Desperately Seeking Gina

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Finally came up with something funny {hopefully} to send off to my chemo-friend.  Have y’all heard of Post Randomonium?  It posts funny Facebook statuses.  So, my idea is to copy down the funniest ones onto these American Crafts mini tags and send a couple each week.  I sent along a handy, beribboned jump ring so she can gather them and take them to her chemo appointments.  Hope they bring a smile to her face.   Still seeking fresh, funny ideas!!

Also, forewarning:  if your Facebook status or Twitter updates make me laugh-they’re probably being sent off to Chicago!!  {Don’t worry…I didn’t take credit for any funny business!}

One Woman’s Trash…

…is MOST definitely my new treasure! 

First, I must apologize to my mother for all those years of snubbing yard sale finds in favor of shiny and brand-new-straight-from-the-store.  I’m not sure if it’s my change in tastes or the fact that I’m doling out my own very hard-earned dollars to feed and clothe myself and decorate my home,  but I’m now totally all for scavenging each and every yard sale I come across.

I’ve had an eye out for an old typesetter’s tray for ages and I’ve had lots of luck finding them at the plethora of antique stores and flea markets along Highway 65.  The prices, though, have made me gulp and pass on my lucky finds.  I just can’t justify paying thirty dollars for another thing to add to my already-full craft room.

But for $2?  Yes…yes, I think I can swing that.  Imagine my delight at spotting this from across the yard.  My eyes lit up.  I might have squealed just a bit.  Silently, of course…because one must always put on a game face when you’re about to do the yard sale price haggle.  Except, I’m not much of a haggler, so I usually just dole out what’s asked.  And when the unsuspecting older lady hesitated at asking two bucks, I may have given myself away by flying to the car to grab my purse.  No haggling here.  In fact, I almost felt bad paying just two dollars. 

So now this lovely is  residing in my craft room and is slowly being filled with bits and baubles.  I love it.

What have you scored lately?

Recipe Review: Pita Bread

 I remember watching my maternal grandmother kneading and baking doughs when I was young and I’ve been baking my own bread since I was eighteen or nineteen.  While, I don’t consider myself an expert bread baker, I have tried many different breads, but not pita.  Actually, I didn’t eat much pita preThom so there really wasn’t a reason to make my own.  Since he introduced me to falafels, I find myself eating it more and more.  After having made my own-the store bought stuff doesn’t stand a chance in this household any longer.
Pita couldn’t be any easier.  Seriously.
My first attempt using this recipe didn’t turn out pretty.  Tasted fine, but it just wouldn’t brown up or puff up.  That was probably my fault. Too much flour was definitely the culprit.
My handy-dandy research assistant {aka Thom} found another recipe and video on YouTube.  It seemed pretty straight forward.
And…the verdict?  Success!  Delicious! Easy. Flavorful.  Puffy!  {there was a little puffy pita dancing happening in my kitchen that night, for sure.  No more store-bought pita for this girl {well…after I finish the package I froze just in case these didn’t work out ;)}

On a related note:  you can find the recipe I use for hummus here.
Related note No. 2:  Every time I refer to pita I can’t help think of Peeta from the Hunger Games.  He was a bread baker, too.  I wonder if that’s how the author came up with his name?

Rome, Remembered

Along with my excitement about summer finally rolling along, this time of year also brings with it the awesome memories of my trip to Europe six years ago.  I just can’t help but break out the photo albums and picture disks and take a stroll down memory lane.  Oh, how I wish I could be back there this very moment.

Stroll with me if you’d like!

Read about Paris, Paris, Continued, & Versailles.
And, Rome!
And, Rome Parte Due! {it’s the best, by far!}!

June. Oh, the possibilities!

Doesn’t June just feel lovely?  For me, it is the unofficial beginning of summer.  It is s’mores. It’s warm nights.  It’s bright stars and late bed times.  June is making my way through the work day just to get to the rest of the day; the best  part of the day. Downtime at home, in June,  is bliss.

Happy June, friends!

To celebrate we’re enjoying homemade Pecan Praline ice cream {I forgot to mention that June = ice cream}.

It’s been forever since I’ve picked up the camera and wandered around the house taking random shots.  June is a time for creepy visitors.

It was a lovely first-of-June morning:  cooler than it has been in ages, sleeping in til 9, ice cream making, picture taking, and eventually getting around to readying myself for the day after noon.  Currently it is sprinkling, giving our much-too-dry landscape some lovely nourishment. And, the air right now? You got it.  Lovely.  A wet beginning to June?  A-okay, in my book, because there are twenty-nine other possibilities for  June to be amazing.