suburban trees

One day I'll roll in a London cab

2009-04-24T14:35:00.001-04:00

Would love a london black cab complete with driver...because they are THAT awesome!

Time to get planting

2009-04-13T16:37:00.003-04:00

I just saw this video and thought it's such a cool idea. I've started some plants already, but will definitely use this method for the ones coming up!

A haiku about Nick and nora's

2009-04-10T09:43:00.001-04:00

that guy was in it

you know that guy from that show

his name escapes me

Check this out!

2009-03-04T18:49:00.001-05:00

Nabbr.com

I wish I could get a new location, location, location

2009-03-03T21:59:00.001-05:00

after 3 years on the east coast, we're settled in, but I'd pack up in a heart beat. maybe i'm a gypsy at heart

i miss living 5 blocks from the chilly pacific

day 42: study participant

2009-02-11T21:13:00.003-05:00

about a week ago I received a phone call from a research company who, after asking me several questions, decided I was a perfect candidate to send a dvd to. The questions were about how much TV I watched and if I had pets. I was excited because I had always wanted to test view a tv show and provide feedback.

I got the package and there were very specific rules around what I was to do. I had to watch it that day, only once, on a dvd player with a remote and could not stop and restart it. Also I had to select "prizes" from a booklet of grocery store items. I followed their instructions and thought it was LAME show from 1995 and the commercials were old.

They called the following evening and confirmed I had followed their instructions and then asked a couple questions about how I liked the show. Then they started asking if I noticed the commercials and if I remembered a kitty litter commericial. The next 25 minutes were spent answering questions about if I would buy that particular litter and why.

I don't know about the psychology of how you really tell what a person feels about a tv show, but I felt like I was a waste to their research and they could have found that out before if they asked one question...

Do I buy clumping kitty litter? Why or why not?

day 34: my age in days

2009-02-03T22:19:00.000-05:00

Some cake for you internet. My age in years moved forward one on the first of the month. I don't feel old. Well, I should say didn't feel old until my mother stated, over my birthday dinner, that she and I looked like my daughter except for the saggy neck.

Um...excuse me, I don't have a saggy neck. Just to make sure I don't get one, I have purchased age defying night cream. My neck feels better. Not too sure about my ego.

(Yes, that is a shot of my very awesome birthday cake. If you want to make one of your very own, check it out here)

day 23: birthday-eve

2009-01-23T16:14:00.002-05:00

cupcakes made to order for a special little lady

day 21: cookie

2009-01-21T10:36:00.002-05:00

To celebrate the Obamas first day we had cookies. Yummy, yummy cookies. Yet another good sign that the next 4 years will be scrumptious.

day 20: the next chapter

2009-01-20T12:10:00.003-05:00

Edward and Bella are reunited. I'm not angry anymore, but I'm torn between relishing in the place where I am in their story or continuing on to know more.

oh...and this totally rocks!

day 19: eve of change

2009-01-19T21:35:00.004-05:00

The buzz has hummed for months now and the nation is on the eve of change. We won't travel the small amount of miles to witness the event firsthand due to many things (cold, crowds, public transportation craziness), but we will be there in spirit. My heart is full with the hope that the future brings us closer to unitedness with our selves and across the world.

day 16: on the road

2009-01-16T09:58:00.003-05:00

Inspiration got the machine out, but staring at it made me start. I'm on the road to a completed quilt. This weekend's plans include me sitting at the machine most of the 3 days...oh, that's right it's a long weekend! Send good creative and motivating vibes this way internet!

day 15: mad at the vampires

2009-01-15T22:00:00.001-05:00

I'm so drawn into the world of forks Washington, but right now i'm mad that i can't read faster because i'm so not loving where the story is taking me right now. I'm on chapter 5 in new moon for those in the know.

now that I've vented, I'm off to sulk in my own corner.

day 14: quilty pleasure

2009-01-14T22:27:00.000-05:00

After the kiddo was snugly in bed and the pj's on, I grabbed a blanket and curled up on the couch to enjoy the horribleness on channel 5.

I only give in to the first few shows where the good and bad are separated. Then I've had my fill of that "reality" show. Afterwards, it was off to bed to start the next vampire installment. This however is another story.

day 12: inspired

2009-01-12T21:21:00.003-05:00

My challenge quilt sits untouched since October and the deadline is coming faster than I really thought. Even with the deadline looming, I seek out new fabric for other, undreamt of projects and travel the web in search of creativeness that inspires me.

Since last winter, when I completed a wall hanging for my grandmother, I have wanted to create a doll blanket. They are mini, easy to manage, quick to complete and quiltable with my simple machine. I found this new blog by Wood who is creating magic one doll blanket at a time. Check it out.

This is what I needed to get off my behind and get quilting on the challenge quilt. I have set up my table and taken out the machine and materials. Once it's done I can create some doll quilts for the kiddo. It's all ready for me...to work tomorrow. :)

day 10 & 11: friends and food

2009-01-11T22:23:00.004-05:00

this weekend consisted of enjoying the company of friends - rekindling old friendships, meeting new additions, smiling and remembering why we became friends and learning more about new friends. I'm sure there were things that I had wanted to do that didn't happen over these past 2 days, but I'm too filled I'm not going to think about it now.

day 9: new hair

2009-01-09T21:29:00.002-05:00

day 8: 28 days

2009-01-08T21:10:00.005-05:00

Who knew. I sit drinking some wine too late in the evening really, especially for an earlier morning than usual. This is where I'm sitting, in my minds eye at least. Cheers.

day 7: longing for this sunset

2009-01-07T21:30:00.000-05:00

day 5 & 6:

2009-01-07T09:57:00.003-05:00

Everyone at work returned from their holiday vacations raring to go with making progress on projects that it's disturbed my relaxed method to my work days. I am excited to have more actions to complete and be involved in some new work, and most importantly that I actually have a job. It is taking some getting used to though.

I am also preoccupied with the kiddo's birthday party and what to do about favors. The theme is purple princesses/dora princess/disney princesses (don't ask me to analyse the mind of a 4 year old) and is at a ballet studio. Normally when we attend a party for her friend, we leave with a bag of candy and crap that gets thrown away as soon as she forgets about it - approximately 3 minutes after entering the house. I estmate it costs more than $5 per bag given the things that are in the bags. I was thinking about ordering purple m&m's and putting them in a nice bag with a ribbon. Maybe making a magic wand to attach to them and that being it. But is that lame?

day 4: food and drink

2009-01-05T10:55:00.003-05:00

In celebration of my father's birthday, the whole family had a scrumptous meal at our favorite restaurant. Capping of a fullfilling dinner, I enjoyed a cranberry bread pudding dessert which was delightfully so yummy I didn't offer to share. I did drink one too many iced teas during the meal and couldn't get to sleep. A small price to pay I'd say.

day 3: hike

2009-01-03T21:14:00.004-05:00

It was a brisk mid-40's day and we ventured out for a sunny hike. Lovely day and everyone had a good time...even Gus.

day 2: textiles

2009-01-02T20:23:00.005-05:00

I have an obsession. Textiles. I have to resist over-purchasing whenever I'm in a shop that sells them. I love how they look...feel....even smell. I think it's one of the reasons I like to start different types of crafts.

What is your "unusual" obsession?

day 1: the start

2009-01-01T22:09:00.000-05:00

I once heard that your year will be defined by what you do on the first day. I hope my actions today leads to a great 365 days.

Today I woke up without an alarm feeling pretty good and had a nice warm shower in clean water. Put on a warm outfit. Ate several yummy meals that were warm and easily acquired. Spent time with family. Watched the kid enjoy herself. Shopped for art supplies...and resisted impulses to buy other things. Went to bed in a comfy bed.

So internet, I hope all of you had a day you can be proud of. Wishing you a healthy and happy 2009.

Summer harvest

2008-09-10T10:53:00.003-04:00

Summer has been good to us and our tomatoes have been super yummy! We've even been able to enjoy a couple zucchinis too!

Green fingers and procrastination

2008-07-31T13:56:00.007-04:00

Last fall the hubby made me a raised bed of sorts for a garden and he filled it in early early spring with nice black dirt. Next was the collection of seeds and reading about gardening and all the right techniques.

This is when procrastination set in because that's how I work. The seeds didn't get started early enough so a trip to the garden center was in order to get starter plants. These lovely starter plants sat in their starter containers through much of June and I had serious doubts that the garden would actually get together.

One weekend in late June I had had enough. I hap-hazardly put in the plants in seemingly spacious rows and even got the blueberry bushes in the ground. It's a month later...the blueberries have been eaten by the birds but everything else is...well luscious.

I have 2...YES JUST TWO...tomato plants that are monstrous. (Well, besides the 4 cherry tomato plants that are on the side of the house outside the garden area where the dog can potentially thieve them all)

There are 2 small bell pepper plants and first struggled a bit, but now are thriving. Also there are 3 squash plants and if I remember correctly, they are all zucchinis.

The peas did well at first, but are now a bit brown. I think we got a total of 10 pods off them. And the lettuce struggled and we got a few handful of leaves, and I think there is still some out there, but not too much. And last but not least, I saw a flower on the watermelon plant today.

I won't promise anything, but intend to take this years learning and apply to next years plan...but that sounds too much like work.

A view of the whole garden.

This is just one tomato plant!

Roma tomatoes.

Beefsteak tomatoes.

Row of cherry tomatoes.

Love how their greeness cascades down.

Is that lettuce...or weeds

Tagged

2008-07-29T16:09:00.002-04:00

My lovely cross-continent friend has tagged me on her blog. As this is my cherry-breaking experience in being tagged I'm full of anxiety and hope that I do it right. How strange that that last sentance came out like it did....anyhow....I've just grabbed the book The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People by Thomas Keightley. (This was the largest book on the kiddos bookshelf at the top of the stairs...the closest books to me)

"Meanwhile, a quantity of old pieces and clippings of silver were laid on a shelf, in the sitting-room, and my wife found them next day, when she was putting the room in order. It is to be supposed that they were laid there by the Vettr. That it in truth so happened, I witness, by inscribing my name."

Here are this instructions:
- Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
- Open the book to page 123.
- Find the fifth sentence.
- Post the next three sentences.
- Tag five people.

Now, since I don't know 5 people to tag...I will just end the post.

Assessing the month

2008-07-07T11:08:00.002-04:00

I always have the best of intentions, however my attention span seems to be dwindling. I really enjoyed trying to post each day in June and preferred the picture posts. Probably because I enjoy photos with what I'm reading online.

I did find it hard to document what goes on each day because I'm not all that exciting. I'm hoping after the new computer arrives that I'll be more motivated to keep posting.

Someone once said (to me and probably to you) that something worth doing doesn't come easy. I guess that means that this is worth doing.

Hang in there for more!

Day 29: One of my top 5

2008-06-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

Day 28: Wedding

2008-06-28T22:22:00.000-04:00

Today we had an adventure of the catholic mass wedding kind. The chuch was unexpectedly grand and beautiful. Listening to the tradition in the ceremony reminded me of my own ceremonies in my own beliefs. We had a great time with old friends at the reception and after party. It was great to see everyone again and celebrate a new union. Boy am I pooped!

Pictures soon - I forgot my camera and have to get the instanta camera film developed.

Day 27: Hot and humid

2008-06-27T18:35:00.003-04:00

My least favorite part about summer has returned. I feel the heat envelop every creavas as you step outside. I don't know why the pilgrams stuck around here...I would have halled my cookies up north or west.

I hope whereever you are, the season is treating you well.

Day 26: Cold

2008-06-26T14:25:00.004-04:00

The cold has entered my nasal passages and I'm fighting with everything I have. I'm hoping it heads for the hills before Saturday because I could use a stiff drink at the wedding.

Enjoy this shot of the purpley basil growing on our front step.

Day 25: Blue to purple

2008-06-25T10:54:00.001-04:00

My favorite!

Day 24: St Johns wart

2008-06-24T13:55:00.004-04:00

Each year I think I kill this when I cut it back in the fall, but it keeps coming back. The smell of the leaves is heavenly.

Day 21: Surprise

2008-06-21T23:41:00.000-04:00

Today we had a surprise party for my sis. She's 30...and obsessed with this tv show.

Day 20: First from the garden

2008-06-20T10:17:00.003-04:00

Day 19: Birdhouse in your soul

2008-06-19T10:14:00.001-04:00

we purchased this really awesome bird feeder/house at the local arts festival last month. Hand crafted in Appalachia!

Day 16: Sick

2008-06-16T11:48:00.000-04:00

I've got a stomach bug...so not a good day.

Day 15: Dad's day

2008-06-15T22:37:00.002-04:00

Happy fathers day to the one I love. Thank you.

Day 14: Rain

2008-06-14T21:19:00.002-04:00

again

Day 13: Tie-dyed past

2008-06-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

For years, we had a beautiful purple and green tie-dyed wall hanging that hung above the bed. As time went on, it came down and got put in a box. A couple months ago I found it and thought I needed to do something nice with it but Dave wouldn't let me hang it up again (probably a good idea). At the quilt show I saw this quilt and decided - that's it! So, it's on the list of ever growing projects to complete sometime soon.

Day 12: One Year Ago

2008-06-12T18:10:00.001-04:00

He was about 12 pounds...today he's 100 pounds bigger.

Day 11: Finishing up

2008-06-11T14:55:00.003-04:00

The wellness fair is over and I've tied up loose ends and crossed the T's...I'm so done.

Day 10: Inspirations

2008-06-10T22:44:00.003-04:00

Today I received my presidents challenge bag for the chapter quilts for next year (2008-2009). The theme is Dancing with the Stars and everyone got to pick a bag with the name of a dance on it. In the bag is 2 fat quarters to use in our quilts inspired by the dance. We also have to include a star somewhere on the finished quilt. I was 3rd to pick and I choose...the Hula!

I'm super excited. I have so many ideas running through my head, but welcome more! So, if you have them, leave a comment for me.

Here are the hula fabric I received. The other fabric is a horizontal light orange, green and yellow patterned sorta like a batik

Day 9: Cooling off

2008-06-09T12:39:00.003-04:00

It has been in the high 90's with high humidity all weekend and it is on tap to continue until Wednesday. Gotta love summertime in the D.C. area. The kiddo and I spent small bits of time several times yesterday in the pool.

Day 8: Blooming

2008-06-08T16:30:00.000-04:00

One of the new hydrangeas we put in this spring is starting to bloom and (fingers crossed) so is the one that was here when we moved in. Hopefully we'll find out this year what color it is!

Day 7: Winnings

2008-06-07T09:38:00.000-04:00

I won this quilt in the silent auction at the show. A great deal for a wonderfully purple quilt!

Day 6: Volunteering

2008-06-06T07:36:00.000-04:00

Today I am looking forward to volunteering (and then shopping) at the Quilt Show put on by my quilt guild.

Day 4: Obsession

2008-06-04T00:33:00.003-04:00

As I get in bed now, I hear the storm a brewing on the windows. I only have a minor obsession with radar maps. I could defnitely watch one all day. Okay, that is a major obsession.

Day 3: Lucky Foot

2008-06-03T14:33:00.001-04:00

Road trip

2008-05-15T13:34:00.004-04:00

When I was pregnant we got a TiVo in preperation for all those shows we were going to miss while taking care of our new baby. It was during this time that I started to watch the Ellen show. How I love Ellen and the dancing each day and her humor and how she seems all down to earth. I even had the opportunity to get tickets for her show during her 12 days of Christmas and didn't get into the audience...but I digress.

During one of those shows long ago, Ellen received a call from Gladys Hardy that just made me laugh so hard. Gladys reminds me of my grandmother (but a little bit more fiesty). So, in honor of our road trip to visit my dear Mamaw, enjoy this funny video of Gladys' conversation with her grandson Denny.

Quilting adventure

2008-05-06T16:21:00.006-04:00

I've been inspired to get up and start something new. After seeing several remarkable quilters at my quilting club chapter meetings as well as the larger club annual meeting I am feeling less than accomplished.

Being as it's been almost a year and I haven't finished the quilt I started with Mamaw and haven't worked on anything else in months, it's time to get moving. I have no more excuses! My poster for the poster contest is turned in... I've gathered fabric and even more fabric... I've purchased books with how to instructions and patterns that I like. There is nothing that should be stopping me! So....

Ta Da! I've started something new! This going to be a "Two by Fours" Strip quilt. The pattern is by The Teachers Pet and is supposed to be a finished size of 56"x72", however I want it to be a bit larger...so I'm adding a row of finished squares at the top and the side. I think it will be 62"x80" but I'm not quite sure about my math. I'm using the Surf and Sand collection by Marcus Brothers and it will be a great compliment to our master bedroom decor (once I get to painting the room!)

Oh, and about the quilt I made with my grandmother. I overheard someone at the quilt club meeting say that they really loved their first quilt but had wished they waited to quilt it because the stitches were so big. It was then I realized that this was very special to me and it should have a great quilt job so that it can be used and loved and not just sit in a pile of unfinished projects that I can learn from.

Spring sprung

2008-04-24T21:23:00.003-04:00

Have been working in the garden trying to get things sorted for the season. I'm very slow at things and take lots of breaks, but I guess I'm trying to prolong the goodness. Or maybe I'm just scattered and have my hands in too many fun things.

What do you do when your ADD for fun creative outlets takes over?

Smarts

2008-03-27T14:14:00.001-04:00

I recently learned about the 2 types of learning styles. People who believe that the are "naturally" smart and just "get stuff" and those people who believe that through their "trying hard" they learn stuff.

I fall into the former category

I, right now, wish I fell into the latter.

Pinkness

2008-03-24T15:11:00.001-04:00

Spring has sprung

2008-03-20T10:45:00.003-04:00

I'm always amazed at how fast the plants and things awaken in the spring. On Sunday past, there were no buds on anything. Look at it now!

Helping in the kitchen

2008-03-19T20:02:00.007-04:00

The other day Annabella and I made some chocolate chip cookies. Besides being the best cookies on the planet (email me if you want the recipe), this was the first time she really helped out and stayed engaged. She was super good with the mixer and helping pour in the ingredients. After we were done and had some in the oven, we then moved on to making dinner.
She helped with putting the cut potatoes into the pot.
She even got her corn, cup, rolling pin, pan and pot out to make her own dish to add to the meal.
And when she was done, she had a lovely salad for us to eat! Yummy!

Beautiful ice storm

2008-03-12T15:02:00.002-04:00

Morning conversation

2008-02-15T10:56:00.005-05:00

Me: What clip do you want in your hair today?
AB: Um….a blue one! It’s blue day!
Me: Okay, sounds good.
AB: Like me…I’m Annabella Blue Gentry (pronounced Jren-tree)
Me: What’s mommy’s name?
AB: Jren Tree
Me: [chuckle] yep…that’s my name. What’s daddy’s name?
AB: Dabe Jack Jren-tree
Me: That’s exactly right

Bathroom makeover

2008-02-04T12:44:00.000-05:00

It has been months in the making and I still have to finish the trim, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. Here are some details: the walls are Valspar Swim, the ceiling is Valspar Pumpkin (i'm pretty sure, but I lost the swatch), and the trim is Valspar Homestead Resort Jefferson White. The fishes are a wrapping paper I got on a trip to Paper Source and the frames and plants are from Ikea. I also got the Price Pfister faucet at Lowes but don't remember the model. The curtain and rod are from Bed Bath and Beyond.

New kid on the block

2008-01-23T12:54:00.000-05:00

I was never the new kid. Well, except when everyone was the new kid. At those key transition points in life. First day of kindergarten, junior high, high school and then college. I think this fact of my life is why I’m an introvert. Okay, maybe there are some other things that play into that, but I’ve never had to be. I’ve always settled into the routine of things and welcomed the changes, however never was the change.

As an adult, there are just a few times where I’ve been the new “adult”. Like that first day of work. Or in a new extracurricular class. So as an adult I’m feeling very deficient in friend making abilities. Since we’ve moved here we’ve only met a few people. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, or even not doing, but I’m feeling pretty lame these days.

Last night was my quilt club meeting. I went alone this time, knowing that the only person I know in it wouldn’t be there. Also, for context, this is only the 3rd meeting I’ve attended. I have to say it really made me sad. The only person who spoke to me told me her brownie was good. I tried to spark conversations, but they lead no where. The people I met thru this person didn’t speak to me. I'm really feeling like the new kid who is on the outside. It's no fun.

Ground pepper

2008-01-09T12:53:00.000-05:00

Today while eating a homemade salad for lunch I realized I have stopped frequenting any restaurants that offer fresh ground black pepper. This is not something I normally put on my salad, but I think the offer is very nice and makes me feel there is that extra level of service. Makes it feel fancy even if I'm just eating some pizza.

I would say this is because we have a 3 year old and are limited in places we can take her, however we take her to all kinds of restaurants. I have never once felt limited by her on places we can go to eat.

I think the more reasonable explanation is where we live. I have not found convenient, reasonably priced, fresh tasting, light-fare restaurants anywhere near to where we live. I actually haven't found any that are on the same level of places we frequented while living in the bay area.

I miss the roasted vegetables and the cranberry walnut salads at It's Italia, and the tofu satay at the Bangkok Thai House. Or the fisherman's stew at the HMB brewery. The vegetarian entrees at the Half Moon Bay Inn and the pizza at North Beach pizza.

I'm on a quest for food like that here, close to home and at the same time keep to one of my intentions of eating out less. I'm thinking quality verses quantity.

Happy new year and things

2008-01-03T20:55:00.000-05:00

The holidays were a whirlwind of excitement with a 3 year old in the house. I now need a vacation from my vacation! Oh well, it's back to the grindstone, which isn't so bad.

I've decided not to make resolutions this year, but make a list of intentions hoping the act of writing them down and reading them often will change behaviors. Such as, spend more time outside, create something each day, breathe deep and don't eat at chain restaurants.

Looking forward to many postings in this new year.

Finishing Up

2007-12-19T10:19:00.000-05:00

Last month I started a small wall-hanging quilt for my grandmother as a gift for the holidays. It didn't take that long to do, but I'm a great procrastinator and I just finished it up this weekend. And I mailed it out on Monday which I'm very happy about. I didn't think I'd get it out before xmas.

It is about 11"x11" and I made up the pattern, but am sure it's been named by someone before me. The back, which I forgot to take a picture of, is a small blue flower print. The binding, which was hard to figure out but not hard to do, is a solid black. I attached 2 small plastic rounds to hang it from. I stitched my name onto the front bottom and wrote the year on the back in sharpie pen.

I think I like the small quilt project. It is manageable, fast and good for my ADD. With this item finishing up comes many things that are finishing as the year ends. I'm preparing for the new year to be one of new starts on creative things, self things, family things and streamlining things.

Germs be gone

2007-12-12T10:33:00.000-05:00

Once again we were sick here. I'm tired of it. I wish Lysol was automatic and you could wear it around your neck and when a germ got near you it would just spray it and then you wouldn't get sick.

Winter wonderland

2007-12-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

Overheard

2007-12-01T21:00:00.001-05:00

"At least you have an excuse for your bad haircut"

while waiting in an office for my afternoon meeting to start.

State of the Village Report

2007-11-14T12:47:00.000-05:00

I have found a sticker years ago with some of these interesting facts on it. It reminds me how fortunate I am here on this earth.

If the world were a village of 1000 people:

584 would be Asians
123 would be Africans
95 would be East and West Europeans
84 Latin Americans
55 Soviets (still including for the moment Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, etc.)
52 North Americans
6 Australians and New Zealanders

The people of the village would have considerable difficulty communicating:
165 people would speak Mandarin
86 would speak English
83 Hindi/Urdu
64 Spanish
58 Russian
37 Arabic
That list accounts for the mother-tongues of only half the villagers. The other half speak (in descending order of frequency) Bengali, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French, and 200 other languages.

In the village there would be:
300 Christians (183 Catholics, 84 Protestants, 33 Orthodox)
175 Moslems
128 Hindus
55 Buddhists
47 Animists
210 all other religons (including atheists)

One-third (330) of the people in the village would be children. Half the children would be immunized against the preventable infectious diseases such as measles and polio.

Sixty of the thousand villagers would be over the age of 65.

Just under half of the married women would have access to and be using modern contraceptives.

Each year 28 babies would be born.

Each year 10 people would die, three of them for lack of food, one from cancer. Two of the deaths would be to babies born within the year.

One person in the village would be infected with the HIV virus; that person would most likely not yet have developed a full-blown case of AIDS.

With the 28 births and 10 deaths, the population of the village in the next year would be 1018.

In this thousand-person community, 200 people would receive three-fourths of the income; another 200 would receive only 2% of the income.

Only 70 people would own an automobile (some of them more than one automobile).

About one-third would not have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Of the 670 adults in the village half would be illiterate.

The village would have 6 acres of land per person, 6000 acres in all of which:
700 acres is cropland
1400 acres pasture
1900 acres woodland
2000 acres desert, tundra, pavement, and other wasteland.

The woodland would be declining rapidly; the wasteland increasing; the other land categories would be roughly stable. The village would allocate 83 percent of its fertilizer to 40 percent of its cropland -- that owned by the richest and best-fed 270 people. Excess fertilizer running off this land would cause pollution in lakes and wells. The remaining 60 percent of the land, with its 17 percent of the fertilizer, would produce 28 percent of the foodgrain and feed 73 percent of the people. The average grain yield on that land would be one-third the yields gotten by the richer villagers.

If the world were a village of 1000 persons, there would be five soldiers, seven teachers, one doctor. Of the village's total annual expenditures of just over $3 million per year, $181,000 would go for weapons and warfare, $159,000 for education, $132,000 for health care.

The village would have buried beneath it enough explosive power in nuclear weapons to blow itself to smithereens many times over. These weapons would be under the control of just 100 of the people. The other 900 people would be watching them with deep anxiety, wondering whether the 100 can learn to get along together, and if they do, whether they might set off the weapons anyway through inattention or technical bungling, and if they ever decide to dismantle the weapons, where in the village they will dispose of the dangerous radioactive materials of which the weapons are made.

(From Donella H. Meadows' 1990 article. She is an adjunct professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College.)

Is it really almost Thanksgiving?

2007-11-12T14:30:00.000-05:00

I spent much of last week working in California. Once again the trip was too fast and there were so many things I would have liked to do. On Saturday we all (the family) are going for our first trip back together. It also will be too fast and we won’t be able to spend enough time doing the things we’d really like to be doing…hanging out with friends and eating the food we miss. I hope to see the ocean and not breakdown and tell Dave we should move back.

Because I’ve been traveling [and then resting], I haven’t found time to be crafty each day. This is OK. I do however need to find a way to be more mobile in how I want to be crafty so that I can take it with me when I go. Because as everyone knows, Go is my middle name.

This picture is of our raised bed garden that Dave was so kind enough to build for me. Just another project to fit in between things. We need to roto-till the ground that's there and then get good soil before winter. Not sure when that will happen, but hopefully soon. Need to get a wheelbarrow first!

Art each day

2007-11-06T08:55:00.000-05:00

I've been getting inspiration from many blogs I visit and decided it was time to get to it myself. I have to learn to get over "myself" and the barriers that I set up preventing me from being creative. I've decided to make an effort each day in my favorite journal/notebook and create collaged art pages to re-journal on. So, here's my first try and I'm pretty happy with it.

I used acrylic paints, gesso, gloss medium and fabric scraps. I particularly liked encorporating the fabric onto the page since it's a blend of both things I really enjoy doing!

The leaves are falling

2007-11-01T10:55:00.001-04:00

The trees in our front yard are always the first to drop their leaves and it makes me want to break out the crock pot and start making soup much earlier than the weather outside tends to be. We had fun last night with family visiting, the kid melting-down from her sugar high, and me enjoying handing out treats. I had inspiration on a great costume a bit too late to execute so it'll go on the "shelf" for next year!

I'm working on a christmas quilt and really want to finish it up before we leave for Thanksgiving so it can be quilted by a nice lady in KY. Fingers crossed!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T20:43:00.001-04:00

Frightening - I know!

Passing it on!

2007-10-30T20:47:00.000-04:00

I'm finally getting my things organized and found my instructions on how to piece a quilt (which I'm calling a McQuilt) as told by my 91 year old Mamaw McDonald and experienced by me in a fast paced, marathon quilting session one weekend this past August. These instructions will make a King sized quilt (9 squares by 10 squares) because that is what we made, but if you do calculations on the size you want, you can reduce rows.

Step 1: Get fabric. You're going to make 360 strips that are sized 12"x 3.5" and let me tell you it's a lot of yards. I think I used about 15 different fabrics but this is up to you. You should get ~30 strips out of a yard of 44" width fabric. You will be using 4 strips per square, making a total of 90 squares.

Step 2: Cut your strips. We used scissors and it took a long time. I'd guess those roller cutters and a cutting board would make the job WAY faster.

Step 3: Lay out all your fabric strips in piles so you can pull 4 for each square at random.

Step 4: Start sewing strips together. Here's where it gets fun!

Sew 2 strips together of 1st square (1/4" seam allowance)
Then continuing sewing the 2 strips of the 1st square without cutting the thread from the first pair. These 2 pairs will end up being attached by a small piece of thread you'll cut later.
Sew 2 strips together of the 2nd square
Then sew the next 2 strips of the 2nd square without cutting the thread between...You are now developing a chain of pairs
Cut off the first 2 pairs (of the 1st square) and sew together. You have your first square finished!
Cut off the next 2 pairs (of the 2nd square) and sew together.
Cut off the finished squares as you finish the next or when you need to.
Repeat this process until you have sewn all squares together.

Step 5: Sewing the squares into rows. Sew 2 squares together, making sure you alternate the strip direction, until you have 9 sets of 2 squares. Next sew the sets together also making sure as you sew you alternate the strip direction to make a double row of 9. Repeat this process until you have 5 pieces of double rows, 9 squares in length.

Step 6: Sewing the rows together. Sew 2 sets of rows together making a 4 row piece. Sew the next 2 sets of rows together making another 2 row piece. Sew the final set of rows to one of the 4 row pieces. Finally set the 2 sets of rows together. NOTE: Always keep in mind the directions of the end squares and make sure they alternate as you are sewing together.

Step 7: Getting Muslin and Batting. I found a fabric store that sold both king sized batting and muslin large/wide enough to fit my finished top. Purchase enough to fit at least 2" larger than the top on each side.

Step 8: Laying it out. Lay out the muslin on a flat surface (i.e. the floor). Lay out the batting on top of that keeping the edges aligned. Next lay out the quilt top face up on top.

Step 9: Putting it together. Tack or pin (I used MANY safety pins for this part) the center of each square starting in one corner and moving diagonally down as you go. For edge square also place a pin/tack in the center edge. For corner squares place a pin/tack at the corner edge.

Step 10: Quilt it by hand. Get a quilting hoop. Get some quilting needles. Get some quilting thread (Mamaw says white, but it's up to you). Start quilting. I'm expecting to finish mine sometime in 2023.

Enjoy!

Creative outlet

2007-10-18T16:38:00.000-04:00

Feeling like i want to take an art class. more like need to take one...but don't know what kind. I need the structure of the class to keep me with it or else other things will take over. Kinda like exercise for me. There's something in here that's needing out.

Almost black

2007-10-17T21:53:00.000-04:00

My Halloween-ish nails. I had been coveting the color for weeks and finaling spent the $1.99.

Dinner in san diego

2007-10-16T10:44:00.000-04:00

miss this ocean.

Lottery

2007-10-15T10:55:00.000-04:00

I didn't win.

I was talking to a friend about my bad karma and not knowing what i did or didn't do and she said something that I pondered for a long while - if you don't intentionally do something bad then you don't receive bad karma.

I'm not sure I can let myself off the hook for that. For example...you are driving and switch lanes not seeing a car you've just cut off. You then turn and they continue straight. You are unaware anything happened. The other driver on the other hand is cursing you and calling you names and wishing you a horrible day. I believe that you receive bad karma in this case even if you are unaware of the incident. She believes that true unintentional harm/wrong cannot be worthy of bad karma.

Iron stomach

2007-10-12T14:29:00.000-04:00

The dog has successfully passed the soda can eaten yesterday morning without surgery, manual intervention or damage. The twigs in there must have helped cushion it.

I should have gone back to bed

2007-10-10T10:57:00.000-04:00

Water heater is still off due to the leak in our darn plastic pipe.
The dog has emptied his bladder in his crate. Who knew he could hold a gallon.
Driving to drop the kid off at school the car starts to shake violently like I'm in the wrong gear. I decide to drive there because it's not smoking or overheating even though the check engine light is blinking frantically at me.
Upon inspection by the mechanic the car in need of over $800 in repairs because of the violent shaking. Pause briefly to consider if I could drive it that way for a while.
Settling in to work, the printer repeated blinks RESET POWER! The urgency of this blinking is much like the need for a drink after eating a spoon of peanut butter. After numerous attempts to provide this power to the printer, it doesn't seem to notice. I buy a new and improved printer that doesn't have issues with the power supplied by a plug.
Public utilities knew it was a bad day and decided to send out a crew to install cable in our backyard with heavy machinery that makes constant buzzing and pounding sounds. After 3 hours I'm unable to handle it anymore and head to starbucks to do my afternoon meetings.
Connecting to a secure network is impossible from starbucks
When returning to the house I notice the new utility box has substantially cut down on my patch for our garden. I place a less than pleasant call to someone I hope can move it.

I don't know whose Karma I messed with, but I'm sorry Karma. Really, I am. Can we be friends again?

Tastes of autumn

2007-09-28T09:30:00.000-04:00

Stopped into the grocery to pick up a few items and grabbed a starbucks drink on the way out. Decided it was a good day to try the pumpkin spice frappachino. Yummy! I love this time of year.

Local news - TEST

2007-09-20T17:01:00.000-04:00

Our vacation was a time free of our normal vice – television. I have to say it was great to be free from tivo lists of things to watch and 200+ channels to surf through. Now, don’t get me wrong there was a TV in the house with many channels, we just resisted the urge to watch it.
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