Tuesday, January 31, 2012

puzzles and paper

 I cannot figure out why some of my photos flip when I post them.  It bothers me - but I haven't been able to figure out why or how to stop them.  So you get a side view of the Wizard of Oz puzzle.  We completed all of the puzzles that we had - with winter weather still hanging around - so I went puzzle shopping.  This one I had to get - it even came in a cute tin can.
 I think one of the reasons I keep folding origami cranes (besides I seem to be obsessed - and a little crazy about them) - is the beautiful paper.  I love how they look when I get a bunch of them done.
I can find a lot of joy in small, random things . . . I like that.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

an early Valentine . . .


 Love this window display!
This just makes me laugh . . . and I just noticed that he had wings.  Of course he would have wings. 

Friday, January 27, 2012

I'm becoming the Crane Lady

 I have been wanting to hang up and display some of the origami cranes that I folded.  I actually would like to do something with all 1000 of them - we'll see how that goes.  It seems like I am spending an awful lot of time on these paper birds - but there is something about them I simply enjoy.
 I am all about using what I have on hand these days.  So an old embroidery hoop, some floss, and some beads - and I have a way to display about 100 of the cranes.
 Rather simple - but I love how it looks when the sun shines through the window. 
One of my friends made a comment that I must have a lot of time on my hands.  Not really - I simply try to take the time to do something that I enjoy and find relaxing - crocheting, knitting, scrap booking . . . lately it is 1000 paper cranes.  Oh yeah . . . and I can get somewhat obsessive with things.  If you are going to do something - do the best you can and do it all the way!
So until I tire of these lovely origami birds - I will continue to post about them - and fold them.  I am going to fold another 1000 - I have a project I just started - you can read about it here - http://chs1000cranes.blogspot.com/

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ~ Buddah

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Hello Kitty

 Hello Kitty!  There are also Hello Kitty decals on the door handles.  Way cute!
  . . . and hello Stella.  This is Stella having a quiet moment.  I know she sleeps - but more often than not she is awake and involved in everything we do.
Luke and Abbie put this sweater on her.  She was not happy at all!  She tried to back out of it and nearly fell of the top of the refrigerator.  This cat is the biggest pain - but the most lovable pain ever.  

Monday, January 23, 2012

No Whining - Use Cold-EEZE!

Best advertisement for cold medicine I have seen - this was actually in the box of lozenges.   LOL 
Richard has a cold this week - and I can identify with Sara H. from West Bloomfield, MI

Sunday, January 22, 2012

another puzzle down

This is another one of my dad's puzzles - that Jake finished. I always liked this one. I think Jake more or less did this one by himself. They are now working on another round puzzle - the moon. I remember doing that one with dad and it was a hard one. We are really getting into the puzzles this winter - maybe the 28 degree temperatures that we had this week play into that. It is much nicer to stay inside where it is warm.

Saturday

 Richard is going to make a bench for the back yard using this log that he cut in half.  He started working on it yesterday, but didn't get very far.  It started to hail and then just poured - so the bench was put off until today.  We made chili and watched movies instead - a good way to spend a cold, rainy Saturday.
 I started stringing my cranes together.  I love how they look - but it is going to take longer than I thought.  1000 doesn't seem like that big of a number until you fold 1000 paper cranes . . . count 1000 paper cranes . . . and string 1000 paper cranes.  I think I got about 100 of them done yesterday.  I am not sure what I am going to do with them when I am finished.  I actually am going to fold 1000 more - but I am going to do something different with them.  I will explain what when I get them started.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

playing with food again . . .


I have this thing about drawing in my soup.
I had happy soup . . .


. . . and zombie soup.

I am so easily entertained.

Monday, January 16, 2012

1000 paper cranes

I am finished . . . this one is #1000!
I am going to string them - maybe with some beads, but I had to take some pictures once I knew I hit 1000.

. . . according to Japanese legends I now get a wish . . . I can't tell - it may not come true.

"This is our cry, this is our prayer - Peace in the world." ~Sadako Sasaki

enjoying an extra day off

I have really enjoyed this three day weekend. I have gotten a lot done around the house - but also have taken the time each morning to sleep in a little bit and just enjoy the morning. Jake introduced me to Carmel Brullee creamer . . . so good!
A cup of coffee - some yogurt - and this morning Richard brought me a yummy pastry for breakfast. So I am going to enjoy this last morning (back to work tomorrow) - even though I still have so much to do around the house. It will be there later - right?

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." ~ Sydney J. Harris

Sunday, January 15, 2012

midnight snack . . .

Actually it was only 10:00 - Luke started cooking. He made some spicy chicken wings and cooked up some vegetables. I took one look and knew it would taste even better if . . . "I put an egg on it!" Richard teases me about putting eggs on everything - leftover Chinese food, potato skins, mashed potatoes, etc. Added a little hot sauce - it was great!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Friday the 13th . . .



She's not a black cat that will bring you bad luck if she crosses your path . . . she is none other than Stella who will bring you joy and laughter if you can tolerate her personality and antics. I am not a superstitious person - oh I have my own silly things I do that I guess could be considered to be superstitions - but I do not believe in bad luck, or that Friday the 13th is a day to worry about. Any day that is associated with a black cat can't be all bad. So here's to today - and here's to a three day weekend!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

can't help myself

So maybe folding 1000 cranes is leading to an obsession for me. I usually put a few pieces of origami paper in my bag and bring them to work with me - If I am on hold while on the phone or take a break - I use the time to fold some cranes. So this morning I forgot to stick some paper in my bag and I had gotten to work 30 minutes early . . . so I cut newspaper in order to have something to fold. I have used post it notes before, and small note pads. Maybe . . . just maybe I am a little overboard with the origami cranes. : )

random stuff from yesterday

American Gothic puzzle complete . . . . Luke and Abbie started another one (1000 pieces). Jigsaw puzzles and movies seem to be the rage at our house this winter. Stella the cat keeps jumping up on the coffee table and trying to steal pieces of the puzzles. She will grab one in her mouth and take off running. She also keeps us entertained.
These sandwiches were delicious. I had some pork chops that I needed to use - so I just threw them in the crock pot with homemade BBQ sauce and added cheese and peppers to make sandwiches.


I got some pretty new highlighters in the mail at work. This company always sends a free gift with their catalogs and it is usually something sort of goofy - these I like.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Is it Monday already?

I don't think Sadie wanted us to go to work today.