{what's up then}

Gosh, I've been busy traveling, cooking, baking, and crafting over the past couple of weeks! So I think an update is in order!

(mmmm, so good)

Do you ever crave something that no matter how many times you eat it, it still tastes as good as it did the first time and you want more? Well, that has been me and my new found crowd pleaser. Banana pudding! Whip up the vanilla jello pudding, let it set in the fridge for a half hour, slice up some nanas and there you go. Designing a healthy and delicious treat! Mmmm!

(jack, my boyfriend ;-) )

Jack the kitty sleeping while I finish this punch project... what do you think of the green mani? I LOVE IT! My next project is this crocheted coffee mug holder.

(home sweet home punch project)

Volleyball kicked butt last night, we only won one game out of the three sets but who cares? It's so much fun to hang around with good people that make you laugh harder then you should. =)

Oh and I just got back from five days up in the Boundary Waters. Want a tip? Bring LOTS of bugs spray and I mean LOTS. Those mosquitoes are of the rather venomous "I-want-to-eat-you-up-in-one-sitting" kind of bugs. My legs are still puffy with all the bites. OUCH! Thank goodness for benadryl right before sleep at night. (pictures coming soon!)

(blueberry mead for a nice refreshment)

Oh and I am making this and this for the 4th. Only thing is, I wonder if anything will be open because Minnesota is facing a major state shutdown. Blah. Here we go again!

{volleyball}

Guess what I'm doing which is super fun and exciting? I'm playing on a volleyball team. Yep! First time. Not the best first time but gosh darn it I am going to make them better each time. Practice, practice. It just reminds me of all the cool stuff I'm starting to do now and be apart of. Things I never even imagined I do in the past. Singing in a HUGE 130 voice choir for our cities symphony, playing a great sport, and running around town having a blast doing a bunch of other neat things. Sure makes life exciting!

Are there any new things you have started that you never thought you would but now you enjoy? Tell me about them!

{it was off to the cities with me}

Yep, spent a weekend in the Twin Cities and did some shopping, eating, and sightseeing with my friend Kelly in Shakopee and Watertown. Fun times! Here are some pics!

Stopped off at Chipolte for lunch. Their burritos are the bomb!

Some lovely Cistine art work at a local coffee shop...

The Crow River Coffee Company in Watertown was especially quaint!

Waiting for my vanilla latte!

Some of the store fronts along main street.

Mmmm... jewels and beads and chains of fancy things! Love it!

{SCORE! University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Hockey! }

(these two images borrowed from a good freind)

It's Monday and I am so happy NOT to be at work today. Instead, I get to sit home and do laundry, dishes and bills, oh and shoveling too. (boo) But I thought I'd post some pictures from the other nights hockey game. I really, REALLY like hockey. More then I thought I would, I guess. We had the best seats in the house ( I think) and enjoyed pizza and soda and a couple hand fuls of Milk Duds while we sat high aloft and cheered for my alma mater (one of three university's I've graduated from, lol). YAY! The new Amsoil Arena is just gorgeous! I took this picture off their site...

See all the maroon and gold? That my school's colors. But look at this. Great uh? So UMD was playing against the Wisconsin Badgers and boy was that a rucous team. Laura and I (we were celebrating her 24th birthday) got really into it. All said and done, UMD won 2 to nothing! Awesome game!!

I'm so looking forward to the next game. =) What sort of sports or college teams are popular in your area?

{under the covers}

A cozy day under the covers would feel SO nice. It was so dark and cold this morning while I was getting ready for work that I literally fought the temptation to just crawl back in under my covers and turn off my alarm completely. Mmmm... =)

That brings me to an all important question... for myself. I've been reading all these awesome new years' resolutions. A problem I've had in the past is making a list that I never complete because I make it too hard for myself. So, I guess, what I'm saying, is that I am rather gunshy about even making one for this year. But, then I thought how truly goofy that is so in order to get some ideas off my noggin last night I sat down and wrote just THREE out. That will be ENOUGH I thought, and then I got carried away and made it this big deal all over again. So, here is my very HUGE attempt to make this whole resolution thing a much more carefree aspect of my life... oh and I've decided, that when I am satisfied I could even add one at a time to the list after I have finished one, IF I want too. =) So here goes....=)

1. drink more water (great habit to get into)
2. journal EVERY day, not just whenever.
3. paint my fingernails more often, it's really fun!

There! Oh and my word for the year? This is actually a new concept to me but one I am really liking... I thought and thought about it. What do I want it to be, what can I build on, what will remind me every day to take it to heart. And then it struck me. LOVE. Plain and simple. Loving people, loving myself, loving those dear to my heart, and loving some people back to life through simple things. I'm excited. What's your word for the new year? How are YOU going to make it a tangible reality in your every day life? I'd love to hear your ideas!

{italiano?}

I've been fascinated by languages my entire life. Unfortanetly the knack for learning them doesn't come that easily. I was horrible at it in highschool and thankfully, where I went to school I could take American Sign Language instead. Spanish bore me to tears, Russian felt like a chore and well, Latin although intriguing just reminded me that it truly WAS dead. So long story short, in highschool when I studied opera (yes, I was studying to become an opera singer) I fell in love with Italian. The arias, the passion, the beauty. So tonight, I snuck out to Barnes and Noble and I figured that THIS time I would bite the bullet and go for it. See if I couldn't find a knack for it now... after all these years. And guess what... it's easy. It's beautiful and rolling my "r's", gosh... not bad at all. I guess it goes to show you that you are never too far behind to learn something new. Makes me excited. I'd like to become good at it. Take a class or two and maybe do a bit of traveling to test it out. Until then, here I come YouTube! lol. Oh and Julia Roberts who plays out the life and love of Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love... that girl makes me proud. Learning Italian on the fly in a foreign country. Something should be said about that. Go girl!

In any case, now this part will make me really cool...

Ciao! ;-)

{enjoying good design}

I get really excited about finding new things especially those things that I have had my eye on or even better came at a great price. Being a struggling out of the hole brand new graduate, the student loans can really set you back when it comes to fashion. Thankfully, I had a mother and grandmother who taught me how to decorate, eat and live fashionably on a frugal budget. So I can't wait to share with you my new finds!

Did you know that Michael's carries iPhone cases? Yeah, I didn't. But I have been searching for a neat one for a long time. My sister Ashley found this glittery pink one for more then half the price off of a regular priced one and in my opinion looks better!

Also, Franklin Covey planners. Have you ever been absolutely shocked at the price of just PAPER? Seriously, that is what it is, paper. At Target last night I found this one in the office section and it was again, half off. It is smaller then the large ones of course, but it fits in my purse and won't break my back, which is really nice if you ask me. =)

Lately, I am really crazed about sites like the blog Eat, Drink, Pretty that offer shortcuts or cool stylistic changes to food to make them look more appealing. Who doesn't like a cupcake? Well now you can turn that savory cheddar biscuit into a note worthy bite by spooning the dough into a cupcake liner instead. Sure adds appeal and who doesn't like avoiding the crispy burnt edges on those biscuits that, frankly, if you get a bad one can really turn you off and ruin your palette for the rest of your meal. Ewww!

And... if you really want something to smile about, take a look at this adorable video on Bing. My mom sent it over and honestly, I can't think of anything sweeter. SO if you are like me, someone who occasionally gets sucked up in the drone of everyday's happenings, switch this on. It will pick you up out of a bad mood in no time. Believe me.... =)

And to finish your day off... don't take my advice (bad eating habits today) but this Izze (grapefruits my favorite) and caramel popcorn (college bookstore) hit the spot like I can't even tell you. Hee hee (shhhhh).
Toodles!

{2010 closeout}

A blossoming peony from Laura's Photography

Gosh, what a year. As I was climbing into bed last night my mind became overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised over all the neat experiences and personal growth I have made over the past year. The challenges I have faced, the excitment of pressing on and the hope of a new future! The greatest personal gift I have seen come out of all of this is my quest to become all I can personally be to myself and those I love. That, has happened. And for that, I would say 2010 was a year of great accomplishment in that area for me. I am looking forward to 2011 with all the gusto I can muster. Going ahead with chains loosed, dreams high and a good pair of hiking boots to blaze the trails ahead. Hope you plan on sticking with me!

So these are some of the things I am looking forward to in the new year:

1. A place of my own... I have been searching relentlessly and I know you are out there, somewhere!
2. Decorating my own apartment! You should see all the clippings out I have from every major magazine or online blog source imaginable. It's a shame.... really.... lol!
3. Becoming a absolute rosette cookie maker queen! I bought a set of vintage irons over Ebay and I can't wait to get started!
4. Traveling and doing some sightseeing. I haven't done much of any of that in my 26 years and I am chompin at the bit to get started!
5. Do more cooking and baking and have fun in the kitchen making messes
6. Find my own personal style when it comes to fashion... I'm still struggling with that. I get it RIGHT on and then it fizzles out and I get stuck in the main stream again. NOT particularly fun for me and I'm frustrated but I will find it. I will. Hear me ROAR! lol... oh boy... lol.
7. Every new year I like to change up my blog and do something different. A new theme, style, focus. So get excited about the changes coming up there too!
8. I also look forward to sharing more of my life with you. The every day and not just the every so often big event. I have always had some great ideas for decorating and entertaining that I think would be nice to share and hopefully inspire you for the special occasions in YOUR life.
9. Excitedly waiting the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie coming in May... I just love Johnny Depp in these movies. Who wouldn't like a crazy pirate to hang out with? Come on, you know you would!
10. Plan and organize more Sunday brunches, teas, lunches and dinners... I think there is a way to still have fun and NOT break the bank. I plan on showing you the step-by-step process of stylish and tasty frugal entertainment. It can be done and it get's me excited to share this with you!

But, I have been so inspired by these great ladies and a gentalman of the blog world. I wait excitedly every day to take a peak at what people around the world are coming up with and how I can implement it in my own life. Here's by no means a complete list but just those that I daily look to for inspiration:


Emily over at Cupcakes and Cashmere... that girl has style, whit, and some great sense of self. I love it!

Lisa over at Lisa Leonard Designs... great eye for detail and the best before and after showcases that steal my heart, a wonderful mother and the coolest jewelry around!

Uncle Beefy over at Bedlam of Beefy... has some great entertaining ideas of anyone around!

Heather over at Heather Bullard Designs... really inspires me to look within for my own taste and style and her talents in photography and design are breathtaking!

Naomi at Rockstar Diaries continues to be a daily source of "ooo's" and "awwwwwe's". She has rocked the red lip and I am so excited for their upcoming special bundle of joy!

Jack over at Slightly Off-Center has such great wisdom and timely quotes! I love her polariod pics and her love for her native Nova Scotia!

Jennifer over at Nectar and Light really shakes things up in the photography world. And it's true. Every carefully placed picture and dream is showcased in a light of sweet nectar. Just love her.

Okie dokie folks! That rounds up the most inspirational in my book! See you back next year! Sniff, sniff, if this cold doesn't kill me. =)

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! Got plans? I wanna hear about 'em! Looking forward to rocking in the new year!

Cheers!

Emme

{university of minnesota duluth bulldogs}

I've been adventuring around town and attending some really neat events in my nieghborhood. I live just five minutes away from the University of Minnesota Duluth and lucky for me they have an awesome football field where you can watch the UMD Bulldogs football games live. This one in fact, back just a couple of weeks ago was one that they won, by a long shot. Even more exciting is the fact that they won the National Championship this past weekend (read more about it here).

P.S. It was really, REALLY cold that day. BRRRRrrrrr! Still gives me goosebumps. =)

{a joyful noise}

Choirs are one of my favorite things and being IN a choir is even better! So tonight I am singing in a 20 person choir at the place that I work and I am going to have a blast! I will be singing nine songs tonight with the group:

Carol of the Bells
Huron Carol

Jazz Gloria

Inscription of Hope
Sleigh Ride

Night of Silence

... and a packet of the regulars that we all know like Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and so on. We will be lucky enough to have it recorded and hopefully I can get it to upload onto Blogger for you all to see. Yay! Christmas is officially here for me!  =)

{bentleyville popcorn hut}

Have you ever in your life overdone something then decided that you could NEVER, possibly EVER eat something again? Well, that is what happened to me on Friday night at the Bentleyville popcorn hut where I volunteered for six hours popping and bagging popcorn for the Bentleyville attraction. If you ever get a chance to visit Duluth during the holiday season and check out the lights you will NOT be disappointed. It's breathtaking actually. =) Okay, so when I got home, everything on me smelled like popcorn, even my socks inside my boots!!! My poor jacket which I'll probably have to get dry cleaned smells like popcorn and no manner of airing out will actually take the smell out. ICK! Has anyone had any luck with those dryer sheets that are supposed to act like a special cleaner? Hm. Anyway... above is the pile of popcorn that I was working on. Imagine serving 15,000 people popcorn in six hours? I DID! LOL! (Oh and to get a good idea on size, this is a four foot pile of popcorn bags. FOUR FEET people. ROFL!)

{mmmm... coney dogs!}

Saturday was a busy day!

The Union Gospel Mission was having their annual children's Christmas party and so mom and us girls made cookies for them. Forty plus little gingerbread men, all cheery in their little celophane bags. =) All the little kids were so precious. It just makes me smile knowing that everyone of them had a little cookie and hopefully made their Christmas a little brighter. =)

Then off we went to Coney Island Deluxe on 112 West 1st Street for some to die for coney dogs. Gosh... those things are just way too good to be true. =) Mark, who took our orders allowed me to take some pictures so I could post them for all of you. MMMM! Thank you Mark! =)

Love the old fashioned "70's decor. Even better? They served your coke in an old fashioned tumbler!

The walls have pictures of all the old ore ships that are well known in the Duluth Sea Port. The one above our table was of the infamous Edmund Fitzgerald that sank in November of 1975, taking all 29 men on board.  

The coneys were SO good. The fries were absolutely wonderful! A must go to restuarant for sure. I am looking forward to having a malt next time I go. =)

Salad bar anyone?

Ooooo! The nummy toppings for those coneys!

There's the doggies!

Don't you just love the green?

I think this was a find! In between the flowering cactus in the windowsill and a view outside was this lovely mural in a parking lot just right across the way. I just couldn't keep my eyes off of it. SO lovely and the colors were SO vibrant!

What a great time and thanks to Mark and his team, mom and Ashley and I had a great lunch. Thank you!

{all aglow}

Bentleyville... a tour of lights!



{my aching back...}

So this is what I did for fun two weekends ago. Just look at those piles... unbelievable right? =)

Occupation: Master Leaf Raker

Six hours spent in nature: Priceless

Physical Therapy bill: Ouch

Good for the heart and soul: You betcha

Want to do it again next year: I hope we have moved by then... (that is what I said last year, and the year before and the year before that one. Let's just say I've been saying if for a long time... eleven years actually.)

Just a lot of freakin' leaves!