Sorry I've been gone!!

Sorry y'all for being away so long... It's been a crazy busy fall (and summer, if you remember that's where I left off).  To make up for my terrible behavior, I will be blogging throughout my Thanksgiving Break.  I can also say that there will be a ton of blogging over winter break when I'm literally doing nooooothing but vegging out and sewing.

Ok.  That's that.  Here are some fun links that come from literally all over the internet on all kinds of topics that have piqued my interest recently.

The future of skyscrapers: covered in Lichen!

Ketamine can help those suffering from depression

How to dress like Blair Waldorf (of Gossip Girl)

The best productivity tricks used by Evil Dictators

15 Fast Fresh Pasta Recipes from TheKitchn

Today's Recipes: Spicy Avocado Chicken Enchiladas and Lemon-Scented Blueberry Pull-Apart Bread

Yay!  We're experimenting today after a huge Harris Teeter haul yesterday.

The Novice Chef's Spicy Avocado Chicken Enchiladas

A Farewell to Summer with Lemon Blueberry Pull Apart Bread

YUM!  I'll let you know how they turn out.

Life Update

Hello!
I know it has been awhile since I last updated... I've had a lot going on.  This hasn't stopped my crafting, just slowed the blogging portion.  What I've been doing:

• Finished my dress!  Pictures to come!
• Bought my first iron and ironing board, and learned how to use them
• Went to the fabric store to pick up odds and ends...and bought 3 McCall's patterns while there.  Usually they sold for about $20, but I picked them up for $3 because of a crazy sale
• Celebrated my boyfriend's 22nd birthday
• Began training for a 5k using the Couch to 5k Program.  I'm on Week1 Day3 of a 9 week program...
• Preparing for my trip to Jordan, which is in about two weeks!

I hope to elaborate more on these developments before I leave, and not be a terrible blogger.  You have a lot to look forward to, however, including a Gin and Tonic Lime Cake....shhh!

Oh man... so this is why I'm up at 2AM

PROGRESS!!!

Something to consider...

Don't drink french press coffee after 6pm unless you want to be up hand sewing things because you're wide awake.

Wisdom Teeth Recovery

Hey everyone!
I know it has been a few days since my last update, but I've been stressing over my wisdom teeth surgery.  I got it done yesterday and it could not have gone better!  In fact, I have had zero swelling and am already starting to nibble at solid foods.  Yay!

Here's an update on my sewing project, in case you wanted some visual proof that I AM working on it...

What's left?  Liner, shoulders, and hemming!!

This turned out a LOT better than my previous attempt, which I tried to rush through... A stitch in time saves nine!

Yum yum! Green Smoothie Recipe

This is a Green Smoothie from Two Peas and Their Pod.
I love it, and have adapted my own recipe with a few of their ideas.
You can have this at any time of day, and it really packs in a punch of delicious nutrients.  You can drink it immediately (best), stick it in the fridge overnight for a tasty breakfast, or stick it in the freezer if you have a few to keep.  I made two last night, and put one in the fridge and one in the freezer.  Just finished my morning one and YUM YUM.









Note:  You can really substitute any fruits you like into this recipe.  But if you want it to be green, spinach is the way to go!

Bekka's Green Smoothie
Makes two large smoothies

2 handfuls of spinach
1 Banana
A few cut strawberries
1 Apple (I like to use Gala- but even Granny Smiths work!)
Some water for blending
A few cubes of ice if you're drinking it immediately

Instructions: Blend. Freeze, refrigerate, or enjoy immediately!

Simple.

Current Project

Tonight I decided to work on a dress project...
with this pattern...

 and this fabric.

I have actually already made a dress out of this fabric (pictures of the dress itself to come), but something about it just doesn't fit right...

I'm so sorry for the weird quality... it's late.

Things I Love #1: Hard Cider

Since turning 21 (cough), I've had the opportunity to define a few personal tastes in the alcohol arena.  One of my favorites, for any season, is hard cider.  The first time I went to a pub to have a drink, I had a Magners, recommended by a friend, bartender, and lover of all things Irish.  I was smitten.  It takes just like a grown-up apple juice!  I can actually enjoy this!

(Note:  I do like wine, to a point.  If it tastes like juice.  But I digress).

My second encounter was with Woodchuck, which my friend immediately called a "lesbian beer."  Why is this?  Probably because Woodchucks are like beavers... and yeah.  But that really isn't important.  However, if I introduce it to a friend I call it that to this day.

What I love about Woodchuck is that it comes in a ton of varieties, which is one of my favorite things... I'm very indecisive and like choices, guys.  Right now you can get their Limited Release Summer Cider (also, Cider is gluten free!), and it has a hint of blueberries and might be my favorite yet.

So that's why, the next time you go to a bar or the store, and want to try something new and non-season specific, try this.  Please.  For me.  And try to tell me you don't like it.

Free at Last!

Finally I'm done with my junior year of college.  This means a lot for me, and I've been trying to be thankful and proud of all that I've done thus far- and hope to do in the future.  So please excuse me for a moment as I list the things that I've gotten out of this experience, and some things I'm very lucky to have.  For new friends of this blog, it might give some further insight as to what I value in my 21 years.

• A six month stint working as an intern in the Senate
• I'm working towards a double major- International Affairs and Political Science, with a minor in Economics.
• I've traveled to Austria
• I'm travelling to Jordan to study Arabic in (gasp!) a month!
• This means I'm triligual... I speak English, German, and some Arabic
• I have a great, supportive family
• and a great, supportive boyfriend (of nine months on Saturday)
• I'm the first person in my immediate family who has made it this far through college... that is a bigger personal accomplishment than most people think.
• I can tell my kid that I've worked in the dishwashing room of my University when they ask me for money in the future, and that earning money themselves  (HAHA).
• I actually get around pretty well without a car.  I'd like to think this makes me more environmentally friendly... but who is to say, really?

That's it for now- I love being so goal-oriented.  I don't think I'll be sitting on my butt much this summer.  I've already planned meals, made appointments, and planned to sew some new things.  2012 looks like the best summer yet.

Recipes of Interest 5/2

These are a few spring recipes I have been looking at lately... and I want to make them.  Soon.
Also, I'm still on my hunt for ramps.  RAMPS!

Snickerdoodle Poundcake
Goat Cheese Rapini
Asparagus and Poached Egg on Toast
Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Summer Begins

It is time to begin my summer.

Well, not really.  Summer technically starts around 12:30 tomorrow when I finish two (TWO) German finals and head home.

So I'm going to start blogging about my summer adventures.  This may include, but is not limited to...

• sewing 
• cooking
• crafting
• reading
• travelling

Basically everything I've been obsessing over in the past few months via Google Reader (which I ADORE) will be categorized here for inspiration... obviously with my projects included.  Tumblr and Pinterest are great, but they just aren't doing it for me in the blogging department.  Too simple.  

So here are some tabs that I literally have open right now while I watch Desperate Housewives

My Black Tongue

Please Note

Endless Appetite

Pamplemousse