Five Favorite Things Friday: Tulum, I'm glad I did, dumplings, power of love

Hello and happy Friday! Hell's breaking loose all over the Cube Farm today BUT...BUT, BUT I'm keeping my chin up. My hubby comes home tonight from a week-long trip and I get to have happy hour(s) with my girlfriends. Hooray for the things that make us happy! So, hey YOU! Yeah, YOU! Turn that frown upside down!! Enjoy!

Favorite Travel Picture

Tulum, Mexico is a fantastic place to relax, laze in a hammock, and sip on some cold bevies—at your own pace. It’s rich in history, and has beautiful beaches and absolutely amazing turquoise water, and is so darn much more peaceful that its northern neighbors.

Tulum beach hammocks waiting for me.

Favorite Quote

Will you look back on life and say “I wish I had,” or “I’m glad I did?” –Zig Ziglar

Favorite Recipe

Homemade Chinese pork dumplings—thanks to a thoughtful Farm mate! Even the wrappers were made by hand. Yummo!

Favorite Story

The power of love: 77-year-old William Larry Swilling walked 7.5 miles last Friday to find a kidney for his wife. And he’d walk many more if he’d have to. “I love her more now than I believe when I married her because we’re not two. We’re one. We need each other and we’ve been together so long.” The Swillings are getting the paperwork together so potential donors can be tested.

Favorite Random

My favorite person—my hubby, of course—is coming home from his biz trip to Switzerland! I hope he brings me Swiss chocolates! Or cheese!

http://thatslikewhoa.com/swiss-chocolate-knife/

Hump Day: looking forward to weekend

Happy Hump Day! And GO NATS!

My mind is wandering everywhere today. Oh Weekend, can you come sooner? Speaking of weekends...in case you want something different to do...

Honie, you know what we need? A koi pond.

Adrian Higgins/TWP - The koi pond at the National Aroretum

The National Arboretum is scheduled for a major reno which means hundreds of (some almost decades-old) koi fish need a new home! If your outdoor pond needs some new life, head over there on Saturday and scoop up your favorite koi. If koi isn't on your shopping list, check out 60+ varieties of chilies that will be on display. Taste testing and demos will be available throughout the day! 

Run for a cause! Hope For The Warriors® 5k

The 3rd Annual American Society of Anesthesiologists Run For The Warriors® on Sunday is dedicated to the men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and families of the fallen. My awesome anesthesiologist friend is running. I wish her the best! To show your support or to to learn more…

Apple pie, apple cider, apple strudel, apple jerky...

How about the 48th Annual National Apple Harvest Festival in Pa.?

Hike the outdoors!

http://www.americanhiking.org/

Find and plan your next hike!

Happy Monday! T-rex hates pushups

And hope you're enjoying your Columbus Day! It's cold and drizzaaaly in NoVa; enjoy some dinocheer!

Thanks Internet for endless sources of dinos. Also, must tell you that these images are copyrighted by their original owners. Rrrrwwwrrawwww!

Five Favorite Things Friday

Happy Friday! Wow, what a week: Syria attacked Turkey, the jobless rate fell, gas prices rose by 20 cents overnight in California, two actors duked it out for the next presidential role -- oh wait, that's not what this blog is for. Sorry guys! Enjoy your weekend and this week's edition of FFTF!

Favorite Travel Picture

Pictures I love aren't always about landscapes and sunsets; sometimes they just tell a story. Like these ashtrays that were made by a St. Lucian resident who worked hard every day, trying to earn enough to feed his family. The ashtrays were made from local bamboo that he hand sanded, shaped, smoothed, and "stamped" using a permanent marker. He gave just as much care to his necklaces, bracelets, and carved art.

He's one of the most genuine and nicest guys you'll meet in St. Lucia. The hubby and I were fortunate enough to have shared a few cocktails and a lot of laughter with him. If you go, look for him!

Favorite Quote

I am not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful. – Marilyn Monroe

Favorite Recipe

Seriously easy breakfast burrito

 

scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and your favorite salsa

wrap it up, chomp, and ejoy!

Favorite Story

This is Tucker. He is a week-old puppy that was found alive thanks to his whimpering. Police who were destroying evidence in a dirt pit heard his cries and saved him just in time. There’s a $2,000 reward being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the jackasses that tried to bury Tucker alive.

Adorable Tucker

Favorite Random

Match book nail files: How cute are these? And practical too. Thanks to my very chic and fun sis, my nails can always look fab. Just drop them in your purse and go!

Greeting cards: when your own words aren't enough

Ever go card shopping and get frustrated that you can't find one that exactly expresses how you feel? Don't fear: I was lucky enough to find the perfect cards on my recent jaunt away from the Cube Farm. Go ahead, express exactly how you feel. You're welcome.

Dang baby, I love us.

I have the power to remember your birthday.

Girlfriend: get over it.

Port of Piraeus: My spot for authentic Greek food

There are a couple of places you can get authentic Greek eats in the Golden Triangle DC. You probably already know (and have stood in line for 20 minutes) about the one on 19th between M and L, but you may not know about the other authentic Greek place a few blocks over: Port of Piraeus at 1125 21st Street NW.

Eating here reminds me of when I was at the real Port of Piraeus in Greece. It's that good. The menu offers traditional sandwiches, salads, soups, entrees, and desserts. The gyros are excellent! And they offer daily specials.

This place is usually busy but the ordering line goes pretty quickly--and definitely worth it. There's seating inside and outside. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner (closes at 6) so grab dinner on your way home by ordering ahead online!

Happy Monday, Oct. 1: holidays and a bunch of things to do!

Happy Monday and welcome first day of October! October is an awesome month: fall sports, cool temps, colorful leaves, and lots of things to celebrate. If you need an excuse for one, here are some special days in October to remember:

• Oct. 8: Columbus Day (some lucky ones get the day off!) If you live in Japan, it’s also National Sports and Health Day. 私は日本の食べ物が大好き！
• Oct. 12: National Holiday for Argentina, Belgium, and Spain
• Oct. 16: National Boss Day (If you don’t like your boss, I suggest you celebrate YOU. After all, aren't YOU the boss of YOU? Cheers!)
• Oct. 22: National Holiday for New Zealand. Cheers, mate!
• Oct. 26: United Nations Day
• Oct. 31: Halloween!

Photo: Mickey Pullen

October also is a busy time for harvest and festivals--there's everything from pumpkin throwing to pie eating contests to wine stompin'. Get out there, eat pie, drink pumpkin beer, pick your own apples, sip a glass of local vino, and enjoy it!

• Looking for something local and low-key? Check out the DC calendar for October, Virginia calendar,  and Maryland.

 By the way, there’s only 91 days left in 2012!