A little bit of comfort

I've had a very difficult week--so difficult that I can't even really write about it. However, there are always bits of images that provide comfort.

Growing up, my family proudly distinguished their household as a Filipino household because of the custom of taking of your shoes upon entering someone's house. Some even go as far as to have a bunch of sinelas or slippers for you to walk around the house.

At my uncle's house over the weekend, this tradition was displayed prominently in the entry-way. Even my cousin Maya would take time when she saw someone come in and try to put sinelas on someone's feet as they were taking off their shoes. Every time I walked in the house I had to smile at the pile of shoes and was comforted by the familiar surroundings.

thanks Dad

Last night we went to the Nats-Padres game. The team from the left coast won in the 14th inning. Luckily for us, my dad gave us tickets in a suite and we were quite comfortable for the five hour game. As you can see from the picture, attendance was light towards the end.

In what I can only hope is the beginning of a great number of comparisons, I likes this box a little more than the one in Philadelphia earlier this year. The inside area was similar, but Nats Park gets bonus points for the seats. In Philly they just had regular seats. At NP our seats were leather and had a high back, which was very nice during pitching changes in the 12th inning.

Other than the final score, it was a great night to be at the game. The weather had cooled off to the 60s and the sky was clear. The game went on so long they had two President's races - Teddy didn't win either - and we heard reports they were giving away free food downstairs, although we weren't about to mingle with the common folk on the other levels. And our seats were great.

Cocktails for Change

For all my Democratic friends out there, I need your help! I am on the host committee for an Obama fundraiser and need your help to raise money. It is a nice low-dollar fundraiser that you don't need a six figure salary to attend. Plus you can do you part as well as hang out to watch the debate. If you can't come to the fundraiser please still consider contributing.

Use this link to RSVP and in the comments section please include my name “Lelaine Bigelow.”

Quote of the Day

Inspired by one of my favorite blogs EavesdropDC, I am instituting a new topic that hopefully will fulfill our mission of giving some insight into our lives as well as making you laugh your a%* off.

Today's quote is from Chris: "Honey, you know I am not good with colors."

We ordered new bed sheets and I let Chris pick out the color. Surprisingly he chose the color willow, which he thought was gray. I think most others would guess that it resembles sea foam, sage or for the lay folk, light green. He was surprised at the color of the sheets when they arrived today and I asked him what he expected and he said gray. I then asked the question, what would you expect if it was called steel and he said rust or brown. An exasperated "what?" followed and then our quote of the day "Honey, you know I am not good with colors."

I must also tell one of my favorite wedding stories. This took place at our first florist appointment in Pensacola. I will admit it was at 9am, so a bit early to be someplace when you are "on vacation." It's been about a half hour into the appointment and I've been describing the colors and flowers I like. The official wedding colors were wine, blush and gold, but sometimes the word "berry" was used as a substitute for wine. So, again, a half hour into the appointment after much discussion between the florist and me, Chris wakes up and says "When you say berry, what do you mean? Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry?" Next comes me putting my hands in my face and shaking my head. I think he might have figured out color berry it is now.

I hope you like the new topic. It should be funny.

Good-bye Summer!

I made a little good-bye to summer dessert with the last bit of good summer fruit: peaches and blueberries. As always, this is a Nigella recipe slightly modified to suit Chris's tastes. My photography skills literally need some sharpening, but it's not eggs for dessert it is peach melba. Poached peaches (in simple syrup), Gifford's vanilla ice cream and a blueberry sauce. I still hope to make a peach pie, but my time may get the best of me.

My next post may have to be about apple or pumpkin picking. My fall goal is to make homemade applesauce, but that's not as photogenic. Any ideas for great fall eats and photos?

Labor Day Weekend with the Todds

We had some great company over Labor Day weekend. It's hard to believe it was a week ago (clearly I've been busy at work). Heather and Allen came to visit and we did what we do best: eat and veg out.

It's actually quite obvious with the pictures that we did a lot of things surrounding food. So much so that I was far too focused on it to even get pictures of the food! Here's a quick run-down of food-related activities

Friday: Lelaine and Heather have lunch at Luna's. At night the Bigelows, the Todds and Manhoff minus one go out to eat at Two Amys.

Saturday: Boys go golfing. Lelaine and Heather go to Le Pan Quotidien for brunch and walk/shop around Georgetown. After much browsing and a bit of buying Lelaine and Heather go to Bodega for a few tapas and cava sangria. Yum. The boys come back and we eat a light dinner at El Sol. SURPRISE!!! We hit Duffy's Irish Pub for Allen's surprise 30th birthday party with more food.

Sunday: Logan Tavern brunch. So good, but we all leave a bit wanting more food. Interesting. Then we go to the new Nats stadium and have more food. After the Nats win, we head to Sam's roofdeck for crabs. Later on Heather and Lelaine go to Mr. Yogato for frozen yogurt and fruit.

Monday: We fast for our meat feast to come...Fogo de Chao for lunch. A bit comatose afterwords, but we manage to get Allen and Heather to the airport on time.

I feel like there should be commentary about how restaurants have caused society to revolve around them and obesity, mainly mine, is to blame somewhere after this post, but that kind of thing is a part of the family business, so I shall encourage it.

Click on our flickr link (Lelaine and Chris's photos) to the left to see our few photos.