Horrifying sight found at Lake of the Isles.

My niece.

At one week old she smiles...even in the face of danger.

Baby-crazy auntie.

As you'll recall, I've been waiting a long time for my sister's baby to be born. But as of exactly one week ago she's finally here!

Just look at her. Little Maya will cute the pants off anyone trying to be cute. Just look at that little tree hugger. She's an infant and she already loves the environment.

So as her favorite aunt, I definitely have responsibilities. I'm flying to see her tonight and I have a suitcase stocked full of things for her that I am now going to force you to oooo and aaah over. But each of these things has a reason behind them because it's my master plan to shape her into a perfect being. Observe.

1. Pretty pink girl dresses. My sister is a huge tom boy, and so is my brother-in-law, obviously. Someone's got to help the little lassie look like the pretty princess that she is.



2. A boy tank top of an alien flying to mars. Did I tell you Maya is going to grow up to be an astronaut? Well, she is. Because of me. And because of this shirt.



3. An actual infant-sized rash guard. You know, a rash guard, to prevent surfers from getting board rash. They're normally made for adults. But Maya will pretty much be a surfer by next year knowing her parents.


4. This stuffed animal, so that she may appreciate people of all different forms of beauty, and learn that even though she's really pretty herself, uggos can be fun too.

5. The world's cutest onsie.










6. And then, of course, I want her to be brilliant and love books like her auntie and uncles and mom and dad, so I picked her out these, which perfectly suit the personalities of her mom and dad.


7. And every baby needs a blanket. I dropped the ball on my plan for knitting something for her so instead I got her the softest, monkiest blanket I could find.

I hope she loves me.

Tilt shift from Afghanistan!

I've been lucky enough to communicate lots with my friend who is stationed in Kandahar as an engineer in the Air Force right now. For some reason I kind of expected him to drop off the face of the earth until he comes back in October, but awesomely enough he has been totally present - sending us pictures, responding to emails within hours, and facebooking like a fiend.

His philosophy on taking pictures is that if he takes enough, there will be a few good ones here and there. Maybe I'm way behind the curve on this one, but sometimes he puts a tilt shift effect on his photos that makes everything look like a miniature model. It makes me feel like he's really in the Mr. Rogers Air Force, not, you know, the American one.

The pictures are of downtown Kabul, my friend says. Typical mud, brick, and mortar construction.


So I am now inspired to show you my street, if it were made of toys.


Aaaaaaaaaaaand a tilt shift photo of Falcor highly enjoying his back rub, just for you.

Pure glee.

There are no words.

Well, maybe two: You're welcome.

Don't die Mark!

Oh my gosh you guys. You'll never believe what's happened to Mark.

You remember Mark, my hosta? Here is a picture of him when he was born. But now, he's down to 3 leaves. THREE. LEAVES. At first I thought he perhaps had Hosta Virus X or Tobacco Rattle Virus, but why would he get those? He lives in my apartment.

Then, I did a little research through the extension service and it turns out he is sunscalded! In a stupid effort to try to revive the little guy back into life this week I moved him from my bookshelf to right in front of the window so he could soak up more rays. But strangely, all of the leaves moved to the edge of the pot furthest away from the window by this morning, and I didn't think anything of it. Turns out the leaves are trying to run away! They, like me, need total shade to survive. I mean if I have to wear sweatproof 70+ SPF sunscreen if I'm near the slightest bit of sunshine, these little guys must be getting completely fried.

Don't worry I will rescue him tonight. I will hide him under the bed or something. He will live. Mark must survive!

Therapy dog trading cards.

One of the best presents I've ever gotten was stealthily slipped into the front pocket my audio equipment bag. You can imagine the joy I felt when I reached my hand into the pocket and pulled out these gems.

Sasha is a working dog from Siberia, and this is her trading card. When you pet, touch, and talk to her, it helps reduce your blood pressure, relieve stress, and ease your depression.

Additionally, Sasha is a quiet lover who enjoys a great pet and long walks. Winter is her time, as she loves a good blizzard.



Therapy dogs don't just grow on trees. I obviously have a secret admirer!

Two new pets!

This is a little fellow that my dad caught this weekend. Let's call him Todd. He was only our pet for about a minute and a half though, about the length of time that it took me to take 500 good pictures of him. Then we let him go because it seemed like he was having breathing troubles. Crazy fish and their tendency to hate air!

This is Tiny Tim, my newest plant. He is a cactus, and will be Mark and Bedilia's new brother. He was rescued from the throngs of two vicious kitties* that bit chunks off of his other half. He is now split into two pots and I have the little chub half. I will nurse him back to life. But I have to admit to you, Mark isn't doing so hot these days. His once-thriving 14 leaves are now a measly 3. I think he has Hosta Virus X.

*my friend's actual two kitties that tried to destroy Tiny Tim.

Fat kid in a lady-sized body.

I LOVE LUNCH!

Did you know I love lunch? I loooove lunch. It's my favorite meal of the day. I know people say they love breakfast, but if you take that love and apply it to lunch, that would be my love. I love making delicious lunches, eating delicious lunches, and flaunting them at work for everyone to see. Sometimes if I really love my lunch, I take a picture of it in order to someday annoy you on my blog. And that day, my friends, is today.

Tuna, cheese, avocado sandwich on cracked wheat bread with spinach, romain, avocado and feta salad. Simple. Perf.

Rotisserie chicken, fresh grapes, string cheese, and my brother's homemade banana chocolate chip bread. Meeeeep!

You saw this one. Salad with farmers market blueberries, strawberries, spinach, romain, pea pods, kiwi, avocado, fresh baked chicken, and feta - the salad dressing of champions. Mhmm.

This was one of my favorite lunches. I was off early one day and took myself to one of my most beloved coffee shops and delighted in this bagel with pesto cream cheese. Have you had pesto cream cheese? If you haven't, you should. You really should soon. Geeeeeee!

You also probably saw this one. Sometimes I eat like a little kid, and that was one of the days. It was warm enough to eat outside on the balcony so I hopped up there and enjoyed a salami and pepperjack sandwich on country white bread with a spot of applesauce and some strawberries. Yammers!

Ooo. This was a good day. Wheat toast with homemade jam adopted from my jam-hatin' roommate, summer sausage and cheese, pretzels, hummus and fresh green beans. Yes please!

I know what you're thinking. What is this sloppy, disgusting mess? Well bite your tongue, you heathen! This was my first attempt at mom-style hommemade hamburger pizza. It was a little soupier than I would have liked (or than mom would have ever served) but it tasted just as awesomely delicious. And, as you'll note, it's garnished with some green beans and a crunchy Honeycrisp apple. Gleeeep!

And don't worry, I have prepared a dessert for you. Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries on top. Birthday style. Eat it up, blog faces!

I LOVE LUNCH!