Without You

So sweet and well said...by FreyaArt

Feeling Inspired

I've been shopping for a new house every Sunday. It's the first thing I do when I wake up. Funny thing is..we aren't going anywhere according to the boss. Meanwhile, I'm dreaming of DIY projects and redecorating. I found the perfect blog to get me inspired. Check out Young House Love. Flip through the before and after pictures on the house tour. It's AMAZING and I'm OBSESSED.

Grateful

i will be grateful

Smitten

Stumbled across this beautiful food blog...love, love, love it. I wish she would cook for me every day.

via Smitten Kitchen

Christmas Eve Ham Sandwiches

Because I had yet another request for Karen's famous Christmas Eve ham sandwiches, I thought I would just post the recipe here for future referral...enjoy!

Ingredients:
Pepperidge Farm rolls – 12 to a package (2 pans)
½ lb margarine
3 tbsp mustard
3 tbsp poppy seeds
½ cup chopped yellow onion
8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
8 oz. grated swiss chesse
1 lb. deli sliced ham

Directions:
Split each package of rolls horizontally. Do not separate.
Mix margarine, mustard, poppy seeds and onion together and spread on top and bottom.
Sprinkle 8 oz. grated cheddar cheese on two bottom layers.
Put ham on top of cheese.
Put grated swiss on top of ham.
Put tops of roll back on to form sandwich.
Wrap in foil.
Warm for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Dave

Going to see my main man again tonight. Two times in one tour!? I'm going straight over after work, so much thought had to be given to an outfit that transitioned from work to concert. I asked Chris if he thought Dave would like my outfit this morning. He rolled his eyes.

Thank you Westport!

Thank you to all of you that come out to see me over the weekend in Westport! I appreciate everyone's comments and wishes for a successful show. It is because of you that I keep going in my pursuit to one day make this dream a reality.

For those of you that are visiting my blog for the first time...WELCOME! I will putting up more work on Etsy this week, so please check back.

Art Westport '09

It's the festival season in Kansas City! Stop by this weekend in you are in the neighborhood. I'm be showing in booth number 114 (Pennsylvania, just north of Wesport Road). If nothing else, come to Westport for a beer and a Blanc burger. Hope to see you there.

Hours:

Friday, September 11th 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, September 12th 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, September 13th 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Dog's Life

The best day of Annie's little doggie life occured a few months ago when Chris and I went to Salina for the 4th of July. We took Annie to our pasture land outside of town and introduced her to some wide open fields, big black cows and about three dozen ticks.

Mustache

"Have you ever been grossed out by my mustache?"

"You have a mustache?"

"Good answer."

It Will Be Necessary

Duet

Good luck Nick

Nick began Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia on Sunday. While I'm so scared for the future that he has in store for him the next six years, I cling to the fact that the United States is lucky to have someone like Nick fight for us.

Nick, I think about you constantly and know that you are growing stronger mentally and physically each day. God bless you and for all of you that fight or have fought for our country.

US ARMY RANGER CREED

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.

Elle Decor Goes to Kansas City

Very cool article! It makes living in Kansas City seem even better. Check it out.

Etsy Find

I scored this pretty little thing as a little treat to myself. Yay me!

River Festival

I'm off to show in the River Festival this weekend. I've had my nose to the grindstone putting in 20 hours on Saturday and Sunday alone. I've learned I'm quite the procrastinator. Sure, I could have been working in the "studio" all winter long to prepare for this show, but I decided to wait until the last three weeks when the weekends are gorgeous and it's next to impossible to be relegated to the basement. Oh well...

I should have pics and scans of the new work to share when I return. I have two new "products" collaged frames where people can insert their own photo into the collage and small pieces on 4x4 scrap wood. We will see how they do!

If any of you are in the Salina area or are really itchin' for some funnel cakes and deep fried twinkies and decide to make the weekend of it, look me up in booth 40 of the craft section.

From Sandwiches to Slammed

I realize not many posts ago I was saying you that my life you so boring that the Panera Mediterranean Veggie sandwich was the highlight of my life. Pathetic. Now I'm gearing up for the River Fest val in Salina, Kansas next weekend and I'm wishing I would have spent my winter painting and collaging and less time with the veggie sandwich.

I have a TON to get done and I'm not sure there are enough hours in the day. I've never felt like such a procrastinator. The funny thing is that I haven't lived at home for 15 years, but my mom is on the edge of her seat wondering if I will stop procrastinating and will actually get something accomplished. Stay tuned.

Loving this concept...

The 3/50 Project

What if we spent $50 at 3 independent retailers this month? What would the impact be?

Honky Tonkin' in Nashville

Took a short jaunt down to Nashville with Em, Nick and my dad - who invited himself at the last minute. We were so glad he came since he kept us laughing with his dry sense of humor all weekend.

Nick is in the Army in Columbus, Georgia, so when I saw that Dave Matthews was coming to Nashville, I mapquested the drive for Nick and with just 4.5 hours it seemed like a no-brainer. Em, dad and I flew in Friday afternoon and immediately had one of the top five hamburgers in the world at Rotier's according to the Nashville policeman, quoting Jimmy Buffett. Nick showed up after midnight, but we still had a great time at the local country dive bars that line the streets downtown.

We went back to Rotier's Saturday morning for the biscuits and gravy for $2.25. The Country Music Marathon was going on the same weekend, so there were crazy marathon runners everywhere. We hung out downtown, shopping (at the one and only shop that we found in Nashville - somebody get these people some retail), eating and drinking. Then back to the hotel for some naps before the concert.

The view of Vanderbilt Stadium from our sweet hotel room. I could stalk the tour bus.

Etsy Find

Loving this daily affirmation print by SparklePower on Etsy.

Windy City...again

I'm off to the Windy City this afternoon for a very needed, last minute trip to meet up with Chris and visit Moe and Eric on a warm spring weekend! Be back on Saturday!

I Got Nuthin'

Seriously...so sorry for the complete absence lately. Work is mad crazy and we just veg whenever we can. I'm mentally exhausted.

The most exciting thing in my life seems to be my new obsession with Panera's Mediterranean veggie sandwich. It has cilantro hummus, people. This thing is so good I had it three days in a row last week. MMMM.

Bring it.

Newest Obsession

I am completely obsessed with the blog Feather...fashion based on the weather report. Genius! If I had all the money in the world this is how I would dress. Sigh.

No Way!

I clicked on Poppytalk this morning to discover this...Holy Cow! I am the luckiest girl in the world! My work is paired with other artists who I have admired in the blog world for quite some time. Aw shucks.

Click over and check it out!

Affordable Art at Poppytalk Handmade

cinder block studio is included in Poppytalk's Affordable Art Show and Marketplace. Check it out!

For those of you that are new to the cinder block studio blog...WELCOME!

I Want. I Need.

I am in love with this shirt for some reason.

Wet

It's warm and then cold...and then rainy...and then dry...and then sunny. C'mon spring. Throw me a bone already.

New on Etsy!

Visit my store on Etsy for more original mixed media collages.

Le Love

Currently loving this blog - Le Love.

A bit of news

If you find yourself in Kansas City, Kansas in the next few weeks, stop by Scooter's Coffeehouse at The Legends. I have a small show up there through the end of the month. It's all a part of my resolution to market myself and my work in 2009. The only bad part - I realized after I put up all of the work and all of the placards with the title and price that nowhere did the work or the placards say my name. So I threw some business cards on the counter and called it good. Lesson learned.

Windy City Shenanigans

So, we decided to head to Chicago on a very cold weekend. Who travels to Chicago in January, anyway? Apparently we do when we need a little Moe time, a little me time. Jenny, Ivy, Kerri and I headed out Friday afternoon and after our delay for an hour and a half (which we spent at the Tequilaria), we landed at Midway, where we were welcomed by 1 degree weather. It wasn't so bad though, we were bundled up and ready for it.

We started Friday night off with dinner at Carnival and then hit a few bars before ending the night at Moe and Eric's. Saturday morning, we slept in and relaxed for a while before heading to Lottie's to watch the KU game. Then off to a few shops and home again, where Eric had prepared a feast. We sat in the kitchen from 6 p.m. until 4:45 a.m. laughing and drinking and eating. I think the highlight of the night be the John Black (Days of Our Lives) impersonations and the rehashing of memories from junior high, high school and our old Kappa Delta days. Eek! Man, did we laugh!

Unfortunately, I only took two pics and one video of the JB impersonations. If you are lucky I might post them later!

Thanks again for the hospitality, Moe and Eric! Hope to see you soon.