Show and Tell

She received a suitcase full of art supplies at her birthday party on Saturday. We have set up "art school" (as she calls it) in a corner of our living room and have been playing a lot! Here is a little batch from one of today's late afternoon sessions.

The large piece in the middle was made by Daddy. Cub and I did the rest.

Here is the cover of that paper bag album I've been working on this summer. I promised myself I would only use materials around the house...no new store bought items here and lots of old magazines.

It's a summer book. Could you tell?


For these pull-outs I used the boxes we had in our recycle bin.


I thought if I showed you all of these little scraps I cut for the fabric garland, I'd be motivated to continue and share the finished product! All of these and many, many, more will be sewed together with invisible thread. Fun stuff.

Tomorrow is her official birthday. I can't believe she will be four. This is a big one for me. We have something very special planned for all of us. A field trip here. I can not wait to see this exhibit-

Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 Years of Golden Books - "all ages open July 4 - August 28 View 60 masterpieces of original illustration art by legendary artists from American publishing's best-loved and most consequential picture-book line. "

There are workshops all day long. Kids and their adults can make bookmarks, mini-books, puppets, and lots of other paper art. Can't wait to celebrate together!

Feels Like Fall

If you are not yet ready to say goodbye to summer, I apologize in advance for this post. As I sit here next to my open window, I can feel that cool chill in the damp air. I smell it, too. Ah...is that you, Autumn? I've noticed some others have been feeling it too, so I know I'm not alone on this one. I'm hyper sensitive to the passing of time, the changing of seasons, weather, how things feel. I guess that's not such a bad thing. Our day did not turn out as planned, but it was a good day, anyway. Cub's daddy is bathing her right now. All of the lights are off, natural dim light is gently filling the nooks of the apartment, and our bellies are full from homemade soup.

Oh, and after not too long a search, I found my fall into winter coat this evening.

Cute, huh? I have a few "go to" places where I know I'll be able to find something along the lines of my style and budget. This pretty thing is from here. May I never feel (or look!) too old to shop at this fun, little, gem.

I've noticed, but have been too busy to do anything about- our overstuffed veggie bin in the fridge. I am a person who can not stand to waste anything. Food is precious! So, I chopped up most of my veggies. Cooked them down in my large cast iron skillet with butter, olive oil, salt and pepper. When they were soft, I transfered them to my soup pot and poured in four cups of chicken stock and a cup of small white beans. I added some chopped parsley and let it simmer about 30-45 minutes. I let it cool and then blended it with my new nifty hand blender. Boy, I love this thing. I like it creamy but with some texture. We sprinkled a little grated parm on top before we dipped in. So good. Did I mention how effective this method is for getting Cub to eat veggies? She had three helpings tonight.

The vegetables used were-onion, carrots, celery, yellow squash, celery, potato, and garlic.

This type of soup is very nice with a small amount of curry powder added in, too.

Six Things That Make Me Happy

Sleepy - Front Street, Staten Island NY

I'm deliriously tired from today's party. I think it was a success. The last guests, not including our downstairs neighbor/friend left at 6:30. F's mom dragged him out of here at 7:30 to go to the mall with his family. I can't even imagine. I'll give details tomorrow, when everything is cleaned-up!

Never too tired for computer antics, this evening I found that I was tagged by Renee, a wonderfully talented fellow islander (and teacher)! This past week I also had the pleasure of winning the friday give-a-way over at Imglam. And guess what? Renee was the featured artist and I actually won one of her divine creations! I was so excited! Her jewelry is the perfect blend of retro-femininity. Can not wait to wear it on the first day of school. I was also tagged by Renee tonight to reveal six things that make me happy. This was difficult for me because I am so grateful for the life I've been given. So many things make me happy!

Okay, here goes:

1. Being blessed with the honor of being somebody's mother. Her mother.

2. Breathing.

3. Feeling loved and appreciated.

4. Sharing time with my dear friends.

5. Finding a little unexpected treasure somewhere.

6. Yoga.

What are some of your favorite things?

Just Me

I don't really watch television too much, but right now I'm kinda wishing I had a special someone to share this Olympic opening night with. So beautiful. It's been comforting to have it on in the background as I finish preparations for Cub's birthday party tomorrow afternoon.

Well, I now feel like I am now officially a MOM in every sense of the word. This is my first party. She'll be four on Tuesday. I know, I know. But I really am not a party person. They scare me. I have to admit, seeing the house all prettied-up for this little princess party is giving me the "warm fuzzies." (oh, yuck.) It's even a bit exciting...A special thank-you is in order to this beautiful gal for all the great suggestions.

Here's Cub and her buddy from downstairs filling the pinata. Sorry for the sugar-high blur.

Okay, so here is that puppet I wrote about a bit ago. Of course, he's not finished. He will be swinging a vintage tea pot when I finally get another minute for crafty indulgences. I became dizzy with inspiration when I found Arounna Khounnoraj's craft projects. So did many, many, others. She is a genius. Period. Arounna, wherever you are, I love you. I thank you. My goal is to complete all 30 projects!! Someday. I just deleted (by accident) one of the many other unfinished projects, the fabric garland for the party. Never did get around to cutting out all of those dang shapes. I won't give up, though. It will be cute just dangling around for non-festivities.

And I wanted to share this with everyone 'cause I really like it.

This was a rare mall purchase at Claire's, of all places.

It's a coin purse. It makes me happy.

My Special Place

I'm going to take you to

My special place

It's a place no amount of hurt or anger

Can deface

I put things back together there

It all falls right in place

In my special place

My special place

-Joni Mitchell

I am a person who has always needed a special place. As a child living with my parents, my special place was a nook alongside the stereo consol, where I could play by myself and enjoy the sounds of my mother's Motown records as she cleaned the house. After we moved to Grandma's, my spaces included a crab apple tree in the front yard, the niche between our yard and that of our neighbors, a corner of my room. I found comfort just sitting on our front stoop at night during my teenage years. Strangely enough, when I moved to Manhattan, I found a special place in the World Trade Center mall that was located underneath the towers. I never really told anyone about this. I mean, you have all of NYC to find solitude and you go to the World Trade Center mall? But I think a part of me was trying to find the familiar in an place that at that time, was vastly unfamiliar. Growing up in Long Island, I was used to the mall thing. Also, there seemed to be none of the usual NYC attitude down there. It felt low-key, a bit like you left town.

This past week, I have found an unexpected oasis in the middle of some "life turbulance."

While Cub is in cooking camp from 1-4pm, I sit under a canopy of trees on my favorite comfy sheet and I just simply exist. I didn't set out to find a special place, but I have and it feels like I have reclaimed a little piece of me the past few days.

Do you have a special place?

Long Island

I've returned from our little trip more exhausted than before I left. How is that possible, you ask? I think it has something to do with "vacationing' with your offspring. But this trip was so special, it's okay. I'm even staying-up later than I should to catch-up on the writing/crafty thing.

So, this is one of my "from the road" photos. I've always been kinda ga-ga for these shots. It was taken at sunset along the LIE, just as we were approaching the last leg of our trip. Windows were open and Zero 7 provided the soundtrack. It was a great vibe. We were following my aunt who has a house out on eastern Long Island. If I say it's in Westhampton Beach, people will get the wrong idea. Their house is deep in a not too densely wooded area. Their backyard borders a wetlands preserve along the bay, so that sacred space envelopes their home and anyone who happens to be there.

My family celebrated two birthdays in the span of five days. My grandpa turned 93 on July 31. Anyone who knows my family, knows how miraculous this was for us. "We made it, Dad," my aunt said to him after he blew out his candle. Bless you, my sweet Grandpa.

She celebrated hers today. I didn't think we needed a shot of two cakes here. But her cake was a deep chocolate mousse. Best part was, the person who decorated it drew two elegant yellow daisies on it. A lovely cake for a lovely lady.

During our first morning walk, I found this tree. I wish I had thought of some nifty guerilla-art to fill these frames. I hope they are still there next time we visit.


You're looking at what was supposed to be my house. A few months ago, we were walking and went to the open house just for fun. I fell in love with it. It's very close to my aunt's house and faces the ocean. There are ocean views from the top of the house which is one large open loft space. Hello, office-craft-sewing studio! The side yard and back yard were large enough for our pool and gardens. It was so old and charming and sweet with just that slight tinge of scariness that I find so appealing. Cub loved it, too. Of course, I never really had a shot at it, it was just another one of my many house fantasies. But I really did picture us living there and still feel kinda sad that I may never own a house, especially one like this. At least they painted the door yellow.



Besides birthdays and walks, there were lots of the following: eating, swimming, sunning, thrifting, talking, and just enjoying each other's company. This is the first time in a while most of the family was together. We missed you, Grandma and Grandpa. This was probably more of my actual vacation. Three hours lounging while Cub was at Cooking camp. I read a craft book for kids which sparked my passion for garlands. I'm in the middle of making this one for Cub's birthday party this Saturday. I'm going to whip up some paper ones, too. I am in the middle of so many little projects, it's ridiculous. The goofy punk-puppy paper puppet needs brads, the paper bag album need many embellishments, and then there are my very first ATC's to share. Promise not to laugh!

Gone Fishing!

Hello Everyone,
Just thought I would check-in and let y'all know we have been on a little beach vacation since Wednesday. Sorry no photos, but I promise to have many things to show and share when we return on Monday evening.
xo,
Cyndy