Ummmm....

Does anyone miss me and my musings? HA HA HA! I mean for real - it has been a long long time, huh?! Well I'm just writing a simple "HELLO" just in case someone stumbles across this ol' blog and wonders what happened and where did I go.

HI!

Sloppy Smooches,
Domo

space, man

He's quite the explorer, going boldly where no child has gone before, or ever should go...

Spring is here, but as far as I'm concerned, we are living in the dead of summer with its constant sun, shirt-stripping heat, and the kind of moisture that could bring down a faulty basement wall. I'm just waiting for the onslaught of the menacing, endless parade of insects. Bring on the infestation! I'm ready for it... just not in the baby's room, okay?

He is so much braver than I.

days with graham

photo - rebecca cifaldi

It has been days, weeks, months even, with this baby Graham at my side, in my lap, in my life. He is a brave, fine lad, and I am his braving, harried mum. Life has taken on new meaning? and time has turned on me, but I soldier through and at the end of some days (which never end) I feel amazing - a glowing sense of magic shining off this little boy's beautiful head. It IS worth it. It is WORTH IT - after all.

baby baby on his way

Oh my! Looks like this expanded lady is about to burst! That's right! Our due date is one week away and in reality that means this little kid could come at any time now. We are excited, we are delighted, but we are first time parents-to-be, racked with nerves and misgivings. We have prepped our spaces, hung a giant giraffe head, notified all interested parties, and now all we can do is wait...

But while we have waited we have been treated to the kindest of folk and all their well wishes. Thank you friends and family for the love and support, the advice, the treats, the eats. We feel that much more prepared for all that you have done and we will never forget how awesome you all are!

not an adequate depiction of the current tum

Hugs and Kisses from a girl ready to explode!

Baby Attack

...and I'm back. Feeling a bit full in the belly because of my not so recently acquired passenger, Freddy (temp tum name), the freeloading little critter that I am working on growing. A very interesting thing, this being with child turns out to be. One minute you are up and rocking around town and the next you are down in the proverbial dumps, laying on your uncomfortable, woolen Ikea rug, just trying to work your way through a solid day's nausea. It may not surprise many folks that I am not the most gracious pregnant lady that ever did live... At this very moment I would say that I don't plan to do this again, but you never know, I could really enjoy nurturing and all of that (doubtful).

So will this blog turn into mommy matters?

...to be continued (after a much needed snack/nap break and at a time when I can actually answer that Q)...

Bloomin' Day

Okay, not quite a bloom, but yesterday they were twigs among faded bark shavings. Today they are flexin' their muscles, getting ready to make their mum proud... I suppose saying goodbye to winter isn't so bad.

blog break

Hey! Looks like this girl is taking an extended blog break...

U P h o l s t e r

Some time ago over the summer I signed up to dabble in a field that has always been of keen interest to me: UPHOLSTERY! I learned so much from my classes yet there is so much still to learn! Here are some images of my first project, an abandoned chair from my former apartment in Buffalo, New York.

before - a chair and a cat

maybe the most fun - stripping the chair

staples AND rusty nails to be removed-grrr

restructuring the meat of it

working on welting

nearly there...

et, voila!  the chair is complete!

Floor 12 Times: a fledgling review

Toronto is a breath of fresh air. Bri Guy and I, together with a pair of our dear friends, visited one of our favorite neighborhoods, the Distillery District this past Saturday. After coming to this city for years, we only discovered this gem of an area when we decided to collect and peruse the Frommer's Travel Guides from all the cities we intend to visit and those we have already had plenty of adventures in. It is amazing how much information is packed into those little books! On this particular tryst we squeezed into what can only be described as the most adorable and authentic looking bakery ever (apologies go out to all other bakeries that I profess to love), the Brick Street Bakery, where I ogled the cookies, breads, and pastries like I had never even heard of sweets before! Of the delightful treats that I sampled (read: ate multiple whole portions of), I will say that the lemon poppy seed cookie is my new love! Move over Brian! It is positively magical, both beautiful to behold and delicious to devour. If you ever find yourself needing a little something yummy and lemony in Toronto, Ontario, this is the place to find it!

lemon & poppy love

Floor Twelve Times : Visit

one half of Pearl & Marmalade, Lee (Char) Dickerson ...

... her husband the chef, James Moore

Weekend with the Dickerson & Moore Duo. This city is a vast maze made soft and familiar with the sounds of close friends' laughter. We dined, we antiqued, we covered much ground. On foot through cutting, icy gusts, and on wheels alternating between sedan and sport utility, we four had a merry time in the inspiring neighborhoods of this charming metropolis...

Floor Twelve Times

Yay! I'm in my favorite of all cities, Toronto, Ontario! The weather is mild, the people are all wearing black wool coats (thank the heavens I thought to bring mine... heh heh), there are restaurants aplenty in my immediate neighborhood! The shopping - we'll see! The hotel - evil...

This morning the fire alarm goes off while I am mid shampoo in the blasted shower (and I can BARELY hear it, I'm actually thinking it is the alarm clock). When I had to force myself from the bathroom after standing there dripping wet, screaming "really?!" I knew I was in for some classic, dom-style mayhem to ensue, and sure enough... I threw on a hat, sopping wet hair partially covered, it took me just about forever to pick a pair of jeans, then to determine that I could survive without wearing socks inside of my shoes, and then to decide to throw on a jacket instead of just a sweater. Next, I stared out the window for a few before deciding that I really should leave the room and find the rest of the hotel guests and right about then I panicked (!) and realized that the building could actually be on fire - or something!! So naturally I went about finding my room key, grabbing my purse, loading it up with the essetials like my phone and chapstick (one could never feel safe without one's chapstick on hand). I thought about calling the spouse who was busy at work and asking him if he thought I should be concerned or not... At some point I made my way to the door and then I froze - should I grab more valuables? Just where are my wedding rings? Where are the keys to the monster rental car? Shouldn't I grab my camera and how about the GPS?? For serious, I probably stood there for about ten minutes until I heard something completely unintelligible coming from the hotel PA system about the stairs. Sooo... wait - can I take the stairs? Don't you always take the stairs in these emergency type scenarios? Or was that helpful staff member saying that there was a raging fire in the stairwell? Perhaps some noxious gas would be waiting for me in that steep, terrible confined space? UGH! Regardless, I went for the stairs.

Our room is on the 12th floor. I went slowly down, floor after floor (slowly because I was being cautious and sniffing for fumes or smoke). I had made it to the 3rd floor when it was announced that it was all just "a false alarm" and it was safe to return to my room. SIGH sigh grumble rumble. I took the elevator back up to my room. And you know, I never encountered another soul the entire time! Not a peep from anyone in the surrounding rooms... Not a one in the stairwell or in the halls. Maybe it was just me and my friendly emergency announcer inhabiting this space from the get go? Maybe everyone else got out of the building while I was still singing classic shower songs to my shampoo bottle microphone?!

Toronto, Ontario, CA

the Twentieth of January, Two Thousand and Twelve

Moon Moomin Washington McNish

...you will be sorely missed. Goodbye, sweet friend.

winter freezes

What was it? The second snow of the year? Well I went out and documented the scene... I'll take whatever I can get! Next time I just need a romp around partner!

"nature kids, they don't have no function"

..a line from an all time favorite of mine, Pavement. But, am I a nature kid?...

Sorel, Caribou  - Love

And it's raining today. Still warm out, still brown out, brown-out. Thought I'd put on my iron-clad weather protection boots that I can't promote enough (love you, Sorel Caribou, love you) and trudge around to the side of the house to do some gardening. Uh huh. Dressed in a rain coat, some mittens callin' for a muddying, and the beloved boots, I dragged on through the thicket and the muck wielding an extendable pair of hedge clippers, pruning sheers, a small rake, snow shovel, and the saddest iTunes playlist you could want on a dark January day. I hacked away at dead shrubs and the occasional, heartbreaking, premature, springy green growth that inhabits my little garden plot. I completely uprooted a plant that I have always loathed, one that spouse has always cherished for its evil, sun-blocking, "privacy" vines, threw its wild tendrils into a manic pile of downed, heavy branches and newly decimated ivy growth, and then stood back laughing at it while holding my hedge clippers high to the sky and bouncing up and down. I feel so accomplished. I say - take that, January! I mock you with every pinch of my sheers! No snow? No bugs! No reason not to garden.

snow-less-ness

Good morning.

I believe my eyes, yes I do indeed, when I look out the windows and see what I only knew I'd see because I do check the forecast, but oh, I am so put off when my eyes blur from the overload of brownness and malnourished rot they spy on the snow-less ground. Not even a speck of ice today, not a puddle formed on the desperate and parched sidewalks. It is January and I used to think that the first month of the year meant I would indulge in a little seasonal shivering, layered in sweaters and wooly things, marching around in giant, weather proofed outer-gear. But now it seams that January is just a big ugly disappointment, a browned out let down! And a boo oo oo to that. I can only parade around in my favorite of earmuffs and my mountainous Sorrel boots, which sadly never get to proper use, when I am willing to look the fool in a light dusting of flakes and breezes worthy of springtime blooming! Maybe I should go back to bed... Can someone wake me around six to eight inches?

and then it was 2012

Well, let's see... 2012 eh? I haven't even considered making a resolution. In fact, I am trying to recall if I made one last year or the year before that... I vaguely recollect yawning and being nearly bored to death watching the ball drop somewhere in between switching through the major networks and MTV. At some point I see myself tipping back the dregs of my champagne glass, thinking that I would like 2011 to be a happier, less stress filled year where the brand new spouse and I would smile more and poke and prod less, a year where the stars would align, in my favor, to put all things right, and a year in which I would be a bit less of a grouch grouch and more of a shimmering angel spreading love and kindness throughout my day...or I would at least not be quite so judgmental and pessimistic (those are the same thing right - an Angel, an Optimist?). And assuming that was my version of a New Year's resolution, just how did 2011 really stack up? Well, I feel like I grew much and learned a lot about myself. I have a year of marriage under my belt and things are actually looking more complicated by the day, but we did find a way to navigate through tricky moments. I managed to firmly close the door on some rueful sadness, to stand my ground where I needed to be firmly planted, and as for being more angelic - ahem - I would really need to survey some of my dear friends to accurately report on that one!

In the end, right up to 11:59 pm, I felt like the year whizzed right by and whatever happened, I am okay with it. So moving on and into the future, today I say, "Hello Twenty-Twelve! How do you do?" I have resolved to simply buckle in and take it as it comes!  -peace out-

The last dog attack of 2011. Gabby Dickerson Dog

wrap theme

This year, I selected a merry navy and white in the form of polka dots and stripes, a green and a gold palette for my Holiday wrapping. The ribbon was black satin, navy plaid, and gauzy gold. I felt overall that it was successful while bunched together under our miniature tree, but as I began to dole out the gifts, it became a little weak! Nevertheless, I am delighted with the way it came off and the gears are already turning for next year!! Any ideas out there?

shout out

Can you please tell me what is better than hanging out with precious friends whom you love and respect, who tell the greatest tales, and share their lives with you? Well, nothing is better of course! (...I suppose that I should throw the husb a bone here and let him know that he is included among the ranks of friends, so...) With the careful wrapping of gifts, and the endless baking of cookies, the temporary easing off my "health" regimen (wah ha ha), and the non-stop social engagements, I can honestly say that this holiday season is shaping up to be quite fulfilling! This is not the sensation I was expecting to experience from a month suffering from a shameful lack of snow. So to all of you dear hearts who make this girl's time so special, I say, "You are so very R A D, thank you, and you rock!

 

xo much love

curtains

Harrumph

Today, like so many days lately, has been marked by a certain, melancholy idleness. Humph. I find myself sitting at my desk staring around with a head full of ideas of things that could come to be actual, but a complete unwillingness to really do any of them...

curtains - I took down a terrible pair of cheap curtains and modified them slightly with the aid of my dusty sewing machine. Halfway through the project I was flooded with ideas on how to make them even more interesting like, say, screenprinting a pattern onto them, or adding a sheer panel behind them, etc. I also became extremely keen on my sewing machine itself! Suddenly I was reminded of great, abandoned projects of yesteryear, and plenty of lofty new possibilities! And then I wanted to paint my bedroom, create a cloth headboard, hang a few new pictures! I went back to my "studio space" after reinstalling said curtains and immediately started rearranging the room, resorting sewing supplies, and pulling out watercolor paints, brushes, and paper...

Right now I have finally settled down, put away the manic overflow of emotions. I am coming to terms with the fact that I had a major art attack mood swing and although it was awesome, it was also sort of crazy. So - is this what you call a creative burst? Have I hit my peak for the year??

{side note: I did not actually paint anything, hang anything, or print anything}

just a little post ...

... to keep a blog blog breathing.

What I know about October is that it is always the absolute best time. Every year, good or bad, no matter what the days have brought me, I live out the month with the wonder of a child. I catch myself smiling at warmly hued, sunny rays, taking care to drag my feet a little along the sidewalk just so that I can hear a bit of crunching in the dry leaves. The colors are so brilliant, and the green freshness that so many pine for each spring is slowly dying off - and I am sooo okay with that. You might find that it is the best time of the year to try and catch up with me since I am friendlier, happier, less down in the dumps in October than I am during any other month. I am much more likely to be gracious and loving, giving even... And then, right when the fun is about to end, there's Halloween! I never did have fun dressing up and hopping from event to event, or even cruising for candy in the chill of Western New York's autumn evenings, wearing a flimsy plasticized gown or cape over layers of clothes and a puffy winter coat, but I have always loved the hint of eery, a sampling of spooky, ghouls and the like. Cobwebs decorating otherwise pristine porches, little nuggets picking out their frightful or terribly too cute costumes. I recall how charming it was to have my bedroom windows facing a small, old crumbling cemetery covered in red, yellow, and brown decaying leaves. I wonder if our neighborhood trick or treaters found it scary or just a commonplace landmark they passed every day on their walk to school.

On this first day of November, I feel like mourning a bit, and I am, but I also feel like celebrating because my second favorite time of the year is upon us - time for S N O W! (she cheers)