Found Autobiography

I wrote this 3 or 4 years ago for...an application?  We were renting the place on Clarion then.  Fun!:

The Complete Autobiography, Abridged


I have parents that are honest, brave, adjusted, and brilliant. It proved quite annoying as a teenager.

I have had friends for my entire life. Perhaps I’m not old yet, but 30 years is not too bad. I plan to keep them.

I have had a dog, 3 cats, and hermit crabs. Each is buried in the backyard, except Mitty the Kitty, who has really become my sisters cat b/c I can’t have pets at my current residence.

I have traveled quite a bit, but always lived within 200 miles of where I grew up.

My parents haven’t moved in 36 years. Their house has riverfront property. My favorite time is in the morning in the spring or fall when it smells crisp and clean & the sun is just coming up, burning the fog off of the smoky river.

Home is where your stuff is. When you are in college & your stuff is both at your college dorm & at your parents’, your home is both places. I don’t remember the day I realized my home was no longer at my parents’ house. It just snuck up on me.

My home is now in South Philadelphia. South Philly is a great neighborhood – part young, hip, trendy, and part old, established, and traditional. I rent a great house that is truly home. My landlord lives around the corner. His aunt, sister, and mom’s houses are also within a block. It’s just that kind of neighborhood.

I hope if I ever have a biography written, it will have a cheeky title.

There were 2 summers while in school for Fashion Design that I taught science, nature, and camping/canoeing. I never learned to tie the correct knot on a fishing line, and lost a lot of hooks fishing.

I have played each for a year: piano, recorder, trombone, and the harp. I have done each for between 1 & 3 years: soccer, softball, tap, horseback riding, basketball, track (400-hurdles), semi-pro improvisation, and theater. I have been on 3 Outward Bound courses. I have carried an 80-pound metal canoe for over a mile and a quarter by myself. Each step was an achievement. I can tie a good knot except when fishing.

I never wore any pink in high school or in college. I now wear lots of pink. Perhaps I am making up for lost time.

I had 3 silly goals while in Asia last year, and completed all three. I plan to set ridiculous goals for every trip from now on.

I am a road warrior – a guru of on-the-road-know-how. I have traveled all over by myself – Europe, Asia, and the US from the east to the west coast.

I’ve met some folks who are famous. It was always somewhat anti-climatic, actually.

I was once described by a friend as a workhorse. He meant it in the kindest of ways, I’m sure. I am always pushing myself.

I ran into a pole at 4 years old and broke my collarbone. Yes, I have always been this graceful. I broke my left big toe when I was 12. If you believe in karma, it’s a good story.

My mom, my aunt, and my brother are artists. My grandmother, my other brother, and my cousin are all also very talented in the arts.

I once had my palm read. The seer told me that I would always have money because of other people. Anytime other people want to start giving me money, I’m ready.

My birthday is August 2nd. I have not been home on my birthday for years. My birthdays have been spent in Quebec, Pompeii, Ohio, the Jersey Shore, the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, and Edinburgh.

My life has been a little of this and a little of that. As with my jars, each is ordinary and only somewhat interesting by itself, but together (and many times all at once), they create a fascinating tapestry, a true work of art.

March!

How quickly March has marched on by! 

I cannot wait for the weather to be beautiful all the time!  Sack-toss and lazy Sundays reading outside await!

It has been busy busy BUSY busy for me, but a few FUN things have happened too.

Sean & I trimmed the Crabapple last weekend (this past weekend was SO cold, but the week before was beautiful!).  It was the first time either of us had pruned a good sized tree and it was pretty fun and rewarding!

Afterwards, I did some...TREE-CYCLING...hahaha!

I used the willowy cut branches, which had grown very straight and wove them in the gate of our fence:

The branches are so beautiful:

The fence has become 3-dimensional as the branches bow out so beautifully!

The ends were pretty raw...

So, I painted them a METALIC GOLD, which will also seal them:

I love all the renegade knitting around Philly!  I wanted to bring a little to my backyard...

So, I started with my knitting machine (just using up some yarn):

And then wrapped the pole next to the gate!:

LOVE IT!:

Here it is through the screen that I've sewn on (just kinda a cool shot):

AND...we've started doing some planting for the garden!

Seedlings inside - planting day:

and from about a week ago...

Meanwhile...back at the ranch...

We have also put a few seeds under the cold frames (spinach, swiss chard, lettuce):

We are using the same system as last year (Square Foot Gardening).  This year we have marked the sections using eye-hooks and left over clothesline.  This was S's idea! He is so smart!

Happy *almost* March!
This weekend I finally took down V's Day decorations at the behest of S. Time for some St. Patty's Irish Flair...

The books are Ireland guidebooks & The Dubliners (and a children's storybook). The painting to the far right is titled, "Irish Mary" & was bought in SW VA in Richlands by a local artist. 2 of the green votives/mugs? I threw in a CE class at UArts and the candlesticks, of course are MM.

It has been a busy busy month!  February is always crazy for me.  Lots of weekend working and definitely draining, focused, intense days at work during the week.  Feb is also a month of many birthdays!  So, it contains some dancing, dinners, present wrapping, and loveliness!

I did have a chance to put up a draft curtain between the livingroom & the "shrine room" or pass-through:

One side is made out of a companion fabric to the front drapes (see...):

The other side is made from a dark dark green (looks brown) heavy wool.

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I also made an Onion Quiche for the first time last week.

The onions were cooked down and carmelized so they were SO sweet!

The recipe is here: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/caramelized_onion_quiche/

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I was lucky enough to pick up a few FREE TICKETS to a show tonight & the orchestra on Tuesday! Yay for free and yay for shows! 

Wishing you warm weather and smiles.

Bye Bye Weekend...

...and hello to another work week and February (almost!).
Here is a picture of the front of the house.  I realized that this picture was missing from the last post.  This was taken the following day, so most of the window sill hearts have melted, but you get the general idea:

We can't wait to rework the front door & paint the shutters...spring/summer maybe.

 I also took fun pictures of snowmen! But alas! I have lost them.  I will instead share this picture from when I was in Chicago a few years ago.  I am in the very center (yes, where I always belong).  The sculpture was above me. Fun!
 

Time flies...

...when you are super busy!

I can't believe it has been nearly 4 weeks since the last posting. Work, work, work, a little play, lots of projects, and a little sickness have made the time fly by.

There are many projects I cannot post as they are still in progress, but here are some fun things we've been up to:

Bathroom Closet Curtain:

We definitely needed this! No one wants to see inside a messy closet. We discussed putting the door back on, but it really got in the way in such a small space. So, a curtain was the solution.

I made it to go with the window curtain I had made over the summer. They are both just made from scraps that I have which is great (and cheap!). The closet curtain I just lined with a lightweight cotton so that it was opague.

Fun detailz:

More fun detailz (this is the high contrast photo):

Here is how it really looks (softer):

I love this pic which was taken looking into the vanity mirror.

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AND...Valentine's Decorations! S and I did take down Christmas Decorations, which would have been sad if not for V's Day fun-time-hearts.

Here is the mantle all gussied up:

I re-used 2 of the fancy candles on the mantle top which were from Christmas and replaced the colored lights in the bottom with white lights.

The heart chains are so fast and easy! I cut out hearts from old give-away magazines at night when I am tired or we are watching a movie. AND sometimes I also use cards that I want to keep (like this postcard from SWH of a llama in Manchu Picchu).

I try to use as many solids or all-over patterns as possible. The heart shape ends up more defined. BUT, sometimes I just cannot help myself - this heart is from a hot air balloon:

Just remember to use a large straight stitch if sewing with a machine (too small a stitch will perforate the hearts).

I strung them on the front windows as well and made a few chains with cardboard to hang vertically. Here they are with my snow-hearts:

I had so many hearts I have hung them around 3 of the doorways downstairs as well! Of course, there is also a heart-shaped red rose wreath on the front door. ^^

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I would also like to give a shout-out to S and his bread-making skillz! Check out this beauty of a homemade Rye Bread (it was as delicious as it was gorgeous):

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Finally, a BIG thank you to SEPTA for not running buses today! I could not get to work, so I stayed home and made a snow village (yes, UA was open, even though there was 15" of snow last night and SEPTA was not running buses...):

Previously, I had made a rhino ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabelle/4348809015/in/set-72157623284799557/ ) and a bunny ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabelle/4229163377/in/set-72157623107400198/ ).

I was looking for something a little different this time around, and was inspired by VanGogh's "The Yellow House" painting:

I do hate the cold of winter, but admit that I love when you get a big pile-up of snow and the next day is warm (like today). It makes for an ideal situation for snow building.

The snow was melting pretty fast from the roof.  I was hit twice! Hehe! I had to work quickly as well to get it all packed down b/4 it melted out of shape.

Here is a side view - you can just see the balcony on the building on the right:

Here is the village white:

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2011!

Today's post will not be about the New Year nor about Christmas! Although...I do have a picture of the Jade that I hung ornaments on that I didn't post before...resist! resist!

Our kitty, Her Royal Badness (HRB) or Princess Destroyer (Destroyer) or Bandicoot (Coot) likes to sleep part of the night in our room. Sometimes HRB likes to walk on you. Sometimes she also likes to sleep on your face:

She was one night curled up around S like below. They were both sleeping, so cute!

S was woken because 'Coot was dreaming. In her dream she was running. In real life, she was actually kicking S in the head!

Christmas Part II

A little more cheer for you!

Below is the strange little pass-through room in our house decorated for the holiday. I added the big red shiny bow over the doorway after opening up the surprise gift from Santa on Christmas - a laptop! woot!

I also finished framing the print I had done last year. Great frame that I just painted. The laurel is real, but did not smell strong enough to make a difference from it being artificial. The mini baby blue disco ball hanging down from the light really was a perfect location for it & it sparkles and sparkles:

We also hung the Santa light along the bottom of the side table (how CUTE is that!?) and I used the wreath from the centerpiece (see below) and placed the flowers in the middle. The Christmas napkin holder was also gifted to us & looks great:

I did not take any pictures of the table all set (after all that work!). It was SO busy and it just got away from me. BUT, I did recreate a place setting while doing the dishes this morning:

The BEST part about this place setting:

China is from my grandmother Lucy,

Stemware is from my great grandmother Frances,

Silver is from my great Aunt Marion,

Napkin rings are made from gifted bows from S's parents!

It is a great way to keep those not with you in the holiday.

Here is the centerpiece I made for the table:

The table ended up too narrow for a center piece; I was able to use the components in other places.

As for the napkin rings...here is how that came about...I wanted to use things I had around the studio. I have a jar of red pipe-cleaners that turned out to be perfect, and I went through my buttons to pick out a few that were my favorites:

More of the red bows that adorn the banister were used to make the napkin rings. I used the center bubble and the tails:

I also used the wire that held it together for the buttons.

I had some golden ribbon from taking apart the wreath:

They looked a little large while I was working on them. I knew they would look different on the table. The end result was very festive and lovely!:

Christmas!

The past few weeks have gone by in a blur! This week past in particular. I had off since Monday, but I've been keeping busy!

We now have an artificial tree (gift of J & M, thank you :)
I LOVE ornaments (surprised!?).
This is an ornament from the first year my parents were married (the Currier & Ives):

It just happened to be in the Santa Section!

A great idea is to save gift tags if they are pretty - especially if they are sparkley - and hang them on the tree too!:

And I have a hodge-podge of garland. I made some bottlecap garland, I have a few short strands of red beads, and my favorite is below! A's handmade garland as a gift last year:
I know, enough of the tour of the Christmas tree (I could go on...)!
Let's talk about other decorations, shall we?

I dripped the fans to look like ornament chandeliers! They came out very prettily:

I had made some tissue paper puff balls and also had some strands of beading that I have for another project that added the final touch. The beading is like the garland on a tree - finishes it!

What's that? Want to see the big picture? Surley:

Hang tight! More rooms/holiday decorations will follow shortly!
xoxo