Use Electronic Devices For Good, Not Evil

A recent conversation:


Sweet Pea: I want a cell phone. And an iPod.  
Me: What would you do with those?  
Sweet Pea: I would use them for good. Not evil.
 
Hmmm. Good answer, but no.


Quack!

Did you ever notice how you spend as much time rearranging your supplies as you do using them? Well, maybe you don't, but I do. Maybe it's because I have so  much stuff jammed into such a small space. Or maybe it's the number of different things I'm interested in that I try to keep contained in one spot. In any case, I'm always rearranging it. This photo is from prior to my last rearranging.

I have two tables in my bedroom - a big table-like desk and a nice drafting table I got in college when I was taking art classes. I just rearranged it so the desk is in the corner with all of my supplies stacked on it, around it and under it with a rather small space for doing my scrapbooking and other crafting (with paper, rocks, paints, wire, cloth, etc). And facing it, with my chair in between is my fine art table/drafting table. It’s a bench type seat so I can spin from one table to other easily. My goal is to keep the drafting table cleared off so when I want to paint or draw, there is nothing stopping me. No supplies to rearrange, no need to try to make space to work, just a big open space where I can put down my paper, my water and paints and get to work.

It's been set up like for a couple of weeks now and so far so good. I have two pictures in progress and I actually completed one (a second go at my red birds – I’ll post it when I get a chance to scan it into the PC.)  My work will often sit half finished for days or weeks at a time, but that's OK. It's there and ready for me when I have a few minutes to work.

How do you organize your crafting/art spot?

Quack!

I made some chocolate cookies this weekend. I'm not going to post the recipe because, although they were good, they weren't great. Nothing to brag about. They came out the way they were supposed to, nice and chewy, but the flavor wasn't really that great. So instead, I'll just post a picture. They look nice, but trust me, you don't want to waste your time with this recipe. Hopefully my next attempt at cookies will be tastier - I have several (dozen) recipes I'm anxious to make. And I'll post the recipes for any that are worthy.

Quack!

Calvin & Hobbes Cookies Part 3 - Snowman Sports

This is a continuation of my recreation of various Calvin & Hobbes comics in cookie form.

This time I chose to recreate a comic where the snowmen were participating in various sports (or a sort). This is the original comic here.

Here's a picture of the decorating process:

And a picture of the finished work:

I hope you like it. Leave a comment and let me know what you think! And stay tuned for more Calvin & Hobbes Comic recreations.

Quack!

Random Quote of the Day

“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle…a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl.  And the anticipation nurtures our dream.”

– Barbara Winkler

I'm looking forward to seeing these again in a couple of months. (OK, more like 4 months.) This one is from a plant that sprouts in one of my pots each year. I love these. They are so tiny and colorful).

Quack!

New Job!

This past Friday was my last day at the company that I've worked at since getting out of college (with a 2-year break when I worked somewhere else, then returned). I've held various positions there, and for the most part, enjoyed them all with the possible exception of the six months as a secretary (which was a job from hell!) I've been there for over 17 years! But now the company is going out of business.

While I know that not everyone there feels the same, I have always enjoyed my time there. I was respected, truly enjoyed what I was doing and overall the company was a great fit for me. I worked with some truly awesome people and made some wonderful friends.

But now it's time to move on. I'm excited and can only hope that my new place of employment will be as good a fit. I'm optimistic, hopeful and I know that whatever happens, I am a lucky woman! I have a beautiful family, a wonderful husband and a good job.

But, with a new job, my schedule will be changing. Probably not a lot, but I'm sure I'll be busier than normal for a little while, so my blog postings will most-likely not be daily like they have been. But I'm aiming for 3 days a week. I have fun with this, and hope my readers enjoy what I post too.

So, wish me luck!

And since a blog post just doesn't seem complete somehow without a picture, I'll post this picture. I think he's saying 'Good Luck'.

Quack!

Gotta Get Me S'more of Those

I found a recipe on the lovely Bakerella's web site the other day for S'more's Cupcakes and I just had to try them. Oh my goodness you wouldn't believe how good these are. They are awesome! Very sweet, very tasty, very delicious. This is what they look like:

I found they were best when warm, with a generous drizzle of chocolate ganache. If they are cool, just pour on some ganache then pop them in the microwave for 7-10 seconds. Utter perfection!

Quack!

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

Today is Groundhog Day. Yippee! Let's all celebrate. With chocolate! I must have some here somewhere. Of course, you never need an excuse to eat chocolate. But if you feel like you need one, Groundhog Day is an excellent excuse. You have my permission. Indulge!

And, to get back on topic (Groundhog Day, not chocolate), every year (or at least, most years) the hubby and I celebrate by watching the 1993 movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Yes, aren't we weird? I know the kids will tell us all about just how weird we are someday. Soon I'm sure. But it's a good movie. Check it out for yourself.

Quack!

Calvin & Hobbes Cookies Part 2 - House of Horrors

This is a continuation of my recent post regarding Recreating the Awesomeness that is Calvin and Hobbes.  For my second in the series I chose the Snowmen House of Horrors comic.

There were actually fewer mishaps with this one than the last one, but it was somewhat tricky to get it set up right. I struggled with the sled and the snowman arms, but I was able to come up with something I was happy with - a cardboard sled and real stick arms. Only one cookie broke during construction (the tree snapped off) and for some reason, all three of the tennis racket snowman pieces broke when they came out of the oven - the racket broke off from the cookie. But with a little cardboard and glue everything was all set. (Just don't eat that one! The glue is non-toxic, but still.)

Here are some pictures of the process:

The initial outlining in frosting:

Some close-ups:

 

 

The left-over pieces when all was said and done. (Time to eat the pieces. Anyone hungry?)

And this is the completed masterpiece:

All in all another fun project! Stay tuned for more.

Update: I just found out that Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes has been interviewed (for the first time in 15 years). What timing! Check it out here.

Quack!

Delicious Potato Soup

About a year ago I discovered potato soup. I'd never had it before that, but for some reason I decided to try making it. And I love it! Every time I make it, I eat way too much because I just can't stop because it is So Delicious! Wow! This is the recipe I use. It's also the only potato soup I've ever had, but I can't imagine it getting much better than this.

This particular picture is a batch I made without ham. I didn't have any on hand, so I made it without and just added a little salt to make up for it. It was also delicious, but I like it best with a little ham.

Give it a try!

Chunky Potato Soup

3-4 medium potatoes
2 cups of water
1 small onion
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
Black pepper
3 cups milk
1/2 tsp sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cubed cooked ham

1. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid (adding water if necessary) and set aside.
3. Peel and chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to saucepan and cook, stirring frequently until onion is translucent and tender but not brown.
4. Add flour to saucepan. Season with pepper to taste. Cook 3-4 minutes.
5. Add potatoes, reserved 1 cup cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan. Stir well.
6. Add cheese and ham.
7. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

Eat and enjoy!!

Quack!