What Ana Does

Gosh, it's been awhile since I've listed out all the things I'm totally digging these days. Yikes! Since I'm home full-time, the list is slightly different (no audiobooks, as I'm not commuting more than an hour each day), but it's still me. In my continuing quest to tap-into the creative parts of my brain that have been on lockdown for so long, I've been experimenting with  doodle drawing and lettering . I've never been good at drawing but the doodles are simple line drawings  that make it simple to eye. I may even get out the watercolor! At night I've been reading the Clarice Bean chapter book series by Lauren Child to the girls. We all love it. Clarice has a similar voice as Junie B. and Violet Mackeral, that's childish and funny (in a good way) but she's also got good advice to share. We're having fun discussing the plot points and what might happen next. And having a chapter book waiting for me at bedtime makes the routine go...

Here's one for the scrapbook. It's Sunday afternoon and Leah's at a sleepover and all is quiet in Alice's room. I'm puttering around the house and Dave is watching football. I love quiet afternoons like this. Alice has been down a few times for supplies, including a coach pillow she needed to have in her room "forever." Later, I'm getting her ready for bed and finally enter her room. Here's what I find: Three pillows set-up with blanket "chairs" and a swatch of doll hair taped to each pillow. There are hair brushes on each pillow. The Barbie is set up on a "desk" ready for the demonstration of how to correctly brush hair. Nearby, three dolls now have much shorter hair. Is it wrong that I just laughed and laughed? Anyway, she quickly enrolls me in her hair brushing class, which I pass with flying colors -- I'm happy to add. Alice is an excellent instructor and shows me a few times the right technique. ...

This new year is going to be IT! THE YEAR! Here's how I know ... it's an even year and, in my life, many of the BEST things happen in an even year. Births, graduations, exciting trips -- all in even years. So, good things are coming. What will you be reading about in 2014 on this blog? Here's the rundown: - dropping a minimum of 10lbs. I know it's cliche to set a weight-lose goal in the new year, but this IS happening, people. I've got goals, help, incentives and a 10-week challenge. But, never fear, this blog will not turn into a weigh-loss diary -- because that's just lame.  Selfie in NYC - making dolls. I've been inspired by the dollies that I see on Etsy and in the Kiki and Coco book to hand-make a doll. Or two. Or more, if it's fun. I ordered a doll from Etsy that I'll use as a sample and we'll go from there. If all goes well, no surprise what the nieces will get for Christmas next year.  - continue house projects. Thi...

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

I'm currently in love with this adorable picture book. It fuels my Parisian obsession each time I read it to the kids. The photographs are beautiful, the story is perfectly charming and the doll is so cute! I want to go to Paris with Kiki and Coco! Relate posts: Read more of my book posts