So I'm Back...

...and ready to give this old blogging thing a spin again. Let's see, in the last 2 years I have bounced back and forth from Colorado to Utah a few times. My boy and I loved it in Utah where I was working at my sister and brother in law's tattoo shop as a permanent cosmetics technician. Colorado called me back. I guess there are lessons here that I have not learned yet. I have been to custody court twice in the last year, met a super groovy guy, rolled his truck (he stll likes me), enrolled my boy in kindergarten, breezed through 2 waitressing jobs, got me and my boy a little place in town (humble though it may be) and now, again, back where I started I am trying to find a name for myself and as always trying to give my boy the best life I can. I am learning that this, perhaps, is the biggest adventure so far. We live in a tiny little town in Southern Colorado. It's funny how things look and feel different at different phases of your life. I never thought I would love living here, but its starting to grow on me. What once seemed broken down and depressing has new life to it now. These old buildings look like giant pieces of rustic art and the people here are like characters in movies. Our life here is humble, but its pleasant and we have most of what we need. I want to make something for us here. I have a few small dreams and plans. Let's see what we can make of it.

Making Japaleno Jelly

Check out what I made today!

Strange brew

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Bubble bubble

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Processing...

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Cooling...

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Looks like honey!

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It's surprisingly sweet and tangy... definitely has a kick!

Peck of Peppers

Ever wondered what a bushel of jalapenos looked like? This is about half... I am doing everything I can think of with peppers!

Poppers, bacon wrapped poppers, pickled, salsa, roasted...

and jellied!

Check this mess out! First stages of Jalapeno Jelly! Reminds me a little of "Dip"

Don't melt the toons!

This Week's Inspiration 9-5-10

Perhaps I mentioned that I have been obsessing (slightly) about vintage photos. I have also been on an old timey Native American kick... so this weeks inspiration combines the best of both worlds. And of course, it never hurts to throw in a good Johnny Cash reference!

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Chief Big Foot and Spotted Eagle

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Chief Big Foot

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Chief Big Foot
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This Weeks Inspiration

As a little girl I spent many hours with my grandmother as she showed me all her dolls and the clothes that she would make for them. She was surrounded by bits of lace and scraps of fabric as she meticulously hand sewed tiny little skirts and aprons. She showed me how to make clothespin dolls and I remember sitting quietly for hours with her snipping and sewing and gluing my own little dolls. She was a kind woman and she taught me many things. She taught me how to garden and the importance of beauty with her amazing flowers. She taught me how to make an apple head doll, that you should surround yourself with things you love and how great coca-cola tastes with vanilla ice cream. She taught me to be strong and strive to be wise and that you can do it on your own, but most importantly she taught me that women should never wear horizontal stripes and all good little dollies wear underpants.

Grandma Floy in the middle... smoking cigars behind the house. (Early 1930's)

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Another amazing woman in my life was my Aunt Rose. She helped my grandmother take care of her girls when their father left. She was like a second parent to my mom and a wonderful joy to me and my sisters when we were young. She was Texas through and through. Every time she came to visit she would pull out an invisible jar and ask me and my sisters to give her kisses all over her face. She would then "peel" them from her face and put them in her "jar" explaining that now she had a stash of kisses to take home with her. She played for hours with us. An all time favorite Rose quote was "P'like I'm a pussycat, prrr prrr". She encouraged my artistic endeavours and never spoke an unkind word to anyone.... that I know of.

Aunt Rose riding a bull (mid 1930's)

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Lately I have been inspired by WWII era photos and family history. These two amazing women are my awesome inspiration of the week.

Jake Gunnell @ SLC Ink

My brother-in-law is an amazing artist and has worked incredibly hard and long to become an amazing tattoo artist. He and my beautiful sister own their own shop in Salt Lake City, Utah. (SLC Ink) Check out this link and spread some love.

http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/article-11982-artys-2010-vote-now-for-your-favorites.html

Craft Lake City

Thanks to all my family and friends for all the love, help and support. Couldn't have made the show without you guys! Also thank you to all the awesome folks who stopped by my booth. It was great to meet everyone.

For all those who asked, my etsy shop is re-open and back in business. Check out all the new listings!

www.warmfuzzycoldprickly.etsy.com