A visit, some work and some knitting

It was a long week, lots of days staying late at work, and unfortunately not a very big feeling of accomplishment at the end of it all. But I got the days off for a trip to Rehobeth with Chris’s family, so that is something relaxing to look forward to.

Jen and Dee Dee at the dog park

As annoying as the whole week was, at least it ended well, with a visit from Jen and Dee Dee to plan our hiking trip. Dee Dee has an awesome little backpack that she can carry her water and food in… and she’s a little ball of energy, so I’m sure she’ll be fine for the three day trip. I’m excited to go backpacking with a dog. Its a new experience for all three of us. We walked Dee Dee to the dog park, which is a whole new experience for me. Its a different kind of culture- I can defiantly see how having a dog can be a great way to meet people. You’re sort of forced to interact while the dogs get friendly. We were eventually chased out of the park by a hump-happy bulldog, but it was a nice walk anyway.

mmmm......

Spent some nice time at Ultimo reading and knitting….mmmm they have some very tasty pastries there. I’m torn between the lime bars and the raspberry lindsor for my favorite. I bought an awesome grey Ultimo shirt- Usually I don’t buy shirts for places I frequent, I feel a little like That Guy wearing the shirt of the band he’s going to see. But I am all about Ultimo. Seriously, if you live in Philadelphia and you haven’t been by yet, you are really missing out.I highly recommend their mochas. And you haven’t had real coffee until you try their special blends. Aaron takes great care with the brews he selects and you can really tell. Also- word is the beer is on its way. Ultimo can only get better.

Best Dessert Ever

Best plan of the weekend: rootbeer floats. Such a simple dessert, but so satisfying in the heat of the summer. Really good following our dinner of fish (with a really good kikomon marinade) veggies and couscous.

The long days at work sort of wiped me out for productivity this weekend, but I did get some work on the blanket done as well as some further headway on the docs I’m working on. Chris and I tried the new-ish sushi place on Passyunk, and were less than impressed. I think Kisso has spoiled me for your average sushi, no place I’ve been has been able to compare. Some movies and some knitting will wrap up Sunday night, hopefully with another root beer float. Oh weekend, I wish it could continue.

 

Grosgrain: Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!.

Bella apron

Grosgrain has yet another lovely give-away! This time, its a guest giveaway for a pretty apron. I have to admit, I’ve been eying it for a while, but finally decided that making muffins wearing one of those aprons could be a lot of fun. I like the amazing pink girlishness that is the cupcake apron. Quite a contrast to my glow-in-the-dark skeleton apron. I think they’d get along well.

I kinda wonder how well the give-aways do for Grosgrain. Does it help her sell more of her own wares? She doesn’t seem to have many in her shop, sometimes has nothing at all. So why does she give these lovely lovely things away? I’ve been toying with the idea of a giveaway on my own site, but honestly I’ve been too afraid of disappointment. What if no one enters? I feel like I know all of my ‘readers’… I love the idea of giving something away to a random person who has stumbled across my site, but how do I get those random people to find me? And what would inspire them to enter a give away anyway?

Perhaps instead I’ll make a little toy for the Toy Society…..

(although… if anyone has suggestions for a give-away, let me know!)

 

Sparklers and other fireworks

Lit up bug

The fourth of July has been a bit of a jinxed holiday for me for the past four years or so… but I am happy to say this year proceeded without event, in a lovely way. Chris and I biked up to Manyunk to Chelsea and Balog’s house for a totally low-key BBQ. Chased some fireflies, played with the dogs and lazed in the grass. Balog made amazing food, a fascinating mashed cauliflower and cheese dish among the other deliciousness…. Usually I despise cauliflower (it seems a blander and tougher version of broccoli to me), but it was amazing.

sparks

After dinner we climbed up to the roof and watched the fireworks happening all around. I really like getting up close to fireworks, but it was nice to see them at all the various locations all over the city and beyond. At one point there must have been at least four sets going off at once, in competing bright splashes. The night sky was a constant rumble and flash. After the art museum ones finally went off, we climbed back down (eep!) and set off the mixed pack of little fireworks I got a few weeks ago. Not a bad selection for about $20! Some really cool fountains and sparking things- and an added bonus of being all legal in PA fireworks, so no worries about police. Though I don’t think the police care very much by Chelsea, there were some pretty nice local displays throughout the night.

sparklers

I got to play around with long exposures on my camera, and got some pretty cool photos of tracing sparklers and some cracking-sparking things that Balog had. The puppy (Maddie… so cute) kept trying to chase the sparklers, which was amusing, luckily she didn’t end up with any burnt fur. We headed back into the city around midnight. Kelly Drive was closed down for a bit, so it was nice biking, without having to dodge pedestrians and idiot bikers. Overall, a really perfect fourth of july.

Today, some household tasks beckon- cleaning, laundry, etc. But I’m sure I’ll head over to Ultimo with a book at some point too…. what a wonderful weekend its been.

 

A lovely lazy friday

It is nearly 4 on a Friday. I am not at work. Wonderful day. Lovely breakfast at Carman’s Country Kitchen. A walk to Ultimo for reading and iced mocha. More reading out in the back yard. When checking on the progress of my cucumbers, a lovely suprise! I don’t know how this guy eluded me for so long, but he’s well on his way to ripe! My hope is that I have cucmbers and tomatoes ripe at the same time and can make a nice fresh salad.

cucumber!

Today is really a perfect summer day, and it isn’t even over yet!

 

Big puffy storybook clouds

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The weather was beautiful. The team a little sparse. Tie score. A nice way to spend an evening.

 

Garden Party

so good

I made so much food! The best, by far, was the strawberry bruschetta, from a recipe in Grid magazine. I also made rotini pasta with stir fried veggies (zucchini, broccoli, carrots and a red pepper) and pesto. My favorite salad ever: tomato with fresh mozzarella and basil. Blueberry mint cupcakes with blueberry vanilla frosting (from coconut and lime). Fruit salad. Angie brought over fresh lemonade, Kahlua brownies and roasted veggies with garlic. Also had cheese and crackers, and chocolate….

cupcakes

Ended the night playing with sparklers in the backyard. Lovely gathering. And I have tons of leftovers for lunch this week, as well as fresh fruit for smoothies… mmmmmm….

I don’t think I’d make the cupcakes again. As tasty as they are, I don’t think they are amazing enough for the effort. That could be partly my fault. I filled the cups too high, and they kind of exploded. Also I think I added too many blueberries, so they didn’t puff up as nicely as I think they were supposed to. The icing was very sticky and messy. Good, but a little too sweet for me.

Also, while getting supplies for the party, I picked up an amazing hippo planter. A woman was selling things on her stoop with the help of her adorable daughter. He immediately caught my eye, and I knew I’d be walking away with him. And when I found out he was 50 cents- sold! I walked away laughing, he’s just so silly! He sits on the window staring at me. I love it. I bought a plant for him while picking up cut flowers from the guy who sells plants in Passyunk square. It fits the hippo perfectly.

amazing hippo

 

Another game of softball

lightning bug!

Chris’s team had another softball game, I got to keep score again. It made way more sense this time, and they actually won! 14 to 2. It was a slaughter. It was a later game so we hung out afterwards for an impromptu practice. Which meant, for the first time, that I was around for twilight and the emergence of the lightning bugs. Its been way too long since I’ve seen them……..

 

Summer BBQ

Crowd of Sparklers
Originally uploaded by ducksRfriends

Had a nice crowd over last night for a BBQ, celebrating the recent graduation of Chris’s students and workers. It was another super-last-minute party, originally planned for Saturday but abruptly shifted with all the rain forecast. I like not having the time to over-think the planning, just one trip to the grocery store for some food, a few phone calls and the crowd gathers. Grilled some veggies, burgers and turkey dogs, played with sparklers (legal in Philly- Yay!) and had some fun with the wii. A good way to start out the summer. Have been super lazy all day, picnicking in the living room, and its been great. Heading to NJ tomorrow to get a sari for Chris’s friend’s wedding… I can’t wait!

 

green yarn (in the garden)

green yarn (in the garden)
Originally uploaded by ducksRfriends

Here’s the yarn I spun up a few nights ago… its currently drying in the kitchen. I can’t wait to knit it into my blanket. Its a really pretty green color (a bit darker than this photo). I’m working at spinning up all the roving currently sitting in my room, it takes up much space, and I really should use what I have before getting more… This is a pretty thick yarn, but mostly the same weight all over, which I’m proud of. I’ll have to knit it big and loopy…..

 

No One Is Sad With Goran

No one is sad with Goran.

Amazing is all I can say. Goran Bregovic, in Prospect Park…. wonderful ladies to dance with, tons and tons of fun, beautiful music. I don’t know why the folks behind us aren’t dancing, but I can tell you everyone in front of us was.

For those not familiar with the amazingness that is Bregovic: Ederlezi (a really beautiful song), and Bubamara (a music video that uses footage from the awesome film Black Cat White Cat, one of my favorite films- also notice, the gypsy girl has been in the most recent season of Big Love…)