A Talented Friend: Steph

My friend Stephanie Hua of Lick My Spoon never ceases to amaze me!  Yesterday she announced that she is being featured in Appetites, an iPad app.  Steph, along with several other food bloggers, show viewers how to create some of their favorite recipes.  But what is unique about Appetites is that you watch the dish being prepared from the chef's point of view, making it easier for you to imitate and create a very tasty meal.  Check out this video to see how awesome it is!



Download Appetites today and learn how to make some of the best recipes from Lick My Spoon.

Steph, congratulations!  I am beyond impressed.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Keb' Mo's Every Morning.

101 Things in 1001 Days: 45

I generally try not to write too much about my job on this blog.  I'm very happy where I work, but I think it is good blogger practice, and probably common sense, to not talk too much about your work place in such an open forum.  That being said, I have completed #45 on my 101 List: Do something great at work.  When I added this goal to my list I wasn't sure exactly what I was reaching for but I felt like I would know it when I saw it.  I won't get into specifics, suffice to say that as this project developed and grew I knew it was going to be "great."  And what I mean is that it was great for me.  It challenged me, it helped me learn new things, it allowed me to work closely with new colleagues, it challenged me some more, and in the end it was very fulfilling.

Song of the Day
Today's song is The Beatles' Hard Day's Night.

Indulging Your Inner Nag

You know who I would most like to bitch slap?  That little nagging voice in my head.  It is always on my case.  "You aren't going to have a salad for lunch? You aren't going to send a birthday card?  You aren't going to get up early and go to the gym?"  Enough already!  I'm not perfect and that voice reminds me every chance it gets.  But here is the thing about that little voice.  It is kind of like your mother when you are a teenager...you know it is right but it kills you to admit it.

Yesterday my nagging voice was in hyper drive and it was driving me bonkers.  So I decided to indulged it.  Everything it wanted, it got.  At lunch I was jonesing for some pizza but the voice was in the mood for salad.  So we had salad.  In the afternoon I didn't feel like running errands in the cold, but the little voice insisted that we needed mouth wash.  So now we have mouth wash.  Did I enjoy the salad or the errand.  Nope!  But the funny thing about the little voice is that when you give it what it wants, it shuts up.  And the peace I received was fabulous.  A good name for my little voice would be "Right."  It always wants what is healthier or smarter or kinder...it always wants the right thing.

After spending yesterday indulging my inner voice, I found that it is not so demanding today.  I had pizza for dinner and no one had anything to say about it.

Song of the Day
We haven't had any Madonna lately here on Positively Anna.  Please enjoy Border Line.

The Summer of the Super Hero

I have a thing for super heroes (generally and one in particular).  And I'll be one lucky girl this summer because there are FOUR super hero movies coming out.  Matt was thrilled to hear that we will be planning our summer vacations around their release dates.

Thor is coming out on May 6th.  You may recognize that bearded stud, Chris Hemsworth, from the first 10 minutes of Star Trek.  In other awesome news, the newest installment of Star Trek is due in theaters the summer of 2012.



X-Men: First Class will be in theaters June 3rd.  The X-Men are far and away my favorite super hero troop.  It is unclear if Wolverine will make a cameo in this film, which focuses on the founding of X-Men.



The Green Lantern is scheduled for theaters June 17th.  I'll admit I know little about the Green Lantern, but this is the one super hero movie I won't have trouble getting my girlfriends excited about.  Ryan Reynolds baby!



And the last super hero movie on tap for the summer of 2011 is Captain America, in theaters July 22nd.  This is kind of like World War II historical, super hero fiction, or as I like to call it, BEST MOVIE EVER!



What movies are you excited about seeing this summer?

Song of the Today
Today's song is Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out for a Hero.

101 Things in 1001 Days: 93

When I coach people on starting their own 101 lists, I'm adamant about a few things.  One of them is that you don't want to create a laundry list.  Filling your 101 list with things that are on your to-do list is a surefire way to make you lose interest quickly.

That is not to say there might not be some mundane things on your list.  #93 on my list was to complete paperless billing.  This certainly wasn't a hoot to do.  But it is good for the environment and helps me pay my bills on time.  I'm happy I've done it and it make me feel good; excellent qualifications for the 101 list.

CAVEAT: I know I just said don't add things from your to-do list, but if they have been there for a long time maybe it is ok.  I find it best to think about why you haven't completed the item.  If you are scared or it is something you truly don't know how to do, ok put it on your 101 list.  But if you are just being lazy, just DO IT already and save your 101 for the fun and exciting stuff.

Song of the Day

Today's song is Destiny's Childs' Bills, Bills, Bills.

Best in Show According To Me

You long time readers of Positively Anna know I love dogs.  And that Matt enjoys ruining my life by not letting us get one.  The Westminster Dog Show was this weekend and the New York Times has posted all the beautiful and adorable best in breeds.  Here are my favorite.

This is Maddow the Chow Chow.  I will take him home and he will be my pillow.

This is an Australian Sheppard, which is what I had growing up.  I'll admit this is the teenage stud version of our dog.         

This is a Bernese Mountain Dog.  This is the kind of dog I hope to get one day.  I'm aware he looks like the 2.0 version of the Australian Sheppard.

This is Ziggy the Pulli.  He is the Best in Show as far as I'm concerned.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Neon Trees' Animal.

Katie Jane's 101 List

I love looking at other peoples 101 Lists.  My talented friend Katie, who did my profile photo, started hers at the beginning of the year.  Here are some of my favorite items from her list.

7. Try acupuncture
8. Have a wedding blogged on Style Me Pretty
23. Photograph another destination wedding

29. Learn to make magnificent macaroons
40. Join a CSA
43. Learn how to make chicken and dumplings from my grandma (Katie's grandma, not mine)
44. Go to a Moth live event
58. Go to WPPI
59. Mentor a budding photographer
75. Have a small oil painting done of my cats
91 to 94 are private

I'm so glad Katie included some private goals on her list.  While telling other people about what you hope to accomplish can help you stick with it, not all your goals have to be public knowledge.  Don't be afraid to keep some items on your list to yourself.  Check out Katie's full 101 List.

How is your 101 Things in 1001 list going?

Song of the Day
Looking at Katie's destination wedding photos (and the fact that NYC in February is gross) makes me want to think of warmer places.  Today's song is the Beach Boys' Kokomo.

Top Favorite Couples

We are all thinking about love today and I compiled a list of couples who's love has entertained or inspired me.

10. Ross and Rachel - I remember screaming then promptly calling my friend Megan when Ross and Rachel kissed outside Central Perk.

9. Paul and Linda McCartney - I heard once that in their 29 years of marriage they only spent one night apart.  I think that is so romantic.


8. Allie and Noah -  I asked my book club for their favorite romantic book and they hands down chose The Notebook.  I'm sure lots of you will agree.

7. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth - I don't know much about them in real life, but in The King's Speech they were portrayed as a loving couple, who supported each other and were always on the same team.



6. Liz and Kyle - Our wonderful friends got engaged this past year.  Kyle had a custom book made that had a hole cut out inside where he placed the ring.  Goes to show you can't judge a book by the cover...GET IT!

5. Ina and Jeffrey Garten - The only things better on Barefoot Contessa than Ina's scrumptious dishes, is the beyond adorable puppy love between Ina and Jeffrey.

4. Pam and Jim - I often joke saying the only relationship I'm more invested in than me and Matt is Pam and Jim.


3. Elizabeth Bennit and Mr Darcy - Their love story, chronicled in Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, melts me every time.

2. Captain Corelli and Pelagia - They are the couple in my favorite book, Corelli's Mandolin.  Their relationship is riddled and blessed with war, music, Greece, Nazis and a love that lasts decades...doesn't get any better than that.

1. Matt's Grandparents - Matt's grandparents have been together 60 years.  There incredible marriage has produced 8 children, 18 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren (and another on the way).  They have set a wonderful example for all of them and me, showing us that hard work, kindness and a whole lot of fun are keys to a long successful relationship.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Song of the Day
Today's song is Captain and Tennille's Love Will Keep Us Together.

Pessimistic Patty

My co-worker Patrick has been begging me for some time now to include him in my blog. I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity. When he had to wear a hairnet at a recent work field trip, I knew the time had arrived.

Patty Looking Particularly Pessimistic

Song of the Day
Patrick loves to whistles, which his co-workers don't love.  Today's song is Otis Redding's Sittin on the Dock of the Bay.  Click here for other great whistling songs so that you can annoy your co-works.

A Talented Friend: Eric

My friend Eric is one of the creative masterminds behind those awesome Old Spice commercials.  They just released a new one.  He never ceases to amaze me.


Sweet sha la la!

Song of the Day
Today's song is Salt N Pepper and En Vogue's Whatta Man.

101 Things in 1001 Days: 56 (1 of 24)

#27 on my 101 List was to volunteer 8 times a year.  I intentionally placed the bar high because I've done so little volunteering on my life, but I think it is very important.  I'm ashamed to admit that I've done an atrocious job.  But I did volunteer tonight!  Better late than never.

I spent the evening playing bingo with seniors at the Bialystoker Nursing Home.  I had a lovely time with Julia who giggled to herself every time she put down a chip.  And Ralph who, when anyone else would win, would shout "There is a cheater amongst us."  As I was leaving, I said good-bye to a woman who only spoke Spanish.  She took my hand, squeezed it, and blessed me with an incredibly warm smile.  A night well spent.

Song of the Day
Today's song is The Beatles' Hear Comes the Sun.