Storage needed.

Project "make-sense-out-of-the-playroom" continues. What do do with the 14,096 plastic Dinosaurs? {well... I tried to donate a ton of them to the 1st grade's weekly prize box. But, apparently, my daughter noticed. And, she keeps bringing them back home each week!} So, a storage idea was in order.


A Richard Scarry book (Peasant Pig) was found thrifting, and the kids determined the story line was creepy. Not a favorite.

So, I dismantled the many pages and created a less creepy story on their new Dinosaur storage container... I'd also like to say: I.heart.mod.podge.

Where is Pippy the Skunk?

Two of my clan went on a father-daughter camping trip -in the rain- last weekend. And, I had lofty goals. I got so little done around the demanding babe - yet I've still got the grins from the little accomplishments.

I've got fresh pics of my sillies throughout the home now, and I like very much the feeling of newness everywhere I look.



I've always loved this montage. It's something I started in California - and it's how Kenzie knew her family, even though we infrequently saw them. It's solely black and whites, wonkily arranged in an organic form. The big photos are 8x10, so it's really quite large as a whole. The montage is the view from our front door when you glance up the staircase. It's the last thing the kids see as we walk them to bed. They can tell Nana's, Poppy & "Unca" Chance goodnight, each night on the way by. The photos have all been taken by myself or Doug. Some of them aren't even the most fabulous shots, but they all have a special memory or feeling we are trying to preserve for another moment. I swap fresh ones in ..and keep the outdated collection in an album dating back to Kenzie's birth. I think it's one of my most brilliant ideas. ever.



In mulling over the changing seasons -- I must admit I'm feeling gloomy about fall and winter already. In effort to keep myself from sinking into that pit, I'm going to make a better effort here at this blogging thing. I definitely feel like celebrating the small stuff more, ..when.. I actually celebrate it with a blog post. Those little daily doodles might just freshen up the naked trees and dirty snow, when that time comes. Blogging seems to give me a fresher perspective when little things are new.. just as the updated montage has done for the house. Completed projects, inspirations, fresh posts. It's so satisfying.

I've also been piddling with some artwork...but due to licensing contracts...I won't be able to share it until it goes live. Pooh. That's what I need to master --> the art of the unbloggable. Hmnnn. It feels like daily, I organize a post in my mind and the next thing I know I'm distracted by a certain 4 year olds exclamation (an example was heard as I was typing that last sentence) "MoOOOooM. Where's Pippy the Skunk?"

Huh, where IS Pippy the skunk, and who the hell is THAT anyway??
Suddenly, my lofty blogging goal is sidetracked by the mundane.

Today's weather report feels partly whiney with a 89% chance of manic household childproofing. 0% chance at creativity.

How do YOU do it? So many of you manage lovely blogs full of creative daily whimsies while I'm distracted in pooey diapers and missing skunks. Do tell how you make each day lovely on your blog despite the same challenges. Because now that Pippy the Skunk has crawled out of a pile of Moon Sand and is now busily mutilating Mum's plants, it's time to go feed a certain baby some mushy baby food. And, the blog must wait. "I" must wait. But, hopefully, your wisdoms will be inspiring to this tired Mama.... I'm ready. Lay it on me. Please.

Wedding Gift

One of my To-do List items yesterday was completing this for a wedding reception this weekend. Alejos is the couples' last name.

This kind of thing is becoming my most favorite wedding and housewarming gift.

I've collected the alphabet in random photos. I still want to spell out quotes on my dining room walls, but I'll be needing a wee many more photos for that.

I say...if you're going to be showing up to a well-dressed wedding affair looking ridiculously pregnant...
You'd better bring a damn good gift.

The holiday that never ends....

That's what Halloween seems like to me! We've been costumed for a neighborhood parade, a preschool parade, a pumpkin hollow, the night of the living farm, story hour, and tonight is the grand finale.

I mentioned Kenzie is going to be a dragon - which was a great costume. But, it's been SO warm. So, after exhausting the princess attire & wearing the dragon twice, I whipped this little number up with stuff on hand at the house. If only I'd been so wise to have thought to offer a witchy tutu on Etsy. :)



She was a witch for a morning activity. Tonight, we'll be wearing the dragon since it'll be chillier. And, we'll be happy to finally draw this holiday to a close....

Happy Halloween!!

A Bowl

...am using Little Hut's inspiration on how to make a bowl out of magazine pages. I hope to make this a big bowl(ish)-basket to sit on a new bench in my foyer. I wish I'd gotten more done during my daughter's nap today - because my husband is gonna think I'm nuts when he gets home and sees the WIP.

***

This mindless little activity has also given me pause to think. I know this discussion has been had many times, and I don't wish to re-ignite the debate.. really. But, I'm pretty vocal and I'm not going to ignore what I just saw.

Dear Copycat:
Today I visited your blog - that I don't often visit. I found it many moons ago via my statcounter which reflected that you shared my link on your site. You also "favorited" a few things of mine on flickr, but left no comments. So, you may not have known it - but I noticed you were watching me, & taking notes. I also noticed you'd removed my link from your site today. Hmnn. That's interesting given the fact that you've pretty blatantly just copied a product that so far is pretty unique to me, ME, Me!

So, assuming you still come by this space - I'd like to offer you the following about copying:
1. give credit where it's due. People are flattered when you do this (usually), not pissed at the shadiness of your misleading presentation.
2. Don't imply that it's your own idea.. a "product of your imagination" as you called it. I mean, what if the real imagination sees it and throws you under the bus?
3. Don't ever sell anything that is a blatant copy. You haven't yet. But, just don't (as your words implied you might).
4. And, really, did you have to make it so obvious? There is a rainbow of colors, a zillion means of embellishment. Um..or I don't know - maybe using a different animal that's not been done before?

Yes, I am miffed by what I saw. But, if you'd just follow the advice above - I may be thinking you're super cool rather than... the really ugly thoughts I'm trying not to type out loud right now.

I plan to leave you a comment on your site - when I can get my act together and not be so mad. I'd be thrilled to see that you've changed your song...

Give me s'more nice weather...

I'm really digging nights out on our decks. It's heaven on a chilled fall(ish) night. Especially with s'mores.



I ate extra s'mores to keep myself from fixating on that wine.

Soliciting advice..

I've finally finished painting my bedroom and attached office. The main rooms are a light greenish color, with single accent walls in a rich chocolate brown.



The hunt is on for window treatments, french doors, and more wall art, but I'm perplexed. I like nice clean lines, nothing too obnoxious. So, what would you do in this room with window treatments, throw pillows on the bed/chair, etc.?

We just picked up the picture we had framed, yesterday (which is on the wall above the chair, but blurred in the room photo). It's a fingerpainted mess that Kenzie & I did last year. It's really cool in person and we're really pleased with it. BTW, everything is larger than it appears in these photos. The room is large, the bed is large, the armoire is large. It all looks a bit miniature in these pics. Not to mention the colors aren't quite right, but I'm disinterested in trying to photograph it again.



Finally, I'm not opposed to recovering the bench. We bought the comforter because it had all the colors of the bench...but the bench is missing the orange color, and it looks "ok" but not quite right. So, perhaps that's the problem piece that needs to be overhauled along with the addition of the other elements???

I enjoy the styles of so many other bloggers, and am hoping that someone might send me in a direction that will pull this room altogether. I'm almost wondering if solid window panels and throw pillows is the way to keep it serene. But, what color? Or, if there is a fabulous print out there that will blend well, I'm all for it.
Any wise ideas?