Apron

Sometimes I feel like I have hit cruise control on my life and I'm not doing a lot of growing. That is how I feel about now, which might explain all my recent exercise, sewing, and cooking adventures. A few weeks ago I decided that I need to cultivate some new talents. So I decided on a sewing project. The only things I have sewn before were for my hedgehog. I miss that little Lola bean. I made her bedding and little sleeping bags. They started out a little deformed, but gradually improved until her sleeping bags were adorable. This time I decided to try something a little more daring, something with a (gasp) pattern. And so one bright and cold afternoon I headed to Joann Fabric and purchased two contrasting colors to start on a little half apron - perfect for making grilled cheese.
This was the first time I have made pockets, scallops, anything reversible, or gathering. It was also the first time using Jacy's sewing machine instead of my mom's. And it was my first time using a pattern. A lot of firsts went into this little apron.
And here it is! I think it turned out quite lovely.My camera can't handle indoor lighting - especially fluorescent lights - so everything has a very bright orange hue - so I played with the settings a little bit - that's why they look a little interesting. So there it is - Julianne's first homemade apron. I even matched the stitching (for most people I guess that would be assumed, I will go ahead and point it out).

Cold

Right now, it is just bitter cold in Boston. Bitter cold. Six degrees this morning, that is 26 degrees below freezing. Going outside feels more akin to jumping in an ice bath. The cold goes through all my clothes and skin, and settles into my bones. Brrrrr.
I miss you California!

Laduree

The first week of December, my mom (and Jan) flew out and we took the train to NYC! Wee! Christmas in New York! We stayed in Time's Square, went to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, The NYC Ballet of The Nutcracker, The Museum of Natural History, shopping, a little more shopping, eating, and... Laduree! It was so nice to see those fluorescent macarons sitting on my hotel dresser, just like times of yore. You better believe I ate them up without any hesitation at all! Mom and Jan tried to muster up the self discipline to bring some home. I can't say either of them succeeded, however.

10 Days

Last Sunday, I decided it would be swell to wake up early on Monday morning before work (not a difficult feat as I work at 10:30) and go for a brisk run. Fearing winter is closing in on me, I want to enjoy the outside as much as I can. Additionally, I plan on hibernating the entire winter so I thought I should lose a few pounds before I embarked on my hibernation adventure of eating everything I could then sleeping for 12 hours - under lots and lots of down blankets.
Well Monday morning arrives, my alarm clock sounds loudly, and I just stare at it for a moment. Then turn it off. And lay in bed. Watching the sunlight make pretty designs on the wall. I did not go running. Far from it. I didn't even go back to sleep. I hit a new peak of laziness, and actually just laid in bed. Something had to be done. I was clearly getting out of hand. This was not the ambitious person I always wanted to be. Midway through work, a thought struck me. I remember a talk (or something similar) about a man who was in medical school (I think) and he was having problems being dedicated and following through. So he gave up sugar. He found that by denying sugar, he learned to focus more and became more disciplined. He also found that he could change his habits easier this way. I may have made this story up. I don't know. I can't find it anywhere.
But the moral of my story was that I was seriously lacking in self discipline and needed some help. I needed to change a habit I have been forming (excessive laziness) and correct it with some serious self discipline. I have never met a more dessert happy person than myself. So I decided to go 10 days without partaking of any deliciously sweetened substance. No sugar - for 10 days.
Day 1 and 2 went okay. Nothing to brag about. I love, love, love having sweets. So it was quite a difference for me to not have a snack after dinner. And before dinner. And after lunch. And for breakfast. And late at night. And when I'm on the phone. Or the computer. I went to FHE- and they had Marshmallow fluff and Nutella sandwiches. First of all, REALLY? Second of all, there was not a single item there I could partake of. And it was lamesauce.
I'm on day 7, with 3 days to go. Here are some thing that have nearly broken me: Pumpkin pie! Milk Duds after Institute. A pound of dark chocolate. And oh, yea. The fact that it is Halloween!! I did not even think about that as I made my firm resolution. And yet, here I am. During Halloween weekend - sugar free! Eeeep! If that isn't scary, I don't know what is.
But there have been a lot of benefits as well. One, I'm learning that I can do it. I haven't had a single treat. Not a single one, in over a week now (by like an hour). Two. I did go running on Tuesday. And Wednesday. And Thursday. And I took a cue from Erika and started a Jillian Michaels work-out dvd. And I'm sure my teeth are healthier! ;)
I am really looking forward to Wednesday night though! When my flight lands in Salt Lake City, all bets are off and a delightful pumpkin shake will be mine. Second thing, it also snowed - twice. This is my not amused face whilst on the T trying to go to Stake Conference this weekend.

Longfellow

I love Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I just think he is the cat's meow. About a year ago, I read a book entitled The Dante Club, and I really enjoyed it. I found it at The Goodwill for like $.50. I really liked The Divine Comedy and it was set in Boston, so I thought this would be a good fit for me. Well, oddly enough, it wasn't the Dante nor the Boston that was most intriguing for me. The most fascinating aspect of the book was the profile of Longfellow; it has a wonderful portrait of Longfellow enveloped within its pages. The story was predominately cast in Cambridge, with a large portion happening inside the Longfellow study. It showcased the poet's affection towards his children, especially his daughters, the pain of losing his wife, and the joy he found in writing poetry.
When I looked up the address for the church building in Cambridge, I thought it was a fluke. It was located on Longfellow Park. But upon arrival, I saw the yellow house so ardently described in the pages I had read. For several weeks, I walked past the house, and walked through the gardens, but never ventured inside. I finally went for an official tour on Thursday, and it was so interesting. And that Longfellow Park? Donated by Longfellow to the city of Cambridge upon his death so the house could always have an unobstructed view of the Charles.