a sister's visit

My sister Amy came in from Boston last week for a few days stay. On Thursday night we went to "Three Girls and their Buddy" where Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Shaw Colvin, and Buddy Miller sang and played. The concert was wonderful. The feeling of the night was a little like being invited to sit and listen to them jam together in a living room. That tells you a little of the spell that was cast in the vast Allen Theatre. They sat down amongst guitars and percussion instruments, taking turns playing and singing together. Each voice was unique and true. The kind of songwriting that takes you in. It was such a great night to share with my sister who helped introduce me to that music. You can read a review of the concert here.


Amy found online instructions for how to make a dress form out of duct tape. Friday night we gave it a try. She wore one of Dave's old t-shirts and I started to tape her up. Once she was in her armor of duct tape (she looked like some kind of superhero), I cut it off up the center line of her back - t-shirt and tape together. She took it home that way and now all she has to do is stuff it. This personalized dress form will be so great to have for anytime she has to alter something or when she wants to sew for herself. It was too late so we couldn't make mine. We'll have to plan another trip for that. This was a good sisterly activity - not something you can do with just anyone. She was there to help me give birth and I was there to make her body cast of of tape. It's nice to get to know each other in these strange ways now that we are adults. When we were done with the dress form, the attic filled with the smell of duct tape, we watched a little TV with big bowls of Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.


Malcolm and Amy had some time to play and he showed her all around the Children's Museum. He was delighted by her. You could just see it in the way he would look at her. Dave had to work a lot, but we met him for dinner at the hospital the night he was on call. We were sad to see her go, but glad for the time to connect.

In Loving Memory

In a very large measure each of us holds the key to the blessings of the Almighty upon us. If we wish the blessing, we must pay the price. A part of that price lies in being faithful. Faithful to what? Faithful to ourselves, to the very best that is within us.
Gordon B. Hinckley

my new year

We turn, not older with years, but newer every day.
Emily Dickinson

We celebrated at Presti's, a little bakery-cafe-deli in Little Italy. Yum. I wish I had taken my camera, their cookie display was a work-of-art.
Since my birthday is two short weeks from New Years I always find myself easing into the new year rather than having it start off with a BANG. My resolutions have been mulling and are beginning to take shape in my life. These are the gifts I'm giving to myself this year.
1. Morning routine. *I've started a little morning routine for myself that I quite enjoy. It includes lighting a candle, starting some water in the tea pot for hot chocolate or herbal tea, writing, stretching, and looking out the window (in the warmer months I'll step out side). If I can do this before Boy wakes, it means I've had some of my own thoughts before changing a diaper. I've found this to be very good for me.*
2. Take a family vacation to a new place.
3. Fill a notebook a month. *If you want to know more what I mean, read Natalie Goldberg's book Writing Down the Bones.*
4. Grow a garden & compost.
5. Take a drawing class.
6. Dance lessons with Dave.
7. Volunteer as a reading tutor.
8. Book Club(s).
9. Knitting Circle.
I'm noting resolutions 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. for myself as well.
Here's to feeling "newer every day".

Photo taken by Sarah Palfreyman.

Ida Pearle

I think these must be the prettiest, happiest, most delightful alphabet cards I've ever seen. I think I may have to save my pennies for them. As I go through my house I keep "seeing" them places. It is no surprise that I am drawn to them. I was also drawn to this Elizabeth Mitchell CD (which I love, you can hear it here) by the cover art.

Ida Pearle is the artist behind them both.

Calendar Book 2008

This year I didn't want lines. Open spaces and blank pages. I wanted a place to draw, take notes, write, make lists, that was built right into my weeks.

One week is marked on each left page to keep things in order. The right page is open to catch the overflow of my thoughts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

"Hat. Head."

"Hat. Head." That's what I tell Malcolm when I put on his hat and he says it back.

I found the Interweave Knits issue with the Helmet Hat pattern - Fall 2005 for anyone interested. The brioche stitch was something new for me, but not too tricky once I got in the rhythm.

Here is a picture with the ties added. I just picked up four stitches at the bottom of each ear flap and knit i-cords. Hat stays on. Mom and Malcolm are happy. I took this picture yesterday. Look how warm it was for January in Cleveland. He really only needed a sweater. I think this must mean we will get dumped on soon, and then again in March.

Three Girls and Their Buddy

Whoah! I am so excited about this concert.
Emmylou Harris. Patty Griffin. Shawn Colvin. Buddy Miller.
My sister Amy is coming in from Boston for the show.
Jan. 24th, Cleveland, OH - Allen Theatre, I'll be there.

Annie, thanks for the Emmylou CD, it's like you knew.

hung

My cousin Jessica sent me this gift she made. I think I found the perfect spot for it to hang - as a reminder to take joy in the process of fixing up this old house, to be patient, and to look past. Thanks Jessica.

"Honey, look what I found on the side of the road."

Yes, today while we were out I spotted this up for grabs. I think that if I cut the top off and add a round top plus a fresh coat of paint, it will be just the coffee table I've been imagining. Time to put some "finishing" back in to these refinishing projects, right? When Dave came home I asked him if he wanted to see what I found on the side of the road. He said sure with a smile and added, "Do you want to see what I found on the side of the road?" The find was a fairly nice pair of wooden folding chairs. All they need is some new paint to make them matching again. Lucky us!

3191 a year of mornings.

I am excited for this book. I'll have to wait a few months though (Fall 2008). If you haven't already, check out this year of mornings blog. Beautiful. They are going to do a year of evenings this year. Isn't that wonderful?

Lovely of the Day 1/3/08