Splendid

black and white with a speck of orange...

Halloween is my favorite holiday!  I love all the holidays, but there's something about Halloween; the goofiness of costumes, mummy dogs and trick-or-treating, plus the magical, mystical and aura of the unknown, I must admit I find it captivating!  I pulled out my decorations last week, mostly sticking with a black and white palette, but adding some orange here and there.  I love the old, retro decorations, too.  Most of my decorations are vintage-inspired by artists like Bethany Lowe, Wendy Addison or Lori Mitchell.

I still have a bunch of ripped cheesecloth to hang up over windows and drape across tables, as well as a cemetery to build in the front yard.  We're having a Halloween party here, with themed foods, games and trick-or-treating around the block. Can't wait!

finally.

So sad, I've been working on this mini (or not so mini, I can't even shut it ) and it's done. From over 2 years ago and moved around through 2 countries, last week I glued in the last picture. Almost a month of European pictures; 11 days in London, 4 days Venice, 5 days in Manchester and ending 5 days in Paris). Whew.  But seriously, one of my most favorite times of my life, a vacation of a lifetime, a dream really!  Here's a little bit of it. 

 

 

There's many more pages, I made a lot of fold out pages and pockets for souvenirs and trinkets.  I wanna go back and do it all again.

15.

15 years ago today, I married my best friend. Since then we have made two beautiful, amazing girls, moved almost countless times living abroad and across the US, laughed and cried, traveled the world, supported each other through thick and thin, brought each other coffee in bed, can read each others thoughts, and he still gives me butterflies in my stomach. I love you Bear.

 then.

 

(Wellsville Canyon, Utah, 1996)

yep, rockin' the 80's eyebrows in the mid 90's... rad, I know...

 

(omg, even from the side my eyebows are huge...and those ringlets through the crown...major, I know. Don't be too jealous.)

now.

 
(Eiffel Tower, Paris, France)

He's been gone on a business trip for 9 days and gets back tonight.  I love you Bear, can't wait to see you!!!

Stitch Rock Indie Craft

Okay, all I can say is right now I feel soooooooooooo happy that there are actually cool, fun and independent thinkers here in south Florida. We moved here about 5-6 months ago and after a little searching around I came to the idea that there was nothing like Stitch Rock or the people that attend it.  So, when I stumbled upon this on the internet, I was BEYOND happy, like, seriously, my heart soared.  Saturday I felt like I was being wisked away back to Philadelphia and the First Fridays or craft markets that are pretty rad if I do say so.

  
             
 
I am smitten, and I will return!

Refrigerator dish gift

It was my good friend's birthday a couple days ago and I wondered what I should make her.  She loves handmade, crafty things and she likes retro, thrifty stuff.  I decided I'd make her white and milk chocolate dipped pretzels sprinkled white nonpareils. I layered the pretzels in a glass refrigerator dish and added this cupcake liner flower on top.

I'm going to make more, these were so easy and I feel like a gift I would LOVE to get.

Flipper's home

Yesterday we went down to Marathon, Florida to the Dolphin Research Center for a "dolphin encounter" as they call it.  Little sis had said she wanted to swim with dolphins for her bday gift from us, and after asking around about places that have safe, clean and humane dolphin experiences, we found out this place was the best.  The DRC is the original home of Flipper and they currently do rehab and house dolphins that other aquariums cannot keep.  It's a beautiful little place and you can tell the staff really love these flipper-ed guys and take really good care of them.  What a beautiful afternoon!  The girls loved it as much as I did! Bear acted as photographer and took pictures. 

 

Little sis started it off with a hand shake, so cute, they come up and stick their little flippers in your hands.

Then they gave us each a kiss on the cheek!

 

 We got a dorsal pull ride and got to do hand signals for them to show us their favorite tricks!

 

The DRC also has small water park area and some beautiful waterfall and gardens.

    

After we grabbed lunch at this neat little place on the water (the ahi tuna nachos were delish!). The windows are all open and while it was warm and humid, it was also relaxing. We watched the boats pull up and dock in the back, people coming to grab a piece of key lime pie or a cold beer from the bamboo-covered bar. (And while there was a lot of Tommy Hilfiger tropical shirts going on, but it was still nice...)

          

  
(Pretty sure she cheated here...)

and finally, had to laugh and snap a photo of this beauty. I just about peed my pants at this billboard, so fab-u-lous!

pink & yellow back-to-school pool party.

That was the girls' pick for the party yesterday. Big sis had seen these adorable pink and yellow salt water taffy at the store last week and that sent the wheels a'turnin' for the pool party we wanted to have to get back in the mood for school starting soon.

All the girls had a fun time and hopefully it set the mood for this next week when school starts. School is gonna rock!

sea turtles and moonlight

Big sis turns 11 this next Monday and she picked as part of her family celebration to go watch the sea turtles come in from the ocean, lay eggs and hopefully find some hatch-lings, too, making their way out to the big, bad ocean for their first time. We were blessed with both a couple nights ago. The Science and Discovery Museum has guided "Sea Turtle Walks" for a month each year here in south Florida. Since the sea turtles are all endangered, it is against the law to go searching for the turtles, especially at the egg laying and egg hatching time of year, unless with an organization with permits, such as a museum. We started the night off arriving at the museum early, which ended up being great because the guide gave us a private tour of the museum's animal section. He took us behind the tanks where they feed the animals, climbed inside a tank and got out a baby alligator we could pet (carefully!), a starfish and a cousin to the cockroach, a horseshoe crab (yuuuck...) The girls were so excited!

After a presentation on the Loggerhead turtles, we went down to the beach to wait, and wait.... we laid in beach chairs and hammocks listening to the oceans gentle lapping and far off into the distance the sounds of rumba-ing Latin beats... When we arrived some other turtle conservationist group was there helping release the newly hatching eggs into the sea, which was so cute and so sweet to see. The little turtle munchkins were like the size of a small pancake and had to paddle with all their baby might to make it over the waves and out into the sea. From about 10:30 until almost 1 am we laughed, talked with the guide in the pictures above about his work on a gator farm and fire spinning (the male version of fire hooping), traveling, etc. then suddenly another guide called in that he'd found a mama laying eggs about a half mile down the beach. We high-tailed it, quietly, yet quickly down to where the 300 pound mama sat in her egg-laying zone. The guides whispered for us to get low, get back as not to disturb her, and be careful and quiet. The group of 20 sat, open mouthed or slightly smiling, at the once in a lifetime sight of this huge prehistoric shell of a turtle plop egg after egg into her deeply dug pit. The girls were right up front, probably 2 feet from her, and were amazed. You could see the markings on her shell from propeller damage, a long piece of seaweed was stuck to her, and you'd hear a small grunt or snort every once and awhile.

( picture taken from the web as I was too in awe -- and it was pretty dark and flashes area no-no--to remember to get out my camera, but this is what she looked like. ) Then after she lays her eggs, she throws sand over the pit to cover up the many eggs, and then hauls herself back over the sand and out to the sea. It's an amazing sight. There are only a handful of places in the world where there are turtles, and they only do this a couple months out of the year, but if you ever have a chance to go walk along the ocean in the moonlight and see one of nature's wonders happen, I highly recommend it!

red, white and blue rewind

The 4th was a blast back here at our place. We started the day off with a parade that went through the Town Center, then a swimming and BBQ party all day at our place. We ended the day with watching the fireworks across the lake from our home (some nice people had a lovely fireworks show from fireworks they'd purchased on an Indian reservation). We had the "safe and sane" you can buy, which I have to say I don't think are all that safe, or sane.

We missed last July 4th living in Mexico, and it was so nice to be back! I hope all my American friends had a nice Independence Day, too!

hey, that's me!

I had completely forgotten about this atc interview I did months ago for Scrapbook Trends magazine "Embellish" special issue. Some of my favorite crafty girls were also featured, so take a look!

The article was done by the talented Jennifer Gallacher who interviewed me about the fun atc community and how atcs work.

Here's my embroidered Gothic Queen of Hearts atc, and there's Angie next to me with her fantastic Gothic Queen card, too. There are so many talented ATC crafters out there, I felt so honored to be included with them. The magazine can be ordered online here, or found at most Barnes and Noble bookstores or Michael's craft stores. Also, Simply ArTistiC blog is still having atc swaps if your interested in getting your craft on.

 

a quick hello

Well, it's been awhile, we've been really busy getting settled into life in south Florida, hence, my lack of posts. We have started a new school, new job, new gym, new swim lessons, just had our furbaby arrive here from Mexico (poor girl, she hated that trip in the crate!) We will be buying a home in 2 days and moving (once again) from our temporary apartment, but I've had a jolly time buying lots of fun new things from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie and Etsy and the local thrift stores for the new house. So, I am still here, just been busy trying to juggle everything, but I anticipate soon returning to Blog Land. I have some exciting crafty-related news coming up soon, too!!

What's new with all of you??

spring break eternal...

We are adjusting to life here in Florida quite well... We just had spring break here, sun and sand were our theme.  We had a "staycation" and went to the beach, watched movies, lounged by the pool, rode new bicycles, visited the Everglades, BBQed with burgers and toasted smores and slept in...loved it.

 

The girls have had 1 1/2 weeks of school now, and luckily they both were welcomed by their classmates more than I could have hoped for. Big sis has 2-3 of the girls calling and texting her numerous times a day, she is happy and I am, too. Little sis was excepted quickly as well and as her teacher said, "had girls fighting over sitting next to her at lunch."  I feel so content, my heart is smiling. This week they started dance lessons and next week they start swimming twice a week.

We also put an offer on a home that was accepted, so around April 28th we'll have a new place to hang our hats. It has a cute little backyard with a lovely pool with a waterfall, hot tub and large patio perfect for entertaining. It is a very plain-jane home, but has good bones. The kitchen and baths are a little outdated, and I am dying to finally get my IKEA white country kitchen. I am already dreaming of Anthropologie rugs and IKEA storage containers and big sis has a whole new bedding set picked out from Urban Outfitters. Agh...now to win the lottery...

toffee magazine

I was beyond honored when Toffee Magazine asked me to do a couple crafts for their second issue. Toffee is a fabulous magazine with beautiful photography, crafts, cooking, current trends, eye candy galore, free downloadables and articles from Indie Artists and Crafters.  They are sort of a Martha meets Frankie love child (with DIY as an Uncle) kind of magazine. I highly recommend you check them out and get a subscription!!

They sent me a file of their lovely Spring papers to make something spring-y...I made these two projects, a paper cone with a little bird, ready to be displayed for spring or Easter. Chirp, chirp... 

 
and an Easter card, complete with a vintage Bunny cupcake topper.

 
Both are super simple crafts, just perfect for quick Spring decorating. You are able to download for FREE all their super sweet and beautiful papers here!!!  Go and take a look at them, I promise you won't be disappointed.

A wish and review...

Hi there new year! I'm glad to meet you...I hope you'll be good to me this next year.  I'm looking forward to being friends..And I'm wishing you all the most wonderful year to come!  Can you believe it's 2011?  Any special wishes for this new year?  Mine is smooth transition. We have a lot of big things happening, even in the first 3 months, and I wish, eyes tightly shut, for a smooth transition, free of hiccups and nervous feelings, my girls effortlessly making new friends in a new town in a new school...poor chicas...Dave's new position turns out to be the best ever...I get to shop at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods once again-whoop!....unpacking our little treasures that have been in storage for over 2 years now ( my milkglass, antique camera collection, half of my clothes, cooking gadgets), look for a new home, need to buy a new car, a new couch, find a school for the girls, find a new hairdresser, find new doctors, new acupuncturist, new driver's license, new phone number, pray the girls are happy, poor chicas.... well, you?  What's your wish?  I hope we both get ours.

Now onto a year in review with pictures...I made 2 mosaics.  I thought about doing more, I take a lot of pictures, so 2 was hard to cram in only the most important. Which is hard, because each day is important to me... There's quite a few trips and special times missing, but this gets the 2010 gist across.

 
 
Travel, birthdays, holidays, lost teeth, living abroad, meeting new friends, visiting with old friends, crafting, heartache over lost pets, lessons learned, all in all, it was a good year.

the days of xmas...

This week the girls are on vacation and we've been sleeping in, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows I bought back from the States last week, watching movies (Polar Express 4x, It's a Wonderful Life 1x, Charlie Brown's Christmas 2x, Christmas Story 1x, you get the idea). Wrapping presents, doing our advent calendar treasure hunt each day, making cookies and peppermint bark, listening to holiday songs, doing arts-n-crafts for gifts and for fun, reading some of out favorite holiday books. It's been nice. Very nice.

   
  
 
 
 
 
We wish you all a very happy holiday and fantastic 2011!!!

summer vacation mini

I finally got around to finishing my summer vacation mini book.  I actually have one page half done (of our San Fransisco trip), but the rest is done.  It was a fun one to make, I love minis, I don't know why I don't do them more often...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
2 months total away from Mexico on vacation, traveling through the US seeing fam and friends; 9 days spent in an RV on the beach, walks through the Redwood Forest, many photobooth pictures with Dave and friends at my fave bar (the signature Fred and Ginger cocktail was my summer drink), roller-coasters, pink, sticky, pink cotton candy fingers, concerts (General Public in Truckee under the stars and Matisyahu in a hazy, pot-filled auditorium), Saturday morning farmer's markets, DRIVE-THRU Starbucks (!), shopping in San Fran (God I miss UO), clam chowder on the wharf, yummy ice cream from Bi-Rite creamery, ocean waves crashing on the beach, Crafting Wednesdays, Tahoe Mondays (and the occasional Thursday), Forever 21 stops, American tv, annual girls trip to Ohio with dear friends whom I miss the other 361 days a year, Trader Joes (God I miss TJ's...), thrifting, thrifting and more thrifting, BBQs with family, riding my bike along the river, my morning walks through the forest each morning, State Fair Carnival, El Pollo Loco, time spend with my mom (miss her so much!), sand between my toes, sleeping in, hoping summer would never end. I loved making this mini book, all the pictures hold such wonderful memories!  
 

spooky soiree

Happy Halloween you all!!! We had our Halloween party Friday night, so fun!  We had over 80 people at times, people filtering in and out.  People started arriving at 9:30 and until after 1 am! (That's Mexico for you).  The last of the people to leave was after 5:30...soooo tired yesterday... but it was super fun!  I made all Halloween themed foods; mummy dogs (turkey hot dogs wrapped in pizza dough), cemetery salad (with a garlicky-balsamic dressing- to keep Vampires away), witches fingers (bread-sticks with a small, red bell pepper as a fingernail), shrunken pumpkin salad ( a pasta salad that looked like mini pumpkins with a garlicky-alfredo sauce and sun-dried tomatoes), cupcakes decorated as brains, and some with stitches, blood-shot eyeball cookies, magic wand cookies (pretzels on one end dipped in white chocolate and dipped in sprinkles), and various chips and dips and such....Wish you could have come!!!!

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
   
 
Hope you have a great Halloween?  We're carving pumpkins with friends and having another Halloween inspired dinner, and the 2 American houses on our block are waiting for us to trick-or-treat. Any special plans for you??

Getting a jump on Halloween...

Some American friends across the street had their annual Halloween party.  My friend Amy is so uber creative when it comes to decorating or entertaining.  Like me, Halloween is her big thing and she has for years been collecting swash-buckling beheaded pirates, crawling zombies, eerie looking dolls with jagged teeth and a plethora of rats and spiders. She's like Martha Stewart, glittering skulls, crafting crawling spiders and making themed foods that could be in Living magazine. Since 80% of our Halloween stuff is in a storage place in the US, I was so excited to go to her magically scary place! It was fun!

 
 Do you think it's too short?  It's the angle, too...just saying...  This is my new Amy Whinehouse meets Snookie wig.  I LOVE it, I may start wearing it everyday.  We took pictures at our house (pictures of my decor to follow in the next week) before we walked over.

 
Athena was big sis' costume and little sis went as a geisha.  I love her with dark hair!  And a couple family portraits.  Yes, that is my lovely husband as an aerobics instructor with too tight of a leotard on...

 
and across the street at Amy's...

 
    
 

Athena says from her foggy apparition, "My people, you have disappointed me!"
 
 
Are you planning something extra fun this Halloween????  and I mean it, do you think my dress is too short?  Or not short enough? (just askin'...)

Girls who like rainbows....

That was the theme for little sis' birthday party last Friday.  We invited all the girls in her class over to the place where she does art every Thursday. They played games, decorated bags with ribbons, faux flowers, beads, sequins iron-ons, buttons and whatever else the studio had in its boxes of crafty materials.  They painted ceramic figurines and ran screaming and dancing.  Smacking their frosting covered lips while giggling and eating cupcakes with a rainbow of skittle fruity deliciousness on top, had croissant sandwiches (shaped like a rainbows) and picked fruit off the rainbow inspired fruit platter...all in all it was a success!

 
  

Happy birthday little sis- your "girls who like rainbows" party was as fun and colorful as you are!

Mexican Independencia

Here in Mexico it's the 200 year bicentennial.  The streets are filled with people dancing, there are parades, fireworks, canons bellowing and parties all over.  We stayed inside today because it's TOO crazy with drunk driving and some crowds of craziness.  We had some friends over to have veggie enchiladas, carne asada and ensalada...and lots of margaritas... this year all the stores and such are decorated with the red, white and green and colorful flags and bigotes (mustaches) all over the place.  We agree, bigotes are que bueno!

 
Te espero tienes una dia fabulosa, tambien!

lucky sevens....

Seven years ago I entered the hospital on Labor Day, in labor.  The nurses loved to point that out, "Hey Mom!  You're in labor on Labor Day!"  with big grins. Ha!  I laughed, laughed and laughed...(not really.)  But little sis' delivery was a snap I must say, I've had workouts harder.  And just like my pregnancy and delivery with her, such a breeze, she is like that today, a breeze of fresh air and a radiating sunshine that makes people who sit with her feel the innocence, kindness and generosity that is little Coco's true spirit. She makes me laugh everyday.  She's a riot.  The things that come out of her mouth are made for a larger audience.  She is goofy and yet witty, she belongs under the big top or on stage. She  makes me think everyday.  For all the innocence she possesses, she equally possesses great insights for her young age.  She makes me proud everyday, she's probably one of the kindest people I've ever met. 

We baked cookies for breakfast in her new handmade apron...then we went to the movies and saw the new Tinkerbelle movie and walked through the Aviary in Polanco...

Then we had a BBQ with friends to celebrate her lucky number 7...she dressed in her best Princess costume...

And ended the night with the tradition of reading "On The Day You Were Born",,,  I bawl, they laugh.

Next week is the party with her girl classmates at a ceramics studio, the theme is " girls who love rainbows"  she said when we picked out her plates and favor bags...pictures to follow later.

Happy birthday little one, we love you more than you'll ever know!!!

Seaside camping...

The girls and I decided it would be splendid to spend 8 days on the northern California coast with my mom.  And it was.  I love the ocean, especially the Pacific coastline.  My parents have a new 40 ft travel trailer which I thought might be a pain and tight, but this thing has it all.  Bathroom, full kitchen, DVD/CD player, flat-screen tv, indoor/outdoor speakers, comfy beds...made me rethink trailer living...  We stayed in a RV park in Bodega Bay, about an hour north of San Fran. It was pretty chilly at night, more so than normal the local people said, but I loved smelling the eucalyptus trees and walking down to the beach and hearing the waves crash against the sand.  We loved making smores in the middle of the day and leaving the dishes in the sink until the next morning.  (My dad, "Mr. Clean," drove us up there, parked and hooked up the trailer, then left us = fab.u.lous.) We went to an Apple County Festival in Sebastopol (one of my favorite Cali towns from back in my Deadhead days) and ate apple fritters, bought handmade soaps, watched a canning demo, saw amazing crafts, big sis did a beekeeping demo (knowledge from her Philadelphia Homeschoolers beekeeping class) with a Sonoma County beekeeper, and listened to some awesome bands.  We walked through magnificent Redwoods, dazed by their grandeur and sublime beauty, all the while looking for gnomes and butterflies and treehuggers.  We played in the cold Pacific water and had sand in places sand should not be. We found endless supply of seashell booty and laughed at the boobing heads of sealions peeking at us way out in the tides to see what all the screaming laughter was about. We ate salt water taffy for appetizers at dinner and flew kites and made baby voices at sea lions on a pier. We went to farmer's markets and bought local, organic produce and cheese. We shopped in cute, little boutiques and perused shops with seashells, smoked salmon jerky and retro toys.  We went antiquing and thrifting in quiet, shingle-sided towns. We visited the schoolhouse where Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed.  We visited an old barn that birds lived in. We ate organic, handmade ice cream in flavors like strawberry jubilee and deep, dark secret. We visited local sites and lighthouses, climbing sandy hillsides high above, overlooking the ocean and sandy dunes. We walked along the Russian River and chatted with some people at the Sundance Festival (a gay community festival). We stayed up late watching Glee episodes on my computer and slept in until 10. We played games and rode bikes and ate fish-n-chips three times. It was a good week.

 

 


 
   

 
 
 






 
 
 
 
  

 

 
 
 

 

 



 
  
  

 

 

  

What a lovely end to a beautiful summer.  This was by far one of my most favorite summers, visiting with friends and family, traveling a bit, going to Lake Tahoe, crafting, camping in Sonoma, all of it was awesome!  We go back to Mexico in 3 days.  I'm a little heartsick, but it'll be okay.

(I know this was a long one with a lot of pictures---but it was more for me, so thanks for hangin' in there!)

What was your favorite thing about your summer?
 

Chocolate bunnies and Xmas trees....

While making Easter baskets with my mom (glass of wine in hand) I realized, chocolate Easter bunnies signifies it's time to take down the Christmas tree...

Happy Easter ya all...

In honor of Corey and my Tigerbeat Date Dream..

I don't know about you, but as a teen in the 80's, I super loved Corey Haim.  Lost Boys is still a favorite and Lucas, I loved that movie, too.  I was pretty sad to hear he passed away a few weeks ago after years of battling drug addiction and illnesses.  I thought I'd share this picture from the wall at my mom's house...It seems like eons ago, I won the Tigerbeat Date Dream, yep, one lucky person got to go to their high school prom or dance with Corey Haim...it was magical.. With my big hair, big eyebrows and big, pink dress, it was like, totally radical! Spandau Ballet, Soft Cell and Cyndi Lauper playing all night, yep, I can't kiss and tell, but I can tell you, we did "Rock the Casbah..." 

Seriously, I dated a guy who my dad didn't really fancy, so the 2 dances I went with him I wasn't allowed to put up our dance portraits. I grabbed my handy Tigerbeat magazine and found the head that would fit over his...this is obviously pre-photoshop...While I did adore Corey, he was also the only one whose head fit properly.  Little gluestick action and wha-lah!!  I got to hang up my dance portraits...a tutorial shall follow if there's a need for it from my loyal readers....

(oh, and FYI, I went to a dance with Kevin Costner, too...)

it was like Christmas and a birthday all wrapped up in a pretty bow...

My mom sent down 7 big boxes of stuff yesterday.  It was like super exciting to open the boxes and see scrapbook kits I'd ordered 2 or 3 months ago, the possibilities overflowing.  Milkglass she'd found thrifting and knew I'd like. My Frankie Magazine (thanks Jodie!!) and Frankie books I'd ordered 2 months ago. My jewelry stand from Urban Outfitters I'd ordered months ago, along with a dress I'd meant to take to Europe.  My beautiful flower brooches from Beth, so delicate and creative, an orange and plum houndstooth jacket from Modcloth, it had finally all arrived!! Trader Joes Organic Mac and Shells, the girls love them and so my mom sent quite a few boxes as you can see. More Instax film! I was in heaven!!  Super excited, now, I plan on scrapbooking for the 3 design teams I've been seriously slacking on this weekend...

What are your weekend plans?

a year in review

*In 2009, rewind*

*celebrated New Years in Lake Tahoe* started the coolest homeschool class on colonial life *learned to sew (both big sis and me) * big sis had her art displayed in 3 coffee shops * I made the Category Stories DT * climbed some of the world's highest pyramids * saw Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul * made it on the catwalk twice* roller-skated a lot * joined the Philadelphia Museum of Art* became obsessed with photobooths * housed a caterpillar and watched it turn into a butterfly * took a couple awesome online craft classes * learned to bake carrot cake muffins * had my parents come for a visit in Philadelphia for Easter * ate too many carrot cake muffins * dyed eggs in Martha Stewart style  *had a couple fun dance parties and our annual talent show * went around Philadelphia and left love notes for unsuspecting passersby * saw the Betsy Ross house (twice) * saw Micheal Franti and Spearhead * watched the girls climb a lot of trees * made the Scrap Mojo DT *  watched little sis delighted in her gardening class * watched big sis sew a quilt and knit a doll blanket * totally proud to watch Sarah sing in her new band * stepped back and watched from a distance as big sis took a bee-keeping class * splashed merrily in Ana's pool* ate too much Tikka Masala and chicken Vindaloo from Tiffin * made note to self that there was no such thing as too much Tikka Masala and chicken Vindaloo * helped pack up my house for shipping some personal things to Mexico * missed Dave a lot since he was traveling so much for work * went thrifting more than I should admit * added wonderfully to my milkglass collection * went to Nashville for Sisinaversary '09 * met some of the coolest, craftiest ladies on the face of the earth * fell in love with some of the coolest, craftiest ladies on the face of the earth * celebrated July 4th at Ana's pool with sparklers and cocktails (good combo, safe...) * hoola-hooped a lot * cried, denied and clung to friends as we said good-bye for a couple years * moved to another country * started Spanish lessons twice a week *  played cards in a small Mexican puebla with Mexicans, Frenchmen, a German and a meowing stray cat (sounds like the beginning of a joke)* received a cute, black puppy from a friend named Frida after Frida Kahlo * went to Acapulco to celebrate big sis turning 9 * rode horses on the beach * built sandcastles * screamed when a black scorpion came out of our suitcase * visited one of the world's largest Zocolos * watched Aztec dancers * learned to make handmade tortillas * had a blessing from a Shaman * hugged little sis on her 6th bday * visited a farm * bungee jumped and repelled on a zip line * went to my parents for a long visit * skipped rocks in the Truckee River * happy to BBQ with family and friends * big sis and little sis taught their 19 year old cousins to hoola-hoop * went to Chicago to see Matty and have a girl's weekend with Mandi, Jen and Patty * went to the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair  * had lunch with Martha (she let the restraining order slide that day...) * went gold mining in Virginia City* had an old-fashioned saloon girls picture taken with the girls and my mom * was so excited to see my best friend Lainie find love and get married * made it on the Creative Type DT * started homeschooling grades 4 and kindy * got another female puppy and named her Violet * had in-laws here for 2 weeks * celebrated Dave's 35th b-day * celebrated my 13th year anniversary to the sweetest, hottest bo-hunk ever *  with happiness and regret enrolled the girls into a bilingual school *  went back to Philadelphia and cried like a baby when we packed up the rest of the house and decided to sell it * cried more * went to the pumpkin patches and hay rides the NE is so wonderfully suited for * carved pumpkins * was pleasantly surprised at how our Mexican neighbor's celebrated Halloween * went to a huge Day of the Dead sugar skull fair in Toluca * scrapbooked, knitted and crafted up a storm for 3 weeks when my mom came to visit us * toured a 400 year old castle * hiked in the mountains in Mexico 9,000 feet above sea level *celebrated my 36th bday * made a turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce for Turkey Day for 3 Mexicans and 1 Italian * went on a drive-through safari * petted kangaroos and almost got kissed by a camel * bought plane tickets for Europe (U.K., Paris and Venice) * stayed awake a few nights worried if we can afford Europe * Violet escaped out of a friend's yard and ran away, never found her * cried over the loss of Violet * celebrated Christmas on the beach * fell asleep before midnight on new years *

and my resolutions:

1. exercise at least 4 times a week

2. keep up with formal Spanish language lessons

3. sew and craft more

4. try not to worry about the little things

Happy 2010 to you!! Wishing all the best to you!

What are your 2009 highlights?  What are your resolutions?

Santa at the beach...

We made an impromptu trip to Acapulco this year for Christmas.  We've never had a "warm" Christmas, usually spent in Lake Tahoe/Verdi (my parents), San Fransisco/bay area (Dave's parents) or Philadelphia (our house) and it's cold! It was awesome to lay poolside drinking pina coladas or body surf the waves in the ocean...Santa brought all the presents to our hotel room.

Big sis jumping for joy!

me and my big pina colada...

Xmas sunset

and mi esposo...I know, don't be jealous ladies...

Lola, the parrot **** little nutcracker girl  **** poolside...

a scene from Top Gun, right? (ha!)

Little sis, so happy Xmas morning after Santa came...

playing with the toys Xmas morning...6 am...

Hope you had a great holiday and have a healthy, happy 2010!!!

starting black friday a little early....

since I live outside of the States this Xmas, I need to get on the ball with my holiday shopping to allot time for shipping down...

1 thumbprint stamp kit...look at the tips for matryoshkas and squirrels!

2 pillowcases that she loved when she saw them on the net...

 3 cute retro bento boxes...perfect for school lunches...

4 rolls of deco tape

5 russian nesting dolls, of course every holiday the girls get another matryoshka to add to our ever growing collection...

and for little sis...

one Calico Critter townhouse (it lights up at night)

2 knitted slippers

 

3 felted dolls

 she loves them...

 

4 super cute hair clips

and of course, 5 matryoshkas...

 

I was hoping to make it back to the states around Thanksgiving for some craft fairs, but alas, no...I must admit I'm bummed about not to be able to do the shopping in person, but then again, it's nice to sit back and order everything without the crowds.  Hope you're having a great weekend!

 

Sugar Skull Tour

Yesterday we went to Toluca about an hour outside of Mexico City for a sugar skull market tour. It was so interesting to hear the history of the Mexican candies and of other traditions and customs of Dia de los Muertos.  Dia de los Muertos is November 1st and 2nd, but people prepare for weeks. Dancing skeletons and coffins, skulls with colorful designs and bones are all part of what they view as a duality that while we must celebrate and embrace life, we also must celebrate and embrace death.

  

they have many alters to honor those who have passed...

 


at the Botanical Gardens,

Our apartment complex had a huge Halloween party tonight. There was over 70 trick-or-treaters in the buildings running around. After the 2 hours of trick-or-treating they had a party in the Salon de Fiesta downstairs.  More candy, food and games.  For Mexico not really observing Halloween, it was pretty cool. The girls dressed up early in their costumes.  Big sis was a "truth or dare" devil and little sis was the on-land Ariel.

cutest baby ever...

Little sis and her friend Minnie Mouse 

Hope you have a great Halloween, too!

Let the fun begin...

I'm here in Chicago for my girl's weekend (well, my bf Matty is here, too.  He's so kindly opened up his swanky State Street apartment to us gals).  Patty just called, she's on her way, Jen and Mandi should be here in a few hours.  Tomorrow is the Renegade Craft Fair and shopping, dinners, gold coast, cocktails and seeing the Chicago sights! SO FUN!!!  Martha is even coming to hang out with us!!!

I'm so bummed Sandy and Vanessa couldn't come. Amy thought she'd be here, but that's next week. We'll have to come back here here again!!! Heather, Angie and Sarah, you guys HAVE to come next time!!! Heather, I need help with my make-up...

more pictures and skying this weekend!!!

Here's a skyline view from Matt's balcony last night...a little blurry...no tripod and 2 margaritas...

I'll prob use Most of Mandi's pics for the next post...she's such a better photog and editor...

 Have a GREAT weekend!!

(Sandy, I hope you're feeling better!)

happy birthday pixie girl!!

My girl is 6 today!!! She's in bed now...but we had a lovely day together...first big sis and I made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast...

Thinking about her wish....

This afternoon we went to Los Granjas de Americas.   Little sis is a huge nature lover, she is always drawn to insects and plants and exploring the outdoors in general. This place is like a farm mecca with goats and cows and pigs and other farm animals. You can take lessons in tortilla making,growing potatoes and corn, milking a cow, how goat cheese is made, etc.  Sounds lame to some, but to my junior naturalist this is the best!

so cute!!

look at these little sweeties!

taking a pony ride...

a little mini golf...

  

make your own comida! the girls are learning the history of corn and tortillas...

and Dave and I rode the zip line across the park. It was about 4 stories high, so fun!

The best is Dave in his business clothes on the zip line-too fab!!!

the girls loved the bungee line-trampoline jumping contraption, 

and do I have something in my teeth?

what 'bout me?

I know, sexy...

Tomorrow I pack for our 2 week trip home to the States and we leave on Sunday. I'm so excited to see my family and friends.  Hope your weekend is going well, too!  What are your plans?

homeschool days...

As I've told some of you out there, we plan on putting the girls in a small, private school down the  street.  It's a bilingual school with a great reputation and the girls have already met a few girls in the school there.  As many of my friends know, this is bitter sweet for me.  I truly LOVE homeschooling and would gladly do it as long as I could.  But here in Mexico, it's not common and many people look at us like we're strange and scheduled play dates like those homeschool groups in the States are not common. Because there is so much traffic and finding parking is so bad here, I doubt we will get to do a lot of things or activities "after school" like in the states and I fear they'll feel isolated. So the school thinks they'll take the girls October 1, a little late, but luckily the girls have already met 5 girls in the school, 3 of which each has become very close with.

But for now I'll hang onto the homeschool dream...

Geography...

learning to count by 10's...

learning to read with Bob books...

Big Sis loves the American Girl Doll series.  Nothing like reading in your jammies for school...

learning to count money...

and labeling everything in spanish, so fun! Check out the book...HA!

Which leads me to another aspect of homeschooling which I love.  Learning math, science and social studies hands-on.

Learning about everyday stuff like cooking is really important in my opinion for everyone, but learning to measure different ingredients for weight and volume is a great way to learn science and math. The girls have learned to make real Mexican tortillas a couple times a week with Areceli.

Starting in September we're beginning our Frida's Fiesta's studies.  One dinner a month we're taking real Frida Kahlo recipes from a cookbook Frida's step-daughter wrote(Diego's daughter from his first marriage)and having a feast.  

Come over...it'll be delish!!!

happy birthday cricket!

i can't believe she's 9. where did the time go? everyday we spend together i fall more in love with her. everyday i spend with her i'm so glad she's mine.i love seeing her happy and exploring and seeing the world around her. i want to help her experience so much and see so much and learn so much. but i want her stop stop growing up already. doesn't she know how expensive a 2 bedroom apartment off of campus will be for us, because i'm following close behind. yep...

so we went to acapulco for her birthday. it was a blast. we stayed at the fairmont aztec princess on the beach.

we rented horses for a little horseback riding on the beach...

we played in the surf...frida was scared at first, then she loved it...

we swam in the lovely pool...there's a waterfall with a bar behind the waterfall. the young lady and i had daiquiris together, her's was a virgin of course.  there's also a toboggan/slide that the girls went down about 785,457,980 times. and then caves to explore. 3 fun days!

cannonbaaaaaaall!

if you like drinkin' pina coladas, or gettin' caught in the rain...

as always, no matter where we go, pixie is forever the junior naturalist!

our good family friend joined us as well, Tio Troy is always good for a piggy back...

here's the resident parrot...he says, hola, padre and madre...

and flamingos...

and besos from little sis <3 <3 <3
 

her birthday we asked the mariachi band to sing to her... 9, i can't believe it...

happy birthday sweetness!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

our weekend...

playing at friend's...down on the little "farmette"...

now don't freak out, this is a rescued squirrel my friend found when it was only a day old, it has no rabies, has been to the vet a couple times and is very sweet and tame-ish.  he's being released into the wild next week since he's now 3 months old...his name is mr. skimbelshanks, however he might drop it once he's back with his homies...

then over at ana's pool party...

pool party with sparklers

would ja like a cool one?

or skate a bit in the garage?

me remembering the good 'ol days...i won a hoola hooping competition in summer camp once...yep...

 

yummm...blueberry pie!

a little rock band...flash forward 10 years and these 2 will have a girl band...

happy birthday erin!

ana...always the life of the party!

today; more packing, cleaning and then bbq with friends before we head out for mexico in 2 days...hopefully life will return back to normal in the next couple weeks.  i feel like we've been shot gunning all over...hope you had a nice weekend! all the american friends out there, happy independence day! did you do anything fun?

SisCon '09

While I do admit I love scrapbooking and all things crafty, I never thought I'd actually spend money to fly somewhere to scrapbook.  But I did and I'm so glad I did.  I met the coolest chics around. Many of them I've already been emailing and blogging with, but to meet them face to face, hear about their interesting lives, have happy hour, laugh so hard we had the front desk tell us to shut it, getting lost everywhere we went, talking in southern accents, spending way too much money here and here and here, not getting enough sleep, food or scrapbooking in (but made it up with margaritas), totally worth it all!!! I can't WAIT for next year!!

Patty and Sandy, I just adore them!!! 

love me some Big Dinners.  Here's BP/BD and me, we made each other Sis yearbooks.  She's the sweetest tart ever!

Here's a picture when Heather kept rubbing up against me...but I sort of liked it...Okay, I loved it...

Patty, we just couldn't keep her out of the bushes...she loves to bird watch...

Coolest gang

Hey! It's Jen Renee, Amy (so talented) and Sandy (Paper Poopies,I mean Poppies!)

here's the layout I did for Amy (her picture-long story). She did one for me, I'll have to take a pic and post it. It's super cute!  The funniest thing is I only had 4 photobooth strips at Sis, no real pictures...Who goes to a scrapbook convention without pictures??? Did I mention we had margaritas though? 

me and Vanessa, the PA girls!

Me and Martha, here's the layout she did for me (she didn't seem to remember the restraining order against me, so that was cool...)

Amy doing her Beyonce dance, so cute!

(stolen from Jen) doesn't JJ look thrilled to be there with me?

Yes, I take scrapbooking VERY seriously, people! "Now, should I put poop head or poop face, what did Amy tell me????"

me and amy=me happy!!

I stole this from Mandi, my newest idol! Man, she can jump!

 Vanessa, AW and Mandi

What did I tell you? I had a problemo,pero nada no mas... 

Mandi and Michelle

 

as Patty said, the 4 Georgia Peaches...

holy crap Big Dinners, put 'em away now!!! Oh, I LOVE her!!!

SHHHHHHHH!!!! Pillow fights in undies happened right after this!

well, right after this, I mean...

do not try this at home!

then it was nighty-night time...

I pretty much spent the entire weekend attached at the hip to 3 of my newest favorite girls (Sandy, Patty, Jen), and totally fell in love with a few more (Big Dinners, Mandi, Vanessa, Amy and Heather). We all mentioned doing another girls weekend sooner than later and I'm totally ready!  I can't imagine only seeing these chics once a year!

The last day the fab 4-some went shopping in Nashville at Anthro,

 

ate lunch and then headed to the airport where we sat at each person's gate, saying good-bye one by one until we all flew off into the sunset (insert sad violin music here)...

This is my famous "deer in the headlights" look, feel free to use it...

Bye Jen!!! And Patty!!! And Sandy!!! Hasta Luego! Until we meet again...soon, oh, yes, verrrrrrryyy soon....

what an egg-cellent week i had...

I know, that title is pretty cheesy...first our photobooth pics from the good ol' dip-n-dunk at El Vez. Bunny ears and all...

Grandma and her girls
we took mi madre there for dinner last Wednesday night.  She'd never been and it's SO freakin' good...

Dave and I had a strip of photobooth fun, too, but I finagled the manager of El Vez to get me a t-shirt made with it like the waiters and waitresses wear. In a month I'll get my new shirt with a copy of the pic down the right breasteses...very cool!

and my rva felt pin I made and gave to my mom on Easter. The class is almost done and I have about 6 projects to do, but did more than half that was "assigned." It was/is a goodie...

and my latest layout... and for no reason other than I just adore Anne Taintor..."They Hated to Spread Gossip"

(made with the Noel Mignon kit, really cool!)

We dyed a couple dozen eggs, but also I was inspired by my lovely friend Angelina over at the Little Traveler's blog.  You separate a paper napkin and basically decoupage the printed paper onto a hard boiled egg. 

We have such a great street for kids.  Our neighbor down the street has a big Easter egg hunt party each Easter. They do a hunt that spans over 3 yards and then have a party afterward.  I also made lemon-poppyseed bread for 5 of my neighbor families and tied them up with a neat Ikea towel and ribbon.

 

(my girls waiting for the block Easter egg hunt...)

Dave left this morning for Mexico for 2 1/2 weeks again.  We'll go down for a month in May.  We'll miss him, but we're looking forward to spending Cinco de Mayo in Mexico-should be fun! 

How were your holidays? Are you coming down off your sugar high yet?  Did you do anything special?

my people

Having my parents here has been awesome.  My house is 100 years new so my dad planed old, funky doors that didn't shut properly, rewired a bath light, so graciously bought me new furniture for my front porch since all mine was taken away to storage on the west coast when we thought the girls and I were moving to Mexico for the whole year (confused?  Me, too..read past posts if you want more info), we planted flowers in pots on the front porch and my mom and I are painting my small half this week. But more than all the gifts and handy help, there's NOTHING better than subjecting your 70 year old dad, good old dad, Papa as the Little's call him, to impromptu dance parties,talent shows and walks through Philadelphia to leave "love notes." For those just tuning in here at our home, we are known to every once and awhile go out for the day, stopping by stores, coffee shops, visiting cracks in the walls of 140 year old buildings and topiaries by doorways, with tiny, teeny notes with the words written on the outside, "read me." We think it's hilarious to watch innocent passerbys faces when they see them tucked under the jar of sugar at a coffee shop or in a shoe display at a store. The messages are fun, light-hearted messages like "you make the world a better place," or "someone has a crush on you!"  Anyhoo, back to my story, my dad is more a no-nonsense type of gent, he really gets embarrassed to have to do these type of things.  Dance parties (music booming with Culture Club, Kajagoogoo and Feist) and talent shows with costumes and cheering, it's almost TOO much for him.

On Sunday I took my parents downtown to the Betsy Ross House.  I thought they'd like that. We'd gone on a fieldtrip earlier in the school year to do some of our Pennsylvania history requirements, and the Little's loved it. My dad likes history so I thought he'd like to take a break from grinding and sanding and get out...

Betsy Ross house, small, huh?

we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but we did leave one love note in the sweet little courtyard.

who, me?

of course afterward we walked around a bit and left our loves notes.  My mom, the girls and I love it, even Dave thinks it's pretty funny.  

Hi Edward!

cute shoes, huh? I got them...

stopped in for an iced chai here...

and this guy is riding across America with his cute pooch to raise money for shelters. His dog was so sweet and gentle, even not seeming to mind in the least wearing his googles, even seemed more comfortable with them on. 

and the 2009 Annual Easter Extravaganza Talent Show Night...so fun.  Big sis was the MC and did a great job.  She also did a magic act that was awesome and danced with Grandma. Grandpa read jokes from Highlights. Dave said a joke from The Office and did a couple magic tricks. Little sis did a rollerskating and hoola hooping dance with me. 

the Great BigSisterlini!!

Big Sisterlini has her lovely assistant help her with a disappearing act

 

magic moving rocks

Dave doing the "which hand is it in?" trick

Papa, otherwise known as "Mr. Jokes"

death defying acts abound...

Lil' Sis doing her famous hoola hooping while rollerskating act

and throw in a little "robot" and crunk and move

dancing partners

I love you all!

Have a great week!

mojo and stories...or mojo stories

well, the April Scrap Mojo challenge is up.  Imaginary Friends is the theme, with animal crackers as the second part of the challenge.  You all should go on over and take a peek at what the other mojo girls are doing-pretty flippin' cool!  I'm so excited to be part of another stupendous craft team!  

True Love ( made with the Dozen's March kit-I am IN LOVE with this kit!)

 

and an up close shot-looky-looky at my hot boyfriend, he's a beefcake, huh?  Jealous?  I know, it's okay... (hey, check out my white legs-sexxxxxyyy...)

And the first challenge of the month is up over at Category Stories as well.  This theme is Bedtime Rituals.  Come over and play, we have an awesome prize from Paper Pixie!! Often I'll have cup of tea before bed (or while crafting late into the night) and so this is dedicated to that cup of tea...

Tea

 

Sew Much

 

(made with March's Dozen's kit)

As I mentioned in the last post about my friend and blog design helper, Shawn over at Eclectic Whimsy is redesigning the Category Stories blog, so check back in and see what new and amazing designs she so generously donated to us!  If you're thinking of redesigning your blog, give her a jingle, she's so sweet!

Just getting ready for Easter over here. My parents are here and we're so excited to be able to spend some time with them! 2 weeks of forced talent shows, piggy back rides and impromptu dance parties my dad will be ready to head back home...

Here's a peek through the keyhole into our world and things that are making me smile!

I love him! I ordered him for the girls bedroom! But he goes with Easter, too...

I also ordered this from the same etsy seller, totally my girls; nature and sewing, braids and whismicalness...

 the flowering Dogwood tree in my front yard

good ol' Martha...

and look at my smarty-pants...

McKaylah's homeschool science class, last week was the respiratory system and here is her own respiratory model using a bottle, 2 straws for the trachea, 2 balloons for lungs and a balloon as a diaphragm.  The week before was the circulatory system and she did blood typing on microscopes. 

and the Little's found a caterpillar which big sis determined to be a moth, not a butterfly, and they made a little home for him (he was named Sammy) and are eagerly awaiting the time when he makes his chrysalis.

 

Little sis loves to cook. "Little Chef" has started making one meal a week (okay, with help from me obviously).  Sometimes she picks something on a country we're studying, this night she felt like BBQ.  We made handmade sweet potato fries with a sweet and tangy bbq seasonings and handmade chive-garlic turkey burgers. 

  

 

the girl's nature table, complete with the cherry blossom maiden, daffodils and Mr. Garden Gnome...

The girls also took a horseback riding clinic and started a new gym and swim class.  It's been a busy week!

   

heeeeyyy cowboy...do I have something on my nose?

Have a great week! 

 

Pirates, Peace and Projects

My friend Julie had her daughter's 8th birthday party this weekend with a Pirate theme.  It was super fun and a great way to see everyone before we take off for the holidays out west, and then onto Mexico.  I know my last few posts have been dreary and a bit glum, so I'm going to put on my happy face for this one, people. 

 Mrs. Pirate and Mr.

swashbucklers!

Pixie says "Arrrrgh Matey!" Yes, my hubs did dye her bangs and tips red (wash out) for the party, she's a "faerie pirate"

Sarah and Beth

Smooches under the mistletoe

These chipboard cards are for Ana and Sarah, I made them last night at 12 when I should have been sleeping...

 

And I recently got this book which has some really awesome ideas in it to promote bettering others lives.  It's about and by an organization called Peace Jam that helps spur projects that are helping those less fortunate.  I read through some of the stories with McKaylah the other day, it is so inspiring. 

 

  

Fright Night and Day of the Dead

Okay, not really frightening, more fun.  We had a swell Halloween party tonight.  I decorated the house and made a themed dinner.  We trick-or-treated and hung out afterward, listening to music and laughing.  I love all my friends, what awesome people.  Of course Sarah and fam and Ana and fam came by, but we were so happy to see Krystal, Danny and baby Adele. We had a TON of trick-or-treaters, too.  Our street looked like the movie ET with the streets filled with kids of all ages in costumes.  I went as a Renaissance wench, Dave was a pimp, McKaylah a pirate and Ava a woodland fairy.  Our friends Matty dressed up as a half-naked biker chick (hilarious!!), Sarah joined me in Renaissance wench attire. 

Carving pumpkins with friends before the party  

 

 Our themed dinner; mummie dogs, harvest salad, witch's fingers breadsticks, pumpkin bread, cinnamon strudel bread, and an assortment of other goodies.

Sarah and me, the wenchs'...

the trick-or-treaters

classic!  Dave was a pimp and our Matty, the belle of the ball.

moi and Matty, so bad!

Ava and Ruby, witch and woodland fairy

let the trick or treating begin!

   

taking a break from the campaign trail to get some sugar...

  house #423

house #679

their candy bags weighed almost as much as they did! 

parent party-goers

dancing sugar high

Then Saturday night we had a small Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos party. We made a yummy Mexican dinner and made paper skeletons. We decorated a table yellow mums, ceramic skeleton ladies I got in Mexico a few years ago, sugar skulls and with pictures of loved ones who had passed.  We told stories about them and remembered what it was we loved about them. Things like this make me excited for the the Mexican culture we will soon be a part of.

it's beginning to look a lot like All Hallow's Eve...

Halloween is hand's down my most favorite holiday!  You get to dress up, eat candy, get to have scary fun, and there's not as much pressure as Christmas or even Easter. And I LOVE some of my Halloween decorations, especially the Lori Mitchell and Bethany Lowe, their vintage-inspired whimsicalness makes me smile.

 

 

 

I made this All Hallow's Eve banner a few weeks ago. I think it was a Making Memories kit...

 
 

As some of you know we are moving to Mexico in a couple months (right after Xmas when my Hub's Visa is complete) and we'll be keeping our house here in Philly, renting an apartment in Mexico. I'm excited to learn Spanish better, and my girls I'm sure will become fluent in the 2 years we'll be there. We'll be coming home (to the west coast) more I think, just because I'm pretty sure I'll be needing a dose of my American roots more than living here on the east coast.  I'll miss my grand ol' house, but we're keeping it and we'll have it to come back to later.

This last weekend I scrapbooked a bit with my mom. I loved it just being the girls hanging out, crafting and laughing. McKaylah was crafting secretly under the table making me a birthday present (it's coming up November 5th, but I'll be excepting presents thereafter as well...) I love having my mom here.  I hope I always have the special bond that I have with my girls now, and the way I always had it and still do with my mom.   

  

here's the two layouts I finished (x3).

The Amish Country, from our trip out to Lancaster a couple weeks ago.

 

Lady Liberty, from our trip up to see the Little Lady a couple weeks ago.  

 

Then Saturday night I went out with Ana and Sarah to a benefit Urban Outfitters hosted again.  An Autumn Carnival theme and it was beautiful!  They had a huge big top and booths like ring toss, darts, skee ball, caricatures, photo booths (yay!), bucking bull rides (go Sarah, she kicks a*# on it!) and the food was so delish!  The pumpkin mousse was divine! Here's some of our photo-booth shenanigans...

Ana walked us through the Free People design offices (Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters are next door.) It's like a girls' dream...pretty freakin' rad! I can't wait to be her personal assistant one day ;)

My mom leaves tomorrow, I'm bummed.  I'll see her in a couple months, but the 4 1/2 weeks she's been here has been AWESOME!  I'm so lucky to have her. But Halloween is this Friday and we'll have a small trick-or-treating shin-dig here with Ana and fam and Sarah and fam, then it's election day (so exciting) and then my b-day (mucho excellante!) and then my BF Lainie comes for a week visit!  Fantastico! (see, I'm practically fully bilingual!) 

That's all folks! Have a tubular week!

Autumn's new beginnings

I am so happy Autumn is finally here.  It's my favorite season, filled with cooler days which I love, I know soon I'll be able to wear my skirts with tights and knee high boots again. I love how the evenings have a sweet, burnt smell that is only present during the Autumn months. I love the leaves starting to turn red and orange. I love all the pumpkins starting to fill farmer's markets and grocery stores.  Indian corn, with it's orange and brown kernels like miny shiny stones tucked neat into rows.  I love decorating our front porch with hay bales and crimson red mums, warty gourds and big,fat pumpkins, long, lopsided pumpkins, and tiny white Cinderella pumpkins. I love apple picking and apple cider, apple cider donuts and apple pie. Wagon rides, farm visits and picnics set out under a big oak tree, harvest vegetarian chili and cornbread while visiting with friends. Pumpkin creme pasta, pumpkin spice lattes(nonfat, no whip, por favor), pumpkin souffle, butternut or acorn squash soup, rustic breads dipped in homemade tomato sauce or toast with cinnamon apple butter. (Oh, I've already gained 5 pounds just thinking about it...)  New school field trips planned, making new friends, traveling with new friends to new places.  Black eyed susans, zinnias and hollyhocks holding out in their last vain efforts to grace a vase or two for another couple weeks.

We celebrated my husband's birthday Monday with a Harvest Moon/Autumn Equinox bonfire.  We had over our closest friends, I made my for-mentioned harvest veggie chili and cornbread, green salad with HUGE heirloom tomatoes, veggie and chicken sausages, apple and pumpkin pies, carmel apples,hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks, and of course, the warm bonfire out back.  After dinner we had a nice prayer with corn-husks that you write intentions or wishes on.  One side was to let go or get rid of something, the other side, to obtain or gain something. Then you burn them in the bonfire. It was such a nice touch to the Harvest Moon celebration (thanks Sarah for suggesting it and getting the husks!) 

    Happy birthday Bear!

 

burning corn-husks wishes...

Then Tuesday our homeschool group started a monthly program at Morgan Log House. What a cool place! We'll be doing activities "designed to familiarize students with the life of a child in the eighteenth century. Students learn about the life of their 18th century counterparts by attempting some typical children’s activities of the time period." Activities such candle making, colonial medicine, wool dying, open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, colonial clothes-making, farming, etc.  After a lovely tour of the house the activity for the day was butter making.  The kids loved it, even mine who'd made butter in the same fashion before.

makin' buttaa

 

  this open hearth was at least five feet tall and six feet wide at the opening, but about 12 feet high inside.  Amazing, I'd LOVE to have one of these in my house. Perhaps not totally energy efficient with a drafty flue, but still, awesome to have!

the talk about chamber pots, the kids all giggled and expressed happiness for modern toilets.

don't prick your finger

 

showing wool combing

Today we had a field trip to Solebury Orchards.  This place looks like a scene from a movie.  What a beautiful farm!

Pixie and her BF

Solebury Orchard front house and store

The lecture for our homeschool group. We learned about the life cycle of an apple and how an apple orchard runs all year long. 

the star from the seeds, plus look carefully at the pale shadow from the apple blossom petals that were once there-stamped around the star opening. Magical!

 the wagon ride out to the orchards

 Ready to be picked.

There are over 27 varieties of apples at Solebury Orchards. They also have pumpkins starting next week, pick it yourself flowers, raspberries, strawberries and more when it's in season.  They have 76 occupied acres there, full of produce.

  pose #4,389,121 for mom....

 oh, delish cider!

And I won a DVD from The Little Traveler's.  For my "Passport Dinner" to China we did a couple months ago, the owner of The Little Traveler's contacted me about joining her Flickr group labeled "Global activities, crafts and celebrations," so I did, and I won, check it out! We picked Japan as our Little Travelers DVD. Thanks Little Travelers!

Have a great week and autumn blessings to you!

Happy birthday Pixie

My little Pixie had her "ladybug" birthday party today.  We had it at our beloved Beachcombers and even though the weather was overcast and not very warm, the kids and adults alike had a nice time playing outside and grazing on the nosh spread on the grass. We had pizza and salad from a local pizzeria for dinner and we finished it off with cupcakes decorated by the girls earlier this morning at home.  Ava loved all her gifts, but even more the attention showered unto her by her admirers.

I was just saying last night to an old friend whom I've recently reconnected with from back home, that I can't believe Ava is 5 and I have an 8 year old, too! They're growing up so fast, I've got to remember to slow down a bit and hug them more everyday.  I love those two little munchkin-butts so much, they make me so proud all the time! I'm truly blessed with my family. Sniff...

looking at her new bug friend

her ladybug cupcakes

Ruby, Ava's BF

 mom and birthday girl

the birthday bunch; Vivvy, Ava's other BF to her right.

opening presents

a new bag of shells, one of Ava's favorite things. I mean, she really is shell crazy.  She loves, loves, loves them! Wrapped in a vintage cloth napkin, ohhhh, what a treat!

Happy birthday little one!

Big 8 Year Old

McKaylah turned 8 on Friday.  I can't believe she's 8.  I sit and watch her sometimes and I can't believe that it was 8 years ago I held her so small in my arms. 

We went to Beachcombers for the day. Dave took off work and came along with us and we brought along McKaylah's friends Caroline and Thea.  It was so hot and humid that it was nice to swim and lounge in the water. 

Dad and daughter

David took Ava off the diving board since she was afraid to do it alone.  Nice daddy!

 

McKaylah's twisting dive

we made a cake and had a sleepover with 4 of McKaylah's friends.  Then Saturday we had her big birthday party with the Philadelphia Zoo. The Philadelphia Zoo came and brought 4 animals to do a show with, did face painting, a game and acraft. The two presenters did a nice job and the kids thought it was fun. 

McKaylah and BF Caroline, matching snake tats, tough!

McKaylah's other BF Hazel, pretty little butterfly

Mom with big butterfly

Benji

Ruby's lizard face!

The owl was so SO cute!  This is burrowing owl, they make homes in the ground instead of trees.  

Here's the bearded lizard. 

McKaylah had a staring match with the rainbow snake, she lost after a good try though.  The snake doesn't have eyelids, so he was sort of cheating.

Here's Gigett the Hedgehog.  She's an albino hedgehog and was so adorable!

After the animal show we did lunch, presents and slip-n-slide since it was crazy hot! 

 This is a big Fairy Treehouse pop-up book McKaylah got from Gryphon and Ruby.  She loves it had hasn't stopped looking at the tiny details all day today.

McKaylah got this from Benji, a Fashion Design kit (she was thrilled!)

cupcakes from the Velvet Sky Bakery

slip-n-slide

and of course all good parties end with hoola hooping! Here's HoopSoup's Sarah getting hoopy with it... 

Earth Day and Nature Crafts

 

We had a very simple Earth Day here.  We transplanted some fiddlehead ferns from one area in the yard to another, weeded and planted some azaleas in the back.  McKaylah, always the little crafter, made some beautiful floral arrangements with some flowers and plants from our yard.  She really has a love of nature crafting and can make some pretty cool stuff sometimes. We always joke that she would do well on one of those survivor-type reality shows since she can easily fashion a skirt or broom from long grasses, strong leaves and other items found outdoors.  The corsages she made were absolutely beautiful though, a florist would charge a pretty penny for them for sure.

 

We had a nice little picnic out under a blossoming dogwood tree in our yard and read some stories.  I browsed through this awesome book, I think it's totally groovy!  SouleMama is a well-known blog I often log onto to get inspired.  She's another homeschooler with young ones and I think does some nifty arts-crafts with her kiddos.  I'm a big believer in arts and crafting being just as important as the 3 R's; everything in moderation.  Creativity is highly underrated in my opinion. It seems we are geared towards academics always first (which are important, don't get me wrong) and time for creativity and liberal arts is second.  I think they are all equally valuable.  Amanda Soule has some great ideas on spending creative, quality time with your family. You should check it out!

Speaking of homeschooling, April, Earth Day, crafting, etc.  We've kind of devoted the month of April to Earth awareness.  Last month was folktales, this month we're reading these fun books. All the regulars like A Tree is Nice, The Giving Tree, Spring's Sprung, Children of the Forest, The Sun Egg, and Roots Shoots Buckets and Boots. One we've focused on these last couple weeks though was Organic Crafts by Kimberly Monaghan.  So far we've completed a nature's vase, by gluing twigs to a side of a plastic large yogurt container, a nature portrait using twigs, leaves, small rocks, acorn tops, etc. to make a self-portrait, and last a couple fairy homes. McKaylah especially has been keeping a journal with drawings of some leaves and plants that are coming up in our yard. We've been watching a local woodpecker and some amazing red-red-red cardinals.  Another book we've been coming back to again and again this month is Fun with Nature by Mel Boring, which is AWEEEEEEESOME! Great info on bugs, ducks, wildflowers, caterpillars, lizards, etc.  A good take-along book for walks around the block, in the woods or down by the pond.  Speaking of outdoors, gardening, etc., I also wanted to quickly tell all the fellow homeschoolers out there about a great yahoo group called Homeschool Gardeners.  Even if you're not a homeschooler but would like information pertaining to kids and gardening, this is a fun and interesting group. I've picked up a lot of ideas and tips from it.  Here's the link to see for yourself. Themed gardens were recently discussed.  A-Z garden (using 26 plants, each from a to z, pretty cool, huh?), fairy themed, Peter Rabbit (carrots, peas, etc.) and a lot of other good ideas.

I've been going, going, going. I think it's all been due to our spring fever. We've done school outdoors more than a few times lately, and it's been great! The need to get out an enjoy this beautiful weather is undeniable!  What about you? 

Easter weekend

What a great Easter weekend!  My parents flew in and it was so nice to see them after all these months! We BBQed Friday night then McKaylah hosted a sweeeeeeeeet dance party with flyers and tickets she made up.  We drank wine and bay breezes and danced to Culture Club, Flock of Seagulls, Feist, ABC and more fun tunes.  Saturday we went to Manayunk, a neat neighborhood in Philadelphia to deliver more Love Notes (my parents had only heard about it, they had never witnessed it first hand) and they thought it was so funny. It was pretty breezy that day until we returned home for our neighbors annual Easter Egg Hunt block party.  McKaylah and Ava found lots of eggs, ate waaaaaaaay too candy and drank hot cocoa, and then came home to dye eggs. McKaylah and Ava had recently received dragon eggs from Hogwarts, and so they dyed those as well (before they need to be returned since of course under age Muggles can't raise dragons!) I made a yummy vegetable soup and we had more wine and bay breezes.  Sunday of course was an early morning get up and get looking (and hiding more) eggs.  They girls loved looking for eggs over and over.  Later in the afternoon it actually turned quite nice and we went for a walk before our delicious dinner was done baking.  After we enjoyed the cupcakes my mom and the girls made earlier, all decorated so sweet! Then it was "Talent Show" time, McKaylah organized a talent show with flyer's and tickets and schedule.  I did miming since my all my acts were taken (humph!), Dave did cartooning, and Ava did singing and baton twirling. Then Rose and Ava did a ventriloquist act, which was hilarious! Rose and Dennis also danced to 1234 and then McKaylah did gymnastics and twirling.  Rose and Dennis ended up winning, but I did get honorable mention....

us in Manayunk

delivering love notes

Easter Egg Hunt block party

good big cookie, and love note tucked by coffee travel mugs, perfect for some unsuspecting passer-bys!!

                                                                                           heading to diabetics anonymous

dying easter eggs

easter eggs (and dragon eggs)

making cupcakes

easter cupcakes

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                            sugar HIGH!!!!

Easter egg hunt at home

Happy Easter, ya all!

Pink! Matches my ears!

 

egg by the fairy door

Talent show singing!

Ventriloquist duo

Cartooning was Dave's talent

Dennis telling word puzzles for his talent

Dennis and Rose danced to 1234 as another act

baton twirler

harmonica for the talent show

Gymnastics by McKaylah, you may have seen her at the Olympics or the Weinerstiens barmitzvah

The Incredible Miming Talents!!!Danielle -classic!

                                                                        

the MC has the final scores....and the winner is.....

Rose and Papa for their spirited dance duo!

Ava is devastated she didn't win!

Dave's black belt

Congratulations Bear!  You've worked so hard to get to your black belt!  9 plus years of many hours a week have finally paid off!  With everything you do, working so many hours, returning to school for your second Master's program, constantly making your family and friends feel important, you seem to be so great at balancing it all! 

Dave flew back to Reno to be awarded his black belt from Charles Gracie and even though we couldn't go with him, we were so proud of him and were stoked to see these pictures taken by our friend Jerry Matsamura.  It was a big day for all these guys. 

For all the jokes and teasing I may give these guys, I'm actually really proud of them, especially David.  It may not be "my thing," but he enjoys it and support is key to a successful relationship. 

I had a surprise party for him when he returned with his Philadelphia jujitsu school. I ordered a cake from his favorite bakery (decorated with a fondant black belt) and made a spaghetti dinner.  He was so surprised and I think really tickled with everyone's congratulations and well wishes. 

Awesome job Bear! 

new year's me...

happy new year's eve everyone...hope you all enjoyed the holidays and had nice, heart-warming time with family and friends.  my kids have enjoyed the last couple days laying on the floor playing with their new toys and looking at new books.  we had a lovely celebration with the 3 of us on the solstice, it was especially meaningful for mckaylah since she'd been studying the solar system and upcoming solstice.  we treked outside through the rain and chilly breeze for a nature walk and then back inside to make more squirrel skewers.  we popped popcorn in the fireplace and read some books on the solstice.  however come xmas eve, once the fat man had left his booty of gifts for the young ones upstairs dreaming of sugar plum fairies and such, the stomach flu kicked in...not so fun for big sis and mom here.  dad and little sis had it the week before, i was hoping the acupuncture i'd received the days prior would have given me the immune booster i needed to ward it off, but alas, no....so through intermittent trips to the lu, we lay again on the floor, this time not playing, but staring at toys and books. luckily within a day we were all better and after another power immune booster via acupuncture, i feel 100% and the kids always seem to bounce back beautifully...

so the new year, a new me...i'm feeling more stead fast in my quest to find balance and have a calm, nurturing space for my family. a place not only to hang my hat, but to craft and sing and school and bake and sleep and exercise and love and lay on the floor and play with toys and read books.  i have been ready to move now for so long (I mean literally move) that now I feel so happy to be settling in. my new year resolutions are to have more me time, which i will still spend with my family most happily, but crafting and baking and going for nature walks, instead of waiting for the next big move.  can i tell you how happy i am to have my new home and a family that's healthy and a hubby that still pines over me and two sweet girls who still want to sit on me all-the-time!!! but with all that i still need to nurture that part of me that needs that quiet, focused me time, like when i'm drawing, sewing or scrapbooking.  i have all these ideas of things to make and i just need to put them in motion already!

speaking of hubby, we decided we needed at least once a month to escape for a few hours and have a date, even if it means going to the grocery store (but hopefully not!) and have some adult time.  he's such a great guy and has so much  love and warmth inside of him, he's always so generous and compassionate (well most of the time, let's not say he's perfect here) and i think in the hurried life we lead we've lost a bit of the romance we used to have. so at least once a month date night!

i also need to start exercising again on a regular basis.  i think i'll do mondays and wednesdays with yoga and leg exercises, tuesdays and thursdays with arm and back exercises with pilates. then at least 2-3 times a week a brisk walk around the block a few times or a quick jog to the train station and back, something people!!! fridays and the weekends are always too busy and full of friends and lessons and parties and classes.  if i can work out 4 days a week i'll be much more balanced... and get on a better sleep schedule!

which leads me to returning to my more wholesome eating. i roughly follow the eating with the seasons regime, more or less outlined in dr. haas book and with all that's been going on this last year i haven't followed it. hubby and i are needing that so i think it's time to get back on the whole foods, better diet wagon.  we actually eat pretty well most of the time, just these last couple months with holiday eating, oy!

so, to wrap things up, eat, stretch, breath, craft, love, sleep...in 2008.  see you all next year!   

i was spoiled today! happy birthday to me!

   today is my birthday.  in the midst of packing, inspections and homeschooling, we had a lovely day. we had cereal and chai lattes picnic style in the living room since it was a bit chilly this morning outside. (yes, i allowed my daughters a small chai latte as well, it's my bday.) we did school while the pest inspector and c/o inspector came through the house, later a plumber (that's a shitty job-bah da dah-insert drums there.) we enjoyed the afternoon with a quick walk around the block and then back here for more packing and laundry folding while i watched food network (that giada is something!) hubby came home, we ate a simple dinner since i have most of everything packaged up (only 8 more days ya' all!) and then played a few games of uno and old fairy (like old maid.) i saw somewhere on a blog about a list of experiences one blogger had in the last year.  i thought about that today.

1. this last year has been really exciting and stressful all at the same time. we moved out here from the west coast, not knowing anyone. 2.  i said good-bye to my sweet, sweet granny right before she died, right before we moved out here. 3. we put our daughter(7) in school, pulled her out after 5 weeks when she started to become depressed. started homeschooling, what a wonderful and yet super challenging experience that has been. 4. bought this house, turned around 6 months later and put it on the market because we decided since my hubby's office was moving to the philadelphia airport area, not only would commuting be hellish for him, it also means we could get out of this area that we don't necessary like, closer to all of our new homeschooling friends. 5. i miss my mom, we're really close, and my kids are very close with her as well. 6. went to washington d.c for the first time, saw it all from the white house-and picketers- to the washington monument. 7. went to nyc  8. went to cape cod, nantucket, rhode island, massachusetts, connecticut-mystic pizza-,yum... 9. started studying herbs again, looking through my old herbal apprenticeship photos with a big smile. 10. started compiling kids clothing design ideas. 11. made some wonderful new friends 13. sold my house, and am buying a new fabulously homey one in a super Martha-ish neighborhood.

last night my good friend julie had me over for a bday dinner.  she made a delicious mexican themed dinner since she knows mexican is my fave!  and look at these gorgeous pillowcases, aren't they beautiful?  she made me a matching set. for my girls bdays she made them each a pillowcase, fairies for mckaylah, mermaids for ava.  they are really amazing. i know aimee ray and amy hart would be impressed. what a special gift!

above you'll see the sweet little vintage windmill salt and pepper shakers my bf lainie in san diego sent me today. she knows i have a thing for windmills. she knows a lot about me. i miss her a lot, too.

see my new super cute purse from my pal ana whom i met last year when i first moved here...this is a funny, cosmic type of story really...see, we were meant to meet. she may not agree wholeheartedly, but we were (hee, hee.)  she's the head fashion designer for my favorite clothes line which i've been wearing for years..., she came to my bday dinner last night and gave me this super luxurious silk bag. cute, huh.. jealous, aren't you?

from hubby and my girls...well, of course from this place

   

                                                                                                                   

and from my mommy, "amongst friends" by lisa kaus, an original. this will be my color inspiration for my new home's kitchen...

  okay, okay, i know i was spoiled and don't mean to brag, but i've been really, really good. promise! 

ciao

Jack o' lanterns

We carved jack o' lanterns today. I should say my hubby and children did... Usually every year at this time we have the house decorated to the hilt, cooking sugar cookies shaped as bats and ghosts, but this year we've been packing and getting ready to move.  Bummer indeed... but my handsome, dashing husband carved pumpkins this morning with our girls and baked Halloween cupcakes tonight.  I packed all day, was unable to help since I was lost temporarily in a wormhole of bubble wrap.  Good thing hubbylicious is so dashing, he saved me after I'd only been missing an hour! Here is my families creations! 

Here Kitty, Kitty...