Groundhog day has officially come and gone.  However, there’s more celebrating to be done.  That’s the 50 percent part, if you’re listening.  I’m on my way to Columbus to hang with Juan.  [insert sarcasm font] And we know that’s never fun.  Because I never did like him. [remove sarcasm font]

Whether you like Punxatawney Phil’s prediction or not, you have to agree that Groundhog Day is fun.  Especially if you can celebrate it for almost an entire month.  I’m going to get mileage out of this one!

image from fireperformers.co.uk

And don’t forget that next weekend is Fire Weekend.  It’s going to be my virgin burn.  I’m only a little bit excited about that!!

I’m beyond thrilled to see this burst of creativity.  This inspiration.  It is truly beautiful and very inspiring to me.

Angelia’s Art

My dear friend Angelia is an amazing, inspired artist.  She started blogging a couple of years ago and is now a blogging juggernaut.  She posts quite often, runs art journal classes and is constantly creating beautiful pieces for clients and filling multiple journals to the brim.

Here’s a small taste of her work.  She has a series of posts titled Monday’s Mandala.  She is creating a mandala every Monday for 24 weeks.

Creativity and Movement?

The fabulous Renee all about this.  She runs a hula hoop dance troop called Little Wing Dance Company and dances at events (Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland’s Walk Rock & Run, Spirit in Motion etc.)  throughout Northeastern Ohio.

She also teaches beginner and advanced hoop classes two days a week during most of the year.  If this doesn’t keep her busy enough, she’s constantly creating original art for her home and her friends and family.

Take a look at Heart Magick:

The Art and Artistry of ArieMoon by the deliciously talented Valarie.  Valarie is an incredible artist who finds nearly a bazillion ways to create, tell stories, inspire and open hearts.

What medium does she use?  So, so many.  She crafts beautiful jewelry, spirit dolls, totem animals, collages etc. etc.

She also writes, creates music with her husband, Jeff, and is an amazing designer.  She designs commissioned pieces and also creates for specific shows throughout the year.  Her home contains so many beautiful things, amazing creations and is full of love, magic and quite a bit of whimsy.

I knew I had to spin fire poi.

Fire Spinning from Poi Pixies

Well, it’s almost here.  My fire poi are being shipped from New Zealand right now. I should have them in about a week.

I’d like to be able to complete some of these tricks…soon.

One thing I never really “picked up”???  Hoop.  Yes, hula hoop.  I’m taking a Hula Hoop Dance class right now.  I still don’t quite have the hips right and I drop the hoop more than I spin it.  But it’s fun and I’m learning.  To hoop.  I’m learning to hoop. Finally…….

Hopefully fire hoop is next.

Plans.  And a little bit of whimsy thrown in.  But lots of cleaning.  Sorting.  Deciding.  Purging.  Donating.  (None of which was a “resolution”)

I cleaned the spare bedroom which was full of piles of my stuff, Christmas presents (!), empty Christmas boxes and miscellaneous unused items.  It’s always good to have that room in relative order in case an overnight guest should pop in.

from http://mysocalledjunkylife.blogspot.com

And then there’s my studio.  I’ve started calling it my studio rather than my office.  I’m almost done with it!  95% done and a few tweaks will make it 100%.  I’ve taken pictures along the way because it’s going to look nice when it’s done.  I promise to share.

These images are of other creative people’s studios.  I guess mine wasn’t that far off the mark. (Hah, it was.  Far off the mark…)

Studio Space of Artisan Originals

Christmas is done and the decorations are down and stowed.  Catalogs are sorted and recycled.  Next is the kitchen.

Cue horror movie music.  It’s the kitchen.  I’m sensing a major purge and reorganization…..

Someone hold me.  Or pass me a glass of wine and a Xanax.

They decorate for holidays that are only a mention on an Elementary School calendar.  President’s Day?  Yep, they have a bust of George Washington.  They do Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day.  And then they really hit their stride.  Because they can decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in rapid, rapid succession.

And let me tell you, it is rapid and very, very timely.  Friday morning after Thanksgiving, they are full-on, completely decorated for Christmas.  I’ve never watched them tear down and put up decorations but I imagine they hit the front lawn at midnight to do all of the tedious, extension cord running work.

We live in an old neighborhood with postage stamp size lawns.  The patches of front lawns are approximately 15 feet deep by 25 feet wide.  Not a whole lot of room for “The Plastic Light Up Lawn Ornaments” you’d think.  But then you’d be wrong.

They have so many of “The Plastic Light Up Lawn Ornaments” that they have to hang some out of the 2nd floor and attic windows of their home.  Yes, they do.

So, here’s where it gets good.  Two years ago,  across the street and two doors down, two very nice gentlemen moved in.  They decorate like it’s their job and they are the President of the United States of Christmas Ornaments and Decorations.

In their first year of decorating, they eclipsed “The Plastic Light Up Lawn Ornaments” people by a factor of four.  Seriously, they rocked the ridiculous Christmas Light, Light Up Fan Driven Lawn Ornament contest.  Except there was no contest.  I think their light display was so bright and ridiculously flashing that the neighbors may have told them to turn it down.  It was that crazy.

It’s only gotten more crazy and ornate over the remaining years.  They not only decorate the front of their home, they decorate their fence and gate and their detached garage.  Next year they may even try to decorate the air space above their home.  Too bad for them that we’re in the landing pattern for the airport, they could add lights up to the outer layers of the atmosphere.

BETTER

So, the rest of the houses on this end of the street have really amped up their displays.  And the “The Plastic Light Up Lawn Ornaments” are now in 3rd place.  3rd Place, at best.  I kind of feel sorry for them.  They win though, the rest of the year.  Because really, except them, who has Plastic Light Up Lawn Ornaments for Arbor Day?

BEST

And I’m in line for the scanner at work, so I’ll post it when I can.  Until then, enjoy the pretty pics.

(Get off my lawn!)

So, The Boots.

They’re vintage and belonged to my Mother.  She was a 60′s era folk singer.  I imagine they looked fantastic with a pair of patterned tights and a cute jersey mini-dress.  (Notice they don’t even fit in the Instagram frame.)

I’d wear them but they’re about 2 sizes too small.  Crushed, I’m crushed.

White Mountain Suede “Sh-Booties”

These numbers were purchased at Marshall’s and were a raging deal.  The bonus?  They have an awesome tread.  I’ll be able to wear these even in the worst, snowy Cleveland conditions.  And still be wearing hot shoes.  Because that’s important.

Snow Boots

These are my dress snow boots.  Yes, I am a vain asshole.  They have great tread, are water proof and are lined.  The beauty of them?  If it’s punchy snow, I dig in the heels and am completely mobile and don’t slip.

Born Hippie Boots

These are great with hippie skirts or jeans.  I got them on sale at DSW several years ago.  They would also probably look cute with tights and a jean mini.  Hmmm, I might have to put that together for the weekend!

Doc Marten Shit Kickers

Because sometimes you have to go old school, even at work.  They can be polished to a nice shine.  Not that I’d ever do that to these.  I like to think I’m cultivating the Johnny Depp worn-out, ugly boot look.

These Are my Moon Boots

Technically these should be my snow boots.  If I go sled riding or decide to make snow angels with my nephew, I wear these.  They could even be considered apres ski wear if I ever actually went skiing.  They’re insulated, they’re waterproof and I look like an alien when I wear them.

Steampunk Boots

I purchased these at JCPenney specifically to wear with my first Steampunk outfit.  They’re hot looking.  And just a tad bit too high.  I’m wearing them anyway because they’re hot.  And they’re Steampunk.

80′s Vintage

Purloined from Grandma’s closet.  Yeah, the Mom of my Mom.  I think their taste in boots is similar.  Which is to say it’s excellent.  These are awesome with black tights and a mini.  Very sassy.  Also very nice with flared jeans.

My First Love

I bought these at Marshall Field’s in the late 80′s.  I had absolutely no business buying these beauties.  The price I paid for them then is out of my budget even now.

And I wish they still fit me.  I had pipsqueak little feet then.  I’m glad I still have them.  I take them out every now and again and bask in the glory.

First Pair of Spider Killers

Yes, that’s a pair of stainless toes on the black, soft as velvet, Elk cowboy boots.  They’re beautiful.  They’re comfortable.  They’re kick ass.

And I can wear them in Cleveland approximately 3 days out of the year.  It has to be cool.  There cannot be any road salt on the pavement at all.

Dude, Are You Serious?

These Luccheses are just cowboy boot perfection.  The pattern and colors are stunning.  And yet, as far as cowboy boots go, they’re not too outlandish.  I can wear them with a long black skirt and black blazer to work, even.  They, of course, look way better with jeans or a jean skirt.  But I like to push the envelope a bit and wear them to work.  Because I can. (3 days per year only, just as the boots above)

Sunday rolls through with girl’s afternoon and a little kitchen fun. I was half way through making popcorn balls when I realized that I haven’t made popcorn balls since I was 15. And I was making popcorn balls for a party.

What the Hell was I THINKING? Isn’t there a general rule?

Don’t try out a new recipe for the first time & attempt to serve it or take it to a party.

So that’s exactly what I did. I took popcorn balls to my party. The stuff that didn’t actually turn into popcorn balls stayed at home for the guys and football. So, I ended up serving the brand new, untested recipe at two separate functions.

So here’s what I did:

I popped two large bowls of popcorn.  I grated carmelized ginger, and also decided to use sesame seeds & chopped raisins as garnish.

Then I  lined two cookie trays with parchment paper.

I melted 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup & 2 Tbs margarine over medium heat & allegedly stirred constantly. As the syrup started to cook, I kept stirring until the sugar melted & the mixture darkened.

Then came the tricky part.  I poured the boiling mixture over the popcorn & began to form the popcorn balls with my hands.  I’m a fan of greasing my hands with butter or margarine to do this.  Less sticky and less burny too.  I rolled the popcorn balls into the add-ins.  I let the balls cool on the parchment paper & wrapped them in small decorative bags to display and serve.

Any popcorn that doesn’t seem to want to be rolled into balls can be eaten as caramel corn.  Delish!

And this, after 2 parties, is all that’s left!

So, I’ll write at least a couple of times a week, try to keep my streak going and try to keep my creative juices at their peak.