No Gnocchi

I like cooking. I like experimenting and trying new things and most of the time I get things right or with just a little tweaking. In the last Food & Wine there was a recipe for gnocchi with meyer lemon sauce. And it looked so delicious that it inspired me to try making it. I have never made gnocchi before but as I said I like to experimenting and trying new things, but last night it didn't work out. I am not sure what exactly the problem was but my guess is the potatoes were too wet from boiling them. I know some recipes suggest steaming or baking but the Food & Wine recipe called for boiling them. It just would never form a dough. I added more flour and it still didn't. Thank goodness for warm french bread or I might have had a melt down since it just was getting a little frustrating.

I think to overcome my cooking disaster from last night I felt the need to make things I knew would be good. I made cinnamon oat bread to use in Creme Brulee French Toast. And then I also made brownies. Comfort food much? Both turned out good also.

Gratitude Friday

I realize I have many wonderful things in my life that I am thankful for and so I express my gratitude weekly for just a few of those things. This week I am going back to something I haven't done in a while a letter of the alphabet....

~P~

Peace - Harmony without hostility and violence in the world....such a nice thought. Although I feel "we" could do better with peace, I am grateful for the peace we do have. I think with today's political climate the notion of peace seems so far away but I do have some hope.
Peace Museum - When I was in college a girlfriend and I knew we wouldn't be able to afford the "it" places for spring break. We wouldn't want to go there anyway as it just wasn't us but we wanted to at least go somewhere even for a long weekend. So we went to Chicago. And one of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Peace Museum. It has some beautiful, moving exhibits and information available. So if you go to Chicago I really do suggest taking the time to visit.
Popcorn, pretzels, pickles, potato chips, peanuts, pop tarts, poppers, pizza - all wonderful pms snacks....okay all just wonderful snacks!
Purple - My favorite color! I am thankful for PURPLE in my life as it makes me smile!
Pink - Well I am a girly girl at heart so I do like pink too!
Princess - I am 40 years old but I have a side to me that likes being a princess and playing!
Pumpkin - Pumpkin bars, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cheesecake....It has a great flavor that makes me think of fall and feel warm!
Pasta - Oh how could we live without? Well I am sure we could but I don't want to. Although I had a bad experience trying to make gnocchi tonight, pasta still is a favorite around here. Especially whole wheat pasta. So many things to do with it. Thankful for all the wonderful dishes I am able to make with pasta!
Peppers - I really enjoy peppers. I put them in quite a bit of my cooking. Red peppers are my favorite the sweetness to them just is perfection! Thankful for peppers and the colorfulness they give to a dish besides wonderful flavor.
Pillow - I enjoy pillows...pillows to lay my head on at night, pillows on the couch, my pillow that says "My Princess Sleeps Here" - fun, pretty, decoration or to sleep - they all provide comfort.
Paper, pastels, paint, paste - all art supplies I need and am thankful for having as a mix media artist!
Paperdolls - I loved paperdolls as a child my Grandmother would buy me sets when I stayed with her and she would cut them out with me. They provided countless hours of fun. I now have a few sets and they still give me great joy to play!
Play - I think it is important no matter what age. We all need to just play and have fun. It is great way to relax by playing!
Photographs - We have many photographs around our house as Michael is a photographer and I enjoy each of them. We also photos of family and friends and I am glad to be able to see them everyday even though I am so far away from them. And think about how much I love them and miss them.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Pizza Stone

One of my dearest friends Aydeen had 2 pizza stones and noticed it was on my wish list so she sent me her extra stone....seasoned and all! Tonight I made pizza...oh my...so tasty. I made whole wheat herb crust. Of course I forgot to take pictures though I do have a few pieces for lunch tomorrow so might snap some of that. I really need to start keeping the camera in the kitchen.

I can't wait to use the pizza stone again. Thank you Aydeen! You are the BEST!

ps: Adding a photo I took 2/22/08 -- Pizza for lunch!

Crafty

A friend passed this site on to me and I found a few projects I would like to make. I thought these little stars in a bowl at Christmas or I was wonder how it would be to string them up like garland. I haven't tried to do one yet but am going to soon! I also like these felt pins. The one with the flames would make a perfect gift for one of my friends that collects skull and bone items.

100 Things | Chinese Food

I love reading the 100 things about me a lot of bloggers have done. And a friend over at Two Frog Home is doing it her own style with pictures and post instead of the list. I am going to follow her lead and do individual posts - hopefully once a week and maybe at times with photos.

1. I like Chinese food.

I like Chinese food so much I could probably eat it everyday and not get sick of it. Chinese food is comfort food for me much like mac-n-cheese is for others.

When I was growing up, my family always liked all kinds of food. They all seemed adventurous to try new things and different flavors. But I was the odd duck. I just didn't like anything but pretty much all-American food. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, burgers, fries, sandwiches and so on are all things I enjoyed as a young girl. When my family would go to a Mexican restaurant, there had to be something American on the menu for me. The same went for a Chinese restaurant it would need to have American on the menu or something that I could eat. Most of the time I couldn't find anything on the menu that I would even think about eating. Oddly enough when my Mom made things at home with an international flair, I usually ate it with no problem. I just would get nervous about eating it other places.

I met my ex-husband and he really liked all sorts of foods. He encouraged me to try new things. He made it easy for me because he "got" my weird quirky anxiety of the whole process from ordering something I might not like. So he often ordered take out so that I could be in the comfort of our home to try things. He would let me pick it apart and taste all the different dishes. And so I came to enjoy all sorts of different foods such as Chinese food.

But Chinese food became a favorite. And as I said at the beginning of this post it is something I associate as comfort food. I love the flavors. I don't really have a favorite dish as I just like a variety. I like all sorts of the appetizers too...from Crab Ragoon to Potstickers. I even enjoy cooking Chinese food.

Michael liked Chinese food before I moved here but it wasn't something that he would think of for a first place to eat when going out. But after having me here he has come to enjoy it more. We don't have quite the variety I have had in other places I have lived but we have one place we do for take out and then another place that is a good sit down type. They are both very good. The take out place is 1.25 for a scoop (it is really more then a scoop - it is a big mounding scoop.)

I have lots of memories that revolve around Chinese food too which probably sounds very strange. Aydeen, one of my dearest friends, likes Chinese food so she and I would go and eat and talk and eat and talk. It is a good memory. When I lived in Cleveland, it was the first place I lived that delivered Chinese food so I have good memories of sitting with friends in the living room and having food arrive at the door. How could it get better Chinese food delivered straight to my door? I remember that first February here Michael calling me from work one night to tell me we were going out on a date. He took me to a Chinese restaurant. It was our first time sharing Chinese food but more importantly that night just was a fun flirty date. And is probably odd how clear it is in my mind but I am glad I remember it the way I do.

So there is number 1 of the 100 things about me: I like Chinese food. As Michael said just recently it is probably one way to win my heart invite me out for Chinese food.

Some randomness...

I made scones for breakfast on Wednesday. They are more healthy then normal scones and I like them better. I so enjoy the flavor. Only thing is this time they didn't get as puffy as usual.

I just finished Marked (House of Night, Bk. 1) by PC Cast and her daughter Kristin Cast. This is a young adult book. When Twilight came out, I didn't want to read it as I feared it would be too high schoolish and immature for me to enjoy but I was very wrong about that. Meyers did a good job in creating a timeless book that was about a high schooler but not immature. Marked though has some things in it that hit that immature/high schoolish feel that I was worried about with reading YA fiction. The story and premise of the book though is really interesting. It is about a society where some people just have a gene/dna that become active at a certain age and makes them start the transition from human to vampyre (their spelling of the word vampire). They are marked at a certain age to show what they are becoming. When that time hits, they go to vampyre school (vampyre charm school is what most call it in reviews online) to learn about the changes that they will go through and help them get through the change. The feelings of what happens when you are marked...how society treats them -- made me think of the AIDS epidemic in the mid-1980 and how people treated those infected with AIDS. It was like they were instantly horrible people. I could see a lot of potential with the plot of the book but they have things in it - speech at times, just books and music they talk about that will date the book fast. This book is the first in a series and although I wasn't thrilled with some aspects of the book, I most likely will read the rest of the series

I have been busy with work the last couple days...coding, coding, coding. Of course it is good that we are busy.

Made fettuccine Alfredo with sliced chicken on top for dinner on Valentine's. And today I am making stew. The onion I cut though pretty much did me in as it was so strong. It took lost of spraying of vinegar to neutralize the smell.

The library sent me notice that the next book I had on hold is ready but they are closed on Monday for President's Day so it will have to wait until Tuesday. Uglies another young adult book that I have heard good things. I read about it on the author's website too and really thought it sounded interesting.

I was discussing with another friend about my YA kick lately and we both thought maybe it is because we skipped YA fiction while young adults. I think I went from Little House on the Praire and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to trashy romance novels and V.C Andrews books.

In doing a search on GoodReads.com I found Blood and Chocolate. I didn't realize it was a book. I just received the movie in the mail from Netflix today.

Well I need to get to work - getting darbyart.com back up!

Gratitude Friday

5 Things I am thankful for in my life...
1. Two friends had birthday's this past week and they both said they had the best birthdays ever. And I am thankful for that they had wonderful birthdays celebrating their lives.
2. The newest issue of Food & Wine arrived and has inspired me to try to make gnocchi. So putting it on the menu for this next week to attempt! I am thankful for inspiration in the Kitchen!
3. Our kitty cat is feeling better. He wasn't feeling good this weekend. He had something wrong with his ears. But looks like he is over it.
4. I am thankful for a beautiful spring like day that Michael and I were able to enjoy by sitting in the sun while enjoying some lunch!
5. For pretty colored pens to make out some mail, for soft fuzzy socks that keep my feet warm, for water to quench my thirst and all the other little things everyday that make me feel good and smile.

And recognize that I am grateful for so much more.

Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentine's

I made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a red hot in the center for Valentine's Day.
The little plate has cute little hearts as well as sweetie pie, be mine and love written on it.

Happy Valentine's Day

I admit I love Valentine's Day. Because it involved the one thing I like to remember about this day....LOVE! Remembering those we love! I don't like that Valentine's Day is a commerical made holiday to guilt people into buying flowers, candy, and jewelry. It is irritating. As another blog I read said it is terrible message we are sending that we have to spend money on each other to prove our love. And that is horrible.

So all I need today is LOVE and I have that in my life with not only Michael but my wonderful friends and family!

Free Cute Valentine's

Cute little Valentine's by the Black Apple

Red Velvet Cupcakes

This is what I am making for Valentine's Day!

Sunday in the Sun

Our little girl cat thinks that if something is put on the floor -- that it was placed there just for her. If we put a piece of paper, a box, or a sock....it is all made for her to lay in or on. So I had thrown this pillow on the floor when cleaning and she thought of course that I put it there JUST for her. She had a perfect spot for warming in the sun yesterday.

Organizing Greeting Cards

Last week Michael and I did some running around....shopping and errands. One thing we did was get all our greeting cards for the year. Yes the whole year. I have found that easier for getting cards out on time. So I brought a little chart broken down by month with birthday/anniversary dates on it and then picked out cards for everyone. I also stocked up on miscellaneous cards (get well, sympathy and friendship.) I have this little file box divided by month with some extra pockets for extra cards -- birthday cards, get well cards and other types of cards that aren't part of monthly cards. I keep the little calendar chart inside the top of the box so when I open it I can see what is coming up.

I found this little file box at Office Depot on Clearance.




I added labels for each month.



The stack of cards ready to be filed.

Daily Message.....

A Note from the Universe that I thought I just needed to remember as sometimes I wish things were easy.

The "easy way" is rarely the glamorous way, Darby.

Tallyho, ho, ho -
The Universe

the ps: Unless, of course, Darby, you can see the glamour in baby steps and blue jeans.

darbyart.com

My website - darbyart.com will be going down in the next week/week and half (Feb 11-16). Not changing hosts as I love them but I am basically combining things it so it will mean the site has to be taken down and reuploaded. It might take me a few days to a week to get everything back to normal. And also some photos and links on my art blog as well as here won't work. Yes, I see some fun filled days of coding coming my way! (That was said with much sarcasm).

Gratitude Friday

1. I am very thankful that my friend Jessica got the package I sent her and it made her her smile. I included all her favorite things - bubble bath, scrubs, fizzies and beads and then lip gloss, rubber stamps, chocolate, homemade cookies, bookmarkers and art. She was having a bad day one day this week and it arrived on that day! yay!
2. Thankful for the little day trip with Michael with a stop at Dollar Tree!
3. Thankful for Michael giving me a sweet little Valentine's plate. I hope to make red velvet cupcakes with buttercream frosting for Valentine's day to put on the plate!
4. Thankful for a nice chat I had with a good friend tonight.
5. Thankful for cinnamon toast. I hadn't had it in a while and it tasted so good.
6. Thankful we found the Assassination of Jesse James dvd as the movie was extrodinary in the filming, sets, script....just everything was really amazing. It is one I am sure we will watch many times over.
7. Thankful for the sweet notes that Michael left me around the house for our anniversary. I haven't taken them down and they make me smile everytime I see them.
8. Thankful for the beautiful love letter Michael gave me for Christmas...I was cleaning off my desk tonight and found it...read it...and cried again. It is so full of love and beauty. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful, romantic, loving man in my life!

Pie

I just watched this charming movie...called Sweet Land. It is about a woman that is mail order bride to a Norwegian man in Minnesota in 1920. Anyway when she arrives she doesn't have the right papers to get married and they find out she is German. It is after World War II so they are all a little paranoid of her being German. And so she is staying at friend's house until they can decide what to do. She speaks VERY little English. One day the friend's wife makes a pie and they are in the kitchen...just the two of them. The wife is basically trying to see how much experience she has had with men. The friend and his wife have 9 kids and are affectionate. The bride says she hasn't had any experience. And so the woman goes..."oh...well lets have pie." And they each take a fork and dive into this pie...they are enjoying the pie. But how it is filmed the expressions during the exchange and while eating the pie is just so sweet and fun...just lovely.

Mom if you read this I think you would like this movie...you should netflix it.

Reminder for myself: Soundtrack here.....very pretty.

Yes We Can Song in the News....

Michael just sent me this link....it is a Yahoo! News story about the Yes We Can song (youtube video) that I posted on Tuesday. I have played it several times and it always makes me tear up.

I posted a few weeks ago that link to Caroline Kennedy's piece in the NY Times...where she said she always had tell people tell her Dad gave them hope and they always talked about him in this way that she never understood until Obama. I think I get that voice about him too. Just saying his name tears me up because I see a bright beautiful sign in my head that screams HOPE. I hear his words and they cut to the very core of me because he saying things that I have felt and seen in our world.

Tea Time

I just started to enjoy tea about 5 years ago. A dear friend of mine had a tea party....layers of pretty linens on the table, delicate china, tiered plates with little finger sandwiches, mini cream puffs and scones. We had a wonderful tea party and about a month after I got a package in the mail with a tea cup, assorted teas and biscotti. Ever since that beautiful tea party, I have been hooked on tea. So I am very thankful to my friend for introducing me to the wonderful world of TEA!

VOTE Hope

Insomnia GRRR!

I couldn't sleep last night so I feel hung over today. I feel I am falling asleep just sitting here. The last look at the clock before falling asleep was 5am and then I got up at 8:30am. Not sure I am going to be much good today. grrrr!

Edward & Bella

I have an addiction....Edward & Bella from the Twilight series. If there is a 12 step program....I don't want to know about it. I am happy in my addiction.

5 Years...

I woke up to notes all over the house and a beautiful love letter yesterday for our anniversary. I am a very lucky girl!

all you need is love....

Yesterday was a really good day for me....I know it was a long day for Michael but I know he did enjoy our time together. I wrote a few weeks ago that we were going to try to get out of town well obviously that didn't happen. And really I am not upset about it at all because the only thing that mattered is that I had time with Him yesterday and I did! When you own your own business, business comes first because well we have to pay bills. And this week business got swamped...Michael was really burning the candle at both ends. I am surprised his cold got any better this week with all the running around he had to do. But it is a little better. Anyway, he had to go out of town again for a little bit yesterday to return the things we picked up the other day. I stayed home and made him a surprise...I made him maple fudge that he fell in love with at Christmas. It turned out much better -- didn't crumble like it did last time.

Yesterday we were so mushy lovey dovey all day. I am sure everyone would have been sick by watching us be all googly eyed.

Today it is cold and snowing...which is probably why I woke up with a migraine because of the weather change. But because it is cold it means warm comfort food -- so a pot roast with bunches root veggies for dinner. The roast is pretty big so I am going to cut it in half and put half in the crock with some stock and onions and garlic to freeze and use later in sandwiches or soup/stew. I didn't make the red velvet cake yesterday because we were out of eggs! But we picked up some last night after dinner so I might make that tomorrow too.

Yes!

One of my favorite blogs wrote an incredibly beautiful post about the word yes several years ago. Before that post I had always liked the word yes for many of the reasons she stated but when I read what she wrote -- of course I paid attention to yes much more. This blogger was a school teacher and when grading papers if someone really wrote something that got to her as a human not just a teacher she wrote yes with an underline. Life has those moments you know...those moments when your soul shouts yes!

5 years ago I said yes in that way. I remember it so clearly. I feel the intensity of the moment. Michael and I locking eyes at the airport. It was a yes moment....Yes this is it. Ye he is the one. Yes this is right for the first time in my life. Yes...yes...yes!

This last 5 years has been so many moments of yes.

Yes to those moments of snuggled on the couch watching a movie and laughing at the same time or even being touched by the same line.

Yes to him helping and supporting me in so many dreams. And him allowing me to do the same for him.

Yes to the day trips that create wonderful laughter, conversation and just a sharing that I cherish.

Yes to the kisses, hugs and dancing for no reason but to touch each other.

Yes to the feeling so alive when we look at each other.

Yes to the faith in each other that is always steadfast.

Yes to the hard times for allowing us to see how far our relationship can go - together.

Yes to the creativity that we energize in each other.

Yes to our passion for this path we are on.

I could go on and on with yes moments. I am just very thankful for each and everyone of them. I am very thankful I have someone in my life that helps me create and see YES! Thank you Michael for the last 5 years....thank you for capturing my heart....I love you!

Happy Anniversary!

Today Darby and I celebrate our 5th year together. We were supposed to be out of town tonight, perhaps nestled away in our favorite locale in Santa Fe, or curled up in the snowy winterland of Ouray, Colorado. Unfortunately - as well intentioned we were, the fate of the cards were not in our favor this year. The business decided it was going to kick into over drive this week and we haven't had a chance to breathe much less recover from our already long-drawn-out colds.

But today February 1st - is a very special day for us. It marks the 5th year we've been together and still count every blessing I have that she's been apart of my life these 5 years.

Back in 2003, Darby flew out to see me and we met for the first time after having spent a few months online chit-chatting and doing the long distance phone thing. I knew from the moment I saw her at the baggage claim of Denver International Airport that something special was going on here. So ever since that first time we saw each other, we've been "celebrating" the first of every month since that day in February 2003.

We've had our rough spots, we've overcome a lot of adversity, and we believe in one another. I love her ever so dearly and I'm incredibly grateful that she puts up with me enough to where she wants to stay. We love and care about each other's family -- and thankfully our folks finally got the opportunity to meet this past October. And I don't know what I'd do without her.

I love you honey! Happy Anniversary!
Love Always,
-Michael

North Dakota

My Aunt sent me this link...ABC's Person of the Week...was North Dakota. Our family is from there so it was kind of nice to see it.

ABC's Person of the Week: North Dakota

Coffee Table....umm no End Table

Today a group I am part of asked that everyone post a picture of their coffee table. Well we don't have a coffee table but we have an end table so I decided to share them here as well....

The candle has dried slices of apple and scented like a caramel apple. Makes me always want to make an apple pie. The end table has 3 drawers in it. We have remotes, crossword puzzle books, finger nail file, cat toys in the top drawer and the other 2 are full of cds. The lamp on the table is kind of cool as the legs are adjustable to be a full standing floor lamp or as we have it on the table top. Behind the photos - a little oriental box and 2 books - one poetry book and another coffee table type book of Frank Lloyd Wright houses.

Dinner and Purple Hair

Dinner smells really good but it isn't done yet! I threw some cubed pork into the crock this morning with ginger, garlic, onion, a little honey, soy sauce and chicken stock. And just added some corn starch now to thicken the sauce up. Making rice with veggies in it to serve with it. I would have put some chopped red bell peppers in it too but we are so out of groceries. We went to Sam's today and I am very thankful as we got some things to last for a bit more before we hit the grocery store. We have just been so busy haven't had time to do grocery shopping. Tomorrow Michael has a meeting then we need to drive to a nearby town to pick up some work he is doing. So the day will be pretty much shot with those 2 things. But it will be nice to have a little road trip.

Michael had a meeting today at Borders coffee shop so I went to Michael's Arts and Crafts and Sally's Beauty Supplies which are nearby. I want to dye my hair purple so I went to check out the dyes they have...I found one that really is the color I want. And then another brand that was more pinky then purple. I am going to google reviews on the brands to see what I find about them. But hopefully soon I will have purple hair. I got done with Michael's Arts and Crafts and Sally's before Michael's meeting was done so I grabbed Eat, Pray, Love and camped out in a chair for a while. I really enjoyed what I read.

Going to finish making dinner...the smell is is making me hungry!

Yes we can!

Okay well today did it....I have been kind of holding back my political opinions and choices because I just felt like it is obvious this country needs a serious change and I think most people out there agree with that one. I had been leaning towards Edwards and Obama. But I just have been kind of watching from the sidelines through these primaries but today a friend posted a youtube video and a link to a NY Times article that sent it over for me. I felt that spark of passion and hope that REAL change can happen.

I remember Michael and I watching Obama speak years and years ago and looking at each other after -- inspired and amazed. We didn't like though at that time he stumbled over the words. The words really rocked but they just weren't delivered well. Well I think he has had some practice as watching this youtube video I actually cried. I cried because as I said above hope and passion were sparked in watching him.

So here is Obama's victory speech after the South Carolina primary



And here is an even more passionate article from Caroline Kennedy that had me in tears at the title.

Ending with a little quote from Obama in his victory speech in South Carolina:

"Out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope; and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people in three simple words:

Yes. We. Can."

Book Review: Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Teenagers Bella and Edward are star-crossed lovers because he has is a vampire and she is a human. But they can't fight their attraction. She is like a drug to him. As Eward says to Bella, "Exactly my kind of heroin." The story then unfolds into another vampire becoming fixated on Bella and Edward and his family trying to protect her.

I wasn't going to read it. I knew it was YA and I just thought okay it will be too high schoolish/immature for me to enjoy but after seeing several friends rave about it, I decided to give in. I enjoy vampire books and movies so I am not sure why I held back so long because it was such a good read. I read it 2 times right away. I want to own the series as they will be books I will keep coming back too.

Meyer's made me care about Edward & Bella and every other character in the book. She created an interesting story with compelling characters.

Warning: Have the 2nd book ready to go after reading the first!

View all my reviews.

Gratitude Friday

5 Good Things in my Life...

1. New warm pj bottoms that keep me warm that I got a Kohl's on clearance!
2. Making a friend happy by being able to send a friend something I had just sitting around...that she has wanted and will use.
3. The library having a website to order books online and they will have waiting for me! Easy pick up - especially since I never seem to find things where they are suppose to be in our library. I am anxiously awaiting Eat, Pray, Love and the 2nd book to the Twilight series!
4. For Godiva Chocolate -- Sao Tome Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs - oh yums!
5. Michael always seeming to know what to do when I am overwhelmed and struggling.

I am grateful for each of those things and so much!

Sick of being Sick

Michael just left to go out of town -- without me. Because yes of course...I am sick. I am sure everyone is sick hearing about me being sick but not as sick as me -- feeling this way! I am so sick of being sick! Can I use the word sick anymore in this post?

I have come down with what I think is a cold. It is weird. I feel fine for a little bit and then I feel like I have a full blown cold for the remainder of the day. And then feel fine but exhausted...like the whole process of going from sick to not sick is making me just worn out. And if it seems like I have seen sick all of January..that would be a correct assumption. I get done with one thing and have maybe a day or 2 and then go to the next thing! ugh! So lets hope February ends up being better!

Good Weekend...

We just have had a great weekend. Lots of quality time together. Enjoying each others company. We relaxed a lot...yesterday we watched some movies. One movie was Stardust....we both LOVED it! Today we slept in and then had a great brunch. Oh and Friday evening we had a date and went to our favorite steak house. Anyway I just wanted to remember it so posting this little snippet so I have a reminder.

Twlight

I read Twilight in 2 nights. Probably going to read it again before bringing it back the library. I have the 2nd book ordered from the library's website. But I think it might be a series I would enjoy having to read over and over. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. And I read that there is going to be a movie too.

I am just always pulled into vampire books so easy though. I thought I might have problems because it is aimed for young adults. And I think I was thinking it was going to be to high schoolish for me to get into but I was so wrong. I really just wanted to know what happened next. Vampires do it for me.

Gratitude Friday

With being sick so much lately has been really hard for me to stay positive and see good things in my life so I really need to do this gratitude Friday so that remind myself how lucky I am...

5 Good Things in my Life...
1. Michael and I discussing possibilities for our 5 year anniversary!
2. Being productive and getting lots of work done.
3. Twilight....it is a really good book I am reading right now.
4. Laundry done! I can't stand laundry -- it is probably my least favorite chore.
5. Going on a date tonight with my love Michael! We haven't done something like that in a while so it will be nice to get away from the house together.

Art...

I posted a digital art piece over on my art blog...Bye Bye Blackbird Hello Monday

Migraine Cycle

Michael mentioned that he thought I had a bad migraine cycle like the one I have had this week -- last year about the same time. So I went back into my journals and he was right every year for the last 3 years I have had a week long migraine cycle. Although it doesn't make things better, it was nice to know this happens every year.

It is hard because the cycles always pull me down. And so I have to work hard to not let it totally do me in.

Living with pain....is a phrase I wish I didn't know.

Friday Gratitude

A few good things in my life that I am very thankful for...

* I received 2 packages this week! Thank you Aydeen and Kaylee! They were so wonderful....just like YOU! Thank you!
* Studio looking really good -- organized enough for me to create. I can actually see the table!
* The snow we had this week was so beautiful....it had this very serene feeling
* Food & Wine magazine making me drool with wonderful recipes - a few that I can't wait to try out.
* The crockpot...I love using the crockpot
* Tea with cream
* A friend from high school contacted me and she lives in Colorado too!