When I'm not studying the corpora quadrigemina...

Okay. It's been a while. I've learned the hard way that anything to do with grad school sucks up any and all of your time. Every moment spent not studying or working on some sort of assignment makes you feel guilty. Really guilty. And I'm not even in grad school yet. (Maggie, how did you do it?!)

These past few months, I have been applying to different schools (a full time job in and of itself!) and taking some intense courses to fill requirements (like neuroanatomy!). Which means that things that bring me simple joys (crafting, cooking, reading, exercising, etc.) have fallen by the wayside. Because, let's face it- stuff like that doesn't get one into grad school, or get a job, or anything that gives the illusion of 'adult productivity'. And that makes me grouchy. And stressed out. And... maybe I've gained a little weight. Well.

It's high time that changed.

I do have a couple projects sort of on the way. I've joined ravelry, as I now know how to crochet (thanks Lindsay!). I have also joined Pinterest, a wonder of wonders for inspiration. I joined a knitting/crochet club. And I'm determined to get myself out of this rut and feel as good as I used to before this stressed kicked in.

Don't get me wrong, though the applications are completed, I'm still biting my nails down to the bones waiting on an answer. And those courses are still ongoing and are tough as ever.

Oh life.

Katelyn

A mother’s love.

Ever make something that you intend to give away as a gift, but you like it so much that you want to keep it?  But the gift has absolutely no validity in your life, so you must give it away?  For me, this was that craft.

I have a lovely friend who is due in about two weeks (!!!!).  Her baby shower was held a few weekends ago, and I was really excited to make something for her and the baby.  I found a quote I loved on Pinterest (ironically, it seemed that about 50% of the gifts from the shower were something I had run across on Pinterest…).  So, I claim no ownership nor originality of the quote, it is not mine!   I knew I wanted to turn it into some type of frameable art, so...

I decided to make my mom proud and design a cross stitch.  It took me quite awhile to do the math and decide how big letters should be, where they should go, how to design it, etc etc etc. 
You will need a cross-stitch canvas (I used 15 stitch/inch), thread, needle and frame.  When it comes down to it, it’s a fairly budget friendly craft, and it only took me about an afternoon from start to finish so it’s easy on the budget and on your schedule.

I tried and tried and tried to sketch a template, but I failed every time.  So I uploaded it as a PDF here.  Hopefully, that way it is viewable in a way that it could be recreated if you feel so inclined to do so.  It’s designed for an 8x 10 frame with 15 stitch cross stitch canvas.

Which brings me to the final product:
 

Aaaand I am so excited to meet this little baby!!  Sharing here, here and here.

Simple DIY Gift

I wanted to start 2012 with a simple DIY idea that requires few materials and just a little bit of time.  I’ve mentioned my friend Michelle before.  She is a creative genius and constantly gives me thoughtful, handmade presents.  So, there is a lot of pressure to return the favor…

Lately, I have seen lots of personalized hangers (they are all over wedding blogs).  I set out to make a personalized hanger, more for decoration and less for hanging clothes (the type of wire I had was a little rough, so not ideal for clothes).  I luckily already had the materials on hand (with the help of my fiancé).  You will need:

--a hanger
--pliers or something to bend wire
--wire (the fiancé had this in the garage.  Next time, I would consider a thinner, easier to bend type)

Use the hanger as a comparison to mold the hanger.

Start shaping the bottom.  I used her name, but I think some type of design would be wonderful as well (next time, I’m thinking tree outlines).

The wire I had wasn’t quite as bendable as I would have hoped, so her name didn’t turn out quite as I had hoped, but I was still pretty happy with the end product.

Perfect as a wall hanging for a closet or bathroom or bedroom or wherever!  I also think it would be a cute wall hanging for dangly earrings.  Michelle is so imaginative, so I’m guessing she’ll put it to some creative use. 

It’s simple, quick, and easy to personalize, making it a wonderful gift.  Some places we like to frequent.

 

 

Hellooooo, 2012.

It was an exciting 2011 for us at The Golden Means.  Katelyn and I actually had the opportunity to meet up (a British Columbia, Canada to Colorado, USA rendezvous is rare, at best).  Our visit was somewhat short, but we did have time to fit in one fantastic craft.  We went to Sippin' n Paintin'.  Perhaps you have heard of similar places, where you attend a class, enjoy a beverage, and an instructor walks you through a painting.  I would encourage everyone to give it a try.  My father, brother, mother and fiancé promised to attend a class with me—pictures to follow, as I can promise the results will be phe.nom.e.nal. 

Admittedly, I kind of fell off the face of the planet for the last four months of 2011.  Life got crazy.  I was finishing a Masters program (yay!) and swamped with my lovely little first graders.  Upon graduating, one of my first thoughts was how excited I was to be able to return to The Golden Means. 

It’s a big year for me!  I’m getting married!!  September!  I’m ridiculously excited to marry the love of my life (and for all of the DIY crafts--centerpieces, invitations and decorations, oh my).  We’re also in the process of looking for our first home, which will probably be one that needs lots of TLC so I’m really excited for the before and after pictures.  And for the first time since I was five years old, I am not a student!  Which is wild, and sad in some ways, but a huge relief to have actual free time again (which really equates to wedding planning and home buying time, but a refreshing change). 

So…2012.  It’s gonna be big.  And I’m so ready.

 

 

This Is Calzone Territory

So… What do you do when you want to impress a boy? You make him food. Tasty foods- foods that will make him associate you with pleasure and satiation.

I think this is especially effective when he eats tasty food of yours while you two are not together. Like making lunch for him to take to work.

Am I right?

Hot pocket of love right there

This works very well in our favor. Not only does he think about you and appreciates your lunches, but while he’s at work he can’t watch you stuffing your own face, getting crumbs in your hair and sauce down your shirt (let’s get real here).

…Doubly so when you can freeze it and then throw it in the oven, while you brush your teeth and beautify in the A.M.

(Assuming you and he wake up in the same household. Boys should not operate stoves or ovens too early in the morning. Let’s face it.)

Or maybe you planned a picnic lunch and are having a difficult time finding portable food that is mess free and delicious enough so that you two can focus on each other instead of the sandwich filling that just fell onto your lap.

This recipe is time consuming but easy, and worth it if you can make enough to freeze. And if you don't make your own dough, it's not even time consuming. Just easy. And that boy will fall hard. For you. Promise. It’s a done deal.

Oh, and please don’t mind the ugly plates. I swear to you that they are not mine.

Calzones (makes 4)

Filling:

¾ cup ricotta cheese

1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, cubed

1 large bunch spinach (fresh)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, white/yellow, minced

½ tsp chili flakes

1 ½ cups button mushrooms, sliced

olive oil, for sautéing & baking

2 vine-ripened tomatoes, diced

Pepperoni, to taste

Pizza crust (Adapted from the Foodie Bride) (or your own pizza dough, cooking time will depend on the dough)

After the dough is ready to be rolled out, sauté all except the cheese. Then mix it all in with the cheeses and spread onto circles of dough, then fold over and pinch the sides shut.

Poke holes in the pocket to let steam escape. Rub pocket generously with olive oil and bake on tinfoil for 20 minutes at 425 degrees, or until golden brown. Flip pocket over and bake for another 10 minutes.

My love... it asploded