angry chicken

books, bubble tea, and eyeshadow

This photo was going to be the adorable bubble tea we ordered but it's of a book instead. The bubble tea photo was deleted. 

We were so delighted to try MILK+T a bit back, before their grand opening. It is delicious and unusual in that you can customize your sweetness, and add all your on toppings—which I want to call bottomings, because it's boba, jellies, and items that sink to bottom of the tea. Hard packed ice-cream is on top and they are served in these glass bottles you can take home and bring back for refills. Pretty great.

We are in full show mode in the house, each girl has a production they are in, all different, and then my Nutcracker show I am sewing for, so that's 4 shows all by the beginning of December. I love the energy and buzz. This week I am designing the Spanish dancers, but was interrupted sewing Bollywood style mens' tunics and pants for another studio, which was so fun. All the trims! I can't believe I get paid to do this.

• I am reading Circe and loving it so much. I have 5 days to finish it before it's due back in the library. I will buy a copy, because I think other house members would enjoy it, but I am liking the imposed deadline.
• I am now really committing to creme eyeshadow. Cream? Let's go with creme. I love eye shadow, but a few years ago had to admit it didn't love me. My whole eye make-up game has been changing. I am using a lot less, no liquid liner on top anymore. For now, anyway. It just makes me look more tired. I love subtle color on my eyelids—neutrals, to combat the yellow/purple weirdness that is normally there, but powder was just sitting in a not-good-pro-wrinkle way. I am fine with wrinkles, I just don't like celebrating them. I busted out my trusty MAC Paint Pot in Painterely, which I love so much and had forgotten about, and it was perfect just as a shadow. I searched a bit more and bought a really nice neutral matte color of this creme shadow from the drugstore (cheap!) that I dab on the corners of my eyelids over the MAC one and blend in with my finger and I am done. There is no creasing or wrinkle celebration going on. I am very very happy. I want to wear the metallics, but I probably won't. But, I might. 

back in mid-summer

We found ourselves in a magical candy shop before seeing a movie at Cinetopia at Progress Ridge Townsquare. The girls knew about this spot, they had gone with friends, but Pete and I had no clue there was a little village in this suburban area, with shops, restaurants,  fountains, and pond. So lovely! It was one of those perfect summer evenings at dusk when it wasn't too hot and everyone was out having fun. The retro candy shop, Rocket Fizz, was pretty great, with all the candies and sodas I had forgotten about. Including two types of candies fart-related. Which were different than the candies toilet-related.

Today Lydia and I are going to the Portland Art Museum to see The Shape of Speed car show before it closes. Half of our family have already seen it and said it was amazing.

We are almost done with The Good Place, which has been the perfect evening entertainment to help us relax. It's hard for anyone to sit in one spot for more than 30 minutes, except the dogs. Actually, it's Pete and I who can't sit. It's a problem that we are trying to work on. 

movies we watched this summer

There were a few weeks this summer when only my eldest (almost 16) was home in the mornings. This the last year there were so many movies I wanted to show her and talk about, but they just weren't suitable for the whole family. I started making list and then in the mornings, after breakfast, we'd watch a movie. I got most of these from Netlix, and they were actual DVDs. I feel like I am the only one that still gets DVDs from them and I was going to stop, but am so happy I didn't because there were so many movies I couldn't get instantly on my list.

This was all pretty magical. Sadie is very open to suggestions and shares my sense of humor, so was game to watch anything. I also could get all nerdy with her about the shots, editing, and costumes. She would often stop the movie and share some personal story I hadn't heard before related to what she was seeing. There is no way this would have happened if other family members had been in the room. It was just a great way to discuss art and life and humor. These choices were pretty light and fun, which was on purpose. We always watch historical movies and the girls all all good sports about that, so I wanted to keep this list fun. I was laughing at how many movies Winona Ryder was in the the 1990s. At the time, it didn't seem like that many, but it really was! I crack up and feel old when the girls just call her "The Stranger Things mom."

 

zines for sale

Sadie is making zines and here are issues #1* and #2. There will be 7 of these, it's a series about our pets. They are very funny and 100% true. They are mini-zines, folded from one piece of paper. I had one of those heart exploding moments taking her her kinkos to make copies late one night and then staying up with her to fold them all and put them in little stacks.

She is selling them through the mail. They are $3 for both ($1.50 each, this includes shipping.) E-mail me for a mailing address or I am happy to send you a PayPal invoice if you want to pay online. Of course you can buy just one. Or 5! I think they are sweet to tuck into cards. I'm a big fan of giving little zines as gifts.

*this issue contains a swear word (sh*t) just so you know.

 

coffee, in this case, matcha soda. not coffee.

This matcha soda drink was a new experience for me. I liked it! I'd probably get an uncarbonated matcha drink next time, but it had a happy cool/factor I couldn't pass up. It made be feel both happy and cool. This was served at the very relaxing Good Coffee in the Slabtown location where I find myself once a week with some time to kill.

I'm starting to get a little twitchy and unsettled as the seasons turn. I want to do fall baking and decorating, but summer is still here and I don't want to rush it. So I am holding off.

Some you tube links:

• We are loving the Hidden Killers of The Victorian Home and all the others in that series. .
• The memorizing work of Creative Mom, who makes fairy houses out of recycled materials and is a paper mâché wizard.
• The Art Cooking series by the Art Assignment. This makes me have a very happy internet moment when I see them.

summer treats

It's hot here, but that hasn't stopped us from getting these super yummy donuts from Pip's, which I normally wouldn't consider a hot weather treat. We also tried Tiki Tea for the first time and it was delicious. I'm still off sugar, so they made my tea without (not shown) and i just stared at the donuts. It was okay. The girls ate them pretty fast.

It's convention season! We just got back from Leaky 2018 (Harry Potter fan convention) and are heading to the Resin Rose BJD Expo this weekend, which is in town. This is a doll show with a focus on ball-jointed dolls, which is thing. Leaky was so fun, in was in Dallas and it was a whirlwind trip. The fans there were so nice and overall it was a great time. We went to 5 panels and heard so many great theories and wonderful presentations and some really funny stories. We are going again next year for sure. There are some photos over on IG. I haven't been to the Resin Rose BJD show before. It's all me on this one, the girls aren't really into dolls, but I think my eldest will come with me to keep me in check.

good times in salt lake city and recent books

My middle daughter was dancing for 5 weeks at Ballet West in Salt Lake City and we had a really good time visiting and getting her there and back. Why do dorms always smell like dirty socks and ketchup? I took me back. I flew out, but Pete and then later Grammie and my brother drove out and said the road trip from Portland was beautiful. I had never been to Salt Lake before and the landscape was amazing. The food scene was pretty great, too. This is non-dairy ice cream from Monkey Wrench and a delicious lunch at From Scratch, which was across the street.

Books!!

We have finished some books these last few weeks:

Hotel Silence, by a wonderful Icelandic author. I love her work so much and enjoyed this newest book of hers.

Turtles All the Way Down I read in 2 days. We have 4 copies, signed, (long story) but I had yet to read it. I did—and it's good. Kind of hard to get through. It's really all up in the brain of someone who struggles badly with anxious thoughts. I think it would be great for people to read if they want a sense of what an anxiety spiral feels like, and for people who get anxiety, well, it's kind of hard to read. It was for me. The humor helps, but I wouldn't call the book funny. 

We Have Always Lived in the Castle I finally read, and the Haunting of Hill House along with a lot of other short stories in this Shirley Jackson anthology. I had the girls read The Lottery as well. All of these stories gave me weird dreams. I couldn't find the exact book on amazon, but the photo is of the edition I read. I like the Library of America series—I think it's worth trying to find that edition.

The 13-year old just read and loved We Were Liars. I think that will float around the house, I might read it next.

The 15-year old just read Miles Away From You, which she wants me to read, much of it takes place in Iceland.

Pete could not stop talking about the crazy in the non-fiction book, The Lost City of the Monkey God. 

after a 3 year break from this, I'm working on it again

I have been working on this embroidery piece again. It's been about 3 years since I started it. It's been stretched on this beautiful frame the whole time, waiting. I've been watching (listening) to Red Oaks, on Amazon, and also the newest David Sedaris, Calypso, while I work on it. The girls are all home now. I love having them all here during the day, not in various camps or other cities—but it's busy with energy and conversation all the time, with little time to stitch, sadly. But I know the days of this are numbered, so that gives me some patience.

The summers are so different now with 15, 13, and 11 year- olds. I think it's more expensive. Travel and fancy bubble teas, and all that. Not as much swimming. Which is fine with me, really. The swimming, I mean. Not the spending of money. We are in a heat wave right now and we have no AC except for a pretty sad unit in the living room. So there's that. We have been watching a lot movies, but the roar of the AC has hampered the quiet dialog of the films—which drives me bonkers. We also have no TV, so we watch these on the laptop, which means the audio is not super great to begin with. The girls often bring up the things we have never had that other families do have—a TV, AC and grass in the yard are the most mentioned. Then we laugh. Or I do, anyway. I think they think it's kind of funny? We do have a lot of pets, I remind them.

This weekend I am pretty excited to go to the Portland Zine Symposium and Kumoricon Lite if I can make it with some of the girls, whoever wants to come. I also would love to go to the Top Down Roof Top Cinema this summer, I have never been and it looks so fun.

vintage cookbooks and chatting about being old and stuff

I think I have shown this self-published cookbook before on the blog. I am too lazy to search it right now, but it deserves another post, regardless. I am still off sugar (except for very special treats, like birthdays, sometimes not my own, etc.) so I have NOT made this exciting cake, but someone should. I love the box cake/pudding idea more than the reality, which is I can never eat them. But they are so funny and joyful to me. And who doesn't want a little European Grandeur?

I just met up with some great friends, and have also been chatting with long distance friends regularly (the app voxer and audio texts back and forth are a godsend for me) and there have been some re-occiruing themes among all of us: 

• getting old
• feeling like our kids and growing up so fast and how different our concerns are now that they are all 12-17 from when they were younger
• how this makes us feel old (and reliving, in silence, what we were doing at this age)
• taking care of aging/ill/ parents while taking care of the kids and also trying to have a marriage
• trying to clean out the house of all the kid stuff they have outgrown
• how this makes us cry
• crying in public for no reason
• feeling old when thinking about saving money for retirement
• feeling like cleaning out all the stuff in the house is too hard
• possibly some crying again
• feeling like we are going crazy
• perimenopause and what the heck (crazy enters here)
• foot/back pain 

It's so great to be able to share al these things, just to know it's not unique and we can all relate. When when say we have had a bad day, or lost it with the kids, we know how bad that can really get, and it's okay.

sewing tiny things

Between sewing for dance shows (opening is tonight at ACMA!) I have been sewing doll clothes. They are very complicated—with lots of fussy details and complex shapes. I love it so much. Sewing for dance I often use stretch fabrics, but with these little outfits I use wovens with with darts and pleats, facings and plackets. It seems maddening, but I find it so relaxing. Mostly because I am not drafting or designing these patterns (yet) I am just cutting out the pieces and putting them together. I don't have to make design decisions and if I mess something up, cutting out another piece is really easy.

This is for a 15.5" doll, which is taller/larger than a Barbie (12") and so much easier to sew for. The fabric also drapes better. It's for a Gene doll, which isn't made anymore. I got her back in 1998 when I lived in Seattle. I tucked her away and didn't bring her out until last month. For real. The girls had never seen her. I forget how I landed on the idea of sewing for her, I think I found some patterns online published years ago by Vogue. It has been perfect timing. I really don't need more clothes, but I love sewing clothes so much, and I love vintage clothes, so it's a great project for me right now.

There are Vogue sewing patterns on Etsy for this doll, and some self-published ones as well. I'm going to start making handbags and hats soon.

Unrelated to all this:

• I am eating super low carb (and no sugar) and it's going really well. It's been about 2 months. I have lost some weight, which needed to happen, but the biggest change is in my body shape. I also don't crave sugar anymore, which is very nice. But it also means I am not baking that much which makes me sad. And my family is a little sad about that, too. But I am still baking on the weekend, I just try to not make things that are too tempting for me. For my low-carb eating I have been using recipes from the Diet Doctor and Ruled Me. It's also really easy to make my cookbooks work for me, by adding either protein or fat, especially my salad based cookbooks. This isn't for everyone, and I'm not sure how it looks long term, but for me it's been really great. I really needed a big change. I just turned 46 and my body and how I process food has changed so much the last few years. I knew something was off and I feel so much better.
• I have been showing all my projects over on Instagram for a while now, and the blog tends to be more about links, and more words of course. Please follow me there if you would like to. I love my blog, and can't imagine not having it, but I realize it's not as frequently updated as it used to be. I'm laughing because I just noticed my recents posts show desserts and sugar, but you know, I just had a birthday.
• We are watching a British gardening show Big Dreams Small Spaces and loving all the garden drama. I'm trying to be a better gardener. I like it, but I have no sun, like NONE, so after years of being in denial about that and having plants die, I have embraced the deep shade garden and am trying to go with it. But, I don't think we will ever have edibles in this yard.

vacation

We recently went to Kauai and was magical. We all love it there so much. We were staying on the south side, far away from the water damage and flooding from last month. This photo was taken at Shipwreck Beach. Unreal.

We hadn't been there in the two years and I feel like there was even more amazing food than before. We stayed in a condo so we could cook and and take full advantage of the farmer's markets. 

Unrelated to all of this, I am sewing high fashion vintage style doll clothes. It's addictive and kind of sadistic. I am also getting ready for my birthday this week, which means not much really. But I think I will schedule a pedicure. I am trying to get motivated to deal with our yard, but I am bad at yard clean up. I'm great at buying plants, however.

books I have read lately

I felt out of practice reading daily this winter. I always have 1 or 2 books I can go back to I haven't finished, but I wasn't reading a book that I was into. Part of it has to do with sitting. I know have a had time sitting down and relaxing. Especially when I need to be sewing or am in the middle of a new craft spiral, like resin. I made an effort to grab a book instead of my phone for a few days, and was back on daily reading again in no time. Of course reading good books helps.

I always check out books from the library for the family. I really like doing this, I feel like a dj. I realize a librarian would be a better description, but whatever. Because I research science fiction for Pete and all sorts of YA for the girls, and then whatever sounds good to me, there's a big assortment around here at all times. These all just happen to be more of a YA mix.

Here's the most recent reads with extremely brief descriptions.*

The Best That We Could Do

A beautiful graphic novel that taught me the most I have ever learned about Vietnam in the 1970s.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Funny. Both girls liked it, as did I. 

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Eva Lavender

This is a stand-out of the year. I bought a copy for the house and Sadie and I discussed it at length. It's multi-generational and uses magical realism, which are two of my most favorite things.

Rabbit Cake

A disturbing book—more in the mood it creates than what actually happens. I can tell there are parts that are supposed to be funny, that were not funny to me, only because I was so worried about what was going to happen to this family. 

*As with most YA, these books deal with heavy stuff. Some are very heavy and have parts that are hard to read. 14 and older is what I would say, but even then, you might want to do research first.

random items

Even though it's cold here and has been for a few weeks, my middle child wanted to stop by Zero Degrees to get this wacky sundae. It's not near us at all (Hillsboro) and it's a tiny little place, but it has some really fun teas/drinks and food items. 

Lots of sewing going on around here, and still some head colds and now possibly a stomach virus? I'm not sure, we shall see how the day progresses.

Lydia and I have been watching these Extra History videos over on Extra Credit on You Tube. There are so many! Also a ton about gaming and game design, which isn't really on our radar, but the content looks really interesting.

I just sent my mom this jimmy kimmel bit with the staffers reading texts their moms have sent them. pretty great.

I put a new tutorial on you tube

I was getting ready for a costume design meeting this week and was wishing again that I could easily print all my pins from pinterest to show. There are so many reasons why having actual printed images is valuable to me. I usually do a painful saving of each image and then laying them out in another program, but this time I searched you tube and found a tutorial on how to do it in a few easy steps. No layout program needed and no individual photo manipulation!

However, it went by so fast, like lightening speed, I had to watch it about 10 times to get it. So, I made my own which goes much slower. It's still only 6 minutes, which is how long it took me to print all the images I needed for my meeting. A miracle! I mention at the end of the video this method works for Instagram too, but that's not really true. It will only print about 20 of the favorites, so not as helpful. But I only have about 9 favorites in IG so I didn't know this until later.

I took a mental health day today. Well, that's not true. Really, I have terrible head cold so I am sick. There was family craziness starting at around 2, but I was in bed from 6am-until 2pm, so, I think that's pretty good. I finished Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold and after that I watched Dries, which is a documentary about Dries Van Noten. I can tell it was good for my brain and creativity. They both are streaming on Netflix right now.

Daily life has been hard, we have head colds and fevers that won't quit, some sudden ER and doctor visits, I had surgery (no more gallbladder for me!) and then toss in a few out of town gymnastics meets—this has all been in the last 3 weeks, so I feel like just getting dressed has been a victory for me. But, I have had a ton of help and I keep asking for help when I need it (always?) This is a huge improvement for me, in the past I usually am broken before I will asked for help.

wand making and props

Lydia and I are studying Inca history but took a quick unrelated break after lunch to make some of these wands. The internet is full of tutorials for these. We watched this one. They are so easy and so fun. You don't even need a tutorial. It's just hot glue on a chopstick. Then paint. Then paint again in gold (or Rub n Buff) and you are done! Very pleasing. We used glue gun embellishment in a similar way for our spooky bottles.

After that we had a prop-making tangent and watched a tutorial for making a Triwizard Cup and Maui's hook (from Moana) These were so fascinating! I love making props for the shows I work on. Usually that goes to the prop dept, which sadly, I not normally on because I am so busy sewing. These videos aren't really realistic for the normal crafter, but are still so fun to watch—like Marceline's Axe from Adventure Time.

 

a cold winter outing

Last week, before we had to start back to our crazy schedules, I took all three girls to the Portland Art Museum's Laika exhibit. We have to go back and see it again (kids under 17 are free!) it was really amazing. We actually haven't even seen all the Laika movies, but the ones we have seen, we loved, and examining the stop-motion models up close was so incredible. My deep love for making miniatures and models made me all crazy and I freaked out a little bit. Especially over the boards showcasing all the mini-clothes and accessories.

It was so windy and cold we didn't walk around downtown much, but were able to get a treat and talk about the show.

Unrelated, we are still watching movies over at Great Big Story. This you tube channel makes me so happy about the internet and what it can teach and provide for both viewers and film-makers. So cool.

happy 2018!

 

We got away for a bit right after Christmas and went to Silver Falls. They have heated cabins we have stayed in before. You still have to cook outside and there is not plumbing inside (a short walk to a bathroom) but they are heated and do have power, so we can snuggle in and read and play card games after getting all cold and wet hiking. The lodge was open and was so cozy with a big fire and a decorated tree. It was really nice. We also love exploring and eating in Silverton on the way there and home, which is full of antique shops and good food.

We aren't 100% ramping back into life yet, it's still break here for some of us. I did take apart my craft/sewing room which is a huge task and only about 50% done. It's overwhelming and hard—so much stuff, and so much to sort though, not to mention all the little distractions and emotions that come with finding old letters, photos, and bits of love from my girls throughout the years and all that. It's slow going. I am trying to just work on one small area at a time.

Unrelated:

We love the the short films over at Great Big Story. All the ones we have seen so far have been wonderful.

making holiday gifts

We are madly making holiday gifts around here, it's so fun to paint, glue, assemble, and pack. These unpainted wooden bowls were turned into little salt cellars with some pink Himalayan salt and a little spoon. They look nice unpainted, but I can't resist painting wood.

We have been going out a lot this year—ballets, musicals, theater and choir performances. Last night we we took our parents to see It's a Tony Starlight's Christmas and it was so fun. I had not been there since they moved and it's a great space and was a great show.

• There are a few more holiday musts I need to get to. Like baking one of my all time favorite cookies.
• Also, I have had very little time in the evenings to cook so Pete and I have been taking turns making these one-pan dinnners. So easy!
• The girls showed me this and I laughed really hard
• And not for kids but so very very funny (and maybe for teens who can hang with mature content) is this Ruining History piece on The Bizarre Life of Johnny Appleseed.

favorite kid books, 5th edition

 

Here's some books we loved this year. I have grouped together Delia's and Lydia's first (they are 10 and 13) and Sadie's is the second group (15). Some of these titles are heavy. There is so much out there in terms of reviews, I know you all can research what would be a good fit for the kids in your life, but know these all come with high recommendations from my girls. the 1st and 2nd edition, 3rd edition and 4th edition lists from previous years. 

Snow and Rose: Written by our dearest Emily Martin—it's really special and all three girls read it in 2 days and loved it.

Lord of the Rings: Lydia is a huge fan. She has seen all the movies many time, and has these on audio book as well. She just keeps gogin back to them.

The Outsiders: Delia read this and then Sadie did. They had never really read a tragedy like this before. It was great to relive it with them and took me back to 6th grade.

Bake Sale: This is a wonderful graphic novel loved by all 3 girls.

Lost in the Sun: Delia's favorite book this year.

The Book Thief: Delia loved this, it's a challenge to read, but was really interesting, and I know she was happy she stuck with it.

I'll Give You the Sun: Sadie and I both loved this book, great writing with a wonderful plot and characters. I didn't want it to end.

Rookie: Sadie has all of these and they have given her so much info into topics I try to cover, but you know, I am a mom. And the topics are pretty raw and emotional. She says high school is the perfect age to get these. But not younger.

Holding Up the Universe: Delia says this is a great book, but better for high schoolers. She's in 7th now (I realize this book should have been in the first group)

When the Moon Was Ours: Sadie says this is great for 7th grade and older, it's magical realism and written well.

The Hate U GIve: Sadie and I have both read this and I want all my girls to read it when they are ready. Every human should read it.

A List of Cages: Sadie says this is  great book but VERY heavy and has really hard issues. She recommends it with caution for older teens.

We love our local bookshops! So, please go to your favorite one and buy these. I have linked these to amazon, where I am an associate, so if you use my links, I thank you for your support. 

favorite kid gifts, 8th edition

The holidays came fast this year, I usually have this list up before now. This year, the girls seem much older. At 15, 13 and 10, they are into different stuff than previous years. My 10 year-old is still into toys, but with two big sisters, her interests and tastes are older. She still loves digging in the dirt, thank god.

Here's some items which have delighted the girls. It's so trendy, it reminds me of middle school when everyone had a Swatch. I did not, only because I never was able to wear a watch. Weird. I did have a lot of Esprit.

There are lots of great items in my previous lists: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010. The 5th edition of favorite books  will be coming soon. 

Please click on the photo for details on all these items. I was having linking issues when I wrote this— long and very boring story.

 

These cute little plant pots for room decoration are adorable. Minimalism is all the rage with my middle daughter and these colors fit in perfect with her room. These are the pots only, and she opted for all cacti when she was at the nursery.

 

 

There are many books out there on chalk lettering and lettering in general and we have seen and looked thorough almost all of them. We got this one from the library and loved it the best and have since bought it and use it all the time. A total winner.

 

Okay, it's like a fancy spa in the house. This lamp is really pretty and the girls love it! No band posters in their rooms. I'm laughing when I think about what my room looked like at 13-15. I did have a lava lamp, so I guess this is like that.

This is just fun. We have our record player in the living room, but this can go into the girls' room. It's a great price and a wonderful gift to start a record collection. It also has a headphone jack. And bluetooth!

These stickers and book and one of MANY we have around the house . They love these—but really any planner, sketchbook, sticker-thing is a win. Bonus points for anything in rose gold.

All 3 girls have these and wear them almost daily. For real. Not out of the house, but they change into them when they get home. They are adorable and funny.

Just putting this together is making me smile. It's such a great snapshot in time. I have no new table top games to share this year. We are in love with all our old games and didn't get a new one, you can see them in the previous gift guides.

I have linked all these up with Amazon, where I am an associate. I love shopping local, and I hope you all can do that, but if online is your jam, I sure appreciate you using my links. Happy holidays!

from before thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving, but it seems like ages ago. I am in the middle of it sewing-wise, one show down and two more to go and then some time off to get ready for the holidays! There have been plenty of mini-emergencies to deal with, but I'm still able to laugh, so all is well.

Unrelated to sewing sewing but I wish it weren't—this beautiful BLT is from Skyline Burgers, which has been around forever, changed ownership a few times, and is still a family favorite. 

I am getting together my holiday gift guide and book favorites to post but it will be a bit delayed this year. We have some great books to share, but sadly our toy selection is getting slimmer every year because these dang kids are growing up.

I am reading The Hate U Give between glue gun escapades and serging mania and I am having a very hard time putting it down. Only my deadlines are making me.

mini pies

These mini-pies were made by the girls a bit back and I made extra dough, so I am hoping they will make more for next week. They were delicious. We are having a small low-key Thanksgiving this year with my family. It's rainy and dreary right now, I'm hoping for better weather next week.

I am up to my eyeballs in costume sewing— 3 shows are happening in the next 2 weeks (get your tickets for The Portland Ballet's Holiday show here! And Vancouver Dance Theater's Nutcracker tickets here!) all of which I am sewing for.

I've never worked on this many shows at once and even though at this very moment it's a bit bonkers, I still love it and am so happy to be making hats for 5-year old candy lemon drops, researching how to make a bustle, buying prom cummerbunds for a dollar, shopping goodwill and finding just the right thing for my Nutcracker party parents, embellishing 1940s style dresses, finishing mouse pants, wiring tutus, dyeing bodices, and hand-beading ballet headpieces. The 3 shows are all very different and my sewing room looks like a a crazy mad house.

Keeping me company during all of this has been Parks and Rec, which I had never seen. I'm up to season 5. I mostly listen, I can't actually watch, so I know I am not seeing a lot of the best stuff, but even listening to it is making me so happy. It's so great—the perfect thing to have in the background so I can both focus and not get all moody and weird which can happen when I think something is taking too long. I'm getting a lot better at reminding myself "it takes as long as it takes" and letting it go.

salad in jars

I have been making these on the weekends and eating them during the week. I originally made them to entice my daughters into eat salads more. They are cute and I think Instagram worthy, which a big deal with them. So far, I have been the only consumer of these. This hasn't stopped me. I thought they would be so handy for out of the house, but I find they are just as convenient at home. I just dump and add dressing and toss. Done. I love lots of bits on my salads and would skip making them during the day because I didn't want to take the time to add everything. Now I just dump. This also allows me to use the little bits of food, nuts, cheeses, what-have-you from the fridge, and then I feel very frugal and this makes me happy. 

We saw Thor: Ragnarök over the weekend and liked it a whole bunch. It is directed by Taika Waititi, who also wrote and directed What We Do in the Shadows, which is one of my favorite movies ever. It's like Spinal Tap, but with vampire roommates, not a band. So incredibly funny.

old movies

In the evenings we have been streaming old movies. This is usually while I am putting my family to work hand-beading 22 tiaras for a ballet piece at The Portland Ballet (tickets are on sale now!) This is The Curse of the Cat People, which I loved. It's weird, boring, and funny, although it's not supposed to be. We really are loving Film Struck right now. We go though phases.

It's been a busy weekend! We went to Kumoricon and had a great time, went to 2 Halloween parties, and Monday we are going to see John and Hank Green. I bought 2 extra tickets that I need to sell, and I think it's sold out. Please e-mail me if you are interested! I'm pretty excited to see them and got a little panic and clicked to many times when I bought the tickets.

cyclops mummy and friends

These are nutter butter cookies dipped in white candy melts. I saw this here (actually on instagram, but I can't find it now) and we had to try them. Candy melts are pretty horrible in every way and we can't really eat anything using them (they hurt my stomach!) but it's so pleasing to melt and dip stuff. We also made monster face oreos on a stick.

Other items 2 of which are spooky:

• The girls love drawing doodles from these tutorials, super cute and easy!
• BuzzfeedUnsloved: For adults (and teens who want to get freaked out and can deal with adult content) who like spooky/creepy stuff! The hosts really make me laugh hard while discussing really icky unsolved crimes and mysteries.
• Vox: We have been enjoying these videos that cover a whole range of topics. I especially like the ones discussing the fan base around The Room, which many believe is the worst film ever made

costume season

It's a crazy costume shop around here. I am working on 3 shows right now— all happening before the holidays, so my whole family is helping. There are some very good beaders in the house, so that's outstanding because we are making 24 tiaras. The solider hats are for a different show— these are made from board covered with fabric and embellished. I love making hats and headpieces so much.

While I am working, podcasts are my company. I heard a lovely and meaning one yesterday by Tara Brach. I usually listen to comedy and interviews, but also try to listen to deep stuff, too. This particular episode was great and I need to re-listen. When I hear about "trust" I think I know what is going to be said but she really had a different spin on this topic, which got me thinking.

stitching and learning about the Tudors

I started and finished this in August when we were on vacation. I'm starting to amass a stack of small stitched items. I used to always finish them as I go, in either hoops as wall pieces, or broaches, or something—but lately I've just been stitching and then putting them in a box. I  pull them all out at once, usually on a Sunday with tea and a good podcast, and see what they will become.

Lydia and I have been learning about the Tudors. I have only one homeschooler at home now—the older two are at the wonderful local performing arts school in 7th and 9th grade. Huge changes around here. It's been good so far, and teaching just one child at a time is new for me, and just heavenly. The older girls wanted to try school, this the the second year for my 7th grader and Sadie just started high school. They are the best students, so serious and on top of it. Their backpacks are ridiculously heavy. What's up with that? And no lockers. Crazy.

For the Tudors, Liddy and I have found so many great resources, this book, this irreverent book, this series on you tube, (sort of cheesy but good) and also this video (so interesting!!) on you tube. I'd love for her to see Elizabeth, the Movie, but it's not right for her age. We want to make a Tudor dollhouse.

dollhouse minis

I have been getting crazy working on my dollhouse. There's a story there, about my dollhouse, but I will save that for later. It's never been finished and I am finishing it now, slowly, and it's so fun. I've had it since I was about 5, I think. This is a dollhouse I made for the dollhouse.

Wood floors. This trick I learned in architecture school—you lightly draw pencil lines on balsa and paint with a watercolor wash.

These plates were printed on cardstock and pinched for a 3D effect. They have about 5 layers of clear nail polish on them. My Grandamother gave me Blue Willow china so this is to honor her. The clock face is glued on a button.

A yarn rug and some art minis, I used packing tape on the artwork to protect them.

This is the kitchen getting some finishes. I didn't make the furniture or food in here. I'm starting to apply the wallpaper.

This is the front of the mini-doll house in the first photo.

I made this sink and oven, the design is from the 1920s. So fun! I really like making the furniture. The metal sink is a mini altoids tin.

Bookshelves that have since been satined and/or painted.

This whole project is so great because I can work on it forever. I can built with wood, polymer clay, cardstock, and use yarn, metal, everything and anything I want to make—and then just put it in the house. You tube has been so educational. There's a whole lot of dollhouse action on instagram right now, especially with modern design houses. Are any of you working on miniatures? The Portland Miniature Show is coming up, which I am excited for.

Some inspiration:

Instagram:

• miniaturehandmade
• pretty models
• thesquaretospare
• my mini mansion
• calevie designer houses

You Tube:

• The Square to Spare
• akamerukawaii
• manmaruko49
• real life dollhouse miniatures

Iceland 2017

I got back from Iceland 2 nights ago. It was amazing trip although it was ill-timed—during the first week of all our activities, which require both parents and grammie for driving. When I am gone, it's pretty impossible. But it all got done and I am so happy I just crossed my fingers and left. 

I try to travel alone without my family every year, but it's hard to do. I took a little 2-day trip 2 years ago to Breitenbush. The last time I took a big trip was when I went to Santa Fe 3 years ago. On that trip I didn't know a soul and did the whole trip alone, but I usually know someone where I am visiting. This time, I was meeting a dear online friend for the first time in person and it was just so mind-blowing. I feel like the trip had 3 themes :

• Seeing Iceland for the first time and experiencing all it is—beautiful, powerful, barren, harsh, and welcoming. 
• Planning and taking a trip for myself with no thought of what my family might want to do and see, which is such a big part of family vacations. I could go to 3 museums in a day and not worry about the kids being bored.
• Connecting with a friend in person, after being online friends, in the most meaningful way. And connecting with her family and country. I find it hard to write about. I'm also a bit tired still. So imagine a lot more profound and descriptive words in this part here.

The trip was the perfect mix of everything— incredible nature sites, conversation, coffee, baked goods, yarn, and just hanging out. I am more afraid at this point in my life of NOT planning trips alone. They feed my soul and make me feel alive. I really want to go back to Iceland and am so excited for my friend and her family to visit us in Portland. 

Thank you so much for all your audio book info. I got some great ones—both from audible and the app hoopla, which is a library app. 

flavored syrups

I've had two amazing drinks on heavy rotation this summer. Both were copied from ones I had bought, a Hibiscus Iced Tea from Tea Bar and a Lavender Matcha Milk Tea which was a special at Maplewood Cafe. My homemade ones don't taste exactly the same, but are delicious. I realized they must be using flavored syrups (I think?) so I made my own.

To make the syrups:

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon dreid lavender (or 3 cinnamon sticks)

Boil for 3 minutes, let cool for 20 minutes, strain and put in bottles and store in the fridge. I kept the cinnamon sticks in mine because it's pretty.

Then I added the syrups to taste after making the hibiscus iced tea (Tea Bar uses carbonated water. I never have any so make it flat) or the matcha milk tea. Amazing!!

Unrelated:

Thank you so much for all your tips about audio books and tips on getting them. I had also forgotten about the Hoopla app I have on my phone, which is also through our library (like Overdrive) and the UI is really easy to use—so I just downloaded 5 books from there. Yippee!

plant wall

I took down our needlework wall and have been working on this plant wall for a few months. It's still evolving. The wood panels came from craft warehouse and I glued various items to the wood to make little homes for the airplants. The bottom panel has 3 test tubes I can use for single stems—or grasses in this case. I'm so happy with how this turned out, it's so fun to tinker with. I still might add some plants to the bottom panel. I mounted the orchid on the left, which was really easy and very satisfying.

We have had busy end-of-summer weekend. Oaks Park, a sleep over, picking up a child from overnight camp, baby sitting a 1 1/2 year old all day, and attending the last night of Faerieworlds, 2017. This gathering is so great, please search google images "faerieworlds" to see all the amazing costumes. This was all in the last 48 hours. It's still so hot here, summer won't quit, which is fine with me. I love fall, but as I get older, I really like the warm, and the light.

Okay, is there anyplace to buy audio books besides audible? I get them from our library, which is great, but has some limitations, and there are a ton for free (in that copyright infring-y way) on you tube, but anywhere else to buy them? I just hate the idea of paying a monthly fee at audible and having to buy the audio book. grrr. 

LSP in the house. Or, in this case, the car.

The world seems to have gone bonkers. And the eclipse is coming up so Portland has gone a bit crazy because we are so close to the path of totality. That sound like a book title. The Path of Totality. It probably is. I'm not going to look.

Lydia and I made a huge Lumpy Space Princess (from Adventure Time) and she has been traveling with us, even on vacation. She was so fun to make. She is huge. Way bigger than reasonable.

I finished reading Mister Monkey and really liked it and now am reading Swing Time.

Craft-wise I have been all over the place, but hope to focus my efforts on building some stairs for my doll house that lives at my mom's. I also need to get the wallpaper in and the wood flooring. This has led me to you tube which has resulted in too much time watching miniatures being made. I find this very relaxing. 

beating the heat

I'm not sure how hot it is here today. My phone says 102°. It feels about 115°.

We have no AC. At all. Long story, but our windows don't easily take window units and central air is a big "thing" involving a new furnace and new electrical and all that, so we just suffer every summer, but it's not usually for very long. This year it's bad. The cats are sleeping in the shower. The dogs are just dumb and won't go into the basement where it's cooler. Yesterday was bonkers so I am having a portable ac until overnighted to the house. There are none left in Oregon to buy. I will then hack together a college style foam core make-shift thing to get the venting out of our sliding glass door screen. It will be awesome. I feel like the house is regressing a bit this year. What with the basement flooding and rug that got torn up and isn't replaced yet, and all.

This orange vanilla cupcake and iced espresso made me feel much better. Market of Choice is nicely air-conditioned. Also making me feel good is the great book list Alicia put together from her comments. I am reading Mr. Monkey right now and like it a whole lot. I had to read it because it's called Mr. Monkey. I'm off to get in my air-conditioned car to buy linen to make a comfy bag-like dress. Or 3.

a super helpful book I think everyone should read

I randomly picked this book up at the library There is No Good Card for This, and can't put it down. This been a hard year for our family, lots of health stuff and schedule stuff and lots of big plans failing in a huge epic way. We are fine, but it has been hard. I know our friends and family have been at a loss at times on figuring out how to help us.

During all this, many of my friends are also going through life with big stuff happening. As it does. Death, divorce, health issues—there's just a lot out there and now that we all seem to be getting older (this happens, I keep being reminded) our parents and kids are dealing with big life stuff, too. It's hard to figure out what to say and how to help. This book is so helpful. And funny. And is really great to read right now because I am NOT in the middle of a huge crisis and so I can actually focus on what I am reading.

These pages are from the book.

I think this should be required reading in high school and then re-read every year. It's not written for kids, but I think high school is the perfect age to be thinking about how we can help others in very difficult times and to get in practice with how it can be uncomfortable but is something we need to do as evolved humans. It's more than just helpful tips—it's a way to look at how we process empathy. And also it talks about giving care, and how it's directly related to how we receive care. I wish I had read it a long time ago.

new organic facial care products in my shop!

I am very excited to be selling 2 new products in my etsy shop! A Cleansing Oil and Facial Toner. Both 100% organic. They smell amazing and are luxurious to use.

I have always washed my face with a custom blended oil cleanser followed with a facial toner before I use the facial oil. I have sold the facial oil for years but not the cleanser or the toner. Sometimes the cleanser people use can be very drying and it can strip the skin— so the facial oil isn't enough moisture, which is why I use an oil cleanser. Also, nothing gets off make-up and sunscreen better for me.

The toners I use (and now sell) are 100% organic hydrosols. I use them any time of day, over and under make-up. They smell lovely and have wonderful benefits. I like using hydrosols that are unusual—not the typical lavender and rose. I love these too, but they are easy to find at the health food store and I like to have ingredients that are a bit more exotic and harder to source.

I made 3 different formulations of these 2 products to go with the existing line of Restorative, Balancing, and Nourishing Facial Oils. You can use the 3 products from the same line, or mix and match. They all work well together. I sell them singularly and also as a set for a $5 discount.

My goal is to keep my prices low, and keep selling direct instead of wholesale to shops, so please spread the word if you like my products and to those of you who have supported me all these years, thank you so much! I see similar products (not organic) sold for double the amount. I am so happy to be offering these at a much more reasonable price.

I hope you love these as much as I do.

crazy scary puppets

We learned about Paul Klee's puppets recently and they were new to me. They were mentioned only in passing, in a video or a book, I can't remember which, but he made them for his son. I am completely obsedssed wth them. I was terrified of Mr. Rodger's puppets (and the Purple Panda) when I was small. Why were their noses so big? And their voices so horrible? I still don't like them, but I do like these and I like the idea of disturbing puppets.

I want to make some and now that the kids are older, I don't have to worry about them actually being scared by them. All these images are from this book I bought myself for my birthday which is wonderful.

jello cake thing

The jello cake I linked to in my last post was made for the 4th of July.

It was really fun to make, but was pretty much a fail. We were able to get a good slice out of the middle for this photo. The white cake was fine, as was the jello/mousse layer, but when we poured the jello red layer on the top, it slowly started to sink into the mousse layer and kind of disappeared. It was really funny. Also, the cake was really gross, flavor-wise. The strawberry red jello might have been ok, but the blue mouse made it just so crazy sweet and weird, no one could eat it. So, there you go. It was still fun to make, but yeah.

I sewed 3 gymnastic leotards this weekend and am starting on a ballet leotard. I feel like my life right now is really about getting the girls to their various camps, events, and classes, which is fine, but I also want to just still in my backyard for a bit. I have so many things on the to-do list. All fun crafty things—mounting an orchid, making henna paste for hands and feet, getting the new facial products in my etsy shop, going berry picking. All that kind of stuff. I also have bought a plane ticket to Iceland in September, just for myself, and I am beyond excited! So, I am having fun researching for that.

knitting that I have been neglecting

This project is hibernating. For now. I did finish up some embroidery work at the beach recently and should have brought this project as well but instead started and almost finished The Nix, which is a very thick book. I'm almost done.

I have so many ideas in my head for projects right now and all involve money and time and then a serious analysis of what I would actually do with these projects when completed (sell? gifts? what?) but I try not to think about that part too much.

We are in full summer mode with the girls, getting them ready for various camps and trips. This is the first year all 3 of them will be gone multiple nights alone at different times. Exciting! But also a bit hard. Things seem to be moving pretty fast around here.

Every year for the big holidays I struggle between making a semi-gross yet funny dessert involving questionable chemicals or a simple elegant edible one that doesn't have the humor or spunk, but surely is the mature and choice. I usually make both. I will report back.

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colors

This is a shot from the Portland Fjällräven shop. It makes me so very happy. This is a popular stop when we are at Lovejoy Bakers or the Tea Bar.

I'm in a sewing jag right now. I have a shawl knitting WIP that I was working on but got the urge to use up all the precious fat quarters I had to make totes, small pouches, and purses. These are going in the gift bin, or I may try to sell them on etsy/instagram. I just like making them and playing with the different color combinations. I also need to clean out my stash a little bit.

Thanks for the book suggestions! I just started and finished The Keep, by Jennifer Egan which was neither funny nor stress-free, but I loved it and read it in 2 days. I really liked A Visit from the Goon Squad, which I read a few years ago, also by her. We are headed to the beach soon and I'll probably just grab what I see at the library.

Podcast-wise I have been a big fan of Dear Hank and John, and the Nerdist lately. 

We can't stop watching this SNL skit. It gets funnier every time.

I'm working on some new facial products to add to my shop (very excited!) and I scheming a way to do a little pop-up sale here in Portland so you all can try before you buy and also not have to pay shipping. I just need to find a space. Stay tuned and if anyone knows of a place that would be down with this, please let me know.

one of my favorite bakeries

I wish we lived closer to bakeshop or some of the cafes that sold bakeshop items. Maybe I don't. Maybe it's a good thing we don't live closer. Anyhoo, these items are from there, and they were delicious. 

Summer has started. it's been a whirlwind around here. I finished reading Handmaid's Tale. I'm wanting to read something happy next. Or funny. Or maybe both. I'm also pulling books for summer reading for the girls. 

I am feeling the need to make some puppets. I will show my inspiration soon. They are not normal puppets. I want to get my hands back into paper mache and sculpture.  I'm also feeling the urge to work with some concrete in the backyard. I'd like to make something kind of big. You tube is helping me with this delusion.

kinpira gobo

I made some kinpira gobo a bit ago and it was a huge success. I was at Uwajimaya and saw the burdock root and remembered the dish and how delicious it was. Thanks to you tube, I made it. I loved it so much, just with rice. My family was less interested. So, that means I had a lot of it. That's a lot of fiber in a few days. I'll just leave it at that.

The rain here has been really sad. The plants are so happy, rain with a day or two of sun, but it's cold. Like, it's rainy right now and it's about 55°. I'm trying to stay positive, but it also not only throws off my clothing choices, but my cooking. It's seems weird to eat fish tacos and limeade when it's so icky out. But eating stew and soup make it kind of depressing.

We are having a lot of fun watching all the new MST3K on netflix. It's pretty great to watch these with the girls after being fans for so long in college. Only two of the girls really like it—it does require patience. There's that odd thing that happens when you are watching a movie that is so bad—it's both incredibly boring and amazing at the same time. Pretty great.

air plants

I am working on a new decorating project in the living room. I took down our embroidery wall and am putting up a plant wall. I loved seeing our needlework everyday, but I needed a change and have been really loving air plants and their creepy alien vibe. I bought these from Aura Creations and they were packaged so cute! I have also bought some locally at Pistals Nursery, which is a favorite shop of ours. This wall is a fun challenge because I'm trying to mount plants, which I haven't done before. I have hopes to mount a staghorn fern and an orchid. There are many you tube videos on this which I have been staying up too late watching. These ladies crack me up. And this interesting way of mounting orchids with glue instead of wire is very cool. 

I will show the wall as I get it together, I plan to add to it and change it as I go, kind of a living art project. I have been told by the girls not to make it too gross and creepy. They also said that adding crystals and gemstones might be too trendy, which cracked me up. But what if I like the trendy thing? I was into crystals in the 80s in highschool, so I make no apologies.

this coat was a blanket

I have had this lovely lightweight throw for a few years and it was getting pretty damaged by cat claws and general life wear. It's lightweight cotton that's been hand quilted. I tucked it away and then realized I would actually enjoy it more if I could wear it. So I sewed it into a coat. I didn't use a pattern or tutorial but I did find this one later, which is pretty much how I sewed it. I added a pocket and also some hooks and eyes to close it at the top. I love it! my girls think it's a bit crazy, but you know.

It's been so busy around here, with both exciting things—recitals and performances and a birthday (I turned 45!) but also hard things, family members with health issues, the world in general and Portland dealing with tragic stuff. It feels so crazy right now. Everyday it seems like there is another horrible thing to wrap my brain around and also talk to the girls about.

We had a lovely blast of sun over the weekend. I made a crisp with rhubarb, we got some junk hauled out of the back yard, and I am almost done sewing for this week's dance performances at ACMA. I am half-way through reading The Handmaid's Tale, which I had never read. I wantedto read it before I watch it. While sewing, I've been listening to Call Your Girlfriend, which is really great. Two smart women talking about politics, music, books, and sometimes Keanu Reeves.

bubble tea

We have been spending a lot of money at bubble tea places ( Tea Bar, Tea Chai Té, Bubble and Tea,) so I started making my own. It wasn't really on my radar years ago because all the bubble tea places I knew of were using super sweet powders with artificial flavors and it just seemed like a big slushie to me. But then I was noticing milk bubble tea using real tea (maybe this was always out there I just never knew it) and got on the bandwagon. I am a huge fan of Hong Kong style which is a black tea with sweetened condensed milk, and I love matcha milk tea as well. This is mango black tea with green tea instant boba that I found at Uwajimaya.

I have fined tuned my approach—I like the boba really soft and sweet so I have been making it in the morning and letting it sit a in a syrup for a few hours. I usually will have a milk tea around 3pm. I love how I can vary the strength and sweetness of these drinks. I only have one boba straw right now, which is pretty pathetic, I need to get more.

 

casting on right away

I casted on again and made this last week. It's so cold here I have already worn it a lot. I'm on the fence about blocking this type of thing. A wet block is what I am questioning. Maybe a light misting would be better? On big needles and with super soft yarn this grew quite a bit and I liked it better before it grew, but I am still quite happy with it. The details, there aren't many, are here.

I have a shawl on the needles now. It's all stash busting around here, and I mean it. Same with my needlework. No new purchases for a bit. I think I am in a process phase right now, not really too concerned with what I make as long as I am making, so working from my stash is easy. If it's not exactly what I would make for myself, it can become a gift.

Years ago a started a handmade gift stash, where I just make stuff, anything I wanted (this could be 1 scarf or 15 pin cushions) and then just kept it safe it a big plastic box with a tight lid. During the year I pull from it for gifts. I love it. I have hats, baby booties, pincushions, little charms, handmade books—all that. It's so freeing because then I don't have that "why am I making this?" feeling when I start something new. I know many of these items I could put in my Etsy shop, and I do sometimes, but often I just like giving them to friends that would appreciate them.

I have been making bubble milk tea at home, with instant bobba. More on this soon. I also am on a 16/8 eating plan and so far so good. My body has changed a whole lot after 40 (hello jowls in this photo!) and this has made my gut feel so much better. I'm on day 10 I think? I will report back. I don't expect it to help my jowls.

WIP done.

This project was from a kit I bought at For Yarn's Sake at the Rose City Yarn Crawl 2016. I bought another kit at the yarn crawl this year, from the same shop, and couldn't start it until I finished this one. So I did. I have all the info on my Ravelry page for it. The yarn was so fun to work with.

I met a dear friend for dinner last night and we were talking about kids, knitting and British mysteries (as we do) and I told her how I went to bed 2 nights ago at 7:30pm. I didn't actually sleep, I was just in our bedroom, with jammies on and did very little. I wasn't sick or upset. I went down because I was in a good mood. I NEVER do this. I never give myself permission to just leave and read or lie in bed or watch a movie alone for no reason. I need to be either sick, emotionally distraught, or have some type of back/feet/leg pain or a headache. It was so great. People and animals could visit me, but I didn't come back up. I did get some visits, but for the most part, I was left alone.

I'm going to schedule this early bedtime on a weekly basis. This seems both crazy and so obvious it's embarrassing. My hang-up is not just that I want to see my family, but also I feel to get the reward of alone time, I need to be creative with the time—adding oils to my shop, writing a novel, sewing a dress, or coming up with a concept album. I'm not really joking. I feel like I have such little time that when I do I need to use it as an artist, so I don't take the time because I will feel guilty not creating—which I realize it a very important thing for me to do.

I curled up with the trio of MDK field guides and read them and was so happy about these little books and knitting and stripes and fair isle and the awesome ladies of the internet who are still around kicking ass.

Unrelated:

We just found Artrageous with Nate, which is art history, science and history on youtube and we dig it. The episodes are a bit high energy and loud? I think that's just us. We are not a loud family. Well, the dogs are loud.

laurel burch

A couple years ago I was out to dinner with a close friend, exactly my age, who was wearing Laurel Burch earrings. She kept them from the 80s. I had totally forgotten about Laurel Burch but when I was in middle school they were a big deal. I usually stole my mom's, but I had a few paris of my own. Her early work was really expensive and done in cloisonne, and then later her enamel work came out and was much more affordable. I have collected about 5 pairs now, including a pair of cats.

When I wear them, women my age and older always notice, which is pretty fun. These I just bought, which are duplicates of a pair I originally had when I think I was about 13. They have never been worn and I was thrilled to find them. I don't have any of my original pairs, so I have been rebuilding what I remember having. The enamel still really easy to find and pretty inexpensive on easy.

a japanese bakery

We finally made it out to Oyatsupan a bit back. It was delicious. The we went again about a week later and I thought they would have the same items, but they didn't. There were different ones available, which was thrilling. Sadie and I got our Japan fix. This reminded us so much of the bakeries we visited in Japan. The light green item is a matcha bun/fluffy scone-type thing. And there was live music on a weekday afternoon! I love homeschooling, the girls were so into it.

The girls and I are making our way through Downton Abbey. I am trying not to yell, "Thomas!" or narrate my own MSTK3000 the whole time, but it's hard. The the show is so quiet, I have to keep it together so we don't miss anything. I love series so much. We are are only on season 3. I stopped watching it years ago because I didn't want it to end, but now that I finally finished Penny Dreadful, I feel like I can do anything. I also didn't want that series to end, and I knew how it would end, and then it did actually end how I knew it would end and then I was exhausted and sad and had weird dreams for a week.

Pete made Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Arugula Salad and Dilled Orzo this week and it was so good. It was a winner for 4/5 of us.

albums and that whole thing

I have a decent to-do list going right now and I'm trying to hack away at it before adding new distracting crafts and projects. I finally finished the Japan photo album from our trip in October. It's shipping right now. I am so happy. This came together pretty easily. I had most of the photos on my phone so uploading wasn't too bad.

The key for me is to edit ruthlessly before I upload, so that I can use almost all the photos when I start to layout and don't have to stop and make decisions. This makes a huge difference. I have used Shutterfly for years now for our family albums, I make one a year. This is more of an ordeal because I collect photos from all our phones and cameras. I haven't started this year's yet. I usually finish them by now, but the Japan one took the lead.

Over the years I have made about 12 of these books, for trips, ballet performances, and yearly albums. For the trips, I add text. A whole lot, usually. I dictate on my trips (voice to text in Evernote) and then clean it up and drop it in the album later. I dictated during this trip every night, and told stories and little details I knew would be forgotten or couldn't be described and remembered with a photo. The text is such a great addition to these books. I don't do this for this yearly books because that's crazy.

The rain! It's raining here again. I know there is a lot of snow and power outages for people elsewhere, I'll take the rain. But I do wish for some sun. Just a little.

rose city yarn crawl 2017

I had a great time visiting some yarn shops last weekend during the Rose City Yarn Crawl. I only went to two shops, I usually go to about 4, but I still had fun. I spent less money this year which is good for me. I need to finish up my project from last year. I haven't been knitting much this year, I usually go through 2-3 month knitting phase, but this year I have been stitching and doing more needlework.

I took this photo at the Knitting Bee, where Yoth yarn was having a trunk show. Such elegant colors. Really lovely yarn. I also went to For Yarn's Sake and met some lovely designers (Debbi Stone and PDXKnitterati!) and picked up a cowl pattern and some yarn. I am really excited to get started on that project.

I'm almost done with The Girl That Fell From the Sky. I can't put it down. I feel like I have more to share, but I have a distracting headache right now. Unrelated, my brother is telling me I have to watch The Patriot. It's an Amazon series.