little kitchen.

We are moving out of our place in Irvington after a little over a year here.

It's OK though, we knew we would...

only then we thought we'd be headed for Japan at the end of this month!

Instead, a grand tour of Europe in two...

I'll miss my little kitchen.

But not the little part.

kitchen cheer.

Winter makes me want this kitchen featured on Design Sponge even more! It's small but it looks efficient, bright, and well-organized (I see you, Ikea racks!)

I've been up to things...sewing, edibles...but no pictures yet.

ant drama. so rude.

My thoughts today have been - "I need to post something about our move and our new house!"

Can't find the camera, so no pictures yet. My mind immediately recalled the email I sent earlier today to my friend Jessi about why I did not call her back last night. I thought it would sum up my initial thoughts about my state of mind.

"Did you go to bed early? I didn't call you back because last night I came home after class to tons of ants in my kitchen, which you know me. I told Andy that I take ants very personally - they are so rude, and they don't get the hint! I couldn't take my first night in this strange place with ants having free reign and basically a party at my expense. Rude!!!!! So I got back into the car and went to Fred Meyer and bought Terro liquid and Terro traps and put 15 little squares of the stuff lining the window sill, it's solid death. Then I noticed that the screen isn't even attached to the window that they are getting in through, and so basically it's an open door directly from the grass since we are in the basement apartment! Sucks big time! So I got home at 11 and thought that might be too late. Good story, huh!? ;)"

I'm optimistic. It can only get better from here, as long as this Terro does the trick. Is it weird that I actually pray for the ants to please, please leave?

Christmas crumbs...

Snow is falling in Portland once again as we prepare for another 10 weeks of classes starting tomorrow. Remind me again what possessed me to sign up for an 8am class during winter?

I finally finished filling out my Christmas Memories book. I think I wrote on almost every single line trying to squeeze it all in...

...

I'm very happy with the results.

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These were my only decorations out this year. Since we spent the majority of the holiday in Medford, it didn't make sense to get a tree, etc. So we just built a little shrine on top of our bookcase :) Mom gave us the nativity scene last year and it's my perfect style - vivid colors and kinda vintage-y. Plus it's all in one piece so I don't have to worry about losing any important characters! The tree topper is held up by a spatula in a canning jar and the berry strand and tins were on clearance at Joanne's last year. I used some linen and sheer gold fabric which is actually keeping more true to the Christmas story because Jesus was born in the desert, not in the snow. I think we all know that.

My evenings have been consumed by the Gilmore Girls on DVD, seasons 3 & 4. It's really addicting and I should have started it sooner so it won't get in the way of studying, but I know it will...maybe I should just pull an all-nighter and watch every episode so I can get on with my life? But that doesn't sound as fun as a few episodes every night.

Three Cheers for Pots and Pans!

Arg, my kitchen is SO white! That's why I am so happy that we got our pot rack hung today. It's like art on all it's own - the light reflecting from the stainless and the contrasts it creates against the black rack - I thoroughly enjoy it. We had to get a little creative with it because there wasn't a great place to hang it from the ceiling, and if you know me, anything that hangs, sticks out, runs along the floor, or is sharp is a possible hazard. I just knew if those pots were hanging out in the open my head would meet them sooner or later.

Plus, my p&p's and I have too good of a friendship to stick them in a dark cabinet next to the arrogant onions and the moody potatoes. They deserve to be recognized! Good job, guys. Or girls. Or both?

a sunday morning mini-photo-journal

I had the house to myself this morning while Andy opened at the coffee shop. I decided to make pumpkin pancakes with TJ's gluten-free pancake mix and my pumpkin puree. Unfortunately I threw the bag away that the mix came in when I transferred it to its special container. So I don't really know what the ratios are. This was the result - brown and almost burned on the outside, crepe-like, and completely raw on the inside. Ew! On to plan B.

But first, I consoled myself by admiring these beautiful gerbers that my husband brought me (The kids are jealous once again) The cruddy pancakes are forgotten! If only life was that easy - "I've had the worst day ever! Oh look, these flowers are so beautiful that I have completely forgotten about whatever was causing me pain! Oh joy!"

I usually trim the stems down, but the sturdy bright green was just too enjoyable.

Now I've got zero options for breakfast. I don't want cornflakes! Those are for crispy chicken. Plan B is a delicious smoothie - frozen mango chunks and mixed berries, coconut milk, a little bit of rice milk and OJ, and a splash of Aloe Vera juice. And the last 1/2 of a chocolattey soy mocha from Black Rock in one of my favorite mugs. Not microwaved, but warmed up in a pan so it doesn't taste wonky. YUM-E.
Have a restful, relaxing, rejuvenating Lord's Day.

octopus-man, deux choses avec une citrouille, and a Bizarre Occurence.

I have a number of interesting things to share. First of all, I've been cooking a lot but somehow always forget to take pictures until after it's all eaten up.

Andy's cousin is an art major at PSU and gets to make all sorts of fun things. She knitted this octopus for one of her classes and brought it over to show. It was insanely good and the yarn was amazing!


I bought a pumpkin at the Farmer's Market and cooked it for the first time. I was/am determined to use fresh pumpkin because although canned pumpkin is incredibly convenient and wonderful, I wanted to know what REAL pumpkin tasted like.

So, every Wednesday we have a chili party at our house with Andy's cousin and another one of our friends dropped by today. None of the canned chili junk. I made a colorful, festive pumpkin chili that was very tasty! Honestly, I just threw it together like I always do but here's kind of what I did.

1. Saute your chopped onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the ovoo. What's the surprise? PUMPKIN! Yes, I chopped up about a 1/2 cup-ish fresh pumpkin and threw it in the pot with the o, g, and rpf's. After soft and fragrant, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder and stir.

2. Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes in juice, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add 2 cans of whatever beans you like. I used red kidney beans and black beans. Add some chili powder, maybe some paprika. I also throw in a few frozen cubes of homemade chicken broth, just to give it a flavor and health boost. I added some frozen sweet corn in the last 5 minutes.

3. Simmer till delicious. Season to taste. Eat with cheese, sour cream, and frito chips.

What else did I make? Gluten-free pumpkin oatmeal muffins. They were OK, nothing a little irish butter can't improve :).

The weirdest thing yet! How did these tongs get jammed onto this spatula? Neither Andy or I can get it off, no matter how we try to maneuver it or pull on it. It's on there tight! I just really don't know how to explain this phenomenon. And it's my favorite spatula...so it sits on our table until we can figure out a way to pull it off without breaking something.

Side Note...

I made a roasted tomato basil soup that was out of this world...using fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes from a friend's garden, my homemade chicken stock, and delicious fresh basil and onion. My camera was/is dead so I did not get to document it, which is tragic. I will just have to make it again because it is the best soup in the world!

On another note, I have the best husband in the world. Who else would let me lounge and watch Sex & the City after dinner while he washes the pile of dishes I left in the kitchen? As far as I know, no one! I'm so blessed :)

Our New Place...I'm In Love!

You can't see it, but there's a beautiful rose bush below the steps.

Living Room
Master Bedroom
I love the kitchen! So retro. Lots of potential!

My parents took me up to Portland to drop off a load of house stuff before we do the big move next Monday. I also was able to take my mom with me to IKEA, and my Dad and sister came along as well. They were great sports :). Mom + IKEA = great ideas!