For those of you that think I sit on my ass all day...

...eating bon-bons.

You know who are.

(and judging from the size of my ass it may be logical assumption, HOWEVER...)

Here are a few things that I have been up to for the last ten days.

Phase II of Girl Builds a Closet is complete.  Phase III (the FINAL phase) is painting it all.  Just patiently waiting for open window weather.  This week I hung the closet doors and sewed a simple box pleat curtain to hide the shelves filled with junk on top.   Maybe someday I will build doors for up there.  Maybe.

Next, our good friends Bryon and Judie sent over some lovely perennials from their yard.   I planted daylilies, daisies, peonies and a raspberry bush.  Here is a picture of the lilies from early this grey and dismal morning.   I hope they fill in fast this summer!  (ps, I had no idea just how dirty one small little boy could get until he 'helped' me for a couple hours in the moist black dirt.)

What else?  Oh yes, trying to solve my storage problem. Basically, we don't have any (except the new closet).  I used the leftover tongue and groove pine from the closet project on a wall in the laundry/mud room.  And then hung two shelves.

I finally hung my favorite iron stars outside and a cute paint-by-numbers pic that I nabbed at a flea market last year.  I decided to hang a frame around the picture.  Made me feel extra 'artsy'.  Hehehe.

I don't know that it is about the paint by numbers picture, but I just love it.  It's a pretty scene, has beautiful colors, and someone actually painted it.   By number.  What isn't there to love?

 Linking Up At: Crazed Fan Weekend Hop , Remodelaholic.com and BedifferentActnormal.

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They said it was Good For You back then...

I was blog hopping and stopped at One Mixed Bag to find a vintage ad endorsing Blatz Beer for mothers and babies. Unreal, right?  Not so much.  I have seen plenty of old ads full of questionable medical advice.  It's questionable or outright quackery now, but it wasn't back then!

Which makes me wonder, what common medical practices, beauty products or food stuffs of our generation will be deemed quackery or dangerous fifty years from now?  Vaccines, mercury-laden hygiene products (ex: anti-perspirent) and cosmetics (ex: mascara), GMO corn, soybeans & wheat, hormones in food, synthetic perfumes, artificial sweeteners.... only time will tell. 

We are programmed by mainstream media and giant corporations to blindly accept news, products, ideas and services.   'It's on the news; it must be true'.  'My Dr. said it's OK.'  'Everyone else is doing it.'  And on and on and on.

So anyways, just because something is widely accepted today, cutting edge technology or scientifically proven does not necessarily mean that it is a good idea.

Check out these other vintage ads~ full of GREAT IDEAS! (back then).

Can you imagine a LYSOL DOUCHE?  Sign me up! Err... nevermind.

from http://www.weirdomatic.com/creepy-ads.html

And look!  Barbiturates for babies!  (I have to admit, there were a few nights during Jack's infancy that I would have loved to knock him out with some drug-induced sleep, hehehe)

from http://www.weirdomatic.com/creepy-ads.html

Of course, if most Dr's chose Camel, so will I!

from http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/10/07/business/07adco_CA0.inline.ready.html

I really want a tape worm.  I could eat whatever I wanted,

and not gain weight! Screw exersizing.

from http://www.allclassicads.com/unusual-ads.html

I could post these beauties all day long.  Enemas, lobotomy, bloodletting, wacky exercise equipment... fun stuff!

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Salon appointment just in time for the Royal Wedding (with pics)

Now, I just need my invitation to the Royal Wedding. 

I'm not holding my breath.  *sigh*

Today I spent two and a half glorious hours at the salon.  It had been THREE LONG MONTHS since my last hair appointment.  And it was an excruciating long wait since then, because I hated how my hair turned out last time.

It was orange.  Brassy.  Soooo not classy.

Feb2011

today: pre-appt and pre-makeup

This time I wasn't going to mess around.  I called the Aveda Salon in town and made an appointment several days in advance. You see, I am normally kind of impatient when it comes to my hair, and when I decide to go in, that means I want it done NOW or at the most a few hours.  Back in February when that moment struck, I called 4 of the 5 salons in town before finding an opening.

Looking back, there is a reason that the particular place I went had immediate openings.   When I arrived for my appointment I was disappointed; in the building (siding was falling off), in the decor (dirty and cheap) and in the stylist (her hair was NOT pretty and she was in dumpy jeans and worn out tennies).  I should have walked out right then and there, but I didn't.   And that is how one gets horrible, brassy highlights put in her hair.

NOW, about today's appointment!  The salon was beautiful; soothing colors, trendy decor and Aveda goodness everywhere I looked.   My stylist was cute!  Her hair was done! She was perky and nice. I immediately was at ease.  We discussed the current state of my hair and what I wanted out of today's visit.   She offered suggestions and advice.  I basically fell in love.   She could have told me that my hair would look great with purple streaks and I probably would have said OK.

She cleaned up the highlights and 'painted on' a darker color to blend with my roots.   I couldn't be happier. I can already tell that the grow-out is going to be easier on the eyes (vs. the straight line of yellow-y orange I had going on before) and the overall color looks much better with my skin tone.

I love a good salon visit, don't you?

 ***this blog inspired a hubpages post... check it out if you have time! http://hubpages.com/hub/Avoid-a-Poor-Hair-Salon-Experience

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Networking

Gonna try Bloglovin. Follow?

There are so many blog catalogs and networking sites promising to launch your blog into blog superstardom.

Do they work?

What do you use?

How can you possibly keep up with all of them?

I have joined so many sites over the last two months that I am beginning to lose track.  But just in case you haven't heard of any of these sites, or you're already there, let me know so we can be friends here, there and everywhere! (aren't you excited?  *eyeroll*)

The Blog Catalog

love the looks of this site, and nice to see non mommy bloggers out there

BLOGFROG 

definitely my home (blog) away from home (blog)

Petit Chef 

I don't know what I'm doing here or if I have even signed up properly

FTLOB 

You could nominate ArtsyNina as blog of the month. If you wanted. *big cheesy grin*

 Networked Blogs

I kind of like networked blogs. Not necessarily for driving traffic to ArtsyNina, but because it publishes feeds of Networked Blogs I follow to my Facebook page.  Convenient; especially on those days that I am afraid to look at my Google Reader (there were over 1000 posts in there today- all because I haven't looked for a few days!)

Artsy's Facebook Fanpage 

Artsy on Twitter 

Pinterest 

And last but not least, I've started throwing articles on hubpages.
You know, because I'm an expert on everything  nothing.

HubPages

***edit 4/28***
I thought of more:  The Blog Entourage,

Bloggers.com


It's like leaving breadcrumbs all over the 'net.... hoping that someone will find you.

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Spring Planting

I think that Spring has arrived in Minnesota.   Maybe.   Heck, I don't know, but I decided to gamble a little and start some gardening.  For some reason I don't think we've seen the last of the hard frosts.  The weather this winter has been insane!

Back in February  I decided to give winter container sowing a try.  One container had pansies and the other had bachelor buttons.  I wouldn't call the experiment a failure, but not exactly a success either.   the pansies never germinated, but the bachelor buttons did!  I transferred the seedlings to a larger pot on Monday.

 

On Easter, Mom sent my sister and I home with daffodils and a hyacinth. I have a long stretch along the south side of the house that I plan to fill mainly with daylilies, but have reserved a section in the center where there is already a lone tulip sprouting up for other colors.  That is where I transplanted these beauties.

 

And then I started in the vegetable garden.   Our neighbor was kind enough to till a plot for us last fall, and again this spring.  The soil was nice and loose.  After a trip to The Mustard Seed we came home with dozens of ideas, a few plant packets and onion sets.  I planted the onions, beets and radishes.  The pumpkins and cabbage will wait till it's warmer.  I'm a ghetto gardener and marked my seed rows with sticks. Oh yes I did!

I also bought the cutest little growing kit.    It's called Grow-Ums.  Geared towards kids, but caught my husbands eye, haha.  It contains seeds, markers and growing medium.  We bought the taco set.  Mmm jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro and lettuce.

Since I am trying to be somewhat organized about things this year, I am keeping all the seed packets for reference and using the calendar to mark when plants should be ready for harvest.  Simple idea, right?   Right.  But a big step for ArtsyNina who usually scatters seeds every which way and then later stares at small green leaves wondering  'what the heck is this thing again?'

Here's to a long growing season and favorable weather!  Pretty Please, Mother Nature?

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Friday Night Craft :: Clothespin Magnets

I got my artsy on tonight.   I feel like it's been forever since I actually did anything crafty.   It was nice to do something creative that did not involve compound miter saws or cordless drills or levels for a change.

It wasn't a major crafting, just a quick little project, but I was able to make a batch and will share with my mom, sis, and mother-in-law when I see them for Easter.

They are clothespin magnets for the fridge.  I've seen them on other crafty blogs and etsy and always think 'I can do that'! (you should see my 'I can do that' folder of bookmarked pages- it never ends).   But how often do I actually get around to doing it?  Never, until now!

I plugged in my brand new glue gun and got to work. Magnets, meet clothespins.

Next I found a pattern online to print, because, well... I drew one first and it sucked.  

from About.com

Scissor met paper, stickers met paper, paper met clothespins, clothespins met fridge.

And then, because I was in such a crafty mood, I made companion cards for the sets 

I am giving as gifts.  PS- Mom and Noelle, act surprised when you get 

them (just in case you are reading this before Sunday)

 

THE END

sharing at:

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Vacation, anyone?

Nina is going on vacation. Not just an 'Up North' vacation (Non Minnesotans, that means a 3-5 hour drive to the cabin), but a real, fly to your destination vacation. She's been on a plane exactly twice before (Vegas and Vegas) and even then never left Fremont Street or The Strip. So she has been working extra hard to make an itinerary for her First Real Trip.

It's taking her forever. She's ready to pull her hair out.

And she's only staying three nights.

OK, guess I can stop talking about myself in the third person. I am so psyched about this trip.  It's our HONEYMOON (belated) after all.   I've wanted to visit the Redwoods for as long as I can remember.  And now that it is just a few weeks away, I am getting down to the nitty gritty; figuring out exactly what we want to do and see during our 4 days and 3 nights in Northern California.

Flights are booked, rental car is booked, and the third night it booked (I will handle the other two in the morning). I've been reading reviews non-stop for days. I think I could recite Trip Adviser for every Bed & Breakfast along the North Coast.  I really had to decide what I wanted out of this trip.  And I suppose Tom deserves a little (very little) input too. Actually, he's easy.  He doesn't care what we do. Maybe I should tell him we are shopping all day every day.  *snicker*

We are targeting three areas; Avenue of the Giants, Mendocino, and San Francisco. I want to see cheesy, old-school tourist attractions.  I want to drive through a tree.  I want winding roads and historical markers and roadhouse inns. I want semi-affordability (cuz these pockets ain't bottomless).  And a good Pinot Grigio. Or Riesling. Or margaritas.  I'm not picky.

 

Our first night will be at this joint.  I thought about posting the name, but will wait till the post-vacation blog. (Stalkers, if you must know, please email me.)  It was originally built in the 1880's and 'restored beautifully'.  If the pics and reviews are any indication, it is just that.

From there we will trek to Mendocino.  I have spent the most time researching the hotels and B&B's in this area (because there are literally dozens and dozens). I went back and forth about coughing up the big money to stay in luxury accommodations and had decided to do just that, only to be thwarted by my attempts to empty our wallet when my FIRST FIVE CHOICES all had a two-night minimum stay.  Now the plan is to stay at this quaint little bed & breakfast.   It's right in town between two fantastic (or so the reviews say) restaurants and we can walk to the beach.  Best part?  It's ninety five dollars.  For realz.

This is our room.  It's called Grandma's Retreat. Not Even Kidding.

After we are done painting the town red in Mendocino, we will head back to San Francisco.  And THAT will really be an adventure.  We're staying at a hostel.   I didn't even know what a hostel was until I met my European traveling husband.  It's in a state park, right on the bay. All of the reviews are amazing.  You can see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge from your window, and walk to Fisherman's Wharf. And the parking is easy and free (I've heard that can be a bitch in SF).

We also plan on kayaking while we're in the Mendocino area, stopping by wineries during any and all times of travel, meeting a Lovebug (an online mommy friend from my birth board that I've been talking to for almost 3 years), possibly touring Alcatraz and of course, hiking through the big trees.

Any advice? Any Northern Californian's out there in the blogosphere reading this?  Any places to visit or to avoid? Looking for input, people!

-Nina

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Soup & Sandwich

It's the best meal ever.  Really.  It is.

I'm hangin' out at My Three Little Birds today. Go and visit, and bring a recipe to share!  See ya there  :)

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Internet Love

I'm a believer in Love on the Internet.   Heck, I met my husband on match.com.  But more than that, love for a craft tutorial, or love of a recipe site, or loving the sarcasm and wit of another blogger, or the general sense of nice when I visit certain corners of the web. There are lots of 'blogger awards' that get passed around (thank you My Three Little Birds and My Dishwashers Posessed for the shout out!) but I just want to point out a few of my favorite peeps (that includes the two ladies mentioned above).

So who am I lovin' lately?

Elliot Homestead   She might just be my hero; makes her own kefir, cultured cheese, kombucha, deodorant, chapstick.....
Not an Empty Nest  Her house is older than mine. Like almost 100 years older.
RambleRamble  Smart & witty, my fav combo..

and these girls too...




My Google Reader is insane.  I can't keep up.   But I always open posts from Remodelaholic, The Nester, WhipperBerry and Funky Junk Interiors (Donna actually responded to a comment via email last week - I almost died.   I got an email from a blog celebrity! Now if I could only get Cher or Madonna to answer a tweet...)

And then there is my list of bookmarked sites. Mostly craft ideas and tutorials.  It's a complete mess.  Pinterest is all the rage, I've had an account but wasn't using it.  I gave it a shot last night AND I LOVE IT.  So much easier to 'pin' a picture of something I want to visit later instead of a big favorites folder.  Check it out! (I also found people a person who had pinned my soap tutorial - and I felt extra special)





Check Ya Later,
Neens

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Pick a Color, Any Color

I was walking around the neighborhood and looking at front doors.  Almost everyone had one of those Menards specials, you know,  the primed steel door with some sort of window.  Very few had bothered to paint it. It was... boring.  Unfinished.  Cheap.

And sadly, my door was exactly the same way.  But I had an excuse! We installed it last November on a chilly day. Soon after the snow came and it's just been too cold all this time to do anything about an unpainted front door.

But not anymore!  Jack and I took a walk to the hardware store on Monday.  I had been thinking about a green front door.  But green is a hard color.  I didn't want a forest or a minty green.  I had in mind a fern green. Maybe.  But as I stood staring at row after row of paint swatches, green just wasn't doin' it for me.

entryway rug

I have this multicolored rug in the entryway.  I love the color combos, the chocolate, earthy red and greens.  I kept thinking about it as my eye gravitated towards the terracottas and cinnamons and burnt orange shades.  And then I pulled Valspar #40035 Red Rebellion out of it's slot.  I fell in love with the name.  And I fell in like with the color.

porch chair seats

I even liked it against the fabric on the porch chairs.  Well, I better like it, since I bought a quart.

Hi there paint chip.

And look, there is my helper, about to rub my paint roller in the dirt.  Thanks buddy!

I cheated and painted the door while it was still on its hinges. Just taped her up, and used a 4" low nap roller.  Here she is folks.  Nina's Red Rebellion front door.  It's not even all that red, really.  I'm almost afraid that it could be called 'mauve'.   Oh God, I hope not.

What color should I paint the porch floor?

Till We Meet Again,
ArtsyNina

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More Vintage Cookbooking

I've posted about from this cookbook before, 500 Recipes by Request from Mother Anderson's Famous Dutch Kitchens, and here I am again.  It's from 1948 and full of old-time cooking goodness.

She has a recipe for ribs. I love BBQ'd ribs.  I have smoked them, baked them, used dry-rubs... tried just about every way to cook them.  They are kind of labor intensive and I usually need lots of ingredients for the seasoning, sauce or rub.  Mother Anderson's recipe was pretty simple, and I was impressed with the flavor.

I could have taken a better pic, but I wanted to eat instead.

Barbecued Spareribs-Hotel Anderson style 

4 lbs lean spareribs

2 cups chopped onions

6 bay leaves

Place spare ribs in kettle and cover with water.  Add the onions and the bay leaves.  Cover and simmer for one and a half hours.  Then remove from the heat and place the spareribs in a shallow pan, reserving the juice.  Brush with barbecue sauce.  Place spareribs under broiler flame for about 20 minutes. Watch carefully and, if necessary, coat again with the sauce. Serves six.

I cheated and used store bought sauce (although Mother Anderson does have a recipe for sauce).  I think it's the bay leaves that gives them such good flavor. My grandma used to boil ribs, but they didn't taste like this.

I served them with my twice baked potatoes and coleslaw.

AND another fabulous dinner is served at Artsy's house!




 






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