Theo's new game

Buenas Noches

Snow on Groundhog Day. Almost every day since then has been delightful. Maybe Phil was mistaken?
He tells me that he gets great reception.
My first crocheted hat which I made to match Emily's scarf.
King cake attempt #2. Better than the first. Mmm it's making me want to make another! I think I'll just hold out for that one I'm expecting in the mail. ;)
First day of Spanish class. Can I be any cheesier?

Last Thursday I ventured out into the real world. I went to The Needle Lady for some circular needles I needed for a beret I am knitting. I intended to use the yarn Rebecca gave me for Christmas but it turns out that yarn is too chunky so I bought a skein called "Milk chocolate." The first Thursday of the month they meet for a social knitting night. There were about 10 women there. Some I am guessing to be around my age and then some wiser women. It was an enjoyable time and the owner, Mimi, taught me two new cast-on's. I am looking forward to next month's knitting night. I probably won't be finished with my beret since I spent my entire Sunday afternoon and evening messing up. But I am learning a great deal.

Tomorrow I am submitting my application for grad school. It will also be my first day volunteering with the ESL (English as a Second Language) program. I am considering endorsement in ESL along with elementary education so I'm checking out what it's all about.

Now I'm heading out to C'ville Coffee to meet the UVa medwives for our monthly dinner out.

Ciao!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Theo was neutered today. We bathed him last night so he would be nice and clean plus he was looking a little brown. Now he is nice and white and fluffy. We dropped him off early this morning and picked him up around 3. He looked a little traumatized and when we got home he just kind of wandered around. He would stand in one spot and kind of sway but he eventually laid down and took a nap. He's currently sleeping on the couch while Michael plays some soccer.

We took advantage of Theo's absence to give the house a good cleaning.

Then Michael and I took a walk to the corner for lunch and felt a little guilty doing this without Theo. We also went to Petsmart and finally bought a gate to block off the living room from the kitchen. No more cardboard box. This gate is really dandy since it has a door. When we passed by Lowe's we looked for the groundhogs that live on the hill. Despite the lovely day, they weren't out so we're guessing there will be more winter. I just google'd it and yes, more winter. I don't really blame the guy for "seeing his shadow", there were 13,000 people there to see him.

We also went to Target and I got a couple cute Orla Kiely containers for my crafting supplies and a new scrapbook for my DZ pictures and such. Orla Kiely is a british designer and makes super fabulous things that are expensive. There's a shop on the corner that has a couple of her bags and they are not affordable but they are nice to look at. Thankfully she has used her talents to design practical things for us commoners.

That's about all that's been going on. We had donuts on Friday thanks to nice weather. Unfortunately we missed Med School Prom on Saturday because my stomach was in a bit of a funk. I did get to read a lot of Northanger Abbey. I am thinking that I will really enjoy Jane Austen's work. I applied for a job at Barne's & Noble and at the Education Department at Monticello. The latter sounds like it could be interesting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll be finishing up my professional statement and application for grad school this week. I'll also be working on my valentines.

Time to start cooking dinner. We're having a chicken breast recipe with artichokes from Michael's family cookbook.

Later alligators...

King Cake

I decided to try and make a King Cake. Here's the recipe I used. It's pretty good for my first try. I didn't make the filling. We invited friends over to experience a little taste of Mardi Gras.
I had to use some fancy camera angles so you wouldn't see that I couldn't wait to taste it in order to get a good shot. You'll notice that the green color is disappointing. The one in the pack of sugars was some pastel green. Oh well. Still tastes good!

Tomorrow's Tuesday and that means Carpe Donut will be out on The Corner (across the street from UVa). We just might have to take Theo for a little walk.
I take that back. I just checked the weather. It's supposed to feel like the teen's with a 30% chance of snow showers all day. I bet Carpe Donut won't be out. He wasn't out last Friday. (I don't blame him, but we drove downtown just in case.)

Six month anniversary

Monday was a festive day here at the Perry residence. We made pizza from scratch (minus the sauce) and I baked cupcakes. We even took Theo for a nice long walk.
Pizza #1. Unfortunately I forgot to do the pizza dance. Next time.

Pizza #2. We didn't let it cook long enough. Whoops.
Wedding cake cupcakes! Isn't the tree so cute? Thanks Aunt Jingle! And yes, we did eat our pizza on our fine china. :)

Coffee and cupcakes. A match made in heaven!

Carpe Donut!

After weeks of waiting, I finally seized the donut! I read about Carpe Donut in an insert in the C-VILLE weekly. It listed all kinds of good stuff going on during the holidays here in Charlottesville. Unfortunately I waited to go and then they were gone the last two weeks that we were here. (They're only out in good weather on Friday's from 8:30 to 5:30).

So last Friday came around and the weather was nice. We walked to our friends Pete, Laura, and Christie's home and then we were off for the Downtown Mall. Theo enjoyed the new territory.

All I have to say is that these donuts are glorious. Not greasy at all. You don't even feel guilty after eating one. Subtly infused with apple cider and rolled in cinnamon sugar while you stand there. Hot apple cider to accompany it. This might have to be a weekly walk until it warms up and I have to bid Adieu!

Yet another reason to come and visit!

Happy New Year

I'm so grateful for the time we got to spend at home with both our families and our friends. I was surprised that I wasn't extremely upset to leave home again. I guess I learned to appreciate my time there and to look forward to the life Michael and I have started. :)

We're settled back into life in Virginia. It's cold. Theo has been enjoying our daily walks to the university when it's not raining. Michael is getting a head start on studying. I signed up for an Intro to Spanish class at UVa. It starts on the 27th. I'm working on my application to grad school and I'm looking for a job. The job market is pretty tough but hopefully I will find something to keep me busy and bring in some cash to support my crafting addiction. hehe

Another appropriate topic for this post is, of course, resolutions for the new year. I don't think Michael made any. Theo said he's going to try to bark less and to potty outside more. Here is the only one I can remember:

• Get out of the house and do stuff besides going to the grocery store.
  (This encompasses exercising, volunteering, working...)

My first (and probably last) gingerbread house making endeavor. Many thanks to Amy Shows for aiding in the decoration. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks also to Aunt Vickie because I understand that she was actually the one who bought and intended to build it.