Robots have feelings too

First in hopefully a set of four valentines I'm working on.

Do you feel like a fish for dinner?

The evolution series by Ted Sabarese

In progress

I have been drawing since I got my computer back...I just haven't finished anything yet...

Learning to knit and other crafty adventures.

I've been thinking about knitting for a few months now. I blame a few things for this. My aunt opened a fabric and yarn store full of pretty yarn. Kait taught herself to knit off the internet. Then there's this...this...and this...

However I never started because honestly, I already have so many hobbies! And now that I'm back to working 6 days a week (cries) I am picking up another one? My rational is that I can do it while I snuggle on the couch with Craig and he wants to watch sports.

So I asked one of the ladies in my aquafit class to teach me. We met yesterday at the rec centre's Seniors Lounge (Yah! Cause that's how I roll!). Now I have to tell you that a) it was easier than I thought and b) it would have been easier yet if I only had one teacher.

But no, every lady there had to stop over and give her advice. And stare at my hands. And say to my teacher "You're teaching her to cast on like that? I would never do it that way you should teach her such and such." "I hope you're teaching her the proper terms, beginners never know the proper terms, you should get her a beginners book." and so on. It was actually kind of hilarious. Then after I had cast on a row they all decided that I should be using less chunky yarn and made me take it all out and start over. Yeah the lavendar wasn't mine :P. One stitch in they said "Isn't that easier? Much easier isn't it!"

Well no, I had just figured out the other yarn. Haha, but it was fun and now I'm practicing at home. Next week I'm going back for another lesson.


This is the yarn I bought. It's so soft. One of the ladies spent the whole time telling me that it couldn't be cotton and was actually acrylic. And that the problem with us young people is that we believe everything we read (as in labels that say 100% organic cotton). So That's what's what our problem is. I had been wondering.


While I was getting yarn I found this adorable fabric. I love the deer! Not sure why...


In other news I'm making a mobile out of paper circles. No I'm not preggers I just like to have a mobile in my living room. Because that's just how I am. Craig says that he likes it but that the natural paper circles look like pringles and make him hungry.

Other Worlds

Environmental paintings I could live in:

The Floating City by Ani-r


Wabi-Sabi by Alexandra Prillaman (thudercake)


Grassy Labyrinth by Jujika


The House at Happy Rock by Nicholas Kole (homarusrex)


Retreat by David Renn (postapocalypsia)


Babmu City Colors by Monre

What I've been watching.

Sharing time.


We've been watching the BBC documentary series "Around the World in 80 Gardens and it is fantastic! We've seen three so far (Central America, Australia/New Zealand and India) and are loving it. It's kind of a garden/travel show and covers everything from huge well known gardens (the Taj Mahal?) to people's backyards. Flowers, vegetables, spices, trees... It's so fascinating learning about the gardening history of different areas as well as they're modern gardens. Highly recommend. I believe it's currently showing on HGTV on Friday nights.


Last night we went out to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and we both loved it. The story is about a man who is born old and ages in reverse, becoming younger as time passes. Strange? Yes. However it's a really beautiful story about his life and epic romance. Very thought provoking, emotional and enjoayble. Yes we Both liked it :P It's not a chick flick. It's also not short (2 hrs 45 min) but we're a fan of long movies and were enthralled for the whole thing. Amazing story, even better acting.

Otherwise I have been catching up on Greys Anatomy (and this season? strange). And Craig's been watching the Australian Open. Good times.

While on the subject I am choked that Voyage of the Dawn Treader has been axed. I was really looking forward to it.

Winter Walk

It has been nothing but dreary times here for a couple weeks. Everyday I woke up to grey skies. No snow, no rain, no sun...just another grey day. The tops of the mountains were getting all the sunshine and we were trapped under a layer of cloud.

Then yesterday there was sunshine! I was so excited that I ran outside with my camera. Then realized all my batteries were dead...took an hour or two to charge them and start bread...and then ran outside with my camera again!

And this is what I saw in my backyard and around the block:

Enchanting

Somedays I just feel like staying in bed and dreaming...

Flotte 7 by calirezo


Gone by Linda Bergkvist


Isabel Marant by fan gab


Evenstar II by Buse Kurtis



Cardboard Castle by Ann Wood:

Work

Two amusing things about work at the pool lately:

- Someone has been leaving romance novels at in the ladies changeroom. Of the smutty variety. Of the seventies smutty variety. A LOT of them, I think we have found 10-15. We could start a vintage romance library. Who is the mystery book leaver? Why can't she take them to the used bookstore, or the thrift store? These are the questions! I do like to read the backs though...my theory is that 3 out of every 4 romance novels has to have something about "the burning passion that threatens to consume them both" on the back.

- Yesterday I spent a few minutes explaining how to float to the kids in my swimming class. Then I explained that whoever wasn't floating had to help me count seconds (we count them as jellybeans) for the kids who were floating (they have to float for 5 jellybeans). To sum up I said "So what do you do if you aren't floating?" and one of the girls said (without irony) "you sink." True that.

Magazine search = despair!

I can't find the magazine with my illustration in it anywhere in my area. We don't have any shops big enough to carry a good variety. Would someone be able to track down a couple copies and mail them to me? I can make it worth your while!

It's the February issue of Romantic Homes.

*Edit* Thanks so much to Fiorinda for tracking it down for me :) She scanned the page to show me so I'll share:

Someday this will all be old hat I hope...but that day is not today :P

Aprons!

Sorry about the photo quality. They were taken by my husband, in a hurry, in a dark basement. Because they were Christmas presents...and now I can't reshoot :)

These are my own design (my mom helped me create the pattern) and I made two of each. They were for my sisters-in-law, cousin and best friend for Christmas this year.

I also have a half made one for myself, I ran out of the red though, so it will be for next years Christmas cookies.

They are comfy and divaliscious! 100% cotton.

In the mood to hear some ukulele?

Danielle Ate the Sandwich is so very amusing. And quite good. Is ukulele cool again? I hope so. You will especially like her if your name is Jen.

Where I would like to live.

There's a cool post on Nesting Blog featuring their top 10 favourite house tours of 2008. Some nice inspiration. I love looking at houses designed by people who live in them and filled with things they love. Interior design shows just don't do it for my like they used to, I'd rather see a home with some soul to it.

Click through to the Home Tours

Here's a couple shots from the #1 house which is also my favourite. I had heard of Stephanie Nielson as she is a blogger who was in a plane crash with her husband and they both are recovering from massive burn injuries. The blogging community has been doing a lot of support for them which is very warm and fuzzy. And it turns out her house is adorable.

What I did at work today

That's me and the fire chief.

Fire + gasoline + extinguishers = best staff training day ever.

Also, new layout. It's time for spring to come...or at least Valentines :P. What do you think?

My computer is here!

Hooray of hoorays, my computer came home from the computer doctor today! There was a bit of concern as it was sent to my old place...I was afraid it would get sent back. But happily I was able to pick it up downtown. Hooooooray.

In other news:

We went to Nelson this morning. Craig had a gift card from me to spend and he got some climbing shoes and a chalk bag for Chrisymas. He also got some winter boots as apparently school is less fun when you have cold wet feet (he's in the forest all day). I got a couple books from the used bookstore (Pippi Longstocking and a Georgette Heyer book) and tried to get makeup...but I have to wait for my pretty organic mineral foundation...no dice for a couple weeks. We also had breakfast at Sidewinders (mmmm coconut chai and white chocolate scone...what, it's healthy!) and stopped at the co-op for some veggies and Green and Blacks chocolate and some of my favourite cheese. Oh and we got a green tea ginger vinaigrette dressing that's made in the Okanagan. Mmmm for food.

At work today we had a lady pass out on deck, she went all unconscious, and blue-lipped and bloody foreheaded. It was crazy. The first excitement I've had since working here actually. Nail polish massacres not withstanding.

Time to eat and then I'm switching computers!

Missing the garden...

Missing the sunshine. Missing summer. Fall was amazing this year but winter...it's getting me down.

Anyway, I'm going to ramble about food for a bit. If you wonder why I'm so obsessed about local food, first read Animal Vegetable Miracle, then read In Defense of Food...and then google Monsanto. That's about all you need to know. Other than that I love food. A lot.

First off, my New Years resolution of eating Canadian produce only is going quite well (I know I know, it's only been 2 weeks...). Partly because as it turns out, I like all those vegetables. Wonder what's available in BC this winter?

- Squashes (and I could use some advice on butternut, because it always turns out dry for me...but I loooove spaghetti squash)
- Carrot, parsnips, beets, potatoes. Amazing roast veggie mix, let me tell you.
- Green leaf lettuce (greenhouse grown), sprouts. Makes a good salad, especially with a bit of feta crumbled on top.
- Cabbage. Good in stir fries (with carrots and parsnips :P). Fried up with sausage. Yep.
- Apples. I happily don't tire of apples.
- Mushrooms.

I miss bell peppers, but that's about it. Everything else tastes nasty this time of year anyone, so why bother?

Anyone think of something I didn't list? I'm buying American garlic and shallots, because I haven't found Canadian ones. I'd like to grow some...if I ever live in one place long enough. Oh to have a house and a garden and a root cellar... I'm counting veggies and fruits frozen in Canada, although I haven't bought any yet, because I still have my own.

Which brings me to my next update. How my food stored from the garden this summer is holding up:

I more than one years worth of:
-Pickles, asparagus and beet. I need to stop hording them and eat them more! But seriously I have tons.
-Pasta sauce. I'm mostly using it for pizza and that doesn't use a ton at a time. Next time I'm going to use smaller jars too.

I made just enough of (I think...):
- Jam, I made a lot and we're eating a lot. We love jam.
- Canned fruit. Like the pickles I need to stop hoarding so much. I'm just used to stealing from my mom, so I forget that I have lots.
- Frozen summer squash. I did quite a bit, and mostly use it for stir fry.
- Pesto. I have enough...I would eat more though...
- Frozen herbs. Although I'd like more dill...

Next year I'll do more of:
- Frozen fruit. I'm almost out. I've been having breakfast shakes pretty regularly. I need to double or triple the amount of fruit I do next year if I want to eat it all winter. And I do, it's soooo yummy and a good way to get your vitamins all winter.
- Asparagus, but I knew that, asparagus season ran away on my last year and I've been rationing.
- Ratatouille. I can't tell you how much I love this stuff. With sausage. I need to post the recipe. I only have one meal left of it and that makes me soooo sad.

And I'll run out of soup probably, but I can do more this winter.

What I didn't do and want to next year:
- Frozen green beans. I want some.
- Canned veggie broth. I made some asparagus broth, and it's great. I want to make a big batch of general veggie broth next year, so much cheaper and happier than buying organic chicken broth.
- Dried fruits and veggies and herbs. Stealing my parent's dehydrator for a bit if I live nearby.
- Apple juice. I just wanted juice when I was sick. And most juice gives me heartburn anyway. I miss home squished apple juice.
- More kinds of pickles...haha because I don't have any? But seriously, pickles are so fun! I want to do green beans...and maybe cauliflower.
- Maybe freeze some spinach. And Kale.

So how about you guys? Any of you do some preserving this year? How's it holding out? This local/sustainable eating thing would be a lot less fun without ratatouille and frozen raspberries, I'll tell you that!

I could talk about food all day long...but it's time to go eat!

urm..

It will look prettier here by tomorrow...I promise. I let my domain expire and I need to pick a new name...blah blah. So my images don't work, and I half fixed it...but I need to go to work now. Um. Ooops.

Oh the Romance

This illustration was done for the February issue of Romantic Homes magazine. On news stands now! I'm very excited as it's my first time in print...however I can't find the magazine anywhere in town...so I haven't actually seen it. Maybe I can find it in Nelson somewhere....(Lethbridgians should be able to find it at Chapters)

The idea is that they are having a romantic weekend at a Victorian Bed and Breakfast.

Illustration Friday - Contained

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is "contained". Ever feel like you live in a snow globe?

A facsimile of a sham

Sorry, that was a Georgia Nicholson reference.

Anyway, once upon a time in a land far away...I bought some pretty fabric to make a new bedding set for us. I got started and then got totally sidetracked (as often happens). It's time to get back to it though, because I'm pretty sure my mom wants her serger back. And my bed wants to be pretty. So to get my enthusiasm going again, I did up one of the pillow shams today. Is it still a sham it you also sleep on it? Who knows, but this is mine...maybe I will make Craig's tonight...maybe I will read...

I love love love the fabric by the way. It's some Heather Bailey, some Amy Butler and some randoms with factory cotton for a nice undyed neutral.

Linky Love

Sharing time:

1) Sir Freelancalot t-shirt. Sooooo amusing. By The Chop Shop.


2)Check out Goosegrease (and if you are me have a quiet chuckle at the name). Deeelightful wooden figures. Including these handpainted custom wedding cake toppers...I totally would have had a topper for my cake if I had found ones this cute. Maybe I should just get some to hang out on my shelf...


3)Fiona has made another beautiful product for Cartolina Cards, these are recycled notebooks, and aren't the gorgeous? Hop over to her blog now, she's doing a giveaway!


4)Love this photo showing off textiles by Leanne Culy of Home Base Fashions makes me wish for summer to return.


5)Adorable illustration (fat! bird!) by Simona Cordero.