Ode to 2007

You came in the winter and left the same way
I tried to make the best of you each and every day
It wasn't always easy, we argued from time to time
Why does this ode have to rhyme?

In the end I have to say...I hope next year is exactly the same way (except better).

Happy New Year!

Fashion Thursday #7

The last Thursday of 2007.



New scarf from the crafty office lady and a new hoodie from Richie!

And so we arrive here at the day after - Boxing Day!

It's a sunny and snowy December 26th in Spokane.
The sound of newly acquired goodies is bouncing around the office.
From my desk I can hear the Robert Plant- Alison Krauss CD playing,
the ever so challenging selection of a ring tone is beeping and
bopping a few cubes down, some others are braving the department
stores to cash in gift cards, coupons and 'great deals'
and I am enjoying a few treats of my own.

My mom knit me these fingerless mitts



pretty cool eh!

I'm also sporting this pin from my dearest Richie.



Love it!!

We had a wonderful Christmas - lots of smiles all around.







Richard custom made me this bulletin board



It's so awesome I can't even tell you how much I love this gift.
We will soon be transforming the guest room, which has turned
into the dog's room, into my studio and that is where this will go.
I've always had a thing about inspiration boards and I can't wait
to cover it end to end.

We also tried a new tradition this year - a Christmas Day open house-
We invited about 16 people and 6 came. I guess that's better than none.
We made cookies and hot drinks and visited with good friends. They
graciously put up with my spastic yellow lab, Chester, and our cold floors.
It was nice to try something new and Richard and I have discovered that we
work pretty well together when getting ready for guests.

Now it's on to 2008 and we go there in the spirit of trying new stuff.

So here's to all of you out there - may your 2008 bring you
lots of what your heart desires.

so now what?

I finally got a treasury on etsy.
it's all about 2008
Happy New Year!!!

Fashion Thursday #6 -Christmas edition

It's all about the boots. They're Born boots from 2005. I only wear them when I can fold my pants up like this - so basically I wear them all the time, when sandals aren't an option and there's too much wetness for the Danskos. I think they make me look a little elfish, sort of like Santa's scout.







Merry Christmas and happy Fashion Thursday!

Waiting for Santa 2007

All the kids are lined up and ready for the big day.



The house is looking very festive - if you're around on Christmas
day please stop by for cookies and drinks!

this would taste better with cheese

If you could read my mind during any mealtime, you'd hear that
thought - a lot. I really miss cheese and I know I'm not alone.
But go on we must and with the acceptance that pretty much
everything would taste better with cheese - it can still taste
pretty good without.

I'm not going to say that I made up this recipe because it's so
simple and good that I can't be the only one who's created it - that said,
here is one from my own inner chef. Full credit to all those out there
with similar dishes. If you have one like it I'd love to know.

Gluten-free Vegan Brown Rice Penne with
Broccoli, Spinach, Mushrooms and White Kidney Beans



1 package cooked brown rice penne pasta (I like the Tinkyada brand)

3-4 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 package of frozen cut spinach (drained) or 2 cups of fresh spinach, washed and dried
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 can white kidney beans
3/4 cup vegetable broth (adjust amount for how much sauce you want)
1/4 cup rice milk
1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 cloves of garlic minced
Salt and pepper to taste and maybe some oregano or basil (I used an All-purpose spice mix)

While the pasta is cooking, saute the mushrooms over
medium heat in a couple if tbsp of olive oil. let cook
for 2-3 minutes, add the broccoli and garlic and let cook
for another 2-3 minutes. Try not to over cook the broccoli
or burn the garlic. Add the spinach and spices, let cook for
about one minute more. Add the broth and rice milk and
simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Add the white beans
and simmer long enough to heat the beans. Remove from
heat and add the balsamic vinegar. I add the cooked pasta
right in to the pan with the veggies so it gets well mixed but
you could serve the veggies over the pasta on the plate.
Drizzle with olive oil (have thought about adding cheese) and enjoy!

Monday's post - lunch at my desk

Last night, for company, I made Karina's Veggie Lover's Shepherd's Pie.
It served us all twice and then again for my lunch at work.

Since I've added so many things to my list of what not to eat
in the recent months, it's become nearly impossible to get lunch
downtown without spending $12 on salad. And when I say salad
I mean lettuce and carrots, maybe some chicken and cucumbers
with oil and vinegar dressing - totally worth $12 - NOT!

I used to be able to get rice and beans with grilled veggies
but I don't do bell peppers anymore. I used to be able to get a
delicious vegan Brazilian black bean soup but it too is full of bell
peppers and tomatoes. I have found some delightful dijon potatoes
but you can't eat those everyday - and at $7 they might as well be salad.



Anyway, thanks to large and hardy dishes like Shepherd's Pie,
I can feel no hunger this afternoon, fuel my brain and save those
precious dollars for another day..hooray!

happy Monday!

Keeping the TV cozy

I really like it when someone asks me to make them something.
I think it sort of fulfills my need to be a source of problem solving
for other people - like how your financial planner can help you
retire earlier - I can help your house look craftier! What you didn't
know you had a not crafty enough problem?

Anyway, Marita asked for a TV cozy and a runner to hide
that particular technology until needed.
This is what I came up with - adjusted for my set.



I really hope it fits her TV and doesn't look like a pile of
laundry waiting to be folded. It's in the mail now so all we can do is wait.

I made this dog crate cover last year for my uncle's dachshunds



Here is one other version from another crafty problem solver.

of the season

It's a bright and cool Monday in Spokane.

these are from the top of the building that I work in - taken around 3pm today




Snow fell yesterday - naturally, we took the cat out side
to see the snow - isn't that what you do?



We tried to take our family Christmas portrait but you can see
here that it wasn't happening - or maybe this is a really good
representation of our family - perhaps this will be our holiday card after all.



I am finding it hard to believe that Christmas will be here
in two weeks. Does time speed up when there are cards
to send and presents to make? It does for me.

Richard and I keep trying to have a Christmas party but for
one reason or another we've yet to pull it off.
I did make a perfectly delightful beef stew last night, so that's good.



I decided to make some Red Shoe ornaments for some
of my committee members. I had planned on making
more than 3 but these days with the time going at the
faster speed like it is. There are so many things I want to
make - I really enjoy giving
things to people, it makes me happy.




Hope your holiday giving is making you feel happy too!
Now, back to work! (cue whipping sound)