Insane with Christmas Baking

Okay so yesterday morning I finished up Christmas cards and then the afternoon I started baking. After dinner, I did some more baking -- more like mixing. I just mixed up several recipes of cookies and got them in the fridge so I could bake them today. By the time I went to bed last night I had a batch of peppermint bark, maple fudge and then dough for jelly cookies, cardamom butter cookies and molasses cookies.

Then today I made chocolate fudge, chocolate caramels (really this is Michael as he does all the stirring for it -- and they require constant stirring), festive bark (almond bark with m&m's and pretzels), mint thins and then I baked jelly cookies, molasses cookies, peanut butter blossoms, and cc peppermint cookies.

Tomorrow I am rolling out the cardamom cookies and also doing sour cream cookies. And making a crab dip for a party that we are going to tomorrow night.

I really don't like living in high altitudes at times. This year my molasses cookies turned out more like ginger snaps. And then cc peppermint cookies turned out tasting good but I always get them mounded high.....and this year nope flatter. (last year pictures and this year below)

Do you have something you make that you don't want to admit what the ingredients are in it? Like I really like homemade mac-n-cheese with Velveeta but I don't like to admit I use Velveeta. Even just sitting here typing the word out makes me cringe. I hate touching it and can't eat it straight. But I like how it makes mac-n-cheese taste.

Okay so I am always on the look out for things with mint in them as Michael really like mint. So in years past I have tried bars and cookies but never found something that was really good. Well in November I got my holiday issue of Kraft Food Magazine and they had mint thins. I looked at the recipe and though okay easy but umm RITZ crackers ewww no. No I don't have anything against Ritz with a veggie dip or some sliced cheese but Ritz in a cookie made me cringe. But it had mint and it was easy. SO yes I made them! (photo below) And....well I am surprised how well they taste. They do taste almost like a girl scout thin mint cookie. I actually will probably be making another batch as I think Michael's family will like them. And they are actually kind of pretty too so will look good on the trays I am making. But it is going to be one of those recipes that when someone asks me how to make them I am going to cringe and say Ritz crackers. I know probably very silly of me to worry about.

Last years CC Peppermint Cookies

This years

Mint Thins

Other cookies I made today...

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Jelly Slices

Molasses Cookies (more like ginger snaps this year though -- again altitude)

World Aids Day

December 1st was World's Aids Day and this was the first year in many that I forgot. I didn't mention it or even think about. And I feel ashamed. Years ago it was something that I think was more up in the face with education and awareness. And it bothers me that has disappeared because I know HIV/AIDS hasn't disappeared. Stats -- 33.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2007. It is hard to think about so many people suffering. But is something I don't want to ignore or pretend isn't an issue...it is still here. And I hope that one day there will be a cure.

The First Ornament on the Tree

Last Monday I put the tree up but we didn't get to decorate it really until this past Saturday. I unpacked the ornaments on Monday though. Michael and I were watching TV together while I unwrapped and unpacked ornaments from mounds of tissue. I wasn't really paying attention as I did...but I finally looked down...the ornament I had in my hand is very special to me. Tears welled up....the emotions spilled through me and I began to sob. I let it all out...the ornament is my dog's ornament that we got for her 1st Christmas.

She died this last spring. I hadn't seen her for years as she was with my ex-husband but she still was in my heart.

So when Michael and I were ready to decorate the tree on Saturday night, he handed me the ornament and said that it should be the first one on the tree this year. More tears shed of course. But she was the first on the tree.

Here is what I wrote the night I found out she died...

May 3, 2007

When I was married and my husband and I bought a cute little house in March 1994. It was 80 plus years old at that time and needed some work. But we were looking forward to making it "ours." My husband was a pet person. He grew up with dogs. And so when we got a house, I told him I thought we should get a dog. Now at that time, I was not really a pet person. I liked animals...but much like children...I didn't know how to interact with them. I am also a girly girl...licking, drool and such grossed me out. And so I wasn't over joyed with the prospect of getting a dog but loved my husband and knew his really missed having a dog so I wanted him to have one. After living in our house for just a couple months, I woke up one Saturday morning and said, "Let's go to the humane society today." He turned 8 years old and bounced up and down. Yes he really did....that was kind of his thing.

We walked through the first part of this humane society...and it was all the puppies. We didn't see anything really. Then as you moved in further it had older dogs. The part with the puppies also was a part that had like little doors so they could go in and out...so part of the kennel was outside and part inside. I was looking but really I felt it was going to be up to him and really we thought we would just look because it was good time to discuss what kind of dog would be good for us. But over all I knew since he was the dog person he was going to have to find a dog that he liked. There were a few older ones he really liked but they were pretty big and he wasn't sure our yard was big enough for such big dogs. So we were heading out...going past the puppy cages again...some had been out when we walked in and as we walked past...

I stopped.

There were 4 puppies in this kennel and they were playing and having so much fun. I stopped. And he had kept walking he noticed I wasn't with him. He then turned back and saw me bent down and eye level with the puppies.

One of the workers came over to me right away. She said, "Would you like to see one?" I said, "YES!" I told her which one and he at this point is looking at me puzzled but happy. The worker brought the puppy out to me....and handed it to me. I pulled the puppy close to me holding her. The little pup was shaking in my arms but she did a big lick all across my face and I started to giggle. We played with her and held her some more. He said, "I think you found our dog."

We did....she came home with us! Because we had not been prepared to bring home a dog....we really had just thought we will go look to start getting an idea of what would work for our house and such. So we didn't have a collar and leash and she was so tiny so I held her and as soon as the car started moving she peed all over me. Again I remind you I am the girly girl who doesn't really like to get dirty. But here was this little puppy that had stolen my heart and so she was my baby. He dropped us off at home and he ran out and got food, leash, toys and all that stuff.

I thought we were going to get a dog for my husband and we came away with a dog for both of us. She captured my heart. My husband traveled quite a bit so she became a good friend for me. There are so many stories I could write....I just loved her so much. She helped me through some dark times by making me get out of bed and making me take care of her. And am so thankful for for finding her and my heart just being captured by her. I have a picture of her that hangs above my desk as there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.

I found out tonight from my ex-husband's Mom that my dog had to be put down. She had a brain tumor and causing her to have so many seizures she became totally unresponsive. She hasn't been in my life for many years but my heart aches as though it was just yesterday when I hugged her close and I will miss her.

Uh Oh....

Laid down for a nap yesterday and woke up with a broken blood vessel in my eye. It looks oh so very lovely! NOT! Grrrr! We have a party to go to this coming weekend too so I am not a happy camper with the thought of red splotch in my eye.

Christmas Baking Upon Us

It is getting that time to bake so today when we went to the grocery store I picked up lots of baking supplies. I think though I am still suffering from sticker shock over the eggs. Eighteen eggs $2.93. Ouch!

I usually try something new every year sometimes those things don't get made again. Sometimes they get on the permanent list.

This is standard every year...
Sour Cream Cookies
Foolproof Fudge
Cardamom Butter Cookies - I roll out to do cutout cookies
Chocolate Caramels
Molasses Cookies
Festive Bark

Then I made these last year and they were a big hit so I am going to do those again...CC Peppermint Cookies - chocolate chip cookie recipe with 1 1/4 cup crushed peppermint bark.

And I have a couple new recipes I want to make and then one old one I would really like to make again as I miss them. I haven't made them in probably 10-11 years. One new recipe I want to make is similar to an old recipe I made the jelly thumbprints....but going to try this one. And then Peanut Butter Blossoms is one I used to make and always enjoyed. I also want to search down a recipe for gluten-free cookies as a family member will need those with all the gluten goodies around -- she needs something for her. So I will be checking out a favorite read to see if I can come up with something.

I always enjoy baking Christmas goodies. I make up plates and containers for friends and family. I also want to make scones as gifts. So I see quite a bit of baking in the near future.

(photo of sour cream cookies from last year I think)

Stomach Flu....

I woke up sick this morning. It is horrible to have company and be sick. I hate having the stomach flu....I mean who likes it but really there is just something about throwing up that makes the stomach flu worse then a cold for me.

Michael's Dad helped out with some tasks around the house that we needed help with -- so I am very thankful they got all those things taken care of for us. That was very nice of them! They had to run out to get some parts and such and on one of their outings they found a very cute bear in a vest and hat that they thought I must have to make me feel better. So I got another bear to add to my collection under the Christmas tree (pictures of bear and tree will come I am sure in a few days).

I stayed in bed most of the day but finally felt at least a little human around dinner time. And dinner stayed down so that is great! I just have a headache and just have achy muscles now. So just watched a movie tonight while hanging out.

I felt horrible that I couldn't spend much time with everyone today but thankful they totally were able to keep themselves busy with the little projects.

Going to go read a little before bed.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday my Love! I hope your day is truly a celebration of YOU! You are an amazing man that words never enough for me to express just how much you mean to me. I love you and Happy Birthday!

Time - Yesterday, Today and This Week

Michael and I had work yesterday that required us to be up at 5:30am. That was a little insane. We worked really hard plus the room where we were working -- the heat was broken so it was 85 degrees which is quite warm for when just sitting but we weren't just sitting we were working are asses off. On our way home we stopped for Chinese take out so that we could just go home and collapse. We ate and then took showers as we were beyond the expiration date of our deodorant. After showers, we just relaxed and watched movies. We watched the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I was singing along with the songs -- it was fun! And a nice way to unwind after a long day.

It was our annual parade of lights here in Grand Junction but we knew after having such a busy morning there is no way we would be able to make it. And thank goodness we didn't as the weather got horrid just as it would have been starting last night. Ice hitting the windows and forming on our deck. Baby it's cold outside!

Today I have been doing some cleaning and then one of my eyes all of sudden started acting up. I am still having problems with. It was like the lids stuck to the eye so when I opened my eye it felt like ripping across my eye. Michael looked at the eye after - so did I and it looked fine but at one point today the only time it felt okay was closed. It is like a film is over at at times and also is pretty red tonight. I have been having allergy issues and goopy eyes so not sure if it is related.

This week is going to be very busy for me. Tomorrow I am going to start Christmas decorating. I am sure with other things I have to do I won't get it all done. So I will finish it up on Tuesday. Tuesday we need to do some grocery shopping and I need to finish shopping for his birthday. And then Wednesday finish any cleaning and get ready for Michael's parents to arrive on Thursday. It is Michael's birthday Thursday. I am not sure what I am going to make for dinner on Friday but most of the other meals are planned. Though we did get an email from Michael's parents tonight saying lots of snow in the forecast for the week so that could mean they won't make it over the mountains to our side. Either way my plans for this week will still be busy.

Well I am off to finish cleaning the refrigerator and then fold clothes. We are recording Tinman but probably won't watch it until after all 3 parts are recorded. While I fold clothes, I am going to watch Project Runway as I haven't watched this past weeks episode yet.

Exciting I know.

all the above was written early in the evening...I just forgot to hit post.

What else can I babble on and on about...

We have a new Goodwill here that seems like really well run operation. They have a drive up which is great. People meet you to help carry in your stuff and have real receipts (other place just hands you a little slip with their name on the top and lines to fill out what you brought). We got rid of so much -- it was nice to get rid of it. We were trying to find out if there was a local coat drive too as we have 11 coats and jackets but we couldn't find one. So those will need to be dropped at Goodwill now too.

I am reading the 4th book in the Outlander series. I also have the 2nd book in His Dark Materials series. But I am really enjoying the 4th book. I love that Brianna is in this one. I really hope that continues on as it seems like it might. I am only a little ways into the book yet so don't know how much she is there. But enjoying it so far. I am actually thinking I will go read a bit before bed.

I feel really tired today but I don't know why I do.

Shared the same Birthday...

Online world...I have been online for over ten years. There are many things about my first internet experiences I wish I could change. They weren't very positive. But I am still thankful for the internet. Michael and I connected that way at first. Many other people I count as very good friends offline were first encountered online. Because of the internet I am able to share my art. And I am not sure I would have ever gotten up the courage to do that offline to galleries and just friends and family if I hadn't had this place first. So there have been some positives too.

I am also blessed to have the internet now after moving from Cleveland where I had big social circle and schedule to a smaller town where I don't - has been a hard thing for me. I love all the quality time Michael and I have but I do need friends and other types of relationships. So right now the internet has been that place where I can stay connected to friends from offline and far away and also with just people I have met online through blogs, forums, elist and such.

Someone I have known online died today. I had known her through various elists and such for quite a while...6 or 7 years but didn't know her well. She shared my birthday but actually 3 years younger. It was just shocking to refresh my daily reads and see her husband's announcement. It sounds like it was sudden - nothing as far as I knew was wrong health wise. Her husband hasn't posted how it happened. My thoughts are with her husband and family but I am just still a little shocked by the news. And I wasn't even close to her -- but... it still is very sad to know she isn't here anymore. My thoughts are with her friends and family...and her animals. She was an animal rescuer and had over 25 animals at her place....so I know they will miss her too.

(image from an ATC I did but don't have on the website as the photo isn't the best)

A Friend for All Seasons

Michael and I have a friend that has just been so supportive to us personally and also with the business. She is amazing at tax information and with a business you know that is imperative to understand taxes and do that correctly. So she has been a remarkable wealth of information for the business. I told her many many times she should write a tax book - because Michael is a very smart man but some of the tax info confused them before he started consulting her. And she made it so clear that often I could understand it and numbers confuse me! I know she doesn't feel she has the right qualifications to write a book on it but I think she is amazing!

And also as I said she personally has been just a great friend. She has let me vent to her before, given me a new perspective and just been there as a good friend in so many ways. I am really blessed to call her my friend.

So Michael and I wanted to do something for her. At Christmas time my family sends us little packages to open each day before Christmas and I remembered our friend commenting on how neat of idea that was and that would be so fun. So I created "A Friend for all Seasons" package - 30 days of little packages covering all the seasons of the year. Also right now she is on bed rest as she is pregnant with her first baby so I thought sending it now would be fun for her since she is going a little stir crazy.

I wrapped each little package and then put labels on them 1 to 30 with little clues of what might be in them. I made labels in word with dingbats and different fonts. It was fun as I love fonts! My sister gave me some perfect little bags recently that worked out good for several of the packages. I stamped them with a rubber stamp, punched holes in them to tie them with ribbon. I wrapped other packages in all sorts of tissues, wrapping papper and ribbons. It was a lot of fun to make this package up for her.

Well she got it yesterday so she started on her first package of the 30 days. I think I am just as excited as she is in opening her presents!

Here is a print screen of the labels I put on them....clicking on it will bring you to a bigger view.

Business Cards

As I said in another post,I ordered some business cards recently for my art. So I noticed on one of our chairs on the porch a little box. I was so excited to open the box to actually see the cards. I opened the box and Michael said the look on my face was priceless because the cards in the box weren't mine. I had one of those blonde moments with a puzzling look of why isn't my card in here. I got someone else's card. Michael contacted the company last night and they are printing a new batch and sending them out right away. But in my email box this morning there was an email from the gentleman whose cards I received - as he got mine. He said he would send me my box and I am sending him his too. So it is cool I will have 200 cards instead of just 100.

The Golden Compass

Since I haven't had a book to read for several nights now I have been reading Cosmopolitan. Michael purchased something about 2 months ago and he got 4 subscriptions to magazines for very low price to free. Cosmo was free. I think Food & Wine was like $4 bucks and the most expensive one. So I got Cosmo because it was free. It has been years and years since I picked up a Cosmo. Was it always this bad? I remember reading it in high school and college but just don't remember it being this bad. The gal & guy confessions, the articles (if you can even call them that), the advice - it is all just horrible. I know I shouldn't be shocked it is Cosmo but I really don't remember it being this bad. The confessions I felt had to be written by kids and sent in because do people really do the things they "confess." Thank goodness I received email notification of the next book in His Dark Materials series is on hold and waiting for me. I think we might be picking that up today.

I am so excited for The Golden Compass movie to come out. I really enjoyed the book. Every time we see the trailer for it on tv -- I get so excited! Of course this movie is being protested just like the Harry Movies and other like movies. But I read a pretty good article about the movie. I understand Pullman critizies the Narnia series but I still like the Narnia series and actually thought of asking for that for Christmas as I would like to read those. I read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was a young girl but none of the others. Although I thought we had them. I think my sister got them for a gift. But back on topic I really am excited to see the The Golden Compass.

Absolute No's

I think this is a really good list of things not to do when doing freelance work. So I am putting it here so I remember it!

Sale! Sale!

I am a posting fool today....

I just got an email from Addicted to Rubber Stamps...

They are having a REALLY good sale so go check it out if you create - art, cards or scrapbooks it is a great sale! Plus 1/2 price shipping!

Christmas Decorations - Blogstyle

I am keeping this blog as is but I did put up a cute Christmas banner on our Michael & Darby blog. Check it out! I made 2 more banners too and so will probably rotate between the three.

Holiday Blues

I really get annoyed with myself though because although we had a VERY nice Thanksgiving I still got sad and down yesterday. I was missing time with family. I even thought of one particular Thanksgivings. As I said in my last post cooking Thanksgiving meal isn't my favorite for a crowd. I am always worried the turkey won't come out good. Why I worry about that...I am not sure as I have always had my turkey's turn out really good.

I remember the first Thanksgiving I hosted was when my parents, sisters and one of my Grandma's came...when I was married. I think actually it was our first Thanksgiving after moving into our house. I had at that point in my life never made a turkey so thankfully my Mom was right there to help walk me through it! Such as I was forgetting to pull the sack of giblets so she caught that! And she made the mashed potatoes because it took me years to master those...I always have had lumps. I finally can make mashed potatoes without lumps (well most of the time). But everything else I made turned out really good. I just remember being so intimidated because my Mom and my Grandma are amazing cooks. So here I am doing turkey dinner for the first time and they are my guests. Oh my the panic! I remember freaking out on before they got there in the morning - they had stayed in a hotel as our house had lots stairs and my Grandma couldn't take those. So it was just my sisters that stayed with us. I was told all would work out and of course it did.

I know I hosted Thanksgiving a few more times...once when my sisters couldn't get to Minnesota they came to our house at least Michelle did. I recalled some past Thanksgiving memories during my sadness although all the memories I recalled were good memories. It just made me a little nostalgic thus making me feel a little sad. But as I said it annoys me because I have so much to be thankful for plus I had such a nice day with Michael that I shouldn't have been sad at all. I just feel this year is going to be year of recalling old memories for me because of my mindset about being 40.

Well that is enough reminiscing for today. I need to work.

(image is from an ATC - Lost)

Friday Gratitude

5 Things I am Thankful for in my Life...
1. A wonderful Thanksgiving spent with Michael!
2. Yummy left overs!
3. That I can play Christmas music now!
4. For being really productive this past week!
5. For family and friends!

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was lovely. I had cinnamon rolls raising before I went to bed on Wednesday so we had a few of those for breakfast on Thursday while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Michael talked to several of his family members while I got things ready for the turkey dinner. We don't eat until 4pm so I just prepped.

While we waited for getting things in the oven, we watched a movie. We watched The Prestige. We ate about 4:30pm as pop up timer on the turkey didn't pop up until then even though I thought just by poundage it should have been done sooner. Michael and I had a good wine and stuffed ourselves! After we cleaned up the kitchen, I called my parents. My sister just closed on a house so I knew they were spending Thanksgiving working on the house. We chatted a bit and then Michael and I rolled ourselves to the couch to watch The Polar Express. It was so nice to be snuggled up on the couch watching it...I get such a gleeful feeling when I watch it. Eventually we had pumpkin pie and watched Project Runway. We ended up getting to bed about 1:30am with the alarm set for 4:30am because we decided to be insane hit Best Buy and Circuit City on Black Friday.

Best Buy was packed packed. They had everything really well stocked. Lots of tvs and other merchandise out ready to just be carted off. They had lots of people directing traffic as well as arrows and balloon throughout the store so you could stop and ask where are ipods and they would say go to the blue balloon. The had a person at the cashiers to direct plus each cashier had bright orange signs with numbers to wave when they were done. It really wasn't a horrible ordeal. But.... Circuit City I am just so over it with them. Last week we went in to get a few movies they had in their ad. They had notice of the misprinted ad - the list wasn't just one or 2 movies - no it was a list of like 15 to 20 movies that shouldn't have been listed leaving the real list to like 10 movies really on sale. Then the ad online for today had some things on sale that weren't on sale in the store but the ad online didn't say anything about being web only...and of course their website was out this morning. Crashed at 2am or something like that. They had lines for everything so if you wanted the hot deal on the big tv you had to wait in a line and then see if they had anymore in stock and then after that if you wanted game system you had to go wait in another line. And then you had to get in the cashier line with a print out slip(s). Oh and they were only letting so many people in the store which was probably good for their store as we have a smaller Circuit City. But waiting out in the cold to get into the store that really didn't have many of the things we were looking for really wasn't fun.

It was a good Thanksgiving though so that is what matters! We had a really nice day! Michael and I had good quality time together yesterday. It was very nice and I am very thankful to be with Michael.

Turkey Eve

I haven't had much time for anything lately. I go from one project to the next, to the next...and so on.

Yesterday was shopping, working on a website and working on a Christmas present. Today I have cleaned most of the day, baked and then did a little bit of work the Christmas presents I am making.

It will just be us tomorrow...which is fine with me. Cooking for a large group on Thanksgiving isn't one of my favorite things to do...I would rather do Christmas dinner. We are having a pretty traditional menu this year. Roasted turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and I even made parker house rolls - something I haven't made in over 10 years.

Michael gave me a surprise the other day.....he said we will be putting up the Christmas decorations BEFORE his birthday this year so his parents can see the house all decorated. I am so excited! He usually likes us to wait until after his birthday...which I totally understand. But it does still make me very happy we get to have the decorations up a few days longer then usual! I am such a sap for Christmas.

I will be finishing The Golden Compass tonight (only have like 30 pages left). I really enjoyed it. I have put on request the second in the series. I am still waiting for the 4th in the Outlander series. So looks like I will be out of books for the next few days. I reached 50 books for the year though -- which was 50 more then last year so I am happy about that.

Well I better sign off and get some sleep.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving full of friends & family and love & laughter!

(Another Christmas photo from a few years ago -- I have a bunch of Christmas bears and they sit under the tree)

Bringing on the Busy...

I have felt kind of down this weekend. But today I finished up something for a friend and that actually helped me feel better knowing we will make her smile. I don't feel I accomplished much else though this weekend. I have 2 websites that I need to work on...changes to one and finishing up the other now that the client decided what template she wants. I also need to finish up an article. And then prep for Thanksgiving this week.

Michael's parents are coming for his birthday (Dec 6th) so I need to finish the autumn cleaning I started a few weeks ago (when I was steam cleaning). I would like to wash and press all the curtains and steam clean the hallway and Michael's office before they come (then all the carpet in the house would be done). I have bunches of stuff to go to Goodwill but I need to get it all together (one spot) and then typed up for taxes.

I started making our holiday card list today, got out the cards and labels so that I can try to get those out early this year. Maybe I will even get a letter done this year.

(The photo is one Michael took of our tree a couple years ago - the ornament is one his Grandmother made.)

New Business Card

Michael had a coupon for 100 free business cards and I am out so he said I should use it. So I made up some new designs. I ended up ordering number 5 (which is the photo below). I sent it to a bunch of friends and the majority liked 5 the best. But it was close between 1 and 5 - in the end though 5 had more votes. I would like to get a batch of 1 sometimes too.

Friday Gratitude

5 Things I am Thankful in my Life...1. Although I wish it was more like the first season, I am still glad Project Runway is back -- it is a pure guilty pleasure.
2. For getting Michael hooked on Project Runway!
3. New business cards about to be ordered!
4. Some work things that I really did good on this past week. Inspired me to want to redesign my website and also Michael's business site.
5. For having my 2nd try at getting some blood go well...tests came all normal. Just got general blood work up.

(image from a piece of my art -- I think I have posted this before but I posted it over on Michael and my blog so thought I would just do the same here.)

Deep Thoughts...Okay not really...

Sunday
I thought my day was going to go bad. Once a month my cooking skills go out the window. For brunch I burnt our turkey bacon and then the biscuits were more ummm blackish-brown on their bottoms then they should have been. Luckily Michael took care of the eggs or we wouldn't have had anything that was -right-. I forgot a few things that day too - like meds.

I did though get lots of work - coding websites templates - done. I really kicked ass on them actually. They look really good and I need to keep them in my portfolio because I might be able to modify them for another client. It really made me want to redo Michael's work website to though because I just was really in a groove -- so I jotted some notes down to redo his -- this will be version 3 now. I just redid his probably 6 months ago though. I need to start also working on a holiday banner for our blogspot.

Monday
Sunday night I think we went to bed close to 2am. And I read until 3:30 am and then got up fairly early so I was dragging ALL DAY. You would think that last night I would have slept soundly but I didn't. I didn't do a lot yesterday - some chores, laundry, a little graphic thing Michael needed me to do and that was about it.

Tuesday
It is only 12:45 and we have been really productive but just got home a bit ago. We left the house at 7:45am. I had to go get blood drawn. I have border line high blood pressure. Then I have white coat syndrome - meaning as soon as I set foot in the doctors office my blood pressure sky rockets. But because I am a big girl my doctor always worries it is just not white coat syndrome and that I have heart disease. So I get to go do blood test every so often for a lipid panel. It always come back in the acceptable range but I guess it is better to have her care enough to do it then not.

When we got there, I was freezing. I said to Michael I bet it will be a hard go on my vains today because I am so cold they all are shrunk up and hiding. He laughed and nodded his head like my girl is silly. I get back in the nurses chair and she is saying how busy it has been and everyone has been a hard stick. And I said you will probably have problems with me too. My doctor walked by as I was getting it done so came to see how it was going and both the nurse and I said not good. I said I am so cold this morning it is hard to get one to come up the surface. They both commented that my hands were ice. So I get to come back as she didn't want to stick m again...she only stuck me 2 times. Thursday morning I have to be back at 8:10am -- I told Michael that I probably should get up and get moving around more so that I warm up long before we leave the house. We woke up, showered and left so I know my body wasn't awake at all. Even my usual for sure place on my hand wouldn't pop up and that vain always springs right up with a few times of clenching/unclenching my hand.

Getting stuck this morning though reminded me of when I was getting married. I was having lots of asthma problems - in and out of the ER several times right before our wedding. I knew it was probably just stress of the wedding. Our honeymoon was going to be in Colorado...going to high altitude with the asthma problems - made me a tad bit worried. So I made an appointment with my doctor to maybe change my inhaler or do something to help me out while there. My appointment was 2 days before my wedding. And they wanted blood. The nurse stuck me once, twice, third time...I threw up. By the 6th time she knew I was on the verge of getting sick again she is trying to keep my mind off it by engaging me in conversation where I then tell her - I am getting married in 2 days. She went white and looked like she was going to get sick. She blurted out in a very worried tone.."omg does your dress have long sleeves?" Because after sticking me that many times I had bruises on both arms appearing before I even left. I told her yes it was long sleeves but after that she was so nervous she ended up sending me to the hospital lab...which they stuck me once - barely felt the needle go in. It actually was one of the best blood labs I have been too. Oh I guess the nurse in Cleveland too was good too but she had to stick more then once sometimes. But her attitude and energy were so great...she was funny and just so nice. She usually had me crying - not because of pain but from laughing so hard.

I guess back on track of daily report....so had the lab appointment this morning, then after we went to breakfast, target, grocery shopping, library and post office. I am starting to stock up on stuff to make Christmas goodies. Library didn't have the next in the Outlander series ready for me yet. Someone was suppose to return it on the 8th but well that hasn't happened. I never read The Golden Compass before either so I requested that one and there is not even a waiting list on it. I figured there might be since the movie will be out soon.

I need to do some laundry today and I need to finish some work.

(from an ATC - Monster Joy)

Friday Gratitude

5 things I am thankful for in my life...1. Being able to request books online to pick up at the library!
2. Doctor appointment going smoothly this week and for the wonderful staff in my doctors office. They are all so good!
3. For the yummy comfort food I made on Sunday - Chicken and Dumplings
4. For Michael because he is so amazing
5. For airborne keeping the cold away from me

(cropped image from Allergy Season)

Elizabethtown

Last night I watched Elizabethtown. I put it on my netflix queue after seeing Orlando Bloom in the 3rd Pirate movie as I just really liked him as eye candy. Well I wouldn't say the movie was great but it did touch me. It had some really beautiful touching moment for me and some really good lines (I will put at the end of the post a few the lines). But then...what really pushed it over the top was the MUSIC! It is a Cameron Crowe movie and his movies usually have good music but this really seemed to even out do Almost Famous (which I have that soundtrack too because I love the music - icon is from it too).

In the movie Kirstin Dunst's character (Claire) has told Orlando Bloom's character (Drew) that he should take a road trip because he said he never done one. She makes him this really cool altered book with maps (including places where he should stop and why), pictures and then mix cds for the whole way to fit with where he is driving. And the music....oh the music...gives me shivers just thinking of it now...as I was just so completely absorbed in it that I know I missed some of the feelings Orlando's character was suppose to be going through as I was going through my own emotions.

I immediately went to amazon.com to see about soundtrack and of course there is the orginal score and then there are 3 more cd's the main soundtrack vol. 1 and plus 2 more. One just for when they (Drew and Claire) were The Brown hotel...that one I would really like to have but it wasn't available on amazon (which btw the hotel looks like an amazing place to stay!). So yesterday Michael had some reward coupons for Best Buy and he was going to look something so he said go see if they have soundtracks for Elizabethtown. They had the main one - vol. 1 and then vol 2. I picked vol. 2. But would like to get the other sometime too.

So I am sure I will be listening to Elizabethtown soundtrack for several days/weeks.

Lines:
Claire: I'm impossible to forget, but I'm hard to remember.

Claire: Trust me. Everybody is less mysterious than they think they are.

Claire: Most of the sex I've had in my life was not as personal as that kiss.

Claire: Men see things in a box, and women see them in a round room.

Claire: Sadness is easier because its surrender. I say make time to dance alone with one hand waving free.

Hollie: All forward motion counts.

Claire [voice over]: Some music *needs* air. Roll down your window.

Claire: To have never taken a solitary road trip across country? I mean everybody's got to take a road trip, at least once in their lives. Just you and some music

Friday Gratitude

5 Good Things in my Life...
1. Elizabethtown soundtrack
2. Pumpkin Cheesecake
3. Phone calls from good friends
4. New book I picked up at Michael's that is giving me some holiday present ideas!
5. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series....my friend Carolynn suggested them to me and I am really loving the story! It is a page turner after finishing one book I am eager to get to the next

Black Smoke for Halloween to make it eerrie....right? Not quite...

I have a pumpkin cheesecake in the oven. I found a tip that you won't have a cracked cheesecake if you put a couple teaspoons of cornstarch in it. So that is what I did (but it didn't work - at least not for me). I usually do the normal water bath for it - which is also suppose to prevent cracking but I found it doesn't always work either. So I am on the phone with Michael and then I realize the house is filling up with smoke....I look in cheesecake is fine but there was a little leaking that spill was burning something terrible. I have all the windows open...and exhaust fan going too. I haven't "noticed" my pan leak when it was in the bath.

I am not sure why I didn't think about that in the first place. I mean it is a cheesecake pan obviously how the thing fits together and all the years I have had it...it can't be perfectly sealed still so why I didn't put at least a pan under it....I am not sure. But there is one there now...of course as I am waving black smoke towards the open windows!

(going to post a picture and recipe of the pumpkin cheesecake on my cooking blog in a few days)

Friday Gratitude

5 Good Things in my Life...
1. Time spent last week with my parents, Frank, JoAnne and Michael...for my birthday!
2. Birthday cards from friends
3. Halloween plates & napkins that make smile and feel festive
4. Incense that makes the house smell warm and spicy!
5. Birthday presents!

Quiet

I have been quiet because when we come home I crash. And then we have had work to do so been busy with that.

Today we went grocery shopping. This afternoon I made a few loaves of herbed french bread and sour cream cookies. Michael has a meeting tomorrow night that he is bringing snacks to so I am making a taco dip and then some french bread pizza. I felt like I smelled like basil all afternoon because the basil in the bread was so strong.

Tomorrow and Friday I am steam cleaning carpets as it will be in the 70's so I can keep the windows open while the carpet drys.

(cropped image from ATC Plug In)

Birthday Recap

This is a long long entry capturing my birthday and days surrounding it with my parents, Frank, JoAnne and Michael...plus photos from the art museum.

Wednesday - Our trip over the mountains was okay but not perfect we had snow, rain, wind, sleet and sunshine too. My parents got into Denver and had a bit to eat by the time we got there. After we checked them into their hotel, we went shopping! My parents had said they would just get me what I wanted when they were here for my birthday. I had decided I wanted new shoes. It is something I don't spend much money on - instead getting cheap shoes that will hurt my feet or be worn out after one season of wearing them - I knew I should get some good shoes for the winter. My favorite pair of mary janes are scuffed. And then my other pair is just not that attractive.

So we went to DSW and my Mom ended up buying me 3 pairs of shoes. My favorite pair is a pair of Born's which feel oh so good on my feet. I wore them Thursday and Friday and they didn't hurt and I am sure helped me be able to do all the walking we did those days. I can't find a picture of them online but they had a buckled like this one and then they had the top stitching like this one and are in black. I was looking for this pair - we went to 2 DSW's hoping to find them in my size but no go so I got the clogs instead.

I also got a pair of ballerina style tennis shoes that are the same as these in style but colors are different. Mine are blue almost a denim blue and then brownish tan. I have 2 jeans skirts I wear often so they will look really cute with those. And the other pair is Naturalizers that are similar to these - but not quite. Mine are brown suede with just one strap coming across instead of the crisscross straps. These are so comfy too but still not as comfy as the Born's.

After shopping we went to dinner and I had such a good potato soup. Yummy I miss potato soup - Michael isn't fond of cream based soups.

Thursday - We got up and met Michael's parents at my favorite breakfast place with my parents. They hit it off instantly! My Dad and Michael's Dad worked in the same field at one point and so they talked and talked and talked about that all weekend. My Dad isn't much of a chatterbox but he really did chat it up with Frank. So I am thankful that went so smoothly. We had a very good breakfast and then my parents, Michael and I went to the Denver Art Museum. They added a new building to it since we had went last time. And so it was really nice to go through it. I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of little extra features that I enjoyed - there was a postcard station to make your own postcard, there were lots of kid activities that we ended up doing too, lots of booklets to explain more about the pieces, a lot of coffee table art books and sitting areas throughout and just interesting ways to view some of the art. I like museums so it was a nice way to spend my birthday. There is a big sculpture in the front of a broom, dust pan and stuff being swept into it so Michael told my Mom and I to pose like we were being swept up too. It didn't quite work like he wanted but it was fun!

After we got all the way through, Michael wanted me to pick out some things in the gift shop to remember our time there. I got a box of note cards (modern and contemporary works), bookmarker (Ophelia by Arthur Hughes), and 2 magnets one that lists the eightfolds of Buddhism and then an Andy Warhol soup can magnet.

When we left the art museum Michael took us on a little tour of Denver. My Dad worked in Denver a lot so he remembered lot of places he had spent time at eating and working. And then we headed to Frank and JoAnne's where I opened presents. My sisters being such loving sisters decided to remind me it was my 40th birthday (something I avoided the whole weekend) by giving me 40 presents! Yes 40 presents including: the next ornament in the series I collect, socks, recipe cards, art supplies, notepads, hot cocoa mix, scented lotion, 40 dimes and much much more! Michael gave me DVD's - the new Serenity with the extra special features (it has a really cool dvd cover), Sound of Music (which I sing all the time around the house), Cinderella plus the early birthday gifts of Beauty and the Beast dvd and Belle doll! And then a very sexy loving card that was very touching. Frank and JoAnne gave me a gift card for Kohl's...which is a place I really like to shop. We just got one in Grand Junction last October.

Friday - We decided would be a good day for a day trip. My parents haven't been here in the fall so they could see some colors (that what is left at least) and the beautiful mountain scenery. So we went to Evergreen for breakfast and then headed to Central City for to gamble. Michael and I each won $50 so that was nice. My Mom won $80 and everyone else lost. From there we went to Silver Plume which looks pretty much like a ghost town. But there is a good bakery there and lots of photography opportunities. So we got a loaf of Asiago Herb bread and then went and photographed some old buildings. From there we went and had pizza at the place I mentioned a while back. I knew my parents would like it. And they did.

Saturday - We met up for breakfast. Michael had a meeting so while he went to his meeting Mom, Dad and I went shopping. I picked up some Christmas cookie cutters. I have some but I am getting sick of doing the same shapes every Christmas so now I have some new shapes. We went to Archivers too and I picked up several cute things there. After Michael's meeting, he met up with us and we all had Cold Stones before my parents headed to the airport and Michael and I headed to his parents to load up and head home.

We were worried about hitting a storm front over all the mountain passes but really we didn't have a problem until we hit Rifle which is only about 1 1/2 hours from home. Oh my...did we hit a storm. The winds were so bad people were driving with their 4-ways on - on the interstate. We decided to take back roads because some idiots were still driving speed limit. At one point we saw a big detour sign that had sand bags weighing it down lying in the middle of the road - but the thing about it the sign had been blown about 7 to 9 feet away from the sandbags. Michael had to have both hands on the wheel at all times to keep the car on the road. The rain was coming down in sheets at times and there was thunder and lightening. So it was fun...NOT! We were very very thankful to get home. When we got home, it wasn't raining but felt like it was going to start again soon so we had to unpack quickly. I had to break out thermals and wool socks last night it was so cold.

Overall - The weekend just hanging out with my parents was great. I enjoyed their company, seeing them and celebrating my birthday with them. I am thrilled michael's parents got along with my parents so well! And thankful for all they did this weekend to make it a special weekend for me.

I am always amazed by Michael....I think I see all he has in him and then he shows me something new. I mean I have seen his kindess and love before but it just always seems to go further. He made sure my birthday was so very special. He shows his love to me in so many ways....words and actions. We have a friend that always says she wishes Michael would give classes on creating a special occasion as he always tells her about how he celebrates my birthday and she is always envious. He does truly go out of his way to make it a celebration full of love and laughter. I am truly thankful for ALL he does for me not only for my birthday but always. Thank you Michael...thank you thank you for everything! I love you so very much!

Photos from the Denver Art Museum and one of Michael helping his Mom with some photography shots....

This is the outside of the old building. The new part is very angular and almost feels liek you are walking tilted when walking through it. But I got used to it and it was cool how the art could be displayed in some very unique ways.

Broom and Dust Pan

Andy Warhol Soup Cans

Close up of a soup can

Poppy painting with vase of poppies

Cool colored glass bar reflecting on the wall

And me...with a GIANT clothespin!

Michael & his Mom JoAnne in Silver Plume photographing an old church

Good Birthday!

We are home (again)!

I want to thank everyone for the wonderful, touching, beautiful cards, emails and gifts. I am so very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. Thank you all so much!

I had a wonderful birthday. We didn't celebrate it with cake and singing of Happy Birthday - which was my wish that we wouldn't. But we celebrated with just doing lots of fun things and seeing my parents. It was a wonderful wonderful weekend! I am very grateful to Michael for the words, the gifts, the time he created for my birthday. I am truly a lucky woman!

I hope my sister, April is having a VERY Happy Birthday!

Hear Me

This one is how I saw it in my head but in not sure if it is finished...

Hear Me
Mix Media on Canvas
5" x 7"

Halloween Decorations

Last year I bought some napkins, towels and table runner at Kohl's after Halloween Sale. So this year I was exicted to decorate for Halloween.

Pumpkin basket I bought at Michael's not to long ago. It has Halloween napkins in it with a few silk leaves in fall colors in it and also under it.

The runner I got a Kohl's last year. Black with green, orange, white stitched strips and pumpkins on the end of it.

I have had this Pumpkin cutout stand FOREVER! It has a little Halloween tin with a candle in it that smells like licorce.

A little Pumpkin bag with a Halloween candle next to it.

Ceramic pumpkin and little stuffed ghost

Little pumpkin bells on silkcord attached to some of the cabinet handles

Little tissue fold out pumpkin and clay black cat

Another little pumpkin and then a pumpkin candle and the picture is of Michael and I. Although I am party covered by the candle.

where oh where is my hair....

You know when I walked in to get my haircut I knew I should have waited as my favorite girl wasn't there today. So instead getting the 4 to 5 inches I wanted off...the stylist took 7 to 8 inches off. It is just a smidge past my chin. After I dye it tomorrow I will take pictures. I showed her how much I wanted off and she started in the back so I didn't see how much she was actually taking off until it was too late. When she got to the front....I knew....it was quite a bit shorter then I told her. Sad thing is that if I would have known she was taking that much off I would have told her to take one more inch and save my hair so that it could have went to locks of love - I think that is what upsets the most. All that hair lying on the floor could have been donated had she asked to take that much off.

It was just hard looking at it this short though and she is lucky I didn't start crying right there. I know it is only hair. It will grow back but just not feeling very happy about it. I am sure it will "grow" on me. Michael likes it and says it is cute so that is good. I was worried it was too short for him too.

Randomness

This is going to be post of randomness thus the bullet points as nothing connects. That kind of day you know.

• We had dinner with friends last night. Michael made a retirement video for one of the friends and we weren't able to be a the party when the showed it as we were in Shreveport so got together last night. We watched the video last night with them and the friend got all teary watching it again. And he has watched it several times already but still affected by it. I know it makes Michael feel good that his work touches people. It is hard not to be touched by his videos. I know I feel the same way about my parents video.
  
  We all watched the Rockies win so that was fun and had great food. We had really good wine. One wine though I really liked even though I only had a sip as migraines still lingering but it had a grapefruit undertone that was very nice. Of course though I had to do something to make myself blush a million shades of red....I broke a spoon.



• At Frank and JoAnne's last week we watched the first disk from Planet Earth. And that was so amazing! I loved it. But really what was the cutest is when the birds came on to their big screen high definition tv and Caesar immediately jumped from his slumber to go get them. He was reaching up touching the screen with his paw. He finally jumped up on the speaker next to the tv and sat on it reaching over to the tv to try to get the birds. We didn't get a picture because as soon as we would have moved he would have stopped. But it was SO cute!



• Going to get my hair cut this morning. I will be having probably about 4 to 5 inches taken off - it is a length Michael really likes. Then tomorrow I will dye it black cherry. I have been trying to hold out in getting it cut because I wanted to donate to locks of love again. But I am just really getting frustrated with it - the tangles and it is just so dry. So I need to get some taken off. I want it couple inches past my shoulders.



• Talked to my parents yesterday to get plans more firm for what we are doing and staying. We are going to the art museum Thursday. Friday we will probably take a little day trip. And then the rest of the time will be for shopping. I want new shoes - new mary janes to be exact. And there are DSW's in Denver so probably hit one of those.



• Made Chili and cornbread on Saturday. And then yesterday I made a pie to bring to our friends - chocolate buttermilk. (links are to recipes over on my cooking blog)
  

We have a film shoot this afternoon. I am feeling really out of today though so I hope I can snap out of it before then.

Need to find my sister's birthday card to give to my parents....her birthday is on the 20th.

Shrine: Broken Fear

I started this one a while back but never got around to finishing it until recently!

Spiders!

Okay so I mentioned that on the way out of Colorado on our trip to Shreveport we saw spiders. Not just tiny spiders - BIG HAIRY spiders as we were going 65 - 70 mph down the road. You could see them ahead on the road. We saw 20 in about a 50 mile stretch. I wanted a picture bad but our camera was buried and it isn't really a stretch that is easy to pull over.

On the way back Michael had the camera out and the traffic wasn't busy so he pulled over when we saw them and took some photos. This time we only saw like 5 but at least we got some photos. When we got the closer look - I thought it looked like a tarantula. But we were surprised there were any in Colorado.

As I mentioned that on our way through Colorado we stopped and met up with one of Michael's friends and on the way back we saw him outside his store so stopped. Michael asked about the spiders. And his friend said that they are indeed tarantulas. And this is their migration season and the pavement holds the heat so they criss cross over it on their journey. He said scorpions do the same thing but go in groups.

I did find it odd when we got closer to populated areas - farms and ranches we didn't see the tarantulas as much. I guess that is good for the people that live out there!

Beautiful Building

On our trip to Shreveport the AT&T building has murals on 2 sides of it. Michael got pictures of one side of it. It is a mural of the plight and triumphs of the people of Shreveport. I thought it was amazing.

Here are a couple pictures of it...Click on them to get a bigger view of them. They are really awe inspiring.

Birthday Blues

I am a big person on birthdays. It is day to celebrate. And I try to celebrate my friends and family as I am truly happy that they are in the world! And even my own birthday I try to honor too but this year is REALLY hard. I will be turning 40 on the 18th and not looking forward to it at all. Only good thing is I do get to see my parents as they are flying in to spend it with me.

But over all I am feeling a little blue about my 40th birthday. I did this on my 30th birthday too - got all depressed and sad. I know 40 shouldn't be a big deal. And I know plenty of people have told me their 40's were the best time of their life. I get that. I think I am just going through some depression in general and just not happy with myself.

So that is where I am at...right now. In crying, moody, depressed mood. I should be asking for some cheese with my whine.

(cropped image from Torn and Blue ATC)

Home Again

Home. So glad we are home. But I am feeling really drained it was a stressful drive home as the cats were not really calming down at all....acting freaked out really. So we were worried.

We actually go back to Denver next week again as my parents are flying in for my birthday. We are just going to hang out there in Denver instead of them coming over to Grand Junction. We will leave next Wednesday(10/17) and be back Sunday (10/20).

More later....

Back to Colorado...

We are in Denver right now. We got in last night. Our trip to Louisiana went well...did lots of work so really didn't get to explore the area as tourists but that is okay. We did good work and that is really what matters.

I will post some pictures Michael took of a mural in Shreveport and somethings we encountered on our way there and back in Colorado when we get back to Grand Junction.

Live from Shreveport...

We have been having a very productive time here in Louisiana. Things have went smoothly when setting up and taking down all the equipment. I needed to update a clients website so staying in the room while the rest of the crew is out with Michael filming so decided to do an update too.

On Saturday we stopped in a town in Southeastern Colorado to see a friend of Michael's - Leo. He was so fun! I really liked chatting with him. And he just has so much respect and caring for Michael. His son looks just like a friends husband it was eerie how much they looked like each other. It was so great though meeting Leo!

On our way out town heading towards the Colorado Oklahoma border....we saw spiders. Now when I say we saw spiders we were driving 65 to 70 miles per house down the highway and we could see them ahead of us on the road. That is how big they were. They looked like tarantulas from the vehicle. We didn't stop to check them out as there weren't really places to pull over on this road. But these things had thick legs and big bodies and we saw at least 20 of them in less then a 50 mile stretch.

I am not scared of spiders normally but I think if we would have looked at these up close I might have developed a fear as they looked scary from the car.

Sunday we arrived in Louisiana and as I said it has been going well. We are getting work done. What I am amazed by here is the poverty. We really haven't seen a lot of homeless but the homes people live in here are so worn and then neighborhoods have apartment complexes that are really run down with boarded up windows and it looks like people live in them. Plus they are surrounded by fences with barbwire and signs that say "no firearms permitted" and "id required at all times." This is apartment complexes - where families live. Most businesses don't have windows and if they do they have burglary bars. And then many businesses are also fenced with barbwire too. The schools are surrounded by fences with barbwire too. It is just a part of their life and that is hard for me to imagine. Filming this type of living condition is part of the project - maybe we are just being exposed to it more then we would if we were here to just visit/vacation. But it saddens me...that people suffer so much and live in such conditions.

What else...

Really we are just working hard so tired and just veg when we get back to the hotel room. I have been reading Outlander and I am LOVING it.

The above was written this morning but the internet went down when I was going to post. This afternoon and evening was long. We did some filming then tried to get lunch but it wasn't an easy process. We went to one place and waited about 8 minutes to get seated and then waited another 10-12 minutes and walked out as we didn't get waited on. Next place we went in and again waiting to get seated no hostess/host in sight and ended up leaving as we were going to be in a time crunch if we waited much longer....so had to grab fast food.

This evening we had 3 film shoots - and it takes so long for the lights to cool between them that it was a rush between each place. Tonight just grabbed subs on the way back to the hotel and ready to crash. We don't need to get up early tomorrow so that is so NICE!

Going sign off and relax!