30 September 2008

I've Got Rhythm...


Fall...another part of the cog of the rhythm of life, of the seasons...

Warm is one way to describe hiking in Arizona this weekend...sweaty and,

"why didn't I remember to wear my hat?"

"I hope I put on enough sun screen...
"

and, "boy am I going to have to wash my Camelbak backpack at some point, cause it's feeling a leeetle wet whenever I take it off!"

You may also remember me mentioning that I had a massage scheduled for myself yesterday...something I've certainly been needing (anyone else feeling slightly stressed about the economy?) and she showed up here at Foolsewoode to boot! I've managed to budge most of the windows to close at night because it cools off so much...so, I thought it was a little warm and possibly stuffy when we were done...

But before I left for our quick trip up to Flagstaff yesterday, I had to weigh in on the window situation as I was standing in the middle of my living room. Should I leave the windows open to catch the fresh air during the warm of the day, and then worry that it will get too cold before I got home? We've got high 70's during the day and 50's at night right now. You see, after our road trip, we were going to watch our Monday night line up of programs, so I was going to be home later than I usually am...and I still need to call the heater people to come and check out my heater as it was making some different kinds of noises at the end of last season, before I feel comfortable about turning it on, so I don't want it to get too cold in here quite yet...(Plus? Rich's family that is coming to visit is making their way here as we speak, and I'm crossing my fingers that our wonderful weather holds for our planned tours through the North country...because it's fun to show off where you live, isn't it?)

You'd think that with the amount of time I've lived here, I would know how to figure out all this hot air-cool air type of situations. But, every year I still laugh at myself as I'm trying to figure out when to open and close things around here...which explains why most of us "locals" carry light jackets around with us...just in case we get caught in a cold spell...dressing in layers is key in our town.

Meanwhile, I'll just dance the changing seasons dance like I've got the rhythm down and be happy that it is here once again...

28 September 2008

Hellow Weekend...


Come...Sit...stay a while...

Heck, we're having so much fun...let's extend it another day, shall we?

Yes, I am in the middle of a 3-day weekend over here, and I'm already beat.


(Don't let me fool you though...I am loving it!)



Saturday:


Arthur's Sister's Wedding...being held at the amazing new Haas Interfaith Chapel at Embry Riddle...So, I got all dolled up in my finery (unfortunately I did not take a picture of myself or Arthur, which is sad because we looked darned fantastic!)









A wonderful venue for sure...overlooking Granite Dells and the Watson Riparian Habitat...Next to getting married outside, this would be a wonderful option...beautiful architecture and fantastic views...










The ceremony was beautiful and very touching. I've known Arthur for so many years, and his sister as well...she's been waiting many years to meet Mr. Right, as evidenced by the great display of bridesmaids dresses she had set up (I swear the floral one with the puffy sleeves looks like something I wore to a dance on junior high)

The couple looked
so very in love and I'm so happy for them both! Of course they hadn't been married that long...but I wish them well (hahahaha!) Honestly...I am a hopeless romantic and I love the idea of true love and marriage...Sigh...

The reception was fun...with lots of dancing which kind of made me nostalgic because Arthur and I have been dancing with each other for a good 21 years now...It made me tear up as much as I did at the ceremony at one point.

There's just no substitute for good friends...who dance well.

Arthur, of course, made the amazing centerpieces and did the fresh flowers...












And, lucky me...I got to take a pumpkin centerpiece home...and one for my mother and Rozz as well...Arthur told me that I was the inspiration for all the pumpkins...Like the story of Cinderella, with true love and a pumpkin coach...well, all of that and we'd been looking at Fall decorating magazines all week as well.

Sadly, Arthur goes home tomorrow. He will be sorely missed.

Sunday:

An early start found Rich, Caden and I in Sedona. We did a quick hike and lots of pictures at Devils bridge first of all. I got all romanticy and inspired at the wedding and insist that we take more pictures together...but lord. Not in that top. Heavens...It is so bad that it actually makes my posture look horrible (and who can tell I spend most of my days in a gym anyway?)

Must. Remember. To. Look. In Full Length Mirror before I Leave. Home...

Oh well...at least I have proof that we're out hiking together, eh?


After hiking Devil's Bridge, we ran into town to Rollies (of course...) to the Life is Good store (a hat-fix for Rich...woof!) and then ran to New Frontiers and grabbed some lunch to take to our next destination.

The Palatki Ruins.

None of us had ever been to the ruins before, and I have no idea why. It is an absolutely magical setting in the middle of an old ranch...well, that and an even older set of cliff dwellings. There is a perfect vintage ranch house where the forest service is housed, with rooms of artifacts and a video display about the area...Oh...and they also sell cold water.

At the site, there is a clean bathroom and fresh water, and the most wonderful picnic tables. We sat and had lunch in part of the old groves of the property...and I spied an apple tree behind Rich's head...only on closer inspection I realized it was not apples at all, but pomegranates.

Pomegranates...

Can you believe that?










They were just hanging and literally exploding off of the tree...even the park ranger seemed nonplussed about the bounty that was right out the back door...I picked one up that had recently fallen off the tree, and Caden and I enjoyed a wonderful snack...the fruit was so ripe and sweet, and no one else seemed to be enjoying it. What a shame. That Pom juice in the grocery is so danged expensive it seems like such a waste (I'm always amazed that there is fruit that is allowed to fall off trees in parts of America and no one seems to notice that it's food) I am also a little sad that I didn't pick some of the fruit to take home since no one else seemed to be interested (well, the wasps were pretty excited) Maybe when we go back in a couple of weeks? (Rich and I decided it would be a wonderful place to take his family when they get here) They also take applications to work/live there...Rich and I started to drool a little bit over that fact.

After hiking up to the ruins, I could see why the tribe wanted to make a dwelling and stay a while...apparently they were there for about 100 years before moving on to the Verde Valley and building Tuzigoot. According to the very knowledgeable individual that is at the ruins themselves there are about 4 archaeological sites per square mile in this part of Arizona. Who knew?

After hearing that Rich was a professional photographer, the guide led us across a rope and to a part of the trail they don't let a lot of people on so that we could get a totally different and wonderful view of the ruins...Yeah, I'm still wearing that unflattering tank that will be going into the donation pile.

This was a truly incredible day of trekking...and I urge any of you that want to walk up to and then around to explore an actual cliff dwelling, which is not usually allowed anymore because of the damage it causes to allow most humans to walk around them and touch them, to visit these ruins.

We also tried to visit some other ruins that were right down the road, but it was late and we decided to call it a day instead. Rich and I will take his family back on the trek to Sedona instead. We also saw so many fantastic places to pull off and camp that we were shouting out future plans as we whizzed by en route to the Highway...You see, we were also eager to get to Jerome to eat.

Only...

Rich wasn't hungry anymore, neither was I, and on the way, Caden fell asleep in the back seat. I think we wore him out. So, we came home over Mingus and all went our separate ways.

OK...I'm off to rest up before my Monday begins:
  • gym/work out/shower
  • Do the books and banking for the shop
  • Home for a massage
  • Flagstaff with Rich
And don't worry, I will certainly be wearing something more flattering tomorrow...

You can bet on that.

AND...if you want to see more photos from the day...please visit my Flickr page...

26 September 2008

Lizard and goat cheese laundry...

I know...2 posts in one day...but, I have a lot to share...

When I was
walking home in the rain from Snap Snap Friday evening...I found my stomach growling. Because of the clouds and the drizzle, instead of the smells from every one of the restaurants I walked by instantly evaporating, it was being held close in...the tendrils of garlic, spices, and fish wrapping themselves around my nose gently trying to pull me into their respective eateries. I felt like I was in a huge kitchen, and found myself composing gourmet meals in my head. I also knew full well that I had a counter top loaded with onions, squash, chilies, avocados, and potatoes at home, just begging me to cook them...they've been begging me for quite some time now.

In fact, every time I do the dishes, I look at them all just staring up at me daring me to eat them before they go bad...

Knife in hand, music in the background found me dicing up one purple onion, a sweet potato, and yellow squash and tossing them all into a pan with olive oil and the tips of some hot red peppers Megan gave me last week...I also added some Braggs liquid aminoes and spices, and cooked them all together.

The purples, oranges, yellows and whites of these veggies were the most amazing fall color combination...and filling the waiting taco shells made me feel all comforted, and taken care of (even though the picture doesn't quite show it...)

I also topped each taco with raw goats cheese and popped them in the oven to bake for about 20 minutes on a low heat. When the cheese was melted and tacos nice and hot and baked, I pulled them out, filled them up the rest of the way with tomatoes and avocado...

And Voila! Dinner...

It was good, nutritious and filling...but I have a small confession to make. I think goats cheese taste like armpits. I know that this may suggest that I have actually tasted an armpit...but that's not true. I also know I'm supposed to be all evolved and Goats cheese is supposed to be all gourmet and fantastic, and yet...it's so armpitty. I actually only bought the cheese because my mother had just been raving about raw sheep's cheese, and I thought it was the same thing...only realizing after I got it home and bit into a big armpit, that I misunderstood...Sheep. Not Goat.

Damn.

And it wasn't cheap...so I am making myself eat it because I don't want to waste my money or good edible food.

Armpit or no.

While folding my laundry I decided that I would finally change my Spring/Summer duvet and pillows over for my Fall/Winter duvet and pillows (since officially Fall was earlier this week) and noticed there's a largish lizard in my washing machine.

Seriously.

It scared me to death.

Only now? I don't know what to do. I obviously can't move forward on the washing, but I can't get it out...because, I am afraid to touch it. The lizard and I are having a stand off apparently. I keep wondering how it got in there in the first place, and I keep going down and checking to see if it's found it's way out...and now I'm going to have to try to bribe Rich or someone else to come over and rescue me. Either that or put some sort of lizard approved ladder for it to climb up.

Maybe I can lure it out with some goats cheese...

**Update**

The lizard it outside! So, I thought I would put on some thick gloves and grab it and try not to scream as I felt it writhe around in my hand...and then I thought maybe if I put a piece of material in the washer it would climb out...but then there would be a lizard running around in my house. Then I thought if I put a pillowcase in there, it would climb in and then I could scoop it up and take it out.

Well, I put the pillowcase in there and opened it, and then chased the little guy around the agitator with a rolled up sock (lots of dirty laundry being involved here if you noticed) and it climbed right in! Holy crap!! I scooped it up and listened to it scrabble around in the pillowcase with it's tiny lizard toenails and took it outside to dump it out...and then it got stuck in the extra flap, and I thought, heck...it will crawl out eventually...but what if it doesn't? So, I figured out where it was and I finally got it out! SO...I saved the lizard, it's no longer in my house...and the laundry is washing as we speak...and I hope when I take it out to put it in the dryer there's not another lizard in there...because I will just scream.

Oh...And, I met the most extraordinary person tonight at the shop! I stayed open a little longer than I normally do because I had some things to finish up...and in walked Robert, and we started chit-chatting and that lasted a long while (because you might as well know that I can talk the ear off a lamp post) it was a delightful way to end a rough week. If you come to check out the blog Robert...thank you for reminding me that there's still magic in the world, and how lucky I am to meet such amazing people.

Well...Cruds.


Last night after yoga, I took Rozzie home (did I tell you that Rozzie is going to yoga with me now?! And also I had to take her home because while she may be tall enough to drive, she's not old enough) and I popped into my mother's kitchen where I bragged about my Martha Holiday Magazine score...where I also reminded her that we both tried to get last years magazine, but alas, they had been sold out everywhere...

She then let me know that one had come into the library book sale...and we all rushed into the car and drove like bats out of hell, mostly because Halloween is coming up and we're practicing...so we could grab the magazine before anyone else got it...

While I am happy to say that I am finally in possession of last year's Martha Stewart Holiday Halloween magazine...

But now I think I screwed the pooch on the whole Martha magazine thing for this year I may have mentioned here yesterday.

I know you find this hard to believe...with my insane attention to detail...

But, if you look closely at yesterday's post, you may notice that I got the October issue of the Martha Stewart Living magazine...and nowhere on the cover of that magazine does it say that it is the special Halloween Holiday magazine.

Darn it all.

And, I paid $5!

Which makes me wonder where the Holiday Halloween issues are for this year? Are they even making them?

Oh well, I'm sure by this time next year, I'll have this year's issue...

LeSigh.

And just in case you're interested...Martha's daughter and pal have a new TV Show over on the Fine Living channel (wherever the heck that is) where they sit and watch the old episodes of Martha's show and critique it...all with Martha's blessing...

Yeah, I'll bet.

I do love Alexis' hair cut though...is it too soon after my last hair disaster to consider something new? It's just so sophisticated looking...

25 September 2008

A Good Thing...


Last night during a quick trip to the local Michaels for Arthur to pick up floral arranging supplies for the upcoming wedding...we stopped to linger at the Halloween decorations.

That was actually my reason for wanting to run up there...

There were, as always, some wonderfully cute things to decorate with...but they were nestled into an isle that was sharing with Christmas. What I mean is that Halloween decor was all on one side, and Christmas on the other...it was like dueling Holidays. Horrible really...there was ghosts and shrieking on one side, and crazy Christmas carols on the other...It was perhaps one of the most annoying aisles I've ever been in at a store...Lights blinking, music blaring...

If I want that kind of stimulation, I'll go to Vegas...

I am discovering more and more that I really don't like walking into a store during September and seeing Christmas decorations...it really makes me want to not walk into the store again...I mean, I understand that Michaels is traditionally a craft supply store...and we all know it takes some time to make crafts and fun for the holidays, so I can sort of understand seeing Holiday craft supplies a little early, but these were just plastic animated decorations and they were already made, and on sale...Can't we enjoy the current holiday without jumping ahead?

Also...Arthur happend to know that I was on the hunt for the current Martha Stewart holiday magazine...I couldn't get my hands on one last year as they all sold out before I could locate one...and he spied the Halloween magazine sitting on the rack...lucky me! We all agreed (Arthur, the check out lady and myself) Martha's holiday magazines are really the best for ideas and inspiration, and we don't usually grab the other one's throughout the year...just the special ones.

The check out lady: "I mean...who would think to make a clock out of a pumpkin?"

Me: "Yes...that's what she pays her extensive team for!"

Arthur: "You mean her satanic creative crew of zombies?"

The check out lady had to stop and take a break to laugh...A satanic creative crew of zombies...

It's a good thing.

24 September 2008

Zebra Camo...


How does a zebra camouflage itself?

All black and white in a colorized world...

Actually, probably not as well as to just try to blend in, and create an entirely new pattern instead. Kind of like this little skirt I grabbed at Anthropologie this weekend...

It was on extreme discount.

And, we won't talk about the dresses I tried on...actually, they were both too big, and made us laugh...it's nice to laugh about too big, than too small...

Arthur is in town for his sister's wedding, and we decided to sneak down to Scottsdale on Sunday just for the fun of it...I would like to say because of the wedding presents we needed to buy or the clothes for the wedding we needed to buy...but, I think it was more for fun, food, and a change of scenery than anything...

Of course I have a dress or two in the closet that are begging to be worn to a wedding...

And the skirt?

Well, the skirt was just for fun...

23 September 2008

Do You Smell That?


I am happy to report that I have been sleeping better (due to some tricks up my sleeve that I entirely forgot were there) Only the weird thing is, I keep waking up for a few moments in the middle of the night...or more accurately, the early hours of the morning. Usually for no reason except to readjust my sleeping position, or to nab a drink of water...

Except for Sunday...

Apparently there was an all out skunk fest right below my bedroom window. The window was open, and no matter how hard I tried to incorporate skunk smell into the dream I was having, I finally woke up to the cat and I both choking.

There's nothing quite like fresh skunk smell. It's so strong, you can practically taste it...and I can't begin to even imagine what had been going on out there in the first place, as I hadn't heard a thing...just the horrible seeping smell of skunk butts wafting into the window...creeping in under the Roman shades. Nary a scuffle there was, making me wonder if there's just some renegade gang of skunks running around thinking it funny to point and shoot? I mean, the smell was so bad and I was so confused when I finally came to, I actually turned on the light to see if there was a colony of skunks in the room with us...

After staggering around for a while, I was able to finally shut the window and Meena and I were able to get back to the sleeping...after all, it was 2 am. I also noticed yesterday while watering, I drudged up more skunk smell...sitting here early in the morning in my living room, I can still smell it...now I'm worried that I have some sort of dramatic olfactory problem and this will be a lingering problem whenever I inhale.

So much for being an expert wine taster...

Oh hmmmm, this vintage has a lovely current of blackberries and oak mixed with the dew of early morning hyacinths...also, with a slight note of...hmmm...what is that? Oh yes, skunk...

22 September 2008

Happy Happy Fall...


Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.

I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night's decay
Ushers in a drearier day.


-Emily Bronte



*And because I'm so excited about The Fall...and Halloween...Please leave a comment on this post with your email address (so I can get your address) if you would like one of my annual Halloween cards...and I will send it off to you!

18 September 2008

Mrs. Kaspers Beauty...


A New
and fantastic tin courtesy of my dear mother.

As far as
I can tell, it is originally from Mrs. Kaspers Beauty Parlor...and that's about all I know. Well, except for the fact that I wish I could meet Mrs. Kasper or I could get more beauty tins like this one for my home...It's so very modern...Yet, not, if you know what I mean...


...well, that and it's only one letter off from Casper...the friendly ghost? I'm imagining that if this was for Casper's Beauty Parlor it may contain very white powder...

For that freshly haunted look...

17 September 2008

In Dorothy's Skivvies...

I know that you are dying to know what I wear under all of my skirts.

Well...nothing but the obvious.

And by that I mean, I don't wear slips (don't ask me how you were supposed to infer my refusal to wear slips from all of these 3 sentences, I apologize, I am under the distinct delusion that people can read my mind...) I have a theory (someday we're going to have to list those) that I don't wear slips. I feel about slips like I feel about pantyhose...Both are uncomfortable and bunchy, and it's hot in Arizona, usually...and I can't afford to have one extra layer of anything on, no matter how sheer the garment...so, I usually say, "if you haven't seen it yet...you might just see it on me."

In fact
, the only time I actually wear slips is as regular clothing. Like slips for dresses or half slips for skirts. Not just your average run of the mill slips mind you, the vintage ones are cuter and usually less see through and more like an actual garment then the stuff they sell nowadays...

(I have a confusing set of rules...it's no wonder I don't cry more often)

Nowadays = oldendays

As in: "We used to walk up hills both ways in the snow to get home from school in the oldendays..."

So. In the oldendays I think we can all agree that things were made of sterner stuff, better quality and with a sense of humor to boot. I have seen some pretty fabulous vintage undergarments in my time...things that would give Jean Paul Gaultier a run for his money. The only unfortunate thing is that usually the ones that have survived all this time are often so small they only fit my sister...which means they're boxed up and sent away.

We're some crazy vintage undergarment wearing girls in my clan.

Only except I am now in possession of the most wonderful half slip of all.

It combines my love of all things monogrammed and all things vintage undies and all things that fit me, and wraps it all up in a neat package...

May I present to you:


Dorothy's half slip...
(as evidenced by her name embroidered in that wreath of flowers)

A new skirt for the fall

One that just happens to answer the question:

What Does Dorothy Wear Under Her Clothes?

16 September 2008

The Dam Has Broken...


And,
I can't see a damned thing.

Last week during therapy due to circumstances beyond my control (thus contributing to my new habit to stand around with my mouth hanging open because of all the things that are happening in my life that may be a bit beyond my control...or not, depending upon your current belief system...thus little messes that are needing my attention, and needing to be cleaned up before, I "grow into my new self"...a direct quote, by the way...leaving me to wonder if the old self was that bad) my therapist stated that I need to grieve because of life circumstances. Don't panic though, it's only a million little things that are adding up to current hilarity that is my life nothing catastrophic...

Normally if someone
gives me the permission to grieve, I'm on it. I go to the store, buy a box of Kleenex, some chocolate and go through my stash of good make me cry movies...all while putting my feet up on the couch and wrapping myself in a cozy quilt. Any excuse to legally cry...

This time though?

Meh...Nothing.

And, I don't think
that I have been trying to outrun what I'm feeling, I just think that maybe I wasn't ready? Then again, maybe I have been digging my heels...but yesterday after watching Definitely, Maybe...followed by Under the Tuscan Sun...(which wasn't near that sad when I watched it in the theater...of course that was before my trips to Italy and my divorce, so there's something to be said there)

I'm happy to say that the floodgates have opened. Or maybe more accurately the floodgates have left my eyes so swollen that I'm going to be forced to tell people that I've had them done this last weekend...you think with all the swollen eyelids, that it would transfer over to the wrinkles and that I would look younger...but, I actually look more purply.

I think this is
the result of not crying when you need to, for a long time...you may have a lighter heart but you will probably have swollen eyes afterwards. But heavens...I certainly feel so much better. I was thinking last night about tears...and how many different kind there are. I've read about the toxic quality of some tears, and the healing quality of others, and last night I also realized that because of my current tears, I would probably be swollen this morning. I know myself so well...

So...I'll just use the large purple surface that has become my eyelids and pretend that it's in fashion...

Heck...at least there's more surface to make pretty, eh?

(oh...and I took these pictures of the eyes on the trees during our photo walk...I though they'd be perfect for this post...only they're not as swollen as my eyes currently are...well, that and I don't have a ladybug on my face)

15 September 2008

Tiny Adjustments...


See? I'm putting the word tiny in there, to reassure myself that the switching of my days off is not that big of deal...and besides, I actually like working on Saturdays.

It's busier...the time goes faster.

Plus? Having a day off that a lot of people usually go to work is nice because it's less busy out there in the world which makes it much easier to get things done...if one is inclined to run errands on their days off...playing catch-up with life.

I just got done
training a new person to fill in at Snap Snap when I'm not there, which is lovely...Of course I didn't loose my other person, seeing as we're related and all...she's just found a different opportunity, and my new gal is a good friend and has an open schedule so she'll be able to fill in when Rich's family comes to visit soon (that way I'll have time to spend with everyone, and boy am I looking forward to taking the extra time off to explore and play tour guide with Rich) So it's actually exciting and wonderful for everybody all the way around!

But, there's still an adjustment factor for me. It may be tiny...but it's there.

So far this "weekend":
  • I've met Dina and Liz for dinner, drinks and the movie The Women (which was OK...actually though, the previews had us all cracking up even more)
  • I got invited to see Rich and eat dinner and hang out at the Airstream last night. Our schedules have been quite off, and we've been missing each other quite a bit for the last week or so...There are always lots of phone calls and texts, but face time is very different indeed, and we've both taken to surprising each other for small increments of time instead...
  • I've rented and watched 2 movies, Baby Mama (made me laugh out loud a couple of times) and Definitely, Maybe (which actually, I haven't watched...but I've been looking forward to it ever since I saw the previews)
  • I have done no cleaning, but organized my left over books from last week's trip up to Flagstaff and was able to turn some in for credit here in town...the rest need to go to the library book sale
  • Swung by the library and picked up Marian Keyes new book "This Charming Man" I love this woman's books...also picked up the last season of Coupling...one of my favorite BBC series
I even got up a little late this morning testing out my new Monday off, and found that I couldn't rest or feel settled until I went to the gym and did my workout...Since you know? I usually took the weekends off unless it was yoga previously...but, I need to try to keep that gym schedule going, apparently. Well, I guess that's become a positive habit.

Who knew?

And today?
Well, who knows what today will hold...probably a lot more relaxation, movie watching and a run to buy salad at CostCo...

And a bite or two of my special adjustment rice krispie treats...because that always helps new things go smoother...

12 September 2008

Tu-Tu...


Well...to be entirely accurate, it's an orange crinoline...probably one that was used for square dancing...a tu-tu for an adult. I found it yesterday at the thrift for $3, and fell instantly in love. Seeing as my favorite holiday is coming up, I envision myself as some sort of very fancy witch...I am dying to see the crinoline with purple and black...and perhaps glitter? I tried it on for everyone at Megan's house last night, and everyone laughed at me.

Well, everyone but Megan.

Megan is like me, she takes Halloween very seriously.

Then again, it could have been the simple fact that when I put this crinoline on, all I want to do is twirl and twirl...

What you can't see in this picture is the fact that I'm running around setting the shot up all while talking to Rich on the phone, and trying to keep Meena off the back of the couch and out of the picture and off of my lap (she loves Rich to death and comes running to be near the phone whenever he calls. Don't ask me how she knows it's him on the other end...it's all I can do to keep her from picking up the phone herself and answering...) But, you can get a look at a silly outtake over here if you're so inclined.

Have a wonderful weekend.
I am working an extra day this week, trying to get a new schedule set up at the shop...when I'm not at Snap Snap, you can bet I'll be lounging around in my new tu-tu...dreaming of the perfect costume...

or just standing in the middle of the room...

twirling and twirling...

11 September 2008

Comfort Food...

Lately, my life has been trying, at the very least. Weird things happening in rapid succession...causing me to loose my footing in who I think I am. So much so, that I have about given up trying to figure out what could possibly be going on to cause the rapidity of situations, and when yet another thing happens to add to the pile of things that are already happening, I find myself laughing.

Sure, it may be a bit of a manic laugh, but I'm trying.

I'm finding myself making mental to do lists within the chaos...making my voice heard in new ways and trying to cross things off to keep the panic at bay.

Baby steps. Every day baby steps.

When I fall asleep
at night, praying for some sort of rest, and then wake up in the morning after vivid exhausting dreams, realizing I am just as tired as I was when I closed my eyes mere hours earlier, I wonder. I wonder about all those theorists out there that spout out the story that dreams are a way of our subconscious coming to grips with , and solving problems that we can't when were conscious. My dreaming lately consists of the same problems cropping up in sleep as wakefulness...there doesn't seem to be any rest between the thoughts, obsessions and situations.

My therapist says I'm going through growing pains.

So, I guess on the one side, it's may be more restless nights and confusing exhaustion and the fall of dominoes in daily life...

But on the other? I'll be taller when this is all over.

Thank goodness.

I've always wanted to be taller.

I find myself searching for comfort where I can get it lately, slowing myself down in the middle of daily tasks seeking beauty...which is why this bowl of soup made me catch my breath the other night. I reveled in the simple shades of whites and green, the patterns and textures, and the smells...even the wet surface the water made was a thing of exquisite beauty to me.

This soup is
not anything to shout from the rooftops about. It did not take hours to prepare, rather it is made from one of those Thai mixes you can get at the health food...somewhat like a Thai version of Top Ramen if you will. I just happen to mix it up with some fresh goodies I had in the fridge...leeks and peas. And in that moment, it turned into one of the most beautiful meals I've eaten in a long time. This picture was also taken before I put the ginger coconut curry flavor packet in, because that quickly turned it all reddish too, which made I'm sure made it taste better, but the aesthetics was quite different after that.

But before that?

This simple beauty...made me pause in the middle of my life...

And not one obsession cared to wander in.

10 September 2008

Corduroy Fall...


In addition to running all around the state this weekend, I made my skirt...

"s"

Yes, you read that right.

Skirts. Plural.

I blame the fabric store. I went in to get a specific soft fine whaled corduroy I had spied a few weeks ago in a delightfully colorful design, and walked out with 2 designs...both totally different than the one I originally went in for, which is still sitting there.

Mocking me.

LeSigh.

I was inspired instead by these two patterns...who can tell what lurks in the mind of the creative? Certainly not me...as I was standing there having a fabric meltdown (due to the 2 light sweaters I was trying to remember the exact shade of that were, at the time, lying in the armoire at home...and which one of this slew of corduroy would best match them?!?! Gawds I'm getting old if I can't remember a simple shade of green and lavender...and all sorts of other horrible expletives directed at my feeble mind...although we can be happy that I remembered to get contrasting thread to sew with, so there is that...even though I think I had the same color sitting with my other thread...but nevermind, and I needed to use my 40% off coupon on something) Plus? The fabric with the black background looks Oriental and has gold running all through it...the purple? It was just yummy and reminded me of fabric my mother used to use when making clothes for me for back to school fall...

ME = not in school for a long time, but still feeling slighted by not getting new clothes (of course, I don't grow out of my clothes nearly as fast as I once did...well, unless you count not being as slim from season to season...ahem)

I whipped both of these skirts out on Saturday morning during some movie that was on TV...I have no idea what the movie was, but since I can't remember simple shades of colors this should not surprise you. I thought that with the fall in full swing, I would love to debut a skirt at Megan's art opening.

Unfortunately,
Saturday chose to be extremely record breakingly hot...so it was me in corduroy with sandals and a tank top...I'm nothing if not versitile (and sweaty)

I made the black skirt first from the Built By Wendy skirt pattern that came with Sew U...I don't actually like that pattern as it is, but I modified it and thought I nailed it. Turns out that isn't the case here. I don't hate the skirt, but I wanted it to be a pencil skirt...

Not too much with the pencil thing. I am considering redoing it...but it's making my head swim to think of it now (seeing as I cut a lot of the sides off after sewing it several different times on Saturday already)

For the purple skirt, I drug out an actual pencil skirt from my skirts (which I didn't even know I possessed, again with the memory thing...no surprises here, eh?) turned it inside out and used that as a pattern instead.

It fits like a dream, like it was made for me (whatdayaknow? it was! I probably should have made a pattern from that skirt before I sewed it all up...but who knew?) Honestly, it is the best fitting skirt I've ever made (which really makes me glare at the black skirt more now) Of course, if I gain or loose weight we may be in for it, but on Saturday morning? The fit was perfect...

This is why I take pictures of the things I make...for posterity.

Well...that and so I can prove I do more than just lie around draped on my furniture providing a lap for the cat...

The two P's...Posterity and Proof.

09 September 2008

We Interrupt This Week...

For a pupcake brake...

The two bite cupcakes joined Ms. Dina and I last night with a couple of wine spritzers, candlelight, good music, and good conversation...

Much appreciated...

And much needed...

Thank you girl...

I can now carry on a little lighter of heart and spirit...

September here I come...

Please be gentle.

08 September 2008

Weekend Mix-up...


How was your weekend?

My weekend was
a busy one...and weirdly enough for the amount of time I did not spend settled in one place, I crammed a lot into it, and was productive as well. Weekends like this usually make me feel like I need to rest, but I hid out for my 3 day weekend last weekend, and I felt like that then as well...there's something missing, and I can't quite put my finger on it exactly...I think it starts with a restful sleep and I'm not quite sure where it ends...

Perhaps with wine and cupcakes with Ms. Dina tonight on the patio at Foolsewoode...

I spent a fun day yesterday in Flagstaff, after collecting my mother and Rozz early in the morning...we went to Macy's Coffee House (no surprise there, we've been going to Macy's since I went to college at NAU they are one of my very favorite coffee houses) walked around the downtown, visited the new HUGE New Frontiers health food store for lunch (they have an amazing deli section, with sushi chefs...I am very very jealous as it now makes our health food store look like a cheap dirty thrift shop) and we ended up at Bookmans with loads of books to swap. I came away with less books and the first season of Get Smart on DVD. My mother and I watched Get Smart a lot when I was little, and I just loved it...so, after we came home, I spent most of the rest of the evening treating myself to episodes and giggling. It's just as good as I remembered it being.

On Saturday afternoon and evening (I seem to be doing the weekend in reverse) I hopped into the car and took myself to Jerome via Clarkdale. Megan was having a gallery opening Trials and Trails, in Jerome...and since I was attending by myself (Rich tried to get the day off...long story) I thought I would treat myself to some dinner at SuCasa, my all time favorite Mexican food restaurant.

I spent the first half of the trip going up Mingus Mountain behind a woman on a motorcycle who looked to be learning how to ride said motorcycle. Mingus is a crazy hill both up and down because of the elevation change...it is also very curvy with narrow lanes. I do not suggest learning how to ride your motorcycle driving on Mingus...especially when you're breaking while going up hills...

I also don't suggest putting lewd bumper stickers of Calivn and Hobbs wing-dang-doodles on the window of your huge truck and then go 10 mph or less through Jerome pointing out places of interest, with no regard to the people that must now come to a screeching halt to avoid hitting the huge line of cars that are piling up because you're leading some sort of independent tour...and obviously more important than anyone else on the road including the posted lawful speed limit (that is often how people with large trucks drive here...not everyone obviously, but more than a few)

It was like drivers training out there this weekend...

Luckily, I had a wonderful new CD in the car and I wasn't in a hurry...otherwise I may have gone completely mad.

After a lovely quick dinner, I moseyd back up the hill to the gallery. All of Jerome was having an art walk on Saturday night, and it was a lovely evening to stroll. I found myself in and out of several of the shops before going to Megan's opening.

May I say wow at this point?

Megan and I have been friends for quite a while, and I know that she is very talented and creative...but the chance to see all of her prints and jewelry and art all hung together in one space is just wonderful! It was colorful and beautiful and amazing...

It's also very inspiring.

The acoustic guitar music was lovely...Megan's father Larry played as well as another of Megan's friends...the food spread was wonderful too (and that is punch in my hand, not wine...I was my own designated driver, and we've already talked about the dangers of the road into and out of town) and of course, I got to spend a lot of time chatting with old friends that had made their way to Jerome for the opening...

Amazing work Megan...I wish I could have taken every piece home...

Especially because Megan's titles for her pieces made me laugh out loud...

Unfortunately, I don't have enough wall space...

I browsed and ohhed and ahhed and coveted so many pieces...and I almost walked away empty handed (yeah right) but something just caught my eye and had to come home with me...


It's my rainbow cowboy...

Block print on wood...

Flourescent pink and blue and green.

I'm not usually
a huge lover of "serious" Western art...I love Western art in bold vivid colors, mostly because living in the West is a bold and colorful adventure that you don't usually experience unless you live here. I also like Western art with something that reminds me of how it may have been here in the West years ago...

When it was full of fluorescent pink cowboys.

And Neon...

I didn't stay at the gallery late into the night as I had a date at the Airstream...but, as I walked into the early twilight, I couldn't help but pause to take some pictures...the sunset and the early evening light with Sedona in the background. The ride home was amazing...all alone on the curves, good music playing and the window rolled down to catch the cool night air...just perfect.

05 September 2008

Sweet Dreams...

So.

I made a pair of flannel PJ/lounge pants this morning before work.

In celebration of:

  • The fact that I am finding it mighty chilly in the mornings when I wake up lately.
  • I haven't been sleeping well, and I thought maybe that something new to wear would be comforting and relaxing.

  • I have been meaning to make these pants since I bought the material quite a while ago.I washed the material this weekend and I was starting to feel guilty about it laying over the chair in the corner.
  • I had an extra 30 minutes to "spare" AND the right elastic AND thread.
  • The pattern on the material makes me swoon...I am thinking that Parisian kitties are too cute.
  • They totally match the polish on my toes...
(they actually puddle around my feet but I was contorting my body in a weird way to get this shot, so they look shorter than they are)

So...there you go...I continually surprise myself. You see, I was being a little worried about me creatively, since I noticed that I haven't sewn in months and months. But, not to worry...seeing as I decided to reintroduce myself to the sewing machine in a fun and frivolous way, using pink stripes and sophisticated kitties. Which is good, because I have a feeling it's going to get more serious as it may be all about the corduroy pencil skirt this weekend that has been occupying the corners of my sewing mind lately as well...

You know?

When I'm not lounging around in my new flannel pants...

*PS*

I just found out that I was voted Best Consignment Store in Prescott 2008! Well...thank you for the honor indeed...I am smiling from ear to ear. I will probably not spend the (what I consider) large amount of money to receive my plaque...I know it's all marble and yummy...but since I don't accept it, apparently the second place winner will not move up to first, but the category will be eliminated all together...I suppose it's just enough to know that I won. Thank you.

04 September 2008

Living Inside My Observant Mind...

My mother and I have often remarked that it is more interesting in our heads than the real world. Am I suggesting that we are smarter than the average bear? No.

What I'm referring to is the simple fact that we are a very creative people...whom sometimes jump to conclusions rather than paying full attention.

What this results in, often the things we think we see bring us up short...stop us in our tracks and make us laugh out loud. (Just as an aside though, we also happen to remember the theme songs to favorite shows and movies and cartoons...)

This morning while breezing into the bank before work, I glanced towards the window that houses all the What's Happening around town and saw a poster that said: March For Babies. It had two tiny baby feet stamped on it.

The slogan part of my mind immediately put the tag line "because they can't march for themselves!" in the poster...underneath those tiny little feet (which might have looked better if they were prints of tiny little track shoes instead...I mean, they're babies for goodnessake...how can they march?) I walked into my normal teller bent over laughing...

"hahahaha...March For Babies?! But, what if I'm against babies? I would like to take the stand March Against Babies please..."

"I know right!?!?! Sadira...Do you know what March For Babies even is?"

"No. I can't get past the slogan."

Apparently it's the new WalkAmerica slogan for March of Dimes...which in essence is a walk to prevent birth defects. Ok...Now I feel terrible. I would like to go on record as saying that I am not at all against babies or their birth defects...but the slogan? I mean, we all know what WalkAmerica is and we all know about the March of Dimes. Who decided to change the slogan at this late date? And who in heavens name came up with March For Babies?

Then again, maybe it's only me who laughed hysterically and the rest of the world would take the time to read the poster all the way through.

And then again, this morning while I was browsing the Library Book-Sale, I read the spine of a book that said:

"The Bathroom Secrets of the Master Chefs"

Dude. The Bathroom Secrets of the Master Chefs?!?! That is gross...I mean, is this going to be another one of those expose things that makes you not want to go outside of your house? I already get all sorts of grief from people who watched that one show where they took a black light into hotel rooms to show you all the nasty stains that they don't clean up between guests...

And I really like staying in hotels. Trouble is, now I have to do it alone because everyone who saw that show is all freaked out...

I mean, what is the big bathroom secret of a Master Chef anyway?

He doesn't wash his hands before he cooks your food?

Or is it something even more gross than that?

Why would I want to know that could even be a possibility? What is with these expose people anyway? I mean, I enjoy eating out here and there as well, now I have to be scared of that as well...It's going to get to the point where it's not safe to walk outside and interact with people...

Oh wait. It says Bedroom Secrets...ahhhhh...well then.

You mean someone wrote an entire book about what Master Chefs do in the bedroom?

I'm totally in the wrong profession...


(thank you google for your crazy images)

03 September 2008

Being Frankenstein...

Fine.

Every last one of you requested I post a picture of my new do and glasses.

Apparently it's not embarrassing enough that I pour my heart out on a daily basis to you...but I need to post a picture of myself in the new haircut that makes my head look square?

I was going to name each and every one of you my BFF's...but, now? I just don't know.

(Dramatic enough for you?)

Ok. Ummmm...let's see. I'll use the um...Canon to do this because I'm sure that will make me look better...

Damn, it's a little heavier in one hand than the Elph isn't it?



Crap.

That's not really the full effect now is it? But isn't it nice that you can see my little Italian holy water holder and my very cool vintage picture frame? I know...they're fantastic!

Oh yeah, but that's not my full face is it? Nor can you see the sweet little rows of rhinestones on the sides of my glasses.

Drat.

You know, this would be easier if I actually knew something about this camera and Rich hadn't set the big screen in the back to off, so that I need to look through the viewfinder to figure out if I can get the shot...

OK...


That's me! Now I can see it all. Well, I can see it all...all you can see is some git with a camera in front of her face. And don't let this photo fool you...the minute I get done trying to style my hair and reach for the hairspray to try to set it to round, my whole head turns square (tint me green and put some bolts in my neck...Halloween, here I come!)...

And, I can't help but think that my hands look really old.

Great. This haircut makes my hands look old too.

Alright.

Here you go.

Me. As Frankenstein...

What?

You don't like the black and white? Because everyone looks better in black and white? Yeah, they probably look better in pictures without a large camera pointed at a mirror too...with their tiny head way under a bunch of blank space or without a dramatic spaced-out smirk on their face that makes you want to smack them and then look up their nose...



Fine.

Here you go...my arty shot of me...being Frankenstein...in color.

Because I love you.


But only just...

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