This last wednesday, Logan graduated from 8th grade! The class had a nice ceremony followed by a reception, then the family went out for ice cream. 
 
We've been sprucing up the plant life around the house. Last Friday my dad and I planted some hanging potted flowers and some herbs for the back deck. Last year we tried a lot of varieties of basil, but we decided this year that traditional large-leaved was the best. So we ended up with basil, cilantro (which we use ALL the time!) and dill. 
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This little guy isn't new, but he's cute! The flower is about the size of an eraser on a pencil.
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These flowers aren't new either, but we call them the Lazarus Plant. We got it last summer and it died in the heat of July with a few too many days of missed waterings. My dad then did a super-watering week and brought it inside for the winter and it came back to life!
 
Yesterday I decided to try a new white cake recipe I found here. I only made half though, because it seemed like it would make a lot of batter and I only need a little.
 
Got some new plants for the summer! Click to enlarge.
 
Last weekend we went to the asian food market with the cousins and family (and soon-to-be family Elijah). They had lots of fun foods and lots of things I would never, ever try (i. e. dried squid) but they also had lots of fun dishes and kitchen supplies. I found these super cute bowls that look like they are straight out of Anthropology. 
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Even though before it happens spring break theoretically has all the time in the world to relax, do projects, and get stuff done, I didn't get any of the photos up that I wanted to. Until now. Because, as one of my dad's favorite quotes says, "Work fascinates me. I could sit and stare at it for hours." Now that I'm back at Union again, the college in the west, slinga da ink and pusha da pen alo-o-o-ng, I have more important things to do, so naturally posting photos takes priority. Not to say that I haven't already done my fair share of homework since I've been back. I got back last night at five, edited an article, and since then I read a 350-page book that I regretfully neglected for the two weeks I had to read it. Anyway, for the first few days of break we spent some time near Oklahoma City with my grandparents. We had a wonderful time with them and it went by way too quickly. They took us down to Bricktown where we walked along the river and looked at all the new statues in a monument to the Oklahoma Land Run. We enjoyed the beautiful weather and then ate a delicious lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse nearby. 
This pioneer lady was nice enough to let Logan sit on her lap as her giant brass wagon bounced along. The statues are massive and seem to be about one and a half times actual size. Huge horses, covered wagons, and oversized prairie hares appear to fly across the gravel with no fences or rails to keep visitors at a distance. 
All too soon it was time to go home, but we immensely enjoyed the rest of our break at home. We are so fortunate to have grandparents so near by (but still far enough away to make every visit special) and we can't wait to see them again in May in time for Logan's graduation!
 
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Today after church we decided to take a drive and visit the Kansas City Public Library. Nineteen years ago this week, my parents brought nine-month-old me to visit KC for the first time and look at apartments. We moved in that summer. After nearly 20 years here, we've never, ever been to this famous building. I've seen it in those lists of "top 50 coolest buildings" on the internet, but I always thought it was a different library down by the Country Club Plaza. Turns out it's actually down town, pretty close to the River Market where we lived when we first moved here. Anyway, today we decided to finally go see it, and it was really cool. The outside of the parking garage has these giant books all along the outside, and then the actual library used to be a bank. We spent about an hour looking around at the building and then we walked around the area. Downstairs, the vault room has been renovated into a tiny theater, and you can just walk in. The door is enormous and according to the sign, weighs 40 tons. It is full of gears and knobs and is open for all to see. 
Lastly, we went to the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts which just opened this fall, and is the new home for the KC Symphony and the KC Ballet. 

 
While I was home over the weekend for winter break, I scored a set of small plates (dessert plates?) that are Fiestaware! 
 
Don't try to skirt around it, vintage skirts are pretty much one of my favorite thrifting finds. Last week while I was at home, I picked up this adorable vintage wool skirt. It's perfect for winter because it's dark and wool, but it has some color which my church-going wardrobe sadly lacks. I've always seen winter as a time to wear black, brown, and gray, nothing too patterned or colorful. Maybe dark colors keep me warmer in the blustery weather of the plains. Speaking of which, today was possibly the most wretchedly blustery day so far this (school) year. The good news? Tomorrow promises a high of 25º and a low of 13º not including the windchill. I told my dad I love summer, because it's like a warm hug every time you walk outside. He disagrees. He loves winter, wearing coats, and walking out to that cold that takes away your breath. I can take it for a month or so, but when the wind starts, it's like a cold slap in the face.
A quick hemming job and it's ready to wear!