today...

...was my last Tuesday at KPA.
...is the day I WILL finish up my current freelance project.
...feels like summer.
...I ate a cupcake at the Cupcake Cafe. I highly recommend it.
...I had a Strawberry Goodness smoothie for dinner. MMMMmmm.
...is 6 days away from our closing date.
...is 8 days away from move in!
...is the revival of interesting blog topics, and (hopefully) the end of life-changing (house-buying, job-switching) posts.
...I had an amazing new idea for our new office at the house.
...I learned about magnetic paint.
...I gained a new appreciation for Martha Stewart.
...Emmy and I walked to the fields and back.
...is going to end well, I can feel it.
...I cannot post without a picture! So here is a lovely shot of the German Chocolate cupcake from the Cupcake Cafe website. It might not be beautiful, but it sure was very tasty.


And I hate to break away from my "today" theme, but I must say... I am quite intrigued by the whole cupcake idea. Today I came across the Cupcake Bakeshop blog, and with my visit to the Cupcake Cafe and all... it seemed like a sign. I might just have to try my hand at these little wonders!

playing catch up

I have been collecting things to post about for a little while now. And I would so much rather write nice, separate blog entries for each... but as it goes... here I am "dumping" a whole load of random and unrelated blog topics into one big, fat post. Oh well!!

I finally have a legit sewing project to write about again... I made Emmy a new cover for her bed! The old one was definitely in need of retirement, and with summer here and all the fresh changes coming to our lives, I thought Emmy could just a little pick-me-up as well. So I headed to the fabric store and got an amazing print. It's big and bold and not at all what I had imagined for the new bed, but it fits our home and Emmy. As soon as I put the fabric down to measure... she plopped right on the bed. Her sign of approval I think. :)

Over the weekend Zack and I took a great trip to Taylor's Falls for some grilling and hiking. Em came along and thoroughly enjoyed swimming, rolling in the mud, and dragging me along the trail. We can't help but love her.
It was a really beautiful day on the St. Croix... One of those early summer days that makes you breath deep with anticipation of the months ahead. In case you don't know this about me... I love summer. I am a "summer girl" to the core... granted, the other seasons have their charm. But, let's all be honest here folks.... nothing beats a warm day out on the lake.

Over the weekend we also enjoyed a "real fire" (Jamie will know what I mean ;) at Como Park with the Schussmans. We made some fantastic s'mores and played a good game of bocce. It was a delightful way to spend a beautiful evening with good friends!

Zack and I have gotten really into smoothies lately. They are just so refreshing and good! I made these smoothies for dinner a few days ago. My recipe is simple and made-up, but oh-so-good.

Strawberry-Goodness Smoothies
- 3 bananas
- 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1-2 cups strawberry yogurt (or strawberry banana)
- 1 1/2 cup plain granola
- large dollop peanut butter
- 5-6 large, fresh strawberries
- milk

1) Combine in blender: 2 bananas, about 1 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1 - 2 cups strawberry yogurt (I use the Danon light n'fit in the big container), 1 1/2 cup plain granola, large dollop peanut buttter (I use the a creamy, natural peanut butter), and milk. The milk is the last thing you add... I just pour it in until it is visually about 3/4 of the way up the blender. I know this is really winging it... basically add more if you like smoothies to be thinner, and less if you like them thick. :)
2) Blend on low. DO NOT over blend! The idea is to have these a little chunky. Which is why you see spoons in the photo.
3) Pour into two glasses.
4) Slice fresh strawberries and the last banana. Divide into cups.
5) Enjoy!! :D


Okay that is all folks! I have a few more things I want to write about... but I know I'll end up rambling, and I have to take off right now. It's 5 PM on a Thursday evening, and my weekend is about to begin!!

memorial day weekend

Somehow, even long weekends go too fast. Our Memorial Day weekend was spent down here instead of up north (as per the usual). With the wedding last weekend, and Zack going to Ely for business next weekend, it seemed like a good idea to take a week off and stick around home. So that's we did.
Friday night we grilled at Como with some friends, and played a good game of bocce. Saturday AM we helped the Thompsons move into their new place in St. Bonifacius (see photo above!). Then we came home and totally crashed for a couple hours. Ahhh.... naps are bliss. After we woke up, we headed to Grand Ave to shop for paint colors. A stop at Restoration Hardware, and another at Pottery Barn and we were good to go. Then we ate "dinner" at Jamba Juice.... mmmm... fresh smoothies. :) We made one more stop... at Menards to get a few more paint chips. Sunday was church, out to lunch at Cabina Italian Kitchen, shopping for new running shoes for Zack, and then home to.... take a nap! Later we went grocery shopping and suit shopping for Zack. Then was a lovely walk with Emmy out in the fields while the sun was setting. Emmy was one happy pup. :) Monday morning was perfect and sunny, and we woke up at 9 AM, which I have deemed the best mix of sleeping in and still having enough day left over. We folded and put away laundry, then packed up a picnic lunch and took off for Mound. One stop by the house (it looks GREAT!), and then we were at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. We grilled and chilled there for awhile... walked Emmy on their "Pet Trail"... then headed back home (a stop at DQ on the way!). Back home... well, we were sort of sleepy, so we took a nap. :) Ha. Vacation! Monday afternoon was mostly filled with getting ready for the week ahead, relaxing, and enjoying the last bits of freedom.

So... it was a full, somewhat "normal" weekend for us. But, it was great to relax, catch our breath, and be together. This week is a short one.... and so far, we don't have plans for the upcoming weekend. Ooh one more interesting tid-bit.... I started packing today!!! :D

Oh yes, I almost forgot. Now that the pictures have been downloaded, I can share with you my last project. It's been awhile, but I sewed a collar for Gus (my parents chocolate lab). It was almost too simple to make and could possibly become addictive. I have supplies to make one for Emmy. Sigh... hopefully after we're in the new house I will have time for sewing again. Life is too crazy right now!
More later....

mostly unrelated

The contents of this post are mostly unrelated. I would have liked to have posted several, nice concise notes about each topic. But I am not that organized. Nor do I have that kind of time. Or rather, when I do have that kind of time....... I am usually doing the things that I end up posting about on Tuesday mornings at work. :-|

Yes, I do realize that it has been a long time since my last post. This past weekend was full of good things. My dad and his friend Brian came down on Friday - Saturday to go to the Horse Expo at the State Fair. Zack and I tagged along and admired many pairs of cowboys boots, fancy saddles, and shirts with horses allover them. Oh, and we watched a guy that I have dubbed "The Horse Whisperer" train a crazy horse. It was magical.

On Saturday night I went fabric shopping. Sigh. I always get that warm and fuzzy feeling when I go fabric shopping. Zack came along and he was surprisingly helpful and patient. We picked out a nice assortment of fabrics for an upcoming project. Later we watched a movie and I finally finished hand binding a quilt that I started a long time ago. It was actually my first sewing project this year. But it sat for a long time because I didn't think that I was going to enjoy hand sewing as much as I ended up loving it. After I finished up the binding I washed and dried the quilt, and it turned out all cool and antique looking (the directions didn't have you pre-wash the fabric, so it shrinks a tiny bit in the wash and ends up looking puckery and neat). The pattern was my variation of Amy Karol's "Easy Lap Quilt" from her amazing book, Bend the Rules Sewing.

On Sunday I was immersed in sewing like a madwoman. Details of that project to come. Also, we stopped at Goodwill again and I got this great book. It's an awesome resource and it only put me out $3.75. I heart thrift stores.

In other news (i.e. Emmy news), I am thrilled that spring seems to finally be on its way! I have been enjoying the budding that is happening all around me. Some bulbs that I had in a pot finally bloomed into two beautiful ameralis. If this isn't a sign of spring I don't know what is! Emmy also really liked the flowers. So much so that she decided to eat one. This was not a good moment in the Hway household. On Friday evening I took Emmy to a big ball field by our house and played some hardcore fetch with her. She thoroughly enjoyed it. She was less thrilled about the bath that she had to get afterwards.

So.... it's another week. And I find myself in an interesting place. Since this is a blog and I have no clue who reads this thing, I am not about to spill my guts on here... but let's just say that I am contemplating allot of things and getting ready for some changes in life. Hopefully sooner than later. More details to come.

weekend things

This weekend went by in a blur. Zack was out of town on business so my dad came to visit me. He drove down Friday afternoon and we met up at NWC for the Senior Art Show. Then it was off to Cosetta's for dinner! Saturday morning was spent walking Emmy out in the fields and throwing the stick for her (over and over and over and over). On our way back through the farm campus, we happened upon some horses. This led to two things... 1) My dad declaring "I am ready for horses again" (My parents used to own a big horse farm in Rockford, IL), and 2) Emmy going crazy with glee at meeting a new animal. I don't think she knew quite what to think. But her tail was going 200 miles an hour.

It looks like my dad was about to hit her for barking, but really... he wasn't. Whenever I get time I will edit that part out. Along with the choppy area where I am furiously telling Emmy to be quiet.

After my dad left on Saturday, I took a nap and worked on freelance. Then I spent the evening sewing with my mom's beautiful machine that she is borrowing to me. It really was amazing. I didn't break one needle, the thread never hung up, AND I sewed a button hole! Here are some pillows I made for the couch. Actually, I just sewed the covers and put them on existing down pillows that we had. The fabric cost less than $10 bucks and they were a breeze to make. Click here for more pictures of my Pillows in Blue.

class of 2008

Emmy graduated from puppy school yesterday! Her diploma is now proudly displayed on the fridge. The little turd can come, sit, lay down and walk on a loose leash (meaning, I walk her; she doesn't walk me). She also learned that people fingers are not chew toys and placing her dirty paws on the front my clean shirt (two seconds before I head out the door for work) will not get her an extra milkbone.


Here is Emmy demonstrating some of her newfound skills. Since I am a strong proponent of higher education, we will begin Level 1 Obedience in two weeks. In this next class Emmy will hone her skills and sharpen her techniques, as she learns to heel, stay, cook, clean, and do the laundry.

emmy's basket

Here is Emmy being a total goof. Just thought I'd share some of the joy of puppyhood. Be sure to watch the end. :)

On another note.... Smugmug has been totally revamped and updated!

best buds

Emmy went to Jack's house today. Thanks to Dan for this great picture of the dynamic duo!

small things

Here are a handful of small things I wanted to share from the past few days. Relatively unrelated, but still worthy of note...

Spring arriving.

In the field with her stick on a foggy Saturday morning. I love this image because it looks so soft and calm.

A small turtle I sewed for Emmy.