The Longshoreman's Daughter

Treasury Tuesday: Amethyst Love Affair

2012-02-07T01:12:00.001-08:00

Treasury Tuesday: Syrah

2012-02-01T01:47:00.000-08:00

Where to shop: 1. Miss M Photography, 2. For You Design, 3. immortalkraft, 4. The Other Life, 5. Rachel Unger Jewelry, 6. Nomsa, 7. Whimsy Time, 8. WalrusTusk, 9. Design by Diane, 10. Salemplus2, 11. Kira Ferrer, 12. Green Garden Gal, 13. My Other Mind, 14. The Comforts of Home, 15. Dreamy Vintage, 16. Grandma's Stash.

Yawn, Stretch...

2012-01-25T03:30:00.000-08:00

It's time to get motivated, and shake the atrophy of hibernation already! You may have noticed a few missing Treasury Tuesday features, but we've been busy 'round these parts. We've got so much to talk about, but before we get to that I've got some fresh goodies to help you get motivated for that time of year so closely related to organization, and simplification:

Hand knitted, fuss - free cowls created in juicy 2012 colors designed for ultimate versatility. As easily tucked into a winter coat, as layered over your light Spring jacket, or pulled on after a sunny, Summer beach side day waiting for the bonfire this garment travels!

Mother Nature actually cooperated for the photo sesh!

As illustrated above, you might've guessed that we were a bit snowed in, then melty & floody, and now finally as I write this the wind and rain are violently thrashing through the night. It's been slightly schizophrenic to say the least. There have been a few bright spots however, aside from freshly fallen snow, which you know makes me act like a five year old (not so unlike an ocean beach)! One being the new (well, new to us in the States) season of Mistresses, which came with a HUGE surprise in the season opener. Are you ready for this? Joanna Lumley is guesting as the mother of the characther played by Sarah Parish (who you will know as Kate Winslet's coworker in the opening of The Holiday if you love a good Christmas rom-com as much as I do) which made me gasp and yell "PATSY STOOOOOOOOOOONE!!!!" at the television. I was then convinced that somewhere a hole had been ripped in the space-time continuum, could it be possible? AbFab + Mistresses??? Obviously Ms. Lumley has done more than play a drunk, stoner on a cult comedy, but I've been lovin' Pats since stumbling upon an AbFab marathon on an obscure channel in the early 90s (and yes I totally lost my mind over the 2012 episodes). What can I say, you've been warned about guilty pleasures!

Other than shrieking at the tv, and knitting my brains out, I also finally applied for my business license ... I know, I've been a bit behind the 8 ball, but decided it was time to operarate the biz on the up and up, and legitimize things around here (oh yeah, and it was approved)!

That's it for now, my lovlies! xoxo

Treasury Tuesday: LoVE, lOvE, lovE, lOVe...

2012-01-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

Where to shop: 1. Bekah Jennings, 2. Golden Section, 3. Lilly & Lulu, 4. Thrush, 5. Jewel of the Lion, 6. kiamichi7, 7. Gallivanting Girls, 8. Ami Designs, 9. Firebird Bath & Body, 10. The Art & Found, 11. My Other Mind, 12. Siamese Dream Design, 13. Glitz Glitter, 14. Sakura Bath & Body, 15. Black Sand Design, 16. The Kraft Room.

Treasury Tuesday: January

2012-01-04T23:28:00.000-08:00

((Let's just pretend it's Tuesday))

Well, here we are in January already four days in even! I think this is where I'm supposed to whine about 2011 not measuring up to expectations, and how 2012 is going to be so much better whilst cranking out some proper false promises, and ending with the words "best ever!"

I'll spare you.

As for resolutions? I think you won't fall far off the mark by practicing to do everything in your life with more care. I'll shoot for that.

Where to shop: 1. La Roux Vintage, 2. The Vintage Slip, 3. immortalkraft, 4. The Home Centric, 5. My Crafty Corner, 6. Bib Bon, 7. Sawgrass Candles, 8. Jurga ZA Felt, 9. For Strange Women, 10. Peg and Awl, 11. Dirt Kicker Pottery, 12. Misc. K. Designs, 13. My Other Mind, 14. Jewel of the Lion, 15. Johnny Vintage, 16. Vintage Style Decor.

Treasury Tuesday: Let the Countdown Begin!

2011-12-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Where to shop: 1. Heather Conway Photography, 2. Kitty L'Wren, 3. Sweety Life, 4. Allen Company, 5. Eidel Precious, 6. Cheri Art, 7. Janine Dupree Photography, 8. Black Magic Studio, 9. Lily Pad Prints, 10. Paper Bleu Studio, 11. Mockingbird Vintage, 12. Wish Daisy, 13. UrbanAntique Photography, 14. Linea72, 15. pixelimpress, 16. RMBArt Studio.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

xoxo

Treasury Tuesday: Hibernation Celebration

2011-12-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

Where to shop: 1. Golden Section, 2. Toad Lillie, 3. Immortalkraft, 4. AMIdesigns, 5. Kittredge Candles, 6. My Other Mind, 7. The Home Centric, 8. WalrusTusk, 9. Fuchsia Bloom Studio, 10. La Roux Vintage, 11. johnnyvintage, 12. AllieCats, 13. My Crafty Corner, 14. Gypsy Road Designs, 15. Jewel of the Lion, 16. Kristin Kirkley Photography.

***

I am completely smitten with vintage carnival glass right now. Maybe it's the gloom of the darkest days of the year that makes its charming twinkle more enchanting, but I am totally under its spell!

At the risk of having a full Maria Von Trapp moment, here are a few of my favorite things in bright, juicy, candy colored hues currently available on Etsy. Aren't they fabulous?

Originally inspired by much more expensive glass pieces, but not fetching comparable prices many pieces found themselves as prizes on the carnival circuit. How lovely that decades later it's become a collectible in its own right -- don't you just love a good underdog story?

I have a weakness for shimmering treasures anyway -- in fact I was just having a conversation about wishing I could live in glitter, "and tea lights!" my mother added -- but make it a piece where I can stow away my tiniest goodies, and I'm sold! What's more fantastic than a glittering little hiding place? Oh, what must be hidden under that dazzling lid!

And now that I've fully gushed on my obsession for things that go sparkle in the night, it's back to my regularly scheduled day with me! Would it really be my blog if there weren't guilty pleasures in nearly every post? Exactly. I firmly believe that our pleasures should be of the guiltiest kind!

xoxo

Treasury Tuesday: The Mrs.

2011-12-13T04:23:00.000-08:00

Where to shop: 1. Maddenphotography, 2. Whiteromance, 3. La Roux Vintage, 4. AMIdesigns, 5. Someplace Elsewhere, 6. Firebird Bath & Body, 7. Willow Tree Minerals, 8. Anchor Beach Vintage, 9. bygrassdoll, 10. kiamichi7, 11. For You Design, 12. Flabby Rabbit, 13. UpHome, 14. My Crafty Corner, 15. An Affair With Vintage, 16. HappyHound.

***

The Bridge on the River Why?

2011-12-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

I've never really been one of those "anything goes" kinda gals. I do try to subscribe to a live, and let live sort of attitude, provided no one is in danger or being hurt - you know, that sort of thing - so it may be of very little surprise to learn I've been called, well I've been called a lot of things, and some of them not so untrue, but, a bridge burner once or twice in my life (probably more than that, even!).

What's funny to me about this is that it's one of those things said in a manner where the deliverer of this information truly seems to believe they've stumbled upon some epic mystery of your psyche; Some awesome revelation of your most intimate self. And most of all making you aware that it's a bad thing. What's shocking to me is how words and definitions have become almost completely subjective today. How old adages are now twisted, and misused to excuse deplorable behavior is more surprising still. It seems everywhere we look there's another meddler just shrugging, and reminding us "it is what it is," in the ever so non chalant air, or overgrown brats causing unnecessary arguments and preaching forgiveness at every turn. And of course, my favorite, the good old fashioned, generic trouble maker with their two-face deception, lies, and the nonstop chatter once your back is turned who lecture acceptance.

Don't get me wrong, not one of us is perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and I'm sure we've all committed any number of "crimes" I've described. It's when people start making a lifestyle out of making others miserable where, in order to keep any sort of grip on my own sanity, I have to begin to release the ties. This is the place where the names are called, fingers are pointed, and the categorization begins. Oh, she's a bridge burner! Oh, she carries grudges! Oh, she pretends she's no longer angry with you, but secretly really is! Perhaps these things have to be said, and these names have to be called in order for those causing all the misery to cope with why you've decided to remove yourself from their chaos. The reality of it is, the bridge was torched long ago, and each lie, manipulation, hurtful game that is played, and every phony gesture has made the fire burn hotter and faster. For me, it's after the bridge is gone that I decide whether it's worth replacing with another to meet the same demise.

The lack of reconstruction is not to be confused with lack of forgiveness, and acceptance, or bitter grudges. It's quite simply just a matter of saying "no" to something that doesn't work, and isn't healthy for you. Somewhere along the way forgiveness, and acceptance have been misconstrued into the same thing, and what's more is now they're expected to be synonomous with agreement. Confused yet? I know! It's convenient for these three words to mean the same thing, because once that's the case there's no longer any need for a little something called accountability. If forgive and accept equal agree, then no one ever has to actually take responsibility for their harmful actions, you know, since now we're all in agreement that it was ok. See how tidy that is?

What people who are stuck in this framework are missing is that to forgive and accept a person does not mean you have to agree with or invite their negative energy into your space. This is not a decision based on bitter resentment, and grudges. It's important to pardon each other of our not-so-awesome moments (we all have them!), and also accept one another for who we've become, instead of feeding the fantasy of who you hope the other will be, and finally to release resentment, and anger from your life letting yourself live from an open, happy, and honest heart.

After all, they say love is all we need. I hope we all remember this as we gather with our friends and families during the holiday season, and bring more of it with us into the new year.

Treasury Tuesday: Twofor

2011-12-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

Where to shop: 1. Attic Wear, 2. Estate Chicago, 3. Victoria Westbury, 4. Simple Housewares, 5. Just Lena, 6. Gallivanting Girls, 7. Wish Daisy, 8. Walrus Tusk, 9. Kissa Design, 10. Trash N2 Tees, 11. Nans Glam, 12. Be Zen, 13. Art On Crafts, 14. Bestow Appreciation, 15. Happy Hound, 16. Pretty Star Designs.

Where to shop: 1. Miss M Photography, 2. Gingerly Spice, 3. Carolyn Cochrane, 4. Be Zen, 5. Pickle Lily Design, 6. MoreChenilleChateau, 7. Whimsy Time, 8. Vanilla Extinction, 9. Kellina Designs, 10. Just Lena, 11. the Piece De Resistence, 12. Cindy Lou Who 2, 13. Carvings by G from Z Pottery, 14. RicRac and Buttons, 15. Alina & T, 16. Happy Hound.

***

Treasury Tuesday: What's New Pussycat?

2011-11-29T15:15:00.000-08:00

Puuurrrrfectly delightful goodies!

Where to shop: 1. ForStrangeWomen, 2. shopREiNViNTAGE, 3. JumiFelt, 4. The Culturequeen, 5. RustBeltThreads, 6. lunarbelle, 7. Wise Apple Vintage, 8. Byeburn Farm Fibers, 9. Fanciful Anne, 10. Willow Tree Minerals, 11. someplace elsewhere, 12. AMIdesigns, 13. Amber Alexander, 14. Dimensional Vision, 15. Sightly, 16. Paintings by Loki.

You Pierce My Soul

2011-11-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

*SWOON*
I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever ...

*LE SIGH*

I started Persuasion last Wednesday, and by Saturday I'd blown through it already. So much for my lingering November romance! I was hoping it wouldn't be so short lived, and I'm still not entirely convinced why I rushed through it. I either really liked it, or had to hurry up and get through the parts that had anything to do with Anne's ridiculous family - which if you've read it, know that it was a good portion of the book, or maybe it just seemed like it to me since I hated those parts spending more time rolling my eyes than actually putting them to the page.

Anyway, those few things being said I'm left with only one question:

Mr. Darcy who?

xoxo

Treasury Tuesday: Make Mine a Guinness!

2011-11-22T00:36:00.000-08:00

What's not to love?

Where to shop: 1. John Bragg Photography, 2. Bee's House, 3. Lucius Art, 4. Peg and Awl, 5. Vengence is Sweet, 6. Art in Red Wagons, 7. Dirt Kicker Pottery, 8. Greenbelts, 9. milleta, 10. graybird vintage, 11. The Beer Soap Co. 12. C. Johannesen Studio, 13. MJRojas Photography, 14. mannmadedesigns, 15. Alaskan Dermish's Dessert Treats, 16. The Andyrama Store.

"I Cannot Endure To Waste Anything So Precious

2011-11-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

1804-1864

I couldn't agree more, but for those moody, stormy (or should that be Stormy?) Fall days few things can be so nice as curling up with a good mystery - ghost story peppered with a little American history.

I was utterly delighted shortly after digging into The House of the Seven Gables to discover how appropriately suited the Gothic tale was to the manic moods of my favorite time of year. I won't bore you with a totally useless book review. I always thought, if I'm not supposed to judge a book by its cover, then why would I base my decision to read it on someone else's opinion?

Besides, how many books have you had fully ruined by reading an overly extensive review? I'm talking to you, Amazon.com reviewers -- it's a merchandise review for an online shopping mecca, not your thesis! My disdain for online shopping, and smug book reviewers aside, I really enjoyed this book, but I'm into stories based on actual places that the author had a real history with ... and I dig a guy who can rival me for run-on sentances. By this standard alone, I knew from the first page this would be a match made in Heaven!

I highly recommend this book if you're in the mood for a nice little mystery, and if the oversaturation of woods such as "plebian," and "beseech" will help you purge the airhead vernacular of today's "literature" *cough*LizGilbert*cough* from your brain before it turns to goo!

Next on deck: Jane Austen's Persuasion, which is said to be Pride and Prejudice's more mature sister ... a book that completely bored me to tears in High School, and coincidentally made me unjustly hate Collin Firth for the better part of his carreer. It wasn't until adulthood that I figured out Jane Austen was actually funny, ironic, and sarcastic without being overly synical. Another triumph of the institution of American education which firmly adhered to the philosophy of force feeding us the teacher's opinion, and cramming us full of facts solely to be regurgitated back as test answers. I'm excited nonetheless to sink my teeth into this new selection!

Happy reading!

xoxo

Treasury Tuesday: Midnight Yomp

2011-11-15T07:13:00.001-08:00

Gifts for your adventuress ;-)

Where to shop: 1. Selina Vaughan Studios, 2. Kirra Ferrer Jewelry Design, 3. Larime Loom, 4. Star Knitting, 5. Dirt Kicker Pottery, 6. Bearpaw Rustics, 7. Al Brydon Photography, 8. RamenZombie, 9. Blue Ridge Hat Boutique, 10. elde, 11. Some Other Prairie, 12. Emerald Moon Design, 13. Classic Retro Vintage Chic Shop, 14. Willow Tree Minerals, 15. GoodMarvin, 16. Studio Seventyfive.

Un-Pink

2011-11-14T23:48:00.001-08:00

Last month I was approached with the opportunity to do something small, yet meaningful for a recently launched, and growing local charity; A grass roots movement whose focus, "is to allow women to heal more effectively and holistically, mind, body, and spirit, during treatment." Specifically concentrated on women diagnosed with breast cancer, the Girls Fight Like Girls organization is committed to helping women, and their families stay afloat, and maintain a lifestyle conducive to the healing process during treatment, understanding the difficulty involved with trying to heal from the ravages of disease in a stressful environment, with the idea of alleviating some of the worry associated with the financial burden many patients face in the expensive world of healthcare in America.

This is the new generation of "charity," the un-Pink. Answering what I think women my age are asking (or should be asking) when October peers over the calendric horizon, and its mega saturated bismuth hued overload of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its $6 billion a year rears its corporate head -- now what? I get it. I'm aware. NOW WHAT? Aside from scaring the bras off us, and making a select few very rich with fractions of the billions raised per year for the "cause" actually going to research I see little else the Pink Corporation is doing for us. Granted, more women are introducing themselves to the mammographic process, and at younger ages, but with early detection on the rise, and the frantic society in which we live feeding our fears we have more and more young women removing their breasts completely at the first sign of a problem or once the results come in for one of the many gene mutations that have been linked to the development of breast cancer. Please don't mistake my opinions for judgment on the part of the women (and men in general health care crises) who are faced with making life and death decisions, we all do the best we can with the information, and education at hand (which is another important place I think part of the billions raised should be going). This is purely my thinly veiled contempt for the diseased healthcare in this country, rackets fronting as charities, pharmaceutical companies praying we never find a cure for anything, and a government which is fully bought, and paid for by the afore mentioned Big Pharma which was only spurred on by the publication of this article in last month's Marie Claire magazine (the thinking girl's glossy).

Photography by: Jeremy Chaney

So what does this mean for, well ... Us? The real people, facing real issues, and trying to attend to the details of real life all the while? It leaves us relying on real people with a real plan of action, who real-ly care; people who realize a problem in their community, and set about trying to rectify what they believe is wrong in the most basic, and helpful ways which to me is the most obviously effective way to change the world in which we live. This is why Girls Fight Like Girls caught my attention (well, never mind that foxy, modern-day "Rosie" on the poster is my sister), because no matter your political, or bureaucratic opinions, I think it's safe to say many of us are sick of the red tape in the way of people helping people, and believe it's time to take matters into our own hands. That's what this campaign means to me; people helping people, women helping women, and being strong enough to stand up for what is right, and not only speak the words, but put into motion the actions that make a difference.

Hopefully in the very near future we'll be seeing GFLG chapters popping up in all pockets of the country on the ready to lend a hand so that no-one slips through the cracks, or is forgotten, and everyone is looked after.

For more information visit: www.GirlsFightLikeGirls.org

Or join them on Facebook

Because cancer isn't something to just be aware of one month a year.

Treasury Tuesday: Bibliophilia

2011-11-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

The time is upon us to begin our gift-hunt for all the weird, wacky, and wonderful people in our lives. Join me in the vintage, and handmade universe of Etsy for all your gift giving needs!

Where to shop: 1. Utopia Home & Garden, 2. Lil' Seeds, 3. Neiko, 4. Vintage Optical Frames, 5. Fairest LJ, 6. Babes in Tieland, 7. My Crafty Corner, 8. ThePaperMachines, 9. Wooden Nickels Jewelry, 10. Brookish, 11. Faux Kiss, 12. Lara Lewis, 13. kimberlyblok, 14. The Painted Lily, 15. Knotwork Shop, 16. TheoGeo Design & Photography.

Pixie, Kobold, Elf, and Sprite,

2011-10-31T19:01:00.000-07:00

It's just not Halloween without these!

All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play.

~Joel Benton

Well, here we are at the end of the month, and I can hardly believe it. I can't believe how quickly the year is drawing to a close. I can't believe I made my deadlines (ish). But what really stuns me is the outrageously mild, and stunningly beautiful October we've had in the Pacific Northwest. I honestly can not remember better October weather. Hopefully November has a few surprises in store for us as well!

Have fun tonight, my leetle goblins!

xoxo

A Toast!

2011-10-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

You're invited to help me celebrate the beginning of the Holiday Season with The Longshoreman's Daughter's new holiday inspired knitted accessories for Fall/Winter 2011-2012!

Bing Crosby crooning on the hi-fi, tinkling glasses, crackling fires, northern lights, falling snow, baked goodies, candied treats, and mistletoe...

These are just a few of the ingredients that go into creating the most magical season of the year, and have inspired me to bring you a little collection that I think speaks to Yuletide whimsy, and enchantment. So deck those halls, roast your chestnuts, and spread some joy to the world, and mebbe wrap up in something snuggly!

Colors of the Wind

2011-10-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed somewhere along the way it has become Fall?

It hadn't really occurred to me yet, that is, until I looked outside this week and it was raining golden leaves. As they swirled, and danced about with their invisible partner I stood silently to watch the display. It was several moments later when I noticed I'd been holding my breath, almost as if an exhale would've put a stop to the entire production. I was thankful for the pause. The calm before the storm, if you will. I needed it. I needed to see something beautiful - something occurring without having anything to do with me whatsoever. The leaves don't need my permission to play with the wind, and the wind certainly isn't asking anyone anything either! I felt small ... and it was nice. The time of year has come back around, yet again, and things are changing once more. Don't forget to let yourself enjoy it. It's wonderful, I promise!

October

2011-10-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow,

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know;

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away;

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes' sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost-

For the grapes' sake along the wall.

Robert Frost

Celebrate the Small Things, They Say,

2011-08-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

Which is fine, and all, but I dare say this THING is no longer "small," by any stretch of the word.

This is a little Stepford, isn't it...

Happy Birthday, Coco (all 60 some pounds of you)!

Last

2011-08-16T23:39:00.000-07:00

Friend, whose smile has come to be
Very precious unto me,
Though I know I drank not first
Of your love's bright fountain-burst,
Yet I grieve not for the past,
So you only love me last!

Other souls may find their joy
In the blind love of a boy:
Give me that which years have tried,
Disciplined and purified, -
Such as, braving sun and blast,
You will bring to me at last!

There are brows more fair than mine,
Eyes of more bewitching shine,
Other hearts more fit, in truth,
For the passion of your youth;
But, their transient empire past,
You will surely love me last!

Wing away your summer-time,
Find a love in every clime,
Roam in liberty and light, -
I shall never stay your flight;
For I know, when all is past
You will come to me at last!

Change and flutter as you will,
I shall smile securely still;
Patiently I trust and wait
Though you tarry long and late;
Prize your spring till it be past,
Only, only love me last!

Elizabeth Akers Allen 1832-1911

Summer Reading

2011-08-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

They say to never judge a book by its cover, but when I saw these on the clearance rack how could i resist? I think somewhere between how do I love thee, and apple picking, these guys have got the season covered. I love a good Summer read these days, but when I was a kid you couldn't find a more befitting form of torture! I couldn't reconcile sitting around reading about something when I'd rather be out actually doing something, but now I can't think of a nicer way to relax than soaking in some sunshine, and reading a few lovely lines.

I'm pretty particular about the kinds of things I like to read, I've never been able to pick up just any ol' book and get into it. That's not to say that everything I read is some award winning, soon to be classic either. I like rich, full stories written in such a way that involves most, if not all of the senses. Which is why I was a little skeptical trying out Read it Forward. Every so often they add a new book to their line-up where you can score a free book to read and pass on typically before it hits bookstores. What's not to like ... you know, unless of course you don't like the book. I was lucky with my first attempt. I signed up for a copy of The Philosophical Breakfast Club, was actually chosen, finished it this week, and loved it! I was worried it would be smug, sterile, and just factually driven in almost list format, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was a full story of four friends, their lives, and how they changed the face of science forever - to this day we still follow the methods they founded. Anyway, I can't wait to pass it on a story I thoroughly enjoyed!

Stretched, Stapled, and Taught

2011-08-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the latest cosmetic procedure, I'm talking about what was delivered to my doorstep yesterday. Still confused?

Canvas People was offering a $50 promotional code a couple of weeks ago (which meant a free 8"x10" just pay shipping) so I decided to give it a whirl! The site is pretty user friendly, and straight forward. Just upload your photograph directly to their site, and you're a couple clicks away from having one of your favorite pics stretched onto a canvas. I always recommend doing your own color corrections, and any touch-ups before submitting your photo, but they do offer it as a service if you're a little on the novice side of things. I was nervous to try the service myself, because I knew how I wanted it to look, and I have trust issues! But I think it worked out pretty well. Admittedly the canvas did come slightly "damaged" - just a bit on one of the folded corners, and a little dent in the wood frame along the bottom, but nobody's perfect, and it's really not noticeable once it's on the wall, so I'm not turning purple with rage. Besides, I've painted on canvas, but had never, until now, had one of my photographs on one, so I'm feeling pretty official today, which is possibly putting me in a forgiving mood.

Overall I'm happy with it, and would totally do it again. They run all sorts of promotions, and apparently if you're into the whole Facebook thing, you can "Like" them for even better deals, and chances to win contests. For the price it's an awesome alternative, and more personal option than mass produced, over printed Ikea "art". I'll stop there before this ends in a Fight Club-esque explosion!

xoxo

Think Pink!

2011-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was a little blue, so today I was thinking pink, and I dare say it worked ... who can be bummed surrounded by this sweet silliness (on a bright, sunny day, I might add!)?

Bringin' back the Barbie toes!

I guess file this under the "Lifestyle" portion of this blog? This is my most genius "creation" yet! Toe-socks with the tips cut off, thus making tiny little turtlenecks for my toes. My feet get super cold when it comes time to paint my nails. I can't decide if I just have utterly terrible circulation or if I'm so focused on NOT smudging them that I concentrate too much on keeping them "separate" and exposed. Whatever the problem, I've got a cozy little solution ... you know until I drop dead from PAD at least!

So I took it easy on myself today, emotionally anyway. Sometimes it's just good to get off your own back once in awhile. I still struggle with this, but I will say I'm at least getting better with it.

I don't know where all these nearly impossible expectations came from, I just know I've had them my entire life. They can be great for self motivation ... a little rocket fuel to get things going, but it gets exhausting, and is an essential ingredient for good old fashioned burn-out.
For me, air-tight organization is key. It keeps my brain from

searching (and panicking over) what hasn't been done, what needs to be done, and the whole tornado of possibilities of what could go wrong because these things weren't accomplished. I know! I'm exhausted just reading that sentence! I'm calling this very short period, the calm before the storm. I'll be planning everything out for this Fall and Winter over the next couple of days, hopefully knocking a big chunk out tonight if my plan-making stars align (calendar + notebook + really bad, guilty pleasure television). Forecast looks good so far! If all this planning goes, er, according to plan (?) maybe we'll get the whole storm to blow over altogether! Wish me luck. ;-)

Back to Basics

2011-07-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

When was the last time YOU felt this good?

Every so often, or more like at least a few times a month I slip into my ritual of "overhaul, shovel out, regroup, and begin again," although I didn't have categories, or tidy little names thought up for it 'til just now, it's something I've done since I don't know when.

I have the tendency to stress out for the sake of stressing out, it seems. I try not to identify with it, or allow it to become my "story," but whilst my head is ever reaching toward the clouds, with my feet buried in earth, sometimes I get stretched a little too thin, and have to come back to center to get a grip again ... and sometimes I receive help from the unlikeliest places!

They say, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Ok, ok I said that in my yearbook quote, thanks to some guy called Ferris Bueller (I know, lame right? I used a movie quote *gag*) but I still stand by it! If you're not enjoying it, you're missing (not only the point, but) "it" completely.

My winning equation this time? Quite simply: (Little boy + Sunny day) x (Sprinkler) = AWESOME! It took me a couple of weeks still to move through the categories listed above, but I'm finally at my Begin Again point, and ready for something new to be born. Not yet fully recharged, but ready to allow new ideas, new designs, and new creations to flow through me again. Despite the fact that I'm a highly strung wreck through part of the month (yes, every month), I am thankful that through it all I've been given the ability to slow down, and appreciate everything around me ... even if sometimes I have to be reminded by chasing a soaked critter through a sprinkler (gratitude is a terrible thing to waste)!

Wrappin' it up!

2011-06-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the end of June, and I thought we'd go out with a freebie. I've worked up an easy to follow set of instructions for a somewhat quick project, and thought I'd share. This is a perfect Beginner pattern to learn, and even better for the yet-to-begin-ner, so if you've been too timid to give knitting a try grab some needles, and let's go!

We're going to be making, what I call, the Pouch Hat since it looks a little like a sack to stow some treasures in. It's a bit of a throw back to 90's fashion - Grunge, but cleaned up! While I know not everyone shares my obsessive love of floral dresses over long sleeved t-shirts, clunky boots, and vulgar amounts of flannel, this hat easily coexists with trendier pieces in even the most updated wardrobe ... and is soon to be my newest favorite!

Yarn: Cherrycola by Red Heart

Materials:
Knitting needles size 9 (5.5 mm)
Yarn used in photo: (1 skein per hat)
Color: Marrakesh by Red Heart
Color: Oatmeal by Vanna's Choice for Lion Brand
Large-Eye Blunt End Needles 6-Pack

Cast on 84 stitches.

Work entire piece in Garter stitch (knit every row) until it measures 12.5" from needle to cast-on edge.

Bind off.

Next cut your yarn leaving a long enough tail to sew up your seam once you've folded your work in half with the wrong sides facing each other. (How can you tell if it's the right or wrong side? Look at your cast-on row, the right side should lay nicely with your other rows in a tight little twist. The wrong side is "loopy" looking.)

Sew your seam, but reverse it for approximately the last 3" of your piece by turning your newly formed tube right side out, and finishing the seam from this side. This will give you a finished looking cuff when you fold it up.

For the cord to cinch your hat, crochet a single chain, or create a single row of successive slip knots using your fingers. The length depends on how large you want your bow to be, but a good starting point is approximately 24.5".

Thread the tail of your cord through your large-eye blunt needle. *Measuring down 2" from the bind-off end of your hat begin feeding your cord through the hat, skipping over 3 or 4 stitches. I rock my bow to the side, so I didn't begin feeding my cord through the dead center front of my hat. Using your seam as the center back guide to your hat, measure in about 5" and begin feeding your cord.

*The cord for the oatmeal colored hat was started 1.5" down from the bind-off edge of the hat.

Weave in your yarn ends, and voila! You've got a new hat!

Did Somebody Say...

2011-06-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

SUMMER?!?!

The weather this weekend has been exceptionally gorgeous, and you know there's only one thing to do on such an occasion (in my book anyway)!

That's right! Load up and hit the beach, even if it's just a little sliver along the Sound. People 'round these parts KNOW you don't waste a sunny day inside, no matter what. No, that's not me on the sailboat -- I wish, I'd be having a total Duran Duran, Rio moment if I had one (when I have one). Knowing how to sail might be slightly important though...

We were landlubbers this time, well for the most part, that is! My dad's wife teases me -- when I see a beach I act like I'm about five years old. This is no secret! Shoes off. Pants rolled up. Soaked by a rogue wave. Not only do these things happen every time, it's just expected by now. I wouldn't have it any other way! Besides, Puppy couldn't have ALL the fun...

xoxo

I Scream

2011-06-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Admittedly not very effectively whilst shovelling this into my gullet, but still...

Sometimes vanilla ice cream just seems to solve all the world's problems ... but make it vanilla caramel swirl ice cream topped with piping hot, home made applesauce, and you've got a transcendental experience on your hands! There's a lot happening in the bowl, and I had to be quite quick on the camera's trigger since the whole point of this dessert is for the applesauce to be hot like a fresh pie out of the oven, but to eat it before the whole thing melts into a weird sugary soup.

I happily report: crisis averted!

Everything's Coming Up Roses (fooor meeeeEEEEeeee!)

2011-06-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

I've never really been a roses kind of gal, but I could be if this keeps up!

The picture isn't doing it justice, trust me, the bloom was larger than my outstretched hand (spider's legs fingers included).

I had an uncle who loved roses, I'm not really sure why. He never told me. I never asked. But we all knew he thought they were beautiful, and they were his favorite of all flowers. I think I can see why, now.

There's something so safe in the reserved nature of a tightly rolled bud. Long, and sleek; protected. In full bloom there is also much to appreciate. Vulnerability at its best, I think. Delicate, open, and unafraid all at once.

If "HERE I AM!" could be screamed without causing a sound, I think she's figured out how to do it.

By the way, if you want lots of little deliveries you're not supposed to talk about go here, and see if you qualify!

Christmas in June

2011-06-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sneaking a peek at a partial Winter 2011 color pallet

I've had several deliveries this week ... one I'm not allowed to talk about (what a tease!), one I'm not ready to talk about (just a little longer), and the one seen above! It's felt like a veritable Christmas Day around these parts, which is pretty appropriate since this last delivery is all about preparing for the holiday season on Etsy. What has hot-pink, hairy, Muppet-like yarn got to do with Christmas, you ask? Well, my deahs, just yoo wait and see! ;-)

Size Does Matter!

2011-05-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

A lot of inspiration ...

A little gift ... made with a lot of love, because every baby deserves to be celebrated ...

Fit for the Littlest Outdoorsman - ready for hunting, fishing, and loads of snuggling!

Chop wood, carry water

2011-05-14T00:57:00.000-07:00

What inspires you? That question can sometimes feel a little intimidating, especially if you've given yourself an ultra clinical definition of inspiration. It doesn't have to be complicated! Ever stretched out on a bright Summer day and peered into the sky imagining shapes in the clouds? Did the shapes you came up with give you an idea for something new to do, make, or try? Or have you ever just looked at a beautiful flower and decided to put a new paint color on your walls? Even a simple phrase can make you imagine something you hadn't before. That, my friend, is inspiration!

Here is a brief sample of mine lately, in a little piece I'd like to call:

Things I'm Totally Lovin' Right Now!

Clicky to watch

Dick Proenneke is a one man lesson in ultimate self-sufficiency, and sustainable living back when "green" wasn't a hip catchphrase to be printed on t-shirts, and, in my opinion, an artist in his own right. His medium of choice might be a little different from yours or mine, but listening to the thoughts he shares through his narrated adventures Alone in the Wilderness (compiled footage he shot of himself while living off the land in the Alaskan wilderness) it is easy to see this is not just the average "mountain man," his deep insights, appreciation for nature, and all things beautiful, but intense practicality is refreshing, as well as inspiring.

Slippery Slope Bloomer Company is a must see! Here's what I love about Etsy.com, finding people who are seriously good at what they do, with a white-hot awesome sense of humor served on the side. This store is full of the right garments photographed in exactly the right way. Maybe it's just that I'm from the Pacific Northwest, and find bikinis and fog a perfectly acceptable pairing that I completely relate to, but I'm in love - the lush fabrics, the colors, the cuts of the clothes, the styling - there's just so much here for me to sink my teeth into!

How about a song? I'm loving this song at the moment ... I'm sure my neighbors aren't! What is it they say? Sing as if no one's listening? I do, oh believe me, I dooOOOOooo!!! It's been reported that people who sing in the shower (because we're not doing some whispery falsetto, tell the truth you belt it when you're in there!) are the happiest people because it releases serotonin (sadly, there are no reports on the people who have to hear them), but I say take shower singing out of the shower. For those who know me, it's not a secret I'm a little tightly wound, but one or two good ballads, and I'm ready to hit the drawing board. I highly recommend it!

Go outside! Appreciate what's there, and that we're here. Oftentimes just decompressing, and freeing your thinking mind from oppressive daily thoughts (mental pollution) creates space for new ideas to trickle in.

I've got some new projects rolling off the assembly line soon, so we'll see if and how these things have influenced my imagination ... stay tuned!

Surf's Up!

2011-05-07T03:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok so you know I've had Gidget on the brain lately ... I don't think it's entirely my fault, (if you're a reader around here then you also know what a long, drawn out, WET Winter -and now, Spring- I've managed to survive) I suppose this is my way of coping ... this, and daydreaming of the Caribbean, of course! I also have a fierce desire to learn how to surf, despite the fact the closest I've come to it is body boarding (once) and was utterly exhausted by the experience - many moons ago when I was far more fit than I am now. This very important fact has done little to curb my interest.

I also seem to think I've been misplaced in this era, and truly belong in the 1960s. Not dirty, hippy, psychedelic 60s! More like bossa nova, cocktails & caftans / Palm Springs 60s. Moi + Lucite jewelry + pastel make up + this in the background, and swilling a martini = what I imagine Heaven to look like! And then, like most fantasies, it's interrupted by an utterly appalling line in one of the old movies I have playing in the background alluding to the fact women have no control over their own lives and it's all up to the "young man" ... if he "chooses" you, then of course once (if) he does he lifts that heavy burden off your shoulders of making all those tough daily decisions (or using your brain whatsoever) - you know, the ones you never actually had to make because your father (the man who turned your brain to mush already, so it really doesn't matter anyway) took care of them for you until now. It is then I have to choke back my vomit, whilst praising Allah it's 2011. In Gidget's defense I will say she manages to stay true to herself ... oh yeah, and she doesn't have to turn into a total slut at the end of the movie just to get the guy she wants (yeah Grease, I'm talkin' about you!). Cinematically speaking, few things make me more furious than the ending of that one - the flying car hardly makes up for it. The only thing worse would be if M. Night Shyamalan slapped one of his "surprise" twist endings on the end of it (deus ex machina much?).

That being said (gripe end), below is how I imagine Gidget in her fabulous beach side flat once she's outgrown Moondoggie, given him the boot, taken Kahuna as her lover in her free time when she's not designing surf board graphics - freelance, of course.

Go Gidget, go!

Breakin' Up is Hard to Do

2011-05-04T01:53:00.000-07:00

Engaged in a little re-organizing tonight I came across these gems ... they don't look like "gems" anymore, they've definitely seen better days, but I never had the heart to throw them out. Tonight, however, I found the courage to finally tell them it's over.

I'd say after 14 years it's well past expiration, granted I probably haven't worn them in the last ten, making it even sillier that I've hung onto them for so long, lugging them from place to place, ensuring safe lodgings in the back of closets. It was time, my poor dust covered flower shoes with their broken buckles, worn soles, and scuffed toes - they're so deliciously 90s though, aren't they? No, no I can't ... I have to end it for real this time, I can't take this yo-yo relationship anymore - taking each other for granted, it's just too much ...

... Though, I find myself hanging onto an old love letter or two. What can I say? So here I'm sat with peppermint tea, graham crackers, and a late night viewing of Gidget (one of my all time favorite movies) licking my wounds. But it's nothing a wholesome movie with a wonderful lesson can't cure, you know, if you can get past the antiquated quips on gender roles to see that you always win when you have the courage to be yourself. Little Gidg's fatal flaw? Going with Moondoggie when Big Kahuna is the clear choice, but I won't hold it against her. Now if only surf lessons came with a swingin' pipeline soundtrack!

xoxo

Sweater Song

2011-04-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

Two-ish weeks in, and here's what we've got ... me standing on a coffee table, oh yeah and a nearly finished sweater, the back view anyway. So I'm following the Lionbrand pattern #L0613, if you're a knitter or interested in following along or trying it out yourself. It's slated to be knit with wool yarn, which totally was not going to work for me, instead I swapped it out for 9 skeins of this (color: oatmeal) which turned out to be a perfect trade off gauge wise.

I'm not exactly sure why I fell in love with this pattern, or wanted it to be my first sweater, but there was just something about it that made it a bit timeless to me anyway - a little bit now, a little bit '70s, a little kimono-ish like a shrunken down Poiret opera coat all in one, so I thought I'd give it a shot. And I'm not disappointed I did, I've learned a lot of things I didn't know before to tuck into my repertoire so I can move on making garments of my own design, and that's never a bad thing!

The sweater bug first bit me back in 2009 when this was gracing news stands everywhere I looked. You'll notice what I'm knitting now is nothing like it, BUT it is a sweater, and once I'm finished I think I'll be able to step it up and figure out how to create my very own variation of that hot-pink dream come true! We'll see, but before that day comes I've got one collar, and two front ribbed bands to finish on this guy ... stay tuned!

What Are You Doing?

2011-04-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

Knitting a sweater. Best line from a mediocre film with great dancing, and terrible writing otherwise known as Center Stage. Anyway it's what I'm doing right now ... or attempting, at least.

This is my first ever sweater, from a real life pattern, not just something I've made up in my head and try to force into existence even though I don't know what I'm doing. I thought I'd try one pattern before going and doing all that this time. Day one (Monday) I was already confused by the pattern instructions and went ahead emailing the company for clarification after googling around like a maniac unable to find an answer. The response I received was very cordial, but to cut to the chase, it basically told me to read the front page of the instructions, and I'd find my answer leaving me shocked and amazed that I had just, in fact, asked the dumbest question ever. A pretty strong statement considering I don't believe ANY question is stupid ... that is, unless the answer can be found on the FIRST page of the instruction sheet, and you just emailed the company for an in-depth explanation that, you guessed it, is perfectly illustrated ON THE FRONT PAGE of the pattern instructions.

If nothing else I gave myself a good laugh, and I'd like to imagine the customer service rep responsible for emailing the response to me won some kind of office pool for dumbest question ever answered and she was, in turn, the recipient of a free round of drinks after work. At least that's how it goes in my head.

By day two the back panel was finished ... I get a little obsessive like that when I start something new. Wednesday I found myself resting what is best described as my knitting "claw" ... I couldn't hold out for a classic seventh day rest, but I'm convinced God was never a knitter, however late in the evening I found myself casting on 50 new stitches to start one of the front panels. I know, I know, I'm taking it easy this time though. I figure by the time you have to drag out the minty scented sports cream for your knuckles you're over doing it just a bit!

So far so good though, I'm a bit excited, maybe a little too excited for something the color of oatmeal, but I believe there's no such thing as boring neutrals, only boring people. Hopefully I still believe that when this is finished!

xoxo

Still Waiting for the Out Like a Lamb Part...

2011-04-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

*Looks outside*

Well here we are in April (already?) and for all you faithful readers I regret to inform you I'm still waiting for my monthly prank call from my mother - she didn't even leave me any instant messenger bombs!- if nothing happens in the next couple of hours I'll have to file a missing persons report.

I figure today's as good as any to share a couple of recipes. Yay you! Ok, so you're looking at the picture and asking, "Girl, do you really drink your breakfast from a champagne flute with a heart shaped fun-straw, and eat strawberries from a crystal bowl all served on a little silver platter?" Not every breakfast. Thing is, my 7/11 big gulp cup with a female wrestler on it didn't exactly visually translate. I do, however, make a fruit smoothie most days for my breakfast, and not one of those icky ones with wacky junk that tastes like it should be served in a feed bag. No dear, mine taste like they could be served at a beach resort, and if you close your eyes you can almost make out the faint tinkling of a friendly little steel drum. The point, while it may not be drink your breakfast from a champagne flute, is most definitely to take a moment to spoil yourself, and do special things to make your day a little more magical. Besides, who doesn't want an excuse to sing about putting limes in coconuts? So, get out your blender - here we go!

Stormy's Super Awesome Morning Beverage Extravaganza!

(Title subject to change)

Serves 2

(or one very thirsty girl!)

8 - Ice cubes

2 - Large bananas (or 3 small)

3 oz- Blackberries (enough to fit in your palm)

4 - Strawberries quartered

1 - Orange juiced

1- tsp Lime juice

1 inch piece - Ginger root grated

1 pinch - Stevia or any natural sweetener

depending on how sweet you like it.

1/4 cup - Coconut milk

Fill the rest of the blender pitcher with water almost to the top of the fruit, pulse a few times, and liquefy, and that's it! This exact recipe makes almost 5 cups, or 1.25 litres.

Once you get comfy making these, play around with what's in your fridge! Switch out the berries, try more water, less water, more ice ... customize it to fit your morning needs. Another great addition is 1 Tbs Aloe Vera juice to aide in digestion. The combos, and possibilities are really endless, but I've found after much trial and error that this recipe really is a simple and tasty jumping off point, and is perfect for anyone with dairy allergies, or not interested in using yogurt.

This next recipe is even simpler, and excellent for relieving cold and flu symptoms. So get out your favorite mug, and get your water heating!

1 - Orange juiced

1 inch piece - Ginger root, grated

1 tap of cinnamon

Put your water on to heat just below a boil, while it's doing its thing juice your orange into your favorite mug for a vitamin C blast, and mild sweetener (let's face it, we all turn into big babies when we're sick, and don't want to drink anything "icky"), add just a tap of ground cinnamon (not a full shake on your shaker, but just tip it and give it a little tap with your finger - just a sprinkle), next grate your ginger root into the mug. If grated ginger bits are going to bug you, grate it into a small strainer, and once your water is hot pour it into your mug through the strainer filling your cup the rest of the way.

Now here's what you need to know about this recipe, downing this concoction is like having Chuck Norris kicking the stuffing out of your congestion, and you'll be coughing things out as if you're waking out of an exorcism in no time! Which is excellent for getting well, but something you want to be ready for.

Bottoms up!

Springing Ahead!

2011-03-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

Though I don't know exactly how much "springing" I'll be doing, at least things look like they're going to be a little less dismal around here ... even if it is just 5 minutes in between rainstorms. Spring is actually trying to happen, and for once in my life (entire life, no joke) I am thrilled to the core for Daylight Savings. I'm a fall back kinda gal, but skipping ahead an hour couldn't have come a moment too soon for me. La Niña is workin' my last nerve this year, as if I don't have enough to deal with in the middle of March's mood swings!

If you're as vitamin D deficient as I've been lately, mebbe this little collection of goodies will work its magic on you too!

xoxo

Get Lucky Giveaway!

2011-03-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

*Closed*

(Official Rules)

Welcome to the Get Lucky Giveaway!

Prize:

Spring Fling scarf in Daiquiri Ice
54" x 5 1/2"
100% Cotton

How To Enter:

No purchase necessary to win, just join me on Facebook, and leave a comment under the official Get Lucky Giveaway update for a chance to win! Contest opens March 7, 2011 and closes midnight, March 13, 2011. Winner will be announced March 14, 2011, and contacted via Facebook for mailing address. All personal information of winner will be kept private and neither sold, nor given to any third parties for any kind of obnoxious use. Winner will be randomly selected. Contest open to everyone (void where prohibited, of course), one entry per person, and finally ... GOOD LUCK!

Groundhogs are Liars

2011-02-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

Who knew? I mean, they look trustworthy enough. I could just be cranky since every cold, crisp yet sunny day seems to bring with it another week of rain, dark skies, and even snow leaving me to wonder will this winter ever end? Did I just say that? I LOVE winter ... but even I have limits. I'm ready for something else. I've got a terminal case of cabin fever, and I'm itching from the inside out for something other than "sog".

Everywhere I look, soggy skies, soggy trees, soggy doggy, soggy shopping bags, soggy ... well actually, I've been staying quite dry thanks to this little gem: I've adequately dubbed The Perfect Hat - not because of my oh-so-awesome knitting skills, well not entirely anyway. But because once it came off my needles, and directly after that moment of "Oh God, did it work?" when I situated it atop my head I gasped with delight, "Perfect!" And since then, this little guy's been everywhere with me. Not too big to stuff into a purse as you're running out the door, and definitely not too cumbersome to throw on even when the temperature isn't tooth rattling. Goldilocks herself couldn't have seen this one coming, especially if she's a reader 'round these parts.

There's something about February, Me, and hats ... probably because I'm bundled up to my eyeballs from now 'til April (and if you're a PNW native then you know that can drag out well into May -- and June, but who's counting?). This time I've nailed it though, not too bulky, not too wimpy, sleek slim fit, and oversized kitschy upcycled flower made from reclaimed fabrics, and felt derived from post consumer plastic bottles (omgodzorz, it's green too!)

Now if I can stop flapping my gums about it, and get some photos taken they'll be listed here shortly ... stay tuned!

xoxo

A Poison Tree

2011-02-03T01:59:00.000-08:00

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

William Blake

I've never been accused of being an actual Blake fan. That's not to say he's not a genius - I could easily be a complete literary, and poetic dullard. I think it's just a matter of taste, and for whatever reason he's just not serving it piping hot in my kind of cup. However the man's got a point (several, in fact) and I'm not too proud to have a pretty healthy appreciation for it. I have a very mediocre knowledge of the guy, and even less about what others have to say about the man or his work, but upon revisiting some of his pieces I'm finding a little spark of renewed interest, and picking up on what I believe is dry wit, a clear disdain for hypocrisy, and phony behavior alike, and a keen eye for irony. I can't not like him for any of these things, surely!

And I started thinking.

Through a superficial reading you might be thinking hey, hey he won! Speaker 1- Enemy 0 ... victory! Or, that's what you get for creepin' around my garden stealin' apples! To me, however, it is plainly a cautionary tale. What is it that you are nurturing? What aspects of yourself do you cultivate? Are you wrapped up in getting even by any means necessary? If so, what exactly is even? Isn't even typically a few steps beyond fair to begin with, and if that's true when does enough become enough? How much must we hurt each other to feel satisfied? Why does hurting another person satisfy you? And if we're supposed to love our enemies, why exactly are ya tryin' to kill him? With each question came another, and another after that one, and yet more were to come as I lay reading the words thinking of myself, family, the world, neighborhood, community, lovers, pets, everything and one ... and this went on for quite a while. It was then I could admit, this writer's not such a hack after all.

In the midst of this tornado I had a fleeting thought of my mother. When I was growing up, and even now she is not unlikely to say (yes say, not ask) "What is it that you're bringing to the table?" What makes you special? In a world where half the population is made up of the same things that make you, what is it that sets you apart? Not exactly pertinent at first, and a bit out of context, but I just kept thinking of the bringing and table part, and envisioned this grand feast, and sprawling table of guests full of anticipation, and a fine silver tray brought forth with large, beautiful apples shining like rubies ... and the vision stopped at that point and the words came to me, if your guests are dining on poisoned fruit from your garden, is it any wonder why they stop coming round for dinner?

And there you sit, alone, with your tainted bounty.

I just might end up a fan yet.

Going Guerrilla

2011-01-20T05:32:00.000-08:00

Yes, sometimes the creative process is as rudimentary as scribbling on notebook paper with a Bic pen, using a hot chocolate canister's lid to draw the perfect sized circle, and laying it all out on the coffee table. Thing is, many times you just have to strike while the iron's hot or you lose the idea, drive, ambition, whatever. I can't tell you how many times a great idea has vanished forever on me simply because I didn't stop what I was doing and take a note, or make a sketch for later.

I suppose now is when I'm supposed to mention the new year, clean slates, fresh starts, and dare I say it ... resolutions? Well, I'm not going to. I think especially in our society, we're quite in love with this idea of the do-over, possibly even greater my generation raised on video games equipped with reset buttons. Don't like how things are going, hey, start over! While I do embrace a little of that "philosophy" it's not exactly how things go, now is it? I like the idea of not allowing yourself to be stuck in a rut, and if you find yourself in one, you can get yourself out of one, and start along a new path, but it's not so cut and dry as pressing the reset button. You bring along all of your old ideas, and actions, and behaviors that got you there in the first place unless you resolve to change those as well as your direction. What's that they say? You can't run away from yourself. I believe it to be true. So with that in mind, no resolutions were made this year, just the continuation of what I believe I should be living everyday, which is to strive to be the best version of myself I can every single day. It sounds really lovely to say, but means nothing at all if I don't actually put it into practice, as with most things.

Back to the coffee table with this irregular girl to her fast moving, small scale operation of putting the craft back in Craft, quite possibly the dirtiest of words in the world of creating ... you know, ever since someone decided sugar cubes and glue were meant to be used together, and that popsicle sticks were a legitimate medium. Viva la Revolución!

Until next time,
xoxo

"Be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden."

-Ian MacLaren

'Twas the Day of the Night Before Christmas

2010-12-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away;

While quite unselfish, it grows small.

~ Eva K. Logue

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season, and embracing this time of peace ... hopefully we can bring it with us into the approaching year, and into all of our relationships.

xoxo

Soft Words Butter No Parsnips ...

2010-12-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

Or is it turnips ... wait that's blood from a turnip, and then there's something about cabbage too, but that wasn't in my stew so it really doesn't matter anyway!

Yesterday I was in full winter mode. The air was still and cold, the sky was a watercolor wash of silver, and my faux logs were "crackling" behind the glass front of my gas fireplace, and these little guys peeking out at me.

We'll discuss these rascals first. The more I browse the web, the more I see people re purposing their belongings into practical creations, or whimsical little gifts, and one of the themes that's really striking me lately is little woodland creatures, which has been in fad now for a handful of years and can be seen anywhere from t-shirts to fridge magnets to graphic design to probably the most obvious of all - stuffed animals. Whenever I see a new person cropping up out there with their take on stylized critters I get a little - jealous isn't the right word - I just feel this pull to try it for myself. And here's where I struggle, see I'm not exactly "creative" in this way, at least it's very difficult for me yet I save all sorts of old clothes, and bits of fabric because I'm a sentimental like that. It's not at all unusual to find a sweater from high school days in my closet, or trinkets from childhood tucked here and there. I always think I'm going to wear them again, or maybe just for the beach, or hey I could make something out of that some day! Ten years later I'm asking myself when exactly was "some day" going to get here? With that thought out came the scissors and rotary cutter, some scraps of felt, buttons, and embroidery thread, not to forget the stuffing, and this is what we end up with!

Both of these little guys were made out of one sweater sleeve, just sew across, stuff, and pull some thread through the knitted ribs about 1/2" from the opening, cinch, and tie off the drawstring and you've got yourself a little body. For the heads I just sort of eye-balled it, and made a sort of "hood" that with a little stuffing tucked in there slips right down over the gathered end of the body, and just stitch it in place by hand. I didn't follow a pattern, and I didn't create a pattern for these either because there was something almost zen about just going for it, and doing something in "fresh brain" mode - that's what I call it when I've never done something before. Doing something in this way puts you 100% in the moment, and requires you to be completely aware, and present, you know otherwise it would be just another mindless go-through-the-motions sort of activity that can leave you with lotsa neat stuff, but nothing you're really connected with. This, I think, is where the difference between homemade, and handmade lies.

I really want to encourage anyone out there who hasn't tried this and wants to, to go ahead and just start snipping, and laying things out, and jump in already. And if sewing isn't your thing, or woodland creatures aren't your cup, then do that thing you've been putting off trying, I assure you once you've finished it will not have been as difficult as you made it out to be in your mind. By not following another pattern, or mimicking a picture from Google I ran the risk of making something terribly ugly, but I went for it, and ended up with something completely mine, and made out of something I loved enough to hang onto for many years, and if I say so myself, I think they turned out pretty cute!

Now for the stew!

Something else I created in "fresh brain" and had no idea how it would turn out - incidentally it's amazing! So here's what I did:

2 lbs. Stew beef

4 parsnips

2 turnips

4 carrots

2 celery stalks

3 potatoes

1 large yellow onion

14 oz corn

14 oz black beans

14 oz pinto beans

4 cups of water

4-ish tablespoons of olive oil split up

1 pint of beer

2-3 cloves of garlic

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

*Spices*

Salt and Pepper to taste

heavy pinch of Basil, and Oregano each

4 good shakes of Cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon of Cumin

Pull out your slow cooker, and get your peeled, and chopped parsnips, turnips, and potatoes in there with 2 Tbs olive oil, and your garlic, and crank it to "high" while your stew meat is browning over medium heat - now here I used a few more drizzles of olive oil because I cut the fat off my stew meat (I don't care what it does to the broth I really can't bite down on squishy fat in my stew). I also salt and pepper my meat while it's cooking to bring out the flavor.

Grab your carrots, celery, and onion and chop into nice little bite size bits you don't want to have to unhinge your jaw just to get a good bite! Toss into slow cooker, and add all 4 cups of water.

Time for beans! The awesome thing about slow cookers is that you can use canned beans or dried beans whichever you prefer, just get 'em all rinsed and in the pot - in a couple of hours it's all the same anyway!

Add beef, butter (again because I cut the fat off and still want that savory yum-factor), Worcestershire sauce, and beer of your choice, and all of your spices - get out your trusty wooden spoon, give it a swirl, plunk the lid down, and go relax (Add your corn to the pot about 30 minutes before eating, mushy corn is such a downer)! Your stew will be ready in a couple of hours when your root veggies have turned from crisp white-ish colors to a soft translucent.

If you have a favorite dinner roll or biscuit, have a batch baking at the same time, it smells amazing, and who doesn't love having something to dunk in excellent broth?! Once it's all finished, grab your biscuit, stew, and sink into a big comfy chair with a glass of something delicious (my "delicious" was red, and plentiful!) perfect for a frosty winter day, in my opinion!

The (not so) New Addition to My Household

2010-11-11T05:26:00.000-08:00

If there are bite marks in this door mat, I don't know how they got there!

Meet Coco (the German Shepherd, black and yellow Labrador mix). Why yes, I know the "a" is missing, and if you saw her little, black collar you'd know she's both classy, and fabulous, and deserving of the name beyond just her yummy, chocolaty color!

She was not a birthday present, but she arrived the very same weekend, and we've been spending a lot of time together, and since then as you can see, I've had very little time, well, for anything really - blogging included. Between running after this fuzzy, little (and I use that term loosely) baby, and the new college aged neighbors upstairs (which is a whole other story, and the reason I'm awake and writing at 4:30 A.M.), I'm absolutely depleted, and exhausted.

Looking after a new puppy is a lot like taking care of a baby, you know if babies were born with shark's teeth, and had endless amounts of romping energy (to the point where I'm beginning to search for a hidden solar panel somewhere on her back since she is MORE energized after a long walk than before it), and of course if infants weighed in at 20 pounds by 10 weeks old ... oh yeah, and babies wear diapers - enough said. I have to say though, potty training has gone easier than anticipated, and she already runs to the door when it's time ... for the most part. She's borderline genius, and going to grow up to be an amazing dog, she will already sit, and lie down on command - next will be "shake" and some leash etiquette since our peaceful walks have turned into a thrilling game of tug-of-war.

But somewhere between the potty accidents, chasing my cat (whom she ADORES), drinking my bathwater, and the latest discovery of "boinging" the coil doorstop, fetching me everything in the house, or doing that weird German Shepherd sneak that I've dubbed the "Coco creep" there are moments like this...and let me tell you, she is a Class A snuggler, which is great since snuggling is taken very seriously 'round these parts. She also loves early morning Who's the Boss mini-marathons, which also works out great since I could listen to Tony Danza exclaim "Sa-MAN-da!" on endless rotation. Ay-oh, Oh-ay!

Well I'm off, and back to bed for an hour before she wakes up again and demands breakfast and a very chilly morning walk!

xoxo

Samhain

2010-11-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

The harvest is officially over, and let me tell you my patio garden experiment left me little to celebrate. If these were the old days I'd be dead before winter, for sure! Though, I'm not certain how long you can actually live off dried cilantro flakes, and catnip. My guess is not very. But I'm pretty lucky the green thumbs in the family like to share, well that, and the fact that my brother will do the dirty work for me sometimes (I'm so spoiled!). I can already smell another round of homemade applesauce simmering on my stove top! Oh, and pumpkin butter - I'll have to do that again this year. Try it. No really, it does not disappoint!

So it will be back to the grindstone with me. Time to get serious about things again. I have lots of home made goodies to get cooked up and into the freezer ... I'm thinking this will be my Fall of comfort foods, lots of soups, and gourd inspired yummies. We'll see. I've also got to crack the whip on the business side of things. I've been laying low until I can get a few things corrected, and updated ... mebbe a little too low, in fact! Oh well, I've got my little eight legged companion outside reminding me to press on, and do work even when I'm not in the mood. This little dude's got a new web up nightly, and clearly it's working! He's so fat, I'm waiting for him to bark at me - he couldn't possibly still be considered a spider. The picture doesn't do him justice, I should have thrown a coin into his web for scale, but I didn't want him to throw it back at me and leave a welt. Anyway, I don't typically "like" spiders, but there's something about this one - maybe the fact that he's staying outside, and not trying to invade my home. We've agreed to be neighbors, and I have to admit I'm quite liking the little-big-guy now. Besides, he's SO Halloween-y!

xoxo

P.S. Welcome November!

And So It Is

2010-10-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

Here we are on my very last day of my twenties, and it really couldn't be a lovelier day ... Let's see:

Autumn storm closing in on the Pacific Northwest: Check

Leaves dancing and swirling around outside: Check

Banana bread cooling in the kitchen: Check

Warm cup of apple cider: Check

Cinnamon stick: Check

Cheesy tourist souvenir: Check

The only thing left to do at this point is decide what my last meal shall be. I don't suppose asking for poached bald eagle eggs, and stewed giant panda paws would make tomorrow come any slower, so I think I'll stick to something simple, and just go with the flow instead.

xoxo

Waiting for the Great Pumpkin

2010-10-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

If I'd made a things to do before turning 30 list I think visiting the pumpkin patch would've been one of my to-do's. That's right, I had never been to an "official" pumpkin patch before last weekend. I'm definitely not complaining! I grew up in a cozy, little red house with an enormous vegetable garden next to it (I didn't exactly inherit the green thumb, maybe a green pinkie? Or would that just be a greenie?). Anyway, that's the great thing about having a batch of nieces and nephews, I get to tag along and do things with them I didn't do when I was little.

And it gives me an excellent excuse to be silly, and ridiculous (as if I need one, right?)!

I have no idea what the place we went to was called, but it was this lovely spot in Nisqually Valley, and they had quite the set up; all sorts of food, and treats on a stick, a petting zoo, pony rides, hay ride, a little tractor ride for kids in these old oil barrels painted like animals, a hay castle, farmer's market ... you name it. Did I mention the hay stack?

(I think my nephew's convinced he's standing next to Dora the Explorer!)

The day, honestly, couldn't have been more beautiful. Even with Fall's chill in the air the heavy, golden sun hanging low in the sky warmed our cheeks, and cast the most magical glow over the whole afternoon. After the pumpkins were all loaded up in the back of Gramma & Grampa's truck, and a few of us shared a quick bite of corn on the cob, we were off, and headed for home!

(Did I say quick bite? Maybe I meant ferocious bite...)

Once back at the Peterson hacienda it was time to open up and clean out the pumpkins to get them ready for their jack-o-lantern transformations ... which was interesting with a three year old and almost two year old. I thought I'd be wearing pumpkin "guts" before it was over, but I was surprised (shocked) I could only blame myself for whatever entrails I was covered in ... Aunt Stormy gets a leetle excited over pumpkin carving. Have I mentioned it's my favorite holiday yet? And even though I don't actually like eating pumpkin seeds I love squishing them out of all that orange goo - something my little blonde partner wasn't too sure about, but she'd pick the seeds off my hands after I'd done all the dirty work. I must say, by the end of it she was nearly converted, even offering me long strings of pumpkin insides on a makeshift fork trying to get me to eat it ... until I actually put it in my mouth and she looked as if she were about to pass out.

So what did we deem appropriate carvings for the under 3 set? Uhm ... well ... I mean really, what's Halloween without ye olde vomiting pumpkin? To make up for it, I was elected to attempt a "princess pumpkin" which, I believe, Mommy will be taking a step further with ribbons and other princess-y accessories this week. What can I say? We're not exactly a traditional family (really, by any stretch of the word) so why would our jack-o-lanterns be any different?

I have to say, for my first ever trip to the pumpkin patch, getting to share it with my little niece, and nephew made it such a treat - a memory to treasure for a long time, for sure (sickly pumpkins and all)!

xoxo

Ten

2010-10-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

No, not lords a leaping ... well, not yet anyway.

This is my mantle, by the way. Who wouldn't be happy at 5 a.m. with this face grinning at you?!

Ten is what's left of my grand countdown, and funnily enough the number of new items to be listed "shortly" at Etsy. Lately I've been tying up a lot of loose ends, and it's funny when you start in on that how in the middle of it ... you know, not between starting and finishing, no it's that awkward spot between the long pause taken after starting, and finishing ... anyway it seems every time I embark on the tie-up-loose-ends mission that I end up with more loose ends than I'd originally started with! And then I start feeling flustered because I'm pulled between a myriad of unfinished projects strewn about, but that's not the worst part. What makes my brain explode is when I have 4 things drying, other projects just waiting around to have their glamor shots taken because Miss Frankenstein is sprawled out on my floor turned Mannequin O.R. for rush surgery, a painting I can't finish because I've run out of white, photo editing software that won't load, and here I sit ... waiting (we'll go with patiently).

I don't like juggling in the first place - running back and forth from project to project with nothing ever actually getting completed right away. Multitasking does not make me feel important, especially once you realize it's a hoax since no matter how focused you feel you are in the moment, you're brain no matter how hard you try and fight it will still be focusing on one thing or another at a single time. It may be able to switch back and forth quickly, but make no mistake it is switching all the same. To me multitasking is a cute, little rather "official" sounding word for distraction, and means you may be doing a lot of things seemingly at once, but none of them well. So this whole pulled in several directions feeling does nothing fun for me.

So what's a girl to do? Well there's a choice to make, keep dwelling on things I can't change at this moment and get more frustrated, or just give in to the fact that there are things happening that I can't control, and certainly can do very little about at this moment, so why not switch gears a little bit and afford ourselves a little play time? Sometimes the most charming things enter our lives when we just let it happen. We don't have to be white knuckling the reins.

xoxo

Karma

2010-10-05T02:29:00.000-07:00

It's funny how things go, you know? Last night I was finishing up yet another knitted form of body covering of one sort or another and as my eyes rolled back and forth following the line my eyebrows make when I'm stuck in what I can only describe as a cross between "deep in thought," and "confused puppy" (one eye squinted of course) trying to figure out what to call it ... it came to me, gently even ... karma. Why karma? Well it goes around, and comes back around of course (which will be more apparent later once the photo sesh is finished- stay tuned)! And if you know me, then you know what a riot I thought I was for that one. It's also become kind of a running theme lately. I feel whenever I sit down behind the keyboard I'm left with overflowing thoughts from the day's events relating to the idea of if what we're getting back is what we're putting out, and we don't like it, then WHY are we putting it out there in the first place?! No one is immune to it, from what I've seen anyway. I don't care what you call it; karma, universal life force, God's will, law of attraction, I mean whatever! Put any kind of dressing on it you want to, but the fact of the matter is we all get what's coming to us whether we view it as a reward or lesson we need to learn (re-learn, learn again, beat a dead horse-learn). At least that's the existence I seem to be living. I'm getting off key here, but the point is these things are in the back of my mind a lot these days.

So the next day I woke up, fired up the ol' computer and found this gem! My girl, Tia (the brains behind Urban Karma) has decided it's time to make her Etsy debut! So let's get to clickin' shall we? You can find her blog on my side bar with the other creative chicks I stalk, and if that's not enough clicky and watch her in action crafting up a storm on youtube! I figure we could all use a little good karma now and again, and her goodies are about as good as it gets!

I will tell you one of the most gratifying things about starting this cyber-journey has been connecting with, or at least being in close proximity to the creativity of other women who create with their hearts first, hands second, and heads last of all -- not in some brainless sort of way, but in a way that ignores where the thinking, scheming mind lives. Genuine artisans and crafts(wo)men operate in an existence where money is the byproduct of a job well done and the realization of a heart song in tangible form. I assure you anyone I share with you here is not just slapping junk together to make a quick buck. To craft something is a terribly personal and intimate experience - the giving of part of yourself to another. With that said, Urban Karma is one to bookmark, and save to your "faves" now ... it'll be a store to watch for sure (and don't forget Christmas is coming up!).

So to wrap it up, and bring this all to a close, what on earth is my point this time?! Well whether the name of my scarf had anything to do with the fact a shop with a similar name was going live almost simultaneously, or that recent events in my life subconsciously made me create a never ending circular garment I could never begin to prove nor disprove. What I know for sure, and have said before, and will no doubt say again is nothing in life is coincidence. We are all connected. We are all one.


One Love brown rosette pin by Urban Karma

xoxo

Practice Makes Perfect...

2010-09-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

... Or so I'm told *looks at hat in disbelief*

I practice everything in mini-size because if it doesn't turn out I don't want to have to rip apart an adult size garment. I'm really not patient enough to sit there unraveling, and I'm far too emotional to not get upset having to tear it apart. Though I could always toss it over to the Production Coordinator, that girl gets things handled!

So I guess it's pretty lucky that I have a gaggle of nephews and nieces to offload some of the pint size projects (which I intend to fully start taking advantage of!) once I've recorded my instructions except for the times when I start out making a hat fit for a two year old, and it comes out sized for a newborn (that's a big difference, in case you don't have any kids). And while I could donate this to a little girl's baby doll's wardrobe, I might just have to tuck it in a little box next to some fierce hot pink booties, and save it for my Littlest Turkey someday.

Good things to know? Don't just make the gauge swatch ... actually FOLLOW it! Haha. Then again, little "mistakes" like this one can be pretty cute, and an unexpected mood elevator. ;-)

Let the Countdown Begin!

2010-09-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

No, there's no silvery ball to drop ... and hopefully nothing else will be dropping, or drooping for that matter! With today, I am officially beginning the last month of my twenties, and I can honestly say I'm not going to miss a minute of it. I've never really been one to get too depressed about getting older, especially considering the alternative. I'm far too excited for what comes next anyway!

I remember at nineteen, 29 just seemed SO far away, not necessarily ancient, but just so very far away, and now that I'm here -- Girl please, this is just the beginning!

So how will I be spending the last month of my twenties? I have NO idea. How will I be spending the rest of my life? Still no idea ... okay, I have one or two ideas, but rigid plans and strategies are so last decade! Funny thing is, I've spent so much time in my life planning, and calculating every move and striving to be at the top (yes, a slight over achiever), and the thing is nearly everything turned out in a way other than what I had planned or intended. This big race to nowhere brought me to the place I was always coming anyway. I was never not going to come to be right here, now. What can I take into my new little decade that I learned in the last? I think knowing the difference between preparation, and strict planning.

I'm prepared. I'm ready!

**Post Edit**

Always handle your biz, and keep immaculate records. Oh yeah, and cynicism gets you nowhere in life! Those are handy lessons too.

Ain't it Good to Know?

2010-09-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

(For those of you who clicked the link, I've always loved that song!)

I've been thinking about it a lot lately ... the word "friend" what it means, how we use it, what role these characters play in our lives, and what they can do for us. I think my definition of the word is a little less traditional than others', and what my friend does for me is a little unorthodox, but I think we'd all be in a better place if our friends, and we as friends were a little less like the norm.

Firstly, I think "friend" is the most important label you can place on a person (you know, if you're into that kind of thing!). You can have your lover, your mother, sister, child, etc., but these people become so much more important, and integral in your growth, and life once they become your friend on top of what they already are to you. I say this, because all of the tags I just listed can become your biggest hindrance in life if they are committed to just blowing smoke, er, in your face. They can keep you from growing up, and reaching your true potential if all they do is remind you of how "fabulous" you think you are.

My friend is honest. My friend is not phony. My friend will never kiss me li'l bum. My friend will never tell me I'm perfect, because my friend knows better. My friend holds up my mirror, and makes me look at myself, and not just to primp and get my lip gloss on straight! My friend makes me look at my real self, and sometimes I don't like what I see, and sometimes we don't speak because of it! My friend challenges me (especially the part of me that sometimes hates admitting that!). My friend makes me stand on my own. My friend does not coddle me, and will be the first to let me know when I'm being a jackass. My friend never stands with me when I'm wrong. My friend gets under my skin, and twists, and turns until I can't stand anymore, and want to rip my outer layer off just to get the little bugger out! That's okay, I don't mind a good soul scrubbin' every now and again, but my friend will never do this for me. My friend hands me the scrub brush, and says "Git ta woiyk!" My friend never cracks the whip, it's my job to find where I need the discipline, and dish it out for myself. My friend makes me stronger, not by rallying the troops, or circling the wagons, or screaming the loudest on my behalf. My friend shoves me out on stage under the burning spotlight, because my friend knows I can do it. My friend believes in me, why else would my friend go to all this trouble?

The fact that my friend keeps doing this for me is what unconditional means to me. It does not mean I get to act any ol' way, and I will be accepted no matter what kind of pain, or nonsense I create for myself and others. One could look back to that paragraph and think, well there sure seems to be a lot of conditions in there! I don't see that. I see someone who has never given up on me, and that, I will tell you, is very rare.

It's good to know I've got a friend. I only hope I can be as good to my friend in return.

My Mailbox

2010-09-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

I don't even know how I ended up with the Fall Land's End catalog (well I can guess some third party is punting my information), but I got it anyway and inside was... (that's where you do the drum roll)

What's that she's wearing? I dare say it's a knitted capelet. What's the signif, you ask? Well, while it's done in subtle Land's End-ish colors at least I can finally say that I'm not completely insane for forecasting knitted capelets this time (no, this isn't my first time, and I'll be trying to bring them back after this you can rest assured)! Even though

mine look like they've just stepped out of a VW van in the midst of a tie-dye party (I'm not buying into the whole we're in a recession everyone wants to dress drab and doubty business.) it is a capelet, it is knitted, and it is Fall 2010.

xoxo

Let's Learn Something Today!

2010-09-08T04:34:00.000-07:00

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

- Mark Twain

The rain has been pouring non-stop all night, and it sounds magnificent! I love a good rainy day, not a misty-can't-make-up-my-mind-if-it's-actually-gonna-rain type of day, but a true rainy day -- the kind with the drops big enough to soak you with just a couple of their friends. The rain has brought with it the beginning of another school season for many little children this week, and with that I thought I'd play teacher for a minute, and lay out some instructions for a little project that results in flirty, fluttery, and fabulous flowers (too much?). Apparently I'll be teaching a side lesson on alliteration, and the abuse of it too!

Ok, so here's where we're going with this. Once they're finished you can decide to make them into hair pins, lapel pins, gift decorations, whatever! You can sew buttons, beads, or a series of french knots in the centers for little spots of pollen, or think of something wild I haven't come up with, there's really no messing these up -- and even if you think you have, just start over! They're so easy, and quick to make you won't even care.

So, where do we begin? What you need is a good (cheap) synthetic fabric. Synthetics melt, and curl when heat is applied, and that's what you're after for this project. I used some organza scraps I've been lugging around for ages that I really dislike sewing with. It ravels, and slips under my sewing machine's presser foot, and wrinkles like nobody's business, so while this isn't the first time I've considered burning it, at least this time I could burn it AND make something out of it at the same time!

Now that you've got your fabric picked out, you need to begin cutting your circles. We're not looking for perfection here, just something round-ish. I begin with about a 4 inch circle and work down in size with each one until I have around 4 or 5 circles cut out.

Like this, except with fewer wrinkles because you're going to remember to run an iron over your fabric first, right? It gives a much nicer result, depending on the look you're going for, a crinkly bohemian flower could be very adorable, and romantic looking in that dried bouquet-keepsake sort of way -- play around, that's what this is for! Alright, you've got your circles, so now what? Get out your candle and light it. It doesn't matter what kind, though I don't think I'd use a taper candle with its flame all exposed for this. I opted for something shorter that sits low in a holder to control the flame a little more ... I don't think you're going to want a flame to be whipping all around while you're trying to stick a piece of synthetic fabric in it, but hey, some of us like a little more excitement than others!

I like to work from largest to smallest when melting the circles. Of course you have less control over the larger pieces, so starting with a smaller one your first time might be a good idea until you know how the fabric acts with the flame. For best results you want to gently approach the flame from the side with the edge of the fabric. I work near the low part of the flame, while hotter, I find it more reliable since there is less movement there. Also this isn't about cramming fabric directly into the fire. Bring the circle close to the candle and move it slowly toward the flame, since it is giving off heat you're going to see it start melting before you even touch it to the fire. That's what you're shooting for! If your fabric catches fire you're lookin' at scorch marks, and hard plastic beads of melted fabric, and that's not our goal here. Once you're all nice and melty, it's time to stack your petals and stitch them in place.

There are a couple of ways to do this. 1. You can stack all your petals and sew them together, stitch your "pollen" in, and attach a bobby pin, or pin back to the back of your flower, or 2. You can get a little advanced and "hide" your work for a more effortless looking flower. If you opt for #2, stitch your "pollen" of choice into the smallest petal first, then attach your pin, clasp (whatever) to the center back of the largest petal. Once those are in place, stack your petals and begin stitching them together. To hide your thread, start from the front side of the largest petal sending your needle down at an angle avoiding the pin you've sewn in place. Pull your thread through, and on the way back up (through all petals this time), angle your needle so that you are entering the fabric under the pin thus hiding your thread for a clean finish. Continue with this method, doing the same on the top side of the smallest petal so your stitches are hidden under your "pollen" as well. Stitch until secure, and you're all done!

If this is your first time "hiding" your stitches, it can be a little tricky, but I think it's worth knowing, and comes in handy for other projects and sewing situations. Just practice it a couple of times, and you'll be all set!

Good luck! And no, this won't be on the test.

I'd Like to Introduce You to

2010-09-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

My Production Coordinator. Now, it is my firm belief that all pets belong to a union which adheres strictly to the code that it is their purpose in life to make their owners big, fat liars! Just as I was explaining how our manufacturing facility is allergen-free, and the Production Coordinator never goes near the garments I come to find this...

Mama's Li'l Helper strikes again, thank you kiki! I guess she wasn't wild about my design, and decided to make a few changes. I suppose I'll forgive her, production coordinators rarely get to flex their creative muscles, and it looks like she just couldn't help herself. Needless to say, we'll be keeping this prototype for the archives.

Out to Pasture?

2010-09-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay it's that time of year again ... Labor Day, and how many of us are actually sending our whites to the big color farm in the sky? Granted, around this time the ol' girl is looking a little long in the tooth, but I don't think it's glue factory time just yet. And now for the shock, and scandal I tell you: I believe in winter white! I also believe in stiff white shirts to match the crisp fall air. I believe in crunchy leaves under a bright white sneaker with jeans and a cozy sweater. I believe in ALL colors ALL the time. I'm a mood dresser, not a trend/fad/tell me what I should like from your glossy magazine dresser. And quite honestly I don't think I'm alone here.

It feels to me that there is a shift happening out there. People are tired of the same old assembly line junk that everyone else has, that the prestigious few tell us we should want, and definitely need if we don't already have it ... but don't forget you'll be throwing it out next season when you're told it's "over"! We're sick of being told what to do. Our rights are being mutilated before our eyes, blatant abuses of power are being thrust upon us under the guise of course that "they" know what's best for us (um, by the people for the people? Not so much), as the whole world seemingly creeps closer and closer toward a universal police state ... Fashion Police, do you see where I'm going with this? You don't actually exist, and we don't need the "threat" of you hanging over our heads anymore. There are more important things happening out there than what color I'm wearing after which day on the calendar. If it makes me happy, what's the problem? And really, shouldn't that be what we're all striving for, sharing and spreading happiness -- accepting one another and each of our quirks instead of regurgitating a lot of rigid and antiquated rules about something as silly as fashion?

Silly as fashion?

Yes, fashion IS silly, the whole nature of it is! We're picking out decoration and coverings for our bodies, we're not curing cancer in the closet in the morning ... and if you are, may I say that's amazing! Enjoy it, it's meant to be fun! The ones taking it so seriously are either trying to get rich off you, or doing some kind of Wild Kingdom ram dance before they butt heads and one can be declared a winner. And for them I say, please do us all a favor by getting back on your high horse, ride it to your ivory tower, and lock yourself in, because the rest of us are having a blast ... and you know what they say about party poopers!

What's my final word? My name is Stormy, and I believe in winter white.

It's AliiiVe!!!!

2010-09-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it's live anyway. What's that, you ask? The little etsy shop that almost wasn't, that is! I've still got some work to do, but it's up and running, and it's been a long time coming.

So that's why I've been a little quiet lately, but I'm pleased to announce that I made my deadline, summer procrastination and all!

xoxo

Oh Make Me Over

2010-08-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Frankenstein is finally finished ... well for now at least, knowing the way I change my mind! Why Frankenstein? I admit, the name's still a work in progress, but I thought it fit today just thinking about scavenging for all her parts ... chicken wire from Dad's shop, a birdbath (or was it a feeder?) base from his wife, and countless other secret ingredients including a trip to the mistint counter at Lowe's. Besides the fact that it's taken me months to get used to seeing her lurking in my dark house during a trip to the kitchen for some water in the middle of the night, and never mind the fact that my cat is terrified of her, but I think that had more to do with a laser pointer mishap (sorry kiki).

For those of you entertaining the idea of someday ever creating your own mannequin, don't. Or if you do, I urge you not to do it the hard way like I did, and take a lesson from this cookie she knows what she's talking about. If only I'd found her instructions at the beginning of my chicken wire mannequin affair instead of in the middle of it. Perhaps once I psychologically recover I'll give it a try and make another one, but I'll not start holding my breath anytime soon, I actually want to be alive long enough to see this one get some use!

Talking Leaves

2010-08-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

That was a name I coined for a color in college, it was a Native American themed project, and I thought both the people and the name had a certain mystery about them. I love the thought of leaves suspended high above us, with something to say about everything like thousands of little busy bodies whom never let even the smallest details slip their attention, or passing along important messages as the wind carries them to the appropriate ears.

My leaves are certainly talking today, they've been good company all morning as I'm elbow deep in projects. I see the heavy limbs dip so they can peek in through the window at me to see what I'm up to, and bounce back up to the dark gray sky to pass along the news. Somewhere along the way they mentioned to me that it was Fall now, though I knew it a week ago that the weather would not be waiting for the calendar to catch up ... it never really does around here. But just in case I wasn't ready to believe the leaves swaying to and fro while others danced around twirling like my niece in a princess dress til the cold moist grass tickled their toes I saw Tommy (the squirrel, and yes I name everything) run by with some non-perishables for his pantry, and it hit me, not like a ton of bricks or anything. Fall is something I ease into like a hot bath, it just envelopes me completely.

There's something exciting to me about that first bite of crisp air that lets you know something more is going on than meets the eye. I've been flirting with the rich colors of the season, and day dreaming of wrapping up in the warm woollen camel colored coats we'll be seeing everywhere soon. And this year like many before it sends thoughts through my head of crackling leaves underfoot, ivy covered brick, age stained book pages, tweed jackets with leather elbow patches, beaver fur coats, pennants, Oxford bags, and new beginnings. Autumn to me has always been more about new beginnings than Spring ... the acorn has to fall in order for something to be sprouting come springtime. Even though everything seems to be coming to life, something had to be planning the arrival beforehand.

Well it's back to work with me, I just had to take a break before tantrums ensued ... I have that problem when I'm working on intricate things that require a new definition of tedium, there's something that would be so soothing in the sound of breaking glass when I've been going at it too long. I chose this instead, and no clean up required!

xoxo

They're Here!

2010-08-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

My order from Moo, that is, and I couldn't be more excited! Okay, I admit, I don't have a ceiling on my excitement level, but still, this ranks somewhere near wherever the top would be. What great icing on my blogiversary cake, to boot!

Two years ago, today, I was dreaming up a new path to take. I had no idea exactly what the path looked like, but fragments I was cooking up in my mind started looking right.

And I knew if I exhaled, and closed my eyes that when I opened them I would see more clearly the direction I was supposed to be going. I admit, at first it felt very selfish. It was the first time in a very long while that I was making decisions based solely on what I felt I needed, and my best interest, and not the interests of others. Which, truthfully, is still a struggle for me sometimes, but we all have a responsibility to ourselves to be true to what we feel inside, and to be honest with ourselves first and foremost otherwise we're of no use to anyone else.

So, I think I'll leave it there for now. It's been a strange year, and I feel miles from where it started, but in a good way, and I'm definitely enjoying the trajectory, and I'm excited to find what's around the next corner. Here's to year three!

xoxo

P.S. I totally recommend Moo for your printing needs!

Lookie What I'VE Got!

2010-08-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

I love peas! I don't like them frozen, cooked, split, whirled, or any other way besides fresh out of the pod. So that's why I decided to grow them up my trellis on my patio ... well that, and because after watching Food Inc. (an absolute must watch) and thinking about the state of produce in America and how it's ripened by spraying all sorts of terrifying chemicals on them, I'm a little nervous buying any from my neighborhood supermarket.

So, that's it for now, just a little peek at my bebe snow peas. They're pretty cute.

xoxo

Tonight I Took a Bath With Walt Whitman

2010-08-03T05:22:00.000-07:00

And I paused long enough to be reminded how wonderful it is to be a woman.

I Sing the Body Electric (5)

from Walt Whitman: Leaves of Grass: The Complete 1855 and 1891-92 Editions

This is the female form,

A divine nimbus exhales from it from head to foot,

It attracts with fierce undeniable attraction,

I am drawn by its breath as if I were no more than a helpless

vapor, all falls aside but myself and it,

Books, art, religion, time, the visible and solid earth, and what

was expected of heaven or fear'd of hell, are now consumed,

Mad filaments, ungovernable shoots play out of it, the response

likewise ungovernable,

Hair, bosom, hips, bend of legs, negligent falling hands all

diffused, mine too diffused,

Ebb stung by the flow and flow stung by the ebb, love-flesh

swelling and deliciously aching,

Limitless limpid jets of love hot and enormous, quivering jelly

of love, white-blow and delirious juice,

Bridegroom night of love working surely and softly into the

prostrate dawn,

Undulating into the willing and yielding day,

Lost in the cleave of the clasping and sweet-flesh'd day.

This the nucleus--after the child is born of woman, man is born

of woman,

This the bath of birth, this the merge of small and large, and

the outlet again.

Be not ashamed women, your privilege encloses the rest, and is

the exit of the rest,

You are the gates of the body, and you are the gates of the soul.

The female contains all qualities and tempers them,

She is in her place and moves with perfect balance,

She is all things duly veil'd, she is both passive and active,

She is to conceive daughters as well as sons, and sons as well

as daughters.

As I see my soul reflected in Nature,

As I see through the mist, One with inexpressible completeness,

sanity, beauty,

See the bent head and arms folded over the breast, the Female

I see.

***

What a lovely description of what is encapsulated within the feminine. I feel I'm the luckiest person on Earth to have been born a girl. I believe I am the divine manifested in the female form ... correction: I believe we are all the divine manifested in form with the true essence not recognizing separateness. We are all one, we are all made up of the same parts, the ones we see, and the ones invisible to us. We originate from the place where nothing, and everything matters simultaneously, but not any of the things that we have come to pollute our daily lives with. We are not our errands, we are not our tweets, our fancy phones that do everything to keep us "connected" by disconnecting us completely from what is actually life; the living, the wholeness.

I heard once that the only secret regret of a Scorpio woman is that she wasn't born a male. I hardly think so, and am willing to bet that has never been uttered by any such female even in her inner most thoughts. Well, I do find myself envying the male physical strength when I find myself pit up against a rather menacing pickle jar. I wonder what it's like to inhabit a body where things are done with such ease sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I make out just fine with my little rubber jar opener, but still, can't I marvel at the male form and its design and what makes it different from mine while I celebrate all that is female? Are we still playing into the battle of the sexes, am I still expected to hate men? Isn't that getting a little old? Is my other option to play the Marilyn, and be thrilled to live in a man's world as long as I get to be a woman in it? I see that didn't work out too well for her. Can't we just accept that there would be no one without the other? Realizing that we are necessary to each other, not just in an obvious way, but just for balance's sake even? Are we ready to see that the society we allow ourselves to exist in which houses the battle, and the pseudo feminism, and abuses against each other is all just part of the illusion? And that we can change it at any time? We play into it time and again. It's a very sad state of affairs, in my opinion, because I believe our true essence is so much greater than all of this. All of the things we see in this shallow existence that we believe in, and buy into on a daily basis, the ways we treat each other, the roles we plaster each group with, and the roles we willingly play; the choices and decisions we make everyday is what is keeping us trapped, and blinded from what we truly are, and are capable of. I believe it can all be different (the eternal optimist wrapped in a sarcastic, glitter lip-gloss wearing package), but we have to be willing to put down the distractions long enough to embrace what is.

I hear women who are actually sad when they have daughters, knowing that she will face all the heartaches her fore mothers experienced, our cycles are called curses, and we're taught in a puritanical society (that contradicts itself by over sexualizing children, but who's counting?) that what's under our skirts is dirty, ugly, and basically to be ignored ... you know, until a man wants it. Are you kidding me? If that's what being a woman is, then no thank you. I don't fit in your brand of "real world", my feet will go on dancing through the existence I'll continue to create for myself (hey, if it's gonna be an illusion, it may as well be fabulous!). As long as we have physical bodies I want to live in a place where instead of focusing on the heartaches, we are taught to love and appreciate the depth of a woman's heart, and the constant renewal / rebirth she is capable of. A place where we are not expected to be ashamed of what makes us female, and a place where we do not need to "learn" what it is to be a woman from anyone else but our own inner voice, essence, divine guidance, whatever you want to call it, or whatever you believe it is. The truth is, we're born with it. It's always there in the vibrations of the Earth that trickle up through your body, and the gentle sway of the moon as she does her work, in that place where nothing, and everything matters all at once -where you are energy, and I am energy, and the space between is energy - where we are nothing as we know it, and everything as we don't, and we are all one.

Things I Do While Waiting for Papier Mâché to Dry...

2010-07-30T02:15:00.000-07:00

I totally pinched this idea from, well I can't remember now, but I do remember seeing glittered clothes pins somewhere, and since no one's pictures satisfied my curiosity I decided I had to try it for myself. I did learn, however, that putting a coat of corresponding paint on the top side of the pin pre-glitter makes a huge difference in the overall appearance. I wasn't really in the mood to go through the process just to have mangy looking pins in the end. I'd really like to find a clear coat to spray over the top that keeps the glitter from dusting off, but also keeps the integrity of the sparkle intact (yes, I just said integrity of the sparkle).

So what are these for then, since you can't exactly use them in your closet with them leaving behind glitter? Well, they're for a message board ... just as soon as I spray paint the chicken wire, build, and paint the frame, attach the two, and affix with a hanging mechanism. Anyway, it seemed like a good project to have on the back burner for those times when you're waiting for other projects to hurry up and DRY!

Let's see ... took some night pics. I'm particularly proud of this little guy, he started off as a cutting this year, and has turned out to be the fluffiest geranium on my patio. I finally figured out this whole cutting situation, you know after killing each one I tried to start last year.

Last, but not least I got my frame put together for doing up some batches of hand made recycled paper. I've heard frame building is a lot like character building, only different. All I can say is, god, I hope not. I put together, took apart, put together, took apart, and finally put it back together and it's still a bit rickety in the end. Maybe it's more like character building than I thought.

xoxo

A Little Birdie Told Me

2010-07-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

How charming is this little guy? I love his little feet, and how he looks very plain from far away, but if you get close enough you can see his glittery, golden feathers.

I remember getting to touch a hummingbird once as a child, on vacation with my parents. A little guy had taken a wrong turn and found himself stuck on a window sill, high above a gift shop with a very flustered gift shop owner trying to catch him. My dad simply climbed the ladder, put his hat over the tiny bird, and collected him into his hands. You know, because catching a hummingbird is so easy.

Once outside, he opened up a little peephole in his hands and let me spy on the little bird. I remember it sizing me up with one tiny eyeball, as I extended a finger to stroke the silky feathers of its head. And then, after a few moments he was gone.

When I think of my childhood, I can't help but think of hummingbirds. Every summer my mother put a feeder out, and I could watch, and listen to them from the open bay window. When it was too cold the birds would move on, and the feeder would come down. The delicate glass birds twinkling from the mirror of my mother's little sports car made the chilly months seem shorter, if even just the slightest bit.

It is said for many people, the hummingbird is the creature that opens the heart. What a lovely thought. Sams, and Carson go on to say:

When we assume hummingbird consciousness, our life becomes a wonderland of sensuous delights. We live for beauty, delighting in flowers, aromas, fine mist, and delicate tastes.

When it becomes our totem, the hummingbird teaches us to laugh and enjoy the creation, to appreciate the magic of being alive, and the truth of beauty.

Hummingbirds awaken us to the beauty of the present moment. As they dance the four quarters of embodied existence, they bring us medicine to solve the riddle of duality. They also awaken us to the medicinal properties of plants.

I guess Mother Nature never ceases to bring us lessons, even from the smallest of teachers.

You Say Broo-sket-a...

2010-07-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

... I say brmmshmmta (quite simply because I'll be shoving it into my mouth as fast as I can). The big idea these last few years has been to become a lot less remedial in the kitchen. There are things in life that are only cute when you're younger. For instance, my three year old niece can get away with pulling her dress over her head and spinning around in the middle of a room full of company. I, on the other hand, would probably have to register as a sex offender in 45 states. The giggle and shrug is only cute in the first part of your twenties when asked about your cooking skills, with each year it becomes increasingly pathetic, and with each passing decade exponentially so. I really don't want to find that at 40 I've allowed myself to become culinarily handicapped, and completely unable to feed myself anything other than boxes of processed macaroni with those little bags of powdered cheese.

So far, so good.

I mean, let's not get carried away here, this act is nowhere near ready for the road, but I'm eating substantially more "grown-up" food, and I've got a lot more kitchen-confidence than just a few years ago.

So try it! Just toast up some bebe sized bread slices over medium heat in a pan, rub with garlic, drizzle with 1 Tbs of olive oil, and top with slices of mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes. Sprinkle with basil, and black pepper, and that's it! I had mine with a really simple parmesan linguine. If my tummy had a face, it would've looked like this -> :-D

What Was I Saying?

2010-07-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, something about Summer, and staying on task...
It's not like I set out intending to procrastinate, it's just that when the sun shines around here you don't waste it! And judging by the sunburn I received, I didn't waste one drop of it ... ye-ouch (I totally envy the fact that my sister has never had a sunburn in her entire life).

In my defense it hasn't been all slacking over here. I've managed to get a few things done. Hey, I said a few - I didn't say I was moving mountains yesterday! Forward motion is still progress, and I'm satisfied so far, so I don't think I'll be beating up on myself too much for my play days.

I hope you're all enjoying the Summer sun as much as I am!

xoxo

Hey Daddy-O

2010-07-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted ... I admit I've been very distracted lately. Though I will say, I've always had a difficult time staying on task during the summer months. Summer was always a time to be free. No schedules, no clocks, no constraints. Funny how the older we get those things change the fastest, but I still feel part of me holding onto what I held so sacred about this time of year. I hope I never let that part of myself go.

So here I am, and there are my boys up at the top ... our daddies. It turned out to be quite an ambush, as we unloaded and took over the kitchen so our hostess could see daylight, and play with us as well! I think it turned out even if it was winter-cold in the middle of June. We made the best of it, and I learned a new game that apparently goes by the names of ladder golf, bolo toss, and the decided favorite of the day, hillbilly horseshoes ... which by the way, my dad totally slayed at since he spent most of his adult life throwing cables to the decks of ships from the docks below. He can put a ball attached to a string / yarn / rope / cable anywhere he wants, so he kind of had an advantage!

Overall, it was a really good weekend. It's always nice to get to change your pace a little, relax, and enjoy the people you're with. I think Dad had a nice time as well, but then again he's always been a sucker for good munchies, and a present now and then, and I don't think the brand new flannel disappointed. There are a few subtle signs of approval to watch for ... the weight test which is administered by a gentle shake of the garment, followed by a little squeeze of the hand, and then the silence, and after a few moments a very quiet "that's a pretty shirt". Not very many people describe plaid, flannel, button front shirts as pretty, but he does, and that's what makes it so much fun taking the time to pick out just the right one.

Lowest Tide of the Year!

2010-06-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

It was an amazingly sunny (much needed) day, with a stunning -3.5 tide Sunday, and thankfully my brother reminded me. Ok, that's not exactly the right word, I knew it was this month, but somewhere along the way I managed to get the dates all switched around, and was thoughtfully corrected. I'm so glad I was, 'cause these guys come out ...

... And I just love them, aren't they wonderful? The picture really doesn't do them justice. In person not only are they enormous, but their juicy, berry preserves colors are almost unreal! I could probably, very easily, sit and stare at them all day if it were possible, all the while talking to them in an overly animated, high pitch referencing them as "babies!" and looking VERY insane. I can hardly care if my cool blows out the bottom of the image-thermometer in the presence of such delightfully charming critters ... I dare you to not feel the slightest baby-talk urge when you see them. I promise it will be there, and you will have to choke back irritating tones you never knew your voice was capable of!

I didn't come across too many other types of sea life ... life being the key word. There aren't any spectacularly deep tide pools on this stretch of Puget Sound along Redondo Beach, WA. It's just a pretty low-key place, with a subtle strip of sand and rocks, unless of course you're into SCUBA, that's a whole other story apparently. Anyway, when the tide goes out, most of the action is under the piers, clinging to the pilings. Unless your idea of "action" is countless dead crabs that got left behind as the tide rolled out, pieces of jellyfish, and tiny cockles cooking in the shallow water.

It was still nice to see all the people enjoying themselves in the sunshine amidst all of the, uhm, abundant death. That's nature, I suppose, taking the good with the bad, depending on your definition of bad, of course. Even though it's a natural part of life, there was something still slightly macabre about it all. With that in mind I had to swing back by the gang involved in what appeared to be a rather nail-biting game of Twister, on my way toward home.

I find it slightly humorous that on the lowest tide of the year I still managed to drench my pants to the knees in salt water. Though I think those who know me won't be surprised in the least. When it comes to the beach, I believe I will always be like a 5 year old with water to my knees, and somehow always managing to get sand in my hair!

xoxo

Rise Above

2010-06-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

(*Edit* It's no longer a few days past the birth of my niece. It's no longer May for that matter, but sometimes you have to wait for the right time ... a baby chick doesn't just hatch any ol' time, and I guess this just needed a little more time in the nest.)

I'm baking this morning in the pre-sunrise hours because I can't sleep, and that's what I do when I'm unsettled inside, which believe me is a better option than some of the other ideas I've considered! The women in my family are strange creatures, we each have a respective "thing" we do when we're sad, angry, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next, perhaps it clears our heads and gives us a moment to sort what's important. For one it's yard work, another is cleaning (aka scrubbin'), for another it may be bills or paperwork of some sort. The funny thing is that they are each productive, and a type of sorting in a very obvious and physical sense clearly reflecting the work that needs to be done on the inside or on a more spiritual / emotional level. Believe me, I've had a couple record breaking arguments with my sister ... her house has never been so spotless! It's fairly safe to ask when you see counter tops full of goodies to munch on, or a spotless house, or a lawn you can eat off of or a desk as neat as a pin, "So who have you been upset with?"

On Mother's Day this last Sunday I became an Auntie (again) to a most charming little girl, and she's been causing me to reflect on recent events, and on myself, and on life in general, I suppose. Perhaps that's the nature of a brand new, shiny life - an absolute clean slate. Maybe it's each child's job to shake the rest of us awake, and out of our illusory lives that each of us creates for ourselves, and exist in, and challenge us to ask ourselves what on earth are we all doing, and what's it all for? Okay, maybe that's a little on the lofty side, I mean that's quite a job if you ask me, and I'm not so sure that babies are designed to carry burdens quite that large, but it's funny how not only do they do it, but they pull it off so effortlessly, you know, between naps and all that cooing. The other question she leaves me with is what is her "thing" going to be when she's unsettled inside, make no mistake, if she's one of us - she'll have one!

So with the smell of banana bread wafting through my kitchen, this very early morning I am brought back to the title of this post. What does it mean to "rise above" or to be the "bigger person," and when is it time to do it? It's funny, we use these terms in times of conflict resolution, but have you ever noticed the tone in which they're said? Somewhere between rising above, and being the bigger person there is a very slippery slope that most certainly will make you neither. Who hasn't heard someone say "Well, I'M going to riiiise above, and be the BIGGER PERSON!" in that oh-so-haughty tone that quite clearly tattles on you that you have neither risen above, nor have you become the bigger person ... except maybe your fat head? So really, what do they mean? To me, rising above doesn't mean inflating yourself, and acting too cool for the situation you're in, that's just more of the problem, not the solution, but is so often what tends to happen. I think it means to humble yourself, and then elevate your thinking to a place of self respect, and respect of others, and out of a situation that was not good for either person to be in, and to look for a remedy for what has gone wrong. I think being the bigger person is not about being, or seeing yourself as better than anyone else, rather, it is more about trying to become a better, more loving, kinder, and more understanding version of yourself so you find yourself in fewer conflicts to begin with (hopefully!).

Why is it that these things are always so much easier said than done? Why am I not better at practicing what I preach? What barriers are we putting up in our lives to keep us from living a more whole existence? Why do we work so hard at having shallow relationships with people? Is it because if we keep them at arm's length then we are less likely to get hurt? Funny (or rather sad) thing is, it doesn't work. I look around and see hurt, angry, and offended walled off people all over this world. I'll tell you what it is succeeding at, it's keeping the genuine love people feel for us on the outside of our fortresses, and robbing us of the experience we were built to feel. So wait a minute, the bad is still getting in despite our efforts, and the real love never gets through? What part of this is actually working for us? And why are some of us so desperate to keep it that way? Why can't I answer all of my own questions?

When did we all become so entitled? Why is it that the very basic things we desire (if not come to demand, which is part of a larger problem altogether in my opinion) from people, whether it be acceptance, what we perceive as love, understanding, and kindness, are the very things we are sometimes incapable of supplying? The law of attraction, or karma, or whatever you want to call it says that what we put out is what we get back. If that's the case then how can it be any surprise when we refuse to provide the exact things we so strongly want given to us, when they don't come back to us? Is it because we've become intoxicated by our own self importance that instead of creating a reciprocal existence we have begun to crave these things in a ravenous, if not perverse sort of way? When it comes to these things that are perfectly natural to want to achieve in our lives have we just become prize hogs at the trough, shoving one another out of the way so we can have it all, and leaving little or none for anyone else?

Selfishness wears many hats. It's not just about the obvious, and overt "taking" of things tangible or emotional, or the "stealing of one's thunder / sunshine / spotlight" (whichever "ism" you prefer). It's also about not extending ourselves, and passing on to others what is bestowed upon us. It's also about thinking you're more important than those around you, and that comes in many forms; when we don't listen, when we speak over the top of others, when we're too busy thinking of what we're going to say next to be bothered to hear what anyone else is saying in this moment, when we're too caught up in ourselves to operate in mutual respect among other things of course.

So if it truly is better to give than it is to receive, and it gives us such a wholly fulfilled feeling in our hearts, then why is it that we've become so accustomed to crowding around with our empty, grubby little hands outstretched looking for what we think is our share of (fill in the blank)? Would it not be better to give completely without any emotional strings attached, and trust that the universe (or whatever you believe in) will provide what you need in return? This isn't to suggest I believe in complacency, and that we should live blindly and just "trust in the Lord, God, Universe, Karma, Garden Gnome, Whatever" to direct our lives in a way we perceive a leaf floating aimlessly in a river. Who knows, maybe the leaf leaped from the tree it was on to take the ride of its life, and it's not doing anything aimless at all! What I simply mean is, maybe Gandhi was onto something with his whole "...be the change you wish to see..." business. None of us know who we may inspire just by doing something differently, or the goodness in another that is sparked by a simple act of kindness. Most importantly, perhaps, at the end of it all we may just inspire ourselves.

**************************************************************

I have to say, just before publishing this after sitting on it for so long, that I know I speak in cliche, and use adages, and quotes quite often. Before I come off like a smug (let's go with) twit who throws around the words of others in a sad attempt at making her own point I'd like to admit, well, quite honestly, the things I'm talking about aren't all that new in themselves are they? There's nothing cutting edge going on here. I'm just a girl trying to find my own answers to things human kind has struggled with for generations, and probably since the beginning of our known history. With that in mind, why not use old, and oftentimes familiar phrases? An adage wouldn't be an adage, or a cliche wouldn't be a cliche if there wasn't actually something there worth repeating (ad nauseam) until they become what they now are. People wouldn't be quoted if somewhere along the way there wasn't any truth to what they were saying. Though, for me personally, so often we're out there in life tossing words all around us, and using some of these very popular sayings, but something is getting lost ... pretty soon the real meaning begins to be rubbed off because they are spoken out of habit, and I like to be able to sit down and break them apart, and get back to the true sentiment ... or rather, pop the hood, and kick the tires ... to see what's really there. Most importantly, they mean something to me, or they are something that I feel I could really use some help with in learning myself, or reminders to help me get myself back on the track I feel I need to be on. We are all a constant work in progress, and not least of all me. So no, I am not sitting high on a throne somewhere, or deep in a meditation cave being phony, and admiring my own "perfection" whilst spewing tidy snippets like a box of stale, discount store fortune cookies. Just thought I'd mention it! ; )

Day 873432

2010-05-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

Into my procrastination, well it feels that long anyway. So what did I do to be productive?

Took a walk on the beach.

And took a rock, which you're not exactly supposed to do along this stretch of beach, but I did anyway (shhhh!). I don't think the beach minds though.

I Love

2010-04-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

When the end of a month falls on a Friday. Something about it to me just signifies completion, and lets me move into the next month a little easier. I know it's a little weird, and depends entirely on how you look at the days in a week, or weekend for that matter. I always saw Saturday, and Sunday as these two little buffer end caps between Friday and Monday. Friday being the end of the week, and Monday being the beginning. To me there's a week, and then there's a weekend, and they're totally separate aside from the fact that they touch each other on a calendar.

You'd think on this day of completion (even if I'm the only one who thinks so) that I'd have something shockingly profound to say. I don't. And to be honest, when I looked at the calendar this morning I felt a little pressured to write something today, which doesn't make the process any easier. I never wanted this place to become one more thing to pile onto a to-do list, I think it cheapens the experience for both myself and my mob of reader(s), but today it feels like yet another thing on my list of what feels like a thousand other things to do, finish, start, or make any kind of progress on. To be fair, I think it's because I've been a little under the weather this week. This feeling will pass, I'm sure of it ... it's already beginning to lift after my cheesy, buttery, potatoe-y lunch-snack. Things are looking up!

I think I'll leave all my overwhelmed feelings in this post, and in this month so I can start off fresh, and hit the ground running in May. With that said, I don't have any smart looking visual aids for this post, but I do have this little guy:

That I made with the little guy from this post, I knew I'd find something at least semi-useful to do with him!

Onward to Uno de Mayo! (I think we should celebrate Mexico's independence all month long by spending it in a Tecate haze.)

XOXO

April Fools!

2010-04-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking of this day pretty much all ... well since midnight actually, wondering when I'd get a prank call from my mom (yes, we are silly and immature like that, and I hope we never grow up). While pondering this day of shenanigans, and its origins (someone decides to change the day of the new year, some people don't switch over ... fools, etc. Ok, got it.) and thought if something like that were to happen today would it have the same "importance" -- and I use that loosely, basically just meaning important enough to be stamped in our calendars, then again so is a day devoted to secretaries ... or are they administrative assistants now? Anyway, the point is, if it was just decided that New Year's Day would no longer be January first, would any of us look up long enough from texting our tweets to even notice, and if we did, would we care?

At first glance I think, why yes, I would care! In fact I was horrified when G. Bush Jr. started messing around with my daylight savings ... don't play with my moody, dark, cozy Fall and Winter, Sir! So yes, I do believe I might care if the calendar year started getting all jostled around. Then again, would I really? Would you? I mean think about it, we have the calendar year, the fiscal year, the fashion year, the school year, hell China's got its own year completely! Would changing things up even matter? Would it matter SO much we'd create a holiday so that we would always be reminded of the "stupid" people who refused to follow the new system? Granted I AM living in the country where once upon a short time, many people used the term "freedom fries" because someone decided "we" shouldn't like France anymore -- so yes, I guess we have a tendency to make things that shouldn't matter, matter.

What has all of this got to do with bright yellow chrysanthemums? A little, actually, to be fair in my opinion they have a lot in common in a personal sort of way. It's about how we make things matter, even when we shouldn't, and many times without even trying, or doing it on purpose. Suddenly something sneaks up and ... BANG ... matters!

When I was a child, I loved all colors, alright I wasn't too keen on brown, and green was pretty much a visual nightmare to me, but I chalk the latter up to over saturation ... soggy Western Washington? I couldn't have seen more green as a child if I'd been can-mates with Oscar the Grouch! Those things aside, I loved color. My crayon box was a complete fantasy land to me, what did these colors do? Who were these colors; did they have personalities? Are there colors hiding in some realm that my eyes can't see? -- Hey, I didn't say I was exactly normal as a kid. So we get it, I loved color, I wore nearly all colors, and usually all at once. In fact, now that I think about it, I remember the men my dad worked with calling me rainbow-girl because of it. Soon the teen years are upon us, and we become a little more style-conscious, and many of us start trying to just "fit in," though I doubt my clothing choices ever really let me blend in (thinking back to a couple ensembles in utter horror). Then it happens, people start telling you when you look good in a certain color or cut, and more importantly what doesn't look good. I say "more" importantly because those are the things that stick with us, even if we don't realize it at the time, and the negative is always so much easier to believe in our society. I believe somewhere along the way we are programmed to pick out, and name exactly every one of our "flaws" and try fixing them, and when that doesn't work, dwell on them, and then try to have self esteem on top of that. How any of us managed to, I really couldn't begin to reveal how we did it. With all of this going on in our little teenage heads did we really need someone pointing out what looks bad on us, I mean wasn't it good enough that we'd learned to do it to ourselves?!

As I brought my bouquet of bright, lemon yellow, spring flowers home, and got them settled in their vase I admired my fluffy little balls of sunshine, and began wondering why and when I'd given up on yellow? There's none in my closet, I don't sew with it, and it was nearly torture for me to knit in a yellow yarn, there's nothing yellow in my house, save the occasional post-it, and my bananas ... how had yellow done me so wrong that I was willing to shun it, and how long had this been going on? Suddenly I was reminded of a shopping trip with one of my girl friends and her mother. After a long day of pounding mall tiles I'd found exactly what I wanted to buy with the fun-money my mom slipped me as I rushed out the door ... a big, bright, and juicy yellow coat! It was so cheerful, and loud, and I was already picturing myself wearing it to school on those dark, rainy days that you just know already at 8 a.m. that it's never actually going to become "daylight" anytime in the next 24 hours. I had to try it on just one more time to verify that this was indeed, The One. On it goes, get it all zipped here, and unzipped there, and smooth it out over here, and a tug there, and then the search for the approving look on friend's and friend's mom's face ...

"Hmmm, uhm well, yellow just really isn't your color, what about one of the others?" said the mother, with one eye narrow, a furrowed eyebrow, and half smile.

I looked at myself once more in my "perfect" coat, "did I really look THAT bad in yellow? Would anyone at school even care if yellow wasn't "my" color? Did I care?" I wondered to myself. I remember defiantly thinking to myself that I'd just come back without the downer-twins and get my fabulous coat another time (though I never made it back).

I took it off, and went home.

And so began my hatred of yellow, and its gradual removal from my life sneakily enough at first. I didn't throw anything out immediately, but I certainly wasn't bringing any in, that's for sure. As time went on, and things wore out, as they do, my closet no longer had any yellow in it whatsoever, and still doesn't to this day.

Now listen, as a 29 year old woman, I KNOW what I look like in yellow compared to the other colors out there, lemon through mustard, and even most "nudes" are not that delightful against my skin, but a 16 year old girl? Should SHE even care about whether she's a "summer" or a "winter" or what in the devil her "undertones" are? You have the rest of your life to be serious ... and really, fashion of all things to be serious about? Don't get me started!

What is it that really matters? So some people wanted to have a new calendar, and others didn't ... I wanted to buy a bright yellow coat that apparently looked like garbage on me, so what? What are the things that truly matter to us? No, not the things off the top of our heads, we each could make a list of 10 things right now that we THINK matter to us most, but what's eating away at us subconsciously? And why do we let these things creep into our thoughts, actions, and lives?

I'm breaking the spell. Today I will be defiant. I've searched for the last piece of yellow I own ... a gift from my sister that I couldn't bear to let go. I'm wearing my bright yellow, plastic barrette, and it's wonderful!

Today was Beautiful!

2010-03-20T23:04:00.000-07:00

It really was ... or maybe I've just become accustomed to the many shades of grey Western Washington has to offer in the late Winter / early Spring, and that's what made today "extra" beautiful. The sun was shining, thirsty hummingbirds were dipping, and diving around my eaves, a faint smell of briquettes ready to grill up something wonderful, I'm certain, weather that was oddly warmer than it appeared, with just the tiniest breeze ... with all of that information swirling around my dusty, cob-webbed, winter brain ... well there was only one thing to do. Would it be too cold? Too windy ... somehow miserable? I had to chance it, I just couldn't wait ANY longer!

Today was the first day of the season my toes got to splash around in Puget Sound (and yes, it was just as glorious as I knew it would be ... even better actually!). You don't understand, even though I LOVE Fall and Winter, and practically beg the gods for snow beginning the day after my birthday, and ending sometime (ok, yesterday), I wait, no, yearn for this day to come after endless days of soggy all-run-into-the-same-day last of the Winter days. The day that's finally warm enough for me to splash around in some salty water - rolled up pants, and seashell hunting hunch required! Puppies were digging, birds were, well, doing whatever it is birds do (they always remind me of the ladies who lunch set - watch them!), babies were discovering splashes that stones create in the waves when daddies throw them, and mommies take pictures, clams were sending up their little geysers letting me know I was stepping too close, gentle waves lapping at my ankles, and looking out to forever there were endless sparkles on the water, like a perfect sea of blue/grey/green (glasz) glitter stretching to islands covered in fluffy green trees, and the snow capped mountains of the peninsula beyond that.

Hibernation completed.

Today was a good day.

Immortal Beloved

2010-02-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

ever thine

ever mine

ever ours

If you've never been loved like this, I suggest you stop what you're doing, and go find it ... NOW! Go ... shoo! It's the perfect day, you never know what may happen!

Happy Valentine's Day

XOXO

Ratatouille

2010-02-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

For me and, er, you-ille? This was my first try, and let me tell you it was a lot easier than my first lasagna from scratch (notice there are no pictures of it). I must say, French peasants were on to something with this dish, I don't think anything easier to make has ever tasted more delicious! Two of my favorite things: Little effort required, big payoff. The only thing that disappointed me was that I had to use microscopic, store-bought zucchini (as opposed to the King Kong sized zucchini I've become accustomed to), so I had to triple up the zucchini each time it was its turn to be layered into the dish. As it turned out, it was kind of convenient to have them bite-sized, so you won't find me complaining. Another thing that pleases me about this dish is that it basically looks the same cooked as it does before it goes into the oven, which excites me and makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my body, instead of pumping it full of chemicals ... now if I could just be assured that my veggies haven't been genetically altered, I'd be set!

I totally recommend trying this to everyone. This was my first ratatouille to make, and eat, and my first time doing anything with an eggplant ... so I'm not exactly sure how it was supposed to turn out or taste like, but I love it so I figure I'm off to a good start!

Ratatouille

Ingredients:

1 bell pepper
1 eggplant
2 cloves garlic
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 tomatoes
2 0r 3 zucchinis
herbs ( I used basil, and parsley)
1 cup tomato puree or can of stewed tomatoes
2 Tbs olive oil, divided
salt & pepper

Pre-heat oven to 375*

Fill bottom of basic 10" baking dish with tomato puree or stewed tomatoes. Add garlic, chopped onion, and 1 Tbs of olive oil, salt & pepper (don't be shy).

Slice up your veggies into thin slices, and begin layering on top of tomato sauce in the baking dish, alternating your veggies, and working in concentric circles. Once they're all snuggled in, drizzle with 1 Tbs of olive oil, salt & pepper once more, and add your spices.

Cover with parchment paper, and bake for 45-55 minutes. You want your veggies to be soft, and relaxed enough to release their juices, not soggy, limp and stringy, nor do you want them to start browning. 45 minutes worked perfectly for me ... then again, my oven is possessed, so you're kinda on your own here!

Serve while hot, or even cold in the summer, on rice, potatoes, by itself, or with a meat. It really is one of the most versatile dishes I've ever come across.

Bon appétit!

Fore for Four?

2010-02-04T21:32:00.001-08:00

What's this got to do with a picture of a pretty puny catnip plant? Well ... it goes a little something like this. Earlier I found myself wrastling, and yes if you saw what I was doing you'd agree it was wrastling, definitely not wrestling, a tightly wrapped roll of chicken wire. Perhaps it was the fact that I was wearing shorts, or that I only had a pair of needle nose pliers out to snip the wire, or that I had just a few strategically placed baskets holding down the edges (oh, and potted plant), whatever the reason, it just wasn't going so hot. I mean, it was working out, but it was one of those times you just KNOW you're doing it the hard way ... which was absolutely confirmed when I snipped all the way to the end of the row and the newly freed piece rolled on itself and snapped toward an anchored corner. Why yes, it was the corner being held down by the potted plant, which was, in fact, NOT heavy enough to take the pressure of the snap, and toppled over spilling dirt all over my carpet.

This led to a quick vacuuming session that I was totally not in the mood for, as well as a re potting session, which brings us to the little catnip plant that has survived from last year getting his shiny new pot, even though the plant I was using was my canna in a much larger pot, but that's not the point. What is the point? Hmm ... maybe it should be the willingness to go with the flow, or be more present when you're doing things so you do them correctly the first time. Haha!

Round Two

2010-02-03T19:09:00.000-08:00

The sizing, and gauge are both coming along a bit easier now (far fewer brain explosions). I thought I'd post the progress ... and why not? Three posts in three days -- February's so short anyway why not make it 28?! We'll see how that goes, blogging promises always seem to turn into subtle suggestions in my mind.

Next up on deck: Mannequin. I just cut out the pattern tonight, I'm crossing my fingers that I can actually turn this thing out. Tomorrow will be chicken wire day, thanks to a little bundle my dad let me pinch from his barn. Hopefully the shaping won't take too long, and I can get started on the paper mache, and finally get rid of the excess newspaper around here before I'm featured on the next episode of Hoarders! Ok, slight exaggeration, but still, I'll be thrilled to get some of these things that have found their way to my "Project Holding Pattern" finally buttoned up. Completion is a good thing!

Come Snuggle Mama!

2010-02-02T23:48:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I've been getting teased for at least a week ... THEN my dad calls, and tells me that he's seen my commercial ...

Apparently this is "me" except I wouldn't be inviting the raccoon in by accident.

Seems Like Just Yesterday...

2010-02-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

... Do you really want me to finish such a silly little joke ('cause I will)? Or would you rather I just said, February is such a lovely month! All the shiny, muted, frosty, glittery pinks and reds in every store and shop window, how could anyone have a bad mood in February?! I think if February had a texture, it would feel like a giant (pink, of course) marshmallow. Anyway, I was so smitten with February in January that every time I devoted some time to making something it turned out at least slightly reflecting how I was aching for this fabulous little month.
It started off sneakily enough ... just a hot-pink button on "something I was trying out" -- you know, those projects you're just not so sure about, but you'll go ahead with it anyway. I think I've heard just about every negative comment ever posted about eyelash yarn, and how "serious" knitters wouldn't dream of knitting anything with it ... fair enough, I guess I'm not a serious knitter then! I can see how it wouldn't be every one's taste, but I like fashion, writing, music, art--pretty much everything with a little tongue in cheek attitude. Besides, I think we'd all be a little bit better off with a dash of whimsy in our lives now and then, and if that comes in the form of a "fun fur" knitted collar peeking up from the inside of your coat in late winter/early spring, then so be it (for me personally, this wouldn't even be the most ridiculous thing I've worn this week)!

My yearning for February started becoming slightly more obvious with my next creation. This is the one I've been working over and over again in my mind, trying to figure out just how i wanted it to look, and how I'd make it look that way ... insted of a rumpled mess thrown on the floor in frustration! To my delight, I think it totally worked out! I tried a little search for fabric fortune cookie instructions, but nothing was really giving me the look I knew I wanted, so I just shook it off like a puppy after a bath, and made up my own as I went. Which, I think, is more fun anyway (after my brain stops exploding, at least).
I am absolutely in love with my little fortune cookie pin cushions ... I think they are so sweet, and I can't wait until I have an excuse to use them. I think they would be so perfect for for projects that have you draping on a dress form. Need a pin? Oh, here's some stuck right into the little cookie dangling from your finger by its hot-pink, satin "fortune". I have a thing for fortune cookies anyway, I mean, a dessert that tells you the future too?! What's better than that? Nothing, except maybe one you can keep your sewing pins in, of course. These little guys just completely charm me in every way, I can't help it, I LOVE them!

And then somewhere while all of this was going on, I decided the dictionary needed a new picture next to "tedious" and this is what I came up with: Why yes, those are toothpicks I'm using as knitting needles. I must be a crafting masochist! I won't be happy until my fingers are officially tied in knots around themselves. In my defense, it's not like I was knitting a scarf or something. I just wanted to see, first of all, if it could be done, and all I really wanted to do was a couple of little patches that I can easily use along the way in another project somehow. So it's not like it was a complete waste of time ... just a partial one!

They are cute though, just look at the tiny leetle knits! Cute enough to do it again? The jury's still out on that one, I've already done it twice, and I'm not sure I've fully recovered. So what kept me from ripping off my clothes and screaming toward the heavens, you ask? My huge, clown-size-17 needles ... even though I was using them to learn how to knit a hat (brain explosion #2) I think they saved my sanity even if ever so slightly. Every couple of rows with the toothpicks I'd have to take a break, and use the big needles so as not to whip myself into a full fledged panic attack sitting right there. Here's a peek at what went down ... there's a big fuzzy pom pom nesting right on top of the blue and green guy.

It was my first time making one of those as well ... yeah it was a success, I mean as far as fuzzy pom poms go. I'm still trying to get this sizing and gauge business down, but until I learn I guess it's a pretty good thing that I also happen to love ridiculous, technicolor hats too! So that's what I've been up to lately, whilst dreaming of February, I hope the streak continues all through the month, and I can polish a few new found skills, and maybe discover a couple more while I'm at it.

Happy February!

Spring in the Dead of Winter?!

2010-01-22T05:33:00.000-08:00

If you live in the PNW you've noticed we've had an unusually mild winter. I had snow in my neighborhood for 5 minutes, as it melted upon landing. That being said, we have had our share of soggy, rain soaked days (nothing new there I suppose!) and just as I was hunkering down for a chilly, windy, wet, and gray January, it suddenly turned into Spring! I can't really complain because it's gorgeous, but I don't do too well with change, especially when it comes "early" (according to me). I feel a little robbed. Someone took my dark, cozy winter from me in mid January, and replaced it with weather that would be considered unusually beautiful even in March. However when I look outside and I'm met with such a lovely sunrise, instead of continuously lightening shades of gray, I can't help but feel at least a little bit transformed by the sight of what looks like a paint box has been thrown across the sky showing you a completely different color wash in each direction you look. I find myself no longer mourning the cold, dark, snowy winter I'd wished so hard for.

I find most of my creative inspiration in the colder, moodier months of Fall and Winter. They allow you to play with rich colors, and textures, and afford you a multitude of layers to manipulate and piece together to build something unexpected, but this last week I've found myself more motivated, and unusually inspired by all of the warmth in the air, and the color explosion outside.

I've been able to finish up old projects, get a good start on others, and even create a few new things ... with my little helper by my side of course. Here she is inspecting her work on the seams on the back of the denim quilt top, before we trimmed all the fluff off ... though I will say she totally bailed on me when it came time to press the seams open (I think she thinks the iron is hissing at her).

I have a few other projects to post, but I've yet to take any pictures of them ... one I am VERY excited about. I've been trying to work out instructions in my mind for ages over it, and last night I finally nailed it. I LOVE when something works out just exactly the way you see it in your head.

xoxo

It's a Windy January Kind of Day

2010-01-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

And finally time to see if we can make something out of this.

I'd been lugging what seemed like a million pairs of jeans with me from place to place, picking up more in each location for ages ... until about three years ago when I decided to cut the million pairs of jeans into an obnoxious amount of 8 inch squares.

Hopefully by the next blustery, soggy day I'll have something new (/old) to bundle up in.

Oh yeah, and happy 2010!

xoxo

Once in a Blue Moon...

2009-12-31T22:27:00.000-08:00

The last full moon of the year, well the decade actually.

Good night, 2009.

Christmas Lights ...

2009-12-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Check!

Lights are up, and I think the neighborhood raccoons think they're coming to a nightly rave (glow sticks not included).

Just Doin' the Do...

2009-11-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

(Really? That's the outfit they decided on? No wonder Dylan didn't show up, a concerned friend must've tipped him off!)

Early Mornings, Thunderstorms, and Pumpkin Butter

2009-11-07T05:01:00.001-08:00

I love early Fall mornings that look like 3 p.m. at 8 a.m., with rain pounding into every surface it can find, and a rumbling thunderstorm growling away at anyone who will listen. Looking out into the storm, I suddenly found myself inspired, and jumped into action. First thing's first, let's build a fire (by build, of course I mean turn up the thermostat until the gas kicks on, and a fire appears behind a pane of glass). After all that hard work, I dusted off my hands, and got down to business in the kitchen.

I have had two un-carved pumpkins staring at me in my kitchen since Halloween ... it seemed to me anyway, that they were looking at me in this sort of sad, "I didn't get to do my holiday duty" kind of way, because I never got around to carving them up. They didn't get to sit outside in the cold with glowing candles inside them, making onlooking children happy, and bringing a little magic to the season. I felt for them. With that thought I grabbed my big chopping knife and got to work. Sawing, hacking, scraping, peeling ... separating seeds from gooey entrails, and rind, from flesh, and putting them in the appropriate receptacles with the motions of an insane maestro furiously conducting his orchestra, I'm sure, until finally sitting before me were 8 cups of neatly diced pumpkin, and a tidy pile of seeds.

What to do now? A soup, a sauce, cookies, something traditional, or pumpkin enchiladas? My imagination ran wild with all of the possibilities! I had a whole universe of options at my finger tips, this pumpkin had opened me up to never before thought of ideas, an endless sea of gastronomic bliss could all be mine!!! I took a breath, and surveyed the fridge, and then a glimpse into the pantry, and watched my sea begin to recede and evaporate, once I realized the ingredients I actually had on hand ... hmm, pumpkin butter it is (which is not to be mistaken as some sort of consolation).

The truth is, this little concoction has revolutionized my life! Well, it at least made my mornings this week even cozier, and more delightful ... which can be more or less revolutionary depending on the day, I guess. And that is why you HAVE to have this recipe (I snagged it from the Martha Stewart website, but I made some adjustments, sacrilege I know, and it's delicious!).

PUMPKIN BUTTER WITH APPLE

4 cups diced pumpkin

1 cup diced apple

3/4 cups apple juice

1/4 cup sugar (turbinado sugar if you want to be fancy)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Pinch of salt

(you can add other things like ground clove or allspice if you want to, you can't really mess this up, so experiment!)

Combine all ingredients in a stainless steel pot, and bring to a simmer (about 20-30 min) until pumpkin is soft (try to mash it with a wooden spoon).

Continue simmering until mixture begins to thicken, another 20 minutes.

Remove from heat, and transfer to blender; blend until smooth.

Transfer back to pot and heat for another 15 minutes or until it is your desired texture.

Remove, cool, and serve.

Then I realized I needed something to spread it on, sooo ...

ZUCCHINI BREAD

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup olive oil

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups zucchini, coarsely shredded

(I tossed in a handful of finely chopped walnuts at this stage)

Preheat oven to 375*, and butter the loaf pan.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, with the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Add the shredded zucchini. Stir zucchini batter into the dry ingredients.

Pour the zucchini batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out clean. Let the zucchini bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Then slice, slather, and munch away! I was pleasantly surprised how this turned out. It tastes just like Fall. Enjoy!

I'm in Love!

2009-11-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

With this website: Polyvore
Because I get to do things like this:

I know my composition style may not be like other's but I prefer a full frontal ocular assault ... something (some of) my professors tried tirelessly to break me of!

Did I Mention I Love Fall?

2009-10-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I do!

Now I've got to figure out what to do with eleventy billion pumpkin seeds!

*in case you were wondering, I accidentally burnt them...*

See What I Mean?

2009-10-22T20:51:00.001-07:00

Maybe my kitchen knife is a tad smaller than Excalibur, but for a moment I thought when I pulled it from the giant zucchini that I would be hailed the King (or Queen, rather) of someplace excellent!

That's not exactly what happened ... ok, it's not at all close to what happened next. Unless being elbow deep in shredded zucchini is somehow close to being royalty. Yeah, I couldn't find any parallels either. I may not have access to the crown jewels, but I've got a freezer full of zucchini pulp in case I'm ever in the mood to do whatever one does with this much zucchini!

I Can Dig It, He Can Dig It, She Can Dig It, They Can Dig It, You Can Dig It...

2009-10-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Oh, let's dig it! Can you dig it, baby?

Well it turns out I can! Who knew? It's only been
approximately 20 years since I've been anywhere near a clam dig, and with good reason I think. First of all, I don't eat them, in fact, I avoid them with a certain level of fervor. And secondly, but perhaps more importantly, I was never a fan of freezing to death on a windy, rainy beach being Dad's designated shovel holder while he digs his limit, and then continues to "dig" mine (since we all know that would be breaking the rules ... but apparently for children if an adult brings the clam up, and the child picks it up from the loose sand that counts as the child's clam ... only Dad would ask the "Fish Hawks" as he calls them for the actual rules). However, I figured it was time to roll up my sleeves and see if there were any skills or tricks hiding up there, or just cobwebs, and I thought this would be the perfect weekend with dad to do it!

It was our last weekend together before they head South for the winter, whilst visiting grand babies en route. As it turned out it was opening weekend of clam season too, he just happened to slip into several phone conversations as the weekend approached. So it was no surprise that upon entering town, I was whisked off to the hardware store for my license. Then off to the homestead for a pre-dig lunch, with enough time to jump into our clamming costumes (which for me included about 100 pounds of clothing consisting of 5 layers of tops alone ... did I mention I hate being cold?).

Can I just take a moment to praise God for afternoon digs?! I never knew such a thing existed! Where were these when I was bounced out of bed before dawn in my childhood to brave the windy beaches as a 50 lb. icicle getting blown down the beach, knocked over, or taking the ever annoying wave over the boot?! Ok, so maybe those experiences were character building (the jury's still out on that one), and it's not like it put me totally off the dig ... just on a 20 year hiatus. Though I have to say I enjoy evening digs much more than morning digs, then again I enjoy Fall more than Spring, and maybe that has a little to do with it too.

I can't lie though, I had an absolute blast this time. That alone was worth the wait, to actually be able to enjoy it (even in pouring rain!). That's not to say that I never had fun going as a kid. I remember going to certain beaches for steamer clams and thinking this digging business was SO easy (direct attention to rule in paragraph 2). I didn't realize there was a lot more involved than just running your hands through soft sand and picking up 6 or 7 clams at a time. I'm sure Dad must've had as much fun hiding them there for me as I did finding them. I was never big enough, or really quick enough for the razor clams, when they hear you coming they scram! But I was reminded of the time Dad was bent over going for one, and he'd look up to keep track of me, and saw me just messing around with a shovel in the dry sand. Pretty soon he looks back up and sees me digging away, but he goes back to his business only to look up once more to see (in his words) "POP! Out comes a clam just as big as can be! HAHAHA!" But this trip was easily the best I've ever had. We were graced with pretty decent weather all three days of digging and even though the first evening out was a complete monsoon we were never cold, and the days only got increasingly better. Until we finally had days like this:

Which, maybe doesn't look like much, but it was lovely. It was warm, and mild, and everything felt soft except for the wet, packed sand, but when everything glowed in a thick layer of diffused sunlight there was something soft about it as well. It was almost a shame we were able to get our limits so quickly, it would've made for a nice evening picnic on the beach had we stayed longer. But I think we were all eager to get back to a cozy home, soak our little friends, and wash the sand out of our ... everything!

The only thing left to do was pull this little guy up ... the last clam of the day ... though I believe I was in the lead at one point, but who's counting? I usually don't do well with the teacher looking over my shoulder, but I guess that's something I've outgrown.

I learned a lot this weekend, for one, that thing I'm holding is called a clam gun. I've never used one before this (designated shovel holder), and yes it was harder than it looks. I also learned that I'm willing to wear so many layers I look like the Michelin Man in order to avoid being cold, and wet, and honestly looking fluffier than usual didn't bother me, what did was trying to bend my knees in order to sit in the back seat of the truck. I learned more about my dad, I think I do every time, he's still got a few surprises left. I enjoyed the quiet times, and late nights looking through his box of old pictures, and sharing stories, and listening to the ones I didn't know, and looking as he named countless strangers off to me. I learned a few new recipes, and some old ones from a well used cook book that had belonged to his mother. I think I was told about 100 things to do with zucchini, which will come in handy since I have two Godzilla sized zucchinis staring at me in my kitchen. I also learned that relationships are what you choose them to be, ok, maybe I didn't just learn that, but maybe I was reminded. It's funny, oftentimes people think they just sort of happen, like out of the blue. They don't. They take a lot of hard work, and sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and be willing to get dirty, and other times you need to know when to relax. It's knowing when to do each of these things that can be the confusing part sometimes.

Wow, who knew clam digging could be so philosophical?

I feel like I see things differently now, like they are in better focus than they used to be. Sometimes a bit harsh, or jagged, but clearer for sure. If I walked around in fuzziness throughout my life I would miss things like this beautiful weekend ...

... and that's just not going to happen!

Here's to a safe trip for Dad & Patty, I hope they found our time to be a lovely send off.

I Wanna Know

2009-09-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the rain ...

... comin' down on a sunny day?

Ok, maybe the sun was just shining on a rainy day. I can't be sure, and honestly I didn't really want to split hairs. All I know is that this song came over the airwaves on just such a day this week, and they say there are no such things as coincidences so I figured I'd better pay attention.

Sometimes I feel as though these things happen to get us back on track ... like the class bell, only a lot less harassing, maybe more like a nudge or a "psst ... hey you." At any rate, it wakes you up, and says look around. And by look around, yes look around see the magnificence in the ordinary, see the truth not according to someone else. See what actually is. The truth isn't relative, and I don't believe that it hangs on one person's or another's perception. I mean, if you want to argue that what's true for you isn't true for me, and that we all live in some parameter of what the truth is to each individual, go ahead, I won't stop you. But you can not deny (I suppose you can if you want to be difficult) that beyond all of that there is a Truth larger than that -- than all of our bebe-truths that are individual for each of us. There are things that just are, and it has nothing to do with personal beliefs or religions, or culture, or geography or whatever filter you wish to see them through.

Anyway, on this beautiful day with its sunny rainstorm making me feel as though I'm dancing in a crystal chandelier (as opposed to swinging from one ...) I was reminded of some things, which I need now and again. I'm not perfect, and I don't pretend to be, and I know by letting my guard down, and attempting to live with far fewer walls, I've become exponentially more sensitive, and *gasp* dare I say it (?) take things the wrong way. I'm hurt much easier these days, but I feel it's a trade off, for now at least, because I am loving deeper, and trying to forge much deeper relationships than ever before. I'll toughen up again , but it must be said that while tearing yourself apart in order to re-build from scratch the person you wish to become that you end up leaving a few raw nerves exposed. I don't know if it's shoddy masonry on my part, or just part of the experience, or if I just need to be clear about what I need. Which is handled with kid gloves apparently, for the moment anyway. It will pass, like all things ... er, or like a kidney stone ... I guess that remains to be seen!

Last Week I Dreamt ...

2009-09-09T04:29:00.000-07:00

That I caught a fish. This was no ordinary fish, I could tell by the first hit that it was different. I set the hook, and like dropping a coin into a slot, the ride began. I was pulled this way, and that as the fish changed directions trying to make me give in. Little did it know, this battle of will would not be won so easily, but I knew I was in over my head. I dug my heels into those muddy Wishkah banks, and took turns pulling, and reeling watching what I knew would rival Jaws in size, thrashing around in the fast current until I found myself on my back giving it one last pull with all the effort I had left, and at the very same moment the fish jumped. It landed in my hand ... it was a goldfish.

I have to hand it to her, she was a fabulous little fish with fancy long fins, and she was wearing lipstick. I remember unhooking her by clipping the barb off my hook because I couldn't bear to pull it back through, and I let her go. With a wink she jumped out of my hand, and back into the water.

I don't know what any of this means.

What I DO know is that two of these guys are mine

What I also know is at that moment I couldn't have been any wetter had I been standing in a shower during the picture, the other thing I know is that I couldn't feel anything below my knees having lost my footing on the way to the "spot" in the first 20 minutes or so of the adventure. As I heard the words called back to me "Yesterday this was all a bar, and dry as a bone, guess it rained a lot last night..." *slosh, slosh, slosh he leads on in waders* No dear, monsoon was more like it! But you know what I fall for every time? "Let's see if you can make it," I don't take it as a personal challenge, I really do think I can just tiptoe on through and, well "make it." By the way, I usually don't. You'd think I'd wise up by now. But that's how it goes when Soldier Boy, and Grizzly Adams are in rubber up to their chests, you either keep up, or keep home.

I couldn't have asked for a better morning though, after our respective cups of coffee and tea my brother and I scrambled through the house to get ready for the morning bite like kids tearing off for the booty under a Christmas tree, exchanging cheap jabs about who exactly is holding up the party (we all know who was ready first, whilst not sacrificing style, I might add ... fishing is no excuse to be frumpy). It was a beautiful, cool morning, with the sun just beginning to burn off the mist hanging in the valleys. Everything about it was mild, and lovely except for the saturated colors of the landscape. It was just right.

We dropped Brad off at the head of the path that would take him north of us, and let him fish down to us, and we headed off across the field talking about things dads and daughters talk about, giving the cows a good morning call with Dad's lab in tow until we finally made it to our destination. In no time Dad had my hook baited (because no matter how old you get dads think you still need them to bait the hook, hey I'm not complaining, it's not exactly my favorite thing to do!) as well as his own, and pulled two fish out before I'd even finished my "practice casts". He decided it was a good time to move down, and it was a good thing too, I'd only had nibbles, no one was really all that interested in me, well my hook at least, I tried to not take it personally.

The next stretch of river was the ticket! But against popular belief I knew my fish was waiting for me under the Alder root ball sticking out of the bank on the other side of the river and under the "green part" which got a laugh out of everyone who heard it all morning long ... everything's green in Western Washington in September, but it made sense when you saw the V of green ferns growing down the bank, and THAT'S where I was going to get my fish. Not in the fast water like I was instructed.

Later as he recounted, "I had my back to the water baiting my hook, and heard 'tee-hee hee' giggling and turn to see a fish dancing on the end of her line!"

I had to remind him this wasn't my first rodeo as I buffed my fingernails on my shoulder ... which opened me up to "judging by those practice casts..." and that look he gives when he tips his head down and peeks at you over the top of his glasses telling you that you're full of it, and he knows it. At least fish number two backed up my claim! In all honesty we don't spend all of our time busting on one another. We shared a lot of old memories of fishing trips, stories of more recent encounters with "the big one" and cheered for everyone's catches until the rain came in, and stayed a little too long for my taste.

It was time for a hot shower, lunch, and some fish-tales ... no trip is complete without some creative embellishing! The walk across the field is more than enough time for a story to make the leap from catching a 10 inch trout, to having hooked Nessie herself and ridden her up and down the river like a bucking bronco, but I tried to keep the exaggeration to a minimum, and stick to the truth.

Two other things I know:

I'm still a Daddy's girl ... (isn't he handsome?)

... and a Mama's girl too, I'm crazy about my parents, I can't help it, and I don't want to. I think they're fabulous, and I'm a very lucky girl. I love them both, and like them as people. Imagine that, parents are real people too! I'm thrilled with the relationships I have with them, right now to me it's perfection, and I wouldn't trade it or jeopardize it for anything.

The other thing I know?
I like my trout, and camouflage with a side of Ham. ;-p

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

XOXO

P.S. My two year old niece came outside just as we were taking these pictures, and she most certainly did NOT enjoy Aunt Stormy's stick of death.

In Honor of "Back to School" Season

2009-08-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

A little food for thought, since real knowledge is power.

Bon appétit!

Fall is Definitely Here!

2009-08-27T18:04:00.001-07:00

You know those chilly summer mornings where dew is on the grass glittering like a field of diamonds, and you know it's not going to last because the already revved up sun is trying its hardest to pull itself above the trees to dry everything up? There isn't nearly enough time to run for the camera, and maybe that's why it's so spectacular. You just have to enjoy it right then, you can't save it. And then there is that one morning, out of the blue, where the morning chill bites you all the way to the bone, and you know something has changed.

It's here.

Cue the Fireworks

2009-08-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

The Celebration? A Blogiversary, of course! (And this lil guy's 1st birthday!)
I can't believe it's been a year already, but then I can. I feel so far away from where I was at that time, but I think that's proof that my plan (or what little of one I had) worked. I felt so bombarded by negativity, everywhere I turned there was more for the taking, as if the universe had somehow turned into ye olde high school lunch lady (hair net and all) ... you know the one who always gave out way too big of servings of drippy macaroni (a great reason to start brown bagging again). I started taking a look around, and realized I wasn't exactly helping the situation either. If what we're putting out there, really is what's coming back to us, then shouldn't we be more responsible for our actions, thoughts, expressions, vibrations, and whatever else were emitting? I admit, I wasn't doing my best (or for you life coaches out there, I wasn't showing up at 100%). This isn't my first time around the blog-block, but I'd realized that I'd started falling into the too familiar online trap of just complaining about things, or publishing rants about things that don't even matter. While getting things off your chest, and blowing off steam can be a good thing, it doesn't mean that every little gripe needs to be public, and what's the point in passing the negativity around? Does misery love company SO much that it disguises itself as a funny, or clever post so we think nothing whatsoever of publishing it? Or do we spend so much time convincing ourselves that this is a normal way to communicate, commiserate, and connect? Really? We have to connect over mutually hated topics, or things that we both discover are completely beneath us? It seemed the more questions I came up with like that, the more I saw the things around me conforming to this model, and the more I had to ask them of myself as well.

Where had all the positivity gone? Where was the creativity? Where were all the people trying to make this world and experience a better one? Why weren't more of us trying to enrich our lives and those of others, instead of tearing everyone down, and ourselves along with them? What's more difficult is when all this is found in the circles closest to us at any given moment in our lives. Suddenly you realize that you're not spoken to unless that person wants to complain about someone, something, or how bad they have it, and why they're not to blame, and every thing's unfair, and of course, they have no responsibility in their situation either. And then you start to see the people who are furious in their own lives but for whatever reason can't show what they're truly angry about (maybe they're worried how society will see them, or maybe they'll realize there's really nothing to be angry about at all), so they start projecting what's got their tail in a knot onto the people around them. Seeing this was an awakening all of its own. I would say seeing these people for who they really are, but I don't believe that. Perhaps seeing them for how they choose to be at this moment is the better explanation, because I know we are all capable of being better than how we are at any time in our lives. There is no limit to what we can be, and there is no cap to the goodness we can extend to one another. But in that moment when I opened my eyes to my personal situation, and those who were in my life in a close way ...

... for the first time in my life, I was lonely.

It was the worst kind of loneliness, in my opinion. It's one thing to be alone, and something completely different to be lonely in a crowd of people you actually care deeply about. I definitely believe that just because someone isn't loving you, or rather, expressing it in just the way you need, it doesn't mean that person isn't loving you with all they've got, but when respect goes missing, and ill-treatment begins, and one-sided relationships take over where something more whole once existed (or so you believed), then I think it's of the utmost importance to re-asses your situation.

I also believe that all change begins with me, not because I'm cosmically of almighty importance, I mean me, you, each of us, at home, on the singular level. The work needs to be focused inside. You know, kind of like scrubbing the light house windows, so the light can shine through nice and bright for everyone to see. With a little elbow grease, we'll get there. Some days we might need just a little squirt of glass cleaner, and other days we may just have to replace the glass altogether. The work will be work, for sure, but I think it is well worth it, the only thing we have to be sure of is that we are not afraid to be honest with ourselves. Otherwise all the things we do become utterly pointless. I for one, do not want to be an old, dilapidated shell of the greatness I once was, standing dark, and alone because I couldn't be real with myself, or I just didn't want to put in the work.

It was at that time, a year ago, that I decided I needed to throw myself a life preserver. I wasn't drowning anymore, but I was treading water at best, and getting very tired, I knew it wouldn't last, and I also knew that no one else had the responsibility of saving me. If you're not willing to be your own white knight, then you really shouldn't be looking off into the distance, and tapping your foot while waiting for one. I knew I had to do two things, one being the closure of the emotional gas station. No longer will I be willing to fill up anyone's tank of anger only for it to then be taken out on me, just because someone's needle is on E. And I started surrounding myself with beautiful things. Not expensive things, not material things, not anything that pumps my status up, not anything anyone else would think is "cool". Just beauty, mostly in its simplest of forms. And creativity. Since I was certainly low on it myself, I decided to at least put myself in close-ish proximity to some. That's where the blog list of "Creative Chicks" on my side bar originated. And while I was flushing myself of the disingenuous, and searching for something real, I came upon different blogs of seemingly genuine authors. They wear their flaws on the outside, and work from the inside out, they don't hide who they are, or pretend to be people they are not. They don't just say the words, and spit the rhetoric to impress other people, they say what they mean, and I believe mean what they say, no matter what. I find comfort in that. And I've enjoyed reading their words this last year, hearing of their triumphs and failures, sometimes seeing my own thoughts spread across someone else's pages. If nothing else, it is an honesty that is hard to find not only in person, but especially in a forum where you can "pretend" to be anything you want to from the privacy of the glow of your own computer screen.

So did it work? I think so. I'm not the same as I was a year ago. I feel more like myself, but different, newer, zestier, fresh-er ... ok, I'm not produce, but you get the idea. I haven't felt this way in a very long time, and certainly not since moving back to this area geographically. Am I travelling in the right direction? I don't know, but I'm moving in a forward motion, and not in a backward one, or one which moves away from my true self, and that, to me, is progress. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm not afraid, and I'm not losing myself this time for anyone.

Here's to another year! ;-)

What's the Story Morning Glory?

2009-08-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

What a gloomy, dark morning! Though I admit, it's a nice break from the heat wave ... I never thought I'd be so happy for rain. Last night I listened to the thunder, and the rain beating itself against every surface it could find until I fell asleep again. That is until the next thunder clap, of course.

The morning looked like it was trying to recover from a pretty raucous night (who hasn't been there?), the sun trying to illuminate through layers and layers of thick, angry looking, and tired clouds, creating one of those moody mornings where the colors are so intensely rich they're usually only found in dreams. I noticed it was time to collect the seed pods off my Morning Glory. Yes, they've had a short season, but when you're in an apartment you're kind of at the mercy of the location, and work it out as best you can. Whether I plant them again sometime, I don't know, but at least I collected the seeds instead of letting them reseed themselves right into the building's flower beds ... that would go over big, I'm sure!

Good Morning!

2009-08-10T06:57:00.000-07:00

I may be the only person on Earth who wakes up with a hot cup of decaf ... (true!) ever since slaying the caffeine dragon about two years ago, and in doing so, once the detox ran its course, I realized I never really drank coffee for its stimulating effects. I love the taste of it, and the more I pay attention to the things I do, I've come to see I'm a creature of all things comfort. Good food, good drink, music, textures, lighting ... what can I say? I like to be cozy.

So I took a knitting intermission to brew what would turn into a tidy little latte this morning. This is where I'd probably be humming what I would consider a good intermission jingle of some sort, but not this morning ... I just thought it, and laughed to myself instead.

Anyway, I'm diving into knitting up some lusciously fall-coloured yarn (I believe you can't properly discuss fall colors without the "u") (What? It's not like my inner monologue has suddenly gone to the Madonna school of how to (poorly) rip off accents or something!) As I was saying, I'm in love with this pumpkin patch green right now, and I'm delighted by the sight of it on my purple needles (color theory 101, I know, but you can't deny it). I thought it would be the perfect color to start with being August and all (birth stone peridot, know about it!). August has never really been one of those months that "speaks" to me, but I'm beginning to appreciate her more and more. I used to despise her, because I knew once she'd gone that school was soon on the roster ... and then when they pushed it up to actually START in August, we really had our issues! But those times being long gone, I can now look at the month through different eyes, bleary with fond memories, and forgive her. I am able to appreciate her in her own right now, the winding down of summer, and the issuing of the new harvest season. It's all very romantic if you allow it.

So that's what's on the table right now. Trying out a few old things with new materials, and dreaming up some new designs to test out. Can I just say right here (because it's bugging me) no one can actually copyright anything that falls under the category of wearable apparel? I guess I can say it, 'cause I just did! Haha. Anyway, I've been seeing people in the cyber world who (wrongly) believe that this is some how possible, and it just ... in no sense of any of the terms ... ever ... could make sense, with the very narrow exception of certain things created inside the country of France, and by licensed couturiers (and if you have not been licensed you are not one, and that's a whole other blog, for sure) but even these "copyright" items are few and far between. At best a piece of art that is used as a printed pattern on fabric can have a copyright slapped on it, and if that's the case the fabric should state that it's for "home use", and it very rarely is actually protected. I just really had to get that off my chest, because running into disclaimers on garments, and accessories is getting a little rich. You may design something "new" but a scarf is a scarf is a scarf, and always will be one ... you have not invented something new, and let me tell you in the apparel industry you are hard pressed to do so; they had fringe skirts in ancient Mesopotamia, and cowls in medieval Europe ... trust me, at present even the most genius designers are technically knock-off artists. And as we know "knock-offs" are legal, "counterfeit" is not. The difference? A knock-off, just used your already regurgitated idea, a counterfeit is pretending to be yours right down to the (hopefully) licensed name on the product.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, it drives me nuts to see all these "serious" looking *disclaimers* that have zero protection backing it up. Intimidation method? Maybe. Misinformed? More than likely. Seriously disillusioned? Who knows ... hey, I think apparel is "art" just as much as the next designer, but we also have to be real with ourselves, shelve the ol' ego and realize what it really is ... fine art goes on your wall, practical art in your hutch, and wearble art on your back.