I Spy Our Favorite Bookstore

We spent some time this afternoon at our favorite children's bookstore/coffeshop. Any place that makes both Hudson's and my "Favorite Places" list deserves frequent visits. (He still tries to convince me that I like Chuck-E-Cheese and I'm still try to get him to realize that Anthropologie is a fun place to hang out).



I love this table. It reminds me of a 3-D I Spy game. We enjoyed several rounds!

Every time I hang out at this place it makes me want to go home and re-decorate the boys' room with books, art, kid-friendly furniture, chalkboard surfaces, creative lighting... and perhaps a full-service coffee bar. Hmm...wondering if there's time for that this weekend...

Secret Snippets

I've got a couple secret projects going on right now that can not be revealed yet ; ) But here are a few glimpses of the rummaging, painting, and drawing that's been going on around here these past couple days in the name of said secret projects.



I'm excited about an ultra-girly girly night tonight with friends -- Chocolat ( I've never seen it), chocolate, wine, and comfy pants. What more could you ask for on a girls' night in? The boys are going to see some movie about stars and treking and some sort of intergalactic shootout. Weird.

Have a good one!

Safety's Free, People

My friend, Daniel, requested a print based on Isaiah 52:7 and I've made it available in an 8x10 size right here in my shop. The wood grain is from a discontinued wallpaper sample book I found in my grandpa's garage. And if you'd like to use it in any personal projects, you're welcome to it!

Just click on the wood grain image for the larger version then right click or drag it to your desktop.




And I just had to share these photos from our weekend at Nana and Pappy's house 'cause they crack me up. Safety is free, people, use it. : )

A Ghetto Mother's Day

Mother's Day festivities were spread out over a couple days. We spent the weekend in Daniel's home town with family. Daniel, his dad, and his brother went on a 100-mile bike ride (way to go!!)

Then today my mom, sister, and I went exploring in Over-The-Rhine, one of Cincinnati's rough areas that is slowly being turned around. It's full of hidden surprises...coffee shops, indie designer boutiques, green general stores, art stores...

We wound up at the Wooden Nickel Antiques shop--- a kind of urban graveyard for architectural salvage. We wandered up stairwells and down alleyways finding more hidden stashes of architectural remnants. It's as if, when the antique store filled up, they just started piling things in the rooms and courtyards of the surrounding abandoned buildings.


It was the perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom and sister--good coffee, good food, and urban treasure hunting. Hope you had a good one too!

The Champion

I just finished some cover art for The Champion and His Burning Flame. The band is releasing a digital album of their movie soundtrack. You can check out some video and music clips here!

We're heading out of town this weekend. Daniel is going on a 100-mile bike trip with his dad and brother and I will be catching up on some girl time with my mother and sisters-in-law.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Family Ties

(granny)

I spent the last two days at my grandparent's house sifting through old photographs, admiring Granny's vintage dresses, roasting marshmallows, taking photos, and swinging on the porch swing. Taking photos has been a coping mechanism for me since my grandma passed away a couple weeks ago. I've been relishing all the details of her home and everything in it, most of which hasn't changed since I've been alive---soaking in, documenting, rediscovering the sights, the sounds, the textures that remind me of her...




I've also been collecting textures and images (like this light blue flower pattern from one of granny's blouses) for a BIG project that kicked off this week. But more on that later : )

Summer Salad

I love salads! I try to eat one almost every day. And I'm not talking about a bowl of iceberg lettuce drowning in ranch. I'm talking about mixed greens, fresh herbs, veggies, toasted nuts and seeds, sliced fruit, marinated tofu, feta cheese, avocado, red onions, homemade dressing... the good stuff!

My friend made this salad for us the other night and I had to have it again! So I made it for friends last night. It's just cucumber, red onion, fresh dill, fresh mint (from our yard : ) ), and feta cheese. I added a little pepper and a dash of olive oil too. It's addictive!



This guy loves salad too, AND the dirt from which it comes. Seriously, I don't know what his deal is. He loves eating mud. And when we sweep, it's a mad rush to keep him from eating out of the dust pan. It's disturbing. But we love him anyways.