Exciting News

Since I haven't been blogging lately (tsk, tsk), I have yet to share with you some really wonderful news. My sister Dana and her husband Allen are expecting a baby in April 2010! I am so thrilled for them and can't wait to meet the little girl/guy. (They're not finding out the sex...no fair!)

Note to self: Must get crafting...

Autumn is truly my favorite time of year. Wool sweaters. Apple cider. Pumpkins. Hay rides. I love it all.

Which is why I've been so very disappointed in how my fall has been going so far. As I'm sure you've noticed, I haven't blogged since the end of August. I know, I know. I hate when people don't blog for over a month, too.

It's just that the last 6-8 weeks have not been great for me. Not terrible...don't worry, nothing bad happened, but not great. I turned 30 at the end of August which I hated every second of. I'm completely fine with it now, but believe you me, I was not a happy camper as that dreaded day loomed. I did have a wonderful time celebrating my big milestone with Tyler (dinner at a fabulous restaurant + a movie) and girlfriends (margaritas and tacos + lively conversation), but the Monday after, I started to feel sick. And I've been sick ever since.

The last six weeks have been nothing but doctors and x-rays and medicine and sleeping and taking time off work and coughing my head off and inhalers and antibiotics and orange juice and...well, you get the picture. Not fun. I honestly haven't done much but be sick. Bummer, eh?

Anyway, I don't mean to complain because there are people out there with serious health issues and way bigger problems than me, but it's been tough on my spirit. I've been feeling really down about it all and haven't felt much like blogging. Who wants to read about someone's life when it mostly consists of tissues and "Law & Order" re-runs?

But, I think I'm on the road to recovery. Still coughing, but not as much. Still feeling tired, but not as much. Ready to jump back into life and enjoy this beautiful time of year.

Autumn, hope you still want me around because I sure would like to hang out!

I know. I know. I've been MIA for a few weeks now. Just been enjoying the summer. Drinking iced tea and tending my garden. Entertaining out-of-town guests and lying out on the beach. Picnic lunches and nights out with friends.

Not to worry, though. The cool air of autumn will be here before I know it. I'll be back to blogging with full force, snuggled under a blanket, a cup of hot tea in my hand.

But in the meantime, I'll be squeezing out every last bit of sunshiney goodness. Hip hip.

Introducing...

I love a good book

Just finished reading "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout. Wow. Such a wonderful book. I loved Strout's style of writing and her fleshed-out characters. Very multi-dimensional and real. I hated to put it down. It was that good.

P.S. It won the Pulitzer. Those people don't lie!

30 to 30

Made another mini-book. This time, to capture the last month of my 20s (yikes...let freaking out commence). Been filling it up with little thoughts I've been having. Things I've been doing. Plans I've been making. Fears I've been trying to quiet. A journal of sorts, but not for the world to see (like this here blog). Just for me.

14 days down...16 to go.

Little Lovelies

Just a quick note to say that I started a new blog...all about design, beauty, and inspiration. Please come visit Little Lovelies!

Bought.
Cut.
Mod Podged.
Dried.
Tied.
Clipped.
Packaged.
Stamped.
Sent.

The Pay It Forward gifts are on their way!

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been a little lonely. Tyler flew to Pennsylvania last Friday and isn't expected back until late Saturday night. I know he's having a really good time visiting his family and yes, I'm happy for him. But is it selfish to want him back all to myself? It's just so darn quiet in the house without him. No one to make dinner for. No one to chat with about the day's goings-on. No one to snuggle with at night. It's just kinda sad.

So, when I saw this tutorial via Elise's blog, I knew I just had to make one for my sweetie. To jot little notes to him. To tell him that I've missed him. That life has gone on this past week without him, but not as happily. That I love him and am glad to have him back. A little present for his return home.

I hope he loves it as much as i loved making it!

Good For The Soul

I had a 4-day "staycation" this past weekend. (It's all the rage, you know!) I puttered around the house, organizing drawers and closets, tossing old food and ratty t-shirts. It felt so cleansing to scrub and straighten. Good for the house and good for the soul. Even spent time in my garden, pulling weeds and deadheading marigolds. Picked handfuls of basil to make pesto. So worth it. Delicious and fragrant. Nutty and salty. A perfect sauce for grilled chicken or fettuccine. I &hearts pesto and I think you will, too.

Classic Pesto
(From Everyday Food: Great Food Fast)

½ cup pine nuts or walnuts
4 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves (2 ounces)
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
coarse salt and ground pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

01) Preheat oven to 350°F.

02) Spread nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until golden and fragrant, tossing once, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to prevent further browning. Let cool completely.

03) In a food processor, combine nuts, basil, cheese, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Process until finely chopped. With machine running, pour oil in a steady stream through the feed tube; process until smooth.