mine is a home

the art of art collecting

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:59:00 +0000

There are so many things in my home that need to be done before I can even think about adding any art to my bare bare walls. But I ran across this piece on emily style and absolutely fell in looove. And when that happens I get stuck on what other art pieces I want in my home.

I have a special place in my heart for clementines because my Lily has a special place in her heart & stomach for them. (seriously she packs away at least 7 a day when they are in season)
This would look great in my kitchen. Along with the ever so popular 'keep calm and carry on' poster.

Lonely Clementine by PainterNick on Etsy

When I saw the Lonely Clementine it reminded me of the painting of plums below. When I saw this painting hanging in my friend Carol's mom's home I fell in looove with it also. This painting in real life is gorgeous. There's just something about it that makes me feel at home. The artist is Carol's brother-in-law Jeff Merrill. And if I lived in la la land it would be mine. (it's still available)

Plum Basket by Jeff Merrill

but wouldn't you know it, Jeff also has a painting of clementines!
unfortunately it's no longer available.

Sweet Clementines by Jeff Merrill

And this painting of a young Jane Austen (still in contention whether or not it is the author Jane Austen. It's not signed and only has been verified by word of mouth- you can read more about it here)

If I could find a print of this painting it would be the first in my collection. and hung over my bedside table. Isn't it lovely? A cropped portion of this painting is on my personal- you don't touch- copy of Pride and Prejudice.

And there are many other photographs, paintings, prints and art that I want. That's not even counting all the personal family photo's I need to frame and hang.
My choices are all so scatter brained. But I think when it comes to the art of art collecting you choose what speaks to you or moves you, not who painted it or what goes with what or how much you paid for it.

I had to add this last one. Isn't that a great photo? the extreme over-sized painting or photo is a must have in every home. I love the horse but maybe I could find a fox. Why a fox? I don't know it just seems cool who doesn't want a fox living at their home?

spotted on the Bedlam of Beefy from Country Living

what is it about yarn stores?

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:28:00 +0000

Especially cute little ones run out of a 60's style converted home, with cute stylish Oma's- one showing you where the yarn of your choice is and the other entertaining your mini's with a giant knitted ball that makes you want to have a shop just like it squeezed into your closet craft room? What is it about the way the yarn is placed so orderly and the way the big comfy chairs are set up just so, begging you to have a seat and knit yourself a blanket to cozy up with and stay a while? What is it about all the scrumptious colors and textures that makes you want to touch and squeeze everything in site?
And what is it about yarn stores that when I go in for one skein makes me not able to pry myself away without four or five?

I just bought my yarn for the scarf I'm making for a soldier in Afghanistan (yea!). Needless to say, I bought more than I should have *smiling mischievously*. Hey the husband is going to be deployed some day, I thought I'd knit him one too and let him choose his favorite color.

motivated knitting for our military

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:50:00 +0000

Many many thanks to Kelly from my happy little life for posting this on her blog!

Okay guys so I haven't done anything like this since I was in student government a lifetime ago. but I've become determined to see this through. I'm going to knit at least one scarf to send to Operation Gratitude who'll send it on to one of our many soldiers (70,000 +) in Afghanistan.
And I'm hoping you'll join me.

photo from each pretty penny- creative commons

I'd like to be able to collect as many scarves & hats that I can, made by you with love, so they can all be sent together. All the details are in the post below this one. The due date on Operation Gratitude is December 5th. I know it's not a lot of time but I'll need to get them in the mail by the 1st.

photo of a soldier waking up in the cold Afghanistan mountains found here

If you or anyone you know is interested in donating please email me:
janaejorgensen@yahoo.com
and we can work out where they will picked up or dropped off.

Wouldn't 100 be a great number?

knit 1 for our troops

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:35:00 +0000

Hey guys- a lot of people are being sent to this post from Kelly's blog. I decided after this post that I would try to get people to help and wrote about that above. if you are in the Utah area I would love to collect all the scarves and hats then send them out all together. If you're interested in sending yours with mine or any questions please email me at:
janaejorgensen@yahoo.com
and we can work out where to pick up or drop off thank you!!
and a BIG thank you to Kelly for writing about this on her blog- my happy little life

I have finally learned how to knit! Thanks to Kelly from my happy little life. She had a knitting 101 class and I loved it. Cupcakes, cute girls and yarn, could you ask for anything else? She is going to be posting about more classes so if you are interested pop on over to her blog.

photo from the purl bee*

but if you are already a knitter or crocheter then I've got a great way for you to help a soldier/soldiers:

Operation Gratitude is a wonderful non-profit organization that sends care packages to our soldiers serving overseas that help them out in so many ways. Right now you can help by using your yarning talents to make hats, scarves, and helmet liners to send to troops serving in Afghanistan. We can all feel how cold it is now I'm sure you can imagine sitting in the mountains of Afghanistan with nothing but a tent to keep you out of the elements. This is such a great way to show these men and women that even though some people seem to be dragging feet on decisions about their mission, we the American people haven't forgotten about them and their huge sacrifice for us and the people of Afghanistan.

(This info found on the blog proud liberal army wife)
There are some rules you need to follow, and these are not suggestions, these are mandatory.
First - NO acrylic or rayon or other artificial yarns. It must be 100% wool. Acrylic melts when it burns & when it gets wet, it gets cold and nasty. Wool, even when wet, keeps the body warmth in. I'm told that the Cascade 220 superwash is warm, soft and washable. There are other washable wools too.
Second - muted colours. tans, browns, Army green, black, deep maroon if you must, dark blue if you want to send to airforce.

This is short notice but they need to be sent by Dec. 5 to:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, California 91406

And including a little note of support with your name and address or email address pinned to it would be super nice. Or anything else they might need.

Here are some links for helmet liners: 1 2
and troop hats or other mens hats

As for the scarf - simple is good, plain and long enough to go around the neck once then get tucked in.

*I love purl soho for yarn & the purl bee for patterns
also for those in the salt lake area Blazing Needles is a gorgeous yarn shop
& for those closer to Provo Heindselman's is always a classic

opinion please

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:30:00 +0000

So after yeeearssss of talking about new flooring I think I have finally found something and would love your opinion- and soon, the husband is tired of waiting for me to make up my mind.
What do you think?

Home Legend, hand scraped elm walnut

room view:

And while I'm at it the bathroom needs to be redone too, I'd love a vanity like the one below
isn't that bathroom dreamy?

spotted on stephmodo

And am thinking this honeycomb stencil design would be fun for the walls- instead of wallpaper

spotted on design*sponge

sweet nothings or loverlies

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:46:00 +0000

I couldn't decide what to name these posts I'm going to start doing to remember the little lovelies (hey that's good too) I find & want to remember & catalog because you never know when someone is going to want to start paying me to do this- ;)

On you are my fave she had a post about this Jcrew sweater asking someone to do a tutorial on how to make this because the original was sold out ($118 dollar sold out) and Anjelica at mismatcherie did it! yea for her & us. Someone get this girl a gold star. This is one I definitely will do, someday

Remember this tutorial by laura from orange beautiful ? another gorgeous piece of clothing from Jcrew

And speaking of ruffles. Here's another tutorial from Etsy's blog the storque

I will make the pillow as long as I can have the eames rocker too.

you know what I need?

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:40:00 +0000

No, not a life- ha ha

what I need is a place to store all these cute ideas I find online. I'm pretty sure I'll never do 90% of them but they are very inspiring and fun to look at.

Like these S'more kits:

from twig & thistle -spotted on you are my fave

Also loving this kids table:

from sweet paul - spotted on you are my fave

Couldn't I just be paid to look online at all the super cute and creative things people do then catalog them for someone?

sick, sicker, sickerest update

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:01:00 +0000

we're sick
it bites
no one likes cleaning up things that should just stay put
especially me
especially not at 3 am

*Now that we're all feeling better & I can sort of laugh about it I should inform all of you that I am now the expert at cleaning up throw-up and am also the expert in reading the warning signs of when it will make an appearance and the best way to get the kid in front of a toilet.
a quick tip: the sink is NOT a good choice for throw-up, but I know a good home remedy for unclogging that sink if you happen to make that mistake & it's 1 am and your husband is at work- oh your husband isn't at work at 1 am? -huh, well I guess you can forget the home remedy & just send him to the store for Drano.

you can say "Thank You!" with your cold hard cash too

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:34:00 +0000

I know you've been wanting a great way to say "Thank You!" to all the soldiers out there sacrificing everyday and a way to get rid of all that spare cash you have laying around & I have found a way to kill those 2 birds with one click of a confirm button.

Project Valour-IT is the way.
It's a great program that gives laptops and voice recognition software and other such things to help injured soldiers in their recovery.
To learn more you can go to my other blog and learn more or go right to the source that's probably the best way anyway.
Be sure to donate through the Army link- you know it's a competition

oh no!

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:46:00 +0000

Remember THIS post? about our loverly pet manti, mantis, mantises (honestly what is the plural?) Carolyn & Joe? Well we have an update on those two love birds*

*it's not pretty

The other day Lily was helping me hack my way through the jungle of weeds in the out of site, out of mind backyard. As we worked toward a corner Lily excitedly informed me she had found our long lost friends Joe & Carolyn. She sat there studying them for a few seconds while waving me over and insisting I drop in to say hi. As I was leaning my double edged hoe* against the fence I heard her cry out
"Oh NO!"
I ran over (okay, my backyard isn't that big) quickly took the two steps over to where she was and asked what was wrong.
"Carolyn is EATING Joe!"
she told me in utter shock, horror & disbelief.
What do you tell a 5 yr old after she witnesses one of her favorite pets whole heartedly consuming the other? I was about to start explaining the wonderful & wonderous circle of life. How when one thing dies it helps feed another, but she beat me to it,
"EWWW she just bit his head off his body- that's so COOL!"

RIP joe

* while purchasing this wonderful double edged hoe at Home Depot a man waiting for his paint asked me what sort of tool I had and what was I going to use it for. I was in shock- SHOCK! "why it's a double edged hoe" I politely & incredulously informed him, "it's used for weeding and turning up dirt." He acted as though it was the most ingenious thing he's ever seen. Then promptly help up his 500 gal container of liquid poisonous weed killer, "this is my double edged hoe" He chuckled- uh yeah gotch-ya.

the lesson I learned while making dinner tonight

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:09:00 +0000

and I'm going to share it with you:

While making dinner- namely tortilla soup ( and not just any tortilla soup but the most amazing delicious, spicy, goodness you could ever stick in a bowl then spoon over your tongue, goodness. I'm telling you when I first tasted this at my mother-in-laws dinner table I literally went to food heaven. I dream about this soup.)- and you are preparing the jalapeno pepper to be roasted in the oven- and here's the lesson-
DO NOT, DO NOT
( i cannot stress this enough do you see the capitalized letters & the red?)
TOUCH YOUR NOSE!!

Ignore the itch, tell it to go away, break up with it in a crowded restaurant so it doesn't cause a scene and you are forced to stay with it. And trust me don't even try a napkin or towel barrier, it will not help! the force is strong in these jalapenos.

IF you don't heed my warning, IF you don't believe what I'm telling you, IF you do cut up a jalapeno pepper, remove the seeds with your fingers, place said jalapeno pepper in the 350 oven & IF you scratch that itch, your nose will yell and scream at you, as if from the depths of hell, for the next 24 hours.

People believe me when I say:
jalapeno + nose = pain x 24hrs

but ohhhhhhhh the spicy goodnessssssss

feeling loved

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:07:00 +0000

did you notice all the comments I received on my last two posts? (okay 1 or 2 of them are my own but still more than one comment that isn't mine is a pretty big deal, for me) I did and I am feeling the love & wanted to send it right back to you, paying for the postage and all. but I don't have everyone's address so this will have to do-

photo found via flickr

(Doesn't it feel cold enough for there to be snow on the ground? What happened to our transitional 70's period? No one should be thrown into this kind of serious weather relationship so fast! It's not fair to my toes or wallet. My feet are having serious sandal withdrawal)

And you know what else I love?? When I'm having a headache-y, grouchy, pms-y, kind of day but then I trick my fabulous neighbor or amazing sister to stop what they're doing, come out, talk to me and listen to me whine or laugh annoyingly loud while my & her kids run a muck.

nothing better...

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:44:00 +0000

than watching my kids learn the disco roll from Jack Black on Yo Gabba Gabba.

we have not died- yet

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:02:00 +0000

I know you all are extremely concerned but I'm back to reassure you that no we have not died or fallen off the face of the planet, although I can't speak for the husband I haven't spoken with him for a day 1/2 so who knows ;) Apparently I am running low on "disk space" whatever that is. I blame it on all my pictures that I need to get onto disks or developed for my non-existent photo albums. Soon it will happen because even though I know maybe 2 people still care to check in on me from time to time I love blogging & HATE that facebook is killing blogs left and right. So I promise to have updates and new pictures soon but for now I'll leave you with this new family picture taken by my brother Gordon.

My sister was in town with her family and we decided it would be a good time to get a family picture with everyone unfortunately it wasn't thought through enough and my brother shawn flew in after my bro-in-law,Tim, flew out. (Honestly) It's a good thing we didn't hire someone like I wanted to. they turned out okay but I'll still be getting someone who knows what they're doing to take a nice picture of my own family.

in the garden or not so much

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:46:00 +0000

This year I had some extreme plans for my little piece of dirt out behind my home. unfortunately the husband was not as excited as I was about weeding and what not. So it has been going slowly I mean snail pace slow- no slower than that- I mean waiting for christmas morning when you are 7 years old slow. I try to do a little here & a little there but those weeds adore my back yard too much. so I'm shooting for fall, who wants to work in 90 degree weather anyway. So with out my back yard up and running we tend to stay out front where it's taken care of for us (starting at 7 am every monday and tuesday)

The other morning we noticed we had some new visitors to our frontyard oasis. At first there were three but only two remained the next day. We decided that they would be our pets & in being part of this family they had to be named. We decided on Joe & Carolyn. And they stayed for about a week. It was fun to hear Kail wake up, go out side and say "good morning Joe & carolyn" & I got a good giggle out of hearing lily proclaim "oh look carolyn and joe are playing piggyback!" I wasn't ready for that talk so I said "how nice that they play well together" Well then Joe and carolyn got tired of playing piggy back and joe left. Carolyn lingered a few more days then she was gone too. Off to make a new safer, aways from prying eyes, home for her new brood. We hope they are doing well.

(my neighbor Ameilia is relieved they're gone seeing as how she is deathly afraid of the little green monsters and is apparently attacked by them even when trying everything she can to avoid them)

Since I don't have a back yard of my own I've been livng vicariously through other people's in person like my dad's & also through lovely pictures on blogs. Like the ones below.

This is Jim Kumiega's secret garden, he works for Flora Grubb gardens -enough said. The fabulous part? it's all completely planted in containers- WoW! How fun would that be? My neighbors backyard on the other side of me is almost completely concrete except for a sweet little unruly vegetable patch with a tomato plant that has a mind of it's own. I think they should do something like Jims garden.

Or something like this. A little less in the plant deptartment but wonderful all the same. One of these days I'm going to figure out how to make that verticle garden and do a smaller version for my backyard.

Seeing these make me want to go back to school to be a landscape designer or maybe just go work in my own back yard.

photo 1, photo 2, photo 3

*and for those of you who read this blog at regular intervals aren't you happy for this post so that Roots video no longer comes up, I love the song but was so tired of hearing it

the CPSIA + your garage sale = death of children

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Thank heaven for the government and their over regulation of everything. I mean if it wasn't for them I might have let my baby play with a hand made wooden toy while sitting in a car seat that is more than 4 years old all the while wearing a hand me down sweater that hasn't been tested for traces of lead or arsenic for that matter! I mean he could DIE at any moment! I'm such an irresponsible parent I'm glad the government found the time and money to let me know exactly how I should be raising my children. There are days I think "how did I ever make it to be an adult without the wonderful supervision of the government we have now" It's a miracle we're all still alive.
(and if you can't tell- it is sarcasm)

Well watch out because they are back and meaner than ever. Now they are coming after your garage sales. In THIS story found via Hot Air it tells us "The initiative, which targets toys and other products for children, enforces a new provision that makes it a crime to resell anything that’s been recalled by its manufacturer. …" (the emphasis is mine)

"Those who resell recalled children's products are not only breaking the law, they are putting children's lives at risk," said Inez Tenenbaum, the recently confirmed chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

How dare you put children's lives at risk!

Whatever happened to common sense & personal responsibility? While I understand that toys are recalled for a reason I think making it a criminal act is ridiculous.

(Lets burn some books too)

AHHH the joys of big government

here is a picture of my son wearing a hand- me-down hat and sweater. That sweater is 30+ years old & clearly causing my son great pain. How could I have ever let him wear it? I should have run to the store immediately and bought him a Go Diego Go, made in China, who knows what kind of crap it's made with & how many young children working on it for pennies, jacket at Walmart. The CPSIA should just come arrest me now.

SAVE HANDMADE!!!

come on just admit it....

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:47:00 +0000

you know you can't wait!!

This Thursday @ 10pm

I'll be watching- you can come join me,
remember to bring your sketch pad & pencil!

my lily

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:20:00 +0000

Five years ago I had my sweet baby girl

Where does the time go?

We love Lily and her wild imagination,

her quirky comments on life,

her clumsiness,

& all the lovliness she has brought into our home.

Happy Birthday Lily-lulu!!

the night max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind then another....

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:27:00 +0000

This new preview is making me so excited to see this movie.

I love the Max character because I know it emulates many if not all little boys. And Kail and Max seem to have a bit too much in common. Kail used to have me read this to him at least twice a night when he was little.
Now when I read it to Niels, Kail comes in to see & pretend to not want to read a baby book. But when I see his lips moving because he still remembers every word,
I know my big boy isn't so very big.

"....I'll eat you up I love you so."

botographers & silent music

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:48:00 +0000

on the way down to my mom's tonight:

Kail: I like Brother Canlas

Me: Yeah? Did you know he's a photographer. That means he takes pictures for a living

Kail: That would be fun

Me: He's a very good photographer

Lily: My friend is a good botographer.

Me: oh yeah? who's your friend?

Lily: Carol. She takes good pictures of me and Owen

Me: what about me? do I take good pictures?

Lily: Well.... you take A LOT of pictures!

A few minutes later:

Lily: mom if everyone is real quiet I can hear music no one can hear. Then I can show you it.

Me: Alright let's be quiet.

*silence for about 2 minutes*

Lily: starts singing her version of Nephi's Courage

*5 minutes later it's still going- amazingly Kail is listening & not saying a word*

*7 minutes into it we get to Orem and the song ends abruptly*

Lily: *singing* and that's why Nephi was braaaaaave!

* we clap and Kail and I share a wink*

I love being shown the music that only Lily can hear.

ahhhh- if only

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:05:00 +0000

If only Etsy was around when I was married 10+ years ago. I would have bought this dress and asked her to put little cap sleeves on it. Soooo beautiful.

so many amazingly talented people out there.
I'll have to remember this and file it away in my favorites. I know what you're thinking, but you never know -I could have an amazing party for one of my anniversaries coming up and I could wear this and make everyone else dress up & have beautiful decorations and fabulous food (although can't top Arlington House catering at my open house- Floralee's meatballs- mmmmmmmmm!!!!) My wheels are spinning.
I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.

(fyi-my new favorite word is 'amazing')

i lovely love my family, the roots & yo gabba gabba

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:01:00 +0000

I'm planning a block party with my neighbor amelia & it will also be to celebrate Niels' 2nd birthday- my sad attempt at making it up to him for pushing it to the side in May. & since I'm having a get together I'm sure the Roots would agree to swing by & sing this & maybe some others for us. They won't even have to bring their own meat.

Then I'm sure the Ting Tings could drop by and sing happy birthday

I love Yo Gabba Gabba

new baby!! YEA

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:47:00 +0000

This gorgeous girl...

(my sis Nic. And just so you know I went and visited her the day she had him and, yes she looked this gorgeous. She's making me look bad- well she always has so that's nothing new. Love you Nic!)

...just gave birth to this handsome guy who....

(Yale is his name & I could not be happier he came along. Now I'm not the only one with a little boy on my side of the family. And, yes, he is even more adorable in real life- a perfect gentleman)

...just so happens to look a lot like this handsome guy

(My baby brother Gordon, or Dordie as the nieces and nephews call him when they are first learning to talk. Isn't he blindingly goodlooking? He's amazingly sweet, super smart, and loves kids- he's still single ladies-if you'd like a date leave a comment with your email!

Yea for new babies!!

love love loving this weather!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:16:00 +0000

photo found via flickr

Sunny in the morning (perfect for the kids swim lessons)
Stormy in the afternoon (perfect for working in the garden)
I wish every day this summer could be just as perfect!!

where I'm pretty sure I need to buy & renovate a french cottage

noreply@blogger.com (JaNae) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:23:00 +0000

I was perusing some blogs and ran across one I haven't seen before & am wondering how could I have missed it. Stephmodo is a great blog with lots of pretty pictures, great ideas and yummy looking recipes (maybe it will help solve my worst question ever problem) Anyway, she & her husband have bought a 400 year old cottage in France (pictured below- no really it's the one pictured below the one next to the castle & the view) and they are renovating it!

I am not jealous at all /sarc.

It sits right next to a castle and just look at those views.

Did I mention the view? Apparently on the drive up one of the many views is of another castle the same one seen in one of my all time favorite movies, the same movie that got me through my first month of marriage & no cable- ie Ever After

You must go and read about how they acquired it. And to see the darling picture of her kids playing on the hill next to the castle.

so amazing!

Here is a photo of a wall they just recently uncovered, I want to live there, even with the dirt floor.

I wonder if I offer to help out she'll let me stay there.
Even though I have no renovating skills I could always babysit. Oh and I could cook- I make a mean pancake ;)