Worth a Thousand Words

Tax man actually plays the hero to homeowners? No, really, I'm serious! National Trust for Historic Preservation is currently featuring an article about how homeowner's benefit from photographs required for tax purposes back in the late 1930s. This is actually a wonderful idea. I've worked with historical societies across the southeast while doing projects & to have so many photos in one collection is amazing!

I know quite a number of cities now require a copy of blueprints for new construction so that, for example, the fire department will know the building's layout in case of an emergency. It would be so useful to have a picture of the building too--hmm, a building census. Oh well...it sounds like a fantastic idea to me, at least! For any of you that have had to drive around from universities to various historical societies & libraries, etc all day long (x's 5...) to do research would understand! Read the article here: Worth a Thousand Words

♥-Kat.

Book Nook: Good reads from over the holiday...

 So...here are some reads from during the holiday. No major book reports, but I'll give you a quick one, two.

Necessary As Blood. I'm just now realizing that this is book #13 of a series. I will be investigating the library catalog to read more. Detective/suspense/mystery type books are a favorite of mine. There was a lot of environmental details, which is always a plus. And I was absorbed into the book--so I would recommend most def. There was a Scooby Doo moment because you realize that you met the villain towards the beginning of the book. That's all the hint you'll get from me, though.

Grave Secret. Since I love the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, I thought I'd give another of her series a try. Another detective-type book (with a twist). Okay, I liked the book and was absorbed into the story. I guessed who-dunnit early on, but still enjoyable. What I do have to admit is that the characters just don't seem as endearing as are those in the Sookie Stackhouse series. This is book #4 (most recent) in the Harper Connelly series. Before I commit one way or another about the characters, I will try out the earlier books.

The First Death. Okay. I studied art & some close friends of mine worked on comics as part of their art. Here's my geek side shining through...what can I say? Comic art, zombies, and two of my favorite written characters (Anita & bad-ass Edward).

Pirate Latitudes. This was found as a "completed manuscript" after Michael Crichton passed in 2008. Not sure who verified that info (or where the $$ went to)...but it is an easy and enjoyable read. It perhaps seems a bit different than what you'd expect from Crichton & is "short" (apprx. 300 pages). I just wonder if this was a final, final copy is all, I guess...there is all sorts of typical pirate lore (sea monsters, hurricanes, buried treasure...). I did enjoy it because of the historical/political undertows in addition to the adventure. Port Royal is the main geographical point of reference (before the notorious city was destroyed by earthquake in the late 1600's). There was also quite a bit of the everyday life references (i.e. ground earthworms into a paste for topical hair treatments...ick). Again, my geekier side coming out having studied/done field work in archaeology in St. Augustine.

A Touch of Dead. Sookie Stackhouse short stories by Charlaine Harris. From the forward, it doesn't seem like Charlaine played with the Sookie character in short stories before the books (vs. LKH's Anita Blake, which both the character & Anita's "world" appeared in some short stories beforehand). The author used these short stories to fill in the details about references from the books. While it's nice to get the background stories, I'm glad I borrowed the book from the library vs. bought it. If you're a fan of the books (or TV show..True Blood), go ahead & read. But there's only a handful of stories &, well...don't bother if you're not a fan. I like short stories on their own when there's a meaning (A&P by Updike) or are more gripping (think Bradbury). My favorite story from A Touch of Dead was "One Word Answer" filling in the details about when Sookie found out about her cousin's final death.

Cat in a Topaz Tango. This is a fairly "tame" series compared to what I read. The book doesn't get too dark & the good guys save the day before much damage is done. I have yet to read any of the other books in the series, so I can't say about them yet. What I love about the book is that it's partially written from the perspective of a cat. Tee hee. Detective/ mystery enjoyable read.

Coming soon to a blog near you...

Immoveable Feast. Actually, I'm just starting on this book. Believe it or not, I like travel memoir-type books too. My friend gave this one to me over the holidays, so I put it off to last so I could get the others back to the library. I'll let you know what I think soon.

Also working on. Dining chair redo & eco-friendly eucalyptus linens. Pictures & info this week.

Whew, glad to get all of that over with! Happy reading.

♥-Kat.

Deflating the holiday bubble....

I have stalled and stalled this, but I must accept that the holidays are over. Wham, bam, thank you, m'am.

I actually did a lot of work around the house while off work (as in the office), but made a point to relax & enjoy time away from it all (as in no pro-active Etsy). Unfortunately, I did such a good job at relaxing that it's been so hard adjusting back to reality!

Officially back on the clock,

♥-Kat.

Roll with the Punches

Here it is, the last week for businesses to truly get orders shipped before Christmas. I actually have an ad / promo running since Saturday...oh...& my computer's been dead just as long. Frustration.

I'm fairly handy with the computer & thought that it was just the power supply, but on Sunday when that didn't work..yeah--then I was irate.

Oh well. I've got someone looking at it later today & I've been able to keep on track with orders, etc at work (shuuuussh)...but since I'm not able to list new items or browse, I've forced myself to just chill --for me.

Hah..we were taking our time at Target last night & I happened to pass by a display of Guitar Hero games on clearance. Oooh. $12 for the game + 2 of the "guitars" (was $90). I know quite a few musicians that      

d.e.s.p.i.s.e. these games. But considering my music instrumental ability is right between zero & nothing, it works! I'm almost embarrassed to admit that my hand is a little sore this morning because I was so amused with the plastic guitar.

Some things you can control & other things you can't. The computer will be fixed soon & for now I can deal without being in a constant up-to-the-minute state of control. Not such a terrible thing every once in a while.

'til next time

♥-Kat

Design Fix: Quick DIY Artwork Idea

Okay...DIY--I'm referring to the 3 pieces of "art" to the right. The one on the left is a drawing I did going on 6 years ago back in college. It's one of my fav's that I finally decided to slap in a frame so it wouldn't be ruined!

DIY Idea: Stretched Fabric Art

This is a very quick & inexpensive* project. And little skill required - yea!

Materials:

Fabric

Assembled Stretcher Bars*

Heavy Duty Stapler & Staples*

*I had everything on hand except the stretcher bars, so my cost was about $10 total as I bought those on sale. Stretcher bars can be found in the art dept. of most craft supply stores-- Hobby Lobby, Pearl, Dick Blick. I've had my Stanley stapler for years for light upholstery--from the hardware section at Walmart.

I worked in a frame shop in a past life (prior to graduating) for a couple of years & I went to the Art Institute of Atlanta.  One of the things that I learned about was stretching canvas. Well, this is mucho easier. For those of you that are also familiar with stretching canvas...I actually recommend NOT using canvas pliers. They can easily rip thinner fabric & distort patterns easily.

For those of you not familiar with stretching canvas, follow this link for a good tutorial that will show you what to do. For our purposes, you can omit using the pliers and wood chips/keys (last step shown). Just keep the fabric pulled taught without distorting the design.

Quick hints:

•You could mount these into open-stock frames. Hobby Lobby has a decent selection, often at 50% off, & their frame shop will often assemble it for you while you wait gratis. If interested, stick with standard frame sizes when picking out fabric/stratcher bars (i.e. 11x14, 16x20, 18x24, etc). Otherwise, you'll have to do a custom frame & your price for this project just rocketed sky-high!

•Allow a good 4-ish inches of fabric beyond the stretcher size so that you can easily pull/wrap the fabric around to secure. It also allows you play room to adjust if the design starts to distort.

Fun with fabric & a stapler, hooray!

♥-Kat.

Ornament & magnet gift sets now available @cardinalhouse shop:

More colorways available!

Friday Treats: Lazy brunch pie!

This is a take-off of a recipe I found in my clippings (can't tell what magazine it came from). I actually made this Thanksgiving morning & used a frozen pie crust for ease. It turns out so moist, yet still slices well!

(9" pie shell - ever how)  

6 eggs

1 cup small curd cottage cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzerella cheese

2 oz pancetta*

2 oz cooked ham*

1 green onion, sliced

2 Tbsp. torn (or snipped) Italian parsley

*pancetta & ham...thickness is personal preference....I like to buy from deli in thicker slices if I know I'm going to make, but can use the thinner slices for sandwiches, etc if on hand or use the pre-packaged (typically thin) if the deli line is too much.

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl stir together eggs, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, pancetta, ham, green onion, and parsley. [I also toss in a twist of sea salt, a pinch of white pepper & ground nutmeg] Pour into unbaked crust. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. If necessary, cover edge of crust with foil during baking to prevent overbrowning. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

So Yum!

♥-Kat.

Stepping Stone: cardinalhouse has 500 Etsy hearts

Wow!

Thanks to all!

♥-Kat.