Ray of light

Saw bits of the sun this weekend. Getting ready for spring, at least mentally.

Oh, by the way, here are pics of the Lace Ribbon Scarf I finished. It's a bit long but I like the rounds of wrapping or wearing a bit loosely.



Starting seeds indoors this week for: chives, lavender and parsley. I've had a chance to flip through Gayla Trail's new book - Grow Great Grub. LOVE it. She is that 'friend' who encourages me to keep at it with my gardening. I love her tips for growing in small spaces, her 'green' focus and that it doesn't take tons of money to get started. My kind of projects. The photos are delicious. Spring can not get here fast enough.

NYC bits of color

Fron our recent trip to NYC. Who is afraid of color?

 From cab as we passed New Museum, Ugo Rondinone.

Always time to squeeze in a visit and be overwhelmed (in the best way possible) at M&J Trimming. Grosgrain ribbons are for belts and re-decorating Viv and Oliver's rooms. G is painting as I write...



No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to my favorite junky costume jewelry shop, Jewelry Plaza. You can see my reflection if you look hard enough.

Fashion Week says 'Adios' to Bryant Park

G and I had a great time in NYC. Traveled via bus - cheap and fast. On the way there we sat on the top level, front seats. A bit too close for our liking. Did get a great pic on our approach.



Even after all these years, I still get excited arriving in NYC, like a little kid. I still can't believe we lived there during a small chunk of our married lives.



G and I looking like the 'Out of Towners' in front of the tents at Bryant Park.


Photographers in action at the Carlos Miele show.

Here's some pictures from the Carolina Herrera show.

You could hear the audience gasp when she came out in the dress of red. stunning.

  Loved the pop o' print.

 I just wanted to touch this fabric. Love the floaty jacket.

Love the PANTS!!



This was my favorite (although shaky picture does not do it justice). Looked like tweedy dress.


And here's my money shot...Anna Wintour at Carolina Herrera. We were sitting way up and still was able to get this great picture.




My ever-so-talented (and sassy) brother-in-law who designed these awesome tents.


LOVED the inspiration and peeking into another world on a 'typical' Monday morning.

Animals reading

We are doing fine. Just re-grouping a bit after the snow and days off. Playing a bit of catch-up.



Pick-me-up flowers for a just 'ok' week.

In celebration of love

G and I are escaping our lovely, daily lives. We are off on a bus to NYC - Fashion Week. Kids are at home with my parents. Looking forward to seeing Andy and squeezing in as much goodness we can fit into 24 hours. Just happens to fall on V-day weekend. And off we go...

Coaster needed

We added a couple side tables to our family room recently. The joy of sitting near a light and reading. Simple but true. Realized we were lacking coasters. Off to the craft boxes we go to make with what we have. Cut cork and layered paper, rick rack and fabric scraps. O sealed with Mod Podge.

 
Such a simple addition makes our already great mornings a bit better.

Fountains of tulle

I made fairy/princess skirts for Viv and Anna for Christmas. I have an order for 5 more - lots of tulle and lots of fun. These snowy days have been a perfect opportunity to finish them. I don't think it gets better than sherbet-colored tulle, pink, sparkly, fringy elastic and flowers.

The World According to Mr. Scarry

http://www.flickr.com/photos/welovepandas/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

I'm going down memory lane. I remember receiving Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town from Ciocia Ursula. I loved the gigantic sized book and escaping to another land where pickle cars existed and one of the main characters is a worm that wears a hat.

Now Oliver and Viv are drawn to these books too. We've been watching Busytown Mysteries on Cookie Jar TV. Although we're trying to limit screen-time in this house, we'll have to check out the show's interactive Web site.

Our Winter Wonderland

SNOW day!! We're home today recovering from the shoveling and playing outside. I'd say we had about 28 inches. We are thankful for our warm home base. Lots of neighbors helping each other out. Reminders of the great community we live in. There is suppose to be another storm a-coming Tues. evening. Till then we're staying cozy. I realize there aren't many pics of G. He was out shoveling a good portion of our neighbors out.

 
Blast from the past - plastic bag lined boots. 

 Oliver & Mama

A curbside tree we planted in front of our home in fall. We hope it makes it through winter.

   
The storm through our Valentine wreath

 

A marshmallow grin after drinking hot chocolate. (homemade by our buddy Nelson)

Closed for business

Forecasters were right. It's been snowing...lots! We have been fortunate to be inside with power, keeping warm. This snow is really wet and heavy. We're currently under Blizzard warning and expecting total 26 inches. We're having fun and getting a few things off the list (in a good way, of course): filing, napping, taxes, pancakes, soup, shoveling, to name a few.

I have a habit of not reading my magazine issue until we're actually in the month. So, this last night I was reading Country Living and read an article about a couple from Savannah who renovated their home. The name of the owner, Liz Demos, sounded familiar and, sure enough. G and I travelled to Savannah, GA about 4 years ago and had a lovely time. One of my favorite stores as @home - Vintage General. The store was filled with so many goodies - new and old. I kept saying to my husband how I would love to own such a shop - full of vintage items and then to have sewing and knitting classes. Well, I visited @home site today and am really sad to report that they are closing. It seems the owner, Liz Demos, has been thinking about it for awhile and that it is just difficult to keep a small town business open that does not sell necessities. So sad. From what I've read, it looks as if some products will be available for purchase via the Internet but still. Hearing about another small business closing just breaks my heart.

Good morning snow

Last night I decided to keep the shade up and fell asleep watching flakes fall. This is what I woke up to. Kind of nice. Just enough snow for a slow start to the day and making ordinary things look fluffy.


View through the screen window and all...



Per Mr. O, we squeezed in some baking Banana Bread - lots of honey and without nuts. I'm a big James Beard fan. This recipe is from Beard on Bread.

Spinning a yarn...

I had a chance to try out my new yarn ball winder, a gift from G. Love it...love him for many reasons including remembering. Close to home stretch on February Lady Sweater for me. I've started sleeves. I can't wait to wear it.