Here’s me working on a Frida-inspired something special for Kelli.

I’m putting it in the mail tomorrow. Really!

Tonight’s dinner is one of my favorite meals!

Cabbage Salad

Cabbage, Red Bell Pepper, Mandarin Oranges, Avocado, Toasted Almonds, and a dressing of Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, and Fresh Ground Pepper. Yummy!

In other news, Eric and I joined a gym today! We’re planning on our first class–spin–tomorrow evening!

Peace,

^_^

I had my first chocolate croissant during my first summer in France–2002. I’m not sure if I’ve ever found a version in the states that was up to the tastiness of French chocolate croissants. That was, until I found these. How I love thee, Trader Joe’s. Check out the freezer section.

Here’s how they look when you take them out of the box. They are supposed to sit out for several hours.

Here’s how much they grew overnight!

And after a bit in the oven they turn golden brown.

Eric took his and left for church before I was able to take the “after” shot.

Since I was in the kitchen already, I took a photo of our new dishwasher. So far, it has not disappointed at all. Yay! for soap-free dishes.

Peace,

Katy ^_^

Soon I will be relieved of my duties.

Soon this will be out of my life forever…

And this…

And this…

…and I’m sooo excited. It isn’t anything personal–but the dishwasher has past her prime–and no longer works.

Did I mention I’m tired of washing dishes by hand.

I don’t mind the task itself. I am just terrible at it. Growing up my job was dish-dryer at my grandma’s house. I was a pretty darn good dish dryer.

As a washer, I have this problem of not rinsing well enough. This leads to getting a soapy tasting bite because of my fork or a soapy tasting drink because of my glass. And well, people are supposed to wash their mouths out with soap for a reason. It suuuuucks. There is nothing positive about it.

Peace,

Katy

I spent one and a half hours making lunch. I’m not quite sure why it took so long, but it did. I was making Gazpacho thanks to this post. Ironically, the post is called Something Other Than Sauce. I used waaaaay to much onion and after lunch Eric and I decided it would be a great pasta sauce because it’d cut the spiciness of the onion.

I even used canned tomatoes because they were waaaaaay cheaper than fresh and easier. How in the world did that take me so long? Clearly I was day-dreaming in the process. Day dreaming or stalling. Why? Read on.

I took a job as a part-time aide for the third grade teacher at the church where Eric works. I’m extremely bummed about the lack of a job situation with this move. I am taking it really hard. The aide position will be good for me because I’ll get to hang out with people for a bit during the day. But I’m not sure it is something I want long term. That being said, I’m not sure if anything will make me happy. Sigh.

I took the Myers-Briggs test again–I forgot my previous results. I am ENFJ. It totally describes me perfectly. I know very well how to do for others but I’m terrible at taking care of myself. Why do I find so much importance in “being employeed?”

I definitely have time now–I will only work for 3.5 hours in the mornings when there is school as an aide. So I am forging onward in an effort to get better at self-care with out losing humility. You should have seen the responses to a fellow blogger’s comments on humility!

Anyway, my goals are to complete Body for Life and The Artist’s Way in the next few months. These are my only to do list items. If you’ve ever seen my to do lists–you’ll understand why that is such a big deal. Amazingly, first thing I wanted to do when I got up this morning was to get the title changed on the car and get my driver’s license. Things that need to get done, but that if I focused on first would prevent me from accomplishing my goals and ultimately caring for me.

Anyway, I know this will be a tough thing for me. I’ve made it most of the way through the The Artist’s Way before, but didn’t do half of the questions or projects. I purchased the Body for Life book when I was a freshman in college. Eight years ago! I got a week and a half through the program last fall. Then I quit.

I’d love for any or all of you to come along, I could sure use the support.

Peace and Success,

Katy ^_^

I hate cancer. In fact, there are coffee mugs that say $#%* cancer and I’m almost to the point I’d buy one of those. In case you don’t know in about two months my husband will be a interning for a year then officially ordained as a pastor. Society, and my mother, keep telling us that cussing and church don’t mix. Though I’d be the first to admit more than sometimes I say bad words.

A co-worker’s mother has been battling cancer. Things were not going well, but hope always seemed to be lurking in the corner. Now she is in hospice. No freaking fair! My co-worker isn’t old-she is 25.

I just heard of another co-worker who has a brother with terminal cancer. And friend of a friend–though we’ve eatten a meal together so we’re closer than that–who has a dad with stage 3 colon cancer and a mom with stage 4 breast cancer.  I’m so sad for them. I wish I could say the “right” things–at least something real and honest. Cancer sucks. We all hope for the best, sometimes it doesn’t happen. Makes me think of tentatio. A term I’ve found much comfort in. Here’s my better half-explaining the meaning.

Tonight we are eating and hanging out with a dear friend. The photos on my site are of her. She was bribed with wine and happily amused when she found out we were going to use them!

Peace,

^_^

First off, Alabama Chanin recently posted the upcoming dates and locations for future workshops. I highly, highly recommend making it to one of them if you are able.

I really enjoyed the entire weekend. Even the 6-hour drive there and the 6-hour drive back. Since I made it through 4 states, it really felt like I had accomplished something! Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama if you are curious.

Friday Night Reception~Friday night there was a cocktail reception. It was low-key and laid back. We got to meet Natalie, Angie, and the other participants. I took one picture that night. Here’s a coffee table spread from the evening with flowers made from fabric scrapes. Yes, they are that gorgeous in person. The gossip that night was Billy Bob Thorton was in town. I tried to go see him, but the venue was full. I enjoyed my walk around the downtown. It was really cold and even managed to snow on Friday night!

The Stay~While in Florence, I stayed slept at a Bed and Breakfast. I say slept, because I spent very few waking moments there. The time I was there was great. Their breakfast was fabulous, the room was spacious and clean. And it was walking distance from the main few streets in Florence and The University of North Alabama. I got to make the first footprints in the snow that dusted the campus on my Saturday morning run. I love B&B’s but must say I felt slightly odd staying there alone. It is definitely less awkward going down to breakfast if you have someone to go with.

The owner said her daughter called the room I stayed in the treehouse room. I think it must have been added on to the house at some point. It was so restful there. I really did feel like royalty.

Saturday~Saturday was one very, very long day. Not in the terrible it wouldn’t end way, but more in the oh my gosh, I got to do what? And for how long? With really cool people? Really? Wow!

Everything happened at GAS Studios. It is gorgeous. And the owner and his family are gorgeous too–and saying they are hospitable, is a major understatement.

So Saturday and Sunday we worked on our projects and chatted and generally just enjoyed the process and people. We were also spoiled silly by the cooking workshop participants. The food was just amazing and steeped in Southern tradition.

Here’s a ton more photos. These are food related.

These are sewing related.

And here is my finished corset! Yep–it is done and I’m wearing it as I type this.

So all in all I had an amazing time.

Peace,

^_^ Katy

I found a recipe for Squash Souffle in the newspaper. Since I picked up a squash several weeks ago at the supermarket–I love fall–and my dear hubby didn’t know what to do with it–he generally cooks (I’m spoiled)–I suggested souffle. Since we don’t have souffle cups and don’t really want to buy any more kitchen crap for our tiny apartment, we’re improvising. It smells amazing. A photo will come soon!! And if it is really good, I’ll include the recipe. Yum!!

We decided against a photo–it isn’t the prettiest thing. Think twice baked potatoes. Here’s the recipe. It was tasty!