Kara & Michael’s Blog

I had off for veteran’s day yesterday. Kurt Vonnegut has a line somewhere in Slaughterhouse Five about how Veteran’s Day is an empty holiday, but Armistice Day meant something. I’m inclined to agree, and I’ve never had an Armistice Day in my life. There is something untoward about stripping holidays of their direct meanings, it makes them become more and more meaningless as time goes by. But then, I always loved learning about World War 1. There’s a complete shift in philosophy at that time, partly because of the troubles that led up to the war, partly because of the harrowing nature of the war itself. It’s the shift in history that resonates with me most strongly now. But anyway.

So, I had the day off. I had the option to stay home and clean but decided to meet a close friend for some shopping and lunch. It happens. The only time I feel inclined to stay home when I’m not at work is when I’m sick – I feel like I’ve wasted a day if I don’t get out and socialize when I have the chance to do so.

But, anyway, I went out and I bought myself some crafty things because Michael and I bought a twenty dollar fake tree at Target. It was actually a pretty good deal. Then we bought some led lights. And yes, it’s up. And Inari adores it, to the point where she will probably harm herself. I have to make some ornaments so I’m making two kinds…

Origami ornaments – mostly cranes, maybe some stars or flowers if I can do a decent job. Some of these I will spray with paper craft glitter glaze, others I won’t spray so Inari can chew on them.

Dough ornaments – there are two kinds of dough ornaments. One recipe uses applesauce and tons of cinnamon and spices but you have to let these ornaments dry for two days before you can paint them. I’ll be using a recipe which uses salt and flour. You make the dough, roll it and cut out ornaments with cookie cutters, using a straw to poke a hole for hanging. Then you bake your ornaments, let them cool and paint them. Then you varnish them. I got indoor/outdoor paint on varnish instead of the spray stuff because the spray stuff smells.

Anyway, I’m excited about making the ornaments, partly because then Inari can bat at them and chew them instead of the lights.

and of course, a picture or two:

And Michael bought me the most awesome Hello Kitty stocking ever! I made him a very ugly stocking I will probably post pictures of just for your amusement.

K.

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