Lustrous Owl

Oh Man!!

2009-11-30T19:55:00.001-08:00

Wow. It's been what, two months since I last posted anything? Well, I have a good excuse. It has been a crazy semester. So crazy, I've decided to start taking one class a semester for the rest of my grad career. I mean, I have to learn this stuff, this is my future!! Anyway, I have been blogging, just on my other "school" blog. The YA book blog, which I hope to continue after the tween class ends. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading, viewing, playing and listening to teen and tween materials the past two semesters, and then writing about it. I think after the class is over I'll change up the format a bit, but continue the reviewing. Maybe I'll throw in an adult book here and there, if I read any.
With the two whole months I'll have off before the spring semester I plan on doing some serious organizing and creative things. I have neglected my novel in progress for a year but I have been thinking about it often. It is driving me crazy that I don't have even a few minutes to sit and think and write. But what am I doing now, you ask? I'm avoiding my assignments. Which I must get back to.
Here's to the end of a semester and the hopeful beginning of a much deserved break!

Party Party Party

2009-09-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well, the housewarming party was a success. Its been over a week now and I think Jay and I are fully recovered. I got up at 9:30 that day, actually slept in even, and was baking/cooking for the majority of the day. There was a break in there to buy more supplies. I ended up making Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese icing, Lemon cupcakes with Lemon frosting, Oatmeal Scotchies and Blood Orange Chocolate Brownies. The two cupcake recipes came from Crazy About Cupcakes by Krystina Castella, but I altered the recipes a bit to make them vegan. I have a thing for vegan baking, it is always a challenge. I topped the Lemon Cupcakes with Mini Miringues from Trader Joes. As they were mini cupcakes I made tons but they were gone about midway through the party. As for "real" food, I had Jay make my famous blackbean salsa (I'm not sure that it is really famous, but it just sounds good that way), while I cut up three different baguettes: Parmesean, Olive and Sourdough, each from Trader Joes. I paired the sliced and toasted baguette with Sun-Dried Tomato, Grilled Vegetables, and Olive bruschettas. For another finger-type food I cooked up some ravioli and put it in a big bowl next to a cup of toothpicks, and a bowl of sauce. Some people did the dipping, some put it on their plates. I picked up some BBQ Wing in ball form and the TGIFriday's Potato Skins for the meat eaters. I think that's all the food. The cocktail was very delicious, but I only drank one and a half. :) I'm not sure how I feel about drinking actual rose petals, so I'm thinking if I make it another time I'll put it all in a pitcher and pour each glass. A couple of people decided it would be fun to plow through our limited alcohol supply, so I will have to buy more gin before then. Although, Hendrick's is quite expensive so I'm not sure if it'll be any time soon. Several people brought Jay and me bottles of wine, which was great, although I think they were more for me than for Jay. At one point I think there were sixty people spread out between the library, garage, living room and kitchen. Who knew we had so many friends!? I think everyone had a great time, eating, drinking, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, seeing our house. Jay and I didn't go to bed until about 5:30 when the last people left and we finished cleaning up. I love to have people over, but I don't think I want to have that many people over at the same time again! So overwhelming! But that doesn't stop me from cooking and baking for people and entertaining in general, just on a smaller scale. I think our next "big" entertaining session will be Thanksgiving, when HOPEFULLY Jay's whole family will come over for a traditional American Thanksgiving meal, minus the turkey of course. If I find any pictures of the party I'll try to post them, but we were so busy trying to talk to everyone we didn't take many pictures!
Next up, crafts.

Housewarming Cocktail-esque Party Planning

2009-09-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Facebook invitations went out at least a month ago. I've been scouring the web for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, sweet treat recipes. So many other bloggers out there have created decadent and seemingly easy recipes. Craftzine's blog posted an amazing looking cocktail recipe that involves rose petals, sugared chamagne grapes, Hendrick's Gin, and St. Germain Elderflower Liquor. Of course that will be my signature drink of the evening. My sister-in-law and I tried the roasted vegetable bruschetta from Trader Joes over the weekend, we both thought it was amazing. So bruschetta will be on the menu. I'm still in the process of creating the menu, but there will be nutella on the list, something cheesy, and mini cupcakes. Doesn't the picture (from Craftzine's blog) make you salivate? Another amazing recipe, that uses my underused herb favourite Rosemary, comes from The Kitchn (on Apartment Therapy). Sara Kate's recipe for Homemade Potato Chips with Rosemary is very easy, and gives me an excuse to use another attachment for my Kitchenaid Mixer! She also created a dip with fresh herbs, sour cream, lemon zest and cumin.

Martha Stewart, my patron saint of all things domesticity, has several checklists for party organizing. I'm using the basic party planning checklist as a reference. The Hewlett-Packard website has a section of printable projects. There are some great kids party ideas complete with invitations, decorations, toys and activity guides. The pirate themed party looked fantastic, but I'm thinking we'll keep our party theme-free this time. There is even a Dog Paw-ty planner that includes doggie bags, a backdrop for pet portraits, treat wrappers, collar charms, a banner and activity ideas. I want a dog so I can have all of it's doggy friends over for a party! Martha Stewart has a section of projects on HP's site that includes drink flags, cupcake toppers, a pattern for an ultra suede shopping bag (this was actually an amazing idea and plan on making some), and pet adoption announcements. I highly suggest the HP printable projects site, you can make almost anything. I made some business cards, but haven't used them yet.

As the day gets closer, I'll post more recipes and ideas for a smooth sailing housewarming party.

Blogs, blogs and more blogs.

2009-09-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to figure out ways to make my blog better. So people other than my mom want to read it. Not that there is anything wrong with my mom reading it, I value her opinion most! I just want to connect with people, connect with the world. I checked out this book called Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey. She mentions Smitten Blog Designs, so I checked them out. The current template is one of theirs. Very cute work. I've flipped through the first couple chapters and it seems to have a ton of great info in it for people like me who want to connect with other artistic folks. And then we come to artistic. Where does all my time and energy go? I have so many ideas, so many projects that want to spill out of my hands, but not enough time to devote to school, Jay, family, friends and me. Any tips on how you manage all of your creative and not so creative endeavors?

What the future holds...

2009-09-02T08:34:00.001-07:00

Well right about the time when I have loads to do and so much else to think on, I start thinking about other things. And then those things consume me, to the point that I have to do as much research as I can until I'm satisfied. Before it was rats, now that I have two adorable rats I'm happy. Now, as it has been in the past, it is kids. Not just kids but having kids, raising kids, being a mother, how to raise kids right, being a natural, earthy parent. Every couple months I start having baby fever. It's been going on at least since Jay and I got married. I just want to be a mother. I've always wanted to be a mother. When I was a younger girl, who many an older person said was wise beyond my years, I didn't fantasize about my wedding, I fantasized about having kids. What I'd do with them, what their names would be, how I'd dress them, where we would go together, what they would play/play with, what I'd cook for them, what they'd look like, etc. I always said that I'd have kids before I was 25, no thought what-so-ever about getting married and finding "the right one" first (although for me that was part of the having kids deal). I was lucky and found "the right one" early on, just like my mom and her mom, and my dad's mom and so on. My family is full of early marriages (not too early, mind you) and being parents in their early-mid-twenties. My parents got married three days after my mom's 20th birthday just so she could say she was older than her mom when she got married. Later that year, I was born. My parents wanted to have more than just me, but thanks to my dad's spinal cord injury, science and magic, and mean adoption people, they were stuck with just me. I always said I want to have a huge family, Seventh Heaven style minus being a preacher's family. But now that I'm older and hopefully wiser I think one is great. There are so many benefits to being parents of one child, from what I see. You can focus all your parental attentions on your one child and not be spread thin by inquiring little minds. I'm not saying that more than one isn't wise, just in my current state of being I think one would be great. Who knows what the spiritual beings will send us though, maybe I'll end up with triplets first time around. Anyway, lately I've been reading a lot of books on "natural" parenting. By natural I mean breastfeeding (no, no, no formula), natural toys (no loud, hard, crazy plastic things), cloth diapers, making my own baby food, etc. There is a new book out by Amanda Blake Soule called The Handmade Home that has patterns and projects to make with and for the family. One of her projects is cloth diapers. Whenever I mention that I want to use cloth diapers Jay says, "Yeah, tell me that when you actually are taking care of the baby. Tell me you have time to thoroughly wash them. Tell me you have the energy to devote to it. Then I'll believe and agree with you." He definitely has a point. Disposables are for busy people, as most of us are today. Doing things the old fashioned way is why they invented disposables. BUT as Amanda says, it takes 500 years for one disposable diaper to break down and decompose. Not to mention all the toxins involved when they're created. Then think, you're putting those toxins on your sweet baby's behind. No wonder they get rashes. So, as much as I know Jay's right, that it'll be hard work and I'll just want to do things the easy way, I am sticking to my guns. I will be more natural and get back to our roots. I'm determined.
Speaking of Amanda's book, she has another book out (her first I believe) called The Creative Family. This book includes ideas for storytelling, encouraging creativity, everyday rituals, things to do for the holidays. Worth a read for parents. Amanda has a blog called SouleMama.
I've posted about natural kids toys before, and included links to shops that sell them. Here's a few more, and some that list natural products in general. Babylicious is a shop in New Zealand that carries a variety of natural baby goods. JulyHobby sells felt food and felt food patterns. Of course there is Burt's Bees. Last but not least this is the company that published Soule's latest book and has other amazing looking craft books.

P.S. Jay and I have talked about baby timing a lot... probably not until I graduate from grad school. Jay's the smart one, I'm the romantic. (although he has his moments!) And the cute baby above is me.

Create 8 Things for 8 People

2009-08-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well, this weekend was fun. Tiring, but fun. Friday night was a wedding, which was small and gorgeous! Saturday was homework and small gathering for friend's birthday. Sunday was Virgin Mobile Free Fest, which although it was hot, was AWESOME!! I loved seeing some of my favorite bands. I think that at one point or another every band that I like has been my favorite. Today I had a note on facebook from a friend of mine that was an offer to make something for the first 5 people that responded to her note. This inspired me to do the same. I changed it up a bit from hers, and am not requiring anyone to do the same (although it is highly suggested). I've always wanted to do a swap, like the ones posted on other much more crafty blogs, but I never seem to find any, and the ones I do find I'm too late for. Maybe after this gifting experiment is over I'll actually participate in a swap. Anyway, if you're a friend of mine on facebook, be sure to reply. If I can make it past 8 I'll keep going. I love to make things whether it is a craft or baked good.

Wow, it's been a while

2009-08-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Well I've been neglecting this blog for quite a while!!! EEK! I was busy the past 10 or so weeks on my Materials for Teens class, which although it was very chaotic, was so, so fun! I made a blog for my final project for the class that consists of 30 items that are/should be found in libraries for teens ages 15-18. I'm taking a similar class, with the same instructor, during the fall semester on Materials for Tweens (ages 9-14). This class should be just as daunting, and just as fun! I looked over the syllabus... our blog assignment for this class is 50 items!! Yeah, quite a lot! But I've already been making a list of what I want to read for the class. A lot of what I wanted to use last semester was more for the Tween age group, so I kept writing down books to use for this class. In fact, I better get started.

Since I finished my reading for the summer class I put in A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to listen to on my ride to and from work.

I hadn't read any Sherlock Holmes in quite some time and never read A Study in Scarlet. I loved it! The narrator sounded husky, Derek Partridge, just like Sherlock should sound (in my head). After they caught the murderer (ok, I know I didn't spoil this for anyone because Sherlock ALWAYS catches the murderer) it went into this story about two wandering pioneers being picked up by the Mormon settlers off to their "promised land" in Utah. At first I had no idea what was going on and why Doyle decided to write about the Mormons, but then I slowly realized that it actually had to do with the story and was quite significant actually. All in all, A Study in Scarlet was a great quick "read" and I'm excited for the movie coming out in September! I'm interested in how they portray Sherlock and Watson, and what story line(s) they use. Plus, who doesn't love Jude Law and Robert Downey, Jr. I think I must read The Sign of Four soon. BUT before I get into more Sherlock Holmes mysteries I am currently listening to Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Jenna Lamia and David Ledoux. I really must check out the actual book because I have a feeling that it is beautifully done.

Each chapter is from either the point of view of Grace, a Minnesotan teenager who is obsessed with wolves (one yellow eyed wolf in particular) and Sam, a wolf/human obsessed with Grace. I've only listened to the first disk so far and after the first two-three chapters I was hooked. Each chapter is titled as the character whose naration it is followed by the temperature in degrees ferenheit. The two narators are amazing, they put so much emotion into each character, it is hard not to feel their anguish. Plus, I've loved wolves just as much as owls since fourth grade reading Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George, which spawned into a love of werewolves and the like.

So far, this is a must read! Thanks Mom for suggesting that I'd like it, you know me so well!

Over the weekend Jay and I went to NYC for a cell phone free weekend of window shopping and good food. Our first stop was Lil' Frankie's, the BEST brick oven pizza in NYC, located next to the BEST independent radio station in the US, East Village Radio. The next day we started out at 12-ish, since we didn't get back to our Jersey City hotel until 3 AM thanks to subway closures and construction. I was determined to go to Alice's Tea Cup, and we made it just in time for brunch. I ordered their signature granola, Sunset tea, which was hot and not the best choice for an extremely hot day, and potato hash.

The granola was delish, came out warm topped with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. I got it with a side of plain yogurt (the only way to eat granola!) and once I mixed in all the fruit, granola and yogurt (plus some of the fruit Jay isn't fond of) I had a heaping bowl of granola goodness! I couldn't eat it all, even though I tried! The potato has was almost as delish (which means it was phenomonal!) and I am pretty sure they threw in some rosemary, which to my tastebuds is a significantly under used herb! Jay's french toast came out in a little white ramekin, cut up into bite sized pieces and mixed with a mixture of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

I think there was a type of raspberry syrup drizzled on the plate, and the menu said it was topped with "vanilla creme anglaise." I stole a bite, it was delish (which seems to be the word of the day). The Sunset tea was a tissane of lemon, orange, rosehips, hibiscus and rose petals which would have been fabulous had it not been in the 90s and we were sitting outside. Jay said he could taste the hibiscus and at first I laughed, but then decided to give him a check in the tea snob book. We had hibiscus iced tea in Mexico, and clearly he remembered the distinct taste. After stuffing ourselves we headed up Madison Avenue and SOHO to hit up all the designers I love. I ogled the $1200 cashmere sweater from Ralph Lauren that was part of one of my favorite Fall 09 runway looks, tried on a $600 Yves Saint Laurent black dress (and it was on sale!), and tried on a $2000 gold and citrine ring that fit perfectly. We walked past Kelly Rutherford, the actress who plays Lily van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl. She's even more gorgeous in person! Jay got all excited and said, "Oh we should have stopped her and said we're big fans!" I protested, "They don't want to be accosted by crazed fans all the time!" So we looked at each other and smiled in our brush with stardom. (Later we saw Sarah Silverman, who is also gorgeous, and I'm convinced I saw Jesse Bradford.) That night we went to an Italian restaurant with the cousins in Hell's Kitchen, and while the food was amazing I can't remember the name. The next day we drove to Brooklyn to eat at Habana Outpost, an all solar powered Mexican cafe. I got a guacamole burrito that was full of guac, lettuce, that white granular cheese I don't know the name of, pico de gallo and yellow rice. Jay got the Mexican grilled cheese, ie cheese quesadilla. Both were... delish!! On their website I noticed they have a human powered bike blender, so of course I had to get a smoothie and blend it myself.

Bike blended smoothies taste even better after working up a minor sweat! After our earth friendly meal (they compost/recycle EVERYTHING), we headed to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company, where I tested out a cape and Jay was devillanized.

If you're ever in Brooklyn, stop by the shop! They have everything from Truth Serum to tights. After becoming Ratgirl, we went to Red Horse Cafe, a coffee shop/cafe/wine bar. They have their regulars bring in their own mugs to leave at the cafe so they can use them whenever they come in.

The chai was quite tasty, and not overly sweet like most coffee shop chais. After our fun-filled, phone free, NYC weekend we headed home via Staten Island and an $11 toll. The granola at Alice's inspired me to make my own, reduced sugar, granola. So, with my phone turned on during our trip home, I browsed the internet for granola recipes. I found one that boasted reduced sugar and millet, but I decided to modify it significantly by using other ingredients (but still used millet) and agave nectar. Turned out delish, although not as clumpy as I'd have liked. I think next time I need to add more liquid. I'll compile the recipe and post it this week. And hopefully I'll continue the blogging trend through the fall semester. In the mean time, check out my other blog on books for teens, GasLight Bibliophile.

PS. I created a "Panda Page" to attempt to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund in hopes that wolves, owls and whales and all the other beautiful creatures on our planet are protected.

Lustrousowl's Save My Friends Effort

Oi vey.

2009-06-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been way too long! The husband and I have moved into our house and it's slowly coming together. We had quite a painting party, and many thanks to our friends who were able to help us paint. We've yet to finish our "All American" blue bedroom, but we have an actual bed, one nightstand and a dresser with Jay's new baby, another LCD. Curtains will go up once the paint is done, sorry to those who see people running from the bathroom to the closet in towels to change. The kitchen is pretty much done, just have a few things to hang on the wall. We decided against a tiled back splash for the time being, a) because we have no money left and b) because the green looks so darn great. Our living quarters are pretty much done as well, just need to put some pictures on the walls and hang up the curtains. Now, the library/craftroom is far from finished as I need to organize all my odds and ends and put everything where I can easily access it. You never know when I'll get a creative urge. But the good thing is I have a large comfy chair and a wall of book shelves that are 75% full already. Who knew I really had all those books? And I still have more to add!
This summer I'm taking Young Adult Materials, which I am uber excited about. Since YA is pretty much my thing, this should be a fun summer, packed in, but fun. I will be doing a genre project and because I've been feeling the need to expand my reading selections I won't be doing anything fantasy related. I've chosen Historical Fiction, so hopefully that'll open my mind to knew reading possibilities. (And hopefully I'll get the ok from my professor!) Another project for this class is a blog consisting of 50 entries, all books and other media. I believe I'm supposed to be writing a critique and discussing the benefits of the item for young adults. But, I suppose I'll find out more as the mini-semester rolls on. We are only in our first week! On that note, we don't have internet yet in our house (stupid Comcast, not Comcastic!) so I've been starting the semester on my phone and at work.
Pictures will be up soon of our humble abode, and more book-talking is to come I'm sure.

The Final Walk-through

2009-05-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

So this is it. The house is finished! If it weren't for the fact that I'm a fabulous daughter and will be in Arizona for my mother's college graduation, we would be in it at this very moment. I try to make my mom feel bad, but I'm not really disappointed. I wouldn't miss her summa cum laude graduation for anything, unless I was going on a once of a lifetime trip to New Zealand for full access to the Ashford studios. Then maybe I'd miss it. That's neither here nor there. What I mean to discuss is the fact that in two short weeks we will be in our house, painting, moving in, building furniture from Ikea, organizing and decorating! I am beyond excited about this. During the walk through with our contractor that strangely reminds me of my dad and his brother, I took several pictures. I uploaded them to my facebook page, so you can see them here. Lots of pictures. There will be more pictures as I go through the whole decorating and organizing process. As I've been doing for months now, I've been scouring the internet for ideas on the whole Weasley house idea, which I'm sticking to. A friend of mine, who happens to be living my dream right now of living in a small English town, mentioned that I should look into English Cottage signs. She offered to pick one up for me, but seeing as she is moving back to the states (about which she is quite sad) I would hate to have her scramble around, carless, to a shop that customizes them. I did find a great site that I can create and order one from. They hand paint the signs, and I can even get an owl! Kind of pricey, once you factor in the currency conversion, but worth it. Of course I'd make one with an owl on it that says "The Burrow." I wonder what our neighbours will think of us! Moving to the kitchen, another friend of mine suggested I use sealed slate tiles for the backsplash. She found some slate that even has fossils in it! How neat would that be? American Slate has great pictures. I like this one for a back splash.

Looks rustic, and natural. I watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the other night to examine how they interpreted the Weasley kitchen and house. Lots of exposed woodwork, multicolored porcelin tile, "kid-created" art, pots, dishes, stained glass. There is a long wooden table and missed matched painted wood chairs. I love the idea of having different chairs. Maybe I'll make new slip covers for our existing chairs and see how that looks.

As for paint, I decided I want to use something that's people/earth friendly. Olympic paints from Lowes makes all of their Premium Interior paints with zero VOCs, which is almost odor-free. I happen to like the fresh paint smell, but with that "fresh" smell comes loads of harmful chemicals released into the air. Olympic has some information on their website about why "green" paint is better for you and your home, and what VOCs are. I looked on the Lowes website and compared prices per gallon. The Olympic Premium Interior doesn't seem to be more expensive than the other Lowes brand I had originally chosen, so that's good for the wallet.

Speaking of good for the wallet and the environment, while flipping through an old Body & Soul magazine I found a short article about Green Cleaning Parties. Women's Voices for the Earth set up a party planning website for women (and men, I'm sure) to plan "Green Cleaning Parties." What does one do at a "Green Cleaning Party?" Make homemade cleaning products! Not only are the products environmentally and budget friendly, they're effective! I've yet to test their recipes out, but I plan on creating my own home cleaning kit of homemade products. The website has a kit that can be downloaded once you set up a party, or purchased as a hardcopy for $25. After setting up a small online party, I decided to search the library for other "Green Cleaning" ideas. Did you know there is an Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning?

Green Cleaning for Dummies?

Diedre Imus also published Greening Your Cleaning.

Also, Gorgeously Green and The Green Beauty Guide are great for lifestyle changes, the latter being a sort of recipe book of homemade beauty and skin care products. I went to Aveda for Esthiology in the hopes that I'd learn so much more about natural skin care, but alas it wasn't what I was hoping for. However, there are books like The Green Beauty Guide that provide excellent information on how to create your own earth and body friendly goods. I've been using Angel Face Botanicals, via Etsy, for my cleanser and moisturizer and so far my skin has loved it!

Now that I'm completely off track from my original intentions with this post, go check out the pictures of the house, and look up the website on green cleaning. You won't be disappointed.

Art and such

2009-05-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who voted for which wine cabinet and art we should use in the kitchen! I love both art sets, so I may end up getting the owls and the medieval letters. As for the buffet, I like the Adams one. If I had the money I'd definitely get the flip top one. Jay and I decided we will try to tile the backsplash so I've been looking for interesting tile. I found this awesome recycled cork tile from Modwalls. The pictures here are from their website, and the magazine clip is from Sunset. I love this tile because it is recycled. The tiles are sealed so the grout and any other substance doesn't seep into the pores. I think it would give a very wine-y feel, and if I used a darker grout, very rustic. Thoughts??

I ordered the first item for our house the other day: Harry Potter Leaky Cauldron Metal Sign

In case you all were wondering where I've been getting my "Burrow" information from, here's a link to the Harry Potter Lexicon. The Burrow is mentioned in almost all the books, except for book one (if I remember right) because Harry doesn't actually go to the Burrow in book one. Although Ron may have mentioned his home around the Christmas holidays. Anyway, using this bit of information and the artist renderings in the Harry Potter movies I've created my own "Weasley-esque" style. I know, I'm a fanatic to say the least. There is this passage from the Chamber of Secrets that describes a clock, but not the same clock as the one that shows where each family member is, and the titles of some of her cookbooks: "The clock on the wall opposite him had only one hand and no numbers at all. Written around the edge were things like Time to make tea, Time to feed the chickens, and You're late. Books were stacked three deep on the mantelpiece, books with titles like Charm Your Own Cheese, Enchantment in Baking, and One Minute Feasts - It's Magic! " (J.K. Rowling)

So essentially, I want my house to look like it came straight from a book. A Harry Potter book. And yes, I will be making a clock that says "time to make tea" and "time to feed the chickens" and "You're late," among other things that I'll think up that sound Mrs. Weasley-ish. Any ideas?

Amazing Kitchenwares!

2009-05-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I received an email from Etsy full of interesting Mexican themed goods. One of the items from Kooyman Designs was a tortilla press. It looks amazing and I want one.

Whoops!

2009-04-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

Well it has been quite a while since I last wrote! Finishing up my second semester of grad school and getting ready to move into our new home takes up a lot of time. I've been spending more time focusing on our house than I am on school work I think. Our pre-settlement walk through is next Friday, May 8th! Jay and I have been sneaking around looking in windows and open doors of our new house and it's looking AMAZING!! The landscaping is complete and quite cute, although I think our front door will like some color. I'm still determined to have some sort of sign out front that says "The Burrow." And some flowers. I'll probably end up making one. A sign that is. On a stake and stick it in a pot with some flowers.
I met some of our neighbours today. Not any in our row but diagonal from us. They were the first to move into the neighbourhood about two years ago, so they've seen the neighbourhood grow. They're very sweet! I'm not so nervous now about moving in and not knowing anyone! At least we have one good neighbour!!
I'm so anxious to get moved in! I have so many things I want to do! First on my list is to get my library in order! I'm taking a Materials for Teens class this summer and I'll need full access to my extensive collection! No joke.
More to come!

The House is Coming Along!

2009-04-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well we had our predrywall appointment yesterday, it's looking great! We are getting very excited! Jay took some pictures of the walls today so we can remember where the pipes are. I don't want to try to nail right through a pipe! The contractor told us we shouldn't paint for a year while the house settles, because we'll just have to paint over any patch jobs they may end up doing due to cracks. BUT, I'm painting anyway. Just the kitchen, living room and our bedroom. I have to do it! Besides, I'll keep the extra paint in our handy storage closet so I can touch up when I need to. I've been procrastinating on my homework again, fantasizing about the house. I found this awesome little bread machine on King Arthur Flour while looking to see if they had a wish list. No wish list. But I think I want everything on their website and in the catalog! Anyway, this is the Zojirushi Mini Bread Machine. The website says it is perfect for a couple or small family. Oooh. Also on my list of things I want to get is the Belgian Waffle Iron. I am addicted to Belgian Waffles, although I haven't had one since we were in Brussels. I would make them if I had a waffle iron, but I would make them as healthy as possible so Jay wouldn't give me a hard time. :)

And of course the perfect complement to waffles and vegan baking is pure maple syrup. In this case, King Arthur has its own Vermont Maple Syrup. The 10 oz. supply comes in this pretty little glass cruet.

Another baking essential is the Non-stick Rolling Mat. It has circles in the perfect sizes for making perfect pie crusts, or pizza crust as will be my use most likely.
I think someone would have something to say about it if I blew a portion of our house budget on baking supplies!! (Unless I baked for him every week, which I would!)

The Glorious Library

2009-04-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

The library is the most important room in the house, besides the kitchen. I want it to be a nice calming place I can relax. So, since I can't seem to do anything else but plan our house, I picked out my color. I'm going to use "Global Thistle," going along with the name theme of the British Isles. And of course, "Clean White." Thank you Valspar for using such great names, although I would like a more magical name for white.

I'm getting all new bookcases for the library, so it looks cohesive, and using the bookcases I have now through out the house. You can't confine your books to just one room! I found some cheap bookcases from Target that are pretty good, I trust them with my books. I also have the perfect art that a friend gave me for Christmas. (Or my birthday, I don't quite remember.) The Reading Woman Calendar will make for excellent art in the library.

So essentially I will take apart the calendar and from a couple of the pictures. Then I will have a rotating art collection in the library. Nice yes?

Now for the chair. I must have a comfy chair, no? I've got three I'm choosing from. Two from Ikea and one from Ashley Furniture.

I love this cover for the Ektorp chair, but its a bit too expensive for my budget. (We'll see if I can squeeze it in.) Otherwise I'd get the basic white and get another cover later.

Then there is the Ektorp Jennylund. A bit smaller but looks just as comfy.

Finally there is the Ashley Furniture Queen Anne Chair.

That one looks very nice and regal, and velvet, but not as comfy as the others. That may be the deciding factor!

No library would be complete without a reading lamp and a side table for a cuppa tea and a scone.

Of course no library would be complete without the Personal Library Kit from Knock Knock. Check out their site, they have some amazing goods! Perfect for people who hope to be organized and have a sense of humor.

For the grand finale... I will be painting this (not the banner, but the name of the Diagon Alley bookstore, in a really neat font) above the doorway into the library.

The kitchen! The kitchen!

2009-04-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

So last night Jay and I trespassed in our future home and took a look around. I got teary eyed with excitement, relief and stress (about how much I have to do before the house is finished). But seeing the rooms roughly laid out was inspirational. I have so many ideas now! I think we shall start with the kitchen, the heart of the home, or at least where our heart will be. I can't wait to bake! Pizza party anyone?

I finalized on the wall colors, and I'm sticking to them. Since I'm going for the whole rustic/cottage/Harry Potter look, I want to use earthy, magical colors. To throw in a bit of the traditional, I'm going to put a chair rail, painted white, around the dining room side of the "country kitchen." On the lower half of the wall I'm going to use Valspar's "Gypsy Leather." Can you tell I picked the color by the name first and then decided it was perfect? Above the chair rail, and on the side of the kitchen between the counter and the cabinets, and the cabinets and the ceiling, will be Emerald Isle. Again, choice name. The white will be pretty basic, Clean White. So, now that I have that settled I have to choose the art for the backsplash. The counter will come up the wall about two inches, so that gives added protection. This is the granite counter: Giallo Fiorito

I decided that instead of tiling a backsplash or using ceiling tin (which I still would love to do), I'm going to put a couple pieces of art and make sure the paint I use will hold up to a wash rag. I have a couple different themes in mind and found art from, where else. Etsy.com. Here are my choices:

Owls

These prints by The Mincing Mockingbird come in 8x10 and also note cards. I think the note card size would be great to fit in the backsplash area. Although if I do pick these I think I may ask if they can make the images full 5x7, so I don't have the white border.

Medieval Alphabet
So here, the question is what word would be best? I was thinking something Latin, but everything was too long. I wanted to keep it to 4-5 letters. Here is what I have so far:

creo: to create, make

caminus: a forge, large hearth

panis: bread

amor: love, affection, passion

victus: manner of life, living, nourishment, food
vinum: wine

I like victus the best. But I also like spelling out "kitchen," however, it is too long I think.

Here are the letters for "victus:"

All of Emily Balivet's work is amazing, check it out!

Elemental Dragons

Finally, I found these awesome prints of dragons by willofyre, each of which represent an element.

I'm also going to put these amazing Ikea bars (Kroken) above the counter to hold clips for recipe cards, containers for utensils or herb pots, and spices.

That's really it for the kitchen. I have lots of gadgets and appliances so I don't really need anything there. We already have a kitchen table and chairs, so we don't need to do that either. They essentially look like this table and chair. I want to cover the chairs with another fabric though.

There is another piece of art that two of my dearest friends got for me months ago for a housewarming present. It will be a surprise. I will have to clean it up a bit and redo the frame, but it will go nicely I think. Vintage charm thrown in. That leaves the wall in the "dining room" side to fill with art. I should take it slow with that and see where it takes me. Maybe put up two shelves and place my tea cups on them? I have quite a few tea cups now, and plan on collecting more. Or should I put my owl collection here? Maybe a wall hanging? (hint, hint, Grandma!) We shall see. Any ideas are gladly welcome!

A wine rack/bar, however, would be fantastic!

Target: $159 Adams Buffet

Amazon.com: $329 Heritage Flip Top

Ikea: $179 Leksvik (not exactly a wine cabinet, but I can outfit it with glass holders and bottle racks)

Target: $170 Celtic Bistro

And that's about it for the kitchen. Please let me know your opinions... there is a poll on the right. Thanks!

The house!

2009-03-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well, the past few weeks have seen tremendous progress in the building of our town home. It's looking really good now! We have the pre-drywall appointment in two weeks, and apparently 3-4 weeks after they begin drywall our house should be finished!! I'm getting very excited and thankful for the guys building our house. They're working 7 days a week! I'm sure they were anxious to get building in this economy. I decided that when we go to the site for our pre-drywall appointment I'm bringing the builders homemade cookies. You know, to show how thankful I am for their hard work.

After helping a friend pick out furniture for her guest room at Ikea I found the perfect entry lights:

Felt Food! Felt Food!

2009-03-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

So, being a past babysitter I have come to loath plastic toys. Especially loud plastic flashy toys. I have since made a pact with myself and my unborn children that I will spare them the brutality of said toys. I love toys that encourage kids to use their imagination, not that big, hard, loud, flashy toys don't, but there is something whimsical about handmade (or things that look handmade), natural toys. Places like Hearthsong (which is sadly moving into more of the mass-produced plasticy stuff), Magic Cabin Dolls (an absolute fave of mine), Willow Tree Toys, Nova Natural, Three Sisters, Hazelnut Kids and Under the Nile specialize in natural, often times handmade and sometimes organic toys. These things scream, or gently whisper, play with me! Use your imagination! Be creative! Be a kid!! I've told Jay of my all natural anti-plastic ideas for our kids, he seems fine with it but is skeptical of how our kids (the non-existent ones) will handle it. "They're going to beg us for what their friends have, you know." He's probably right. BUT, I can dream. Next conversation to have with him is using cloth diapers, but that won't be till a child is growing.

ANYWAY, the point of my pro-natural-toys-for-kids rant is a post by Craftblog about a post by Skip to my Lou. There is an awesome tutorial for making a felt brown bag lunch complete with chips, sandwich with fixin's, ding-dong (or is it ho-ho), brown bag, and vinyl plastic sandwich bag. Amazing!! I love it and will be saving the instructions for a time when I can make it, either for my self or future children. Hey, I can play with it too, right? Ok, maybe not. While you're there, check out the rest of her blog. So many great ideas, so little time.

Ps. Would it be weird if I put this on our deck and our neighbors saw me playing with fairies?

Felt food picture from Skip to my Lou. Fairy house illustration from Magic Cabin.

Chair?

2009-02-25T08:34:00.001-08:00

Well Jay and I went to La-z-Boy the other day to look at... recliners. He didn't like the ones I liked (not comfy enough), and I didn't like the ones he like (too big). We both agreed that the Rex would be a good pick because it was plush and comfy but not ghastly. I showed him a couple fabrics that I liked, the ones from a previous post, and he picked out one that was actually an Eco fabric. I liked the swatch, but the dark brown leaves and flowers are a sort of flocked velvet feeling. I'm not sure how it'll hold up in the long run. Here's the end result, putting the fabric on Rex.

Looking at it this way, I don't think it'll fit with the rest of our furniture or style. And it just looks odd. Unless Jay's heart is absolutely set on this combo, I'm hoping we'll pick out different fabric.

A Baker's Dream

2009-02-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

I received and email today from Williams Sonoma. I uttered "Ooooh" out loud at my desk. This is what I was "Oooohing" over.

The Nordic Waffle Pancake Pan makes cute little pancake waffles for those who want to texture and syrup catching capabilities of the waffle.

Aren't they cute? And delicious looking!! So of course I was sucked into Williams Sonoma and saw a video on how to make Ebelskiver Filled-Pancakes. Looks much easier than I thought, especially with their special pan, also Nordicware. The hallelujah chorus resounded in my head. Looks like there goes $80 of my kitchen budget. [insert evil laugh here]

The Town House - Beginning Stages

2009-02-24T20:13:00.000-08:00

As I've said, our house is being built! Here are some pictures from the past three weeks.

The cabinets are maple. Bad picture, I know.
Here is the granite color: Giallo Fiorito

This is our house from the front. The two little walls in front are going to be our front steps, I think. Doesn't look like much now, but it will. Rewind about two weeks and this is what it looked like after they took out all the "bad dirt" and put in the "good dirt." Looks like they were getting ready to start the walls. Here is proof of a future place of residence. Is 6921 a good number? Adds up to 18... then 9. Square root is 83.1925477. Its divisible by 3, which is 2,307. Our street name, Norwood Ferry. Google "norwood" and you get Norwood, MA - Norwood, OH - Norwood Promotional Products - Norwood School in Bethesda, MD - my favorite: Norwood Looms - the borough of Norwood in NJ - Norwood, CO - Norwood's Famous Seafood Restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, FL - Norwood Public Access TV (MA) - Norwood City Schools (OH). That's just the first ten.
Obsessive? Maybe. I'm just excited. I got my swatches from Country Curtains. They're prettier, and heavier, than I thought which is great. I'll get pictures up soon.

Harry Potter themed Etsy goods!

2009-02-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

Continuing my obsession with good ol' Harry Potter, I scoured etsy yesterday for Harry Potter themed items. Here are my favorites!

Platform 9 3/4 Print by Nomad Photography

Horcrux/Resurrection Stone by The Clay Pony

Harry Potter Desk by stillsimian

Harry Potter Hand Painted Shoes by PaperandPinfeathers

Hogwarts Signs by MorningStarDesign

Snitch Necklace by anniejacks

Floo Network notecards by jennyscards

Owl Post Stationary by celestefrittata

Hogwarts Map Wooden Box by SixthandElm

Quidditch Stickers V1 by ElectrikPinkPirate

Quidditch Stickers V2 by ElectrikPinkPirate

The glorious kitchen and living room...

2009-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Well I have begun the countdown to the finishing of our townhouse!! 79 days to go, give or take a few. They're apparently starting with the block work and pipes last week. Last week they had to move all the bad dirt out and bring in good dirt. I don't know what the differences between bad dirt and good dirt are, but it must be big. Maybe this means our house won't sink in to the soil, which is always a plus.

I've been bouncing between ideas for the house, and more importantly the kitchen. I've decided I'm going for a more traditional/Mediterranean/Harry Potter feel. Yes, I said Harry Potter. If you've ever read the books or seen the movies you'll hopefully know what I mean. Darker colours, eclectic objects, old earthy feel, whimsical, brooms, cauldrons and owls. Can you picture it? I can. I've picked a few colorways from the good people at Olympic Paint. There is one collection that is inspired by wine country with colours like Gooseberry (D38-6), Old Burgundy (C37-5), and Merlot (C36-6). I have picked out a darker green (Green Briar C11-5) and lighter green (Sweet Annie C11-4) for the kitchen and a pale blue (Sailor Blue EB7-1, Valspar) for the living room with a bit of dark blue (Calvary D51-6) thrown in.

Since we already have a couch, love seat and coffee table that are a medium sort of brown microfiber, we need a chair. I had a few ideas, but Jay insists on a recliner. I'm not fond of recliners. Not that I don't like the comfortable-ness of putting my feet up, but generally they're so ghastly. So I went on the La-z-boy website and found some fashionable recliners. We have agreed upon the Charlotte recliner, but not sure which color. I have a few choices:

Westbourke - Capri

Casilda Bay - Hibiscus

Fairgrove - Linen

Kipling - Sand

I'll have to bring a cushion from our couch to compare with the fabrics. And you can vote for your favorite!

This is one of my favorite paintings, The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse

But I'd like to fill the room with as many paintings as possible, preferably Pre-Raphaelite. They were fascinating! Especially Dante Gabriel Rossetti. But I digress. I'd like to include another Lady of Shalott by Waterhouse, Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus by Waterhouse, Magic Circle by Waterhouse, Circe Invidiosa by Waterhouse

I'll stop there, but you can see where I'm going. I love Waterhouse's work. All of it. It boggles my mind that we lived in the same century, even though he died 68 years before I was born. Before my grandparents were even born, but still.

On to curtains. Velvet should go along with my theme. But should I go dark blue or brown? Hmm. I ordered swatches from Country Curtains to help me decide. (Not that I'll necessarily get them from there.)
The TV stand we have is sadly chipped and scratched due to my efforts in switching from our old heavy tube tv to the new flat screen when we bought it. It was too heavy for me. But that means I can get a stylish new TV stand from, where else, Ikea!

Markor

Here are some things I've decided upon, or will end up being inspiration:

Leaky Cauldron Sign

Copper Compost Pail or Stoneware Compost Pail

Chalk Board Jars

Inspiration! I love this mosaic! Owl Mosaic by Mosaic Mad Romans

Any ideas? I'm open to ideas!!

Regency Zombies

2009-02-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine told me a while back about a story they heard about the Bronte sisters. Supposedly they went crazy because the well water they drank was run-off from a grave yard. That got me thinking... how great would it be to write a fictional biography about the Bronte sisters, and how they were in fact Zombies, turned to the dark side from the cemetary water!? I've had this story line festering in my mind for months now, but since I can only work on one story at a time, and that one story is at a stand still for the time being, I haven't had a chance to write down my thoughts. Essentially, the Bronte sisters were the most elegant and lady like zombies and their cannabalistic tendancies which work their way into their stories. I haven't yet worked that bit out, I'm going to have to disect Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Villette and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Why am I discussing my secret projects (well not so secret really)? An old co-worker from the Bean Hollow glory days left me a link on my Facebook wall... Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Seems that someone else, someone that wrote How to Survive a Horror Movie, Spider-Man Handbook, Pardon My President and The Big Book of Porn, has beaten me to my classics as zombie horrors. He also writes a blog: Seth Grahame-Smith. Now, based on the titles of his other published works, I don't think he is the writing for the benefit of looking into the lives of the characters and authors to find how twisted it could have been, but merely for shock factor. I wonder if he's read Northanger Abbey. Maybe I'm just being prejudiced against a man who writes books like the above and then turns an Austen into a horror satire. I was just telling a coworker about it, she said the best satires come from people who have great respect for the thing their writing satire about. Does this ruin my chances of writing a successful novel ruining the good reputation of the Bronte sisters? I hope not, because its something I would definitely read as a lover of the classics. I am very interested in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but don't want to read it until after I write my own story, which unfortunately could be years!! Is that silly of me? Would anyone even want to read a story about the Bronte sisters as Zombies? You tell me. PS. Chris, if you're reading this, I'm sorry for knocking his efforts. I shouldn't knock it till I've read it. You're awesome for thinking of me when reading about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. You know me well it seems.

Home Ideas

2009-02-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

The folks at pointclickhome.com posted an amazing idea for old silver platters. I'm definitely doing this in our house. Silver Platter Wall Sconce

Handknit Heroes!!

2009-01-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

I was very excited to find out that I would be one of the bloggers to get a preview edition of the up and coming Handknit Heroes comic! Then I was even more excited when I received Issue #1 in the mail!! I opened it immediately and read it right then and there! I loved it! A friend and I had discussed months ago about starting our own fiber arts themed comic, and was slightly disheartened when I found out there was soon to be one in print, but am quite happy with it! I'm excited for Issue #2 so I can find out what happens to the twins and their genius mother next! Do check out Handknit Heroes! Each issue includes a pattern that was featured in the story. This issue was a hooded scarf with pockets that a few of my friends already requested I knit up for them. I've shown the comic to a few of my comic loving male friends and they seemed to like it as well, the idea of mixing something like knitting and super heroes was intriguing to them.

A lot has been going on in lustrous owl world lately, sorry for so few posts. As soon as I'm over this flu/cold thing and get caught up with school, I'll be back to regular posts! Thanks for reading!

Chapter One -- Finally!!

2009-01-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a novel of sorts, one that I'm extremely excited about because in my own little world this is how life would be. In the Victorian era (and pre-Victorian era) novels were published as monthly installments, which I think is how Dickens really became popular. The majority of his novels were either weekly or monthly serials. I can imagine how the readers felt each month, eagerly awaiting the next chapters of the stories, because that's how I am with the many series I get sucked into that take years to come out. the purpose of this small history lesson is that I've always wanted to write something that was a sort of serial magazine. That was my original hope with my meager blog, so I'm going to start. I'll probably end up stalling once I start school, and especially if I realize I can't write this thing going week to week or month to month. Anyway, since the only ones reading this are my family and friends, I know you'll understand! A good friend of mine has read this (and Chapter 2) already and has given me great feedback. I'd love the same from anyone who cares to critique!!! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

I have always been obsessed with books. “Hi, I’m Evelyn and I’m a literature addict.” As a child my parents gave me books for every birthday. When I turned three, all of my friends got Cabbage Patch dolls or Batman action figures, I got Goodnight Moon and Mouse Paint. When I was 13, my best friend got an emerald ring; I got the complete Shakespeare collection. At 16, everyone started getting cars, or at least a down payment; I got a first edition of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. Now, I’m not complaining about my parents’ overzealous giving of books but it has contributed to my obsession.
My parents are the ultimate when it comes to literary nerds. They met at a Hay-on-Wye festival back in the 80s. My dad was an American writer sent to the quaint Welsh town by his publisher to do an extensive review of the bookshops and festival for an upcoming travel guide called, “Vacations for the Literary.” My mom was running a couple of the seminars at the festival; her family has owned one of the remaining independent bookshops in London for generations. In the short version of the story, Dad saw her from a distance, asked to interview her on the family business, then asked her to dinner and a pint at the pub. Dad’s publisher started seeing him less and less as he worked on an exposé of the under-appreciated family owned bookshops of Britain.
Since their initial meeting almost 18 years ago, they’ve been practically inseparable. Dad was in the UK often to work on his “research” and Mom would take trips to America to “get more books.” A few months after they met they got married, or rather, eloped. Marriage involves embarrassing family meetings, thousands of pictures, and undue expense. That wasn’t how it was for my parents. I think it cost them about $200, including the rings and the ceremony. But that’s how they are, somewhat secretive and spontaneous. Actually, very secretive but I’ll get to that later.
The question after their marriage was, “Where to settle?” My dad loves his family and the good old U S of A but he loves my mom and books more. He picked up and moved to London to settle in with Mom. After severing ties with his publisher, he worked free-lance until he got one of his fiction manuscripts accepted, making him officially an author. While he loves horror novels, like those by Steven King and Clive Barker, what he chooses to write is suspense. Nothing like a good page-turner filled with secret societies, unrequited love, and murder. He slips in a bit of gruesome details, but not too much. In regards to my parents taste in literature, they couldn’t be more opposite. Actually I think the fact that they love to read is the only similarity in their literary obsession. My mom loves a good romance, but it has to be in an historical context. She insisted on naming me after her favorite heroine from the obscure novel by Fanny Burney, Evelina but compromised with my dad and chose Evelyn. She says we have to deal with the present enough, and we should always have the escape of books that don’t involve our modern lives. I have to admit I agree with her there, but a good book is one that lets you get lost in its story, forgetting all the worries and responsibilities of life, completely absorbing you. It doesn’t matter if it takes place in Medieval England, seventeenth century New England, or two years in the future. I can be so involved with the characters, the places and the events taking place that I feel like I’m there. And that’s where our real story begins.
Since I was about sixteen my reading habits have been more and more intense. When I pick up a book I won’t put it down for hours. It takes a lot to rip me from a book these days. Sure I was an avid reader all my life and got so into a book I’d stay up till 3 AM to finish it, but now it’s different. My parents have noticed my complete insanity and told me I should focus on my studies before I am admitted to a mental asylum. This reaction to my compulsive reading surprised me though. Usually they’re shoving books in my face, and now they’re telling me to hold off? Which brings me back to secrecy. My parents have been there for me my whole life, but they have also been known to take extensive “vacations” leaving me in the care of my Grandma Rowena. My grandma lives down the street from us, or rather down the street from the bookstore. My parents and I live in the apartment above the bookshop. I loved living with all those books, hundreds of books. Instead of going outside to play like the other kids, I would go down to the store, pick out a book and lay under my favorite tree to read the day away. That tree is one smart tree by now. I always had a feeling that it longed to feel the pages, its brothers transformed, and soaked up all the words. It’s the tallest and thickest tree in the park now, although there are several of the same tree that are half its size.
This morning I woke up with my left hand across the expanse between the edge of my bed and my night stand, which is really a small bookshelf. My fingers were clamped tightly around the spine of the latest book I’ve been reading, my knuckles white and my fingers slightly numb and tingly. I bolted up right and took the book in my lap. The book is one of my favorites and I’ve read it at least 4 times since I got it 4 years ago. Its about a girl who falls in love with someone whom she should never fall in love with, some one who could be dangerous to her. Like the heroine I feel drawn to her love interest, wanting to touch him and have him for my own. I can see him in my mind, every freckle, the light glinting from his topaz eyes, the hair draped slightly in front of his right eye, the bulging muscles under his shirt. I hear his voice when he speaks, and I hear hers. Every detail the author carefully described is intensified to my senses and it is like I am submerged in the story. When he leaves touches her I feel his touch. When he leaves her I feel the blow to my chest as I realize I, or she, will never see him again. As the chapters describe her despair I feel the same despair gripping at my chest to cover the hole that begins to form. Each time I read the story it gets more and more intense. Maybe it is my favorite book because I feel the story. Or maybe I just love a good romance with a bit of action thrown in.
My parents have noticed my mood swings and suggested I pick up a lighter book, maybe a Jane Austen. Being one of my favorites I have read each of her books many, many times. I pry the other book from my fingers and put it back with the others in my young adult book shelf. My walls are covered in bookcases, all split into different genres. There’s Adult Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction (which is basically history), and everything else. I go over to the Adult Fiction shelves and find Pride and Prejudice.
Suddenly a water stain formed on my page. I touched it. The spot was damp. I reached up to my eyes and felt them as dry as the Arizona desert. Nothing too emotional happens in this part of the book. I looked back at the paragraph I was reading. Something tore at my arm, and I swore at my cat. I looked over at her and realized she’s on the floor pawing at a felt mouse. I looked at my arm and saw tiny scratches that were beginning to seep crimson blood. Still holding my book I lifted up my arm and quickly sucked on the fresh blood, willing it to stop. Back in the book, I kept reading. I felt something cold hit the crown of my head, then another, and another, each of them making their way to my scalp and down the sides of my head. The drops fell from my cheeks and on to the page soaking through the grainy paper. I quickly shut my book and placed it in front of me on my bed. I sat there for a minute, my legs crossed hands in my lap staring at the cover. Slowly I lifted my hand to touch the spots where the water hit my head. It really was wet. I looked up at the ceiling expecting to see the traces of the roof leaking. We did have a lot of rain yesterday, I told myself, maybe the old roof is starting to actually feel old. But there were no gathering drips, no water marks. I looked over at my arm to examine the scratches. Still damp with congealing blood.
I got up, avoiding the book, and headed down stairs where I heard my mother taking the whistling tea pot off the stove. The building the bookshop is in has three floors: the first is the book shop, the second is the kitchen and large family room, the third has my room, my parents’ room, the office and a bathroom. I hurried down the stairs carefully hoping not to slip in my socks on the dark wood floor. As I reached the landing I heard mom taking out some tea cups.
“Want some tea dear? I have some Rosehips and Calendula I got from Mrs. Whetherby yesterday. She really does know a lot about which herbs are good for what ailment. She was telling me about the…”
“Mom is the roof leaking in your room anywhere?” I interrupted. While I am interested in Mrs. Whetherby’s homemade remedies, I was too confused by what just happened to really pay attention.
“Wha—what? The roof? Um, no, not that I noticed this morning. Why?” Mom looked at me with her penetrating charcoal eyes as if to see what I really meant.
“Oh I though my ceiling was dripping this morning. Nevermind.” I was embarrassed about what I was saying, or thinking really. I knew the roof wasn’t leaking.
“Honey what happened to your arm? Was Lily getting too rambunctious again? I keep telling you not to tease her so much. That cat will end up biting you and I won’t feel sorry.”
“No mom, she’s been good. No I, uh, really don’t know what happened. They just happened. Maybe I scratched myself in my sleep.”
She looked at me curiously. I don’t think she believed that I’ve been nicer to Lily, or that I’m telling the truth.
“So I was wondering,” I wanted to make it seem as innocent as possible, and looked down at the purple flowers on the teacup she had set in front of me “when you read a book, one of your favorites, do you ever feel, like, like you’re part of the story?” I waited for a laugh but none came. I looked up and saw a strange expression. Her reaction was a mixture of surprise and horror, like she was excited but mortified at the same time. She quickly changed her expression to one that looked more like empathy.
“I don’t really understand what you’re asking Evie. Do I identify with the characters and sympathize with them you mean?”
“No, deeper than that. Do you feel their emotions as if they’re your own?” How do I say this without sounding crazy?
“Well if a book is really a page turner and I get lost in the words I forget where I am sometimes. I guess I do feel the emotions of the characters, but I think that’s what the authors want of the reader. Why honey?” There she goes with those penetrating eyes again and I had to look away.
“Its just that I’ve read this book 4 times and it gets more and more intense every time I read it. I’ve been feeling like I’m there, not just in this book, but in others. Its just that today…” I stopped, hoping I could divert the conversation to something a little less sci-fi.
“Today what Evelyn? Did something happen yesterday that I don’t know about. You know nothing escapes anyone in this neighborhood, I’m bound to hear about it in the end.” She giggled knowing that nothing was safe from the rest of the town, especially when it was rather juicy.
“No, nothing really. Maybe I’m just getting over anxious about getting into Oxford. I’m taking everything personally and my senses are heightened. Nothing too serious. Thanks for the tea mom.” I shot her a quick grin and took my tea upstairs to my tiny room.
I put the teacup on my nightstand and flopped on my bed. I lay there and started tracing the stitching on the quilt covering my bed. My grandmother made it for me when I was 13. It is made from several old pillowcases she collected over the years, all sorts of florals. The squares that weren’t filled with roses and daisies were pale lavender and light pink, my favorite colors at the time. I haven’t completely grown out of the colors, I just prefer the darker shades now. As I diverted my mind from what was really bothering me my fingers traced their way to the book I left so quickly on my bed. I grasped it and lifted it onto my chest. I put my hands behind my head to prop my head up and just stared at the cover. What was it about that book that brought me back to it over and over to pour over its pages? But it wasn’t just that book was it? Ever since I could read, or hold a book, I’ve itched for the feeling of the pages in my hands, wanting to feel the smooth surface as I turn the pages, reading the tiny words that make up the greatest stories ever told. Books really were my life, as was reflected in my room. Two out of the four walls were covered in bookshelves; the third wall had my bed flanked by two more bookshelves with a window over my headboard. The fourth wall had my door and next to it my wardrobe with my meager collection of clothes. Yeah, it was official, I was a book worm, and starting to have delusions.

Barbie of the Undead

2008-12-15T08:37:00.001-08:00

So as I was perusing my daily feed from Craft magazine's blog, I saw this:

Ps. I am almost done with my first grad school term paper! WOOHOO!! I have been itching to get writing again, and I need to do something other than typing with my hands. Maybe some embroidery? Or knit a pair of fingerless gloves for my mom? (pretend you didn't see that Mom). Either way, I will pick something to do one my way back home. Yes, I still call Mesa home, even though I've been here for what is it now, almost 5 years or 6? Maybe once Jay and I actually have a place to call "our home" I will change my opinion on where my home is. If anyone is interested in some beautiful townhomes in up-and-coming Elkridge, MD I highly suggest this cute little neighborhood: Belmont Station

One thing in the midst of insanity.

2008-12-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

Found this on the Craftmag blog: Reindeer Dachshund Embroidery

Now... back to work and back to my paper! Be back soon!!

Here comes the end

2008-11-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

So I won't be saying a whole lot of anything the next few weeks. I will be busy finishing up my first semester of grad school. It has been one interesting semester. I've learned a lot about what not to do. Hopefully next semester will see better time management. And fewer mistakes. And more energy. I want patches like in Meet the Robinsons-- the caffeine patches. They did make her crazy but she had energy. Yes, I know its a cartoon. Or maybe if I was a vampire who didn't sleep at all I'd have more energy. Speaking of vampires, I might as well say that I saw Twilight on Friday. Aside from the girls screaming for every little thing, it was a good movie. Book is definitely better, because Stephenie goes into details they cannot put in movies, but the movie was good as a movie. I'm excited for New Moon! But I probably won't be going opening weekend anymore. The screamers totally ruined it for me. After the semester is over I'll be going again. And taking it all in. I was happy that my friends enjoyed it. I think it was all the gorgeous actresses, fight scene, and the awkward moments. Oh the awkward moments. Those made the movie. Anyway-- here's to a smooth end of the semester!

Books. Books. Books.

2008-11-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

As I'm sitting at my desk looking through Book Page: America's Book Review I am finding some books I want to read.

First of all, "the PC guy in the Mac commercials," also known as John Hodgman, wrote a book called More Information Than You Require, that has all sorts of writing and a picture of him holding a ferret on the cover. I never knew that the famous PC guy has already written a book and was a regular on "The Daily Show!" Well done, PC, well done!

Also on my new list of must reads is The Witches of Eastwick, which isn't really a new on one my list but rather a reminder that I've been meaning to read it for a while. Especially since John Updike has come out with The Widows of Eastwick.

Shannon Drake's The Pirate Bride looks intreguing, supposedly "a riveting new tale of passion, adventure and revenge upon the high seas." Well, if that's not enough to get me, the cover shows the bodice of a woman holding a pistol.

Another ad that caught my eye, presumably because of all the violets and the impressionist-type painting on the cover was for With Violets: A Novel of the Dawn of Impressionism by Elizabeth Robards. Since the Impressionist movement is high up on my list of favorite art movements (second after the Pre-Raphaelites) I think this will be a must read.

A small ad entices me with "Actor, Lover, Priest, Spy" at the top, describing Giacomo Casanova in Casanova, by Ian Kelly. Yes, I saw the movie with the late great Heath Ledger, and yes I liked it. Who wouldn't be intregued by "social and sexual mores" in eighteenth century Europe?

Some books I don't want to read but think are hilarious, and in the same box, Passion's Blood and L. Ron Hubbards Wild West, sci-fi and fantasy books. Passion's Blood's blurb reads: "Caught in a web of betrayal and violence, a pair of young lovers must preserve their faith and confront magical powers they do not fully understand." What? Young lovers? Preserving faith? Magical Powers? hmm. The cover is the best.

One young adult book I'm reading, or rather listening to in my car, is Cornelia Funke's Inkdeath. I absolutely love it. The whole series! Inkheart was narrated by Lynn Redgrave, Inkspell by B rendan Fraser (who will be the father, Mo, in the upcoming movie, out January 9th) and Inkdeath by Allan Corduner. All three did an amazing job.

A cute little picture book that is for every hippy, and hippy at heart like me, The Happiness Tree by Andrea Alban Gosline.

And finally, because I really could go on all day, Once Again, to Zelda: The Stories Behind Literature's Most Intriguing Dedications. The title speaks for itself. By Marlene Wagman-Geller.

Holiday Heap 2009

2008-11-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

A day of crafts, crafts and more crafts!! Click on the flier for the website and more info! Directions below:

From 95: 95 N to 395 N (Exit 53) -->

Take Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd exit --> 0.4 mi

Slight left onto MLK Jr. Blvd. --> 2.0 mi

Stay straight to go onto N. Howard St. --> 0.7 mi

Turn Right onto W. North Ave/US-1 N --> 0.1 mi

Left onto Charles St. --> 0.7 mi

Right onto E. 27th St. --> 0.1 mi

Right onto St. Paul St. --> 0.1 mi

Arrive at St. John's Church <--

Beardtober Remembrance

2008-11-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

I came across these beauties on Etsy today from i made you a beard. I thought they were amazing. She also has a blog.

1st Anniversary Weekend

2008-11-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

Jay took me to a beautiful bed and breakfast this weekend in honor of our 1st wedding anniversary, which is today! We stayed for a night on our way to Charleston to visit some friends and their new baby. I think we're hooked on B&B's now, and will only stay in them on future trips. No more big expensive hotels!! :)
This B&B is called Mankin Mansion and is just outside of Richmond, VA. It is decorated with a 1920s-1930s feel, which I love. Even in late fall/early winter the grounds were beautiful, with a few fountains and vine wrapped arches. They even have a lawn chess set! Our room was the Carriage House and have a big wooden bed, an even bigger old wooden armoir, and a little table with two chairs and a tea set. There is a game room under the main part of the mansion complete with a shuffle board, pool table, basketball game, and poker room. In what looked like "beneath the stairs" space was a pillow room with HUGE pillows and a tv/dvd player on the wall to get cozy and watch a movie. Breakfast in the morning was waffles topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream and strawberries, which is my favorite! Although, with my recent change to no dairy, I scraped off the whipped cream. We had breakfast with another couple from Richmond on a little getaway, and the father of a groom that was getting married there on Saturday. They were all very nice, although the one fellow could have talked a little less about the tragedies in his life and on good things, like his son's wedding! After breakfast we slept for another 2 hours then hit the road for Charleston! I'll post some pictures soon. It really was pretty! Or just go to their website. Looking for a B&B? Check out: bedandbreakfast.com or bbonline.com or iloveinns.com And for the record... I want to open one now. (below is our anniversary cake from Piece of Cake Desserts that my mom thoroughly wrapped in press and seal plastic wrap and put in the freezer for when Jay and I go to Mesa for Christmas.)

The simple joys of life...

2008-11-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

While Jay and I were on our Anniversary weekend getaway, the earrings I have been longing for arrived! About a week or two ago I was informed by My Favorite Things that I won a $25 gift certificate from Lost Button Studio! I love her work and was thrilled that I one something!! So I picked out the Mini Silver Hoops with Interchangeable Glass Charms. When Jay and I got home last night I had a little package waiting for me. Handwritten addresses! I ripped open the package and found a cute little brown box tied with red and white string. Also inside was her business card, which is really cute and multi-dimensional, a magnet and a handwritten note from Jessica, proprietress! So I carefully slid off the string and opened the box to find the cutest earrings I've ever seen!! The metal hoops definitely are mini and quite flexible!! I was wondering how I'd get them on, but I did, and am wearing them now with the little yellow glass charms. It also came with clear and blue ones. I'm so excited about them and suggest that everyone check out her shop! P.S. The first picture is mine, alas, and from my phone. The good one, of the earrings, is from Lostbuttonstudio's Etsy page. I need to carry a camera with me I think.

Continuing the Librarian Theme

2008-11-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

After looking for some cute embroidery patterns I remembered to go to Sublime Stitching. I have their stitch it kit, which is a great starter. But now I want more patterns!!! So while browsing the patterns page I stumbled across Sexy Librarian. Kind of a fun play on the stereotype, but a stereotype nonetheless. "They" say librarians may be quiet and reserved in the library but they go crazy, well, when not at the library. But I say, "Librarians are people too!"

The Return of Bunnicula

2008-11-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

So as I was walking to work from my usual parking spot in the Trader Joe's/Barnes & Noble parking lot, I noticed this bit of graffiti midway up the stairs to the main road. Yes, its a bunny, and yes it says Bunnicula. I don't know if any of you remember the elementary school chapter books called Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe. There's a whole series of them beginning with Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery through Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow, and even learn to read Bunnicula tales. The books have a suggested age range from 8 to 12 years. So imagine my surprise when I see graffiti in Towson that says Bunnicula, and a rabbit. I laugh. Really. Out loud. And then I took a picture. There is a children's book loving graffiti artist out there right now waiting to tag another wall with another favorite children's book.

Librarians in Pop Culture.

2008-11-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

A coworker of mine sent me this picture today. Since I love fashion, even though my own fashion sense is somewhat skewed, and I want to be a librarian, it fits. The model is Abbey Lee Kershaw, and the photo is from Vogue Australia.

I've been working on reviews for my Information and Society class, and thinking a lot about how pop culture influences children. I found over 60 children's books that deal with the library or librarians. Some of them show libraries in a positive light, some of them show shushing, bun and glasses wearing librarians. The books I chose for my review were The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli, who also wrote one of my favorite books, Stargirl. I also reviewed Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and Library Lil by Suzanne Williams (illustrated by one of my faves: Stephen Kellogg-Is Your Mama a Llama, The Island of the Skog, Pinkerton, and Clorinda, to name a few.) I also reviewed The Mummy with Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser, one of my absolute favorites. I love Rachel's librarian character. Yes, she is stereotyped, but she can kick some ass. I was quite sad when The Mummy III came out and she wasn't in it. I do like Maria Bello, but not portraying Evie. ANYWAY, here are my reviews, should anyone care to read them.

The Library Card, by Jerry Spinelli, is a collection of four short stories about four kids and how the library affects their lives. In the first story the library’s role is one of savior. Mongoose finds his way to the library after finding a mysterious blue card. The librarian is kind and all-knowing. She gives Mongoose a book and tells him everything he needs is inside. He loves the book and ends up distancing himself from his delinquent friend. The second story is about Brenda, a girl addicted to TV, and her struggle with TV turn off week. The library again is the savior. She finds herself in the library one night greeted with a welcome home note from “The Books.” She finds her story on the shelf and soon realizes that she needs to start living again, instead of living through the characters on TV. In the third story the library is a sort of comforter to the homeless teenage orphan Sonseray. One hot day he goes into the library to cool off and finds himself sitting in story time. He stays for hours listening as Miss Storytime reads the same book his mother used to read to him. He takes the book as a reminder of her. The fourth story also uses the library as a comfort, and a connector. April runs into a bookmobile on a walk one day and befriends a troubled teenage girl. When the girl gets off the bookmobile, April hands her a library card with her name and address on it. They end up writing back and forth, each being the comfort the other needs.

Library Lion, by Michelle Knudsen, is about a lion who becomes one of the library’s finest patrons. The librarian is portrayed as a quiet, somewhat stuck up woman with half moon glasses and a bun. She is always reminded her employee and patrons of the rules. However, one day when she needs help the lion must break a rule to help her. The one employee, at circulation, tells the lion to leave for breaking the rules. The librarian is saddened by the lion’s disappearance and to make amends the circulation tech goes to find the lion. The lion is welcomed back to the library with the open arms of both the not-so-stubborn librarian and the patrons. Library Lil, by Suzanne Williams, is about an adventurous librarian who braves a terrible storm to bring the TV-less residents of her town books from the bookmobile. As a child, Lil was always read and gained large arm muscles from carrying books. One day a group of bikers come to town and are unhappy about the lack of TVs. They go to the library and challenge Lil that if she can move the motorcycles, they will read a book. She moves them and they all read. They end up loving to read so much that the leader of the bike gang stays in town to work at the library.

The Mummy may seem like any other action movie, but there is hope for the library profession shedding its meek and mild façade. The viewer first meets the librarian, Evelyn, shelving books in the Cairo Museum of Antiquities library. It’s a big library with hundreds of old leather bound books, and wood card catalogues at the end of each row of shelves. Evie wears a long high-waisted skirt, button up shirt with a scarf, round tortoise shell glasses and her hair pulled back into a bun. She is shown as clumsy while shelving books when she falters on her ladder and knocks down the entire library. In order to prove herself she spouts off her talents: she can read and write ancient Egyptian, decipher hieroglyphics and heratic, and most importantly she “is the only person within a thousand miles who knows how to properly code and catalog [the] library.” Of course these skills aren’t why the curator still employs her, it’s because of the contributions her parents made to the museum. When her brother comes to see her with an ancient artifact she explains how she just destroyed the library and was turned down by the Bembridge scholars because she “doesn’t have enough experience in the field.” Alas, a librarian who knows everything about Egyptian history from the many books she has read cannot be renowned as a scholar because she has not worked in the dirt. Is this to suggest that book lovers can’t experience life the same as everyone else? Do they have a disadvantage?
When Evie and her band of adventurers, that include her gambling brother Jonathon and an American rough and tough ex-military man Rick, begin to explore the site of Hamunaptra she uses all of her book knowledge. She knows how to figure out ancient lighting systems, what chambers they explore and who and what is buried there because of her vast library experience. Later, when having a drunken conversation with Rick she states “I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure seeker or a gun fighter, but I am proud of what I am. I am a librarian!” She takes pride in her work, be it cataloguing a collection or researching about ancient Egypt. However, what Evie is most excited about is the fact that she can see and feel the history she has so often read about, and that not everything she read in books was true or accurate. One dig competitor shows contempt for her knowledge and wonders, “what does a woman know?” Evie and her companions use their various skills to defeat the risen mummy and save the world. Not all of the skills used were brawn and trickery; Evie contributed her book smarts and of course her resemblance to an ancient Egyptian queen. The role she plays through out the movie shows librarians a positive and possibly glamorous light. The viewer may believe that librarians get to use their knowledge on great adventures to find mummies and treasure.

More awesome things from Etsy.

2008-10-25T17:50:00.001-07:00

First of all, these hoops are from LostButtonStudios. All of her stuff is amazing. And so is her blog.

Shrinkle
NoseyNest
John T. Unger
SkunkboyCreatures

TheHouseofMouse

Pumpkins and Bananas

2008-10-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

Being my first post in about a week due to coughing fits and stuffy nose, I decided to share something yummy.

My favorite sandwich of the moment:

Pumpkin Butter and Banana

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Butter (I like either Trader Joe's, as seen in picture, or the one from Muirhead (at right)which you can get at Williams Sonoma. The difference is like Volkswagon or Audi, but both are equally good.)

One Banana, just ripe is best. You don't want a mushy banana.

Wheat Bread (my new favorite is Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Bread because it doesn't have high fructose corn syrup.)

Take out 2 slices of wheat bread, unless your making it a double decker. Spread generous layers of pumpkin butter on each slice. Set aside.

Open the banana. Cut in half. Cut of the pointed end of the half. Next slice the half banana into slices long-ways. You want long slices of banana, otherwise if you use little circles they will fall out.

Now put the banana slices on one side of the pumpkin buttered bread. Place other slice on top. Enjoy.

Another amazing combo is Nutella and Banana sandwiches, and surprisingly Cheddar and Banana Grilled Cheese (although I used Soya Kaas cheddar, which was still good!) And then there is always your favorite nut butter and banana!

Take the Walk

2008-10-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

After an amazing night listening to the Hanson brother's fine musical stylings I decided to share some good things. First of all, I was plesantly surprised by Everybody Else being the opening act!

They were full of energy and looked like they were having fun. The bassist was taking pictures of the crowd. (Something Michelle Branch used to do- in fact when she was opening for Hanson!) Next was Dave Barnes, which grew on me after a couple songs. His blues guitar bits and pieces were a nice save for the all over "John Mayer" feel. Could do without slap bass. It should be illegal. Sorry Flea. After waiting for about 45 minutes for all of Hanson's goods to be properly set up and ready, they came on to ear piercing screams. Not as bad as past concerts, everyone is a bit older now, and not so high-pitched. They played for a good hour and 45 minutes I think. Two breaks, plus oncore. The classic Hanson acoustic set, of course, with a preview of a new song that's being released with their book Take the Walk. The song gave me chill bumps. Very intense and heart wrenching. The guys went to South Africa to record The Walk and have been involved with a few charities since, trying to help the kids there out. On The Walk Around The World Tour they've been doing mile long barefoot walks in each tour stop. Unfortunately I didn't know, otherwise I would have skipped out of work to join in! (I'm out of the Hanson loop) For every person that walks with them they donate a dollar to one of the charities they're involved in. The book, Take the Walk, is about their, and other's, involvment in the various causes to help children and adults in Africa. Hanson also has teamed up with TOMS shoes to create a pair of "The Walk" shoes. TOMS donates a pair of shoes to children who need them for EVERY pair sold on their website. They have yearly shoe drops, and recently added a feedbag effort too.

They played a lot of songs from their newest album, The Walk, but mixed in some old favorites like Where's the Love and A Minute Without You. Encore was If Only, of course, and they did play Mmmbop! I loved Isaac's electric, a custom Taylor I think. Looked like that guitar. Beautiful. He gets better and better each time I see them, all of them. Just love to jam together and their excitement and enthusiasm influences the crowd-- for most of them, some of the girls still yelled "I LOVE YOU!" They're married, ladies.

Through out the show I kept texting my mom and Jay, mom being a big Hanson fan and Jay being a closet Hanson fan. I called them during their favorite songs, but they couldn't make it out. Definitely the best show of the year for me. Yep, THE BEST. Can't wait for a new album!

Midterms and Creativity

2008-10-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

Being in the middle of some intense homework I, of course, was thinking of things I could be doing other than homework. I have some shrunken tank tops that I cannot bring myself to throw away so I am going to attempt a reconstruction of them. I have also been really into fashion of the 1800s and Victorian era, of which both styles generally over lap. Last week I rented the movie version of my favorite Austen book, Northanger Abbey. The fashion in the movie was amazing. I loved the complexity of some of Catherine's dresses made me want to jump in a time machine. Now I know that they're just costumes some modern costume designer created in the style of Catherine's time, but if they had dresses like that I'd go there in a heartbeat. So I will take pictures of my tank top to dress conversions and make a wee tutorial. I just have to get some fabric.

Let our kids make their own decisions.

2008-10-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

This article from the American Libraries news archive makes me very sad. I think libraries should have views from both sides available to teens, but it is the books themselves that are sickening. Gay teens have it hard enough already coming to terms with their feelings and coping with the way their friends and family may be "dealing" with their choices, why do anti-gay books need to be thrust on them as well? Yes, I am up on my soapbox again. I don't know how humanity survived all of those centuries being so closed minded and repressive.

Fall

2008-10-07T06:53:00.001-07:00

As I was walking to work today from my usual mall parking spot I realized how cold it is getting. For some reason I love this time of year, the cold, the colors, the warm drinks. I prefer the cold over the sweaty humid heat of Maryland summer. I suppose I can't say I prefer Arizona summers, because I can't properly remember what an Arizona summer feels like. I do remember the sweaty backs in the black interior of my little Honda Civic, and not being able to touch the steering wheel. I remember the stupidity of trying to save gas by opening my windows and turning off the air. I remember a friend and I riding bikes to the movies only to have her get heat sickness and throw up in the trash can. Of course we still went to the movie. Maybe my favorite part of Arizona summer is the ability to breath, as opposed to the lung filling humidity of the east coast. If I could live in Maryland for the Fall and Spring and Arizona for the Summer and Winter I would be happy. Although there is nothing like the Superstitions covered in wildflowers in the Spring.

Some interesting notes on the Superstitions:

Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel

Lost Dutchman Mine

(PS. that's not my picture. I have to look for some of my pictures. I know I have some that are great pics of the Mesa side of the Mountain.)

Small Wonders

2008-10-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

I get the Etsy Finds emails in my inbox every morning and there's usually a plethora of interesting items to be had on the site. This morning I received one about Halloween... it had Cthulhu in it. Then I got distracted and found the plush, and then wanted to share my absolute favorite crafter on Etsy, TheHouseofMouse! She's from Amsterdam, Holland, so I feel a sort of kinship to her. Plus her mice are just cute! I want a collection!

Cthulhu

by biscuitboy

Sniffy Miffy Couchie
by MayBeMe

Hermione

TheHouseofMouse

Snape Mouse

TheHouseofMouse

Nurse Mouse

TheHouseofMouse

Winter Mice (Gingerbread Mouse)

TheHouseofMouse

Van Gogh Mouse

TheHouseofMouse

Robin Hood Mouse

TheHouseofMouse

Vampire Mouse

TheHouseofMouse

Craig's List as Robbery Decoy Finder

2008-10-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Ok. This is crazy.

Armored truck robber uses Craigslist to make getaway.

Brought to you straight from King 5 news.

The most delicious after "school" snack. Ever.

2008-10-01T15:25:00.001-07:00

As I was looking through the kitchen at what I can eat thinking about how I could never be anorexic I saw the almond butter in the fridge. Then the 2 for $3 apples from Whole Foods. Wala! The perfect combination!!

Apple Nut Butter Snack

1 Honeycrisp Apple

2 tbls. Almond butter (or nut butter of your choice)

Squeeze of honey or agave nectar

Mix the Almond butter and honey in a bowl. Core and cut the apple. Use wedge of apple to scrape the excess butter mixture off the spoon. Eat.

I found out that Honeycrisp apples are a new kind of apple. They're a cross between Macoun and Honeygold apples. They're amazing.

Now jet off to Whole Foods (or your nearest market) and get you some Honeycrisps!!!

OR-- Get Honeycrisps directly from the orchard!! Sorry AZ, they don't ship to you. :(

Pepin Heights in Minnesota seems to have yummy Honeycrisp goods. Wood Orchard Market in good ol' Door County, Wisconsin has some amazing looking jams! Friske Orchards in Michigan has plentiful gift baskets. And King 5 in Washington had an Organic Honeycrisp Apple Sauce and Crispy Mashed Potato Pancakes recipe in the blog, Gardening with Ciscoe.

Banned Books

2008-10-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Last night at the show a man asked me if they still ban books. (I was wearing my "I Read Banned Books" sweatshirt.) I said, "Yes, they do! And actually this week is Banned Books Week!" Then he wanted me to give him an example of a banned book he should read. I told him The Color Purple by Alice Walker. That book has been banned off and on for decades. Now unfortunately I have never read it, but I do like Alice Walker, having read some of her short stories. So I decided I cannot let this week pass by without saying something about banned books.

As a future librarian I think that our kids should make their own decisions on what they believe is right, not have it forced on them. If they want to read a book, then let them! Besides, isn't it the second amendment that states "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Oh wait, wrong one, the FIRST amendment states, " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." That means the freedom of speech, which I see as both spoken and written word. I guess one could take it as anyone can say anything, but that doesn't mean we're going to let our kids read or listen to it.

Also, part of that is the freedom to exercise a chosen religion. That means that Witches are allowed to be Witches, Muslims are allowed to be Muslims and Christians can be Christian. That doesn't mean everyone has to agree, but we're given the right to believe in what we want to believe. Some of the banned books have been banned because of religious aspects, or lack there of. The Golden Compass for example is one that has a strong view against the "Church." In book three of His Dark Materials series, Pullman goes into why the people dislike the Magisterium (church) so much. There are also gay angels, plenty of witches and paralells to the angelic war. However, the series is very thought provoking and a good story. Should it be banned?

Here is a list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2007, published by the ALA.

1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell

Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes

Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language
4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman

Reasons: Religious Viewpoint
5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain

Reasons: Racism
6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,
7) "TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
8) "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou

Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris

Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
10) "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Authors of 2007:

1) Robert Cormier

2) Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

3) Mark Twain

4) Toni Morrison

5) Philip Pullman

6) Kevin Henkes

7) Lois Lowry

8) Chris Crutcher

9) Lauren Myracle

10) Joann Sfar

Other books that have been banned in the past 10 years:

All of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series

To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee

The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

Bridge to Terebithia - Katherine Paterson

The Great Gilly Hopkins - Katherine Paterson

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Mildred D. Taylor
Julie of the Wolves - Jean Craighead George
The Giver - Lois Lowry
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
Blubber Judy - Blume

The Goosebumps Series - R.L. Stine
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L’Engle
American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
A Light in the Attic - Shel Silverstein
Heather Has Two Mommies - Leslea Newman
My Brother Sam is Dead - James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture - Michael Bellesiles

It's All Down Hill From Here

2008-09-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well, not really, but I'm getting into New Found Glory mode. Jay and I and some friends are going to a sold out show at this smallish venue in Towson, well small in terms of having a big name act in town. (http://www.rechertheater.com/) Should be fun and full of bopping pop-punk goodness.
Ruth, a co-worker, gave me the recipe for the Cider Sauce she brought in for the pancakes last Friday.
Cider Sauce
(from Aaron's Acre B&B, Berkeley Springs, WV)
1 cup sugar
2 tbls. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 cups pressed apple cider, the real stuff
2 tbls. lemon juice
2 tbls. butter
In saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in apple cider and lemon juice. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in butter.
Serve on pancakes, or whatever your heart desires!! It's amazing!!
Serious, go make it. Right now. Don't have the ingredients? Go to the market. Don't have a stove? Build a fire. I'm serious!

Weekend Recovery

2008-09-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend was packed full of craziness. I attempted to go to the Baltimore Book Festival, which would have been great had it not been pouring the whole time. And to top it off I was wearing an off-white skirt and cloth boots, poor choices when raining. My poor boots are still drying, but I may attempt to put them in the dryer for a bit. The book fest was promising, but alas most of the goods were covered by plastic. The Radical tent was packed full of anti-war, vegan, equality for all publications. Red Emma's was there with vegan baked goods and coffee. Indypendent Reader was there also with copies of their newsletter. It really would have been fun if it wasn't pouring. However, I did have fun walking around in the rain with my female authors umbrella. A reporter took a picture of it, but I don't remember which paper.

Jay and I had fun with the cousins, as usual. Played Mafia, one of the best games that can be played one you're a kid and as an adult. I'm horrible at it.

One game that every one should learn how to play is Rook.

Rook was an Otte family tradition, and my cousins and I would get really fired up over it.

While on the subject of games, this was a childhood favorite of mine, and I'm determined to find it again and play. Tales of the Crystals was the best role playing game for young girls, ever. I still remember playing, I think I'd play with my stuffed animals. Sometimes actual friends. Maybe that's why I want to play Dungeons and Dragons at some point. I'm determined to find it online somewhere.

I'd love to find out what every one's favorite games were as children. There is something about watching kids play that's mesmerizing. They're so creative.

Check out the links on the right... Book Fest and Games

More amazing pancakes!!

2008-09-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

Sarah, the fabulous veg cook in the office, made these pancakes in honor of Chris's birthday. The cookbook she used was The Vegetarian Epicure by Anne Thomas. http://www.vegetarianepicure.com/

Simple Breakfast Pancakes

1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour

1 tbs. sugar

1/4 tsp/ salt

1 tbs. baking powder

3 eggs, separated

2 cups milk

1/4 cup melted butter

Sarah's addition- tiny bit of vanilla extract

Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Beat the egg yolks with the milk and melted butter, and stir into the flour. Beat the egg whites until they are fluffy, but not dry, and fold them into the batter.

Heat a large skillet or griddle and oil it lightly. Drop the pancake batter on by large spoonfuls and brown nicely on both sides. Serve immediately with butter, syrup or honey, jelly, yogurt, or whatever. Fresh fruit (I brought Strawberries and Bananas!) aand yogurt are especially recommended for a festive and satisfying breakfast. Serves 3-4. (Sarah multiplied it by about 3 or 4 to feed our pancake devouring library workers!)

Ruth made some delicious Cider Syrup. I'm going to have to get the recipe from her! Enjoy!

Rainy days and Pancakes

2008-09-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

I knew when I woke up this morning that today was going to be great. The light coming in through the window was darker than the usual yellowy glare and I knew it was cloudy and, Oh!, maybe raining! Normally I would have been annoyed that I hit the buzzer 20 times before I fell out of bed, but when I walked outside and felt the cool damp air and saw the dark greys of the cloudy sky I was happy. Its good to have those little things that just brighten your day. Especially when they're things that could have the potential to ruin it. I could be having a real crappy day but when I see the dark clouds my mood lightens. Its like the negativity is being evaporated right into the sky to form the rain.

This morning at work we all got together to make pancakes as a surprise for a coworker. Instead of a birthday cake, its birthday pancakes. I found this recepe from Williams-Sonoma.com that sounds amazingly delish! I think it would be good without being shaped like gingerbread people!

Ginger Spice Pancakes
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups milk, plus more as needed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbs. crystallized ginger puree

Directions:
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, butter and ginger puree until blended. Make a well in the flour mixture, add the wet ingredients and fold together gently just until no lumps of flour remain. If the batter is too thick, fold in 1 to 2 Tbs. milk as needed. Preheat an electric griddle to medium heat. When a drop of water flicked onto the surface sizzles and evaporates quickly, the griddle is ready. Spray the griddle and gingerbread-people molds with nonstick cooking spray. Set the molds on the griddle and preheat for 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon 1/3 cup of the batter into each mold, using a spoon to spread the batter evenly to the edges. Cook until bubbles form on top and the pancakes are golden underneath, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the molds, flip the pancakes over and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer the pancakes to a warmed plate. Wipe the molds clean, spray with nonstick cooking spray and preheat. Repeat with the remaining batter. Makes 10 to 12 pancakes.

Bloggy McBlog Blog

2008-09-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

So I decided I want to blog. I think it would be good for me. I can branch out, meet new people, get things off my chest. I want to be more crafty and use that as therapy, but being a Library Science student I don't have much time. But you know what!? I'm going to make time!! We have to make time for things that make us sane, especially in our busy go go go nonstop world. I know I've tried to start blogging through out the year and then kind of fell off the wagon, but no more!! It'll be like a daily journaling exercise! So here's to new adventures!

New Beginnings

2008-07-10T09:25:00.001-07:00

I decided instead of just posting my dolls, which have there have been two of, I'm going to share my writing. The reason I want to share what I'm writing right now is so I can learn from everyone. I have ideas but not always sure how to play them out. The best way to learn is to do it and let it out there for everyone to see. So please, give me your feedback, critique me, yell at me, agree with me, what ever you like!!

You want to give me a good home?

2008-04-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

I posted Delilah on etsy but I believe a kind woman purchased her within minutes! My next doll is a nice little girl for someone's niece!! I can't wait to create a cute little brown-eyed girl!

2008-04-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

All finished! finally! My name is Delilah, Free Spirit!!

Back from the Fabric Store!

2008-03-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

Look what we picked out! Nice browns! We got a pretty brown pattern with greens and pinks for my skirt and brown knit for my tee-shirt. And my shoes are going to be EcoSpun felt!! It's made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles!!

2008-03-30T14:36:00.001-07:00

I am ready for some clothes!

First and foremost...

2008-03-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

As I become a budding doll maker and crafter in this giant world of wondrous craftiness, I decided I wanted to have a blog. I've noticed most crafters have one, and of course i'm one of the sheep who will follow the lead sheep over a cliff. I don't see a cliff yet, just some nice yummy extra green grass, and I think there is a spring making faint bubbling noises to my right.

My hope is to make beautiful Waldorf dolls, but not your average Waldorf dolls. The first two are my Emo dolls. I'm thinking of names for them. For Miss Emo I thought of Phylicia and I'm still thinking of Mr. Emo's name. So, I believe sicne Phylicia will be older, she gets to go shopping and to the salon first. I will post pictures of our soirees when they happen.

I'm very excited about all of this, and I hope you feel it and enjoy it!!