Mayfly

Yes I am. I'm done- done as I'm going to be. No holiday cards this year, oh well. Perhaps valentines will be better anyway. My girlfriend gifts will have to wait for a bit too. I've made as much as I'm going to make, bought as much as I can buy.

It's time to breathe deeply and soak it all in. I'm ready for a bit of travel, some time at home, good food and family. The shop is closed up. The blog will be quiet. I'll still be posting my NP photos, but other than that, I'll see you in the new year!

Much love and peace to you all this holiday season!

Posted by Alicia at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)

to dumpster dive.

Yesterday I went downtown to see a guy about a lens (no that's not code for something more!) and I ran across these really cool chairs in someone's trash. We have a similar set for our basement, but the other night the Christmas tree tipped over and water spilled everywhere, seeping slowing through the hardwood floor into the shop downstairs, slightly damaging the seat of one.

So when I ran across these covered in snow yet undamaged, I knew: it was meant to be.

Posted by Alicia at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

The thermometer said 4º F this morning. Yeee-ouch. That's not enough degrees. And the highs all week are in the teens with a little snow here and there. J is praying for a snow day.

The teepee is done! Go look at it! It's so cute. (I'm not posting a photo here because of my little McSneakyPants and my track record for accidentally leaving up the website and revealing surprises.) I used this pattern. I was hemming and hawing over it at book club the other night and my friend Char said to go find a pattern. Duh! It was time consuming but very easy. I CANNOT WAIT for him to see it.

Stay warm, kids. I need more hot coffee now.

Posted by Alicia at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)

This evening was our second annual candlelight Saint Lucia Day dinner. Last year I made this recipe and was only minimally thrilled. So this year I went straight to the cinnamon roll recipe for the braided bread.

Now that's what I had in mind. Yuuummmmm. As I was trying to explain the significance of St. Lucia to the kids, Brian grinned and called her the patron saint of cinnamon rolls. : )

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Posted by Alicia at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

at the holiday gifties.

Jen, if you want to see up close, go visit Flickr. If not- for the love of Pete- stay here.

Posted by Alicia at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Buy a couple packages of tissue paper, some white school glue, and a bag of balloons. Pronto. Here are the directions.

When we popped the balloons, there was a moment of sheer terror when some of the sides tried to collapse, but as soon as the balloon was removed the edges smoothed right back out.

I'm dreaming of about 30 of these hanging from the trees over the patio on a calm summer night, twinkly music and fireflies, perhaps a sangria in hand ...

Posted by Alicia at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Last night the kids started these lanterns. Today I beefed them up with a few more layers for fear they'll collapse when we let out the air.

So today's main activities seem to be watching the glue dry and the snow fall with a little hot cocoa thrown in for good measure. Oh, and batting around the spare balloons.

Simple pleasures, friends. Simple pleasures.

Posted by Alicia at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Forgoing the tree from a tree lot, shipped here from who-knows-where, this year we decided to do a good thing and cut a fresh tree from this project.

A red cedar may not be the premium Christmas species, but so far the only disappointment we've experienced is that only two of the bulbs on our old string of C7 twinkle lights still twinkle.

Posted by Alicia at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Here's what I've been up to:

Discounting items in my shop- 20% off until December 19th! And I pulled the dolls- there's just no way I could get them finished and shipped before the holidays- sorry.

Doing a little Christmas shopping- I (ahem) talked to Santa on the phone to make sure he and the elves could make (ahem) a remote control aircraft carrier that really floats. By golly, he can. I know for certain he can make an ironing board with an iron. ; )

Making some gifts- still designing the teepee in my head. It's going to be quite a challenge to construct that on the sly.

Doggy sitting-

Digging out the holiday decorations- found the advent calendar one day late. Oh, well. We'll do two fun things one day.

Playing Monopoly- known here as Ponopoly. The game that never ends. He sure does love it, though.

I hope you're up to something fun today!

Posted by Alicia at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

again.

Tis the season!

Posted by Alicia at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)