an inner tube and all. I even whacked one really well with my butt... I'm have sitting troubles this evening. Ouch.

It was a GORGEOUS day. 







Melinda! 

Michael

I don't know who these pasty legs belong to! .. Haven't a clue. ;) 

Family Time

Some friends of a friend were in town this weekend... some friends who just happened to have me photograph their wedding a while ago... and we met up for a little family portrait session this evening. (After stressing about my camera which needed cleaning... badly. Hubby came to the rescue... but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be sending her off for a week to get some professional TLC)

Pay no attention to my siggy. Photoshop butchers the signature when the picture is resized in lightroom first.

Not Quite a Woman

Confesstion: I'm not a shopper. OK, so I am really  torn between hating it and loving it. I think I like the idea of shopping more so than the actual event itself. I will go several months with out buying something, anything,  other than food, coffee and booze. 

I can go half a year with out setting foot into a mall. Hell, I can go an Entire. Month. without going to Target. Even worse, I can go into to Target after said month, and leave with nothing. Nada. Zilch. 

My wardrobe consists of like, seven items I wear - a lot.  My shoe collection  is laughable.   I could list all of my wearable shoes on one hand. My tennis shoes were purchased in 2005. And one pair of shoes... I have had since 1998! For real. They actually just crapped out on me this evening. I was so bummed too. It means a shopping trip in the near future to replace them. 

Shopping isn't the only "girly" gene I lack. For my wedding, I didn't get a manicure or pedicure. Though there was that waxing incident ... 

My eyebrows.... I don't touch them. In high school I tried waxing them once or twice, but they always came out crooked and I could never bother with keeping them up. Plucking? Fuhgetaboutit. I think I plucked my eyebrows for the first time ever... oh a few months ago. But haven't touched the tweezers since. 

I haven't had a hair cut since October. Yikes. That is just unhealthy for my locks, I know. I get that. But I hate having to keep up with it! (Never mind the fact that I have the tendency to make irrational decisions after waiting for 30 minutes and flipping through crazy hairstyle book after crazy hairstyle book) My typical routine is to shower, blow-dry half of it (the top half) and then shove it into a pony tail. I do this about 90% of the time. 

Sometimes I rock the Oompah-Loompah look.

Last but not least, there is my make-up routine. It takes all of three minutes ... tops. It doesn't matter if I am going to the store or to a club, or if I am wearing only mascara and gloss (oh, I use Chapstick brand chap stick and not lip gloss, let alone lipstick), or a "full" face .. three minutes, tops! I also never reapply my make-up. Never. Not even after I cried my eyes out during our wedding ceremony ... you know... before our pictures. 

My Going Out look.... isn't very exciting, is it?

How I typically look.

I have just come to accept the fact that that stuff isn't for me.  And you know what? It is a good thing I am not that person, because if I were, I think my husband would hate me. 

I Can't Get No...

I had a craving for something other than my standard, leftover, grilled chicken and veggies for lunch today. I decided to hit up the drive-thru (shudder. I know) and grab me one of those tasty (looking) new Southern Style chicken sandwiches from McDonald's. I ordered and pulled ahead with my debit card out ready to be swiped. 

Nope. Sorry. Not going to happen. 

Their credit card machine was down, did I have any cash on me? Ha. In this day in age? I save my cash for tipping the bartender! So, I pulled out of line and headed home to let the dogs out. 

The craving stayed with me, and not be able to have it made it worse. So, I headed to the ATM to pull out $20 and back in the drive-thru line I went. This time, I ordered and had a crisp bill in hand to pay for my sustenance. The McDonald's employee and I exchanged goods. I drove to a shady spot and opened my sack, pulled out a (surprisingly light) box... only to find a box of chicken tenders. Not curiously non-chicken-like-nuggets.. but real, chicken tenders. Blah. Who wants that? 

That meant I had to get out of my car and head back inside and explain that my order was wrong. I finally got my southern style chicken sandwich and dashed for the car. I couldn't wait to devour it! 

Guess what? That sandwich wasn't very good. There's nothing on it but two pickles! Ugh. I think the fried-crispy-goodness gods must have been trying to warn me. I should have paid attention. 

Monking Around

Some of you remember the friend of my husband's who decided to become a Buddhist Monk in Thailand. Some of you have even asked how he's doing. So, I thought I'd give a little update...


But first....


My husband, Crystal's husband, the Buddhist Monk, and (as you all like to call him) Will Ferrel have all been BFFs since they were .. oh two or three. They all grew up in Bakersfield together, and most of them went to high school together. They were in boy scouts and play groups with each other. When college came, they all went their separate ways (from UCLA to Cornell).

Left to Right: Andrew (aka Will Ferrell), Mario (Crystal's hubby), Brandon (mine!), Sean (the now, Buddhist Monk). 

When Brandon and I first started dating and I learned of these friendships, I was a might bit intimidated. I had had boyfriends who worshiped their friends to the point that no girl ever stood a chance. Even before I got a chance to meet these guys, I knew right away that .. oh my gosh.. not only do they have an incredibly special friendship... they have healthy relationships with each other AND others. These guys are fabulous role models for what friendship should be.

Yesterday, we got some pictures in the mail from Sean's ordination ceremony. He also sent an email telling us that after the ceremony, they travelled to northern Thailand for a retreat. Here are his words telling about the trip back to the temple: 

On the last day of the one month program, we boarded another double-decker touring bus to return to Bangkok. Our driver was in a hurry, so he sped through the windy mountain turns dangerously, narrowly escaping cliffs that dropped hundreds of meters down into a river. But the last turn proved too twisty for our driver, so our bus fell off of the road and began to roll down the mountain. I thought we were done for. We all did. Fortunately, a big tree at the edge of the final precipice stopped our momentum. If the tree wasn't there, I would not be alive right now.

After a few days in the hospital, he's now back at the temple and we were able to talk to him last night.  He seems quite happy with his decision, and plans on remaining at the temple for a while. 

Here are a few pictures of the ordination ceremony... 

Now, I don't know if Monk's are allowed to blog, but Sean... if you are, I highly suggest you start! ... Congratulations! (Is that what one says to another after they are ordained?) 

Fame!

A while back, Finny had a dose of fame on LOLBostons.com ... yesterday, a kind Woofer informed me that my pups had (somehow) made it onto ihashotdog.com. 

see more dog pictures

My Other Love

HIS name is Thor. Most of the time, I call him Thor-Bear, Bear, Bear-Claw... or even My little Baklava.

He's the oldest of my two, and by far, the most sensitive one. If he were human, he'd be our little poet. He is attentive, obedient (for the most part), and oh so eager to please. His most valuable skill is being the perfect size (lengthwise and widthwise) for spooning while my husband is out of town. He snorts and grunts in his sleep. His little bottom teefers are crooked. He is perfection in the shape of a sausage-y, mutant-sized, boston terrier. 

Changes

Like I mentioned before, I was in a funk last week. The truth can come out now, I was a little stressed. I was actually in the process of interviewing for a job I really wanted.

Long story short... I got the job. Today, I gave my two weeks notice to my current job. It was something I had stressed out about all weekend.

Changing jobs is a good thing for me, for many reasons. Though it is always hard to leave something you are familiar and comfortable with and start a new job and have to learn all over again, to be familiar and comfortable. I am up for the task. 

....All of that being said, I've been sort of in and out for a while because that is all I have really been consumed with recently and I couldn't quite discuss it on my blog. I actually prefer not to discuss anything about work on my blog, but figured this was benign enough yet still allowed for you to get a glimpse at what I've been doing lately. 

I start the new job in the middle of August... right after a short weekend camping trip with our friends! Woohoo. I really need the camping trip ... and I really need some s'mores. 

**PS... we aren't going camping until August 15-17.

His Favorite Spot

His name is Finnegan. We like to call him Finn, Finny, Da Finny-Winnies, and more recently, his nickname has been Skinny-Minnie... or Skinny for short.

He comes to you only when he decides he will allow you to give him attention. He can be stubborn. His most popular move, to stop dead in his tracks, stick out his bottom teeth, turn his head away from you and freeze. He usually does this when you are either asking him to do something, or getting him in trouble. He loves being perched on top of our love seat - either sleeping or with his ears perked and staring out the kitchen window watching people come and go. 

I love him. 

High Hopes

Around three months ago, Brandon and I decided to try and change our dogs' food. The change was based on stool quality and possible allergies.  We did some research and got some recommendations and eventually did a taste test to see which one the dogs actually preferred. Don't blame me! The taste test was actually inspired by this fancy lady! ha. 

Unfortunately, that food didn't help the situation. We waited about a month and their stools never firmed up. We decided to just gradually switch them back to their previous food, Canidae All Stages. 

This summer, Canidae announced that their dog food formulas were changing and that they were going to be manufactured by a less than reputable company. I don't know about you, but after the last dog food recalls and with Thor's history of digestive problems (regardless of if I brought them on or not), the new ingredients in the food and reputation of the new company worried me a little. 

Since I that initial food change in May, I've been pestering poor Colleen about her choice to switch Rocco to a raw diet. Rocco is a French Bulldog, and my dogs are Boston Terriers (poorly bred Boston Terriers, but Boston Terriers none the less). Both breeds actually have similar traits, from smooshy snouts, to ears that (should) naturally stand up and natural cork screw tails to their stout stature and broad chests. These breeds also prone to some of the same ailments.

My two boys, Finnegan and Thor, boston terriers. 

A picture from Colleen of Rocco, the Frenchie.

Colleen switched Rocco's food because of a vomiting issue. There wasn't an elongated soft palate or anything involved and her vet suggested switching foods. Her trainer took her to a holistic pet food store and recommended the raw foods. Since this change, Colleen's claimed that Rocco's vomiting has stopped for the most part. 

Brandon and I have a similar problem with Thor, and have a possible allergy problem with Finn. Today, I did some research and found loads of information on Woof Board and through out the internet concerning different brands of raw dog food. After reading the pros and cons of raw dog food, we came to the conclusion that it could be just what we were looking for! 

A few example of the benefits of raw dog food: (taken from Nature's Variety's website)

• Fewer allergies or controlled allergy symptoms
  
• Lush, glossy coat and helathy skin for less shedding
  
• Smaller, firmer stools for less backyard cleanup
  
• Healthy teeth and gums for better breath
  
• Increased energy for improved vitality and health

So... on top of it helping Colleen out with Rocco's tummy problems... we decided to give it a go. Our first day with it will be tomorrow. I know that with raw food the daily amount changes .. actually they eat much less because unlike dry kibble, their bodies are able to digest most of the food... but I am still nervous about how Thor is going to respond to "less" food each day. He's quite the piggy... but has a good 4 pounds to loose anyway.  

... I sure hope this works. 

The Cop-Out Post

I have a few blog ideas and even a few drafts right now. I've just been in a bit of a funk. I know I should write about my funk here, pour my soul out and all that jazz, but really, the funk is merely a bad case of womeness. If ya know what I mean. What I really want to do, go camping. Sarah is camping and in one of my favorite places ... Yosemite. Oh how I love this part of the country! Don't hate me, but I'd take Yosemite over Tahoe ANY DAY. OK.. only if you minus about several hundred thousand tourists! My camping trip will come one day... and that is keeping me focused! I can't wait to spend time with our long lost friends, our four crazie pups, and some tasty camp food! 

Until then, I'm going to steel a questionarie from another Sarah.... (both of whom I've actually had the pleasure of meeting in person... high five!)

Photographic Proof? Yeah, Iz Gots It! 

Taken by Sarah at Sensibly Sassy at Blogher 08

This is Sarah at Sarah Said's picture .. taken during Tacoroonie 08!

and now for my questions .... 

What will you improve on next week?

Next week, I'm going to fix my hair more often. Ha. That sounds so shallow, but hey, you and I both know I don't like to discuss things that are too personal on here... so you get fix my hair. Normally, I pull it back in a pony tail ... blah. Lately, I've rediscovered how little time it actually takes to straighten my hair if I wash it at night, go to bed with wet hair, and wake up with dry but poofy hair that takes 15 minutes to straighten!  

What was my biggest accomplishment this week?
Keeping the front of our house clean ALL week. All week folks! The dishes have been done, put away and the living room picked up! 

What have I done this week to get you closer to you life's goals?
My husband bought be new earbuds for my iPod, so I have a new incentive to head to the gym and ... I can't believe I'm mentioning this here............. RUN. 

        

    Crap. 

The cat is out of the bag now and I blame these two fearless females for their inspirational-shminspirational posts about just how good running makes them feel .. blah blah blah. 

What was hard for me this week and why?
I had PMS.... 'nuff said. 

What was my biggest waste of time this week?

Nothing really .... I actually enjoyed and benefitted from everything I did this week. If it would have been another week now ..... I may have had a different answer! 

What did I do that made me ashamed?
I acted like a funkity-funkity, woe-is-me pe