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Tuesday, February 21, 2006

new encaustic teddy painting


"We used to be together always..."   © 2006 

I am really digging my new encaustic painting set. To those not familiar, just imagine painting with hot wax, then scraping and heating with various tools to achieve what you want. This is a crappy photo taken with my mobile phone.. so you can't see the translucent effects you can achieve through layering or any of the other details for that matter. This medium is a fantastic outlet for obsessive compulsive behavior and very zen as well.

Unfortunately I am about to embark on a major inventory push for Owen Says (my greeting card company) and must turn my back on the siren song of my wax paints. I am in the middle of a new painting and am anxious to get back to it. 

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

I have now fulfilled my small pet fantasy

Having real pets has become obsolete. Where have you been? No longer will you have to endure the stench of the cage, or have your warm embraces met with sharp incisors dashing your hopes of warm cuddly fun. Because now we have PET CAM. My brand new obsession. 

PICK YOUR FURRY


Four Enthusiastic Guinea Pigs -
 http://1130819934.camarades.com/userpage.php3?resource=1130819934&force_resolution=320_240

One Brooklyn Bunny Rabbit -
http://www.bklynbunny.com/

Monday, February 06, 2006

What a beautiful day!


Today is a fine example of why I love living in Portland. So beautiful, so green, so sunny. Got a fantastic nosh at the Moxie Rx food cart next to The Fresh Pot coffee shop on Mississippi Ave. Open only on weekends and some sunny days during the winter. Don't worry, you don't have to pick between the cart and the wonderful people at The Fresh Pot. You can get Fresh Pot coffee  and a scrumptious raspberry crumb muffin to go right from the cart.

A fine PDX perk - the creative and independant businesses that make living here so special.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Bowling score maybe not fluke...

So tonight scored high of 98, which for me is pretty gosh darn good. I have not bowled in quite a while, ever since they closed my most frequented bowling alley. I have been apprehensive about trying my luck at one of those bright and clean alleys run by blue haired old ladies with not a speck of rock and roll music to be found or a crappy Ms PacMan game to remind me why I suck at Ms PacMan and why I only play it to see the digitized bow on Ms. PacMan's head... but anyways, I digress. The topic is bowliing. Specifically the new bowling alley I went to tonight. 

The new place is indeed run by a blue haired old lady, but I did find a ball with finger holes small enough for my freakishly small kid hands and one that would not throw off the balance of my fragile upper body strength (or lack thereof). There was also a guy walking around with a microphone and an afro because there was some bowling/gambling game going on simultaneously.

On a side note, while once bowling when I was still living in Atlanta, Georgia, I was actually denied a child size ball by a cranky lady who told me I was too old. I showed her my freakish kid hands, she shamed me further. I bowled a terrible game with a ball that weighed a ton (14lbs) and had giant man holes. Really I am not sure about that last part, but you get the point. So you can see why finding a ball on a busy Saturday night is nice.

I actually have one final thing to say about bowling. In high school I took a recreational Phys Ed class that included bowling. I almost beheaded a kid when the ball flew backwards after it slipped from my hand.

So bowling = fun (but with a little baggage)

But don't get me started on eating after sticking your fingers in shared balls and putting on smelly shoes wet with whatever they spray them with... ew.

Friday, January 27, 2006

the library rules

i always feel nervous when i leave the library. walking out with a book and having given no money makes me feel like i forgot to do something. now to get the perfect latte (fresh pot mississippi ave, of course) and wash all my dishes and the day will be off to a good start.

Amy Ruppel (http://www.amyruppel.com/) - a local artist whose work i really like after seeing some of her paintings in The Fresh Pot - is having an online art sale today. Check it out. And if you miss the sale get on her mailing list to find out about the next one.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I thought I would share my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. To me, this is the perfect cookie. If you follow the directions exactly these cookies stay chewy for days. You may also gain five pounds in the process but it will be worth it. Drink with milk!


Chewy Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) MELTED unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla (less if you like a mellower vanilla flavor)
2 eggs
Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (if you use milk chocolate these cookies will be too sweet)

Preheat oven 325 degrees. In mixer combine melted butter, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla. Add one full egg and one yolk and mix well. In separate bowl combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to mixer and mix like crazy. Stir the chocolate chips in by hand. Spoon onto baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes. When they look just barely done remove from oven. Let cool on cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes. Remove to cooling rack.

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