should probably be studying instead...

First attempts at using US30 knitting needles. 

I bought the needles from Jones & Vandermeer. Shipped very quick. 

They're super clumsy to work with at first 

but the rows go by quick and it looks awesome. 

Also, here are some adorable cupcakes I made. 

regular yellow cake

 from the package

vanilla pudding 

squeezed out of a ziplock bag 

into a small hole in the top of the cupcake

*make sure the cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting them*

dark chocolate fudge frosting 

squeezed out of a ziplock with the 

corner cut off to get the swirly effect

start the frosting swirl from the outside of the cupcake and circle in to the middle

maraschino cherry 

on top

lovely

These are the Mini Caramel "Apples" I made for our Noel Night party tomorrow night. Got the idea from Pinterest.

next projects and gift inspiration

I want to go here!

interesting study break finds

Bliss in the City Blog 

A little above my head but helps put French phrases into context and it's more interesting than Rosetta Stone.

detox bath?

hmm... I might try this...

 claims to cure the common cold?

  

hot bath

three pints of 3% hydrogen peroxide

two ounces of ground ginger

soak for 30 minutes

drink tons of water the rest of the day

my favorite things of the week

Ben L'Oncle Soul

practicing french with music videos

C.S. Lewis

this blog

this tumblr

Replacing a leaky faucet

I just learned how to replace a seriously leaky faucet on YouTube. It took about 30 minutes once I had all the proper tools. It was a lot easier than I was expecting. I'm sure you could pull this off too if you put your mind to it. Saved me a ton of money.

Recommended project music: MGMT/Flaming Lips Pandora Station.

This is the OLD nasty faucet. Which, as you can see, is in the 'off'
position and is clearly still running.






I highly recommend a flashlight. I just used my heavy-duty penlight from work.
This lil guy's day job is checking brain trauma patient's pupils. He was looking for a second job anyway.




The most important step is turning off the hot and cold
water supply line (righty-tighty).






By far the hardest part was getting these plastic washers off. Especially because I was told by a real-life plumber that who ever put this sink in originally hooked all of this up before dropping in the sink, making me very thankful to be a relatively thin female. I have no idea how a beefy plumber would have fit back here.


Next: Enter the Basin Wrench! (Basin Wrench even has his own Facebook page....why???) Picked him up at Third Street Hardware which is an excellent resource for anyone fixing up a house in Detroit. It's small but they always have what I need. Also, they sell bikes. Bonus! I can't decide if I scared or impressed the guy there...hot pink nail polish and all.




Nasty old faucet's last moments.









I bought the medium cheap faucet from Home Depot. Good enough for me. Once the old faucet is out just place the new faucet in its place, screw on the new washers under the sink (righty-tighty) and reconnect the supply lines (righty-tighty). Now turn back on the water supply (lefty-loosey). Lastly, wash your filthy hands and think about how much of a bad@$$ you are.



I think the elephants are much happier about their new situation.

My Favorite Covers

These guys stayed at our house when they were touring with Ben Folds. Amazing show. We may or may not have got a private concert of this cover in our living room. I like this version more than the original.






The Civil Wars doing Billie Jean....

Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens doing R.E.M.







M Ward doing Let's Dance by David Bowie.








Dawn Landes covering Tom Petty.







Pomplamoose doing Single Ladies.

Finally a cute alternative to a shoe rack.



My sister chillin' in my little nook.