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With the hurricane a-coming I talked this morning about flipping my balcony patio furniture to keep the blowing around to a minimum. But I spent pretty much all the day running around and by the time I made it back I wasn't looking forward to going outside in the already pouring rain.
But then I came home to this - already flipped furniture. Done without me asking. What a darling!
(Above) Wet furniture I didn't have to move - hooray!
The storm isn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow night but the management in my building already called today to remind me to take in my plants before something got broken. So I moved everyone in and placed them by the window.
(Above) All my plants
(Above) And my gear. With birds.
Hurricane Isabel back in 2003 was definitely scary with all the wind and rain and people buying up all the toilet paper at the store - am crossing fingers that Irene dies down considerably before getting up here. But have gathered up some extra water and candles just in case - am sure my plants and I are going to be just fine.
Looking for a way to create some fun crafts in a gorgeous setting while drinking really good beer in a glass you'll get to take home? Look no further than the Renwick's Handi-Hour....
When wonderful Mariah suggested going to the two-drink-ticket and all-you-can-craft event at the Renwick Gallery's Grand Salon it sounded fun. We got there about 6pm, 30 minutes after the start time and the place was packed with every crafty-girl in the city either making glass-pebble magnets or fabric-covered buttons.
Luckily Mariah's friend had snagged us seats at the button-making table and I got to work. 90 minutes and two beers later I'd made practically a breastplate of 9 gorgeous fabric buttons.
(Above) A whole lotta cleavage. And yes, I remained dressed like that for the rest of the evening
I may doll some of them up further at home with jewels or sequins or rickrack but really they're plenty pretty as is. It was so much fun to make them - the three of us contemplated buying a button machine but after looking at the cost I think I'll content myself with the ones I made tonight. Can't wait for the next Handi-Hour to see what kind of fun crafts we'll do then!
Interested in trying out it for yourself?
Where: Renwick Gallery | 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. (at 17th Street), Washington, D.C. | Orange and Blue Lines, Farragut West Metro
When: There was one tonight (http://www.americanart.si.edu/calendar/event.cfm?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D94465411); The next Handi-Hour is November 3rd (http://americanart.si.edu/calendar/renwick/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D95681725#/?i=1)
Warnings: Get there at start time for the best seating and materials.
Its been a good 11 months with them strung cross the room. But after enough times having roses bonk me on the head and maybe once or twice try to string me up it was time to take them down.
But not without a smooch and hug from me.
(Above) Right before saying adieu
As if you had to ask!
(Above) Dirt and Blue with Seedlings
Was looking through recipes using up rotisserie chicken, mentioning in passing to my Beau that one of the recipes was a casserole with cheese. All other conversation stopped as he asked me to tell him more, then suggested in passing that he wouldn't be opposed to having it sometime.
Last night I felt up for a bit of cooking so decided to give it a shot.
(Above) The whole casserole, ready to go into the oven
I didn't have any rotisserie chicken so seasoned, chopped and cooked up some regular breasts and thighs. Added in some extra broccoli and cauliflower and of course a little extra cheese and popped it in the oven.
(Above) Closeup of the casserole
The result? The Beau liked it a lot (bringing it into work lunch and having it for dinner again) but there's something about it that's just not appealing to me. Maybe its the curry? Or the mayonnaise? I'll keep looking for recipes and see if I can fine a Chicken Divan variation that both of us are into.
Interested in trying your own hand at it?
Recipe: Easy Chicken Divan from the Art of Manliness (http://artofmanliness.com/2011/07/27/5-delicious-ways-to-use-a-store-bought-rotisserie-chicken/)
Notes: Definitely liked the added vegetables; Though the regular chicken was fine think that rotisserie would be better.
Its been few weeks since I posted photos and in that time things have gotten lusher on the balcony, even with the unending heat.
(Above) Basil, Cilantro and Peppers in a Row
The basil is still crazy - really must make some pesto this weekend to prune some of the gorgeous big leaves on it.
(Above) Some of the cute little peppers
I think all the pepper seeds who are going to sprout have sprouted, its now time to give these sweethearts some room. I don't think I'll see much action from them for a few weeks yet at least, may even need to move them inside to finish their season.
(Above) Whole lotta cilantro
Even the cilantro has come around. Think its time to make up some salsa and see if pruning doesn't get it to grow a little more.
Or at least on some dishcloths. I was going through my yarn stash and found a bunch of half skeins just dying to be knit up. And since its easier to follow a pattern several times I decided to make four owls out of them.
(Above) Purple! Christmas! Tan with a smidge of Yellow! Blue!
These birds make me smile whenever I see them so its nice to have an extra four lying around.
Interested in trying your own hand at it?
Materials: Each cloth took about half to two-thirds a ball of Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn; Size 7 knitting needles, Three stitch holders.
Patterns: Owl potholder/dishcloth from http://www.fibergypsy.com/pmkn/potholder.shtml
One of my good friends had a baby recently and of course among other gifts I had to make some booties. I think its a requirement of all knitters.
(Above) Be-Ribboned Booties
Much like babies themselves they're so friggin' adorable - small and cute and sweet.
Interested in trying your own hand at it?
Materials: Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn, coordinating 1/16" ribbon, size 7 needles, 3 stitch holders.
Patterns: Cute-As-Can-Be Baby Booties from Knitting Pretty (ISBN: 0811835332)
Warnings: Get some real stitch holders if you don't already have them. Made these one time using pipe cleaners as stitch holders and while it worked it wasn't pretty.
Twenty-six states down, twenty-four to go....I've been slow about updating my State Tote but finally got to the two new ones I've gotten to in the last year.
(Above) Cantaloupe from Colorado
Went to Colorado last fall for a friend's wedding - a fun whirlwind of a trip to gorgeous Denver with a side-jaunt to the Coors Brewery.
(Above) Liver Pudding from North Carolina
Then there was the trip to North Carolina this spring. Gorgeous sun and water and thankfully no liver pudding.
Looking at the states still left there's Alaska, a cache in New England, a cluster in the South, and let's be honest a big swath of the Midwest. I look forward to getting them marked off over time....
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
