Reading for Fun

Since my days are no longer filled with professor-mandated reading, I picked up some reading material at the library this weekend. So, working my way blissfully through this stack is what I'll be doing with my evenings this week.

In other news, I got to see a local high school production of Beauty and the Beast last night with my niece. She loved it, and I loved watching her reactions.

Also, husband and I are doing Weight Watchers, and their recipes make me excited about eating healthier. So far, we've eaten lots of deliciousness that is better for us than the junk we were eating.

Have a healthy week filled with the joy of a small child and lots of good reads!

Cough Syrup and Crafting

I spent this weekend taking a couple doses of cough syrup to ward off a cold and spending some time in the aisles of Hobby Lobby. Since Husband had to work all weekend, I had a chance to watch some TV and engage my inner craftiness.

For less than $10, I created unique wall art. And by unique, I mean one-of-a-kind because the only edition is hanging on my wall.

First, I bought a 2-pack of canvases on sale at Hobby Lobby, and then I browsed at Goodwill for an interesting, aged-looking black and white book (preferably a children's dictionary with pictures). If you find one, I'm still interested. That search was a failure, but I did find an atlas from the 1960s, which inspired me to create a map-themed collage.

Next, I tore out map pages that adhered to a similar color scheme. Then, I applied a healthy layer of Mod Podge to the canvas and layered the maps at different angles. I find it helpful to only apply Mod Podge beneath the paper until the first layer dries. For those of you who know me well, or who lived with me during college, you know about my love affair with Mod Podge. It has my whole hearted endorsement for all things crafty.

After the first layer of Mod Podge dried, I used another beloved craft tool, my hot glue gun, to glue the paper around the edges of the canvas. Then, I trimmed the edges with scissors so that the paper just covered the frame of the canvas.

Then, because I love Mod Podge, I applied another thick layer over the top of the maps. And, I used some scrapbook paper to add a catchphrase to my crafty canvas display.

If, like me, you don't have a Cricut, you can always find a boxy font, (to make it easier to cut out the letters) reverse it, and then print your letters. Or if, like me, you forget to reverse the letters, you can just use them to trace your letters on the correct side of the scrapbook paper. I added the words with another healthy coat of Mod Podge, and voila, I have a new addition to the henceforth empty walls of my stairwell.

Happenings Around Here

There have been some big developments around here:

1. I joined Pinterest as my graduation present to myself where I have found several brilliant ideas, including my new favorite cookies.

2. I received an iPhone for Christmas. Siri is a fairly impressive personal assistant, although she has punctuation issues and sometimes gives Husband attitude when he asks "arbitrary" questions. Some favorite apps include Angry Birds (yes, I have bought into the hype) Words with Friends, the Reminders that I can set to go off when I arrive at a location, and the photos in this post are courtesy of my newest app, Instagram.

3. We got a piano, which Husband has been playing faithfully for hours each evening since it was delivered on Tuesday. I need to rearrange the pictures hanging above it, so don't judge.

I'm looking forward to a fun and relaxing weekend! I hope your Friday is a great end to the work week and an auspicious beginning to the weekend.

That Much Closer to Thinking of Myself as an Adult

Happy belated New Year! I'm making my way back into the blogosphere as I take the next step in my gradual transition into adulthood. I've decided that it's easier to take one step at a time. Here's what my adult milestones have been thus far:

In 2009, I earned a Bachelor's degree. In 2010, I got married, which is a lifelong commitment and thus to be taken seriously, but in many ways it's a super fun perpetual adventure that includes living with your best friend and having someone to come home to every night. The latest event is my graduation with a Master's degree (2011) and beginning to work full time.

As long as I was balancing work and school, there were vestiges of college life (read: late nights studying, attending class, and homework) that postponed the feeling that I was really grown up. There are definitely milestones that I haven't reached yet, (like home ownership and having a kid) but working full time seems like a significant step toward my tenuous claim on being an adult.

So, forgive my continued absence from the blogging world as I adjust to the exhaustion of sitting at a desk all day. I've been told I'll adjust to it and someday have more energy in the evenings, so here's to hoping that's true and I can devote some time to writing on here!

On another note, (pun intended) Husband and I bought a piano today. We both used Christmas money to make purchases to further our careers: he got a piano, and I got some new work clothes. Expect a future post with pictures of our new musical addition!

In the meantime, have a blessed weekend and productive week.

Merry Christmas, 2011!

Well, hello blogging world. It's nice to be back, and hopefully I can write on here a bit more consistently now that all my writerly attention won't be directed toward term papers. On that note, I am a Master of English and American Literature. Feel free to pose questions to test my newly recognized expertise, and I will feel free to plead ignorance if necessary.

Last night we began celebrating Christmas with Sam's family, and we have already been exceptionally blessed with wonderful presents, delicious food, and time with people we love. Some highlights include a book-paper wreath and magnetic memo board from my sister-in-law and a beautiful fluted pie plate from my mother-in-law.

Maybe after all the gifts have been exchanged I can post some of the craftiness that has been going on around here.

We're looking forward to more time with extended family over the next week and further gift exchanges. Also, at the moment, I'm craving a Market Street cheese ball. Hint, hint, Mom.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Best Husband Ever

This is an older picture of us, but I'm feeling nostalgic, and it's still one of my favorites.

I'm temporarily breaking my blogging hiatus to brag on my husband. He wakes up early, works hard, and is so good at his job. October is the month when orchestra wives become "orchestra widows" according to another director friend because there is an audition or recording session almost every Saturday.

In spite of the craziness at work, (which he takes in stride because he loves his job) he got up early this morning to surprise me with my current favorite drink from Starbuck's. He also made secret plans to celebrate this weekend and he's been teasing me by singing a little made-up tune about how "There are plans for your birthday" for a couple weeks. He knows the anticipation of an event is one of the best parts, (in my opinion) so he took care to let me know that plans are in place even though he wants to surprise me.

Well, first surprise accomplished. Starbuck's sets apart a day as special, and having it delivered while I was still dozing marked this day as fantastic. (Side note: Starbuck's has never been part of my daily routine, but my Dad delivered whatever my current drink of choice was on every birthday in high school. Then I continued the tradition by refusing to brew my own coffee on my birthday in college, and the sweet Starbuck's memories extend to my wedding day when I downed a grande cinnamon dolce latte while having my hair done. See, fancy coffee makes me nostalgic.)

The small gesture (not so small, since it involved sacrificing sleep) also reminded me what a thoughtful and loving man I married. And now you know, too. If anyone deigns to check my dormant blog. :)

I'll be back in December with a new diploma and hopefully lots to write about.

Notification

Maybe someday when I'm not a full time graduate student working 20 hours a week, I'll have something interesting to say and time to type it. Until then, I'm going to continue my blogging hiatus. Consider yourself notified.