Monday, July 31, 2006

Geneva here we come!

Yup, that's right. Geneva here we come. Steve and I are moving to Geneva in September. For both personal and professional reasons, we are going to take a risk and try our luck with the multitude of international organizations located in Geneva. We spent the last month finalizing the details--flights, accommodation, setting up interviews, finding subletters, etc. Within this past week, we found subletters and confirmed our flights. Steve quit his job and today was my turn. I put my one month's notice. It's official. In one month, we'll be homeless and jobless but, we'll be Geneva-bound!

Let the adventure begin....

Friday, July 14, 2006

The Weakerthans Concert-July 13, 2006

Steve and I went down to Webster Hall to catch a showing of the Weakerthans. If you don't know their sound, play the video. You may also know their songs off the Wedding Crasher's soundtrack. My personal favorite song, One Great City, was the opener of the show. It was a young crowd, but the music was thrilling. Good show.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

The pie says so...

Steve loves me because the pie says so....
Friday was Steve's first day of being unemployed. Since he had some extra time on his hands, he made me an apple and blueberry pie. He loves me. He really, really loves me. The pie says so. (It reads J+ S)

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Vaca at Liberty Lake-June 29-July 6, 2006

Thursday:
Steve and I flew all day to get to Liberty Lake. We were (of course) greeted by Ann, Greg and Jadyn! We picked up our bag and made the journey home to the lake. Waiting for us were magic bars and steaks sizzling on the grill. We enjoyed the meal and chatted before heading to bed.

Views from the house at Liberty Lake










Friday:
We woke up early and enjoyed the peaceful mornings on the lake. Today was a busy day running errands. But, most of it was spent out on the boat relaxing and skiing.





We took Steve for a ski too. He is such a great sport. With 4 people in the boat telling him what to do. "Keep your knees tucked" "Push with the ball of your foot" "lean back", etc. BUT, we got him up on 2 skis on his very first try….and it is all on camera! Here is his….




For dinner, we had a seafood delight: Jumbo Alaskan king crab legs and fresh Sake Pacific salmon. This was Steve’s first time eating REAL crab. It was worth kodaking…


LEFT: Jaren being funny & Steve. CENTER: Steve. RIGHT: The 2 of us enjoying delicious seafood















Saturday:
Today was my bridal shower. Carole and Kelli hosted at Carole’s beautiful house on the lake. It was a big success. Lots of old familiar faces came to share in our time of joy. Here are just a few pictures:


LEFT: Jasmine, Jaren, Jadyn, Jordana, Janae. CENTER: Some of the ladies of the lake who came to the shower. RIGHT: Jaren and Mom















And of course afterwards, Steve was excited to see what we got as gifts. Everyone was so generous to us. Thank you to everyone!









Jadyn, Steve and I took a trip to Sportsman to buy some fishing poles and licenses for the second annual Fishing Derby. (I technically was not in the Derby, but participated as a guest. Note: I was not allowed to use a big kid fishing pole. My pole was for kids; it was blue and yellow that came with a plastic yellow fish).

And the Fishing Derby begins. Who will win?


Sunday:
Another lazy day in the sun… We did the same activities as the previous day.

Tonight was our engagement dinner at the Ceour d’Alene Resort.

LEFT: Jaren & Steve on the balcony. CENTER: The group: . RIGHT: Our cake—tuxedo cake with strawberry filling & chocolate chip frosting. We know how to pick a cake.













Monday:





More skiing, swimming, lounging. Here’s me skiing. I'm going out wide to create a big spray....







And Steve skiing on 2 skis again. Look at him. He's a pro!







Tuesday:

Happy 4th of July. Click HERE for more details.

Wednesday:

Our last full day. It was a beautiful day started out with yoga at the gym. Jadyn drug Steve too it as well…Then, we did the usual—ski, swim, relax. This time however, Steve wanted to try skiing on one. And what do you know, the man got up on his very first try. By his third he skied one side of the lake. Unfortunately, no cameras were present. See the video of Steve, but picture him on one ski instead of 2.

For our last meal, Dad made ribs and Steve made Syracuse salt potatoes that his parents shipped all the way from New York. It was the absolute best meal EVER! Thanks Dad and Steve. We also gave Dad a little early birthday celebration…enjoy the chicken roaster and red sea salt Dad.



Thursday:
A big breakfast with everyone filled our bellies before boarding the plane to head back to NYC. Thanks for the great vaca everyone!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Fourth of July, Liberty Lake style

The day started out like any other-waking up to the bright sun shining on the lake, while sipping on a cup of joe. But, today was different for it was the FOURTH OF JULY! For anyone who knows the Tichy clan, the 4th is not just a regular holiday. It is the HOLIDAY of HOLIDAYS!

Annie was up early answering last minute questions before the parade lineup.

Jadyn & I were putting the finishing touches on our red velvet cake. Jadyn taught me how to use the Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer while making the 4 layer red velvet cake. The recipe compliments of the "Loveless Cafe Cookbook". This cake however was colored red and blue with white frosting--we're patriotic! Here is the finished product. We are quite proud of ourselves. It was delicious.

LEFT: The bakers. CENTER: Top view. RIGHT: Side view (it's a little lopsided, it is 4 layers you know)













At the parade we all wore our Liberty Lake 4th of July shirts. Here’s us at the start of the parade interrupting Annie as she lines up the little kiddies.

LEFT: Tichy clan, including the "new son". RIGHT: Steve, Jaren & Jadyn









It was already in the 90’s by noon, so we hid under a tiny tree to seek refuge from the sun. Here are a few entries:
LEFT: Mr. Challich & grandkids. CENTER: The Liberty Lake Elementary Patriots. RIGHT: Ann & Linda "The Parade is now over....God bless America...Happy 4th of July"












Post parade, we came home and snacked on the fried chicken, sub sandwiches, potatoes and macaroni salads before heading out into the boat. Steve, Jadyn and I spent the majority of the day out in the boat getting sea sick from all the boat slop. We came back to dry land and chatted with our company.

Before we knew it, our tummy’s were hungry once again. Uncle Garth brought fresh oysters from Bellingham for us to enjoy. Here he is cooking them on the grill (note: no one touches Greg’s grill. This is quite the honor for Garth).



LEFT: Garth teaching Steve a thing or 2 about oysters. CENTER: The oysters. yummy. RIGHT: Garth, Jadyn and Lynda snacking on oysters dipped in a butter/white wine/ garlic sauce.












It was FINALLY fireworks time!
“Ooh, ahh…” “That’s my favorite…” “Wow” “No, that’s my favorite” was said by the crowd. Personally, Greg’s enthusiasm was lacking; but considering he just got back from towing out the barge out to the middle of the lake, I’ll forgive him.


*All pictures, compliments of Jadyn!





























As the fireworks were going off, in the distance a heat lightening storm was forming. At the end of the fireworks show, the storm was off in the near distance. The heat lightening was absolutely gorgeous; it was like a scene out of National Geographic.
Another successful Liberty Lake 4th of July goes down in history!