The last day of 2009 is here…and its the last day of the decade as well.

Its interesting to think about where my life has gone in the last 10 years, and how a few choices changed the direction of my life so much.

1.  in 2000 I got my teaching credential.

2.  in 2001 I started substituting, and was still living in San Diego

3.  in 2002 I had a full time teaching gig in the first half of the year, moved to Prague to teach English in September, thereby ending a 4 year long relationship.

4.  in 2003 I moved to San Francisco in July, and started waiting tables because serving unfortunately paid more than teaching.

5.  in 2004 I moved in with and broke up with a boyfriend, and started my time at The Cheesecake Factory (albeit hellish, made a lot of good friends there)

6.  in 2004 I also moved into the Big Blue House, which gave me some of my best friends, and shaped my life in San Francisco to what it is today.

7. in 2006 I started as a receptionist at Schwartz Communications, where I am still working, changing my direction into PR, 3 promotions later, and making it one of the longest held jobs in my working life.

8.  in 2007 I met Mick. That changed everything.

9.  in 2008 I made my first Wunzee!

10.  in 2009 I moved out of the Big Blue house,  to Oakland with Mick…putting the slightest distance between my life in San Francisco, started my domestic life, but still found a balance.

This decade has been amazing…it has brought me to where I am now. Ready to start a life, ready to start a future, ready to start a family.  I can only hope that 2010 and beyond are equally as awesome (in a different way of course…I mean, I’m not in my 20′s anymore.)

Happy New Year everyone. I hope next year, and the next decade  is awesome for everyone…and you are successful in your resolutions, whatever they may be. I hope that everyone can find their happiness that this decade has brought me.

Guess what guys!?! I successfully made a comfortable quilt-like blanket with a flannel back! It’s true! All thanks to an AMAZING tutorial by Happy Things.

Things of note with this project:

1) I am not good at measuring stuff. This was all cut to the best of my ability, with folding and estimation.

2) My sewing machine skills still lack. I tried to figure out a zig zag stitch at some point, but couldn’t. Even with my book instructions, I still need some assistance. Anyone? Anyone?

3) The best way to hide flaws is with bright colors and patterns.

4) Flannel is thick and needs a little extra love getting through the machine. But in the end…man is it comfortable.

5) This new blanket which is now on our couch….most certainly does not match the pillow I made. I don’t care.

6) If you want a real tutorial as to how to make this blanket…I suggest you check out the one I used. Her directions are WAY better than mine.

On to the blanket!!

I moved the sewing machine onto the dining room table for the holiday weekend. It’s back in the guest room as of today.

I made the squares of four patterns first. I also have larger squares of the solo colors.

I laid out the squares on the couch, in a fashion where no two squares of the same pattern touched. Then I did my best to bring those pieces to the machine and sew them in that arrangement.

I sewed the flannel back to it, wrong side out, with enough space not sewn so I could turn it right side out. I then did a top stich all the way around. In the four square areas, I tied a little string for an added touch of color!

THE FINISHED BLANKET!!!

Sooooo comfy!

With the New Year only a few days away, I figured now is as good a time as any to help you all get a 2010 calendar on your wall. Do you need a big calendar because big things are going to happen? Or do you need a cute desk calendar and want to keep it simple. Below are some of my favorites that I have found, one of them actually hanging on my wall currently (so I’ll admit I’m a bit biased.)

This calendar by Jen Oaks is currently in my kitchen. Its just lovely.

Desk Calendar by Chelsea Victoria

Patterened 2010 Wall Calendar by JhillDesign

Perpetual Calendar byJennifer Raichman

YeeHaw’s shop has unique letterpress 2010 calendars

Depuis has unbound 2010 calendars

I was browsing today, and came across a list of Bay Area hikes. As I sit on my couch, writing this blog entry, I know that it would be nice to be outside , though the weather is not exactly suitable today to go on a hike. Maybe if I have a list written, and know that I should tackle these hikes and tick them off of a list…I’ll be more apt to get out there and do it! Number 76 on my list of 101 in 1001 is to go on 10 urban hikes…but I think that some of these will satisfy my hiking goal as well. It will also aid me in my training to do number 2, successfully hike Yosemite Falls. I attempted this a few years back, but my lack of stamina and my bad back had me turn around 2/3 of the way up and cruise back down by myself. I am determined to make it to the top. With that…the list below is one I am going to try to take on….at least part of it. Let me know if you want in.

These hikes are some of the Bay Area’s best routes:

S.F. Peninsula

Montara Mountain Trail – 7-mile round trip, San Pedro Valley County Park

Whittemore Gulch Loop – 6.5 miles, Purisima Creek Redwoods Regional Preserve

Long Ridge Loop – 4.6 miles, Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

Sweeney Ridge – 5.7-mile round trip, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Summit Loop – 3.1 miles, San Bruno Mountain State and County Park

Marin

Coast Trail to Alamere Falls – 8.4-mile round trip, Point Reyes National Seashore

Mount Livermore Summit Loop – 4.5 miles, Angel Island State Park

Steep Ravine – 4-mile round trip, Mount Tamalpais State Park

Pierce Ranch-Tomales Point – 9.4-mile round trip, Point Reyes National Seashore

Matt Davis-Sunset Trail – 6 miles one-way with shuttle, Mountain Home to Stinson Beach, Mount Tamalpais State Park

Sky Trail Loop – 9.6 miles, Point Reyes National Seashore

Contra Costa County

San Pablo Ridge Loop – 8 miles, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

Mitchell Canyon Loop – 8.1 miles, Mount Diablo State Park

Franklin Ridge – 3-mile round trip, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline

Bay View Loop – 3 miles, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline

North Peak – 4-mile round trip, Mount Diablo State Park

Alameda County

Volvon-Walker Ridge Loop – 5.7 miles, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

Little Yosemite Loop – 5 miles, Sunol Regional Wilderness

Peak Trail – 7-mile round trip, Mission Peak Regional Preserve

Rocky Ridge – 4.4-mile loop, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

High Ridge Loop – 3.3-mile round trip, Garin Regional Park

Santa Cruz Mountains

Skyline-to-the-Sea to Berry Creek Canyon – 12-mile loop, Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Saratoga Gap-Ridge Trail Loop – 5.3 miles, Castle Rock State Park

Waterfall Loop – 4.5 miles, Uvas Canyon County Park

Highland Loop – 5 miles, Loch Lomond Recreation Area

Fall Creek Loop – 8 miles, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

I started to figure out my sewing machine yesterday. I got my bobbin locked and loaded, and was able to use it in the most basic way…long, straight (sort of) stitches. Granted I still don’t know what all the different stitches are, and how to program the computer part of the machine, but I successfully made a pillow! I stuffed it with the Poly-fill I had laying around the house, though I probably should have stuffed it a little more.  I also think that my next step in this learning process is figuring out how to successfully sew up the fourth side. Any tips on proper stitching? Mine are a bit too obvious. As I get more projects under my belt, I’ll post them too. Iam going to see if I can make a blanket of sorts today…now that I’ve found my groove.

Yesterday, my friend Abby was talking about how much she likes reading personal blogs because it lets you inside their world, if not for just a moment. People put themselves out there, and expose so much of their lives and feelings, and it is really interesting to see how others live. I got to thinking about my blog, and if anyone were to read it if they would think that. I decided that the answer is no.

I think that when I started my blog I wanted a place to a)discuss my Wunzees and post my new ones, b)talk about other crafty things, c)just discuss what was going on in my life. The truth of the matter is, if its not about a movie I’m seeing, a project I’m working on, or a dinner I’m eating, there isn’t much substance to my blog. Sure, I have my Etsy Tag Mondays which keep it kind of crafty, but I’m not a food blog, I’m barely a craft blog, and I’m definitely not revealing enough about myself to make it a personal blog. So how do I change this? I don’t really know if I do.

I think that in order for my blog to take some shape, I need to have a singular focus, and do other things on the exterior. Planning an event, having a baby, etc…those all make good solid blog topics. However, no event to plan thus far, and I’m not pregnant.

Discussing my thoughts and feelings likely won’t start to overcome this blog. I don’t know what I’m afraid of.  I think that if my blog were anonymous and people didn’t know it was me writing it…sure, bring on the feelings. This is what I’m thinking though. I’m not going to talk about relationship woes on my blog, because a)I don’t really have any, and b)my boyfriend and friends read my blog. I’m not going to talk about family or finance or friends woes, because my family and friends are basically the only ones who read my blog. I’m also not going to talk about work issues because someone I work with might read my blog.

If and when something awesome happens…you bet I’ll write about it, but the everyday thoughts and feelings I have, I just don’t feel comfortable writing about. Feelings could get hurt. I might offend people with my written words, stuff I would never consider saying  to them in person. Maybe that makes me a bad blogger…I don’t know. What I do know though, is I will continue to write this way for now…silly, not terribly exciting blog entries, without a whole lot of depth, and some photos or silly image (like below). Trust me…its for the best. You probably don’t want to know what I’m thinking anyway.

I had to share this latest commission I did. Its probably the silliest Wunzee I’ve done, but I love it.  Not only because its cute, but because I have some love for the pug too. (Though Brody is only half…)

So…from me to you, Happy Holidays, be safe and eat till you can’t eat anymore.

comes with a curly tail too!

And some love from my lil 1/2 pint….

I need a favor. I need all of you to tell me how you cook your pig.

Mick an I went to “Pork Prom” last Sunday. Thats right. Pork Prom. It was hosted by Live Culture Co. and located at the new Oakland location of Blue Bottle, so with promises of cooked bacon and coffee, we went to pick up our 5 lbs of pre-ordered pork. I honestly don’t know how I found out about this in the first place, (probably one of many blogs that posted), but I got on their mailing list, got on their list to buy and with a happy heart, went to get it. It was a little disorganized, but I’d gladly go again, for I now have 5 lbs of an Ossabaw Pig in my freezer.

I have spare ribs, chops, a hock, some sausages, and some other thing that I forgot about but will update when I get home. The only thing I didnt get that Im a little bummed about is a slab of bacon, but I’ll take what I can get.

Do you have favorite ways to make spare ribs? I’ve been looking online, and there are some awesome recipes out there…but I thought I’d try you first. How about the chops? Can you leave me a little recipe love in the comments?

(via It's all about the bacon)

East Coast storms, holidays, winter, December, oh my! So many reasons to choose Snow Flake as my tag today. I am seeing photos of friends yards under 3 feet, and living in California, I can’t even comprehend that…I’m not sure I could do it…though its lovely. No two snowflakes are alike, and neither are two items on my list!

So lovely. Thats all I can say. First Snow by Stephs Shoes, though a photo of ice, makes me feel warm..is that weird?

This First Snowflakes Soap would make a great addition to any bathroom. My Spa Secrets has other festive holiday soaps as well.

Though it might be a bit late to get these Christmas Cards out in time, you can always stock up for next year! Blue Note Press has a gorgeous collection of stationary. Definitely going to favorite this shop.

Actually an original piece of art! Though small at 3.5 x 2.5, Strawberry Paintbrush puts out cute ones worth collecting.

Snowflake the Snowman…super cute and squeezable. MSV Creations has a few other Christmas items as well.

Make your place a winter wonderland with these Snowflake vinyl decals. Mag Artsy Crafts Too has a ton of decor ranging from snow to beach themes.

Did you all know that the Muppets are 40 this year? Crazy right? With the anniversary being a big one, Muppets Studio has pulled together a YouTube channel, and seriously, some of these videos are absolute hilarity. Beaker does a solo “Ode to Joy” , and Beaker and Sweedish Chef do a Habanera worth watching for sure. I suggest watching them all. The Sweedish Chef, Beaker and Animal headline in most of the musical numbers.

Its actually pretty funny. They are taking a modern approach, and making all the videos internet memes. Statler & Waldorf, our favorite critics, are watching all of the videos online, and make their silly puns at the end of each, having just turned off the computer. We watch what they just did.

I guess I’m about a month and a half behind in this news, but I HAD to share it…its pretty outstanding, because I heart the Muppets. I wanted to share this Bohemian Rhapsody cover by the Muppets, and not just with the three characters I mentioned above. Almost ALL of the Muppets participate in this one, and at all the right moments. Watch the whole thing. Its a long song, but totally worth every minute. The video, an official production of the Muppets Studio (as all of them on this channel are), was the puppet clan’s first foray into covering music on the Web. A rousing success I’d say.