Retro-grading

Sometimes the world is literally "off". Not one to really, seriously blame life's haps or mishaps on "the stars", but I can not ignore it completely. Sometimes it's just a good back up excuse. I have been feeling this way lately: communications are off, and maybe just everything is a little "out of whack". (Enter the best friends in the world.) Life seems better. I am so grateful for the support of the friends I am lucky enough to call mine. The strong support of women (and men) can not be messed with. They will stay strong even when the cosmos seem to be crumbling around me. Cards in the mail, listening ears, washer/dryer delivery, tea and goodies, hugs, endless amounts of inspiration, etc etc... Thanks, pals. I love you more than words!

The Best Part of Wakin' Up...

... Is going to the gym with my husband. With my cuppa coffee.

I never thought I'd say it. But I enjoy it. The darkness, the earliness, the child-sized bedtimes, the sweating, everything. And, I have to admit- I am the one to rise before either of the other two in our household!

All in a Weekend's Work...

We had a full and lovely weekend.

I am exhausted.

Going to draw a bath, light candles, make tea,

& catch up on some mags.

(Even if that means walking out on the Blazer game).

I'll let the pictures do some of the talking.

If you look up "cozy" in the dictionary, we're pretty sure you'd see Tilly in the warm laundry.

Jordan's Famous Kale Shake. Mmmmm. These are a weekend treat.

One of my projects. Making due with what I have.. only making it cuter.

My wonderful, beloved late Grandma's hankies. An embellishment.

Mid-day latte break. Making lattes has become a recent obsession of mine. All about the foam.

First time I've seen the top of my dresser in my studio/office since before Christmas!

I have a project up my sleeve for this too...

Also, "Southwestern Chicken Salad" has been a recent phase for us- with fresh avocados- we made it two nights in a row. Delicious.

Teapot is whistling.... Have a great week.

One Fine Day

Today began with a good walk with the Tillster. Followed by a good workout with a great shuffle ipod sesh. Great chat with Mama Bear strolling thru an amazing new (to me) park in the also wonderful (also new concept to me) "inland" burbs. Good times with yummy purchases at the "Inland Farmer's Market". Was a good little consumer at the ever-beautiful Anthro. DIY-ed my lil fanny off. Saw the most beautiful sunset that literally took my breath away. I said (aloud, alone) "Oh My God". Short visit with a dear friend. Starbucks run. Met up with the husband and with coffees in hand, made dinner together. Finished Julie & Julia. Time for blogging while "watching" football. We can hear the waves crashing- they are loud tonight. My beloved Tilly snuggled close and cuddled with Dad's old baby quilt. Such a perfect day.

Field Trip

Had a lovely day

with the gals I just adore.

Doing "R&D"

In the form of:

eating go-o-o-d food,

sipping coffee,

chatting,

driving a bus,

making shadows,

chillin in a caboose,

drive-by dream houses,

admiring fake food,

embarrassing stories of home videos

& birthdays past,

watching a stellar performance of "the itsy bitsy spider",

posed with a moose & got freaked out by his other stuffed homies,

saw monkeys in a rainforest & played cool instruments there,

admired train dioramas,

even had a run in with the ER

(thank God everyone is doing okay),

ate 3 (?) baskets of chips and salsa (okay, that was mainly ME),

basked in the sun & came home to a gnarly marine layer,

kinda got lost and over-stimulated in an outdoor mall,

& took a lovely stroll down memory lane

Loved it.

Also- took many more photos I need to upload, as usual.

New Year's Cleanse...

I know the words 'cleanse' and 'purge' can be misinterpreted...

but lest I lead you astray-

I am speaking of clearing the cobwebs

in all of the corners of yesterday's news and dust-

making space for new memories, news,

and the inevitable dust.

Don't get me wrong-

it is not like me to ditch a precious memento,

but consider this as more of a

"donating what I don't need and organizing what I do" time in my life.

After the holiday craze is the best time to do this-

leaving a feeling of starting fresh

for the new year.

Feels so gooood.

Soon I will have a well-oiled

and organized studio

where I will crank out the creativity!

I'll try to remember to include more pix when I'm done.

See ya in the morning, Christmas.

I know it's hard to believe coming from a total "holiday fanatic" such as me... but it really felt like it was time to say sayonara to Christmas this year. Maybe it was because we had such a full and satisfying season, complete with a quick visit to family in Oregon. Or maybe it was because our tree was literally crispy it was so dead when we got back. Orrr maybe it's because we had our annual "saying goodbye to Christmas" ritual (ha), where we layed to rest our sweet tree that was responsible for a monthful of beautiful moments and literally held so many memories- old and new. Well, we really just walked our tree to the giant dumpster on our trail to the gym- where it sat with all of its other happy tree friends, patiently awaiting the moment where they would all be ground up and used as wood chips on our beloved trail. So really, it's like the "circle of life of Christmas" around here, where we get to see and smell these joyous trees daily... holding us over til next year.