Mayfly

First, thank you all so much for the soup suggestions. We went with a nice cheese, potato, broccoli combo. But I will have to try some of Robyn's taco soup soon!

Brian took the day off so that I could get a jump on my holiday gifts. Instead J had his first official snow day from school with Daddy, while I struggled to concentrate because of the sore throat and fever I developed late last night. I'm a little improved this evening (thank you, ibuprofen) but am hoping to feel much better tomorrow maybe even without the medication.

Here's J trying out his snowball maker in the little ice pellets that fell last night. He'll get plenty more practice tomorrow (his second day off). I'm guessing we have for or five inches of snow on top of the ice.

Stay warm, everyone.

p.s. Don't forget to visit Shari's very brilliant Compound Word Project if you haven't already. Guesses are due tomorrow!

Posted by Alicia at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Yesterday the high was a balmy 65º F. (or something like that.)

Today the mercury is dropping all day, and they're predicting freezing rain and maybe a little snow. Time for a big pot of soup. Too bad we finally finished all of the turkey. (Did I really just say that?) A nice bowl of turkey and homemade noodles would have been nice. Any suggestions?

Posted by Alicia at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

left to right:
real tree decorated by J, undecorated by N
pinecone tree inspired by one I saw at Pottery Barn
little birds soft tree

Posted by Alicia at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

We had a great Thanksgiving filled with friends, family, love, good food and and gratitude. One low spot though. News came that an old friend passed away after a rough battle with cancer. One of the sweetest humans to ever walk the earth. Sigh. Makes me even more thankful, but breaks my heart for his sweet wife. He was way too young.

I did get my dominoes game in. Many actually. Many, many.

He loves it. And is good. Watch out.

Guess what?! I met Amy and her family last week. We ran into each other at a nearby park. They were here visiting for a quick holiday. And sweet Bea, all strapped in her seat in the car, smiled at me and said "hi." She really is a cutie. Next time, dear Amy, we MUST get together.

This week I'm planning a Blogging Lite® week. (term inspired by a friend.) I'm getting serious with the gift making and don't want to get sidetracked. Maybe I'll just post a few photos here and there. Katherine... are you out there? I'm almost done with the baby doll. And if you're expecting a package from me? They'll be out soon. I promise.

Have a great new week, everyone. Take good care please.

Posted by Alicia at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

I quickly interrupt this scheduled break: For us Black Friday = Buy Nothing Day. A day to perhaps consider the global impact we make when we spend our hard-earned money.

Hope you all had the most wonderful of holidays. (We sure did!) Now I must lounge around and recover.

Posted by Alicia at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Well, all. All has not been well here. My sweet J had a rotten day Friday, which quickly evolved into a nasty fever, which has left in its wake a puzzling case of night terrors. Completely new territory. And wee N had a head cold and poor mommy hasn't gotten a thing done. Except rub tummies and wipe noses and administer meds. At least it's good to be needed. They're both feeling better, and we're hoping J's night terrors wind down now. Mommy and Daddy are tired. Thankfully, he remembers nothing.

Tomorrow I need to prepare for our Thanksgiving meal here with friends and family- a nice day of children running crazy in the yard, an enormous meal and maybe even a dominoes tournament. In fact, I'm going to take a long blogging break into the weekend to enjoy the holiday and catch myself up.

May all of your turkey (or tofurkey) be juicy, your cranberries tart, and your belts loose.
Love to all.

Posted by Alicia at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

I finally finished the bear my friend Heather ordered.

She's a cousin to this bear. You can read Heather's sweet comment on that post and you'll understand the significance of the purple dresses. This gal is feeling playful in her jumper with criss-cross straps.

Now to finish up the baby doll my friend Katherine ordered at the end of August (I know. I'm bad), then I can start my Christmas gifts. Time is flying here. I'm starting to get a little nervous but haven't had the dream yet, so that's good. And I've got a plan, which involves Brian taking a couple of his vacation days, so that's good too. Honey, did you hear that? Please?!

Ok, then. You guys all have a wonderful/relaxing/productive/exciting/restful weekend. You pick the adjective. I'll just be toiling away, hoping you find what you need in the next few days. xo.

Posted by Alicia at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Another corner of the newly-spruced living room with a coat rack Brian spotted at an antique store up in Weston. It's not an antique, but it saved me from yet another list item: making a snazzy coat rack. The hooks are numbered, but you may not be able to see them in this photograph. J has chosen number 5 for himself and the number 2 for N. "Why?" I asked. "She's almost 2." "But you're almost 6?" "Mom, there is no 6." Duh. The chair is there so he can reach his number 5 but also appears to be a handy spot to stash one's Pilgrim hat and Indian headband from a recent (not so PC but entirely adorable) Thanksgiving re-enactment at school.

Corner photo take 1:

Corner photo take 2:

I know which take I like better...

Posted by Alicia at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

a honey crisp apple at lunch.

thrifted red suede boots, into which she's finally grown.

more red here.

Posted by Alicia at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

...comes around. It's nice when what's going around is good.

My friend broke her foot last summer, and I helped her out (just a little even) by running a few errands. She's been working on top-secret thank you presents and I got one! Isn't it a beauty of a pincushion? Included also was a little seam ripper and a fancy chocolate bar, which is hidden away. (Hands off, you!) The pin cushion has a new home on an open bookshelf in the sun room, where I often sit and finish up little sewing tasks like embroidering faces and hand stitching hems. Running back and forth from sun room to studio looking for my old cushion or a needle is common, so this is very handy. Thanks, Laura! I love it.

Oh, and she left a little open section on the back, which turns out is very good for stashing things like the seam ripper or even a tiny pair of scissors.

The moral of the story? Be helpful to others- it makes you feel good, and you know, they need the help. But, um, It's also nice to help out talented friends, because you might just get lucky...

Posted by Alicia at 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Brian and I both just turned 34. His birthday was last Monday, mine is today. Maw Maw came and watched the kids for us and we dashed off alone for a weekend getaway to our nearby, favorite small town Weston, MO. We relaxed, ate A LOT, tried to sleep late, browsed the stores, went for a long drive, explored, spent an evening at O'Malley's listening to Irish music and sipping their beers, napped, hiked. There are more photos here if you're interested.

Judy, THANK YOU. So much. Really. It couldn't have been more perfect. (Let me tell you, this Maw Maw we've got? She even braved taking them for their flu shots on Saturday. Seriously, that's a good grandmother...)

Posted by Alicia at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

me.


and my shadow in the shadows.

Posted by Alicia at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

I've been doing pretty well with my personal challenge of making thoughtful gifts. This little bag is for my niece who just had a birthday. In the spirit of compromise, I tucked a few DVD thingies for her Video Now player inside the bag. By the way, picking out these little videos made me feel way old and out of touch. I had no idea who any of the teen singer/actresses were. Except Britney. And no way- I won't go there. Sydney is only 7, she's the perfect combination of girlie and sassy, but I don't want to help push her in any way towards slutty/creepy/icky.

I've been in the planning stages of Christmas gifts for quite awhile. Making lists, deciding on fabric and materials, making sketches. I've got a few more things to finish up in my studio (I'm having issues calling it a studio, but it sounds so much more artsy than office), and then I'll get started. The thing is, I can't exactly post photos of them as I go... the recipients might be reading. So forgive me in advance if things get even skimpier than usual around here in the project department.

Hope your week is going well. Did you vote today?!

Posted by Alicia at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Walking home, we left at dusk.

He held my hand and visited with me the whole way, waiting patiently while I took these photographs. Unusual for such a busy boy.

It's only a few blocks, but by the time we got home, it was dark.
The lights were all on and Brian was setting the table for dinner.

Posted by Alicia at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

{{ starting two long overdue orders, same bear different outfit, and a baby doll based on the same design }}

{{ tackling the self-portrait }}

{{ facing my fear of change, one that I didn't realize was quite so strong }}

{{ concentrating on the task at hand, the beautiful day, my children's faces }}

Posted by Alicia at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

It's been awhile since I posted a Corner of my Home. And since we have a few newly remodeled corners, it seems like time. This piece is called Dirt Fence, and I can't remember the artist's name. We purchased it at the KCAI auction about 6 years ago. I had a little card with her name and the title, but I lost it when we moved. I love this sculpture, and I HATE that I don't know the artist. I'm pretty sure she is local. Anyone recognize it?

Once upon a time when we were newlyweds and had money, which we didn't even realize we had, we fancied ourselves as young, amateur art collectors. We attended gallery openings and auctions and if we saw something we liked that was reasonably priced, we bought it. We had the beginnings of a pretty nice collection going, but then we decided to have a kid, and then I quit working full time, and then we bought a bigger house, and then along came another kid, and then we fixed up the house, and then, well, now we REALLY have no money. So the purchasing of artwork has come to a screeching halt. We'll buy real art again someday. We will.

Posted by Alicia at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)