#4 - Dinner

Amy: Little Mexico is all I have to say! This is the man responsible for making the most amazing tacos!! Dos taco pollo. They serve chicken, sirloin, and chirizo tacos, among other spanish sandwiches and tamales. This is the best neighborhood joint for a quick, cheap, and tasty dinner. The Guatamalan owners are really cute too! We went in one time looking for chocolate ice cream, but they only had pistachio. He apologized profusely and the next time we went in, they had it. Visit Little Mexico! you will not be disappointed.


Lauren: Mmmm....mexican for dinner! It just so happens that Brian and I both love a healthy, semi-authentic mexican meal, complete with homemade guacamole and cilantro-lime brown rice. Not surprisingly, I often end up turning my intended fajita or soft taco into a giant salad; after all, my day is not complete without at least a serving (or two) of spinach and veggies galore! :-) I love prepping for and cooking this meal because it gives Brian and I time to talk while creating a great meal together. Tan delicioso!!

Karen: so it's been somewhat like a 3 ring circus in my house. Just when I thought it was already crowded my 88 year old grandmother came to join in the fun. Having her around definitely keeps us all on our toes. It is nice though to have family dinners all the time. Many times the 5 of us (myself, husband Tim, and mom & dad) and many times my brother, his wife, and 4 1/2 month old son join in the festivities. My grandmother is 100% Italian, came to the US when she was 4, and cooking is a huge part of her life. She doesn't have one recipe written down and so as her memory is starting to drift I am quickly trying to get all of her tips when I can. Here she was helping me last night bread flounder for dinner. All along I have always dipped in egg then breadcrumb. But she taught me to use milk instead. Honestly I don't know if I tasted the difference but it made her happy to show me her way and I think I'll continue doing it that way in her honor.


Cassie: Its restaurant week in Raleigh and after failing at getting a table at two places, we finally just settled for a burger at Mo Joe's. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely not settling but I was hungry and forgot to take my picture. My picture is of our dinner for tomorrow night. I saw a this crock pot recipe on my new favorite addiction Pintrest. Preparing dinner in not even two minutes by dumping 3 ingredients into a pot is my kind of cooking on a weeknight. I know that it looks pretty disgusting now, but after cooking slowing for 8 hours it will be perfect!

#3 My Least Favorite Thing Right Now

Amy: The Starbucks on 30th and Park. Yeah, you heard me. This is my own personal review. The Starbucks on 30th and Park is one of the slowest around - and especially for NYC. It is the worst when you have 15 min. to get to work, really want a latte, have a Starbuck's gift card (well stolen from Marko), and the line is so long that you have to pass. AHHH! Definitely my least favorite thing.




Cassie: Traffic. I don't have anywhere as near a terrible commute as some people I know, but for me its a little much. When I lived in NJ and commuted into NYC, my commute could be anywhere from 2-4 hours. I thought that when I moved to NC I wouldn't have to be in traffic ever again. Fantasy I know, but my last job was only 1.5 miles away from my house. I just don't like the person I become in traffic...can become primal.

Karen: The thing I hate most right now is death. 2012 was supposed to be the year of the "light"- Meaning positivity and new beginning-Not more death. Well so much for that idea. In 2011, I unfortunately had to deal with the way too early deaths of 2 close family members and now just 16 days into 2012 I am dealing with it again. A man that was like a grandfather to me for the past 20 years has been taken in the arms of God. His life, however, was not short. He lived a full 90 years, served his country in WWII, took care of a beautiful family, and has loved my grandmother for the past 20 years as their lives were brought to one another after unfortunately both becoming young widows.
All I can say is that I'm ready for a break and hope the rest of 2012 has a little more "light" (the positive kind)

Lauren: The thing I hate most right now (and in general) is clutter. As you can see from this picture, my desk has now become a storage area for the growing baby pile, books, yoga gear, and other random items that don't seem to have a home
elsewhere. My goal for this month is to find some more efficient means of storage and organization, as soon this office will be turning into a nursery.
Game on!!

#2 Movement

Amy: The subway - my main mode of transportation these days. In Hong Kong, there is glass between the tracks and the platform. You can barely feel the movement of the train. Not in NYC! As the train passes by, it is a powerful and scary force, that almost knocks you back in a daze. If only I felt that the trains moved fast while on them?! I might get to work quicker!

Karen: This is me in my weekly dance class (I'm in the back) It is a great class that keeps me moving and takes me back to a place where I spent more time than I did my own home. I love being in the dance studio! I am sad though, because after next week I may not be able to make it every week to my class. I am moving on to a new job. Back to a "big girl" job as I call it and as of next Friday I will no longer be a bartender...and will be starting as a Manager at a local Panera Bread Cafe


Cassie: This is an awesome machine that is at my chiropractor's office. There is a roller that rolls up and down your spine to re-align it or something. I look forward to my visits for a very relaxing 10-15 mins. They even offer a lavender eye cover, but I declined this morning...I would have fallen asleep and not want to wake up!




It started out like little flutters in my tummy, every so slight, and I wasn't sure whether it could be the little baby moving around inside of me. That was three weeks ago; now, its suffice to say that this precious little baby girl is an athlete in the making, as she rarely ceases to move, kicking, twisting and turning about. It is one of the most incredible sensations I have ever experienced, and I cherish every moment of her "acrobatics"!

#1 Self Portrait

Amy: Starting 2012 with a BANG! haha! A new haircut, a new year. I look younger, but maybe that was the point. This will be the year that I rest, recuperate, and get rejuvenated. And, I'm really looking forward to it. 2012 is going to be filled with exciting opportunities and moments that I can actually enjoy.

Karen: This was the first picture taken of me in 2012... This is a whole new year for me. My mother-in-law gave us all flashlights for Christmas this year, saying "this is the year of the light". I am going to try to take that to the fullest extent. 2011 was a terrible year for me and I can only hope that 2012 will be better. So I started out the year with some friends at my home, woke up the next day with a hangover and trucked along....I was not liking the LIGHT that was coming through my windows...so hopefully the "light" my MIL was speaking of is something different and much more fulfilling :)

Cassie: Well its a new year and since last year was a little crazy, I think that starting this year upside down will help. I am glad to be back blogging and I think its going to be a great year :)








Lauren: Wow, life has changed dramatically-and all for the better-since last January during our NYE weekend at the Lake House. While not a self-portrait, I felt it appropriate to include a picture of Brian and I, for meeting him has opened my heart to love, laughter, and a newfound sense of happiness and peace in life. This is a picture of us on opening day at Fenway in April 2011. As you can see, it was colder then than it is in the midst of winter now! This year promises to be filled with exciting, albeit nerve-racking transitions for all of us, and I couldn't be more grateful to have three besties to create and share new and lasting memories with. CHEERS TO 2012!!

2012

Hello followers! Happy New Year!!! After a year off to refuel our creative juices Karen and Cassie are back to help you all over the HUMP. We have recruited 2 of our best friends, Lauren and Amy, to join us for the fun this year.
Meet your bloggers: from left to right...Lauren, Cassie, Amy, and Karen

ENJOY!!!

#52 Reunion

New Years Eve 2011




Thank you for following our blog its been fun :) I am sorry to say that we will not be continuing 52 Humpdays next year, but we appreciate all your support and comments.

#51 Mail

Karen: 'Tis the season of Christmas cards!! If you send us a picture it gets hung around the door. Here are just a few of the many we have received. tim and I didn't sent Christmas cards out this year- the first in many years. But seeing as we are living with my parents right now, it just didn't seem necessary. Hopefully next year we will be out in our own place again and back on the holiday card wagon again! Merry Christmas!!!

Cassie: Sorry for the late post, but I was working hard to get my inbox down to 3 emails. Gotta love getting everything done before a long vacation. Its when you are really able to enjoy it.

#50 - Toiletries

Karen: this is one of a few drawers I have full of crap in the bathroom. there are a few essentials I use everyday but it's amazing how easily the rest of the stuff piles up so fast! Looks like I need to do some early "spring" cleaning!


Cassie: I am heading back home for Christmas and needed to pack up my toiletries. I have never been a product person and this is probably the most I have ever had.
PS: Can't wait to see you Karen :)

#49 Tree

Karen: Today I went into the city with my Mom and met my bro for a nice day. We went to see a show, did some shopping, had lunch, and of course "took a pictcha by the tree!". For those that don't know the reference I lead you to one of my favorite you tube videos of all time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTs5eKZ0i1E

My mother also made us go back and see the tree at night too, although it was a great idea because it is such a beautiful sight to see and definitely gets you into the holiday spirit!

Cassie: This year I was a little late on my tree shopping and wasn't sure that I was going to get one. I went to the Farmer's Market and planned on only getting some roping but was able to barter and get the roping and the tree for what I was willing to spend. I love my tiny tree! It's about 3 feet tall, but just the right size for the amount of ornaments we have. I have never been one to put filler ornaments only stuff that I have received as presents or in ornament exchanges and the first year we had a tree in NC we didn't have any ornaments. You might be able to make one of the original the Diet Pepsi Cans, they decorated our first tree. I had to keep one!

#48 - Lunch

Karen: I had a great lunch a couple weekends ago with some of my favorite girls. I have remained close to many of my sorority sisters and I love getting together with them. We were all in Boston together celebrating the baptism of one of the "newest" girls to the group. One of our sisters, Nicole, recently had a beautiful daughter that we are all very excited to include in future "lunches"!

Cassie: Jimmi John's is my go to lunch cheap, fast, and yummy. I will buy the person with the best comment a JJ sub!

#47 What I Am Reading

Karen: I don't so much "real" reading these days, but I love my magazines! now that I am home at my parent's house there are tons of magazines to choose from! I swear my mother subscribes to every publication out there. My favorites right now are Food and Wine, and Ladies' Home Journal. i have been finding some great holiday recipes! I made a pumpkin swirl cheesecake for Thanksgiving for the first time from a recipe I found in Woman's Day and it was a huge success!

Cassie: I am currently re-reading the Deathly Hallows. This one of the first times I am re-reading a book that I can't remember exactly what happened. I need someone to tell where to stop for part 1 of the movie :)

#46 - Babies

Karen: It was a baby filled weekend! On Friday a new nephew was born!!! Welcome Viggo John Thomsen. He makes #16!!! He's a beautiful BIG boy at 9 lbs. 5oz. and I love every inch of him!! I also christened my first godchild on Saturday. It is an honor to be a part of the life of the beautiful Alexis Jane Osgood. And I love that now we can consider ourselves actually "family" with Caitlin and Dave.

Cassie: Sorry for the delay in post, I was having a hard time with this topic. Thanks Karen for helping me think outside of the box. My middle name is 'Ruth' and after some weekend showing of The Goonies in grammar school, I heard the famous line by Chunk 'Baaabbbbyyy Ruth' quite often. Other nick names I have are Sassy Cassie and Cass-dawg, which I only let Karen call me. Sassy Cassie originated when I was about 3, but it still comes out every now and then ;)

#45 - Kitchen Sink

Karen: This is the kitchen sink at my parent's house where Tim and I are currently living. It is at the center of the action. Even though it feels like the kitchen is the smallest room in the house, we all end up being there together. I think it has some magnetic powers in the faucet!

Cassie: This is my brand new kitchen sink and new facuet. Its deeper than our previous sink so you can have plenty of dirty dishes but you won't see them! But I do like when its clean and empty :) Thanks ;)

#44 - My Purse

Karen: this is my Harvey's seatbelt bag. I first saw it in a little boutique in Seattle and fell in love with it right away....finally after a few gift giving holidays passed by, Tim got it for me for my last birthday. It's the perfect size to fit all my junk without getting too messy and unorganized. i can't wait to add to my Harvey's collection!!

Cassie: This is my purse and its been my purse for about a year. I have never been one to switch out purses often. I was thinking that its about time for a new one, but this one is pretty perfect. I like the messenger style, the color is great because its neutral but with a little sparkle, and it has great pockets. Pockets are key for a great purse, at least in my perspective :)

#43 - My Favorite Thing Right Now

Karen: My favorite thing about this time of year, other than the beautiful, crisp weather and the vivid colors of the leaves changing around us is the reintroduction of the pumpkin latte!!! It is a delicious refreshment that brightens my mood everyday! The only good thing about the end of the fall and the end of the pumpkin latte-is the start of the egg nog latte!!! I should've bought stock in Starbucks years ago!!

Cassie: Halloween Candy!!! I can't stop eating it. I really wish we would get some tricker treaters to help us out. I have already had 2 pieces since starting this blog post...maybe just one more :)

#42 - Local Culture

Karen: jersey has a lot of culture- these days people are confused as to whether that is fist pumping (Jersey Shore), joining the mafia (The Sopranos), or overly spending money you don't have (Real Housewives). My favorite part of local culture here, though, is the bagels! You haven't had a bagel unless you've had a hot, fresh bagel from NJ. There is nothing like them! And if you're feeling like some extra culture you need to get a taylor ham, egg, and cheese sandwich on one of these delicious balls of boiled dough!

Cassie: Its North Carolina State Fair time its like nothing I have ever expeirenced in New Jeresey or while I was at Elon. I have truly embraced this time of year and love so many things about the fair. I like to go to every area of the fair and its really convientent that everything is in the same spot each year so you get to know your way around. I visit all of the animal tents, check out the art building which has the honey cotton candy, there was a 874 lb pumpkin that won a blue ribbon this year, and who doesn't like some pig racing.

#41 - Dog

Karen: This is Lucy. She is the BEST dog EVER!!! She loves everyone and is just a big snuggler. I never grew up with pets, but since Tim and I adopted her 4 and a half years ago, she has become a big part of this family. My parents cannot stop spoiling her as if she were a grandchild and she loves to see all her "aunts" and "uncles" and "cousins"! Honestly, I can't imagine my life without her!

Cassie: This is Sophie and she is a pretty awesome pug. But lets be serious all pugs are awesome. I wasn't aware of how awesome these cute little buggers were until I met the Queen, the orig, Ruby. I am such a dog lover, maybe I will get one some day!

#40 Family

Karen: I have realized that "family" means much more than blood relatives. My friends have become so important to me that many of them I consider family as well. I learned this from my mother. I always grew up calling many people "aunt" and "uncle" who were not blood related and never thought anything of it. On Wednesday I was out with "family" for my Dad's birthday. These are all my parents best friends- all of which I have known for a very long time. They have all become "extended parents" for both myself and Tim. They were all there to celebrate our entire wedding weekend and have not missed a beat since. I am very blessed to have so many great people in my life!

Cassie: Well I am not living at home with my parents like Karen to take a new picture of the fam, but when I saw this topic I thought of this picture. I am pretty sure its the last family picture we have had, and that was last summer.

To Do: next time home take a family pic

#39 Friend

Karen: I almost chose the same picture as Cassie!! But Wednesday (humpday) was Amy's birthday. I was so happy to finally be able to celebrate her bday with her after so many years of living away from one another! We went to Astoria, Queens and had a fantastic dinner with lots of friends...we also drank lots of Prosecco (cause it was her champagne birthday!! (29 on the 29th))

Cassie: I couldn't just pick one this week :) I feel very lucky to have so many great close friends. When I tell people I keep in touch with my High School friends people are shocked. We try to get at least one big trip together in each year, and this year we were able to all be together at the US Open.

#38 State of the Closet

Karen: I am very proud that we have been able to clean out multiple closets in the house. This one is in our bedroom (that used to be my brother's room) We bought a cheap organizer to maximize the space. It's working somewhat but we still have some rearranging to do before everything has a final resting place :)

Cassie: You can kind of tell that this is my sweater shelf. I am ready for fall weather and getting cozy in my sweaters. After taking this picture I can see that I need to get a little more colorful like my spring cardi's. Thanks to my shopping fairy I got a great blue sweater from a cool shop in Philly this weekend :)