Mmm.

Made myself a grilled cheese, with rosemary bread and gouda, and roasted carrot soup for dinner. Oh, and since it's summer- a huge bowl of watermelon for dessert. I LOVE WATERMELON. Its a curse. I seriously eat too much...

Mmm!

***

And now, here is the hat my sis sent me! I saw it on her blog, and called her swiftly to ask if she would make me one :) She also sent Paul a hat, and I will post that once I grab some pics (won't be hard, since he wears it constantly...)

Taaa-daaa!

Side shot.

Yippee!

I was asked where I bought my hat at- told the fella that my sis made it. Can't say that I didn't feel cool sayin' that.

Go Mandie!

Easter bit-ness!

YAY!! Getting caught up!!

Last night, I was bit by the craft bug. We went to the *NEW* Joanns up the road, and stocked up on some supplies. We were fixing the blinds (needed to hem about 3 feet off of each of the 6 curtains- yowza! talk about extra fabric), I had a picture frame project in mind, and we bought new curtain rods that I wanted to paint. So we were busy bees last night! I was feeling a little better (after going to the urgent care center at 10 pm, finding out I had bronchitis and a raging uti**...ugh...) and was actually able to go to the store! yay! Here are some pics of what we did...and also some Easter pics from today :)

** Spilled my pee all over the bathroom since the cup did not have a lid and I accidentally hit it over. I was both laughing and crying at that point...

Frames...Cheapest ones I could find, in all different finishes.


Primed

Painting in progress...

Finished and hung (We need to finish printing the pictures...but our printer ran out of ink. Did not really feel like going out to get new ink on Easter, so that's just how it looks right now. deal.)

Knobby's in progress...

Cake Wrecks!! This was actually at Safeway!! AH!! so messed up...

A. It is a rectangle

B. It's eye dye is bleeding out.

C. I just don't know what else to say...but I know the list goes on...

Our yummy Easter linner. Dill potatoes, carrot slaw, honey ham.

My Easter outfit. Kissing Leeloo byebye to go to church.

My hub, lookin' cute

Annnnnd....lookin like a "Dragon!" Don't ask.

Passion fruit

Kiwano fruit...aka. African cucumber

Insides. It did taste just like a juicy cucumber!

Ok, here is where things get weird.

This is the one pill I am taking right now. It dyes my pee red. Which a really WEIRD experience... that I wanted to share. So the best way I could come up with was to do a color sample...

My actual pee...in a well lit room. With flash. This is the literal color!!

To compare with normal pee.

Happy Easter! haha.

In action!

Here are the new plates with our Thursday dinner on them:

Yum! Mushroom-truffle flatbread and olive tapenade

The camera we got for free!

(it was left in the safe at Paul's work and they wanted to get rid of it! So they said Paul could have it-SWEET!)

A leeloo with the new camera

...a little fuzzy because the lens was dirty...it is clean now :)

And leeloo with the Nikon D40...so much nicer but hey, the free camera is so easy to just throw in the purse or pocket and take somewhere!

Well, have a good one!

Salty and Sweet

Since I have been off of work for 3 whole days now, I have been cooking and baking my life away (and I like it!!). I made: Sugar cookies, mint shortbread cookies, chocolate crinkles with strawberry preserves, and...*Da-Da-DUUUH!* salted caramels! Holy smokes. I have shown you a few of the delights I have made up but now I must show you my new additions:

Chocolate cookie dough- all ready to chill.

Mmm. All done!

Sugar getting ready to become some awesome caramel.

With the cream, salt and butter additions.

Pour your sugar on me!

All cut and sprinkled... Close up!

I made a lot...

And just so you see that I don't just make and eat a million cookies and candies, I made stir 'fry' tofu tonight :D

All these goodies are ready for company visiting this holiday season- you know who you are!! Lucky dogs, you.

Thanksgivinz

Paul and I just got back to MD from a loooong week. Starting last weekend, we went to Richmond, VA for an early Thanksgiving with Jamie's family. After that, my mom came to our place for a few days until we drove to Pittsburgh. We went to the tree lighting at National Harbor and went shopping at Old Town Alexandria. Good times. When we were in the 'burgh, we had some more turkey at the Haggerty's and hung out with them for a few days. Then this morning we drove back to Waldorf (normally a 4 1/2 hr drive...today, a 6 hour drive...grr traffic!!) and we just got done setting up our pretty tree. yippee- it is so Christmas comfy in here :D

My sparkling snowflake ornament I got at the National Harbor when my mom came to visit. My mom got one too- they were too pretty to resist!!!

Spooky!! He lives up to his name too! Even with my cat whispering, he still attacked me. yikes!

Kitchen insanity.

Mmmm!

My plate. Notice I dont skimp on those potatoes + gravy!

Dessert! Homemade apple pie annnnnnd my pumpkin pecan chocolate chunk cookies with maple brown butter frosting...what a mouthful!! And BOY WERE THEY TASTY!

Ziggy. my friend. He was such a cuddly baby boy :)

Paul and Gavin making a fire.

Leeloo checking on the birdie status.

Christmas decor!

Fall...and a Christmas preview!!

Its fall 'round here...and Paul and I are loving it. So we have been enjoying salted caramel hot chocolates, the sunny yet chilly weather, and the comfy fall bike rides. So here are some pictures of whats been up.

drinking a hot chocolate. Mmmm. salty and sweet- I love!

Maryland Renaissance festival. a bit goofy, but good times anyways!!

My high schools homecoming game we went to on Friday. It was fun to show Paul some of my students. haha.

Dinner before chaperoning the homecoming dance.

We went to this place called "The Crossing" it was fancy and SO GOOD!

We will definitely be going back!

Pauls prosciutto wrapped scallops with onion brulee, pomegranate sauce and wild rice. gah!

Paul is satisfied.

Chilled tirimisu. marscapone ice cream is good.

And just as I said in the title...a Christmas preview.

All I have to say is get ready for our Christmas letter- pictures will be included. haha!

Oh no!! Mrs. Clause came to visit!

AAAAND! Santa came too!!

wowza!