Thistle Farm Arts

Road to Somewhere...

2010-10-21T06:10:00.006-04:00

I love seeing roads like this...

It makes me think that you can start down that road

and anything is possible...

Love, Life and Endless Dreams

Someday I would love to load a backpack up, cash in pocket and head out into the unknown. Travel the country all on foot.

See sites most people could never even imagine.

Capture it all on film

Is it possible?

Maybe someday...

Between Here and There

2010-10-20T16:15:00.004-04:00

I feel like I am caught in the middle of an endless cycle. I have no motivation for creating thus I have no artwork to speak of. My lack of sleep has gotten the best of me and although going to bed at either 9:30 or 12:30 at night my internal body clock wakes me after 2 hours of sleep and I am unable to try and coax myself back to sleep.

Why?
I'm not sure....
I know I should most likely get up and be creative but how creative can you possibly be at 3:00 in the morning, dark, cold and miserable.
So, the brighter side of things is my eye for beauty around me. I constantly take my camera with me wherever I go, so I am lucky to be able to capture these images.
***
If any of you have ideas to help this poor girl sleep...
please let me know. I am up for anything!

Thursday Tattoo Day!

2010-10-17T19:47:00.011-04:00

So I am getting a little ahead of my self with the first photo. But I will recap an awesome day I had with my gal-pal Nancy of The RoundRabbit on September 30th!

We had decided to head off to Ithaca for the day after much conversation regarding my interest in a large tattoo. Nancy has a friend that owns a tattoo shop and I was intrigued in having a consult with him for something I had been wanting for a very long time. We headed up during a horrible rain storm, the worst of the year. It wasn't too terribly bad on the way up but coming home was a whole other story.

***

Once we arrived into Ithaca we found a place to park on the street and headed to friend of hers antiques shop where we found many, many treasures. Nancy loaded up on vintage photos and buttons, while I scored an awesome sterling silver ring (which needs a little work) as well as an adorable photo of a little girl and some cute quirky stuff!!! We headed over to Moosewood (a vegetarian and vegan) Restaurant after for an incredible lunch which included Ithaca Pale Ale, Portabella Mushroom Burger with homemade chips. Holy smokes!!! Delicious!!! Nan and I were in 7th heaven with that meal. I think we could have stayed there all day and would have been content to do so.

***

After lunch we ventured over to see her friend James of Model Citizen. A cute little coffee shop out front with an awesome tattoo shop out back. He ended up having a large cancellation so Nancy was in luck. She had planned on having a memorial tattoo for her Grandmother who recently passed away...her Grandmother was a famous illustrator and Nancy picked the most incredible bird that her grandmother had drawn. James started in, music blasting and we all had good conversation, although they were picking on me about a few things! All in fun!

It was a great atmosphere and I am really, really looking forward to having James complete a masterpiece on me soon!

Nancy's incredible bird....
So while Nan was getting her tat, I had asked James if he had time to whip one up for me. After completing the marathon last year, I wanted to commemorate it by doing a tattoo on my arch of my left foot. He had talked me out of that because of the amount of running that I do, he said it would most likely rub right off. Sooo, I opted for a place where I could see it.

I already have one on my inside of my right wrist so James positioned it along side it running down my arm. I just love it...

And I got it three days before I completed my 2nd full marathon (more about that later).

So long story short...

Great day

with a

Great Friend

and

Great Tattoos!!

Thanks Nancy...can't wait for the next one!!

(p.s. hurry James!)

Corning Wineglass Marathon

2010-10-15T17:27:00.015-04:00

CORNING WINEGLASS MARATHON

October 3, 2010

26.2 miles!!

So I have been completely out of the loop lately. No blogging, no creating, no nothing!

Except running.

I am addicted.

Yes I said it, I am.

I am addicted to the feeling of accomplishing a long run, of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, of completing a goal in my life. I am addicted!!

I trained hard and long for the Corning Wineglass Marathon which was held two weeks ago last Sunday. It was hard training and getting all the long runs in...but somehow, someway I did it.

The week before the marathon I was completely and utterly doubting myself if I could actually complete this race. Fear of not training enough set in and also fear of my injury flaring up. I have a problem with my arch in my left foot which refers pain to my knee. It tends to act up on long runs so I have been going to the physical therapist for it. They are complete miracle workers there!! I virtually ran the marathon without pain until mile 11.

***

Continue to read and I'll explain everything!!!

***

We arrived at the starting point well enough before the start. I picked my spot to warm up in and started my ritual of stretching so I can't stretch anymore. Usually during the time before the race, I am in and out of panic mode. This time was different. I was so calm driving the hour and a half to the race, listening to some great "country" music and just driving at 5:00 in the morning. I stretched my heart out that morning,

One: because I knew it was cold, 46 degrees cold to start.

Two: because of my foot and

Three: because I wanted to kick road!

As I was stretching, Graydon ran up to me and wrote on my arm the same thing as he wrote the last marathon that I ran.

Run Mama, Run!!

Total inspiration right there.

Todd and Graydon had to leave because once the gun went off, there was no way of them getting out of the town to be able to see me at different mile marks. We had made plans to meet up at certain points during the race and I was looking forward to seeing them.

So I continued to stretch until I heard the announcement that the race was starting in 10 minutes. I headed to the start to get my place in the pack. I tried at that point to pick the time that I really wanted to run it in. Something kept edging me towards a really fast time. Like completing the marathon in Boston qualifying time. I then walked out of the group so I could see if any of my friends were around. I did manage to see Stephen of NeverHomeMakers

but unfortunately did not see anyone else. I ran up to Stephen and wished him an awesome race....Mr. Fasty was right at the starting line.

***

I started off wearing shorts, gloves, tank and then a long sleeved shirt over it. I knew I was going to get warm but I also knew I would see Graydon and Todd so I could throw it to them.

The gun went off...

the watch set...

the i-pod on...

and I was on my way.

***

I felt incredible!!!!

***

Seriously, incredible...

The best feeling running I have ever felt in my life. No pain, legs smooth and steady, heart rate perfect. This continued until I saw Todd and Graydon at mile 9. Todd at that point informed me that I was on pace for qualifying for Boston. What???? Wow!

***

See Boston Marathon would be such an accomplishment to not only get in, to qualify! Not that lottery stuff that I tried before and didn't get in but to actually qualify!!! I would LOVE it if I got in....but as fate has it, the cards were not dealt in my favor that day!

At mile 11...oh mile 11. It all went to hell.

Water break...

people everywhere...

kids everywhere...

I had planned on running through the water station because I was feeling sooooo awesome. I was running on the left side of the road at that point and saw the people handing out water. I just kept on going until a little girl, with her hands full of paper cups, walked out in front of me. I side stepped to the left, she stopped and stepped back, I side stepped to my right and pulled my right hamstring.

***

I went down life a lump. Total drama I have to say!!! As I was down I immediately started stretching my leg. A woman came up to me to see if I was okay. I informed her politely but sternly that it was so unsafe to have children walking around. She apologized but the mom of the little girl looked at me and never said she was sorry. It wasn't the little girls fault but you know what, the mom should have owned saying she was sorry.

***

My Boston dream went to the trash that day...sure I could do a lottery, but to actually qualify would have made my day, week, year for that matter.

***

So I started back running determined to not let it bother me...it did. Every 1/2 mile I stopped to stretch it. Every mile that went by took longer and longer to run..

By this point in the photo and race. I was miserable. Hating life and everything about it at THAT time! I pushed myself to the limit that day. Struggled with the demons that possess you while doing long runs. I talked to myself, a lot during those miles. Telling myself I could and would finish this race....
***
By mile 19-22 I was spent. My leg was killing me, but I continued to carry on. I kept playing the same song over and over again for motivation...it helped immensely. It is a wonder how music really enters your head and changes your thought process and your mood. I was living off of that music that day! Thank you i-pod for carrying me through some really dark minutes and hours. Also a thank you goes out to my friend for giving me tons of suggestions on music!!! It helped soooo much and I greatly appreciate it! Love that you did it too!
***
So...periodically through the race I would run into Todd and Graydon and they would send out words of encouragement, hand me bottles of Gatorade and water and just to know that they were there in support of me made the world of difference. My kiddos smiling face gave me the motivation to continue through.
***
By mile 22 I tried hard to pick it up. I knew I wanted to make up some time. I was on track to finish at 4:30 and I was bound and determined to beat that time. Here it is, over 35 minutes from where I was originally going to finish. I was bummed seriously but I wanted that medal!!! I rounded the corner 1/2-3/4 mile away from the finish and my right leg just quit. I mean stop in my tracks dead quit!. It had folded under me and I grabbed a bench as I went down. A lady who was working the race came running over to me and gave me the best pep talk ever. She said

" Get up, you can do it...the race is almost over, right down the road people are cheering for you. Put a good powerful song in AND GO".

Well I did just that...as dramatic as it sounds. I switched to "Machine Head" by Bush, kicked it in and off I went....

Dying is the only word that comes to mind here. I saw Todd and then I saw Graydon and that awesome kiddo of mine took all of these photos. He sprinted to the finish line to try and get me crossing the line.

***
So I crossed the finish line under 4:30, hurt hamstring and all. I was so happy I did not give up...misery and all. Was it smart to keep running with a pulled hammy...most likely not. But see, I am Italian and once something gets in out heads, forgetaboutit!

After crossing the finish, they wrap you in a plastic metal blanket because your body has just been through something so extreme that stopping abruptly causes a huge amount of heat to be lost. I received my handmade glass medal and I tried to smile. Really I tried and in the end I did. It was just so hard with the pain I was in plus losing the pace I was at.

I did brush it aside, you win some and you loose some. There can always be a next time.

But damn...so close.

I was able to eat a little after the race which is really hard to do for me. Soup is always a plus after a long race. It puts the salt and warmth back into your body. I inhaled 3 cups of the soup and had a bottle of water. The race coordinators were kind enough to have physical therapists there treating people. I got this awesome guy to dig into my sweaty hamstring and start the healing process. I swear...if I didn't do it, I wouldn't have healed as fast as I did. So a HUMONGOUS thank you to that therapist dude!!!

Overall....
I am so happy to have completed my second full marathon.
I got a tattoo before this particular race to commemorate both of the races...
I finished...I'm done until the next one...
which btw was last Sunday up in Fabius, New York. I ran a 1/2 marathon with my friend Ashley just 7 days after my full marathon.
Crazy...why yes, yes I am.

But I felt awesome and came in 3rd in my age category!!
Give a whoop for this chick!!!

So....
where do I go from here?
Only more and more races!!!

OH-NO!!

2010-08-25T15:50:00.008-04:00

Oh Yes!!!

***

Anyone who knows me, knows that I come across the strangest things. From a snapping turtle that layed eggs on the side of the road to a domestic ferret running down the middle of the busy road, amongst many other crazy things!! I proceeded to rescue the turtle eggs and bury them in the backyard. They eventually hatched out and I had over 25 baby turtles that I released back into the wild.

***

The ferret was another story that did not end well and the poor vet tech who I was hysterical balling to, threw me a kitten to hold and love as I handed over a dead ferret. He would have been fine if the stupid guy I was yelling too just stayed in a parked position. Needless to say, a few profanities later, I was rushing the ferret to the vet...

Ugh.

***

Anyhow, back to this story. I was heading to work this morning with Graydon in tow and we had just gotten off an exit and proceeded onto an on ramp. As I drove up the on ramp (its a bridge over a railroad track) I noticed something on top of the chain link fence. I drove past it and realized that it was a baby opossum. After realizing what I saw, and announcing it to Graydon who saw the same thing, we turned around to see it again. As we drove past it, it looked like he was repositioning himself to try and make a jump for it.

***

Needless to say he would not have survived because it was about a 100ft drop on the other side. I drove past him, pulled over, did an (illegal) u-turn and drove past the opossum to park. We jumped out of the car, and I was lucky enough to have a bucket because I did have a fleeting thought of cuddling the thing in my lap as I drove.
Ummm, yeah right...this baby had teeth!!

***

So we walked down to where the bridge and the chainlink fence started and out of safety I had Graydon stay on the side before the fence. I continued down the side of the bridge to the baby and the poor little thing was shaking like a leaf...

It was pretty far up there and I had to stand on my tippy toes on a curb to just be able to reach the end of his tail. Yes...I touched him...
***
Really not thinking it through, once I got his tail I realized that the front feet would not let go of the fence. These little guys have five fingers just like us and believe me he had a death grip on the fence. I grabbed a lace throw I had in the car from the pottery show I did over the weekend (stay tuned for pics of that) so I wrapped it around my arm and proceeded to try and pull him down. Afterwards Graydon said that the opossum looked like superman flying when I had a hold of his tail. So with the free hand and arm that was wrapped in the throw, I reached up and he crawled onto it and wrapped his little arms around me. Not letting go of his tail I put him in the bucket and put the throw on top of it.

Now what the heck was I going to do with him?
I stopped by a nearby vet who gave me two phone numbers for the State Police. They in turn gave me three numbers for the DEC, who in turn gave me one number for a wildlife rehabilitation specialist. She did not answer but the DEC guy told me it was ILLEGAL to transport wildlife in your vehicle. OMG, who knew. That goodness I didn't get pulled over...
***
So I ended up deciding to let him go in a field, woody area up the road. Hopefully this little guy makes it on his own. Like I said he did have teeth and I do hope nature kicks in and teaches him how to fend for himself.
Now, believe me when I say the weirdest things happen to me.

Birthday Recap

2010-08-18T08:16:00.004-04:00

It was a crazy week of parties and thank goodness for the one on Saturday night. We attended a wedding reception for friends across the street and they had rented a 200 person tent. It was a beautiful reception and everyone looked like they had tons of fun.

***

This leads me to my next entry...

Saturday was BEAUTIFUL...

warm, sunny and a little breezy.

Sunday, not so much.

We woke to rain and it proceeded to rain ALL day long. I had mentioned to our friends the night before that if it rains on Sunday, could we borrow their tent. They responded with a "SURE, we have it until Tuesday...help yourself". Thanks soooooo much Tom and Mary for your generosity!!!

***

We took them up on their offer and had Graydons 11th Birthday party under the big top!

Perfect for the whole carnival themed party we planned.

We had lots of games with prizes for the kids to play. One of our favorite TV shows is Minute to Win It and Todd had looked up online the different games...
Cookie on the face
water bottle/balloon
flip the water bottle
and more...
The kids and some adults :) had tons of fun playing them...

Nana enjoyed watching everyone with the games and of course she brought her famous baked beans which I lovingly had two helpings!! Thanks Nana!!

Graydons cake turned out cute...its a little wonky because the humidity was high but all in all it looked like how I envisioned it.

I also made root beer flavored cupcakes that looked like miniature tubs of popcorn. The kids had a cupcake eating contest and it was so much fun!

***

Overall, things were GREAT minus the downpour outside the tent.

But who actually paid attention to that when the festivities were awesome under the...

BIG TOP!

Happy 11th Birthday Kiddo!!!

2010-08-14T07:47:00.002-04:00

My baby boy turns 11 today at 11:55PM.

I wish him a long lifetime of

Happiness and Love

***

Happy Birthday Graydon!!!

I love you more than life itself!

I see the sun...

2010-08-13T07:58:00.002-04:00

I have been absent again due to my aunts death. She lived a great life of 89 years and I was fortunate to be with her, talking to her, holding her hands when she passed away. It is not something that I thought I would be able to handle but I did because I wanted her to know it was okay to go.

***

The last couple of months have been so hard...

between all of my daily duties, I was with her frequently.

Now I feel a void in my life and I need to get back into some sort of a daily routine.

I am amazed by how many times a day I call her number to check in on her...

I've been to her house several times since her passing and its so lonely and quiet.

The oxygen machine is gone, her hospital bed is gone and she is gone.

***

I will live my life as she would want me too...

I will remember her everyday...

I will cry some more...

but I will carry on.

***

It's just so sad...

Well...

2010-08-02T09:09:00.002-04:00

not really but sometimes it feels this way.

I have been absent from blog world again. Since the last time I blogged many things have happened. Life, stress and life I guess. Graydon was in a soccer camp at school all last week and so were extremely busy with soccer coaches from the Red Bulls organization. Every night was at a host families house for dinner. Long days and long nights...

***

On top of that my aunt is back into the hospital. This time is a pretty serious event. Since being in, she almost has given up the will to fight anymore. I went to the hospital yesterday and was shocked to find out that she has rejected all pills now. The doctors came in earlier that morning and asked her if she wanted to forgo taking her medication, due to the fact she keeps saying to them...leave me alone and let me die. News to me, she has not said that to anyone else but them. I suppose I have to abide by her wishes and support her decision.

On top of that, I have a meeting with Hospice sometime today to discuss her next course of action. After stopping her meds, she will really only last a few weeks if that.

I need to prepare myself for this event, but how do I do it?

Weekend Recap

2010-07-14T06:55:00.013-04:00

Utica Boilermaker

15K

So Sunday was a the 15K race I have been prepping for, for the last couple of months. I wanted to run this race last year but was not really ready for it during the marathon training I was doing. We headed up there bright and early Sunday morning...4:30AM to be exact. It was a little rough on my system getting up that early but once we got to the buses that transported us to the start, I started calming down. Especially when we were talking to two really nice guys who were veterans at running this race.

***

I was bused to the start with a bus load of other runners and once we got there I started walking with the flow of people. I really didn't know where I was suppose to be...I stopped and started stretching and met up with two nice younger girls. We had a good chat and admired the strange runners around us. There was an older man who was really, really tan in a teeny tiny red speedo. Seriously!!! Then there was a guy in a white suit that was long sleeved, full legs, and it covered his head and only left a small but of his face showing. Needless to say, it was totally weird and he had no underwear on...it was white too!!! Oh my YUCK!!!!

***

The Governor of New York State...Patterson was there to give a speech. He is an avid runner himself who was suppose to run this race but injured himself. He gave us a pep talk and the national anthem played by bugle and then we were off. Or so I thought.

***

I was almost 13 minutes from the start...that means once the gun/cannon went off I waited and waited and waited some more. Talk about psych you out!! We started off and it literally was shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow running. Not my idea of a good time but I tried to make the best of it. The first 3 miles went by in a blink of an eye. I ran past several old stomping grounds, one being Mohawk Valley Community College. Although I got to see my old dorm and the sports hall...I really didn't get a chance to see much else.

***

The street were lined with spectators cheering us on. Kids with their hand out waiting for a high five, families watching, bands playing and all around good time being had by them. Lots of water and ice breaks which was wonderful. It was a cool 79 degrees on the start but the humidity was high. I kept sticking ice down my sports bra and running with it. I even ran with handfuls of ice to cool me down some.

***

We headed up a long, long hill but with my hill training lately, it wasn't bad at all. It wound around a golf course and a lot of the golfers stopped to watch and cheer for us. After the hill it was a good mile and a half down hill which I put the petal to the metal and tried to make up some time. Why on earth do people who run these races...feel the need to walk all the way to the outside? I know, I may be wrong but come on folks, move it to the inside so we can use the outside for passing. I ended up running on grass, sidewalks and curbs. Not fun.

***

But there were some great people handing out Popsicles at one of the miles and I ran with an orange one for about a half mile.

Todd and Graydon saw me at about mile 5-1/2 to mile 6 and I was feeling pretty good at this point.
***

After that was a little rough. I drank too much water but I was soo hot and thirsty during the race that I really needed it. I felt a little sloshy...

***

By mile 8 my legs were screaming from doing so much work to get around people. I stopped and stretched my right hamstring because it was starting to cramp up. After that I saw a girl down on the side of the road and the medics were on her. I really hope she was OK...so close to the finish. I kept it up with a couple of smaller stops at water stations to stretch the hamstring and then I saw mile 9. Thank God I thought...almost there. I started picking up my pace and sprinted in the finish. I love to do that because it makes me feel like I gave it my all.

So I crossed the finish line and walked over to a barrier to lean on and settle my heart rate. The medics were on me in a blink of an eye. I do have to say I was happy they were there but I was fine. I did have goosebumps which means I needed more hydration. They were worried about that and went running for water. I found some myself and guzzled 3/4 of the bottle in seconds.

***

I started walking through the crowd, got my finishers pin and started looking for Todd and Graydon. I ran into a friend of Todd's and we chatted a bit. I started walking and walking and finally Graydon ran up to me. It was mad craziness crowd, with everyone looking for their family and friends. The beef I have with this is that the food and drinks were pretty far away from the finish line. I ended up having a sickish stomach so I ate some oranges and drank some gatorade. I even had a cup of beer which amazingly tasted wonderful. I looked for my friends Ashley and Stephen and my cousin Lindsey and her hubby John but I couldn't fins them anywhere. I met a local guy Chris who is an amazing runner...it was nice to finally put a face with the name.

***

I just wanted to go home and shower so we bypassed the after party and found our car and headed home.

***

All in all I wasn't pleased with my time, but with soooo many people running it (over 11,000) it was hard for me to get a good time. Maybe next year I'll fib a little on my time and get higher up in the crowd...closer to the start.

But I am happy I finished it and on to the next race...

Warrior Race in Windham, New York

3 miles...13 obstacles

Yipee!

Then on Saturday we went to Sackets Harbor of the
1812 Lacrosse Tournament.
It was a great time for the parents and kids a like.
Our boys did really well and I am proud of all of them.
Being the very first year Graydon has played lacrosse, he really has done well. He was invited by his league coach to come to the tournament and I think he was very happy with the invite.

Lots of people, great weather, great memories and fun times.

We ended up staying a little after to watch the older boys play and then ended up hitting the road for the 2 hour ride home. We needed to get back at a reasonable hour so I could eat and head to bed for the race the next day.

What a great team and coaches.

Great job everyone!!

So onto Friday...

I picked Graydons friend up early and we headed to Herkimer to go to the diamond mine. After getting there, paying for our digging rights, we watched a movie to see where we could find the diamonds.

***

We headed out into the mine to "stake our claim". We started off on the wall but you really need some good mining tools for that one. So then onto the rocks. We started cracking some open and the only thing that we found were geode type rocks. Not great geodes but neat little things.

***

There was a hole dug in the ground and I sent Alex in there to start looking while Graydon and I looked in another hole. We were sifting through the dirt looking for them. Alex found one and we didn't really find any. There was a woman up on the side of a huge dirt pile and she was finding them left and right. So I sent the boys up there to look while I stayed in the hole.

I just had a feeling about the hole and while sifting a shine caught my eye. Looky, looky what I found!!! It was a nice piece of rock!! I yelled up to the boys and they yelled back that they were finding some little ones.

I headed up there too and found some little ones as well....

So, after dusting ourselves off be took out goods to the store and had them appraised. Graydon's goods were $8.00, Alex's finds were $15.00 and mine were $25.00.

We kept out loot and headed home.
***

What a busy, busy weekend we had but it was so much fun!!

The Boilermaker Weekend

2010-07-09T06:50:00.002-04:00

UTICA

BOILERMAKER

15K

ROADRACE

SUNDAY, JULY 11th

***

I'm off today with two boys in tow to head up to Utica for my race packet. This Sunday is the race that I have been prepping for and I am beginning to get sweaty palms. I know I can do it...but it is always pre-race jitters.

***

Utica is where I attending college for a year before deciding that Advertising and Graphics was not for me. I was more of a fine arts person and should have headed in that direction. But I did enjoy exploring Utica when I was there and I look forward in seeing my old dorm and campus. I haven't been back in many years.

***

So the kiddo and I and his friends are heading up north today. Our first stop is the Herkimer Diamond Mines so we can mine for our fortune. Hopefully the rain will hold off for us! After that we will head over to Utica for the Expo of shopping and race packet. I am looking forward in seeing some new running things and I hope they have some Vibrams there for me to try on. What are Vibrams??? A type of shoe that allows you to run barefoot it that makes sense. A couple of friends who are running in the race on Sunday have started using them and I want to see what all the hype is about. I'm not sure if this old girl can handle running barefoot, back in the day I could, so I just want to try them on.

***

The photo above is all of us who are running in the race on Sunday. There are many more people from this area going but in this photo is...

Ashley of Neverhome Maker, me, my cousin Lindsey and her hubby John and Stephen of Neverhome Maker. Hopefully we will be able to find each other after the race to hang out and enjoy our stories of the race.

***

Happy Friday all!!

Sometimes...

2010-07-07T15:24:00.006-04:00

Sometimes I wish I would remember to take my camera every where I go. You never know what you may come across. This morning while heading out I was intrigued with all the beauty around me. The way the morning sun was sitting in the hot haze was simply beautiful.

Baby Flight

2010-07-03T07:46:00.007-04:00

This week has been a little nutty with no school in session, my great aunt returning back to the hospital, training for a 15K race next Sunday, home life along with many other distractions.

This, though is a positive distraction that I have been watching for several weeks. In the shed off the back of the barn are barn swallows. There have been nests there for years, painted over and unoccupied...that is until this year. I noticed while feeding the goats that the swallows were flying over my head, protecting the nest but it wasn't until I found a little egg on the ground that they actually decided to call is home.

***

I pitched a ladder and went up for a sky view of the nest and there were several eggs in there. I did leave the nest alone until the babies were bursting out of it.
***

The above photo is of the parents circling in protest of my being there...

I just love these babies...I saw at least four crammed into this tiny nest.

As of yesterday...the babies took flight.
I hope that in the future they remember this place and lay more eggs.

Weekend Fun!

2010-06-29T05:59:00.013-04:00

After a very full day of work on Friday I was treated to my very first time going to the Dick's Golf Open. We thought we would try and get there for a little golf but there were so many people there is was a little impossible to get to the green. We hung around near the food and beer tents for a while and saw some familiar faces and then headed to the 18th green for an incredible concert.
Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 came to little old Binghamton to play for a huge crowd. They had predicted 8-10 thousand people and I believe that they were all there. I was having so much fun with Todd and friends and we had a pretty good place to stand but....I wanted to get a little closer. So I grabbed a girl that I know and pushed our way a little closer.

I had left my camera in the car because I didn't think you could bring it in but I did have my phone with my camera on it. These images although nothing what I would have like to have taken, are pretty good. I especially like this one and the very first one.

Here is Rob thanking his awesome band...I am so happy I went to this concert. His voice is amazing and truly an wonderful artist!

The following day was a graduation party that we were invited to for two really great kids. Dan lives across the street from us and we have known him since he was 3. Their moms had wanted a cake with their images on it sculpted out of clay playing one of their favorite things...the xbox. So Todd and I worked for a couple hours making these great little figures.

Notice Tyler on the left side of this cake...see his hat. They had described it to us because it is his favorite hat that he has lost. He was so thrilled when he saw it...

Dan on the left wears tye-dyes mostly and Tyler loves his red under armour shirt. Todd was so creative and made the Monster Energy drink cans, A&W soda bottle, the bowl of chips and the TVs. I'm so glad he helped me with all of it...he's a great partner and we both laughed a lot during this creation.

He are the real life Dan and Tyler!!!

Congratulations guys!!!

We are proud of you both!

Creative Thursday

2010-06-24T10:02:00.004-04:00

I haven't really been able to focus on pottery lately because I have been extremely busy helping take care of my great aunt. She is very ill and in need of 24/7 care so while trying to hire a couple of extra hands, I have to fill in. After this post I will be heading out for a full day of helping her out. It has put quite a stiffle in my creativity but last night I went to pottery class with a positive attitude and produced the above image. It was a quiet night with very few people in there so I was able to concentrate and focus on things I wanted to make. In the middle of class a friend of mine came in and we had such good laughs. It was great to see her and catch up with her and her four children's lives, it is always an adventure (right Jenn). She always makes me laugh and believe me I needed it.

***

I have a show coming up fast and furious at the end of next month so I need to get my tail in gear and really start pumping out some pottery. I have many, many ideas brewing, but it is just finding time right now to execute! It may come to be some early mornings and late nights for me.

Onto the above photo which by the way was a little bit of an undertaking. I have this garden behind my house that was there when we purchased it from my in-laws. She is a big time gardener and has some great plants in there. It was slightly unruly back in the day so the year after we were married...I tackled that garden and had it really looking spiffy. I had paths running through it, with great plants and even better mulching. Well over the years the kiddo came along, then life, then sports and then more life. Needless to say this poor garden has been neglected for years. What you don't see is behind this garden...this is what I am talking about. Behind those ugly arborvitae is the "GARDEN OF WEEDS". What a scary place to be...but I am determined to get the upper hand this year.

***

Thus, the front of the garden which faces the backside of the house. I pulled almost everything out on the left side with the exception of a few lilies and I did leave the bleeding heart too. On the right side are some trillium's and lamium under the tree. I planted 5 new hostas, rebuilt the stone way framing the backside of this garden and mulched like crazy. I had some large rocks laying around so I used them to create a walkway to the mess. My thought was to put a gate at the end of the stone walkway but I like the looks of the bird bath in the opening.

***

I will post some photos of the unruly mess when I can actually make my way in there. But for now I am viewing the peonies popping their heads over the weeds...

...sigh...

there is never enough time in the day!

Monday's Pets

2010-06-21T21:32:00.006-04:00

As I was walking around the yard today I realized that I really needed to capture some animal moments...

The above photo is one of the two Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks that frequent the feeders. They are so pretty to watch...very graceful flying with their beautiful colors showing in full force.

Next onto the milkweed that is invading my yard. I don't have the heart to pull it out because the monarch butterflies love it and lay their eggs on it. It is almost time to start seeing them fluttering around the yard.

Now here is my buddy...

***

I was in my garage tonight working on some pottery and he was hanging out under the feeder filling his cheeks. I went into the house to get my camera and perched myself on the driveway and waiting until he was comfortable with me being there so I could snap a few.

This one cracks me up with his little miffed mouth...

Now he finally was comfortable with me that he filled his cheeks not quite full.
I am determined to get this little one to eat from my hand before summer is over!

Under the Weather

2010-06-16T18:29:00.008-04:00

I'm feeling a little under the weather so I thought I would show you some photos from around the farm. Every year chickadees make a nest in a bird house that my in-laws made for me on Christmas. I always enjoy watching them fly in and out of the house creating their one of a kind nest. From eggs to hatching is only less than 2 weeks. From hatching to fledging the nest is basically a week. It makes me so sad when they finally do leave the nest but I was fortunate this year to see them right before they took their flight. There were about 6 babies all crammed together in the nest.
This little guy took off right after this photo...

and I chased him all over the yard. Finally I caught up with him and took him back to his nest. Shortly after, the parents kicked them out...most likely because the big, bad monster bothered them. I know I shouldn't be bothering the nest, but it is nature and I enjoy it so much.

From our bedroom window you can watch the birds eat and the chipmunks hunt the ground for discarded seeds. This parent was feeding one of its babies...

So cute to watch the baby flutter its wings and hop all over to make sure the parent fills its belly.

Here is one of our chippies that frequents the yard. Every morning I leave them 2 pieces of my banana for breakfast in hopes that one day I might be able to hand feed them.

Look at that cute little face....

And now to the spider monkey, Stitch. He has taken to climbing the window to get a better view. Just look at those back toes gripping on....

Project

2010-06-15T19:04:00.004-04:00

I have a project that just came via UPS five minutes ago and I am so excited to start it. Thanks to a friend (Thanks Jean) for getting me involved in this great cause, it couldn't be more perfect that I received a farm quilt to put together.

***

This great cause can be found at Downy and basically you receive pre-cut squares with directions for a turn quilt. You supply the low-pile batting and then return the quilt to an address provided. All these quilts go to kids with cancer in hospitals. I simply can't wait to complete this quilt as well as many others.

***

If you are a quilter or even a beginning sewer, stop by this website and sign up for a kit.

You'll make a sick kid smile!!!

Picking

2010-06-15T16:35:00.008-04:00

So my good friend Michelle called me up this morning and asked if I wanted to go berry picking. I have been slightly (to say the least) under the weather, so I sucked it up and headed out with her. We went to the local berry picking place called Apple Hills and proceeded to head out into a very weedy patch. Strawberry picking obviously has been going on for a little while now as they were sort of picked over. On top of that, all the rain we have been getting have made the slugs come out in full force. Lots and lots of berries with big holes in them...YUCK!! Nothing worse that picking a berry and your finger goes into it because of the hole.
Although I said the picking wasn't very good, I came home with a tray full and lots in my belly. I may make a strawberry/rhubarb pie tomorrow.

But they just may be eaten as is...

This little green grasshopper was following me up the path when I was leaving...

Now, onto cherry picking. The trees were plenty full with ripe and unripe fruit but unfortunately the rain has made the cherries split. I had to pick through the trees to find the good ones but let me tell you, there were lots!

It was a pretty walk through the trees...

And just some of the bounty.

Now I just need to get a cherry pitter.

Tres

2010-06-11T06:26:00.004-04:00

My in-laws had told us that they have a three eared bunny at their house and lookie here who mosied himself up to our house. We have gotten pretty close to him during the day, at least a foot away without him bolting from the yard.

***

Last night I had just gotten home from an extremely long, long day and was in my bedroom changing my clothes. Callie was at the window with alert ears and a wagging tail so I knew something was in the yard. I glanced out the window in hopes to see a glimpse of the skunk that was in our yard the other night but it was Tres. We named him Tres after the Spanish word for 3. I'm not sure if he was born this way or maybe got his ear caught in something and it split it, but anyhow he is adorable.

The funky rabbit eyes are due to it being dusk and having the flash on.

Yesterday on my way out to take care of my elderly aunt, I stopped by my friends house to borrow something and she had showed me a nest of 5-6 baby bunnies that are living under her kids slide. I could have scooped them all up and taken them home with me. Actually, she may be bringing them up if the mother doesn't come back. I think they are almost old enough to live on their own but maybe another week or so with their mom and they would be good to go by themselves.

So now I leave you with Tres....

Happy Weekend all

and

Happy Wedding Weekend to

Lori and Melissa!!

Yay!

(never home)makers Banana Bites

2010-06-09T17:19:00.006-04:00

So my friend Ashley over at (never home)makers created this recipe for banana bites and as soon as I saw it I rushed to my kitchen to whip up these tasty morsels. My love for peanut butter runs deep as many of you all know so what could be better than, peanut butter, chocolate and bananas. Right now they are in the freezer awaiting to be completely frozen before I dive right in but I know I will love these goodies.

***

Stop by their website right here to get the fabulous recipe as well as many others.

What's with the bowl and spoonful? Well as you can see I had some of the mixture left over and I....

Couldn't let it go to waste now could I?

Thanks Ashley for ANOTHER great recipe!!!

Jenn's Baby Shower

2010-06-06T09:21:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was a friends baby shower which I had the privilege to make the favors and the cake. I decided after talking with her family, to go with a vanilla and chocolate cake layers (7 layers) and then fill with vanilla and chocolate pudding. I do have to say it was extremely moist and yummy.

Jenn's favorite colors are brown and blue so that was the color theme I went with.

I sculpted them out of an oven bake clay and added them to the top of the cake. Ryan loves Batman so we just had to add that to his shirt.

Everybody seemed to enjoy the cake and made a nice dent in it!!

Thanks Jenn and Ryan for letting me share in your special day!

Creative Thursday

2010-06-03T07:39:00.002-04:00

Well not too much pottery going on here except for the last post with the wedding vase. But I have been busy no less. I am attending a baby shower...HI JENN!!...this Saturday and I have been busy making some gifts for her and the baby as well as the favors. These cute little baby faces are over 5" in diameter and turned out sooo cute. I'm sure the guests will love these favors. Tomorrow I will be starting the cake and I have a great idea for that too.

***

Last night I went for a bike ride. I seriously don't know how people can bike on a daily basis. As strong as I think my legs are, they certainly we not a match for cycling. I rode from my house down to an auto place on Front Street (5 miles) to pick up my car after it was fixed. Let me tell you, I was huffing and puffing and damn, I hit every stinking red light from home to the auto place. But, everyone seemed to obey the bike laws except one jack-ass who cut me off getting on the on ramp. I was afraid of letting go of the bike to give him a nice hand signal! I don't think I'll be riding down there very often but it was a great cross training experience.

***

Well, I am off to get the kiddo on the bus, work for the morning, an errand or two, home, frost the rest of the cookies and then make dinner for a friend who just had ACL surgery.

Whew....

Busy,Busy, Busy

2010-06-01T09:15:00.003-04:00

I have been so terribly busy lately that blogging, again, has taken a backseat to my life. Last week was full of work, lacrosse games, amongst many other things. This past weekend was a full one too. Friday afternoon we sat in a very hot gymnasium to watch our kid compete in the annual dodge ball tournament at school. He had a stacked team and was determined to win. Well in the end, they walked away with the trophy and also their team (4th graders) beat the 6th graders...all of their heads barely fit out the door. It was great to see Graydon interact with his friends. I hope in the end, these friends will be with him through all his life. They all are a great bunch of personalities.

***

Saturday was a long hot run for me. 7 miles in the blazing sun but I felt awesome and it was a great run. I am gearing up for a race in July up in Utica, New York. It is a 15K and I am determined to pull a great time. I have been training a lot on hills around our house and it really seems to be helping my longer runs be more time efficient.

***

We had tons of mulch delivered last week...6 yards to be exact. The rest of the weekend during the day was spend weeding and mulching. We still have a lot more to do and the pile of mulch seems to be still there, without even a big dent in it. But the yard is starting to shape up nicely and I'll post photos of that later.

***

Sunday night I was able to see my best friend. She lives in Long Island and I never really get to see her. I think maybe the last time was almost 2 years ago. We have been friends since 1990 and I love her to death. We go without talking for months on end and then when we do finally talk, we pick right back up where we left off. Hopefully this summer we will head down there for some family fun.

The above photo is an Indian Wedding Vase I made for a wedding we are attending in two weeks. It is for Todd's cousin and she is so excited to get it. It's made of porcelain and is slowly drying right now and will be bisque fired and glazed this week. The color is going to be a nice soft gray to go along with their wedding colors.

I can't wait to see them use it during the ceremony,

it really means a lot to me that they asked me to make this for them!!!

Stuff

2010-05-25T16:32:00.004-04:00

86 degrees in Upstate New York is pretty warm for this time of the year...

which just happens to be what it is right now, which is why I am camped out inside for the time being. I do need to get outside at some point and water the plants I planted yesterday but that may just be after dinner. Things on the farm are just a blooming. I have some beautiful Iris in bloom as well as Lily of the Valley and all the Dandelions are puffed out, spreading their seeds.

The entire backyard is in full bloom smell with all the Lily's of the Valleys. It is an incredible scent and I just love to stand right in the middle of all of it and breathe deep...

Over the weekend I had a baby shower cake(s) to make. It was quite the project but in the end I was pretty happy with it. The cakes were white/vanilla with raspberry filling...4 layers high!!
The top of the outside cakes were baby bibs that I made out of fondant as well as a pacifier, ducky, flowers and a baby bottle. The hubbs helped out a lot towards the end because I was a little panicky trying to get it all done...so a special Thanks goes out to him!!
***
Other than the cake, I have been making somethings for a wedding we are attending in a few weeks. It is fun to make gifts that you know the people will love. Stay tuned for photos of all of that...

Monday's Pets

2010-05-24T13:44:00.010-04:00

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love animals. I have quite the menagerie of all sorts of animals and any new ones that pop into the yard are always welcomed...except spiders.

Stitchie has been a regular on this blog and I just had to capture this photo of him lounging on our sofa. He happened to have woken up from his little nap when I caught him in the act of yawning, big!
Which brings me to my new photo post of Benji.
He is our neighbors cat and he has been on the roam daily. He frequents our property in search of that perfect catch. We have any agreement between the two of us...no chippies and no chickens. Hopefully he keeps his end of the bargain!
He is quite the lover...he is constantly talking to us and the motor is always running.

A cats dream....lots of green to roam!

And now here is one of the two little chipmunks that I have been feeding. Every morning I give them a piece of my banana and within 5 minutes it is gone. They are so comical to watch and my hopes are that they decide to stay safe and not cross the road. Also we are going to try and get them a little tame...the banana is helping but we'll see.

Vacation

2010-05-22T10:09:00.013-04:00

Let me take you on a little visual vacation for your mind.

I have been absent from blogland for a week and a half now with a good explanation. We finally went on vacation and left a little technology behind. We headed out on the 12th of May and returned home on the 17th. A short but well deserved trip...

***

Besides going to Disney World (I'll post photos later) we headed to the most glorious place in the United States...

Sanibel Island

It is about 3ish hours south of Tampa and it truly is amazing. If I could, I would retire down there for several months out of the year. White crisp sand between your toes, what more could you ask for?

My kiddo is such a beach bum. He loves the ocean as much as I do and could spend all day in the surf and sand. We had so much together collecting seashells (I literally brought home a HUGE bag full), playing frisbee in the water with Todd and just enjoying the time together.

The water was so warm and calm the first day we were there but a storm was out in the gulf and by the second day the wind picked up and the waves were a little harsh. Graydon tried to beat the waves but to no avail, they kicked his butt.

I can't begin to tell you how much I love the ocean.

These photos are just priceless...

As the tide comes into Sanibel at night, it deposits these huge amounts of seashells on the beach in clumps. Graydon wanted to have Todd bury him in sand but Todd had the idea to bury him in seashells. As I walked to the car to get the camera, Todd took the task on and Graydon was in his glory. He kept finding all these great seashells and had quite the collection by the time I returned.

This is literally how I spent most of my time...

sitting on a blanket in a midst of all the shells, finding treasures!

The little sand pipers were so cute finding their breakfast....

On the way out to our car, we found this great photo op for Graydon...

As we crossed the causway back to the mainland, this pelican was flying alongside our car on the bridge...as if to give us a farewell.

It made me extremely sad to leave this beautiful island but I know we will return...

If I had my way...very soon!!

Monday's Pets

2010-05-10T17:22:00.003-04:00

I started slowly introducing Callie to little Wren.

Even though Callie is a "herding dog" I was a little nervous about them actually being in the same room together. They have a little one on one time at night before we go to bed and although Wren thinks she is just a big toy that she can hop through her legs, Callie isn't too sure what to do with her.

But...

maybe someday they will be friends and it will be safe to leave them alone by themselves.

Maybe....

Happy Mama's Day

2010-05-09T18:58:00.003-04:00

I am so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful son who has been in my life for over 10 years now. He has made me a better person and I can't imagine what it was like before he was in it.

***

So whether it be human kids or furry kids...

Happy Mother's Day to you all!!

Set-up Complete

2010-05-07T21:46:00.003-04:00

I spent better part of the afternoon setting up for our annual pottery sale. I wish I had taken photos of the whole space with every ones displays set-up because it truly looks amazing in the center. I wasn't too sure what to expect when I got there but I was pleasantly impressed with how our pottery instructor set the room up.

***

The above photo is of my display. New to me setting up on a 5' round table, I looked around to see how other peoples displays looked. I really like that you can walk around the whole table and see different pieces of pottery on each side.

***

Take a peek at the photos and maybe I will see you there tomorrow. I found out that my shift to work is from 12-2:30 PM tomorrow!! Make sure you say hi!!

Annual Spring Pottery Sale

2010-05-07T13:16:00.002-04:00

OK Folks...

I am on my way to set up for our Annual Pottery Sale this weekend.

Stop by and say Hi...I will be there Saturday early afternoon!

One of a kind incredible gifts for that special someone.

Look for my table...

Thistle Farm Pottery!

One Man's Trash...

2010-05-04T20:08:00.005-04:00

Is another man's treasure!!!

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning, well not really it was still pitch dark outside when I left the house. I set the alarm for 4:30 AM, out of the house by 4:45 and at the studio by 5:00AM. Why you might ask? Because I had one full day of work-work ahead of me and I really needed to get to the studio to get all my glazing done so I could run my kiln tonight. I need to get them all done so I can price them and get them all loaded up for the trip to the sale this weekend.

***

So why does the above and below photo have anything to do with it?

While I was driving to my first job almost in a coma sucking down my 6th cup of coffee, I drove right past these two pieces of furniture out at the curb. After almost spilling my coffee all down the front of me, I did a quick u-turn in the middle of the road and pulled up next to them. I quick looked around to see if anyone else was coming but...

YAY for me, no-one!!!

***

I grabbed these two and threw them in my car.

SCORE!!!

Now I know what you might be thinking...

Yes...I admit, I am a garbage picker.

As my husband and son love to call me...GP, for short.

I love to find things on the side of the road and take them home, re-do them and turn them into something that fits right in to my life.

***

So for now, I have these two little gems and I am not sure where I will put them. The table will most likely be in the garage for now to use as a workspace. The little wash stand needs some TLC and might fit in nicely in our bedroom. But they both will be taking a back burner for a little while, I need to get some pottery and yard work under my belt before I take them on.

***

Oh, and BTW...

Wait to you see the dresser I found last year!! It is HUGE and in need of a remake. Stay tuned for that one

Monday's Pets

2010-05-03T08:35:00.004-04:00

Hello Stitchie here...

My mom is really busy so I thought I would write a blog post for her.

She was up all night babysitting her kiln to make sure it ran without any problems so needless to say she is a little exhausted this morning.

She promises to write more maybe tonight or tomorrow about our farm and her pottery.

Love,

Stitch

M.I.A.

2010-05-02T07:48:00.003-04:00

Yes I have been a little M.I.A. this week...but here is the excuse.

I am getting ready for our annual Spring Pottery Show which just happens to be next weekend. I has completely snuck up on me and left me with scrambling to get things dry, fired and glazed. Wow, when will I ever learn?

***

But anywho...if you happen to be in the Broome County area next weekend and want something to do, please stop by the Polish Community Center for a great shopping experience. We will be having over 20 potters with their work along with some other incredible crafts. I will be having another booth with photos and fabric items. I'll post a little sneak peak later in the week...when I have my head on straight :)

***

So enjoy the beautiful Spring day and get outside for me!

15 Years Ago Today...

2010-04-27T07:21:00.003-04:00

I know this man,

Who is near to my heart.

One day 15 vears ago,

It was torn all apart.

***

This man taught me everything

That I needed to know

But I never really listened,

Until he had to go.

***

He gave me love

And touched my life

He always taught me

wrong from right.

***

The day he left

I wasn't that strong

He has missed so many things

and has been gone so long.

***

But I will see him again

This I know

The day will come

When its time for me to go

***

So, I'll hold him dear

And close to my heart

Cause the day we meet

I know we'll never ever be torn apart

I miss you Dad and Love You!!

Monday's Pets

2010-04-26T20:15:00.003-04:00

Little Wren has a new friend.

Louie the Panda Bear Hamster and Wren have been having some play dates and they actually are pretty funny together. Sniffing each others faces was the first thing they did but afterwards Wren followed Louie around the room.

It was so cute!

Then Mr. Louie decided to hoard all of Wrens food.

She wasn't too happy about it but in the end she had a full bowl and was content!

Just...

2010-04-24T21:01:00.003-04:00

Just another day Saturday here on the farm but it was a nice and sunny one. A little chilly this morning with a cool 34 degrees but it soon warmed up and the birds were singing. Mr. Cardinal perched himself in this forsythia bush calling to his mate who was somewhere in the yard calling back. I always enjoy this time of the year when you have the windows open and you can hear the different calls of the birds.

***

I was invited to a fellow potter/assistants new house for a great luncheon today. There was quite the crowd and we all enjoyed good conversation and incredible Indian food. All homemade by Rupa, including the most delicious yogurt I have ever had! She is an amazing cook and I always look forward to having anything that she prepares.

***

Before I went to the luncheon I stopped by the studio to pick up some things that came out of the kilns.

I am quite pleased with the three mugs with my tree/people/flower motifs on them. The tomato red glaze turned out very well in this firing. The welcome plaques are some new colors I am trying on them. The blue colored plaque has a nice rich brown glaze to highlight the lettering and design. The deep crimson red glaze looks great with the lighter color on the edges. The white glaze is a little test sample but I really like the clean-ness of the welcome sign. It has some depth to the glaze with some oxide I painted on before dipping it in the white.

***

I have many, many other welcome plaques in the works and am really looking forward in displaying them at our upcoming sale. I will be listing my upcoming show dates and times soon, so stay posted for that.

***

Happy weekend all!!

Crafty Challenge Thursday

2010-04-22T20:18:00.007-04:00

I certainly have been a busy little beaver this week. It all started last Thursday when I started a sewing project for my friend Julie. She had me make a window seat cushion years ago and it was now faded and in need of a revamping. She picked all of this great fabric (she has great taste in fashion) and asked me to do the job again. So, after measuring and remeasuring the old window seat, I started off by making some continuous bias tape and turned it into cording.
From there, the cushion just came together nicely.
The finished project is in the above photo. It is 116" long from end to end and is 20-1/2" wide. It was a little too long for me to take a full length photo in my living room so here is a portion of it. The top photo is all the different pillows I made to go along with it. I dropped it off to her house today and had to leave it without seeing it all put together. She called to tell me how much she loves it and promises to take a photo of it for me to see how it looks.
I can't wait to see it!!
On another crafty subject and this one just happens to be my favorite...

Pottery!!

I have been really into making these welcome plaques lately.
I turned the owl plaque into this cat welcome sign. I still have yet to carve the cat paws at the bottom and do some clean up work before it will be ready to sit and dry out. I have ideas for dogs, chickens, birds and more. Onto the glaze firing.

I really, really like how the middle smaller welcome sign turned out. I just love this glaze...it is called pistachio and maybe my new favorite!! Believe it or not, all that you see in this photo is this glaze...the bottom tray that I made was out of a different clay and it turned the glaze a deeper color. The fun little trees/flowers/people are done using a black glaze.

The top welcome sign shows how I can personalize them...note the est. 1996 and I also am putting peoples last names on them.
A great wedding or a new home gift!

Giveaway!

2010-04-20T16:16:00.004-04:00

A fellow crafter/blogger friend of mine "L" is having a nice giveaway!

Check out her blog and leave a comment for it!

***

She writes:

I created these pendants this past weekend, and want to share them with one lucky giveaway winner. Hammered Vintaj Brass blank butterfly with stamped word, and wired Vintage button. Hammered Vintaj Brass blank heart with hand wired
vintage button.
and 1 Patera Heart bezel filled with image, brass bird, and clear resin.
How to win:
Leave a comment on this post for 1 entry.
Blog the giveaway and leave me the link for 2 entries.
When:
The winner will be picked on Wednesday a.m., April 21st!
Good luck!
http://www.lorelei1141.blogspot.com/

Busy-ness

2010-04-20T08:21:00.006-04:00

Life has once again taken a hold of me and has spun me around and around. Todd was out of town the beginning of last week and between work and Graydon's Lacrosse practices it has been chaotic. But it seems like there isn't an end in sight, not this week anyways.

***

But all in all...Wren just wanted to hop in to say hi! She has this great little cardboard house or trailer as Graydon likes to call it.

She really likes to peek through the holes to look out. But if you put your hand in there to pet her, she grunts like a pig and pushes my hand out of the way. Her space, is what she is trying to tell me. :)
I had to throw this pic of Graydon in the mix. We went shopping this past weekend for summer clothes for him, as he has grown out of all of his from last year. But we stumbled upon this great little hat and he just loved it. He looks so cute in it...he wore it all day and night, I don't think he ever took it off once. I think it will be one of his new found favorites!
So what's this mess you ask?
Well it is a pile of bias tape that is being turned into...

cording!

Lots and lots of cording.

I had a sewing project for a friend to do, 116" long window seat cushion with 8 pillows. I finished it all up on Sunday and I will be delivering it this week to her. I can't wait to get a photo of it all put together to show you. It really turned out great!!!

I really enjoy sewing and when I can get time to do it, it makes me smile. Especially when I see the outcome of all my hard work.

***

On other news...I have jumped full speed ahead into pottery again. I have a show coming up Mother's Day weekend and I have lots and lots of new ideas brewing in my head.

Stay tuned for all the photos....

Vacation Mode

2010-04-14T07:17:00.003-04:00

Sanibel Island...

a magical place!

My brain is starting to go into vacation mode.

I need the beach...

I need the salty air...

I need the waves, sun and warmth!

I need to shell hunt....

I need to just hang out with my family with no interruptions.

***

We are trying to plan something inexpensive but fun and since we have family in Florida and we love the beaches down there, that is where we might be heading.

When?

I'm not sure, but hopefully soon!!

Huh???

2010-04-13T17:56:00.003-04:00

I'm not quite too sure about this...

This has happened now two times...

I'm baffled???

***

Any fellow chicken people out there know the reason behind this?

Usually we get large size eggs from our four girls but today this little tiny egg showed up in the nest. I have yet to crack the egg to see what is inside but I am hoping to get one of those egg blower things that one pierces the egg a little tiny bit. I would like to keep this egg and display it and its mate at Easter. Kind of neat, don't ya think?

Sunday Morning Run

2010-04-11T18:36:00.009-04:00

Today I decided to run around our house for a change. I am getting bored with running my usual route so I decided to run in God's Country. I got that little saying from another fellow runner and friend Ashley.

She posted something on Facebook this morning about running a half marathon in God's Country and I thought, hey...that is right around my house. No, not seriously, but it certainly looks like it. I decided to head out after Todd and Graydon left for a boys morning adventure (motorcycle race). I knew it was going to be a hard run with all the hills but my thought was to just head out and enjoy nature.

Just a note...I did not take my camera during the run with me.

This is a shot of the first hill I ran up.... And then a big downhill.

Just in time for another huge uphill. It was perfect running weather...60's, sunny with a little wind. Great tunes and the birds singing. What more could I ask for?

Horses were a nice added touch. I tried to coax them closer as I ran by but they were enjoying their morning grass too much. After the horses I was entertained by 4 Alpacas. They also were enjoying the morning grass but were very inquisitive. As I was running by their ears were standing straight up and they inched closer too me down the driveway. That is until their owner whistled for them and they turned and walked back to the house.
Very comical!

The view from the top of Mix Road was amazing. You could see for miles and miles and it was so clear. Notice the road in the distance? That is the road I was running on and what I ended up doing at this point was turning around to run back.

Along the way back these lovelies were enjoying the sun on their back...

I was too!

I didn't get a chance to see this deer running but it was a nice little surprise when I glanced though the camera lens. After my run I decided to go check out the mileage and ended up taking my camera with me. Good thing huh?

***

I just had to share my wonderful morning with all of you.

Metal Diner

2010-04-09T09:47:00.011-04:00

Graydon has been asking for some time to eat at a metal diner. I don't know how he got it into his head about it but I thought it was kind of neat. We have a couple of them here in Broome County and to be honest, I'm not too sure if I have ever eaten at any of them. So Thursday I offered to take him for an early lunch to the one in Johnson City and he jumped on the chance.

It was an interesting atmosphere...lots of locals that the waitress knew by name. It seemed to have the same look as what I thought it might look like with the addition to a building added off the back for more tables.

I figured out that this was a two way mirror that the cook could see everyone while he was working away. Of course Graydon questioned why there was the need for a two way mirror but I said to him that the space for the cook was tiny back there and he must enjoy looking out and seeing who he is cooking for.

We ordered our lunch and literally not even 10 minutes later our food came out. The fries were so nice and crispy and perfect. I ordered a omelet with tomato and feta cheese and it was yummy. The waitress walked by and said"How's you hot dog boy"...we both thought it was funny that she said that.

This diner has been around for years and years and I have driven past it about a million times. I wish I would have asked the waitress how old it is, but I do know that it is well over 40 years old...

A nice adventure for the two of us!!

and we will definitely be heading back there soon!

Crafty Challenge Thursday

2010-04-09T08:22:00.005-04:00

So Crafty Thursday was yesterday...yes I know.

I had planned on posting last night but we had one heck of a thunder and lightning storm which left us a little frazzled. As we sat watching "Survivor" a huge lightning bolt hit close to our house but we didn't realize how close until my in-laws called. Apparently it hit our neighbors house and caused all the alarms to be tripped. Police and Fire we called and the bolt hit the bottom corner of their house which left some charring on the inside of their house.

How scary....everyone is OK, but I'm sure they are still shaken up about it!

***

Yesterday morning I picked these welcome tiles up from the studio. I do really like how the owl plaque turned out. The green glaze is a nice mottled glaze which has bit of gray flecks through it. I can't wait to make more of these...but in the meantime I will be listing this as well as another tree welcome sign in my etsy shop this morning.

This tree welcome plaque is finding a home in Texas. My sister-in-law wanted one so it will be on its way down there next week. I'll have to have her take a photo of it hanging on her house.

Here is a couple of things I was working on Wednesday night. The top is just a smaller bowl, perfect for mixing eggs, dip or whatever you would like. The middle is a sugar/honey jar for a friend. It will be glazed in a beautiful black glaze that breaks a rusty red. She has a bunch of my pottery and it will be a nice addition to her collection. The bottom right piece is interesting. Todd's cousin is getting married in June and it is going to be a Indian water jug for part of their ceremony. I'll take more photos as I complete it. There is several more components to is and it should be fun to assemble.
***
Happy Friday everyone.
Hope your weekend is Fantastic!

Let's go....

2010-04-06T08:05:00.002-04:00

Fly a kite!!!

What a perfect day to fly a kite...there was a strong breeze blowing and it was just calling our name to finally put together this great kite that Graydon got from the Lewis's for his Birthday last year.

The tails were a little hard to keep from winding around you during take off but once it was in the air, the kite flew perfect. The kite happens to be a Ty Fighter from Star Wars and it was a little interesting to put together. Thank goodness for an Engineer in the family. I started putting it together and it was all wrong.

Graydon had tons of fun with it....

And finally took the reigns himself.

It was a perfect day!

Weekend Review

2010-04-05T07:31:00.009-04:00

The whole entire weekend was so beautiful I just couldn't stand it. It started off with Friday being in the 80's...80's, in the beginning of April? But, yes it was! Get out the shorts and t-shirts and start the yard work. While I worked on the gardens, Todd got the riding lawnmower all ship shaped with new blades and a little tune-up. I decided to get the girls (above) cage all cleaned so while I was doing that I let them roam the yard to feast on bugs, worms and grass. They never strayed too far from their home but they decided to park it in one of my un-attended gardens. They helped rake and weed for me...such good girls!

Martha, just had to show off her good side for the camera while the others were too busy to even notice I was taking their photo.

***

Saturday was pretty much the same thing....yard work.

I have tons of gardens on our property and they need to be all raked, weeded, edged and mulched. I will photograph the process at a later date, but those of you who know about gardening, know that it takes time for the beds to look good. I have one garden in particular that I have totally neglected for the past two years. It is now overgrown with weeds and is a complete mess. I plan on revamping this garden in the near future...what exactly I will be doing, I'm not sure. I have gotten tons of magazines for inspiration so once I get in there maybe the focus will become clear.

Easter Sunday morning is always spent with my sister and her family. Sometimes we have it at her house and sometimes it is here. This year was here...we had a breakfast of bagels, quiche and Easter bread (paska) and then headed out of an egg hunt. I hope the kids always will want to do this...it is so much fun for them to get the eggs and see the surprises in them.
The eggs were hidden all over the front and side yard. The back yard is still a muddy, wet mess from all the rain we have had.

Even the chipmunk holes were used as hiding spots. Made it very difficult for the kids to find the eggs :)

The annual cousins shot...they are getting so big!

Ahne is 6 , Graydon is 10 and Shea is 8!

Even the Easter Bunny came out to surprise the kids!

Little Wren loves it outside although loud noises scare her.

Shea and Ahne enjoyed taking her for a walk around the yard. She decided to help them get some exercise.

And posed for some great Easter pics!

Here is us...the whole clan.

We always try and take a family pic like this on Easter and Christmas.

I love my family!!

Thanks for a great Easter Sunday morning!

Crafty Challenge Thursday

2010-04-01T20:09:00.006-04:00

There comes a time in your life where you just throw up your hands and say, I surrender. That is sort of where I am at this present time. I feel totally un-creative lately although there are a million ideas floating around in my little brain. I feel like running has halted since hurting my leg or more specific, ITB. Physical therapy has been helping but I am a little nervous to start running on it again for fear that it will really hurt me and set me back farther. But...I really need to run...it calms me and clears my head for other useless floaters that like to run through on a daily basis. Todd has not been feeling well so that has been extremely stressful in this household since then. Hopefully with the plan that we are going towards, within the next 4 weeks we'll see a drastic decrease in his blood pressure and he'll start feeling like a million bucks!

The non-creative side of me is driving the creative side NUTS!!! I start something and then kind of peter out after a while. These welcome tiles are prime example. I have had this piece of clay laying around for quite a while and intended to make a smaller welcome tile. Two nights ago, I finally started it and it took about 2-1/2 hours to carve. After carving I casted it in plaster to make a permanent mold for future use. If I were to hand carve each one of these, the price would be through the roof so casting them in plaster and just having to do some refining work, makes the price affordable for people. I can't wait to see what it looks like glazed!

So back to the owl welcome tile, I casted it in plaster and my intention was to make it interchangeable. I carved out the owl in the tree and added with some extra clay this adorable bunny. The bottom row is some wonky hearts but it can be changed into a persons last name or even the established date.

As in this owl welcome tile.

I have some sketches of cats, dogs, birds to also put into this tile.

Any other ideas...blast me a comment!

New Stuff

2010-03-30T08:50:00.004-04:00

Yesterday morning was my day to work at the pottery studio. Upon opening the door to the studio I realized that the gas kiln had been run and unloaded. I retrieved three pieces of pottery out of this firing. The tomato red flower bowl and the two sugar/honey jars. I was pleased with the firing...lots and lots of reds which seem to be the hardest to achieve.

Also I had this bird tile (and another)that came out of the electric firing. Previously I hand carved this tile and then casted it in plaster so I had a permanent mold. I tried to make these for Christmas but in my haste, they warped and I discarded them. I decided to try again and I really like how this one turned out with the awesome patina to the soft green glaze. I think I may try the owl welcome plaque in this glaze...it seems to highlight the images nicely.

***

I am off to work all day and hopefully will not too tired to create tonight.

Happy Tuesday all!

2010-03-28T10:15:00.007-04:00

Yesterday was a busy day in this household. Todd and Graydon headed out on a bus trip to the Red Bulls Soccer Season Opener in New Jersey. It was a bus trip and they had a lot of fun...too boot, the Bulls won 1-0!!!
While they were on their way to Jersey I headed to the pottery studio to get some work done. After getting settled I unloaded a kiln and reloaded it to bisque some of my work. In this is the owl plaque along with the composting pot. I'll be excited tomorrow to get them out and do some magical glazing on them.
***
After unloading the kiln, I threw 4 mugs for an order. I went to the sink to wash my hands and noticed these two beauties sitting on the lawn. I found a bag of bread (thank you to the person who left it at the studio), took a piece and headed out with my camera to feed these two. They actually came right up to me and this little guy with the chipped beak took it so gentle out of my hand. His mate was a different story. She was a little rough and as I was feeding him she bit my finger thinking I had bread in my other hand.

I always love seeing these guys and the mallards during this time of the year. They always make a temporary camp on the lawn of the studio to rest and eat some grass. The river is right next to the studio so after their little siesta, they head back down to the river. I have to work tomorrow morning at the studio and I am hoping to see them again...
What did I accomplish??

A bunch of stuff...

4 mugs but one broke :(

sugar and creamer

money pot for an order

bowl for an order

pedestal bowl possibly for an order

-you can see the beginnings of it on the left. The bowl in the bottom left and the pedestal in top left. They both need to be trimmed and put together.

It may not seem like a lot but it is a good afternoon for me. The mugs are a real pain to make and really not one of my favorites. First you have to create the form, wait for it to get leather hard, trim the bottom foot and then fit the handle onto it. All in all it is a long boring process and when you make multiples the time adds up.

***

This morning I am resting up and then I have a 9.3 mile race right down the road from my house. It is my training route so hopefully I do well. The weather is crappy again and the wind has picked up some. I really am hoping that it will be on my back the entire time.

Wish me luck..

Upside Down

2010-03-27T06:53:00.002-04:00

Life was turned upside down and backwards the last two days thus the reason why I never blogged any creative ideas I had done.

***

On Thursday I received a phone call from the hubbs stating that his BP was through the roof. He was at work and really didn't know what to do so needless to say he went to the ER where they admitted him for observation. After tons of tests and blood work we was released yesterday afternoon (his Birthday) with heart meds and a follow up appointment for Wednesday. Sooo stressful....

***

So, today Todd and Graydon are heading off to New Jersey to watch the season opener of the Red Bulls Soccer and I have the whole afternoon to play. I will be heading to the studio with camera in tow, to create, create, and create some more. On the way home I am going to go to my favorite Italian restaurant to get take out of homemade pasta. Tomorrow is race day and I have to load up on some carbs. I promise I will post my creations later tonight...

Quickie....

2010-03-25T07:19:00.002-04:00

Just a quick note...

Today, TG, is a day off...so many things to do with so little time. I have started Physical Therapy on my leg this week and they want to see me at least 3 days a week for 1-1/2 to 2 hours a day. How is that even possible with the amount of stuff I have to do during the day. I mean seriously, as I am there getting massaged (awesome) and then the stretches I do with guided assistance, I am stressing out about all the things I could be accomplishing instead of being there. I would love to be home getting some pottery done but my leg has been a really sore subject, literally! Apparently the ITB (band that runs from your hip to your knee) is really acting up and referring pain to my calf and foot. Although it doesn't bother me when I am running, it hurts like hell after and throughout the day and night. Like one of those nagging toothaches that you want to rip out of your head. LAst night I even missed my pottery class because of the pain. I couldn't even imagine sitting there at a wheel with my leg throbbing. So ice and rest was the remedy last night.

***

Today I know is Creative Thursday and I promise by the end of the day I will post something that I have created during the day.

But for now, its off to physical therapy for the morning...ugh!!

Monday's Pets

2010-03-22T19:33:00.007-04:00

Bits and Pieces of our pets...

Wren checking me out from under an antique child's chair.
and hopping away with enough of the paparazzi photos.

Somebody is extremely not amused in this photo but I love the composition of it. I might have to enlarge and frame it.

Well, this happens to be one of Callie's favorite spots at the moment. Behind this closed door is little Wren. Somebody really, really wants to get in there to see her.

How pathetic!!!

And Louie!!!

The Panda Bear Hammy-ster.

He's a bit of a flit so taking his photo is hard, although Graydon got him to hold still for ummm...a second.

Spring is in the air...

2010-03-19T08:31:00.006-04:00

You know when it's Spring when...

you are outside and you hear the calls of the geese flying overhead. Snow geese heading North yesterday and it was a welcoming site!
Snowdrops are the first flowers always up at the site of Spring. They even come out through the snow...but in this case, green grass with no snow on the ground.

Crocus...bees flooding the open blooms for the fresh pollen. I have thought about having a bee hive but with all the bears in the neighborhood, I think it wouldn't be such a good idea!

Little Wren had her first trip outside yesterday and I think she really liked it. There was no stomping of the feet in protest and with her cute little harness on, she got to explore a little. But she wasn't too far from us...she kept hopping back to us and hiding behind our legs looking for security.

The look on her face in this photo is sooo funny. The sun was bugging her eyes and I think she was a little miffed about it.

What a cute little bunny girl...

I Challenge You!!

2010-03-18T15:37:00.010-04:00

I had an idea the other day and called my best bud Michelle of Metals-n-Gems and dared her to a challenge. She accepted with a little hesitation in her voice but we both really need this challenge right now.

***

Since Christmas I have been a little sluggish in the creativity department. I have had tons and tons of wonderful ideas but I have been overwhelmed with work, home life and running and have not exactly put them to good use. I know I have to get some inventory up because there are a couple of shows coming up in the near future that I am doing.

***

So what is the challenge you might ask???

To be creative and blog post on Thursdays our accomplishments from the week. This is not only open for us but for you too. If you have anything creative you have made whether it be sewing, clay, jewelery, baking, cooking or what not, feel free to jump on board. Just let me know so I can blog about it so other people can see your talents.

***

This week, let me present you with...

A hand-carved welcome tile. It looks a little rough right now and I am waiting for it to set up so I can do some more detail carving but my intention with this piece is to be able to personalize the space below welcome. I can add names (if not too long) dates or even some other type of art work. Watch for a later post featuring this welcome plaque.
Another favorite of mine to throw is large platters. This happens to be 15" in diameter and I plan on putting some really great handles on this. It needs the handles because it is rather too large to handle with ease. It is going to make a great serving bowl or focal point for your dining room table. I have a some incredible rich glazes I plan on using on it.

This next piece may look like a cookie jar to you but it is going to be a compost pot. Just in time for the spring and all the gardening you have to do...just set this baby on your counter top and fill it with banana peels, coffee grounds, egg shells and more. It will force you to recycle and build a perfect compost bin outside. Here is a couple of ideas on composting.

Start off with some sort of area that you are willing to make the trek to. Good compost shouldn't smell so it can be by your house.
You can pick up a black compost bin at any Cooperative Extension for little money or just make your own. You can use the mounding method as I do because it is behind the barn or get some wire mesh from you hardware store with 4 posts. Put the 4 posts in the ground in a square formation. Use the wire and attach to the posts leaving the front open. This wire promotes air flow into the compost.
Add a layer of grass clippings, leaves, grass clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps (please no meat), and then keep at it alternating everything.
You might want to keep some sort of pitch fork nearby so you can turn it every once in a while.
And before long you will have...

BLACK GOLD!!!!

Use on your flowers or veggies...they will love it!

Remember, recycle and reuse is the rage!!!

Jump on the wagon!

I hope you enjoyed the creative photos above. Please check out my friends site. Hopefully she will post something before nights end and you can view her amazing work!! Not only does she make jewelry, she also in an amazing cook, sewer, builder and more...

Celebrate Life 1/2 Marathon

2010-03-16T07:35:00.012-04:00

Driving an hour and a half to the race I wasn't too sure what to expect. It was slightly raining in spots and the wind was pretty strong. I started to get a little anxious thinking that I was completely off my rocker to sign up for a 1/2 marathon in MARCH. I kept thinking that why couldn't the weather be like the weekend before, warm and in the high 40's low 50's....but after all it is March in Upstate New York and the weather is crazy. We arrived at the race and I was surprised by the amount of snow that they still have. It is in Sullivan County and they really got hit hard by the snow fall a could of weeks ago, on top of that it was wet and muddy also...oh goodie!
I signed in, got my bib and this windbreaker that Graydon is wearing and then headed out into the lodge to start stretching. We had a good hour before the race started, just enough to get the nerves going. At this point I really starting to doubt my training that I did. I did this also at the full marathon and started to drive myself a little nuts. How on earth could I get through this 1/2 in this weather??? Also, in my nervousness I lost my bib. I ripped my truck apart looking for it, the nap sacks were turned inside out and then Todd and Graydon went back into the lodge to find it laying on the floor. TG!!
***
After all that hoopla, Graydon and Todd walked me to the starting line where I decided to hang out in the back of the pack. The front lines are usually all the serious runners who do incredible times and I didn't want to get stuck starting out too fast and losing my breathing.

The National Anthem was sung and we were on our way....all smiles not knowing what is to come.
OK, not so bad starting off downhill but I know there is one hell of a hill coming. At least 3/4 of a mile and steep...right in the very beginning. Oh well, I thought, get it over with and then they said it was beautiful rolling hills and it would be fun.

This is the very beginning of the steep 3/4 mile long hill. At this point I was trying to get my breathing under control because I knew I would have to use a lot of energy to get up the hill. It was nice to see Todd and Graydon cheering me on. They gave me the motivation to get my rear up that hill.

Mile 3...feeling pretty good. Here I am thinking...OK, hills I hope you aren't too bad. 10 more miles of huge hills would totally stink! Graydon and Todd followed me to this point and yelled out that they would see me at mile 4. Also, notice the snow...holy moly. And on top of the cold, it was sprinkling...not too bad but enough to wet your face and dampen your hair. I am so glad I bought this windbreaker the night before. Everyone kept telling me to use a garbage bag but come on...I think I can buy a windbreaker. There even was a girl running the race with a black garbage bag on and a shower cap. Classy!

OK...so mile 4 came and I quickly stopped to get a water break and talk to Todd and Graydon. He said that he would meet up with me at mile 8 and asked if I would be OK for 4 miles. Sure, of course I said. Well, I went on my way and realized that I actually had to run around Wolf Lake. A LAKE!! I looked at the very beginning of the lake and saw how large it was, holy hell!! It was all rolling hills, some really steep and short, others long and a low grade. The houses on that lake were amazing. Huge mansions and that kept the scenery interesting. Just when I thought to myself hey, I really like this one another one would be around the bend and it would be more grand. I would love to head back there in the summer time to see them.

***

Up a hill to mile 8 and there was Todd and Graydon smiling and cheering on. I headed down to see them, grabbed some gummy bears and kisses and back up the hill I went.

After I saw them at mile 8, I then saw them at mile 11 and they went on their way to the finish line. I knew my time was crappy but between the rain and the strong wind and hills, what else could I do. I had a little talk to myself and said "FINISH STRONG, YOU CAN DO THIS" and at that point it was mile 12...sleet and hail decided to fall with the wind in toe and it hurt so bad on your face. I ran with a girl at this point who during the whole race we played cat and mouse. We chatted, swore and cheered each other on. I always get a strong kick in the end and sprinted as fast as my legs would go to the finish line.

I hung out at the finish line for a little bit and then headed into the lodge where they had beer and food by Outback Restaurant. The line for the food was ridiculously long so I grabbed a beer and headed outside into a snow bank. This idea I got from Ashley and it was heaven! Even though it was so cold outside, the snow felt great on my tired legs and especially my butt. It was great to enjoy that beer after the long run!!! It tasted soooo good!!

***

We headed out after that and went to Todd's aunt and uncle who live nearby. After a shower, we had an incredible Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots. Yumm...the perfect salty dinner after that long race.

Great conversation and food...what more could I have?

Ask me again if I would do this race, I think I would have to ponder this.

I was a nice race, great wind breaker and food but no medal. It sounds petty of me to wish I had a medal but after running this whole half of a marathon, I would really like to have that medal.

***

But I ran it and I'm glad!

Now on to another race in two weeks...this time right down the road from my house and YAY, it is my training route! Hopefully it will be nice weather!

Monday's Pets

2010-03-15T19:29:00.007-04:00

Here is a typical photo of Holly. A little somber, a little shy and a whole lot of cute.
And what's not cute about this. Callie checking out the squirrels and birds flooding the feeder. I love how she uses her elbows to prop herself up.

And a very sleepy Stitchie. He loves to sleep on top of the cable box....ooooohhh, nice and warm!

Another shot of Callie watching the birds along with Holly. A very rare moment as Holly gets snippy but she decided to play nice today.

Heeeelllllloooooo Wren!

She was listening very intently to the washing machine and did not like it at all. She stood with her back to me and kept thumping her foot. I have never experienced a bunny doing that before and it was so loud. They have such strong back legs and the power is amazing.
***

On another note...the 1/2 Marathon in Rock Hill, New York is completed.

It was quite the run and I will fill you in on it later. Right now I am exhausted and plan on heading to bed soon to make up for the running I completed this weekend!

Double Runs...

2010-03-13T08:29:00.003-05:00

So this weekend is the case of the double runs. I guess I didn't realize that the St. Patrick's run was this Saturday and the 1/2 marathon is on Sunday.

Whoopsie!!

Normally I would never do this but I think I have prepared myself pretty good for both runs. This morning started off pretty well. It was suppose to be a wash out with all the rain that we were suppose to be getting but it held off nicely for us. It did start sprinkling about 1/2 was through the race but it was the type of rain that I didn't mind at all. It was a little refreshing because I think I over dressed and I was getting pretty darn warm by that time. I finished about 1/2 way back in the pack. The official results will most likely be posted either later tonight or tomorrow so I will know more then of how I placed.

It was fun and I got to see a lot of friends.

And speaking of friends here are Ashley and Stephen from the (never home) maker blog. If you haven't checked out their blog yet you really need to. The have incredible recipes, great photographs and insite on the whole running world. They both are incredible runners and I am in awe of their speediness. Congratulations to them on their great run!!

And here is my friend Jim...it was his first race and he did AWESOME as well. I'm very proud of him and I am looking forward to many more races with him.

So tomorrow is a 1/2 Marathon in Rock Hill, New York. It is about an hour and a half from home which is not too bad of a drive. Very scenic and to boot Todd's aunt and uncle live down that way and have invited us to a corn beef and cabbage dinner after the race. Nice and salty and believe me I will be thinking about it the whole entire race.

***

I think I have figured something out during todays race. I really don't get my breathing down until about a mile and a half into the run and then by 4 miles I really start feeling good. I believe that I am meant to do the longer distance runs. I enjoy them much more than these quick little ones but that is not to say that I am stopping the 5K's and 4 milers. I just think I may be a little more selective of doing the shorter runs and concentrate on the longer ones.
***

So on that note...

rest is what I need

and

I will post later about the 1/2

True Love

2010-03-10T07:38:00.008-05:00

Have you ever loved something so much that you don't know what you would do without it? That is how I feel about...

PEANUT BUTTER!!!

Oh my love of peanut butter has gone on for years and years and will continue for years to come. As a kid who doesn't love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but as an adult we have had it instilled in us that although it is healthy, it packs A LOT of calories and fat. As a runner, I have decided that I not only run for my health and sanity, I run so I can eat as much peanut butter as I want. When you run you burn about 100 calories per mile so I do not feel guilty at all coming home and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But not only do I eat it in sandwich form, I eat it by the spoonful, I eat it on Cocos (rice cakes), I eat it on bananas and apples, and I just plain eat it!

Just to show you a little incite on my daily consumption, here is my breakfast this morning. Whole grain toast with peanut butter slathered all over it along with 3/4 of a banana. The juice is my favorite....pomegranate, cranberry and a splash of orange juice. Although most mornings I have a shake with berries, banana, juice, yogurt and some special powder, I have run out of my berries and need to stop at the store to get more. So for the last couple of days I have eaten this...

yummm!!
Oh, don't forget the the little piece of banana that didn't fit on the piece of toast...it also gets a dollop of peanut butter...
Here is my favorite brand of peanut butter....Wegmans! I use to be a Peter Pan girl but after the scare I switched reluctantly to Wegmans and now nothing else compairs. I got this jar on Saturday and just to show you, look how much is gone. Sure, Graydon is just like his Mama and eats it by the spoonful too but the majority of this missing peanut butter was consumed by moi!!
And I am proud of it!!!
So, on other news. I have been so busy with working and running (I have two races this weekend...I will blog later about it), I haven't really done too much of my fav...pottery. But yesterday before I left for work I put together this slab piece. I picked the form up at a local store and thought it was pretty darn neat. It would make a great centerpiece on a table filled with pine cones and even use it as an awesome serving platter. It is quite large, well over a foot in length, but after all the firings it will shrink down a bit. My plan it to glaze this one in my trusty Tomato Red with my little trees in the middle done in white. BUT, I have other plans for some more. Maybe with some words stamped into it, characters or such...

Any ideas??? Leave me a comment...

So now onto another sunny, beautiful day in Upstate New York.

Have a good one!

Monday's Pets

2010-03-08T07:51:00.011-05:00

A whole week slipped by without one post...I don't really know how it happens but the busy-ness of life just gets in the way. We had the typical week of, work, school, sports, running, pottery and other daily routines and here it is...another week starting.

***

But what a beautiful start to the week I might add!!! Sun, Sun and more Sun!! And to boot...in the high 40's! What a treat!!! I finished a wedding shower cake and delivered it at 10:00am and unfortunately forgot to take a pic of it. Oh well...hopefully the bride got a pic for me.

***

After delivering the cake Todd dropped me off at my usual starting point of running and I headed out, with wayyyyy too much clothing on. Within the first mile the fleece coat came off and then the next 1/2 mile the fleece headband came off too. No other clothes were stripped off during the run but it was a pleasant 10 mile run. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and the roads were clear. What more could a girl ask for.

After getting home, showering and resting for a bit, I headed back outside with the family to enjoy the day. We let the goats out of the barn and boy o boy they weren't too sure about the snow. They really do not like it but couldn't resist the little bit of grass showing.

***

Here is Racer and his twin Lily enjoying a snack...their teeth are so human like on the bottom aren't they??

Lily and Flower with a very shedding Racer kicked up their heals and stayed close to each other. Still not too sure about the white stuff... And here is my good old girl Bebe!!
She just cracks me up...this is her normal expression on her face. It looks to be amused and comical all together...She is the Mom to Flower and Grandmother to Racer and Lily. The Matriarch of the group she tends to hang back and observe but is never too far away from her kids!

Did I mention she loves to be hugged...

And hugged some more....

As I walked to the house to talk to Todd, he said to me "Hey goat whisperer, you have a following" and as I turned, this is what I saw...they all were following me.

Until somebody scared them back to the barn. She really doesn't care for them too much but really desperately wanted to herd them back to the barn.

***

So now on to Monday and the sun is shining....Spring???

I sure hope so!

Monday Pet Profiles

2010-03-01T18:24:00.010-05:00

So I thought that I would highlight some of my many pets on Mondays starting today. It is hard to come up with a bunch of different blog posts throughout the week and I love taking photos of my pets so this is a perfect idea.

This is Callie the Catahoula Leopard Dog...yes, this is a real kind of breed for a dog. I was surprised myself when I went to the dog shelter and found her. The girl who introduced me to Callie had some google searches of Catahoulas and gave me the paperwork. She truly is a love and I can't imagine my life without her. She is such a character with human like traits. Whenever we leave the house, she goes over to our phone and takes it off the hook and brings it back to where she is sleeping. Almost like she is waiting for us to call her during the day. She has even played back messages on our answering machine...I HAVE PROOF!! We video taped her!!

Her new favorite toy...a found tennis ball and she loves it!

This is Stitch...Santa Clause brought him to Graydon on Christmas morning. He got is name from a cartoon in which the character, Stitch, drinks coffee. Once Graydon opened him up (he was in a lidded box left on the front porch), he crawled up on my lap and tried to drink my coffee...

He is a very cuddly cat when he wants to be. Usually is is either on Graydon or me and he loves to sleep behind my knees. He really doesn't like our other cat Holly and torments her on a daily basis. Stalking is more like it but Holly holds her own!!

He loves to roll on his back and have is stomach rubbed...

And here is Holly!! A very snippy Torti but has since warmed up to us since she has been here. She even surprises me once in a while climbing up on my lap when I am at the computer. When she has had enough with the other animals she begs to go out onto our back porch/mud room where she enjoys watching the birds from the window.

And here is little Wren!!

So darn sweet, just look at this face!!! She has adjusted well to her new surroundings and loves to be played with. When I go in to hang out with her she climbs all over me but still is a little shy about being held for a long time. She just wants to get down and run!!

She even comes up to me to give me little bunny kisses.

Too cute!!!

***

So there are just some of my pets with more to come on Mondays...

Stay tuned for Louie, Racer, Lily, Flower, Bebe, Martha, Lucy, Ethel and Dorothy!!

Lazy Sunday

2010-02-28T17:46:00.004-05:00

Sundays are made for sleeping in and lounging around all day. That is how the morning started off for me today...sleeping in til 7:30!! A nice change in pace since we are usually up at the crack of day getting ready for school and work. After I got up I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and watched yet more snow come down. We certainly are not lacking in the snow business. Of course winter started off pretty quiet with the snow and let me tell you in is ending with a doozy. Hopefully this will be it for a while...I love winter but onto green grass and blue skies.

***

I got my running clothes on, filled my water bottle, chowed down on a power bar and ate 1/2 of my gu (carb supplement to sustain me during my run). I headed out to drop off the waters on my route and parked the car. I warmed myself up with some stretches and plugged the i-pod in. I headed out for a lovely 9 mile run. It was so pretty to run today...Mother Nature painted the trees with white and the freshly new fallen snow added a nice cleanliness to the ground. Unlike the salty, sandy snow that lined the roads I ran on. What a mess!!!

***

The snow started coming down in spurts which made it a little difficult to see. My eye lashes were covered at one point and I had to stop to wipe my face off. 1/2 way done and I was feeling good!! I started in around 5 miles and Todd and Graydon came looking for me...with the camera. I was all well and fine when they left and I usually bring my cell phone just in case of an emergency and today I wish I had not forgotten it. I headed up a long hill and felt a little twinge of pain in my left knee. I tried to talk myself out of the pain and will it away but it was a nagging pain that came and went. Exactly like after the 1/2 marathon I did. I think my ITB is really causing havoc on my leg. It is the band that runs from your hip to your knee and when it acts up, it makes for a miserable daily trudge. I thought at one point I may have to end this thing and flag someone down for a ride back to the car but I finished and I am glad I did.

***

So for the rest of the day I have been resting, icing and napping!!!

Hopefully it helps!

200th Blog Post

2010-02-27T09:15:00.003-05:00

200th Blog Post Today...Wow!!

And it is pottery...what could be better.

These pieces have been kicking around for a while so I decided that I would list them in etsy

and also blog about them. The jar above is quite a favorite of mine. It is a beautiful verdigris all over color with this intense rich red band that surrounds the jar and also is featured on the lid. You could put cookies in it, store flour or sugar in it or even put yourself in it when the time comes. Kind of weird combination...flour and ashes but hey, what the heck. A lot of people are going that way now. I guess it is because of the economy and how much it is to bury someone whether it be in the ground or in a mausoleum.

I'm not too sure which I prefer...I think I need to ponder this for a while.
These little cuties are newish. I was encouraged by my friend Nancy of the Round Rabbit to make these. She saw me pull some out of the kiln way back when and they actually were intended to be ornaments. Owls are HOT right now so I decided to make some more before Christmas time and I just plum forgot to glaze them. Thus, here it is the end of February and they are making their appearance in my etsy shop.
Blue, red, green and more colors to come. That is after I finish taking their photos, loading them onto the computer, fixing them in Adobe and then finally listing them. It is quite the process to list things in etsy...and I don't know how you all do it who constantly list things. I feel like I am glued to the computer for hours when I only list a few things.

Feel free to take a look at the goodies and stay tuned for more listing in my shop!

Snow Day

2010-02-25T20:05:00.013-05:00

Mother Nature finally decided to dump snow on us and believe me, I have been waiting for it. There is nothing like a good old fashion snow day to regroup and act like you are 10 again. The Weather Channel was even here in little old Binghamton reporting on today's' snow accumulation. We have been so lucky to have it miss us this winter, and it was due time! Unfortunately it makes for a little bit of cabin fever so this afternoon we headed out into the storm. We started at our house and then ended up at Todd's parents house for some sledding fun. Their hill is so long and you can certainly get some speed on it and end up all the way down in the woods. The walk back up the hill is a killer so you have to pace yourself. One of these years we will come up with some sort of pulley system that will make it much, much better!
We made a small jump in the sledding trail and Graydon had a ball going over it although it did hurt a little.

All the little birds were out in full force today eating as much as they could to keep warm. The Chickadees didn't mind that I was standing so close to them and they were tweeting up a storm.

This one was yelling at anyone of them that got close to him. No wonder why they calls these little cuties "clowns".
They certainly put a HUGE smile on my face...

Callie was in heaven being outside with us. She spread her little toes out to be able to walk on the snow and it was so much like snowshoes.

A very nice day with much needed R & R!!

Thank you Family!!

New Love!!

2010-02-22T21:02:00.009-05:00

Hello there....

my name is Wren!!

I'm new here on the farm and I am a little shy still. But I know that I am safe and happy and have a great spot to get adjusted. My new mom comes in all the time to check in on me to make sure I have enough to eat and drink and today she even bought me some new toys although she keeps insisting I need a blanket and I really don't like it. I spend a lot of time kicking it away from me.

I do love to be held especially by my new mom. She cuddles me under her neck and makes me feel safe and warm...but I love to hop around and check out my new digs. I haven't met any of the other animals yet but I know that they are outside the door anxiously awaiting to meet me. I am just not ready yet...and that is OK!
I know I am going to be really happy here!! How many bunnies actually get a whole house to live in and not have to be in a cage like I was. My mom had bunnies before so she knows basically how to take care of me...although she is still getting use to having me inside and I know she has a friend who is helping her out, giving her advice. Thank you Nancy!!!
Oh I forgot to tell you...I am a Harlequin Rex Bunny and I have very, very soft fur with a little curl behind my ears. My new brother just loves to pet me behind my ears!
We even get nose to nose!!

He is extremely happy to hold me...

but once in a while....

I just want to get down and run!!

2010-02-12T20:48:00.002-05:00

Cupid’s Chase 5K Run/Walk

Run with Your Heart

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Otsiningo Park

10:00 AM

***

First race of the year and I have pre-night jitters. I think I am prepared for it, I am not expecting a great time for myself...I just want to get out there and see where I am at. It has been extremely difficult to get the mileage in that I need right now, mentally and physically. The weather is not cooperating and I worry about getting out there and slipping. That is something I DO NOT need right now.

***

There is a great article in this months Runners World about how a mom needs to get out there and run for her sanity as well as her families. It is quite funny in the aspect that it is sooo me!

If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!!

***

So with that...

I got my carbs in tonight and I need to get to bed early.

All is well.

Wish me luck!

FRIGID

2010-01-30T08:59:00.006-05:00

One word that describes Upstate New York right now...

FRIGID!!!

Today of all days I was planning a mother and son outing to Greek Peak. The hubby is in a soccer clinic ALL weekend long so we (G and I) were going to be spending the day learning how to snowboard. I heard that it was suppose to be a little chilly today, but this is ridiculous!!! When I woke up early, I checked the outdoor temp and to my amazement it was -1 degrees. What??? Then I checked the website for the weather up north and it told me that it was -4 degrees. Double WHAT????

Needless to say, I am on my second cup of coffee, bundled up in a warm blanket...blogging. We are going to try and hit the slopes at 12 but I'm not even sure about that.

Even poor Stitchie is chilly...

he hasn't moved from his favorite spot in the kitchen which happens to be right on the heater vent...

Onto other news...this week has been a little hectic with my great aunt coming home. She ended up having a pacemaker put in a week ago last Friday and made out really well. Funny thing is, is that she was suppose to come home on Saturday and while I was at my husbands soccer game on Friday night, I got talking to the person who runs the soccer dome and he ended up being in the operating room with her. Not only does he run the dome, he also is an electrical engineer who tests out the pace makers before they insert them into the patient. Who knew???? Anywho...his brother was my aunts doctor and after me telling the engineer about my concerns with her coming home, he was nice enough to call his brother and make it so she stayed an extra 2 days in the hospital. Whew...good news!
***
So she came home on Monday and I stayed with her all day on Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday she had other help and here it is Saturday and she is doing great! I guess her heart needed that little boost to make her feel better. The thing with a pacemaker is, is that it keeps your heart beat and a normal 60 beats a minute. That was her problem all along...between the congestive heart failure and pneumonia she was not good at all.
***
So the beginning of the week was all that along with work...the middle of the week...work and the end of the week, stuff around the house. I have been trying to get my pottery studio (If you want to call it that) cleaned and organized. We start classes this week and I want to be all set for work! My studio right now is in my basement...a very small space. Between all the house stuff...furnace, water heater and etc., there is my pottery wheel and several shelving units, tables and other. It is hard to work down there for a long period of time...kind of gloomy and you can't stand up straight but even though I sound like I am complaining, I really am not. I am happy to have the ability to work on my pottery at home!! My thought was to paint the walls but I really don't think that would help. If anyone has any suggestions on how to brighten it up...leave me a message!!
***
What's with the buttons and stuffed thing you might ask. Well between everything
this week, I started sewing a little. I found this really cute pattern and have been trying it out. It is a little tedious but it has turned out soooo cute. Stay tuned for pics regarding this...I can't post it right now because they are still in the works and I am giving them to a couple of people and I know they read this blog....so there!!
The pancakes above were so delicious.
I made them following a recipe that was on my friend Ashley's website. You can find it here
They are wheat oatmeal pancakes and I made them on Sunday morning. It was just the boost I needed to head out on a 4.5 mile run. Normally I do not eat such a big breakfast before I go for a run but that particular morning I was waiting for the weather to warm up to a nice balmy 45 degrees. The pancakes were just what I needed to sustain myself for a run and they gave me tons of energy. I felt great on the run and was impressed because after all it had been since Christmas that I had run outside.
***
Since that run, I have had a run outside again but this time it was 24 degrees and quite the difference in my running. It was a little bit of a struggle as the cold air makes my heart race even more than it does, even with a scarf around my mouth and nose. I guess maybe my running temp can't be any lower than 35 degrees. Come on spring!!! I need to start my training now!!! I signed up for a 1/2 marathon in March and the "dreadmill" is really not my friend!!
So with that I leave you with one thing...
Think Spring

Stuff

2010-01-21T20:01:00.003-05:00

So life and work had me upside down and backwards last week, but in a good way. I had an incredible wedding that I helped with and it turned out so seriously beautiful.

Truly a WINTER WONDERLAND.

I have some photos of the wedding and the reception, so I will make sure that I post them at a later date.

***

But in the meantime I have been consumed with a very sick great aunt. She just turned 89 a week ago today and on Saturday was rushed to the er with not being able to breathe. In the several days that she has been in the hospital, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure along with pneumonia. Today while I was at the hospital, the doctor came in and told her that she needs to have a pacemaker put in ASAP. Apparently her heart stopped two times yesterday for over 7 seconds a piece. Not good!! So hopefully, if all goes well tomorrow she will have the pacemaker put in late morning and start the road to mending. She is surprisingly a very spry lady who has 100% of her mind. It is just her body that is not cooperating!

Please have her in your thoughts for a speedy recovery.

***

The top photo was taken this very chilly morning. Graydon came running downstairs to tell me that we had a bunny in the yard...a very fat bunny. After pointing him out to me, I of course, grabbed the camera and headed to the dining room to take a pic...

Fat bunny, no I think a very cold bunny!

Poor little guy...

I wish I could bring him in for some nice hot carrot soup and a warm blankey...

While writing this blog, there was a Star Wars Lego war going on in the living room, right below my feet. Two kids, one 10 year old and one wanna be 10 year old had quite the fight.

Missiles were flying, pieces were lost...

but all in all the Dad and Son had fun!!

and I enjoyed watching every minute...

especially Graydon giggling!!!

Quiet....I think not!!!

2010-01-14T16:19:00.010-05:00

Well even though the blog has been quiet, I have been so busy! I have a wedding coming up this Saturday (Hi Jen and Travis) and I have been prepping all week for it. I have in the past done two weddings...look here and here and it was a lot of fun. I have not officially claimed myself a wedding planner more as a wedding helper. Brides have so much to worry about I like to think that I can take some of that load of work from them.

***

What's with the plates above(chargers to be exact)...the bride and I spray painted all of them from gold to silver. On top of spray painting the plates, I spray painted all of the curly willow that goes into the centerpieces. I think I may have gotten a little high from it too! :)

***

Although I do have to admit...

I love to spray paint.

It's kind of cool to stand there and instantly turn something from one color to another.

Strange?? No just call it instant gratification!

So this above shot is of the centerpieces before assembling them. The frosted vases give a nice wintry look to the table. The curly willow adds a bit of outdoorsy (is that even a word?) feel and I can't wait to see the whole effect once they are on the tables!

I know you can't see what is hiding in the willow now

but take a closer look...

Crystals...how pretty!!
Especially once the lights are dim and candles are around the base.

Here they all are lined up like soldiers getting ready to go.

And on top of that...

ROSES!!

And lots of them!!!

All the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres are with all these beauties!!

Tomorrow I will be assembling ...

and I can't wait to show you the finished product!

Stay tuned!!

Non-Creative (ish)

2010-01-04T19:25:00.002-05:00

Although I have tons and tons of new ideas running through my head for pottery I have yet to execute any of them. I have been busy with trying to heal myself. Unfortunately New Years Eve day I spent in the er at Wilson Hospital with what they thought was my appendix. After a million tests and a clean bill of health I was released by 10:00PM, just in time to come home and watch Dick Clark count them down. But I still have the pain and no one knows why...which leads me to not being able to throw anything right now. I guess I have to be creative in a different way so cooking it is. Tonight I made a delicious recipe from a Rachel Ray magazine that I lifted from the er waiting room...the only thing positive out of that whole experience.

***

So this delicious recipe was a hit with Graydon and I tonight. Todd really doesn't like soup but I think he enjoyed this bowl...the recipe follows if you would like to make this.

***

Samurai Soup

1/2# Baby Bok Choy, halved lengthwise and crosswise, white and green portions separated

1/2# ground pork

1/4 cup soy sauce

1-1/2 T oyster sauce

1 T finely chopped fresh ginger

2 t honey

1 t sesame oil, plus more for drizzling

40 wonton wrappers

1-32oz container of low sodium chicken broth

1/4# snow peas trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2" pieces

scallions - cut into small pieces for garnish

In a sauce pan of boiling water, cook the white part of the bok choy portions for 1 minute: add green portions and cook until wilted. Drain, rinse with cold water and squeeze dry: finely chop and transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in pork, 1 T of soy sauce, the oyster sauce, ginger, honey and 1 t of sesame oil.
Arrange 10 wonton wrappers on work surface and top each with 1 teaspoon of pork mixture. Moisten edges and fold over to form a 1/2 moon; press edges to seal. Working with 1 at a time, bring the tips together and pinch to fork 10 bundles. Repeat with remaining filling.
In a medium sauce pan, bring the chicken broth, 1 cup of water and the remaining 3 tablespoons of soy sauce to a boil. Cover and remove from heat.
In a large pot of boiling water, cook the dumplings, stirring occasionally until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the snow peas to the broth, cook for 1 minute then ladle over the dumplings. Top with scallions and drizzle a little of the sesame oil on top.

As Rachel Ray says...Yum-O!! For dessert I made my friend Michelle's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe I can not give out because it is a secret and she swore me to secrecy. But let me tell you they are delicious!!!

New Toy

2010-01-02T16:44:00.005-05:00

I won an auction on Ebay the other day and I was excited to see it came in today's mail. It is a Kitchen Aid pasta maker that fits in with the Kitchen Aid food grinder. Although it is not the exact Kitchen Aid Pasta Maker that I really want (note the last photo), I thought maybe this is could be 2nd best.

***

The dough recipe is different from the one I typically use for the old fashioned crank machine and really, really dry. I had to add a little more water to the recipe and it still was dry. I attached all the pieces and tried to use the smaller spaghetti dye but the dough did not extrude in it. I think once the dough goes through the grinder part it gets a little more sticky so note to self, use a little less water. Once I put the larger spaghetti dye in, it really started pumping out.

And it made a ton of pasta. So guess what we are having for dinner???
I would rate this an A so far. It comes with an elbow, lasagna, thin spaghetti, larger spaghetti and linguine noodle maker. The thing that makes me a little worried is the torque it puts on the Kitchen Aid motor. The machine was quite warm after I finished. Maybe it was the stickiness of the dough but next time I use it I will keep an eye on things.

This above photo is the one I really, really want. It retails for $179.00 plus s/h and tax from William Sonoma. It is amazing. It makes fuscilli and rigatoni as well as a bunch more different pastas....

***

Maybe in the "near" future I'll be able to blog about this one too...

maybe....

Please Meet...

2009-12-30T16:50:00.002-05:00

So my cousin Lindsey...Hi Lindsey!, has some BFF's Ashley and Stephen. They are locals just like me in Upstate New York and I got to meet them a little while back. Very cool people indeed who also share in the love of running, cooking and creating.

I would like to introduce you to their blog:

(never home)maker

In it you will find incredible recipes, crafts, decorating amongst other great finds. I do enjoy reading their blog and I will be making their recipe for miso soup tomorrow. YUMMM!

For now I leave you with this great blog. Sit back, pull up the computer and enjoy a glass of your favorite drink. Mine just happens to be champagne, OJ and cranberry pomegranate right now.

Have fun reading and I'll check back with you all later!

Christmas Re-cap!!

2009-12-28T18:49:00.013-05:00

Christmas is over already and I can't believe it has flown by like it has. It is always sad for me after Christmas because of all the preparation it takes but I need a well deserved rest. I walked around the house tonight and snapped a few reminder photos of the house. Stitchie enjoys the light of the garland on the Hoosier and does is best to knock it off when he can.
Graydon brought home an adorable angel which promptly took her seat on a Christmas tree.

Many handmade ornaments adorned the tree this year. Smack in the middle is a beautiful star from Nancy. To the left is an ornament made by a friend from the studio. To the right, the wool wreath was made by Graydon as a classroom Christmas project that we did the last day of school. I truly enjoy a tree with many different types of ornaments, especially handmade ones.

To the left is SNOOPY. A childhood ornament that I have treasured throughout the years. I even remember picking it out when I was a child. Now my child loves it an looks forward to hanging it every year.

You gotta have a sock monkey hanging somewhere!!

My Fontanini Nativity set that I love setting up...take a look at the right side of this photo.

A potter!!

One of the few lego sets that have invaded our living room!!

I love it!!

Here is our advent calender that I made several years ago. Each card is a different photo that you flip over on that specific day. We always enjoy seeing who is peeking behind a card.

Here is an adorable dwarf Alberta spruce tree that I picked up in the flower district of NYC. I picked up these kitchen ornaments a few years ago and they look so cute on this little tree that adorns our kitchen island.

The annual gingerbread house...

A Charlie Brown tree in our upstairs hallway...

My childhood Christmas Tree that now lights Graydons room at night.

And finally Graydons nutcrackers.

Merry Belated Christmas

and a

Very Happy New Year!

2 Days ?????

2009-12-23T10:45:00.003-05:00

Seriously....

2 days....????

Where did the time go???

***

I am pretty much ready but there is always something more that I want to do. Tomorrow I am hopeful to get a bunch of cookies made, cinnamon rolls and the beginnings of Christmas dinner. I think all the presents are wrapped except two things that need to be finished. That will be tonight.

***

Today I am off to a Christmas party at school. Me of all people signed up for the Christmas craft...what the heck was I thinking? So pondering the computer, I found a great idea. It happens to be one idea that my mother-in-law made last year. I went to the good old Salvation Army yesterday and bought some 100% wool sweaters, sent them through the wash on hot two times and then in the dryer. This morning I cut them all up into 1" squares, cut wire in 14" lengths and the kids are going to string the wool pieces onto the wire to make Christmas wreaths. It isn't too baby-ish which was my goal for 4th graders. Hopefully they will enjoy making them.

***
After school, I will be heading to the cemeteries to put up Christmas wreaths which is my annual duty. I enjoy doing it but it was pretty chilly out there in the snow, making the wreaths this morning. I should have done them earlier but as stated above the time just got away from me.

***

A couple of deliveries need to be made and then I will be home all night long...Thank Goodness!!

***

The above photo was taken last night at the mall. Callie was prancing into the mall like she had been there a million times. She enjoyed the sights and sounds of the chaos!!! Santa just loved her too, even asking her if she was a dingo?! Funny huh!! I was a little worried about how she would sit for the photo but she did awesome!! Even a big smile!! Graydon was talking to Santa and he asked him what he wanted for Christmas...Graydon replied

"Peace on Earth"

Now wouldn't that be nice!!

NYC and Martha Stewart

2009-12-17T21:03:00.009-05:00

So in the madness of Christmas shopping and getting the house ready, yesterday Michelle (my co-hort) and I took a little trip to Tannersville, PA for a little shopping, had a delicious dinner at an incredible Italian restaurant, spent the night in Secaucus New Jersey and headed today to NYC for the Martha Stewart Show.

The above photo is our view of NYC from our hotel room in the morning!!!

How stunning!!

We headed to the studio at 7:30AM with a call time of 8:30AM. Thinking that we had enough time to get breakfast before the show, we mistakenly timed our arrival wrong! Bummer, no coffee for me and believe me the headache set in. Thank goodness I had gum and water...I even swallowed my gum so my stomach wouldn't growl. Pathetic huh!!

We had to wait outside for about 1/2 hour and it was sooooo chilly. That NYC wind just blew down the street as if there was a tunnel around us. It was about 21 degrees out and being all dressed up, (as this was our assignment because it was a cocktail party and Martha required us to look our best), we were slightly frozen by the time we actually got into the studio!
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We were finally ushered in the studio and then up into the actual studio where she tapes. The show surprisingly started an hour early and we were all done by 11:05. We had some delicious cocktails during the taping and also received a few free gifts. All in all it was a nice show and let me tell you, Martha was in rare form!!

Rare form you might ask...yes. Very funny and candid, especially about drinking. The show today was the last taped show of 2009 and I think she was starting to party a little early!!
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But in all she is a beautiful lady...

...with very skinny legs!!

After the show we headed to Mustang Sally's for a well deserved lunch and also to get warmed up!! We decided to hit a few little stores near there and ended up in the flower district of NYC. Neat to see, the street were lined with evergreens, trees, branches and many other things! I purchased a little tiny live Christmas tree. I think it is only about 7-8" tall. Very cute!!
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We also went into a very cramped store that had many, many silk flowers. While walking down the aisle, I thought that this cat was fake. He was curled up sleeping in this pot of silk flowers. I walked over to where he was and started petting him. He woke up and crawled into my lap where he proceeded to purr. Ohhh, I could have taken him home!!!
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So in all, it was a fun, busy, jam packed two days. Thanks Michelle for a great time!!
Now, back to reality...7 days to go!!

Dear Santa

2009-12-12T20:10:00.003-05:00

Dear Santa,

A girl really never does grow up you know....especially this girl! I have always loved miniature things as well as dolls and for Christmas some year I would really love to have a Blythe Doll. They became popular back in the 70's and although I grew up in the 70's, I never had one. Maybe they were a little too weird back then with their large color changing eyes, big heads and small little bodies but I really, really would like one...some day!

Thank you,

Dani

2009-12-07T21:27:00.002-05:00

Pull the reigns in and slam on the brakes!!

Christmas is coming and I am stressing out!

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I feel like my life is spiraling like a tornado and being torn into five million pieces. I am working, creating, working (wait I said that already), selling pottery at our studio sale, loading kilns, baking cookies and cinnamon rolls, sewing like one of Santa's elves, decorating, cleaning and more. I'm sure there are many of you out there that feel the same way as I do

but

please, Oh please Christmas slow down and wait for me...

I promise I will get it all done but I need the days to go by slowly...

Please?!

2009-11-27T07:43:00.002-05:00

I have been so busy between getting ready for the pottery sale (note above postcard image) and running the Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon.

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I will post more about my life later but if you are in the Binghamton, New York area, stop by the carriage building building behind Roberson Museum for some GREAT one of a kind pottery gifts. Stop by my table "Thistle Farm"....and check out my work!!

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Happy Black Friday Shopping!!!

I DID IT!!!

2009-10-17T12:02:00.001-04:00

For those of you who would like to read all about my adventures during the marathon, please check out:

www.onegirlsrunningdream.blogspot.com

Almost There!!

2009-10-08T20:32:00.003-04:00

Well I did make it to the studio last night and had a semi productive night.

I glazed two colanders that were orders, make 3 ornaments and also threw a nice lidded container. Photos will be coming for the container. It turned out pretty neat.

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I'm all packed and ready to go. We are heading out around 8:00AM and it should take about 4-1/2-5 hours to get there. Ugh!! I hate being in the car that long! Maybe I will try and take some knitting with me to pass the time. I do get car sick though...

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I will make sure I get some photos posted of the festivities...oh and Nancy, I am going to try and make it to Baltimore Clayworks. I really want to see your jewelry on display!

TTFN!!

Excitement

2009-10-07T16:43:00.002-04:00

EXCITEMENT

ANXIETY

NERVOUSNESS

HAPPY

All rolled into one!

I will try my hardest to attempt to create tonight at the studio. Although the nerves my have something else in mind for me. I need a distraction and hopefully clay will fill that for me.

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So I am off to get ready...

Maybe tomorrow I will have some cool new photos of pottery I can show you, otherwise you just might see a huge lump of waste clay!

2009-10-01T16:53:00.002-04:00

Almost another whole month has gone by without a post and I am so very sorry for that. I am just about there...where might you ask...well the Baltimore Marathon!!

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8 days from now I will be leaving for Balitmore to spend the weekend. Friday will consist of having a fun day at The Aquarium. Graydon is so excited for this weekend as well as myself. Friday night we are meeting up with some friends from here who also will be running the marathon. A nice Italian restaurant will be our choice of pickings although I will only be having buttered pasta for my carb-load dinner. Saturday morning the marathon starts at 8:00AM and Todd will be giving live feeds on Facebook. If you would like to know how I am doing throughout the morning and you have a Facebook account, just add me as a friend, or just sign up for a FB account and the same.

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I am so excited and nervous altogether. It is a HUGE feet for me and I have trained my heart out. I'm ready! On another note, I am running this race to honor one person in particular who has inspired me to run this race. Her name is Trish O'Neill and right around the time of me deciding to start running, she was battling for her life. You see, she was diagnosed with Leukemia last year and by February this year, needed a liver transplant. By the good graces she was able to receive a new liver and a new lease on life and I am proud to say she is living a happy and healthy. This marathon is dedicated to her and her charity DONATE LIFE!

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DONATE LIFE is a non-profit organization which offers patients a new chance at healthy, productive, normal life and returns them back to their families, friends and communities. You have the power to change someones world by being a donor. Please consider signing the back of your license and also informing your families about your decision to become a donor...IT MATTERS!!!

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If you could please spare $1, $2, $5 or more to really help turn this marathon into a great fund raising event for me...I would greatly appreciate it. 100% of all proceeds will be given to DONATE LIFE! For more information on this organization, please see www.cdtny.org or www.donatelife.net. Please use the button to your right of this page to make a donation. Also, please email me your address if I don't have it already for a post race information.

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THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS....

Life gets in the way!!

2009-08-27T12:34:00.002-04:00

So I am sitting here at my computer on a beautiful sunny day with a salad for lunch and I am trying to figure out how to put the last 4 weeks into words. As you have noticed I have been absent from blog land for a little while. Life has seem to taken me by the back of the neck and dragged through this month screaming my lungs out. Seriously...where did August go???

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Between Graydon being in so many camps this summer and me training for this marathon, I am totally consumed by family life. Which is great, don't think for one second that I would give up this crazy busy life I have. I do love it and am proud to be a wife and mom...

I just think I need a vacation!!

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So while life has been whizzing by this is the last four weeks:

Golf camp ended on the 1st Friday of this month. After that we had family come in from Florida for Graydons Survivor 10th Birthday party. It was great as always seeing them with busy days and nights...on Graydons birthday we went to Camel Beach for the day and then that night headed off to Kampai for dinner. The dinner ended on a sour note with a woman accidentally going up in a blue flame at the table kiddie corner to us. They took her away in an ambulance and I really don't know anymore than that. Strange though!!

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So then on that Sunday we had Graydons Birthday party. A beautiful hot day with lots of fun for the kiddos!! Survivor games and cake, what more could a ten year old ask for!

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In between all of this there is work and trying to get some pottery made for 2 upcoming shows, not to mention the mileage I have been putting in for the marathon that is only 6 weeks away. Even though I will be running my "arse" off that day I am really looking forward in seeing some different views than Broome County! We have not ventured out of the State or nearby Pennsyltucky in five years...how sad is that!!

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So....that's that! And now I am off to finish my lovely salad for lunch, get some stuff accomplished this early afternoon before I have a delivery to make and then off to the hospital where my mother-in-law is having some surgery today! Whew....

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

2009-08-05T07:48:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday dear Dad...

Happy Birthday to you!

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I wish we could be celebrating here on earth

but I hope your family and friends in heaven have something special planned for you!

I miss you!

Summer Soccer Camp

2009-08-02T08:16:00.008-04:00

So last week was a little bit chaotic. We had a house guest who split his time between my in-laws and our house throughout the week. Last year we had him as well and he is from the Red Bulls franchise. Tom and three other coaches came up to Binghamton to coach a week long soccer camp at the school. It was a great experience for the kids and a lot of work for the parents. Every night we switched houses for dinner and drinks. It was a fun time but I am enjoying the peace now.

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On Saturday we took Tom fishing down at the pond...right on his first cast he caught a small trout. His very first time fishing and he was a natural. Unfortunately the trout swallowed the hook and Todd could not get it out. I could tell that Tom felt bad as the fish went bellied up on the side of the pond. Well...needless to say Todd took it home, cleaned it and grilled it. Tom really enjoyed that!

To top it all off, this is the Brits humor.

He said in his British accent "Look, I made a goldfish".
Weird sense of humor but we all laughed!

On other news, I have been creating a little lately. This serving bowl is quite large and I'm pretty pleased with it. I do have to fix one of the handles yet as it dried a little too quickly and the handle pulled away from the bowl. Any color suggestions??

Is this not the cutest puppy you have ever seen?

Her name is Paisley and no she is not mine.

Her parents brought her up to my in-laws house on Friday night for our dinner. She is a Yorki-Poo and sweet as sweet can be. I hinted around to Todd but to no avail. I did convince him into getting another hamster that Graydon was begging for. So the photos of Mario will be posted at a later date or whenever he will hold still long enough.

The Weekend Festivities

2009-07-27T06:51:00.010-04:00

What another whirl wind weekend we had. Friday ended up at a friends house for several hours hanging out with people that Todd went to high school with. It was a great time and the kids all had a blast playing together. We ended up home pretty late and off to bed we went for an early wake up call.

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Saturday morning was packing up the cars and heading out to the Greene Arts and Crafts Show EARLY! We set up, the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day! Hoards of people roamed the streets of Greene looking for that treasure. I saw a lot of people that I knew and it is always such a fun time! Business was pretty good. I met my goal for the day so I was satisfied with the day. It is always so hard prepping for something like this because you never know what will sell and what people are interested in!

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So off to bed early we went on Saturday night for another early wake up call. This time for the Tim Fancher Memorial 5K race in Great Bend, PA. Graydon wanted to do the kids run and I was doing the 5K. Friends of ours (Hi Kim) raced also! The above pic is us before the races.

It was quite the humid day for a run but a lot of people showed up and I knew some of the runners which was great. Graydon and Anastasia (on Graydons left) headed out on the run.

I think it was about 1/2-3/4 of a mile...

Here is my kid in 1st place!!! Go Graydon!!!

He has pretty good running form too!

So in the end, Graydon got 1st and Anastasia came in 2nd. I was so proud of these two!! Maybe we have a couple of new runners in the family!

Kim and I before the race!! She has been such a good friend. She's a great running partner who encourages me to get out there and perform!!

THANKS KIM!!

Yours truly!!

I came in 3rd in my age bracket!! I was so surprised!!! I guess it was a good day for a run!! After the race, Todd dropped me off at the Red and White close to our home so I could put another 4-1/2 miles in to meet my 7 mile quota for the day. You know I gotta keep to the training schedule or else I'll never be ready for the race in October!

Me and my buddy after the race!! I'm so proud of him!!

Saturday, July 25th 9-4:00PM

2009-07-24T17:03:00.002-04:00

Greene Arts & Crafts Show

THIS SATURDAY

July 25th, 9-4:00 PM

rain or shine

If you want a good excuse to get out of the house, stop by to the Greene Arts & Crafts Festival in historic Greene, New York! There are tons and tons of wonderful artists with many different arts. It really is a great show and I always have a lot of fun at it. You can find me in the above photo...

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Make sure you stop by and say hi!!

Wedding Weekend

2009-07-21T07:41:00.005-04:00

What a fun filled jam-packed weekend we had! Saturday my cousin Patrick married his fiancee Melinda in a beautiful catholic wedding held at St. James. This photo above was taken outside the church after they got married. I just love the look of it, very vintage! Melinda looked absolutely stunning in her beaded dress with her headpiece made of white feathers and a vintage looking veil. The reception was held at the Binghamton Club where we were entertained all night with dancing and music (Rooster and the Roadhouse performed). So much fun!! Graydon even danced a bunch of songs with me.
Here is a photo of my sister D'Lynn on the right and my cousin Brooke on the left. Brooke is from California and the only real chance of seeing her is for weddings! But is was great to talk to her and her adorable son, Tristan.

Here is another cousins shot, minus a few who were partying!! Liza, Mitchell, me, Graydon, Dustin (back), D'Lynn and Shea!

In between the wedding and the reception, my sister and brother-in-law hosted an in between party. During the party, they had a birthday celebration for my niece Shea. She turns 8 this Friday!!! The cake was specific to her request! Flip flops, palm tree, sand and ocean!! Do you think she liked her cake!!

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Notice MoJo under the table. This dog travels the country. He normally lives in California with my aunt and uncle, but he summers in Michigan and travels to New York!!

Boy would I love to be him :)

Then on Sunday we went to breakfast with my family at Park Diner. I think there were close to 50 of us from the wedding including my cousin and his bride. It was great to catch up with family and friends and afterwards we went to see the new couples house they just closed on and moved into a couple days before their wedding.

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After that we took Graydon fishing to our favorite spot. My fish catch of the day was a sunny and then perch and then a BASS! Graydon also caught a bunch as well as Todd.

It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

I'm exhausted!!

Happy Wedding Day

2009-07-18T06:20:00.003-04:00

Today my cousin Patrick is marrying his lovely fiancee Melinda.

It is going to be a jam packed day full of family, wedding and even a birthday party to boot. We are going to an in between party at my sisters where we will be celebrating my niece, Shea's birthday! So far the day looks good outside, there is a chance of rain but HEY, what else is new here in Upstate!

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So for now I leave you. I am off to get 6 miles of running in, come home, wrap up the wedding gifts and get ready for the big day!

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Congratulations Melinda and Patrick!

Absent

2009-07-15T06:58:00.007-04:00

Yes, I have been absent from blog world lately with really no good excuse except for I have been really busy with life in general. Summer, time for relaxing and hanging out but not for this chic. I feel like I have been living in my car...going to school, work, back to school, doctors appointments, errands...ugh!! I am so tired of it already! I wish for one day at home where I have nothing to do except for pottery and hanging out. I'm not too sure when that will be though!

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The above photo was last Wednesday night at around 11:30 PM. Todd had an idea for making tie-dye shirts for Graydons soccer tournament on Saturday. Needless to say it was for a contest and I could not pass up an opportunity to create. So for an hour and a half I rubber banded the shirts and then proceeded to dye them. All in all I think I got to bed at 1:30 AM.

But the kids came in 1st place and they received a McDonalds soccer ball. I was happy to see the kids thrilled with that ball...was it worth no sleep....hmmmm, sure!!

Graydon and I were walking home from my in-laws the other day when we came across this tiny little frog. We brought him home and I proceeded to take these photos of him to show you the actual size of him. The daisy was just a little wild daisy that grows everywhere. He only fit right in the center perfectly!

This is Graydons hand with the little frog on it. He was sooo cute and we put him in my flower garden to start a new home for himself!

Tippy toes Stitch peeking at the birds in the front yard!

Too funny!!

And who is this you might add...well it is Frodo and Graydon and I saved him from being killed on Route 12 in the construction zone. Apparently he got out of him leash and ventured onto the busy road. He is almost deaf and blind and really didn't know where he was going. I stopped the car and ended up grabbing him before something happened. Turns out we knew the owner and the owner was very happy to have him back.

As was I!!

The Flight of the Blue Angels

2009-07-06T18:26:00.015-04:00

The good old 4th of July was something to remember. First the day started off with me running a 5K in Montrose, PA for the first time in a very long time. It was fun and very hilly. At one point I thought that we were never going to come back down from going up all those hills. I did well considering the knee, which I might add had been feeling very well (knock on wood).

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There were I think about 400-500 runners, some doing the 10K and some the 5K. When the race started, nobody was saying a word and the pitter patter of all the runners shoes was pretty cool to hear. That lasted until the first hill and then people started talking to one another around me...which also was a little weird. I typically try not to talk when running (unless I'm bs-ing with my running partner) because it screws up my breathing. I'm also not too sure how many people were in my race but I will not tell you my time, even though I was happy with it.

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After the race, I raced home, made a pasta salad and off to our annual air show party at friends house. A twist happened this year, we had to evacuate during the Blue Angels show. So they bussed us up to the Air Show at the airport, gave us free tickets and then my sweet taking husband weaseled our way into the VIP area. The above photo is of Graydon waving to the pilots before they took off. Each had their own way of saluting the crowd. The thing that was so impressive with these guys is their precision. Not only in flying but their ground work also.

It was such an amazing site to see especially on the 4th of July. We had a primo location for photographs and both Todd and Mr. Ellis were my eyes for helping me take these great shots.

Two planes right side, two planes upside down!!
CRAZY!!!

Only 18 inches apart doing about 400-600 mph!!!

Graydon had so much fun watching them...we did too!!

What a 4th to remember!!

On another note...FOOD!!

I picked some peas from my in-laws garden while they are gone. So Sunday night we had a delicious dinner. I made salmon cakes (like crab cakes), homemade tartar sauce, fresh peas from the garden and rice pilaf.

YUMMMMM!!

The cakes were pretty easy but a little time consuming. You can find the recipe in this months Martha Stewart mini magazine. You know the food one...

I highly recommend these and coming from me who does not really care for cooked fish, these were GREAT!!