Link Love

It only seems fitting that I put a cow up today. Matt has his last performance of Oklahoma today and it can't end too soon. I'm tired of the drama (at home) about how his friends will laugh at him (why can't the school musical have the same cool factor as sports?), homework being put to the end of the list and just plain lack of sleep. He does like the end product and looks like he is having a blast on stage, but oh, the road to this point has been long and hard.

There has been extreme goodness out on the web as of late. Here are just of few of my faves this week. enjoy!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Thought this might be a new take on the traditional pumpkin pie.

Amy Butler has printables that are free. Who knew?

I saw these mittens at a local sale this week. The vendor was selling them for 20 bucks a pair. Even I can make these.

Adorable! I'm trying to figure out who I can give these to.

And lastly, these look just sinful....

I Couldn't Say No

Someone called and asked me to donate a purse for a silent auction that they are having here in town. It's for a very sick woman. I, of course, said yes. I haven't knit many felted bags since I bought my front loader washing machine. Felting is still possible, but not quite as seamproof as the top loaders.

I'm okay with the outcome. There are a few creases that you can't see (created by being late to the washer to pull the purse out). It will do.

My favorite part: the handle. I bought it a few years ago while visiting NYC. If you ever have a chance, stop in at M and J Trimmings. It's a mecca of every accent piece you can think of: buttons, lace, beaded trim, handles, appliques. I could go on and on.

Pattern: Sophie

by: Julie Anderson

Lamb's Pride Bulky

purple

needles: 10 1/2

5 things...

Greetings! No, I didn't forget you, just another busy week!. The weather is beautiful for November and we've been outside enjoying every minute. So let's get on with the list so I can go back outside and play!

1. Made pumpkin biscotti today for my neighbor. First time making this recipe and I will make it again and again. It came out perfect!

2. Finally, the middle school play is here! October was a long month around here with much drama from a very overtired thirteen year old. Oklahoma has been conquered by the seventh and eighth graders.

3. My dining room table has been overtaken by Lego men. The boys are making stop-motion movies. Let me know if you happen to see them out on the web and that they are using appropriate language.

4. A view of an eleven year old's bedroom door. I knock and then proceed in. Privacy smrivacy. I'll save the privacy post for another day.

5. Starting the Christmas lists for everyone and as always I'm finding it difficult to buy for the boys. Everything on their lists is a tech object and costs over $200. Not gonna happen in this house. Ideas? What are you buying your kids for the holidays?

Yay a winner!

Mary is the winner of the little contest I threw out there yesterday. The correct answer was Jim Carey in the Truman Story.

The actual house is in Seaside, Florida. Mostly the whole movie was filmed on location. We vacation in Seaside every year and, of course, have to watch the movie every year. I think we can all recite most of the lines.

Mary, drop me an email with your address and I'll send you a prize in the mail.

I'll leave you with some looks from the Sartorialist. Happy rest of the weekend to all!

There's this one. Oh, how I wish I could wear my hair like this!

And if I've shared this one, I apologize. But, I can't help but love everything about both of these pictures.

Then there is this one. Oh, dear, I just want to take this poor girl and feed her a giant pizza, some wings and a pitcher of beer!

Friday Fun!

I came across this photo today and thought we should have a bit of fun with it.

That's my husband having fun himself.

Be the first person to guess what movie this house is from and the actor that stood in this exact doorway and I'll send you some yarny goodness.

Happy weekend!

added:

okay everyone...it's not that hard.  Let me know if you need a hint.

Go, Take a Look...

You'll be sorry if you don't.

photo courtesy of Camilla

My friend Camilla has finally opened up an etsy shop.

She creates beautiful art yarns in wonderful colors.

She can also be found here and here!

I know she would love to hear from you!

Stopping...

for a moment.

Because I don't have much.

and I've been asked to donate a felted handbag for a purse auction

which is in two weeks.

and there's a lot of other stuff to do in those two weeks.

like haul kids to hockey (although my husband is doing that tonight)

and finish my husband's hockey sweater

and haul one kid to play practice.every.single. night. until November 13th

and then it's over

Thank God...and whomever else wants to be thanked.

And I still have to plant some more daffodil bulbs.

Which I should have done today because it was BEAUTIFUL outside

but I didn't

so I know I will be planting them when it's snowing outside.

So now I need to go and gather Matt from school

and wait for the other two to come home from hockey practice

and it will be the end of another day.

whew!

Lovin' the links

Wish I could stop and write more, but we are in the fast lane this weekend. So for now, I'll leave you with a little link love!

enjoy!

This is a new to me site. SO many easy and simple projects. But be prepared, it's a major time suck. Just warning ya!

And even though Halloween is tomorrow. You can still make these for Thanksgiving.

What a delightful interpretation of the brownie. Can't you see bringing these to the party?

Why oh why was this etsy shop not around when the boys were little...or even in their sizes now?

and a little window shopping.

Love these and this.

Trick or Treat everyone!

Getting It...

I've been thinking about photography a lot lately and the feelings that it stirs inside of us. Sometimes it's a memory of a beautiful day, Other times, a picture of a sunset can evoke a wonderful memory about the last trip we went on. I always have my pictures running as a screensaver on my computer. Countless times I have caught myself or one of my boys sitting, just enjoying the memories as they flash upon the screen.

Word is out that I enjoy taking pictures. People have asked me to photograph certain aspects of their lives, gardens or hobbies. I feel honored yet nervous at the same time. I certainly didn't go to school for this medium and have no idea what makes a "good" picture. Yet, I do know when I see it, I'm just not sure what to do with it.

So, what does this all have to do with the picture below? Surely, Bobbi and Mike had no idea when they took this picture it would have an effect on a middle age woman in New York. But it did! In a huge, huge way.

So what do I think of this picture?

It makes me all kinds of happy. Probably,because I know the bride, but more so, I just love looking at wedding photos. I'm sorta obsessed by all that there is to see about weddings on the Internet. This one just looks like a rocking, good time.

But let me take it a step further. Not only do I know the bride, I also know one of the bridesmaids and a guest in this picture and they all make me incredibly happy.

Em, the bridesmaid is my sister. She just happens to be best friends with the bride, Meg. I've watched these two grow into wonderful, young women. I babysat them when they were little and then took them to see Brittany Spears (don't ask) when they were in eighth grade. I heard their secrets about boys and was asked advice about subjects they couldn't ask their parents. Emotions run high when I look at this picture.

But then I see Christian. He's a great college friend of Em and Meg (and I'm sure the groom too, seeing that they all went to school together). BUT, he was also a student of mine in fifth grade! Em and Meg grew up in a neighboring city from Christian(both in New York). Sitting around a bar one night (in Ohio), my name came up (probably talking about their best teacher ever!). They put two and two together, Em got on the phone (that was before I could text) and bingo, the mystery was solved.

Three lives that have touched mine in ways that could only be imagined and one photographer got it without even knowing.

I have to play around with this notion a bit more. I want my photos to have feelings. Is there such a thing? I'm not sure. More importantly, I want my family to look at my pictures, today and long after I'm gone and remember.

btw...go check out all of Matt and Meg's wedding pictures at bobbi and mikes site. They are wonderful photogs! I will be adding them to my inspiration blogroll as a must read!

5 things

It's warm out today and it's supposed to be even warmer tomorrow. So, I don't have much time here. I'm going out to finish up in the garden and plant my daffodils. I think this might be the last hurrah!



1. I can smell the chicken and dumplings that I have cooking. Yum! It will be a good night with no hockey or play practice.

2. We walked for the March of Dimes this weekend. The boys gave out water at the mid-point. I was proud of their maturity and their willingness to help.



3. Tonight I will hear the trumpet, viola and guitar being played/practiced. I enjoy their sounds.

4. I'll be glad when Halloween is over. It's not my favorite.


5. I ordered a new phone for the eleven year old. The second in a year. Yes, I've learned my lesson that he really doesn't need one, but I like knowing that he has it. And yes, he did pay the deductible for the second one.

added this evening: oh dear, the day got away from me yet again. Oh well! When my husband came home this evening and saw the cupcakes he told me I needed to take pictures of them. "Honey, I already did!"

enjoy the week!

5 things...

Busy, busy, busy is all I have to say. Here it is Wednesday and I'm just writing my 5 things post which usually happens on Monday. Not sure where the week is going, but I'm glad that we have been so active around here. So lest you get bored wondering what I've been up to, on with the list...!

1. Nope, didn't go to Rhinebeck. We came close to going. I even got the boys in bed early on Saturday night in anticipation of a great excursion. But as I was saying good-night, I pulled the plug. As much as I wanted to go...I didn't want to make the three hour drive. Next year!

2. So we stayed home and went to the local pumpkin/cash cow/tourist attraction. Seven bucks a person/ $30 max per car. But that gets you a season pass to the farm...until October 29th. A, yeah, when I'm I going to go again?

3. I have a photo gig. Taking pictures for a friend's website. She makes traditional quilts, but needs a bit of help with her photo skills. In trade, she will make window treatments for my family room.

4. I'm loving pretzel m&m's at the moment. If you haven't tried them, I would strongly advise buying a package. They are a major hit. The coconut ones...major fail!

5. We are past peak in our neighborhood, but would have to say that the colors have been magnificent this autumn. The last few days it has been raining leaves, making it hard to say good-bye to fall.

Enjoy the last few days of the week!