Weak week for travel photos

I _really_ meant to post yesterday. I brought some travel photos on a USB drive to work so I could post.
I didn't get to it.

So I'm going to re-post a photo from our old blog, Iowa Summer. It's a nice reminder of springtime during this midwestern heat-wave we've been having--though next week I'm sure we'll be back in the depths of winter. I didn't even take the photo, in fact -- my boyfriend's friend Maria did. This is from a fantastic park near Maria's house in Japan.

Making a place to make things

This might be first post I've made here that is really truly relavent to the name.

There's an alcove in my apartment, about three feet across and two feet deep. For a couple weeks I had a little table there, but it didn't fit very well and things just piled up on it, because it was not a nice place to work.

Then I fixed this problem.

First I tried to find an appropriate desk or bookshelf--it didn't happen. So I took the sensible course of action, and roped my dad into helping me build something.

I made the basic workplan, and then my dad and I put it together. When I told him, then, that I was going to cover it in wallpaper, I think he was skeptical.
But he need not have been skeptical.


Progress!
It's not even real wallpaper, I think it was supposed to be wrapping paper, maybe?


And the finished product:


Nothing could fit more perfectly into this little space, and it all came together for about $60--way less than a pre-fab desk OR bookshelf.

So now I have a place to make valentines! And as soon as I get a sewing machine... so excited.
Now this is a making-place.

sewing projects

One of my goals over winter break was to sew more of my own clothing. I even got a new book, Sew U: Home Stretch, and am attempting to learn how to sew with knits and make my own t-shirts and a knit dress. So far, it's challenging. So I stuck with what I'm more familiar with, and made this skirt.


I already love wearing lots of shades of grey at once, so this just makes it easier.


The yellow on the hem is just the bias tape on the inside, it's not really visible when I wear the skirt. I didn't really use a pattern, so I am really happy that it turned out (almost) just like I pictured it in my head. It feels just a little bit cheerleader-ish, which is fun.

Fridays at home in Madison

My new apartment, featuring my lovely (non-functional) fireplace, and, along the left side... pocket doors! I love pocket doors, especially with fancy handles and pretty moulding.

A Month Without Internet Access

Well, it's not quite true. I have internet access at work, and when I go to my parents' house, but when I'm at these places it's usually because I have things to do... Things that are not blogging.

But oh, have I ever been doing things worth blogging about! And if Mal's going to get back into it, then I suppose I can, too.

At the end of December I started moving into my new apartment. I've been having tons of fun setting things up, decorating, putting my kitchen utensils in appropriate drawers and so on. With everything just about in order (for now), I threw a little housewarming party last weekend to garner some compliments and give myself an excuse to cook excessive amounts of appetizers.

The Menu
Pita chips with hummus and almond-eggplant dip
Stuffed mushrooms
Broiled polenta rounds with tomato-bean sauce
Corn & feta filo purses
Felafel stuffed with goat cheddar

Reasons Why I'm a Fool
1. Forgot to take any photos
2. Completely forgot to fry and serve the felafel

...So in addition to a housewarming party, I also had a lovely felafel dinner earlier this week with zero prep.


The point: Without internet access I've been (a) wildly productive on cooking, decorating, and making things. But (b) terribly incapable of blogging.
The goal: Continue part (a); rectify part (b).

Travel Photo Wednesdays: On Ice

Okay, maybe I'm even back for real this time. I took a bunch of photos out on the frozen lake at my cabin, mostly of my sister and our dog, but also of branches with frozen over berries, footprints filling up with water, and the way the sun hits the snow. It was right after I got my new camera and it was really nice to look at the world again in the way only holding a camera makes me do.


And everybody kind of looks like an important explorer when they're backed by an expanse of ice.

I also sewed a new skirt, and I want to show it to you. How does tomorrow sound?

up north at the cabin

I'm ringing in the new year in northern Minnesota, at my family's cabin. Last night we went out for dinner, and then watched old episodes of the Johnny Cash show on PBS and tried to stay awake until midnight.

One of my favorite books when I was little.



Newly installed fireplace! An excellent addition.

Puppy and dad lounging on the couch, a choice cabin activity.


I'll post again tomorrow for Fridays At Home (cabin edition!), and hopefully with some more frequency in the new year.