Bad Guys: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Recently Zach and I played host to some of our fellow SoTro (SOuth of TROlley neighborhood) residents for Neighborhood Watch Night. Everyone congregated in our dining room, including our informative and very tough looking liason with the SLPD, a local detective. Trust me, you don't want to mess with him.

We learned about fighting crime in our neighborhood and also used it as an excuse for a friendly get-together. Zach and I have mentioned in the past that living in our house is almost like camping. And not just because we were lacking fully functioning running water and had an unhealthy amount of dirt within our immediate living quarters when we first moved in. Our neighborhood reminds me of childhood camping trips where lots of family friends would park their trailers or tents near each other and you could kind of wander from one person's place to the next, hanging out, sitting outside telling stories and laughing. It's not uncommon at all for us to see neighbors outside, stop and talk to them and then before we know it, others have also gathered and we set up an impromptu dinner party where everyone rummages around for whatever is in their fridge, wine cellar (i.e., the little shelf next to the toaster) or fruit basket and a delicious evening ensues.

On this Neighborhood Watch Night we ventured out onto our front porch and everyone realized that we were all lacking in the dinner party item contribution department so Zach called up a connection we have at Z Pizzeria and had some pies delivered.

Mark and Zach keepin' it real on the porch swing.
They are scaring away drug dealers with their toughness.

Satu, Alex, Mark and Daniel taking a bite out of crime.

Ryan is warning criminals to stay far, far away from his home, car
and thin crust with extra cheese.

We found out that not only do we excel at fighting crime, we are also experts at fighting hunger. Particularly our own.



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Right Now, Practicing my Best John McEnroe Tantrum

Last Saturday, I loaded up the Ford Explorer and hopped on I-15 to head down to St. George to see my good friend and former neighbor Abby. She moved far, far away last summer and was visiting Utah for a huge tennis tournament. I tagged along with her and her fun-loving tennis buddies all weekend, enjoyed the sun and picked up a thing or two about the game. Including:

1. A bagel is more than a breakfast food;
2. There is a difference between games, sets and matches (although I still don't know what that is); and
3. I am still ridiculously uncoordinated.

I also learned one more thing: if ever there was a sport for me, this is it! THEY GET TO WEAR SKIRTS. Now if they just add some high-heeled shoes to the mix, I may start playing tomorrow.

Abby and I both came back to the SLC on Sunday and headed straight for one of our mutually favorite places, Noodles, where we had delicious and reasonably priced pasta to our hearts' content.

Afterwards we met up with the world's greatest neighbors who live in SoTro, the world's greatest neighborhood. Scott & Ryan volunteered to host Neighborhood Game Night and the game of the evening was "The Great Dalmuti" where the first two players to get rid of all their cards are king and queen of the next round and the last two are serf and peasant. Because they are excellent at accessorizing they ensured we each had appropriate headwear.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend, full of friends, fun and family--I was even able to spend some time with my cute sister in Cedar City.

Abby went home Monday and we miss her already. I also realized I only have about 364 days to figure out what a backhand is. Abby, go ahead and sign me up for next year's tournament... If you dare.

Blogging Friend Birthday: Abby!

I remember the first time I met Abby and her husband Ben. A few years ago, Zach and I were attending our neighborhood watch meeting at the Salt Lake Library. We knew everyone there except the new couple who had an adorable baby in tow.

While everyone was taking turns recounting their own personal thoughts on our biggest neighborhood concerns, Ben (one half of the new couple and father of the adorable baby) said something like, "I wish someone had told us about all this before we moved in."

Zach, ever the shy, introverted one, laughed loudly and blurted out "HA HA, Suckers!!" Ben shot Zach a look and I wanted to crawl under my seat. What a way to meet the new neighbors.

Turns out that Zach and Ben's personalities meshed just right and soon after, the boys hit it off by playing darts and eating salsa until about 3 or 4 in the morning.

Abby & I also bonded over food. To be specific, the food that she made and I ate. Almost every night. Zach worked a lot so Ben & Abby were always so great about inviting me over for dinner and I was really great at never turning them down.

Abby is really talented at soooooooo many things: being a mom (she's the greatest), a friend (again, pretty much the greatest), baking (I think I've lost 10 pounds since they moved away), any kind of cooking (my jeans are happy they're fitting a little looser but my belly is very, very sad), tennis, card games, birthing adorable children and many other things too numerous to mention.

They moved away this summer and I miss them a lot. Luckily I have some fun pictures to keep me entertained and, even from South Carolina, she's taking care of my sweet tooth by sending me lovely baked goods through the United States Postal Service.

Now that's a true friend.

Abby being a fearless mountain climber.

She has an impeccable sense of style.

Abby with Ben at the famous One Man Band Diner.

Happy birthday, Abby!

Oprah: Eat (pray, love) your heart out

About two months ago my good friend Teri invited me to join her fabulous book club, made up by many of my fellow SoTro neighborhood people.

Some of our book club members

Tonight I hosted our meeting and we discussed the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. If ever there was a book with an adorable cover, this is it. I did not, however, love the book itself. Most of our book club did, though, so don't let me discourage you from checking it out.



A quick overview: It's the true story of the author's journey as she divorces her husband, leaves her NYC home and finds out more about herself by living in Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (love) over one year. She discusses what she learns from each place and its culture.

We had pizza from the best pizza place in SLC (in my completely objective opinion), Z Pizzeria, and everyone contributed additional delicious items, including the lovely Indian treats Sonia shared with us.

Susan was so thoughtful and even brought me a hostess gift. Who knew that you could get a gift just by having some great girls over for treats, wine and a fun discussion? Book club, where have you been all my life?

My hostess gift. Thanks, Susan!

It was a great night. Four bottles of wine + lively discussion, pizza, treats, gelato & full moon = One perfect evening.