Five Favorite Things Friday: Save the trees, don't build walls, that bird is drunk, and good news for homeowners!

Hello and happy Friday! Seriously, folks, there are only 45 days left in 2012! Enjoy today and this weekend!

Favorite Travel Picture

Hubby and I stumbled upon this park in downtown Seattle a few months ago. These bright blue trees definitely changed the experience of sipping hot local coffee. I thought this was art inspired but it was more than that. Read the story on why the trees were painted: “Artist colors trees blue to draw attention to deforestation problem”

Favorite Quote

You are confined only by the walls you build yourself

Favorite Recipe

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner? If you’re in the mood to change things up a little bit this year—or add something new—try making the Drunken Mexican Turkey! And let me know how it turns out because the ingredients are fantastic: tequila, grand mariner, and a variety of dried fruits! What a great twist on an traditional favorite.

Favorite Story

Great news for homeowners: “The real reasons why housing prices are rising”

Favorite Random

Gee, look, the blue Seattle trees got even funkier!

PSY x Madonna x Gangnam Style x Give It To Me = COOL

Mega Cool Mega Realism Art

At first it was the burger that caught my eye. And then it was the mega awesomeness of these art pieces imitating real life in a new growing art genre called mega- or hyper-realism. These are not photographs.

I hope you are as amazed as I am!

Tjalf Sparnaay (Oil)

Official Site

Carol Botto (Oil)

Official Site

Denis Peterson (Acrylic)

Official Site

Thank you VETS!

Five Favorite Things Friday: Remember Our Vets, Solve World Problems, Watch Out Manning, Cookies!

Happy Friday! Whew, we made it to Friday! And I can not believe we are already in the middle of November; Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away! Have an awesome weekend!

Favorite Travel Picture

American flag flying above the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor captured during our trip to Oahu this year--a must-see if you go to the island. And THANK YOU to all our veterans, and specifically to my brother and dad who served selflessly in the U.S. military. Remember to honor our vets this coming Monday!

Favorite Quote

The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind. Cheers to that!

Favorite Recipe

Flourless chocolate cookies!? Why, yes! I admit, I haven’t made these but they look delish thanks to my star baker sis who is perfecting her baking skills in Turin, Italy.

Nugs (Flourless Choco) Nuggets

Favorite Story

So you think your favorite football player is pretty great, eh? Check out super star 9-year old Sam Gordon's first season stats:

• 35 touchdowns
• 2,000 rushing yards
• 65 tackles
• And yes, she’s a 9-year old GIRL!

Favorite Random

Me don’t always eat cookies… This is a shout out to my hubby who is returning this weekend from a week-long trip overseas (India to be exact). No need to ponder the connection--just enjoy!!

Well...

Can Loving Your Work Come Without Pain and Sacrifice?

Ahhh, the elections are over…and now back to your normal broadcast stations…

Image by Dominick Rabrun

And so it's back to my mind wandering again. One of the things I (and I suspect not the only one) ponder about is what I want to do when I grow up. I know some of you love what you do and you wouldn’t do anything else. I applaud you. But for me I can’t help but think there’s a career outside the Cube Farm that would re-energize, renew, and fulfill me.

As I was contemplating the possibilities, I came across an article, Lessons We Can Learn from Jiro Ono. In the article, author Maximiliano “El Nerdo” Nérdez reviews the documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, in which he says: You must fall in love with your work. Yep, sure, I agree. He also says that doing what you love comes with sacrifices and pain--like excruciating pain. Ok, that's not new but do you need pain and sacrifice to be happy? What do you think?

I Vote for Adventure!

The voting madness is in full swing! It's hard to get away from the news coverage of the presidential election but more interestingly to me right now? Thinking how awesome it would be to win the The Travel Channel's sweepstakes to Panama City, Panama or snagging one of the VIP trips. Yea, I vote for that. Thanks.

Panama, Travel Channel

Hello Monday! Do fish sleep with their eyes open? and other randomness

Hello Monday! I hope that you had a super weekend and remembered to turn your clocks back. Some of you may still be adjusting to the new time change and to continue your confusion, here is some randomness to start the week:

Do fish sleep with their eyes open? Apparently yes. How strange. And how cute is this?

http://whatthepupisup.com/tag/smiling-fish/

The iconic Roy Rogers was born on this day--well not this very day obviously--but on Nov. 5, 1911.

I know Halloween is over but if you’re a fan of Family Guy, this is always funny! Click here to see the entire scene.

Already thinking about this weekend’s plans? Why not visit a national park for free? Entrance to all national parks is free this weekend in honor of Veterans Day (Monday, Nov. 12).

And finally, in case you've been under a rock, tomorrow is Election Day. Have you made your predictions?

Five Favorite Things Friday: Recreational Fun in the Desert of Ocotillo Wells; Filipino Soup; Jimmy is Right; Happy Post-Sandy Story; and Did You Know That About Nemo?

I apologize for falling off the wagon; there was a small shake up at the Cube Farm that has kept me preoccupied. I am adjusting to the aftermath but predicting the big Shake has yet to come.

But, HAPPY FRIDAY my lovely people!

Oh, and speaking of shakes and stuff, I hope you all were safe during Superstorm Sandy!

Have a super weekend and remember to turn your clocks back one hour this weekend, Nov. 4.

Favorite Travel Picture

We missed Superstorm Sandy last weekend whilst celebrating a friend’s birthday at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (it’s a desert about 75 miles east of San Diego, CA). If you are an off-road enthusiast, this place is perfect for you with 85,000 acres of magnificent desert to roam through. One of the best parts of the weekend was watching the sun rise amidst a fading full moon during the wee hours of the morning. I know, I know, no more sunrises! I can’t help it; eat my sunrises!

Ocotillo Wells Sunrise and Full Moon

Ocotillo Wells Bathing in Sunrise

Favorite Quote

I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead. – Jimmy Buffett (True dat Jimmy!)

Favorite Recipe

Hot soup isn’t what you’d typically crave after a weekend in the desert but it was exactly what hit the spot. And not just any ol’ comfort food soup, it was a traditional Filipino dish called sinigang. The soup was aromatic and deliciously sour. The copious amounts of fresh veggies made it hearty in contrast to the light and soothing broth. Thanks to my dear friend and host, I got mine served fresh and hot over a bowl of steaming rice. Mmmmmm, this will be perfect to make for the upcoming east coast fall/winter nights.

He won’t give up his recipe but here’s a version you can build on.

Maduro Sinigang

Favorite Story

A bright story post-Sandy:

Mystery patio set possibly made from fallen tree turns up on Woodley Park porch

Courtesy of WaPo

Favorite Random

As I was reading this, I was like “Really, I didn’t know that…” I suspect you will too!

23 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Movie “Finding Nemo”—courtesy of buzzfeed.com