There's Something About Gyo

When I was little, my parents bought me all the Gyo Fujikawa books that were currently available. I loved those books!  The variety of children within the stories and the wonderful illustrations completely drew me in.  I have saved those books all these years (they were published around 1975) and now Noodlebug is enjoying them.  He focuses so intently on each page and looks carefully at the pictures. 

I have to be at work at 7am so I am not around when Noodlebug wakes up each day. My husband tells me that usually the first thing he does is either:

1) Kiss his 2 ft "Where the Wild Things Are" monster

2)Grab a book off his bookshelf to look at

He has A LOT of books already since Mommy is both a book person and a library worker.  He invariably selects a Fujikawa book from his shelves.  I don't know what it is about the captivating illustrations but clearly children love them. It's nice that he and I have that connection.

Meet Vera, the Vampire Bride

My friend Charles has made another new creation in preparation for the upcoming Halloween and Vine show.  Isn't she something?  If you are in the Northern California area later this month, I highly recommend heading over to the Halloween and Vine show.  It is filled with wonderful artists like Charles and Johanna Parker.   This year's event will take place on September 26.  There is such a crowd that many of the artists have almost empty tables after the first hour!!!

After you do your Halloween shopping, you can head over to the annual Taste of Petaluma.  This event benefits our local theater and you can taste some of the wonderful food that exists in our little town. We go every year and have a blast!!!

You can find details on the event here.  These two events would make for a lovely day in Sonoma County!

Waiting for Fall

Hello Friends.

I hope you all had a lovely Labor Day weekend.  It was such a treat for me to spend three whole days with my family. I struggle all the time with being a full-time working mom.  I wish I didn't have to.  Sometimes, I get jealous of my friends who get to be stay-at-home moms. I know the grass is always greener on the other side but I often sit at my desk and try not to cry as I think of all the special moments I am missing.  I don't get to do playdates or playgroups or Gymboree classes or storytimes at the library.  I don't even really have any mom friends with small children. It can be lonely.  So, when I get three uninterrupted days with my family, it can be really really hard to come back to work.  But I just do the best I can.

I break every speed limit after work racing to get to Noodlebug from daycare or Grandma's.  I try to spend every second with him until bedtime. (and I tend to forego housework so I can do this)  I feed him, give him a bath and sing him his special good night lullaby ("Dreamy Side of the Moon" by Erin Ivey).  Every moment is precious to me.  Maybe that's why life worked out this way.  So that I would never take my time with him for granted.

In other news, I managed to get two tickets to a special preview weekend at the new Walt Disney Family Museum.

The museum officially opens in October and I'm taking my hubby there for his birthday on September 27. I wish I could have gotten extra tickets so Grandma and Noodlebug could got but it will probably be a madhouse. Gary and I will go scope it out and then come back another time with the rest of the family.  We are big Disney fans in our house so I'm really looking forward to this.  I have almost convinced Gary that we need to take Noodlebug to Disneyland next year.  Maybe in May for his second birthday and my 35th?  We'll see.

The weather is starting to turn and it is getting me energized. Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the colors and the crisp air.  It makes me miss home.

Something Special

I had the privilege of booking of a photo session with Wendy of Blue Lily Photography on August 21 in Sausalito.  I had seen her photos on the Nie Nie Dialogues blog and just loved them. 

I take most of the photos in our family so I am never in them.  Plus, I hate having my picture taken. It is embarrassing to admit this but I do struggle with body image issues.  I just don't like seeing myself in photos. Or even a mirror.  But I decided that I didn't want Noodlebug to grow up without any photos of him and Mommy.  I just had to suck it up.   And I am happy with the results. If Blue Lily comes anywhere near you, I highly recommend their work.

So, if you would like to view our photos, I invite you to see me and Noodlebug in the flesh:

LINK

Go to "Clients" and enter my name as the password:  amy malaise

Be sure to put a space between my first and last name.

I'd love to hear your favorite.

P.S.  The bunny in the photo was bought for me by my father when I was a baby. The Radio Flyer wagon was my mom's when she was a little girl.

(all photos copyrighted by Blue Lily Photography)

Wendy Addison Open Studio

Wendy Addison is famous for her glittery creations.  There used to be a wonderful little store in town that carried her products.  After reading my current issue of Country Living, I discovered that Wendy Addison's studio is in the same general vicinity of my home and she will be having an open studio over Thanksgiving weekend. I'm very very tempted.  What do you think? Should I go?

Find information here.

(photo borrowed from and owned by Country Living)

Jenni Bowlin September Project Kit

How cute is this? It gets me in the mood for Halloween. I just love Fall!!!

I couldn't resist ordering the new Jenni Bowlin kit although I already have plenty to keep me busy.  I especially love the little moon floating above the cards. 

Get your own kit here.

(photo borrowed from and owned by Jenni Bowlin)

Shhh!!! Don't Tell Noodlebug

Amy brought this little gem to my attention and I knew it would be perfect for Noodlebug's "big" Christmas present. This is one of those ideas where you see it and then slap yourself on the head and say "Why didn't I think of that?!!!"  Such a cute idea! An easy-to-store playhouse that fits over a cardtable.  Miss Pretty Pretty of Imaginative Playtoys makes these little playhouses and they come in many different styles. I chose the farm because we live out in the country in Sonoma County and Noodlebug sees cows and sheep everyday.  It will even be customized with his name. So cute and so genius!!!

I finished the first figure for my gift for Noodlebug last night. I have discovered that I am a VERY slow hand-sewer.  So, Mary is finished!  She isn't perfect but she was made with love and I guess that is the important thing.

By the way, here is another great idea for a simple handmade gift. Noodlebug is a little young for it yet but I'm thinking it might make a great birthday gift. It's a bed board by Maya*Made for those times when your little one is confined to bed.  Such a great idea!!!

Wine, Jazz and Blues---a Winning Combination

We are heading to the Petaluma Wine, Jazz and Blues Festival tomorrow.  Noodlebug loves music and proceeds from this event will go to support music programs in local schools.  Win, win! I'm hoping the weather won't be too terribly hot. I'm getting a bit anxious for Fall to get here.  Fall has always been my very favorite season. I have already started putting together Noodlebug's Halloween costume if you can believe it!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!!!

P.S.  Special find!!!! I went to my local Big Lots store yesterday and they were selling Martha Stewart craft kits for $2 a piece!  I snapped up a paper flower kit, felt picture frame kit and several handpuppet kits.  What a deal!

EmersonMade

I just adore finding a new blog and new handmade creations!

EmersonMade makes these absolutely beautiful one-of-a-kind, handmade lovelies. I snapped this one up immediately. They are listing new items all this week and I am jumping up and down with impatience while waiting for Friday's creation to arrive. Go see for yourself!!!

(photo borrowed from and owned by EmersonMade)

Madsen Bicycle Giveaway

Remember how I said I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted one of these?  Well, Madsen is going to give one away every week!!!  Isn't that fabulous?!  Now, if I can just channel some good-luck-giving gnome or something. 

Anyway, if you want to join in on the giveaway fun, go check out Madsen's blog here.  Find more information on their lovely bikes here.

Maybe Noodlebug and I will get lucky this time and will soon be tooling around town on our very own Madsen!!!