suitcases...

have you ever noticed the suitcase trend in photography?
who started it? and WHY?

the following blogger comments on this phenomenon...and it's pretty funny.

www.lostmodels.tumblr.com

Quote

"Miss Heinz, did you paint your face?"
ME: Paint my face?
"Yeah, you know, paint it with color and lipstick and make-up?"
ME: Well, I'm wearing mascara and I don't always wear that, but otherwise it's the same that it is every day.
"Oh. Well, you look very pretty today."

Two hours later and a completely different group of kids...

"Miss Heinz, are you wearing EYE LINER?!?"
ME: That's off topic...but yes, I am. I always do.
"It looks darker today. I mean, your eyes look dark."
(another student) "Yeah, it does look darker but it looks good."

Note to self: Wear mascara more often?
I'm also learning that kids are VERY observant. and honest.

Outstanding in the Field

I discovered something today that made my jaw drop a bit.

The concept is genius.

The pictures made me a little panic-jealous.

The food sounds fantastic.

The views are probably incredible.

...and, of course, the cost made me wish I wasn't a poor teacher...

and yet I still want to take part in it.

Read about it. Look at these amazing set-ups. And start saving your $200.

Tickets go on sale March 20th.

Outstanding in the Field

http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/

Got extra bakeware?

Use it to organize.

I fully support this use of tartlet pans and brioche molds...

so much so that I'm fairly certain I will be stealing this idea and using it in my future house. I wouldn't mind having the lamp, as well.

Lent

For the first time in my life, I am giving up something for Lent.
I'm not Catholic, but I do think there is worth in occasionally giving up something that is valued important when in reality, compared to living for Christ, that 'something' is completely unimportant.
Dessert is wonderful, don't get me wrong. I love it. A lot. Maybe too much?
Baking and eating the results of said baking is a big part of my life...but I think 40 days without it will be a wonderful thing, as well. I'm pretty sure that in 41 days I will appreciate dessert all the more, but until then...

Goodbye unnecessary sweets.

Goodbye cookies, cake, brownies. Goodbye cupcakes, pie (gasp!), chocolate.

(...don't look so shocked. I am a firm believer in leniency. For example, I will be eating a Mocha Cupcake at my future sister-in-law's bridal shower. And I will have s'mores while camping. I'm just being honest.)

Current obsession

You can be safely obsessed with something, right?
Oh wait...
by definition, an obsession is an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.
These are a few of my favorite things, er, obsessions, as of this third month of 2011:

1) Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Trader Joe's has done it again - it really shouldn't surprise me when I get hooked on their product...but it always does.

2) An afternoon walk. I learned to love walking during my European wanderings a few summers ago...and my love for it has only grown. There is nothing like a de-stressing, fresh air-filled, walk in the setting sun.

3) Sore muscles. Okay, I sound like an exercise fiend. I'm not. But occasionally I start my day with Tony and his p90x magic and I have grown rather fond of the soreness that follows.

4) My La Poleras. The real Toms...before Toms even became cool. Given to me by my best friend from her South American adventures. It only took me 2 years to appreciate them.

5) Friends - and the realization that I have the best of friends. Seriously. I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging...but I really think that I have some of the best friends out there.

Coffee Shop Quotes, I

"Yeah, she bakes cookies and does Pilates. It almost seems too good to be true."
...from a man (maybe late 20s) as he tells his two friends about the new girl he's dating.

Rain

It is raining, again.
I refuse to complain, though, because 1) we need the rain, 2) I am home and not out in it, and 3) rain always puts me in the baking mood.

Baking on a rainy day is the best because...
the open oven after all the cookies are done = free heating for my apartment.
the Josh Ritter Pandora station serrenades me and drowns out the rain, which makes me forget it isn't sunny outside.
I have a plate of cookies to share...and cookie dough to snack on.
win-win-win.