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Learning to Machine

The last time Brian had some time off he took me to learn a few basics about Machining. We both wished that we had more time, I just watched him work instead of getting to try everything out myself. We worked on perfecting a ring design for my color chart rings. Three of the masters we made are on their way to my casters right now. I am crossing my fingers that I get rings back in time for Felt Club! I do love how perfect machining parts can be - but I'm not sure I would ever make the best machinist. I just know I would screw up the math somehow!

Besides making the rings, Brian also made this little tool for use while drilling the holes in each ring.

Great Opportunity

The Martha Stewart Blog is having a contest - post your blog in the comments and she will choose a few to spotlight on her website.

Thinking of Yosemite

Growth on a Tree at the Park

Rajbhog

Or "Nut-Stuffed Chenna Balls in Rose Syrup. (Chenna is a type of cheese.) Years ago I purchased a big thick Indian recipe book. I haven't used it at all until recently because each recipe is so complicated or requires ingredients I can't find. Every few years as a cook in this house, I find that I get a little better. And I'm not bragging here at all, just saying that I revisit cook books and recipes don't seem as daunting as they did in the beginning. I've learned which short cuts I can take, can improvise more, I'm faster. So lately I've revisited this large Indian volume. I made a delicious fried cauliflower and potato dish with yogurt sauce last week as my first recipe test and it was a winner. I've been searching through the pages since to see what would be next. I found this Rajbhog recipe and it seemed like it could be one of those mysterious Indian dishes that we love when we eat out... or similar anyway. It was a long one, but I was anxious to see if I could solve the mystery. (I've also been wanting to use this bottle of Rose Water for something way too long!)

This weekend I set out to crack the code. It was a very interesting journey to say the least - turning milk into cheese right on the stove before my eyes. In the end, I think this could be the mysterious dessert... but I didn't do a few things right so I can't be sure just yet. I will have to try it again, adjusting a few steps now that I know better.

 

 

 

Birthdays

I have been so behind on Birthdays lately. Sunday I had some time to fix this. I sat down at the computer and took care of 5 Birthdays all at once - all ordered from Etsy. I wish I could tout on the time it took to get all the buying done. The choosing of the gifts went really fast, all in about an hour (record time for me), but the buying took forever with our internet signal coming and going. I was so excited to have everything picked out and ready to order, feeling a high from getting so much done so quickly - and within a really good budget- then ran into a brick wall with the finishing. But it did get done and it still feels great. I have one more to buy today, but that one requires an intown errand. I feel so good to be caught up again. I do this everytime I get behind with birthdays, feel so good when catching up, swear to never be behind again, get behind again, and then the cycle continues. With everything else crazy in this world this seems like a simple little thing that I can fix. So again, I will pledge to keep up. Again.

Never Too Old, or Too Many Legs to Bounce

Weeks ago our friends The Masons invited us over to Laurie's mom's birthday event. Her mom has never been in a Jumping Castle and so they thought it would be way cool to get one for her birthday. The Bouncer was set up all day and we headed over for some fun after dinner. We were way too full to be bouncing, but it was getting late, and we didn't want to miss our chance. It was quite a circus. In the middle of all the adults we had three dogs in and out of the bouncer too. We all imagined how cool it would be to sleep in the castle, but at the end of the night the plug was pulled and we all went our separate ways to slumber on land.

Paper Cuts

I'm in a show at Chango Coffee House with L.C. this month. It's very exciting to be in a show with L.C. I feel totally honored and to be honest, was a bit nervous about it. The opening was Friday. I got to meet some really sweet people and get more good feedback about my artwork. I love to see people getting up close to look at all the details. I also finally got to meet Nicole Bruckman. She and I have been in a couple shows together but haven't managed to meet until last night. She is so nice and sweet. It was great to realize we have both been going through similar things this year in relation to making art and showing. Thanks also need to go out too Matt Burlingame and his good friends for coming out and keeping us company. Good conversations were had and the night flew by.

PAPER CUTS
an exhibition of work by
L.Croskey and Rebecca Hahn

September 1-30, 2008
opening reception:
Saturday, September 6th from 7-10pm

Chango Coffee House and Gallery
1559 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026

9 Years

Nine years ago today, Brian and I got married. Wow, has it ever gone fast! We took a trip last weekend to Yosemite to celebrate and it was so good to spend some time away from the city, tv, movies, and our computers! I think at least one of us is glued to a screen of some sort at all times. I realized along the way that the hikes turned out to be a good metaphor for our life together. Sometimes we were together walking side by side. Sometimes we were on different sections of the path - one on a low sandy point, one on a higher rocky section - but still side by side. Sometimes one of us made it through a down or uphill scramble quicker, but was always there waiting for the other to catch up, watching to see that the other was safe, and still coming. Always holding out a hand, to find the other. That really sums up the last 9+ years for us together and am I ever grateful to have that steady hand to to reach out to.

Getting into nature - first day - me asking if this looks like a bear print.

Same hike - Brian right before discovering a baby rattlesnake.

I'm missing one day's photos from our first long hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls along the John Muir trail. We came back down the mist trail - 600 steep steps. We were a bit lucky because it wasn't spring or the steps would have been wet and slippery as well as steep. I know, I know, it wasn't as beautiful, but I have a thing about heights. Slippery, steep heights just don't sound as fun to me. We were so unprepared for our day that we forgot our camera and a backpack. These next photos are from our hike the next day to Sentinel Point, Taft Point and Glacier Point.

Always on the edge. He inspired someone else to take a picture of him leaning over this railing to get a photo.

 

 

We took the path less traveled in between points of interest on this hike and I was starting to question our choice, but there were fresh foot prints ( I blew on them to make sure they were fresh when Brian wasn't looking ) and a pine cone message in another language. For all we knew it could have said "Help! Picked wrong path!". It wasn't and all was fine. Next photo is of a cool topographical map.

 

Our last day was spent in the Redwood groves. 

We stayed at the Narrow Gauge Inn. We loved it. While it is 2 miles outside of the park, it was heavenly not being in the middle of the Labor day crowds at Yosemite Valley. I have to admit that I had a great time and I was totally able to relax. While I love being out in nature, I am usually a huge scaredy cat - mountain lions, bears, heights, snakes, winding mountain roads... I could go on. This time was different. I was able to relax and just enjoy our time together. I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder or tense on the curvy roads. It is such a relief to get to this point in my life. To look up and see Brian there at the end of my uphill scramble, smiling, waiting for me, proud. Continuing on our path together.

 

Felt Club

Whoopee! I found out last night that I got into Felt Club! There were close to 400 applicants and 150 venders were chosen. I am so excited! Felt Club is November 16th so for the next two months I will be brainstorming and making things happen around here.  Since going to Felt Club two years ago, Brian and I have been daydreaming about having a booth. I think this year's event will be a big test for me, and I am excited to see how I will do and the feedback I will get from my peers.