Work Out Ready

I just bought some clothes to work out in.
Finally!
Now there's no excuse!

Heart and Core is having an awesome sale--check it out.
Two sisters started this company when their mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and couldn't find comfortable sports bras to wear.
So these are products for women, made by women.

Along with sports bras, the company has a ruched top that looks good on everyone, and some capri-style athletic pants as well (more products and colors to come in the future).

Accomplishments not to forget

People tend to concentrate on their failures, their "what ifs", their shortcomings.
I think it's important to remember all those little goals we DO tackle, all the "to do" we check off our lists.

Inspired by Andrea's "59 Things",
I decided to keep a list of things last year that were accomplishments.
Remembering accomplishments is a good way to start the New Year, along with eying new goals and inspirations

Last year I:
*Read (or listened to) 37 books.
24 books, 13 audio books.
This does not include craft or cookbooks.

*Got a computer, then an updated version--a gift from a very nice guy who reads this blog.
It has been life-transforming. Really.
I entered the 21st century--goodbye dial-up, welcome high speed!

*I reconnected with some old friends/clients after five years
*reconnected with a friend of a friend after more than a decade
*reconnected with a childhood friend after a year, and another very close friend after two years.
*reconnected with several old high school friends and former co-workers via Facebook
*reconnected with a girl I went to elementary school, Junior High, and High School with, but never really hung out with.
Via Facebook we arranged to meet at a concert, and discovered how much we have in common.
It's awesome to start up a friendship that's so strong from the get go.

*I finally made a bowl from a record.

*I finished my first knitted scarf.
*Then I made another.

*Took the online course Unravelling from Susannah Conway
I still need to really delve into it.
It's an introspective journey.

*Took an online class about food myths from
Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Amazing.
I've become a fan of Weston Price, and traditional nutrition.

*I took a tiara class with Sally Jean Alexander.
I still need to blog about it.

*I got a Brazilian blow-out.

*I met one of my blog friends/Facebook buddies face-to-face.
He is one of my closest friends now.
Go figure.

*I fixed up my bedroom.
I had a wood floor installed, as well as trim around the doors and windows.
I bought draperies, new drapery rods, and I painted the wood doors white.
I bought an area rug.
I painted the walls two shades of green.
Huge improvement.

*I made a cute dress for a little girl

*I bought some CD-roms on how to speak Italian.
I haven't really gotten into them yet, but it's a beginning.

*I finally saw three bridges in San Diego that were on my bucket list.
I still need to blog about it.

*I attended Tiki Oasis again.

*Planted an old wheelbarrow

*I bought (actually I'm still buying...) an old Ford Explorer since my Land Rover needs a new engine.
I really like it!

*I rescued an 8-week old feral kitten and welcomed him as part of my family
Initially I named him Trey, but it didn't stick.
He is now Kai (and "little guy").

Blogger's Generosity

Wow, I have some very generous blog friends.

Remember how I recently posted that a lot of my collage materials were damaged by water, and Mary Ann came to the rescue by sending me an envelope filled with ephemera?
Little did I know that package was just the opening act.

Holy cow, in the mail came a STUFFED to the brim box filled with so much more!

Sewing pattern envelopes, not to use for sewing, but to use in collage


Book covers, and books, also to use in collage.
Hmmm, I think I'm keeping that French cookbook though.
But come on--Jenny Lind and her Listening Cat? How perfect!


Oops, image is upside down. Oh well.
Two novelty neckties (my favorite kind)--hot air balloons, and international flags.
Also upholstery samples, and tassels

Scrapbooking supplies, sheets of music, book pages.
Some really amazing French poster images

Eek! Vintage photographs (I about fainted), and postcards

More photographs, postcards, valentines, miscellaneous papers

Really really fun things for collage--bingo cards, tickets, playing cards, postage stamps, etc.
A collage artist's dream

On top of all this goodness, I received another package from another blogger!
Jen, of The Felt Mouse, had just sent me this package.
But sent me another, this time of piggy-themed stuff.
Two pig potholders, kitchen string over a piggy body, and bacon in chocolate (surprisingly tasty)

Then Mary Ann sent yet ANOTHER package, this time a birthday gift!

A rubber stamp with a paw print design.
How cute is that?!

I am spoiled rotten, and loving it.
Thanks so much you guys!!!

Woohoo--snail mail!

One of the rewards of blogging is meeting people you wouldn't have found otherwise.
I've known Jen of The Felt Mouse for several years now.
Though we haven't met yet, I consider her one of my friends.
Absolutely.

Jen just sent me snail mail AGAIN (I'm so spoiled!).
This package is especially delicious--look at all the good stuff!
(note she also sent lip gloss, but that was already in my make-up bag, so didn't make the photo)
Oh my gosh, so perfectly tailored to my interests--necktie scraps, a vintage needle case, a car visor wind chime, a kitty pinback button, fun clothing buttons, pin-up cards, and a tiki-themed sticker.

I love this Grow a Pet

and this Woof magnet


A Japanese magazine (oh so good) called Basic Life seems to be about surrounding yourself with things you love (interior decorating, etc)
I like the whimsy here

and the floral sphere


She sent zinnia seeds (my favorite) and this cute little plastic bird feeder

and how fun is this matchstick herb garden?!

Seeds are embedded in the cardboard 'matches', so you just plant those!


But the most amazing gift was the homemade recipe card she made, using my instructions from the article I wrote in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.
On the front, under vinyl, is a photo of herself as a kid, surrounded by memories from childhood (barrettes, crayons, Bazooka)

and on the back, it's a recipe for "Reliving your childhood".

Note recipe instructions, "Don't be afraid to try all ingredients. Repeat often"
There are multiple ingredients: "dream, wish, laugh..."
and how cool is that filler?
Itty bitty alphabet noodles! I LOVE it!

Jen has pics and descriptions on her blog too.

Thank you Jen!
So much goodness here :)

Here She Comes to Save the Day....

Many of you know that I've been in the midst of the never-ending bedroom remodel for the past year.
One delay after another meant the floor wasn't installed until just recently.
Which meant all my stuff has been sitting outside for a year.
Under tarps, sure, but outside nevertheless.

I was optimistic about what I was going to find under those tarps, but was seriously disappointed by what actual damage was revealed.
I had a lot of books and art supplies stored in boxes in an old armoire.
Somehow rain managed to leak in, and boxes upon boxes of books were wet and mildewed.
It was heart-breaking.
A large plastic craft box of ephemera was filled with stale water.
I lost vintage postcards, photographs, papers for collage.

I mentioned this on Facebook, and MaryAnn immediately had a box of ephemera in the mail to me.

God you guys are amazing.

MaryAnn has sent me goodies in the past, and thankfully some of that was inside the house and safe, but she is definitely the queen of vintage goodness (and generosity too).
Check out her Etsy shop.

You see, tomorrow, I start a two-day workshop with
Sally Jean Alexander, author of Pretty Little Things.
The workshop is called Totally Tiara.
So I need collage materials.
And now I have awesome papers to use!
Thanks MaryAnn!!!
Details:

My Sunlight

Loving this, once again inspiration from Andrea.

The Best Christmas Present EVER!

I had something really amazing happen to me last week.
I was the recipient of a random act of kindness,
of amazing generosity,
of the epitome of Christian love.

If you have had a blog for awhile, you know that you develop a group of regular readers, and sometimes those readers, in the process of their daily lives, come across things that speak your name...and on a whim you'll get (very cool) gifts in the mail.
I've both received gifts, and I've sent gifts, and I call some of these readers friends, even though we haven't met yet.

But this goes way beyond that.

You see, Ben emailed me, saying he had a Christmas present for me.
Huh?
Wow, that's generous.
Okay.
Since he loves photography, I just assumed it was one of his photographs (and that would have really been awesome).
I even dreamt one night that he knit me a sweater, because we talked about knitting.

So I drove to the post office on Tuesday, and was shocked when the employee there handed me a big box.
Um, with a $35 shipping label.
Plus insurance and delivery confirmation, so it cost even more to mail.
Holy cow.

Hmmm...that's not a photograph.

Excitedly, since I can never wait, I rushed outside, stood beside the open door of my car, and I ripped the tape off the box.
I opened the box, and literally said out loud, "What?! Whaaaa?! Oh my God!".
I made a mini scene out there in the parking lot.

This is what he sent:

Are you kidding me?
Seriously, are you KIDDING me?

Ben is a computer expert, and he knows that the computer I have at home is old old old and so slow that it takes me at least three times longer to do things than it would with a normal computer.
My computer at home doesn't even have basic stuff like Word on it.
It's actually worse than anyone can probably imagine.

Because I'm a house sitter, it would make so much more sense to have my own computer that's portable, versus having to use my clients'.
So not only is this a better computer than the one I have, it's way more practical too.
I am giddy. My dad would have said "tickled pink" :)

The computer has goodies like Microsoft Office installed, and it even has some photo-editing software.

Wow.
I immediately called my friend Tracie and cried.
Then I called my friend Mike, and excitedly, in a high-pitched voice, told him of this awesomeness (Mike in another generous friend, so this all makes sense to him).

Today I called my satellite company to get DSL instead of the dreaded dial-up I currently have.
They'll be hooking it up soon.

Thank you Ben. What a Godsend.

59 Things

Everyone has heard of gratitude lists.
And bucket lists.
And to do lists.
And gimme lists.
And prayer lists.
And...

But what about a list of 59 things that were good about 2009?
I love this idea.
See Andrea's list.

Cake!

One of my very favorite blogs is a foodie blog called Orangette.
I had read on Goodreads that the blog's author, Molly Wizenberg, has a book out called A Homemade Life, and the reviews were all in the five-star range.
So I put in a request for a copy at my local library.
The queue was long with interested readers, so after about 50 people ahead of me got the chance first, a couple of months later I finally was able to get my hands on the book.

By page two, I already knew I had to return the book.
Not because I didn't like it...but because I knew I had to have my own copy.
I wanted to read it with a pen in hand, underlining passages that moved me.
I wanted to make notes in the margins.

Orangette transformed Wizenberg's life.
She quit academia and finally found a niche that felt right: writing about food.
She also met her husband through the blog, when he commented. Go figure.

"I've never liked the word blog. It's kind of weird and lumpy. When you say it, it tumbles out of your mouth with an unbecoming thud. Plus, the whole concept is a little weird: a Web site where a person can write about whatever they want to, inviting comments and feedback from the whole world. At their best, blogs are smart, funny, and informative. At their worst, they're blush-worthy rants written at 2:00 a.m. after a bad breakup.
I tried to steer mine somewhere in between. I write about food and cooking, and in that sense, I aim to be informative, but I write about my life some, too, since it intersects with food roughly three times a day. I don't think many of us are terribly interested in recipes that have no stories or real-life context. For me, the two are inseparable. One is pale and boring without the other."

But I'll give you four reasons you need to have this book:
Blueberry Raspberry Pound Cake.

Oh. My. God.

I tried the recipe last night, and it's a total keeper.
It's light (not heavy like most poundcakes).
It pops with flavor (not flavorless like many poundcakes).
Does it have a lot of butter? Well, yeah.
Should you care? Hell no!

Live a little--experience joy.
All things in moderation, so splurge on dessert sometimes.
In fact, the book is filled with recipes.
It's basically a memoir/cookbook.

Because this recipe has already appeared online (on her blog), I'm going to reprint the recipe here.
The book says her mom got the recipe from some book about food processors.
The blog says her mom got the recipe from Bon Appetit Magazine.
Perhaps both are true.
All I know is this cake is really really good.


Blueberry Raspberry Pound Cake

5 large eggs
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 ¼ cup (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces, at room temperature, plus a bit more for the pan
2 Tablespoons kirsch (cherry Brandy)
2 cups plus 8 Tablespoons cake flour, plus a bit more for the pan
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh blueberries

Generously butter a 9-cup Bundt pan, and dust it with flour, shaking out the excess.

In the bowl of a food processor, blend together the eggs and the sugar until smooth and thick, about 1 minute, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the butter and kirsch, and blend until the mixture is fluffy, about 1 minute, stopping once to scrape down the bowl.
Add 2 cups plus 6 Tablespoons flour, baking powder, and salt, and pulse twice or so to just combine. Do not overmix.
The batter should be very thick and very smooth.
(note: I just used a hand mixer, as I don't have a food processor)

In a large bowl, toss the raspberries and blueberries with the remaining 2 Tablespoons flour.
Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter into the berries.
Transfer this finished batter to the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly across the top.
Place the Bundt pan on the center rack in a cold oven, and turn the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
(note: the book doesn't say this. I put the pan in a pre-heated oven)

Bake until a toothpick or knife inserted in the cake’s center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
(note: check after an hour. The recipe in the book says bake one hour to one hour and 15 minutes)

Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes; then invert it onto a rack to cool completely.
Serve at room temperature, with tea, ice cream, or whipped cream, as the weather dictates.
(note: if you can't wait, like me, it's good warm too)

Arte y Pico

Oh wow, how fun is this?!
Patty at Pipstitch has given me an award!

It's always nice to know that maybe I inspired someone, or made them smile, or got them to thinking.

She says, "The "Arte y Pico" award was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talents, no matter whether it be in the form of writing, artwork, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogger community. When a blogger receives this award it is considered a "special honor" and, once presented to you, it is to be passed on to at least 5 other bloggers who meet the criteria."

Boy, it's so tough to choose.
I currently subscribe to 121 blogs via Bloglines, and that doesn't even represent all of my reading.
I have mentioned a few of my favorites before, so now the question is whether or not I should repeat the favorites, or choose new ones.
I mean, there are SO MANY good blogs out there!

Oh geez, let me just choose some.
Bari J, because her collage style just is awe-inspiring.

Calamity Kim, for the same reason. How does she have time to make so many wonderful things? I just blogged a project from each of these ladies on my purse blog.

How do I choose between Baking Bites, Orangette, and Smitten Kitchen?
I can't. They are all divine.

Oh shoot, I'm already at five.
No, wait!
Well, I was never much of a rule follower anyway.
Oh cool, it says "at least" five.
Can I give it to 121? No, okay then...

If you want to laugh, and don't mind bad words, Finny is your girl.

Want excellent writing about family life and day to day introspection (and excellent photography), Andrea of Hula Seventy.

Excellent writing, often about art and history, there is only one Aubrey, and I am so grateful we are friends.

Melanie, of Jellybean Angel, because she feels like my long lost sister, but her blog has restricted subscription, so I mention it just as a hello to her.

And Pattie, of This is my Summer, because I think we share a special kinship too, and I love the fact that her blog is a scrapbook for her children...little bits of saved memories of day to day life that they will be able to look upon in the future and say, "I remember...".

Misc

(click on images to enlarge)
I love this photo of the front side of my friend Carol's house.
Saint Francis of Assisi is actually a small statue, but at this angle appears to be watching over everyone.

Ah, memories.
Remember jack-in-the-boxes?

From Crafts and Things Magazine, Feb-March 1976, this article featured ideas for making your own wrapping paper by printing with a hand-carved linoleum block.
Maybe I should make a linoleum block print again...sounds like a good craft to revive.
But I especially love the old toys here--a time capsule.

I bought these iron-on letters back in the day when they were new. I had elaborate plans but they never materialized.
I still think it's a really fun set

McCall's pattern, 1977.

I'm not even a meat eater, so I don't know why this apron from Cost Plus World Market appeals to me so much.
I guess it's just so kitsch.

My friend Jen bought me the adorable cherries set--apron, towels, mitt.


Jen posted about bath fizzy cupcakes.
How cute are these?!
Instructions posted on Crafty Chica.

I got together with Sue who is visiting from Taiwan.
I wish we'd had more time!
I'd post the pic, but I look way too fat. Ah, I really should address that issue on this blog.
Eventually, perhaps I will.
But it was great seeing her, as always. No one at the bbq even looked at me sideways when I said we knew each other from blogging!

I just ordered these.

Beauty at no cost

I came up with a unique solution to one of my problems recently.
You see, I have been really strapped for cash, but I love to spend money.
I like going to thrift shops and finding a deal.
I like finding hidden treasure.
But after the initial rush of finding and acquiring, I'd be pissed at myself for being so impulsive.
I'd be disappointed to have that less money to spend on something I really need.

What to do?
Well, I started collecting rocks.
Yep, I said rocks.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Everytime I go to the beach to walk a dog, there are usually rocks (often more plentiful than shells, depending on location).
I figured I could use pretty rocks to delineate planting areas in my garden.
So I still get the rush from finding and acquiring...
I just don't have to experience the down of spending.
Hmmm...that sounds like a win-win to me.

Granted, I have to keep within the limits of the law--not every area I go to allows you to take stuff.
"Leave only footprints", if you will.
I have been spraying the rocks with a clear gloss acrylic to keep them shiny and wet-looking.
I think this makes the colors pop.
I wish I had a digital camera to better capture some of my fun finds.
The scanner can't handle the extra large stones I've collected, but here are some of the small and medium ones.

The ocean tumbles these into gems.
My favorites are the white agates.
But the beauty of stripes and veins and colors is amazing and varied.

The irony is that no one has known about my new obsession, yet Jen of The Felt Mouse sent me Stone Cats for my birthday.
It's a book about how to paint rocks to look like cats.
Really, how perfect is this?!

I have a rock set aside on which I have been penciling in a cat design.
I'll post it later when I've painted it.

One Day at a Time needs your help

Geez, my third post today.
Can you tell the tv isn't working? ;)

Please donate to help Danielle in the Walk for Animals.

Will you be my Valentine?

I have a steady stream of regular readers to this blog that make this ride all the more worthwhile.
I appreciate every visit and every comment more than I can express.
Especially when they stick by me through computer problems and problems with posting photos.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And a special thank you to Nannybird Crafts for sending me this email button today.
Pretty cool, huh?

I cruised the internet for fun Valentine links today.
Like the goodies at All Pop: kitsch and curios from around the world.
The shop (read the blog too) has great vintage Valentine images, as well as items like stickers, and kids clothes with Valentine appliques.

Crocheted heart tutorial at Bella Dia.


Make your own cookie cutters, from Instructables (but posted by Baking Bites, and linked on Not Martha).

Valentine's Day makes me think of pink cakes or cupcakes.
The idea of fresh strawberry frosting intrigues me.
It's something I want to try.
Ummmm...this recipe looks good.
Another recipe here.
A different version here.

Speaking of strawberries, Suse of Pea Soup makes these luscious knitted bookmarks.
She has generously shared the instructions, but I purchased some from her directly.
Lovely.

Laura of Rick Rack Ruby makes Necktie Strawberries.

Inspiring friends

The best holiday card EVER!
from my friend, the lovely Miss Aubrey, of course :)

Check it out.

An inspiring reminder

I was walking through an Asian grocery store last year, and all of a sudden I was stopped in my tracks by a Peach tree they had for sale.
It was in blossom, you see, and it was magnificent.
It was the first time I had ever seen that, and it was powerful.

So you know when you maybe see something, or notice something, or read something, and it has a breath-stopping effect like that?
Isn't that awesome?

Well, that's how I felt when I read this post by Andrea, at Hula Seventy.
It's a reminder we all need this time of year.

(for those of you new to blogging, highlighted text is a link, so please click on the link to her post, then click on her link to fully understand what I'm talking about.)

What's the best part of blogging?

Well, gifts on a whim!!!

When I first started blogging, I didn't realize how enriching it was going to be in terms of making friends--like the friendship I share with Jen (the Felt Mouse).

Out of the blue the other day, a "thinking of you" package arrived in my mail box.
A package filled with incredible goodies!
Like "confectionery" stationery, and vintage trims.


Aloha salt and pepper shaker set


Coasters with vintage Hawaiian images, a mug that says "what if I WANT to look cheap?", collectible honey container from the Bee Movie, some fun post its, and some to-die-for Japanese fabric!


Vintage (1971) booklet of pinecone crafts


Vintage (1975) craft book


Also copies of Adorn Magazine, Blueprint, Romantic Homes, Cottage Living, and Imaginate.
And some amazing wicker cone-shapes (I LOVE cones) with pretty twisted wire handles, that I scanned but forgot to upload. But they are awesome. Love love love.

And, last but not least, the piece de resistance...
Cat tongue-shaped chocolates.


Thanks so much Jen!!!