works in progress

let me preface this post by saying: i know i've mentioned it before, but i feel arrogant calling myself an artist, so i'm just going to refer to myself as a person who likes to make things. now, as a person who likes to make things, i generally don't stick to just one specialty or one medium. i'm sure that most all people who like to make things would feel a little trapped making only one thing, and as a person who likes to make things, it's only natural to branch out and have various methods in which to be creative and express yourself. so, i've been doing just that.

the first work in progress is a tote bag or two. it's been at least a month ago that i told my soul sister i've had an idea for a tote forever and still haven't made it. as much as i love the finished product, i'm never a big fan of the actual act of sewing, thus the procrastination. earlier this week i got a text from beca asking me if i had plans to make more totes, and i guess that was the push i needed to get started! the new thing i wanted to try on the fabric didn't turn out quite like i was hoping, but it's a start, and i still think something pretty neat can come from it!

no, i have not been making apples. what i have been making is fried apples. MMMMM! chris was working with a man last week who had more apples than he and everyone he knows could eat, so chris brought home several gallons of liberty apples. i made several batches of fried apples, and tonight i'm making apple turnovers for dinner delicious snacks!

last, i've been working in my sketchbook. that drawing is nowhere near complete, but it's so fulfilling to be able to draw, regardless of the subject or level of completion. i plan to add a face, obviously, and to make it a little more interesting, watercolor!

do you have any works in progress, or anything you're excited about finishing?

hey, this is really exciting... today i ran into a friend of mine from middle school. it's been over 15 years since i've seen her (whoa, that makes me feel old!), and if she hadn't said her name, i'm not sure i would have recognized her. we ended up talking for a long time, exchanging numbers, and planning to get together very soon. i know i was smiling for the rest of the day because of that. i think those are the friendships that are the most special - the ones that never change no matter how much time has gone by!

a recipe so good it'll make you punch the air repeatedly.

i wanted to blog about this yesterday, but since my growling stomach wouldn't let me (okay, i confess, i ate my bowl before i could take a picture), we had to plan it for today. i decided this weekend that i was going to make granola. i don't know about you, but i love granola; like, marry it and have its babies love it. so i looked through a few recipes and i found one i thought i'd love and marry like. it turned out great. so great in fact that i had to make a second batch because between chris and flojo, there wasn't much left for me, and i also made a batch for my pop! next time i think i might add dried cranberries or maybe some almond slivers.

mmm, it's delicious plain, or over fat free vanilla yogurt! i swear it's too good to be healthy. now, in case you want it, here's the recipe!

2 cups whole rolled oats (no quick or instant oats)
1/4 honey (i use a few extra squirts, too)
about 1/8 cup oil ( i used olive oil)
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

mix it all up and spread it out on a baking sheet. bake at 350 for about 10 or 11 minutes (over 12 and it gets burnt), and stir it up once or twice.

it passes the flojo taste test, and that's a pretty big deal considering how picky she is about her food. to be honest, she doesn't just like it and want a little, but she gets so crazy about it i wouldn't be surprised if she threatened to bite an ear off if i didn't let her have any. "mmm, can i have another bite?"

aside from making granola, i've been feeling kind of crappy. i don't know if it's a cold that's trying to get the best of me, or if it's sinus trouble because of all the leaves and bulbs that are blooming, but either way, i've had enough! and i'm thinking i did some serious nesting over the weekend. not only did i make three batches of granola, but i crocheted two dishcloths, and damn if i didn't iron my pajama pants! i blame my monthly hormones. how was your weekend? good, i hope!

roadtrip: north carolina, pt. un

For the last few days, the mister and I have been doing a little exploring on two wheels. Loaded with only the items that could fit in a backpack, we headed out (rather, sped like we were running from the cops) on our sport bike with our destination being Chapel Hill, NC, Greensboro, NC and all points in between. First stop, breakfast. I'm a light morning eater, but since it's the man's favorite meal, we went home cookin'. I had a bit of self control, but the same cannot be said for him. -P.S. If you're ever passing through South Boston, Virginia and looking for the best bacon on the planet, look for CJ's Country Kitchen. Good. Cheap.

little silhouettes

My dad bought me a set of stamps last year, or maybe early this year, I can't really remember! Anyway, I don't use them as often as I'd like becasue there are only so many stamped charms and things a girl can wear in a lifetime! I also have a bag of about one hundred vintage brass girl silhouette charms. I've used some of the silhouettes in jewelry I've made, some I've sold, but I don't know when I'll use that many...so the wheels started turning. Stamping set + plain brass charms = stamped silhouettes! Yipee, a good use for both! I think I'm going to add the charms to my shop tonight. I stamped a C, a D and an F on mine. C for Chris and Cheesecake the dog, D for me (Danielle) and an F for Flojo and Frankenstein the parrots.
On a more delicious note, I have meatballs cooking right now and I cannot WAAAIIIIIIIT until dinner time! That's the only problem with slow cooking something, it smells your house up (in a good way) so all you can think about is eating!