My ink and paper self

Anyone who knows me, knows I have an obssession with paper crafts, and even more importantly, you know my favorite paper/rubber stamp sources: Paper Source and Impress Rubber Stamps. If you don't know, I give to you the source to (almost) all my craftiness. Never underestimate the power of a hand-crafted card...is there a better way to tell someone thanks?

Ommmmmm....

I like working out. I used to run, but ever since I was hit with the MS stick, I've shied away from hopping back on my treadmill and flying for two or so miles.

Instead I've taken up yoga. Currently, I'm taking a Iyengar yoga class at the Lawrence Arts Center. I'm seriously hooked on yoga. I tell everyone I meet with a ailment or adversion to breaking a sweat...take yoga. Seriously. I can go into a class with a headache and leave with the greatest sense of self-worth, relaxation, and calmness...headache gone too.

The downside is that yoga isn't cheap. One class can cost anywhere from $10-$15. But I try to keep the price in perspective. Most instructors spend years learning. Why shouldn't I pay an instructor well for a gift they've taken years to perfect (or close to, as we know that perfection is the end to all things, possibly even life)? But on a cost-saving note, I'm trying to create my own home practice. Going to a class is easy. Staying at home and creating the same calmness within yourself while sitting in the midst of what's bothering you (dust bunnies, laundry, bills, etc.), well, that's exactly what yoga is all about...reaching beyond yourself and letting go.

Namaste.

Oh sweet edamame

I've been eating a lot of edamame recently (a.k.a soybeans). I love the flavor, the crunch, and the vibrant green color.

This is a new veggie for me. I was first introduced to the green beans in their pod form as an appetizer to sushi. It wasn't love at first sight, but when I spied the shelled frozen version in my supermarket, I figured I should try em (a girl can only eat so many carrots). I was hooked.

This super bean got me to thinking...what meals could use a little dolling up with edamama?

My next quest is to take recipes I think could use a bit of crunch and flavor of the soybean. My first thought is a salad, so I'm starting there. I'll let you know what I cook up.

The reluctant hostess

I've never "entertained" before. The mere word frightens me. How can I, a homebody, book-reading, card-making, TV-aholic knitter, entertain anyone? I look to be entertained. So, when I came across Amy Sedaris' book, I was intrigued. Maybe that's the exact approach I need to take to entertaining.

The In Laws keep asking when I'm going to have them over for dinner. Maybe a slight alcohol buzz would make the whole ordeal easier to bear if I didn't take it so seriously. I'm buying this book. I hope it gives me the courage (liquid or otherwise) I need. What could go wrong? Well, they could always remark on my dingy, stained carpet...

Briefly a model

On Saturday I became (and probably never again) an underwear model. I thought I'd chicken out, or feel really self conscious when I arrived at the photo shoot. But the underwear covered more than my swim suit, and everyone was really nice and professional. Of course the wine helped, and went straight to my head, but I cut myself off at half a dixie cup (I'm a lightweight.).

I ended up wearing a pair of undies with a horse patch on the front. It made me think of Amigo, the horse I rode while honeymooning in Kauai. Ah, Amigo...I even sang him a little diddy. I think we bonded. So now I'm christening my whitie tighties The Amigo in honor of the first (and probably the last) horse I ever rode.

Twitteringmachine (the ingenius creator of the undies) even gave me a pair of Scotty Dogs for my galloping efforts during the shoot. I only wished I had had a stick horse and a cowgirl hat.

In the name of friendship, and free underwear

Tomorrow I'll be igniting my modeling career, or rather my butt will be. Don't worry M.O.M., I'll be wearing underwear.

A friend at work is taking her creative prowess to the next level and starting up an Etsy.com business, selling her decorated under duds to the masses. And those in her circle who lack the prudishness will be helping out as models. Me and 15 or so girls will be stripping down to whitie tighties all in the name of friendship. That and we get to keep the said garments as our own. Score! I hope to model the Scotty Dog emblazoned underwear. Classy.

In my 25th year

It's official. I'm 25. Well, as of March 13th.

My mother-in-law gifted me with another great cookbook: Fix-it and Forget-it cookbook for my crock pot. I haven't used my crock pot, well, since the first time I used it after buying it some four or five years ago. I'll have to get the dusty pot from the top of my kitchen cabinets, and find some place with room and a plug in...hmmm, maybe the laundry room? I'm a huge fan of roast, so this is sure to provide my fill of juicy meat and tender veggie recipes.

One of my sisters also sent me magazine boxes from seejanework.com. I've had my eye on them for quite some time. Now I have the perfect spot for Yoga Journal, Self, and my collection of must-keep mags.

Maybe in my 25th year I'll be organized and my crock pot will make a comeback. Maybe.