It's been a busy month or two...

I'm home!!! I have been lazing about the house all day today and will venture out tomorrow. I've sung at the top of my lungs, done dishes, made a dent on the laundry, slept... Good recovery!!! I will post about my travels, but first - a couple things I'd like to share.

Long before I went anywhere, I made fresh rolls and peanut sauce - here they are:

Also, we had a sunny day, which is news. Trust me.

I received my stamp!!!!! I can now stamp things! It says "Professional" and everything.

And, I got a certificate suitable for framing, so I had it framed. It now sits on my desk, which is quite messy.

One evening I was being economical and bought cheese in a big block and used Madeline to shred it. It came out in really pretty curly-ques, so I took a picture.

With help from my friend Firefly, I made the backyard bugs cakes - they're very cute. I forgot to take a picture once they'd been decorated, but it wasn't anything too special, so don't feel bad.

The best part of that baking frenzy (in my opinion) was the cookie cake! I made mousse that was, again in my opinion, heavenly. It was creamy and raspberry-y and mmmmmm....

Then we had another sunny day - again, this is news.

So, there you have it. Some stuff that happened to me. Soon I'll tell you about Vegas and Monterey - both repeat trips, but both FUN!

BIG NEWS!!!! BIG NEWS!!!!

To my many readers in the blogosphere (see, I'm funny! many readers. hah.):

I PASSED THE PE EXAM!!!!

Celebration is in order! You have my full permission to have fun for me this evening and into the weekend! Eat sweets, dance wildly, go on vacation, etc. Such a relief and soooo exciting!

Wa-hoooooo!!!

We've got some catching up to do!

The highlights: I had a birthday and I finally took the PE exam! But rather than bore you with long stories about what I did/did not do during October, I've decided to bore you with pictures!

First up, I made some cards. This was the cutest (in my opinion):

October was notable for the number of sweets I ate (and the tight jeans I have to prove it). Here's a particularly beautiful cupcake, even after I dropped it!

I encountered this surprise on my way to work one morning. Come to think of it, I didn't have any celebratory ice cream, and this guy is worth a sundae, at least!


I cultivated a healthy appreciation of bedhead as well - saves time on grooming. Just kidding, but I did wake up with the best hair I've EVER had:


I decided to eat up food before buying more, so here's a delicious little something I whipped up with baby potatoes, sour cream, broth, chipotle puree and cheese. Yes, it was good.


The cutest part about my birthday? My cupcakes, custom made by Firefly herself! So cute.


The first post-test celebration involved quilt shops and my mom. Very good combination. Here are the patterns and fat eighths I got:


I got a bit of fabric for my stash while I was at it... A couple fat quarters, a couple quarter yard cuts and a couple half yards. All in all, very successful.


So, that was October, as told by 8 photos. Hope you enjoyed!

New 'Puter!

I am the proud owner of a new HP mini. It's cute. It has a substantial hard drive and it's got pearly white little keys. Very fun.

So, one week from now I'll be quietly worrying about my test, because it's one week from tomorrow. It's the final push - and I think I'll work on environmental tonight. It's going to be fine, and I'm just really excited to be done with it! Would you like to hear what I'm going to do when I'm done? Here goes:

• The quilt of Mary Heatherness
• Fix my Monterrey Sweatshirt
• Cover Madeleine (my KitchenAid)
• Learn to play Joplin Rags
• Exercise
• Use up food in my cupboards
• Finish my French quilt
• SCRAPBOOKING!!!
• Keep in touch with friends
• Sew knit clothing
• Make an apron
• Acheive major things on Beatles Rock Band
  
• The cutest ever PJ Pants
• Boozy Cheesecake (Grand Marnier - it bakes out...)
• Walk my Dog
• Ride my bike
• Catch up on House, M.D.
• And more!!!

I'm pretty sure this list will take me quite a while to accomplish, but I will be happy to be trying! But, I suppose I ought to study now so I don't have to do this again in 6 months. So, signing off... MH

A Placeholder Post

I realize this is my second time doing this... but it'll stop soon, I promise. I just want to let you know I'm still here.

I'm studying like mad for the PE exam.

It's on my birthday (October 23) and it occurred to me today that I'm not going to be able to plan a fabulous birthday for myself this year, unless I celebrate a little later. So, I'd now like to open the floor for discussion of when/how I should celebrate this year. I'll be done with the test, and I'm not 30 yet! Both things to celebrate. :)

I'll be back before long.

I made a card!

Well, you may have thought, "MH has forgotten all about her blog". But, it's not entirely true. I got a little bit over busy with work and Relay for Life, but now things are going better - so! This morning before work I made a card to congratulate a coworker on achieving that so-cool engineer status: The PE! (Professional Engineer - I take the test in October. I may whine about the studying required.) Here it is:


I was reading about inchies last night, so I decided to give them a try. My review? They're fun! I think I'll try them again sometime soon. I was in a big hurry, so this isn't anything too special, but it was fun to get back into making something. I plan to do some more soon. Here's the inside, with a fun stamp that was quite appropriate, I think. Also, I liked making it open like a book, even though it was a "landscape" card.

Well, that's it for now - it's been fun to be back!

Off to do Bollyrobics!

Well, my Bollyrobics DVD came, and I've done the armchair preview, so here goes the real thing! I did some crunches on Sunday and my stomach muscles are still sore, which means this could be interesting. I've just realized that the Rhody Run is in less than 5 short weeks, and I've got my work cut out for me if I'm really going to beat last year's time.

I've also got my work cut out for me, studying for the PE exam, but my review materials haven't come yet, so I'm having to content myself with free body diagrams and other basics.