My name is John Daker

Welcome Leia!

I am so happy to announce the news! We have a dog! It was something of a Christmas miracle really...and after a couple of fosters that didn't quite work out - we've found a match, and we're all getting along like one small happy family.

Born on August 13, 2003, she's 4 years old, very cute and extra well behaved. Her given racing name is Cold B Ageless, but her adopted name is Leia....yes, "as in Princess." Come on - I only live with the biggest Star Wars fan on the planet! Plus, it all makes sense. Leia's dad is named Star Wars.

Ageless was quite the runner! She raced 110 times and won "1st Place" 18 times. Then "2nd place" 20 times...and "3rd place" 20 times...and on and on...she was GOOD! That's probably why we're adopting at an older age and it could have something to do with her perfect manners too. She is so smart and patient.

Now, just remember what Cesar Millan preaches: Dogs need excercise, discipline and affection in that order!

Do some good in 2008.

Happy New Year! It's day two of the new year and I've decided to set a goal for myself. I am going to do my part in 2008 when it comes to recycling. Jason and I get a ton of recycling down to the trash room each week- which i can only HOPE is ACTUALLY being recycled (I'm pretty sure every sheet of paper I put in the recycle bins at work just get put in the regular trash at the end of the day. Nice.) But, at least i'm doing my part!

So, Jason and I started watching the new season of The Biggest Loser (Couples) on NBC last night and the show has done away with using plastic bottles to help the contestants reduce their waists and their waste. Everyone was carrying around a green Nalgene bottle! Nalgene teamed up with Brita for the FilterForGood pledge. Check out the webpage for more info on these reusable Nalgene bottles. You can get one too!

Now, most of us already own a couple Nalgene bottles for camping - and we're way ahead of the pack on this idea of "filtered water in a reusable bottle." So, it's second nature to incoporate a Nalgene bottle into our everyday activities. Especially if you're my dad - he's been filtering his drink out of strange bodies of water for years (using his ancient white plastic first edition Nalgene bottle with a blue top and blue lettering.) He'll be the first to tell you "it's important to stay well hydrated!" Right Dad? Or perhaps you're my sister who fills her pink Nalgene bottle (with a sylish white flower on the side) from the tap each morning. Or me, I have a dark pink 32 ouncer i'm fond of at the moment. It's chilling in the fridge at work as we speak. Which ever shade (or method of filtration) you prefer - just know you've been making a difference all these long years! And keep up the good work!

Reader Warning:

A while back, a friend of mine started hating on the Nalgene bottle because of an article he read. You can make your own call, but the evidence was enough for Patagonia stores to pull Nalgene from their shelves. Yikes! I guess my advice is to not put them in the dishwasher, since the ultra-hot water can cause the polycarbonate to break down and leach Bisphenol A. Which I read was a bad bad thing. Also, you should replace the bottle around the time the print wears off the outside.

Looks like I need a new one! (Dad, you should get a new one too.)

Everything is awesome, fundamentally.

Perhaps you are visiting my blog for the first time today - thanks! Jason put our website together about a year ago and we keep it updated pretty regularly with the quirky, mundane and goings on of life. When we sent out our Christmas cards - we thought it would be nice to alert you that we've moved...and mention our website too! So, thanks to you who have been reading for a while - and to the newbies - Welcome!

Well, we did it - we survived Christmas on our little island of joy in Virginia. I wasn't sure how things would turn out - given that we didn't travel home to see our family and friends in Illinois- but to my surprise, all was well. It would have been nice to see everyone, but we'll just make some new plans and carry on.

I'm really enjoying our new home. We decorated for the holidays, and it felt very festive for Christmas! We put our tree front and center in the bay window and it looks fantastic from the street! You'd think the condo association paid us to put it there. (actually we don't have a condo association yet - new construction ya know.) And on that note, i nominate Jason condo president! I actually think he'd be good at it - however - i've also shared the elevator with some of our neighbors, and i'm not sure it's worth the hassel dealing with some of the snottiness. So, nevermind Jason - it would probably just be more annoying than anything.

We are invited to a New Year's Eve party at our neighbor's house on the first floor. So, travel plans will be easy. Just head down a flight of stairs!

I hope your travel plans are just as safe this New Year's Eve.

Have a very Happy New Year!

PS. I made the Peanut Brittle - it turned out delicious! (read previous post)

Candy Coated Nuts!

For some reason, while i was at the grocery store on Sunday, a glistening package of Peanut Brittle caught my eye. In-between the deli counter and the bread section it called out my name. I got a closer look only to find that this particular canister of Peanut Brittle was almost $10. I thought, "I can do better than that." As if - the challenge was ON! I researched my cookbooks, even called my parents and got the extremely old version of Peanut Brittle - the kind they made back in the day! (*Note: I've included the "scan" from my parents ancient Better Homes "New" Cookbook. My dad can't find a date on his copy, but i'm thinking it's from the 1950s.)

As my dad and I talked, it was made offical -The Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Season -has arrived! Every year, my dad has the same list of delicious cookies - Pinwheels are his specialty - and it just wouldn't be Chirstmas without them. So, this week, the Gingersnaps, Spritz, Pinwheels and Cresents will be created! And for some reason, i have this adventurous candy dream.

Perhaps it was my recent visit to the Sarris Candy Factory on Thanksgiving weekend. Or, just that $10 canister of peanut brittle at the grocery store.

No matter....the supplies will be purchased, and candy will be made! ( i hope) ....I have to find the right saucepan first.