whaddya know

I saw and bought the recently published biography of odd ball photographer, Diane Arbus. Did you know that her husband Allan, the one who introduced her to photography, who nutured her talent and when they divorced, her new freedom became the catalystic moment that pushed her to follow her urges to photograph the subjects she became famous for was none other than Dr. Sidney Freedman, the psychiatrist on MASH?

How curious.

looking forward to the new year

aspirations 1, originally uploaded by smoooch.

I haven't forgotten your goodies

A while ago I posted a little something fun where I encourgaed my fearless readers to leave a comment and thus win a prize. Surprisingly only 3 people responded and pone of them was my sister. So, the lucky receipients of something fun are:

Majicj: You'll have to get in touch as you're blogger profile is not shared. 5 words that describe you would be helpful.

Mary-LUE- thanks for the 5 words too.

& Catherine

Last but not least, I held a contest in November to encourage people to leave comments. I drew a name and awarded a prize but decided to award a secondary prize for the person you commented the most. Darlene was the big talker and she has been waiting an insane amount of time for her winning item which she voted for something handmade..

Well this weekend, I will devote my time to sending off these last gifts before the new year strikes. If you are Majicj or Mary-LUE please make sure to get in touch with me via justajill@hotmail.com

hook me up

A little hobby of mine has grabbed my attention again. A little hook thing called crochet (that I tend to spell crotchet by accident a lot!). I recently aquired the really popular addition to the Stitch & Bitch collection of Debbie Stoller (thanks Todd!) called The Happy Hooker.

That actually makes calling it crotchet even funnier.

Apart from that I will occasionally look at crochet links, whilst trying to avoid granny squares and other geriatric activities in search of inspirational projects, ideas, and knowledge. While brousing Crochet Me, I stumbled upon the project to end all projects..

The 40 grand white crochet chair. The crotchet work has been dipped in epoxy and then molded to create an open airy form. Click on the image to see it bigger.


Seriously, wouldn't you just get monstrous if anybody walked near it with red wine or say a bucket of navy blue paint?

More on my crochet projects later.. I'm off to get white cashmere yarn to make a hammock...

don't forget the young'ins

Well, I hope you all had a fantastic and enjoyable Christmas with your friends and families. I hope you found new things to enjoy in each other rather than new things to hate. I know I did. I hope you all received shiny pieces of silver wrapped in pretty blue boxes with white ribbon or received shiny new gadgets of fun and amusment(some of which may brew the perfect coffee for one and can be set to do so in advance.) Maybe some of you received many fragrant baths, one of a kind mugs and matching honey pots for hot tea on cold nights, or warm woolen scarves or sweaters made of the finest quality fibers. Some of you maybe received good basic and ever useful cold hard cash. Whatever Santa brought you, I hope you had a very happy holiday. Now for you, members of sovereign nations of the commonwealth (and the rest of you), I present you the Queen's Christmas Speech...

"I have lived long enough to know that things never remain quite the same for very long. One of the things that has not changed all that much for me is the celebration of Christmas. It remains a time when I try to put aside the anxieties of the moment and remember that Christ was born to bring peace and tolerance to a troubled world.

The birth of Jesus naturally turns our thoughts to all new-born children and what the future holds for them. The birth of a baby brings great happiness - but then the business of growing up begins. It is a process that starts within the protection and care of parents and other members of the family - including the older generation. As with any team, there is strength in combination: what grandparent has not wished for the best possible upbringing for their grandchildren or felt an enormous sense of pride at their achievements?

But the pressures of modern life sometimes seem to be weakening the links which have traditionally kept us together as families and communities. As children grow up and develop their own sense of confidence and independence in the ever-changing technological environment, there is always the danger of a real divide opening up between young and old, based on unfamiliarity, ignorance or misunderstanding.

It is worth bearing in mind that all of our faith communities encourage the bridging of that divide. The wisdom and experience of the great religions point to the need to nurture and guide the young, and to encourage respect for the elderly. Christ himself told his disciples to let the children come to him, and Saint Paul reminded parents to be gentle with their children, and children to appreciate their parents. The scriptures and traditions of the other faiths enshrine the same fundamental guidance. It is very easy to concentrate on the differences between the religious faiths and to forget what they have in common - people of different faiths are bound together by the need to help the younger generation to become considerate and active citizens.

And there is another cause for hope that we can do better in the future at bridging the generation gap. As older people remain more active for longer, the opportunities to look for new ways to bring young and old together are multiplying.

As I look back on these past twelve months, marked in particular for me by the very generous response to my eightieth birthday, I especially value the opportunities I have had to meet young people. I am impressed by their energy and vitality, and by their ambition to learn and to travel.

It makes me wonder what contribution older people can make to help them realise their ambitions. I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little grand-daughter the other day "Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?" Whilst that may be going a bit far, the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable. Such advice and comfort are probably needed more often than younger people admit or older people recognise. I hope that this is something that all of us, young or old, can reflect on at this special time of year.

For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of our Saviour, but it is also a wonderful occasion to bring the generations together in a shared festival of peace, tolerance and goodwill.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas together."

And for more monarchy musings check out the Queen's other Christmas speeches. like this choice quote from 1952. Shows how much the Christmas speech has changed.

"Each Christmas, at this time, my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you, who are now my people.

As he used to do, I am speaking to you from my own home, where I am spending Christmas with my family; and let me say at once how I hope that your children are enjoying themselves as much as mine are on a day which is especially the children's festival, kept in honour of the Child born at Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago."

santa came early

not for breakfast but a wee bit earlier, originally uploaded by smoooch.

reflections in red blue and gold

reflections in red blue and gold, originally uploaded by smoooch.

go on get elfie

Go visit this link provided by Ally G and get elfie

died and gone to the soupbowl heaven

Just what I need: a whole blog dedicated to soup.

just in time for the holidays

This may be one of the more bizarre and unusual websites I have come across recently and naturally I thought I would share it with you dear faithful reader and Sonia (remember that day at Dress Sew?) who drops in from time to time. Don't worry. It's OK. Don't be ashamed to admit you have lagged behind on your Christmas gifts. Fear no more. Tampon Crafts is here. And if you don't celebrate Christmas brouse through the ideas. You might find something that tickles your fancy. Like this. Complete with a very clever how to.

Congratulations! You have been named Time Magazine's person of the year!

Yah you heard right. It's you and me, baby.

Instead of the big gun, the hero, the agitator, or the mighty and the powerful, the person of the year, this year, is the rest of us. The everyday day people playing knock knock who's there with an internet connection. The people blogging, posting, lurking, devising, sharing, connecting, and learning, commenting and conversing with other people. If you are reading this then you are Time's person of the year.

Three cheers for you!

gaggle of elfin

gaggle of elfin, originally uploaded by smoooch.

to live by

A few days ago I posted a link to Leslie Harpold's Advent Calander. I think I first found them a few years ago through Heather Champ's photoblog and before I had internet in my home. Back then, I'd bundle up from the cold December wind to walk the few blocks to the closest connection. I'd pay a buck for 15 minutes and go see the new days that were "opened" up along the calender. There was always something fun to do, something interesting to read and a cool link. I always ended up walking home with 5 dollars less because I would stay and look through everything. I noticed this time the new posts weren't yet up, it'd been a few days too. People get busy, I thought. Sadly, it turns out Ms. Harpold passed away suddenly. I didn't know her, but I loved her Advent Calenders.

I found this quote while reading some of the tributes on the net, from a letter that she had written to herself during a difficult time..

"My advice to you is this: make something you love. You love to make things, feel best when you're creating something you feel has value, even if only to you. Tap into the vein again, as many tries as it takes. Find that place where the world blurs by, and it's just you and and your project in pure creation mode."

Words to live by and I hope her friends and family make it through this difficult time.

goodies for you

Grabbed off this lovely website.

"The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of art made by me. The only catch, of course: as with most memes, if you sign up, you have to put this in your own blog as well."

I will hold you to it if you have a blog. If you don't, well what can I do, but please keep the giving going if you can. Tis the season. What will it be? One of my limited edition photocards. tell me 5 words that descibe you and i'll pick a card especially for you and mail it off.

how odd.

paper cuts scare me

Are you all thumbs when you're faced with a sheet of paper and a roll of tape? Does your heart palpitated and blood pressure rise when it comes to tying ribbon bows? Does the thought of wrapping presents wrap you up in a cold sweat. Here's help. Just get a peice of cloth and call it a day.

Don't forget to check out Leslie Harpold's annual Advent Calender.

Merry Merry

variations on squash

This recipe taken from this website is much better when you alter it slightly:

Ingredients:
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (change this to 1 1/2 cups of butternut squash and sweet potatoe)
2 Jonathan or Macintosh apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted
Add 1 tsp of minced ginger and a dash of pepper.
Serve with fried fennel sausages and onions.


Directions:

Stem squash and sweet potatoe for 15 minutes or until tender. Remove from steamer and set aside.

Combine apples, cranberries, ginger and sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Cook 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Add apple mixture to squash and potatoe. Cook 4 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Stir in melted butter and pepper & salt to taste and toss. Serve with sausages and onions.

all squashed out

I know exactly how she feels.

more uses for squash alternatively titled "my skin might start to turn a shade of orange."

Come and kill me.

I have a whole butternut squash to eat minus the 1/4 of it that went into yesterday's soup. Exactly what nutrient requirements are being met by eating so much. Vitamin C hopefully. Please god let vitamin B be one. I could use that one. How bout some iron? Mom, can you confirm?

Today's recipe was found randomly off the internet by googling 'squash recipe'. and I found it here . And you'll see that the squash's dancing partner, the apple, is also making a return.




Ta da.

veganlicious

Taken from one of my favorite cookbooks, "How it all Vegan" by Tanya Barnard & Sarah Kramer. They also wrote the intriguing and enticing, " In the Garden of Vegan".

Those clever girls with their clever cookbook names. Tanya has a website for further info.

Sweet Potato, Squash and Apple Soup

1 medium onion chopped
1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups vegetable stock (actual recipe calls for 2 but I think it was a typo as 4 worked much better)
2 cups butternut squash*
2 cups sweet potatoe or yams, peeled and diced
2-3 medium apples. cored, peeled and diced (I added 2 ripe pears and 2 apples)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

In a large soup pot, saute onions in oil on medium high until translucent. Add stock, squash, sweet potatoe or yam, apples, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Book says to take 2 ladles worth of vegetables and 1 ladle of stock and blend together in a blender or food processor until smooth, but I blended it all. Makes 4-6 servings. I might go back and add some carrots and ginger or adjust the seasonings. I kind of like pepper. A lot.

Yummy yummy on a rainy wintery Vancouver Sunday.

*But really what do you do with the left over butternut squash?

you derserve a thanks

Thanks to everyone who decides to spend some part of their day with More Kisses Please. We all should have more kisses and I'm glad you're getting some visiting this little blog.

Thank You!!

making marijuana (read: catnip)mice

Supplies:
peice of felt
table, cutting board and cutting wheel
pattern peices
sewing machine
later: catnip, peice of thin cord, embroidery thread and a sewing needle.

Cut 1- bottom, 2-sides, 2-ears.
Get ready to sew.






Sew ears about a 1/3 of the way across the body. Sew both ears on and make sure you have them on the right side of the felt. Longer and more slender side of the side peices is the nose. I personally enjoy a zig zag stich with low stitch length on this project.



Sew up the top seam of the 2 sides. leave a one inch space on the top (see where my finger is poking in?). You'll need this for stuffing later.





Sew the "body" to the base, lining up the edges as you go. Careful when you get to the "bum".






Insert tail of slim cord and sew over. Backstitch a few times for strength. Continue to sew base completly.






Stuff poly-fill in the nose and tail and body. Leave a little bit of room for cat nip.






I know this looks like marijuana (mom, I swear it's not). Put a little bit in a bit of stuffing and roll up.






Insert rolled up bundle of marijuana, oops catnip into the mouse. If you need to put more stuffing on top, please do.






Sew up the stash entry port.







With a little bit of embroidery thread, stitch on some eyes and thread loops through the nose. Tie off and cut for whiskers. Immediatly entice you cat into a frenzy with the pleasing aroma of herb emiting from inside.




Ruby, my lovely cat and part time model becomes quickly aquainted with her new toy.






They become fast friends and live happily ever after.

"Wasn't she in Lord of the Rings?"

We met on the church's cold stone steps at 5. A small gaggle of people gathered nearby. The heavy wooden doors blocking our entrance. As time passes, more people gather down the steps to the curb and then streak down Burrard like an art school admissions parade. The door opens at 7 and we're determined to get good seats.

At about 6pm a man comes out to inform the crowd to not smoke on the church steps and that the other door would be the one opened. Access to this was of course hindered by a steel railing. You could hear the hipsters suck in their breath as the thought that their space in line to see the harp playing elf creature known as Joanna Newsom, might be lost in the mad scramble to move from one side of the railing to the other. Lucklily, the no smoking man and his booming voice intervened.

However, that didn't stop the subtle and casual inching and manouvering towards the door. Even from me. Being determined to keep my spot and thus eventually score good seats, I was gently reminded that I was going to go see someone who played a harp. But isn't Anthrax opening? I asked.

Once inside and safely seated in our front row pew, we than began the tedious wait for the elfin creature to emerge. Hipsters and art school afficiandos and various stages of in betweens surrounded us. A diminutive Liza Minelli and her Foxy Cleopatra companion repeatedly walked past us. With the observation of stylish accessories, scarves that matched the boot and barrets to match the earring and cell phone combo, I secretly concluded they must have just left fashion design classses to attend tonight's perfomance. A few other observations were made and finally our long wait was beginning to show sign of being over.

A man dressed in the fashion faux pas of white jeans (after labor day, really!) and a blue check shirt. He had a lovely voice but damned if I know who he was. So we sat and politely listened. Cramped in our little wooded pews, bored into glancing through the hymn book, we endured for the spritely songbird to appear. And then he said he had 39 more songs to go. Clearly he could also hear the polite but strained applause and the shifting of figedity bums.

After he left without ever announcing his name, I began to wonder if he was a lovely busker found on the city streets and invited to come down. We endured the wait once more. And I openly wondered if Ms. Newsom wasn't out shopping on Robson. Packed like lemmings into tiny little tin cans we sat. Mumuring amongst ourselves, silently passing judgement on our fellow brethren. Then without a noise a wee little mouse dressed in a strange little costume possibly borrowed from an art school fashion drafting classmate friend sat down behind her harp. Her pointy elfin ears covered by long wisps of golden flax for hair. The crowed hushed and then clapped and the concert, long awaited began.

joanna newsom, originally uploaded by sushiesque.

My only regret was that I didn't bring my camera. I assumed it wouldn't be OK.

rock out

Just sitting here eating my oatmeal and blueberries this morning when I found the funniest thing I have seen in a very long time. Click on the little video and prepare to be rocked.

memories from last night

"It's like there is a whole generation of kids that are saying, 'I just HAVE to have an individual identity, or I'LL DIE.'"

"I don't get that comb to the front- Ceasar thing, you know. Sometimes I see these styles and I think to myself, 'What are you fucking thinking?'"

in the inbox

Jill of morekissesplease.com, you have been randomly and scientifically chosen to receive a prize for completing NaBloPoMo '06!

I'd also like to list you with the other prizewinners on Monday, but let me know if you'd rather not be mentioned.

Thanks for sticking with it, and thank you both for helping to make the very first BloMo challenge the brain-addling experience that it was.

Hooray!


Yah!! I hardly ever win things. Whoo hoo!!

Janis Joplin - Ball and Chain

Need no introduction..just wow.

the first day in December means

It's only 30 days until the new year.
Only 24 days till Christmas.
And NaBloPoMo is officially over and so is my contest.

Otherwise known as National Blog Posting Month. And I survived it. Accomplished it. A blog posting for everyday in November. And this was no small feat when you travel to Dallas and stay in a hotel with a very weak wireless signal!! It was all started by a blog called Fussy. You can see the list of participants here..I'm in there somewhere under M. I also held a little contest of my own to encourage comments.Congratulations to Ally. She happened to stay in my apartment while I went on the little excursion to the the Big D and posted a little comment on this post to thank me. But I have decided to give a 2nd consolation prize to the person who posted the most comments and that was Black Daisies. Ironically, she lives in my hometown of Edmonton.

Thanks to everyone else (you know who you are) who left comments. I hope you come back and leave even more..

Bono's message for World AIDS Day


Make red your favorite color

snow princess in a swan boat

window 3, originally uploaded by smoooch.

Inspired by Christine's post about planning a trip to NYC, I went back and looked at my photos. It was almost this time last year when I ran away to NY, didn't tell anyone where I was really going to visit with someone who turned out not to really care as much as I thought they did.

While it was sad and cold and rainy, I did explore the city a little bit more than I had before.

Highlights:

Christmas shop windows on 5th ave
Top of the Rock was open
fabled Tiffany's on 5th Ave and the little pendant bought that came in the iconic blue box and white ribbon
Realizations and revelations that while NY is fantastic and glorious, it does not contain a home for me.

My NYC photos can be seen on Flickr.
May 2005
Dec 2005

danger- snow has fallen

danger- snow has fallen, originally uploaded by smoooch.

only 2 days left

head's up, faithful follower or one time lurker of More Kisses Please. I'm running a little contest encouraging delurking and more importantly, comments.

From Nov 10:

For every comment I receive from YOU, I will enter your name into a draw for either:

$25 US or Canadian Gift Certificate for Lush Cosmetics, redeemable only in stores.
or
$15 in an ITune or Amazon.com Gift Certificate
or
A specially made with love embroidery and a photo card from my collection of photos, enscribed with some kind words of thoughtfulness by yours truly.

You post a comment, you get entered in the draw. Every comment gets an entry. You win, you pick your prize. Postage and handling included, if required. Friends, family and strangers all equally qualify. All comments must be from November 06 and previously posted comments in November count.

Go read, go comment.

a lovely Vancouver

Here's a lovely webcam view of vancouver, currently under a blanket of snow, updated avery 15 minutes.

in lieu of snow photos

in the pot, originally uploaded by smoooch.

2 1/2 pounds of lean, boneless beef chuck, cut into 1" cubes
1 large onion
6 carrots, diced
2 turnips, diced
6-10 new potatoes, quartered
2 cups pearl onions, peeled
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (totally optional, yuck.)
2 1/2 cups beef stock
2 1/2 cups red wine
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
bit of butter
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

Prep:

Trim and cut beef into 1 inch chunks
Chop onions
Wash and scrub carrots, turnips and potatoes
Cut carrots and turnips into chunks, and quarter potatoes
Peel pearl onions by quickly boiling, drain and rinse
Measure beef stock and red wine, keep seperate
Mince garlic

Method:

In skillet, saute the beef chunk in the vegetable oil until brown on all sides. Season with salt & pepper to taste. When finished, transfer to large cooking pot.

Add onions, carrots and turnips to skillet, add sugar and cook over medium high heat for approximatly 8 minutes. Remove the vegetables and reserve in a large bowl.

Optional part: In a bit of butter saute mushrooms over medium high heat for approximately 10 minutes. Transfer to the reserved vegetables. Or not.

have a swig of wine and add the measured to the skillet, scrap up sides, then add the beef stock. Whisk in tomato paste and rosemary. Cook for a couple of minutes and add to pot with meat.

Add potatoes and garlic to the meat and cooking liquid. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

Add remaining reserved vegetables, half the chopped parsley and continue cooking for approximately 30-45 minutes or until the meat is tender.

Ganish with remaining parsley.

Serve with another bottle of red wine and a nice loaf of french bread.

stew, originally uploaded by smoooch.

documentary

I found this blog of a girl in Florida who, because she turned 30, she is posting a photograph every day for one year. She's on day 38. You can watch her progress here.

It snowed hard.

snowy road, originally uploaded by rinlee.

not my photo but I thought it was lovely. You can more of this photographer here...http://www.flickr.com/photos/shameless/

knuckled

lovesick, originally uploaded by smoooch.

Noticed this yesterday as I stopped into Joe's Cafe on Commercial Drive for a hot coffee in effort to steel myself against the onslaught of freaky weather. (see below, and might I add I am not the slightest bit homesick for the weather common to Albverta and other eastern locales. This is the coast. This snow is wrong.) And since I I feel drawn to photograph words like "love" or "kiss" and things like that, I did. There was a friend with Hero Zero on his knuckles. You can see it here and here.

Thanks to both of them for letting me invade for photographic evidence.

not right

This is snow. Lots of it. In Vancouver. One word. Wrong.

IMGP3668, originally uploaded by smoooch.

group therapy

group therapy, originally uploaded by smoooch.

I printed this as a Christmas Card, among others. My sister, Catherine, was over yesterday and while giving each one a title I came up with this one.

Alternatively called "Competition".

transported

transport, originally uploaded by smoooch.

I love the old rusty trucks abandoned in the field imagery so much. Today while checking out the ARC building as part of the Crawl, I saw a similar shot but during the day and in a blustering wheat field with puffy clouds against a blue sky. It was better. Although it wasn't exactly for sale, it's now mine.

This pleases me.

allegedly

allegedly, originally uploaded by smoooch.

By the way, yesterday was the 43rd anniversary of JFK's passing and the start of many conspiracy theories. Many of which are still being feverishly discussed as though it happened yesterday.

on your hands and knees for art

Do you live in Vancouver? Near Vancouver? I hope so because if you do you could be one of millions currently enjoying (read: enduring) the city wide water ban. What does this mean? It's not so much a big deal, you just can't drink the tap water. Well, you can, but you have to boil it first. Big deal. I personally stopped drinking tap water a long time ago after I saw the mysterious pink stains in the sink and tub from a persistent water drip and have the convenience of a month's worth of filtered water in a 19 litre jug. Clearly I do not drink the required 8 glasses a day.

However, that is not the reason why I'm hoping you are in the Vancouver area. It's not the rain, nor the wind, nor the mucky bran flake like muck on the streets thanks to fallen leaves and torrential rains. It's not the stellar mountain views or the quirky neighborhoods either. The real reason is this weekend is the 10th anniversary of the Eastside Culture Crawl.

A record 47 buildings are involved and god knows how many artists, but..wow..it should be gales of fun.

"The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual 3-day November/December event that involves artists who live in Vancouver's Eastside in an area bounded by Main St., 1st Ave., Commercial Drive, and the Waterfront. Painters, jewellers, sculptors, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, potters, writers, printmakers, photographers, glassblowers; from emerging artists to those of international fame... these are just a sampling of the exciting talents featured during this unique chance to meet local artists in their studios."

Now get out and support your local artist and don't forget your local crafter either.

It's a good thing I get paid this week.

get this in your head

Oh my.. this is too much. Go look. And I'm sorry. Truly.

you found me how?

I love to see how people find my website. It's often very entertaining. It's bonkers how many people google "How to build a paper lantern" and find my easy step by step instructions. I really feel I have done a public service there and helped the world illuminate through paper lanterns a little bit easier.

Other common and pleasing searches include various looksee's for Janis Joplin, and umn..boobs. One search that found me, did so by combining the two and mispelling photos as phoots. PHOOTS BOOB Janis. Go figure.

I also get a lot of hits from "lipoma below collarbone" which hits this post. I wrote, "Incidentally Lipoma surgery is the #1 reported out-patient surgery in the United States, so I'm not alone." Clearly not.

But today I got a hit that made me laugh and made me write about the weird and wonderful ways someone finds this blog. Someone in Mattoon, Illinois googled "easy to find marijuana in vancouver? 2006".

Are they coming to visit? Do they know the local hangouts? Will they get ripped off by some shady character downtown? Who knows, but I hope they found what they were looking for.

Tell me, how did you get here and did you find what you were looking for?

10 random blogs participating on the National Blog Posting Month, aka NaBloPoMo

Stick Bunny
Redolence
Color me Blue
Ice Cream Mama
I Rant Therefore I am
Yoga Gumbo
Hula Seventy
Drive By Booking
The Pre-Read
Jabbering in my Jammies

Enjoy. Leave comments. All Bloggers love comments. except for Charlotte Gill who doesn't allow them. Bah.

childhood dreams delivered

Wow.

"Open up your very own pretend play tattoo parlor. This easy-to-use tattoo maker kit includes an electronic tattoo pen and funky stencils. Using soft, safe pulsating action, the tattoo pen creates realistic, washable designs with dramatic effects. Requires two AA batteries (not included)."


The website reccomends this for 6-12 year olds. I 'm speechless at how along with instilling a sense of respect for permanent body adornification (insert sarcasm here), it also pushes home phonetics by calling itself the GR8 TaT2 Maker. How bizarre. Be sure to read the equally puzzling comments.

I honestly can't believe this one is for real or can I honestly imaging how bizarre my childhood would have been like had my parents allowed me to have one.

make a masterpeice

Here's a little something I found while surfing the blogs out there. While I think it would be, of course, a good idea to put my own creation up, I have ot admit, the half way mark of NaBloPoMo has caought me a little lazy..maybe tomorrow. But have fun. Participate in my contest with comments by leaving yours instead.

no monkeying around

What's lightweight, compact, portable, bendable, wrappable, grippable, and gorilla fun!

This is the coolest gadget ever. From Joby- the Gorillapod.

This inspires me to attach my camera to trees, to rest on uneven rock gardens, to mount to the curvaceous Henry Moore sculpture and to not be afraid of lugging around a tripod which I almost never do because the usual tripod is bulky and heavy and awkward. Too cool. And check out the funny video on the website.

Gorrillapod + Chair, originally uploaded by Phutta.

grr its friday and raining and I feel glum

grafitti tunnel in Deep Ellum, originally uploaded by smoooch.

a rose by any other name smells just as sweet?

IMGP3638, originally uploaded by smoooch.

A native of Texas, Arizona and other hot dry climates, the Rose of Jericho or Ressurection Plant, was an easy souvenir from my recent stay in Texas due to its unique and seemingly magical qualities.

The image at the top is how I bought the plant. It will apparently stay rolled up in this ball for years and years and years. It will literally stay that way until you put it in a bowl of shallow water where it will unfurl itself, turn green and sprout small white flowers. The picture below is from 1 day in a bowl of water.

Magically, if you remove the plant from water it will dry out and roll itself back into a ball to be stored again until you put it back in water. In a sense, it is the plant that never dies. Naturally, when I received my declaration card for customs, where it asks you if you are bringing back any plants or fruits and vegetables, I said no in fear that they would take this little gem away.

open, originally uploaded by smoooch.

Further reading can be found here

The red neon pegasus of the Magnolia Bldg

I found this incredible graffiti'd tunnel north of the Dallas city centre in an area called Deep Ellum. Does anybody know what this symbol is from? It looks really familiar.

update: Thanks Christine!! The Magnolia Bldg! I drove all over downtown Sunday night trying in vain to get a shot of the Red Neon Pegasus. I didn't know why it was affiliated with Dallas, until now.

Le Baiser (The Kiss)

Le Baiser (The Kiss), originally uploaded by smoooch.

One of many that Brancusi created. Another version sits in Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris, marking the grave of Tania Rachevski, a 16 year old girl who took her own life.

it'll do ya good

Southern Lady #1: Well back then, yuh know, we'd fry our bacon first and then, yuh know fry our eggs and grits right after in the same juices cuz ya'll know it tasted better. But know we'all know better to not do that now. All that grease, it's bad for you.

Southern Lady #2: Oh the hell with that! Every psychic in the world will tell you you're going to die one day. I say have a little something something every now and then.

oh the places I've been..

And that concludes my visit to Dallas Texas. It's been just a smash up good time.
Here's a few link of the things I've seen and the places I went.

The Dallas Museum of Art- great sheaves of wheat exhibit.
The Nasher Sculpture Gallery- where I found a version of Brancusi's Kiss (currently on the masthead)
Sean Fitzgerald Photography-hosted the wedding reception I was invited to.
Pioneer Plaza
Dealey Plaza- link complete with live webcam. I could go out there right now and wave, but would you be watching?
Northpark Mall- had a little party in one of the stores which will of course remain nameless.

umm? maybe not

While, I have found the characters of Sasha Baron Cohen funny. You know like Ali G and the gay fashion reporter from Austria and sometimes even Borat. I'm not sure I'll go see the movie and I'm not sure if you want to either. If you're humming an hawing..check out these two reasons why you should spend you money elseware.

Reason # 1

Reason #2

Dealey Plaza

me: Well you know, it's arguably one of the most pivotal moments in US political history.

him: Well YEAH. It's, you know, in my opinion, its bigger than Jesus Christ getting killed.

me (changing the subject): Is that the grassy knoll?

him: No, that's it over there. See that cross on the road? That's right where it happened. I put that there. See that picket fence over by the grassy knoll? That's where the shooter was. There's a storm drain behind there and whoever shot him slipped down there and clear done got away.

me: Oh, is that so? I'll have to go take a look.

him: Are you going to go now, because if you are, I'll go with you.

nickname

of wisdom, originally uploaded by smoooch.

Pearl was the name Janis Joplin wanted to be known by. Just before she died, she was apparently sick of being Janis and would often tell people, "Call me Pearl from now on." Maybe that's why she named her last album Pearl. So, naturally, while I was driving around Dallas and I saw this little corner bar with a band set up, I pulled over and went in. I should have had a shot of Southern Comfort in tribute.

know it- The Big D

- settled in 1841
- 9th largest city in the US
- population is 1,083,508 and growing
- entire Dallas/Fort Worth has combined population of 5,037,345
- 7-Eleven stores started in Dallas 1922 (WHO KNEW!!). Now in 18 countries worldwide.
- the first shopping center with stores surrounding a central parking area opened in in Dallas in 1931.
- first drive-up bank window.
- first frozen margarita was invented by a Dallas restauranteur, Mariano Martinez, in 1971.
- Barney, the lovable purple dinosaur, comes from Dallas area.
- has the largest wholesale merchandise mart in the world.
- is the top visitor destination in Texas
- has more restaurants per capita than New York city (Holy shit, that's alot of restaurants, I wonder what the stats are for serving staff? Has more waiters per capita than any US city?)
- has more shopping centers per capita than any city in the United States. (more shoppers than anywhere in the US as well? SDe below)
- has the largest fashion and marketing center in the South and one of the top convention destinations in the US. (I believe this wholeheartedly. I have seen 3 already)
- has the third busiest airport in the WORLD.
- has the world's largest bronze monument located at Pioneer Plaza
- Home of the Ewing ranch,Southfork. Dallas was the one show that brought my mother, sister and I together at the same time. That and Mash.
- was witness to, what might be argued as the single most pivotal moment in US political history, the assasination of JFK.
-and last but not least: chicken gravy is served at breakfast with bisquits.

delurking bribes

I grabbed an idea off another blog.. I can't remember which one.. but it was a good idea and I've decided to put it to work.

Since I am participating in NaBloPoMo, which means I promise to blog at least once a day for everyday in Novemeber, I have decided:

For every comment I receive from YOU, I will enter your name into a draw for either:

$25 US or Canadian Gift Certificate for Lush Cosmetics, redeemable only in stores.
or
$15 in an ITune or Amazon.com Gift Certificate
or
A specially made with love embroidery and a photo card from my collection of photos, enscribed with some kind words of thoughtfulness by yours truly.

You post a comment, you get entered in the draw. Every comment gets an entry. You win, you pick your prize. Postage and handling included, if required. Friends, family and strangers all equally qualify. All comments must be from November 06 and previously posted comments in November count.

OK people, get those comments rolling in- YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!

Good luck.

the big D

Pioneer Plaza 7, originally uploaded by smoooch.

You know what they say.. everything is bigger in Texas. And I've found it to be true. Today I arrived in Dallas, Texas and saw the biggest flag of the United States I have ever seen. In fact, I almost thougth it was the biggest flag ever until I noticed the bigger one of the state of Texas flapping behind it. If I wasn't going 120 down an unfamiliar 8 lane freeway, I would have stopped to photograph it.

Instead, I went to Pioneer Plaza which boast the world's largest monument in bronze. 40 larger than life longhorn steers are herded by 3 larger than life cowboys on horseback.

"From the 1840's until right after the Civil War, cattle, mostly longhorn from south Texas ranches, were driven along the Shawnee Trail to northern markets in St. Joseph and St. Louis, Missouri. The Shawnee was the first trail of its kind in Texas and marked the beginning of an era that would make cattle the number one agricultural product in the Texas economy. The Shawnee Trail crossed near the site of Pioneer Plaza and proceeded up the Preston Trail (now Preston Road) to the Red River then turning northeast to Missouri."

You can see all my photos of Pioneer Plaza here.

Pioneer Plaza 10, originally uploaded by smoooch.

48 things

1. FIRST NAME?
Jillian

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I heard a rumor about a stranger's baby named Andrea Jillian. Mom- any truth?

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
When I was feeling overwhelmed with my new apartment, painting the kitchen alone and my boyfriend had just left for the UK and I was irrationally thinking I would always be alone.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Most of the time.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Turkey with left over cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving on thick homemade brown bread.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes. But I’d be jealous of my nimble fingers. See this post.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
This is it.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes. Thanks Mom. She doesn't believe children need to be seperated from their tonsils.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Yes, by slowly climbing off the edge and hanging by the fingers until I just simply couldn't hold on any longer. Then I would scream.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Porridge with berries.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Depends if they have shoelaces.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Only when I remember that I got to Paris at 11pm and found a hostel in a deserted area north of the city. I was terrified but I did it and now it's a measure to remind myself I can move through the fear.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Coffee.

14. SHOE SIZE?
7 and a half

5. RED OR PINK?
Red. Blood red.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My inability to delay gratification.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My maternal grandfather. Hands down.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Only if they want to.

19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Patched jeans, a lime green sweater, white socks and cream leather Deisel runners.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
A pomagranate.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Jeffery Gaines, A Hero In Me on satellite radio in the office. Blogging on a break.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Blue-grey

23. FAVOURITE SMELL?
Peonies after a spring rain.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My mother.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
The way they walk.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM?
I like her blog.

27. FAVOURITE DRINK?
Southern Comfort on ice. Hot chocolate and Baileys. Chocolate Rooiboos with milk.

28. FAVOURITE SPORT?
Gymnastics to watch. Croquet, maybe.

29. EYE COLOUR?
Blue but my right eye is half brown.

30. HAT SIZE?
Average.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No. My whole family wears glasses except me.

32. FAVOURITE FOOD?
Chicken and potatoes, pumpkin pie, eggs benedict.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings all the way.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Spring.

36. HUGS OR KISSES?
Depends who’s offering.

37. FAVOURITE DESSERT?
Something my mom makes or Creme Brulee and Creme Carmel, warm pumpkin pie and fresh cream.

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Who knows.

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
The lurkers.

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
A book on Swiss Ball excercises. I'd like to have "The Son of a Witch" by the guy who wrote Wicked.

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
nothing. It's boring.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
CSI Miami

43. FAVOURITE SOUNDS?
Cat purring, silence, jazz from the 40's, tea kettles.

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?
Beatles.

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Isle of Skye, Scotland

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
I have nimble fingers.

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Red Deer Regional Hospital, Red Deer, Alberta.

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
No one. I found it on a blog.

25 things

1. He doesn't spit in public.
2. He doesn't litter.
3. He doesn't yell.
4. He doesn't make me pay for everything.
5. He doesn't hardly ever get mad.
6. He's not mean spirited.
7. He rubs my back for a long time if I want him too.
8. He pays every other time, no matter what we're doing.
9. He is a good kisser.
10. He is funny and makes me laugh.
11. He is gentle and loving.
12. He is considerate to others.
13. He looks after my things for me if I'm away and buys me flowers when I come home.
14. He's creative and clever and handy with a drill.
15. He can fix things and put up shelves.
16. He's thoughtful and generous.
17. He's a great movie mate with lots of cuddling.
18. He makes a mean cup of cocoa.
19. He's smart as a whip.
20. He's taller than me and blond. This is not so important, but I like it.
21. He likes to dance. We need to go out dancing more.
22. He plays with my cat.
23. He has an accent. Same with #20. Not so important, but I like it.
24. He is a kind hearted person.
25. He is my boyfriend.

speaking of crafts

Speaking of crafts, if you live in the Vancouver area and especially Commercial Drive, another craft fair is coming your way. But isn't it anyways, since so is Christmas? Anyways, chin up, this one is cool.

Head down to I Heart Crafts on Nov 25th at the Legion hall on 7th and Commercial. I'm a crafter so I heavily encourage you to support your local handy dander, go to the sales, and give the gift of homemade gifts by either making them yourself or paying someone who is more talented than you. I mean that in the most nicest possible way. Not everyone is Miss Nimble Fingers, you know.



Today's NaBloPoMo links:
An Open Cupboard
French Toast Girl
Knitorious

ambitions in embroidery

embroid, originally uploaded by smoooch.

Small and dainty, the french knot is a very effective and beautiful embroidery stitch. It's the small blue dots in the picture. and a seemingly easy one to do. It's a knot. How hard could it be? Not so hard but holy time consuming. I spent 5 hours on French Knots today. That's about 350. And I'm not done. And it's only one pillowcase. I have yet to do its matching pair.

Todays NaBloPoMo links:

A Frayed Knot
Always Listen to Your Pig Puppet
An Eye For Detail

coming home

blondy, originally uploaded by smoooch.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
lovejill