Ahead of the game

I seem to be ahead of the game this holiday season.  I've been making realistic lists and ticking things off said list like a boss.  I've even taken the time to use my hand-carved stamps to decorate said lists because I just like looking at a pretty list way more than a blank, boring list. Yes, lists make me happy and keep me on track and I've needed a guide to help me get to the finish line before we jump in the car and head to Southern California for the holidays.

The last week was all about getting our packages out to loved ones with enough time to spare so that they arrive before xmas.  And by Tuesday, I was done.

This year family members and very close friends will receive the hand-letterpressed poem that Grady had published this summer over at mamalode.com, along with a family photo and a print of Grady's painting, Invisible World, that will be published in the coming spring.

A calm has settled over our home this season and we're working really hard on keeping the crazy from entering our little abode.  So far, it's worked - but we have had to remind ourselves to check in with each other, look at the calendar and discuss whether or not we just want to fill it up or leave it blank.  And I have to say, it's definitely like stretching a new muscle.  My first inclination is to add it to our calendar, but seeing a stretch of days with nothing on them except work and Grady's basketball practices has been a nice, welcome change.

Steve and Grady went down to San Francisco to see the Hockney exhibit at the de Young Museum and, just like I thought, they were amazed by the body of work of this prolific artist.  We had previously watched a Hockney documentary and thumbed through every page of the exhibit coffee table book and picked our favorites.  G was impressed with the Yosemite works that were produced by using the Brushes Application on the iPad.  Steve loved the massive video installations.  I'm so glad they had this father and son outing and enjoyed hearing their take on this masterful artist.

Grady decided to get all of his hair cut off after his basketball last weekend.  We found a wonderful stylist located next to one of my favorite thrift stores.  Kismit, I tell you.  He looks so different!  He's in love with himself and can't stop looking in the mirror or touching his newly chopped locks.

The annual dog biscuit making happened and I went ahead and doubled the recipe and set about churning them out for our canine friends.

Our evenings have been filled with cribbage matches between the guys, while I clean up the remains of dinner and the day.  This bonding over cards has been sweet to witness.  There is a lot of math happening but, more importantly, the gentle ribbing and smack-talking that accompanies this nightly match makes me smile as I shuffle around the house and overhear bits and pieces of their father-son banter.  Grady finally beat his father this week for the first time.  A big, big event around here.

The only social obligation we had on the calendar last weekend was the annual Jenner Xmas party.  We have been attending this social event since Grady was two years old and we were deemed honorary Jennerites from our dear friend, Cheryl.  She pours her heart into this little event and finds delight in the children sitting on Santa's lap, singing carols and having them swirl all around here during this small-town soiree.

I asked Steve to bring his tripod and snap a group photo for all of us.  Bert is acting like a grizzly bear and Isabella is channeling her inner-zombie, but I love it.  It's exactly what I wanted and needed to remember this beautiful day, surrounded by our goddaughters and our favorite Jenner friends.

We all talked about mixing it up next year and skipping the Jenner Community party, but we all agreed we wanted more time with just the nine of us.  Cold bubbly in front of the tree and the children reading my favorite holiday book The Twelve Days of Christmas [Correspondence] by John Julius Norwich.

What a beautiful way to end this quiet, intentional week.

Spring Break

I don't remember my spring breaks as a kid.  I know we didn't travel anywhere.  My family didn't really take vacations, unless you count driving across the I-10 desert to visit family in South Phoenix in the middle of summer a vacation.  

G had big plans for his vacation and we made a list of projects and places he wanted to visit during his week off from school.  San Francisco for the night was one of our plans.

We hit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on their Free Tuesday.  It was a bit of a hot mess of people and the museum was really warm.  We went up to the roof top sculpture garden to check out this Calder piece and then went to their museum store (which is one of the main reasons I like to visit this museum).

The Cartoon Art Museum was next on our list and just around the corner.  I didn't have high hopes for this little museum, but it really delivered.  A great Chuck Jones' exhibit and a small show featuring children's book illustrators.  Carson Ellis is one of our favorites and she illustrates the Wildwood series written by her husband, Colin Meloy.

The museum was interesting and not overwhelming.  G even got to watch a little Looney Tunes episode while we took in the exhibit.

The #1 thing our son wanted to do on our trip to San Francisco was to become a card-carrying member of the San Francisco Main Library.  Yes, it's true.  He signed up online, selected the artwork for his library card (very cool feature!) and then promptly walked up a flight of stairs towards the children's literature section and plopped 28 books into his bag.  He started reading them as soon as we got in the car.

They are due back in three weeks and it looks like we'll be getting another city fix later this month when we return them back to their rightful home on Larkin Street.

I love living in the country, but there is something about the energy of a big city.  The conveniences, restaurants and people-watching are fascinating.  We ran a few needed errands and stumbled upon good food & drink along the way.

A major farmers' market was happening just down the street from City Hall and the SF Main Library.  We each grabbed lunch (or a Nutella Waffle for brekkie) from different vendors and grabbed a table in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the market.

I was inspired to do my shopping here while the guys played a game of catch on the open green space in front of City Hall.  

We also took time to grab a few ice cream cones at Bi-Rite Creamery in the Mission and Oh. My. God.  Ever have a salted caramel ice cream cone?  Transcendent.  We'll definitely have to add that on to our day when we come back to return library books.

Art was ever-present this week.  G has been on an origami mission and has been creating hundreds of miniature origami yodas.  The faces are all unique and sweet.  He created this origami installation in his art studio that I absolutely love.

It must be like a quiet meditation for him.  He turns on his boom box, listens to Harry Potter books on CD and spends hours folding paper.

Lime Curd Tart
Spanish Frittata
Birds of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman

Upon arriving home from the city with bags full of fresh produce and a hosting duty the next evening for book club, I set to making & baking in the kitchen.  I can't believe I've never made a frittata.  We have an egg glut at the moment and it was a great way to whittle it down to a manageable stash.

I made this lime curd tart several years back and it totally delivered.  I used some of my frozen blackberries from last summer on top and it was beautiful and delicious.

G is working on paintings for his upcoming show this summer with Scott Van Cleemput.  He's studying with a local watercolorist and has painted about 10 canvases.  He just needs to put the finishing touches on them and spray with a UV coating.  I can't wait for the show to come together.

His watercolor "Their King" was exhibited in the art show & gala fundraiser kicking off the 40th Annual Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival.  He received word this week that he wasn't accepted in the Local Art Tent at the festival and was a little deflated, but having his work displayed at the gala seemed to offset those feelings (for him, not me!).  I'm really proud of his hard work and dedication to his art.

We packed in a little indoor fun on Saturday, as the days of spring break were coming to a close.  We hit up some indoor soccer and then an afternoon at Cal Skate with his buddy Keegan.  The boys are not the best skaters and fell quite often, but they didn't give up and had a really good time.

I saved the best for last.

Grady and Steve spent a good portion of this week working quietly, patiently and determinedly on the San Luis Obispo Mission project for G's 4th grade class assignment.  G led the charge with ideas of sugar cubes, popsicle sticks, barnyard animals and mini vineyard placement.  They used a lot of math skills in trying to make this model to scale, glue and creative energy.  They slowly problem-solved and it was a treat to see them so engaged with this project.

G woke up early yesterday morning, on his first day back to school after spring break, quickly dressed, ate breakfast and was anxious to hoist his mission into his very own arms and have his father take him to school and turn it in.

I hope they get a good grade on it. ;-)

My January Cure

It's hard to believe it's been 10 days since I last wrote in this space.  The days have been flying by.

My world lately

I'm 20 days into my January Cure and it feels so good.  My goal project for the month was to give a little love to a dead corner in my living room, which houses the mammoth red hutch we've had since we got married.  To that end, I've purged and reorganized the cabinets & shelves and turned it into a proper bar, complete with all of our glassware, booze & Italian ice bucket that Jill gave me for Xmas.  I've also added a small rug & removed the huge painting that Steve was never a fan of (however, it now resides in our bedroom?!) and have plans to hang some new art on the wall nearest the hutch.

I've also done the daily assignments of the January Cure and made lists (oh, how I love a list), did a major kitchen purge & cleaning, decluttered books (hard!) and media, performed a closet overhaul for myself and will tackle my dreaded jewelry hutch today.

1.  Newly sanded & oiled counter tops
2.  Anna Erickson's new mobile chicken coop
3.  Living room BEFORE photo
4.  My nightstand on-deck stack
5.  New corner in my bedroom (art moved from living room + new lampshade)

I even got Steve in on the action and he sanded and oiled our kitchen counter tops.  They look beautiful!  He also retrofitted our kitchen credenza, so that now I could keep larger items in a more convenient and accessible spot behind on the newly created shelves that live behind the little doors.  Oh, it feels so good to walk into our home right now.  Light and airy, clean, organized and calm.

My illness took hold last week and I had a small relapse.  I think I was pushing myself too hard and decided to clear my calendar as much as possible for the week.  It helped.  Rest and the cancellation of night meetings also did my psyche some good.  As in the past, all I really want to do in January is stay home, nest, cook, read and take care of my guys.

4th grade basketball buddies + Valentine card production

We jumped in and started working on our Valentine project and G completed (ahead of schedule, even) his class Valentine cards.  They turned out super cute.

Last week, a Montana artist asked me to sit for her and she drew my portrait for a future show.  She has also asked to draw Grady and I can't wait to see it all come together.  I had the giggles while she painted me, as it was a bit odd to have someone staring at you and know that they are interpreting your face and mannerisms.  It will be a fun show and I'll update the progress here.  Here's a link to her work.  She lives here during the winters and is best friends with my farmer friend, Anna.  They built this amazing mobile chicken coop (pictured at the top of the blog).  Those girls can do anything.

I went 18 days without drinking and feel really good about it.  I have been waking up early every morning and getting a lot of work done around the house and on my consulting gigs.  Evening tea has replaced my evening cocktail and I've been in bed most nights by 9 pm.  This body and mind needed refueling.

I've been witness to so many sunrises this month.  Every time I witness a sunrise, I think it's the most beautiful.  Pictures never do it justice, but I keep trying.

January shadows & silhouettes

The light in January is my favorite.  In the late afternoon it spills into my kitchen and is a honey-colored gold.  It casts these amazing shadows throughout the day and I can't help but take lots of photos of our silhouettes.

"Their King" by Grady Salas Hecht, age 9-3/4

Last week was the Fisherman's Festival Art Contest.  Grady entered an amazing watercolor and had his heart set on winning.  It was not to be.  He did end up as a finalist out of 38 entries and I'm just so proud of him.  It was an emotional defeat to my little man, but a really good teaching moment about hard word, perseverance and pushing forward with his art.  We took him out Friday night to get this piece of art professionally framed to hang in our home.  I can't wait to display it and give it a place of honor in our living room.

These glasses have been a great source of humor with our family this week

The days of January have been good to Grady.

• Basketball practice & games (they are winning!)
• Birthday parties and trips to the beach.
• Father-son dates to the bowling alley.  The park.  Honeymoon frozen yogurt.  The car wash.  Yes, the car wash.  Steve let him roll down the window and stick his head out.  He thought it was the coolest thing ever.
• G's been reading what I like to call comfort books.  BFG by Roald Dahl, poetry by Shel Silverstein, Calvin & Hobbes and Harry Potter.
• He's working on a future art show with Scott Vancleemput wherein he will interpret Scott's photography into watercolor paintings.  He's gathered the images and will begin lessons in earnest next week with his teacher.

Returning our Gifts from the Sea at Doran Beach

The beach called our name today and we answered it.  With all the purging and organizing I've been doing, I rounded up a few jars of rocks, sea glass and the like and decided it was time to return it to Mother Nature.  There's something so magical about going to the beach.  Time kind of stops and you can sit, stare at the horizon and think.  Or not.  We hadn't been since New Year's Day and it was warm and gorgeous.  G quickly shed his boots & sock and rolled up his pants.  He played pickle with the ocean and tried to outrun the crashing tides.  The waves were huge today and our treasures quickly found their way back to their rightful home.

Peace Out + Mom

On the way back to our car G told me "Mom, going to the beach is WAY better than playing video games."  

Yes, yes it is.

Advent Fun + Skating + Crafting

I have been having so much fun with the Advent Calendar this year.  Each morning I stuff the little red envelope with something fun to do and it's worked out quite nicely.

Principal's List for the 1st time!  Calvin & Grady only two from 4th grade with 4.0 GPAs

The rains have stopped, but the roads were flooded due to the run off from the hillsides.  Between Steve and myself, we trekked to G's school five times in one day.  Between drop off, honor roll award presentation, mobile library, basketball practice & the high school mentoring program meetings...well, let's just say we logged the miles on this day and didn't get very far away from home.

Reflection tree on Highway One near Erickson Ranch & flooding on Hwy One @ Moreda Ranch

Bake & Drink

This stormy weather makes me want to hunker down and turn on my oven.  I made short ribs for the first time this week and they were absolutely delicious.  This entire meal will make a repeat performance the next time we have the occasion for a dinner party.  Also, it's been forever since I made cookies and the advent calendar gave me just the excuse I needed to whip up a few batches for the guys.

The week is drying out and the guys took the opportunity to play a little mush ball and have a little father-son bonding time.

Advent Day #7 did not disappoint

We got around to putting up our little funky vintage silver xmas tree.  We pulled out ornaments, played a little xmas music and had a quiet dinner together.  We were all a little spent from our day, so it was simple and sweet.

I don't ever remember making a gingerbread house as a kid.  Maybe we did?  If so, I just can't remember.  Last year I bought a little kit from Trader Joe's and G loved building it with his dad.  We did the same thing this year.  

Our sweet goddaughter, Isabella, turned 11 years old last weekend and wanted to celebrate at Cal Skate roller rink in Rohnert Park.  Be still my heart.  I had instant flashbacks to when I used to reign as Queen of the Limbo Contest at Roller City in 1978.  I used to order suicides (a concoction of every soda pop they had mixed into one big, gross cup) and skate backwards.  I used to wear white, so I would glow when they turned off the lights and the black lights would go on near the stage.  My mom used to drop me off there all alone and I'd skate for six hours straight.  My heaven.

Roller Derby Wannabes
Mother-Son skates
G playing it cool during the hokey-pokey

I donned a pair of skates with the other moms, but let me tell you - it was not like riding a bike.  Oh, it was harder than I remember, but really, really fun.  Grady tried to play it cool, but he had a bit of a time getting around the rink.  By the end of the day, he held my hand and told me I was pretty good.  A high compliment coming from him.

Homemade hot cocoa + marshmallows

We made our way over to Bodega on Sunday morning for a five hour craft workshop with Stacy *Wonder Woman* Finke at G's old preschool.  This woman oozes style & creativity at every turn.  Upon walking up to the little red schoolhouse, you are instantly greeted with hand-felted garland, stenciled welcome signs & pom-pom ornaments.

G did a little making and then volunteered to work with the little ones outside.  They climbed trees and ran around.  A little two year old named, Ezra, was Grady's shadow for most of the day.  He also joined forces in the afternoon with two alumni from his preschool class, Spencer & Bella, and they got permission to go climb the hillsides across from the school yard.  Oh, how the little boys wanted to go with the big kids.  The perched themselves on the picket fence and patiently waited until they came barreling down the hill, laughing and talking - as big kids do.

Bubbly + Glitter Paper = Super Fantastic Day

I set out in earnest to learn block printing & carving and had great success - thanks, again, to Ms. Finke's guidance & tutorials.  

I then proceeded to make felted acorns, stationary and a glitter bunting to use for the holidays and beyond.  Stacy rounded out the day by serving the kids cookies & milk and the ladies all received chilled bubbly.  And before you knew it...five hours had passed.

New bunting adorning the dining room
Day Ten :: Play Xmas Music All. Night Long.
Tea + wrapping tools
New hand carved stamps

Day 10 found me a little bit exhausted from all the fun we had over the weekend, but I rallied and turned my dining room table into Santa's workshop.  I pulled together gifts for my sister and her girls, as well as Kacy's family.  I wrapped & adorned all of the packages and even got them in the mail today, on time and as planned.  I think that crafting workshop got me motivated and I wanted to make every gift as pretty as I could.

This week was beautiful.

And fun.

This week filled me up creatively.

And exhausted me just a little bit.

Drinking tea today.

Getting ready to do it all over again this week.

Oh, yes.

Make :: Crayon Cupcakes

We have amassed hundreds of crayons over the years and they all cohabit in a large tear drop shaped jar with a snug lid.  Some were gifted, some were purchased and some are almost eight years old and quite brittle.  G rarely colors with crayons anymore, as he's more interested in fancy pencils, sharpies, graphite utensils, paint and duct tape (more on that later).

When I stumbled upon a short tutorial on Pinterest (my newest addiction...go on, try it, you'll probably like it, too), I knew I would definitely have to give it a go and do a little Sunday project with the boy.  He decided these would be given to his classmates right before the xmas break.

It was super easy and fun.  Although I did learn a thing or two in the process.  We ended up making three dozen and had to trash the first batch because I was too impatient and tried to take them out of the pan too early.  Lesson learned.

1.  Remove paper from crayons.
2.  Break or cut into 1/2" pieces.
3.  Place liners in a muffin tin (or use a silicone muffin tin - which I would definitely use next time, as some wax leaked down the side and ended up in the bottom of the pan).
4.  Place your chopped crayons in the liners and fill up to the top.
5.  Bake at 235 degrees for approximately 20 minutes (or until melted).
6.  Cool for 20 minutes (do not remove liners w/ wax until completely cool or liner will most likely rip - or at least mine did!).

I would definitely refrain from using dark colors next time (purple, brown, black and the like), as they dominated the finished product.

Once the new crayon cupcakes are formed and solid, you can remove the liner paper.  I'm going to leave the papers on and slip into a cellophane sleeve or envelope for gifting.  It's kind of fun to unwrap the liner on the crayon cupcake and see the pattern on the bottom.

It's sort of like a tie-dyed crayon.

It was a really simple, virtually free and such a wonderfully colorful project.  Plus, we liked the end result.  I hope his classmates will, too.

UPDATE:  Found this little tutorial after I published this post.  I would definitely try to make solid colored or two-toned crayons next time.  Nicer finished product and the fact that she added glitter?  Genius.

Make :: Stuffies

I checked out a book from the bookmobile last week called Sewing School :: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make by Amie Petronis Plumley & Andria Lisle.  I didn't know if the book was more for Grady or myself.  When G perused the book, he quickly selected the project he wanted to work on - Stuffies - and I set out to collect muslin, batting, felt & other supplies he would need in order to complete this project.

He illustrated, colored in with crayons, ironed/set the color, threaded the needle and began sewing a whipstitch with supplies gifted to him by our neighbor, Beula.  He stuffed it with batting and kept saying sweet things like I can't believe I"m actually making this!   


He was very proud of his very own Hobbes creation and can't wait to make others for his friends this xmas.

Gentle reminder:  Buy handmade this holiday season or from an independent store/merchant.  Better yet, make something yourself.  What could be better?