Our Big Fat American Road Trip [VII]

After our long exciting day, Gerry and I felt like we needed more. There is just so much to see, and Yellowstone is enormous. It's over 3,000 square miles! So we spur of the moment decided to extend our trip to go back a second day. The second day was overall really fun, but I had some weird wardrobe malfunctions. Windy day+skirt= no go. I also made some poor footwear decisions, so I was kind of crabby for part of the day. We still had a great time, and one of the most serious laughing attacks of the whole trip. Very photo-heavy post ahead, and beware there's a gross picture of my Yellowstone "injury" at the end. =)

Check out the Elk Party.

So after whining excessively about my shoes giving me blisters, I put flip-flops on and we headed to look at the petrified tree. On the way I stubbed my toe resulting in the most intensely chipped toenail of all day? Naturally I took a picture, wanna see? It was pretty intense, and it made Gerry and I die laughing. We've determined no one has weirder problems than me. 

I suppose you can also note the blister. Sorry, I know most bloggers don't show off their nasty feet, but I'm shameless and I thought it was grossly amazing although it may be TMI. 

the petrified tree.

Smooches!

I thought wearing a second skirt might help the windy-blowing problem. It didn't; just made me look silly. I wish I could take it off in this picture, but I still like it.

Tights & Flats

Aren't you impressed with the blogging blitz? My main squeeze has been out of town. In the absence of snuggling, I turn to dating my blog. I was really behind, so it's definitely a good thing. I'm allowed to wear whatever I want to work. Most of the time I'm pretty casual, this is a little more "office". 

Cardigan, Blouse & Tights Target / Wrinkly Skirt LB/ Necklace & Belt Thrift / Shoes Nine West (Macy's)

I have no idea how I haven't blogged these flats before, but I love them. I definitely find them hard to style. Still haven't found the perfect dress to wear with them, so I usually wear them with jeans or how I've styled them here. 

Also, I really like the way these Target (Merona) tights fit. I actually weigh more than the suggested maximum and they are right on the cusp of being too small, but luckily fit nicely (so long as I don't gain a few pounds). I love that they don't have reenforced thighs, and don't get bunchy around the ankles  (the reason I've never ordered from We <3 Colors). Unfortunately, they rip pretty easily in the crotch. If I'm being real with you, I always save the packaging and receipt, and return them if they rip after the first couple wears. Question my ethics if you like, but I think purchases should be able to withstand more than that. Target's return policy is pretty liberal, and I never have problems. I do the same thing with Assets brand, which really should be higher quality considering the price tag. 

How long do you expect tights to last?

Our Big Fat American Road Trip [VI]

It's been awhile since one of these! I still have a lot of pictures left though. To pick up from where I left off a month ago, Gerry and I went straight from the picturesque Tetons to the fascinating, seemingly-endless Yellowstone National Park. I'm not much of an outdoorsy girl, but everything there is so interesting. Just a one-of-a-kind place. 

Old Faithful

Amazing.

Autumn Uniform

Suggested soundtrack - Black Cab by Black Tambourine

I just adore this. Shoegazy, dream pop greatness.

So, apparently I haven't posted an outfit since my birthday. Did you guys know that? Yikes! I've had several outfits on my camera, and then I thought my camera was broken because it wouldn't turn on when I put "new" batteries in it. Did you guys know that rechargeable batteries stop working? I didn't, what a crock! After realizing that, I bought some dollar store batteries, and it still didn't work! That's when I kinda started to freak. But then I bought legit, new ones, and bingo! Back in business. 

Cardigan & Tights Target / Dress Old Navy / Scarf Thrift / Belt LB / Boots Macy's

I really must be honest: this outfit is old. I've just never blogged it. I've been wearing a variation of this outfit revolving around this plain, colorblock dress for more than two years. For awhile, it was my first date outfit. This outfit has been around longer than Gerry! It's also my concert standard. I've worn this dress to see The Get Up Kids, the Pixies and Guided By Voices. Want proof? This is me before seeing GBV. Almost entirely the same. 

I tried to find a picture from seeing the Pixies, but this beer-splashed, boob picture was the best I could come up with. I spilled running up the stairs because they started playing "Crackity Jones".

It's easy to manipulate with a different belt, scarf, cardigan and/or shoes. It's my Autumn uniform. 

Apparently, I am not alone, and I was ahead of the game prior to moving here. According to The Frisky, this is how Portlanders dress. Ha!

Are there any outfits you constantly recycle that are the same, but different? 

For lack of a better term. 

Thanksgiving & Sausage Stuffing

Thanksgiving ended up being exactly what I wanted it to be: delicious and not overly stressful. Gerry and I did a great job planning and with time management. Dinner was served by 4:30, and nothing was undercooked or burnt--- Success!

Things really turned out well! I wish we would have had the other couple take a picture of us. I had a cute outfit on, and everything! Damn. At least Gerry's handsomeness got documented that day. 

Planning a holiday is stressful, and I give my mom props. It's hard work. There was one meltdown moment; it happened the night before. I started making my mashed potatoes to lessen the day-of load. I had bought a 3 lb. bag of Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled 'em and threw 'em in a pot of boiling, salted water. Twenty minutes later I went to see if they were fork-tender. I opened the pot, and my jaw dropped. The water was a murky, yellow mess. The potatoes completely disintegrated, becoming really stringy and the consistency of baby food. I've never seen anything like it. I googled it, and it has to do with being a bad harvest (or something like that). Had I cooked them differently, they may have been okay, but boiling--- NO. So yeah, I had a freakout, and made Gerry drive me to Fred Meyer at 10:30 PM. Second batch turned out yummy. Any kitchen crises occur for anybody else?

As previously mentioned, here is the recipe my mom always uses for stuffing. It's the must-have recipe for our family; my favorite part. I think I really did it justice, although traditional things often taste better when mom makes 'em. I want to say my mom cut the recipe out of a magazine, and it's by Tennessee Pride breakfast sausage, but I didn't see it listed on the website. 

Mom's Sausage Stuffing

1 lb breakfast sausage
3/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
3/4 cup celery, chopped
1 med yellow onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
10 cups dry bread cubes (definitely include some white bread, but you can use a mixture)
Enough chicken broth to moisten mixture

Lightly toast bread in oven on both sides in 300 degree oven. Cook and crumble sausage in skillet, then set aside in paper-towel lined bowl. Drain off a little fat, then cook celery and onions in leftover drippings until just tender. Mix sausage back in with the veggies, then add parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and basil. Place bread cubes in large bowl, and add sausage mixture and chicken broth. Don't add too much broth! Mix gently. Stuff the turkey, and then bake excess in ungreased casserole dish at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

I think this recipe would be awesome with a chopped apple. I meant to try it, but forgot to buy one!

mrs. kitty lou claws

If you follow me on Twitter, perhaps you read the saga of a kitty waltzing into Gerry's and my life. We had been seeing this kitty for roughly a month, and gradually started petting her, and occasionally feeding her. One night after feeding her a few minutes prior, I went out onto our balcony, and there she stood meowing at me, asking to come in. Gerry and I debated it, and I suggested we open the front door to see what would happen. After a few minutes she sauntered upstairs, and I sent Gerry off to buy kitty food and a litter box.

I think all animals deserve love and a good home. Gerry and I let her live with us, and named her Mrs. Claws. It wasn't long though before we realized this arrangement jut was not going to work for us. I have terrible cat allergies. Incessant sneezing, drippy nose, itchy throat, swollen bright red eyes and difficulty breathing (allergy-induced asthma issues). After a week I was a total mess, and Gerry hated being around me because I was so miserable. 

I felt so guilty. I still feel guilty. Also, a little surprised. I thought I could tough it out because I grew up with a cat in the house. Let me tell you though, being a kitty's sister is a lot different than being her caretaker and source of affection. When you're the person who calls her to come home and feeds her, you're the person she turns to for snuggles and love. Who can turn that away? Kitties need pets.

After three weeks, some newspaper and Craigslist ads, and a lot of phone calls and emails, Gerry and I brought her to the Multnomah County Animal Shelter this past Saturday. It was a teary departure letting her go.

There's good news, though! Kitty Lou Claws was microchipped! Today I went back to the shelter to submit papers to be be a last resort phone call to prevent the possibility of euthanization, and they told me they were able to contact her owner. She had been missing for a year! Her owner said she would be picking her up this evening. I started crying when they told me because I am a huge baby. I also found out that she really didn't stray too far from home. Gerry and I are sort of expecting her to wander back our way. Wouldn't that make the cutest story? If that were to happen, I'd take further measures to get my allergies under control. She is such a sweet cat. I really, really hope Kitty gets home, and gets the love she deserves. It sounds like that is exactly what will happen.