Life is a Series of Tradeoffs

Spending money wisely is something that has been etched into my mind. Without spending much time on the various sources that left me laced with the value of a dollar I would like to bring your attention to my skillful approach of how to justify the money that does get spent frivolously. If it were a new shirt I would say, "Yes, I do have 3 other black blouses. However, this black blouse is work appropriate." If it were a new camera I would say, "Even though my old camera was still functional, I needed a new one for my blog's pictures to look more professional. I can still bring the other out to the bar."

It's hard to dispute those benefits, right?

Well, anyway, perhaps we can meet at a common place and agree that a nice meal out never takes much effort to justify. After all, eating out turns a boring night in into an occasion celebrated by eating with family or friends. Occasions are easy to justify! (Exclamation added to mask my frustration over how many occasional boring nights were turned into occasions.) However frustrating, it is true that the memories created at these meals will always be close to my heart, could never be replaced, and are always my favorite thing to spend money on.

As the nesters gear themselves up for what is sure to be a delicious holiday meal to celebrate friendship tonight at Victoria's Gastro Pub I began stalking the restaurant's menu: 1/2 price cocktails, lobster grilled cheese, duck fat fries. Oh. Mon. Dieu! Yes! How on anyone on earth pass it up? Slap a $20 price tag on a grilled cheese- some might say, "No, thanks."

And so Dad's old expression, "Life is a series of trade offs" comes into play... again. Because I cannot say no to fancy cocktails, cannot omit duck fat fries nor substitute a plain grilled cheese for the one adorned with lobster I have been forced to trade off some smaller pleasures in order to cushion my wallet. Here are some easy ways to pinch $30 from your wallet this week:

1. Nothing else to eat Chicken Salad: Make it one week night by combining hummus, whatever veggies you've got in the fridge, and canned chicken. Season it to your taste- I, of course, prefer hot sauce. Eat it for lunch on salad, toast or with pasta. Save yourself at least $10 you would have spent on other lunches.

2. No excuse to stop at Starbucks: get your coffee ready the night before. When you run out, drink tea instead. (It's the same amount of caffeine, you know.)

3. Easiest pumpkin muffins ever: 1 box spice cake mix+ 1 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin puree. Mix, bake and grab for breakfast. No extra money spent on breakfasts forgotten at home either.

4. Ask for a ride: the benefits of carpooling go beyond environmental salvation. For those of you with SUV's saving $10 on gas means cutting down just 50 miles from your weekly commute to work, the gym, grocery store, or bar in downtown Baltimore (Wait, should you even be driving there in the first place?)

Note: One glass of Victory's Old Horizontal Barley Wine Ale will have you sawing logs

Now, sink your teeth into that lobster grilled cheese, wash it down with a perfectly paired micro brew and smile because it was worth pinching pennies during the week to afford. (Dad, you were right again.)

One Lady's Old Sweater is Another's Treasured Statement Piece

The nest hosted a clothing swap over a Saturday morning fireside potluck brunch. The idea was this: bring all the clothes you love but don't wear anymore, one dish for brunch and as many bags as you wanted to donate to a charitable cause. The results: full tummies, fun and fabulous additions to all attendees' wardrobes. It's safe to say the event was a success! In fact, I was so excited about my treasured pieces I wore one Saturday night, Sunday and to work today!

Clothing swaps are AwEsOmE because they give you the opportunity to feel like you went on a shopping spree but you don't pay a dime and you get the added satisfaction of giving back to those less fortunate. Nest neighbor Dana offered to take all items donated to her mama bird's center for disadvantaged youth. (Thanks again, Dana!) Actually, a lot of the girls thought that no one would want the items they offered the swap but after a couple rounds of picks they found themselves surprised that their items were chosen among the most coveted (and Beans and I were like, "SEEEE?")

The girls that participated can't wait to come to another swap during the next season and the girls that came just for brunch are chomping at the bit for a piece of the action. There were a couple keys to success that I would like to share:

1. Set up the area for the swap items as professionally as possible: we used a rolling rack and hung the dresses/jackets and skirts. Sweaters, shoes and jewelry were laid out in neat rows so they could be easily browsed.

2. Draw numbers out of a hat for the order of picking. after everyone has had the chance to choose during a round, return the numbers and select at random again so everyone has a chance to choose first, last and somewhere in the middle.

3. Open up the floor after a few rounds. (you really had to be there to hear the howl of excitement when we decided all bets were off and we could go for whatever was left. It was straight from a movie script!)

4. Make sure guests have something to do while they're waiting for their turn at the loot. I think it would have been pretty boring in the meantime if we didn't have the brunch, fireplace and movies to keep us preoccupied.

Speaking of brunch I gave this recipe a try for the very first time and it was a very very very easy and a very very very yummy addition:

1 can of premade buttermilk biscuits

shredded cheddar cheese

eggs, beat with milk

cooked turkey bacon, chopped

• preheat oven to 350, grease cupcake pan


• remove biscuits from can one at a time and separate in half. place one half of biscuit in the place for one cupcake spreading the sides around forming a small bowl. repeat for each cupcake place


• beat approx 4 eggs with milk and pour into biscuit bowls until the egg just reaches the brim of the biscuit.


• fill with cheddar cheese and cooked turkey bacon to taste


• bake for 15 minutes or until edges of the biscuits turn golden brown and your egg center resembles a souflee.

serve warm and get 'em while ya can!

Happy Birthday to Ewe!

Tonight's post features TWO of my recent creations! The first was a gift for my friend, and the second was a gift to myself (a.k.a. my Halloween costume).


(1) For Ellen's birthday last week, I painted her something she requested about 8 months ago: "All I want for my birthday is a paisley lamb." So here it is...the paisley lamb!

(2) As you may have already seen in Toni's Sunday post, I was a narwhal for Halloween. All you need are some snorkeling flippers for a tail, an empty gift-wrapping paper tube for a horn--along with white duct tape and a headband, couch cushion covers for fins, a gray ensemble, someone to help you walk backwards all night, and someone to help you adjust your arm fins when they fall off because you don't have fingers. Next year I'm going as a unicorn.

This is what I was aiming for...

Oh yea, one more thing... HAPPY BiRTHDAY, CHAU!!!

It was IN-TENTS.

Oops, this post is a whole week late. Sorry! Whatever, you're still reading it aren't you? :)


Well, last weekend I went camping in WV with 17 friends. T'was tons o' fun. We camped, ate, hiked, climbed, ate, drank, danced, explored caverns, and ate. It got pretty chilly at night--not to be confused with CHILI, which we didn't get any of because it was all gone by the time we arrived at the Chili Cook-off. 


Staying on the topic of "lessons learned" (refer to Bologna's Halloween post), here are some lessons I learned from the trip and tips for your next camping trip:

1) Don't leave your car keys at the top of the mountain.

2) Don't bring your pet coyote with you.

      

3) DO travel with a doggie, so he can protect you against bears, bugs, mothman, etc.

(...or so that other climbers' dogs can stay entertained while their owners are too busy to watch/control their pet)

4) DO keep your helmets on at all times while inside the caverns (ahem, Erin...)

5) Do NOT feed the West Virginian wildlife.

This little kid actually came up to me and my friends, with an empty styrofoam cup in his hand, and asked for beer "for his daddy"...hmmm...

6) Invest in a nice, quality sleeping bag. While many of my fellow campers complained of their cold sleepless nights, I was warm, comfy and cozy inside my goose down mummy bag from L.L. Bean. I love it.

7) Get a headlamp. Although you may be confused for a miner or a giant lightning bug, you will find that headlamps are useful for so much more than just camping trips.

8) For cold feet, do NOT layer socks. Layered socks tend to be tighter on your tootsies, limiting circulation, and causing your feet to actually be COLDER! So get one good pair of wool socks and keep your piggies warm. I wore my SmartWool snowboarding socks.

9) Good snacks/drinks to bring for hiking/climbing: jerky, Smartfood popcorn, nuts, Clif bars, apples, Gatorade, lots of water.

10) Choose a tent partner who doesn't snore.

RUNRUNRUNforFUNFUNFUN

For many, the idea of "going for a run" is comparable to going for a whirl in an electric chair (SCARY STUFF!) But for others, those who see past the illusion of its sheer torture, you may relate to Bologna & Beans when we say;

"It's not that bad!"

In fact, we love running for funning! Reasons why you should join us:

1. Just as we decide to order pizza and watch a Modern Family marathon we'll decide to hit the asphalt with you instead. Having a running buddy will keep you running more often and motivated!

2. If we run together we can eat (Ahem: drink) together. Just think of all the calories we'll burn! That's a piece of pizza and a beer to celebrate! This fact is proven by the great Gwen Stefani of No Doubt/Gwen Stefani/L.A.M.B/Harajuku Lovers when asked how she keeps her (impossible) figure after having two children: "It's just a calories game. If you're going to eat what you want, burn enough calories to keep yourself looking good. It may be vain but it's what has worked for me." *sigh* LOVE her.

3. It will give us a chance to bond and relieve stress together.

4. Because quitters never win and winners never quit:

Do any of you have a running buddy? What are your favorite reasons for running with that person?

We leave you with this thought:

"You aspire to great things? Begin with the little ones." -St. Augustine.

Whether its incorporating running into an exercise regimen or shaving off that last minute of your marathon time you've got to start somewhere. Always put your best foot forward and remember to have fun!