Monday, December 08, 2008

December Sneaks Up On Me!






I wonder if December shows it's self in this sly mode for others?
I seem to feel fall is still with me, and then December comes FAST, and it sneaks up on me!
It totally eclipsed November...Well, I have been pretty busy!

Trying to get into the "mood" for the holiday ahead is hard, when we really don't do much celebrating. Family is 1,200 miles away and it isn't snowing here.

Snow does set the scene doesn't it!

A blessing to distances is...that I never Christmas shop, just write the checks, so that nasty part of Christmas is avoided.

I can see I am sounding rather Scroog-ish!

The knitting has been fun, for we in our group are making another [the last before Christmas] blanket for the Child Crisis Nursery. It's red and green. I have two 8" squares done. The blanket takes 12, and we are all contributing to it. One lady is putting it together. Let's hear it for crochet! I just do plain stuff in knit.

I have a few paper art swaps to complete and some cards to make.

I am sweating the repair of my CPU. It has some serious stuff wrong. I can't get a lot of my scanning done until I get it back on the desk. Sure miss being able to use my printer.
The laptop has it's own printer in Oregon, so I am just waiting to get this feature back on line when the big guy comes home from repair.

I don't realize how much I print, until I have to scribble out [by hand!] paper art ideas and recipes with a pencil!!

Learning to do what I *say to others so I will try to CREATE today!
*Just Do It!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Return Via Fall


Arizona sunsets are especially lovely in the fall.
This card was made to show sunsets, to share with friends in an AZ Stamping group

Perhaps it is symbolic that I would finally return to my blogging in the fall.
I do like this season a lot, as things change not only in weather... but in activities and the return to AZ from OR makes life interesting and different.

All things considered, it was an uneventful but safe and enjoyable trip back to AZ and the only earth shaking thing that had to be taken care of was the unpacking and none of that is new news. This complaining I do every year is about the same. My worst scenario is never really getting things put away "nicely." It seems in the final moment, that tossing is the easiest and speediest way to unpack!

So that is done, except the large amount of stamps that still sit in a box and a large woven basket. They are my reality of life, nothing is ever complete in my studio. I promise it will be better each day, but those stamps mock me!

The kitties and doggy were good travelers and seem to be glad to be home. The cats must live with no outings in the 32 ft. 5Th wheel all summer. Trudy does love her visit in OR, where she can run around with her doggy buddies... but is doing fine here.

Bob completed all his many clean up chores in the out and inside areas. He had the biggest job in the return to AZ, as driver stevedore and yard man.

He is back to bowling, limited tennis, until more players return; exercising and riding his bike.


As many know, I am really working hard on my eating toward a healthy lifestyle. So far the vegetarian with some additional fish /shell fish has been helpful to me and now to Bob too, in our weight loss. I guess that style is called pescatarian.
There are so many good vegetable recipes out there and with commercial faux meats available, it is fun and interesting to plan good meals.

Today it was fish sauteed with a coating of ground walnuts and a bit of flour and spices, peas and carrots and would you believe...oatmeal muffins with baked beans mixed in the dough. These are delish.
Our fresh fruit was marginal. I think fruits are too long in cold storage and then never really ripen properly.

If nothing else the new way of eating has prompted some different recipes to try. We had a very tasty pie...only the filling no pie shell. It was a mock coconut pie, made with cooked spaghetti squash instead of coconut. Basically it is a custard pie. The cooked spaghetti squash needed to be chopped, as the long spaghetti strings were still in tack even after baking. Still this pie is a success and very healthy. Here's a tip: If you make a custard pie, use egg substitute and half Splenda for your sweetener.

My paper arts chores are coming along with some pretty stamped leaves and a wreath to set them onto, as well as a basket theme card that is in the works.

Because I complain wildly about the weather in AZ being too hot in the late spring summer and early fall, I have to give a thank you to Mother Nature, as today is cool, with much lower temperatures. We actually have re installed the electric blanket onto the bed, anticipating cool nights, at last!

Nice to be home and settled in.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Packing for the Summer Escape!

Ah yes, it is time to pack for the "summer escape."

Did you know that Hades is synonymous with Mesa, AZ in the summer?
We would melt here in the summer I think.
[Hope to never have to find out.]
Think of all the AC power we save.

On to Oregon!
This means decisions on what to pack in the totes, yarn, art supplies, clothes.
I am actually cutting way back. We started out with a 5th wheel trailer and then just the large truck with a canopy, then a smaller truck with a canopy and now a Dodge van. Impossible you say? Nope. Cats in their big cage, doggy has her space, totes of supplies, and even my porta potty fit in. The bikes are going too, in a rack that fits on our new hitch!
Bob really slaved getting that attatched !

I have finished my charity knitting and started a cute multi color kid's vest.
I found the yarn at the Goodwill for $1. YAY! I really needed more yarn.

I don't knit on the trip as I am too concerned with the traffic on part of the trip and the wonderful scenery. I love the outback route we take through AZ, NV and CA. So much to see; with awesome mountains and wide open spaces. We have very little boring city traffic. We zip past Vegas and Reno on the outskirting freeways.

This year we have some upgrading in the trailer to do, and will put in a short line to the sewer system. Not fun but much needed.

I am excited to meet this year with a new stamp group that Char heads up. It will be great to get back to the knitting gals that Patti introduced me to last year. So stamping and knitting will not be left out of the summer lazy days.

It seems that the more interests I have, the more lovely people I meet.
See you again soon!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Trying to "Keep Up"

It's hard to keep up.

Life tosses in too many obstacles...anyone else feel that way?

Even cooking a meal you are hungry for often interrups the arty flow!



The doodles are sort of like a muse that keeps callingfrom somewhere in the forest and you hear it, and yet don't have the time to find the path there.
I can get so tied up with any paper art! I've enjoyed adding color to my doodles

The weather in AZ right now is great and believe it or not I actually have been riding my bike. It has been nearly 2 years. The pain from my arthritic hip kept me off, the hip replacement operation and recovery kept me off, and the slight fear of falling has kept me off. But I got on [!] and like they say: "You never forget, once you learn to ride a bike, it stays with you!" I am riding pretty much every day.

Because of our "vacation," from the AZ heat, I have to begin planning my list of what to take to OR. Not nearly as much as before, as I am learning to travel light
I forget there are stores there. Ha!

The next international trip we take, we are toying with the idea of carry-on bags only. Can trip clothes and needs, for two weeks, be stuffed into these?
Help! Any suggestions?

I am rather proud to be working on my fish and veggies only, meal plans. So far so good. There are a LOT of alternate protein sources!

On the table today:
Stuffed poblano chilles...Quorn chik'n, oatmeal muffin mix with chopped olives, extra oatmeal, a bit of Mexican BBQ sauce. This is topped with cheese and a sprinkle of the chopped olives. So far it looks good and smells great.
Baked Hubbard squash and fresh squeezed orange juice.
[No-meat-meal ideas are welcome!]

OTN:
A rather attractive blue beanie hat. Simple with rolled brim in medium blue worsted yarn, some lighter blue: K2 P2 rib rows; then back to the darker blue for the of the hat. I will share the pic, later.

Time to squeeze the AZ Sweets!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

First post in a month, but I am here!




This is my latest doodle.

It has been a long, Gee, nearly a month, since I had time to check in and post.
So many days of computer gazing...which is mesmerizing. The hours fly by!

Knit Report:
I am trying my best to finish and send all my charity projects before we travel to OR for our hide-away from the AZ heat.

One more button to sew on a vest for Warm Woolies, have two to send.
href="http://www.warmwoolies.org/">

Nearly finished with a man's scarf for Scarves from the Heart; three to send.


I have a shawl ready to complete the last 5 rows, for myself. [!]

Paper Art Report:
The doodles, previously Zentangles, are coming along, what fun!
The doodle above is the first done with my technical pens. They are great, but I have to get used to them.
Cards are on the work space and ATCs are near completion.
So, not is all computer gazing! ["Rolling my eyes."]

Great participation in our ATC-International group, so we are be moving forward creatively. It will be swell to se the next swap, which is stained glass/outlines.Everyone will come up with some neat shares, which we all enjoy. Mine are both stained glass and use of outline stamps.

Waving bye for today! I promise to be a better blogger!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Returning after a long hiatus!


Nice to be back.

It took too long to accomplish all the things we added to the house. Seemingly, with all the muss and fuss, I just lolled around not being motivated.
I will try to improve.

Carpets are now cleaned, which means I think the renovation is over! Yay!

I continue my Needle Notes, twice a week. I believe I will put them on the Knit Groupies Jabber Yahoo group. It is easier to do this on that site, as then the links are activated automatically.

Not a lot of progress with my art but I do have, a little bit of paper art now coming across--> called "Zentangles" [One of the Zens, is the image above.]
...actually they are pen and ink doodles.
Paper doilies are my card and ATC projects, which are on the art table now.

Knit: Working on a pretty soft mohair-with glitz, shawl, for my sis. I will make one for myself, if I like the drape and feel of hers.

Continuing to enjoy the Sun's basketball games and plan to see a few more hockey games soon.

I think this catches me up.
I will try harder at setting down at least weekly blogs, in the future.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

I'll Read...Let the Counters Continue!


O-Kay...

It doesn't take more than one day for granite counters to go in...but the travertine part is taking longer...it has to do with all the cutting and grouting. I think one more day will do it. Pretty sure...Yes. It will but then I don't think the sealing can be done when the grout is wet...so...?
In the meantime:

It has been nice to get some computer time in, while keeping the cats company in their exile from the tile guys work space.

I enjoy reading and on the computer, it is even more fun, because people share their lives and we can interact with subjects that please us and see a lot of wonderful graphics and photos.

I happen to have read all the Larry McMurtry books our small community library has, but I should double check to see if anyone has donated anything new, lately.
Since "Comanche Moon" will soon be on TV, I have been backtracking by looking up older info about past programs, such as Lonesome Dove Sagas and one we missed: Streets of Larado.
I am reading that book's last 30 or so pages tonight.
McMurtry has a special way of writing that I like, and his characters are fantastic. The non western type reads are equally as much fun, even without the shoot-em-up action.

So, now to think up an excuse for why I am not doing more paper art. I do have something started and my ATC group has a new swap, so I will pull myself together.

All the construction we have had, has thrown me off my arty path.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Let The New Counters Begin!



DIRT?
Does this look like dirt?

Gee, actually, it is beautiful granite and it is going in our kitchen on Monday!
The house is in termoil once again.
[...or still, since we have been renovating for months!]
Funny to see the household cleaners and kitchen soap sitting on the living room coffee table! Even the cats approached it all with careful footsteps and a question on each whisker!
Soon we may be able to stop rinsing dishes in the bathroom sink...at least I hope the installing only takes a day?

More to report ASAP.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Beginning a New Year : 2008



01/04/08 "Thinking of You"...a card made for my one renmaining aunt:
Velma, in Salem, OR

Somehow the last of 2007 was too tied up in the renovation of my studio space and with all the hustle and bustle, I didn't work on my blog.

So...This is a New Year and I am going to work hard to keep up!

My knitting was done by the end of December [YAY!]and to play catch up I will tell you that I am pleased to report that with donations, sale of knit "peopl" scarves and knit "doggie's" scarves I was able to donate 120. to AZCats.org. This is a spay/neuter program in my area of AZ.

I have completed a few more projects since the year ended and started: a peach kid's vest, sans button...which I must go out to buy; a white hat, a pink and blue hat and I started a guy's beanie cap, with about 2/3 to go.

When time, I will scan and share the pics.

Because the new addition and renovation, our new space took much reorganizing, I have just...with a LOT of help from Bob, [he did most of it!] gotten the pictures framed and hung in the sitting room. I also have a ceramic circle of woodland creatures painted and antiqued. It looks great!

There are a few last minute things still coming for the room; more on that later.

I think a lot has been completeed in the first week of this year, so I am taking a bow along with Bob, for making so much headway.

I will try to get my Needle Notes pages set here as time allows. It isn't hard, but activating the links takes time. If I get a few pages on the blog, you nay have to copy and paste a few of the links if I don't get with the activation program right away.