Likey Lykkee Li

I'm smitten. Thanks to Liss from Daydream Lily I have been introduced to a new artist to obsess over. I can finally set Todd Terje aside (at least temporarily). Listening to this lovely Swede's voice gets my creative juices flowing... watch her video below for Little Bit and check out her myspace page to hear a few more of her songs.

Fab Pick of Last Week

Buttons and the beach are two of my most favourite things so this soap by HelloCrafty is right up my alley. Not only is the design eye catching, the scent description sounds lovely: "similar to Coppertone suntan lotion and many customers have told me it has a slight lilac fragrance as well." Heavenly!

Brilliant!

Yesterday I ranted and today I will rave. Last night Mike and I watched a special on the most amazing young man: Stephen Wiltshire. Stephen is a brilliant artist who happens to be autistic; when I say brilliant artist I mean brilliant.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about Stephen's art all day; while out for lunch with Mike I was thinking again about the phenomenal talent Stephen has for drawing from memory (he has been referred to as a human camera) when Mike blurted out: I can't stop thinking about that artist. My point is, this young man is worthy of awe... maybe you have heard of him over the years but Mike and I hadn't.

We have every intention of purchasing a copy of one of Stephen's prints down the road and had no trouble agreeing on the panorama of England which the filming of the documentary circled around.


Grab yourself a glass of vino and be prepared to let your jaw drop. The video is 40 minutes but well worth the time. I think it would be impossible for you to watch this and not be impressed. Let me know what you think!

Ann Coulter: Wicked Witch of the Right-Wing

We all have those moments where we watch something on TV and wish more than anything that we had access to Jeanie - from I Dream of Jeanie - so that we could pop back in time to the studio where the show being viewed was filmed just long enough to slap someone upside the head. Don't we? Well I don't know about you but it happens to me and when I watched this infuriating woman today I wished I had a lamp. As nasty as it may be I so wished I could hurl some hate Ann Coulter's way; she's throwing enough of it out to the single mothers in our world. See for yourself.

Here we have an ignorant woman who has no children of her own judging all single mothers and suggesting they are selfish women raising rapists and thieves. A chapter in her book titled Victim of a crime? Thank a single mother?! Single mothers must be the root of all problems in the USA; the disgustingly high poverty rates have everything to do with women raising children on their own and nothing to do with Ann's much loved right-wing "give to the rich and take from the poor" approach to running a country. Give me a break.

I should clarify that I don't paint all right-wing conservative women with the same brush, and I assume - please let me be right - that a huge number of republican women would be appalled by Coulter's words. Unfortunately for women sharing the political standpoint of Coulter the two females who are currently hold the spotlight are Coulter and Palin. Certainly not the sort of strong female role models I would want representing me.

Nevermind Sarah Palin, she's dim but relatively harmless, it's Ann Coulter who gets my vote as the wicked witch of the right-wing women.

Sadly, this sneak peek leaves me wanting more. I'm curious to know what else is written in her book, there was just one chapter on single mothers so who else does she condemn? It's sort of like a traffic accident, it's gruesome but you can't help but stare. Of course I won't support this crazy woman by purchasing her book; sharing this video might be seen by some as promotion but more than anything I want to hear what you have to say about this. Feel free to disagree with my opinion.

Why I Love Grade One

I've moved from the junior division to the primary at my PDS. I'll be teaching six weeks straight in the grade one class after March break, until then I'm at the school one and a half days a week shadowing two phenomenal teachers (grade 1 & grade 2)

Kids kill me. I'm going to post memorable quotes and questions here, figure I may as well share the laughs and my "uh oh" moments with you.

Things that make you go hmmmm....
If Christ was Jesus' last name are there still people over there named Christ?
Why does your nose run when you go outside in the cold?
Do teachers get dressed when they leave school?
Did Jesus have a son?

So serious but so funny.
That monkey worries me.

Brilliant!
Child who struggles with reading, after flipping very quickly through a book responds to my
request that he read the story to me, "I don't want to read it aloud, I read it in my head so now you read it to me and I'll tell you if you're right."

You've gotta love 'em.

Tantalizing Tuesday

that-crazy-broccoli
Originally uploaded by Dennis Ferry

The only thing healthy about this recipe is the broccoli but it's uber yummy so really, what does it matter?

Creamy Broccoli Salad
this is a dish I bring to every immediate-family meal because they all love it!

What You Need:
2 small broccoli
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
4 tbsp vinegar
chopped red onion
1 cup grated cheese
bacon bits (optional)

What You Do:
Now read this very carefully because it's easy to mess up.
1. Mix.
2. Eat.

In all seriousness, I suggest you mix up the wet bits with the sugar before adding the veggies.
That's all!

*insert sarcasm here* I Know You're Dying to Know...

An old pic from a trip to Jamaica 3 years ago: bliss.

I'm back on my organization kick. I went hunting for a post to link to as proof of past attempts at organization and laughed when I realized my disorganization stretches beyond the real world and into my little bit of property in cyberspace. In other words I can't find what I'm looking for so I'll give up and trust that you'll take my word for the fact that every now and then I attempt to get organized.

Now that we are a one car couple I am finding it more important than ever to know what it is I need when I make a trip to the shops; it stinks when I realize I forgot to pick up 'such and such' and then remember I don't have a car available to take a quick trip. I've decided that the way I am going to limit the number of grocery store stops we have to make is by scheduling one visit to the grocer a week: Mondays will be shopping day. The only way I'll actually be able to stick to this is if I start making weekly menus that we actually use. I figure this will not only save us headaches and a ton of time - considering I hit the grocer at least 4 days a week now - it ought to save us a bunch of money. How often do I pick up extra things because I'm hungry when I shop after school? Every visit.

I'm posting my weekly menu here not because I think you actually care to read it but for myself, if I post my menu every Sunday I'm more likely to stick to it. I'm keeping with my other plan of more healthy eating and attempting new recipes each week so I'll be sure to link to any recipes that can be found on-line if I use any.

Alright. Week one of menu planning... GO!
Monday: taco salad
Tuesday: Sesame Peanut Noodles - new yum for the week
Wednesday: balsamic chicken, brown rice, asparagus
Thursday: out
Friday: pork stir fry
Saturday: Steak, baked potatoes, salad
Sunday: salmon and homemade fries

A Terrific Taste of India

Photo taken and uploaded by Kristian Rasmussen

Tanya left us a box full of lovely edibles when she took off to Russia. One of the treats found in the mix was Gourmantra's boxed Tandoori mix. I followed the simple directions printed on the box and the end result: DELISH. Mike gobbled down his plate of chicken and rice announcing how fantastic the chicken was appx. 8 million times before suggesting this become a weekly meal; it really was fabulous. If you like Indian food you have to give Gourmantra's boxed mixes a shot.

Fab Pick of Last Week

I fell in love with this design found in Terry Graziano's Etsy shop. The Sweetheart in merlot is sure to turn heads; it's super stylish with an awesome cut that will frame your face perfectly. This isn't Terry's only design so be sure to slip over to etsy to see what else is available. Beautiful!

ME! ME! ME!

I won! I won! I WON! I rarely win things so when I slipped over to the ultra lovely Daydream Lily this evening to see what pretty post she had to share today, I was thrilled to see that she had oh so generously drawn an extra international name for her giveaway! J-A-I-M-E. That's me!

I won a copy of the Australian magazine Frankie, a magazine I've coveted for some time now thanks to its mention by so many fabulous Aussie bloggers. I literally squealed when I saw my name.

Thank you so sO SO very much!

Keeping Track of the Days

Just a few of the lovely wallpapers for your desktop available for free over at Smashing Magazine.



February calendars will be posted here later this month so stay tuned; I'll be sure to let you know when they are available.

(found via the Blog Specialist)

Tantalizing Tuesdays are Biggity Back!

Ceasar Salad
Originally uploaded by sonialena

Tantalizing Tuesdays retired a few months back but it's returning for 2009. One of my 8 thousand plans for the new year is to try at least one new recipe a week, what better way to keep track of my new favs than to post them here for you to try yourselves? If all goes well I'll post more than one recipe each week... we'll see though, that might be pushing things.

I've started a blog link list for food blogs I like down on the right side of this page, feel free to leave links for yummy blogs and/or recipes in the comment section and I'll be sure to check them out.

My first TT post for the year is a recipe for a excellent caesar salad with an amazing vinaigrette dressing. Our friend Fergie brought the salad to our annual Christmas with the Crazies pah-tay and was kind enough to pass the recipe my way. Double yum.

Fergie's Fabulous Caesar Salad

What You Need for the Dressing
6-8 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp white vinegar
3-4 splashes of Worcestershire
3-4 splashes Tabasco
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 whole egg
1/2 tsp sugar
(you have free range for the following ingredients - add what you want to taste, the amounts are ranges recommended by the chef)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp tarragon
1/4 - 1/2 tsp mustard
1/4 - 1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt

What You Do
Easy peasy: mix it all up

What You Need for the Salad (serves 8)
3 romaine hearts
1/2 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
mozzarella cheese - as much as you like
dressing

What You Do
Tear it, cook it, shred it, pour it, toss it

Beautiful Paper
Originally uploaded by words & pictures

You know how I love papercutting? Well I'll now add paper twirling (I'm pretty sure that's not the technical name for it) to my list of paper art loves.

Yulia Brodskaya's work is beautiful, don't you think?

Thanks to Black Eiffel (one of my new reads) for sharing these amazing finds.

An Adorable Girl with a Wonderful Mission

The most adorable French child on earth - not that I know many French children but I think it's safe to guess she would be ranked as one of the all-time cutest if some sort of freakish ranking system was put in place - as seen here, is back. This time she has more than a story to tell, she has a cause. Check out her video and then click here if you want to help out with her 'friends in Mongolia'. Adorable.


Capucine for Edurelief in Mongolia from Capucha on Vimeo.

Soy Good

Picture from MarthaStewart.com

First new recipe of the year was one I found through Dinner Tonight. Oh Yum Yum Yum. Super easy and really yummy. I served it over rice and used a crazy cheap steak and it was delish. This puppy has been written out and stuffed in my recipe binder, now it's your turn to try it out. Enjoy! p.s. Stay tuned for more recipes with the return of Tantalizing Tuesdays

Soy Glazed Beef with Green Beans
Serves 4

What You Need
3 tablespoons soy sauce
5 teaspoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon Asian garlic-chili sauce
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 (about 1 1/2 pounds) skirt steaks
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 ounces green beans, trimmed
4 ounces bean sprouts

What You Do

1. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and chili sauce in a small bowl; set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over high heat; swirl to coat pan. Season steaks with salt and pepper; cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
3. Pour off fat from pan; add green beans and 1/3 cup water. Reduce heat to medium. Cover; cook until beans are crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes (add more water if pan becomes dry).
4. Thinly slice beef. Pour soy mixture into pan; toss. Return beef and any accumulated juices to pan; cook (uncovered) until heated through. Add bean sprouts; toss to combine.

Eat it and love it. Oh and then let me know what you thought of it.

It'll Make You Giggle

I labeled it 'movies' but technically WEEDS is a TV show. If you haven't seen it you should, it's really funny. I'm not a big comedy girl, I love to laugh but sitcoms and movies rarely do it for me. Maybe it's our warped sense of humor but Mike and I are hooked on Weeds - not the stuff you smoke, the show. A suburban mom turns to dealing to support her two boys, I'll say no more. We're into the second season right now and loving it. Have you seen it? What do you think?

Fab Pick of Last Week

This funky hanging wall clock in aqua was one of my Etsy fav's and it's now hanging in my studio! Be sure to check out Decoy Lab for more fabulous designs.

Whispered Sweet Nothings

He sits rubbing my socked feet like a good husband and then comes out with these sweet words.

him: "Is it you with the big toe?"
me: "You mean the extra long toe beside the big toe?"
him: "Yeah, it's freakishly weird."
me: "Thanks babe. And what who else would the toe belong to?"
him: "Anyone with their socks off."

huh?

There you have it, I'm freakishly weird, or at least my toe is. Thanks babe.

ADDITION TO POST: I am surrounded by such sweet men. Here is my brother's response to this post, "Yes you are freakishly wierd and it isn't because of your "Normal" Storozuk big second toe. There is plenty of other things that make you freakishly wierd..."
Thanks bro.

This Makes Me Seriously Consider French Immersion for My Invisible Child

There is no way you can make it through this video without cracking a grin or twelve. Capucine is too sweet for words and can tell a fabulous story. Listen right through to the end, it's worth it.


Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

Rocking In 2009!

Hard to believe another year has bit the dust. I just read this post which made me laugh, my new years resolution for 2008 was to talk less and listen more. I think I managed to listen more but the talking less bit... well that's just a silly resolution for someone who rarely closes her mouth.

We brought in the new year with some of our closest friends, I have no clue what they were doing in the picture above but it was snapped just after hugs and cheers. Unfortunately a few of our regulars were unable to join us: Moscow, Germany, Vancouver, cruise ships and work commitments kept them from us. Not here in body but certainly here in spirit. We missed you ladies!

That's a post-spaghetti and pre-gin glow you see on our faces here. We filled our bellies with lots of carbs to ensure there was a good base for alcohol absorption - no hangover here thank you very much.

A good deal of our dinner conversation revolved around profanity and the many marvelous ways nasty words can be used in our day to day lives: enlightening.

Of course I brought in the new year with the love of my life at my side.

My new years resolutions for this year:
1) healthy living: be more active and eat more fruits & veggies (I didn't bother with this resolution last year because I knew I would FAIL but I'm serious about it this year so I'm putting it in writing)
2) curse less
3) call/email/skype my out of province girlfriends more often

I'm now part of a girl band with the uber classy name the Magina Vonologues. Don't ask.
Guitar Hero rocks.

How was YOUR New Years Eve? Happy recovering.