Making Space

less of myself

2011-04-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time saying statements like "I am a good student" or "I am a good cook" or "I am a good friend". When i really start thinking about it though....it just takes practice. E swears he's never eaten a meal that i've cooked that he didn't like but I think he's the most forgiving, forgetful person i know.

I remember bread that would not rise, stew that i tried to rush and fish that stuck to the pan because i didn't know how to cook. not really. But i'm drawing a line with this one. i'm at that place where i can ad-lib a recipe and it turns out great. Where something is not quite right or needs something and i can figure it out on my own.

I made chicken korma and fresh naan the other day only kind of using the recipe. it was fab and tasted like home. And those rolls and that soup. typical sunday at our place.

and this tart? Tasty. So i'm calling it. I can cook. It took practice and i didn't really notice that i was slowly but surely getting better. I'm better. I'm going to try and apply this lesson to other life things. Like school, and friends, and excercise, and creative writing and many other little things.

GO HABS GO!

2011-04-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

So maybe my new facebook profile picture looks like this:

Not all that surprising when you consider that they actually changed the night of the federal election debate (french speaking) just so it wouldn't conflict with the habs/bruins game. Seriously.

I'm also crazy amused that there are more teams from CALIFORNIA than from CANADA in the NHL playoffs. Really.

It might sound silly but this is totally part of my heritage. Watching games at home on TV with my dad. Playing street hockey "CAR"! Going to live games, the scrape of skates and the cold smell of ice.

Skating for PE on Friday's in the winter and even better....skating on outdoor rinks under the stars. One of my earliest memories involves skating on the Rideau canal with a hot chocolate and a beaver tail.

I may live in sunny Arizona, and yes it's true that I can almost always get away without wearing a jacket year-round. But inside....i'll always be Canadian. So, GO HABS GO!

Stretching.

2011-03-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

So for the past few months i feel like i've been stretching and adjusting to my new normal.

E started grad school which means that there is a lot less free time and cleaning the house time. It's a great thing and i'm really happy he is back in school but two full time jobs + both of us in school means we could/should really hire a maid/cook/assistant.

At work i switched positions. I was working in for two felony trial attorneys with one of them assigned to sex crimes/dangerous crimes against children. In January a position opened up to work for the chief criminal deputy who is assigned to homicide and i jumped at the chance to work with him. good stuff: he is a really amazing prosecutor and a really respect him, homicide is actually slightly easier to deal with, my work space is tucked away in a corner, he is very open to me being flexible with work hours (coming in early or working through lunch) if i need to for school. hard stuff: he produces a TON of work so i am really super busy, i really miss working with one of the attorney's i left...we had worked together for 4 1/2 years and it was one of the only reasons i was sad to make the switch. We also have a conference going on for the national victims' rights week and i somehow got pulled in to doing a bunch of graphic design stuff, posters, banners, flyers and even a movie ad for the local theaters. I love that i feel recognized for some skills that i don't usually use at work....but see a few sentences back about being really super busy.

So i'm feeling stretched, in good and bad ways. Sometimes it's stretched too thin and painful and sometimes it's the feeling of a really great stretch in a yoga class. When i'm really in the zone and feel like i got just a little deeper into Ustrasana then ever before and it feels so damn good.

Things have been quiet around here mostly because i get very introverted sometimes when i'm feeling stretched so this is just a friendly hello to say i'm here. hi!

(pictures are totally unrelated to this blog but as a side-note i've been very into making soup on Sunday's, that was turkey chili, and when husband and i have a chance we are playing blokus. It's rad. very logic/puzzley which works for the chess coach, although i frequently beat him)

confessions

2011-01-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

i have a 4.0 GPA and even though i completely (totally) understand that this will matter not at all once i finish school and that it really doesn't matter all that much right now...i am kinda focused on keeping it.

i can't stand having things open like cupboard doors, closet doors, drawers, boxes...if it won't close correctly because something is sticking out...i have to fix it. to the point that i will get out of bed and fix it.

i love to eat things like tofu stir fry with brown rice (tonight's dinner) but i feel VERY granola when i say things like that out loud. also goes for recycling, composting and using reusable shopping bags.

b.t.w. and f.y.i. it is much easier/faster to make a big batch of brown rice at the beginning of the week and keep it in the fridge cause it takes eons to cook.

i know hot to spell words like methamphetamine and Saskatchewan but today realized that i didn't know how to spell Oklahoma.

this is my first ever "loaf" of bread. since i started this whole "yeast baking" thing i've made rolls, bagels, pretzels, and freeform loaves but a loaf in a loaf pan was somehow neglected until last weekend when i made this lovely, if i do say so myself, loaf to go with some home made chicken soup (with brown rice).

i sometimes (like now) procrastinate doing homework.

Lately

2011-01-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

I've been creating:

and cooking
www.thepieholeproject.blogspot.com

and de-christmasing my house

School starts back up on Tuesday so I guess i should just own the fact that i've been reveling in not having many commitments since 2011 started. And i loved it!

Christmas Cats

2011-01-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

Every time that I break out my 50 mm fixed lens I wonder why I don't bring it out more often.

These little cuties loved playing under the tree (and batting the ornaments, and chasing them all around, and maybe breaking things).

We had a lovely Christmas and i'm filled with hope for a positive new year.

Cheers for 2011!

Life

2010-12-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

Saw tangled in 3d with kaitee. Very cute movie!

ate birthday cake (need to learn how to make better buttercream)

finished up with school for the semester. SO HAPPY.

got a fun new toy as a birthday present. i love it!

thankful

2010-11-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

i am thankful for:

7 happy years with E

great friends

turkey

random amazing packages from my family

health

that we have everything we need

education

rainbows (we saw three on our anniversary and one was a double, i'm taking this as a sign that this year will be better than the last, also kinda making a promise to myself that it will be)

pie

good doctors

amazing friends that truly do feel like family (you know who you are)

you (cause if you take time out to read my randomness i am thankful)

Rough Week

2010-11-15T22:47:00.000-07:00

Last Monday E's grandfather and his wife were in a car accident. It's been a rough week. St. Josephs, has beautiful stained glass, great doctors, comfy chairs and excellent nurses.

I am thankful for:

medicine

a comfy couch for E. to stay the night with his grandfather

a comfy chair that i could sit in to read to him

cups with straws that made it much easier to get grandpa a drink...

...since he now has four titanium plates in his neck

time...it felt very precious to be able to take some time out and be there for someone who has meant so much to E and to me

prayers...it felt like our whole community was praying and sending positive thought along with ours

Halloween!

2010-10-31T15:38:00.000-07:00

First i made treats for my nieces and nephews.

And then we decorated some little trick or treaters.

And i made caramel apples with white chocolate and cinnamon sugar.

E. got zombiefied.

Kimmy carved Sweeney Todd.

Eldon carved Oggie Boogie, Ayla carved Sally and i carved Jack for the second year in a row.

Yay for halloween!

Punkin Patch

2010-10-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

So, we roasted. It was really warm but we prevailed. Pumpkins were bought and more more thing was crossed off my faux fall list. Yay!

Oh and head over to the pie blog www.thepieholeproject.blogspot.com to check out what i'm saying is the best pie we've made yet.

Faux Fall

2010-10-01T23:19:00.000-07:00

Growing up in northern Ontario fall was my favorite season. The crisp air, apples, fall leaves changing color, sweaters, baking more, school starting, hockey season, you know….the usual. Well, living in Arizona fall is not so much the same. We were in Phoenix last weekend and temps topped 100. Seriously. So while I’m still persuading husband to move somewhere with actual seasons (he has this whole argument about not having to shovel sunshine, whatever) in the meantime I celebrate what I like to call….wait for it…FAUX FALL!

This involves wearing sweaters (ok mostly in my air conditioned car or office), drinking lots of cider & tea etc., baking pie, eating as many honeycrisp apples as I can, taking my niece Kaitee to the pumpkin patch (where we usually roast) with her other aunt aka. one of my besties Kimmy, decorating with pumpkins, day trips to Flagstaff where it actually feels like fall, etc.

So if you live in Arizona like me, considering celebrating the season known as Faux Fall and if you live somewhere where there is real fall, consider yourself blessed and seek out something quintessentially fall-like just for me k? I’ll love you forever!

Summer Mini Book

2010-09-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

I made this adorable mini from a kit by EliseJoy. I love her kits and this is one of the FOUR i've purchased. The fall kit is on sale now at her etsy shop here.
I'm in love with the results. Enjoy!

Life as I know it.

2010-09-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

So it’s been a rough few weeks. Without going into detail, school is sucking all of my energy/time, halo has landed so I have a happy hubby, and work has been soul crushing in a few different and obnoxious ways. So, trying to be a little Pollyanna, here is a random list of things making me happy right now!

Coke Zero.

The fair (and the blue ribbons I won).

Taking this kid to the movies yesterday.

Making pie with friends. www.thepieholeproject.blogspot.com

Sara Bareilles new album.

Arcade Fire’s new album.

The impending honeycrisp apples, fall is so close I can taste it.

This summer book I’m putting together by the amazing Elise Joy http://www.etsy.com/shop/elisejoy (the fall book is on sale now…go get yours…I got mine!)

70 more days of being ‘in my twenties”.

Even though I’ve hit a plateau….i’m down 30 libbies and should be happy+proud.

I’m doing math with letters….and getting the right answers.

This guy.

Vacation

2010-08-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

Swedish fish make wonderful road food. They swim in the sky!

we had a wonderful trip to:

it included the beach (Santa Monica)

and disney (including my favourite disney snack)

and these wonderful peeps (otherwise known as my sisters)

and World of Colour (not to be missed)

now we are back to reality, the husband has his first day back at school with kids tomorrow and we were abruptly brought back to earth last Friday with the installation of new windows (so happy) and have been painting trim ever since.

next up: security system.

Busy Bees!

2010-07-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

we have been busy little bees.

in other news, some peeps are dropping by tomorrow to replace this hot mess which is the window situation in our house. old nasty windows to be replaces with brand spankin' new energy efficient ones. yay! also important because we are installing an alarm system, because the combo of my job +our car being broken into has made me slightly paranoid. (seriously)

someone ran away to enjoy some guy time on a houseboat at Lake Powell. yes he is exactly as sunburned as he looks. but he had a great time and it was well deserved. i get to run away tomorrow while windows are installed.....fair trade.

this was going to be more but as a result of a lovely power outage i enjoyed an evening of takeout thai and movies with the husband instead. also, fair trade. more later. xoxo

jumping for joy

2010-07-16T23:44:00.000-07:00

we are jumping for joy (literally) because we have some out of townies staying for the week

we have been amusing ourselves with pictures at all of the most randomly fabulous places

love it!

5k

2010-07-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

So several months ago I started a bit of a life change. Walking/running more. Eating better and sometimes less. Surprisingly sometimes more of better things. I am eating breakfast and drinking water. I am being more thoughtful and focused on what fuel i'm putting into my body and trying to be real about what's worth a splurge and what will leave me feeling gross after.

so far i'm 20 lbs down and walk/running 5 k almost every other day.

Some days are easier than others and you had better believe that I am HAPPY to see my nike+ipod hit that 5k. for reals.

I'm planning on running my first 5K in Sedona in February. I think this may cross off something on my life list as well because to be honest...when I wrote my list I didn't think I could run a 5K.

two

2010-07-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

"they were two,

they had adored each other,

there was nothing but that."

have i mentioned how much i love this guy?

it will be 7 years this november (my lucky number) and we are more in love every day.

(sappy but true)

p.s. i also love sushi dates and my fuji instax camera

there is something so magical about an instant picture, no retakes, just that moment captured forever

Juggle

2010-06-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like a circus performer.

Standing under the harsh spotlights in the middle ring juggling endlessly.

Work.

School.

Family.

Friends.

Husband

Creativity.

Exercise.

I always feel like I’m fumbling. Dropping balls left and right and never quite pulling off the show. People ask for favors or want something from me and I’m constantly torn….my time is so precious and I have to prioritize.

But today, I’m laying claim to some success. I need to recognize that I am doing it. I work full time, go to school at night and have a 4.0 GPA. My husband is not yet ready to divorce me and I would like to think that the majority of the time he feels loved and appreciated. I’m eating well and exercising and have lost 20 libbies (slowly but surely). I briskly walk 5K every other day and am hoping to participate in a real official 5K in the spring. I’m living my goals and enjoying it. Come what may!

Oh and blogging? I’ve been debating. Sometimes I feel like I have no time (as evidenced by the lack of posting) and feel like what’s the point. But most of the time I love blogging, when I can, I love sharing ideas and creativity, making friends and sharing our life. So it may be spotty sometimes (forgive), I’ve got quite a lot on my plate these days. But I’m setting a new goal. Blog once a week. You with me?

Some DC scrappy love

2010-05-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

Just a little bit of my DC scrapbook. I decided to do the whole book in a 3 ring 12X12 album using pages from another book that were divided into 2 vertical and 3 horizonal 4X6's on each page. I made a bunch of collages and printed them as 4X6's. I also am using some 6X6 page protectors, trading card holders, and 6X12 page protectors thrown in for variety. Another thing i'm loving is sewing pockets for bits that we picked up along the way. The two bookmarks of the terra cotta warriors above was done with that style.

Lots more to do but here's a start!

papers, papers please.

2010-04-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

so...new law in Arizona. as an immigrant i'm going to have to carry my immigration papers with me at all times because if police have any reason to believe i may be here illegally they have the obligation to find out my status.
oh but wait, they won't ask me! because i'm white. i won't get pulled over and asked...because i'm practically translucent white.
great use of all the taxes that i pay.

in other news. that's one of the pictures i took in D.C. we had a wonderful time.
school is sucking my soul.
two weeks left until summer off.
bless that i make it!

daddy

2010-01-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

we booked tickets to DC for a trip this spring with friends. yay!

this picture was taken at the national zoo when i was a little girl.

i'm the kiddo on my dad's shoulders.

if you are of a prayerful spirit, my dad is in the hospital and could use positive thoughts/prayers.

i think the hardest part about living so far away is when things happen and you wish you could BE there.

not that there is anything i can do, and it is not life-threatening, but it still scares me and

i wish i could be home.

So i had some goals....

2010-01-10T22:12:00.000-07:00

so i had some goals for my break. which was sadly a week shorter than i had thought.

i think i did really well!

bake bagels (done and delicious, i bought sesame seeds at the market on saturday so next weekend i'm trying sesame seed ones)

write down my must read list in a nifty notebook (done)

finish reading outliers (done & loved it)

walk (done & loved it)

see the nutcracker ballet (done & loved it)

hem some pants (done)

finish up my project 365 (pictures ordered and here, planning on finishing up this weekend at scrapbooking)

drink tea (done & yum)

give (done & loved it)

yoga (not done, sad)

and hopefully blog (done! it was good to get thoughts out and make connections.

this weekend was really great. yesterday we got to spend time with some great friends and eat some yummy greek food. today was spent being lazy. back to work and school tomorrow.

walking

2010-01-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

the husband and i have taken to walking around our neighborhood.

one day this week he was at work late so i set out on my own, with glee playing on my ipod.

i enjoyed saying hello to the horses and cows down the street.

watched the little birdies hop hop hop on the side of the road.

wished i had a cute dog to walk with.

wished i had pepper spray when i passed the empty pockets saloon.

walked through campus and down route 66.

a lovely half hour of music and thinking.

the sun was setting over the desert as i walked up to my door and i remembered why i like living in arizona.

it's january and i took a walk in sneakers and a hooded sweater. beautiful!

random post of randomness

2010-01-05T22:11:00.001-07:00

i am such a child in that i can only stomach vitamins when they come in gummi form.

fortunately this is a trend. yay!

my husband E made us tempura for dinner last night. i am blessed. it was delish.

i have been cleaning and re-organizing like mad. making space makes me happy. my friend linda always teases me about how i get rid of/purge things but it works for me.

it's been really cold here. i feel odd saying that because growing up in NORTHERN ONTARIO was colder...but like....dude...i can't wear flip flops....and i sometimes have to wear gloves and uggs with my hooded sweater.

i thought school started again on the 18th. i was wrong. it's the 11th. looking forward to it but i feel cheated out of my extra week!

a co-worker/friend lost a long battle with cancer yesterday. i'm happy that she is at peace

but she will be very missed.

bagels!

2010-01-04T19:14:00.006-07:00

what a difference a year makes. a year ago i was afraid to make anything with yeast.

i started out making no knead bread. and it was good.

then came pretzels, and rolls, and this weekend;

BAGELS!

the recipe i followed is from Peter Reinhart via this post at the Brown Eyed Baker

i love Michelle's blog and this recipe was awesome.

i really enjoy a good bagel and since moving west i find it harder to come across a good one.

this recipe yielded a chewy, somewhat dense bagel with a crisp crust. delicious!

e loved these and urged me to make a second batch this weekend shortly after he tasted them so we could freeze and toast at will.

up next.....eclairs OR croissants....cast your votes now!

10 life list goals for 2010

2010-01-03T15:07:00.001-07:00

on my sidebar i have a list of things i want to do. it's kind of a reminder to live big and dream big. since i started my list i have crossed off some really big ones. going back to school, learning to make bread, and some small but happy things. in 2010 my goal is to cross off at least these 10 below.

Learn to drive stick

Make toffee

Visit DC

Go camping

See monument valley at sunset

Write down my list of must read books and read 10

Make a sand castle

2 push ups

Learn a memory trick for remembering people’s names

Try a raw oyster

2009 was a very good year

2010-01-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

it brought a lot of growth and happiness

went back to school

conquered my fear of yeast bread and moved on to pretzels, rolls and bagels

watched e grade papers

missed Canada

took bokeh, glow stick and sparkler photographs

worked on my life list

turned 29

made crème brulee

took a picture (almost) every day
aced all of my classes

fell in love with instant photography again

we:

went to Disneyland

read books

listened to lost of music

made gingerbread houses

aquired a new nephew

saw the nutcracker

celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary

celebrated E turning 30

saw rent, wicked and the lion king

lost people we loved

renovated our bathroom

played

a fond farewell 2009 and every happiness in 2010!

during my time off i will

2009-12-22T21:55:00.003-07:00

bake bagels

write down my must read list in a nifty notebook

finish reading outliers (my parents got me this book for my birthday and i'm loving it)

walk

see the nutcracker ballet

hem some pants

finish up my project 365 (i've done really good with taking pictures but i need to have them printed/put them in my book)

drink tea

give

yoga

and hopefully blog

School is done....for now!

2009-12-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

So i survived and actually thrived this semester. Granted when i was taking finals and finishing research paper it felt very overwhelming but i feel really good about it! So since school is out for a whole month...and i'm only working 40 hours a week...we have been having fun!

We made gingerbread houses with kimmy and lou. the frosting was super sticky but we had tons of fun.

packages are wrapped and on the way to family.

I snapped some family pics for E's family.

and i've been working on my life list....next up is NUTCRACKER!

Exciting.

i've already registered for classes for the spring and as much as i'm n ot really looking forward to it it felt really good to use my brains.....my grades were good. A friend commented that that means i should take harder classes which may be right

but for today....these things i know for sure

christmas is this week....ready or not

e has two weeks off

i miss glee

i have a really great partner in life

not putting up a tree or decorating a lot for the holidays was a good thing

i can do anything i set my mind to....going back to school is just the beginning

i have really great friends and family

peace everybody!

be back soon

2009-12-11T23:21:00.000-07:00

School is keeping me busy.....

And festive holiday parties at work....oh and work...

And making home made presents....like bows.

after i finish my finals this week....and help my boy celebrate his 30th birthday

I'll be back

Polaroid Wall

2009-11-29T19:31:00.001-07:00

Some hopefully better pictures. Better light for sure!

Crafty + instant photos = a happy girl!

thankful

2009-11-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

six years ago. last Saturday.

I married this man. Most days i have a time that i stop and am thankful for him. Because he did the dishes or filled my car with gas. small things that make my life easier and happier. so today when I am thinking of thankfulness he is totally at the top of my list.

these peeps are up there too.

fun memories of days before Arizona.

this little one is a very new addition to my thankful list....Kohl our new nephew. SO kissable.

Also very very thankful for:

jobs

health

love

happiness

clean water and food

friends

and all of our many other blessings.

Polaroid Love

2009-11-08T23:21:00.000-07:00

I will take another picture when the light is better. Tonight I made a polaroid display that hangs on the wall above our couch. I need more clips from Ikea but i'm really loving it! It's curtain hanging wire and clips from Ikea with little tiny screw in loops. Oh and I cut the smile & polaroid with my cricut.

Cheap and easy and i'm in love.

Theatre Love!

2009-11-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

You have until November 11th to enter our Les Mis challenge over at Theatre Love!

Create a layout inspired by Les Miserable and link it to participate in the fun.

I love Jack

2009-11-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

we:

carved pumpkins

gave out candy

spent time with friends

roasted pumpkin seeds

watched old halloween episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

and had a wonderful halloween

October random thoughts.

2009-10-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

So Thanksgiving was wonderful. Great company, great food, performance art jell-o, turkey and all other manner of lovely things. I had to go to class after though and work on my research paper. Boo!

I had the flu. It was horrid. E was lovely.

I haven't been sleeping since said flu.

Also the smell of food cooking and the act of swallowing...still not so much loving.

I studied for my mid term for a few hours tonight and suddenly got the urge to completely clean/re-organize the office. RIGHT THAT MINUTE.

No idea why I chose to do my research paper on Doubt: a Parable. After reading tons of research I am thinking that since I deal with a lot of abuse/molestation at work I should have picked the "He's a Good Man Charlie Brown" option.

Our tickets for the National Monument tour came in the mail. Can not wait until March.

The nanaimo bars I made for thanksgiving were delish if i do say so myself. And I do.

Still really loving my punkins. They are pretty and make me happy.

It is Thanksgiving.

2009-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday Kimmy and I took Kaitee to the pumpkin patch.
We had literally a trunk full of pumpkins at the end of the day. Two wheel barrows full (we actually popped the tire on the wheel barrow). One very fun day!

Good dog.

2009-10-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I took a black and white photography class, developing my own film and all that business. I really liked it but I had one roll that I just didn't get around to while I was still in class. Not many places develop B&W film anymore so it sat on ym desk for YEARS. I just got it developed a few weeks ago and the whole roll was images of E's dog Sandy.

They had her for 18 years and she was THE BEST DOG. Sweet and even tempered. She got slower these past few years and today they had to put her down. So *sad*.

So here's to Sandy, a really good dog.

Instax Love!

2009-09-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was good but Sunday-Monday? Not so hot. I had several cooking disasters on Sunday followed up by a massive migraine that continued into Monday. NICE!
But today there was happy mail waiting for me at the post office! My new baby!
After work i took her out for a spin.

I'm in love with my new instax mini....any name suggestions? She's tiny, cute and from japan!

Polaroid Love

2009-09-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

I shot my last few polaroids Sunday. So SAD that they don't make polaroid film anymore...I am hopeful about The Impossible Project. In the meantime I ordered this little sweetie to hopefully fill the gap.

She's a fuji instax mini. Pretty!

NO WAY!

2009-09-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Can we discuss the fact that 10 minutes ago I went into my kitchen and saw THIS on the sink without discussing how i really need to mop. K?

Centipede and scorpion in one night....it's official....my father will never want to visit again and I will not sleep tonight without inspecting every inch of our bed and room.
E is going out of town tomorrow.....I may have to have a sleepover or something....I'm totally freaked out. He is now checking under the couch with a flashlight. LOVE HIM!

ohhhhhh.....I could check into a hotel!

What? Just thinking of options.

One more.....SERIOUSLY!?!?!

2009-09-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

We were innocently watching the office. LOVE the office. love Jim and Pam nugget. Love it.

Suddenly I notice the abster playing with a bug.....OH NO! Not a bug....a SCORPION....that immediately runs underneath our entertainment center. Niiiiiiiiice!

I grab the raid and ~~proceed to have a massive panic attack~~ call the M's across the street for some backup.

E-1, Scorpion-0!

he's mynewt ;)

2009-09-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

Apparently this is my week for wildlife :) I was driving my friend Kim home tonight and we saw a skunk....which started us telling wildlife stories. This week alone has introduced us to "Batty" the bat that moved in while I was in class Monday night and stayed until the following evening when E scared him off. *sad*

Then after the FAIR! Where we ate trashy fair food and I WON BLUE RIBBONS and A BEST IN CLASS RIBBON. That's right....i'm officially small town. I ~~was coreced into entering~~ entered my lemon bars some cards and scrapbook pages and won three blue ribbons (1st place),a red ribbon (2nd place) and a best in class (that's like better than first....a special award...for my lemon bars! Officially a hick, I know.

When we got home we met this little guy! He's a newt...

Huzzah for wildlife!

School is stealing my soul.

2009-09-06T13:58:00.003-07:00

School is good. Good but rough. I haven't been in school for a few years now and i'm just out of practice. It is also harder then I remember, when I was in school last time for most of the time I would go to school from 8-3 and work from 3:30- midnight. I do not have that type of energy anymore.
It's also scary....i'm following my dreams and that's more intimidating than I thought it would be. So happy to have an extra day of weekend this weekend FOR SURE!

In other news I'm super blessed. I have a supportive partner. I get to use my brain and learn and grow. I have a three day weekend....thinking i'm going to get creative and make some bread do some atristic stuff. :) We are planning a trip to D.C. in the spring so ideas for what we will do are percolating.

We had an awesome day yesterday....got out of town with some friends for shopping, thai food, art in the park, and fun.

Runaways!

2009-08-24T17:29:00.004-07:00

Just a quick post about all the crazy goodness going on in our lives.

I started school yesterday. As a result free time will be at a premium for the foreseeable future.

As a sort of a last hurrah/E taking his first vacation days in FIVE YEARS! Seriously, I think he once took one day so we could fly to Canada and see my family for Christmas. Anyway, we ran away to DISNEYLAND!

Some adorable little five year old’s we know were celebrating a birthday so we decided to crash the party. I kept telling E that some day we will live somewhere else and a quick weekend trip to Disneyland won’t be happening so we should enjoy it while we can. AND WE DID! We spun like tops on the teacups, drank pineapple juice in the Tiki room, blasted our way through the new Toy Story mania ride and had a romantic dinner at the Blue Bayou. We also loved: the beignet at Ralph Brennan’s, California Screamin’ (e), fantasmic, little miss matched store (a) and turkey legs! E has his first chess tournament this weekend so I’m escaping as well. Down to Phoenix to get in some girl time. But for now…there is an English class calling my name and hundreds of photographs waiting to be uploaded and shared.

long time no blog...

2009-08-02T21:10:00.004-07:00

so this video....loving it lots

and these pictures we made in july.....

i really loved taking.....the highlight of e's reunion for me for sure.

i love that i brought the idea and everyone got into it.

work....i'm not so much loving...some days the ugly of it all just really gets to me and it's overwhelming....the sadness and wretchedness of the things people do to other people. sad.

however, i have some super happy things on the horizon and lots of love and happiness at home and overall i am BLESSED.

Stuff!

2009-05-10T14:10:00.003-07:00

First off, Love this quote! Happy mother's day to all of you!

"this ability and willingness properly to rear children,
the gift to love, and eagerness, yes, longing to express it in soul development,
makes motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world."
-- president david o. mckay

Worked on this page from a prompt we did on the challenge blog. Head on over to participate in our latest challenge based on Razzle Dazzle from Chicago! Link on the sidebar.

Very inspired by this:

Loved this

Have a great rest of the weekend!

chill

2009-04-30T20:09:00.002-07:00

There is something so soothing about adding ingredients, stirring, and making something delicious. E was at the school spring concert tonight and one of the girls in his class, who also happens to live across the street, dropped her baton into the orchestra pit.

I. so. know. how. that. feels.

He called and asked me to whip up something sweet and delish as a pick me up for her. While I was stirring and mixing I started to think about how sometimes the baton feels like EVERYTHING. The most important thing EVER. When really it's so small in the bigger picture. So for tonight. I'm trying to think of the bigger picture.

As a perfect reminder I added this letterpress card from Etsy to my rotating metallic boards this week. Find it here.

I really loathe spiders....

2009-04-26T20:53:00.002-07:00

So when we pull up to our house and see a big one like this....it makes me freak out...

Not quite sure how big it was? That's a 2X4...manned by E...my spider killer and defender.

I felt a little better once it was a spot of mush on the end of the 2X4. The right side.

Random part? I was on the phone with my sister wishing her a happy birthday and she used to be my spider killer. She totally remembered!
I really need to learn not to google "large black spider in Arizona"...not a good idea. Ever. Bonus points if you can identify the species. We are thinking black widow as we've had those before but not sure.

Crack....It's an addiction.

2009-04-15T19:27:00.003-07:00

I've had this before but I completely forgot how good it was until I saw it on Smitten Kitchen.

That was the beginning of the end. E has found a new love...people at his school are talking about how Mr. F's wife makes good crack. The jokes at the office were endless. I routinely hear things like "They found 500 pounds of marijuana in the car." and "The blood sample tested positive to methamphetamine.". You can imagine the joke potential of a dessert nicknamed crack.

Make it....make it now! Except the Cope's because I'm bringing you some this weekend.
Here's the recipe!

Easter

2009-04-10T22:08:00.005-07:00

I miss my family. I miss Sunday dinners. A roast, roast chicken, ham, grilling on the barbeque or even a simple stew. Sunday’s were the one day of the week that we would usually eat together and talk. And Easter Sunday? Time for a feast! Yummy food, many friends who didn’t have any place to go, great conversation, movies and games and yes…a chocolate Easter bunny.

Now E and I are the lost friends who don’t have a place…luckily for us we have great friends. So our Easter plans are as follows. We had dinner with the Parkers et al tonight. I brought rice dressing.

Linda made performance art jello and it was lovely and delicious.

Easter treats for our nieces and nephews are already delivered and probably devoured.

Easter cards have been mailed out to dear people near and far. (a recent goal of mine is to actually mail out more of the handmade cards I make) and that’s it.It’s good. It’s enough. But I miss my family. A lot.

fun at the park!

2009-04-05T10:09:00.004-07:00

Had the best day at the park yesterday with Kimmy and Kaitee. Got some fun pictures and had a great time. Enjoy!

MEME

2009-04-01T17:49:00.004-07:00

My friend Lou tagged me so here you go!

1.Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up.
e, my blackberry, afghan, we the people textbook, ariel

2. How do you style your hair?
I usually blow it dry and sometimes straighten it.

3. What are you wearing now?
Black top, jeans, glasses

4. What do you want to be when you grow up?
happy and content

5. The best thing to happen to you as late?
life is pretty great in general....new iPod maybe?

6. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
fun

7. What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction?
limon chips, blackberry messenger, baking lemon bars, the office, ramen, itunes

8. What's the last thing you ate today?
an energy drink

9. What calms you?
music, creating, baking, e

10. What websites do you visit when you go online?
facebook, google reader, cnn (so bad), post secret

11. What's the last thing you bought?
itunes (endless), bowls at anthropologie, pinking shears, prints on etsy

12. What are you listening to now?
Jimmy Fallon and Kristin Wigg

13. What do you think about before you go to bed?
I am a total night owl so it's hard to shut down....usually I run around trying to do everything I know I will have to get out of bed to do before I can sleep and then just put headphones in and try not to think

14. What was the last CD(s) you "bought"?
A Night at the Opera, Queen

15. What is your favorite weather and why?
Spring and Fall because they are not too hor or too cold.

16. If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you play?
Guitar

17. Anything exciting as of late?
Ummmm....not so much?

18. What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
Really? Another kid? Hmmmmmm.....

19. What’s the one thing you wish people would stop asking you?
When are you going to have kids? (that would really put a damper on the hot sex FYI!)

PSA re: Bows!

2009-03-30T21:14:00.004-07:00

So I don't have kids. I KNOW!
But I do have nieces (two) and I'm always looking for cute presents.
I have totally fallen in love with THESE bows from my friend Kim's etsy!
Bitty Bows & Clippies
SO STINKIN CUTE! Really reasonably priced, really well made. Love it all around!
Go check it out.

Lemon Bars =YUM

2009-03-29T21:31:00.003-07:00

These are easily the item that gets requested most by people at my office.
I like a crisp crust with a soft moist lemon layer....topped with powdered sugar of course!
This recipe from Ina Garten has a lemon layer almost twice as thick as the recipe I used to use which makes it much easier to get the filling set but not over baked.
Handy tips and hints:
Use fresh lemons and zest. Sometimes I will freeze extra zest if I'm using lemons for something else and use bottled juice but really fresh is best.
Do not over bake....the filling should be set but wiggle a little if you shake the pan.
Cool before eating. E detests warm deserts for the most part and with these I agree. If you dust with powdered sugar too soon it will melt on them if they are too warm....you can buy special non melting sugar but seriously....just wait. I will usually make these in the evening to use the next day.
Cut and then dust with powdered sugar...makes for a nicer presentation I think.
Enjoy!

Randomness & Love

2009-03-27T19:43:00.006-07:00

I love polaroid....and since they are no longer making the film I am hording. So while you hoard....you can always use Poladroid My cats LOVE wet food.

I was dozing on the couch and E turned this on. Pride and Prejudice is one of my FAVE books. Love this movie.

I have had a serious craving for these lately. Salty and sour. Yum!

This kit = ADORABLE!
This book = completely sucked me in so far.....I want to make pie now.

Cupcake Frosting

2009-03-25T21:55:00.002-07:00

Yes I know i'm cupcake obsessed...I like to bake and these are such a easy fun thing to bake. On top of trying to make them taste great you also want them to look great and one of the ways you can do that is with frosting.

The tip I like best is the Wilton #1M open star. It gives you this distinctive swirl. To use it you will need a large coupler and I would recommend a larger than average pastry bag. I like to frost a whole batch of cupcakes at a time and I don't like stopping to fill the bag with more frosting. Links below...happy baking!

Large coupler.
#M1 open star tip.

Large featherweight bag.

Is it the weekend yet?

2009-03-18T22:21:00.006-07:00

Time to move that picture and depressing post down a notch!

I’m so excited to go to Phoenix this weekend. We are headed to the valley to do a few things. Visit the Cope’s! My best friend, confidante, cousin through marriage (ok that one is a stretch but has some basis), and her lovely husband and son. We get girl time, boys get Halo time, Caleb gets the little things I’ve collected for him since I saw him last and perhaps a trip to the Disney store for an early birthday present. Everyone gets lemon squares = everyone wins!

See RENT! Again. I can’t help it! I love this show and we have third row tickets to see Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. Love it!

Diagnose iPod and probably replace it. This is a mixture of happy and sad…either way at the end of this weekend I will have a working iPod I guess so lets go with happy! Weigh in on the critical colour choice, black vs. silver in the comments.

Setting up entries for the state science fair. E heads up the science fair with our lovely friend Kimmy and on Saturday he and I will be setting up the winning entries from his school for this http://azsef.asu.edu/In fact we will get home from Phoenix Sunday and he will be going back with students on Monday morning. Fun, except that it will be at 5 am and it’s a quick there and back type of a trip oh and did I mention that it’s also the first day of his spring break? Still it’s a great experience for the students.

Throw in some Jamba Juice, shopping, gossip, great company, great food and it promises to be a great weekend. I can’t wait.

just in case.....

2009-03-14T23:18:00.004-07:00

Just in case I was feeling too happy and content...I had a truly awful week. It started with a migraine that kept me in bed for two days. Nice. Followed by two days of a headache that would not go away (but I could deal with it) and then. I got a bug. But that sounds so small and insignificant. SO different from how I felt!

I was sick, repeatedly, every 20-30 minutes, for six hours, ending at 3:00 am Friday. Oh and that came with a 102 fever that lasted through the day. And yes, in answer to my friend Linda, I did break a bunch of blood vessels around my eyes and I do look like I was beaten. Photo evidence below.

Seriously though, any help? Every time I'm ill the blood vessels around my eyes and sometimes all over my face burst and it doesn't go away for 4-5 days. I'm sure it does not help that I'm really freakishly pale and don't wear makeup but it's not the best look. Really, not a great week for me. Hope yours was better!

Best.Husband.Ever

2009-03-06T19:06:00.002-07:00

I am SO CLUMSY. I cut myself constantly at work on PAPER. I drop things and slip...it's completely ridiculous actually but the relevant part of this is that I dropped my ipod and I think it's broken. *sob* And by I think it's broken I mean it won't restore and I can just see the menu's but not actually load it with music or play anything on it. SO BAD/SAD!
Bright side: E has let me borrow his tiny and oh so cute nano.
Now I'm conflicted. I had a 30 gb video. It fit pretty much all of the music I have on my computer (some CD's I didn't upload) but it was pretty full. So what I would love input on is I love the tiny little nano in *pink*! But the biggest is 16 gb.
For $50 more I can get the newer HUGE 120 gb classic. A little bulkier, heavier, only comes in silver and black. But the upside is that I can have all of my music + videos + photos. I do really like the option of feeling like listening to the Beatles and having all of the music of theirs that I have at my fingertips.
HELP!

Project 365 update

2009-03-01T18:50:00.004-07:00

So i've added a sidebar slideshow of all of my project 365 pictures. Over there --------->
Also! A friend asked me to contribute to her Theatre Loves Challenges blog to be sure to stop over there and join in. The challenge this month is make a project inspired by the song Seasons of Love from the musical Rent.
Here's mine!

Papers are prima and the photo collage was created in picnik and printed by scrapbookpictures.com

Come over and PLAY!

Lucky Girl

2009-02-19T22:28:00.003-07:00

I am a lucky girl.

I have awesome friends.

Who love girls day out, Canada, starbucks and Target!

I am slowly getting over the cold that stole away 72 hours.

And even though I totally unintentionally made my whole office sick,

Bob still offered to make me tea.

I have an awesome husband. Who works way too hard. Science fair+teaching+taking classes+parent teacher conferences=lots of late work nights like tonight.

He's still at work. :-(

My crazy cats, watching me brush my teeth. Super random but sweet!

Cough*Sniffle*Whine*Sneeze

Nyquil here I come!

Rainy Sunday

2009-02-08T12:57:00.003-07:00

It's a drizzly, rainy, gloomy day here today. It's actually quite comforting because we have had some really warm weather lately. You almost forget that it is February and it should be more dreary and cold.
Lots of hot tea and relaxing happening which is lovely.

I've been really random with updating here but our 2009 so far has been really calm, lovely and relaxing. Filled with lots of friends and love. Work has been great for both of us. E just finished teaaching a smart board class and I've been taking on some new responsibilities at work as well as working with a lot more sex crimes against minors. Which is obviously a difficult challenging thing to have to deal with on a day to day basis but it is good to hopefully assist people through the prosecution.
Well the rain has turned into hard pellets of snow and that may be a cue for me to take a nap.
Bisous!!

Project 365 Week 3

2009-01-28T23:04:00.005-07:00

1-11-2009 No picture posted. I took pictures for a friend and didn't want to post the family picture on my blog without asking.

1-12-2009 Ariel. I was super sick in bed and she kept me company all day!

1-13-2008 Still sick...the house was getting progressively messier.

1-14-2009 E scraping ice off cars...he took neighbors to school with him and I went with my friend/their mom.

1-15-2009 Parking lot at work. The sun sets just as I leave every day.

1-16-2009 By the time we get our mail on the way home it's almost set.

1-17-2009 Eldon taking down part of our fence with his dad....do you like my dirt yard?

Week 2 Project 365

2009-01-26T21:53:00.004-07:00

1-4-2009
1-5-2009

1-6-2009

1-7-2009

1-8-2009

1-9-2009

1-10-2009

Change!

2009-01-20T21:53:00.002-07:00

So to top off the wonderful day that we had today I just had to share some laughs. I love someeecards by the way!

Also.....in the spirit of "strategery", "misunderestimate", "hispanically" and "subliminable."

And even though I really am Canadian.....for the rest of you!

I have hope! And I hope that everyone gets that this is humor....and the best humor comes from truth.

More cards for card swap.

2009-01-17T10:50:00.003-07:00

George!

2009-01-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

So first came the credenza....which E forgets and calls the costanza (george for short). We bought it at an auction at work because the whole time we have owned this house we have had nothing on that wall. It's perfect.

Then we painted it red. YUM! I am thinking another coat when it's warmer out but it's really not as shiny as it looks.

Then went to ikea and bought magnetboards.Two. This is the hanging process. Why yes I am type A!

And the finished product! Bad lighting and all!

Card swap!

2009-01-13T22:29:00.003-07:00

So i'm smack dab in the middle of making cards for a card swap the lovely Nicole is hosting later this month. Trying to avoid my usual procrastination and get things done in plenty of time so here's card 1 of 3.

365!

2009-01-08T22:47:00.005-07:00

One of my goals this year is a picture a day. Project 365. I think i'm going to post these once a week on my blog too. Enjoy!

12-28-2008
My parents were in town and so we played tourist. Petrified forest-Painted Desert National Park. Really fun.

12-29-2008

We had a really chill day which started out with me making german pancakes. Yummy!

12-30-2008
E took my parents and his out for a movie and dinner. I stayed at home because I didn't feel well and made an album for my parents.

12-31-2008

New Years Eve at the Copes. We had yummy app's and played cranium. Lettuce, Tomatoes, Dressing! = Nicole and I are unstoppable when paying against our hubs.

1-1-2009

Playing tourist again....today it was at Rawhide Wild West Town. Kinda cheesy, Kinda fun!

1-2-2009

My parents caught a red-eye home tonight but before they left we caught a Coyotes game....they actually won! Miracles happen!! 1-3-2009

Before we headed back to Holbrook we shopped, saw The Lion King at Gammage and finished the day off with sprinkles...I <3>

Spiders ICK me out!

2009-01-08T22:28:00.003-07:00

So....here I was all ready to go to bed....husband already in bed...and from the corner of my eye....SPIDER!

I loathe spiders.

We have spiders in Arizona.....DANGEROUS ONES!

We found a black widow in our eaves once, a scorpion in the entryway, and don't even get me started on the centipedes and wind scorpions. *shudder*

Totally freaked out even though I DROWNED it in raid and woke husband up to dispose of it. (Yes I am that heartless.)

And note to self...Do not go googling "Poisonous Arizona Spiders" when you are already freaked out and wired...NOT A GOOD IDEA!

Google something cute....like cakewrecks....or lolcats.

Seriously....too freaked out to sleep now!

Pictures not included for obvious reasons. *gag* *shudder*

Vacation

2008-12-29T11:40:00.003-07:00

We have had a few weeks of ICK around our house. Lots of tea, tissues and resting.

Now we are on vacation until after the new year. (yay!) So my parents are here and we are doing lots of relaxing, resting and touristy things. Which included a visit to the painted desert/petrified forest national park yesterday.

I hope you all are having a wonderful restful holiday!

inspired

2008-12-22T18:04:00.001-07:00

We have been sick and fighting off colds. Sorry for the lack of posting. Here is some lovely for you.

Tag

2008-12-04T10:03:00.001-07:00

Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages. Don't pick the coolest or most impressive one, just the NEAREST one.
Open the book to page 123.
Find the fifth sentence and post it!

"An explanation of the extent of any economic loss or porperty damge suffered by the victim."

Work much?

randomness!

2008-12-02T18:19:00.002-07:00

E loves this dressing for thanksgiving. Wild and white rice, celery, onion, almonds and sausage. YUM!
I saw this and made these for the friends I saw Twilight with about a week before the movie. Linda helped. Just basic white cuppies with a cherry filling and cherry bite marks. They were a hit and super moist!

Have made these a few times as well. Coconut macaroons with a chocolate ganache. Yummy!

There was a lot of chess happening for our family this fall (and by that I mean for E of course) but the season is over! The last tournament was held in Tucson the weekend before Thanksgiving and I am thankful! I miss E a bunch because he's gone most weekends in the fall and it's nice to have him home more. Although I do have to say it's always nice when it starts up again since we are generally quite sick of each other after the summer.

twilight

2008-12-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Confessions of my inner 13 year old.

I really like the book Twilight.
My friends and I geeked out and saw it on the 21st AKA my 5th anniversary.
In my defense E was out of town.
E and I saw it again this weekend at the Cine Capri.
I didn't LOVE the movie but I didn't hate it either.
I was enthralled by the trailer for Harry Potter.
I almost made E a shirt that said "I'm her Edward" because it's totally true.
The book was better.
I may still see it again!

a little less grinchy!

2008-11-25T18:12:00.001-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Grinchy.

2008-11-16T23:37:00.002-07:00

I've coined a new phrase around my house...grinchy. It means to behave in a manner not befitting the holiday season approaching. This time of year always seems to fly for me.
On Friday E and I will have been married 5 years. Feels like 5 days! It's almost ridiculous how happy I am.
A week later, well 6 days, Is faux-thanksgiving. Or as I like to call it another year bites the dust.
E and I will have two whole weeks of being 28 before he has HIS b-day and then not quite two weeks later is Christmas. My parents are coming for a week and I am so excited to see them!
So even though there is lots to be excited about (did I mention the DS lite and new super mario brothers game that E bought me as an early b-day present? LOVING IT!) I'm feeling grinchy.
I miss my family.
Arizona is too warm for November...the other night with no heat on I got to warm while sleeping and woke up.
I miss autumn.
The leaves were golden and red for a week and then the wind blew and they were gone.
I miss my family.
Work is still really stressing me out...I think the end is in sight but this has literally been the hardest year work wise and I can pin the whole situation on one particular person no matter how much I try to be kind.
I miss friends who are far away.
I am really amazingly blessed and in so many ways incandescently happy.
But I'm still grinchy so please send me some happy thoughts and suggestions on how to break out of my blue mood.
Don't worry...I'm planning several posts about what I'm thankful for soon.

Cupcakes!

2008-11-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

I brought these lovelies to work yesterday....yummy! The ones with just sprinkles are non-partisan the rest are for Obama. Cupcakes for Obama! It's weird how invested I feel in this election. I live in a red state and I am anything but red in my viewpoints...I'm happy with the outcome of the presidential race but upset by the news from California...
I think the most importatnt thing now is to move forward as a united country even if the election did not go how you were hoping.

Is it strange to maybe want to become a citizen just so I can vote in four years?

Peace love and CUPCAKES!!

Vote!

2008-11-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Scrappy Love Part 2

2008-11-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

Part two of the scrappy love. Here are some layouts from our trip to Toronto last year for Gary & David's wedding. One new product I found that I love Love LOVE and i've mentioned before is the Dotted Swiss...I used it again on the background here and it's yummy!

Another really neat find are these page protectors from American Craft. They are 12" tall and 6" wide. I used them here as a little half page between the two pages above and below. It has some more pictures from TO and on the pabk i'll put some journaling. I love the look!

So all of the pages except the one below are of our trip in July of last year to Toronto Canada. The page below is about E and his Grandpa. E graduated from the same university as his grandpa 50 years (minus one semester) after he graduated. Both with degrees in education.

E's grandpa is an awesome man and it was really neat to have him there to see E graduate. Every so often in E's alumni literature we will see his name for athletic achievement and he still holds the record at NAU for the most points scored by one person in one basketball game. And for the record that was before 3 point shots. ROCKSTAR!

Scrappy love part 1

2008-11-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

So last weekend while E was away I went to Phoenix with a friend and we went to SCRAPFEST!
This is some of the stuff I got done...

I'm loving this bazzil dotted swiss cardstock....I used a ton!

More to come later!

We are having a very chill night and I am NOT looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

catching up

2008-11-01T22:14:00.004-07:00

So. I've been a little A.W.O.L. Work has been really stressful and I've been having some trouble with my teeth.....dentist visit diagnosis root canal and AFTER that appointment but before the scheduled root canal I BROKE A TOOTH. Seriously. So I had to have a filling last Thursday and a root canal this Thursday. Yeah. Loving it!

Had a lovely weekend last weekend in Phoenix with a friend. Except my phone died. So welcome to my life crackberry! It's only been a week and I love you already! I love how you keep me on schedule and in touch. I love how you do so much with your tiny little size. I just love you!

Today was a good day. Got some projects done around the house while E was at the State Chess qualifying thingy and then we headed over to Kimmy's for a day of the dead party! Highlights included tacos, face painting, and SUGAR SKULLS! I decorated the big one on top...the purple one to the right of the big one, the one that is below and to the right of the purple one, and the pink one just below the big one. I really liked the sugar skulls!

Hope you had a great first day of November!

Voting....it could happen!

2008-10-31T07:40:00.001-07:00

I had a root canal yesterday and I'm still feeling kind of cranky so this is it for now....I know...bad blogger!

love love love love love

2008-10-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

Missing:
Loving:

Hoping:

Card love...

2008-10-23T21:30:00.002-07:00

Card love from our class last Saturday. I am going away for the weekend with a friend tomorrow so today is full of packing. Enjoy!

A.W.O.L.

2008-10-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

So I've been dealing with some drama and not feeling like blogging. BAD BLOGGER! Anyways cute project posted below....we bought this solid wood cabinet below from an auction at my work...it used to live in my office at work. A few coats of red paint by E......And we have a bright and beautiful place to dump mail and store things!
I'm picturing a grouping of photos and art above and a charging station, bowl for keys etc. on top.
Loving it!

Love Love

2008-10-08T21:36:00.004-07:00

Loving these: And this:
This movie:
Packages full of love:
And sushi dates with my love. His schedule is super busy lately so I think our next scheduled date is November...15th? Very very jealous that he gets to go to the pumpkin patch on a field trip tomorrow and I have to go to work.

bookish....I'm feeling it.

2008-10-07T11:41:00.001-07:00

Something about fall, the changing leaves, the crisper temperatures, the honey crisp apples (yes I am aware that I live in Arizona and we had record temps today....stay with me) just makes me want to curl up with a good book and read. Or a cup of hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie...yes they are that good make them already!

Here's a rundown of some of my book picks lately.

No Country for Old Men -Cormac McCarthy

This was kind of a sleeper hit for me. I had both this and "The Road" on my nightstand and I wasn't sure what to expect...well now I'm 3/4 through this one and I'm still not sure what to expect. Mr. McCarthy has a very distinctive writing style and it's gripping. No spoilers please...I've been exhausted but I am determined to finish this week. Side note : I have not seen the movie and while Mr. F has I have also implored him not to spoil it....while at the same time begging for spoilers so I have no movie-book comparison.

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
Now this movie I have watched and it was breathtaking. Such beautiful cinematography and a really enjoyable film. However, I think the book was better as is often the case. More detail is one of the things I always say when watching a movie based of a book....it's just impossible usually for a film maker to add all the lush details of the book. So if you liked the movie. Read this one.

The Last Summer (of You & Me) Ann Brashares

This book is a bit of a departure for the author in that she has written several pre-teen books (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). But the core of what she writes about in her novels are relationships. This book is about the relationship between sisters and that really struck me. I thought the book was compelling and drew me in right away.

Atonement - Ian McEwan

You know the book-movie debate.....I think the movie wins this one for me. Even though you get lots of detail it feels very repetitive as you keep jumping back and forth between characters reliving the same scene....the movie for that across without so much...annoying me?

Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Beautifully written autobiography. Loved her voice. Loved the book.

Certain Girls - Jennifer Weiner

This is a sequel to the 2001 book Good in Bed. Just fair warning...I hate reading books out of sequence. I'm a little torn about this book....so much of what I liked about the first book was the spirit of the main player Cannie...and she was not such an active player in this one. Overall not my fave but if you read and liked the first book you may want to read this as well.

Yes YOU can.

2008-10-05T10:08:00.003-07:00

So I don't want to be an American. I'm proud to be Canadian and while I make my home here I've never felt this pressing need to become a citizen. We don't have kids so that's not an issue and I didn't really see any benefit. Downsides no jury duty (though they did try to summon me), no voting. Oh yeah. Forgot about that one.

Did you know if you've lived outside of Canada for more than five consecutive years without maintaining a residence there you can't even vote by mail. Yeah.

So since I have no voice in this election (except a loving husband who takes into account my opinions when deciding what to do with his vote) I'm pleading. Vote!

Register to vote!

Take time out of your busy schedule and VOTE!

It's a privilege! Use your voice!

And as for registering (which is essential) you are seriously running out of time.
So please. Vote.

Daily Inspiration

2008-10-03T10:02:00.002-07:00

So I don't think I've ever posted about this but I go here every day.
Stunning photographs of one of my fave cities. Ever. I can't believe that the last time we were there was for Gary and David's wedding (Love you guys!). Can't wait to go back!
Have a great day and a restful/grateful weekend!

Best chocolate Chip COOKIES EVAH!

2008-10-02T07:40:00.003-07:00

Peeps.....I am on a quest...the quest is for the best chocolate chip cookies...and ladies and gents...we have a CONTENDER! I stumbled upon this recipe on Baking Blonde's blog. E and I loved them and i'm very probably makig them againfor this weekend when some friends are coming over. Recipe is below....go forth and bake!

Also! I really am trying to nail down my fave recipe and although I doubt any could top these....comment and let me know if you think YOU have the most killer choc. chip cookie recipe....it's a quest after all! (And yes Kim I did totally just have a flash of HIMYM)

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER

Blog Readability

2008-10-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this kicking around?
I am VERY amused!

Eight!

2008-09-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

My 8 obsessions.....8 things that I am passionate about...
1. My Family
2. My Friends
3. Being Happy
4. Being organized
5. Blogging
6. Cooking
7. Creating
8. Love

8 words or phrases I use often...
1. Good (morning, afternoon) County Attorney’s Office. Amy speaking. How may I help you?
2. Seriously!?!
3. You know?
4. That’s tragic.
5. Totally unfortunate.
6. Adorable!
7. So annoying.
8. Ummmmm, no.

8 things I want to do before I die...
1. Photo safari in Africa.
2. Visit South Korea with E.
3. Stay in an ice hotel
4.Compete on Jeopardy.
5. Set foot in all 50 states.
6. Go back to school.
7. See Monument Valley at Sunset.
8. Learn to surf.

8 things I have learned from my past..
1. People will show you who they are and you are a fool if you don’t believe them.
2. Hard work does pay off.
3. Learn from failed relationships.
4. If you don’t like drama people who embrace drama should be cut out of your life.
5. Don’t look back except to learn.
6. The best friends will always be there for you.
7. Most of the time you are disappointed in people it’s because your expectations are too high.
8. Sometimes the problem is not that you need to lower your expectations.

8 places I would love to go or see..
1. London
2. Paris
3. Seattle
4. B.C.
5. Egypt
6. Africa
7. New York, New York
8. San Francisco

8 things I currently need or want...
1. Nintendo DS Lite
2. Tripod
3. Grey’s Season 4
4. Sleep
5.Someone to landscape our yard.
6. Vacuum sealer thingy
7. ipod Touch
8. Unlimited Plane Tickets

Eats!

2008-09-28T12:23:00.005-07:00

So this afternoon while watching Food Network we stumbled upon Bon Appetit's Best Food Across America.
Talk about making you crave a hamburger, they were addressing what is the best burger, pizza, steak, fried chicken and ribs.
And I felt a pang of fear. Because whenever I hear talk about the best pizza in America I think of Pizzeria Bianco.....and so did they!
PEOPLE! It is already much too difficult to get a table there! For the sake of pizza stop! First Oprah, then Martha, now Bon Appetit?!?
So the continued outing of one of our fave pizza places inspired me to share the love...and talk about a few other local faves!

Pizzeria Bianco

This pizza is delish. Thin crust baked in a wood fire oven by the owner Chris Bianco. I particularly enjoy the mozzarella, tomato and basil salad, and the margherita pizza. So good!

Next restaurant on our list is Manna Cafe.

Manna Cafe

Most of you know that E served a mission for our church in South Korea so I'm sure it's no surprise that a Korean restaurant made the list. One of fave parts is that they serve your meal with banchan as pictured above (picture from google). Banchan are basically side dishes of pickles, kimchee and other tasty things. We really liked the beef rib eye, beef short ribs and kimchee stew.

These are just two of our local faves! I'm thinking this may be a continuing thing...next up local chains!

Spooky Saturday

2008-09-27T12:32:00.002-07:00

I love a good productive Saturday of getting things done. I've already hit the post office, cleaned, switched out purses, did laundry, cleaned the windows in my car, got gas, stopped by the auto parts store to get a new headlight etc.

So while I'm busy tackling my to do list enjoy a sweet little Halloween card I made!
Loving this stamp set from Taylored Expressions Adorable!

Thursday Love!

2008-09-25T16:07:00.002-07:00

Reasons to love Thursday:
It's almost Friday!
E is HOME!
It's almost 5!
I'm not making dinner!
There is still carrot cake in the fridge!
Great friends!
E still has a meeting this weekend but he's staying in town!
Planning a card day with friends!
Visiting teaching ROCKED!
Facebook FLAIR!

Honeycrisp apples. Seriously the best apples I have had in awhile...super crisp with a great tangy flava!

Grey's!

Sweet cupcake fabric that I used to make an ipod case the other day. Adorable!

ipod! It's totally keeping me company at work and I am grateful!

Rodeo!

2008-09-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

So one of the things on my bucket list was to go to a Rodeo. Lucky for me the county fair happens in our very own little town every September and this year I actually had a friend riding! (As well as other peeps we know, Hi, Laurie & Alexandra!)

I also had no idea how fast everything would move to sorry for the bad pics! Except for the great picture that my friend C sent me of her riding. She's a rockstar!!
That is also her (the moving pink blur) in the next picture.....see what I said about fast?

Making Space

less of myself

GO HABS GO!

Stretching.

confessions

Lately

Christmas Cats

Life

thankful

Rough Week

Halloween!

Punkin Patch

Faux Fall

Summer Mini Book

Life as I know it.

Vacation

Busy Bees!

jumping for joy

5k

two

Juggle

Some DC scrappy love

papers, papers please.

daddy

So i had some goals....

walking

random post of randomness

bagels!

10 life list goals for 2010

2009 was a very good year

during my time off i will

School is done....for now!

be back soon

Polaroid Wall

thankful

Polaroid Love

Theatre Love!

I *love* Jack

October random thoughts.

It is Thanksgiving.

Good dog.

Instax Love!

Polaroid Love

NO WAY!

One more.....SERIOUSLY!?!?!

he's mynewt ;)

School is stealing my soul.

Runaways!

long time no blog...

Stuff!

chill

I really loathe spiders....

Crack....It's an addiction.

Easter

fun at the park!

MEME

PSA re: Bows!

Lemon Bars =YUM

Randomness & Love

Cupcake Frosting

Is it the weekend yet?

just in case.....

Best.Husband.Ever

Project 365 update

*Lucky Girl*

Rainy Sunday

Project 365 Week 3

Week 2 Project 365

Change!

More cards for card swap.

George!

Card swap!

365!

Spiders ICK me out!

Vacation

inspired

Tag

randomness!

twilight

a little less grinchy!

I love Jack

Lucky Girl