Christmas
5 hours ago
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Cowboys And Indians
I am not going to say I have seen it all. But there are very few things I see on the internet or other places, that made me snort, squeal with utter delight, laugh and hoot and I say "God, I wish I had thought of that!". And this is one. Cowboy and Indian Installation by Yoram Wolberger, lifesize cowboy and Indians sculptures replete with overflow mold edges. Brilliant! Yoram, you totally made my day!
Ranchorita Joyería - The Little Jewelry Farm
I know I have talked about my kick-ass jewerly-makin', super-blogger, opera-singin' friend, Rita (she just sent us some lovely jewelry last month). She is cookin' up in a creative mood and I am jealous -- wish I could be there to watch! Ranchorita Joyería - The Little Jewelry Farm.
Wreaths And Things
I want this or I want to make one of these!
Matt's wino husband has one made of wine corks! And I know I have collected enough corks for that!
These little glass Christmas tree to go with my tree collection.
Matt's wino husband has one made of wine corks! And I know I have collected enough corks for that!
These little glass Christmas tree to go with my tree collection.
A Dream For Alison
The blogging community is a small one. And a giving one. I have experienced the generosity first hand. I don't know Penelope personally but I have enjoyed participating in Illustration Friday for a long time. I have been reading about her journey, her difficult journey, to be near her brother and sister-in-law during the most terrible time of their lives.
Penelope's sister-in-law, Alison, is bravely battling cancer. Our prayers are needed. And if you are so moved, money is needed.
Penelope's sister-in-law, Alison, is bravely battling cancer. Our prayers are needed. And if you are so moved, money is needed.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Mom Cookin' Up Warm Goodness
Mom made this with some of our leftover turkey ... they were really great as the orange juice really added a little something different to the sauce. From start to finish, I'd say it took me about an hour and a half. The recipe comes from Greg Atkinson's "West Coast Cooking". This is something my friend Katie send me in mail, mom made it tonight. Yum.
For the Enchiladas:
3/4 c. canola or corn oil
12 corn tortillas
8 oz. cream cheese
12 oz or about 3c. of cooked chicken (or turkey)
1 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese
For the enchilada sauce:
1/2 c. corn or canola oil from frying the tortillas
1/2 c. All-purpose flour
1/4 c. chili powder
1 c. finely chopped onion
2 c. chicken broth
2 c. freshly squeezed orange juice (I used store-bought without pulp)
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Put the oil in a small frying pan over med-high heat until it is hot but not smoking. It should be about 375 F ... tortilla dipped into the oil will immediately begin to bubble.
2. Fry the tortillas one at a time in the hot oil, turning them once. cook each tortilla until it begins to puff up, about 10 seconds. As they are cooked, carefully stack the fried tortillas one on top of the other so they won't dry out as they cool. (I also kept them covered with a paper towel.) Allow the stacked fried tortillas to stand at room temperature while you prepare the enchilada sauce. Save the oil used for frying to make the enchilada sauce.
3. Make the sauce. In a medium saucepan over med-high heat, stir the oil (you may have to add a little to what you have leftover from frying the tortillas to make a 1/2 c.) and flour with a wire whisk until bubbling hot. Stir in the chili powder and then the onion and cook for one minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and orange juice and stir the sauce continually until it comes to a full, rolling boil. Turn off the heat and keep the sauce covered while you prepare the enchiladas.
4. Put 1 cup of the enchilada sauce and the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix with the paddle attachment on slow speed until the cream cheese is soft and well combined with the sauce, about 2 minutes. Fold in the chicken meat.
5. Put a piece of baker's parchment down (I used paper bags with paper towels on top) on the counter and lay the fried and cooled tortillas out in a single layer. Distribute the chicken filling evenly among the tortillas (about 1/4c. each), and roll each one into a tight little log.
6. Spread 1 c. of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish, and place the enchiladas in a single layer over the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas, making sure the edges are covered. Sprinkle the cheese over the sauce. The enchiladas can be prepared ahead, refrigerated, and baked several hours later.
7. Bake the enchiladas until the cheese is molten and the sauce is bubbling hot, 15-20 minutes. Transfer enchiladas to plates and serve.
Mom also made the most delicious soup today. Butternut Squash Soup from "A Celebration of Women Chefs".
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium Spanish onion, diced
1/4 pecans
4 butternut squash, peeled and cubed (mom used on very large one)
6 cups of chicken stock
1 pinch freshly ground nutmeg, salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon crushed amaretti (mom did not use this)
1 teaspoon chopped chives
(Mom also added some cumin and chopped pecans left over from Tday)
In a large stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until transparent. Add squash and pecans and continue cooking to toast nuts. Add chicken stock and simmer until squash is tender, about 20 minutes.
In a food processor or blender, puree the soup, then season to taste. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with cheese, crushed cookie and chives.
This was delicious, a must try!
Mom also made bread pudding with chocolate bits with old bread from Tday.
And what wasn't worth cooking, the crows got.
For the Enchiladas:
3/4 c. canola or corn oil
12 corn tortillas
8 oz. cream cheese
12 oz or about 3c. of cooked chicken (or turkey)
1 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese
For the enchilada sauce:
1/2 c. corn or canola oil from frying the tortillas
1/2 c. All-purpose flour
1/4 c. chili powder
1 c. finely chopped onion
2 c. chicken broth
2 c. freshly squeezed orange juice (I used store-bought without pulp)
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Put the oil in a small frying pan over med-high heat until it is hot but not smoking. It should be about 375 F ... tortilla dipped into the oil will immediately begin to bubble.
2. Fry the tortillas one at a time in the hot oil, turning them once. cook each tortilla until it begins to puff up, about 10 seconds. As they are cooked, carefully stack the fried tortillas one on top of the other so they won't dry out as they cool. (I also kept them covered with a paper towel.) Allow the stacked fried tortillas to stand at room temperature while you prepare the enchilada sauce. Save the oil used for frying to make the enchilada sauce.
3. Make the sauce. In a medium saucepan over med-high heat, stir the oil (you may have to add a little to what you have leftover from frying the tortillas to make a 1/2 c.) and flour with a wire whisk until bubbling hot. Stir in the chili powder and then the onion and cook for one minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and orange juice and stir the sauce continually until it comes to a full, rolling boil. Turn off the heat and keep the sauce covered while you prepare the enchiladas.
4. Put 1 cup of the enchilada sauce and the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix with the paddle attachment on slow speed until the cream cheese is soft and well combined with the sauce, about 2 minutes. Fold in the chicken meat.
5. Put a piece of baker's parchment down (I used paper bags with paper towels on top) on the counter and lay the fried and cooled tortillas out in a single layer. Distribute the chicken filling evenly among the tortillas (about 1/4c. each), and roll each one into a tight little log.
6. Spread 1 c. of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish, and place the enchiladas in a single layer over the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas, making sure the edges are covered. Sprinkle the cheese over the sauce. The enchiladas can be prepared ahead, refrigerated, and baked several hours later.
7. Bake the enchiladas until the cheese is molten and the sauce is bubbling hot, 15-20 minutes. Transfer enchiladas to plates and serve.
Mom also made the most delicious soup today. Butternut Squash Soup from "A Celebration of Women Chefs".
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium Spanish onion, diced
1/4 pecans
4 butternut squash, peeled and cubed (mom used on very large one)
6 cups of chicken stock
1 pinch freshly ground nutmeg, salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon crushed amaretti (mom did not use this)
1 teaspoon chopped chives
(Mom also added some cumin and chopped pecans left over from Tday)
In a large stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until transparent. Add squash and pecans and continue cooking to toast nuts. Add chicken stock and simmer until squash is tender, about 20 minutes.
In a food processor or blender, puree the soup, then season to taste. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with cheese, crushed cookie and chives.
This was delicious, a must try!
Mom also made bread pudding with chocolate bits with old bread from Tday.
And what wasn't worth cooking, the crows got.
Self-Portrait Challenge - 11.28
My Self-Portrait Challenge is a little different today. I consider personal freedoms a very glamorous asset of any society and have been interested, worried and frankly shocked that the burqa and veils, traditional for Muslim women to wear in public are in consideration for being banned and are a hotly-debated subject in a range of European countries. I guess I am asking, if they ban burqas now, will they ban crosses worn around someone's neck? I am not overly religious, I am not Muslim, but I do respect their choice to wear or not wear a veil or burka. If people think this is going to make Muslims assimilate into Western society, I think they are wrong. I fear this will make an enormous chunk of society feel even more isolated and excluded. And I agree with someone who said, wearing a veil does not make you a terrorist. (A discussion on KUOW a couple of weeks ago, but I can't find the link in their archives).
I wonder how we can get along in here, in the United States, with all the cultural differences. and still remain a cohesive nation. I see women all the time in veils and I don't think they are the mall to blow themselves up. It is the time we live in, but freedom, regardless of crazy, destructive-bent terrorist should NOT change our respect we should have for each other.
The Seattle Times ran an excellent explanation about veils and turbans.
For more glamorous entries here.
{later} I had this idea last week but did not have time for it. This is what would happen to me if I walked into some random clinic and ask them to make me glamorous.
I wonder how we can get along in here, in the United States, with all the cultural differences. and still remain a cohesive nation. I see women all the time in veils and I don't think they are the mall to blow themselves up. It is the time we live in, but freedom, regardless of crazy, destructive-bent terrorist should NOT change our respect we should have for each other.
The Seattle Times ran an excellent explanation about veils and turbans.
For more glamorous entries here.
{later} I had this idea last week but did not have time for it. This is what would happen to me if I walked into some random clinic and ask them to make me glamorous.
Let It Snow!
I spent my night keeping the fire going and staying warm. I love the illusion of being "snowed in". I know if I had to go out, I could. But I would rather keep the idea in my head that I am stranded in the safety of our home, in front of a fire, under a quilt with the dogs, watching movies. Call me lazy!
My friend Jared sent me this photo that he took of the snow falling in Montana. I wish I could see it snow like that! I can see how he is so inspired to paint such wonderful landscapes.
My friend Jared sent me this photo that he took of the snow falling in Montana. I wish I could see it snow like that! I can see how he is so inspired to paint such wonderful landscapes.
Monday, November 27, 2006
I Love Dogs
I love dogs and I love vintage photos of owners with their beloved pet. There is such a connection ... you can see it in the images.
I was on an Ebay kick a couple of years ago purchasing such items and I have boxes of them. My friend Elana gave me this wonderful book "Prince and other dogs, 1850 - 1940", exactly the kind of book I had envisioned me putting together when I bought all of these photos.
I was on an Ebay kick a couple of years ago purchasing such items and I have boxes of them. My friend Elana gave me this wonderful book "Prince and other dogs, 1850 - 1940", exactly the kind of book I had envisioned me putting together when I bought all of these photos.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Beautiful Sunday -- Temple And Snow
My Beautiful Sunday ... friends, trying something new and snow! Ruth, Amber, mom and I went the Vajralama Buddhist Center this morning. Drove Ruth to the airport in the snow! Drove home in more snow. Stopped by Urban Pottery and found a belated birthday present for my favorite neighbor and some Christmas decoration for the kitchen cabinet. All in all we had the perfect Sunday -- except that Ruth had to go back to Texas!
"Three Thing" MeMe
I was tagged by East of Oregon with "Three Thing MeMe".
Three things that scare me:
* Global warming
* Wars
* The idea that we will run out of clean water
Three people who make me laugh:
* My husband
* My son
* Rita
Three things I love:
* My studio (and all the junk that fills it up)
* Cameras
* Computers
Three things I hate:
* Tele-marketing phone calls
* Traffic
* Corrupt government
Three things I don't understand:
* Why I can’t eat all the chocolate I want and not gain weight
* Why children starve to death in Africa
* Why we invaded a sovereign country, just because we did not approve of the megalomaniac leader of that said country
Three things on my desk:
* Photo of my son (the most delicious picture of him)
* Two hands interlocked – paper weight, my moms from many years ago
* A bowl carved from a monkey-puzzle tree that holds different kinds of hearts
Three things I'm doing right now:
* Starting and maintaining a fire
* Trying to figure out how I can get out of picking up my son and his three friends from the mall, while it is snowing.
* Hanging Christmas wreaths on the kitchen cabinet
Three things I want to do before I die:
* Finish just one of my big ideas (that I carry around in my head all the time)!
* See my son finish his higher education, and start a good life with lots of close friends
* See that we have a handle on global warming
Three things I can do:
* Clean a house to the nth-degree
* Work really, really hard (very long hours) when I have get something done
* Design the most fun Christmas card
Three things I can't do:
* Organize
* Keep my purse clean and organized
* Not love my very sick, old, Cocker Spaniel, who needs lots of care
Three things you should listen to:
* Your intuition
* Your best friends sincere advice
* The wind in the trees (or Vivaldi)
Three things you should never listen to:
* Religious radio stations
* Religious zealots
* Fox News
Three things I'd like to learn:
* Spanish
* Flash and Dreamweaver
* Violin (so I can play Vivaldi!)
Three favourite foods:
* Dark chocolate baked in some decadent cake
* Balsamic vinegar, olive oil and warm bread
* Warm bread pudding, chocolate sauce that my mom makes from stale bread.
Three beverages I drink regularly:
* Coffee
* Coke
* Red wine
Three TV shows/Books I watched/read as a kid:
* Bewitched
* The Avengers (I WAS Mrs. Peel)
* Aeosps Fables (I still have my book)
Three blogger friends that I am going to tag:
Rancho Rita (the funniest person I know)
Maureen
Erica (my blogger inspiration)
Three things that scare me:
* Global warming
* Wars
* The idea that we will run out of clean water
Three people who make me laugh:
* My husband
* My son
* Rita
Three things I love:
* My studio (and all the junk that fills it up)
* Cameras
* Computers
Three things I hate:
* Tele-marketing phone calls
* Traffic
* Corrupt government
Three things I don't understand:
* Why I can’t eat all the chocolate I want and not gain weight
* Why children starve to death in Africa
* Why we invaded a sovereign country, just because we did not approve of the megalomaniac leader of that said country
Three things on my desk:
* Photo of my son (the most delicious picture of him)
* Two hands interlocked – paper weight, my moms from many years ago
* A bowl carved from a monkey-puzzle tree that holds different kinds of hearts
Three things I'm doing right now:
* Starting and maintaining a fire
* Trying to figure out how I can get out of picking up my son and his three friends from the mall, while it is snowing.
* Hanging Christmas wreaths on the kitchen cabinet
Three things I want to do before I die:
* Finish just one of my big ideas (that I carry around in my head all the time)!
* See my son finish his higher education, and start a good life with lots of close friends
* See that we have a handle on global warming
Three things I can do:
* Clean a house to the nth-degree
* Work really, really hard (very long hours) when I have get something done
* Design the most fun Christmas card
Three things I can't do:
* Organize
* Keep my purse clean and organized
* Not love my very sick, old, Cocker Spaniel, who needs lots of care
Three things you should listen to:
* Your intuition
* Your best friends sincere advice
* The wind in the trees (or Vivaldi)
Three things you should never listen to:
* Religious radio stations
* Religious zealots
* Fox News
Three things I'd like to learn:
* Spanish
* Flash and Dreamweaver
* Violin (so I can play Vivaldi!)
Three favourite foods:
* Dark chocolate baked in some decadent cake
* Balsamic vinegar, olive oil and warm bread
* Warm bread pudding, chocolate sauce that my mom makes from stale bread.
Three beverages I drink regularly:
* Coffee
* Coke
* Red wine
Three TV shows/Books I watched/read as a kid:
* Bewitched
* The Avengers (I WAS Mrs. Peel)
* Aeosps Fables (I still have my book)
Three blogger friends that I am going to tag:
Rancho Rita (the funniest person I know)
Maureen
Erica (my blogger inspiration)
Charmed By The Light
They were drawn to her because they thought she was the moon but she was much more ordinary than that.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Having A Happy Thanksgiving
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks to our wonderful friends, we had a good gathering with lots of delicious food and perfect champagne.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Jazzed Up Son
I questioned the decision of my son taking up the trombone. We knew he was very musical and hoped he would take up playing an intrument, be a part of the school concert band. When I made that mental wish, I was thinking about the violin. (He could play his Ole Mom some Vivaldi in her later years.) After several years in many bands and lessons, he is a great trombonist and has also taken up the guitar. He plays many of his own little rap scats ... a percussion beat with his mouth. He does this mainly when I am bringing up the unpleasant issue of homework due the next day or test that needs to be studied for. So tonight, we were so proud to see him play in the high school band. While I thumped my leg to the beat of jazz greatest tunes, thinking, wow, look at my son!
T-Day Countdown
Gearing up for Thanksgiving dinner on my days off. Cleaning, dusting and putting the boxes of stuff I had to move out of our furnace room during the water leak. And two wonderful things happened last night while I was going through boxes, looking for damage and seeing "what is all of this crap I am moving from room to another!". I found the silver lanterns I purchased ON SALE at Pottery Barn last year with the thought of using them for decoration this year. Yes, I had fogotten them. Midnight last night I on up on the ladder attaching the lanterns. (I am now up to two big plastic tubs of lanterns).
I sent D on an IKEA white candle run last night, and can you believe it -- they are out of them. Everytime I am there they have pallets and pallets of them at the checkout. Cleaned the silver candelabras, decided we will use the Noritake Helene, I have been collecting pieces for years. I loved the graphic silver and brown leaf pattern the moment I saw it. Have a silver tablecloth. I am getting excited now. I think we have 17 but we are never sure of the guest count until we all sit down to eat. Rick and Laura are bringing some special Champagne so I decided it should be a "fancy" table setting this year. I think we did "Cow Camp" last year with enamel plates and red camp lanterns.
And the second wonderful thing I found while carting all of that stuff back and forth? The most beautiful, worn, cow skull that I had forgotten I had. The perfect one (Kathy! I found my inspiration!).
So off for more cleaning.
I sent D on an IKEA white candle run last night, and can you believe it -- they are out of them. Everytime I am there they have pallets and pallets of them at the checkout. Cleaned the silver candelabras, decided we will use the Noritake Helene, I have been collecting pieces for years. I loved the graphic silver and brown leaf pattern the moment I saw it. Have a silver tablecloth. I am getting excited now. I think we have 17 but we are never sure of the guest count until we all sit down to eat. Rick and Laura are bringing some special Champagne so I decided it should be a "fancy" table setting this year. I think we did "Cow Camp" last year with enamel plates and red camp lanterns.
And the second wonderful thing I found while carting all of that stuff back and forth? The most beautiful, worn, cow skull that I had forgotten I had. The perfect one (Kathy! I found my inspiration!).
So off for more cleaning.
Un-Christmas Present
Carole Lombard
When I watched Carole Lombard as a kid, I thought she was the most elegant, funny, perfect movie star. Well, I still think she is.
Classic Carole Lombard.
Full color magazine covers and fifteen glamorous stills.
The Hollywood Collection is a connection to the fabulous jewels of legendary film stars. I really enjoy this site.
Classic Carole Lombard.
Full color magazine covers and fifteen glamorous stills.
The Hollywood Collection is a connection to the fabulous jewels of legendary film stars. I really enjoy this site.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Tree
White Tree II (Naturaleza Artificial), made from non-biodegradable materials such as styrofoam and packaging peanuts by Hector Dio Mendoza.
Check out James Balog's big trees photos. Found in my Sierra Club Magazine.
Old tree, The Magnificent Red Tree and Namibian Tree on Flickr.
Check out James Balog's big trees photos. Found in my Sierra Club Magazine.
Old tree, The Magnificent Red Tree and Namibian Tree on Flickr.
Random Composition Generator
This is such a cool visual experience, I must blog it again - Random Composition Generator.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Beautiful Sunday - 11.19
I offer up a true friend for Beautiful Sunday. A good day spent with a wonderful woman, who took on the job as a single mom and does a great job of it. Who deals with new roofs, backed up toilets, college funds, broken down cars, teaching a boy how to drive -- all on her own. No mom their with her to cook the dinners, do the laundry, run the errands. No husband to say, "good job, Hon", "Oh, here, let me do that".... no, all on her own and I applaud her for it. She is strong, smart, sensitve, funny, beautiful, caring, talented, daring, adventurous ... a with-it kind-of mom. She does it all with a smile on her face and in her heart. Thank you for being my friend and a true inspiration! (And for turning me on the ArtFest).
Food List and StyList
Michael Ray Photography’s -- Food Portfolio and Food Stylists and other links. Don’t go there hungry ;)
Shopping List from GroceryList.org.
Shopping List from GroceryList.org.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Smile Laugh
When you are passing through hell, or as I told my son the other day ... just experiencing a little valley right now, I need to remember this:
The Hormone Hostage
Thank you Susan, boy, I needed that laugh. After the horrors of menopause, hormone depletion ... trust me, my husband opts for the ULTRA SAFE every time!
The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Wow, you sure look good in brown!
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here's my paycheck.
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
DANGEROUS: What did you DO all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't over-do it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some more wine.
The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Wow, you sure look good in brown!
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here's my paycheck.
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some wine.
DANGEROUS: What did you DO all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't over-do it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some more wine.
13 Things PMS Stands For:
1 Pass My Shotgun
2 Psychotic Mood Shift
3 Perpetual Munching Spree
4 Puffy Mid-Section
5 People Make me Sick
6 Provide Me with Sweets
7 Pardon My Sobbing
8 Pimples May Surface
9 Pass My Sweat pants
10. Pissy Mood Syndrome
11. Plainly; Men Suck
12. Pack My Stuff
13. Potential Murder Suspect
Pass this on to all of your hormonal friends and those who might need a good laugh!
...Or men who need a warning.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
List For A Rainy Day
Rainy? Cold? Do you need a movie or a book to comfort you while you are wrapped up in a quilt? Desert Island Books list by Nancy Pearl. Add your own list.
Top 250 movies as voted by IMDB users. AFI’S 100 years ... 100 lists and the list of 100 movie quotes is very entertaining.
Two movies that I am looking forward to seeing -- The Fountain and Pan's Labyrinth.
Top 250 movies as voted by IMDB users. AFI’S 100 years ... 100 lists and the list of 100 movie quotes is very entertaining.
Two movies that I am looking forward to seeing -- The Fountain and Pan's Labyrinth.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Getting An Early Start
I woke up very early this morning to head off for work early, then listened to the traffic report. I can leave at 7a and get there at 930a, or I can leave at 9a and get there at 10a. I decided against sitting in my car and opted to blog instead. Blogging, something I don't feel like I have time for anymore. The one thing that reminds me how fun life can be has been scratched off my list of fun-things-to-do. No time for IF, Studio Friday, Photo Friday, Inspriration Thursday. Work and guilt for not being there completing a big project on my days off are consuming me. You know how bad things come in 3's or 7's ... and I have reached my 7th. I keep in mind, God will not give you more than you can handle and trying to take some comfort in that.
Rain is coming down and high winds are on their way. Grey, dark and gloomy. I have been scrambling the last couple of days to get the leak in the rood fixed, finally did yesterday. I am hoping they found the leak, waiting to see if any water is trickling down the wall. Am getting an estimate to have the roof done soon. Fans are working to dry it all out. The contractor has been notified to come give me the price of the damage. I also took the pumpkins and all of the damaged drywall to the dump, washed off the slippery moss from the front stairs with a brush, fixed the vacuum cleaner and finally vacuumed up the mess. While I was focusing on the carpets, spot-cleaned little accidents and kid's messes. Managed to get some packages off to dear friends. Grocery shopped, made many business calls I needed to make. All yesterday while I should have gone into work on my day off. I am feeling very stretched these days. The studio is stacked sky-high with wet stuff from the furnace room, where all the water ended up and I want to get started on our Christmas cards. It will all come back together in time and patience.
Thanksgiving is coming! I love a Thanksgiving gathering with friends. Something to look forward to!
Rain is coming down and high winds are on their way. Grey, dark and gloomy. I have been scrambling the last couple of days to get the leak in the rood fixed, finally did yesterday. I am hoping they found the leak, waiting to see if any water is trickling down the wall. Am getting an estimate to have the roof done soon. Fans are working to dry it all out. The contractor has been notified to come give me the price of the damage. I also took the pumpkins and all of the damaged drywall to the dump, washed off the slippery moss from the front stairs with a brush, fixed the vacuum cleaner and finally vacuumed up the mess. While I was focusing on the carpets, spot-cleaned little accidents and kid's messes. Managed to get some packages off to dear friends. Grocery shopped, made many business calls I needed to make. All yesterday while I should have gone into work on my day off. I am feeling very stretched these days. The studio is stacked sky-high with wet stuff from the furnace room, where all the water ended up and I want to get started on our Christmas cards. It will all come back together in time and patience.
Thanksgiving is coming! I love a Thanksgiving gathering with friends. Something to look forward to!
More Food Blogs
There are more food blogs out there than you can shake a wooden spoon at. While reading my favorite Matt Bites, I realized that my newly discovered treasure Keiko had just visited him. It all seems like a very small blogging world. A couple of others (of hundreds of wonderful blogs) I found that I think are very interesting -- The Cupcake Blog, Food Blog Blog -- which has food blogs from A to Z and BlogHop! A New Way to Surf Food Blogs, Bibliocook , 101 Cookbooks and of course, Food Chronicles -- always a pleasure to visit.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Self-Portrait Challenge - 11.14
The most glamorous thing about me is my mom. She is glam from the moment she gets out of bed until she goes to bed. She has always been the most glamorous woman I know and I did not inherit that trait. Get more glam here.
Fair And Balanced
Ruth, thanks for sending me this one!
Once upon a time, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to
call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example,
northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land area and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God "That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, plains, and coulees. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance."
God smiled, "There is another Washington...wait until you see the idiots I put there."
Once upon a time, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to
call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example,
northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land area and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God "That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, plains, and coulees. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance."
God smiled, "There is another Washington...wait until you see the idiots I put there."
Monday, November 13, 2006
Wet Wall
Please don't be jealous! I hate to even share how I have been spending my time, outside of work, because I know you will want to come join in the fun. ;)
Visual Treats
Thank you Melanie for linking to a visual blogging treat, Strandgut. Where I also stumbled across two more treats this morning, Foodbeam and do not miss this one, Nordljus.
Delicious Days
Andee's photos via The Blue Between.
Delicious Days
Andee's photos via The Blue Between.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Flickr Faves
Hungry Packer Lake.
Whispers and Retirement by Scott Wills.
Fall Into Autumn pool.
Diamonds! and exploration by mafic.
These cute things!
Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monument, Utah
Whispers and Retirement by Scott Wills.
Fall Into Autumn pool.
Diamonds! and exploration by mafic.
These cute things!
Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monument, Utah
Beautiful Sunday - 11.12
Am wandering off to Christmas before we have even had Thanksgiving dinner! Christmas ornaments and little hearts for Beautiful Sunday.
Target: Good Design
Thanks to Kathleen’s post about Tord Boontje at Target, I left the very dark place I have been in all week and stopped off at Target on my way home from work last night. I am so glad I did. An hour of mindless wondering in the Christmas section did me a world of good. The store displays are worth the visit alone. Thank you, Target for having the design wit to hire Tord and lighten/brighten up your stores with a delicate whimsy that made me want to walk around and just look at the displays! I did finally find the garlands, hidden in the Christmas promotional section, along with the party paper plates and paper napkins.
So in my dark place there is no time to think of fun things. Only work, personal duties, house fallilng apart are filling my thoughts right now. Disappointment in myself, depression, anxiety, anger, envy. Not driving home thinking of what fun thing I can seek out in my house to shoot for Beautiful Sunday or what I should design for our Christmas card. Only I need to get this project done, get the roofing people in, make appointments here and there, get this and that done. There is no WHIMSY in my head! I hate that. So I left Target feeling better, with some fun ideas sprouting up there where the darkness had taken over.
So in my dark place there is no time to think of fun things. Only work, personal duties, house fallilng apart are filling my thoughts right now. Disappointment in myself, depression, anxiety, anger, envy. Not driving home thinking of what fun thing I can seek out in my house to shoot for Beautiful Sunday or what I should design for our Christmas card. Only I need to get this project done, get the roofing people in, make appointments here and there, get this and that done. There is no WHIMSY in my head! I hate that. So I left Target feeling better, with some fun ideas sprouting up there where the darkness had taken over.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
A Rain Break
This is what I saw this morning at 7:30 a.m. driving to work. Olympic mountains covered in snow. The air is fresh and no rain for the moment. My roof is leaking water down the walls to the basement. And more rain to come.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Could Not Resist
This was a little visual joke for a flickr friend, here is the beautiful original image that he was gracious enough not to be vexed with me for toying with. ;)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Self-Portrait Challenge - 11-07
I don't think I get much more glam than this these days (this could be my one and only "glam" entry). Very rainy in the NW and was fascinated with the reflection on a rain-drenched glass. More glam here. Hope everyone got out to vote!
Monday, November 06, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Friday Faves On Sunday
I did not have time to post my Friday Faves, so here they are on Sunday.
Your moment of zen
November photograph by Linda Plaisted.
Nancy Bea's spooky Halloween photo.
This icy beauty from My Kind of Blog. This is one of many wonderful photographs there.
ocean, sea, eternity set by Jenny is breathtaking!
Storm Chaser by kamera kat.
Jason Gaylor's Design Fruit full of juicy goodness.
Your moment of zen
November photograph by Linda Plaisted.
Nancy Bea's spooky Halloween photo.
This icy beauty from My Kind of Blog. This is one of many wonderful photographs there.
ocean, sea, eternity set by Jenny is breathtaking!
Storm Chaser by kamera kat.
Jason Gaylor's Design Fruit full of juicy goodness.
Is The World Ready?
Top ten women drivers of the year.
The last photo I ever took contest.
Does the world really need this?
The last photo I ever took contest.
Does the world really need this?
Friday, November 03, 2006
Me, Myself And I
This is my "intra-connectivity" for Studio Friday. I think there is a great painter lurking somewhere inside and inside her, the Choctaw seeking the beauty and sustainability of nature. But the subject is really "interconnections".
" I am not thinking of connections one might feel to other "great artists" of the past or inspiring, high-profile contemporaries, but the connections that help keep you happy in the studio. Artist friends you get together with for critiques or just coffee and supportive conversation. For instance I am in a group of four women who get together for all of that, plus find venues to occasionally show together, and we encourage each other in every possible way. Maybe you are part of a class or group that gets together to try out new techniques once a month. Or do you have a beloved teacher you still talk with on occasion who helps you feel connected to and strengthened by your past. Isolation can cause fear and despondency: the artist alone in the ivory tower is often the one who commits suicide or stops working! We are all interconnected and honoring and recognizing that is an immense comfort and inspiration and source of strength for me, and I am sure for others too."
~ Nancy Bea
I am lucky to feel connection with many of my blogging buddies, Kathy, Paula, Maureen, Liz, Sherry, Tara. Those are just a few I have met in person. So many others that I have connected with on a personal level via email, phones calls, ArtFest. I have a great connections with friends and food. But I need more physical connections, I resist it but love it when it happens.
" I am not thinking of connections one might feel to other "great artists" of the past or inspiring, high-profile contemporaries, but the connections that help keep you happy in the studio. Artist friends you get together with for critiques or just coffee and supportive conversation. For instance I am in a group of four women who get together for all of that, plus find venues to occasionally show together, and we encourage each other in every possible way. Maybe you are part of a class or group that gets together to try out new techniques once a month. Or do you have a beloved teacher you still talk with on occasion who helps you feel connected to and strengthened by your past. Isolation can cause fear and despondency: the artist alone in the ivory tower is often the one who commits suicide or stops working! We are all interconnected and honoring and recognizing that is an immense comfort and inspiration and source of strength for me, and I am sure for others too."
~ Nancy Bea
I am lucky to feel connection with many of my blogging buddies, Kathy, Paula, Maureen, Liz, Sherry, Tara. Those are just a few I have met in person. So many others that I have connected with on a personal level via email, phones calls, ArtFest. I have a great connections with friends and food. But I need more physical connections, I resist it but love it when it happens.
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