The Bouquet

Zinnias & Guacamole

This spring we started to build a flower bed out front. Last fall we received a note from the HOA that our bushes needed to be trimmed. Not taking to this kindly we removed the azaleas and put them out back and installed a lovely black plastic pipe to pull the water away from our foundation. We also managed to acquire a large quantity of dirt which graced our front yard all winter. Back in April we finally got around to building the flower bed to cover the plastic pipe.


Frube prepping the ground (lots of weeds)



In progress, you can see the lovely black plastic pipe & pile-o-dirt. After all the flooding last year we are hoping we won't have any water problems come September.


The finished planter, you can see the 3 pots we installed into the planter. While pressure treated timbers last forever, we didn't want to risk eating those pesticides in the herbs I hope to harvest from the bed.

I planted a variety of zinnias & lavender in the bed itself. I have recently planted rosemary & tomatoes in the 3 pots.



The flowers on Saturday (there are even more today). I had to replant almost every plant because not all the seeds came up and there were weird distributions of plants. The lavender is teeny tiny, hopefully next year they will look better.

On Saturday afternoon Chris was spending some time outside enjoying the weather and our neighbor offered him a plate of handmade goodness (steak, coleslaw, guacamole, pico de gaillo & rice). Since they only speak Spanish & we don't it has been tough have a relationship with them. This was the first time we have ever had any sort of contact in 3 years. So to thank them for the food I picked them a little bouquet. He came over and gave us a 2nd larger plate of food...needless to say, we were stuffed.

Baby Brunhilde Knitted

For years I swore I would not start to knit or crochet. With the sewing, needlework & scrapbook supplies taking up so much time, space and money it seemed like a smart idea. But..I didn't realize...you can knit in the car. I am currently working on Anouk, but I think this might be next project. Source: Craftzine

Chilly Jilly

My office is freezing, like wool sweaters in July cold. Normally I wear a blanket over my shoulders to keep warm...but this is just so much more stylish.

Found at Kenzie Kate

Helvetica: A Documentary Film

Visiting Apartment Therapy I found a movie review of Helvetica a movie about the typeface. As a former marketing coordinator who would ask designers for "friendlier" or "casual" fonts...this movie intrigues me.

The choice of font can add or take away to any marketing piece. A whimsical font can increase the sense of whimsy in a campaign. A serif, typewriter font can add credibility to your copy. I have spent hours choosing new fonts for marketing materials. I am interested to see how this film ties it all up...but personally...I would like to know more about Tahoma.

Clickable

Great article by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post that touches on the concept of the hectic pace of our lives and art outside of the frame - Pearls Before Breakfast

It's Shake & Bake, and I Helped! - Pasta e Fagioli

Every time that I take new cooking adventure I think of the Shake & Bake commercial from the 60's. The little girl proclaims when the meal is served, "It's Shake & Bake, and I helped!". On Friday night I had my first ever experiment with dried beans when I made Pasta e Fagioli with kidney beans.

I found this recipe on Vanesscipes

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Pasta e Fagioli

1 yellow onion, diced
5 cloves of garlic,minced
3 stalks of celery, sliced
2 carrots, diced
olive oil
5 cups of veggie stock
1 1/2 cups of red wine
1 very large (35 oz) can of tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp rosemary
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 (16 oz) bag of dried kidney beans or 3 cans of canned kidney beans*
2 cups elbow macaroni
sploosh of balsamic vinegar
salt, pepper
red pepper flakes
Parmesan cheese, optional

*Cooking dried whole beans produces the best taste but takes the longest. Soak your beans overnight in the fridge (or for at least a few hours) if possible as this cuts down cooking time.
If cooking using a regular cooking method the beans cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
If using a pressure cooker soaked beans take around 15 minutes. Unsoaked beans take about 40 minutes.
If all this is too much work, just use 3 cans of kidney beans, discarding the liquid and rinsing the beans.

Saute onions, garlic, celery and carrots in olive oil for about 5 minutes.

Add the liquids: broth, wine, tomatoes and the herbs: oregano, rosemary, thyme, red pepper and bring to a simmer. Add the beans and cook until beans are soft (see above note for approximate times.)

When the beans are soft, add the macaroni pasta and cook for 10 minutes.
Season with salt, pepper a sploosh of balsamic vinegar.

Serve with grated cheese and more red pepper flakes.

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I wound up soaking my beans for 2 nights since I was too tired to make the dish on Thursday and I didn't do the best job of getting the bean completely soft before I ate the dish (but still tasty). I was out of celery and forgot to add the balsamic vinegar, but a great dish. Definately going on the list.

Here is the photo of my attempt:

The New Do

On Saturday, I finally did the deed and lopped off about 12" of hair. After growing my hair out for the past year it feels very strange not to have it anymore.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

2nd Attempt

Ding! Round 2 of blogging for me. I managed only 1 post on my former blog. I plan on discussing whatever I feel like instead of just focusing on our ongoing renovation.

Look how happy the big dog is in the photo on the left. He has exacted the perfect revenge. He has decided to tear up and lay on our new grass. I guess it is fair since last weekend he got his summer buzz cut (a #2 to be exact). He hated the entire 2 hours...so if destroying a little grass makes him happy...I will let it go.