Cyber Planning

Ok. I did a bit of cyber shopping, during lunch of course. Now I've got a few gift ideas pulled together. Gathering ideas, then the reality of what can actually get done before the holiday.

• For Viv and Anna: Tu-tu T-shirt from Joy's Hope.
• For Diane: Ruffle Necklace from Happy Together. I've some great fabrics stashed for this.
• For me: creating a version of Boden's Rosy Skirt with yo-yo's
• Gift exchange for Mary and perhaps others - cup sleeve w/ photo by The Object Project. love it!

Holiday Weekend Closing

We had a great holiday. Lots of eating, rest, as well as visiting with friends and families. Most of all, we were able to be home and just be cozy.


Any outfit goes with Cookie Monster slippers.



Mr. O had a fever and cough for a good portion of the week. We did find out he had perforated his ear drum, our poor little kitten. Once he had the medicine, he was so much better. He even created his own Indian headdress.

We lit our fireplace for the first time. The glow sets the tone making us believe everything is okay in our little world. A long weekend of thanks for simple pleasures.

Turkey Trot

I typically have Wednesdays off so I've been hanging out with O and V today, getting ready for Turkey Day. Lots of lounging and playing including baking pies - Pumpkin and the Martha Stewart Prize winning pie -English Toffee and Pecan and creating this bird. Yes, it is a turkey and it stands in front of my cookbooks for inspiration. This turkey will have friends after the kids create tommorow.

I've been working on a skirt - trying to understand basic structure principles. So rather than cleaning and setting the table, I'm putting the final touches on this skirt.



This skirt is made from re-purposed fabric (used to be one of my 'wrap around' skirts) trimmed in ribbon and tulle. I need to fine-tune my hand sewing. When I tried it on Viv, she said she looked like a princess. She always does.

Probably should focus on the other stuff since the reality of hosting Thanksgiving dinner is starting to hit me. My mom is bringing the bird and others are bringing other menu items.Have I told you how much I love a holiday with such great, comfort food?

I am grateful for many things especially family. We look forward to celebrating in our new home.

Thrifty Goodness

I love 'floating'. My cousins - Todd and Kim along with G and Ant D would float any given Saturday or Sunday when we lived in NJ. These days I recall fondly were pre-kids and now seem a lifetime ago. We would rise early and 'float' garage to estate sale and back again. The day usually ended with a meal prepared by Uncle C who had been cooking all day. I can taste his Vodka sauce now with tomatoes from his morning run to Corrado's.

We now live in another state and we can't float as often as we once did. I'd love to plan out some floating holidays back in NJ. In the meantime, I'm looking into my own local flea market adventures.

A couple weeks ago, my friend, Colleen, and I woke early (actually our normal time) and headed out with DD coffee in hand. Our inaugural trip was to Frederick, MD. What a sweet town. Very walkable and a great selection of stores.

One of my favorite spots was a Thrift store. Found this great house coat, hoping to re-purpose the flannel fabric.


I'm thinking a skirt for V or a bag. Don't you love vintage labels? I do.

Will share pics of other finds later. I see a return trip to Frederick in the new year.

Home is best

Just back from a conference in Boston. Travel for work these days is limited to once or twice a year. I enjoy the adventures. I was able to catch up with old friends. It was a great mix of business and personal. The conference was inspiring and so were the friends. Reminders of days when we lived in Boston - young and limited on funds but living it up, cocktails on a Tuesday night because the week was already so draining. so fun.

Days are different now - working part-time with two kids. As much as I like to reminisce, I love my days filled with school tales, potty training, frozen pizza after a day in the office.

Although the queen size bed with ridiculous amounts of pillows is heavenly, it is always wonderful to be home.

Jamie is in the House

I love Jamie Oliver. Really. My husband laughs. Jaime O.:me; Nigella:G. I've been obsessed lately. His piece in the NYT: Food Issue was great. I borrowed his latest from the library - Jamie's Food Revolution. Made Chicken Korma last week and this morn., some scones.

Let the rain come down

It's raining in Baltimore. I just finished a bowl of my mom's chicken soup with matzo balls that totally hit the spot. Added tiny curtains to the office/craft room, aka: the room of frivolity. They just add the right touch of cozy.

Sweet Helena, I mean Vivvy

Camera is back from the shop. Yeah! We have much catching up to do including this hooray.

Here are pics of Helena pattern I finally completed from Knitty. I am pleased with the color combo including the vintage buttons that POP. I started this sweater/jacket when Viv was tiny. Looks like it might be a jacket for early spring or next fall.

Found words

I picked up this card at, I think, the Philadelphia Flower show over 5 years ago (!) It still made me smile. When I worked at Ohio University's Visiting Writers program, Mary Oliver was one of writers at our Spring Lit Festival. These simple and moving words accompany a striking Peace Garden Helmet by Kate Bishop.