A mostly lovely weekend!

[rms10]

Things here have been pretty good! I will enumerate, because transitional sentences are too complicated for me today.

1. Friends threw me a small graduation party/baby shower this weekend at the beach! It's been overcast, but the sun did come out for a few hours, and it was lovely. Lots of tasty food -- the eeee! wowed everyone with his spicy grilled corn -- and lots of fun. One person got us this navy blue hoodie that has a SHARK embroidered across the front of it, which is totally awesome.
   
   
2. The eeee! and I are incompetent when it comes to grilled chicken -- we burn it, or undercook it, or both. Blah! But we tried the Italian Grilled Chicken in a recent article of Cook's Illustrated, and it was amazing. We might blog about it at some point, but highlights include butterflying the chicken, pressing it on the grill with a hot cast-iron pot (or bricks), and eight cloves of garlic. It came out perfectly, and as we were eating it, we were exclaiming, "We could actually make this for a guest!"
   
   
3. I will actually need to buy maternity clothes soon, because while my low-rise jeans still fit (especially the sexiest ones, which is kind of hilarious), my skirts are getting tighter and tighter. This means I have to buy stuff before I leave for Europe, ack. But! I have a gift card for the Gap (graduation present from my brother), and a 25% off coupon. So I am about to go crazy online.
   
   
4. When I go to Italy in July, I get into the Venice airport at 9 a.m., but my shuttle to the middle of nowhere isn't until 6 p.m. or so. I started doing some research on the Venice airport (awesomely named Marco Polo), and I think I might actually be able to get into Venice for the day. Yay! If any of you have been to Venice, I would deeply appreciate any and all advice about transport to and from the airport, and about Venice itself.
   
   
5. We finally watched the pilot of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency last night, and loved it. We have the whole season recorded, and so far I cannot recommend it enough. It's shot in Botswana, and is so beautiful and funny and interesting. Now I need to read the books -- which will require going to the library, which will require paying my library fine, egad.
   
   

Okay, I guess that wasn't all strictly about my weekend. Anyway. Happy Monday! The sun is shining, our new chairs are coming today, and life is good.

Comments

[lerta.livejournal.com]

I'd highly recommend Rick Steves' Venice guidebook. It looks like there's a direct boat from the airport to St. Mark's Square that takes 35 minutes for 25 euro. Expensive, but all of Venice is. Just noticed the link you'd posted - I believe the ORO line is the one you want.

I'd probably most recommend the Secret Itineraries tour of the Doge's Palace: http://museiciviciveneziani.it/frame.asp?area=info&musid=8&parte=biglietti&sezione=musei. Last summer it was booking up really early, (we ended up going on the tour in French,) so I'd make a reservation as soon as your plans are set.

I'd also recommend the Cantina do Mori for a great, inexpensive eating experience.

I'm jealous. Have fun!

[rms10.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I don't suppose that 25 euros is round-trip, either. Oof.

But thanks! I'm suddenly looking forward to seeing Venice, now that it looks doable.

[katworthy.livejournal.com]

I took the water bus into the city and went to the square. You might even be able to get a pass just for the day to take anywhere you desire. I liked the quiet and coziness of Burano, the lace island. Quite honestly, the best way to do anything in Venice is just to get to the lagoon and start wandering. We found these amazing little squares off the main tourist drag that has amazing food (and drinks, but none for you right now!). If you're in an area where no one seems to be able to speak English, you're in the right place. Right near the university was also really cool!

[rms10.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love little pockets of cities! As long as I don't get too lost, that sounds awesome.

[evil-fizz.livejournal.com]

Re: maternity clothes. I recommend one of the Bella Bands. They're basically just a big stretchy loop of material that you can use to hold your jeans up when they don't button or zip all the way. It sounds kind of goofy, but the work quite well and aren't expensive. (I think they're $15-$20 at Target.)

[rms10.livejournal.com]

I have a bella band, but haven't used it yet! I haven't really needed it. Yet.

[evil-fizz.livejournal.com]

I find that they're good in general. It's nice having stuff fit more loosely. Also, when you're getting bigger and bending at the waist becomes more of a nuisance, they help you avoid putting pressure on your lower abdomen.

I wouldn't feel compelled to rush to maternity clothes, btw. Buying a few things one size up (especially tops, which can be looser than pants) has gotten me through almost my entire pregnancy.

[rms10.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have bought anything if I didn't have two trips to Europe in the next seven weeks. OH MY GOD that sounds insane, now that I think about it.

I definitely am starting to feel a bit strange when I bend over, so I can see where the band would have a use as a bra for my belly.