my dorm

Princess #1 was here for Thanksgiving.  I asked her how she liked my room.... she said "You made yourself a nice little dorm in there, Mom."

Considering my recurring dream is about returning to my college sorority (and trying desperately to figure out how I can go back to live there) I think she's right.  On some subconscious level I created a space that is youthful yet unique.  Warm blankets, a bulletin board with favorite looks torn out of magazines, baskets of personal care products, a scale hidden under the cabinet, piles of books and the occasional gossip magazine.  (And a little chocolate and yarn, of course.)

I love my dorm.

I even have a pair of "goal jeans" hanging by the closet.  Size 9 slims.  Wish me luck.

brooms

I like the image of kale being like an "intestinal broom."  That's why I put so much in my green smoothies every morning.  That and of course the fact that it is a super food, plain and simple.  And also the fact that I have got so friggin' much growing in my garden right now.

The bunch above is dinosaur kale; it looks prehistoric, too.

And my new broom is making me very very happy also.  Sweeps the bamboo floors like a dream and spreads a little majick as well... sometimes I toss a little salt down before a good sweep.  Sweeping to me is like therapy, a meditation, and church all rolled into one.

Same old witch with a brand new broom

And a new broom sweeps clean, sweeps clean...

seven

Little P. turned seven.  My big, funny, smart, creative girl.

She is a precious gift to our whole family.  So well loved by all.

We had a simple party, just family and a few well chosen gifts.  A special hat, and funny bobble head from my mom.  Flowers from the garden.

A new dress.  I call this her Saloon Girl outfit.

Homemade chocolate cake from Apples for Jam, with powdered sugar icing and blue details (currently the favorite color of choice).

What a happy day!  I love her so.  Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

comforts

Random things that give me comfort right now:

**A fire in the woodstove on a chilly evening, and some spinning - purply blue merino that feels like a cloud.

**Slogging through parent teacher conferences with the knowledge that the light at the end of this loooong tunnel is seeing my family and enjoying a nice long five day weekend.

**Scented candles in my bedroom that make it feel warmer in there even though it's far from it.

**Putting two down comforters on my bed and snuggling up with a couple of holiday magazines.

**Filling pretty bowls with seasonal fruit and occasionally things found in Little P.'s pockets (like the eucalyptus pods above)

**Autumn light.  I love the colors of the madrone trees as the golden liquid sun hits just the tops and looks like honey and persimmons.

**The predictability of the road home, each winding curve banked by wise old trees and drifts of leaves, and the welcome of my animals as I arrive home.

What is bringing you comfort these days?

the sally dress

Horsey Girl wanted to be Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas for Halloween.  Unfortunately we got kind of a late start on it, and I was too exhausted to do much research.  Reluctantly I gave up an assortment of unwanted articles for her to slash and stitch.

I always underestimate this girls' creative drive.  In less than an hour, she had whipped out this little Breakfast at Tiffany's meets the Haunted House dress.  A little bit sexy, a little bit spooky.  I was impressed.

All the details were hand stitched, and I love it hanging here on our spooky front door.  Too bad it was a teensy bit too small (and a smite too revealing for the trick-or-treat crowd.

Tres chic though.

creativity

A friend came by with some craft kits her kids never used before they out grew them.  The shiny sticker project was an instant hit and became several hours of amusement last weekend.

The final projects were less intriguing than the process, like many good crafts.  Let's just say my house is now decorated with quite a few holographic stickers in the most unlikely places.

I'm glad my kids like to make stuff.

autumn hat

I made this pumpkin in honor of Fanny May.  It lit up so nice, and when it flickered it looked like she was running.

This one fits much better.  I used size 8 circs to start and then bought 8 dpns, that I only used for the last four or five rows.  Knitting is expensive!

 The fiber is cotswald (very soft) in a colorway called Gold Leaf.  It's very, very autumn and I enjoyed wearing it with my skeleton sweater on Halloween night.  I think I may have enough yarn for fingerless gloves or possibly another hat for gifting.

Now to spin up the purply blue merino I scored last month.  Very excited!