Thanksgiving: Roommates

I am thankful for my roommates: the adventures we've had and the memories we've made together. Thank you, S and P.

Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!

I don't think I'll ever stop trying to win stuff. It's better than gambling, right?
Grosgrain giveaway: Musette Bracelet

I already knew it was hot out...

Ok, I understand that it's going to be in the 90s today. The number 90 is high, it's understood. Did I really need a steaming thermometer icon to drive the point home? Oh great... the forecast increased another 2 degrees to 94 while I was writing this post.

Weekend Visits: Father's Day

Like a good daughter, I went visited my parents for Father's Day weekend. With the Summer Solstice coinciding, and the 4th of July not far off, the whole house was abuzz with chores and preparations.
Working ahead, cranberry orange biscotti get sliced up...
and laid out for their second baking. July 4th guests will get a treat usually reserved for Christmas Cookie tins!
The huge pile of mulch in the driveway became home to a few unexpected guests. Mother unearthed two toads while spreading mulch around the garden.
I quickly chased after them with my bucket and released them into the hostas (kindly donated by Aunt B and uncle T) below the deck.

Patio Garden Pt. 3

I'm glad we got the tomatoes some growing room, they're already sporting blooms!


The maintenance man strongly suggested we paint our homemade planter the same color as the post. We'll see about that... "I'll even get ya the paint and paintbrush", he politely offers.

I don't know what he's talking about, I think hot pink would really provide some character. Should give in?

Mourning the Weekend Warrior

I've got new photos of the patio ready, and a cute tutorial on the way.

Patio Garden Project: Pt. 2

Peter came out to help, but we sent him back into the kitchen to fix dinner.

Sara manages the measurements and cutting, yells at me every time I take another photo.


I put the camera down for a while and help with assembly. Remember kids, to avoid neighbors complaining about noise, always use pilot holes!

Check out our awesome college-kid, folding-chair sawhorse!

Our sawhorse serves us well and we the whole project comes together as the sun goes down. We get dirt into our new planter and call it a night. Final pictures soon to come.

Patio Garden Pt. 1

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

If I don't win this dress, I might have to break down and buy something from the Manhattan line.
Shabby Apple, why must you be so beautiful?
Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

How does Your Garden Grow?

I've been blaming work for my not posting, but writing to my readers is what I think about when the worst of life hits me. A recent post over at The Little Red Hen reminded me that I couldn't ignore posting any longer. (I don't have pictures because my camera charger went missing until just yesterday, and I'm loathe to fork over $20 bucks for a cable to pull them from my phone.) Last weekend my roomies came with to house-sit for my parents.
The garden is starting to produce beautifully. Spinach and lettuce were waiting for another harvest, and the strawberry plants have not only doubled in size, they're sporting blooms! Maybe we'll be lucky enough to have some to share with the family on the July 4th weekend. Peas are climbing their trellis, and tomatoes are starting to establish.
Soon I'll have a garden of my own at the apartment: only a small hanging basket and a pot of basil sat on the patio then, but while I was home in Chelsea I picked up two beautiful purple Delphinium to make a statement and begin building the outdoor "room". Mom lovingly set aside an additional basil plant to make sure there's a big enough harvest for pesto later on.

Thanks for getting me out of my funk!

Cubicle Swag: Team Fortress 2

Now that I have a desk, I need to own it. I need... swag! The work is grueling, the deadlines are tight, and the intelligence has to be retrieved from the enemy base. But not until I've had my coffee.In celebration of the new Sniper vs. Spy update, new TF2 merchandise is available. Get yours at http://store.valvesoftware.com/


Note: I'm working my way back into the blogosphere: I've successfully gotten through my spring classes, moved into my first apartment, and started full-time at my summer internship. Now that the dust is starting to settle, I'm ready to give some attention back to my readers. I've got lots to share with you.

Home energy usage

As someone about to lease an apartment for the first time, Google's Power Meter caught my eye. It's a new piece of software developed by Google to give users a near real-time view of your energy usage.

If you can't measure it, You can't improve it. - Lord Kelvin

The catch is, that your home requires one of the new smart meters in order to use the software. 40 million homes that don't currently have smart meters are slated to receive them, as mentioned in President Obama's stimulus plan. Regardless, the ability to personally monitor your energy usage is invaluable. Thank you, Google.

You can measure it, you can improve it - Google

So, who has, and who gets these new smart meters?

Valentine's Cookies

Spring is in the air, here in the midwest and Valentine's is only a few days away. Outside the snow was quickly melting while dough was rolled, cut, and slipped into the oven inside. I gave my mom a set of mini cookie cutters for Christmas, but I had to use them myself to make these:
They're not quite linzertorte; they're essentially sandwiched sugar cookies with raspberry jam. Simple? Yes. Simply delicious.

A collegiate flock

The rolling hills of the grounds at Western Michigan University are home to an unmistakably collegiate flock. Here, residents are studious and mindful of their neighbors.Observe: the Canadian Goose. Migratory avian, courteous pedestrian.
A protected species protecting itself.

WIP: Boyfriend Sweater

No, I'm not dead. I'm just in a Calculus-coma, so updates will be infrequent for a while.
On the other hand, I've finally casted off the back panel of the boyfriend sweater!

WIP - Boyfriend sweater part one, part two
Pattern: Berroco - Dan (free pattern)
Yarn: Bernat DenimStyle

Anni's got a Brand New Stash

I should have posted this ages ago. This pile of wonderful, soft and colorful yarns was a generous gift from my aunt this Christmas. My New Year's resolution is to get all my homework done quickly so I can sink my hooks and needles into my stash!

Spring 2009

It's a whole new semester, with a whole new pile of textbooks to pay for.

Happy New Year