the house that mrs. duff built

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 18

2010-06-04T06:00:00.001-07:00

i'm a radio head

Corporate Summer

Wednesday not Tuesday

knight rider

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 17

2010-05-28T07:41:00.001-07:00

Juniper Gold

Betty Draper

tired grey garden

a hoy hoy

Asia

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 16

2010-05-21T05:29:00.001-07:00

Photobooth

Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah Roma Roma-ma GaGa Oh la-la

oui oui

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 15

2010-05-14T05:56:00.001-07:00

Friday 2

Rain Garden

Marc

The Gray Explorer

Monday Monday

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 14

2010-05-07T07:39:00.001-07:00

newsprint

Caribbean queen

stars & strikes

select comfort

declaration of Indiana

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 13

2010-04-30T05:49:00.001-07:00

1992 Sassy

Blueberries & Cream

Allotrope of Carbon

Creative with a tie

1984 Line Dance Competition

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 11/12

2010-04-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

99 1/2

sky screamer

your majesty

High on Life

Workin' 9 to 5

Spring Cowboy

Primary Outfit

Nightmare Before Christmas Twins

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 10

2010-04-09T05:53:00.000-07:00

black mamba

ornamental way

Nadia Nautical

Dark Southwest

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 9

2010-04-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

dame edna

shunned daughter

sleepy eyes

Ms. hannigan

on moth's wings

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 8

2010-03-29T05:27:00.001-07:00

Women in Rock

Queen Anne's Boots

Sneaky Snake

Arizona Garage Sale

shhh shhh hide! someone is here!

2010-03-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Growing up in "rural Lindstrom" had its advantages but mostly, disadvantages to us kids.
We lived too far out. None of our friends were really close by - maybe 1/2 mile but Cty Rd 14 was too dangerous to ride our bikes on.
Half of my little kid life was spend in town. I was able to ride my bike around, play with the neighbors, go to Big Scotts, Dairy Queen - thinking back, both of my parents worked very close by - probably the perfect location, at the time.
We moved out to the house when I was in 2nd/3rd grade. I picked out the carpet and the border for my room - dusty rose - best choice EVER. Things were going great. We had acres and acres of woods to play in, a river - OUR river to fish and throw stuff into - it was perfect.
One summer day - maybe a year or 2 after moving in - on our way back from the sitters - Brendan, Bridget, Mom and I got home and noticed something was off as we pulled into the driveway. Little Bob - our inside cat - was outside.
Well. that's weird. As we parked the car mom noticed the garage door leading into the house was busted open.

We had been robbed.

I don't remember the sequence of events because in reality, it was incredibly traumatizing. I didn't understand why robbers would come to our house! I remember looking around and seeing the mess they made; they threw Kool-Aid all over the couches and the off-white carpeting, threw pickles everywhere. They stole my piggy bank, our microwave (funny enough, that thing was HUGE back then - I am estimating about 100 pounds and about the size of a mini fridge...) our TV, VCR, camcorder...tons of things.
The only things I vividly remember from this event was 1) Little Bob was outside and Garage KiKi came inside 2) My mom's smashed coffee mug near the sliding doors in our dining room. I held it in my hands and broke down crying 3) Tom Henkel's Dad came to investigate this (he was the Sheriff's Deputy at the time) and his name was Dan just like my dad.

For a long time after the break in, I was unable to sleep over at a friend's house. I was scared - I felt vulnerable. I hated when my friends fell asleep before me. I would go over with all intentions of sleeping over and end up calling my mom or dad at 10-11pm to come and get me - heading back to the scene of the crime - strange but being at home felt safer than being somewhere else.

My parent's got a shitty alarm system - probably purchased at Hardware Hanks and told us "NEVER ANSWER THE DOOR WHEN WE ARE NOT HOME". Fair enough. We didn't get many visitors out where we were. Someone's car broke down and needed to use the phone, Jehovah witnesses...just randoms visitors.

One day in middle school, I forgot my clarinet on the bus. Nice Matt Dummer - not even 5 minutes after I got dropped off - came to my house to drop off my clarinet.
The doorbell rang. I hid in the bathroom - I was home alone. I hid...for a long time until he left - leaving my clarinet on the porch. He asked me the next day where I was - seemed strange that I just disappeared. I told him my mom picked me up and we went shopping.

To this day, my brother, sister and I all run and hide when someone comes to our door that we are not expecting. I make DD answer the door at our house - even if I can see its a little kid. My brother told me once he ignored the door for a long time at his townhouse and then looked out to see an old man waiting with a cane. He went and answered the door.

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 7

2010-03-19T05:49:00.001-07:00

walking on a dream

Funday

an Irish sailor

as corporate as i get

close up of necklace (made by me)

technicolor weird science

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 6

2010-03-12T05:34:00.001-08:00

Harry Potter's Uncle

Classy Fox Hunt

Sting like a Bee

Sound & Vision

Mississippi River Mermaid

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 5

2010-03-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

Lumberjack Wife

metadata

Stripped of my Stripes

Frilled Neck Lizard

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 4

2010-02-26T05:48:00.000-08:00

Winter Garden Party Closeup

Winter Garden Party

Adriana Jones

Ring of Fire Closeup

Ring of Fire

Geometrix

Blueberry Hill

Gratuitous Outfit Post 4

2010-02-19T06:17:00.000-08:00

GRAYSCALE

TUXEDO

BELGIAN FLOWER

BILLY OCEAN (Caribbean queen)

PRESIDENTIAL

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 3

2010-02-12T06:03:00.001-08:00

Motorcycle Boyfriend

Witches & Sundries

Dewey Decimals

Fashion your seatbelts

Wife of Worcestershire

Gold dust woman

Auntie Em

Monochromatic Monday

Gratuitous Week of Outfits 2

2010-01-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

Navy Brown

Scientific Secretary

Scarf of a Different Color

LAYERS

Dynasty

the mall of america

2010-01-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

The summer before I started 6th grade (1992) all I could think about was going to the Mall of America. I saved newspaper clippings, watched news stories - I was SO THERE on August 11th when they opened the doors. I planned to go with my life time friend Dan who used to live next to us when we lived behind the Dairy Queen (unfortunately her house was demolished to make way for the beautiful parking lot that now can be seen today - my dad still talks about the egg rolls her grandma used to make - think Kinhdo but better).

We were pen pals. Wrote letters about the big day. What we would wear. How we would do our hair. The plan was for me to go stay the night with her family in the cities and we would head down and go s-h-opping! The only mall I had ever been to before that was Pamida in Forest Lake and maybe the Maplewood mall (was it open then??)

I made lists of stores. Esprit, County Seat, Speigel, Daytons .. high end places I wouldn't get to visit unless I lived in LA or New York. Surely my mom would give me a hunk of spending money! I would look so awesome my first day of 6th grade.

And then August 11th came and went. I can't recall why it didn't work out. I am sure it had something to do with driving at night (mom & dad) or getting trampled (mom & dad). Later in my High School career I threw out the clippings and snorted.

And now, thinking back I cannot remember the first trip I took to the MOA but I do remember going there a lot with Lisa's family. One specific time was for her birthday.

At her birthday party, we also ended up staying the night in a hotel near the MOA. We went to Rainbow foods at 11pm for something - snacks?? ice cream?? and I was in shock over the amount of people that were shopping at that time of night - there were CHILDREN out for Christ's sake. Shouldn't they be in bed?

The next morning we got up bright and early and went to the mall deciding to meet by Snoopy's water dish in the amusement park. Surely we were there for HOURS. I can remember buying some scented oil at the Body Shop (one of my favorite stores on Earth at that time), a shirt with hippie stuff on it, black and white striped knee high tights (the junk yard store with the car out of the front near the food court?? AWESOME), and probably something at Musicland because buying music was awesome (but not spending $20 on a CD - wowsa).

Unfortunately throughout my life, the MOA has become less of an attraction and more of a hinderance but David and I have it down to an art; we know where to park and where our stores are in proximity to where we parked. Most times we are in and out within 30 minutes.

Here's to the MOA - add another sleep pod store.

outfits week 1

2010-01-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

so many, many people blog and post photos of their outfits. I could never make the photo come out super clear and the background wasn't consistent. then, i got the best idea - why not take them at work with my Photobooth on my Mac? OF COURSE.

my goal is to do this every week. i love playing with clothes.

I DRANK LAST NIGHT

RUFFLESTILTSKIN

ARTY TEACHER

FRENCH GIRL

INTERVIEW CHIC

MOTORCYCLE TARGET

The year in review ....

2009-12-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

Everyone else is doing this so I thought, why not?
Memorable events from 2009
Mr. Maynard, our dear guinea pig passed away
Vick & Toots sold a bunch of stuff
Got a new ring to replace my lemon
Went to my first jewish deli with a jew
Was on a bowling league (highest score 194)
My brother got married
David and I did the tour de fat
Had my 10 year class reunion
Got rain gardens at our houe
Saw Flight of the Conchords in concert
Walked with Dinosaurs
Got a Subaru
Saw Fleetwood Mac in concert

Things I learned this year
The right temperature water has to be at to make a kick ass loaf of bread
McDonald's French fries and Potbelly Italian seasoning contains dairy
Beer makes me get an instant headache
I love vodka
I will never plan another reunion
I still hate golf
Although getting some news is hard, your life doesn't have to stop because of it
I married the best man on Earth
Steven could win - anything.

It's the most embarassing time...of the year.

2009-12-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

Growing up, the day before Christmas break was always the best and the worst day for me.
Best day – movies in class, treats, Christmas gifts from friends, no homework …
Worst day – I had to give our bus driver a Christmas present.

My mom, bless her soul, would make sure our bus drivers were thought of as well on Christmas. The drivers were doing us a favor by coming ALL THE WAY out to our house to pick us up; considering we were right on the North Branch/Chisago border. I could never argue that it was their job to do this…

I was handed a gift a few days before break from my mom.

“Here, give this to Jerry,” my mom said holding up a wrapped squishy present which I knew was the requisite pair of wool socks.

“He needs a toothbrush, not socks” I would say. Jerry was a little short in the teeth department.

“Well, they come all the way out here and it’s just socks” mom said as she stuffed them in my bag.

I would forget about the present for days. The wrapping paper would become crinkled and soft. Then finally, the day would come. The day before Christmas eve.

“Did you give Jerry his present yet?” Mom would ask.

“No.” I said.

“Well you have to today – it’s the last day!”

“FINE”

I waited for the bus to come that morning with nervous anticipation. I tried to talk myself into this task being menial and low impact but it was not. This was one of the biggest teenage faux-pas around – pretending you care about the bus driver. Kids would tease me until the ends of the Earth! How could my mom do this to me?

I shakily sat down by the couch and looked out the window for the bus. Listening for its diesel rattle of the bus to come over the County road 14 bridge. And soon I did hear it.

“Ok. Leaving now” I said as I got up and walked out the door.

“DON’T FORGET THE PRESENT!” Mom said.

As I walked down the yard, the slow decent to hell, to the end of our driveway I watched the bus turn around and it’s door entering my line of sight.

“Oh GOD. Oh god….”

The bus door popped open and I saw Jerry’s toothless smile.

I walked up the stairs and gave Jerry the present unsure if my words were

“Merry Christmas”
or
“My mom wanted me to give this to you”

I stormed to the back of the bus to find that no one cared or saw that I gave our bus driver a Christmas present.

I still get nervous to this day about the Holidays. I am unsure if lingering from these events or I am scared my mom will mail me a pack of wool socks to give to my metro transit bus driver which I believe would be considered a death threat and the authorities promptly called.

I have this addiction....

2009-11-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

I love, love thrift store shopping....so tonight when David and I were running around, I saw a new thrift store had opened in our neighborhood and said "you know we are stopping there on our way back right?"
I have dreams of finding another vintage Dior skirt (yes, I have found one before) or a vintage Coach purse accidentally marked for $5 (yep. that happened too).
I would rather thrift store shop than any other kind of shopping. I can find amazing things for a little amount...
And because I find such great treasures I felt it was time I started posting them to keep a log of sorts.
Tonight at the Arc Value Village I found; a bird cage, a pair of hammered silver earrings, a vintage tie, a vintage clutch purse and a vintage dress. the total was $13.98.

peeing in public

2009-11-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

In middle school, Rachelle, her mom and I would often take day trips to the “big city” to find treasures at thrift stores, Ax Man hardware store and of course, Ragstock - the Mecca of alternative apparel in the early 90s.
We traveled around midtown, uptown, downtown and North Minneapolis – with the prompt, often, from Chelle’s mom stating “lock the door” if we were getting into a shady neighborhood.

After finding an incredibly great panda purse at Ax Man that was probably included in a kids ‘beauty’ kit in the 1970s, we were off to Ragstock.

We parked relatively far down on University Avenue. We started walking past African beauty supply stores, Asian grocers and finally - FINALLY making it to Ragstock. My heart was beating so hard. I had seen advertisements for clothes at this amazing store – not knowing what to expect, I expected it all.

We walked in – the store smelled like musty basement mixed with incense. Loud music was playing over the speakers. Luscious Jackson? L7? It had to be The Edge, whatever was playing. The best radio station around.

My fingers flitted across the flannels, cartoon t-shirts, crinkle skirts, crocheted vests, baggy skater jeans, sunglasses, tights –Oh. My. God.
I could have slept there. Lived there. Please, don’t make me choose – I only have $50! I want more!

Luckily I had time to decide. Chelle’s mom is notorious for taking her time – this was the one place I could bare to stand for more than 1 hour. I got lost in the directly imported Kimonos wondering if I could get away with wearing one of them to school. I slid hangers from one side of the rack to the other, looking for the perfect shirt that would encompass me and my aspirations to be … well, I don’t know what.

I cannot remember exactly what I came out of there with but I know eventually I had in my possession a few vintage shirts, sweaters, a Mr. Bubbles t-shirt, a pair of bellbottoms and a pair of white Kurt Cobain glasses.

On our way back to the car, Chelle’s mom realized how bad she had to pee and pulled us into the African beauty supply store looking for a bathroom. While she tracked down a clerk, Chelle and I smelled the oils, looked at the fake hair and were pulled out of the store so quick when it was realized there was not a bathroom available for customers on the premises.

“Come on. We are going to Rainbow across the street”Tammy said getting into the car.

Oh. Rainbow grocery store – that sounds OK.
We quickly maneuvered across University Avenue and into the parking lot of Rainbow foods.

Running to the back of the store near the meat section, we finally found the restroom in a dark hallway. It was a 1 stall bathroom with a sink and mirror. Tammy went into the stall while Chelle and I stood over the mirror, primping and putting on lip gloss.
Suddenly the door leading back to the store flew open and a guy in a trench coat came in.
- WHAT! You can’t be in here – this is a women’s restroom!

Mumbles came from the man as he fumbled with his zipper.

The man pulled out his penis and started urinating in the sink right in front of us.

Rachelle yelled “MOM STAY IN THE STALL THERE IS A CRAZY MAN IN HERE”

“What?” she yelled back.

Both Chelle and I ran outside looking for a store clerk to help us. We found a man who worked in the meat department and told him about our experience. From what I can remember, he followed us to the bathroom where he found Tammy in the stall yelling for us and the smell of urine in the sink.

“We weren’t lying - he was here!”

Tammy came out and all of us were shook up about it – mostly Chelle and I. We just saw a grown man’s penis – he could have easily peed on us!

If I didn’t have issues peeing in public before you better bet after this crazy event
that I did for a long time.

I tell people about the guy busting in on us at the Rainbow foods off of University and they say “what do you expect? It’s the ghetto Rainbow?” true. It is.

the night I picked a fantasy baseball team in my sleep

2009-11-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

A certain bunch of us, in high school, considered a certain local family’s basement “the best hangout” (which, honestly I think it was voted that in our yearbook). At any rate, it was THE place to be …. Or was it the ONLY place to be – meaning there weren’t too many other places to hang out. I’m guessing the latter.

When in doubt, head over to the Wallendas*! You knew the guys would be over there playing James Bond on N64 or having some weird ping pong tournament that involves running around the table a few times before you could hit the next ball (I swear this happened). Most of us were there in hot pursuit of a boy which, if we could hold their attention long enough from the glowing screen of glory (aka TV) maybe we would sneak a kiss or go into the woods for a long talk about how we wanted our relationship validated and they really could care less.
It was the summer leading up to my junior year of High School and miraculously, my family was going out of town for a whole weekend. My mom left me a detailed list (about 2 pages double spaced) of things TO DO and things NOT TO DO.

TO DO
Load dirty dishes into dishwasher – please put bowls on top rack.
Feed Nikki 1⁄4 cup of wet food in PM.
Fold load of towels and put away.
Be back by 1am – we will call!

NOT TO DO
DON’T SMOKE IN HOUSE
Don’t drink alcohol (we know how much is there!)
Don’t have a party
Don’t light any candles

The list went on and on. Some of the things my mom listed NOT TO DO I had thought of combining to make a huge NOT TO DO faux pas – “oh! Don’t make a giant fort and light candles and smoke and drink beer in it? But MOM! That sounds super fun!”

I actually hated when my family would leave because I had huge issues (still do, kind of) with staying home alone. My house got broken into 2 times growing up and my sense of safety was down to almost nothing so I, more often than not, would invite a few friends to stay the night (Jackie, Megan, Tom & Chelle etc). My parents often knew that people would sleep over but I had convinced them it was for safety, not for a party (kind of…)

This particular weekend, a few people had stayed over on Friday night but I had yet to find anyone who could stay the night on Saturday. I wasn’t too worried about it – Nikki, our Sheltie was there with me. Granted he wasn’t too threatening but at least a warning system if someone tried to get in (along with our Brinks security system) .

I ended up going over to the Wallenda’s that night and lo and behold, his parents were out of town as well leaving the 2 Wallenda’s brothers to hold down the fort. That night they had a bonfire down by the lake (no this isn’t the story where Kunz starts the dock on fire) that involved heavy, heavy drinking that led to screaming Insane Clown Posse lyrics at the top of their lungs while us girls sat and stared in horror/amazement/love?

At this particular party, there were a lot of upper classmen. This changed the dynamic but only slightly. Our age boys were less likely to stick around if upperclassman so-and-so was there hogging all of the Hot 100 or Blue 100 or Everclear (HOW COULD YOU GUYS DRINK THAT!!) Although the majority of the hard partiers stayed, some left. I chatted with a few upperclassmen about their college plans while they interrupted me to sing along with TuPac or ICP. I had to keep in mind that I had to be home by 1am for my parent’s phone call. I ended up barely dragging myself out of there with drunk dude (my age) in tow.

“Ju-just letme walkyou to your car”
- Oh I don’t really need any help but ok.
“hey. Hey listen. Lets have a smoke? The driveway is like Jurassic park”
- Yeah. Its crazy. Remember when Miller drove TJ’s car into the marsh? That sucked”
“DUDE. I know.”

We get to my car and finally after 15 minutes of making out, I unfortunately had to go.
- I have to go home! My parents are calling me.
“well come back after you talk to them”
-Maybe.
“Come on! Party time here”
I told him I would when in reality I was tired and just wanted to go home and sleep.
I got home shortly before 1am received the phone call my dad who, by the sounds of it, was sleeping and had probably set an alarm to call me.
“Toots, you home?”
- No I am not.
*Laughs “ok well we will see you around lunch time tomorrow”
- sounds good.

I started my nightly routine of washing my face, putting on my zit cream and crawled into bed.
After 2 hours of being asleep, the phone rang.
I picked it up, hesitantly
- Hello?
“DUDE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” (upperclassman I had talked to earlier that night calling from the Wallendas)
- Picking my fantasy baseball team – what do you think I’m doing?
“Oh really? Do you have Ken Griffey?”
- Of course! And Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez (I kept up on my baseball seeing as so many of my loves were baseball players).
“Well do you need help? We are going to come over”
- Who is we?
“Me and Wallenda (younger)”
- Ok.

As I hung up the phone I wondered why this upperclassman decided to call me. He was an acquaintance, at best. But took it as a weird occurrence – he knew my parents were out of town and who doesn’t love to drunk dial? But to actually go through with driving out to my house? doubt it.
I got up and made myself presentable for the hour it was (2:30am).
I turned on the TV and started to fall asleep again - waking up pounding on the sliding door.

“HEY! COME OUT FOR A SMOKE!”

I wasn’t breaking the rules. I wasn’t smoking inside. Hehe.
They hung out for a few hours – eating chips, watching TV. Then they took off at around 4am. I honestly cannot remember what we did while they were there. I just remember how strange it was to receive a phone call at 2am letting me know that they were on their way over and the fact that I told them I was picking my fantasy baseball team.

It was one of those weird nights where you think – did I see that on a TV show or was that real? More of these weird nights followed throughout my high school career. I think about this one a lot.

*Family’s Surname changed to preserve privacy.

Middle School Dances

2009-07-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I catch a whiff of Aussie scrunch spray or Paul Mitchell's freeze and shine and I am transported back in time; middle school dance.
Whenever I chew watermelon gum; middle school dance.
Whenever i hear Pump up the Jam, any PM Dawn song or and Boyz 2 Men; middle school dance.
I don't know why our expectations were so high. Why we spent more time getting ready for the dance then we did any other time of our lives. My John Caruso steam rollers were used to death. My perfume was spritzed on thicker then ever hoping to lure someone to me. Why did I want to lure someone - I didn't know I just knew it was supposed to happen.
It's all because of you boys. You oblivious boys!
We did it all for you! We loved you so much and all you did was play basketball in the other gym. What about us girls? Huh? Left to our own bitchy devices - gossiping along the bleachers, getting into fights over eyebrows (oh it happened), calling our boyfriends that lived in North Branch from the pay phone...why did you ignore us?
We were beautiful! Our hair and makeup done so right but our clothes (this is what gets me) were gym shorts and a t-shirt!
why? Why did we spend so much time on our face and hair only to put on clothes we wore to bed? I remember one time I even wore a Grant Hill Jersey with sagging white gym shorts - why THAT will lure them in surely. Is that why you didn't pay attention? because we were in gym clothes?
I remember always slow dancing with the same people - never who I really wanted to slow dance with....they were busy playing basketball.... *sigh* Then we would get into fights and run back and forth to groups of girls having the MOST important news ever which was really "Oh my GOD. Did you hear what Andy and Jamie did? No. I am serious. It's totally true" Then our lives would get entangled in the drama the ensued for the next 10 minutes.
Ewww remember when we would have ice cream? I remember the servers dipping the ice cream scoop into hot water to allow for a better scoop and getting totally grossed out.
Middle school dances were better then high school dances. In middle school most of us (i say most liberally) hadn't tried drinking or smoking yet so that made things easy. in high school it seemed to be a starting point for some people. The most important part of the night even. "where are we going to get drunk before the dance? Dude can we go to your house?" or "where can I smoke this cigarette before the dance if they won't let us out of the school?"
Things were easier in middle school. pure, childish, love. plain and simple. love of our friends, getting pretty and boys.

going shopping in 1992

2009-07-09T05:51:00.001-07:00

I LOVE SHOPPING! I don't get to go to the mall a lot because we live so far away. We have places in our town that we can go shopping at but then everyone at school has the same shirt or bag as you do and that is not cool.
I like Big Scotts. They have lots of jokes there- like a fart machine or a fake ice cube with a fly in it. It always smells like plastic inside the store. They have cool school spirit stuff too! Like Green and Gold socks and shirts. And they have the best Halloween stuff.
We also have Edson's which is a more expensive - dressier store. Mom takes me there to get skirts and nice shirts for church.
I like Elly's store even though it smells like perfume really bad. She has funky, cool clothes. I got a really nice band concert dress there that was a baby doll dress with an empire waist.
Sometimes Mom goes down to Maplewood to visit her friend who lives around there or they go out to lunch and then I get to wander around the mall. I am SO ready to spend my allowance. $40 can get you super far! I am like rich!
I mean, I know all the stores I have to go to and lots of times they have sales.
Like The County Seat - I can get a pair of Levis there for $13! Although I really want a pair of Girbauds. Mom said I can order them from Spiegel when my fancy jeans fund gets to be $66.
Then I love to go into United Colors of Benetton - even though I can probably get an umbrella or a little coin purse there but still! I have all of the magazine ads hanging in my room...
Sam Goody has all of the new music that is coming out. Sometimes if I have extra money left over I will buy a CD just to check it out. Their CD prices are pretty good too. I mean $16 for a CD is, like, awesome! Last time I went to the mall I got Sonic Youth -Dirty and it was super good.
I really want an ESPRIT bag but they are so hard to find! Everyone has them at school. Mom said she could make me one but everyone would know it's handmade and trying to fake cool is not cool.
But my most favorite store is the body shoppe! I could stay in there for hours walking around and smelling things. They have the best sales too. I love the lip gloss and the perfume you can get there.
If I go with my friends, they always want to stop into Spencer's to get funny posters and T-shirts. If I got anything there I would have to hide it because it's not appropriate for me. I did get a keychain there that lights up with my name. Except it's not my name, it says SHARON (my best friend's aunt calls me that) it was only $4.
I am totally planning a mega shopping spree when the Mall of America opens this fall. I mean that mall is going to be SO HUGE! I can't wait! There will be stores that are only in California! Maybe then I will be able to find my ESPRIT* bag.

*Note - Erin did get an EPRIT bag but she found it at the shoe store in Lindstrom. It was black and had multi-colored letters. She plans on looking for it this weekend to revive the trend.

10-year reunion just around the corner

2009-07-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

My 10-year reunion is this weekend. It's crazy to think about it really...I have been out of high school for 10 years. I have been out of college for 6 years. wait...yes. Holy crap. I am 28 years old.
30 seemed so far away to me and now it's right around the corner. But I am not one of those people who freaks out over getting gray hairs or turning a year older I mean, it's a part of life. An ugly part of life to some people but not to me. I love aging.
So this weekend I get to see people I haven't seen in person for a very long time. But this begs the question; can we really get a group of people who have ONLY known how to act as children together, to act as adults?

I am tempted to make note cards to hand out to people;
Married - 3 years. Met on internet in 2000. His name is David and he is a Hydrologist for the MN Pollution Control Agency. He is my best friend and the love of my life.
My job - I am editor at Target headquarters in Minneapolis - I have been there for 4 years. I work on packaging (Archer Farms*, Market Pantry, choxie, Smith & Hawken, Boots and Barkley). I make sure things are capitalized and spelled correctly.
*My saying this will inevitably get "Oh my god I love Archer Farms salsa - it's so good" or "why did they stop making the chile grilling sauce?"
College - I went to Duluth for 2 years then transferred down to the U of MN main campus to major in Journalism. I loved it.
Kids? Oh the dreaded question. Not everyone can procreate at the drop of a hat. For some, it takes time and we luckily have lots of it. We are in no rush and know that someday we will be parents. But right now, we are animal parents and love it.
What are you drinking? Vodka Soda with Lime

So for those of you who read this, we can start our conversation AFTER you have learned the information on my invisible note card that I hand to you.

I can't wait to see everyone. I hope it's a successful event. We have spent a lot of time & effort into planning this. Here's to the class of 1999!! See you this weekend!

The Age of Marathons (to the tune of "age of innocence")

2009-05-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

Everyone around me is running marathons. One after another. Line up. Pay your money. Get your shirt and hurt. hurt so bad you can't sit down on the toilet by yourself the next day. hurt so bad your inner thighs have worse rub-burn then going to Valley Fair in jean shorts.

I have never been a runner and probably never will. At first people running marathons upset me. Not because they were doing it but because so MANY people were doing it. And why? I don't get it because I am not a runner nor do I want to understand it.
It's nothing new to me. This does not make it less important and amazing that they are doing it in the first place....just seems like that's the next step. If you are between the ages of 25 and 30...why not? Run a marathon. I know lots of people who are older who run also - Hell David's 60-year old uncle ran one a few years ago...

The smoke is clearing at least for a while. Not too many of my friends are running their first marathon. They are on to their 2nd, 3rd etc. and that is great. Must be super cool to do it over and over again.

But here is my question; what is the next Marathon? What will be the next stage in our lives that EVERYONE will be doing. Buying a cabin? Skate-skiing? I am not there so I don't know but maybe I will be on the next wave of age appropriate activities/goals.

I don't want this rant to sound angry at the people who run marathons. I just don't get it. I do, however, know what it is like to watch people cross the finish line. We watched Rick cross last year and both of us had tears in our eyes.

My favorite poems

2009-04-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

I only have a few favorite poems. I never liked poetry - especially when I was immersed in reading one after another in my poetry class while in college. I didn't learn much from that class but I did learn that when I like a poem I really like a poem. Here are just 2 I hold very close to me. One is an old discovery and one is new.

BREAKFAST SONG
by Elizabeth Bishop

My love, my saving grace,
your eyes are awfully blue.
I kiss your funny face,
your coffee-flavored mouth.
Last night I slept with you.
Today I love you so
how can I bear to go
(as soon I must, I know)
to bed with ugly death
in that cold, filthy place,
to sleep there without you,
without the easy breath
and nightlong, limblong warmth
I've grown accustomed to?
--Nobody wants to die;
tell me it is a lie!
But no, I know it's true.
It's just the common case;
there's nothing one can do.
My love, my saving grace,
your eyes are awfully blue
early and instant blue.

COOK
By Jane Hirshfield

Each night you come home with five continents on your hands:

garlic, olive oil, saffron, anise, coriander, tea,

your fingernails blackened with marjoram and thyme.

Sometimes the zucchini's flesh seems like a fish-steak,

cut into neat filets, or the salt-rubbed eggplant

yields not bitter water, but dark mystery.

You cut everything to bits.

No core, no kernel, no seed is sacred: you cut

onions for hours and do not cry,

cut them to thin transparencies, the red ones

spreading before you like fallen flowers;

you cut scallions from white to green, you cut

radishes, apples, broccoli, you cut oranges, watercress,

romaine, you cut your fingers, you cut and cut

beyond the heart of things, where

nothing remains, and you cut that too, scoring coup

on the butcherblock, leaving your mark,

when you go

your feet are as pounded as brioche dough.

Book covers

2009-03-23T10:02:00.001-07:00

70% of the time, when I go to the library I pick out books based on their covers.
I found this website and am psyched.

macabre (beware)

2009-03-20T10:27:00.001-07:00

I read an article today on CNN about the rising suicide rate in 'suicide forest' located in Japan at the base of Mt. Fuji.
Aokigahara Forest

Before people enter the forest, there is a sign reading
Your life is a precious gift from your parents.
Think about them and the rest of your family. You don't have to suffer alone, call us 555-22-0110

I have been hearing a lot about Japanese people committing suicide and how they often off themselves by taking cyanide pills which are incredibly toxic to everyone around them. They put signs on doors that basically say "i am killing myself please stay away" at least they are polite, right?

Japan has the highest rate of suicide among rich countries.
Some people jump in front of trains! I was just wondering if anyone who has been over there had witnessed anyone offing themselves. I know my cousin has seen it happen - not in Japan but off of the 2nd most popular place to commit suicide; The Golden Gate Bridge.

Sorry to write about something so morbid but to me its so interesting. The thought of suicide has never crossed my mind and to wonder what is driving people, in droves mind you, to do this is incredible.

Funny things those seasons

2009-03-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

It's getting closer to Spring and everyone is talking about it. It's really crazy. I feel like the weather is all people talk about at work, on the bus; it's background Minnesota Nice chatter.
(All said in a MN accent)
"OH Did you hear it's supposed to get up to 46 this weekend?"
"46? NO! I might have to get Dan to clear out that part of the yard so we can get in there"
"OH yeah good idea"

All David and I can think about is our yard. We love, absolutely LOVE our yard. It was a huge selling point of our house. Screw the crappy dilapidated garage and the 1 bathroom with no bathtub - I will take a fenced-in yard in Downtown St. Paul any day.

Planting season is coming up. Last year my garden was a bust. Not only did I plant too many vegetables but we had F*ckin' Bunny ravage everything and F*ckin squirrel take care of the rest. But now we are taking precautionary measures; one being chicken wire around the garden and the other being our dog Cookie. She will get that bunny someday and I am deathly afraid of what will happen. I have tried to talk with David about an emergency plan when she does get it; where will we wash the blood off of her? will this turn her into a murdering animal? where do we put the rabbit? There really needs to be a plan....

I know that both of us cannot wait for Saturdays (our favorite day of the week in the summer) Bike down to the farmers market, get some coffee. come back and make lunch and work outside all day; hang some laundry out. perhaps nap. wake up and grill out and drink until the sun sets.
IT'S COMING!!

GIST's

2009-01-19T06:55:00.000-08:00

01/19/2009

1) Grapefruit
2) Old Friends
3) Clean sheets
4) A full refrigerator
5) Music

take your cat to work day

2009-01-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

I work in an office, for a company that has only 20 employees. All of us know each other very well and all of us have been working together for over 10 years.
After working at the same company for so long you would think it's monotonous, boring but it's not like that at all. We keep things interesting and fun.
Like today, for instance, was 'bring your cat to work day'. Most of us have animals. Some of us are cat people, some of us are dog people. I consider myself ambidextrous in my admiration for both of the species.
The day was set and activities were planned weeks in advance of BYCtWD. Gloria, I would say the most enthusiastic about the event, prepared a schedule for the cats. She also did research on physical and mental abilities of felines and put together a pretty impressive 'presidential physical fitness' tests for our cats to try over the lunch hour.
Most of us have 1 or 2 cats. Some of us have 3 or 4 cats. Only 1 of us has more than 5 cats. Melinda, the company ' cat lady' decided she was going to try and bring in 6 of her 7 cats. The 7th cat would not be in attendance due to his age. Mr. Dimplekiss is 23 and although in good health, could probably die at any moment from any thing.
I brought Gremlin to work with me and left Marzipan at home due to her recent bladder infection. I felt what she needed most was some rest at home.
The cats were brought in right away and their kennel doors were left open for the adventurous ones to go out and see our wonderful office. Not a single one ventured out. We coaxed and cooed - pulled out toys and treats. All of the cats stayed in.
Melinda's 6 cats stayed in their kitty hut, all on alert but none outgoing or curious enough to come out.
The more we discussed the oddity, we came to realize that really, having this many cats in the same space would be pretty intimidating - I mean there were 21 cats in the office building at that time. A lot to deal with when the cats were used to being kings and queens of their castles - why would they want to give that up now?
Noon rolled around and a few cats slowly slinked out of their kennels and sat on their owners laps. Gremlin got out and sat in between the computer monitor and the keyboard; his favorite spot at home.
Gloria sent out an email and announced her decision to cancel the presidential physical fitness competition because the lack of interest on behalf of the cats was quiet appaw-ling which I thought unfortunate because I knew Gremlin was a shoe-in for the vertical jump and for the laser pointer shuttle run.
Lunch time rolled around and as we pulled out our lunches a fire alarm sounded. Apparently someone forgot to tell us about the fire drill that was scheduled. We decided to leave the cats where they were seeing as how they weren't doing too much moving anyways. The drill lasted a total of 10 minutes. As we entered the building and back into our office we could see that things had taken a dramatic turn.
TO BE CONTINUED....

GIST

2009-01-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

I read on another blog I follow the importance of Grace in Small Things...
Check out a synopsis here
http://www.schmutzie.com/2008/11/grace-in-small-things.html
The blogger has resolved to post a few GIST's everyday for a year.
Although I do not think I can be that devout, I will share some when I think of them...

01/15/09 GIST

1. My husband - David is my soul mate. I cannot bear to think about living with out him. I love him more than anything in the world.
2. My animals - I love all of them. They are my answer to kids for hounding friends and family. They love me unconditionally and each one adds a different personality to the household.
3. Good coffee
4. Fleece socks
5. Staying in - I love staying in especially when it's this cold. There are so many projects to do around the house, things to bake, cook, paint...
6. Ayurvedic soap

My life is 30% better...

2009-01-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after chatting with my coworkers about fun bus rides, I learned you can download free podcasts from American Public Media.
You have NO idea how excited I was to get home and check it out.
After dinner and burning my first photo emulsion print (OMG totally worked!!) I sat down at the computer and just about gnawed my hands off I was so excited. Free. Completely free and guilt free as we are MPR members....
It makes riding the bus fun. I can listen to Sound Opinions or The Splendid Table and crochet or just look at all the crazy people on my bus.
Thanks Scott H for this tid bit of information....

16 things about me you might not know...

2009-01-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

1). When I was younger I wanted to get married to Michael Jackson
2). I love watching people play video games.
3). I am afraid of vomit.
4). Sometimes I sleep with socks on my hands.
5). I am obsessed with the Agatha Christie "Mystery!" series on PBS.
6). I am in constant wonder of what my butt looks like to other people.
7). I hoard books of all kinds.
8). I can't go to sleep with dirty feet.
9). I hate taking medicine.
10). I'm a lightweight and it doesn't take a lot to get me drunk.
11). Sometimes I miss smoking cigarettes.
12). I am very happy we do not have children (now).
13). I think that I have the best husband in the world.
14). I want a half-sleeve tattoo in a bad way.
15). I wish I could skateboard really well.
16). I wear knee-high nude pantyhose when I wear dress shoes.

craft spectacular

2008-12-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

For a few years I have wanted to start screen printing and the past few months it has become an obsession. Even more so now that I finally have a screen printing kit.
I have also fallen deeply in love with Blick's art supply store in Rosedale. I didn't take many art classes in college. The one I did take, Art fundamentals (Art for the mentals) was amazing! My teacher was a sculptor and he let us listen to Bjork and Radiohead while we worked (PERFECT!)
I wish I did take more art classes - to me, that isn't homework or even work!
Maybe I missed my true calling or maybe I can finally catch up to it.
The small business I have with my mother (vicktoots.etsy.com) is beginning to gain speed and acquire more products and we are hoping to show at our first craft fair at the end of January. I am taking this pretty seriously - I know how to package things and make things pretty to sell. My mom is very good and pumping products out and hopefully now with my screen printing kit, I will be contributing more also. Justifying $70 for 500 professionally done hangtags to my mom was not easy - but she will love them when they come in!

It's been a long time...

2008-12-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

No. I will not give up.
I will not delete this blog.
There are too many things that I want to share but apparently reading other's blogs and not sharing is how I roll.
Here.
This is how I describe and want my life to be. This apartment therapy house/apartment tour is so inspiring to me.
http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/020708moniquetour

Sigur Ros (with an accent over the O)

2008-10-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sigur Ros recently had a show in Minneapolis. My hairstylist mentioned going and my question to her was "well, what do you do while you are at the concert? Knit? Read a book?"
Sigur Ros, I am sure, puts on a great concert but I am leery of the 'experience' you will have while there. To me, their music, again I will say straight out that I totally dig the music, is background music at most. AT MOST. You could probably safely play a Sigur Ros album in the background while playing another album over the top of it without any significant sound problems.

David and I have been laughing about what it would be like to attend the concert...or joke about going to one in our PJ's.

Yeah I will put that lipstick on you pig

2008-09-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Jesus. Everyone is freaking out because Obama said something about "putting lipstick on a pig blah blah blah " - now he is 'smearing' Palin?
Wait...what?
Was I dreaming about a speech she gave about a week ago tearing Obama to shreds for a whole 20 minutes?
I'll show you a smear...you don't use that colorstay lipstick do you? the stuff the Beyonce Knowles it all uses??

Riot Police in my own backyard

2008-09-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

I will say that this week has been the most interesting on record...in many ways.
I live in St. Paul - about a mile from downtown and about 2 miles from the Excel center where the RNC was taking place this week.

Commuting SUCKED. Luckily I ride the bus to work into Minneapolis and in the mornings it wasn't bad at all. On the way home, however, was horrid. On Wednesday in downtown Minneapolis, the Rage Against the Machine concert was getting underway just as I was "trying" to head out. Police in riot gear, on horses, motorcycles, bikes - you name it. It looked like a fucking war zone. And maybe to them it was.
Although this was scary, it was kind of cool to think about all these people coming together to effectively "Rage against the Machine" just like it was cool/scary to see hundreds of protesters coming at me from the state capitol while I was on the bus yesterday.
Although most of the protests did end with arrests, the majority of the protesters did march peacefully and thoughtfully with their voices wanting to be heard instead of wanting to smash in a McDonalds window or throw a StarTribune newspaper vending machine through a bus stop shelter.

I am glad I live so close to the action - we were able to bike ride down on Sunday to a block party at a local coffee shop to hear free music and were a part of a crazy dance protest.
Hippies - TOTALLY - but it was so moving to see these people dance without abandon and to move freely without worrying about what they looked like. I started tearing up...GOD I cry at everything.

Every night of the convention I would watch the Daily Show which was broadcast, again, about a mile from my house (JON STEWART COME OVER FOR DINNER!!) and was completely blown away with the things that were said at the RNC. Did you hear Guillani scoff at community organizers? Holy shit! Again, I know he was taking a stab at Obama but geesh there are people out there making a WORLD of difference that are community organizers. How the HELL would you feel if you heard that coming from someone who was supposed to be on your side - taking office, potentially, in a matter of months! That would be like someone saying "Copyediting is a bullshit job and is a waste of time and not even worth mentioning".

The clips that were shown on the Daily Show showcased the myriad of inconsistencies within the speeches and commentary amongst the convention goers and politicians....and surely, there are inconsistencies amongst the Dems also but what I saw made my jaw fly open.

If you can, watch the shows.

I am glad its over...but now I have a surefire way of spotting a Republican - gold buttons on their suit coat.

that darn garden

2008-08-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

one of the most exciting things for me when we moved into our home was the ability to have a garden. I went all out this year and bought millions of plants - 8+ different kinds of peppers, 8 tomato plants...it was just ridiculous. I have, fortunately, learned a lot from the tragedy that is my garden right now and am looking forward to a better one next year.

One thing we need to fix is a critter keep-out system. Bunny destroyed my green beans and broccoli. Squirrels continue to eat any tomato that even looks reddish. Things are dying because they are planted too close together - its a mess. This is not to say that I am angry, because I am not. I know now how to make it better and more successful. I know that we will have some awesome compost to start our garden in the Spring. I know that tomato plants need egg shells (calcium) to be happy.

We are still picking plenty of cherry and grape tomatoes and an occasional hot pepper (why we planted so many is beyond me).

Things to plant next year

*green beans (bunnies stay away)
*2 cucumber plants (we have one right now but we could do 2)
* Green and Red peppers (2 of each - thats it)
*2 Jalepenos (bunny ate that one too) and 1 green chile
*2 Cherry Tomatoes, 2 grape Tomatoes, 2 Big Boy tomatoes

New things to try?
*Tomatillos
*beets?

*sigh* again, not upset just thoughtful. I would be upset if we didn't have a kick butt Farmers Market blocks away from us.

Well...what else am I going to do?

2008-04-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Charlton Heston died so I made vegan spaghetti O's....

eeek....too soon?

who dresses up their dog as a pig?

2008-04-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

Of course this is incredibly confidential.
I am in the process of editing some pet Halloween costumes and really, they make me squeal and cry at the same time.
Dragons, Hot Dogs, Bumblebees, Pigs, weird vinyl fetish devils....all of them are coming to a Target near you for Halloween 2008.
These sweet little (and big) dogs were stuck into these costumes to be models for the population of dogs and dog owners....
"oh my god wouldn't sparky look adorable in this Lobster costume?"
Yes m'am. Your Corgi would love it. Please, make sure you get the Lobster hat that goes with it. Oh and don't forget, for kitsch sake, a Lobster bib and a bath tub full of butter that he has to sit next to when you take the photo.
Gimme a break. Is it just me? I mean, really?

all done

2008-03-04T12:04:00.000-08:00

I completed my thing-a-day challenge and did it. It was hard posting to 2 sites everyday...always a step ahead of the next post or idea. I had to fill out a survey after my challenge and was asked "Did you follow the suggested themes for the week/day?" I answered "themes?" I didn't know there were themes! That would have been nice to know.
I still enjoyed it. David mentioned how weird it was that someone did not post a picture of their poop.
Yes, you did make that.
Yep. That's impressive.

I am glad they didn't.

day 29

2008-02-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

I know this is 'cheating' but i posted my last thing-a-day tonight because tomorrow, as soon as I step out the doors of work, we are on our way to South Dakota for a wedding. Here is the basket my husband and I put together for them. It includes the wicker basket, bamboo cutting board, bread knife and homemade whole grain bread.

day 28

2008-02-28T17:16:00.001-08:00

best neck wattle ever.

day 27

2008-02-27T16:53:00.001-08:00

Kids shirt with tree applique. Got to try 2 of my 35 stitches on my new sewing machine. It rules. A critter may be added near the tree at a later time. But for now, I like this.

day 26

2008-02-26T07:17:00.001-08:00

it’s 3 days shy of a month and here I am looking back on my posts and yes I have been productive and creative but I have not posted anything utilizing my one craft that I went to school for or use everyday; writing.

here’s where the tricky part comes - how can I gracefully transition writing about writing to writing about something else? How about I tell you about my crazy bus? (that was easy)

Since moving to St. Paul, MN I have come to love owning a house, having a yard (I am sure I will enjoy this more once I get my garden growing) and being able to place my sewing machine in a stable place e.g., not on the kitchen table when I need it for 5 minutes. But the one thing that I have come to loathe is riding the bus.

I was used to riding the ’suburban bus’ when we lived in Eagan, MN. The seats were cushy. It smelled nice. The bus was always the right temp. And, most of all, the people looked and smelled like me. The commute was a bit longer than I would have liked (40 minutes) but at least I was comfortable and I never had to drive (the bus station was 3 blocks from our apartment).

Before we bought our house, I did a lot of research on buses, shopping centers, libraries etc. to make sure it was the right location (I really need a library within a few blocks of me!) Along with that, I planned my bus route. If I were to drive 10 minutes, I could catch yet another ’surburban bus’ and leave my car at the park n’ ride. But if I didn’t want to drive (which is a lot because of the weather and time) I walked 3 blocks, caught a bus to downtown St. Paul (2 miles away) then caught another bus to downtown Minneapolis (where I work). The commute time was about 35 minutes if my connectors line up but most of the time they don’t. That’s when I end up with the creepers downtown at the bus station.

Everyone knows, no matter where you are in a metro area, the main bus hub is going to be scary. Filled with ‘professional bus riders’ you get your fair share of looks and smells that’s for sure. One thing I cannot stand is stale smoke and unfortunately, when it’s cold in Minnesota, that’s what people do - smoke. All the time. Right before they get on the bus and then save the rest of the cig they can’t finish then sit next to me. Urgh.

Along with the smokers, the buses smell so bad. A city bus smells like feet, candy, smokes and bodies….Indian food, McDonalds, wet dog…I could go on and on.

One of my first days riding the bus, a guy sat next to me, then moved a seat and started saying “Elizabethan” over and over. Yet another morning (6:45am) a lady got on at a stop with a 40oz in her hand - 1/2 full. Surely that isn’t legal. I know there is a site online http://www.bustales.com/ to submit your crazy tales and believe me, if these keep up, which I know they will, you will see my submissions on there a lot.

I can’t crab about it too much though and I try not to because really, it’s nice to have someone drive you to and from work even if the people riding along with you aren’t polished or demure. Plus it’s cheap and is a step in the right direction for the environment.

day 25

2008-02-25T17:36:00.001-08:00

I made this card for my friend who is getting married this weekend. Accompanied by 2 tags which will be tied on the homemade bread I make for her basket. That will be pictured later this week.

day 24

2008-02-24T15:02:00.001-08:00

Here is yet another scarf. They are super easy to make...unfortunately this one is not for me. I made it for my friend who is helping me with some graphic design.
I hope she likes it as much as I do.

day 23

2008-02-23T11:03:00.000-08:00

The moon was huge early this morning. We were driving on a bumpy road - it is the lighter white scribble on the right.

day 22

2008-02-22T19:12:00.001-08:00

I went bowling today. My score was 104 and it was the highest of my group of 8....we were excellent bowlers. Eat your heart out Dude.

day 21

2008-02-21T15:28:00.000-08:00

Pad Thai with chicken lemongrass rolls from Trader Joes.

day 20

2008-02-20T16:13:00.001-08:00

Here is a long skinny scarf that I made that can be a human scarf, doggy scarf or a belt (not pictured but it works).

day 19

2008-02-19T16:25:00.001-08:00

I colored my hair myself!

day 18

2008-02-18T16:57:00.000-08:00

On our 'holiday' I took this photo of my two most favorite boys.

day 17

2008-02-17T08:55:00.000-08:00

We are on a mini-vacation right now and although I am knitting on a project, I have not completed it.
My thing today is not making any plans. This is hard for me because I love to make plans and write lists...but today I am not going to do any of that. It will be great!

day 16

2008-02-16T12:42:00.001-08:00

Peanut Butter Honey Cookies

day 15

2008-02-15T19:20:00.000-08:00

Today my mom and I wrote out a check to the Secretary of the State to register our small business.
It felt really official and exciting.

day 14

2008-02-14T13:08:00.001-08:00

My husband sent me flowers at work for Valentines day.
They ware orchids and they are beautiful.

day 13

2008-02-13T15:58:00.001-08:00

Mom jeesh here it is!

This apron was made from Amy Butler's book In Stitches....

I finished it this morning before I went to work so it still needs to be ironed. I love it.

day 12

2008-02-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

After juicing, you are left with a crap load of pulp. What do you do with that pulp?
We made Sunflower Carrot Granola. A bit moist but keeps great in the fridge and tastes amazing!

day 11

2008-02-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am taking a yoga class today and in lieu of a non-stinky mat, I made some yoga mat spray....

There isn't much to look at considering its a clear liquid in a spray bottle. Here is the recipe

3 Tbsp. water

3 Tbsp. Rubbing Alcohol

10 drops Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Lavender oil

Its yummy.

day 10

2008-02-10T13:16:00.001-08:00

BBQ Apron made for my husband.
I bought the apron itself at a thrift store for $1. It's linen and washes well.
The T-Bone steak, however, I made out of felt and sewed on.
He can't wait to grill...

day 9

2008-02-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

Made my bread for the week.

day 8

2008-02-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

Sushi Bowl from Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson.
Loved this recipe and love this cookbook.

day 7

2008-02-07T14:57:00.001-08:00

Another something for my hubby. This is a crocheted coffee sleeve - obviously to be made for use on a cardboard cup from a coffee joint but this works for show.

Siouxsie, our cat, agreed to be in the photo also.

day 6

2008-02-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

I made my husband a neck gaiter. I bought a fleece scarf from Old Navy (Super on sale - probably cheaper than buying the fabric from a bolt) and now I can make many gaiters and the fleece is better quality.

Steven our dog looks on wishing I would make him a body gaiter...hmmm....day 7?

day 5

2008-02-05T15:40:00.001-08:00

Although I did not personally take this photo, I instructed my husband to go out and do so - I am taking credit.. *snicker*

The light sky at night reminds me of Duluth, MN where I lived for a few years.

Now, all I need is the paper mill smell and I am set!

day 4

2008-02-04T16:24:00.001-08:00

Crocheted neck deal... (warmer? collar?)
There are 2 interior snaps sewn in - the button is purely ornamental.

day 3

2008-02-03T11:24:00.001-08:00

Dijon Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Kale.

This was the first time we made this. It is delicious.

Made with white wine, chicken broth and water for base.

The cork from the white wine busted apart - is it too early to drink?

We say no because it's Super Bowl Sunday....

day 2

2008-02-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Carob Chip Scones.
Num.

day 1

2008-02-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

Here is my first submission for thing-a-day.

I knit a square out of Bonnie Craft Cord to place under my bamboo plant. Before this, I had a ratty washcloth. I think this looks a lot better.

stupid borders closing

2008-02-01T11:18:00.001-08:00

of course i get sucked in by the potential of getting books for 40% off list price.
i run down to borders which is actually about 8 blocks from where I am (in the skyway its like 40 blocks) with my mind set on purchasing Vegan with a Vengence and Vegan Cupcaks....both of which they do not end up having.
I did, however find other awesome books....

Students go Vegan
American Wholefoods Cuisine
the dog says how (new Kevin Kling book)
Family Guy Season 5
The Cook's Essential Kitchen Dictionary
win for my job for sure....there may even be some reimbursement on this one)
and an owl bookmark

It was chaos.
I will post my creation for thing-a-day tonight.
it will be sweet.

on a side note....

2008-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

David and I are taking a trip with Steven up to Duluth for Valentines day. We found this amazing place with a location that could easily be a mainstay for us when we travel up there - which, I hope is a lot more often.
Now I can pretend I live in Duluth - my dream!
http://www.vrbo.com/126745
Maybe I will make something cool with the things I find from the local merchants....thing-a-day doesn't stop for trips.
Good thing we have wireless internet there...

thing-a-day

2008-01-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

Oh my.

Here I am wondering how to get rid of these winter blues that plague me from time to time and stumble upon this site -- an anti-winter blues advocate and a productive one at that!

I am excited!

Check back to see my creations - everyday!