Crochet Project

Previously I posted about a sewing disaster *ahem* adventure I embarked on.

Next on the docket was a crochet project. Lucky for me YouTube has lots of crochet videos that simplify the hobby. I'm not coordinated enough for knitting, but crocheting is just typing a bunch of knots in yarn so how could I go wrong right?

Armed with a crochet hook and colorful yarn I brought back from the States, I embarked. It is by far the longest (pun intended) and lengthiest crochet project I have finished. "Finished" being the operative word here. Ask my mom and yarn stash about my track record with finished projects.

But without further ado, pictures!

The nice thing about living in a world where Arts & Crafts are a lost art is, you don't have to do much to impress people. I am totally okay with that!

Here is the one side, where you kind of have ridges around the borders of the squares.

Here is the other side that looks a little smoother.

Here you can get the full effect!

Tada! It is supposed to match the bed sheets and curtains I have in the room. The colors aren't exact but these also weren't exactly purchased and Bed Bath and Beyond or Norstroms or anything. Haha.

Grenada Pizza Kitchen

Welcome to GPK!

Grenada Pizza Kitchen, right here, in my little Grenada Kitchen.

Right after you know that my name is Kristen, of equal importance, you should know

I. LOVE. PIZZA.  

Some people think they love pizza, there are people that love pizza, and then there's me. I love pizza so much, that I'm actually, not even on the scale. 

Yeah.

In college, my pizza consumption occurrence probably averaged at least every other day. Maybe more. And the local pizza place might have known my number when I called and placed an order.... maybe.

I posted earlier about training myself to make bread, and as far as pizza crust is concerned, it is going fabulous!

Every week Friday comes. Now, in med school Friday doesn't really mean anything, but in the Petersen Household it means.... 

PIZZA DAY! 

Thanks Aquabats. Ya know, your week may be crummy but when you have Pizza Friday, there is always something to look forward to. 

Since Pizza Day comes every week, I try to mix it up a little and try different ways to eat the delicious food. Here are some ideas I found online that I have tried. 

Pizza crescent roll-ups, Pull-apart pizza, Pizza rolls, Pizza calzone, and my first love- Stuffed pizza rolls.

Last week I got fancy and made a Chicken alfredo pizza and a BBQ chicken cheddar pizza.

They turned out awesome! Here is the recipe for the alfredo pizza.

But Teo brings up a good point, I guess it is more Pizza Night, not Pizza Day. I just think about it all day. And if I am really going to call my kitchen Grenada Pizza Kitchen, I should try manicou pizza. 

As for now....

HAPPY PIZZA DAY/NIGHT!

... But Then I Remember

I posted about how I sometimes I forget that I live in Paradise.

But don't fret! I remember to take time to enjoy all Grenada has to offer!

Sometimes I just head to the beach out of the blue, because I can! One of my favorite beaches is called BBC Beach, or Morne Rouge Beach. I usually head to campus then catch a Grandview Inn Bus to get to the beach. It saves me from having to walk up the hill and back down the other side to get to the beach.

Although this particular time the bus simply stopped at the bottom and told us to get off because he wasn't driving up there. Haha? If you live here in Grenada you know this is funny because if it stops at the bottom of the hill it is no longer a Grandview Inn bus, it is a just a True Blue/ Grand Anse bus, ya know, the ones that like practically every 15 minutes. Whatever!

Here is a view of the more easily accessible Grand Anse Beach. This photo is taken as I was ascending the hill to get to BBC. On the far left of the photo you can start to see downtown St. George's.

Walk about five more minutes and do a 180 degree turn and you get BBC beach! I like to think it is a mini Grand Anse. It is so nice because it doesn't get as many people as Grand Anse. 

On the beach, nice and lonely.

And since I am definitely one for the random, here is a cool little Grenada-painted door. 

I am a super early riser (I know, I know, you should get it by now!). So the other day I headed out to the beach around 8. You can definitely bet it was deserted then, and it was very lovely and cool because the sun wasn't on full blast yet. You should definitely try it sometime! :) 

Every Once in A While...

Every once in a while I forget that I live in Paradise. Everyone thinks I tan on the beach while Ross works his butt off at school. Ha! Well, at least part of that is true, Ross does work really hard. :)

I think most people on the island now are, soo done! We are hitting our post midterms slump when everyone just wants to pack up and take a vacation (which of course, is funny because we live on a gorgeous island people come to for vacation).

But day in and day out living in Grenada can take a toll on you! Like for over a month I wasn't able to get my hands on a single ounce of butter. Yes folks, BUTTER. It was like a slow painful death for me. Many people on the island resorted to making their own.

My sweet salvation! My second favorite thing from Minnesota (Hi Pip!).

Groceries are fun to shop for in Grenada, know why?

1) Who knows if they will actually have what you need
2) They are expensive

Ross and I honestly aren't a huge fan of the local fruits. They definitely have a different taste and most are difficult to get at because they have large seeds. I guess I need to post more on that later.

I miss my USA fruits like berries berries berries and PEACHES. Ah, what I wouldn't give for a Utah peach right now. When peach season rolled around in Utah I would LIVE off peaches.

Now don't get me wrong, you can buy berries at the local IGA grocery store.

And you can definitely find some apricots!

I have to thank my beautiful friend Tammy for these pictures. And for those of you keeping track, yep, that is roughly $11 for the strawberries and a whopping $28/ pound for the apricots. Needless to say when I get back to California, my first trip will be to Vallarta to dive head first into cheap produce and pan dulce. Haha.

I don't know if I'm counting up or counting down or what. Just getting through the days at this point and getting excited to get my husband back and see some great family and friends! :)

QW #13 COMPUTER ZOMBIES!!!

It is no secret that I am still living in the Dark Ages. I think I am one of the few people that are older than 10 but younger than 90 years old, who does not have a smart phone. But I still have plenty of means of technology with a computer and a Kindle. For this Quote Whenever, I choose this:

http://seanwes.com/2012/life-is-happening-recreated/

"Life is happening right now -outside your screens."

Last year or so I came up with the term "Computer Zombie." It's a real thing people! Back when Ross and I were both working and we both had computers (ha!) Computer Zombies would happen. When we had down time we would get on our computers and turn into zombies, but instead of eating brains we wanted internet and computers and electronics. Often we would be sitting next to each other on the couch, staring into our illuminated screens of Pinterest or email or You Tube videos or news articles or -whatever. And you can bet that there was an ipod or phone thrown into the mix.

Just. Staring. 

-ZOMBIES, COMPUTER ZOMBIES-

And you can see it all around you too. It happens because it is so easy. You get sucked in and you can't stop.

But every once in a while it is nice to look at the world outside of your screen. I mean, I live in the freakin' Caribbean!! 

Easter 2013

Yesterday was Easter! By far one of my favorite holidays. I have always loved Easter. It is such a wonderful time of year, and the cute baby animals that are associated with it aren't bad either. :)

This Easter was definitely the most different Easter I have ever had to date. Everything is just a little different here in Grenada. There is always a new experience to be had or tradition to be formed.

The morning started out with a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny is so cool he even decorated the table. That guy has great taste and an eye for design!

Ross got some candies and a candy thermometer. I know that may seem pretty weird but Ross's favorite thing maybe in the whole world is making his family caramel corn recipe so he is always needing a candy thermometer to make it just right.

I got some cute decorated eggs!

I am pretty proud of these little baskets I crocheted. I can't believe they actually worked out.

When Ross was little the Easter Bunny would hide the whole Easter basket and he would spend the morning looking for it. Well, the Easter Bunny likes traditions so he hid it this year too. Unlucky for Ross though, the basket was pretty tiny so it hid pretty well. :) But eventually he found it and got the goodies!

Then Ross and I headed to church. Except this Sunday was a little different. Instead of going to the church meetings in Grand Anse we traveled way up to the other side of the island to Grenville. There are not as many church members in Grenville, and I guess most all of them headed to Grand Anse. When we got to the church building, there were two missionaries, and ONE person! Haha.



Oh, and the church building is actually a top floor apartment and they use the rooms for the services. Here is Ross by the building, you can see the missionaries out on the balcony.
I loved the service, because it is a good reminder that it is not requisite to worship in a fancy building. It can be simple and meaningful when it comes from the heart.

Afterwards Ross and I were able to the nearby kite festival with some friends. It was beautiful and my friend was telling me that they fly the kites to symbolize Christ rising from the dead and being resurrected. I will post some pictures of the kites later.

When we eventually wandered home we were pretty tired and sunburned. Ross is a stud and made Easter dinner. He had the ham going in the slow cooker first thing in the morning.

We had the classic ham, potatoes, and carrots.

Of course Master Chef Ross did an amazing job. The simple potatoes were probably our favorite, definitely our comfort food. Also I was just super happy to not have to cook.

This Easter was really different for us. Holidays for us mean being surrounded by family and friends. Holidays mean big dinners and candy and parties! Even when Ross and I were dating and away from our homes we took a trip up to Idaho to see his grandparents. But I think we are getting used to our holidays in Grenada. You do what you can to bring home and family to you then take it from there!

HAPPY EASTER!!