today i...

Yesterday and today have been extremely productive (not really).  But kind of...let's see...

First, I watched this happen:

I'm not going to lie, I have a weird phobia of heights.  I don't know that I'd say I'm scared of heights, because I do rock climb on a regular basis, but watching this made me so nauseous I had to turn away.  Same goes for when I saw Avatar and Sam Worthington was climbing up to the floaty mountains to wrestle his dragon - I had to close my eyes because I physically could not watch how high he was.

Second, I ran a 5k through a corn field/Amish country.  Pretty fun times!  Then I immediately went home and went to bed because my alarm was set for 4:50am for this:

 

Surprisingly, I didn't die (clearly) although I did next to no training.  I'm also an idiot and don't suggest anyone try this ever - I am seriously paying for it now and am hobbling everywhere.  However, I also PR'd and because I learn from positive reinforcement like this, I'll probably never train for anything ever again.

The course was gorgeous and every water stop was manned by Amish children who volunteered for support.  They seemed to enjoy all standing in a row chanting "water, water, powerade, powerade" like little zombies.  But really, it was adorable to see and I was certainly happy they were there.

Now, I'm cooking Orange Chicken and attempting to turn this:

Into this:

I didn't use a recipe, I just boiled a lot of white vinegar, added sea salt, celery salt, ground mustard and garlic.  Hopefully it'll be edible (it smells really good!) but it's a work in progress.  Obviously I'm not even trying to fake canning them, I just put them in jars and close the lid.  

And because I sometimes pretend to make things, I'm hard at work on my quilt.  I have both the quilt top and backing pieced but I need to get it over to my parents to press the seams before I start quilting.  It seems my iron was lost in the move!

If you made it through all of this nonsense, I applaud you.

zucchini bread recipe.

Today I made zucchini bread because I've been getting a lot of zucchini from my garden.  I used a new recipe and it's definitely the best recipe so far!  I got the recipe here but altered it a bit.  

Changes:

• I used regular white sugar because I have no idea what sucanat is
• 3 extremely well packed cups of grated zucchini instead of 2.5 (seriously..I have a lot of zucchini)
  
• I didn't use applesauce, but I added about 1/4 cup of light syrup (not maple syrup, just light pancake syrup)
• I added about 1/4-1/2 cup of fat free milk
• I used 3 cups of white whole wheat flour and no pastry flour
  
• I added about 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips!

I went out and bought new bread pans especially for this!  Extra delicious..I'm glad it turned out so well.  They didn't rise very high, I think due to the different flour?  Whole wheat flour is a bit heavier, or so I've read.

I also went outside climbing today and found this rock.  ALL I CAN THINK OF IS HARRY POTTER.

doing work!

I'm working very hard on a secret project right now for my niece.  And unfortunately, I can't give details because my step sister reads this occasionally and I don't want to spoil the surprise!

I finished Breaking Bad this morning, and I need a new series to watch while I work.  

And now, one of the best videos on YouTube at this moment.  I cannot stop watching it.  MAGNETS!

Enjoy.

just so we're all on the same page..

This week I have been making the best breakfast ever (except for Monday because I was off sick and slept in) and it only takes about 3 minutes.  Overnight Oats.  The best invention/creation/easy food right at this moment.  It's very simple.  

Add:

• 1/2 cup of whole grain oats
• 1/2 cup of low fat vanilla or plain yogurt
• spoonful of peanut butter
• some milk (I really mean some..you have to find the amount that works for you, I've been using about 1/3 cup)

to a bowl and stir all together.  Put in the fridge and you're done.  In the morning, take out, add your favorite toppings (I've been using dried cranberries and blueberries but you can use whatever you like), stir it up and eat.  You're welcome!

another completed afghan!

I FINALLY finished my second stashbuster blanket early Saturday morning.  According to Ravelry, I started it on December 26, 2010 so clearly I'm the slowest crocheter in the world (or the most easily distracted).  I got rid of 11 skeins of yarn making this project, made 66 hexagons and only had to purchase one to finish the borders.  It's mostly Impeccable Loops & Threads but there's some other stuff thrown in there as well.  The hexagons are from Beyond the Square and I think all 5 different ones are shown in the second picture.

I also finished the Game of Thrones series and, like the loser I am, just started reading book 1 because I have nothing better to do!  

I also explored my garden today.  Because I live in an apartment on the second floor, I can only put container plants on my balcony.  At my mom's, I've planted a bunch of different vegetables that are growing pretty well.  The zucchini, peppers and cucumbers are growing fantastically, and I've got quite a few baby pumpkins! 

Random dead bird next to my zucchini plants.  Now I don't want to eat anymore of them!

I saved a poinsettia plant my mom gave me for Christmas in 2011 and it's growing great, but it's all green.  I'm going to have to figure out when to cover it so it's red by Christmas!!

being reclusive.

It's kind of embarrassing to admit how reclusive I can be when I'm absorbed in a good book or series.  I'll dedicate all of my time to reading until there is no more to read.  Game of Thrones is no exception.  I've finished the first three books in about 2 weeks (that's approximately 2741 pages) and I'm almost 200 pages into the fourth book.  

I've been working on a new blanket...I've got 7 rows finished of the 10 I've been planning although I fear I'll have to make more hexagons to finish.  Here's a teaser pic:

And with that, I'll leave you with my new favorite saying, thank you George R.R. Martin, I'm sure everyone appreciates this:

i'm still the worst blogger ever.

And that is a fact. Here is an update of the past several months in pictures!

This actually happened today!  11 mile bike ride, my first ride using clip in pedals.  I forgot to unclip and tipped over when I stopped!

My first completed quilt.

Quilted pillow case!

Orioles game

A day in Baltimore, the National Aquarium and a baseball game.

Concord grapes, just started this year.

My first class towards my Master's Degree.

Tour of the south rock climbing trip!

Hershey 10k, 2012.

Horse Pens 40, Alabama.

Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.

Horse Pens 40, Alabama.

LaFayatte, Georgia.

Craig at Little Rock City.

Handmade bow and arrow.

I spend my days at work, my nights working on school and any time in between reading the second Game of Thrones novel.  Slowly but surely I'm working sewing, crocheting and baking back into my routine.  I need to be more dedicated!  We'll see...