.tj loves: tea for two.

my matryoshka obsession has once again reared it's lovely head.

can be purchased here . . .


while you're at it - get one for yourself, too!

.it's the little things #3.

these are some photos i took of things that make me infinitely happy.


1) finding oregon beer in rhode island. honing my tastebuds to alcohol in the lovely city of microbrews (portland, oregon) soorrrrrt of ruined me to most other (esp mass-produced) beers. i didn't realize i was being grown into a beer snob. it sort of just happened. happily, we can sometimes find the taste of home on the shelves of RI liquor stores (also the first place i've lived where you can't buy beer and wine in a grocery store, or on a sunday . . . hm). you have to shell out a pretty penny . . . but my motto is "life is too short to consume things you hate. why not fork over the extra dollar or two for something you enjoy?" yes, i am aware that this is shallow and does not apply in all situations. but it does apply where my acoholic beverage consumption is involved. please enjoy responsibly. 2) when the man-friend buys me flowers. it doesn't happen often, but when it does i cherish them and try to make them last as long as possible. daffodils are my favorite. i planted some bulbs in the garden last fall and they are all coming up and blooming now! squeeeee!!!!

3) Great thrift store finds. like this picnic basket that i've decided to use as my container for all my sewing supplies.
and this great owl piggy bank. $1.99. it is missing the gummy thing that keeps all the change from leaking out of his bottom . . . suggestions???? i'd like to actually use this to store change in.

what sort of things have been making you happy lately?


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tried on bridesmade dresses today . . . we found something pretty awesome that looks great on everyone!!!

.three things.

number one: my computer is broken. hopefully the man-friend will fix it tonight.

number two: my sister had her baby!!! i am completely in love with her. she makes me dizzy. they live all the way in tulsa . . . . i've booked tickets to fly out and see them, but not until the end of april. AAGGHHH .... it's too far away!

number three: the man-friend and i have been spending a lot of time dreaming about our future lately . . . how we want to buy land and start a non-profit, commune-type, farm, eco-education center, etc . . . we ran across this parcel of land in oregon wine country that seems perfect for the dream. too bad it's available NOW and we wont be ready for it for YEARS to come. sigh. add it to my wishlish. also, add these dogs to my wishlist. they are bread to live with and guard goats. so. cool!

.things i am excited about.

this shirt is awesome. it says "support your local roller derby; give blood, give often" . . . i want it. anyone have an extra $29.99 lying around?
i got my first real roller derby bruise last week. its awesome! i fell on someone's skate . . . and then took some extra hits on top of it :) it's healing with some nice greens and yellows. i'll try to remember to take a picture before it's gone.

and also? it's time for the final season of lost to begin tonight!!! gonna get some snackies (it's a word) and some beer and head over to a friend's house (we don't have tv) tonight for the revelry!!!

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tonight is my "friday" night . . . day off tomorrow. think i might get coffee and go thrifting/to the craft store with miss N . . . and sleep past the sunrise . . . and keep working on the drawing for my sister's tattoo. all nice things.

.CUPCAKES!.

well, not really cupcakes. i don't really eat a lot of sweets, but i was suuuuper craving cupcakes today . . . i scoured the kitchen and found a hidden box of trader joe's banana bread mix.

so, i pulled out my awesome ceramic muffin tray, my unbleached baking cups and mixed me up some banana bread in the SHAPE of cupcakes.

i'll be making this frosting for the top.

and instead of eating them all myself, i will take them to miss K's birthday tonight.

gotta go get them out of the oven!!!

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p.s. i really do usually make my own banana bread from scratch, but this was a CRAVING! an EMERGENCY! you understand.

.this is lust.

i have an obsession with matryoshkas. also known as russian stacking or nesting dolls. i love them. i draw them. i've cut block prints of them and made greeting cards. i want a tattoo of one. i bought the most beautiful bare wood one when i lived in alaska. it was hand painted and covered in gold glitter. it's not tacky like it sounds, i promise. it is glorious.

enter frustration. i found these.

{image via fred and friends}

wouldn't they just make baking in the kitchen a thousand times more fantastic?

sadly, the manufacturer SOLD OUT during the holidays, and i must wait patiently until they are back in stock.

le sigh.

such is life, i suppose.

what sorts of things are you lusting after for YOUR KITCHEN?