sing for your supper

Last night I enjoyed watching one of my all time favorite bands,  Over the Rhine at a night show at World Cafe Live.  It was the perfect mix of the joys and sorrows of real life.  Sung by a slinky soulful voice overlapped with ever illusive sounds of the clicking, clacking, beating, thumping, key tapping, string plucking band, it's obvious they love what they do.  They're made up a a long-lasting husband and wife team, partners in crime as they like to call themselves and their small group of young, yet extremely talented musicians.  Sitting at a candle-lit table, listening to Karin's smokey voice full of a thousand layers was exactly what I wanted.  If feels good to be completely content in that place when you know you're doing just what you should be at just the right moment.  Dinner there was nothing to speak of, but it matters not when surrounded by good company and wonderful music.  I don't know how many other contented faces I saw there,  but it seemed we were each in our own little worlds while they played, including the band members themselves.  If you haven't heard them yet, they're worth a listen and a detour during the daily computer induced hazy-eyed happenings.  One never needs a good excuse to be inspired and to let your thoughts ride along the hills and valleys and heart stirring beats of some really good music :)  The new album, The Long Surrender, also features a guest appearance by Lucinda Williams if any of you are fans.

out with the old...

It's a lovely Sunday here, the kind were we are all together in one place, including Howie B :)  Keira Belle got a new handmade quilt from her Grandma Sue and it's already a favorite.  She's talking up a storm today and obviously enjoying the day as much as I am.  Now if only the weather was warm and toasty like this time last week...that would really be just wonderful.  I'm getting antsy for a spring bonfire because it's just about time for one when we gather 'round and set the dead old Christmas tree aflame.  That's quite a sight.  Also...this seems like the perfect time for a little spring cleaning out and rearranging.  I've just noticed that our holiday wreath still hangs on the siding outside the back door.  All this time I've become so used to it that I don't even register it's presence anymore.  But I do believe it's time to retire the old thing.  Out with the old, in with the new.  My clothes closet could also use a bit of  paring down as well.  Who's with me?  Anyone up for passing along a bag full of unworn clothes to another loving owner's delight?  The Goodwill always takes donations :)

this was made entirely by hand...and never even touched a sewing machine if you can believe it

   

yet left or right?

It appears that Keira cannot decide if she is yet left or right handed.  She does a wonderful job with both, but usually her left hand grip looks much more natural...guess we'll have to wait and find out :)  I'm loving watcher her as she carries around a small rainbow of crayons and her notepad.  Surprisingly, she chose the purple one and I wonder if she is subconsciously being persuaded by the fact that she's dressed like an Easter egg (that's what a woman in the store told me anyway) .  Mostly, she likes to plop down almost right on Oliver and place her paper on top of his fluffy pillowy self and proceed to work there.  The funny thing is...he doesn't seem to mind too much most days.  It's all very sweet.  And then there's Savy, keeping his distance hiding in the blanket hutch because he knows when he's in there...she can only get so close.  What would I be without my Keira and my Cats for entertainment?

rainy day morning

It's wet and damp outside, but I kind of like it.  The recently raked-of-all-twigs yard is getting a nice, cool drink of all this water and is turning back to that summery green I look forward to all year.  Not that I need one, but this gray day is giving me a perfect excuse to light up the wood stove again and sip slowly from my toasty mug.  The sound of the tires on the wet road as the cars drive by is like a comforting fuzz in the background, so this is one day I'm not bothered that our house is a bit close to the road.  It's calm here and life seems to move more slowly today than others, which I love.  If I could I would prefer to add at least 3 more hours of light to the day.  Imagine what accomplishments could come from an extra three hours :)  More fun work, a tidier house, time for a nap, a better tended garden, a nice long run with my bouncy sneakers and music in my head, and more well-prepared dinners that savor of the heart and soul put into the making, possible only with more time.  If only...But in the meantime, I'll have to settle with staying up entirely too late, rarely sitting down during the day, and a mind full of over-anxious ideas waiting to come to fruition :)  That's okay too, it adds excitement to life when the goal is...how many fun things can I squeeze into one day? 

Just a couple pictures from adventures of a not-so-rainy day...a couple days ago.

simply sweet

Today it was mid 60's.  A little spring preview "they" say.  Keira and I spent the afternoon at Tyler Park with a good friend Lauren who is one half of the wonderful photography duo, morrisseyphoto.  What a nice day it was too.  So warm I wore a short sleeved T and didn't even bring a sweatshirt :)  We walked the long and windy path through the shadowy woods, mini dogs, speed-walking couples, and baby strollers.  Lauren wore her sweet Quinn in a little baby carrier on her person.  Keira just had the time of her life in her Kelty Kids Backpack slung over my shoulders.  Those of you with kids...this is the most awesome thing.  Throw your "baggage" (a.k.a. "sweet little one") in the pack on your back and take off....

Hooray for the warm weather.  Why, oh why, do I live on the northern East Coast when I adore the sun so much???

beads and a party

 Look at this.  I love how the crystal water beads stay behind after a rainy day.  So pretty and makes everything feel so fresh and alive.  Today is pretty quiet, thankfully.  After a whirlwind couple days of orders, I've shipped the last out into the world this morning.  I'm catching up on some much needed house-tidying.  The destruction I leave behind when I'm knee deep in projects is almost as bad as a tornado :)  I'll also be playing nurse today to my sister who just got some wisdom teeth extracted.  Not pleasant for her...but I'm happy to have her resting on the freshly "made up like a bed" couch and attending to her every need.  We decided she should get a little bell to ring me over whenever she's wanting :)  It's fun having her around for a couple long days after living in separate households for so many years.  It's like winter camp, or vacation, or a party or something.  Tonight, since I'm obviously obsessed with working...I'll be starting some new work that I've been pondering over all day.  And I'm looking forward to making mashed potatoes since swollen mouths cannot eat solid foods.  Today is lovely :)  How's yours going?