| bike of my dreams, to be eco-friendly! |
[May. 17th, 2007|10:53 am] |
Hello Everyone!
Its been awhile since I've truly began to update again. Its kind of silly of me. No real good reason other than my life has been too bland to write home about. I recently graduated from college with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Chinese language. Instead of attending the ceremony, m and I took a trip to visit friends and see Bjork live in Chicago. Eventually, when school becomes affordable for me again, I will go to grad school to become a Social Worker. Although almost everyone besides close friends tries to assure me this job will be unrewarding in terms of finances, that is not my reasoning. I took Anthropology to make a difference and I didn't study American culture so closely so that I would just distance myself from the problems and issues. I believe its the least I can do. Plus, if I have no other choice than to work for someone else the rest of my life, I want a career where I feel I am making a difference rather than simply taking home a paycheck.
My life has slowly become much greener as well. As a friend recently said to me, its become the new romanticism. I find this to be a good thing, though. People are conscious of it that I would have never guessed would be. My parents are even aware of the issues! Although I am not known to make goals in my life, I have recently decided to do so. All of them include plans to live my life more eco-friendly. M & I have already done a great deal of basic changes within the home (changed bulbs to CFLs, insulated our water heater, installed a low flow shower head, shutting off appliances when they are not in use, etc) but the biggest change I have yet to accomplish is my mode of transportation. By the end of the summer, I have plans to either exclusively travel by mass transit or with my own two legs. Even though I am not one to get too obsessed over material objects, I think I have found the bike of my dreams. I used to own an original J.C. Higgins that I absolutely cherished but in my second year of college, someone drove over it with their car and never fessed up. So, my next goal: to save up enough to buy this bicycle from Trek! Even though I am normally not a fan of reproductions of classic bikes, this one certainly caught my eye.
So here's to becoming more eco-friendly! I'd also like to hear if anyone else has made plans to change their lifestyle or if you already have!
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| Chicago |
[May. 8th, 2007|05:12 pm] |
Hello!
I have a quick question for those of you who have been to Chicago / live in Chicago. We are traveling there this weekend to see Bjork and I have not a clue what else we can do there! I have been there once before but it was only for less than 36 hours. We've been to the pier,several museums, and rode the cute trolley cars. I am more interested in know some good record shops, consignment shops, fabric shops and any other places you'd recommend. Thanks in advance.
And so this post is not just a silly question, I've included a secretive photo of what I am currently working on. A quilt I've completely designed myself. I cannot decide if it will be the first quilt I ever put up for sale or if it is one I will be unable to part with.
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| Quick Update |
[Feb. 12th, 2007|05:03 pm] |
Hello Everyone!
Sorry for the lack of updates. These last few months have been very
hectic for me and unfortunately I have not been able to do very much sewing, not even for myself! I started a quilt, but have not even got one block finished yet. I am really not liking the colors, but I spent the money on the fabric... so I will eventually find it a good home.
If anyone is interested, perhaps a trade can be made?
This would be far off in the future, though.
It would be for a king / queen quilt.
Please check out my flickr account for a photo of the progress -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/meikaidi/
I also wanted to remind everyone
that there is still a sale going on at my etsy shop.
You may visit the shop at http://buttonpom.etsy.com .
I have added several items since I first announced the sale
and will be adding a few more items that I realized I never updated.
If you have not read my last post,
the sale is to help me pay
for the health care I am in need of for the next 2 months.
The fee for COBRA is so astronomically unreal that I am forced to find a
means outside of my day job to pay for it.
I wanted to thank those of you
who have already purchased items from me with the past week.
Your kindness is just too much.
I really hope you enjoy what you have bought from me.
If you ever have any issues with the items,
please let me know and I would be more than happy
to repair or replace it.
Without your help,
I would be without the health care I really need.
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[Nov. 16th, 2006|10:27 am] |
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hello everyone!
just a quick update before a head off to an eye appointment (new glasses and possibly contacts!
here are a few new handbags i worked on last night & early this morning for no coast craft fair.
i am getting nervous about how much i should bring even though i am sure i am probably over reacting.
this design came to me on a whim when i was thinking about how much i've always wanted a pleated skirt.and so a pleated handbag was born! hope you are all having a wonderful week.
i cannot believe it is THURSDAY already!
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[Oct. 31st, 2006|03:54 pm] |
hello everyone!
if you have been wondering where i have been, it is because i have permanently moved my blog over to my website. i have been lurking though, and reading all of my friends entries. if you want to continue reading my blog, please add the rss feed to your friends page: ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif) buttonpom_blog or visit http://www.buttonpom.com/blog. i'm sure many of you probably missed my original entry about my move.
anyway, my newest project has been wallets! i listed them on etsy today even though i am making them for the second craft fair i have ever done. if anyone is from minneapolis and is interested in attending,more info can be found at: http://www.nocoastcraft.com. it should be fun and i would love to meet other crafters!
if you are interest in a wallet, please visit: http://buttonpom.etsy.com.
enjoy your horrifying halloween! ( insides and more! ) |
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[Sep. 25th, 2006|09:14 pm] |
hello again!
i just wanted to let you all know,
if you all want to keep reading my posts
but don't want to go to my actual website,
you can add: http://buttonpom_blog.livejournal.com
which will feed everything i post on my website blog
to your livejournal friends page.
this was created for by the awesome jossette!
thanks again, jossette warmth_like,
i owe you! |
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[Sep. 25th, 2006|01:56 pm] |
dear friends,
hope you are all doing well.
i want to apologize for being so busy lately
& i have to admit i have not been able to read
most of your entries! there has been several
health problems of my own to deal with
as well as other family members.
luckily everything has turned out positively.
anyway, i just wanted to let you all know that
i will no longer be using live-journal as my craft blog.
BUT, i will be continuing to watch my friends list
i cannot just leave all of you!
i have to catch up with all of you first. :)
i've been meaning to make the move for awhile
but just wasn't quite ready to leave!
so, from now on, you can find me at http://www.buttonpom.com/blog
have a good week everyone! |
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| wallet |
[Sep. 21st, 2006|09:01 am] |
hello everyone!
hope you are all doing well.
i see most of you have finally found my new journal.
i've been very busy lately!
(1) we had a garage full of construction debris that marvin and i
had to clean out all by ourselves!
(2) that following weekend our parents came up to help us insulate the garage with the old insulation they took out of the attic.
(3) we cut down two overgrown trees from our front yard. oh my, what a site! i was so nervous as the trees fell. we live on a busy street and i was afraid they would hit cars. luckily, my perception is way off.
(4) independent studies homework - my last class before i officially graduate
(5) no coast craft show preparation! that is what i made this wallet for. it is certainly going to be my own because the interfacing slipped as i was sewing it up so it ended a little lopsided. you can view the inside of it under the cut
hope everyone is doing well.
i will post photos of our house, tree felling, etc. once i get the photos from m's parents!
( Read more... ) |
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| hummus |
[Sep. 5th, 2006|04:49 pm] |
another recipe! two hummus recipes. both tahini free to avoid the extra calories!
Black Bean Hummus
INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 ounce) can black beans; drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
DIRECTIONS:
[1] Add black beans, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper into a food processor. Blend all ingredients on low until smooth. If desired, add additional seasoning and/or liquid to your own taste.
Chickpea Hummus
INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans; drained and liquid reserved
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
[1] Combine garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt and olive oil into a food processor. Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved garbanzo liquid, until desired consistency is achieved.
If you would like to serve these with Pita bread, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place pita bread directly on top of oven rack and toast for 3 minutes.
Cut into pizza-like slices.
Enjoy! I ate mine with a cup of hot tea. |
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| caramelbrownies |
[Aug. 31st, 2006|05:36 pm] |
caramel brownies!
this recipe was given to me from my mother
& today when i couldn't get ahold of her,
i searched on allrecipes.com to find the SAME exact recipe.
i do things differently than some of what the directions stated,
so i am changing them to my recommendation
INGREDIENTS:
* 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels
* 2/3 cup evaporated milk
* 1 (18.25 ounce) package German chocolate cake mix
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
[ 1.] Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x13 inch baking dish.
[2.] Melt caramels and 1/3 cup of the evaporated milk over very low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth.
[ 3.] Combine cake mix, melted butter, the remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk, and vanilla. Mix well and spread 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan.
[4.] Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes.
[5.] Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the partially cooked brownies. Pour the desired amount of melted caramel mixture over the top. I usually use about 3/4 of the melted caramel because i think it is too gooey for what the recipe calls for. Lastly, using a spoon, evenly scoop small teaspoon drops of the remaining 1/2 of the batter evenly over the top. Then, with a spatula, flaten out the drops to cover as much of the top as you can. I always leave part of the caramel exposed between drops to let some of the caramel get crunchy.
[6.] Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Let brownies cool in pan then cut into bars (otherwise they are impossible to cut!)
ENJOY.
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[Aug. 17th, 2006|10:42 pm] |
hello everyone!
i've finally decided to change my sewing blogs username!
i really despised me old username. it was cute when i first made it
& then when i realized that 90% of those who read my journal probably
have no clue what my username even means!
this is my new sewing blog!
i would have used just plain old buttonpom
but i already own it as my personal journal.
add it if you like!
i would like to warn you though that it is all
very personal entries and i do not censor myself at all.
not that its very risky!
oh yes, and i was formerly zizhi :) |
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button_pom's journal
