What's New These Days?

Autumn is in the air and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season of dormancy. Halloween is right around the corner. Then comes Thanksgiving and the entire Christmas season. I say “entire” because at our house the season begins the first week in December and lasts through the first week of January. I’ve got some new holiday cookies I hope to bake, and I may even have a little candle party at some point during the holidays.

I’ve been thinking of some new ideas too. In fact, I’m testing one as I write this. I’m not a container candle maker, but I’ve decided to try something out in the way of a filled votive cup. The decorating possibilities of the cup alone are enough to want to dive right into the project. For now I’m testing the wax. I want to make this a really long-lasting candle, and one where the wax burns all the way down without leaving residue along the sides of the glass. A seasoned container candle maker would probably know exactly what to do, but making do with what I have and hoping for the best. I was inspired by a filled votive cup in a catalog that said 100-Hour Candle. I don’t know if that candle truly burns for 100 hours; after all, it’s only about three ounces of wax. But if I can get a votive to burn more than 15 hours and go as long as 30, I think I could count that as a great selling point as well as something I’d like to burn in my own home. Then come all of those cup decorating ideas. Fabrics, papers, paint, gold leaf – I tell you, the possibilities are endless.

The bottle cap drink charms are going to take a heavenly turn, as well as a healthy one. Some new sets are in the making and hopefully will be ready for the gift-giving season.
I need a little motivation when it comes to taking pictures of my products for the shop. I need practice in that area too. Perhaps the winter will bring some time when I can put together a light box.

Keeping up with business paperwork, correspondence, and custom orders takes a lot of my time too. Of course the paperwork and correspondence come last as making things for other people the orders is actually fun.

And guess what? I decided that instead of doing business production at the end of the day while I take in a TV show or two I would take up a project just for me - a small and relatively simple crochet project. Crochet holds a special spot in my heart as it is the craft that made me realize years ago that I like to make things from nothing. So for a little relaxation over the next few weeks I’ll be working with a thin piece of thread and an aluminum hook to create a thing of beauty. I hope. I’ll keep you posted on that project.

For now I’m going to blow out my experimental votive turn off the computer. I’ll put on my flannel jammies adorned with a playful penguin pattern and slip under the blankets and quilt into bed. Tomorrow I’ll wake up to another day filled with more experiments, new possibilities, and hopefully some more inspiration.

And that’s what’s new these days.

I'm Not Your Gerb Toy

Every once in a while Charlotte and her family escape the daily grind for a weekend or more. When this happens, my nephew Fojo asks if Husby and I can take care of his beloved pets. This is a wonderful treat for us, as we live a life that is child-free and pet-free, leaving us to only stare at the walls while the pudding cools in the refrigerator. All houses need a kid or a pet, don’t you think?

As for Fojo’s pets, well, they’re gerbils. And rambunctious little guys they are. Fojo decided to get brother gerbils, at the strong suggestion of his mother, so they wouldn’t breed all over the place. Interestingly enough, Brother I has been seen snuggling in Brother II’s nether regions on more than one occasion.

But as this is a family blog, I’ll not talk about more-than-latent tendencies of our furry friends. The thing is, Fojo just loves his pets, and while he was all for me writing a little article about them, he was somewhat concerned about having their pictures plastered all over the internets. Who can blame him? There are a lot of weirdoes out there. Fojo has the nagging feeling that if his pets’ pictures are on the world wide web, some pet-o-file will abduct the little guys and perform unspeakable acts. To honor the privacy of Fojo’s pets I’ve made sure their identities are hidden.

So, I’d like to introduce you to The Gerbs.



The live in a very cozy aquarium complete with hiding tubes, a trundle bed, and a very squeaky tread wheel. Their food is placed in a little glass ashtray which is quickly covered by all the fluff of that flakey stuff you put in a gerbil cage to soak up the pee and hide the poop. There’s also a water container attached to the side of the aquarium where the little guys suck down hydration with the help of their tiny pink tongues. They’re just adorable.

While they’re active they’re usually chewing up toilet paper tubes, grooming each other, or doing some stationary running on the wheel. They also like to dig and dig and dig. I suppose they have some king of digging instinct, and I feel sorry for them as I watch them claw against the glass walls of the aquarium thinking they will actually get somewhere. I guess they think they’re going somewhere when running on the wheel too, but that act doesn’t solicit the pity from me the way the digging does.

Husby and I are thoroughly entertained by our periodic house guests and welcome any opportunity to take on the responsibility of giving them nourishment and hydration when Fojo is away. We’d let them run loose in the house but fear they would get randy with the dust bunnies. It’s best to keep them contained.

Fojo likes to sing to his gerbils and comes up with some very creative songs. While Husby and I will talk to the pair, we feel unworthy to serenade. That should be a privilege left to their owner.

Of course gerbils are mostly nocturnal, which means Husby and I don’t miss any action while we’re away at work during the day. But every once in a while, we get to see a little nap. All creatures look precious when they sleep, don’t you think?

OK, so one of the pictures doesn't have the anonymity patch across the eyes. I simply had to show you those adorable eyelashes!

Fojo has been trying to convince me that I need a pet. After all, I’m brave enough to risk a nip to pet that soft fur. I’m not afraid of germs. I will even let animals lick me! But alas, I think I’m more cut out to be a pet sitter for the time being. Thanks, Fojo, for trusting us with your treasured friends.

Dive Night - Sal's Angus Grill

Dive Night is a once monthly adventure undertaken by me and Husby, along with our friends Ruthie and Ray. Each couple alternates choosing a restaurant, one which must come under the category of "dive." Our definition of dive: a neighborhood gathering spot hiding under the radar. Casual atmosphere and good food. We're out to find the best food in the Minneapolis/St Paul area without having to pay a fortune or dress up. A sip of beer or wine doesn't hurt either.  See a list and links to the previous dive night posts here.

Ruthie and Ray's pick. I really had no idea where we were going as this place is out in the wilderness. There's nothing around but horses and farm fields. OK, I might be exaggerating just a little, but it took us forever to get to where we were going, and as the location is to remain a surprise to the couple who doesn't choose the place, I thought we were going clear to Utah.


Wow, the place is pretty big, and the giant cow head on the front of the building let us know we were in for some meat and potatoes. Bull head? Steer head? Whatever kind of bovine it is, it is almost frightening in its size.

And what signifies a great dive better than a line of Harleys in the parking lot? Meat. And Beer. Yum.

My camera was running low on batteries that night so I didn't get very good or very many pictures. Sal's is a place that will take the casual and the dressed. It isn't dressy by any means, but dropping by after an evening out to the theater wouldn't make you uncomfortable. We saw a really interesting group of diners when we were there - they all seemed to have attire that was from the '80s. It was a weird mix of people too. We couldn't figure out if it was an extended family or what. But there were girls in the group with asymmetrical hairdos and off-the-shoulder sweaters and leggings. Trust me, it was bizarre. Ray had a theory of who they were, being a group of mostly women (of all ages) and only two men, but I better not speculate along those lines. No matter who they were, they chose the right place to eat.


The menu was varied and large. They served everything from walleye to hot dagos. But the most interesting thing on the menu were the Cock Bites. How could you not order them with a name like that? Funny thing was, the men didn't want to order Cock Bites from the pretty young waitress, so Ruthie had to do it. They were really, really good. Very cocky. Very bitey.

One of the best things about this place was the Cosmo. Ruthie and I saw one being served to another diner and decided to have one after dinner. We were pretty full and had already had some drinks throughout dinner, so we decided we would share one. An unusual practice, I admit, but we didn't mind sharing a few girl germs.

The drink came in a glass that was shaped like a martini glass but without the stem. This little pointed cup, as it were, was placed on top of what looked like a small fish bowl filled with ice. The best part about the Cosmo - they served it like a malt in a malt shop. You know, when they pour your malt into the tall glass and leave you with the leftovers in the mixer? That's what they did with this Cosmo. They left the shaker at the table. There was enough Cosmo in the glass and the shaker to make two Cosmos. Ruthie and I had our fill.

So if you like big booze and Cock Bites, you'll love Sal's Angus Grill. And if you want, you can even go out horseback riding after dinner!

The Green Squirrel

About twice a month I contribute an article to the HandmadeMN blog featuring the HandmadeMN members' shops on Etsy. I thought it would be nice to have those articles on my blog too, as I really like the artists and shops I feature, and their wares might add a bit of class to my little corner of the blogosphere.

Lately I've been remembering times when, as little girls, my sister and I would go through Dad's collection of sea shells from Hawaii. We would sort them according to shape, size, and color. For me, it was fun for about fifteen minutes. For Charlotte, it was something she would want to do for the rest of her life. She thrives on order and finds much joy in categorizing and organizing things. One of her favorite things to do is sorting buttons.

Collecting and sorting buttons could very well be a fun activity, but then what do you do once everything is categorized? The Green Squirrel knows...

Look, Charlotte! Buttons, button covers, and other tiny trinkets used to make the cutest pendants you've ever seen! They range from about 1"-1 1/2" in diameter.

Below is Pearly Pink. I love the shimmer of the pink button, and of course a built-in jewel never hurts.



The Green Squirrel collects all sorts of vintage pieces for her pendants too. So not only does she know how to mix and match colors well, she recycles. She really is a Green Squirrel. Check out this dainty item - Carrots:

Along with vintage pieces I saw this lovely item, Orange & Green Flower, combining two classic vintage colors. What a great combination!

Charlotte would give her left arm to see the collection of buttons in the studio of The Green Squirrel. But if you're like me, you'll let her do the sorting and you can gather up the charming finished products.

Fojo, Radio Celebrity

I just have to give a shout out to my most talented nephew, Fojo, who is now a certified radio celebrity.

Fojo has been calling into the talk radio show Bear Facts and Fish Tails for a few years now. He has become known as their junior correspondent on fishing. Fojo has been fishing for thirteen of his fifteen years, and enjoys listening to Bear Facts and Fish Tails on 1500 AM, KSTP radio. When he's had an especially good weekend of fishing or has an interesting and relevant story to tell, he calls his radio friends and they put him on the air.

Fojo just celebrated his fifteenth birthday, and for a special surprise his grandparents (my parents) arranged to take him, his parents, and his brother, Paenney, to the radio studio in person. Fojo had no idea this was happening until thirty minutes before they left. He not only got to meet his radio friends, he actually got to be on the air! On. The. Air. He was a natural. The on-air personalities were so thrilled to finally meet their junior correspondent too.

As the loving and dutiful auntie I taped the entire program for Fojo's keepsake. Yes, taped it, as in a cassette tape in a 25-year-old boom box. Does anyone know how to work those old things anymore? If I were more with it I would have downloaded the stream off the computer onto my MP3 player or whatever the kids are using these days.

But this isn't about how old and outdated I am. I'm so excited about Fojo and his birthday surprise, and am glad he called me right when he got home to tell me all about how much fun it was. Fishing is a passion for Fojo, and Bear Facts and Fish Tails is a show where he can share his knowledge, tell fun stories, and have a great time in front of thousands of listeners. Yikes. How did he do it? I would have wet my pants.

Congratulations Fojo, and I'm glad you have a hobby you can really get excited about. Don't forget us little people when you make your way to the top of the radio game. You did a great job and I'm glad you got to meet your radio friends face to face!

Wooly Red Rug

About twice a month I contribute an article to the HandmadeMN blog featuring the HandmadeMN members' shops on Etsy. I thought it would be nice to have those articles on my blog too, as I really like the artists and shops I feature, and their wares might add a bit of class to my little corner of the blogosphere.

I have a secret fantasy of living on a hobby farm. Of course I'm a total city girl and could never survive on a farm for all the flies, dust, and manure. But in my fantasy I'm dressed in my cute little jumper and mud boots, bucket and stool in hand, ready to milk some cows. Also on my farm would be hundreds and hundreds of sheep. I love sheep. They're so cute and woolly and they stick their little pink tongues out when they baa. In my fantasy I would shear the sheep and spin their wool into the most luxurious yarn ever seen.

Alas, I have no sheep and I don't know how to spin wool into yarn. But I do know someone who has taken the yarn made from the fluffy wool of my imaginary sheep and has created the most glorious pieces of art. Laurie Lausen. Her shop, Wooly Red Rug.

Laurie is a true master of her art. She knows how to dye and hook yarn into beautiful rugs, runners, and mats. She also hand-dyes wool fabrics and cotton threads. The colors are fabulous.

Check out this cute item: It's the Wool Lover's Journal; a journal cover made with hand-dyed fabrics and threads. Look, there's an applique of one of my sheep.



The Americana Hearts and Stars Runner is one of Laurie's original designs and I just love the primitive colors. Not only did she design it, she hooked it herself! What a woman.


Laurie did some more designing and hooking with this lovely chair pad featuring my fantasy sheep. She suggests the Hilltop Chair Pad can also be used as a table mat. Anything that is so pretty and can serve dual purposes is simply a must-have.


Laurie Lausen is such a gifted artist. She also has a really nice blog called Prairie's Edge Primitives. Wooly Red Rug is a wonderful place to pick up a little piece of that hobby-farm fantasy you might have. Thanks, Laurie, for fueling the fire.

Oh My, Toady!

I recently read Wind in the Willows. Toad, Rat, Mole, and Mr Badger - what a bunch of rascals. Really, rascals is the only word to describe them. I had never read the book before and I must say it was one of the most delightful experiences I’ve had in a long time. Really, delightful is the only word to describe it. And speaking of words, I just adored the language of the book. Written at the beginning of the last century by a British author, well, I have no words to describe it. It made me laugh, it made me cry. And I didn’t even have a hard time with the fact that the animals wore clothes or could drive cars. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disney World makes so much more sense now! The book was a fabulous vehicle for escape.

In a related story, a day or two after I'd finished the book I was getting into my car on the way to work. It was dark outside, because it seems I have to leave for work in the middle of the night. OK, so it’s about 5:40, but for a lot of people, that’s the middle of the night. As I’m leaning to get into my car I noticed movement at the windshield of my car. It was little toad! I tried to catch it and put it into the safety of the grass, but he escaped into the hood of my car. Being one who is never tardy for work I said to the toad, “you’re on your own if you crawl in there,” and I was off. About a quarter mile down the road the toad crawled out from under the hood and once again made his appearance on my windshield wiper. He looked as though he was perched comfortably, yet I worried as he was now entering dangerous territory.

Soon after I was out of my neighborhood I accelerated onto the freeway to a speed of 70 miles per hour. The toad held onto the windshield wiper tightly. He took a look at me once in a while and proved to be very distracting as not only did I keep my eye on him, I was also worried about what would happen if he lost his grip. On I went, 70 miles per hour, and the toad held firm.

About six miles into the trip he started to waver. I worried what would happen if he flew off my windshield wiper and went splat onto the windshield of the car behind me. Would it cause a panic? Would people think it was the end of the world with the impression it was raining toads? But still, the toad held firm.

When I arrived at the parking ramp downtown, twelve miles from home, the toad seemed to be out of breath with his little heart beating hard. He looked at me. I looked at him. Again I told him, “you’re on your own now.” I don’t know what became of Toady that day, as he disappeared from my car by the time I was done with work. No doubt he was off on another adventure, stealing cars or challenging city weasels. Good luck, dear Toady!