Night photos

Blurry bird, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Fortunately we live in an area where night photo opportunities abound. Last night as I drove through the neighborhood I noticed a party on a street next to mine. A big party. As I mentioned it to my husband he said well it should be an interesting night.

Later it began to pour. We talked about the fire pit at the party being put out and it probably putting an end to it all. Then after about an hour the rain let up. The clouds dispersed a bit and a new light began to shine in the sky. It was our old friend the helicopter!

The helicopter is own by the sherrif's station in this county. On occasion we have had the pleasure of being awakened late at night with loud announcements to stay in our homes and make sure the doors are locked. Fun. But hey, that's the burbs for ya.

Last night I decided to grab the camera, set the ISO at 800 and see what I could shoot. I actually got some neat shots:

I love how you can see his spot acros the sky as he circles the problem area. There were also fire engines and ambulances involved. Nothing like a Saturday night for some fun in the neighborhood!

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This one is especially for Susan

Yes, Susan. Why because Susan love to do cool things with photography.

Remember in high school photography class when you were learning about how light hits emulsion and an image is formed. That it didn't have to be a fancy camera in order to capture light. Then saving an oatmeal box or some other container and making your own pinhole camera. You got it graded and then got to take pictures with it. Yeah. Me too.

Go here. Coolest pinhole cameras ever!

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Road to my heart

Road to my heart, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

The wildflowers are in full bloom here in SoCal. It is a visual fiesta! This mountain is close to home and s'mee and I noticed the heart right away.

See it there. On the side of the hill.

There is a road leading up to the hill. I call this one road to my heart.

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Favorite places

Thursday the sis and I headed down to San Diego. I had to go to a supplier location and she wanted to know if I wanted to go by Shinoda's with her. The Shinoda's she goes to is in Orange County, but I happen to know of one in San Diego so i thought we may as well kill two birds with one stone and have a bigger reason to go to San Diego. (Shinoda's by the way is a gigantic floral supply/wholesale only place.)

We met up at my house about 8:30 a.m. Ran a couple of errands in town before we got on the road to San Diego. First we stopped at Shinoda's. Holy cow that place is huge! I love the displays, they are very creative and have just the right look no matter what theme you've got going. With Easter fast approaching there were all kinds of bunnies and chicks and eggs to use in decorating a specially designated area. I was tempted, but only came away with one object. One that will be leaving here and heading north. So you don't get to see it for a bit longer.

Then we headed over to the vinyl supplier I needed to see. Wowzer! Things are moving fast and furiously in the vinyl arena. So many new items I couldn't take it all in at once. However, I did pick up a few items that will work, and told them to expect an order over the net as I needed to really decide which way I wanted to go with a few things.

Then we decided it was time for lunch. In and Out. Yep burgers and fries for these girls. It was close by and would save a bit of time in the day. Once I pulled up to the In and Out I mentioned to S'mee that if she ever wanted anything Japanese themed she really must go over to the store across the way as it was the perfect place to pick up anything, or everything you could possibly think of needing.

Lunch was done and we were heading home. Then I thought well since we're here let's go ahead and go one in to the Mitsuwa store right there. I could pick up some gyoza for steaming and it would be a quick dinner. We spent some time walking around and S'mee actually swooned a couple of times. When we checked out (I got the gyoza) the clerk asked me a question I did not hear. I responded incorrectly then S'mee repeated the question. I apologized and mentioned my hearing problem and then came my favorite line of the day, "She looks so young to be having hearing problems." Yes, I do . Thank you very much!

As soon as you enter the store is a huge bookstore. I have read of all of the wonderful crafting books in Japan and decided to take a look. Wow. I could spend a fortune in there! I only bought one:



The have the cutest little booties! And all kinds of other neat things to make.


This should make the news of this morning even better. The middle daughter called this morning. She's having a girl!

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Soundtrack

I've written posts before about how music shaped my life. It has added such a dimension it is difficult to tell someone about what an escape it was for me. The Beatles had their impact and wove together my sixth grade through high school years. Even after high school they had an impact. I think I could probably write a book full of memories evoked when lyrics or a song is played.

Tonight we had the pleasure of watching Across the Universe. I highly recommend it. Well, at least for those of you who are audiophiles or Beatle fans. It is a loosely woven tale of young love through the soundtrack of the 60s Beatles invasion. I enjoyed it very much. I even mentioned that it would be great to see a movie like it using all the music of the 60s and early 70s. It would probably have to be a series of movies or at least 4 hours long.

One memory. As a young soon to be bride, the usual bridal shower was held. In 1975 the showers given were very traditional. Songs were sung in tribute of this new step in life and the celebration of the love of this new couple. The songs were usually from the 40s, 50, and 60s and from musicals. Sunrise, Sunset being very popular as I remember. Well that just would not do for me. I was definitely a woman of independent thought and action. I was classified as a rebel and politely yet firmly stated if there was going to be singing at a shower for me, it must reflect me and my soon to be betrothed. My friend Nancy was in charge of the shower and enlisted her sister to take care of the music. It was great. She brought her guitar, audible gasps heard, when it came into view. She quietly and melodiously plucked out the most wonderful song. Every time I hear it now, it takes me back to that night. I can still hear her voice as she sang:

To lead a better life, I need my love to be here.
Here, making each day of the year,
Changing my life with a wave of her hand.
Nobody can deny that there's something there.
There, running my hands through her hair,
Both of us thinking how good it can be.
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there.
I want her ev'rywhere, and if she's beside me I know I need never care,
But to love her is to meet her ev'rywhere,
Knowing that love is to share,
Each one believing that love never dies,
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there.
To be there and ev'rywhere,
Here, there and ev'rywhere.

And it has always been that way for me and mine. We were madly in love at 17, and still are to this day. I'll love you forever babe.

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Racoon anyone?

Racoon anyone?, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I am finishing up a project of digitizing slides from the 50s and 60s for a gentleman. I came across this photo this morning and had to put it up. This one's for my son-in-law who believes racoons are evil.

Now see, they're kind gentle little animals that wouldn't harm even a little girl!

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Pirate's Treasure!

Bounty, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

The first three pictures here are what S'mee brought to the meet and greet on Friday. Now you know why I am glad I'm her sister! She always does such nice things.

Here's a close up or two:




Not only did she bring a folding scrabook to record the memories of our day, but she also included a set of her fabulous note cards with pictures she took herself! And some homemade sugar scrub! Which is wonderfully scented with vanilla and brown sugar. Incredible.

Saturday while I was out I had to take a picture of the lost sole I found. It was there a perfectly good sole, somewhat abused by its original owner obviously, yet somehow I heard a mom saying, how do you lose your shoes??!!!?

And then, while I was at Downtown Disney I noticed you could buy a selection of m&ms in different colors that are not readily available in the bags. Outrageously priced, but still I decided that since they would become part of the decor, it was worth the price. Voila!

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So Cal Blogger meet up, returned!

Okay so today was the day. The day I would put myself on the spot and actually allow someone to see who I really was. Aaaack! We met up at 11 a.m. in Anaheim at Downtown Disney. They have this quiet little terrace that we scoped out a few weeks ago and decided "this would be the right place". (a little mormon humor for us SoCalrs)

No one had true assignments other than to show up with $5 in hand to help defray the cost of lunch. Lunch? It was on me. Yep. Typecast again. SO I threw together a salad, bought some sourdough rolls and some good Irish butter and made my way down to OC.

My thoughts? Well, I am easily impressed, but I had a BLAST! S'mee put the whole thing together, something I would never have done, I'm just too aaack! Yeah, I am. I took a few photos and will share them with you.

So who were the cast of characters for the day? Those brave enough to make the drive include:

Yes, our resident rock star photographer (A.Lebowitz), Susan M! Susan hails from the Seattle area, but now lives here in SoCal with the rest of us. I am so glad I finally got to meet her. She is exactly as she presents herself on her blog Strange Pulse. She is quiet and cool. I think I could spend a week shooting pictures with her and see the same places in SoCal in all kinds of new ways. Susan brought each of us a music CD with a great collection of music. I put it in the CD player in the car and it will be enjoyed for days and days!

Than along came Hollywood. Hollywood was the picture of perfection: Yes. June Cleaver.
I am sure the little darlings are going to grow up in the big city, all the while having the perfect mom, the kool-aid mom. Yep that's hollywood. She did bring the girls along too. They were perfect angels! Darling, cute and witty at times. The only problem of the day was when the woobie went over the ledge and was gone for good, donated to Disney karma. I did get a good shot of the girls: Cher and Pixie


Then along came Our Huckleberry

He was as charming as ever. He's a new dad and brought the wife and their new baby along.

Last but not least was S'mee. She's kind of shy about having her picture made, but I managed to snap one for all of you!

She is the quintessential Mousketeer! She brought each of us a bag full of goodies! All themed Disney for the day. She went the extra mile to make goodie bags for the little girls and we all had a great time chatting and eating and laughing. Thanks S'mee, I had a good time!

You've all seen a pic of me recently Chronicler's pic. hehehehe. I am sure more of the day will come to light in the next day or two, as the fog clears and I can remember the day. Overall it was a good day.

Hey guys, let's do it again soon!

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Swoon

I just ran across this picture over at Megan's flickr account. I had to favorite it. You see, packaging makes me swoon. Not just any packaging, but little tins or boxes. I have quite a collection going and cannot resist the recycle-ability of tin or a well made box. Don't get girl one, two or three started on my obsession with plastic containers! They could write volumes about it.

I like order. I like compartments. I like treasures. I have a box for everything. But I can't stand cardboard. Cardboard represents temporary for me. My whole childhood was spent in cardboard. We moved at least every 8 months and so many bits and pieces were lost out of a cardboard box. So now if I have a box, it must be decorated, sturdy and attractive. Leather boxes? Oh my, give me one and you'll have me forever! Wood, too!

What makes you swoon? What do you love, materialistically speaking I mean.

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Just about ready for market

Wine set, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

This work in progress is turning out quite well. I have the cheese dish, the wine charms and now the bottle cover made. All I need now is to get a small leather symbol to dress up the cover a bit and a gift box and it will be ready to take to the wineries around here.

The bottle cover is made of genuine suede leather. I sew the tube and punch the holes for the leather tie. I will also be adding a small leather medallion for the outside as a decoration. I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

We live in SoCal's wine country and I think the wineries might be interested in offering it to their customers. Of course the wine set will not come with the bottle of wine, so they can use they're own wine to add to the set.

Me, I'll ad the non-alcohol grape juice to mine! Watch for this at 3 Hip Sisters soon!

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Childhood

This picture hangs in my hallway. The big guy purchased it for me years ago on one of our trips to San Francisco. The artist is Robert Sexton. You can usually catch an ad of his in the back of Sunset Magazine. His pictures speak to me. I love stippling as an art form. One little dot in the wrong place and you goof it up. That is why I appreciate it so much.

This picture reminds me of my 4 year old self, and my almost five year old brother. The sentiment on the photo reads: "We will always be children in the time of the heart; For trust never ages, and love has no end." It is like Mr. Sexton found a photo of us when we were out riding bikes one day and turned it into a sale-able piece just for us. It is a lithograph of which I own number 416 of 600. I wonder who else owns this picture and what meaning it has for them. Hmmm. That might be an interesting project.

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My So Called Life - A glimpse

The oldest daughter tagged me with this one:

10 yrs ago:
Was the year the middle daughter graduated from school. I was working part time for a friend doing research at his investment firm.

5 Things on my list of things to do today:
Finish my slides project - I got them photographed at least!
Laundry - ugh.
Work on some vinyl projects.
Go to Target.
Begin Easter surprises for Sport and Little miss.

Things I would do if I suddenly was a Billionaire:
Set up a family trust.
Pay off all debts.
Build homes.
Travel the world, to see if I could actually identify a root in my family origin.
Set up a foundation to help middle class families in need of short term financial assistance; including paying for educational expenses for women really wanting to pursue the arts (any kind).
Remember that money is for spending and helping others, and be grateful for the blessing/trial of having it.

3 of my bad habits:
Just 3???
Chewing on my fingers when I get stressed.
Being too independent.
Objectifying people.

Places I have lived:
Port Huron, MI
Redondo Beach, CA
Long Beach, CA
Lynwood, CA
Anaheim, CA
and that was just the first five years of life!

Jobs I have had:
Bank Teller, I proved youcould close an account without crediting all the interest earned. That job lasted two weeks. ugh.
Union Grocery Clerk - great pay, lousy hours
Sales person in a camera store
Stock Broker
Plant Manager, food processing company

Things most people don't know about me:
I love research, give me a topic.
I love to run, even though I don't do it.
I have a difficult time with color coordination.
I am going deaf, not due to age.
I find being alone is not a difficult thing, although I enjoy company when it is around.

Who to tag? It seems everyone I know has been. So if you haven't and want to share, go for it. I'd love to see your answers.

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Six little words.

Six-Word Memoir book preview from SMITHmag on Vimeo

I am always amazed at the wonderful things the internet has to offer. My s-i-l happened upon this project. I love it. Six words. Only six words. The authors ask that you sum up a life in only six words. Watch the video and share your six with me.

It will take some time for me to refine one, but off the top of my head I say:
Three daughters, a blessed life indeed.

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As S'mee puts it, the really odd meme

What kind of soap do you have in your bathtub/shower right now?
Bath and Body Works Peppermint Candy

What color or design is on your shower curtain?
The shower curtain is clear with a rectangly design with grooves. When the sun hits it it shines prisms around the room.

What would you change about your living room?
Oh where to start. Number one, make it at least half again larger. Then get rid of the popcorn ceiling.

How many plants are in your home?
Two. And I'm praying they don't die before they can go outside again.

Are the dishes in the dishwasher clean or dirty?
In the process. I do them at least every three days. That's how long it usually takes to fill it up.

Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home?
Clear polycarbonite glasses for everyday. Glass for occasions.

Do you have iced tea, made in a pitcher, right now?
Yep. Decaf Green Tea.

Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator?
Not in season my friends, not here.

So, what is in your fridge?
Gorgonzola, Feta and Tillamook cheese. Oh and parmesan. Left over lamb, chicken and salmon. Condiments, including dill pickles in spears and chips, sweet relish, three kinds of mustard, ketchup, salsa, really good milk, water, Function:Light Weight, eggs, kalamata olives, 3 cans of tuna, 1 can chicken, cream cheese, red and green bell peppers, celery, romaine lettuce, baby mixed greens, 1 sweet onion, mushrooms, red flame raisins, yeast, nutmeg, real butter, unsalted and salted, chocolate frosting, buttercream frosting, olive tapenade, beef demi-glace, worchestshire, two rice vinegar, siracha, lemon curd, soy sauce (a million little packets from chinese take-out), sausage, a couple of apples. I think that is about it. Note: this does not include the stuff in the freezer.

What's on top of your refrigerator?
My slow cooker, a big thing full of whey protein, cuisinart ice cream maker. And a good layer of dust.

White or wheat bread?
None currently, usually Roman Meal.

Comet or Soft Scrub?
Comet. Bon Ami, if I can find it for sale anywhere.

Is your bed made now?
Hardly ever. Unless I'm going on vacation, I just throw the covers back and call it done. If I am going out of town, I'll actually pull the spread back. I do that so if I die while I'm gone all those nice older women that will come to help my husband will think I was such a great housekeeper.

Is your closet organized? Yes.

Can you describe your flashlight?
It's a really pretty blue Maglight. The head bonker one. It's huge!

If you have a garage, is it cluttered?
Oh, it's cluttered, but I still park my car in it every night. That's a rule at our house.

Well, who do I want to be nosy with? Hmmm Okay: the Youngest One, the Oldest One, Number 2 and Nicolette, and Maren.

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Share the Love

Happy Valentine's Day all my bloggy friends! This one's for all of you!



1. Sterling heart, 2. Red Heart, 3. Dove heart, 4. Kiss heart, 5. bud heart, 6. hello heart, 7. picky hearts, 8. heart bouquet, 9. Alligator love, 10. Secret to a happy life, 11. cutter heart, 12. Heart entry, 13. Sweetie pie, 14. Pewter hearts, 15. squiggle heart, 16. cheeky heart, 17. Cookie hearts, 18. Ceramic hearts, 19. Luv heart, 20. I heart Coco-Luxe

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Coco-Luxe Chocolates

My creation, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I simply could not let this go by. You have to go to Food Chronicles and read about Coco-Luxe chocolates! There is even a coupon code at the bottom so you can get a 15% discount throughout February on a purchase at their site.

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Another chapter begins

I have a wonderful friend who lives 30 minutes from me. We used to work together at the food plant. When I get jobs, sometimes I am there for the experience of working, other times for different experiences. I truly believe I live a guided life. "everything happens for a reason" is one of my motto's. I know others can't stand that statement, but for me it works.

So on to the friend. She was the reason I had my job. We slowly got to know each other, me being boss and her my subordinate. I gained insight from her about her culture, her work ethic and her family strength. She learned to temper her temper from me. For the longest time, we were friends ala boss and employee. Until one day. She made an off the cuff statement about her belief system one day, and I responded to her statement. It was not something a boss should do. But I had to, I could not let her statement go. We spent hours talking and comparing information. I loved our discussions. She said it was like a feast.

Suffice it to say our bond grew deeper and deeper, until I knew she would be my friend forever. I even see her in Arizona with our family someday. Her family and mine working together and enjoying the richness that good friends can bring to each other.

For months, she has rattled around in my brain for a project I had in mind. I did not take action. I have been lazy in the extension of this project. I have held it at the back burner, for some reason it never felt all that important. Until Monday. Monday I woke up and said I must go see Araceli today. So I got in my little car and made the trek up the hill and across the valley. I got to her home and was delighted to see her lavender plants blooming in glorious wonder! The vibrant purples were welcoming and beckoning with their lovely lavender scent. I went to the door and left a note for my friend. This girl changes phone numbers like I change shoes, so I didn't have a number. She called me back, we set a time to meet on Thursday. Yay!

When I arrived at her house we spent an hour catching up on the family comings and goings, and jobs, and kids, and husbands, and all those wonderful things in our lives. Then she mentioned she had been working two jobs for 8 months, some days going from one to the other working 17 hours straight. Ugh. Finally Saturday last, she quit one job. She is free to pursue other projects! At that invitation I gave her my idea. I needed her to work with me because she would bring depth to the project that I did not have. Suddenly we were both bringing forth ideas and styles and so many possibilities. And then she said, if you have been praying for money, get ready to open your arms wide. We are going to make this work, and we are going to do so well.

I love my friend. I love her part in my life. I love her optimism. I can hardly wait to get to work. And I love that once again, I waited for some unknown reason to do this for eight months, and she quit her job Saturday after working for eight months solid. I am glad I listen the still small voice inside and act when it says to act.

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Wow! What a hairdo!

Wow What a hairdo!, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I have a love/hate relationship with the hairdresser. I have thick curly/wavy hair that is also coarse. I blow it out and use Straightworks to help keep it smooth and in place. If I go anywhere near the beach all that is in vain as the humidity just makes it frizz all the more.

I really love my hair. I have been envied in the family by at least one sister that I know of. But still. There comes a time when you just have to pay someone to shape it and make it do what it should.

Being that I have no real girl skillz I rely on others for advice as to how to fix it, how to color it and who best to allow their scissors near me. This is where we fall into problems.

I evidently speak a different language because usually when I tell them how I wear my hair and how I make it work, they hear "oh it should be short in front so it frizzes uncontrollably when I am trying to look professional." or something to that end.

An example of this was just two weeks ago. I went to the local salon in time for my appointment only to wait a half hour. My stylist asked how things were going, the usually witty banter ensued and then she said how's the color. Well, she must not have worn her glasses, as looking at my hair it was obvious something need to be done with this setting sun of a color job. (yes, s'mee I can hear you now) So we decided on a color and went forth to dying. Two hours later we were finally done. Yeah I never thought it would take two hours for a one dimension color job either. It was getting late and my head was still went and needed to be trimmed too.

So she set off to trim it up and suddenly turned and said "Would it be okay if I sent you home without the blow-dry? I'm really hungry and have another appointment soon and if I don't get some lunch I just won;t make it through the day. I've been really stressed lately..." and as her voice trailed off I heard myself mumbling something along the lines of "sure it's okay, I can do it at home."

AAAACK. Thus my love/hate relationship. And that picture is exactly how it looks now!

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New item I've been working on

Wine bottle, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I have been intrigued with the wine bottles I have seen slumped here and there. So I decided to give it a try. First you flatten the bottle in the kiln and then slump it to form the tray.

I am thinking I will put these up for sale in the shop soon. They'll have the cheese/olive tray, six wine charms and a bottle cover made from suede. It should do well. There are some wineries in the area that I'll be taking them too also.

I am also working on a sculpture. It is just in the beginning stages and will probably take about a weeks worth of kin time to finish. Here's a peek:

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Fourth grade

When I was in the fourth grade I had been a skater for probably 3 years. Skates were something that came naturally to our family. Mom was a champion skater from way back so when we learned to walk, the skates were next. In those days skates had metal wheels. Yeah, those were fun, hit a rock and it was over. The skates attached to your shoes with leather straps and there was an adjustment knob on the front to tighten the up. Sort of a one size fits all skate.


Well, after you've skated up and down your street 50,000 times or so, you begin to get a little brave and do stuff that most people don't do on skates. Like walk down to Laurel street and dare each other to skate down the hill, remembering of course, that you have to catch the stop sign at the bottom because if you don't it could be goners for you from traffic.Yeah that's how the brother and I had fun. It was a blast, in fact last week I rode down Laurel street and it all came flooding back. Ah sweet memories.

After a 1000 or so trips down Laurel street and no deaths, we were ready to ramp it up a bit and decided to try something new. Mom was going to kill us. We found some old 2x4s and a saw and decided to invent a new way to "skate" we broke the wheels off the skates and nailed them to the 2x4. Yep we did. A 2x4 skateboard. Of course we don't have pictures of the best skateboard ever, because back then who thought to document an invention?

Well, it was the prize of the neighborhood! Suddenly everyone was doing it and boy were we having fun. It was near impossible to steer and would not corner at all, but it was the best. You could use it regular, or sit on it and Laurel street would never be the same. I found out I was a goofy footer and that was okay, it separated me from the boys and I really thought I had better control over it that way. Goofy footer? For the uninitiated, that mean my left foot was the prominent foot used while skate boarding. (and surfboarding too)

Good times. good memories. Then when I saw this video this morning I thought to myself how far skateboarding has come. And for all those guys, making a living skateboarding? You owe all us kids from the early 60s a debt of gratitude!

Go watch it. It is 5 minutes, but take the five minutes and enjoy it!

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The cruelest of ironies

I have a friend that I have known since I was about 17. She came to the US in search of a new life, a husband, and to teach. She is the sweetest thing. As the years went by she established herself here and began teaching.

But the years went by. No husband. No family. As she got older she took the opportunity to help and assist others providing the loving care she would have given to a family to her friends. She is well loved by most who meet her. Way into her fifties, a man who had recently become widowed fell in love with her. They quickly married and she was finally living the life of her dreams. He showered her with love and affection and her life became that of fairy tales. You see, he is a prince, and her desire was his will to fulfill. She still did not have children, but that would be okay. She knew he loved her and that was good. She was happy.

He is now very aged. And in the next few weeks he will probably pass away. She is saddened at the thought of this loss, but realizes his has been a life well spent. A business man respected in his community. A philanthropist helping everyone in need. A well loved uncle with a large extended family. His has been a good life and it is time to pass on. She accepts that and will mourn his passing with fond memories knowing he gave her his everything.

Enter the cruelest of ironies. This past week my friend was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. That which she yearned for children, never coming to her, then acceptance. Now that which would provide life betrays and will seek to take hers. She is in for the fight of her life. Losing her only love and now possibly her own life. She is having surgery tomorrow. She won't be sure of her prognosis until after the surgery. But she goes in worried. Who will be there for her loving husband? Will he pass away while she's in the hospital? Will she survive to be there for him in his final hours? Ugh. She says her timing has always been off. I can understand how she could see her life that way.

I will be spending a few nights with her dying husband while she is in the hospital. He is not aware of his surroundings, not in a coma, but still not here. She has asked that I come and be with him so she can be at the hospital and know all is well at home. I told her I'd be honored. It's the least I can do for her.

So blogging, which I though would pick up this week, will actually stall once again. Check back in a couple of days I'll be back.

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Released: Gordon B Hinckley

We are a mostly volunteer church. We will be asked to serve in various capacities such as, a leader over primary age children or a Sunday school teacher, for a period of time. It is called a calling and then after a time we are "released" from that obligation and someone else takes over. Unless you are called as the Prophet or president of the church. Once you are called to the leadership of the church it is a lifetime calling. President Hinckley, passed away this evening at the age of 97. He has fulfilled his calling with honor and was an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with him.

I will share a few words from a talk he gave in 1995. It has helped me to be a better person, to stand a little taller and strive to be my best.

"The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"This is a time to be strong.

"It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth and the importance of our mission.

"It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow.

"It is a time to be found keeping the commandments.

"It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain.

"It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike."

Rest in peace President Hinckley, give Marjorie (his wife who predeceased him) a hug for me!

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Winter trees

Winter trees, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I love the colors of winter. The blue grey in the sky, the dark browns and bright pinks. Here are a few shots of the area around me.

A big bird in the sky, headed for Phoenix and parts unknown.


Under the shadow of this mountain my husband was born. Indian legend says he'll never leave this valley. Hmmm. What is that in Arizona?


Evening sky. So beautiful.


This is a picture I showed you in the summer leading to fall.


Now we've had just a slight, and I mean slight ~ less than a half inch ~ of rain. It always amazes me what such small amounts of water can do to bring forth life. Such a type and shadow.

If you click on the pictures it goes to the flickr account where you can see the whole picture, larger.

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I know these things are silly...

I go around taking these little personality profiles around the internet and I save them to a file on the computer. I rarely will show the results anywhere. Lately someone told me I am a bit intense and I've been rolling that comment around in my head a bit. Then I took a couple more of those tests and in the beginning paragraph of each of them I was told I was intense and it put people off a bit. MY husband laughed and said that's why you shouldn't put a lot of weight in silly tests on the net. I know he's right, as there is only so much information one can derive from a simple q&A but it does make me wonder. I guess I need to lighten up a bit.

What Your Name Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

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Oh truly neat!

The above images are from the US Postal Service website. These are just my favorite stamps that will be released this year! There are many more that will become part of the collection but these will be in duplicates. Stamp collecting is such a fun and inexpensive hobby. And there are so many different ways of collecting them. If you are interested you can check out the USPS site for a bit of information and The American Stamp Collecting Society for more information.

Why are these my faves? Well, Eames, that one is pretty self explanatory. And my love for Steamboat Willy began when I was just a young girl. I loved seeing him on the tv with his boat and his true friend Pluto. The first cat I ever owned on my own was named Pluto. The last stamp is a tribute stamp to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. She was the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Yearling. The book was adapted to film in 1946. The director of the film was Clarence Brown (he one an Oscar for the film). When I was a broker his daughter was one of my clients. She was and is one of the most wonderful people around. Humble and kind. I really thought she was great. That's why that stamp goes into the drawer.

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Corners of my home

Close up dome, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Another corner. This is the new table. With the dome and one of my tin toys on it. It adds a bit of color to the corner and allows me to show off a few trinkets. This is just the beginning of this corner, but I thought I'd show you the progress.


I'll add a few more items and call it finished for now.

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Oh that's depressing...

I got up this morning and of course, the news was on. The first story I listened to, once all the political pundits quit thrashing about, was one on January 21st. Yep today. What's so special about today? Well, it's is MLK day here in the states, but that's not it. Because MLK day is a floating holiday so it is not always on the 21st. So what is it about the 21st?

Well, January 21st has been deemed the most depressing day on the calendar! Oh my. I got up felling pretty good this morning. In fact i had a dream about a new glass sculpture and I am heading out to the shop (read garage) to get started working on it. If you are one of those who agree with the television report, take the day off. Go do something just for you and pay no regard to the calendar.

I'm wondering if this is an indication of how out of step I am? It would explain a lot.

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It'll do

Table top, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I have been looking and looking and looking for the right table for a corner in my home. It is behind one of the couches in the living room. It is a small undecorated corner, just begging to function as part of the room. So I set out to look for a table that would be large enough but not to large. And small enough but not too small.

Some tables were too short. Some were too tall. Some were too square, others too round. I didn't think I would actually find the right one. While I was in San Diego, I thought I would take advantage of the time and stop by IKEA and take a look around.

This is what I found and I think will be fine for now.

Why buy a table that will only do for now? Well, they are having their yearly sale and this table was only $9.99. Yes! only ten dollars! Yeah I think this will work until I find the perfect table and then this one will be assigned a place on the patio!

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Home and a short post...

When I first began blogging I found a few gems. A few of my very favorite people surfaced in the small group of bloggers back then. I reached out and made contact and they contacted back and we shared a few laughs and smiles and heartfelt stories. And we shared some emails back and forth along the way.

One of those bloggers is Meggiecat! Meggiecat has had to take a break from blogging while dealing with life in general and has been missed! Well, good news! Meggiecat is back!!!!

Welcome Back, we're so glad you have returned to blogland! Go over and say hi and see why we all missed her so much.

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Food, food , food and a movie

I have been consumed (so to speak) with food for a week! I am getting ready to go to the Fancy Food Show, see my food blog for the link, and am really neglecting things over here. Sorry guys!

The month of January is always food though. The Fancy Food Show and then Westpack at the end of the month. I love going to Westpack and seeing what neat things packagers are doing to attract the human psyche. Sometimes it is the same old thing but then you get surprised by some new packaging that amazes you.

I know, I know, I can get excited about the weirdest things. Packaging. But...last year I went and I ran into a firm that made teflon shields for heat shrink machines and such. I asked if I could ask them about supplying me with a piece of teflon that I could use when I sewed my sunspots. The guy smiled and said let me introduce you to this woman. And I met this woman, she's the nicest person! She laughed because her male colleagues probably thought she'd never sell her invention. Well, who is it you ask?

I won't give you her name, because she doesn't mention it on her website, but here it is: Sew Slip I needed something that would allow a clingy material to move along without sticking to the presser foot and arm of the machine. She developed the Sew Slip to do just that! One side is tacky and sticks to the sewing machine and the other is teflon coated to allow the fabric to glide along unfettered. It works great. All you quilters out there should have one! It is worth the money.

That is why I get excited about going to trade shows. You never know who you'll meet!

Oh and then yesterday afternoon I took a break and went to see National Treasure with the husband. It was great! We really enjoyed it and do recommend it to everyone too!

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What am I up to?

Well, the same thing as everyone else! Organizing. I showed you last year my Martha Stewart magazine collection. I have been working on it religiously trying to get it all scanned and in a workable format.

I am setting up an excel spreadsheet of all the items, recipes, how to's, did you know?s, and all the things I kept out of the magazines as I cataloged them. If there is an old project you have lost the directions to, or a recipe you need, let me know. I just may have it and can send you a copy!

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Angus profile

Angus profile, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Yep, a profile. Then a full face.



He is guilty as sin in these photos. Guilty of what? Hating to have his picture taken. This is a cat who is not camera friendly. He was in the best pose for all of you to enjoy a couple of days ago and as soon as he saw the camera he got up and walked away. I did hear him mumble something about the paparazzi.

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Another Idaho gift

Another Idaho gift, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Another thing I got in Idaho! A huge crack in the windshield. Aaack. Hwo it happened, well, not being the really smart person I usually am in warm weather...

It was 8 degrees outside. I had just cleared off all the snow (10" or more) and started up Justa. She was warming up but the windows were fogging up quickly. So I turned on the defroster and as the car heated up quickly, and the windshield not warming as fast, I heard a crack! and then another. Eeeck. The understanding of the principles surrounding the coefficient of glass will tell you that glass heats slowly and when rushed will cracks! My car is now a living example of warming glass too quickly.

And me a glass artist. Who knew.

It's kind of like a mini version of the Tetons with me all the time.

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One of my favorite daily reads

I put her in my sidebar so y'all could click on her link, but then I got to thinking...
I enjoy reading this blog first thing everyday and so I feel she deserves her own post!

Bambi has captured me! Her site, Le Pen Quotidien is really great. She is one of the best illustrators around. I enjoy every one of her drawings and then to read the stories along with them, it is just too good to ignore. I don't think it will be too long before we read of her signing a book deal. Heck, I'd love to sign her up as an illustrator. Not that I am currently in need of one, but her work is just my style. In fact, my son in law is an illustrator, so I think he may get some work from me before Bambi, but she is my second choice after family.Bambi is also a fan of Danny Gregory who is also in my sidebar. Each one is unique and bring a smile to your face just by dropping by.

I will one day own one of her prints. Her animal photos make me smile and this one is my favorite! Go take a look, let me know which one you like best.

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Muted colors = Muted Lives

New homes, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I drive by new sud-division after sub-division. They have built 70,000 new homes in our small community over the span of 18 months. And they are still building. Aaaack. Not only does this make our small community too big, it also adds 140,000 new cars to the area. Driving is insane. But that's another post.

What I'd like you to notice is the color of the homes. One beige house after another. And mine is not any different. It was built in 1963, but still painted the glorious color of white. Ugh. I always wanted to live in a yellow house. On Maple street. Instead I've joined the masses and live in a whit ehouse with an interior from restoration hardware's line of muted browns.

Of course the colors are tasteful. But muted all the same. Then when you go inside this is what you see:





The only room that was a "color" in one of the homes was the laundry room. It was blue.

So out here in the burbs we live muted lives. I think of the pictures I see from all over the world with people dressed in bright colors and living in brightly colored homes, with color seeming to adorn their lives. We seem to be so afraid of emotion that we "hide" ourselves in muted tones. Where is the passion people? Have we become so consumed by our 40 hour workweeks that we don't have time to be "us"? Are we just drones that have lost our passion for life, living, or fun?

Well, I am no longer going to be the muted person I became when I became a home owner. For so long, I tried to "fit in". I never really have, but I tried to anyway. So another resolution of mine this year is to add color! The house will be painted, tastefully, but with touches of color to show what passionate people we truly are. We will also be painting the inside of the house. Gone are the muted tones of the middle american! Gone is the buttered tones of toast! Don't get me wrong, I love toast, but I nibble at toast. I only eat it up quickly when it is dribbling with strawberry jam or raspberry preserves! I want to devour something! So let's see what colors I'll discover!

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WooHoo! Things will be great in 2008!

A new year. A new opportunity. First up? Resolutions. Are they made to be broken? Or am I just making the wrong ones? I think for a long time I have been making the wrong ones. So this year it is going to be a resolution list of small steps. Small things evoke great things over time. Keeping that in mind my resolutions are going to be more general in nature and as I attack them, I will define them more specifically.

Such as, I want to start doing some strength training this year. I believe a strong body is at the heart of longevity. I look at my grandmother who lived into her nineties. I can see her my minds eye and watch her doing her arms lifts and circles, her knee bends and toe touches at 85 and 90. She always said that a body in motion continues to do so. She had terrible arthritis in her back and had a devil of a time standing up straight, but still kept her legs strong and her arms moving. Those exercises helped her stay active and spoke to her quality of life.

I see other family members who have basically just quit moving, exercising or being physically active. It is truly a shame. To see one stumble around due to lack of exercise is not a fun thing to watch. I am aging and refuse to go down quietly. So I have begun a weight training program. It is a simple effort on my part. I am beginning with strengthening bands and will work up from there. I use a series of photos to assist me in my efforts and I will not abandon this resolution. It will be easy to do anywhere I am and will keep it up daily.

Another resolution is to schedule my time better. I will begin scheduling my crafting, glass work and yes, even computer time. Rather than work away a day in the garage doing glass and neglecting all else, I will have a glass working time, a crafting time and a computer time. This will be a flexible schedule so to leave time for visits with friends neighbors and family, yet structured enough that people will know they are interrupting specific tasks.

One thing that will ease this schedule along is my purcahse of a headset for my phone. I can talk on the phone right now, as I hold it up to my ear. A task that shuts down other activity on my part. Not just because I have to hold it, but because I have such difficulty hearing if it is on speaker. I am suffering a loss of hearing. Not due to age, but from genetics. We have a history of hearing issues in the family (could be why s'mee knows how to translate for the deaf) and I am among them. As is my youngest daughter. It is getting worse and the doctor tells me I will probably not be a hearing person in the span of ten years. Hearing aids will help but not forever. So the headset will help me hear better when I am talking with people on the phone. It will also help me be more productive. Yay.

Those are just a couple of resolutions I will share. Now, back to the decorating tear down!

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