Catching Up

I'm online this morning catching up on all the daily comics I've missed while we were without electricity. (Ice storm 2008 = lost power Thurs., Dec. 11 - power restored Thurs., Dec. 18 - phone restored Sat., Dec. 20... lemme tell ya, that was rugged. There are still thousands without power in NH, please keep them in your prayers.)

So anyway, I loved this Monty strip:

(H)EAT on WMUR Channel 9 in NH

Check it out...Click on the screen to go to the link.
Tom Holbrook, owner of RiverRun, sent me an email. I guess a TV crew must have spoken with him.

Flannery and I should be on WMUR today between 4 and 5:30. They also said they would put the web address for (H)EAT up on their site. In 90 seconds I managed to blurb Seacoast Local, RiverRun, Primal Media, Fastgirl, Zulu Studios, Seacoast Asset Management, and Simply Green. Don't know how much of it will run...

I'm glad he mentioned me (whether it runs on television or not) but I wish people would get zulustudio right. Ho, hum. It's just like my name... forever getting mangled.

Holiday (H)EAT Coloring Pages

The cabinet designer at Jewett Farms & Co. is also an illustrator. I traded Lynn a couple of cutting boards and some home made food-safe finish for a couple illustrations I could make into Holiday (H)EAT coloring pages. (She's also pulling another rabbit out of her magic hat for me... but I'll blog about that when it's closer to fruition.)

I'm a big kid and I still like coloring. Ask Julie. We get together to color sometimes. No kidding, man! I've got some great coloring books and a good set of pencils. Hours of clean, wholesome fun!

Anyway, Holiday (H)EAT coloring sheets... fun for the kiddies... spreading the word... it's all good. I asked Lynn to make one "heat" themed and one "eat." Not only did she draw great pictures for coloring -- she managed to include the mittens and mug I made for the Holiday (H)EAT logo! Brava!

(H)EAT

Yesterday we finished cleaning and decorating the store front in Portsmouth, NH. Paul Sorli, owner of the Portsmouth Gas Light, is letting Holiday (H)EAT use the space Dec. 13, 20 & 21st to increase awareness, sell (H)EAT stuff, raffle off some cool loot, color pictures, make ornaments and whatever else we can think of to help inform peeps in PoTown about shopping local, building sustainable communities and helping our neighbors.

Word of the Day

I love that the Word of the Day on my blog page is: Hobgoblin. That's freaking awesome. Who even uses that word anymore... except Michael and me? Dirty Kitty, Beast, Pooper, Varmint, Stinky, Stupid, Fatso and Squaky aren't the only names we call our cats!

Paging Dr. Rat! Paging Dr. Rat!

ALERT!
Erica, I ordered a medical (Mosby!) book for you as a Christmas gift.
If you get a box from Slamazon.com DO NOT OPEN IT!

I had no idea...... and I definitely don't want you to catch Monkey Butt!

Jimmie Cake

Last weekend Julie, Paula, Jessie and I got together to make a bunch of felt mitten and mug ornaments. I made lunch and Paula brought a Jimmie Cake for dessert, which was delicious -- so I asked for the recipe. This afternoon I experimented by using chocolate pudding, chocolate jimmies and mini chocolate chips. I think I like the original version better, but I KNOW Michael would prefer this style because it's CHOCOLATE. MMmmmmMMM... chocolate!

I've Had Days Like This

Holiday (H)EAT

The Seacoast Local (H)EAT Campaign will work throughout this winter to raise $50,000 to help provide food and heating oil for needy families in York and Rockingham counties. Seacoast Local is a not-for-profit organization. Their mission is to encourage citizens to be active participants in the life of their community. They're the peeps I helped with the "You Are Where You Eat" fabric bag, which is sold at local farmers' markets. Many of my favorite stores and restaurants are Seacoast Local member businesses.

I'm working with the Holiday (H)EAT group. We're going to create visibility and fund raise from Thanksgiving through New Year's, starting around Dec. 1st to coincide with Buy Local Week. One of the ways we're raising funds is by making hand stitched felt ornaments which will be sold by Seacoast Local businesses, with all proceeds going towards the (H)EAT fund.

Hey, if you wanna help me make some ornaments -- drop me an email and I'll send you the patterns. C'mon Erica, you've got tons of free time... right? Har, har, har! Seriously though, if you feel like chipping in -- [JASON: How are you making constructive use of your time these days?] get in touch.

The Finished Product

A few months ago I posted the scooter monkey gang that I drew for the new WaterMonkey stainless steel water bottles. They've been printed and here they are:Don't they look great?! Carole went with six different bottle colors, red and original stainless steel were my two favorites.

Monk-O-Lantern

Friday, October 31st was the 14th annual Portsmouth Halloween Parade and I carved a WaterMonkey-O-Lantern for the festivities.

If you watch the video, you'll see a cave woman with a bone rolled in her hair jamming to the Leftist Marching Band around 4:49 -- that's me! Michael the cave man raises a club and growls at the camera around 5:04. Three cheers and a tiger for the LMB! LMB! LMB! Woo Hoo!

Trestle Table and Benches

Here's a project we recently finished. The set features traditional through-tenon joinery and a curly maple table top with breadboard ends. Matt built the table and I made the two benches. I wanted to take the benches home -- they're just the right size to be used as coffee tables!

Robots Attack!

Get out and vote on Nov. 4th! (Unless you're lucky enough to have exercised that right and privilege already.) I promise my next post will NOT be political.

Alaska's Largest Newspaper Endorses Obama

Check it out.

The Anchorage Daily News.

(I tried to make that a link, but Blogger doesn't seem to be working correctly. You can read the story at: http://www.adn.com/opinion/story/567867.html)

Wouldn't it be fantastic if Alaska voted in majority for Obama next Tuesday? Talk about making history!

Zig-Zag-O-Lantern

The Halloween party was last night and we usually carve jack-o-lanterns for decoration. Since there's no smoking in the house, and it was raining, we set up a smoking area in the garage and I carved something special for all the boos and ghouls who smoke. I took this picture before the party started...
... and then left my camera and tripod in the garage. We had a great party and (as occasionally happens) I managed to enjoy myself so much that I completely forgot to go get my camera and take more pictures. D'OH! If I can find someone who snapped a shot of Michael and me in costume I'll post it later.

All Things Stripey

Friday morning, I was setting up my camera to take a picture of two cutting boards that I made. While I was adjusting the tripod and focusing, look who had to get in on the action...What a ham!
The cutting boards are cherry, maple & curly maple and walnut.

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama

Thank you, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, for being a voice of reason.



As the last weeks of the general election play out, it gives me hope to read things like this,
from Editor & Publisher:

NEW YORK The Los Angeles Times, breaking a decades-long policy of not endorsing any candidate for president, threw its support behind Barack Obama today. The editorial will appear in print this weekend, but went online this afternoon.

Just minutes later, the Chicago Tribune made an even more historic move, also backing Obama, its home state senator, and explaining: "This endorsement makes some history for the Chicago Tribune. This is the first time the newspaper has endorsed the Democratic Party's nominee for president." It said it was "proud" to make this choice, breaking a partisan policy that went back to the 19th century.

and this:

NEW YORK As chronicled by E&P in recent days, a, overwhelming trend from big city newspapers in editorial endorsements has favored Barack Obama with several papers that backed George W. Bush in 2004 switching over to the Democrat this year. But few expected that would happen deep in the heart of Texas.

Now it has, with the Houston Chronicle and Austin American Statesman coming out for Obama today. But Jophn McCain picked up one key endorsement today, gaining the GOP-leaning Columbus Dispatch in swing state Ohio.

The Austin and Houston moves, however, brings to at least 17 the number of papers that have made the switch. The Dallas Morning News and San Antonio Express-News did stick with the GOP candidate but he has lost papers all over the country, from the Chicago Tribune to the San Bernardino Sun, Denver Post, and New York Daily News.

Obama '08!

Getting Along

Look at this! A first! These three have never been this close to each other -- peacefully. Aawww... cute kitties, perhaps eventually we'll see them pig piling like a tangle of puppies. Of course, what we're really hoping for is three-way battle cats!

'Tis the Season

Political season, that is. Here's a message from Dr. Robert Newton, a lifelong Republican. The video is shot in Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the Republican Party. He's voting for Barack Obama and so am I.

Spumoni Slice Cookies

Last weekend it continued to rain, so I continued to cook. Asian Noodle Salad, Gyros with Tatziki... and those cookies I was blogging about. The dough was softer than I anticipated and you can see that my layers didn't come out very even. I ended up dipping them in semi-sweet chocolate, which was a tasty variation. If I make these again, I'll do cherry, pistachio and vanilla dough instead -- and maybe after I dip them in chocolate I'll roll 'em in crushed hazelnuts or something similar.

I'm Showing My Age

Yep. The fact that I remember the Lawrence Welk show (We used to watch it at Grammy's house, right before Hee Haw.) certainly clues you to my Sell By Date! I went to the NBC/Saturday Night Live website to watch the VP Debate skit, saw this Lawrence Welk skit and almost wet myself! Something must be seriously wrong with my brain because this freakin' CRACKED ME UP! Maybe it's because I'm JUST old enough to remember these kind of family musical acts on TV variety shows. Maybe it's because I had a fluffy yellow dress as a little kid? Maybe it's because I've got sisters? Erica, after you watch this... I bet you'll be thinking what I was thinking! You cannot escape my mind control waves!

Rainy Day

It has been raining most of today... so we've been kicking around the house doing some responsible chore-type stuff mixed liberally with relaxing distractions. I made soft pretzels to pass the time -- YUMMY! We bought the mix during our trip to PA for my birthday. They are delicious, fresh from the oven and brushed with melted butter. Belly bombs!I don't know what it is about bad weather, but it makes me want to read books, hang out in my pajamas and cook. I'm thinking about making some Spumoni cookies. I've never tried 'em before and they look fun. If it rains again tomorrow I'll probably do it.We were watching "Into the Wild" until Michael's beeper went off and he had to head to Berwick, ME. Speak of the devil and he re-appears! Michael just walked in the door so I'm gonna go finish the movie.

Next Week

Wednesday is October 1st... and that means it's not too long before Michael's birthday... and THAT means it's almost Halloween! Hey, I'm offering a Halloween treat to the first person who sends me one of these origami bats in the mail. C'mon! Get folding!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

That's what we're having for dinner tonight. I put the shoulder roast in the crock pot before I left for Stoddard this morning, and I got home an hour ago to the most delightful smelling house! I've got sesame seed potato rolls to serve it on and I'm gonna make some coleslaw to go with it. Hey Erica, I finally found a use for a bottle of that cranberry lambic no one wanted to drink! I simmered the roast with 2 huge onions, 5 cloves of garlic, beer and spices. After I shredded the meat I put it back on to simmer with some Sweet Baby Ray's Hot and Sweet barbecue sauce and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Woo Hoo!

Hide the Car Keys

Photographic proof that Peanut is trying to make a break for it! She's most likely plotting to run away to Granma's house in CT and now realizes that she needs a better vehicle. She's a terrible planner... there are no provisions in that wagon.

Cynthia sent me this card with our Stoopey Head Kitty on it -- Michael and I cracked up when I opened the mail. Run, Peanut, run! Head toward the light!

Speaking of mail: Rat, thanks for the David Sedaris book. I received it on Sept. 10th and was surprised to see you mailed it from Pittsfield, MA on Aug. 26th! Is there a wrinkle in time between coastal NH and western MA?

Scooter Monkeys

I'll write more about this later, but here's a sneak peek at the new WaterMonkey stainless steel water bottle design...

Full Moon Monday, Sept. 15

The perfect time to post about The 7th Annual Monster Mash!It might seem a little early, but good costumes take time. I'm not sure what we're gonna be this year. Any suggestions?

Lucky 7

Last Monday was our 7th Wedding Anniversary! It was also the day I returned to work after my carpal tunnel surgeries. I survived the week in the wood shop and Michael and I have survived (and thrived) being together for 10 years... Woo Hoo!

When I got home Monday night these lovelies were waiting for me:We also went out for dinner at The Holy Grail, a new pub here in town. The food was very good and Michael was impressed with the variety of good beers on tap.

Thanks for checking back after my long blogging break!

Flaming Truck

Usually Michael drives a propane truck, but last week he was delivering oil in this...Pretty cool, huh? I've never seen a paint job like that on a truck that hauls flammable liquids!

I haven't been posting much lately because on July 24th I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my right wrist. I've been somewhat incapacitated, but am on the mend and doing well. I'll have my left wrist done Aug. 14th so it's gonna be a slow postin' summer here at the ranch.

It's All in the Hands

Cool picture, huh?
Here's what I just finished making with my hands -- a walnut desk suite: 4-drawer file cabinet; upper cabinet with blueprint cubbies; 2-door upper cabinet with adjustable shelves; floating desktop; crown moulding and toe kicks. The two upper cabinets are both upside down to protect the finished edges. When everything is finished and installed I'll have better pictures... I can't wait to see it complete!

Two Men Playing the Blues

That's the name of the new album just released by Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis. It might seem an unlikely combination, but after listening to a couple different tracks -- I'm convinced. It will be the next CD I purchase... I can't wait to hear the whole thing!

Updated Website

Jewett Farms & Co. has updated the website -- finally! Now you can see some of our finished work photographed after installation. (You're gonna be impressed!) I copied a couple pictures from the About Us/Craftsmen page to show here, but you should visit the site.