Fall and Koda

I couldn't believe it when the sun poked out from the clouds briefly today... it meant I had to take the camera out and try to capture the gorgeous maple trees in the area! The sunshine didn't last long (shocker) but at least it didn't rain!

Koda Bear had his 2nd birthday on Thursday. We celebrated yesterday with his best friend, Elvi (a frenchie), and by liver casserole cupcakes with bologna fondant. 

It was fancy. ;)

Hi, I'm Anneli. I'm ridiculous!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend where ever you are and whatever you're doing! 

See ya around soon!

Crochet catch up

Wow. What a week. It's my last week at clinical training. My last clinical training before graduating in December.

It's a bizarre feeling to be so close to the end. So many challenges we have had to overcome...and we are finally getting to the end. 

Yeah, bizarre.

In between clinical training, adding finishing touches to the thesis, life, and the likes...

I've had time to crochet a square or two.

I figured I have been holding out on crochet pictures so here's one I snapped today.

:)

I've been crocheting 12 variations using these colors.

And I really love the way this is looking!

I just need to add a white/cream/light colored border and start joining as I go. 

Maybe. 

I know a lot of crocheters swear by the join-as-you-go method... but I like having a million squares to arrange and play with. And I worry about what happens if it starts to unravel!! 

This blanket will be approx. 100 squares large... Already 1/4 of the way done!

I'll be working on this more this fall when school etc let up, planning on getting this to my godmother in time for Christmas. 

She's been having a tough year, really really tough, and I'd love to cheer her up somehow. :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Just a reminder: have you checked out my 365 day photography project?

http://projectliveandbreatheit.blogspot.com

Hope the rest of your week is great!! :)

New blog alert!

I've done it again. 

...and started another blog... 

Go visit!

www.projectliveandbreatheit.blogspot.com

(and no, I'm not ending this blog... just diversifying)

:)

 

I think I've done it!!

I'm in slight disbelief, but I think I just finished my thesis. 

I still have to make some slight changes and write the abstract... but I think I'm done. 

What is this feeling?

........a sense of accomplishment?

 I've been working on it ALL DAY.

It's taken me literally over a liter of coffee.

Half a bar of mint chocolate. 

Several cuddles with all three animals. 

A long phone call with my mom.

An apple. 

Breaks of just laying on the couch. 

Breaks with taking pictures of my workspace.

Encouraging myself. A LOT.

I've been promising myself a lot of things. 

(Like I'll never have to do this again!)

(oh yeah, that's our new couch I've been meaning to show)

But, I think I'm almost ready to return a "finished" thesis to my teacher.

I hope she suggest and big corrections.

Because I don't want to make them. 

Lol. 

Holy cow.

This is such a r-e-l-i-e-f!!! 

I still can't believe I'm so close to the end. All of a sudden. Outta the blue. 

WHAT?!?!?!

Go me!

(yay!)

posies

I have taken the morning off from clinical training because I have school in the afternoon. I have every intention of working on my thesis. 

So far, I've walked the dogs, drank coffee, done laundry, put away laundry, spent time looking for a new apartment, talked on facebook, eaten an apple. Wow, all this with my thesis doc sitting open on the computer. I'm really efficient. :D 

Don't be me. 

Do enjoy the photos of flowers I've had gracing my home.

I have had little vases of calendulas in the living room and on my nightstand. Pictures of these you have seen before.

I have had a little vase of zinnias that I have changed out over the past month. Those are some hardy flowers! So pretty, too!

I have had lilies next to the TV in a tall Iittala carafe.

I have also had a large branch of roses in the same carafe in the same spot.

I have had a little vase of roses that I have changed out over the past month.

Hubby loves that I let them sit there till the petals all drop off and they look ridiculous.

He hasn't said as much, but I know what he's thinking. ;)

I have had snapdragons in my little Iittala Aalto vase.

I think it's the best vase I own.

Perfect size and so classically Finnish.

I think I'm going to miss the abundance of fresh flowers this fall and winter. 

No word on my sunflowers either. They totally let me down this year. :(

Now I think I should work on my thesis.

Maybe.

I could also make lunch. 

...I'm going to regret my laziness in about 1 week...

Garden post 11.5

I'm titling this post as "Garden post 11.5", because garden post 11 was hidden in the post titled "September stress". 

The last actual garden post I wrote was already a month ago (today on the button!) and a mere #10. 

Funny how a blog about crocheting and painting/crafting and baking has become a gardening and photography blog... 

Not that I don't crochet or bake/eat anymore. ;) I just do those things less it seems. I'll chuck it up to being busy and seasonal efforts (=gardening and nature) taking up my time. It's true!!
On to it!!

This is the top of the corn stalk. 

Potato harvesting

Our big yellow pumpkin.

Hubby cut it up, roasted and pureed it. This will be used in autumnal desserts like perhaps a pumpkin pie?

Roasted pumpkin seeds = awesome.

Who knew dill could be so pretty?

Yellow snapdragons

Manta the very serious garden bear.

 

At home our tomato plants are long gone (without ever bearing more than a few flowers) and the chiles and jalapenos are doing well. We have 4 VERY HOT red chili peppers and many more green ones. The jalapenos are blooming. :)

Next time I'll share some of the little bouquets I've had in the house over the past month or so. 

Lots of pictures I haven't shared! 

See you soon, thanks for popping by!

Fall foliage

This is the last batch of photos from the arboretum trip last week. 

I loved the colors and play on textures throughout the park... It is so inspiring to how I want my future farm yard/garden sanctuary to look... Lots of colors and bloom throughout the seasons. :)

Off to work for free I go. :P

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Reflection

"So crucify the ego before it's far too late

To leave behind this place so negative and blind and cynical
And you will come to find that we are all one mind
Capable of all that's imagined and all conceivable
Just let the light touch you and let the words spill through
Just let them pass right through, bringing out our hope and reason."

-Tool "Reflection"

 

 

I have listened to that band for what feels like forever. And yet, I'm always surprised with new thoughts inspired by their music. 

I think it's the sign of a good band. ;)

 I'm feeling incredibly inspired for creativity yet shackled by the looming deadline of the thesis I'm supposed to be working hard on.

Ugh. Can't wait for it to be DONE!

Hope you're having an inspired day, without shackles. ;)

 

Rosy times

I went to the arboretum this week for a little photo shoot with my friend. However, the roses there caught my attention big time so before we could get started taking pictures of her, I had to get some time in with roses. 

♥♥♥

Let me say, looking through these pictures makes me want to stop being lazy and go pick up some turpentine so I can paint. 

It also makes me wish I had more time to paint!! 

...I think I'll be revisiting this post when the time eventually comes to play with oils again...

And just so you think I didn't take pictures of just flowers...

Keeping my pretty friend private. ;)

Thanks pretty friend for a fun time and a new great learning experience, I walked away with a lot of new ideas/tips/thoughts/info.

....so anyone else up for a session...? 

Lol, maybe I should finish my thesis first though. :D

Have a super wonderful awesome weekend!!!