New Blog for New Times

In an attempt to simplify my life, I am in the process of moving various accounts over to the Shertown Studios umbrella. That means new urls, so as of today, I am switching all blog activity to http://shertownstudios.blogspot.com

Change is nothing to fear. Keep calm and carry on.

Chelle

Foodie Fun and Other Goodies

I think that there needs to be a run-down of some fabulous (and not-so-fabulous) food:

FTW:

Boudro's, San Antonio River Walk- the dishes (Gulf Coast Seacakes and Center Cut Stip Sirloin) were so tasty and cooked to perfection. Disappointingly, their famous guacamole was way too citrus-y and just plain nasty. The same for their margaritas. I would definitely recommend Boudro's, but skip the guac and ritas.

York Street, Dallas- a tiny little restaurant, this place only seats about 45 people, creating an incredibly intimate atmosphere. The staff are engaged and professional, and the food is out of this world amazing. The Buffalo New York steak that I ordered was perfection. A great plus about this place is the focus on sustainability and seasonal ingredients; their produce is purchased almost exclusively at the Dallas Farmer's Market. This place is definitely our new "date night" location.

Masaryk Modern Mexican Kitchen, Addison Circle- Everyone knows how much I love my Mexican food. And, there has come to be a certain expectation for Tex-Mex- greasy food shlopped on a plate and covered with cheese. What could be better? Well, Masryk delivers all the things we love about Mexican food, but with cleaner flavors and smashing presentation. No vat-o-queso for this bunch. To top it all off, the margartias...oh, the margaritas, they are powerful and delicious. My new favorite Tex-Mex place (sorry, Mi Cocina!)

Epic Fail:

Biga on the Banks, San Antonio Riverwalk- Worst Dining Experience Ever. This restaurant is hailed as the quintessential San Antonio restaurant, but all I got out of it was an uneven, over cooked steak with a sticky bernaise, and I can honestly say that the service was appalling. I understand that Corban and I look young, and we have noticed that it means that we get different service than others at times. The table across from us got literally double the attention from our server who just slapped things on the table and didn't talk to us at all. Not to mention the fact that a busboy came and took our plates away before we were finished eating. Plus, the decor looked like a magician's boudoir. Needless to say, we did not stay for drinks or dessert. DO NOT GO TO BIGA ON THE BANKS, EVERRRRRRR!

I guess three wins to one fail isn't so bad! Life, it seems...is good.

Now for a recent exciting acquisition. The other day I bought a sewing machine off Craig's List for $50- my first CL purchase! I want to have a bunch of new pillows and curtains, etc for the new place, but they are so expensive to buy; so, I thought I'd try making some myself!

Portable, yet heavy.

It even came with a button holer! Not that I know what a button holer is, but that's ok. I spent about 45 minutes earlier today learning how to thread the damn thing (it's been years since I've touched a sewing machine), and now I'm ready to start picking out fabrics!

Also, a couple paintings I finished recently:

"The Last Dolphin"

"Suicide Mime"

Whew, that was a long one! Now to clean out the fridge. Yum...

Chelle

The Temporary Return of the Diary Comic

I remembered that I did a diary comic last month, and thought that I might share!

I have been on a serious Jane Austen kick lately, re-reading all her stuff (come on, the lady only wrote like five novels) and seeking out more post-humously published tidbits. I am not too proud to admit that Mr. Darcy is the sexiest man to never live. There, I said it.

That being said, I think I'm ready to move on to a different genre. Corban and I recently had a Half Price binge, from which I emerged with books on linguistics and evolution, as well as several fiction titles. I think I shall begin with One Hundred Years of Solitude.

I cooked dinner tonight! I love that it's still a big deal. Tonight was Spaghetti with Meatballs; a very fun meal to produce. I like anything that I have to construct, like enchiladas or chicken cordon bleu. It turned out very very tasty and I am excited to eat the leftovers tomorrow!

It's so fresh, you can actually see the steam!

I need to go to bed and nurse this sinus infection of mine. Plus, school tomorrow (bleh). Later days.

Chelle

Anniversary Vacation: Part 1

For our first wedding anniversary, Corban and I decided to have a re-do of our honeymoon in San Antonio, TX. Our honeymoon did not exactly go as planned; I ended up having the flu and the weather was below freezing with a really strong wind. While we did get to stay at the Hotel Contessa, and really enjoyed laying in, looking at the view, and watching movies, we didn't get to see the city, and I was not well enough for us to keep our reservations at the nationally renowned Le Reve restaurant. This time we wanted to do it up right.

Corban got sick a few days before we left, so we were in serious danger of having a repeat of our honeymoon. However, we decided to go for it at the last minute and we're really glad we did. Corban ended up feeling much better, and it was totally worth it. We stayed at the Valencia this time, and it was fabulous, although it was super noisy. Seriously, the walls were like paper. When we checked in, the attendant offered to upgrade us to a suite for a small additional fee. This room was actually bigger than our apartment. Heck. Yes.

The hallway- all the noise came from the people in the next room over. One night there was a bachelorette party or something. Lame. We took our revenge by getting drunk and stealing their door decorations.

Ze King Sized Bed- I want that bed. It was so comfy.

Sitting Area- this is a bad photo, but check out that view! Corban and I spent a few hours over the weekend people watching out those windows.

We had dinner our first night at the hotel restaurant, Citrus. We told the server that we were there for our one year anniversary, and on our way out, he gave us a fabulous desert to go! Pound cake with mandarin oranges. So tasty!

We spent our anniversary day walking around, reading, and enjoying ourselves. Actually, that's how we spent the whole trip. We were not idle, but we took it slow and loved every minute.

Friend Balloon

Friend Duck takes a wife

Resting

I wish I had a photo of this, but in the afternoon, there were tons of high school kids running around with cameras taking pictures. Apparently there was a high school journalism contest going on. We were sitting outside of a really cool little coffee/sandwhich shop called Sip , Corban reading and I sketching, when one of them asked if he could take our picture. Fine with us. Then another came, then another. A total of five high schoolers asked to take our pictures, and one group of girls filmed us answering interview questions about local coffee shops versus big chains like Starbucks. The whole thing was so much fun! I wish wish wish I had asked one of them to send us the pictures they took. I've tried googling it, but to no avail. Either way, it was really great to see all the art kids running around and doing what they loved to do. Inspiring.

Corban produced the most fabulous, surprising anniversary gifts!

The "Lurve" necklace from Katy Scudieri's etsy shop that I have been wanting for forever!

OMG, diamond earrings. Biggest surprise ever. Seriously.

My gift to Corban was a fabulous bottle of 18 year Macallan single malt scotch. I think he likes it. :)

More photos and a run-down of the extensive eating that went down to come soon.

Chelle

Foodie Fun

Lets get caught up on some edible goodness!

Pollo Relleno- LOVED this one. Of course I loved it, it's Mexican food.

Chicken Enchiladas- another fabulous Tex-Mex dish (fabulous, but not fabulous for me.) Basically an excuse to gorge on dairy.

So, those are my most recent food success stories. Look at me. Ain't I somethin'?

I've got lots of fun stories to tell about our recent vacation, which I will post soon. Right now I am tired with yet another illness. It's a swollen/sore throat this time. On top of it all, I had two exams today, one of which I was an hour late for because of an epic traffic jam on I-35. I'm hoping for high Cs / low Bs on both. I'm not picky. Passing will do.

I think I will have another one of the fudgecicles that Corban brought me last night. He is too sweet.

Chelle

Artsy Fartsy

Finished up a new painting today.

Tell your friends!

Chelle Lynn

B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Second blog post of the day can only mean an excess of awesomeness. With excess meaning three. Three awesome things. Ah-ah-ah!

Awesome Thing #1: New apartment. This means decorating a new apartment. Yes, please. I have recently re-discovered Apartment Therapy so I'm collecting a file of photos that I love and want to draw from when putting together the new place. I see the new apartment as our first real home together and I'm excited about making it ours. Here are a few of my recent favorite looks.

Zebra rug? Yes, please.

Fridge as a decoration. Loves it.

Um...there are no words. Just...yes.

I would like to own this dining room.

Funest living room evar.

Yellow + Blue = :)

So, this is pretty much what I'll be thinking about instead of homework for the next two months. It's great to have distractions.

Awesome Thing #2: Got a new painting in the mail. I ordered it last week, and I am super duper excited to hang it up in the new place. It's not even going up in the currant one. It's like a blessing or something.

Love, love love it. Got it from http://jamesethurman.etsy.com Go buy something from him.

Awesome Thing #3: Finished up another style project piece this afternoon.

Stepping outside of my little art box has been fun. Check it out in the shop. Tell your friends.

Now I'm seriously done for the day. I might do a diary comic again one day. I make no promises.

Chelle

What A Week

Last week Corban got sick, and then I got sick, so now I am behind on school work (after missing all my classes last week) and nursing the remains of a sore throat. Bleh.

I do, however, have a few success stories to share. First of all is Xenu, which I painted forever and a day ago, and just have not gotten posted to the blog till now. A nice addition to the Deities collection, I like to think.

Next is a new style I'm working on and a piece in the Fire Fly v Lightning Bug collection (please ignore the crappy photography).

I'm actually really liking this style...we'll see what comes of it.

Next we have Chicken with Indian Spices and Yogurt. Corban really liked it while I thought it to be a big fantastic MEH. I don't really like Indian cuisine, though.

And then, Poached Garlic Chicken. I *heart* garlic.

This week I'm departing from my usual meat and potatoes to try a couple Mexican-style dishes (Chicken Enchilladas and Pollo Rellenos)! I also got some more fresh peppers from my dad's garden, so I will be making another fabulous stew.

That is all for now; I must go and make a least a half-hearted attempt at caring about my homework.

Chelle

Mmmmm, Fall

Autumn is the best.

I have several success stories from my cooking this week. The contestants are as follows:

Stir Fried Chicken with Cauliflower (I know that nobody likes it, but I heart cauliflower)

Parmesan Risotto with Mushrooms (a lovely vegetarian option for dinner)

German Apple Cake (made from a recipe given to me by my Mamaw Thacker)

And the winner is...GERMAN APPLE CAKE! Dingdingding. De-licious!

Since we've finally gotten to some good stew weather, I finally feel justified in continuing to cook my stewy goodness. This weekend I want to try Chicken and Garlic Stew...because nothing in this world is better than garlic. I've also planned an Indian-flavored dish, which should be an interesting new genre for me.

New Top Chef tonight! Much more important than homework, for sure.

Chelle Lynn

Fail and Fun

This weekend had a bit of both.

Fail:

1. Making two terrible dishes (overcooked Beef Stir Fry and bland Lemon-Mustard Chicken)

2. Wiping out after Oktoberfest and now sporting several attractive scrapes and bruises...

3. Therefore interrupting my up-to-this-point diligent work out routine

Fun:

1. Drinking beer and Polka dancing at Oktoberfest whilst wearing a very stylish German hat

2. Beating Castle Crashers with my one and only

(I was the green character, he was the blue)

3. Making a tasty Traditional Beef Stew (slow. cookers. ROCK.)

This week will be spent completing all the Castle Crasher achievements, endeavoring to cook mostly edible dishes, and all but completely ignoring my school work. I will update later on my success in these matters.

Chelle Lynn

Top Chef Makes Me Hungry

It is on right now and I'm about to start noming on some sour cream and onion potato chips.

A few days ago, I found this jewelry shop on etsy that is full of absolute hotness. I can't stop online window browsing their store! Behold, the amazing Artisan Impact!

Check out their store here and here. So many unique and interesting pieces that I would like to own. Perhaps it is time for a present from me to me?

Tangent: is this not the freaking most amazing proposal ever? I think that this was one of the Post Secret post cards a while back, and I just rediscovered the file in my mess of a pictures folder.

I think that I might combust if I do not find some dessert immediately. Hopefully I will have some culinary success stories to share next week!

Inside Out/Upside Down

Just got back from my four-hour-long sojourn at the Boardwalk Volkwagon dealership, awaiting the repair of my right tail-light. The outcome: $500 poorer and half of Next of Kin completed for Animal Communication class. It wouldn't have been so bad except the part where I had to eat at the nearby Springcreek Barbeque for lunch. Epic Gross. The book was really engaging, despite the gigantic TV in the waiting room blaring talk shows and soap operas. I'm eager to get to the second half and learn about Fouts' altruistic work for ape rights recognition. Grateful as I am for the opportunity to sit and read for several hours, I do have to say that if anything else goes wrong with my car this year, I just might have to take a sledge hammer to it and be done with the whole thing. Maybe buy a motorcycle...tour the country side.

In happier news, I saw the most glorious rainbow on my way home from school yesterday.

Yes, I was taking photos while driving. Yes, this is probably quite dangerous. No, I do not care.

I also have a couple cooking success stories of...get this...my own recipes! They are not very impressive, but I am quite proud of them, so ignore my appalling photography and admire my accomplishments.

My patented NOM Cookies. You will not find this recipe on the back of any chocolate morsel package.

And, Beef Stew made from fresh peppers from my dad's garden! This was my first time to try the Crockpot, and let me tell you, I am a believer.

I have gotten sadly behind on my comic, but I don't hear any of you complaining, so meh. Anyway, I'm posting one today. Read it...don't read it...I'm not your mother.

Mosquitoes are pretty annoying. I think most of you will agree with me.

Chelle Lynn

Graduation Anxiety

There is way too much to do before next Monday, when my graduation application is due. I am at stress level midnight.

However, someone got me flowers!

It's the little things, right?

Also, I haven't been cooking as much as I would like, but here are a few of the recent success stories. You will notice that there is NOT a photo of a Coq Au Vin. That's because it was absolutely nasty. I was so sad. Presently I am putting off going to the grocery store to get what I need for a beef stew tomorrow that I'm making with fresh veggies from my dad's garden! I'm so excited!

Chicken and Artichoke Sauté

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Kiev

Man, what is up with all this chicken? I need to get some red meat up in here!

Chelle

Blogging when I should by studying...

...also, there is a glass of Chardonnay just inches from my left hand. I am a terrible, terrible student.

I find myself questioning my art/talent/business sense/motivation. Doubt, as it were. I am a lousy student, even at subjects that interest me, possibly because of my complete and utter contempt for the school system in general. My Animal Communication prof asked us if we think that grades are part of a "reward" system, and if so, are they effective? It was nice to get my feelings out. The American public school systems in general produce very good test-takers, and unfortunately, it is such talents that are rewarded most, even at the university level. We jump through hoops and get the A, but at what cost to ourselves? What sort of knowledge are we missing out on? Even so, I'm not sure where my painting business is going, if it's going, or more to the point, if I have the business sense to keep it up. We shall see, se shall see.

Anywho, I want to direct your attention to a fabulous etsy store that I just discovered called Clear Mountain Craft.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful pottery that I wish I could afford. One of these days we will move to our mountain fortress and I will have all kinds of awesome pottery. Complete with coarse blankets depicting the rising Phoenix and lots of turquoise jewelry. I actually do really want this piece.

How pretty is that!? I will totally be able to buy jewelry one day...one day.

I know you other college students get this. Especially those with degree plans as silly as mine. I mean, really, Michelle, English literature? Because that's totally useful for, you know, getting a job and such. Not. I am actually getting really excited about my linguistics classes and would love to study second language acquisition. Now, there is something useful.

So early in the day and already running so late! I must fly.

*Edit: The Chardonnay was from last night. I am not a total lush!*

Chelle

I'm a bad blogger!

I have not posted in a while, but I have an excuse! I have been quite the busy lady. School started on Thursday and I've been running around trying to get organized and wrap up a few projects before I get too busy. Here's a Deity that I finished up a few days ago.

All hail Cthulhu!

Who knows when I'll get to finish something next. It looks like this semester will be quite a busy one. I'm taking Literary Analysis and Interpretation, Animal Communication, General Linguistics, Trama in Romantic Literature, and Music in American Culture. Whew! I definitely will not be bored.

It really gets to me the way that the upper level education is set up so similarly to primary school; it is designed to get people through, not to really teach them anything. I took all the intro level classes in biology, chemistry, calculus, etc in high school and chose not to study them in college. So, why am I forced to take the same course over at the college level, wasting my time and money on something I am going to simply get through in order to obtain my degree? The whole system can be completely asinine sometimes.

Oh, goodness, how will I ever survive?

Chelle Lynn