Award winning weekend

Well, isn't that charming! I arrived home from a perfectly indulgent weekend, only to find my first blog award in the comments.

(thanks, girl!)

At the very same time, Mindy drops by, and slings me her first official *comment. Color me honored.

Now, Mindy's my favorite blog designer ever. Generous soul that she is, she offered to make my blog over for free, which I declined. Must be my unpretentious genes, I like the simple restrictions of blogspot. Besides, with a bigger and better blog comes bigger and better responsibilities, at least I'd assume.



Take "So Not Domestic", she's giving away A Blog Makeover, which I'd refuse (but entered anyway!)

And then take these five fellow bloggers, who I'm dutifully nominating for their own friendship awards:

Pat's

Maria's

Aphra's

Cynthia's

Jodimichelle's

I now return to my previous New Year celebratin', fruit salad concoctin', Nespresso slurpin' business.

Me no wear no slings

That's Dylan talk for...why do I need a sling, my hips rotate just fine. Perhaps it's my rebel spirit, and my tendency to be cautious of the bandwagons I hitch a ride on. But no matter how many fabulous fabrics your slings come in, or how dire your need to make income on etsy, I laugh as you gals try to wrangle those contraptions on.

Yes, I've heard all the pro-snuggling arguments in existence, and I'm not withholding hugs or bedtime stories, in case that's what you're assuming. No, I simply feel I'm strengthening my core and restoring some semblance of balance when I secure my babies to my hip, old-fashioned.

Some days left, other days right, it doesn't really matter. But as I reach with an arm-and-a-half, 'cause that's what I'm left with, I still manage to run a large household and get all my work done. Well, at least the stuff I'm not subconsciously avoiding.

Leaving me only to wonder, "What does Daphne think?"

New Years Resolve

Perhaps it's because I just turned 35, that my seeking and striving have ended. I'm perfectly content with where I am in my life, and the circumstances that surround me.

I simply want to do more of what I know to be important, only I'll do it better and with less inhibition.



Take cooking for example, and the imaginary resistance that stands in its way.

Buying the ingredients, assembling them intuitively. Most important, showing kids that dedication to nourishment, and happily made memories does come naturally.



A rustic life always has rough edges, in a household my size you can't expect perfection. And perhaps that is what I'll take the most pride in this New Year.



My loving husband by my side, our friendship strong, our inner-knowing. We are going to make 2009 our healthiest year ever.



What's that? Pepperoni and chocolate-drizzled cream puffs aren't considered healthy?



Who in the world told you that? Well, you can listen to whoever you want. Our lives are our own to live, however imperfectly.

And that, I resolve, is what matters. Be blessed.

Outlet Love

Before you read any further, I should warn you. My husband has all the taste genes in the family. Sure, I've learned a thing or two about classic design and quality, but I can't help tending towards the kitchy every now and again.



Take these mugs for instance, I long for my children to present me with one bearing "World's Greatest Teacher", while my husband raises his eyebrows at the mere thought of such paraphanalia cluttering up our cabinets.

And though I'd never stoop to such nostalgia as wearing an actual embroidered holiday sweater (unless my friend was the artist), I still long to celebrate my tea drinking with the appropriate seasonal cup.



Now, this one's a little harder to explain.

It's ceramic, or terra cotta rather, and if you knew my friend Jay, and his taste for the eclectic, you'd totally understand why such rustic realism rubs off on me.

Plus these vases, lest you mistake them for sculpture...I can't imagine celebrating next autumn harvest without owning a pair.



Which brings to mind Jason, Jay's partner in Abode design (seriously, check out his apartment). He's all about big presentation in the smallest of spaces.

These mirrors, he would totally respect.



Of course I have my thing for metalwork, Grandma's cookware,



...and imagined trips around the world with good friends.

Momversations

Jodimichelle first caught my attention when she started throwing Target giftcards around. No, she is not affiliated with Target, it's just her way of overcoming her tendency to hoard, as well as trying to repent for being selfish and greedy. Her assessment, not mine.

I actually find her to be quite bold and courageous, and figured this from the start, as I automatically do of any Momversationalist.

But Jodimichelle definitely took it to the next level by recording her own segment of a Momversation. And what kind of friend would I be, on the internet or otherwise, if I let her be seen talking only to herself.

Two-year-olds LOVE dollhouses!

Polly Pocket Sparkle Style House

(keep an eye out on ebay)

Hello Kitty Light Up Dream House

(keep an eye out on ebay)

Sweet Streets Coffee Shop

Sweet Streets City Dinner and a Show

(keep an eye out on ebay)

My first office

I have a gift for making unbearable basements into office space. Here's the first house I lived in with my new little family, back when I was sure I'd turn out to be a metalworker, you know, as in jewelry design?

Didn't happen.

Destiny, are you trying to tell me something?

As you may have noticed, I'm kind of over the whole blogging thing. I wouldn't go so far as to call it "so 2008", at least not 'til that ball drops, and officially dawns "year of the message board". It's just that what I'd like to create seems impossible.

You know, a slice of homeschooling life prettily-decorated, favorite resources at your fingertips, endless time spent on-line tweaking this and fiddling with that.

Doesn't mean I can't still enter amazing contests!

Take Anne, culinarily-endowed mother to seven, happened upon her site by complete serendipitous accident! On a whim, decided to enter her contest (just left a simple comment) and like the luck of some ordinary draw I WON, my second dangblasted contest!!!

Remember my first?



So, thank you Internet for existing, although my contributions are becoming more sparse and thin. And forever be blessed, awesome tech-savvy moms who take time out of busy lives to create joy within.

Latest Accomplishments

Well, I told you about the Geography Fair we won, well not exactly. There's no such thing as WINNERS in homeschooling land. In fact, we achieve more together, it's simple as that.



While I've yet to find a personal "lighting instructor" or take an officially helpful photography class, we have begun our study of the illustrationist Norman Rockwell.

Taught the kids complete Monopoly, we'd been playing

the children's version.

Captured a two year old in her first winter gear.

Tried to take the holiday photo, didn't turn out so well.

Began YMCA swimming lessons, Angie struck a deal.

Monday's Lessons

My kids study art, though we have yet to delve deeply into one artist's work, and know by heart his every whim and inkling.

I chose Norman Rockwell because I received this treat at TJ Maxx, a 2009 planning calendar. Of course I love it all by itself, and had planned from the beginning to study its artwork:



Then, I found this museum site for Norman Rockwell's illustrations, and a $5.00 coloring book, to boot!

Plus, saw these postcards and had to order some, we'll continue to add to our set.


Problem We All Live With, 1964

We needed one of each of his Four Freedoms (for a scrapbook), which we happened to find is from Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 speech.

Norman Rockwell went from "life as I would like it to be", painting boys, puppies, and small town pleasures...

to life as it is, immediately after leaving the Saturday Evening Post in 1963...,

47 years of magazine covers later!

Quiz Day

Free-schoolin' , out-of-the-box thinker Dayna encourages her sparkly children to build inventive games out of history lessons. Good-timing Martins, I seem to be on the same wavelength as you guys are.

We started by counting out all our Obama buttons (totally retro) don'tcha think:


And yes, being that the majority of my friends are Republicans, I have tons of extras.

Then, we decided to look at some options (for Unit Study). Trina helped us out with the electoral college, totally printed these up, and threw in this for good measure. Of course, we'll be repeatin' the lesson in four years. I'm failin' 'em all.

So, while they were studying and coloring this.

I grabbed my notebook, and came up with this.

Hallow'een

It was a warm, but spooky night. Not that my fingers were crossed for snow, but as low pressure systems in October often grow...oh well, never mind. The spirit has passed us, and despite bitter warnings from fellow homeschoolers, the dead did not rise.

Though ghoul was present in larger quantities than last year (counted 3-4 favorite houses), we both celebrated AND survived.



Yes, I awoke late this morning, visions of skunks and winter princesses danced in my head, I'll spare you the important details, but stuffed animals were involved. It's a tradition.



No caramel apples this year though, didn't have time. However, the geography fair exactly one week prior, went off without a hitch (sorry, no awesome pictures). Even local representative Mark Owens felt inclined showed up.



Next year, we'll choose Africa, stay tuned.