Thursday, November 29, 2007

Holiday Baking


While I was home for Thanksgiving I really got into the holiday spirit. There was so much shopping, cooking and holiday decorating I couldn't help but enjoy myself. I love baking. I love making cookies, cakes and pies. My family has a love for these little green tree holiday cookies. They are just spritz cookies dies green and pushed through a cookie press to look like trees. We like to decorate them with lots of the Red Hot candies because they taste delicious! Here are some pictures of my first batch.

The Sweetest Baby

I went back home to WV for the Thanksgiving holiday. Not only was I excited to gorge myself on turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but I was going to get to play with my cousin little baby, Luca. Luca is the sweetest baby. He is not only extremely well behaved but he's adorably entertaining. It was so sweet to watch him enjoy all the new experiences. He was excited about the foods, the people and all the new sounds.

After all the food and the playing Luca was getting pretty sleepy. The video below is right before he and his parents left. He was mimicking the sounds that I was making and it sounded like singing. He is the sweetest!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Elf Yourself

I got a huge kick out of this yesterday. My friends send me this e-mail with a link to a little video thing and I have been laughing about it every since! Office Max has a website www.elfyourself.com that allows you to upload images of friends and family and create hysterical dancing elves out of them! I can't get enough! Click on the link below to see the elves that I created.

Emily's Elves

Monday, November 19, 2007

Bittie Bites

I came across this fabulous website when searching for some craft projects to keep me busy. I fell in love with not martha's tiny food craze! You'll love these little cuplettes:

And look at this tiny pies made in a small cupcake pan! The cute factor is off the scale with this one:


Click the link above to see how she makes these wonderful treats and make your own.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

d*s

I can't believe that I have forgotten to tell people about this wondeful website! Besides the fact that I love love love the design of the page, this is a fantastic resource of all things design.

There are great resources for DIY fans as well as guides to find some of the most creative and beautiful gifts out there. I found myself searches this page for great card ideas and projects that I can do at home and give as gifts to friends and families. I also love the Washington D.C. Guide to design. It lets you know some of the hottest shops in town.

Please, click on the picture of the page above and you'll be directed to the Design Sponge homepage. enjoy :)

Arlington Cinema and Draft House

This past weekend some friends of mine found out that the Upright Citizen's Brigade Improv team was going to be in town at a Draft House in Arlington. It ended up being funnier than I had expected and the venue was pretty sweet. You can sit in rows with tables or in chairs around small tables much like a lounge. They had a full menu and you have a waitress that comes to check on you throughout the show. It was great! They also have $1 movie nights as well as discounted movies throughout the week. I will definitely make it back for some more comedy and maybe even a movie or two. Here is a picture of some of the crew sitting in our row at the Draft House:

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Identity Theft and Glamour Magazine

I recently purchased the new issue of Glamour because there was a very striking Jessica Garner on the cover and an article titled, "15 Things No One Tells You About Being Married." I didn't learn much that I didn't already know from the article and didn't even make it to Jessica Garner's article before I was distracted by a dramatic story in the Real Stories section.

I came across an article titled, "I chased down my identity thief," and was immediately sucked in. I'm very worry about my credit and finances. I frequently change my passwords and shred most every piece of junk mail I receive. I have heard horror stories about unsuspecting people that have their credit completely disparaged and have no way of clearing it. I am a definite believer that there aren't systems enough in place to help people stay financially safe. This article only scared me silly. The story is about Karen Lodrick. Karen lost thousands of dollars to a criminal fraudster. The police couldn't catch her and in the end, Karen ended up chasing down the girl who stole her identity. The story is eye opening and amazing to say the least.

Lodrick has started a website http://www.fightingbacknow.com/ to help people prevent fraud as well as gain back what has been lost to them. Her website details her terrifying ordeal as well as the court cases that ensued to gain some form of restitution. I think the information in her story is important for everyone to hear because of the impact it could have on the rest of your life.

Please take the time to check out her website or read the article in Glamour. The information on prevention is relevant and easy to do. It may take some time out of your day, but it could save you from a lifetime of regret.

Long Distance is Difficult

As you can tell my the bright ticker on my page, we are counting down the days until Pat comes home and until the eventual wedding. Everyone keeps telling me that the time is going to go by quickly, but it really doesn't.

We have roughly 145 days until he is back in the states. Although that's just a few months...it's dragging on like an eternity! There is a lot going on in my world too. The wedding plans are picking up and so is my job. Pat isn't here for any of it and that's difficult. I just don't like him feeling so left out of everything that's going on.

When I have a bad day or something goes wrong, it would just be so nice to come home and have him there to make me feel better. It would be great just to head to lunch together and forget about everything else. I miss him more than I let on. I keep trying to look at this as a learning experience. I know that God has a plan for both of us and that this seperationg will teach us something in the end. However, its hard to keep reminding yourself of that daily. It's really hard not to feel angry sometimes at the cards that have been dealt in your hand.

I try every morning to thank God for what we have been given. We have each other, Patrick is safe, we get to talk every day, and he will be coming home soon. All of these things are blessings and I need to continue to focus on the good things God has given us and then the hard things just don't matter anymore.

I'm reminded every day of what an amazing person Pat is and how lucky I am that we found each other. In our phone conversations we constantly remind each other all the things we miss and love about each other. It's like a personal love pep talk every day :) So if you think about it, the saying (cheesy as it may be) is true: Distance makes the heart grow fonder (and more loving too).

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Neato Bandito

Alright, it's time again for my neato finds. I have begun searching for wonderful gifts for this holiday season and I've found some favorites. I hope they help in your x-mas gift search as well.

Smiley Mugs
How great are these colorful mugs. How cute would these be with hot chocolate and mounds of marshmallows bubbling on top. This cuddly mugs come in three colors and are dishwasher and microwave safe.($9)


I have fallen in love with plush toys from all over the world! I love the various little characters roaming over my shelves and desk space. This Japanese book gives you patterns and simple instructions for creating some of the cutest plush creatures around. It may even inspire you to make your own patterns and friends. ($19.95)


Following my love of everything plush, I introduce you to Socktopus! Made from real recycled sweaters these sea dwellers are soft and cuddly just like their ancestors the sock monkeys. ($20)


I am a huge fan of questions that teach you something about the people you are with. This conversation starters look elegant and intrigueing on any counter, coffee table, or desk. There are various topics for the cards and include questions like: "Is intelligence or common sense more important?" and "What would you most like to do for someone else if you had the money and the time?" ($24)

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Day in the Graveyard

So I've decided I don't work on my hobbies anymore. I have a stack of books I need to read, a camera collecting dust in the closet, and a box full of craft goodies that I never use.

This past weekend I decided to start on something so I picked up my camera and headed out to the graveyard. Ok, I know that sounds silly. But graveyards are peaceful, full of intersting shapes, and trees. Plus, it's one of the only places you can walk around and people don't get in your way when you are trying to take pictures.

I'm always surprised what great shots you can get from walking around such a place. It was such a beautiful day! I love fall. It's the best time of year. You can be outside and be comfortable in a sweatshirt and jeans and scarf. It isn't so cold that you have to wear a jacket, but if you had a cute one you wanted to wear you could :)

Here are a few pictures from my day in the graveyard: