MOVED!

My New blog is called "Dalahast Chronicles." Be looking for new posts from it soon :)

dalahast-chronicles.blogspot.com

SUMMER!

To me, I could always tell Summer was creeping up when I saw fireflies. I would get so excited at the site of the first one. My sister and I would run around the yard, trying to catch them, and then either put them into a jar or empty milk jug or let them go. Jessica used to make her fingers glow by pinching off their abdomen. After I learned that this lead to sudden death, I was quite sad and would yell at her when she did it.

The other night while racing to cut the grass before it got too dark and as quickly as possible so not to disturb the diners at the bar across the street, there, in the middle of Baltimore, I saw the flashing of my first summer firefly. I was so surprised and so ecstatic that I was going to be able to see fireflies this summer, since I had convinced myelf fireflies are only for the suburbs. After this winter's snowpocalypse I promised myself I would not complain about how hot the summer got. So I say, bring on the summer, the heat, the picnics, the BBQs, the sunshine, and the night time critters that help me remeber the simple joys of a cool summer evening.

For now, I will stick with my mock fireflies in a jar; not causing any more casualties. I bought this at Klaradal, the Swedish antique shop in Olney. How cute!

Fun Adventures

I realize it has been awhile since I last posted. I have since been to Maine and returned home (see Jessica's blog for details... there is no sense in posting it twice), planted flowers in my tiny tiny garden, made a pact to eat healthier (but ate pizza 5 days later), gave up soda (and this one I stuck with, its been over a week now!), worked at Klaradal (I miss the ladies and the shop! I'm so far away!), and went to the Handmade Mart.

At Klaradal's yard sale on Saturday, I didn't make any money working because I broke even with all the goodies I bought. I was okay with it though because I got so many nice things! I got a few Christmas ornaments (I am determined to get a Christmas tree this year!), a few Halloween party items (you know me an Halloween... I love it!), a painting for Don, and a cute painting of a baby black bird for my house. After hanging up my new picture, I realized I look like a crazy bird lady. I have a total of 5 bird artworks hanging on the walls downstairs. I will post pictures soon and then you can be the judge.

On Sunday, Don and I drove down to Wolf Trap and picked up tickets to see "Bugs Bunny at the Symphony." It is a bunch of old Looney Toons cartoons projected onto a large screen, with the symphony orchestra playing the music accompaniment live. I am super excited. We are going to pack a picnic and reminisce about our childhood (even though our childhoods were 7 years apart). I am happy that he enjoys these things as much as I do... or at least he pretends!

After driving to Wolf Trap we headed north to Silver Spring for the Handmade Mart. I posted about this before and was happy to be visiting one of the many events I had planned on seeing. The street was lined with tents of homemade goodies. I must say, I was a little disappointed by the selection. There was a ton of jewelery, but because of my allergy, I had to skip over most of it. I did stumble upon this little gem though... Pretty Little Fings. Her Etsy shop isn't that up to date, but her blog is better. She has such cute little nonsensical plush toys.

We walked past once and I picked up the bat, see how it can button its wings closed? So cute!

We walked past the bat a second time and Don decided that since we are rarely ever at fun festivals like this and see such cute little bats, I should have him. He is so cute! We named him Barney.

I also like her blog a lot. She seems like a happy, goofy, all around fun person. She says her craft room isn't organized, but it looks wonderful to me. I wish I had a craft room; then maybe I'd actually craft more. And she has an adorable Boston Terrier. I love those dogs and would like one someday. I love finding new blogs to follow and people to give me new ideas. She decorated her Christmas tree with her handmade crafts... I will start making some of my own ornaments soon! With my new additions from Klaradal's yard sale and my soon-to-be handmade ones... hopefully my Christmas tree won't look too barren.

I love it when friends are happy

My best friend since elementary school, Karoline, and her boyfriend, Zachariah, of 4 years got engaged! I'm so happy for them!

Congratulations Karoline and Zachariah! You truly are soul-mates. Love you lots!

Events and Festivals

I really want to take advantage of all the festivals and farmers markets during the spring and summer. Maybe I'm still a bit cabin fever-ish from the "snowpocalypse" and just want to get outside. Here is a list of all the events I want to go to. Let me know if you have any interest as well!

Towsontown Spring Festival - May 1st (10-7pm) and 2nd (1-7pm) in Towson
KarmaFest - May 22nd and 23rd in Baltimore
Handmade Mart - May 23rd (10am-5pm) in Silver Spring
Tea Party Festival - May 28th-31st in Chestertown
Hometown Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival - May 29th-31st in Rockville
Charles Village Festival - June 5th (11am-9pm) and 6th (11am-6pm) in Baltimore
Colonial Days - June 5th (10am-4pm) and 6th (12pm-4pm) in Frederick
HonFest - June 12th and 13th in Bawlmer (Baltimore)
Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ - June 18th and 19th at the National Harbor
Asian Festival - TBD in Reston, VA

I love spending the day outside with friends, family, and great weather! I've also discovered the joy of taking in the night sky and view of the city on a cool evening. I may not be able to see stars, but it sure does shine. Thank goodness for spring! (and as I type this... its snowing in New England... go figure!)

Reading List - not just for the Summer

I always used to dread the "reading lists" given out before summer vacation during elementary, middle, and high school. Reading was always a bit challenging for me. I'd mix up words, lose my place, or I would realized that my mind had been wandering for the past 3 pages and I'd have to start over.

When I was in college, I started to love the idea of reading during my down time. However, I wished I had time to read for fun but my time was spent memorizing text book after text book. I'd find myself going into the library or into a Borders just to take it in. I loved looking at shelf after shelf; pile after pile of books surrounding me. I flipped the pages of an unread book at the store, taking in the sounds and smell of it. I knew the book was yearning to have its pages "dog eared," crinkled, and have the occasional mystery stain from whatever the reader was snacking on.

I have tons of books in my room. My sister even commented "If I didn't know you better, after seeing this room, I'd think you were a reader." So yesterday, after a 2 mile walk with my dogs and after making dinner, I laid out a few books the books on my bed. I couldn't decide which I wanted to read first. Do I want to laugh with Bill Bryson in "A Walk in the Woods," do I want to rediscover a classic with "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," or do I want to be inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert in "Eat, Pray, Love?" I wanted to be inspired.

Here is my working reading list. Please feel free to make suggestions.


And of course, my sister's book when she finishes it!

The early bird...

Dear little bird outside my window,

I love that you like to hang around my house. I am sure you will get just as much enjoyment out of my new garden as I will when it arrives. I finally decided on salvia and blushing bride tradescantia. I will be picking another flower for the front of my yard soon as well. How do you feel about a yellow flower?










I love how the little old man next door throws pieces of bread out in his yard for you each morning. And I'm sorry my dogs jump over the wall into their yard and eat about half of it before you get the chance to.

I love watching you hop around and I loved listening to you chirp. However, when it is 5:00 in the morning and you are chirping your little head off... it wakes me up. Since our A/C isn't working, I really enjoy sleeping with the windows open. I kindly ask that you shut it until at least 6am on the weekdays and 8am on the weekends.

Thank you for understanding and for your cooperation.

The best thing about being sick...

Getting sick or feeling bad is no fun. As a kid, being sick at school was the worst. Walking to the nurse's office, that pungent smell of latex, and the skeptical nurse looking you up and down sizing out your "illness." Then you'd lay on the uncomfortable tables with the thin cushion mat on top and the pillow that always grossed my out wondering how many other sick heads laid on it earlier. But the best thing about getting sick at school was seeing my Poppop walk through the doors to take me back to his house.

I have two working parents, so often times my Nonnie and Poppop would be called to take me out of school. Laying on the nurse room bed, feeling like pooh and in walks in Poppop. Then we'd drive over to his house and Nonnie would be waiting with a pot of soup on the stove and ginger ale handy. That was always the best part of getting sick while at school.

Now, I'm 22 and sitting at work. I'm not sick but I'm achy and I want to go back to bed. I keep looking to the door, hoping to see Poppop walk in to scoop me up and take me home with him... where Nonnie would meet me with a cup of hot chocolate.

Thank you Nonnie and Poppop for always taking such good care of me when I was sick!

The Workin' Blues

I graduated college. No more school, no more homework. The thought of never writing a paper again (well... unless I decided to go to graduate school down the road) excited me beyond belief. I don't miss that. I don't miss homework or papers, I don't miss meetings or "group work." Oh, how I loathed group work; the slackers dumping all their work on me. I don't even really miss the clubs I was in, they were one more responsibility, one more stress and one more thing taking up my time.

What I do miss is the flexibility of time. I kept pretty busy with the business fraternity, animal rights organization, volunteer work, rugby, and my entrepreneurship concentration; but I had breaks in my day. I could run errands in the middle of the day, schedule doctor's appointments on week days without having to worry about taking off work, and grab a quick nap if needed. What I wouldn't give to be able to spend some time outside. Its beautiful outside, I want to push the office doors open and let the cool, fresh air in.

I miss breaks; spring break, fall break, winter break, *fill in the blank* break, *break just because I needed it* break. I feel like I need to save up my PTO now for a time when I really need it. I don't ever take time off, unless forced to. Gee, thanks snow. I don't get a break anymore, I don't get a change of scene. Usually, I'd get tired of school and embrace the summer when I'd work. Then, by the end of summer, I'd be so tired of working, I'd embrace going back to school. Now? This is it; 8-5 with an hour commute tacked on to each end, day in and day out. I miss looking forward to a break or change of scene.

Which brings me to my conclusion. How will I fight my "being an adult, workin' blues?" I'm going to take a day trip to the beach. I don't care if its cold, I just hope its not raining. The first weekend day I'm free, I driving up and spending the day walking around, laying in the sand, and just soaking up my first "break" since I graduated.

Two of my Favorite things

I have been day dreaming about two of new favorite places in Hampden; Soup's On and Puffs and Pastries. These delicious little cafes provide wonderful food at an affordable price!

Soup's On has the most delicious tuna sandwich I have ever eaten. It is served with avocado, jalapeño, arugula and mustard vinaigrette on a Bonaparte baguette. I have also had their Arugula salad with apples and goat cheese. I've never tasted creamier goat cheese in my life. The only down fall to Soup's On is their hours. Because of my schedule and the cafe only opening for the lunch crowd, I can only go on Saturdays, they are closed on Sundays. However, with an ever changing menu, this place has me always wanting to come back for more!

I had a sweet tooth one day while walking "The Avenue" and stopped into Puffs and Pastries. What a cute little shop! The pastries in the glass casing were so beautifully decorated. I narrowed it down to the baklava or the sweet potato and cranberry puff. Instead of choosing one, my friend ordered one of each. I'm not normally a fan of sweet potato desserts; I think I am expecting a pumpkin pie flavor and am slightly disappointed. But the puff was decorated with a decadent chocolate leaf with silver foil flecks (I assumed it was edible), that I decided I had to try it. Both were amazing. I can't wait to go back and try some more goodies.

When you visit me, plan on stopping in at least one of these places. They are too good to pass up and definitely some of Hampden's finest!

Snowpacolypse

Dear Snow,

As much as I have enjoyed watching you fall and seeing how pretty you can blanket the ground, please stop falling. The first snow storm was fun; although, having a shovel would have helped. Trying to clear a path on the side walk with a dust pan was not so easy. I should have made a snowman then. The second snow storm was fun in the beginning; going to Dad's and being with family. But I got cabin fever... and fast. Also, driving on the icy roads was not fun, especially with a rental. I prayed for my safe arrival to the other side of the road a few times.








Now, you are falling once more. Please stop this snopacolypse... I'm pretty sure my car port can't take anymore snow.

Sincerely,

April

Happy Birthday Norman Rockwell

Today is Norman Rockwell's Birthday. Few of you know, but I am a big fan of Norman Rockwell's work. I love how he can capture everyday people and everyday moments and turn them into wonderful works of art. He also had a wonderful sense of humor in his artwork.

Because I can't say it better, I borrowed this description from The Norman Rockwell Licensing Company, "Norman Rockwell's subject was the America he knew and the people who shared the hope that it offers. For over 60 years he painted this country and its people with unabashed frankness and poignancy, giving us a living chronicle of ourselves, our dreams, and our aspirations. The body of his work is a pictorial legacy of the way we are and the way we wish to be, and constitutes a truly immersurable contribution to American Art."


Happy Birthday Norman Rockwell! We celebrate your life and your work everyday but especially today.

Bringing you up to speed...

So, lets catch you up on my life...




In May, I graduated from Elon University with a degree in business! Hooray! But man... what an awful time to graduate. I was terrified with the uncertain and unsteady economy.










I moved back home with my "parents and pets;" I got a job with a solar energy company. I was so happy to have a job, I bought a car! Then on Halloween I moved to Baltimore. I figured I'm young, I'm single, and really don't have too many responsibilities yet... Its a perfect time to dabble in yuppie-hood. For those of you that don't know... Yuppie stands for "Young Urban Professional."

We'll see where my adventures take me...