.bird on a wire.

.pity party.

2012-01-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

my friends are starting seeds for their gardens . . . being in the PNW means that we have a longer growing season than when i used to live in RI . . . but . . . my house only grows mold (this means no window hydroponics - not that there are any windows that have sun hitting them anyway) and my yard only grown mushrooms and mold (no sun hitting the ground there either) and all the community garden have 3 year waitlists.

uuuuugggghhhhhh......

feeling sad today.

here's a few shots of the former glory of my gardens from the past:

getting started with our first cold frame. built by the man-friend.

heirloom lettuce.

lavender, rhubarb, peas, chamomile, basil, lettuce, raspberries.

my raspberry bush always produced early and then had a flush in late summer/early autumn.

carrots!

the bees loved our echinasea.

peppers!

tomatoes and basil. best combo on earth.

the miracle of pollination.

the most delicious arugula i've grown to date.

chamomile and tomatoes = good companion planting.

the rhubarb got so big! but i don't mind because it shaded my lettuce from the hot new england summer sun.

oh i miss it so much.

.small steps.

2012-01-24T20:12:00.001-05:00

i'm taking small steps today . . .

my sister recently lent me the book, "handmade marketplace" by kari chapin

{image credit}

this book has inspired me to take a few more steps toward really "making" my living. i've been big into handmade and local crafts for a long time and i've always dreamed of the freedom and pride that can come with making my own living by selling all the goodies that i make . . . so here goes!

i've made a bird on a wire facebook page for you to follow
i've set my sights on fixing up my etsy site as well.
i'm working to make the branding fit with the blog, etc.
i've also added a little button on the sidebar where you can like this blog on facebook.
look at me, being all tech-savvy!!

i've also been cleaning up the blog a little. i consolidated all the crazy links on the side bar (that used to lead to all my favorite websites) into a short list that will take you to a more detailed page of wonderful websites that you can choose to patronize. so, you can still follow tj's loves, it just doesn't look as messy.

i think i might get rid of the mixed media buttons as well...

suggestions? comments? things that work for you? i'm open to help and support!!!

2012, the year i took my life back and made it my own.

.heathers por vida!.

2012-01-23T21:29:00.000-05:00

well, our first bout of the season is over! we didn't win, but i think we did do a great job as a team! it was the first bout as a heather for 6 of the girls on the team and we were missing more than a few key players. by the end of the bout, we had adjusted to the guns and rollers strategy and had started to play "our game." it was great for learning how we work together and what we need to work on for future bouts. having only been a heather for 3 weeks, it was an honor to be rostered for this bout and i can't wait to keep skating with my team and watch us grow!!

bout footage can be seen, here
and photos can be seen here

it was soooooo good to have most of my family there (mom, dad, 5 of my 6 sisters, husband, roommate, brother-in-law) and many friends! it was the first time for just about all of them to see me play and i was so happy to have them there supporting me!

even the "church ladies" came, wearing their pearls.

{photo courtesty of michelle}

heartless heathers 2012 team huddle

{photo credit}

last but not least, our team song (with my fave youtube video of viking kittens!!!)

.heartless.

2012-01-12T20:38:00.000-05:00

to prep for our season opener, we had a "formal scrimmage" last night.

for this, i got crafty!

since i was just drafted a few weeks ago, i don't have my uniform yet. also, since my last team's colors were green and pink (instead of blue, like my new team), i had to make some changes in my roller derby wardrobe.

and . . . voila!! bella constrictor's new scrimmage-worthy shirt and helmet (never mind the very crooked "h")

the shirt is just a simple workout top with built-in sports bra that i ironed letters on to.

the helmet was my same triple 8 helmet from the river rat years . . . i just added my new number (H155) and the heartless heathers' trademark heart (using paint pens). on the other side, i think i'm going to put the same heart . . . but with a snake wrapped around it! aaaaawwwww yeeaaahhhhhh!

tonight, i'm going to see my sister TC who just got back from Mozambique! She was there over christmastime, so it's time to give her presents! i LOOOVE christmas and giving gifts! i made her some pretty awesome stuff!

xoxoxo!

.new team new hair.

2012-01-10T17:47:00.001-05:00

bella constrictor has been drafted!

if you remember, i formally skated for providence roller derby with my hometeam the sakonnet river roller rats and the b-travel team the killah bees. now that i have moved back to portland oregon, i've been skating for the rose city rollers as "fresh meat" until they had a draft. so . . . on dec 29th, i was officially drated as part of the heartless heathers!!!!

our first game will be the january 21st season opener at the memorial coliseum vs the guns n rollers!! you can buy tickets from me!!

our next event is our anti-valentine's day party/fundraiser after the feb 18th bouth. djs, dancing, drinks, etc. get there.

----------

also . . . . in honor of 2012 being MY YEAR . . . i cut my hairs. well, my friend arwen over at dorkasaurus cut my hairs.

and.

love.

it!!!

it's asymmetrical and awesome.

next step . . . hair dye.

.2012.

2012-01-07T22:53:00.003-05:00

well. it's a new year. and i'm starting it out a little sad.

it's been 5 months since the mister, the pup and i left rhode island. after i celebrated my 30th birthday, our friends sent us off with much love.

we traveled cross-country for 2 weeks and arrived breathless and happy and more than a little terrified back in my home state of oregon.

since then, life has progressed slowly and i have taken small, unsure steps.

i've embraced more time with my family. i live with one of my sisters. we've gone to family weddings, said goodbye to a precious grandmother, celebrated thanksgiving and christmas with our loved ones. i am surrounded by the beauty of the pacific northwest. we've gone hiking and to the beach. we drink good coffee and hear good music and hold each other close. these are good things.

but . . .
i work at a job i hate, we are scraping by to pay our bills. i gave up the garden i have so lovingly cultivated for the last 3 seasons and now live in a house where everything is in the shade. i love the huge trees that surround our house . . . but this girl needs to be growing her own food. i haven't touched my easel. i live too far from everything i love about this city. i miss my old roller derby team (though my new one has made me feel SO welcome) and my old neighborhood. my closest friends are now the ones who are so far away. returning to a place where i once lived and finding that both the place and myself have changed . . . it's a tough transition. i am forced to redefine it all again.

but this can be good too.

so i start 2012 with faith. with bravery. with hope. with fear.

i will embrace possibility. my heart will continue to feel all the feelings as harshly and as strongly as it always has. and this is ok. but i will try to take those feelings and translate them to action.

i will use my new sewing machine. i will take hold of the time i have and fill it with what i love - radical homemaking, crafts, creativity, time in nature and with those i love, music, yoga, passion . . .

i will dye my hair red and get an acupuncture treatment.

i will volunteer at a local farm.

i will finally put pictures on the walls of my bedroom. (5 months in this city and no pictures on the walls?)

i will pour my heart in to my life and leave no second wasted.

how will your year be different?

.photography spotlight.

2012-01-05T02:18:00.002-05:00

my dear friend Corinne Krogh does amazing on-site work! she does portraits, newborns, weddings, engagements, anniversaries, families, etc. she's looking for an excuse to come up to the portland area around valentine's day. check out her work at http://www.corinnekrogh.com/blog/ and contact her if you'd like to schedule a session - makes a great valentine's gift!!!

{photo by corinne krogh}

.collecting.

2011-11-28T20:56:00.001-05:00

a collection of websites.

useful things (also, this radio)

bed and breakfast in the san juan islands
inn to the woods

brews
buckman brewery

whiskey
highland stillhouse

daryl hannah!!
dh love life

goodies
draught dry goods

101 diy christmas gifts
everything etsy 101 green gifts

.simplify the holidays.

2011-11-14T17:05:00.000-05:00

{for more info please see the simplify the holidays challenge webpage}
This year, I pledge to use the following strategies to simplify my holidays (choose FIVE or more!): *To complete the Challenge, commit to at least FIVE actions. Feel free to write in your own under "Other" as well!

.happy . . . .

2011-10-03T18:13:00.000-04:00

. . . . half-birthday to my alaskan malamute, hudson! you are now 7 1/2 people years old!

. . . . adoptaversary to hudson as well! celebrating 4 years of being our 90lb baby on the same day as his half birthday (sept 24)

. . . . 30th birthday to the man-friend!!! we celebrated in style at edgefield -aka adult disneyland- last night with friends. these past 10 years of knowing you have been full of adventure and joy, heartache and challenge, growth and change. i am glad you were born and i am glad we are partners together in this crazy life-journey.

{we took this photo on our cross-country road trip in aug at niagara falls}

.happy birthday!!!.

2011-09-18T14:40:00.001-04:00

to my dreadlocks!!!!

they are 6 years old today.

they used to be much longer . . . and i've cut off all the original dreads, leaving just what's grown in . . . but they've been going strong for 6 years now. so proud.

i was trying to find a picture . . . and i found this one i took when i was making more crafts . . .

i'm gonna make MORE CRAFTS!!!

.the long silence.

2011-09-17T14:47:00.000-04:00

sorry for the long silence, friends.

i've been a bit busy.

one month ago to the day, the man-friend and i packed our belongings into a moving container and into our car and drove away from providence, ri. we made a 5,000 mile road trip across the country (via stops to see many friends and family) and relocated to our favorite place in the world . . .

PORTLAND, OREGON!

that's right friends. we're home!

it's been strange . . . awesome . . . terrifying . . . exciting . . . nuts.

i am so happy to be here! i miss my friends from providence so much! i miss my garden! we don't have a place to live yet . . . i've been living out of a small suitcase for the last month. i miss my roller derby team (working on transferring to the local league - the rose city rollers). but i've gotten to see my family and friends and the beautiful states of oregon and washington . . . i love the pacific northwest.

once we're settled i plan to blog and craft more! and garden!!!

{cows in southern oregon}

what have you been doing in my absence??

.garden may 2011.

2011-05-30T18:22:00.000-04:00

.garden april 2011.

2011-05-21T16:17:00.001-04:00

(our gnomes were stolen) sad face

.garden march 2011.

2011-05-21T16:11:00.000-04:00

.hudson.

2011-03-26T22:50:00.000-04:00

did i mention that hudson had his 7th birthday yesterday?

we had a party for him and our roommate, miss w, last week. he even blew out the candles on his own cake!!

he may be growing older, but he's still got it.

.all my favorite people.

2011-03-26T21:00:00.001-04:00

the mister and i had a wonderful evening in boston last night. we headed up a bit early for some coffee at deisel (in somerville), then hit up the buffallo exchange (yay new skirt for $6.50! in my current favorite color: mustard), dinner at a delicious thai food place we happened across, then . . .

a lovely concert from over the rhine. they've been making music for what . . . 20 years now? soul music. full of honesty, love, brokenness and southern hospitality. the crowd was . . . a bit . . . adult contemporary (esp compared the the bright eyes show we saw two weeks ago), but it went along great with the mellow, jazzy vibe of the night.

favorite song on the record (currently spinning on vinyl in the record player):

this goes out to you . . . you know who you are.

ALL MY FAVORITE PEOPLE
(Linford Detweiler)

All my favorite people are broken
Believe me
My heart should know

Some prayers are better left unspoken

I just wanna hold you

And let the rest go

All my friends are part saint and part sinner
We lean on each other
Try to rise above

We’re not afraid to admit we’re all still beginners
We’re all late bloomers
When it comes to love

All my favorite people are broken
Believe me
My heart should know

Orphaned believers, skeptical dreamers
Step forward
You can stay right here
You don’t have to go

Is each wound you’ve received
Just a burdensome gift?
It gets so hard to lift
Yourself up off the ground

But the poet says, We must praise the
mutilated world
We’re all workin’ the graveyard shift
You might as well sing along

All my favorite people are broken
Believe me
My heart should know

(As for) your tender heart—
This world’s gonna rip it wide open
It ain’t gonna be pretty
But you’re not alone

‘Cause all my favorite people are broken
Believe me
My heart should know

Orphaned believers, skeptical dreamers
You’re welcome
Yeah, you’re safe right here
You don’t have to go

‘Cause all my favorite people are broken
Believe me
I should know

Some prayers are better left unspoken
I just wanna hold you
And let the rest go

.engage-aversary.

2011-03-18T18:31:00.000-04:00

7 years ago today my man-friend and i were sitting on a picnic blanket in golden gate park, san francisco . . . he looked at me and said "will you marry me?"

and i said, "yes."

what a ride it's been since then.

.killah bees.

2011-03-10T14:25:00.000-05:00

bees win.

211 to 59.

{photo via bunnicula}

.march?!?!?!.

2011-03-03T19:00:00.001-05:00

how did it get to be march already!?!?!?!

i've GOT to get started on planting some seeds!!!!

and i've got to get my third garden gnome (a gnome for every year that i have my own garden) to join john barleycorn and tom bombadill out there in the dirt!

.pizza.

2011-03-02T18:53:00.000-05:00

i made pizza.

you can too.

it goes like this:

one package of trader joe's pizza dough (in the fridge section by the hummus). i used the herbed one. nom nom noms. (i've tried to make my own pizza dough and have not succeeded . . . yet).

roll it out on your baking stone and top it with:

organic fig spread (not too much or it will be too sweet)
goat's milk brie (from happy goats)
caramelized organic onions (i use a tiny bit of sugar, olive oil and red wine vinegar over a low heat)
sauteed organic kale (chopped in tiny pieces) seasoned with garlic
sliced organic pears

bake it at 400 degrees until the crust is as cooked through as you like it to be.

chow down.

.help for a roller girl.

2011-02-25T17:30:00.000-05:00

please click here and read about a fellow rollergirl's predicament. my fellow PRD league member used to skate with sk8 outta compton and knows her personally. this is not a hoax. this is an honest plea to help a good mommy keep her little girl.

if you have the funds, please donate on her page, or visit her etsy site and make a purchase.

anything will help!!!!

----------

.rainy afternoon.

2011-02-25T16:01:00.003-05:00

i love rain.

i love it.

i do.

it's raining here today. pouring really. i've got ani difranco on the ipod, soup in the crock pot, my xtratufs drying by the door and rain pounding on the windows. le sigh.

gonna run across the street for some beeeerrrrr later. and make some of trader joe's AMAZING corn bread from a box to go with my soup (yes, corn bread from a box. i am on my way to being a radical homemaker and i make corn bread from a box. i understand the irony). perfect.

----------

.THE SOUP.

i'm a vegetarian for many reasons and super in to nutrition and health and the environment and loving people. there. i said it.

i'm sure you guessed that by now anyway. so, if you are interested, here's what i put in my soup:

vegan bouillon cube (WITH SALT)
earth balance "butter" (the soy-free kind since i have a soy allergy. i get this instead of butter for now until i can start getting good butter straight from a farm)
an ENTIRE huge onion
organic yellow potatoes
green and red lentils
organic red chard - chopped up real small
organic, full-fat coconut milk
organic, canned tomatoes with green chilies (canned tomatoes offer more cancer-fighting lycopene than raw. and they taste better and are more sustainable than raw tomatoes during the winter)
organic bulgar wheat
the few tablespoons that were left of my bulk chickpeas. i didn't soak them first, so it could have been a mistake. they may never get soft....
TONS of my favorite curry powder from limbo (in pdx)
chopped up fresh ginger root
minced garlic (like a whole head)
cumin, turmeric (SO GOOD FOR YOU!), fresh ground pepper corns and a good amount of sea salt (the best kind of salt there is. celtic sea salt. stay away from that silly, processed table salt).
water to cover to the top

it's all sitting happily in my crockpot now while i am about to clean my house . . . i might add some beer to the soup . . .

----------

in other news, the KILLAH BEES are getting ready for their first game of the season! we are playing the hellions of troy in schenectady, new york!!!! looking forward to taking some time off of work and going on a mini road trip. let's see if we can keep up this undefeated thing and carry it over to 2011!!!!

WOOT!!!

---------

DOUBLE WOOT - the seeds i ordered came in the mail today!!! TIME TO START THE 2011 GARDEN!!!

.how i spent my valentine's day.

2011-02-19T17:52:00.002-05:00

so for valentine's day, we ate dinner at our favorite restaurant (julians) and then came home for an evening of chocolate, flowers, wine and THE FINAL DISC OF LOST SEASON 6 which CONTAINS SPECIAL FEATURES AND NEVERBEFORESEEN FOOTAGE!!!

how did my man know exactly what i would love?

dinner was a 6 course, fixed-price meal (like last time) and the food was great . . . but not nearly as good as last time :) the atmosphere at julian's was great - table cloths, candles, live music. we had a really great time talking and catching up too. it's been a while since we've had some one-on-one time. life gets busy.

----------

in other news:

it was PRD's river rat home team mascot "The Cheese's" birthday this weekend. we sent her a singing telegram in the form of a lobster with a hip hop routine. tonight we are having a cheese themed party. bring it on, lactose intolerance!

went hiking yesterday in the snow with dogs and good friends. it's been "warm" the last two days (i.e. in the 50s rather than below 30).

had a "chinese new year - year of the rabbit" potluck with friends. bunnies were the theme.

i ordered my seeds for the 2011 garden!! i can't believe it's already time!

all of these things deserve their own posts with photos.

let's see how well i do.

.love.

2011-02-14T14:33:00.000-05:00

i know it's cheesy and that some people have issues with valentine's day and call it "singles awareness day" . . . but i LOVE love!! and i think valentine's day can be used for loving all people - not just for romance.

so, go buy some chocolates for someone, make them a card, bring them flowers, call and have a singing telegram or a barbershop quartet show up at your best friend's job and sing them a song. take a bubble bath and sip champagne all by yourself.

i promise it wont suck.

but for me?

i'm going out with my man. it's almost our 6 1/2 yr wedding anniversary (if one were to mark dates this way) . . . and for him, i give you a quote from one of my favorite poets:

"when i am with you, we stay up all night,
when you're not here, i can't go to sleep.
praise god for these two insomnias!
and the difference between them.

the minute i heard my first love story
i started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.
lovers don't finally meet somewhere,
they're in each other all along."

~excerpt from "Music Master" by Jelaluddin Rumi

{:engagement photo 2004. credit: adam white:}

{:dec 2010. photo credit: chris west:}

.want.

2011-02-08T14:14:00.001-05:00

i want EVERYTHING on this website.

that is all.

.february.

2011-02-02T20:56:00.001-05:00

just listening to the latest insound digital mixtape while cutting out paper bunnies. immonna sew these bunnies together to make a banner for our living room for tomorrow's year of the rabbit chinese new year potluck.

don't act like you aren't jealous.

.portland.

2011-01-27T00:38:00.002-05:00

a dear friend made this awesome video of our trip home to portland over the holidays.

check it.

if you watch it to the end, you get to see a close-up of my armpit.

.happy girl.

2011-01-26T19:34:00.002-05:00

happily working away in my office, sipping a ricemilk hot chocolate and listening to william fitzsimmons, with the snow falling steadily outside.

i guess winter's not all that bad.

.season schedule.

2011-01-24T18:16:00.000-05:00

miss rhoda perdition is quite the lady . . . here's a sneak peak at the new season schedule art work she is doing for us!!!!

.if superheros were hipsters.

2011-01-22T16:44:00.001-05:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

.finished the painting.

2011-01-21T23:20:00.000-05:00

remember that post i wrote about a painting i was working on? i finished it!!!!

i took this photo with my cell phone because the man-friend is presently using the camera for a research project for his dissertation . . .

but i wanted to share the final project!

also, i have been crafting and doing yoga more regularly (yes!) while still finding time to nap and roller skate.

balance is a huge goal in my life right now. that and getting rid of excess (see: rolller skating and yoga). my friend, miss c, and i are hosting another ladies' clothing swap soon too! so if you are in the area next friday - hit me up for some free goodies!!!

.just say no.

2011-01-21T17:21:00.002-05:00

Dear Friend,

I just took action calling on Secretary Vilsack and President Obama to reject the approval of Monsanto's GMO alfalfa and protect the integrity of organics. Approving GMO alfalfa will potentially destroy the integrity of and access to organic food, as well as the livelihoods of organic farmers.

The approval of GMO alfalfa is only days away and the Obama administration needs to hear from you and all of your friends who care about organics. It is outrageous to risk the contamination of the organic dairy industry simply for Monsanto's corporate profits.

Please take a moment to let Vilack and President Obama know that you care about organic integrity by following this link from Food Democracy Now! Then please pass this on.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/kiss_your_organics_goodbye/

Every voice counts!

Thank you!

.cell phone shots of the dog.

2011-01-17T15:18:00.000-05:00

love this little butthead of mine.

.christmastime.

2011-01-07T16:20:00.007-05:00

my city of roses. what a beautiful, rainy, sweet, creative, loving city you can be.

this is a mural that is repainted every year. every year, i get my photo taken in front of it.
this is my favorite place on earth. there is nothing like the beauty of the oregon coast.

GLUHWEIN!!! a german christmas market (weihnachtsmarkt) tradition. we found some at new season's . . . think: sweet mulled wine. tastes like christmas.
the oregon countryside in klamath falls. we stayed here for a few days with the man-friend's family. it snowed. we went on family walks. it was peaceful and lovely.
the man-friend's family on our walk.

one of my favorite shots of us at the coast.

majestic mt hood over the city of portland, oregon.

peace was found in the rose-test gardens above the city.
all the happy rice-milk lattes a girl could want!!!!

so, there are just a few shots from our trip. it really was wonderful. now we are back in full-swing of life in providence. waitressing, massaging, babysitting, roller skating, crafting, living, walking the pup, eating, growing, sleeping, etc. i hope to make more time for blogging, but if i have to choose between that and sleep . . . well, you understand.

but my long term goal really is to be more crafty and open my etsy site!!!

you are welcome to ask me about that more and keep me on my toes!

.holiday love.

2010-12-27T15:50:00.002-05:00

i am currently curled up in my smartwool socks and my providence roller derby hoodie, listening to my man-friend and his family play card games while i catch up on the internets. it's been a GREAT two weeks. mellow, beautiful, full of love, sun, rain, snow, mountains, beaches, woods, wild animals, tame animals, family, friends, beer, music, food, sugar, coffee, babies, road trips, sleeping bags, full bellies, laughter, sun flares, and love.

we head back to providence tomorrow. i've heard we'll be greeted by snow. our doggie will be waiting. my roller skates will be waiting. i'll have work, friends, home and bills. regular life. the man-friend will have a bit of shoveling to do so we can drive to pick our pup up from the kennel. i guess i should help him :)

while i am ready to get back to day to day living, crafting, skating and money-making . . . it's been so nice to relax, be with family and old friends, to enjoy to beautiful nature, food and drink of the pacific northwest and to never really need to care what time it is.

hope your christmastime was as happy as mine was.

.christmas!.

2010-12-14T10:29:00.002-05:00

the man-friend and i are heading home to oregon for christmas today! we'll miss our friends, our roommates and our pup while we are away . . . but we are SO EXCITED!!!!!

aaahhh oregon, here we come!

.painting.

2010-11-17T17:12:00.003-05:00

{all images via: we heart it}

working on a painting! it's a big one too!

.busy bee.

2010-11-17T15:32:00.002-05:00

i took this photo recently in my garden - this big, fat, happy bee was buzzing around my marigolds. there's not a ton left in my garden - just root veggies (beets, carrots), leeks, and onions. i've mulched it all over and pulled up the dead tomatoes and peppers. left to overwinter is my raspberry bush, rhubarb and echinasea . . . as well as the potted mint. i planted some garlic and still have daffodil bulbs from last year. i've got high hopes for next year too - as long as i keep doing a little better each year, i'll be happy!

.dimery photography.

2010-11-13T18:04:00.004-05:00

{image credit: dimery photography}

remember that photo shoot our friend michelle did for the man-friend and i earlier this year?

well, michelle now has her website up and is doing great with all kinds of photoshoots - families, newborns, engagement, weddings, etc.

i even hear that she's trying her hand at boudoir soon!

check out the website here. (turn down your volume if you are at work - the website plays music). if you click on "lovers" at the bottom it will scroll through and you'll see a few examples fom our shoot!

.photo session with ellie leonardsmith.

2010-11-09T16:07:00.005-05:00

{image credit: ellie leonardsmith}

click here to go to ellie's website. then click on the boudoir photo option to see a few of the images from a recent photo shoot i had with ellie.

{image credit: ellie leonardsmith}

not only was it so much fun, but it made a great birthday gift for the man friend!

if you live in RI or MA, be sure to check her out! she also does weddings and other kinds of events and portraiture.

.prd championship bout!.

2010-11-03T18:33:00.001-04:00

yes that's me holding the trophy like a glock.

.what my car has - what my car needs.

2010-10-21T21:13:00.000-04:00

if you aren't offended by the eff bomb click here cause it's fantastic.

.two victories.

2010-10-21T13:26:00.003-04:00

quick update on PRD derby news from miss bella constrictor

my home team, the sakonnet river roller rats, won our bout on Oct 2nd against the mob squad which means we go on to play the old money honeys in the home team championship game next month!photo by temple frazier

also, the B team, the Killah Bees just won our final bout of the season against CT's yankee brutals on the 16th of this month. this left us UNDEFEATED!!! what a great feeling!
photo courtesy of the Phury

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now to go get my NEW CAR inspected so i can legally drive it in the state of RI.

.tj loves: roger j porter's etsy site.

2010-10-19T16:34:00.003-04:00

a good friend, fantastic photographer and avid scrabble player . . . roger just updated his etsy site. there's some cool stuff on there for hallowe'en too!! check it out!

{image found here via: roger j porter on etsy.}

.halloween.

2010-10-13T15:13:00.002-04:00

i've been trying to think of what to be for hallowe'en this year . . . last year the man-friend and i were 80's prom king and queen . . . this year, the man-friend will be in NC over the holiday weekend (i'll have been there with him for the week, but i'm coming back before him), so i'm on my own this time.

suggestions? i was thinking maybe rosie the riviter?

.remember when i used to blog?.

2010-10-06T17:12:00.004-04:00

sorry. i've been busy.
camping with my boys
hiking in the woods
sleeping outside
marrying off a sweet friend
dancing it up at the barn dance.yeehaw
winning with the killah bees in PA!
watching the rivs play some hecka good derby
growing the biggest beet you've ever seen.
getting new furniture for my kitchen.

and winning our latest roller derby bout this past weekend.

what've you been doing?

i've got a few more busy weeks of travel, etc coming up - you know living my real life instead of hanging out on the blogosphere . . . but i'll keep checking in from time to time. winter is on it's way and i always seem to start crafting more when it's cold and dark. i'll post about my projects and i hope to open my own etsy or artfire site soon.

see you soon!

.tj loves: deerhunter.

2010-09-20T15:46:00.001-04:00

this video is very nostalgic. tj loves.

.jenny and johnny.

2010-09-17T17:45:00.003-04:00

headed to the the met to see jenny and johnny tonight!

my friend already said he served them coffee today in town (and to that i said, "so what? i served emma watson breakfast the other day").

anyway, i am SO EXCITED! i tried to do some yoga beforehand . . . but it didn't work out. instead i am going to make pie.

.killah bees!.

2010-09-10T15:14:00.002-04:00

packing up and getting ready to drive to PA for my first ever away game with providence roller derby's killah bees! we play tomorrow night. the all-star team (the riveters) also play dutchland and H.A.R.D. this weekend.

i've done laundry, ironed my name/numbers on my new bees shirts, started packing, bought a TON of snacks, loaded music on my new phone . . . now i need to finish laundry, clean all my gear, boil my new mouth guard and finish packing.

and make sure i don't pee my pants!

now let's go kick some butt!

.barn dance.

2010-09-05T16:54:00.002-04:00

tonight our friend's parents are hosting the 15th annual barn dance!

live music and dancing in a barn . . . SO EXCITED!!

i found these boots for the man-friend at rehab today. i hope they fit. they'll be perfect for tonight!!

last week i bought nancy sinatra's "how does that grab you?" vinyl at the same vintage store . . . i've been spinning that on the record player a lot lately.

what's new with you?

.birthday circus!.

2010-08-27T11:45:00.006-04:00

my birthday was a few weeks ago . . . and as usual, i am just getting around to posting pictures of the event :) we decided on a circus theme!

we set up a grill and blankets in the park and decorated! it looked like a 10 year olds birthday - i loved it!

the man friend even climbed a tree to put up the banner!

here is my pinata . . . i filled him with candy, parachute toys and condoms. ha ha!!

i made homemade kettle corn and put it in these awesome popcorn bags! instead of getting paper plates, we found these awesome colorful plates that we can wash and use again and again!the man-friend cut holes out of some plywood in the basement and painted a bean bag toss game! i think that, wiffle ball and bocce ball were everyone's favorites.

here we are in our circus get-up!
me and my pinata . . . before i killed it.
miss foxie brought her accordian! she also juggled while hoola hooping at the same time!
getting ready to kill the pinata!
group shot! we stayed until well after dark and then hit up the local bar for last call. good times.
hp was the freakiest clown in the universe.
miss g helped us clean up the park! i couldn't ask for a better friend!
even hudson got to have some fun! he really like the balloon animals, but i took them away before he popped them so he wouldn't choke on the rubber.

what are a few of your favorite themed parties?

.tj loves: brides.

2010-08-26T10:57:00.009-04:00

it's been a rough few weeks around here . . . i really have felt like a bird perched on a wire. very precariously. first one thing then another . . . somehow our little family is managing to get through it. with lots of support from the people who love us.

it's been tough. i see a light at the end of tunnel though . . . we'll be alright.

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so . . . i'll do this post that i've been wanting to do: WEDDINGS!!!

i. love. weddings.
i love brides.
i love LOVE.
i love romance.

i love a good, creative non-traditional wedding.

i love my friends - the ones who are brides. the ones who are grooms. the ones who are photographers.

here are a few of them:
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shandrea:

i've known shandrea since college . . . which was . . . quite a while ago. she lives on the west coast, so we haven't seen each other in a long time. but, recently shandrea was a beautiful bride.
here are a couple of shots from her gorgeous wedding:
love the umbrella

did i mention she lives in the beautiful pacific northwest? - full of natural beauty. ugh i love it.

she has a great sense of fun and silliness too!

all photos are taken by the talented kellie parry. follow that link to see her blog about the wedding.

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kristin and daryl

k and d are friends of ours here in good old providence. we recently went to their wedding at bittersweet farm over in massachussets. the wedding was full of laughter and love and beauty and had a very classy but rustic feel. here are a few of the pictures that i took that night:
the boys walking from the farmhouse to the gazebo.
miss k being walked down the "aisle" by her father. she was stunning.
moments after becoming "man and wife." the light was perfect!
the wedding party celebrating with the newlyweds.

their wedding was photographed by the talented brad smith who also took their engagement photos.
here are some of his gorgeous shots:
like i said, gorgeous.
you can see me in the last row on the right in the copper colored dress. :)

those boys.

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i guess that's enough wedding porn for now :) i am in a wedding this weekend. the lovely miss michelle who did our awesome photo shoot is getting hitched! i'll be counting on the man-friend to take the photos since i'll be in the wedding. we'll see what kind of shots we get :)

.mustache love.

2010-08-17T21:25:00.002-04:00

that's right. i said mustache.

i WANT these hotpants for derby!!!

it(was)'s MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

.tj loves: powells city of books.

2010-08-15T17:31:00.004-04:00

head on over to my favorite bookstore powells city of books and order any 3 used paperbacks by the end of the day today (11:59 pm pacific time) and get a free reusable tote made from recycled materials.

this bookstore is sincerely epic. it takes up a whole city block in Portland Oregon and a person needs a MAP to get around. though i much prefer just getting lost there for days and days. happiest place on earth? move over disneyland!

.it's a birthday CIRCUS!!!!.

2010-08-12T17:40:00.008-04:00

{all images via weheartit}

we'll see how it goes . . . i'm spending the day tomorrow getting everything set up! hope the weather is nice and that people show up!

.birthday troubles.

2010-08-06T23:35:00.004-04:00

me on my birthday camping at lake champlain, 2009

my birthday is next week (friday the 13th). i WANT to do something awesome. i have no time. not a lot of money. am feeling veerrrry homesick and tired. and have always struggled with this fear that i'll plan a huge party and no one will show up.

when we lived in oregon, we'd celebrate birthdays for a week straight. here . . . it's been different. a struggle.

last year, the man-friend took me away for a camping trip and a brewery tour. it was awesome and SO COOL. a nice family trip (we took the pup too). but it's also nice to be celebrated by your friends. i'm not trying to be miss birthday diva . . . but i'm having a tough time.

maybe i just need some cool (cheap) ideas for my birthday party that will be accessable and fun for all?
i was thinking a circus theme
or maybe a white trash theme?
or just dancing and drinks (but some of my friends have kids and i wanted something they could come to, too) . . .
a picnick? what if the weather sucks?

i just got home from a birthday party for my friend who just turned 30. her husband sent her to beach and to get a pedicure and she came home and the house had been cleaned, sushi and pizza had been made, drinks were ready, an ipod playlist made and friends invited. cirque du soleil was on the tv screen in the background.

THEN PONIES came!!! and people took pony rides! and THEN a barber shop quartet came and sang to the birthday girl!!!

great birthday.

ugh.

.garden surprise.

2010-08-05T16:05:00.004-04:00

was greeted at the garden by this sweet surprise left by my friend and fellow community gardener (and derby girl!), The Cheese. she painted me that sweet rock.

also . . . since they live very close in the neighborhood, she and two other derby girls and i have recently acquired . . . . WALKIE TALKIES!!!

we use them from house to house.

love.

.yes please.

2010-08-04T16:00:00.003-04:00

slept in late. started the day at breakfast with the man-friend. picked a million cherry tomatoes at the garden. used our new walkie talkies to chat with my girls down the street. found a new storage thing for our records and record player. now i am listening to lady gaga on vinyl and organizing my craft supplies.

i think i am about to cut the neck off a bunch of t-shirts so that i might actually wear them and then i'll go blanch and freeze our surpluss of summer squash and eggplant . . .

then PRACTICE!!! oh it's so muggy.... i should really switch from beer to water.

must be my day off.

.a list of good things.

2010-08-03T15:30:00.005-04:00

so, the arcade fire show was AWESOME. i took some photos and video, to be posted soon!

my friend derek's photo was published on page 44 of this issue of eastern surf magazine. check it out! (the photo is also currently the main photo on his webpage). derek took my sister's wedding photos last year . . . they are so beautiful!

miss chelsae has put a photo of li'l old ME on her crafty crafty webpage the utopian collection! check out her goodies (and my booty in my purple plaid bikini. whoops!) and support a fellow crafter.

check out my friend jyll's art blog, her sickfeet website and her etsy site! all very cool.

LAST: we WON our bout!!! the robots beat the zombies by 1 point! final score: 61 to 60. a good time was had by all. :)
photo of me playing the position of pivot, taken by the man-friend. :)

.tj loves: david bazan.

2010-07-30T13:49:00.003-04:00

{tee available here}

i know most of my posts have been mini-commercials lately, but i've just been finding so many things that i love and the people i love are doing so many awesome things . . . i simply feel that i need to catagorize or store them or something . . . so i put them on this blog :)

the man-friend and i have a favorite singer/songwriter/musician and he's on tour soon! coming to cambridge in sept! and he has a new shirt out . . . with - STOP RIGHT THERE - a MUSTACHE on it!!

i might have just died and gone to heaven.

.tj loves: august and after and CKP.

2010-07-29T10:43:00.004-04:00

{image credit: corinne krogh}

my dear sweet cori at august and after has started her FANTASTIC photography website CKP!

she is a LOVELY lady with a beautiful life and fantastic dreams for the future. she and her husband and their cute puppy live in asheville, NC and are building a sweet life together.

go check out her goodies at her photo website now!!!

.robots vs zombies

2010-07-28T15:55:00.004-04:00

this weekend we (the providence roller derby ) are having a fun bout during the indie arts fest! we made two fake teams for this exhibition bout . . . robots vs zombies . . . it will be the ultimate battle for the fate of humanity.

no big deal.

plus i just made a stencil and spray painted my team uniform! do you like it?

come check it out!

tj loves: andrealady and the vagabond boutique

2010-07-27T18:12:00.003-04:00

the bees knees
{image credit: anrdrealady}

check out the vagabond boutique on etsy! my friend, miss andrealady, is selling her handmade pretties there! she and her man, mr j, are currently wwoofing in ireland for the summer!

oh the adventures they are having!

stop by her shop and get to know her better!

tj loves: the suburbs

2010-07-24T08:13:00.004-04:00

photo i took while in the beach town of Watch Hill

ok, i don't really love the suburbs. i actually dislike them.

buuuuut i do have two stories about them (sort of).

#1: i went to the beach with some girlfriends on wednesday (and got the WORST sunburn of the year!) and while wandering around the little town of watch hill, RI, we found this awesome old book store with this awesome elderly lady working there. the whole experience was pretty sweet and they had some amazing first editions and old antique post cards (i bought some with mermaids on them) and i bought a first edition by bertrand russel called "satan in the suburbs" for the man-friend (i bought a real cute organic cotton skirt with dandelions screen printed on it for me!). the man-friend used to really like bertrand russel as a philosopher . . . i think he's moved on to other writers by now, but i knew he'd really appreciate this book and title.

{image credit: arcade fire.com}

#2: i just PREORDERED THE NEW ARCADE FIRE VINYL called "the suburbs"!! and the man-friend has bought us tickets to go see them AUG 1st!!

WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

tj loves: style me pretty and public image photography

2010-07-23T11:33:00.006-04:00

{photo found at: style me pretty}
{photo credit: public image photography}

check out this style me pretty inspiration blog! my friend grace is the model and my friend ricky from public image photography took the photos. i LOVE the rosemary used throughout! click the links for more pretties!

.30 day journal challenge - almost done! (a little late, i know).

2010-07-22T20:16:00.007-04:00

.

i know the 30 day challenge has been over for a while . . . and i DID all my pages (except the last 3 . . i think i am just avoiding ending the thing cause i liked it so much)...

so here they are - a little late (and you can see the pencil on some of them because i can't find my gummy eraser- that's how much of a hot mess i am right now).

Journal Prompt 18: Music is one of my most favorite things ever!! It translates emotions that I can't even imagine putting into words. I love it. Today I want you to create a playlist of some kind. It can be your summer playlist, your July playlist, songs from your wedding day, or favorite songs of all time :) This one will be another fun one to look at down the road :)
i picked our wedding soundtrack . . .
1) candle lighting song "the three of us" by ben harper (instrumental)
2) seating of grandmothers, mothers and entrance of groom: "bridge over troubled waters" by simon and garfunkle (i KNOW! big hippie!)
3) entrance of wedding party: "forever" by ben harper
4) entrance of BRIDE (and flowergirls) "songbird" original by fleetwood mac, covered by denison witmer
5) unity candle ceremony: a song written and played for us by our good friend jacob white.
6) recessional: "tonight, tonight" by the smashing pumpkins (we were children of the 90s, i guess)

Journal Prompt 19: Today I want you to create a "guide to your city." What are the must-see things that you would want a visitor to experience in your city. This can guide can be for your city, town, or state. I am really excited to see these and to maybe even use them in my future when traveling!! Have fun with this!!!

i picked my favorite things about providence, RI where i currently live . . . come and visit and we'll do all these things!!

Journal Prompt 20: Here is the age old question, what is in your bag?? This has always been a great photo prompt that i have seen all over the blog world. Today, you are going to write about the contents of YOUR bag, or illustrate it, or take a picture of it, whatever :D
things in my purse: cds (the new she & him and the new jakob dylan), my ipod, pens, lots and lots of change, free drink ticket from a roller derby party, my passport, car charger for my phone, chapstick made by the wonderful neo hippie mama, cortizone cream for my bug bites, natural hand santitizer from whole foods, cell phone, keys, my wallet with the owl on it . . . sunglases . . . more . . .

Journal Prompt 21: What is your most favorite quote? A quote that inspires you, or your mantra. I literally have 4 journals from college filled with quotes that inspire me and make me smile. Today is the day to share your inspiring words with your friends :)
i have a magnet with this quote on it up in my massage studio. i constantly need it to remind me to calm down, breathe and give myself a little grace.

Journal Prompt 22: Today I want to know what your favorite holiday is!! There are soooo many holidays out there and the cool thing is that they differ depending on where you live, your family, and your religion. Teach me all about your favorite holiday and why it's your favorite :)
i never really got to celebrate many holidays growing up . . . just birthdays and christmas and thanksgiving and easter (but with no easter bunny and no baskets! and def NO halloween!) . . . it has a lot to do with my parents and their religious beliefs. but NOW i get to choose for myself and my family what holidays are important to observe, and while the man-friend and i aren't terribly religious at the time being, we do like to follow the marking of the seasons with different celebrations. the man-friend observed lent this year. and i. really. love. advent. i had never even heard of it while growing up. it wasn't something i knew about until maybe the last 4 years or so - but i LOVE birthdays and christmas and the idea of spending an entire MONTH anticipating the arrival of a holiday? fantastic! i love the symbolism behind each candle and the idea of coming together and talking about them as a family. it's sort of like a version of chanukah or something. i really like it. i mean c'mon, i celebrate my birthday for a week if i can get away with it! why not celebrate christmas for a month?

Journal Prompt 23: Today I want you to fill an entire page in your journal with one of the elements of art. As an art teacher, I have to talk about all of the elements of art...daily.
Here they are:
1. Line
2. Color
3. Shape
4. Space
5. Texture
6. Form
i chose space (negative space drawing of the sunglasses) and line to create the space and textures. i like it.

Journal Prompt 24: What is your most favorite place in the world? Is it a country, a town, a room, a secret place that no one else knows about? I know you have one, I want to see it!!
my favorite place . . . i have really been homesick a lot lately. i think it's summer and springtime that are the worst. who am i kidding? i ALWAYS miss home.

Journal Prompt 25: I want you to think about your day today. If you had to describe to me in one word, or one short phrase what would it be?? Us this phrase or word repeatedly on your page, trying out new fonts :)
well it was.

Journal Prompt 26: Today you are going to write out your favorite recipe!! This can be written, illustrated, cut and pasted, something. It is always really good to document these small little pieces of your life. Don't you think?
BEER BREAD!!! try it! so easy and SO GOOD! it really impresses the men for some reason. let me know what you think.

i have 4 more prompts to post and i'll be honest, i haven't done them yet. but i will!!!!

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yep, been homesick, been hot, got the WORST sunburn at beach day #4 yesterday, working a lot, looking forward to a few camping trips, my birthday and a special wedding anniversary next month and then . . . school starts again for the man-friend. how is summer almost over?

got an AWESOME post card from some very special friends today! they wrote a lovely note and picked an AWESOME card - you can't see it, but the rest of the postcard says "stumptown coffee roasters." the most delicious coffee that could ever be roasted comes from these fine people.
it's good to have love in your life, isn't it?

.rehab giveaway: winner!!!.

2010-07-19T23:41:00.003-04:00

and the winner of our lovely giveaway is . . . .

SARAH (aka: Fate)!!!

she said:
Can't wait till I can check that store out. I wish they were open more. Thanks for letting us know :)
-Fate

since we practice together, i'll just bring the pretties to practice for you mmmmkay?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

we'll do another giveaway soon! esp seeing as how we are at another milestone already - 20 followers! :)

for now, i will head to bed, hope to get 5 hours of sleep and then get my busy day started tomorrow!!!

thanks to everyone of you who entered the giveaway - aaah my sweet lovelies.

.berry picking.

2010-07-17T16:53:00.004-04:00

last week after a delicious breakfast at our favorite restaurant, the man-friend and i went down to sweet berry farm to pick raspberries and blueberries . . . the rasp season was almost done so it took a while to get a full basket, but the BLUEBERRIES . . . OMG, the blueberries are PERFECT.

after the picking, it started POURING and we drove home in the rain to make raspberry/blueberry jam. also, the man-friend went out to the garden and picked some rhubarb, and while he made the crust, i mixed up the filling for a blueberry/rhubarb pie.

we shared pie, coffee and ice cream with our roommates and a few friends. there is ONE LAST PIECE left. and i think that since the man-friend is off camping without me (he even took the DOG!) i think i'll help myself to the pie!

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don't forget, tomorrow is the LAST DAY to enter to win the GIVEAWAY - a winner will be chosen on monday!

.photoshoot sneak peak.

2010-07-14T19:19:00.003-04:00

{photo credit: Michelle Neal-Dimery}

thse are some of my favorite's from monday night's photoshoot. i'll post more once we have time to go through the whole disc. we had SO MUCH fun with our photographer, michelle! she did a GREAT job! and she is going to do even more great things in the future! as soon as she gets her website up, i will post a link. in the meantime, if you like for her to take any engagement, new baby, anniversary, birthday, wedding, etc photos for you - let me know! i will help you get in touch with her!

.the good things.

2010-07-11T22:38:00.006-04:00

so life's been nuts. do i allude to that a lot on this blog?

well, it's still true.

tonight's bout was AWESOME!! such a close game! the old money honeys beat the mob by a HAIR. so close! wow!

after the bout, we had a meet and greet/info session for girls interested in joining Providence Roller Derby for the 2011 season - SO CRAZY to think that i wont be one of the newest girls on the league soon! wow!

if you live in the area, consider trying out! it's amazing. check out our website.

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in other news, a friend of ours is taking us out to a the beach tomorrow to do a vintage themed photoshoot! yeah!!!

i am sooooo excited about this! it's going to be the first real photo session we've had since we got married (almost 6 years ago!). i've been collecting little ideas for different things to bring with us for the shoot - vintage suitcases, an umbrella (loaned to me by the lovely brooke from rehab just for the shoot!), a vintage camera, my boots and cowgirl hat, a lovely dress i got in our clothing exchange friday . . . so excited to share the photos when they are ready and i'll def post a link to my friend's photography website when it is up! she's actually asked us to do the shoot so that she can build up her portfolio for her website. SQUEEEE!!!

speaking of the clothing exchange, last friday my friend, miss C and i hosted a clothing exchange (though she did most of the work since i spent the afternoon locked out of my apartment!!!). also called a Naked Lady Party. Everyone brings a bag of pre-loved items (in good condition) such as clothes, books, cds, bags, hats, scarves, jewelry, etc and we dump them in piles around the house, try them on, take what we want and donate the rest. some people add structure to these parties, rules about how many you can take based on what you bring, make it a game, wait in line, etc. we just throw things around and share! we also make it a potluck so everyone can snack and drink - miss C made KILLER SANGRIA!! it really helped beat the heat (have any of you read about the crazy heat wave that's been taking over new england? it is also taking over my brain!). sometimes we make the parties themed (we did one near halloween and made it trick or treat themed, and one we did was a tea party/alice in wonderland theme).

i feel GREAT about the swap! i brought 3 huge grocery bags of clothes and left with only 1 1/2 bags full of "new" items. then i went through and got rid of MORE items as i put the new ones away! i LOVE it!!! plus we had BAGS and BAGS of things to donate at the end!! fantastic.

try it~ let me know what you think!

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k, it's off to bed! crazy weekend might be over, but tomorrow is a big day and it starts with a 5:45am wakeup time! goodnight my lovlies!

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p.s. enter my giveaway!! the winner will be announced monday of NEXT week!!

.giveaway v2: rehab.

2010-07-10T20:44:00.006-04:00

hello my lovelies! sorry it has taken me so long to get around to posting this giveaway! the only reason i am able to do it now is because our roller derby bout got rained out and i found myself with a free 4 hours this afternoon (well and i finally found my camera!) . . . so before i head off to the afterparty (which is now a pre-party since the game will be tomorrow instead), here's the goods:

this necklace was lovingly made from rehabilitated parts. i found it at a new vintage shop called rehab that has opened up in the street where i work (wickenden st). the one thing that kept going through my head the first time i visit this shop was, "wow, this place is really well curated." i know that "curated" is an odd word, but it's true. every piece was carefully picked out by some amazing shoppers . . . there are TONS of owl goodies (love!!), vinyl (more love!), jewelry (brooches!) and jewelry parts, clothes, books, knick knacks (unicorns!!), etc. i've scored some vintage roller skates, a johnny cash vinyl, a few pieces of jewelry and some awesome books (they've got a really really old copy of the jungle book in 2 parts!). if you live in town, check them out! they are only open TH-SUN.

so . . . for the giveaway! this SWEET necklace can be yours! all you have to do, is leave a comment below about a recent thrift/vintage score of yours! i'll do a post soon with images of all my recent finds.

the winner will be announced MONDAY July 19th. that's one week, folks.

and again friends, thanks for your patience. . . these last few weeks have been cuh-ray-zee with derby, work, and life. i need a vacation.

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fyi: rehab is NOT affiliated with this blog or involved in this giveaway. i just found this necklace there and knew one of YOU would love it!!!

.survey time! v2.

2010-07-10T16:42:00.004-04:00

a friend tagged me to fill out this survey on Facebook, but i don't really write notes on facebook and decided i'd fill it out here . . . . also, good news! i found my camera and will be posting the giveaway soon!!!!

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1.What was the last thing you put in your mouth? some lemonade. i drank it while finishing up my shift at work. it was delicious.

2.Where was your profile picture taken? in my newly painted kitchen.

3.Can you play Guitar Hero? is that the same as rock band? cause i've played that. i'm best at the drums.

4.Name someone who made you laugh today? all my co-workers! they always make me laugh so much!

5.How late did you stay up last night and why? got home at midnight - we had a clothing exchange and then went out for a quick drink at a little dancing. fun!

6.If you could move somewhere else, would you? i'd move back home to portland, oregon in a heartbeat.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? i think so . . . guess it wasn't that memorable

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you? i've got some of my derby girls just around the corner

9. Do you believe exes can be friends? yeah, but it's hard work

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? how do you feel about high fructose corn syrup?

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? i aaallllmost cried yesterday while i was locked out of my house for 3 1/2 hours. but i did cry when my dog ate half of my freshly baked granola a few weeks ago. but not that hard.

12. Who took your profile picture? honestly . . . myself.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? cheese and busty in the community garden!

14. Was yesterday better than today? well, so far i haven't gotten a sunburn or been locked out of my apartment . . . so nope. today's pretty great.

15. Can you live a day without TV? quite. but without internet? dunno.

16. Are you upset about anything? money and my lack thereof and the HUGE amounts of it that i will be needing next month. ugh. gross.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? yes. you are who you are because of the people in your life.

18. Are you a bad influence? me? moi?

19. Night out or night in? i don't go out much. but when i do . . . lookout! AAHH GAHD!

20. What items could you not go without during the day? coffee. coffee. and . . . my toms of main deoderant. oh and coffee.

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? uummm.... do nursing homes count as hospitals?

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? "afterparty is still on at 8 or 9 tonight!" whoo hoo!! our roller derby bout was rained out (hence the reason i am online instead of at the game) but our afterparty is STILL HAPPENING!

23. How do you feel about your life right now? tell me this is just a phase and that i wont feel like this forever! "how do you feel?" like i am taking crazy pills, someone is speeding up time and that i'll never get ahead with my budget.

24. Do you hate anyone? call me a hippie, but i really can't hate people. even assholes. my first thought is "i hope everything is ok with them . . . how did they get this way?"

25. If we were to look in your face book inbox, what would we find? youtube videos being emailed back and forth, lots of people's phone numbers (cause i broke my phone and needed people to give them to me) . . . adds from Tazza

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? yep. I would never fail a drug test. ever.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? nothing comes to mind

28. What song is stuck in your head? "homeward bound" by simon and garfunkle. the man-friend was just singing it.

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be? someone who can climb really well, i live on the 4th floor!!! maybe ron weasly on his broomstick?

30.Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50? not gonna happen. I'll be 30 next year, i dont' have kids yet . . . and that won't give my kids enough time to have their own kids in a socially and parentally acceptable way.

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow. work. sell merch at our bout (since it was rained out today) have a meet and greet, info session for new skaters (possibly scrimmage) and sleeeeep.

32. Do you think too much or too little? my acupuncturist says i ruminate. too much.

33. Do you smile a lot? all the time. sometimes people on the street think i am laughing at them and they say (with their RI accent) "wasso funny?" or "whatchoo laughing about?" whoops.

Bonus Round...

34. How many hours a day do you spend on the computer? too many.

35. If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you be? myself in that other life where i get to be more productive, less stressed, have more time and money and get to be with the people i love, always.

36. Facebook or Twitter? facebook. i don't even know what twitter is really.

37. Chicken or Beef? vegetarian.

38. Mac or PC? pc. and if that makes you better than me . . . well you can just ride away on your high horse.

39. Have you ever punched anyone in the face? not on purpose. it's a hazard you risk when you do roller derby.

40. Have you ever been punched in the face? see above. i got a bloody lip for a few days.

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fill this out if you wanna . . . post a link in the comments to your survey!

.busy busy.

2010-07-05T16:44:00.002-04:00

hey guys, so i know i promised to do a giveaway and i even have the item! i just can't find my camera to post a photo of it . . .

so . . . it's coming soon!

in the meantime we are sweating like crazy and healing from all of last night's mosquito bites.

how was your fourth (if you celebrate)?

.30 day journal challenge day 13 through 17.

2010-07-02T16:00:00.004-04:00

Journal Prompt 13: Silly insecurities....we all have them unfortunately. If you don't, you are my hero :) Today I want you to document your insecurities, face them, write them down, reflect on them, and get them out of your system. Somewhere on your page I want you to write "BUT..." This will lead in to tomorrow's prompt :) This is definitely not a fun prompt but it's kind of necessary in order to move past them.

Journal Prompt 14: Ok, now that we have all of the yucky insecurities out of our system, I want us to completely focus ONLY on the things that make you the amazing person that you are. What are the qualities that you possess that make you so wonderful? Don't be shy and don't be modest either on this one :)

Journal Prompt 15: Today I would like you to brainstorm some goals for the upcoming month. A short list of goals that will be attainable to accomplish in one month.

i think i need to add being braver and practicing jamming while at derby practice to my list. i've already gone to yoga and spent a lot of time in the garden though so i feel like i am succeeding!!

Journal Prompt 16: Short, sweet, and straight to the point :) What are you wearing today? Write it, doodle it, cut it out of a magazine, whatever!

Journal Prompt 17: Today you are going to illustrate a day. It can be today, it can be yesterday, it can be a significant event that you have had in your life :) Use pictures, labels, words, doodle, sketches, anything you want, to describe your day! This is a cute one. Enjoy!

sorry so short and sweet - i am slammed this week! i've got to go - i promise i'll do my giveaway soon!!! it's so cool to see that i have 18 followers now! welcome to bird on a wire!

.survey time!.

2010-06-29T14:42:00.003-04:00

Kym from the cuteness of curiosity tagged me to fill out a survey . . . i am supposed to tag 8 people and ask them questions as well, i hardly even have 8 followers though so i'll just write questions below and if you want to answer them feel free! just post a link to your answers in the comments section of this post!

kym's questions for me:

1. Are your looks deceiving? yes! i have dreadlocks and i have never smoked pot. not nevah. i have a HUGE tattoo and i play roller derby . . . but i don't like pain.

2. What are you currently reading? several books actually: "animal, vegetable, miracle" by barbara kingsolver, "food not bombs," "the audacity of hope" . . . i just open books at random and slowly work my way through them. there is currently a large stack by my bed.

3. Are you for same sex marriage? Why or why not? yes! i want all people to be able to express their love and commitment for one another as well as to be able to enjoy basic civil rights (i.e. visitation, custody, maternity leave, etc) no matter what gender they are or what gender they love.

4. Lemonade or Ice Tea? can't i just mix them both together? as long as there is no high fructose corn syrup, i'm happy!

5. A favorite dish or baked item you love to prepare for your family or friends? oooohhhh!! i LOVE cooking and baking!!! i make my own granola . . . the best oatmeal cookies in the universe . . . killer coconut curry . . . and yesterday i tried my hand at an asian style vegetarian "chicken" salad!

6. Do you take vitamins daily? Why or why not? nope. i don't think the body can really digest an entire (and sometimes higher) daily dose of ALL THOSE VITAMINS at once. cuh-razy. i'm all for well-rounded nutrition, herbal suppliments (i.e. nettle tea, etc) and probiotics (kefir, kombucha, etc) . . . a good nutritionist, acupuncturist or naturopathic doctor can be a great source of info on this subject.

7. Would you rather live on a farm or in the city? just like question #4: can't i have them both??? i'd love to have an urban farm IN the city. this way i can be self sufficient without depending so much on fossil fuels for transportation . . . i could still bike, take public transit, etc where i needed to go.

8. Who would win...Wonder Woman or She-Ra Princess of Power...in a fight?
well, i've rewatched a few he-man and she-ra videos lately and i'd have to say . . . wonder woman would win. hands down.

alright, my lovlies! if you want to answer some questions, here they are (remember to post a link to your answers in the comments section!)!

1) what is one thing you can't go a single day without?
2) what is one youtube video you have recently discovered that completely cracks you up?
3) do you have a strong opinon about healthcare reform (did i just open a can of worms?)?
4) tell me why the city/town you live in is the best place to live (or why it's not)?
5) kids? pets? introduce us!
6) tell me one major goal you have for your life and three things you will do in the next year to get closer to reaching that goal.
7) what is your favorite ice cream flavor?
8) what cd/mp3/album did you last listen to?

thanks for sharing! can't wait to hear all your answers!

.15 follower giveaway!!!!.

2010-06-28T14:28:00.000-04:00

hey friends! i now have 15 followers! i think that means it is time for another giveaway!

yessss!!!

check back later this week for the goods.

.tj loves: tea for two.

2010-06-28T14:26:00.003-04:00

my matryoshka obsession has once again reared it's lovely head.

can be purchased here . . .

while you're at it - get one for yourself, too!

.30 day journal challenge day 9, 10, 11, and 12.

2010-06-25T15:57:00.004-04:00

sorry i don't post these every day . . . some days are just too busy for me to get around to posting them! but don't worry! i am doing them.

i am also spending time with my new roommates, rollerskating, working in my garden, playing with my dog, and loving the summer weather (even though it' SO HOT, i can't complain cause it's usually FREEZING cold here . . . like 9 months a year . . . i'm cold).

so, here's the latest pages and their prompts:

Journal Prompt 9: Choose another person who is vert significant in your life right now. It can definitely be the same person that we wrote about on day 3, but I chose to do someone different. Anyway, this prompt is going to be all about those wonderful adjectives, and typography. Describe your special person with as many words as you can fit. For each word, try to use a different font or writing style. This is a great way to practice fun typography!

I created a picture of my man-friend based on a photo i took of him a few weeks ago. i used different fonts to create the different textures in the image (the beard, the plaid in the shirt, over the pocket and in the quote) . . . i really like how it turned out!

Journal Prompt 10: This prompt is all about collections. I am such a collector. I have too many collections but I love them all. I am definitely the type who moves on though to new collection depending on my mood and the seasons in my life. What do you collect? If anything. Do you collect buttons, clothes, shoes, friends, parking tickets, whatever!! Illustrate your collections. This will be fun to look back on someday and see how your collections have grown or have moved on :)

I didn't really have anything i collected in earnest, so i just walked around my house looking for themes in my life . . . so, i have a lot of: buttons (From various bands, events, etc), vinyl (obvi), feathers (mostly for crafting), sunglasses (can't say no to the perfect pair!), books (tons and tons!), coffee mugs (when i travel, i usually get one in the city that i go to), things with owls on them, vintage bathing suits (love those pointy cone bras in them! ha ha!), and vintage boots.

Journal Prompt 11: Hello friends. Today is another one of my favorite pages. And speaking of favorites, this is a page all about your faves!!

We are going to list your favorites in each of these four categories:

* TV shows: Glee, LOST, arrested development, the office and SNL (though i don't have TV so i have to watch reruns online or at a friend's house)

* Music david bazan (from pedro the lion), jenny lewis (and rilo kiley), great lake swimmers, over the rhine, red house painters (aka sun kill moon)

* Food local food, strawberries, curry, ice cream, lemonade

* Splurges vinyle, vintage, craft supplies, books at garage sales . . .

Journal Prompt 12: Journal 12 is all about trends. Whether you consider yourself "trendy" or not, I bet there are a few trends that you find yourself gravitating to. If not, you can create a page of trends that you think are lame too, it's up to you :)

for this one, i picked out all the ironic "hipster" trends that i follow . . . weather or not they are "good" (like my fabric grocery bags) or just plain silly (like leggings!) . . . i've made them painfully obvious. let's celebrate the ways that we are just like everyone else!!!

----------

in other news:
been eating well even though summer usually means less of an income for the man-friend and i . . . we've gotten our first two weeks of our CSA shares and that, plus great weather making our garden produce like crazy!, has kept our tummies full.

been taking some lovely summertime photos - like the construction on the interstate they've been doing . . . here's a mural that was on the overpass for I-95 . . . and the construction vehicles that are about to tear it down! ch-ch-ch-changes . . . it's sad to see a piece of art go . . . i wish they'd just let them stay and be free-standing walls . . . or incorporate them into the new architecture that goes up in the area . . .

.summertime dreams.

2010-06-23T12:32:00.007-04:00

things that i wish i could do this summer include:

nateva festival in maine. SHE AND HIM WILL BE THERE!!!

life is good festival in Canton, Mass . . . BEN HARPER WILL BE THERE!!!

yoga in the park on tuesdays (conflicts with derby practice).

sustainable yoga at as220 on mondays (conflicts with my work schedule).

the hope street farmer's market on saturday mornings (as well as the open market CRAFT FAIR) but that conflicts with my saturday work schedule.

my cousin's wedding . . . in oregon . . .

my dear sweet miss A's wedding in oklahoma (same day as my next big derby bout!)

get down to asheville to visit our sweet family of friends down there.

join my sister in alaska . . . oh i miss alaska!

oh woe is me :)

but i am having a nice summer so far - friends, sun, music, games, sports, good food, etc . . . just missing home (oregon home, not RI home) and family and music festivals (oh GOD i love music festivals!) and camping (OH GOD I LOVE CAMPING) and needed to get it off my chest.

i'll feel better soon.

things i have been doing with my summer:

listening to my ipod while driving around with my mister. note the summertime knees and freshly cutoff jeans (they look crooked, but it's just the way i was sitting). yes ladies and gents, the gauze on my knee is from a derby accident :)

drinking lots of iced tea with fresh raspberries and strawberries and lemons and mint and whatever else i have around to put in it. and eating the cookies made from the best homemade oatmeal cookie recipe i have ever found!

lounging in the grass in the park while my "family" plays wiffle ball (my back was hurt this day so i couldn't play)

the wiffle ball family :)

lots and lots of time in the garden.

and we just got home from watching the US team beat Algeria 1 to 0 in the world cup! crazy, nervous game!!!

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what are some of your favorite summer passtimes?

.30 day journal challenge day 6, 7, and 8.

2010-06-21T22:08:00.003-04:00

Journal Prompt Number 6:
It's time...
It's definitely time to do something. It may be a new season for you in your life, or a time to make some goals, or it may just be time to relax (because it's Saturday right?).
Draw something that represents the word time and then make a list of things that you need to do at this time in your life, or day, or week :)
it is time for:
eating ice cream, catching up with old friends, going to the beach, dying my hair, sending letters, laundry, eating cookie dough, laughing way too loudly, new work clothes, calling home, snuggling, reading books, developing film, weeding the garden, making granola, eating popcorn, dinnerparties!, celebrating the solstice, walking the dog, thrift store shopping, recycling, planting a tree, smiling, giving HUGS!

some of these things i have already checked off of my list!

Journal Prompt 7: Today is an easy one... How are you feeling today? Sometimes it's really good to reflect on your feelings and try to figure out why you are feeling a certain way.

i had just finished watching "some like it hot" starting marilyn monroe . . . this got me started thinking about ms monroe and her fabulousness and vulnerability and how this old world simply gobbles people up. more than once i feel like i've been eaten alive . . . there is no place for the good and honest people, really. honestly. that's how i was feeling.

Prompt 8:
Today, I want you to illustrate an "inside joke." I want this to be a page that only you and a few other people would get. Inside jokes are always fun (well, when you are apart of them I guess).

this one's for you ace!!! ha ha ha ha!!!!

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today was another hot day . . . worked hard, sweat a lot, took a nap, walked the dog, weeded the garden, got bit by a million misquitos!, ate yummy pizza made by the man-friend, picked up our second round of the CSA and made the most beautiful bright green pesto you've ever seen! off to bed to try to sleep in this sticky heat.

here's a photo of the city that i took while we were heading back home with our CSA goodies:

.30 day journal challenge day 5.

2010-06-18T22:48:00.004-04:00

Journal Prompt Number 5:
We are all obviously bloggers right, or else you wouldn't be here :) Even if you don't have a blog, I know that you read them.
This page is dedicated to your favorite blogs!! What are they? Are there any blogs that you can't go a day without checking?

i sort of felt strange making a list of blogs that i read . . . esp since i am very very sporadic about reading them, and will definitely go forever between posting blogs of my own. it sort of felt like some sort of popularity contest . . . (don't take this the wrong way janel! i am sure the exercise was GREAT for other people! but for me, i needed to change it a bit for how i was feeling today and i think that's ok . . . i think that fits with the spirit of this whole journal exercise, right?).

so . . . instead of blogs (if you want to know what blogs i read from time to time, scroll down and look at the sidebar to the left . . . they are all listed there under "these friends of mine" - if you don't see yours and you'd like me to add it, let me know!) . . . i listed "worthwhile websites"!!!

these are all websites that i think are worth visiting, that are making a difference in someone's life, etc. i followed up the list with "now go play outside!" because seriously? it's summertime! get off your computer and LIVE YOUR LIFE! (this is mostly a message that I needed to hear right now . . . if you need to hear it, go a head and get outside . . . if not, i applaud you! it's so easy to get sucked in to this screen, these pixels, this crazy online world - so get off! get out! live in the real world!) . . . again, this is a message mostly for me. to remember the good that the internet can do, to celebrate it and then to get out and do some good of my own.

thanks for listening to my rant. :)

here's the links to the websites that i listed on my page (some of them are linked in the sidebar to the left too):
wwoof
providence roller derby
buy handmade
learning to love you more
tweak today
the daily green
depave
earth dinner
heifer intl
eat well guide
animal vegetable miracle
book mooch
foxpoint community garden
one bag
cover lay down
empowerment4women
daytrotter
food not lawns
the green guide
objectify this
this is not ikea
couchsurfing
powells books

what are some websites that you visit that you think make the world a better place?

---------

today, my friend miss C and i played hookey and went to the beach! we burnt just a little, got sand between our toes, picked up a few rocks and shells, ate some strawberries that may have been covered in sand and then went to crazy burger for some vegencheladas and a vegan cookie with rice dream and bananas and strawberry sauce . . . mmmmmm . . . i am still so full!

this weekend is going to be nuts . . . work, a bridal shower, providence pride (the roller derby is in the parade tomorrow night and are doing a fun exhibition bout sunday [fake teams! unicorns vs rainbows!!!] etc) so i might not have time to post my journal pages until monday!

see you then!

.tj loves: peliCAN tee.

2010-06-18T19:19:00.004-04:00

i want this tee. all proceeds from sales of this shirt go directly to help clean up the oil spill in the gulf coast.

while you're at it, get one for yourself too!

.30 day journal challenge day 4.

2010-06-18T00:34:00.003-04:00

Journal Prompt Number 4: What does your heart look like? It can be literal, it can be symbolic, it can be broken and need fixing...anything!

i'm really happy with the way this one turned out. the process i've been using for this challenge is to read the prompt in the morning, think about it all day and once an answer comes to me i'll sit down with the pen and paper and work it out.

for this one, the idea came while shopping for vinyl records with my roommate, miss A, i was sorting through some emmylou harris albums when i had the vision of a heart shaped record. this isn't what i ended up with, but it's what got the ball rolling. i thought of all the allusions that could be made from the fact that my heart was a record or a phonograph or a record player . . . scratches, skipping, needing to be heard, needing to be dusted and cared for, having a message to relay, a sad song, a happy song, spinning round and round, feeling outdated, feeling pre-loved and thrown away, feeling rehabilitated and renewed, crackling with life, oozing romance and kitsch at the same time. i added the lyrics to an over the rhine song called "born." it is a beautiful picture of a heart growing and learning and loving and being willing to try again. the story for this song came from the couple that fronts Over the Rhine (Karin and Linford) and their relationship when it hit a rocky spot. allegedly, they bought a case of wine and drank a bottle every night until the case was gone - not that alcohol is a way to solve your problems - but this helped them to open up, to laugh, to remember their love . . . and there you have it . . . the urban legend behind this lovely song, this amazing band and part of the inspiration for my journal page.

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now it's off to bed . . . just finished a late night of watching the celtics lose to the lakers. whoops.

.30 day journal challenge day 3 and cover.

2010-06-17T19:03:00.003-04:00

so i finally made the cover of my journal for the 30 day journal challenge. i created the drawing and cut it out and used mod podge to glue it on top of images i cut out of an (gulp) anthropologie catalog . . . i really like how it turned out (except for the wrinkles from me being too hasty with the mod podge.

i also completed prompt #3 -
Journal Prompt Number Three: It's always nice to share with someone why you love them. Today, I want you to draw a picture, doodle, sketch, of a person who you love, or admire. Then, write that person a letter telling them why they mean so much to you!
i chose my sister, miss D. she really is a fantastic person! the more i get to know her, the more i really admire her and respect her. she is about 6 years younger than me, but we get mistaken for twins sometimes :) i take that as a compliment. we really weren't close as children, growing up in a house so full of people and having such a big age difference . . . but after i finished college and she started coming up to visit me from time to time, we started being friends (rather than just big sister and little sister) and it's a totally new and lovely dynamic.

she is currently living in juneau, alaska and have the adventure of a lifetime (as is usual for her). this fall, she and a few friends are traveling to Ireland to participate in wwoof and i hope to be able to join her!

you can read more about her adventures at her blogs here and here. she's the bees knees.

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right now i am listening to a johnny cash vinyl and getting ready to work on my journal prompt for today. then we'll be heading off to watch the final game! are you a fan of the celtics or the lakers? me? i am in it for the pizza, the beer and the company!

.how does your garden grow? v6.

2010-06-17T11:49:00.002-04:00

.how does your garden grow? v5.

2010-06-16T14:23:00.002-04:00

.30 day journal challenge: day 1 and 2.

2010-06-15T22:57:00.004-04:00

so, today i did day 1 and 2 of run with scissors' 30 day journal challenge. i haven't decorated the cover of my journal yet, since i just bought it today. i did buy some really nice pens though and i am really excited to use them and get all creative-like.

day one - Journal Prompt Number 1: Create a full page design introducing yourself
Highlight your name many times in the midst of your design.

i guess i missed the part where i had to use my name over and over . . . maybe i'll go back and add to it. instead i put my name in the middle and surrounded it by images of things that are a part of who i am.

journal prompt #2 - What is the BEST part of your day?

it was really hard for me to pick just one thing . . . some days it's coffee, some days it's going out to breakfast with the man-friend, some days it's snuggling with the pup, or gardening, or being with friends, or dancing until my feet hurt, or going on a hike . . . so i tried to think of one thing i LOOOOOVE every. single. day. and that is hitting the snooze button and snuggling back down for "just 5 more minutes" surrounded and safe with my little family. that's the best.

i think i will go back through and add color to these pages, as well as spend some time decorating the cover of my journal.

for now? i will be hitting the shower, eating the LAST PIECE of strawberry rhubarb pie and going to bed. i am pretty tired tonight after my first derby practice in a while (i hurt my back, bummed out, and couldn't skate for a bit). hopefully i feel awesome tomorrow and can hit the track again tomorrow night (after spending some time in my garden in the morning of course) . . .

good night, loves!

.30 day journal challenge: day 1.

2010-06-14T16:55:00.003-04:00

today is day one of run with scissors' 30 day journal challenge . . . and i was going to use this pretty journal that i already have, but after looking at everyone's personalized journal's . . . i sort of want to buy a new journal and decorate the cover myself. so i might not start the challenge until tomorrow when i can get to the craft store.

not a very good start to a 30 day challenge, huh? whoops :)

in other news, i've been a vinyl fiend lately. i've had a few awesome vintage and thrift finds (esp in the vinyl dept) that i'd love to blog about. BUUUUUT right now the man-friend and i are off to pick up our first ever FARM SHARE!!!! whooo-hooo!!!!

{photo credit: chris cappy}

i'll be back with a real post and lots of photos soon! have a lovely day.

.how does your garden grow? v4.

2010-06-13T14:55:00.002-04:00

.how does your garden grow? v3.

2010-06-11T16:32:00.002-04:00

.30 day journal challenge.

2010-06-11T14:52:00.000-04:00

so, i think i am going to embarke on run with scissors' 30 day journal challenge.

what a great way to get the creative juices flowing! to start documenting in a pretty way and to organize my thoughts.

and to start putting my semi-newly-semi-organized craft space to work.

woot!

.strawberries.

2010-06-10T16:26:00.006-04:00

i thought it was a little early in the season, but last week i called some of the local farms and found out that strawberry picking season had indeed begun!

the man-friend and i have made a concious decision this year to try to eat more locally and be more involved in the process of where our food comes from. this involves growing our own food at the community garden, picking our own food at local farms, joining a CSA and helping out when we can at the farm our CSA is through (scratch farm.

so, we grabbed the sunscreen, some hats, and big pots/bowls, stopped for breakfast at our favorite restaurant and then headed out to jaswell's farm where our roommate, miss L, and her man-friend met us for some pickin'!

so far we've had strawberry french toast, strawberry rhubarb pie, made two batches of freezer jam, frozen bags and bags of berries for use in smoothies, etc later, eaten to our hearts content, gave half a pot away, and STILL have about half a pot left! and our CSA says we'll be getting berries in our first share this monday!!!

mmmmmm, good thing strawberries are SO GOOD or i'd be sick of them! :)

.homesick.

2010-06-09T18:39:00.001-04:00

i was looking at this photographers website today . . . i miss oregon and it's natural beauty.

esp the beaches.

tj is sad and homesick today.

.the next bout.

2010-06-09T09:55:00.000-04:00

this is the flier for the next bout! i would be skating with the killah bees (the B travel team) but i don't think i'll be done with work in time :(

anyhow, it will be a fun night! wooot wooo!!

.bout photos.

2010-06-09T09:37:00.004-04:00

the flier from our first bout, made by PRD's art team

so here are some photos from our bout a few weeks ago (all photos courtesy of greg easton, more can be seen here.) The teams were the Sakonnet River Rats (my team! in green and pink!) Vs the Old Money Honeys (the ones in tennis skirts, polo shirts and pearls). You can see me in the above pictures, I'm the one in the hot pink helmet.

WE WON!!! It was a very close game, nail biting and such and the crowd LOVED IT. I had a blast and learned a ton (it was my first official game)!

above is a photo of the whole league, announcers, honeys, rats, refs and the Mob Squad (our other home team).

Below is a photo of our beloved announcers, diamond dan and the rev al . . . it seems they are beating up our local superhero civitron. yes he is a real life superhero.

and here is our mascot, the cheese!!! we love her!

so, there's some photos from the bout!

sorry for not posting more . . . I've been suuuuper busy this week! our rommates both moved out and new ones moved in, one of them graduated so there were celebrations to be had, the garden is in full swing, we went STRAWBERRY picking and have been canning and freezing out the ears!, we've been spring cleaning and working and the man-friend just got a summer job. he started this morning!

anyway, i have photos of a lot of our activities and will be posting them up here for you all to enjoy!

what have you been up to?

.winner!.

2010-06-02T11:06:00.004-04:00

the giveaway winner is . . . . .

GINA from paper camera scissors!!

congratulations!

email me at daffodil (dot) girl (at) gmail (dot) com and give me your mailing information. I will try to get it in the mail for you by friday (my next day off).

speaking of winners . . . WE WON OUR ROLLER DERBY BOUT LAST SATURDAY!! it was an awesome game! very nail biting. so fun! i'll have pictures to post soon!

now it's off to more spring cleaning for me!!

.dinnertime.

2010-06-01T18:23:00.004-04:00

having our own garden has been a blast! we got a good, early start on it this year and it is already going strong. we've even started harvesting some leeks, herbs and greens and adding them to our meals.

here's a yummy frittata recipe that we adapted and completely altered from "1000 vegetarian meals" cookbook:

step one: go to the garden and pick your fresh ingredients.

step two: wash your fresh ingredients
step three: begin to boil some sliced potato, while also sauteing up some leeks, garlic, shallot and onion
step four: have the man-friend chop up broccoli while you chop up the rest of the greens and herbs from the garden (bok choi, turnip greens, kale, chard, cilantro). add all these things to the skillet
step five: have the man-friend beat about 5 eggs while you add spices to the veggies (turmeric, garam masala, garlic powder, ginger, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, etc). mix the veggies in to the egg. drain the potatoes now that they are soft and add them to the egg mix too.
step six: scrape the bottom of the skillet clean and add a little oil. pour mixture into skillet and let it cook until the egg begins to look more like an omlette and less like straight-up liquid.
step seven: grate some cheese over to the top of the frittata (we used swiss!) and then put it under the broiler until cheese is bubbly and egg is cooked through (be sure to use a skillet that can go in the oven or you will melt the handle!! we heart our cast iron skillet).
step eight: let it cool, slice it up and enjoy!!

.my first bout.

2010-05-29T15:47:00.001-04:00

it's tonight!! i'm only mildly freaking out.

.giveaway: spring cleaning!.

2010-05-26T12:23:00.003-04:00

to celebrate having 10 followers, i am going to do a simple giveaway. it's just a collection of things from my own craft room that i pulled together while doing some spring cleaning. the items include: a pretty sequined mask, a paper flower, a grow your own dragon!!, an iron on british flag, some stick on tattoos, some glass beads, a hair decoration/comb made by ME!, some vintage flower patches, and a few cute pins. i might add more to the final package, but this is the bulk of it right now! just a few little cute things to help you get creative in your future crafting projects.

to enter:

leave a comment on my blog about what sorts of projects you are planning to tackle for spring cleaning (one entry)

become a follower of my blog (second entry)

blog about this giveaway (third entry)

the lovely winner will be drawn and announced on Wednesday, June 2nd!

alright, now i am off to take the pup to the park to go swimming! it's hot here and he's still got part of his winter coat on. i keep telling him to take it off.