Holidays come fast

Battle wounds

Seth went sailing with a co-worker and somehow managed to slip and fall in such a way as to give his shin the biggest welt I have ever seen - without breaking anything, thank goodness. It's been swollen for over three days, though not as large. Plus, it has a rather nasty shade of blue, purple, and red.

Little Big Planet

This is why you shouldn't play with a bunch of boys.

Wall-E

I've only watched it about 4 times now.

Just a small nap

Ever since I've become pregnant, this tends to happen more often then I'd like to admit.

It's true!

I am pregnant.

Pickles!

I got this great quick pickling book on Saturday and just couldn't wait to start pickling. The pickles in the strip are dill cucumber pickles and they pack a punch, but are extremely addictive. I have also made some "supercharged" black olives pickled in oil, and a red grape and jicama pickle. Yes, a fruit pickle. I've never had a fruit pickle before, so far they seem tasty, but I haven't really had a chance to taste them. The book is called "Quick Pickles" and it has some really intriguing pickles that I can't wait to try. Ones like pickled mango with scorched mustard, pineapple and cranberry pickle, and wine-barrel pickles. It also has some very convincing kimchee recipes that I look forward to making. I actually attempted a real kimchee recipe last year, but got so freaked out by it after the month it sat in the cupboard that I only tasted a bit and threw the rest out for fear of food poisoning. It had raw oysters in it! I think I had a right to be concerned. But the recipes in the book seem much less risky and I am excited. But first I have to finish the pickles I have ^_^.

No luck

So, I didn't get to make a reservation. But the lady on the phone was really nice and gave me hope that despite the restaurant being the best in America, little 'ole me could actually make a reservation. Next Chicage trip I plan is going to revolve around Alinea.

Final decision

Television is lame

Especially when you only have the free channels.

More Halloween pics!

Here's the whole group, ready to head downtown!

Here you can see The Monarch with his eyebrows and beard (both made of craft foam and adhered with boob tape).

Look, we actually found Molotov Cocktease downtown!

Honesty pays off

Yes, instead of just swiping the money I placed it in an envelope where it waited to be claimed for one month. And it paid off!

Halloween rewards

Apparently, making your friends some Halloween costumes can pay off in more ways than one. My friend Ryan loves to cook and has purchased a large selection of awesome cookbooks for me as a Thank You. I got the first two books this weekend, and have read through both already ^_^

The downside to Heelys

Is that when you do lose your balance, you tend to increase your chances of falling even more as you try to stabalize yourself. It took me about all of 30 seconds to make a complete fool of myself in the grocery parking lot, though I did manage to cover quite a bit of distance which I'm sure confused a few onlookers who probably didn't realize I had wheels on my shoes. Also, I bruised my one knee fairly bad and managed to rip one of my "green" bags. But, this is only fall two since I've had the Heelys, so I still think they are awesome!

Brussel sprouts, yum!

Risky purchase

The Monarch

Here is a picture of The Monarch's costume. When I get pictures of the rest, I will post them as well. But, since I felt particularly proud of the Monarch's costume, I actually took a photo before we were all assembled together. Obviously, he does not have his insane eyebrows or beard in this shot. You can see them later.


As for the construction: His costume is made mainly of fleece with quilt batting to give it form. The wings are a mixture of black fleece and orange broadcloth over quilt batting, the vest is just fleece over batting, and his boots are just fleece (they wrap over his sneakers). The wristbands are fleece over 1/2 inch upholstery foam, as are his shoulder pads. The skullcap was sewn of sporty/stretchy material and the ears were sewn on and stuffed with fluff. His crown is just craft foam that he wears like a party hat. I did not make the body suit, that was purchased in two pieces from the local Wal-Mart.

Edit (9/13/10):

I'm flattered by all the requests, but I don't own the costume anymore, I don't have the time to make another, and I don't have any patterns to offer. Although, if you'd like any tips or an explanation of the construction of any one piece I can answer those questions. Thanks for looking!

Happy Halloween!

For those of you who don't know, we went as The Monarch and his henchmen from the cartoon The Venture Brothers (photo). Seth was henchman number 21 (and we really did have a light saber that we bought downtown on Halloween night) and I was a random henchman. Our friend Chris was The Monarch (because he was the only one with the proper build, and he did an awesome job getting into character). Ryan was henchman number 24, and had his voice down perfectly. And Robert was another henchman, but due to time constraints, he didn't get any wings. The only costumes I didn't make were the women. Amanda (Chris's girlfriend) was Dr. Girlfriend. And Jennifer (Ryan's wife) was Triana. Needless to say we had a great time. And you may be able to find photos of us online because we had to pose about a thousand times on 6th street in Austin. All the hard work of sewing was well worth it!

Sew like the wind!

I managed to bang out 5 costumes in basically one week. Phew!

I am still here!

Sorry for such an incredible lack of posting (one whole month, I think). I actually had a bunch of posts done early in the month, but then my computer's power supply died. Then, I was incredibly busy for the next few weeks and just didn't put posting on the top of my priority list. But, I will get back into the swing of things. Plus, I had an awesome Halloween and am eager to post up some photos and strips soon (I have to wait on the photos from our friends). I promise, more posts to come tomorrow and I will be back to a more regular posting schedule from now on. (I am also running low on inking supplies and need to make a trip to the art store). If you managed to stick with me, thanks a bunch! I will continue the postings ^_^

Computer problems

I finally got a new power supply Friday night. So the lack of posts are directly related to my laziness (oh, I mean I've been too busy) for the past few weeks.

Too much of a good thing

Baking

Boredom leads to purchasing...

I did not buy the book. Yet.

Planning