How about a practical gift?

Practical gifts are sometimes pretty great - and when the practicality can be matched with creativity - that's just a great day. Many moons ago there was a store at the mall here called Liquid Sunshine - selling only specialty umbrellas. Seriously, it was years ago - and it has long since left the mall to go and live on a farm with other stores...

They carried this umbrella, designed by Tibor Kalmar which is still sold at the Museum of Modern Art. I have thought about this umbrella since I first saw it forever ago - and that it would be the ideal umbrella. At least that's what I think.

Funny: uh-oh

You know how you see something so awful that you cannot look away? If you enjoy that feeling, head on over to the Plaid Stallions. They've got plenty more just like this:

Say it in a song...

I know that there are people in the world that are uncomfortable with musicals. They think it's not realistic to have people just start singing - especially their feelings. BUT, consider that musicians do it all the time...and you know that you sing along in your car. And sometimes words by themselves cannot convey the depth of your emotion - and you have to take your communication to the next level. Or it's just really funny to hear snippets of songs cut together to make your own song. Go...do it...it's fun.

Thanksgiving Enemy Number ONE...

If you know me, you know that I have strong opinions on everything. There are very few things in this world that I do not have a strong feeling about - either in the loving it or loathing it. And I know that it may look like I've skipped over Thanksgiving and headed straight to Christmas. But don't be fooled. I love Thanksgiving. Such a great holiday - and I will showcase it's greatness in the coming weeks. But. There is one thing that will RUIN (beyond repair) any Thanksgiving feast: Green Bean Casserole.
This dish has NO redeeming qualities. None. It tastes awful...it smells worse. And I assure you that if you were to arrive at my home with this abhorrence as your contribution to any meal, let alone Thanksgiving dinner?! Well, I would turn you around and point you in the direction of the nearest Denny's. And then I would give thanks for the right to refuse service to anyone. Boo to you, Green Bean Casserole.

You know - assassins and killers have three names...and this dish has three words...a coincidence? I think not.

Goal for 2008

With a new year approaching I'm setting goals...and the first one is to get a real, grown-up, doesn't suck my soul job with benefits and vacation pay. And when I have that job, and have accrued enough vacation time...I will take a vacation to New York City. And I will stay at the Library Hotel.
Doesn't this place look amazing?! I'm so excited to set about reaching this goal. Because if I'm in NYC, then of course I'm going to tons of shows and eating great food and hopefully by then the writer's strike will be over and I can go to a taping of The Daily Show. This is a lot to ask for one vacation, I know. But, seriously....if I've gotten that grown up job - I will have totally earned a reward.

...but I'm willing to learn!

This year I would also like a pair of these. And while, no, I don't actually tap dance yet - how can you learn if you don't have the right shoes? It's just like trying to learn how to sew before you have a sewing machine! Impossible! And if you're going to get me some shoes - you could get me some lessons from this studio. I'm just sayin'...never give a gift with an errand.

How could I use them?

Don't you think these are hilarious - because who doesn't love a plush pancreas?!
Get yours here.

We all lose...

I hope they can resolve this soon - because what are we going to do? Watch America's Next Top Model? This clip helps in the understanding of what's going on and why the strike is important.

November diary....

Dear diary -

Today I'm loving the smell of the foggy morning. And evening. It's foggy and I love it. It's so cool to feel like you're the only one around...

Today I'm loving the sound of Christmas music. I've started putting together mixes for holiday parties, in the car, and for my Dad at work. It is so much fun to listen to the music and get in the spirit of the season...even if it's a little early.

Today I'm loving the taste of bottled creme soda...and spending a "night" with good friends and laughing a lot and learning a lot...and not really playing any games but not being bothered by not actually learning to play pinochle.

Today I'm loving the sight of the cool paper models of real life things in the Real Simple magazine. Pick yourself up a copy and take a look - paper pumpkin pie? Yes, please.

Today I'm loving the feel of clean bath mats and fresh sheets. Why is it so comforting to step onto a clean bath mat and slide between clean sheets?! I don't know, but it is.

This is them...

These are the babies what I love so much

A fun experiment...

Over at Chow.com they have a top ten list of non-traditional grilled cheese sandwiches...and I would love to spend ten days trying each one...I think I would be most looking forward to the Asian Pear and Gouda grilled cheese. I know, right?!

The topper gift...

Sometimes it's hard to know what the ultimate gift to give would be...other than a kidney. For me, the ultimate gift would be two weeks in Seychelles.Just book me a villa at the Lemuria resort...

And then let me enjoy these gorgeous beaches and water...

And I can soak up the ambiance and world famous cuisine!

It's a great big, beautiful tomorrow...

So - saw this picture of the this city of the future in Japan. I like that there are fireworks in the future - but Woody Woodpecker? Really? Does anyone know if Woody Woodpecker is really that big in Japan? Huh.

Simple and festive...

I know that it's so crazy to think that it's time to start planning for the Christmas - but dude, it is. I was at Michael's - and they have all kinds of cinnamon smelling goodness and so many different looks for making a festive home for the holidays...in searching around here are some things that I found pretty and that you could really use all year round:

This is such a cute, pre-lit tree that could go anywhere

See, the pattern on these lovely placemats looks like snowflakes, but could look like flowers or a design for the rest of the year!

I would love to build a centerpiece or Christmas display using these hurricane lamp...and they will be beautiful all year long!

Okay - maybe these berry sprays are pretty seasonal - but still lovely.

Baby, it's COLD outside...

Fall has come and dropped the temperature outside lower than my comfort zone. But that also means that it's time for a new look for the cold weather! Here's what I'm thinking...

A snazzy new pea coat - in RED!
A scarf to keep the neck warm...no fringe. Fringe is so out!

And these for my hands! Cashmere loveliness for me!!

I'm a WINNER!

This is such a great way to start the Holiday Season...which started today if you didn't know. I won one of the random giveaways over at Design Mom. I won the rental of a video projector for a whole week! Don't believe me? See for yourself!

Holy Frijoles!

This is Halloween! The Chipotle restaurant in Tigard was offering free burritos if you came in dressed as a burrito. All of them could have been offering this deal - or not, I don't know. So I went with some friends and we were all dressed as various types of burrito. It was very fun and funny to see so many people try to get their burrito on. Here I am as a burrito...I got compliments from several people at the Chipotle...it was pretty great.

A flour tortilla, lettuce, and cheese!

Guacamole on top!

It's finally over...

Seriously - baseball lasted for-EVER this year. I really do enjoy baseball - but come on! It took forever for this season to end. So, HOORAY for the Red Socks ending the misery.
According to my Mom, baseball players are really suspicious. At least that's what she said at dinner. Maybe it's their shifty eyes? Or all those hand signals? Or maybe she really meant superstitious. Funny.

Another openin', another show...

Stars of the show: (left to right) Andrew, Kenny, Connor, Peter.

Last night was the Webelos performance at the Pack meeting...and it was great.

The boys each played two characters and had to listen for their cues for their lines. They also chose their own "tag lines" and created their own costumes. Behind them in this picture is the model set that they designed and painted. My personal McGyver built the stage to house their backdrops and set wagons. It was a really cool deal - and they EACH earned their Showman Activity Badge! WOO HOO!

Take a look at the second half of their skit!

Mom's ramblings in the night...

So - Mom has trouble doing things after she's fallen asleep. She often doesn't remember...like last night she requested a toasted cheese sandwich - and ate it and then chatted with Dad and eventually fell asleep. And today she remembered nothing about it.

Tonight she could barely walk up the stairs - and then when Dad had taken her a drink, she yelled after him, "Don't forget Garren Murdoch!" I think she means Garrett Parker...but what!?

She's a sleepwalker...or something...

I've come full circle...

Of course, like many families, we all get new pajamas each Christmas. We also get a new set of towels. I don't think I get much say in what kind of towels I want - but I do think I can express my feelings about jammies. I no longer want a shirt and jammie pants. I want this super cute nightgown from L.L. Bean. I love the neck and and pleated front. It's the grown up version of smocking, which I also love. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Time to get started...

I'm sure you've all visited the 2007 Neiman-Marcus Christmas Book - and perhaps like me, you were a little disappointed. It was all either so over the top that you don't even dare dream that big - or so BLAH that no one would lower their "Wish List" bar that low.

So - now I begin my own wish list collection. Some things will be the way over the top and some will be legit wishes - but I promise you this: I would love any of the items I feature here...I'm just sayin'...none will be unwelcome.

My first wish is for this:

Let's be honest here: I really do need a new MacBook - but how better to go than to go gold?

We Be Loyal Showmen...

Over the last three weeks I've been working with the Pack 854 Webelos prepare for earning their Showman activity badge. The four boys in the Webelos I know from Primary...and this is a pretty spirited bunch of boys. On Sundays they are a zestful group to handle and I was nervous about how it would go, especially since we had to write and rehearse a skit together. But the boys were...AMAZING. So funny and open and willing and smart. I really was blown away by how much fun I had the first week. The second week was all about building our set model and holding dress rehearsals for the pack meeting. This week at 7:00 p.m. the curtain will go up on "Captain Blackbeard and the Seven Seas." I am so proud to have been part of it and hope that these boys have had as much fun as I have. Probably not.

Dear Diary...

I am dreaming of the smell of: plain cookies baking. Mom is the only person (other than my Grandma) who can make them...and man, do they smell good baking.

I am dreaming of the sound of: my brother's voice on Christmas Day. This week his letter was so great and had so many great little daily life details - I can't wait to hear more.

I am dreaming of the taste of: caramel apple cider from Starbucks. Nothing says Fall officially like having a cider...coupled with a few fun errands to run.

I am dreaming of the sight of: an empty laundry basket. Dagnabit - how hard is it to get ALL the laundry done?! Sheesh.

I am dreaming of the feel of: the meditation yoga mat. I really do love my meditation class - it's just that it's hard to leave class because I'm so relaxed. Even when the mats smell like the wrestlers who also use them...

Oh, and diary...

I am loving the smell of: a dry, Fall day in Oregon. Last week it was so rainy - and rain smells good, too, but the crisp leaves and the cool air is so lovely.

I am loving the sound of: "Girlfriend" on Guitar Hero II. It's been so fun to play and apparently get a little better. I'm rockin' out, man!

I am loving the taste of: Bolognese from a great little Italian place downtown. Oh, hold me!! Meat sauce and big noodles and delightful company. What could be better?

I am loving the sight of: those tables in the garage. If you know what I'm talking about - then you know why they are such a great sight! So much space - and so much easy access. Way to go, Dad!

I am loving the feel of: folded laundry being put away. It just feels so good to have laundry done

But, really, Diary -

I am missing the smell of: babies. I can still smell their sweet faces and hands. Oh, dear, do those babies smell good?

I am missing the sound of: laughter at Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The scene where Angela Lansbury finally makes inanimate objects come to life...she's got some special dance moves and those sandy trousers are running amok. But the squeals of laughter are what really make it.

I am missing the taste of: Irresistible Ribs. Because really - even if you wouldn't die for ribs - they make you want ribs...RIGHT NOW!

I am missing the sight of: Seth Malley trying to find a binky in crib in a pitch dark room - despite being legally blind...while at the same time trying to get his own chin...

I am missing the feel of: Penny's ears. They are so soft and expressive at the same time. I love her...and I love her ears.

Oh my mother...

Fighting with her wallet...

In her jammies - waiting for her birthday cake.

Just a typical morning...

See Jane sit in time out...

What's going on here?!

A New Game to play...

Boomshine is a new game that is really simple. You just click one ball - and then they expand when they come into contact with other floating balls. Of course, it's simple and mindless and my favorite part is the soundtrack. Go check it out.

My dad cracks me up...

This is where the party is!

He's just so happy...now get to work, mister!

The most specialist elf...

Service with a smile.

Glad you finally got to those windows!!

The Raccoon gets some ribs...awesome...

Wrasslin' with the muse of dance...

I lurve my dad

A ladies luncheon

On Wednesday, Mom and I went with Katie and Ian Maxwell to lunch at The Stratford House, a lovely tea room in Hillsboro, Oregon. We had such a great time! Of course, I always love lunching - but a catch up lunch is that much more fun - we get all kinds of news!!

Mom and Katie and Ian - having such fun

Oh the Hungarian Mushroom soup - de-lish. The only problem during the meal was the waitress brought me a hazelnut mocha and not what I actually ordered - a hazelnut hot chocolate. I couldn't figure out why my hot cho tasted burnt.

I finally coax a capturable smile from Ian!

Counting the days...

Noa Bembibre has designed a pretty cool calendar. I think this would be such a fun gift for word-loving, designy types.

Classic designs...

The good people over at Rosebud Designs have some pretty great postcards and other prints - but right now this is my favorite:

I don't know, but I like it...

Pass The Ball is a website that I found - that is just odd and hard to explain. I'm not sure why I like it but I do...please do enjoy.

Sleeping...

My Aunt Connie is the newest member of the CPAP club. I know a lot of people who use a CPAP machine when they sleep - and tonight is Connie's first night with her machine. I really hope it goes well - and that she won't suffocate!!

When it comes to sleeping - I am a pro. But, I am a sleep mask kind of gal. Right now I use one from Brookstone, that has built in speakers and a variety of soothing sounds to help you fall asleep. It also has a jack so you could listen to music or something just in your sleep mask and not disturb anyone else. I really like the mask - but it can't last forever. In preparation for the day that it dies, I've visited DreamEssentials.com and think I've found a good replacement:


The only thing is - I really like the pressure on my eyes - and as you can see this one makes room for your eyeballs. I'd have to test it for a while. Someday. I'll let you know what I think.