tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74967515584725805122024-03-18T23:24:28.994-04:00Making Crafts in the Woods(my dad's euphemism for "wasting time")Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-59114877942100531122015-03-12T21:20:00.000-04:002015-03-12T21:20:17.410-04:00Spring cleaningI got a bit of the spring fever today and deleted 732 blog posts. I stopped deleting at Mo's birth. But I might continue, might wipe the slate clean. Mo is 4 years old now, and Margo is 4 months. The baby is healthy and cheerful. The sisters adore one another. The biggest surprise here is that I am painting all the time. So much more painting than writing. My poor old blog got lost in the shuffle of life. It's a good thing, though, to be fully immersed in life. To stop standing behind the camera and be part of the action.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-4382133949015327992014-10-27T14:52:00.001-04:002014-10-27T14:52:19.055-04:00Full termToday is baby's due date, but she's still camped out in my abdomen. Some reflections on this pregnancy as its days are numbered...<br />
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How completely different-feeling to carry a baby that isn't footling breech! (Still love <a href="http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/chuck-norris-top-50-facts">Chuck Norris facts</a>, though.) Aside from the weight loss in the 1st trimester and major indigestion throughout, this has been a very comfortable pregnancy. No bowling ball embedded in my ribcage; just a bowling ball flattening my bladder into a prolapsed pancake. Because my thyroid was under control beforehand this time, I did not have to take a ride on the hormonal roller coaster. And I've gained a less weight, ranging between 20 and 25 pounds depending on how much edema I'm rockin' on any given day. Gotta love having elephant legs.<br />
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I did need maternity clothes with this pregnancy, and started to need them early on. Almost everything was given to me secondhand from friends or was purchased at the thrift store near my house. I bought a couple of new Liz Lange shirts at Target, and the quality:cost ratio is very disappointing.<br />
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Although we found out baby's gender and chose a name for her early on (so we could tell Mo what to expect), I'm still inclined to think of it as an "it" until it is out in the world and alive and screaming. I felt that way last time, too. It's a defense mechanism. So many things can go wrong, even up to the end.<br />
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But seriously, she needs to get the hell out of my belly. Like now. Pregnancy has fully lost what little charm it had.<br />
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Also, we're planning to let our family know when baby arrives, but we're keeping it off social media until we're headed home from the hospital. (PLEASE be polite and do not post our news publicly until you see that we have posted something first!) Last time I was bombarded with phone calls and visits, and I've gotta tell you that was really difficult for me. I had had major abdominal surgery, and it was the first time I was ever hospitalized for anything in life. I was trying to figure out breastfeeding with a jaundiced baby who wouldn't gain weight. And I was suffering serious sleep deprivation. I let the pain get way ahead of me before starting any drugs, and I was fearful that the baby would evaporate if I closed my eyes. I think I maxed out around 36 hours before Robb started acting like a bouncer for me. I'm hoping the hospital can be a little more peaceful this time around. Well, as peaceful as the hospital can be...<br />
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"Chuck Norris can gargle peanut butter."<br />
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Um, I'm getting sidetracked.<br />
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Oh, right, the old wives tales. So I'm NOT drinking castor oil. Too gross. And evening primrose capsules seem like a bad idea. But I have been sitting/bouncing on an exercise ball and taking long walks around the neighborhood. Also I ate a whole fresh pineapple per my friend Brenda's recommendation. Do yourself a favor and never eat a whole fresh pineapple: it changes the acidity of your poop and makes you want to sit on an inflatable donut for a few days afterward.<br />
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Robb's out fishing this afternoon because it's a beautiful day, and he realizes his free time is going to take a major hit in the near future. Mo has a headcold and is watching "The Cat in the Hat" downstairs. And I'm sitting here trying to use Jedi mind tricks to induce labor. Wish me luck!Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-11474314706021366752014-08-25T21:16:00.002-04:002014-08-25T21:16:06.629-04:00Mommy had to get creative this morning<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/15037506862" title="How many pony tails would you like? by Barbara Mowery, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/15037506862_e568de5bfd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="How many pony tails would you like?"></a><br/><br/>"How many pony tails would you like?"<br/><br/>"All of them."Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-40924007052007199962014-05-31T08:36:00.002-04:002014-06-01T15:44:35.612-04:00Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999I've started referring to 2014 as "The Year of Barb."<br />
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Robb had 2012. He got an iPod and a new truck and travel and jewels and stuff.<br />
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Poor 2013 was nobody's joy around here (basement flood disaster and busted heat pump).<br />
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But 2014 is mine! I got a gestating fetus, a successful plein air event, Robb's iPod as a hand-me-down, and now my artwork is being featured at <a href="http://www.bishopsstock.com/">Bishop's Stock</a> during June. (<a href="http://barbaramowery.blogspot.com/2014/05/showtime.html">Click here for all the information</a>.) My little paintings will be rubbing elbows with the work of 3 female artists for whom I have deep respect and whose work I greatly admire: <a href="http://www.lockhartpainter.com/">Lynne Lockhart</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deborah.rolig">Deborah Rolig</a>, and <a href="http://www.nancywest.com/">Nancy West</a>. Just look at their work for a hot minute. Holy crap!<br />
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The only rub, I'll be in Pittsburgh for the opening reception. And the rest of June is so crazy I will not actually get to go see my work hanging in person. But if you are going to be downa-shure (that's "down at the shore" in Baltimorese), please take a ride to Snow Hill and check out the artwork, grab a nice meal at <a href="http://www.harvestmoontavern.com/Pages/default.aspx">Harvest Moon</a>, and some ice cream at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/snowhillemporium">The Emporium</a>. You'll be glad you did!Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-55330216491819979902014-05-30T12:31:00.000-04:002014-05-30T12:31:00.087-04:00Command me to be well<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MYSVMgRr6pw" width="560"></iframe>
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Would you believe that the young man singing is only 24? Irish artist Andrew Hozier-Byrne performs "Take Me to Church." Rather disturbing video about human rights, hate crimes, equality. He'll be in DC at 9:30 Club on November 4th...eight days after baby's due date. "Command me to be well..." Yeah, not a chance I'm getting to that show.
Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-71095716562274301592014-05-28T08:22:00.000-04:002014-05-28T08:22:13.856-04:00LatelyPregnancy: it's not as fun as you remember it. Luckily the pukesies and misery of the first trimester are well behind me. I lost 8 pounds. But now I believe I am enormous. There was a week or so that I couldn't catch my breath when my uterus started its northern migration and jammed all of my organs into my throat. My yoga instructor would intone for us to enjoy one more round of deep breaths, and I could complete about 15 hummingbird-sized breaths in the allotted time. Otherwise, things are good. A little insomnia, a little back pain, and a desire for sauerkraut. Most of the time I sort of keep the pregnancy on the back burner and just chase after Mo. She tells me she has a baby growing her tummy, too. Nice show of solidarity.<br />
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I have been painting, painting, painting all the time because tomorrow I deliver paintings for a exhibition in June at Bishop's Stock. More info on this to follow.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-72206797227174093942014-04-22T08:17:00.001-04:002014-04-22T08:17:14.897-04:00Paint Snow Hill 2014<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/13965077811" title="Saturday Night's Wet Paint Show and Sale by Barbara Mowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Saturday Night's Wet Paint Show and Sale" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/13965077811_b5b1feaa86.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Here is my <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/sets/72157644162150916/">photo album from Paint Snow Hill</a>. I should add a photo of my living room and call it "explosion at baggage claim." Slowly getting things put away and catching up on rest. This was my 8th year at PSH. There were 68 artists painting in the coldest, windiest weather the event has ever known. As usual I hid in my car. My mom came with me because a) it was Easter weekend, and b) <b>I'm pregnant!</b> I've had terrible morning sickness this time around, and everyone was worried I would keel over in a ditch. So Mom offered to tag along to keep an eye on me. And we had a great time together. And then I sold 9 paintings at the show. Take that in for a moment: NINE PAINTINGS! Every painting in the picture above, gone. I finished a painting of All Hallows Church on Sunday morning, and that one stayed behind for the May show at <a href="http://bishopsstock.com/">Bishop's Stock</a>. So the only thing I brought home with me was the Lissa Abrams painting "Pine Bank" that I purchased. I'm still sort of in shock about the whole thing and not entirely sure what to make of it.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-49600819803598049972014-04-15T07:10:00.000-04:002014-04-15T07:10:01.096-04:00Only 2 more days...until Paint Snow Hill 2014, which for me is Christmas, the Superbowl, and a day at the circus all rolled into one. It is always the third weekend of April, and that happened to be Easter weekend this year. My family has graciously given me a pass. I leave at the crack of dawn Thursday. And I will be camping in the Pocomoke State Park this time. Cabin camping, not real camping, complete with a heater because the temperature is supposed to dip back down: highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s, partly cloudy, and windy.<br />
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There are two shows this time, so if you are in the area, please stop by. First Saturday night from 6-8pm is a ticketed event. Tickets are $30, but that money is applied to your purchase of artwork. And then the free show is Easter Sunday from 1-4pm. Both shows are at the Firehouse Arts Center on West Green Street<br />
Snow Hill, Maryland 21863. For more info please contact <a href="http://bishopsstock.com/">Bishop's Stock</a>, which is the command center for PSH. Also there is a fabulous show going on at Bishop's Stock featuring paintings by Lynne Lockhart and Kirk McBride. Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-47396300783134265922014-03-14T20:08:00.004-04:002014-03-14T20:08:54.034-04:00Who's MAPAPA?!Tomorrow is the annual meeting of the <a href="http://www.mapapa.org/">Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association</a>--or MAPAPA. The acronym never fails to make me chuckle. I've been a member for several years, but this is the first time I have not had to work the Saturday of the annual meeting. I'm really looking forward to it. All week I've been doing my best to rest and drink plenty of fluids and get feeling better for the big event. Early in the morning there is a paint-out in Annapolis. I'm feeling better, but not quite 6am-in-Annapolis-better, so I'll pass on the paint-out. The lecture and demo topics include: The Figure in Composition, Cityscapes, and Working with a Limited Palette. And there's also lunch and a business meeting. Should be fun!Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-26112336369464685662014-03-12T16:39:00.000-04:002014-03-12T16:39:03.304-04:00Studio tour<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/13111853455/" title="Studio tour january 2014 by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/13111853455_7431312ec3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Studio tour january 2014"></a><br/><br/>
Take a look around my studio over on <a href="http://barbaramowery.blogspot.com/2014/03/studio-tour.html">my art blog today</a>.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-85995088582113318882014-03-11T20:07:00.001-04:002014-03-11T20:07:13.752-04:00Mother of the yearWhen we took Sukey for a walk today, Mo started saying, "Humdinger!" And when we got home she said, "Arabesque!" I asked her what does arabesque mean, and she said, "Means spin around." So having the tv babysit her a little while I'm not feeling well isn't all bad. She improved her vocabulary. I think these words came from Sheriff Callie's Wild West and Olivia respectively. But then right before bedtime she said, "This...is....Oxyclean!" Perhaps we overdid it on the tv today.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-44482261812091284132014-03-10T18:03:00.002-04:002014-03-10T18:03:45.843-04:00BlehMo's finally feeling better, and now I'm sick again. Yuck.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-86791712109490163602014-03-09T13:26:00.000-04:002014-03-09T13:26:52.039-04:00Sweet dreams<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/13038331904/" title="Sweet dreams by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/13038331904_aab0f81e9b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Sweet dreams"></a><br/>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/13038332894/" title="Sweet dreams by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/13038332894_abde3302c9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Sweet dreams"></a><br/><br/>
A little wishful thinking on my part--Mo has never been the best sleeper. Someone was selling these on Etsy for $30. I was all, "I can make that!" I traced a circle, filled it in with blue watercolor paint, sprinkled it with table salt, and added some stars with white craft paint. It's on Mo's dresser now. Maybe she'll take it to heart.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-17471711363082953012014-03-08T00:01:00.000-05:002014-03-08T00:01:10.841-05:00Lost in Living<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/67761940" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/67761940">Lost In Living</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/psanchez">Paul Sanchez</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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So <a href="http://bbmowery.blogspot.com/2012/11/yes-yes-yes-and-yes.html">a long time ago</a> I mentioned a documentary that was in production about four women artists and how they balanced family life with creative life. Remember? Once this lovely movie called "Lost in Living" was released I bought the dvd and watched it over and over, nodding my head as I recognized the challenges and humor and conflicting priorities dance across the screen. In honor of International Women's Day, the creators of "Lost in Living" are streaming the movie for free on Vimeo through 8am Sunday. (Yay!) I am sorry to post another movie on the blog so soon, but this one is really worth the watch whether you are an artist or not. Any working mom, any stay at home mom, any mom will recognize pieces of themselves in the women in this film. I hope you get a chance to watch it. Enjoy!Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-713730778671620572014-03-07T07:53:00.000-05:002014-03-07T07:53:47.938-05:00Aaaaaaaaaaand done<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12980635065/" title="Finished color wheel sampler by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Finished color wheel sampler" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/12980635065_519e405ca0.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12980636325/" title="Library tote bag baby shower gift by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Library tote bag baby shower gift" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2595/12980636325_10e08980c4.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />
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Mo and I check out about a dozen books a week from our library. And Mo's special tote bag that her Aunt Angie made for her is a real workhorse. I liked that idea so much I made several <a href="http://bbmowery.blogspot.com/2013/01/embroidered-baby-gifts.html">library totes</a> as gifts for little ones last year. But then I saw <a href="http://hodgepodgefarm.net/?p=3324">this</a>. See that little thumbnail for the color wheel sampler workshop? And I knew I had to make one on the next bag. For some reason I have enough embroidery floss to sink a battleship--weird, right?--so I traced a salad plate and jumped right in. The stitches are not anything particularly fancy or complicated. But I am really happy with how this turned out. And without the word "library" blazoned across the side, it can be a book bag or a sleep over at grandma's house bag or a carry all 38 of my tiny plastic farm animals to the park bag. This will be my go-to 2014 bag design.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-26567547049350789402014-03-06T15:40:00.002-05:002014-03-06T15:40:46.699-05:00The Magic of Ordinary Days<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pNEleH8DP-g" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Above is a 2005 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie called "The Magic of Ordinary Days" starring Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich. Before you balk at the mention of Hallmark or scoff at the made-for-tv-ness, I assure you that if all television movies were this good, we wouldn't need theaters anymore. "The Magic of Ordinary Days" is well written, acted, and executed. There is no dead wood at all. Every character, every sentence of dialogue, every look--even the popular song the girls sing together while driving ("Smoke Gets in Your Eyes")--furthers the story. The acting is surprisingly subtle and powerful. The actors approach their roles in a thoughtful, quiet way. The lead characters are very different, but those differences are presented in a respectful way allowing the viewers to draw their own conclusions. And it's wholesome (yes, I said "wholesome" enough to watch with your children or parents without cringing, but the story is engaging and suspenseful. I dare you to watch it. It's one of my favorites!Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-74402736503821555942014-03-05T13:02:00.001-05:002014-03-05T13:02:28.087-05:00Sing a rainbow<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12952931793/" title="Starting a sampler by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Starting a sampler" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/12952931793_a888f8df86.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I started a little color wheel sampler project. You know, in all my free time.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-23347170729569231772014-03-04T09:27:00.001-05:002014-03-04T09:27:27.391-05:00Wildlife carnival<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927945395/" title="Coloring at breakfast by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Coloring at breakfast" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/12927945395_d8a281cb44.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12928051363/" title="Winter storm Titan by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Winter storm Titan" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/12928051363_3b11968f39.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927943675/" title="Making bird feeder by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Making bird feeder" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/12927943675_3e3f62c9b7.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12928049653/" title="Rolling in seed by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Rolling in seed" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/12928049653_e603d1bf6b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927941815/" title="Finished pinecones by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Finished pinecones" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/12927941815_633ae60719.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927940955/" title="Prepping the rig to go outside by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Prepping the rig to go outside" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/12927940955_9d7aa87f19.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12928047123/" title="Hanging the feeder by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Hanging the feeder" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/12928047123_e27270c9f4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927939205/" title="Birds visit by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Birds visit" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/12927939205_c510d59ac5.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927938665/" title="The sun comes out by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="The sun comes out" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/12927938665_3bd45ffbf7.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927937905/" title="Squirrel visits by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Squirrel visits" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/12927937905_fe56127138.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927936815/" title="Squirrel antics by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Squirrel antics" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/12927936815_258bbc57b7.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12928043173/" title="Starlings having breakfast by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Starlings having breakfast" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/12928043173_60878ecc9a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12927935715/" title="Lots of starlings by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img alt="Lots of starlings" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/12927935715_d33deb6b6a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Our bird and squirrel feeder was wildly successful and is providing hours of entertainment. Now, what project are we going to do today?Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-14301289947490518042014-03-03T07:00:00.000-05:002014-03-03T07:00:10.080-05:00Snowing again...not like that's newsDear winter storm Titan,<br />
Let me start by saying I'm sorry that we're just not as excited about you as we might have been in December. It's been a busy season. If you want to get our attention you will have to give wedgies to puppies or learn to tap dance. It's not your fault, but you are really late to the party. So move along now, honey. That's quite enough.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Me<br />
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Today we are actively being snowed in. Again. Again again. Last I checked they expect us to get 8-12 inches and not climb out of the 20s. I have a little activity planned for the morning. Mo and I are slathering some pine cones with peanut butter and rolling them in bird seed. Please note we collected the pine cones Saturday morning when it was 50 degrees and sunny. We are going to hang all the pine cones from a stick and then suspend the stick from the big hook outside the kitchen window. Then we can watch the little birds feast. And we'll watch to see how long it takes our friendly neighborhood squirrels rip the whole thing down. Usually quite acrobatic and providing at least several minutes of entertainment. They are efficient little rascals. Then maybe we'll bake cookies and watch movies and shovel as little as humanly possible. I mean, it's supposed to be 80 by Thursday, right?Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-33951268396483931572014-03-02T05:52:00.000-05:002014-03-02T05:52:00.166-05:00Sinus-buster soupWe've all be nursing head colds for several days. Last night I wanted to make chicken noodle soup but didn't feel like cooking chicken. Or noodles. Here is what went into the base--it's like napalm for your nose, throat, and ear canals:<br />
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1 carton of low sodium chicken stock<br />
1 Tablespoon of snipped chives<br />
1-2 Tablespoons of grated fresh ginger<br />
1 Tablespoon of minced garlic<br />
1/4 teaspoon black pepper<br />
a dash or two of red pepper flakes<br />
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Then I chopped up some celery, carrots, and red potatoes. And we had about a half a can of low sodium garbanzo beans in the fridge, so they went into the pot, too. Simmer until you can easily pierce the potatoes and carrots with a fork. Salt to taste. (We're keeping a close eye on sodium intake here, so everything is salt to taste these days.)<br />
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It's really not worth photographing. I'm terrible at food photography anyway. It looks like soup. But it works like a sledge hammer. Between the steam and the super spicy-heat, I was breathing through my nose again. And my ears unclogged. And my hair follicles started to tingle. It's that strong. You'll feel good enough to rejoin the land of the living. Just remember to brush your teeth before going out in public. The public will thank you.
Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-8145798180900186012014-03-01T13:21:00.002-05:002014-03-01T14:26:08.417-05:00Kickoff to March madness involves wool, pantry stuffs, and a very understanding husband<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12859589033/" title="Dyeing yarn with black tea by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/12859589033_1533a760c0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dyeing yarn with black tea"></a><br/>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12859931764/" title="Black tea and turmeric drying outside by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/12859931764_c38dd7e702.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Black tea and turmeric drying outside"></a><br/>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12859521615/" title="Woolly mammoth drying over the hearth by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7415/12859521615_14c5570bbb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Woolly mammoth drying over the hearth"></a><br/>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12859928944/" title="Clockwise turmeric paprika undyed and black tea by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/12859928944_0b70581c53.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Clockwise turmeric paprika undyed and black tea"></a>
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Honestly I don't give a rat's patootie about basketball, so my version of March madness is another attempt at creating blog posts every day this month. It worked out nicely in November. Here I go again. As you can see from the photos, I've been at my cauldron doing <a href="http://cozymadethings.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/adventures-with-turmeric.html">this</a>: dyeing yarn with turmeric and a vegetable steamer. Until the initial whim rapidly spun out of control, and the whole house smelled like wet sheep and Indian food. The shearings from a woolly mammoth dangled over our fireplace. The balls of yarn pictured above (starting with the smallest ball at the right and working clockwise) are natural undyed, black tea, turmeric, and paprika.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8594905@N06/12859519335/" title="Dyeing yarn with black beans by bbmowery, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/12859519335_4ae289e251.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dyeing yarn with black beans"></a>
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Up next are black beans (blue), and I have chamomile (light yellow) waiting in the wings. I'll let you know how all of that goes.<br />
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And Happy Birthday, Angie!Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-85477341286383880032014-02-19T08:52:00.004-05:002014-02-19T08:52:52.027-05:00Note to selfSorting through some loose papers I found a scribbled note:<br />
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"Stolen thunder, hidden butterscotch."<br />
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It must have been important, and it's certainly funny, but what does it mean?... Oh, right, it was <a href="http://bbmowery.blogspot.com/2010/01/stolen-thunder-hidden-butterscotch.html">this</a>. And what it means is that I need to clean out my desk drawers more frequently.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-47619676006426564082014-01-30T07:07:00.000-05:002014-01-30T07:07:21.764-05:00Off the needlesI finished knitting a <a href="http://ravel.me/bbmowery/ld0d6">cardigan</a> for Becca and Ernest's baby girl last night. It was my first successful go-round with lace. The sweater is so tiny! (Sorry no pictures.) I need to get started on another cardigan, this one for Jamie and Kevin's baby boy, using the same pattern minus the lace. Last week I completed a <a href="http://ravel.me/bbmowery/9ncag">Baby Surprise Jacket</a> using scraps from my yarn stash. I intended that one for my nephew-on-the-way, but it turned out huge, like size 2T. When it's this cold outside, all I want to do is knit.Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-46692682027281772172014-01-27T08:33:00.001-05:002014-01-27T08:33:51.401-05:00Real winterAfter enjoying several very mild winters in a row--this time last year we were at the playground in sweatshirts--we are being squeezed under the thumb an an extended period of real cold. The snow lingers on the ground long enough to become dirty looking around the edges. Quite astonishing after being essentially winter-free for a few years. <br />
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We had a lovely Christmas with family and then celebrated Mo's 3rd birthday in style. Amy and Mike came from Pittsburgh for the birthday weekend, which was a real treat. We played this game called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/heads-up!/id623592465?mt=8">Head's Up</a> with them one evening and laughed until we nearly peed our pants. The main source of hilarity was Robb's ability to free associate answers that sometimes had little to do with the subject at hand. <br />
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Now we have a visit from Jenny to look forward to in two weeks, before she ships off to her next assignment in South Korea. What an adventure! <br />
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Robb is experiencing a winter of the soul, if you consider our refrigerator and pantry to be the vessels in which Robb's soul lives...and I do. Robb needs to lower his sodium and protein, and I need to eliminate saturated fat. I'm not exactly turning cartwheels over making these changes because it means more work in the kitchen from me. We are getting rid of most processed foods and cooking as much as possible from scratch, that way we control the contents of what we eat. But Robb is especially despondent over dietary changes. He will move toward better health kicking and screaming. I remind him that we are also modeling good habits for Mo. I don't think that makes it any easier for him.<br />
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We are still in computer limbo. The new tower (refurbished) had a power supply issue. It was still under warranty, so Robb swapped it out for another new (refurbished) tower. And it has a power supply issue too. Very frustrating. So it also needs to go back, this time we're thinking of swapping it out for a different brand/kind/whatever. This must be a problem specific to the one we purchased. Our old computer was a refurb, and it lasted about 4 years, so I still have faith in refurbs. Hopefully we will get this resolved by the end of the month and be on our merry computing way.<br />
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I also went with a friend to see <a href="http://www.phillipscollection.org/exhibitions/2013-10-12-exhibition-van-gogh-repetitions.aspx">the Van Gogh show</a> at The Phillips Collection before it closes. It was fascinating, especially the Rouin family portraits.<br />
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Happy New Year! Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7496751558472580512.post-37467256487247167042013-12-31T20:32:00.003-05:002013-12-31T22:10:30.134-05:00Rockin' New Year's EveIt's 8pm, and I can barely keep my eyes open. My heart goes out to everyone working in emergency and critical care settings today, tonight, and tomorrow, whether it be with people or with animals, because holidays in the ER are crazytown. Crazy. Town. And on the way home from my little workday, I decided to brave WalMart for Mo's birthday party supplies. I was simply not in the right frame of mind. Every decision was agonizing. Striped napkins or polka dots? Slinkies or markers for favors? Do I need more alphabet stickers? An hour and a half elapsed in this manner. Sheesh. I did enjoy wishing all sorts of strangers a very Happy New Year, though. And did it with a smile. <br />
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I hope you all had a nice Christmas. We did. What a glut! I have so many homemade cookies at my beck and call right now, I could glitter glue them all together into a full sized igloo. A delicious igloo. It's enough to tempt Hansel and Gretel off the beaten path, and certainly enough to derail the correction of my wayward cholesterol levels. But I certainly won't construct a cookie igloo. Imagine all the crumbs in my igloo bed!<br />
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I'm so tired I'm typing nonsense now.<br />
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Delicious nonsense.<br />
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I've been MIA for a last week or so because we're having technical difficulties with our desktop. The motherboard blew up, and the new tower seems to have a few issues as well. So for now I'm typing missives from the wilderness known as Robb's laptop. I think you know how I feel about laptops. Me and my crucially first world problems.<br />
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Right-o, I have to make up the favor bags before I doze off. No way I'm making it to midnight this year. I'll be lucky to see 8:45pm at this rate. Cheers, y'all! Barb Moweryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02758417124707097357noreply@blogger.com0