Happy Birthday, Gigi!!

Happy Birthday, Gigi...you wild thing!! Haha! I hope you have a wonderful day and get to go on a fun adventure. I love you!

(I'm planning on giving Kevin your gift so he can bring it to you next week. Only one hint: it's pretty. Very pretty. :) )

It's about damn time

Well...I never put up pictures of the finished table runner I made my mom for her birthday. I'm sorry.
I also haven't blogged in a really, r eally long time.

Now I am. You're welcome.

I just got home from the Book Mill, one of my very favorite places. I've loved it since I was a kid...back then I liked the building and the rows of books and the river. In middle and high school I'd escape there to do homework or sit and read. Since then, they've added a music store, a wonderful cafe, and 2 restaurants. The Book Mill is very "in" now...which kind of ruins it for me. There are too many people, drinking too much coffee (did I say that?) and trying to be more interested in books than they really are....I sound like a huge jerk, I know.
I still love it, even though it's hard to go there and enjoy the books in peace and quiet, and have it seem like it's still one of my secret, special places.
More people enjoy it now, and that's good, too. Maybe I should just remove books from a shelf and sit in there to read. Not a bad idea. And, the coffee I had there today was very good.
I checked their Willa Cather section...as I do at any book store...and I was sad..only 4 Willas...and 3 were My Antonia. Let's just hope that her books are flying off the shelves because everyone else loves her as much as I do.
The Book Mill always reminds me of my brother. I wish he could come over right now and go look at the rare books section with me...there's a beauty I have an eye on for Gigi's birthday...and I could use his input. (If you two are reading: I miss you. And, great poem, Gigi, in the book that came in today! I loved the cover too, so colorful.)

I'm going apple picking tomorrow.
!!!!!!
Apple picking is one of my favorite favorite favorite things...ever. Apple picking, snow, books, pens, notebooks, perfume, corduroy, shampoo, vanilla lotion, and lavender anything. And lockets and old keys. I would love a pretty locket necklace.

Ya know how I'm seeking red lipstick? Well, I found the perfect red nail polish...so, getting closer...

Made with love

I need to blog about this so I don't ruin a surprise.

I've loved making things, being crafty, for a long time, for as long as I can remember. I love collages, mod podging things, beading, painting, designing....the list goes on. I just discovered how much I love sewing.

For many years, my mom has been making quilts and table runners and the like from yo yos. To make a yo yo, you make a circular template and use that to trace onto the fabric/pin it on...then you sew all the way around the circle, scrunch it up, flip it inside out, tighten, and there you have a yo yo. I've never been interested in sewing, but love what my mom makes.

It all started as a project for my Babci and Dziadzi. My mom helped them make their first quilt together. A few years ago for Christmas, my mom made trees out of yo yos (some that my Babci had made, some she had made) and put buttons on them (from my Babci's collection.)

Dan's mom made me a purple lap afghan a few years ago, Mrs. Prasol made me a felted purple purse, Gigi has made me lots of wonderful scarves, my Cioci had made me two quilts and a pillow (my "little kid" quilt is still my favorite- it has people all over it- and they all look different) and I have a tree from my mom. Clearly, there are too many wonderful handmade gifts to fit into one picture.

All of these things were made with love. I bought some fabric two days ago and didn't realized what I was going to do with it until later that night. I sat down with the fabric, scissors, needles, and thread...cut out 64 circles, and taught myself how to sew the yo yos.

Long story short, I now love sewing these and am making my mom a table runner for her birthday. I can't wait to see the look on her face, she is going to be so surprised!!!

The picture of my yo yos is from the first night of making them. I made a lot more last night, and will update again with pictures when I have most of it done.

7-27-09

Well, last Monday Dan and I went to Boston for the day. We went to the aquarium, walked around, ate at Durgin Park, met up with Darlene and Bill...and then went to the Red Sox vs. A's game. We had front row, first base line- right behind the dugout seats...amazing!!! Dan definitely got good seats for his first ever game.

Last weekend- turtles and more...

They were telling secrets!!

Ooops! I couldn't rotate these two!

I spent last weekend at Todd and Gigi's in Lowell. I love visiting them, I always have a great time. Friday night, we went into Cambridge. I got a chance to catch up on some writing while drinking a wonderful iced mocha outside. It was a perfect night- iced mocha, stopping into some favorite stores, eating at Wagamama (mmm), writing, the weather, and being with two of my favorite people.

On Saturday we went to Great Meadow- Concord, where Todd and Gigi birdwatch. Eek! It was beautiful there- I saw herons, little birds, and ...my favorite, TURTLES!! We made my favorite pizza that night, and cupcakes and a little cake with delicious frosting that had nutella, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla in it. :)

On Sunday morning we went to Lull farm and to the Hollis flea market. My wonderful find? A glorious little silver and turquoise ring for 2 dollars!

When Dan arrived, he and I went to the Folk Festival for as long as we could handle the heat. We had Cambodian food and Soul food...so delicious. (Sometimes I think that my world revolves around food.) Todd, Dan, and I went to the batting cages and driving range after our amazing cookout-ish dinner. That was really fun.

So many wonderful things from last weekend to put into one post!

Excited!

Hi all...
Just a quick update..
I'm SO excited for the weekend!! I just got to Turners from Hamden, CT, and am getting ready to leave with my brother to go to Lowell. I love spending time with my brother and sister-in-law- we have so much fun, eat great food, take wondeful walks, and enjoy each other's company. Sometimes we do crafty things- which usually includes making and decorating pizza :)
This weekend: North End, Boston- tonight, Lowell Folk Festival, maybe berry picking!! ... and then Dan will join us for Folk Festival stuff..
and THEN, Dan and I are going to a Red Sox game in Boston on Monday night.

Off I go!

mmm

Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, CT is amazing. The pepperoni mushroom pizza is my second favorite pizza ever. My very favorite pizza? Todd's pizza. My brother makes glorious paper thin pizza crust, and I always know I miss him when I crave pizza. (I crave pizza alot.)

Mmm, chocolate gelato from Libby's, which is right next door to Pepe's. A delicious treat, indeed.