What a wonderful cool morning. Breathing in the good air. Enjoying the Sunday quiet. Some mornings our walk is crowded with others - dogs leading their owners, walkers, joggers and bikers - but today Butler and I only met one other jogger. Felt like we had the world to ourselves.
With cool weather here, finally feel autumn has started. My thoughts go to comfort foods. Last night we had one of our favorite cool weather, baseball playoffs, football games, dinners. Chili with cornbread and apple crisp for dessert. Since we're not native Texans we have both meat and beans in our chili. It makes it hearty. Lots of protein. Need that for all that couch sitting. and the bonus is that it makes great leftovers. Chili is one of those dishes that just gets better, more flavorful the next day.
Apple crisp - a childhood memory of fall when apples from our own tree were plentiful and needed to be used. If we were old enough to wield a knife we all pitched in to peel and slice, ever watchful for the occasional worm. The warm odor while it cooked infused the kitchen. Ahh, cinnamon and brown sugar.
Okay, now I've made my self so hungry, excuse me while I wander into kitchen for a lunch treat of leftovers.
See you tomorrow.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Walking with Butler
Every morning for months the dog rouses me out of bed and into a walk. While he is so busy sniffing for all the night inhabitants who have crossed his trail, my mind is free to soar and dip in random thought. It's become my favorite time of the day. A bit of exercise for the body and mind.
During this month of October I've decided that I will share some of my morning thoughts. So walk with me.
I've come very close to ending Annarella Girl this summer. Or ending the commercialization of AG. Seems like I'm not growing. As I've analyzed my situation, I realise that I love the creating of designs and clothes, but I miss, miss, miss having contact with and feedback from other creative people. That is what is wearing me down. And that leads me to this morning's thoughts.
After dreaming of having a group of smart, creative, successful artisans discovering me and begging me to become a part of their ranks (lol), I've realized that I must go out and try to organize such a group. So I'm thinking about ways to do this and to what end. My vision is not just a talky get-together (after all none of us has time to waste), but something which might explore the challenges of creative businesses - marketing, sales opportunities, using the interent effectively. Combining our talents, energies and minds to further our businesses. Maybe create a once a year event which combines hands on workshops, informational workshops, social opportunities and selling. Sounds a little disjointed but that's how dreams begin.
Anyone out there have any ideas to throw into my muddled mind? I've got plenty of morning walks to ponder them all. See you tomorrow.
During this month of October I've decided that I will share some of my morning thoughts. So walk with me.
I've come very close to ending Annarella Girl this summer. Or ending the commercialization of AG. Seems like I'm not growing. As I've analyzed my situation, I realise that I love the creating of designs and clothes, but I miss, miss, miss having contact with and feedback from other creative people. That is what is wearing me down. And that leads me to this morning's thoughts.
After dreaming of having a group of smart, creative, successful artisans discovering me and begging me to become a part of their ranks (lol), I've realized that I must go out and try to organize such a group. So I'm thinking about ways to do this and to what end. My vision is not just a talky get-together (after all none of us has time to waste), but something which might explore the challenges of creative businesses - marketing, sales opportunities, using the interent effectively. Combining our talents, energies and minds to further our businesses. Maybe create a once a year event which combines hands on workshops, informational workshops, social opportunities and selling. Sounds a little disjointed but that's how dreams begin.
Anyone out there have any ideas to throw into my muddled mind? I've got plenty of morning walks to ponder them all. See you tomorrow.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sewing with Tim Gunn
Hooray! It's Thursday evening. My night to sew with Tim Gunn. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a mentor like Mr. Gunn? He is respectful and helpful. His suggestions and comments are usually right on. Such a dicotomy - so stiff on the outside yet so warm on the inside.He is the poster child for goos manners. I'd love to see him walk into my workroom to talk ideas with.
Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia give this reality show an honesty without overblown theatrics which is refreshing given the horrid trend in scripted reality shows that dwell on the mean, rude and lewd.
Thursday night with Project Runway - my favorite TV night of the week!
Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia give this reality show an honesty without overblown theatrics which is refreshing given the horrid trend in scripted reality shows that dwell on the mean, rude and lewd.
Thursday night with Project Runway - my favorite TV night of the week!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
My Favorite Child
Have you seen or heard any of the chit chat on TV or in blogs about the new study saying that parents often favor one child over the others? I've heard over and over that many parents don't love their children equally. Well, such talk provokes me to divulge my favorite child.
I birthed and raised 3 children, 1 girl (the oldest) and 2 boys. Did I love them equally? I'm not sure how to answer that question. Is love a static emotion? Is the love I feel for my husband, children, siblings and friends the same, equal emotion? I think not. Since my children were and are not the same, how can I love them the same? But do I have a deep, firm love for all of them? YES. I love each one for their individuality. I celebrate their unique strengths - and they have many! Would I give one away? Well, there have been moments, particularly as teens, but I wouldn't want to eliminate one of them from my life.
How do you quantify love? Remember the childhood gambit of flinging your arms wide and saying, "I love you this much!" Well, that's how much I love my kids. But I'm not sure that is equal or the same. J, my oldest, I love your smile, your physical carriage, your strive for perfection, your sense of fun, your honesty. J, first son, I love your sensitivity, your warmth, your caring, your inquiring mind. T, my youngest, I love your serene core, your talent, your thoughtful and thought provoking advice, your sense of the silly. I could go on and on, but you get the gist. I love them differently but equally. That's not the same but it's the best that I can do.
I birthed and raised 3 children, 1 girl (the oldest) and 2 boys. Did I love them equally? I'm not sure how to answer that question. Is love a static emotion? Is the love I feel for my husband, children, siblings and friends the same, equal emotion? I think not. Since my children were and are not the same, how can I love them the same? But do I have a deep, firm love for all of them? YES. I love each one for their individuality. I celebrate their unique strengths - and they have many! Would I give one away? Well, there have been moments, particularly as teens, but I wouldn't want to eliminate one of them from my life.
How do you quantify love? Remember the childhood gambit of flinging your arms wide and saying, "I love you this much!" Well, that's how much I love my kids. But I'm not sure that is equal or the same. J, my oldest, I love your smile, your physical carriage, your strive for perfection, your sense of fun, your honesty. J, first son, I love your sensitivity, your warmth, your caring, your inquiring mind. T, my youngest, I love your serene core, your talent, your thoughtful and thought provoking advice, your sense of the silly. I could go on and on, but you get the gist. I love them differently but equally. That's not the same but it's the best that I can do.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday by the Numbers
365 - days since central Texas has had a significant rain
127 - days of temperatures in the 90s and above
87 - days 100 or over
12 - days until downtown Georgetown's October Market Days. You can find Mama D and me there. (Hoping it will not be 100 or over!!!)
5 - onesies I hope to get made this week
3 - jumpers I hope to make this week
1 - colonial dress finished!!!! (My project which went wrong every way it could is now over.)
What does your week look like?
127 - days of temperatures in the 90s and above
87 - days 100 or over
12 - days until downtown Georgetown's October Market Days. You can find Mama D and me there. (Hoping it will not be 100 or over!!!)
5 - onesies I hope to get made this week
3 - jumpers I hope to make this week
1 - colonial dress finished!!!! (My project which went wrong every way it could is now over.)
What does your week look like?
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday Dream
Woke up this morning with a smile. My house was clean! Opened my eyes. Drat, dream ended. Where are those shoemaker's elves when you need them?
Happy Monday morning!!!!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Speeding Along
Halfway through September. Where did it go? Will I be able to get everything done that I need to in the next month? Why did I waste all that time in July and August? (I ask that question every Sept=Oct. Will I ever learn to take advantage of the slow times?)
Working on a special order. The client gave me carte blanche. In some ways that is harder than if a client gives me very specific instructions. But once I got over my insecurities and dove in, I've enjoyed this project. Picked one of my favorite palettes - pinks and browns - a good mix of summer and fall. Finished this morning. I hope the client likes it. I'm pretty secure in the knowledge that the little girls will look great!!!
Still working on the colonial dress for my daughter. Had a second fitting last Sat. Boo hoo, the bodice is still all wrong. I'm trashing it and starting anew. Why is it, when something starts wrong, it almost always is a disaster the entire way? This has been a lesson in humility. I thought I knew how to sew. Now I know with certainty I have much to learn. (I think it's a life lesson for me. Back up one step, listen and watch, Learning never stops.)
The pictures are a couple of the long sleeve onesies I'm working on to include in my Oct. shows. They look really cute with leggings. (Ignore the color of 2nd pic. Consider me technically challenged.)
Working on a special order. The client gave me carte blanche. In some ways that is harder than if a client gives me very specific instructions. But once I got over my insecurities and dove in, I've enjoyed this project. Picked one of my favorite palettes - pinks and browns - a good mix of summer and fall. Finished this morning. I hope the client likes it. I'm pretty secure in the knowledge that the little girls will look great!!!
Still working on the colonial dress for my daughter. Had a second fitting last Sat. Boo hoo, the bodice is still all wrong. I'm trashing it and starting anew. Why is it, when something starts wrong, it almost always is a disaster the entire way? This has been a lesson in humility. I thought I knew how to sew. Now I know with certainty I have much to learn. (I think it's a life lesson for me. Back up one step, listen and watch, Learning never stops.)
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