I'm kinda getting really excited!

When you work in the library of a public school, during the summer it turns into a ghost town. No teachers, No students, No administrators... Just a handful of custodians and office secretaries.

My summer consists of working the months of June & August, and having the month of July off.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the students and the teachers are great. They all keep me on my toes. But it is also a nice reprieve to have quiet and order in a library for a change. You wouldn't think that a library\media center would be loud and chaotic... but IT IS!

I am antsy just thinking about what my days\weeks will consist of come June 4th....

1. Loud(er) music from Pandora.com (no hushed tunes so kids wont get distracted, as if!)

2. LCD projector + big screen = movie days! (cause you can still work and watch movies at the same time!)

2.5 *Added movie bonus*... If I'm watching documentaries (which i love) no one can accuse me of wasting time. They are educational. der!

3. Breakfast on Wednesdays with the secretaries. (that was my idea!)

4. Long walks on my lunch break or long lunch breaks at home on my patio. (exercising and saving money. woot woot.)

5. Rolling into school with wet hair, flip flops and shorts... priceless!

TWD~Coconut Butter Thins

First things first, Sorry for the hiatus... I've been awfully busy lately which has lead to little or no baking on my part.

Second of all, I do not like coconut, well in some things I do. But not shredded coconut.

So these technically are NOT Coconut Butter Thins... They are Almond Butter Thins with a cute little chocolate chip on top.

I took a long look at the recipe and said, Holy Jamole! This seems quite the process for some cookies. Lime zest, do not have, Shredded Coconut, Nish Nish! Macadamia Nuts? Do I look like my economy has been stimulated lately?

But in my endeavor to be more resourceful and upbeat I decided to make my own version.

I also was not too keen on the putting the dough in baggie and rolling it out and using a ruler and doing math.

So i mixed everything up and then added a heaping handful of almonds to the dough. And a drop or two of Almond extract and oh yeah Curry powder.

Well I added that to my flour. Why you ask? Well because I did not have ground coriander and I read on the comments that you could use Curry powder. I can't even taste it.

I did not put these in a baggie, did not roll them out nor did I put them in the fridge to chill. Just plopped them on a cookie sheet avec parchment paper and viola... the yummiest little cookies I've had in awhile.

They were super light and crisp and had crunchy bits of almond.

Job well done.

And the little chocolate chip morsel on top... just a faint hint of chocolate to bring it all together.

It's good to be back!

A New Friend

I am back at work. It was really really hard to go back to work today. I usually have no problems going to work on a daily basis. I have grown to actually like my job. I mean it's by no means my dream job, but it's not stressful, I have great co-workers and the pay is pretty decent. And the best part is the breaks, including the whole month of July off!!!! So I can hardly complain.

But it was hard coming back today. I had such a great break! I saw so many friends old, new, newer... I kept thinking, how did I get so blessed?

I spent a big chunk of time in Michigan visiting my dearest friend Rachel. I wish it didn't go by so fast!

Thursday, I made lunch for a current co-worker and then had Thai food with a former coworker Michelle.

There was lattes with Megan and Nori and then happy hour with Heather of the EO.

And a great night at Ellen's and Sarah's house with some great people like Steve & Jeanelle and Kelly and Don.

Saturday was a fun day with Shannon my sister from another mister... or as I like to call her my Phantom Leg.

And that brings me to Sunday. A very nice day spent at my parent's house out in the country. One baby horse was born (and about 20 more on the way!). Spring is in the air! Farm babies!

And I brought home a new little friend.

His name is Noir. (French for black)

He is a lot bigger than when this picture was taken last September.

As the White Stripes sing, I can tell that we are gonna be friends.

Spring Stuff

Spring is here! And it's time to bust out the Spring\Easter Decor.
This is a current window into my table scape...

The Bestest.

I got back yesterday from spending a few lovely days with my best friend Rachel in Michigan.

We have one of those friendships that no matter how much time passes, no matter what is going on in our lives, as soon as we are together it is like no time has passed at all.

I hadn't seen Rachel since October of 2007! And in that time so many things have changed for both of us. But nothing changes between us.

I spent a very relaxing time hanging out with Rachel and her two adorable boys.

Rachel and I didn't go out a lot but the times just chilling on the couch talking and playing with her sons were perfect!

I never care what we do when we are together, as long as we can laugh and reminisce about all our crazy adventures!

We also got together with a long time friend of ours, Diana. It was great to see her and walk around Downtown Grand Rapids.

I especially loved the Amway and Marriott hotels. They were very chic! Hello ginormous chandeliers!


I miss Rachel already. I also miss snuggling with her 2 year old Seth, he was my little pal.

And I miss the dimply smile of baby Caleb.

I could just gobble them both up!

Now it's back to life here, I have already had a friend over for lunch and tonight Thai food with another friend.

It's good to be home. But I wish I could have Rachel close by too... I love you friend.

(we always try and dress alike. it's our thing. no, not really.)

Rubbing off on me...

So in my quest to be more crafty and less couch potatoey... My new favorite craft project is rub-on transfers.

You can find really awesome ones at Micheal's, although these are my favorite ones from Hambly. I will definitely be making something with these in the future.

At Micheal's i found a 12 pack of these candle votives and alphabet rub-on transfers and made my initials.

Then i found this hunk of paper weight glass at a thrift store for 40 cents and I made this with a Fleur De Lis transfer and some scrapbook paper.

A very easy, inexpensive way to make pretty little things.

I will be away from my blog on a much needed Spring Break. I am leaving Saturday to visit my BFF Rachel in Michigan! And I am giddy with anticipation...

Have a great week and Happy Spring!

Check out The Inspired Room for more beautiful ideas!

Sorry... No TWD today.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I am actually a wee bit Irish... Along with about 20 other nationalities. But I do have the Irish in me, but today so does everyone else too! It's an everybody holiday.

I did not have time to make the Yogurt Cake. I wanted to, but i have been a little busy. And next week I will be in Michigan visiting my dear sweet friend Rachel.

Although, I would love to make next week's TWD Blueberry Crumb Cake for her... so you may see something from me yet!

Yesterday was almost 70 here! It was heavenly! Minnesota Spring can be so amazing! Snow is melting... soon i can start my lil' seedlings!

I'm thinking a small veggie garden and of course plenty of cut flowers too!

Have a beautiful green day!

Off to have a Shamrock Shake from McDons.....