1/28/10
1/27/10
Frosty on Steriods
Lenore spotted this gigantic snowman in West Dundee, so we did a drive-by shooting (photo that is). Note the eyes are made of bagels and the arms are recycled Christmas trees. I like the earrings (I guess this means Frosty is in drag) and hydrangea buttons.
Later in the week, it was raining and we noticed he had an additional accessory.
80 is the New ... Zzzzzzz
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I think I outdid myself on the carrot cake this year. Lenore helped.
We celebrated early due to Odie's travel restrictions, so the weekday celebration consisted of dinner at Olive Garden followed by cake and presents at home. Do we know how to party or what? Here is my alleged brother after dinner. I say alleged because...what's wrong with this picture? Leftovers? What the...who is this guy?!
Lenore confirmed her identity by finding the only fried item on the menu -- lasagna! That's my girl.
I think we might want to pick up the celebration in July, when the weather is more friendly. Canfield's for everyone!
I think I outdid myself on the carrot cake this year. Lenore helped.
We celebrated early due to Odie's travel restrictions, so the weekday celebration consisted of dinner at Olive Garden followed by cake and presents at home. Do we know how to party or what? Here is my alleged brother after dinner. I say alleged because...what's wrong with this picture? Leftovers? What the...who is this guy?!
Lenore confirmed her identity by finding the only fried item on the menu -- lasagna! That's my girl.
I think we might want to pick up the celebration in July, when the weather is more friendly. Canfield's for everyone!
Now 40% Larger!
Today's rambling potholder story is brought to you by iPad, the new Apple Product that's 50% more absorbent than the Kindle! 
And now...today's story.
When making potholders, it's a good idea to leave the finished project on the loom for awhile so the loops can relax and yield a sturdy, robust potholder vs. a timid shrunken specimen once said potholder is deloomed. But I only have two looms, so I bought a couple more potholder looms on ebay.
One of the looms I bought came with a second, odd (mutant) loom that only had 10 teeth per side (vs. the standard 18). Curious, I used it to make a potholder and discovered, as predicted, the 10-toothed loom yielded a tiny, palm-sized potholder. Fascinating.
Lenore's mom had complained...er...constructively commented in the past that my potholders were too small, so I decided to sew four of the teeny potholders together to make one larger one. The results? A big old ugly potholder. So much for artistic experimentation.
The teeny potholders make nice coasters.
Here you can see the size difference and finished potholder Pièce de résistance.
And now, another word about out sponsor:
Yes, the iPad is indeed real. Apparently they have no men working in the marketing department over at Apple. I mean seriously. iPad? Where exactly do the ear buds go? Never mind, I don't want to know. I can't wait for the iPon.
For those not easily offended (in which case, what are you doing here?), this Mad TV skit called it in 2007. What woman doesn't need vaginal firewall protection?!
And now...today's story.
When making potholders, it's a good idea to leave the finished project on the loom for awhile so the loops can relax and yield a sturdy, robust potholder vs. a timid shrunken specimen once said potholder is deloomed. But I only have two looms, so I bought a couple more potholder looms on ebay.
One of the looms I bought came with a second, odd (mutant) loom that only had 10 teeth per side (vs. the standard 18). Curious, I used it to make a potholder and discovered, as predicted, the 10-toothed loom yielded a tiny, palm-sized potholder. Fascinating.
Lenore's mom had complained...er...constructively commented in the past that my potholders were too small, so I decided to sew four of the teeny potholders together to make one larger one. The results? A big old ugly potholder. So much for artistic experimentation.
The teeny potholders make nice coasters.
Here you can see the size difference and finished potholder Pièce de résistance.
And now, another word about out sponsor:
Yes, the iPad is indeed real. Apparently they have no men working in the marketing department over at Apple. I mean seriously. iPad? Where exactly do the ear buds go? Never mind, I don't want to know. I can't wait for the iPon.
For those not easily offended (in which case, what are you doing here?), this Mad TV skit called it in 2007. What woman doesn't need vaginal firewall protection?!
1/14/10
Foster Brooks Pie
So I think I reported that the rhubarb bounce experiment turned out well. And, as an added bonus, the tasty leftover vodka-and-sugar-soaked rhubarb inspired thoughts of pie. What's not to like about vodka-laced pie? Well...turns out it *was* a little odd, probably because I didn't add enough sugar. You could kind of feel the heat of the vodka with every bite, and it was a little bitter. Except for the bites with cherries -- I fortified the pie with some bounced cherries.
In retrospect, I think a whole pie of cherry-bounce cherries would be awesome. The rhubarb? Meh. It was OK. Better with whipped cream. However, I had fun making it AND using my cherry pitter, which works just as well on drunk cherries as it does on fresh ones. Love that little doohickey!
Check out the video of Foster Brooks after eating some of my pie.
Hua liked her blue potholder. Here she is demonstrating unbridled glee. Normally Hua doesn't smile for photos or move her arms from her sides.
1/10/10
Fugglies
I made a few potholders over the xmas break and sorted through some excess loopage (most of which ended up on ebay). The salvageable loops went into some fuggly new potholders that will likely end up as office protection. Sometimes, and I'm not naming names or anything, but sometimes, potholders disappear 'round the office or ... maybe the end up getting thrown out. Oh the horror. Who could blame anybody though -- how much richer could your life be with THIS:
(I know, pretty Ray Raynor -- I blame the loops)
This Blue Fuggly is for #1 Chinese co-worker, Hua. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, but I really like it a lot. It reminds me of an antique rag rug. For marmots. I think she'll like it.
Here it is with it fuggly brother.
And these, well... I have nothing more to say. They are what they are.
I did make a couple potholders with quality designer loops from Rodeo Drive. Or thereabouts. Laura will prolly get one for sending me a delightful picture-of-the-week photo unless she takes a shine to one of the others.
In other news, did you know that the guy who plays Artie on Glee is also (or was) in a boy band?! Who knew! Search NLT on YouTube.
Also, I got $$ for reading glasses for xmas (thanks parents!), only I can't just get *reasonable* readers from, like, Walgreens, no, my eyes are so effed up, I have to order them special from the actual eye doctor, so they cost almost $400 dollars (JUST the lenses), which, I might add, includes a $40 EXTRA LAB CHARGE just because it's a strong prescription. WTH? I feel discriminated against. Fix THAT why doncha Mr. Wet Blanket Joe Lieberman.
Anyway...they came in and they're great except for the being able to read through them part. What I got were upside down bifocals of sorts, so the reading part is about 2/3 of the lens, and then I have a little bit of distance way at the top (1/3 for those of you who are good at math) so if I need to, say, get up and answer the phone or pee*, I can do so without hurting myself. It's an ingenious idea, but the bottom of the reader part, which is kind of critical when you're, say, lying on a feinting couch reading fan mail, doesn't work so good. (sigh) So fearless glasses adjuster Sarah had to send them back.
*When did "pee" go mainstream? I.e., not considered too crude for anything but uber vernacular-type conversations? I'm just wondering. Now I hear doctors using the term in a clinical sense, parents, teachers... Didn't parents used to scold for saying "pee"? Kind of takes the thrill out of being a grownup who can throw around off-color comments while snacking before dinnertime. Thanks a lot, society!
(I know, pretty Ray Raynor -- I blame the loops)
This Blue Fuggly is for #1 Chinese co-worker, Hua. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, but I really like it a lot. It reminds me of an antique rag rug. For marmots. I think she'll like it.
Here it is with it fuggly brother.
And these, well... I have nothing more to say. They are what they are.
I did make a couple potholders with quality designer loops from Rodeo Drive. Or thereabouts. Laura will prolly get one for sending me a delightful picture-of-the-week photo unless she takes a shine to one of the others.
In other news, did you know that the guy who plays Artie on Glee is also (or was) in a boy band?! Who knew! Search NLT on YouTube.
Also, I got $$ for reading glasses for xmas (thanks parents!), only I can't just get *reasonable* readers from, like, Walgreens, no, my eyes are so effed up, I have to order them special from the actual eye doctor, so they cost almost $400 dollars (JUST the lenses), which, I might add, includes a $40 EXTRA LAB CHARGE just because it's a strong prescription. WTH? I feel discriminated against. Fix THAT why doncha Mr. Wet Blanket Joe Lieberman.
Anyway...they came in and they're great except for the being able to read through them part. What I got were upside down bifocals of sorts, so the reading part is about 2/3 of the lens, and then I have a little bit of distance way at the top (1/3 for those of you who are good at math) so if I need to, say, get up and answer the phone or pee*, I can do so without hurting myself. It's an ingenious idea, but the bottom of the reader part, which is kind of critical when you're, say, lying on a feinting couch reading fan mail, doesn't work so good. (sigh) So fearless glasses adjuster Sarah had to send them back.
*When did "pee" go mainstream? I.e., not considered too crude for anything but uber vernacular-type conversations? I'm just wondering. Now I hear doctors using the term in a clinical sense, parents, teachers... Didn't parents used to scold for saying "pee"? Kind of takes the thrill out of being a grownup who can throw around off-color comments while snacking before dinnertime. Thanks a lot, society!
1/1/10
3...2...1...
I bottled some of the '09 Bounce on New Year's Day. Most of it was cherry; however, the really dark one is raspberry, and the light-colored one is rhubarb. The rhubarb was an experiment, and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. I mixed what didn't fit in this bottle with some leftover cherry bounce, and that was also splendid. Even more of a surprise is how good the vodka (and sugar)-soaked rhubarb tastes. I'm thinking this could open up a whole new genre of rhubarb pie.
This seems like a good spot to post a photo of the latest in snugglie fashion. Lenore gave Arlene a Tom Skilling snugglie for xmas (Tom is Arlene's fantasy weather stud), and we found it to be roomy enough for two.
Lenore bought me a gingerbread gal at the pie shop -- I think I'll make this my new facebook photo for now. She's dwindled somewhat since this photo was taken. I think all that's left is her skirt.
Ice Drama '10
There are plenty of dramatic icicles hanging around town, but since we did quite an extensive photo montage of them last year, I decided to go easy on the icicle footage this year. Plus, it's too damn cold out to be taking pictures of ice. Tomorrow's expected high: 9.
I blurred everything but the ice in the one above, which makes the whole thing look fake, but, this icicle is about as long as I am (which, I realize, in the big scheme of things, may not be saying much, but 5' of ice is fairly impressive).
We just liked the way the lights shine through these icicles...it's a little better in real life, so you southern readers, c'mon up and see for yourselves!
Lenore took this multi-level icicle shot -- I think it's my favorite.
Turns out I had my own giant icicle once again threatening my (free) cable TV line (loyal readers may recall last year's escapade with Anja and the super soaker). Since I didn't have a 9-year-old handy, I had to take care of this offending 'sicle myself.
Lenore was supposed to be spotting me, but instead opted for a safe distance from which to take photos. Suitably weakened with hot water from the super soaker, I was able to knock the whole thing down (not pictured) in one dramatic thud with a long pole I found in the garage. And best of all, I didn't fall out the window.
Roland sent me some additional snowshoeing photos. These were taken whilst traversing Snuffy's Prairie, and that's June and Steve's lovely house in the background. Also, an action shot of...um...watering the plants.
Some additional neighborhood decorations by my parents' house -- as much as I hate these blow up lawn ornaments, I do like these little big headed guys.
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