Buttons Magee Weblog

mind-boggling

I am going absolutely crazy over here with excitement.  I have an extremely fun project in the works with some lovely friends you all know.  It has me so inspired I can hardly think of doing anything else right now.  What I will say is that it is pushing me to look at my day with other artistic mediums outside of photography.  I think it is important to try other forms of artistic expression, even if they aren't a strength, because they make you see your world differently. 

And the other exciting news is that the kitchen is fully operational again!  Yippie!

Remember this?

 Well, it now looks like this!

Same exact space.  Same perspective.  Whole different kitchen!  I can't get over how much bigger the kitchen feels.  Anyway, if you want to see more pictures, head over to the kitchen remodel set on flickr.

guess what? guess what?

I finished putting all my dishes on my shelves last night!  I did!  Ok, the shelves aren't painted, but I decided to get everything back in the kitchen and tackle the shelves one at a time over the next month.  I am tired of large projects that trap me in the kichen all day long.  We are officially moved back into the kitchen!  I can't wait to take pictures of it, but not quite yet.  For one, it really needs a cleaning.  For another, there are a couple tiny projects that must be finished first.  The main thing is though that you will not be hearing my kitchen woes any longer!

By the way, Heather and Alicia are doing a slight change-up from their normal Noticing.  Be sure to go check it out, because it is brilliant.  Really, I think I love it even more than just the photos girls.  I love it!  Love love love love.  In fact I am thinking of something just like this for the rest of summer.  Maybe not for the blog, but as a personal project.

Do you ever get tired of coming up with titles?

...I sure do.  Like, how many clever things can I think up to put there?

Nothing much going on.  David is on a call whirlwind at the hospital, so I  feel like he is never here.  He probably feels like he never gets to sleep.  That sort of puts our routine in limbo for a while.  I think he is call-free for the rest of the week though, which is nice.  Then we are taking a weekend trip to San Antonio for his brother's wedding.  Weekend trips are always so fun in my opinion; you get to go out of town, but not pack a ton of stuff. 

And, I am taking a roll of film in to get developed today.  That always starts the week off on a good footing.  The girls and I will go drop it off and then maybe to see the geese at the pond nearby while we wait.  Mainly I like to get out of the house for a while so David can sleep.

What are you up to this Monday?

Movie time

I have decided that limes are the greatest fruit in the world.  Think of all you can do with them: marinate chicken, add tequila and have margaritas, add rum and have daiquiris or mojitos, put them on jicama with chili for a snack.  Seriously, limes are genius.  

Last night we went down to Crown Center  to watch Goonies outside.  Oh my gosh people, if you live in KC and haven't gone down there for one of these you are missing out!  We had so much fun, even though we got rained out half way through the movie.  Everyone just takes their blankets and lawn chairs and beer and hangs out.  David and I ate brats from the hot dog stand.  It was so fun.  Two weeks from now, they will be showing Monty Python and the Holy Grail!  Yes, they are!  They will also be showing My Fair Lady and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Anyway, you know where I'll be on Fridays!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Friday Friday

Ok.  That bread recipe must be the tastiest thing in existence.  And easy.  Why, I think I may have a knack for baking after all!

This morning I made berries & cream with toasted homemade bread for breakfast.  Hello ripe perfection! I really could have eaten a serving bowl full of these berries topped with mint.  Every single one was perfectly sweet. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries all in their pinnacle of tastiness. Yum.

Yesterday I was down in the basement trying to locate my wedding veil so I could lend it to my sister-in-law next week for their church ceremony (they eloped while we were in Texas).  While down there I came across a box of memorabilia that I hadn't looked at in years.  Amongst the pile of photos was this hilarious picture of me and David.  We were 18 years old, and I remember my brother (16) took the picture while totally annoying me, if you can't tell by our faces.  That hand is killing me along with David's expression.

And yes, that is a velvet shirt I'm wearing. 

Have a great weekend everyone!  

baking

Lately, Heather has been baking so much bread that I have baguettes on the brain.  So yesterday I decided to try out a recipe I found, with the substitution of using whole wheat flour because I didn't have any regular flour.  Well, I think I am hooked.  With this recipe you just make it earlier in the day and you can bake it right before dinner.  Oh, to have homemade bread is so so good.  And it will probably cut down on our bread usage around here since I would have to bake it to eat it. 

••edit•• I got the recipe from here .  It was extremely easy, even if you have no bread-making experience.  The only thing is that it didn't need the entire 4c of flour.  I probably added a total of 2.5 or maybe 3c in all.  Just stop adding when the dough isn't sticky anymore.  This is a nice dense bread, which is my favorite.  Oh, I also added 2t yeast (one package) instead of just the 1t because I like it yeasty.

And I am ten rolls away from being finished with another roll of film.  It is really difficult for me not to rush through those last exposures.  I get so anxious to get it developed.

Speaking of photos, I am thinking of having a massive blow out sale over at the shop.  My goal is to clear out what is there now and start fresh.  I think I am going to start offering my photos for a limited time and in small sets before I put new stuff in.  I am also toying with the idea of adding some note cards and such.  So keep your eye open over there for some sales in the next week.

Hats for sale!

Care for a hat?  We have flat ones such as these and ones with an added clear plastic cup glued on top.  Take your pick.  Half a container of glue was used in the making of these hats.  Olivia actually wore hers all through dinner and everything.

Speaking of dinner, I made my first official meal in my kitchen.  It was so so nice to sit down together and eat something that didn't come out of a to-go bag.  And the dishwasher made clean-up a cinch.  Do I sound like a commercial or what?

Today I really need  to get back in kitchen reno mode and work on the upper shelving.  Yesterday was a much needed reprieve from doing any labor in there, but today it's business as usual.  I would love to have all my dishes back in the kitchen by the end of the week.  

friends

Do you see this tiny sampler?  How great is that?!  My friend Lori made it after reading that I wanted a sign in the kitchen to tell everyone that we did the renovation ourselves.  Seriously, she is awesome!  Oh, and care for a lemon square?  Chris brought them over, and kindly left some for me to eat for breakfast.  And Laura brought flowers.  How sweet is that?!

This post mainly goes out the the women I am now only referring to as my best girlfriends. I am dropping the bloggy, because my friendships with you are beyond simple blog relationships.  The time I get to spend with you all is a treasure to me  You all put up with my crazy loudness, and make me laugh harder than I have in a long time.  When we are together I never want the time to end, and I look forward to the next time we can hang out.  So thanks for being my friend Alicia, Heather,Estea, Chris, Lori, Lauren, Laura, MIchelle, Stacy, and Amy.  And now Grace as well!  You women are seriously the best, ever.

Oh, and yes, I got to meet the talented Heather in person finally.  Hello!  Does a sweeter person exist?  I really don't think so.  She brought me one of her lovely Art cards as a gift and I can't wait to find a place for it amongst my other Heather pieces.

So have a great Tuesday!  I am still on my happy cloud from last night.  Maybe it will help me to be productive today!

back on track

Good morning!  Good morning!  Although the food supply is still a bit limited around here, I thought I would get back to our regularly scheduled food photos.  Today, we shall share in a cup of my coffee, or three cups.  After taking so much film lately it feels a bit strange to get out my digi. 

Notice something funny in this picture?  No?  Maybe you are left-handed then.  I installed the faucet in the kitchen yesterday, and David noticed I installed it left-handed.  Seriously I didn't even know I was putting it in this way!  If I had thought it through I probably would have changed it, because lefties are always accommodating the right-handed majority.  But it's done now, so I will happily fill pots with ease and comfort.  Sorry all you righties!

And a visit from friends tonight has me thinking about all that needs to get done today.  If I recall I promised mojitos.  Better get working.  Grocery store, bed making, showers, food prep, lime squeezing...busy busy Monday!

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friday fun

Who's happy it's Friday?  Me! Me!  My girl is home and already she and Zozo are back to fighting!  Sheesh!  So much for missing each other. 

Just a few things to mention before starting the weekend.  First off, you have to go check out Heather's blog today.  I love this idea she had last summer for a polaroid a day journal.

Then, be sure to go look at Alicia's film photos.  Viva la revolucion!  Everyone is being sent back to the wonderful world of film.

Finally, for all of you locals, next week starts the summer film at Crown Center.  Guess what is the first movie?  GOONIES!  So, you know where we will be next Saturday!

Have a great weekend all of you friends!