DIY Book Case

This new house stuff has me in a little bit of a Martha Stewart mood.  I have been planning to design the perfect office for maximum productivity.  Something that is severely lacking in my life.  (Haha, the productivity, not the office...)

I absolutely love the bookcase that Curty made for a project back in the day.  The bookcase has gone with me everywhere.  I had all my books on it back at our house on Isaar Road.  I lined it with ceramics, books, shoes, toys when I was a kid.  It traveled to Madison with me and had the perfect spot in Kendall Ave to hold all my college textbooks.  After college, it made the trip with me to Pittsburgh and served as our bathroom shelf for two years.  The thing is completely indestructible.  Nice carpentry Poppa!

I decided that I was going to give the wood a facelift and paint it an antique white.  It was my project before the big move - so I could waltz right into our house and start studying.  Hmmm, now what else should I paint?  I love my antiquing kit!

Yeah, those are old JAMAs... haha! Finished Product!

Anesthesia Holiday Party

I spend so much time at home studying, that I forget how much I like to capture to moment.  It's especially dreamy when there are a few flakes coming down outside and am allowed to stay snuggled up in my office next to my space heater.  The simply joys of being a lifelong student.

One of the other perks of being in training is that Paul and I were fortunate enough to join the department holiday party at the Pittsburgh Zoo this year.  We got all fancied up in the freezing cold and ventured off towards Highland Park to get to the Zoo.   I was excited to see the location and meet up with some of Paul's friends and coworkers.

We feasted on snacks and wandered around to look at the swimming creatures.  The octopus was crazy cool.  After an evening of trying to be proper, we could hold back no longer - it was time to pet the stingrays.  I went first, having a sleeveless dress and all.  Paul was next.  However, we were most impressed by the young kid who went in with both arms and forgot to roll up the sleeves on his dress shirt due to his overwhelming excitement.  It was hilarious to see him remove his soaking wet body, and try to think of what to do next. I swear he went in about neck deep!

So smooth those rays are.  Reminds me of Bergs and Joel in the Bahamas!

Paul, rolling up his sleeves to dive in!

~ It's a Pizza - Mamma Mia! ~

What a nice way to spend an evening.  Then it was home to get some sleep.  The next day I made a delicious pizza for dinner - something we will be adding to our routine menu.  Delicious doesn't get much easier, although I bet it could get a little be healthier... oh well!

Dinner for two - at home date nights are my favorite.

Thanksgiving Weekend at Camp Fence

Dad and I in the trees waiting on a deer...

Blaze orange is very slimming.  So is camo.

You would think that during vacation would be the best time to blog, but time always seems to slip away on me when I'm home visiting.  Additionally, internet is hard to come by in Seymour, so I have to use my cellphone to power up my computer.  This makes for slow blogging, as you can imagine.

Dad and Tristan splitting wood, to keep us warm all winter.

Mum, Dad, Tristan, and me at Joel's cabin - Nov 2012

The Hunting MEN: Bill, Curt, Tristan

Anywho, I wanted to share some footage and stories from Thanksgiving weekend up at Joel's cabin.  Thanksgiving continues to be a time to reflect on all that we are thankful for and it's a time that I wish I could be close to Joel.  This year we were fortunate to be able to go up to his cabin and spend sometime surrounded by his favorite things: 

snow, hunting, family, and the outdoors.

The only deer I saw... behind a game farm fence.  Expensive mistake.

Excited to be in the woods.

I knew I was going to be home over Thanksgiving break and we were planning to spend it up north, so I thought it would be fun to sit in the tree and go hunting with Curty.  I used to hunt more when I was little after I so proudly aced my hunter safety course!  Whooot whooot.  The hunter safety course leaders announced that there was only one student to score 100% on the written test, and only one student who failed the distance test.... I was that person for both.  Dohhhh!  Ohh well.  So, I bought a license this year to try my luck.

Curty in his second home: the truck.

Breakfast sausage station.  Man land.

Dad and I went out morning and night until we were frozen, and we didn't see anything.  The deer were pretty smart at this point and would leave moments before we got to the stand in the morning.  There were fresh tracks all around and their daily corn was licked clean.  All I can say is... better luck next year!  I had a blast in the woods and hopefully can continue the tradition in the coming years!

"Did ya see Da Thurdy Pointer?..."

Officially an MS2, yikes.

Well, there you have it.  I'm officially and MS2.  It's scary how fast our first year went and to think how fast this abbreviated year full of organs is going to go.  With a new year comes new classes and new responsibilities.  This year Zel and I are mentoring a group of MS1s as a part of the FAST program (Faculty And Students Together).  So far we had a great time with them during their orientation week and during our dinner where we were able to meet the faculty advisor.  I always laugh so much when I'm listening to their crazy stories - it's refreshing.

Paul was a wee bit embarrassed from the flash at the fancy restaurant, my bad.

Going for a walk in downtown Pittsburgh after our dinner at the Carlton.

Enjoying the homemade bacon burger

To wrap up the summer and start the new year, I only thought it was appropriate that I thank Paul for the support that he's given me over the last year.  I don't think I would be starting this year of school without him.

Additionally, when I become an MS2, that means Paul also completed a milestone - yep, he's not longer and Intern!  Whoot!  Paul now is a first year anesthesia resident and he's loving every minute of it.  It's so great to see him coming home from work fascinated about his area of care.  I'm so excited for the man.  Nice work Mr. Anderson!

To celebrate the year coming to an end and the new beginning, we went on a few dates.  One was downtown at a fancy restaurant where we didn't necessarily belong, but we brought our coupon and went anyways. We took on a massive curb on accident and we're just thankful that my car survived!  Whoops.

I also decide to finally make Paul some food that included red meat, so I made a gigantic bacon burger with fresh vegetables and guacamole.  A good treat for a growing boy!

Thanks Paul, you're the best.

Sew (so) Domestic

The famous Kenmore complete with hand drawn instructions from the 70's

the powerhouse

Sooo, I mean sew.... I thought it would be a grand idea to pursue a Pinterest project while I was back in Seymour for a week which consisted of making a homemade camera case.  This way my black camera case wouldn't be so ugly and scream "I'm carrying a DSLR - come steal me!".  Now it just says, "I look like I'm a purse, I have money in me... come steal me!"  oh well.

I started by hauling out my mom's sewing machine that was new when they got married which I won't disclose how many years it was now... well, you get the point...

trying my eyes, hand and foot at a simple stitch, not too shabby

The only other time the machine was used or oiled was by me in high school when I thought it was a brilliant idea to sew a leather purse out of Angie Steffen's old leather coat which basically broke most of the needles and bent the remaining ones.  I was really getting into it for a while in my younger days, then I went to college and found different hobbies.  The other time we could remember that the Kenmore was brought out of storage was for Bill Winsand who used the gem of a machine to fix his torn snowmobile suit - another "soft" fabric as you can imagine!  Let's just say, it doesn't get used, but when it does - we expect industrial quality! haha!

the fabric covered foam inserts with velcro for attachment

I picked up fabric and foam from JoAnns and a purse from target to get the party started.  It took a lot of patience and some thread from my Grandma Marsh (because not a store in Seymour sells thread, I know, I looked... for hours).  I talked with Grandma a bit about sewing and how it's a lost art.  I only wish I had a little more time to learn the fancy tricks of the sewing machine and sew a few side projects.  My mom's machine doesn't do any of the fun stitches that I needed (or I couldn't figure out how to make it work).

After many hours of labor, I really do love my new camera purse.  It's just enough padding to keep the camera save and allow me to for-go looking like a mega tourist every time I step out of my house.  It has a little side pocked for memory cards, and I can fit my phone and wallet in with the camera and lenses - WIN.  If you're a camera junkie and you're sick of the nasty back cases, I highly recommend this project!

Maybe this will be motivation to take up another domestic hobby... 

...during my retirement I fear.

Finally some trips to the Strip!

The incoming MSTP students, me, Josiah and Taylor down by the Polish Deli!

Peace, Love and Little Donuts!  Yeah, one is covered in bacon.

Yes, I admit... I don't get nearly enough utility out of the excellent shops and cheap stuff down in the Strip District.  Every time I go down there, I ask myself why it has been so long since the last trip down Liberty Ave.  Maybe it's because I'm rarely out and about on weekends, they are usually the few days that I take to catch up on life or head home to visit family!

This one is for you Lyssa...

My first trip down there was with the newly minted MSTP students!  We have six new students joining the program this year, and I think it's always very important to show them the Strip District early in their Pittsburgh days!  Hopefully they take more advantage of the gem more than I am able to!  It was fun to hang out with the new students and get to know one another!  We found some great shops and the weather was beautiful!

Paul and I out for our Sunday Date!

Inspired by the recent trip with the incoming students, I thought it would be great to drag Paul down to the Strip District to celebrate one of the few weekends we have together in Pittsburgh this summer.  We are both running around like crazy with weddings and other activities, that it was such a relief to be able to spend some quality time together.  We had ourselves a little "day date"!

We started off with mass and then got a few treats at the Bagel Factory for lunch.  It was real warm out so, we quickly got into the car to talk an afternoon stroll through the strip district in search of some cheap groceries!

aren't you adorable...?

The public market with local shops! I'll bite...

You can never go wrong with the oils and vinegars - so delicious!

I love the Strip District's character... beautiful.

We definitely found the jackpot and made some impulse purchases!  Paul bought a massive Salmon fillet for $8!  AWESOME.  To top off our seafood kick, we finished the purchase with some king crab legs and a lobster tail!  I thought it was only best to whip it up fresh and have it for dinner... Wow, I was definitely right about the fresh preparations, because the food was excellent!

Making our way back to the car after a haul of groceries!

Puru's house... Such a beautiful apartment complex!

Paul was cracking open the crab with a kitchen scissors in danger of cutting off his finger...  We decided that going back for seafood at Wholey Seafood is a must and a great way to introduce out of town guests to the gems of Pittsburgh and the fine eating that you can do it every corner of the city!  All in all, it was an excellent day date, and something worth repeating in the very near future!

Um, can you say YUM? Makes me wan to go on a cruise!

Pittsburgh Friday Fiesta!

Tay tay, Bhav, and Duerr!  Welcome... Welcome.

Oh Peru, or is it Puru?

Paul was out of town upon my return from my fun week in Seymour, which means only one thing.... I had free reign to open up the kitchen, entertain with treats, and host a fiesta!  It was a Friday and perfect timing for friends to stop by for some drinks, snacks, and of course a bunch of deep bellowing laughs - the heart of any gathering at my residence.

The honkey tonk hunch...  Yeah, pretty pale, I know.

Waaaaay too excited.  Thanks Josiah for all the candid photos!

I was cooking up random things from my freezer ranging from sweet potato tater tots to couscous!  It was a nice little gathering and tribute to the summer.  We caught up with each other about all of our crazy research projects, deadlines, golf games, planned vacations, and the like!  I of course made sure that the mood was set with some country tunes...

Mmmmm cake.  Funfetti, my favorite.

Finally, towards the end of the night, I cut the Funfetti cake and we indulged.  Many laughs and many memories from that night to say the least!  Every time I have a little get together, I always wish I had a bigger kitchen to prepare large med school feasts - perhaps a front yard or a porch would also be helpful...  But, hey, beggars can't be choosers I guess!

I was getting way too much of a kick out of being as tall as Duerr...  Didn't look as I anticipated.

Until next time...  Enjoy the scorching summer!

Sunday in the park...BBQ and the Countdown!

Josh and Camilla - the party hosts!

Camilla sent out a invite to gather in Frick Park for a Proper Sunday Brunch - it was suggested that we all wear white and bring our best snooty snack and beverage.  It was the morning of the Pittsburgh marathon and Anna and Josiah made it to Josh's place only after around 50 minutes of bypassing the marathon route - let's just say we really got to see some of the back neighborhood's of Pittsburgh!

A competitive game of Boce Ball!

Anna and I in our proper Sunday best...

Shortly after convening at Josh's for some bubbly and OJ we walked to the park to enjoy finger sandwiches, properly sliced Wisconsin smoked cheese and many other fine delicious treats.  While I was wondering around taking pictures, others engaged in competitive game of Bocce Ball - careful not to soil their Sunday best...

Zimmerman & Carey

While the women were resting on freshly pressed blankets, the men clipped and lit their fragrant cigars to enjoy a smoke over scholarly conversations of politics and economics - of course.  We were then approached by a few rising film makers who wanted some footage of our proper acts.  We decided to set up croquet and play a game around the park, a perfect past time.

It was a blast to run around the park in white dresses and hats - we only received a few odd looks, but most thought our antics were quite comical.  It was a Proper Sunday Brunch at it's finest..

Even the ladies can properly enjoy a cigar!

Now, I just can't wait until our next themed outing - Hillbilly Breakfast!  (I may have to take the liberty to coordinate this wild outing - yeeeehaw!

The group on our way out of the park after a wonderful brunch!

We finished the week with a BBQ - again at Josh's who graciously allowed us to come over to his amazing porch to fire up the grill.  It was fun to sit around and talk over freshly grilled meats and even peaches.  The food was plentiful as always...  I shared my Grandpa's infamous wisdom about the seven different varieties of farts and we did indeed indulge ourselves in some fart humor?  Hey can you blame us?  I remember Lyssa saying that her kids said that they can't wait to grow up and be mature enough that fart jokes are not funny... Lyssa responded that there will never be a time when farts aren't funny - and if you've reached that point - you're living life MUCH too seriously!

The BBQ with plenty of food as always - thanks Josh for hosting and Zim for grilling!

Guess what - it's my last week of the first year of medical school!  I cannot believe it.  That's all I'm going to say for now - wish me luck as I try to maintain stamina for the final week of studying!