Halloween Spirit Please, Mommy

My husband, who loves to "put on a show", isn't too enthusiastic about putting on a costume.  Me?  I'm not much for being the center of attention but if it involves a disguise, I'm in!  I  must admit that I do love Halloween.  Maybe it's my Harris genes ...  my mother's bloodline .... as almost every family gathering involved lots of decorating, dressing up or donning costumes as well as singing and performing in some manner.  When I was younger (> 35!), I loved planning my Halloween attire and spending days shopping and getting ready. Then, I'd stick a pumpkin on the porch and I was off to party land.  Now, with a five year old in the house, we spend weeks planning his outfit and decorating the house with my costume priorities at the bottom of the list... hunting last minute for something black to wear and sticking a pointed hat on my head.  But this year, after my son voiced his wish that I would be something other than a witch, I promised to put in more effort to my own ensemble. After some thought, I was finally inspired by a Viking hat I bought at the Kingsburg Swedish Festival (my hubby and I are both 1/4 Swedish and 3/4 mutt) that's been sitting on the closet shelf for two years.  Between my mom's closet and mine, I've managed to piece together quite a get-up!  But, you'll have to wait until All Hallows Eve.......

This year, we also adopted this little handmade recycled wooly owl family (from WoolCrazy on Etsy) which actually consists of five owls...three are at home (mamma, pappa and baby) and two are away at school with our grown daughters.

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”

I'm Still Alive But My Tomatoes Are Ripe

I thought I would have plenty of time to blog this summer.  I thought I was going to be a diehard blogger.  I was very mistaken.  I've been SO busy and having lots of fun BUT I DO MISS MY BLOGGING.  School starts in a week.  I WILL be back soon with lots to share even if it's a little belated.  Gotta run and pick more tomatoes and almonds before the birds get them!

These photos are from last week.....

Room with a View......NOT!

When we moved in to our house five years ago, I used the back bedroom with a view of the majestic oak trees for my office.  I was pregnant so..... eventually I had to give the room up to the wee babe and move  to the garage.  This was before I made metal clay jewelry.  I had been an interior designer for about 15 years but soon after the wee babe arrived I found it impossible to work full time.  And it's difficult to do interior design part-time.... as most houses are not built on three day a week schedules.  I've been slowly easing out of my first profession and into my new profession the last two years.  

My center bookcase is now jewelry supplies instead of tile and fabric samples..... but I still have yet to dump the rest of my design resources (right bookcase).  I want to.... but..... it's a little scary.  It's a slow start beginning a new business. What if I need to go back?  Will I need to go back?  I don't think I want to go back.  Hmmm. I'll ponder this another time.... But, I will keep my painting supplies just in case I realize my dream of being a painter some day (left bookcase)

Looking ahead.... I feel positive.  I love what I'm doing.  I like my work space...even though I share it with the laundry (behind the hemp curtain).... and I have no window...and it's freezing in the winter....and boiling hot in the summer.  But it's a nice space for fall and spring and early summer : )

I think I just need a throw rug and a window.... and some fabric and velcro to cover up my shelves.  Oh, to see out to the back.....over my desk to our newly landscaped side yard and beyond.  This window dream has been on my mind some time now.... like five years!  

Now I'm laughing because as I looked for an interesting quote to end my post on my studio, I came upon this little piece of wisdom.......

You need a room with no view so imagination can meet memory in the dark. 

 ~ Annie Dillard ~

......I still want my window.

Our Little Blue Bellied Buddy

Hey, little guy, what are you doing in there?

Can we pick you up?

Thank you for showing us your blue belly!

Okay, we'll put you down now.

Bye bye little guy.  Have a beautiful day!

* Sceloporus occidentalis, also known as a "swift" or "western fence lizard" and is part of the Iguania family.

"I am the lizard king.  I can do anything."

~ Jim Morrison

Viva La Fiesta AND Happy Memorial Day

I was so busy getting ready and so busy during, that I never snapped one photo of our lovely guests or decorations.  But, what a wonderful day we had yesterday with new friends, old friends and business associates ..... more than 150 people and almost half were kids!  We usually roast weenies and have a keg but this year we busted out and planned a full on Fiesta with a taco bar, cactus man pinata (thank you Lucinda), homemade lemonade & margaritas....and mariachi trio.  And to top it off, the weather was amazing.... a balmy 85 degrees!  Today, I decided I had to take a few pics ...colorful momentos of our lovely afternoon........