swallowfield

cynic's heart unexpectedly melts into a puddle; bystanders confused, embarrassed

during yesterday's unexpected snow day, the kids and i had the chance to make several junky holiday treats to give out as gifts. i realized while we doing it that most of the fun is in the making of it all - the kids love it, and i love getting the chance to make sacrilicious things i wouldn't usually cook. (pretzel/hershey kiss/m+m treats, as spied on flickr, anyone?) most people who receive these kind of treats probably feel overwhelmed by receiving so many out-of-the-ordinary, over the top items all in one week, right? and maybe the bloom starts to wear off the rose when you get your tenth box of sugarific goodies, i don't know. anyway, the nice thing is that they're made with love and fun and that's what counts, i think. we did draw the line at running out to gather supplies to make cupcakes in a jar, though i was sorely tempted. next year, though, friends...next year.
here is some peppermint bark we also made yesterday, which is always easy and pretty much foolproof.

i was feeling surprisingly warm, fuzzy and full of love this morning when we arrived at the kids' school laden with class party goodies and cards and presents, only 10 minutes late and a tiny bit harried. when we walked in, every kid had a homemade gift or a card for their teachers, and there was so much cheer and glee afoot that i started to cry right in the middle of the hallway (much to mr. seven-year-old's utter horror. "um, did the kiwis fall off the fruit kabobs while we were walking in, mom?" he asked, horrified at my indiscretion.) i got all choked up and just started feeling this crazy warm love for all of the people at school who care for my children each day with genuine affection and humor. so okay, cool. i've got the holiday spirit now, and maybe a wee touch of the letters p, m and s. all's good in the world.

saturday

this morning i stood in line, shivering with some die hard yardsalers for the baptist church's twice annual rummage sale, and i could see my breath - it's cold! {{thankfully it is also sunny, because that rain yesterday was starting to make me feel like i'd been visited by the dementors. no fun.}} anyway! back to the sale - the doors always open promptly at 8am, and i have never been disappointed with what's inside. today i got some old textbooks, a sweet little tupperware container and 3 big + gorgeous old pyrex mixing bowls for $2.25. i think yard sale season will soon be coming to an end, so i've been trying to stock up on all of the old books i think i'll need for my artwork this winter.
today i am listening to iron and wine (it's been on heavy roatation around here this week), thinking about holiday card designs i want to do (yikes), pondering a quilt i'd like to try my hand at in this lovely, lovely book, feeling happy that al gore won the nobel peace prize yesterday, and trying to convince my children that their stuffed animals don't really need handmade halloween costumes, too. we have one request for a 'pirate queen' and one for 'some kind of really scary guy with a hood and lots of weapons' so far, and that's for the kids - which should keep me more than  over my head. the stuffed animals are one their own, man.

lay it on me

advice needed, please:
aside from pretty pictures, what features do you love best about your favorite wall calendars? how much space do you like to have to write on? what about holidays and all of that jazz? i have all of the art done, and now comes the more technical, tricky part...and i'm realizing that i'm super picky about calendars + others probably are, too. i'd love to know what you think, so lay it on me. and as a thank you for answering, i will randomly pick someone from the comments on sunday 9/30 and send you a little package of goodies, so be sure your email address is correct so we can be in touch. thank you!

i've had one of those weeks that has been filled with lots of little things and nothing big, with frustration + exasperation + distraction + clutter.  i've been feeling a bit down + blue, and it just started raining. i think a good clean-up around here with some podcasts to distract me is what needs to be on today's agenda. what are you up to?

{{ oh, and to the person who introduced me to humboldt fog cheese last weekend (you know who you are...barb...) thanks for nothing! now i am addicted to really expensive, creamy cheese. actually, we're in love and planning to run off together for a little menage-a-trois with a crusty baguette from standard baking co.  }}

the people in my neighborhood

i had to figure out something to keep me busy today after i took the kids to school, so i didn't wallow around too much.

new gocco card sets, inspired by my walk home from school today.

ideas i rejected before arriving at this rather wholesome endeavor:

• a bloody mary party for one
• navel-gazing whilst feeling sorry for myself
• calling the school to check on things
• a long nap
• spending money i don't have
• cleaning
• organizing

(you get the idea)

i loved meg's post today about how much easier things are, and that we have to remember every minute of how perfectly perfect the kids are right now. it goes by in a flash, i tell you. ka-zaam. next thing i know i'll be in assisted living. (i just hope i am a happy old forgetful person, who goes around muttering how great everything is. that's wonderful, dear. wonderful!)

have a terrific day, whatever your plans.

september resolutions

I am bittersweet/excited about the kids starting school this week. I think we are all ready for some routine again, and also feeling the excitement of  fresh, full pencil boxes, crisp notebooks and new shoes. (They both grew approximately, well,  a ton of inches this summer.) We each have plans and goals for this new and favorite season: someone is excited to learn hip-hop dancing and to be 'upstairs' at school, another person is proud of his newfound reading skills and excited to learn to play soccer, and I...just need to get back into a regular exercise routine. And cut back on coffee. And clean my craft space. And work on stuff for my next show, and handwash my cardigans, and, and...(the list is, er, long. llooonnnnggg.)
What do you have cooking for fall? Do you think of it as a time of fresh starts and lists, similar to New Years?