Heartfelt Project

I made this yesterday. I had card stock with a heart shaped tiny opening and I enlarged the viewing space with a VERY sharp X-acto knife. No blood was spilled. I got the idea from a Swedish website and then spent about an hour this morning trying to find it again so I could "link" you to it. Now this is cave woman linking but it's gonna be worth it.

http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/?p=744

These are extra ones and I do not have any card stock to surround them. I plan to mount them on stiff paper and do some thread work and then slip them into a Mary Engelbreit envelopes (which I have a whole stack of because I save the cards and never send them to anyone). I only had card "frames" for four Valentines and five envelopes. I was hard pressed to think of even four people to send them to anyway. So the top picture is of number four which still has no where to go. They are so darned cute that I wanted them to be appreciated when they arrived in the mail. My friends and family circle is limited in "art appreciation".

The background is some of my homemade hand painted bleached muslin (white fabric). I use simple cheap acrylic craft paints on dry washed fabric. I tried painting on damp fabric and didn't like it. I use a $1 plastic kid's tablecover to paint on and perhaps if I used a padded fabric surface the paint would not spread as much on the damp fabric. I have noticed fabric padded table surfaces in all the other painted fabric blogs that I read. And I have noticed the stained fabric padding being used as the quilt surface in many an art quilt. Because the stuff we don't plan to make is always better than the stuff we plan to make.

Yesterday I broke a needle while trying to darn the dog's bed. And then spent a really long time trying to find all the broken bits of needle in the bobbin case. Then tried to re-install the bobbin case, the bobbin case assembly, the throat plate (after removing all the lint and dust bunnies), replacing the needle with a fresh new needle (and spending considerable time trying to get the needle container OPEN) and then I needed a DRINK! But no calories allotted for drinking. I may need to have "emergency" calories saved just for drinking.

Today is a "new day". I'm going down to the "workhouse" and do some stuff. I think I will be carrying all five Sterlite sorted containers of fabric upstairs to my new work area (someday). The absence of these large containers should make it roomier downstairs. And if G ever starts cleaning off the closet shelves upstairs-- I can take a stack or two of fabric up there and start getting the fabric closet empty. In the meantime, I have three more empty containers to fill with sorted fabric. All the solid colors. All the clothing to be used in quilts. And all the containers of paper collage ephemera. I should just throw it all away. But then I will mourn it's loss and need to drink. By tomorrow I should have decided. Tomorrow is trash pick up day and if I toss all the paper--it will be gone by morning and nothing I can do or say will bring it back and I don't need all of that crap anyway as I never make anything using any of it.

What's Good Today: Eleven am, still in my robe and slippers, pup at daycare. Found a bag of cheap brown lentils at the grocery yesterday in the Latino section and didn't have to buy the "organic" ones at twice the price. There were no lentils in the bean section. There never are any. Always "out of stock" as are the black beans and split peas. Another economic indicator? Hard times call for cheap soup on the table?

What May Not Be: Promised to make Chicken Marsala with Portobella Mushrooms for G's supper tonight. Never made this before. His favorite restaurant meal. I'm plenty nervous.

Sunshine

We were scheduled for a "storm" yesterday which didn't happen. One inch of light snow by bedtime and another inch by morning. Easily shoveled and now we have sunshine and bare asphalt driveway. Lovely.

Today we (I) will be doing some much needed "tidy business". There is something stinky in the fridge that needs cleaning. I think my bag of kale has gone round the bend. And I have several kitchen counter bags of compost (veg peelings) for the garden and have asked G to "handle" that job. Also a few houseplants have passed on and need to be composted. So G is out shoveling a path out to the garden/ into the garden/ to the compost bin. Riley is softly whining-- wanting to join him out there. Have I mentioned Riley's admiration of compost piles and their contents?

Today I also have to do major repairs on Riley's crate bedding. Riley goes to bed, not quite sleepy enough, and spends time chewing big holes in the denim bedding ($89) and pulling out all the fiber fill. I try and keep it patched and sprayed with bitter apple but it's a large bed and he's a creative pup.

In answer to your questions: The portrait at the top of the last post was of Pandora. In a past life I taught creative art quilting workshops and Pandora was a class sample for that workshop. I think I taught it three times and it was wildly popular and the results for the traditional quilter were astounding. I even mounted a display of about 20 pieces for the annual Maine Quilt show in 2002 and there was always a crowd around it. We used commercial art (calendar, postcards, magazine art etc) and then translated it into a small art quilt with a twist. At several points in the workshop I had them pass their work and the picture they were working from on to another person. Sort of a round robin. This kept the piece from being too precious and also the next person had to work with the fabric she had brought for HER piece. So they had a different picture and the wrong fabric. After two or three changes the piece was returned to the owner. And then I discussed finishing techniques with them and had several colors of tulle available for them to audition over their piece. We used glue stick to hold the bits of fabric to a background layered with cotton batting. They could stitch the raw edges of the pieces and/or cover with tulle and randomly top stitch by hand or machine. The owners were also "allowed" to remove or change anything that had been added to their piece. It was after all, theirs.

The wonderful thing that often happened was that what one of the others had done to the piece--sparked a new concept or idea for the piece and for some--a new direction. So they removed what THEY had put down and kept what they HAD NOT added. And best of all for the teacher (me!) they absolutely loved what they had made and were so very proud of the work!

Perhaps tomorrow I can work on a tutorial for this process and photograph the steps. Would you like that?

Gema my email address is jsuley@suscom-maine.net. Use it if you want.

What's Good Today: Warmer weather and sunshine. A nice new Goodwill (thrift) outfit of brown corduroy pants (12) and a brown tee for a total of $7.00. A new hole punched into my brown belt. Multi grain bread toasted with crunchy peanut butter for breakfast. Little valentine cards made last night and to be photographed later today and a link to the original creator. A loving puppy with his head on my hand while I type.

What's Not: That more and more of the nice people in my small town are shopping for clothes at Goodwill. I think this says more about the condition of the American economy than any stock report. Walmart reported that Christmas gift cards were being used for diapers and food not iPods or other gadgets. People are losing jobs, not being able to pay for heating oil, and having trouble putting food on the table. America. Nothing to be proud of.

And Then It Snowed Some More

Riley and I took our walk in the falling snow on unplowed roads. Which is a good thing as the plowing uncovers the icy road surface. We met a nice black lab named Sunny. Her owner "walks" her by tossing a fetch toy and she runs and gets it and brings it back to him. Sunny was put through all her "paces" and Riley and I got to watch her "heel" "sit" "wait" and "fetch". Riley was more interested in "smelling" Sunny's nether regions. At the end of our walk, Riley was approached by a white shepherd dog running loose. Riley thought they could play but the shepherd attacked. I was going to try and grab him and call animal control but decided that was too dangerous. A white dog running across a busy road on a snowy day doesn't stand a good chance of making it back home. But I didn't want my dog hurt.

Guess what I found during the cleaning up process? More crazy dotted fabric. A tiny piece of green and lots of blue. No orange.

I already have plans for the blue dots. I think I have some tiny spotted batik in one of the storage containers. Probably the one on the bottom of the pile. Lifting is good exercise, right?

K called and we chatted and watched Survivor together. Jonny Fairplay pulled a fast one on the Survivor producers. He asked to be eliminated. I wonder if they paid him to appear hoping for huge ratings--he really is the biggest liar they ever had on the show -- if they did pay him to appear (and I think he would have required $$$$) then he played them but good. Jeff, the host, seemed very unhappy by this outcome. I was also. Jonny Fairplay is fun to watch. But we do have a "sleep around" slut to watch. Parvati did James this week and will be doing Ozzy next week. And she's wearing a skimpy polka dot bikini. Got to love reality television.

Big Brother is coming on again. I hope the writer's strike is over soon.

G and I had lunch at Ruby Tuesday yesterday. I had the salad bar, one mini hamburger and two fries. I was saving calories for raspberry cobbler later. Well worth saving for as it was delicious.

What's Good Today: G home from work early to do snowblowing. Riley napping. Soup for lunch. Nice shower after walking the dog and my hair looks good. Laundry: washing, drying and folding.

OH! On a TiVo show I watched yesterday these two women were showing off their "downsized" condo and in the bath they had these really high counters for the sink. The host said "I'm tall, but those counters are high even for me" and one of the women said "well, it's because we needed someplace for the washer and dryer!!!!". A perfect solution to my bathroom problem. I will have to rethink the sink area--as they had sliding doors to cover the appliances when not in use.

Still Snowing

Riley and I had our little walk. Riley carried a large green metal plant stake home from the walk. He was very proud of his find. He usually carries a piece of ice or asphalt. Likes to have a "job". The snow is covering a nice slippery surface of ice from yesterday. Everything was wet and sloppy when the sun set and froze overnight. I cleared as much of the muck as I could from our driveway in the late afternoon. G cleared off the six inches of new snow this morning with the snow blower. I just love it when it snows on G's day off.

A piece of the bleach discharged fabric. I'm working on drawing a bit on the surface with colored pencils. I have oil sticks and oil pastels also. I drew the self portrait of my eye. See I did learn something in college. LOL.

Whilst (I do love the British English) cleaning in my workroom I have been uncovering work I did in years past and left unfinished. Some of it is quite good. I'm wondering what I found to do that was better than finishing this work? Some of it is Riley. Puppy duty is 24/7. And the healthy eating plan. And all the walking.

I think I need to stop calling my "workroom" my "workroom". Sounds too much like the Dickens WORKHOUSE and not enough like enjoyment. Studio? It doesn't roll out of my mouth too easily.

What's Good Today: G's Day Off. I like it when he's home. Lunch somewhere good. Coffee beans from Wicked Joe's. Managing my calories for the day so I can have Fruit Cobbler for dessert. Raspberries from my own bushes!!! Survivor and an hour on the phone with K. Big white fluffy snowflakes falling on a very black dog.

What's Not: Phone calls all day and evening --recorded-- from candidates.

Gema consider writing to me using my email address (in profile). We have a great deal in common to discuss! Are you a Virgo by any chance????? LOL.

The Politics of Hate

Today's commentary in the New York Times has a piece by a Mr. Fish. The Politics of Hating Hillary. The comments board had lots to say about why people hate Hillary so very much.

My husband and I have a large proportion of these Bill & Hillary Haters in our circle of friends and relatives. When they "go off" on their ugly hate filled rants I just sit and listen and then politely say "I just wish I could vote for Bill for President one more time. I keep a phone handy to call 911 in case they actually have a major stroke or heart attack.

I don't care, yes, I said I don't care, what Bill did or did not do in his personal life. He was a great President. He didn't start any wars just to make his buddies a lot of cash and run up the deficits, he didn't "graduate" from college with C minus (which I think is a D average), he could speak in public and not embarrass everyone who has to listen. And if you think George doesn't lie.......

Hillary. What I really don't understand is WOMEN calling her a bitch or worse. This is the first woman in US history with even a chance of becoming President and women can't support her efforts? Because she's "uppity". Too "smart". Not "nice". Or do you all really believe she is Satan's Handmaiden?

Wait till Obama becomes the candidate. The right will set the dogs on him until someone sets the sight on their rifle on him. All the hype out of Hollywood is setting Obama up as the next great martyr. ( What a story! What a movie!) As much as I truly want CHANGE, I do not see it happening without blood being shed. Not much has changed in the world of hate in the past 40 years.

Please. I am NOT advocating violence. I am just expressing my heartfelt opinion. Before we can CHANGE, we have to stop HATING!

Wishing It Was Spring

Today began with a wet snowfall on top of the ice still on the street. But some snow is good for traction when on foot (not by car as I found out) and the puppy and I got in our usual morning walk (a bit late). I made an emergency visit to the dentist. My teeth are very sensitive and now whenever I put food, water, toothpaste etc in my mouth and it's not the "exact"same temperature as my teeth--I get a shock of sensation which is unpleasant. It goes away after a while but I was starting to worry. I have to switch toothpaste for a bit and swab my gum line with floride and hope that this works.

I did some fabric sorting yesterday and played with a piece of fabric I had discharged with a straight pour of bleach onto the damp fabric. I began a drawing on a segment of the fabric with a silver Prismacolor pencil. I think I will continue to draw on the fabric and then layer it with batting and do some stitching into the areas that need texture and shading. I quite enjoyed doing that "pick stitch" on my chocolate piece. I will be more mindful of where I place my needle and thread this time!

I have a new book to read-- well, it's my second go round with this particular book. I just wasn't ready to read it last time. Quiet Girl by Peter Hoeg. A review mentioned that it was as interesting a read as Smilla's Sense of Snow which I loved. So now I am "prepped" to begin reading. A few pages every once in awhile when the puppy can see me sitting quietly and he can relax his vigil and nap. I have already "trained" him to doze off whenever I am seated here with my blog business. I start typing and he sighs audibly and settles down (with one eye open --in case -- but soon he is asleep).

He is standing here with his sweet head on my left hand gazing into my eyes. Tail swinging. I think he has other plans for the afternoon. LOL.

What's Good Today: Snow is melting. Temperatures are mild. Bean Soup in the fridge for my supper. My ancientNine West boots are indeed waterproofed (my husband coated them three times at the start of winter) and today I wore them and slopped around in water and slush going to the dentist, library and walking the dog. My socks are still dry.

What's Not: Dentist says I am NOT doing a good job of brushing my teeth. I told him I think of him as a "necessary evil". Yes, I did!

A Friend of "Twelve by Twelve"

Twelve by Twelve is a group of twelve art quilters making a 12 by 12 block on the same subject. This was the "chocolate" themed work and today is the debut of all the work. I do not have a link because I didn't plan ahead.

I'm not a member of the group but I started making things when they did. So this is my humble chocolate piece. It was difficult to photograph due to the shine of the fabric used. I wanted to create in fabric the "mouth feel" of chocolate. Soft, creamy, heavy, thick and with a bit of upholstery sample-- a crispy nougat. Everything is sewn down by hand with perle cottons as I wanted it all rumpled, like poured, melted chocolate.

I added a ribbon of silk couched down to look like liquid chocolate. I'm not sure my work qualifies to be in the company of the Twelve. I will be going to their site often this weekend to look and look again at what they have created. Wow!

My Dandelion for the first of the Twelve challenges. I made this awhile ago when I was working in a series and kept making flowers using this strange polka dot background which I had purchased in three color ways. All were sold almost as soon as they came out from under the presser foot. So much for having a "body of work".

It really was "good stuff". And I stopped making them because I had used up all that strange fabric and couldn't find anymore of it. I lost my "muse". I did try to use other fabrics with dots, but it just didn't have the energy of these crazy dots. In blue, green and orange (I'm sure it came in other colors as well, I just didn't know about it). I tried painting my own fabric to look like this and that led to "other" things and I never went back to this series. I always wondered where this path would have taken me if I had had more of the strange dots. I was certainly on my way to developing a style that was instantly recognizable and readily purchased.

Feel Joy

Pictures tomorrow--I've misplaced my camera!

Today was a splendid surprise! I was all prepared for just a regular day with G (his day off) but it turned out so much better. My son in California sent an email with a link to a flicker slideshow from the Tokyo Quilt Show to start my day off. What a treat.

G and I went out to lunch. Yes, I wrote about not going out so much but my husband loves to eat out and I try to acomodate this love on his day off. We went to the local favorite 111 Maine Street. Delicious. And G had Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake for dessert with Wicked Joe's Big House French Press Coffee. We sat in the front window and the sun warmed my face as we watched the traffic on foot and wheels go past. Small Town Life.

I had dropped off three more large bags of clothing from my closet (how is it possible that there is still that much in there???) for Goodwill and after lunch dropped off the "good stuff" to the local consignment shop. Olive and Laura were so sweet. They said I looked "tiny". I have been dropping off clothes (and weight) during the past year so they have seen me at all my "sizes". We had such a fun conversation.

I was even more surprised and happy later in the day to see I had been made a "Friend of 12 by 12" on their blog site. What a thrill. Now I have to get my chocolate piece finished!!!! I went up into the cold storage area and found my Dandelion quilt and will photograph it and the finished Chocolate tomorrow. I hadn't seen the Dandelion in so long--forgot how nice it is. I USED to do really nice work! LOL

You'll see---tomorrow!

Think Of Work As Exercise

I have been trying to make little five inch squares using materials that may or may not be in the recycling bin/wastebasket. Nothing new purchased. I like this little one. Some of my painted fabric, a scrap of green, some deli paper, some batik trimmings. I wrote about this in my pen/paper journal. One a week? I may have the time (since I do nothing around here, lately) to make one a day. That would certainly get me down into the workroom.

Riley's new bone. I have heard from the "raw" v ""boiled" pet owners. Yes, there are bone fragments coming off this par-boiled bone. But Riley has had most of his bones for the 5 months he's lived here with us and they are in the same stage of chip as this new bone. He can get just so far and no further. This is the side he loves the best as it is generally filled with a dry sponge of bone tissue which he crunches and licks off the carpet until it's open like this. I dig all the marrow OUT!

I had observed the steak and pork rib bones my father gave to his small dogs and even I could see they were ready to splinter with the first crunch of strong dog jaws. I think bones that have been butchered into people portions are NOT good choices. Now that the crumbly bits have been chewed off this bone--Riley will work on the edges for some weeks and months. Thoroughly entertained.

Another example of a "green" 5 by 5. This time deli paper, fabric scraps and the mesh from an Ohio potato bag. I have enough of all these materials to try and make this several more times and see if I can make it work more effectively. Showcase the materials. So for the week I will set that as my goal. To make and remake this particular combo until I am satisfied I can't make it work any better.

I washed and dried a brown grocery bag and some tan wrapping paper and let it hang to dry. I want to cut it into signatures and make a small book. Rustic. I think I may iron the papers flat and then cut it into rectangles and then fold into signatures.

What's Good Today: I spent Friday to Tuesday eating all kinds of things I would have eaten BEFORE the healthy eating plan. Chicken Gyro with Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Chili Cheese Fries with Sour Cream piled on top, Nachos Grande with cheese, sour cream and guacomole. Yesterday I added up the calories, generously, and found that by not having breakfast some times and skipping dinner (I was really full), my calories were well within the limits. I have strayed but not gone off the edge. Even the Eggplant Parm and Pasta was okay as was yesterday's leftover Pizza. But now I'm done with that. Also walked 4 miles with the pup yesterday. He was happy to have me back out on the streets with him. This week long diet and exercise vacation was good for me. I've faced the devil and it was okay.

What's Not: The weather. Rain which translates into ice. The streets were so dry and safe yesterday I was positively giddy with delight and now it's all gone so wrong. So dangerous for walking. Slipping. Falling. Send whatever cold, windy temps you want but please no more ice.

I'm heading to the attic today. To fill two cartons with stuff for Goodwill. My Wednesday "thing to do" each week this month and then tomorrow G and I will drop it all off. I will be wearing my winter coat and gloves as most of the attic has NO insulation. I think that is the next DYI project for this household. Perhaps we will schedule it for August?

Doggie Day Care

Short post before getting to work. Dog has gone to daycare. G has gone to work. I am up and doing things.

My breakfast was disgusting. Oatmeal which I love plain with sugar and a splash of milk made disgusting with chopped apricots and walnuts which I love but not mixed with oatmeal. My tummy feels all "sicky". I always want to eat my oatmeal with "stuff" when I see it pictured on blogs. Oh, ick.

Of course, it COULD be the dog marrow bone that I am boiling. It got a little "winky" (rhymes with stinky) in the fridge and smelled bad but since I'm boiling it down to just bone--I think it'll be okay. So far I've changed the water three times. I know you are supposed to give it to the dog raw and of course "fresh" not "winky" but I don't. I just give him a plain clean boiled bone. Dry. And he loves them. Chews on them for hours. And has had some of them for months. I interrogated a dog bone buyer in the supermarket and she said Henry and Jake loved the bones straight from the butcher's case. They got to chew them "outdoors" and after 7 to 10 days lost interest in them and then she bought new ones. She cautioned that there could be "tummy" issues. Nope. Not going there.

Reading "without a map" a memoir by Meredith Hall. And, for some reason, I'm reading it from the back forward. This happens to me at times. Reading in reverse.

Mansfield Park was terrible. Fanny was too "now" and not very 1860's even though everyone else was. I may try reading the book just to see if the PBS rendition was awful on it's own. I think they are being shown in order but why then was Persuasion shown first? A & E should be scoring viewers for their station with their versions of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice which were Very Nicely done.

I made a paper quilt for the Quilting Arts or CPS challenge. I like it but don't LOVE it. I'm going to read the rules again and see what is allowed. So far I've just used paper. No paint. No pencils. No markers. And I may just try all over again.

I also tried making a recycled 5 by 5 for Quilting Arts. I have to re read the rules for that as I used some fabric and perhaps everything must be recycled "trash". Mine has fabric, deli wrap and a potato mesh bag I brought back from Ohio. Ohio has the best mesh potato bags. And batting. I'm going to look for some brown paper bags. I also have some mesh leaves I found in the snow behind Michael's while walking the pup. He found popcorn, spilled coffee and gum.

The thing to remember when using "garbage" is to shop for it the same way you shop for cute fabric. Don't just pull dryer lint, thread and mesh bags out of the trash and expect beauty to emerge. Dryer lint can be "created" by washing and drying big fluffy colored items. And you get to choose the colors. New towels and sweatshirts are most excellent lint providers. When you see dryer lint in art quilts--it was "made", not found, and then carefully saved for future work.

Well, this entire post has been about garbage. Geez.

Junk In The Trunk

No Pictures. Please!

Went shopping with the daughter yesterday and we tried on jeans at the local Gap Outlet. Not much in the way of choices so we moved to the men's jeans. I tried on (squeezed into) a pair of 32 by 32 distressed jeans. I have never been that comfortable with the "wedgie" look in jeans but my daughter says we must "wedgie" to get "lift".

Well, I had "lift". My daughter and the cute teenager in charge of the dressing rooms suggested I try and sit down. I did. They then said I should cross my legs. I did. And the two of them agreed the jeans were "tight enough, but not too tight". In other words, just right.

Whoa, Nelly. "Tight enough"? Yes, that is the way they buy them. Because....... after wearing them for an hour or four, the jeans will loosen up. And I guess fit.

If you buy them already "loosened up", in a few hours they will be baggy. Which is what I have been doing. They fit in the dressing room and after a few hours of wear they bag in the back. I had been thinking they would shrink in the washer and dryer. All my "fat lady" jeans did. But now I'm thinking maybe they didn't. Maybe I just kept getting bigger.

The dressing room teenager reported that the jeans will not shrink. They just return to whatever fit they had when we buy them (pre wear). Again, this is what I have noticed in the new smaller jeans. Each time they come out of the dryer--I'm happy with them -- until I sit down and stretch out the seat.

I did NOT buy the GYN-o jeans. I could feel a yeast infection developing while trying them on.

I was happy to hear how I could achieve "lift' and a nice round bit of "junk in the trunk" without plastic surgery. But, (!) to be honest, what would I be doing, and where would I be doing it, and with whom, that needs "junk in the trunk"? And why at age 61.

What's Good Today: Nachos Grande with guacomole for lunch. It was SO nice to be eating something SO BAD after SO LONG. I kinda wish I'd had a big Margarita with them. Now I have to "degrease" before my blood test for cholesterol. I hope 30 days is enough. Size 10 jeans that fit (before the nachos). The newest Quilting Arts magazine to read. G walking the dog all weekend. Jane Austen's Mansfield Park on PBS tonight.

What's Not: G walking the dog all weekend means I'm not walking at all. Returning "T" is for Trespass without reading the last 20%. I think that means the book wasn't too good. Maybe because Kinsey didn't eat any QP's with Cheese. Is everyone on a diet?

Seven Degrees

But the sun is shining. Riley is ringing the bell on the door--wanting to go for a walk. I am contemplating the level of layers needed to make this walk. Now why didn't we schedule day care for today?

Yesterday G and I took a few bags of things to Goodwill and did NOT go out to lunch. We need to stop eating out as that is the only part of our monthly budget we have any control over. So we returned home and I made homemade pizzas. They were outrageously delicious. In answer to G's question "what did you do different?" Nothing. Who knows what changes from time to time? I don't. Perhaps we were just "ready" to love the pizza.

Today I am trying eggplant again. Hoping to recreate the wonder of the eggplant we had a few months ago. Last week I burnt the slices to a crisp in the oven. Charcoal chips.

I had only a quarter of my whole wheat, onion and Kalamata olive pizza and had a salad of baby spring greens with olive oil and a clementine squeezed over. Fantastic. There may be other stuff in the original recipe but this is enough goodness for me. Toss the leaves in really good olive oil and then squeeze the clementine over. Some salt and pepper. You can also peel and toss the segments of another clementine in with the lettuce. Bitter balanced against sweet.

My daughter wants to drive to Whole Foods tomorrow to get containers of fried/dried green bean and carrot snack chips. I will probably go with her and get some pancetta. G says he saw it in the deli case. It freezes well.

Layering Up!

Start With the Bathrooms

My horoscope for today said "make something beautiful--start with the bathrooms". This is my bathroom sink area. I have hated it for the entire 17 years I have lived here. Hate the tile counter top, the "shell" sink, the cheap faucets, the "brown" vanity. And I neglect it. So today, I didn't make it beautiful but it's clean. And that bar of white soap is moving to the kitchen sink because I'm going to wash my face with that golden bar of orange goodness over to the far left.


Opposite the sink is the tub. No shower. So I keep my orchids in the tub area. This is the yellow orchid and that is the largest of two flower spikes. I am very proud of the flowering of this orchid which came to me last spring with two full type written pages of care and feeding instructions. I sort of felt like it was a Master Gardener Graduate School Exam. Now if I could get the Clivia to flower. And the mystery plant. Sigh!

If I win the lottery, this whole bathroom will be in the dumpster the minute I cash the check. I want a huge tiled walk in shower. In my bathroom. Not down the hall. And I want two white bowls instead of sinks. And Waterworks faucets coming out of the wall above the bowls. And a heated stone floor. There would still be room for the yellow orchid near the window.

I'm ready to swing the sledgehammer.

Only one bitty problem. In the space where the shower should be--is the washer and dryer. And I can't think of anywhere else to put them. I thought about building out a closet in the smallest bedroom and putting them in there but my husband doesn't think future buyers would be happy with that while I don't think most would be wildly happy about a washer and dryer in the master bath. Even if they are stacked.

So where could I put the washer and dryer? Anyone out there have a unique location for the laundry pair?

What Goes Around, Doesn't Stay There

I rotated this photo but when I downloaded it--it decided to have a lay down. This big gallon size jar is filled with pretzel sticks dipped in melted white chocolate and then rolled in "jimmies". The more jimmies the better. We have all the food textures here: crunchy, crisp, salty, creamy, sweet. I usually make them for my husband at Christmas but this year I didn't and we were happily surprised to see that our daughter had made alot of them for her dad. He's been working his way through them as lunchtime dessert.

Riley went to "Doggie Day Care" yesterday and I had a wonderful day without him. Laundry, grocery shopping, returning KONGs to Petco, Target looking, Goodwill shopping. All without looking at the clock wondering if I needed to let the dog out, walk the dog, feed the dog. Riley was so happy to see me in the evening and I was so happy to see him.

I was the kind of "good mother" who did a great job with my kids (I'm sure one of them will have something to say about this statement in the comments) but I was counting the days till they turned 5 and could go to school. I lucked out. Both went to school at FOUR! Sort of Pre-kindergarten. When the second child left home for school, I was delirious with my freedom from childcare 24/7. My husband was already traveling for his job and gone alot so it was all ME. And no family nearby to help out. I would NEVER have considered home schooling. There were even years when I thought boarding school sounded like a great idea.

So we are now firmly believing in doggie day care. Tomorrow.

What's Good Today: Sunshine and good walking conditions but very cold. Two friends from the library are going out for Indian food with me tonight. Cheeseburger Tuesday. G vacuumed the entire house. Sigh!

What's Not: Going to snow this evening. Snow covered ice is NOT good for walking. Bill paying. Checkbook mathematics.

Sunday- Misfortune

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday in the forties and today--well, it was very cold and windy out there. Yesterday I also tripped on my YakTrax and fell-- hitting my knees and my eyebrow on the asphalt. I was dusted with road sand and grit. I am SO over this falling down stuff. And on DRY pavement which is insult to injury!!!! I took a pain pill as soon as I got home so no sore muscles after an hour or two. And no trouble sleeping.

I found a street without ice so we are walking there until things melt on our regular walk.

And today when I went to thread my embroidery needle I found it missing. I looked all over, vacuumed and checked the floor as best I could with not being able to kneel on the floor. No needle. So it is safe to assume it fell off the table and the dog swallowed it. He is having no problems eating or swallowing so I will wait 48 hours to see if anything works it's way "out". The website said that the throat was the most serious site of injury. Of course, if he acts like something hurts we'll get him X-rayed. He eats so many sharp objects. Wood shards.

What's Good Today: Chinese Lunch was great today. Very good rice and excellent consistency to the sweet and sour sauce. We brought take out back for G and he is eating his General Tso while watching the Patriots (who may win?). Did WIN!!!!

What's Not: The missing sewing needle. Riley eating frozen dog poop on our walk today (a first). Ick. Why do they do this?????? In fact, he was bouncing around like a rubber ball and eating everything he could find: leaves, sticks, poop, coffee cups, pinecones, mail stuck to the ice, paper bags and chunks of street ice. A chewing machine. And then still had room for lunch and dinner. And he tried to hump the neighbor's dog. Another first. Riley must have entered his teens overnight? Sounds more like a midlife crisis.

Rain- 41 Degrees

Global Warming? Strangest Winter So Far? Today the weather men all mentioned rain/sleet/storm and I believed them and canceled a dinner date. It rained for a bit this morning but by 11 am the sun was shining and the temperature was heating up. Good day for the plows to clean the ice off the secondary streets. Did they? No. So tonight when the temperatures drop all this melted slush will freeze into ruts and dangerous slick spots. Should we believe the reports of the Polar Express coming to freeze us solid in the next day or two?

The above picture is my 8 by 11 fun foam "stamp". I haven't had the free time to print it yet. Yesterday we went "someplace". Just got in the car and drove south to Portland. Whole Foods. Planet Dog. Artist Supply. Macaroni Grill. TJ Maxx. I always like to go "look" at the stuff in the Portland Maxx. Yesterday I found a huge Le Creuset for $138. So I bought it.
And a cashmere sweater on the clearance racks. $30. Wearing it right now. My new favorite sweater. Moss green/wrap/v-neck. I thought it would be too small, but it fits like a glove and looks terrific. Always try things on!

I could write pages on my impressions of Whole Foods. Of course I have to get over the fact that they built their new building about 500 feet from Wild Oats, a perfect WF clone, newly built and very popular. Then they bought the Wild Oats and closed it. WO sits vacant as an example of what's wrong with American business.

I was ready to not like WF but it was so squeaky clean, and had ALL the fruits and vegetables my Hannaford does SO NOT stock. Fresh slices of mango and little tubs of pomegranite seeds for those among us who can't prepare fruit themselves. And "free fruit" to nibble while looking at fruit. I am a people observer and watched a guy have 4-6 tastes of everything that could be "sampled". He also tasted the gelato. The gelato person slowly collected a tiny spoon of each flavor for him to taste. Then the guy moved to the cheeses. Then the deli. When we were leaving he was still trolling-- no shopping cart. I purchased Indian ingredients, spices and organic dry beans and two fantastic cheeses which were fantastically expensive and three Kalamata Olive rolls. Not on the healthy eating plan but I adore good bread. And these are so much better than GOOD.

My favorite WF thing? Why it would be the huge prepared food area. Acres (it seems) of food ready to eat. And trays and bowls. So you (or I) could scoop things into our lunch bowls in what is probably the biggest "potluck" I've ever seen. Of course, you pay at some point. And the eating area could use some "fixing" up decor wise. Pretty lame. But I loved the bowls and would love to own one. Would have loved to fill one.

My 12 by 12 for the chocolate challenge. I'm not a member of 12 by 12. I just like to read their blog and make a square with them. All the colors and textures of chocolate though the bottom looks purple and isn't. I decided to dwell on the tactile, textural qualities of chocolate. This was a difficult subject. I will be very interested in seeing what the 12 members have come up with. I wonder how many other "outsiders" are making blocks along with the 12 regulars?

I've eaten my way through the day and have very little in the way of calories left for dinner. Bread will do that to you. I had planned to have baked eggplant, but left in the oven till it was crispy and black. Carry over heat. I thought turning the oven off would be enough. Nope. So I guess it's salad without dressing for dinner. Well, perhaps a bit of dressing.

Gonna walk the dog!

Living In A Snow Globe

Yesterday it was like a huge snow globe outside--being shaken vigorously so the snow never stopped coming down. Light, fluffy champagne powder. And under all that white fluff an icy slippery surface.

Today the sun is out and shining brightly on all the new fallen snow. The weather reporter says the coldest weather of the season is now beginning. I've done what I can to warm up the interior of my home by hanging insulated drapery over all the doorways which don't have doors. One of the architectural features of my home is a foyer with entrances to the great room and living room which are 4 feet deep by 6 feet wide and have a curved ceiling. Very pretty but the only way to close them off is with very expensive curved top custom French doors. (not happening) In every season BUT winter this situation is lovely. In winter, it's freezing cold.

I had only one drapery on the entrance to the great room/kitchen with a second door which closed off the living room/dining room. That kept the room we use the most, warmest. Of course, we have Tivo in the cold room. So now we have a second drapery over the foyer entrance to the Tivo room. We have to watch our Tivo.

The foyer is COLD and dark now. Drapery over the outside door. Drapery over the great room doorway. Drapery over the living room doorway. French door to the bedroom wing closed. The drapery allows the dog to wander about between the rooms. I don't know if that's actually a good thing since I am forever fussing around closing the drapery back up.

I have been making fun foam sheets into "stamps" and will be slapping paint on them today and printing to see what I can make of it. I'm doing leaves. Lifesize. And these leaves are off one of my houseplants and the leaves are larger than 8 by 11. In the making of the stamps, I managed to stab myself in the hand. So far, I have kept the injury a secret from my husband. It's not much but doesn't stop bleeding so is more of a irritant than anything.

A gardening friend gave me an orchid last spring with two full sheets of instructions for it's care. Not a delicate orchid. Likes 50 degrees. Likes being outdoors all summer. I have been taking care of it in a hit or miss fashion but never neglecting it's care, fully. We noticed it has two flowering branches in bud. Wow. I must have done better than I thought! I sent a letter off to the gardening friend so she will know I managed to do the job.

What's Good Today: Black Bean Soup in the fridge (like money in the bank diet wise). Sunshine. Book to pick up at the library. Try to find some kale at the grocery. Stamps to make, paint, print. A shower.

What's Not: Slippery street on the dog's walk. Dog chewing the legs off his stuffed chicken.

Seven. Piece. Thigh. Bucket.

KFC. Billboard. $7.99.

What's next? The six piece butt bucket?

And I'm sure it includes mashed potatoes, gravy, cole slaw and biscuits. And perhaps the chocolate chip butt (oops-bundt) cake.

It's snowing, the roads are icy and slick under the snow and the dog wants to go play, and I'm afraid of slipping and falling and since the dog and I are the only living things outside--who would find me? These are my thoughts for the day.

Discharging

Yesterday a thoughtful friend gave me a ride to our monthly quilt chapter meeting. We have a new meeting place and the road leading to it is dark (no street lights) and my night vision is poor on my best days. The meeting was everything a good chapter meeting should be. Nice to see old friends. Nice to meet new ones. Opportunity for laughter. Beautiful quilts at show and tell.

We always have a table of "castoffs" to rummage through for treasure. I selected three very small pieces of solid colored fabric. Two black and one dark green. This morning I soaked them thoroughly with water (even though they tried to stay dry) and layered everything in the sink and poured bleach over in a random way. I have never discharged anything before and probably this isn't "the proper method" but it's what I did. When they looked weird enough, I poured vinegar over and then rinsed them in soapy water, rinsed again and hung them to dry while Riley and I walked (in the rain and sleet).

One black discharged to a creamy yellow and the other black discharged to red (it looks pink in the photo). The green to a violet and and a lighter green. Very strange and wonderful at the same time. I can see why seasoned "black/bleach/dischargers" buy a quarter yard and run out to the car and drip bleach on the fabric to see what color it turns before making a larger purchase.

Next time I want to use a squirt bottle and make a pattern of bleach dots and circles on the fabric and not just free pour. And I should probably look for the Anti-Clor powder I bought and use that to stop the discharge instead of my "Show Me the Bunny" vinegar (Easter).

Riley in the snow from Tuesday's walk. His head is really that big. No, it isn't. He looks very well behaved doesn't he? Actually, he thinks I have a treat in my hand.

What you see when you look at what the dog is looking at. I would have missed this on my own since I spend all my time looking at the ground in front of me. Ice patrol. I really am tired of falling down. Nice big crow way up there--looking around.

What's Good Today: Pumpkin Cheesecake in the oven. Finally made our Christmas Dinner dessert. Counting calories it's 3470 for the whole thing and 434 for an 8th. My serving will probably be around 217 (16th) and I'll be a happy woman. Kale in the fridge for lunch. A new veg for me and I LOVE it.

What's Not: The stock market seems to be tanking today. My investments are getting hit pretty hard. The weather outside is "cold/rain/sleet". One of our neighbors on the street died yesterday. Never recovered from elective surgery.

Spring Momentarily

Tuesday the weather was positively Spring-like. I walked around town in just a short sleeved tee and pullover sweater. One of my favorite Christmas gifts. A gray cashmere I found at a resale shop. So light, warm and cozy. Yummy. I was tempted to put the convertible top down. But decided to back into another car instead. Yep! No harm done. But for a few moments there I was near tears.

Since it was warm--I turned the furnace OFF at home and opened all the windows to air out the house. Return oxygen to the air and freshen all the surfaces (I also sprayed everything with Febreze) and then Riley and I went out for a walk. I snapped digital pictures of snow boot impressions to use to cut stamps.

Riley has made shredded fabric out of all his toys this month (his Christmas present is a sorry pile of thread). His jaws are getting VERY strong and he has chewed and picked apart fabric with his teeth until he has very little left in the way of toys. Even the Kong toys are giving up. He tried to carry a curbside Christmas tree home. And today he carried a big chunk of asphalt around for most of our morning walk. I have no idea how we will provide him with toys now. He still has the real bone I got from the butcher and chews on it vigorously. I gave him a Ziggy today which promised "hours of chewing and clean teeth" when inserted in a Kong. One minute. Gone. Any advice?

My doctor's visit went very well. All I need to do is knock off another 2 pounds and I will have reached 80 pounds lost . Staple my feet to the floor and call me happy!

One Year

This image from a magazine ad says it all for me. The black pants. The catalyst for one year of change/diet/re-invention. Now, after it's gone by--it seems the work of moments.

I vaguely remember some of the early days. I remember that after I had lost 25 pounds I expected people to be amazed. And then I realized I still weighed over 200 pounds and there was not much for the general public to be amazed about. I realized that this would have to be all about ME and not about THEM. And I had to decide to continue. And I must admit it seemed like so much effort for so little reward at that point--5 months in (May).

But I decided to keep going. July was a plateau month and nothing happened after a loss of 50 pounds. I ate fruit, walked more and struggled. And August was better. October to December has been difficult. I am at a weight and clothes size that seems like a miracle to me and so became complacent. Felt I deserved a slice of bread. A cookie. Some buttercream frosting.

Tomorrow, my annual doctor's visit. Weigh in. I will know what I weigh. Yes, that's right I have no idea what I weigh. I know that my clothes fit. I know that I feel well. I am coming to grips with the sagging skin on my arms, legs and stomach. Better to be wrinkled and sagging or filled with fat? I am hoping time and exercise will improve some of the bagging skin but I am 61. And so is my skin. I have decided not to investigate tummy tucks etc. I don't have the pain tolerance or ego to support it.

One year. Three hundred and sixty five days of effort. Gone by. I will spend the next few moments, weeks, months adjusting to this new reality that is me. Now.

And I won't be blogging about diet or weight any more. I will move on to new topics of conversation and interests.

I have noticed a coincidence on the blogs this month. Simplify. I had written about reducing the amount of "things" I owned and now see on other blogs this theme being considered. I think this is one of those ideas out in the ether and people are open to the "simplify" concept. Of cutting back. Reducing possessions. Using what is already owned. I will follow the progress of this "theme" in 2008 to see what happens.

I have started to weed out the fabrics in my closet, on the floor, in containers. I have decided to eliminate half of the garden pots on my shelf in the garage. Most have been there for years. Recycle. Magazines are going into the car trunk to be "exchanged" at the library. My next area of interest is the attic. So much clutter up there. Goodwill. And the baskets. Going.

But right now, it's warmish outside and the dog and I are off to walk for an hour or two. And I am taking my camera. I saw some very nice boot bottom impressions in the snow yesterday afternoon which would make lovely stamps to press into paint and fabric.

Reducing My Possessions

Just yesterday I stated I would like to reduce my possessions by 50%. So, of course, I went shopping at Target for the 75% reduced Christmas things.

I returned home with two Smith & Hawken urns for summer topiary ($7 each) , two 4.5 foot lighted evergreens in urns for the front porch next Christmas ($18), and eight dozen cheap and cheerful colored ornaments. I want to make one of those shiny ornament wreaths. And at 49 cents a dozen. Well, it was a good price. Now to find styro circles for the base of the wreath. I also purchased two 9 foot lighted garlands for the fireplace @ $2.49 each. I can have fake greens now--no kitty. I had purchased dangly light strands for the kitchen (think Nigella's kitchen) but never got out the ladder and nails for installation. Is it too late?

As to the 50% reduction of belongings. With the weight loss these past 12 months (almost) I have had to go through the closet and remove clothes that were too large and couldn't be tucked or seamed or washed and shrunk. My underwear drawer is but a ghost of it's former self. My shelves of white tees, while still full, are not as full as usual. And if truth be told, I need to buy new shirts that actually fit.

The trimming down of my wardrobe has been painful at times (old favorites) and liberating. Each morning when I open the undies drawer I am so pleased by it's pleasant little folded piles. So neat. And everything is white. I enjoy the top shelf in my closet because the piles are orderly and small. I have few choices. And end up wearing only half of the things stored there. Isn't that the way we are? We wear what we love and leave the rest to pile up.

I think we do this with everything we own. I use the newest, best iron I have purchased and the others sit gathering dust. Nothing wrong with them, they just aren't the best anymore. I have my favorite sewing machine and the others are "in case" something happens to Numero Uno. I have my favorite scissors which are not the newest pair.

Last night, before I fell asleep I realized I could pack everything I now wear, in ONE suitcase or duffle. Everything. That thought made me SO happy. If we have an emergency, I can gather everything up and save all my clothes.

I have strong insecurity issues.

When I helped close up my friend's home after her death, and we sorted through drawers, boxes and shelves; chosing what was to be saved and tossing what was not usuable (so easy for a stranger to toss things), I realized we should all do this every 7 years. Why save what you cannot or have not used? When I saw the 20 or more cartons of just sweaters in the bedroom I was speechless. Who among us, doesn't have the same situation? And why?

And it is all useful. My friend's sweaters went to resale shops. Her fabric and thread (so expensive to purchase) to the local middle school home ec dept for sewing projects. Her art supplies to the art cooperative for handicapped adults. All the storage containers and shelving to the social service agency helping mainstream handicapped adults. Furniture went to the homeless shelter to replace worn items. We were thoughtful in our thinking of where things should go and why. And that was just one room in the house. The quilt room.

So if all of us could select one room or area of our lives and sort and give away (or sell) the things not needed in 2008 we will be doing something good. For ourselves and others. I know the women who are wearing my donated clothing are happy to have nice "new" clothes they couldn't afford to buy.

End Of The Year

My Christmas Day Super Scrabble Game tiles. This was NOT a once in a game occurance but a trend in my game. At one time, after this photo, I had all the vowels. No wonder I came in third. More family holiday photos on Slambo's blog. Click on the link to the right.

A Goal Without a Deadline is a Wish.

The Deadline for my Healthy Eating Plan is fast approaching. January 8, 2008. The closer I get to January 8 the harder it is to stay on the plan. To counter this trend in "lack of self control" I added three months of pages to my food diary-- till March 30. I know. It's self trickery but we'll see if it works. Of course, it's the holidays. And I did eat Thanksgiving dinner four separate times in November with leftover days. And Christmas. I've had only one Christmas cookie (last night) and several thin slices of full butter chocolate cake. I was absolutely CRAVING chocolate cake. Especially the buttercream frosting. But now it's over.

When the deadline was close, I had such panic about not losing any weight in a week or two. And after 11 months, I should have been aware of the ebb and flow of my weight and comfortable with it. Not so. Now I have an additional three months to lose or maintain with no worries. It was always my intention to continue eating this way for the rest of my natural life--so I was surprised that my mind "turned" on me this way. I thought we were in sync.

Yesterday I bought kale, beets and a big butternut squash. The squash is peeled and cubed and ready for roasting along with the beets. The kale is ready for the saute pan and a balsamic vinegar drizzle. There's a lovely ham in the fridge waiting to be simmered in a liter of classic Coke for a "white trash ham" from my Nigella Lawson Christmas present cookbook. And Jamie Oliver has a new cooking show starting January 12. His food is amazing. Fresh from his garden. All my ducks are in a nice even row for the coming New Year.

The electricity stayed on so I will continue my post.

I am thinking about ways in which I can improve myself in the next 12 months. One thing came to mind as I was making the bed. I want to learn how to make buttonholes. And I want to make pillowcases out of fabric that I can't bear to use in a quilt. Somehow having these fabrics on my bed will make me happier than having them shut away in the closet, unused.

So buttonholes and pillowcases with button closures. I may need a tutor.

Eat more leafy greens. I happen to like leafy greens but my husband does not. So I rarely have them at home but order them in restaurants. So now I will eat them at home. And cater less to what my husband prefers and more to what I prefer. Novel idea.

Actually start my seeds for my garden in March not May as I usually do. Procrastination. And plant things I will eat.

Read. I check books out at the library with every intention of reading them. And they get renewed. And still are returned- unread. There is a reason. I love to read all the way through when I begin a book. Hours and hours of reading. With my life now--puppy-- I have to stop doing whatever I am doing and go for walks, or outside to smell things, or to dig holes, or to visit with other dogs. But I am trying to learn to read a few pages and "put the book down". And the puppy has picked up on my "cues" and when I pick up my book, he goes into his crate and naps. For awhile. Sweet dog.

Find dog friends for this sweet puppy. He needs his own little social atmosphere. And he needs to run and jump and play with dogs.

So. Buttonholes. Leafy Greens. Plant Seeds Early. Read. Dog Friends for Riley.

I will add one HUGE one. Eliminate 50% of everything I own in the next 12 months. In the past 2 minutes I have changed the percent three times. Half seems too much but 30 or 40% seems too difficult to figure out math wise. This way, if I have six of something--I just get rid of 3. There will be some problems with three of anything but there will be problems anyway. I can see Great Angst with my white shirt collection. But I have about 20 or more so I will console myself with my favorite 10 (or so). This is going to change my life!!!! A lot.

I can't imagine how much I will struggle with dividing up my sets of dishes, sheets, white shirts, pens and pencils, fabrics, vases, baskets, sewing machines, irons. Thank goodness I only have one car.

Christmas Morning

The sun is shining and there is snow on the ground. All is right with the world in this brief moment in time.

Christmas Eve was quiet. Not the bustle of past years with cooking of a large meal, last minute wrapping of presents bought but not needed, and finally climbing into bed so bone tired that sleep won't come. This year I cooked the Christmas Eve meal of Polish Pierogi on Sunday and served it yesterday. The few gifts that needed a wrap were five in number. Two for the puppy's first Christmas. While cooking the pierogi I was sending text messages to my son in California who was making his first pierogi with his new (from us) Kitchen Aid pasta attachment. He reported a "success" late in the evening on Christmas Eve.

Today we will open the prezzies sent from California and the few I bought and the gifts my daughter can't afford to buy for us and then we will walk the puppy and make Christmas Burritos. I wrote about this Christmas tradition last year but was asked to tell the story again.

I had to think back to just how long it's been that we have been having Christmas Burritos. And I think it's 17 or 18 years now. Where does the time go? That long ago Christmas day, I had completely forgotten to even plan or shop for Christmas Dinner. In my mind the Christmas Eve meal was so work intensive that I didn't even think about the day after. So when 5 or 6 pm came along my two college age children started wondering where their dinner was. I was stunned. Dinner? And Christmas dinner?

So I ran to the freezer and looked inside hoping for a miracle. I found a pound of frozen ground beef and two packages of tortilla wraps. In the fridge I found cheese and lettuce. A tomato was on the kitchen counter and onions in the crisper. I could make burritos if only there was a package of seasoning mix and salsa in the pantry. So a tradition was born.

I served the Christmas Burritos with a Christmas story. Each ingredient had a place in the Christmas Nativity story. The cheese was the Star in the sky. Tortillas wrapped the baby Jesus. The green of the lettuce and red of the tomato were the colors of Christmas and had something to do with the Wise Men. My children (18 and 20) thought I was completely crazy. The Christmas Burritos were spectacularly delicious that night. Better than they had ever been before or after.

I discovered, that long ago Christmas, it's not the big fancy gifts or food that make a memorable Christmas. It's the love and family that share the holiday with you. Tonight I will be sharing those most joyous and delicious burritos with my family. The work of minutes in the kitchen.

I send Christmas Wishes to all of you for a happy holiday, good food, laughter and friendship. Be at peace with yourselves my friends!

Riley & A Weather Rant

Riley is 8 months old now and loves his window and sunbeam. He can check out the squirrel activity in the yard and monitor the crows too. The sun keeps him nice and warm.

He's wondering when we are going out for a walk. Because after the walk we have lunch. And it's all about lunch around here! Until supper time.

The Wednesday snow and the general lack of interest in plowing shown by the Town crews (instead of plowing the whole width of the street they are now "suggesting" the width of the street) ended any chance I had for having a "little party" for Christmas. Everyone cancelled.

The streets are getting more narrow and sloppy with each snow. Pretty soon only one car wide. And the sidewalks aren't cleared. In every place I have ever lived, it was the property owner's responsibility to clear the public sidewalks bordering their property. Especially business owners. Not in Maine. In Maine, no one is responsible for anything. Streets not plowed? Cancel school. Sidewalks not plowed? Stay at home or walk in the street. Just remember to pay your taxes when due. Really!

Bah Humbug!

Ready For Christmas

Yesterday I got the vintage plastic tree out of the attic (well, G did) and I decorated it after G had to fabricate a new wooden base. The vintage plastic stand crumbled. And I have a full bowl of plastic evergreens which have fallen off the branches. Puppy likes to eat them. Not good. This is one of a pair (I like symmetry) of snowmen I bought in a December 26th sale. The price tag on the bottom says $81. Everything looks so yummy against the yellow faux painted walls. I painted them in the week before a dinner party for 20. Years ago.

Vintage Christmas balls. I just love the "not too shiny" look of them and the pink, aqua and pinky red of the colors. I sometimes fill a bell jar and then top with a silver tray and turn the whole thing upside down. Very exciting and pretty.

Blurry. A rather exuberant green plant. This is rumored to have flowered at some point in life--before I rescued it from a dry death of neglect. Each spring I think "this will be the year it blooms" but I'm still waiting. It's good and pot bound now so perhaps 2008.

The repaired Advent Calendar. G screwed MDF (thin panels) to the back and it has less "flex" now and I hope it doesn't fold and fall again.

I got my whole house--well, not the kitchen yet-- ready for a small quilt gathering this evening. I was sitting and looking at all I had gotten done when the doorbell rang. One of today's guests had arrived a day early. We had little visit and tested out the puppy's "meet and greet". For an 8 month old puppy, he was amazing. The baby gates are down and Riley has free walking privileges for the house.

It snowed last night. So I have no idea if anyone will venture out this evening. No school today as the crews plow snow and clean the roadways. They cancel school here in Maine for almost any reason. In Chicago, 5 to 10 inches of snow or slush wasn't reason to cancel anything. I have a book to pick up at the library but the new director is closing the library all the time this winter. So it's probably not open today. The previous director closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Period.

I had a long, leisurely lunch date with my walking buddy yesterday. We sat in the window bar of the restaurant and got to watch the panorama of daily life swirl up and down Maine Street while we talked and ate delicious food. A shared Harvest Plate of roasted butternut puree, roasted beets, asparagus and sauteed kale with balsamic vinegar. I had the Greek Chicken Gyro and N had the crispy eggplant panini with pesto on homemade foccacia. We both had the crispy House potatoes. I had mulled cider and N had a large pot of French press coffee. Wow. That was some dense thick coffee. Delicious. And then we visited the three gals who own the restaurant -- in the kitchen. (we were the last customers to leave) I am nothing, if not shameless. I wanted to see just how tiny the kitchen space was. What I did see was a HUGE restaurant Garland. HUGE. The chefs said they could serve a full house up front and still have plenty of space on the stove to prep for a catering job to feed 60. And that kitchen was small. Now I want a big, black Garland!

After complimenting everyone on the beautiful service, perfectly cooked food etc we said farewell and returned to the cold snowy street. This is a small lunch only restaurant with table space for 18. And they have cloth napkins, nice plates and good solid Continental sized flatware. Not bendable aluminum forks. I really dislike paying $30 to $50 for a meal and eating with cheap flatware off crappy plates. My mother called me the "Princess" when I was a small child. It wasn't said with affection.

If anyone shows up this evening they will be served champagne in crystal glasses & Kahlua laced brownies with piles of whipped cream on very nice plates with silver forks. They will dab their lips on candy cane printed paper napkins. This "Princess" knows how to party.

Ice World

The snow fell for most of Sunday. The ultra dry powder. And I walked the dog even though the wind was blowing a bit and the temperature was 10. Then it rained. Now the world as I know it is all ice. Rutted ice. Ankle breaking ice. Falling down and can't get up ice. Frozen to the mailbox ice so the mailman won't deliver the mail. Or as my neighbor said "any excuse not to deliver the mail". The snow you see in this picture (my back yard) has an inch or two of crusted ice on top of the packed powder. Hard on the puppy's legs.

My advent calendar. "It fell down and went boom" as my kids used to say (often). The puppy was nearby but I can't say he was involved even though he did have an ornament in his mouth at the time. Innocent till proven quilty. And he has perfected the "innocent" look.

My plastic Christmas tree is still up in the attic store room. No Christmas anywhere in this house yet. But I do have Christmas in my heart.

I bought two mangos when I did my grocery shopping and I have been having a few slices each morning before I make my oatmeal. Like eating sunshine. I have a recipe for a Mango Smoothie and have all the ingredients "to hand" so no shopping trip required. One cup mango diced, one cup vanilla or plain yogurt, half a cup of crushed ice and a bit of milk to thin. Blend. This is supposed to serve two. This maybe my "dessert" one evening this week.

The pup is circling his wagon and getting ready for a nap so I think I will take my cup of tea down to the workroom and load the CD player with Christmas tunes and topstitch a few things. I need a little creative time for myself. Later!

Let It Snow!

Wow! Every day, more snow. And Sunday TONS more snow coming up the coast. We are having light fluffy snow which is NOT good for snowmen or snowballs. The snow from last week is crusty from the really warm weather on Wednesday (36 degrees and sunny). I shoveled all the wet, slurpy snow off the driveway in a sweater. No coat. Felt like Florida!!!!! LOL. Lots warmer than the usual 17 degrees.

Riley and I are walking every day and trying not to fall down. I made it all the way on the double loop and fell in the driveway of my own home, right before I got safely into the garage. The pup thought I was getting "down to play" and things went downhill from there. He loved it. Me, not so much. G found the traction thingy in the garden. I lost it while dumping the veggies into the compost.

Today we walked and G did the snowblowing and then we all three drove into Auburn for Mexican food. I had a DRINK! A Margarita. And chicken fajitas without the tortillas. Loved every calorie.

Yesterday I made marinara sauce from scratch and it was fabulous. Used organic plum tomatoes from Bella Terra. Have no idea where I purchased them. Maybe Whole Foods in Portland. Served the sauce with eggplant I breaded and fried (I truly love fried eggplant and could eat it every day). I know I shouldn't do this but I'm weak.

Tomorrow back on the diet wagon.

My walking partner is back from Florida and tomorrow we will walk and catch up on all the news. It will be so lovely to have company--well, Riley is steadfast but his topics of conversation are limited. N and I walk, we talk, and have no idea how many times we have gone around. Until Riley sits down and refuses to go any further. Then we know we're done. Too funny!

Christmas Cards 2007

I took several (lots) of torn strips of green fabric and made a sort of woven surface which I then backed with WU and topped with lime green tulle. I ironed the piece to backing fabric and stitched. Then added some yarn. Two threads with little squares of varigated colors suspended. Cut the large piece of "fabric" into shapes. Then tore the watercolor paper into rectangles that would fit in the envelopes I have and added tissue paper and stems cut from the hem of a dress.
They aren't as unique as the ones I made last year. Every one of those was "one of a kind" and these all look like minute variations of the same design. But they are pretty.

I like the slightly wonky ones that don't sit straight. I always have liked that kind of thing. Now I'm wondering if I should write a message on the back?

Here are 8 of the 10 or 12 I made last Christmas from assorted collaged papers. Newspaper, date due slips from library and photocopied fabric printed in black and white. The photocopied fabric was WAY fun to make! and use. So much nicer than stuff from the scrapbook store. And it was black and white. I added handcut pink circles.

I think if you go into archived blog posts for December 21, 2005 you may find the painted trees I made that year. I don't have them in my photo library. I may not have blogged them. (odd) I would go check myself but the puppy and husband want me to go on a car ride with them.

Clementines and Christmas Trees

Is there anything nicer than a pile of clementines? So pretty with a sprig of pine. And the box I bought on Sunday was excellent. Only one weird piece. I have the rest bagged and stored in the fridge as the clementines seem to go off pretty fast. And I like them on the firm side and not all squidgey. The plate is handpainted Italian pottery from TJ Maxx this summer. I love that color green.

I lost one of the rubber traction thingies that go on my boots to keep me from a slip/fall while walking. I tried retracing my steps to find where I lost it. Not. Tomorrow I'll look again.

My husband had a bad day at work and is now feeling very sad. I think he really doesn't like his job. Likes being the "boss" better. Making decisions. Being the "decider" like Bush. But he also wanted no responsibilities. Can't have it both ways. The boss or the bossed. Salary or hourly wage. Either way, he's unhappy. I had a wonderful dinner ready when he walked in from work (one hour late) and chocolate cake from last night's party for dessert. I've done everything I can to change his attitude. It's up to him now.

Riley is chewing on an empty coffee jar. Folger's. He used to work on chewing the plastic jar for a week or more. Been 20 minutes and it's pretty much destroyed. Strong jaws. He's happy.

I finished my annual Christmas cards this afternoon (pictures tomorrow). They are drying (glue stick) under the weight of three books. Want them flat. Looks more professional. Now I have to decide who gets one. One friend-- the one who said "don't you have money for store bought cards?" will be getting a store bought card. Now I have to decide if I want to send an email "picture" of a card to those who send me e-cards. Does this count as "being naughty" with Santa?

I had to find the watercolor paper (Italian) in the attic, find tissue paper that looked good with the fabric I created (yes, I made fabric), cut everything into just the right shapes (winged it), and then used up two whole glue sticks in putting them together. The tree stems were part of the hem of a linen dress. I'm digging the cutting up of big clothes for "ART" purposes. I made Christmas trees again.

I'll show you some of the 2006 paper collage trees tomorrow along with the new 2007 ones. I think I deleted the 2005 tree paintings but I'll check. I know there are no pictures of the 2004 fabric trees--and they were way cute! I wasn't blogging then.