To The Moon in Austin TeXaS

I wanted to be a space man. That's what I wanted to be.

On Father's Day, we visited the wonderful LBJ Museum for the first time.
It was Evan's afternoon. He LOVES the space program
and there's a traveling exhibit...
To The Moon: The American Space Program in the 1960's.
...here through July 20th.

a dream. vision. willpower.
competition. cooperation.
problem solving. creative thinking
dedication.

Beat The Russians to the Moon ~ at home!

One of our favorites.

Scout took every photo here...

...except this one. :)

We loved finding these old phone booths.

Is that my space pen? I need that.

Of course we had to visit the museum gift shop.
They always have the coolest things, don't they?
I wish every store was like a museum gift shop.
We snagged this pen for Evan. Now I want one.

I must admit what I know about LBJ can be
safely stored on the head of a pin.
And formerly never inclined to give it much thought.
Until I cast my eyes upon this revelation.
The man loved his beagles.
I see research in my future.

Another adventure for the
wandering Wilkinson family.
We will return many times
and look forward to it.
{and it's FREE 364 days a year. shhhhh}

I hope every wonderful father had a wonderful Sunday.

ox joon

Celebrating Scout ~ June 08 1994 ♥

Scout's here!
{Jon Cody's wedding is just weeks away!}

Just weeks old, Scout takes a wet & wild family beach vacation.

No time to lose.
Thinking deep thoughts.

Hamming it up right from the start
with fun loving, sister loving, big brother, Dusty.

Age 3. Eugene, Oregon.

Broadway Bound visits Broadway at age 10.

N.Y.C. ~ No trip is complete without a ride on
Macy's wooden escalators...
all the way up to Santa Land,
another Big Apple treasured experience.

Scout and her new old friend at the Herald Square Hotel.
As adorable as he is, so is that entire hotel experience.
{It's the former Life Magazine Building.}

*To see Scout & her N.Y.C. Police
Horse Moment click HERE

Scout & her Fresh Air Friend, Sabrina,
always looked forward to their precious summer
weeks together. Here they rest on the way up
Mt. Cardigan near our home in Canaan, NH.
Of course, Chip always has to get in on the act.

Together, they made it.

Scout loved this spot on our mountainside.

She spent many hours happily engaged in her freethinking daydreams.

One of my favorite Scout characteristics ...
not only does she entertain delightful past times
but she appreciates them so that
she photographs them as well.
What a precious outlook on happiness to provide
for its preservation in your memory.

Dusty presented Scout with these gorgeous roses
in honor of her performance as Ernestine Gilbreath
in 'Cheaper By The Dozen'. I had the pleasure of
directing her and she was as radiant on stage as you see her here.

Scout decorated this plain fresh wreath by herself
using a $1 white elephant table bag of pretties.

This last summer, Scout was reunited with
her honorary brothers, Joe and Dan.
{And how great to combine this with
breakfast at the Waffle House?}
She's VERY excited to see them again in just
a few short weeks at Jon Cody's wedding.

♥ HaPpY 15th BiRtHDaY, Scout! ♥

ox Mama

Pretty Is As Tidy Does

Our Pending Paperage

Do you have a spot in your home where you stash the pending issues of a beloved family member whose name shall remain lovingly anonymous? And said Love Mystery Person's {LMP} conglomeration of pending issues papers multiplies more often than not? You don't want to put them in a drawer or in an out of sight place because, let's face it, the odds of it not turning into an entire new addition to your home are way too high. Not to mention how many unpleasant sorts ~ both paper and biped ~ might show up when pending became comfortably yellowed and cobwebbed over time. So there you have it. The theory is: LMP is faced with pile on a daily basis and therefore, more likely to tackle it. But I dream. Reality: LMP never notices the ever expanding pending pile. I wish I would say the same. Instead, it drives me bats.

We All Know I am Batty Enough

I looked at that pile once too often and decided it was time, once again, to save my senses with one of my super easy, super groovy solutions. I hesitated because I was busy and didn't want to spend time on an unplanned project. Luckily ~ you know I call it fate ~ I opened a folder and saw this magazine page. Loved it immediately and I had just received this fabric from my wonderful sister. A perfect match for the paper, which was a perfect compliment for the SHALOM candlestick.

Fifteen Minutes Later

All I had to do was fold the page in half ~ it is an extra large magazine page, which is nice. I measured, pressed, cut and pinked my fabric, sewed them onto the ends and viola'. A very nice improvement for no cost and just moments out of my day. The photo below shows the reverse. Of course, it can be used either way. The thread tails are a signature of my art. I feel like they extend my heart and creativity energy out into the universe with them. I also just think they are cool.

It's the Little Things

I make paper pockets for many uses. Why didn't I think of this long ago?

ox joon

joonie dishes: Crusty Baguettes Recipe

I know it has been a lean month here on joonbeam.
I thought perhaps I might surprise you
& share a favorite recipe of mine.
These are so easy to make.
You can halve the recipe. I do that often.
However, they freeze perfectly.
So this time I made all four.

joonie's free & easy baguettes

3 cups very warm water
1 TBSP. dry yeast
1 TBSP. sugar
7 cups flour
I use King Arthur bread flour, but regular is fine.
1 TBSP. salt

Combine the first three ingredients in a fairly large bowl
& allow yeast to proof for about 5 minutes.

Add the flour & salt.
Mix well with a heavy spoon.
I use wooden.

DO NOT KNEAD. <--- Are you loving me now?

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Set in warm place.
Do not fret ~ large temperature window here. :)

Allow dough to rise until it is 2 ~ 3 times its size.
{About 2 hours. Maybe 3.}

Now comes the fun part.

Heavily flour a board or counter.
And your hands.
I use the counter.
So easy.

Dump out the dough.
It will be sticky.

Using a sharp knife
{and I sprinkle a little flour on the dough}
divide it into four pieces.

Delicately shape into free form loaves
about 4" shorter than your liberally oiled
{I use Crisco shortening}
cookie sheet pans.

I used my smaller pans this time
so these baguettes are a little chubby.
You can make them narrow.
You can make rolls.
Whatever.
I put 2 to a pan.
Mine were cozy once they rose. :)

Cover lightly with a cotton towel.
Set aside until doubled.
About an hour.

Meanwhile, shortly before they are ready
preheat oven to 425*.
Use middle shelf.
{I baked mine on two shelves & switched them half way through.}

Bake about 20 minutes or until crusty & brown.
{I left these a little light because I knew we'd be freezing them & reheating.}
Cool on wire rack.

These warm up beautifully at 350* for 5-10 minutes.

I wish I had a photo of their interiors.
They're like angel clouds.
It was really late & I was lucky to grab these shots
before the sun disappeared.

And let's face it,
once Evan sees fresh hot baguettes
he is not a willing or able
photo shoot accomplice.

You may find yourself
in a very similar frame of mind
when you triumphantly escort
your own lovely, crusty baguettes
from your oven
and introduce them
to your loved ones.

Please come back
and tell me all about yours!

ox joon

Peace Coffee

How it all began...


Naturally, it started in a
convoluted way. I was looking through
one of my recycled, free
magazines I'd found on the donation
table at the library.
I saw this turtle in an ad
and just had to make a button.
But when I pressed the final one
in that day's little batch, my
peace turtle was missing.

I was so disappointed.
It was my favorite find.
I looked everywhere.

If you could see
my current art room space
you'd know that's an easy look.

I decided two circles must have clung together
and my image was now
lost ~ permanently sealed
underneath another image.

I would have to take up
one of my missions ...
'throwing an eye'
in hopes of finding
another ad one day.

brown paper packages

A few days later while I was
involved in another escapade,
I glanced down and to my
surprised delight...there was
my adorable circle.
It was a sign.
I immediately pressed the button.

I wanted it for Evan.

He loves coffee and always searches
for both organic and fair trade
so I knew he would be excited
to investigate this website.
Besides, added bonus ~
bicycles were involved.

100% Fair Trade

Boy did he love the site.
We promptly placed
ordering on our wish list.
Sneaky wife that I am, however,
I cheated.
I took the first opportunity
~ his birthday ~
to secretly order our first
samples.

And I must add:
The coffee is roasted per order.
I mentioned Evan's impending
birthday date
and the wonderful people
there considered that.

the goods...

I love finding packages on
my porch, but you can also
search the peace coffee site
to see if you are lucky
enough to find peace coffee
in your area.

little extras are extra groovy

Aside from the delicious coffee there's
peace gear
& tea.

Evan had admired
their water bottle for his bike rides.
I included one in my first order.
He loves it.

heed this warning...

Did I say first order?
Yes, I did.
These photos are order #2.

if you love coffee...

I have another story.
{surprise}
In 1984 I went on
an unusual
{as in rare, as in only ... ever}
weekend
getaway to Guaymas, Mexico.
Seriously, the most
remarkable memory
of those 3 days was
the unbelievably delicious coffee
served at our hotel.

I have been talking about,
searching, and pining away for
that coffee ever since.
Evan's birthday was also a
treat for me because I
have found my dream coffee.
I ordered others for Evan
but he loves it, too.
This time we ordered 2 pounds of it.

variety is the spice of life...

I know Evan.
He will try something
new & different
with each order.

We know he won't be disappointed.

company history here

I had to dedicate a feature
to our wonderful find.

My blog posts
are all about sharing my
family, fun, good food
and
eco friendly happiness.

Peace Coffee
fits every category.

If you are a peace coffee
customer, please share your
experience with a comment.

If you purchase peace coffee
based on this feature,
please come back
and let me know
how much more you
love me now than before.

ox joon

Return to Me ~ A Treasure

Return to Me

We recently saw this Bonnie Hunt/Don Lake
film & cannot recommend it too highly.
It is truly special.
The heart that went into this film
is evident in every word and every frame.
It celebrates joy for life
and friendship
in a quiet, everyman setting.
We purchased the DVD within days.
Scout has been singing the Dean Martin title song.
She is now chomping at the bit to start her Dean collection.
We're constantly exclaiming
Jesus, Mary and Joseph ~
Scout with a wonderful Irish brogue.

As I wrote in my treasury,
we need more films like this.
Run, don't walk, to find it.

earth day everyday

This one was in celebration of earth day.
Three cheers for our little blue planet.

Chuck

And here is Scout's fabulous treasury
she made in honor of one of
her favorite TV shows.
Fingers are crossed that
NBC announces the fall line up
with Chuck intact.
I have to live with the girl.

ox joon


To read more about Return to Me go HERE.
For the history of Earth Day go HERE.
To catch up on Chuck go HERE.

Wherever You GO, There You Are...

Be the Change...

A Fitting Earth Day Project

Here's another recycling solution story.
Two challenges. $1.25 and some ingenuity.
Our tale begins where we always leave off ...
with my hypersensitivity to my environment
and my little brain in overdrive.

It's just not me.

Imagine, if you will, one older mailbox.
Serviceable. Intact. A Little Small for Magazines.
No excuse to replace it.
But I'd rather be greeted back home
to MY home.

On Christmas day, courtesy of our Bear,
we received 3 wonderful magazine subscriptions.
{pretty exciting. It's been years.}
They just started arriving last month.
I did not like that they were folded in half
and crammed into this box.
Now I had another challenge.
So, I asked Evan to help me imagine a simple, thrifty solution.

Inspired by Zuda's handmade boxes,
I was going to construct a cardboard holder.
Easier said than done.
Not being as gifted as her,
this plan remained in the
mulling stages for a few weeks.




Destiny is a Happy Mystery

Then I misplaced my sunglasses.
When I went back to a thrift store to see if I'd left them
on their counter, I came away empty handed.
But as I was walking out
I spied this wire basket for .99.
I was thrilled.
A plan was forming.

Life is like a box of chocolates

A few days later, we walked to the new Walgreens
to buy one of Evan's birthday presents.

On the way home, we stopped by another thrift store
where I spied
this discarded & unlikely to find a home
{it was filled with crayon art}
perfect~for~my~recycled~art
vintage Little Golden Book for 25 cents.

I love cars, tucks, trains, planes & the 1950s era illustrations.
I did not connect the serendipity of
finding this book with
its use for my simmering project.

The trimmed piece

A few days later, I was de-cluttering my growing stash.
I flipped through this book and found this fabulous page.
Just the right size, too.

And can you believe the text?

My stamp collection

I decided to dress up the Magazine Rack Label Space
with a stamp ~ mail collage on
a coordinating piece of the same
safety envelope I used to frame the
mailbox illustration.

A True Mail Collage

Here it is before I laminated it.
It is setting on the reverse of the
mailbox piece.

I had only one TeXaS stamp.

Love it.

My Personalized Mail Center

I laminated both pieces and attached them
using simple rolled scotch tape.
Both the mailbox art and the
magazine rack can follow us
wherever we go
leaving no damage behind.
What will I do with them next?
We shall see.

ox joon

ps. My mailman told me this just gave him the biggest smile.
Putting a little bit of yourself out into the world
can make more of a difference
than you might think.