Erin's Pretties

My friend Erin has finally opened an Etsy shop filled with her handmade jewelry. Lots and lots of pretties. I thought the green of these earrings was especially dramatic.

Find Erin's jewelry here.

Any day now, my buddy Ellen will be opening HER Etsy shop which is sure to be fantastic since she has such a wonderful sense of whimsy. I'll let you know when it goes live.

Hippity Hopping Along

I have been feeling a little under the weather lately so I took it easy this weekend. I DID manage to finish up my contribution for Heather's HIPPITY HOP EASTER SWAP. I hope everyone likes what I did. It will be so exciting to get our Easter packages next month. I can't wait to a different surprise each day until Easter! I will do my best to post photos of each day's item.

Gary and I settled in for the Oscars last night. I just love the Oscars. This one wasn't my favorite but it was still entertaining. I was disappointed that Angelina and Brad didn't show up. I really wanted to see what she would wear. My favorite outfit of the night was Anne Hathaway. She just looked radiant. I think my least favorite dress was a tie between Kelly Preston and Jennifer Hudson. And why did Jennifer Garner and Cameron Diaz wear their hair like that? It ruined the effect of their lovely dresses. Not that I am in any position to judge. But the red carpet action sure is fun!!!

While we watched the Oscars, we put together our stroller. Yes, it's true! We got our stroller and carseat yesterday. It was on sale so we thought we'd go ahead and get it. I hope we can figure out how to use it before the baby comes. My mom is coming to town in mid-March to help me start setting up the nursery. The transformation from guest room to nursery is a bumpy one. Hard to figure out where to put everything. Slowly but surely!!!

Look What I Won!!!

If you haven't been to Heather Bullard's Present Past Collection, you must stop by. Her blog is so lovely. I keep hoping to make it to her shop sometime. Heather recently held a giveaway contest for some lovely calendars and I won one! I got one of the vintage letters calendars. I am borrowing her photo which I hope is okay. In any event, getting my lovely calendar in the mail made my day. Thank you, Heather!!!

Photo by Heather Bullard of Present Past Collection

California Coast Adventure

For Valentine's Day, Gary planned a trip for us along the California coast. We drove down Highway 1 from Monterey to San Simeon. We had lovely weather and saw all kinds of wonderful wildlife: sea otters, harbor seals, elephant seals, monarch butterflies and even zebras in the wild! We started our trip at the Monterey Bay Aquarium which was wonderful. We especially liked the sea otters because they are such playful and fascinating creatures. Later in the trip, we were lucky enough to see one in the wild!
On our first full day, we drove through the lovely Carmel-by-the-Sea and stopped at the Point Pinos lighthouse and the Monarch butterfly refuge. We then took the scenic drive through ritzy Pebble Beach. I stopped at the Golf resort to use the restroom. I wanted to get baby a tony Pebble Beach onesie but Gary wasn't having it.
We then spent a night in Big Sur and then headed to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. What a fascinating place! Hearst must have loved to entertain! The views were spectacular. We stopped several times along Hwy 1 to look at wildlife. The elephant seals were ashore for mating and eating. I couldn't believe how close we got! We spent the night at Ragged Point and then headed to Point Lobos for a few short wildlife hikes where we saw harbor seals and a sea otter! Now, we can't wait to go back with baby and Grandma!

I'm Back!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

SONNET 29

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf Heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least:
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee,--and then my state
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings'.


-William Shakespeare

This is my favorite of all Shakespearean sonnets. It just really speaks to me. I hope you all have a lovely day filled with love, laughter and happiness. Now go out and hug someone!!!

Book Ideas

Wouldn't it be neat to publish your own book? I just found this website where you can do just that! It's called Blurb. You download the software, create the layout, and then have your book printed for as little as $12.95! Doesn't that sound like fun?! I can't wait to try it! I'm thinking it might make a fun project while I am on maternity leave this summer. Maybe I'll do a book all about baby. Sure to be a bestseller!

I also found this easy scrapbooking site that I want to try out. I know this is the lazy woman's way out but it sounds intriguing. The site is called How Fast They Grow. You lay out the pages online and then the company prints the pages and sends them to you. The layouts are really pretty. Wish they had a version for wedding scrapbooks. Still haven't started that little project yet. But I will after Valentine's Day. Seriously.

Clotheshorse Wannabe

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. My computer was broken but now I'm up and running again!

I work in a junior college library and one of my favorite parts of the day is unpacking the boxes of new books. Today, we got a set of books called "Fashions of a Decade." The books cover the 1920s through the 1990s. I just had to stop and thumb through them. I think it is so interesting how fashions have evolved. Especially women's fashions. We have done incredible things over the years to shape and mold our bodies. Even now, I laugh at myself trying to squish my body into maternity SPANX.

Some of the clothing in these books is just beautiful! My very favorites are the "New Look" garments that came out in the 1950's. The nipped in waists and the full skirts that could be covered with a dainty half-apron! So glamorous. I just love it! While thumbing through the 1920's book, I realized I would have made a lousy flapper with my copious curves. I would feel like "Thoroughly Modern Millie." (if you haven't seen that film, treat yourself...it's really cute)

I am currently chairing a special event at my local woman's club that will be held in March. We are having a 1940's USO night. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm having a hard time picking a costume. I'd love to find a nice flowy vintage maternity tunic to wear over pants or a skirt. Or maybe I'll go as Rosie the Riveter. In any event, I'm sure people will find it amusing when I tell everyone at the event that my soldier and I had a quickie wedding and he went off to war leaving me "knocked up."

If anyone has good costume ideas for me, leave me a comment. I'd also love to hear what your favorite clothing styles and eras are.

Checking In

Hello my friends.

It has been a rollercoaster week! The Griffin family has been at the forefront of our minds this week. To update you, the two girls (ages 2 and 5) are staying in a hotel with their grandparents. The father is still in critical condition in the hospital but his vital signs are greatly improved. I know in my heart this is in large part due to the many prayers and good thoughts going out to this family. So, thank you all!

I am starting a new project this weekend. Gary and I will be picking out paint samples for the baby's room. I think it's just about time to start preparing the room! I am working on a knitted baby blanket that is going slowly but surely. I also grabbed a few knitting books from the library so I can attempt some other baby patterns. If only I didn't hate double-pointed needles so much!!!

I also need to start working on my Easter Swap project. I have an idea so I need to head to the craft store this weekend. It's hard to believe that Lent starts this week. In light of the events of the past week, I will definitely be counting my blessings!!!