From the air...

Taken during the flight from Minneapolis to Columbus

And 2007 is almost over...

We're back from our Christmas in South Dakota, which was wonderful, cold and white (with the perfect snowflakes falling outside the windows while we opened presents). There's lots to tell, so I'll get right to it...

We had some excitement getting there, with our flight being canceled on the 23rd (which, unfortunately I didn't check before we drove to the airport...hope I've learned my lesson on that one). We left for the airport the next morning at 4 am, get there in plenty of time, the flight is not canceled, the plane is there...and then we board the plane, there's brake maintenance that needs done (1 hour), we fly to Minneapolis and there's another plane already at our gate so we have to wait (12 minutes).

Our next flight is leaving in about 5 minutes (so we start running...from Concourse F to concourse A...and believe me, John and I are not in the kind of shape that distance requires). Luckily once we get to concourse A, our flight has been delayed (What a relief! We will make it home!).

We are ten minutes from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but there is fog and only 1/4 mile visibility, so we'll be circling for 20 minutes to see if it gets better (needs to be 1/2 mile) and if it doesn't, we'll have to fly to Sioux City, Iowa (70 miles South) to refuel and try it again (UGH!!!!). So I spend the next fifteen minutes staring at the clouds/fog willing them to thin out, trying to figure out if they look any thinner, and I guess it does get thinner (it actually never looked any different to me) because we start our descent and land in Sioux Falls. My Dad is there (yay!) but our luggage is not (booo!!)

Long story short (or, long story a little less long) we went back and checked that afternoon, but still no luggage. It actually showed up Christmas morning--the airline had delivered it to my parents' next door neighbor's and they brought it over, complete with about an inch of powdery snow on top...I was going to include a picture of me bringing my snowy luggage into the house (grinning from ear to ear) but it turns out that one was on my Dad's camera (oops!)so....anyway

Christmas was wonderful...had the big surprise of finding a Nintendo Wii next to our stockings...John and I had totally given up on getting one for Christmas (who knew they'd be so hard to find??) but there it was! It turns out my parents (er...I mean, Santa) can do anything! Everyone enjoyed playing it for the rest of our visit...I'm an especially big fan of the fishing game and the one where you're riding a cow and trying to knock over scarecrows. There were lots of other nice gifts, too...cooking stuff for John, Fiestaware, a really warm robe, and DVDs for me. Then John helped my Mom finish up Christmas dinner (using his new food mill to mash/mill the potatoes)




The other big news (on top of getting our luggage AND a Nintendo Wii) is...

I got my wedding dress!!!

I, of course, can't post pictures or describe it because John reads my blog...but it's beautiful! I found it at a place in Sioux Falls, and I'll pick it up in May when I got back for my Mom and sister's graduations. My sister has about 45 pictures of it on her camera though, so I'll be glad to email out pictures of it once she sends them to me.

I also wanted to include the link that has pictures of the location...it'll be at a park outside of Lancaster, which has a little lake and a lodge looking over it next to a forest...it's so pretty...you can see pictures of the park and building here...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We got our tree up on Sunday, after a marathon shopping trip to Lancaster and dinner with friends (so, I think we actually finished putting it up early Monday morning). Anyway, it's really cute, and I love it.

I'm especially loving the tree topper...which is the one from John's family's tree when he was a kid. John brought it up from the basement when we stopped to borrow the tree. I thought it was adorable, but unfortunately, it didn't work...

However, after buying a new set of lights (and a glue gun), carefully dismantling the topper, and hot gluing all the new lights in place one by one...it's back to it's former, blinking glory! And before you think, "wow...Abbie did a lot of work to fix that," you should know that John was the one who did it all. What can I say, he sports a mean glue gun. ;)

So, I love the topper...and the fact that John went to so much trouble to fix it and that he insisted that it blinked because that's what it did when he was little.

I'm also getting a kick out of all his boy ornaments. I mean, I grew up in a house with all girls, so it never even crossed my mind that boys might have totally different ornaments...now in addition to the snowflakes, bears, dolls, etc. etc...we have Joe Montana throwing a pass...Jean Luc Picard standing in a transporter...and a Darth Vader with his glowing red light-saber rasping, "You are not a Jedi yet.." whenever I turn on the tree. How fun is that??

=)

Busy...

Hi everyone,
Yep, I'm still here...been crazy busy and I'll just make that my excuse for not bloggin g more. The TV pledge drive just started at work, and I'm still scrambling around trying to get all that stuff finished. If you live in SE Ohio, you'll be able to see me on WOUB TV on the 16th pitching the Daniel O'Donnell Rock and Roll Show (crossing my fingers that I do a good job and choose an outfit that looks good on camera ;) ). If you don't live in SE Ohio and want to see some of my handiwork,you can go to the Support page on WOUB.org and check out ALL the premiums that are listed there...Nope, it's not really all that exciting but it DID take an awfully long time to get together and put online.

Thankfully, it's the weekend, and I've got plans to go to knitting group at the library (which I usually sleep through but here I am, awake at 8:20 in the morning on a Saturday), the Farmers Market, and a Holiday Craft Show at the Dairy Barn Arts Center. Then, it's time to DECORATE and start doing some Christmas shopping and watch Christmas movies and bake and knit and drink hot chocolate ...

=)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday.

More fall...

More pictures from today...

Fall Colors

After thinking about it for the past month (or more...), I finally went outside this morning and took pictures of the fall leaves. It was a lot of fun (I also didn't try to bring the dog this time...callie and photography don't mix well).

I'm also excited because I just ordered a new camera battery and it should be here next week (mine has been wussing out for the past year...it'll be nice to have one that will hold a charge!) Anyway...to the pictures...




Probably more to come...

Shooting

Sorry, I've been such a bad poster...but I'll make up for it ;)

Last weekend, I went with John to the shooting range and tried out his new 9mm...



Don't I look tough?? ;)

Actually, I didn't really like shooting it and spent the rest of the time shooting his 22...but it made for some sweet pictures

(Also, check out my new highlighted hair - yay!)

Avast me hardies, yo ho!

Check the Skull-and-crossbones bandannas...





YARRRR! Pirate kisses!!



ARRR! More pirate kisses!


So we're at Joann fabrics...John's waiting for me to pick some stuff out when he finds the pirate fabric (!!). First, he asks whether I can make him a chef's hat...ummmm, yeah I can probably do that...need a pattern though. So we pick out the perfect skull-and-crossbones fabric and head for the pattern books. No luck finding a chef hat pattern...

...but then, he asks if I could make it into a bandanna. Let's see...square? involves sewing only straight lines? I can DEFINITELY make a bandanna...Make one for Callie? Yep, I can do that, too.



=)

Basket-o-gourds...

Taken at the Pawpaw Festival...seems like I probably should post a picture of pawpaws...but, oh well ;) I'm excited about it being almost fall and hoping that the weather will cool down some.

Things have been pretty normal here. I've been busy making toddler socks (but after this last one I should be finished for awhile). The next project? Socks for me, I think. I've been to two different knitting groups here. One that meets at the library once a month and another that meets at the Spinning Turtle in Nelsonville (about 15 minutes away) every Thursday. Had a good time at both, and I'm hoping they'll inspire me to get out of my knitting rut (=toddler socks).

Awww...too much cuteness

Back from ND

A picture of North Dakota from the air...

I just spent the last week in Fargo, ND getting some software training for work. It was a really good trip for a bunch of reasons, like 1) my parents only live 3 hours from there so they came up and I got to spend last Sunday with them, 2) I'd never been to North Dakota before so it's another state to add to my "States I've Been to" list, and 3) it was a really good training--I have pages and pages and pages of notes AND I feel much more confident about the program (yay! No more feeling like I want to kick my computer down the hall!)

Anyway, it's really good to be back. The weather's cooled off here which is wooooonderfullll...yesterday was beautiful, this morning's been beautiful AND we haven't had to run our air conditioner (hooray!). Yesterday, after I got home we took a quick hike in Selles Park, which is here in Athens and WAY WAY bigger than I ever knew. I'm also really excited because today we're going to the Paw Paw Festival...you can read all about it here. Pretty much, it's a festival that's all about the Paw Paw fruit...it's green, it's called "poor man's banana" and grows wild around here...we'll be able to try all sorts of foods that are made with Paw Paws, listen to bands, and be outside enjoying the weather =)

All about the new jobs...

Yep I'm still here...figured it was time for an update. Things are still busy here but calming down a bit...

I just finished my third week at WOUB where I'm the Membership Coordinator. So when someone wants to become a member of WOUB public radio or public television, I take care of putting their information in, mailing them their thank you gift, mailing invoices and bill notices, etc. It's been really great because everyone there has been so nice, and I love public radio and television, and I walk down the halls and see and talk to people that I hear on the radio (this still blows my mind...my clock radio wakes me up with WOUB and I'll be in bed listening and think, "oh, that's so-and-so") I also have a tv in my office...my own tv...which also blows my mind a little...I usually have it on WOUB kids...so throughout the day, I'll have Reading Rainbow, Between the Lions, Sesame Street, etc. playing in my office (muted if I'm busy or listening to the radio--which is usually the WOUB AM "adult alternative" station which I can stream off their website...which I highly recommend). It's pretty fun.

John also got a new job!! He'll be working at Lui-Lui's , which is an awesome restaurant that's also really close to our house...He's got to work his way up to it, but by Fall, he'll be making oven-fired pizzas and sushi! I'm hoping he can bring some leftovers home for me ;)

=)

Love the new place! Love being back in Athens! Love the new job!

Sorry so long since the last post...I've been really busy with new job, unpacking (still) and doing tons of fun stuff. Things are really good here...I've been riding my bike to work and whew, turns out I'm a little out of shape...who knew? ;) but it's fun and makes me feel like a total bad ass (and saves me from having to park far away and walk up a TON of stairs to get to the office).

With John here, I've eaten better than I have in years (and it's nice to be able to see him all the time, instead of every three weeks). It's also fun having Callie around...taking her on walks, going to the dog park (so fun!), and just watching her hop around in the backyard.

=)

Puppy Play Date

Callie had too much fun playing with Rogue while Brenna and Robin visited!

Moving Pictures: Installment #1

What a mess! This is my apartment when it was almost all packed up.



Half of the amazing moving team...Peter and John take a break once the truck is packed with all my stuff (whew!). Not pictured is John's Mom who also did a bunch of packing, cleaning, and dog wrangling (Callie wasn't so happy when we put her in her crate so we could move all my stuff out).



Me, John, and Callie all ready to go! More pictures to come...

I'm here!!

So I'm all moved into my house in Athens and it is wooooonderfuuuullll! =) I'll post some pictures soon...but right now most of the rooms are messy and full of boxes ;)

I'm also so excited because Brenna and Robin are visiting on their way to New Jersey...and Callie (John's dog) and Rogue (Bren and Robin's dog) are best puppy pals...they've been playing and playing and playing all day long (and now they're conked out on the couches ;) ) I'm going to have to get a picture of them together because it is too, too cute.

=D

Wow...

http://www.style-files.com/2006/12/09/christien-meindertmas-giant-knitwork/

that's some hardcore knitting...

On a totally different note, I think I heard the Indian version of "The Thong Song" today...craziness

The few, the proud...

...the plants that haven't died yet ;)

The packing is going pretty well...quicker than I expected (well...I say that now...let's see how I feel on Friday) ;)

Goodbye, Farewell, Auf wiedersehen, Adieu

So it's really getting close to moving time...I'm excited, and then I'm sad (for reasons, see below), and then I feel like complaining at length about the evils of packing and moving...

Thankfully, I have some wonderful friends who've made sure that I felt loved before I left. There was the cookout on Saturday night with my friends from church, and then my coworkers took me out to Outback Steakhouse for dinner tonight. They were all so sweet and I hate to leave them. I've started a campaign to get all the cool, nice people to move to Ohio with me...but I'm not sure how far that one will get ;)

And, in other important news, I finished the Deathly Hallows on Saturday...loved it. Won't say anymore.

<3

IT'S HERE!

Waiting waiting waiting...

for my Harry Potter book to get here...

Whew...

Well, all the really hard stuff we had to do for the county fair is over (taking exhibits, getting them judged etc.) so just a few more days of that left! =)

I've been making a new baby sock pattern that I'm liking a lot...it's also good that it's a new pattern...I'm bad for getting stuck in a rut and making the same thing over and over. Unlike my sister, Erin, who tries all sorts of patterns and designs and is an awesome, incredible knitter. She also just started making baby socks...I'm trying to step it up a little bit so I can maybe keep up with her ;) My other sister, Brenna, is also awesome and incredible, but she doesn't knit baby socks, so I'll have to talk about her awesomeness in another post ;)

Still here...

the county fair is going...and I'm tired, but I'm home this early and it wasn't insanely hot, so I figure that makes for a good day (at least when it comes to the county fair)

I can't wait for this weekend (just 3 1/2 more days of work!!) and Harry Potter comes out (hooray!)

Fun links!

http://www.desktopblues.lichtlabor.ch/desktopblues0013.swf

Also funny...
http://glibandspiel.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-get-that-literary-guys-attention.html

Another wild week

But first, a picture I took this morning at the UK Arboretum



And now, the BIG news...I got a new job! Starting in August, I'll be working at Ohio University! Let the apartment searching, packing, and moving begin ;)

Such a busy weekend

In addition to knitting up a storm, I also got to go to the Estill Arts Council picnic (beautiful weather, good food, great people) and got a real tour of the county from two friends afterwards. So I was psyched to get to take some pictures! Here are my two favorites...



Random, pretty looking wildflower (anyone know what it is?)



The Fitchburg Furnace, an old iron furnace outside of town

Knitting!

Today has been filled with MTV (Made, My Super Sweet 16, and Engaged and Underage--all guilty pleasures ;)) and lots of knitting!

Here's my Razor Cami so far...yep, I agree that it looks reaaallly small (kind of more like a hat than a top...). But it's stretchy...so I'm hopeful...



An explanation for my non-knitter friends...the red yarns are my "lifelines" so if I mess up, I can pull out the knitting and start from that spot...as much as I like the KU colors, the red yarn won't be there when I (hopefully) wear the tank top (or give it to the nearest tiny 10 year old)

I think you should...

I can't say I'm a huge Snape fan, but really, he's got bad hair, he wasn't cool at wizarding school, and they've suspected him all along...how lame would it be if it turns out he is the evil traitor?? But who knows...I've been wrong before ( a few times ;) )

Anyway, I've been busy recently. My flowers are still surviving (minus the impatient, which has gone to that "big flower pot in the sky"). It's been pretty hot and dry here, and they are suffering a little bit because I don't water them everyday (or every other day...). Thank goodness for moisture control potting soil! Without it, I probably wouldn't have any plants at all!

I am still working on the Razor Cami...I've finished the bottom ribbing, and put in a lifeline, so if I screw it up in the lace (quite possible), I won't have to rip up the whole thing again.

You will be mine...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6133773

(in a slightly different color)

=)

Got the sock kit sent yesterday (yay!)

Swap update...

My swap partner's (Hi Liz!) sock kit is packed up and ready to go...but I don't want to spoil the surprise...so this is all you get to see of it!

I can't mail it until Friday, but it's waiting by the door and ready to take the trip to Alaska!!

My Green Thumb (maybe)

In the front



On the balcony

They're still alive right now, so that's pretty promising...but the Impatient in the front is looking not-so-hot...I'm not sure if regular watering is going to save it or if it's heading to the overgrown field behind my apartment (where all my gardening failures rest in peace ;) )

Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Trivia

As much as I hate to bump my last post from the top of the page...I'm a little behind with my Hogwarts trivia answers...

Who says...

"Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies"?

Answer: Lord Voldermort

Swap update: I have the yarn, stitch markers, needles, and pattern all ready to go. I'm making the bag this weekend and it'll all hopefully be in the mail next Friday (15th) or the following Monday! =)

YAY!!

We're engaged!!!!!!!!



Details details....We were getting ready to go out to dinner. John was on the floor putting his puppy Callie's crate together, and I walked over by him to get my cell phone, and he was on his knees and said "wait, I have something for you" and pulled a ring box out of his pocket and asked me. He said he wanted to catch me off guard and he definitely did!

=)

7 things...

I've been tagged to tell you seven random things about myself...and I'm supposed to tag 7 people...

...but I think all the people I know in blogland have already been tagged, so if you're reading this and haven't written seven random things about yourself on your blog and then tagged 7 other people, go for it! ;)

1. I am convinced I'm going to "English Major Hell" because I sold a hardbound Complete Works of Shakespeare back to the college bookstore for a grand total of $8 ;)

2. When I was 13, a sunflower picture I'd taken to the Kansas State Fair was seen by someone from Kansas Banker Magazine. They contacted me and paid me to use it for a cover of one of their issues (my first and only magazine picture/cover so far). My grandma still has that issue of Kansas Banker in her magazine rack!

3. I have seen two black bears while hiking alone, which is scary and exciting and amazing all at the same time (one didn't see me at all and the other seemed as startled/scared as I was and booked it into the woods).

4. Despite my current outdoorsy-ness, I'd actually never spent the night outside or in a tent until after I graduated from high school.

5. I talk to myself, a lot...

6. I haven't touched my film cameras since I got my digital one...I still have a half-used roll of film in one from 3 years ago...I'd rewind it and get it processed but the battery in the camera is now dead (oops)

7. I am very forgetful. I am horrible at remembering names, and it usually takes me two tries to make a grilled cheese sandwich because I forget about the first one and burn it black.

And another...

Me and Bren

On the bike path around Dillon Lake

If this is worth a thousand words...

...then I don't have to write anything, do I?

;)

I had a wonderful vacation and this picture was taken near (well...kind of near) Silverthorne, Colorado.

More to come...

KANSAS!

Hi from Lawrence! I got here yesterday after an uneventful flight from Columbus and here I am in my sister's house getting ready to watch her graduate from KU! =)

It's great to be back...I'm looking forward to good food, good shopping (!!) and seeing all of my family!

=)

HSKS Trivia

Trivia #1
What's the name of this potion?
This potion has the colour of molten gold, and while exposed to the air, large drops will leap like goldfish above the surface without spilling.
Oops...I mean, Felix Felices..

Trivia #2
Which book is this line from?
"Harry and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other; what if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excrutiatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?"
Half-Blood Prince.

Trivia #3
Who utters these words?
"Oh I am glad I'm not on duty. I wouldn't fancy having to go and tell the Irish they've got to stop celebrating."
Arthur Weasley

=)

Tiredness...

I promise I'll have exciting stuff to post sometime soon...had fun visiting family up in Ohio...and now I'm cross-eyed tired and trying to decide what all I HAVE to do tonight and what I can leave for tomorrow...I'm guessing most things will be left until tomorrow ;)

Baby Shower!!

Some pictures from the baby shower of the table, the quilt blocks we decorated, and Michelle, Amber and me. =) So fun!

Razor Cami, Take Three...again ;)

Well...I'm three rounds in. I actually have 156 stitches and (as far as I can tell) it's not a knitted mobius strip...now as long as I'm paying attention and not watching Grey's anatomy when I get to the lace part, we should be all good.

I hope! ;)

HSKS Trivia Question

Question: Who says, "You will have your reward, Wormtail. I will allow you to perform an essential task for me, one that many of my followers would give their right hands to perform..."?

Answer:Voldermort

Swap update: Well...I haven't gotten anything for it yet, but I did just get my partner! =)

HSKS Questionaire

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Ravenclaw

2. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
I don't have favorite brands yet...but I like 7" metal needles (the ones I like are blue-colored and from Hobby Lobby...aluminum maybe? ;)

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
Most needles would be new to me, but I prefer metal over wood or bamboo


4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
As much as I like to stay true to the book, I really prefer the movie colors

5. If your pal decides to send candies or chocolates are there any that you don't like? Gosh, I love dark chocolate, chocolate with nuts, more chocolate, sour candies, etc. etc. but I don't like white chocolate, reeses pieces, snickers, butterfingers, or suckers


6. What are your favorite scents?
cucumber melon, fresh/outdoorsy type scents (rain, grass, etc), mint/peppermint, coffee, and all those candles/scents that smell exactly like baked goods =)

7. Do you have any allergies?
Nope

=)

Swap!

As you can so from my new badges, I'm doing the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap. I'm really excited about it!! Yay Ravenclaw!

And the first trivia question...
Who's talking in this conversation...."There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!" "You are quite wrong. Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness."

Answer: Voldermort and Dumbledore

New Glasses!!

They came in today! =) I'm really loving them!

Yay quizzes!!

Find out which Jane Austen Heroine you are here

According to the quiz I am Fanny Price(and with my awful memory, I can't remember who that is or which book she was in)but it means that I am...

"Quiet, shy, and analytical, you observe and feel much more than you can convey. You're patient with others to a fault; people may take advantage of your compliant nature. However, in matters of great importance to you, you will stand your ground, as you always care for your beliefs and convictions. Others view you as the standard of moral uprightness."


Jane Austen Leading Ladies
created with QuizFarm.com


And, I don't want to leave my male readers (well...my boyfriend) out...go here to find out which Jane Austen hero you are!

Razor Cami, Take Three...

enough said ;)

I was very frustrated two days ago when I realized I'd messed it up again, but tonight I am REALLY tired and the idea of couch + knitting + a new Grey's anatomy makes me incredibly happy.

We had a work conference in Paducah (far Western Kentucky, 5 hours from here)...the drive there was uneventful...I'd even forgotten about the time change (it's in the Central Time Zone) which totally saved me from being late and gave me time to stop for breakfast...

Then coming back, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the directions, got to Elizabethtown, missed the road that takes you to Lexington and was all the way to Louisville before I even realized something was wrong (well...when I saw a sign that said "Louisville 17" that seemed a little wrong)...it was only about 30-40 miles added on to the trip, but I can't get over the ridiculousness of thinking I was getting closer and closer to Lexington and then wham!! being in Louisville. ;)

I have once again learned the lesson that I should read the entire directions before I start driving and probably look at a map...

Razor Cami, Take Two...

Well yesterday I got my yarn and circular needle (yay!) and started on my very first tank top....

actually, since I had twisted the stitches before I started the first round...I actually created my very first knitted mobius strip...oops! It was kind of interesting but not quite what I was going for ;)

So, we'll see how the second time goes...

What I've been doing...

I've also been doing some planning for my friend Amber's baby shower, and I'm so excited about it! I'm still working on the food. It'll be in the afternoon...so if you have any wonderful food suggestions, I'll be glad to take them!

=)

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Yarn is on its way!

Yep, I just completed my very first online yarn purchase and should be seeing my yarn early next week. I also had to get my very first circular needle (or would it be needles?), so that'll be exciting, too!

New things...

I just ordered new glasses today (not that I don't like the glasses I have, but they're four years old, my prescription has changed slightly, and I actually have eye insurance to help out with the $$)...so I'm hoping that they'll get in soon...so I can post an awesome picture of them and me! =) I was going to link a picture of the frames....but that would ruin the surprise...you'll just have to live in suspense ;)

I am also plotting a new knitting project. It's http://ohmystars.net/craft/knitting/prazorcami.html
except I think I'm going to do it in Elann Collection Esprit, French Blue (hehe...I say that like I know what it is, when really I got the yarn idea from here) so thank you to those ladies for the wonderful ideas and knitting skills! I can't wait to make something cute for me...and something that's not a toddler sock (sometimes I get into a little bit of a rut... ;) ). I've never made a tank/shirt/anything like that before, but the pattern sounds doable...so keep your fingers crossed! (and now since I've told everyone about it, I better go get that yarn out of the "cart" and actually check out!)

I also already made my new recipe for the week--balsamic pork chops with grapes--it was okay...but not good enough to bother typing up ;) Hopefully next week's recipe will be worth sharing...

So...

...which Grey's Anatomy character are you??

Find out here

I was very concerned that I'd end up being an Izzie (sorry if you like her, I'm not a fan) but thankfully I'm an Addison (well...not so much an adulteress, but amazingly gorgeous and intelligent, I can work with that ;) )

Edited to add...

I haven't touched the soup again since I had my first bowl. I think I may have been more impressed with the idea of the soup, rather than the soup itself...

Not that you shouldn't make it if the recipe rocks your world, but for my part, I won't be making it again.

Lucky

This week's new recipe ~ Lucky Chinese Soup




And it really is lucky, because I don't have to type out the recipe! Find it here.

I really liked this soup, and I also liked that it was different than anything I've ever cooked. It was also the first time I've ever purchased or used tofu. I still have half a brick (I guess that's what you'd call it) of tofu left, so I'm hoping to find a use for it.

It wasn't hard to make, but it was so much like something you'd get for take-out or off a chinese buffet, that after a few bites, I was thinking, "Wait...I made this? I started with ingredients and made this??"

Seems a little amazing to me.

New (Old) Pictures

Hi everyone...well, I finally got over my Flickr hang-up of wanting every photo on there to be my best, most perfect, most wonderful and I figured it was time to not be quite so picky...

So there are a bunch of new (old) pictures on my Flickr page...makes it a jumbled mess of Spring, Fall, Winter, Wyoming, Kentucky, South Dakota, Milwaukee, Seattle...but I'm really happy with it...I'm also hoping to get some more local, Kentucky pics up in the near future (have to take them first...)

Baby goats!

If one baby goat is this cute, imagine how cute 44 baby goats are!!

Livestock Club went to C2H2 Farms to visit this evening, and they have all sorts of animals, tons of goats, chickens, cute dogs, rabbits, cows...such a beautiful farm and a perfect evening! I hope I can go back and take some more pictures!

Mmm...

My new recipe for this week was...

Orange Cookies!

I have to say, I am VERY partial to chocolate in all desserts, but I decided to try something new. These are good...and since they taste like fruit (kind of), you can eat several without feeling guilty (if you don't think too hard about the sugar, shortening, and icing). I also halved the recipe (didn't need 12 dozen) but I'll put the whole recipe in here, in case they look so good that you must have 12 dozen ;)




Orange Cookies
From: Taste of Home's "Best Loved Cookies and Bars"

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
2/3 cup orange juice
4 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

Icing
4 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1/3 to 1/2 cup orange juice

• In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add the buttermilk, eggs, orange juice, and orange zest (it looks really funky after you add that stuff--don't worry, it'll turn out okay once you add the dry ingredients!). Combine the dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture
• Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• For icing, combine the confectioners' sugar, orange extract, and enough orange juice to acheive desired consistency. Spread over cooled cookies. Yield: 12 dozen
  

And, in case you're not in a baking mood...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxY9rZwNGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ0jRuASVEQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qdhbkTko4

I do love embroidery and kittens...

;)

Glories of the Garden

Pictures of my pictures in the UK Arboretum "Glories of the Garden" Art Show. The artist reception was last Sunday, and even though I've seen these pictures about a million times, I can't get over how nice they look all framed and hung up (especially the picture that's up at the Singletary Center--the one with the white wall and the fancy name tag).

Spring Foward is "ruff"

I love it being lighter in the evenings BUT the mornings are terrible (well, more terrible than usual) for at least a week.

Anyway, despite my not wonderful feelings about the time change, I got a TON of stuff done today. I caught spring cleaning fever and have been cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning all day long. Everything in my apartment is cleaner than it's EVER been...except for my second bedroom, which is a wreck. I'm hoping I can tackle it sometime next week...after I got finished with my bedroom I was done for the day.

I did have energy to make dinner and it turned out lovely (!!) and incredibly easy to clean up, which was good because I didn't have the heart to mess up my perfect kitchen ;) This wonderful, incredible meal was...

Pork Chops with Apple Cranberry Sauce (and a baked sweet potato)




Seriously, the best porkchop I've ever had (the picture doesn't really do it justice, but when it comes down to it, I really wanted to EAT the porkchop, not take a picture of it or style the food or do whatever people do to make food look really appetizing and not just like mush on a plate) . I guess part of being inspired by food blogs means I should actually be including the recipe...which I'm planning on doing, but right now I think I need some ice cream. ;)

ETA: Recipe Time!

Pork Chops with Apple-Cranberry Sauce
From: Betty Crocker's Quick and Easy Cookbook

4 boneless pork chops (3/4 to 1 lb)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
3/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup cranberry juice
1/2 tsp. dried majoram
1/4 cup Craisins
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup..I think I used more than this)
2 tsps. cornstarch

1. Spray 10-inch non-stick skillet with cooking spray; heat over meduim high heat, sprinkly pork chops with salt and pepper. Cook in skillet, turning once, until brown.

2.Stir in 1/2 cup apple juice, cranberry juice and majoram. Cook over medium low for 5 minutes. Stir in cranberries and onions. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, turning pork once, until pork is slightly pink in center.

3. Mix cornstarch amd remaining 1/4 cup apple juice until smooth. Remove pork from skillet and cover to keep warm. Stir cornstarch misture into skillet; cook and stir until thickened. Serve sauce over pork.

Yum!

hmm...

I'm getting inspired by all the food blogs I've been reading (and I'm getting very, very hungry) so I'm thinking I might start adding pictures of the new recipes I try to my blog...then I'll have more reasons to post AND more incentives to actually try new recipes

=)

A few clicks and...

...when it's not in black and white, the water in this picture is murky green with floating, fuzzy-looking, dark green accents (algae?)...the boys I was with thought it was filled with goose poop (which, it turns out, is a very similar color green)...

Oh, the things you learn during a field trip to Salato Wildlife Center...

Yay for cute cupboards!

Awhile ago, Christina suggested that I post a picture of my new dishes...but I've never had enough of them clean to actually take a picture...until now...



Ta da! =)

The multicolored plates/bowls are Fiestaware...I currently have sets in peacock, cobalt, shamrock, scarlet, and turquoise...trying to decide if I should branch out to even more colors or get more sets of the colors I already have (thoughts?)

The big blue bowl is actually a set of mixing bowls from William Sonoma that I love love love.

The red bowl by itself is a "Big Bowl of Self Esteem" from Our Name is Mud...you can see a bowl that's almost like it here. They also have lots of other really cute dishes (I've had my eye on a set of mugs that say "innocent bystander" and "troublemaker")

I also have adorable chocolate dishes that Erin got me for Christmas (the white plates and bowls)

It seriously makes me happy every time I open this cupboard--I don't think I've ever been this in love with dishes in my whole life! ;)