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Showing posts from 2013

Christmas at My House

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For the last few years I've been hosting my three sisters, one brother, mother and various brothers-in-laws and nieces (as they came) at my house for Christmas. This year, 10 visitors (and two dogs) arrived at my doorstep for five days of Christmas merriment. I've been preparing and anticipating for the last month, so I was ready. What I wasn't prepared for was getting some virus on the first day and being out of commission for two days. The worst part of this was not being able to kiss my baby nieces, or put a bunch of plans I had in motion. However, we persevered and everyone had a jolly good time -- despite the frigid weather. My Favorite Part? Everyone Around My Dining Room Table Eating Lasagna. (Why can't they be there every week?!)

Our First Days With Benny

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Benny Boy!  The day before ALL my family arrived at my house, we picked up our new, adopted Beagle, who we named Benny. And in the last month, he's been through a lot of change -- with the transition from the lab to the foster house to our house. (PTSD, maybe?) Not to mention the house swelled to 14 people (5 of whom were under the age of 7) and then dropped back to four. So, he continues to be skittish and anxious about, well, everything! The good thing is he doesn't bark much, doesn't chew or bite. He'd only had a few accidents in the house and he's pretty content to be around people and have a LARGE place to roam around. He liked all the little girls, but he continues to like ME the best. Ha! Because of all this anxiety he paces quite a bit. At first, we were sure he was looking for the foster mom. Then, he paced for a place to hang out. Now that everyone is gone, he seems to be looking for all the people. Once we get in our weekly routine, we're ho

A Mini Chicago in Plants

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A few weeks ago we met some friends at the Chicago Botanic Garden and checked out the Wonderland Express exhibit. They recreated some famous Chicago buildings and set them in fairy-like settings -- with several trains running around them. It was kinda magical! (And by "magical" I mean seeing a GREEN landscape in winter fills me with warm feelings of spring. Sigh!) Here are a few pictures I snapped. Pretty!  Train Swooshing Past

The Backstory On Getting A Dog

First, you should know that when we got married I made a deal with Dave; "Buy me a house, and we'll get a dog." This was back in my 20s when homeownership seemed a million miles away and nearly impossible. Our path was leading into New York City, so this deal, on my end, seemed pretty empty. Our path lead west instead, and we're in our second house bought together. And he looks at me and says, "now can I have a dog?" Truthfully, I am not what you would call an animal person. We had one dog in my family and that was when I was in kindergarten. He was a huge German Shepard and I was terrified. Terrified! Ever since, I've really disliked dogs, especially when they do stuff like sniff your crotch, lick or bark -- oh, and drool. Gross. But, okay, some of them are kinda cute. In Rhode Island, I babysat a dog for a week and I loved it. Her name was Zoomie and she had a horrible, abused past, so she was especially kind and sensitive if play got too rough

Springpad - My New BFF

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Hello, my name is Jessica and I am addicted to lists. There. I said it. And because of my love of lists, I started shopping around for an app that would help me organize them. I'm not unhappy with using paper, but I tend to leave the Target list on the counter and don't remember it's there until I'm getting out of the car. DOH! What was I supposed to buy? Time to turn to technology. My criteria to move to the "digital age" of list makers & keepers was mobility; It had to be available on my phone, iPad, computer -- everywhere I had access to electronic tools. Therefore, I could update that Target list at work, at gymnastic class and still have it with me at Target -- right on my iPhone. Viola! I also wanted to tag and search my past notes, in case I'm looking for last year's holiday shopping list or the list of girls we invited to Leah's birthday party. Plus, I wanted to save links to sites, helpful information and photos while wanderi

Telling Family Stories

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Because I'm raising sisters, I love to share stories of my three sisters (and brother) growing up. I tell them about how Mom used to pull our hair sooooo tight in braids we'd have tears in our eyes, and the bunk beds my sister Carol and I used to hide from the alligators in our closet. Car vacations and Christmas and the times we all played soccer in the backyard and Maggie would end up crying. They LOVE these stories almost as much as hearing about their own births and name (don't ask me why). And they're fun for me, too. My Family, Me Second From Left So I was delighted to find I was doing something GOOD for them by reminiscing! (Score one for me!) There's an article this month in The Atlantic that highlights the research on family storytelling, and all the benefits to children. They're pretty awesome and include understanding emotions, advanced narrative skills, high self-esteem and self-concepts. Here's a sample: Over the last 25 years, a s

I Love Handmade Dollies

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Because I've been spending so much time on Etsy (doncha love the holidays?), I'm completely smitten by all the handmade dollies available. I've now made it my goal to sew a doll in the next 12 months. Until then, I may have to purchase a few of these dolls -- for research, of course. Related posts: My Etsy Doll page

Isn't He a Cutie?

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Here's the dog, with our name on it, heading to the foster home. The program volunteer said he's "extra sweet." Aww, come on home, buddy! Our Dog?  We're working out timing still. And look forward to hear what the foster family says about him. Kids still don't know ... so keep on the DL.

Today's Project: Elsa's Train

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Last weekend we took the kids to see "Frozen" and we all loved it. The timing worked out pretty well because it was still Hanukkah, so we got to give Alice some "Frozen" gifts, including this adorable Elsa dress. Sure, the Disney store has fancier Elsa dresses, but sheesh you gotta shell out the big bucks. These little pj-like dresses are much easier on the wallet and pretty, too. The Lovely Dress ... and Girl But, hello, Princess Elsa had a long train in the movie. Where's the train? Alice pointed this out immediately.  A trip to the fabric store with the dress to match the color, and we had ourselves a dress with train. Done!  My Fancy Princess Elsa I used Velcro so the train could be removed for washing and running outside. 

So Long, Hanukkah Part Two

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And just as quickly it started (in New Jersey, on the night of Thanksgiving, no less), Hanukkah is over.  Our eight nights were full of fun and squealing! And lighting many candles, of course. We missed one night because we were in a hotel room after spending the whole day driving home from New Jersey -- and I just didn't have the wherewithall to pull out the menorah.  Speaking of menorah, we've replaced our old, wax-filled menorah with this lovely silver beauty given to us by David's mother. It belonged to her mother and sat in the dining room for years. Isn't it pretty?! And, the wax cleans off it much easier, so we're sure to hang on to this one for many Hanukkahs to come. I'm a sucker for traditions.  Here's some photos of the last two nights: Leah Lighting the Candles - in an Eli Manning Jersey, No Less Alice Lighting in a Top She Calls her Genie Shirt David Constructing the Cardboard Pirate Ship The Last BIG Gift? A Pirate

Happy Hanukkah From Our Circus!

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The Circus Tent Don't you just love this time of year?! At our house, it's definitely crazier than usual. Way more shopping, more spending, more planning, more cleaning, more company, more big dinners -- just more of everything! (I know, we're not the only ones.) I especially like celebrating Hanukkah with my little family; the few minutes we take each night to gather around the menorah, light the candles and say the blessing. Not being a very religious person, I'm more drawn to the togetherness created by this little ceremony. And I'm a sucker for annual traditions. PLUS, it ends with opening presents. But just one! Which means the girls really savor what they get. They play with it, share it and run around with it. Because it's just one. I didn't celebrate Hanukkah growing up, so it's a little unique and still new to me. I just really like it! This year we skipped the expensive electronic gifts and put the money into "imaginative" pl

Back in New Jersey for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving belongs to my mother-in-law. This is the law. And, luckily, we all get along fine (mostly) -- so the holiday is pretty low-stress. It does involved a long drive from Illinois to New Jersey, because flights are too dang expensive -- especially to sit is someone's dining room for the day. I'll pay $2,000 to sit on a beach or walk wide Paris streets but for suburban New Jersey? Um, no. So we rented a Ford Escape, loaded it up with snacks, goodies, kids and Hanukkah presents and headed out of the midwest. Because we don't like (understatement) fast food, we found a little hole-in-the-wall pizza place in Montpellier, Ohio for dinner on our first night. And for Ohio pizza, it wasn't too bad. We did the bulk of the driving in the evening, which meant the kids slept for much of the drive to our overnight in a hotel. The next morning, they swam in the pool and jumped in the car for the final leg. Here's the things I really miss about New Jersey. - the pizz

Button-Down Collars DIY

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I love the look of button down collars. I think they just look cleaner and more put together. I used to only buy collars with buttons -- until I figured out I could quickly sew on my own buttons. I don't even need to make a button hole because I'm not unbuttoning them, making them even quicker. Here's the seriously easy directions. The Shirt! Here's my new flannel shirt (aside: aren't you so glad flannel shirts are back? I'm ready to relive the glory of my grunge days) and the collar is just flopping around, willy-nilly. Extra Buttons Usually, there are extra buttons but, unfortunately, never the same size.  Sleeve With Buttons Luckily, you can usually find a gratuitous button elsewhere on the shirt. Check the sleeves. Do you need this many buttons on a shirt you'll likely roll up the sleeves? Nah. I prefer the smaller buttons, usually not right on the cuff but up the sleeve a bit.  Volia! Hold down the collar and sew direc

Art Wall WITH a TV...Just Like Mine

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You guys, how cool is this?! One of the cutest decorators that I follow ( Emily Henderson) helped redesigned an apartment of one of the bloggers I follow ( Cup of Jo ) -- and that's not even the cool part. It's a teeny apartment in NYC -- with lots of windows and there are lots of cool ideas for small spaces, etc. Including ... TA-DA! An Art Wall Behind the TV... Art Wall! I'm not saying I invented the concept -- I probably gleaned it from a book or HGTV show (possibly even Emily's) but it's what I was going for, for sure. Sometimes I just don't know my own decorating genius until I see other people do it, too. Sigh. My Art Wall With TV Even her explanation is exactly what I was thinking: Pretend like the TV isn’t there and just have an awesome art wall. Place the TV in front of it (ideally in front of a piece of art that has a lot of simple information ) and take away the importance of the TV. It’s as if we were all,  fine, we can put the TV

Yellow Again!

Did a quick makeover to the colors on the blog. Hope you like it. Yellow just makes me happy!

The Piano is Here!

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So excited to welcome a new family member! The free piano, who I will name Edith or Henrietta, just got delivered. And though I'm not sold on its placement, I'm so excited it's here. She needs a tuning and some little girls to learn proper fingering and how to read music.  I'm day dreaming of recitals and Beethoven!!

Weekend of ToDos Done

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Leah's List This was a very important weekend to get things checked off on my todo list. There are only a few precious non-visitor weekends before the holiday craziness and, therefore, much to do. Leah helped me out by writing out the tasks. Plus, there were several she didn't include. As of Monday morning, I'm feeling very good about all we achieved. Holiday cards ordered. Hanukkah gifts under control. Dave cleaned out and organized the garage. Bunk bed ready to move back into the house (though not close to being finished). Light bulb changed. Drain-o used on the girls' tub. See? Little things that just needed some focus. Done and Done! We even booked a babysitter for Saturday night and saw "Thor" -- which was like a mini-vacation from all the work being done. Soo good! Hooray for ToDo lists and empty (stormy) weekends to do them in.

'Cleaving' Audiobook Review

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Audiobook: Cleaving by Julie Powell Read by: Julie Powell Genre: Memoir I listen ed to Julie & Julia and utterly enjoyed Julie's journey and honesty (and, yes, her creative use of curse words). So I picked up Cleaving , preparing myself for sickening descriptions of butchering. I was NOT prepared (and this isn’t a spoiler) that she’s cheating on her husband. (!) That sweet man who got her blogging and changed her life. Honestly, it took me days to overcome feelings of betrayal. Julie! ! Julie!! Why!!  But once I did, the audiobook went like this:  Part 1: Where Julie learns the art of butchering, which conveniently lends itself to about 200 metaphors of heartbreak, breakups and separating from your husband and lover. “Sometimes separating meat from bone isn't clean, you leave a lot of meat destroyed” (I paraphrased). At first I was like, "Cleaving"! I get it! Then, she started to hit me over the head with it, like maybe we didn’t pick up on the a

A Real Piano. Really Really!

Ever since Leah was born we thought "someday, she's going take piano lessons." It's good for her development, math skills and focus. Plus, the ability to read music is a skill we both wish we studied. Last year, my Mom gave us the electric keyboard my sister learned on when we were growing up. It's a favorite toy for the girls and they often put on impromptu concerts. And we'd be OK with starting lessons on it. But, wouldn't it be COOL to have a REAL piano? Dave's Mom has one that belonged to her mom. We asked repeatedly for it but she's attached to it. She likes to hear the grandkids bang on it when we're over. And when we left the state, it became completely unattainable. And have you SEEN the prices for upright pianos? Thousands for a new one. Hundreds and hundreds for used ones. Even on Craig's List! And you have to tack on moving and tuning expenses. Not in the budget. So, when I saw someone on our neighborhood bulletin board

The Season's First Snow

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This week was our first snow fall. It didn't stick around long, but it was pretty.  Backyard Blanketed in Snow

Halloween Luminaries Get Ready for a Makeover

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Remember these Halloween lights I made out of salsa jars? Spooky, Right?  Well, never one to waste. I used a washable paint, so ... I washed them. Scrubbing Frankenstein The paint peeled right off with very little scrubbing and they're ready for some festive holiday usage. Not sure what that will be yet. I'll have to consult the Pinterest pins for some fantastic ideas. Waiting Creativity Will keep you posted!

Behold the Power of a Star Chart

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The Star Chart!  At the tender ages of 5 and 7, we're finally out of the potty-training, help-feeding, dress-you, do-everything-for-you stage that is baby and toddlerhood. And we're onto teaching these two girls how to be functioning humans, capable of taking care of themselves. (I'm a big proponent of teaching the concept of independence as early as possible.) To that end, we've been using a Star Chart for the last month or so and have seen some pretty good results, so I thought I'd share. Our chart is less about disciplining bad behavior (we did that last year) and more focused on nurturing good habits. Habits, after all, are formed by doing something 12 times, unless you're under age 10, then that number is more like 1,200. Our categories include: Brushing teeth, and hair. Make your bed. Dirty clothes in the basket. Tidy your own room. etc. Pretty simple daily habits most adults follow. My end game here is to reduce my nagging.  This script is ge

News Flash: Dog On the Way?

"He doesn't have a name yet, just a number." This is how he got me. I'm a softie, and, apparently that includes to animals, as well. There's backstory coming in a separate post but the NEWS FLASH is this: We might be adopting a dog. A DOG. He's 4-years-old and coming from a research lab. Rest assured, he's TOTALLY healthy -- but, he's had a very, very sheltered life. I won't go so far as say "abused" but not an ideal puppyhood. More on that later. I just feel ready to burst. We're adding another member to the family and I feel like I'm having a baby all over again. We have to buy supplies, get his "room" ready ... I need to read up on dogs books and manuals, because I know nothing. We should see a photo from when he's moved from the lab to a foster home to acclimate to a "home environment." (Awwww.) And we'll treat the first month as a trail period. We know other families who have adopted thro

Adventures in the Big Apple

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Mercer Street My weekend in New York City started with drinks with an old friend who loves in TriBeCa. We became fast friends years ago when we realize we read the same sappy/crazy young adult novels, and are both the mother of two girls. We drank wine/cider, snacked on bruschetta and talked books, work, parenting and more. There was much giggling. The next day, Dave and I roamed SoHo -- hitting some of my favorite boutiques and shops (Mariebelle, Purl, Scholastic Store, etc.). This includes the Orla Kiely shop where I don't so much as purchase but pay homage to the designer and her products. Had there been an alter, I might have fallen prostrate before it. Such is my zeal. We then enjoyed lunch at Bread on Broome Street, a favorite lunch spot back in the days when I worked in the neighborhood. The house tomato soup continues to be the best EVER. And with the rapid change that often happens in a city, it's nice when things stay the same.  The MET That eveni

NYC Here I Come

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I feel pretty darn lucky that I get to go to NYC as often as I do. And not for work, but for play. Once again, I'm tagging along on husband's trip to the city that was once home base. The city I know better than all other cities. And, since I'm kid-less (thanks Nana!), it will be all about ME! What do I want to do? I'm planning to meet up with pals (cocktails in Tribeca?!) Get to the MET at night again (a favorite activity) and roam my favorite SoHo boutiques. I love the timing of this trip, because I can start planning/buying holiday gifts. And even though David will be off on some work-related activities, it's still time just for the two of us. And, as I've often stated, walking through a city hand-in-hand with my hubby is one of my FAVORITE ways to pass a sunny afternoon. "Remember when it was just the two of us?" we'll say. Then, "We have to bring the girls on our next trip." Sigh. Hooray hooray! Rockefeller Center - That&

Why I love Football Season

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I haven't actually sat down and watched a game in, well, years but (as I've mentioned before) I love football season. Mostly because of this ... Thumbs Up! My adorable football fanatic husband will watch the NFL Red Zone channel for hours and do load after load after load of laundry.  I can putter, run errands or take the kids to a play (as I was about to do just before I took this picture) and he'll just keep washing and folding. Marvelous. Related links: More Family Room posts

The End of the Chevron -- Almost

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You know about my dining room curtains ... and how they're an awesome navy blue chevron (zig-zag) pattern. Well, since they went up, I've been working on incorporating the pattern on the other side of the room to "tie everything together" to use an interior designer term. Cuz, I'm fancy. Well, as of last night I finished the throw pillows. AND Target delivered my grey chevron slipper chair. So, yeah ... we're all chevron in this part of the house. Happy me!  I Made More Pillows!  Grey Chair - Brings Together Grey Walls and Zig-Zags Wellllll ... almost done. As I posted last week, the valences from the dining room are a GO . But I'm going to de-prioritize that work until the new year. My To-Make list is filled with holiday gift projects. It's that jolly time of year!  (Editor's Note: Grams, that's the chair you found on the Target website and sent to me. I did some comparison shopping, and that was the best deal and cha

Hello!

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I was having a good hair day, so I took a selfie to mark the occasion. 

Are Chevron Valance a GO?!

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That just looks awesome, am I right?  It's just a piece of test fabric leftover from pillow making, but finishes up this little windows perfectly. Matches everything. Yay!  Off to buy even more chevron fabric! 

More Halloween Bash Photos

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Just sharing a few more pictures from the Halloween Bash. Silly me, I didn't take any pics of the actual party, but a few friends did -- so I'll share them when I get a copy. "Mummy Dogs" -- Thank You Pinterest  Beverage Center ... Drink, Anyone? The Food Spread Across the Island. Who's Hungry? Scary Castle with Kid-Decorated M&M Embellishments "Beware" Of These DELICIOUS Cupcakes! More of My Dangling Spider Globes Dining Room - Spider Over the Table Happy Halloween!