i saw this video on jezebel the other day and thought i'd repost it.  i wish i could throw cucumbers at people all the time.  it's so frustrating when things aren't fair!  capuchins get it.

fun facts: capuchins are new world monkeys that live in central and south america.  they are named after a group of italian friars (because they look like them). considered the most intelligent of all new world monkeys, they are often used in research labs, in movies, and as service animals.

p.s. you know i gotta include their tool-use abilities :)
The tufted capuchin is especially noted for its long-term tool usage, one of the few examples of primate tool use other than by apes. Upon seeing macaws eating palm nuts, cracking them open with their beaks, these capuchins will select a few of the ripest fruits, nip off the tip of the fruit and drink down the juice, then seemingly discard the rest of the fruit with the nut inside. When these discarded fruits have hardened and become slightly brittle, the capuchins will gather them up again and take them to a large flat boulder where they have previously gathered a few river stones from up to a mile away. They will then use these stones, some of them weighing as much as the monkeys, to crack open the fruit to get to the nut inside. Young capuchins will watch this process to learn from the older, more experienced adults. It may take a capuchin up to 8 years to master this skill.

using a stone to crack a nut

i was on the metro on the way to work this morning and something great happened.  while on one hand it's very sweet, on the other, this guy is hilarious.  he walked onto the train, the doors closed, and he yelled out "attention please!" then started singing.

so many things.  his accent.  his cross pin with the american flag on it.  his interpretation of the lyrics.  no one even looks at him. the poor guy next to me was probably thinking "i'm already blind, are you going to make me go deaf, too?"

his timing was perfect though.  he finished his song as the doors opened at the next stop!

i tend to have a mixed bag of feelings about living in this city.  this is one thing i love about it... there's never a dull moment.

and i have to admit, i've had that song stuck in my head all day! touche, sir. touche.




Commuter Carol from Katie Gill on Vimeo.

this year was our 3rd annual thanksgiving spent with our friends aaron and rebecca, so it's safe to say that traditions have started, the first of which is the food.  eric made his bread, i made my buttermilk pie, a&r made an incredible meal, and we all stuffed ourselves like the turkey on the table. 

my dad is in town for the holiday weekend, and after the 5 of us ate too much, he and eric (and belle) passed out in a turkey induced coma.  rebecca and i then commenced thanksgiving tradition #2: the puzzle! it was way too hard... only 750 pieces next year.  but the time it took to finish this thing let us also accomplish the last important tradition: watching the cowboys and texas lose at football :)

i got a wild hair to get a new rug and paint the living room.  here are some before and after pics.

before - green rug, white walls:

after - jute rug, blue walls: can you see the ghost dogs moving on the rug?

the girls seem to like the new rug that was on sale at west elm.

here's a picture mid painting.  the blue is called "craggy cliff".  i would not recommend painting and drinking.  a few touch ups had to be done the next morning :)

before - green curtains:

after - white curtains:

we're a little over 4 months out, so i've been working on little details for the wedding.  i want to incorporate things from the arts and sciences in what i hope will end up being a natural, comfortable but romantic vibe.

that said, i ordered 1000 test tubes and this test tube chandelier.  it turns out that test tubes make really cool decorations. 

i grouped some test tubes together and tied them with twine.  i think it just looks like a vase until you notice the test tubes.  

i've also been experimenting with paper flowers, confetti, and garland made out of sheet music, and playing with different materials to see what can be done, like burlap, twine, craft paper, and doilies.

here is a twine wrapped vase i made inspired by someone on pinterest.

oh my goodness so much stuff has to get done in the next 138 days!

we decided to make up our own tortilla soup recipe since it's impossible to get good mexican food around here.  it came out so good i have to share.  we couldn't stop eating it, even though our stomachs were going to explode!

Tortilla Soup:

• 1 white onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 celery sticks, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 fresh jalapeños, chopped
• 1 rotisserie cooked chicken (remove all of the chicken from bone and discard bones)
• 2 cans chicken broth
• 1 can ro-tel with green chilis
• 2 corn on the cobs, chopped in half or in 3
• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 lime
• 1 avocado
• tortilla chips
• monterey jack cheese
• sour cream (optional)

In a big pot, saute the onion and garlic in oil.  Add the celery and carrots, saute for 2 minutes.  Add the jalapeños and chicken, saute for 2 minutes.  Add the chicken broth, ro-tel, corn, a few sprigs of cilantro, cumin, and salt.  If necessary, add water to cover all ingredients.  Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 30 minutes.  Squeeze in fresh lime juice and then salt and pepper to taste.  Serve and garnish with avocado, jack cheese, tortilla chips, and sour cream.  

So many flavors! I could eat this everyday.  It's also great served with mexican rice on the side, or in the soup!

the cathedral choral society held their 3rd annual wine and chocolate tasting fundraiser this past weekend, and like always the chocolate was beautiful (tasting and looking) and the food was delicious.  the whole thing is pretty much run by volunteers, even the flowers!

there was also a silent auction with many items donated by embassies.  last year eric and i won a basket of everything you need to make tablea tsokolate (filipino hot chocolate), but nothing was in our price range this time.

if you haven't been to one of the choral society's concerts, it's worth checking out.  the cathedral filled with music is a magical experience.

the theme of allie's birthday was "bobby flay", but bobby has got nothing on this girl.  we ate so much for lunch, i didn't have to eat again until the next day.  it was pretty much the best food i've had in a year.  if chris hadn't spoken for her, i'd ask her out myself.

this is my second full plate. 

i guess we should give chris credit for the bbq'd chicken, it was perfect.

eric and i brought ramen noodle cole slaw.  it's one of my favorites and i've put the recipe at the end of this post.

baked brie with almonds and cranberries.

i didn't get a picture, but allie made some fried catfish. o.m.g. so good.

we were also introduced to duck dynasty.

and we played some taboo and ate cupcakes.  big surprise the girls won :)

happy birthday allie!

Ramen Noodle Cole Slaw

• 1 Package of cole slaw mix (cabbages and carrots)
• 1 Package Ramen Noodles, dry and broken up
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped or slivered
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tsps. lime juice
• 1/2 tablespoon sriracha (change for your own spicy preference)

Whisk the following and set aside: oil, vinegar, ramen seasoning packet, sugar, lime juice, and sriracha.

Mix the following in a large bowl: slaw mix, dry noodles, green onions, almonds, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

Right before serving, pour the liquid over the coleslaw and mix.  Enjoy!