The Past Week

Has been pretty hectic! I just started taking a 'drawing for biologists' course. Its hard, but exremely useful. Here is a bird I shetched as an exercise. Tweet!

I also started teaching a first year library lab. Going good! But now no free time. other good news- crack addict in the basement left, and the landlords are now reparing his damages. I am a little fearful tho because they're new asking rent for the place is $50 more per month than our current rent. I hope SO MUCH I don't get a rent increase.

I also need a new paper shreader, what do you think of this one?

Kristie and Andrew Visit

I didn't take a lot of photo's when Kris and Andrew visited, because Kris had a much more portable little camera. You can see more photos on Andrews website(http://www.3dburke.com/), and probably Kris will have some up too
These photos are from our hike up Grassi Mountain, just outside of Canmore. Its a beautiful trail, and we had a perfect day to hike


This is not the trail we took

I was excited to see this birdsnest, but my camera decided not to focus on it

There was still snow on the mountain. Kristie's ears were cold

but it was worth it because the lake was so pretty

Mom's Pup

Mom is getting a puppy soon. They are not very old yet and seem to be in their slug stage but one of these is going to be hers... which one will it be...

If you're in Halifax this weekend..

Go to Tamara's Show!

If I was there I would

Poor Sal, Again!

One of the reasons I have been away from posting lately is Sal

Poor guy is allergic to his food. Its making his skin itchy and he is licking his fur off! Sals once voluminous pantaloons are now short shorts

The tough thing is that he can't stop eating the food. Its the only food that prevents the crystals he forms in his bladder. So instead he got a shot of cortisone and hopefully he will be relieved for a while. I will have to keep an eye on him to see when he needs his next shot

The other thing that prevents me from writing is that Kristie and Andrew are going to be visiting this Thursday and I'm turning the studio into its guest-room-mode. THis weekend is gonna rock!

Green Garnet Necklace

I've finished the necklace I've been dreaming of making to go with the copper inlay toggle. Its 17" long, green garnets and bali silver strung on black silk.

The necklace is quite heavy, but thanks to its short length, it doesn't pull you down! I especially like it when the clasp is in the front and this piece reminds me that I MUST get a neck form because photographing it is almost impossible.

So... more photos of it later when I have better equipment

Saturday = Ikea day!

We spent another fun saturday at Ikea. This time it was rather rushed, because Ren had a meeting soon after, and the place was very very crowded (due to the nasty snow outsude)
We still got everything we wanted and more:
I got a couple of SLOM jars to store some jewlery making chemicals

We got one of these super-cool hangers for Rens good pants

and a rolling, self watering planter for out tomatoes
(no photo found :( )
Ren got a desk for work. they needed it to be tiny and induatrial looking:

And finally our new VÄTTERN under the sink shelf is so needed in our appartment, as there is 0 storage in the bathroom. I 'm thrilled there is no longer a pile of bottles on top of the toilet tank

the only problems is that these CAPITA legs we got for it make the cabinet too tall. I'm particularly bummed because they are pretty chrome, so now I have to find shorter chrome legs to fit under the thing, any suggestions?

Overall, very good trip

Toggles gone right

I've been working on some new techniques with toggles, these are 2 that actually turned out!

This one will be in a necklace i've been dreaming of making for quite some time: Copper with silver solder inlay and silver bar


Brass toggle #1! I like working with the brass more than I thought. Its because I have some brass solder. If only I could find some copper solder!

For anyone interested

In the Evolution/Creationist debate, this is an excellent website

http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html

Happy Birthday Kristie!

Renato Made a Ring

Cool No?

Scrabble with Lori and Mojo

Yesterday we went to Lori's house for some BBQ and Scrabble
BBQ was awesome, despite the thick layer of snow covering everyhting

Mojo is much bigger than the last time we saw him. He is so cute tho! 8 months old, very big on chewing everything!


Mojo is a Shiba Inu

After the BBQ we played some Scrabble, Renato kicked Lori and my asses. Thats why we don't look very amused

Even more Toggles

I'm on a roll!

New Hair Colour

I've needed to do this for a long time...

Not perminant, but closer to my natural colour than before. Someday soon I'll have it completely back to the natural colour. Next thing on the agenda... a badly needed haircut!

"My best friend said...

...that if you were a few years younger he'd date you" - Student
"Uh... thanks! I think?" - Hollie

Flowers on Brass

Don't know what I will do with this yet, but it turned out great!

More Toggles

New Toggles are finally at my Etsy store:



I should have a few more comming soon too, and perhaps a new shape!

Saturday = Dinner Party

This Saturday we had the awesomest dinner party to date

The Challenge: One Vegetarian and One Nut Allergy

The Solution: marthstewart.com

I should have taken some photos of the food, but didn't so you will have to use your imaginations
I made Broccoli Calzones, fried chickpeas, and lentil green curry with tofu
Renato made vegetable and chicken (separately) skewers with sweet sauce
Dessert was a banana tart, which I've made before but thought would go perfectly

Erin and Jason brought over a beautiful bunch of flowers which I just had to take photos of. Inertia especially loved this bunch of flowers, making it a little difficult to photograph them in the sun.

Dotty Setting

On Friday we spent the night with out friends dog Dotty, she was alone for the night and needed some company

Dotty doesn't like having her photo taken much, but she does like belly rubs!

Taxes

Renato and I went to get out taxes done yesterday at the H&R

We were planning on having to pay back probably $2000, because Renato's last job did not pay into taxes... so we had saved up.
However, we also started a small joint buisness last year. What a great idea that was! In the end both Ren and I got a *little* bit of cash back. The saved up $$ can go onto student loans and nasty credit, yay!!!

I tried to hug the tax lady, she did not let me complete the gesture.