This is the show that I am making my OBAMA quilt for. It is turning into something that will be really exciting! If you are in the neighborhood please stop by and see it.

President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts Location: Cafritz Art Center, 150 King St., Silver Spring, MD Dates: February 9 - March 5, 2009 Opening Reception: Friday, February 13th

This show, organized by Susan Walen, comes from an all-volunteer, grass-roots, multi-ethnic group of fiber artists from all across the United States and as far away as Australia. Our work is in tribute to our new President, in gratitude for the hope and inspiration he has brought us. We present these art quilts at an unforgettable historic moment in our country's history.

TEXAS SNOW

Yep, you read that right! Sugarland, Texas had snow yesterday. The last time was almost four years to the day. We were outside taking pictures of it to show everyone! Here they are:

GOT GOAT'S MILK?

Goats' Milk Is More Beneficial To Health Than Cows' Milk, Study Suggests

What does goat's milk give you that cow's milk doesn't? In many parts of the world, goat's milk is preferred to cow's milk. Even in the United States, the goat is gaining popularity. Goat's milk contains around ten grams of fat per eight ounces compared to 8 to 9 grams in whole cow's milk.

Goat's milk contains slightly lower levels of lactose (4.1 percent versus 4.7 percent in cow's milk), which may be a small advantage in lactose-intolerant persons. Although the mineral content of goat's milk and cow's milk is generally similar, goat's milk contains 13 percent more calcium, 25 percent more vitamin B-6, 47 percent more vitamin A, 134 percent more potassium, and three times more niacin. It is also four times higher in copper. So, if you haven't tried it yet you should. I was scared at first but it is really good and there isn't that much of a taste difference. I didn't care for Soy Milk. I thought that tasted terrible!!!

TUBBS BY DONALD LIPSKI

I saw an article this morning in our Houston Chronicle and knew I just had to post about it. I just love this guys sculptures!! His work is so amazing! It’s fitting that a museum with an unusual name and mission should welcome its visitors with an unusual, eye-catching public artwork.

Something like, say, a huge bouquet of seven overflowing bathtubs on stems that sheath a water-recycling fountain system.

Come next fall, when the new WaterWorks: Houston Water Museum and Education Center opens its doors in northeast Houston, the bathtub bouquet will adorn the traffic circle outside.

Its title, Tubbs, is a pun and tribute to country-music legend Ernest Tubb. Its creator, Philadelphia-based Donald Lipski, is an art-world legend, with work in more than two dozen major museums and a hefty portfolio of public art commissions. Check out his work at the following link:

http://donaldlipski.net/

LANDROLLER SKATES

Too bad most of you who read this blog don't live in my neighborhood. You will see me skating soon on my new Landrollers. Yep, these are the skates that The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan uses on his TV show. I thought it would be great to have YOGI pull me around the streets.

http://www.landroller.com/

PLAYING WITH FRUIT

I took this image of this strawberry that we found in our pint we bought at the grocery store. It looks just like a butterfly and I didn't have to do anything to it!!!

Looking on the internet I found these funky photos of food art and so I wanted to share them with you today. They are so clever!

SOLAR BALLS

We bought these really cool solar powered balls at Sams Club last week. During the day they collect the juice to burn and change colors at night. I took these photos at night.

DON'T WORRY...BE JEWISH

As a general principle, Jewish holidays are divided between days on which you must starve and days on which you must overeat.

Note: Unlike Christians, who simply attend church on special days (e.g. Ash Wednesday), on Jewish holidays most Jews take the whole day off. This is because Jews, for historical and personal reasons, are more stressed out.

• The Diet Guide to the Jewish Holidays:
• Rosh Hashanah ------- Feast
• Tzom Gedalia ----------- Fast
• Yom Kippur -------------- More fasting
• Sukkot -------------------- Feast for a week +
• Hashanah Rabbah ---- More feasting
• Simchat Torah --------- Keep right on feasting
• Month of Heshvan --- -- No feasts or fasts for a whole month. Get a grip on yourself.
• Hanukkah ---------------- Eat potato pancakes
• Tenth of Tevet --------- Do not eat potato pancakes
• Tu B'Shevat ------------ Feast
• Fast of Esther --------- Fast
• Purim --------------------- Eat pastry
• Passover ---------------- Do not eat pastry for a week
• Shavuot ------------------ Dairy feast (cheesecake, blintzes, etc.)
• 17th of Tammuz -------- Fast (definitely no cheesecake or blintzes)
• Tish B'Av ----------------- Serious fast (don't even think about cheesecake or blintzes)
• Month of Elul ------------ End of cycle. Enroll in Center for Eating Disorders before High Holidays arrive again.

NEWEST QUILT

I am working on an OBAMA quilt for a special show in January. It is a challenge to comemerate his inauguration in Washington. The exhibit was started by Susan Walen, a fellow member of the Quiltart group that I belong to. The exhibition: "President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts" show will be for the period of February 9 to March 5, 2009 in the main gallery (King Street Gallery) of the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center. http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/go/morris-and-gwendolyn-cafritz-foundation-art-center

LOVE BEING A WOMAN

I thought these were really funny and wanted to share them with you today. It will help everyone get over hump day (unless you are a man)

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee. Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box. Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week. Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl. And her husband is on the back of the milk carton. WIFE VS. HUSBAND A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?' 'Yep,' the wife replied, 'in-laws.' CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles. The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him. He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife. She directs him down the correct aisle. A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter. She says, confused, ' Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife? He answers, ' You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco and some rolling papers; cause it' s sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper. So, I figure if I have to roll my own .......... so does she. (I figure this guy is the one on the milk carton!)

COLLEGE RINGS

My boys wanted to show off their college rings. They are all from the University of Texas in Austin. Of course Perry's ring is the oldest. Ha... HOOK EM HORNS!!

MANHOLE COVERS

I have recently developed an obsession for manhole covers. Yep, I know it is strange but have you EVER noticed them before? The designs on them are fascinating to me! My mission is to take a photo of all the manhole covers I find. Here are just two of them I have taken so far. How about helping me out? Send me pictures of some from YOUR city. We can see how different they all are.

A manhole cover is a removable plate forming the lid over the opening of a manhole, to prevent someone from falling in and to keep unauthorized persons out. Manhole covers usually weigh more than 100 pounds partly because the weight keeps them in place when traffic passes over them, and partly because they are often made out of cast iron, sometimes with infills of concrete. They usually feature "pick holes", in which a hook handle is inserted to lift them. Pick holes can be concealed for a more watertight lid, or can allow light to shine through. A manhole pick or hook is typically used to lift them, though other tools can be used as well. India has become the world leader in manufacturing manhole covers, driving many manufacturers in other countries out of business. Its extremely low labor costs have overcome even the cost of shipping such heavy objects. Although the covers are too large to be collectible, their ubiquity and the many patterns and descriptions printed on them has led some people to collect pictures of covers from around the world. A collectible (or collectable) is typically a manufactured item designed for people to collect. ...

TWENTY SIX POUNDER

Since we were having over 28 people for Thanksgiving this year, the turkey had to be a large one! We bought a fresh 26 pounder! It almost didn't fit in the pan! It was one delicious turkey and everyone loved it. It was wonderful seeing family again, those that you only see a few times throughout the year and kids that come in from college. But today everyone is going back to temporary homes and far away places. Thank goodness we didn't have anyone stay with us other than our own kids. It would have been chaos! OHHHHH the laundry loads that I have done and the folding and ironing. Can you relate?

POSTCARDS

Here are the postcards that I promised to post. These are from my friends in Group C:

POSTCARD EXCHANGE

I am part of an online postcard exchange with my IJQ group with seven other folks. We were to choose one of the 613 mitzvot to illustrate.

http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm

The one that spoke to me were these two:

365. That a man shall not wear women's clothing (Deut. 22:5)
366. That a woman should not wear men's clothing (Deut. 22:5)

Since I am finishing them up this weekend I didn't want to post photos yet. They will be in the mail soon!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Today I wanted to say how thankful I am for my wonderful family and friends. Without them in my life I would be pretty miserable! This is a day to spend with them but we are having to wait until tomorrow to have our feast. The UT vs A&M football game was moved to 7:00 tonight in Austin and our kids wouldn't miss it for the world. GO HORNS!!!

TURKEY DAY IS COMING

GAMES FOR WHEN WE ARE OLDER

GAMES FOR WHEN WE ARE OLDER

1. Sag, you're It.
2. Hide and go pee.
3. 20 questions shouted into your good ear.
4. Kick the bucket
5. Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says Bend Over.

SIGNS OF MENOPAUSE :

1. You sell your home heating system at a yard sale.
2. You have to write post-it notes with your kids' names on them.
3. You change your underwear after a sneeze.

OLD IS WHEN:

1. Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.
2. You don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go a long.
3. Getting a little action means you don't need fiber today.
4. Getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
5. An all-nighter means not getting up to pee!

BE A WEENIE

My daughter is thinking of trying out for the Texas Spirits. It is an honorary social, spirit, and service organization for students at the University of Texas. The purpose of Texas Spirits is to promote spirit among the students of the University of Texas and to serve the University and the Austin community in the best way possible. We demonstrate our spirit by attending UT athletic events together in uniform, setting up the flashcard section before football games with Tejas, and attending numerous other UT events such as the OU Torchlight parade or A&M Hex Rally. No matter what the event, Spirits are loud and proud. "Weenies" are what the Texas Spirits lovingly call their new pledges. Since pledge ship lasts only a semester, it is filled with lots of traditions and activities to make it as fun as possible!

BEADING BONANZA

I have been super busy working on my Jewish Kinship quilt. The beading is somewhat relaxing but it seems like it will never end.