There is a very fat robin visiting our nest. We shall call him Fatso. Do you think he knows that there is a snowstorm heading our way this weekend? Poor Fatso. I hope he loads up at the worm buffet.
In honor of Fatso, check out this cool shirt design!
Happy Ides of March!? Will you celebrate this festive day with a toga run like they do in the streets of Rome? I’m not so sure that celebrating Mars, the Roman god of war, is a great idea. Did you know that Mars used to be the Roman god of fertility and vegetation? What does that say about the state of humanity that fertility and vegetation got usurped by war when things turned more violent as the folks got greedier and the Roman Empire began to expand? Damn humans.
The Ides of March for me means the anniversary of beginning the nesting process at 605. It’s been a year, yahoo! And what a year it’s been. We are just beginning to feel that the house we live in is our home.
To celebrate, we spent the weekend improving our nest in a big way. As you well know, we’ve been meaning to get the croffice finished for a while now. It was the catch-all junk room/craft room for months (10?) and now it’s the office/craft room=croffice. Almost. We have some more work to do, but we’re thrilled with the progress we made this weekend. Because we moved the office stuff into the croffice, that meant that the sun room/play room could be just that. Thank you, domino effect!
Here are some pics of the progress I feel compelled to share.
We discovered that the faux wood paneling and two layers of wallpaper were covering real wood paneling. We had a good laugh about that. Funny how trends come full circle. They didn’t want the wood so they painted it then they wanted it again so they brought in the faux wood. What?!
We love the space and spend A LOT of time in here. So worth the effort! I do not miss those blue curtains and paneling to say the least…
The Croffice is mostly done so I’ll share a few pics with you. Exciting!
Then it got A LOT worse before it got better. Oof. Poor Wren, can you even find her in there?
Then my friend Sandy came along and helped give the project some inspiration and direction. Thank you, Sandy!
It’s not “done” yet, but it’s getting closer. And again, so worth the effort. Thank you, dear hubbie for your help! You’re the best.
Next on the agenda? Finish Wren’s room… not much left to do. Fun!
Being that it’s Sunday, I think a confessions-only post is à propos. Again. I did this a month or so again and I’m feeling like it’s a good time again…
Dear readers, what confessions do you have this Sunday morning? By the way, you are forgiven.
This series of lovely paintings are is just like today (and today too). Except it’s warmer than it looks.
I love this artwork, don’t you? For more by Renee Hartig, click on.
Here’s some more loveliness in grey for you.
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. Are you ready? Yeah, whatever that means. This is one holiday for which I do not even attempt to dress up. So I was caught a bit off guard when I crossed the street today and a gentleman whistled at me and yelled, “leprechaun!” What?! It took me another block to realize why he called me that. Yes, I am short. And yes, I was wearing green galoshes, a darkish green sweater and my new favorite green scarf in a wasabi-esque color. Ahem.
If I were to dress up, I might wear this hat since apparently I already own the rest of the outfit:
No, not really. Are you kidding me?
Do you have any big plans, dear readers? This Mamma does not have any bar-hopping plans on the agenda. No, but thanks for asking… That wasn’t really “me” before I had a baby and it’s certainly not me now. I might actually try to do a traditional boiled dinner with the potatoes, cabbage, corned beef, etc. Yummy! Grab some CEO Stout from Right Brain Brewery and we’ve got a party on our hands…
Love, your leprechaun friend.
Are you a list-lover or hater? I love to make lists. Some mental, some physical. Preferably on a real piece of paper. Often I misplace my hand-written lists, but a lot of it gets lodged in my head anyway. I read once (or someone told me more likely) that one is more likely to remember something if it gets written down–not typed–with your human hand. Even if you never see the notes/lists/ramblings again, the simple act of writing something down is what makes it stick. Fascinating! I was a crazy note-taker in high school and college. Sometimes I would come home and rewrite my notes. I know, I am such a nerd at heart. Sigh.
I was thinking in the shower this morning (yes, I managed to take one today!) about what I’m looking forward to this coming spring. So here’s my latest list.
What’s on your Spring Forward list, dear readers?
Time is zooming by and Wren is getting older every day. I suppose everyone is getting older every day, but it seems more monumental in a wee one, doesn’t it? The countdown to my little birdie’s first birthday (May 24!) has begun and I’ve been pondering party themes and decorations. I really don’t want a throw-away birthday with lots of paper and plastic junk. I’ve been thinking a lot about making an heirloom-quality “Happy Birthday!” banner, which can be used for years to come. Here are some ideas I’ve stumbled upon so far…
I love the funky colors and the whimsy factor in this first birthday banner, don’t you?
But I’m thinking of something a bit cleaner and modern. Like this one. This one is a better fit for our nest. Does it say boy and girl though? No, I’m not pregnant; just trying to plan ahead, just in case.
But I like the simplicity and fun shapes in this banner. This is definitely boy or girl, no?
And then there’s this possibility for a classic pennant-style banner.
What say YOU, dear readers? Any other birthday banner ideas you want to send my way? I could do a “boy” banner on one side and a “girl” banner on the other. I’m not really into “boy” and “girl” colors, but it might be a fun way to have two banners in one.
In other party ponderings…
I’d love to have an outdoor garden party for Wren, but Memorial Day weekend in northern Michigan is hit or miss. It could be 75 and sunny or it could easily be 40 and rainy…. arrghhhh.
Speaking (err, writing) of weather, it’s above 50 (!!!) and sunny in these parts. Yee-haw! Trying to suck up the Vitamin D while I can. Is it possible to make up for the last four months in one week? I’m going to try. Can’t hurt.
Best!
It’s 44 and sunny and I should be outside, but I just HAD to share this one thing with you. Isn’t this cupcake kit a-door-bell? Enjoy!
We’re heading outside soon for a run with our own sweet little tweet tweet. Happy Saturday!
Almost exactly a year ago we went on a “babymoon” to Palm Springs, California for a week and did a whole lot of nothing. It was a blast! Because we’re not venturing anywhere warm and sunny this winter, I thought we all could live vicariously through last year’s trip… grab a fruity beverage and dive in!
We stayed at the Desert Riviera Hotel, which is just a hop, skip and a jump (or quick bike ride) from lovely downtown Palm Springs. The boutique hotel is–in a word–amazing. Service is over the top and the wonderful owners (Larry, Patty and Judy) treat you like they’ve known you forever, in a good way.
Every day, we’d wake up and I’d wobble or waddle (I was pretty darn pregnant then) outside, grab a table and read the LA Times and surf the Internet until we felt like jumping in the pool. Then we proceeded to spend most of the day right there, in the pool. When we shriveled up too much, we’d get out and play a few rounds of Bananagrams (love that game!) Bliss!
This was our second visit to Palm Springs so we didn’t feel pressure to do too much exploring this trip. When we felt like venturing out, we went to our favorite places in and around Palm Springs. Yummy sushi and Mexican eats… long scenic neighborhood walks to enjoy mid-century modern architecture and funky desert landscaping…
a visit to Moorten Botanical Gardens for a succulent fix… this place is FUNKY and only three blocks from the hotel. Love it!
and of course, a visit to the Shield Date Farm for date shakes and the funny “Romance & Sex Life of the Date” film. mmmmmmmmm.
It was a wonderful, relaxing, memorable babymoon. We even got to watch the Oscars on LA time, which meant I didn’t have to stay up too late to see the end. Bonus! Especially for a pregnant lady who nods off around 8:30 this was indeed a special treat. Speaking of Oscars, are you going to an Oscar party, dear readers? Are you hosting one? What’s up with so many nominees anyway? Argghhh.
Hope you enjoyed your Cyber-trip to Palm Springs. I sure did!
Don’t you love the game hopscotch? Pretty soon the sidewalks in our neighborhood will be clear of snow and impromptu games of hopscotch will commence. Yahoo!
Fun facts about hopscotch… for when you’re on Jeopardy. When you win because of your amazing hopscotch knowledge, will you please give me $50?
When’s the last time you played hopscotch, dear readers? I love it when we go for walks in our neighborhood and come across several different hopscotch games. I can’t help but join in. You?
Until then (it IS still mid-winter after all)… for all the kids and all the kids at heart, enjoy this great hopscotch rug!
