The List - Welcome to 2009

I love lists! They keep me organized, prevent me from being overwhelmed, and provide a sweet feeling of satisfaction when I can cross things off. I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions, but there's a first time for everything right?! Here is my list of goals for 2009, in no particular order. I might add more or edit down the road. . .and I'll periodically track my progress.

1. Finish my sleeves (tattoos)
2. Do monthly contests on my blog
3. Finish decorating my house! It's driving me insane
4. Attend a few folk concerts (enough with the metal already, it's time for me to choose)
5. Make my own candles
6. Resume my yoga
7. Sew a skirt (or should I say, first unlock the secrets of my sewing machine)
8. Set up a display for LoChristine and The Common Milkweed at the Ryan Hadley Studio
9. Plant a garden
10. Bake all my own bread
11. Hike at least 2x a month
12. Wear more skirts
13. Visit with out of town friends more frequently (you know, more than once a year)
14. Take the kids on more road trips with us - culture them a bit
15. Use my welder to make something fabulous
16. Shift my etsy shop away from beads to metals
17. Promote my etsy shop - have at least one month where I have 30 sales.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
-Mark Twain

Blessings in My Life

I am blessed that my life is filled with individuals who take risks, people who are not afraid to pursue their dreams.

The most recent examples:
Jen and Steve - for moving to the place that calls out to your spirit
Pops - for making a risky career move to better satisfy your soul (and save your body:)
My Husband - for opening your own business, going against the grain, and having no fear

To you all, I say thanks. I wish for everyone to find what best suits them and let nothing stop them in their pursuit of it.

If you can imagine it you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.

William Arthur Ward

Christmas is Past, New Beginnings are Near

Christmas has past, and, in a way, I am glad. The kids definitely made off quite well, as did my husband and I. Now, it's time for a new year, filled with new beginnings and new adventures. I'll post a list soon of accomplishments I hope to make in the new year.

Here are some photos of our boys enjoying their new beds:
(we are hoping to deter them from furring up everything!)

Ice Storm!

So much to do, So little time

This time of year seems to be full of stress yet we all talk of it being a time of peace and joy. Somewhat ironic I suppose. Our family is definitely enjoying all the wonderful parts of the season, but we are also feeling behind in our gift-making and planning! Less than 10 days until Christmas. . .At least we don't have to worry about boredom:)

We've been plagued by a bit of bad luck this week (and it's only Tuesday):

First I was sick. Now our youngest has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. She's five! Apparently it's common in young girls as a result of bubble baths. Seriously?! Why make all these products that are detrimental to our health?! Finally, my husband tried to make us a delicious taco dinner, only to have the taco bowls burst into flame in the oven. How or why did they burst into flame? We aren't sure. Luckily we were able to put out the flames without any damage (except for a very very dirty oven).

On a more positive note, I was sorting thru some files on the computer and thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos.

Randomness. . .

Some photos of goings on of late.

cookie decorating

another fantastic ornament from my swap by little bird creations

making homemade detergent - see the recipe here

and a little playtime at the library.

My Latest. . .

Amidst all the holiday preparations, I've found a bit of time to work on some new pieces.

I'll try to update my etsy shop in the near future.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.

-Henry David Thoreau

Handmade Bean Ornaments

For the FAMbulous Holiday Ornament Swap, I decided to make bean ornaments. They are both easy and inexpensive to make. I'm pretty pleased with the turnout!

You need the following: paint, foam balls, hot glue gun and glue sticks, beans in a variety of colors/shapes, clear glaze spray (optional), wire, and ribbon. This list may seem long, but if you come from a crafty household like I do, you should have most of these items on hand.

1 - Paint the foam balls. You can see portions of the foam between the beans so I went for a neutral brown.

2 - Glue on your beans with the hot glue gun. Experiment with different patterns!

3 - Spray the ornaments with the clear glaze spray to provide protection and enhance their appearance.

4 - Insert a wire with a loop into the top and tie on your ribbon!

There are countless objects that you can use in place of beans, test your creativity!

FAMbulous Holiday Ornament Swap

I participated in an ornament swap through one of my groups on etsy (FAM - Fabulous Artistic Moms). Here are some pics of the fantastic ornaments I've received so far (there should be two more coming)!!

By Apple Blossom Designs

By Cindy Joy

By Andrea Baker

I'll post about the ornaments I made later this week!

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape—the loneliness of it—the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it. . .
Andrew Wyeth

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you. . . In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.
Ruth Stout

M.I.A.

I feel as if I've been M.I.A. from the internet world for the past week so I do apologize to all those that have missed me:) We have had so much going on lately with Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, and . . . my husband opening his own tattoo studio!!!! I think I'm running around in a frenzy at all times. I start to do one thing and then am distracted by another task , and another, and another. It never ends. At least I'm blessed with the female skill of multi-tasking! We are quite stressed, but in a good way (if that's possible). The Ryan Hadley Studio will be opening this week. (We are hoping to get that website updated today or tomorrow). There are still a million things to do at the studio but we just keep trying to reassure ourselves that we'll get it all done in a timely manner.

Obviously, things take a little longer to accomplish with the little munchkin running around, but she has been a big helper! Here's a pic of her from my phone while we were busy painting and assembling furniture at the studio (all she needs are toys, movies, and cookies:):