kandeland

Book Nerd

I haven't done a book post in awhile, and figured it was time! Everyone that knows me knows I'm a book worm and would always rather be reading, so I thought I'd show you some of my books and what I'm reading now.

 

Right now, this is what I'm immersed in. I'm about half way and enjoying it, but I don't like to give a recommendation until I've finished a book. But so far, so good.

 

I do always love browsing home decor books, but I admit I haven't done that in awhile. I've been more on a fiction frenzy.

 

I have kept up with my art magazine and book reading pretty well though. So much seasonal inspiration out right now in all the pretty magazines!

 

I always dream of having a house with a "real" library in it someday. The kind from movies. But I am happy to stay in my current house forever, so I don't see that happening! I will just have to keep building shelves I guess!

 

There's nothing that makes me more content than stacks of books...so if my family doesn't throw me out for book clutter, I'll just keep stacking!

 

One major recommendation I have for you is something I read last week. It is absolutely incredible and if you read at all I suggest you grab this one:

 

By the author of the Kite Runner, also an amazing book, this novel is seriously astounding and breathtaking. One of my favorites in a long time.

 

So there's a little peek onto a few of my shelves! If I'm not being responsible, or if I'm not making art, I'm planted in my blue chair with wine or tea and a book! I could single-handedly keep the Mighty Bright Book Light manufacturer in business...I keep a mini book light in every corner!

So besides reading, and eating turkey, the only other thing I will be doing this long weekend is having LOADS OF FUN with Sandy!!!!

 

This weekend I'm hitting the road up to Toronto to live it up with my dearest friend! We are painting the city as they say, and treating ourselves to some deserved fun! Shopping, dining, drinking....ahhh! Can't wait!

So I will be back in December...can you beleive it's here? yikes!

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving! xo

 

Black Market Friday Fleamarket!!

Get ready to stay home Friday morning and shop from your computer! There's no way you need to be out with the lunatics at 6am to save $5 on manufactured crap! Buy heartfelt, and handmade instead at www.pawshpoodlefleamarket.blogspot.com and find something special and maybe even one-of-a-kind.

Sheri is hosting the event, and there are a bunch of vendors, myself included, selling vintage and handmade items. So Friday morning, don't get dressed, just fire up the computer and stop over for holiday shopping made easy and shipped to your door!

 

 

Couple day re-cap

Agh. I feel like crap today. Something is trying to get me and make me sick, but I'm fighting it to the best of my ability. I just slept 13 1/2 hours and I am ready to go back to bed again! I drank an entire bottle of Lemon-Echinacea-Ginger juice last night and I'd give anything for someone to deliver more to my doorstep right now!

So anyway, let's see....what have I been up to....Wednesday my friend and I took Scarlet out to an Italian restaurant, which took approximately 3 hours. But the food was good. Scarlet was bugging out until I told her to draw pictures of the customers on napkins and give them to each person! That kept her quiet for a bit.

Then Thursday I felt crappy at work and since Scarlet stayed at grammie's I was able to come home and go to bed early! Yay! I also came home to a clean house compliments of my mom the saint, as well as some Christmas lights up in the window, and the tree pulled out and assembled and waiting for us to decorate! That woman deserves anything she wants. I really hope I win the lottery someday if only to give her the money!

So today I'm taking it easy and trying to fight this bug that's trying to get me! Thank goodness it's the weekend and I can relax. My boss was so nice about me not coming in today! I never called in sick like that, but I knew if I didn't I'd be worse off from talking to students all day. It can be exhausting!

I've been able to create some backgrounds in my art journal lately which has been fun! It's nice when some pages are ready for words, but I have to say that lately the collaging part has been most fun for me.

On an art journaling note, it is Friday, which means it is time to announce the name that I pulled out of the basket when I was making my tea this morning!

Thanks to all for their kind comments about my blog and Somerset publication. I truly appreciate it! The winner of the original art journaled custom page is........

Linda!! of http://lindajos.blogspot.com !!!! Yay Linda! I can't wait to create your page! I will need your quote, and color choices, etc before I begin!

Maybe making Linda this page will get me to dig through the rubble of this mess in my dining room! I am determined to clean up and organize all my art supplies this weekend! Please achy body and stuffy nose- Go away! I can't lose any time! xo

 

Another way to win!

My last post is about my 400th post giveaway, but here is another way to win some good stuff!!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

*more free time

*a juicer

*art supplies

*black boots

* David Beckham

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

A quilt from my mom

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

A quilt

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

My bedroom being madeover

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

Everything known to man

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

   pumpernickel bread and dill dip

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

lots of ornaments and memory books

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

It's a Wonderful Life

9. Favorite holiday song?

Nat King Cole singing the Christmas Song (chestnut roasting..)

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

putting up the decorations and baking

   

Click here to see an example.

Send us a link to your post via email with “Wish List Meme” in the subject line. You can even tag a few friends to participate in the meme. (Spread that holiday cheer!)

Thanks to all of our generous sponsors that helped make Mama’s Holiday Wishlist possible!


Want to see those prizes in more detail? Click here.

400th POST!! an art journaling giveaway!

Here I am at 400 blog posts! As I always say- it's quite easy to talk about myself! Thank you all for always visiting and commenting and making me feel so good!

Now, before I tell you about the giveway, my BIG NEWS is that I will be featured in the next issue of Somerset's Art Journaling Magazine!!

I am so excited to be in one of my favorite magazines, doing what I love! More on that later. But the good news prompted me to incorporate art journaling into my 400th post giveaway.

   So I've decided my giveaway winner will receive an original art journaled page from me with whatever quote they choose, and whatever colors or imagery they are into!

Just leave a comment on this post between now and Friday, November 20th and I will draw a name at random from my basket and ask the winner what they would like art journaled by me!

Good luck and thanks for visiting!

 

 

 

 

Midnight, Thursday

Thursday is "my night", and usually you'll find me here:

But by midnight I'm usually home. This week though, I was here at midnight:

 

Why, you ask? Because EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER was working on the block and I hadn't gotten up there to check it out yet! So after going out we headed over to see if we could walk up to the site where they were working, but to no avail!

 

When you get near the block they are working on, they have it all blocked off, lit up, and manned by cops in tents on every corner, with a "no walking zone" sign posted. Apparently midnight on a weeknight still applies, and they are working diligently!

 

This is as close as I could get! The news in Buffalo has been showing a lot of the progress for the past week, but I never watch TV so I didn't see it. But Saturday was the "BIG REVEAL" and I should have gone down for it, but got lazy! The show is saying this episode is going to be the biggest deal they've ever had. They ended up working on several houses around the main rebuild, and they had more volunteers and donations than in any city before.

My students all live over in that neighborhood and at first were having a hard time figuring out how to catch their bus since it couldn't stop on that block! But they eventually figured out the new route!

 

I don't know when the episode will be aired, but I figure sometime this winter. I can't wait to see it!

On another celebrity note, this guy has been hanging around town lately:

 

He's been spotted by a few people sporting a big beard that makes him a bit inconspicuous! I've got my eye out all the time...maybe I'll get a pic soon! When I lived in CA I used to wait on him at the book store I worked at and even had to call and leave a message on his voicemachine when his special ordered book came in!

So Buffalo is hopping this week! woo hoo!

Well, Scarlet and I are off to meet friends for lunch, so I must go, but stop again soon because the NEXT POST is my 400th post GIVEAWAY!

Etsy, Journaling, Art Exchange and Swap!

Hello there! Lots happening lately, so I thought I'd check in with a few odds and ends. Ok, first off, I added a few Valentine creations to my shop just now....

Two mini canvases done in crackle paint.

And a super sweet oversized magnet made from a vintage heart tin...

You can find them here: http://kandeland.etsy.com

I have also been trying to consistently work in my fall/winter art journal. I'm trying to vary the look and feel of the pages, and just have fun.

Sometimes quotes, sometimes recaps of the day...

I participated in the crazy "art exchange" thing that has been going around blogland. So far I've received 2 gifts in the mail! It is so fun to come home to surprises like this! I hope everyone who said they'd play along with follow through. The concept is so easy and fun.

I received this pretty embellished notebook from Phyllis Covington:

It's a lined paper notebook and I've already been using it! Thanks Phyllis!

I also received this beautiful sewn flower from Cami of http://creatingmyselfcreatively.blogspot.com.

It's neutral and so elegant. I could use it as a pin, hairclip or headband....hmmm...

Thanks a bunch Cami!

As far as swaps, I just finished a 12 Days of Christmas Swap and I'm in the process of getting my ornaments wrapped and shipped! I can't wait to see the results of this one!

Another swap I signed up for is my dear friend Sandy's swap:

Go sign up and maybe you'll be my partner!

And.....on a final note....my 400th POST GIVEAWAY is coming up real soon! So stop back soon and meanwhile I will figure out what I'm giving away!!

Etsy Update....

I've put some Christmas things in my shop, and will continue to do so all month! So stop by

http://kandeland.etsy.com and see these....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes me happy

Last week all of us ESL teachers had a Halloween party with our students. It was such a fun time!! All 8 classes got together for food, laughter and fun!

My students bring such happiness and perspective to my life. They make me laugh, smile and feel rewarded every day. This little celebration was so nice because it got us all out of class and together. We had pizza, snacks, baked goods and some ethnic foods as well.

The two above women are my "sisters". We always say this when we see one another, which isn't often enough- they are at another location. Six of the eight classes are at another site, so it is a real treat when I get to go there and visit with old students I've had. These two have a special place in my heart. They are courageous, lovely, kind and hysterical!

The above photo is of my brother and his class. He is also an ESL teacher. Notice how sweet: his student was so excited for the photo she wanted to hold his hand!

These people truly make my day. I've never been so happy to start a work day as I have been working for this school.

Here's the crowd getting pizza and food at the party! We whipped through 8 sheet pizzas in about 20 minutes!

No food goes to waste at our get-togethers!

Some of the students even made Halloween masks for the event! So funny! They all had cigarettes hanging out of the mask's mouths!

Here's me with one of my most favorite people on the planet!! I love him!!

It is seriously a true honor to be able to spend my days with these delightful people. They make me remember what to value, how to treat people, and the essence of gratitude.

So if you were ever wondering where I spend my days, now you have it!

reminders to self...

.....I wouldn't want to forget that!.....

and of course my motto!