Channeling Rosemary Clooney

Snow, it won't be long before we'll all be there with snow

Snow, I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

last night

Snow, I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow

Snow, oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing

All winter through

That's where I want to be

Snowball throwing

That's what I'll do

How I'm longing to ski

Through the

Snow, those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow

Snow, oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow

No white Christmas with no snow

Snow

I'll soon be there with snow

I'll wash my hair with snow

And with a spade of snow

I'll build a man that's made of snow

I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye

Go to sleep

And dream

Of snow, snow, snow, snow, snow

I hope you are enjoying the snow as much as I am. 

Living a Beautiful Life

That was the title of the first book I read by Alexandra Stoddard, Living a Beautiful Life.  I picked the book up before a vacation to Galena, Illinois. Galena is the first place I traveled with my young family. We stayed in a rented home which seemed very exotic to me. So beautifully decorated...it seemed like a dream house...one I never thought I'd attain. After reading Living a Beautiful Life, I knew what I wanted my home and the life of my family to be like. I was so influenced by the author and it made sense to me... How I felt about our home, would set the tone for it in the years to come. That started the evolution in my way of thinking and has brought me to the life I now have here at home. (By no means perfect, but perfect for us!) I found these books of Alexandra's at the Goodwill.  Feeling at Home and Creating a Beautiful Home.  Alexandra writes beautifully, she is very wise and insightful, and inspiring.

Alexandra says..."Creating a beautiful home is a attitude and a way to open up to all the possibilities available to us as we move through our lives. Our true home is inside each of us, and it is your love of life that transforms your house into a home. There are phases and stages in our personal growth and enlightment. This cannot be rushed or faked. There is never a point where we've arrived at our ideal.'

If you haven't read any of Alexandra's book's, or you are at a loss for what to do with your home, you will surely be inspired by her ideas and philosophy. Right now in January is a good time to read her books. Especially, if you're like me, and like the clean slate that taking down all the decorations gives you. Time to start the new year with new ideas, and in my case using what I already have in new and interesting ways.  You can visit Alexandra here.

It's just started to snow here in the Valley.  We're expecting up to 6 inches of snow today, our first real snowstorm of the winter.  A perfect time to snuggle in.  You can be sure I will bake something today, and cook something that needs a while on the stove.  This is the kind of day I wait for all year.

Dear friends, enjoy this beautiful SNOWY day!

Weekend Update

Meet the baby sister!  She is so tiny and so pretty.  The little bird could not be a prouder big sister.  Holding a newborn baby is a precious gift. I admit I was a little nervous before holding the little one.  Luckily, it's like riding a bike, it instantly comes back to you.  I automatically start rocking, patting, humming... I am happiest with a baby in my arms, a child on my lap... It's what I do best.  We were invited to Grandma and Grandpa's place to welcome the newest member of our family. They are old hands at this Grandparent thing, so calm for grandbaby #2.   Seems like yesterday we were meeting her big sister.  Just a wonderful way to start the new year.

Not everything was as cool as meeting a new baby!  We did some regular weekend things too, like shopping.  We went to Ikea and found this paper roll holder.  I'm sure you've seen the vintage type paper holder that every butcher, baker or grocer had on their counter.  I've seen them for sale, but they are usually huge, heavy and costly.  This one was $6.99, and the roll of paper $4.99.  This will be perfect for my work table. Especially when rubber stamping, when you need something to protect your work surface.  I'm sure our little one will love the giant pieces of paper to draw and paint on.  It's all made of wood with just 4 screws to assemble the holder.  The top comes down to touch the roll of paper and serve as a cutting edge. 

I also bought a couple of pillow covers.  They tie closed on the pillow and will grace the bed in the guest room.  The guest room was put together quickly before Thanksgiving and needs a little TLC.  So does the rest of the house...it's looking a little shabby since the Christmas decorations came down.  (and not in a good shabby way)

 Once again affordable cool stuff from Ikea.  If you haven't been, you gotta go.

We also visited the  local Goodwill and I found some books I'll share in a future post.

Did you catch the first part of the second season of Downton Abbey on PBS?  It's really good, and you can see all the episodes online at PBS.org.  That's how we spent our weekend...  Just to add a controversial comment,  I miss the SNOW.  How about you? It just doesn't feel like winter without it.  Let's discuss... ;-)

Enjoy this beautiful, though snow less day.

Our New Addition!

The beautiful sunrise this morning!

During the night, a new baby girl was born to our family...

She is the new sister of our little bird.

Guess who picked the baby's name...Yes, it was her big sister.  How cool is that?! 

A long time ago, a nurse entered the room where I was in labor with my first child...She threw open the curtains and said, "It's a beautiful day to be born!" (I didn't exactly share her enthusiasm at the time;-) 

And...so is today.  Welcome baby to our family. We are gonna love you like crazy cakes!  Little bird, you have a sister! (Thanks for letting me share her, since I don't have one!)  You'll be the best big sister ever. I can't wait to see you two together.  My heart will overflow!

Congratulations Mom and Dad.  We're all here to help when you need us, and we love you all so much.
Yes, it is a beautiful day to be born!

Quick and Crafty

While perusing my favorite blogs, I visited The Graphics Fairy for her Brag Monday.  I do love this site, but it takes so long for it to load on my computer.  I can have breakfast, throw in a load of laundry, clean a bathroom, sew a quilt...you get the picture.  It takes a LONG time. So, I'm sorry I haven't linked to the actual project. 

It is one of those quick and crafty projects I love, when I  find I have everything at home I need.  The key to this project is the Lazertran, Waterside Decal Paper.  I purchased mine several years ago, on the internet at http://www.lazertran.com/. 

It is very easy to do...Find an image you love, and print it onto the Waterside Decal Paper.  I saved the image to picasa and changed it to a sepia image, and printed it onto the waterslide decal paper.  I waited overnite for the ink to set, but the instructions state that you can use the image after only 30 minutes drying time.

Sepia Images

Trimmed and ready to put into warm water.

These are bottles I had, the clear bottles are from olive oil.   I bought  them at a rummage sale this summer for .25 each.  I can't get rid of a blue bottle, they are so pretty...so I always seem to have one around for crafting.

 The paper immediately curls when it hits the water...no worries...

 You can easily flatten it out.  Then slide a corner to remove the decal.

 I was a little rough on the first decal, I tore it and rubbed a little too hard with a plastic scraper.

 As it dries, you can see the white back of the decal.  If you want to make this clear, you can use a clear coat varnish.

I'll clear coat the clear bottle, but leave the blue bottle as is.  With a pretty stopper this will look charming.
If you are interested in trying this, I'm going to print out a few labels.  If you email me, I'll send you one to try. I have enough decal paper to make just a few, so let me know.  Enjoy this beautiful day my friends!