Mini-Book of Leyla

My lastest crafty project: A mini-wooden photo book for Anissa & Ariel filled with pictures of my niece Leyla. I've had more enjoyment putting this book together than anything as of late. Of course, its easy to pour over the absolutely adorable Leyla for days. Below are lots of pics of the process, from beginning to end. The wooden "open" album is from KaiserScrapbook's 'beyond the page' line. I think my mom brought the book home from a convention.

My Space

I have a project to post soon, but it needs to arrive at its recipient's home first. In the meantime, I'm trying to carve out a little crafty corner in the front room. Cluttered at the moment, but localized, and so more organized than yesterday. I seem to remember Ikea having wire ropes for curtains or to hang photos. I threw these wires up in 5 minutes flat with tiny nails. Its not a "finished" look, but works for me.

Flowers? Yeah, the pink ones.

I've realized this year that I know the names of very few flowers. Lilies, daisies, roses, tulips... that's about it. Many a beautiful flower has been planted around the house this spring by our friends upstairs but I know none of them from each other. In the back yard we've got these "pinkies" sticking out over the fence from next door...

High Ceilings

Another gray day. What to do. Long for the light in this home (from Design*Sponge):

Admire Seamripper's illustrations and listen to Prince funk it up: new song on the jukebox.

Boston Brownstones

Boston Brownstones, Taken 5/21/08.

Budweiser Sign at Fenway, 5/21/08. (Another photomerge on photoshop).

Siesta Bay

When can I retire? A few more FL pics: Morning, 5/26/08.
Afternoon Sun, 5/27/08.
Front Porch.

What Summers are Supposed to be Like

Somehow, I awoke this morning without a hangover. Last night was a late night out with friends and a visit to our local bar, which we've named "Suzie Q's," despite its being called A & E Pub or something boring like that. Isn't "Suzie Q's" a great name for a bar? Maybe when I open one up...

We've officially been in Providence for one year today. Cheers to our one-year anniversary with Providence. Without realizing the occasion, Chris & I celebrated today by further exploring our new hometown. What a perfect day -- beautiful weather while at Lincoln Woods State Park, the Mets look great tonight, and I've been playing with paint all evening. I expect lightning to hit the house any minute.

Chris' comment for the day: "At least there's not too much
'nature' here. I can handle this." City boys are funny.

What a Lift

Westchester, NY
Originally uploaded by Christopher McLallen

I love this photo (taken by Christopher McLallen), found through sfgirlbybay.

Nice-to-look-at Land of Warmth

Siesta Bay Pond, Fort Myers, FL. 5/29/08.

This va-cay was exactly what a va-cay should be (but rarely is) -- actually relaxing. Mmmmm.

Fenway Goodness

Fenway Park, Boston, MA. May 21, 2008.

Roasting Peppers

Scheduled Post: I picked up a giant bag of fresh peppers for $1.20 the other day. Roasting them is the best way to get through peppers, even burn-your-ass-peppers.
Gloss those babies up with a bit of vegetable oil (olive oil has too low of a smoke temp.):

Roast at 450F on a tray or roasting pan for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them...flip them over when they start to blister (I'm not a big fan of the charred/black peppers). Roast for 5 min. on the other side as well:
People go different ways on this next step, but I threw the peppers in a paper bag (closed & sealed) for about 10 min. to steam them & loosen up the skins. By then, they've cooled and you can roll them a bit on the cutting board, cut around the tops to pull out the seeds, core, & stem. Rolling them a bit will help loosen the skin, so that you can peel off part of the skins (including the burned sections). It won't be perfect and keeping some of the skins will help keep the smokey flavor.It turns out that these little red guys will burn your eyes & throat. I kept them separate & saved them for Chris. The rest went on the pizza (with mushrooms & onions) for dinner.

Breathing Easier

...because the end is near. RedSox game at Fenway tonight & tomorrow we're heading to FL, to visit my still-very young parents and to chill with the elderly. Given the brutally exhausting character of this semester, Sanibel & the AARP could not be a more perfect balm. Thank goodness for vay-cay.

oh that great horizon... Sanibel Island, taken 3/10/07.