Christmas!

One dream job...

This makes me want to move to Australia!

It would be wonderful to work in a small letter press studio!   Being a part of countless weddings, announcements, and holidays would be such a creative and rewarding operation.  I've been following this particular blog for sometime, and trust me when I tell you they make beautiful things. 

Now I just need to start my own business with my own lovely things...

New Art!

For the past two years, I've been going to ISU's sales.  They have all been great fun, feeling like a mix between visiting an art gallery and thrift shopping.  Students from the print classes sell their pieces at the end of the semester, and in the past I've been very happy with the pieces I've added to my walls.  (Here is my post from last year...)

This year, I invited Dan to go along.  It was colder this year, and it was a new challenge taking Harper (I decided to strap her on and walk her in as I'm not a big fan of carrying her in her car seat if I don't have to).  Dan and I found some pieces we both liked and at some point we will get them framed (along with "The Truce" by Jay Ryan that will go up in Harper's room).

The Truce

An unexpected addition to our walls was a piece that was from the print sale, on display in the silent auction.  Dan got the phone call that his bid won, and today we went by and picked it up.  Dan and I are both fans of Greek mythology, and the work itself is quite appealing (to us at least!).

Golden Apples of the Hesperides

Hercules is now watching over us from behind the sofa.  It's called "Golden Apples of the Hesper ides" by Rudy Pozzatti.  It a bit surreal to have won it, but we are happy (I'm sorry my photo doesn't do it better service...)!

My spread out family

 Happy holidays!  There were actual snow flakes falling in town yesterday (for about two minutes)!  Snow always makes me think of my ski-loving sister, who is currently snow-less while teaching abroad.  I have been thinking of my family an awful lot, what with Christmas coming and the non-stop talk of presents and shared meals on the television. 

I'm one of those people that likes a good deal of clutter around.  Piles of things don't bother me (organized piles that is), especially when it comes to pictures - the more the merrier!  I'm sure there are plenty of ways to make the pictures look better, but today when I was putting Harper down for her nap (before her elevensies meal...that's for all you LOTR fans) it was great to look up and see my family starring right back at me.

I spend most of my days at home in the living room/kitchen.  My bookshelves are piled with photos on top.  I made a special note to get some updated pictures a few months ago, and it was a great choice: my niece and nephew picking out pumpkins, my sister and brother-in-law with their photo booth costumes, my brother and new sister-in-law from their travels abroad, and my new family courtesy of my wonderful Dan. 

The combination of my siblings spread about the globe, and my avoidance to make phone calls, I find a lot of comfort in these pictures.  I know they are no substitute for quality time, but nothing is.  I don't know how your refrigerator looks, but mine looks like this...

...and it makes me happy every time I open it!  I hope you all have happy reminders of the people you love and who love you.  It's a squishy, sappy, thing, but sometimes it's good to have squishy, sappy things.  


This last photo is for my sister.  On her last visit she gave me the blue eye hanging on the key hook. It's is thought to give protection, or ward off evil...or some such mojo.  I like it because I get to think of her every time I leave the house!

Getting some wedding stuff done

It has been a while since I've devoted any real time to thinking about wedding plans, but with the date now within the 6 month mark, I've gotten a bit of motivation to start up again.  I have an appointment with a florist in two weeks, I think I've found a reasonable option for my bridesmaids to look at, and I have a better idea of what I want for the actual day.  I think that's good! 

 

I have also found a few dresses, (that I won't be wearing), and just had to share.  Aren't they pretty?

My little family

Hello all.  I've been out for a bit.  On November 10th, I had this little gem, Harper, and I've been enjoying these first days of mother hood.  This is my little family now.  The household is now even - three girls and three boys (of course I am counting the cats!)  I hope you all have a wonderful start to this holiday season!  I've already received my present :)

Two New Blogs

I have found two new blogs.  They have caused havoc on my afternoon. 

The first is Not Without Salt.

 I found it through a television ad of all things.  I think it was for a dish washing liquid, but the woman in the ad held my attention when she mentioned she blogged and took photos of her food.  I've enjoyed reading through her recipes and the photographs both.  One might think it was simple, but have you ever tried to photograph food?  Give it a go.  You might find a new appreciation. 

The second blog, In Jennie's Kitchen, has been a bit of an emotional whirlwind. This blog was linked to through Not Without Salt, and even though it was prefaced with the news that Jennie's husband had recently passed, I wasn't prepared for the the candor she wrote about some of her recent moments with her children, her self, and her husband too. 

I haven't read of how he died, but I know it was sudden.  Hours before, she shares, that they had talked of "trying for the boy," for the son that I presume was wished for after two daughters. 

Yesterday I witnessed a wonderful wedding of my two radiant friends. Last weekend I was shown a wealth of love by being welcomed into a new family.  And also, my friends, traveling sister, and far-away best friend treated me with a baby shower for a child, due in only 8 short weeks, who has already changed my world. 

I've been working on letters this morning, and then tearing apart the hand-me-down stroller and seats so I can wash all of their parts - my living room, which was cleaned fresh and sparkly yesterday, is now covered in drying child things and paper scraps.  The baked shells are ready to go in the oven when Dan wakes from his nap. 

This is life right now.  And maybe in a few hours, someone could be ripped away.

I didn't ever think  a dish washing detergent commercial could remind me that time is not a thing to take for granted.

Looking for a typewriter

It is a ways away, but I'm keeping my eyes open for a neato typewriter that has some style to use at the guest book table for the wedding. Or, maybe I'll put it on a "notes to the couple" table... Or maybe both, I don't know.

I know some of my friends have a special place in their hearts for the retro typewriters from the 50's - maybe there is one sitting on your shelf just waiting for something to do?

But take a look at some of these photos. Aren't they lovely?

love this bolster

One of my challenges with this ever growing pregnant body is finding sleeping positions that "work". Right now, I have the whole bed with a mass of pillows and I can basically fall into the pile. But, soon that won't be the case. I've been looking at making a long bolster pillow to help with, well, bolstering me, and I like the look of this one, found HERE.

I haven't felt like sewing for about, oh, six months (or 26 weeks if you want to really know) but this last weekend I've been getting a hankering. I've been looking at pattern books at work, sorting through my threads, and now, the bolster. Yay!

My brother's wedding :)

My oldest brother Josh was married this weekend near Philadelphia. it was the hottest weekend ever. Records were broken all over the East coast. It goes without saying that we didn't spend much time outside.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

The book theme continues!

Here is another great item for the book theme. Found HERE. Love it!

Harry Potter!

I just got tickets! Yay!

I waited too long to get Friday night tickets, but Saturday at 4:20 is fine by me!

July 2011 is a month that is just brimming with activity and jubilee. My friend Rena surprised me by flying to see me this weekend (and we get to see HARRY POTTER together!) Dan is taking the Bar Exam (which means he gets to come home to me soon!), my brother is getting married, I get to see my sister, I get to see my whole family, and did I mention Dan is coming home?!

So this weekend can't get here soon enough. Let the good times roll!

June 26th

I am so happy to be able so celebrate my nephew's birthday today. He is turning 4 and one of my most loved people in the world. At the same time, I am sad. Jeremiah and Jessie are packing up the last of their life in Illinois and moving to what's next in Boston.

They have worked so hard for this phase of life. They deserve the absolute best that the world has to offer. But after this weekend our shared time of living in Illinois will be over. We came here in the same moving truck in August of 2005. Almost 6 years later, it will be hard to know they aren't a town a way any longer.

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Wedding cardigan? I love it!

I'm getting pretty excited about having a Book themed wedding plan. On a totally unrelated note, long ago, I thought about how great it would be to wear a sweater at my wedding. Unusual, but alas! I've found proof that it is both possible and lovely (and really, if you know me, it totally fits my style.) So here are some pictures!



I guess I shouldn't say that was completely unrelated, as when I think of some of my favorite book people, most of them also happen to be cardigan people. I don't know if I'd wear one through the whole ceremony, but it would be nice to have something for the exit that is a bit comfy.