Bleak House

Song of the Day: You Send Me by Sam Cooke

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, close to 70 degrees, sunny, warm, fresh, with daffodils blooming everywhere:

Enchanting daffodils at Reynolda

Today, however, quite a different picture:

Don't worry, those aren't aliens, just the reflections from our kitchen lights.

We are immersed in pea-soup-thick fog today, and we're not sure it's going to get any better. And that's OK. A good excuse to sit on the couch and read. Katherine has finished Mockingjay and and highly recommends the trilogy. She'll start reading A Burial at Sea on the couch later. Fitz is still working on Nightwoods by Charles Frazier and is enjoying it. One of his favorite books, Cold Mountain, is written by Charles Frazier as well. 

Fitz went to the Duke vs. Wake Forest basketball game last night with his co-clerk. Dave pulled for Duke, and Fitz, amazingly, pulled for Wake Forest. It looked like a run-away game for Duke for most of the second half, but Wake Forest rallied and came within six points or so. However, the Devils were just too much to handle and Wake Forest lost the game. Still, it was a fun event and Fitz was very appreciative to go to an ACC basketball game, the first of the season for him. 

Meanwhile, Katherine sat on her couch watching whatever she wanted to: wedding shows, cooking shows, and fashion shows. 

Tonight, we are very excited about the return of Psych on USA! It's one of our favorite shows. Ever. Here are the top 5 reasons why:

1. They're obsessed with 80's pop music.

2. The amount of nick names this show produces is not only prolific but of superior quality.

3. The show promotes healthy eating.

4. The show is packed with action. 

5. This sums it up.

And oh, Happy Leap Day!

Predictions!

Song of the Day: Original Score from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by Alberto Iglesias (nominated for Best Original Score)

This evening, we made our Oscar predictions. We approached our decision making process very differently. Fitz made his selections based on who he hopes will win, and Katherine chose those she thinks will win tonight. You'll see our choices circled below. Katherine is the pink highlighter, and Fitz is the green marker. Should be a fun evening watching Billy Crystal! Fitz would like to add that he is disappointed with the Best Picture nominees as he only saw a handful of them, and while they were good, they were nowhere near the excellence of last year's nominees. (Note from Katherine: I think he's still a little upset The Social Network didn't win Best Picture last year. We loved The King's Speech, but a very strong case could be made that the Facebook movie, which is about so much more than just Facebook, should have won.)

Ack, hard to tell, but Katherine chose The Artist to win while Fitz chose Moneyball. 

Katherine: George Clooney and Michelle Williams. Fitz: George Clooney and Rooney Mara.

Katherine: Michel Havanicius, Christopher Plummer, and Octavia Spencer. Fitz: Alexander Payne, Jonah Hill, and Melissa McCarthy. 

Beautiful Day

Song of the Day: Calgary by Bon Iver

Happy Saturday! Yesterday was an incredible 75 degrees, but this morning, we find that things got a little chillier between then and now. It is still a beautiful day with big fluffy clouds and a clear view of the mountains from our window. The wind is whipping. It literally took our breath away as we walked to the library this morning. But on our walk there is a little patch of grass in front of a church that hasn't been cut since the fall, and when the wind rushes past, the lawn looks like a small green ocean. It's one of our favorite little sights downtown.

So much to read and watch!

We were on a mission this morning going to the library. We had to return two DVDs, The Verdict and Thirteen Days, which we watched throughout the week, and the final book of The Hunger Games Trilogy, Mockingjay, was waiting for Katherine. We would highly recommend The Verdict starring Paul Newman as a washed up lawyer who suddenly regains his sense of justice; Thirteen Days is an interesting and artistic look at the Cuban Missile Crisis and is also very good.

Fiz is back at the courthouse today working on a few things for the trial going on this month. Katherine has finished writing some postcards this morning to some friends and is enjoying a latte from Camino Bakery, one of her most favorite spots in Winston-Salem. One of the things she loves about lattes is the latte art that can sometimes accompany her order. She actually has several friends who can create latte art brilliantly!

One of the things that surprises Fitz in his new life as a lawyer is the amount of junk mail he receives. Almost everyday something of some sort comes in the mail for him, and it's usually nonsense. Shredding has become a pastime in our household; every good lawyer needs a good shredder. (That's a joke?)

Fat Wednesday

Song of the Day: Mr. Jones by Counting Crows

Well, even though it snowed Sunday night, today was a lovely day, and tomorrow promises to reach a high of 73. Classic North Carolina weather. We're ready for spring!

Hooray! Kellogg's just simply won't do!

Good news! Post Raisin Bran is back at Wal-Mart! There was much rejoicing as Fitz was able to continue eating breakfast without a lapse in taste or healthiness. 

Yesterday we celebrated Mardi Gras by eating bourbon glazed salmon. A weak celebration perhaps, but we did observe Fat Tuesday with a fatty fish rich with omega-3s. To be fair, Fitz sampled the salmon while Katherine ate most of it. 

Long work days for Fitz continue with the ongoing trial at the courthouse. Katherine has decided to learn how to sew and hopes to take a class soon. That way, she can make Mardi Gras costumes for us in time for next year. 

Happy President's Day!

Song of the Day: Hail to the Chief

Today we celebrated President's Day. Fitz had the day off, which was very nice. Katherine made some cinnamon muffins this morning, and we had an easy-going day of reading and writing. We're currently watching a documentary on Bill Clinton airing on PBS this evening that will continue tomorrow night. This morning we discussed our favorite presidents...

Favorite president? Why?

Fitz: James K. Polk. Because he did what he said he was going to do, he went to UNC, and he only ran for one term. 

Katherine: John Adams. Because he was very influential in the founding of our country, was a man of integrity, and loved his wife. 

In January 2009, we went to Richmond, Virginia, for a wedding, and the following day, we figured, why not? We drove a few more hours to Washington, D.C. Here are some pictures from that lovely, spontaneous day.

Fitz with the Capitol in the background, looking very stately...

...and here Katherine is looking up at the Washington Memorial from the ground. 

Abe and Katherine

Fitz and Abe

Here's Fitz and his future home behind him.

We were wondering where our bailouts were...

Katherine's favorite spot, the National Gallery of Art.

And Fitz there too!

And yes, we did ride the merry-go-round. Katherine insisted.

On Our Walk Today

Song of the Day: Heartbeat by Tahiti 80

Last night was the opening party for A Genius for Place, Reynolda House Museum of American Art's new exhibition. The indoor garden party was very well attended and featured live jazz and indoor ice skaters. 

Today was a beautiful day! We're glad we enjoyed it because tomorrow we're supposed to get a wintry mix. We'll see just how wintry it is, because today got up to 62!

We went for a nice walk down in Old Salem and Salem College this afternoon. Here are some pictures from our stroll. We're worried some of these beautiful flowers are going to get quite a shock tomorrow, if the weatherman's right...

On this day three years and a day ago...

Song of the Day: Lonely Boy by The Black Keys

We've collected many memories over the past four years, mostly happy, some bittersweet, and some, well, interesting. And that would include The Great Flood of '09, which we commemorated yesterday. On February 15, 2009, at 7:05AM, we awoke to the sound of pounding at the front door of our apartment. As Katherine wrestled her way out of bed, Fitz made it to the front door where he greeted a fireman. In the morning's sleepy haze, Fitz had made it to the door before realizing that our apartment was flooded. A pipe had burst in the early morning hours, and thus began the slippery downfall of our apartment dwellings. But a first apartment in one's early married years is supposed to be like ours, full of quirks, mishaps, and things that require a certain about of time passing before they're funny. While we very much love our new place, sometimes our minds take us back to that tiny 733 square feet home and we remember what it was to be newlyweds battling mice, ants, loud neighbors, and yes, inches of standing water. 

We lived in the bottom apartment in the good ol' days. 

Be Mine...Please.

Song of the Day: I Swear by Boyz II Men

Ah, young awkward love...prom pose! Circa 2007

Happy Valentine's Day! We've had a lovely day, and we received several sweet cards and little gifts in the mail, which was very kind of our family and friends to do. We just want to say how very much we love our friends and family and how thankful we are for each of you!

To celebrate Valentine's Day, we asked each other some questions...

Q: What do you think is the most romantic song?

Fitz: Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber

Katherine: Early April Morning by Brendan James

Q: What is your favorite romantic guilty pleasure song?

Fitz: If I Die Young by The Band Perry 

Katherine: Crush by David Archuleta

Tonight, for our romantic dinner at home, we had quite the menu! We had:

Frisee salad with blood oranges and strawberries in a balsamic vinaigrette

Basil and spinach lasagna with goat cheese

Herbed ribeye with red onion marmalade

And for dessert, homemade chocolate covered strawberries!

Check it out...

Look! The butcher cut the ribeye in the shape of a heart! Awww!

Flowers for Katherine! Fitz went with a Wake Forest theme this year...

Why, Katherine, did you iron that tablecloth? Why yes I did!

Oooh, steak...

Pretty salad!

DESSERT!!!

So, did we eat it all? Check it out...

And in other news, Fitz received his new suit in the mail today!

Would You Like a Cup of Tea?

Song of the Day: Think You Can Wait by The National (thanks to Ted, Fitz's dad, for the suggestion!)

Recently, we have been increasingly interested in British culture and television. We were delighted to remember yesterday that we get BBC America with our cable. Katherine and Fitz, sadly for him, have been obsessed with Downton Abbey, the critically acclaimed British miniseries currently airing on PBS. And it is Katherine's mission to find a tea set and start having afternoon tea everyday, scones and all. We've run across some pretty amazing videos of late filmed across the pond; here are two of them. Cheers!

Fitz and Katherine and the Very Blustery Day

Song of the Day: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

The big news today is, of course, that Whitney Houston has tragically passed on. So, in her memory, today's song is perhaps her most famous and brings back memories of middle school slow dances for Katherine. 

Today, while Fitz was out running and as Katherine sat at the desk, we both saw snowflakes falling here in Winston-Salem. It has been a very cold and very windy day. It is currently 23 degrees, and Katherine is now convinced that the apartment is drafty. Thank goodness we have our comfy sweatshirts and blankets and hot tea! And yes, we do have heat. 

We walked to the library this morning, and Fitz got a new audiobook, Ken Follett's Triple. Katherine is still working on her mystery novel and anxiously awaiting Mockingjay. 

This afternoon, we went to go see the new Denzel Washington movie, Safe House. It was a great action-packed movie, and we both liked it and would recommend it. Before the movie began, we saw a trailer for the new Bourne movie...looks exciting! It stars Jeremy Renner who gave an amazing performance in The Hurt Locker, an excellent film. 

Where's the Raisin Bran?? No, not the Kellogg's kind...

As you may or may not remember, Fitz was devastated to learn that Krispy Kreme had discontinued his favorite doughnut, the iconic Kreuller. Well, sadly, we had not anticipated this event to be the harbinger of other misfortunes. While grocery shopping at Wal-Mart today, we were disturbed to discover that Post's Raisin Bran had been removed from the aisle and replaced by Honey Bunches of Oats. Obviously, we were able to buy Fitz his cereal at Harris Teeter (at a higher price), but it was a shocking event all the same. And while other sorbets seemed to be plentifully stocked, Fitz purchased the last mango sorbet. Another bad omen? We hope not!

All Greensboro's a Stage

Song of the Day: Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House

The set of Stage Door

What a wonderful evening! We drove to Greensboro and back this evening to see a play called Stage Door produced by UNCG. It was a fabulous production, and we were both truly impressed by the talented ensemble. Every single actor and actress was phenomenal. It was a fun evening out, but now we're happy to be back home after a long week and a long day. 

This weekend should be a good one. There's a good chance we will go see Safe House starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds tomorrow as well as go to the library where Fitz will decide on a new audiobook. Katherine has already started the fourth of the Charles Lenox mysteries, A Stranger in Mayfair, but hopefully the last of The Hunger Games trilogy will be waiting for her. 

We hope all our family and friends and loved ones had a good week! We love you all!

Lux Libertas

Song of the Day: Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor

Well, today has been a day. Things to mention:

1. Fitz had a long day, but a good day. More "pleas and carrots."

2. Katherine has started to learn Italian. She can say that she can understand Italian, she can't understand Italian, she's American, and good day, mister. 

3. Vegetable soup again for dinner, but with cornbread. Yum. 

In other news, there is a great sadness in our household. We love you Tar Heels. Always. There is nothing else to say. 

Ruby Tuesday

Song of the Day: You Don't Know My Name by Alicia Keys

Fitz took this picture while walking home tonight.

Tuesday's gone with the wind, it seems. Fitz had quite the day in court, a lot of "pleas and carrots," as he would say. Katherine spent the day at Reynolda House and participated in the African-American Read-In which was held in the studios. At the event, someone read the children's book Skin Again. It is a very sweet book and has a great message for all children (and all adults!).

Tonight we made vegetable soup for dinner and watched one of our favorite shows, White Collar, on USA. A quiet, pleasant evening for us.

This Friday night, however, we will be having an exciting evening driving to Greensboro to see a play at UNCG called Stage Door. Katherine actually recognized one of the actresses' names as a girl she used to work with at Camp Cheerio. She's excited to see her old friend and cheer her on in this performance! Going to see plays and performances always reminds us of some of our first dates together, like seeing a performance starring one of Katherine's former roommates and attending a production of Steel Magnolias at St. Mary's School where Fitz used to work.

Favorite play or performance you've seen?
Fitz: I'd have to say The Phantom of the Opera.
Katherine: Hmmm, I love Agatha Christie, so probably The Mousetrap.

If you had to write a play about something, what would it be about?
Fitz: Bruno P. Xignigamous. You can follow him on twitter @brunopxiggy in the meantime.
Katherine: Most likely a play about campers and camp. And the jello slurping contests.

A Case of the Mondays

Song of the Day: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

It's a manic Monday! Short blog today. Fitz has finished Micro by Michael Crichton. "I enjoyed it," Fitz says, "and I'm sorry that it's Michael Crichton's last book." He's also still listening to Whiteout by Ken Follett. Katherine has finished The Fleet Street Murders as well as Catching Fire, the second of The Hunger Games trilogy.   She is very excited about the movie rendition of The Hunger Games coming out March 23rd. Should be exciting!

Tonight we met with our Bible study group again. For discussion, we all read Why I Am Not a Pacifist by C.S. Lewis. We had a very lively conversation as the lecture was very interesting and insightful. For next week, our group is going to have a potluck, and the theme is Mardi Gras! We are going to have to study up on our cajun cooking, so any suggestions are welcome! (Gumbo's already taken...)

It's Super Sunday!

Song of the Day: Vogue by Madonna

Today is Super Bowl Sunday! We just watched the Giants win the Super Bowl, and we're both happy for Eli Manning and the team's victory. Also, here are some commercials we liked...

Fitz's grandmother, Ma, had a birthday earlier this week, and Katherine's brothers, Allen and Brendan, celebrated a birthday yesterday! Happy Belated Birthday to you all! 

Katherine's mom, Katherine, and Ma! We love you, Ma!

Happy Birthday, Allen and Brendan! Love you guys!

Winston-Salem Night Life, Our Style

Song of the Day: Drive by Incubus

An abbreviated blog post is in order for this evening. We had a busy night. After Fitz got off work, he and Katherine went to the "Art You Can Wear" fashion show at Winston-Salem's Sawtooth Center, just a few blocks away from the apartment.

The fashion show!

We also checked out an exhibit featuring recent artwork from Wake Forest art professors. This bovine-inspired piece was mooo-ving!

The cows!

The night!

Once they got back, they watched Jeopardy and then cooked Chinese stir-fry for dinner.

The veggies before Katherine poured spicy sauce all over it!

After that, they watched Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. It was very good, artistic and surprisingly violent. Still, we enjoyed it a lot. And awesome soundtrack!

Lowering Our Ears

Song of the Day: Mama Told Me (Not to Come) by Three Dog Night

Today was a day for haircuts. Fitz's hair, as you can see from the picture below, was in desperate need of a trim.

Isn't he handsome?

So after work, he headed down 4th Street to The Oval Office, a barber shop decorated in a presidential theme. (Pictures of presidents adorn the walls.) Here's the after shot:

So cute!

Katherine also got her hair cut today, but hers was a bit more drastic. Here's her morning shot:

Pretty before...

Katherine visited The Escape Salon where Heather gave her a new and wonderful haircut:

...and pretty after!

In other news, February 2 is the day folks in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania wait for Phil the groundhog to come out of his hole and look for his shadow. We're not sure if groundhogs are indigenous to the Winston-Salem area, but we discovered quite an odd sight this afternoon on the roof of our building...

What a beautiful day here on the roof!

Bruno?? Is that you? What are you doing up here?

Building a base tan we see...

Cool shades!

Bruno's shadow! Six more weeks of winter. Bummer, dude.