Let the R & R Begin!!

I attached a previous post of my regarding some things on my "to do" list after graduating. That time has finally arrived and I'm getting started!

1. I'm beginning "The Senator's Wife" for the third time, but this time I'll be able to finish it! yay!

2. I received some unexpected help with #2 on the list. The firm I work for has an annual Holiday Wish Drive that involves local businesses and organization donating gifts to be raffled on with all proceeds going to local charities. The event is wonderful, but as you can imagine, more people weren't as liberal with their money this year. I purchased a few $1 dollar tickets to put in the bags with the prizes I liked. One of the prizes was a free manicure/pedicure at a spa in Rittenhouse. AND I WON! I never win, ever! This is the first time I won in 3 years and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm going to try and use it before the New Year.

3. I think Tom and I are going to the movie theatre today to see the new James Bond movie.

#s 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 are next!

Things I want to do immediately after this semester is over:

1. Read books I WANT to read
2. spend a girly day at the salon/spa (I don't usually do this, but feel like I'll be needing one)
3. go to the movie theater - i can't remember when I was last there
4. get involved with environmental initiatives
5. go hiking
6. cook and bake - i want to try new recipes
7. spend time with ivy
8. prepare some homemade gifts for xmas

I'm a Master!!

...in Library Science that is! I successfully completed my Master's degree last night and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning celebrating. It feels SO good to be done and to finally be able to have some free time for myself. It is also a relief to not have to think about the next project, report, and paper to do.

I don't want to get sappy, but I'm really thankful for everyone who has supported me the last two years while I was in the process of achieving my goal. Thank you!!!

Carter Loves Kickball

Thanksgiving and Lots and Lots of Kent

Thanksgiving was spent with my family and friends, enjoying homemade comfort foods and taking a relaxing break from the daily grind. I also got plenty of brother-sister time in, which I was craving for quite awhile. I see Carter about twice a month, but if I go a week or two without seeing him, I get love pains. So, I soaked up as much love, comfort, food, fun, and a few episodes of my favorite show (What Not to Wear) before returning to Philadelphia.

Over Thanksgiving, my Aunt Sue taught my family a very fun game called Kent. It requires 4 players and is best played with either 4 or 6 people. It's an even number game, sorry for those with odd numbered families. However, if you do have an odd number of members in your family, I suggest promoting one person to Judge. A Judge isn't required, but it's a fun way to participate if any sticky situations arise. Below are the rules to the game incase you want to try it out...

Objective 1: Get 4 cards with the same number. So, four 6's, four 7's, four K's, etc. *SUITE DOESN'T MATTER*

Objective 2: Once you have 4-of-a-kind, you have to communicate with your partner, in any way you like, to indicate to them that you have 4-of-a-kind and your partner MUST call KENT for you. *YOU CANNOT CALL KENT FOR YOUR OWN HAND*

Calling Kent is the fun part because you have to not only try complete your own hand, you have to watch or be aware of your partner in order to call KENT. If you figure out your opponents secret signal or you feel that someone else has KENT, you can call it at any time. If you call KENT on an opponent and they do or do not have it, your team will either gain or loose a point. The game is resumed if KENT is falsely called on a partner or opponent.

Examples of secret signals:
Ben and I used animal names and names of the players at the table. For example, "Where is Bailey?" or "Come on Ivy." Ben was much better at using verbal signals as he is more talkative. Another example of communicating to your partner is to use your hands. You can open or close fingers to let your partner know you have KENT. We also started to kick one another under the table, which became very funny in the moment. We ended up rotating around the table to give the game a nice change.

Rules:

1. Everyone has a partner, so if you have a 4 person family, I recommend 2 people on each side of the table. The person directly facing you is your partner.

2. The Dealer gives 4 cards to each player, including Dealer.

3. 4 cards are removed from the deck and placed in the middle. Each play can pick up as many as they wish to help their hand, but you must discard as many are you pick up so you always have 4 cards at all times. Once the cards on the table are no longer useful to anyone, they become DEAD and are pushed to the side.

4. Repeat STEP 3 until someone has KENT.

Wow... I just reread my instructions and although they seem long, it is actually a very fun and simple game to play. If you have children in your family under the age of 12, I recommend playing this game with adults first so you can become comfortable at it before explaining it to children. Children can play, it just takes a bit longer.

Go and play!! :)

The Future of Independent Booksellers

hey - there was a great discussion on philadelphia's public radio station today about the difficulty one independent bookseller is having during these economic times. also, other factors such as library use and changing behaviors in consumer spending are included in this discussion.

have a listen if you are interested!

Comfort Upgrade

Tom and I bought a new couch last weekend. The old one was more like a futon with separated cushions. It was comfortable at first, but it eventually became more uncomfortable with time. As the seasons turned, we began spending more time indoors, on the couch and in the kitchen mostly. Each season has its own perk - being cozy, warm, and comfortable is winter's perk (at least for me!). Anyway, I couldn't imagine surviving another winter with the old couch and thought it was about time for an upgrade. The new couch is very comfortable and adds a punch of colour to compliment the rest of our decor. I love it! And it didn't break the bank and we can add a chase to either end at any time.

It's a Library Thing

Hi - The link below contains before and after pictures of the library collection shift my coworker and I did the other week. It was a huge project that needed attention because I was running out of room for titles that are growing and things really needed to be rearranged. Anyway, I'm very happy it is done, especially before the new year!

(copy and paste in address bar)
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=1AZOWrhy2ZsWUc

Delicious Dishes

I've been snapping some shots of the meals Tom has prepared for us over that last month or two. I do this for two reasons: to work on photographing culinary creations and also to remember what the meals look like for future reference. My effort in the kitchen has been very limited lately, but that will change once I graduate.

Counting Down the Days

My life sort of feels like the movie Groundhog's Day, a repeated cycle of driving, work, driving, school work, dinner, more school work, sleep and repeat. I know I'm repeating this cycle for a reason, mostly for reasons of future prosperity, happiness, and security. BUT it all feels overwhelming at the moment. I keep a list of things I want to do immediately after I'm done with this semester. I think I'll keep my list on this blog and update it as I think of new things.

Things I want to do immediately after this semester is over:
Read books I WANT to read
spend a girly day at the salon/spa (I don't usually do this, but feel like I'll be needing one)
go to the movie theater - i can't remember when I was last there
get involved with environmental initiatives
go hiking
cook and bake - i want to try new recipes
spend time with ivy
prepare some homemade gifts for xmas

... to be continued...

Almost a Master

Obtaining my master's degree is only two short months away, but it feels like it's going to take years to get there. I'm trying my hardest to stay focused while completing assignments and contributing to discussion boards. I keep repeating to myself, "I am almost there, I am almost there..."

a friendly visit

James is Tom's very good friend from South Africa and was in town for business earlier in the week. While he was in the area, he came over twice for dinner. It was such a pleasure to meet him and hear him speak with a SA accent. Also, I was quite pleased with my culinary creation on Monday - stuffed shells. I know it doesn't sound amazing, but anything I make that comes out of the kitchen edible is amazing. This was my second time making this dish from scratch and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. I like to be able to master a dish to the extent I could make it again without following a recipe to the "t."

Anyway, Thomas and I really enjoyed James' company and look forward to visiting him and his wife in their neck of the woods soon in Chicago.

Carved Creations

This is one of my favorite times of the year and Halloween is the icing on the cake during autum... well, at least for me.  Last year's carved creation was a bit dramatic, so I went with a more classic face this year.  I just had fun with the little one; it is something I would have doodled in my notebook in middle or high school.

October Holiday... aka The Best Week Ever!!

This last week has been so enjoyable for Thomas and I because we both had off from work for the entire week!  And we certainly made the most of our time off.  This was my firststaycation and I initially thought that it might be sort of bland, but my preparation paid off.  I made a list of things we wanted to do and places we wanted to go to; all of which was pretty much accomplished.  I am now a big fan of a staycations!

Thomas and I managed to do a lot, including sailing with Ben and Bema, hiking Hawk Mountain with Mom and Carter (on the most beautiful day ever!), picking tomatoes and making soup, visiting the farmer's market for some fresh meat and vegetables, and just enjoying the freedom and randomness that comes with not going to work.  The best part of the week was the weather  - it was just perfect for enjoying October's beautiful colors. 

The pics are not in order, but they document our week pretty well.

we picked enough tomatoes to fill 8 containers this time

Holly w/eyes closed, Monica, and me - before going out

me with our pickins

at the farmer's market - there were two cute older ladies selecting sweets

i don't like soft pretzels, but i do like to watch them being made

a kid's dream...

it was Tom's first time going to this particular farmer's market and this picture displays his great satisfaction of buying lots and lots of MEAT!

the Africa look-a-like rock at the top of Hawk Mountain

Cabela's - this place is WILD, both figuratively and literally

this pic makes me laugh out loud every time... because it's SO my mom!  haha... just kidding!!

my mom and i were joking about making it this year's family xmas card

mom and me

my brother, Carter

taking a rest...

what a momma's boy...  too cute

mmm... yummy cheese and tomato melts

Melissa and Bema

Thomas and me during our braai

steering the boat... 

Kicking off our October holiday

Thomas and I both have off this week from work and we are looking forward to relaxing, taking day trips, and spending time with friends and family.  This afternoon we spent time with our good friends at a local bar/cafe.  It was extra special because our friends from London came across the pond for a visit - it's always nice to see them.  Earlier in the day Thomas and I had a yummy braai with lots of meat!   

Michael and I

Thomas posing with Michael's Detective Constable badge

Michael and Caitlin

Esther and Thomas (I love this photo)

Thomas and I

Mmmmm

Grub is up...

  

Mrs. Bucket is hilarious!

I came across a British tv show called Keeping Up Appearances with a main character named Mrs. Bucket.  The show is a comedy and is continuously funny, mostly because of the little body movements, awkward silences, and blank facial expressions.  I really find it funny because of Mrs. Bucket's nature to be very controlling and a bit paranoid, which is all sparked by her inquisitive mind (more like just really, really nosey).  While I was watching it, I sort of related to her character b/c like Mrs. Bucket, I am really inquisitive (to the point where I gave detective work consideration).  She comes up with the most ridiculous ideas and somehow incorporates her husband in the plan to find out the truth about situations.  I highly recommend tuning it for an episode or two if you like the feel of British comedies and want a good laugh.  

Below is the intro the show.

Baking

i've been in the mood to bake lately. i'm much better at baking than i am at cooking, but i noticed that i tend to bake when the seasons turn like they are now and also to relief stress. so, my first creation this season was a cheesecake. i will admit that it was not the made-from-scratch cheesecake that i wanted to make. it was a box cheesecake that Tom somehow convinced me to make instead for the sake of saving time (we were running a little behind on our errands). anyway, i'm planning on making the "real" cheesecake soon, probably during my week off this month.

In the Country with Ivy and her jewelry

After spending a day with my friends, I drove to Ivy's house in the country to spend the night with Ivy and Mike.  Ivy showed me her new creations - earrings.  I took pictures of each pair to document them for future use.  I really want Ivy to set up an e-shop on etsy.com (hint, hint!!). 

my personal favorite!

i really like these

Marley Cat