Friday, February 24, 2012

Sarah = bad ass = curtains = paint

First, I'm so lucky. So very blessed to have a friend like Sarah. Last week I had the wild idea on Wednesday morning to completely repaint my main floor bathroom before a party I was throwing on Saturday for two friends birthdays. At first I was half kidding because I didn't think anyone would actually help me and I wasn't sure if there would be time to finish it before Saturday. On Wednesday night I came home to Curtis and Kevin scraping the ugly brown wall paper off the walls. Then Chantelle showed up, and shortly after, Sarah and Lisa came. I have amazing friends! We got all the shitty brown wallpaper off and then called it a night. I had to work the next day but was able to leave early and continue working on the project. We had to pretty much slather the walls in joint compound because there were so many holes and dings and scrapes. That took a long time to do, and even longer to try. The next day I had to work again and couldn't leave early but Sarah and Kevin came over and got to work without me. How amazing is that? They sanded the walls and started painting. By the time I got home Friday night it was almost complete. We chose a really light beautiful lilac color.

The whole room is so much happier and brighter. I don't even know how to thank my friends for doing this for me. I owe them big time. Sarah brought over a beautiful floral shower curtain that her mom let me borrow and it really brightens the place up. It's hard to tell in this crappy photo but if you saw my bathroom before then you will understand.



While we were painting and waiting for things to dry Sarah had a really good idea (she is full of good ideas) to sew curtains for a sort of junky looking area by my back door. There are shelves (falling apart!) that we store crockpots and blenders and paper plates and toasters and all sorts of other kitcheny junk on. I had this fun yellow gingham fabric I got from a coworker whose grandma died recently.

Now you see it,

Now you don't,
Sarah just busted these out in about 2 hours.

Kitties can't help themselves...

I bought some amazing turquoise paint for my kitchen so stay tuned for that jazz.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

cats, glow, attitude

Last month my dearest Sarah came over to help me re arrange my room because I was feeling cluttered and icky. Anytime I have an idea or project for home improvement Sarah is right by my side ready to get dirty. She is the best, really. She had this magical coral pinky fabric and we used it to make curtains for two of my bedroom windows.


When the sun sets my room glows and it's pure magic I tell you. My mom got me that desk you see as a sewing table. I've been using it to watercolor and draw on with Sarah. We draw elephants and trees and pigs and cats and whatever we fancy. It's been so much fun to test my artistic capability and tap into my creative side.



I've been trying to drink more tea than coffee lately. Coffee is good if I need to jolt awake but I never really feel great after I drink it. My tummy always churns and the crash is harsh and just makes me want to drink more and more coffee. The tea buzz feels more clear minded and alert and it calms me at the same time. My boss (not my direct boss but his boss who I love and adore) loves tea too and we always swap and share. He let me use his tea ball and brought me some of his favorite loose teas. Overall I thought the tea ball was messy but it was definitely stronger and more aromatic than pre-bagged tea.



I am still taking care of sweet kitty Monster. I really love him and will have a very hard time giving him back to Megan when that day approaches. I just switched the cats to a new food because they were puking a lot and I have only seen one puke since! Monster is a bit of a glutton and as soon as I refill the water and food he devours as much as he possibly can and then pukes it all up. Slooow down pal... slow down.
These guys are still gorgeous.


I'm a very happy girl and my motto of the year is this:

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

In the kitchen

My mom is so sweet and she gets me a valentine every year. I remember coming home from school when I was a little girl and being so excited to find a special gift from her on my bed all neatly wrapped. I felt a bit like a jerk this year because I didn't get anyone a valentine. I need to be more like my mom and try to ignore how annoying and forced this holiday is and just use it as an excuse to celebrate my love for all the people around me.
She got me this awesome set of stackable measuring cups, mixing bowls, colander, and even a sifter! I never sift, I cant freaking wait to sift!! Plus they're bright and colorful and she knows I like that.

Other things going on in my kitchen...


Still cooking my brussels. I've been adding a bit of brown sugar to them and I love how it caramelizes and sweetens them.

I went to a fancy party on Sunday night at my friend Chantelle's house. I brought these yummy little chocolate peanut butter shell cookies. I want to share the recipe with you but I actually had to modify it a bit from what was in the book so I need to perfect it first and remember what I modified before I share it. Curtis said they taste like reeses peanut butter cups but BETTER and KC loved them. Recipe coming soon.



*edit
http://www.theppk.com/2009/03/peanut-butter-pillows/
I've made this recipe for a very similar cookie and they're amazing. The PPK also has a TON more egg/dairy free baking recipes for anyone out there will food allergies.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Lisa it's your birthday.

Whenever Lisas birthday rolls around I get that Simpsons song stuck in my head.

Lisa its your birthday,
happy birthday Lisa...

And I think those are the only words but I sing it over and over. Yesterday was Lisas birthday and I frowned because I could not spend it with her. She went to Vegas with some girlfriends and I wasn't able to join because I had work. We're doing a birthday party for her this weekend at my house so that should make up for it.


I love Lisa dearly and truly admire her bravery and her willingness to just be herself no matter what. We are very different creatures and she has learned to tolerate me and I'm grateful for that. I can't wait to make her a cake this weekend and dance ourselves into paralysis. I count Lisa among my very best friends and always feel like I can learn something from her. I love getting in the kitchen with her and making magic. I love riding my bike next to her. She's legit.

Lisa I love you!


Saturday, February 11, 2012

read

My favorite book i've read this year so far is Girl In Translation. It was an easy read and left me feeling grateful for my upbringing and my blankets and sweaters. I recommend.



I am currently reading The Year Of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. It's a sequel to one of my FAVORITE books ever called Oryx and Crake. Atwood is brilliant.



I wish I could quit my job and stay home and read and write all day.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

I missed you

Things i've been doing:

reading
laughing
coloring
eating, a lot
baking
sharing
reading
writing
day dreaming
brain storming
petting cats
brushing cats
cleaning up cat puke
learning
making new friends
adoring my old friends
hip hop abs
counting my blessings
reading
thrifting
working

and meowing.