best friend: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

It's Happened Again

The inbox has somewhere between 600 and 700 messages in it. I had really thought I would respond to nearly all of them. But the task at this point is too daunting. Please know that I read every single comment that comes in and actually plan to answer all of them. I hope this is one of those cases where it is the thought that counts.

Operation: Crafty Swap

I just recently exchanged handmade happies with my friend Becca. It was a random thought one day to ask Becca if she wanted to make a bunch of stuff & trade with me & I would do the same. She was immediately on board & we chose the color scheme "black & white" as our theme.

The collage up top shows all the awesomeness I received from the creative & lovely 13 year old. A portrait of an owlie done in pastels with stitched embellishments, tags, a floral embellished headband, hand painted mug & plate (in a cupcake theme!), a wallet, & 2 pillowcases. (All were handmade by Becca except for the tags.) I adore everything! Thanks Becca!!

(We were able to do the swap in person while I am in Washington visiting family!)

For Becca, I filled a record bowl with bits & baubles & trims & things.

I stuffed a mini suitcase with things like: domino magnets, vintage gloves, a vintage button ring, hand knitted white & black hair bows, mini paper pinwheels, pinback buttons, a mini notebook...

...my favorite item to make was this hand knitted postcard.

I tucked some of my favorite quotes & saying inside handmade paper fortune cookies.

Zoey even suggested I give her our most recent creation made from a t-shirt in our Summer Diary Series.

(It's a bag!)

I also made these faux screenprinted cards.

Here's happy me, opening my prezzies.

And here's happy Becca!

Becca is such a creative person & she has so much talent. I felt honored to be able to swap handmade with her. I am envious of her fierce creative spirit & her amazing confidence at such a young age.

Click HERE to view all the pics about the swap.

♥

Let's talk women.

It's tough being a woman in this world of ours. First, the government is checking if women are virgins in Egypt. WTF? How does that work, exactly? Do they literally assault these women and poke around in areas that they have no business being in to see if (sorry folks, hide the kids, I have to get a little graphic here) the hymen is in tact? Virgin checks. And to think, we get pissed off when the po po has seat belt checks in this country.

Then there are those wonderful folks in the Ukraine. All they did was stone a beauty contestant to death because they thought that she was violating Sharia law.

"One of the suspects, identified as 16-year-old Bihal Gaziev, told authorities that he had no regrets about the stoning because the dark-haired Koren “violated the laws of Sharia.”

The teen’s battered body was found buried in the forest near her village in the Crimea section of the Ukraine. She had disappeared a week earlier. " [Source]

Stop the world, I want to get off.

Those were stories of women going through real suffering. But then there is my home girl, Naomi Campbell, girlfriend is crying racism over her image being used for a chocolate promotion.

"Cadbury is facing the prospect of a black consumer boycott after it compared Naomi Campbell to a chocolate bar in a new advertising campaign.

The supermodel - hardly known for taking things in her stride - is incensed that Cadbury used her name in the strap line to promote its new chocolate bar called Bliss, accusing the company of racism. The ad says: "Move over Naomi - there is a new diva in town."

Yesterday Campbell revealed she is considering "every option available" after Cadbury, owned by the US giant Kraft, refused to pull the ad campaign, which ran in newspapers last week: "I am shocked. It's upsetting to be described as chocolate, not just for me, but for all black women and black people. I do not find any humour in this. It is insulting and hurtful.." [Source]

Girlfriend you need to stop it! WTF is "insulting and hurtful" about being compared to chocolate? I am sorry, but the last time I checked chocolate was a good thing. And the darker the chocolate the better it is for you. Hell Mrs. Field and her girlfriends call men they find attractive "chocolate bunnies' (or something like that) for crying out loud. Sorry, I am not exactly seeing the racism here. Maybe they should be breaking you off if they used your image or your name without your permission, but that's a whole different issue.

Naomi, I won't be boycotting Cadbury, and I suspect that I am not alone.

Finally, I hear that Sarah was in my city earlier today. (No truth to the rumor that she was visting the African American Museum.) A little birdie tells me that she was a total Diva and that she was playing boss hog to everyone within earshot.

Still, I hear she had a lot of fans all over the place. Folks were screaming her name wherever she went. Girlfriend is a rock star. Palin v. Obama. We can only wish.

If you can't make it....

Hello readers! I want to start this post off by letting you all in on a little secret. Or perhaps a misconception, if you will. If you're a junker, then you already know this and can skip down to the next paragraph...Junkers are very clever, resoursceful people. We can pull rabbits out of hats. We make things out of other "things" that most people would discard. Give us some string (vintage, of course!) a couple rusty hinges and some dried out barnwood and we've got the makings of the most gorgeous bar, hoosier cabinet, or bench you've ever seen! Did I mention, some of us exaggerate a bit? Anywho, when we can't make it or find it....we buy it!

Case in point:

I have long been pining for one or many of these curvy French-style chairs. The vintage variety seem to be almost non-existent here in NDWOJ (North Dakota world of junk). During a recent stop at a TJ Maxx store, I spotted a pair of these lovelies. The chair gods were smiling down on me!

These girls were already dressed in creamy canvas fabric and bedazzled in swirly, stampy, illegible typography! I didn't have to do a thing to them, except load them into my vehicle and take them home....serendipity!

Graceful, subtle curves....

Distressed in all the right places...

Sigh.....

The resident pooch even gave her nod of approval.

It's my new favorite spot in the house! Her partner is residing upstairs in my sewing/craft room....which you'll get a peek at soon.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Church Potluck Recipe: Pizza Salad

Here is a salad I make that is easy and tastes great.

Pizza Salad

1 pound spiral macaroni, cooked and drained
3 medium tomatoes, diced and seeded
16 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
1 to 2 bunches green onions, sliced
3 ounces sliced pepperoni
3/4 cup canola oil
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Croutons, optional

In a large bowl, combine macaroni, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, green onions and pepperoni. In a small bowl, combine oil, Parmesan cheese, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over macaroni mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Top with croutons just before serving if desired. Yield: 16 servings.

Poor Kids Don't Deserve Breakfast

It came as an email with the subject line: "Fwd: Free Lunch." It came from a friend, so I opened it. It turned out to be one of those email diatribes that gets forwarded all over creation, an attempt to discredit the President, to persuade sensible people that radical Republicanism is the best way. Once I saw what it was, I probably shouldn't have read it, but I did. It was supposedly originally written by an English teacher somewhere in California; that, I suppose, was to give it credibility, though no name or other credentials were provided.

Once I read it, I felt compelled to write back to my friend.. I told her that I had some serious issues with the content of the email that she had sent me, and was going to address just two of them:

"The first one is that I am very surprised that this "English teacher" wouldn't know that many people living in poverty are obese. They simply can't afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables and decent lean protein sources. They fill up on what they can afford. It is my opinion that a decent breakfast --

'one that would make the Marriott proud' -- SHOULD be provided for students whose families can't afford to feed them well. Children can't learn if they are hungry. It is difficult for me to believe that every child who receives a decent free breakfast takes the tray of food and throws it out. And I wonder why the teacher witnessing the ones who do take a lot of food and throw it out doesn't see this as a teachable moment and speak one-on-one to a child about what he sees happening?

"The second one is that I really believe that a school-age child has a right to a public education. The school that provides child care for babies of school-age children is helping the young mother to obtain a high school diploma, the absolute minimum that a person needs to get anywhere in this country. I, for one, would rather see my tax dollars go to provide this child care as opposed to providing ongoing welfare for someone whose circumstances kept her from getting through high school. If my daughter had become pregnant at age thirteen, I would have quit my job to help her raise her child and finish her education. Many, many families don't have this option. Poor people will always be poor if they remain uneducated."

I closed by asking my friend to refrain from sending similar emails to me.

Call me a bleeding-heart liberal if you like. Or call me a COW*, which I readily own up to. But I tell you this: In my opinion, the day this country stops feeding and educating its children is the day our real decline begins.

*COW = Cranky Old Woman

Summer Diary Day 11: Velvet Paint with Water Kit

Dear Summer Diary,
MORE painting with water?? I know. But I loved those paint with water color books my mom would get me as a kid. I found these velvet paint with water velvet posters in the Target dollar section. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. These are a bit easier to find than the paint with water books I mentioned yesterday. These are the books that have the little dots of color, & when you paint over them with a brush full of water, the color appears.
I really wish I could have gotten more creative with the items I left for the girls while I'm 1200 miles away in Washington. But, like I always say, sometimes you just have to do what works. Last summer we used about four or five $1 crafty kits. I think I've definitely met my quota this summer.
♥
Nikki

Monday, May 30, 2011

Profiling and smear jobs.

I am trying to wind down from my Memorial Day activities and get back into work mode.

I just got home and already my inbox is blowing up with folks behaving badly.

First, a SWAT team in Arizona shoots and kills a decorated Marine because they thought that he was a drug dealer. The man was unarmed.

And then, just to show that Northern states aren't immune from this type of ignorance; the po po in Massachusetts shoots and kills an unarmed 68 year old grandfather in a drug raid. He was not a target of the investigation. (This happened awhile ago, I swear I can't keep up)

Finally, (and this one pisses me off) former NFL star,Warrick Dunn, was profiled and stopped by the po po in Hotlanta because they thought he had the "characteristics of people transporting guns and drugs."

This story pisses me off because-for those of you who don't know- Warrick Dunn's mother was a police officer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and she lost her life in the line of duty while trying to protect and serve her community. Warrick Dunn has done tremendous work in the community while carrying on his mother's legacy, he did not deserve this. Actually, I take that back; no one deserves to be profiled.

Anyway, I am out, I have some work to do around the house. I am going to read more about this latest Andrew Breitbart smear job . If Anthony Weiner is innocent of what he is being accused of (sending a pic of his johnson -via twitter- while it is at full attention to an unsuspecting young lady* ) he better come up with a really good lawyer, pronto.

A One-Night Stand

It was Tom's idea, actually. He phoned me a couple of weeks ago and said that he and Nate and Anastasia wanted to see Joe and me before our scheduled visit to Brevard. But, he said, they didn't have it in them to drive to Philadelphia. Which is understandable. So, he suggested, what if we met halfway for an overnight?

Why not, I replied. He'd done all the work, found the place, the hotel, the attractions. All we had to do was show up. So I told Joe I was taking him away for an overnight on Sunday and not to ask where.

Destination: Kent Island, Maryland, just this side of Annapolis. We left at the crackadawn on Sunday, and pulled into our rendezvous spot about twenty minutes early. So we just opened the windows, put the seats back, and snoozed until T, A, and N pulled in right beside us. We had a delicious breakfast at Holly's, and then wandered down the road to a wee little bay beach where Nate paddled in the water and the rest of us admired him. That was where I got the sunburn, despite the fact that it was not yet eleven o'clock in the morning!

Tom had found a state park that had a larger beach where swimming was encouraged, as well as a shady grassy meadow overlooking the beach. There we had a lovely picnic of fruit, cheese, veggies and yogurt, and Joe and I observed while the rest of them went to the beach.

At three o'clock we were able to check into our hotel. Anastasia helped Nate take his nap, while the rest of us cooled off in the pool. Then it was off to get dinner. We'd heard a lot about the Crab Deck in Grasonville, but when we got there, the wait was 1-1/2 hours or more and Nate wasn't the only one who found that intolerable. Across the parking lot was the Fisherman's Inn, owned by the same people with practically the same menu. We feared the wait would be the same, but seating was immediate. The place was lovely with a huge collection of oyster plates lining the walls, and a model train running around the ceiling -- this kept Tom and Nate amused for quite a while. I don't believe I've ever tasted better calamari. And that was just the appetizer. I always get rockfish when I find it on a menu and this place did not disappoint. Oh, what a dinner! And when the waitress, sweet Megan, pressed us to have dessert, we selected a piece of coconut custard pie with four forks. Heavenly!

After checking out of the hotel this morning we drove over to Annapolis just in time to catch part of the parade (which we hadn't known about). It was pretty hot, but we wandered around the shopping area and looked at the water and the boats, and Nate frolicked on the lawn of the court house.

Well, yes, of course we had to eat together one more time. Joe and I introduced the others to our favorite restaurant in Annapolis and it certainly met with their approval. Soon after lunch it was time to part ways and head off in our separate directions, promising to do it again. And again.

Monday Matticchio - Il Martelletto delle Paludi

Stolen Art Watch, Frans Hals Heist, Arthur van der Biezen,The Laughing Cavalier

Frans Hals Frame Recovered

Ton Cremers writes:

Police find stolen list Neck
The list of one of the two valuable paintings that were stolen Friday from a museum in Leerdam is found. Police found the list of work "The two laughing boys, one with a fur cap and a neighbor jar" by Frans Hals in a hedge in a residential area. Of the cloth itself and the other stolen painting, still lacking any trace.

The list of the painting by Hals was based on a tip found in the Princess Beatrix Street, a few blocks away from the museum. Many more tips, the police have not received. Police would like to know if anyone has seen or heard of a radical in the vicinity of the museum, the courthouse of Mrs. Van Aerden at Kerkstraat or around the location of the list.

The theft of the work of Hals and 'woodland scenes with flowering elder' of Jacob van Ruisdael found Friday around 03.00 noon. Museum staff warned the police after the alarm sounded. When the police arrived, the thieves were already gone.

The police Zuid-Holland-Zuid is still looking for information in the investigation into the art theft in Leerdam.

This is the case on Tuesday evening 31 may be shown in the program Invited Detection. The program is to see 21.25 hours on Ned 1.

The burglary was Thursday night on Friday 27 may at 03: 00 pm in the museum of the Hofje van Mrs Van Aerden committed. The painting "the two smiling boys, of whom one with a fur hat and a beer jug" from Frans Hals and a painting named "Bosgezicht with flowering elderberry" by Jacob van Ruysdael were taken.

Staff of the museum reported to the police after the alarm went off in the building. The police did near-and trace research, this has already yielded a handful of tips that should be examined.

On Friday 27 May became one of the lists in a hedge on the Princess Beatrix Street by a witness recovered. The list of dimensions 91 × 79 cm. (see photo) is confiscated for investigation.

Witnesses call one of the informants talks about a dark-colored Mercedes at BMW who just after burglary with high speed the Tiendweg towards Kedichem reed.

It is possible that other witnesses on that route have seen or heard something. In addition, it can be that people have seen something on the Princess Beatrix Street set list.

It is possible to run the route as shown on the attached map. Witnesses who know something of the art theft are invited to log on to the recherche in Gorinchem on telephone number 0900-8844 or via Sign Crime anonymous: 0800-7000.

The missing paintings are now among other sightings in an international database for stolen art.

Art Hostage Comments:

This is a direct translation of the latest news on the Frans Hals Heist above.

Seems the frame of the Frans Hals painting has been recovered nearby the museum which lends one to think it was discarded in the getaway.

Now, motive could lead to the recovery and if that motive is for concessions on other criminal matters, then a deal may be worked out behind the scenes.

If, as Ton Cremers pointed out earlier, Danegeld is the motive then the recovery may be more difficult to achieve and in the meantime the paintings could be used as collateral within the criminal underworld.

Still, as Art Hostage suggested from the get-go, Arthur van der Biezen and his clients, Willem Holleeder, Rob Meesen and Dino Soerel could offer assistance if they were offered incentive's, so to speak.

More to follow.............

The Big Wedding

On May 27th my son David and Katelyn got married. It was a lovely outdoor wedding and the reception was in a ball room. To me the highlight of the whole evening was when David and I danced to Renegade by Styx now that was a blast. Suppose to see some pictures of this soon and looking forward to it

Summer Diary Day 10: Paint with Water Kits

Dear Summer Diary,

These are the most non-messy painting kits ever. I remember painting with something similar as a WhiMSy munchkin & I thought they were pretty cool. The paper paint palette is on the page! How cool is that?! I love Melissa & Doug brand products too. Can't wait to hear how much fun the girls have with these. (I hope they save me some!)

These paint with water books are hard to find. I found THESE paint with water posters in a "Faeries & Ponies" theme on Amazon.com. There was also super heroes & villains pack.

♥

Nikki

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Thank you!

The following post is a repost of something I posted a little over two years ago after Mrs. Field's sister tragically lost her husband.

Every now and then the sad realities of real life gets in the way of the joy we get from blogging.

A couple of years ago I posted this piece about the war in Iraq and the men (including Mrs. Field's brother in law ) who were putting their butts on the line for all of us.

Joseph Barnaba came home from that war, but he was never the same. The physical injuries he suffered was nothing compared to the emotional ones he had to live with.

Joseph Barnaba was found dead in his home last week. A deadly combination of pills in his system was blamed for his demise. But I think Joseph died long before last week. Joseph, like so many young men before him, came home from a war that he had no right being involved with in the first place. And, sadly, it took its toll on him, his family, and all the people he touched.

Joseph Barnaba was buried on Saturday, far from the battle field where he was first injured. He was a good man, which is more that I can say for the son of a bitch who sent him there in the first place.

To the servicemen and women who put their butts on the line for the rest of us, I say thank you for your service.