Assorted Musings by Maggie

New Year

2012-01-04T18:26:00.000-06:00

If you are reading this, then hello! I hope everyone has had a safe and Happy New Year. It's been several months since I've written anything, and I've debated whether to write again or not. 2011 has been an odd year for me. I have been so incredibly lucky to have gotten a teaching job and a great man in my life, but it has not been easy. I love teaching, and I love my job, and I can't complain because teaching jobs are so incredibly hard to come by. But....no schooling could ever have prepared me for this first year.

I've been working 12 hour days, spending nights and weekends working, and have had to prove my worth as a teacher to my administration by working even twice as hard as I was already doing (if that was possible). It's been an uphill battle, and it has left little of me leftover for anyone or anything else. I have not blogged, ridden my bikes, run, swim, knit, or crocheted in quite some time. I'm lucky if I have the energy at night to cook dinner.

But......I just keep telling myself that this too shall pass. One day I will have experience under my belt, my administration behind my back, and my life back. This is my New Years Resolution: to survive. Not to become something new, but get back to being who I AM, who I worked so hard to be, and who I loved. I loved that woman, and I can't wait to be her again.

Every teacher says that their first year is the hardest, and today marked my first year, as this time last year I took over a second grade classroom halfway through. So I hope these next few months will be a little easier. And I hope that this summer I will get to enjoy the fruits of my labor, and not have to spend it looking for another job. I can't say that I'm optimistic, but I do believe that I can survive.

1300 Things to be Thankful For: Week 6

2011-07-26T12:18:00.000-05:00

126. People who appreciate all of your hard work.
127. Watching movies in the park.
128. Falling asleep watching movies in the park.
129. Awesome people who give you free stuff.
130. Homemade hummus.
131. Getting a reply from a Principal, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear (it's just nice to know people are actually reading my emails/resume!)
132. Caturday.

133. A clean car.

134. Summer Dresses.

135. Awesome neighbors and friends who are willing to take care of my babies while I'm away!

136. This adorable face:

137. Cute shoes to go with my dress for the wedding, on sale too!

138. Job listings for teachers being open to new applicants.

139. Having a way to play my iPod on my car stereo.

140. 2 days off of work to clean and pack for my trip.

141. Getting to go on this trip with my wonderful bf.

142. My brother and his fiance finally getting married!

143. Planning a trip to the Grand Canyon.

144. New bed sheets.

145. A summer full of my favorite movies and plays from the 80s.

146. Bulletproof by La Roux.

147. Hilarious gifs on tumblr.

148. FaceTime with my bro on my iPhone.
149. Wedonverse quotes showing up on my Twitter timeline:

whedonesque whedonesque

"He got a soul and it sickened me. All that power wasted on a whiny mopey do-gooder. God, I could eat his eyeballs."

150. Embracing the nerd in me.

Road Trip!

2011-07-20T11:39:00.000-05:00

Next week we'll be heading out for CA! I'm so excited, and nervous at the same time. We'll be doing A LOT of driving, but I'm hoping to make it fun too. We'll be stopping halfway to camp in Catalina State Park in AZ, which is at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. On the way back, we'll be heading out a little further to stop by the South Rim of the Grand Canyon! I'm very excited about this. We'll be leaving Monday afternoon from CA and it will be a 12hr drive, so I'm hoping we'll be getting there early in the morning, just in time for the sunrise.

Beautiful!

On the first leg of the trip I plan to bring a lot of food for us to pig out on so we don't have to stop and get crappy fast food. I'm thinking some homemade hummus, black beans, tofu "egg" salad, plenty of veggies, and lots of nuts: walnuts, pecans, and cashews.

I'm also planning on a plethora of music, yarn, watching Netflix on my iPhone (LOVE), and taking lots and lots and lots of pictures! What are your road trip favorites, and how do you pass the time??

1300 Things to be Thankful For: Week 5

2011-07-19T13:28:00.000-05:00

101. Alamo Drafthouse: movies, beer, and food!
102. Having multiple bikes, which gives me choices on the type of riding I want to do.
103. Hope Farmer's Market.
104. Flexible schedules.
105. Google maps for planning road trips.
106. The anticipation of a vacation.
107. Shoe shopping!
108. Vitamin B12 supplements.
109. Spinach.
110. Working next door to Jeanie's Java.
111. Jeanie's Avocado Bliss.
112. Avocados!
113. Balsamic vinegar.
114. Sesame Tahini.
115. Tofu stir-fry with quinoa.
116. Making things while watching my fave shows.

117. Unexpectedly having 2 days off in the week.
118. Shazam.
119. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People.

120. Nutritional yeast as a cheese sauce substitute.
121. Sleeping kitties.

122. Swimming.
123. Swimming.
124. Swimming.
125 Swimming. (It's HOT in ATX!)

Driving with Cyclists.

2011-07-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

In Austin, we think we have a pretty prevalent cycling community, which we do, but that doesn't make Austin cycling friendly. I've noticed a lot more Ghost Bikes showing up around town, which makes me really sad.

Ghost bikes represent the place on a particular road that a cyclist was hit and killed. It's so sad to see them here in Austin on many of the streets that I ride on. I certainly don't think that all cyclists are innocent, sometimes they behave erratically which makes it confusing for motorists. However, a LOT of motorists are just simply unaware of the proper bike/vehicle etiquette on the road. Which is not necessarily their fault either, it's not something that is taught in Driver's Ed courses, or even Defensive Driving. Why not??? So here are a few tips for driving on the road with bike lanes and cyclists:

A lot of bike lanes also cross paths with parking on the side of the street. When pulling out, please be aware that a cyclist may be crossing your path unexpectedly.
When parallel parking on the side of the road next to a bike lane, please check your mirrors before opening the door. You can send a cyclist flying head over handlebars with your door jutting out into the lane.
When you are driving in a lane next to a bike lane (AHEM: large SUVs and trucks pay attention here!), PLEASE pay attention to staying in your lane. Often motorists will swerve into the bike lane because they don't see a cyclist around. But cyclists turn onto streets when you're not paying attention, and sometimes we are capable of going faster than traffic, thus there may be a cyclist right behind you that you weren't aware of.
When making a right turn through a bike lane, please don't use the bike lane as a turning lane. Sometimes a turning motorist will get stopped at a green light, unable to turn, and end up blocking a cyclist from continuing on through the light. Also, double check your blind spot to ensure that a cyclist is not continuing through a green light while you are trying to turn.
Please be patient if a cyclist is taking a full lane. Often times there is debris in the bike lane that we have to avoid: fallen branches, broken glass, rocks, and parked cars. Whenever I am going downhill around a corner, I will ALWAYS take the full lane because I never know if the bike lane is safe around the corner. Most times the cyclist will return to the bike lane once the coast is clear.
Most motorists aren't aware of this, but it is legal for two cyclists to ride side by side and take a full lane. I really prefer to do this when riding with a friend because it forces motorists to treat you like a vehicle and pass in the opposite lane when it is clear, rather than them speeding by you only half out of the lane while an oncoming car is approaching.

"Persons operating bicycles on a roadway may ride two abreast. Persons riding two abreast on a laned roadway shall ride in a single lane. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway." {source}

When passing cyclists, please allow 3ft of space if you are a car or truck, and 6ft if you are a truck with multiple axles. This is a law in most states, and was passed by legislature here in Texas, but Governor Perry vetoed it (doesn't surprise me, I highly dislike Governor Perry!). That doesn't mean that it is not a safe practice. Generally, wait until the oncoming lane is open and pass as you would any other vehicle.
If you are about to make a right turn, and there is a cyclist in front of you....PLEASE do not quickly pass the cyclist only to slam on your brakes, turn right, and cut them off. I've almost been hit several times this way. It'll only take a minute to wait behind the cyclist!
If there is a red light in front of you, again, please don't quickly pass the cyclist only to slam on your brakes at the stop light...chances are you will both arrive at the light at the same time anyway!
And last but not least...when in doubt...just WAIT. Cyclists are pumping generally as hard as they can, working hard, sweating in the heat, heart racing, doing their best. You get to sit in your air conditioned vehicle, and the only thing you have to worry about is gently pushing the brakes. Most times you will only have to wait a minute or two behind the cyclist before the road is clear to pass, or your paths diverge. I, as a cyclist, am aware of when vehicles are kindly waiting behind me, and when they do that, I will often get out of the way when I can and wave them by, thanking them for their kindness.

I'm sorry if this post is a little ranty, but if motorists and cyclists can learn to get along, the world would be a much better place. People cycle not just for the exercise, but because it means something. One less car on the road, less dependence on oil, less traffic jams, better air to breathe, less smog, etc. And the safer cycling becomes, the more newbies will be willing to give it a shot. So even if you don't plan on jumping on a bike anytime soon, please be aware that just being conscious of your driving habits will make the roads safer for those who want to.

1300 Things to be Thankful For: Week 4

2011-07-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

76. Free theater in the park.
77. Working with my bff.
78. Air conditioning (ESPECIALLY in my car!)
79. Leftovers.
80. Free food work.
81. Free beer from work!
82. Hanging with my friends.
83. My thoughtful bf.
84. Google maps, making it so incredibly easy to plan a driving route to CA!
85. How the camera on my phone can "flip" so I can see myself when I'm taking self-potraits. ;-)
86. Having a well-behaved and loyal pup!
87. Being able to swim laps the right way.
88. Sleeping in till 10am.
89. Streaming movies and shows on Netflix right to my TV.
90. iPhone apps that let me play with pictures.

91. Talking to fellow teachers and realizing that I'm not the only one struggling.
92. Living next door to Barton Springs and Zilker Park.
93. Talking on the phone with my Mom.
94. Vegenaise. Nick would be upset if I did not clarify the pronunciation of this:

Do you pronounce it Vej-a-naze or Ve-gan-aze ?

When we first invented Vegenaise ® in the early 70's, the word vegan was not widely recognized. We named it Vegenaise ® for "vegetarian mayonnaise". But today, with so many vegans enjoying our product, we really think that Veganaise ™ is a great name too. So, call it what you will, just ask for it by name.

My bottle is spelled vegenaise, not veganaise, so I say it with the soft 'g'. ;-)

95. Water. It's so hot in Texas (consistently over 100 degrees the whole month of June, and now July!) that it's really easy to get dehydrated. I drink lots of water and still feel thirsty!

96. Learning about beer at Uncle Billy's. I mean, really good beer!

97. Learning to make patterns for my crocheted items.

98. Fresh vegetables.

99. All the burger joints I go to have veggie burgers!

100. Having short hair. I had a dream last night that it was long again, and I was actually sad!

Tumblr

2011-07-06T10:48:00.000-05:00

So I joined Tumblr recently (yes, I know, another social media site!). I really like the "reblog" option where you get to share fun how-to's, pics, rants, art, recipes, etc. I <3 love <3 looking through the posts and sharing them on my tumblr. I also like how easy it is to add some photos and captions. It's a lot easier than blogging tons of pictures here, or posting them one at a time on twitter. So if you are on tumblr, come find me! I want to follow all my friends too. :-)

http://assortedmusings13.tumblr.com/

1300 Things to be Thankful For: Week 3

2011-07-05T11:19:00.000-05:00

51. Free night swim at Barton Springs.

52. Laughing, like, from the gut spontaneous and genuine laughter!
53. Vegan pizza.
54. Learning new crafty things.

55. Surprise gifts!

56. A good looking man in suspenders.

57. My new Pic Frame iPhone app.

58. Black Bean burgers.

59. Sweet potato fries.

60. Tofu ("egg") salad.

61. Cucumber salad.

62. Vegan avocado mayo.

63. Canoes.
64. Lady Bird Lake.
65. Sunscreen.
66. Picnics.

67. Drop Dead Diva.
68. Dogs!
69. Instagram.
70. Zooey Deschanel.
71. Dinner with friends.
72. Free yarn!
73. Listening to Wicked songs on Pandora.
74. Hanging out with neighbors.
75. People in my life that I love and adore.

Okay Dad (Omnivore's Dilemma)

2011-07-01T12:43:00.001-05:00

Yesterday my Dad commented on my post regarding my decision about eating meat:

before you give up chocolate because you don't like some of the chocolate factories....read Ominivore's Dilemma....

love,

dad

First thing though, Dad, don't worry, I will NEVER stop eating chocolate! ;-) I wanted to explain my thought process a bit because I haven't really talked about it much here. I haven't read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, but after reading that comment I did what I always do: research the he*# out of it! I could go link crazy and quote crazy in this post, but I'm not gonna. I will however tell you how I've processed all the research I've done regarding this situation.

So the book basically talks about how food gets to your plate, meat factories, farming practices, etc. It talks about vegetarianism, veganism, the organic food craze, free-range meats, etc. What I got from my research is basically what I've been feeling all along. The reason I have chosen to change my meat-eating habits and reduce my dairy intake is not because I have any moral issue with eating meat or animal products. I do love me a juicy steak, and I don't foresee ever giving up cheese for good! What I have a problem with is the process it takes to get to my plate.

Do I think that going vegetarian or vegan is the only solution? Not for everyone, not realistically, nope. Yes, you can feed a LOT more people if you reduce the amount of crops grown for animal consumption vs human consumption. That's just logical, skipping a step in the food chain reduces energy used to get food to your plate. I agree with that. I agree with the fact that we OVERINDULGE ourselves with meat and dairy products. Do we need to eat animal products with EVERY meal? Heck no. Even if everyone just reduced their intake by 1/2, that would curtail the need for factory farming (not real statistics people, don't quote me on this!).

What about organic and free-range though? I did my research on that too. Those labels are loose and do nothing but make the consumer feel better, without actually improving the living situation of the animals. Free-range chickens are still de-beaked, the pig's tails are still docked, and during their "outside" time, they are rarely (if ever) actually allowed to roam. They are penned into tiny outside corrals, barely able to move even if they wanted to. And organic doesn't mean anything other than no antibiotics, which means they still live in factories. Animals raised for organic meat are even more secluded from each other and the outside world due to the fact that if they should contract a disease, instead of receiving antibiotics they are slaughtered. (Not a solution people!)

But animal products are not the only issue in our food industry. We still are willing to ship fresh fruit and veggies to our plates from across the world, which increases our dependency on fossil fuels to drive/fly/ship our food to us. We insist on having everything we want available to us at all times, whether we choose to consume it or not. It is so wasteful the way we stock our shelves with these fruits and veggies when they aren't even in season! But does that mean I am only going to eat locally? Not realistically, nope. I can't afford that, and most people can't either. This is the can of worms I've tried to avoid opening. I don't want to be reading labels all the time, scrutinizing over my food, worrying about the consequences of every decision I make, whether it be with food, clothing, make up, toiletries...the list can go on and on and on. And I'm sorry, but I just can't take that burden on.

So it comes to this: what can I comfortably control in my environment? What are the decisions I can make that will be most effective without causing me to alter my complete lifestyle overnight? I am not going to call myself a vegetarian, or a vegan. Say I go to the Farmer's Market and talk to the farmer selling meat and hear how the animals are raised and the meat is processed, and I feel that the farmer is providing me meat that was raised and processed ethically: sure I'll eat that steak! If I am craving cheese will I eat it? Of course! But if I can find a vegan or vegetarian alternative, I'll take it. If I can avoid purchasing animal products at the grocery store, then I will! It comes down to the fact that I WILL make better choices, but I refuse to draw a thick hard line in my life regarding what I will and will not do. I am too prone to anxiety to allow myself to stress over something to the point of a panic attack! The line I have drawn is flexible, I may make different choices along the way, but I will be a more conscious consumer overall. That is my goal. But then again, I'm only human right? ;-)

California

2011-06-30T12:07:00.000-05:00

Matt and Kasia <3

My brother and his fiance are getting married at the end of July! I'm really excited because they have been together for 6 years (or more, I can't remember!), so it's about time they make it official. ;-) They are having a destination wedding in Big Sur, CA. I've been looking at pictures and planning the trip because Nick and I will be driving there. I want to make a few stops along the way, maybe go camping in the Redwood forests. All this planning is getting me super excited! I mean, who wouldn't be with places this beautiful:

Big Sur

Sequoia National Forest

What are YOUR big plans for the summer?!

1300 Things to be Thankful For: Week 2

2011-06-27T12:01:00.001-05:00

26. My hairstylist, Angela, at Bird's Barbershop.
27. Chance encounters with friends.
28. Dancing with my man.
29. Waking up to find out it rained!

30. Getting compliments from friends, family, and coworkers.

31. Having time to read my favorite blogs again!

32. Vegan alternatives to cheese and milk that taste great.

33. Earrings.

34. Thriftng.

35. Buying a very special dress from a local designer!

36. Embroidery.

37. Dog-sitting for my bff. I love Stanley!

37. Being introduced to Charlene Kaye and her wonderful music.

39. Being able to run a mile.

40. Being able to bike 20 miles.

41. Tofu with Peanut Sauce.

42. Joss Whedon's shows: Buffy, Angel, and Firefly.

43. Kitties who sleep in sinks.

44. Summertime in ATX.

45. New blog followers! (Thanks guys and gals! ;-)

46. TWLOHA

47. StitchPoint.com for it's awesome cross stitch pattern maker!

48. My Glee Pandora station.

49. This awesome idea to turn a sad occasion into something positive: Bios Urn.

50. Taking the time to be grateful.

Thrifting

2011-06-25T13:04:00.000-05:00

I got my last paycheck yesterday from the elementary school and I just couldn't help myself! Luckily when I go thrifting, I only spend about $30. That fits into my budget quite nicely. :-) Yesterday I scored with some cute stuff: a couple shirts, a skirt, a dress, some necklaces, and earrings! My outfit today consisted of my new finds.

The shirt even still had the tags on them from the store, I love when that happens! And the large heart earrings are so fun, I love that I get to wear earrings now.

Side note: my dog is adorable!

Friday Faves

2011-06-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Having short hair now has opened up a whole new world for me: earrings! I could never really wear them before because you couldn't see them past my long curly hair, so I really want to take advantage of my new-found ability to wear these amazing accessories!

If she can do it, so can I.

2011-06-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

Monday night I was out with my bff and my man dancing at TC's Lounge on the eastside. It was soooo hot in there and I off-handedly made the comment that I should cut all my hair off. All of a sudden both of them were agreeing with me, telling me I should do it, that it would look really good on me, and encouraging me to cut off all my hair! This was not something I have ever really considered before, and I never thought I could do it, but the idea was suddenly appealing to me. So I woke up Tuesday morning and I said, WTH, I'll do it! I made an appt with my stylist, and later that evening, this happened:

I was such a bundle of nerves, but I completely trusted my stylist. We went over some pics together, and she slowly began shaping my new 'do. We kept stopping to look at it and we both kept agreeing, let's go shorter! And shorter! And shorter! When I first left the salon, I wasn't 100% ecstatic about my hair, but once I got home and wet it down a bit and started playing with it, I LOVED it! It feels so freeing, and it is so much fun to see such a huge change with such little effort! It's really versatile too. It can be curly, wavy, or I can easily straighten it. It looks great when I first get out of bed, and requires almost no time to style it!

I'll never forget what Nick said that finally put me over the top on this decision. I'm paraphrasing, but it pretty much was that I was so much more than just the hair on my head. And turns out, it's true!

Garlic Cream Sauce with Veggies

2011-06-21T12:00:00.001-05:00

I absolutely love alfredo sauce, but was looking for an alternative to it since it is so heavy on the cheese and cream! I experimented a little and found that this sauce is a great substitute! Creamy, flavorful, and dairy free!

Ingredients for sauce:
1/4 cup of Earth Balance margarine
1/4 cup of flour
almond milk
vegetable broth
3 garlic cloves
fresh parsley

I first made a roux by melting the margarine in a pan, once melted I whisked the flour in gradually. Then I used a garlic press to add the cloves and let the mixture cook for a few minutes until it turned a golden brown. Then I began to whisk in the almond milk. I didn't measure how much, but it was about 1/3 cup. I actually ran out of almond milk so I added vegetable broth until the sauce was the consistency I wanted. I think it turned out better than if I had used all almond milk because it was a pretty thick sauce already with the roux. I then added the parsley and set aside the sauce in a bowl and returned the pan to the burner to cook the veggies.

Veggies:
EVOO
onions
fresh basil and various herbs
spinach
tomatoes
zucchini
salt and pepper to taste

I added a touch of EVOO to the pan and sauteed the onions. Then I added the herbs, spinach, and zucchini. I cooked that for a few minutes until the spinach turned a nice dark green, then added the chopped tomatoes. I used 4 very small patio tomatoes from my garden, so if you use large ones I would wash the seeds out first and just add a little for flavor. Then I returned the sauce to the pan with the veggies and added some more vegetable broth so it wasn't too thick. Remember, sauce will get thicker after it's done cooking, so it's ok if it's a little runny in the pan.

I added the sauce to some angel hair pasta and voila! A great vegan creamy pasta sauce. Enjoy!

1300 Things to be Thankful For

2011-06-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

I saw PuNk rAwK pUrL do a post on 1300 Things to be Thankful For, and I loved it! She in turn got it from The Quiet Life of Violet (who, by the way, just went into labor today, congrats!). This idea really struck a chord for me because for the last few months all I've been consumed with is what has been taken away from me: my job, my health, and possibly my future as a teacher. I'm at the point where I'm tired of the gloom, the woe-is-me attitude, and I'm ready to get back to my positive and cheery self again. I thought that this project would help me to remember all of the things I DO have, and all of the things I am thankful for. So 25 things every week for the next year. Let's go!

1. My family- they manage to be a part of my life even though we live across the country/world from each other.
2. Friends- especially my bff and my man, I couldn't get through these hard times without them!
3. My pets- because they are completely adorable and keep me company when I'm lonely.
4. My adorable apt.
5. Austin, TX
6. The Colorado River running through the city.
7. The Hill Country
8. Riding bicycles
9. Florence + The Machine (particularly this song right here:)

10. Deep Eddy Pool- I can swim laps in a marked lane and enjoy the cool spring water.
11. The Austin Craft Riot Gals
12. Iced coffee
13. Tofu
14. Almond Milk
15. Fresh veggies from my garden
16. Daily Juice
17. My new mattress
18. My Doctor/therapist
19. Time off
20. Yarn

21. Sticky notes
22. Hobby Lobby
23. My iPhone
24. Homemade Black Beans
25. My curly hair

Stay tuned for more next week! I plan to keep a journal of these throughout the week so I can really delve into all the little things that make me happy!

Your the Best.

2011-06-15T14:59:00.001-05:00

Your favorite teacher might notice this.

{via Regretsy}

Austin Craft Riot's Etsy Party!

2011-06-13T20:55:00.000-05:00

First off, gpoy. I love shoes!

Shaylind helped me make a super sweet button!

I'm making a duct tape bracelet.

Did you know they make purple plaid duct tape now??

Amy had to help me get the fasteners on.

Ta Da!

Nick made a t-shirt produce bag. He's very excited about it.

It was fun, and as always, good to see the Austin Craft Riot crew! (Formerly known as Team Etsy Austin) Yup, that's right. The team is getting a whole new makeover! I know this is something they've wanted to do for awhile, so I'm happy to see it turning out so well. Check out the new logo in my sidebar on the left, adorable isn't it?!

Tofu with Peanut Sauce

2011-06-11T13:40:00.002-05:00

Last week I was watching This American Life on Netflix, when they did a show called Pandora's Box. One of the stories was about how new technology in the animal farming industry has turned it into factory farming. This is not the first time I've seen, read, or heard about the meat industry. But for some reason it hit me a lot harder.

So in an effort to be a more conscious consumer, I am changing up my diet a little. I've never been a fan of tofu, but Nick insisted that I try it since I refuse to eat any meat lately...and you know what? It was really good! We wrote down the recipe as we went, since it would be nice to replicate it, and I decided to share it with you!

Peanut Sauce:
2 tbsp of chopped fresh ginger
4 tbsp fresh unsalted peanut butter
4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp Soy Sauce*
4+ cloves of fresh garlic
4 tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of vegetable broth
1 chopped shallot

We originally made this at half the portions, but realized later that doubling the sauce recipe would have been good, so I did that here for you. :-)

Use one lb of tofu, drained and pressed. Nick says to freeze it overnight and press again if you have the foresight to do so. Cut the tofu into cubes. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Combine the sauce ingredients in a separate bowl and use a food processor or blender to mix the sauce. Add additional ingredients to taste if you prefer. Place your tofu cubes in a baking dish (a 9x13 pan is good) and pour sauce over the top. Bake for 20 minutes. At this point we added some sliced zucchini, you can add whatever veggies you desire! Bake for 10 more minutes (or as needed). We then topped it with some raw red bell peppers and served it with some al dente Udon noodles. It was sooo good. I forgot to get anymore pics of the steps after we put it into the oven because it was late at night and I was HUNGRY, but it looked just as good as it tasted. :-)

Enjoy!

*I edited the amount of soy sauce because it originally said 6tbsp, which is WAY too much!

Choices.

2011-06-10T17:27:00.000-05:00

Job hunting is a crazy experience. I was lucky enough to forgo it all when I got a job just after graduating, but I wasn't lucky enough to stave it off forever. It's sometimes embarrassing to explain to people why I left my last job: "I didn't, I was a victim of the State budget crisis and wasn't offered a contract for the Fall". Victim. Fun.

I started looking for jobs in late April/early May. I applied for some full time summer jobs working with kids, I went on several interviews, and my hopes were high. I mean, look at the luck I had before? This was in the bag.

Yea, not so much.

Option #1. I started looking at long-term positions at Preschools. I was completely spoiled by the Preschool I worked at, they offered salary and benefits to Lead Teachers, paid time off, sick days, etc. You know what I found out there? Mostly low paying, no benefits, no paid holidays, long hours. Really? It surprises me how little people value the institutions that care for their young children. Do I take a low-paying, full time job with a year commitment? This means that I wouldn't have the opportunity to go back to work in the ISD in the Fall. No subbing, no maintaining networks, no long-term sub positions...

Sure, I could take the job, and keep looking for another. But you know what I kept hearing?: "We're looking for someone who's willing to make a commitment"; "We want a stable environment for the children"; "We want someone who really wants to be here." My dilemma is those kids. Could I in good conscience take a job that was looking for a long-term teacher, knowing that I planned on leaving as soon as a better opportunity showed up? No. I couldn't.

On to option #2. Work part time summer jobs and stay open for the Fall. Jobs like working at a restaurant, temp jobs, assistant jobs, etc. I reeeaaallly didn't want to make that choice either. I love having my nights and weekends off, I love having a job that is meaningful to me, I love feeling like I'm serving a valuable purpose. I don't want to give that up! But I'm looking forward to the future, to when schools open up again and I can start subbing, working part-time in schools as an aide, working as a long-term sub, anything!

So I made my choice. I sucked it up and got a part time job at Uncle Billy's Brew & Que just down the street from my house. I'm looking at possibly working as an assistant for my Chiropractor (which is ok, he's AWEsome). I even have a small lead working a part time job with children (a ray of hope!). I'm comfortable with my decision, but it was a hard one to make. The most important thing to me at this point is to just stop stressing. It is what it is. School's are closed for the summer, the budget is in crisis, and new teachers are getting the short end of the stick. I can't do anything about it all. It boils down to luck and timing now. There are so many deserving applicants out there for teaching jobs that I can't complain...

What I'm hoping for the rest of the summer is just to enjoy myself. Get some more swimming in, ride my bikes, eat some good food, laugh, enjoy my brother's wedding (yay!), and wait patiently for the school year to begin again...

Let your FREAK flag fly.

2011-06-09T13:39:00.000-05:00

Creating the fabric.

Beginning the embroidery.

Progress Report!

Finished.

Mounted.

Mounting frame.

I learned a lot with this project! First, always make your fabric larger than you need so that you can easily mount it. My mounting job isn't the greatest because I didn't have enough fabric to actually pull it all the way to the back and secure it nicely. I also learned that doubling up on the embroidery yarn made for a nicer stitch, I was really happy with that. I enjoyed making this a lot, and I've already started another piece! I'm hoping to make enough of these to incorporate into my shop in the future. Right now it's a slow process, but I think I can make a few simple pieces with one word, or start make a few with simple pictures. I am looking for a good pattern making program though, so if you know of one please share!

Garner State Park

2011-06-07T15:37:00.000-05:00

Our camping site. It was pretty secluded compared to the opposite end of the park where there were a TON of people! I was happy with being farther away.

There was a section of the river next to our campsite just a short hike down a hill. There was a small waterfall and some good wading areas. It was perfect for a dip in the water to cool off.

The average hight of the peaks at Garner are 1800ft, and we climbed two of them. This picture wasn't even taken all the way at the top of Old Baldy! I had to stop and catch my breath for a minute on the way up. It was pretty close to the shear edge of the cliff and I was a little scared of the height, but it was really worth the climb once we got up there, it was spectacular!

Dee Dee was hanging in there, but she couldn't keep up the whole time. She hiked with us on Saturday, but we left her to rest at the campsite while we hiked Old Baldy, she is just getting too old. At almost 12 years though, she does a pretty good job!

Sunday night we went to the Park's pavilion for their dance. It was like walking onto the set of a movie! There were kids of all ages dancing, adorable summer romances between teenagers were definitely blossoming, little girls in cutesy dresses were twirling around, and there were cowboy hats a-plenty.

It was really a great few days, and I can't wait to do some more camping, hiking and swimming this summer!

Bikes and Crafts.

2011-06-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

I got my mixte! She's vintage, but I'm not sure how old. Nick tuned her up for me after I bought her, and I've ridden her around town a couple of times. For a heavy old bike, she rides really well! I'm very happy. :-)

With all my bikes stacking up on my porch, it quickly became evident that I needed a better storage solution, so on Monday Nick built me this (isn't he great?!):

The mount is attached to the wall of my patio. There are hooks attached to the mount for the bikes, and spacers between the mount and the wall so I can run my cable locks through it and secure the bikes. Now I can actually get out any bike I want without having to lift it over another bike or worry about knocking anything down!

On the crafty side, I began the embroidery portion of my latest project:

The font is in cursive, and I think the pattern is turning out really well! I learned a little something from my last embroidery project, so this time I doubled up the yarn. This prevents the cross-stitch X pattern from being so visible, and I really like how it's turning out. If all goes well, I think I can finish it tonight! The next part is to mount it. I'm thinking of either building a frame for it, or attaching it to a backing. I'm not really sure how, or with what materials, so I'm open to suggestions if you have any!

Renegade Craft Fair Goodies.

2011-05-23T17:54:00.000-05:00

I went this weekend to see the goods at Renegade and to pick up a few things for myself. I had a measly budget of $25, but I was able to score some really great accessories!

This flower ring from Gem Junkie makes me happy!

This cup-o-joe ring from my friend Renee's shop, This Creative Life, makes me want to take espresso shots all day! Yum.

And last but not least, a single feather earring from We Are Arrow. Funky!

I'm happy with my purchases, and it was great to see all my Etsy Austin friends! Oh, and the photobooth was super too. :-)

Crafts!

2011-05-21T18:32:00.000-05:00

After the month-long show Blue Genie in December, my crocheting and knitting pretty much came to a complete stop. I was a little burnt out from over-working myself, and a little too busy teaching 2nd grade! Going into the summer however, I'm feeling the crafty bug biting again.

Today I've been experimenting with lots of ideas. Working with some crochet thread again, which I'm finding very difficult. It's going to take more than one day to get back into working with a hook and thread so tiny! I've also tried some embroidery. I had made this last year:

I made it after seeing a pattern for this to be made into a blanket, and embroidered it on a 9 x 11 piece I crocheted with an afghan stitch. The afghan stitch is great for embroidering because it creates a grid pattern. I wanted to create an ironic airy sense to it with some flowers around the border, but after trying a few different kinds, I felt it was better off on it's own. Which got me thinking: I love to crochet, and I love words. Especially ironic, off-the-cuff sayings and witty banter. So I started to make a new pallet for another saying.

This one will say : Let your FREAK flag fly. That one was inspired by a commercial I've been seeing from Ford with that weird red puppet. I keep getting that part stuck in my head and I think it's funny, so I'm embroidering it!

It's nice to spend a whole day wrapped up in yarn again, it's been awhile. And I hope to continue this summer so that I can once again participate in Craft Riot with the Etsy Austin team, as well as participate in other craft shows in the Fall. It's good to be back!

Happy.

2011-05-16T21:19:00.002-05:00

Jobs

2011-05-14T11:54:00.000-05:00

Lately a lot of my time and energy has been spent applying for jobs. I've been teaching 2nd grade in Round Rock, but due to the State budget cuts (boo) my position is not available for the Fall. It's been really hard, after knowing what it's like to work for a school district, having my own classroom, having a steady paycheck, feeling proud and fulfilled in my work; I just don't know how to go back into the pool of the unemployed. Maybe I'll have to start working at a restaurant again (double boo), which will be my last choice. Right now I'm looking for anything I can do with children, working at a preschool, working at non-profit organizations, nannying, tutoring,etc.

This job search is on top of the stress of finishing a school year, testing, getting everything in order, preparing the kids for 3rd grade. And it all just makes me mad at the legislation that is taking my job away. Why are we involved in several overseas wars when our entire Nation's school system is falling to pieces? Don't people understand that these under-education youth will grow up to be under-educated adults? Don't they understand that our entire society will begin to suffer from the lack of resources available at schools? I don't see this situation panning out well, for me or anyone else.

Anyway, I needed to rant because this is what I'm going through. Unfortunately, I don't have much positive energy to share, or to create. I'm hoping that things will work themselves out this summer, as long as I keep trying my best and working hard at it. And I'm hoping that I can get past the stress of this job issue and work on more creative and fun outlets. I miss my Etsy store and craft shows!

New Obsession

2011-05-11T08:59:00.006-05:00

I really want a bike exactly like this one! Yes, that would make bicycle #5 for me, but I have a legitimate reason. The upright posture of this Mixte bike is really good for my back. When I ride, it's not the pedaling that really does me in, but the bent-over posture of all of my road bikes. It's really bad for my back. I'm at the point in therapy though where I'm trying to build strength while healing, and swimming and biking are the best ways for me to do that right now.

I've been looking for a cost-affordable way to buy this, whether to buy an old beater and rebuild it, or find one on the cheap. Luckily, in the meantime my friend Tara lent me her Mixte bike to borrow for a little bit until I can find/afford my own. I took it around for a ride yesterday, just strolling along Towne Lake, and it felt really good. Of course, I was very slow, but I made it up all the hills with little discomfort, so I was happy! I even made it up the hill by my house, the one I've been having to (shamefully) walk the bike up. It's been a long month in therapy, but I'm happy with the progress I've made. No nerve pain, no leg pain, and no sharp stinging pain anymore. Just the dull ache of uncomfortableness, but that is also starting to get better.

So you see, getting a 5th bike is totally justified. ;-)

When life gives you lemons...

2011-05-07T13:22:00.000-05:00

Buy a new kitchen table to drink lemonade at. ;-)

It's the little things in life that can bring you joy! I got a Groupon for Austin Furniture Depot; $50 for $200 worth of furniture! I am excited. It has the shelves, as you can see, and on the opposite side is a leaf that lifts up easily for extra table space. It's funny to me because in my 1 bedroom apt there wasn't room for a kitchen table, but in my studio apt there is plenty of room! It's so much nicer not having to eat dinner sitting on my couch. :-)

Therapy

2011-04-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

Sooo....first off, if you're reading this, Howdy! It's been awhile! In my first year of teaching, it's a lot of learning how to balance my life. And lately, crafting and blogging have taken a backseat, but I'm working on that! I started a new little project, just for fun last night. I'm making a little stuffed turtle, because, you know, I LOVE turtles. :-) And it has been a really long time since I've crafted something for myself, and just for fun.

Second, the title of this blog is Therapy, because that's what is forefront in my mind lately (after my kiddos of course!). When I was 21 I had sciatica that affected my back and right leg. It got so bad I couldn't walk, and took weeks of therapy to get over. Ever since then I've had chronic back and knee problems. I've learned stretches and exercises, and I've been able to cope, but it's always been an issue. And if you know me, you know I love to run, bike, and swim a lot.

Over the weekend I fell down and injured my back again. This time it was really bad, and I've had numbness in my left foot and pain in my leg ever since. My friend referred me to her Chiropractor; she's been seeing him for a long time and has always raved about him, so I trusted her suggestion. I went on Monday and on Tuesday I got an X-ray to make sure nothing was broken. Today the Dr. went over the X-ray results with me, and I was really surprised. It turns out I have retrolisthesis of the L5 to S1 vertebrae. What does that mean you ask?

retrolisthesis (reˑ·trō·lis·thēˑ·sis),

n backward slippage of one vertebra onto the vertebra immediately below.

That's just a fancy word for saying that one of my vertebra is crushing another, and this apparently was caused by a thin disc between the vertebrae. Doc thinks I've had this problem all along, but after the fall it was aggravated and is now affecting the nerves. I'm seeing a small improvement after my session today, but I can tell it's going to be a long road. The Doc also says that the treatments will help me get better than I felt even before my fall, which the idea of puzzles me. I mean, I just thought that this was how it would always be. I couldn't run without my knees hurting, I couldn't bike without my knees hurting, my back could flare up at any moment. The idea of being better is hopeful, but then again, I don't want to get my hopes up and be disappointed! I'll be in therapy for the next couple of months, so I thought it would be good to document how it goes.

For a moment I'll allow myself to think about what it would be like to live without chronic knee and back pain. I would love to run a marathon one day, but never thought I could because of my knees, so that would be nice. I would love to be able to do a triathlon without causing a flare up. Last summer my knees even were hurting while I was swimming, and that's supposed to be the easiest on your knees! I would love to have more energy. I've always been active, but sometimes it feels like I have to drag myself out to do it. I've never been able to be really consistent with it because I always hit a brick wall once I get to a certain level of activity. Last summer the average ride I could do was 30 miles, the average run I could do was 3 miles, and my average swim was 1/8 of a mile. That was after a lot of hard work, and towards the end of the summer, I was experiencing knee and back pain during all of my activities, even walking. It pretty much put a damper on going any further. I would love to do so much more, and more consistently throughout the year. I'm hopeful, but cautious, and curious to see how this recovery goes!

I'm upset.

2011-02-22T18:22:00.000-06:00

We had a meeting today at school about budget reductions. What upsets me is that this is happening at all to our schools. The state budget is suffering, and the easiest thing to do is cut funding to education. How is this even an option?
Joe Smith of TEXASisd.com says:

This is a silly question, but does anyone remember that the state basically brought down the tax rate which required a continuous annual payment to school districts to replace the money? The state purchased an asset from the school districts with a promise to pay. The state can't make their payment as promised. What do local districts do? The districts must take back their tax rates or similar assets. The breaking of this promise should only be a fclast resort, not an option. The state has an obligation it must meet. All state operations should be on the table before considering not to live up to promises made to the people of Texas.
I do not accept this proposal, neither should the other people of Texas.

Wait, what?? Did I read that right? Texas decided to lower property taxes, and promised to make up the difference that is supposed to be paid to the schools with those property taxes, and now they are refusing to help their schools??
Not only that, but legislators are also refusing to use the Rainy Day Fund which totals almost $9 billion. Corpus Christi's Caller.com writes:

The proposed education cut is the biggest chunk of the nearly $14 billion in cuts the budget crafters have identified as they seek to balance the budget. No new taxes, and no dipping into the state's Rainy Day Fund, are two ground rules declared by the state's top leaders. Few Texans are prepared politically or otherwise to propose or accept a tax increase. But this is the rainy day for which the fund has been made. It doesn't take a meteorologist, an economist or a school superintendent to recognize this.

April Castro at The Associated Press says that Public schools are not the only ones who will be suffering, colleges and healthcare are taking cuts too:

`'It's a catastrophe. No financial aid for kids to go to college. No pre-kindergarten for kids to learn their numbers and their letters. Health and human services slashed," said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine. `'No Texan can be proud of this."

On BusinessInsider.com, they give reason as to why no one is talking about the possible $25 million budget cutbacks:

So why haven't we heard more about Texas, one of the most important economy's in America? Well, it's because it doesn't fit the script. It's a pro-business, lean-spending, no-union state. You can't fit it into a nice storyline, so it's ignored.
But if you want to make comparisons between US states and ailing European countries, think of Texas as being like America's Ireland. Ireland was once praised as a model for economic growth: conservatives loved it for its pro-business, anti-tax, low-spending strategy, and hailed it as the way forward for all of Europe. Then it blew up.
This is the sleeper state budget crisis of 2011, and it will be praised for doing great, right up until the moment before it blows up.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/texas-state-budget-crisis-2011-1#ixzz1Ejfz8MLg

So what can we do? According to StateBudgetSolutions.com:

"We believe that a balanced approach that includes both revenue enhancements and expenditure cuts has a higher potential of success in preserving the state's long-term structural budget balance than a strategy that relies solely on expenditure cutbacks," wrote S&P credit analyst Horacio Aldrete-Sanchez in a report released last week.

DallasNews.com says:

By that we mean legislators need a combination of spending cuts, tax adjustments and tapping the Rainy Day Fund to put this thing back in order. A third-third-third strategy is the most equitable approach. It would require legislators to draw equally from each source.

What do I think? I think we need to talk more about this. The community needs to put in their two-cents. Legislators can't be making all these decisions about education and healthcare (the two sources hit the most in the cuts) without talking to us about it first. Where is the dialogue? I haven't seen enough. Maybe it's out there, but where? I'm starting to delve into it, now that I'm becoming more aware of the situation, but I want to see more discussion. If you have any information or opinions, please share!

Knitted Wonderland

2011-02-20T09:56:00.000-06:00

Back in January my friends Lorie, Tara and I joined Magda Sayeg's Knitted Wonderland project for the Blanton Museum. For the crafting exhibit that will be on display, they decided to bring in Magda Sayeg because of her wonderful work in the community with Knitta Please where she creates amazing yarn-art graffiti around the city.

There are 99 trees in between the Blanton Museum and the Blanton Auditorium, so it was our job to get a tree and create a cozy for it!

We have tree #63. :-) Magda chose 4 different yarns for us, and asked us to create a stripe pattern. These colors are so bright and fun, they will really stand out on the trees!

Friday night we hung out and sewed our pieces together and cleaned up the ends. It really came together nicely!

C'est fini! I'm looking forward to March 4th, when we actually get to sew it onto the tree and see all of the other finished projects. I'm sure the courtyard will look amazingly beautiful!

My Fave Lady

2011-02-10T16:37:00.001-06:00

Thanks to La Petite Choue for sharing Zooey Deschanel's Tumblr account. I LOVE Zooey!

This pretty much sums it up.

2011-02-09T18:43:00.001-06:00

Cables!

2011-02-08T20:22:00.004-06:00

I saw some friends on Twitter talking about cables, and how they were unsure of trying them. I think that cabled knitting just needs to be demystified a little, because they really are easy-peasy! I certainly felt afraid of trying them myself in the beginning, but then I made a 60x60 Celtic afghan for my father with several panels that contained 3 different cables each. Once I got the hang of it, I could do it just as seamlessly as any knit and purl pattern. And really, that's all cables are. Here is an example of the cable pattern I'm currently doing:

First you create your base. A simple pattern is to CO a multiple of 10.

Row 1 (WS): K2, P6, K2
Row 2 (RS): P2, K6, P2
Row 3: K2, P6, K2

Row 4 you will cable. P2, sl the next 3 knit sts onto the cable needle, push the cable needle to the back, and K3 from your original needle. Then pull the cable needle back to your working needle (beginning at the right side of the cable needle) and K the 3 sts on the cable needle. It'll look like this:

Before the slipped stitches.

Slipping the first 3 knit stitches.

Stitches are slipped, cable needle is in back.

The next 3 stitches from your regular needle are knit, now bring the cable needle back to the working needle and knit those stitches.

Done!

Continue the pattern to Row 6. Begin again at Row 1, cabling on Row 4.

So it's all just a bunch of knits and purls, not too fancy huh? And you are only cabling one row out of a pattern of 6! It may be a little tricky working the three needles, but you are only really working with two needles at a time, push the other one back out of the way, and you'll be fine. Any questions?

Sunday Funday

2011-02-06T08:36:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile since I've done a Sunday Funday! This Sunday I'm excited because I'm looking for new places to live. I contacted an apt locater yesterday and he sent me a great list of places in the central Austin area. I've lived waaaay north for 2 years now, and while it served it's purpose while I was going to school in Round Rock, I'm soooo ready to be a central girl again. I miss being able to ride my bike from home and not worry about having to spend the night at a friend's house. I'm ready to be able to go to one of my favorite coffee shops right down the road, or take Dee Dee to a local city dog park. I'm ready to have the city at my fingertips once again!

I'm going to look at some places on Hollow Creek behind Barton Springs pool, on 45th and Duval, W 38th St., Manor Rd and Cherrywood, and 29th and West St. These are all great locations, and I'm so excited! Hello Austin, here I come!

Barton Springs Pool

Flightpath Coffeehouse

Pease Park

Shoal Creek Road

Sick Day/Snow Day

2011-02-04T10:03:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I went home sick for the first time this semester. It was so hard! I was there in the morning feeling like crap, and I had a sub come in for the afternoon. It was hard because I wasn't prepared with sub plans (my bad!), so I spent about an hour getting them ready for the rest of the afternoon and the next day. It was kind of chaotic when I left, but the sub said the afternoon went well. :-)

I was feeling a lot of guilt about leaving my kids with a sub. I expect it's like the first time a new parent leaves their child with a babysitter. Like no one but you can handle the situation and everything will fall to pieces without you! Today, though, I was relieved to wake up to snow on the ground! That means school was canceled, so now I can get better without a guilty conscience. :-D

Happy Snow Day Austin! What will you be doing?

Share the Road

2011-01-25T18:16:00.000-06:00

wind in your hair

road turning beneath you

sun on your back

breath in your lungs

blood pumping in your veins

freedom at your fingertips

flying

2011-01-22T10:51:00.000-06:00

Cold silence.

Unfeeling, unmoving, uninspired.

Alive but no longer growing.

Warm reflection.

Serenely, intensely, profoundly.

Good-natured tolerance of delay.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T12:28:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I sat down and wrote out some New Year's Resolutions. I don't like to be really specific on these, because I know myself and it just sets me up for failure. So I choose broad goals that allow me some wiggle-room.

1.Health-

Right now I'm not as healthy as I would like to be. I haven't been on a regular exercise routine (because I hate routines), but after last semester I realize that if I don't get into some sort of regimen, then I will allow myself to be lazier than I want to be. My back has been hurting for two weeks now, and that's no one's fault but my own. I can't go through this semester and be a good teacher if I'm not taking care of myself.

2. Love-

I will take it where I get it, and stop searching so hard for it. Life is good, as it is, a man will not complete me.

3. Money-

I want to save money. Now that I have a job, I want to be responsible with my income so that I can live comfortably, and have money for bigger and better things like traveling, a new couch, a new bed, etc. So I'm writing up a monthly budget and will do my best to adhere to it so that whatever is left over at the end of the month can go straight into my savings account.

4. Writing-

I want to write more. I want to have a journal (or two, or three) glued to me at all times. I want to write pages and pages of poems, stories, ideas, doodles, and random thoughts.

5. Spiritual Growth-

{All images from weheartit.com}

I'm at a point where I've become somewhat complacent spiritually. Lately I've been too much of a realist to even bother. But there's got to be something more, some connection with the Universe that is my own, and that I can share with others. I want to find a deeper understanding; past religion, past dogma, past what everyone tells you to believe, right and wrong, good and evil. I want to feel more connected, and less like I'm just passing through.

There they are, my resolutions. 2010 has been amazing for me, I really couldn't ask for anything more. Now I am just grateful, and looking forward to a prosperous New Year! What do you hope to accomplish in the New Year? What do you hope to leave behind?

Yup, I'm officially a teacher.

2010-12-29T16:45:00.000-06:00

So you may remember me going on and on about needing a job, about how everyone told me it was impossible to get a job in this economy, this time of year...Well, against all odds, I GOT A JOB! It was really a fluke, if you ask me. I got an email Friday morning the 17th from my Texas State professor telling me that there was an immediate opening at Callison Elementary where I did my student teaching. I was actually on my way out the door to get my brother and his fiancee from the airport when my stepdad suggested going back to the house to email the principle my resume right away. Well, that little maneuver paid off! I got called in for an interview that day, and on Tuesday the 21st I received a call from the Vice Principal telling me that I got the job! Woohoo!

So I'll be starting on January 3rd, teaching in a 2nd grade classroom. I feel so blessed, fortunate, and lucky! This week I've been getting a few things together for the classroom. A classroom library is a must:

Most of these books were given to me by the 3rd grade class I interned in last year. I also have been gathering random, or not-so-random, supplies. Little things like magnetic tape, white-out, pens, pencils, stamps, lots and lots of stickers, containers, rewards for the kids, file folders, etc, etc. There's really a lot that goes into getting everything ready, especially when the teacher that left took pretty much everything!

I've got my first week planned out, some letters to send home to the parents to help smooth over the transition (they still don't know the other teacher left!), and activities to get to know the kids. I'm really looking forward to starting the new year as a real teacher! It's everything I could have asked for, and more...

Hello Happiness and Contentment, it's good to see you again!

2010-12-14T17:51:00.002-06:00

After cleaning my apartment like cccrrraaazzzyyy today, I suddenly feel inspired! Maybe it's all the fresh air, the lack of pet hair everywhere, and the excitement of my family coming to town. Whatever it is, I couldn't be happier! It finally feels like graduation is real, like Christmas is just around the corner, and I can breathe just a little. There's nothing else I can do to get a job right now, all schools are closing this week, so I might as well enjoy the rest of the year and resume my job hunt in January!

GOODBYE:

{All images from weheartit.com}

What are you doing to celebrate the Holidays? After graduation I will be in town, maybe those of us still here in Austin can have an orphan's Christmas together. ;-)

Sunday Funday

2010-12-12T17:25:00.000-06:00

I've been on the job hunt this week. It's kind of stressful thinking about how I will pay my bills come January, but I'm trying to keep positive that things will work themselves out. The ultimate, of course, would be to get an actual job in AISD. I don't care what grade it is, or where the school is, I just want to be in town somehwere! We'll see...until then, I need to have a sense of humor about all this. :-)

And a little bit of inspiration...

Blue Genie

2010-12-07T09:29:00.000-06:00

I know that if you follow me on twitter or facebook you've probably heard me talking about Blue Genie non-stop! But I can't help it, I'm honored to be a part of it. :-) The first weekend has passed, and I'm really happy with how it went. I made enough sales to make me happy, but not so many that I'm stressed about restocking my inventory. It was great! What's even nicer is I don't have to be there all day everyday in order to sell. This is my first time doing consignment, so it's nice to show up and see things have sold all on their own!

I'm loving my space too. I was worried about pulling it all together on a strict budget, but I think it works.

And did you see the awesome sign Jeremy made for me?!! He was great enough to get it done Monday night before the preview opening on Tuesday, and he and his wife (my friend Becka) were amazingly kind enough to mount it for me! Thanks guys. :-D

Come by the Marchesa Hall and check out all the awesomeness. It's open from 10am-10pm 7 days a week until December 24th, so there are no excuses. ;-)

I Am Thankful for the Etsy Austin Street Team!

2010-11-25T08:36:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Last weekend was Etsy Austin's Craft Riot, and I am sooo thankful for that experience. It was an amazing weekend, and it was even better because I was able to see it taking form from the very beginning. We started planning this event in June, and to see the final outcome was really inspiring. There were many people who worked very hard to make this happen, and I am thankful to all of them for letting me be a part of it!

It was at the Marchesa Hall, which was a great venue. It was bigger than last year's Craft Riot, but there is already talk of us getting the bigger hall next year.

The hall is really tall, so we decorated with amazing lighting that one of our members volunteered to set up for us. It was really beautiful and made the space look great.

Jeremy Burks of Evolution Austin was kind enough to make this awesomely rad sign for us! I'm working on having them make a sign for Assorted Musings now, and I'm really excited.

I shared a booth with Stacey of Vintage Rehab who is also the team's Co-Treasurer with me. She did these great feather hair extensions too that were so much fun. I even got one!

There were a ton of great vendors, and great customers! We were busy all weekend, and I sold a lot of stuff. Now I'm working on remaking everything for Blue Genie next week! Busy busy... Hopefully if you didn't make it out this year, you'll come see us next time, because it's going to be even bigger and better!

I also wanted to say a big THANK YOU to my teammates. My car got broken into Friday night and they smashed in my window. Everyone pulled together over the weekend and donated some money to help me get my car fixed! I was able to have enough to fix the window with a little left over to get all the glass cleaned out of my car. What a great group of people to have around you, I'm so thankful to all of them and I am so thankful I'm part of such a wonderful and inspiring group of people!

Craft Riot!

2010-11-20T09:09:00.000-06:00

It's finally here! We've been planning this for months, and it's looking like it's going to be the best Holiday show of the season! We decorated last night and now The Marchesa Hall looks festive and funky. We also had so much in the goody bags that we had to double bag them! There is easily over $200 worth of great stuff in there, so come early today and tomorrow because the first 25 adults through the door will score them! The even is free, so there are no excuses. ;-)

www.austincraftriot.com

I'll be debuting some of my new items this weekend too, so come get them before they're gone. I took some quick pics last night to make a look-book for my booth, so check it out:

Friday Faves

2010-11-19T12:00:00.006-06:00

Last week I shared my love of boots. My fall and spring staple outfits consist of cute boots, dresses, and cardigans. I loooveee cardigans! They allow you to wear your favorite summer clothes all year round, and they look adorable with boots. I have several cardis, but I can always use more!

Eastside Knit Night

2010-11-18T19:21:00.000-06:00

Tuesday night was so much fun! I borrowed some pictures that Tara took while we were there to show of all the crafty fun-ness. We brought some of our stash, and taught some people how to make things. I taught a few ladies how to crochet my famous little flowers, and Tara taught someone how to crochet. It was really fun!

It was at Starving Art Studio which has quickly become an epicenter of awesomeness! If you're ever in the neighborhood, check it out.

Sunday Funday

2010-11-14T12:09:00.000-06:00

Sometimes when the going gets tough, even the tough need some inspiration! When I was younger, I wondered what it was that made people strong, how they got through the tough times, and what gave them the courage to face their fears. Everyone is different and we all need different things to survive, but one thing I've found is that we all desire words of wisdom. Whether from a friend, a family member, a stranger, or our favorite author, these words touch us. We read them over and over again with the hopes that someday we will not only believe them, we will become their source. Right now, in the busiest time of the year for school and my Etsy shop, I've been relying on these words to keep me positive and make me strong. So today I celebrate something that binds us all together:

{All images from weheartit.com}

Friday Faves

2010-11-12T12:00:00.003-06:00

I've been busy, but I still love to shop on Etsy! Lately my obsession has been boots. It's that kind of weather, and here in Austin the warm days and cool evenings warrant lots of cute dresses with cute boots! I'm in love...

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

Dear Universe, please spare me from poverty.

2010-11-02T16:31:00.000-05:00

I went to a job fair at Texas State today. I must say, it felt like my dreams were crushed all over again. I wish I hadn't been made to go by my professor! I already know that most districts aren't hiring right now. I know that the job market is tough and competitive. I know that it is difficult to get a teaching job in the Austin area. I knew all of this coming into this semester, as they had shoved it down our throats during student teaching seminars. I just want to be happy about graduation, but everything seems to want to bring me down! People are telling me to be prepared to take a crap job, to go to interview after interview, to struggle and scrape by on what little the world is willing to give me. I'm tired of it! I can't live like this for the next year, worried about what will happen, what fate will my career befall. I thought getting a degree was supposed to open up doors for me, make my life easier, but right now everyone wants to tell me that it's impossible out there. I guess all I can do is stay positive, get my resume out as much as possible, and beg the universe to spare me from poverty. Lol.

Friday Faves

2010-10-29T12:45:00.001-05:00

Besides dressing up, what's the next best thing about Halloween? The candy! Yummmm. I love candy, sweets, and candy-inspired goodies. What kind of candy will you be giving out this year? I'm thinking of something non-traditional, like little packages of peanut brittle, one of my faves!

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

HOPE Farmer's Market

2010-10-25T13:36:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to the HOPE Farmer's Market to talk to the vendor coordinator about getting Etsy Austin a team booth there. I've been a couple of times and really like it, and I'm excited to be helping the team get a spot! I of course did a little shopping around while there, and Dee Dee enjoyed all the attention from the people. The vegetables looked gorgeous today! So very colorful, unlike all the vegetables you see at the grocery store that are all the same size, shape and color. Boring!

I also ran into the guys at Yarn Harvest, who I'll be doing Eastside Knit Night with on November 16th.

They take old sweaters, unravel them, and resell the yarn! Fab. I'll be teaching basic knitting and crochet techniques or offering advice to more advanced crafters. I'll also have a table with my new fall line. Check us out here together:

And I couldn't leave the market without checking out some plants! I got a couple of succulents, one with a hanging basket made of old bike cogs. I love it! And they had some really amazing orchids. They are beautiful, but I'm so afraid of killing them!

The guy was really helpful at figuring out why I can't keep succulents alive in my house. They mostly do well outside, but inside I always killed them too easily! We figured out that I was over watering them. Apparently they only need watering about once a month inside, and even then, just a little bit on the top. I think I was soaking them through, which is not the way to keep them alive! So I got a couple, and I'm hoping they do well now that I know how to properly care for them.

So check out the market, and stop by the Etsy Austin team booth and say hi if we're there! I'm hoping it becomes a regular thing, because I think we would do well at the market...

Sunday Funday

2010-10-24T10:49:00.000-05:00

I graduate in December, which means that I'll be entering the workforce in the middle of the school year. This also means that I have no idea if I will actually have a job or not! I've started to contemplate the idea of teaching abroad for a couple of months. Nothing long-term, but it's something I've always wanted to do. I am certified to teach English as a Second Language, so I know I'll have the tools I need to be successful teaching English in a foreign country. The question is, where do I go?? I'm thinking Asia, or South America. I'm kind of torn between the two...

projects-abroad.org

TransitionsAbroad.com

Friday Faves

2010-10-22T12:30:00.002-05:00

It's almost that time! Halloween is just around the corner, what will you be this year? I'm going as a dark faerie. I prefer the black faerie to the white faerie, but I still just love the idea of faeries in general. Have you ever walked through a dense forest and felt like it was partly magical? Like there is some hidden world there that we don't get to see...sometimes I think that we could if we really wanted to. ;-)

So this week I found some really awesome faerie goodies to share with you. I hope you like them as much as I do!

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

Team Etsy Austin

2010-10-21T19:24:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday I went to the Etsy Austin Team meeting. After our usual agenda of shows and planning, we started working on our decorations for this year's Craft Riot. There were seas of felt and lots of cutting going on!

There was organizing and sewing going on too.

This will be my second fall with the team, and I'm so excited to be a part of it! Last year Craft Riot was amazing, and this year we've started planning a lot earlier, and from what I hear (I didn't help plan it last year), there's a lot more help too. It's so great to be a part of a community of like minded, creative, hard working, fun, and just really great people. You should definitely come visit all of us this November 20th and 21st at the Marchesa Hall in North Austin.

Also check out our blog, there are weekly spotlights on all the vendors that I've been helping to put together, as well as the rest of the social networking committee! There's lots of good stuff to come, so you could even window shop before the show! Etsy Austin Blog

Sunday Funday

2010-10-17T19:26:00.001-05:00

Most people know that I love animals. I currently have two cats and a dog! But if I had the space, I would have so much more...I would love to have some land one day with stables for horses, a chicken coop, maybe an alpaca or sheep, plenty of room for some foster dogs and cats as well as some of my own, some birds, maybe even rabbits. I know they are a lot of work, but I just love them!

{All images from weheartit.com}

Wax That!

2010-10-16T09:35:00.004-05:00

Many of you who have read or follow my twitter hear me refer to doing lots of fun stuff with my BFF. Well, now is your chance to meet her!

Her private waxing studio: Wax That! is having their Grand Opening tomorrow. It's at 2900 S. Congress Suite #205 from 12-5pm. There will be a raffle and door prizes, including a $15 Gift Certificate for Assorted Musings. This will be my Fall line debut, so come get the good stuff before it's gone! There will also be food, drinks, and a trunk show by Vive Boutique showcasing their Fall clothing fashion.

Lorie specializes in 15 minute brazilian and bikini waxing, and she does aMaZiNg eyebrow designing. I would never trust anyone else with my waxing, and it's not just because she's my BFF! ;-) Here are some of the reviews from her website:

Lorie is the BEST! I recommend her highly - she keeps me silky smooth :)

Posted by Cyndy on Monday, 06.28.10 @ 07:03am | #1

Lorie has been doing my brazilian waxes for the last 4 years. I love that she makes the experience quick and painless as possible. She seriously can get everything taken care of in 15 minutes!! Working as a hair stylist in the industry, I have had waxing done by numerous people. Lorie is by far the best I have found and would recommend her to anyone who wants a good waxing experience. =)

Posted by Amber on Thursday, 07.1.10 @ 13:39pm | #3

Based on a recommendation by my best friend I went to Lorie for my first Brazilian. She made me feel at ease and worked very quickly. The result was amazing, I'll definitely be back!

Posted by Jessica on Saturday, 07.3.10 @ 23:37pm | #4

Omg I can't believe what a great job Lori did for me ,the $PRICE$ was a good deal....but in return I got the best Braz.Wax ever I didn't even have to tweez it up myself. No lil hairs were left at all. :) My boyfriend Loves it!!!

Posted by Marie garcia on Monday, 08.2.10 @ 12:38pm | #5

Friday Faves

2010-10-15T10:30:00.011-05:00

Today my Kindergarten class is taking a Field Trip to the pumpkin patch in Elgin! I'm really excited as I haven't been on a field trip since I was in school. And the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so it should be a beautiful day all around. :-) So today's theme is pumpkins!

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

Conflict with a god, Dying, Priest

2010-10-12T17:37:00.000-05:00

I was dying, that much I knew for sure. The doctors couldn't really tell me what was wrong yet, but I know my body. What if I only have a few years left, months, weeks, even days? Is this really where I imagined to be in my life when it ends?

I laid in my hospital bed, barely able to move, and I began to question. I thought that I had the answers I needed, but when faced with an early death, everything I thought I once knew went out the window. I prayed for myself, something I probably should have done more of, and I felt guilty for all that I had left undone.

I had left my family a long time ago. My mom, my dad, my brothers and sisters...they never understood me, so I left them to find myself. I thought I had found the salvation I had yearned for, but now all I want is to take back those lost moments. I want to give them back all the hugs, kisses, laughs, and late nights. All of the holidays I missed, all of the nieces and nephews I don't know, I yearn to make up for. I gave them up for a better future, for a more promising way of life. Now, even after turning to God, I feel as lost and misunderstood as ever.

As I wallowed in my self pity, a nurse walked in. He was routinely checking my stats, fiddling with machines, checking my IVs. I gazed up at him and asked: 'Sir, can you do something for me?'

'Anything for you Padre.' he responded.

'Grant a lonely old man one last dying wish?'

'Sure thing, but I figure we'll get you well enough, you can probably take care of it yourself.' He winked at me.

'Will you get in touch with my family?'

'Yea, I'll call the church.'

'No, not them...my family. I haven't spoken to them in years...since I took my vows.'

The nurse looked at me strangely. He too thought that I was the one who should have the answers, the one who should have lived a righteous life, without regrets. 'Don't look at me like that.'

'Sorry Father, I just thought...' He look away shyly.

I shook my head, 'I run away from my problems just like everyone else. Just because I turn towards God, doesn't mean I'm any better off than you.'

The nurse took my hand, 'Turning to God is a helluva lot better than what some other folks turn to Father.'

As a tear escaped down my cheek, I swallowed hard. 'Listen son, no matter what you do to find solace, even if it's turning to God...it's what you're running away from that matters most. I've had to learn the hard way....even God can't save you from yourself.'

*Writing prompt from: The Brainstormer

Friday Faves

2010-10-09T10:26:00.002-05:00

Yep, I know, it's Saturday. I've just been so busy that I keep forgetting to make my Friday Faves post! I usually do it on Thursday and schedule it out, but school and Etsy have been keeping me on the go, so it's been slipping my mind. I didn't want to miss another week entirely, so here it is, just a day late. :-)

This weather here in Austin has been absolutely gorgeous. I'm sitting here now with my cup of coffee and all my windows open. I love the Fall! I wish I had more time to spend outside right now. At the preschool we could spend extra time outside with the kids if we chose to, sometimes up to two glorious hours! But right now I don't have that availability. Maybe one day when I have my own classroom, but for now, I'll have to wait till the end of the day and the weekends! And I better enjoy it now before the time change! So this week's theme is outside. Beautiful pictures and paintings that make me feel like I'm outside just looking at them. Enjoy!

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

Hello!

2010-10-06T19:54:00.000-05:00

Hi. I just wanted to throw a shout out here. Let the blogsophere know I'm still alive and kicking. Teaching is going great, I've taken over two subjects and various other activities. I absolutely love it!

I've also been busy getting ready for all my fall shows. I'm on the events committee and am helping to plan Etsy Austin's 3rd Annual Craft Riot! Check out our blog for updates on the vendors who will be there, get some fun info about them, and a sneak peak at what you will be seeing there!

I also found out that I'll be participating in this year's Blue Genie Art Bazaar! It's a 4 week long show in the month of December featuring over 100 amazing vendors, and I'm stoked, blessed, honored, and humbled to be a part of it. It's a great place to get all your Christmas shopping done, and since it's 4 weeks longs, there's plenty of time to do it! This means that I must get back to work making yet more great stuff. I've gotten quite a few completed projects that I have not shared (some things need to be a surprise), but I plan on continuing this craftng frenzy all the way through the holidays in order to keep up my inventory for all these great shows!

As busy as I have been, I'm loving every minute of it. There are moments when I don't feel like I can keep it all together, but somehow I manage. Somehow things get done, come together beautifully, and at the end, I know I'll feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I'm looking forward to it now!

Sunday Funday

2010-10-03T14:12:00.000-05:00

This week I'm going to do something different. Something happened the other night, and it really got me thinking about where I am with my life right now. I ran into my ex for the first time since we broke up, almost a year ago. It was completely by accident, and only a few brief moments. But a small moment like that was enough to get me thinking about how much everything has changed in the last year. It was not a healthy relationship for me, and I gave up pretty much everything for it. My friends, myself, my love, my happiness, my faith, my security, my peace of mind. I was completely absorbed, and very unhappy.

So this weekend I've come to realize that while my heart may always ache for the loss of what I thought I had, I've gained so much more in the long run. Today I don't feel the need to dream of a bigger house, a new car, some time off, or an exotic vacation. Today I am perfectly content with where I am and what I have in this moment.

I am so thankful for my friends who support me, who also seek my support in return. I'm thankful for my family who has always loved me no matter what. I'm thankful to live alone, to come and go as I please, listen to and watch what I please, to let my house get dirty if I please, to wear what I please, and to make decisions as I see fit. I'm thankful for my career, which I have worked so hard for. I'm thankful for my business, for the chance to share my life and love with other people. I'm thankful for the experiences I've had because of that, the friends I've made, the connections I've felt with people all over. I'm thankful that I've had the freedom to grow and change, to make mistakes and make up for mistakes I've made in the past. I'm thankful for myself, for the love I give myself, for the acceptance of who I am and the fact that I no longer strive to find that from others. I'm thankful for the faith I have rediscovered, not only in myself, but in others, in God, in life, and in love.

I rejoice in it all, and am so thankful that I've had the courage to get to where I am now. That makes today, in and of itself, something to wish for, to dream of, to strive to keep for the rest of my life.

Give-Away!

2010-09-29T12:14:00.002-05:00

So I haven't done one of these in awhile, and I thought with the new prints I'm working on, I'd run a give-away to offer up two of those 8x10 prints! Which ones? Well I know, but I won't tell you. Winner #1 will get to choose between the two, and winner #2 will get the second print. But don't worry, they're both pretty cool. ;-)

There will be a couple of ways to enter, and to earn extra entries. Listen carefully!

1. Be a follower of my blog.
2. Go to my Facebook Fanpage and check out the photographs in my Prints section. Either leave a comment about one or all of them here on this post, or directly comment on one of the pictures on the Facebook Fanpage.

The first two will get you into the contest. The following will gain you additional entries to boost your chances of winning!

3. Tweet a link to this give-away post including @Maggie913.
4. Share a link to this give-away post on Facebook including @AssortedMusingsbyMaggie.
5. Leave a critical comment on any pf the pictures in the set. Now, I'm not asking you to bash my photography abilities, but constructive criticism is welcome! I.E. I like this picture, but it would be better if....or: I like the way this picture captures....etc. You get the drift!

The contest will run until Saturday October 9th, when I will draw two winners!!!

So thanks in advance for participating, I look forward to sharing my first photographs with you!

Deep-Heart Love

2010-09-28T17:02:00.000-05:00

Today was a different day. I attended a funeral for a woman who was the mother of two children at the preschool I worked at. She had cancer, and last week, she passed away. My heart has been aching for those two little girls since then. I don't want to go into detail about it, because it's not my place, but it's gotten me thinking a lot about death, people's experiences of losing others, and pondering what happens after we go.

Some close friends of mine shared some beautiful stories about their experiences of being at the bedside of loved ones who passed away. The peace experienced in the room, the last breath they drew, and the loving goodbye they got to share. I was told it was one of the most difficult things you could experience, but also one of the most powerful.

I also went on Sunday on a picture hunt. It was important to me that, like all of my crafts or hobbies, it reflected what I was feeling. That I put everything I was at that moment into what I was doing. I was driving around, trying to feel out what was happening inside me. I knew I was sad, and I knew that I wanted to find some kind of solace in that, some kind of beauty. I happened upon the old cemetery in East Austin, and knew I had to stop in and take a look around. The pictures I found really exemplified what I was experiencing in life in that moment. The headstones were old and worn away. There were many tributes to Mothers and Fathers, and even some to small children taken away before their time. The sky was cloudy, but sometimes the sun shown brightly through, creating a beautiful background to the stark landscape around me.

I want to dedicate these pictures today to that Mother. I may not have known her very well, but I've come to care deeply for her children. I'm thankful to her for sharing her family with us at the preschool, and I hope that we were able to shine a little light into their lives along the way too.

So I've come to the conclusion that I have to have Faith that in the end, our spirit lives on. It just doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever that thousands of years of religions, beliefs, and cultures would value the thought of the spirit if there wasn't at least a sliver of chance that it was true. I just refuse to believe anythings else, and this is something that I've been grappling with for a long time. I feel like now though, I've found some peace, and I will never forget how that peace was attained.

On a lighter note, you may notice the watermarks on the photos with my logo. That's because I will soon be offering these as 8x10 prints in my shop! I'm also working on having some of the best pictures turned into stretched canvas pieces. I by no means am a trained photographer, I was just lucky enough to have gotten an amazing camera for a gift. What I am though, is someone who will always put everything I am into what I do, I will strive to share my human experiences with you in whatever way I can, and to make connections all over the world through whatever medium I can. I hope you enjoy.

Sunday Funday

2010-09-26T16:32:00.000-05:00

As I was driving home from my picture excursion, I was contemplating what I would make my Sunday Funday post about. I thought: If I could have, or do anything in the world, what would it be? Then I wiped my sweaty brow and rolled down the windows of my car (which has no A/C) and realized...I would love a new car! Maybe not brand new, but new to me. My current piece of junk has no A/C, bumps and dents all over, the bumper is falling off, and a list of other atrocities that I have had the misfortune of dealing with. Granted, it does get me from A to B and is paid off, I'm really thankful for that! But if I could....

I would get a Honda Hybrid!

I'm relishing in the thought of driving with the A/C blowing, and the windows up!

Friday Faves

2010-09-24T12:39:00.002-05:00

Turtles!! I was reminded last week of my love for turtles when I included a turtle embroidery piece in my Friday Faves. So I wanted to hunt for some more awesome turtle items! Ever since I can remember I've loved turtles. I think it was because we moved around a lot growing up, always in different cities and states, and I really enjoyed the notion of being able to carry your "house" on your back. Plus, the story of the turtle and the hare has always reminded me to slow it down, since we always tend to be in a rush these days. ;-)

So here's to taking it slow, and always carrying that feeling of home with you, no matter where you are...

VISIT MY ETSY FAVES

Historical Series

2010-09-22T11:48:00.001-05:00

Oh yes, there's more. I just love downtown Austin. There's so much potential for various pictures, and I can't wait to go exploring again! I'm thinking I may need to upgrade my Flickr account so I can just post all my new pictures up there. I also want to print some of these out so I can hang them up in my house!

These pictures, btw, were taken as is on my camera. The filter is actually built into it, so I didn't have to do anything photo-shopping, cool huh?

Colorful Series

2010-09-21T13:33:00.005-05:00

More pictures from Sunday:

Can I just say, I love my new camera!!!!

Industrial Series

2010-09-20T17:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day for taking pictures! I got a lot of great product shots, and then I went downtown with my friend to get some fun photos. The lighting was amazing, the filtered light really does wonders for pictures. I got a lot of good ones, as well as some not so good. But I'm only going to share the good!

I separated them based on theme. It seemed I had three distinct "series" in my stash. Industrial, colorful, and historic. The first one I'm sharing are the industrial, which you probably assumed by the title of this post. ;-)

Sunday Funday

2010-09-19T11:15:00.000-05:00

I've had some great quality time with my girlfriends lately. I've kind of sworn off dating for the time being (my life is just too busy right now!), so my friendships have had the opportunity to come first in my life. And it's been so great! It's got me thinking about how awesome it would be to be able to take a trip with my favorite ladies. A cruise perhaps, or off to Europe, or Mexico. Even just a weekend away at a Bed and Breakfast, or camping would be nice!

Friday Faves

2010-09-17T10:10:00.003-05:00

I have been interested in embroidery lately, and I just loved browsing all the different works on Etsy! I love the creativity, it's like a painting, but with thread or yarn. Beautiful!

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

Purple Bobbles

2010-09-14T09:33:00.003-05:00

This new scarf will be large and in charge! It's made with a super bulky yarn and the pattern is alternating rows of bobbles.

I used to never work with chunky yarns, but for some reason this year, I'm really into it! It's different working with thicker yarns. Certain patterns work, and other's don't. I've frogged a lot of projects these last couple of months, but I think I've found things that work.

Chunky yarns go with chunky patterns. Plain patterns make it boring and patterns that are too intricate will get lost in the yarn. The bobbles work because they are thick, and the loose stitches in between the bobbles allow the fabric to drape nicely. With my cowls I used a Brioche Stitch. This stitch is an alternating rib stitch that creates a nice loose fabric and gives some texture.

I'm happy with how my chunky cowls have turned out too! I want to make some thicker hats next, but I need to get larger hooks. So far I've only been able to knit the super bulky yarns, so I'm curious how crocheting will go. I'm sure it will be a whole new experience!

Sunday Funday

2010-09-12T18:05:00.000-05:00

I want to live somewhere cold. I love bundling up, I love the snow, and that's not something we get very often here in Texas! Don't get me wrong, I also love warm sunny days, but I do miss the winters. I remember waking up in the morning as a little girl in NJ and finding out that it had snowed overnight and then waiting in front of the radio to hear if our school's name was on the list of those closed for the day. I remember the excitement of getting all bundled up in our snow suits, boots, hats, gloves, and earmuffs and running outside to play. I remember my nose feeling frozen and being all runny from the cold. I remember coming inside, being welcomed by a warm cup of cocoa to hold in my freezing hands. I want to experience that again!

{All images from weheartit.com}

The Kind Hearted Blogger Pledge

2010-09-11T11:01:00.000-05:00

I found the link to this at AJ's new blog. It really interests me because one of the things I love most about the blogging community that I've become a part of is that everyone is very positive, supportive, and kind. I feel like I'm blessed to be surrounded by people I admire, that inspire me, and that are just great human beings! So when I read of Jo Annie's post about her negative experience, I was kind of surprised. I couldn't imagine what would ever bring me or the bloggers I know to turn on each other, be competitive, or just down right rude.

Thus, I will take the pledge, and hope to foster this sense of community around us. I hope everyone knows how much I appreciate these glimpses into people's lives, dreams, fears, hopes, and struggles. I feel priviliged to be a part of it, and would never wish to bring any negative spirit into that!

Friday Faves

2010-09-10T10:23:00.001-05:00

In honor of my new camera, I decided to do a photography theme. I love the variety of things you can pick out on Etsy! I found frames, prints, albums, cameras, bags and props! Good times...

Whoa Now.

2010-09-09T20:14:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited about my new camera, that I had to calm myself down before I started writing about it! It is a Panasonic Luminix SLR:

Isn't she perty?! It was a gift from my Dad (OMG, THANK YOU DAD!!) Since it's such a nice camera, this constitutes as my Birthday/Graduation/Merry Christmas gift. I'll take it. Don't buy me anything ever again. I'm in love!

I've just been getting used to it yesterday and today. There is so much to learn, but luckily Precision Camera hooks you up with a free 2hr digital photography class. I'm so there! It has an LCD touch screen to easily access options and scroll through pictures, HD video capabilities, tons of pre-set options, as well as the ability to customize pretty much everything, It'll be years before I figure it all out! But my favorite part, and the reason I chose this camera, is that it takes amazing pictures. (Much better than my iPhone camera!)

{Mary Jane being impeccably cute.}

{Dee Dee doesn't like getting her picture taken. But I did it anyway!}

I tried to get some shots of things I made recently. No more holding the phone in front of the mirror for me!

They're not perfect because I still need to work on lighting and understanding ~~what the heck I'm doing~~ the settings, but I'm still reeeallly excited because it's so much better than the quality of pictures I had before! And check out the detail:

I also hooked my old laptop up to my TV (the monitor is shot, but the hard drive works fine) and the quality of the pictures is still as beautiful as they are on my tiny netbook!

I can't wait to become more adept at using this camera, I think it'll do wonders for my Etsy shop since I'll now no longer need to rely on other people's cameras for my updates! It'll also be so nice for my blog to have real quality photos on it!

Sunday Funday

2010-09-05T12:06:00.003-05:00

This week I've got kindergarten on the mind. I'm so excited to be student teaching in the kinder classroom. This is the age that I hope to teach when I (finally) graduate and get a job! I imagine my classroom will be colorful, have lots of space for the kids to play, plants, animals, and BOOKS! I can't wait!

{Sunny Days Learning Center}

{Classroom Management Strategies}

{Elementary Tour}

{Mrs. Guerreros Kindergarten}

{Montessori World}

30 Day Challenge: Completed!

2010-09-04T11:48:00.002-05:00

Wow, so today is day 29 of my 30 day writing challenge. Thanks to everyone for bearing through this with me! It was tough at times, coming up with content that was relevant, that people would actually want to see, and that I enjoyed writing. In the beginning I was surprised by how much content I was able to come up with on my own. I ended up only using the writing prompts 6 times! Towards the end I found I was getting frustrated with trying to remember to blog everyday. Mainly just this week because I've had so much on my mind with preparing for school to start. There was a lot to do not only for school, but for business stuff, personal stuff, etc. I just wanted to get everything out of the way before my schedule became too hectic. So this is the perfect time to end my challenge!

I did really enjoy writing some fiction pieces too. It was challenging to write about things I may have had no idea about. I even had to do some research on the subjects in order to write about them! I think I will definitely use that writing prompt again. I also realize that there is a lot I can share with people. I had a lot of fun showing all of you my crafting projects, opening up a bit about personal experiences, sharing music I listen to and blogs I read...

I did the challenge because I wanted to become more involved in my blog, not just posting once or twice a week, and I think I succeeded in that! I most certainly will not be posting everyday, but I am hooked and I know that this experience will make it easier to keep up with writing when I get busy with school. So I hope you enjoyed this as much as I have! Tomorrow will be my regularly scheduled Sunday Funday and then I will be taking a day or two off...so I'll see you soon!

**hearts** XOXO

Friday Faves

2010-09-03T18:19:00.001-05:00

Whoa, I got so caught up in working on getting everything on my to-do list done before the weekend that I forgot my favorite part of the week!

Since part of what I've been working on today is stuff for Etsy Austin's Craft Riot in November, I thought I'd highlight some of the vendors who will be there with me. Woo hoo! I'll be posting more of these in my Friday Faves as I go along, so I hope to get in as many vendors as I can!

Benefaction, Industrial, Spy

2010-09-02T20:44:00.000-05:00

This prompt from Brainstormer made me think of Inception, which I finally saw last night! I really enjoyed the concept of the dream world that they created. It really hit home with me and my experiences of dreaming. I've been fortunate enough to have the ability to have lucid dreams throughout my life, and lots of dreams where I'm flying. This has been an ongoing theme in my dreams since I was about 8 years old. Do you ever fly?

My first flying dream was when I was 8, and at the time I could only fly if I was being chased. Also, I had to run to get off the ground, and I could not really control my flight once I was in the air. Over time I learned how to float off the ground, taking off standing still instead of running, but I still could not control my flight and I had to be chased to be able to fly. Well, eventually, over the course of 20 years, I learned a lot about flying in my dreams. I got to the point where I could control my take-off, my flight, and my landing. I could go anywhere I wanted, at any speed. My last flying dream, I was able to shoot out into outerspace. I floated around a bit, then came flying back into the atmosphere at break-neck speeds. I landed in the ocean, and went deep down into the water. Since I was lucid dreaming, I told myself that I could breathe under water, and so I did. It was amazing, in my dream world, to float under water, watching fish swim by, exploring the depths.

Some may think I'm wacko for having such dreams, but they are moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Recently I haven't been lucid dreaming. I think it's part getting older, and part being more grounded in my life. Though the dreams are fun, just like in the movie, you can lose yourself in your subconscious mind. Me personally, I would rather be grounded than to lose myself! So all I retain are the memories, and watching Inception really brought that back for me. It's funny how my prompt fit the movie too, if you've seen it, you'll understand the connection. ;-)

My Hands are on Fire!

2010-09-01T17:43:00.000-05:00

Most of these new items I've been posting over the last few weeks will not make it into my Etsy store. I will add some more in the coming month or two, but I need to make a back stock for my Holiday shows so I'm keeping some of my pieces out of my shop. However, as a thank you for following my blog, if you ever see something you like, send me a message and I'll happily put it up for sale for you!

Blog Layout

2010-08-31T14:03:00.006-05:00

You may notice that my blog looks a lot different! I used to have a free layout which was cute, but after awhile, I was pretty over it. My friend AJ does graphic design, and she and I have been working on a new logo for my shop, which I will use for my blog and my business cards as well! I wanted to simplify things and make it all flow together.

When I first started my Etsy shop, it was just a way to pass the time, and an excuse for me to make things! But since becoming involved in Etsy Austin, my shop and my blog have become more well known. Because of this, I thought it was important to do away with the free layout, the generic business cards, and shop banner that I created using free graphics. I think it's important that my designs now reflect my individuality and that they all match! (gasp!) So I revamped my blog today, and when I get the final design from AJ, I'll be updating my blog and shop banner and ordering new business cards. This is just in time for the busy holiday season, and I'm so excited to be coming into my own as a professional businesswoman! :-D

{Now you can see it's fully updated, yay! Let me know what you think, and grab my button if you like it!}

Madness, Post-Apocalyptic, Pier

2010-08-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

The Last.

To Last.

To be alone.

To endure.

Alone, I endure.

My feet hang off the edge.

My mind dangles with them.

I have traversed to the end.

I am the end.

The water swells below me.

Once, like the tides, life changed and grew.

But now everything is the same.

Only I am different.

Unique under the sun.

What is the point of holding on?

My mind jumps off the end.

With the fish I swim.

I sink.

No more can I think.

My eyes look at the sun.

There is no one.

But I stay anyway.

I watch as my mind swims away.

Yet my body lives another day.

And a day.

Day.

Sunday Funday

2010-08-29T17:03:00.004-05:00

Last weekend I got to go on a 25ft sailboat out on Lake Travis, and it was so much fun! It got me thinking about how awesome it would be to have a huge sailboat to travel around in. Could you imagine spending months out on the open water, just you and your sails? Amazing...

{All images from weheartit.com}

New Music

2010-08-28T10:43:00.004-05:00

Last night I went to bed early with a stomach ache (too much gluttony at dinner I think :-P). Thus, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back asleep for a few hours. This provided me with the perfect opportunity to go through my Shazaam app on my phone and download some new music. I saw this video for Daylight by Matt and Kim that I absolutely adore!

There's also this great song by Mumford and Sons called Little Lion Man. The combination of the banjo playing and the singer's raspy voice in this song, and throughout the album, just really make my heart swell, and it makes me want to dance! **Discalimer: this song does have explicit language, so beware when listening around children.**

Friday Faves

2010-08-27T08:47:00.001-05:00

If you've been reading my blog or following my twitter lately, then you'll know that my current obsession is cowls! I'm gearing up for the fall season, my favorite season, and I love checking out all the beautiful designs out there. These in particular caught my eye today, they are gorgeous!

Super Soft and Chunky Cowl!

2010-08-26T13:03:00.000-05:00

I love this new cowl I made! Some of you may have seen a sneak peek of it last night on twitter. I wanted to show some more pictures of it to highlight its versatility. My mom helped me with modeling this (yay!) and already wants one for herself! I think I'll definitely have to make a few more of these...

All buttoned up.

A little looser fit.

Buttoned up the side and tucked in to the jacket.

Wrapped around the shoulders as a shawl.

I love it! And a big thanks to my mom for letting me post all these pics of her. ;-)

Native American, Inventions, General

2010-08-25T16:48:00.000-05:00

So today on Brainstormer I got these three interesting topics. Instead of writing a fiction piece about it, I thought I would highlight some Native American crafts, seeing as this appeals to my crafty side. ;-)

{Lewis County Historical Museum}

{rwongphoto.com}

{Johny Q}

Afghan Stitch

2010-08-24T17:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my Grandma showed me how to do the Afghan stitch. I'm glad she did, because whenever I try to learn a new crochet stitch, I find it very difficult at first. It took me a long time to learn to crochet in the first place, and it was my Grandma who was able to finally make it clear to me! She also showed me this beautiful afghan she's been working on:

This type of afghan is done by completing the block with the afghan stitch, and then embroidering on top of that. So with this particular one, the background was done in white, and all of the red and black details are the embroidery. Amazing stuff huh? I can't wait to try it out! My mom and I went to JoAnn's yesterday and I got an off white color for a background, and will do a colored edging and some embroidery in the main piece. I think I'll try to find an embroidery pattern that I can adapt to fit my own blanket, because I want to make it a smaller size that can be used as a throw or a baby blanket (plus then it won't take me a year or two to finish it!).

I found a great website with some vintage patterns, so I can look through here and decide when I'm done with my background piece:

{All images from freevintagecrochet.com}

What I Like About You.

2010-08-23T17:12:00.000-05:00

What I like about flying:

Designated knitting/crochet time.

People watching.

The view from the window.

Watching the sunrise from the air.

Being across the country in a few hours.

Great playlists on my iPod.

Getting off the plane and seeing my mom.

What I dislike about flying:

Lines.

Forgetting that your water bottle still has a teaspoon of water in the bottom.

Having to throw said water bottle away or go through the 30 minute security line again.

Bad coffee.

Bad breakfast tacos.

{Images from weheartit.com}

Sunday Funday

2010-08-22T16:06:00.001-05:00

Oh, NYC. I will be there next weekend. My mom and dad are both from Staten Island, and we've visited NYC several times throughout my life. I love going to the city, and now that my brother lives there, it's so easy to stop in! I've thought (idealistically) that I'd like to live there at some point in my life, though the actual reality of living there often scares me. I do entertain the idea sometimes, and if the timing were right in my life....

{All images from weheartit.com}

Zooey Deschanel Cotton Ad Commercial

2010-08-21T12:15:00.000-05:00

Oh the power of the internet. I found this video on Chic Girl Designs blog, who found it on a fashion blog that she reads. I had to share it because 1) Zooey Deschanel is my favorite woman on the planet. I love her acting, her music, and her awesome style! And 2) It shows her with a bike. What more can I say?

Friday Faves

2010-08-20T15:35:00.002-05:00

This week I'm interested in some back-to-school clothes! I know as a teacher it's important to be comfortable and appropriate, but I also like to still look cute! I doubt I'll ever be one of those teachers who wears baggy holiday sweaters or jeans and t-shirts all the time ;-). I'm by no means a fashionista, but I do love my clothes, and I love to find looks that really reflect my personality. It makes me feel confident when I look good, and as a teacher it makes me feel professional to dress up a little. These were some cute finds that I think really fit into what I look for, I hope you enjoy them too!

VIEW MY ETSY FAVES

Back to School

2010-08-19T17:44:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a good summer, don't you think? But now it's time for kids, teachers, and college students to go back to school! This week I've been attending student teaching seminars to get geared up for the fall semester. Luckily though, I actually have two more weeks until I have to be in the classroom! I'll be heading to NJ to visit my mom, with a little stop-over in NYC to visit my brother for the weekend. I feel blessed (thanks Mom!) that I get the time to go before the craziness of the semester begins. When I get back I'll be meeting my cooperating teacher, the kindergarten class I'll be teaching in, and having one last prep meeting with my University mentor. I'm scared and excited all at the same time! I know it will go quickly though, so I'm going to try to make the most of it while I have the opportunity to be in the classroom with so much support.

For tonight, the Thursday Night Social ride will be collecting school supplies for children in need. I, of course, have to go and support! It combines some of my favorite things: teaching, donating, bike riding, and hanging out with friends! Would you like to donate to help children too? Giving City is a local guide to philanthropy in Austin, and their blog has a great article about places to donate to help school children this year. To check it out, go HERE.