creating my closet - part 1

Old houses have very limited closet space.  Homeowners get creative with maximizing space, like the gentleman who previously owned our home.  He had partially finished the attic space by the master bedroom (read: still open to the outdoors with swinging temperatures and bugs space) to hold his surprising amount of clothes.  Check out the sleeveless turtleneck sweater - totally awesome...

Before shot #1 - the attic space

Once we moved into our house and realized I wouldn't have a closet, we contemplated finishing this attic space and turning it into a true closet.  During these seven or eight months, my clothes lived here:

Before shot #2 - hanging rack in our bedroom

Before shot #3 - guest bedroom closet

Last weekend though, we made the plunge and headed to ikea's winter sale to pick up a hemnes wardrobe that was drastically discounted.  This post and this video by Michael Penney gave me the confidence that an ikea piece could stand the test of time, be multipurpose, and be painted to look a lot better.  We bought the piece in those huge ikea boxes, trekked home, and built it - all in one day.  No small task.

Then I spent the next few days reading through Kendi's working closet posts, and organizing my clothes to make my new closet work for me. 

1. First I purged a few items to be donated to Goodwill.  Mainly I rid my closet of stuffy button downs, painful high heels, and any other items that I don't wear anymore.
2. I separated my clothes by leaving anything I would wear in the dead of winter in my bedroom and putting everything else back into the guest bedroom closet.  Pretty easy!
3. Finally I started filling the empty wardrobe with clothes...

 So, what do you think of her?  I am a bit smitten.
 Stay tuned for closet assessment and shopping in part 2 tomorrow, friends...

shapiro's deli

I recently stumbled across some photos of my brother-in-law's visit to see us in the fall.  Somehow they got lost once I uploaded them.  We ate at a great Jewish deli downtown and then went rock climbing (what?).  We went on an afternoon following one of the Indy marathons, and it was packed with runners! 

Any type of deli or cafeteria line makes me extra nervous.  I feel so much pressure to pick things up since there is no going back!  Thankfully - the guys always put more than enough food on their trays for me too.  For me, the best things in the line aren't always the deli sandwiches.  I get sucked in with the cakes, pies, mac-and-cheese, mashed potatoes, fresh rye bread, and Saturday's fried chicken special.  It is a dangerous place, my friends!

recipe: pecan squares

flaky, caramel & pecan goodness for our family Christmas party

Pecan Squares

adapted from Barefoot Contessa's recipe - by cutting the recipe in half
fills one baking sheet

crust:
⅔ lb. butter, room temperature
⅓ c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
⅓ t. vanilla extract
2¼ c. all-purpose flour
¼ t. baking powder
⅛ t. salt

topping:
½ lb. butter
½ c. good honey
1½ c. light brown sugar, packed
1 t. grated lemon zest
2 T. heavy cream
1 lb. pecans, coarsely chopped

For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in a mixer until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.

For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

icicles + play

 I can claim three good reasons for posting these pictures: 

a. the icicles are so pretty forming outside our bedroom window

b. the light feels warm and I'm craving sunlight these days

c. best of all, husband came to find me armed to the hilt and we had a sword-fight with the icicles - which makes me giggle just thinking about it.

plus, there's a whole new batch growing outside now....

honest & random

an honest picture - sans makeup

Sweet emilylime tagged me to create a list of 7 random things about myself.  Have you checked out her blog - she is so cute and funny!  In an effort to keep with my new resolution, I've done a little introspection of my quirkier side and asked husband to help me when I got stuck - funny how he could just spout off things....


Here's my odd, honest rundown:

1. Background music or noise doesn't fade into the background for me.  Somehow my brain concentrates on the noise and drives me a little insane if I'm trying to have a conversation.  
2. I'm pretty talented at making dinosaur noises, especially a Pterodactyl.  Did I really just put that on here? 
3. Three students have fainted during my class, and I caught them.  I know the warning signs (white face, cold sweat, eyes roll) because I am a fainter - first day of college, first day joining a gym, and when I get the flu. 
4. I love pizza.  Most nights I say, "What should we have for dinner? Pizza?" and then we actually decide what to eat (this is my favorite recipe, too)
5. Husband and I have loads of nicknames for each other, and rarely call each other by our first names - see my new blog title for proof.
6. Sometimes I feel really out of place in my chosen profession - especially the time when I went to see Ben Stein's movie, Expelled, on opening night and the whole theater was full of middle-aged guys with pocket protectors and short-sleeved collared shirts (read, Dwight Schrute).  Great movie, by the way.
7. I like cooking and baking because it reminds me of my chemistry labs in college - only you get to eat the end result.

p.s. If you're reading, consider yourself tagged.  Play along and leave a little list or link to your own post in the comments.  I'd love to read some of your quirky tidbits, too!

one resolution for 2011

Chicago lights and snow

In the wake of the holidays, a deep calm has taken over our house.  Traditionally we schedule very few commitments in January, we don't travel much, and the weather keeps us tucked in our snug house most nights.  Even taking down our Christmas decorations was liberating - the house became more simple.  We both breathed a sigh of relief with the much-needed space. 

During wintry nights, I've been reading my favorite bloggers' posts and a line from Joslyn's post leapt out at me: 

"I want to dive into a few things and get really good at them, I want to 'specialize' a little more and 'generalize' a little less." 

...along with this bit from a "genius" little article: 

"I frittered away my brainpower on everyday problems because they felt safe, solvable, and significant -- those bills do have to be paid, after all. I had no space left for things that really matter to me, the ideas that need time and wonder to come to fruition."

  
...and all of a sudden, I have my first resolution ever:

Be Focused.

Somehow in the last five years, I've been lost between finishing school, finding a job, moving cities, getting married, and moving to three different homes.  2011 is a year of adventure for us, and I don't want it to slip by unnoticed.  Speeding through life - doing everything, but succeeding at nothing - is not the life I choose.  Instead, here are my "specialties" this year:

• Cooking - While owning the fact that I am not a craft queen or talented artist, I am making this year about creating in my kitchen.  My mantra? Try new recipes; plan grocery lists; don't let those dirty dishes discourage!  
•  Reading - I never feel more like myself than when I'm reading (if you're wondering, I was definitely the nerdy, skinny girl in huge glasses with her nose stuck in a book).  So I'm limiting my blog reading, tv-watching, and keeping my library stockpiled.
•  Introspection - Although I've always been an introvert, that doesn't necessarily translate into self-growth and reflection.  I know the role I play as a teacher, but so many other areas of my life haven't had the same attention.  I want to spend time with a journal discovering who I am as a woman, wife, and daughter of the King.  Also - lose the "teacher hat" when I'm not at work - loosen up, laugh more, be merciful and more spontaneous.  Focus on celebrating each adventure.  (Oh boy, I saved the hardest one for last....!)

excuse the dust...and little blog has a new name!

p.s.  today husband is buying tickets for a trip to this city!

Please don't mind me....just making a few changes around here!  (Look for a new post tomorrow, too.)

psst...What do you think of the new name?  Nothing like starting the new year fresh :)