sketches from Florida

I took a little 20 minute nap. Dave and Malcolm are still napping. The sun is warming my bare feet near the pool where I can enjoy both fresh air and internet connection. "It is February!" I keep reminding myself. February in Key West, that is. Flowers are blooming, roosters are strutting, and I am thoroughly enjoying. Here's a peek into the travel journal.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Malcolm helped me stamp Valentines yesterday. I don't know if you can tell, but they say "heart".

Thanks for the flowers Dave. I put them in a vase made by my sister Megan and aunt Paula. They call themselves "Three Hands Pottery". They make an "amazing team".

I don't think it can get much more romantic (food wise) than chocolate dipped strawberries. (I used the chocolate you sent home with me, Mom, thanks!)


AND, Happy Birthday Megan. Here is your present that is on it's way to you. It's an apron you can wear when you go to pottery with Paula. It has three pockets for your clay tools and stamps. I used red, your "favorite", for the ties and flower.

a basket full of hearts

Rubbing my eyes from the journey back home yesterday, I realize, "tomorrow is Valentine's Day!" There is nothing like traveling to put you in a time warp. So among loads of wash and wiping down sawdust (Dave and friends mostly finished sanding down our floors while Malcolm and I were in Utah), I'll be cutting out a few hearts.

Tomorrow is also special because it is my sister Megan's birthday! She is going to be 31! Last week during my visit we got to make these valentines together for her special needs activity night. She cranked out the hearts with the diecut and then wrote out her name 30 times. I was the gluer.

I found this basket in the basement to hold the valentines. It brought back memories of when my mom and aunt Paula had gotten themselves into weaving these baskets - the dying, soaking in wading pools, and all.

backpack

There I was eating lunch, the day before Malcolm and I would be boarding the airplane to Utah, yet to pack, and I suddenly was struck with the inspiration to make something that would push the task of packing late into the night. A backpack for Malcolm. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out, or the delight in his face when I gave it to him.

I'm watching my baby turn into a boy before my eyes. With his own carryon strapped to his back, he was such a little man walking around the airport.

I think it gives him a good sense of self and security to have a place for some of his special things. Living far away from BestaMamma, GrandpaDad, and all the aunts and uncles, I imagine that for Malcolm, greeting them again can feel a little intimidating at first. The backpack was wonderful. When we got to the house I asked if Malcolm wanted to show GrandpaDad his backpack. He sat on the floor and took out all his treasures, his way of being able to share a little of himself. I think it was worth losing a little sleep in the making. Besides, I don't think I've ever not packed for a trip last minute, I'm always doing laundry. Thanks Dave, for picking up the wood bead and cord from JoAnn's. We miss you.

Joseph Alleman "following his heart"

Art of the West magazine has featured the work of my brother in the JAN/FEB issue. If you are looking for a way to treat yourself this month, go by yourself to your B&N or Borders bookstore, order something warm to drink (you better throw in a cookie too), and pick up Art of the West to read this article. It is well written and looking at the paintings will make you feel a lot better about the bleak coldness of February, I promise. After reading the article I was thinking about how Joe has been true to his work: "following his heart". As a younger sister I would want to watch him paint over his shoulder. He never was mean or told me to leave, but I did sense that my being there was interrupting something, so I would leave on my own. As his artistic talents continued to manifest themselves there were a lot of opinions and suggestions from family and friends about what direction he should take is art, subjects, and pallets. He wouldn't say much to this. He would politely listen, but then he would pick up his tools and create what was in him. So go, you don't even have to buy the magazine. Read it, let me know what you think.

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.