Month: June 2011

I’m working on about 9 different projects, all are 1/2-3/4 done. I’m really, truly looking forward to taking some stuff from “in progress” to “finished”.

We snuck in a family gathering, some chill time, and relaxation in between my wild work frenzy.

I’m finishing up class kits for next weekend- so excited to spend a crafty day out!! Then it’s back to BPC class and finishing the next class so I can share!

And then…

[insert more projects due this week here]

I have two speeds: full and zero. I’m flying through stuff or very still. This week has been a major case of this!

Good thing I LOVE what I do.

In the afternoon, usually this is when I get to do a bit of reading…

a nice shady spot in our yard that’s finally coming together and really becoming our ‘living room’ in the summer months.

growing up we didn’t have a pool – but I could ride horses, play in an orchard, and otherwise run free on a country property so I’m not complaining! That said – I really do love how clean, simple, and useful our yard has become.

Jason gets a lot of the credit – he works hard and is really the one who has taken the lead on making the backyard nice. I like to play with planting things and help make it nice/weed/provide extra hands as needed.

Summer, the least favorite of the seasons for me, is actually becoming equally loved now. No longer the dreaded long, hot, yuck fest it once was thanks largely to the oasis out my back door.

feeling lucky, blessed to have a home where I don’t feel the need to escape it or get out to have fun… fun is right here.

I can finally say it out loud. I’ve been whispering about it to myself here in the studio for a few weeks now… it’s AUTHENTIQUE!

 

What is that? Margie Romney-Aslett (aka all around fabulous woman) is designing lines for them. They are a brand new company. AMAZING. It’s all fabulous. You can “like” it on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Authentique-Paper/177203238989945

the website will be here: http://www.authentiquepaper.com

Here is the first project I made with Authentique…

I am on the design team (lucky me!!) and you’ll be seeing new projects about once a week here with Authentique.

 

 

last month I was on a (mostly) naughty diet. Ah but ‘the month of May’ is over, and so is my sloppy eating. I’m a simple girl – a get your ass in gear and exercise (no excuses, no whining), and try to eat less so that you’re burning fat off the ‘ol fanny pack of fat.

This week I discovered my new FAVORITE good girl lunch. It lets me have the bread and cheese I ADORE – but in quantities so small that it doesn’t blow up my whole day. You see, I love a good hot turkey sandwich. I’m an artist – trust me when I say mine are the BEST. grilled onions, melted cheese, mustard grilled into bread, oh… they’re amazing. Problem? I like them on rolls, which run 300+ calories each at minimum (and that’s before toppings!) and I do NOT like low calorie diet bread. I do not want to compromise. I want it all, or nothing.

So here it is:

It’s so simple, so obvious I can’t believe I’m only now thinking of it. I take a THIN slice of sour/french baguette and top it with a bit of turkey, little piece of cheese, and slide under broiler until melty and good. Then I take it out and add onion (grilled is best!), avocado, tomato, lettuce, pickle… whatever else I like and have on hand. If you are a mustard fan I suggest rubbing a small amount directly onto bread before piling toppings on.

I can have 4-6 of these and come out at less than HALF the calories of my beloved sandwich – and yet all the elements are there, I’m getting loads of lean meat + veggies, and my brain is so totally satisfied.

My girls really like these too – they call them tiny party sandwiches. I realize that topping bread with stuff is hardly ground breaking, I just had never considered it as a lunch option that is pretty healthy too.

Happy (healthy) eating…