dream vacation

just got back from a dream vacation 

in Gloucester Massachusetts

where we spent many hours at this beach

and visited Rockport

and sailed across the Atlantic to Martha's Vineyard

and followed the Freedom Trail in Boston

and my son and husband wanted to play golf at the private club

and Samwise and I spent some cuddle time

and I am so missing these three

and now that I am back at work,

my head just doesn't seem to be able to focus and engage...

wonder why?

dream town USA

Just got the newest issue in the mail,

and I happened to turn to this page,

and if you were within 100 feet from me 
you would have heard a slight, or not so slight gasp
emit from my mouth,

as I happen to be jetting across this fine country tomorrow

to visit this dream town and visit these dream kids.

First Samwise (aka Puppycakes) will show me his favorite beach,

 and then Jonathan will show me his favorite beach,

and then kimberlyrenee will show me hers.
btw I stole these photos from her wonderful blog-
hope she will forgive me ;).
Tomorrow I will have my own photos of
dream town USA to share myself.-
if I can get all my chores done...

shall we fly south?

OK I happen to think this post is just brilliant

and nobody else but me left a comment -

hmmm...

does anybody else agree this is a great way to plunge into something new?

it just makes sense to me and I do believe 

I will try it with this new sorta phobia I have been experiencing this week.

let me explain -

here are various birds...

that I photographed while on vacation at Balboa.

don't they look happy?

well I do believe I am going to pretend to be them,
or more precisely,
 the canada geese that have already decided 
that it is time to migrate south for the winter.
do they know something I do not?
you see we have not really had a very sunny summer
(I do believe only 5 days just a tad over 80 degrees)
and I love living in the Pacific Northwest,
but I do require a gorgeous summer full of vitamin d 
to get me through our grey days until the next summer.
and I am feeling extremely panicky 
because I have not yet had my sunshine fix for the year - not even close!
this California girl (albeit 31 years living in the PNW)
is starting to hyperventilate and freak out to put it mildly.
So I will take Kim's advice and just pretend that I can soar south anytime I want.
maybe I can sit under a lamp to feel the heat, 
close my eyes,
hold out my arms,
 and just pretend I am floating above the clouds
with all the other canada geese honking around me.
it couldn't hurt.
and I do believe I am craving some grass and bread right about now...

I am in big trouble!

and here is another bestest birthday present to share with you...

on the birthday morning I woke to find a birthday present for me posted 

at Kimberly Renee's website...

with the most adorable art studio for 'moi'

she has been working on this for awhile 

and I have been fretting over just how darn cute the design was going to be, 

and you can see I had reason to fret...

really check out her link for all the photos and designs.

so this new studio would perch above the garage 

with skylights 

and a little art gallery 

and she even included an anthropologie chair  in the sketch-

how cute it that?

she is the best and made me have a little cry, I must say.

oh I am in big trouble as now I am coveting again and

there are no plans to build this wonderful creative haven,

but I can dream and pretend 

I am painting in the north facing window

listening to Cloud Cult 

and sipping rose 

with both animals curled at my feet

and the sun light bouncing off the fir trees 

as crows dance through their branches

and call out to me to paint them.

ahh life is good - 

thank you Kim!

found some cute cards on etsy...

Look what I got in the mail the other day...

cute little cards with everyday sayings...

that brighten your day...

all made by her

and you can get them here.

the perfect art studio

OK, my daughter-in-law is driving me crazy...

she took me seriously

when I talked about wanting an art studio.

I am old enough.

I have paid my dues.

The kids are gone - somewhat...

and it is my time,

time to get back to being creative -

just because...

Well since she is an architect,

she decided it would be fun 

(fun for whom I ask you?)

to design me a studio.

That is when the trouble began...

Just look at this photo

she posted on her blog today.

This is the inspiration for her design.

Well drat I could move in like tomorrow please!!!

So a couple days ago she started sketching

how the room would sit above our garage

and that started to get my heart 

going pitter patter a little faster.

And now this photo -

how could she be so cruel I say?

So I am thinking that maybe this week

I just need to follow a leprechaun to a pot of gold...

ya that will do it!

all kidding aside -
you are the best, Kim -
just let those creative and engineering brain cells mix
and let's see what you come up with!

the talented Kim...

Look at this awesome mixed media Christmas present

that we were given.

It was made by my wonderful

daughter-in-law,

Kim,

who is an architect by day

and aspiring artist, blogger and etsy seller

by night.

She is so creative...

please visit her blog and leave her some encouragement...

and visit her shop...

she has some sweet deals right now...

and try this delicious Christmas candy recipe

that she made while here.

It would be great in little heart shapes

for Valentines Day too!

birthday goodness

If you tend to salivate and have heart palpitations

when you glance at all things sparkly

and seashells

and sea glass

and buttons

and sea rocks

and jewelry...

then this blog is for you - if not

then proceed with caution!

My wonderful daughter-in-law made me this most enchanting bracelet

from shells and sea glass from our excursion

to Alki Beach in Seattle last summer...

I blogged about that day here - it was so special!

and then I received the wonderful reminder in the mail for my birthday last week...

ahh she made me cry - love her dearly...

and then I was surprised with more birthday treats from my mother-in-law...

oh my what's not to love!!!

she parted with her beloved button collection...

and carefully wrapped and disguised this cherished gift...

so I wouldn't know what I was opening...

oh let the salivating and heart pattering begin!!!

What shall I make with them?

So many ideas -

Thanks so much Billie!

Love you too...

to Princeton and back...

My husband and I travelled across the country last week

to visit these two in Princeton.

We saw many amazing and wonderful things including...

our new grandpuppy - Samwise...

who immediately melted our hearts even after

he felt the profound need to wash our ears

which we did not enjoy.

There were so many experiences that I could blog about

so I decided to do a little bit each day this week.

So join me as we visit art museums, the Jersey shore and a great store there,

Philadelphia and New Hope, Pennsylvania

where we stayed at a quaint Bed and Breakfast,

and other things I found that I would like to share.

For today I would like to share some of the buildings

of Princeton and the stone carvings and details.

Everywhere I looked there were little details and embellishments

that one does not find on newer buildings.

Just look at these hallways...

minute precision and detail in every inch!

and then the adornments...

Look at those grapevines...

and these angels...

and is he their tiger mascot?

There are dragons climbing walls...

and guards peering down while...

checking your every step.

So thank you Princeton for your amazing stonework!