artsy-crafty babe

night comes early

Today's post was inspired by the november writing prompt at write alm, night comes early.

As I turned into my neighborhood yesterday afternoon it occurred to me that I left the house in the darkness of morning and now returning in darkness.  A quick stop at the grocery that proved to be not so quick did it.  My first thought was “I hate this”, but when I walked in the door and was greeted with a chorus of “mommmmeeeee” that thought quickly faded.  Lots of hugs and chatter about the day followed.

It was a cold rainy evening, night fell earlier than usual.  Comfort was on the menu – creamy tomato basil soup, meatball subs, and toasty mozzarella bread.  Most people around here aren’t too fond of this kind of weather, but I sort of love it…as long as I’m warm and cozy in my house and have something simmering on the stove.

As my family was devouring our meal, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander 10, 15 years in the future.  I see myself preparing a meal like this on this same kind of night.  Some of my kids will have moved on by then. I imagine they will be returning to my table with others - friends, spouses, or significant others.  An interesting thought, for sure.  

It may be a little silly thinking of such things, but I do.  

It all goes by so fast doesn't it?  I'm not rushing anything, that's for certain, but I do welcome each stage as we move through life.  Just as these short days remind me to slow down and enjoy the moment, I am aware that they will only be here for so long before the next season arrives.

a little something

7 days?  I honestly don't know where last week went.  In fact, all this week I've been on the wrong day.  I can't seem to get it straight.  So much for posting every day in November!!

 

As much as I've been craving a new, big project, a small something was all I could muster.  This little project is something I've wanted to do for a while, but deadlines and other things kept getting in the way. I'm sure you know how that is.

 

 

I picked up a plain little gray t-shirt on clearance at the end of summer.  I always see plain t-shirts as a blank canvas for embellishing.  With a few knit scraps and my favorite thread, I turned it into something not plain.

 

 

The long outgrown embellished onesies I made when she was tiny are now sitting in my knit scrap basket. I still have plans of turning them into blocks to make a quilt of knits one day.  Before I know it this top will be in the scrap basket as well, but hopefully not before it gets some wear and a few stains for character.

 

I think she likes it ;-)  She's a master at cheesy grins right now.

white pelicans

It's always a treat when the white pelicans arrive in Baton Rouge.  They make a stop on their route to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter and again on their route back in the spring.  Sometimes they stay for a while, other times they're here for only a day. 

Yesterday they arrived.  Hundreds of them.  They were at the LSU lakes in the morning, then at the Capitol lakes at lunch.  Their arrival caused much commotion on the morning commute.  Watching them is mesmerizing.  These birds are beautiful and HUGE.

This morning I brought my camera with me to work, just in case.  I had a feeling the birds would be gone, but if they were still here I wanted to be prepared.  When I arrived at work they were gone.  No white pelicans in sight.

At lunch I walked to get a smoothie then took the scenic route back to my office, taking a stroll around the state capitol.  You can imagine my surprise when I spotted some white pelicans near the governor's mansion!  I practically ran back to my office to grab my camera.

I could have stayed out there all afternoon with my camera, but that wasn't an option. I feel quite lucky to have captured the images that I did.  They're gorgeous birds, aren't they?

11-14-13

Yesterday was so very busy.  By the time I got settled for the night, I was done.  I had nothing left to give. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and flip through my copy of Alabama Studio Sewing + Design.    I was so tired that turning the pages felt like work - a clear sign that I should be sleeping.

 

Long gone are the days of staying up late to work on a project.  I miss those days.  If I can stay awake past 11, I'm doing good.  Mornings have become my favorite time of day.  I've always been  more of a morning person.  I love watching the day come to life.  Those quiet moments in the house before anyone wakes up are golden.

 

Tonight I decided to miss Lily's basketball game.  It was at 6:30, which would have totally thrown off our night. Matt & Lily went to the game, the other kids and I stayed home to do homework and eat soup & baked potatoes for supper.  I'm sorry I missed it, but there will be plenty more basketball games. Sometimes we just need a night at home.

 

11.12.13

Dang it - I missed yesterday!  Oh well, moving on....

 

These early evenings are calling me to a new project.  Something to work on once the kids are in bed. Something productive to do with my hands.  

 

Ceci's dress was a tease.  I want more.  I'm craving a larger project to sink my teeth into.  Perhaps it's time that I broke out of my usual mold of reverse applique to try something new.  

 

I have a whole stack of knits waiting to be turned into something wonderful.  

 

The beginning of a project is my favorite part.  I love the planning, but I find the deciding the hardest part.  All the possibility can be paralizing.  If I liked to do projects as is, it might be easier, but I tend to manipulate to make my own.  In most things I am a rule follower. This does not apply to making.  There's always something I want to change, some rule to be broken.

 

One thing I do know is that I'll figure something out soon. 

a weekend well spent

I almost let today's post go...but then I wanted to remember how wonderfully full and satisfying it was.

This weekend was:

• sweet potato salmon cakes & salad for supper on Friday 
• a two night sleepover of Lily's friends (was only suppoed to be one, but they convinced us)
• the cleaning out of our utility room, which led to...
• the re-discovery of Alex's tent
• tent play in the yard Saturday
• ALL the laundry got washed and put away (until we all took baths)
• the gallery wall in my bedroom is off to a good start
• party food for supper Saturday - buffalo wings & nachos!
• fire in the fire pit on the patio
• s'mores
• 3 girls sleeping in the tent Saturday night (until about 4 am)
• muffins for breakfast
• Sunday morning Mass
• lunch with family afterwards
• running into friends at Target
• more play in the tent
• leftovers for supper Sunday

I think this weekend was just about perfect.  We got plenty of down time combined with crossing some things off our to-do list.  As a bonus, we were able to spend some time with others and got the enjoy the gorgeous weather. Yep, perfect.  I'm ready to start the new week! 

my morning run

This morning my run took a little longer than usual. The reason was because I kept stopping to take photos!!  It really is a treat to run in the morning on these quiet country roads.  Here are a few of my favorite sites:

A rusty tin shed. My favorite beer at the moment is Tin Roof.  Geaux Local ;-)

I'm crazy about this barn (please excuse my finger in the top left corner). I'd love to explore it with my big camera.  Isn't that big old oak lovely?  I have one of those in my yard.  I wish I had a barn.

SSome mimosa seed pods.  A mimosa tree is on my wish list.

This little house is interesting. I'd like a little house like this as a studio. Wouldn't that be cool? Someone lives here.

I know its cliche for South Louisiana, but I can't get enough of moss covered trees.

This pasture is usually full of cows, but they weren't here today.  Oh well, they were missed.

I only get to go this route on weekend mornings, so it is a treat  Every time I run it I discover things I haven't seen before.  Getting to see this beauty makes it easier to get out of bed and get moving!!

gratitude friday

It was a busy week as usual, but that’s nothing new.  We managed to make it through with no major issues - all the homework was done, lunch money was paid, and everyone got to where they needed to be mostly on time. That’s pretty good considering it gets dark about as soon as we all get home.  Though I dislike having less daylight to fit in a run, I don’t really mind the early darkness.  I‘m an early morning person, so I appreciate leaving for work in the sunlight.

On this beautiful fall Friday, I am grateful for:

• cool fall weather.  Fall is my favorite.
• the gorgeous golden fall sunlight - I can’t get enough of it.
• a healthy, able body.  I’ve never been athletic, so every time I go for a run I surprise myself.  I always end thinking, “did I just do that?”.
• the opening of Trader Joe’s in Baton Rouge.  Chris, damn you for telling me about the white cheddar corn puffs!!  I'll be running extra to work that crap off.
• as annoying as it is, the way Ruby tries to lick my face every time I lay on the ground to do crunches or stretch makes me laugh. Silly little dog.  She loves me!
• Lily made the school basketball team :)
• 3 day weekend
• giggling about farts with Alex (it really is fun to get on his level from time to time)
• NO SOCCER PRACTICES OR BASEBALL GAMES!!!  wheeeeeee!  can you tell I’m excited about that?  Basketball is here, but Matt coaches all the teams that my kids are on, so that doesn’t really involve me other than sitting in the bleachers to watch a game.
• my cleaned up and rearranged bedroom.  I’m certain that I’m sleeping better now.
• positive news from Ava’s teacher and some good grades
• having a group of coworkers who are truly friends.

On the agenda this weekend is doing very little.  Ava has been looking forward to watching the LSU game with her Daddy all week, so we’ll be doing that at home Saturday night.  I’ll use that as an excuse to make party food for supper.  I love party food.  As a family of 6, it’s always a party, right?

Have a great weekend, friends!

two

I’ve already shared her birthday dress, shame on me for not having done a proper birthday post!

So yes, this girl is 2.  I could do without the temper tantrums that have become a regular thing, those aren’t so fun, but other than that she is a doll.

She is full of personality around us, but when anyone else speaks to her she turns her head or gives them a death stare, even to people she sees on a regular basis.  I’m still her favorite.  Any time we’re out in public she is my extra appendage.

Though she may not speak to an adult or big kid, she’s all over babies and kids her size.  She’ll gladly give them a kiss, which they usually do not welcome.  That does not stop her from trying again and again.  And again.

I love that she has a bit of a lisp, her sweet little “yes” comes out as “yesth”.  

She is my little home maker.  She LOVES her babies and all things baby related along with her kitchen. Cooking and taking care of babies are her thing.  Her specialty is soup and eggs.  “Taste soup, Mama?”

She is a bit obsessed with cows at the moment.  Every time we get in the car she wants to see the cows. Thankfully, there are lots of pastures full of cows near our home, so chances are that we’ll pass some cows.  If no one is behind us I'll slow down and roll down the window for her.  She likes that a lot.

Tutus, headbands, bracelets - yes, yes, and yes.

This girl loves to sing.

She has already learned to blame everything on Ava, even if Ava had absolutely nothing to do with it.  She adores Ava, but she doesn't want her touching her stuff.

She likes Ruby, not so much Oreo.  Ruby is “Ruby”.  She gets kisses.  Oreo is “cat”. “Go away, cat”. Poor Oreo, he just wants some love.

She is a good eater.  I do believe she could eat her weight in rice & gravy and beans & rice.  And cheese.

Ceci, our little caboose.  Our life wouldn't be the same without her!!

 

 

hump day

You all know that we carry a busy schedule around this house. My kids have something just about every day of the week. I hate it. I am a natural homebody, so sitting in the car shuffling kids to and fro is torture. I NEED my time at home. Even if I spend all my time picking up and cleaning, I’d still rather that. When we make it through Wednesday, I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief. We’re over half way there, it’s all down hill from here. The weekend is only a few short days away, full of possibility (I’m always so optimistic about weekends!), and hopefully lots of time at home.  

I really do live for the weekend.  This weekend will be extra special because we have NO kid sports to attend and it's a 3 day weekend for me.  I have Monday off from work while the rest of my family does not.  I'll get to clean in peace.  Bliss.

Bonus - it’s baked potato night. With no real cooking involved I’ll get a head start on the laundry because you know, the weekend is almost here! Happy Hump Day!!