I’ve been growing some little vegetables in Brian’s more moderately temperatured back yard and we harvested some little Roma tomatoes.  Then there was this one!  It’s like a siamese tomato but it also resembles a heart.

My back yard on the other hand…My awesome neighbor recently brought his weed-wacker over and did an amazing job clearing out the weeds.  Now it looks like this:

Yes, that little black spot back by the fence is Lily.  For some images of what else I discovered in my back yard, check out my flickr page.  Here is a sneak peak:

I have been so busy this summer between TAing and teaching Art Camp, I’m surprised I’ve found time to do anything else!  But alas, I have.  I still feel like I am running from one thing to the next, but soon enough all this running around will turn into my butt hitting a chair and staying there for a while.  Woohooo!

So, of some of the highlights of the past two weeks (that don’t include work things), here is my first ever foray into Meatloaf life.  This here was a turkey meatloaf (I made mine gluten free), and is stuffed with veggies and cheese.  It was so good, my boyfriend almost married me that night!  Heck, I almost married myself!

Here is the delectable cross section:

I’ll get that recipe up soon at ArtistsCookbook.com.

Also, I finally had a second in the woodshop because Christine had to make a night stand, so I ended up making a lamp, which I’ve wanted to make forever.  This is just my first attempt, and it’s really quite lovely with the lights off.  It’s actually kind of a large night light.  But I guess that’s kinda my thing.

And then, last weekend, Brian and I went to Vegas for a wedding and stayed in this very lovely modern room at MGM Grand that was a wonderful respite from, sorry to say, Lily.  The summer months have brought on the shedding like no other, so a room without cat hair is hard to come by these days.  I LOVE hotels.

I have been experimenting with a Gluten Free diet lately and not only have I replaced all my savory dishes with wheat alternatives, like brown rice pastas, corn tortillas, wild rices, but I have suddenly been bit by the baking bug!  I never really was into baking until I cut wheat out–and I think it has something to do with the word challenge.  Anyway, check out my GF Banana Bread, GF Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the naturally GF Date ‘N Nut No-Bake Cookies that are sooooo good!  Enjoy!

Yes, I’ve been watching 30 Rock.  On to other news, here are some photos from the opening reception a few weeks back.  Time flies by so fast and there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything!  I long for the vacations where I have time off to do fun things like bake or sew.  One day…

Between all my classes, the readings, working on a term paper, visiting with my newborn nephew (!), and spending Valentine’s with my beau, I have managed to squeeze in some whole days painting!  Especially after working in the woodshop so much lately, I really craved a painting play date. Here are some works in progress:

I spent today installing at the UCR SweeneyArtGallery and I’m so happy to be done!  Things have been rough around here lately: sick with the cold, midterm, staying up way too late working on art, and not eating good.  But alas, I went to the market today, bought food for the first time in a while, and even watered my lawn!  Many of my plants were going to desert me if I didn’t kick it up a notch…and in fact, one lavender might not come back.  We’ll see.  Anyways, sorry for the rant.  The opening is this Thursday!  I’m done complaining.  Oh, and my back hurts and I’m really thirsty.  Ok, really done.