2011 Spring Cleaning Sessions, Part I

As you may already know, I lead an extremely exciting life, as evident in this blog.
After a productive day at work, I came home and then...

1.  Played as many games of McSolitaire as it took to solve one.
2.  Then decided to tackle some house cleaning - today's focus: dining room (an often overlooked area in the house). This entailed the following (please note - the only person who'll enjoy this part is maybe my mom):

• Taking items that do not belong on the dining room table and put them into their proper place (ahem... tools used to hang up the mirror weeks ago).
• Vacuuming the rug and the floors.
• Mopping the hardwood with some Bona (biodegradable hardwood floor cleaner) and my Shark steam cleaner.
• Wiping clean all the light switches and outlets (4 of them? In a dining room? Why?)
• Placing my wilting plant in a more sunlit location in the corner across from the screen door. I also got to salvage that old wooden stand that was on its way to Goodwill.
• Removing layers of dog slobber off the screen door.
• Wiping the dining room table and chairs with some lemony wood polish.

Nobody is allowed into this room - especially you, dog

3.  Then in my domestic frenzy, I also managed to wash and put away a couple of loads of laundry.
4.  Ironed hubba's dressy shirt for tomorrow (being a lawyer's wife requires a lot of ironing).
5.  Blogged about my accomplished evening. You are welcome.

Bon Voyage, mes petites soeurs et ma chère maman!

Have a safe flight!

This morning my little sisters (accompanied by our mom for a few days) left for France. They will be studying there for 4 months. I am going to miss them terribly. They have started a blog to document their adventures in France.  I know I'll be keeping close tabs on them!

Taking family photos before departure

 When I came to work from the airport, I was called down to the lobby, where there was a Valentine's surprise waiting for me. My sister had a couple of students from a local university's choir sing "Til There Was You". It was such a sweet serenade. I had to hug the performers in place of my sisters. I also received a beautiful rose. It totally made me tear up.

Hope all of you are having a happy Valentine's Day. I'm now home with my Valentine, spending the night inside our cozy little home.

I ate Bruce Lee...

... I did! It's the name of this somewhat spicy sushi roll I had with my peoples at Sakari Sushi Lounge after work today. My sisters, my bestie, and AJ Vajayjay met at this place where we engaged in silly shenanigans. My super awesome cool boss was there, too. It was a weird coincidence (or maybe serendipity?) I also saw an old MBA classmate there. So wonderfully weird... of all the places in Des Moines, we all converge here. Anyway, it was so nice to get out and spend time with cool people after being cooped up with a flu at home for a week.

Oh you know I brought my camera

January 2011 Knitting Projects

I finished the Citadel mittens for the battered women's shelter. The yarn was given to me by the owner of the yarn shop I work for, otherwise, I would have never picked black. It's difficult to see your stitches.

2011 Knitting Project #1

Although I initially wanted to do a lace scarf, I changed my mind after I bought Noro Taiyo yarn. I knew I had to do something with it. I chose the Norwegian pattern the Baktus Scarf. It's bright and colorful - something my drab winter wardrobe needs.

2011 Knitting Project #2

 

 

I'm seriously excited about starting my February projects. :)

Cooking clean

Goal #2: Prepare a meal from the Clean Eating cookbook/magazine at least once a week.
My sisters helped me this Friday evening. We made a couple of dishes: quinoa stuffed peppers with basil pesto, and sweet potato and roasted garlic soup. Both were delicious. And what a fun way to spend a Friday evening with family and friends.

My beautiful sisters helping me in the kitchen

Yummy peppers filled with quinoa, spinach, tomatoes - and topped with pesto

Sweet potato and roasted garlic soup

2011, here I come!

It's a brand new year and I am filled with hope that this one will be better than the last. There is so much work to do in 2011. I want to come at the end of it a happier, more accomplished person. 2010 was rough. But let's leave it in the past. Onward with full sails!

I generally want to become a better version of me. I want to be healthy and fit, I want a clean house, I want success at work, I want financial security, I want to learn and experience something new every day, and I want to strengthen my relationships with my family and friends. In short, I want to live the good life.

This endeavor is quite overwhelming. So let's start with something I know and love. Official goal #1: finish 2 knitting project each month. One will be for me, one will be for someone else. This month's goals:

Citadel mittens for the battered women's shelter

One row lace scarf for me

I'll be home for Christmas

This year we hosted the holidays at our house. It was a lot of work (and stress-induced panic attacks), but the end-result was wonderfully cozy and unforgettable. Here are a few shots from the two days.

Yup - I did all of this

Moja familija

Sisters

This would have been such a beautiful portrait, but I ruined it with my big pumpkin head (and some stray hairs)

Niece Maggie was Santa's little helper

In-laws