Elementary Linoleum Block

I haven't carved a lino block since high school.  But lately I've been obsessed with print. So I decided to give it a try but I made one elementary mistake, reversing the image!

At least it's a portrait and our lovely daughter has two beautiful sides!

Coursera....Continued Learning

I first heard about Coursera in a meeting where I work, a small private college. Then it started popping up in the news.  Coursera offers online courses for anyone to take, for free.  I was intrigued! 

I've read some critics, one stating, "The Coursera model doesn't create a learning community; it creates a crowd. In most cases, the crowd lacks the loyalty, initiative, and interest to advance a learning relationship beyond an informal, intermittent connection."

I'm sorry, but so what!  It is what you make it!

I heard someone just last night saying how important it is to keep learning, trying new things, and keeping your mind active. 

So take a look.  Maybe you'll see something that interests you.  And maybe we'll run into each other in the discussion forums:)

https://www.coursera.org/#

Recent Adventures

 It's been 9 years since I've been a violin mom, (2 daughthers through the Suzuki program). But Saturday I had the awesome opportunity to attend, with our oldest daughter, Maestro Pinchas Zukerman's Master Class at the Kauffman Center, and then later see him play with the KC symphony! AMAZING!!!! What a sweet, funny, GIFTED man! Even I was inspired to want to play, (after 14 years as a manditory bystander).

How wonderful would this be in the playhouse my husband is building for our grandchilren?  I came accross it in a flower shop in the City Market. But at $475 it's a bit outside of my budget. 

And finally this....a custom order for a baby Alabama fan shipped out today.

 Hope he/she likes it:)

Happy Inauguration!

In honor of our President's second inauguration I have listed new in the shop a print of the zentangle portrait I did of him at the election.  Check it out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/121182991/zentangle-barack-obama-portrait

Happy Inauguration Day!

2012 projects in pictures

Collages of some of my favorite projects from 2012. 

I struggled creating a collage until I found picmonkey.

Winter Recipes for 2013

I love trying to find ways to make things at home, naturally and cheaper.  Some work out wonderfully such as making our own sparkling water at home, http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-build-your-own-seltzer-maker/; and some need more tweeking, like my homemade potato chips I tried this past summer. 

But over the break I found two recipes that are fantastic that I would like to share here. 

First, a wonderful Healing Salve.

It heals dry skin, small cuts, rashes and minor burns.  Each of my children's households received a winter care box for their Christmas stockings with this included.  It's a little greasy but it's the best thing I've ever tried for healing winter dry skin.  You can download the recipe here: http://whipup.net/wp-content/images/2012/11/Apothecary.page_.HealingSalves.pdf. 

Ingredients:
2 cups olive oil
1/2 cup grated beeswax (Tip: I used a vegetable peeler, much easier!)
2 cups of herbs: calendula, comfrey, nettle and lavender (all easily found at natural grocers)
15 drops each of rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil

In a large metal bowl place all of your herbs, cover with the olive oil and warm on the stove.  Turn off the heat, cover and let sit in a warm place for 1-4 days.  I did 4 days.

Strain oil.
Place the oil in a saucepan and warm through.  In another smaller pan melt your beeswax and add it to the warm oil.  Mix thoroughly.
Place a spoonful on a plate in the freezer for a minute to test for hardness.  Adjust by adding more oil or beeswax. (Mine was fine as is.)
Pour warm mixture into jars and let set.   
Bonus: smells wonderful!

Next: Mexican Hot Chocolate

This was a craving and there was no mix in the house.  I read several recipes and came up with the following:

2 cup non fat milk
just shy of 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cinnamon stick
a splash of non fat creamer
1/4 tsp Mexican chili powder

Simmer on low heat, whisking periodically.   Can be served with a peppermint stick and a dollop of whip cream:) 

Enjoy!  And Happy New Year!!