Hooking in progress....

I have had so little time for myself lately, but last weekend we went to visit my family-- so I had a bit of time in the car to play. I am really enjoying rug hooking. This is a small panel -- the hoop is a 10" hoop. The hooking class that I took was less than spectacular. I'd like to take another some day..... (This is the traditional east coast technique -- not latch hooking)

I have so many things due/happening in June, so you are not likely to hear from me much. I have some art to finish for next weekend that may not get finished...... I have to finish all of my report cards (37) and also have to finish a research paper by June 1. I am still taking evening classes -- and have the last of my weekend classes tomorrow.

Beautiful Blog Alert

I just can't keep up with all of the beautiful blogs around! And this one is Canadian!
It is called A Day in the Country and it belongs to Heather Cameron. She's a magazine stylist and story producer for home decor and gardening magazines. She owns a blueberry farm in British Columbia. Go and check her out!

Sweet Paul

New Online Magazine Alert!This issue of Sweet Paul has 74 pages of goodness.
In Paul's words it will have "Easy and elegant recipes, fun and stylish crafts, exciting crafters, entertaining ideas, and much more"

It definitely has yummy yummy recipes (Apple and Chevre Salad with Honey Vinaigrette ... mmmmm....)
Amaretto-baked French Toast with Pecans!
Tasty Treats for your puppies (Peanut Bone recipe!)
It's not all recipes either :)

It kind of reminds me of what Martha Stewart Living used to be.......

Don't forget to check out Sweet Paul's blog too!

Happy Mothers Day

Remember to celebrate all mothers -- not just your own :)

I love you mom!
(don't worry -- I'm keeping my phone -- just for you :)

(sterling heart -- work in progress)

This morning I was off to ikea for $1 breakfast! Really -- you get scrambled eggs, sausages and hash browns (really they are french fry squares) -- all for $1! And today it was done to perfection (sometimes you get runny eggs -- yuck). It tasted better than it looks......I was a shopaholic -- I bought a new outside lounger to replace the one that broke last year (ikea gave me my money back)(I think that I'm too fat for ikea -- if this one breaks they will really hear it from me). but I didn't buy cushions for my outdoor furniture -- the cushions were so expensive -- it was going to cost me $160 to buy cushions for my bench and 2 chairs. Now I'm going to try to make my own. I know that in a few weeks I'll be cursing my decision!And I bought some little things like tea towels and a new bath mat and new trays.....
And lots of things for my classroom (cups and plates and toys for the sand and play dough centre). I can't wait to make play dough cones and sundaes!

My life in lists -- Things I don't like

Lists really do drive my life.

Todays list:

Things that I don't like
1. Fluorescent lighting. Even the compact ones. Ray changed most of our lights to them when we moved in. I am working on changing them back. Yes, I realize that they are better for the environment. But my mental health suffers. And if Martha is crabby, everybody is crabby.

2. Green candy. Green is my favourite colour (light green). I love candy. But green candy is yucky. Closely followed by yucky yellow candy.

3. Yellow. Pale butter yellow is okay. maybe.

3. Mashed foods. No, I don 't like mashed potatoes. Mashed food is for babies. It's a texture thing.

4. Telephones. I'd rather walk a mile down the street with a stone in my shoe to tell someone something than to phone them. I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of my phone altogether. Email rocks! Bring on the iPad, people! See, I'm no luddite!

5. Cars. I hate getting into cars. I'm a public transit gal. And I like to walk, and to ride my bike. Actually, I'd be most happy if I never had to leave the house. and garden.

6. Public speaking to anyone over the age of about 13. Although once I get going, it's hard to get me to stop. Get out the hook!

7. Bathrooms that I've never been to. I hate going into new bathrooms. Even in private homes. I think that it's the finding them that stresses me out. I know that I can't get lost in someone's house, but the opening of wrong doors really bothers me. This one is the closest to a phobia that I have.

7. Showers. I'm a bath girl. I don't like the feeling of water falling on me. I stood under a waterfall once, and yes, it was pretty, but I still didn't like it.

8. Panty hose. They are SO UNCOMFORTABLE. I only wear skirts when it's warm out. With bare legs. Although this year I've been wearing skirts with leggings and my Blundstones.

9. Walking the dog after a long day at work. I love the dog. And he is SOOOO happy to see me when I get home. BUT. I hate that feeling on the way home that says"yes, you'll be home in 5 minutes, but you have another 45 minute walk ahead of you" It's enough to make me not want to come home.....

10. Worms on the street after it rains. I hate the smell, and they look yucky. I don't mind them in the garden though. I just hate walking through them......

Kale chips

Ray made kale chips. They feel like light crispy ruffled wings that melt in your mouth. They taste just like what I imagine salty dried pond scum tastes like. I've asked him not to make them again.(I didn't take this photo -- but they looked just like this)

Waking up in the Land of Glitter

Have you read this book??? -- it's a light, cute chick-lit novel. I quite enjoyed it.Here's the blurb from Amazon:
With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary . . . especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella "Star" Esteban's family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together-even when it looks like they couldn't be further apart.

One ill-fated evening, Star jeopardizes her family's business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend, Ofelia-a secretly troubled mother whose love for crafting borders on obsession-and local celebrity Chloe Chavez-a determined television personality with more than one skeleton in her professional closet. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they'll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.

I'd like to hear what you think of it. And if you haven't read it, and you'd like to borrow it from me, you're welcome to!