The lizard catching princess

This sweet girl.....


Her dirty little hands...


And her funny little smile...








My Lavella, I love you.

Independence 2-ply

Sometimes spinning is the very best sort of therapy.  If I'm not producing creatively, I often start to feel undone, but I can't always decide what to do...also, what to make if I just don't want to think, don't want to decide, am emotionally overwhelmed, overrun?

Mindless spinning, with an audio book, movie, tv show....perfect.

These singles are something I started working on sometime last year, but kept loosing interest.  Lately, I've been pulling out the wheel more often, and finally finished it up into my go-to comfort-spin: a bouncy sportweight 2-ply.

I don't have any project in mind for this, although a sweet little shrug for Lavella would probably be perfect for a Texas winter....



Creatively Dyed colorway "Independence"
Fiber: seawool
Sportweight, 8 oz, 650 yards
Source The Loopy Ewe

Sewing Class

Two months ago, I decided to start a sewing class.  (Actually it was Piper's idea -- the 2nd girl from the far right.  She reeeeeeaaaallly wanted to learn to sew, and I thought.....well wouldn't it be more fun with a bunch of friends?)



I've been part of many grown-up crafting and knitting groups over the years, and it was fun to see the dynamics of these girls as they got to know each other and I watched them become a little community right in my kitchen.  By week two, they already had inside jokes, catch phrases, etc.  So cute!!





Lavella's embroidery -- I'm so proud of her!!

DIY necklace board/organizer

For a while now, I've needed a solution to making sense of my necklace and headband collection.  After considering many options, and putting the project off for many months....I realized I had been making it waaaay more difficult than it needed to be.





After painting the frame (2x) with flat white paint, I used a flat head screwdriver to tuck the edges of the fabric between the frame and corkboard.  Then I used a finishing nail and hammer to make small holes on the top and bottom, and finally screwed small cuphooks into the holes.

The row of large yellow pegs my headbands are hanging on are actually these giant pushpins I found at WalMart.  (P.S. I now have way more headbands on those pegs!)



(Sorry this finished picture sucks -- couldn't find my camera, and took this while on drugs after surgery with my phone, so.....damn, I'm a good photographer!)  ;-)

Super glad to finally have this done, and I love having all of my jewelry organized and ready to wear -- makes accessorizing so much easier, and this way I don't have any forgotten pieces stuffed into a box somewhere.  Yay!

Happy birthday Andrew

Dear Andrew,

Today you're 10 years old.



This seems absolutely surreal, and you must be sick of hearing me say this every single year, but.....10 years old?  Seriously?  How in the world could you be that old already!!!  (...and nearly as tall as me -- GOOD LORD!!)



When you were born, I was 23 years old.  It didn't seem all that young at the time -- felt like exactly the perfect time to have my first baby.  But now, at this moment, with you turning 10, I'm thinking DEAR GOODNESS.  Next time I blink, you'll be a teenager.  And such is life.



You, my friend, are so incredibly caring and generous -- I could not have possibly asked for a more amazing "oldest"; the way you take care of everyone, the way you navigate conflict, the way you choose to be responsible and thoughtful.



You are growing up to be the sort of guy that everyone wants to know; the kind of friend everyone wishes they had.  You are quirky, and nerdy, and funny as heck, and we like you so much!

I love you forever,
Mommy

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

Recent random.....

Making me crave pancakes...(smooth, a little sweet, big maple scent -- fantastic on the rocks)


My current afternoon craving (Thai iced tea via this recipe -- we've been drinking it with Almond Breeze brand almond milk mixed with So Delicious brand coconut creamer -- super fab)


An evening out at a rock show (Satellites & Sirens)




Hahahahaha OMG yes (spotted on a local mini-van)


Double birthdays


Cuddled up with my bestie at The Brass Tap -- pretty much can't even handle how gorgeous she is!

Back to school (!!!!!!)

Thank you everyone for the congratulations!!  Being married to my best friend is pretty much the most amazing thing ever.  :-)

My house is quiet.  Not just peaceful, but full-on QUIET.  School started on Monday, and although we had a few tears at send-off, everyone has adjusted very quickly, and we're all enjoying our more structured days.



(Each of their "back to school" outfits are pretty much killing me -- what they're wearing is after I screened through several options.  And the socks....seriously?  OH MY.)



Also....well, after an entire summer, everyone's tolerance for each other had grown a bit...thin.  So had my patience.  It was hard to kiss them all goodbye that first day, but I think all 5 of us felt some measure of relief at the same time.  Sad, relieved, peaceful.  Hooray for school!!

12 years and counting

On July 28th, Greg and I celebrated our 12th year wedding anniversary.  Wow.  I know.  I was 21 years old, and had no idea what I wanted...but I've been incredibly thankful to discover that being married to Greg was the best idea ever, and I'm so thankful that he's the guy I get to spend the rest of my life with.

Enough with all that mush.

Our friends took our children for the night for a giant sleepover party, so we went into Austin and hung out on South Congress; window-shopped, appetizers at Pearla, dinner at Hop Doddy burger bar (best. burgers. ever.).  Overall a pretty perfect evening....and with my very favorite person.  SCORE!!
















XOXO!