Peeks

My good friend, Amanda of Fancie Pants Knits, is a crafty wonder. She is a co-founder of Craft night, where we get together, craft and catch up. She is constantly a source of inspiration and support. I wanted to share a pin she made for me - love!!! It made a 'so-so' day spectacular. She's really been into embellishing old sweaters needing new life and thrifted wonders. She's inspired me to refresh some of my go-to cardigans.

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 did it!!

This is me at a table. Smiley for a variety of reasons.



I signed up for a craft show. I made things, showed up, and sold things. Phewww...All my nights working toward this event caught up with me. I crashed.

Overall, great success. Next step is etsy land (there is no problem with link, just a blank shop that is not open for business...yet). Need to re-charge, instead of plowing through. Hoping to get items up in the new year.

So off to enjoy the December festivities with our friends and family.

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.

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.

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.