Looking for motivation

I have not been running much lately. There is no specific reason- just missing mojo. I am planning on running a half marathon in February, but I have got to get my butt in gear. I have not run over 6 miles in a while. I run for me in a lot of cases, but I have helped causes in the past.

This year I hope to cover my running shirt in ribbons. The ribbon does not have to be for a individual who has been effected by breast cancer. I will also sew on ribbons for a person you choose to honor- a person who has encouraged you or is a personal hero. That is what I need to do honor the people effected by breast cancer and find my inspiration to run.

So I am asking for a little accountibility. You can post a comment or email me a person you want to remember, honor, or thank for encouraging you. You will be assigned a number to correspond with the ribbon. I will then sew your ribbon on and photograph it along the way. Please title your email- Jodi get your but in gear!

Jacksonville Chalk-fest

Jacksonville Chalk-fest
Originally uploaded by grayd80

Some time this past week the city had a chalk fest downtown at The Landing. In walking to Starbucks from work I got to see all of these great works of art. It made me think- How sad that all of these wonderful works of art will go away.

It was kind of sad until I thought about the fact that artists must create. If I only had one sweater worth of yarn for the rest of my life would I knit it only once? NOOOO! I would make a sweater enjoy it for a while - rip it out and go at it again. I can not imagine my life without creating something.

My question to you is if you had only 1500 yards of one yarn for a year of knitting what would you choose?

Caution: craft room under renovation:

craft room curtians
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

Caution: craft room under renovation:

We have a room off of our dining room that we have never quite figured out a use for it. It is to close to the living room to be a TV room. The opening to this room is very large and no privacy is provided.

Ok, so as an aside - I don't believe in formal living rooms. I pay the bills at my house and if I am not company enough for the good stuff than who is. We use the good throws, burn the good candles, eat and watch tv in living room.

It is also a weird shape- it was obviously an enclosure. It is the only room in our house that has panelling( Ugh!). We have used it for a couple of parties as a bar room, but this seems to be such a waste! So I have taken over half of the room as a craft area. My area includes a drafting table- I keep my yarn below it, a card catalog, and a folding table.

I have just bought new curtains to girlie up the space. Here is a picture of the pattern from the curtains. I am not normally a purple girl, but $12 curtains- I could not pass these up at the thrift store. More to come- I will wash and hang them this weekend!

Doing things the old way.

egg display
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

I find myself lately clinging to the old ways. Simple dinners, buying meat from a butcher shop, sewing, knitting, and slowing down.

It just makes me think that there is a purpose in these things. A satisfation from using fresh eggs gathered in an apron you made.

Share with me something you do the old way.

Angora Bunny

Angora Bunny
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

So I have this picture taped to my printer and it makes me giggle! This bunny was at Rhinebeck. I have had a really tough week and just needed to stopped and laughed this afternoon.

Life is to good! Headed to the fair in a bit photos to be posted soon!

basket before stain

basket before stain
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

I found this basket at the flea market, but it was the wrong color so I stained it. Now it matches my floors!

Merino Frappe

Merino Frappe
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

From purplish fluff to fall lush! Thanks to Chris for giving this yarn a dye job! This was yarn up for trade and now it is up for keeps!

The yarn is Crystal Palace Merino Frappe- Aran wieght and I have 420 yards.

The best dinner

Steak
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

Everything pales in comparison to this steak dinner. Filet, grilled eggplant and salad.

The salad is roasted tomatoes with garlic, green onion, lettuce and avacado mixed with oil and vinegar for a creamy dressing.

Vintage Placemats

IMGP0461
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

I made this project bag from two vintage placemats. The ribbon was out of the stash. This is so much better than a plastic baggie! This was a very fast project as little to no seaming and the edges were finished -so no lining needed. I hope to make a couple more for Valentines day this year.

Last weeks Crockpot Meatloaf

I made a double batch of meatloaf and used the leftovers 2 ways. So we got three meals total.

*Night 1
Meatballs (golf ball size)

* Night 2
A topping for pizza. I sliced them into coin size pieces and froze them. I used them a week later.

*Night 3
Pasta Fagioli - I used a quart size baggie of coin size slices.

Here is my basic meatloaf:
1/2 shredded cheese
2 egg whites
1 lb meat - I use 2/3 97% ground beef and 1/3 ground turkey
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/3 chopped onion
salt and pepper

Drop the meatballs into the crockpot. My crockpot is 6 quarts in size . Meatballs were on top of each other and cooked just fine.

I cook on high for 1 hour then low for 4 hours.

This coat is so last season!

IMGP0393
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

I saw this guy at Rhinebeck and he had just been sheered. They gave him the coat as he has just lost his. The animal barn was amazing! Sheep, alpaca's, goats, and bunnies. I loved that aspect of the day and seeing each ones personality. More to come check back!

Orphan Cotton

Orphan Cotton
Originally uploaded by parrotheadchic

I got 4 skiens with 300yards a piece for $16.00. These were test batches on the colors. They were not put into producition. I am thinking I will learn to make a scribble shaw with these!

I am going to try again .....

I am going to try to blog on a more regular basis. I need to get my ramblings on paper- well I guess at least the web.

I think setting up a format will help: On the report front:

Running- Sunday I ran for around 40 minutes- nice and easy, I had my watch set up for a 1:1 ratio. 1 minute of running and 1 minute of walking. Today I took a Pilates class and walked for 25 minutes. I am so looking forward to chili tonight! I am starved.

Knitting- I am working on the end paper mits and my circular shrug. Pictures of the mits to come soon!

I am hoping to work on the shrug tonight I want to have it ready for my trip to NY in October. Well on the report front that will do it.