Squirrel Surveillance

One standing guard on the outside, one warming-up on the inside.

Artist of the Week: Alicia Rosam

I discovered Ali's website  in a bizarre & hilarious way. We were both victims of some heinous spam storm from something called "greasy waitress." When she wrote a scathing reply to them demanding that she be unsubscribed, she in turn spammed all of US by replying to ALL. That's when I caught her link at the bottom of the email, and fell in love with her work.

Q& A: Cheryl, Live from the UAE!

Cheryl & her daughter Eleanor of www.alainnotebook.com

1. Describe who you are in ten words or less
Mother who loves books, my family and friends and beauty

2. Tell us what you do for work, and who you do it for, OR how you spend your days (besides blogging. HA!)
I am a librarian on hiatus as my little family is currently living abroad in the United Arab Emirates for a year. I have worked for two great libraries in Ohio and love the purpose and vision that public libraries serve! I can say that while I loved my job, this not working gig I'm doing right now is pretty sweet. Days are spent with my toddler and husband exploring our new city in the desert and then there are always the domesticalities of the day which I actually really enjoy. I am relishing in the extra time I have and doing yoga again, reading and cooking more, and trying to learn more about photography.

3. What organization methods do you use to keep all your bits and pieces in order?
I am kindof OCD (my husband would debate the "kindof"). I like everything to be in it's "place," although I do have secret "junk drawers" and such. I figure as long as I can't see it, it works. I like things to be contained so I used small bins and things for organization. I like notebooks too for keeping lists and info.

4. Share a defining moment in your life, which had a direct effect on who you are today.
Hmmm.....I'm not going to think about this too much because then it'll become too difficult and unanswerable. I would say having my daughter Eleanor two years ago. There is nothing more defining to me than bringing another life into the world. What a crazy, beautiful experience.

5. Please tell us the story of the biggest belly laugh of your life.
I'm one of those people who have a hard time pulling off a "funny story" at times, which is a real bummer! I like spontaneous laughter like last night in yoga class with a friend getting into a crazy pose that seems impossible and compromising :) or just with a funny movie on like last night's Spanglish. I talk to my Mom every week through Yahoo Messenger and we were dying laughing the other night but I can't even remember what it was about! :) I also email her every day - I'm a good daughter. I hope if my Eleanor moved half way across the world she'd do the same for me. I know it's hard having such distance.
6. What work of art, creation, project, photo, etc. are you most proud of? 
I love this picture that I took the first day my daughter came into the world. I love photography and am really trying to learn more while abroad and capture this amazing time. Photography can be a real challenge though, especially with an active toddler! So I am trying to be patient with myself.

7. Which children's book influenced you the most?
This is not an easy question for a librarian! :) As a child I was greatly influenced by the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. I loved them. At the time Ramona was my age and I loved reading about all the things she was doing. I have very special memories of reading her books at my library as a kid. There was a large mural covering all the walls of the children's area and a fish pond just off to the side. It was awesome.
As an adult, the children's book that has influenced me the most is The Giver by Lois Lowry. It's a dystopia and a very powerful story that I believe is just as good as any literary fiction adult title I have read. I love reading about dystopias and utopias - it gives interesting perspective and makes you think - what would a perfect world be like for you? others?
And you also can't beat Good Night Moon and the Olivia books by Ian Falconer

8. What is your favorite pie? Favorite flavor Ice Cream?
Me loves some APPLE pie the best, especially when it has the most delicious crunchy crust. Not the biggest ice cream fan (shocking I know!) but I do like mint chocolate chip. And vanilla does add to the apple pie :)

9. Which blog post of yours has had the most comments?
I'm pretty new to blogging. I just started this August to stay in touch with family and friends back home. As readership slowly builds the comments come more. Plus somehow my template did not enable comments for like the first two months! duh. Anyway, I just started something similar to this Q&A called a "Spotlight Series" where I am interviewing bloggers I admire and want to share. That has been my most comments so far. Guess who I'd like to come and be my guest soon?

10. What message would you like to leave for the world? (here is your chance)
To remember that every one on earth is someone's child and to respect and take care of one another.

Moody Monday: 11/24/08

Ahh... the romance of a stripmall in the rain ;-)

Creative Process: Photography

I found this leaf skeleton.

I went right to the sweet spot in my kitchen... you know, that spot where all the natural light pours in through the window, reflecting off the white house next door and bouncing off my old white formica counter.

It looked kind of blah to me.

So I decided to try a different surface. The closest thing I could find, was the pancake griddle. It was perfect! It had just enough reflective-ness to turn the brown to bronze, and the darkness drew out the delicate veins of the leaf.

Sometimes, the most important part of the creative process, is to be brave & try new things.

xoh

Mina Recycles

I lourve Mina. But you already knew that :-)

Parental Teabags

One minute they pressure me to keep up. 

Next minute, they tell me to be proud of myself.

Pancake Series: Piggy

If you give a pig a pancake, he might ask you for french toast.

Q&A: Patricia of PVE Design

Patricia, photographed by Elizabeth Belliveau

 

1) Describe who you are in 10 words or less.

Artist with a penchant for creating and inspiring an artful life.

2) Tell us what you do for work, and who you do it for, OR how you spend your days. (besides blogging. HA!)

I draw pictures all day long. I wake up expecting things, good things, the daily tasks of life provide routine and order which propel me to move ahead with projects. I wake up early. I walk my dog, plan meals, rally others, motivate them, structure my day, my week, my month and try to live in the moment. Blogging does not take up as much time as one thinks. If it becomes routine then it is like brushing your teeth. I also think it helps me to edit.

3) What organization methods do you use to keep all your bits and pieces in order?
On a spread sheet and a book titled "Eight Days a Week" An accordian file, boxes, baskets, and having a place for things clearly labeled. Sort of like canisters where one would find sugar, flour, coffee. Things need to be labeled and easy to find when you have to fit a lot into a day.

4) Share a defining moment in your life, which had a direct effect on who you are today.
A defining moment happens daily as our life shifts and the "befores" quickly become the "afters." It is always good to edit and to realize that the next person you meet, somehow has a direct effect on you. People, like my 3rd grade teacher, my art teacher, my family, my parents, my neighbors, all play vital roles in shaping each and every one of us. Take note and see how they define you.

 5) Please tell us the story of the biggest belly laugh of your life.
Recently at my sisters home for dinner with her grandson, all these gifts, and the best was this pump with long skinny balloons which you would pump and then they would "blast off" making these crazy sounds and even crazier landings...we were all belly laughing and it felt good. My sister said, that aisle has all
the best belly laughing producers! I am still laughing about that.

6) What work of art, creation, project, photo, etc. are you most proud of?
My list of projects....I just keep it in front of me and check it off as I go. Lots of house illustrations, blog headers, web artwork, and I really want to create some of my own things when the work load lightens. That is the light at the end of the tunnel that keeps me going. I am proud of that, the fact that I can be disciplined and know that I want to paint this or that.... whatever speaks to me...I look forward to that.

7) Which children's book influenced you the most?
Oh that is a hard one. I think Babar, Curious George, Madeline and I adore "Eloise."

8) What is your favorite pie? Favorite flavor Ice Cream?
Pie, oh that is another hard one....Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Lemon Meringue, Mince Meat, Chocolate, Key Lime, Chess Pie, Derby Pie, I would not say no to any of them with vanilla ice cream.

9) Which blog post of yours has had the most comments?
44, recently, when I posted a time out and a Lucille Ball photo. The personal ones seem to somehow touch many to leave a comment. That amazes me. Humans touching via the internet, all over the world.

10) What message would you like to leave for the world? (here is your chance)
Live with spontaneity - Do it today, because things change and you will never regret it. Send that note, make that call, paint it, borrow it, buy it, plant it, feed it, walk it, love it. Oh, and blog about it. You just may motivate or touch someone to do the same.

Moody Monday: 11/17/08

things to do in the rain...

a walk in the woods...

a long drive...

warming up with the Easy Bake Oven...

mixing it up....

reflecting on childhood memories.

Credit Where Credit is Due

Hi Folks... just wanted to let you know that we found the designer of the faboo plastic rings! (Hubby dusted off an old invoice from a few years ago to find the name.) Without further adieu, please welcome Alissia Melka-Teichroew.

Her website is worth checking out!

xoh

Alphabet Series: Cap G

G-Ro sent me the following pic in an email at the beginning of this week:

"....I was just sittin' there, having dropped my pants on the floor, when it hits

me: Alphabet Series, cap G! How perfect, my initial. What an Aries."

Does anyone else have any alphabet series letters they'd like to drop their pants for?

;-)

xoh

You Win!

You guys made my day yesterday... 

Competiton over, results are in.

Notable comments were: Laura, with the Big Bird Achievement Award, Deb with the "Flobie",  (had Ilene in stitches,) and Elena with Dexie's Midnight Runners.

 You are ALL funny, each in your own way.

I decided to interview all of you, over a long stretch of time. Maybe one a week?

Here's the list of winners: (expect a list of interrrresting questions from me!)

Elena

Deb

Ilene

Cheryl

Fifi

Laura

Julia

Joyce

Leica

Patricia

Write that Caption!

The prize will be an indepth interview of you or your bloggy business, right here on my blog.

If it's successful, I'll make it a monthly feature. The deadline to leave your caption in the comments below, is Wednesday Night 11/12 at 8pm e.s.t.

Go ahead, make me LOL!

* Submit as MANY as you want!!!!!

p.s... I took this pic at Ilene's Hair Salon :-)

Thanks Ilene!

So Long, W!

Quick possum update...

We waited til after dark, & W was wide awake, but still in the pail.

Next morning: still there, all comfy & snoozy.

With the garbage men looming, Hubby turned over the pail, and W took off.

We kinda miss him.

Moody Monday: 11/9/08

Alpahabet Series: Cap W Part 2

"W" 

(2 of them)

As in "WHY is there a baby possum asleep in our recycling garbage?"

or:

"WTF!!!!! there's a baby possum sleeping in our recycling garbage!!!"

Dinner with Deb

Last night, I met Deb at a Thai restaurant for dinner. The fact that we both loved this particular place was just one of the things we had in common. There was magic in the air... there was an exchange of trinkets..... stories were told, and peals of laughter broke out. There were moments of solidarity, where we whispered "I know, I just know."

Then, as  the very last morsel of dessert was divided and scarfed, we looked at our clocks. FOUR whole hours had passed.

I could not have described our evening better than Deb has, but I can leave this message to you all...

If you think that blogging helps you to connect to the world on a creative, or spiritual level, then turn off your computer and go outside. Meet some of these inspiring people in person, and share a cup of coffee or a meal with them.

You won't regret it.

xoh

p.s... How beautiful is that necklace! Deb's creations are so full of sparkle and whimsy. I am grateful for this gift, and for her friendship.

Deep Thoughts Continued...

I don't know if it's the leaves falling, or the rain falling, or both, but I just can't stop all this thinking.

Something's really bothering me. I don't understand why there is so much hullabaloo over whether same sex marriages should be legal or not. Why is it even a question? We're talking about 2 PEOPLE who would like to be legally married.

Not a CAT and a person, or a DESSERT and a person. 

Not even a BOOK and a person.

(though I can't say there weren't some desperate times in my life, when these seemed like the most viable options.)

Is it at ALL possible that people didn't understand the question? Maybe because it was phrased as a double negative?  "Vote YES to say NO!"  

Just sayin'.

Anyway, these are just SOME of the things that I think about on days like today.

Blame the leaves & the rain.

Thoughts on this day...

It wasn't until this afternoon, that I really had a moment to think.

I sat and watched the rain fall, while the leaves turned, and I thought about:

How we, as bloggers made a huge impact on this election.

I thought about how it rained today, but was sunny on 9/11.

Then I wondered if Mina needs more grapes.

And I tried to figure out why I love to catch her in her blue furry robe & mittens.

Maybe the varmint doesn't fall far from the tree?

I wrote a mental note to post the weird water tower pic to my blog.

pic circa 11/2003 by G-Ro

Then I thought about the brave new world that lay before us.

And I thought about my varmints, and how they looked before they had hair.

And I wondered what the new world has in store for them.

Because I never in a million years could  have imagined this one.

:-)

Moody Monday: 11/3/08

Trip to Caumsett Park.

Thanks Deb!

Fall Bag

When I set out to run my errands on saturday morning, I didn't think I would end up meeting my new fall bag. My criteria for a handbag is even more complicated than my criteria for a watch, but I won't bore you with it.

When I met this bag, I knew it would be mine.

What I didn't know, was that it would be from this store, at THIS price...

Loot

candy. everybody wants.