Books about stuff

So I just finished reading a few books that I must recommend. The Tilting House and The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. Months ago, Fig and I were browsing Kings Books and I saw The Tilting House on a display of local authors, I think. I was immediately drawn to it because of the awesome cover art. Really good stuff. The story is pretty good, too. Lots of mystery and adventure, crammed into a small book. A really nice, quick, fun read.

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The Physick Book was one I picked up right before we left Las Vegas. Its been sitting on the shelf (and in a box) for almost six months. When I finally decided to pick it up, I could hardly put it down. A wonderful mix of history/witchcraft/New England meets Da Vinci Code/National Treasure adventures and suspense. It was one of those stories that stays with you long after you've put it down. I would read for a few hours before bed and then stay awake thinking about the characters. I couldn't wait to get home from work to start reading it again. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it and I can't wait to see more from this author.

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Blog Love: Common Threads

I've neglected to mention a wonderful encounter I recently had with fellow blogger/etsy-er, Jessi from Common Threads. She was generous enough to feature my cards in not one, but TWO blog posts! It really is amazing how many wonderful, kind, lovely people one meets when they enter the Etsy world.
Check out the creative, interesting posts on the Common Threads blog and the excellent creations in their Etsy Shop.

Source: Common Threads

Source: Common Threads

Holiday hubbub

As I am not yet fully convinced that anyone reads this blog, it is very easy for me to find excuses not to make new posts. And then, once I have put off posting for a considerable period, it gets more and more difficult for me to create a new post because I start feeling guilty and wanting to make my next one spectacular...which becomes a daunting task all on its own. I never make New Years resolutions, because I am crap at keeping them, but I am resolved to make 2011 a year that I blog consistently. Which means I still have a few days left in 2010 to slack off...

Anywho, I hope that you, dear reader, had a wonderful winter holiday. Ours was nice and low-key. Due to budget cut-backs I had the whole week before Christmas off from work. I spent most of the time puttering around Grandma and Grandpa's house, baking with Grandma and watching court TV with Grandpa. We didn't really do gifts this year, though there were a few here and there, and not having to spend weeks stressing and shopping with the masses was SO nice. I like not having to worry about buying people stuff. Of course, I did get some presents for a select few, and received a few myself, but I really did enjoy a bit of giftlessness this year. I know I'm not the only one to touch on this rant, but I do think the holidays have become too much about consuming and not enough about just enjoying time spent with people we love and being thankful for what we have.

That said, I was given quite a few wonderful gifts. I haven't taken any photos, but I do have these from the websites:

Lovely teacups from Anthro. I LOVE sipping tea from these.

Another wonderful item from my Anthro wish list. I'm still not sure what to hang on this fella's hook, but I do think he is adorable.

Hands down, coolest bottle opener ever! The clothes at Anthro are really lovely, but I really just want EVERYTHING from their home collection.

This is Barrel from The Nightmare Before Christmas...I loved this plush when I opened it! This picture is from this website, though I must say the Barrel I have does not look nearly as creepy as this one in the picture.

New listing in the shop!

I just listed this 5 pack of a few of my most popular cards, in a slightly smaller size.

Since my mom and I have both moved back to the area and will be spending Christmas at my grandparents house, my grandma decided to put up a tree this year. She has all sorts of funky, adorable, old Christmas decorations and ornaments that she hasn't used in years since no one has been here to celebrate with her and my grandpa. My mom and I spent the better part of this afternoon helping grandma put up the tree, decorating, and reminiscing over the memories we have of all of her ornaments and decorations. It was such an enjoyable Sunday afternoon and the tree looks so cozy in their living room!

Postcards!

Just listed these new postcards in the shop!

Just some updated versions of my current cards. Printed on heavy card stock with a nice glossy finish.
More to come soon!

Milk Toof Fun!

Just got a superfun package in the mail! I ordered Lardee's Pocket Notebook from My Milk Toof. The notebook set comes with an lovely pocket notebook, three mini prints, and two beautiful print cards with envelopes. They would make amazing holiday cards, but I am seriously considering keeping them for myself because they are so ADORABLE! I  love, love this blog. She is so incredibly creative and the picture stories of Ickle and Lardee's adventures are so cute and so funny. You must check it out!

Snow days and new card designs

We had our first real pacific North West snow day! I left work early on Monday and Fig and I spent a few hours strolling through our park. We sprinkled peanuts for the squirrels, took lots of pictures of the snow, and just enjoyed the afternoon.

Wright Park

On the way back from the coffee shop, we walked by this interesting door. The (functioning) lock was all the way at the bottom of the door!

Cool door by our park...check out the lock at the very bottom of the door!

Our street Monday night.

Also, I just placed an order with Moo.com for a few new card designs. Can't wait for the new cards to arrive so I can list them in my shop!

New weather and the beginning of the end

Lots of new weather experiences this past week for us...Tuesday night we had a windstorm that knocked out power to a ton of homes in the area..trees fell, power went out...crazy! We were lucky and didn't lose power, but our lights did flicker quite a bit that night. This afternoon we had planned to watch the new HP film...and then it started to snow! Though we have both experienced snow previously, this is sort of new to us since now we have to learn to drive in it and maneuver icy road conditions. So no movie today. I kind of don't want to see it anyway...not because I don't want to watch the movie, because I really do, but because this is the beginning of the end and it makes my heart very sad.

Afternoon snow flurries and our little Christmas tree.

Corn mazes, soap, and paper clay

Our Halloween was kind of low key, but we did make our way through a muddy corn maze and purchase some wonky gourds from the pumpkin patch.

Fig - trying to read the map for the corn maze.

This little nugget was also making his way through the maze....very slowly.

Also, just wanted to mention this wonderful seller, Semi-Nomadic Soap. I've ordered from them a few times and I love their products. Plus, they provide really, really great customer service. Such nice people, super-fast shipping, and great follow up and care. Check them out!

The Eucalyptus Mint smells amazing!

Also, just wanted to share some pictures of the paper clay menagerie creatures I've been working on.

New cards in the shop!

Mouschka!

Just wanted to share a picture of this amazing little Mouschka I purchased from Belcast Curiosities.

It looks exactly like the mouschkas in Coraline. I super-love it! I think it will find a nice home on my desk.

Fall in the Park

This week has been foggy, even now I can barely see beyond a few blocks. I really enjoy this weather though, it feels so cozy and fall-like. Fig and I took a late morning stroll through Wright Park a few days ago, enjoying the crisp air, fall leaves, foggy mist, and all of the cute squirrels!

We stopped for brunch at the Stadium Thriftway deli. This delicious panini is the Pantages. Turkey, pesto, sun dried tomatoes, muenster cheese. Yum.

Some of the fog is still lingering in this picture.

These little guys followed us around the park. We bought a bag of seeds to give them and they were not shy about taking them. This guy is just inches away from my foot!

Halloween magnets in the shop!

Just listed these in the shop!