ok, where did the year go?

I feel like it was just Christmas and was telling my family that I was pregnant. Now I have a 4 month old and it's the holidays again. At least this time I can eat drink and be merry.



This app is the best .99 I have ever spent. behold:





I'm going to remake every photo I've ever taken.

We took a walk on the beach. Lucas had a good time until he fell asleep.





He's totally into his jumper right now. It cracks me up watching him dangle from this thing. His movements are a little frantic and he looks like a puppet on a string.



I can finally post a picture of the little wrap dress I made for Stephanie's little Ginny. I can't wait to see it on her! I am making another one for my niece right now.

Its been a while.

Sorry for the lack of posts, in case anyone is actually reading this. I have been working on my biggest project yet, and it is finally done.



He is awesome and motherhood is awesome and life is awesome. But I'm super slow and I suck at one-armed activities. In fact, it took me two months to write this post. So bear with me while I get my groove back. Please enjoy some pictures of things I have been doing. Click on the photos for details.

Steamed Mussels in Wine

My friend was kind enough to haul me out of bed a few Sundays ago so that we could go check out the new farmers market. I am glad I went, because the selection was great. In addition to picking up some grocery staples, I found myself standing in front of the Aquaculture stand totally mesmerised. I picked up a 2 pound bag of mussels for ten dollars.

I brought home my mussels and scrubbed them off with a soft bristle brush. Then I placed them into a colander covered with a damp cloth and slipped a bowl underneath to catch the excess water.



I made a broth of butter, thyme, garlic, onions, lemon and white wine, plus a dash of red pepper. Once it was boiling, I threw in the mussels for about 6 minutes.



After the mussels had finished steaming, I threw in some browned andouille and roasted some potatoes into the broth with some parsley.





We sloshed the whole mess into big bowls and scooped up the broth with crispy warm French bread.

Halloween Party

I totally lagged on getting these up, but the party rocked.








We had tacos, and beer and a bunch of other yummy stuff.



It was our best year yet.



I am already planning next year.

iZombie

Just another reason to love Long Beach.

Zombie Walk 2010.

It is time...

The invitations have been ordered:

the decorations are coming out:




creepy crafting has commenced:



IT IS TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

urban homesteading

Lately I have been looking again at generations past, for inspiration in functionality and frugality...

I'm using homemade deodorant:

and its the best stuff I have ever used.

I've also been air drying my laundry:

and clearly I am not the only person feeling notstaligc about my clothes line-

from this Washington Post article:

"Sunshine is the single most powerful natural resource we have," one Australian friend said. "Why should we dig up fossil fuels to dry our laundry when we have a renewable source that costs nothing?" 
 
the "right to dry"

up next.... homemade underwear. 

it was a nice weekend.

I found some awesome treasures for me.



and these killer vintage shirts for the Mister.



I tended to my garden.



I read a few chapters from this book.

I roasted a chicken for Saturday supper.
(I didn't take a photo since you know what a roasted chicken looks like. Trust me, it was very tasty.)

caught up on our favorite show.

it was nice. I need another day..

action items

On the agenda:

enjoy these owl jars



find more refrigerator dishes, because i love them



convert these lemons into something delicious



work on turning this lovely fabric into a new robe



stop and smell the roses. especially this one.



have a lovely weekend. done and done.

have a lovely weekend.

Happy Friday!

Hunting

I've been on a big thrifting bend lately, picking up a bunch of awesome kitchen stuff.

This lovely fondue set came mint in box, with the original ca.1960s wedding card still attached. Thank goodness for registries.



I found this trio of blue snowflake pyrex bowls at goodwill. The largest 4th bowl is missing, but I can forgive that, considering I paid next to nothing for these. Q: Can you ever have enough pyrex? A: Not really.



Cathrineholm pots, to replace some of our boring old aluminum pots.





Yellow pyrex, actually not thrifted but a gift from a friend. I hear this is the bottom of a casserole dish, the pattern is called "desert dawn".



I don't think I'll ever stop loving old stuff. I'd take something vintage over something new every time (except for underwear or toothbrushes...).

Twas the night...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.