Inspration & Cooking Again

I went to see the movie "Julie Julia" this summer and fell in love with it. I liked it so much I asked for the cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" for Christmas.
The making of this book by Julia Child is the inspiration for the movie. It's a cute movie and well worth seeing if you have not seen it yet. Meryl Streep did a wonderful interpretation of Julia Child.
I got two copies of this cookbook for Christmas, lol. Both my son and my husband got it for me. My son loves for me to cook for him...me thinks I know now why he got it me. He will get the leftovers to take back to school.
First of all I'm not that great of a cook. I can cook but it has never been a passion. I can follow a recipe...wink wink. I usually change the recipe to my liking....adding a little more of this and omitting an ingredient all together. However I have a few recipes that I make very well.
I'm probably like most women of today. It's much easier to buy prepared meals or just go out for dinner. I know my biggest problem was trying to come up with something new each and every evening for the family. I got so burnt out and resentful. I got to the point where I could not stand to cook. I hated it. Now that the kids are gone and it's just me and the hubby it's even harder to cook for two. But anyway something in this movie has inspired me to want to cook again.
This book gives detailed instructions so I'm looking forward to at least..... attempt to learn a few new things.
After skimming through the pages I think that I will definitely need a few new pots and casseroles. Yea! Now a good reason to get rid of some of my old pots and pans I've been using for years.
I have to say the book is a little intimidating. I am going to take my time and do the recipes correctly. I want to savor the experience. I'm not going to blog about it like in the movie....maybe.... if something turns out. hehe.

Altered Art Journal Letter Z

"What does it mean?

Yes! I did it! The final page to my altered art journal. Working on this journal has been a rewarding and enlightening journey to say the least. This journal was to showcase through each letter in the alphabet little bits and pieces of information about myself. Its a diverse selection of things I like and words that describe me the best. I was hoping to develop and define a style that I felt I lacked. I wanted to use a variety of artistic techniques, some I already knew and some I would learn along the way. But the main reason to do this journal was I wanted something artsy to hand down to my children. Hopefully they will get a greater idea of who this crazy lady they call mom really is.
I started this journal over a year ago. When I started it in 2008 I was in the beginning stages of my new life being home with myself to do as I please. I had only been blogging a few months and I did not know much about the world wide web. I was really green, so green I did not know much of anything that had to do with computers or web sites or surfing the web, uploading, downloading, linking this to that, html codes, pixels, etc, but I'm so proud of all I've accomplished. I've come a long way baby!

Now a little about this page. My maiden name is Zissa, which is perfect for the last page of my journal. The name "Zissa" has always intrigued me. We do not know what it means. My great grandfather on my dads side was adopted. He lost his parents while on the journey to America from Czechoslovakia in the late 1800's. My family does not know much about him or his adopted parents. We don't know if he kept his own last name or took the adopted parents name. The name Zissa does not have a meaning in Czech. It's so mysterious and such an unusual name. I want my children and grandchildren to always remember it.

Holiday Apron

Remember when I said I was in the mood to bake...well I decided I had to have a Christmas apron to cook in first. I spent most of the day yesterday sewing this lovely thing. Now I think I'm going to have to give it to my bf for Christmas. I think it turned out really cute. She likes to cook. It will be perfect for her. I wanted it to have that vintage look, like from the 50's. I did not have too many choices in the vintage catagory at the fabric store. Why can't they sell the stuff people want? Do you know what I mean? There are tons of fabrics in these stores but nothing that I like. If you go in the Bernina center they have all of these cute patterns for vintage aprons, purses, etc, but they don't stock the same cute vintage looking material. These fabrics were the closest thing to vintage I could find. Oh well enough venting. It turned out the way I wanted it to.
Today the weather turned cold and dreary. A perfect day to bake some holiday cookies.
xoxox
Charlie

Christmas Preparations

Here is a sweet vintage postcard I found on google images. I had every intention of using it in my digital work but I can't seem to find the time to do any art. I've been a bad blogger lately as well. I guess there is too much going on. I had a custom order last week so yuppie! The customer wanted 6 charms cut from the same plate. I did that for her, so I feel a nice sense of accomplishment. I've been Christmas shopping and have most of it done. I still have 5 more people on the list to buy for. My mom is the hardest. I'm really having a hard time deciding what to get her this year. She is 90 years old and lives in an assisted living home. Any ideas?
Today was such a beautiful day out. I took advantage of the nice weather and cut back all my perennials that got scorched from the freeze. We usually don't get such hard freezes so early, so I'm not used to doing this kind of yard work before Christmas. My husband said he would string the lights while I cut back the dead plants. He then became extremely frustrated with the stupid lights because, well you know Christmas lights, so I finished it up for him. Keep in mind we did not string near the amount we normally do. I'm letting it go. No pressure. I'm really happy with what we have up.....One tree wrapped with a few strands of lights and my Christmas critters, which is what I call my lighted reindeer, snowmen, and penguin.
This week I really have to finish buying the gifts. I want it all done and everything wraped so I can start baking. I'm in the mood to bake. I'm going to rummage through my recipies and pull out my favorites. My husband and I will be hosting the Christmas Eve party this year for his side of the family. Christmas day is for our immediate family, so I only have to cook for my kids and husband on Christmas day. Then we are off to Yoakum the 26th to celebrate with my side of the family. I get tired just thinking about it.
I'm not sure why I'm rambling on about this. I guess I'm wondering what everyone's plans are and how you all celebrate. Let me know what you will be doing this year for Christmas. Leave a comment here for this post or blog about on your own blog and then let me know so I can read it.
xoxo
Charlie

Gruene Hall

Saturday we went to Gruene Texas with friends for the ceremonial Christmas lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus. Gruene Hall is a famous honky tonk in the tiny town with the same name. It's a cute historical district not far from San Antonio basicly in New Braunfels. Gift shops, antique shops and great restuarants make up the street that is Gruene Texas. There's not mush else to it.
Texas has a lot of famous honky tonks but Gruene's claim to fame is a portion of "Michael" was filmed in the dance hall. I loved John Travolta in this movie. He played Michael the Archangel. I think this movie and Pulp Fiction really propelled him along in his career. Really cute movie to rent if you have not seen it.
The Christmas panic is starting to set in. I have so much shopping to do. I know, I know, I need to make lists and stay focused. I try every year to start early but some how it does not matter. I always panic. This year I'm making a promise to not get my panties in a wad, not worry. It does not have to be perfect. Ha! We will see how long this last!
Good Luck Y'all!

No Snow For S.A.

No snow for S.A. It snowed all around us. When the front came across Texas it parted like the Red Sea as it rolled over San Antonio. I watched on the radar. It slowly made it's way across the state leaving a wintry mixture of ice and snow, but as it came over us there was nothing. The cold snap brought temperatures down to 25 last night. Brrrrrrr!
It's a nice change. I enjoyed staying in my pj's all day, curled up under the many layers of blankets and comforters. I had my lap top and sketch book, so with thoughts of snow this is what I came up with. I designed a snowflake and made it into a digital sheet. Sketched a couple of snowman people and Christmas trees.
I don't know how you people who live in the north stand it. I feel like hibernating. I don't want to leave the house. Heck! I don't want to get out of bed. Like I said it's a nice change, but I could not deal with this all winter. It's going to get back into the 70's Tuesday. I'll be ready for the warmth.
Tonight we are going to take in some Christmas festivities. Tomorrow I want to see New Moon with my daughter. I hope the weather is just how you want it wherever you are.
Have a nice weekend!
Hugs,
Charlie

It's beginning to look a lot like Chrstmas! The tree is up and decorated. The house is decorated. Now my husband needs to string lights outside on the house. He really hates doing this little chore because he does not like heights. It probably wont happen this weekend anyway because we are supposed to get snow! Yeah! That is what they are predicting! Hmmmmph! I'm really a skeptic. It never snows here, and if it does it will not stay on the ground. I think our weathermen have nothing better to say, so they get everyone excited about the possibility of snow. It's been cold and dreary but it has not even gotten in the 30's yet. If it snows I'll let you know. It's a big deal in San Antonio. If it snows the whole city will shut down. No one knows how to drive in snow or ice, so no one goes to work. It's really comical.. It's a good excuse to stay home as far as I'm concerned . I don't know how to drive in it! It would be exciting if it snowed, but I wish it would wait until Christmas. I've never had a white Christmas. I'm not holding my breath in hopes, but secretly I'm crossing my fingers.
Snow in San Antonio in early December!!!! What happened to global warming?
Stay tuned.
Hugs,
Charlie

Altered Art Journal Letter Y

"Yin Yang"

Here is letter y in my altered art journal. There are not very many describing words starting with the letter Y. I had a hard time deciding what to do. Y is not an easy letter to do, so I settled on yin yang. I like the concept it represents of harmony and balance, black and white, the male and female meanings and so on. I like the simple black and white symbol for yin yang. This is my doodle interpretation for yin yang. It has a little zentangle applied. Seems like zen and yin should go together. I made my symbol for yin yang a square instead of a circle. I tried to keep it symmetrical and simple.
I did not get to put out all the Christmas decorations. I have so much. It's really crazy and I'm not using most of the tree ornaments. I sent a lot of boxes back up in the attic. I did manage to get the front door decorated. Hopefully I'll get some pictures up tomorrow.
It's so rainy and cold here it's weird. I'm not used to this cold weather. I don't want to go outside but it's time for me to workout. YuK! I have to go so I can eat and drink all I want. I wish! heehee!
Y'all have a good day!
Hugs,
Charlie