Trick or Treat!

Tonight was Athens Trick or Treat! Dad has a friend staying at the guitar shop this month, and his wife Rebecca is in town visiting. She and Mom joined me in front of my house to pass out candy! Amina and Aya were our first customers.









We got a lot of action!



I was dying of jealousy over this costume. It's so cute!!



UNICORN! The other kids were cute too, of course.






Minecraft!



Chucky!



Kate was a chef!









Here come Michael and Dad to join us!



Family photo.



Neighborhood kids! Plus Aya's back!






It was warm at first, but got chilly fast.



Once Trick or Treat was over, we ventured to Mer's house for a chili party!



Sarah is a salad!



Sissies!



Kate and Sarah!



Phil and me!



The kids were jacked up on candy. So wild!



There was breakdancing.



And lots of sliding.






Chad rocking Sarah's tomato.

Cooking Club TEAMS: Italian

We are trying something different for awhile with cooking club. Instead of everyone cooking a dish, we're dividing into two teams of three. Three people cook, and three people show up to relax and eat! Summer was first to host, and the theme was Italian. Summer, Valerie and I are a team.

Summer set out a delicious spread of Italian cheeses and olives.



I did a variety of veggies on the grill: Grilled radicchio with pears and balsamic, and grilled asparagus wrapped in pancetta with citronette.



I also made shiitake bacon! This is real bacon on the left, and shiitake mushroom bacon on the right. It didn't really taste like bacon, but it was really flavorful and delicious.



Summer made homemade shiitake carbonara. It was THE BEST. This was the serving platter and I probably could have eaten all of it!!! The pasta was incredible.



Mangia!



Mini breadstick!



Valerie made a delectable lemon pine nut tart.



Yum!



It was a nice day for a light sweater, and singing by the fire.

Investiture of OHIO's 21st President, M. Duane Nellis

Today was the formal investiture of OHIO's 21st President, M. Duane Nellis! Ohio University has been celebrating his inauguration all week with a variety of events, but this one is the fanciest and most official. The ceremony took place at Memorial Auditorium.



It was really interesting, with lots of little rituals and many speeches.



And afterward, cake and punch on College Green!



Work is pretty great when you get to enjoy cake on the green with your friends.



Mmm!

Rock the Vote!

This weekend a bunch of us internet message board friends got together in Columbus to help Amy campaign for school board! We started the weekend off super wholesomely with an apple taste test. My personal favorite was the Fuji. They were a great batch! The pinata had a great flavor, too. And cheese makes everything better!



Molly and Penny!



Group photos after a delicious dinner at The Whitney House.









Then off to Eldorados, where the band 28 Eyes was playing.



Lots of great covers!



Then we went to Zuey's, where we practiced role playing scenarios of possible canvassing situations that we might encounter on Saturday.



Canvas day! We were pretty excited to surprise Amy with matching campaign T-shirts.



Vote for Amy Harkins!



MATCHING OUTFITS!



After a long and productive day of canvassing, Anne and I ran to Weiland's Market to do an errand for cooking club. When we arrived, there was a wine tasting in progress. Don't mind if we do!



Then we met for dinner at Cosecha Cocina, where Anne and I managed to split an ungodly amount of food. Then we all headed to Paddy Mac's for karaoke! Go, Gigi!



Go, Melissa!



For our farewell brunch the next morning, we went to Milestone 229. Everything was delicious! Including this gin mimosa cocktail! Cheers!



The warm pretzel bread was obviously amazing.



Anne and I shared breakfast tostadas. So good!



We also shared the bagel and lox pizza, which was amazing. The everything bagel crust!!!



It was an amazing weekend, and it's always so great to see everyone. And especially amazing to support our fantastic friend Amy!