Sibliving.
Four twenty-something-year-old siblings. One Medford Condo.Archive for Uncategorized
Pho Republique
Wanted to give a shout out to this South End restaurant that is really growing on me. Lauren, Big Dave, John and I went on Friday for happy hour and dinner. The decor is a funky mesh of Asian bohemian (whatever that means) — think lots of trinkets, textures, and oddly-built cushioned bar stools.
We sat in the corner in the back (quicky becoming ‘our’ table after only two visits.) It’s fun in part to a good, short beer list and interesting cocktails. Try the pineapple sangria. The guys got Pho noodle bowls and Lauren and I split what I would a a upscale pu pu platter with ribs, tuna rolls and other goodies.
We forgot about V-Day spill over from Thursday, and we warned we might not get a table (even though the place was empty) so online reservations would be a good call in the future. Yum.
I’ve Been Neglegent.
So I’ve broken the first rule of blog club. I haven’t blogged for ‘too long.’ I have a good reason, however. I have neglected my sibliving blogging to lend my valuable blog-skills to bff Angela who is getting married in July. July 26 to be exact. She and Pat are in the planning stages, so wanted to help pull together an online portal for their wedding extravaganza.
So now the plug. If you are friends or family of Angela and Pat (or simply like wedding talk) be sure to check out http://engagedangandpat.wordpress.com. The blog is really meant to build a bridge between wedding-goers and Ang and Pat’s WeddingChannel.com page. But, you’ll just have to check out the blog to get to the webpage=)
Amber and I are watching American Idol, and Alex and I just ‘cheered’ each other at the virtual bar. All in all, a relaxing night to a long day.
Til next time.
Where to begin.
Lot’s to divulge this weekend.
First, Amber spent a good two hours on Saturday talking to Verizon about her $130.13 cell phone bill this month. Yeah. Erik and Travis helped her decipher the situation. I didn’t tune into the details, but she finally worked it out with Customer Service.
Then, we went through the arduous task of throwing away our “Nightmare Before Christmas” tree.
It was really, really dead. We ended up throwing out our third floor window under the cover of night so the neighbors wouldn’t be too alarmed. Amber had the task of waiting at the bottom and dragging it to its dumpster destination. Neighbor Shawn saw her, and asked what was going on. Ha.
Finally, it was important to Mom that we all attend the Mayor’s inauguration. Travis was MIA, so Amber and I laid out a suit for him. He never saw our note, missed the event, and was not amused by our efforts.
Healthy Fish Dish.
It’s pretty hit or miss which sibs are going to be home at the same time for dinner. Tonight it ended up being me and Erik — my toughest meal critic. He just can’t handle ‘creativity.’ Travis has made a habit of asking before a meal if it is ‘curveball’ or not…his code for hidden ingredients added to a seemingly normal dish.
Thought I’d share this one from one of my faves on the FoodNetwork. (And amazingly, Erik LOVED it!) I live for theFoodNetwork. This one is a healthy meal from Ellie Krieger:
Fish with Olives, Tomatoes and Capers
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
4 (5-ounce) sea bass fillets (or other white fish)
1 small onion, diced
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup canned low-sodium diced tomatoes, with juice
1/2 cup chopped pitted black olives
2 tablespoons capers
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper, optional
2 cups packed fresh baby spinach leaves
Salt and pepper
In a large nonstick skillet heat 2 teaspoons of oil over a medium-high heat. Add fish and cook until opaque in the center, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to a platter and tent with foil to keep the fish warm.
Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in the same skillet; add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, olives and capers and crushed red pepper, if using, and cook for 3 minutes more. Stir in the spinach and cook until it is wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over the fish and serve.
In with 2008.
Alot has happened since last post. Dan the Fireman and I returned from our Caribbean vacation
(upon return the condo was spotless. I smell a party), Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone, and our tree looks like something from Nightmare Before Christmas. Think the household must have forgotten to water it. Atleast Gunga is still alive.
I got alot of domestic ware for the holidays: dustbuster, tea pot, and the Tassimo single-serving coffee maker…now this gadget looks cool. I’m the only sibling that drinks coffee, so no more brewing a pot to let it sit and go stale.
I just set it up. Thing is, it doesn’t actually come with any coffee. Mom bought me a box to start of Green Mountain, but apparently the Tassimo take “T discs” as opposed to the Green Mountain “K cups.” Hm. I have a coupon from the box that promises two free packs of coffee. Not so much….turns out to get the two free you need to BUY two. I’m thinking of going to Target and buying directly.
I’ll let you know when I finally get a cup of coffee out of it…
Bermuda Bahama.
Dan the Fireman, myself, and our friends Mark and Crystal are leaving for San Juan tomorrow. After that massive New England snow disaster I am PSYCHED. We’re off on a Carnival ‘fun ship’ vacation to the Southern Caribbean. Antigua, Dominica, Barbados…I can taste the margaritas at Senor Frogs already.
Will be leaving the sibs to man the condo fort this week. I’m kind of nervous. Maybe I can convince them to blog while I’m gone so I can have a glimpse into the activities I’ll be missing…
Catch you in Margaritaville 🙂
White out.
It took me 3 1/2 hours to drive from Boston to Medford tonight. Well, I got as far as Tufts University, where the incline was all too much on one of the hills and I had to leave my car in a snow bank. Erik picked me up in his 4 wheel drive suburban.
Despite the ridiculous snow (these college kids helped me push at one point to no avail) this is one of those nights I really like at the condo. Cooked up some pizzas, everyone one is home, and is able to unwind after a days work over drinks, TV, and funny stories.
Please stop feeding Phil.
This time last year, we had a resident wild turkey living on our property. At first we named it Gerdie, but soon learned that the local papers had already named him Phil.
Phil wasn’t that bright. He would chase cars out on the busy main road and when I would leave for work in the morning, he’d be fighting with his reflection in the basement window.
He liked CHEEZ-ITS alot. We kept this to ourselves after the Medford Transcript asked that residents “stop feeding Phil” so that we would serve less of a detriment to himself and the community. I think Phil caught word of this and moved on. Haven’t seen him since then…
(Travis with Gerdie/Phil.)
Multiple post-ers. This is a great idea!
Heather thinks the blog will be more ‘well-rounded’ if the ther members of the household are allowed to post. (She might regret that…) Here it goes.
Most people would love to wake up in the morning, sleep in and not go into work. (I’m actually the complete opposite.) Well, I was up until I became that person who woke up EVERYDAY and didn’t go to work.
Amber here – the youngest of the Nevers clan. Yes, being the youngest used to stink hardcore but it has its benefits now. For example, my siblings feel bad for me because I don’t have a job (yet) and pay for all my expenses (god love em!)
I’ve been in and out of small part-time gigs. I was even a waitress for awhile at a place called, “Not Your Average Joes.” I was making some good money but then I realized, Joe (my managers name ironically), was an average jerk. I think companies like to play a game with me. It’s called, “How long can we drag out Amber’s interview process.” Yea, its all fun and games till the holidays hit and I’m the sibling who’s going to be making everyone cookie picture frames for their gift! Yea. I saw it on food network in my spare time.
So, this whole being job-less thing has stunk, but the other day I went to an interview in Boston, ate breakfast, lunch, parked my minivan (yes, I drive a minivan) and road the T for less than $10. Impressive right? I think so.
Ride Home From Work – Friend or Foe?
Amber is the youngest of us four. She graduated from Bentley College last year and is currently between jobs. This is selfishly a cool thing for me, because she’s available to lend a hand with the day-to-day errands that can fall to the wayside in the course of the work week.
Being the awesome sister that she is, Amber offered to pick me up from work on Monday. She was already picking up her best bud Jessa a stop away from me on the Orange line, so I said I’d meet her at the NEMC stop.
Holy sketchiness, Batman.
I get off the train, post-workload in tote, and pull out my iPhone to giver Amber a call. Just then, two guys come running down the center of Kneeland Street. They are running from an undercover cop car which chases them down and cuts them off. Whoa. A scene ensues and I keep the calm and walk briskly toward the familiar glow of MacDonald’s golden arches. Amber calls. She’s on her way. I’m thinking of running, but due to a bum knee after surgery, no can do.
I stand in front of MacDonald’s and a white car starts beeping furiously at me. I squint, thinking maybe Amber is driving a car other than her 1992 Red Minivan — and almost wave.
NOPE, not Amber. Instead a SHADY man pulls up, flings open the passenger side door, and motions for me to ‘get in’ like I’m a young child pre- D.A.R.E training. I shuffle into MacDonald’s at this point, wonder where Amber is…
She shows up with Jessa finally. Wow. It’s been awhile since I felt unsafe on these streets of Boston.
Maybe I should have taken the train afterall.
Sibliving. 