home alone

Ryan went on a 4 day, 3 night hike/camp with some of his old friends from high school. He was so excited and happy to go - just like the old days before college, mission, and marriage. He left Thursday morning, and will be coming home Sunday night. So, here I am with all this time to myself...

It's very quiet around here - even a little bit lonely, but it's been okay. I baked cookies last night...chocolate-cinnamon chocolate chip cookies. Yes. Yummmmm. You know you want them. Here's the recipe if you're interested - I found it on allrecipes.com, and added the cinnamon. I ate two for breakfast...I know, really healthy, right?!

COOKIES
1 C butter, softened
1 1/2 C white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 C flour
2/3 C cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 C chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Combine dry mixture with creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips. Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes. Done.

I have also been painting. I am working on one, and have three others drawn out, ready to start painting. I'll post them when I finish them, and when I have the camera. (Ryan took it with him on his hike - so I will also take pictures of my sewing projects when he gets back). So, I'm keeping myself busy, and even having a good time all by my lonesome! But, I'll be glad when Ryan gets home, too.

I start a new job on Monday - tutoring for a summer reading program. I admit, I'm not too excited, just because I'd rather not work at all (hah), but I think it will be a good job, and we can always use the money. The more we make this summer the better - with school this semester for Ryan, and then looking to buy a house or condo...yikes! I don't know how we're going to do it!

So, everyone have a great day...and Happy Father's day to all the dads...especially my Dad! Love you!

sewing

Mom got me a sewing machine for graduation in April, and I LOVE it!!! I am having so much fun playing with it. So far I have only done one project. I made a tote bag. It's pretty cute, but bigger than I want, so I am going to make a smaller one...and maybe another one after that? Haha. I think sewing is my new favorite hobby at the moment. After I get a little more practice in, I want to make myself a skirt, and after that, who knows! I'm a sewing-machine on my sewing machine. (Get it? Haha). I am fully enjoying my time of no responsibility, having all day to myself to do what I please! (Minus the couple of days I work at Curves). I only have a week and a half left to enjoy it before starting a full time job, so I'm going to have as much relaxing fun as possible!

Good thing I am having so much fun sewing, because there's really nothing else going on here. When living in Enumclaw, it's a big deal if I get out of the apartment and go to Walmart! (Which I did today - to get more fabric. Ha.) It just takes so long to get anywhere. I have learned this for certain about myself - I am NOT a country girl. I like living near grocery stores, malls, Walmart and other conveniences, and I don't like cows, horses, or cats. But for now, I can do the country thing...knowing that it's only for a few more months.

Okay, off to start another project. Maybe I'll post some pictures of my progress later.