Wednesday, September 14, 2011
nach Deutschland
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Berry-picking, this time with 100% more berries
Shiny beads of yum |
New surprise friend |
Blackberries like whoa. |
Straight up chillin'. |
Not for picking. Just for photo-ops. |
Oh, hi. |
We got about a quart of blackberries for $7, and I made a blackberry cheesecake with some of them. I love this recipe - I used 1/3 fat cream cheese and added some blackberries on the top for decoration.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
me + sewing machine = ?
Inspired by an idea for a knitting needle case on Design Sponge, I set to work. I was full of energy, and I do need a needle case, and aren't those photos pretty? It was one of those projects that seems like the best idea ever, and something that will definitely go well. I must go buy the canvas! I will measure and fold and calculate the things! I will dust off my sewing machine and just pick back up from where I left it in middle school - sewing machines aren't that hard, right?
It's been a few weeks and it's finally done - sort of. It's full of crazy, drunken stitch lines, with loose ends everywhere. The canvas is uneven and I sort of forgot to consider backstitching to, you know, keep the threads in. However, it looks relatively cute and holds my needles. I'd love to find some number/letter stamps as shown on Design Sponge, and figure out other ways to add some details that cover up all the whoopsies. Hopefully this is just the first of many forays back into sewing machine projects. If enough people ask me if a kid that I'm babysitting made the needle case for me, I may direct my energies elsewhere.
And mom? Remember the Christmas where you got me the sewing machine, and while it was still wrapped up I was convinced it was a Playstation, and then I opened it and it was not a Playstation and I threw a fit and refused to look at it for months and months? Sorry about that. For the record, sewing machines are definitely way cooler than video game systems. Unless we're talking about playing Mario Kart, which could make it a toss-up.
Monday, July 25, 2011
need some help with my Cuisinart
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Parking Lessons
Dear Ashley,
Since you did not leave any contact information (besides an adorable heart, which shows me how harmless and well-meaning you are), I can only post this on the internets and hope that it reaches you somehow. I know this means it may never reach you, since due to my husband’s ungodly parking job, you are most likely still driving around the city in 100 degree heat, searching desperately for a parking spot that suits you.
Maybe you can enlighten me: I'm not sure how I could be "taking two spaces" when the parking lot does not have “spaces.” It's a gravel wasteland with a lovely open dumpster in between. One parks where one can, generally away from the dumpster. I’m no rocket scientist, but basic physics will tell you that when cars leave, they leave a space that’s relative to their size, and that’s what is left for the next driver to work with. We parked as close to the adjacent car as we could; however, if you’re willing to fashion us some sort of mechanical pulley system for my car, perhaps we could park in a way that’s more to your convenience (Sideways? Generally up?). If you need my help, I’ve got some scotch tape and polyfill stuffing, and I can knit like a grandma on crack.
Putting aside the pesky semantics of a “space,” would you have left this note if I had a massive pickup that took up a lot of room? Like the one that happened to be parked right next to our car? Probably not. That truck has a gorgeous Confederate flag stretched across the back window, and stickers letting you know that the owner has a musket, and “these colors don’t run.” Perhaps out of fear and respect, you let that slide and moved on to a tiny hybrid that was clearly asking for trouble. If this is the case, I’d like to enlist your assistance. I’m considering getting some intimidating stickers for my car, and maybe you could help me pick out the ones that keep people like you away. I’m thinking something along the lines of “Original 40 MPG Gangsta,” “My Other Car DESTROYS the Environment,” or “Parks Like a Compact Motherfucker.” I’m totally open to brainstorming on this.
Regardless of our conflicting views on say, basic logic and how to interact with others, I wanted to thank you. You could have just as well left the note on any other car in that row, but you chose mine. I am honored that you decided that I was the one worthy of your teachings. I had never before considered how there are “alot” of cars and minimal parking. I myself have never had a problem finding a place to park in the lot in the year I’ve lived here, and if I did, I would just go back down to the street and grab one of the dozen spots that is always available there. I didn’t stop to consider people like you for whom the street just won’t cut it.
If you’d like, I can put out some traffic cones so that you can have the primo space downwind of the open-air dumpster. It’ll definitely mask the smell of whatever milk-based Starbucks drinks you’re always spilling all over the interior of your car and then bitching about on Facebook. You’ll also get to meet some really cool new bug species that will take up residence in your car. I’ll be vigilant about writing passive-aggressive smiley-face notes on any other car that dares to park there. We can make this work for you!
I also want to commend you on your problem-solving skills. By writing that note, you’ve cut to the heart of the “problem” (notice how I put the word problem in quotation marks? Let’s think about why I might have done that…) and ensured that you will always be able to find a place to park that is to your liking.
Please have a wonderful day as well, at least better than it was when you wrote that note,
Sam
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Spinach Gnocchi
Cook that spinach!
Eggs and cheese and stuff
Oh look, they're fully formed and baked and there is cheese on top. That was quick and painless. Time for eating!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
craigslist --> personals --> missed connections --> my apartment
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Cold Coffee?
...in a good way. The ever-addictive Tastespotting led me to a recipe for coffee popsicles.