Happy Zombie

Movin' on...

2007-02-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

This blog was moved in February of 2007. If you have me in your blogroll or in your feed (and I thank you very much if you do!), please change my link to:
"http://www.thehappyzombie.com/blog"

So whatcha waitin' for... come on over!

No sofa, no

2006-10-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Get down.
Off.
No sofa.
Off.
Sofa bad.
Oh all right, stay.

Sometimes I even have to let Liberty and Madison break the rules.

I LOVE YOU MONTANA!

2006-10-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

Sigh... I loved my first ever trip to Montana and am heart sick I had to leave. I'm soooooo happy to be home with DH and DS, but I'm ready to pack up and head east. Have you ever had that feeling in your tummy and heart that you just BELONG somewhere? Maybe it's a reincarnation thing... I danno. Anyhoo... I had THAT feeling in Montana.

I was in the Bitterroot Valley this weekend with my good friend Karen at a quilt retreat hosted by Bell Tower Quiltworks. I had the TIME OF MY LIFE and made some lifelong friends. Everyone in Montana was SO nice and the scenery wasn't too bad either!

Before Montana, of course comes Idaho... another new experience for me! We stopped in the little town of Wallace, Idaho where Autumn was in full bloom! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Autumn!!! I have more photos to come, more thoughts, and much more Montana Goodness to share. For now... I must unpack and get my life back to normal (as if it was normal before I left for Montana).

Thank you Montana for your enchantment & kindness and thank you Missoula for putting the big "M" on your hill to welcome me!

I love you Montana,
Monica

My Montana/Idaho Flickr photos.

Am I a FARMGIRL?

2006-10-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

I can't remember who's blog I saw this on (I've been backtracking and can't find it)... the magazine (and lifestyle) of Mary Jane's Farm. Have you heard about it? It was new to me when I read about it on someone's blog, and when my friend Karen and I were on the road to Montana... Karen whipped out the mag that our friend Connie gave to us to read (because the issue was about aprons). What a surprise that was! I think it was a sign!!

Anyhoo... Mary Jane's is blowing me away! I'm not a farmgirl by any means... but one at heart. Have you heard of this? There's an enite subculture of "farmgirls" out there I didn't know about! Reading the magazine and going to MJF's website & forum... I think I might be a farmgirl trapped in a citygirl's body!

www.maryjanesfarm.org

Karen sent me a link from a story Northwest Backroads did about Mary Jane Butters. A very good read!

Autumn!

2006-10-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Autumn is my favorite time of year! I was telling Jackie over at Wren's Nest about all that I love about Autumn and thought I'd add my thoughts here. This is MY TIME OF YEAR! Pumpkins, fall leaves, soups & stews, trick-or-treaters, the crisp air, the colors, it feels cozy but not cold... I love it all! I even love raking the leaves! I even love the word "autumn"!

One of my favorite quilts is one I made about 3 years ago. It's a Bare Roots pattern, but I added some of my own drawings (quilts, the Coast Guard, and something else... I forget) for the stitching.

This Bare Roots pattern is called "For These I Give Thanks". I think I tweaked the setting as well (as I do 99% of the time with patterns). Anyhoo... The fabric came from The Buggy Barn and I think they are by Moda or P&B. I danno, all I can remember is that I just adore the fabrics! And Autumn! Edited in... I do keep this quilt up year round, except at Christmas time when I hang a Christmas quilt in it's place.

Yes... I know my photos on the wall are askew. It's how I live.

Quilt Pink!

2006-10-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Quilt Pink Day across the country. I spent Quilt Pink at Anna Lena's where a dozen beautiful blocks were waiting for me to set them. It was a beautiful day and the dozen+ quilters there were all in pink... we were bathing in a sea of pink fabric and we even snacked on pink cookies & pink lemonaid. The camaraderie was magical! Not only that we were all members of "The Stitcherhood of Quilters"... but we were all giving to something that has in one way or another touched us all! It was a very positive, powerful and uplifting afternoon! Not to mention fun! I take that back about us all being quilters. One lady came who's never even sewed before, but wanted to be a part of it and she became one of our "pressers". That was really cool! The lady backs up my statement that EVERYONE can do SOMETHING... no matter what that something is!

The blocks came to be by hundreds of volunteers from the NW Oregon coast and SW Washington. Quiters sent in blocks and made blocks at Anna Lena's. As well... some non-quilters made some blocks too! Through donated fabric from members of the Peninsula Quilt Guild, Anna Lena's and customers... non-quilters were able to "assemble" blocks from cut pieces and then pinned to paper to be stitched later. The Peninsula Quilt Guild had a "booth" at the Relay For Life at Ilwaco High School where anyone could "make" a block.

I do not know who made the blocks I had to work with, but boy are they beautiful! I especially love the Scotty Dogs blocks! They are soooooooooo cute! Click on the images to see them larger... they are worth the look! My friend Carol said she'd seem them somewhere before, so when she got home she poured through her stacks of quilting magazines and let me know the pattern is in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine (Sep 2006 issue). So being the impatient person that I am... I HAD to find the Scotty template ASAP... and found them for FREE online at the QNM website.

Red & Aqua Swap... what I got!

2006-09-20T13:20:00.001-07:00

The goodies I received from the swap. I only know her real name and don't know if she'd want me to post that. My gifts from her are so nice, fun and so very generous. It shows she put so much time, talent and effort into all she did. I just LOVE what I received and am so grateful. Thank you!

Jimmy Kimmel & Uncle Frank on Roller Coaster

2006-09-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Jimmy Kimmel the other night and laughed so hard!!! I've since been watching and waiting for it on YouTube and it's finally on it. It's the funniest thing I ever saw on tv and I laughed so hard (I was crying and howling) that my dogs freaked out. What really put me over the edge was the spoof Jimmy and Uncle Frank did after the video.

Enjoy!
Jimmy Kimmel & Uncle Frank on Roller Coaster

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-09-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

1. The amazing bravery of DS2's actions!
2. Sunshine on a cool day.
3. A new season of the Amazing Race.
4. Sitting at my computer with cold feet and one of my dogs curling up to nap on top of them.
5. Being completely finished with unpacking and everything is in it's place.

Pacific Grove

2006-09-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

My very first "Artist Date". Actually... I can't really even call it an Artist Date because I did not go alone. My friend Karen went with me so that makes it a Double Date! Anyhoo... It's no surprise that I'm really into the color aqua these days (especially aqua and red together) and I was so tickled to see so much aqua in and around Pacific Grove. I wanted to snap some photos of aqua objects and then use those images for color references in my next quilt. Actually... just for the simple joy of it!

A funny side note. I'm sure the people in the neighborhood where the aqua-potty is located thought "who is this goofball taking a photo of the porta-potty"! It was not until I got home and uploaded all my photos that I noticed the porta-potty was what appears to be turbo charged with electricity. So now, even though I don't know what I'm going to cook up for my next quilt, I do know what the quilt's name will be... Atomic Aqua-Potty!

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-09-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

1. Fantasia the service dog and the joy she brings... as does her "mommy".
2. Sleeping in my own bed.
3. Coming home from my trip and seeing my family and doggies.
4. Being at in Walnut Creek and having the best time ever with my family and the "All About Me" celebration at Agave!
5. Care packages! Homemade Mexican cookies and jam from Aunt Martha, Green Noodles from Aunt Lupe, and Berkeley Farms milk, German bologna & farmer's bread from Mom. The priceless look on Karen's face when she realized why I traveled with an empty cooler!
6. Shopping at the Cotton Patch in Lafayette and stocking up on huge selection of yummy aqua fabric!
7. The slogan: Moooooo... Farms in Berekeley?

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-09-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

1. Asilomar... The beauty, energy, good spirit and the peace.
2. All the new friends and interesting people I've met.
3. Catching the spirit, inspiration and all things good from others like a cold I don't want have cured.
4. My dear friend Karen who brought me to Asilomar and The Artist's Way... even though at first I wasn't that interested in coming. Man.... am I glad I did!!!
5. Saying good-by to new friends. But a painfull good-by means I've made some good friends. Some who I may never see again... but will be with me the rest of my life!

The Artist's Way

2006-09-10T23:36:00.000-07:00

So here I am, typing with my thumbs, trying to sleep after such a big day. We are at the beautiful Asilomar in Pacifc Grove. Started the day with lunch at In-n-Out Burger (mmmm), tea at the Tuck Box (not as good as it used to be) in Carmel. We get checked in and settled in at Asilomar and off to start our Artist's Way for quilters. There are over 50 of us! So much to tell... later on a full finger keyboard!

Aqua/Red Swap

2006-09-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

I finished my projects for my Aqua/Red Swap partner and I'm hoping to get them in the mail today. My little quilt measures 22'' x 33''. I really hope my partner likes it. Making a quilt for someone you don't know is hard since not everyone has the same tastes or likes the same styles. The best part of this was that I had fun making it for my partner!

I made this quilt from solids and the prints are 1930's feedsack reproductions. No pattern, sans the paper-pieced schoolhouse block. I just kind of made it as I went along. I got the schoolhouse block pattern at Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. Sidenote... I'm not one who enjoys paper-piecing (my brain just can't do it!), but this was a very easy block to paper-piece. If I can do it... anyone can! I also used the Tri Recs rulers to make my pinwheels. I just love all the tools from EZ Quilting and Darlene Zimmerman!

A few other things to add... a pair of aqua socks (that's so fun to say... "aqua socks"... "why that just knocks my aqua socks off!") and a checkbook cover I made with Moda's aqua "5 Funky Monkeys" line. I liked the check bookcover so much... I made one for myself too.

Aqua/Red Swap progress

2006-09-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

I've been hesitant to show what I'm working on for the Aqua/Red Swap. I don't even know yet who my swap partner is. I guess this is just a peek, since this is just a small fraction of what I'm making. I'm much further along as pictured... but that's all I'm showing until the swap has been made.

WEElohalani

2006-09-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

I've been so inspired by all the blogs I visit to make all the goodies that are offered. This is my Wee Wonderful Wee who I call WEElohalani. You can make one too at the awesome blog Wee Wonderfuls. You can also check out the pool of Wee's made from so many talented people in Wee Wonderful's Wee Gallery.

When we moved to the mainland from Hawai'i... I brought with me yards and yards and yards of Aloha fabric. Over the years my big box-o-Aloha fabric has hardly been used and I thought it'd be fun to put a dent in it! Hardly even a dent to make my little WEElohalani... but oh what fun! Cute thing is... I have friends who's daughter is named Alohalani.

Oh so pretty!

2006-08-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

I'm so in love! I found a guy in WI selling an aqua washer and dryer. Oh how I want the set! The adult voice in my head is saying... "too much for shipping, too pricey for something that doesn't work like today's washers/dryers". The child voice in my head that likes pretty things is saying... "pack up car... road trip to Wisconsin! Time to visit the The Chicken Lady!". Damn you adult voice!

Ok, so today was my big day... the day I was to start my Morning Pages. I wake at 6:45ish, ready to start my Brain Drain with the morning pages. So I pee, make coffee, lets the dogs out, feed the chickens... must find all those composition books I have stashed away somewhere... searching, searching, searching... oh look... there's my computer. I should probably check my email. While I'm online, I'll just pop in and take a peek at my favorite blogs. Hmmm... I wonder what's new and pretty on eBay. Mmmm... nice washer and dryer! Too bad that photo has been taken on someone's gravel driveway.... I should just clean it up a bit in Photoshop. It is now 10:40am. Where did my morning go?????!!!!

Note to self. Start morning pages tomorrow morning.

Patchwork Party 2006

2006-08-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the Patchwork Party? It's twelve quilt shops from across the US, all selling a block (pattern and fabric) using the new Maywood Studio "Willowberry Winter" fabric line. All the blocks were designed by Marti Michell. Go to patchworkparty2006.com to visit all twelve shops.

Wow... 12 beautiful sampler blocks... now what???!!! Well... each of the Patchwork Party quilt shops is offering a setting kit (fabric and pattern) for sale. Each store designed their own kit and it's up to you which one floats your boat the most!

My favorite setting is an easy one! BLOCK AROUND THE CLOCK was designed by The Happy Zombie (yes, me) for Anna Lena's. I also did the PatternSmithing (it's very easy to follow and understand- more pictures/less words). You can purchase the setting kit (fabric and pattern) here or by clicking on the quilt. Look for more info about the Patchwork Party in the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Fons & Porter.

Current Quilting

2006-08-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

I know I'm like so many quilters... more tops get done then the quilting on them. It doesn't help that I'm a hand quilter either! I thought I'd show a little peek of what I'm quilting at the moment (mind you there are four more tops in the closet waiting to be sandwiched and quilted as well!). One of the tops in my closet is a New York Beauty set in black... Meine Güte is that going to hard on the ole eyes to quilt! Anyhoo... from left to right:

Two years ago my friend Karen and I were each other's Secret Pal at guild. Not a secret between us... but from the rest of the guild! We decide to "pick each other" and we had so much fun! Not to mention we each got killer quilts we loved!!! Karen made BEAUTIFUL blocks of embroidered images, appliquéd and buttonholed. It is just beautiful and it's almost done

This quilt was made with the (April Cornell Poetry Collection by Moda) scraps left over from the actual "Room with Blooms" quilt that is featured in this month's (October 2006) Better Homes & Gardens - American Patchwork & Quilting. My friend Karen designed and made the Room with Blooms quilt and asked me if I wanted the scraps. Well... being a new member of Bev Wakeman's Scrap Busters at Anna Lena's... I jumped at the chance to prove to myself I could use scraps! This quilt is almost done!

This one is a pattern from Bev's Stash Busters. It goes without saying that I purchased new fabric and nothing from my stash was used. Ok... maybe some. I think the Kona Snow was from my stash. Wait... I used stash to make the back... but that's for another post on another day when the quilt is finished (though that is really soon, and it's even bound).

Last but not least, and this one is no where near done (Maybe 40%) is my king size Pineapple Swirl. I took a class with Darlene Zimmerman to make this (I always learn SO MUCH from her), and of course... everyone else in the group has theirs done... and here's mine... all folded and waiting to be finished. It doesn't help that I modified Darlene's pattern... I had a lapse in judgement and decided in the process to make it so much bigger!

So that's what cookin' at the moment! When I completely finish these quilts, I will post the photos and not just a hard to see peek.

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-08-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

1. Having DS2 home from XC running camp at Ft. Stevens
2. Having DS2 have a shower after returning from XC running camp!
3. Redwork Club at Anna Lena's
4. My dear friend Connie who loves my Herring Salad and feeds my ego
5. DH finished painting the MB. Trimwork is for me... a Daily Cup for another day!

Paint, paint, paint! La Petite Mémoire de Sucrerie

2006-08-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

It seems all I do is paint! But ahh... the fruits of my labor!

The old studio.
The NEW studio... La Petite Mémoire de Sucrerie (The Little Candy Shop).

Or... Check out the flickr badge in the side bar.

What all started out as whim turned into a huge labor, though a labor of love. Truth be told... it all started with my DH. Last fall my DH suggested I move the studio from The Small Room into the Master Bedroom (which was actually two bedrooms before we purchased our house. My dear husband and a sledge hammer... you get the rest) and visa versa. Anyhoo... so out of the blue DH says to me, "You know, we actually spend so little time in here... would you like to swap rooms?". Hot diggity dog... why sure! So we undertake this crazy Trading Spaces gig and all seems great!

A month or so down the road, I feel the walls closing in on me in The Small Room. With each passing month I SWEAR that room was getting smaller! So last Friday I get a bee in my bonnet and the next thing you know we're on the road to Home Depot in Longview! My DH is a peach of a guy and he does so much for me (my whims are his labors), but I also know he'd drop everything if I so much as needed a thumb tack from Home Depot. Mind you, Home Depot and Lowe's are an hour away. Not a problem!

So anyhoo... I'm done with the studio switch, but I still need to tackle the MB now (which is getting a make-over as well). That can wait, hahahahaha.

It feels so good!

2006-08-06T10:06:00.001-07:00

There are just some moments in time where the littlest of things just feel so good! It's kind of chilly this morning, and even though it's 55 outside (Oregon Coast summer weather)... I have all my windows open. I'm barefoot as usual, and walking by my fridge in the kitchen, there's a small patch on the floor where it's warm from the fridge. Oh it feels so good! I would even say yummy! Kind of like being in the pool and swimming by the heater. I could put some fuzzy socks on and get my feet warm that way... but it's just not as good as that nice surprise of warm Pergo!

I think of some of the other experiences that just smother me in the warm fuzzies:

Waking up thinking it's a weekday, and then realizing it's the weekend.
A hot day and walking into the grocery store getting hit by the cool blast of the A/C.
Realizing you don't have a headache. We only seem to think about headaches when we have them.
A chilly but sunny day (Oregon Coast summer again), getting into my car that's toasty and warm.
Really cold milk.

Maybe I'll work on this list in my "Daily Cup of Joy!" posts.

Trader Joe's Treasures!

2006-08-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

I find the Trader Joe's in Beaverton has better plants and flowers then Trader Joe's in say, Vancouver. As it turns out, according the the checker... Beaverton gets their deliveries from Calif., and Vancouver get their deliveries from Seattle. I don't know if it's true... but I do know the Beaverton TJ's always has nice treasures waiting for me!

I'm not sure what this flowering plant is, but it's so cute in my bathroom. It's in a nice galvanized container and it looks like it came from someone named Aunt Ethel who has a farm, fixes pies and tends to the quiltin'.

I almost missed this plant because it was on the windowsill by the checkout. It's called a "Pincushion". That's fitting! They look like little quilting pins! I just hope they last. I got one for my friend Karen who's nuts about orange, quilting and what I call "Karen Green". I can't wait to give it to her!

A Dixie School Girl

2006-08-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

I found this book at an antique shop in So. Bend, Washington. At first I was struck by the cover. I love the artwork, style and the colors! I thought, "how pretty" and put it gently back in it's spot on the shelf. As I was perusing the antique shop, I keep thinking about that book and went back to it.

So back into my hands it went. I opened it up to find a treasure from 1933. This book was a gift to some young girl, and here was this book... all alone... unread... waiting to find a new caretaker. I say this to Little Margret West... your book is in good hands!

How different is the world today. Looking at the back cover of this book, how simple life must have been back in the 30's. Maybe not even simple... but blinding and complacent as well. Happy on one hand... sad on another.

As I read this book I conclude a few things. 1) It's hard reading such old timey grammar from back in the day, though I did get such a big kick out of "up-to-the-minute girls" (aka Cool Chicks) on the back cover. Here's a sample: "Yonder comes the Woodbine bunch, I'll bet a dollar, and they're sure enough a-hittin' it up, too. Reckon the young one of the old Admiral's is a-settin' the pace, too. She's a clipper, all right". 2) It's very difficult and unsettling to read not only the derogatory remarks about black people... but that it's done so meanly and openly. I may not finish the book. Very, very, sad.

A chair

2006-08-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

In the same antique shop where I found the Dixie Girl book... I also found this chair. I didn't really want the chair, but it "had" to be sold with the seat back cover that I wanted. Ok... works for me. I was willing to pay for just the seat back cover as what they were asking for the whole shebang.

Now that I have it in my studio, I'm glad I have the chair. It's perfect with my German-American 1930's-Ikea theme, LOL.

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

1. A good cry watching The Family Stone movie
2. It's raining!
3. Rain!
4. Rain!
5. Rain!

Omlet's First Egg!

2006-07-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

Cluck, cluck, cluck... Our chicken Omlet was clucking up a storm today.

We had no idea why and all that I could think about was she sounded like that darn clucking gumball machine at Bob's in Longview. DS2 and DH watched her and voila... a fresh warm egg from Omlet's oven!

I just hope our chickens don't "sound an alarm" every time they lay an egg. If that's the case, I'll be showering my neighbors with the gift of eggs! I just hope she was clucking like that because it was a new experience for her, and it's not going to be an ongoing thing. I'm sure if I cranked out a watermelon I'd be making a bunch of noise too!

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-07-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

1. Opening the garage door to a burst of natural cool air.
2. Jack in the Box tacos.
3. A shady parking space at all my stops today.
4. The nice and helpful people at Trader Joe's (especially in Vancouver).
5. Getting a chuckle out of my very serious doctor when I made a funny.

What a croc of shoe!

2006-07-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

The best invention for man, woman and childkind's feet... Crocs! I am not selling these, I only wish to spread the good word. I've been wearing my cherry red ones almost 2 years now and I just love them! I recently purchased the yummy banana yellow and the electric tangerine ones. I adore them too. Next will be the pink ones. I also have a black pair, but they just don't look pretty enough for this photo. I have foot/knee/back issues, and these shoes are a gift from heaven. My feet feel so good in Crocs! After a few minutes of wearing them... my feet want to smoke a cigarette! ;-)

These shoes are perfect for quilting for a number of reasons:
1) They feel squishy good!
2) Easy to slip off if you are a Barefoot Peddler like myself.
3) Easy to wash (keeping your studio/sewing room's floor clean)
4) The colors are so cute!
5) Helps with foot, knee and back pain.
6) Croc's don't stink or make your feet sweat.
7) Dragging Croc's on the carpet gathers lint, thread, dog hair, etc. It's magic!
8) Jump higher, run faster!
9) Kills spiders in an instant of impact
10) Squish, squish, squish... squish in the Oregon rain!

I have tried the Airwalk version... and they are not the same. I won't even shame my feet by trying on the creepy ones sold at Killingourcommunites-Mart. Crocs retail around $30 USD (worth every penny), and are sold at from places like GI Joes to small independently owned stores. Check out the entire line at www.crocs.com.

Daily Cup of Joy

2006-07-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

1. It didn't get over 80˚ today.
2. Shopping for frozen treats at Safeway and not being able to decide on which ones... and getting them all.
3. Cool water splashing on my flip flop adorned feet while watering my thirsty plants.
4. Getting my BOM pattern done for this month AND next month!
5. Sandwiches and salad for dinner and eating outside.

The Secret Pal Strikes Again!

2006-07-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

At July guild, my secret pal struck again! Again she gave me two beautiful blocks. I'm so curious as to who this mischievously delightfully sweet person is!

At Show & Tell I mentioned I was putting the blocks on my blog, but no one ratted themselves out. Which is good, I want to keep this as a surprise to me.

The thought of someone doing this for me really touches me, and inspires me to pass kindness on. And mischief too!

Through the ashes a rose blooms

2006-07-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

This last weekend a plane from the Hillsboro air show crashed into the home of Donna Reynolds of Hillsboro, Oregon. Ms Reynold's home was obliterated. Nothing but charred ash and metal debris. I do not know this woman, never heard of her... but she is one classy broad! In an interview on our local NBC affiliate Ms Reynold's was quoted (from the best of my memory) as saying, "At first I felt like a Katrina victim... I lost everything, and then I realized I wasn't like a Katrina victim... I have my community and my neighbors".

Ms Reynold's... I admire you so much! You know the true value of your home is not the roof, walls and windows!

Germany - Italia... The Day After

2006-07-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

The day after the big loss. I'm still in shock and sadness that Germany lost. But... I love the sport so much that I'm happy for Italy and it's fans... but I'm still soooo sad. What an exciting match that was and I think it will be remembered for decades.

My current observations about The Cup:

I think Germany's David Odonkor is Tony Parker's German cousin... Tony Parker is David Odonkor's French cousin.
Why does 98% of the Brazilian team have only one name? Cafu, Kaká, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo? And then you have the guy with the longest "one" name... Juninho Pernambucano.
Puma... are they on crack? What awful uniforms! They look like they're the results of "Pimp My Adidas".
Speaking of Adidas... I can't get enough of Pedro and Jose (and "The Impossible Team")! "Jose...LA CASA" really gets stuck in my head and I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Eanie Meanie song by Jim Noir!

Sunday Drive 'round Blogland

2006-07-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

Too pooped to finish working in the yard, I took shelter in my cool house in front of my Mac. Plopped my fat butt right down and took a Sunday drive 'round Blogland. I find many from all over the world blogs discussing The Cup and Iraq. Most interesting is a blog that is mentioned over and over on my travels and I went to see for myself. Check out Baghdad Burning. EVERY American should read this blog... especially those in the White House!

A Secret Pal

2006-06-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

To my surprise at my guild meeting last month... I'm am the Secret Pal of someone very mysterious! More mysterious then the average Secret Pal... since I did not sign up for Secret Pal! Someone in my guild is very sneaky... but most of all very clever and sweet. These blocks are beautiful and expertly sewn together! Yea, that's right... I ALWAYS look at the backs. Now I'm really intrigued who this Secret Pal of mine is and why she's doing this for me! This is way cool and way fun!

So anyhoo, it was That Time at guild where Secret Pal is getting passed out and those who have Sew & Tell are getting their quilts ready to present. This is The Time where I get to chit chat with my gal pals and frankly... am not paying much attention to anything else going on around me. To my surprise, our Secret Pal chairperson hands me a little gift bag with my name on it! I double and triple check that it truly says my name on the gift! My pals next to me confirm it... that's my name! Ok, so it's been established that this gift is for me. My next thought, in horror... "OH SHIT... I signed up for Secret Pal and forgot!!!!". No wait a minute... sigh... I didn't sign up. ~Whew... for a minute there I thought I raked someone over by forgetting to make a block for not one, but TWO months!

Be nice... or else!

2006-06-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

I'm a big advocate of being nice, being honest, doing right and being a good person to our fellow man. BUT... a family in NY was not so nice, not so honest, not so cool... and payback is a bitch! Bravo Zulu to this Evan dude for fighting for what's right! A long read, but worth your while. When phrases like "i got ball" and "so i can hit u wit it" become part of pop culture... you'll know exactly where it came from!
www.evanwashere.com/StolenSidekick
Big cheers for Evan!

The Cup

2006-06-09T23:33:00.000-07:00

I had an epiphany! I realized why so many American's would rather follow boring sports like baseball and American football... it's all about the food. Mind you, I've never turned down a meal and I enjoy "sporting foods" as much as the next guy. With football (soccer) you have 90+ minutes of non stop action... leaving no time to run for Garlic Fries. With baseball or American football there's far more inaction then action... plenty of opportunities to peruse the plethora of epicurean delights in our stadiums and arenas.

I could totally go off on baseball... but I'm trying to be positive. But... when a sport has to be stopped because "oh my gosh, it's starting to sprinkle". Quick, cover the field, protect the pitcher's mound, get the players their jackets so they stay warm... oh paahleeze!

Me... I'll take The World Cup in a heartbeat. What a beautiful sport and global event! I'll just stuff my face before and after the game, thank you very much. It truly saddens me that so many American's are missing the boat on this mega huge world event and beautiful sport.

What A Beautiful Day!

2006-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

I planned my entire week around the first World Cup match this morning (9am PST). My #2 team, Germany... is kicking things off. So anyhoo, like I said... I planned my entire week so I'd be ready to go in front of the tube at 9am. One thing leads to another (as it ALWAYS does) and I'm running late. Last on my week's to-do list is to be downtown at the printer no later then 8:30. Well... 8:40 is not too bad (I ended up missing the first 6 minutes of the opening game). I do my business and head back to my car. Ahh... I can almost feel the sofa under my ass already!

I pass a few walkerby's, say "good morning" with a smile... I'm 10 feet from my car... "Good Morning, isn't it beautiful today!" I hear from a lady behind me. I turn to greet this stranger with a quick hello and attempt to get in the car and haul ass up the hill to the waiting TV. Once I saw the smile on this woman's face I forgot all about the sofa, the TV, Germany, the World Cup and a fresh cup of coffee. Just to point out... today is overcast and chilly. Next thing I know, I'm in this full on conversation with Happy Lady about the weather and how the weather has been over the last week. How we both like overcast days as much as sunny days! A stranger might have thought we were old friends chatting on the sidewalk.

My life lesson of the day: stop and talk to people who want to listen to you... stop and talk to people who want to be listened to. Thank you Happy Lady.

Meet The Flockers

2006-05-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know if there is such a thing as a "flock" of chickens... but it worked for the title of this! Here are the chickens when they are about 3 or 4 weeks old (they were born on March 9, 2006). DS2 is taking them outside for some fresh Oregon air. We kept them in the garage under a heat lamp until they were old enough to be outside 24/7. As of today, they have been outside for about a week now and they love it! Yes... Omelet's name is misspelled in the photo. Not really misspelled... I changed the name of her spelling since that photo was taken.

Inside the chickies play yard. When we first bought our house there was a tree fort in our side yard. Kind of cool... but it was small and looked like Sergeant Schultz was up there keeping an eye on us. So... DH and DS2 tore down the tree house and built it into one big deck. The underside of the deck became a catchall for all kinds of lumber, the lawn mower, etc. So we had this big idea of enclosing it and making it the play yard for the chickies. Liberty strikes a pose for the camera (er, ah, the phone I guess).

Madison saying hello in her own special way! As the chickens were getting bigger and bigger by the day, we were running out of time to build them a coop. I didn't just want a box for them... I wanted something that was cute too. After all... it was going to be a part of our landscape. By off chance we had heard that the farm store in Battleground sold coops. Perfect! So on our way to Portland one day, we take a side trip to Battleground and voila... this is our coop! I painted it to match the house. DH and DS2 butted it up to the play yard so the chickens can go in and out as they please (during the day). DS2 rigged the sliding door into a kind of draw bridge (he's such a McGiver), so it's easy in... easy out! The coop still needs a little more work, as DS2 is adding shingles to the roof of the coop. I love to reuse and recycle... the shingles were part of a set from the movie "The Ring 2". Hopefully the coop won't be haunted.

Omelet and Poppy come to the fence to greet me. I let myself believe it's because they love me... but it's really because they hope I have some sort of treat for them. Omelet also likes my wedding ring. Oooh... sparkly... shiny... must peck at it. Omelet is Queen of the Coop. She really runs the show here. The other chickens protest her bossiness, but they always follow her rules in the end. Omelet is also fearless and thinks she's running the show for the dogs too!

Omelet is not shy either, as she is intrigued by the camera. Poppy and Snowball sit on a perch, way too A-list to have their photos taken. These photos make the play yard appear small... but it's actually quite a large space for them. I'd say it's about 10' x 12', with a large overhead space so they can fly a little. I have no doubt that in the chicken world, this is a 5 star lodging establishment! Conde Nest??? The play yard is also hilly, with big roots sicking out for perching and climbing, shady areas, sunny areas, nooks and crannies... a real fun place for them!

Portland's Rebuilding Center

2006-05-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

OK, nothing to do with chickens. In fact... life does not evolve around my chickies... but they are so darn cute! Anyhoo... last Saturday we FINALLY went to the Rebuilding Center in Portland. What a cool place! Not only do they sell salvage... the building itself is a piece of art... all from salvage! If my dad lived up here I bet he'd be visiting the center every weekend! Oh the treasures to be found here!

Walls of windows... made from windows! Walls of walls... made from walls! This is a Recycling Nazi's utopia! So anyhoo... we finally make the visit to the center. DH had an appointment at OHSU on a SATURDAY, so we pack up the car (snacks, drinks, quilting) and go with him. After the appointment, we search for the center. Not only do we find it with ease (ahem, I was driving)... we discover this cool neighborhood it's in! The Portland neighborhood known as the Mississippi District. Kind of a mini Berekely! Very ARTSY... Sans the FARTSY!!! Countless outdoor cafes (my fave) and cool little shops. DH was less enthused... but what can I say... he's a Washatonian! <--- Ok... that was nasty of me. I have lots of friends who are Washatonian's, and heck... I even married one! It's just in my California nature to make a comment like that. My apologies to anyone who was not blessed with being born in California. <--- There I go again! I must stop.

BTW... photos were taken with my phone. Not bad, eh. I swear (shit, damn, bitch), my phone takes better photos then my camera!

Post de jour

2006-04-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

Short n sweet bio:
Monica Solorio-Snow in Astoria, Oregon (via Honolulu, Hawai'i via Walnut Creek & Orinda, California). One DH, two DS's (15 & 26) and one DIL (31), one GD (5), mom and dad, brother and SIL, two Golden Retrievers (Liberty & Madison), six chickens (Omlet, Poppy, Jorgie, Pepper, Trixie and Snowball).

Quilter, designer, Shop Quilter (I make shop samples), PatternSmither, Redworker/stitcher, crafter, TV spud, veteran, 1930's frabriholic, NPR fan, lunch muncher, Blue State proud and class clown. My dream job is to be a cartoon voice or a voice model, other then that... I'm living my dream life. Well... my dream life has my oldest son, my daughter in-law and my granddaughter living in the Oregon instead of Australia. THAT is my dream life!

If I keep updating this... it will no longer be short and sweet!

eMail:
thehappyzombie AT gmail DOT com
Website:
TheHappyZombie.com