I Don't Think The Spiders Like Me...

Ok, so remember how I said I was befriending the spiders at my house.

Well, apparently they don't want to be my friend.



These are 9 of the 12 bites I received near my knee from the wolf/or funnel/or whatever mean/angry/aggressive/spiders that live in our grass and compost. (I know they are wolf spiders - I need to get a good picture to show you - but whenever I get close enough to one to get a good shot I don't normally think of grabbing the camera first - I am reaching more for the baseball bat) Got these lovelies while ripping up grass for our new flower bed...must have ticked one off pretty good. Funny, but I couldn't even feel it when it happened - nor did I see the culprit -all I know is that is wasn't an ant or a mosquito - I've had those bites...this one was different. For one I felt a burning pain down my leg for 10 minutes afterwards, then itching and swelling...and this is how it looks 3 days later...still red and angry...even after 2 double doses of Benedryll. Picture just doesn't do justice.

Web Finds Wednesday!

Oh I love this! Squirrels are one of my favorite little creatures, but we don't have any in our neighborhood that we know of - not a lot of large trees for them :(. Any who...this video truly attests to a squirrels wily antics. :) And I thought it was high time a posted something in reference to my blog's namesake.

Thanks to Giggle Sugar for sharing the link to this video!

Easy Peasy Peach Crisp

I am all about recipes where I actually have all the ingredients in my cupboard. I had to finally do something with the great many peaches I recently acquired of a bus friend - they were all going to spoil so quickly so I looked up this great recipe for peach (or apple) crisp.

1/2 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter
10 med. peaches or apples

In mixing bowl combine oats, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Peel and core peaches or apples; slice and put into a baking dish. Sprinkle oat mixture on top of fruit and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

From Cooks.com

And WOW is it good! I may not be able to make a great dinner but at least I can whip up a marvelous dessert!

Meeting More Garden Friends!

Seems like we are welcoming more and more friends into our garden lately! First our hummingbirds, frogs and toad sightings - now we've spotted a praying mantis hanging out on our tomato plants and identified a friendly black and yellow garden spider. I have to admit, spiders give me the willies. I know many are harmless to humans and they pull their part by consuming tons of annoying pests. However, I can't get past their creepy-crawliness. I am trying though...I befriend them as I identify them - I am pretty much ok with daddy long legs and the everyday garden spider. As long as I know where their web is and as long as that location isn't near where I hang out - its fine! It is those dang wolf spiders that keep moving into my compost bin and jumping out at me along the fence line that I can't come to terms with. No spider in our yard should resemble an escaped pet tarantula. Sorry - just not having it! No fur and nothing larger than a half dollar thank you.

Check out PrairieVisionDesign's garden friend at her recent post - it inspired me go and out and snap a shot of our new garden spider friend.

Enjoying Indiana's Nicest Day at the Penrod Arts Fair

Volunteered at the Herron Alumni booth this weekend at the Penrod Arts Fair (with the husband in tow of course!). I had never been until this weekend, sadly, and was easily overwhelmed at the size of the event! I had checked out their website before going and, let me tell you, it is definitely played down compared to what the event truly had to offer. 300+ artists were in attendance as well as over 50 non-profit arts-related organizations - amazing! It truly was "Indiana's Nicest Day."

My first clue about the sheer size of the event should have been the vast and well-organized parking. Various parking lots near the IMA grounds were marked as Penrod Parking - and there were plenty! Free shuttles from the parking lots quickly took everyone straight to the action. This really enabled a TON of people to easily and painlessly get the IMA and enjoy the fun.







The IMA is such a lovely place to facilitate an outdoor event. The large trees and beautiful gardens added a wonderful new element to the already perfect day. The IMA grounds made the fair seem never ending - every corner you turned you found more booths, more food and more fun!



Will definitely be back next year!

Fiesta of Flavors at Adobo Grill

Made it out to the new downtown Adobo Grill Friday night for an exclusive Cocktail Party! I was quite blown away at the food, the atmosphere, the service and the space - wow! A great downtown location tucked away off of Washington & Pennsylvania Streets.

I was a little confused when I first walked through the doors and couldn't spot anyone from the company who I received the invite from - worried that I had gotten the details wrong I asked a hostess who further confused me by insisting that the company I mentioned had an event the night before and that this was a private event.

Despite the confusion I stuck around and was soon whisked away by a gracious waiter on a tour of the facility. He practically took me under his wing much of the time I was there, persuading me to try the passed menu samplings and the various (delicious!) complimentary drinks.

(I checked my email later and I was indeed at the right place at the right time on the right day.)

My brief visit was well worth it and I shall be back with husband in tow! Who can turn down homemade, hand-shook margaritas, house recipe sangria and made-in-front-of-you guacamole?

They even have a great lunch special that might lure us all out of the office! Any ½ sandwich or ½ salad with a cup tortilla or special soup and a soda, limeade or ice tea for $7.50.

Forgot my camera - but Renee from Feed Me/Drink Me has great pictures on her post!

My Lovely Lola

Just look how she strikes a pose! And that tongue sticking out! :)



She loves curling up on my lap and hates sharing that space with my laptop...and yup there's her tongue again. It really does fit in her mouth - she doesn't do this all the time. :)

Fall Garden Update Etc.

Came home and pulled on my blue jeans today - feels rather bittersweet. On one hand it is a sign that summer is coming to a close, but on the other it means warming up inside, pumpkin pies, and the smell of fall air.

Made a visit to the garden while letting the dogs out and found my radishes up, as well as 6 cucumber plants...should weed 'em down to only 2 or four, and one of my pumpkin seedling making a presence as well as hints of peas coming up! So exciting! No sign of life from the carrot or lettuce rows - hopefully those will come in the next few days. Our cherry tomatoes, onions and bell peppers are all holding strong - and the rain we got has spruced things up quite nicely.

While out and about on my evening stroll through the yard checking on plants and things I startled myself by about putting my hand through a cobweb with a sinister looking lanky, yellow and black spider looming at the center. I saw it before but it caught me off guard today and I forgot all about it until I had already pulled weeds up near it...thankfully the web and scary spider are still in place and not wrapped up my arm!

Had two teenage girls tell me my house was pretty. I don't recall seeing them before and most of the teenage girls in our neighborhood are so wrapped up in the teenage boys that they practically have blinders on so it is nice that they were polite and complimented my home.

Now I just need to focus on what to do about dinner....eat at home or grab something on the way to Oktober Fest...if we make it that far.

I like pleasant evenings! :)

Friday Foto Fiesta

I love this photo of our good friends, Matt & Laura. They came with us on a trip to St. Louis for my birthday and we wore 'em out. I just love the face plant into the pillow - and the overcoats - very indicative of the trip. We FROZE our butts off at the St. Louis Zoo waiting for our taxi that we thought would never come...and had apparently gotten lost or we couldn't properly describe our location - either one. It was pretty cold in February to be walking around outside to check out the arch and the zoo!

And to think that our friends are now married and have a 8 month little boy - crazy. AND they are moving into their first house our neighborhood at the end of the month. Woot woot! :)

More Martha Inspiration

Gorgeously simple office/kitchen/laundry room inspiration from Martha Stewart today.

Thankful Thursday: 10 Things I Am Thankful For Today

Ok, got all that ranting out of my system....now to what I am thankful for...

1. My husband - for taking my car in for a 60,000 mile checkup today and driving me to the bus stop in the process.
2. Hubby - for picking up our contacts that have been waiting at the doctor's office for more than a week now.
3. My radish seeds sprouting already!
4. A bag full of peaches from a bus friend!
5. Blankets in my office to keep me warm despite my coworkers' apparent attempts to freeze me out. :)
6. A husband who brought me home food last night for my lunch today!
7. Grass that is finally greening up with the latest application of fertilizer we put down.
8. Friends who are willing to drive my butt home when I miss the buss.
9. Family and friends who are patient enough to listen to me rant on the phone after my failed bus experience.
10. It's Thursday! Thank goodness...I am ready for the weekend!
    

Living Lean & Green: Class 4

Well, yesterday I thought I would brave it and take the Route 8 IndyGo bus to the library where I take my Living Lean & Green class. Ha! That didn't work out so well.

I had picked up a route map a few days prior - but those maps are pretty much useless when it comes to learning a new route. For one, they only list a fraction of the stops - maybe 8 out of 30. And the route map doesn't really show the route on a road map in relation to where streets are. So you can't really guess where it is going to be at when. I mean they give times, but they are never on time - not even close.

I was perusing around downtown Indianapolis trying to find a Eastbound bus along my chosen route and I couldn't find one....it was awful. And I was getting blisters the size of Taiwan on my heels from new "comfortable" shoes (snort) - ended up limping 8 blocks until I was finally able to wave down a bus. Wasn't at a stop - just an intersection but the driver was a saint and let me on.



The trip home wasn't much better. Thankfully my friend, who I go to the green class with, brought the most marvelous band aids ever - so my heels were finally getting relief - but I could see out the window from where our class was and I watched hopefully as a bus went by at 7:00 - then another at 7:38....thinking, "OK, so class gets out at 8 and another bus should go by right?!" NO. I sat out in an unfamiliar neighborhood in the dark for more than 30 minutes before breaking down and calling my friend to drive me back to my car. Sigh.



So riding the bus to my green class to be more green....fail.

Oh well, the last class is next Wednesday and we are going to have a little pitch-in and green elephant gift exchange - so I am just going to drive. I would rather use up some gas than go through all that again.

I STILL ride the bus to work everyday on normal days...days when I don't have to be anywhere at a specific time. But what I've learned and am still learning is that you just can't rely on the bus to get you where you want on time. It isn't a very reliable source of transportation for people on a rigid schedule.

Heck, one morning we all boarded the bus to head downtown and as the driver fired her up to pull away from the curb - the thing just died. And we waited probably 15 minutes because we really didn't know what was going on and the driver at no point apologized or explained what was happening or what was going to happen. Was another bus going to come in time to take us where we needed to be? Answer ended up being no. That bus was supposed to leave at 8:10 and get downtown by 8:30...well since it broke down, the next bus that would come through wouldn't be until 8:38...which means it wouldn't get downtown until at least 9. Everyone had to get off and get back into their cars and drive to work. The sad thing is that we had already paid our bus fares and the driver couldn't reimburse us.

In retrospect, I think riding the bus is great in many ways, but unrealistic in others.

Sorry for the bus rant there....my heels are still smarting this morning...and I had to sit next to a breather-mcstinky-breath this morning and it was no fun.

Anyways, back to my Green Class.

I got drilled again by squinty eyes about my carbon footprint. I had to give her the low down about what all I was doing to get it so low. Honestly, it is like the perfect alignment. We just bought our first new home and it is insulated well and came fully equipped with all Energy Star appliances. Our community pays for curbside recycling and we have compost out back. With the bus and my husband's new job being so close - we have cut our miles down to nothing.

One of the things we talked about last night was pretty intriguing though - battery powered lawn mowers. Huh...I guess they come with a key start ignition so maybe I could even run the darn thing!

After all my ranting I think I should participate in Thankful Thursdays - a great idea by garden blogger Thyme for Herbs.

Web Finds Wednesday!

Gorgeous fall color inspirations from Hostess with the Mostess!
Gets me all in the mood to plan a fall party!

Olive Barn Wine Bottle Nanny from Apartment Therapy
Oh, what a great idea to keep your houseplants from getting thirst all while putting your empty wine (or water) bottles to good use. Very cool!

DIY Eco-Friendly Wood Polish
Uses one of my favorite fruits - lime!

Pretty & Function Office Decor Inspirations from Decor8
OMG

Oh, that Martha Stewart!!

She is always coming with such great crafts that get my creative juices going! And now that I've signed up for her Craft of the Day email list - sigh, there is no going back...I will be inspired...and there will be trips to Joann's and Hobby Lobby - lord help us all. :)

Here's today's Craft of the Day - and I L.O.V.E. it!


Sewing Kit in Jar
I am always needing to sew on a button or mend up a hole in our clothes AND I always forget about needing to do so until I am already out of time and pulling on said pair of pants that need the button. I have a sewing kit, but it is full of all kinds of stuff. This little jar could be set out on the coffee table to remind me of what I need to do. Marvelous!

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day, everyone! I will be spending the day with our good friends -helping them pack up in preparation of their close date coming up here in less than 20 days! They just bought a house in our neighborhood - just two streets over! I am bringing over markers and margaritas! Who said packing can't be fun?!

Sadly, Matthew will be laboring away on this Labor Day - he is scheduled for a 11 and a half hour shift. :(

I leave you with a picture of my favorite weed. Queen's Ann lace - we have so much of it growing in the two vacant fields near our house...ah, the beauty of a weed. :)

Planning Our Fall Garden

Been getting a little down lately about our garden. It has been on this slope of decline since the beginning of August. I had planted everything so early (end of April) that most of the plants have already passed their prime - leaves were drying up, vines were no longer bearing flowers, it was a sad sight.

Being new to gardening, I really didn't know much about planting a fall garden, but Matt sent me an article he found about it and, WOAH NELLY, I am excited again!

The picture above shows my fall planting...well you can see the dirt where the seeds were planted... (with my a few of my spring plantings still flourishing - cherry tomatoes, bell pepper and onions) - I sowed peas, carrots, radishes, lettuce, cucumbers and white pumpkins! Hopefully they all mature and bear their produce before the first frost - either way I am super excited to be able to keep tending to my garden!

And wow, does our backyard look toasty. Our weather forecast doesn't call for rain until Friday and only calls for a few showers at best....then we have to wait until Monday and Tuesday of next week for another CHANCE of showers. Arg! We are already pulling out the sprinkler for the front yard - looks like we may have to do the same for the back! :(

More info on fall gardens:
Fall Crops
Growing Fall Vegetables

Laundry Room Redo Ideas

Picture #1: My laundry room...in all its plain jane glory.



Picture #2: A view up at the shelving space we have.




Inspiration #1: Saucy from Bloggedy Blog Blog's laundry room is absolutely fabulous! I love the little tins she has...and the colors of it all...sigh!




Inspiration #2 Take 90 West's great laundry room - oh LOVE the idea of painting the walls and the monogram! I think the laundry room is definitely neglected in the home...And she has shelving similar to ours, so I can really envision how this could work in our room. I am thinking of beachy color schemes...blues, browns, tans...and some how I think the green pictured below would work in...maybe. :)




So here's what I am looking at so far - green cloth bins from Target for the overhead storage of various odds n ends (cleaning products, etc).



And galvanized bin like this on the white stand...or a mixture of both depending on what I can find.

Summer Clearance Sales, Garage Saling and Curb Hunting

Wow, we've found quite a few great finds in the last couple of weeks.



Ok, so first I found this great letter tray from Target at 75% off. Organizing our mail is always such a challenge, but I think I finally have a system going now. Important mail and paperwork that needs dealt with in a timely manner goes in this new tray.

(And, yes, that is a birthday addressed to my cousin...well, it hadn't been addressed yet but we tried to send it in the mail anyways...imagine our surprise when it came back - sigh...sorry, Shannon, your card is so late...as is your brother's who is sitting just under yours - so much for getting them done in a timely manner huh?!).

Weekly store flyers and other rubbish we may want to look at but will likely recycle eventually goes in a big woven basket on the kitchen floor. Then there are two other baskets. One in front of our filing cabinet for paperwork that needs to be filed eventually. And one near our couch that accomodates magazines and other readables. Super important stuff can get clipped up on the fridge with a magnet for a more in-your-face reminder.

Ok, back to my glorious finds!



These slightly dusty but very tall bamboo poles were snatched last weekend from a curb pile. They will surely be useful next year in our garden.

This weekend Matt and I slept all day until about 3pm then decided to catch a few garage sales. At first we were worried that we'd missed them all having slept all day, but I think we went at just the perfect time! People were just starting to put everything back in their garage and were more than willing to bargain their remaining items down.



We found this coffee table and nabbed it for $2! Granted it needs some work...they had originally tried to paint it with some sort of textured paint - arg! Anyone have an electric sander I can borrow for a few weeks? I am thinking about painting it black and using it upstairs in our game/loft area...can't you just picture it?




We found this little white stand for $6 (it was orignally part of a nursery set I think). I already have it cleaned up and put to use in our laundry room, but I have visions of getting galvanized tubs or colored cloth bins of some sort to set all my laudry items in so they aren't all in plan sight like the pic above...a blog post with those thoughts are soon to follow...

Not pictured is another great curb find we stumbled upon while perusing the neighborhood for garage sales...four 2x2 wooden plank squares...like the kind you would piece together to make a deck...or a walkway. Oh, the possibilities are endless! I am rooting for a walkway through my herb garden - Matt is voting for them to hoist his grill off the ground. We'll see what happens. :)



And, lastly, my favorite - a new purse and pocketbook! My old purse was falling apart at the seams and was becoming quite an embarassment to lug around and with all my bus riding I have been needed a better place to keep my bus passes and spare change - other than the bottom of my purse...hence the beautiful new blue pocketbook complete with a very pretty patterned lining - didn't take pic of that but it quite gorgeous I assure you. I am super happy with my finds - 30% off at Kohl's - no where near the deals we found on the curbs...but ya know! :)

Matt Has A New Little Brother

Yup, lots of posts today - sorry, just catching up after a lag.

Anyways, check out my mother-in-law's newest little edition - Frankie the rescued pug - he is the one looking at the camera. The other tan one looking all shy in the corner is Suzie and the big black one all up in Frankie's face is Andy...he's a handful of loving pug - all 50 lbs of him! Yeah, a 50 lb pug - crazy huh?! Oh and there's Abbey up in the top of the frame (I didn't see her up there at first) - she's 17 years old - in human years! Yup, now you have officially been introduced to Matt's fur-brothers and sisters. :)

Buy Me Some Peanuts & Cracker Jacks: Indianapolis Indians Game

Matt and I made it out to an Indians Game this week (Thursday). Had a really good time! The evening air was perfect, bats were flying overhead in the stadium lights, the crowd was friendly, I found ice cream complete with sprinkles for $2.50 and the game got all super exciting after the 7th inning stretch. We usually to make it out to at least one game each year and we picked the perfect evening (though it was a tad crazy with the Colts preseason game being that same night)!

Visit the Indianapolis Indians homepage!