Dreaming about Providence and whether Mice and Men have second tries...

And now for a recount of the moving process!

47 boxes (43 of which were pack by moi) ...

Then a flooding incident at 9pm on the night before the move (which also happened to be Thanksgiving) ...

Which lead to a Shop Vac purchase ...

After which, we were rewarded with a pretty new apartment ...

Which then became full of stuff ...

Then painted and organized (kind of) ...

(notice the awesome DKNY shower curtain that I registered for when we married, didn't get, then found a few days ago on clearance...score!)

We had to say goodbye to the old place (we will miss you, golfers!) ...

Then went to Sherlock's a few times too many ...

And at some point there was some very meaningful abstract trash art ...

All of which leads to Chelle being a very happy lady ...

Ready to start scheming. :)

Kenny's Woodfired Grill- The Experience

Friday's date night was had at Kenny's Woodfired Grill in Addison. The meal was really great, and a well-deserved distraction from life in general.

Here's a run-down of my meal:

Appetizer: Tenderloin Crostini, sliced filet, béarnaise, demi glace

A very nice dish, we both really enjoyed it. My only critique is that the beef was a bit overdone and a little tough. The béarnaise and demi glace were delicious.

Salad: Caesar Salad, shaved reggiano, polenta croutons

The most *meh* component of my meal. The dressing was good, but nothing special, and the croutons were fresh, which was nice, but doughy, which was not.

Entree: Chilean Sea Bass, pan seared, sundried tomato pesto crust, basil butter (side of sauteed spinach)

Yowza, this was a great dish! The fish was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. The basil butter was really more of a cream sauce, and it was fabulous. I was all but licking my plate. The spinach was cooked well, but slightly under seasoned.

Dessert: Crème Brûlée

The best I have ever had. And, I have had many a crème brûlée in my life. I wish there was fruit with it, but that is more of a personal taste. Perfect perfect perfect.

The service overall was very attentive and prompt, though lacking a tad in professionalism. Kenny himself inquired as to our satisfaction. The ambiance was nice, what you would expect from a mid-range steak house- not at all intimate, a little generic, but definitely fun and comfy, a place to go and have a good time with friends.

All said and done, we had a wonderful, satisfying meal at a very reasonable price ($120, including several drinks.)

Corban and I agreed on three and a half stars! We will definitely be returning to Kenny's Woodfired Grill.

Only when I stop to think about it...

I am so sad today.

I am so sad today because last night I was online, ready to purchase an item from Skunkboy Creatures, a long-time favorite shop on etsy,

I've never had the opportunity to purchase any of these items because they are a little expensive, and, well...I am unemployed.

Then there was for sale a sweet little girl bunny ornament.

It was $20.

I have $20.

I LOVE stuffed bunnies.

I added the item to my cart, plus a few items from another shop (fabric), answered a brief phone called, poised my curser over the "Buy Now" button...and the bunny was gone.

Someone bought her right out from under me.

The KNAVE!

I was terribly, terribly upset. There was much gnashing of teeth.

Anyway, here are my favorites from her shop at the moment! All of her little creatures are just amazingly adorable.

Sweet Baby Jackalope

I love the idea of a Jackalope. I don't know why. I don't know who came up with it. And I don't care...I just love it.

Frank the Floppy Bunny

Can you tell that I like stuffed bunnies? Only preceded by stuffed penguins. Penguins of all shapes and sizes (inanimate, of course) are welcome in my home.

Go check out the shop, it has some really creative stuff...including stuffed wedding cake toppers! How sweet is that!?

But a man is carnivorous production...

Wolfgang-Freaking-Puck has opened a restaurant in Reunion Tower! *squee!*

Antares was a very special place for Corban and I, and we are sorry to see it go, but excited to try all the new and exciting cuisine at Five Sixty.

It's a little expensive for Friday's date night, but we plan to go for one of the many upcoming special occasions! I have another restaurant in mind for date night, but I can't tell yet, so shh! Hopefully we love it and I will be able to post a positive review this weekend. :)

I am feeling better than I have all week (as you can tell from all the exclamation points!) It's amazing what a good night's sleep will do. Homework this afternoon, then a little packing. Chicken and broccoli stir-fry tonight to go with a new episode of Top Chef! Go, Kevin!

Running in the 90's

Just FYI, my shop will be closed for the next two weeks, until all the moving craziness is over. Most of my paintings are packed up and ready to go. The movers will definitely not be touching those boxes.

32 boxes currently packed, with many more to go! How did we ever accumulate all this stuff!?

Accent wall colors have been chosen!

What do you think? I am excited to make my new home preeeeeetty.

Also, looking forward to eating a slice of this apple pie tonight:

Yum. :)

Yonkers

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to the heads of the family Yonkers, who are from Yonkers, New Jersey, Don and Lucille Yonkers.

Don Yonkers (alias Matt York) is a scotch-drinking, cigarette-smoking, Half Life-playing gentleman that will never refuse an offer he can't refuse.

Lucille Yonkers (alias Chelle Lynn) is the no-nonsense matriarch who loves plaid and teaches each new generation what it really means to be born a Yonkers from Yonkers, New Jersey.

They are currently unavailable for questioning.

Slow Me Down

Rushing and racing

And running in circles

Moving so fast, I'm forgetting my purpose

Blur of the traffic is sending me spinning

Getting nowhere

My head and my heart are colliding, chaotic

Pace of the world

I just wish I could stop it

Try to appear like I've got it together

I'm falling apart

An Aside

Oh my goodness, how cute is this?

It is a wreath made of *gasp* a book! Not to worry, it was supposedly formed from a $1 mass market romance novel. Like faux fur, it's ok if it's not real. I was wanting to do just a wee bit of Christmas decorating at the new place, and was searing for a non-traditional, not too "Christmas-y" wreath. I think that I have found my match.

The tutorial can be found here!

It's Raining Cats and Dogs

I have been strictly forbidden from getting a dog until I'm 30 (although I am working on pushing that back to 27.) Apparently it would be a big deal to socialize our cats with a dog, as well as potty train while living in an apartment (minor details!) That being said, sometimes I can't keep myself away from local shelter websites. Ideally, I would like to adopt one of these...

Or one of these...

How can you say no to those faces!? Maybe one day, once my cats have gotten old and mellow, I will have a sweet little puppy to annoy me with his bathroom needs.

If any of you are looking for a furry friend, please please please check out some local shelters instead of going to pet shops, which usually employ puppy mills to provide their "full bred," often disease-ridden dogs. Two of my favorite shelters are, of course, the SPCA of Texas and the largest no-kill shelter in Texas, located right down the road in Carrollton, Operation Kindness.

I will now step down off my soap box and wish everyone a good day.

Countdown

$40 is a lot to pay for a plastic robe, but I finally broke down and bought a cap and gown for graduation.

2 weeks until new lease stars

1 month, 1 week until I never have to go to university again

Busy, busy times!

Small Changes Big Results

Hey, everyone, I need a few minutes of your time! Corban's brother Daniel has entered a documentary contest with a short film titled Small Changes Big Results, which showcases efforts to reduce hunger in Denton, TX. Go check out the video and give it a vote!

I don't believe in excess. I think that excess is part of the inequity between those who eat and those who don't. I wanted to show that the solution to the problem of hunger lies in realistic and sustainable commitments. Small efforts rather than dramatic.

Please and thank you.

It's Me and the Moon

Just finished my first sewing project in over ten years, with great success. Now to make it little brothers and sisters.

I don't usually have many good things to say about Denton, but I have to admit that I love the UNT campus in the fall. The well-known mile-long walk from my car to class has beautiful vegetation and can be a real pleasure when the weather is nice.

The one thing I will miss about Denton.

A Stony Pillow For Her Head

Her prices are extremely reasonable, and she uses the most interesting, bold prints, which I just love. They will take a while to get here (she operates out of the UK), but it will be totally worth it! Can't wait to get them in the new place.

I am planning on painting a large figure study to hang in our bedroom; it is my first time working with a realistic interpretation of the human form, and I am looking for some inspiration. Does anyone have a favorite artist or website to share? I recently came upon Art Nudes which show cases some really stunning work. One day I hope to be serious enough to make it onto an art blog.

Mais le contexte est plus fort que le concept

Corban and I went on a treasure hunt this weekend to find the perfect fabric for couch pillows. I will be constructing a few throw covers myself for the living room and bedroom, but I just had to have this set from Maries Cosy Cushions.

La Vie Est Belle

The bookshelf project is a great success. Corban wanted to throw it away, but I saw great potential beneath the dust and cobwebs. Four dollars and half an afternoon later, this little old bookshelf went from this:

to this:

Applause, applause, applause.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

Halloween this year was typical aside from the fact that Corban and I actually dressed up this year. Everything in my costume including the multiple Swatches came directly from my closet. I suppose I truly am a spunky 80's girl.

I often bake when I get stressed out and then send the pastry goods to work with Corban. I try not to binge on sugar, and he hates sweets. Hates sweets. With a firey passion. Imagine my surprise when he voluntary went for one! That's right, folks- my cookies are so good that my husband willingly ate one once.

Tomorrow will bring photos of my first ever DIY project- salvaging a bookshelf that has been outside collecting cobwebs for years. We'll see what happens.

"to speak of many things."

It has been so far away for so long, but all of a sudden it feels that the move is all too quickly approaching! I am ready to move on (and I definitely will not miss our passive aggressive upstairs neighbor), but I will miss this view.

Isolation of Affect

While there is no rest for the weary, there are occasionally cancelled evening classes, and this one could not have come at a better time:

For Three Years I Had Roses And Apologized To No One

Remember, remember the fifth of November,

The gunpowder treason and plot,

I know of no reason

Why the gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

Neither Here Nor Hair

For older posts, visit Chelle's Jabberwocky.

Five inches of my crowning glory = gone

In like with the latest custom Japanese style piece for Kenji

Steaks to go with Top Chef Wednesday.

Je suis un chef extraordinaire.