Craft Therapy: Cross-stitch

I think I've found my new favorite hobby.

Shelf thing makeover

Today sucked. The only thing that could have possibly made me feel better was to make something. I'm not even going to talk about what this thing looked like before, but it was at least three different pastel colors and had several rusty nails sticking out of it. So I painted it, glue-gunned some 25 cent-a-yard Ikea bargain print on to the back and *poof* a new home for my mint. I feel better now.

Totally non-functional shelf thing turned semi-functional...but WAY nicer looking.

Cymbal clock

Here's half a high-hat left over from that crappy drumset I used to have. I'll use this clock way more than I ever played that set. I accidentally broke the small hand on the other clock I disassembled to get the parts. But it wasn't anything a glue gun couldn't take care of! Neat, huh?

Keepin' time...

San Francisco

It had been a long time, but I finally made my return to SF. I got to see/do/eat lots of beautiful/fun/tasty things. Photo highlights:

The Davids take in the fresh sea air at Sutro Heights Park.

The Superior Palace Chinese restaurant in the Outer Richmond advertises the Land of Enchantment.

Napa in winter. Note to self: next time go easy on the wine the night before a wine tasting trip.

David and Casey admiring a piece at the MOMA.

Posing at the Lands End Trail head. Awesome views all around.

"The Gonzalesi" prepare empanadas. Success!

Christmas Tree Hunt!

Thanks to the Schuch family for inviting us to their annual Christmas tree hunt in Las Vegas, NM! Aaron, David, Michele, and I had a lovely, mix cd filled drive, a hearty breakfast at Spic-n-Span, and a brisk afternoon at the camp site. And I got me a Christmas tree!

We came in varying degrees of preparedness.

Could you be the one?

We don't know who David is waving at, but Aaron is tough, and that's one damn fine tree!

Conference at the University of Hawaii

Meghan and I celebrate 17 years of being dorks together. She was the best conference stowaway ever.

Balloon lands on runway in ABQ.

Trees in Hawaii are good for hiding (near Waikiki).

Pearl Harbor Memorial.

This is NOT Waikiki (Ala Moana).

Some good old fashioned hole-diggin' on Kailua Beach, our favorite.

Some kind of weekend

Between the balloon fiesta and Michele's party, I probably slept 6 hours that whole weekend. But it was SO worth it.

Zach rolls up in the Vanana.

Joe, Michele, David, Daniela, me, and Zach do the Balloon Fiesta.

The Copper Family Band celebrates Michele's 27th at Zinc.

My friends are super fun.