HodgePodge Wednesday

A few things that are drafted to post with pics, but Coggie's blog reminded me of HodgePodge Wednesdays... I used to do Monday MeMes, but this will work. All to get back to blogging... I love blogs, love blogging... so why is this hard?

1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals?

Totally outsource tax prep... peace of mind is more than worth paying someone to do it!!

2. This next question comes from Kansas Bob...he posed it in his response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge some day. Today's the day....
Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain?

Hmmm... tough call. As a christian, ultimately it's God's love that has changed my life more than anything. But when I think of experiences that have shaped me, they are usually a blending of pain and love (as those we love are the ones that can hurt (and heal) us the most!)

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012? If you're not sure what tangerine tango looks like click here.

I'm not a big fan of orange... but I do love little pops of the bright orange and yellows to make other colors really 'zing' even more.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly?

Hmmm... i have a collection of Bobbsey Twin books. Overwhelming collection of yarn and craft materials - and these all get used and admired daily!! The books... they probably need dusting.

5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare?

I don't cook much, but steamed veggies are a staple. I love fish, but don't really prepare it very often... on my list to do more of that in 2012.

6. When was the last time you had car trouble?

Well - my last car trouble wasn't really the car, but the CD changer. Disc got stuck, dealership had to replace the whole system (that was in October!) and I'm still waiting for them to send me the CDs that were in the system back (which they apparently are supposed to do). I wouldn't be that concerned since I have all my CDs on my iPod, but these were CDs from a library audio book and although they've allowed me to renew more than the standard allowance, but it's getting a bit crazy.

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend?

Less. It's good in that I'm more relaxed, but I really do need to amp up the motivation...

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought is that I just made a crockpot of shredded taco chicken... how many things can I make with it this week before I'm sick of it??? And can I do it without going to the grocery store again?

And I think I want to watch this week's Downton Abbey again tonight.

How's that for random?

Zebra Chair

After publishing the last post... I don't think I posted on the chair

I did last summer... she was beat up, filthy, chipped and the bottom was covered in packing tape (who knows why??). I got her for $10 at a junk store and figured she was perfect to try my hand at a makeover.


Distressed ivory paint and some brown and ivory zebra print - LOVE her!

Bailey says "I'm practicing for my photo shoot...

(and clearly I need to spend more time to remember how blogger works with photos and the html code!)

At least he's cute!

New Year, New "Resolutions"

Hmmm... well Jan is well on it's way to being over... I want to blog, but somehow doesn't quite happen. But I've been busy with small projects around the house... and learning some new art styles (more on that later).

Two small projects:

Wrapping paper storage...

I saw this on a blog somewhere (bad blogger, no credit to give!) - it's using kitchen bars from IKEA and curtain clips (also IKEA) to hang wrapping paper.

This is the inside of the cupboard under the stairs... PERFECT!

I'll pretend the remaining mess in the cupboard isn't visible ;-)

And then... this little chair was a beat up birch wood with a filthy seat... some fresh paint and pretty damask and this will be great behind the 'craft desk.'

Here's also my studio (to-be... I have yet to actually create anything in it but a mess!) - aka 'back room' or 'garage room' (since it's behind the garage).

I've started arranging and sorting things more times than I can count. But since this pic was taken, a large bookcase has been evicted from my bedroom and replace the tiny bookcase near the Yarn Hutch. Perfect and has 2 shelves of patterns and technique books and the rest chock full of art and collage supplies!

Ok.... it's a post. Not a a very interesting one, but a post...

Letters from Camp

Bailey stays w/ friends when I travel (lucky him, and grateful me!) and their home is referred to as "Camp." He loves them and going to their house. When I say "Do you want to go to camp?" he jumps up, turns in circles and jumps/pushes against me until we're going out the door...

Sometimes I get letters from camp:

Dear Moma,
I have a new calling and role in my life. Before, I thought I was created to keep the squirrels away. But now I know that I was made for so much more! I have the artists call in me. I am on the cutting edge of interior decorating and design. Let me explain. The other day L had this big machine out. I think I may have seen one like it at home but I am not sure. And I am certain that if I have seen it at L's house, it has been so long that it is like a new machine. Anyway, she gets this machine out and turns it on. It makes a big noise and she starts moving it all over the floors. At first it was totally boring watching her but then she moved onto the carpet in the living room. I felt my spirit come alive! She moved the big wand over the carpet and made it smooth and I came after it making designs. My feet are amazing! You would think that they would move in an orderly manner but no, they pounce all over. The carpet was amazing. Such random designs by my paws. I was thinking of calling my new business, "Paws by Design". We can talk about it when you come home. I think L appreciated the art work because she kept wanting more. When I did a design, she moved her wand over it and made it smooth for me to design on again. She understands the artist's soul, the need to keep creating. Sigh, such satisfaction.

That boy came over today. He's getting better. Today he offered to share his little men with me and didn't take any of my toys. I tried to maintain my artist's aloof manner. Eventually he crawled under the table and called it a fort. I wasn't even tempted to crawl under the table with him. I think I am maturing. But then again...

You should have seen this one. L was sitting on a stool with her legs stretched out. She knew I wanted to come up but kept shooing me away telling me there was no room. Now, I understand that she is vertically challenged and no matter what chair she sits on her legs are never at a perpendicular angle, especially on those stools. So, imagine her surprise after shooing me away when I came sneaking in and then took a flying leap and landed on her pathetic excuse for a lap! Score! She wrapped her arms around me she was so surprised. I knew I could get her attention away from that boy.

Today I went for a walk with the boy. He holds onto my leash but L holds on the the back end. We only went to the end of the street and back. I am hoping for an evening walk with B and a "real" walk with L in the morning if the rain stops. I hope you are having fun with your new friends. I miss you but camp is fun.

xoxo Bailey

P.S. I am eating like a good boy.
xoxo

and then:

Dear Moma,
I have given this some thought and I think I would like to change my name. Just hear me out. Names usually communicate something about the person/dog if you must. Bailey is cute. I do look like that stuff you and L like to drink but here's the thing. It's just not me. When I meet other dogs and tell them my name is Bailey, well, I don't think I get the respect I should get. So here is what I would like to change it to. Mr. Fer Ocious. My friends could call me Fer and my close acquaintances could call me Ocious. But those who don't know me, or to those to whom you would like to introduce to me, Mr. Ocious. Don't you like the sound? Imagine calling me in the backyard, "Hey! Ocious! bring that ball to me." I think it has quite a ring to it. Please consider this. I am getting older now and Bailey doesn't sound all that, well, ferocious.

xoxo Your loving son,
Fer

P.S. L was much better on the walk today.

Love this...

So I'm not doing very well at 'revive-the-blog' - too many partially finished things not ready for posting.

But... this is so worth watching.... again and again and again. LOVE it!

New York re-cap

I met E & C in NY for a girls' theater-filled weekend!!!

The weather alternated between gorgeous and rainy, but it just didn't matter... we weren't trying to go shopping or sight-seeing, just a weekend together on Broadway!

Our first show was The Addams Family... And I'm glad we had discounted tickets because the show was a dud! The music was forgettable and the show was boring. Brooke Shields was Morticia, and the young woman playing Wednesday great! My entire familiarity of The Addams Family is the music with the "snap, snap" - but I don't think it would have been any better even if it were more familiar!

I can't stop raving about How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!! Daniel Radcliffe was phenomenal! Hard to believe he's so young, so wealthy and so committed to theater that he's performing on Broadway in such a draining role. I'm not sure what surprised me more - his height (just 5'4" or 5'5") or how well he danced!



E wanted to hang out with the groupies near the exit and I captured a fleeting, blurry shot of him as he got into the limo...


The final show of the weekend was Priscilla - Queen of the Desert. Definitely NOT a family show with a story of drag queens, but it was a fun, silly tone, had fantastic costumes and an actual plotline with character development!

It wasn't ALL theater.. first a return glimpse of Times Square before the rain...



And a stop at the rebuilding of the World Trade Center and emerging memorial...


And finally...as a Project Runway fan... I had to visit Mood Fabrics!! E&C were able to get tickets to Book of Mormon and I didn't mind about not getting a 3rd ticket because I really didn't want to see it. So I happily entertained myself with fabrics and then a much-appreciated hour at a coffee shop.



A GREAT weekend and without a computer and email it really felt like a much longer break!

Enjoy the day!

Bailey had a great time at "Camp A" but still says:
Momma - don't leave. I can provide all the drama you want around here!!

Happiness!!

'nuff said...