Getting Crafty with the Girls

Recently I had a fun evening in with my girlfriends.  I had found a
great little crafty blog how-to for making a beach bag out of
inexpensive beach towels. 

Beach Towel Tote Tutorial

I called up 4
friends and they all were game.  We each picked up 2 or 3 brightly colored beach towels and got
to work.  Keep in mind none of us are that proficient in sewing--just
enough to cause trouble...we had 4 sewing machines going, lots of terry
cloth lint flying about, a few needles broken and maybe just a few a lot of curses
being said through-out the night!  All in all it was a fun evening and
we eventually got some pretty cute/funky beach bags out of it.  

I
improvised and used some rope for the handles by adding grommets to the
bag. 

Front:

 

Back:

Inside:

 

Come see me here Saturday!

Redding Handmade

Things are really heating up with my Redding Handmade Etsy Team!  The creativity amongst the group is incredible and I look forward to lots of fun events in the coming months to keep us all busy.  The month of May sees a sort of collaboration with Redding Handmade, the Sweetspot and the Fabulous Fabric Shop...every Thursday that month will be a fun evening out.  (Check here for more info about Oh!Carousel!)  Coming up first on May 6th is our first Sweetspot "Rotation." Redding Handmade Rotations will feature 4 artists displaying their goods at the Sweetspot in Redding from 7-9pm.  You will get to meet the artist/designer/creator behind the products as well as purchase items.  This show is just in time for Mother's Day. 

The featured designers for May are:

NCharshaf's Handmade Notebooks & Stationery
Julie Packer Designs
Chrystalyn
Oh Baby! Redding

(My turn at Rotations is in July!)

And speaking of my Redding Handmade Etsy Team, I wanted to show you just some of what the Team has to offer...please support them and all handmade artists! 
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Upcoming Jewelry Shows

The next couple of months are going to be so fun due to some upcoming jewelry shows I'm a part of and hosting!  Fun but a lot of work too!  Here's a quick run-down of where I'll be...as things get closer I will post more information. 

May 1 - Enterprise High School Sober Grad Night Fundraiser Fair 9am-4pm. 

May 18 - Collaboration with Premier Designs Jewelry - Open House at my house!

May 19 -

July - Sweetspot Rotation with 3 other Artists from my Redding Handmade team.

The Children's Reaction

Not good.  As promised I said I would do a post on how my children are taking this new way of eating healthier.  Eh, not ideal.  At least tonight's meal didn't go over too well.  We made chicken fajitas, cilantro lime rice and black beans, all from the Food Revolution book.  Aaron and I thought it was excellent, a restaurant quality meal.  Kids not so much.  Initially it started good, they each tried everything on their plate, but in the end only ate the tortillas.  The new rule is this:  Eat what's on your plate, figure out a way to make it edible if you don't eat it as served, OR make yourself a PB&J.  That's it.  No cereal, no bagel bites, no ice cream.  That's it. 

They're not going to starve however, I've resurrected a previous idea and they are excited about what they'll find in the muffin tin everyday.   

Past Post: New Approach to After School Snack 

At least there will be smiles, until dinner that is.

Healthy Living: Moving into Phase 3, it's a big one!

Last month I moved into Phase 2 with my Healthy Living 2010 plan...the food part.  The exercise part is going well, I'm doing it regularly...yes, even running.  Not to the point I have the urge to enter a race, but getting it done.  I started the food journey with what I know works, but got bored and other food started sneaking into the mix.  With the recent popularity of Jamie Oliver and his New Food Revolution, I decided to investigate what he had to offer.  I'm completely impressed.  I love that his focus right now is on the kids and getting them to eat healthy.  My ultimate, ultimate goal is not just myself feeling healthy and fit, but for my kids to grow up feeling good and not having to break themselves of the horrible processed food, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup and all the other icky stuff out there. 

On Wednesday, Aaron and I spent ALL DAY clearing out the kitchen of basically everything, making a shopping list of what basics we needed  (we used the essentials list in Jamie's Food Revolution--beautiful book BTW) and pretty much getting rid of (throwing out and donating) everything else.  We had chocolate pudding mix that expired in 2006!  If it's not good for us and we're not going to eat it, why store it? 

I forgot to take a before picture but here's a couple of afters.  We are so proud of what we accomplished!

We got the basics from Jamie's list and the ingredients for tonight's dinner and it really wasn't that expensive.  I'm excited and happy to truly learn to cook from the beginning and in a clean way.  This is what we are making for dinner tonight, along with cilantro lime basmati rice and black beans...mmmmm. 

Somehow however, this snuck into the cart and home...

Uh, AARON!!!! 

Coming up in a future post....the children's reactions to this food revolution!

Back to Reality....

Last week was Spring Break for the kids and we took a trip to Las Vegas and Phoenix to visit Grandpa.  I want to sit and reflect on our trip but that will have to wait...in the meantime here's a quick sneak peek and then I'm back to work!

My Name is Lisa and I am an Appleaholic

The iPad came out today.  I've been so excited about it, it's not something I need.  It's something I want.  It's something I covet. 

I watched an illegal feed when they announced it in January.  I resisted and did not pre-order when it became available to do so in March.  We do not have an Apple Store locally.  I planned to JUST LOOK when we are on vacation in Las Vegas and Phoenix this upcoming week for Spring Break. 

The thought occurred to me today that Best Buy may have them locally. I thought it was a long shot. To absolve myself, I had Ella call and ask.  (Yes, I'm that sick I enlist a 6 year old to do my dirty work).  She chats with the person who answered the phone for a few minutes.  She hangs up and says they have them.  My heart stops for a minute. OK, maybe we should just go and look at it.  After patiently waiting for the teen fanboys to stop hogging the display models, I get my moment.  A woman comes over and asks if I have any questions.  "I have no questions, I want one."  2 minutes later I'm walking out the door with iPad in hand. 

Now if that wasn't enough to signify a problem.  A problem with Apple products and restraint.  This is part 2 which demonstrates my obsession (though please note I share this obsession).  So I'm packing for our vacation.  We leave tomorrow for 7 days.  This is what we are bringing:

• MacBook Pro


• My new iPad


• My iPhone


• Aaron's iPhone


• Jacob's iTouch


• 30GB iPod filled with music for the car


• iPod Nano for running


• ...plus a couple of Nintendo DS's


• and a Garmin

OMGosh!

4 People, 12 Times - March Edition

Photo taken 4/1/10 before my brother's birthday dinner (he's in April Fool's baby!)...what I notice...we look tired...or maybe just me.  The 'outhouse' is in my mom's backyard. We made it for her a couple years ago after being inspired by one we saw in Lancaster, PA....Amish Country.

March Notes:

Coming soon.....(I'm exhausted at the moment).... 

Etsy Love . Dean Russo Art

While searching for puppy stuff a couple months back, I stumbled upon the most awesome artist who makes gorgeous, colorful pop art portraits.  I was so excited to see that he offered prints of not only a pug but also a lab, both of which looked like my puppies!  You can find his art here....Dean Russo Etsy Shop or here....Website He is an artist based in Brooklyn and according to his bio, creates vibrant acrylic paintings that combine soft touches of realism and the bold playfulness of pop art.  Beautiful!  I'm so happy to have his art in my home...and a bonus, it represents our dog family members. 

Adagio Tea Article

 

Confirmation that I picked the right tea company to become infatuated with! Fresh Cup Magazine - Web Feature: Is This the Apple Store of Tea?

And come on, they picked Chicago as the place to open their first retail store? My favorite large city.  Confirmation I need to book a trip there again soon.  

4 People, 12 Times - February Edition

Photo taken in Bend, Oregon.  One of our very favorite places.  One day we hope to retire there.

February Notes:

Dexter the Pug came into our lives to live for good.  It's been a month of pooping and peeing and biting and training.  Kids begged us for a puppy.  Now that he's here, Ella is seriously reconsidering.  

Participated in the first Redding Handmade public event which introduced our team to the public.  Our Open House was held at the Sweetspot.  I met so many creative and fun people. 

Took a vacation with our dear friends to Central Oregon for snow skiing and home away from home fun. 

Aaron and I saw Avenue Q, off-OFF Broadway.  Loved it.  So much I bought the soundtrack the next day. Quickly realized I can't listen to it with the kids around when they started singing, "The Internet is for Porn" around the house.  Oops. 

Ella turned 6 with a day trip to Chico for lunch, shopping and park fun.  I turned 29 years and 364 days older than her with a day of roller skating, Chevys and movies.  Lots of treats, snacks, cake and ice cream for 48 straight hours.  

Girly Fun

Her birthday continues into a second weekend! Ella and 5 of her friends got their nails/toes painted today at a local salon....lots of glitter everywhere! They then feasted on pizza and yogurt with all the yummy toppings.

Afterwards I did a little photoshoot of Ella in her party-wear.  I'm eager to go through the photos...but not tonight...tonight is family movie night.  (The photo above was taken with my iPhone and the Hipstamatic App-love this app!)

My Adventures into Tea

I don't drink coffee, wine or beer.  I want to, I have just never acquired the taste for them.  I also gave up diet sodas and I refrain from drinking anything high in calories or anything that uses artificial sweeteners.  I drink water.  And I'm bored.  (Disclaimer: I do drink David Rio SF Chai every morning but I do have concerns about it-specifically the partially hydrogenated stuff in it.).  I read on Cathy Zielske's blog that she was introduced to an online tea company that she highly praised....not only for the tea but for the packaging and service of that tea.  I LOVE GOOD PACKAGING. 

Even though I've dabbled in tea before with not the best of results, I decided to get an intro package to this Adagio Tea - Gourmet Loose Leaf Tea and see what happens.  First of all my order came within 36 hours of my ordering it on a Sunday evening.  Love that.  After watching the 'how-to' video on how to brew a cup of loose leaf tea, I was on my way.  My reaction to my first cup of tea?  Uh, it tastes like weeds.  And like tea.  Aaron says, "Uh, duh."  (The chai I drink daily tastes nothing like tea to me.  It's practically more like cocoa then tea.) He then helped me make about 5 more cups with varying levels of tea vs. water vs. brew time vs. sweeteners.  None thrilled me.  After being disappointed, calling my Mom for tea tips and even typing into Google: "I want to like tea, but I just don't, what do I do?"  I decided not to give up and persevere.  I WILL LIKE TEA.  I went back to the cup that had been sitting on the counter and tasted it again.  Hey, it's actually not bad.  Turns out I don't like hot tea!  I like lukewarm tea much better....add some soy milk, and mmmm....this stuff is tasty! 

The next day I went one step further...I brewed a cup of really strong tea, added some honey and poured it into a tall glass filled with ice. I added some vanilla soy milk....I'm in heaven.  I'm back in the tea business!  Now I'm experimenting with different sweeteners...currently I'm using the amber sugar crystals that they sell. 

I'm eager to try the other flavors of tea offered at Adagio.  I can't wait until their chai sampler is back in stock.  Chai how it's supposed to taste...without partially hydrogenated crap!  (Don't get me wrong....I do love me some David Rio...I buy it 3 pounds at a time!)

If you are intrigued and want to try it too....Here is a $5 gift certificate to Adagio Teas: 3587330875!! http://www.adagio.com  It's a great deal because for $14 you get the Starter System as well as 4 sampler tins...which equals up to 40 cups of tea!  (Click here for the Starter System.)

And when I'm not drinking some freshly brewed, doctored up tea...I'll be drinking my vodka water out of my beautiful new wine glass given to me by my Dad.  Making water a little less boring!

Healthy Living-Phase 2

At the beginning of the year I committed to a new me and a new way of living...the main component of that plan was to become a runner.  I started strong, I was feeling good and it was becoming a habit and a need.  I have had a few set backs in the last month, I'm still running-though at a slower pace and intensity.  Without going into a million excuses (OK just a couple); I had sickness and a vacation that slowed my progress down.  I still ran, did my exercise, yoga, etc..but not with the consistency as I started earlier in the year.

 

2 different birthday cakes. Yes, I ate all of this today at lunch-after the leftover Mongolian BBQ. If it's here, I eat it.  Period.

It's time to commit to Phase 2 of my Healthy Living 2010 plan (the name is constantly evolving)...a new way of eating needs to be introduced.  The problem with exercising but still eating without clear boundaries is that I tend to start looking like a Jersey Shore Guido--bulked up.  Time to slim it down! 

I have had luck in the past following Jillian Michael Making the Cut plan so I am going to start with that.  The items she recommends eating are all things I should be eating anyhow.  I feel healthy on her plan and NEED that way of eating to become a way of life.  Portion control, lots of vegs, fiber balanced meals--not rocket science.  I will start with a couple breakfast choices, lunch choices and dinner choices each that I will rotate through the week.  Once I get bored, I'll switch it up.  Trying to keep it simple.  KISS (Keep-It-Simple-Stupid) works for me!

Birthday Girls

The greatest birthday gift I have ever received or ever will receive is my daughter Ella.  She was born the day before my birthday 6 years ago.  Six years.  Doesn't seem possible.  We celebrated our birthdays this past weekend and I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.  Beautiful weather and filled with fun and family.  

One of the many highlights was roller skating together.  Our new favorite thing to do!

Happy Birthday Ella!

My little girl is 6 today!

Lisa
Sent from my iPhone

Meet Dexter

Dexter, Dexter Doodle, Puggy, Puggles, Dexter DooDoo, Mr. Pugglesworth, Vampire Bat, Walrus, Little Piggy, Troublemaker, Mr. Toot-Toot...he goes by many names around here!

2 weeks ago today we brought our newest family member home, Dexter!  It's been great but not without it's challenges of course.  Kinda forgot how much work a puppy is and he is certainly a feisty one.  It's like we brought an 18 month old home with vampire teeth!  He can be such a sweety though and everywhere we've brought him people just melt. 

Our yellow lab Molly however, is just not that impressed with him and isn't all that too bothered by his presence, at least not as jealous as I thought she'd be.  She does get irritated by the pestering, but Dexter is well on his way as asserting himself as top dog.  Poor Molly just isn't aggressive enough.  

Our cat Max is definitely keeping his distance.  He's having some health issues and can't be bothered by a pesky puppy. 

Now the kids on the other hand can't get enough of loving him!  He has definitely become the number one plaything around here and I hear them say "I Love You" to him many times a day.  Puppies and children...so sweet! 

 

A moment of sweetness between Dexter and Molly...

4 People, 12 Times for January - a little late

As per this post.... Tara's Personal Project Challenge.... we took our family portrait this past weekend.  We cheated a little bit because this is supposed to be for January and technically we didn't have our newest family member (Oooops I haven't posted about his arrival yet!), but now that he's here I couldn't not have him in the picture.  

January Notes:

Made the ultimate decision to adopt a new puppy...found and 'reserved' a pug puppy we named Dexter

Bad weather kept us from the ski park all month.  Sad, but the rain/snow was much needed. 

Ella lost her first tooth, Jacob lost a couple more. 

Sickness consumed a couple of the weeks of January...at least one of us seemed to be sick with something most of the month.  

Our cat, Max, has been having some health issues of his own.  He has stopped eating and has gone on 3 weeks of no food.  He won't eat anything and drinks very little.  Other than that he seems healthy and content.  Our cat Coco, passed away last year so I am concerned.  

I started a new hobby of running after hating it my whole life.  It's going well so far and I feel I have to run 5 times a week.  Not sure that I've become addicted yet but I do like it. 

Ella took a break from dance.  She's been taking dance since she was about 2 and a half.  I only want her to do what she wants but I secretly do hope she will want to dance again in the fall. 

And the winner is.....

Lisa of The Little Green Button shop!  I had my daughter draw a number and commenter number 6 was the winner. 

That was fun--I'll be offering more giveaways in the future...thanks for playing everyone!