The Winner, The Prize

The secret prize of my first Spring Giveaway went to my friend Paul in Ohio! He received it a few days ago and said he was pretty delighted. It was difficult to decide what to make for Paul. If the winner was a girl, I would have made something pretty and floral like, but Paul was one of three guy friends to enter. Knowing he shares my appreciation for the feline personality, I decided on a Cat Adventure flip book! I used vellum to draw each frame of action, then scanned it and colored it in photoshop. The result was two little books, the first being the cat leaping into the air, and in the second the cat lands on a table. It was tough and turned out a little rough, but it was fun. I think I will try to animate it next!

What a week

What a life.
Is it nearly Thursday already as I write this? Goodbye, week. I am working the next 3 days, midshifts, which I generally like, but they also eat at the day. I've been losing track of time. It seems to have slipped through my fingers as I was preoccupied with thoughts of time...that's the dangerous irony.

So much happening right now...well, for Nathan. I am restless, yet tired, as I think of him powering through these last several days. I suppose this feeling is empathy and also dependence. What I'll try to extract is a reminder, to pave a path alongside his as he works so hard to make his way. I remember those final weeks finishing projects, working around the clock, and reaching a threshold of exhaustion. Nathan came home with a sniffle, and I panicked a little....No, not now! One more week! But a cold waits for no one and no finals. Soup making goes on my schedule tomorrow.

What else is new? My friend got the apartment she wants, and it's been fun to help her in the rehoming process. On Monday 4 of us ladies piled in the van and went to Home Depot--hilarity and confusion, let me tell ya. And then painting. Lots of painting, and boy, does it make a difference. I need to remember color in my life (note to self). Otherwise, I finally finished my giveaway project and got it into the mail...a consuming project I hadn't quite anticipated. I hope the recipient is pleased. These activities have replaced laundry and cooking square meals lately, so that needs to be reintroduced asap. For our health and our wallets. I'll give it a few more days before sharing my project...ok, fine, here's a teaser photo, but don't ask me what it is! I'm not telling yet.



So, finally, here are a couple new pics from our beautiful Sunday afternoon. N and I haven't been able to spend much time together in the recent chaos, but a perfect Northwest day beckoned us to the dog park. And to Spud's for the best fish and chips...I had to get a photo to promote this meal to legendary status.

So what's new with you?

Thanks for reading through my ramblings...please keep us in your hearts the next couple weeks. xo

Surprises for Spring

Hello, all. Here we are in the 3rd week of April, and Spring has me a bit restless. I am trying to keep my thoughts and hands busy to distract myself from other nervous thoughts, mostly about the future.

This weekend I accompanied a friend in her apartment shopping on Capitol Hill, which was good fun. I hadn't been to that part of the city in quite some time, and the sunshine made it such a cheery day. Plus, I love looking at new places and scheming design ideas in my head. Now that it's warming up I feel like getting out and exploring again. Perhaps busy feet will keep my nerves at bay.

Yesterday, my day off, I stayed in and made some happy Springtime crafts. I decided to package them up and send them to someone. This particular package is going to someone special. I left a comment on Facebook that I was sending out a package to someone, and then, something funny happened.....people got really excited about the possibility of getting a package! I felt bad because I knew who was getting this one, but I decided it would be fun to surprise someone else with a package too! So, I posted this little announcement on Facebook:

photo by pewari naan

Happy Spring, Friends!

Every year when Spring rolls in, as Winter sputters out yet two months too long, I think....this must be my very favorite season. (Whence Summer and Fall come around, I think I say the same...Nonetheless!--) The world feels fresh, sometimes new, and despite whatever else is going on, there's something hopeful in the air. There's energy.

So what am I getting at? I want to share that happy Spring energy with you! Here's the deal:

Callie's Great Spring Giveaway

In the comments below this note, say hello and leave your mailing address.* I will use a random number generator to select one person to receive a special surprise package! Please reply soon as I will only take comments up to Friday at 12:01am PST. I will finish the project and send it out next Monday, April 19th (or Tuesday, if I'm lazy). My only request is that you be willing to take a photo of You+Surprise to share, aka, the Results Photo.

What will you get? I'll be honest--it will probably be something simple, lightweight, and likely homemade, because "{my} money don't grow on trees," and that's just how I roll. It may be somewhat generic, or it could be more personal. The fun is in the surprise! :)

*If you are uncomfortable leaving your address in the comments, leave a comment (so you'll have a number) and private message me your address.

***

Isn't that fun??

I'm really excited and hope I get lots of comments to make it more exciting for everyone. Facebook is a funny thing though...200 people you haven't spoken to in ages will add you, say nothing, and then totally ignore you from thereon. I'm hoping this will bring some of them out of the woodwork, and if not...maybe I'll delete them. ;) Just Kidding!

Happy Tuesday!

Cruel to be Kind

Welcome to April...April 9th, that is.

I'm lazing on my postings for the Cruelest Month; and let me tell you, if we're speaking weather-wise, April has been somewhat cruel. With all of the warmth and sun, I thought Spring good times were just around the corner, but April is a prankster! We've had lots of April Showers intermixed with moments of hot, clear skies and cascades of hail. Were this Iowa, I'd be waiting for the sirens and heading to the basement. I am sure this will even out soon and we'll be back in that Northwest I love.
♥

The countdown continues as Nathan now has only 6 school days left! (two 3-day weeks) The end of the school year is such an itching feeling, I remember. Spring/Summer is on the horizon and all you want is to have that warm, carefree day now. Keep going, Nathan, you're so almost there!

Since this is the first completely clear day we've had in a while, I walked downtown to have coffee with a friend and took some photos on the way back. Experimenting with my camera settings....it seems like my photos are a bit grainy, which I find confusing, especially in white light outdoor shots. Sometimes I like the effect on the colors and texture, an aged or vintage kind of look. Even somewhat painterly...?* What do you think?

(I live in a very charming place, don't I? If only this was my street.)

(This dash of olive green treeline between blues reminds me of a painting.)

*The close-up photo of the flowers I posted at the very top looks to me like wallpaper...those blush pinks and sepia tones are so lovely...the same colors I am seeing in Spring Fashion lookbooks!

And lastly, I bring you: Wednesday evening dinner.

I can't decide if this looks appetizing or disgusting, but I can tell you it was delicious.
*Baked salmon in a spice broth over wild rice*
Adapted from the Baked fish recipe from 5 Spices, 50 Dishes

1.5 lbs fish
1.2 tsp coriander seeds (I used ground)
3 T canola oil
3 large shallots (I used yellow onion)
1/4 tsp grated fresh ginger (substituted powdered)
1 clove grated garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 C water
1/2 tsp salt
1 roma tomato, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°
Cut fish into 3" pieces.
Toast coriander seeds over low heat, cool, and grind.
*I used ground and threw it in with the rest, below.
Heat oil over med heat, add shallots, stir til golden.
Add ginger, garlic and cayenne, stirring constantly.
Add water, salt and coriander, bring to boil.

Place fish in single layer in casserole dish (I used our dutch oven!) and top with tomatoes. I also used some zucchini. Pour spicy broth on top and bake until fish is cooked, 10-15 minutes.
I served ours over delicious wild rice.
Yum!

Josie's Hollywood 11th Birthday

I promised photos from the Hollywood birthday extravaganza, and here they are! The ladies got back from their spring break vacation just as I was putting the finishing touch on the (e'hem, plastic) red carpet. It was so rewarding to see the look on their faces when they walked through the door! Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the party, but I was informed they had a blast, ate too much sugar, and enjoyed Star Wars on their private big screen.

the birthday girl making her debut
(the marquee was my favorite part!)

midway shot, balloon bouquets (and Dorado in the left!)

the finished table: "sham"pagne, cookie platter, veggie shots, photo reel favors, and plate settings w. ringpop bling

Josie opted for dessert cookies, cute and delicious

party games, popcorn box treat bags, and their very own magazine cover, "your photo here!"

It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. With this experience behind me (and a bit more planning time ahead), I'm excited for the next--Jenna's fabulous '50s birthday!

*I'm still getting used to the new camera...these photos seem a little grainy, so I'll have to work on that, sorry!