Say Goodbye to Summer

Gentle readers, it's been a long hot and supremely busy summer. And we've had little time for this blog.

But don't worry! Our environment is still precious - we've even been making some changes to make it even more inviting and, ultimately, more practical.

So.

What have we been doing that's kept us away?

Responsibility: It's Just A Kitten?

As you read on Tuesday your MatchGirl and I have a new addition to our family. We adopted a kitten from the local shelter.

This has me thinking about responsibility. 

There is a lot to be said on the topic.

Here is my take.

Responsibility is hard, it is often not taking the easy route, it is also something that is very important when others are involved. 
Responsibility means sometimes you have to come straight home because someone (Kitten, not Girlfriend) needs to be let out of her day-prison (the bathroom, only until she becomes acquainted with our home).

The First Saturday in May

This Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. The most exciting two minutes in sports. Perhaps my favorite sporting event of the year to base a party around. Sure, some, if not most, love a good Super Bowl party- but not this guy. I'm a Derby party man.

Recipe: Savory Muffins

Gentle readers, this weekend your MatchGirl and Boyfriend entertained a few friends for what my little posse refers to as "drunk Easter." The tradition started many years ago, on an unusually bright and sunny Easter Sunday.

If memory serves, the first one involved a British fry up, some boys in pastel suits, a walk over the Williamsburg bridge, a rooftop sing-a-long in the East Village and perhaps some steaks... As it's "drunk Easter," it also involved the drinking of a bunch of alcohol, so you'll forgive my fuzzy memory.

Five Tips To Be The Perfect Host

Your MatchGirl and Boyfriend do so live to entertain, gentle readers. Below, we offer some handy tips that will get you started along the path of being the perfect host.

Valentine

Today's post, gentle readers, is for Boyfriend.

Read on, if you wish. But know that these words are for him.

Today, is Valentine's day, and, with recent circumstances, I'm a little short on cash. I know you understand.

We've been through some ups. We've been through some downs. We've held hands and helped each other keep going. Moving forward.

This post, is for you, Boyfriend.
You, who helps me to remember that I am strong.
You, who helps me to realize that I can be better.
You, who makes me realize - even in my darkest hour - that there is probably nothing I can't do. At least, nothing I can't do with you by my side.

So, on this, our second Valentine's Day together, I want to say, "I love you".

Being There

Our weekly Thursday post from Boyfriend.

One of my oldest friends had brain surgery yesterday. Serious brain surgery the kind that can make you live or can make you die. Last summer he suffered some stroke-like symptoms and after several weeks in the hospital doctors concluded that he had a condition that caused blood to leak into his brain stem. This is fixable, but only by the doctors operating on his brain. The best case is they go in and pretty easily fix it. The range of options for the surgery range from slight to not being alive anymore.

Holidaze

Your MatchGirl took a week off work to spend some time around the house, working on projects and spending time with visiting family. Enjoy some photos from the week, like the one (above) of Boyfriend displaying our Christmas roast! 

More after the jump...

Tribes

Thursday means Boyfriend is writing!


Tribes is a term I don’t really use. It has some negative Burning Man-esque connotations in my mind. It is a pretty good way to describe our extended non-related family however. As I mentioned in an earlier post this will be my first Christmas away from not only my family but also away from my … um … tribe. I can’t really get down with that word, so from here on out I will use the term that I have always used and say my crew.

Countdown

Gentle readers, your MatchGirl and Boyfriend are in quite the frenzy this week!

As we've both posted over the past couple of weeks, we are hosting a full house of people for the holidays. For Christmas Eve we'll have my parents in town and our friends and their son will join us for a San Francisco inspired dinner. The next day the rest of my family will arrive early and we'll have some breakfast (and loads of coffee, I'm sure!) and exchange gifts and spend some time together...

Open House

Last week, Boyfriend wrote of starting new holiday traditions.

It's something that couples do as they grow closer and they live further from their families. It's something we all do as we become adults.

Holiday Traditions

Another Thursday guest post from Boyfriend!

In my family we don’t have a lot of holiday traditions. There is no routine that is followed every year. Usually we get together on Christmas Eve and after mulling about for a while we will do one of two things either eat a meal together and then open presents or we will not eat a meal together and then open presents. Perhaps the tradition is really the lack of a plan. For many years I have tried to establish some sort of routine and plan to follow for the holidays. My family is just not into it.

Boyfriend On: Thanksgiving

We continue our weekly Thursday posts from Boyfriend.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Not for all the once a year “I'm so thankful” stuff, but because it has always been the most fun out of all the holidays.

When I was but a young little Boyfriend I loved Thanksgiving because we got to eat all kinds of food that was out of bounds the rest of the year. You see my mom was a vegetarian and a bit of a hippie when it came to food, as were my Grandparents who lived next door. Going to visit my Dad’s side of the family presented me with the opportunity to eat turkey and all the fixings.

Road Trip: New Orleans, Louisiana

The "gone fishin'" sign was up on the blog for the past several days. And for good reason.

Boyfriend and your MatchGirl just returned from a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Helping

And thus begins Boyfriend's weekly posts!

I’m here! Once a week I am contributing to this blog. I’m not doing it because I love writing, I am in fact terrible at it. I am doing it because I see your MatchGirl struggling to get everything she needs to do done everyday. Sometimes people need a break. If I can provide that break then great. The fun/bad part for you readers is that now you will be subjected to a peek inside my mind.

A Galaxy of Gold Stars for Boyfriend

The thing about living together is that you get to see all the peccadillos of your significant other. Boyfriend and your MatchGirl have both shown our true colors and I think that's a great thing.

Bad Ass

Just because... sometimes your MatchGirl has nothing much to say ...

Best House Guest Ever

So, my friend Bob stayed with us over the weekend. He might be the best house guest in the history of house guests.