FALL

FALL HAS ARRIVED.  (please Mr. Weather, don't make me eat my words!)

Lately, it seems that I am sinking back into a funk.  I don't know what I want, or exactly how to get it, and I don't like feeling out of control.  I haven't been in the happiest of places recently, so I've decided to list why I LOVE FALL.

I LOVE:

-wearing boots and sweaters

-not sweating when I walk outside

-the color burnt orange, burgundy and brown

-watching leaves turn

-buying pumpkins and gourds

-running through corn mazes

-Honeycrisp Apples

-sipping tea and spiced cider

-Pumpkin Spice Lattes

-snuggling in the cool air and warm sunshine

-my new sweater 

Banana Bread

I just made banana bread for the first time!  My loft smells amazing, it tastes incredible, but it looks so odd.  What gives?  :)

Here's the recipe I used:

2 cups flour
2 eggs (beaten)
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 c. butter
2 1/3 c. overripe, mashed bananas

Cream the butter with the sugar.  Add in the eggs and bananas, mix, and then the dry ingredients.  Be careful not to mix too much or else the bread will get dry and dense.  Also, 2 1/3 c. of mashed bananas are about equal to 6 or 7 bananas. 

Heat oven to 350, and bake for about 60 minutes.  I halved the recipe and baked it for 30 minutes oddly enough.  Came out just right.

A Shakespearian Tragedy

My poor plants.  They really have no chance, now do they?

I have finally gotten a plant stand to place by the window's light, for these poor ferns who I, unfortunately, probably have already sealed their fate in death.  "...to die, to sleep, is that all?..." I'm afraid we have a tragedy on our hands.

Nails

I really enjoy painting my nails.  Some would say that it's not proper for a musician, especially a string player to paint their nails.  For years, I wasn't allowed, and even if I had been, it bothered me to have the extra weight on my fingers.  Yes, I'm that sensitive to my hands.  However, ever since I had braces put back on, (last August 31st, to be exact, but who's counting?) I cannot bite my nails or cuticles anymore.  This does not stop me from picking, let me add, but after about the first month, the urge to stick my dirty hands in my mouth has significantly decreased.  I still do chew on my fingers when I'm nervous, bothered, or intensely concentrating, but in general, I leave my fingers alone.  This is a huge coup for me, since I was the "lets-tear-the-nail-off-past-the-quik" type of person before.  My entire life, actually.  So...thus, I enjoy painting my nails.  :)  My favorite colors are "But I'm Not Really a Waitress" and "Lincoln Park After Dark", both by OPI.

(Ironically, I HATE painting my toenails.  I would say 99% of the time I just get a pedicure.)

And for my grammar conscious friends, the second sentence in the paragraph: Do I put the comma before the ( ) or does it go after?  I know that the period follows, but does the same apply for other punctuation?  Suz?

I'M BAAACK

Ahhhh!  What an amazing summer!  But, I will blog later about that! :)

Today was a day for shoes and lipstick.  :)  I have two FABULOUS new pairs of shoes, and the BEST red lipstick.

Steve Madden 5" platforms

Michelle D. teal shell sandals

Makeup for Forever #21

I saw the fabulous red shade on a salesperson in Sephora about a week ago.  She had the same coloring as I do, and I have been SEARCHING for a great red to complement, not overtake, my face.  It's perfect.  (The new Kat von D lipstick is also amazing.  Practically the same shade.  They happened to be sold out.)  I hadn't been able to quit thinking about it, so I splurged and got it today!  I would recommend this to everyone....especially those of us with fair skin.  :)

Ah, it's been that kind of day.  :)  Love.

Adventures of Pip and Emma: Day 11

It's been awhile since we have caught up with Pippy and Emma, but so much as happened!  :)  I've been able to see so many friends since I've been here, and had a lot of fun!  Ice skating and mall trips with Kayla, dinner at the Perkins', movies, manis and pedis with Liz, hanging out with Katie and getting to reconnect with Jen, Ryan and meet their daughter Clara.  She keeps you on your toes, and is a RIOT!

Pip and Emma have been good doggies, for the most part.  I see more progress than regression...and I think it's just because they are getting used to me.  I'm sure I'm going to jinx myself, I THINK Miss Em isn't going poopy in the house anymore!  :)  It's raining today, so who knows!?  She always surprises me!  She'll come into the room where I'm sitting, and will even come across the room to take a treat from me.  Silly girl will only take the treat in the breakfast room, but hey, the first day, she wouldn't even let me put a leash on her!  She and Pip play and play during the day, and sack out on the cool wood floor for some solid nap times.  Emma is becoming less scared on our walks, and actually will come and ask for a walk now!  I might have spoiled them by taking them every few hours when I'm home, but they are just too cute and LOVE to go outside!

Mr. Pippy is starting to have an attitude that is way bigger than his scrawny little frame.  This little man has won over my heart completely and makes me laugh constantly!  We're working on our leash manners outside.   He's not unruly, but he does like to venture into the street, so we're stopping at all curbs and saying wait.  With time, he'll get it!  And when we're just walking, I say "No Street", and about 50% of the time he'll come away from the curb....haha only 50% though!  :)  He has this little prance that just makes everyone laugh.  Inside the house, he will follow me around just 'making sure' I'm still here.  Pip thinks it's SO funny to attack Emma's tail!  He has started following me into the bathroom and checking up on me.  I try and explain that I need privacy, but his little face just stares at me.  I was SHOCKED yesterday when I woke up and found him upstairs, sitting at my door.  I didn't think he climbed the stairs.  Occasionally, he will paw at my leg...and turn to lead me to what he wants.  Little stinker!  Needless to say, we are becoming fast friends and I hope he'll start taking to the sit and leave it command. :)

Adventures of Pip and Emma: Day 3

Today started off really great!  I came down to Pip barking his head off at 'something' and was worried that I had way overslept my alarm, and that Mitta's son was coming in to get his mail.  Nope, Pippy was just barking.  I'm guess he thought it was fun.

I stumble downstairs to make the cats and dogs their breakfast and clean up.  I think Pip was hungry today because he actually wanted his food.  After not eating for two days, I'd be hungry too!  It's chicken, for crying out loud!  It's good!  Emma as no problem eating.  Clearly.  :)

We go out for walks.  This, they are getting better at.  :)  Pip will let me put his leash on before Emma now, and is very enthusiastic about walking.  Gets really excited and has this little wiggle in his butt.  Emma still cowers and acts like I'm about to kill her, all with her tail wagging.  Emma, you're weird.

The day goes fine, nothing too exciting.  I bought them a 'treat' ball yesterday and Pippy loves it.  He won't play whilst I'm looking, but when he thinks I'm not paying attention, he tears after it.  It's hysterical to watch.  Emma looks on with earnest interest, but doesn't join in.

It rained again, hard, about dinner time.  It started to let up around 6:15, so I took the little buggers out.  Even though it was raining Pippy peed, but darling Emma didn't even want to walk.  She was totally giving me the stink eye the entire time.  And we literally only went to the end of the block and back.  RIGHT as we got back inside, she gets off leash, we have some petting time, I brush them and dry them off, give them a treat and she goes and PEES IN THE CORNER.  I wanted to strangle her.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

However, after dinner I did a few chores and ate some dinner myself.  And here's when the news comes in.  EMMA came to get me for the 10pm walk.  EMMA!  She's never left that room to do anything but play with Pip, that I know of!  I was so happy.  But, during the walk she started to limp, and so after she PEED!!!!! I picked her up and carried her the rest of the way.  Coming into the house she was just fine, miraculously though.  That dog.  After the walk, she came to say thank you I think too.  Either that, or she was just checking on me, saying "SUCKA!!".  :)

So, all in all, it was a good day.  I think. :)