VACATION all I ever wanted

WooHoo!  We've made it to DC.  We spent yesterday traveling.  Our flight from Atlanta was delayed 4 hours due to the storms in DC.  We didn't arrive until 10 last night.  Actually we arrived at the airport around 9 but spent an hour waiting for an open gate.

I am having THE BEST birthday!  Highlights include - the tiny silver necklace from husband; Hawaiian doberge cake; fireworks; and Toyota sending me a coupon for a free oil change. And this morning I found out I was the winner of the CSN giveaway on Chic on the Cheap's blog!  A $60 giftcard!  happy dance, happy dance



It's so nice to be off of work.  We're headed to the White House tour and the Capitol tour this morning.   I'll post a few pictures this afternoon.

Have a great weekend!

The beginning of my birthday week

Last night we celebrated my birthday at my mom's with my sister and her kids.  We had such a great time - the food was delicious, I got to play with my niece, and we even shot off some fireworks.  My nephew got me some really cool things - he's so thoughtful - a few LED lights and a small lint roller to carry in my purse.  He said "well you have a dog and a cat".   I'm afraid that I must be always covered in cat hair, so bad that even a child has noticed.  Or maybe his parents talk about all the cat hair on me and he picked up on it.  Oh well. 

I'm very excited because I received a copy of  the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.   It seems everyone's talking about it this summer.  I can't wait to read it on my vacation!

Has anyone read it yet? 

Birthday Wish List

My birthday is next week, so I decided to list a few things that I've been dreaming of.  I usually give my husband a list of things that I want/like/need and make a huge deal out of my birthday/Christmas/our anniversary.  I start talking about special occasions about a month in advance.  

I've never understood women who get upset when their husband/significant other forgets an important event.  If it's that important to you, you should make a HUGE deal out of it!

 I'm really obsessed (and really want) a thin, small necklace.  I want it to sit right on my collar bone.  I've been obsessed with it since watching Audrey Tautou's Priceless.  (My obsession with Audrey Tautou will be a separate post)

Crown necklace from Roberto Coin.

Necklace from Maya Brenner - I really wish the initial necklace came in silver.

If anyone knows where to get a simple little necklace for under $100 please let me know.  I've tried searching etsy but I can't find anything that I like. 

Also on my wish list - a sewing table

and a long arm quilting machine would really help me make some quilts

Actually, I'd really like my sewing/laundry room fixed up - table, cabinets installed - maybe something like this.

My real life wish list that I mentioned to my husband includes a new iron, ironing board and new embroidery scissors.  No gifts to open this year though - we cashed in our frequent flyer miles and are going visit my sister in DC. 

Oh yeah and I really want a pineapple doberge cake - just a slice (hint, hint, karen)

Work in Progress

I start way too many projects at one time.  Then I get overwhelmed that I have too much going on. Just wanted to share the latest quilt I'm working on. I have three quilts in progress right now.

 

Here are a couple of pictures of my husband and my puppy helping me.  My husband made me make two more squares because he didn't think a couple of squares looked good.  And I have to admit it does look better with the two new squares.

 

Somehow I managed to pin & sew two squares upside down in the middle of the quilt.  I spent last night ripping those 2 rows apart.  I also managed to rip apart 2 other rows because I wasn't paying attention.  It's all back together now.  Hopefully I'll get the borders on this weekend.

CSN Stores $60 Giveaway

Check out Chic on the Cheap blog - she's giving away $60 gift certificate to CSN stores.

If I were to win, I'd get one of these

or this 

 or this

So hurry go and enter the giveaway today!  Also sign up for her blog - she'll have another giveaway when she reaches 200 followers!

Remind me to cook this again

Meals like this make me LOVE being on a low carb diet.  This is the first time I've ever cooked a brisket in the slow cooker.  It turned out so delicious!  I only wish I could somehow transmit on this blog how good my house smelled when I walked in from the office. Quite simple.  I had Sam marinate the meat overnight in a little Dale's Seasoning, Lea & Perrin's and balsamic vinegar.  Before I left for work I seared it and threw it in the slow cooker with some onions and garlic.  That's it!  Add a side of broccoli and cheese...

My lil' helper

Actually, he's not really helping.  He just paws at me until I pick him up.  How will I ever finish this quilt with Samson in my lap?

He is a good model though

(the DJ Baby Lance Rock hat I knitted for my niece - free pattern here)