Off the radar...

I'm just popping in for a second to post a few random pictures!  Maybe I'll get back to regular blogging soon.  

Me in front of the You Should Be Writing office.

What I wish my apartment looked like.

The boyfriend. :)

What I get to do a lot, but not nearly enough, of.

Delicious creme brulee for dessert.

Something I need.

Something grad school makes me need.

First time at a Mongolian BBQ place.

The best gelato.

Fun reading.

Dessert Stands

Another pinterest-inspired craft project!

What I did with my library books after comps...

I loved the first two so much I had to make two more. :)

And this one's a perfect sewing caddy!

From Fall to Spring...

Isn't it funny how we just sort of skipped winter this year in the South?  I barely had time to transition through my winter crafting phase (knitting and crocheting) before I started getting the urge to begin my spring and summer craft projects.  I always prefer to knit warm, textured things when it's cold and sew with smooth, cool, fresh fabrics when it's hot.  

I've been wanting to try hand quilting for the longest time, so on the last day of Spring Break I pulled an ancient work-in-progress out of the depths of my closet and finally got up the courage to start.

I decided to keep it as simple as possible, so I'm outlining the lover's 'knots' and the setting triangles.  

My stitches aren't completely even, and they're certainly not tiny, but for a first try I'm pretty happy with it!

I also put the final stitches in the blue Churn Dash block and decided on a setting for them.  I really like them on point, and I picked up some white muslin for the setting squares the other day, so hopefully I'll start putting the quilt top together soon!

Cameo Silhouette

I've had cameos on the brain lately, so I decided to stitch one up.  I couldn't find any patterns that were exactly right, so I made my own template!

In process...

Adding a bit of lace...

Finish!  All in one night!  I love it!

Push-up Pops

I've been trying out smoothie recipes lately.  I came across this one on pinterest, and had to try it!  When I was a little girl I used to go visit my grandmother in the lunchroom where she worked, and she always let me have an orange push-up pop out of the freezer.  Such a sweet treat. :)

Yum!

Love the homemade ranch from skinnytaste.com.  Makes me feel so virtuous.  :)

Cooking with Pinterest

I finally put my pinterest to use again last night and used two of the recipes that I've pinned and tried before.  So maybe it doesn't count, but I still store the recipes on pinterest and go back to reference them when necessary.

First, my new favorite.  

I adapted this Melted Fontina recipe from Barefoot Contessa to suit my needs.  Obviously, I don't need a serving for 4-6, so instead, I diced enough fontina into small cubes to fill a small ramekin, then drizzled olive oil, and sprinkled salt and pepper over the top.  I set it under the broiler until it was bubbly and just starting to brown.  Then I popped it in the microwave to keep warm while I toasted the French baguette. You could easily halve or double this recipe depending on the number of guests, and it'll definitely be a crowd pleaser.  :)

Verdict: YUM!!!

While the fontina was melting, I had pasta boiling on the stove and this skinny marinara simmering.  I can't say enough good things about this marinara--it's delicious--and when I'm done eating I feel pleasantly full rather than overstuffed (which is how I usually end meals that involve anything Italian).

Yours in calories,

M.