hope.

I haven't posted in awhile because I am still mentally recovering from last week, which happened to be the worst weeek we've had in a long time. To make a long story short, our house caught on fire during a simple plumbing procedure (we are remodeling our bathroom. Be extra careful when "sweating" pipes in a very old house). Soon after the fire trucks had left the scene, we received the most horrible news about our friend's father. And it continued to go downhill from there.
But it is a new week. Our house is intact. And I'm hoping that the healing process has begun for my friends, and their family.
I bought myself some spring bulbs and made a little arrangement to cheer myself up. As the hyacinths scent the air, I am reminded that spring is just around the corner. A time of hope, and rebirth.

dreaming...

My neck is sore tonight from pouring over tear sheets, and other various research I've lovingly procured for some upcoming floral design jobs. I should be working on collages/scanning in works to my soon to open etsy shop, but I have to number my priorities and keep them straight- beautiful flowers call. I think I dream in flowers lately, and I am completely obsessed. Cymbidium orchids, tulips, gloriosa lilies en masse. Peonies in all of their ruffly goodness; the camelias that are blooming in my yard right now- a salmon pink- I clip them, gather them by the arm fulls, and bring them in.... where I can see them always, enjoy them, study them, LOVE them. I can sense the beginning turns of some daffodil shoots stirring just beneath the earth- this year will be the biggest show of my favorite flower in our yard. The bulbs multiply each year- they have babies. I can't wait to carry those babies in, en masse! Ah, flowers. It is funny how life twists and turns and delivers us into our passion (despite everything we've been conditioned for) if we listen closely enough.
Henry has been so sweet lately, swimming and dripping like melted caramel. All boy, but such a sweet, loving and affectionate boy. I blow off other things (laundry, dishes) to sit on the floor and wait for him to tackle me with hugs and kisses. I savor this serious display of devotion because I know one day the tide will change and I'll have to coax it from him. But yesterday and today, and hopefully tomorrow, he unabashedly wants to smother me with his love. He lounges in my lap, runs his fingers through my hair, climbs across me like I'm the best jungle gym he ever knew. Ah, love. My whole life I knew and loved this little boy, I felt his potential brewing up in me. And here he is. Even the most mundane task (waiting in line at the grocery store) is illuminated, made exciting and grand, by his very presence. He flirts with the stern old ladies in line behind us, and it makes me laugh. He makes me... less serious despite myself.
It is supposed to snow tomorrow night and I am just beside myself. I'm not sure how many times I checked the projected hourly weather report today, but it was ALOT. I yearn for snow... When you grow up in a city wherein "beach" is part of the name of said city, snow is a very. big. deal. I am so hoping and praying for a good show tomorrow night (a projected 3-5 inches!). We'll see. It will be Henry's first real snow.
That arrangement above is one ma mere and I did before Christmas- they wanted a "garden-looking" arrangement of pinks and greens.

The Story of Stuff

I came across this interesting little gem online today- it is a very informative video that charts our patterns of production and consumption. It is worth watching, and may make you think twice before consuming, well, more "stuff".
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

"A picture of santa, two weeks into January?" you ask. Well yes, I am just now getting around to checking back in here. The detritus of Christmas has been tidied up and packed away, and we have re-settled back into our regular routines. This past holiday was at times joyous, at other times tiring and stressful. Christmas means normal twelve hour workdays for my husband, and this leaves me feeling a little too thinly stretched some days.
Henry is still into the "wow!! a box AND tissue paper!" stage as far as presents go. Which is fine by me. On Christmas morning, once the gifts were opened, it appeared that Elmo had exploded across nearly every surface area of our home. The kid really loves Sesame Street, what can I say. I did get some great things for him through a company named "Brio"; fabulous wooden hand-crafted toys from Sweden. They are really his favorite toys out of the bunch, and mine, too. Who knew that even a 30 year old could be so amused by modly-painted wooden blocks?
As I bid farewell to 2007 I am remembering a year of many amazing firsts (Henry's first words, first crawl, first steps, first temper tantrum), and also feeling a sense of pride at having lived through it with a full head of hair. This whole raising a child and being a stay at home mom thing is nothing to sneeze at. I am excited to see what happens next, and welcome 2008 with wide open arms outstretched. I will officially trade in the "stay at home" title to "work at home mom" (wahm!) as my floral business continues to thrive. I also have a new venture up my sleeve, namely an Etsy shop to open soon (hopefully). Handmade collages overfloweth around here, and it is time to get them out there. I am very excited to begin working on this in an official capacity soon.
Oh yeah, 2007 will also forever be remembered in my heart as the year my husband gave up his beloved country crock for pure and natural butter. Unbelievable! I leave you with a picture of Henry bounding into 2008. Another year of many spectacular firsts, I'm sure.

Crash Smash Explode

My husband has always been involved with one band or another (or two or three) for the past couple of decades, playing the guitar and bass. Crash Smash Explode was one such band. Every once in awhile he does a Google search to see if any one has uploaded any photos that were taken during past out of town tours. Tonight we found this review on Interpunk.com and I thought it was pretty cool. Mike says- "who knew we were so relevant?" Ha! Can 'The Winds' (his new project) live up to it?

"Crash Smash Explode/Secret Life Of Machines - Split
Crash Smash Explode/Secret Life Of Machines

Split

Bifocal Media 7

Released on September 18, 2001


$10.25

CRASH SMASH EXPLODE delivers a whirling, dense, masterpiece of sonic devastation. They somehow manage to stay catchy while playing some of the most eclectic, neurotic, andchallenging rock music in the underground today. This split LP is a stunning follow up to their SOLD OUT 7" on Amendment Records. Crash Smash have also appeared on the WHISTLE OF THE MISSILE video and the KAMPAI compilation; both available on Bifocal Media. More recently crash smash appeared on the highly successful TROUBLEMAN MIX TAPE compilation making this limited split LP a highly sought after recording. SECRET LIFE OF MACHINES steps to bat with a crushing wall of sonic manipulation. Combining the moody melancholy of early 80s bands such as BAUHAUS with the complexity and angst of mid 90s bands like UNIVERSAL ORDER OF ARMAGEDDON. Huge tribal drumming, dissonant keyboards, complex noodly guitar, pained screaming vocals, and jazzy bass lines. This release follows an overwhelming response to their appearance on the WHISTLE OF THE MISSILE video and the KAMPAI compilation."

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Finally, it really feels like Christmas around here. The photos above are a bit murky, but you get the idea. I was a bit worried about how we would do our tree this year; what with a curious toddler bounding around ready to touch and taste everything in his path. We selected a shorter tree than usual, and sat it upon a pedestal. Henry hasn't chewed on any mini lightbulbs... yet.
Tonight I spruced up our porch with some garlands, a living wreath, and a living swag above the door. The parts that are "living" include pine, acuba, and other various evergreen foliage with nandina berries and fruit. I constructed them using Oasis, or florist's foam, which provides a constant source of water for the plants while keeping them tightly arranged. I'll include a daylight photo of them this week, and maybe provide a little tutorial. It is so easy, and less expensive than buying these things readymade from your local nursery.
Mike's mom had her annual holiday party at her restaurant this weekend. Every year her waitresses beg me to make some fudge, so I was up to my arms in chocolate for the past couple of days. Many batches later, I can already feel the expansion of my ass. What, I had to do a little taste test to make sure it was suitable for giving away. The recipe is so unbelievably simple, and so outrageously good. And fudge is just so sweet and rich, when giving it as a gift, a little goes such a long way. And really, I get requests for this stuff every year!

Foolproof Fudge-y Goodness

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips (you can do a variation of semisweet with milk chocolate, peanut butter, dark chocolate, or butterscotch chips)
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk (do not use evaporated- it won't work)
1/2 cups walnuts coarsely chopped (or not, if you don't like nuts)
1 1/2 tsps. PURE vanilla extract (don't even reach for the imitation stuff)
1/4 cup butter (unsalted sweet cream)
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (what, I warned you about the expanding ass part... but hey, just run a bit harder and farther in the beginning of the new year)

Once you've made a few batches you can experiment with add-ins such as peanut butter, or miniature marshmallows for a rocky-road type fudge.

Melt all together in a medium saucepan over low heat, constantly stirring. No candy thermometer needed. You will know the desired consistency is achieved when you start humming theme songs from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original, not the remake). Pour mixture into a wax paper-lined pan (8X9). Cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight. Enjoy!! Even the tiniest bite will satisfy the largest chocolate craving. I swear.

been a busy elf.

I am still plugging away at trying to create a handmade Christmas for all of my favoritos. Some fabric I ordered from repropdepot just arrived, and I have to say, I am in love with these patterns. I have been working on some little porcelain pretties, but I'm really not sure how these are going to turn out. College ceramics was a looongggg time ago. Nonetheless, it has been a whole lot of fun re-exploring that medium. There is nothing like that sense of "flow" I get from kneading, sculpting, designing with that earthy goodness. I suppose it is the same great feeling I get while painting, collaging, etc. I've been needing more flow in my life...
I have been slowly creating my little Christmas vignettes around the house. I'll leave you with a picture of a little tree I put together for my beloved blown glass ornaments and crystal icicles. It is so easy to do- find some attractive branches in the yard, anchor in an urn using river rocks, and voila. I'll post some pictures of our big tree and my mantle later.
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

rant.

Do you know what I hate?? Thieves. People who steal. Dishonest bastards. My mom had her purse stolen tonight in a parking lot. Her phone, wallet, i.d.s, credit cards, camera (with all the pictures of her recent retirement trip), pictures of my son, loads of cash, and other things, were all taken by some despicable stranger. It just makes me so mad my blood feels like it is going to boil. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest. hmph. The only thing that gives me solace is that what goes around eventually comes around...

giving thanks.

We spent the long Thanksgiving weekend baking, feasting, and having fun in great piles of crunchy, fallen leaves. On Friday night Mike and I scored a great deal on some oysters. We bundled up like eskimos and roasted them in the backyard- there is nothing like enjoying oysters and beer outdoors on a cold autumn evening. Later that evening we enjoyed the company of our friend's over at Cassie and Bobby's; and sat around their backyard fire pit.
This Christmas I am attempting to make most of my gifts by hand- crazy, considering how hard it is to be in the presence of a fourteen month old while using such things as paint, glue and scissors; but I'm gonna try. We'll see how it goes. And some of you may see how it went, once Christmas morning rolls around, that is.

sick/doodle.

Oh cold, wet November... you have actually arrived. I am relieved this week is finally nearing its end. The kiddo and the mister have been dreadfully sick all week- Henry came down with his first cold ever. That's right- he managed to go fourteen months malady-free. This week I finally put that aspirator (of which, inexplicably, we have about ten) to good use. Somehow I've emerged from this den of sick unscathed- So Far. Check back in with me by Sunday. We'll see.
Until then, I leave you with a picture of Henry's first original piece of artwork (that sounds odd. as if we have unoriginal art works by him laying about). Anyhow- it was done on the old magna doodle. His hands are too tiny to grip the little stylus, so he used a bigger, chunkier magnet. I'm so proud!! I see a bit of Miro there, perhaps.