Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Tshirt to tunic

I was so excited to finish this shirt early this morning. (Thank you, sweet dog, for your 4:30 wake up calls.)

I'm a person who can't go back to sleep (easily) once I'm awakened. And anything after 4am, I don't even try. I know it's useless. 

So I sew. 

(See what I did there?)

I didn't take a before pic of this because, sometimes I just look at something, get inspired and go to it. Can you relate?

I took a man's large tshirt and cut off the sleeves, cut the shoulders open, and cut off the ribbed collar. I placed it on my dress form, sliding the shirt down midway and suddenly visualized straps. 
Then I took the ribbed waist/hem from this yellow shirt and trimmed it to size to make shoulder straps. 

It's now a loose, comfy tunic. 

Which brings is back to this morning. I was anticipating wearing it to work over some skinny jeans. 

I WAS GOING TO BE SO CUTE!

Then I looked at the weather. 

Rain. All day. High of 48. 

Insert bipolar weather remark here. 

So. I have to delay my gratification, and content myself with sharing it here with you. 

That helped. 

Thanks. 

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Improvise Freely

Yesterday was such a wonderful day. 

I have no idea why, since Monday is notoriously rocky.

Nevertheless, I had a sunny disposition. Likely tied to the weather which was also sunny for a change. I think my soul is just so relieved to see the sun and feel it's warmth after so many days of colder than usual temperatures. Don't get me wrong, I love a rainy day. Love. It. It appeals to the introvert in me. There's nothing I like better than pulling myself into my shell and quietly observing the soft patter of rain from behind a book. Or sewing machine. Or easel. 

But it was Monday. 

I was relieved to find my appointment book full of clients who needed beautifying and I was one of them. But I didn't beautify myself. I leave that to the other professionals. Cause there's nothing worse than thinking you can do your own hair; I don't care how long you've been a hairstylist.

This is probably another clue to my good mood. Every woman has more spring in her step on a day she knows she has a hair appointment! {Can I get a witness?!}

As if just having maintenance on my hair was not enough, I decided to pump it up a notch and do something I've been wanting to do for awhile.

My inspiration is Victoria Mackenzie-Childs
Now, I would love to have the guts and presence to carry off rainbow colored hair, but my lifestyle (conservative town, clientele, etc.) does not support it. Bah. Maybe one day I won't care at all, but until that day comes, I'll stick to just purple.
I'm sure I'll add other colors to the mix along and along, but I'll always leave most of my hair in the mix. 
I think.
Today, anyway...


Friday, February 14, 2014

Equilibrium

A winter storm visited our area this week.
Two weeks ago we had some ice accumulation as well. Depending on where you are from, this would barely register as a blip on the radar.
The South, however, goes six shades of crazy at a possible hint of extreme (to us) wintery weather. We live in an area on the freeze line, so weather could go either way for us. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad.

Tuesday, we waited with nervous anticipation to see if we were frozen over on Wednesday. It rained and rained on Wednesday, but I'm so grateful that the temps hovered just above freezing so ice was mostly in the tops of trees and not on the ground. Since I live in town, I don't drive over any bridges, so my life went on as usual.

Well, sort of. We lost power like many did. It does something to my psyche by throwing me off balance. I realize just how dependent I am on electricity and how I have to think really hard to figure out how to adapt. It was unsettling.

The irony is, I have half a dream that involves living off the grid. Which really means not being beholden to anyone for my electricity and comforts while still having all those comforts.

I was so puzzled by why so many lost power when, 2 weeks ago, it seemed that we got more ice, but few lost power. This time, there was lots of rain, little ice but power went out all over town. Businesses, homes, traffic lights...crazy. And lots of traffic! I'm grateful that we were without power for only 6ish hours. Others are still without power and it's been over 30 hours. There are predictions of it lasting 3 days or more.

The positive thing for me is that it helped us make a list of things we need for an emergency situation like this. An alternate source of heat is one. I'm looking at woodstoves and fireplaces. We have GOT to learn to be more self-sufficient. And teach our daughter too.

I'd love to hear your ideas!



Sunday, February 9, 2014

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

My big dilemma on Sunday is Sunday night supper. 

We attend church in the evening and the timing of it makes it too late to start supper, but it's to early to have supper before we go. We could have lunch leftovers, but we're not inclined to eat the same meal that close together. I know--Wah-wah-wah. Here's where the challenge of clean/no processed foods kills me. 

Although I cooked a good lunch, the thoughts of dredging up another meal for supper is more than I can bear; so I told my sweet man that we were having cookies for dinner. 

Nothing I say surprises him anymore.
 
Now, I'm not recommending that cookies as a main course is part of a balanced diet,* but if I could say a cookie was a relatively healthy option, this would be the one I would choose. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond butter
7 Tb butter
1/3 cup honey
1 lg egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups Pamela's Baking & Pancake       Mix
1 - 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350
Cream butter, almond butter, and honey. Add vanilla and egg; then baking mix. Mix well. Add chocolate chips. 
Drop by tablespoon onto parchment covered baking sheet. 
Bake approximately 12 minutes. 
Let cool slightly. If you can...

*disclaimer*
If having only cookies for supper is more than your over responsible brain can handle, accompany several cookies with a raw veggie of your choice.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Today is the Day...

...that I drag this blog up from the depths.

I may have unintentionally set the record for how long one goes without posting on a blog.

Over 2 years.

Anyone want to check the Guiness Book of World Records for me?

Ah, well. Water under the bridge.

As I've considered whether or not to begin blogging again, I've done a bit of introspection and found how much I've changed in the last 2 years. Or maybe not exactly changed, but refined. I think I still have the same interests, especially in the creative arts and natural health; but I feel my interests have/are becoming more specific.

For instance:
 I am passionate about herbal medicine. I seek out alternative methods for treating sickness for our family, choosing to try natural remedies.
I was introduce to Young Living essential oils in May of 2012 and began using them for our family in June of 2013. I love essential oils because they are the strongest concentration of the plant form and therefore, extremely effective and versatile in application.

Regarding the creative arts, I still have far more interests than I have time to engage; and as seems to be my way, I get super into something and can't get enough of it for a spell, then I move onto something else. Never dropping it completely, but my obsession waxes and wanes.

Currently I am trying my hand at refashioning/altering clothing.  Love, LOVE, LOVE doing this.




In other news, we've been trying to incorporate a cleaner eating lifestyle since August of 2013.
We've gone gluten free and have cut out processed foods and refined sugar. We've definitely had many health benefits as a result; the largest being, weight loss and reduction of inflammation in the body. Win. Win.

I decided to blog again, not because I want to be popular or even noticed particularly. This go 'round, I'm doing this for me. To chronicle my interests. To journal. To have a holding place for my projects and interests. 

This I do for me.

Come along, if you like.