kandeland

Good riddance January

Happy February. I'm so glad to say that. Last month, well....a couple descriptive phrases just ran through my mind, but I don't want to offend anyone, so let's just say: sucked.

It had it's good times, good moments...but I'm just happy to get on with a new month. February is usually good to me. And I have a week vacation coming up, so that will be nice.

I am happy about journaling lately. Around the holidays I really slacked on it, and so now it feels really nice to play around in a few art journals.

It allows me to let go of some heaviness. And I need to do that because lately I've noticed that I'm not as "light" as I usually am. Petty things, petty conversation, people discussing weather too much, well, it's all just really getting under my skin. I've been too contemplative I think. Maybe I just need to lighten up. (God, how I've always hated that term- "lighten up" !! My stepfather used to say that to me as a teenager occasionally and I'd want to spit nails.)

So I need to just let it all go, carpe the shit out of this diem...as the saying goes, and yeah, lighten up again.

So I'm going to keep on journaling, keep on thinking good thoughts, let myself off the hook for not being able to save the world...stuff like that.

Oh, and keep reading lots.

World's-most-awesome-friend Kai sent me this book that I've been wanting to read:

Cause she's just nice like that. Just got it in the mail today and I'm going to hurry up and finish the book I'm reading now so I can dive in to it. So thank you Kai!

Ok, gotta go. Have a wonderful first day of February!

hearts and hibernation

Happy weekend friends!

I've been in the house all day....not getting dressed...sewing, painting, gluing, writing...stuff like that. It's windy, snowy and blowy outside.

This week felt really draining...had extra classes to teach, went to a few spinning classes at the gym, had a meeting, and then ended up finding myself stopping by the hospital to see someone who is in the ICU due to domestic violence. Not news I expected to, or wanted to hear- at all. I'm feeling defeated a bit, but decided that maybe if I hibernate in the house this weekend I can refresh myself physically and emotionally.

So I've been hiding, trying to drop my shoulders from up near my ears, and relax a bit. Making lots of hearts...some for a swap, some not. It makes me happy.

I talked to Vivian on the phone for a bit today and we were noticing a lot of people have been a bit in the dumps lately. Maybe it's that time of year. So I'm trying to keep cheery with all these pretty Valentine's things around me, and trying to enjoy the simple things.

I was cheered when I opened my mailbox today and saw this card from Maija ....isn't it wonderful?!

oh, and also when my mom gave me these sweet spatulas!...

So anyway, I'm going to go back to making stuff. I'd like to be making chili right now, but since I don't want to get dressed and head to the grocery store I may just settle for a red wine dinner.

...or maybe a cupcake. Or both.

Things-I'm-Loving Thursday

Here are just a few things I'm happy about at the moment....

1. Josie Curran's bright and beautiful houseboat as showcased here . Especially this great library...

2. One of my favorite movies, that I just had a craving for and had to get on Netflix again...

3. Taylor Farms Chopped Salads...I just love these!

4. The newest issue of House of Fifty ...as well as Art Director Shari's blog - always an inspiration!

Happy Thursday to you!

Something to share...

Just wanted to share this video my friend Evan made. I have worked with Evan since I started teaching refugees four years ago, and he is such an inspiration. He's taught in Burma and Korea, and he has such a love for all of his students. I think it's hard not to when you teach refugees. He's singing here with Joe, who is not only a great pianist, but all-around super-talented musician. I've seen these two play out many times, and it's always a treat. This song was written by Evan as tribute to refugees. (Don't forget to pause the playlist music on the sidebar!)

 

weekend recap

This weekend was so nice! I seemed to find lots of balance. Did lots of what I like to do, and lots of what I needed to do.

-Got to hang out in the art room and play, work on a swap, journal

-Went out for yummy Mexican food followed by a cozy evening and movie

-Did lots of laundry and dishes

-Scored an afternoon nap!

-Went out for drinks with one friend to see another friend's band play

-drank lots of tea and read a bit

-took a walk with Scarlet in the neighborhood

-played games and did puzzles with Scarlet

-Tried a new recipe I liked: Quinoa, chicken and butternut squash

-laughed a lot

-watched Scarlet love this lollipop!

-and get messy...

-pulled Jeanne's and Suz's names from the basket to win these hearts!

Now it's back to the work week and more adventures...be back soon!

Valentine cheer

It's only Saturday afternoon, but I've already been having the best weekend! And the cheery Valentine's decorations all around me are making it even better! I didn't put out as much as usual because I'm not planning any Valentine's events at the house this year, but the few things I pulled out make it a happy place.

And wouldn't you know it, but right after I took all this stuff out I received these goodies from Vivian in my mailbox!

Thank you so much Viv! you always make the BEST STUFF!!

Ok, I must go for now, but don't forget to scroll down 2 posts to the HEART GIVEAWAY!! I will be picking a name from the basket tomorrow so leave a comment!

Friday Feelgood Video

When the weekend rolls around I love to listen to upbeat, head-bopping, feel-good music, so today I leave you with this video...(turn off the playlist music on the sidebar and get up and dance!)

 

have a heart!

I recently made these clay hearts for a few friends. And because I just love my blog readers, I made two extra to give away!

On Sunday (1/22) I will randomly draw two names from the basket, so if you'd like a chance to win a heart, just leave a comment on this post and I will enter you in the giveaway!

Detox Dinner

After going out to eat 3 different times in 2 days (to celebrate my birthday), it was definitely time to have a healthy dinner at home!

And I just LOVE swiss chard, so it was perfect timing to come across this recipe ! It took me no time at all because I used canned black-eyed peas.

It is flavorful, healthy and guilt-free! (or as guilt-free as you can get after fettucine alfredo the day before!)

36

So last year I made this List for my 35th year. Time to see what I can check off. Time to see what I want to challenge myself with this year....so....

The things I DID:

1, 2, 3 (read 40!), 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (is 100 pieces huge? not really), 12, 13 ("loads"=no), 14 (got hooked!), 16, 17 (Art Journaling Summer '11), 19, 21, 26, 28, 29, 30 (for the summer anyway!), 32, 33

The things I DID NOT accomplish:

4, 9, 15, 18, 20, 22 (but I did stay late and land myself in the ER from cutting my foot!), 23, 24, 25, 27, 31, 34, 35

Not TOO bad! I ticked off more than not, right?

So here's what I'm pondering for year 36:

1. Read at least 36 books (should be easy)

2. Not buy books full price (or anything full price for that matter)

3. Drink at least 60 oz. of water a day

4. Say yes to all the subbing opportunities I'm offered at work

5. Get my "important papers" completely sorted and filed

6. Top last year's hours spent at the beach

7. Spend even more time in the garden

8. Fix and use the paddleboat

9. Walk/run outside more

10. Donate a bunch of stuff

11. Stop putting art supplies on the diningroom sideboard ( it will never happen)

12. Buy a second-hand bike

13. Ride it

14. Start taking my vitamins again

15. Spend an evening with my brother ruling the jukebox at a bar

16. Go up to Burlington, VT for a weekend to relive my glory days

17. Bring homemade apple pies to school for my students (not one has ever tried it!)

18. Host some crafty nights at the house

19. Repaint/redecorate the guest bathroom

20. Don't let "this-one-particular-person-I-have-deal-with" turn me into a bitch

21. Be more tolerant of this person (no, believe it or not, it's not a man!)

22. Don't get annoyed just thinking about #20 and 21!

23. Accept changes as they come with the best possible attitude

24. Give more

25. Stop eating Pillsbury ready-to-bake cookies!

26. Find that stack of vintage greeting cards I just KNOW I HAVE SOMEWHERE!

27. Find the box of oil pastels I just KNOW I HAVE SOMEWHERE!

28. Buy some new socks and underwear

29. Find a way to fit another bookcase upstairs

30. Eat slower and more mindfully

31. Go to more free events

32. Make someone else's day easier

33. Clean up my Google Reader- out with the old, in with the new

34. Go back to drinking tea without sweeteners

35. Have a little more patience (I said a little, let's keep it real)

36. Try to do the things I didn't accomplish from last year's list

It's a start...if I check off at least half of these again I'll be happy!