My Bit of Earth

Because There Are Signs You Just Can't Ignore

I've found that my thrifting/flea market adventures go better if I start out with a list.  There are always many things I want at our local "everything" shop, and if I don't limit myself to things I need I could go bankrupt in there.

The other day, the items on my list were thus:

1. An old typesetter's drawer to put on the wall for found objects--like this one.
2. A red or blue or black lamp for my office.
3. A dark wood box or tray to contain the stuff on top of Sweet Husband's dresser.

 

I found a perfect typesetter's drawer quite quickly, and was hunting around for the other two items when I ran into the most fabulous pair of butter-colored, pointy-toed boots.

    "I do not need boots.  They are not on the list," I said firmly to myself.

    "Besides, I'll bet they're expensive."  (Flip boots over, discover that they are a mere $15.)

    "Or something must be wrong with them."  (Notice that boots are just barely worn and in fabulous shape.  Actually rub the boots against my cheek because the leather is so soft.)

    "OK, but I'm sure they're not my size."  (Slide off snow galosh, slip into boots, discover they are exactly my size.)

And at just that second, one of the greatest songs ever written--"Red Rubber Ball"--came on the radio.

There are many things I can ignore, but when the universe gives me instructions as clearly as that--on the list or not--the boots came home with me!

 

Keeping Warm

There is only one thing I miss about the old house--the fireplace.  It didn't really put off much heat, but just the light and the smell were so warming in the winter-time.  

A pair of our dearest friends actually moved into the old place, and I've seriously thought about knocking on their door with a bundle of wood and some matches.  But that would require walking through the snow, which kinda defeats the purpose.

This year--as chilly and drafty as hundred year old houses can be, and as bitter cold as our winter has been--I've had to find other ways to keep warm.  So far, the things that seem to be working well are:

• Beeswax candles burning everywhere....we've even been having candlelit dinners.  Somehow the candlelight makes the house seem cozy rather than cold.  And the smell is divine.
• Down, flannel, quilts, and really just blankets in general....are flannel sheets and flannel pajamas at the same time too much?  Hells no!
• Scarves....I haven't counted, but if I had to guess I would say there are more than ten in my closet, and I have at least two more in the works.  I find it amazing how a simple piece of cloth wrapped around my neck helps keep me snug.
• Wool socks and slippers....bless those little sheepies and their fabulous wool!
• Hot drinks....Coffee with milk and honey, spiced tea, or sake if I'm in the mood for something stronger.

What are your favorite ways to keep warm?

Because You Can Only Hunker Down Inside for So Long

More snow tonight.  More tucking in on the couch, under the covers.  

Except this afternoon--home from work early because of the roads again, don't hate me--I just couldn't stay inside anymore.  It was too early to make dinner.  I had already knitted a lot.  I didn't want to watch a movie.

Sweet Husband and the dogs agreed.  Snow or no snow, it was time to get outside.

So we bundled ourselves up--man, woman, and beasts--and trudged down to a nearby park and back.  Surprisingly, I was warmer when we got home than I was when we left.  And we stumbled on about five tiny squirrels looking for dinner and watched them scurry up a tree, so it was a worthwhile walk for the pups as well.

Wheeee!

    

It only took us four days, but we finally made it sledding!  

Silver Skates and Sweethearts

Nice Sis-In-Law brought my favorite girlies up this weekend for some ice skating.  It makes no sense--seeing as we grown-ups have a bit more padding--but I think the kiddos were better at the inevitable "bouncing" part....

No matter how old I get, no matter what happens EVER....

 

....I will never be anything but grateful and filled with joy for a good snow day.

(And you people who live in places where snow is measured in feet, not inches, please do not laugh at the 2-4" that has my office closed today--Sweet Husband said the roads really are nasty!)

Comfort and Joy

Noshing...on cookies (delivered from a friend, which makes them even better), Turkish Delight, and Coke in a glass bottle....

Inhaling...just-in-bloom Paperwhites and Christmas tree....

Snuggling...under the pretty new/old quilt my mama got me for my birthday (and this one's NOT a "project"--hell yes!)....  

Watching...Christmas movies...Did you know I've never properly watched Miracle on 34th Street before today?  Such an incredible movie, and I love Love Actually.  One of my favorite topics of holiday conversation is which love story in that movie is the best one.  (I'm torn between the kid and the Portuguese woman and the lady taking care of her brother...but the guy that falls in love with Keira Knightley is so sweet...and the guy that goes to American is so funny...SEE IT'S HARD!)

Thinking...about baking up a storm this evening...if I make it off the couch!

 

Plugging Sweet Husband By Giving You Stuff

Hey there all you local people!  Be sure and stop by the Lawrence Art Guild's Holiday Art Fair tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lawrence Art Center.  Sweet Husband and Nice Friend Calley will both be selling their lovely wares (with their powers combined they are "Oread Designs") along with over fifty other local artists.

For all you local people and non-local people alike, in order to drum up some love, I'm going to give away a piece of Sweet Husband's jewelry.

Here's what to do.  Go check out Sweet Husband's etsy shop.  Look around, get comfortable, feel free to stop and shop, but before you leave be sure and pick out your favorite piece of jewelry.  Then come back here and leave a comment telling me what it is.  I'll randomly pick one winner tomorrow morning, and you get whatever you picked!  How's that for fun?

UPDATE: And the winner is Jill!  I'll be in touch for your info Jill.

Some Snow Please

I sometimes think I need to move North.  I don't mind winter at all, but, gosh darn it, I want snow!

I don't care that it makes things difficult.  In fact, I suspect that's part of the reason I love it.  

"Opps, sorry, too much snow.  Must work from home in my jammies!"  

"Drat!  Can't cross all those things off the to-do list--must stay home where it's warm!"

Of course, no matter how bad it is out, nothing could ever stop me from donning thick winter gear and going for a romp in winter wonderland with the dogs.  Let's be sensible, after all, not everything can stop just 'cause the weather's bad!

No major snow for us yet this year--just a little mid-November dusting--but I thought that maybe if I cut up some paper snowflakes Old Man Winter might take a hint!

Thanksgiving-ing

There was eating of pie and meeting of family members...one of which I hadn't gotten to meet before even!

 There was taking of pictures...I believe the fact that our family members are so attractive bodes well for our hypothetical future child--it's just good genes, yes?

 There was making of gingerbread houses...a "day after Thanksgiving" tradition, two years running.

 And, of course, the pups had fun too--with so many people to scratch heads and throw tennis balls, how could they not?

Friday Night Snacks and a Movie

Without meaning to, we've slipped into the greatest little Friday night tradition.  

I believe it's called "staying in".

Don't get me wrong, we used to be weekend warriors when it came to going out.  A little Free State on Friday (a local brewpub), sushi and drinks on Saturday, darts and burgers at Dempsey's Sunday afternoon...and on and on.  But, in trying to cut back a little--both in budget and waistline--all of that going out just wasn't working.

Several Fridays ago, tired after a long week at work, I decided to just stop by the grocery store on the way home.  I was actually having trouble really focusing enough to put together a coherent dinner, so I just bought some nibbles--bread, cheese, figs, and a box of grocery store sushi.  (Yes, I know those don't go together.  I just didn't have the capacity to care.)  When I got home, there was a Netflix envelope waiting, and--boom! tada!--we put the two together and had an awesome time.  So nice was it, in fact, that we've kept it up for many weeks now.  

The rules to this tradition?  Foods that makes dishes to wash isn't allowed.  (Although we did bend this a little for Pioneer Woman's brie stuffed mushrooms a few weeks ago.)  Foods must be able to be eaten in front of the TV, preferably with hands.  Foods need not go together, but must be yummy.  Dogs must stay on the floor--all four of us just can't quite stretch out on the couch--but snuggling is otherwise encouraged!

(Picture c/o zesmerelda / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.)

A Tiny Get Away

In honor of the little Fall-break-and-Missouri-wine-tasting-tour that we're embarking on as you read this, an early vacation picture of yours truly...

...and when we return?  The low-down on the wineries of Northwest-ish Missouri, and (hopefully) some pretty, pretty pictures.

Autumn Morning Delights

Pretty leaves and chestnuts from the farmers' market....

I had never actually seen a chestnut in its natural skin before, have you?  They're painfully prickly!

Thankfully they were just for show.  "Chestnut Charlie" was happy to give me a sample that was already peeled and roasted to delicious nutty goodness!

Our Halloween

After laying out provisions for any trick or treaters that might come by in our absence, Sweet Husband and I headed for downtown Lawrence to handout candy for the big trick or treat on Mass Street.

So many awesome costumes!  This Wall-E--by far our favorite for the night--was even motorized!

Then we met up with some friends and ended up retiring to their fabulously decorated house.  There was a fog machine, a "scary voice" microphone, candy for the wee kiddos, and fizzy gin cocktails for us older kiddos....

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Moe Speaks: A Walk in the Woods With My New Friend

I do not much like other dogs, but this Leroy fellow--whom I previously dismissed and, I'm ashamed to say, beat up on a little--might just be alright.  

This weekend we went to his house for a walk.  Leroy's Mom and Dad recently rented a new house that came with its very own woods and creek, and suggested that we come out and enjoy it.  The parents (both Leroy's and mine) reasoned that, with all that space and all the toys and food picked up, there could be no reason for us all to be less than sociable.  

We had a wonderful time, wandering through the woods and splashing in the creek.  Although I did have to tell him once to get out of my space, I really do think that, on the whole, the walk was a success!

OK, but aside from the fun with friends, the most awesome thing happened.  I almost caught a turkey!  Yes, you heard me, a turkey!

We were walking along and I smelled something funny, so I went off the path into the woods.  Seconds later I bolted him out and he flew off--just barely missing Mom who, small blame to her, yelled and almost fell down in surprise.  It was so cool!  Mom said if I would have really got him, she would have let me eat part of him for Thanksgiving dinner.  

Another funny thing happened while we were swimming in the creek.  Mom tried to sit down on a rock to watch us swim, and Leroy--being the considerate dog that he is--went to check on her and give her a hug.  Oh how she squealed with a wet, muddy Lab in her lap!

The leaves were very pretty, and Mom was excited when she found some deer tracks.  I was excited when I found these tennis balls...until I tried to pick one up and discovered that they are not, in fact, tennis balls.

I wanted to go in this old box car and see if I could find more potential snacks, but Mom said no way.  There's always next time though!

And Now For A Peek Upstairs

A few more house pictures for your perusal...

...the potty, where I somehow did not manage to straighten the towels before shooting...don't judge! ;)...

...the land of spare 'oom...or, the spare bedroom, for those of you who don't speak Narnian.  It's literally spare, but I love the light...

...the landing at the top of the stairs.  My goal is to eventually completely cover the tops of the little lockers with old glass jars--a little apothecary shop of crafty stuff.  And you'll notice--to the lower left--one of my favorite things, my postcard collection displayed in a postcard rack.  

Jayhawks and Scarecrows

We spent most of the weekend with Nice Mom and Sweet Sister.  Among other shopping and cooking and the like, we watched most of the KU game from the hill, and then took a trip to Pendleton's for their annual "build-a-scarecrow-get-a-free-mum" deal.  Although our scarecrow looks like he perhaps spent the day down the road at the winery, you gotta love a free mum!

On the First Day of Fall

I realized today that we've basically spent the whole summer packing and moving and unpacking and nesting.  I don't even know where the time has gone.  It's like I went to bed on June 12th and woke up and it was September.  I'm not sure I even ever made it to the pool!

But thankfully, we've really gotten to the point where our new little house is starting to feel like home.  And, as such, I'm making it a goal for this new season to spend as much time as possible sitting right here...

...and doing lots of this!

Housewarmed

So we finally got around to having a little housewarming party this weekend.  I didn't get a whole lot of "action" shots while the party was actually going on ('cause flashing your guests feels inhospitable), but these are a few from the pre-party.  

It was a lot of fun to mix our groups of friends.  I've known one friend that stopped by since we were in second grade, several others from high school (including Man of Honor Friend on the left side of the bottom right picture, so-named because he was my "Man of Honor" at our wedding and he mentioned that he wanted a blog name--there you go A), and there were lots of our newer nearest-and-dearest too.  I think I spent a good part of the evening saying, "New Friend that loves such-and-such, meet Old Friend who loves such-and-such."  It always gives me a tickle when people I've always thought would hit it off actually do.

And then, of course, there was food!  I made artichokes (more about those later this week), and a less fussy variation on these shrimp chips with a sort of apple salsa (I did my topping without the fish)--both to great success.  The sexy salad made an appearance too, as well as some homemade salsa, cupcakes (more on those later too), and some s'mores.

All in all I think it turned out to be a pretty good party, if I do say so myself.  Our little house feels very warmed indeed!

Moe Speaks: You Can Bring a Girl to the Street Dance...

...but you can't make her polka.

This is me at the annual Labor Day Street Dance in Mom and Dad's old hometown.  My Pretty Auntie (Meryl: That would be Sweet Sister) took me as her non-date companion, but when we got there--for some reason that I cannot fathom--she absolutely would not take me out on the dance floor for a polka.

Perhaps it's better that way.  It is certainly hard to keep up that 3/4 "oomph-bop-bop" rhythm when you (literally) have two left feet!