Unfinished Business

It's hard for me to work on projects that I can't finish in a day.  I really like to see results !  Here are some of the things I've been working on:

A granny square blanket.  I started making squares a little over a month ago and I only have enough squares for about a fourth of a blanket.  I'm going to have a lot of respect for grannies and their square blankets by the time I get done with this.

About a month ago I started cutting squares out of vintage fabrics for a light quilt.  I've never made a quilt before so this should be interesting.  At least I'm keeping it simple with squares.  Big ones.  I love all the different floral patterns next to each other.  They make me happy.

And, as if all that wasn't enough to keep me busy, I picked up a mini cross-stitch kit from Barnes and Nobel on Saturday night.  At least this is one thing I should be able to finish fairly quickly.  I've been wanting to cross-stitch for a while now and a mini project is perfect.  I can't wait to post something that's actually finished!   There just aren't enough hours in the day.  Who votes for longer weekends?

Oh Yeah...

I forgot this one.  Is this not the most awesome broken photo booth ever?  There's just something about it that I can't quite put my finger on ...

1,100 Miles is Too Far Inside a Car

Well, not too far, but far enough.  It is the farthest I've ever ridden in a car.  I went along on a road trip with my husband and in-laws to Colorado Springs, CO.  I love road trips - I think they are like little adventures.  I didn't even mind when we got stuck in Primm - 45 minutes of standstill traffic.  It was kind of neat to be able to get out of the car and walk on the highway like it was the end of the world or some doomsday scenario.  Maybe I didn't mind it because I slept most of the way.  All I need is my "happy mix" on my ipod (which consists of mostly Grizzly Bear) and I'm good.  We were only in Colorado for two days and it went by so fast.  We didn't do half the things we wanted to, but I'm happy just to have had the opportunity to see states and sights I've never seen before.  Colorado and Eastern Utah are so so so pretty.  During one afternoon thunder storm Mr. Amerine and I checked out some thrift stores and I came up on some pretty vintage fabrics, a little wooden owl statue, some vintage enamel clip on earrings, and a great big paint by number in really good condition.  All in all, I'd say the trip was a success, but we are so glad to be home now with our kitties .

Yawn.

I hope everyone had a fun long weekend!  I was only a little productive.  I took a break from watching Eclipse even though I REALLY wanted to go yesterday.  I'm making myself wait until next weekend.  I know, I'm a masochist.  :P  Well.. Saturday was my beloved Grandpa's birthday and I got myself back into the kitchen to bake for the occasion.  I whipped up this little Pineapple Upside Down Cake.  I love this cake.  It's crazy how a food can look so retro.

First we went to dinner at La Bella (my favorite) and my weirdo little cousin did this:

He's strange, that one.  I spent a lot of time in my craft room this weekend, but I don't really have anything to show for it.  I'm not sure where the time went.  Sometimes I spend so much time thinking about all the things I want to do, that I don't actually do anything.  At one point Aaron and I watched Inland Empire and upon completion Aaron told me I owed him three hours of his life back.  I'm not really sure what was going on there - I'm still confused, however, I did like one thing about the movie:  Rabbits.

And today, the laziest day ever, I made vegan cupcakes.  Just 'cause.

They are really good.  I think I like them better than regular cupcakes.  I modified a recipe for vegan chocolate cake.  It's so easy and you probably have everything you need to make it right now!

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup raw sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 tbs vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup warm water

Mix it all up, pour it in cupcake liners coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.  I made some chocolate frosting out of cocoa powder, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and soy milk.  I don't know how much of anything I put.  Just mix it all up until it's the right consistency ;)