Well Hello again!

Okay, Okay, Okay, I know it's been awhile. I can't believe I let so much time pass between entries. like seriously it's been like SIX MONTHS. But on the same note those few months handed me so much to deal with that sitting down at the computer was a challenge, unless I was writing a paper on the theory of Beethoven and Stravinsky for the music class from hell, or about Wuthering Heights or the portrayal of poverty and the poor in A Christmas Carol for Victorian Lit (honestly, my least favorite english class ever! I could complain, but I probably should have done so while it was happening. oh well.)

I am currently on break from school (hallelujah!) and trying to get my house and my life back in order. With christmas came decorations, and I don't know if you know, but I tend to go over board on my decorating for Christmas. My little house could pass as Santa's home in the north pole, (If I had more snow outside) as a result, I am currently undoing all the Christmas and transitioning into Valentines Day. I love christmas. I am crazy about decorating, baking and giving. I love everything about christmas, but I also love Valentines day. Not because I like the commercial nature of the holiday, or the fact that it stands as a reason to spend money on things we don't need for our loved ones, but because Valentines day incorporates 3 (or 4) of my very favorite things ever, pink and red things, hearts, and roses. My house is currently being taken over by all things pink and girly. (photo diary to follow)

Also, I have been crafting. Because I didn't have many decorations for valentines day, I got out my scissors and paper and made some. (photo diary to follow) I have been cutting and glittering and trying my hand at some wonderful things I found on Pinterest (my favorite new place to kill some time) This includes baked marbles, heart garlands, wall art and some other fantastically wonderful crafty endeavors. I will go take pictures and show you all of my wonderful things soon. I promise.

Finally, with the new year comes my attempt at a new me. It is a cycle I always fall into, this time though I have more motivation (My friend is getting married and asked me to be in the wedding!), and hopefully more staying power. I am trying a new healthy eating plan which includes more fruits and veggies, more whole grain and lean meats, and less sugar, less soda, less fat. I have also made a pact with myself, No more mindless munching, or eating when I'm not hungry. This is a serious issue, sometimes when I would get bored, or whatever, I would head for the kitchen. My new idea is to head for my craft room, or for some part of my house I have been neglecting instead of to the kitchen. I cleaned out my cabinets, organized my craft boxes and made some wonderful little trinkets. It is a much healthier way to spend the day, and my cabinets and hips will thank me.

I look forward to the rest of the new year. To whatever 2012 has to offer. I look forward to graduation (YAY!), and to a healthier me. And, you my darlings can look forward to more blog entries, to some bitching and whining and some triumphs, and in the very near future, to a photo diary of how I have kept busy! Here's to a wonderful new year! Cheers!

Photo Diary #1, Daisy, Lilies and other stories.

Hello there. I thought I would post (thanks to a suggestion from Patty) a diary of photos to illustrate my last entry and to just add that little extra touch this blog desires.

Okay everyone, meet Daisy. 

She is finally feeling comfortable in her new home, and sat for a photo shoot recently. lol

This is Daisy
(note the flower (daisy) stickers on her name tag?)

She smiles. Just like my Buck did.

Pretty Girl.

And then I said,
"What are you doing, Daisy?"
I think the look says it all
"Nothin',"
I should have asked what she was up to.

Sometimes she is bashful

and sometimes she is shy.

I went shopping at Ikea recently and of course shopping means photo op. Here are some awesome finds which had I not purposely left my credit card at home would have made their way into my home.

I love this shade of purple, it would look fantastic with my pink duvet.

I saw something similar at anthropologie here and here
together these three would make the lamps in my living room similar enough to be coordinated, but still not matchy-matchy and fabulously vintage and chic. I am dying to buy these.

This lamp looks kind of pink, but was really a pretty
plumy-purple when it wasn't on.
It would go perfectly bedside with those awesome plum sheets.

I LOVE LAMPS!
I was so excited by the selection of lampshades at completely
affordable prices.

uses for twinkle lights?

this is a very pretty graphic painting. I don't think the red
 would match my living room though.

Mother and child.
Such a precious painting.

And I love this.
I would put it over my sofa if there weren't a window there.

CUTE!

I love these candle holders.
(I love all candles and candle holders from Ikea.)

I love these lanterns.
I had never seen them in pink at Ikea before.
(and who doesn't love that price?)

So pretty for my coffee table.

I love this vase.

Finally, here are some pictures of my more successful gardening endeavors. I have been loving these lilies every year for three years now, and am always surprised when they come back. (I've never been good at maintaining plant life, and also they usually get too cold in the winter and die off.)

In the planter, there are yellow lilies and red lilies, I am dying to add some pink lilies.
These were gifts and I am pleased to report that I have managed (somehow)
to keep them alive and happy.

There are currently 7 open yellow lilies, and three about to open.

Only one red lily has opened so far, but there are two
behind this one which are nearly ready to open

I don't recall the name of these, I planted them last year
and they too came back. I don't know if I can say it is my
fantastic gardening skills or chance. I tend towards the latter.

I have tried many times to grow hydrangea.
This time, I put them in planters and they seem to be happy.
Hopefully they are successful this time.
Crossing my fingers that the third time is the charm.

Such pretty pink blooms
this is a wonderful shade of pink.

My driveway.
There are still some weeds that need to be taken care of.
That black walnut tree is so pretty when it is all green.

PINK!!!

The veggies I am putting in my garden.
This year I am growing Corn, Zucchini, Watermelon,
Red and Orange bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and onion.

That red one is about to open.
Lilies are one of my favorite flowers.

These are near the orange flowers I planted last year,
I also planted these last year, and they have happily
come back.

Hello Again... A few updates.

Well hello there. It's been awhile. The semester ended, which as always is a huge relief which offers me the chance to take a nice big deep breath. I am always in need of a break after the semester ends, but I am finally past the time when I am too tired and, frankly, lazy to do much. My house was in serious need of some TLC. My yard was in serious need of TLC (Seriously, there were weeds out there like shoulder height.) and My dog and my own well being were also in need of some TLC.

First off, I should mention that Daisy has finally become comfortable in her new home and no longer goes outside on a 25' lead. She and I have gotten into a routine and have become pretty close, although I could live without the scratching. :| Also, she loves when I do yard work because she doesn't really like to be outside on her own.

My yard is finally getting the attention it deserves and I have some veggies growing. Hopefully I will soon have some veggies to eat. My lilies finally opened, (this is one of the first weeks it hasn't been rainy and cold, and they are a little bit late, but they are opening and add a lovely splash of color.)

I have also gotten my house straightened, though not as well as I would like to have done and will continue to work on that. Housework has lost so much of the enjoyment it once had. I just don't want to do it anymore. Patty and I have been going to the gym EVERY morning and working on making ourselves look and feel better, and I must admit this was much needed, and while there are some mornings when I really don't want to get out of bed and get my butt to the gym, I am overall enjoying not only actually going, but having a companion who keeps me going, as well as the knowledge that someday all of this will pay off and I will be a much happier me. (I try to be happy with what I've got but being healthy will be a better situation all around.)

So here's a run down of my summer.
1. Gym every weekday morning with Patty, and sometimes Emily.
2. Planning a sweet sixteen.
3. Yard Clean-up.
4. House Clean-up.
5. Learn to use\ make Fondant.
6. Sew. (finish fishing vest.)

I think I will start a new blog on creating an awesome sweet sixteen, because I have so many ideas and so much to do and only less than a month to accomplish this. I know this will be perfect and beautiful and I just know I will have enough fodder for an interesting blog.