Mayfly

Ok, ok. Don't put your recipes boxes away yet. I promise I'll ask tomorrow, but first I need to take care of some business.

11/02/09 a favorite from last month

. . . . . . . . . . .

The Noticing Project: Heather and I have decided that December will indeed be the final month for our beloved Noticing Project. This project has opened my eyes wide. At first I was always on the lookout for a good "noticing opportunity" and then it just became part of my day, examining and enjoying the small, lovely things around me. But the thing I thank the NP for the most is sweet Heather. She has become one of my dearest friends in the world, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

We are proud of this two year collaboration. It has been quite an endeavor- taking photos when we were really busy or just not in the mood, emailing photos to each other from out of town, or saving photos to post later when we couldn't. There are only a handful of days we missed. The similarities between our photos were often amazing, even to us. It makes me so pleased to look at the archive pages and remember each small moment. Each and every one.

But it is time to let it wind down. I hope you'll join us a lot over there this month and help us wrap it up in grand fashion.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Habit: December will also be busy at habit. Molly and Emily have asked all of the year's guests to rejoin them for the month. I really can't say enough about their brilliant project, and I'm honored once again to be a part of it.

. . . . . . . . . . .

My shop: Here's the deal. I have had plans to put some cute little notepads (kind of like this) and handmade items into my shop for a couple of months- I think they'll be really fun. I just haven't had the time to get them finished up or assembled. I don't want to forget them all together, but I know when to say 'uncle'. I just want to take my time on my own gifts and enjoy the season.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Their shops: If you're going to purchase something for your loved ones, please consider handmade items. Pretty please? It really makes a difference.

Rachel always keeps lovely items in her shop.
Heather is having a little sale.
Martha's Handcraft Holiday Collection is to die for.
I really do want every single thing in this shop. (Plus she has the best name.)
Melissa has berry bowls again, and then some.
Claire has the most amazing stuff in her shop. So creative.
Crazy Awesome McTote Bags. ; )

I could go on and on...

Ok, then. Have a great Tuesday!

p.s. Oh, wait. I forgot the Simply Photo Pop Up Shop. Yes, Yes. Go there and buy something. It's all good.

Posted by Alicia at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Please visit the Noticing Project and do some noticing... today is the last day to enter our little drawing!

Posted by Alicia at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's Green Week. Just in time to celebrate that Spring is coming and we made it through February without flinging ourselves off any craggy cliffs.

My sweetie just stopped by home for lunch, and I made us the best sandwiches:

sliced red peppers and purple onions caramelized in a little olive oil
a healthy spread of hummus (made yesterday afternoon)
sliced cukes
a sprinkling of salt and pepper
lettuce
on a toasted whole wheat bagel

Deeee-wishous.

Don't forget to stop over at the Noticing Project {2009} to see our new little game... and there's a gonna be a giveaway! : )

Posted by Alicia at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

well... not exactly starving. But isn't that how the saying goes?

I am finding just a little studio time these days. Dearest Emily ordered a custom artist apron, so in my eyes that justifies pulling this one out of the shop to keep for myself. A new apron makes me happy. **smile**

I wanted to remind you that there are still a few items in my Shop Mayfly and also that the Noticing Project Shop is still quietly waiting. We've been thinking up ideas for something new over there. Hopefully more on that soon.

Is your week going well?

xo.

Posted by Alicia at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

to you!

I have a great feeling about this week. A pessimist by nature, I try really hard to stay positive, but some days trying isn't necessary. One deep breath and I know it's good to be alive. Can you feel it too?

Noticing Project photographs are appearing in our mailbox. Hooray! Read the details here if you'd like to play along, but just to clarify: we're asking for ONE photo apiece, no more than 450 pixels wide. But listen now. If you don't know how to resize your photo, please don't let that stop you. We can resize if need be. We usually post over there in the evening, so if your image isn't up immediately, don't be discouraged. Check back in the morning and you'll see it. THANK YOU for playing along and viewing all the lovely noticed moments!

Also, I'm planning a Shop Mayfly update next Tuesday, May 6. I'm going to work hard this week to make it happen. I hope you might take a peek that day.

Have a great week, nice peeps!

Posted by Alicia at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

like poking a nesting goose in the butt with a stick. Or wasting a big batch of homemade yogurt, which were two things that happened. (don't worry- we told the boys to stop poking!)

Thankfully, I don't have bad seasonal allergies, but yesterday I woke up with itchy eyes and the sneezles, so I took a Claritin. I was in a sleepy fog all day. I made a batch of yogurt from my favorite local milk and left it on the counter to cool... all night long. I'm blaming it on the allergy. I'm not feeling at all sniffley today. Perhaps I'll attempt another batch.

We're planning something special over at the Noticing Project next week. Heather and I want you to Be Our Guest. We're betting you are noticing some fantastic things these days. Please share them with us!

And lastly, we (especially N) was thinking about you yesterday, our favorite little Earth Day baby. You're really not much of a baby anymore, huh? Hope you had a wonderful birthday! Maybe we'll Skype you later.

Take care, friends!

Posted by Alicia at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

the only pretty ring time.
hey, ding...
a ding-a-ding.

Sweet lovers love... the Spring.
you really can find anything on YouTube.

**********

Welcome Spring Sale in the Noticing Project Shop.
(go peek- cheap, cheap!)

Posted by Alicia at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The ground below my Noticing Project photograph. Wait until you see today's pair. A bit freaky- sometimes the coincidence give me the shivers.

I thought I'd pop in and tell you the details of tomorrow's Welcome Spring Sale:
It begins tomorrow at 10 am (cst) and ends Saturday at 10 pm (cst).
1.10.08, 1.14.08 and the red ribbon selections will be substantially discounted.
After the close of the sale these items will be gone for good.

Thanks, and hope to see you over there tomorrow!

Posted by Alicia at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Hello! Hello!

Thank you, everyone. You are all so kind to lend an ear and a get-well wish. Wellness has returned. We're back- back to laughing, drawing, playing, working on projects, sleeping well, cooking, eating. What a relief. After a loooong evening in the Urgent Care clinic, poor little N was diagnosed with rotavirus. That is bad. Don't get that. She's better now and it seems she's trying to make up for lost calories. It's 9:45 am and she's had two bowls of cereal, two sweet rolls, a granola bar, and a pear. And she just said, "Is it lunchtime yet?"

I had cobbler and coffee. Yum.

There's no school this week for Spring Break. It's too rainy for the St. Patrick's Day parade, so we're here at home listening to the sporadic thunder and planning some indoor activities.

************

I have two shop announcements:

Heather and I are planning a Welcome Spring sale in the Noticing Project Shop starting this Wednesday. Think rock-bottom, last chance pricing. We hope you'll stop in.

Also I will be having a (very) small Shop Mayfly update this Thursday about noon. There will be one blond baby doll in there if you're interested.

************

Have a great week!

Posted by Alicia at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

an extra day for us all!

• please don't forget our Leap Day Sale at the NP Shop. Today only, our 1.10.08 and 1.14.08 diptychs are deeply discounted- and we'll throw in a free gift for the first four folks to purchase these sale items. Won't you go have a look?

• for a few days starting tomorrow today I'll be the guest photographer at Sea and Sky. Stop in and send some love to Sky, who has lost someone dear.

• next week is Green Week hosted by Emily. Be there or be... well, brown. or not green. You'll be green with envy if you don't join in.

• can you tell I'm feeling downright happy today? A dose of sunshine and slightly warmer temps can do a soul good.

• have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Posted by Alicia at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Oh, yes. Tomorrow is leap day! A bonus day. So as a little bonus to you, Heather and I have planned a surprise sale at the Noticing Project Shop. For tomorrow only, our two favorite diptychs will be discounted. We hope you'll stop by and snatch one up.

What are you going to do with your extra day?

Posted by Alicia at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Second place isn't so bad, is it?

Just popping in today to let you know that we're offering a set of runner-up photos in our Noticing Project Shop! They weren't chosen on their particular days, but they are lovely little photographs none-the-less and come together in this set of FOUR!

Much love,
Alicia

Posted by Alicia at 8:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I'm taking the plunge again. But this time I've got someone to hold hands with as I leap! Yipee! Heather and I have been contemplating and scheming, and after lots of work this week, we've opened an etsy shop to accompany our Noticing Project. We'll keep a few of our favorites stocked, and you'll be able to custom order your favorite pair- but only for a limited time. We'll offer them for one month past the date they are posted on the Noticing Project website. Tricky, aren't we?

We really are enjoying the project, and we're so thrilled about your response to it- thank you. So if you go visit the shop, double thank you!

p.s. I'm planning on a Shop Mayfly update sometime in mid-February too. Poor little neglected shop...

xoxo.

Posted by Alicia at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Good morning, everyone! Photo-less posts depress me, so here are a few pretty pictures from others. Please click through to Flickr to see the credits. And while you're enjoying their neutral-palleted loveliness, I have a few quick things to mention.

First, please let me say how happy we BOTH are with your response to our Noticing Project. We are having great fun, and it is so gratifying that you are responding so positively. It's thrilling actually. Links and mentions have been popping up all over our little bloggy-world. Thank you from the bottom of my extremely happy heart.

Second, it appears that Shari is leading a winter whites photography/arts week next week and I'm all over that one. Therefore you may just be seeing double the photos from me all week. I'm terribly behind, and ideas are bursting out of the top of my head, which makes it all the more difficult to concentrate on the tasks at hand: Laundry. Making the bed. Preparing birthday party treats. So this challenge is very timely. If I comment less on your sites too, forgive me. I REALLY need to keep myself on task. OK?

Third, to my local peeps, stay warm and cozy this weekend!!! Yikes! 3 degrees is not enough.

Posted by Alicia at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

I've been having prints made of some of my photographs, hunting for a high quality yet affordable option. So far, I think whcc.com is the contender, but it would be nice to find someone local. I'll let you know how it goes. Any suggestions?

Heather sent me the two prints in the foreground. They are beautiful. Thank you, friend! And thank you ALL for visiting the Noticing Project and for leaving us such supportive comments. Heather has done a thank you post of her own today, and she links to a bunch of you who have mentioned us. It is so flattering and uplifting. This all couldn't have come at a better time.

This time of year is notoriously difficult for me, yet I feel like I have new eyes. This morning I was dashing out to the recycling bin to snatch out a coupon before the trash guys get it, saw the incredible pattern in a frozen puddle, and had to run back in for the camera. I couldn't help laugh at myself in my jammies, robe and old slippers squatting down in the drive way. A bright spot this blustery morning already. AND quite the entertainment for the morning commuters.

The retrieved coupon is for Hobby Lobby. I really shouldn't, but I'm off this morning for some new acrylics. I have some paintings to begin, and I do believe it is time for an upgrade. Hopefullly Liquitex is a step in the right direction.

That's it, kids. Have a great weekend! And to some of you lovelies- see you tomorrow...

Posted by Alicia at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

I'm so excited to tell you that I will now be working with Heather on the Noticing Project!

I loved the idea of this project, and after we took these two photographs on the same day, I was completely honored when she asked if I'd consider collaborating. So only two days and much hard work on Heather's part behind us, the project has a brand new home and we're off and running.

We'll be posting daily photographs Monday through Friday all year, and we hope you'll join us over there now and then!

Posted by Alicia at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)