life, swedish style

yay! the new IKEA opened this week in charlotte, nc. i did not go to the grand opening. i don't know how busy it was, but the news showed people camping out for the opening giveaways and prizes. i'm not a fan of crowds, so i waited ....

mom and i went today. when we arrived, we went directly upstairs for breakfast. then, she spotted the kid section with toys and away she went.

because of this initial distraction, we ended up going through the showroom backwards. it became obvious after realizing everyone was coming towards us, and then ... there were those big arrows painted on the floor. oops.

we had fun, and i got a couple of things.


yay! glassware! ... i do not need anymore glasses. my cabinet is full. but, these were so pretty, and cheap. and about 3 minutes later, i found the matching tray (didn't know there was one 'til we stumbled upon it).

i also picked up this ice tray.


can you really pass up on swedish fish at ikea ?!

bread

... yeah, bread ....

i made bread. i acquired a bread machine (my second, first one "died" with first use). i've made a few loafs, but this one so far has been the best.

yum YUM! ... the flavor of onion bread! i made this loaf first for a gathering of friends, but i was low on time for the process. i chose a cycle that would not or could not produce a good loaf.

second time around, for myself ... pretty darn good!

i just got a couple of books today from the library ... i may have to turn in early for enough reading of red mars or the bread lover's bread machine cookbook.

either way, it will be good.

fish and food

not, fish as food !


first things first, i got a new fish. i haven't had fish for awhile. i took the simple route this time around. i have a 1 gallon tank ($10 from wally world) and a $5 betta. i haven't read up on bettas yet. but, if they can live in a tiny cup on a dark shelf at the store, then they should be okay in this set up. and, they're classified as "beginner" fish. i think that's more my speed these days.



doesn't that look good?! i roasted some garlic the other day, and of course gobbled an entire bulb fresh from the oven (garlic toast!).



my pyrex was perfect for this. i fit four bulbs into the dish (with lid) and put it in the oven for about 1hr 20min at 350*. easy peasy. just slice off the top, sprinkle some salt, drizzle some olive oil, and bake. and once it's roasted, you can keep it in the fridge for up to a month (or longer?). it doesn't matter. it won't last a week here.

snowday ...

when i woke up this morning, i remembered the forecast. the light on the closed blinds was different. i opened the blinds to a winter wonderland.

how pretty! i hate that most of it's going to melt tomorrow. i've had a great day of piddling, knitting, looking out the windows, etc. i'm still in my pj's. i'm going to finish this one movie (return of the king) and then pop in another. though the snow has stopped, and the sun is shining low ... nearing sunset, it's still a snowday to me. the creatures really enjoyed it too!

i like pictures

this is stuart snuggling up in bed with lucy. no ! there is nothing dirty going on ! lucy was in stuart's christmas stocking. at first, he was like, "i dunno" ... but she kinda grew on him, and she's cute, and he loves her (as do i).

it's been COLD. my thermostat is 63* right now, but that's 63" above the floor (funny, huh?). let's just assume the floor is a minimum of 10* or more colder (hello old bldg, no insulation, plaster walls, high ceilings, drafty windows, hardwood floors). and the computer chair ... cold. thus, i am wearing my layers, and a hat.

i do plan on doing some *cooking* today. well, not exactly cooking ... more like assembling. i want to make some hummus. my favorite recipes come from 28cooks. she's a great lover of hummus, and i picked up a few ingredients today from the grocery to make at least two different batches. i'm really glad i have a food processor for the job.

i have also been thinking about an immersion blender. i'd like to get one, but i cannot decide on what features i want. hmmmm ... homework .....

walking

i took a very nice walk the other day. i will post more pictures later ... but this picture is for the one who won't let up about posting.

of course, the entire time i'm taking this shot, i'm thinking, ... something is going to pop its face into the broken pane !!!

that's what happens when you're raised by matinee tv of the 70's. thanks mom.

last day

back to normal ?!

for the goomba

LOOK goomba, i updated !

holiday cheer!

yes, i needed this! i am not home enough, nor was there time enough from thanksgiving to christmas, to put up my tree.

but, for some reason, there was "enough" of something to warrant buying this set of figurines from rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (ps. i got the set of misfit toys too!).

they're awesome. beyond cute. they make me smile each time i look at them.