Happy Birthday!

pardon me, in advance.... for being one of those grandmas....
Yep... I'm about to show you photos of my grandbug!! It was his very first birthday on Thursday!! YAY!

I can't even begin to explain how quickly this year has flown...

he got a sandbox to play in

and a firetruck to ride on!

and lots of cake!
Isn't he adorable????
ok... I'm done bragging for now......

Quote of the Day

"Fall down. Make a mess. Break something occasionally. Know that your mistakes are your own unique way of getting you where you need to be. And remember that the story is never over. "
- Conan O'Brien
" Harvard Commencement Address"

McDonalds - Free Chicken Biscuit or Chicken Sandwich

Free is good!

McDonalds is giving away Free Chicken Biscuit in the morning or Chicken Sandwiches in the afternoon! Tomorrow - May 15th!

check it out here... http://cep.mcdonalds.com/foodnews/biscuit/

Quote of the Day

"Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones."
- Phillips Brooks

Happy Mother's Day

a friend forwarded me this in a e-mail a while ago... I thought it was so appropriate to share it with all of you today!

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,

"I have a continuing program of research, [what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

Quote of the Day

"Find the good.
It's all around you.
Find it, showcase it, and you'll start believing in it."
- JESSE OWENS

A to Z .... things I love "D" version

D is for.....

DROOG -

I came upon these amazingly innovative designers on 2Modern.com...

they're fabulous!

I love how they describe themselves...

"Our products and projects connect with the individual, the user. They deal with slowness, memories, nostalgia, re-use, craftsmanship, nature. They generate experience, interaction, participation, products that are easily to comprehend, have meaning, tell stories; products that are meant to be cherished and not discarded without thought."

David Horvitz I can't even remember how I happened to stumble upon David Horvitz... but I get such a kick out of reading his blog...

here it is... http://davidhorvitz.com/blog/ (make sure to check out the archives, too!)

He also has a section where he will do things (for a price)... I love this!!!

For example... for $1,626 he will go to the small Okinawan island called Taketomi and send you an envelope filled with star-sand! (Isn't it so beautiful!?!)

or... for $250 he will read the Little Prince in front of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in the middle of a work day. He will send you photograph documentation of this. (or: if you give him $1000 he will buy as many copies of the Little Prince as he can and give them away to people leaving the New York Stock Exchange after a days work)

DWELL ... love the magazine... love the website...

LOVE THE DWELL homes!

hard to believe that these are "pre-fab" homes, no?

Do Frame Tape ... designed by Marti Guixe ...

how fun is this???

The brilliant Do Frame Tape can be used to 'frame' anything.

Turn pictures, posters into exhibition standard artworks instantly. There's enough tape per roll to create an admirable collection of fine art! Buy it here at the Design Museum Shop!

The Dinner Party Invite... I see that this print is no longer for sale in her shop but DazeyChic has lots more cool stuff!!

According to the artist, she...

"believes that art prints should be special. That is why we have NO runs over 200!

My Limited Editions are printed 25 times or less and I stand by that!

There are no surprise prints popping up after the limited number has sold out.

You can feel great about your purchase knowing it is not a mass produced piece.

Each print here is meaningful and truly special...and we love that!"

Yep.. I love that too! I just wish I would have gotten this one before they sold out!!

Quote of the Day

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
- Eleanor Roosevelt

A to Z today is all about C

is for.....

Copper rivet series necklace
by Timothy Adams

a self taught metal artist.... because, "Everyone needs a little metal in their life."

a steal at only $35! ...he has lots of other very cool stuff too... check it out here

Campfire Goods, Inc. …Good Typography, Good Design, and Good Humor! ... (and as far as I can tell.... nothing to do with camping! Except perhaps that the T's are a little "campy"!)

...three graphic designers/illustrators/printmakers who are looking to spread state and city pride worldwide! They have great typographic t's too - check them out here. Very reasonable prices too!

Chimo fireplace... is this the coolest fireplace or what? I want this!

It mounts on any wall with no need for a chimney, gas line or professional installation. Enjoy a fabulous fireplace anywhere!

The secret is that the flame is generated from Ethanol which is a safe, clean burning fuel that is completely organic and made from renewable resources like corn, potatoes, wheat and other vegetables.

Furthermore, Ethanol is green since it is not a fossil-fuel and burning it does not increase the greenhouse effect like other fuels.

You can find it here.

Comfort Food... I love cheese fondue... and I've made mine from scratch in the past, but quite frankly - this is better! and sooo quick and easy.. and so tasty! Some good, crusty bread, a little wine .... oh now I'd love to have some of this while sitting by that fireplace!

Cities wall decorations....

aren't these cool? I love words... fonts....typography.... I love the clean lines of these have too. They're by Granada Design®and you can find them here!

Quote of the Day

"The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams.
The oak sleeps in the acorn. "
- James Allen

A to Z ....today we're on B

B is for.....

Beads –

noun... a small, usually round object of glass, wood, stone, or the
like with a hole through it, often strung with others of its kind in necklaces,
rosaries, etc.

I guess since I am a "jewelry artisan" that beads would naturally be a favorite thing.... I'm particularly fond of vintage beads, pearls, metal, and semi-precious stones....I guess I discovered this passion for beads while I was in Massachusetts years ago and went to my first official bead store...... I was like a kid in a candy store!! I didn't yet know that my passion for collecting beads would turn into a passion for creating jewelry.

Books - ok... so I'm a bit of a book snob... I really only like hardcover books. Something about the printed word, bound in such a way... hmmmm... even the smell of books. I love libraries, and bookstores.... I LOVE books... The smell, the feel, the words and the pictures, the "right at your fingertips" knowledge they contain. It amuses me that I can learn different things from the same book at different stages of my life... I love to go back to them years later and re-read them to discover new things.... Books I'm reading (or re-reading) now?
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert... a great book to take to the beach this summer!

... I have to admit... the "eat" part was my favorite!

Bacon - I think I could easily be a vegatarian if it weren't for bacon. No other "meat" calls to me like this one. I like it extra crispy....hmmmm... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! My husband and I could easily eat an entire pound of bacon with our Sunday brunch!

Anyone remember these? Flashback: 1981 - Holiday Bacon Appetizers

I know I'm not alone... there are even entire blogs dedicated to the fabulous flavor of bacon! http://www.baconunwrapped.com/
http://baconshow.blogspot.com/

Brave Space Design

A Brooklyn-based design company producing playful, modern high-end furnishings that are durable and environmentally sustainable.

Biggs & Featherbelle

..a health conscious company that promotes the healing elements of Mother Nature by creating body care products free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and additives. Quality ingredients and research are infused in every handmade Biggs & Featherbelle product.

Many Biggs & Featherbelle soaps are vegan and all are vegetarian.

Quote of the Day

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
- George Bernard Shaw

(one of my very favorite quotes)

A to Z things I like

A is for....

The Alexander handbag.....

by mandinka

... the perfect size for everyday use and looks great with business attire as well as jeans and a Tee. All of madinka's bags are made entirely of suit coat parts (inside and out) ! Great, stylish way to "upcycle" !!

hmmmm.... roasted asparagus! I'm so glad spring is here.... asparagus season!

I found this simple, yet amazingly good recipe on use real butter

a blog I've come to love too!
I found "use real butter" on tastespotting... another one of my favorite places to go to drool.

ARMSLEEVES by treehouse28 Alix (of treehouse28) is amazing... she designs all of the pieces from scratch and doesn't use commercial patterns. Her style is unique with a sense of simplicity and comfort..... fabulous one-of-a-kind pieces that are made out of eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp and bamboo.

She has a lot of de-constructed pieces, flowy silhouettes, and intricate details on the hems, sleeves and collars. Check out her shop!

Alstroemeria - also known as the Peruvian lily - is one of my all time favorite flowers.

Meaning
Wealth, prosperity, fortune

I got a big bunch of these for Easter and they stayed beautiful for over 2 weeks!! LOVE having fresh flowers around.

Quote of the Day

"A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it."
-Unknown Author

May 1st is SPACE DAY!

Tomorrow, MAY 1st, is Space Day and International Space Day
which is always the first Thursday in May

According to Holiday Insights... "Space Day gives you the opportunity participate in the excitement and fascination of space. It's a topic of interest to millions, old and young alike. It's a topic as broad as the universe. "

Originally started to get America's youth interested in math and science, Space Day focuses upon creating an interest and awareness of all kinds of topics and issues related to space. This holiday caught on quickly, and became wildly popular.

So how will you celebrate Space Day???

Find an event near you and ...go!

Visit a science center, or observatory.

Buy a "Man in the Moon" necklace from monaco designs!

Get out your telescope and view the heavens.

Buy a "Man in the Moon" necklace from monaco designs!

Watch television documentaries on space.

Buy a "Man in the Moon" necklace from monaco designs!

hmmm... I see a trend here.....