I'll be expecting my check in the mail

This was not meant to be a blog based on Martha Stewart projects, but I have to say that I have to mention the domestic role model once more. I opened my mailbox this afternoon to find the Martha Stewart Living magazine--titled "Color for Everyone." I can't explain how excited I was to A) get mail and B) have it be something that is useful and entertaining, unlike credit card bills and other junk mail.

I'm still not completely clear why I received it, but I do know it was actually addressed to me and not just "resident." That was thrilling. I'm thinking maybe it was Martha's way of saying "thank you" for utilizing her website.

Regardless, I plan to post more projects or inspiration that are not just "good things" but that stem from other creative centers. I figured out how to "subscribe" to other blogs via RSS, and so my blog list starts to grow from MLC friends' pets/marriage/recipes/daily observations/humorous essays and dooce to include some other blogs for daily inspiration and color.

This means, first of all, that I will spend less time bringing up each blog in separate tabs; secondly, it means that the saved time will instead be spent compulsively clicking "Check Feeds" between Facebook and projects and e-mail.

Getting it right

So I found a recipe on-guess, where, else?- Martha's site for Wasabi Deviled Eggs. And I really, really wanted to try it out. It didn't matter that I had never made deviled eggs. What fun this would be! Turns out it's pretty simple, but you have to get everything just right. I should know, considering I have made the eggs three times in the last week.

Here is what I have learned each time:

Easter Sunday is an ideal time to make the deviled eggs; goes with the theme; but when traveling in the car, make sure you position the dish (especially if it doesn't have the friendly egg-shaped indentations) so the egg whites do not get squished and deformed. I thought they turned out great the first time, but I decided they were a little too salty, and my husband thought there was too much wasabi. What? No such thing.

I prepared the eggs again for a picnic; once again, though, we had to travel. The eggs did not get squished, though. I learned from mistake the first time and placed the eggs in the car myself, instead of letting my husband take care of them. However, letting someone else put them in the fridge, and then that person also placing the bagged filling on top of the eggs--all this resulted in squished eggs again. I omitted the coarse salt. When I tasted the filling, I thought it was great, but later decided it needed the salt. Also, the eggs were considerably harder to peel, and there was a bit of grittiness from a leftover layer.

Finally, two days after the picnic, I provided the eggs at a family potluck. I heard people in line show interest in trying them out, but I didn't actually hear any compliments later.

However, this time I added some coarse salt. And, in attempt to get rid of the grittiness, I allowed the eggs to boil longer than the previous time. This was the first time I shelled the eggs right after they cooled, instead of letting them sit in the fridge for hours, so I don't know if that made a difference or not, but they were very easy to peel.

From hot to cold

Don't judge a gift by its giftwrap

I love wrapping gifts; unfortunately, time and budget constraints can often limit how extravagant the final job turns out. Many times, a Dollar Tree bag and tissue paper must suffice. BUT creativity can never be hindered...even checking out what the internet has to offer can add some fun to the gift-wrapping process.

I opted out of the glue, though, and created an extra layer/pocket for the ribbon to slide through by sewing the corners of cardstock together. Love the textures of the two papers and the ribbon, all over the flat patterned giftwrap.

I love the texture!

Pearls. She wore pearls in the kitchen.

"You have a full-time job and you have a husband, and NOW you are going to get sick from blogging."
--Julie & Julia

I finally got to see this movie, and I really enjoyed it! It was inspirational as the movie showed the parallels of the two women's lives. Working toward goals, documenting the progression--whether in letters to a pen pal or typing up a blog. And who doesn't dream of becoming famous from writing a blog and having tons of followers? ;)

More of Holly

Big dreams

So this week has been a very productive "vacation" time, as far as planning for our future in Lincoln (housing, jobs, etc.) Today I photographed Holly, who graduated early from high school. So, her "senior portraits" were taken for invitations for her graduation party. Very cool, that she is now ready to take on the world and see what her future has in store.

Holly was a gorgeous subject and she was very eager to model.

What is the point?

I created this blog for various reasons, mainly that I want to create a reference for myself for past and future project progression. One of the few blogs I actually do follow is dooce.com by Heather Armstrong. While our political views are not the same, I do appreciate her humor; and I love catching up on her "Daily Style" section and photography of her family and home.

My own journal, then, likens a "Daily Style," as dooce.com's Daily Style is not updated daily either. :) It is a place for me to type bits and pieces and throw out my own projects and others' for display for easy inspiration.

p.s. I love the lantern salt and pepper shakers. Just saying, if anyone needs inspiration for my next birthday gift.