Archive for the 'about me' Category

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A Little Family Reunion

Since we’ve moved to our house in Western Ma 2.5 years ago, I’ve been daydreaming of having a big family party. And now that we are moving, everyone came to visit. Most of the visitors stayed for 10 days and over the weekend of July 4, we had 22 people! It was fantastic. Do you know that saying, something like, “Visitors are like fish, after 3 days, they go bad”. Well, my little family is proof that it’s not always that way. Everyone got along, was pleasant, quite appreciative, and a wonderful help.

Family Reunion

Here are a few of the highlights:

Crazy Cousins

I got to meet my brother’s youngest for the first time ever. He’s 5. (They live in South Korea.)

Dad chased his oldest grandson around and ripped up his knee, spent his entire visit on crutches, but was a good sport.

My brother gave up Diet Coke. This is a big deal. He drinks something like 3 cases of it a day. (Is Diet Coke bad for you? – you do the research.)

4th of July Parade

We went to the 61st Annual Chesterfield 4th of July parade. Animals pooped, and well, that was certainly the highlight for the cousins.

Family Picnic

We ate SO MUCH FOOD. For our family picnic, we (I mean GREG Thanks Greg – you rock) grilled pizzas. If you haven’t tried this yet, you really, really must. They are SO DELISH! I used whole wheat dough from Trader Joe’s and for one pizza I carmelized fennel and red onion and added Feta cheese. The other pizzas were topped with mozzarella, basil pesto and tomatoes. YUM!!!

Pizza On The Grill

Bear Prints

That very night, we had visitors. Bears came and toppled our compost. They must have played for a while, there were lots of paths created on the hill. Everyone got a little nervous, but they didn’t come back. Mom fell asleep watching TV, and woke up hearing growling the next night. She tried to wake her husband (he slept through the excitement), and after a few minutes of heart-in-throat, she realized it was the lion on the MGM bit of the movie she was watching.

Cooking

My super wonderful sister-in-law made us “kimbop” (I am spelling this phonetically… but it’s Korean for hot dog – so I’m told). We call them sushi rolls, or California rolls. They were so AMAZING. We stopped at the Korean grocery store and I learned about a few new things that we’ll be adding to our Friday night roll making ritual. They were perfectly rolled and absolutely delicious.

Seeing my daughter and her cousins play together was just priceless. I only wish we could do it every weekend.

Watermelon

It was 10 days. It was wonderful. As everyone left I couldn’t stop thinking about the pictures, did I get enough? (ok, I took over 500…) Did I get the right ones? I don’t want to forget our wonderful time together, and I want Iz to be able to look through the photos and remember too.

Oh Summer…

Summer Swing

Summer is like a big sigh.  It feels good.  Makes you want to breathe more.  I ended this past winter thinking to myself that I need to try to remember the smallest details, especially with Iz.  To enjoy the simplest pleasures and remember how they make me feel, and even how Iz feels.  I tried to make a list of things that I thought would be important, but quickly realized how futile that is, life just happens and enjoying it, and remembering to enjoy it makes me cherish our little family even more.

We spend quite a bit of time in our little garden (or le jardin as my mom would call it and I know call it too!).  I swore up and down last fall that I would keep a garden journal this year, and well, this is as good as it gets!

Lettuce and Peas

I planted these all in early May, our Micro Spicy Greens, Spinach, Arugula, Rainbow Chard, Mesclun and Peas.  Everyday we eat from this garden.  I’m about to plant more greens for the next round.  I should have done it about 2 weeks ago, as this little garden is just about done.  Note for the journal.

Beans, Zucchinis, Peppers, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Eggplant

This bed was planted almost a month later, on June 14 and everything except the Purple Queen beans are starts from my lovely neighbor.  Eggplant, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Pepper, Zucchini and the beans all the way in the back.  Hopefully by the end of this week, my tomato garden will be finished.  I plant heritage cherry tomatoes, and they have all sprouted from the cherries I didn’t pick, but fell to the ground last season.  I have 6 different varieties, we’ll see when they fruit what I have left!

Sampling

Iz is becoming a pro at eating from the garden.  She tries it all, and has spread her picking habits to the lawn, where, thankfully, she asks if she can eat something before popping it into her mouth.  We’ve eaten the clover and sorrel, and she’s got quite the taste for all these greens.

Blooming Peas

Our peas have started to bloom.  Iz is thrilled, since we planted these from seed on May 7, everyday she asks if she can go to the garden and eat the peas.  Soon – we are almost there!

Surprise Radish

A surprise radish.  Surprise because I didn’t read the package carefully.  Micro Greens Spicy Mix from Botanical Interests.

Peonies

Peonies leave me just speechless.

Butterflies

We have about 7 lilac bushes, and the smell on the warm day is enough to sweep you away.  The butterflies love it and we sat and watched hundreds of them for a few days flutter in the warm yummy air from bunch to bunch.

Around Here

Now that we are moving, I find myself taking pictures of everything.  I love this place and just don’t want to forget what it looks like.

Rainbow

thirty seven

37

Such a TEAse

TEAse

I decided to order it direct from the Tea Guys themselves this time instead of hiking it to Whole Paycheck. I really love the Morning Americano. Just a hint of coffee in a black tea. I haven’t had coffee for years and I do miss it, but just can’t stomach it.

Cool things – you can order cute little sample packs to try any of their flavors, I got papaya ginger in my box today and I can’t wait to try it.  AND!  They are local yokels.  The tea itself isn’t harvested in Western Mass (obviously), but it’s all packaged and shipped right in my own back yard!

This is just perfect! Thanks Tea Guys!

My Morning Walk

On My Morning Walk

I woke up to a frost this morning (again – thankfully Rob brought in the basil and rosemary last night).  I threw on the layers and wool socks and off I went on my little walk.  I’ve been so eager for Spring and warm weather and green.  It’s taken a while for the green to pop through all the winter browns and greys.  I love my walks.  I have a little iPod, but I really, really enjoy listening to the birds and water and wind.  I think this has to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve lived.  (Although I’ve enjoyed very much every where I’ve lived…I’m just that kind of person.)

Hopeful for Warm Weather

On my walk a few days ago, not far from this very spot, a coyote crossed the road in front of me.  I was spooked, my heart in my throat and pounding and started singing and whistling and clapping, making some noise to keep other creatures at a safe distance, since they could probably see, hear, smell me and I wouldn’t have known the coyote was there if I hadn’t seen it. It was so quiet.  It was amazing.

Not only do I use this time for my walk, but I also use it for a little meditation.  Thinking about my breathing,  my body (staying healthy), but also as time to meander through my thoughts, sort things out and be able to function for the rest of the day.  It’s quiet, peaceful and invigorating, the perfect start to my day.

Polaroid Love

polaroid love 2001

In honor of ‘Roid Week 2008. Oh Polaroid – how I will miss you!

This was taken in a photobooth in an arcade on the Seattle Waterfront in Spring 2001.

It’s Nice To Be Home…

Stuck in Queens

I loved my visit to NYC. I took the train in early hoping to visit the MET. About 5 minutes from Manhattan the train stopped, for over 2 hours. Electric trains don’t work when the wire runs out, obviously.

But I made it to the MET anyway.
MET Lobby

I think the Metropolitan Museum of Art has to be one of my most favorite places on this planet. Every time I walk into the lobby, I get a little teary and overwhelmed. (It’s not the flowers, my allergies aren’t that bad! – this week anyway). It’s a lovely place filled with history, talent and inspiration.

When I was in college I had a costume class that met every week behind the scenes of The Costume Institute. I was in heaven. I’ve always love clothes, accessories, fashion and textiles. With my little white gloves on, we were able to handle Vionnet, Grés, Schiaparelli, Dior, Balenciaga and, well, everything. We were allowed to study the fabric, the techniques, the embellishments, all the handiwork. Everytime I visit the MET, I head to the Costume Institute first. This time I arrived on the final day of blogmode.

BlogMode

The collection presented for this exhibition was impressive displaying fantastic period pieces as well as innovative ideas from present day designers. I had my favorites, and while I was DYING to take pictures, I didn’t thinking there would be a printed catalog, but there isn’t. The pictures on the web site are small, but there is lots of information to explore.

Tara Donovan has an installation at the MET as well. I am quickly falling for her work, I love discovering the materials used in her pieces. Here, she’s used Mylar tape. I find that I really like the way light plays a part in each piece.

Tara Donovan Installation at the Met

I’ve been craving Spring, so a walk through Central Park was next. Lots of budding color. I love NYC in the spring.

Self Portrait - Central Park

I was in NYC for Printsource. I was working with Patricia Nugent Textiles, a source for vintage inspiration. Here’s what our lovely booth looked like. This is another piece of heaven for me, I love textiles, especially textiles with a story. Makes my heart pitter a bit faster. For the show, there was a lovely selection of clothing, paintings, fabrics and wallpaper. yum, yum and more yum.

Printsource

We finished set-up early and cabbed it off to dinner. On West 37th Street, they were filming something…Evangeline Lilly and Clive Owen in the middle of the photo. Anybody know what they are shooting?
Star Sighting

Another experience :: Wine in a Cup. Don’t try it. Yuck.

Note To Self

I ran into an old friend from college – and out to dinner we went. Hi Andrea! It was FUN! See, Andrea and I used to stop and have lunch on our way back from our class at the MET at an Italian Restaurant on 86th St, so we had a lovely dinner in Little Italy. It was delish!

Catching Up

My last day in the city I was delivering a package when I walked by the Broadway Windows @ NYU. I’ve always loved that they make art accessible by having shows here. And, it was the Hyperbolic Reef that I’ve been fascinated with, and I’m so in love with the ocean right now anyway.

Hyperbolic Reef  -  Broadway Windows @ NYU

I did love my visit to NYC. I miss living there. I’ll keep visiting, and I hope to bring Iz with me next time. I took the bus and met Iz and Rob in NJ. I missed them so much! At least this time, there was no pneumonia.

Riding the truck

At the Diner

Big thanks to Rob for being my Guest BlogStar while I was away.

My Bags Are Packed

My Bags Are Packed

I’m off to the Big Apple for 7 days. I’m excited to spend a little spring time back home. Miss you. I’ll have lots of pics for when return!

xxoo

ps – check back – guest posting will occur by my main star

I Have Been Sewing, Really…

I realized it’s been a while since I’ve shared any of my sewing projects, so I thought I’d give you a little update.

I have been sewing quite a bit. A few birthday presents for kids that left before I could snap a shot. A little twirly skirt and a zippered pouch meant to hold tiny horses.

Doll Quilt detail

I finally finished the Doll Quilt for Iz. I started it a while ago, and finally finished sewing on the binding. I love her reaction when I make her things. So thrilled and she just loves everything I make, and you know that makes it so much easier to keep making her things.

Doll Quilt for A Doll

Remember this hat I made for Iz last year. Well I’ve been noodling with the pattern and have already made this one, then I made this one:

LuckyBucket Hat

I am really in love this with hat. The brim is nice and big to keep the sun away. I am even thinking of making a few out of felted sweaters for our nice cold spring, or next winter. (the lovely pics are from my HomeSchool LuckyStitchers – thanks guys! you ROCK!

WIP  - Spring Coat

I made a spring coat (Built By Wendy, Simplicity 3966), and I am so not in love with it. It’s HUGE! I made it two sizes smaller than what the pattern suggests, and it is still too big. The fabric is wonderful, I love the bright green lining and I am thinking big black bakelight buttons. I haven’t hemmed it yet, I think that I just need to make it the right length and it will be flattering. I’m bummed. I still need a spring coat.

I am almost finished with a lovely wrap dress. I’ll post pictures of it when I’m done (soon, soon, soon)

I am super excited about my next big project. The girls have been wanting to make quilts, and that’s what we are doing this month at LuckyStitches. I’ve also been trying to get everyone to think about their resources and using what they have, so I’ve asked them all to bring a bag of old clothes, bed linens and fabric scraps to share. These items up for swap go in the center of the table and the girls can grab and trade as they cut 3″ strips.

Clothing Swap for Quilts

Or tear 3″ strips. Everyone got a bit of practice doing one of my favorite things, tearing fabric. With a little snip at 3″, then a good strong pull on either side and sheets and big pieces can rip beautifully. I love their faces when they make a little magic too.

Learning to Rip

WIP - Eco Quilt

Here’s the start of mine. From left to right – tweed pants, angora sweater, wool flannel pants. I’m not an earthtone kind of girl, but I am falling in love with these textures and colors. I have a bit more cutting to do as next week we’ll start sewing our scrap strips together.

I’m asking everyone to save all of their scraps from their cutting of the strips and we are going to try to use everything. I’m looking for scrap projects, so if you know of any, please share!

Happy Sewing!

B.W.H

or…Bunny Was Here…
B.W.H. or Bunny Was Here

Bunny ate some carrots and left some loot.

Solid Milk Chocolate Bunny

Solid…Milk….Chocolate….Bunny…..

Hunting for Eggs

Looking for eggs in 2 feet of snow in full winter gear.

Egg Hunt

Cold hands, need mittens, can’t pick up eggs.

Stuck In The Snow

Later that day…stuck in the snow…