Wordless Wednesday

Winter Fun

 

With temperatures nearing fifty degrees last week the piles of snow we got this winter were finally shrinking.  But with February and March the snow loses its lovely, crisp white color and changes to gray, brown, and even black.  The waning of winter and introduction to spring is ugly and uncomfortable to me.  It's my least favorite time of year.

Lo and behold the temperatures dropped and we were afforded another chance at winter with a major snow storm.  Most people complain about the foot of snow that was dumped on us, but I'm glad to see the clean whiteness of the earth again.  I don't want to think about it turning dingy and dreary right now, even though I know it will.

*awkward segue here*  There's a new addition to Craftland I'd like you to see.  Can you guess what it is?

Not a very good picture, but yes you got it right ~ it's a penguin.  But do you really know what it is?

Over five years ago this was salvaged from my grandparents' garage.  It was my mom's sled.  It has to date back to at least the 1940s and I just couldn't bear to see it end up in an auction, or worse yet a landfill.  There's too much history here, and a sentimental piece of my mom's past. 

With the new snow I should just take this old thing to the golf course and ride it down the hill.  But I remember my cracked coccyx and think it's better where it is, mounted in Craftland.  Thanks to Husby this old sled has a new home out of the way and against the wall in Craftland where I can admire it every time I go to work.

What a cool piece of memorabilia, even though the only memories I have of this sled are the ones of it stored in Grandma and Grandpa's garage, way in the back, where it was dark and scary.  It has a much better home up against the orange walls of Craftland.

Do you have any large pieces from your parents' pasts?  Are you storing them away where they can't be seen, or are you thinking of creative ways to display or use them?  I'd love to hear the stories!

Featured Shop ~ Cindy Lindgren

According to Wikipedia, the "Arts and Crafts movement advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration."  The Arts and Crafts movement is also the inspiration Cindy Lingren uses in her art.

Cindy's shop is full of botanicals and things of nature.  At this time she offers her illustrations in the forms of prints, cards, and rugs.

Bleeding Heart Giclee Print

 
 
The palette Cindy uses has a calming sense to it.  The designs are simple, yet hold the true essence of that which she illustrates.  Who wouldn't love a friendly, hand-written note on these beautiful note cards?
 

Tulip Note Cards

 
 
And any room could be brightened up with a rug decorated with Cindy's design, like this one:
 

 
 
There are also textiles with Cindy's cheery illustrations available at her shop.
 
The shop of Cindy Lindgren is full of wonderful things to brighten up your life in a style reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts period.  Check it out ~ I bet you'll be happier for it!

This article will soon be published on the HandmadeMN blog, a blog I'm sure you will enjoy.  Not only do they publish my Featured Shops, but have lots of giveaways and interesting articles presented by many Minnesota artisans like me. 

A Weary Week

It was a long week for me.  I'm still trying to find my groove, although I'm happy enough to have been somewhat productive.  Here are some highlights and lowlights:

1.  Charlotte, the most organized and effective person I know, gave me some pointers on how to accomplish more in the measly twenty-four hours we are afforded in a day.  I've been working hard at applying her advice.  Don't you know, it actually works.  Interestingly enough I watched a presentation given by Etsy regarding the same subject and heard a lot of the same things Charlotte told me.  What?  Did everyone know about this stuff except me?  Maybe some day I'll share what I learned, even though you probably already know it.

2.  I can't remember what it's like to just sit and watch TV and actually pay attention to what I'm watching.  Formerly known as the TV Queen I'm a little ashamed of how I've fallen out of the loop.  More disappointing is how I can't find even two hours a week to just sit and watch a movie.  I'll have to keep working on #1 above, organizing and prioritizing so I can have a movie on the weekends without distraction.

3.  I've started a new regimen of no caffiene after coming home from the day job.  There will be a day when I cut it out of my daily routine completely, but for now I'm liking the juice and water in the evenings.  You're reading this post and laughing out loud, wondering what kind of person doesn't know how to plan a day or drink juice and water on a regular basis.  A person on autopilot who is spread too thin, that's who.

4.  Spent some time last week with my dad, who had a bad run-in with a kidney stone.  After a lot of treatment on his part and no sleep on my part, I've had a hard time this week figuring out what day it is.  Luckily I know today is Friday and I won't be going into the day job tomorrow.

5.  The new shop is open!  This is really exciting for me; however, starting an Etsy shop from scratch brings on some challenges.  The feedback from my old shop isn't readily available.  I haven't made my first sale yet and I think people will be afraid to jump in and get the ball rolling.  I make good stuff.  Really.

Amish Harvest Palm Wax Candle

Grapes - Bottle Cap Magnet

Boy Chaser - Pulp Fiction Magnet

Gone With The Wind - Bottle Cap Drink Charms Set of 6

6.  I have a big, fresh bag of M&Ms to tear into and munch on throughout the weekend. 

7.  This weekend sleep will be mine. 

Have a lovely one, my friends.

Nature's Art

Spring is on its way.  Really.  I mean it.  You can count on it.  The snow has ceased to be white and is turning grey, brown, and even black in its melting state.  That's a sure sign spring will be here eventually. 

I got an e-mail from my friend MaryAnn with some photos that really got me in the mood.  And because she would rather send e-mails to everyone she knows rather than share this cool stuff on her blog, I thought I'd show these pictures on my blog instead.  I don't know who to credit for these amazing photos, so if I'm stepping on any toes, please let me know.  Or if you know the source of these photos tell me so I can provide a link.

Now, can you tell me what this is?

No?  Maybe this will help...

I'll give you a hint.  You probably won't see this while flying over Nebraska.

Have you guess yet?  If not, this next one will surely reveal the secret.

Yep.  Tulips.  Millions and millions of tulips.  What represents springtime better than tulips?  These photos were taken in the Netherlands.  They're famous for their tulips, you know.

Not only do these pictures make me eager for spring, they awaken my wanderlust.  Have any of you been to Holland in May to see the tulips bloom?  I can't even imagine how overwhelmingly beautiful it would be.

So there's my promise that spring will once again return.  If you can't wait for the tulips to bloom in your back yard, refer back to this post and enjoy the view.

Wordless Wednesday

Comfort Food

 

We're all familiar with the term "comfort food."  Some people don't think food should be associated with comfort because soon enough it will be associated with love and the whole eating disorder thing gets rolling.  I think people who think like that are a little extreme and don't give those indulging in comfort foods enough credit.  It isn't about overeating or substituting food for emotions.  It's about getting a cozy feeling from a particular food or dish.

One of my favorite comfort foods is Grandma's Hotdish.  I'm pretty sure I've written about it before, or at least referred to it.  It's weird that I like this dish so much because it is associated with the grandma who wasn't exactly known to be cuddly, lovey, or doting like grandmas usually are.  In fact, she was kind of mean.  But she had some pretty good food and this dish, originally named Plantation Supper, was my favorite.  As a kid I didn't know it was called Plantation Supper, so I just called it Grandma's Hotdish.  I found out later my grandma referred to it as "Sara's Hotdish" because I loved it so much.

It's very simple to make: a pound of hamburger browned with an onion with a little salt and pepper added.  Throw in a can of cream of mushroom soup (of course!), a brick of cream cheese, about 3/4 cup milk and a can of corn, drained.  Then stir in your half bag of cooked egg noodles (or eight ounces of any kind of noodle/macaroni) and you've got yourself what I consider the most wonderful bit of heaven on earth that was ever born in a fry pan. 

To make it the meal really legit you have to serve it with Grandma's buns and red jello.  I do have the recipe for the buns, but am not a very accomplished bread baker yet, so I just use the canned crescent rolls.  I am very adept at making red jello though, and it is a must with this meal.  Just jello.  No fruit in it, just the jello.  And it must be red.  It can be cherry, strawberry, raspberry, even pomegranate, but it must be red.  And of course pickles.  Every hotdish must be served with pickles.  With this dish they can be dill pickles or bread and butter pickles, but not sweet pickles.

It's not exactly a well-rounded, healthy meal, but comfort food isn't about being responsible.  In fact, it's an escape from responsibility.  It's an id-satisfying solution to the demands of your superego, which you're pretty tired of by now.  If you're not familiar with Freudian lingo, I'll just say this meal pretty much says "take that, world ~ I'm feeling good now," at least for me.

How about you?  What's your comfort food?