That's the spirit!

Mister Gingerbread Man, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to eat you. I have to have at least one gingerbread man during Christmas, and I've picked you!

You've picked me, well that's nice of you. Except, oh no, you ate my entire body! Now what am I supposed to do? Oh no, I'm coming awfully close to your mouth, and your teeth are kind of pretty and... big! Oh no, it's getting very dark and I can't see! Oh that tickles me! Well, Merry Ch...

Like a Lemon to a Lime

Born and bred Brooklyn - U.S.A.

They all me Adam Yauch - but I'm M.C.A.
Like a lemon to a lime - a lime to a lemon
I sip the def ale with all the fly women

Ever wondered how much the PG&E bill was?

Eucalyptus Street, San Carlos

I love you Jay and Devo

A bright time of year

Christmas lights make me really happy. Let's just leave it at that.

Three blogs I've been enjoying

I wanted to share three blogs I've been enjoying recently, all vastly different from one another.

This first one is called The Daily Coyote and it's written by a young woman who picked up and moved to Wyoming from San Francisco, and soon found herself caring for a baby coyote.

"Charlie came into my life when he was just ten days old, orphaned after both his parents were killed. He lives with me and a tomcat in a one-room log cabin in Wyoming."

Every day she has a picture of Charlie and how he's getting along, living with her and the cat. Very refreshing.

The second one is called The Sartorialist. This man loves fashion and he loves finding people on the street and taking photos of them, based on what they are wearing.

"I started The Sartorialist simply to share photos of people that I saw on the streets of New York that I thought looked great. When I worked in the fashion industry (15 years), I always felt that there was a disconnect between what I was selling in the showroom and what I was seeing real people (really cool people) wearing in real life."

There is such a wide variety of styles from New York and all over the world, and his blog has gotten such good attention, that fashion magazines now hire him. It is an inspiration, and clothes as some of you may know, are my favorite thing.

Last but so not least, can I present you with A Fanciful Twist. This young lady creates a very special world to share with others! She has a kind soul, a vivid and active imagination and a wonderful attitude. She makes all kinds of art and has her own gallery in the country.

"My name is Vanessa Valencia. I feel like a strange and curiously artistic woman from the 1800's trapped in the body of a thirty year old girl living in a bizarre Arizona."

Dare I say, you will be transported!

A very groovy resource

The San Francisco Public Library has a phone number you can call, to hear a pre-recorded story. There is a different one each day. The voices are wonderful and the recording is a little crackly. Take a chance and listen, won't you?

(415) 437-4880

"Thank you for calling Dial-A-Story. Please, hang up the telephone."

If you are in another area, check this link! Lots of libraries in the U.S. have this service.

Happiness is...

...Watching The Hills finale with my buddy Jess, in PJ's, cozy under a blanket. With intelligent discussions such as, "Do you think Lauren will get to go to Paris"? and "I wonder if Spencer and Heidi will break up!" and Jay in the background making wisecracks. ("This show is about nothing"!)

Ah, nothing. Until Paris, Jess!

...said Jamie Watson, 39.

Willie the Squirrel. Watson Christmas card 2006.
Photo by Jay Watson

Well golly, I was quoted in the Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune! Shutterfly referred me to the reporter there, as it was an article on Christmas cards and letters, and our Christmas card last year was considered "unique"!

So, here is the article and darnit, now you're all going to know that we make fun of Christmas letters. But please keep sending them, we love it all, honestly. You can make fun of us, too. I mean, who ever heard of a Christmas squirrel?!

A happy show

the view from my studio
from l to r: artists Kalani Engles, Sean Smith, Jess Nichols of Rosina Red, Jay Watson

my studio

A surprise visit by good friend, Wendy Oropeza

Oh did we have fun last Saturday. I think we are still recovering from the scurrying and preparations and late nights, and this weekend isn't here a moment too soon. Thank you to all who came to visit and to those who wanted to be there and asked about the show. I feel the show was a success, even though we didn't have the coverage and traffic that goes with Silicon Valley Open Studios. We all sold something which is wonderful, but the best part to me is the process. Making new art, meeting new people, talking about my work, hanging out with the other artists and eating their snacks - this is what brings joy to me.

Our next show will be in the Spring and we are going to have a meeting about having it be a green show. We'll incorporate using recycled materials in our artwork and print our own flyers on recycled paper...I am already excited about it!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Remember, if you feel stress, stop and take a moment for yourself. Ask for a hug. Make a cup of cocoa, snuggle under a blanket to read and daydream and doze off. Life isn't a dress rehearsal. Make your moments count, now.

Oh, apple!

Oh apple, I love you apple! Pink lady apple, so crisp and delicious. My stomach always feels great after I eat you. Thank you, beautiful apple.

One of my favorite scenes from the film, Into the Wild is when Chris McCandless is talking to his apple while eating it. "You're so organic! You're sooo good! You're the apple of my eye"!

Do apples remind you of the holidays? Me neither. But let's briefly discuss this upcoming holiday season. I want everyone to feel goooood. I want there to be no stress for any of you! It can happen. Usually I get very stressed during the holidays and I specifically told myself this year not to. I listened to myself. I listened real good. And I always say, I am an average person, experiencing the things that everyone does. So if I can do it, that means you can.

No stress. Apples.

My favorite soup recipe

It's the limes that make this one so special and delicious!

From the recipe book:
Sausalito, Cooking with a View
Favorite Recipes from the Sausalito Woman's Club

Chicken Lime Soup
Serves 6

Olive oil cooking spray
8 chicken thighs, boned and skinned (or 2-3 lg. breasts)
6 limes
1 1/2 quarts chicken broth (1 box)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups diced zucchini
1 14 1/2-oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced
1/2 cup medium salsa
Salt & pepper
1 package tortilla chips (for bay area, Casa Sanchez is my fave!)
2 cups cooked white long-grain rice

Spray chicken with olive oil and squeeze the juice of 2 limes over them in a glass casserole dish. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes or so. Grill 5 minutes to a side, or until done. Allow to cool. Shred (2 forks method) and reserve.

Bring broth to a simmer, add garlic, celery and carrots, and simmer 15 minutes. Add zucchini and mushrooms and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken, juice of remaining limes, tomatoes and simmer a few minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salsa and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon into soup bowls. Pass rice and tortilla chips in separate bowls.

Enjoy!

Cupcakes for a Cupcake

Who me?

Recently there was a small flurry of e-mails between friends, discussing cupcakes. So I thought I'd bust out these photos from my birthday last month. A special delivery was made from my sis-in-law in B'more. She stealthily found a cupcakery nearby. I don't just like cupcakes, I adore and demolish them.