caution: domestication in progress...

On more than one a occasion, I've been referred to as one of "those domestically challenged girls". Whether it be a justified statement or not, I won't go into. I will admit, I do leave a bit to be desired with my typical dinner: colorful, curly noodles and a can of diced tomatoes (sometimes, if my family is lucky, I even throw in a few veggies, and on really special days, pine nuts). Forgive me if sweating away in the kitchen, or hurting my fingers trying to mend clothes, and getting blisters on my knees from cleaning doesn't quite conjure up an image of excitement in my mind. (ok, a bit dramatized)

"I don't have the right tools", has always been my excuse (and it is not so much that I don't like these things, but more that I'm simply not good at them).

Apparently, by the time Christmas rolled around this past year, everyone was tired of hearing my excuses. From my dear husband, I received a Kitchen Aide (think "Father of the Bride" blender wedding present. Seriously.) and my sweet, adorable 11-year-old niece gave me a sewing machine (more to come on this later). However, I'm still waiting for the perfect "tool" to help with the whole "blisters on knees" cleaning problem. Any ideas? Maybe you could just give it to me for Christmas.

Unfortunately, having the right tools around has not magically improved my life. A couple weeks ago I tried to make something with my sewing machine, but I can tell you that if Jon's reaction to my creation is any indication, I am NO seamstress. Unless of course I'm going for the zig-zag stitch, in which case, I've got it mastered.

Seeing as how I haven't found much success (yet) with the sewing machine, I figured it was time to use the neglected, monstrous mound of brushed silver that has taken up permanent residence on my counter top. The poor thing hasn't seen much use- *ahem*- alright, ZERO use.

Until now.



Turns out, I'm not nearly as pathetic as you've all assumed.

The guilt from the neglect was eating at me and because I had a few bananas that were beginning to look more like something you avoid even driving over, I got ambitious and made banana bread. For real (and it was even healthy and edible). Now, I understand to some of you, alright, most of you, this is a simple, possibly even common event. However, for the rest of us--the less talented--the task is a bit daunting and overwhelming...

but most of all: blogworthy.