I am alive!
After a busy few weeks at work and a few days in Washington, DC - I am back and posting.
I worked more the first few weeks in August than I have in a long time. It was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. I was working on a premiere training session and the events that went along with it - a wine tasting cocktail reception and a formal dinner. It was great because the session really allowed me to be creative and put together some ideas and make them happen. I am hoping to get a few pictures of the events to post.
I took a few days off after the premiere and flew to DC to spend some time with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece. It was a great trip. Jackson was at the airport waiting for me with my parents. We went to the movies later that afternoon and saw Over the Hedge; it was a cute movie. On Friday my Mom, her friend Joan and I went to the Leesburg Outlets - what a dangerous place! They have a Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and Restoration Hardware outlets among tons of clothing and shoe stores. I found a new favorite that I will share tomorrow. We are going back when I am home at Thanksgiving.
I also babysat for Jackson and Avery for the first time by myself. Usually Mike and I tag team it. Jackson and Avery are so well behaved that the night was a breeze.
I always make spinach artichoke dip - it’s one of my favorites. I was flipping through an old magazine at the spa last week when I came across Rocco DiSpirito’s healthy spin on my old favorite. I think this is from Rocco’s 5 minute flavor recipe book.
I receive emails from Martha Stewart with party ideas, recipes and general good things (insert mocking comment here, ladies). On Monday I was reading one of the emails and Martha was talking about how taco bars are perfect for summer entertaining. I could not stop thinking about tacos! At lunch, my friend at work Cori (the same one that introduced me to the 
I read an interesting tip in one of my Real Simple magazines - use an old/empty kleenex box to house grocery store/shopping bags. I never know what to do with the bags, but I like to have them around. A kleenex box seems like a quick and easy solution. I know they sell fabric pouches, but I always felt too young to buy those! I am going to have to try this. My plan is to fill the kleenex box and then take any extra/overage back to the grocery store to recycle. This sure beats the pile I currently have in my garage. Very clever, Real Simple - I am impressed!
I was saddened when I learned about Susan Butcher’s passing yesterday. Susan was the second woman to win the Iditarod dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome and won the race 4 times. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan and babysitting for her oldest daughter Tekla when I worked for Senator Ted Stevens. Susan Butcher is the one responsible for introducing me to George Lucas (a story most of you are familiar with). I ate breakfst with Susan, Tekla, George and his kids. 
Mike and I spent most of Sunday cleaning the house and doing some small home improvement work. Mike came home from Home Depot with a box of Mr. Clean magic erasers (among various other things). These things are amazing - they can get rid of anything, but were especially helpful at removing scuff marks on paint. Our baseboards and walls in high traffic areas look brand new. Mike had to make a return trip to Home Depot for a second box.
Betsy told me about