simple made special

at least I might get out of jury duty someday

we got robbed. someone broke into the studio and burgled us. I feel really sad. They took our super expensive laptop and for some reason, all of my tax paperwork. I already filed my taxes for this year (which is why I had it out), but we are being audited by the state, so I'm in a bit of a pickle.

the police told us 90% of these thefts are committed by drug addicts.  So just say NO! The officers that came were really nice. they took photos and dusted for prints. the robbers tried to break into our safe and were unsuccessful. Thanks Liberty safe. 

I've had to cancel all of my credit cards and get new bank accounts, so I'm kind of out of money for a few days. I'm considering: a slobbery attack dog and setting booby traps.

Please back up all of your files, keep your important paperwork somewhere safe, and buy the expensive door lock. You might be glad you did.

Are you my mother?

My desire for my own little flock of chickens lasted through the winter. Can't you just imagine walking out into your little coop/tractor/ark and gathering a few blue or green eggs for the morning frittata?

I went to the IFA today for a soil test, and the little peepers where there. They are beyond cute. Husband and I agree this might not be the best year to begin, maybe next, due to existing stress and unfinished projects. I hate being practical, I want to mother some little puffs.

Here is what they would live in:

is that not cute? It moves around the lawn and they can come out and graze. The manure falls down into the grass, and the moveable pen helps prevent disease. My ark would be painted. Probably light aqua or butter yellow. Sigh.

New Health Tries

I'm considering going dairy free. Has anyone tried this and did it help?

More flax seed, to provide omega threes.

Better supplementation is needed, but don't know where to start.

Investigation of soy products, for protein and dairy replacement.

More garlic and ginger. Oddly ginger seems to upset my stomach.

Relaxation breathing. In thru the nose for 4. Hold for 7. Out through the mouth for 8. Repeat four times.

Steam baths. Need to find a place to sweat.

Stop watching the news, it's just stressing me out.

Based on recommendations by Dr. Andrew Weil.

CHEAP EATS, VOL 2 :: PEA SOUP

Easiest thing to make ever, and so cheap!

Follow the directions for water amount on the bag of peas. I like Natural Horizons Organic, available at Harmons. Use stock instead of water. Throw in some carrots, garlic, celery, thyme, and an onion. I like to add a few potatoes as well. Boil for about 45 minutes (or until it's all tender). Blend up all the big chunks and most of the peas (I like a little texture) in the Vitamix. I love to use the Vitamix, because it won't explode when full of hot liquids. Blend smooth. Mix with the whole peas. Salt and pepper, thin to the right consistency (with more stock or water) and eat it up. We like a little drizzle of olive oil on top.

Good with garlic toasts. 

Warning: this causes gas. Lots of it. I eat beans almost daily, and my system still balks at pea soup. Just sayin' make this AFTER yoga class.

Countertops

are coming any freaking day!

We chose this...

It is a color named Concrete and is made by CaesarStone. I am excited and feel very good about this material compared to some of the others we looked at. Our contractor tells me it's what all the modern euro-style park city people want. So I've got that going for me.

With any luck I will post pictures of the final product soon! 

Here is the faucet we chose. I was pretty worried about finding one we liked, man they are ugly. I looked at a ton, and the only ones I cared for were stupid expensive. I found this hansgrohe model at the home depot (a manufacturer I had looked at in the spendy places) and really like it. It had the right mix of clean, simple and yet slightly retro details I like. We got brushed or satin nickle to match the other things. I love the idea of the detachable sprayer in the handle, and hope it turns out to be as handy as I think it will.

I love eggs

We made these easter eggs last year and they were so pretty. The only down side was they stay a little greasy, and some of the color gets on little hands, even after they've been drying overnight.

Marbled Eggs

If you're looking for really unique designs this year, try these beautiful marbled eggs. They are a little messy, but the results are fabulous. Have plenty of paper towels on hand for this fun project.

What you'll need:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Food coloring
• White vinegar
• Cooking oil
• One container for each color (coffee mugs work great)
• Paper towels
• One spoon for each color
• Measuring tablespoon
• Newspaper

How to make it:

1. Cover work surface with newspaper.
2. Lay out a few paper towels for holding completed eggs.
3. In each container, put one tablespoon each of vinegar, oil and food coloring. Repeat this for each color.
4. Add enough water to each coloring mixture to cover an egg.
5. Add a spoon to each of the color mixtures.

6. Have a stack of napkins or paper towels at the ready, separate from the paper towels that you laid out to hold the completed eggs.
7. Stir mixture with spoon to create a swirling motion.
8. While liquid is swirling, place egg on spoon and dip down into swirling mixture. Remove egg quickly.
9. Pat egg dry with a paper towel, set aside if satisfied with the color. If you're not satisfied you can repeat the process with a second color. Do as many color combinations as you like.
10. When finished, pat the egg dry, leaving a little of the oil on the egg to give it a varnished look.
11. Place completed eggs on paper towels as you work on more.
12. Store eggs in refrigerator until ready to eat!

Tips:

• Check your local grocer as there are cool neon food colors available.
• One full squeeze bottle of food coloring is not quite a tablespoon, but will work nicely for this craft.
• If you have some food coloring on hand but the bottles are only half full, simply combine some colors to make your own (red + yellow=orange) to make up for the lack of quantity.  

Yes, my love affair with tree branches continues.

In other news, I took a chance and washed my Coach sneakers in the wash. It was very successful. I used Woolite on the gentle cycle and air dried.

happy spring

my psyche needs this season so much. I really need to see growing, blossoming and blooming all around me. I'm afraid I've been a little cranky lately, but am resolved to have a better attitude.

in celebration we put down a deposit for our countertop. At christmas time I joked that we might have the kitchen done in time for Dave's birthday. at least I thought I was joking. In fact it was wishful thinking, since his birthday is next tuesday!

 

The fuzzies are coming

My aspen trees are starting to break out in their fuzzy pods. this is a terrible mess, but the birds like to eat them, which is charming from the window.  I also noticed the trees in the orchards have buds. Seeing all the trees in bloom is one of my favorite things during the year. 

We joined netflix a few months ago, and I can't stop raving about it. I love it. We have seen so many great things that the video store doesn't have. Last night we watched our second disk of Simon Schama's the Power of Art a fantastic series, done by the BBC. We saw the Van Gogh episode, and it was just awe inspiring. We have been so lucky to see a lot of his work in new york and chicago, and they truly take my breath away. His use of color is so powerful. Thinking about it made me really happy, and also really sad because he was so damned crazy.

bit of a stretch

I know I'm late to the party, but I finally tried yoga. I really love it. I've been to two classes and I feel some real improvement in my posture and how my back feels in general. It feels good to exercise without huffing and puffing and feeling like my heart is going to explode. 

If you haven't tried it, I really recommend it. It's none of the things I thought it would be. Now Tuesdays are officially my calm, focused days, so please save all stressful phone calls for Wednesday. 

color love

I love this group of colors right now. They are making me very happy. I call it a circus color palette for lack of a better term.