Etsy :: Tea Towels

UL ... Bristol Cranes Tea Towel - Industrial Architecture by arctic circles
UR ... Red Rooster and Hen Toile Embroidered Tea Towel Set by The Tattered Towel
LL ... Tea Towel 'Grassy' Set by flying rhymes
LR ... Block Print Deer Towel by artgoodies

A Walk to School in the Rain

Block Tower

Last night, C was sound asleep in his bed. He was clutching a little book, and looked like an angel. I snapped a photo and have spent way too much time contemplating whether or not to post it. I have decided that it is one I'm keeping for myself. Sorry Internet. It's not the very best photo I've ever taken -- but if you are anything like me, you are constantly reminding to yourself to take a mental snapshot of a moment, and then as time goes on, you forget. It's like one of those, but captured. Precious. (The photo above is one I've been meaning to post for awhile anyway.)

It was a beautiful day with weather in the 60s. And tonight, Penny and I went to a fundraiser for the Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery, which Melissa is co-president of. It was held at Trattoria 225, and was a great time.

Blog of the Week: it's mary ruffle

Photos for daily inspiration.

Skiing in Wisconsin ... Again

We had so much fun skiing a couple weeks ago, that we headed back up to Cascade again this weekend. The temperature hit the upper 40s. It was gorgeous. This time, my sister and her family (minus one) didn't chicken out because of the cold weather came. H & C could have cared less that Brian and I were even there -- they would only ski with Tim & Christie. They've taught my niece and nephew to ski, had a ton of patience, and with the help of their ski poles (a technique I now know), H & C got to go on the big hills all day long. H even hit a black diamond! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope it snows again so we can make it back one more time.

On our way back home, we stopped in Racine and got to visit with Grandma, Brian's sister and her family. It was a really fun day, and a great weekend.

Happy Sunny Friday

Art by H: Teacher's Baby

H's teacher is on maternity leave. I know, that sucks. I thought teachers were supposed to plan those things better. Anyhow, before she left, all the kids drew pictures of what they thought her baby was going to look like. Here's H's take on the situation. What was really cool, is with the help of the art teacher, the kids presented Ms. C. with a card that had all of their pictures from this project. It really turned out great.

Etsy :: Pillows

UL ... Birds Nest Cushion by Lalitah
UR ... Je táime Pillow with Pocket by moonteaartwork
LL ... House pillow, my lovely ready room by LeiLiLaLoo
LR ... Google News Top Searches in 2006 Pillow by elasticco

Calgon, Take Me Away

I was reading the February 2009 issue of Wallpaper* magazine -- which happens to be their Design Awards issue -- on my frigid commute to work. Termas de Tiberio in Panticosa, Spain was featured as the Best Spa. My laptop photo doesn't do it justice, but doesn't this alabaster-lined indoor pool area look glorious?

Marshmallow Nose

H made smores at child care today and got to bring a couple marshmallows home. Being the sweet kid that he is, he asked for some for his brother too (H has always been like this -- C on the other hand, basically said "Gee, thanks - these are great, you should have seen the three cookies I made yesterday but ate on the way home so I wouldn't have to share them with anyone." Fortunately, H isn't the kind of guy to let that get to him.) Anyhow, I started setting the table, turned the corner, and saw the C with this marshmallow nose. He wore it for probably 20 minutes. And yes, he then took it off his (boogery) nose and ate it. That's all just part of it.

Blog of the Week: Poppytalk

"Poppytalk is a canadian design blog collecting inspiration and promoting emerging design talent." What? Design, inspiration, emerging talent? Can't beat that. Lot of good stuff.

After the Bowl

Football isn't a sport I necessarily understand or get into. But I love football season. And I especially love getting together with friends for the Super Bowl. This year, The Frigs invited us, as well as some friends and neighbors, over to watch the game. I forgot all about my camera tonight (thankfully Melissa didn't) -- but snapped this one of the boys relaxing on The Frigs porch on our way out. It was a great evening. Thanks.

Putting out the Fire

Ice-Skating

This is only the boys second time ice-skating. We need to do it more often with them -- so much fun!