Three Blogs that Get My Butt into the Kitchen

I have been doing a lot of cooking lately. No, really, I have. I know I am not exactly amazing in the kitchen (or even good... I like to think I am an adequate cook, as I have never poisoned anyone before.) The reason for this sudden increase in culinary adventures can be credited to a few different things. One, I have had company. Jason's parents have been visiting for the past few days, which is always a good opportunity to try new things. Also I am unemployed, which allows me plenty of time to experiment and really take the time to enjoy cooking. Lastly,I have a few blogs to credit for my sudden yearning for kitchen happenings. This is mostly because these bloggers make it look so easy, so easy that even I feel that I can cook!

No Sincerer Love
My dearest friend Kristen and her husband Dane started this blog at the beginning of January. So far, it's pretty much incredible. I have gotten many ideas from this blog, and it has also caused a lot of jealousy that I am not in Boston to experience all this wonderful food with my bestest (the latest post is about the Harpoon Brewery, yeah, I would have been there in a heartbeat if I was anywhere near the east coast.)

I recently made Kristen's Sangria (3 batches, because it was that good and we needed to drink that much of it.)

I also made her Fettuccine Alfredo and the verdict was that I couldn't have made enough of it to be sufficient. It was so creamy and yummy and I'm kinda bummed that there aren't any leftovers for me to have tomorrow!

We Are Not Martha
The girlies over at WANM recently posted a recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Muffins that I couldn't resist trying. Chocolate and Raspberry together is probably my most favorite combination of food ever. I made a batch last weekend and two more batches this past weekend. I modified the recipe to include blueberries instead of raspberries (my MIL can't have raspberries) and as far as I can tell, they are just as good as the raspberry ones.

Becky Higgins' - Recipes to Share
I have made the Butter Pecan Sweet Potatoes that Becky recently posted on her blog many times. Jason loves sweet potatoes and pretty much can't get enough of these. They are sweet and savory and really anything with pecans is something I will probably enjoy.

Cute cute cute!

Some of my favorite images from thecutest.info, a site with a goal to find the cutest photo ever. Happy Friday!

What IS this blog anyway?

I often find myself thinking about the purpose of this blog. I know why too. Most blogs I read serve a specific purpose. They focus on one theme. The writers post about food, or events, or parenting, or bacon... subscribers can expect something from these blogs. Maybe you love cupcakes, well, there is a blog for that (many actually, and I would know).

Subscribing to these 'blogs with purpose' makes me think I need a purpose. I consider my blog to be roughly 45% personal stuff, 45% crafty things, and 10% complete randomness. I often think I should divide my blog into two blogs, one for personal stuff and one for crafty goodness. This would make a lot of sense actually, and those that read my blog now can choose which one they would rather read. Sounds easy and I would really like to do it. (In fact, I would love to be able to design another blog header for a second blog of mine anyway!)

There are a couple things wrong with this idea though, and they are kinda big ones.

- When I think about it, I want my blog to reflect my life. And, when I think about my life (especially now that I am unemployed) I have to admit that my life is basically 45% personal, 45% crafty, and 10% random. In my head, it makes total sense that my blog reflects that about me.

- My interests change constantly. One week I want to scrapbook, the next I want to make cards, the next sewing, and then beading, another I want to learn how to use photoshop to design digital elements, and I have some weeks where I just want to read all day and take baths (those are typically weeks when I don't feel well, but they definitely exist). I feel that my blog reflects those ups and downs of my inspiration and interests and I like that. A lot. It's real.

- I don't like to go along with what people expect. I like to do what I want. People who have met me know this and (sadly) sometimes it's a big flaw of mine. I'm ok with that, because it often leads me to do things that I really enjoy as well. So, when other people in the blogging world have blogs that serve a specific purpose and theme, well, that's cool for them. It works for a lot of people and I'm really glad it does. Perhaps it will work for me at some point, but not today.

So, there you have it. All my craftiness and random blatherings will stay right here, all together. I enjoy the way I am blogging now and I need to care a lot less about my readership and how many comments I get and what my rating is and all that. At the end of the day, I need to know that I blogged for me and no one else. I love that people read what I have to say, but I say it because I feel it's important, not because I think other people will think it's important. (This being said, I do welcome feedback at any time. Please let me know your opinions at any time and I will promise to take them into account.)

They say that everything falls into place when you stop trying to make things fall into place. I'd like to stop trying to make this blog perfect and just let it be. Maybe as soon as this happens I will suddenly get a million readers and a book deal and I'll get to be on Oprah simply because I stopped trying so hard. 8^)

I'm glad that you have read this far in a very wordy post and I'm glad that you read my blog. :-)

Balance Layout

{Click to see larger.}

This is a digital page I made for a challenge over at The Digichick Blog. It's a great opportunity to document your One Little Word for 2010. It really is a good reminder for the year. I also printed it out 8x8 and it is now hanging in my craft room. (See that calendar next to it? That's a present from my Mom. She made it for me for Christmas. :-) Awesome or what?)

The digital kit I used is Revive by TaylorMade Designs. It's actually interesting that I was drawn to this kit for this project since this is the same kit I used to make my blog header and other images you see around the blog. I love her designs! The word 'balance' is an element that uses my handwriting that I made with my pen tablet.

Project 365 - January Layout

{Click for larger view.}

This is my layout for January. It's the first in a year-long project which incorporates the Project 365 idea but requires only 15 photos a month showcased on two digital scrapbook pages.

After completing this page I am confident that this process is going to work for me. It was fun to be able to look back on the month and reflect on what happened. The only digital element I added to the template (aside from photos) was a background paper. Easy peasy and I love the results.

10 Confessions

{A list of confessions inspired by Kim.}

1. I tried a pomegranate the other day and did not like it. The texture was not what I was expecting and it was too much work to get into an edible form than was worth it.

2. I don't like coffee. At all. Some days I wish I did, but it makes me cringe involuntarily every time I try it.

3. I don't really get some of the bloggers out there who blog about getting drunk and what shoes they buy. Who reads those? If you want that stuff just look on facebook.

4. I wish society were more accepting of people getting up at 10am and going to bed at 3am. That would be my ideal day and I would be the most productive if I was living those hours.

5. I get irritated when people complain about how cold it is. Cold doesn't make much of a difference unless your heat is broken or you're a construction worker. Snow, on the other hand, is a bigger deal. You may complain about vast quantities of snow and I will understand.

6. I loathe gum. LOATHE.

7. I will never get tired of watching Scrubs... ever. Also, I watch the Disney Channel much more than a 24 year old should.

8. I could eat an entire jar of pickles in one sitting. They have to be dill though. Sweet pickles are evil.

9. I wish I could cook. Even more I wish I actually enjoyed cooking.

10. I know some people don't find out until they are much older than me, but I wish I knew what I wanted to do with my life, professionally. Personally I just want to scrapbook or travel all day, every day.

Ode to Bananagrams

Bananagrams is a simple game and SO MUCH FUN. We played it a lot when we were home in Vermont (I got it for my MIL for a Christmas gift because she loves games and loves having something to play with after all the presents are open.) For $15, this is a really cool game to be able to play on any flat surface, with any number of people. We even played with a large range of ages (6-48) and were even able to play in teams of two people. They also have an iPhone App (on sale for $0.99 right now! Go download it before it goes back up to $4.99!)

Right Now

Working on my resume and cover letter. Laptop in my lap and this Bruno-kitty is using my leg as a pillow and purring super loud. :-)

A Cute Mini Project

Just a peek... I'm giving out some valentine's this year. We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day but I'm having fun with this little project because it includes my favorite color... red! :-)


PS - Check out Rachel's Printable Roundup today to see my free printable event calendar featured! *squeal*

Makes Me Smile

Commercials usually irritate me to no end. I'm sure many of you feel the same. There are some that I see and think "how in the world did a conference room of people see the marketing pitch for that and think it was a good idea?!?!?" You know the ones I'm talking about (Droid commercials... seriously, what's up with that creepiness? Does creepy sell phones? Seriously?)

There are some commercials that I actually rewind to see again because they are terribly amazing. The Cinnamon Toast Crunch commercials are definitely in that category. They actually show you what the product is and make you remember what they were trying to sell. Also, they are amazing and hilarious and make me smile and want to meet the people who came up with them. Below are a couple of my favorites. :-)

Project 365 - v2.0

I think I have found how I am going to use the Project 365 concept this year, but not have to dedicate so much time to it. I recently found Jessica Sprague's project "A Year in Our Ordinary Life." (Please forgive me but I forgot which blog I found it on. I browse through so many!)

The project features a 2-page digital layout for every month of the year. Each layout features 15 photos (12x15=180, so it's actually 'Project 180') highlighting the month, and journaling in list format that supports the photos and tells the story of the month.

I feel like this project is perfect for me. I will be able to scrap all my photos together without feeling the pressure to scrap everything. I can get all my thoughts down for the month and then move on. I can complete the layouts anywhere (thank you digital scrapbooking!), I can be as creative with the template and digital embellishments as I was, or I can leave it plain and simple.

I am really excited for this project, and, that's what really matters, right? I feel that this concept can really work for me and am thrilled to find a process that works for me in 2010. I urge you also to check out Jessica Sprague's website and blog and get to know her better. She never fails to inspire and her site is especially great for someone just learning digital scrapbooking, or maybe a seasoned digi-scrapper who needs some additional inspiration.

I will be posting my monthly layouts here on my blog at the beginning of every month. I can't wait for January to be over so I can put together my pages for the month! :-)

Click here to download the templates (it's free!)

Template Freebie!!!

I made a template! This is my first template so please let me know what you think. Any comments welcome... I really enjoyed making this and hope to make more soon! :-D

I made the layout in the preview for Big Picture Scrapbooking's Tickle Monster Contest. The color palette was fun to work with and the photos made it a lot of fun to scrapbook. :-) Here's the layout:

Journaling: If you want some fun photos just give your 6 year old cousin your camera! Thanks Tori! xoxoxoxoxo

And, here's the free template! Click here to download from 4shared! Enjoy!

Oh, Baby!

It seems like everyone I know is either pregnant or just had a baby! Obviously, with all these friends expecting little ones, I needed to send them gifts and handmade cards (obviously!) Below are a few I have recently made. I have to say, even though I don't have my own kids and I don't scrapbook about kids, I really do enjoy making these cards. :-)

At a loss here!

I have not been neglecting my blog this week. Honest, I haven't.

I have about 18 draft posts started and not finished. My thoughts this week are incomplete. I have a bunch of ideas but they kind of fizzle away after a few minutes. I hope they won't live in my 'drafts' folder forever.

Hopefully I get my blogging mojo back next week. I miss it. I want some good stuff up here.

So that this post isn't completely useless, I figure I could make a list of random things that pop into my head as I write this. Maybe I will get some inspiration from that... :-)

- Scrubs is an amazing show. I am even loving the new 'Med School' spin-off.

- Jason and I have been playing the New Super Mario Bros. Wii game every night after dinner. It's not good for my blood pressure at all. I get too wrapped up in it and end up completely loathing certain levels. It's fun though and I'll be sad when we completely beat the game (we already did, kinda... those who have may know what I'm talking about.)

- I am kind of obsessed with beer lately. Not in a bad way, just in a "I-want-to-try-as-many-kinds-as-I-can" kind of way.

- For the life of me I can't figure out when Jeopardy is on here. We sometimes watch Wheel of Fortune, but we really like Jeopardy and it's just. not. there. How can a city even exist without Jeopardy? HOW?

- I'm currently planning a baby shower for a friend of mine and find it really difficult since she doesn't know what she is having yet. I just have to be patient. She'll find out at the end of next month, but, but... I wanna know now (said in a whiny voice.) I'm sure she's a lot more anxious to know than I am... :-P

- Every morning I wake up to find various cat toys on the floor on my side of the bed. My cat drags them there in the middle of the night. Every night! I bring them back out into the living room every day, but without fail they are back in my bedroom while I am sleeping. She does the same thing when I leave the apartment. She will get toys and dirty socks (no, really) and bring them to the door. When I open the door when I get home, there are a bunch of toys and socks.

- Jason's parents are coming to visit in February, my parents are coming to visit in March, and my sister is coming in April. I am SO excited about all this.

I suppose that's all for now. That actually did give me some ideas for posts. :-) Mission accomplished.

Craft Room Goodness

Rachel over at One Pretty Thing recently posted a "Crafty Room Roundup." Um, beautiful! It makes me want to spend 4 days in my own craft room reorganizing and decorating. Actually, I may do that soon... I could certainly use to spend some time in there cleaning up!

Below are some of my favorite craft rooms and what I like about them.

Melis' room is so neat and tidy and filled with vintage goodness she has found. I especially love the peg board and room color.

StudioGal's space is incredible. You would never guess this is a garage! I love the green and white colors.

Amanda's scrap room is simply incredible. If you go to her site you can scroll over certain drawers and elements in the room to see them all more detailed. She has a very good overview of all her organization techniques too. Definitely worth checking out.