tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26906160074815380812024-03-06T00:11:57.318-08:00A cup of tea with my knitting, please...A comfy place to enjoy knitting, books, the luxury of tea, and everything in-between.Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-68132255643882521522013-01-05T09:53:00.002-08:002013-01-05T09:53:36.481-08:00The Kick OffYes my dear friends, it is that time of year again.<br />
That glorious time of year where we indulge in the graces of times past and catch up with old friends like Fanny Price, Emma Woodhouse, the Dashwood sisters, and the Bennets. <br />
It is Jane Austen January at last!<br />
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My sister Ginan came up with this idea a few years ago, and I could not be more happy. It is simply genius. In order to ward off the inevitable blah feeling that comes when the (official) holidays are over, she suggests that the month of January be spent in the most noble pursuit of all things Jane Austen related. In honor of this happy tradition, I am committed to share with you via this blog all of my doings this month. I am also committing to this because of my shaming lack of posts since before Thanskgiving. My appologies.<br />
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It was also this time of year that I bought my first "Jane Austen Knits" magazine and I've been too intimidated by it to attempt anything from it for two. whole. years. However, with the spirit of JAJ in heart, I am going to attempt one of the patterns. Lord help me. This lovely scarf on the cover will be my attempt, as I got a small skein of yarn of the correct weight from Ginan for Christmas. Serendipity, perhaps? <br />
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It is also a time to embrace practices from that time, such as knitting or crocheting, reading, and drinking tea! Not that I really limit myself to those practices for only January. Who could do that?! But it is more accepted when linked with the time of Jane Austen. Or so I tell myself. <br />
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I'm pondering whether to pace or gorge. Let's see... there are four more full weeks left in the month of January, and six original books. But there are also countless movies, spin-offs, miniseries', etc! I think I'm going to try to read and watch some new things alongside the old stand by's. I'll keep you posted. <br />
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If you decide to join me in Jane Austen January, please please leave comments of your doings on my posts! I would love to know what other takes on this 'holiday' there may be =)<br />
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Love and affection,<br />
Bianca<br />
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<a href="http://eimages.interweave.com/products/240/JA1100.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://eimages.interweave.com/products/240/JA1100.jpg" style="border-width: 0px;" width="152" /></a>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-28785461075491794352012-09-12T11:41:00.001-07:002012-09-12T11:42:04.376-07:00The Interest of PinterestThese days, if Husband sees me scrolling through my phone for more than 10 minutes, he doesn't even bother to ask. He knows I'm on Pinterest.<br />
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I only really started with the Pinterest addiction when they came out with the mobile app, which I immediately downloaded and haven't really stopped using since. You can find everything on there!!<br />
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So, when I made an amazing meal last night, I thought to myself, I should share this with the masses, a la Pinterest. How many more times can I say Pinterest in this post...?<br />
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Kinda Sorta Ratatouille Soup<br />
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So, I had an extra eggplant. And I figured, ratatouille would be a good way to use it. Never having made it before, I gathered the following ingredients:<br />
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Squash<br />
Zucchini<br />
Potatoes<br />
Eggplant (already had it)<br />
Chicken stock<br />
Herbs de Provence<br />
Center cut bacon<br />
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Now, I know traditional ratatouille is a vegetarian dish. I did not marry a vegetarian, however.<br />
I peeled the eggplant (the skin is tough and bitter, no thank you) and cubed it.<br />
Sliced the squash and zucchini, quartering as needed to be about the same size as the eggplant cubes.<br />
Let the bacon do its thing in the pan. I took it out, leaving the fat (because it's center cut, it's much meatier and has less fatty, yay) and drained on paper towels, later cutting it up into smaller pieces and adding it into the stew. All the veg get sauteed in the bacony goodness, with the Herbs de Provence and some chicken stock. This was where I put it in the crock pot and also where I added the secret ingredient:<br />
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Ready to eat Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup in a box.<br />
Let me explain. I love tomatoes, but I hate the seeds and the skin, and sometimes canned tomatoes taste really flat to me. This way, I killed two birds with one stone, not having to roast the red peppers myself, either. I used the whole box.<br />
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On my way home from work, I was thinking about how big the chunks of veggies are, even cut down, and wondering how one would fit all the flavors on the spoon, as I like to do. The answer came in the form of my immersion blender.<br />
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Once the soup has been in the crock pot for about 3 hours on high, BLEND UNTIL SMOOTH!!! It makes an amazingly creamy, savory soup. I topped with a sprinkle of cheese and a crumble of bacon, and baked potato on the side (which I broke up and ate in the soup). Husband and I consumed and adored. It's definitely going into my Arsenal of Awesome Meals to Make, and a crock pot one, at that.<br />
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I didn't take pictures because, well, it was late and it's a pureed soup (not the prettiest), and also there's no "Taste Here" option on the blog, so pictures wouldn't really help. But for real. This is delicious, easy, filling, and get this:<br />
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155 calories a serving. YUM.<br />
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Let me know if you try it and also love it =)<br />
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Happy soup-ing and lots of love,<br />
BiancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-74464242298373084502012-09-07T10:19:00.000-07:002012-09-07T10:19:55.522-07:00Catching Up and WhatnotHello, faithful readers!<br />
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It's been a while... I've had a busy summer and am so looking forward to fall! It seems we've been out and about most weekends and that makes time go very quickly! Thankfully, we've gotten some great time with family and friends, and a lot of time in the car (which is great for us!). Long stretches of time together with no interruptions are the stuff of dreams. We find tons of ways to enjoy those car rides, first of which is just being together. We're visiting more friends this weekend (5 hour car ride, yessss!) and next weekend we're going apple picking with The Sisters (and Rick-In-Law!). <br />
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Apple picking... apple donuts... apple cider... apple slushie... caramel apple... apples are a wonder.<br />
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Mama taught me how to make preserves this summer, woo! I made a batch of peach with her and am really, really looking forward to making and canning apple butter from our bountiful harvest next weekend. Cinnamony goodness all locked up in a jar. Delish.<br />
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Etsy store not so good. I feel like I'd be better off just posting things here and whoever wanted one could just email me. Hey, that's not such a bad idea...<br />
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Also, I'm addicted to Pinterest. I want to try everything I find there. <br />
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In other news, BABIES. Ginan and Rick-In-Law are pregnant! I even taught myself how to knit with DPN's for the occasion! (That's double-pointed needles for all you non-knitters out there ;) I'm making them all kinds of goodies, and since we don't know the gender (yet!) it's all in lovely, soft neutral colors. Plus, that way they can use it for other babies. Because there will be more. There better be... ::glare::<br />
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So, I'll try posting more pictures of my projects here and we'll see how it goes. Mostly, I'm just loving learning so many different techniques and patterns and making up my own stuff. It's great fun. =)<br />
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Lots of love, and I promise not to stay away for that long again,<br />
Bianca<br />
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p.s. new tattoo ideas abound. I am a living canvas.Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-31759455208047537012012-05-05T16:36:00.003-07:002012-05-05T16:36:47.102-07:00Mad Hatter KnitteryI'm doing it.<br />
Officially.<br />
I'll be opening my Etsy shop this month.<br />
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Hurrah!! =)<br />
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I'm so excited and quite a bit scared! I've spent most of the last few weeks going like crazy to make up enough things to put in the store, take pictures, obsess and such. I'm not there all the way yet, but hopefully by the end of the month, I'll be in business! My shop name is, if you haven't guessed already, the Mad Hatter Knittery. I almost named THIS blog that, but am kinda glad I didn't now. Here's the story of the Etsy Journey.<br />
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Sister Ro recently became a jeweler for Premier Designs Jewelry, an AWESOME company with fabulous jewelry that, were I not on a budget, I would be addicted to. For their hostesses (and for games at the jewelry parties) it is typical for the jeweler to give a gift. Ro wanted to really customize hers and talked to me about commissioning some of my coasters. I of course agreed! She mentioned it to some of the other jewelers in her area and they all really loved the idea, which got me thinking hey! I could be a Premier Designs Hostess Gift designer, how fun! Well, from there, I mentioned that I'd been thinking about opening an Etsy store for my handmade items and Ro was super supportive, giving me all kinds of ideas and how much giving things away as gifts would help "get my name out". So, I started to amass marketable items. I am really, really looking forward to seeing how everything goes. And a little nervous. =P <br />
So, that's the news right now, and why I've been a little absent. Hopefully, I am forgiven.<br />
Love you, my supportive readers,<br />
(and remember, Mad Hatter Knittery items make GREAT gifts! =P)<br />
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BiancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-89943644584203761422012-04-09T08:59:00.001-07:002012-04-09T09:28:55.854-07:00Little Baby Things<div><p>I am enjoying making the bibs a lot. I'll finish #2 today and begin the booties. I also attempted a design that I created after seeing a picture of a knitted daisy baby toy. I knew I couldn't knit it (as I am a visual learner and haven't been able to teach myself knitting-in-the-round with double-pointed needles), but I figured I could give it a shot with crochet. I only looked at the picture for guidelines; the pattern is my own! I am so please with how it turned out. I may make one for Hermione to destroy, but put some crumpled paper in it as stuffing, thanks to Husband's suggestion. She loves anything that crinkles. =P<br>
Husband took a long weekend for Easter, and I am finding myself missing him a little more than I usually do come Monday. We got spoiled with seeing each other so much for the long weekend! <br>
As Sunday was our 6 month, I was sorely tempted to break into our frozen cupcakes intended to be eaten in another 6 months. Instead, I found a really cool, 5-minute microwave chocolate cake recipe you make in a mug. A mug! It's such a find, I'll share the original with you along with my modifications in ().</p>
<p>1/4 cup flour<br>
1/4 cup sugar<br>
1/4 tsp salt<br>
2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder<br>
2 tbs whisked egg<br>
3 tbs milk<br>
3 tbs oil (I used applesauce)<br>
3 tbs chocolate chips or broken-up candy bar<br>
1/4 tsp vanilla extract</p>
<p>1. Combine first 4 ingredients together in a large coffee mug; add egg and combine intil paste forms. Stir in milk and oil (applesauce), then chocolate chips and vanilla. (I did this whole process in a seperate bowl and poured the mixture into a mug sprayed with cooking spray. It turned out much better this way and even though you're using more dishes, it's an easier cleanup in the long run.)<br>
2. Microwave on medium for 3 minutes, until cake starts to crown over top of mug (with applesauce, it looks more like a soufflé!). Remove, top with chocolate sauce or ice cream if desired, and enjoy!</p>
<p>It's like a 5-minute cup of browny, fudgy, gooey goodness. You will not be disappointed! I got it from this month's Reader's Digest.</p>
<p>I hope you're enjoying the pictures of my things! And for real, try the micro-cake. It's a winner.</p>
<p>Love,<br>
Bianca</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55GKQTfFiqQo1t45qYgy2O4PjCGgSt85NrkTFllaQ32J7A_QhkFJzgTsT2J_ozS_fql6qDPX84e7eDoFFT5CNqU42dN2rej-GqiilZEwOKEnUs78NjO6oscJ1hQvLv7msgSu3glcPOXM/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8MKW92dgbqSE_I9n73dn2XkxaWUBEB0cXPu4AJLPVR-8_eY8G7qkuvQvFOUvTj3teVO6aDELlFVWRUrk1tFfKOcGCq_jaVFAWnfC_0JmcpStEBoKWJR5BJdIY6UpWN4sJa0Mw5HoRyc/' /></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-13435455458837678332012-04-05T10:12:00.001-07:002012-04-05T10:32:18.740-07:00The bag of wonders!<div><p>I finished my fantastic purse and I'm in love! I found the pattern for free on bernat.com. It's called "mermaid tears purse".<br>
The body was made with yarn Ginan and Rick-in-law got me for a birthday present from a trip to Ashville. How thoughtful! And what better way to put it in use?<br>
I love this purse! The pattern was a beast to get into, but it goes smoothly once you get the hang of it. I love the staggered leaf-like effect. It would be so easy to make a different purse for every season just by changing the colors. This one is obviously for summer! I'm a little odd when it comes to color combinations, so I love the bright pop of color from the crocheted bloom. I made another sample in more muted colors (dusky pink body with a neutral brown top and straps) but still went bold with a mustard colored bloom that looks like a breathtaking chrysanthemum. I followed the original pattern for the straps on that one, but for this one, I went for ribbon straps. I happened to have ribbon the exact color of the yarn I used for the top and I love the way it turned out. It's a little tough to photograph, though. =)<br>
Now, I'm working on some baby things for a couple in our small group at church who are expecting their first. I've almost finished a darling cotton bib and will probably make a couple or few; they're an easy and quick project! Next will come booties. They know it's a girl, so that will be fun for colors. I think I'll make some hand rags to go with the bibs for a whole, keep-it-clean-at-meal-times ensemble. I like to make things that work together for gifts. =)<br>
Speaking of gifts, sister gifts for birthdays are coming along well. I'm a little iffy on the colors for Ro's. I wanted them to be uniform but ran out of certain shades of colors, so now it's very unique. Ha ha!<br>
I am getting into new patterns so much! Since making the bag, I feel like I'm addicted to trying new patterns. I mean, if I can make the mermaid purse turn out the first time, I feel invincible to any new project's complicatedness!<br>
Too bad I can't think of anything knit/crochet that Husband would want/need since his birthday is coming up... Men are difficult to make or buy gifts for! I'll think of something. I'd also like to make Hermione something to welcome her into the family and make her feel awesome. I did make her a little mouse toy with a loooooong tail that she loves. Perhaps a collar, now? Another toy? Decisions...<br>
This Sunday is not only Easter, but marks our 6th month of married life. We're halfway through our first year, can you believe it? =) I can't imagine how it'll be when it's been 6 YEARS together - and that's not even that long of a time, comparative to the rest of our lives. How exciting, this journey. =) </p>
<p>Lots of love (and feedback always welcome)<br>
Bianca</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDSdI-CKFf5m2kzHbJFfppVkMRSxnxDUyCMxVqxfB2LbSVCKo__r8CfAfPND48piGsj50gSD-An9UbxPAnLtTyw4pHA-MnaTGpWXPAU17oaCZTsFDKNApmOoVn9Wg_Ph8h7RsRtm_N0o/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT4Hym5fcbNMQfPewdASwzIM5pvd6-hhjpIKF709iP3w_YZorzCJ09bEcUP0qyN2IWm4maLJTSszaXXy1MWSaqyF-dFZTqTVSMue_ju_BwJonP3xrA_sqwE6t2okSnSWuRlehmNOv6Qk/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y8x60Vs_0KyLZLvrj41J5vX91bfPfBktzWqzaSb03FSb84cf3ZH0LvcmU12AhqFathP37Bxb_VltOeVdbTvG_H8JsFG9fYf7W8pg4A6rV-vtujkltLlzriuB2x6gAe0aYu4vJi2FRoE/' /></div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-80591897499041156272012-04-02T07:39:00.007-07:002012-04-02T08:11:24.880-07:00A Big AnnouncementI have a rather huge announcement to make, one that will change our lives (and our family's lives) forever. We've known for about a month now, so it's time to share the news.<br /><br />We will be adding to our little family. The two of us will now be three!<br /><br />It's one of the biggest decisions we've made since getting married. And it's finally official.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vij2bR_ijYj9Edid_kvaqQxYj5PeOGsnrVvur5J5OJu7bELW4YI4IXX2RhoozVuZMExMkwOtfi53IjSrvuPRpliKnw0PfspxaZZhmdVYsoW5HGq6ibOZ_0DwAUBYKFJNNyokXcFvp5c/s1600/2012-03-24+23.59.17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vij2bR_ijYj9Edid_kvaqQxYj5PeOGsnrVvur5J5OJu7bELW4YI4IXX2RhoozVuZMExMkwOtfi53IjSrvuPRpliKnw0PfspxaZZhmdVYsoW5HGq6ibOZ_0DwAUBYKFJNNyokXcFvp5c/s320/2012-03-24+23.59.17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726815643897808562" border="0" /></a>Her name is Hermione.<br />She is a rescue cat that I absolutely fell in love with on a trip to Petsmart for a filter for my fish tank, of all things. All the little rescue kitties were there that day and so sad in their cages. I saw her and put my hand through the bars and started scratching her head. She looked at me with these beautiful sad eyes and I knew. I looked at her name and I knew again. It took a LOT of convincing with Nick, and even more for me, because I've always been allergic to cats, and two trips back to Petsmart to make sure she was still there. But there was just no way we were going to let her get away!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64L9lUSh4T7fT6F15-i6VZFzHdKRqKGcWPlwy8J_n1-SelSKtoikL7pYLBcMOS-rMtLsEMaqwpmjvMIYopF2FeLmzNyJQBKHZoWcXKCqyjPu3gUtQp4mnHkyCBA0f5-S6ap2WBfkW4UM/s1600/2012-03-19+09.54.33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64L9lUSh4T7fT6F15-i6VZFzHdKRqKGcWPlwy8J_n1-SelSKtoikL7pYLBcMOS-rMtLsEMaqwpmjvMIYopF2FeLmzNyJQBKHZoWcXKCqyjPu3gUtQp4mnHkyCBA0f5-S6ap2WBfkW4UM/s320/2012-03-19+09.54.33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726816655413172498" border="0" /></a>Turns out that when I'm the one in charge of keeping hair and dander under control, I do pretty well with a regular allergy pill. She is one quirky "lil' lady", as we've taken to calling her. Here, she is laying on a book - a favorite past time of hers, especially when it's open in your lap and you're reading a really good part. She'll climb up and rest herself on those paper pages and purr and purr. She also loves shoes. We keep our shoes by the door, and more often than not, she is there, in the shoes, when we come in. Or even just for an afternoon nap. She is very vocal, which I think is adorable. She gets a little grumpy when she's hungry and is more liable to bite then, too (like owner like pet, much?).<br />The reason I haven't posted about her yet was because we were only fostering her to see how things would work out. But now, we've paid the pet fee for our apartment and set the date for her adoption, so I'm free to post!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PdBxs0rbdyyjRi41y5ygY_-Az0TgywSHBPdUV4DVpgqIazQSlLNmLB-hv6emaFKjHwB61cqDZzjAweVeeWDLtw4rh_p1twQzR8B-VXwbYFd-sWLXMt6iBcpUrKDfDGrikMEYn6aZIrE/s1600/2012-03-24+23.56.39.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PdBxs0rbdyyjRi41y5ygY_-Az0TgywSHBPdUV4DVpgqIazQSlLNmLB-hv6emaFKjHwB61cqDZzjAweVeeWDLtw4rh_p1twQzR8B-VXwbYFd-sWLXMt6iBcpUrKDfDGrikMEYn6aZIrE/s320/2012-03-24+23.56.39.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726818461730366450" border="0" /></a>If you can't tell by the pictures, she's a LOVELY dusty grey color, with splotches of this gorgeous melon orange color. The fur pattern is what they call "Tortoise" (she is dilute), which is like a Calico, but with no white whatsoever. There also really isn't a pattern, but she has a beautiful melon patch right above her eyes and between her ears on her sweet face. I am so smitten with this kitty.<br /><br />On other matters, I figured out how to upload pictures! Ha! =D<br /><br />I found a pattern for an amazing crochet purse that I made a sample of, and am now making one for myself. It uses a crocodile stitch, which I'd never done or even heard of before, but there was a video tutorial for basically the entire process of the purse. So I watched that, and it turned out so beautifully. I don't have a picture of it yet, but I will. Now that I know how to do it, I'll have pictures for everything! Yay! =)<br /><br />Gifts for sisters coming along beautifully. I am so pleased and excited! <br /><br />You also can't imagine how difficult it can be to be a knitter/crocheter with a cat who is crazy for yarn, any time it moves. I have to be very sneaky when I work on my projects now, because more times than not, as soon as I jerk the yarn my way, she pounces! But, it's a small sacrifice to make to have such a sweet kitty as part of our home and family. <br /><br />More another time, but couldn't wait any longer to share in our joy. =)<br /><br />Lots of love,<br />Bianca (and Hermione. She also loves to walk on the keyboard when I'm typing. Thank God for backspace. =P)Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-46658600390059339552012-03-26T06:59:00.003-07:002012-03-26T07:30:52.193-07:00The Problem with Maintenance MenThe maintenance man never comes calling when you expect it. <br />We have had no cold water (weird) in our kitchen since Friday afternoon. They shut off all the water to work on the apartment below us, so for a while we had no water at all (with no notice, either. Bonus!). But eventually, they turned it back on. Except the cold water for us.<br />You'd think that having hot water in the kitchen is great, but when it's JUST hot water? It's useless! I've burned my hands trying to wash them after handling bacon. Who wants to choose between burned hands and Salmonella?<br />So, anyway, I'm waiting on the maintenance man to come turn it on. He came to "look" at it Saturday morning and did nothing, claiming there was "some kind of mineral build up" in the pipes. I was (sadly) still in a Tylenol PM induced sleep that I had taken at 2 in the morning, so I was not available to ask the important questions like, what's this mineral build up crap? Why don't you just turn the water back on?!? He also didn't try to fix it when he was actually here, but said he'd come back Monday. <br />Well, it's Monday. And darned if he isn't here yet.<br />Inevitably, as it is with all maintenance situations, he will not come until I am absolutely unprepared to see him. You think, oh, I'm just gonna take my bra off for 30 seconds to stick it in the wash and get another one, or, I just have to use the bathroom here for 5 minutes. Or, let me finish this sappy and ridiculously emotional chick flick. In these moments, it is almost sure that what comes next is, "Knock knock knock... Maintenance!" Then begins the mad scramble for composure and the frantic cry of, "UHHHH, JUST A MINUTE!!!!!" <br />Friend L shares this fate with me. She once shared that her maintenance man came at the precise moment when her 2 year old had dropped the biggest diaper bomb in the history of diaper bombs. Surprise! The last time our maintenance man came, I had been doing laundry and had all my bras and panties hanging to dry. Wonderful! I was of course thinking, he couldn't POSSIBLY have to come into THIS room for what we're calling him for! But, alas. <br />So, I'm fully dressed, have eaten my breakfast, tidied up, and am waiting to do my outings and errands til he arrives. But somehow I think he'll still manage to come at the least opportune moment.<br />When my entire work life revolves around scheduling to see people at a certain time for a certain time, I find this waiting around stuff pretty tedious. It is not my forte. But, what can you do? Hopefully later I'll be on the other side of the cold water situation. Maybe I'll even have a good story to add to my Maintenance Men File. Until then I remain faithfully yours,<br /><br />with love,<br />BiancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-81194124253492094692012-02-24T11:27:00.003-08:002012-02-24T11:55:27.893-08:00In the ThrowsThere's nothing like new yarn to get you excited about a project! This very real statement is potentially dangerous as I already have quite a bit of yarn (see previous post). I did recently organize it all into one, large, under-the-bed type bin, and one bag for current projects and needles.<br />But the two skeins I just bought don't fit!!!<br />I've realized that in order to confront my yarn issue, I must confront my other issue. Throw blankets. Nothing uses up your yarn like making blankets. This is big, for me, because my last throw took me hmm, let's see... 4 years in the making? Mostly because I kept putting it off and putting it off. By the time I got down to it, it only took me a few months!<br />I've also realized that because most of my projects are for birthday presents (and therefore meant to be a surprise), I don't really share them here. I get all vague and non-commital and then usually forget to write about how awesome the gift was in the first place. Or, because I have no accountability, I wind up missing my deadline. Or giving up altogether. Not so great options, any. So, throwing caution (and the element of surprise) to the wind, I will henceforth be sharing my projects completely, even if they be gifts!<br />Starting with Ro's.<br />I feel like I have several years of making up to do for Ro, because she always wants something big and homemade from me, and I am very comfortable NOT doing big. I like the small projects I can do in a day. I get frustrated coming back to the same project too many times. Impatient, much? Anyhow, she's wanted throw pillow covers, which I have not delivered. She's wanted throw blankets, which I have not delivered. I believe the last thing I made for Ro was (drum roll) potholders. Woo wee, calm it down, Bianca! So, this year, I am making her a throw blanket. It's already in the works. I made up my mind and I will finish! I am putting it down for all to see and giving myself a real deadline! This will happen!<br />I think everyone will get a throw for their birthdays this year, because Ginan and Rick-in-law are the only ones who have one from me so far. So that leaves Ro, Christy, and Leety. And it just so happens that their birthdays are quite well spaced! Excellent. I'm already planning Christy's, as I'll probably have to overlap hers and Ro's. See how good I am at planning ahead when I want to be?? So, sorry girls, but I guess the jig is up. I can't keep these secrets any longer.<br />Ro's is this really cool variation on a shell pattern. I got the pattern verbally from a woman who sells her own crocheted things in a little shop next the the tea room Mama and I love. I hope I'm remembering it correctly! If not, then I guess it's my own variation! Ha ha! She had done it for a prayer shawl which was lovely, and a few scarves. I didn't like the scarves as much because I feel like the pattern is best for bigger projects. So it's actually perfect, I think, for a throw blanket. I'm about 5 inches in already, woo! =)<br />Christy's I'm thinking about doing a zig-zag pattern, but not obnoxious zig-zag. Sophisticated zig-zag. And I'm not going to reveal colors. That is one thing that will be kept under wraps. Then it's still a surprise in some way!<br />Ginan's birthday is Monday, and Husband and I are going to visit for the weekend. That's what the two new skeins of yarn were for. I saw them in the store (on sale, no less!) and they just had Ginan written all over them! I'm very proud to say that her birthday present is all finished and ready to be opened and enjoyed! It's a tea cozy, of course. =P<br />So that is all that's happening in the world of knittery right now. I'm sure my frustration with the throws will be coming very, very soon. I love the beginning stages when it's all excitement! =)<br /><br />lots of love,<br />BiancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-25839868324488637392012-02-14T12:30:00.003-08:002012-02-14T13:05:57.056-08:00The First Married Valentine's DayIt's coming as a bit of a shock that I'm blogging about our First Married Valentine's Day, because in all honesty, we aren't really doing anything special. I expect no flowers, cards, chocolates, or extravagant displays of... anything. In fact, I'm cooking dinner for us tonight and we'll probably wind up arguing over what movie to watch. Funds are low for THESE newlyweds (I'm sure there are many of you out there who can identify!) and we decided way back in January that there didn't really need to be any Valentine's gifts this year. Although I cheated a little bit and got Husband a new lunch box.<br /><br />How romantic!<br /><br />I've started waking up with Husband in the morning when he has to for work, even though I don't have to for work anymore. We used to get up at the same time and get ready at the same time and I always regretted not being able to make his breakfast or lunch for him to take because I had to make mine. Again, gag if you must, but different personalities make the world go 'round, folks. One of the things I wanted to do when I quit my "day job" was to continue waking up in the morning to make Husband breakfast and pack his lunch. I took a few days to relish sleeping in, of course, but I've been able to do it and I realized it makes me happy and makes him happy, and I'm all about a happy marriage! <br /><br />I also made pink, mini-chocolate chip pancakes this morning and even made them into heart shapes! I felt so good about my special breakfast that when I announced what I was making, Husband couldn't help but be excited, if only for a moment. Until he asked (very sweetly, knowing I'd be a bit heartbroken if the answer was no) if I had gotten syrup. Which I hadn't. And then I remembered why we haven't had pancakes for quite some time now - because I keep forgetting to get syrup. (It's not on any of my lists!!) He told me later, "You should have seen your face, it was so pitiful!", and I suppose it was my pitiful expression that made him jump in the car, at 7 in the morning, to go get syrup for my special Valentine's breakfast. What a guy, I tell you. <br /><br />I'm going to be baking some cookies this afternoon, which makes me happy. (I did my Pilates first, so I can sample the cookie dough...) Husband is a simple man, and his favorite is chocolate chip, so I'll be tackling that. But I think I'm also gonna attempt a REVERSE chocolate chip, as in chocolate cookie with white chips. I always like those ones, even though white chocolate chips aren't my favorite. In a chocolate cookie, who cares??! I've held off making cookies for a while because Husband invested in SIX, count them, SIX boxes of Girl Scout cookies that are due in about a week. He heard that I've never had them (due to a misdiagnosis of Celiac's disease that eliminated all wheat products from my diet for 11 years) and told me I had to try them all. I think he only didn't get 2 flavors. With those on the way, I haven't wanted to pre-game with other cookies. But it's a special day. =)<br /><br />I also decided, to heck with it! and am giving Mama BOTH tea cozies for her birthday, the small version and the large version. Together, they will conquer all her teapot needs! Ginan seemed to be hinting that she would like some more handy crafts for her birthday, so I'll do my best to deliver. January and February birthdays in our family are so close together, it's almost as bad as having to make all the Christmas presents at the same time! But I'm working out lots of new patterns, so I don't mind so much! And now I'm daydreaming about all the time there is until the next birthday, which is Ro's, and how I feel like I give her an I-O-U every year... I'm gonna have to make that up to her. And Christy, too. It's their year. (Rocky fist pumps)<br /><br />To all you out there who believe Valentine's day is for couples, I challenge you! Long before I had Husband in my life, I had six loves for Valentine's day and their names were Mama, Daddy, and 4 sisters. Cherish your family, they are your FOREVER Valentines, and so are your friends! Don't let a day pass you by just because everyone else thinks it's about being part of a couple. It's about love, and if you have someone you love who loves you, that is precious precious - family and friends deeply included. <br /><br />I love all of you and hope you enjoy this sappy day of love, too!<br />Happy Valentine's day,<br />LOOOOOOOOOOOVE,<br />BBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-90392643963223376492012-02-03T12:32:00.001-08:002012-02-03T13:04:10.256-08:00Am I Boring You?Hmm... I wonder...<br /><br />Today, it is officially NOT Christmas in our home any longer. I took down the decorations today. I didn't feel like I'd ever be ready for that step, but somehow with it being 65-70 degrees for the last 3 weeks, I felt it was time. I don't even feel like it's winter anymore; I don't even feel like we had a winter at all! For someone who loves cold weather as much as I do, this is tragic. Last year, I was watching Christmas movies long into January and felt a little sad to think that this year (living with Scrooge, er, I mean Husband) that I wouldn't really be able to. But I gotta say, I had about a week after the new year of Christmas-y fuzzy feelings and then the warm weather struck in. There's nothing like 70 degrees to kill your white Christmas! (Which I now have, thanks to Leety!)<br /><br />I'm now officially ready to start blogging because I'm settled in with my mug of tea. Husband asked me the other day if I always blog while drinking tea, and when I thought about it I realized I do! Not to say that I only drink tea when I write, of course. But typically, I share my cup of tea with all of you. =) I kinda hope that now that I've shared that, I'll get a bunch of people who drink tea while READING this, so that we really are sharing a tea time! <br /><br />Man, I'm cheesy!<br /><br />My birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Or in a little over one week, as I just realized... this whole week has been a bit of a blur. I'm going to visit Ginan and Rick-In-Law for the weekend, which will be loads of fun and I'm really looking forward to it! We haven't been to visit them since the summer, unless I'm mistaken, because when we visited last, Husband was still Fiance, so we were in separate bedrooms. No longer the case, ha ha!<br /><br />So, here's the big news: for my birthday present, Husband got me a tattoo. =) We've talked about it for a long time, and I've had the idea for this one for nearly 4 years, so it was time. And let me just tell you, that no matter how lovely the tattoo may be, there are 2 truths: 1) it will still hurt, and probably more. The more artistic, the more the pain. And 2) it will itch like crazy after! First, it will be sore, which is a given and I was expecting that. But for the last 4 days I have been dying to scratch the heck out of that one spot. There were a lot of things about the healing process that I wasn't prepared for, because I hadn't done my research. I was depending on Husband's knowledge and experience to clue me in and while he did alright with some of the bigger things, I am MUCH more detail oriented than Husband. So things he didn't remember and therefore didn't warn me about got me really freaked. Like that you bleed ink. Not bleed like real bleeding, but how when you wash a new pair of jeans with a white shirt and now you have a blue shirt, bleeding. I had to wash all my "tattoo clothes" today because they all had some amount of ink on them. So, now I'm almost completely healed except for 2 little spots, which itch the most. I'll try to post a picture once it's totally healed, because it really is a beautiful piece of artwork. It took 3 hours, it outta be. <br /><br />I hope that I am not boring my small audience of readers, but I get the feeling that I am because my small audience has dwindled to tiny. This makes me sad. I know I'm a little boring, but couldn't you just view that as charming and still read? It would help with my ego a little. =P However, my faithful readers I adore thee, and will try my best to entertain, even if it's only a little bit!<br /><br />love love love,<br />BiancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-26071636559988686992012-01-31T13:51:00.001-08:002012-01-31T14:20:25.009-08:00Lots of NewToday, I said goodbye to one of my jobs. For the last year-and-a-half I've been working for a lady's gym wearing many hats including file clerk, custodian, counselor, technology specialist, and oh yeah, coach. I loved my time there, but with students coming in left and right, I didn't have any more time to give, let alone to have for myself. So I had to say goodbye. It's bittersweet. <br />Yesterday was my Mama's birthday and today I took her for a lovely and luxurious high tea as her present. We spent about 3 hours there between teatime with lunch and the shop below. It was wonderful. I also gave her a double-thick extra scrubby dishcloth since all of hers are so well used that they're falling apart! I had started working on a tea cozy for her, but realized I made it too short. I forgot that most of her teapots are medium-large-quite large, and the tea cozy I started was small-medium. But she'll get a good one from me in a few weeks. =)<br />I have to confess that I am absolutely dying to see "The Lady In Black" or "The Woman In Black", I can't remember which it is, but the one with Harry Potter that looks super scary and that I'll probably regret seeing because it'll give me nightmares. I realized that I am much more adventurous with scary movies when I have someone to keep me company at night. I came to know this when Friend L started making me stay overnight with her so we could watch scary movies, something I've never been into in the past. But with someone else there (and not the creepy I'm-totally-alone noises that always happen after such movies) I feel protected. I also know this because I share everything with Husband, including sleep time. I feel invincible to the scary movies. Even though they still scare me. =)<br />I get the feeling that I'm on the edge of something really life changing again. Everything is going so well and falling into place, it's a little frightening. Like I'm expecting something to fall apart because nothing could be THIS great. But honestly, so much has happened in the last 4-ish months that I don't know if I can take much more, but it's exciting! There are so many new things happening in my life, and with Husband. And can I just take a moment to say how awesome Husband is? What an amazing support plank I've got. I honestly feel that I can do ANYTHING I want, even something crazy and out there and he'd be like, "Yeah, if that's your dream, we can go for it." I was talking with Mama today at tea/lunch and she said, "Y'know, Husband really... GETS you." And it's so true. <br />I've been getting more ambitious with my tea experience. I used to pretty much stick to the British black types that go well with a little splash of milk and "one lump or two?", but I'm branching into the herbals and greens and flowery ones and finding them delightful. I am also learning how deeply important steeping time is. Until I started taking the tea (or tea bags) out after a certain amount of steep time, I didn't realize I was over-steeping and the tea was getting bitter. Now that I've learned, I get a whole pot full of tea that tastes fresh cup after cup! =)<br />Reading "Memoirs of a Geisha", going with the whole international-tea-outlook, and it's a phenomenal book. So well written, beautifully descriptive, and a truly unique story. I admit, I first got it because I really loved the movie they made based on it (which was also well done), but the book stands alone. It's a good read.<br />Hopefully I'll be able to write a little more since my time will be one less split, and I also know that some of the gym ladies have found my little corner of Blog Land and would like to keep up. I'll do my best to provide. =)<br /><br />Love to all,<br />BBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-40805894101723643642012-01-20T07:47:00.000-08:002012-01-20T08:17:33.901-08:00Adventures of the Newly WedHusband has a PlayStation2. He found out a few weeks ago that they won't be making games for that unit anymore, so when we passed by GameStop and went in, we noticed that all the PS2 games are on super sale. So we got a few games for 2 and 3 dollars a piece. One of them was the Sims 2. We've been playing together, and I noticed (as anyone will when they play the Sims) that every minute of their world is only a second in real time.<br /><br />WELCOME TO MARRIED LIFE.<br /><br />I feel as though I've suddenly become part of an experiment in time warping. There does not seem to be enough hours in the day or days in the week to see everyone and do everything I want to do! Some of this has to do with holding 2 jobs, which will only last til the end of the month. But, as I'm so wisely learning vicariously through my sister who recently cut her working hours, those hours fill up really quickly too if you don't set them aside. The stack of laundry to be done is... I can't even describe it. =P Dishes in the sink, food to be cooked, laundry to fold, groceries to buy... My dad would say, "Welcome to REAL life". And of course, he's right.<br /><br />The only lamentable thing is that all of these mundane chores take away from time spent with the people you love. No wonder parents assign them to kids once they're old enough, I'm gonna! I used to have spare time to do things I really liked doing, thanks to living at home. And I still find time to do those things, it's just split between things I really like doing and things I HAVE to do in order to function. I'm actually making sure those things don't rob my joy with life lately. And even on my busiest week of working maybe ever, I've found bits and pieces of fun time.<br /><br />Was introduced to a wonderful series called The Luxe by my Friend E. It's set in the Victorian age in New York and follows a group of high society young ladies and gents. It's totally a "girly" series, but it is full of intrigue and adventure and just the right amount of suspense mixed in with all the romance. A few twists and turns along the way. In short, every element I love in a good book. There are 4 in the series, and for THAT I could kill Friend E, but thankfully I got an Amazon gift card at Christmas, so the series was my gift to myself. Does anyone write single books anymore?<br /><br />Speaking of writing books, I'd like everyone to know that I have been writing a novel for a very long time. I want everyone to know this so that people will ask me how it's going. So that I can actually finish it. And maybe send it out to publishers. It's quite a good book (I know I'm biased) but even Husband has suggested that I finish it. So there. It's out. I'm a writer.<br /><br />I've also been perfecting a pattern for tea cozies that is my own. My mama got very excited about this when I told her. As previously mentioned, she loves to be my guinea pig for knitted things. I think I shall make a gift for her birthday that is tea-themed. I can never go wrong with Mama and Ginan in making them tea themed things. I'm taking her to a precious little gem of a tea shop in a quaint historic town for her birthday celebration. Last year we took each other for our birthdays because they're so close together, and I looked forward to any time we can make an excuse to go. It's so nice. =)<br /><br />My cup of tea is almost finished and it's time for me to get all ready for one of my jobs. I hope you've all missed me and am glad I'm back. I'm glad to be back. =) Cheers to the weekend!<br /><br />lots of love,<br />BiancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-41352909794546646702011-10-17T07:18:00.000-07:002011-10-17T08:10:28.451-07:00Mysterious Apartment SoundsWe've joined the ranks of the Marrieds.<br />We love it. =)<br /><br />All one (plus) week of married life has been fantastic, though not without a few bumps. I bet if Husband (=D) were married to himself, things would be a lot less stressful and there would be less freak-outs, but for some reason he chose me to be married to. I do love married life (all one (plus) week of it...) but must admit, some things I've been totally taken off guard by. Like how different it is to go from never being alone together to being alone together all the time. Take last night, for instance. For one reason or another, Husband and I (pre-marriage) never saw each other on Sunday nights. I found myself next to him on the couch, flipping through the channels, and realizing that I usually watch back-to-back Bridezillas or some other equally girly TV choice on Sunday nights. And suddenly, I put together how weird it feels to be cuddling on the couch on a Sunday night, not watching Bridezillas. I start to think, shouldn't we be more exciting than watching TV?? Shouldn't we be, I dunno, going out or decorating or having some fantastic gourmet meal we've created together in our cozy kitchen? Because every married couple cooks gourmet together. And does something entertaining all the time.<br />But, no, being married didn't just automatically our preferences. If we both enjoyed watching a movie more than going out on the town before, we still enjoy it more now. Except when I ruin the enjoyment by freaking out at how much we're enjoying being "boring", as I believe I put it. I won't lie, I may be high maintenance emotionally, but when it comes to other things, I'm very simple. Give me a good book, or a movie. Knitting. Cooking. I guess the hardest part was/is realizing that I'M a little boring. Oh well. But then, of course, this morning, when Husband goes to work and I stay home til my lessons later this afternoon, I realize how much I miss him. Just being around him for the last week (plus) has spoiled me. <br />That, and the fact that I'm in an apartment that I've only lived in for, oh what is it... three days? When he left this morning, he came in to give me a kiss and tell me he put the dishes through (total "awww!" factor). In my semi-conscious state I "mmhmm"-ed my acknowledgement. But then, I kept hearing this weird noise as I'm trying to get back to sleep. A kind of bump...bump...bump... -long pause- bump. Swishing-ish bumpy noise. I'm going through all of the worst case scenarios through my head when I realize it's the dishwasher. Duh. And now I'm doing laundry and keep getting weirded out by the spin cycle. Or the sound of cars passing outside since we're in an apartment complex, not a neighborhood. Adjustments to new life, all.<br />First dinner in the apartment was an almost success. I realized as I opened the bag of freezer-burned corn, that Taco Soup without corn is pretty much just weird chili. Thankfully, the bread I made with my new awesome breadmaker was fantastic. Since I married a bread loving man, this was a big win. I don't even think he noticed the weird chili. =) I got very excited opening my fancy new appliances, because they came with cookbooks! Of which I only had one previously. So now I have three. Three baby cookbooks. I'd really love something huge and substantial that weighs like 5 lbs to carry around the kitchen with me. But baby cookbooks fit into our storage plan MUCH better, so I'm happy. =) I've also gotten a few cookbooks on my Kindle, for free, so this really works. Hurray!<br />We received adorable "Mr. & Mrs." traveling mugs as a wedding gift and took them with us to church yesterday (gag if you must, but we are proud of our newlywed status!). However, they seem to be regular ceramic containers, not double walled as I assumed. We realized this as we kinda burned our hands taking them out to the car with our hot, fresh coffee/tea. I grabbed myself a little contraption that I knit which I call a Mug Sweater, but didn't bring one for Husband because the choices were pink, purple, and more purple. He looked so disappointed when he didn't have one! So, I'm in the process of knitting him a Man Mug Sweater in a lovely - I mean, so manly! - doe brown. It's soft, too. =) I'm gonna have to figure out a way to stitch in "Mr." because it would cover the print of the mug up... then I can make myself another girly one with the excuse of adding the "Mrs." =)<br />Shame from Husband over not reading anything new lately. He even said, "You're reading The Hunger Games? Again? How many times is that, fifty??". HE read TWO new books that he got in the airport on our way to the Bahamas, but in my defense, both of them were referred to him by me. I hadn't started them yet but thought he'd enjoy. So now he's finished with them and I still haven't started yet. Shame, shame on me... but I'll catch up. <br /><br />Thanks to everyone for your support through my wedding planning and I hope you enjoy my wedded blogs! They will most likely contain things that actually have to do with tea, knitting, and cozy things now that wedding planning is over! =)<br /><br />Love to all,<br /><br />The Mrs.Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-20064150616554590942011-10-04T12:50:00.001-07:002011-10-04T12:50:57.277-07:00I'm not kidding with this...<div><p>It is my last blog as a single woman.<br>
Even using the word "woman" is a little weird to me. I almost said single girl, but if I'm about to get married, I suppose I've reached womanhood. Strange! <br>
The day is alarmingly close and I am alarmingly calm. At this point. =P Things are in place, wrinkles in plans have been smoothed out, and I was given some very great advise lately, at my bachelorette party actually, about the details. I was talking about how I'm afraid that I'm gonna let something fall through the cracks, and I got about four responses of "Let it fall!", all from my married friends! Anything that hasn't been dealt with by now obviously isn't that important. Phew! It has really helped mellow me out. I'm ready to get this show on the road now!<br>
The most stressful part of the last two weeks has been packing and moving. Is there anything I hate more in this life than packing? Mmmm... Nothing comes to mind at the moment. Hate packing. Love Fiance. Eye on the prize - gotta get it done!<br>
I've read various books lately, but when I picked out "The Hunger Games" today, it made me so happy. I've definitely read it more than four times, so it should not make me so excited to read it again, but it just does! Such adventure, such suspense! And Peeta reminds me, in a lot of ways, of my own dear Fiance. What's not to love?! Plus, I need something to divert my attention when flying, so it'll be good for the honeymoon flight. No more excuses. A girl can love a book. Excuse me, a woman can love a book.<br>
I'd hoped to have more to say for my last single blog, but for sone reason I can't seem to focus. Mysterious, I know. I'll be back after the wedding and honeymoon. =D Hurray! Excitement!</p>
<p>Love</p>
<p>Miss Bianca (has to use Miss for the last time!)</p>
<p>P.S. Do not watch Fiddler on the Roof, Little Women, or Funny Girl before the wedding. Raising that kind of emotion is just not worth it!</p>
</div>Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-27793689698449446812011-08-29T15:59:00.000-07:002011-08-29T19:31:11.891-07:00Ah, pre-marital delusions...<div><div>Fiance and I have begun our pre-marital sessions. At first, I dreaded them, nearly sweaty-palmed terrified at the prospect. But after our first meeting wasn't so bad, I figured it would be okay. Turns out, these books they make you read on marriage? They do their best to make you understand what REAL marriage will be like. </div><div> </div><div>Like crush-your-childhood-fantasy-of-marriage real.</div><div> </div><div>It's good, I don't want to be in denial or have impossible expectations. And I'm a lot more realistic about my ideas about relationships than I once was. And most of the stuff (so far) has been things I'm trying to prepare myself about anyway. But then Fiance has to go and do this.</div><div> </div><div>Scenario:</div><div>I'm texting my love and all of a sudden, he lets me know that the power has gone out in his apartment, right in the middle of him making dinner for himself, albeit Tuna helper dinner. Still oh no! (Note: anyone who has ever made any kind of Fill-In-The-Blank Helper knows that it does not begin prettily. In fact, every one of them looks like some sort of vomit till about 3 seconds before it's done. Fiance and I call this the "Ugly Stage" of Helper meals.) I am duly sympathetic and helpful. </div><div>Him: Maybe there's enough residual heat on the burner to finish it...</div><div>Me: Oh no! What were you making?</div><div>Him: Tuna Helper lol</div><div>Me: Aww, still in the ugly stage or almost done?? Did you put a lid on it??</div><div>Him: I had a lid on it and it's definitely ugly. It's not thick yet and it's like soup. Tuna Helper soup.</div><div>Me: I'm sorry!! =(</div><div>Him: It's kinda done... tastes alright but looks like gruel. Some of the poweder stuff didn't mix in all the way.</div><div>Me: Oh lame =( I'm sorry!</div><div> </div><div>All normal disapointment/make it better stuff, right? Here comes the drama.</div><div> </div><div>Him: It's fine baby. I'm sure there will be times like that when we're married.</div><div> </div><div>GASP. WHAT?!?!??!?! </div><div> </div><div>Me: NO!!! Never! Everything I cook will be perfect! Always! I'll be a flawless wife!</div><div>Him: ... and if the power goes out in the middle of your flawless dinner?</div><div> </div><div>IMPOSSIBLE!!!</div><div> </div><div>Me: I'm still flawless! I have magic powers!</div><div>Him: Oh, that's right, I forgot. Sorry baby. =P</div><div> </div><div>I know everything won't be perfect and that I'll never be a flawless wife... in theory. When faced with this real-life conundrum I was deeply saddenedwith the truth that yes, one night in our married life, I'll be cooking a glorious, time-consuming, non-Helper dinner. And the power will go off. And ruin everything. How will I respond to this? Hmmm...</div><div> </div><div>I guess the most eye opening part of pre-marital and, from my understanding, that first year together, is the true LIFE stuff. The everything-isn't-always-rainbows-and-daisies stuff. And you know what? </div><div> </div><div>That's okay.</div><div> </div><div>We will eat Tuna Helper gruel by candle light.</div><div> </div><div>Love to all, especially Fiance,</div><div>Bianca</div><div> </div></div>
<br />Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-38607501183781405132011-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:002011-07-28T13:18:39.129-07:00Professors Over TeaI find that if I make a statemtent like, "Don't expect another post till after the wedding!", it takes the pressure off, and then I actually DO! Don't pee your pants at my two posts in one month. <br />I was a little disappointed, friends, because I was expecting some feedback about my Etsy idea and alas! none came to me! I would love anyone's input (or advise) about getting started.<br />This morning, I was reminiscing with my Mama over a cup (or several cups!) of tea, talking about college professors and how much they have influenced my life now, as a teacher. Full circle moment! Obviously, my voice coach from college is the one that I think about the most often, as I use MANY of her encouraging techniques with my students, and just remembering her manner as a teacher has shaped so much of how I handle things. So, that one's obvious. <br />But not as, shall I say, daily, were my other professors, some of them not even involved in music! I feel like there were a handful of professors who really "got" me, as a person and as a student. They saw that I had the commitment and the drive, and really pushed me to my full potential, without pushing me over the edge. The department head for my college was one; she was also my first piano teacher, repertoire seminar director, and composition and analysis professor, to name a few. She wore many hats! She was also one of those teachers who, absolutely anytime I asked a question or didn't understand, would do everything she could to help me get to understanding. She was never, "Well, that's just how I teach it, so, if you don't get it, too bad!" and I really appreciate that about her. Even in comp and analysis, a class I was WRETCHED at, she saw more of my effort than my actual work sometimes, and that meant so much to me (as I am not a composer, nor am I very analytical when it comes to music - I just love it!). That class was such a stretch for me, and having someone who didn't give up was huge. <br />Same for my theory prof. DANG, what was I even doing in that class?!? She was one of those who, if you made the effort to get with her outside of class time, she made SURE you did well. She just wanted to make sure the students were as serious about her time as she was. I totally respect that now, when I go into a seemingly packed day of lessons to come out the other side only having two who show up! <br />I gotta recognize a non-music prof, though (which is funny, because he happens to be quite musical), who had a big impact on me, and looking back, I'm not even sure why. Maybe it was because I had him for my first semester in college - a lot of people from those first few months mean so much to me. Maybe it was because I was always the ONLY person who laughed at his jokes in class. Seriously, the man makes a joke, I giggle a little, or all-out guffaw, and I get 20 blank stares at me from the rest of the class. The man is FUNNY, people. I got the feeling from him that most of his non-major students didn't really work hard, because he always valued my work ethic. And when the end of the final year came, and we were asked to invite one teacher to represent us at a senior ceremony, I chose him. And his speech is something I'll remember forever, I think. <br />So, today, I recognize my past professors. I almost said "fellow teachers", but that seems so weird to me, to count myself as one of their ranks. They are top shelf. And, honestly, should my 20-year plan pan out, and I become a college professor one day, I hope that they're proud of me. Because they were the inspiration. =)<br /><br />love,<br />biancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-26598444248806333942011-07-20T09:47:00.001-07:002011-07-20T10:17:05.162-07:00Time must have wings these days...I feel very dishonest with a blog named "A cup of tea with my knitting, please". I think it should be renamed "A cup of planning with my wedding, please..." for right now. =P<br />I have not abandoned you, my faithful readers! The fact that I have missed several months of blogging is absurd to me. Surely, it has only been a week or so since my last entry?? With the wedding coming, and we are now in the double digits (finally!), weeks seem to pass like days to me. I think of something to do and before I know it, it's two weeks later and I'm overdue! But, thankfully, because I tend to plan ahead, I am still on time for most of my lists. <br />I had a wonderful, lovely shower with my soon-to-be in-laws (aka Fiance's family) and we got so much loot for our new life together! Never have I appreciated the concept of wedding gifts and showers more. Until it was me, it's always been, yeah, of COURSE you get a gift for so-and-so's wedding/shower. Duh! But now that I've been through it, I feel so deeply thankful for these gifts. The fact that you put out a list of things you need or want for your new life as a married couple and people actually buy things for you, to help you out, is so amazing! I feel so blessed with our gifts and I am thankful for each and every one, and for the family who has gifted them to us. There is so much love. =)<br />I'm also getting very excited for the shower that is coming up, in my hometown. I just got off the phone with my Ro sister, who is in full invitation mode! I was telling her, it's kinda weird for me because up till now, I've been the one doing all the planning and getting information together and making sure things happen. With showers, all I do is get some names and addresses and show up!! How fun! =D It is also going to be a very, shall I say, "me" shower. My sisters (who double as bridesmaids and matron of honor) are throwing it and I must say, (though I know little of the details) they have got the nail on the head. I love when family shows that they know you in those little ways. Makes me feel all kinds of special. =)<br />I believe the countdown is now in the 70's. I feel like we JUST broke 100, and all of a sudden it's in the 70's already. I am so excited and ready! I had my little moments earlier on, and I won't lie, things do come up that I think, are we really ready for this? But, I know we are. Or are as ready as anyone ever is for marriage. =P We will be starting pre-marital counciling in a week or so, so that should be a good set-up for some interesting conversation topics! Thankfully, communication is one thing that me and the Fiance are pretty good at. We communicate so good sometimes we get real loud and right up close to each other, in the face, like. =P I don't mind that we argue, I think it's good. We always resolve and most of the time, realize it's not worth arguing over anyway. Plus, I'm usually the instigator... who knew that when uptight meets laid back, the uptight one would start all the stuff?? It's a mystery! =P<br />I am a serial repeater. If I read a book I love, I go back to it over and over. Same with music and movies. I have movies that are my "cozy, fall-asleep-to" movies that I pretty much know line-for-line, and music that is so familiar to me it makes me feel content just hearing it. I love that I'm marrying someone who uses the word "cozy" when he talks about what it'll be like in our apartment after we're married. I love that he knows what I do to the place I live in, whether it be a college dorm, apartment or a house: I cozy it up! Me and all my sisters seem to posess this talent. It's something I hope to pass along one day (one day far, far, FAR in the future, don't get any ideas). So, no new books lately. With all the hustle and bustle, I've been reverting to my cozy books. <br />Since I got a smartphone (oh yeah baby!) I tend to do things on it, not the computer. But there are some things that just cannot be done on a 2x4 screen, imagine that, and this is one of them. I shall try my best to post again before the wedding, but I make no promises! =)<br /><br />Lots of love,<br />Bianca<br /><br />p.s. To all of you awaiting knitting and crocheting posts, I will try to deliver, soon. I am also contemplating a page on Etsy so I can show you all of my lovely knitted and crocheted things... we shal see. =)Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-34198447257291742152011-06-07T12:42:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:06:28.018-07:00Impulse Buys That You Have to Finance...are not a good idea.<br />I have to repeat this to myself as some kind of mantra because everyone is trying to sell me things lately, and I've discovered that if they use words like "quality" or "investment", I'm hooked. Was nearly sucked into a Cutco demonstration. A friend recommended to her friend that he call so I could hear his speech. No harm, right? No commitment intended, just helping a guy get started with his resume. WRONG. I got so interested in these <em>quality</em> knives that I almost, almost made a very bad financial decision and put a whole slew of <em>investment</em> on my credit card. Thankfully, I was with the Fiance who is a little more down-to-earth than I am at these crucial moments. I was also recently contacted from a sweepstakes that I had entered online that we had "won" and would we come down to collect our prizes? Of course! Ran smack into the middle of an amazing pots-and-pans demonstration that I, all of a sudden, HAD TO HAVE! (plus all of the free stuff they throw in if you order <em>today!</em>) Again, thankfully, I was not alone and the Fiance was there to level my head. We got our free stuff, which was why we went in the first place. I think all of this stems from my deep and abiding love for infomercials... I had to remind myself (and be reminded) that we had already registered for pots and pans AND knives, so please, somebody, save me from overspending!<br />My first bridal shower is coming up at the end of the month and I am so excited! The family-in-law is throwing it, so me and Fiance will be traveling up to PA to enjoy. Everything is moving so quickly now that I almost can't believe it. I remember telling myself when we had first gotten engaged, kinda walking through the landmarks in the engagement period, that when it was the summer, then the wedding was REALLY close. Well, friends, it is the summer. And according to Bianca of November '10, that means the wedding is REALLY close. According to Bianca of June '11, there's still PLENTY of time, LOADS of it!! ...but I also realize that I'm slightly delusional in my present state...<br />Shame and remorse. Ro's birthday passed. She was even here after it. And I have not finished her gift yet. I can't believe I've let this happen. I've been so good with my deadlines!! I won't let this get me down to the point where I'm all, "well, it's already been this long... I might as well just leave it there..." I WILL finish! I WILL! I am determined. Ro is one of the sisters who loves my handmade gifts the most, how could I let her down?? I'm so ashamed, but I will prevail. It will be with Ro soon.<br />Here's a sad story with a happy ending: I left my Kindle on the plane when Fiance and I went to PA for the wedding. -sob- We went through all the hoops to make sure if it was found it couldn't be hacked and all my stuff stolen from it as well as the information to get it back to me. But nobody, least of all me, was expecting it to turn up. On the day that I had decided I was going to order myself another one (not having heard anything in almost 2 weeks), I got an email. A glorious email from Amazon entitled: Your lost Kindle has been found. Hurray! I got it in the mail last week and I feel like I never want to put it down again! It's part of me now... okay, that's a little creepy, but I'm very happy to have it home. =) And thank you, to that kind and honest soul who must've turned it into the airline lost and found. I am eternally gratefuly to you!<br /><br />with much love,<br />bianca<br /><br />p.s. If you've been thinking about reading the book "Chocolat", DON'T. Watch the movie instead.Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-51685907179639428942011-05-10T20:11:00.000-07:002011-05-10T20:45:58.352-07:00Auditions, and Lessons, and Weddings, Oh My!... or should I say, Oh, May! What a month, already.<br /><br />I am officialy NOT a college student anymore. I know this has been official for a year now (yes, a year... DANG.), but the reality hit me when I went to audition for placement in an actual opera company for the '11-'12 season. I realized how truly important the audition was to me because nothing was given - if I get this part, it's because I earned it, in the real world, under real circumstances, with real talent. That, my friends, is huge. Granted, I have to keep myself from going to the place in my mind that says, "...then if you don't get it, you won't make it in the real world and have no talent and..." blah blah blah endless negativity blah. For now, I am in a positive place. It was a very, very successful audition, whether I make it or not. This is a concept I have not been able to grasp until now. Someone else's opinion of me, my voice, or my talent does not, I repeat NOT, determine my own success. I feel extremely pleased with the way I sang and performed. To me, that is success.<br /><br />Especially since this was my first real, face-to-face, opera audition. Big. <br /><br />By the way, has anyone ever figured out why judges are so unreadable?!? What's the deal? I think I would be a horrible talent judge because if someone came in and was great, I'd be so excited and want to tell them how great they were and hear them sing more and so on, instead of nonchalantly making a few notes on the paper, cutting them off mid-song, and going on to the next candidate. By the same token, if someone was terrible, I'd have a VERY difficult time keeping cringes from my expression and trying to help their pitch with my eyebrows. "Just a little higher, just a little higher!!!!!" I'd probably want to give them a few pointers then and there instead of saying a non-commital, "Thank you for coming! We'll let you know." They make it so hard to know whether you're in or out. I feel like I'm waiting to find out the secret password to the club entrance. And it's only been a few days. Terrible...<br /><br />This has turned out to be an extremely busy two weeks past. I picked up almost a half-dozen new voice students, or at least prospective voice students. I thought everything would drop down to zero for summer plans, but it looks like everyone wants to pick it up now that school is out. Praise be, jobs for me! There are two that I am particularly looking forward to, a pair of sisters. They will be great, I have a feeling. I've also picked up more hours at my non-career job that pays my bills, so now I can pay more bills, yay. Bills... I never understood the dread of that monthly reminder that you shouldn't ever have any money left over until now. Oh sweet bills, you are such humanity. Thank you for keeping me humble and organized.<br /><br />CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEDDING. I am getting to that place. That inevitable place where things have slowed down a little with the planning and now it's a waiting game. There are still things left to do, of course, but up until about a month from the wedding, I'm pretty much set. So, of course, I'm left thinking about all the things that could be happening, if we were already married. All of the coziness of the apartment together. All the movie nights and not having to go out to enjoy each other's company. And I have nearly 5 months of this left. I think I will drive myself crazy far before then. I am probably thinking about all of this even more given that the Fiance and I will be going up to PA to his cousin's wedding this weekend. I am very much looking forward to getting to relax and get away a little bit, and hopefully take a break from OUR wedding details and enjoy the fruits of someone ELSE'S planning labors! <br /><br />All in all, busy suits me. I'm very excited about the prospect of a smartphone with an awesome calendar app so that I can keep everything even more organized. I have not been very good with my calendar these two weeks past - it's almost like too many things happened all at once to write down! But, the Fiance is getting his upgrade in about a week or so and I will be added to his phone plan, what with us getting married soon and all. I swear, we've done more things to bind us together for the next several years in the last few months that signing a marriage certificate is going to be nothing. Car loan, car title, insurance, phone, honeymoon vacation, plane tickets... we're set. We should've just signed one of those legal documents as Mr. and Mrs. and then we'd be done with all the fuss! =P<br /><br />Love to you all and hope May brings many things besides just flowers,<br /><br />-BBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-35106132466550888732011-04-21T19:26:00.001-07:002011-04-21T19:49:46.258-07:00Shamed by a Blogging Sister, and other talesIt has been awhile and there is really no good excuse. Sure, I've gotten a lot of headway in the wedding plans. Yes, I've been working. Of course, I have a social life. But nothing really worth staying away for so long... nothing truly all-consuming.<br /><br />NOT like this time last year. I cannot believe I have been a college graduate for a year now. I was just telling someone the other day (...or this morning?) that I feel like I've been on vacation for the past year. And just to recap, this last year has not been idle: secured 2 jobs, snagged an outrageously handsome man, began/continue wedding plans, got in an accident, got a new car... not to mention all the birthdays and holidays. But is all of this, though I may be continually busy (which I much prefer), even a FRACTION of a comparison to the amazing stress I achieved in education? NO. The answer is no. I devoted every thought and action to completing my degree. I was totally one-track and it really did consume me. Every time I think of it, I'm glad I took this time to NOT go to grad school. I just don't it's for me... at least not at the moment. <br /><br />My sister Ro, however, SHAMES me with her continuous blog posts. Oh, I'm a college grad... and I have my Masters... and by the way, I'm in school CONTINUOUSLY because I'm a professor... and I blog all the time... and I'm awesome. (She doesn't say all of that, that's me being sarcastic.) More power to you, Ro. I admire your gluttony for the punishment that I call formal education. But, admittedly, all her students adore her and if I'd had a teacher (I say teacher because my college profs were pretty cool) like her, I probably would've enjoyed things more. As she's the next birthday, maybe I'll knit her a blog sweater. Probably not. =P<br /><br />Wedding plans proceed smoothly. The time is passing all too quickly now and I can't believe how close it all is. Not that I'm complaining; I can't wait! I thought a nearly year-long engagement would move slower than cement uphill, but have been surprised at it's swift approach, praise God in heaven!<br /><br />I overcame a petty struggle with myself over its recent spotlight and read "Water for Elephants". I thought it was fantastic; definitely one I'll read again. I realized lately that I tend to be a "seasonal" reader. At certain times of the year, I crave certain books, so by now I've read them every year for about 5 years or longer. I'm trying to expand my horizons now that reading is so accessable (thank you, dear Kindle!), but I still find myself gravitating towards those oh-so-cozy seasonal books. They are like old friends to me that I visit each year for a needed vacation. I've added a few to my list in the last year: The Hunger Games, the Anne of... series, the Maya Davis novels, and I think I can safely put Water for Elephants up there, too. I'm interested as to how they're going to trasnlate this vivid, detailed, and descriptive book to film. I hope they do it justice. <br /><br />I think I stayed away till now because I was expecting of myself to have this fantastic, deep, intelectual comeback of a blog since it's been so long. I'm truly sorry if you were, too. =P<br /><br />More to come and hopefully soon,<br />-biancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-27658983949159678952011-03-22T12:30:00.000-07:002011-03-22T12:38:00.874-07:00Dear Pollen...If you were a person, you would be just about the only person for whom I would willingly go to jail for murder. My new car sits just beyond the grasp of your minion, Huge Pine Tree, who has rained down your icky-ness upon its pristine exterior. I, unknowing of your abrupt appearance, had kept my windows down, and lo! the icky-ness has crept to the inside of my new car as well! I have been meaning to speak to you about your rude visiting at the same time every year. You know I am never prepared for your baggage. I cannot even use the excuse of illness, as you happen to bring that with you upon my innocent sinuses. Were you kinder to me and my house, I might have invited you lovingly in. However, you continue to misbehave and be a general nuisance. Since nothing else has worked thus far, I can only vent you this frustrated missive. As it has done no good in the past on your character, I can expect no less this year. Know only this: IF you were a person... I would sincerely and heartily kill you. My condolences, Bianca.<br /><br />p.s. no hard feelings.Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-51509511715327173632011-03-02T09:49:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:19:27.333-08:00Tea towels and the coziest of coziesWow, what a completely gorgeous day we are experiencing here! It was chilly and crisp this morning and now it's a sunny, breezy, LOVELY afternoon! Windows open, curtains fluttering in the cool breeze. Bliss.<br /><br />Birthday weekend with Ginan and other assorted family members was a blast and a total success! I can now reveal that I knitted her a fantastic (if I do say so myself!) tea cozy of my own pattern. Simplistic, cushy, and in tea-friendly colors with sweet little accents that make it all my own. Er, her own. I put the cozy on the tea pot during church Sunday morning so it was there in all its glory when she got home! I love this pattern, and I need to get its rights reserved so I can share; it is so easy and wonderful and variations are endless. I came up with the pattern when I was sent an AWESOME care package on my birthday my last year in college from Fiance's mom. She sent me 3 different kinds of yarn and some cool patterns to try. How thoughtful, right?<br /><br />I also crocheted Ginan a tea towel of the on-the-oven-door variety. For those of you out there who have tried to do this, let me save you a lot of time, hand aches, and general frustration. FIND A TINY HOLE PUNCHER. I tortured my hands trying to poke holes with just my crochet hook and brute strength long enough to know. It took me nearly an HOUR to make my first crocheted-top towel because I had not yet discovered the hole puncher. Next time I tried, I made two in 30 minutes, with no bruises or redness to show for it! Blessings! This is a great project for anyone. People always need towels for the kitchen, and personalizing them with the crocheted top is a great way to say, "Hey, I love you enough to spend time on this gift!". The towels also work great in guest bathrooms and, as I said, they can be crocheted to match the decor. LOVE these towels! I have dozens of them from my Auntie and used them all through college and will be taking them with me to my new apartment!<br /><br />Yes, the time has come. Fiance is moving into the apartment (we will share upon marrying) in a week. A WEEK!!! I keep telling him that it's "our" apartment, even though he will be living there first. I have to keep up with a constant stream of this brainwashing so that "our" apartment does not have the same fate as "his" bachelor-pad apartment had. I can't wait to move in and add all of my homeyness to the place. And the kitchen is absolutely glorious; so spacious and lots of cabinets!! Soon those cabinets will be home to the appliances and dishes (and towels!) we register for (and make!) !!! This is such an exciting place of life for me right now! (can ya tell by the excessive use of exclamation marks?)<br /><br />I have a bit of a gap until the next birthday, but I'm pretty excited to get started on HER. Ro is fun to make things for, and easy to match - find something red and she will love it. Make something for her kitchen and she will love it. Something for her coffee table and she will love it. She also likes to drop lots of hints on what she wants, so I really just have to pick a few from the mental list. So easy. =P Until then, though, that's all that's on the knitting front.<br /><br />How awesome are my siblings/future husband with my birthday presents, though? Awesome enough to get me lots of iTunes and Amazon gift cards! I'm so used to rationing myself on books and music and now I get to go a little crazy. I'm so excited! The first book I bought is turning out to be kindof a dud, though. It had such great potential: murder mystery, centered on the role of an executioner in a small German town in the middle ages; children turning up dead with witches marks on them! I'm almost finished with it, and it's just not taking the kind of turns I'd hoped. I'm greatly disappointed. Luckily, a woman left "The Time Traveler's Wife" at the gym lending library, which I (tragically) can't get on my Kindle. So I'm reading that, too. Great book.<br /><br />Hope everyone enjoys this weather while it lasts, and happy knitting!<br /><br />lots of love, biancaBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-46368460521084352342011-02-23T05:19:00.000-08:002011-02-23T05:41:34.230-08:00Spring, sisters, and more important mattersBirthday gifts for Mama went wonderfully! I knitted her some new dishcloths in dark colors and patterns all my own! They're holding up pretty well; I need to tweak the patterns though, as this was a first attempt for both styles. She told me she is EVER willing to be my creative guinea pig, but of course she would. It means a constant stream of knittery! =) Have moved on to next birthday girl, my sister Ginan. Am going to see her this weekend which makes me VERY happy and excited! Coziness abounds wherever Ginan is. I am dearly hoping to see my other sister in that area, Ro, as well! I have missed them both a lot!<br /><br />It is amazing how the simple act of opening ones window when the weather is simply gorgeous affects ones soul. I am absolutely adoring the early spring we're getting here. I have also very much enjoyed the effect of the gloriously beautiful music Ginan made me for my birthday on these lovely days! <br /><br />I have been contemplating my tongue. In the car, I am hasty to cast judgment on any other car that makes the slightest mistake, especially when it comes close to my car! On the flip side, I often feel hesitant in groups to share my views when something is genuinely important. Especially if I feel very strongly on the subject. Lately, I have been taken for a ride in both these areas, as I wrecked my car and am increasingly sympathetic to the driver making the drastic-but-necessary move on the road. I am also involved in an "engaged couples" class that has turned out to be pretty much pre-pre-marital counseling. Touchy subjects abound and I am learning not only where the land-mines are in my husband-to-be, but especially in myself. <br /><br />I was in a situation recently where I was with a dear friend, having a conversation with people I did not know as well. A subject came up that I knew I disagreed with, but what to say? I hate to seem that person who just can't wait to share their opinion, no matter how wrong or insensitive. So, of course, I remained quiet. To me, it was better than the alternative of, "I know I disagree, I'm just not sure how to put it. -dramatic pause- No, I just can't think of how to say this... sorry...?" What a lame end to something that didn't need to be said in the first place. Silence sometimes seems snobby (or at least I feel that that's how people view ME when I'm silent on something) but honestly, it's much better than saying something that you could achieve with the action of staying quiet. And I'm thankful, because it's only today that I realized what I COULD have said that would have been better than silence. It COULD have gone seriously wrong, though, and hindsight is always 20/20; plus, that sentence contains too many "could"s. <br /><br />So, in all, I'm glad I held my tongue in this situation. But mostly, I pray that I am granted the right words to say when confronted again. I often pray for the right words these days. I hope everyone can get out and enjoy this beautiful weather while it lasts! <br /><br />lots of love, BBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690616007481538081.post-74964202086154179242011-02-03T13:07:00.000-08:002011-02-03T13:22:26.538-08:00Too fast, too slow...Who was it who first noticed that when one area of your life seems to be going excellent well, the rest promptly falls apart? I think we can all identify with this cycle of life. Me? I'm smack in the middle of it.<br /><br />For such a long time, all I wanted was to fall in love for real. To have my feelings returned. It seemed my lot in life to suffer the curse of the one-sided crush. Then I found my amazing fiance, who turned my whole world around (not to be cliche, but there it is) and filled in my other half. <br /><br />So now that I've found love, what's to become of me? I'm trying to break into the world of private voice lessons - something I never thought I'd do, and have grown to deeply enjoy - but I seem to be constantly shut out of it. As soon as I get a new student, I lose an old one. Teenagers aren't the most reliable. They tend to spread themselves quite thin over different areas of study until they find something they like/enjoy/are good at. I never really did this. For me, it was always music, and any aspect of music I adored. It seems my students don't share this passion, or at least not completely. Poor things. Music is so fulfilling.<br /><br />I guess on this overcast Thursday, as I lost yet another promising voice student to sports commitments, I am simply dreary. Slumpy. (I realize it's not a word, but you understood exactly what I meant when I used it, didn't you?) And wondering what to do with my life. With a birthday around the corner, I suppose it's natural. Almost everyone I've talked to about this point in life has said the same thing: it's all a transition. <br /><br />Well, Sir Transition, you've got the better of me today. Tomorrow, I'll chalk all of this up to a large dose of Bronte. Perhaps too much.<br /><br />much love, BBiancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109308215015071164noreply@blogger.com0