feeling uninspired

it is only wednesday, and i'm having a rough week.

there is so much change going on,

and i sorta thrive on routine.
this week has been lots of laundry

and home cooking

after a solid week away.

my head hurts and my phone is out.

{sprint outage here - maybe for 12 hours, they say}

also, yesterday i found a whole

pickle in the washer.

it was a mini pickle, but still, 
a whole pickle.

a couple shout-outs:

hi, annban.

hi, jan.

i think i can feel both of you checking in

to see if i've posted anything good.

i'll try to pull it together here soon.

in the meantime,

here is something adorable

{found here}

♥

art-paper-scissors :: handmade holiday workshop, week 4

come see me at everythingeagle.com

for a project that is equal parts

easy & charming

:: recycled jar snow globe ::
{no water needed}

{so easy, we made this in our hotel room}

come and make your own

{how about several for your mantel?}

☼here☼

come and see all my

art-paper-scissors posts

☼here☼

♥

:: seven ::

ned turned seven today

we took the "light rail" train

into uptown charlotte to the

to the 7th street stop

we went to the discovery museum

and saw lots of cool stuff

 the seahorses were our favorite

then we went next door to 

this hotel & restaurant

for local food & dessert 

happy birthday to my sweet little guy.

♥

:: fortyonederful ::

with a most grateful heart,

i am wrapping up my 41st birthday

thank you

nicki & family

for welcoming me & my family

on this amazing day

♥

:: charmed ::

take a look at my new

chunky funky charm necklace

from my sweet friend emily

{it's from her etsy shop: LadyEm}

emily dismantles vintage jewelry

and creates the most amazing 

wearable works of art.

i l♥ve it!

see the listing here

{thank you, emily, for my extra special birthday treat tucked inside!}

{and thank you, gretchen, for the white glove service.}

she has made {and sold} 2 others like it,

but they are each one-of-a-kind

see the listing here

see the listing here

i recommend that you keep a close eye 
on her shop

as new treasures are appearing daily.

she also has a vintage etsy shop: LadyEm2.

♥

:: which nest is best ::

fixer-upper

charmer

friendly neighborhood

♥

:: sunday & monday ::

:: sunday ::

airport lunch

garrett's napkins say love is messy

stuck in chicago

that's my tracy porter toulouse cardigan as his pillow

this just looked so potentially dangerous:

mischievous child with banana peel

:: monday ::

checking out neighborhoods in charlotte

loads of fun with ned sandwiched in between his sisters

adorable house for sale 

lunch at "crisp"

drinking sweet tea, ya'll

swanky south park mall

♥

say nice things about me...

carry on without me...

'cause i'm gone

♥

art-paper-scissors :: handmade holiday workshop, week 3

today at everythingeagle.com

i have a new project for you!

make a few to keep as decorations

and make a few to give.

:: star ornament ::

{made using recycled cereal boxes}

come and see

☼here☼

check out all of my art-paper-scissors posts

☼here☼

♥

:: annual ::

i was long overdue for an annual exam.

i found dr. zakarian through a friend,

and i'm happy to report that she was wonderful.

the most pleasant doctor's appointment ever.

she even gave me a goodie bag filled with

scented lotion, chocolate, and a welcome letter.

it's almost like i was at a party.

except it was my annual exam.

♥

:: ned's school birthday ::

thanksgiving vacation begins today.

which means that ned celebrated

his birthday {which is really next friday}

today at school.

the principal read his name in the

morning announcements.

and he brought treats for his class

can you tell that it rained at recess?

happy almost-birthday, ned!

♥

:: first grade art :: winslow homer ::

today, i introduced ned's class to

:: winslow homer ::

we looked at this

{snap the whip}

and this

{in the mowing}

and this

{breezing up}

i wish i had shown them this

{sunlight on the coast}

we discussed

lightness and darkness

and introduced the term

:: value ::

we made value charts

like this

using a only a black crayon

and by varying the pressure

i introduced the term

:: horizon::

then we made these

 

♥

scroogeness is the problem, cratchitness is the cure

how i would love to travel to

pittsfield, massachusetts, next month

to see this,

"one of the greatest stories ever written 

about goodness and greed."*

james taylor will make his

theatrical debut playing the role

of bob cratchit.

his wife, kim taylor, will play mrs. cratchit.

their 10-year-old twin boys, 

rufus & henry, have roles in the play, as well. 

you can read more here,

and you can purchase tickets here.

♥

*this and title quote are by director and scrooge, eric hill.

:: easy pet ::

marian won our goldfish, fin,

at the county fair last summer.

she is affectionate, vigorous,

and very low maintenance.

once, marian found her flopping on the shelf.

apparently, she made a break for it.

i admire her spirit.

♥

GNO & my new favorite drink

last night was GNO {girls night out}.

my pal, gina, & i were long overdue

to toast our 40th birthdays

{yes, i'm about to turn 41}

and catch up on our busy lives.

we had dinner here

and headed here for drinks afterwards.

i don't get out much,

so i always like to find out what the cool kids

are drinking these days.

i was served a tall 44 press.

{it looked like this}

i had never heard of a vodka press,

but it is my new favorite drink.

here is the recipe:

a tall glass with crushed ice

1 oz 44° north idaho huckleberry vodka 

{made from idaho potatoes, of course}

fill with equal parts soda water & 7up

and a wedge of lime.

☼cheers!☼

♥

art-paper-scissors :: handmade holiday workshop, week 2

today at everythingeagle.com,

i have a really cool project

for you to make & give!

:: altoids tin rescue pack ::

satisfy your inner macgyver.

plus, 

two other gifty uses for those handy tins
☼right here☼

come see all of my art-paper-scissors posts

☼here☼

♥


p.s. this is my 500th post!
{can i get a woop-woop?!}

:: roasted brussels sprouts ::

we love these

tossed with olive oil
sprinkled with salt & pepper
roasted at 375° for about 20 minutes

they are so simple and so tasty.
the leaves that fall off
turn into crunchy little potato chips.

♥

:: vitality :: dry brushing ::

exfoliation

circulation

detoxification

relaxation

rejuvenation

dry brushing is a good thing.

you can use a body brush, but i use a pair of these

{they can be found at luxury retailers, such as walmart}

{psssst! dawn, this pair is for you!}

starting at my toes,

working toward my heart,

with gentle circular motions,

i polish every little bit

before stepping into the bath.

i've been doing this faithfully

since summertime,

and guess what?

my skin is softer & healthier.

read more about dry brushing

in this post and this book.

{and please share what you know in the comments below}

♥

:: his smile ::

♥

bandanas as cloth napkins

these are in my kids' lunches every day,

pretending to be cloth napkins.

they are made in america

by this company.

look how affordable they are

at our local farm store:

{where they sell various and sundry items, including danskos}

did you know that the word bandana

comes from the hindi word bandhana

which means "to tie"?

♥