Italy

Two more starts on Italian paintings. They are small... so will go down quickly.

Not too resolved at this point ---but good starts!

Italy 149, 150
acrylic
10" h x 10" w
2010
second state






they should be done tomorrow.
come back to see them when finished

Miley Cyrus in Westwood - September 30, 2010

Miley Cyrus went with the cowboy boots look again on Thursday as she was out in Westwood earlier today. Miley was wearing an old white t-shirt with short black shorts.Credit: Gossip Center.

#26 - Make an iTunes Playlist of My 101 Favourite Songs

Yesterday was Day 1 of my 101 Adventure, and I didn't want it to pass by without accomplishing one of the tasks or goals on my list.

By no means do I think I'm going to accomplish something from the list every day, but it seemed so anti-climatic to just post my list and then not attempt to do something to kick things off. And I didn't want it to just be something super-easy either, like buying a lottery ticket. I wanted it to be something with a little more significance.

There was one item on my list that jumped out at me as being something fun that would take a little thought & effort, and that was #26 - creating an iTunes playlist of my 101 favourite songs. Quiet, dreary day at the office on Day 1? Perfect opportunity!

Let me tell you this: For a kid who has over 3500 songs in her iTunes library (that's over 9 days' worth of music, folks) - it was a lot harder than I thought it would be! Even more difficult than compiling my 101 List.

I started by going through the entire list and transferring songs that I considered favourites into the 101 playlist I had created. After working at it on-and-off for a few hours, I finally came to the end.

And I had over 300 songs selected. Apparently I have a lot of "favourites". Whoops!

Another few hours of trimming and down-sizing, weighing certain songs against others, attempting to create a good mix, trying to evaluate their meanings to me and their importance in my life...I finally made the last deletions and finalized the list. I've had second thoughts about some of them and wondered if I made some wrong decisions, but for someone who loves music as much as I do, there really can't be a wrong answer, right?

So here it is. And in no particular order. (I found it hard enough to pick just 101, there's no way I could start deciding what was #1!)

1. I Wanna Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
2. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
3. When U Love Someone - Kid Rock
4. Love You Til The End - The Pogues
5. Wheat Kings - The Tragically Hip
6. Hang - Matchbox Twenty
7. Desperately Wanting - Better Than Ezra
8. Try - Blue Rodeo
9. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
10. Me & Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
11. Picture - Kid Rock ft. Sheryl Crow
12. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
13. The Boys of Summer - Don Henley
14. Fix You - Coldplay
15. Your Winter - Sister Hazel
16. Last Kiss - Pearl Jam
17. Free Fallin' - Tom Petty
18. Into the Mystic - Colin James
19. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
20. The Reason - Hoobastank
21. I Hope You Dance - LeAnn Womack
22. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
23. You Are Not Alone - Patty Griffin
24. Here's to the Night - Eve 6
25. Drops of Jupiter - Train
26. Sandy - John Travolta as Danny Zuko in Grease
27. These Are The Days - Van Morrison
28. All For Love - Serena Ryder
29. What's Going On - 4 Non-Blondes
30. Such a Shame - The Dustin Bentall Outfit
31. The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert
32. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
33. Long May You Run - Neil Young
34. Go Rest High on that Mountain - Vince Gill
35. Stuck Like Glue - Sugarland
36. Better Man - Pearl Jam
37. Sing Me Back Home - Merle Haggard
38. Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas
39. Fire & Rain - James Taylor
40. My Best Friend's Girl - The Cars
41. Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum
42. You Are my Sunshine - Ray Charles
43. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
44. My Wish - Rascal Flatts
45. Gotta Be Somebody - Nickelback
46. I Told You So - Randy Travis
47. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
48. Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
49. Wonderwall - Oasis
50. Delta Dawn - Tanya Tucker
51. Song 2 - Blur
52. She Talks to Angels - The Black Crowes
53. That's The Way Love Goes - Merle Haggard & Jewel
54. Thunderstruck - AC/DC
55. Old School - Hedley
56. If I Had a $1,000,000 - Barenaked Ladies
57. Patience - Guns 'N Roses
58. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
59. Santa Monica - Everclear
60. Fiddlers Green - The Tragically Hip
61. I Wanna Love Somebody Like You - Keith Urban
62. All I Want is You - U2
63. Collide - Howie Day
64. I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi
65. Down on the Corner - CCR
66. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
67. The Great Pretender - The Platters
68. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
69. Like a Prayer - Madonna
70. Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
71. Mr. Jones - Counting Crows
72. All These Things That I Have Done - The Killers
73. Two Steps Behind - Def Leppard
74. There You Go - Johnny Cash
75. Missing You - John Waite
76. Sweet Caroline -Neil Diamond
77. Green, Green Grass Of Home - Elvis Presley
78. American Pie - Don McLean
79. Forever & Ever, Amen - Randy Travis
80. The River - Garth Brooks
81. The Way You Look Tonight - Tony Bennett
82. Old Time Rock 'N Roll - Bob Seger
83. Lucky Man - The Verve
84. Love Lifted Me - Kenny Rogers
85. Can't Help Falling In Love With You - Elvis Presley
86. To Be With You - Mr. Big
87. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
88. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
89. Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
90. I Love Rock 'N Roll - Joan Jett
91. Banditos - The Refreshments
92. Louie Louie - The Kingsmen
93. I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
94. I'll Be - Edwin McCain
95. Lost Together - Blue Rodeo
96. Here For A Good Time - Trooper
97. I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan
98. Lose Yourself - Eminem
99. Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield
100. Bring It On Home To Me - Sam Cooke
101. Have a Little Faith in Me - Joe Cocker

I know I've left some out...and I'm feeling sorry for the ones that didn't make the cut. I suppose this list could change 1000 times in the next 1000 days, but today, it stands as is.

Feels great to stroke that first item off the list! :)

The Best Apple Pie

Its fall, which means fresh apples from the orchard. My hubby picked some up at the organic fruit and produce store and I immediately wanted to make a apple pie. I made it last night, and it was mighty good!! I wanted to share my recipe with you so you have the perfect apple pie for the upcoming holidays.

The pie crust:

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, chilled and diced
• 1/4 cup ice water

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, until mixture forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

The filling:

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie (listed above)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft and pie crust is golden.

Let cool before you cut, or it will be to runny.

Watercolor

SOLD! fast!

This small watercolor sold fast... and is heading out the door today to Maryland. I am so grateful for a sale!

It's been a while... and it's wonderful to know that this painting is going to a collection where it is appreciated!

Thank you!


Hothouse Orchid
watercolor
14" h x 11" w
2010

Italy show

The week is accomplishing the last of the 'little ones' for the Italian exhibition.

I am having a good time --- thinking about imagery that will broaden the scope of the show.

I showed the work yesterday ...to the friend that I went to Italy with. It was so fun to watch her reaction to the work.

She like many pieces...and had an emotional attachment to the complete exhibition.

I am getting excited to finish the show.

Still waiting for two large panels to arrive--- that will basically complete the statement.

I will have a total of about 70 pieces to choose from. That sounds like a lot-- but there are many small ones that will make multiple statements. It should be an interesting show to hang!

Italy 148, 149, 150
acrylic
10" h x 10" w
2010
top one finished
bottom two day 1


Italy work
all bundled up and ready to go!

101 List: Launched

Started: September 30, 2010
Scheduled to finish: June 28, 2013

1. Eat egg rolls from the Golden Palace

2. Make a dinner from scratch for my friends

3. Learn to knit a dish cloth or scarf

4. Take a trip down South

5. Cook a turkey

6. Make a scrapbook for Danica

7. Write a song and play it on my guitar

8. Host a poker tournament party at my home

9. Lose 20 lbs.

10. Get another fish for my tank

11. Write a novel (at least a rough draft)

12. Have a girls night/sleepover

13. Dabble my toes in the ocean

14. Organize a Schock cousin dinner out

15. Go for a ride on a snowmobile

16. Make spider-dogs over a bonfire

17. Go one whole week without logging on to Facebook

18. Plan a “girls day” with my mom & sister

19. Read 10 books in one year

20. Complete a song on Hard on Guitar Hero

21. Try a food I’ve never tasted before

22. Pull an all-nighter

23. Sing a song on-stage at Gavan’s

24. Organize a Young cousin dinner out

25. Make a dinner from scratch for my family

26. Make an iTunes playlist of my 101 favourite songs

27. Go to a drive-in movie

28. Visit my relatives in TO

29. Have a sliding party

30. Watch 26 movies I’ve never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet

31. Take my first plane ride

32. Make a Gingerbread House with Caden and Danica

33. Attend at least 3 Senators games per season

34. Go for a minimum half-hour walk each day for a month

35. Go to a real Spa

36. Spend a day baking with my mom

37. Do something significant (to be determined) in memory of Jeff and Troy

38. Organize my photos

39. Attend a midnight movie premiere

40. Up my PAR (pre-authorized remittance) givings at church by $5/month

41. Wash my own car at least once

42. Spend a day at the beach

43. Take a road trip

44. Make something from every section of my Betty Crocker cookbook

45. Get a DVD player for my room

46. Take a train somewhere

47. Organize my closet in a way that it STAYS organized & doesn’t go back to mayhem a week later

48. Go one whole week at work without complaining

49. Paint a picture

50. Walk for a cause

51. Go to a museum

52. Buy myself a lottery ticket

53. Go for a boat ride

54. Don’t hit snooze for one whole week

55. Go a whole day of speaking (or attempting to speak) French

56. Plan my dream trip to Ireland

57. Go up the CN Tower

58. Buy my own (artificial) Christmas Tree

59. Go to the local trout farm and actually CATCH a fish

60. Bake a birthday cake for someone

61. Go Zip-lining

62. Get a tattoo

63. Go on a Haunted Walk

64. Give blood

65. Get back the 2 dresses that I loaned to someone a long time ago

66. Build a snowman

67. Complete a 1000-piece puzzle

68. Drink a Guiness

69. Donate to a food bank

70. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

71. Go camping

72. Watch a classic movie I’ve never seen before

73. Read Wuthering Heights

74. Carve my name in a tree

75. Dye my hair a dark colour

76. Organize my recipe collection

77. Spend an entire dreary day watching movies

78. Pay off at least half of my line of credit

79. Get an updated photo taken with my family

80. Fall in love

81. Buy a new-to-me car

82. Go to an Imax movie

83. Acquire a taste for red wine

84. Go a whole week without swearing

85. Spend a day with my grandma touring her stomping grounds

86. Be on the Christmas House Tour

87. Go for a hike in the Gatineau Park

88. Buy a laptop

89. Write a blog entry for Jill’s World or Jill’s 101 Adventure every weekday for a whole month

90. Carve a pumpkin for Halloween

91. Go to High Falls

92. Order something wacky off the menu at The Works

93. Plant my yellow rose bush outside

94. Spend a day being a “tourist” in Ottawa – on the Market, Parliament Hill, etc.

95. Drive on the Queensway

96. Get a psychic reading

97. Rake leaves and put them in big pumpkin bags for Halloween

98. Wear a bathing suit in public without putting shorts on over it

99. Direct a Murder Mystery that someone tells me is “the best one ever”

100. Come in 2nd in the Car Rally

101. Donate $5 to charity for each task I don’t complete

See You In Another Life

Here is a "new" Miley Cyrus song called See You In Another Life. The rumor is that this was supposed to be on Miley's Breakout album but didn't make it.Sorry it cuts off at the end, but this was the best video I could find.

Miley Cyrus - John Lennon Glasses

Miley Cyrus went to the Newsroom Cafe on Wednesday, September 28th. She was wearing some John Lennon style sunglasses, and a black jacket.Credit: Heart-Miley.

Day Zero

This is my Day Zero.

After being inspired by reading Lists of 101 Things To Do in 1001 Days that my friends have created (and have devoted blogs to), I have decided to create my own list, as well as this Blog to keep track of it.

I've spent quite a bit of time today compiling my list, with the help of the Day Zero website and reading the lists of people I know. Up until today, I had never been compelled to do so. But suddenly, the urge hit me. The thought of creating a list of goals and things I've always wanted to do, both big and small, was suddenly exciting, and I couldn't wait to get started.

I intend on tweaking my list tonight, and tomorrow I will publish it here on my Day 1. In the following 1001 days, I will blog about my tasks as they are completed, and hopefully provide some pictures as well.

Come along for the ride! It should be an interesting one!

Potato Bake with a hint

I really enjoy helping people find recipes, make recipes and bake recipes. I get a kick out of finding out how they went, if they enjoyed it or not and what they would do differently.

So when the call went out from Melissa Goodsell from One Crafty Mumma on twitter I jumped on the chance. And this is what I have come up with! (And thankyou to Kate from 2littlebanshees for the addition of the

I want a jeweled bib necklace, like this one

Halle Berry, Vogue September 2010

Looking stunning, as ever, in velvet, while channeling the iconic style of Josephine Baker. Gorgeous.

Miley Cowboy Boots - September 27, 2010

Miley Cyrus wore jean shorts and brown leather cowgirl boots as she checked out Chucks Vintage Store on Monday.Credit: Celebrity-Gossip.net.

Craft hour

I have been quite crafty the last couple of days.

I have felt the need to do things with my hands. I have needed an outlet.

Both Alan and I work some serious hours. 60 hours a week.....and so when we get home we do try not just to sit on our bums and do nothing.

So....I want to show and tell....so I ran around the house and took photos of all the things that I have made in the last week!

Take

italy italy italy......

So there are a few more little ones to paint. I'm trying to make record time...so that when the larger panels arrive--- I will have ample time to finish them.

I've show the exhibition a few times this past week -- it seems like most like the work.

The telling time will come though... when the work is delivered to Cedarhurst.

!!

The top panel is of the murals on the inside of the dome at the Duomo. There is a curved and bird's eye perspective to the drawing. The murals remind me of Michelangelo... and I'm not sure who the actual artist is. [will have to look that up!]

The next panel is of a dinner table in the evening. We had a beautiful dinner party on the outskirts of Lucca during one summer evening. The whole dinner was magical. I just slightly ghosted in the painting... there is much more to do!

Italy 145
acrylic
10" h x 10" w
2010


Italy 146
acrylic
10" h x 10"w
2010

Italy installation

Zucchini Slice - Gluten Free

I got in a couple of kilos of Zucchinis today because they are cheap at the moment!!

Alan and I have a standing joke that everytime we get Zucchinis in that we make Zucchini and Rosemary soup! So after the giggles died down (and we laugh at it everytime) I wanted to make Zucchini Slice.

Do you remember eating this cold as a kid? I do, and I do remember it being around Spring/Summer that it

John Derian for Target

I just love all the housewares designed by John Derian for Target for fall 2010. The old-fashioned charm of good penmanship plates, bust silhouettes, fruit and fauna and the like bring a sweet sophistication to each piece in the collection. I got the moth storage drawer, for my desk area. I have my eye on a stationary set, which includes red wax seals and lovely papers and cards--which I would probably never use! But they are so pretty, maybe I would be inspired to send some hand-written letters. Perhaps that was his intention, right? To encourage us to slow down and remember how lovely it is to create something by hand. Yes, indeed.

Secret 80s Fan - Episode 6

Do I need to tell you this song? Do I need to tell you what movie this song is from? Are you a secret 80s fan?
Is this your favourite 80s song? Did you have a crush on Kevin Bacon? Hehe.....it is okay if you did (or still do!) I thought he was awesome in a 80s dancer-kinda way!
Everybody cut Footloose!!

Italy

Here are three more paintings from the Italy show.

They are small scale.. and a changing palette. I am thinking about keeping the palette similar blues and greys for a few of these.

I have begun using more matte colors-- that work well on the panel. The matte finish makes the paintings a bit more rich in depth and less surface. They require less spraying of additional colors and glazing.

They are muted in tone...and less brilliant -- but that pleases me.


Italy 141. 142, 143
acrylic
10" h x 10" w
2010

Italy installation

my new clutch

I got this metallic chocolate-y bronze clutch at Target yesterday, on sale. I had been wanting a clutch, for when I just want to run errands, and not carry my usual loaded-with-everything-I-could-possibly-need purse, as well as for evenings out, such as at a wine bar. This one is exactly what I hoped for. It is beautiful, functional, and just the right size. I'm quite happy with it.

Sofia Coppola's shoes

perfect peridot

I love the bright green of this peridot cocktail ring, as well as the timeless elegance of the emerald cut and double diamond pave band. This is a piece you could wear forever.

Sweater Girl

This was my favorite spread from the September 2010 issue of Vogue, photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, featuring model Lara Stone. Isn't she gorgeous? And I love the bored sexy 50s housewife theme.

I would wear the form-fitting turquoise sweater with the black lace skirt and red belt. I also love the nubby dark grey sweater with grey plaid pencil skirt and big pearl necklace, oddly worn at the beach.

Football Fans Dance to Party in the USA

Penn State fans dance to Party in the USA at a tailgate party before their game vs Iowa last year:A Grandma dances to Party in the USA at a UFL game between the Hartford Colonials vs. Sacramento Mountain Lions:

Owl and Otter

Here are 2 more of my new designs.  These pieces were actually inspired by the poems on my other blog, The Owl and The Otter.

Bonjour Je m'appelle Franco

Bonjour.....je m'appelle Franco. Je suis un lapin. (*Imagine a snooty french accent*)




Franco is a snooty little French Rabbit who loves to be cuddled as much as his ears are long!!




Franco is the first in my Softies for Mirabel which the fabulous Pip from Meet Me at Mikes is organising to get as many people as possible to sew, crochet, stitch and create for this great cause. And it needs

MATTHIEU CHARNEAU

Matthieu Charneau
Height: 173cm - 5'8"
Weight: 63kg