in my (sometimes) humble opinion

Going to Minneapolis tomorrow for the weekend. We're going to the Body Worlds exhibit, which should be interesting (don't click on that link if you don't like skinless cadavers. But really, who doesn't?!). We found somewhere to board the girlies, which is a relief. We usually have family or friends stay over or stop by a few times a day to let them out to play, but we decided it would be easier to just find somewhere for them to stay. The local pet hospital has a big new building and will take them for walks (hopefully 2/day), so I think that'll work. We'll only be gone for 3 days, so it should be fine (and yes, we have the most spoiled ferrets ever).

I posted the rest of the pages of the book I made of our Girls Trip. It turned out pretty cute, I think. By the way, the picture above is an old one of Matt from one of our many road trips when we first started dating. One summer we drove from Iowa to Oregon and back, then two weeks later to Maine and back (basically cross country two times), in a little yellow Chevette no less. Ah, good times…

ps - Good luck to all the teachers and students, especially my favorite 1st grader at her new school today!!! 

Feeling much better today. In fact I got all inspired to be crafty (because of this book), but for some reason nothing was working out. Oh well, some days you got it…

I posted a few pictures of the progress I've made in my studio (there's two links there). I'm really excited about how cute it's turning out (despite the lack of natural light and the nasty half-finished walls).

When we were setting up for our grill out Saturday I kept finding dead cicadas on the ground. I added one to my nature collection, but decided today I wanted to find some more to save the wings to use later (yes, I know how weird that sounds). Of course I couldn't find any, although I did find a beautiful monarch butterfly (which I had to throw out later when I noticed a big worm eating it).

On that note, off to bed!

Matt's Grandmpa died yesterday. It was very sudden, well as sudden as it can be when you're nearly 90. He had a long, full life and had said that he was ready to die.

Matt had to tell his parents and brother, and of course he was amazing. There's a reason people say he's the nicest guy ever. I'm so blessed to have him in my life.

Well, I haven't heard any protests to daily blog posting. Hmm, actually I haven't heard anything. Maybe you're all so shocked at the sudden increased frequency of posts…

My genius husband figured out how to play my iTunes from my computer upstairs on the speakers down in my studio, so I've been much more productive down there recently. To reward myself I went to the antique store and bought these gorgeous vintage stamps today (and more). Good thing I'm here to reward myself, otherwise what would be my motivation?

Here's my favorite smoothie recipe (my sister Trina raved about her Smoothie Maker so much we had to get one, now I make them almost every day): strawberries, pineapple, orange yogurt (I freeze it first but you don't have to), ice, juice (I use orange juice but whatever would work). Blend. I don't know what it is but the combination of strawberries, pineapple and orange is soooo good. And healthy!

Enough rambling for tonight, see you tomorrow!

Back from Washington DC. I was really only there for 2 full days, but I managed to squeeze a few things in: the National Zoo with Nika, Chinatown, Georgetown (I've only been in a few Anthropologie stores but I believe this might be the best one. AMAZING art installations by Serge Rosenzweig.  Couldn't find a link for him anywhere, still searching!), the International Spy Museum, lots of yummy food and riding the Metro (subway). And only one (out of three) lip balms got confiscated at the airport - ??? Um, it wasn't a gel or a liquid but whatever.

ps - isn't this the coolest photo? It was the first one I took on the trip and it's definitely my favorite.

Two of my pieces got in to the Community of Artist's Exhibit, the feather one and the sparrow skeleton one. Yay! Unfortunately I'm going to miss the opening reception Aug 11th (I'll be in DC until the 12th), but they'll be up until Oct 8th.

Spent yesterday in Minneapolis, at Ikea (I spent $7, that has to be a record) and with some good friends (and the most delicious pizza - if it's good enough for Meryl Streep it's good enough for me!). Also ran into Hunt & Gather, a huge, amazing antique store. I could literally spend an entire day there.

ps - Took this pic at the Getty in LA. Could the colors match my blog any more perfectly?!

I did it! Three pieces turned in to the Octagon yesterday for the Community of Artist's exhibit. I find out Friday if any of my pieces got in. I already showed you this one, and this is the third (that photo is of my Grandma Dorothy and her brother). Here's a pic of the entire above piece (my personal favorite). I put way inflated prices on them so hopefully they won't sell (I kinda love them all!) but if they do I'll be rich. :)

In other news, I'm not going to NY any time soon (I knew I shouldn't have written about that!) but I might be going to Belgium in September. My passport is itching for some stamps…