Happy Earth Day!

Hope you all do something for the earth today! And check out Google's earth day image - I kinda like it!

Why I love cats...

...must...watch....NOW!

What I made...

My first apron - didn't follow any pattern, but did have a little help from an old ARTA apron I found around the house.

Hoot hoot! (round 2)

These little guys are on their way to Portland, OR (arriving a little late for Malcolm's birthday, but that's okay!)

update: Malcolm loves his little owls :)



you can see the ones I made Cadence here

Hangin' with Cadence

This weekend I had the chance to hang out with Cadence while Marie did some studying. It's great being an "almost auntie"...we took advantage of the beautiful day and went on a walk to downtown Alameda and did a little bit of my favorite activity - shopping! I just have the best memories of being with my favorite aunts and having so much fun with them (probably because they spoiled me!) Anyway she's growing up so fast and her uncle Paul can't wait to come home and watch her grow...

Finger puppets

Go to this website and download your very own Obama, Hillary or McCain finger puppet. I found this link from one of my favorite blogs. They have been a hit at the NWP office!

Washington DC trip

I've finally been able to post a few pics from my recent trip to DC. I had a FABULOUS time! The cherry blossoms were out everywhere, and were just a gorgeous addition to the beautiful old buildings. I was there for NWP's Spring Meeting, and it was a great event. Teachers from across the country came to talk with their legislators. It was amazing to hear their stories and to see how excited they were to have told their story to their representatives. Democracy is great!

Anyway, you know that I don't go anywhere without having a great time. I was able to go to many of the museums around town - from the National Portrait Gallery to the Museum of Art, to a few of the Smithsonians and the National Botanical Garden.


Highlights of the trip include:
- Seeing Stephen Colbert's portrait on exhibit (the one above his mantle on the show!)
- An Obata Yosemite exhibit (A Japanese artist that did beautiful watercolors of Yosemite)
- The Budweiser Clydesdale horses on display for the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition
- Going to Anthony Bourdain's restaurant "Les Halles"
- Orchids at the botanical garden
- Having dinner and catching up with a friend from grad school


All in all, it was a great time meeting new teachers, hanging out with cool co-workers, and enjoying the nation's capital. I never realized how cool of a city DC is!

Any thoughts....

...on the protests going on around the world against China and their hosting the Olympics?


This is a pic from a protest today in San Francisco. There was a mini-protest in Berkeley last week. I think it's great that people all over the world are protesting this. I mean, really, killing Monks? They are the most peaceful, nonviolent people in the world. It's interesting though, to see how people in other countries protest. In France, this guy full on grabbed the torch out of a runners hand. In SF, protesters took a different approach and hung signs off of the Golden Gate.

I'm back!

Just a short note to tell the blogging world that I'm back in Alameda (well, the NWP Berkeley office) after a WONDERFUL work/vacation trip to DC. Pics and stories will be up soon!

DC here I come!

So by this time tomorrow I'll be on a plane to DC! This Thursday and Friday is NWP's Spring Meeting, where teachers from all across the country visit their legislators and senators in the nations capital. I get to go just to experience the whole event and help out in whatever way I can. I have a meeting on Saturday, but other than that, I plan on touring around the city and checking out the cherry blossoms that are in bloom!(This isn't my first trip to DC - I went with my grandparents in 6th grade, but I'm sure I'll be having a different experience now that I'm 27). I'm also meeting up with an old friend from grad school, so that should be fun too. If you'd like a postcard, let me know!

Spring flowers

From my recent Groveland trip. Wish I could grow these in my urban "garden"!

Trip to Groveland

Jenny and I had a fantastic trip to Groveland this weekend - we started off by laying out on the grass in the hot sun (my first tan of spring!) and eventually had a BBQ. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it was so nice to sit on the porch til dark and talk and eat and drink with the family. The next day we went over to my dad and Tish's house for Easter brunch - again spent the day in the sun, drinking champagne and playing with Duke (their dog). The zoo at my mom's house is still there! (see the dogs in the pic below.) Yeah for spring!

Groveland on Dwellable

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! (a day late, I know!) Hope you had a great one looking for eggs...


Decorative eggs

The Easter Bunny came to visit Jenny Cole and I in Groveland!

Time to sew!

I've been finding the CUTEST patterns online that are inspiring me to use my sewing machine more often. Aren't they great?? Guess you know what I'd like for my upcoming birthday :)

Yummy Treats

Mmmm...my favorite salad made for a dinner at home

Happy Birthday Marie and Jean!

And new additions to the kitchen!

Spring Camping

I'm currently in the planning stages of my 2nd annual spring camping trip. Last year the trip coincided with my 26th birthday and was held at Big Basin State Park in the mountains north of Santa Cruz. The trip was epic - a pinata filled with mini bottles of booze, a huge campfire, lots of burgers...and beer! While our intentions were to hike around, we did nothing of the sort. We just hung out all day. This year I'm moving the trip to Samuel P. Taylor State Park, just north of San Francisco. I'm determined that we will at least do some sort of hike this year! The park is supposed to be incredible, with lots of history and beautiful views. Let the planning begin!

best....of...craigslist...

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sdo/566171148.html

check it out!

Quite the fiesta

In honor of Kim's birthday, Ashlee, Jen and Mike graciously hosted a fiesta at their house in SF - complete with party favors, yummy enchiladas, mojitos and margaritas! Paul definately wins the prize though, as he brought the ultimate party accessory - a 3 foot tall pinata named "El Charro". The girls LOVED him (as you can tell by the picture). Afterwards we headed to bottle service...whoohoo, high rollers! (p.s. if you don't know what "bottle service" is...well, I didn't know what it was either. but you can click here for an explanation. It's Wednesday and I've finally recovered from the fun times...

Idle hands

I've been busy making some kitchen linens with this cute piece of fabric I found at Beverly's...
...a placemat and pot holders...

...jazzy snuck into this one...

...my mosaic plant stand (finally sealed!) and some newly potted pansies...

Travellin' traveler

Part of my new job at NWP is traveling to events all across the country. Here's a sample of where I'll be going in the next 8 months or so:

Washington DC
Philadelphia
Denver
Red Lodge, Montana
Denver (again!)
San Antonio

In addition, Jenny and I are planning a reunion trip to the Southwest - hiking the narrows in Zion National Park, a trip to Bryce Canyon, and possibly Death Valley (if it's not too hot) I'm also planning a few camping trips this spring - anyone interested in going to Half Moon Bay and/or Napa, let me know!!

Las Vegas

I just spent the past weekend relaxing in Las Vegas. No, I didn't go down to the strip, and didn't even put a quarter in the slot machines! I went to Vegas to visit my grandparents in celebration of my grandmothers birthday. It was quite a relaxing weekend - visiting, eating good food, playing ping pong at the rec center (hahaha) and driving up to Red Rock Canyon. It's incredibly beautiful up there, and if you're ever in Vegas and need a break from drinking, it's definately a nice road trip. While I was up there, surrounded by the desert mountains and sagebrush, I began to think about Utah and how much I want to go there this summer. I'm hoping that I will get to go on at least 1 trip this summer, if not even just going out there for a while and spending some alone time in the desert is what I really need right now. So anyway, it was a good weekend to clear my head and think about all the trips I want to take this summer. I can't wait!

Santa Cruz history

I just found the coolest book at the library today - it's called "Local Girl Makes History - Exploring Northern California's Kitsch Monuments"....(I'm still trying to figure out what 'kitsch' means...is that the same as 'chotshski' that my mom uses?) It's written by a UCSC historian that grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the history behind some of the landmarks in the area (like the cave man ride at the beach boardwalk and the infamous cat statues in Los Gatos). I just started reading it, but I've already been transported to my childhood, where I also experienced those same landmarks (and have similar fond memories like the author!) I'll let you know how it goes...and I'm sure I'll share the random information I learn with you all :)

Winter visit

I started off my weekend early on Friday by taking the day off and heading up to my parents house for a fun winter visit! Paul came home late Thursday night (a Valentine's treat!) and we packed up and left for a lunch date at my dad's house. Friday night we spent at my mom's drinking beers with some of my rafting friends and laughing WAY too much. Saturday we headed up to Yosemite for a friend's photography exhibit and some picture taking at the Awanhee hotel (if you've never been before, it's a MUST. Especially right now with all of the snow!) Sunday morning we were lazy...my mom made a yummy french toast breakfast and we walked around the meadow and watched Reggie swim in all of the fresh ponds that have formed from the recent rain. It was a beautiful weekend, and I was sad to say goodbye!
The Awhanee covered in snow

Paul and I

Mom and Kev
Half Dome

Happy Valentines Day!

Some treats I made for my Valentines Day dinner with the girls tomorrow...
Paul will be home late tomorrow night. Whoohoo!

The lineup is IN!

Yeah, Bonnaroo 2008! Jenny and I have renewed our vow to attend at least 1 more Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee - check out this lineup, why would you NOT want to go? (p.s. tickets go on sale Sunday, Feb. 16th at 9am PST...the show is June 12-15) Let me know if you wanna go!!

My first blog from Bonnaroo 2005: http://whereisshannon.blogspot.com/2005/06/bonnaroo-bay-bee.html

* Pearl Jam
* Metallica
* Jack Johnson
* Kanye West
* Robert Plant and Alison Krauss featuring T Bone Burnett
* Phil Lesh & Friends
* My Morning Jacket
* The Allman Brothers Band
* The Raconteurs
* Willie Nelson
* Death Cab for Cutie
* B.B. King
* Sigur Ros
* Levon Helm and the Ramble on the Road
* Ben Folds
* O.A.R.
* The Bluegrass Allstars
* M.I.A.
* Umphrey's McGee
* Iron & Wine
* Yonder Mountain String Band
* The Swell Season
* Talib Kweli
* Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival
* Gogol Bordello
* Broken Social Scene
* Robert Randolph's Revival
* Rilo Kiley
* Mastodon
* Lupe Fiasco
* Against Me!
* Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
* Pat Green
* Ozomatli
* Tegan & Sara
* Solomon Burke
* Drive-By Truckers
* !!!
* The Avett Brothers
* Israel Vibration
* Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck
* Larry Campbell, Jackie Greene, Phil Lesh & Teresa Williams
* Aimee Mann
* Ladytron
* The Fiery Furnaces
* Orchestra Baobab
* Ghostland Observatory
* Jose Gonzalez
* Dark Star Orchestra
* Minus the Bear
* Donavon Frankenreiter
* Lez Zeppelin
* State Radio
* Battles
* Jakob Dylan
* Two Gallants
* The Sword
* Vampire Weekend
* Little Feat
* Nicole Atkins
* The Felice Brothers
* Mason Jennings
* MGMT
* The Lee Boys
* Black Kids
* Serena Ryder
* Steel Train
* Grupo Fantasma
* Back Door Slam

Thinking positively

Super Tuesday was just 2 days ago, but I have only begun to process the primary election results. The fact that this is one of the busiest weeks at my work has made me less involved in the election coverage. Anyway, I'm sad and surprised that Obama didn't take California - what happened? It was a fairly close race, and he did well in other states, but he didn't clinch California like I thought he would. He's still my #1 candidate, a choice I would actually make (not by default, which is usually how our candidates end up winning the presidency). I hope that you all voted on Tuesday - if not, you should be ashamed! And if you happen to live in a state that hasn't voted yet, vote for Obama! Si Si puede!!

Crafty Sunday

It's Super bowl Sunday, and Jenny and I have decided to do some crafts while watching the game (well, we're not really watching the game...it's really just background noise). Anyway I made some cute napkins for an upcoming Valentines Day party I'm hosting, and Jenny worked on some fun earrings and an earring holder. What a very productive day!

Forgot the bib

Cadence came over last night for some hangin' out time with me, while Marie and Dallas went out on the town. When it was time for her to eat, I couldn't find her bib. She took full advantage of getting as dirty as possible without mommy or daddy around...whoops!