betsy | trotzke

This is where I’d rather be today.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:46:40 -0500

This is where I’d rather be today.

Help Me Be a Hero for Red Cross! I’m trying to raise $1,000...

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:39:10 -0500

Help Me Be a Hero for Red Cross!

I’m trying to raise $1,000 before April 28 to support emergency and disaster relief services on a local level as part of the Heroes for American Red Cross campaign. I’ve got a long way to go and would love your support. Read more about my campaign at http://betsytrotzke.chipin.com/red-cross-heroes-2010

Reposting a video of my niece, Libby. She’s growing fast...

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:45:00 -0500

Reposting a video of my niece, Libby. She’s growing fast and has a ton of energy! Great video mom and dad Mabbitt. Now, if I could only get my other siblings to post photos and videos of my other nieces and nephews …

Totally cute die-cut invitations with customizable printed cards...

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:07:45 -0500

Totally cute die-cut invitations with customizable printed cards by Sarah LeClere. Fantastic illustrations. My favorites are the shoes and the kitchen mixer. (Thanks for sharing, Anne!)

I Love OK Go, but don’t know how I missed this video of...

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:25:00 -0500

I Love OK Go, but don’t know how I missed this video of “This Too Shall Pass.” Awesome. It features the Notre Dame marching band. Some in camouflage. (via What Would Tyler Durden Do?)

Great event for a great cause! Bloomington folks: Get your...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:00 -0500

Great event for a great cause! Bloomington folks: Get your tickets for the Red Cross Ebony and Ivory event at the Tudor Room on IU’s campus. This event is part of Bloomington’s annual Week of Chocolate.

New Year. New Goals. (well sorta)

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:43:00 -0500

I’m stating right up front that I have list of 2010 goals, not resolutions. I won’t call them resolutions because my husband hates New Years resolutions. He thinks they are an exercise in self loathing, not in what people realistically want to accomplish. His words, “It’s difficult for me to be discontent with myself” and “I resolve to continue doing what I’m doing.”

While I agree to some extent. I definitely think there’s value to putting goals in writing and for other people to hold you accountable for your words. So, here it goes. Some of the goals are new, some make the list every year. Either way, I’m putting them in writing. So, that should count for something. (my husband rolls his eyes)

Learn geography. Random, right? I somehow got through school without ever being required to take geography. If it had been calculus, I’d have been overjoyed. But, you kinda need geography to read the news, understand international politics, master the blue pie in trivial pursuit (my not-so-secret ambition).
More camping trips. I love camping, but only one trip last year and we stayed in a cabin, which we all know is cheating. I’m committing to at least three trips in ‘10 (long-term goal: publish the ultimate camping cookbook)
Home improvement. The project list is a mile long. First on the list—new interior door to the garage. January is already cold & drafty! Is it too ambitious to think we can do 2 projects per month? (Fearing what’s next for him, Mike stops reading at this point.)
Read more books. Shouldn’t be too hard. I do love the Kindle.
Write more blog posts. The proof is in the pudding.
Eat healthier. More water, proteins, leafy greens. The only lifestyle changing resolution/goal. It makes the list every year, but I’m putting it down anyway. (Good thing Mike stopped reading already.)
Spend more time with family. First and foremost, more QT with Mike. More date nights and more adventures. And, I guess I’ll be playing and testing more board games in ‘10. (Too bad I’ve already lost Mike. He’d have liked this one.)

So, there they are. My twenty-ten goals in all their glory. Now, where’s the Kindle? Am I really going to start with a textbook on high-school geography? (sigh …)

Happy New Year!

International Holidays with Layered Latvian Rye Bread Dessert My...

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:40:00 -0500

International Holidays with Layered Latvian Rye Bread Dessert

My extended family is doing an internationally themed brunch on Christmas morning. Mike and I chose Russia as our country (I know, big surprise here). After much research, I’ve actually chosen a Latvian recipe from this fantastic site: Russian Season, a blog of Russian and Eastern European recipes done by a mother and daughter in Latvia. They include lots of great photos with all of their dishes.

The recipe is for layered Latvian rye bread dessert (Rūpjmaizes kārtojums). It layers sweetened rye bread crumbles, a cranberry jam/compote and mascarpone cheese. Yum! I’ve decided to use lingonberry preserves instead of the cranberry jam. Can’t wait. I’ll upload photos of my version after Christmas.

Beautiful vintage-style apron using Amy Butler fabric. I covet...

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:56:20 -0400

Beautiful vintage-style apron using Amy Butler fabric. I covet thee!
See more in Annie’s Attic’s Etsy shop.

My new car, a Scion XD. Color: Electric Wasabi!

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:40:54 -0400

My new car, a Scion XD. Color: Electric Wasabi!

This Poem is a touching tribute to mom’s everywhere. Happy...

Sun, 10 May 2009 19:02:06 -0400

This Poem is a touching tribute to mom’s everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day! “The Lanyard” by Billy Collins (via PoetryEverywherePTV)

"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those I love, I can:..."

Sun, 03 May 2009 20:45:48 -0400

““Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.””

- W.H. Auden, “Notes on the Comic”

“Scotty Got an Office Job” gets 2 Legit 2 Quit about...

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:47:20 -0400

“Scotty Got an Office Job” gets 2 Legit 2 Quit about social media (via Vimeo). Too funny!

My April Desktop Background. Glad I finally found a use for the...

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:06:46 -0400

My April Desktop Background. Glad I finally found a use for the sprout images.

Therapy for those who need it most

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:58:54 -0500

“Oh Crap. My Parents Joined Facebook.” A new Tumblr blog for people trying to cope with their parents who have joined Facebook.

I <3 Trader Joe’s… Really wish we had one in...

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:49:26 -0500

I <3 Trader Joe’s… Really wish we had one in B’Town. If I Made a Commercial for Trader Joe’s (via carlsfinefilms)

Brings new meaning to “shade tree” via...

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:02:47 -0500

Brings new meaning to “shade tree” via 23.media.tumblr.com

FFFFOUND! | xkcd - A Webcomic - Alternate Currency

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:21:56 -0500

FFFFOUND! | xkcd - A Webcomic - Alternate Currency

Need a great gift idea? Give a loved one a unique gift basket...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:22:36 -0500

Need a great gift idea? Give a loved one a unique gift basket filled with Bloomington goodies from Dillman Farms. Proceeds support the Red Cross. Full details at www.monroe-redcross.org.

Do you view your bathroom as a "sanctuary for quality time"?

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:41:06 -0400

Welp, then you’re the new target audience for 3-ply toilet paper.