Queenkv’s Brainpickings

I had to work on Thanksgiving. I knew I had no energy or patience to cook after producing a 3-hour show. So, we decided to save our Thanksgiving cooking/feast for Saturday. I always feel guilty about spending the holiday away from our family in So. Cal and in Buffalo. If you sign on to work [...]

For Halloween, I brought in some Halloween Oreo Cookies for my co-workers. Only 130 calories per package. I also brought in all my Cal gear for my Tailgate Fashion Show. I asked everyone to bring in their college school gear for our set. Somehow, Andre snuck into my bag. Again. You remember this bear right? [...]

Aspera ad astra: “To the stars through difficulties.” That’s the state motto for Kansas. It’s also the name a fantastic indie band from Lawrence. Those words resonated with me as I lived and worked in Kansas. Kansas surprised me. For 2 years, I sampled anything the state had to offer. At a Topeka pub, I [...]

What happens when you combine 2-pounds of bacon, chorizo sausage, spicy Italian sausage and a new grill? A Bacon Explosion! I found out about this amazing culinary invention from an anchor I worked with in Topeka. She’s now reporting at one of the best stations in Kansas City. I’m also amazed people were willing to [...]

From my weekends of Good-byes. Via Twitter, my Medill buddy made it home! She survived her cross-country road trip. I am in awe anyone who’s willing to hit the highways on her own. As for myself, I’m a wuss. I need my hubby for my own road trips – from Chicago, Topeka and then back [...]

COVINA, CALIF — Home for the Holidays! I’m still waking up at 3 AM because my body’s still on overnight mode. It still feels so good to be back in home in So Cal with my family. [Thanksgiving dinner in London 2004, with my Medill buddy Andrea, my mother-in-law Terri, and Mark's cousin, Eileen] My [...]

COVINA, CALIF — Time flies when I back in So Cal with my family. We’re driving back to Nor Cal in a few hours. I’m grateful many of them agreed to take a day off to sync up with my funky weekend schedule. My sleep schedule was also messed up. I’m sure I’ll be back [...]

So, it looks like Daisy’s doing better after her second visit to the veterinarian. Her painful story started Thursday afternoon. She kept licking her front right paw. In the past, she’s been quite good about chewing out the burrs and foxtails from her paws. In fact, she prefers to do it herself instead of letting [...]

LAS VEGAS, NV – I’m waking up on my last day in Sin City. The Terrace Pointe Cafe at the Wynn has free wi-fi. We’re driving back to Nor Cal in a couple of hours. At work, my co-workers complained about the civilians who chatted up their holiday plans: grilling, traveling and other ideas on [...]

Viva my weekend. I’m taking it easy for these last days of being 29-years-old. originally uploaded by queenkv. Last month, we ended up in Lodi after the Stockton Asparagus Festival. An air-conditioned wine tasting at the Lodi Visitor’s Center helped revive us. The festival was fun but we were wiped out from walking through 100-degree [...]