Online Dreaming

O True Apothecary!

2011-07-17T13:01:00.000-04:00

"O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die."

~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet


Apothecary Jars

My title is a bit misleading. I just love Shakespeare.

Apothecaries were precursors to pharmacists. They dispensed herbal and chemical medicines to both doctors and patients. And of course the apothecary played a small but pivotal role in Romeo and Juliet. These men also gave medical advice and kept their herbs and drugs in drug or apothecary jars. It's the jars that interest me.

I've been in love with apothecary jars for a very long time. They always seem to pop up on mantels, counters, shelves and tables in home decor magazines. Designers leave them empty or fill them with everything from pasta and fresh fruit . . .

Pasta

Coffee and Oatmeal

Fruit

to sea shells and plants . . .

Shells and Rocks

Soaps

They also make great decorations for the holidays.

Christmas

Easter

Halloween

To keep clutter and superfluous possessions out of my home and life, I don't allow myself to buy anything unless I have an immediate need for it, a place to display it, or a place to store it if it's a seasonal item. Also, whenever I buy a new article of clothing or pair of shoes, I try (not always successfully) to get rid of an old piece of clothing or pair of shoes to make room for it. Sadly, I don't have a need or place for apothecary jars, no matter how much I may lust after them. But one day when I have a fireplace and mantel, I have every intention of decorating it with apothecary jars.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Seeing Red

2011-07-16T17:59:00.000-04:00

702 South Putnam, Williamston

As I've said before, I probably look at housing listing every single day, usually on Trulia. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say I fell in love with this 1900 Victorian in Williamston, MI, but I see a lot of potential in the 111 year old house.

First let me say, I love the small river town of Williamston. It's full of great architecture, history and a lot of character. The location was first inhabited by the Chippewa people, who were part of the Saginaw tribe.The used it as a summer village where they planted crops, buried their loved ones, and held gatherings. In 1834 Hiram and Joesph Putnam, two Europeans occupied briefly occupied the land before selling it to the three Williams brothers in 1839. The Putnams got a street named after them. The Williams got the town named after them. Williamston became a popular layover for people traveling between Detroit and Lansing by horse and buggy. It first became incorporated as a village in 1871, then as a city in 1971. Williamston is also where my boyfriend grew up.

Downtown

Red Cedar River

All hydrants in town are decorated

Williamston kind of reminds me of the quirky Stars Hollow from the show Gilmore Girls (one of my all time favorite shows). This town in the middle of Michigan holds a Flamingo Festival, a Jubilee, and Dogs Days event that features a dog parade, costume contest and pet psychic.


Flamingo decorations

My boyfriend liked growing up in Williamston and I think it would be a fun place to live.

Trulia Listing:

"Be a part of history! 1900's home in mint condition. Stunning newer kitchen, archways corner, fabulous yard & plantings. 1900's charmer! Be a part of history! Walking distance to downtown! Immaculate updated home! Beautiful condition! Impressive spacious kitchen with arch top windows, cathedral ceilings, floor to ceiling cabinets, pantry, 1st floor mudroom, laundry room with a charming French door! Large great room, main floor study and fireplace. Three special bedrooms up. Deluxe bath, shower, double van ity, whirlpool tub. Plantation shutters & skylights. Special foyer entry, archway, potting shed. Out of this world cottage garden designed… by a master gardener. Believed to have hardwood floors under almost all rooms. Approximately 1988 new roof, furnace, central air, new hotwater heater & furnace. Most of the home has been reinsullated and lots of the home rebuilt!"

We actually went to look at this house (not an open house, just causally investigating from the sidewalk) and peeked over the fence . . . the backyard is absolutely gorgeous. However, the inside of the house needs a lot of cosmetic work. The owners seem to really love the color red. Red walls, red floors, red curtains.

Den

Living Room

The rest of the house isn't (as) red but needs a lot of modern updates.

Kitchen dining area--note the red curtains

Kitchen--note the red toaster

Formal dining room--red carpet and table runner

Bathroom--red towel and rug

Bathroom--red decorative pillows

Bedroom--finally we move from red to blue

Bedroom--A lot of blue

The house has good bones and it might be fun (and expensive) with all the redecorating. My mind runs wild with ideas.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Vegetable Garden

2011-06-28T17:19:00.001-04:00

Everyone has pretty much finished getting their gardens planted and are watching the first green sprouts poke through the brown earth. I am not one of these people. I don't like digging, hoeing, weeding or getting dirty. At the moment I have a cactus that requires 1 ounce of water a month and a basil plant in a self-watering pot that requires little attention from me. But I love fresh produce and I love to cook. So I do daydream about having a garden. And one day I intend to get over the whole getting dirty thing and have a garden that will cater to my love of eating and cooking.

Though I hate raw tomatoes, I do love just about every tomato product out there, with sun-dried tomatoes on the top of my list.

I would have to peppers . . .

Lettuce for my salads . . .

Yummy green beans . . .

The only vegetable I'd eat as a kid, carrots . . .

Pumpkins because you've never seen a person get so excited in the produce aisle come autumn . . .

I would also want to grow strawberries, raspberries and blueberries . . .

I also wouldn't mind having a couple fruit trees . . .

Cherry Tree

Apple Tree

And of course an herb garden . . .

I can almost taste all the salads, sauces, stews, pies and jams that would come out of such a garden.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

The Definition of Debonair

2011-05-16T20:32:00.000-04:00

Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant.

~Cary Grant

Cary Grant is the very definition of debonair.

Born Archibald Leach in Horfield, Bristol on January 18, 1904, Cary Grant first got into performing as a stilt walker, acrobat, mime and juggler in Bob Pender Stage Troupe. The troupe took him to the U.S. in 1920 when he was 16 years old. When the troupe returned to England, he stayed behind to start a stage career. He entered the world of vaudeville working under his birth name. In 1931 he went to Hollywood, working under the name Cary Lockword. Paramount Pictures requested he change his last name. Cary allegedly chose the last name Grant because that would give him the initials similar to Clark Gable and Gary Cooper. From there on he was one his way to becoming a Hollywood legend.

I recently read an interview with Jennifer Grant, Cary Grant's only child, about her book on her father, Good Stuff. After watching Arsenic and Old Lace as a teenager, I became hooked on the tall, dark, and handsome Cary Grant. He could do comedy flawlessly--His Girl Friday, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, and Bringing Up Baby--play a romantic lead unlike any other (past or present)--The Philadelphia Story, An Affair to Remember--and hold his own in Hitchcock movies--Notorious, North by Northwest, and Suspicion. After reading the interview, not only do I want to read Good Stuff but hold a Cary Grant movie Marathon.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Puppies, Puppies, and More Puppies

2011-05-11T12:48:00.000-04:00

The weather is getting warmer and everyone is out walking their dogs, which has once again given me a serious case of doggie fever.

Buttercup

Hi! My name is Buttercup I am a spayed 5-year old tan/white beagle mix. I am a very easy going and laid back dog that is looking for my forever home. I would like to meet all of my future family before going home this includes any children or dogs I will be living with. My doctor here at the shelter said that I am in need of a good teeth cleaning so I have a reduced adoption fee! If you are interested please come and visit me at the Capital Area Humane Society, ask for A110210.

Baxter

Hi! My name is Baxter and I am a neutered 9 month old, Pit Bull mix! I LOVE people and I am a very respectful young guy that already knows a few tricks! I would do good with obedience classes because I am eager to please and classes would also help boost my confidence. Please come check me out today because I can't wait to go to my new forever home! (Capital Area Humane Society, Lansing MI)

Hayden

This is one awesome little girl who has a very sweet personality! When you first meet her, Hayden might act shy and reserved and reluctant for your attention but once she gets to know you, she is more than ready to greet you and to cuddle near you if you are sitting down. She may even acknowledge you with a big husky smile if she really likes you! If you have other dogs, she is no problem with them and she even lived with a cat in her previous home. She does fine with small children but usually ignores them and hasn't actually lived with any. Because she is tentative about new humans, she shouldn't go to a home with really young children but she should be fine with visiting ones. (Petfinder, MI)

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

I'm a Leaf on the Wind

2011-05-05T19:59:00.003-04:00

Every time I watch an episode of Joss Wheldon's Firefly, I am heartbroken all over again that it was canceled in 2003 after just 14 episodes, 11 that aired. For those of you that don't know about the TV show Firefly, it's space western that follows the adventures of the crew of Serenity, a renegade firefly spaceship. I generally don't gravitate towards space or western themed shows, movies or book, but I absolutely fell in love with the characters, stories, humor, scenery, and originality of Firefly.

This show was cast absolutely perfectly. One wrong actor would have thrown the entire series off balance. But the creators got it just right with this group of actors.

Captain Malcolm Reynolds

The gorgeous and talented Nathan Fillion has become one of my all time favorite actors. He played Mal Reynolds, an ex-Independence soldier, captain of Serenity, and a badass guy with a good heart. Fillion has been in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Desperate Housewives, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (a must watch!). You can currently watch Mr. Fillion on ABC's Castle. I do.

Zoe Washburne

Gina Torres (wife to Laurence Fishbourne) played Zoe Washburne, second in command of Serenity, wife to Wash, and warrior woman. Beautiful and voluptuous, Torres tends to play strong, kick-ass characters. She was in the TV show Alias and the Matrix movies. Last summer you could watch her the in teen drama Huge as the insecure, once overweight, manager of a fat camp. I sincerely hope that show comes back this summer.

Wash

The hilarious, quirky pilot of the ship and Zoe's husband, Wash, was played by the very talented Alan Tudyk. He's done voice work for Family Guy, Robot Chicken, and American Dad!. He was also in ABC's V (along side another Firefly cast mate) and Fox's Dollhouse. Tudyk is set to pilot an upcoming animated show called Good Vibes, which I can't wait to check out.

Jayne

Adam Baldwin plays not so bright hired gun, Jayne. Baldwin has been in movies like 1980's Ordinary People, Full Metal Jacket, and Predator 2. You can currently watch him in the TV show Chuck.

Kaylee Frye

Jewel Staite played the lovable, bubbly mechanic Kaylee Frye. Since Firefly she has guest starred on Warehouse 13 and Stargate Atlantis. She's also been in some made for TV movies such as Widow on the Hill and Mothman.

River Tam

River, played by Summer Glau, was the psychotic, psychic teenage genius stowaway. She has starred in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Cape since the demise of Firefly. She's also appeared in Dollhouse and Chuck.

Dr. Simon Tam

Sean Maher played Dr. Simon Tam, the brilliant ship doctor with a stick up his butt and brother to River. Since the show wrapped up, he's guest starred in an endless series of TV shows--Warehouse 13 (along side Jewel Straite), Human Target, The Mentalist, Drop Dead Diva, and Ghost Whisperer, just to name a few.

Inara Serra

Morena Baccarin played the beautiful and dazzling Inara, a companion (escort) and Mal's love interest. She, too, has been busy with other television series. She starred in V as a alien with a pixie cut and guest starred on The OC, Las Vegas, Medium, Dirt, Mentalist, and Numb3rs.

Shepherd Derrial Book

Ron Glass played Shepard Book, a religious man with a sordid past. Glass appeared in Shark, Dirty Sexy Money, CSI:NY and the movie Death at a Funeral.

Serenity

The firefly-shaped ship Serenity was like a character on the show too.

Firefly also guest-starred this voluptous Mad Men actress:

Christina Hendricks as villainous Saffron.

The show ended so long ago that I know there will never be another episode of Firefly, no matter how hard I wish. At least in 2005 there was the movie Serenity based off the series. Maybe there will be a second movie. I can dream, right?

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Playing House

2011-04-10T22:30:00.000-04:00

I have a small obsession with checking house listing pretty much every single day. Sometimes multiple times a day. I also have a habit of falling in love with certain houses.

Right now I live in an apartment. As much as I want to no longer share walls with neighbors and have my own yard, the commitment and responsibility of a house still scares me a little. Plus, my boyfriend is still finishing up his degree which means he's not in a place to purchase a house and who knows if he'll have to move to find work in his field. Fortunately, I can work for any place with an Internet connection.

But that doesn't stop me from looking at houses or falling in love with them. This very bright yellow house on Mount Hope Road is the latest house to steal my heart. (I would want to get rid of the yellow though.)

The built-in shelves, the light, and the arts and crafts staircase just takes my breath away. If this house wasn't out of my price range, I just might take the homeowner plunge.

I have dreamed of having a fireplace. I especially love white brick fireplaces.

I'm mad about the hardwood floors too.

Oh so beautiful French doors.

The kitchen definitely needs some updating, but even as is this kitchen is about ten times better than my apartment kitchen.

Can't you just picture hanging out in this room in the summer with all those windows open?

Not only is this 3 bedroom, 2 bath house gorgeous but it's also on the Red Cedar River. The yard is a bit bigger than I'd want--I'm not into yard work. I just want enough land for a dog to run, a clothes line, and maybe a small vegetable garden. However, I've dreamed of living on a body of water.

I will definitely stalk this house and daydream about this house until it sells. Then I'll be slightly heartbroken until I fall in love with the next house.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Bette Davis Eyes

2011-03-30T20:24:00.000-04:00

"From the moment I was six I felt sexy. And let me tell you it was hell, sheer hell, waiting to do something about it." ~Bette Davis

I've been on a huge old movie kick lately. One of my absolute favorite actresses is Bette Davis. She's gorgeous, bold, and fun to watch. I first saw her in The Man Who Came to Dinner (this is a classic Christmas movie in our household) with Monty Wooley--whom I also adore--and I knew I wanted to watch more of her work. When I find an actor and actress I love, I tend to devour their movies. (I do the same thing with new authors I discover too.) Jezebel won her Oscar. In Dark Victory she starred along side Ronald Regan, who played a drunk, and Humphrey Bogart, a horse trainer. She is almost unrecognizable in the beginning of Now Voyager as a frumpy spinster, twenty pounds heavier and with the bushiest eyebrows you've ever seen. And of course All About Eve where she plays an insecure, aging actress. Those are just a few of my favorites. I wish Bette Davis was still alive to make more movies. I could just picture her acting opposite Johnny Depp in a quirky suspense movie; Leonardo DiCaprio in an intense drama; or Matthew in a romantic comedy.


Sweet dreams, Krissy

America's Most Haunted City

2011-03-24T19:09:00.000-04:00

Sweet Savannah

It's the end of March and we're back to snow, sleet and temperatures below freezing. Is it any wonder I have vacation on the brain?

Ever since seeing the movie, Midnight in Garden of Good & Evil with Johnny Cusack and Kevin Spacey, I've wanted to go to Savannah, Georgia to see the amazing architecture, lichen and trolleys. Not to mention all the haunted sites--in 2002 the American Institute of Parapsychology named it American's Most Haunted City. A few months ago I wrote an article about different tour companies in the city and all the historical sites to see. Since then I haven't been able to get the city out of my mind.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Come Sail Away

2011-03-15T17:10:00.002-04:00

Spring is fighting to get here--bird are chirping, the temperature has been above freezing--but it's just not coming quick enough. There's still snow on the ground, ice on the lake, and the need for a winter coat. The weatherman's promising temps will reach the 60s tomorrow(!) but we've been teased with these temperatures before, only to get another six inches of snow the very next day.

I've been daydreaming a lot about a relaxing tropical vacation. A cruise in particular so I wouldn't have to worry about renting a car or feeding myself. Plus, I've never been on a cruise and have always wanted to go on one.

Carnival offers a seven night cruise that sails from Miami:

And docks in:

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan

Belize

Cozumel, Mexico

As much as I would love to see Mexico, all the violence and drug wars there scares me a bit right now. I also found this seven night Carnival cruise that takes me back to my favorite place on earth, the Virgin Islands.

You sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico

And dock in:

St Thomas, USVI

Barbados

St Lucia

St Kitts

St Maarten

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

My Heart Goes Out

2011-03-15T16:22:00.002-04:00

After the earthquakes, tsunami, and now the nuclear power plants, my heart goes out to Japan.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Peek-a-boo!

2011-03-06T18:41:00.003-05:00

I want peek-a-boo highlights!

I'm going to make a confession. I'm nearly thirty and I love watching Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family. I saw my first peek-a-boo highlights on that show. In flashback scenes the character Aria has bright red peek-a-boo highlights. Before I knew what they were, I thought they were pretty cool. Then I stumbled across Hot in My Salon on AOL featuring Barbara Forgione and her rainbow highlights, and I learned the term peek-a-boo.

As a teenager I never had any desire to dye my hair, normal colors or otherwise. It wasn't until I hit my mid or late twenties that I got the urge to experiment. But I had a job that required a professional appearance. Hot pink streaks didn't exactly qualify. Now that I work as a professional writer, I can get away with what ever I want--if I can conjure up the confidence to pull it off, that is.

I love that since the highlights are underneath, you can hide them if you want. I also like the idea that you don't have roots to touch up.

If I don't feel quite brave enough to do a dramatic color I could do something more subtle:

If you look carefully Kim Kardashian and Mila Kunis have natural looking peek-a-boo highlights too.

I don't know if I'd want subtle caramel-blonde highlights to go with my brown hair or something wilder. I still have to find a haircut I like. Oh, and get new tires for my car and stock up on contact lenses before I spend money on my hair. Maybe this spring.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Writing Nook

2011-02-25T17:21:00.000-05:00

Last month I wrote about turning an extra closet into my own work space so I could get organized and focused. Well, I now have my very own little writing nook.

I decided on a Better Homes and Garden Baily Writing Desk:

I got it for $70 ($100 off!) from Walmart.com. Free shipping when I had it shipped to my local Walmart store. The desk has everything I need to stay organized--drawers, slots and even a little shelf underneath the desk to hide my clutter. It was a bit of a pain to put it together, but it's sturdy and looks like an expensive piece of furniture. I love it!

I took the doors off one of the two closets in my living room, slid in the desk and accessorized with things I already had--red curtains, shelves, lamp, books, Buddha, photographs, and cork board. I also use an old chair that I re-upholstered a few years ago.

While the chair is pretty, it's not the most comfortable thing to sit in for hour upon hour. So I'm still in search of the perfect chair. I don't really like the look of the traditional desk chair. I want something that looks at least somewhat stylish but that's comfortable too.

Even if it takes me a while to find a chair for my desk, I can't even begin to explain how wonderful it is to have my own place to write and work. The mess and clutter from my coffee table (my previous working space) is gone. I no longer feel lazy because I'm sitting on the couch all day. And I can finally put my work down. Since the living room was my work/relaxation space, I couldn't seem to separate the two. Even though I had written my articles for the day, I found my constantly searching for more articles or conducting more research. Now, when I'm at my desk, it's work time and when I'm not, I don't even think about it. And to make sure that I leave my work at my desk my darling boyfriend made me this sign:

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Quarter Century

2011-02-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

February always seems to be my busiest month. Between my family and friends, there are birthdays galore, not to mention Valentine's Day. I planned a Vegas vacation for my parents' birthdays earlier this month and two days after Valentine's Day was my boyfriend's 25th birthday. We planned a small get-together to celebrate, so I spent the last couple weeks sifting through countless recipes online and flipping through my many cookbooks searching for appetizer ideas. I've known for a month what kind of cake I was going to make. I thought about turning the celebration into a dinner party, but 10 people is a lot of people to cook for, and it's hard enough to cook for two people in my tiny, two-drawer, limited counter space kitchen. I once had a dinner party for seven people in a kitchen half the size (my current walk-in closet is bigger than the kitchen in my last apartment) which included pumpkin soup cooked and served inside actual pumpkins. It was a success but a lot of work. So appetizers and cake it would be.

I finally decided on cheese puffs made from pate a choux, a light pastry dough.

Ingredients:

1 stick butter

1 cup water

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup flour

4 eggs

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 tsp thyme

2 shakes of pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring the water, salt and butter to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce to medium heat and immediately add flour. Stir continuously. Dough will form a ball in the center of the pan. Remove the pan from heat and give the dough a couple of minutes to cool. You want the dough warm but not hot enough to cook the eggs. Stir in one egg at a time and mix until the mixture becomes creamy. Add cheese, thyme and pepper and mix well.

Scoop about a tablespoon of dough onto a baking sheet. Space the cheese puffs about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes at 425. Reduce heat to 350 and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.

My boyfriend's mom gave me an amazing recipe for rangoons. I made half crab, half cream cheese, but we preferred the cream cheese rangoons.

Ingredients:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup mayo

handful of green onions, chopped

1 package wonton wrappers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the cream cheese, mayo, and green onions. Spoon about a teaspoon of the mixture into each wonton and wrap. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

The birthday cake was strawberry (from a mix) with cream cheese filling (4 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 2 ounces cool whip), chocolate frosting, fresh strawberries and candy clay roses.

You can see the candy clay recipe and how to make roses (as well as other fun things) here. It's much easier to work with than fondue or gum paste.

One of my boyfriend's friends is allergic to eggs and of course everything I made had eggs in it, so I had to find a dessert that required no eggs. I ended up making dirt pie sans the gummy worms.

2 tbsp butter

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 package instant vanilla pudding

1 3/4 cups milk

6 ounces cool whip

half a package of Oreo cookies, crushed

Mix butter, cream cheese and sugar in a bowl; set aside. In a second bowl, mix the milk and pudding. Fold in the cool whip. Next, fold in the cream cheese mixture. In a bowl or casserole dish, start with a layer of crushed cookies then add a layer of cream cheese and top with another layer of crushed cookies. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Sadly these recipes didn't make the cut . . . this time.


Baked Potatoes Stuffed with Roasted Garlic


Cajun Onion Rings

Mozzarella Sticks

We also had fresh strawberries with cool whip, pretzels and beverages. It was a good, relaxing evening full of good food and good friends.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

I Am the Mad Hatter

2011-02-03T19:55:00.000-05:00

I love hats. I love all kinds of hats. Cloches, berets, newsboys caps, fedoras, bowlers, top hats, pin box hats, skull caps . . . the list just goes on and on. The first thing I do when I go to a store is check out their hat section. I have developed a serious hat obsession. And all began with this hat:

Angelina Jolie in The Changeling

Right now hats are the current fashion trend . . .

. . . but I'm hoping they stay for good. The TV shows Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire have really fanned my hat obsession.

Downton Abbey:

Boardwalk Empire:

I love the hats from old movies:

And hats from period movies:

I also don't mind looking at men in hats:


Okay, maybe I just like looking at Nathan Fillion.

I've even found an appreciation for quirky, artistic hats:

Well, maybe not all hats.

Somehow I've kept by hat obsession under control and only own four hats. But that's subject to change at any time.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Puppy Love

2011-02-01T23:20:00.000-05:00

My first dog was Rosie, a cute, not so bright mutt. I was one year old. I think kids form a special bond with animals, one that's hard (though not impossible) to duplicate as an adult. She was ready to play whenever I was, whether it was fetch or dress up. When I was upset, she could sense it and was always right there to hug and cuddle. As I got older, so did she. By the time I reached high school she was deaf and nearly blind among other health problems and had to be put to sleep. It was sad, but we were all kind of prepared for it. Plus, we knew she'd no longer be suffering.

Halloween: Rosie and Me

For my sixteenth birthday my parents gave me Zoe. When it comes to the pets, Zoe was the love of my life. Zoe was a beautiful, incredibly smart golden retriever with a ton of personality. She had a gorgeous reddish gold coat and the sweetest, most expressive brown eyes. I had her house trained within two or three days. She learned new tricks at astonishing speeds and loved puzzles--untying knotted socks, twisting the caps of pop bottles, unrolling her rawhide bones. She was the only golden retriever I'd ever met that refused to play fetch; she preferred tug of war. More than anything, she loved swimming in the lake up north or running through the orchard behind my parents' house. She was also devious and manipulative, training us just as much as we trained her. At night, Zoe slept in my water bed with me. Not at the foot of the bed like a normal dog, but stretched out against me like a human. Most mornings I woke up with dog breath in my face because she had to share my pillow. When I went away to college, I missed her more than anyone else. After I left, she split her nights between my parents' bed and my bed. At ten years old she died suddenly of a heart attack or stroke. Zoe's death hit us all hard--me, my mom, dad, and brother. She's buried in my parents' backyard, a huge rock marking her grave. Zoe was a good dog. She was one of those dogs that you never forget. My parents still--years later--reminiscence about her, even though they now have two Jack Russell terriers. Jack and Heidi are adorable--and a handful. I love them to death, but they're no Zoe.

Zoe

After Zoe died, I didn't think I'd ever want another dog. I loved her too much and it hurt too much when she died. But a couple years ago, I finally reached a point where I want another pet, a dog I like cats and my apartment allows cat, but I'm a dog person at heart. I want a pet to love and care for and break me out of my selfish, daily habits. I spend an exorbitant amount of time online looking through all the pets to adopt from the local humane societies and animal shelters.

Meet Vergie

Hi! I'm Vergie, a two year old Lab mix. I am very food motivated to I would be a great candidate for Obedience classes! I am great with other dogs! I'd like to meet my kid friends before I live with them as well. I am a great, playful girl who needs a loving home! Please come visit me today!

Meet Sage

Hey! I'm Sage, a 3 year old Tree Walker Hound mix. I am super sweet and affectionate! My previous owner said that I already know sit, speak, down, shake, fetch, and sit pretty! I would like to meet my canine and kid friends before living with them, so when you come to visit me, please bring them along! I'm a great girl so please come and visit me today!

Meet Molly

Hi! I'm Molly! I'm a four month old Pit Bull mix. I am a super fun-loving energetic puppy! I'd love an active family that can let me in on the fun! I'd like to meet my kid and/or canine friends before living with them, so when you come visit me, bring them along! I'm a great girl, please come visit me today!

Meet Hobo

If Hobo were a person, I think he would be a fireman! Hobo is adventurous, smart, athletic, friendly, outgoing, and he likes to work and play hard. Hobo originated as a stray dog at animal control, and I was so impressed with his temperament that I wanted to make sure he had a second chance at a family. Having bragged about his temperament and personality, I must tell you that Hobo is also still a puppy in many ways! He has a mischievous side and needs to be kept busy or he will find his own activities.

Meet Fletcher

Fletcher is a gorgeous, brindled boy who has a lot to say and is more than willing to tell you his stories. He walks around smiling and wagging his tail all of the time, and likes playing with the other dogs. He loves to grab toys, shake them, and make his foster mom cringe because some of the toys smack him in the head as they fly from side to side. His goal in life right now is just to have fun and please his foster mom.

But before I get a dog, I have to move since my apartment doesn't allow dogs, not even little ones. And not all that long ago my boyfriend lost his childhood dog, Galahad, another one of a kind dog. It takes a long time to get over that loss, I know. So it might be awhile before I can adopt. Until then I'll get my doggie fix from my parents' dogs, the boyfriend's family's other dogs--Wilson and Rhea--and websites like Capital Area Humane Society, Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter and Petfinder.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

Dreaming of Spring

2011-01-24T20:07:00.000-05:00

It seems the older I get, the more difficult winter gets. I’m not talking about cleaning off my car or shoveling snow—which are both a pain in the butt by the way. I’m talking about the bitter cold getting into my bones and the seemingly endless days of unabating snow and dreariness. Maybe it’s part of getting older or maybe I’m suffering from S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) but I feel like winter will never end—and we’re not even to February yet! Snow is supposed to be pretty and magical. And the first snow usually is.

But after that, I’m over it. I’m sick of white. I want color—green and blue and yellow! I want sunshine and blue skies and green grass. No more solid, oppressive whites and grays. I want foliage and flowers and birds. I’m sick of bundling up under three layers of clothes just to leave the house. I want to wear skirts and dresses and sandals again. I want to be able to go for walks. I want the sun to stay out past five o’clock! More than anything, I want to breathe in that smell of spring—rain, earth and warmth.

I don’t want a tropical vacation. I just want spring.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

A Room of My Own

2011-01-13T18:11:00.001-05:00

"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is going to write fiction . . ."

~Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

For the last year and a half--ever since the boyfriend and I moved in together--the living room couch and coffee table have acted as my work space. This is where I not only pay bills and do paperwork but perform all my writing--articles, books, and just playing around with story ideas. Our apartment has two bedrooms, but I insisted that the boyfriend take the second bedroom as his "office" (really it's his game room). He's a computer geek and I love him dearly for it (especially when my computer begins to misbehave) but that also means he has got a bunch of heavy technical books, random cords and spare parts. He spends his free time playing video games, watching youtube videos and anime, and doing a bunch of other stuff that would drive me crazy if I had to listen to it all day long. Him having his own room (along with each of us having our own separate bathroom) has done wonders for our relationship. However, I work from home. I do a lot of writing. Though most of this takes place on a laptop, I still somehow accumulate an enormous amount of paper. I have books I regularly reference. Plus, I'd like to enjoy my living room as a place to relax--not work. I would really love to have my own home office.

But a room of my own is not going to happen any time soon. I have thought about cramming a desk in the dining area or bedroom, but the dining area is already a little tight with the kitchen table and buffet table. The bedroom has plenty of extra space, but it's our sanctuary. I'd hate to disturb the zen vibe in there by bringing in my work and clutter.

Today I had an epiphany. The apartment has a ton of closet storage and we don't come close to using it all. I could turn one of the closets into my work space. A small desk, a cork board, maybe a small bookcase or at least some shelves and I'd be all set to go. I could get my work done then close the space off and relax in the living room. So the search for a desk has begun.

Just something small, simple and sweet . . .

And chairs . . .

Finding a desk with a small enough width to fit in the closet may prove to be a challenge, but I am determined to have my own work space!

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

New York, New York

2011-01-05T23:17:00.001-05:00

Six months from today, I turn 30. Normally on my birthday, I get all prettied up and spend the afternoon by myself—shopping, taking a walk, enjoying the sunshine and warmth and me-time. I treat myself to a new book and a bouquet of freshly cut flowers every year. In the evening, I've gone out with friends to celebrate, had a surprise party thrown for me or a boyfriend took me out for dinner. On the birthdays that I stayed in, I splurged on ingredients that were a little out of my price range and tested out a new recipe I’d been dying to try. It’s a nice little ritual.

But I want to usher the next decade of my life by doing something different and a little more exciting. I love to travel and I haven’t been on an out-of-state vacation in nearly three years. I’ve pretty much decided I want to spend my 30^th birthday in New York City.

I spent two days in the city with friends about six years ago. We spent the first day shopping on Fifth Ave, sightseeing—the Empire State Building, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Time Squares, and Central Park—had dinner in Little Italy and went bar hopping in Midtown. The second day was cold and rainy but we ventured out to the Statute of Liberty and Ground Zero before taking the train back to our vacation home base in Rhode Island. But there was so much more I wanted to see and do! Soho, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, The Met, the Museum of Natural History, a Broadway show, more of Central Park . . .

So I found a deal on www.travelocity.com (my favorite online dreaming site) for a five day/four night stay at the Wellington Hotel in Midtown, flight and hotel just $529. That's definitely in my price range.

My birthday's in July. I know the city’s probably going to be sweltering and that’s why I’m finding such great prices on airfare and hotels. Plus, my birthday is the day after the Fourth of July which means my boyfriend and friends probably won’t be able to get the time off from work. But I can take pleasure in dreaming and planning. And who knows, my mom and dad are going to Las Vegas this year for my mom's 60th birthday (their very first vacation outside of Michigan); maybe I'll make it to New York for my 30th.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy

New Endeavors

2011-01-02T00:15:00.001-05:00

My very first blog . . .

I’ve been playing with the idea of starting a blog for a couple of years now. I’m a freelance writer and novelist, so having a blog seems somewhat appropriate and a bit overdue. But I had no idea what to write about. My personal life isn’t particularly fascinating (at least not to me) and I have fifty million different interests—reading, writing, cooking, photography, fashion, interior design, yoga, religion, history, psychology, architecture, art, traveling and just plain learning. Then it dawned on me. Why not start a blog about what I spend most of my time doing online (when I’m not researching articles for work, that is)—online dreaming.

The internet takes daydreaming to a whole new level. It’s snowing and cold outside and I wish I was on a beach, so I visit Travelocity and plan a vacation to the Caribbean or Florida or California, even though it’s never going to happen. I really can’t afford a new pair of shoes and I don’t really need a new pair, but why not do a little online browsing? Online dreaming can be about something I really want, something I’m interested in, or just a different type of life I’d like to live—if only for a day. My online dreams sometimes evolve into reality—like the trip to the Virgin Islands three years ago, become goals like owning a pet, and other times it’s just an escape—like becoming an English teacher in Spain.

So this is a journal of my online dreams.

Sweet dreams,

Krissy