Thursday, April 22, 2010

stuff it!



I saw this today in traffic (I was at a stop light, don't worry) and it warmed my heart. If you know me well, you know I have an odd ball soft spot for stuffed animals. Old ones, new ones, their little faces get to me. I don't buy them, I don't like to receive them as gifts, I just feel for them. I always feel sad at holidays when I see holiday inspired stuffed animals sitting there, staring at me, boring into my heart and my wallet with their beady little button eyes. I just know no one will possibly buy the entire stock of St. Patrick's Day teddy bears at Walgreens. Brett likes to egg me on, he gets great pleasure from sucker punching a defenseless pink giraffe or giant Sponge Bob. Basically, if it has a face, I want to love it.

Sort of how I can't watch Disney movies with little talking woodland creatures? Torture.

This is also why I still have Night Night Doggie, the pajama clad pup I got at age 2. I mean, really what am I supposed to do with him? He's rather unsightly, probably full of germs and has had more surgeries than I've had, but so loved. I sort of blame it on children's literature.
The Velveteen Rabbit? Sniff. Corduroy? Stop, you're killing me. Oh, and the Island of Misfit Toys? Can I move there please?

So yeah, I was happy to see this. They were all strung up on the side of a Sandy Springs, GA municipal truck. I guess the truck's owner takes pity on cast off stuffies and rescues them, allowing them to disintegrate with dignity in public service. A noble way to go.


Did you see this guy? Look at that expression, so much character. I mean, I know he was made in China from low grade materials, but there is just something about a face.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

easter


My mom has made the same delicious eggy, yeasty rolls for holiday dinners my whole life. This Easter I decided to make some homemade rolls, too. Just because we weren't together I should not have to miss out on some high quality carbs, right? I didn't have her recipe so I turned to the Joy of Cooking's Easter menu which suggested finger rolls. Strangely grotesque name for a holiday celebrating new life. Turns out they were very good and yeast was not as intimidating as I thought.


My finger rolls came out more like fat big toe rolls.



We had quite a few kids over for Easter brunch, so I tried to spruce the place up a bit with some festive details, a.k.a. a good excuse to buy candy :)


A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.


Saturday, April 3, 2010

paint test


bye bye, wood grain!

I bought a $2.49 paint sample last night and slapped some on this morning. Love.
Also, notice that the wallpaper behind the cabinet is gone!

My brother-in-law told me I need to prime the cabinets first because this kind of wood could swell when painted, but it is sooo tempting to just go ahead and paint them. Nope, going to be good and do it the right way.

Anyway, a couple steps closer to a kitchen makeover!

freedom from the gym


A few months ago, I got really sick of my gym. Really. So I quit! Then Brett quit, too. We have been amping up home workouts and even just walking more in the nice weather. I love it. This morning he is out mountain biking and I did P90X legs. Yesterday we walked for about 4 hours, seeing the sights of our neighborhood and trying to save a runaway teacup chihuahua named Prancer, with no luck. Thursday was a mountain bike ride after work with a group of friends. Tuesday I took a walk after work while on a conference call, how's that for multi-tasking?

Anyway, I'm sure you don't care about every drop of sweat I've shed this week, I'm just sayin', I love not feeling like I have to get to the gym. And of course, the money savings are nice.

Now for the opposite of working out... time to think about my Easter dinner menu. Cooking for 8!