S'mores - big kid style!

I have joined an adult organization - with meetings, events, and fundraisers.  Apparently a lot of fundraisers for adult organizations consist of feeds.  I've been invited to spaghetti feeds, beef feeds, fish feeds, pork feeds...and my particular organization is hosting it's annual Chili Feed!  Fortunately for me, I have no idea how to make chili. I do however make a mean dessert and with M working for a chocolate company I know make a seriously mean chocolate dessert.

On the menu today - Chocolate Peanut Butter S'more Bars.  They are easy, pretty dang quick and ooooh so delicious.

Preheat Oven to 350.  Make a Graham Cracker Crust -I use this recipe doubled, substituting chocolate graham crackers for the standard issue.  I put in in a 9x13 pan and cover the bottom and up the sides.  This is important as marshmallows and the chocolate stick to the pan, breaking your bars, otherwise.

Once the crust has cooled (yeah for a fridge that's mostly empty) I put in my Peanut Butter Chocolate wafers down in a single layer, covering most of the bottom of the crust.  This goes in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until soft and spreadable.  Smooth out the Chocolate to cover the entire bottom. and slightly up the edge.  Then I dump in mini marshmallows.  Remember these will expand as they heat, so you don't need to fill it up to the top of the pan.  About half-way is good, or at least enough to cover the chocolate.

Bake at 350 for approximately 10 minutes until the top layer of marshmallows are golden brown.

You should have a beautiful pan of golden lumps like the one above.  You'll also have a wonderful smell in your kitchen.  Resist the temptation and let them cool completely before cutting.  Sadly some of the fluff in the marshmallows will have deflated, but they are still oh so good.

Enjoy!

Spilling the Beans

I have a lovely couch.  A beautiful red couch.  I'm extremely proud of my couch.  However, I still sprawl on the floor 80% of the time.  Unfortunately, this gets pretty uncomfortable after a while. It's further my misfortune that a bean bag chair is more college dorm chic than young-professional.  So I went on a quest - to find a floor pillow that didn't remind me of my days back at USF.  That's when I stumbled across a Gumdrop Pillow by Amy Butler, but OUCH, $12 for a pattern to a pillow.  Especially since I could tell by the construction was really just two pieces (the 8 sides, and an octagon covering the central piece).  Um, no thanks. Off I went again to find an alternative.

I found a blog post where she created her own pattern, but she just linked to another DIY tutorial for a Moroccan Pouf.  The original blogger was surprised that the tutorial didn't mention the Amy Butler pattern.  It's not like Ms. Butler invented the idea.  It's a style of pillow that's been around for a while, and anyone who doesn't mind the math can do it themselves.  It's about geometry.

Anyway - here's what I did step by step to get my lovely Moroccan Pouf (which sounds much better than a Gumdrop Pillow, and no in the least dorm room-esque).

I found fabric that I loved at Joann Fabrics on sale, and bean bag filing half-off at Shopko - Score!

I created the pattern on poster board.  Then end goal was to make two house shapes, connect them on the bottom edge and Viola - I have an outline of my pattern.  I couldn't follow the DIY directions exactly as finding a 36" piece of poster board was impossible and folding poster board seems silly.

I measured out 18 inches on a piece of poster board, this would be half the length of my patter piece.  Then four strips with a  width of five inches.(My side B).  Put the sort sides of my "houses" at 7 inches (making my Pouf 14 inches tall).  And Viola - a house with a really tall roof.

At first I was going to put the houses together - floor to floor- and create one pattern piece.  This was a bit unwieldy though, and would require more cuts than simply folding the fabric in half a few times and using the half pattern.  So I opted for that instead.  I measured 40 inches, just over the full length of my end piece, and folded it over so I had a doubled 40 inch piece.  I folded again, so I have a four think 20 inch length of fabric.  Once more fold, this one from the side, and I had a 20 inch length that was about 23 inches wide.

This allowed me to law the pattern pieces next to each other and only have to cut out two shapes to come up with 8 total pieces.

I laid out my pieces to make sure I hadn't botched anything too badly. Then is was simply sewing my pieces together.  That part was easy.  It took about two hours total at this point.  I left a 3 inch gap on the bottom to put in the filling.  I figured this part would be quick...I was wrong.

Filling was a pain.
And made me realize that I should have opted for fiberfill.  The 4 inches was way too small and pouring beans - much harder than expected.  Filling this stupid thing took about an hour. And a full bag of beans.  Way more than I expected too.

Plus I think the final look would be better.



I'm still pretty dang happy with the final product - behold the Moroccan Pouf!

   

I will probably add the octagon to cover the middle, but maybe not.  :)  I'm feeling pretty good with it just as it is!

Growing Up and Getting Ahead

Today I took another step toward adulthood.  I'm 27 years old, but I still think I'm a long way from being grown up.  Lately I've come to realize that this is the normal course of events in people's lives.  We progress down this road slowly, step-by-step, and not all at once when we hit any certain age or milestone.

My step today - I purchased my first piece of essential furniture: a couch.  I have other pieces, a bed is the only one that comes to mind at the moment, but those were bought for me either as gifts or as we-are-your-parents-and-aren't-going-to-let-you-sleep-on-the-floor type things.  I have lovely parents as you might guess.

I've also decided to take another step: plan for retirement.  The sooner I get started the higher the likelihood that I will actually be able to retire one day.  In part, I want to take control of my money and also be more aware of my money and how I can actually make it work for me.  So until I get a bit better informed I've got a short list of goals , financially speaking.

1. Pay off my credit card.  In my long search for a job I definitely spent more than I made and am paying the price for that now.  I knew that the best policy was either not have a credit card or pay it off in full each month.  Because I didn't follow my own good advice in this sector, I'll be spending the next few months paying this off.

2.  Put at least $50 a paycheck into savings.  As of right now I know almost nothing about IRAs, 401ks, annuities, and all the other options people have for saving.  Therefore, I'll put my money in my savings account which only gets 0.025% interest.  That's crap, and I know it.  Which leads me to the next goal...

3. Teach myself the basics in finances.  I want to know what an IRA is compared to a 401k.  What the difference between an annuity and CD is...and why I should put money in one or another.  So I'm going to start reading.  I like Suze Orman, her personality appeals to me and from what I've seen her advice is pretty darn practical.  I already try to read a couple of financial blogs (Get Rich Slowly being one of my favorites). So a sub-goal, to accomplish such a big goal is going to be read at least one financial/money management item a day.  It's not a lot, but hey you have to start somewhere.

Here's to walking the path to adulthood.  Cheers!

Pop a Top

Today's blog post brought to you by Mike's Hard Lemonade Raspberry Margarita and a long day in the office. 

Typically, Mike's is too sweet for my liking, but a Margarita seemed called for this evening.  The Margarita is better than I expected, not syrupy sweet like the Pomegranate lemonade, but still something is off.  It isn't hitting the spot.  sigh  Some days things just don't go your way.

At least it still gives a buzz.  Nothing like knitting with a bit of the bubbly-happiness.  :)

Mojo and Motivation

Last week I blamed the time change for my steady exhaustion.  I could not get enough sleep no matter what I did - Getting out of bed is a pain.

I should have been able to catch up this weekend.  It was just me and the plants at my place, so I had no one's schedule to worry about.  Just me and my sleep pattern - yet when Monday rolled around I still had to pry myself out of  bed.  So what gives?

It may have something to do with my lack of movement.  I work a desk job, not a whole lot of calories burned there.  Ya, I'm a fidgeter, but not so much as to get my heart-rate up.   I need to find some motivation to go running (which I hate), join the gym, or plow down one of Monroe's bike trails.

Plus, working out is fun.  Once I do it life seems pretty darn good; I've accomplished something.

On a completely different note - I am a Gardener!  I have no green thumb skills, but so far my tomatoes and strawberries are doing awesome.  I declare that I now have good Mojo with plants.  Hopefully this will last long enough for me to actually harvest those tomatoes and strawberries.

These are the Days of Our Lives...

Today has been one of those days...the type of days that make me wonder what I have accomplished in my life, and think not much actually.

This year I turn 28 years old. Fortunately, there is nothing overly significant about turning 28. I can already vote and drink; I've made it past the quarter century mark (25 was a surprisingly rough birthday for me); I'm not quite to the next decade; and being 40 is still a bit in the distance.

It's hard for me come to terms with the fact that I'm not 21 any more. I know I'm getting older, but I don't feel like any more of an adult that I did in my teens. I live alone, no pets that I can even call my own. I own a mini-futon, not even a real couch. My bed consists of a mattress and box-spring on the floor. My kitchen table is a folding card table, generally covered in paperwork, bits of mail, and a pop can or two. I still have clothes on my bedroom floor waiting to find their new home, folded laundry on my living room floor, waiting to be put away, next to my home phone and cable. I do own a TV but my "TV Stand" is decidedly college dorm. (The last was the observations of M last weekend as we cuddled up before falling asleep, an honest time for anyone.)

Wow, I sound like I need stuff to make me feel like an adult - hm, this may be the case. It's stuff that make a place feel like home. Pictures hanging on the wall, a couch with a blanket draped over the arm, pots and pans in cupboards (or wherever pots and pans should go), a pantry. Which just brought the realization: I want a home. I want to come home to something more than a Netflix movie and my laptop.

I want feel like a real adult, not someone floating through life. Somehow I always pictured myself having it all figured out by this point - or at least be on some sort of path.

Growing up is the pits.

We aren't Friends

Today should have been a wonderful day. To start it's Saturday - the only thing better is 6pm on a Friday evening. To put some icing on this particular Saturday I had plans to hit up some local yarn shops. Yet, for some reason, I was racking my brain Friday night on how I could get out of going. Me, trying to avoid yarn shops. Ridiculous you may say, but it all comes down to the company.

I'm new in town and attempting to meet people, and knitting a fellow knitter is especially exciting. So when a woman I had just meet asked if I'd like to go check out the Cat and Crow, which opened a few months ago, I jumped at the chance.

She picked me up (I was pretty sure she wasn't an axe-murderer, so I didn't feel freaked to get into a stranger's car) and the interior of the car was pretty clean. I'm always appreciative of a car that doesn't have fast food wrappers, pop cans, or the like skewed about. It wasn't until we'd traveled a few miles down the road that I notice the smell - a weird musty, barn like smell. I ignored it, because really what do you say?

So we continued down the road. I asked her how long she'd been teaching - and this lead to a long rambling story. She started teaching to pay her way through grad school, and it was all down hill from there. Grad school was great, but the actual job after the fact was not what she wanted it to be - at least I think that's what she was getting at. Thank goodness the Argyle Fiber Mill was close by, allowing for a pit stop and gap in her life history.

Life had not gone as she planned - it was one disappointing position after another. Also, she knows my boss and man was she surprised that I am actually enjoying it there. Not even the Cat and Crow or the Sow's Ear could uplift the downer. To her credit she was very nice, when we discussed knitting it was a really good conversation - but it always came back around to her career and how life gave her a raw deal.

When I arrived back home all I could think was: 1) I spent too much money in those lovely shops and 2) what the heck was the smell in her car?

She's a nice woman, we have the same hobbies, similar other interests (attempts at gardening, kitchens, local culture) and I really have no interest in becoming better acquainted. It's weird to me - but I might even avoid knitting groups that she is a part of...tragic.

Yarn Shop Reviews

Cat and Crow - The women are exceptionally nice. They carry local spun yarn, and even some yarns sheared from local sheep and alpaca. The big down fall - you won't find any of the less expensive yarns - which was annoying. I could understand if the shop intended to only carry local, or even American, yarns but there was plenty of mini mochi from Crystal Palace which is spun in Asia. So obviously the goal isn't to promote Local only. The book selection leaved something to be desire as well. It's a new shop, and I understand them not wanting to put a lot of capital into the store, but I'll check back in a few months and make up my mind then. I did find a book to add to my collection, The Opinionated Knitter. Nice find I felt.

Sow's Ear - A very nice shop. Coffee in the front, with plenty of tables to sit, enjoy a cuppa, and work on a project. All around is yarn, samples of completed projects, and accessories. (I finally found soles for my cable slippers.) They didn't have as many local yarns, but did have a lot of American yarns. And my favorite yarn brand, Cascade! I know it's not the fanciest, but its good quality and knits up wonderfully. Anyway they also have a great selection of patterns - I purchased the Swirl Shawl pattern. Unfortunately they didn't have any more of the yarn in the color I wanted. I guess I'll just have to go back and check again.

Survival of the Fittest

Yesterday marked my first full week of work in my chosen vocation...in a new town. Things went well but today was the exciting day: Moving Day! Strangely, it always surprises me how much random stuff I still have left to pack when it's time to load the truck, but thanks to M and his dad the actual loading and unloading was pretty darn painless.

Moving sucks. There really isn't any other way to state it. Packing, trying to make sure things are organized and nothing breaks in the process. Ensuring boxes aren't too heavy, but are still full enough that things don't shift (too much) inside. It's a hassle and I can't wait until I have settled in enough in life not to have to move again. But unpacking, now that's something I can get into.

I love unpacking. Putting things away and watching the stack of boxes dwindle down to some scrapes of paper. Picking just the right drawer for the measuring cups, and filling up the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Plus, there is rarely a time that the apartment will ever be quite as clean as the moment the last box is unpacked and put in the recycling. It really is a cool thing, at least it is at this point in my life when my possessions will probably be completely unpacked by the end of the weekend.

Then there is the exploring. How can it not be fund to discover the secrets of a new place? Maybe this is why I move so much. I love new places, but you never get to know a location and it's people until you live there. Hm...food for thought.

As an added bonus, I went from a studio apartment to having a spare room. Finally a home for all my yarn, sewing and office stuff. My living room can be solely for relaxing and watching movies without all the clutter that comes with storing my stash of unfinished projects.

Things are finally starting to fall into place.

New beginnings

I don't write a lot and I have decided not to stress about that. The only people that read this blog are friends anyway and it's my blog. Plus, I don't need the extra stress.

So let's start fresh. It's a new year, a new decade. Good things are bound to happen.

In the most exciting news, from my perspective, I finally found a legal position. And that will be all the job talk you'll see.

I will be moving, hopefully, by the end of the week. I say hopefully because M and I went to look at apartments over the weekend and I found the perfect one. I asked a lot of questions, because that's what I do, and M poked around and asked some questions as well. I didn't think it was anything special: "the bath doesn't have any caulk, is that going to get fixed?" "Are you re-caulking around the kitchen counter?" "Does the A/C unit need to be weatherized?" Called the building manager back later that day to say I would like the apartment, she sounded enthusiastic and told me she was dropping information into the mail for me that afternoon. I mailed in my application and hold fee today. This afternoon she called to say that she wants me to come look at the place again because she's not sure it can live up to my expectations. She's never had anyone have so many complaints. Um...she was already fixing all the issues I asked about. Grrr. It's a two hour drive and I was coming down on Friday to sign and pay for everything. I had canceled my viewing at another apartment later this week because it she told me yesterday that I just needed to get my application in and all would be well.

Can you tell I'm a bit annoyed?

Moving right along. I've decided to try an experiment. I'm going to wait until March for this particular experiment because the move is guaranteed to cause issues with it. I'm going on a spending moratorium. I know that thousands of others have done this before but I'm curious how I'll do - plus it can't hurt the budget.

So here's what I'm allowed to spend money on:

• Rent
• Groceries
• Gas
• Insurance
• Utilities
  
• Internet/phone/cable (not sure if I'll have cable when I move or not)
• Personal care basics (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toilet paper etc)
• Birthday gifts

That's it.

I wonder how many of my friends have tried this sort of thing and with what results...