Fog and Thistle

Sneak Peek

Rachel — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:11:14 +0000

Sneak peek of a detail from the project I’ve been working on. I need to wrap this up by the month’s end. We’ll reveal when the timing is just right!

Weekend’s Over, Back to Work

Rachel — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:02:52 +0000

We spent Saturday celebrating Matt’s birthday. We took a trip to the Intrepid in the city.

Followed by our first barbecue of the season and some fun silly photos.

My collaborative project is underway and we are making headway. Sketches are complete and I’m finalizing them. Paper has been selected and purchased. Next up is to template out the work. I’m excited about it! And when I have something to share, I certainly will!

I have a few other things pending. Must finish studying for the GRE. Have some household matters to attend to. That includes having some work done on the house this summer. And a few freelance jobs here and there coming up. It’s a busy time. Keeping my head busy is very good for me.

Emerging from the Fog

Rachel — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:59:31 +0000

You know you haven’t updated your blog regularly when your husband asks if he can move you from the prime location of his Google homepage because it’s been a full two months since you’ve blogged.

Yet today I felt an urge to blog and update. It’s been a strange year so far. A bit of an identity crises as far as Fog and Thistle is concerned. The shop has been closed. At first for a break, then for an reevaluation, and no desire to reopen has come. At this point, I have no plans to reopen shop. And I’m okay with that.

I have been studying for the GRE and plan on applying for graduate school. A total change of direction. I’m looking to get a masters in counseling. I would pretty good at that and I like the idea of helping people.

I have been sticking to my 365 Project. As a result, I think I’m getting better at photography. And it makes me happy and I’m proud of that.

I do have a papercutting project in the early stages. Not ready to discuss the details in public just yet. It’s a collaborative project in a similar vein as to the Jet Blue calendar I worked on last year in terms of style. It is illustrative. And I am totally jazzed about it! And so is my partner.

I had a blog meetup on Monday and got to meet a long time blog friend Charmaine and my friend Michelle was there too. It was a lot of fun. As always, it’s wild experience to meet internet friends face-to-face.

Thanks to those who have checked in on my silence these past few months. I’m okay. I’ve just been quiet and introspective.

xoR

It’s That Time Again

Rachel — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:27:36 +0000

It’s that time of the year, when I get a taste of spring weather, and I start to cruise the gardening websites. I fill up imaginary shopping carts, add, edit, delete and eventually order. Here’s what I am lusting for this year:

My mother in law had this Autumn Clematis in her garden and it’s just so sweet and beautiful. This year I’ll be adding a trellis and growing it up the side of the house.

My friend Imke gave me this Speedwell last year and I’d like to add another one or two to the front garden this year.

I’m looking to add this Butterfly Collection to both the front and back this year.

I discovered this sunflower relative while cruising the sites. It’s supposed to have a long bloom season and once you plant it, you can forget about it. Grows to 6-8′ feet and butterflies love it.

Weeks 2 & 3

Rachel — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:01:04 +0000

Still sticking to it–a picture a day.

Photo Haiku

Rachel — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:28:47 +0000

Spots of cheer rally
Colors battle against the grey
Nose pressed up longing

When the kids stay home

Rachel — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:08:18 +0000

they turn into firefighting witches.

Leon’s daycare called at 6:30 yesterday morning to inform me that they weren’t opening. I was sort of miffed…it wasn’t really sticking. Less than an hour later I started fretting about Amelia going into school. I decided to keep her home and was glad I did. It got nasty and kept getting nasty.

I woke up to finding us buried in even more snow this morning. I have no idea how we will manage to dig out.

Budget Gourmet

Rachel — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:51:32 +0000

I literally let out a yelp at Target yesterday when I happened across Archer Farms coffee beans in Tanzanian Peaberry. I’ve been on a quest for peaberry coffee since the local coffee bean shop stopped carrying it because they would have had to charge $18 a pound (!!! up from what I considered pricey at $11) To my joy, I found it at Target for $6.78 a pound! That’s less that what I pay for a bag of Dunkin Donut beans.

I scooped up two bags to take home to try out. After running around for three hours with the kids, I decided I earned a cup of my favorite variety of coffee. In my eagerness to brew, I forgot to empty the filter and made a complete mess with grounds and brown water all over the place. I took everything apart, cleaned, and started over. I would not be deterred. It’s pretty good. Maybe not quite as amazing as from the gourmet shop, but it’s a smooth, no acid coffee. Coupled with my grind and brew coffeemaker, I’m pretty happy and feeling savvy.

Week One

Rachel — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:39:53 +0000

I’ve wrapped up my first week on the 365 Project.

Boris

Rachel — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:37:58 +0000

We adopted Boris from our local shelter today after several visits with him this week to make sure he was the one. He is sweet and affectionate, playful, and not afraid of the kids. We love him!