SuzeBlogz

shadows

This morning was my annual check up at the family doctor. He's like the postman...neither rain, nor sleet...oh, you get it.

we head out early.

On a fasted stomach I drink enough water to pee out of my eyeballs...Sometimes this helps.....you know my history of never finding my veins. Frankly though didn't matter...I'm always killed..baby needle and all...

from there we head out to a movie...we figure it's a "Fockers" kind-a-day.

we're so happy we're not stranded like these poor folk who had to abandon their cars when they just couldn't drive through the unplowed snow

we figure we're home scott free cause we live in a senior development and us old folk ALWAYS get plowed.

The Lenster and I aim for a 2:40 movie and left ourselves a 'just in case'  hour travel time to go just a few miles....well...little did WE know...

Just because they had plowed OUR neighborhood, many major highays were still not plowed so two hours on the road, going no where fast, we turned around for the next closest theater.

NOPE....stuck there too...schlepping along at a snails pace.

Finally made it to an early evening showing at theater number three. Usually we try to do our sneaky stuff and see 2 in one day (you know..the old 2 for the price of 1 )...but..jeez..my ass had enough of sitting !!!

anyway...snow can cast some beautiful shadows

I took these from the car window as we passed some picturesque moments in time

By tomorrow it'll be mostly slush and ugly and dirty so appreciate it while ya can !

CRAP !

You'll forgive there being NOTHING to tell

Going....

Going

Going

Uh Oh...drifts are coming

Gone

All Gone.. 3 feet.....bye bye

 

I'll just use this 'I'm stuck in again' day to keep cleaning up the crap....oops xcuse me....craft room

celebrating differently

while most of you were awaiting Santa ....tonight, being Friday night, is still Shabbat for us Jewish folk, so we decided to have services at our house and turn it into a party !

We gathered in the family room. The Rabbi began services

yours truly did the traditional candle blessing and blessing over the wine

and then we ordered in Chinese food

and had our own little party for about 25 friends

even Mollie the cat got in on it (our friend Stu)

and we had Lesley Venables delicious home made brownies for dessert...OMG...to dieeeeeee for....there are NONE left ! Lesley asked for my mailing address because she wanted to send me some....straight from Virginia....Oh man...these were incredible. I love you Lesley !!

then Connie...one of my best friends....gave out fortune cookies. Connie gets this 'feeling' about which fortune cookie should go with which person....Oy vey...dont ask...you have to wait, patiently, till she says..."This one is calling out to you"

Then she gives you your cookie. It's a riot ! and this was mine....

and we taught the Rabbi how to use his new digital camera...he's a bit technology challenged. Okay..more than just a bit....

he's got 'smile detection' on the camera....you smile and it snaps the picture without you having to press anything...it was a riot to watch !

Now....well..they've all gone home....tomorrow, while most of you will be joyously celebrating your Christmas we might go to the movies.....or, just stay in our pajamas...who knows.

It's okay...we had our fun at Chanukah !!!

to ALL of you........HAVE A WONDERFUL MERRY HAPPY HOLIDAY !!!

I'm a wrapper

its good to do a good deed

and Macys was offering charity gift wrapping to benefit the disabled. My friend Rhoda organized it and asked me if I wanted to help

well of course I did

I even wore my jingle bell ball necklace !!

and we had lots of other helper volunteers too

we were kept pretty busy and I'm a pro now with the special bows...where you just pull two sides and it slides to fit any package.

and everyone got this special little poem along with the gift wrap

then, as I was leaving Macys I made a special trip to drop Santa a note

I feel enriched.

and the amazing part....

I DIDN'T EVEN STOP TO SHOP !!!

I'm "oil" yours !

   when a friend turns you on to something fast & easy and it also turns out to be fun and relaxing....well..that's a nice friend!

Miss TootsiePop herself, Jill Meyer, always alerts me to fun Photoshop tutorials

like how to turn this (taken in Portugal)

into this 'oil'

 or this (taken at Monets Garden, France)

into this 'oil'

or this scene (shot in China)

becomes this

how about Florida

can you tell I'm having fun? OH YEAH !

here's where you need to go...on YOUTUBE

and in NO TIME you'll be pixel bending too !

lets do lunch

Thats what friends are for

each one drives an hour to meet 1/2 way

and look...we even plan our outfits to coordinate with the furnishings !!!

the gorgeous, talented, creative and lovely Miss Julianna Hudgins and I do that pretty often...we hook up at P.F. Changs in southern New Jersey to schmooze. We were there for 3 hours and we wouldn't let anyone kick us out !

 

Not only that BUT....we brought along some beading tools and played...

cause we are craaaazy people !!!

oh yeah...and dessert...those darling little $2.25 mouth watering treats..I had Red Velvet and Julez had Apple Pie

and delicious tea

and an excellent fortune

and then...on my way home either the sun was setting or the moon was coming up...not sure which...but I pulled off the road to take this

and tomorrow, if I can stay up late enough, I hope to see the total lunar eclipse. They say it will be visible from both North & South America after midnight and, in Northern Europe just before sunrise.

 

and get this bit of trivia.....it will be the FIRST total lunar  eclipse to occur on the day of the Northern winter solstice since 1638 & only the 2nd in the common era.

well then...that makes up MY mind !

 

Kampai

Bottoms Dry ! (not like in diapers !!)

Drink Up !

no..I'm NOT in Japan (altho I have been in the past)..instead

I was experiencing a wonderful party today at Jareds' Karate dojo

first...we leave our shoes at the door...off came the UGGS

when you walk inside on the mat you have to be in either socks or barefoot (I assure you...these are NOT my feet !) as is proper etiquette

everyone sat in a big circle

today was the 5th anniversary of the dojo and it was also Mr. Millers birthday. He is the Sensei (the teacher mentor) & owner of the school.

He got a LOT of saki as gifts !!!!

Mrs. Miller...(also a Black Belt like her husband) , shared in the gifts !


I simply shared in the mushroom pizza and the homemade brownies !

The Lenster at least had the good sense to stand in line for the real food...

and Jen (who is also a student, green belt)  helped too

and then Mr. Miller called on every single person there  - by name  - and asked them if they wanted to say a little something...which was so nice. He even included us....I wished the school great success in the coming year and explained that I too am a Miller....yes !

each time the person called on finished their little speech everyone yelled KAMPAI !!!!

and we all took a swig from whatever we were drinkng.

a lovely student came around with saki cups, followed by a gentleman with a pot full of hot saki. This was when I was reminded of why I don't drink...Damn it was vile smelling !!!

then everyone gathered for the cake

and opening of the prezzies

(and this would be the 'Grandma you're so prejudiced' picture !!)

some of the cutest little little kids were there

and after almost 2 hours we said our goodbyes.

then, we stopped at Jens house for a while.

her clubhouse

was having a special Xmas party and the fire department came with Santa on the truck

and cute firemen

and MORE food

and a merry, happy day was had by all

and that was our Saturday...

Kampai !

my kingdom for a.....

......BEAD...

I'm engrossed in my most audio recent book "The Red Queen" by Philippa Gregory while I sit and bead.

 

Half of me is English you know. Dad came from England (Stoke on Trent) and all the English history fascinates me. Mom came from Massachusetts...maybe that's why I'm such a tea drinker...I mean, between them what were my chances !!! I've actually never had coffee in my life.

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I have no idea where this new beading obsession stemmed from but I find it so relaxing and stimulating at the same time. I'm such a beginner...I had to skype with Angela in Florida the other day so she could give me step by step instructions on skype video feed!!!

I find myself watching 'crimping' videos on YouTube....

in any event life isn't boring.

I was trying to stay away from the current industrial/vintage look in order to play with things I wouldn't usually reach for BUT...somehow we always come back to what we're the most comfortable with....

The main focal point on this piece is from Susan Lenart Kazmer's Objects and Elements line.

I brought back some neat little dangly things from the Egypt market and added them to chain. Same goes for the long dangly...comes from Egypt.

I filled the silver rectangle with UTEE

The reason I like UTEE for these types of pieces is because when it hardens (which is pretty instant) it contracts. Then you can lift out the entire piece, decide if you really are happy with it and if so...glue it in permanently. Plus, the slightly yellowish cast is so antique looking.

If you're not happy, start over.

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on to something completely different....for me anyway. Just picking UP a pink bead is a stretch !

seems these little lucite flowers are big now...I see them everywhere...

well...tomorrow I think some snow may be coming. It might be back to something vintage.

I own more jewelry now than God.

but wait...there's more

I'm so happy that you guys think I'm a great tourist guide. I'm just one of those people who totally loves living and taking it all in. Give me a camera and somewhere to go and it's an adventure for me...no matter where it is.

and....did I forget to mention that ACROSS FROM THE TREE is that most faaaaaahbulous Anthropologie store of all....

where store displays reign supreme...

imagine, a whole wall made from mittens & pom-poms...jeez...

have no clue what these are supposed to be..just thought they were cool

fabric jewelry...hot right now.

and...whoa...check out these candles that look like spools..this is just waaaaay too BRILLIANT

for me...Anthro is ALWAYS  an experience.

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Now...speaking of BRILLIANT....my friend Allie Gower is one such lady

...she asked me for my address cause she said she had something to mail to me....

H-E-L-L-O.....

this arrives...hmmm...I've never been someones muse before.

I begin to carefully open the surprise

I say Oh My God twelve times as I unravel

I freak out....

I am mesmerized

well Allie....that surely made my day !!! I saw all the work that went into it and the selection of beads....

and guys...this is no ordinary necklace...here's what Miss Allie has to say

"I don't start with a design in mind.  A bead talks to me, and the
adventure begins. I mostly like to concentrate on the person who will
wear the piece. In your case, the inspiring beads were the Star of
David and the amazing enameled tray, a C-Koop bead (one of a kind).
Nothing is to good for THE Suze and I was hoping you would like
something truly original.  From the tray and star, I headed to the
opposite side and added some vintage Lucite - the big beautiful blue
bead and it's russet neighbors.  You have gold Swarovski pearls -so
adorable, shaped a lot like beans...  They are spaced by seed beads,
that are also strung inside the C-Koop tray bead - behind the Star of
David.  I added a disk and some long beads, I was going for the look
of a fancy artsy lady there, she has dancing feet and a heart filled
with laughter and wisdom!  Just like you!!!  A current trend is lots
of layers, and lots of contrast.  I added several kinds of chain -
leaves, loops, etc.  The leaves can be a little scratchy, so I like to
treat them like a bead and make them dangle away from the neck.
Everything is connected with jump rings that resemble key rings -
nothing is going to jump off on this piece.  I find 99% of my
treasured beads at Beadniks in the Mall of America.  They get new
things all the time, and I love to go there whenever I can..."

and Allie does custom work....so..if you need her services...her email is on the link.

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and speaking of special things,

Here are some of my last minute suggestions for great Christmas gifts for your arty friends

there is still time for you to order one of my favorite books for Xmas, by Canadian artist Susan Williamson

Creating from the Inside Out: Motivational Strategies for Artists and Writers is 177 pages: 6.5 x 6.5" and coil bound. It’s filled with inspiring quotations, mini essays on the creative process, over 75 black-and-white digital collages. It also comes with a Thank You CD of 10 collage sheets to use in your art.

The cost is $25.00 CAD plus postage and you can use PayPal to pay online.
To order: email wordandimage@hotmail.com.

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Never been to Paris? Been there many times? Wanna see it again through an art girls eyes?

You must get Carmi Cimicata's "ART GIRLS GUIDE TO PARIS"

Easy to travel with it is 7 x 7, 118 pages with over 200 photos! Carmi's advice made my first trip to Paris a dream trip.

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looking to get excited over Beeswax?

The Women of Wax Works West demonstrate techniques using wax on paper with skill, proficiency, and humor. This instructive DVD is inspirational for beginners as well as seasoned artists. We're talking about mixed media beyond your wildest dreams!

Learn in person from Wendy Aikin, Judy Stabile and Daniella Woolf at their state of the art Wax Works West studio in Corralitos, California

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and...my very favorite fun site for all things hysterically photographic

PHOTOJOJO

EVERY WEEK I'M BUYING SOME RIDICULOUS THING FROM THEM..IT'S INSANE !

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well...it's a pouring raining windy crappy outside and snow could be coming and that would make me want to throw up cause I hate it kind-a- day, so...I'm off to go make some more beaded creations & order in Chinese food & pig out.

 

dashing through....

New York City....

alas...no snow YET (thank you God), but a very cold day none the less. And, being all bundled up in Manhattan is no picnic..UNLESS...

you are going somewhere special

The Lenter and I were invited to a luncheon at the prestigous and swanky New York Yacht Club. No pix were allowed...so..you know what THAT means....rule breaker that I am...

no flash...all natural light

now, in case you're wondering how we should be so lucky as to be invited to such a place....well...The Lenster is a Marine Engineer and these are 'his people'....his industry people.

No...we don't own a yacht. We don't even own a bathtub sailboat. I hate the water, can't swim and don't drink,..so, as you can see, I fit right in !!! So, I stood by the giant shrimp platters all day and ate myself silly while the 'old boys' talked business. LOL

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Now...you know that I was born in New York and I LOVE New York and there's always tons of stuff to see and do on ANY given day, at any season.

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we like to take the train into Manhattan, then, grab a taxi and go

there's even TV's in the taxis now

or grab a covered bike

or chain yours up and just walk

need extra headgear...there's amazing streetwear..some FREE

some on other people !

or some....well...'nuff said !

need a new handbag...every corner has designer knockoffs

there are even crazy people who think this is Miami and are willing to have frozen toes for the 'sake of beauty'

if you need to keep really warm you can apply for this job

or, perhaps you're looking to be more of a REAL impersonator

every street corner in NY has food

there's always my fav fast foods...honey roasted cashews and pretzels with mustard

and what would New York be without

THE TREE !!!

These trees are typically 75-90 feet tall

Swarovskis replica of their star atop the tree 

 

St. Patricks

Barnes and Noble, 5th avenue

need to buy a Justin Beiber portrait ??? WOW...that was high on MY Chanukah list !!

here's the REAL guy that was high on my Chanukah list !!!

and giving to The Salvation Army should be high on everyones list. They were singing to recorded music..very cheerful

also cheerful

 

The Lenster and I went to see this last year and since then we have been to THE REAL THING !!!

Empire State Building

Times square

you'll be seeing this ball on New Years Eve when it changes to 2011

at Rockefeller Plaza

I dont care what these 'might look like' (LOL), they are giant Xmas lights !!!!!!!

and...at the end of a looooong day and lottttts of walking

time to head home......