tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5365984525340181152024-03-05T09:29:51.106-08:00What Viv DoesJust what the title says.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-6466534671281171332010-04-20T23:17:00.001-07:002010-04-20T23:17:08.365-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAIQ9QRXNo8JiJzPrT1vWe8VkipOYKypz10SmUNXPAoRFwc7B4yZLQcowd9Is86VVoZpE2dgIt4B8E4BoGBaGfTFAsF3x5mE7z-mHN_xD1FJ9drUMTYSd3_n0uvYJCL5KFLxIIAUmzwvX/s1600/0418002238-728366.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAIQ9QRXNo8JiJzPrT1vWe8VkipOYKypz10SmUNXPAoRFwc7B4yZLQcowd9Is86VVoZpE2dgIt4B8E4BoGBaGfTFAsF3x5mE7z-mHN_xD1FJ9drUMTYSd3_n0uvYJCL5KFLxIIAUmzwvX/s320/0418002238-728366.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462470955003128642" /></a></p>Just finished sewing these for CraftHope project 7. These bean bags along with alphabet sets, number sets and color sets will go to help students in Liberia. I may make a set of numbers as well.<p>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-20413214046292759852010-03-26T13:18:00.000-07:002010-03-26T13:23:39.455-07:0021 days is well and over but..... As of today I have lost 17 pounds just by giving up cheese and dairy....<span style="color: cyan;">.</span><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b>that's 17 pounds since March 1st!!!! </b></span><span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">That's .65 pounds per day!!!!</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take that Jenny Craig!</span><br />
I didn't feel deprived or hungry all of the time <span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">(like my family thought I would)</span> I even ate out a couple of times. I must admit there were a few days there around day 15 when I was really tempted to just eat a grilled cheese sandwich. I didn't and I survived. In fact I feel great. I'm sleeping better, I have more energy and I have re-discovered some foods that I had not thought about in a long time. I have enjoyed using the extra energy by walking and biking.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu1bw2uwghSSfBUL7YqtdIicosdgJA03cUVS9RVl0GjdjBAHpEuC197gk2w-SqLbwcN_QEn3Q-WEpuvsLJ-6e5cJgrSh7-cntfR2lcXoTflBxe7ce2VH7Ztgm71I3n-aB8WHZREyMUBMw/s1600/I+can+Haz+Jet+Ski+Pleeze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu1bw2uwghSSfBUL7YqtdIicosdgJA03cUVS9RVl0GjdjBAHpEuC197gk2w-SqLbwcN_QEn3Q-WEpuvsLJ-6e5cJgrSh7-cntfR2lcXoTflBxe7ce2VH7Ztgm71I3n-aB8WHZREyMUBMw/s320/I+can+Haz+Jet+Ski+Pleeze.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Summer break starts in about 70 days and I can hardly wait for jet-skiing weather. The cat seems unable to wait as well.</span></span>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-75312428665523525202010-03-14T17:06:00.000-07:002010-03-14T17:06:36.655-07:00Walking.... <span style="font-size: large;">As part of my plan to treat myself better in 2010 I decided to join a walking group. I found one via <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">Meet Up</a> that meets right here in Vancouver. Today we walked part of the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail. The whole trail is 8 miles and we walked just shy of 2.25 miles one way. I will definitely be using that trail again. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNmFCcZYkvzLeqlFlWFLOLXyx7IYTmcebGNzs1FAm7fuCCJCPNMs8Qa0ClPUr54maRiX3G5jSSmgr1MtVxnUt1RX8Eb4wVvNUgs6A8ChjmGult3znmOYfKiARRp_s2G2exZEnAGu6qhy3/s1600-h/Dappled+Sunlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNmFCcZYkvzLeqlFlWFLOLXyx7IYTmcebGNzs1FAm7fuCCJCPNMs8Qa0ClPUr54maRiX3G5jSSmgr1MtVxnUt1RX8Eb4wVvNUgs6A8ChjmGult3znmOYfKiARRp_s2G2exZEnAGu6qhy3/s320/Dappled+Sunlight.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm heading into week 3 of the </span></span><a href="http://www.21daykickstart.org/" style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">21 day vegan kickstart</a><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> and I am holding strong. Yesterday I got up and made my version of a tofu scramble. It made a really great breakfast burrito with plenty of leftovers for tomorrow. Dinner was some chili over rice and a bowl full of raw veggies.</span></span><br />
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<div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In the past I have avoided bathroom scales like the plague! I know what I weighed on February 26th. And today I am .......(drum roll)......... 12 pounds lighter! </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #6fa8dc;">I must have been eating a ton of cheese!</b> I've also noticed another wonderful side effect. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I have always been very hard to get up and moving in the morning. Well not anymore, I am sleeping better so, when the alarm goes off I can actually get up with minimal whining. I also think the cheese and milk were weighing me down making physical activity harder.</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">The walking group meets only every other week so I think next Sunday I will try and convince on of my children to come with me.</span></span></div>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-82681204799231063102010-03-12T09:01:00.000-08:002010-03-12T09:01:25.306-08:00ON TODAYS AGENDA I love sitting in front of the computer and searching for new crafts to add to my To-Do list on my day off. <br />
Today I found these<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOAKOA1kxHvqC9ZaTJDLemU1AxhiHDFst0mntMWLLFwjBntcfXeoRmsJgIqunOmqTOzA-Oz8xeN9wd_AAOl4T95akuJF-88Xl7pQLmRGNnpCFd6vJZ9842bF1nsZEWvZP-T1PEOJ_eS0r/s1600-h/standingbunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOAKOA1kxHvqC9ZaTJDLemU1AxhiHDFst0mntMWLLFwjBntcfXeoRmsJgIqunOmqTOzA-Oz8xeN9wd_AAOl4T95akuJF-88Xl7pQLmRGNnpCFd6vJZ9842bF1nsZEWvZP-T1PEOJ_eS0r/s320/standingbunny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<img alt="" src="file:///D:/programs/Viveca/Viv%27s%20Images/standingbunny.jpg" /><br />
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I'm planning to make a whole "herd" of them to hippity-hop around the house this spring.<br />
Follow this link to <a href="http://www.cheekymagpie.com/?p=2445">Cheeky Magpie</a> and download the pattern for yourself.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-61609105474854751002010-03-07T16:14:00.000-08:002010-03-07T17:14:42.944-08:00Week one of the 21 day vegan kickstart is in the bag!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" >Week One is in the Bag</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> So far so good. I have not felt deprived (for the most part). I do really miss the ice cream. I know I could get soy ice cream but I figured this is probably as good a time any any to work on my sugar habit as well. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I also decided that I am brilliant! ant to know why..... of course you do! </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" > I left potatoes until the end of the week because honestly I could not figure how to eat a baked potato without sour cream or cheddar cheese. Still not sure how to do that....if you know a way please let me know. I did however remember a couple of other things to do with potatoes. Last night I had Bubble and Squeak, a vegan bar-b-que rib-let and roasted carrots for dinner. Bubble and Squeak is such a silly name for such a great English staple. I learned to make it from a British cooking show called Two Fat Ladies (that is now available on DVD). The two women ,Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Wright, were so funny it made the show really entertaining. At any rate they made it in Episode 3 cooking it in a tom of lard. I made it for my family that very night and it was a big hit, even with the kids. It is so simple and so great on a cold wintry evening. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Here's how I make mine:<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >One medium potato per person</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >One head of green cabbage (possibly one and a half if you are making more than 6 servings)</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Olive oil</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />salt and pepper to taste</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Cut the potatoes into chunks (size is not terrible important except that the smaller they are the quicker they cook) and boil until just tender. I under-cook mine a bit so that they will not turn to mush in the 2nd step. Drain the potatoes and set them aside.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I cook my cabbage, that has been washed and quartered) in the same water as the potatoes because I use a spider</span><img style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);" src="file:///C:/Users/CRAIGN%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > to remove my potatoes from the water. If you don't have a spider you should get one. This is what they look like....<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7apVvPS8at-ZpD-TIJJfP5jobu9CLNaCE7tihIMXUKGCyyJ7Uwver4xFIRasYN3wQTd6vt6c5r-SjVSafZm5CzVBWk7iQvUec-wkP8JVsykYS0c0Ht2aTquLq6wUMI3lLE4syOFuiT90m/s1600-h/Spider_(cooking).JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7apVvPS8at-ZpD-TIJJfP5jobu9CLNaCE7tihIMXUKGCyyJ7Uwver4xFIRasYN3wQTd6vt6c5r-SjVSafZm5CzVBWk7iQvUec-wkP8JVsykYS0c0Ht2aTquLq6wUMI3lLE4syOFuiT90m/s200/Spider_(cooking).JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446062302494467938" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span> Cook the cabbage in boiling water for about 5 minutes....it should still be kind of crisp.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Again using my spider I scoop out the cabbage and set it to cool. When I can touch it I roughly chop it, my pieces are usually about 2" X 2"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Now comes the best part:<br />Heat a large skillet and add a tablespoon or so of olive oil (not lard and not nearly as much as the Two fat ladies say to use). Let the oil heat until just before the smoking point and add a handful of the cooked potatoes. Drop a handful of the cooked cabbage on top of the potatoes and leave it alone for a moment. Next add freshly ground pepper and a dash of salt. Next I use my pancake flipper to smush (totally technical term) the cabbage down into the potatoes. Now just like wonderfully crispy hashbrowns the key is get good contact with the pan, turn the heat down a bit and leave them alone. Once they are nice and brown you mix the cabbage in and smush it down again. Doing this gives some piece the opportunity to get really browned (the part my family likes best) while others stay softer. In the Fat Ladies recipe you keep adding lard as it cooks, since I use a nonstick pan this is not necessary. I opt, instead, for lower temperature and plenty of smushing to get good surface contact. Once it is browned to my satisfaction I transfer it to a pie plate that is in a warm oven to wait for the successive batches.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Give it a try !</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-family:arial;" > <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Wish I had thought to take a picture of the finished dish but believe me there are several good ones on Google images...some people even formed theirs into cakes and fried them that way......may have to try that for a fancier presentation some day.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Paterson" title="Jennifer Paterson"></a>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-11209965203599584372010-02-27T21:15:00.000-08:002010-02-27T21:48:12.144-08:00Making the final push to Vegan.Starting March 1st I am doing a 21 Day Vegan Kickstart. I have heading towards vegan for quite a while....no red meat, then no seafood, then no chicken. But I have been really struggling with dairy. I mean "I LOVE CHEESE". What's a burrito without cheese? I discovered (or rather re-discovered) that it can be amazing.<br />Many years ago my mother changed her spiritual path and part of that change was going vegan. Let me put this into perspective; this was 1970 something....tofu was not available in every grocery store in town. Skipping a fast food meal was akin to not watching television while eating dinner and cable television was a gleam in some TV executives eye. It sucked! I was the only kid at my school that ate rice cakes with almond butter for lunch EVERYDAY. I jumped at every chance I could get to visit my grandfather. My grandfather was from Georgia and fried everything in lard and covered it with gravy. Ahhh lard ohhhhhh gravy.<br />At any rate here I am many years later and hopefully a bit wiser. I'm heading right back where my mom pointed me years ago (sorry for not listening sooner mom). Giving up meat was not a biggie for me although I have had my share of relapses. I made it through Thanksgiving and Christmas without starving ,though I did get a few looks from concerned family and friends.<br />Now, I don't make resolutions (I can never keep them anyway) but this year I did decide to take better care of myself physically and emotionally. To that end I have decided to chronicle my 21 vegan adventure as a way of keeping myself motivated (I like to read my own writing). So if you are out there and need something to read for a moment or two for the next 21 days....<br /><br />By the way if you would like to give it a try here's the website that pushed me <a href="http://www.21daykickstart.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),"><span>http://www.21daykickstart.</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>org/</a> .Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-70545652770035148192010-01-17T21:07:00.000-08:002010-02-16T20:56:29.204-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;" >No new years resolutions for this girl!</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Traditional resolutions have never worked for me so, this year I'm just making a super jumbo and ever changing To-Do list. Every time I think of something I want to do or really need to do I will add it to the list. As I accomplish things on the list or decide that they are no longer important enough to belong on the list they will be removed.</span><br /><br />1) <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);">Finish the "Not really freeform...But totally not from a pattern" afghan I have been working on for the last 3 years.</span><img style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);" src="file:///C:/Users/crazy/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><br />2) <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Workout for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for one month. Thinking I need a chart or something to track this...maybe something with cute stickers like what people use to potty train their kids.</span><br />3) <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Get myself a good pocket sized camera. The D3000 will have to wait.</span><br />4) <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Learn to drive a stick. Why I suddenly feel the need at my age is beyond me but I do.</span><br />5) <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">Finally knit a sweater for myself. Why is it that we crafters never make things for ourselves?</span><br />6) <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Try one new vegan recipe per week. I'm nearly there but I have to say I'm having real trouble with cheese....I like cheese Gromit.</span><br /><br />Okay so right now it's not so jumbo but it is going to be changing.....Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-64681441680627302882010-01-08T13:40:00.000-08:002010-01-08T13:41:00.807-08:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgmKVklqdM0Qj1clzcMUq__24XojKl34RS_dX5-ccH1-9EBV53owCdgkyXRF2AN1oAex5QKb-gq6L8wyS8b0RnCWYURxbM6hL02qnWlx6MqCC_TbEmJxLmXfEFmi0WWT-mhotDxVNcdSy/s1600-h/1016091816-760808.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgmKVklqdM0Qj1clzcMUq__24XojKl34RS_dX5-ccH1-9EBV53owCdgkyXRF2AN1oAex5QKb-gq6L8wyS8b0RnCWYURxbM6hL02qnWlx6MqCC_TbEmJxLmXfEFmi0WWT-mhotDxVNcdSy/s320/1016091816-760808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424487260909048978" /></a></p>Reverse profile pic!<p><br>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-56453020165372195982009-11-10T23:20:00.001-08:002009-11-10T23:20:19.442-08:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hmQo6H_D0RsIIeKpD93lmovT-U2bLiSfM2L7r7RA_UmuJWYdir474kaZQfETQdAuZd6pbDpF6sVWCnFKM8hPduK4JHMcoM64WD93zvtu0lQQ0nxFaTZuj2vMer_jVg7k6DFz2CAA4tn8/s1600-h/1108091716-719444.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hmQo6H_D0RsIIeKpD93lmovT-U2bLiSfM2L7r7RA_UmuJWYdir474kaZQfETQdAuZd6pbDpF6sVWCnFKM8hPduK4JHMcoM64WD93zvtu0lQQ0nxFaTZuj2vMer_jVg7k6DFz2CAA4tn8/s320/1108091716-719444.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402742523362096770" /></a></p>At 6800 feet the air pressure is so slight that my chip bag swelled to near bursting. Cool "scientriffic" fact.<p>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-49482850666607122512009-11-04T20:27:00.000-08:002009-11-04T21:06:48.621-08:00Gearing up for Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaVvQ7lbOFQuKSNhyphenhyphen4GfDYiAB3Rtrsq9XmpTz7IzqDHutjmZzbm6TG6smQ-Gh-CrmpUFvB_x5WO7gX1QmEE48EY7P0kKzPxWS7wUogNnKuGNf8oIATCYCEJod9qi9S4j2h5RHLBdBQDly/s1600-h/4th+of+July+2009+Long+Beach.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaVvQ7lbOFQuKSNhyphenhyphen4GfDYiAB3Rtrsq9XmpTz7IzqDHutjmZzbm6TG6smQ-Gh-CrmpUFvB_x5WO7gX1QmEE48EY7P0kKzPxWS7wUogNnKuGNf8oIATCYCEJod9qi9S4j2h5RHLBdBQDly/s320/4th+of+July+2009+Long+Beach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400480920710121378" border="0" /></a><br />So it's that time....<br />Having decided that everyone on my Christmas list is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">getting</span> handmade gifts this year I have been crafting my little fingers off. I have completed a shawl for a friend using this pattern <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/27430.aspx">Stella Shawl, As Seen on Knitting Daily TV Episode 201 - Knitting Daily</a>. Of course I used up some yarn I had stashed in my closet, it's a lovely blue with a bit of shine to it. It's a great pattern, easy to follow and not mentally taxing once you realized what the repeats are. I know (name withheld to protect the holiday surprise) will love it.<br /><br />Now I'm working on a pair of hats in this pattern<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/tympany/tympany.html">http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/tympany/tympany.html</a> again using some sock yarn I had left from my numerous failed attempts at knitting socks for myself. They are for a brother and sister team who can totally work the color combos I've picked out for them.<br /><br />I'm also working on a couple of scarves using a great pattern from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lionbrand</span> for some of the guys that I know. I am using up some yarn from my stash.<br /><br />Now I'm getting ready to start making ornaments. A few years ago there was a show on PBS called The Creative Life with Cheryl Falls. I enjoyed the show and now it's gone. At any rate she made some very cool felt ornaments one year and my girls and I have been making them ever since.<br /><br />I've also made several stencils in order to make a couple of t-shirts (also for gifts). decided to try my hand at cutting my own stencils when someone had a couple of boxes of the type of tranperency films that are used for overhead projectors. Cutting them is very labor intensive! I hope they work well. (fingers are crossed).<br /><br />In addition I have been working on making my closet less of a wasteland. But the catch is I have taken a pledge not to buy anything new for FOUR MONTHS. So I have been altering stuff I already have. And all was going well until , horror of horrors, I washed a pair of jeans with my lip balm in the pocket. So (since I didn't notice until it was too late) they went into the dryer and voila instant grease stains on 3 shirts, one camisole and my favorite sweat jacket. Now I am on the verge of a shopping spree. I hope I can hold out......cross your fingers for me!Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-19229802835080418452009-10-25T17:36:00.000-07:002009-10-25T17:45:19.977-07:00Back!Finally decided to get back online. <br />Stay Tuned for a real update of what I've been up to.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-52606918453481418562009-09-17T07:54:00.001-07:002009-09-17T07:54:55.327-07:00Woke up this morning andWoke up this morning and realized I have not done an update in like FOREVER! Will fix that today after work.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-83826246261069782282009-08-28T21:11:00.001-07:002009-08-28T21:11:22.924-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteas2eY_DnpTgdLzSCu0YKRAuHkEMIgSC_6vi0eXFgW6ASVWwkUp3hk7hqbiv0yUlF3VWBwLWFxfKnyNNK8e3h75V2R-Dl-c0DjiX3FzAeLtBgB4Gj0bMc7XqmEMdldZeRFVcrHWNPDwO/s1600-h/downsized_0827091150-782926.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteas2eY_DnpTgdLzSCu0YKRAuHkEMIgSC_6vi0eXFgW6ASVWwkUp3hk7hqbiv0yUlF3VWBwLWFxfKnyNNK8e3h75V2R-Dl-c0DjiX3FzAeLtBgB4Gj0bMc7XqmEMdldZeRFVcrHWNPDwO/s320/downsized_0827091150-782926.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375233531200667570" /></a></p>Stevenson, Washington August 27th 2009. <p>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-64978852711883189722009-08-12T23:20:00.001-07:002009-08-12T23:20:07.946-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLuSPVbkZAHvY3U2y-F2DpqD5O1idA82xUNzFFIEpZnvKovZlccAnASEhb8yp-UvhnTRzPqppWX0Ovp1QxSpFJcmqQSJhnIYGlGrKcN-u0DioBxvru2csz3MJt2avnEyI-mdKfQFDp45x/s1600-h/0812092140-707947.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLuSPVbkZAHvY3U2y-F2DpqD5O1idA82xUNzFFIEpZnvKovZlccAnASEhb8yp-UvhnTRzPqppWX0Ovp1QxSpFJcmqQSJhnIYGlGrKcN-u0DioBxvru2csz3MJt2avnEyI-mdKfQFDp45x/s320/0812092140-707947.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369329348557990002" /></a></p>Just left the county fair. Coolest thing I saw....sheep in hawaiian shirts.<p>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-83033818195463233842009-07-20T22:37:00.001-07:002009-07-20T22:45:05.945-07:00Community SchoolRight now I'm teaching at a local Middle School hence the lack of posts. It's really awesome! The idea behind the program is to turn every school into a community center for the local community. I am lucky to have been asked to participate this summer. I'm doing math, science, reading and writing for students going into 6th grade next year. Additionally I get to teach a recycled art class, work with a group of students designing props and sets for a sketch comedy show being written by high school students and I also get to have some serious fun time with the kids doing sidewalk art all over the school. My job totally rocks!<br /><br />All this and my daughter is getting married next Friday! arghhhhh! I guess I'll sleep next month!Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-53465337444028117742009-07-04T17:08:00.001-07:002009-07-04T17:08:51.298-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFVrPIpIIUcEtxYDbc_EcKdBmcnYgOV5l9gGYPaO4fioycDnZ6WcaPbnIGObsvbCwxYQ5H6HWL87tLU7PlLU3cJkRyiQC1eDFku_Y2FQeOXhLP13Euee6w2HXAqb6qyeM9nf-T1Onr1EF/s1600-h/davids+panda+pants-731300.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFVrPIpIIUcEtxYDbc_EcKdBmcnYgOV5l9gGYPaO4fioycDnZ6WcaPbnIGObsvbCwxYQ5H6HWL87tLU7PlLU3cJkRyiQC1eDFku_Y2FQeOXhLP13Euee6w2HXAqb6qyeM9nf-T1Onr1EF/s320/davids+panda+pants-731300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354761347002812786" /></a></p>Although I did not make these I did inspire the creator. He is a Panda named David.<p><br>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-65132135684378228922009-06-24T14:11:00.000-07:002009-06-24T16:58:50.284-07:00Can you believe this is made from pony beads?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5VFv-X48gYtik94YJkmYAkIrbop-lP5AxA3KW8lpuZ3GtSJlhfOxGvB0Z0zk2_P4qeVVeNOgXxlvz4EYpXgNtrDexh8RQTAzlJ1GZZpxmXTiyWJTdcAK2mM6SouKiddbK0kzYBaszCuD/s1600-h/Finished+flower+ring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5VFv-X48gYtik94YJkmYAkIrbop-lP5AxA3KW8lpuZ3GtSJlhfOxGvB0Z0zk2_P4qeVVeNOgXxlvz4EYpXgNtrDexh8RQTAzlJ1GZZpxmXTiyWJTdcAK2mM6SouKiddbK0kzYBaszCuD/s320/Finished+flower+ring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351007720665269394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love the website </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/">cut out and keep</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and that's where my love love affair with pony beads has been reawakened. There are some really cool things out there that crafters are doing with pony beads. And, I love so many of them! Pony beads are great because they are cheap, available all over the place and come in more colors than you can shake a stick at.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >(looking at these pictures reminds me why I need a new camera)</span><br /><br />I created a tutorial that should be up on <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/">cut out and keep</a> shortly.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-51799992353102879442009-05-31T08:42:00.000-07:002009-05-31T08:43:38.365-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXJKzoCJXg7gDmhwjTLaLOiQK1EajYV9tA8rLe0mB6gNVrrDsu-htibpHb77no6pq-04lDtSs_Epqhjhmdae7cN4E80ghqNX5zhMcf4FlviWTdP65OkZvABbOmeMvorLomxT9PSj-VkDe/s1600-h/jean+organizer+1-718366.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXJKzoCJXg7gDmhwjTLaLOiQK1EajYV9tA8rLe0mB6gNVrrDsu-htibpHb77no6pq-04lDtSs_Epqhjhmdae7cN4E80ghqNX5zhMcf4FlviWTdP65OkZvABbOmeMvorLomxT9PSj-VkDe/s320/jean+organizer+1-718366.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342014259375203266" /></a></p>So, I am one of those people that always has a bunch of projects going at once. This is the beginning of one of them. It's starting with this pair of "way beyond wearable" jeans. I am envisioning an orginizer for my creative tools. I tend to be an out of sight out of mind person so, I need my tools out in the open.<p>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-57780341281122076052009-05-30T17:29:00.000-07:002009-05-30T17:30:47.546-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIBDo97Wy9CArFfS_uqbnhyphenhyphenZsk3vr-0rmpzhCsTzh8SB-AZr3MCEn1gkU7SGsaEY0JFgPwEU3goXQFvluKm0krX6TAL9BYY6AA8gWAomTsEKmUahUzNe57vBOOm2sdqqxHcX49WItx0wx/s1600-h/0530091724-747547.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIBDo97Wy9CArFfS_uqbnhyphenhyphenZsk3vr-0rmpzhCsTzh8SB-AZr3MCEn1gkU7SGsaEY0JFgPwEU3goXQFvluKm0krX6TAL9BYY6AA8gWAomTsEKmUahUzNe57vBOOm2sdqqxHcX49WItx0wx/s320/0530091724-747547.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341779020200330578" /></a></p>Lazy day by the side of the <br>Columbia River. Waiting for my turn on the jet ski. Once the sun goes down I have some paper dolls to work on. Today is a good day.<p>This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!<p>To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/picture">www.verizonwireless.com/picture</a>.<p>Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-88530322467302311412009-05-25T03:23:00.001-07:002009-05-25T03:23:01.563-07:00Trying out mobile blogging. ThenTrying out mobile blogging. Then heading to bed.Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536598452534018115.post-16303247261246603852009-05-22T23:36:00.000-07:002009-05-23T00:08:42.537-07:00Laying By The Lake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI-YNlTY4EWTopf0jEY28WMxUMDxwfXioYH6xEkhfv6UT21i8qkXQ_d5gZjuFfNPSLa2Q1LCOP_a_btjvsiPbrBk-Ec-1YXYffzILtIdObtxTt5iuevZ76gDLpTdg2VSVYMNS1FdWHMIX/s1600-h/Vancouver+Lake+may+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI-YNlTY4EWTopf0jEY28WMxUMDxwfXioYH6xEkhfv6UT21i8qkXQ_d5gZjuFfNPSLa2Q1LCOP_a_btjvsiPbrBk-Ec-1YXYffzILtIdObtxTt5iuevZ76gDLpTdg2VSVYMNS1FdWHMIX/s320/Vancouver+Lake+may+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338908865196521042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" >Today I spent some time laying by the side of Vancouver Lake listening to the water and the breeze in the trees. It was a beautiful day. At one point a tour bus pulled up and out hopped a whole "flock" of guys carrying lacrosse equipment. I enjoyed watching them practicing tossing the ball around. They were there for about an hour. Then, just as quickly as they arrived they hopped back on their bus and rolled away. It was odd....and very cool.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >While I was lazing I also took a few pictures with my phone (ain't technology grand?). This was the view from my blanket.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:180%;" >That's what I did today. What did you do?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Vivhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09113700761856846765noreply@blogger.com0