requies

I spent my weekend reading Buffy Season 9 comics and snacking on delicious cheese and crackers. Basically, another great weekend! What did you do to relax?

Thanksgiving was heavenly, there were so many precious moments. I hope this pastiche of pictures conveys how relaxing and joyful our time with family was. Thanks for sharing your home with us Nathan, Michele and Baby Henry!

Leftovers, Dominion and Die Hard, a Christmas tradition in the making!

Sorry I've been incommunicado for a while. We had to post grades for this quarter and had parent teacher conferences, so I was pretty busy! But, I was able to record some of the best parts of my week with my phone, so I thought I'd share!

I made this fall garland out of paper leaves. I bought them from Paper Source, don't you love that place? And, we enjoyed the first fire in our fireplace! We've never had a fireplace before, it's pretty fantastic.

One morning, my windshield was covered in ice. This did not make me smile, until I took a closer look.

The crystals took my breath away! So pretty. 

This next picture is kind of gross, but it's perfect for Halloween!

One of my students scraped her elbow and bled on her homework. I thought it was really funny that she left me a note explaining that it was an accident and apologizing, as if I would think she did it on purpose. Ha!

What things have been making you smile this week?

This weekend, I got to meet a blogging celebrity, Mollie of Wild Olive! I was so happy that I felt well enough to go meet her and other crafty ladies in St. Charles.

Mollie brought lots of goodies to make felt pins.

This is what I made! It's supposed to be a ball of yarn, but it looks like a cute mummy head, to me!

Ack! Sweetness overload!! These get well notes were left in my folder full of stuff to grade. So sweet!

I stayed home from work today with a pretty bad cold. Bummer. But, to cheer myself up, I've been lounging around in my flannel jammies, and treated myself to a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin with coffee. Probably not the best food for recovering, but it did make me happy!

What do you do to cheer yourself up when you're sick?

Are you going?! I'm going!! I've wanted to go for years now and the stars have finally aligned. Soo excited!

This summer I've watched a lot of TV. Specifically, Mad Men, Star Trek the Next Generation and Twin Peaks. I don't consider myself a very stylish person, but I am just so in love with some of the attire I've seen in these shows I had to talk about it.

I mean, look at that turtleneck! The puffy collar and the primary color stripes really bring it to the next level. Just kidding.

Everyone talks about how great the styling is in Mad Men, but I'm going to focus on one thing, brooches.

I love them. I actually have 3 brooches, but I don't wear them that much. I also never know exactly where to pin them. I wouldn't have thought to pin them right by my shoulder, I'm going to try that.

Twin Peaks is fabulous. It's about as 90's as it gets. The show opened my eyes to a totally new phenomenon, saddle shoes!! I want a pair so bad. I think I could pull them off. I have to say I really love the skirt Audrey Horne is wearing, too. But, I could never wear it to work because it looks too much like what my students have to wear. Or should I say "get to wear," it's so stinking cute!

I also love Donna Hayward's hair. I even rag rolled my hair in an attempt to emulate it! 

What do you think? Yes, I agree that I need to clean that mirror badly  and work on my self portrait photography skills but I meant the hair. Is it a keeper?

I saw this questionnaire from Craftzine on Wild Olive earlier this month and thought I would share my own answers. You should, too! Click on the button to get one for your own blog and answer this survey yourself. It's fun to be reflective every once in a while!

One project you are particularly fond of
1. The Shale baby blanket. I think the pattern is a work of art! and I love that I wouldn't have been able to knit it two years ago. Yay for progress!

Two mistakes you've made in the past
1. Not thinking about how my actions affect others.
2. Ruining a sweater (and its yarn) by trying to salvage the yarn. I basically just cut it in half, what was I thinking?!

Three things that make your work unique
1. For knits: I try to use timeless designs with classic colors.
2. For embroidery: I'm basically just making up stitches as I go!
3. For cooking: Recipes with few ingredients.

Four tools you love to use
1. Interchangeable circular needles
2. Food processor
3. New dutch oven!
4. Ceramic loaf pans

Five inspirations (I'm going to limit myself to people who inspire me creatively. There are so many spiritual and professional role models in my life!)
1. Allison Gray. When I first saw her knitting, I knew I wanted to do it too! Not to mention the well of inspiration that is her blog.
2. Jared Flood. He shows me how beautiful knits can be.
3. Mollie Johanson. She makes embroidery seem easy!
4. Ashley Ann. Her photography and crafts are incredible, but her informative directions make them very accessible.
5. Judy Clack (my mother in law). I love her confidence that enables her to try new things, like watercolor painting!

If you answer these questions on your own blog, be sure to share a link in the comments. I'd love to read it! Also share it with Craftzine by clicking on the button at the top.

Just wanted to share some pictures from the Farmer's Market this weekend. This week I'll share two farmer's market inspired recipes, so stay tuned!