Summer Begins – Time for my Resolutions

Time for my Summer Resolutions. I can’t ever do them in January because that is the busy season. Today my summer begins. I am officially done with all teaching responsibilities. I now get to hang with the girls, make stuff and read. Oh and begin my many organizational projects (Resolution 1). One of these includes creating a baking studio in my pantry – it is going to be so so cute and this will be my first undertaking so I will post about it in the next week. I will also take on files, drawers, binders – oh happy joy making – I am so excited! I hope to also be able to cook a great deal more over the next few months (Resolution 2). Cooking has fallen short of anything fabulous over the last few months as I have been working so much. Therefore Resolution 2 started with a recipe search and a massive grocery shopping trip to stock up. Tonight I decided to kick off this Resolution2 with a great dinner of Cabbage/Apple/Yogurt Slaw, Almond Cous Cous and Cranberry Pork. I remembered to take pics of the two sides as I made them earlier (they were served cold) but I forgot to shoot a pic of the pork.  It is in the bellies now – darn!

My Slaw - mmm so yum!

Cous Cous - equally as yum!

Some of my other Resolutions include reading a lot, fun outings with the girls and plenty of time to make stuff and be creative in my studio. I love Summer in Arizona because everyone leaves, everything slows way down and no one really needs me! It is like winter in the Midwest sort of,  but better because there are no holidays to contend with. Ahhhh . . . I am so happy.

Crafty About Town

This weekend offered two fun crafty events in downtown Phoenix. I was at both demoing the YUDU. The first was the Coffee, Cookie, Crafts event at Braggs Pie Factory. Many vendors were selling their wares, kooky pinatas were hanging from the ceiling, there were cookies from Urban Cookies and demos from crafty types.  The second event was the Swap-O-Rama at Trunk Space. Folks came out to this one with their used clothes in hand ready to re-work them. Then we screen printed on the new garment. I made an apron out of a tee shirt and my buddy Sarah made a fun Princess dress for the short one, who came along for the day. Check out the tee-shirt apron how to over on Lovely Lula. After the Swap sewing and screening we went next door to Sweets and Beats for a candy treat – yum! We had a really good time! Yea Phoenix for getting Crafty!

Demonstrating the YUDU at Coffee,Cookies and crafts at Braggs Pie Factory

Coffee,Cookies and Crafts at Braggs Pie Factory

Coffee,Cookies and Crafts at Braggs Pie Factory

Crafty Chica demoing Altered Canvas at Coffee,Cookies and Crafts at Braggs Pie Factory

YUDU demo at Swap-O-Rama at Trunk Space

YUDU demo at Swap-O-Rama at Trunk Space

YUDU demo at Swap-O-Rama at Trunk Space

Sewing going on at Swap-O-Rama at Trunk Space

Sweets and Beats next door to Trunk Space

Sweets and Beats next door to Trunk Space

The Tee Shirt Apron I made at Swap-O-Rama and then YUDU printed

Spring Garden

I can’t let these beautiful Spring days pass without sharing how glorious my desert landscape garden is. I know the crazy summer heat is soon to come so I want to fully enjoy the days we have right now. This will also be the last year that we will have the fabulous bluebell wildflowers in the front yard because the short one is allergic and this is the third year in a row that she has been “kicked” of her mountain due to the allergy. So they will be killed off this season and we’ll have to choose a different wildflower next year.

Front yard wildflowers

Front yard wildflowers with purple fountain grass

Front yard wildflowers

Front yard wildflowers with yuccas

Blooming cactus (I took this 2 days ago - now they are each with a bloom!)

Back yard blooms

Back yard patio - where I pretend I am going to lay and read!