Making Space

We have a big old house with a lot of rooms. When my daughter moved out, my boy moved into her room, leaving this room empty. My plan is to make it my sewing room. It's going to take lots of paint. I will post updates as I make progress.

I know, I know

So I took a little break. It wasn't intentional! Winter, blah!

I Love A Challenge

I have decided to join the Creative Everyday Challenge.

January's theme is Body.

That's a particularly apt theme for me, as I am training for a long bike tour. This summer Joe and I plan on biking from our house in upstate NY to Key West. We've never done anything like this; we have never even been to the Keys. But I have always wanted to go on adventures during my summers and never have. And I'm not getting any younger. So when Joe came up with this idea, it took me less than 2 seconds to agree.

So back to the theme. I want to creatively encourage my body to be stronger, leaner, and healthier everyday (more then just the month of January) so that I can enjoy our trip (without being a trembling collection of wimpy, sore muscles for the first little while).

Each week during the winter, I'm planning on doing the weight circuit (cybex), spinning (+core and stretch), yoga, and swimming. That's exercising 4 times, a week to begin. I'll add more as the weather improves and our departure date nears. I know the tour will end up training me, and that to begin with my distances will be shorter than I hope for, and I will be more sore and tired than I can imagine right now. But at least I'm preparing.

Along with exercise, I am going to become more diligent with self care, like flossing, vitamins, good nutrition, massage, and skin care.

And what does all this have to do with being creative? I hope, with a stronger, healthier, and better maintained body, there will be more energy for creativity.

Another Carrot Story

We planted a row of carrots for winter use. I am having tons of fun with them! Next year, we're planting 2 rows!




I dug up a carrot that was this big!



I used it in 3 recipes, and we had part of it in our lunches all week. Slices, not sticks. It was sweet and crunchy, not at all bitter and woody like I was warned.

It's not so fun, digging through snow for our food. My hands get so cold they burn. But it is way worth it.

Ugly (in a good way)

Right next door to this cute, understated ranch house set back from the road is an 8 foot fence.

On the other side of the fence is...

Christmas hell.




This is just one of three sides of horrifyingly over-decorated chaos. I counted 45 inflatables; there might be more, but I couldn't get a clear view of the fenced in pool area. I didn't even attempt to count the animatronic figurines.

Oh the humanity!

The kid and I actually go out of our way to visit this display. It's in the next town up the river. We pack up the dog, stop at the bakery on the way to purchase Christmas cookies, and park our car a couple of blocks away. Then we walk around the neighborhood, marveling and munching cookies. I always get a sick little thrill looking at it. Maybe I'll try making a video next year, even that probably will fail at capturing the full effect.

'Til It's Over

Glad. Posting everyday is over.
Grumpy. Because I'm in the middle of grading the NYS social studies test (5th grade).
Happy. To be home.
Frustrated. With a never-ending messy house. And a dog who wants to pee on the floor all the damn time.
Anticipating. The 2nd annual Hanukkah (in a non jewish way) celebration!
Ready. To go to the gym.

Oh, and it's finally snowing!

Carrot Love

I dug up some carrots this morning. Here is my carrot man. After the photo, I cut him up for the soup.