May 19, 2010
Quick Update
So its been a while, and might be even longer before I start posting again regularly. I'm focused on my job search and networking takes time. I had my parents and Grandma Reinert visit for 8 days in the end of April. That was really cool, lots of fun, and I owe pictures of my newly painted deck. Thanks to my Dad for all his help with that project!
April 14, 2010
Mr. Cutty
Yes, I've had my lawnmower less than 24 hours and he already has a name, introducing Mr. Cutty.
Mr. Cutty successfully attacked the front yard before having his picture taken on the (yet to be cut) back yard. It is so cool watching the clipped grass fly through those blades of his. He's a hungry guy and will eat as fast as I can push. Pushing uphill required some effort, so I think I've found a good replacement for the snow shoveling gym membership. But I was done with the front yard in less than 1/2 hour and the back didn't take much longer, so I think I'll be happy with this purchase.
For those who have ever wondered what it would be like to use a reel lawnmower here is what I've noticed so far.
1. They are much quieter than a regular motor powered mower.
2. You can get them with a clipping catcher, which I'm glad I did, considering how long I let the grass get before cutting it this time.
3. 2 sets of wheels are recommended, makes turns so much easier, since you can use the back wheels to move the mower while not turning the cutting blades.
I think this was the right purchase for me, with my small yard. I'll keep you posted as the summer progresses.
Oh yeah, while outside I noticed that I have a lilac bush in my backyard! Sadly, the pictures do not do the bush justice.
I had thought it was a small tree, yes its on the large side. I was quite thrilled when I recognized the blooms, the backyard is going to smell great! I also learned that the car eating bush near the driveway is a lilac as well. I can hardly wait for that one to bloom, so I can let the fragrance into the house.
I was thrilled to see 3 different colors of Tulips in back. There are a bunch of white ones, a few yellow and one lone fuschia tulip (hard to see in the right side of the picture beyond the bird bath) so far. Everything is starting to bloom and I'm very excited to see different things popping up each day. Spring is so cool!
Mr. Cutty successfully attacked the front yard before having his picture taken on the (yet to be cut) back yard. It is so cool watching the clipped grass fly through those blades of his. He's a hungry guy and will eat as fast as I can push. Pushing uphill required some effort, so I think I've found a good replacement for the snow shoveling gym membership. But I was done with the front yard in less than 1/2 hour and the back didn't take much longer, so I think I'll be happy with this purchase.
For those who have ever wondered what it would be like to use a reel lawnmower here is what I've noticed so far.
1. They are much quieter than a regular motor powered mower.
2. You can get them with a clipping catcher, which I'm glad I did, considering how long I let the grass get before cutting it this time.
3. 2 sets of wheels are recommended, makes turns so much easier, since you can use the back wheels to move the mower while not turning the cutting blades.
I think this was the right purchase for me, with my small yard. I'll keep you posted as the summer progresses.
Oh yeah, while outside I noticed that I have a lilac bush in my backyard! Sadly, the pictures do not do the bush justice.
I was thrilled to see 3 different colors of Tulips in back. There are a bunch of white ones, a few yellow and one lone fuschia tulip (hard to see in the right side of the picture beyond the bird bath) so far. Everything is starting to bloom and I'm very excited to see different things popping up each day. Spring is so cool!
April 08, 2010
The rain has arrived!
Last Saturday I finished doing all the yard preparation and put down fertilizer. It was great to spend all that time in the sun and reminded me that despite all the work you have to do when you own your own home, it is well worth it because of all the extra time you spend outside!
Due to the marvels of modern technology and my user error, there are no pictures of the yard after I raked it.
Translation: I got in a hurry to keep the memory card in the camera "clean" and deleted them with out copying them over to the laptop, argh!
But here's a picture, of the front yard, since it rained. You will just have to take my word for it that the spots that are starting to green now, were more yellow a week ago.
I hope the greener circles will blend in soon. Otherwise I'll be buying seed and trying to even out the front yard.
I predict that a lawn mower will be purchased in the next week or so. Now that the grass has been fed and watered, it will likely go nuts and I'll start cutting it regularly. I can already see bumps where different kinds of grass are growing faster than others and know I will NEED to cut it so that the yard has a smoother look soon.
The Dove Chocolate Discoveries gift basket is traveling to MN and has transformed itself into a gift box that leaves the state this afternoon.
I know Mom is going to enjoy trying a whole bunch of new products. I labeled them with some hints on usage and to ensure she knew what she was trying in some cases.
Yesterday I went on a field trip to Smith's in Oberlin with Michelle and Pam. Pam got nominated as honorary picture taker, she documented our journey to Oberline, OH well in her blog.
Smith's is a really cool Home Furnishing and Yarn store. Who would have thought to sell both in one store? It works really well and I will definitely be going back again. I splurged and got some Mirasol Lachiwa yarn to knit myself a summer tank top. Its a great Easter egg periwinkle color!
Thanks to Michelle for the use of her kitchen table photography studio. Michelle was the sole purchaser at the Bead Store, check out the neatest little kitty beads shown in her blog . I'm sure they are going to make some delightful stitch markers.
Visiting Smith's and the Bead Shop in Oberlin yesterday really got the creative juices flowing, much credit to the great women I was shopping with. They helped me get a great yarn for what will be my *FIRST* adult garment, a hand knit tank top and provide continued knitting inspiration!
The juices were flowing so strongly that I was not able to go to bed last night with out finding a pattern and casting on the tank top. I'm going to make the Broken Rib Tank by Kristen TenDyke. I'm going knit in the round up to the arm holes, contrary to pattern and tailor the sizing, but other than that, I intend to follow the pattern exactly. I'm sure I'll be well into the ribbed edging on the bottom (that I'm doing 8 repeats of based on others experience with this pattern) after knitting tonight.
A Jacy furball decided she wanted to help take pictures today, here she is in all her kitty glory. Expertly hiding what I intended to photograph.
I appear to be in the mood to work on lots of things, but finish nothing lately. I picked back up the Girasole Shawl recently, started a pair of Sinuosity Socks, Lady travels to the seaside shawl and now the Broken Rib tank top.
At least I can say I'm making progress on the socks. I've started the heel flap on my first sock. They are coming along quite nicely.
I intend to work on the Girasole again tonight, at least long enough to get a life line put into it. I'd hate to lose my place as I start chart C, which will be beautiful and full of challenge.
Not to mention that I keep intending to start baby knitting for the *4* babies that will be arriving this summer! I left Philly just in time, there is obviously something in the water there!
Guess I ought to stop typing and start doing. Have a Sweet Day!
Due to the marvels of modern technology and my user error, there are no pictures of the yard after I raked it.
Translation: I got in a hurry to keep the memory card in the camera "clean" and deleted them with out copying them over to the laptop, argh!
But here's a picture, of the front yard, since it rained. You will just have to take my word for it that the spots that are starting to green now, were more yellow a week ago.
I hope the greener circles will blend in soon. Otherwise I'll be buying seed and trying to even out the front yard.
I predict that a lawn mower will be purchased in the next week or so. Now that the grass has been fed and watered, it will likely go nuts and I'll start cutting it regularly. I can already see bumps where different kinds of grass are growing faster than others and know I will NEED to cut it so that the yard has a smoother look soon.
The Dove Chocolate Discoveries gift basket is traveling to MN and has transformed itself into a gift box that leaves the state this afternoon.
I know Mom is going to enjoy trying a whole bunch of new products. I labeled them with some hints on usage and to ensure she knew what she was trying in some cases.
Yesterday I went on a field trip to Smith's in Oberlin with Michelle and Pam. Pam got nominated as honorary picture taker, she documented our journey to Oberline, OH well in her blog.
Smith's is a really cool Home Furnishing and Yarn store. Who would have thought to sell both in one store? It works really well and I will definitely be going back again. I splurged and got some Mirasol Lachiwa yarn to knit myself a summer tank top. Its a great Easter egg periwinkle color!
Thanks to Michelle for the use of her kitchen table photography studio. Michelle was the sole purchaser at the Bead Store, check out the neatest little kitty beads shown in her blog . I'm sure they are going to make some delightful stitch markers.
Visiting Smith's and the Bead Shop in Oberlin yesterday really got the creative juices flowing, much credit to the great women I was shopping with. They helped me get a great yarn for what will be my *FIRST* adult garment, a hand knit tank top and provide continued knitting inspiration!
The juices were flowing so strongly that I was not able to go to bed last night with out finding a pattern and casting on the tank top. I'm going to make the Broken Rib Tank by Kristen TenDyke. I'm going knit in the round up to the arm holes, contrary to pattern and tailor the sizing, but other than that, I intend to follow the pattern exactly. I'm sure I'll be well into the ribbed edging on the bottom (that I'm doing 8 repeats of based on others experience with this pattern) after knitting tonight.
A Jacy furball decided she wanted to help take pictures today, here she is in all her kitty glory. Expertly hiding what I intended to photograph.
I appear to be in the mood to work on lots of things, but finish nothing lately. I picked back up the Girasole Shawl recently, started a pair of Sinuosity Socks, Lady travels to the seaside shawl and now the Broken Rib tank top.
At least I can say I'm making progress on the socks. I've started the heel flap on my first sock. They are coming along quite nicely.
I intend to work on the Girasole again tonight, at least long enough to get a life line put into it. I'd hate to lose my place as I start chart C, which will be beautiful and full of challenge.
Not to mention that I keep intending to start baby knitting for the *4* babies that will be arriving this summer! I left Philly just in time, there is obviously something in the water there!
Guess I ought to stop typing and start doing. Have a Sweet Day!
April 02, 2010
And the winner is...
My Mom. The odds ran true and the person with the most tickets entered won this contest. She will receive a $20 gift certificate and a variety of other Dove Chocolate Discoveries products.
Off to assemble the gift basket. Picture of prize posted soon.
Off to assemble the gift basket. Picture of prize posted soon.
Hmm...I wonder why
...ice from just about every ice maker I've ever encountered always leave funny white stuff floating in the last bit of water in your glass? Is there really that much particulate in the water? Or do I really just need to change the filter in my refrigerator?
I've often wondered this, since it is not the first time I've shied away from using the ice maker in a refrigerator since I find the white stuff disturbing. But, this isn't exactly going to ruin my day, not using ice that is. So I've never taken the time to research the cause. If you have ideas, I'd love to hear them. Maybe your thoughts will inspire real research into this fairly trivial subject.
I've often wondered this, since it is not the first time I've shied away from using the ice maker in a refrigerator since I find the white stuff disturbing. But, this isn't exactly going to ruin my day, not using ice that is. So I've never taken the time to research the cause. If you have ideas, I'd love to hear them. Maybe your thoughts will inspire real research into this fairly trivial subject.
March 29, 2010
Craft Room V1.0
The craft room has finally reached a comfortable, user friendly state. It is clean, fairly organized and ready to serve as playroom and home office.
Ok, so I've still got a table covered in random stuff, but that's pretty normal for my craft room.
I'm not sure I'm capable of keeping a desk top clean, so the home office will always be in a perpetual state of needing to be cleaned. Fortunately, I can work among chaos and do regularly purge things from the top of my desk.
I will be starting the hunt for craft room friendly furniture now. I'm thinking about a combination of a couple of banquet tables (which I have 2 of) and some comfy chairs. Must have a good spot to sit and knit up here. Jocyln has already claimed her favorite spot for lounging in the craft room.
Jacy is more likely to be wandering or trying to get into what ever I might be working on at the time. But when she sits by herself, it is usually on top of or near the heat register, since she just can't be too warm.
Ok, so I've still got a table covered in random stuff, but that's pretty normal for my craft room.
I'm not sure I'm capable of keeping a desk top clean, so the home office will always be in a perpetual state of needing to be cleaned. Fortunately, I can work among chaos and do regularly purge things from the top of my desk.
I will be starting the hunt for craft room friendly furniture now. I'm thinking about a combination of a couple of banquet tables (which I have 2 of) and some comfy chairs. Must have a good spot to sit and knit up here. Jocyln has already claimed her favorite spot for lounging in the craft room.
Jacy is more likely to be wandering or trying to get into what ever I might be working on at the time. But when she sits by herself, it is usually on top of or near the heat register, since she just can't be too warm.
So that's it, clean enough to use and ready to be furnished. Painting this room will wait until I put in more built in shelves and the like, but I'm happy with version 1 of my craft room.
March 19, 2010
Epic Projects
Last fall Jared Flood held classes at Loop in Philly. A fellow SnB'er wanted to attend the Girasole class and I couldn't resist this ginormous lace concoction. It truly is beautiful. I knew when I started this it would be an on-again off-again project. Making anything that is 5 feet in diameter out of lace weight yarn is going to take a while. With that in mind I started my first multi-year knitting project.
Needless to say I started it during the class, finished the first chart and quickly but it aside to start my Christmas knitting. Christmas knitting was extensive this past year, finally completed in February. So I've picked up the Girasole again and gladly completed the second chart.
Trust me when I say, this is only the beginning. There are 5 more charts, some of which are repeated. I'm in love with this project, but enjoying the option of setting it aside to work on something else as well.
In fact, I've started my first real pair of socks. They are done in a cool colorway called "Sis Boom Bah" from Scout's Swag. No pictures of the actual sock project, but here's the yarn and needles waiting to begin transformation.
These socks will most likely be a gift, because I know someone who is going to love this colorway, even more than me, my Mom. The pattern I'm using is Sinuosity, by KnittingNonStop. Dawn is awesome, tons of fun, designs great patterns and just happens to be one of the local CKW (cleveland knits west) knitters. So the fact that there is Sinuosity KAL (knit along) happening right now should come as no surprise.
This is the first time I've participated in a knit along. They are cool since you have access to many other knitters who are working through the same pattern at the same time to ask questions. Or in my case, learn how to cable with out cable needles from. PKJewelry has been helping me with my cabling education. I can now do knit twists, both left and right with out a cable needle! Pam is also a lady of many talents. I bought my awesome chocolate row counter shown in the Girasole photo from her etsy shop.
Ok, enough typing about knitting. Its time to head to Eric's to make bacon crackers, praline bacon (sense a theme yet) and other tasty(not healthy) finger food to eat while watching OSU in the tourney tonight.
Needless to say I started it during the class, finished the first chart and quickly but it aside to start my Christmas knitting. Christmas knitting was extensive this past year, finally completed in February. So I've picked up the Girasole again and gladly completed the second chart.
Trust me when I say, this is only the beginning. There are 5 more charts, some of which are repeated. I'm in love with this project, but enjoying the option of setting it aside to work on something else as well.
In fact, I've started my first real pair of socks. They are done in a cool colorway called "Sis Boom Bah" from Scout's Swag. No pictures of the actual sock project, but here's the yarn and needles waiting to begin transformation.
These socks will most likely be a gift, because I know someone who is going to love this colorway, even more than me, my Mom. The pattern I'm using is Sinuosity, by KnittingNonStop. Dawn is awesome, tons of fun, designs great patterns and just happens to be one of the local CKW (cleveland knits west) knitters. So the fact that there is Sinuosity KAL (knit along) happening right now should come as no surprise.
This is the first time I've participated in a knit along. They are cool since you have access to many other knitters who are working through the same pattern at the same time to ask questions. Or in my case, learn how to cable with out cable needles from. PKJewelry has been helping me with my cabling education. I can now do knit twists, both left and right with out a cable needle! Pam is also a lady of many talents. I bought my awesome chocolate row counter shown in the Girasole photo from her etsy shop.
Ok, enough typing about knitting. Its time to head to Eric's to make bacon crackers, praline bacon (sense a theme yet) and other tasty(not healthy) finger food to eat while watching OSU in the tourney tonight.
March 17, 2010
Ahh...the joys of homeownership
New House + New Home Buyer Credit = Taxes, Yay!!
Really, I am feeling well, no fever. Just thrilled to find out that I did qualify for the New Home Buyer tax credit. I was pretty sure that I wouldn't, but definitely had to ask my tax accountant to be sure I didn't miss out on any tax refund goodness. Thanks for being the expert Jaimee, you are awesome!
If you want Jaimee's contact info, just let me know, she really is great, knowledgable, reasonably priced, and willing to do my taxes from all the way over in NJ.
Celebrated the good tax refund news with Corrie (from Cleveland Knits West) at Angelo's. Hawaiian Pizza and Mr. Pibb, make a great celebratory lunch. BTW, if you ever get to Lakewood, go to Angelo's, the pizza rocks (1/2 price when you eat in on Monday's), it has great atmosphere, and is a locally owned business.
In other good news, the weather continues to be spring like here in Cleveland. Today's sunshine inspired me to trim my nasty car eating bush. It sits right next to the driveway, OK until about 4 pm this afternoon, hung into the driveway and regulary tried to attack any car that came close.
Here's a view of the house from my driveway. You can see the offending bush, well its branches at least, hanging out into the driveway.
Given the nice weather, I saw no reason why I shouldn't attempt to win back my driveway today. The bush before I trimmed it.
When me and the hedge trimmers were through, the bush had lost its ability to eat cars in the driveway. I'm not sure I'll like the results of my trim job when the thing actually has leaves on it, but that remains to be seen.
Bonus: I had no problem backing my car into the driveway tonight since I didn't have to watch closely for the bush.
During the pre-purchase home inspection a few things were brought to my attention. One, the fake green astro-turf like stuff on my front porch and steps should be removed. This will help cut back on moisture build up in the crawl space below. No problem, I don't care much for the stuff anyway. Thanks to one of the more recent wind storms, part of the carpet started to pull itself from the concrete. I was thrilled to find out that I could just pull up the rest of that piece and send it off with the trash yesterday.
Today, I moved the welcome mat to see if I could see a difference in the concrete, since the welcome mat had been holding in moisture, I could.
I'm going to venture out on a limb and say, that concrete is probably not supposed to look that it is shedding rocks. I know that sanding (Fun with power tools :) with the proper tool will remove the carpet glue from the concrete. But I'm definitely curious what sanding will do to the spot that looks like it was patched, and certainly needs to be patched again!
The most disturbing part of this, is I'm actually looking forward to either borrowing or renting the correct equipment to sand concrete. I'm sure that ear plugs, a face mask and gloves will be involved and I'm still quite thrilled to attack this project.
More to come soon...I've got a progress report for Epic Knitting Project #1 and hope to have pictures of Craft Room V1.0 to share before the end of the week.
Really, I am feeling well, no fever. Just thrilled to find out that I did qualify for the New Home Buyer tax credit. I was pretty sure that I wouldn't, but definitely had to ask my tax accountant to be sure I didn't miss out on any tax refund goodness. Thanks for being the expert Jaimee, you are awesome!
If you want Jaimee's contact info, just let me know, she really is great, knowledgable, reasonably priced, and willing to do my taxes from all the way over in NJ.
Celebrated the good tax refund news with Corrie (from Cleveland Knits West) at Angelo's. Hawaiian Pizza and Mr. Pibb, make a great celebratory lunch. BTW, if you ever get to Lakewood, go to Angelo's, the pizza rocks (1/2 price when you eat in on Monday's), it has great atmosphere, and is a locally owned business.
In other good news, the weather continues to be spring like here in Cleveland. Today's sunshine inspired me to trim my nasty car eating bush. It sits right next to the driveway, OK until about 4 pm this afternoon, hung into the driveway and regulary tried to attack any car that came close.
Here's a view of the house from my driveway. You can see the offending bush, well its branches at least, hanging out into the driveway.
Given the nice weather, I saw no reason why I shouldn't attempt to win back my driveway today. The bush before I trimmed it.
When me and the hedge trimmers were through, the bush had lost its ability to eat cars in the driveway. I'm not sure I'll like the results of my trim job when the thing actually has leaves on it, but that remains to be seen.
Bonus: I had no problem backing my car into the driveway tonight since I didn't have to watch closely for the bush.
During the pre-purchase home inspection a few things were brought to my attention. One, the fake green astro-turf like stuff on my front porch and steps should be removed. This will help cut back on moisture build up in the crawl space below. No problem, I don't care much for the stuff anyway. Thanks to one of the more recent wind storms, part of the carpet started to pull itself from the concrete. I was thrilled to find out that I could just pull up the rest of that piece and send it off with the trash yesterday.
Today, I moved the welcome mat to see if I could see a difference in the concrete, since the welcome mat had been holding in moisture, I could.
I'm going to venture out on a limb and say, that concrete is probably not supposed to look that it is shedding rocks. I know that sanding (Fun with power tools :) with the proper tool will remove the carpet glue from the concrete. But I'm definitely curious what sanding will do to the spot that looks like it was patched, and certainly needs to be patched again!
The most disturbing part of this, is I'm actually looking forward to either borrowing or renting the correct equipment to sand concrete. I'm sure that ear plugs, a face mask and gloves will be involved and I'm still quite thrilled to attack this project.
More to come soon...I've got a progress report for Epic Knitting Project #1 and hope to have pictures of Craft Room V1.0 to share before the end of the week.
March 11, 2010
Why I love living in the city
When I decided to walk to run my errands today I didn't expect to travel quite as far as I did. I thought that Dollar General or Kmart would certainly have the colored printer paper I needed. I was wrong.
After around 3.5 miles (estimated using a great mapping program called "Map my walk") of walking today I got some of what I expected to buy, some good finds, and no colored paper. Fortunately I enjoyed my walk and now know that I can walk to Kmart, Kamm's Corners and the Westpark Library from my house no problem. I don't foresee going to all 3 on the same trip next time though.
I do look forward to running more errands with my feet instead of my wheels. It was nice to get outside and I know that if I keep this up, I will certainly see good results when swimsuit season arrives. I hope that the weather here continues to cooperate. Maybe I'll walk to get my groceries next shopping trip. Giant Eagle is even closer to my house than Kamm's so it is certainly a viable option.
Walking to get groceries and the like is something it took me a while to appreciate doing in college. But without wheels living in downtown Milwaukee I had 3 options.
1. Use my feet
2. Ride the bus
3. Bum a ride
The bus came in handy sometimes. But really who likes to have to act according to someone else's schedule; not me. Bumming a ride was fine, but most of the friends I had in college preferred walking around anyway so the feet were used more often than not.
Now I really enjoy the idea tha I can walk places like Kmart, grocery store, library, etc. Admittedly this is the first time I have done so since I moved to Westpark. I blame the weather for that. Now that I've done it, I feel more confident that when the weather is reasonable I will be walking more places.
Happy Walking!
After around 3.5 miles (estimated using a great mapping program called "Map my walk") of walking today I got some of what I expected to buy, some good finds, and no colored paper. Fortunately I enjoyed my walk and now know that I can walk to Kmart, Kamm's Corners and the Westpark Library from my house no problem. I don't foresee going to all 3 on the same trip next time though.
I do look forward to running more errands with my feet instead of my wheels. It was nice to get outside and I know that if I keep this up, I will certainly see good results when swimsuit season arrives. I hope that the weather here continues to cooperate. Maybe I'll walk to get my groceries next shopping trip. Giant Eagle is even closer to my house than Kamm's so it is certainly a viable option.
Walking to get groceries and the like is something it took me a while to appreciate doing in college. But without wheels living in downtown Milwaukee I had 3 options.
1. Use my feet
2. Ride the bus
3. Bum a ride
The bus came in handy sometimes. But really who likes to have to act according to someone else's schedule; not me. Bumming a ride was fine, but most of the friends I had in college preferred walking around anyway so the feet were used more often than not.
Now I really enjoy the idea tha I can walk places like Kmart, grocery store, library, etc. Admittedly this is the first time I have done so since I moved to Westpark. I blame the weather for that. Now that I've done it, I feel more confident that when the weather is reasonable I will be walking more places.
Happy Walking!
March 08, 2010
I'm out and about this week as a Chocolatier
If you have time to stop by at "YWCA of Greater Cleveland Women's Leadership Conference" or "Diva Night in Medina" of these events, please do. I'd love the company and each event has tons to offer.
I'll be wandering the Leadership Conference from around 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and then working the Dove Chocolate Discoveries booth, sharing samples and chatting it up with all the great conference attendees.
I'll be at Diva Night, with the Dove Chocolatier hat (well really an apron) all night.
See you there!
I'll be wandering the Leadership Conference from around 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and then working the Dove Chocolate Discoveries booth, sharing samples and chatting it up with all the great conference attendees.
I'll be at Diva Night, with the Dove Chocolatier hat (well really an apron) all night.
See you there!
March 07, 2010
The Chocolate-Covered Sweet Life
For every $25 of chocolate purchased before March 26th you will earn a ticket for a spectacular gift basket worth over $75. This basket will have everything you need to host a great Chocolate-Covered extravaganza. It includes a variety of Dove Chocolate Discoveries products, entertaining guides and a gift certificate for $1 (for every $20 sold before March 26th) up to $50 in Dove Chocolate Discoveries product.
Just use the link above to choose your selection of Dove Chocolate Discoveries products. Send me an email and the sweet life will arrive in your mail box in no time.
Just use the link above to choose your selection of Dove Chocolate Discoveries products. Send me an email and the sweet life will arrive in your mail box in no time.
My challenge, your treats
So less than 30 days ago I joined the Dove Chocolate Discoveries team. I feel like I'm starting to get my chocolatier feet under me. I've got a challenge, sell $1000 of chocolate in 20 days. My goal is to do this in 18 days, just to give myself a bit of breathing room. If you help with the challenge, a chance at a spectacular SWEET treat will be headed your way in addition to all the great chocolate you order before March 25th!
Details on the SWEET surprise treat to follow.
Details on the SWEET surprise treat to follow.
February 28, 2010
I don't belong in the kitchen
I really do enjoy my new home. I really don't enjoy cleaning the kitchen floor in my new home. The kitchen floor in all of its black and white checkered glory, is covered in vinyl textured tile, yes it really is black and white checkered.
I think the checkered floor adds a nice modern touch to the original kitchen design from 1938. But it is truly a pain to clean. Because it is both black and white everything shows. Because it is textured, a scrub brush is occasionally required in addition to regular mopping. For reasons I cannot explain, only a Magic Eraser will get the white squares completely clean after they have been walked on for a few weeks.
I think the checkered floor adds a nice modern touch to the original kitchen design from 1938. But it is truly a pain to clean. Because it is both black and white everything shows. Because it is textured, a scrub brush is occasionally required in addition to regular mopping. For reasons I cannot explain, only a Magic Eraser will get the white squares completely clean after they have been walked on for a few weeks.
Exhibit A: My floor, pre-cleaning spree
Exhibit B: My floor, after cleaning spree and use of magic eraser
I really haven't a clue how the magic eraser works and this sort of bothers me. But on the other hand, it accomplishes what no amount of scrubbing does, so I like it.
The weather here has been damp, coldish and grey. So I decided it was time to make soup, a modified version of carrot soup. I learned a few good lessons today.
1. It is in fact possible to burn soup. The carrots at the bottom of the pot burned before the pot stopped steaming due to my desire to cook quickly. I will never try to boil carrots on high again.
2. Despite the fact that the hand mixer does not get the soup as smooth, not having to get hot carrots into a blender may be well worth a few chunks.
3. Adding celery (in effort to use the vile green stuff) to carrot soup does in fact change the color.
So I made carrot soup, with a few bits of burnt carrot, and a slightly brown hue that surprisingly enough still tastes good.
I still think I do not belong in the kitchen.
February 18, 2010
Help!!! I've fallen down the social media rabbit hole
I do not like social media...I do not like social media...I do not like social media...
Yes, I know I'm blogging. I just had to make it clear, that I do not like social media before I got started with this, my first blog post. I'm a bit of an introvert, I share freely about myself with those I know, but appear to be a closed book to those I do not. Or at least that is how I see myself.
Social media is not evil, but definitely can be freaky, scary, crazy. You will not see posts from me hourly (not even daily if my guess is correct). I won't be tweeting all day long about all things I'm doing and not doing. But I have decided to share a little bit about myself and some of the new adventures I've under taken.
First, in November of last year I became a proud resident of Cleveland, Oh. Yes, this city has many nick names (most notably “mistake by the lake”) but really, its a nice, little city. Very different from Philadelphia. The skyline is tiny, but there are numerous cool touristy things to do and an awesome outdoor music venue called the Blossom Music Center. Ok, Blossom is outside of Cleveland, but it is truly a venue worth visiting.
I've been working in engineering for almost 10 years, wow. I'm currently looking for full time work in this industry, but like everyone in this economy, I'm finding it to take longer than I had hoped to land that next great career.
Because it sounds like great fun and can be rather rewarding, I've decided to join the “Dove Chocolate Discoveries” team. I officially became a Chocolatier on February 11, 2010. Sounds exciting right, well it is! I will be sharing the joy of all of the luscious Dove Chocolate Discoveries (DCD) products. This is really great chocolate. I've tried lots of chocolate, and all of these products are versatile while being absolutely delicious in their simplest form.
So far my favorite product is the Chardonnay Caramel sauce. This sauce is so creamy, with smooth California Chardonnay folded in just before packaging. The chocolate baking mix is extremely versatile and will always be on hand in my pantry. Its hard to believe that chocolate mousse can be prepared in just 5 minutes; but DCD makes that possible. I've tried it, it is a fantastic chocolate mousse.
Finally, there is more to come. I'm working on many different things right now, and will be sure to have more announcements soon.
For now, take care and have a sweet life.
Yes, I know I'm blogging. I just had to make it clear, that I do not like social media before I got started with this, my first blog post. I'm a bit of an introvert, I share freely about myself with those I know, but appear to be a closed book to those I do not. Or at least that is how I see myself.
Social media is not evil, but definitely can be freaky, scary, crazy. You will not see posts from me hourly (not even daily if my guess is correct). I won't be tweeting all day long about all things I'm doing and not doing. But I have decided to share a little bit about myself and some of the new adventures I've under taken.
First, in November of last year I became a proud resident of Cleveland, Oh. Yes, this city has many nick names (most notably “mistake by the lake”) but really, its a nice, little city. Very different from Philadelphia. The skyline is tiny, but there are numerous cool touristy things to do and an awesome outdoor music venue called the Blossom Music Center. Ok, Blossom is outside of Cleveland, but it is truly a venue worth visiting.
I've been working in engineering for almost 10 years, wow. I'm currently looking for full time work in this industry, but like everyone in this economy, I'm finding it to take longer than I had hoped to land that next great career.
Because it sounds like great fun and can be rather rewarding, I've decided to join the “Dove Chocolate Discoveries” team. I officially became a Chocolatier on February 11, 2010. Sounds exciting right, well it is! I will be sharing the joy of all of the luscious Dove Chocolate Discoveries (DCD) products. This is really great chocolate. I've tried lots of chocolate, and all of these products are versatile while being absolutely delicious in their simplest form.
So far my favorite product is the Chardonnay Caramel sauce. This sauce is so creamy, with smooth California Chardonnay folded in just before packaging. The chocolate baking mix is extremely versatile and will always be on hand in my pantry. Its hard to believe that chocolate mousse can be prepared in just 5 minutes; but DCD makes that possible. I've tried it, it is a fantastic chocolate mousse.
Finally, there is more to come. I'm working on many different things right now, and will be sure to have more announcements soon.
For now, take care and have a sweet life.
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