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. 

weekend highlights

It's been a while.
I don't have much to say.
So here are some highlights from this past weekend:
 

I went out with Joe and his college friend on Friday night.

We had a late dinner at Manhattan and then Olympias

at The Redwood and moscow mules at Montana.

Basically hit up some of the favorites.



On Saturday I helped Kelly K. prep for Kelly C.'s engagement party.

She made me breakfast (love her) and we decorated cupcakes and crafted.

We also ate wayyyy to many sour patch watermelons.

Those things are seriously addictive.



The engagement party Saturday night was tons of fun.

We ate delicious food, hung out on the patio,

had a champagne toast on the roof, and even did a little dancing.



On Sunday Kate came over and we made pizza.

I finally used my pizza stone and paddle I got for Christmas.

It was great to catch up and I can't wait to make pizza again!



This is my favorite photo from the weekend.
As I was dishing up dessert after pizza
(homemade lemon sherbet with raspberries),
Bobby decided to steal my seat at the table.
That's all for now. One more week of work!

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. 

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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! 

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?

interior inspirations

I've been feeling a change in my style lately. 

These days I am all about neutrals. 

Black + white + gray + natural wood. 

Longing to redecorate my apartment, 

but I must resist the urge! 

For now these pretty inspiration photos will have to do... 

I especially love the prints on the wall in this bedroom /source/

Absolutely adore this /source/

The wood countertops and the white subway tile are perfect /source/

Such pretty trees! /source/

I love the pattern on the wall and the natural accessories /source/ 

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!