Just Faux Fun Friday

We're here again.  That was fast.  The weeks seem to be flying by recently.  I'm excited that I have a birthday coming up... Monday is the day actually.  I share my birthdate with non other than Michael Jackson and Senator John McCain.  Random, I know. Anyway, I am heading into my last year of the 20s.  I haven't freaked out yet, but my 10 year high school reunion is in a few months and I have a feeling that will begin to make the picture more clear that we are actually aging.
Well, it's just faux fun Friday so here it is. Remember when I went to that amazing bakery and bought 4 massive cupcakes for myself? Well, I saved a picture to show you.

Take a look at these kicks!  And you might be thinking, 'Cute kid shoes,' but no.  This was an adult man!!!

Where does one even purchase something like this?  I should ask the Possessionista, since she seems to be able to find everything!

A Homeless Update

Remember this post about the homeless man that lived in our parking lot? I said I wondered where our homeless friend was now that we are no longer in the building.  Well, fear not. I have made contact.  I was going to dinner with my Mom last weekend at a restaurant near my old office building when I hear someone yell, "I think your hair is pretty!"  I turn around and there he is, lounging on a park bench.  I realize he really is talking to me and say or yell, "Thank you." Then he cupped his hands, yelled, "Your Welcome" and we went our separate ways. 
What I haven't told you is when we were in the old building and I would pass him on my way to Starbucks in the morning, he would tell me that exact same thing!  I now wonder if he actually recognized me or if he just really has a thing for hair.

So I googled "Pretty Hair" just to see what images show up and here's what I found.  Silly interwebs.

Just Faux Fun Friday

It's Friday again and I am so happy my husband is home for the weekend!  He's been working in London for the past 5 weeks and we have a few more to go before he's back for good, or for a while at least.
Just Faux Fun, why don't you do a little cooking this weekend.  Being partially from the south, I have come to LOVE some of the most unhealthy appetizers and food you can think of.  They may be bad, but they taste so good. If you haven't tried these, I suggest you throw yourself a little party and get to it! 

Captain Rodney's Cheese Dip - This one is relatively new to me and apparently very popular in Mississippi.  Cheese - yum. Bacon - yum. Ritz Crackers - yum.

Bunco Buns - I'm not sure that's what everyone calls these, but ham with melted Swiss cheese on a yummy roll, I suggest using Sister Schubert Yeast rolls = Delicious. 

Cake Batter Pancakes -  I haven't tried these, but they just look amazing. I might make them for myself on my Birthday. Ok, that sounded sad.

Bread Pudding - This has become one of my favorite desserts next to Bananas Foster (which we served at our wedding) and Creme Brulee. 

Now I'm hungry.

Amsterdam was fun, Part II

Continuing the story of my trip to Amsterdam.  I can't tell you how much we loved it.  Highlight of the trip?  Anthony Bourdain from No Reservations was staying our hotel and we met him! I use the word "met" loosely. WE had seen a camera crew for a few days, but didn't actually see them filming anything.  Then one evening we were outside the hotel, I spotted him and whispered to my husband, 'Shut the front door, Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations.'  He said I should say hi, but I am such a geek and refuse to acknowledge famous people because I just feel like such a loser approaching them.  So of course I said, oh no, he doesn't want to talk to anyone... Well, as we approached, who do you think had the cojones to stick their hand out introduce themselves? Not me, but my husband!  He was indeed there shooting for the show and I could kick myself for not stealing getting his production schedule so I could see where he was eating.

Amsterdam is also known for it's Red Light District and yes, it exists.  Naked ladies dancing in windows, and that's when it's light out!  I didn't go there after dark, partially because it didn't get dark until midnight and I'm lame, and old and like to go to bed early.

I know it's not THE Moulin Rouge, but you get the idea.  

These are called Willy Warmers.  Use you imagination.  

The drug paraphernalia stores had everything you could think of.  Bongs, one-hitters, and yes, a cocaine snorter in the shape of a vacuum.

I don't want to put you off with the last pictures. This place is awesome and very safe.  I was just tickled at how open they are about sex and drugs there. Maybe we could learn something from them.

So, Amsterdam was fun

Boy did we enjoy Amsterdam, if only for the break in this summer heat as it was in the 60s there and lovely.  But that's not the only reason we enjoyed it. Amsterdam is an AMAZING city.  I encourage anyone to go.

At first I was afraid it was going to be pot city since it's legal there, but that wasn't the case.  The "coffee shops" as they call them, blended in with the cafes and shops along the canals and side streets.  I loved the Van Gogh Museum and totally geeked out and rented the headset so I could learn all about the paintings.  We also went to the Rijks Museum.  I have to give it to Rembrandt, that guy was so talented.  And the fact that he worked years on some of the pieces is unbelievable to me.
Let's talk about the real stuff now.  Those crazy Dutch love their bicycles. LOVE.  they are everywhere.  They also enjoy cafes.  Every corner had an adorable cafe with people sitting anywhere there was space just having a drink and enjoying conversation.  And this was going on at any time of day.  It makes me wonder when they work. 

There were almost no obese people there either.  And the ones I did see were tourists.  It seems the Dutch are healthier for a number of reasons:
1. Transportation - Few people even own cars so the force of physical activity is required just to get anywhere whether its walking or biking.
2. Portion Control - Restaurants serve actual human sized meals.  A Toasti which I indulged in many times, is a standard size piece of bread with one piece of cheese, maybe some ham or a tomato.  Not a 600 calorie piece of bread with 5 slabs of 1/2 inch Swiss, Gruyere, and Brie, like I've seen on some TV shows.  In addition, there are no free refills anywhere.  If you order a Coke, you are getting one 8 oz. glass of Coke for about $4 American dollars.  You better drink slowly.

Check out this guy!  I just thought it was funny. It made me think of that Will Ferrell doing Harry Carey bit on SNL when he says, "If you were a Hot Dog, would you eat yourself?"

3.  Fresh Food - Because of #1 (no cars) how can anyone make large weekly shipping trips to Costco?  They can't. So daily trips to the local makret allow them to buy fresh ingredients.  They love them some fresh squeezed OJ and juice.  I must have gotten fresh orange juice at least twice a day. 

More about the trip next...  

Just Faux Fun Friday

I know, I know. I have been neglecting the blog.  I hope to get some posts written this weekend to keep everything rolling for the next 2 weeks, but I'm not promising anything.  Like the 2.5 people who read my blog have been pining away for more stories... 

Just Faux Fun today I want to share a blog, shared to be by my friend Jessie. It's called Sad Etsy Dogs and it's hilarious! Want more funnies?  Here's Duke. And because a blog post is always better with a picture, here's a fav from Awkward Family Photos.

I am so sure I have a ton of winners like these, but they haven't been scanned.  Oh the wrath that will befall anyone who scans and posts a pic like this of me....

Just Faux Fun Friday

It's time for another Faux Fun Friday!  This one is dedicated to the animals who must keep cool in this heat.    I am obsessed with this dog!! I love you Gus!

And now Gus vs. the Pool...

Have a great weekend! My mother (Just Faux Fun herself) is coming in town and I can't wait to see her.

How I Roll

So I went to a new-to-me cupcake place tonight with some friends and since I am sans-husband for the next month, I decided to indulge myself with some yummies.  Seeing as I am the only one eating them, I ate them exactly how I wanted.

Yup. I tried each one; center first.  Not sure how much of these will actually get eaten since they are so rich, but I love not having to share.  This is how I roll.