Josie and I went on a shopping extravaganza at Super Target today (last grocery shop while pregnant, I hope??). I felt like I needed a treat afterward, so we stopped at the in-store Starbucks for a strawberry frappuccino. The girl working offered to put the leftover little bit into a teeny tiny cup with a […]

Our two outdoor adventurers:

Here’s another once in a blue moon post. Our household has been very busy getting ready for Josie’s little sister to make an appearance mid May (wow!) — AND getting the house ready to sell soon. Hope your spring is full of wonderful things, too!

. . . at least, I hope it is.
I miss my feeble attempts at regular blogging, but I’ve been spending my time on other things these days (playing with baby, gardening, part-time working, a wee bit of crafting). So, until the inspiration and free time return, I’ll try to pop in and at least show […]

by uffda2ya
My little brother returned from a year in Iraq last week. Welcome home Nate! We missed you SO much! Needless to say, we’re all breathing much easier now that he’s back in the U.S. safe and sound.
My other brother Ted is studying abroad in Australia this semester, but he’ll be home soon […]

I’ve been tagged. (Thanks, Jeni!) And since I seem to be at a loss for words lately, I thought I’d go ahead and play. 

four jobs i’ve had in my life:
- Camp Counselor
- WalMart Cashier
- Book Editor
- Website Editor
four movies i can watch o’er and o’er:
- When Harry Met Sally
- Magnolia
- Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet
- Center Stage
four […]

Can’t get enough of Project Runway. I am so glad that season 2 is in full swing!
Santino has been cracking me up with his whole “inspired genius” personna. I kept having this nagging feeling that he reminded me of someone… and then when he wore his shiny black shirt it hit me: General Zod from […]

Meet my newest neice and nephew! My sister-in-law just brought the most adorable twins into the world this past Monday, and Kate and I got to meet them Wednesday night. Here I am holding Sabina Marie, and Kate is holding Kai Samson.

They were born only a few weeks early at 6 lb, 7 oz, and […]

I picked up the premiere issue of a new craft magazine today. My two first impressions are (1) I like it, and (2) whoa, this must be sponsored by Hancock Fabrics. For some reason #2 is a bit of a bummer, but that’s mostly just because I have yet to find an HF store where […]

We watched Alton Brown’s episode about avocados the other day on the Food Network in which he makes avocado butter, frosting, and ice cream. Kate happens to be an ice cream guru (his specialty is homemade green tea ice cream), so he decided to give the ice cream a whirl. Here it is with chocolate […]

I spotted this meme on Larissa’s blog. I thought it was a lot of fun. You google “Yourname needs” and list 10.
1. Jena needs some decent pure java.
2. Jena needs prompt treatment. Important assessments have been made.
3. Jena needs to place a Mary Kay order this month.
4. I don’t think Jena needs […]

You Are Likely a First Born

At your darkest moments, you feel guilty.
At work and school, you do best when you’re researching.
When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often.
In friendship, you are considerate and compromising.
Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking.
You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, […]

After being moved 3 times in as many years, our poor piano finally got a proper tuning this morning. I’d forgotten how cool it is to see the whole instrument opened up like that.
I bought the piano from a co-worker of my mom who was moving and didn’t want to deal with the big, […]

Well, sort of. I don’t want to spoil anything for those who may not have seen the latest Lost episode yet, but did you notice the MacGyverish use of a knitting needle by Dr. Jack? Whoa.
So someone on the plane was a knitter, evidently. Wonder if there were any more needles or yarn recovered. […]

I know I’m behind the times, but I just got the opportunity to finally see Finding Neverland on DVD this weekend. What a beautiful film! The story is sad, thoughtful, and hopeful all at once. Definitely check it out if you’re in the mood for something quiet and enchanting.
I’m surprised it took me so long […]

I’m still a tad groggy from a very long — and very wonderful — weekend spent celebrating my little brother’s wedding! The reception was held at my parents’ house, so I’ve been pretty absorbed in various projects and other preparations for the past few weeks.
The ceremony was especially touching. My brother’s new bride has two […]

I can’t help but love the Oscars. I love movies and I love all of the glitz and glamour. I thought Chris Rock made a mighty fine host this year. The tone of his opening monologue was a bit tense and awkward in some moments — not bad, just not necessarily Oscar-worthy in my opinion […]

This spam subject line cracked me up today:
“[Product Name] reduces acid by blocking your stomach’s acid-producing mechanism sensuality”
Who knew that sensuality could be an adverb?

11 weeks until cruise time! I bounced up and down in my seat this morning after counting up the days. Woo! Excited!
Then… holy crap, only 11 weeks until I’m supposed to be able to fit into my swimsuit and formal attire. Alarm! How in the world is that ever going to happen?! In addition to […]

I went to visit Jeni yesterday. She’s expecting the arrival of her new bambino Noah very soon — so exciting! I can’t wait to meet him, but I must confess that I’m hoping he’ll wait until AFTER his baby shower next weekend.
Visiting Jeni means I also got to spend time with her cutie pie daughter […]

Just a few random goings-on…
Stash Busting
I spent a looong evening yesterday posting some of my craft stash on eBay. I have at least one more batch of items to post today or tomorrow, also. Why does this process always take so much longer than I expect it to? It’s annoying, but also worth it.
So […]

Nicole just tagged me to answer the music survey that’s making the rounds. Interesting timing for this as I realize I’ve been out of touch with my musical self lately. My main music-listening time has usually been in the car, but 2004 found me listening almost exclusively to NPR instead. Time to get back into […]

Anyone out there considering the new Debbie Bliss club? Works out to just over $50 for U.S. residents. Debbie Bliss is one of my favorites, but I’m feeling too thrifty to give this a try right now. (Plus, I can’t really picture myself as the beret-wearing type — which is the project kit that’s included […]

Since I’ve been spending so much time lately NOT blogging, you must be thinking that I’ve been busy being productive in some other area of life. You would be wrong. Life is prettty much puttering along as usual around here.
My current knitting projects are
1. Stalling some more before again attempting the turtleneck on Kate’s “Stevie” […]

And now for something completely silly…
http://thefifthdistrict.com/potter/
Sing it: “Potter, Potter, Potter, Potter… Weasly, Weasly…”

Not sure why I’ve clammed up on my blogging so far this year. Maybe a little reflection on the past year and some new goals will get me moving again.
2004 Accomplishments
1. Learned to knit - hooray!
2. Knitting firsts: first sweater, color changes, cables, knitting in the round, and felting
3. Helped teach a few other new […]

Christmas 2004 was a winner! Kate and I got to spend two full days visiting our families, opening gifts, and indulging in good food. To top it all off, we even got to have a white Christmas this year. What could be better?
As usual, I was spoiled by many great gifts . . . but […]

While I’m making all sorts of lists, I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon and put together a 100 Things About Me list, too. So, here goes . . .
1. Until I went to college, most of my friends and family referred to me as Jenny or Jen — short for Jenaffer.
2. I made […]

Have you tried any of the new Crest Toothpaste Flavors? Not wanting to get stuck with a whole tube of yucky toothpaste, I’d resisted giving any of them a try. But I happened to find a sampler pack of four mini tubes at the grocery store.
I probably wouldn’t go for the Citrus (too fruity […]

Of course, I already knew that Nicole was the best secret pal (SKP2) in all the land — but she really made my day by sending me a surprise thank-you package of goodies. Wanna see?

I really wish that you could smell the amazing Ginger Orange Bath Milk pouches in that little bag. They’re like tea […]

I’m excited for Thanksgiving! I’ll get to meet my brother’s fiance, do lots of baking, play games, and get time away from work. And on top of all that, Friday is Kate’s birthday — which is nice timing because it ensures that he’ll have a special dinner to look forward to that does NOT revolve […]