being home

Since finishing my classes at the end of July 

I have enjoyed a few weeks of actual summer vacation. 

One of the best things during that time was just being at home. 

I love having full days available to do whatever I want. 

I've done a lot of cleaning and organizing, 

a lot of cooking and baking, 

a lot of reading with the cats, 

and tackled some projects on my to do list. 

I realized this morning that I haven't 

taken pictures off my camera since July, 

so here are some snapshots of life at home from the past couple weeks. 

It's only Tuesday?

One of those days...

where I realize after arriving at work  

there's a stain on my shirt and a hole in my sweater...

I forgot to put on deodorant...

and I get to be here for 13+ hours.

So I listen to old Fleet Foxes, stare at lab reports,

and count down the hours until I can go back to bed. 
 



summer in May

We're back to clouds here in Seattle, 

but those two weeks of summer weather were amazing! 

Here are some photos from the past couple weeks: 

Scenes from around the house: 

the cats eating lilacs cut from my backyard, 

a late daffodil by the sink, 

and some new squash plants getting bigger. 

I spent an afternoon at my parents' house on Whidbey 

and enjoyed this view while we ate dinner on the deck. 

Cat naps, dinner outside at Ravish with Kelly, 

and vegetables about to be grilled at Joe's. 

Kayaking after work on Lake Union, 
fish and chips outside at A Terrible Beauty, 
hiking at Carkeek Park with my little sister, 
and buying flowers at Pike Place for Mother's Day. 

aaaand I'm back

Last week while using my laptop as a coaster I had a little white wine spill. 

I'm happy to report that I was able to purchase a new keyboard 

which arrived today. I installed it by myself, and I'm back up and running! 

Basically I got lucky. And I'm still using my laptop as a coaster... 

Oh and also, I'm sick. Again. 

Here's a little look at last week:

We had a few nice days with gorgeous skies. 

I took some walks around the neighborhood. 

The cats looked out the window. 

Barb and I saw "La Boheme" at the Seattle Opera. 

Pretty good week overall. 

Check out the change from morning to evening on Friday... 

super foggy driving to work in Sammamish and a gorgeous 

clear sky sunset walking to Joe's later on. 

He made pizza. He makes the BEST pizza. 

We watched Argo. Really good movie! 

On Saturday morning we picked up Joe's sister from the airport 

and began a busy day of fun activities. 

We went to the Husky bball game, lunch at Ivar's, 

wine tasting in Woodinville, and made pizzas for dinner with their family.   

On Sunday we had a glorious breakfast at Skillet Diner. 

Then we went to the Fremont Market and joined in the Theo's chocolate tour. 

I ended up running into a friend from junior high/ high school on the tour. 

We walked around Volunteer Park and looked at the fancy neighboring houses. 

Then I got a surprise call from Jason who was stranded at the airport. 

I picked him up and we went bowling at The Garage. 

The four of us enjoyed a delicious dinner at Serafina (too dark to snap photos). 

Seriously amazing. 

The evening ended with shuffleboard at the Zoo Tavern with Katie and Kearney. 

Whew. BUSY WEEKEND. No wonder I woke up 

with a sore throat Monday morning! 

But so, so fun and I wouldn't change a thing. 

playing catchup

So that was an unexpected two+ week hiatus.
Things got a little crazy for a while I suppose. 

I was in a bit of a slump but I think I'm back to normal. 

Here's a quick recap according to Instagram: 

 I spent a week in Woodinville dog/housesitting for my parents. 

I took the cats with me...which no one seemed to appreciate. 

Note to self: do not try to make the dog and the cats be friends. 

While I was housesitting I caught up on all of Downton's third season 

in two nights. I had a fire in the fireplace. It was pretty cozy. 

I also purchased a new couch with my tax return while watching. 

What can I say, I am a multi-tasker. It arrives in a few weeks! 

I made Smitten's blood orange margaritas when I got home. 

Also her raspberry scones (again!) the following day. 

 I watched the Oscars with friends 

while enjoying champagne and pomegranate juice. 

Then skip ahead to this past weekend... 

The view from Gasworks with Karmen on Saturday, 

the lemon cupcakes we made that afternoon, 

and my new Craigslisted coffee table to match my new couch. 

 And then there were cats. 

Lots of cat photos in the last couple weeks. 

Joe has been gone a lot and I have been doing 

lots of work and homework, which they are always around for. 

So that's a recap.

Big news! 

I wrote three papers today. 

It just so happens they were the last 

three papers in my masters degree program. 

So...I'm done! 

Let's try that again... 

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

life lately

First off, here's a little update from last week: 

Obligatory cat pictures, duh. 

Which reminds me of a conversation with my Little Sister: 

Her: What's that picture on your phone?

Me: My boyfriend holding Dean. 

Her: Boyfriend? Gross. At least you're not married. 

Well you kind of are, to your cats. 

Kids say the darnedest things. 

Anyways...back to the photos. 

My ticket stub from a date night last Wednesday. 

Joe was sweet and saw "Silver Linings Playbook" with me. 

I LOVED it so much. My ideal kind of movie. 

And finally, some homemade hummus for the Super Bowl. 

I used Smitten Kitchen's recipe where you peel the chickpeas. 

She is a genius - it makes the smoothest hummus ever. 

An early morning latte on Saturday on the way to Crystal. 
The view on the slopes (I have another post about this day coming soon). 
Joe's shirt (and beer) pre-gaming at The Ram. 
The Husky basketball game vs. Arizona State. 
I am not a huge sports person but this game was SO exciting. 
I was jumping and squealing and acting like a crazed idiot. 

I don't have photos from this week so far... 
Monday I went to dinner with my Little Sister's family. 
The hostess gave me a kids menu (that would make me...12 tops?) 
Last night I made chili and cornbread and Joe and I watched 
a classic: "I Love You Man". Slappa da bass! 

Also this is probably weird to write on my public blog 
but usually I just feel like I'm talking to myself or writing in a journal.  
Some special words were said over the weekend that have me pretty giddy... 
Yeah, you know the three I'm talking about. 
I am feeling really lucky and really, really happy. 
Hopefully that's ok to share on the interwebs. 

last week

A little update on recent events: 

Last Monday I finally made it over to see Kate's house they bought. 

We walked around their (huge) property and saw lots of frozen things. 

Then we made gnocci (Smitten Kitchen recipe!) 

and hung out with Merle the cat who is a total sweetie. 

It was nice to catch up! I don't see her enough. 

On Tuesday Joe and I got Thai food and watched a movie. 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was sick again. 

That is my favorite date when I'm sick. 

Then the sickness went from bad to worse.  

I left work early Thursday and stayed home Friday. 

I slept for 13 hours that night. 

It was glorious. 

Except for feeling like crap. 

I spent lots of time on the couch with the kitties. 

Dean even held my hand. 

I went on a little trip this weekend with some other sickos. 

That shall be my next post. 

Happy to report I am on the mend and back at work! 

recap and updates

Here's a little recap of what's been happening around here: 

 

Cat naps, mushroom lasagna from one of my newest cookbooks, 

pretty sunsets, whole wheat sourdough pancakes with huckleberries. 

Bowling with coworkers, Husky basketball, 

the Amazon holiday party (food, drinks, live music, gambling for charity). 

Lots of couch time with the kittehs. 

Overall I'd call it a good week and weekend. 

Other things that are new: 

Joe and I have been dating for six months! 

I am sick. Again. 

Somehow I've developed a gnarly cough. 

I do not believe this is related to my bout with mono in the fall. 

I have recently become obsessed with reading the newspaper. 

Which is why I haven't graded anything this weekend. 

Ok let's be real, I wouldn't have graded anything anyway. 

At least I got my homework done that was due last night. 

I think that is all. Thanks for stopping by. 

weekend recap

The weekend went too fast, as usual.
Friday's activities will be detailed in my next post.
I spent Saturday helping my parents
empty out my grandma's apartment.
 

Later that evening I met up with some of my high school besties

for dinner at Ballard Pizza Company (yum!)

and drinks at The Noble Fir.

I tried a cherry cider which was different but pretty tasty.

I love that bar. Not to mention I love the people I was with! 

Joe and I went to Louisa's for breakfast on Sunday.

We get there early enough that it's just us and the old people.

I had the a veggie scramble with beets, walnuts and chevre.

Joe had crabcakes benedict. That place is so good!





I spent Sunday checking things off my to do list.

I tried a new sourdough recipe, used my new mandolin

and my new food dehydrator to dry some apple slices,

cleaned behind the fridge, found my missing credit card

that I thought the cats stole, reorganized my

kitchen cabinets, and finally took down my dead xmas tree.

Whew! Then I had Joe's delicious mac and cheese for dinner.

 

Pretty good little weekend for me.

How was yours?

winter break update

I've been savoring winter break. 
Lots of time to relax. And sleep. 
For example, last night I slept for 12 hours. 
NBD. 
Here's a peek at what I've been up to: 
  

I spent Christmas at my parents' house. 

Above are 1) the tree 2) a dessert I made 

3) Spencer by the fire 4) enjoying my gifts and coffee 

It was a very laid back eve and day. Pretty perfect. 

This is my little sister and I on a bus heading to go ice skating last weekend. 

I also took her to see the King Tut exhibit yesterday. 

Most of my time has been spent at home, as pictured above
1) Dean is a drooler 2) homework galore 
3) redecorating post-holiday 
4) both cats sleeping on me while I read 

I finished reading The Hobbit on Wednesday and 
saw the movie with Kelly today. 
(Cross that off the 28 before 29 list!) 
I LOVED it. Can't wait for parts 2 and 3! 

As much as I'm not looking forward 
to returning to work in a few short days, 
I'm really excited that Joe gets home tomorrow! 
He's been gone for a week. 
No homework left and the house is almost clean, 
so it's time to live it up for the last few days! 

holiday

It's holiday time, so I made a little playlist 

and took some photos from around the house. 

I hope you all have a lovely holiday time!