Cookie planning.

The December issue of Sunset magazine arrived with lots of cookie recipes. I'm making my baking plans and challenging myself to try some new recipes. I'd like to try making crackers too!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today would have been my mom's 73rd birthday.

Oh, it's been a difficult year. I miss her so much.

My father-in-law's birthday was today too. He would have been 84, but he passed away in 1995, also from cancer. A very distinguished man. He lived and worked all over Europe and the Middle East for PepsiCola. Here he is in those dark sunglasses with Pepsi celebrity spokesperson, Pele.

And with me on the day we met.

Craft night.

Tonight we're having "craft night" at Rosario's. I have so many projects started that I wasn't sure which one to bring, but I've decided on my Christmas card envelopes. I'm making them all from recycled magazines.

Author evening.

I'm off to see Barbara Kingsolver at Bainbridge High this evening. It'll probably be a full house. I got reserved seats when I purchased the book....the book that I am trying to get through. I like it, but don't love it so far. It's moving far too slowly, but it might be because I haven't had a big chunk of time to sit down and read. I've loved her previous books and can't wait to hear her in person. I listened to her read "Prodigal Summer" on tape and her southern accent just draws you in.

A gift.

This beautiful hand-crafted dish in memory of my mother arrived from my cousin Susan today. After my mother's funeral in April we sent her some of the flowers from the service and she decoupaged them under glass along with a picture of St. Cecilia. I love the colors, the shape, the thought...I am so touched and will treasure this piece of art forever! Susan happens to be an amazingly talented artist (and my cousin!!!)....check out her "Spirit of Flowers" website and bio.

Project.

I saw this journal at Anthropologie and I'm going to attempt to copy it. I need some simple gift ideas and this looked like something I can do. I'm going to start by covering a composition notebook with some of the gorgeous paper I have been collecting. Will keep you posted....

Rain.

And the rain rain rain came down down down and Piglet started bailing.

He was unaware atop his chair while bailing he was sailing.

The Hundred Acre Wood must have been in the Pacific NW!

I barely slept last night. The wind and rain were so loud.

I'm thankful we have power this morning.

8:45 pm....just corrected all my typos!!!

Blogs to share.

I've got to get to work, but wanted to share two inspiring blog posts with you this morning....
Please check out Sarah Ahearn's blog and the Shutter Sisters.

Happy Monday!

Photo courtesy of my daughter; matrushka courtesy of my son.

Happy Birthday Julie!

My younger sister Julie is having a birthday today. Here we are in front of grandma & grandpa's in Glendale on Easter....circa 1965? 66? We always got new dresses and new patent leather shoes. I don't remember the purses, but I do remember not liking it all...see that look on my face. I'm still a jeans and tee-shirt kinda gal.

To Do....Ta Da

I did not get out of my pajamas until after noon today.

And I did not write a thing on my ToDo list today...

the only thing I really had to do was a blog post!

Today is day 14 of 30 in NaBloPoMo.

If I had made out a ToDo list it would have been

on these pads I made from recycled paper.

And on the backs....recycled cereal boxes!

Note cards.

How beautiful are these note cards from Madison Park Greetings? They are designed by Nancy Honan Wallace and I just had to have them! We carry them at Paper Products, but I'm sure they are going to fly off the shelf (I promise not to buy them all). I still love snail mail...don't you?

Oh, just noticed it's Friday the 13th....have a very lucky day!

Feeling collagie...

Veteran's Day.

Honoring all the veterans of yesterday and today.

God bless you and America!

Glass pumpkins.

Another post from Leslie's visit. These gorgeous pics are from the Seattle Glassblowing Studio on 5th Avenue, near Blanchard. Definitely worth a visit!

The Seattle Central Library.

Opened in May 0f 2004.

Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

18,400 cubic yards of concrete.

2,050 tons of rebar.

4,644 tons total steel.

9,994 pieces of exterior glass or 126,767 square feet.

28,963 square feet of interior glazing.

Just an amazing space. Here are some of Leslie's interior photos...

Teresa Sheeley Giveaway.

FYI....Teresa Sheeley is having a Moleskine giveaway over on her spectacular blog. Check it out!

Stormy, Soggy Seattle.

I had such a great time with Leslie in Seattle, but it was so stormy...windy and rainy. We started the day with a yummy breakfast at Lola. We skipped Sculpture Park and headed right to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), then off to the Seattle Public Library, afternoon tea on First, the Nordstrom Sale (Leslie told her husband that she "accidentally" went shopping), and finally a delicious happy hour dinner back at Taste at SAM. We planned to hit "First Thursday" open art galleries/studios but we went back to the hotel to dry off, regroup and then never went back out. Instead we were in our pjs by 8:30! It was soggy day indeed, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Thanks Michelle.

I got an award passed on to me by Michelle over at EverydayMe. I need to answer the following 35 questions with one word and then pass it on. I'm passing it on to Meagan over at A Serene Scene. She's relatively new to blogging, but oh so talented!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Natural
3. Your mother? Gone
4. Your father? Funny
5. Your favorite food? Chocolate
6. Your dream last night? None
7. Your favorite drink? Tea
8. Your dream/goal? Independence
9. What room are you in? Livingroom
10. Your hobby? Card-making
11. Your fear? Heights
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Home
13. Where were you last night? ArtWalk
14. Something you aren't? Skinny
15. Muffins? Blueberry
16. Wish list item? Sanity
17. Where did you grow up? California
18. Last think you did? Ate
19. What are you wearing? Jeans
20. Your TV? Sony
21. Your pets? Four
22. Friends? Special
23. Your life? Crazy
24. Your mood? Changing
25. Missing someone? Definitely
26. Vehicle? Old
27. Something you're not wearing? Mascara
28. Your favorite store? PinkChalkFabrics
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? MinutesAgo
31. Last time you cried? Today
32. Your best friend? Cherished
33. One place that I go to over and over? Work (it's a good thing)
34. Facebook? Yes
35. Favorite place to eat? Lola

Missed anniversary.

I missed my one-year blogging anniversary back on October 21st. I was too busy and stressed to notice at the time. But I did not want to let it pass completely unnoticed and wanted to let you know how much I enjoy this community. I stay up-to-date and in touch with a couple of elementary school friends. I've met new friends right here on Bainbridge Island because of blogging. I'm inspired daily by all the creativity going on around the world.
Happy belated anniversary dear blog! Thank you fellow bloggers! ;-) Joan