Faraday's Fourth

Happy 4th Birthday, Faraday cat! 

 Muffin had a pretty exciting birthday party last night...or that was my St. Patrick's Day party. Either way, he enjoyed hanging out in the circle of people, watching and listening to our silliness. He even got to see the great outdoors for a heart-stopping sixty seconds, as he slipped past a departing guest and down the porch. The big world is cold and scary, though, so he allowed himself to be caught and taken back to the warmth of his indoor domain.

He sniffed, but did not eat, a multitude of green foods:

 He also patiently wore a tiny green hat for a minute or two, to the delight of our guests.

(He wore this hat for his third birthday. For his second, he got to wear a bow.)

Today, both of us recovered from having so many people over so late. He chose to dedicate his daylight hours to sleeping. I chose to walk seven miles, and revel in New Mexico's beautiful weather. Happy Spring, Friends, and I love you, silly cat!

A Wedding of Geeks

On the weekend of February 24, 2013, I flew to Philadelphia to celebrate the marriage of Erica and Dan. I met Erica in 2008, at the Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates and graduate students in physics in Lindau, Germany. We were thrilled to discover that we lived a mere hour or two from each other, and have spent the last four and a half years knitting together when we could, and talking online almost every day about physics, Doctor Who, Star Trek, travel, being women in science...and knitting, of course. So when I moved to New Mexico, we just kept on with the friendship as nothing much changed. She's about to move to Canada, meaning I have another fun place to visit!

Dan is perfect for her. He is smart, loves the Doctor, and makes a mean cocktail. I assumed this wedding would have delicious drinks. I was not wrong.

So, I flew in Friday and took a train to Center City, where I met the girls at our swanky hotel for the Bachelorette Party. The details will remain hidden, but we danced until 2am and then had hashbrowns and eggs until 4am. Erica had a blast (as did we all). 

After a few hours' sleep, another accidental nap, and a frantic ten-minute shower-and-pack-up session, I met Kelsey for a day of eating our way around town. She found an amazing brunch place, The Dandelion Pub, with the best scones I've ever had. We bought delicious-smelling things at Lush, had cappuccinos at La Colombe, and a cocktail at The Farmer's Cabinet. After dinner in Newtown, PA, with Lee, we attended a party at 12PL in Princeton, NJ, home of a bunch of Princeton plasma grads. It was almost like old times.

The next morning, after saying goodbye to Kelsey's kitties,  I had brunch at Craig, Melissa, and Erik's! Erik is going to be TWO YEARS OLD in July. He is walking so well and talking up a storm. He gave me the best tour of an apartment I've ever gotten. We saw the table, the chairs, the toys, the dog, and countless other items. He's a complete joy to be around. (Says the person who doesn't live with his almost two-year-old self.) Melissa made scrumptious stuffed French toast, and then Craig drove me to the train station, and then I said goodbye to Princeton. It was a beautiful fifteen hours in a place that still feels an awful lot like home.

I merrily read my way all the way into Philly, made my connection, and happily read almost all the way to Media. I could have sworn I was supposed to get off in Media, but at an earlier stop, the conductors yelled, "IS THERE A JESSICA HERE????" 

"Ummm, yes?" I said.

"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GET OFF HERE."

"I really don't think I am..."

"I THINK YOU ARE. THERE'S A WOMAN HERE FOR YOU."

I skeptically dragged my things to the door. Sure enough, Marianne was waving at me with a big smile. 

"GET OFF HERE!!!"

Okay then! We drove to her beautiful house where a gorgeous bride was enjoying strawberries and champagne while waiting for the gals and photographer to arrive. We giggled, we reminisced, we primped, we ironed, we posed. We packed...and we drove to the ceremony!

Dan and Erica had a sweet, quirky, intimate wedding with only about forty people. I felt so privileged to be there. I met family members, physics classmates, psychology classmates, restaurant business friends. Their vows were touching and included scifi jokes. They looked fabulous together, as always. We all signed their marriage certificate as witnesses. People toasted, with more scifi references. The dinner was amazing (I had the pasta), and I had a terrific time chatting up several of their friends. They know very interesting and diverse people. After the main event, we retired to Diego's, the tequila bar Dan manages. The staff decorated it like a speakeasy with Doctor Who influences. The place was packed with more friends of the happy couple. It was terrific. Marianne, her husband, Jeff, and I were exhausted by 11pm, however, and we retired to their house, where we caught about fifteen minutes of the Oscars before succumbing to the very long weekend. 

Jeff was kind enough to give me La Colombe French press in the morning before he drove me to the airport. Bless him. The trip home was not the best I've had, but I'll leave you with the high point: knitting in a sunny spot in the Philadelphia airport for two hours while drinking my first latte of the day.  It was the perfect way to unwind from an exciting weekend, jam-packed with amazing people and food. Thank you, Erica and Dan, for getting married, and for inviting me to the party! Love you!

A Terrible Christmas Poem, to serve as your card

A word of warning: I am a plasma physicist. Not a poet.
Edited by my mother. The English teacher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 It's the Time to Christmas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Twas several weeks before Christmas, 
when all through the townhouse...

Living room

The extra table was for Thanksgiving.

Hall of Morocco pictures

Not an ornament was hangin', 
nor from Muffin, a mouse.

Guest/cat bedroom

My bedroom

Obviously...the bathroom.

Future tree was just chillin' 
in its Caldera pen

Valles Grande Caldera

I journey to get it,
 and snatched it right then.

I nestled my pretties 
all snug in our tree

While Muffin snoozed on, glaring

"Don't 'cha try 'n wake me."

Faraday the Magnificent

Adding the Dalek (my mini-Who-tree)
And bordering-on-crazy-cat-lady-but-I-swear-I-didn’t-buy-the-new-one frame

ILLUMINAAATE!

I painted the one on the left...aunts gave me the one on the right

I still have better taste than the neighbor we blame.

Seriously??

When out in the town 
there arose such events!

Los Alamos Winter Parade

A parade, twinkly lights, luminarias--
we were pretty much spent!

Ashley (Pond) Pond

North Mesa Stables Luminaria Walk

 Then along came some snowflakes 
to slow us all down

Powdery hikes, fluffy trees
a welcome break from desert brown!

Here's to one last day of cleaning, 
wrapping, and shopping,

Before down to Albuquerque 
I must be hopping.

The family is coming 
for Christmas with ME!

Oh joyful day--
we'll all sing with glee!

May you all boldly go 
where you've never gone before,

My geek-haven home office

 Spending time--wibbly or wobbly--
with family and more.

More office--note the Star Trek stein

EXTERMINATE your worries and 
CELEBRATE Jesus' birth!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, 

AND TO ALL LOTS OF MIRTH.

LOVE!

The Wedding of Amy and Bub

August 4, 2012

By K

Amy and Bub's wedding week ran smoothly, thanks to my family's famous planning. A several-page document listed the duties of the bride's family, the groom's family, and many friends. Mine included planning and co-hosting the bachelorette party, accompanying Dad to the airport to retrieve out-of-town family members and to the store to pick up his tux, being fitted for the bridesmaid dress Mom was frantically finishing, enjoying my brother's company, and making sure the bride was happy and our younger sister, caffeinated.

By K

I flew in Saturday. Mom sewed. I drank coffee, and tried the dress on when told.

By K

Sunday-Tuesday, repeat.

On Wednesday, Amy's new sister-in-law, Elena, and I threw a fantastic bachelorette party at Elena's house, if we do say so ourselves. We served carne adovada tacos (bringin' a little southwestern flavor to the northwest!), amazing homemade refried beans and salsa (thanks, Mariela!), fixings from all the gals, brownies from a box, and the hit of the night: an amazing sangria (I used a cabernet sauvigon and added peaches). We played a couple games, embarrassed her only a little, and generally had a great time with about 20 fabulous gals who love Amy to pieces.

On Thursday, Aunt Jody and Cousin Nik arrived from California and Louisiana.

Before the airport stop, I had a blast at Men's Wearhouse with Dad, and could not get over how schnazzy he looks in a suit. I was pretty disappointed, though, that Bubby didn't go with these:

On Friday, the whole gaggle of us descended on the church building to DECORATE. Their decorations were brilliant reds, golds, and purples, an homage to Amy and Bub's strong ties to Morocco. Flowing, rich fabrics draped for a tent, over tables, and around lanterns.

By K

Aunt Kristie and I learned that sometimes, when you are told to drape fabric on a table, and you take twenty minutes getting it just right, the bride will come by later and completely redo it. At that point, you just sip your lattes, smile knowingly at each other, and perhaps work less hard on the next decorating job you are given.

Post-decorating bash, we rehearsed. It was my fourth bridesmaid stint, but walking in a straight line when people are staring at you is still nerve-wracking. Our shoes were flat, bless Amy's dear soul, but juggling a bouquet, two dudes (I got the extra groomsman), and a full-length gown is tricky!

By K

The new in-laws hosted an incredible Moroccan rehearsal supper in their beautiful yard. Tagine, couscous, olives, chobbes...mmmm. We were surrounded by lanterns, Moroccan silver tea sets, and friends on a warm Washington evening.

On Saturday, we woke up early to go get FANCY. Amy and Mom zipped off immediately. Jenny and I took it a bit more slowly, and stopped for some elixir of life.

By K

Amy married into a family with two professional cosmetologists. It turns out that the convenience of this cannot be overstated. For next-to-nothing, the bridesmaids (and bride, obvs) got fabulous
up-dos. The bridesmaids did our own makeup, but Amy got the full Elena Treatment!

We put the dear in her dress...

...and set off to see the paparazza.

By K

By K

By K

By K

 We walked a lot. Through the woods.

  We almost died on a very rickety trampoline (to be fair, it was probably just fine without six adult females jumping on it).

By K

David's gonna keep our new BIL in line.

By K

By K

Finally, it was time to go the chapel! On the way, we stopped for more liquid courage. Natch. We had a lovely prayer time with Amykins, and waited for the go-ahead on the walkie talkie. Marching orders came, and we lined up for the big moment!

By K

 David's taking care of Mumsy.

By K

 Will Dad give her away??

By K

I always bemoan the fact that as a bridesmaid, I am clearly there for the bride, yet I get to look at the groom's face the whole time. Ah well. I love you, I suppose, new BIL. The ceremony went off without a hitch and was lovely. It was also under 30 minutes, so score!

By K

Them's got MARRIED.

By K

I witnessed it. Pretty sure.

By K

WE DID IT!!!

 

After clean-up duties, we whisked ourselves back to the in-laws' beautifully-decorated compound for the outdoor reception. Praise the Lord for the most beautiful Western Washington day you could imagine! Not a drop of rain fell on our merriment!

BFF Bethany drove down for the occasion!

By K

The food was incredible. Tri-tip steaks prepared by an uncle-in-law and a whole pig roasted by the husband of one of Amy's best childhood friends. I hear the cheesecakes were fabulous, but I was too distracted by keeping Amy fed, catching up with childhood friends, and dancing to their terrific music to try them.

By K

Oh and giving a speech. I hate talking to crowds of people. Here, I'm either overcome by love for my sister, whining about being in front of everyone, or feeling indigestion:

By K

The in-laws delighted us with a song, with an apparently naughty Arabic verse that no one would translate for us (Amy fully understood it).

By K

The newly-married couple had their first dances, visited with their guests, and eventually, ran off into the night! (Specifically, up to Whistler, Canada.)

By K

We danced the night away, grabbed some lanterns (Mom and Amy didn't want to keep all 100 of the jars they painted so prettily), stole sparkling cider off tables (we're rebels), and drove home to collapse from exhaustion.

Kind of like this:

By K

 No bridesmaids were hurt with the making of this wedding.

On Sunday, I made my dearest parents wake up before 6am to take me to the airport. Love yooooou.

By K

Congratulations, Amy and Bub! You are a beautiful couple, and may the Lord bless your marriage!

By K

(Pictures "By K" are by their official wedding photographer; the others are from my phone. If you want her details, let me know! Reprinted with permission from the bride. :) )