Recycling my old stuff...

I was cleaning out parts of my room the other day... you'd never be able to tell by looking at it... and I found some old purses that I never use anymore. Most of them I put in a box to pass along to someone who might like them, but the one featured in this post tonight was "saved" because I saw potential in it for a project. Below is the purse almost in tact... I became over zealous when I decided to take it apart and forgot to get a before picture. The piece that I really wanted to work with was the screen printed image on the front of the bag.

Here is the purse completely dismantled. After removing the piece that I really wanted, I realized I had been have so much fun taking it apart I just continued till all the hardware was selvaged and any other material from it I might make use of.

So here is the piece that started the madness. Cute isn't it? I didn't really want to part with it just yet and I knew I could get creative with it, besides the purse in general was in terrible condition. Nobody would have wanted it anyway... it needed to be played with.

So I became over zealous again because I didn't manage to remember to get any process pictures while I was putting my bill fold together. The images below are the finished product!

Holds the cash and the cards!

Unfolded...

Finally, my little screen print.

So that was kind of short and sweet. Hope you enjoyed! Later!

Never in a million years...

For months now Dave has been going on about these Vibram Five Fingers. He's shown me them and explained to me how they would be beneficial for our performance during our CrossFit workouts. I wasn't buying it... I thought, no way. How could your feet ever be comfortable. Back in the day I tried the toe socks... they were fun for a while, but I never really felt comfort in wearing them. All that material between you toes... I guess it isn't terrible, I'm a huge fan of flip flops, but these are shoes... and there is shoe between your toes! I just couldn't comprehend how that could possibly be comfortable much less provide for a good workout experience. So I was nay-sayer.

Dave asked for these shoes for his birthday which is coming up next week and his parents had been planning to get them for him for a while now, however, they weren't having much luck finding them. Every internet store had them on back order... Again, I was thinking... what the..., but people were talkin' them up all over the place. Dave's dad told him of the trouble they were having and told him to buy them if you see them because they really wanted him to have them for his birthday. So, we went to Midwest Mountaineering who carries them in various styles and I decided to try them on. At first I was skeptical because my "munted" toes weren't getting in position very easily. After I got them on though and started walking around the store I began to understand the praise for them. They actually give you a sweet feeling of freedom and all of the sudden... I really wanted a pair of my own. So we left the store, two new pairs of Five Fingers in hand, talking about how great our workout would be later on. I was super excited and couldn't wait to put them back on.

They are fun right? I think they will take a little to get used to, but they aren't uncomfortable and like I said before... the feeling of freedom they give you is remarkable. Barefoot without getting holes in the bottoms of your feet!

They might be a little bulky for dancing, but look at the flexibility they allow! Who knows? Maybe I give them a little more time to break in and I will be dancing around in them.

So, my shoes are the Sprint fit and here are Dave's the KSO (Keep Stuff Out). We thought that name was clever. The only difference is the mesh covering the upper foot. This picture was taken just before we headed to the recreation center to give them the real test. Today the workout we did was three rounds of 20 incline sit-ups, 20 Kettle-bell swings, 20 push-ups, and 400 meter sprints. It was an interesting experience and I must say that I ran better today than I have in ages. The shoes make you run more toward the front of your foot, never striking heal first. I'm guessing that I'll feel an effect from that differing muscle use tomorrow, but tonight I'm delighted, because after the walk there, the workout, and the walk back home, I'm still really glad that I bought these shoes... even if on a bit of a whim. haha

Vibram Five Fingers, another reminder of the lesson to "never judge a book by it cover"...

As vague and confusing as I can be...

I have finished the material for my next blog post, but am lacking the imagery to be able to complete the post. This type of set back... it sets me back.

The other day I actually started three projects... all of which ended for the same reason... I need more material to move forward. Now, I wait for the opportunity to go buy more material.

I have been considering some projects that will utilize my scrap material... One of my three new projects involves scraps from the project I just finished.

I would like to take the next line (or two) to congratulate Crystal Roob! I sat as her model during her MN State Boards for cosmetology on Monday. She aced them! Yay Crystal!

David's genius came to him yesterday during work. His genius didn't help him work it helped him with his music. He finished a strong base for a whole song last night! The subject matter is touching, I hope you all hear it in it's completion one day.

View this TED talk about your genius...

I don't know why I'm concerned with getting all kinds of new material for my projects. I still have yards... and yards... and yards of material from when I went to the JoAnn closings... I need to get back to work...

Big Thanks for the Help

Thank you Mom, Jon, and Lynn for helping me peel eggs! Thanks Dad for helping me make all the eggs! Thank you recipezaar for the recipes! Thank Teresa for the task!

Deviled Eggs!!!

It might be the part of me that has stayed childlike that finds humor in taking food preparation assignments to the extreme. A couple years ago, my cousin Elizabeth and I made the Lamb Cake for Easter. Lamb Cake is a traditional piece on our Easter, a recipe handed down through generations, a cake molded from a cast iron lamb shape. This project was taken to the extreme by making an over abundance of frosting... we had broken my mom's mixer during the process... oops :) We had to use that frosting not only on the lamb, but also the plate... Pretty right?

Here is the lamb's bed of grass...
(and Elizabeth and I)

...and here was a our beautiful lamb!

This year my aunt Teresa assigned me the task of making the Deviled Eggs for Easter at my grandparent's house. Immediately upon hearing this news, I decided I wanted my eggs to be an unforgettable piece to this year's holiday!

Every Easter our family has Deviled Eggs as an appetizer and this is probably my favorite food on the table so, I guess it makes sense for me to prepare them. How can one take the task to an extreme you ask? Well, my idea at first was to make 10 dozen eggs... my thought was, there are never enough to satisfy everyone (or at least me ;) ) and I can't be the only one who loves them so much. I was soon advised to pull back my efforts because of the time and expense that would be required in the preparation of 240 Deviled Eggs. My dad allowed me to use four eggs per the 9 recipes I wanted to try (plus four more for extra normal eggs) totally 80 Deviled Eggs. I wanted this to be a little bit more of a treat this year so I enlisted the help of the fine recipe contributors of recipezaar.com to get some ideas for new flavors. While I LOVE the classic Deviled Egg, it is the only kind we ever really have at our holiday gathering so I thought that we could use a bit of variety in egg appetizers this year. With a grocery list of 30 different ingredients I believe that my goal for variety and memorability can be accomplished... as long as I can get them all made.

*above text was prepared before taking on the challenge

I'm preparing to make the first batch: the traditional eggs.

I decided to make two batches of the classics in the anticipation that my relatives will think I'm crazy and favor these over all of the other, more nontraditional recipes. Our preference has been for a bit more of a chunky egg mix. They are nice... but a little... boring. haha, delicious all the same!

I have chosen six recipes from recipezaar.com to try out in search of a new favorite of my own. Here were the winners of that search:

No Yolk Deviled Eggs

The filling is potatoes instead of yolk. They resembled a potato salad in taste. I liked this recipe.

The Real Deal Deviled Eggs

These are special for your spicy food loving friends. They have a kick, that is for sure.

Mexi Salsa Deviled Eggs

I believe these were the favorite of the day. They were gone first anyway!

Lemon-Curry Deviled Eggs

If you like curry, you would like these.

Ali's Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs

These were probably my favorite. The dill flavor with the eggs was excellent.

Dirty Martini Deviled Eggs

Yes, they contain Vodka and yes, they were pretty good... cute too.

The remaining two batches were reserved for two special concoctions that I had devised on my own!

That is my dad, helping me out with all my eggs... as well as the 30 ingredients!

Invention #1:

Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

They contain bacon, red pepper, green pepper, and peppercorn ranch dressing

I loved these! They were sooo delicious!

Invention #2

S.O.S Deviled Eggs

S.O.S comes from a military dish that my family would eat often together. I wanted to make eggs inspired by that meal because it is one of my favorites.

The egg mix contains pork sausage, hash browns, and white sauce (like in biscuits and gravy...).

Another winner I thought!

and here is the spread of 8o Deviled Eggs!

I dare you to assign me a layered cake for your next birthday Teresa! ;)

Vacation full of new things.

Last week Dave and I traveled to Mexico and met up with his parents and an aunt and uncle. While on this vacation in Akumal, Mexico I experienced a lot of firsts. This was my very first time in Mexico for one. Secondly, I visited two ancient ruin sites, Coba and Tulum. In Coba I climbed my first ancient pyramid and stood a few feet away from the first iguana that I've seen outside of a cage! Another first that occurred was snorkeling in an ocean and seeing my first, second, and third sea turtle which had been my favorite animal from afar, but now I have an even greater love for them! Dave's family had been there for a couple days before we arrived and had scoped out the best restaurants and bars that they wanted to share with us. Mexico presented yet another first for me... drinking tequila in an open to the elements bar... with swings! Enough words... Here are some shots from the trip.

Entrance to a burial space within the ruins of Coba.

I like how the tree's roots are clinging around the arch.

This small pyramid was attached to the tomb.

This is the tallest pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula...

...the one we climbed.

Looking over the edge...Looking out into the world

David, looking out from the top.

This was taken while entering the sea port ruins of Tulum.

These ruins were much more uncovered and manicured for tourists.

Couldn't help but desire to live here.

... and right on the gulf.

I took this while sitting under a palm tree after snorkling.

Here is the bar with swings!

Here are the swings!

This bar also had a crow's nest that you could sit in.

Dave and I visited it the night before to check it out.