Sunday is my favorite day of the week (yes, I realize that today is Tuesday).  Sunday is the one day that Randall doesn't work, and so it's the one day that I try not to work, and we actually get to spend a day together.  Other than sleeping in, we also like to do a decent breakfast (either out or I make something that isn't cereal) and do our grocery shopping.  My favorite part of my favorite day is our drive to Trader Joe's in Glen Ellyn.  Randall likes to drive on the side streets through the neighborhoods, and we each point out the houses that we like (but could never afford).  I've started making a list in my head of my "must-haves" in a house:

-A good kitchen.  "Good" does not necessarily equal "huge".  I would just like a lot of counter space and a lot of storage space.  Also a 50's turquoise refrigerator and stove.

-Big windows.  And lots of them.  Like, in EVERY room.  Closets would be excepted, if necessary.

-A room to be strictly used for knitting.  No pets allowed.

-Hardwood floors, so I never have to vacuum again.

-LAND.  Lots of land for growing food and raising various animals.

-A claw-foot bathtub.

None of that's too much to ask, right?

Speaking of Trader Joe's...they have the most AMAZING cookies ever, Maple Leaf Cookies.  They're shaped like leaves, have a cream center, and smell like pancakes.  They're just so perfectly...Canadian.  Love.

Happy June!

Hooray, it's June!  I don't have any particular fondness for June generally, but this time, it's a fresh start.  And what a beautiful day for a fresh start it is! I have lots of pictures for this post; even though it's only 11:30 in the morning, I've been a busy bee.

I have a few knitting projects planned for this month, and because I finished my May ones with time to spare, I got a jump start on my June projects.  I'm about 75% done with a sweater vest for myself, and nearly halfway done with a sock.  I would also like to make a shawl, and maybe get started on some Christmas knitting (yes, it's time to start thinking about that!).

Hermione's Everyday Socks in SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in China Doll

I also baked a pie this morning.  Believe it or not, this is my first pie of 2011!  I made a cherry pie as a good bye treat for two very dear coworkers, Jen and Brian, who are both leaving for bigger and better things.  I used a different crust than I normally do, and while I think it's going to taste good, it was very crumbly to work with.  I think after this I'll stick with the crust I usually use.

Rosemary, Cilantro, and Thyme

This past weekend I helped set up a garden of tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and eggplant at my parents' house.  This morning I worked a bit on my own garden.  My balcony is pretty decently sized, so there's plenty of room for containers.  I have two window boxes of herbs, two pots with bush beans, one pot with peas, one pot with a pepper plant, a cedar planter with greens, and of course, a pot with cat grass.

Oregano and Basil

Carrots, Spinach, Arugula, Green Ice Lettuce, Bibb Lettuce

Orange Bell Pepper

Tom Thumb Peas

 

 

 

I have another window box that I need a hanger for, but I would like to put sage, mint, and lavender in that one.  I also want some hanging baskets of flowers, and then I'll have a little garden paradise right outside my door!