My Minutia

Silver Bella Workshops

are on the Silver Bella Blog! Go turn on some Christmas music and sit back for some delightful reading! Check them out: OVER HERE! As soon as my fingers rest, I'll put together some registration info over there, too. :)

View from my fav seat on the deck

How was that for a weekend? So great!
I ended up starting a new book EAT PRAY LOVE at the recommendation of Charlotte and Kim. I'm half way thru and love it.

It's been so nice to relax on the deck and take in the glorious sunshine. I don't think it got past 78 degrees all weekend...perfect. Right now there is a baby bunny hiding in the lily of the valley leaves at the bottom of the deck, waiting for a safe shot to hop over the the strawberry patch. We never get to eat the strawberries...because the bunnies always do.

Old shabby metal star. It used to hang at the store in the front window. It's so huge it looks goofy in my house, so it's on the deck!

I suppose you could call this my shabby version of a Prayer Flag. Fun to make and really interesting to research if you just google: Tibetan Prayer Flag.

I can't decide if I want the "real thing" or not. Or where I'd put it. I bought one 4-5 years ago from sweet Sara at Manto Fev. I can't find it now though. Sooo frustrating! Anyway, this is my version, same color representations and it's all from vintage cotton napkins. Trouble is I reallllyyyy want about 10 of them hanging outside and dancing with the wind. Trying to adjust to one first.

I also finished up my Silver Bella workshops samples. Turned out even better than I expected. Gotta love that!

So many people are emailing me about registration and full of questions and excitement and fright that they've missed out and so on. So far we are still shooting for JUNE 1 registration.

Registration begins JUNE 1.

More information will be posted on the Silver Bella BLOG in the next day or two. So no one has missed out yet....in fact the party is just geting started! Gonna be a very exciting week!!

My old gray goose got all spiffed up with a new ribbon for the summer. :)   

As the Kenmore spins

As I toss a-nother load into the dryer and fold the tumbled stacks...so many questions.

• Did my son need those now 37 pieces of shredded paper? Wonder what it said? Hope it wasn't a cheat sheet for finals. Ha ha. Sucka...
• Who's coins? Mine now. Wait, wasn't it mine in the first place. Answer:yes.
• This gym class stack of stink? From January? Stuffed in a metal locker for 4 months? Ah, we meet again. But you aren't playing fair. Who among you wants to be washed with the stinky gym clothes? (meet miss sweater below, she's about to become a size zero)
• Why does this sweater appear here, again. It surely hasn't been worn for eons. How did it even make it through Kenmore security? Why didn't the alarm sound....impostor impostor! That sweater is a fake! I hope you shrink into oblivion. I can almost hear your screams in the hot water.....savvvvvvve meeeeeeeee...
• How did my jeans end up in her laundry? Sadly we are not the same size. Who made this error? Hubby? I am flattered you mistake my jeans for hers.
• Why the holes in the socks, guys. And why are the boys socks always tainted and dirty on the bottom. I seriously give up. Turn me into the Clorox Gods for I am not worthy. I raise my white flag, well, it's a tainted brownish grayish white flag. Boys. You understand. Have mercy.
  
• And Simple Pleasures, why do I love you so? Those vanilla and lavender scented swirls from the dryer just send me....into lala land. Thank you.
• Why is putting on warm laundry one of life's seldomly discussed happy secrets? We all know it's the best feeling. And a warm blanket with lavender and vanilla fused into the fabric....well that's just about too much. Bliss.
• A SHOE? How did that get here. Leather one, too. Do you know the belt at the bottom of the basket? Just one shoe. Return to Sender: Address Unknown. Basket #2 I presume.Come on, work. with. me. people.
• Why the bobby pins? Oh, Allieeeeeeeeee, sigh.Meet your friends in the coin bucket. There's lots of your kind in there.
• Next up: chapstick. I see. Hmph. Redo this load now. Yeah, cuz I have all the blessed time in the blessed stinkin' daggum world. Yay-ah, well take this boys...I'm switching your undies on ya. Ha. Drake gets GIJoes and Andrew gets Am. Eagle. Ha! I'm one BADDDDD momma. Miso clever!
• Why do boys hide Snicker bar wrappers in their pockets? Eeeeew. Mr. Snicker bar wrapper, I found your fellow colleague in between the sofa cushions yesterday. He will be missed.
• A book cover? Why? Didn't I see you as a hat on someone earlier this week? Please, for the love of Snuggle, guys...use the trash cannnnnn.
• Why hello Old Navy cotton cami. You must be new. I'll let you dance with the gentles but I'm warning your ruffles, there a snoooty bunch. (Shhh. Her time here will be brief. I'll give her 2, 3 washings at the most and she's outaaaa hereeee.) I'll warn my laundry co-hort about your arrival, but he's blind and I think half deaf, too. He just doesn't get the whole special attention pile.
• At the bottom of the pile...Mr. Madras shorts. Also new. you remind me of Spain for some reason. Do you have a green card? A price tag at least, before I let you in? Welllllll, I'll keep you out of the dryer this time, but it's only because your owner thinks I'm skinny.
• Oh, Dockers stain resistant khakis and dress shirts. I love you. You know you are my favorites (winky wink), you know you are. But, if you're stain resistant and all, are you taking in that sudsy bath in the Kenmore? Is it necessary? For were you ever dirty in the first place?

So many perplexing mysteries. After I finish this laundry I hope to endure a never ending weekend. Well, okay 3 days ought to do it. Can I do it? Relax for 3 days? Highly doubtful. Perhaps a nice long hearty project. Hmmmmmm....so many to pick from. Bubblegum bubblegum in a dish....who knows. Maybe just me and a book. Or a movie.

Nope....Jim will hog the TV with all the war movies and the History Channel in all of it's Memorial Day glory. I have never seen so much green and brown on a TV screen. Didn't know it was possible until I met my History Channel, TMC war movie luvin hubby. I can recite at least 20 minutes of Midway I tell ya. I would, too, if it would make this laundry madness end.
Hope you have a wonder-filled and relaxing weekend!

P.S. Grandma....got a few pix for ya...click below. :)

Not a peach, but a pear!

So, it's my last day of peace and quiet! Kids get out of school today and tomorrow. Sigh. Bittersweet feeling I must admit! This goody box I got recently helps perk me up though.

Haven't had a Peach of the Week around here in a long time! We are due for one soon I think. But here's something equally as peachy!

I love pears. Their shape--the lines. Mellow flavor and scent,and calming simple clean lines. So imagine my delight when Miss Homespun Living Deb  sent me this beautiful pear she skillfully created from barkcloth. Greatest colors and lil ribbon leaf on the top.

She likes to wrap creatively, too. Even the most simple newsprint makes great giftwrap. I love how she tucked in the ends of the newsprint, so she didn't have to use any tape. Good one, heh?

In other news, whew...so much happening. Silver Bella Vendor Night is going to be SO GREAT!!! The vendor list grows a little bit longer each day. Some of my favorite folks in the midwest and even California are bringing their wares to dance in that big ballroom Vendor Night. Feeling like this is going to be such a fabulous show. Have a couple more surprises up my sleeve, but can't share them quite yet. I will challenge myself to see how long I can hold it all in. Still have a while until November!

As soon as I have all of the descriptions and details from the Instructors I will post them on the Silver Bella Blog. Just be have to be patient a bit longer.

Here's one last photo of the other treats from Debbie. A barkcloth Kleenex pack holder....darling. And chocolate, too. Oh, yes, a lucky loo I am. Thanks SO much for the handcrafted pear and extra goodies, Deb!

Lastly, a new banner on the blog today. Used some pretty digi stuff from Two Peas.

I had to show you my found text in the background of the banner. It's from an old French play textbook. One of the actors/actresses who studied this play cut out part of the text and replaced it as shown here. Intriguing reading.

Wonder if the play was success? Wonder how the French text below it translates into English? I like this part:

"...and the chances to assume whatever form I like: a motionless bird on the branch, or a child, or, indirectly, a rose bush with it's flowers."

 

I Like ta Rap

Okay that should read "wrap". When time permits I love to wrap up gifts. All about the presentation!

This is a hostess gift for Marilyn's vintage paper swap I wrote about last week. Yes, finally sent it off! It was painful to part with some of those goodies!

The photo below is for my sweet Sassy. Word is she is sending me a pack of love, too. Ooh, clapping hands! Can't wait!!

I only have one and a half days left until the kids are out of school for summer. Love them to pieces, but I'll sure miss the quiet of the day I've gotten used to. And our grocery bill always escalates when they are home in the summer!

I cleaned most of my studio today. Got me totally rejuvenated to do some creating! I'm stepping out and doing some different projects. Jewelry for one. Ya! Well, things I've not done in a long time, so it's sorta of like catching up with an old friend!

I used to love to make all kinds of jewelry and then I got turned off for whatever reason. I still dabble though. Lovely things are in the works in  that studio today and I can't wait to get back in there later!

For now...off to pick up the boys from school and grab a latte...with sprinkles of course.

Manifesto on my back

I wrote about this Company once last summer. I pulled my beater (tank) out of the closet this weekend. Love it and all it represents and speaks of. Read or shop more about this Company here. I bought mine locally and it was twice the price of the online store.

Update on my parents because so many people have emailed and asked for it:
My Mom has a non-melanoma skin cancer. A common version of skin cancer as we understand it. Being taken care of as soon as possible to avoiding spreading. That's what we are hopeful for at this point. No spreading of this. Very thankful and glad she had this looked at.

My Step Dad (or Bonus Dad!) has lung cancer. Biopsy this week. This is entirely separate from his lymphoma apparently. Yes, you can have more than one type of cancer at any time. Did not know that. So, an intense scope will be performed on his lung (tricky stuff)...and we are still hopeful for a great outcome. Even if it's 6 months of weekly chemo. He takes it like a trooper. He's been labeled more than once as his doctor's poster child. You'd think he was going in for a routine haircut on chemo days! Such a great great man.

They thank eveyone for their prayers. They are so touched and tearful at seeing the comments and where everyone is from. Very life affirming!!

Lastly, folks have been emailing lots and lots in anticipation of Silver Bella! The Instructors are working as quickly as they can (myself included) getting samples "just right". We are truly as excited as you guys are! I've seen some of the samples...and they ROCK. Wow do they ever!!! I am having trouble picking my projects...dunno which ones to offer to make this a well rounded, fresh, exciting event. I am notorious for not being able to decide...but don't fret. I'll figure it out. Hours of chatting with my sister always helps, too! :)

In the meantime, if folks are interested in being a vendor on November 9 at Silver Bella, you can find out more info on the Silver Bella Blog: HERE!  Have seen some great stuff in my inbox from folks wanting to be a part of the Event! I will be sending out Applications/info for vendors later this week.

 

That day and this day

Knowing that I always hesitate to drive any sorta distance within my 2-3 mile from home radius, I felt this was an appropriate photo to share. Went junkin the other day.

It was so great and I totally lost track of time. That's when the fun ended. The drive home had me in a lil panic about finding my routine comfort zone after I glanced at the clock. Reliving the treasures makes it seem more worthwhile though! Love the old phrase cards. And that old french dictionary and silver trophy...so divine. Seriously could have stayed in the antiquing mode much longer....if it weren't for the long list of to-do's I've had recently.

Fast forward to this day, Sunday.
What a fabulous weekend! We had a big wingding with Jim's family today. 5 of the 8 of his brothers and sisters were together! Pretty momumental that is!

We attended a midtown church service for a Dedication to Jim's Grandfather, who served during WWI. Wow. I have some okay photos, but I did something wonky to my camera. Pushed a button I shouldn't have...so bummed. I will try to share what I do have later. Not lookin' good though. Lots of editing to do (yawn) and I am so tired!

After the service, we all went to Happy Hollow for brunch. So lovely in our own library. Jim's Aunt Jane was the perfect hostess. She is the cutest, classiest, preppiest lady I know. She was quite enamoured with Andrew. They entertained themselves quite nicely...when he wasn't being taunted by his uncles.

Again, thanks so much for the prayers for my parents. That comment section is so full it's about to burst! Love that.....thank you so much. Will have test results this week.

More photos later....so tie-tie...

 

Pour vous

The weather this week has been perfect! So we did a little "life celebrating" last night. We had dinner on the deck. Grilled turkey burgers stuffed with Brie cheese and topped with a green apple slice, broccoli salad, and a Caesar pasta salad. It was so yummy.
But, we saved the dessert to share with you. Thank you so much for all of your comments in the last post about my parents. WOW. So touched. So powerful indeed to see all those comments, all those people praying for their well being. I have been feeling the love ever since that post, and I am SURE they have too. So, again, thank you! Enjoy your black and white frosted cookies and frozen fruit. That's actually a great strawberry fruit popsicle just chopped off the stick. Perfect with the cookies.

We talked about all of the comments with the kids, discussing where everyone was from. It's amazing really!! We all consider this a huge lift in spirits! Also had to show you this week's flowers...

They are for you, too. :) Don'tcha love rananculous? I always have. Such pretty blooms. The yellow flowers are stock. Their scent fills the kitchen and it's awesome. Nothing like it! The perfect spirit lifter.

We have a fun weekend planned. Last soccer game and end o season bash, then a grad party, then getting together with some of Jim's brothers and sisters Saturday night. Sunday is a special ceremony for his Great Grandfather, who was a notable veteran. I'm sure I'll have photos later.Looking forward to seeing Jim's sisters who are flying in for the weekend. Yay!

My paper swap bag (for Marilyn Healey's swap) is finally done and going out in the mail to-day. Jeesh. I just keep adding to it. I am forcing myself to stop obsessing over it and get it in the mail to-day. Just too much fun to play with!

I glittered that lil Melissa Frances star cookie cutter and I'm thinking it's so cute I don't want to put it in the box!

One more time...thanks for those prayers.

All in this together

Okay, so this is hard to write. Deep breathe. Meet my parents.

My Step Dad, Dale has faithfully fought lymphoma for 4-5 years now. He's a trooper like you have never seen. Seriously. Well, we learned last week that he has 2 growing spots on his lungs. Scans were done this week and we are waiting for details. All of us have been praying and being as positive as we can for him. Which is easy to do as he is such a wonderful man.

Then, out of nowhere, my Mom found out some eye awakening news Monday at her routine blood pressure check.....yada yada yada...small lump on her upper chest, and she is going for a biopsy Thursday at 10 am. Wow.

I have never had to pray for her in this way before. She is a successful business woman....strong for others and I know she has never had to think about this before...for herself anyway. This is a whole new turf. Hopefully it's okay. Hopefully that doctor who told her by examining only that it was cancer....is wrong. She has to be okay. They both do.

We are in shock.
I am praying for both of them, and I just ask that you please add them both to your prayers if you would and are so inclined. I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. And this family sure needs it right about now. 

I hesitated to write about all of this in this forum, because it's very personal, and I know that my Mom reads this blog faithfully. I don't want to upset her (or my sister) by doing this....but I'd trade their "tisk tisk" for pride if it meant prayers from others. Truly would.

If you could just leave a comment below saying:

I am praying for you Jane and Dale. and then leave your name and city.

....that'd be pretty powerful wouldn't it.

I'd love to see that, wouldn't you?

That Cool Red Book

Here is a growing and changing stack of books. I've shown it before. I am trying to find books to display (just a stack) in the living room, that reflect our family. What a design job! Want certain colors, shapes, fonts, and obviously the perfect content. Well, we added 2 recently. The top one "Track and Field Athletics", 1964, is a textbook. So cool. It was a find from my friend Cari Kraft! So perfect.

The one below it...that big red one...is the one Jim wanted to get. He saw an article about it in the local paper. It's really cool. What good taste he has, huh?
The Dangerous Book for Boys, by Hal Iggulden, is filled with hundreds of "things" boys (or people...why just boys) should know. Sorta like taking boy scouts, only the Cliff Notes version and with over 260 pages, it's bigger.

There are SO many cool projects and stories, and just "things" to learn in between those red covers. Everything from making a periscope, the 5 knots every boy should know, making a bow and arrow, and identifying common trees to sampling Shakespeare.

I can't wait to learn some of these things with our boys this summer. Seriously. Anything to drag them away from their computers, ya know?

Here are a few Introduction exerpts I had to show you...

This is a great quote. Click on the photo to enlarge it and read it!

Yep, definitely looking forward to summer and learning some cool "not so dangerous" stuff with the boys. Bonus...it looks good on the sideboard with the other books. :)

Off to scavenge through my old papers for a great sounding vintage paper swap that Marilyn is hostessing! Fun!!!