on second thought.

I know I said that my "New Year's Resolution" was to get healthy, but I think I'm going to add some more practical things as well.
1. Buy rags and use them as napkins to reduce waste
2. Buy used, local, or vintage items
3. Buy or make a indoor drying rack for clothes to reduce how much I use the dryer-and also to use my clothes line more in the summer
4. Learn to can, make my own bread, etc.
5. Make a meal plan-although it's subject to change if some one invites me to sushi
6. Find new music, go to more shows, go to festivals=love life


I think that's it, but I'll probably add more to it.

wisdom.

A friend of mine put this as his facebook status today and I thought it was too good not to share.

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
-Lewis Carroll

success.

I FINALLY got a successful screen done....2 in fact! I found the problems as well. 1. The images I'm using aren't dark enough and it's taking more time to burn the screen, which can be over burnt. 2. The screens need more time to dry. 3. Using enough ink and the right ink-the Yudu ink seems to be too tacky and dries way too fast which means I have to wash the screen every 2 shifts and then dry it again. Ugh...no thanks.

make yourself at home.

I made my bed and my cat immediately moved in.

le kitchen.

I didn't have a small enough pan so I made brownie muffins.


One day I plan on filling this with canned goods.

many night and day.

Little Suzie - Jesse Colin Young (1965)

you left your mark on my heart.

The Greencards - Outskirts of Blue.MP4

i keep my eyes on my destination.

Lindsay Mac - Drifted Too Close

i'm a long way from home.

I love this cover. I want to steal this girl and put her in my pocket.

Sara Watkins - Early Morning Rain

dear deer.

After about 20 minutes of struggling to get all the muscle and fat off my deer steak I gave up and put it back in the freezer. My mom is going to have to teach me that when she comes home or I'm just going to have yummy deer steaks go to waste in my freezer. Super sad face.

that pretty little boy in the corner.

Tripping Lily - Little Black Dress

'cause i'm already free.

Dala - Horses Official Video

but I'm at home now.

I heard this band on my way home tonight on 101.7 KUNI Des Moines and it made me smile. God bless you Iowa Public Radio.

Joy Kills Sorrow - Send Me A Letter

healthy.

My Aunt in California introduced me to this organic and health food distributer out of Oregon. There's a lady that organizes the drop stop in West Des Moines named Sonya, who I've yet to come in contact with. The point of my writing this is to spread the word and allow more people to be a part of this. I know we now have a Trader Joe's but this allows a LARGE amount of food and distributers. I downloaded the online catalog and I must say after seeing the first 2 pages of just organic ice cream I had to order the paper version because the digital one is way too overwhelming. Let's just say they have books to cerealsto juices, pasta, and soy products. From what I understand the process is this: pick what you want by a certain date(which I'll get from Sonya once I contact her), she orders, it will arrive at her house on DAY X, pick up product. Every thing is paid when you order it either online or over the phone. From what I've seen it's fairly inexpensive as well. Example:
FD068 Blackberry Ice Cream, Organic 48 ozs. . Case of 3-14.95.
I can't wait to see the catalog and see what wonderfulness I can get and hopefully save a little money along the way!! I may even have to invest in a little deep freeze...eek!!!

Check out their website for more information: http://www.azurestandard.com/

love.

my niece loves gracey.

feed the birds.

Homemade Bird Feeders
3 cups birdseed

2 – 1/4 ounce unflavored gelatin packet

cookie cutters

twine



And that's it...I'd like to make a bunch of these for the birdies.

wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'.

New book wish list. I need to get to reading before the snow melts...











Crap...I better get busy.

in the kitchen.

cheese tortilini and pesto sauce, wheat beer, and oranges. yum.

road trip.

Let's get outta here!

Knoxville's Peace Tree Brewing Company. I've only had one of their beers that I got from Hy-Vee, but it was darn good!! People that love beer enough to put some bad ass graphic design on the bottle are definitely the type of people that put good time and thought into what they do!

Ok, so this isn't too far for most of us, but it could really take us places...The Healthy Living Expo on January 29th at Hy-Vee Hall. Or The Natural Living Expo April 2nd & 3rd at the Polk County Convention Center.

I'd have to say of all the places I've been in the midwest, The Old Market in Omaha is at the top of my list. It has so much to offer and I can't stress how at home I feel there. I really wish we had some thing so unique and true to it's name in the Des Moines area.

I have only been wine tasting once and that was in California just recently, so I think it'd be fitting to visit a local winery. My favorite local wine is Southern Hills, but since my wine knowledge and tasting is very minimal I figure why not try some thing new! Penoach Winery is in Adel and according to their website they are dedicated to preserving the original farmstead and restoring the property to its grand beauty for the enjoyment of all-which is every thing I'm about.

The dates haven't been announced yet, but Project Earth or Harvest Fest in Geneva, MN are some great festivals to attend in the mid-west. They're sponsored by Wookiefoot and should definitely be considered on your summer to do list!! Also another WONDERFUL festival is Camp Euforia. Last year was my only time there and it was incredibly hot, but I fell in love with the campgrounds, atmosphere, the farm, the grass, the music, the air...every part of it was a breathe of fresh air.

There's a Trampled by Turtles show in Denver, CO March 1st. Also in Fort Collins, CO the 2nd.



So...when are we getting in the car?

new stuff.

Saturday I donated an hour long photo shoot for a benefit concert. I'm not sure exactly what it sold for, but I heard more than $250, which makes me super happy!! This is the handout that she was given as her voucher for the shoot.

yes please.

I need to make these. How wonderful would they be hanging in my back yard over the garden or swaying between the trees?

These are the instructions that I got from Design Sponge.

mason jar lights
what you’ll need:
-vintage mason jars
-hanging lamp kit with low wattage bulbs (try your local lighting store, home depot or lowes)
-ceiling light plate
1. punch holes in each mason jar lid, large enough to fit the light bulb cords through (appx. 1 inch). as always, be safe and use gloves and a steady hand when punching holes. to punch the hole you can use either a hammer and nails (which you’ll need to then widen for the cords) or a larger tool that you can tap through.
2. unscrew the lid, insert the bulbs into each jar, feeding the cord through the holes in the lid. whitney suggests using a lamp kit that includes tension clasps to keep the bulb from sliding.
3. tighten the lid back on the jar and adjust the bulb to its desired height (using the tension clasps).
4. using a store-bought ceiling light plate- drill holes into the plate to pull all of your cords through (depending on how many jar-lights you will be hanging). pull the lights through, allowing enough cord to hang the lights at your desired height, and then tie a knot at the top to keep them from falling back through the ceiling plate.
5. contact your local electrician to install the lights into your ceiling- we do not suggest trying to install these yourself unless you’re a trained electrician.


Read more at Design*Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/06/diy-project-whitneys-mason-jar-lights.html#ixzz1B4zrA8ae

there are roses in your hair.

J. Tillman - When I Light Your Darkened Door (Live)


the most addicting voice I've heard in a long time.

decisions.

so these are the two horticulture programs I have to choose from according to DMACC's website. I need to get into their office to talk with a counsaler, but I'm nervous to make a choice and decide on a new direction in life. What exactly do I want to do? Every thing is the answer. I've thought seriously about how wonderful it would be to have my own garden/greenhouse, doing farmer's markets, canning, drying and possibly starting a local natural baby food business one day. Oh the choices life leaves me up to decide...I don't even like to pick where I go to dinner with some one. Oh geez...

oh my brother.

The Head and the Heart - Lost In My Mind (Live on KEXP)


Sometimes I get lost too. Perhaps we should get lost together.

who loves.

Live @ Jooniors - S02E01 - Lemolo - 02 - Who Loves (Live).mp4


Me. I love your mouth. And I love what's coming out of it.

straight out of the midwest.

Look What They've Done; Elizabeth Arynn (Melanie Safka Cover)


I shall find her and let her voice seep into my pores.

farm schools.

Go to this link about a farm school in Chicago. It's truly inspirational and would be a great idea for Iowa to spread it's agriculture knowledge to our youth!

Farm Schools Aren't Just for the Kids of Rich Ex-Hippies - The Atlantic

a few words to disregard.

just some randomness:
1. i love bass pro shop. between big sweaters, camping gear, and warm socks I got hooked.
2. i can't wait to attempt to make deer jerky.
3. forrest gump is my all time favorite movie. there's a quote in that movie that fits in every aspect of life
4. work doesn't sound fun right now, especially since i have to work tomorrow. ggrrr.
5. laundry and dishes are the devil
6. i need a diet coke and lime...plus a bunch of water
7. my hair is a frizzy frizzy mess and cannot be tamed
8. netflix is fun. i like adding new movies and finding new stuff
9. i need to purchase a liquid emulsion screen. eek!!
10. warm socks make me happy!

dsm.

tie to the dye.

SUCCESS!! I did 2 more t-shirts more don't have photos yet. I also did a pull string bag!!

grandma sandy.

Today for some reason I particularly miss my Grandma Sandy. She's been gone 3 years just this past week. Every time I come across Cops on TV I am compelled to watch it and some times I crave hot chocolate and toast for breakfast. I miss going over to her house before Sunday lunch and sitting at her kitchen table talking about our weeks, although we always talked more about me than her. I remember the last thing she and I talked about and I knew she loved me unconditionally because even though she was extremely sick she was still concerned with me and my life. That's just one of the many reasons I love her.

at my house.

so this is what's going on at my house tonight.

the bathroom. despite the crappy wall paper in my rental it's a decent space. Not very big and really no storage, but I make do.



the bedroom. I don't plan on telling any one too much about my bedroom. I just love my dresser and all my knicky knacks on them. The circle photo was taken at the IS Fair when I was probably 1 or 2 with my Grandma Judy.


the kitchen. My kitchen really does have better places in it, but I love my tea towels by Sweet Harvey. Local is really the way to go and these towels finally allowed me to pick a color scheme for my severally mix matched kitchen. Rentals really make you think outside the box.


the living room. Oh this is probably my favorite part of my house besides the back yard. This wonderful antique buffet is the best storage space for me and a HUGE focal point. My mom told me while she was home from Vegas that it looks identical to the buffet they had while she was growing up. Wouldn't that be irony?


the dining room. Yes, I don't use my dinning room for what's it's meant to be. I use it for my office slash hobby space. So tonight is screen printing. Although I'm not sure my screen will turn out I'm excited to keep going until I get it right! Look for fun items with these images soon. YAY!!