Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dick's Halloween Work Day
Most people know that Halloween is Dick's favorite Holiday. He loves dressing up in costume, decorating the house, and all thing spooky and scary.
Each year, Dick's work place throws a huge Halloween Party for employees and their families. I started going last year. Since we don't get any trick-or-treaters at our house, this is my only chance to see lots of cute little kids dressed in costume.
A couple of years ago, Dick's admin, Kathy, appointed Dick as the Emcee of the Party - meaning he welcomes people, tells them the schedule of events, but most importantly - he gets to Emcee the kid's Halloween Parade!
They set up a little stage that each kid crosses as Dick announces what they're dressed as. It's pretty cute - you can tell that all the kids are always really excited when it's their turn to cross the stage.
This was the first time I've been able to watch Dick emcee the parade. I was so impressed! He knew so many of the names of the kid's costumes - Disney Princesses, Sesame Street characters, Power Rangers, Curious George, etc., Pretty impressive for a man without kids! (of course, he's a big kid at heart, which goes a long way!)
Pirate Dick
Starting the Party
The Costume Parade!
Each year, Dick's work place throws a huge Halloween Party for employees and their families. I started going last year. Since we don't get any trick-or-treaters at our house, this is my only chance to see lots of cute little kids dressed in costume.
A couple of years ago, Dick's admin, Kathy, appointed Dick as the Emcee of the Party - meaning he welcomes people, tells them the schedule of events, but most importantly - he gets to Emcee the kid's Halloween Parade!
They set up a little stage that each kid crosses as Dick announces what they're dressed as. It's pretty cute - you can tell that all the kids are always really excited when it's their turn to cross the stage.
This was the first time I've been able to watch Dick emcee the parade. I was so impressed! He knew so many of the names of the kid's costumes - Disney Princesses, Sesame Street characters, Power Rangers, Curious George, etc., Pretty impressive for a man without kids! (of course, he's a big kid at heart, which goes a long way!)
Pirate Dick
Starting the Party
The Costume Parade!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Chinese New Year Dinner
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Mousie Cookies!
It's that time of the year again! My Mom and I have an annual tradition of getting together to make "Mouse Cookies" for the holidays. My Grandma started to join us in our tradition last year. This year, my Mom and Grandma came up to my house to make the cookies.
Trina, Mom & Grandma
Mom & Grandma shaping the dough
Barb putting the little peanut ears in
Voila! Mousie Cookies!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Creep-O-Rama 2008
a.k.a. "Stock Market Hell!!!!"
We had our (almost) annual Halloween Party last night - yes, the day after Halloween. We wrestled with which day to have it on - the Saturday before (almost a whole week before Halloween) the night of (which would be a work night, and a crazy Friday night) or the night after (after?!). Clearly, we decided on having it the night after, which, all-in-all, seemed to work out quite well.
It was a surprisingly stormy day, but thankfully, the rain let up a couple of hours before the party started. We had a great crowd again this year - I'm guessing 40-50, and really, in my opinion, some of the best costumes yet!
I have to give Dick full credit for our Halloween costumes and full theme this year. It was brilliant. We created "Stock Market Hell" in every room on the ground floor of our house.
What does that mean? Let's start with a Stock Market Graph (complete with a hanging, severed head) of the last year welcoming you as you when you enter. Nothing can be scarier than that! The graph line went from the grid, down along the hallway wall, along the floor, all the way into the kitchen, and directly into the trash. :)
We had a room dedicated to "All Hallows Bank" where you could find toxic mortgage loans. The body outlines of the Lehman Brothers were found on the floor of two different room, and the dining room was converted into a cemetery where the names and end dates of all of the failed financial institutions were recorded on the tombstones.
Dick dressed as Mr. Dow Jones, and I came as Ms. Nas Daq. We were a little battered and bruised from a tough year. We even wore scrolling ticker tapes!
Many thanks to everyone who braved the rain and came to the party! We had a blast, and hope that you did, too!
We had our (almost) annual Halloween Party last night - yes, the day after Halloween. We wrestled with which day to have it on - the Saturday before (almost a whole week before Halloween) the night of (which would be a work night, and a crazy Friday night) or the night after (after?!). Clearly, we decided on having it the night after, which, all-in-all, seemed to work out quite well.
It was a surprisingly stormy day, but thankfully, the rain let up a couple of hours before the party started. We had a great crowd again this year - I'm guessing 40-50, and really, in my opinion, some of the best costumes yet!
I have to give Dick full credit for our Halloween costumes and full theme this year. It was brilliant. We created "Stock Market Hell" in every room on the ground floor of our house.
What does that mean? Let's start with a Stock Market Graph (complete with a hanging, severed head) of the last year welcoming you as you when you enter. Nothing can be scarier than that! The graph line went from the grid, down along the hallway wall, along the floor, all the way into the kitchen, and directly into the trash. :)
We had a room dedicated to "All Hallows Bank" where you could find toxic mortgage loans. The body outlines of the Lehman Brothers were found on the floor of two different room, and the dining room was converted into a cemetery where the names and end dates of all of the failed financial institutions were recorded on the tombstones.
Dick dressed as Mr. Dow Jones, and I came as Ms. Nas Daq. We were a little battered and bruised from a tough year. We even wore scrolling ticker tapes!
Many thanks to everyone who braved the rain and came to the party! We had a blast, and hope that you did, too!
Labels: holidays
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Scarecrow
Spooky! Scary!
For those of you who don't know, Halloween is Dick's favorite holiday. He loves decorating the house every year with all kinds of spooky, creepy things.
Each year, we manage to find even more things to add to his collection. Someday, our basement will be overrun with Halloween madness.
Yesterday, we went to Target to check out their Halloween section. It turns out that Target has GREAT stuff, and their prices are so much more reasonable than the typical Halloween Super Stores! Who Knew?! (well, actually, a lot of people know, this. It turns out that we're just a little slow in learning....)
The creepiest thing that we bought yesterday has to be (hands down) this ghoulish, creepy Scarecrow! Yikes! He seriously gives me the creeps!
We're eventually going to hang him down our light well, but for now, he's hanging out on the dinette table in the sun room with all the other Halloween decorations.
But this is what it looks like when I look through the window from the kitchen to the sun room.
For those of you who don't know, Halloween is Dick's favorite holiday. He loves decorating the house every year with all kinds of spooky, creepy things.
Each year, we manage to find even more things to add to his collection. Someday, our basement will be overrun with Halloween madness.
Yesterday, we went to Target to check out their Halloween section. It turns out that Target has GREAT stuff, and their prices are so much more reasonable than the typical Halloween Super Stores! Who Knew?! (well, actually, a lot of people know, this. It turns out that we're just a little slow in learning....)
The creepiest thing that we bought yesterday has to be (hands down) this ghoulish, creepy Scarecrow! Yikes! He seriously gives me the creeps!
We're eventually going to hang him down our light well, but for now, he's hanging out on the dinette table in the sun room with all the other Halloween decorations.
But this is what it looks like when I look through the window from the kitchen to the sun room.
Dude. You're totally creeping me out!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
The Easter Bunny wears Leather Chaps
At least he does in my neighborhood....
This morning, I was treated once again to one of my favorite Easter in the Castro sights:
A big bear of a man, dressed in a full pink (and furry) Easter Bunny suit, (ears and all) wearing a big black leather jacket, drove up on his big, phat Harley bike. He hopped off his bike, and toted his easter basket up the stairs to the home of one of our neighbors.
One of these years, I'm going to have to snap a picture of him...
This morning, I was treated once again to one of my favorite Easter in the Castro sights:
A big bear of a man, dressed in a full pink (and furry) Easter Bunny suit, (ears and all) wearing a big black leather jacket, drove up on his big, phat Harley bike. He hopped off his bike, and toted his easter basket up the stairs to the home of one of our neighbors.
One of these years, I'm going to have to snap a picture of him...
Labels: holidays, life in the castro, my life is a sitcom, san francisco
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Holiday Parties and Star-Spangled Breakfasts
Last night, we went to Dick's Company's Holiday party. It was a lot of fun. I saw some old friends, met some new friends, and even met people who I'd never met before who apparently read my blog! ("Shout-Out to Zeke!") I also was recognized as "The wife who plays X-Box!" and was invited to a future Gears of War game.
The Holiday Party
The party was at The San Francisco Design Center. It was a nice venue - big main floor, with 2 additional levels, all looking down to the main floor. There was lots of food, interesting booths (chocolate tasting, henna tattoos, tea-leaf reading, and bonsai trees) and a pretty good band. (Although the Solid Gold Dancers were questionable.)
The "red-shirt" guys
I met someone who asked about my blog, and said something along the lines of, "I'll check in tomorrow to see what you had for breakfast." I think he was kidding, and didn't realize that I sometimes really do take a photo and blog about our meals. ;)
So, without further adieu.....
Today's Breakfast
Dick wanted a "down-home country breakfast" complete with eggs, grits, bacon and biscuits. I have a biscuit recipe that I've only made once before, but I remembered that they were really yummy.
The recipe called for a 3" round cookie cutter. I didn't have anything that fit that description, so instead I opted for a 3" Star-Shaped cutter that I just received in the mail with a Christmas Order. I figured, "Why not? It's festive!"
Big Country Breakfast
Dick was very, very impressed that this Chinese Girl can make a good homemade biscuit. He even said they were as good as Bojangles back home in North Carolina. That's got to be the biggest compliment he could've given me! (but, can they make star-shaped biscuits?!)
The Holiday Party
The party was at The San Francisco Design Center. It was a nice venue - big main floor, with 2 additional levels, all looking down to the main floor. There was lots of food, interesting booths (chocolate tasting, henna tattoos, tea-leaf reading, and bonsai trees) and a pretty good band. (Although the Solid Gold Dancers were questionable.)
The "red-shirt" guys
I met someone who asked about my blog, and said something along the lines of, "I'll check in tomorrow to see what you had for breakfast." I think he was kidding, and didn't realize that I sometimes really do take a photo and blog about our meals. ;)
So, without further adieu.....
Today's Breakfast
Dick wanted a "down-home country breakfast" complete with eggs, grits, bacon and biscuits. I have a biscuit recipe that I've only made once before, but I remembered that they were really yummy.
The recipe called for a 3" round cookie cutter. I didn't have anything that fit that description, so instead I opted for a 3" Star-Shaped cutter that I just received in the mail with a Christmas Order. I figured, "Why not? It's festive!"
Big Country Breakfast
Dick was very, very impressed that this Chinese Girl can make a good homemade biscuit. He even said they were as good as Bojangles back home in North Carolina. That's got to be the biggest compliment he could've given me! (but, can they make star-shaped biscuits?!)
Monday, November 20, 2006
Holiday Music?
This evening, as I was driving to the train station to pick Dick up, I was flipping around the radio stations in my car (the only time I ever listen to the radio). I was flipping around, and stopped when I heard John Denver & The Muppets singing "The 12 Days of Christmas".
First of all, I have to confess that I secretly love this version of this song. (It's SO Funny!) I also have to confess that "John Denver & The Muppets Christmas" was the first CD I ever bought. (how odd, I know, but it's so darn cute, and it was cheap.)
So, I'm listening to the song, and laughing along with it when I realize: This is a Christmas song. It's not even Thanksgiving yet!
When the song finishes, the radio station says something along the lines of, "Another 30 minutes Christmas Music Set..." Then they listed all of the songs they had just played in the last set. Yep, all Christmas tunes.
So, let me get this right: they're playing ALL Christmas music? NOW?
I guess it's kind of like having the stores start decorating for the holidays in September. No one really waits until after Thanksgiving anymore, do they?
Plus, who am I to talk? I just blogged last week about how much progress I've made with my Christmas shopping....
Hmmmm....
First of all, I have to confess that I secretly love this version of this song. (It's SO Funny!) I also have to confess that "John Denver & The Muppets Christmas" was the first CD I ever bought. (how odd, I know, but it's so darn cute, and it was cheap.)
So, I'm listening to the song, and laughing along with it when I realize: This is a Christmas song. It's not even Thanksgiving yet!
When the song finishes, the radio station says something along the lines of, "Another 30 minutes Christmas Music Set..." Then they listed all of the songs they had just played in the last set. Yep, all Christmas tunes.
So, let me get this right: they're playing ALL Christmas music? NOW?
I guess it's kind of like having the stores start decorating for the holidays in September. No one really waits until after Thanksgiving anymore, do they?
Plus, who am I to talk? I just blogged last week about how much progress I've made with my Christmas shopping....
Hmmmm....
Labels: holidays
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Halloween in the Castro
It's 9:20pm, and I'm finishing up some work in my office.
I can hear the helicopters circling above Castro Street.
I can also hear a few loud/drunken people making their way down the street, passing by our house. There are also a lot of loud cars driving up and down. This is usually the loudest night of the year in our neighborhood.
Halloween night in the Castro is SO different from the Saturday night before Halloween.
If you want to see the real Halloween in the Castro, come on the Saturday night before. That's when all of the locals come out. That's when you'll see all the cool costumes, and the real fun crowd. By the time we go around 11:15, the block of Castro Street between Market and 18th Street is still blocked off. There's still plenty of people and fun things to see, but you can actually walk around and See everything.
The last time I went to the Castro on an actual Halloween night was at least 4 years ago, and we went early - probably 7:00ish. It was already plenty packed with people, and honestly, there were more people who weren't wearing costumes, than there were people who dressed for Halloween. The people who come without costume tend to just want to come and gawk, or worse, cause problems. (I'm sounding like an old fogy now, huh?)
For the first time that I can remember, I actually had a few trick-or-treaters knock on the door tonight. Granted, they all came at once (about 5) and they were all older teenagers. I happily gave them candy, as they were all quite friendly, and in the spirit of Halloween! It reminded me that when I was a senior in High School, Kimi, David, Lucian and I went trick-or-treating together! I had almost forgotten! We knew we were "too old", but we also realized it would probably be the last time we'd ever do it! Coincidentally, all 3 of them came to our party this past weekend, all dressed up! I need to find that picture from Halloween, 1986. I'm sure I have it somewhere at my parent's house. (Kimi, do you have one?)
I can hear the helicopters circling above Castro Street.
I can also hear a few loud/drunken people making their way down the street, passing by our house. There are also a lot of loud cars driving up and down. This is usually the loudest night of the year in our neighborhood.
Halloween night in the Castro is SO different from the Saturday night before Halloween.
If you want to see the real Halloween in the Castro, come on the Saturday night before. That's when all of the locals come out. That's when you'll see all the cool costumes, and the real fun crowd. By the time we go around 11:15, the block of Castro Street between Market and 18th Street is still blocked off. There's still plenty of people and fun things to see, but you can actually walk around and See everything.
The last time I went to the Castro on an actual Halloween night was at least 4 years ago, and we went early - probably 7:00ish. It was already plenty packed with people, and honestly, there were more people who weren't wearing costumes, than there were people who dressed for Halloween. The people who come without costume tend to just want to come and gawk, or worse, cause problems. (I'm sounding like an old fogy now, huh?)
For the first time that I can remember, I actually had a few trick-or-treaters knock on the door tonight. Granted, they all came at once (about 5) and they were all older teenagers. I happily gave them candy, as they were all quite friendly, and in the spirit of Halloween! It reminded me that when I was a senior in High School, Kimi, David, Lucian and I went trick-or-treating together! I had almost forgotten! We knew we were "too old", but we also realized it would probably be the last time we'd ever do it! Coincidentally, all 3 of them came to our party this past weekend, all dressed up! I need to find that picture from Halloween, 1986. I'm sure I have it somewhere at my parent's house. (Kimi, do you have one?)
Labels: holidays, san francisco
A Halloween Funny
This year was Kimi's first "Creep-o-Rama". I hadn't mentioned to her that we always hire a server for our Halloween parties. Dick and I have found that hiring a server to pour the drinks, replenish the food, and especially help clean up the trash and recyclables is well worth the expense, as it allows us extra time to enjoy the party with our friends.
The server always come wearing a basic "bistro" uniform: white shirt, black pants.
When Kimi saw the server (a very nice guy named Adam) at our party, she naturally assumed his was a party guest wearing a Halloween costume. He was wearing a white shirt, black tie, and black pants.
She said to him, "Hi, are you dressed as a Mormon?"
I love this story.
Happy Halloween!
The server always come wearing a basic "bistro" uniform: white shirt, black pants.
When Kimi saw the server (a very nice guy named Adam) at our party, she naturally assumed his was a party guest wearing a Halloween costume. He was wearing a white shirt, black tie, and black pants.
She said to him, "Hi, are you dressed as a Mormon?"
I love this story.
Happy Halloween!
Labels: holidays
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Creep-O-Rama 2006!
Another Halloween, another Creep-o-Rama.
We had our annual Halloween Party last night. Great friends, good food, fun costumes and amazingly warm weather - a great time was had by all!
This year, Dick and I got extra-serious about decorating: we decorated the hallway, the kitchen, and dining rooms as a "dungeon/mid-evil castle". The effect was pretty good - we also dressed as a mid-evil King & Queen (or a knight and maiden).
Dick & Trina in the dungeon
There were some really great costumes this year. Lots of creativity.
Here are the photos from the evening
I think the most creative costume award has to go to Shan, who came as San Francisco's eccentric protester, Frank Chu. The great thing about this costume was that it was so obscure, that people either immediately "got it" or simply had no idea what it was. Shan was a real hit walking around the Castro.
Will the real Frank Chu please stand?
We missed some our regulars who couldn't make it this year because they've moved away, have had kids, or were sick. Although we missed them (too many to name!), we did enjoy introducing a whole new group of "newbies" to Creep-o-Rama!
We're contemplating how long we should keep our new "wallpaper" up.
Barry tried to convince us that we should host a mid-evil dinner for Thanksgiving this year :)
Happy (early) Halloween!
We had our annual Halloween Party last night. Great friends, good food, fun costumes and amazingly warm weather - a great time was had by all!
This year, Dick and I got extra-serious about decorating: we decorated the hallway, the kitchen, and dining rooms as a "dungeon/mid-evil castle". The effect was pretty good - we also dressed as a mid-evil King & Queen (or a knight and maiden).
Dick & Trina in the dungeon
There were some really great costumes this year. Lots of creativity.
Here are the photos from the evening
I think the most creative costume award has to go to Shan, who came as San Francisco's eccentric protester, Frank Chu. The great thing about this costume was that it was so obscure, that people either immediately "got it" or simply had no idea what it was. Shan was a real hit walking around the Castro.
Will the real Frank Chu please stand?
We missed some our regulars who couldn't make it this year because they've moved away, have had kids, or were sick. Although we missed them (too many to name!), we did enjoy introducing a whole new group of "newbies" to Creep-o-Rama!
We're contemplating how long we should keep our new "wallpaper" up.
Barry tried to convince us that we should host a mid-evil dinner for Thanksgiving this year :)
Happy (early) Halloween!
Labels: holidays
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway --- oh right, I *am* my own employer!
;)
© Copyright 2003-2007, Trina Chow
