Comfort

I recently visited Billie's in NoVA and found many noteworthy comforting things.  First, you see Lily below.  As I was falling asleep (on my side), she liked to balance on my body, walking from my feet up my legs, hips, ribs and all the way to my head at which point she would turn around and walk back towards my feet.  She made me giggle so much, partly b/c I'm ticklish but also because the whole thing was so silly and loving.  She was great to snuggle with too.

Next, Billie made this fabulous pot roast burrito dinner with a yogurt cucumber sauce and jalapano pinapples.  Hot, sweet, cool, savory- Yummmm!

And finally, these cupcakes from Cake Love were UNBELIEVEABLE!!  I was lucky enough to be treated to them two days in a row (thanks to HJK and Katie).  Buttercream icing, keylime, spicecake, German chocolate with coconut..... I can still taste every flavor.  I'm addicted~

Courtney and Vienne's visit

The woman at the coffee shop fell in love with Vienne and couldn't walk away!  She IS adorable... and so tiny! (BTW, I am a serious overuser of exclamation points and emoticons... and elipses, haha)

I totally dig the wrap Courtney uses to hold Vienne.  Might try to make these eventually.  Would be a long time before that venture though.  I'm definitely not bringing a sewing maching with me to Iraq, haha.

I think Vienne liked the blanket :)  She's so sweet and well behaved!! ...and she seems to color coordinate with the blanket nicely ;)

Vienne's blanket

Finished the blanket for Vienne tonite...just in time for Courtney's visit tomorrow.  Deadlines are great!  Might post some pics of the other baby blankets I've made recently....later.  Two posts is plenty for the day.  Gnite!

"I'd like some pain in my coffee please"

My most recent favorite coffee drink.  I first saw it at the E Street Cafe in Encinitas, CA.  There it's known as a Chuao Mocha or a Spicy Mayan Hot Chocolate.  I just rediscovered it at Mugshots Cafe in Philly's Fairmount district, right across from the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary.  A little espresso, cocoa, some cayanne(or chili) pepper, cinnamon, and a dash of masochism in a cup, invoking thoughtful and reverent stares at the penitentiary just a few feet away~ 

Pillow kick

These are my first pillow creations.  Bright, simple, soft and comfy.  I'm digging the fleece, though most of the material I bought isn't as soft but it is more durable with interesting and complex patterns...

Attacking the lathe

I finally got a lathe and had some fun messing around with an oak dowel rod...

I am having a hard time with this tool... it erratically jumps when I try to cut with it... :(  Cue jagged toothed metal monster pouncing on my face. (so yeah, safety masks are great!)

I hope I can find some brass rods and knobs to use with this.... you'll see what it'll be when it's done.  Hopefully that will be before I leave though I haven't been able to find the brass bits yet.  I did buy some sweet crackle paint to use with the wood though :)

Bryn Athyn Cathedral

In my attempt to see a movie today, I found out that two of the movie theaters I used to go to in Philly are now closed.  bah...  Since I was already in Lower Moreland, I stopped by Bryn Athyn Cathedral to take a few photos...  I love architecture!

The doorway above seems so heavy and gothic.  I just love the detailing, how each of the molded knobs have different patterns and textures.  In such a mass produced world, I wish more people would create or appreciate these kinds of unique, handmade pieces.  

Pin Cushions

So I decided that I wanted to make my own pin cushions.  Rather than making one like everyone can get at a fabric store (see the image of my mom's red tomato pin cushion below), I decided to make a set that were more my style.  I feel like they're mini French poofs!

I also got ein bisschen fantastisch with the mushroom pin cushions.  All are filled with beans and stuffing so they are both weighted AND plush! :)

Time

Glitter

I've been spending a lot of time staring out the windows, mesmerized as the snow dances through the air and rests softly on the branches that surround my house.  It reminds me of glitter slowly falling from the sky.

It still amazes me that there is a castle nearby.  This entire area is filled with architecture that incorporates local fieldstone.  The image above shows half of the entry gate to a street in my neighborhood.  Before a fire burned most of it down, the street used to be an estate.  Much of the surrounding area houses large multi-million dollar estates with the original mansions.  None enchant me more than this castle however.

Something new...

Having had a lot of time on my hands the last few months (and in the year ahead), I've decided to start this blog to record, remember and share many of the things that inspire me as well as some of the creations that have resulted from my inspirations.  My first few postings will include many of the photos I've taken up until this point so they are not necessarily current but hopefully are still inspirational.  I hope you see the beauty in it all too...