Celebration

I feel as though I should celebrate the marvels presented to me in 2009. And thus, a celebration list is born.

:: I learned a little about stain glass.

:: I celebrated another successful transition of leadership for my country. It amazes me each time.

:: I've cooked and baked more than ever before. It could easily become a passion.

:: I visited the great cities of Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Washington DC, and NYC.

:: I opened my Etsy store.

:: I got a compliment on a dress I made by a staff member at Ann Taylor Loft.

:: I saw the musical Chicago twice. And attended Easter service at the National Cathedral.

:: I attended the Grand Prix at the Devon Horse Show.

:: I made three new quilts and worked on a fourth.

:: I made new friends.

:: I reupholstered a chair. (This statement still amazes me.)

:: I've actually been so pleased with photos I've taken that I've framed them and placed them in my apartment.

:: I've watched a good friend get married to a wonderful man.

:: I did my first craft show.

What a wonderful year: 20o9! May 2010 offer a heaping serving of additional blessings!

Flashback

I was cleaning through old letters and photos today and thought I'd share a couple of photos from my college years. I love looking at old photos and thinking about how much has changed since then and how wonderful that time was!

My friend Katie and me at a sorority banquet in 1996.

In my off-campus apartment in 1995-96. Loved that apartment even though everything was crooked.

Graduation Day: I'm on the far right. M&M are my mom and stepfather.

Savoring

I just have a few more days of Savor the Possibilities being the theme for the year. As I move forward through the rest of 2009, I'm thinking about the remaining things I can savor....

• time with family and friends for the holidays
• crafting time upon my return to Philly
• good Buffalo foods... yum!
  
• the strength I have
  
• vacation from work for the next week or so
• the feel of chapstick on chapped lips (I'm simple, what can I say?)
• my home, as it is comfortable and a comfort to me
• my little love Rosy
• a balanced checkbook that doesn't leave me crying
  
• the Glee soundtracks (man, I love that show!)
• melting snow
  

What from 2009 are you savoring most?

2010 Goals

I've been thinking a little bit about goals for 2010. What should I be striving for? What's my theme? What am I motivated to accomplish? They are tough questions to answer. Yet, they are easy at the same time. Right now, I'm thinking my goals are:

1. Make a larger sized quilt.
   
2. Take the glass blowing class through my local learning tree. I think this could be a fun experience and something totally different than my other crafts.
   
3. Do another (successful!) craft show. I like preparing, laying out the table, connecting with customers and whatnot.
4. Find a new challenge in my professional job. I've been doing the same thing for over four years, with the only big addition being editing a webpage (great new challenge). I need to find new things to keep my mind active and think in a different way.
   
5. Continue dating.
   
6. Read more! Knit more too.
7. Exercise more. I've gotten lax in the last couple of months and need to get myself back on track.
   
8. Move closer to buying my own home. Whether that is adding to savings or consulting a realtor is up for grabs.
   

As for the theme, it was suggested that I use love (by this lovely lady). I adapted it a bit to "Surround Yourself with Love." That's what 2010 will be: my opportunity to do what I love, take care of myself, challenge myself, enjoy family and friends and maybe even meet someone to love.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2010?

Suggestion for Philadelphia

Philadelphia really needs to invest in one of those snow melty machines that Buffalo borrowed from Toronto a few years ago (and by few I mean like ten) when we got hammered there. Really. Because the streets are crazy slushy... which is what happens when you don't plow 2 feet of snow and instead let people drive over it. And, the piles of snow all over the place are problematic for driving or walking. 'Cause you know, when my city taxes are more than my state taxes, I expect a certain level of service. (I'm high maintanence like that.) So, let's melt the stuff and send it into the sewer system. Yep, that's my thought for today. In happy news, the on-street parking spot I dug out yesterday was waiting for me when I got home from work tonight. Yay!

Now, back to my regularly scheduled sewing and knitting!

Toffee Treats

Today, I used this caramel recipe to make some treats as my colleague's holiday gifts. I cooked it about as long as Emily said but ended up with toffee, not caramel. It's darn delicious toffee though (Really sugar, butter and heavy cream... can you go wrong?). I packaged the pieces up and have everything set to take in tomorrow and drop off. I had these little flower pot thingies, originally from Ikea, that a neighbor had left by the mailboxes downstairs. They were the perfect little container for a couple of colleague's toffee. As I only had two, someone gets a bag instead (and an extra piece!). It was an easy recipe and a fun snow day #2 activity.

Snow Day Saturday

They said it was going to be a lot of snow. I doubted. Philadelphia typically overreacts. This time, it actually is a nice, big, wonderful snowfall.

Unfortunately, it isn't the packing variety. But, Rosy and I did take a nice long walk.

Since then, I've been baking cookies, making soup, sewing and watching a movie. What a wonderful snow day! Thank you Mother Nature!

ETA: The snow is now higher than Rosy is tall! :-)

A Legacy Forward

As I sat on my couch this morning, knitting and watching the snow pile up outside, I thought about my plans for today. I anticipate baking, sewing and knitting.... avoiding the cold and snow except when Rosy needs to go out. And, my thoughts turned to how these activities tie me to generations of women past. For years and years, women have sat by the fire in the winter and created. And, although the fire might be missing, how wonderful it is to share their legacy.

Goal Setting, Goal Accomplishing?

Last year, towards the end of December, I set goals for 2009. Today, I was wondering how I did with those goals. My goals were:

• Make another quilt. Done and done! I've made two baby quilts and a bunch of other quilted items.
  
• Eat more veggies. Pretty good. I've have to change this into fruit/veggies but overall I've been doing decent.
  
• Save about $250/month to put towards a new computer as my little Mac is getting older. Saving was so so what with A LOT of car repairs but I did manage to get a new computer. More saving in 2010? Yes please!
  
• Refinish a piece of furniture. Although not my intention, I think the chair I reupholstered qualifies for this one. I'm thinking refinishing some kitchen chairs will be on the docket for 2010.
  
• Continue dating and don't get discouraged. I've been doing a bit of match.com dating - some good, some bad. But, at least, I'm out there!
  
• Volunteer more locally. This is so so... I've done a bit of legwork but haven't found the right volunteer opportunity for me yet.
  

This has me thinking about goals for 2010. What should I take on? And, what should be my theme?

I Am a Sucker... and I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way

On the way home from walking Rosy today, we encountered this love. He's sweet, although skiddish around people. He's not fixed and it a BIG humper. He also had no collar. I enlisted a neighbor and now we are trying to find him a home.

I'm glad I'm not the type of person who could leave him on the street, as it is busy and he easily could be hit. Now, hopefully we can find him a loving place to live!

Craft Show Tribulations

The craft show was fun although the traffic was horrendous! Between my friend and me, we sold one item. For $5. We didn't even cover the cost of our table. And that was the common issue among the other vendors we spoke with. I don't think they advertised as much as they should have.... The good news, however, is that we had a good time talking, knitting and catching up. And, we packed up early so we could go pick up cupcakes. (Priorities, right?) I wish it had been a better sale but overall, I'd mark it as an enjoyable time. Now, off to add my additional stock to the Etsy store!

Why I've Been MIA

A week later and here I am again.... I was away in Jacksonville, FL for a conference. It was great although wow, being gone right before a craft show is rough! I got back yesterday afternoon and was soooo tired that all I could do was sleep. Last night, after a good 2 hour nap, I priced all my goods. Today, I added two little items to my stock and packed everything in my roller suitcase. I think I'm all set! Wish my luck tomorrow.

More Tag Blankets!

I finished these two tag baby blankets tonight to add to the craft show stock. I'm really pleased with how they came out... love that patchwork. I'm thinking these will be about $15 to $18. Yay for stock... and sewing!!

My First Pony...er, Craft Show

I'm pretty excited. As of late this afternoon, I'm signed up for my very first craft show! I'm doing it with my friend and we will have (hopefully, if I can secure the 2nd table) two 4 foot tables. Between us, we have knit items, baby quilts, jewelry and paintings.

I'm planning on re-reading through Amy's suggestions, but I welcome additional thoughts, suggestions and ideas. The plan right now if doing some things that add dimension to the table... getting items up off the table a bit. However, I have limited time to get all of the table supplies, since I'm going to a conference just before the craft show. And, right now I'm more focused on adding some items to the stash!

Oh, I'm so excited!!

Sewing is My Crack

I've been kind of tired and grumpy most of the day. It seemed as though I didn't get enough restful sleep last night. But, then I came home and dug out my sewing machine again. I wasn't totally feeling the sewing vibe but knew I needed to get a the machine out so I was ready when the feeling hit. And, of course, it hit right away. I spent about an hour sewing tonight. Sadly, it was my secret quilt project so no photos for you all! But WOW, what a mood changer!! I'm so glad.

I can show you the weekend craft I did with my friend Dorthe and my mom. I inherited four of these tins from work. They originally had tea in them. We each covered them using Mod Podge (love that stuff!) and various papers. This is mine. It is now inhabiting my desk and holding all of the pens, markers and scissors that had been rolling around in the drawer. It is covered in bits of wisdom and inspiration. Perfect for the exploring mood I've been in!

How have you been?