fanny pack

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

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

The Lynns

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

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

2 things

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

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

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

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

junk

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

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

planting

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

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

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

Thanks Betsy, for sending me this great quote!

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

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

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

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

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



-Martha Graham  (in a letter to Agnes DeMille)

recycled monster softie

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

Outta town hubbie

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

Camera Drama

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

I feel a girlie weekend coming on

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

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

sleepy

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