I love salt!

If you are a lover of salt and chocolate and fine things I highly recommend an awesome little store located off Mississippi Ave in Portland, Oregon called The Meadow.  I happen to be a lover of salt and was really excited when Jeneen told me about The Meadow.  Since she told me about it, Tim and I have made two 145 mile trips to Portland just to go to this store!  They have an online store as well (check it out here) but I appreciate the fact that in person I can taste a pinch of the salt before I buy it.  Our favorite salt is the Red Alder Smoked salt.

It tastes good on almost everything!  I add it to my sunny side eggs for breakfast, mix it in with avocado to spread on a sandwich, and Tim adds it to his rub mix when he smokes meat.

It has a dark, rich color and smells so, so good! 

 

If you live in the PNW give this place a try.  It has a lot to offer in the chocolate, bitters, and flower department as well and there is an AMAZING ice cream shop next door called Ruby Jewel that sells salted caramel ice cream.  A serious win/win!

 

I also have exciting news in the bridge lock department.  Locks have been added and I couldn't be more pleased. 

~another glorious day~

J.M.Riley





Happy pre-birthday to me!

Here's my early birthday present to all of you! 

41 random things either about me or what I've come to realize...enjoy!

1. Art of animals in clothes is always funny
2. I can only look at 30 pages of art on etsy before it all starts looking the same
3. Being yourself takes way less energy than putting up a front
4. If you want to have relationships, you have to put the work into it.
5. Working everyday is hard but hey, what else are you going to do?
6. It’s not the big things that cause stress but picking up that same sock every.single.day that really tests your limits
7. Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth. Unless you’re a little kid who hasn't had a nap, had too much sugar and can’t see a dang thing in the parade line-up, then it’s just a chore for everyone around you.
8. Tinkerbell really is real
9. Job interviews are the hardest, most painful experience you will ever have (disclosure, I haven’t given birth but I think I would still consider job interviews more painful)
10. Spring fever is very, very powerful
11. Construction jobs take twice as long and twice as much money as you allotted
12. Whining and flailing your arms about something only helps for a minute but sometimes you really need that minute!
13. Facts are the only thing that matter
14. The only thing you can control in any situation is your reaction to it.
15. Listening to Led Zeppelin cures all my ills
16. Having a husband who cooks is an anomaly that I take full advantage of (thank you Alex!)
17. I’m a good auntie to human babies and a terrible mother to dog babies (i.e., I give my dog babies waaaayyyyy too many toys and treats)
18. It’s fun to encourage other people’s creativity
19. Having a yard sale is a good idea only in theory
20. Would it really kill artists to have their albums on youtube? It’s the only thing I can listen to at work…
21. Breathing in your asthma medicine and feeling your lungs open up makes you very, very appreciative for modern medicine!
22. Blankets shield you from the bad guys in horror movies!
23. Seeing your garden grow and produce fruit will make you squeal with excitement – Neato!!
24. Learning from your own mistakes is so very hard to do
25. Keeping quiet is the only way you learn what you didn't really want to hear
26. Yapping and yapping is a sign of nervousness
27. People are nervous around people who are quiet and peaceful
28. Finding your people is hard but once you do, hang on to them! They’re the only ones who will laugh at your Lord of the Rings joke!
29. Everyone is a geek in their own way
30. Be nice to people who are different than you – there are way more people who fall into the autism spectrum than you realize.
31. I love summer but hate being too hot. Yes, I realize this is weird!
32. Water, water and more water along with rest is really all you need when you’re sick
33. If I was a survivor on “The Walking Dead”, I would miss music more than anything else. I’d probably sing as much as I could without attracting the walkers.
34. You can sometimes get away with slacking at work if you usually get all your work done on time
35. People respect you more if you choose your battles. Never cry wolf, you’ll be ignored faster than fast.
36. You make your own fortunes and opportunities – be willing to listen and do the work.
37. If you see something that needs to be done, do it, whether you get recognition for it or not. If it makes someone else’s day better, then it’s worth it.
38. You will not be applauded for showing up for work each day; you manager may not even realize you’re at work until something bad happens.
39. You absolutely have to be self-motivated
40. All you need is love!
41. 41 is old to the folks 20 years younger than you and young to the people 20 years older than you! 

From the Chalkboard!

Anonymous

~xoxo J.M.Riley

Brushing Up On Crafty Skills

When I haven't used a crafty skill for a while I like to take it for a test ride to get back in the groove of things.  With embroidery this is easily done; unlike knitting, needles are inexpensive.  Embroidery thread and hoops are cheap as well, and any scrap of cotton will do to practice stitches.

I like to use Marie-Noelle Bayard's Embroidery Techniques & Patterns as a reference when I'm working on my stitches.  She has created an ingenius Appendix that gives you a snap shot of all the stitches that she shows you how to do in the book.  Brilliant!

Over the last few days I have been testing out new stitches, as well as a few that I needed to brush up on.

I had a difficult time keeping Long and Short Stitch even but I like the multi hued green look.  Star Stitch gave me fast, easy, and pleasing results!  I'll probably put stars on all my embroidery for a little punch :)

For whatever reason, Lazy Daisy does not come easy to me.  I totally understand it, I just can't make it look as good as the picture.  Heart french knots!  These used to scare me, but once I got them down, I love doing them!  Really need to practice Bullion Stitch more.  It's all neat and knobby but I ran out of thread and wanted to try Russian Stitch a little more.

Blanket Stitch is a stitch that I remember using in Jr. High for a Home Ec project.  We made hot pads shaped like pea pods.  Yes, my Mom still has it! 

The dole drums of winter are a perfect time to brush up on neglected crafty skills!  What will you do today?

~xoxo J.M.Riley

Top 20 Robots

Every since I was a kid I have loved robots. From real life robots to works of science fiction, robots are incredibly cool. Shiny die-cast metal toys were the gateway drug. Now anything with a robot in it has my immediate attention.  And so I give you my top 20 robots of all time.

A couple of ground rules: No cyborgs, they must be full robot. This disqualifies Robocop and Steve Austin. All robots must not be directly operated by a human- no mecha or gundam. OK, here goes!

20. V.I.N.CENT- The true hero of Disney’s 1979 sci-fi creep-out The Black Hole.

19. Tom Servo- A robot with a gumball machine for a head that cracks wise at bad movies? Yes please!

18. KITT- This robot is a car that belongs to David Hasselhoff and is voiced by Mr. Feeney himself, William Daniels. Does it get better than that?

17. Cylons- Whether it’s the old school “toasters” or ex-Victoria’s Secret models, the Battlestar Galactica’s protagonists are awesome.

16. Mega Man- The numbered Mega Man games are some of the best video games ever.

15. Cookie Robots- From Despicable Me. They’re robots. And they’re cookies. Win-win.

14. D.J. Roomba- The best robot on Parks and Recreation, he’s a Roomba with and iPod and speaker dock strapped to the top.

13. Iron Giant- Before he made The Incredibles, Brad Bird directed this amazing movie.

12. Optimus Prime- He’s a truck that turns into a giant robot that fights other robots. The movies are garbage but they got one thing right. They added flames to Optimus’ paint job.

11. Terminator- The scariest robot in the countdown because he will not stop until you are dead. Note: not a cyborg as he claims, he is a robot with meat attached to it.

10. ED-209- The coolest robot/worst cop in the Robocop franchise.

9. Ash- From Alien. The robot that you didn’t know was a robot until it was too late.

8. Robby the Robot- The classic 1950’s movie robot.

7. Fembots- Yeah Baby!

6. Pin*Bot- Because pinball is the best.

5. Asimo- He’s real, he can walk and kick a football.

4. GLaDOS- From the video game Portal. Smart, funny and she wants to kill you.

3. MechaGodzilla- It never actually beats Godzilla but can you really ever lose with a giant lizard robot?

2. Goldar aka Ambassador Magma-When I was a kid there was a show that broadcasted old Flash Gordon serials and Japanese sci-fi. This was my first exposure to the awesomeness of Godzilla, Star Blazers, Ultra Man, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, and my favorite, The Space Giants. Goldar was a golden long haired robot that could transform in to a rocket ship and then become giant sized. The kid protagonist of the show had a whistle that he could blow to summon Goldar! Amazing!

1. R2D2-You can’t lose when R2 has your back!

From the Chalkboard!

Mark Twain

 

 

~xoxo J.M.Riley

What is love?

Since today is Valentine's Day most minds are on love.  If you want to stump someone, tongue tie them, get a blank or pensive stare, ask them: What is love, and what does it mean to you?  Most people will smile bashfully and say, "I don't know...."  They have a hard time pinning it down.  However, persistence often pays off and when I asked a few people (and some fuzzy friends):  What is love, and what does it mean to you?  This is what they said: 

His girlfriend is flying in from AZ today.

Love is giving and not expecting gifts.

Love is patient & kind and happy thoughts and things for others.

Walking in the door hearing Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, DAAAAAAAAA

It is the light despite the shadow.



So, what is love, and what does it mean to you?

 ~xoxo J.M.Riley

Candy Hearts

Conversation Hearts have a special place in my heart. 

On February 13th, 2011 my fiance' proposed to me and a box of conversation hearts played a prominent roll!

 

It was a drizzly weekend morning in University Place when Tim suggested that we take a 1 1/2 hour trip to Snoqualmie Falls.  When we arrived we walked out to a platform that overlooks the falls and took in the massive rush of water  that plunges to a 268 foot drop below.  He pulled out two boxes of conversation hearts, gave me one and said we should read the hearts to each other.  When he got to his third heart he pulled out a ring instead and said, "This one says, marry me!".  He then got down on one knee and said, "Jessie Margaret Riley, will you marry me?"  Of course, I said yes!

 

The sweet print featured here is by Bishop Lennon.  Check out her shop BishopArt .

~xoxo J.M.Riley

 

Heart Pillow

From this:

to this sweet heart pillow

in 20 minutes!

Take one felt heart from the dollar bin at Joann Fabric, one square of red felt, 2 pieces of 12 inch red and white striped xmas fabric and some pink ribbon, sew it up and stuff.

I made the table runner under the pillow a couple of years ago. I'm creating quite the collection of Valentine textiles!

Take the road that leads to awesome! - JCoy

From the Chalkboard!

 

~xoxo J.M.Riley

Chasing Storms At Ocean Shores

 

Every winter Tim and I like to pack up for a weekend and head out to the coast to take in the beach, storms, and delectable seafood that Ocean Shores, WA has to offer. We both have jobs that hit peak stress during Christmas time and the coast offers us a way to relax and get away from it all.

 

Our pup Molly, a double rainbow, and the best razor clams in town at Home Port.

 

One of the great things about going to Ocean Shores during the winter is that the town, normally over flowing with people during the summer, is empty.  We have the beach mostly to ourselves (except when the clam diggers come to do their thing).  We can chase double rainbows without getting honked at and sit down at a restaurant without waiting in line.  It's so nice.



Our favorite restaurant to eat at is Galway Bay!  They serve tasty Irish dishes and have a nice selection of beer, wine, and cider.  Every time we have come here there is live music.  On this visit a local stopped by and was playing The Beatles; he had us humming along. 

 

We like to go for a drive along the coast and this year we went to Westport (a sleepy, less touristy fishing town south of Ocean Shores) and discovered the Tinderbox on the edge of town!  Both Tim and I love coffee and we practically slammed on our brakes when we saw this place.  It looks like an old auto shop that has been converted into a cozy coffee house.  The coffee was delicious and the service friendly.  The decor begs you to take a closer look at the books, artwork, and coffee brewing methods that they have on display.  We will definitely be going back!

All to soon our trip was over but it was exactly what we needed; a wonderful place to relax and recharge!

~xoxo J.M.Riley

What news from England?

Curl up with The Sunne In
Spendour and a hot toddy cider!

 I've always been fascinated by history.  Particularly medieval European history.  I get all giddy and geeky when I'm reading about it.  I think I like it so much because it is amazing to learn about all the audacious, stupid, incredible, lucky, devestating stories from the past that really happened!   That's why I was so psyched to read this past week that remains buried beneath a car park in Leicester, England have been confirmed as those of Richard III (the king of England that Shakespeare vilified in his play by the same name).  The man has been buried there for over 500 years, under a car park!  Incredible!  To see the full story click, here. 

 

One of the first things I did after learning that dear Richard III had been unearthed was pull out my dog eared copy of The Sunne In Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman.  This is her tome to Richard III, the House of York, and the War of the Roses.  I came across Ms. Penman's books when I was a teenager and have scarcely been able to find an author to match her style, research, and sheer historical story telling ability.  

 

One of the things I like about Ms. Penman's books is that she starts you off right by including a map...

...and family trees. With everyone being named Edward and Richard, it can get confusing. This family tree is a life saver at keeping the characters straight.





If you have even the slightest interest in European medieval history, or enjoy incredible battle scenes, richly woven characters, and a plot that sees you through to the bitter end (pst, in historical literature, all the characters die), no author could come more highly recommended to deliver!

 

If you are interested in seeing the facial reconstruction from the skull of Richard III, click here. 

 

Check out Ms. Penman's website here.  Check her out on Facebook too!  She has some really cool historical posts and is awesome at answering questions from readers.

 

~xoxo J.M.Riley