almost 10

In two weeks she'll be ten. She's got so many interests now: playing the piano, writing, drawing, swimming, reading, the school musical. Sometimes she's moody, sometimes she's sweet. In her face I can see a little glimpse of who she will be in ten more years. But right now I don't want her to grow up too fast.

***

I'll be wearing these things this spring! Still months away, but I have to dream.

dress: Calypso

scarf: J.Crew

shoes: Dolce Vita

bag: me (bags on sale 'till the end of next week, then some changes in the shop)

Have a good weekend.

just a dusting

Just a dusting of snow fell yesterday. Last week grey skies threatened to undo me. But yesterday, the snowy grey day didn't bother me at all. It must be because it's finally February.

Sometimes I think about painting the outside of my house all white, even the trim.

10 things

I was tagged by Tricia of Luminosity to reveal 10 little known facts about me. Here goes!

1. I grew up in the country side of New Hampshire. I know how to make maple syrup, identify wild animal tracks in the snow, ride my bike up a mountain, find wintergreen leaves in the forest, and build a woodpile. Now I live in the city, go figure.

2. I like cold weather sports. I was the captain of the nordic ski team in high school.

3. I come from a family of artists and craftspeople. Woodworkers, painters, weavers, bookbinders, musicians, pattern makers, timber framers are all part of my family history. Most of my family came to America from the British Isles, except for my mother's grandfather who came from Romania.

4. If I could eat Asian food everyday I would. My favorite is to go down to Chinatown for dim sum. Close second is the Japanese soup place near my house.

5. For ten years I worked in a college library. I can catalog books, manuscripts, and autograph letters according to the Dewey Decimal System.

6. Sometimes I like to listen to AC/DC, but mostly I don't.

7. I have visited the island in Indonesia where the Komodo dragons live. I was terrified I might actually see one. I did see one, and was terrified.

8. I never wear the color red. It just doesn't suit me.

9. High heeled shoes, never. High heeled boots, often.

10. I wish I spoke French.

last weekend in january

Got some new house plants. Their tropical vibe is making me happy on cold days. Cake making and knitting were accomplished this weekend. Chocolate raspberry cake recipe is here. Made great progress on the cowl. I'm going to be wearing it in the not too distant future, I think. Fiddling around with pretty silk fabric, inspired by these photos from Korean Vogue. Last, a corner of my living room, sporting a new plant as well. Cyclamen. Never tried one before, but I liked the white blossoms.

I'm happy it's February.

warmer times

Right now I'm tired of winter. These photos bring me back to a warmer time, a warmer place.

I won't be going anywhere warm for awhile though, and this weekend I'm planning to do wintery things, like bake a chocolate rasberry cake, drink tea, knit, play board games with my children and maybe go ice skating. And take some photos of it all so I have something to post on Monday!

working on

Working on a few new things. Hope they will be ready to show you next week.

The sailor girl is back in the shop.

Last night I finally got to see Bright Star. Beautiful movie. See it! It's out on DVD.

Oh, I just noticed it's snowing outside. Hmm....a good day to have soup for lunch. If only I had some already made.

And thank you to the lovely Maria of Vintage Simple who so kindly mentioned me and some other fab ladies on her blog.