besprent

2012-01-05T09:22:00.001-05:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by sunnyhudkins.

Greetings from the desert

2011-10-24T10:42:00.006-04:00

On the last day of our trip, our bodies still feel like they're clinging to Eastern time, up with sun as always. It's funny about trips, experiences, it takes awhile to process what has happened. I think with travel there is an inevitable shift in perspective. At least if you are prone to shifting perspectives, which I am. And it has been the kind of trip where we have relied on others to entertain us for the most part. And no doubt, our sense of being well cared for was confirmed. We are rich in wonderful people, and I just don't think there is a greater earthly wealth than that.
That seems to be about all I have to say lately, that we are blessed. Infinitely. I hope that some day we will be able to share that.
There are some big unknowns on the horizon. But for now, the fears are definitely overpowered by the excitement of having our family all under one roof for a little while.
I think the hush of the desert is an image I will find myself returning to as the chaos of relocation builds momentum in the coming weeks.

Where we are, where we are heading

2011-09-20T21:30:00.006-04:00

Well, I'm just as quiet and buzzing with overwhelm as ever before. But I like this place.
It's good. My husband as soldier is even more fun/awesome looking/steady/strong than ever. Of course, I am so anxious to live with him again, to share all the funny little things of life. But it's mostly not as hard as I thought it would be and occasionally a million times more difficult than I ever thought it could be.
Our boy is magic. I feel like I rarely say good things about him. But he's sort of like a meteor or something. I'm never quite sure how to process, not sure how to express who he is to me, how much I love him. Only that I am so blessed to be his mama, that every day through my sheer helplessness I am drawn even closer to our Creator who truly is the only one able to empower me with the patience, judgment and wisdom required of the enormous job of parenting. Brady aside, he is the smartest, funniest, most passionate, and adorable person I have ever met.
Here is good. We are blessed beyond words by our accommodations right now. It's ridiculous. And that's the small part. Getting to know Maryl and Ernie even better has been so much good. When we decided on this arrangement, there were so many factors- but mostly I wanted to do what would make for the best transition for Edward, and they have shown him (and me!) such bottomless patience and love. And a realness I adore... a realness I will forever strive for. They live what they believe and they practice what they preach.
2 weeks from today- Lord willing- we will be in Phoenix, catching up with Alex and Maggie, acquainting ourselves with their 100 lb puppy, "Banksy". And spending October weekends visiting Brady in Ft. Huachuca, AZ with a trip to Portland in between.
Tomorrow we start work on Edward's Halloween costume- a pirate this year. Year 2.5 of preschool is good so far. I'm harboring some paranoia about a stomach virus that took out half the class today- praying that we are either spared or it hits and clears before the trip. I won't lie, I immediately ran to Jungle Jim's to stock up on probiotics.
I'm currently obsessed with Pinterest
And Brady called tonight to tell me that he is 99% sure (or at least as sure as you can be without having been given orders) that we are going to be stationed in Ft. Carson, CO. Part of me is thrilled- it's exciting, new, beautiful... apparently he is the envy of many classmates (who have been assigned to upstate NY- brrrrr and Kansas, snore....) and we even have friends who know the area well when we have a bazillion questions. But... there's the reality that we are not playing a game. I am still in a weird way, not really realizing that we are doing this. Really, really. It's just a business trip, a uniform, it still feels so far away, this military business. But it gets closer and closer. And I hear the sun just shines and shines there... and I know that we are being taken care of. Step by step, we're not alone, we don't have to figure it all out. We don't have to be anything more than be who we are today, He will work it out for our good. He is so, so good.

2011-07-20T14:53:00.002-04:00

Having big fun in Louisville

Sneaking in, for a quick chat.
I don't know what happened really, blog-wise. It's been slow going, I've been so quiet on the inside and my daily activities are a mad flurry of bathing suits, water bottles, portable food... loading and unloading the car, driving to and from the Y or King's Island or Jungle Jim's (for more portable food). I've generally been saving all my written words for letters to Brady while he is at Basic Training in South Carolina.
A very long time ago (2006?)I started this blog with the intent of posting the something I planned to create every day.
It never quite served that purpose, but it has been a good place for me to go for accountability and inspiration. I love having a record of what I have made, where we have gone, just revisiting times in our life.
But everything is in transition right now. Our family for starters, but I feel like more. The blog world... the makers and the mamas. So much has been done and shared already. I hate to turn to such a boring word... but I am strangely, sadly, a little bored. Wondering what could possibly be left?
I might feel differently if I had a new home or a new little person to create for. As it stands, I just don't know what to make, cook or even buy that I haven't already made, cooked or bought already. It seems that I can't fool myself into believing that I have anything even remotely interesting to contribute anymore... I'm not going to hit on that magical thing that no one has thought of yet. And that, too, is OK. I actually have some goals and aspirations that are a lot more solid and attainable. Not this nebula of creative wonderfulness that even if I were to touch it, it would immediately slip away.
There's a word for this, right? In a rut (OK, that's a few words)? And overindulged by all of the creativity and beauty on display so free and convenient.
I don't know... what's next? I don't want to stop making. I don't want to just dive into an off the rack kind of world.
It seems a silly thing to fret about, really. But there it is. That's what all the quiet is about. If you're reading and you know the cure, by all means, I'm open to suggestions. I don't want to quit, just running on empty in this department.

Swings, Strawberries, S'Mores and Smokies

2011-05-13T23:13:00.002-04:00

We should be packing. But, between boxes, we are playing hard, soaking up all the sweet silly that we can.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T15:09:00.007-04:00

Our God overpowered death. The grave could not contain Him.
I so love a good redemption story, and there is none better than this.
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20

Hope your day is filled with sunshine and joy!

Sunshine!

2011-04-16T22:53:00.000-04:00

This is What 4 Looks Like

2011-03-14T20:34:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Pi Baby!

Valentines Factory for the Sweetheart Surprise

2011-02-20T22:04:00.003-05:00

The cute printmaking techniques came from various posts on The Crafty Crow. Hope that we made someone's day a little sweeter.

Sweetheart Surprise. I love this idea!

On the Nightstand

2011-02-09T21:55:00.005-05:00

I just finished Crazy Love. It's been on the list for over a year. Glad I finally made the time. It's good. It's quick. And it's a lot of what we know, but can never hear enough, and rarely, if ever, grasp.

Only on chapter three, and not as easy to get into as Crazy Love. But there's real meat here. So many assumptions of church-culture long struggled with- the language, the standardized processes, the measure of success- he challenges. He lays it down in a way that is not for the faint of heart. But even when it's hard to hear, it's so good and so right for it to be said. The cynic in me makes me think that the only people that will read this already agree with his thesis, and that would be unfortunate. But still.Glad he took the time to say it. Hope that it has opened a dialogue in the church.

The overwhelming messages I am facing in this season is that being in a sincere relationship with Christ requires a response. It is not enough to believe in a philosophical sense, and leave it at that. And God hates leftovers. HATES them. Don't sacrifice your one eared goat. He wants the first steaming hot helping.

Army Family

2011-01-26T13:35:00.004-05:00

Army Wife, Army Brat...
I never really saw those phrases in our future. But come May, B ships to Ft. Jackson, and an Army family we will be.
For more on this journey- go here.

Saving is Worth More than Earning

2011-01-21T22:52:00.000-05:00

I am learning. Because earning has a lot of costs- clothing, transportation, childcare, showering more than you want to, etc...
Saving costs time, and a bit of toner and paper, and a couple of copies of the Sunday Journal at the Dollar Store, but in the end, I am learning that conserving is better than burning through to try to make more (money).
Since taking the Dave Ramsey class a year and a half ago, there has been a big shift in how we view money. It's not power and it's not freedom, it is a tool and a resource, and it is not ours.
So should you have an interest in where I am going to find out about awesome deals, here's a list:

Southern Savers
Hip2Save
WS Couponer
Coupon Teacher

This journey into saving-ness has not been without pitfalls- too much convenience food because it is free, not being vigilant about the fine print, not knowing what the "stock up" price is for items and buying at the wrong time, thinking awesome happens all the time, and missing out. But I like learning new things and this one, I am pretty sure, has actually paid off instead of piled up in the corner of room mocking my gross optimism like so many sewing and art supplies.

My Husband is Torchering Me and My Kid is Brilliant

2011-01-19T22:16:00.004-05:00

See... here's proof:

At least once a week, B has been making these huge milk and honey and butter loaves of bread. And if the smell of bread baking isn't bad enough, he makes french toast or grilled cheese at least once a day. I tried to sneak the recipe, but no such luck.

Long story for another day, but E has lost television and toy privileges. So there is A LOT of reading and crafting going on... which for the most part, he doesn't seem to miss TV and toys as much as we thought. We actually haven't given them back because he doesn't seem to care. Anyway. Coloring popsicle sticks was the big excitement on Saturday, but while I wandered off, E created this house, which I (perhaps being the teeniest bit biased) think is pretty fantastic.

And reporting on life in general- it very much feels like we are holding our breath. Like it has been a year of holding our breath. And then I will hear a song like this and find myself sobbing my face off on my home from work. And I know that nothing could be more true. Even when I have no idea what that means really, there is no better news than this.

White Out!

2010-12-26T19:20:00.003-05:00

The 1-3" predicted for our White Christmas quickly turned into 8-10"! I wish I was more of an appreciator- but, holy! it is cold. We have had to extend our visit, and I have been forced to eat my weight in the aforementioned not-very-good gf Russiam Tea Cakes, watch every show the new Cooking Channel and DIY network has in their line up, tried to teach E Go Fish,and every hour or so jump up and do 20 jumping jacks so I don't turn into total mush. Looking forward to getting home, but a bit nervous about the journey.

This is what it looked like this afternoon after storm had officially passed.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

I will never even begin to fathom the mystery of this birth. But I am eternally grateful for the love and grace that came of it.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

For My Record- A Handmade Something

2010-12-24T21:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Christmas Eve! We made it safely to the mountains, and spent the day baking and playing. Now we await Santa and the snowstorm. The whale for E is one of the two handmade gifts I made this year- he was immediately in need of repair, as sewing old denim was a new trick for me (allow LOTS of seam allowance- very ravelly). I hope that he likes him!

Good Things Lately

2010-12-20T08:00:00.002-05:00

I am totally way behind, but just saw Julie and Julia... so sweet! I so loved the portrayal Julia and Paul's marriage. Also much appreciated were the temper tantrum scenes. I have long thought that I am the only grown woman on the planet that is capable of that kind of behavior. whew!

And The Business of Being Born. It's been on the Instant Que for over a year, and our ice day finally gave me the chance to watch. Brady pretended to work, but I know he was watching, too. And wow... it's a lot to ponder. It definitely answered a lot of questions... not for immediate application or anything, but eye opening.

And Babies (yikes... a theme is emerging). Happiest movie I have ever seen. Ever. When I feel down, this is where I go, and holy... better than a glass of $10 wine. And I'm not even a baby person and I am a wine person.

Oh... speaking of babies, Edward and I were looking at a craft book this morning:
E: That's for babies, and I don't like babies.
Me: Edward, why don't you like babies?
E: Because babies are sweet and I don't like sweet things, I only like cool things.

He knows what he likes.

Also, this pork loin recipe make cooking meat almost pleasant.
The January Issue of Martha is worth the newsstand price. Seriously. How to darn socks, log cabin quilting projects made pretty/modern, birthday parties... pretty, pretty.
And I can never remember how to cook quinoa- this is the link I always go to.

GF Christmas + Favorites

2010-12-18T12:13:00.004-05:00

For close to a year- I have been, more-or-less, gluten free. Strange symptoms caused by who knows what pointed me to at least giving it a try. When B makes pizza, I tell myself it's just psychosomatic, and give in, but generally regret it. For whatever reason, eating gluten makes me achy, dumb and stinky. So I don't, mostly. And I feel (and smell) a lot better for it.
But I love to bake, and it's Christmas. And that is a real problem.
I tried to make Russian Tea Cakes using g-f Bisquick. Super fail.

But all is not lost... I am focusing on the can-haves, and so here is a quick list for myself and anyone in the same boat.

Ambrosia Macaroons
Homemade Marshmallows
Flourless Peanutbutter Cookies
Chocolate Pistachio Cookies
Meringues
Chocolate Blocks
Brownies

Tried and true flour-y friends:
Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps
Snickerdoodles
Shortbread... OK, can't find the recipe I used last year, will keep searching, though. It was really good. But maybe it's one of those things that's hard to screw up?
Saltine Toffee Bars

Now, where to find the time to make them!

Little Drummer

2010-12-12T08:09:00.001-05:00

We Went to Ohio

2010-11-30T21:38:00.002-05:00

and it was great. Here are the pictures to prove it (the good one courtesy of Brady- I seem to have forgotten how a camera works).

Mom, Brad, Brady and Edward whupped up a gingerbread house while I was out for coffee with my ridiculously sweet and lovely future-sister-in-law, Maggie.

At Thanksgiving brunch. Dad and Brad made omelets and Grandma made a special fruit salad with extra cool whip. That face!

They're flying! (It was more convincing in real life)

Not pictured was the fabulous meal by Jaylene, up-past-our-bedtime movie night, tons of fun with Colli'nana, several trips to the Jungle, good food and even better coffee with Maryl and Ernie... we have so, so much to be grateful for!

Boo!

2010-10-31T23:03:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween! Did you have a good one?

We had lots of fun with Bridges youth + our life group.

Once again, B aces the Halloween costume- he free-handed and cut out the bones, based on a photo from the Pottery Barn Kids catalog.
Now off to raiding Edward's candy!

Leaf Rubbing

2010-10-19T20:00:00.001-04:00

Well, hello!

2010-10-17T22:26:00.002-04:00

We're just chugging along, working and playing. B is off to Charlotte in the morning for ASVAB and MEPS. Say a little prayer. Thanks :)

The Bat-Goat-Horn Hoodie and Hair News

2010-09-26T21:11:00.004-04:00

First project completed from Elsie and Rachel's Small Craft class- well, the bear-ear-hoodie turned into a bat-ear hoodie, but they kind of look more like horns. Or goat ears at best. However, E died laughing when I showed it to him, and he wore it with pride to the grocery store today.

And I got the haircut. Not the safe one, but the really supershort one. I am surprisingly not hating it. I will try to post a picture this week.

First Sewing Lesson

2010-09-21T21:47:00.001-04:00

Last weekend B took his gandmother back to the mountains, and E and I had 2 days to play, and no car to whisk us away.

So I taught Edward how to sew. Seeing as it's a little on the potentially dangerous side, he was pretty stoked.

And in seconds, his masterpiece was turned into a banjo.

2010-09-20T21:36:00.002-04:00

We are a sad sickly pair these days :( fevers, fatigue, barf buckets and the whole mess. On the bright side, I think being forced to slow down has shifted my perspective. I've been so busy staying busy that I haven't really had to process anything. Rolling around on the couch for a couple of days has been strangely enlightening.

Happy Birthday to me!

2010-09-14T21:26:00.006-04:00

I am off to a late start this year, but I gave in and signed up for Elsie and Rachel's Small Craft class, and while over at Elsie's blog I just discovered that Sofia Coppola made a new movie!

Somewhere. Can't wait. I love her best when it comes to movies.

I'm also taking Mary's photo transfer course on Saturday, and thinking hard about getting a haircut. I love Jean Seberg's:

But maybe only have the courage for something like this one right now:

(hair images from this pretty blog)

hmmmm.... what else could a girl want? Stay tuned, I'm sure I will think of something!

Apple Picking

2010-09-12T21:28:00.002-04:00

Last weekend we packed up and headed for the mountains to pick up B's grandmother. E and I spent the morning shaking the two crabapple trees and scurrying to collect the fallen treasure.

First Day Back

2010-09-11T21:48:00.002-04:00

Tuesday marked the return to preschool, and the onset of a new 5 day schedule. It's like practically kindergarten. How ca we be here already?
This age is my favorite yet. Maybe I take less for granted now- now that I am away from home 40+ hours a week- but I love all of his ideas, his conversation skills, the way his energy is getting more focused. Love, love his little peopleness!

2010-08-22T22:48:00.002-04:00

In honor of 10 years as a family- we hit the beach!

Finallys

2010-08-09T22:04:00.004-04:00

These past few days have been full of Finally!s. We finally went to Dan Nicholas Park, we finally went back to Tanglewood, and finally- thanks to a co-worker hijacking the key to the giant evil Humane Society cat and the ensuing trip back downtown, we finally ate at Mooneys Mediterranean Cafe. Keep your Italian and Chinese and even Thai and Indian... I do heart some Middle Easter fare (and Greek, but they share a lot). We played it safe when we ordered for E, but he made me proud when he ate half of my order of falafel.
Oh, and look, I'm finally blogging a little more than once a month! I missed being here!

Dan Nicholas Park

2010-08-08T15:06:00.002-04:00

We headed to Salisbury (between here and Charlotte) to Dan Nicholas Park- a wacky (and cheap!) county amusement park.

We went paddle boating, checked out the petting zoo with a hungry donkey, met a very personable groundhog and visited some show-off wolves (eeeek!).

Next time we will bring a friend, go gem mining, ride the train, and remember the sunscreen.

The Three Amigos, Together Again

2010-08-07T15:53:00.001-04:00

2010-07-25T22:13:00.002-04:00

Back at home after a family reunion in Waynesville, NC. These past months, so many of my thoughts trail back to this theme of family. Only now am I beginning to form a deep and genuine appreciation for all that that word entails.

I spent a majority of the time trailing E around the koi pond and chasing him chasing butterflies through the meadow outside the cottage. But I managed to eat lots of good food and catch up with relatives I see all too rarely.
Best of all, we got to see my brother who we have not seen since he shipped off to Basic Training (Air Force) last November.

The Hair

2010-07-18T22:46:00.004-04:00

Edward's hair has long been a topic of debate, wonder and pride. He ended the get a trim or let it grow debate last week when he gave himself a haircut. It seems everyone who was ever a kid did this... and so, here is our version.
We're pretty much in love with his eyebrows now...

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T23:59:00.001-04:00

Trading Places

2010-06-02T21:51:00.002-04:00

Look! Edward is behind the camera this time. After a short lesson in photography, this was his first shot. Since I prefer to remain faceless in photographs, I consider it a wild success.
Also, we moved. Yes, again. But we are here now, and that is good. Now if only the unboxing fairy would come pay us a visit...

2010-05-09T20:26:00.008-04:00

The other day, my friend Carl dropped in to say hello, and we somehow ended up on the subject of haircuts. How you go for such a stretch, and all appears to be in order, then, bang. You are a shaggy dog. I notice it even more with Edward- every two months, he wakes up one morning and his hair has grown three inches overnight. Growth, it seems, comes in fits and spurts.
It has been quiet over here. Mainly because I feel like I would just be reiterating the same things.
There is some news to report, though-
We are moving. Our hope, and really, our intent, when we moved here is that we would be in a position to buy the home we are in right now. It's a sweet place with the dearest neighbors. It's a place that we could easily see ourselves in. It's the kind of place where we feel safe, but we would also have felt like we were making a difference by being here. It's easy to love, easy to see the possibilities. We would have loved to breathe new life into it, and make it our home.
But, for better or worse, we did not feel like that was the right decision. We're not ready. It felt chaotic. And there was a time when I would have embraced the chaos. But not now.
Right now, we want normal. I don't really even know what that means, but there it is. So we will be renting a little while longer. Something nondescript, but bright. And we are grateful. And we are moving Memorial Day weekend if you are looking for something to do :)
We are still amazed by the generosity and selflessness of our friends who own the house, and their patience and grace as we drew this out a bit longer than planned. We are humbled by their kindness.
Some days are rough as we try to adjust to new schedules. Brady's workload has increased, and we are grateful. Many things have been brought to light that we never expected- parenting styles, for one. I think this is an issue that could be pretty derisive, but "As iron sharpens iron"... we have decided to pray and talk through it. Edward is not an easy child. I'm sure none of them are, but... wow. He fills our days with joy and wonder and as many challenges as there are hours in the day.

Something big (and back to the subject of growth) is this conviction to be a family that gives. I am ashamed to admit that this very basic tenet of faith, the desire to serve, somehow slipped away. Somewhere when I started to have to pay bills and buy toilet paper and generally get by- I lost sight of the bigger picture. For years. And years. I am hesitant to even share that, partially out of shame, but mostly out of accountability. There is no specific course of action, but suddenly I feel less blind to the opportunities that surround us.
I know that we are still "in it." But it seems like there is a light. Or at least a glow. And that regardless of whether or not we made the right decision, good will come of it.

I hope all the moms and grandmas had an especially fun and relaxing mother's day. I was treated to coffee in bed, a sweet surprise, and long quiet afternoon on the porch to read magazines and watch the tomato plants grow, and my most favorite guilty pleasure- a McDonalds hot fudge Sundae.
**Pictures taken at Reynolda Gardens, a trip that also ended in hot fudge sundaes...

At Play

2010-05-01T15:42:00.004-04:00

Does that tree look like a face to you?

2010-04-16T22:51:00.006-04:00

I will not lie. This is not where we expected to be, here and now. But who does? Life would be so creepy,boring and pointless if it all just went as planned. There is no formula. There are no guarantees... other than that pesky mortality rate. So, that's a struggle I'm still struggling with.
But.
I can honestly say, that never, ever have I felt more loved, more provided for, and with more to look forward to.
We are on the verge of a big decision. One we would prefer to put off until we felt more "grown up". But we've given our word, and so... we will be be praying extra hard for the next two days. The time is now, and we must give our word.
And... I can't even see a picture of a baby without getting all squashy and want-y. Yet another thing I never thought would happen. I expected logic to prevail. But in this realm, logic tucked its tail and hid under the bed long ago. I am looking at 4 months of insurance, anyone know a way to healthily gestate a baby in that amount of time? According to my research, I would need to become a hyena, a chinchilla or a tiger. hmmm....
We have been blessed with my job going full-time for the time being. Profuse apologies for my absence. When not working, I am trying to soak up all of the Brady and Edward that I can.
I hope that all who read this are doing well, and enjoying all the shameless beauty of Spring (allergies be damned!).
We really are bursting at the seams. And I pray for the same for you and yours.

PS- I can't find the best part of this quote, but this is still good: "A comfortable grape, a well watered, well fertilized grape grows into an easy ingredient of a lousy wine." - Jim Barrett, Bottle Shock. Highly recommend the movie if you want to feel good about people and their crazy dreams and learn a little bit about wine.

Quietly Growing

2010-04-03T21:53:00.003-04:00

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1.17

3!

2010-03-14T22:36:00.005-04:00

First Day of Preschool!

2010-03-11T22:03:00.005-05:00

We would be big, fat liars to say that we are not missing our Ohio folk. But, we are finding our way down here. And it's good. Edward started preschool yesterday, we spent forever at the bank talking about grown-up things, and we went to a small group at our new church- and unlike so many other attempts to connect in this way- it felt like home.

We are still completely baffled by how this is all going to come together. But we know we're not alone. And that the One who made us has us beneath His wing. And so we will remain humbled and grateful and excited for things to come. And also, we are scared to death.

We asked Edward how his first day of school went, he (very excitedly) reported that a boy was put on time out. And also that a boy in a helmet hit him- Brady just caught himself from asking if he hit him back in time for Edward to reply (as if he had ready Brady's mind) that he did, in fact, hit him back. Well... maybe it would be wrong to be a little proud that he stuck up for himself, but.
(Ohmygosh that face!!! I'm sure it's a biological defense thing for a parent to love their kids face so much, but my goodness... we made a cute little dude)

Because surely Grandma is still reading...

2010-03-07T23:12:00.004-05:00

Bethabara

2010-02-22T19:08:00.003-05:00

Can't beat a sunny Sunday at the park. We found many exciting signs of life!

2010-02-19T23:15:00.003-05:00

There are so many things to love about here... dear friends, a job I love, sunshine... but I won't lie- our boy's heart is broken. When his new friends put their coats on to head home for the night, he told them that he is going to miss them so much. Yeah, we both teared up a little. He's got some mighty big feelings for such a wee guy.

gasp, hold.... keep praying

2010-02-11T15:07:00.004-05:00

I would be more chatty, but it's hard to talk when it feels like I'm holding my breath most of the time. But, right this very moment, Brady is at an interview. And, well... we really (really, really, really...)hope that it's the answer we've been praying for, it is pretty big league. Like, he applied for a completely different position, but they decided to interview him for this one instead. We're kind of scared they didn't do their resume math quite right, because, well... it's a really big deal. But so is Brady. And so, I am just here, trying to eat an entire box of crispy rice and admiring all of these pictures of Brady in a suit. Cute, huh?

Update: Sounds like they were looking for someone who has been around a little longer. Not surprising. Ah well...

Such Gratitude,

2010-01-30T09:42:00.003-05:00

We're here! We made it down safely, and although scarred and with more casualties than expected, so did all of our stuff. And it's so much uncertainty as we anxiously await the unfolding. My change-hating nature is hard at work, but it's impossible not to appreciate this beautiful house with its old-fashioned-generous proportions and its light drawing design. Edward is happy to have been able to spend a warm afternoon at the playground on Thursday, and he already has made a few new friends. Although we are unsure of what the future holds, we are so grateful for the efforts of those who helped get us here and those who have welcomed us with a love and generosity we could not have imagined. God is so good, and I suppose that that is all we need to know in this moment.

House Diet

2010-01-13T22:47:00.004-05:00

I didn't want to bore you with all of my nebulous/worthless worrying and emotional/spiritual excavating and general evaluating of this wacky little life, so, it's been quiet.
I am trying to lose about 500 pounds of stuff. If you are looking for some cute stuff, you can find me on craigslist.

2010-01-02T22:37:00.006-05:00

afinemess, originally uploaded by danske.

So... I have this obsession with meaning. This unsavory and fun-sucking habit of needing to know the point of everything. Along with this is a lot of unnecessary truth-telling. What I really want is to have a lot of beautiful pictures to post, images of crafty endeavors, my dear boys, my charmed days... but it's all so very heavy right now. I am not seeing things in the brightest light, my camera knows it and my fingers drag, I'm just going to be out with it. Likely if you are here, reading these words, you know the whole tangle of it anyway. But I feel a fraud without it being said.
Remember the hospital food from November? It started there, all was going along reasonably well. And Brady got a stomachache, but it was more and he ended up with a mean surgery and a pretty scar and a few weeks of short-term disability. And on his last day of recovery, he got a call telling him that he no longer had a job. For now. Along with several other colleagues, he was laid off.
Two weeks after Thanksgiving and two weeks before Christmas. ouch.
No one hires during the holidays.
But something has to be done, and done quickly, because things were tight before... now, they just can't be.
We are incredibly blessed to have a few options, but every time I think about them, weigh them, I feel sick. We have moved and moved and moved. And it's not just a matter of physically hauling our stuff, it's the effort of making a home, making our home our home in all of these different places, and the weird nausea and panic when looking at all of our stuff, in boxes, in yet another unknown place. I knew we would have to move one more time, we are renting, and even if the place were offered to us, we would not buy, but we do love it. And I wanted to stay and have another baby, and be around family a little while longer.
But that seems not to be the plan. I know full well, that my plans are pale and lifeless compared to the life the Lord has in mind for me. And I could fight to keep things comfortable, we could live beyond our means for a little while. But that would be irresponsible and an all out squandering of our future.
And we are truly blessed in that we not only have family and friends who would lovingly open their homes to us until the answers come, but we also have an opportunity to return to Winston-Salem (my not-so-secret wish for the past 2 years). But it feels so wobbly to do anything without B finding permanent and full-time employment. It scares me. No, it terrifies me. It makes me dizzy.
We are so, so tired of making what often feels like the wrong decisions. I know that it is all relative and we will never know until we can step away or hover above and see the bigger picture, but our zigzagging around the continent... how many homes? how many jobs? how many colleges??? it gets embarrassing.
So if you made it this far, you guessed it, I'm asking once again for your prayers. I know that they will not go unheard.

2010-01-02T00:11:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!
So thankful for safe travels and relatively peaceful holidays with family. I am so ready for a new beginning. Cheers!

Merry and Bright

2009-12-25T20:29:00.005-05:00

Hope you had a super-merry Christmas!
We're high atop a mountain in Western, NC enjoying the nearly 60 degree weather. I will take unseasonably warm over a white Christmas any year! Thank you Santa :)
The ornament is from the very special tree Brady's grandmother dug out last year- and I like to think she did it just for me- it is a 60s circa white tree filled with vintage, and even better- homemade ornaments crafted by her mother (Brady's great grandmother). Apparently as she aged she got grouchier and craftier. Coming across her creations is like finding hidden treasure.
It's going to be hard to not accidentally tuck this one into my suitcase as we are packing up.

Christmas Countdown

2009-12-15T15:33:00.004-05:00

10 days before Christmas.
Are you ready?
I am not.
Not remotely. Not the tiniest bit.

Haircuts. Not checked.
Family portrait. Not checked.
Handmade gifts. Not checked.
Travel plans solidified. Not checked.
New tires for said travel plans. Not checked.
Christmas cards... nope.
Cookie baking. uhhhh... no.
Outfits selected. Seriously?
We have discussed, on several occasions when we will sit down and make a list of who-is-getting-what... but that is as far as we have gotten.

However- we have a mighty festive living room, the first real tree in this branch of the Hudkins family history, most of Edward's gifts are purchased and fairly well-hidden, 60+ jobs have been applied for in the past week, people are praying for us and wracking their brains and pulling their strings to help us find our way. It's good. It really is.

This past year, this thought has been gnawing away, this phrase, this urge to stop living my life so reactively. To stop letting (strange and frustrating) circumstances rule our life. Rather, have concrete goals, structure, back-up plans... know what you want and move toward it.This kind of talk kind of creeps me out, a little too self-helpy, and easy for me to rebut it with a, "What about God's plan for me?". But I've been waiting for that lightning bolt for the past 10+ years and it's time to let go of fantasies and magical revelations and embrace the reality at hand.
So, I'm just going to jump the gun and make my New Year's Resolution right now.
Next year will be the year where I grow up and adopt the structure I desperately need, where I exercise discipline in areas of my life I would prefer be free and oblivious. I know that we will all benefit. Perhaps we can stop going from digging ourselves out of one hole only to fall in another. Maybe not. We have an enemy, I am more aware of that than ever. We have faith and we have love and that is a threat to darkness. It's a strange and uncomfortable truth, and one I cannot go on denying.
So, in the spirit of a more brutal and harsh truth... here's to reality, here's to living the life we were designed to live even if it's not the one we cooked up from reading too many magazines...
What about you? Pondering any New Years resolutions?

The Plan for Christmas

2009-12-06T13:49:00.002-05:00

Sewing. And lots of it.
(top photo by Kat)

Little Journals

2009-12-03T15:38:00.001-05:00

I wish I thought to do it more often, but one of the most entertaining activities for me to do with the kiddos is drawing+journaling. For these little journals (cut/tear uniform lengths of paper, fold, staple, cover binding with colored masking tape), I gave them prompts, and they, of course had many charming and interesting answers.

Among my favorites, Collin's "I am most grateful for: God"

and Iliana's "The thing I most want for Christmas is: a toy of the inside of a cow." I was also pretty impressed with Edward's "My favorite food is: pickles and carrots." (And all this time I thought it was pizza, grilled cheese and chocolate)

Picture prompts for little ones:
A picture of
yourself
your family
your house
your favorite animal
your favorite food
favorite thing to do in the fall/winter/summer/spring
your best friend
I am most grateful for:

The Reveal

2009-12-02T10:34:00.000-05:00

I so wish I could claim this idea. But I have lusted after Nice's Bouquet Light Shade for years now, and owning my own seemed pretty out of reach, so, I improvised, and put my doily collection to work.

We still haven't decided where to hang it... that has been the hold up on the pictures, but I'm glad it's a want realized nonetheless.

Also casts really great shadows.

An Advent Calendar

2009-12-01T22:10:00.005-05:00

When I was just a wee lass, we had the very coolest advent calendar with a Christmas tree and little pockets filled with felt ornaments. The idea was to slowly, over the course of 24 day, decorate the tree. I loved it.

I decided that he also needs an advent calendar. I had hoped that the tree one was still around, but I think it was probably a remnant of my mother's childhood and didn't make it to see a third generation. In typical Sunny fashion, I decide, on Saturday that I must make an advent calendar for Edward. And so, last night (November 30th, of course) I stayed up making 24 little paper cones, covered an old cork board and made this... inspired by this one and this one.

No, that's not a gnome. According to Edward he's one of Santa's guys. So. I guess that makes him an elf in our house.
But next year, I'm totally making this.

WIP

2009-11-23T14:39:00.002-05:00

Taking full advantage of Brady's time at home. I snuck in a few minutes of making this morning... after a little wire splicing, I can show you the final product!

That's A Lot of Gravy

2009-11-19T12:34:00.004-05:00

That's right, hospital food. Behold, Brady's first real meal since surgery for this rare and incredibly-painful-when-exacerbated quirk. And I cannot express how grateful I am for the friends and family that have pitched in with their time and prayers. It's a jolt when these things happen, but a sweet reminder what kind of support we have keeping us afloat.

Mush

2009-11-13T23:50:00.002-05:00

This is Edward wearing his "mush" We picked up a pack of these last Spring. Brady recently shaved off his most interesting facial hair configuration to date. Edward has been requesting a mush ever since. He gets very stern when he wears his mush.

It's Going to be a Charley Harper-y Christmas

2009-11-13T14:25:00.005-05:00

It's going to be a beautiful weekend- swing by Farbach Werner for a walk through the woods and stop by the Nature Barn for the Charley Harper exhibit. And while you are there, support the estate of a local artist and pick up a few Christmas gifts. Santa started his shopping there last night.

photo cred: 1, 2

Bread Winner (Today I Am the)

2009-11-10T08:48:00.004-05:00

If you have known me for, oh... ten minutes or more, you probably know that I have "issues". And the one I seem to wrestle with most is making bread. I may possibly hold the record for most failed attempts at bread making.
But... after a few in-my-kitchen tutorials, and a realization that we are almost out of bread and I am so seriously tired of standing in the bread aisle looking at all those mushy, crumbly, plastic-wrapped rectangles, I decided to just do it. And not just pretty artisan-looking business, but sandwich bread that you can slice and make an honest to goodness PBJ with.
AND IT WORKED!!!!!!
I used the Sandwich bread recipe from How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman. I cannot find the exact recipe online, but this adaptation is close... except I used 3.5 cups of white bread flour, and only 1.5 teaspoons of yeast. And I let it rise the full 2 hours. It hurt, but I did it.

This is all milk and honey and butter kind of bread that tastes like love. Every time I pass it, I just stick my face up to it for a good long sniff.
Also, I used the food processor method, which I have always been opposed to because I enjoy kneading the dough, but I wonder if perhaps that is the secret?

Design Geekery

2009-11-08T21:04:00.007-05:00

After years of talking about and a failed attempt, mom, Edward and I finally made it to Enriching Spaces in Forest Park last year- we felt like we made a grand discovery... a small but meticulously curated collection in their retail area. I left with a Jill Bliss notebook and a rad Umbra wood grain wastecan. But in my heart, I was lusting after these:
Vitra's Utensilo wall-mounted organizer

Tord Boontje's Garland Lights.

We went back last week to do a bit of Christmas shopping, the selection was spare, many items were marked 40% off, so they might be trying to clear out their inventory. If you plan to go, they are open Monday-Friday 9-5. Definitely worth a gander if you are or are shopping for that kind of geek.

Dead Leaves Should Not be This Much Fun

2009-11-05T10:17:00.000-05:00

Wee Wednesday and More Produce Arranging

2009-11-04T15:16:00.003-05:00

Wee Wednesdays at the Cincinnati Art Museum might have been a little ambitious with a certain Mr. And I think Edward and Iliana may have enjoyed the drive through the city more than the actual destination, but we did come away with a bit of inspiration.

This event was basically story time at the art museum. But following one of the stories, the wee ones got a chance to set up a still life with fake fruit.

Iliana was really fascinated with the concept and asked to try it out once we got home. So we did... and we have the pictures to prove it.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T21:50:00.004-04:00

I hope everyone had a very sweet Halloween. If you're looking for me, just follow the trail of Payday wrappers :) Brady made Edward's costume. It's even more awesomer in person.

The Good News for Today

2009-10-28T08:15:00.003-04:00

Our very dear friend sailed through quadruple bypass surgery. Now bring that man some more morphine(and Demerol and whatever other magic beans science has thought up)! What an incredible blessing, this modern medicine.

And... far less miraculous, but good news no less- on November 3rd Barbara Kingsolver's first novel in 9 years will be released! This from Harper Collins:

In her most accomplished novel, Barbara Kingsolver takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities. You can read more about it here.

It sounds like a bit of a departure from her earthy themes of the past.
I have a tendency to get a hold of an author that I like and read everything, with Kingsolver, I was truly sad to reach the end of the list.

This news truly is cause for celebration.

Table Decor Update

2009-10-27T13:30:00.003-04:00

The more I looked at the sad little "centerpiece" the more it bothered me. I have since been working on my centerpiece arranging skills. The key? Toilet paper tube bats. He really brought it all together. Also, fossils, acorns, cinnamon sticks and more gourds and pinecones.

Picture of something I didn't cook and something you should cook

2009-10-26T21:23:00.004-04:00

Aren't these gorgeous???
I didn't make them- Maryl did. So sweet!
I did however make this really simple and quick Roast Pork Loin. Too often, when I attempt pork it tastes like I cooked the dishrag. Not so here. It appears that garlic and rosemary are the answer.
Make this!
Braised kale, polenta and a fruity compote would make this v. autumnal.

So I Made These Pumpkins...

2009-10-21T21:37:00.005-04:00

They're made of salt dough (recipe follows). And I wanted to make them into little charms for necklaces for goody bags for a Halloween Party. But, the holes I poked were lost when the little guys puffed up while baking. Didn't account for puffage.
So now, I have these... any suggestions? Game pieces? I know, bullets for a pumpkin gun, right? No time for crafting a pumpkin gun. Sorry.

Making salt dough is a super fun and forgiving craft(but clearly not the best choice for making jewelry).
Here's how it goes:
2 parts flour (2 cup)
1 part salt (1 cups)
1 part water (1 cup, add more if necessary)
optional 1 T. vegetable oil

Mix in a bowl, then knead on a floured surface until nice and elastic. Shape and sculpt. Bake on a cookie sheet in 250F oven for a couple of hours. Items must be small and not too thick or they would have to bake for a very long time.
Bear in mind- puffage.

The Girl Who Blogs About Goats (and Foxes and Mommies and George Clooney)

2009-10-19T15:09:00.000-04:00

We went to a pumpkin patch... but didn't see the pumpkins. Instead, we fed goats. And did some other stuff, but the pictures weren't that great. I have an inordinate number of goats on this blog. No time to search them all out now, but I think I will be adding a goat label soon.
So, as I have mentioned in the past, there is not much even-keeled in me, this life. I love it or hate it, all or nothing, black or white. So my absence is also in part due to my diving headlong into the Events Manager position for a local (but part of a national) mothers' group. It's called Cincinnati Mommies. There are other mommies groups all over the country- and it's a pretty neat place. The idea is, you get to meet people on a forum and figure out if they are friend material, and then you also have many opportunities to meet up in person and make new real-life friends (as opposed to make believe internet friends).
If you are a mama looking for other mama friends and you are in Cincinnati- go to here, if you are elsewhere, go to here. It's for working mums as well as SAHMs- and even if you don't have time to come play, you can still get a lot of helpful q&a on the forums.
Back to goats. I was going somewhere. We also went to see Where the Wild Things Are. And while I'm not sure it was fair to have marketed it to children... it was a really great movie. One that takes a bit of chewing on, though. It was there that I saw a preview for another movie that I really must see- The Fantastic Mr. Fox (based on a Roald Dahl book). And George Clooney. And Jason Schwatzman. And, did I mention Wes Anderson directs? What could be better?
NOW... for the goats, the other movie I want to see is The Men Who Stare at Goats. George Clooney+Goats. See? There is a theme here.
Sort of...
Happy Tuesday, anyway :)

PS

2009-10-16T12:32:00.000-04:00

While we are on the subject of apples...
Sometimes I think that the time I spend on the internet is a total waste. And maybe it is. But... in the midst of Edward's ninth meltdown of the morning- and it's only 8:50... I decided that the only way through this day was to say a prayer and make a cake I just saw on one of my favorite blogs. So we did.
And I advise that if you are facing the teeniest bit of adversity in your life. Or if you are dealing with an angst-y or anxious toddler/preschooler/tween/teen/twenty-something/empty-nester/geriatric (or anyone in between)- you should make a cake, too. I made this one. Except I substituted plain yogurt for the oil, white whole wheat flour (King Arthur), and added a heaping tablespoon of ground flax seed- just to alleviate any possible guilt I had about feeding our frustrations. At least we are feeding them nutritiously. And the cake didn't seem to mind the alterations. Although, I have found that when I reduce/eliminate the fat content in a baked good- the item tends to brown more quickly, do keep an eye on it.

ApppleCrafty

2009-10-15T23:15:00.003-04:00

We made these apples (from here via here)

Tearing up paper into little tiny pieces was definitely the highlight. In a smear-a lot-of-glue-on-a-surface-and-cover-it-with-something craft mode. This could have endless applications. Next on the list... pumpkins!

Fall-ifying

2009-10-14T10:24:00.006-04:00

arghhhhh....
I do not want to have one of those never posted to blogs. I am having a lot of trouble getting my layout+photos the way I want them. Blasted perfectionism. Nothing ever gets accomplished because it's not EXACTLY how I envision it.
blah, blah...
So, I think the secret to appreciating the changing of seasons is decorating. I've never been a knick-knacky kind of gal... but my collection(s) are getting completely out of control- time to put that junk (erm... treasure) to work. See above for first attempts at seasonal decor Hudkins-style. Thank you baby brother+mama for the Fall centerpiece kit. It's a little spare, but go easy- I'm a novice.

Back at Yellowhouse

2009-10-09T10:17:00.002-04:00

So. I think I may have mentioned potty training a few months back. We took a bit of a break. But, we are back on the (potty) saddle again. This time armed with Jelly Bellies ("bluuuueones") and a sticker chart. We ran out of our freebie stickers, and I never made time to hit the dollar store, so I have (finally) found a use for the sticker making/laminating machine I found at the thrift store for $2 (!!!).

Sunflower Festival

2009-10-05T07:26:00.004-04:00

Gorman Heritage Farm Sunflower Festival. Crazy fun. I cannot think of a more perfect day to spend a Sunday afternoon. And our boy loves bluegrass!

(photos courtesy of Brady)

Polly Apfelbaum

2009-10-02T22:51:00.007-04:00

Blossom

Deadheading Horizontal

Funkytown-Detail

Weaving Line #7

I saw Blossom in all of it's big huge glory at the CAC in 2003.
I liked it then... but it has really taken root. I love it now.

Color

2009-10-02T00:06:00.003-04:00

What I wore.

...and counting

2009-09-30T23:30:00.004-04:00

Just a half an hour before I enter into "my thirties" I have to say... Lord willing, I think it's going to be a good decade. No doubt, my twenties have been exciting. Although, I feel we have been at the mercy of opportunity to an exhausting degree. I have spent a lot of time believing I have needed to make some sort of name for myself (doing what???), I have too long felt divided in so many ways. There have been some detectable shifts.
Quite suddenly, there is this deep-in-my-gut realization that I am simply a part of a greater thing. I have a lot to offer in perhaps many small ways.
OK.
Back to my alarmingly attractive husband indulging me in some much needed uninterrupted conversation.
Oh... and I got the blue-green sneakers. They're perfect.

Fantasy Fall Decorating

2009-09-29T22:57:00.004-04:00

Felted Pebbles
Butterscotch Tweed Fox
Autumn Felt Tree
Branch Pillow Cover
batik Fish
South Forest Print

Reckoning

2009-09-29T14:40:00.004-04:00

OK. I don't hate Fall. I hate shorter days. And I don't like all that brown+rust+orange, or scarecrows or bails of straw as decoration. I get it, though. There are many magical things about Fall that even I can appreciate... acorns and bright berries, the yellow and bright pink leaves (but not the brown and dark red ones), seed pods, breaking out the scarves and sweaters, hot apple cider and honeycrisp apples, crackly fires, cold noses, general snuggliness...
We went on a nature walk this morning- just down the street, and these were our treasures. Edward immediately made a game out of them, removing the berries from the branch and counting them, forward and backward. Funny how he turns everything into a game.

Maybe I should have opted for the nap

2009-09-28T15:45:00.006-04:00

Who does not like Fall? Anyone out there? Am I the only one?
It must be the waning daylight, the shadows spreading to where I once saw sun. It makes me feel quiet, even a little removed.

(Here is where I initially published a bunch of whiny drivel about things not going my way.)

So... with all that cheer, let me recommend that you make this broccoli soup right away. I do not like broccoli soup. I do not like broccoli. I always had a warm place in my heart for George Bush Senior because of his open disdain for broccoli. But. This really, really low maintenance recipe has almost converted me to full-out broccoli love. Make it, and eat it. You will like it.
I also made this carrot soup, except I added a little bit of fresh ginger with the onion, and put in a tiny bit of orange zest at the end. I'm searching for the perfect carrot soup recipe- this isn't quite there, but it's getting closer.

I thought I took pictures (of the soups), but then again, I think I thought about it and thought, "I already have 200 pictures of soup simmering on my stove." So it is dandelions today.

(PS- don't worry, our marriage is good, we are healthy- I really have nothing to complain about. It's Fall. I promise to not get too introspective until Dec. 21st when they days start getting longer again)

Also! This list posted on Joe Boyd's blog (teaching pastor at VCC) is really something to behold.

High Profile Collaging

2009-09-25T14:08:00.007-04:00

Along with the tp tubes, I also have an ever-growing collection of little styrofoam trays. Thought they would make nice canvas+frames for some flamboyant collagerie.

Glob, smoosh and smear school glue onto tray.

Gather little pieces of tissue paper, feathers, bits of lace,snips of felt, etc...

Press bits into glue.

Ta-Da!

(We also sprinkled glitter onto them... but I liked them better pre-glitter)
I'm not sure about the hanging mechanism, but a whole collection of these would look neat displayed on a wall. Would have to buy a lot more clearance produce, though.

Bug and Fish Tacos

2009-09-23T19:10:00.011-04:00

Shortly after B and I lived in a box nailed to the side of a mountain, we moved to what seemed like a luxury apartment building next to a highway in the grand metropolis of Kernersville, NC.
It was there that Brady bought his first Bug. A 65 with the sweetest roof rack. When it ran, it was without heat, the windows didn't work, you could hear it from a mile away, I think 2nd gear was dead (?)... and all that on a good day :)
But it was ridiculously good looking, in a "she's got a lot of character" way.

Among the many interesting derivatives of that short-lived partnership (Brady and his Beatle), B got involved in a forum for Bug people. Apparently they were there to share useful information about Volkswagons. From what I gathered they spent most of their time bickering and ranting about everything but cars.
It was there that our family first heard about the virtues of the fish taco. So we tried them, and we liked them.
And now we sometimes eat fish tacos. And they're pretty good.
If you want to make and eat fish tacos, too- here is the recipe:

Fish Tacos (adapted from this adaptation)

12-16 oz flounder or other white fish
1 tablespoon butter (oil, etc..)
1 cup chopped onions
2 minced garlic cloves
1 c. finely chopped tomatoes (I used fresh)
2 T. chopped cilantro
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. coriander
fresh lime juice (1/2 a lime, or to taste)

1 cup sour cream
2 chipotle chilis in adobo+spoonful of adobo sauce
salt, to taste

6-8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
chopped fresh tomatoes
finely sliced red or green onions
shredded cabbage (red, green, savoy...)
chopped cilantro
avocado slices
lime wedges
salsa

Melt butter in a skillet, add onions, saute about 4 minutes, add garlic, cumin and coriander, saute 4 more minutes. Add fish and tomatoes, cook until fish is firm, white and cooked through, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and cilantro.

While fish mix cooks, stir together sour cream, chopped chipotles and sauce.
Place the elements in separate bowls, and build your fish tacos.

(We love sweet potato fries: Preheat oven to 425. Cut 3 sweet potatoes into thick wedges, Pile up on a non-stick cookies sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and cumin, mix with hands, then spread out on cookie sheet. Cook about 25-30 minutes, depending on how thick your wedges and how old the sweet potatoes are)

etsyLove: I love to hate to talk about how I need to get organized

2009-09-23T00:10:00.004-04:00

It's almost still Tuesday and etsyLove is back from one of its many vacations.
So I'm not going to talk about it... I'm just going to shop for stuff that will inspire me to really actually do it.

Clockwise from top left:

Magnetic Memo Board
2010 Wall Calendar
Fabric Storage Bins
Baby Book
Note+List Organizer
First Aid Kit Pouch

I'm not Catholic, but if I were....

2009-09-22T21:44:00.003-04:00

I would definitely go to St. Monica-St. George on West Macmillan in Clifton.

I attended a wedding there over the weekend. And. Holy.

Here is a bit of history.
I have avoided this post because I really wanted to share, but my amateur skills and little league camera just could not do justice.
But here it is. In all it's Early Christian, classic cathedral layout glory. Completely, insanely over the top. Not a single inch unaccounted for. A feast.

Meet the Princess

2009-09-18T23:59:00.007-04:00

and her friends. Iliana was the unsuspecting victim of yet another homemade gift by Sunny.

There was a dvd, too- just to keep it a little normal. Well. It was Yo Gabba Gabba. Nothing normal there.

Clothespins, clear caulk, yarn and teeny scraps of fabric. Bedroll is made from one 9"x12" piece of felt, folded and sewn to create little bedding channels for the for the girls- with a scrap of hem tape (?) to tie. I enjoyed this process way more than I care to admit.

Ain't No Hot Cocoa Party Like Our Nana's Hot Cocoa Party (to the tune of Flight of the Conchords- "Hiphopopotamus")

2009-09-17T23:03:00.004-04:00

A dear one celebrated a birthday today. Much sugar was consumed... just so she would know how sweet she is.

We had a hot cocoa party, which is just like a tea party except I break out the truly fancy tea cups and fill them with hot cocoa, mini marshmallows and whipped cream... and expect them to nap afterward. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. haha. ha.

Trash-y Toys

2009-09-16T22:35:00.003-04:00

It started with ketchup.
Eggs are not eaten without major amounts of ketchup.
And Collin wore a bit of it today, on his shirt. It was the wrong color for Spirit Day anyway (the shirt, not the ketchup). So I took the shirt to the laundry room to treat the stain, and spied some boxes. Costco-style with the tops cut off. Good for little more than making castles out of (OK... I'm sure they could serve other purposes, but if they are truly missed I can swing by Costco and restock. I need milk+feta anyway.)
So I saw this a little while back and really wanted to try it. But the gathering of materials tends to take the wind out of my sails.
But today, it was meant to be.
It was all right there.
And so we did it.

Of course, I didn't actually follow the directions. But I think it's lovely. They do good work, those three.
Also, this is exciting because I keep amassing a collection of toilet paper tubes, throwing them away, amassing...repeat. And this actually used up my whole collection.

I had an already-primed-oatmeal-container (does anyone else out there primer their oatmeal containers-"just in case" or am I as completely alone in the world as I suspect?) that I thought would make a great tower. Which lead to the question,
"What is a tower for?"
"It's for the prisoners."
"Where do the prisoners come from?"
"Well... are you guys getting hungry?"
Why couldn't I have just said it was a chicken coop. Or not had a pre-primed oatmeal container in the first place???
Turns out they were hungry, and they didn't really care about the prisoners. Whew...

Fallish

2009-09-15T22:36:00.005-04:00

It's here.
Well, it's doing that tug-o-war thing seasons do around here.
It's 58, then it's 83, in a matter of a few hours.
But steadily the averages dip and the air turns crisp and
the contrast heightens, the haze of summer dissipates.

Fossil hunting+throwing rocks in the water at Keehner Park.

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-07T22:18:00.004-04:00

Harbin Park Picnic

with grilled corn

and one funny little boy.

Cheap+Free Thrills

2009-09-07T17:39:00.002-04:00

I don't like to think of myself as having any addictions. Maybe coffee.
OK. Coffee.
But, more- magazines.
And I'm not picky: cooking, fashion, home decorating, design, fitness, parenting, architecture, culture, travel, current events....
Nearly anything barring naked people and sports.
These are hard times, and too many magazines have gone under. The loss of Domino was heartbreaking. And Wondertime. And I'm really fearing for Cookie. Unfounded fear, I hope.
To be honest, I'm sure that the explosion of blog world has not encouraged people to pay for such cumbersome print matter.
But I am happy to have stumbled upon digital magazines. And they are often free or in the $2 range.
The digital age is not without casualties, but as a true cheapskate, the silver lining has not gone unappreciated.

Here are a few of my favorites:

N.E.E.T. Magazine

ParasolMag

ANTLER (OK- the first 3 issues are free, then 1.99, but, still worth it I think)

and LIVING etc (just a preview, but still)

The What's In the Fridge Pizza Challenge

2009-09-07T09:15:00.000-04:00

Grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, red onions, spinach, goat cheese and basil on mine. Thanks.

Matryoshkas, Babushkas and Barynyas

2009-09-06T23:17:00.008-04:00

First time for the Loveland Russian Festival. A small but earnest affair. Loved the music and the dancing. The line for the pirozhki, borscht, and shish kebabs was most prohibitive. But it was a gorgeous day in one of the Cincinnati area's most charming little towns. And there was a Goodwill right around the corner- and wouldn't you know, it was 50% off day. Definitely want to go back and traverse the Loveland bike trail. But I need a bike. One with one of those kiddo seats on the back. And a bike rack on my car. And...
Maybe we will walk it.

They're Getting A Drink of Water...

2009-09-04T20:25:00.006-04:00

Waaaaayyyy back in March, the kiddos got really into the plastic animals+dinosaurs. So I had this brilliant idea (my brilliant ideas...) to have them make a cool kind of mat/ background that would be like a landscape for the animals. Blogged here. But once the mat was complete, they wanted it to be a museum, and they wanted walls and doors and trees and things. So, the best I could come up with for walls were pieces of (recycled) cardboard- which they painted beautifully. But they have proven to not be very stable, much less sturdy. And they look kind of ugly hanging out in the playroom- like the recycling made a run for it.

So, friends and possibly strangers- any ideas on what inexpensive (preferably free), durable, safe and easy to paint on material might make decent walls?
Or is it time to toss the walls and turn the mat into a floorcloth? I think it would make a nice one. In a Helen Frankenthaler kind of way.

Tuesdays are for Overcoming Fears and Windmill/Pump/Wells

2009-09-02T17:13:00.000-04:00

Finally, we went to Parky's Farm. In high school, my friend, the most imaginative I've ever met, had this story about Parky's Farm- something like it was a commune/cult for midgets, and when you went there, they drilled a hole in the back of your neck and brainwashed you. So, I just never really wanted to go. Call me crazy. Also I thought I didn't like Winton Woods. I thought this because I only have ever been to the harbor part. Oh, and also in high school we went camping there, and a drunk guy tried to do kung fu on us. I forget why. I think he wanted us to give him a ride to the drive thru. But the western side of the park is so nice.
All this to say I am so grateful that a fellow blogging 'nati mum gave her stamp of approval, and so finally I gathered my courage, ready to defend my son against the drill toting midgets.
But all we found was perfect weather, a late summer garden, lots of charming farm animals- and the highlight- a windmill/well/pump. I practically had to pry Edward off of it. That last picture is of him gesturing (pantomiming? what's the word?)how the pump works.

HudkinsNews/ Go To Here For Awesome

2009-09-02T14:51:00.004-04:00

B has been working ever so diligently on this lovely specimen of a website. His shinybright portfolio is online now. So... if you need some identity/branding/print advertising- or even basic website-ness- you just call this guy. He is quite talented (and organized, and dependable, patient, and handsome and... well, you know.)

The Birthday Seal is Broken

2009-08-30T23:02:00.015-04:00

I have this terrible habit of extending my birthday. A lot.
It stems from the chaos- rarely does a special day fall on at the appropriate time. Inevitably, we have to work late, get sick, get extra-broke... something. And birthdays and anniversaries are postponed- days, weeks, months...
So. Just in cases, I have started buying myself presents in advance. My birthday is more than a month away, and already, I have purchased:

Mad Men Season 2 (Peggy is my favorite. No question. If I took one of those "Which Mad Man Are You" quizzes, I am sure I would be Peggy. And if I wasn't, then something would be very faulty. There's no point. If I were a Mad (wo)Man... I would be Peggy)

This long awaited book from my 2nd favorite blogger and first favorite craft+family book writer.

And next on the list:

these shoes (Jackie had them first. but she is far away. I think the thousand+ miles makes them fair game)

or maybe these- can't decide

this planner that i have loved for years now. it appears to be sold out, but I'm going to check my local anthro, they might have one held out for me.

if they don't have it- I love her stuff, too

and also, b is taking me here, to see these beautiful people. Maybe doesn't fall under birthday, just a rare date- but We. even. have. a. babysitter(s)!!! It's as if we are real, grown up parents that go out on dates. Weird.

And the one condition that I would endure one more Ohio Winter was a new coat. A beautiful and expensive new coat. I love this one supermost. Now I just have to wait it out until they have another 30% off sale. Come on Johnnie Boden, catch my esps...

(But this one doesn't count, it's just on the list)
Which fabulous things do you want most right now?

More Handmade-ness

2009-08-28T07:44:00.007-04:00

Yet another homemade gift:
Soft baby rattles made from Ikea fabric.
Of course, you don't have to use Ikea fabric, I just didn't realize- in the heat of the crafty moment- that I did have a character design fabric in my stash already.
I saw this post (I feel like an index for the internet), and I had to make some. NOW! (the link referred to a tutorial, but I couldn't find one. I did however happen upon too, too many beautiful Dutch blogs. Hopefully this isn't too infringe-y, for the record- this is not my original idea.)

1. Loosely cut around chosen design.

2. Choose a coordinating fabric for the back- face right sides together and trim so both pieces are the same shape. These are small enough that I didn't have to pin them.

3. Sew on a machine using a straight stitch, leaving a 3/4" opening.

4. Turn right side out and stuff with polyfil or wool. I tucked a few little jingle bells in there.

5. Sew together the opening by hand, using very small tight stitches.

This is the exact same concept as making a pillow- except, tiny and with bells. Also- if you are going to make these- just do a bunch, as it seems babies come in waves! Also, if you are about to have a baby and you are reading this- just pretend like you didn't :) No surprises around here!

Ta Da! Easy to grasp softy rattle for your wee-est new friend.

Before and After

2009-08-26T15:21:00.005-04:00

I love Before+Afters. I love makeovers. I love major transformation. In someone else's world.
In my own. They are just embarrassing.
Take this corner of our studio/dining room for example.
Last spring my monstrous scrap collection was relegated to the basement. And in late July we stopped denying the unmistakable smell of mildew wafting up the steps.
Thankfully the piles of fabric were salvageable after a few trips through the washing machine. But they had to find a new home. And for 2 weeks they just sat in the corner, a giant pile of clutter that seemed to attract even more clutter.
Only a trip to Ikea (for storage boxes, we managed to score the actual shelf in the scratch+dent last year) would cure this disarray.
So it's not the Expedit of my dreams, but it is one step closer. And I might actually let someone besides Brady and Edward in the house now.
Sorry about the pictures- the lighting in that room is less than awesome.

And for a little Expedit inspiration:

from Yvestown

from Chez Larsson