Peek into snowy bliss

We finally are receiving our long-awaited snowstorm. Kids school is closed as well as mine.

For the most part these 'days off' are listed as lazy but I find myself (and the kids) doing lots. Lots of good - a bit of work and play.

• A chance to make No-knead bread adapted by Sullivan Street Bakery. Definitely have time today.
• Trying out our new teapot.
• Reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
• Started a rag rug for the kitchen. Strips are being kept in a thrifted bag at the Brooklyn Flea.

Glimpses from around the house:

The bar is set so low these days and yet these days seem fulfilling. My kind of day as I float from one thing to the next. Not everything needs completing. I love that the goal of such a free day is to do what you please, more else at home base.

And there's more snow a-coming. Yeah!!

I missed you

I've been wanting to write. Really. With the holidays and the getaway to the in-laws in rural western NY, we are just getting back to some sort of normalcy. Our chaotic normal where creativity lives. With sleepy heads who can't fall asleep or get our of bed in the cold morn. twirly skirts with one leg warmer. a number of knitting projects because i like variety. And learning crochet. why not?

A few findings throughout the holiday break.



Yummy pomegranates

Well-deserved naps

A juicing for Christmas Day: apples, spinach, kale, ginger, lemons, beets. Festive and yummy.

Oh. You must meet Sally, the latest addition to our family. 'Sally Stitches' is wearing the pjs the kids refer to as 'elf pants'. She fits right in.

Setting the tone

As I'm working on my items for the craft sale in December, I've started my fabric selection. I'm working on editing now instead of later.

I love the mix of old and new. I'm still in love with orange and blue combinations. Lots of popping colors.

Happy Life

I finished the Amy Butler Anna tunic and wore to my cousin's rehearsal dinner. It was a hit. The fabric Amy's own: Amy Butler Belle French Wall Paper Duck Egg. I purchased via http://www.fabric.com/ but no longer available. I selected vintage buttons from my stash.


I've worn this 'outfit' quite a bit. I love that it is unique. It feels like me (whatever THAT means!) As I'm making more and feeling more comfortable 'making', it is still wonderful to hear 'You made that?!'. simple pleasures.

February Lady sweater

This sweater's been done for a bit but I am finally sharing.

To date, this February Lady sweater is being worn in spring. It's the first sweater I've made for myself that I have loved - from beginning to end. And now, I love wearing it. I need to remember what yarn I used. It was a pleasure making a sweater from top, down. I was cutting it close to my yarn allotment. I made a size S and lengthened the body some. Vintage buttons from stash.

YEAH to sweaters I love to wear and am proud, when complimented that I made it myself...really. Although we are suppose to be frost-free this Saturday, the weather has been chilly - more days to wear this sweater before putting it to bed for the summer.

Flea Finds

Spring is in the air and so are are the flea markets. We get up early (as usual) and go on adventures. Here are some finds:



Lacoste shirt, screaming preppy and fabric (to be used for the bench cushions on our porch)



I love planters and plates. Plates and planters




Hand embroidered pillowcases. The craftsmanship in the details.

Welcome weekend

With the addition of this rain barrel, we are all set for the rainy days ahead.



Other welcome additions from the neighborhood yard sale - Krypto, egg cups - (we've been looking for some!) and this cool webbing, used for lawn chairs. The colors match Viv's room. Don't know what we'll use for but just couldn't pass up.

And, someone is digging in our dirt - squirrels or rabbits. I am more than a bit annoyed.



Trying to protect the seedlings that have emerged with toilet paper rolls. I think chicken wire might be our next step.

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.

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.

Second Chance of Inspiration

Not knowing if the storm was coming our way, we went on an adventure. Living in a new home, we're always on the look out for affordable additions. We headed to Second Chance Inc., a place that recycles home pieces like architectural elements, bathtubs and tiles. We found 2 great side tables (for $10 total!), a framed botanical print and lots of inspiration.

Weekend plus one

Today is one of those days when you want it to last forever. Had croissants from Trader Joes - we pretended they were from France because they tasted SO good. I've been taking notes from The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. I love their vintage style adapted to our real days. I am looking forward to some flea market excursions come spring. I want to bring their energy to the East coast. I just need to find it. In the meantime, I am jotting down items to look for - Tv trays, paint-by-number sets, creamers with lids, wooden blocks. I have a tendency to 'freeze' and get overwhelmed when at a flea market or antique store. I'm getting ready mentally.

The gardening catalogs are coming and I am thinking ahead. I've been noting where the sun hits (the most) during the day. I am hoping for a raised bed big enough for some veggies - asparagus, potatoes. I can't wait. Gayla Trail from You Grow Girl is coming out with another book - Grow Great Grub.

G is at work. The kids and I have had a lazy morning (still in pjs). One the agenda: making paper via kit, knitting, blog learning and garden daydreaming and planning.

The Ravens loss brought on the tears in O. As I write, he is trying to teach V (age 2) how to tackle and she's rolling with it. Perhaps this is my time to intervene.

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.