Trey is my nephew

I am truely inspired by my cousin who organizes this event........ and everything else she does. I, on the other hand are sadly overwhelmed by small tasks as designing the poster. I find it challenging to find the time to organize a bbq for friends, let alone serving food and drinks to hundreds of people- and music, and activities, and auctions. I would like to think that I would do the same if I was fighting for the health of my child. I hope I could.

Tacos for Trey was a big sucess and a blast.

http://www.treypurcell.com/

While he worked, I walked

And bought a few things along the way.

Fabric from the Purl Bee. A couple of goodies from one of my favorite artists Rob Ryan. And banks for the kids from the MOMA gift shop.

Last week I tagged along with my husband to NYC. Four evenings away from the kids! He worked the whole time but it felt like a vacation to me. We were able to spend some wonderful time together here and there like spur of the moment cocktails at 10:30pm and lying in bed reading the paper and having a coffee in the middle of the day, but I also truly enjoyed the time to myself. It was our first time away from the kids together- and we survived. And they survived and had a wonderful time with Nana and Papa. We will have to do it again soon when Clete can relax and enjoy himself.

With a leap, skip and a jump

We survived the holidays! And aside from a devastating flu that we all managed to catch, 2009 is treating us well!

I don't know if it was the all the snow or the cold, and now this past week of fog, but we have been spending a lot of time inside, baking, crafting and doing a lot of reading. We were spoiled at Christmas and it is nice to have the time to enjoy and play with all the gifts we received. Among the many wonderful gifts I opened, these new books are inspiring me.

one of many books to learn new stitches -Woolly Embroidery

amazing illustrations by Olle Eksell

09.08 Our Advent

Last Year, I saw an inspiring post by Ella where she shared her amazing "advent-ure" . It made me think about how our family might celebrate those days leading up to Christmas - about winter and all the amazing things that we get to do only this time of year. Things that are special and exciting that don't always come from a store, wrapped in a box. We have many winter adventures planned already with family and friends and many things to create. As kids we had always had a quilted advent that came out each year, and when Clete and I met 12 years ago we created our own advent. Now, as our own two little kids are experiencing Christmas, we needed a new "advent-ure". We love adventures!

When I came across this bird pattern from Spool I knew I would have to incorporate it somehow.

Oskar has never been more excited to get out of bed in the morning- to see what message the elves have brought for him for that day. On the 9th they brought him some stamps to make wrapping paper and a they added a "p.s." that he must also have a "big mug of hot cocoa" while stamping- that was the selling point.

In their advent note for today, the elves told us we were having friends over to bake and decorate cookies. They apparently also told Stefan to throw everything all over the kitchen floor.

I have a feeling the elves are planning a treasure hunt tomorrow.