Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Snow White and her seven blogging dwarfs (Typey, Techy, Clicky, Sassy, Blogger, Ping and Posted).

Thursday Thirteen #7 - In My Kitchen

I baked a pumpkin pie last night and I was reminded of all of the things that I love in my kitchen. Here are my thirteen favorite Kitchen Items. 1. My KitchenAid Mixer. This baby made me understand why guys like cars so much. Hearing that engine makes you want to jump for joy. 2. My pink silicon spooncula. It gets practically all of your cake batter out of your bowl. 3. Disposable pastry bags - whoever invented these was a genius. 4. My martini glass shaped cookie cutter. It isn’t the most practical cookie cutter, but it sure is fun. 5. Neon food coloring. I just love color. 6. Fiesta ware – It is microwave AND oven safe. The jumbo mugs are perfect for individual soufflés. 7. Orka oven mitt – No one wants to burn their hand and we all know how accident prone I am. 8. My authentic Pat O’Brien’s hurricane glasses from New Orleans. I couldn’t believe the glasses all survived the plane trip home. They were probably in better shape than I was. 9. My Smores maker that doubles as a fondue pot – it is a party waiting to happen. Sarah and Beth give the best gifts. 10. The huge Tupperware bowl that is the perfect storage container for cakes when flipped upside down. 11. A chef’s knife. It makes all the difference in the world when trying to slice a whole pineapple. 12. My pink apron. 13. The fridge, need I say more?

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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My Knitting Nightmare

So I decided that I my domestic goddess status wouldn’t be official until I had mastered the art of knitting. I am a pretty crafty person and I thought that this was going to be pretty easy.

Over the last couple of weeks, I patiently assemble everything that I needed to get started. I began with this winter knits kit that ended up being more frustrating than anything else. The “25 patterns, guide to basic techniques and everything need to complete one small project” turned out to be everything I needed to accomplish nothing at all.

Still determined, I went back and found a “knitting handbook.” As detailed as the directions looked, I still couldn’t make it work.

Two books and eight Web sites later, I have managed to put together about four rows of something that resembles a knit. I am pretty sure that I am still not knitting correctly, but I have to admit that I am rather proud of what I have accomplished. It is definitely a sign of progress and at this point, I will take anything I can get!

So if anyone has any helpful knitting hints, I am in desperate need!

When I Grow Up

Last Saturday, I went with Van to a dinner party hosted by his project manager, Mike. This was the first time I was being introduced to Van's co-workers and I wasn't sure what to expect.

We had an excellent time and spent the night eating, drinking great wine, and laughing. Carol and Mike love to travel and they shared some of their adventures. We even watched a video of them white water rafting in Africa a couple of years ago.

The video was fabulous. It was amazing watching two take on level five rapids as their raft literally disappeared in the rapids. Carol said that even their kids couldn’t believe that they did it.

Meeting Mike and Carol really made me want to have those kinds of adventures when I grow up. When I am fifty, I want to have the guts to take on the rapids. I want to travel around the world and have fascinating stories to share.

Thursday Thirteen #6 - Halloween

Thirteen things that I need to do before Halloween. 1. Carve my Jack O’Lantern. 2. Pick out a Halloween costume. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. 3. Buy candy – mostly for myself. 4. Brush off my broom and cauldron. I really am a witch, just ask Van. 5. Try to avoid spiders, bats and other creepy, crawly things. 6. Get a mini pumpkin for my desk at work. 7. Make Great Pumpkin Cookies and decorate them like Jack O’ Lanterns. It’s a family tradition. 8. Attend a Halloween party. 9. Send ‘boo-grams’ to my friends. 10. Watch a scary movie. 11. Make sure there aren’t any ghosts in my apartment. 12. Have a caramel apple. 13. Build some courage - I scare easily.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Sunny Sunday

I am sitting at the computer looking outside at the beautiful weather. It is a perfect fall day. Today is very optimistic way to begin a new week.

I think that everyone has those days or weeks that they are glad to leave behind. Last week was one of those weeks. While the week was filled with some great memories like being in New York, they were over-shadowed by the grim realities of life.

My boyfriend, unfortunately, had the worst of the bad news. His close friend was killed in Iraq on Wednesday. As much as you understand the realities of war, you never expect that it will be your friend who doesn't come back.

Van is keeping it together, he has always been the rock among his group of friends, but everyone is devastated. While I only knew Shane through the stories that Van shared, it is impossible not to grieve over the loss of someone with so much life yet to live.

There still plenty of rough days ahead, but it is reassuring to know that eventually the sun will come out.


To read the Times Dispatch story, click here.

Thursday Thirteen #5 - New York City

I just returned home from a trip to New York for work. We didn't have much time for fun, but I was reminded of thirteen things that I love about New York City 1. The cabs are so much cheaper than in DC. The meter system is so much better than "zones." 2. All public places are smoke free. 3. Things are always open. 4. There are amazing restaurants. 5. Dylan's Candy Bar. 6. Serendipity. 7. Spending time with my friends. 8. Every time I visit the City I experience something new. 9. The City is only a few hours away. 10. Visiting New York makes me appreciate the cleanliness of our Metro. 11. Shopping - I was really good this trip, but like I said I didn't have much time for fun. 12. You run into so many different types of people. 13. I love exploring all of the different neighborhoods.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #4 - Excuses

Thirteen Reasons I Have Been a Delinquent Blogger 1. My friends were in town last weekend. 2. Work has been super stressful lately. 3. I have been exhausted in the evenings. 4. My boyfriend was sick. 5. I am now sick. 6. I didn't know what to write about. 7. Procrastination. 8. Procrastination. 9. There haven't been enough hours in the day. 10. The food network is just so darn interesting. 11. My computer is possessed. 12. I decided to sleep instead. 13. I just needed a vacation.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants