Mosaic madness

Here's my latest mosaic project. The broken plates, coasters and tiles are all getting glued onto a metal IKEA table. I thought I could leave that little table outside until I got motivated to glue stuff on it, but it rusted!!! So, I'm experimenting with mosaic on a little rust!



The problem with working in mosaic on tables is keeping the surface flat enough to keep your beverage steady. Thus the coasters. If you see any cute ones without cork, let me know and I'll go snatch them up!

Grinnell

This past weekend we made it down to Zander's ten year college reunion. No we didn't ride into Grinnell on a tractor! I was a bit nervous about meeting so many new people, but it really was a great time. It was funny though, we spent a LOT of time talking to people from Minneapolis! I guess that means that we all need to get together a bit more often. Some of the high lites for me (not in any certain order)... 1. Meeting Pip, Zander's theater professor. She is the most centered, loving, welcoming, gracious lady. When I grow up I want to be like her. 2. Meeting Brandy from LooseTooth.



She has a cute little hedge hog! It ran around our dorm room with a toilet paper roll on its little head! 3. Getting a hug from Zander's freshman year girlfriend. She's beautiful and sweet. 4. Eating at the Dairy Barn.



I had a Whopper Cyclone. Yummm. 5. Rooming next to Mike and Emily. Yes, they did bust in around 2am wanting to know if we were up to the "devil's business." I don't think it was Emily's idea...

In the last few weeks of school, my 1st graders were all about Claude Monet. They loved it when I'd play the true or false game with them... True or false... Monet had 8 children? True or false... Monet was from Missouri? Well, like all good 1st grade students know... 1. Monet is all about the impression that light and clouds leave on the water and 2. He has a Japanese bridge in his garden. This was one of my favorite masterpieces that came out of that lesson. I love the rainbow and the "I love art" floating in the sky. Truth be told, looking at it makes me feel weepy. I'm sad to leave Turtle Lake. Friday was my last day there and I didn't do that well keeping it together. At the end of the day, a parent brought in her third grade son. He gave me roses. I gave him a hug and cried. This boy has charmed me all year long with his wonderful little chuckle. His pre-school sister cried when she found out I wouldn't be her art teacher. This is the card she wrote for me. Absolutely adorable. I just hugged her and cried again. Bye Turtle Lake! I'll miss you.

My first rose

Alright, I know what you're saying... enough of the boring garden pictures! Well, this is my first garden ever and I'm just a tad excited. I'm not sure what kind of roses I have, but this bush has got about 50 buds on it. The blooms are gorgeous but short-lived. They last about a day and then the petals scatter.

fanny pack

Listen, I know that fanny packs are usually ugly and the name grosses out the Brits, but Craftster has a tutorial for a cute one that I might try and make.

addition: I've been browsing Craftster tonight, and found another really cute project with a tutorial that I'd love to try. Here's the link.

The Lynns

How'd these two get so smooth? We had a BBQ last night. I found some chicken drummies in the freezer, so we grilled those up to be dunked in peanut sauce. I tried one and felt like barfing. Ever time I think about those drummies today, I still feel like barfing. I hope I'm not getting sick!

This seems like a fun idea. Pretty good price too!

2 things

1. This is my own special chili recipe. I normally don't toot my own horn, but it is awesome. And easy.

2 cans of diced tomatoes (I like the ones that've got jalapenos added)
1 can of chickpeas
1 can of black beans
1 small can of chopped green chilies
3 cloves of diced garlic
1 generous cup of cilantro, chopped
1 packet of ground boca burger (optional)

Top with a little cheese and it's finger-licking delicious.

2. I was doing my daily website rounds this afternoon, only to run across Crying While Eating, via Super Hero Designs. Scroll down to Ted. It's Zander's cousin, who is also on a Nestle Crunch commercial right now. I'm sure there are other fan sites, but we here at Joolie Doolie are VERY loyal.

junk

On Saturday afternoon Zander totally indulged me and agreed to stop at just one more estate sale. He got got a cheap computer monitor out of the deal, but I just found so much cool junk. For example, a broken ceramic horse's head that fits so perfectly on our fence post. We also scored a coupla big Tonka trucks that I'm going to fill with geraniums.

However, none of it tops this monster piece of drift wood that they gave us for free. All we had to do it haul it away. No small feat. We did have a few pieces of twine to tie it up, but we also had to use left-over macrome from the sale. We went about 5mph all the way home with the hazards on, got a LOT of attention... "what the hell is that for???" I think we're going to "plant" it in our backyard.

planting

It all started with an innocent trip to the Dowling garden sale with Emily. They had such interesting plants that I got a few. I based my purchases purely on cool names. I bought the cherokee chocolate and new big dwarf tomatoes. I don't know what they'll taste like, but I can't wait to see what happens.

After the first sale, we stopped at the best garden center ever. I don't know if I'll ever go back to Home Depot's garden department again. I got a lot of tasty herbs there. Although the basil shoots under the water bottle were started from Target's seed packets.

Here are my two little gardens. They're surrounded by lawn mower wheels that we picked up on the side of the road. There were thousands for the taking... if only I'd taken about 100 more...
Now if only I could figure out what to do about the creeping charlie that OUR neighbor claims is infesting HER yard.

Thanks Betsy, for sending me this great quote!

There is a vitality, a life-force, a quickening that is translated
through you into action;
and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is
unique.

And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and
be lost.  The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine  how good it is; nor how valuable
it is;  nor how it compares to other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the
channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open... No artist is pleased...

There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.  There is only a queer,
divine dissatisfaction,
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching - and makes us more alive than
the others.



-Martha Graham  (in a letter to Agnes DeMille)

recycled monster softie

Alright, this is truly my last post of the night. (I'm really enjoying having our new camera in hand) A while back I made this monster for part of Looby Lu's Month of Softies. It had to be made of recycled materials. Geesh, I had so much fun doing this project! The body is made out of old wool sweaters that I felted in the washing machine, the ears, arms and legs are made out of an old shirt that I cut up, and the pouch is made from a pocket off of an old pair of jeans. I think I'll be making more!

Outta town hubbie

Yeah, Zander is still out of town. I'm lonely for him, but I've been so busy that the time is just flying by. Last night I went to the Art Crawl in St. Paul. I liked it, but there were only a few things that I really loved. I did get sucked into (by mistake) a healing workshop. Folksie music, ringing bells, touching, laughter therapy... There were only 3 of us in the room, so it wouldn't have been appropriate to say this out loud, but I just hate that shit. After all of that I met my Mom for a beer, and then headed home. I was up really late (2AM) crafting, because I wasn't entirely sure that the booger man wasn't going to get me. I NEED to have our alarm system connected! At least my time was productive though. I dug out some of my old beading supplies and made a charm-like bracelet, and 3 pairs of earrings. I almost never wear anything except for little silver balls, but I just might wear these.

Camera Drama

Alright, you might remember that our camera croaked about a month or so
ago. We ordered a new one last week, off of Amazon, and this morning I
woke up wondering when we'd get it. Their website is great because you
can check the status of the shipping, and know where your stuff is. Our
tracking said that it was delivered last Monday... So I got a little
nervous. I called UPS and they told me that yes, indeed it was
delivered last Monday to our back door... So I got a little more
nervous. Well, to make a long story a little shorter, I had washed all
the floors a few weeks ago and my washing tub was in the back yard. The
UPS guy put the camera under the tub and there it's sat for the past 5
days!

I feel a girlie weekend coming on

Last weekend I was out of town, now this weekend Zander will be out of town. Yuck. Phoo-yuck. To make myself feel less lonely and more productive/inspired/happy, I'll be filling it with only fun stuff. No laundry or cleaning or yardwork. OK, maybe a little here and there... But just the bare necessities. I'll be heading here on Friday night. I'm not sure if it'll be any good, but I just love seeing people's studios. Anyone free? I'd love some company. Saturday morning I'm heading out to check the junk boxes that say free at the end of people's driveways. I needs more stuff for my mosaic habit. After the garage sale I'm hoping to meet Rebecca somewhere on a sunny patio, and sip on a mimosa... Not sure if the weather will cooperate though! Saturday night I'm heading over to Anna's for wine and crafty shop-talk. I'm also hoping to sucker her into helping me with my very deep rooted phobia of sewing in a zipper. It could be painful for us both.

After reading this, I was thinking how cool it'd be to put together something similar for Minneapolis. I love the idea of rediscovering something that is so very familiar. Any suggestions?

sleepy

I have a few wonderful friends that can totally manage on not much sleep. I wish I could keep up, but I'm truly an 8 hour girl. The 7 or so hours that I get during the week are made up by major napping on the weekends. Not much napping happened this weekend between the Lion King on Saturday night (just a tiny nap on Saturday afternoon) and the May Day parade on Sunday. I've enjoyed the parade in the past, but I really liked this one. I think it was the threat of snow mixed with warm-sunshine-forehead mixed with paper mache unicorns and cheese curds. And unexpectantly running into friends, chatting and then running into more friends. Oh, and Lion King was great, too. I'd heard about its wonderful costuming, but it was truly amazing.

mosaic madness

Well, my love for mosaic has been set aside for the last month (or so) all due to an ugly little pig. I found a cheap little cement pig that I thought would be cute to mosaic for someone's garden. I used some of my cutest plates in my best color finds and yet, I still hate it. I've been obsessing over working on a tight 3D surface, but in reality the grout covers all the crap that you don't want to show. Anyway, I ran across this site tonight and realized that I need to do less hunting for plates (usually about $1 each!) and more hunting through the garbage. I want broken off angel wings and metal lids and broken barettes and deputy badges... Earlier this week, the fabulous Kim led me here. I LOVE this work. Anyone wanna party?

Magic 27

Today is the 27th and we've got 27 days left in the school year. Yippee! Summer, do-do-do-do-do-do, ah Summer-Summer. (Sing to the tune of Sugar-Sugar)

get cooking

Did you see the falafel recipe in yesterday's paper? It's on my (very short) list of ones to try. I didn't really know what they were until I tried them (and loved them) at the Highland Grille with the lovely Anne Marie and Haller. They were a little different than this recipe--black beans and deep fried, served with a pinapple salsa...yummmm. But this one does look a BIT healthier!

4 servings
1 can drained garbanzos
3 green onions
3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1/4 cup of cilantro
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp red-pepper flakes
salt and pepper

Put everything in a food processor. Pulse until everything is chopped and beginning to come together. Form mixture so that it's golf-balled-sized and plop them on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 18 or so minutes.

Serve it up on a pita with lettuce, tomatoes, cucs, and olives.

Funny like a frog

Well, I took Monday off because of my sore throat and now I have absolutely no voice at all. Yesterday I tried to play on my students' sympathy to get them to do what I want, but they just thought I sounded funny. "..funny like a frog". Tonight after school, I'm hoping to catch up with my new Principal over at Irondale High School. She sounds really nice on the phone and the "grapevine" around here doesn't say much about her. Usually no leaf goes untouched. What could this mean?
In other news, I just finished Margaret Atwood's new book. Very Sci-Fi, but I liked it. Any suggestions for a new read?
We just did a little re-arranging around the house to spruce up our front porch. Afternoons are LOVELY in there, especially when the sun is starting to set. I've been dragging projects out there lately and having heaps of fun embroidering like crazy. I'll post pictures as soon as we replace our dead, stupid camera.

On Saturday, Zander and the boys from Big Time Attic will draw their hearts out for the 24 Hour Comic Marathon. It's all part of the Cartoonist Conspiracy, and at the end of the event each participant should have finished 24 pages of a comic. Now, I couldn't do this, even if I tried really hard. Or, more accurately said, mine would look like crap and I would be found sleeping in a pile of inky drool begging for my bed-sweet-bed. But if anyone wants to join me for a portion of the Grumpy's portion of the night, let me know. I'm always game for a portion of tater-tots.
In other news, I had a wonderful weekend. It was refreshing, inspiring, fun, full of really good food, and basically just really great. However, this morning I woke up with a sore throat and it's getting worse. Is this fate staring me in the face and just begging for a four day weekend? And really, who am I to argue?

Bite Me

Today I was over at Crafty Planet, ala Ask the Gnome's recommendation, and I saw the cute little cross stitch kits by Subversive Cross Stitch. I have so many favorites, but the one I could most see hanging in my house was the one that said "Bite Me." I didn't buy it because it was $12 and that seemed a bit steep for something I could figure out how to make on my own. But it really does sum up my mood lately. Here is my rant: OK, typically I like to be the one that rolls with things, makes things work, takes one for the team to keep the peace... blah, blah, blah. It's difficult for me to admit but I am SO PISSED OFF these days. At least my pissiness has nothing to do with home or friends, but instead... work. I was informed on Thursday that the job I was guaranteed last week didn't really exist. Whoops, sorry! On top of it all, I was really getting excited to plan a World Cultures curriculum. My lovely union has instead secured me a job at the high school. They don't know what I'll be teaching, but they do know it's art, and they know I'm one of those weird art people, and they especially know that I don't coach football, so bye-bye. Anyway, I took a personal day on Friday and did only things that make me happy. I sat outside on the porch swing and played with Boo. I ran. I did a little sewing. I went to Anthropology and made plans to rip off their cutey ideas. I ate at the Whole Foods deli. I bought some wine at the Byerly's sale. I put together a new recipe while drinking that wine. I snuggled up on the couch and shared a little of that wine with Zander. I gave myself a pedicure. Then today I went for coffee with a dear friend and scored some good stuff at Unique Thrift, which is also an Ask the Gnome recommendation. I'm feeling better. I'm getting a little bit excited for a change. I'm thinking of the little voice inside my head that comes from the lips of my mom, "This will make you grow."

Cucumber

Yesterday a happy-go-lucky 2nd grader popped in my classroom to tell me some really important information... "Hey Mrs. Cannon... I've got your number. Cucumber." And ran quickly out of the room to catch up with his class. Classic. Very similiar, but not quite as good as the student from a few years ago singing, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." only to add, "your chestnuts."
Always on the hunt for cheap stuff, I ran across this site via littlesomethings. I especially love the clock and the fruit bowl.
Tonight we're staying in. I finished up my overalls-turned-hippie-skirt. Lots of decorative denim stitching involved. I've also got my monster softie well under way. There's nothing quite like embroidering on an ugly little monster while watching the infamous Tenacious D.
As an art teacher, (and soon to be World Cultures teacher) I feel that it's my proud duty to make it out to some of the Walker's opening events on Sunday. I'm really excited to see it, but I think the place will be absolutely mobbed.

World Cultures???

OK, I'm so glad it's Friday... I'm especially glad that I had a large portion of the day off, and I could hang out in my back yard smashing plates. I need to smash plates today. I finally got news from my union, and yes indeed, I do have a job for next year. 80% art teacher and 25% world cultures teacher, all at the middle school. (Yes this equals more than full time, but I'll jump over that hurdle when I get there) I'm bummed. I like teaching elementary art. Kindergarten day is my third favorite day of the week. You guessed it, Sat and Sun come first. Anyway, I need a day or so to get used to the news and then I'll get excited. But today, smashie-smashie-smashie. There is an upside to my anger. (That movie is pretty good, by the way) I'm glueing all of the plate pieces onto a smallish cement pig. I haven't worked on a 3D project yet, so I'm a bit challenged, but having fun.
In other news, I think Zander and I are going to try and make the deadline for this project. Anyone else wanna try it? Come on, you can't go wrong with monsters.

parent-teacher conferences

Today and tomorrow there will be no classes held at Turtle Lake Elemenatary. Instead, students stay home and play video games while the rest of us chat up their parents. Most people don't "schedule" a conference with the art teacher, but instead just drop in. This usually makes for an easy day for me except when they drop in at a strange/awkward/personal moment. Like when I'm pulling my underwear out of my butt. Or when I'm just skipping out to use the bathroom because I've once again waited too long and pee is starting to come out of my ears. Or when I'm trying out a new project so I can have an example for the students, and people come in like, "You get paid for this??? Wow." I do have 3 conferences scheduled today, and I anticipate another 6 or so to stop in. So 9 5-minute conferences should be just about right for 8 hours, eh? Actually, I'm behind on other things (like leaving a SAFE walking path from the door to the desks) and cherish any time interrupted or otherwise, to get my stuff together!

stickers

As you know, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to decorate. I hope my house continues to gradually change on a continual basis. But when I see something SO cool that SO won't go with a thing we've got going on, I'm tempted to scrap everthing and start over. I won't, but I'd sure like to work in something like a few of these stickers. I found them while browsing around here.

Bummer

Alright, the bummer is that our wonderful and EXPENSIVE camera that we bought just two years ago is toast. Yup, it's a goner. Until we can replace it, I'll have to rely on swiping images off the internet to spice things up around here.
The opposite of bummer is that I got my hair cut. My friend Melissa cut it for me and the two blunt steps on the back of my head are gone. Melissa works at SunBearSpa in White Bear Lake. I know it's a haul getting there, but it is so worth it. She is wonderful. If you're one of the lucky ones that didn't see how horrible my hair was, it's only because I was so ashamed that I wore pony tails almost every single day of the past 3 months.
The other opposite of bummer is that Becca Cannon was just in town and we got to hang out all afternoon with her. I know that I'm becoming a sort of cliche about this, but we took her to Suzi's. On the deck, and it wasn't even too smoky. The patio is looking very tiki-ish and cute right now.
In other news, tonight I'd like to fangle a pair of my old overalls into a jumper. Sort of like how people (like my Mom) used to convert jeans into jean skirts. Any advice or links to walk me through it?
Last night we watched American History X. It came out (Ed Norton) when we were in Japan, so I hadn't heard anything about it. It is such a brutal movie, but I just loved it.

Be Good

"You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves."
-Mary Oliver, Wild Geese
This quote comes via Superhero. I'm not sure exactly why, (could it be my baptist upbringing?) but it hits a spot so exact that I've got a lump in my throat right now.

dreaming about spring

I took this picture last week at the Como Conservatory in St. Paul. They've remodeled there, and the place is wonderful and the smell amazing. I can't remember what this flower is called... fox glove? With spring on its way, I've been constantly daydreaming about hanging out in our back yard, sipping bloodies, painting my toenails, and digging in the dirt. A few nights ago I had the coolest dream. I was in our backyard, facing the alley, when I realized that the grass under my feet was turning from brown/gray to green and the green was spreading everywhere like spilled paint.
For Easter Zander gave me the cutest sketchbook/journal. The company that makes them uses the covers and a few inside pages of old books, they add some plain paper, and then give it a spiral binding. Mine is from the book, Julie of the Wolves. I love it so much that I'm feeling pressure to have the first thing that I put in it be REALLY great. So far, nothing is inside, but I've been petting it often. Not to rip off a cool company's thang, but Paper Depot over by the Minneapolis Farmer's Market lets you rent a spiral binding machine for $2.50 and then 50 cents per spiral binder...

shenanigans

Zander really has some peep-eating, brain-tickling parents.

Geesh, once again it's been a while since my last posting. Last week I was on Spring Break, and loved every minute away from school. Yes, I love my job. However, I'm antsy to know what school I'm going to next, so I'm not feeling QUITE as devoted as usual. Yesterday my kindergarten students were chatting about what they want to be when they grow up. One of the girls said that she's going to be everything except a fire man because they can burn up and die. The boy next to her wants to be a fire fighter and reminded her that they've got special suits that don't let them die. Another boy in class claimed that he's going to be a super hero. Part of his job will be to put people in jail when they steal, even people in our class. EVEN Mrs. Cannon! This inspired an in-depth conversation about whether or not super heros are real. Last week Zander's parents were in town helping us feel better about all of the cancelled flights that were going to get us out of town, but due to the crappy weather... didn't. We saw a couple of flower shows and had fondue at The Times. We also went to Red Wing for a little get away and stayed at a cute but not too frou-frou bed and breakfast. It was wonderful. Right before we fell asleep we talked about how much our pillows at home suck and how we are so going to get new ones. Oh, and we went to Emily's party which was lots and lots of fun. Tonight Rebecca and I printed 80 t-shirts for her Forge the Gorge race this Sunday. Printing them on the Gocco was lots faster than I imagined and they look pretty darn cute.
By the way, HAPPY HOUR is a must this Friday at Psycho Suzi's. We'll be there before 5:30. Come!

sk8bags

Last week Shad sent me a link to these awesome bags. I don't know how to go making something like that, but would love to try.

Cothing Swap Success?

Yesterday was the first annual clothing swap here at the Cannon household. (While this was happening, the boys were upstairs rocking out to the most awesome-est geek fest/video game extravaganza ever) Mid afternoon, 14 women arrived with bags of clothing they no longer LOVE, along with beauty products that no longer seemed beautiful to them. Oh, and they brought lots of really good food too. I think there was a really good mix of people, and the clothes gave everyone something to chat about. I was hoping for just a little drama, maybe two women really wanting the same outfit, and punching for it. I think Anna should host the next one, and if there's no drama we just might need to stage a little something-something.

Mosaic project

Lately I've been fixated on our mosaic project at school. The students, staff and community have completed about 1000 3-dimensional tiles that are meant to be put into the shape of turtles. Thus giving our school, Turtle Lake, a "visual identity". I've been madly forcing these tiles to dry, firing them, organizing glazing schedules, firing again, and finally we are at the installion stage. On Saturday each of these tiles were glued up onto the walls of our school. Luckily we had so many wonderful volunteers that were really excited to help out with this project.

I love THIS itsy bitsy bikini tile.

I've still got the mosaic bug despite all of the work with it at school. I made this number plate to replace the ugly numbers that are screwed onto our front door. Now I just need to figure out how to attach it to the house.

Happy Birthday Jess!

My littlest sister just turned 20 on Saturday!

waiting

Lately I'm filling my time with projects and people and wine and yes, happiness, but deep inside I'm feeling very much like this.

We're not supposed to get pregnant yet, but I'm waiting to know when we will, and if it'll be OK. I'm supposed to find out where I'll be working next in about two weeks. I'm waiting to know where that'll be and what it'll be like. Yes, I feel like the bus is coming. That makes me feel content and happy. But, I don't know when it will come and I guess that makes me on the edgy side. Be patient with me sweet friends.

Last night I fell asleep on the couch before 8pm! Lately I've been "running" before school and I think it has caught up with me. OK, running is in quotes because I'm just so dang SLOW! I'm tuckered out. But with all of that extra rest under my belt, I'm ready for the day. My students are so antsy for spring break right now... just about a week away. I'm antsy too. Next weekend we're flying out to Denver to see Zander's family. So far, the plan is to hang out in Denver for the weekend, and then go to Santa Fe for a few days. I'm really hoping to see the Georgia O'Keeffe museum. She is one of my very favorite artists.

Emily is coming over tonight so we can catch up on our crafting ventures. I'm excited to grout the number plate for our house that I just finsihed mosaicing. I'll try and post that later this week.

Happy Birthday!

Today is Rebecca's Birthday! Happy Birthday sweet friend!

beautiful

Ooh it is just so beautiful today! We spent the morning doing some extra cleaning, and then a good piece of the afternoon putzing around outside. Zander fixed my bike because the wheel was crooked and rubbing against the mud guard. I worked on my mosaic project and handed him tools and small pieces of advice. It was lovely to feel warmth shining down on my face. Later in the afternoon the ladies all came over for book club. I was a bit nervous because the book turned out to be disturbing, gross and SEXUAL... AND one of the people in the book club just happens to be my mother. Actually, the conversation went really well and no one said outloud that they hate me for picking such a downer book. Whew. Later the Lynn's came over and we hung out upstairs and ate left-overs from earlier. I feel like my body has zero nutritional value right now. Except for the fact that grapes make wine. I've seen Sideways you know. By the way, I've just stumbled upon two really great crafty websites. This one and this one.

drawers... garbage or treasure???

I had a great time out with Rebecca tonight. We finally made it to Psycho Suzi's. The bloody marys are awesome! Six huge olives, a pickle and a coupla limes. Delish. The cheese curds on the other hand reminded me of cheese Twinkies. Disgustingly gross.
On my way home, I took the long windy way that goes through all the allies. Tomorrow is trash day you know, and there could be some really good stuff out there. Well, I picked up some really nice solid wooden drawers. About six of them. I'm wondering if I should just throw them out with our trash next week, or if anyone has some brilliant ideas for them? They're more deep than wide. Ideas?

More sewing

Last Saturday I stopped at Jo-Anne Fabrics and bought into their 99 cent pattern sale. I've never really made anything I could wear, (except that tea-towel-beach-cover-up in 4H) so I wanted to start with something easy. I'm going to make the view that's on the very bottom of the pattern.

Wrestle Mania!!!

Sunday night Zander and I went to watch his friend wrestle! I'll admit that I wasn't that excited at first. Number one... All of the matches happen out in MAPLE GROVE! Number two... Wrestling??? Unfortunately we got there too late to see the Spider Baby do his thing, but what we did see was amazing! I loved watching Casanova woo the crowd with his hip gyrations and pillow talk, and then slam his opponent into a sleeper hold. Also, speaking of the crowd... Apparently the crowd is about 80% the same people every week. They are VERY into it. It was an experience so much like none I've had before, that I just wanted to take a ton of pictures and maybe a few notes. Monday afternoon I told my custodian at school that I had gone to a wrestling match. (He's a huge fan). We had a few laughs about the whole thing and then he went about his business. About an hour later he came back to give me my very own wrestler name. I am the ART-iculator. You know, because I'm an art teacher. Now whenever I see him, I beat my chest a grunt "I AM ARTICULATOR."

Down in the studio

With my sewing and crafting area all set up, I've been riding on a wave of project-galore-inspiration. Or maybe I've grown tired of the little voice inside my head that tells me what a lazy slob I am everytime I go upstairs to watch Six Feet Under. Whatever. Last week I whipped up these little curtains. The fabric came from the Saver's 1/2 price sale. 50 cents for a top sheet, and I figured the price was right. The window to which these curtains belong overlooks the backyard, and is upstairs in the family room.

I've also been sewing covers for the UGLY pillows on my pillow backed couch. So far I've got 7 out of 8 finished, and it has pretty much been a breeze. I'm totally loving the sewing part and not liking the measuring and cutting out nearly as much.

I'm a stinker

... A blog stinker that is. I've been on a bit of a (temporary) computer vacation lately. But I'm back have all kinds of things to write about this week. First off, this site has all kinds of cool t-shirts and patches. My jean jacket is needing a face lift, and I just might make a little order. I really like the Buzz-off and Stinker patches!

Grandma's peace quilt

The spring before we left for Japan, my fourth grade students each took a letter of the alphabet and composed a slogan for a peace quilt. My Grandma lovingly sewed it all together for me and it now hangs proud in my classroom. My current students LOVE this quilt and constantly whine about not getting to make one too. Everybody else gets to do the "cool" stuff. Here are a few of my favorite squares.

George Bush could sure use a little of this advice.

This one is just a life lesson... Who is Hatrid?

I want this to be part of the new advertising campaign for the Minnesota Zoo.

Linka doolies

With a big and huge thanks to Shad, there is now an updated links page. There are a few I'd like to add, especially you ugly juice...

feelin' good

Wow, it has been one of those BUSY weekends. Zander and Boo! are crashed out, lying diagnally across our bed. Both drooling. I on the other hand, had an after-dinner-coffee and am wired. Tonight my familia came over for a pot-luck feast. I made my first turkey with only a few calls to my mom for help. Lid on or off, the instructions say shallow roasting pan, mine is deep, is it alright? All went well except for the reaching down into the slushy carcass. I was so grossed out. I missed the bag of goodies, so those got baked inside. It turned out pretty good, but I attribute that to my not-so-secret-ingredient that goes into every single thing that I make... Tobasco.

Before dinner Mom and Mike helped me go and pick up our new treadmill with their truck. I've been waiting and waiting for my order to come in, and it has finally arrived. We even set up the TV downstairs so I can watch painfully stupid sitcoms while I'm in slugging away in pain on the machine.
Speaking of machines, Anna has lent me one of her sewing machines! She even trained me in on it. First her husband put this site together for me, and now she's letting me use something that she loves. I owe them BIG. Actually, Anna is the one that always gives me the bug to get sewing. Now, everything is all set up and ready to go, but I haven't had a spare second to get started on any projects. I think the day AFTER Valentine's might be the best time to start, and my start will be pillows for the family room. Simple, pretty ones that I can slip on and off of the existing ugly ones, and throw into the washer every coupla years.

mosaic land

Geez, I'm loving mosaics these days. This shot is from our last night of mosaic class last Thursday. The teachers' studio is amazing. All of their plates are sorted by color first and then by type of design. I've been scrounging around thrift stores lately, but have found the best and cheapest stuff at Family Dollar. I just found two mugs for a dollar with conversation hearts printed all over them. This week I'd like to get started on an outdoor plaque for our house number. I'll be using a metal tray for the base, but haven't decided on colors yet.

wanting...

You know when you're broke, how everything looks so freaking fantastic that you can barely stand it??? That is where I am right this instant. I'm drooling over this woman's work. Check out her website here.

Around 8AM on Sunday morning, I decided that I was going to start taking all of my arts-n-crafts supplies out of their boxes and off the floor, and start puttin' them on the shelf. I was just going to work on it for a half an hour or so, but as I unwrapped each little pinking shear/paper crimper/glass cutter, I got more and more excited. When I finally looked up at the clock it was after 11AM, and I was supposed to be in St. Paul watching the Winter Carnival Half Marathon. The sewing machine in the picture is one that my Mom got me for free on her mail route. It is in total need of some work, but I'm trying to hold off because Zander's parents are giving me a really nice machine for my birthday. I've got the fever, and also some really nice fabric, so I think I'm going to price out some tune-ups. My little studio is a work in progress, but I like where it is going.

I promise I'm not going to go gooo-gooo and post about Boo! every damn time I update. However, while we were downstairs workin' on some projects, Boo! jumped right up on Zander's shoulder and stayed there. He stayed there when Zander went upstairs to get some Necco Wafers (disgusting), he stayed on while Zander washed out his ink brushes, but he seemed to like to sit and watch him draw most of all. He did jump down when I started vacuuming.

Barb Cannon Works Wonders with Local Woman's Hair

Alright, alright, I might have over-dramatized my hair situation at Becca and Joe's wedding. Barb Cannon, Zander's cousin, got some great shots of the weekend, and I really like this one. Too bad Zander is cut off, we're always searching for good ones of the two of us. Notice: CLEAVAGE IS COVERED!

spring fever

With all of these 50 degree days around here lately, I've definitely got spring fever! Sure, my backyard is still a swampy-snowy-melty-mess. But nonetheless, I'm dreaming about what it'll be in just a few short months... Friends over every night, sipping cool cocktails WITH plastic animals dangling off the side of the glass. We'll be seated at the most comfortable and sturdy picnic table EVER and we'll be engrossed in the most perfect type of conversation that only happens when you're in the right backyard setting. We'll hardly even notice when Mike and Rhonda slip away, over to the swing set, to gaze up at the stars and into each other's eyes, and then come right back.
TO DO...
Reinforce and then paint our picnic table and benches. (I picked them up from a garage sale for 5 Bucks because they are somewhat unstable and the paint is peeling.) It would also be great to drill a hole in the middle of the table and attach an umbrella. In fact, if we can't have the picnic table with the umbrella, the table is going on the side of the road with a free sign.
Next, the swing set... When we first moved in, I thought that I'd have that swing set disassembled by the very next day, along with the sand box nestled right next to it. Yes, they are both still there. The sand box will be gone as soon as the ground thaws, but the swing set will stay... with a porch swing replacing the kiddy swings.
I'd also like to buy some concrete stepping stones from Home Depot and mosaic the tops of them. Emily and I have been taking a mosaic class through Minneapolis Community Ed. I've decided that I love mosaicing! I especially love the thrill of searching for interesting plates for cheap at the thrift stores. (I know, I know, just another excuse to rifle through other people's junk) I'm also enjoying smashing these plates. My kitty, however, does not enjoy it when I smash plates. Anyway, last week I found a stack of plates with strawberries all over them, and when the sales woman went to wrap them up, I told her, "Oh no, don't worry, I'm just going to smash them into at least one hundred little pieces." She looked a little shocked, and I liked it. I'm hooked on that shock factor alone. Right now I'm working on a brightly colored pot that'll sit outside and hold something cute like; fade-resistant-no-watering-needed-plastic-begonias. (Somewhere, right now, my Mom has probably just gotten an intense headache)

This is my life...

Every week each kindergarten class comes to art once, and today was their art day. We've been making clay projects lately and I thought it would be good for them to see the kiln. Here's how it went.
ME: Who would like to go on a quick field trip today?
THEM: Me, me, me, oh-yeah, me, field trips are awesome...
ME: Who would like to go down to see the kiln? You know that's where I bake your clay projects.
THEM: AAHHHHHHH!!! Me, me, oh-yeah, me, can we? can we? please, oh-yeah...
ME: Alright, but if we're going to walk down there, we all have to be as quiet as...
THEM: BUNNIES!!! (They all start hopping like bunnies on speed)
ME: No not bunnies. How about let's be as quiet as...
THEM: MICE!!! meep, squeek, sniff-sniff, squeek...SQUEEEEEEK!!! This is going to be awesome.
ME: No, not mice. How about quiet like cottonballs?
THEM: silence
ME: See, cottonballs are very quiet and they keep their cheeks puffed out like this...
THEM: Yeah, oh-yeah, cottonballs are awesome, this is going to be so fun!!!
ME: Ok, no more talking. Us cottonballs are going to go visit the kiln.
THEM: (puffed out cheeks) mmmm-hmmm

Forge the Gorge

This is a message from my sweet friend Rebecca. I'm going to be printing the darling t-shirts with my little Gocco, AND I'll definitely be forging the gorge on April 3rd. If you're in Minneapolis please come!!! All the money will definitely be going to a good cause.
"Get ready for a 5K run/walk to raise money for MS research...mark your
calendars now for Sunday, April 3rd, 10:00am
Last year I rode nearly 500 kilometers in 6 days through the French
Alps and raised nearly $10,000 for MS research. I am doing it again this
year! To raise money for the MS Global 2005 bike ride I will be holding
the following running event. "Forge the Gorge" Run/Walk. Registration is
$25.00. You will receive a t-shirt, a delicious post-run pancake
breakfast, and the chance to take in the natural beauty of early spring
as you run or walk alongside the only true gorge on the entire length of
the Mississippi River!"

yum

This week I got out all the old cookbooks and found this recipe. I hadn't made it before and was a bit of a skeptic (too many weird spices), but it was absolutely delicious. I'm sure it could easily be tweaked to be vegetarian.

INDIAN STYLE POTATO-SPINACH SOUP WITH CHICKEN
2 tsp of olive oil
boneless chicken breasts, diced
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 tsp caraway seeds (had to go buy these)
2 large cloves of garlic
2 TBL hot curry powder
1/2 tsp of ground cardamom (had to go buy this)
6 cups of chicken broth
2 large sweet potatoes, cubed (recipe calls for white potatoes, but I think these taste better)
1 thawed pkg of frozen spinach
1 cup of chopped tomatoes, including the juice
salt and pepper

Just sautee the chicken, onions and garlic with all of the spices and then stir in the broth and potatoes. Cook all of this until the potatoes are tender and then dump in the spinach and tomatoes.

By the way, this recipe came from Skinny Soups. I LOVE this cookbook. I can throw together most things, but usually when I try this throw method with soups, they end up tasting like crap.

Update

I know, I know... I'm REALLY overdue for an update. I'll try and make this one worth all the frustration of checking up every few days, only to see nothing new and fresh. I'm not sure where to start, so I'll go with the obvious. Thank you all for your love and support and TLC and encouragement and advice and soft shoulders. Thanks especially for not letting the big M be a taboo topic. It is such a relief when people just say what's on their minds instead of tip-toeing around feeling awkward. The miscarriage caused us a lot of pain. Yes. Now I'm thinking of it as a painful not-so-distant memory, but not a painful present. Ahhh healing.

This little guy is Boo! He's around 9 months old, but could be up to a year. No one really knows because he was a stray that the friendly firefighters of Andover found wandering around their station. We picked him up at the Humane Society on Sunday. He is adorable in all ways except the annoying habit of trying to suckle all of my sweaters. I wish I could say that he just is a licker, but it is a true lick, suck. I'm wondering if my sweaters continue to not produce milk, if he'll just stop this sick habit on his own?

Last weekend we were out of town for Becca and Joe's wedding. It was so nice to bask in the warmth of Denver! Yeah, that sounds weird, but it was almost 70 degrees there, and fa-reezing here. The wedding was truly gorgeous. They seem to be the most ORGANIZED and PHOTOGENIC couple that could have ever possibly walked the earth. The whole weekend was perfect... Except my hair and cleavage drama. I blame my hair on a hairdresser that should have called in sick. I believe she was a perverse woman whose intent was to make me also look sick, or at the very least like Mary Ingalls. My hair was slicked half-back. So far, no problema. However, the back was styled into a wealth of cascading curls that ultimately formed a bow. I might have been happier if it had at least formed a wedding bell. As for the cleavage side of the story... Not much of a story. I, goddess of the bargain, got a GREAT deal on a dress that opened to my belly button. I thought a brooch would solve the problem. Pictures of the event prove that the brooch didn't do diddly. I'm not quite ready to share my boob shots yet.

calling all readers

Book club is at my house next month and I suggested this one. Anyone read it? Anyone want to lend me their copy?

sadness

I'm wondering how appropriate this is to write about on a website. I'm wondering, and yet it doesn't really matter. I need to get this incredible load off my chest. On Thanksgiving we found out that we were going to have a baby, yesterday we found out that we aren't. It has been a long weekend of wondering and waiting, and now we know. We are sad. We are so sad because this baby is something that we have wanted so very badly. This isn't something that will just go away because "it wasn't meant to be". It was a part of our new dream life... Come home from Japan, spend time with the people we love, work in jobs that make us happy, buy a house, make it our home, have a baby... The last part will have to wait a while. Not because we want it that way, but because of statistics and things that I'm told are beyond my control. It hurts me deeply to know that Zander is hurting, and I drive myself a little crazy wondering what I can do to wipe it away. I'm learning from him though. He doesn't try to wipe it away, he kisses, and scratches, and smiles, and asks, and feels, and then kisses some more, and yes, already the hurting is fading, the tiniest little bit. I think it is human nature to see the bounty of what you have when you are faced with what is lost. Thank you dear ones for being so very dear.